Learning Ideas

Should We Switch Curriculum Now?
 by Kimberly Farmer

Should We Switch Curriculum Now?

Are you thinking about switching curriculum, but you know that it sounds crazy at this point in the school year? There are many reasons we may choose to switch curriculum. Perhaps our child isn’t understanding it, we don’t like implementing it, or it just isn’t what we hoped it would be. My friend, Margaret, recently made the decision to completely drop the acclaimed curriculum/program that they were using, and in which they were invested, to begin a different program mid-year. Her story is inspiring, because her decision to change at this point in the school year was a complicated but rewarding journey in which she had to rely on and trust the Lord in so many ways.
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Sandpiper Creatives - Book Island
 by Kimberly Farmer

Book Island

Welcome to Book Island!… A destination island located conveniently behind our classroom door where reading doesn’t take any space but my kids feel like they are doing something fun during the school day! This is also a great way to motivate summer reading!

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 by Kimberly Farmer

One Creator, One Race, One Mission

Teach, Don’t Assume

We do our best to teach a loving attitude that “Jesus loves the little children of the world.” That’s a great start, but there’s more that our kids need to understand. With evolutionary theory infused into our culture, many caucasian-illustrated Bible Story books, society’s messages, and the term “races” being thrown around, our children may be feeling confused about why we all look different and how that does or doesn’t affect the value of human life. Fortunately, God has explained it in the Bible, and we can explain to our children from the truth of God’s Word rather than society’s opinions. Articulating why we all look different and why that’s cool, is really very simple. If you need a nutshell summary, watch this 7 minute video from Answers in Genesis titled “Why Do We Look Different.” From creation and the Tower of Babel to concentrated genes and current science, we can see that diversity isn’t so complicated.
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 by Kimberly Farmer

Free Online Videos and Interactive Resources to Educate & Entertain

There are so many amazing free resources online right now! Thanks to all these and others who are providing free educational and entertainment opportunities for families! I’ve been gathering the ones I come across, and I’m doing my best to keep listings and links updated. Also, know that we have tried out some but not all of these resources. Resources are organized into general categories:

  • Art & Design
  • Bible
  • History & Places
  • Science & Animals
  • Stories & Fun
  • Early Learning
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 by Kimberly Farmer

Branches of Government

We are several BJU Press‘ Video courses this year, and one thing that I’m loving is that it is freeing up my time to do the fun, creative teaching that my heart wanted to do in previous years, but my energy-level just couldn’t deliver lately. But this year, I have had more flexibility thanks to this program. The Three Branches of Government were introduced during BJU’s Heritage Studies 4 course. It was well-explained and the corresponding worksheet was great, but there is still no way my children will remember the three branches of government without reviewing it frequently. How can they review in a fast, flexible, and re-usable way? Ta-da!… our Build & Remember Puzzle Chart! And next year, we will pull it out again for review, as my daughter delves into Notgrass’ Uncle Sam and You civics course!

 

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 by Kimberly Farmer

Creating an Ecosystem Chart and Activity

My son is learning about ecosystems in the first chapter of BJU Science 4, and it’s been a fun study for him. He was, however, having a little trouble straightening out the different terms in his mind. To help him remember the terms and their meanings as well as better understand how it all works together, I got out my trusty markers, cardstock, and scissors to create 1) a Chart that helps him get the big idea and 2) Manipulative Pieces so he could “build” his own ecosystem.

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 by Kimberly Farmer

The Snack Shop

Welcome to our super fun Snack Shop, where my kids get in some practical money-math and walk away with a snack for later. Some mornings we open The Snack Shop before the school day kicks off. After I have chosen the snack options and the prices (so they will be forced to work with change), the kids use play money and their cash register to take turns buying a snack. So this activity gives them practice with money-math, and it also gives them a snack that they don’t complain about (because they chose it). If you don’t have a play cash register or play money, no problem! Your kids can use a little bit of real cash and change and have a notepad and paper handy, in case they need it.

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 by Kimberly Farmer

Cross-stitch for Young Children

We love Colonial Williamsburg. I went there multiple times with my family when I was growing up (I remember mom making me a write a report on our visit.), and my husband and I went a couple times before we had children. We have since been a couple more times with our children, and I’m so glad they love it, too. If you are studying Colonial Times and would like an activity to go along with it, this may be one to try.

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 by Kimberly Farmer

Yahtzee Score Card for Kids

A “Yahtzee” score card can be a little too complicated for little ones to completely understand. To help my kids play more easily by themselves or with little assistance, I created a simplified score card for playing Yahtzee.

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