CREATIVE LEARNING

by Judy
(PA/USA)

Please share an idea for Creative Learning in your homeschooling
or daily family life!

My idea was given to me last year by a friend and we have ENJOYED it on a regular basis ever since! It's called "The Random Subject Jar". We use ours each Friday (since we try to keep a four-day school week and save Fridays for things just such as this!)

Decorate a jar and allow the students (or the whole family) to fill the jar with small folded stips of paper upon which are written topic ideas...these ideas can be anything that someone is curious about or interested in learning but that is not a usual part of your daily curriculum or family discussion.

Every Friday (or whenever you deem appropriate) take turns pulling out a topic from your Random Subject Jar. Gather everyone 'round and spend an hour or two learning as much as you can about it! The internet is an excellent tool. If you prefer book-learning, then you can pull the topic a few days ahead of time and get pertinent books from the library.

Our family usually sits around the computer together and enjoys online research for our chosen topic. Usually, we do some general study at first and then we go around the circle, giving each person an opportunity to ask one question about our topic and then we try to find that answer. For instance, after reading about HORSES, some questions might be asked such as: What's the world's biggest? Smallest? Fastest? How many breeds are there? ETC...

Topic ideas? Well, some of our favorites have been:

1) How are potato chips made? (Did you know there are virtual tours online to SHOW you?)

2) A Day in the Life of the Pope

3) Komodo Dragons

4) X-rays and CAT scans...how do they work?

5) How to speak Mandarin Chinese (there are FREE lessons on You Tube!!!)

6) The History of Computers

7) Horses

I hope you'll give The Random Subject Jar a try in your homeschool or daily family life!

I also hope you'll add a post to this one and share an idea for CREATIVE LEARNING of your own with us today!!! THANKS!

Judy
GREAT E-BOOK for Your Enrichment!