The snows and cold used to come a lot earlier to Maine thirty and fifty years ago, but now, in this time of increased climate change, winter doesn’t seem to really get underway until January and February. I remember my mother’s stories of snow that reached the second-story window, and …
Field trips with a focus on science are a great way for your family to learn more about science in real life. Providing examples of professionals utilizing the tools and processes of science can lead your own children to pursue careers in science, technology, and industry, for which our nation …
I’ve mentioned it a couple of times in some of my posts, participating in a citizen science program at-home. I also wrote about central Maine’s lack-of citizen science and environmental activism programs. I even started a new blog recently, called Green in Central Maine–hoping to create more opportunity for citizen …
Establishing an atmosphere of science-inquiry even when your children are small, will set the foundation for a scientific lifestyle that encourages your family to explore their curiosities and learn more about the science of the world around them. Most young children are naturally curious and inclined to exploration. The traditional …
Everyone agrees that parents play a critical role in their children’s education: research shows that when parents are actively involved in their child’s life he will achieve greater success as a learner. It is also generally agreed upon that a scientifically and technologically literate society is crucial to America’s future …
Why is it that science intimidates us? I’ve heard it more than once–I even used to feel that way! That science was just too hard to teach, since I really didn’t understand it myself. Science is so all-encompassing, and so critically important–as homeschoolers it’s daunting to think about teaching our …
With Halloween upon us and Thanksgiving on the horizon, I find myself looking ahead to the winter holiday season with much excitement. I’m like this every year, but seemingly more-so this year. This will be our second year observing the Winter Solstice rather than the traditional Christmas. Now that we’ve …
Now that we’re practicing unschooling, I’ve been consciously making an effort to say yes more often. We’ve done no formal sit-at-the-table school work this week. Basically it feels as though we’re on vacation, enjoying the New England autumn–and working through our screen-obsession. As we adjust to the unschooling lifestyle, I’m …
It’s been a long time coming, I think, but our family is finally taking the plunge into unschooling. Unschooling is also referred to as child-led or interest-led learning. Basically it is a way of viewing the learning in everything so that you see the educational value of it all. Let’s …
