Focus - Homeschooling Creatively

Along about this time of year most homeschoolers assess the school-year so far. Are things going well? Should we eliminate or change? Is it possible to be a little more creative without spending a lot of money or expending large chunks of time in preparation? We’ve put together some resources that can help you to incorporate creativity into your homeschooling. Find one thing you can do…don’t try to do everything we suggest.

Release the Creativity
According to Scripture, man was created in the image and likeness of God. (Genesis 1:26) This means that man, every one of us, whether we believe it or not, is designed by God as a creative being. If God created us in His likeness – or to be like Him – then we should walk in creativity just as we should walk in love or any of the other attributes that help us be “like” Him. I especially appreciate how Alice Bass expresses it in The Creative Life: “...each one of us has the nature of our Creator woven into our DNA. When you come to Jesus, you can expect redemption of your imagination and a continual flow of the expression of Christ through your creative life.”

Encouraging Creativity
Creativity has many forms. It includes the small child building castles in the sandbox, the young boy setting up toy soldiers in strategic positions on the family room floor, and the teenager putting together a power point presentation on the computer. All of this involves a creative mind and a child using his or her imagination.

Lasting Memories
Can you see yourself in this picture? Your family just completed the unit study of your dreams. You're at the end, and you're thinking there must be more. What can you do with all of the fabulous projects, the stack of photos, and your memories of the fun?

Scrapbooks and Home Schooling = A Winning Combination!
If you are reading this article, chances are you already homeschool. Most of us have been through curriculum reviews, textbook decision making, choosing which units to teach, and making numerous lesson plans. One way to reduce the planning, decision making and testing formats is to use scrapbooks in daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly lesson plans...and with wonderful end results!

Scrapbooking
Tammy Cardwell explains the basics of scrapbooking and how scrapbooking can enhance learning in your home.

Character Studies in History
Shakespeare had a knack for making history meaningful. True, some may question the accuracy of his portrayals of historical figures and events, but the essential message of good and evil, loyalty and betrayal, and the pursuit of power are a part of his stories just as they are a part of history. I don't mean to take anything away from the Bard in this article by suggesting that his works not be on your social studies reference shelf. Instead, I hope I can encourage you and your students to imitate his craft by turning a few history lessons into character studies.

Front Porch History
Those passionate about studying their family genealogy are looking for and sometimes finding more than just cold facts about births, deaths, and marriages.

Using the Family Vegetable Garden as a Living Science Classroom
As a practical matter, a small plot of vegetable plants can provide many hours of fascinating scientific study for your homeschool. My children are almost as amazed by the garden plants as I was when I was a child.

Teaching Geography through Current Events
Last month, I explored ways to teach history through current events. Among the ideas I shared was the concept of a "political timeline." This month, let's take a look at how we can use current events to teach another important social studies subject – geography.

Ribbon Candy Ornaments
These whimsical ornaments are fun and easy to make. Gather all your friends and their ribbon for an inexpensive ornament party!

Ribbon Wreath
Pick your favorite ribbons and design your very own ribbon wreath. It’s easy to make and fun to display!

Away in a Manger HomeMade Creche
Crafted from pipe cleaners and yarn, this homemade creche is kid-friendly (after all, there's no right or wrong when it comes to folk art). Once your family learns the basic technique, they'll enjoy improvising! Instructions for making Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, the stable, a manger, shepherds, angels, the wisemen, sheep, and a calf.

MORE:Make Your Own Snow Globes, Origami Christmas Ornaments, Christmas Goodie Cans, Christmas Ball Wreath, Christmas Card Mounter, Model Magic® Christmas Tree Ornament, Clay Pot Christmas Tree, and Christmas Ornaments: Air Brushed, Animal Print, Beaded Box, Snowman, Reindeer, Gallery Glass, Etched Glass, Mosaic, and Redi-Lead