Pioneer Woman at Heart

One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!

One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Adopted Motto

"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

Showing posts with label Homeschool Resources. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Homeschool Resources. Show all posts

Monday, May 31, 2010

History of Memorial Day ~ Do kids today really know the meaning?

I was astonished this morning.  As I put our United States flag outside, I asked my younger two girls if their school taught them the meaning of Memorial Day.  We watch parades, we see the flags, but do we teach our kids the real meaning?  The answer to that is sad.  My children have not been taught in school.  If it were not for free printable worksheets, free books from the library, and quality time with my kids, they would not be taught.

My 2nd grader said, "we got coloring pages" and my 5th grader said her teacher "mentioned" it in passing but there was no real teaching involved.  With the state test taking and requirements, teacher are not teaching kids in school today.  They are being taught to pass a test, and in doing so, have bypassed history and other teachings in the race against statistics. 

So if you are a parent and you have relied on the schools to teach your children about Memorial Day, and you have asked them about it and they cannot answer you, here are some links for on-line help.  Don't forget to use your library.  Even after Memorial Day, you can still teach through activities, hands-on crafts, poetry writing, and so much more.

The Online Teacher Resource, Memorial Day Worksheets/Printables
Enchanted Learning, Memorial Day Crafts, Projects, and Worksheets
Patriotic Craft Ideas
The TeachersCorner.net, Memorial Day Lesson Plans and Activities

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Teaching Geography to Kids ~ Making it Fun!

I found the most interesting regarding teaching kids geography! It's called "The Everything Kids' Geography Book". I wish I had this book when I was a kid. The authors combined so many other areas of learning with learning geography. One of the kids may find a copy of it in under the Christmas tree this winter. If you can get a copy at your library, take a look at it. It really is a good teaching tool for kids, and the authors make it fun!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Free School Resources for Parents - Making School Fun!

Encourage your kids in school with printable certificates you can print at home:

Free Printable Certificates

Free Printable Bookmarks

Free On-line Resources for Geography

While attending a middle school orientation, the social studies teacher mentioned that the first topic to be discussed will be geography. She also mentioned that the kids may find it "boring". I went on-line to find fun sites to help at home, while she is learning at school and found these:

Free Geography Publications


Geography Quiz Bowl Questions

Free Printable Geography Worksheets


Scholastic Free Printables (register to print)

National Geographic for Kids


Free and Inexpensive Geography Materials

Fact Monster - Geography Guide

Knowledge House - Study Resources: Geography


Free Federal Resources - Geography

Printable Outline Maps


Geography Study Resources


Fifth Grade SS Geography and Map Skills - On-line Flash Cards

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Kids Cooking: Frugal Internet Resources

This is a compiled list to help parents with frugal resources for teaching kids how to cook:

APPLES:
Printable Nutrition Facts, New York State Apple Country
Kids Cooking Activities, Apples Recipes for Kids


CHEESE:

Printable Cheese Activities
How to Make Homemade Goat Cheese


EGGS:

Kids and Family Section, Kid Friendly Recipes, American Egg Board
Eggs 101 How to: Cooking School, American Egg Board
Kids Pages, Georgia Eggs

POTATOES:

Kids Are Cooking Potatoes, Washington State Potato Commission (pdf)
The Amazing Washington Potato, 14-page printable activity book (pdf)