For reasons that vary, children usually have difficulty enjoying and understanding many of the concepts that make up a science curriculum. From the elementary grades all the way to high school, traditional teachers have always found it difficult to make learning science fun - and they've got equipment to spare.
Homeschool students do not often have access to the supplies and equipment that usually make up a traditional public and private science classroom, which makes learning science that much more difficult to do. Still, homeschool teachers who are trying to teach science do not need fancy equipment to make science fun for their kids to learn. With a little creativity, and a lot of patience, parents can make teaching and learning science more fun than a trip to the dentist.
o Give the textbook a break - There is no better way to make science boring than to resort to a traditional form of textbook instruction. Textbooks certainly have their place in the science curriculum, but they should never be a homeschooler's sole method of delivering instruction. Textbooks can be dry, and often outdated. An effective science teacher is usually able to go through the book and pull out both the important, and the interesting information for students to learn.
o Use hands-on activities - Science more than any other academic area easily lends itself to the use of hands-on activities. This alone is one of the best ways to make science fun. From dissecting a squid in order to help children learn about oceanic organisms, to making slime in order to help students understand polymers, hands-on activities are the best way to make science tangible and enjoyable.
o Explore museums - Building on the idea of making science interactive, parents can help make science concepts more tangible by taking children to local science museums. Many displays at these museums are interactive, especially those involving the physical sciences. In addition, many of these museums also offer special programs and demonstrations that can easily be used by parents to supplement their homeschool science curriculum.
o Use technology - Today's homeschooler has a nearly infinite supply of technology that can be used to supplement a science curriculum. The net has websites that cover all areas of science, and many that are dedicated to specific areas. One of the most popular science-based websites, both for traditional and homeschooled children, is BrainPop. At BrainPop, children can access hundreds of mini movies that teach specific science concepts. After watching the movies, children are asked to answer a series of questions in the form of a quiz. Each movie and quiz is also accompanied by a relevant activity that children can use to supplement or clarify the specific science concept that was just taught.
As difficult as science can be to teach, nothing and no one says it has to be boring. By incorporating interactive activities and assessments, together with a little technology and a few trips to local museums, parents can make sure that their kids will enjoy learning science as much as they will enjoy teaching it.
To learn more about a quality, distance learning homeschool program please visit Laurel Springs School. Laurel Springs School is an accredited, college prep private school offering distance learning programs and teacher services for students in grades K-12. Laurel Springs uses web-based communication tools, a standards-based curriculum, and personalized instruction to offer students the highest quality home education experience based on your child's learning style.
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