I have been getting a lot of messages from people who know we started homeschooling almost two years ago. They are overwhelmed, scared, confused and wondering how we do it and how they can do it. They want to know which sites our kids like to stay entertained and educated because many parents still have to work from home, too. I now see why God has taken us on this crazy journey over the past few years. He has already allowed us to experience a bit of what everyone is now being thrown into. We know your feelings and your struggles, to a degree, when it comes to everyone being home together 24/7 and being cut off from friends and family and neighbors, not by your choice. Luckily we have the internet today, FaceTime, Skype, Zoom and so many amazing people ready to help you make your life better and easier in the online space. Here are a few of my family's favorite places to learn and have fun at the same time online. I hope this helps.
Mystery Science - keeps them glued to learning science! They have printable activities that are fun and the lessons are very in-depth but not boring at alL. It’s a great resource for science and activities.
Generation Genius - has a free month trial of the entire program. We completed all of the videos in a month. No need for a subscription but I also think it’s free right now. This is a collection of science videos too and pretty cool experiments.
Teachers-Pay-Teachers - you can click the grade levels you need and click your price point (I do FREE) and then print out fun games and activities in any subject you want. That‘s where school teachers get a lot of what the kids do at school and it will feel familiar. My kids love the escape room bundles. You have to pay for a lot of them but they aren’t a lot of money. Just look at the grade and subject. A few are free so you can get an idea of what they are like and if your kids will enjoy them. You need a printer for a lot of things on this site.
Adventure Academy - My kids love this! This is a program for all subjects. There is a game aspect. The kids can build their own house and decorate it and get different clothing items for their avatar so they have fun with that. To earn the coins they have to do quests which involve doing work in different subjects. After they do the work, they earn the coins to “buy” the items. They have a deal right now for 3 months at $9.99.
Prodigy - for Math! Your kids are probably familiar with this from school already, but you can set it up for them to work on at home too. You can set it to teach them specific things at their academic level or just put in their grade and it will auto adjust for their level as they go along. It’s been our favorite for math and has a gaming component they love too. I just remind them, “Prodigy sends me an email and I can check and see home much math you did vs games you played so make sure you do the math!” They are good at it. And it’s fun.
You could take a drive! You don’t even need to get out of the car. You could drive the coast, drive to a small town and look around, just drive and check out the nature and stillness, and then drive back home. Bring hand sanitizer in case you need to get gas! now of ways to keep the kids happy and busy each day. And we can feel good about using some of these programs because we know they are being educated, not ignored, and we are still able to work and we can all respect each other’s space. The biggest thing is to come up with one or two times in the day where you have family time to look forward to. We do a family game, or art project, or storytime and a family show, pretty much every day. Starting the day with something like this and finishing the day like this will make the day a success. Start strong and finish strong my friends. Together, we can do this!know you need those hugs and he can give you more hugs. It helps us start thinking about others needs as well. It’s great! I highly recommend it.
We also read a lot! Audiobooks are awesome right now. There are some great series on Audible. We are in the middle of the Wingfeather Saga and about to start Treasure Island too. Boston gets a little scared sometimes but Finn is fine with it. Go figure, lol. Books and audiobooks are always a great way to learn and get some quiet time too.
Art of course. Tons of art, crafts, creativity, legos, family game time, dance party, yoga, meditation, etc. We will be doing Art Summer Camps and individual online paint parties throughout the summer. Join the waitlist to be notified when new classes are available.
You can follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/yourcreativeavenue.
You can learn sign language online or foreign languages too! It’s truly amazing!
Baking and cooking together make math and reading and science into real-life application so that’s always great to do together.
We like faith-based learning too so we love to Drive Thru History with Dave Stotts. It’s really cool he also has an American History one but I don’t know if that is free or paid. I know it’s on TBN a tv network station as well as online.
Our church has Sunday school for kids and adults online so Our kids do that at each week at www.newbreak.org
We think handwriting is important for many reasons. Your kids can work on handwriting by making cards and letters for loved ones or a different friend each day. This is also a way they can practice their typing skills too.
For entertainment and just awesomeness, Dude Perfect! If you aren’t already watching Dude Perfect you should be!!! This is a group of friends, many are dads, that do awesome stuff like trick shots, nerf battle challenges, rocket-launch competitions and so much more! You need to be following these guys online for sure!
Ok, I will think of more but for now, I hope this helps. Remember this time is a blessing. We only get so much family time and now we can look at this as a beautiful opportunity to get more time with the people we love. We can also enjoy our work time if we know of ways to keep the kids happy and busy each day. And we can feel good about using some of these programs because we know they are being educated, not ignored, and we are still able to work and we can all respect each other’s space. The biggest thing is to come up with one or two times in the day where you have family time to look forward to. We do a family game, or art project, or story time and a family show, pretty much every day. Starting the day with something like this and finishing the day like this will make the day a success. Start strong and finish strong my friends. Together, we can do this!l know you need those hugs and he can give you more hugs. It helps us start thinking about others needs as well. It’s great! I highly recommend it.
But most of all, just love this time you are being given with your kids. Laugh and give lots of hugs. I recommend the book 5 Love Languages. You will learn every one of your families love language and know how best they receive love and give love, which can be two different things. If you are physical touch and like to get hugs and give hugs to feel loved but your kid is words of affirmation then when you think you are showing him love by hugging him it might not be working best for him. Instead, when you know what each person is you can adjust the way you show love to them and they can receive it best from you and vice versa. So instead of always hugging to show your kid love you could pay him a compliment of how great he looks or how hardworking he is or how beautiful his drawing is. That would boost him up more. And if he knows you are physical touch he will know you need those hugs and he can give you more hugs. It helps us start thinking about others needs as well. It’s great! I highly recommend it.
My friends and I have also started a free Facebook group you are invited to join. We have a lot of educators and professionals in the online space there ready to help you. If you find an educator you like in the private group you can follow them on their page. We have etiquette class, French lessons, art, tai chi, parenting help and so much more. The group is called, Stay Home, Stay Safe, Stay Busy. Be sure to answer the questions to get into the group if you want to join.
But most of all, just love this time you are being given with your kids. Laugh and give lots of hugs. I recommend the book 5 Love Languages. You will learn every one of your families love language and know how best they receive love and give love, which can be two different things. If you are physical touch and like to get hugs and give hugs to feel loved but your kid is words of affirmation then when you think you are showing him love by hugging him it might not be working best for him. Instead, when you know what each person is you can adjust the way you show love to them and they can receive it best from you and vice versa. So instead of always hugging to show your kid love, you could pay him a compliment of how great he looks or how hardworking he is or how beautiful his drawing is. That would boost him up more. And if he knows you are physical touch he will know you need those hugs and he can give you more hugs. It helps us start thinking about others' needs as well. It’s great! I highly recommend it.
Ok, I will think of more but for know, I hope this helps. Remember this time is a blessing. We only get so much family time and now we can look at this as a beautiful opportunity to get more time with the people we love. We can also enjoy our work time if we know of ways to keep the kids happy and busy each day. And we can feel good about using some of these programs because we know they are being educated, not ignored, and we are still able to work and we can all respect each other’s space. The biggest thing is to come up with one or two times in the day where you have family time to look forward to. We do a family game, or art project, or story time and a family show, pretty much every day. Starting the day with something like this and finishing the day like this will make the day a success. Start strong and finish strong my friends. Together, we can do this!
I hope this helps.
Hugs to you and your family,
Ms. Ashley
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