Curriculum should serve as a tool and guide for you to base your child's education off of; not the end-all-be-all. Sometimes, more often than not, boxed curriculums can become mundane and let's face it sometimes boring. Yes, sometimes, it's okay for your child to learn that not all learning experiences are going to be fun - but we should be trying to instill a love of learning into their hearts and minds. There's a happy medium between "Pinterest Mom" and "Cookie Cutter Mom." Neither are bad, but I feel like, if you're anything like me, you fall somewhere between those two types. Well, you probably are if you were even interested enough to read this blog post, HA!
I've collaborated with my friend I made over on Instagram, Alesha from @simple.joys.home to bring you some fun and EASY at home ideas that you can try to make your boxed curriculum a little more hands on and engaging.
You can tap Alesha's photo (or her handle above) and it will link you to her profile. I learn so much from Alesha from homemaking, baking, cast iron, gardening, and homeschooling! She has so many manageable and realistic tips and tricks she uses in her home. She is a Mama of four kiddos, toddler/PreK, Kindergarten and upper elementary age.
Idea #1 Change up your utensil
Seriously, sometimes all it takes is letting them use a writing utensil that is out of the ordinary to make a simple worksheet more engaging.
Here I let Mr. 4.5 dot the raindrops to count them and use marker instead of pencil. You would have thought I let him hang the moon.
Option ideas: crayons, markers, dot markers, paint sticks, pens... the possibilities are endless.
Idea #2 Make a Craft
Extend a simple phonics worksheet lesson with a simple craft. I will tell you, my boys BOTH remember letters and letter sounds by crafts that we made that coordinate. We are especially partial to this little "Ii inchworm" made from a popsicle stick, pom poms, googly eyes and a pipe cleaner!
Idea #3 Use Fun Pointers for Reading
Like I said, we have become partial to our little inchworm popsicle stick and he has read many many books this year!
Other ideas: use drink stirrers, cupcake picks, crazy straws, decorated popsicle sticks, plastic pointer fingers from Dollar Tree
Idea #4 Make an Activity Dry Erase
Take any old worksheet and make it instantly more "fun" by making it dry erase!
I have these cute little pocket folders from the Target Dollar Spot and some from Amazon! If you don't have these, but have some sheet protectors laying around they work just as well!
Idea #5 Flashcard Flyswatter
This one is a favorite: Flashcard Flyswatter. Call out the letter sound or write some CVC words on sticky notes and have your child identify/read and slap the correct answer
We also like to play "Beat Mommy/Daddy" and we see if they can recite the sound/fact before Mommy or Daddy.
Idea # 6 Worksheet Scavenger Hunt
This one is SO FUN! Cut up a worksheet and hide the pieces around the room. After they find them, have them glue them into their notebook and solve the problems!
Idea #7 Change Up the "Instructions"
This idea pairs nicely with "adding another utensil," but sometimes adding another utensil AND changing the instructions on a worksheet helps break up the monotony of doing the same thing over and over again.
Here, instead of doing what they always have to do by "circling" the correct word. Alesha changed the instructions from "circling" to highlighting instead! Easy peasy, doable swap!
*Credit: Alesha @simple.joys.home
Idea #8 Turn Phonics Words into a Game
Take phonics words off the page and onto index cards straight from the book. Put them in fun colors on your index cards. Have your child sort by word family and then read.
This helps break reading "a lot of words" into smaller, more manageable chunks.
*Credit: Alesha @simple.joys.home
Idea #9 Add Manipulatives for Math
May it be counters, buttons, pom poms, or in this case play money for more hands on counting! Adding that element of hands on tactile learning helps to make those complicated math concepts more concrete (and fun) for little ones!
*Credit: Alesha @simple.joys.home
Idea #10 Add STICKERS
Alesha suggested, letting your little one use stickers to mark their answers instead of "circling" or "bubbling" in the correct answer.
Another tip for stickers, I'd like to add to this is that when your little one has to write letters or words multiple times, add a sticker to your "favorite one" or the one that is written "the neatest,." My 4.5 year old LOVES that type of motivation!
*Credit: Alesha @simple.joys.home
Idea #11 Add Worksheet Content to a Chalkboard
Just because your children are homeschooled doesn't mean board work shouldn't be a thing! There's something about chalkboards that just scream "school!"
Adding your child's worksheet content to the chalkboard seems so basic but it does actually work!
Don't have a large board? Use an easel or small handheld ones!
*Credit: Alesha @simple.joys.home
I hope that these easy at home ideas are helpful to you! If you give any of these a try let us know! I love to see your littles in action! Last, I want to say again, THANK YOU to my dear friend, Alesha for partnering with me on this round up of ideas! Send me an email ourblessedhomeschoolblog@gmail.com or message me on Instagram!
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