Many people envision homeschooling as kids sitting around a kitchen table with their mom teaching them math, science, and reading. While this is one way to do it, there are endless opportunities to expand your child’s homeschool education beyond the four walls of your home, including field trips! Here are some of my favorite tips on taking the “home” out of homeschooling.
My Experience As A Homeschool Mom
Let me be the first to say that I was a “less than stellar” homeschool mom. As a public school teacher for over a decade, I thought I was going to crush the teaching-at-home game. I had a degree in education, wrote thousands of lesson plans, and taught hundreds of students (many of who still visit me on the farm). On top of that, I had tons of school supplies, so how could I fail???
I can’t say it was a complete disaster because I believe it’s impossible to fail if you love your kids and you are trying your best. Jack and Sophie will both attest to the tears and frustration of those 18 months, but they will also tell you that we grew closer as a family and did some really cool things.
Looking back, my fatal flaw was trying to run our kitchen table like a classroom. There was a reason I was homeschooling and not sending them to the institution that I was trying to replicate. We never left the house, took any homeschool field trips, or visited any homeschool classes in Virginia Beach. I was so focused on my kids not getting “behind” that I sucked all of the fun out of it for all of us. Oddly enough, over the last year, my mom (Nana) and I have been teaching “farm school” classes to local homeschoolers in Hampton Roads with great success and have learned so many amazing things from the moms and dads that have brought their kids to the farm.
Visit the Farm: Schedule An Upcoming Farmschool Class
4 Ways To Make The World Your Classroom
Here are my favorite tips on taking the “home” out of homeschooling:
- GET OUTSIDE– There is something magical about running around outside and breathing fresh air. Take your kids to a state park, participate in outdoor homeschool groups, and visit a farm, dairy, or plant nursery.
- DO SOME REAL WORLD EDUCATION– Real-world experiences can be hard to teach in a classroom. Take some time to show your kids skills that they will use for a lifetime. Let them buy groceries on a budget, learn to cook a meal for their family, wash clothes or plant a garden. Not only can these activities be fun for kids, but they are also practical confidence boosters.
- LET THEM TEACH YOU- Every time I teach a class on the farm, there is a student that always knows facts about our subject that I never knew. It’s amazing how much information children retain. Let them research something and teach you! If they participate in a sport or play a musical instrument, take some time to help them develop the skill of teaching.
- EXPLORE- Find out what things are interesting to your learner and go explore. Visit museums, historical landmarks, libraries, and businesses. This change of scenery energizes everyone (parents and kids alike) and allows for creativity and “out of the box” thinking.
There you have it! 4 ways to get out of the house and make the world your classroom.
Homeschool Field Trips: Creative Learning, Unlimited Fun
Make field trips a regular part of your homeschool routine. There are so many learning opportunities right in your own backyard! At What the Farm, we offer a variety of homeschool classes that support the 4 ways to make the world your classroom.
Students will get hands-on experience to learn about sustainable farming, where their food comes from, and how to care for the land, all while having fun, getting outdoors, and learning!
By taking advantage of all the world has to offer, you can ensure that your homeschooled child has a well-rounded education. With a little creativity, the sky’s the limit!
No Experience Necessary,
Kelly
