How to encourage children to learn in home schooling

by Mary Ann on October 5, 2010

This is the sixth article  in a series of posts, starting at basics of using The Spark Station

WHAT ARE SPARKS?
encouraging-students-to-learn

A spark is anything that a child says that lets you know they are interested in something right now. It can also be an event which generates interest in a certain subject.

A spark can also be parent generated– it is anything you feel a desire to expose your child to.

The first step in using Sparks is in recognizing them. The second step is in responding to them. You have to be prepared to respond when the interest is present.

Leadershipeducationfamilybuilder.com offers a fabulous class for under $9.95 on recognizing and responding to sparks. It is a learned skill and will assist you to keep your Spark Station filled with inspiring content?

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Sparks Ignite a Love of Learning

Sparks Lead to Joy

An Example of Recognizing and Responding to Sparks

An Example of Recognizing and Responding to a Spark– Part 2

An Example of Recognizing and Responding to a Spark– Part 3

An Example of Recognizing and Responding to a Spark – Part 4

The Art of Responding/Inspiring Kids

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Low cost teaching method using The Spark Station

by Mary Ann on October 5, 2010

This is the fifth article in a series of posts, starting at basics of using The Spark Station

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE ANY MONEY?

Teaching-kids-at-low-cost

Don’t stress over cost. Children don’t care where stuff comes from as long as it’s interesting. Use the library. Use a second hand shop. Scour your home for things of interest (remember those tubs of colored rice, and what about beans and macaroni for a collage?). Make your own educational items (i.e. flash cards).

Let your children help you. They rarely care if it looks like it came from a store. So your 12 year old can make picture cards that your 4 year old will love. Use the internet. You can down load pictures to color and find oodles of ideas. Go to a print shop and ask for paper scraps. You will be amazed at the great paper that gets thrown away. Go to a lumber yard and ask for odd pieces of 2X4. Then let your older children sand and paint so your younger children have blocks. Consider the activity of filling your Spark Station part of the options within The Spark Station.

FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION:

How to Home school At Low Prices

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How to use The Spark Station in home schooling

by Mary Ann on October 4, 2010

This is the fourth article  in a series of posts, starting at basics of using The Spark Station

WHAT GOES IN THE SPARK STATION IN HOME SCHOOLING?

home-school-lesson-ideas

Under FREE STUFF you will find a list of possible Spark Station contents

* Anything you have around the home. If it belongs to one child it’s a no
* Toys- You decide if you’re going to have toys. You are the expert in your home.
* Materials for projects – “The use of project learning is an incredible way to encourage the child to venture into new areas of study.”
* Books – Use yours or the libraries. Even books that have been in your library take on a new allure when put into The Spark Station. Use the book as a jumping off place for something else.
* Kits or make your own. There are parameters to this item. Refer to the blog The Kit Controvery
* Academics

FOR MORE INFORMATION;
Spark Station Contents

Kitchen Crafts in your Spark Station

Treasure Hunt your Home to Create a Magical Learning space

Treasure Hunt your House Part 2

Treasure Hunt Your House Part 3

Volcanoes in The Spark Station

Kit controversy

Science in a Box in Your Spark Station

Science in a Box Activities

Chemistry in The Spark Station

Teaching Science – Levers

Teaching Science Part 2

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Home learning for children-creative ideas for The Spark Station

by Mary Ann on October 1, 2010

This is the third article  in a series of posts, starting at basics of using The Spark Station

IF I DON’T HAVE AN ACTUAL SPARK STATION WHAT CAN I USE?

closet-home-learning-basics

What if you don’t have an actual closet? There are numerous alternatives and I bet some of you will come up with things I didn’t think of. Your children haven’t heard of The Spark Station and so they don’t have any expectations of what it should be like. Maybe it will be shelves on the wall, large plastic tubs or shallow ones that roll under the sofa, rolling luggage or an old dresser, maybe a plastic shoe rack on the back of the door. Find something that will work and then use it.

“I have always been waiting for that perfect day in a perfect world when I had the perfect Spark Station…which day was not coming anytime soon! After going to your class, I threw together some fun things in some clear Tupperware containers, and voila! Our temporary Spark Station. How liberating! It was wonderful! We had a great school day together.” Elizabeth L.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Drop in at Creating a Magical Environment for Learning Fun

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