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Six Creative Homeschool Lessons For Your Pre-Teen by Craig Middleton may even work for your teenagers. Keeping kids engaged and ready to learn at home can be a challenge. You’ll need to make sure that you keep your child’s attention by mixing it up and involving some creative lessons. Here are six lessons to try in your homeschool curriculum to keep your kids excited while they learn.

1. Build A Solar Oven

• Learning about energy and about how the sun can power things like solar panels gives your child an inside look at renewable energy sources. You can make a solar oven easily out of a leftover pizza box and a few other supplies you probably have on hand. While you’re building you can discuss with your children why certain materials are used. You’ll use some aluminum foil to reflect the sun’s rays toward the inside of your oven and how black construction paper on the bottom can hold in heat to begin warming your food. After your project is completed, you can use it to make a fun afternoon snack like s’mores.

2. Design A Building

• If you want to teach a little bit about construction and engineering, have your kids design their own buildings. There are a variety of ways to do this sort of project. You could build with blocks or Legos, draw out a design, or even utilize a design program on your computer. Or you can make a day of it by combining all these elements from design to construction. Your student will learn about the process of design as well as about problem-solving while they try to bring their design to life.

3. Invent A Game

• Get those creative juices flowing by leading your kids in inventing their own game. If you want to keep it quick and simple, help them come up with a new card game with their own rules. If you want to get fancier, take an old board game you don’t use anymore and completely reinvent it. Your students can cover the existing board with construction paper to design the playing board. Use some cardstock to create cards with instructions. Find some fun knick-knacks around the house to use as playing pieces.

4. Do Some Time-Lapse Photography

• Time-lapse photography projects can be simple and short, or you can make it into an entire unit. Using an old webcam you can set up what you want to record and set the camera to take photos at pre-determined intervals. You could do something short-term such as recording leaves blowing on the trees in your yard for a few hours or longer-term like recording a daily photo of a plant sprouting. Once you have your photos you can help your kids put them together into a time-lapse video. This may even spark other photography-related projects like animation or a scrapbook.

5. Go On A Field Trip

• A field trip is a great way to sneak in a lot of learning while you’re having fun. Research some possible locations in your area and reach out to them to see if they offer any special informational tours you can sign up for. If you don’t have time for an extended outing, you can make even a trip to the grocery store into a lesson. Teach your kids about math, budgeting, nutrition, and meal-planning while you shop for what you need.

6. Bake A Cake

• Baking can teach your kids about math, measuring and chemical reactions while also teaching them valuable life skills. They’ll learn about following directions in a recipe to get the desired outcome. Once their sweet treat is baked and cooled they can get creative decorating it. Then at the end of the lesson, they can enjoy the fruits of their hard work by taste-testing their cake. Getting your kids active and involved is simple if you get a little innovative. Letting them get involved and engage in these hands-on projects will not only let them learn but also keep them entertained.

Craig Middleton

• Craig is a New York City-based retired business consultant, who is an expert in education and cultural trends. He has a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters in Education from St. Johns and loves sharing his knowledge on the side through his writing. If you have any questions or comments you can direct them to Craig at craigmiddleton18@gmail.com.

Best Study Tips to Retain Information by Donald Giddings deals with the fact that studying is an essential part of learning. No matter how young or old you are, you can benefit from studying when learning something new. Fortunately, the best study tips to retain information can help you succeed at whatever you do and he covers them here.

Introduction

• For some people, retaining information is harder than it is for others. No matter how much you study, you may struggle to retain the information you are intaking. With the right study methods, you can increase the information you retain and improve test scores.

Best Study Tips to Retain Information

• When it comes to studying, not everyone is the same. Certain study methods work better for some people than they do for others. However, researchers have found some of the study methods to retain information.

Hand Write Your Notes

• Though in this day and age many people prefer to use laptops to take notes, writing done your notes with paper and a pencil can help you better retain the information. Writing notes by hand allows you to retain more information and get a better comprehension of what you are learning. By writing your notes down, you retain information for longer, allowing for better recall when taking a test.

Learn In Multiple Ways

• When you have the chance, learn in as many ways as possible. This can include taking notes, listening to recordings, using visuals, and reading out loud. According to the author, neurologist and teacher Judy Willis, by learning in more than one way, you are further sealing that information into your mind. (Willis, J. Brain-based teaching strategies for improving students’ memory, learning, and test-taking success. Review of Research. Childhood Education, 83(5), 31-316, 2008).
• “The more regions of the brain that store data about a subject, the more interconnection there is. This redundancy means students will have more opportunities to pull up all of those related bits of data from their multiple storage areas in response to a single cue. This cross-referencing of data means we have learned, rather than just memorized,” says Willis.
• Learning in multiple ways can also keep you more interested in the subject, as reading notes over and over again can become boring. By expanding your ways of studying, you can improve the information you retain. When possible, seek out demonstrations and use visual aids.

Teach Someone The Information You Learned

• One of the best ways to retain the information you just learned is to teach it to others. When you translate what you’ve learned into your own words, you are further solidifying the information you learned into your brain.
• There are many ways you can teach someone the information you’ve learned. Create a podcast, write a blog post, create a presentation, or participate in a discussion. Studies have found that by teaching what you have learned, you can retain up to 90% of that information. (D’Souza, S. (2020, May 28). How To Retain 90% Of Everything You Learn)

Practice Recall and Test Yourself

• An important part of retaining what you study is by getting information from short term to long term memory. Changing short-term memories to long-term memories takes time. By distributing your studying over time, you can change the information you’ve learned into long term memories and improve recall when practiced.
• Recalling what you’ve learned can be a more effective form of studying than just sitting there reading your notes. By testing yourself on what you’ve learned, you are able to dig information out of your long term memories. If you are wanting to engage in critical thinking and problem solving, you can draw on the information you have in your long term memories and from around your environment.
• You can also practice recalling your memory by using flashcards and online quizzes to test yourself. When putting aside notes and textbooks, using recall to study can be a powerful way to improve memory. Purdue psychology professor Jeffrey Karpicke was part of a study that proved recalling things from memory was an integral part of studying. (Karpicke, J. D. (2017). Retrieval-based learning: A decade of progress. In J. T. Wixted (Ed.), Cognitive psychology of memory, Vol. 2 of Learning and memory: A comprehensive reference (J. H. Byrne, Series Ed.) (pp. 487-514). Oxford: Academic Press.)
• “Learning is about retrieving. So it is important to make retrieval practice an integral part of the learning process,” says Karpicke.

Create a Stress-Free Study Environment

• To improve your studying, make sure you have a comfortable environment that is free of any stress. Get rid of any distractions such as your phone or TV and find a quiet area away from people.
• Essential oils can also be used to create a relaxing environment that can boost your studying. By using aromatherapy, you can boost your cognitive abilities which can lead to better concentration.

Improve Your Study Habits

• By following these study methods, you can improve the way you take in information. They are designed to help you efficiently and effectively maintain the information you need to know. Good studying often goes beyond just reading your notes over and over again.

Green Living Zone

• Donald Giddings is founder and editor in chief at Green Living Zone. A lifelong sustainability enthusiast, Donald is always looking for the best way to live in harmony with nature. When he is not trying out new eco-friendly recipes, he writes engaging content about green, sustainable ways to maintain your home, body, and soul, readily sharing his abundant experience with other green living aficionados.

Sources

Taylor and Francis Online

Practicing Memory Recall Boosts Science Learning

How To Retain 90% Of Everything You Learn

Scientific American – Short Term to Long Term Memory
Medicine.llu.edu Brain-Based Retention Techniques

When it comes to teenage safety, which is more important? Privacy or Safety? by Hillary Smith offers sound advice for parents who have children approaching the age where they will have their own smartphone. This article also contains several excellent links to sites that reinforce and add depth to this fine effort. Thanks Hillary.

Introduction

• There’s a lot to love about teens, but there are also some problems that we face as parents, and a few of these problems are worse than those where two cherished values come into conflict. There are, however, conversations that we need to have with our teens in light of the impact of modern technology. In this post I’ll take a look at where the values of privacy and safety stand and what we should do to deal with problems and how you might avoid them.

Teens Want Privacy Too.

• As children grow older, they naturally start trying to acquire more privacy in their lives. They stop telling us everything they’re doing, develop more of a sense of modesty, and sometimes even go behind our backs to make the nicest things. It’s not just children, though. One look at the outcry over government surveillance programs makes it clear that our whole society cares about privacy. You can’t blame teens for wanting something when we tell them it’s good to have it, right?

Safety and the Teenage Brain

• That’s when the other shoe hits. We love teens, but biology has long since proven that teen brains are still under construction. This means that they literally do not have the mental capacity to truly understand their actions or the consequences that could arise from the things they do.
• This is especially true for impulse-driven behaviors that offer immediate rewards, which is exactly what the Internet and Social Media cater to. Posting a picture from a party may be fun now, but what if a potential employer looks at that picture five years from now and denies them a job as a result?
• Most teens aren’t thinking about that sort of thing, and it could cost them. The key issue with online safety is that many of the threats aren’t immediate. Damage can often take place months or years afterwards. As parents, we want to keep our kids as safe as possible, but we also want to give them privacy and independence. How are these values supposed to be reconciled?

Watching Teens Over Time

• The best answer may be a little of both. It goes like this. When your child first gains access to technology or new technology, such as adding a their own smartphone to their technological tools, watch them closely and carefully. We’re not trying to invade their privacy here, we’re just trying to make sure they understand what they’re doing and that they can be trusted to use the device without supervision. Over the next few years after they get their first smartphone, they can slowly gain more privileges and privacy. Smartphones can be addictive, so it’s best to start small and limit them to only an hour or two of access each day, gradually increasing the limit as they demonstrate their responsibility and maturity.
• “Wait a sec,” you might be saying, “Doesn’t not having the phone on them defeat the purpose of having it in the first place?” That’s a fair question, and the answer is no. First of all, teens no longer regard phones as phones. They’re personal entertainment devices with portable connections to the internet, and the ability to make phone calls is just a secondary function. Secondly, most teens have no need for access to the device all day, every day. You can give it to them when you’re heading out for the day, but they don’t need it at all times. If someone really needs to call them, they can use the house phone or your phone if you don’t have a land line.
• On top of that, if they need the smartphone during or after school, make sure they’re not using it during class without the teacher’s permission as they’re a known distraction from learning. You may also want to use monitoring software to be sure they’re not sending messages when they should be listening to the teacher. They should know about the monitoring, too. Children who know they’re being watched are far less likely to misbehave.
• In short, stick with the old adage of ‘Safety First’ and give your teens the right to privacy when you know they can stay safe on their own.

Hillary Smith

• Hillary was born and raised in Austin, TX. She is a free-lance journalist whose love of gadgets, technology and business has no bounds. After becoming a parent she now enjoys writing about family and parenting related topics. You can reach her by email at hilary.loren.smith@gmail.com.

Introduction

• Collaborative learning involves people actively working together to solve a problem. It’s an exercise in teamwork and communication, and it’s imperative for educators to integrate collaborative edtech tools that are now available into their curriculums. Students need to learn interactively and to enthusiastically engage in their own educations. It’s a teacher’s duty to instill this in their students, and there are a large variety of easily accessible options that support the fundamental activities of collaborative learning. The search to find the right tool can be long and taxing. Don’t waste time and energy sorting through ineffective tools. Review the following tools now to begin enhancing your classroom experience.
• Finding the best tool for your classroom isn’t an exact science. However, there is always a resource available that can offer a more collaborative and interactive experience for students. Teachers should always be open to new ideas and encourage students to do the same. Educators must be able to connect with classrooms on a real and effective level. In a constantly connected world, they need to take advantage of the tech resources available. There are plenty of engaging educational communities waiting to be explored, you just have to know where to look.

1. Google Drive

• Google Drive is an excellent and free tool for a teacher that offers useful function like constructing tests, storing documents and sharing materials with classrooms. It’s also an efficient storage service that integrates with a variety of extensions (such as Google Calendar and Google Classroom).

2. Ask Peterson

• The author of this blog provides viewers with educational articles, study guides, essay samples and other helpful tools. Educators can use the material in the classroom and look to the blog for general student life tips that will help them better relate to their students.

3. bubble.us

• This brainstorming platform is intelligent and used by reputable sources such as Stanford University. The creatively applicable tool allows teachers to openly practice divergent thinking, mind mapping and flow chart creation with their students.

4. Edmodo

• Edmodo is a secure and simple way for teachers to connect with their students. It helps teachers create a more collaborative and interactive blended learning experience and to discover and share valuable resources from around the globe.

5. Ninja Essays

• This professional writing service is composed of highly qualified tutors and writers. If you’re struggling to grab the interest of your students, have them check out the blog full of inspiration. Or include the free writing guide or writing contests in your lesson plans.

6. TitanPad

• TitanPad lets multiple users work on a document simultaneously. Teachers can create (free) public pads and highlight each user to identify who is working on what. They should encourage students to use the platform when working on group assignments or study sessions.

7. thinkbinder

• ThinkBinder lets students participate in live study sessions with their classmates (via text and video), directly share information and keep group schedules organized. It’s an effective and efficient edtech tool that will actively engage students during group learning processes.

8. Twilda

• This self-dubbed “web-based meeting playground” is a useful source for teachers that acts as a mediator for co-browsing. Students and classrooms can actively search the web and research ideas together in real time. It’s also free of cost, and no sign-up required.

9. Bounce App

• The Bounce app is a fun way for students and teachers to share ideas and information. Examine any web page with the simple screen shot and note taking abilities, and easily share information with students or vice versa. The app also works with Notable to allow workgroup collaboration on any assignment.

10. Wiggo

• This free group platform provides meet-ups, list making, messaging capabilities, calendar customization and sharing. It’s one of the most comprehensive collaboration tools a teacher can utilize. Manage an entire classroom experience through one source and give students an insightful option for communication.

11. Vyew

• Vyew is a digital whiteboard that educators can use to create using images or documents, and to make notes anywhere they like. The boards may be immediately shared and viewed by an entire class. Vyew nurtures better data visualizations and a more interactive learning experience.

12. Yammer

• Yammer is like the Facebook for project management and teams. It’s a private social platform that brings together specific groups of people working on an assignment together. Teachers can use Yammer to offer students a single destination for all files, documents and any news.

13. Entri

• This web-based tool allows educators to create and share assignments or notes, or for students to create drafts before submittal. This offers a safe space for editing and feedback and is an effective way for teachers to communicate with their students in an unintimidating environment.

Julie Petersen

• Julie is a language tutor, a freelance writer and a content marketing specialist. She is running her own writing services reviews blog at the moment. Check one of her latest blog posts about Bid4Papers. You can also contact Julie on Linkedin.

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