Homeschool

If you have a LEGO crazed boy or girl in your house then you have the perfect motivator for learning! LEGOS can be used to teach everything from math to language arts to art!  They are free since you probably already have buckets of them on hand, and will keep your childs attention probably better than any other theme will.  I know my son will reach for LEGOS before any other toy so it seemed like a great theme to use, and it was! Whether you have a preschooler right on up through middle school you can easily be Using Legos In Your Homeschool.  They are also great if you just want to supplement school work. I want to give you some ideas to get you started using LEGOS in every aspect of your school day.

Using LEGOS In Your Homeschool

Check out our Homeschooling for Lazy Parents Facebook Support Group for more tips and ways to make your homeschooling experience easy to manage!

Math

You can use LEGOS as a tool in  math from simple one to one correspondence counting (pointing to each object as you count 1,2,3…) to  fractions.  They are a fabulous  math manipulative for boys or girls.

Even toddlers and preschools can use them  (with supervision and perhaps the bigger Duplo version) can learn through using them.  Colors are a beginning concept of math, you can have them identify colors, sort, make patterns, count using one to one correspondence, as a tool for simple addition and subtraction.

Make worksheets by writing out math problems such as 5+2=_, or 10-3=_ and have your child use LEGOS as a manipulative to solve the problems, and then write down their answer. For addition problems use 2 different colors to show each addend. Let them also make up their own problems, involving them in the process will make them more interested.

Fractions? No problem. Make flash cards listing various fractions, give your child a pile of LEGOS and have them demonstrate by making a visual model of them.

Language Arts

Use a small piece of washi or painters tape to cover one side of a brick- write letters for little ones, give them 2 or 3 as well as an object like a pan and have them match the object with the beginning letter.

Cover one side of LEGO in tape, write simple sight words  on each one. Call out words and have your child pick up the one you called out, to make it more fun have them use tongs or even their toes!  Another variation? Create a bingo sheet with sight words on it, and use the LEGOS as markers.

Show your child how to count syllables in a word- use LEGOS to represent each syllable.

Use the LEGOS to create letters of the alphabet, a great way to enforce letter recognition.

When reading we use long LEGO pieces as pointers to track words in the story.

Science 

Create a LEGO solar system or a diagram of the bones using bricks.

Build simple machines from LEGO, make predictions on how they will work, have your child log their findings.

Measure with LEGOS or make towers from them and measure with a ruler.

Use a scale to measure weight, learn the terms- balance, heavier, lighter, etc. Give your child tasks by asking them to weigh 5 -6 stud bricks on one side and 10- 2 stud bricks on the other. Which is heavier? Have them add more as needed until the scale is balanced.

History/Geography-

If you are studying a particular time period, place, or person use LEGOS to  create landmarks like The Tower of Pisa, a replica of the Sistine Chapel,  or a map of Florida.

Use them to create a timeline- cover in washi or painters tape, write events from various points in history and have your child place them in order.

Study the history of the bricks themselves using the library or computer- When and where were they invented? What does LEGO mean? Where are the various factories located?

Art

Create free form structures and designs or give your child a specific subject- make a flower from LEGOS,  create a garden using them, etc.

Use LEGOS as stamps, dip them, both sides, in paint and create a free form abstract painting.

Create your own Minifig- Have you child draw their own unique version of a Minifig character.

Related Content: Lego Building Games, keep your kids interested in learning!

General

One of my favorite activities to do with my son is to give him a select amount of LEGO bricks in a bag and ask him to make – a flying machine, a boat, a building, or anything that comes to mind. This builds great critical thinking and problem solving skills.

At any age the act of putting together and taking apart bricks builds fine motor skills, this is great for children who are having a hard time with writing.

Create something functional out of LEGOS-  A pencil holder, a back scratcher, bookends, etc…

Don’t forget to just play with your child- LEGOS are amazing for imagination, creativity, dramatic play, fine motor skills, they can be therapeutic for any child but especially those with special needs.

Sensory Bin- Fill bin 1/4 to half of the way with water or rice, toss in some LEGOS and let their senses and imagination take over.

What is your favorite way to use LEGOS for learning?

It will be time to go back to school before you know it. Now is the time to start putting together your Homeschool Back to School Supply List. Our homeschool list seems to grow every year, but there are always a few items we always need. Homeschooling doesn’t require extravagant items, but you do need a few basic items.

Homeschool Back to School Supply List

This post contains affiliate links.  I earn a small commission on purchases made via these links. 

You may think as homeschoolers you don’t need a back to school supply list.  While this is true in regards to many items like uniforms and long lists of supplies, there are some basic items you will want to have on hand.

Printer

If you do a lot of printing for homeschooling, then this may be one of the bigger items you need on your back to school supply list. Luckily, printers are pretty inexpensive these days. Look for great deals on printer ink and stay stocked up, so you never have to pay full price. A lot of times, it’s cheaper to just buy a new printer with ink. You could also look into getting refillable ink for your printer.  I love the HP Printer options and the monthly Instant Ink plan.  You can pay less than $5 a month for ink with their programs. 

Pencils

You know your family most likely goes through a tons of pencils. A back to school supply list for homeschooling isn’t complete without pencils. While you’re at it, make sure you grab a pencil sharpener. While you’re at it, stock up on markers, colored pencils, glue, and scissors. We always use a ton of these items during the homeschool year.  Ticonderoga Pencils are popular around the back to school season for good reason.  They sharpen easier and last longer than the cheaper brands at your stores. 

Lots of paper

When you’re homeschooling, you just can’t go wrong with having too much paper. Homeschooling ensures we use a LOT of paper! From writing out the ABCs to using scrap paper for math, you’ll want to stock up on paper. I try to stock up on paper of all kids when I see a good deal. We use lined paper and construction paper a lot, during our homeschool day.  Classic lined filler paper is the one item we can never have enough of in our classroom. 

Choose a curriculum

Most people that homeschool end up buying a new or used curriculum. This is a huge part of a homeschool back to school supply list. It is probably the part that will take you the longest to decide. While you’re looking, make sure you choose one that’s affordable. There are tons of platforms in which you can buy used or brand new homeschool curriculum.

We currently use the BookShark Curriculum as the base of our homeschool.  The level kits are excellent for our family and give me the option to supplement with my favorite math and handwriting or spelling curriculum. You can also check out our thoughts on the benefits of using a homemade homeschool curriculum if you have a limited budget.

• Places to Find Secular Homeschool Curriculum
• Ultimate List of Free Homeschool Curriculum

A whiteboard

A great tool to have during your homeschool room is a whiteboard. Not only does this save paper, but it’s also a really good tool to have during homeschooling. Kids loved working with whiteboards and it prevents mom from having to write things out a million times.  You can find a reasonable price on whiteboards during the back to school season, but I love VIZ-Pro Magnetic Whiteboard myself.

A tablet or laptop

Another essential item, during our homeschool journey, is some type of tablet or laptop. We use a lot of learning apps and a tablet is what works best for us. You can also use the library as a resource.  A computer will give you access to games, programs, and online curriculum through sites like ABCMouse, Kahn Academy, and Moby Max.  These are vital for a homeschool family. 

No matter what you add to your list of back to school supplies this year, this is a great place to begin.  Make a list of your family needs and shop for the appropriate items.  For your family, this could be traditional supplies or could mean things like a Netflix account for educational documentaries.

More Homeschool Tips: 

How to Homeschool Multiple Grade Levels on a Budget

Math Activities for Preschoolers

How to Create a Homeschool Planner

LEGO Building Games for Homeschool Classrooms

There are numerous reasons why you have chosen to homeschool your child. One of them most likely being to provide your child with a better education. However, when you have chosen to begin Homeschooling Your Defiant Child, it can be tricky to find success. Don’t let a little attitude get in the way. Here are some great tips to keep in mind when homeschooling your defiant child.

Homeschooling Your Defiant Child

This post contains affiliate links.  I earn a small commission on purchases made via these links. 

As a parent, you want the absolute best for your child. Sometimes, that means changing things up to get to the root of a problem.  Below are some of my tried and true methods for homeschooling an often defiant child.  Defiance doesn’t necessarily mean there is some hidden horrible problem.  It can often mean that your child is struggling with expressing themselves appropriately. Hopefully, the tips below will help you to find out the problem and solve it easily.

Find the Root of Deficiency

This is oftentimes easier said than done, however, try to find the root of the problem. Does your child need more sleep? Is your child hungry? Is there an issue outside of school that is distracting him? Sometimes there is an easy fix, but if none of these is the issue, try these next tips.

Try a Different Style

What works for one kiddo may not always work for the next. If your child is having a hard time learning, sometimes that can lead to them becoming defiant. Try another learning style, to see if that makes school a little easier for your kiddo.

Consistency is Essential

Lots of changes can put a damper on anyone’s mood, especially younger kiddo. Make sure that you are being consistent, in all aspects. This includes having a consistent homeschooling routine, as well as keeping life outside of the classroom as routine as possible.

Add an Extra Break

Is your child defiant because they cannot focus for too long at once? If so, consider breaking up your school day. Either do a little school work in the morning, and then a few hours rest before going back at it later in the afternoon. You could also just add in an extra 15 minute break or so, if you are worried about taking too long of a break, and becoming unmotivated.

Stretch and Allow Movement

Sitting up straight in a chair for hours each day gets old. Perhaps part of your child’s problem is that they need to move around a bit. Consider getting an exercise ball for your child to sit on, instead of a stiff chair. The bouncing movement may help loosen your child up, and make their day a little less stressful.

Make it Fun

Sometimes defiance comes from boredom. While you do not want to reward poor behavior, make sure that you are making your homeschooling time exciting, and fun. If your child has something to look forward to every day, he is going to be less likely to act out.

Homeschooling your defiant child isn’t always easy. However, these tips can help make your life a little easier.

More Homeschooling Tips

• Benefits of Using a Homeschool Co-op
• Benefits of Homeschooling with a Homemade Curriculum
• How to Homeschool Multiple Grade Levels on a Budget
• How to Make a Homeschool Planner
• Places to Find Secular Homeschool Curriculum

As you already know, we have partnered with BookShark this year for our son’s education and part of a series of sponsored posts here.  BookShark is a literature-based curriculum that is rising with popularity. A lot of homeschool families want to know how to use this homeschool curriculum with their local co-op. More homeschool families are doing co-ops because it helps build up community and fellowship in their current season of homeschooling. If you’re looking for ways to use BookShark with a homeschool co-op, these tips are for you!

Homeschool Co-Op Uses for BookShark Curriculum

Last year, we reviewed the Level 6 BookShark program.  This year, our son is starting to utilize the Level 7 BookShark program.  I love that this is a secular curriculum that we can choose how to include ideas like evolution, creation, or Bible study, but it is not already incorporated into the curricula.  This makes it easy for families to customize, and for it to be more flexibly used within a co-op setting with a variety of family types.

Create a Local Book Club

Do you know what’s fun? Creating a local book club for your kids to be a part. As a homeschooling parent, I can’t tell you how many clubs I’ve started, just so my kid can be a part of it. The BookShark curriculum has so many awesome books that it only makes sense to take it a step further and create a book club.

Each week, kids in the book club would have to read and then discuss a few chapters with the rest of the kids. Book clubs are so good for kids because it helps them with comprehension. Reading is good, but kids need to understand what they’re reading.  This is especially handy for those books that your child may be struggling to get through.

Book Report Opportunities

Another way you can use BookShark within a homeschool co-op is to do book reports. Book reports don’t have to be boring, they can be fun and exciting. You can even do this book report opportunity within your book club.

Give the kids options in HOW they want to incorporate the book report. They can give an oral book report, an illustrated book report, or they can make it technical with a Powerpoint slide. Don’t forget how important it is to ensure kids keep their creativity flowing in through projects like this.  Doing a book report in front of peers is a great lesson for students in confidence and decorum.

Weekly Science Experiments

Co-ops give homeschooled kids an opportunity to get out and learn but also meet kids their age. You can use BookShark with your homeschool co-op by allowing weekly science experiments and letting the kids get hands-on with learning.  These are already included in your BookShark curriculum, so you have an abundance of options in place to share with other students.

Remember that not all kids do great at reading and comprehending. So, taking it a step further and letting kids act out what they have learned is always a good thing. Science experiments are FUN but also a great way to learn.  Plus, science experiments give something for the co-op to look forward to! Getting this into your co-op routine will help you use BookShark with your co-op.

Why I Love BookShark for Homeschool Co-op Groups

As a homeschool parent, I value being able to keep my son active with groups.  He needs to step outside of his comfort zone and learn from others.  Being able to include our base curriculum within a co-op is so nice. I don’t have to worry about him feeling confused or overwhelmed as he is already familiar.  Plus, the literature-based approach makes it popular with other parents since the supplies are so easy to find and use in a group.

Check out our other BookShark Posts

• Best History and Science Documentaries for BookShark Level 6
• 7 Reasons We Love BookShark History Level 6
• Why I Am Using BookShark Secular Homeschool Curriculum
• How to Homeschool Multiple Grade Levels on a Budget
• Homeschool Tips for Learning Language Arts with Literature