My friend Lisa McAfee.
Wow!
winter has been putting on a little show here in SW Ohio the past few weeks. It
was so cold here for a period of time that the Ohio River had big
sheets of ice on it! So, when inclement weather has you housebound with
your youngsters, how do you keep them happy and still focusing on school? How
about some winter-inspired activities?
·
Make paper snowflakes. You can back your creations with tissue
paper either white or colored for some pizazz and hang them from the ceiling
and close to a light source so you can see through the tissue. (art)
·
Play a Scavenger Hunt- Instead of just hauling the books out from their usual
location, why not create a scavenger hunt to start out the day? Not only have
the schoolbooks hidden, but add a treat for a special surprise. Clues could
be: Clue #1 Go to the room where you brush your teeth. (Hide the clue
somewhere in the bathroom such as under the wastepaper basket or inside the
vanity. Clue #2 Go to the place where we eat our meals. (Hide the clue under
the tablecloth or a placemat or salt and pepper shakers, etc.) Clue #3 Look in
the place where pots and pans are kept. Clue #4 Find the place where you
rest at night. Here you can have the books hidden under the bed. Clue #5 Bring
all of your books to the schoolroom and there you will find the treasure
to begin our school day. Your treat can be a piece of fruit, a cup of hot chocolate,
a new Read-Aloud book, or whatever you think would be a fun idea to have as a
reward. (reading,
physical education)
·
Create Word Poetry- Do you have old grocery fliers or magazines that you can cut
up for this activity? You can create a simple poem that has two lines that
rhyme or you can create a free verse poem. You can make the poem's theme as
simple as food if all you have is grocery fliers or as elaborate as you like.
Since we are in the middle of winter, what about that being the theme? (language arts)
·
DIY Window Clings- with a little bit of glue and some paint your son will have
lots of fun making these. I bet you would enjoy making a few too! (art)
·
Window Clings
You will need for each color:
2 tablespoons White craft
glue (like Elmer’s)
2 -3 drops Liquid food
coloring
2 drops Liquid dish detergent
1 small paintbrush
Combine
2 tablespoons of glue with 2 drops of dish detergent. Add a few drops of food
coloring and you are ready to make your design! Lay a page protector down so
that you can paint your design (using your paintbrush) directly on it so it
will be easy to pull off when it is dried. You can create your own designs or
use cookie cutters and paint inside of them. Make your design about 1/4
inch thick. If you make it too thick it will take a long time to dry. If you
are using a cookie cutter, let the glue set for a few minutes before removing
it. Let designs dry overnight, poke with your finger to see if they have set
well enough to remove from the page protector without tearing. Carefully
peel off of the page protector and place on your windows.
Make
popcorn and cups of tea or hot chocolate and snuggle up with a great Read-Aloud
book. I just finished the 1957 Newberry Medal, Miracles on Maple Hill, by Virginia
Sorensen. This is a delightful book about a family who is in need of a miracle
for their father who has come home from the war and how an old homestead
restores him and his family. (language
arts)
Lisa McAfee bio:
I am an alumni home educator of two sons and Ohio licensed teacher with over 30 years of teaching experience in a variety of settings. I have been assessing homeschool students’ work for the past 17 years and enjoy helping empower and encourage homeschool moms with their homeschooling. www.schoolmarmohio.com
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