Hands on Learning, Projects for Multiple Ages

Yesterday’s art tutorial is definitely a hands on type of learning. We love art around here. We also enjoy other types of learning projects. Sprinkled here and there throughout our homeschool days are times of pre-planned and spontaneous hands-on learning. This type of activity is often how we meet the needs of the learning styles discussed in Recipe for Teaching Multiple Ages.

Remember Quiet Time? We often use that time for children to work on projects individually. But first, let’s start in the kitchen.

Cooking and Baking

The Cook Box  – Oh the skills wrapped up in this! One way to add in some home economics and to satisfy those that enjoy making things in the kitchen is to create a Cook Box. Nana gave the children a Cook Box for Christmas one year. The benefits continue to seem endless! You have a box full of boxed mixes, icing, bread making ingredients, puddings and more. You might even include a child’s apron and chef hat. The most simple of recipes are practice in many areas of learning.

Also, since our household deals with allergies, the Cook Box gives us practice in reading labels, making an egg substitute, talking about what is safe and what is not. Talking and practicing.

Lapbooks and Paper Dolls

• Lapbooks for younger ones to accompany Five in a Row selections – free at Homeschool Share
• Lapbooks for older ones to accompany Apologia Biology – review of Live and Learn Press: Biology Learn N’ Folder Notebook
• Lapbooks as unit review – how we complete one lapbook, together as a family, as a review of what we’ve learned
• New Millenium Girls Creative Writing bundle for Tweens – my busy Middle Girl loved this program – complete with paper dolls and story writing

Geography – Salt Dough Maps

• Hands on Geography for Multiple Ages
• Salt Dough Map of Imaginary Land
• Salt Dough Map of Italy (this project led to a few others…)

Display Boards and Science Projects

Make a display board! Draw an accompanying picture. Type up a report. List the details. (A few of our children learn best with this hands on type learning.)

• Learning with History Display Boards and Science Projects
• Renaissance Artists Display Board – several assignments and studies wrapped up in one.

• 10 Science Fair Project Ideas – our homeschool group holds a science fair each year. So we pick a topic complimentary to our science studies – or, as in the case above, one that currently interests a child.

Building

Leave room in your homeschool day for play and down time. We have our blocks in a basket right in the family room where they are easy to get to.

• 10 Days of Teaching with Lego series at Milk and Cookies
• Robotics

• Snap circuits (pictured, an electric candle you can blow out!)

Topics in this series:

• A Recipe for Teaching Multiple Ages {Day 1}
• Helpful Homeschool Habits for Multiple Ages {Day 2}
• The 3 Rs for Multiple Ages {Day 3}
• How to Fit in All the Extras {Day 4}
• Afternoon Quiet Time for All Ages {Day 5}
• Unit Studies for Multiple Ages {Day 6}
• Teaching Art with Multiple Ages {Day 7}

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What projects, lapbooks, and hands on learning do your children enjoy?

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