This week our homeschool field trip had to take place at home. Our basement flooded due to the sump pump going out and I had to wait for the plumber to arrive and help. We did not do anything amazing, but did some interest led learning, extra practice, and reading. It’s ok to spend a day enhancing a hobby or reading a stack of library books.
Our stack of library books to read through were about the weather, blizzards, rain, and how to record the weather. My younger two kids and I sat down to work through some of the weather books we checked out. We did visit Ancient Rome for a bit. Books will take kids on field trips to places they have never physically visited. Books are great to take kids on a great day full of imagination.
Interest-Led Learning
My kids will read all day. I choose the subject when we go to the library, and they pick out the books. It is nice when they retain all of the information because the book holds their attention. After reading the educational books, we looked through some of the books we have at home.
Books are always better when it is something you’re interested in reading. I remember in High School reading “To Kill A Mockingbird”. My favorite thing to read is/was history. It always has been and always will be. Therefore, this book ranked low on my to do list. Unfortunately I forgot about reading it and had to finish all of it in one week. Not a bad book, but I have never picked it up again. All of that to say let them read what they like.
Homeschool Boys’ Field Trip
Once a month I take my boys’ on a field trip. We have went every where. Once a year we take them on a week long field trip to see as much history as possible. I’m not the kind of mom who likes to read about it in a book. Living history is best when it comes alive.
Last year we went to DC, and this year we are headed to Philadelphia. My hope is that before they all graduate we can hit all fifty states. Well, forty because ten states are done. Viewing history up close makes it more real and vivid. Reading about history in a book is ok, and creates the desire to view it in person.
Field Trips are the Backbone of our Homeschool
Field trips seal the teaching for homeschool. Visiting museums and other historical places create lasting memories. Likewise aquariums and zoos bring science alive. Math is easier to understand when you implement hands on activities.
Field trips help abstract ideas to become real and cemented into a homeschoolers education. The educational impact increases retention and allows homeschoolers to ask attentive questions of the host. We have had some great Q & A sessions after the event. For instance, visited a play in our hometown over Christmas. After the play time was opened afterward for the actors to answer questions from the kids. My kids and all of the others’ really asked some intriguing questions.
How I Plan Field Trips in our Homeschool
My homeschool field trip planning is not anything special. I research a few websites, get some tips and ideas from my homeschoolers on where they would like to go, hold a meeting to confirm their interests. After that, I add the field trips into each month. I keep Friday’s open for field trip day. We do many different field trips and activities each year.
I strongly encourage you to add field trips into your homeschool lesson plans. For more tips on how to homeschool history on a dime and live a frugal lifestyle, sign up for my newsletter.
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