Creating a Learning Environment (Full Version)

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dozermom67 -> Creating a Learning Environment (4/20/2008 10:39:09 PM)

I'm looking for more ideas for creating a learning environment in our home school. Please share your ideas! What sort of things do you do and/or set out for your children to do to make learning fun, natural, and to foster a healthy curiosity and independent learning?



roligirl -> RE: Creating a Learning Environment (4/21/2008 9:36:41 AM)

I think it can be age and need related, ours has evolved since the girls were first starting. Now we have older kids- 5th and 7th grade, plus our 2 1/2 yr. old, so I am working on both levels now.

Quiet places are really needed for focusing, supplies in one central area- individual pencil boxes, communal box, project zones -kitchen table and island, "library", activities boxes- playdough, coloring, beads, etc.

My older kids have desks in their rooms for studying, they like their own zone.



shadowspring -> RE: Creating a Learning Environment (4/21/2008 12:43:31 PM)

We put up posters, ones we make ourselves as we go along in our studies. It depends on the unit, but we have three in the living room right now for Brit Lit, and several in the dining room for Russian language.

I like having it on the wall at eye level. I make our final exams off of what we have written/drawn on the posters during the course of our study.



Homegrownkids -> RE: Creating a Learning Environment (4/21/2008 1:14:02 PM)

quote:

We put up posters, ones we make ourselves as we go along in our studies


This is what I have started to do. You can also buy a 3-fold board (the kind they use for Science fairs), laminate it, use the putty/poster hanger and make your own little "bulletin board" that can be re-used for whatever project you are working on. Someone made one for S.School and I absolutley love the idea.

I try and collect reading books, magazines, almanac etc..., that is strategically placed around the house. Sometimes the reading material will call out the names of children to pick it up and read me!![;)][;)]

I also love having a World map and United States map hanging up. After our move, they were down and I recently put them back up because they were missed!

They are also NOT allowed to play video games, watch t.v, or play computer unless it is educational before 3pm. For younger kids, I always make sure we have plenty of working markers, crayons, puzzles, play-do and other things like that.



lightshineon -> RE: Creating a Learning Environment (4/21/2008 6:06:57 PM)

I do not know if this is helpful, because I am a new person going to HS my fourteen year old.It is a book about homeschooling, called Oklahoma Home Educators handbook, it seems helpful. It gives a checklist of a learning environment, the way it should be. I also saw big posters that had different subjects on them such as, Metric Tables, English subjects, explaining contractions, all sorts of them math, Chemistry elements tables,so on. Many subjects appropriate with each age group. I am wondering if children have those for referance, seeing them, all the time if it would not stick. I thought about changing them out, also every month or so. Like I said, this maybe not what you are asking, and not secure enough tp say this a good idea. I know my place as a newbie (LOL). OH BTW, I am sure the book I mentioned is avalible in all states.



cindybode -> RE: Creating a Learning Environment (4/21/2008 7:33:35 PM)

We keep all of those tables, charts, etc. in a notebook and switch them out periodically. Kids get desensitized after awhile if they keep seeing the same thing over and over.

The best place to hang things you want kids to memorize is opposite the toilet. [;)]

When my kids were younger, the map lived on the kitchen table, covered with clear Contac. During dinner the kids would find places to "go" and had to tell something about the place they picked.



Jenny-Fair -> RE: Creating a Learning Environment (4/21/2008 7:56:31 PM)

You could read Cheaper By The Dozen outloud and take some of its suggestions, lol. I get a kick out of Morse code being painted all over the house.

IME, a learning environment has more to do with attitudes than surroundings. If the parents are unwilling to facilitate exploration, answer questions or show the kids how to find the answers, have patience with kids as they learn things, invest time and money into things that spark the kids' brains into absorption mode, etc, it really isn't going to matter what is hanging on your walls.



roligirl -> RE: Creating a Learning Environment (4/21/2008 9:40:42 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: cindybode

The best place to hang things you want kids to memorize is opposite the toilet.


I agree!!



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