We made the decision to incorporate Thinking Tree journals into our schooling this year and I’m loving it so much, I decided to review the ones we’re using. (Not getting anything for th…
Logic and critical thinking games are fun and very worthwhile to building thinking skills in kids (and adults) of all ages.
Our family would rather spend time outdoors than indoors. We love nature! That said, sometimes mother nature is uncooperative. On these days, it can be fun to pull out some nature games. Nat…
I am obsessed with escape rooms! They are so much fun! I wish that I could do one every day. On my spring break trip to Atlanta I was able to do three in one day and it was super exhilarating! Before my state test I decided that I wanted to do a fun review game for my kids and decided to try my hand at an escape room. It took a lot of trial and error, but it was a MASSIVE success. I decided to share my escape room plans with you as best as I can in case you want to try something similar in your classroom. Step 1: The days leading up to the escape room I rolled a suitcase around with me (You will see why) Step 2: I broke the students into four groups Step 3: I created a newspaper article that informed students that I was taking over the world and handed one out to each group. Newspaper Generator Step four: I hid a card in my miniature file cabinet that said, "Don't just stand there in limbo, take a look in the classroom window." Step five: The first set of clues to decipher that opened the Word Lock was hidden behind a book in the window. Figurative Language Word Lock Clues Step six: Inside of Lock #1was the POV clues POV Directional Lock Step seven: Inside of Lock #2 was a set of UV flashlights and 4 pieces of seemingly blank paper. Once the UV lights were turned on students will find a number on each of their pieces of paper. This opened the lockbox. Step eight: Inside the lock box was four ziplock bags with puzzle pieces and a short story for each of the groups. The students need to read the short story and then put together their puzzle. One of the puzzles will have the correct symbol answer written in UV pen, the other three will be distractors with penalties. Symbolism Door Lock Clues Step nine: Each group will get a reading passage with multiple choice questions. Once they finish the passages, if they answered the questions correctly they will get their groups number to contribute to the final lock box. Reading Passages Lock Box Step ten: Students open the suitcase and thwart my takeover! Some pictures of my students completing the tasks Supplies I used (Click on the pictures) (3 boxes)
I little peek with how we are using The Thinking Tree. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure. Here’s what Ethan is using right now. Eventually I’ll add more but like Lance he is completing Dyslexia Games so again, I’m trying to keep Writing, Spelling, and Grammar low-key until he finishes the program. Basically right now Ethan completes about 6 pages of his main journal, the Library Based Journal. Some days he doesn’t have a Reading Time page (a page where he picks 4 books, reads each one for 15 minutes and writes/draws something about what he read) because the pages rotate. On the days when he doesn’t have a Reading Time page he completes the Do-It-Yourself Homeschooling Reading Time book. The Reading Time book consist of two pages. One for Ethan to write and draw what he learned. I added lines to two of the boxes. I used a ruler and pencil. The other page has him write who the author/illustrator/publisher and the subject, setting, and copy a quote or something that interested him from the book. He also gets to rate the book. I think this is a great way to keep all of Ethan’s book reading together and a lovely memory for years to come. This book would be a great addition to any homeschooling curricula. It’s not just for The Thinking Tree homeschool. It would be easy to implement because it doesn’t have to be done daily. You can have your child use it once or twice a week. Do-It-Yourself Homeschooling Multiplication Games Ethan uses daily along with his regular math program. Sometimes he'll complete two pages a day but usually it's one. This book as him completing a multiplication table chart about every other day. Throughout the book your child is completing mind training puzzles that will help him/her memorize multiplication facts! Above is a logic puzzle Ethan completed. I found him peacefully coloring. I think this is a great way to break up math learning. It gives the children a break in their day from regular math. Something interesting to do. Here Ethan will get to use a calculator to find his answers. I think he's going to like that! I love that this workbook has lots of repetition which my kids need so it's perfect for them. The target age for this book is ages 10 and up. This book is based on Dyslexia Games Series C – Book 6 which means they are very similar. Many of the pages in Book 6 are in this multiplication book as well with a few extra activities. If your child has Dyscalculia using than I’d encourage you to take a peek at The Thinking Tree’s Do-It-Yourself Multiplication book. I wrote a review about Eclectic Homeschooler’s Handbook but now we are actually using it. Ethan wanted to wait until he started using The Library Based Journal (you can read my Library Based Curriculum review HERE) What I do is write what he is suppose to do for the day. In the Notes section I ask Ethan a question, I thought this would be a fun way for us to write each other. I’ve tried in the past having a notebook for us to write but it would get lost and/or Ethan wouldn’t return it. Under- Plans for Today, I give him a little task to complete like “Smile, even if you don’t feel like it” or “Do a kind act toward a sibling without them knowing it”, etc. In the upper corner Ethan started writing me notes, I love that! He has a tender heart towards his mama! And once again, I know we’ll be looking back one day reminiscing as we look through his Plan Book from The Thinking Tree. And that is how we are using The Thinking Tree right now. Later in January, I’ll add Make Your Own Timeline of World History, Spelling Time or something similar from The Thinking Tree, Latin (which will cover grammar), and the school books that I purchased before finding The Thinking Tree program. Peek inside the Multiplication Games journal.
Financial literacy is one of those skills that stays with you long after you're finished with school. Teach the concepts of money with these 25+ money games and activities!
Fun acid/base experiment for kids of all ages. Uses only common household ingredients. No heat required.
With the Superbowl coming up next weekend, here's a fun little brain teaser you can use to stump your older kids (or husbands, coworkers or...
Kids will enjoy learning about honeybees with these fun facts, great books and hands-on activities!
Hands on geography - what can you do with a globe?
Free coding game for kids to learn critical thinking skills, think from different perspectives, and find solution to cover all scenario. No computer needed.
Easy dice games for kids that are simple to learn, help with math skills, and offer opportunities for building social skills in a screen free environment.
While studying middle school history, bring Colonial America to life by playing the same simple games kids did while living in the 13 Colonies.
Some of the science experiments for kids include static bulbs, bouncing egg, homemade rainbow, invisible ink, jumping coins, glowing water, homemade rock
Use this simple STEM challenge activity to foster creative thinking and problem solving! Download free STEM Challenge Student Role Sheets to use with the activity!
We love games here at The Waldock Way. Over the years, I’ve discovered that some games work better in our homeschool than others. When you’re homeschooling an only child, some games and activities don’t work as well as they would with a bigger group of kids. That’s why I’m so excited to share this list...
What is inertia? Investigate Newton's First Law Of Motion in this amusing egg drop experiment.
Look carefully, and pick a tree that is most appealing to you. Your choice will give you a good idea of your personality.
My students were having a hard time with longitude and latitude. They could not really judge the halfway points between the longitude or latitude lines provided on printed maps, and they could not visualize the idea of the coordinates and the fact that the two numbers together made a target on the location we were trying to identify. I compared longitude and latitude lines to a game of Battleship and suddenly, lightbulbs went on! I adapted a United States map to fit a Battleship game board, and we played map skills Battleship. It was a great way to reinforce this map skill. CLICK HERE to read about how to play with your students and to download a printable map that will fit Battleship boards. Happy Playing! Caitlin TheRoomMom
Teaching times tables to kids can be difficult (am I right?!), but we’ve got 15 ideas to make teaching multiplication fun. With tons of free printables to choose from, these multiplication games and activities are perfect for 2nd to 5th grade learning, and can be used both in the classroom and at home.
“Sarabella’s Thinking Cap” by Judy Schachner When I was a child I was a huge daydreamer, that is when my nose wasn’t buried in a book or I wasn’t out climbing trees bare foot. I loved to imagine everything from my own stories to ridiculous and pretend scenarios for situations in my life. I think...Read More »
