Education Without School

If you'd like to keep the day filled with interesting and challenging work, but don't want to rely on textbooks, check out the Daily Challenges from Brilliant.org. Each day you will find free challenges in math and logic, science and engineering, computer science, and many more STEM subject areas. You can sign up for a free trial and allow your students to choose from the following: see math and science in a new way; learn to think like a computer scientist; learn to think like a quantum mechanic. They say it's for ambitious and curious people, ages 10 to 110. With more than 60 courses to entice you and your students, you can try first, then, if you like what you find, sign up for monthly subscriptions starting at $12.49/month for their annual rate, or $24.99/month for their monthly rate. They also offer an annual rate of $299.88/year for groups of 3 or more.  Brilliant features: *A free preview of each course and new Daily Challenges in the Today tab *New Daily Challenges ...

  I recognize that many people think of 4-H as something for those who live in rural areas, who grow up on farms or ranches. Most have visited 4-H projects at county or state fairs. Few are aware of all the different learning options available through 4-H. I especially like the 4-H Self-Determined Projects framework that we, as home educators, can use for just about any project or course of study that our students might elect to pursue. We can borrow ideas from these project books and those found in 4-H literature for our own curricula, whether or not we choose to involve students in 4-H clubs and programs. And some families may choose to start their own homeschool 4-H club or to join other 4-H clubs that could display at the fairs.  Here is where you can look over the self-determined project book: https://ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/imce/365_Self_Determined_Project_Guide_2015%281%29.pdf Anyone can print out this five-page project guide and set up their own projects. Or can ...

Surprise, surprise, the answer is a resounding YES!!! The New York Times published an article back in 2011 titled, “To Really Learn, Quit Studying And Take A Test.” In this article the author, Pam Belluck, reported on research from the journal Science that found that after students read a passage, followed by a test asking them to recall what they had read, the students retained about 50 percent more of the information a week later than students who used two other study methods. Those other methods were: repeatedly studying the material, similar to what most students do in the classroom or when they cram for a test; or having students draw detailed diagrams documenting what they are learning. The latter method is one supported by many teachers because it forces students to make connections among facts.  The article goes on to give detailed support for the test-taking method of learning. Pam Belluck states that when students are later asked what they have learned, they can more eas...

More Than A Diploma -- Part III :  Study Resources For Credit By Examination Tests From those who have taken all the courses I have listed as high school equivalents, I’ve learned that the most difficult tests to pass for many are the CLEP History of the United States I and II.  Despite taking many practice tests, some students have found the actual test requires recall of many dates and names of events, a lot to memorize for the short-term study, and they often have to repeat these two tests before passing them.  So for these two courses, I recommend a longer study time with more study resources, aiming for a higher practice test proficiency score.   For example, EBSCO Learning Express, available free online from many public library research and study databases, offers four AP U. S. History practice exams, as well as CLEP combined practice tests for Social Sciences and History.   Ask your librarian if your library system subscribes to EBSCO Learning Expres...