DIY Homeschooler

The sun is brighter. Things are beginning to turn green. There are opportunities to open up the doors and windows and let fresh air inside. And it is also a great time to mix things up! Here are 7 things to do this spring to encourage creativity and learning while persevering as little ones are ready to get outside!

Table of Contents

• 1. Start a formal nature study.
• 2. Take a less formal approach to nature study.
• 3. Chart the weather.
• 4. Watch the sky.
• 5. Fly a kite.
• 6. Start a garden.
• 7. Plan ahead.

1. Start a formal nature study.

You may be surprised at how much your students will learn — and retain — when the subject of study is nature. And it is easy to incorporate skill development and other areas of learning at the same time. Our free nature studies are a great place to start.

• Free Nature Studies: Our Wonderful World

2. Take a less formal approach to nature study.

Read about nature. There will be many opportunities to get outside for a rabbit trail.

• 27 Free Nature Study eBooks

3. Chart the weather.

Depending on where you live, spring can provide interesting weather changes!

• Activity: Chart the Weather

4. Watch the sky.

Other ways to observe the weather include a specific focus, such as:

• Sky watching with this great download: Cloud Chart {Free}
• Windy Day Experiments {Free}
• Tornadoes: A Unit Study

5. Fly a kite.

You wouldn’t believe what you can learn by simply flying a kite! (This one is a family favorite!)

• 12 Fun Ways to Learn with Kites

6. Start a garden.

Get outside. Dig in the soil. Plan, grow, and eat! You’ll find our favorite books, units, and other activities here:

• 7 Helpful Gardening Resources

7. Plan ahead.

This one is for you. It is difficult not to be swept up in the curriculum excitement around this time of year — what with the curriculum fairs, homeschool conventions, and catalogs that start arriving in the mail. Know what you need first. You’ll likely find the process less exasperating!

Here are our tips:

• 5 Tips for Making Curriculum Choices Easier
• 6 Tips: Making Wise Curriculum Purchases
• 11 Tips: Choose Curriculum Without Becoming Overwhelmed!
• Skill Subjects vs. Content Subjects {The Key to Simplifying}
• Making Wise Curriculum Purchases: Math
• Beechick Basics

And, by the way, if you have one who is finding it difficult to concentrate during this time of year, maybe one of these 15 ways to improve concentration will help!