Family Vacations and Learning

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Family Vacations -

Learning on the Go!

Family vacations can be a wonderful tool for the homeschooling family to change things up a bit and continue learning. One of the great things about homeschooling is that you can take a vacation pretty much any time of the year, and so take advantage of discounted prices that many places offer. But no matter when you take them, these trips don't have to be elaborate and expensive. The term "backyard vacation" or "staycation" is used to describe using the resources found close to home to create an affordable experience that feels like a (usually much-needed!) vacation as well.

Here's some thoughts on how to use a family vacation to your "educational advantage":

Use your vacation to study a specific theme or topic.
One year a friend of ours was doing a Unit Study from Konos on light. That summer they took a driving vacation along the NE coast of the US, stopping along the way at lighthouses! Another year, while studying their state's history, one family toured their state, mapping out and visiting the historic places they had been learning about. When our family visited the grandparents at the beach one summer, I prepared and brought along materials to do a study on the ocean, which included beach plants, water animals, estuary studies, etc.

Prepare ahead of time by doing research.
Check the internet or write to the Chamber of Commerce and find interesting and educational places to visit. See if any of them correlate to studies you've been undertaking this year, or just forget about connecting-the-dots and broaden your horizons!

Always include a journal or diary assignment of some sort.
Even non-writers can dictate a few thoughts for you to write down, and they can illiustrate. Or start a collection along the way that they can create a special arrangement for when they get home. This not only helps to strengthen vacation memories but re-inforces the educational aspect of your time away.

Want to try something new? Learn on Vacation Exploration (LOVE) is a site that is committed to helping your children learn using vacations as a creative tool. What's really cool is that they offer homeschoolers a discount on a vacation cabin they own in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee! Please check them out if you're looking for a way to "get out of Dodge" without breaking your budget - and even if you can't swing it, be inspired by how they use vacation time to reignite the flame of learning.

If time "away" is not feasible for your family - whether it's due to time or money reasons - here are some tips to getcha' goin' on your own "backyard vacation"!

take a break from technology - turn off the cell-phones, ipods, computer...and just focus on enjoying each other and your time together

be unavailable to others - remember, you're on vacation, so act like it!

resolve to stay out of the kitchen! Eat out (as much as your budget allows) or cook over the fire (or grill!)

plan activities you wouldn't normally do, whether they're in your backyard, in your own town, or discovering a nearby city, park or museum.

pull out a map of your state and come up with new places to visit that are within a "doable" distance (take into account spending time getting there and getting back home!)

And here are some books to help you plan and have a wonderful and educational "staycation":

Backyard Vacation: Outdoor fun in your own neighborhood by Carolyn Haas, Ann Cole, and Barbara Natfzger

Field trips (series):bug hunting, animal tracking, bird watching,shore walking with Jim Arnosky by Jim Arnosky

The Night Book: exploring nature after dark with activities, experiments, and information by Pamela Hickman

Follow the trail: a young person's guide to the great outdoors by Jessica Loy

Get out! Outdoor activities kids can enjoy everywhere (except indoors) by Hallie Warshaw with Jake Miller

Interested in more information? Looking for more creative ideas to keep school interesting and engaging ~ for you and your kids? You can have "Sparks for the Flame" delivered right to your in-box each month! Get new ideas to keep the fires burning brightly in your homeschool ~ sign up below and receive a FREE report "just for you": 10 tips-4-Mom to refresh and restore!

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