Large-scale projectsyield big-time results!Creative juices sometimes need to simmer for awhile - sometimes the best way to teach is to throw out the books and delve into something around the house! Probably the time we had the most fun with - and really milked, creatively-speaking - were the years we spent nurturing and working with our eldest son's love of cars. It was during his late middle school and early high school years, when he most-actively balked at the academics and really went high-gear hands-on! 
He would spend hours pouring over car magazines, devouring the details and learning the lingo. My husband decided to get educated as well: both to stay connected with our son, and to help our son stay connected with school! We found the perfect opportunity when Paul (my husband) discovered the Grassroots Motorsports Challenge event. Basically, your budget amount is limited to the current year in dollars, and within that amount you have to buy, fix and fine-tune a car that can compete in an auto cross course, 1/4 mile dragstrip and concourse judging event. Quite a feat! We got a few other homeschoolers involved and put together "Team Home'scool"! Working within the budget, they researched, purchased, did mechanical work, body work...we probably could have incorporated more, but it was our first time, and we learned right along with the kids. By keeping track of what our son was accomplishing, we were able to parlay it into high school credit. He earned 3 semesters of Automotive Science, 1 semester of Computers and 1 semester of Work Study. Reading and writing up the results of his research counted towards part of his English credits under Research Skills. Definitely a win-win experience for us all!
An experience like this becomes a way to give your high school student some potential career guidance. If he's able to work with a professional, this relationship can develop into that of a mentor or apprentice position. It's a great way to roll together a unique experience with high school credit and at the same time test whether an interest or hobby could become a future career.
Interested in more information? Looking for more creative ideas to keep school interesting and engaging ~ for you and your kids? You can have our newsletter "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! More Sparks - Video Reviews, Volunteer Opportunities More Sparks - Home Business Development, Blog/Website Development More Sparks - Sample Unit Study - Christmas More Sparks - Lego Educational Return from More Sparks - Large-Scale Projects
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