Need an online reading program for your children? My 4 year old son has been using ClickN Read. He is now on lesson 23 and so far, he still likes doing using this phonics program. I don’t get any complains from him. The material is well laid out so I don’t have to think about lesson planning. I just see what the online lesson is about and then reinforce that learning offline.

ClickN Kids is always offering discounts. For this month of March, the following is the coupon code and link:

Kids Love to Learn at ClickN KIDS. Save $5 on ClickN READ and ClickN SPELL Code: CLICKN5 exp. 3/31/11

A while back, I wrote a brief description about how I combined some offline phonic exercises with ClickN Read. Click here to read about it: Teaching children to read with phonics.

Click here for up to date coupon codes and a detailed review of ClickN READ phonics.

If you are going to do a homeschooling lesson on lions, you’ll want to include this documentary called “The Last Lions”. Here is the trailer. Captivating don’t you think?

Get your child to do something to save the lions from extinction. Over at the National Geographic website, they have a Big Cats Initiative. There is a project called Letter to Lions where children can submit drawings and letters about lions. Write why lions are important to you. Your writings and drawings will be delivered by the Jouberts to African leaders.
Click here to learn how you can write your letter to lions.

When you talk about homeschooling, a lot of people imagine children sitting together at a table, scouring over workbooks under the watchful eyes of mom or dad. This is the not entirely true. There are different methods of homeschooling, and the method you choose will decide the curriculum and your style of teaching.

Given below are some of the most influential and popular homeschooling methods.

The Charlotte Mason method
Charlotte Mason is known as the founder of the homeschooling movement. A homeschooler herself, she was passionate in her zeal to lay out the foundations for an effective a complete homeschooling program that is fun and educational at the same time. This method focuses on all the core subjects with emphasis placed on classical literature, poetry, fine arts, classical music and craft. Mason used a variety of books from classical literature, which she called ‘Living Books’. Since this method encourages a passionate awareness of literature, the child is read to daily from the ‘Living Books’. After this, the child is asked to narrate what she has heard. This process begins at the age of six, and by ten the child is expected to write her narrations in her book. Mason also advocated the use of ‘Nature Diaries’. After each short and interesting lesson, the child is asked to go to Nature and draw observations from Nature. Thus the child also gains a sense of respect for her environment. Mason believed that development of good character and behavior was essential to the complete development of the child’s personality.

The Eclectic Homeschooling
This is a mixture of various homeschooling techniques. Here, the innovative parents trust their own judgment and pick out the topics that make the best curriculum for their child. Such parents continuously look out for the best products that will meet the needs of their homeschoolers. Most Eclectic homeschooling curriculums are improvised. This means that the basic curriculum is ready-made. The parents then make changes in the curriculum to
accommodate the individual needs and interests of their children. The child’s gifts, temperament, learning style and interests dictate the curriculum. Eclectic programs include visits to the museum, libraries and factories.

Unschooling
A Boston public educator name John Holt laid the beginnings of the unschooling method. He believed that children learned best when they are free to learn at their own pace and when they are guided by their own interests. His message was to ‘unschool’ the child. This method is a hands-on approach to learning, where the parent takes definite cues from the children. There is no definite curriculum, schedules or materials. This method is the most unstructured of the various homeschooling techniques.

The Montessori Method
This method began in Italy, when it was observed that children have acute sensitive periods, during which they undergo periods of intense concentration. During such phases, a child will repeat an activity till he gains a measure of self-satisfaction. The Montessori method depends on a prepared environment to facilitate learning. All the materials used in this method are designed to satisfy the inner desire for spiritual development of the child. The materials used progress from simple to complex, and are rather expensive.

I hope these examples of different homeschooling methods have been helpful. Just remember that when choosing the right homeschooling method, be flexible and take into account your childrens desires and interest. The secret is to use the child’s desire for knowledge to further his education.

Don’t miss out on these awesome homeschooling freebies.

When you’re on the computer and your kid comes to you asking for some attention, why don’t you plop him/her on your lap and open up to the following website and read a short story. Reading to your children doesn’t have to take long. If you are very busy, you can still squeeze in 5-10 minutes of reading. Reading aloud is one of the best ways to teach children to read.

Magickeys Children’s Storybooks Online

p.s. You can sign up for my free e-course on “Teaching Your Children To Read and Spell“.