“It has been quite a winter.”
That should win the gold for understatement! With seeming relentless snow and ice causing so many closures and delays, schools are now scrambling for a plan to make up the time lost to inclement weather. Schools all over are trying to decide whether to lengthen their academic year or take away days of spring break.
But not all schools.
There are some schools that carried on business as usual, even in the areas hardest hit by Winter Storm Leon or the polar vortex. Weather that crippled other learning environments posed no threats to these schools. They kept right on going!
I’m talking about homeschools. Homeschooling means weather doesn’t have thwart learning. In fact, what is happening outside can enrich the learning inside.
Enrich learning?! Yes, here are 12 ways to make winter weather a learning experience.
- Study causes for weather patterns.
- Write a haiku based on what you see out your window.
- Find out what causes crystals to form in different ways (ice, snow, etc.)
- Read poetry about winter.
- Track storms. For younger kiddos, learn about east and west.
- Help a neighbor shovel.
- Cut out snowflakes from paper and discuss symmetry.
- Sip hot cocoa while reading.
- Follow a recipe to make snow ice cream.
- Research what different animals do to survive a harsh winter.
- Graph various weather statistics for the past month (temperature, precipitation, etc.)
- Draw or paint a winterscape.
Am I saying homeschool families never call it a day due to weather? Of course not! I think most homeschool families do. But usually not for inclement weather, not fit for man nor beast! No, most homeschool families don’t have snow days, but they do have “sunshine days!” When it’s too nice to be inside learning, a “sunshine day” is declared and out they go!
“Sunshine Day” – Now, isn’t that a welcome thought?!
Copyright © 2014 J. Hoffman / Global Student Network
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Email: JHoffman@GlobalStudentNetwork.com