Posts Tagged ‘learning center’

Anatomy Display (Science Learning Center)

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

anatomy-display

Since my YouTube video clip about organizing educational bins was highly popular, I thought I’d share another example of an educational display that is a science learning center. The bin that I showed you in the video clip was about anatomy, and here was the science learning center that I set up for my children during that unit.

We had several fun books that had clear overlays with each system of the body. I had a skeleton model that I bought for a dollar at a used curriculum sale. The anatomy chart was purchased at a teacher supply store, and it helped the children to learn the different body systems, which they drew, life-sized, of their own bodies traced on butcher paper. The human heart opens up, and you can see the different chambers. This would be good for high school, too, because it was very detailed. I got that at a teacher supply store as well. Let’s see, oh, yeah, we also had a see-through model of the systems of the body. That was kind of frustrating, actually, even though the kids loved it, because it was hard to stuff all the body parts back inside. Anyway, I hope this display is helpful to you as you homeschool your own children and get them excited about learning a specific subject.

If you would like more information on organizing your house to have more joy as you homeschool (and more fun!) feel free to get Organizing for a Fun Homeschool, two one-hour, jam-packed video sessions giving you a tour of my home and how I do things with my children. Many homeschooling mothers have come over to my house over the years, and all of them have taken lots of notes and asked lots of questions. I’ve answered everything in these videos.

How to Make an Educational Display

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

educational-display

When studying a particular theme for a unit study, an educational display can spark interest in that study. It is a learning center and can be located anywhere in your house. My favorite place to put the display is on a low bookshelf. I like to include books about the topic, including picture books.

I also include other items such as games, puppets, magnifying glasses, models, puzzles, small plastic insects, or any other item that would make children want to study that subject on their own. This way your child is studying and learning whenever you are not there. This can enhance and deepen their learning.

For example, they might want to read a book that you don’t have time to read aloud to them. Or they can study star charts more closely, or reread a book already read. Or they can browse the insect identification book and find out what that weird insect was that you found on your doorstep last week. Of all the items in the display, the extra books are especially helpful. You can even make a display with only books, propping some up to generate interest.

If you want to learn more about setting up your house for learning, you will love my 2-hour video workshop Organizing for a Fun Homeschool, where I show you how I organize my  house for fun learning.