One of the biggest benefits of homeschooling is the creativity we are able to include in our children’s learning.
For some parents this is exciting. For others, however, it is daunting.
Some of us are hard-wired for creativity (that would be me - sometimes almost to my detriment!). Others of us are much more straightforward thinkers who need some encouragement in the creativity department (this describes my husband).
No matter your own personal level of creativity, it is a fact that creativity infuses our lives (and our children’s lives) with depth and richness.
When we left the public schools to homeschool it was such a treat that I could exercise limitless creativity in my children’s education.
Today I’d like to share some very simple ways that you can get creative, too.
5 Simple Ways to Get Creative in Your Homeschool
For the sake of this post, let’s take a history subject (it seems that history has always been the spine of our homeschool) - let’s pretend we are studying The Civil War.
Now, I’d like to show you 5 ways to get creative studying this particular area, and you can apply these principles to any historical subject.
(Don’t feel like you need to limit yourself to these 5 areas - there are many more, and you will find yourself getting more creative with practice! Include nature study, geography, field trips - the sky is the limit!)
Living Books
Look for a few quality living books about The Civil War to get your children engaged. (After a while you will become a pro at this - I’m always on the lookout for living books at books sales, thrift stores, the library, etc… It’s great to build up a library so your children can feast on the books!)
Keep a basket or shelf full of the books you will be using for your study so your children can grab them when the mood strikes.
To help you locate Living Books:
(For the Civil War, I love Follow the Drinking Gourd (picture book) and Gettysburg (chapter book). There are SO MANY to choose from - but hopefully this gives you the general idea.)
Music
As a music teacher, I am always looking for ways to incorporate music appreciation and history! Music speaks LOUDLY to many children - it might be just the hook you need to get one of your children excited about a subject.
Research music/composers from The Civil War - who was writing music in the mid-late 1800s, both in America and abroad? What if you search “Civil War and music”? You will be amazed at what comes up!
I just finished a book - Civil War Drummer Boy - a true story about a 9-year-old Union drummer.
Use a chronological music resource to help - my curriculum, SQUILT Music, is organized by era to go along with history studies! Members of SQUILT LIVE! also have access to all of our lessons that are archived by era to make designing your own music appreciation curriculum EASY! We are currently learning about The Spirit of America in our lessons - using a song from The Civil War!
Can you use a service like Spotify to find a playlist of music from The Civil War? Use this as the backdrop of your days!
Art/Hands-On
Art is another simple way to get creative in your homeschool. And don’t worry - YOU don’t have to be artistic to accomplish this with your children.
Going back to the Civil War, I would start thinking about ways you can help your children learn about The Civil War with art.
Ideas:
Salt Dough Relief Map (these are so much fun and really cement learning)
Art Appreciation - learn about famous artworks during the Civil War
Drawing - here’s a beautiful lesson learning to draw Harriet Tubman.
Are you starting to get a feel for how to get creative with learning?
Games
Games are probably the most FUN way to get creative with homeschooling - and your kids will think you’re simply amazing.
My friend, Cait, has a lot of ideas about gameschooling - check out her favorite history games.
What about games children played during the Civil War? Do some research and learn a few with your own children.
Here’s a free printable Civil War game for kids.
How about a family game night where kids share their learning with dad or grandma & grandpa and play games?
Are you feeling more creative yet?
Food
This one is super popular in my house!
What type of cooking activity or meal can you plan that coincides with the Civil War?
Civil War Recipes for Soldiers — you could have a themed Civil War night complete with dinner, music, games, and a display of the artwork your children created!)
Could you exist for a few days on the same food eaten by Civil War soldiers?
Once you start incorporating creativity into your homeschool, I think you’ll find it comes more naturally. You will also find that children are the most creative of all - let them design their own learning and see what fun it will be!
