One thing for sure is; when it comes to schooling we get creative.

I am not one to sit and push paper after paper at my kids. I never knew a kid that enjoyed learning that way. Kids like things that are visual. They learn and retain the information better. That is why I believe every homeschool classroom needs to have some sort of visual element to it.

Have you decided to homeschool your kids and not provide them with some sort of regular learning environment? If you have not put aside someplace for your kids to learn you are going to make your school year challenging for not only you but your children. This is especially true if you have grade school children. Visualization helps to reinforce what it is that you are teaching and what they are learning.

When we decided to study entomology we started off with a small bulletin board. But then, as we began making our projects we found that we were going to quickly run out of room. I had always liked when we made a tree for our wall and added our fall leaves for decoration but this year I thought I would go a little further and make it 3D. This began as a great idea but quickly turned into a challenge when I decided to look on line for others who had built trees. I had figured that I could find lots of ideas on line but I was totally wrong. The web had very few ideas and the ones they had were very elaborate and expensive to build. So, I got my creative juices flowing and Tada, a free standing tree in the middle of my classroom.



Now that it is there we can continue our study of entomology and we now have the freedom to study biology, learn about birds, discover the differences of regions and so much more.  Really, the sky is the limit.



Another great thing about having the tree is we can incorporate our art projects and add them to the tree to watch it grow. When we study birds we can make birds for art and attach it to the tree. Same goes for monkeys or snakes, anything that lives in a tree we can study and add to it.



We can study the seasons too and as they change we can change the leaves that are on the tree. With this project, we can leave it up all year and change with it. Then, periodically we can refer to it asking the kids questions about the things on the tree which will help them to remember what they have learned.

Now, I am not saying that you need to make a great big tree in the middle of your living room but I am pointing out that with homeschooling you can be as creative as you would like. I am saying get visual in your learn space. Don’t forget that school needs to be fun and educational for the children to have maximum growth.

Keep watching for more post about how you can make your school year not only victorious, but rewarding too.

L

Tags: bugs, bulliten boards, encouragement, entomology, family fun, homeschool, homeschool deals, homeschool science projects, insects, kids, resources, school help, school projects, school tips, Science, things to do with your kids, training, trees

Welcome all to the 2009 Cardboard Boat Race.

What is the Cardboard Boat Race?

It is a race that originated in 1974 at the Southern Illinois University. This event has become so popular that more than 1,500 participants and more than 100,000 spectators now enjoy it across America each summer.

Now it is your turn to join in the fun. Grab your friends or you family to build your very own cardboard boat to race at the Fun On The Farm Cardboard Boat Race. This event is sure to bring some good ole fashioned family fun, community spirit and creativity to the end of your summer as well as some creative learning to the beginning of your school year!

The cost of the race is 5 bucks per boat to cover the cost of the prizes and awards.

Here is the Challenge!

To design and build a human-powered boat made of corrugated cardboard and other approved materials which is capable of completing at least 2 laps in our 40 foot long pool, propelled by paddles or ores made of cardboard, is able to fit into a doorway and is no longer than 6 feet. This boat must hold at least two people but no more than three people can race together. You may team up with family or friends to make and race your boats. (See special rules for non-swimmers or Kindergarten and first grade.)

Permissible Materials for Construction
For building- Large pieces of corrugated cardboard found from furniture stores or appliance stores, cardboard boxes from mailers, pizza boxes, and cardboard tubes.

For sealing-
Duct tape,
Masking tape,
Glue,
Cling wrap,
Trash bags,
Plastic tarp,
Paper binders,
Liquid nails adhesive,
Latex paint and varnish.

Materials NOT allowed
Wood,
Styrofoam or rafts
Plastic sheathing
Fiberglass
Sona-Tubes,
Coated cardboard
Silicon,
Wax,
Tar
Caulking compounds
Metal
Staples,
Clamps (except paper binders),
Screws or anything-sharp

Special Rules for Kindergarten, First Grade and Non-Swimmers!

All non swimmers or any kindergarten and first graders are able to make a boat no less than 12 inches and no more than 1 foot and have some sort of Barbie, GI Joe or other character of similar size. These boats will be raced by the children blowing into a large cardboard tube (to be provided) and they will race in the shallow end the width of the pool, which is 20 feet long

Sign ups and Registration

Sign ups will begin on September 1st and continue until September 15th. Your registration fee of 5 dollars must be made by September 15th to hold your spot. Additionally, I am not a cooperation and I cannot afford to front everyone’s’ fee for the prizes. After the 15th your 5 bucks is non-refundable!
Send your checks Payable to Alicia Dingman to, 11307 East Ave R-4 Littlerock CA, 93543. Checks must be post dated by the 15th to be considered. If for some reason you need to cancel, please call me at 661-944-0582 before the 15th and I will shred your check.
Checks only, no cash will be accepted.

Registration begins at 10:00 am allowing you enough time assemble or to make any last minute changes to your boat. The race begins at 1:00 pm and will run until about 5:00 pm. Those interested in staying for an after race BBQ should contact me no later than Friday September 18th.

Contact me at   schoolonthefarm@msn.com

Categories for Awards

• The Captains Award- Most spectacular or prettiest boat.

• The Pride of The Farm Award- Most creative design.

• Best Dressed/Best Spirit Team Award- The team that looks the best and has the best team spirit.

• Matchy Matchy Award- The team that best matches the theme of their boats

Prizes will be given to

• The fastest Boat -We will be timing the boats as they race.

• The Best Design- Everyone gets a say in this. You vote for the best!

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School stuff! If you are interested in keeping this with your curriculum please send your request to School On The Farm and I will send you some science curriculum to go with your project.

Additional information about building cardboard boats and viewing pictures can be found on Google

Tags: cardboard, cardboard boat races, cardboard boats, family, family fun, fun, having fun in water, homeschool science projects, making boats, making cardboard boats, school projects, Science, things to do in summer, things to do with water, things to do with your kids