What to do when the lesson fizzles
07 Aug 2012 Leave a Comment
in article, links, School Stuff
Sometimes my kids just don’t ‘get it’. We go through a lesson and they can pass the test, but I see that there is no retention or no real understanding. What to do, what to do…this is why we supplement with other things that have no connection to the K12 curriculum. For instance, Bethany is going over atoms in science, something we have done before, so there should be some inkling of what’s going on. But, I find her lacking in basic vocabulary and science definitions. Luckily, there’s a program for that, here is a site that has vocabulary relating to atoms, once you sort the words that apply to atoms, you have a great definition left over that you can write down. Label atom parts here and name a few models. Here is the home page of that site with more games, vocabulary, models and quizzes. I also love the Chem 4 kids site here (and all of their sites like Bio 4 kids, Astronomy 4 kids, etc.) There is reading, some quizzes and games, illustrations and so on.
Tomorrow I’m having an 8 word day, the girls all need to pick out 8 words and make a story with them. The last one we did turned out really well, so I’m hoping that 8 words is easier and better. That’s another ‘it’s not in the lesson plan’ thing that we do. Count all the things that writing a story with 8 words works on: spelling, grammar, writing, composition, vocabulary, wow! (Confused about what I’m talking about? Go here to see the post about it.)
And don’t forget that August 10th is National S’more Day (the first s’more recipe was written in 1927 in a GS cook book.) We are planning a bunch of ‘off topic’ lessons on that day: volume, weight, melting point, solar oven, measuring, poetry, writing recipes and of course, eating s’mores.
