Interest-Based Learning

One of my favorite things about homeschooling is that I can individualize the learning to meet the needs and interests of my children.  We don't have to follow a set curriculum; we can create our own.

A few weeks ago, we saw a chameleon outside of our house.  We stopped what we were doing (independent work) and spent about 30 minutes observing it, but I think that Abigail and Charlotte could have spent all day looking at it!

While the girls were completing their independent work, I did a quick internet search and created a short lesson about chameleons that we were able to complete later in the day.  (Thank goodness for google, iBooks and fabulous bloggers - I found a video, 3 worksheets, and 2 books in less than 15 minutes!)

The girls loved learning more about something that they had actually witnessed.  The lesson was certainly more meaningful than it would have been if they had not seen a chameleon that morning.  And learning about the world around them makes them more excited for learning and always wanting to learn more.

I am so thankful for the ability to use interest-based learning in our homeschooling!

Marla is a former special education teacher, current PhD student, university instructor, and stay-at-home, homeschooling mom of two little girls (ages 2 and 4).  She blogs about homeschooling at Marla's Motherhood Musings and her family's experiences living in Zambia at Our Life in Lusaka.