Welcome to the The Big Book of Homeschool Ideas Blog Tour where we’re going to be stopping in on the authors of The Big Book of Homeschool Ideas. I hope you have been enjoying the tour. 55 homeschool moms have contributed 103 chapters of homeschool goodness. My contributions were a chapter on How to Use Postage Stamps for Learning and Inquiry Science with Middle School Students. Read on to find out why I wrote these chapters and a glimpse at their content.
The Big Book of Homeschool Ideas Blog Tour
Everyday in the month of October, we’ll meet a new author of The Big Book of Homeschool Ideas. You’ll find out why they contributed their chapter or chapters to the book and why they feel passionate about that particular topic.
How it works:
- Visit each author on the blog tour and participate in the giveaway they may be hosting.
- Enter the giveaway for The Big Book of Homeschool Ideas & iHomeschool Studio Bundle below.
- Purchase the bundle! Don’t worry. If you win the giveaway, you’ll get your money back. Buy now while you can!
- Click the calendar to see the other authors on the tour and to see their giveaways.
- Yesterday, Amy Stults from Milk and Cookies, author of the chapters Learning with Maps and Genealogy for Kids, gave away a copy of WonderMaps from Bright Ideas Press.
- Tomorrow’s giveaway is from Colleen Kessler at Raising Lifelong Learners . Author of the chapter Hands-on Science. Colleen will be giving away Science for Smart Kids: Electricity.
The Bundle Blog Hop
There are so many wonderful contributors to this bundle – come along and get to know each of us a little better. Each day of October we will be highlighting one of the talented women who have helped make the iHomeschool Studio and Big Book of Homeschool Ideas such a success.
Inquiry Science for Middle School
I am so excited to be a contributing author to the Big Book of Homeschool Ideas. I love teaching science; my goal is to provide inspiration so you may engage your students in hands-on science and service learning experiences.
Sharing my passion for science reinvigorates me and I am delighted to have had the opportunity to contribute to The Big Book of Homeschool Ideas.
In the article, Inquiry Science with Middle School Students, I define inquiry science for you and break the process of scientific discovery down into smaller components – partial inquiry versus full inquiry.
Teaching science through inquiry is the cornerstone of good teaching. But what, exactly, is inquiry science?
Scientific inquiry refers to the activities through which students develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, as well as an understanding of how scientists study the natural world. In many classrooms and homeschool families, students enjoy fun science demonstrations. These hands-on activities help bring the exciting world of science to life.
I have written a series of posts, What is Scientific Inquiry, whereby I address the scientific method, science process skills, and science as inquiry. In the series, I address several key misconceptions about science and share with you examples of how to easily modify existing cook-book activities for a more inquiry based instructional approach.
As a special thank you, I have put together a Getting Started with Inquiry Science guidebook that will be available as a free download through the month of October. This bonus eBook is 18 pages providing detailed descriptions of the scientific inquiry process. The different levels are described to give you an idea of where to begin and how to do inquiry science with your students. It also includes many planning pages for student led or open inquiry as well as two guided inquiry labs.
Postage Stamps for Learning
Shortly after we began our homeschool journey, we discovered the joy of collecting postage stamps. In the beginning, we collected with no clear objective in mind. As our collections grew, I began to seek out activities that would provide opportunities to learn about the people featured on the stamps and the places from which they were issued. It wasn’t long thereafter that we were exhibiting at philatelic shows around the country.
I am excited to share with you how we use postage stamps in our homeschool. In the chapter, How to Use Postage Stamps for Learning, I explain some details and advice regarding using postage stamps for learning such as:
- What to collect?
- Where do I find stamps?
- How do I soak and protect my stamps?
- How do I display my stamps?
- What are the educational opportunities available to me?
Postage stamps will be featured more regularly on my blog in the coming months as my kids and I work on developing our new exhibits. Follow along and find out how to use them with confidence in your homeschool.
The Big Book & Studio Bundle
For a limited time (Oct 1 – Nov 10), get the iHomeschool Studio and Big Book of Homeschool Ideas bundle for just $15! The bundle includes 23 MP3s from our spring 2014 webinar and a massive 560+ page eBook for only $15 (regular price $36). This offer won’t last long!
Whether you are new to homeschooling or a seasoned home educator, The Big Book of Homeschool Ideas and the recorded webinar sessions provide a library of resources you could turn to when you have a question in your homeschool. With this ginormous bundle, you can go beyond the basics of academics and delve into delightful methods like active learning, learning with postage stamps, using LEGOs for learning, teaching on the road, delving into inquiry science, loving living math, discovering your child’s personality type, and more.
A Giveaway, Too!
What is even more exciting is that we are giving away 10 copies of the bundle!! Don’t wait to see if you are a winner and risk losing out on this incredible sale! If you purchase the bundle and end up winning, we will immediately refund your money.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
iHomeschool Studio will provide homeschool parents with the continuing education and encouragement they need to persevere in their homeschool journey with excellence and resolve. The 24 convenient online sessions will take place during the afternoons and evenings of Tuesday, February 10 through Friday, February 13, 2015.