Last week we got ideas for family fun on a budget from the author of Frugal Family Fun. Today we will be hearing from Maureen, a former elementary school teacher and homeschooling mother of five. Her blog, Spell Outloud, is full of exciting learning activities. See the photo album at the bottom of the page for some examples of what she and her children do together.
Tell me about you and your blog.
My name is Maureen Spell. I'm a former elementary school teacher and I now homeschool my five children. I started my blog, Spell Outloud, as a way to share educational ideas with other homeschoolers. I love to teach, create tools for learning and develop curriculum. I am also an advid digital scrapbooker and photographer. This past year I've been combining my hobby into our curriculum by using digital scrapbooking as an educational tool.
I participate in several toddler and preschool memes, so you will find many photos, educational ideas, and free printables geared toward early education. For our homeschool we use the Workbox System of Organization, so I blog about that often as well. I'm slowly adding more games, projects and printables that I use with my older elementary school children. I also have several craft tutorials and other miscellaneous printables posted.
What is your philosophy on educating children?
My educational philosophy has slowly been refined over the years, especially as my children enter new stages of development. I've always believed that hands-on learning is one of the best ways to make learning stick. For toddlers and preschoolers, activities such as pretend play, exploring nature, open-ended art projects and Montessori-type learning activities are ways to make learning "hands-on." I've also held the belief that quality literature is important in the life of a child. When children are young, being read good, engaging books every day is beneficial and rewarding for both the child and the parents. When they are older, I believe using "living books," which are quality books that inspire children to think and make a lasting impression on them, are a better tool to learn than just textbooks. My goal is to make learning rewarding and something my children want to invest in themselves.
Where do you get your ideas?
Many of my ideas come from my past classroom experience, educational books and blogs, scrapbooking, and just pure necessity.
What advice can you give parents and educators?
Be flexible, smile more and don't compare yourself to other teachers, nor your student to another student.
For more insight from creative parents and educators, see Get inspired!
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