Five Science Ideas for Homeschoolers

Homeschooling can be challenging in some respects. The core subjects - reading, writing, and 'rithmetic - are pretty basic. Methods may vary a little, but English is - well, English.

Other subjects lend themselves to more creativity. History can come alive through reenactments and hands-on experiments. Foreign language is much easier to learn if you get to know a native speaker. Science is much the same - wade in, get dirty, and have some fun with it.

#1 - Kitchen science is not only fun and yummy, it also teaches math, history, and living skills! Simple activities like baking bread are perfect - the kids get to measure (great way to learn fractions), knead, and bake. They learn about the action of yeast and gluten, and if you have a microscope they can see exactly what is making the bread rise. You can make test loaves with no/more/less yeast, and even bake some quick breads with other leavening agents. While the kids work, talk about the history of bread and its importance in cultures around the world. If you're really ambitious, look up some recipes for ethnic breads and try baking them - especially if you're studying those cultures in history class at the moment!

#2 - Testing different kinds of water with a microscope - where do different kinds of microbes live? Let your kids test every kind of water they can think of (even gross stuff. Boys will love testing dog spit and toilet water. If you're worried about germs, let them be Real Scientists with gloves and masks!) Teach them to keep accurate data and then report on their findings.