How to move from boredom to motivation?

Even with an amazing curriculum at some point in our homeschooling journey we will need to add in additional resources. This is especially true when we start to lack excitement for learning. “Optimal brain activation occurs when subjects are in positive emotional states or when the material holds personal meaning, connects to their interests, is presented with elements of novelty, or evokes wonder. This is why attentiveness is so closely linked to positive emotional cueing and personal meaning. When there is connection to prior knowledge or positive emotional experience, new information passage through the limbic system will be enhanced. The thalamus will then “decide” to pay attention to the information.” http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/learning/why-fun-matters-in-education.html Good ways to reinvigorate our homeschooling is to break out the educational games, hands-on activities, add movement, or just laugh together before a lesson.

Homemade art supplies - www.artistshelpingchildren.org/homemade.html

Making books www.makingbooks.com

Lapbooks http://www.homeschoolshare.com/

BORROW TRAVELING KITS

Rocks & Mineral Kits http://www.arizonahistoricalsociety.org/education/classroomkit/

http://earthsciencemuseum.org/portfolio-1-column

Wildlife Resource Trunks http://www.azgfd.gov/i_e/ee/environmental_education.shtml

Forest Service Kits Wonderful Wilderness Box (Brian Poturalski, 928-526-0866), Bat Box (Cecelia Overby, 928-527-3600).

http://grandcanyonhistory.clas.asu.edu/k12education_travelintrunks.html

National Park Service http://www.nps.gov/teachers/travelingtrunks.htm

Gilbert History Kits http://gilberthistoricalmuseum.org/TeachersCorner.aspx

Flagstaff USGS http://arizona.usgs.gov/Flagstaff/Outreach/CenterEPO/

New Mexico http://www.friendsforthelibrary.org/center_trunks.html

Check http://www.willowbendcenter.org/school-programs_resources_other.html

GET MOVING

Ideas to combine PE and other subjects

http://www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/classroom/classroom.asp

Math and Movement http://Mathdance.org