Gardening Science
In Gardening Science 101, your child will learn the basics of planning a garden, as well as answers to timeless questions, such as where foods come from and how plants grow. Learning how to prepare the soil is also a key learning your child will take away from this adventure. Engage your child every step of the way, from deciding on what additives and fertilizers your garden will need to choosing what to grow. Once your garden begins to bloom, gradually hand off daily maintenance and care to your child. By the end of the summer, you'll both be proud of your burgeoning garden. (Hint: To help your child develop a green thumb, try some instant gratification. Plant radishes — even if you can't stand them! They'll come up in a few days, and your child will feel like a bona fide horticulturist.)
Kitchen Chemistry
Introduction to Basic Chemistry meets once a month in your kitchen. Topics covered include: What makes bread rise? Why does bread have to be kneaded? What does baking soda do? What are measuring cups? What are the types of heat used in cooking? Class projects range from making a baking soda and vinegar volcano (watch out, Mom!) to an easy-to-bake meat loaf. Final exam starts promptly at 6 when dinner is served.
Math Baseball
Does your child love baseball? If so, get involved! Baseball cards can be an adventure in math. Ask your child to explain which baseball cards she likes best, and then ask her questions about what all those bewildering stats mean. Together, you and your child can work on math problems disguised as baseball statistics (such as the statistical importance of the number of home runs to the number of cumulative times at bat). As a final exam, use baseball cards to create a fantasy "dream team" based on player stats.
Vacation Geography
How many times has your child asked from the backseat: "When are we going to get there?" This summer, flip the script! If you're planning a vacation — even if it's just a day trip — ask your child to be copilot! For this exercise, either buy a real map or simply draw one for your child to use. As you drive, ask your copilot for directions. Which way is north? How many miles to the next ice cream parlour? When do we need to stop for gas?
Grocery Store Follow the Leader
Transform a trip to the grocery store into a learning adventure. Before you go, use crayons and magic markers to help your child draw a shopping list. (It might be easier to limit the list to just a few major food items.) After the list is complete, find coupons in the newspaper that match the drawings on your list. Your child will enjoy leading you around the store, and when you're finished, be sure to let your child pay for the groceries!
These are just a few ideas for how to turn everyday experiences into "teachable moments." Don't hesitate to try some of your own, because anything you can do to make learning fun is a valuable lesson.
