Overwhelmed or stressed with E-Learning, Online School or Homeschool? Keep Online School Simple…
The struggle is real. Often, we get so excited about the latest app or online math program or unique online classes (this is a serious problem of mine!) that we forget to KEEP IT SIMPLE. This is especially true if you sense your children (or YOU) feeling stressed. Keep homeschooling or online school SIMPLE with three things:
- Reading
- Journaling
- Exploring Nature
Now, you can lead your learners through these three things on your own…. or if you and your child need some accountability (even simple is sometimes a challenge), we have some online curriculum and online class / e-learning suggestions to supplement with!
Reading
Courtesy of Dr. Seuss…”The more you read, the more you will know. The more you know, the more places you go”.
Whether it’s summer or the middle of the semester, sometimes you need a little help to keep your kids reading. Some of our favorite classes ARE examples of online school SIMPLE….
Online Novel Studies and Online Book Clubs (this is not an all-inclusive list but somewhere to start)…
Summer Book Club (8 weeks) for Grades 4-7 with Open Tent Academy
- Weekly live, online sessions to discuss 8 top fictional books- you can also just sign up for one session (eg, 1 book)
Summer Book Club (8 weeks) for Grades 7-12 with Open Tent Academy
- Weekly live, online sessions to discuss 8 top fictional books for tweens/ teens- one time sessions (1 book) are also available)
Novel Studies with Outschool (these are some of our faves, but feel free to search Outschool by book, instructor, or keyword phrase ‘novel study’)…
Beverly Cleary Book Club on Outschool
Magic Tree House Novel Study (many available) on Outschool
Summer Camp- Wild About Books (ages 6-10) on Outschool
Captain Underpants Book Study (ages 6-10) on Outschool
Upper Elementary-Middle School Novel Online Studies (often 4-8 weeks)- A Long Walk to Water, Esperanza Rising, Fever 1793, The Hobbit and more depending on time of year
Middle School-High School Online Novel Studies in Socrates style (often 4-8 weeks)- Hatchet, The Boys Who Challenged Hitler, Among the Hidden, Ranger’s Apprentice, Animal Farm and more depending on the time of the year
Little Women- The History, The Novel, The Movie on Outschool (ages 13-18) on Outschool
Journaling
Keeping a journal is SIMPLE- but yet again, sometimes accountability (or even some creative recommendations from a teacher) can keep your kiddo going. For older tweens and teens, they might want to branch out and start their own blog or even a vlog or podcast.
Easy, simple class recommendations are below (again, this list is just a start- tons of options exist- just do your own keyword search in Outschool or other online school platform!).
Online Classes About Journaling, Blogging, and Podcasting…
Weekly Journaling Club for Ages 7-10 on Outschool
Journaling for 2nd-5th Grades (Flex) on Outschool
Harry Potter Journal Writing Class for Ages 9-14 on Outschool
Monday Gratitude Journaling for Ages 10-15 on Outschool
Get Organized- Bullet Journal Weekly Spreads for Ages 12-15 on Outschool
Becoming Who I Am- Creative Journaling for Ages 12-17 on Outschool
Introduction to Content Marketing for Teens (ages 13-18) on Outschool
TIP: Use
Exploring Nature
Some kids are content exploring outside all day and have to be called back in (2 of my 3). Others need a little coaxing and some ideas to get their outdoor imagination going. Yet again, awesome online classes exist- SIMPLE online learning for even the youngest kids.
Online Classes About Nature…
Phases of the Moon (ages 5-10) on Outschool
Creativity with Nature Art (ages 6-9) on Outschool
Discover Our Amazing Backyard Animals and Make a Popcorn Wreath for Wildlife (ages 7-11) on Outschool
Fascinating Flowers: Hands on Dissection (ages 7-10) on Outschool
Backyard Nature Explorers 1 (ages 7-10) on Outschool
Bug of the Week (ages 7-11) on Outschool
Bird Watching In Your Neighborhood (ages 7-12) on Outschool
Junior Naturalists: Science and Nature Journaling (ages 8-13) on Outschool
Advanced Survival Skills: Building Awesome Shelters (ages 8-13) on Outschool
Hiking Safety (ages 10-14) on Outschool
All About Squirmy Worms Summer Camp (ages 10-14) on Outschool
Getting Started With Fly Fishing (ages 14-18) on Outschool
Be sure to check your local nature societies to see if they have any online activities this summer.
What other ideas do you have to keep homeschool and online school simple? Please make sure to join (and share) our PRIVATE Facebook Group with your friends to spread the awesomeness of online school!
