by Kathryn Stout

Kids love to get out of anything they consider tedious. A simple solution is to assign activities that combine several objectives. It's not only more efficient, but buys time for more in-depth learning. Planning can be kept to a minimum by choosing ideas that can be reused frequently. Each of the following suggestions combines two or more standard objectives. Use them to replace assignments that cover the same ground.

Language Arts

1. Practice handwriting objectives÷correct letter formation, size, slant, and spacing, while working in other subjects. All work should be completed on paper specifically designed for handwriting practice÷paper which includes a dotted middle line as a guide for proper letter size. Choose one of the three widths available by using the size of your child's largest letters when he writes his name or copies words on unlined paper.

2. • Spelling words can be practiced by writing them five times each on handwriting paper. Require correct letter formation and even letter size. Do not allow the use of capital letters unless the spelling word is always capitalized.

3. • The final draft of a composition can be copied neatly with appropriate spacing on handwriting paper to fulfill the daily handwriting lesson.

4. • Children can compose a poem or short narrative, copy it neatly on handwriting paper, make an illustration and glue the composition to the bottom of the illustrated page÷combining skills in composition, handwriting, and art. (Longer booklets can be made this way as well.)

5. Cover reference (reading comprehension) skills during practice with spelling words. Include handwriting objectives by having students use the appropriate paper and requiring proper letter formation, size, slant, and spacing.

6. • Alphabetize the list.

7. • Use the dictionary:
     Write the word in syllables. Mark the accented syllable.- Write the part of speech next to each word.- Write the guide words on the page where the spelling word is found.- Write the phonetic pronunciation of the word.

8. • Use a thesaurus and/or dictionary to check your work and write a synonym and antonym for each word (as possible).

9. • Write sentences using the spelling words. Use proper capitalization and punctuation.

10. (More activity suggestions are available in Natural Speller.)

11. Combine assignments in composition and reading comprehension by using stories read as the content for various types of compositions. Children who dislike writing often prefer this method because it does not require them to be creative. It does, however, require them to think. Only combine handwriting objectives when the final draft is ready to be copied in order to allow children to concentrate fully on the content of their composition.

12. • Choose a character and list several adjectives to describe his or her personality.

13. • Use one adjective per paragraph, supporting each adjective (your opinion) with at least three examples from the story. Look at the character's behavior, his or her dialogue, and what other characters said or did in relation to him or her. Examples of personality traits: helpful, friendly, reliable, independent, moody, shy, undependable, lazy, kind, generous, considerate, selfish, stingy, aggressive, passive.

14. • Identify the theme (lesson, moral, main idea) of the story and explain why you agree or disagree with it. Give at least three reasons.

15. • Explain the meaning of the title in relationship to the story and explain why you think the author chose this title.

16. • Look at the way problems were resolved and what lessons were learned by the characters. Based on these things do you think the author has a Christian perspective about life? Give examples from the story to support your opinion.

17. (More questions are available in Critical Conditioning.)

Social Studies

1. Combine history, geography, and reference skills (part of reading comprehension workbooks):

2. • During the study of a particular culture, assign a question for the student to answer by using a variety of resources. He can then present the answer orally or in writing, along with an illustration÷a drawing, model, or display. For example:

3. • - How would you be educated if you lived in this culture? Include what and where you would study, who would teach you, and how you would be taught÷by lecture, discussion, activity or a combination of methods, alone, or with other children.

4. • - Describe a typical day for a person your age. Include grooming, meals, chores, educational activities, and a description of your surroundings.

5. • - Describe the religious practices of the people. Include who they worship, where they worship, the attitude of their god(s) toward man, what happens after death, and how these beliefs affect daily life.

6. • - Build a model or relief map that illustrates the terrain, vegetation, and climate of the region.

7. • - Explain how the climate and terrain affect the customs of the people. Look at food, clothing, and jobs.

8. • Allow the student to choose a culture, country, or region for study. (You may narrow his choice÷if he has studied people in warm climates, for example, you might require a country, province, or culture in a cold region.) Provide an outline or list of what information must be reported and any required illustrations such as maps, flag, wildlife, homes, or costumes. Allow presentations to vary: drawings (incorporating art skills), relief maps, displays, oral presentations, or booklets which may or may not include a bibliography. (Parts or all of the outline in Guides to History or Guides to History Plus can be used.)

Math/Life Skills

1. Combine objectives in consumer math with reference skills and prepare students for the real world: Using the classified section of the local newspaper, have students choose a beginning position that they could actually be qualified for upon graduation. They should record the beginning salary as their annual income. Provide a list of expense categories (e.g., rent, electricity, heat, telephone, water/sewer, trash removal, cable, medical needs, transportation, food, clothing, entertainment). The student must then find housing (again using the local newspaper) and fill out the expense sheet for rent. Help him fill out other categories with approximate money amounts based on family expenses since these vary throughout the country. He will quickly realize that only a few categories have much room for adjustment. Add to this by having the student "purchase" (use catalogs and ads) household items necessary for moving into his new home. Again, he is likely to see the need for bargain shopping and asking for furniture stored in the attic or basement. Kids that like to make booklets can cut out catalog items or make drawings and enjoy the decorating aspect. Others can simply fill out worksheets. Either way, students quickly learn that they can't have all they want and must make decisions about how to cut expenses to make their budget work.

2. Practice geometry (space/area) and finding proportions by having students draw a floor plan for their dream bedroom. They should measure actual rooms before deciding on a size, and must accurately reflect furniture size (use proper proportions) as they cut and paste or draw shapes to represent the furniture. They should also have a page illustrating their color scheme, including pictures (cut from catalogs or ads) of any wallpaper, curtains, bedspread, furniture, and accessories. Combining objectives is not only efficient, but helpful in teaching students that the skills they are developing are to be applied in a variety of ways.

3. Too often kids just want to complete an assignment and push the subject from their minds. If lessons are always compartmentalized, students may fail to realize how practical the skills and knowledge can be. Ask "How many objectives will this activity (project) include?" or "How can they cover another objective while doing this lesson? Then you will discover how easy it is to not only buy time, but to replace a passive approach to lessons with a desire to dig deeper and really learn.

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Kathryn Stout is a homeschooling mother, teacher and the author of the popular Design-A-Study series. Visit her website for more information, her newsletter and much more:

http://www.designastudy.com

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