Q for teachers/home-schoolers

[58cognac]

(I'm putting this on the Budget Board since I'm trying to find free/inexpensive suggestions)

I have two kids(4th/6th grade) who are GT/Level 1 and are completely breezing through their coursework in school, which is great. But I'm wanting to supplement their learning to maybe go a little further. I don't want to overload them at all, just a little extra challenge for them. I'd like some ideas for all areas (math, science, language, world culture), but with emphasis on math and science for sure. We're in Texas if that helps. The 6th grader is reading at a college level and the 4th grader is at a high school level. Any reading suggestions for them would also be appreciated. TIA!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

For the reading, I would explore more advanced non-fiction and good historical fiction to supplement history.

For math, finding perhaps some logic puzzles that exercises their brain. Math competitions were what I lived for as well.

Do either do Odyssey of the mind? I am not sure what grade that goes up to, but it can be a great thing.

Take more family field trips and explore your area at their level.

For science, have them do extra science fair projects for fun.

For world culture, what if you incorporate that into meal planning. Pick a country, learn about it, plan, shop for, and cook an authentic menu. One of he posters on the Amazing Race thread has made country specific (and accurate as possible) meals each week that visits one of the countries featured on that episode.

Have you also considered having them learn a foreign language?

One thing you will want to know is the TYPE of learner each child is. While they may be gifted, they may have different things they enjoy. One might just like to read in abundance while the other prefers projects that bring a topic to life.

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

There is a website that I post to that is made up of teachers who are offering for free and selling their activities and units. It is great because the money goes back to teachers and not large publishing companies. There are some fantastic teachers on there and tons and tons of free stuff for every level. The link goes to my store but honestly I really don't think I have anything to offer for what you are looking for. Use the search function to hopefully find some things from some other great teachers!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Teaching-Bank

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

My son likes this book based on the Exploritorium in San Francisco:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591747996/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details

Museums are more interesting (to me) than straight teaching. Do you have any near you for Saturday visits? They usually have great books pertaining to their exhibits, as well. State and National parks usually have interactive visitor centers with science and history exploration.

Also, my son is asking to download chemistry and science apps, so maybe your kids would enjoy something like that? Snap circuits are fun for exploring electronic principals. Have them build mouse trap cars, stomp rockets, egg parachute or a Rube Goldberg to explore Newton's Laws and principals of mechanics.

 

[58cognac]

There is a website that I post to that is made up of teachers who are offering for free and selling their activities and units. It is great because the money goes back to teachers and not large publishing companies. There are some fantastic teachers on there and tons and tons of free stuff for every level. The link goes to my store but honestly I really don't think I have anything to offer for what you are looking for. Use the search function to hopefully find some things from some other great teachers!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Teaching-Bank

that is a really great site!

My son likes this book based on the Exploritorium in San Francisco:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591747996/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details
they would really like this

Also, my son is asking to download chemistry and science apps, so maybe your kids would enjoy something like that?
Definitely. Any APP suggestions?Snap circuits are fun for exploring electronic principals. Have them build mouse trap cars, stomp rockets, egg parachute or a Rube Goldberg to explore Newton's Laws and principals of mechanics.

For the reading, I would explore more advanced non-fiction and good historical fiction to supplement history.

They both love mythology/dragon book series so we're reading The Odyssey together.

Do either do Odyssey of the mind? I am not sure what grade that goes up to, but it can be a great thing.

We did Destination Imagination last year and it was both frustrating and fun for the 6th grader(she's very serious about working hard on projects), but I think that had quite a bit to do with the team members. Some didn't quite have the stamina to work for 4 months on a solution. But they earned a perfect score on their Instant challenge(wasn't a surprise to me).

Take more family field trips and explore your area at their level.

We have a children's museum that's good, but it's always a zoo.

For science, have them do extra science fair projects for fun.

I've been looking on homeschool websites for that type of info.

Have you also considered having them learn a foreign language?

Definitely. Spanish.

There's so much out there about homeschooling, too, it's overwhelming