Tag: homeschool

10 Creative Things To Do When It’s Cold Outside

10 Creative Things to Do When It’s Cold Outside

If you are anything like me, you live in a colder climate which means that for 5-6 months out of the year, there is snow on the ground, and the temperature often dips low enough that you shouldn’t spend long periods outdoors. If this sounds familiar, you are likely internally celebrating that it’s almost the end of January, which means it’s the halfway point of winter. In my area, we have had many days where the temperature dips dangerously low, sometimes for weeks on end; -50 degrees Celsius or -58 degrees Fahrenheit for the Americans reading this. Keep reading for 10 creative things to do when it’s cold outside and discover some fun ideas to keep your kids entertained indoors!

Keeping the kids entertained can be a challenge on cold days. This list can make it much easier!

This means that the chance for frostbite and other things rises significantly, and it is essential to keep ourselves entertained inside, which can be pretty challenging when you have children. In our area, this also means indoor recess for those kids who attend mainstream school. And don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying just to put them in front of a screen and hope for the best.

Also, you can only watch so much kids’ TV before you are going to lose your grip on reality, right?! But how do you entertain kids for a few days to a week? I mean, even I get bored if I spend too much time indoors, so what could I possibly do with my kids?

Our list of 10 creative things to do when it’s cold outside can help take away the stress of coming up with your own ideas.

“Anything can be fun with the right attitude and if your kiddos are engaged, they might even forget that they wanted to go outside!”

First, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to go outside to have fun! I know what you’re thinking; how do I convince my kids to stare out the window, longing to play in the snow? Well, the first step is to focus not on what you can’t do and shift the focus to what you can. Plenty of indoor activities keep you going even if you have to stay in a house where it’s warm. Keep reading to discover an easy list of 10 creative things to do when it’s cold outside.

Anything can be fun with the right attitude, and if your kiddos are engaged, they might even forget that they wanted to go outside! Read on to discover ten things to do with your kids when it’s too cold outside; these are just the beginning that you can use to keep your kiddos occupied when it’s too cold to go outside to play.

Here is a list of 10 Creative Things To Do When When You Can’t Go Outside:

1. Make a Craft

10 creative things to do when it's cold outside

Kids love crafts, and even if you are not the most creative or crafty person, you can also learn to love them. No, you don’t have to use glitter or make slime. There are so many ideas on the internet that will spark your imagination and give your kiddos something fun to do. They will feel proud that they accomplished something and might even develop a game to play using what they made, turning this one activity into two!

2. Make/Play a Board Game

This might be a better activity for older children as it can take some higher-level thinking. You can dream up all the parts together and make them with whatever you have. Your board game can be inspired by a favourite book, TV show, or just out of your kids’ imaginations. Your kids can design their board, characters, action cards, spinner, or dice! Once you have planned this and created the pieces, you can sit together and play the game!

3. Build a Fort 

A fort is always a good idea! You can use blankets, pillows, sheets or even an old small tent if you have the space. They can get set up to watch movies or read books, or it can be a great place to do their school work for the day, all while keeping their mind off the temperature outside.

4. Do a Science Experiment

You don’t have to focus only on the fun; you can also include academics into your inside day.  Head to the kitchen and make a volcano or see how long ice melts in different temperatures, whatever you want. You can tailor it to what you currently do in science or do a fun one-time experiment. It’s up to you!

5. Read a Book or a Series 

A cold day can be the perfect time for reading. You can read together or make separate spots to read depending on the age of your kids. You could also pick a book or series to read as a marathon. Maybe today is the day you start the Harry Potter series with your kids, or maybe introduce your older kids to the Hunger Games or Divergent books. The sky’s the limit; let your interests and reading levels guide you to the right choices, and spend a cozy day immersing yourself in the imaginary world of your choice.

10 creative things to do when it's cold outside

6. Write a Story or a Play and Act it Out

Like the board game suggestion above, take inspiration from anything you want and write a story or play with your kids. Once you have it written, you could design a set and find props to act it together.

7. Bake Something 

Spend some quality time together in the kitchen. You can encourage your kids to practice their reading and measurement skills and get something yummy out of the deal!

10 creative things to do when it's cold outside

8. Do an Art Project

Sit those kids down at the table and pull out all the art supplies. Have them draw, paint, and imagine to their heart’s desire. They will have fun creating something they love.  

9. Have a Dance Party

You can do active things indoors as well. Put on some of your favourite music and dance together. This is fun and can give you a little exercise while you’re at it. Show off those moves!

 10. Watch a Movie

Sometimes, everyone needs just a little downtime, and we don’t always take the time we need with today’s busy schedules. So why not take the opportunity to cuddle up and watch your favourite movie? It’s a great way to spend some time together, and it takes minimal prep from you.

10 creative things to do when it's cold outside

Being stuck inside can be fun!

I know it can be a long stretch being stuck indoors if the temperature dips too many days in a row but fear not. There are many, many activities you can do even when you can’t go outside. These 10 creative things to do when it’s cold outside can help to pass the time. So why not take a suggestion or two from the above list and take their focus away from the window and all the things they aren’t able to do. Stay warm and enjoy! 


Remember to take care of yourself. 

Worried about the mess? Here are some tips to help!

6 Reasons Why It’s Important To Encourage Multi-Age Play

Children are naturally curious and sociable beings. They love to explore, learn and play with others. As a parent, you want the best for your child; you want them to be happy, healthy, and well-adjusted. However, when it comes to playtime, parents may be hesitant to let their children play with kids of all ages. This is understandable for several reasons, one being that parents may want to ensure their children’s safety. However, there in fact several known benefits of encouraging children to play with peers of various ages. Encouraging your children to play with kids of all ages has a positive impact on their social emotional development. In this blog, we will discuss the 6 reasons why it’s important to encourage multi-age play.

It’s Important to Encourage Multi-Age Play; It Sets Children Up Both Personally and Professionally

Here Is A List Of Our 6 Reasons Why It’s Important To Encourage Multi-Age Play:

Playing Across Ages Builds Empathy and Understanding

When you follow these 6 reasons why it’s important to encourage multi-age play, you can help children learn to empathize with others and understand different perspectives. Playing with kids of all ages can help your child develop empathy. By interacting with others who are different from them, children learn to understand and appreciate different perspectives and experiences. This can help them become more compassionate and understanding individuals. Also, while playing with kids of all ages, children see their metaphorical journey reflected in the overall group. They see what lies ahead of them, as well as what they’ve already gone through. This helps build empathy for others, regardless for others, no matter their age or abilities.

6 reasons why it's important to encourage multi-age play

Inter-Age Play Develops Social Skills

Playing with peers of all ages can help develop important social skills. Younger children can learn how to communicate with older children, while older children can practice leadership and communication skills when playing with younger children. Children of different ages also have varying levels of physical and cognitive abilities, which can challenge children to adapt their play style and collaborate with their peers. Children are challenged to design games and cooperate in ways that meet a wider range of needs and skill levels. Younger children learn from older children’s experiences, and older children learn to be patient and nurturing toward their younger peers.

This interaction can foster a sense of community and belonging in children and create a more accepting and inclusive environment. Additionally, when children play with kids of different ages, they learn how to interact with others who have different needs, interests, and abilities. 6 reasons you should encourage multi-age play helps them develop important social skills such as communication, cooperation, empathy, and respect. Playing with older children can also expose younger children to more advanced language and social skills that they can learn from and develop.

6 reasons why it's important to encourage multi-age play

Cross-Age Play Encourages Creativity and Imagination

    When kids play with others of different ages, they are exposed to more diversity. This means that children of different needs, skills, and interests are included. This exposure encourages more complex conversations, problem-solving and critical thinking. Playing with peers of different ages can encourage children to use their imagination and creativity in new ways. When children play with peers of different ages, they are exposed to new perspectives, ideas, and experiences. This can inspire them to think differently and develop new, innovative ways of playing and problem-solving. Older children can introduce younger children to new games and activities that they may not have thought of before. While younger children can bring new perspectives and ideas to playtime. This interaction can inspire children to think outside of the box and explore their creative sides.

    6 reasons why it's important to encourage multi-age play

    Boosts Confidence and Self-Esteem

    Having meaningful interactions with kids of all ages can help boost a child’s confidence and self-esteem. Younger children look up to older role models and develop a sense of confidence from keeping up with older peers. Interacting with older children challenges younger children, which encourages them to push themselves to do better.  Therefore also encouraging younger children to scaffold their learning and challenge themselves in both their cognitive and physical development. Older children will feel pride and accomplishment when they teach younger children new skills. This skill transfer will help younger children to succeed in play. Similarly, younger children look up to older children. In this instance, they rely on them for guidance and support, which can make them feel important and valued. 

    Encouraging Multi-Age Play and Interaction Can Inspire Kids To Problem Solve And Create Innovative Ways To Play

    Promotes Positive Behavior

    When children play with kids of all ages they are exposed to a range of behaviours; helping them to learn what is acceptable and what is not. Older children can model positive behaviours and attitudes for younger children, who can then learn from these examples. 6 reasons why it’s important to encourage multi-age play can help to promote positive behaviour in your children. It can also discourage negative behaviours, such as bullying and exclusion.

    The presence of younger children allows older children the opportunity to learn about caregiving and leadership roles. This practice of caregiving can also lead older children to take responsibility for more vulnerable members of the group. Moreover, playing with kids of different ages can help your child build friendships with a much wider range of people. This can be especially helpful if your child has trouble making friends their own age. By playing with kids of different ages, they may find kindred spirits who share similar interests, values, or hobbies.

    6 reasons why it's important to encourage multi-age play

    Multi-Age Play Prepares Better Children for the Real World:

    Finally, 6 reasons why it’s important to encourage multi-age play can impact your child’s future. Playing with kids of all ages will help your child prepare for the real world. When playing and interacting with others of diverse ages, all children are able to experiment. In these groupings, children have space to take on various roles. They can experiment with hierarchies, power dynamics, leadership roles, and group rules in a way that reflects real life. In real life people of all ages interact with each other in a variety of contexts. Therefore, having the ability to communicate and collaborate with people of all ages is a valuable learning opportunity for children. They have the space to prepare for their future personal and professional life without adult consequences.

    6 reasons why it's important to encourage multi-age play

    6 Reasons Why It’s Important To Encourage Multi-Age Play; It Sets Children Up For Life

    In Conclusion;

    There are many benefits that can be seen from our 6 reasons why it’s important to encourage multi-age play.  Making space for children to play with peers of different ages has a positive impact on their socio-emotional development. In doing so, they develop important social skills, build self-confidence, foster creativity and imagination, encourage empathy, build friendships, foster confidence and self-esteem, promote positive behaviour and finally help to prepare them for the real world. 

    As parents, knowing that this type of mixed-age interaction is crucial for your child’s socio-emotional development; it is, therefore, essential for us to intentionally create opportunities for our children to interact with peers of all ages, whether it’s through playdates, community events, family gatherings or extracurricular activities. By doing so, we can help our children develop important socio-emotional skills that will benefit them throughout their whole lives and can help you to set them up for future personal and professional successes. So, the next time you’re arranging a playdate, consider inviting a child of a different age group and watch your child’s development soar!

    We hope you enjoyed reading about the 6 reasons why it’s important to encourage multi-age play. If you would like to read more helpful articles about child development or homeschooling please visit our Blog. 

                            

    No More Math Meltdowns: How To Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way

    By Chelsea McLeod 

    Math is one of the more challenging subjects in school, and it can be difficult for students to see how the concepts they’re learning will be helpful in the real world. Math is more meaningful and engaging for students when we teach real-world applications. By making connections between math and the world around us, we can help our children understand the relevance of their learning. While also seeing how it will benefit them in the future, demonstrating real-world math. In this blog, No More Math Meltdowns: How To Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way we will discuss some fantastic ways to help your math lessons become more relevant to your child’s life.

    Math is all around us, making it vital to Add Real-World Context to your child’s education and Teach Math in a Creative Way.

    Unfortunately, many students struggle with math, and it can be challenging to understand why. So frustration and meltdowns can be a very real part of your homeschool day. Many children struggle with math because they do not see it applied in the real world. They can solve a mathematical equation, but do not understand why it matters or how it might come up in their daily lives. So, therefore, why should they care about it or want to learn it? Math is a fundamental skill for students to learn. It is everywhere, in our everyday life, and as such, it is crucial that children develop a strong understanding. So by reading this blog; No More Math Meltdowns: How To Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way, you will find some practical strategies to help overcome this.

    To help children better understand math, it is vital to Add Real-World Context and show them how math applies to everyday situations. Connecting math concepts to everyday situations can help your child understand why math is important and give them a better chance of mastering the subject. So say goodbye to your homeschool math struggles with No More Math Meltdowns: How To Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way and make Math a subject you and your child both look forward to again.

    No More Math Meltdowns: How To Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way

    Does No More Math Meltdowns: How To Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way sound like a dream? Here are a few tips to help you make this a reality:

    • Get Visual
      • One of the best ways to help your child understand math is to use visual aids. There are a variety of ways in which you can do this, such as using pictures, models, or diagrams. Visual aids can also help your child understand the concepts they are learning by giving them a better understanding of how to apply these concepts in the real world.
      • If your child is learning how to calculate the area of a triangle, you can use a diagram of a triangle to help them visualize the concept. This can make it easier for them to understand and apply the idea to real-world problems.
    • Use Everyday Examples
      • When teaching math concepts to children, it is vital to provide real-world math examples to help them understand the concept. When teaching about addition, ask your child to help you figure out the cost of groceries at the store.
      • It can also be helpful to provide your child with everyday examples of how to use math concepts. If they are learning how to calculate the volume of a cylinder, show them that a can of soda is a cylinder. Then you can model how to determine the volume of the soda can.
      • By providing your child with examples of how to use math in everyday life, you can help them understand why it’s important and how to apply it to certain situations.
    • Give Examples from Your Own Life
      • You can also give your child examples of how you use math in your own life. For instance; if you’re calculating the cost of groceries, explain how you’re using math. Discuss how much money you’ll need and why. This will give your child a chance to see firsthand how to use math in the real world.
      • Giving your child examples from your own life can help them better understand why math is important. It will also give them a glimpse into how to use math in everyday situations. This will make it easier for them to make connections. It will also help them to feel that the math they are learning is relevant.
    • Allow Your Child to Practice
      • Have your child practice math problems in real-world settings. Give time to practice counting money when they go to the store or making change when they buy something.
      • Help your child make connections between math and everyday activities. For example, measure the ingredients together when baking and explain the importance of exact measurements.
    • Ask Questions & Talk About Math
      • Ask your child questions related to math problems they may encounter in life. Why not ask them to figure out how much change they should receive when making a purchase?
      • Have conversations with your child about the math they learn in school.
      • Take your child to places where they use math. Go to a bank, a grocery store, or a construction site for example and explain they use math at these places.
    • Play Math Games
      • Playing math games is another great way to help your child understand how we use math in the real world. Various math games are available, such as board games, card games, and online games. These games help your child more clearly see how we use math in everyday life and how it can be fun.
      • By playing math games, your child can learn math concepts in a fun and engaging way.
      • When you implement tips from this list, your child will develop a much clearer understanding of how to use math in the real world. As well, it can give them a better chance of mastering the subject. By providing real-world examples, you can help your child understand what they learn.
    • Use Technology & Encourage Problem-Solving
      • Use technology such as apps and websites to help your child learn math in a fun and interactive way.
      •  Allow your child to explore different methods of solving math problems. Encourage them to think about other solutions and work through the problem. Involving your child in real-world problem-solving can help them understand the practical applications of math. Encouraging children to think critically and find solutions to real-world problems will help them see why and why math is important. It will also lead them to develop a greater appreciation for what they’re learning, and how to use it in their lives.
    No More Math Meltdowns: How To Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way

    Keep It Fun; Add Real-World Context to math and enjoy your school days with No More Math Meltdowns

    As you may have seen, Math is dull and uninspiring if not put into a real-world context. Many parents struggle to help their children understand the relevance of the math they are learning in school. But don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to make math more meaningful for your child. By adding context to what your child is learning, you can help make math more meaningful and enjoyable. Implementing these suggestions is a surefire way to help your child understand math much better. Take from our list and add the fun back into math!

    Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way to Help Students Develop An Appreciation for Math

    Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way to Help Students Develop An Appreciation for Math

    In conclusion;

    We hope you enjoyed No More Math Meltdowns: How To Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way. Clearly understanding how to add real-world context to math will make it more engaging and meaningful for students. By connecting math to everyday activities; we can help our children understand its relevance. We can also help them see how Math will benefit them in the future. These suggestions will help your child develop an appreciation for the value of math. As a result, they will be more motivated to learn and better equipped to succeed. Give it a try and see how it helps your child’s math skills! We hope yours is a future of No More Math Meltdowns!

    Thank you for reading No More Math Meltdowns: How To Add Real-World Context And Teach Math In A Creative Way. We hope that you have learned some real strategies to use in your homeschool day. Hopefully, this will help you make Math enjoyable again for both you and your child. Have you checked out Schoolio Learning’s vast library of math materials? Keep learning fun by diving into Schoolio Math!

    Do You Need to Overthrow the Schedule for January?

    New Year, New You?: Do You Need to Overthrow the Schedule for January?

    Written by Chelsea McLeod

    It’s a new year; is it going to be a new you? Are you anticipating a significant change this year or hoping to keep it relatively status quo? Some people find it necessary to make significant changes and completely revamp routines, family plans and schedules. Others are happy to settle into the familiar routines and schedules that worked before the holidays.

    As we know, January is typically the time for reflecting on the past year with its successes, failures, wins and losses, drafting resolutions, setting goals and making plans to accomplish for the new year. It is also the time for getting back to routine after a hopefully relaxing holiday break. After a week or two of late nights, travel, sleep-ins and, in many cases, not knowing what day it is, you and your kiddos are likely feeling ready for the consistency that routinely brings. So this begs the question: Do you need to overthrow the schedule for January?

    “Do what works for you and your family; you know best.” 

    It comes down to personal preference and what you know will work for you and your kids. Some people thrive on change and the excitement that comes from a difference from the normal. Others need that structure, predictability and consistency in their lives. You know yourself and your kids best, so make sure to consider that before making a significant change when asking yourself, ‘do you need to overthrow the schedule for January?’ 

    Finally, there is no harm in keeping things the same if that’s what works best for your family; maybe there is something in your previous routine that you need to change for you or your kids to be successful or learn better. If this is the case and you feel a change is needed after a break is the best time to make any changes since you and your family have already been out of routine. So, in essence, what you do in January is entirely up to you, so change things up…Or don’t; you are entirely and totally in charge of your homeschool schedule. Do what works for you and your family; you know best.


    Change things up.

    New homeschool year

    Why not let the New Year work for you by changing things up? 

    You could try some of the following suggestions to see if they work for your family during the New Year:

    • Add something new to your homeschool plans.

      • You could try a new tactic for Art, like a Schoolio Art Class or add an Audiobook for listening comprehension skills. Or you could add some hands-on activities to your math program instead of pencil/paperwork.

    • Do something different.

      • Maybe you have been following a book program for math or ELA. You could try a more computer-based program, like Schoolio Digital, to change it up in January.

    • Switch up the schedule. 

      • Maybe you have done Reading first thing up until this point? It could be time to change that up and do your Math when you first begin your homeschooling day.
      • Or maybe plan a daily time slot for fun reading. Books and things that are not part of the learning plan. It’s essential to read, and many of us would prefer to do so with a book we are interested in, not one that has been assigned; this goes for kids as well. Also, this gives you an excellent opportunity to read yourself and model reading behaviour. Sometimes the best way to learn is to watch others.

    • Join a homeschool co-op, a book club, or start your own. 

      • Depending on where you are, there are many options for a Homeschooling Co-op. You could join a local chapter; they often meet once a week for learning and sometimes plan field trips together.

    • Make tents or blanket forts and let your children do their school underneath. 

      • Kids love forts! There is something so fun about a homemade tent/fort with lots of pillows and twinkly lights.

    • Have a hot chocolate dreaming party next to the fireplace. 

      • This could be a break during the day or planned as an evening after supper. Just a great way to connect with your kids and spend time together. Talk about school or don’t, enjoy each other’s company.

    • Plan a living room slumber party and talk about family bucket lists.

      • This does not have to be specific to before I die; in recent years, people have begun making “bucket lists” for other time frames, such as before I graduate or before I turn 13, etc.
      • Enjoying your kids’ company and decompressing with them is also fun. You can create a bucket list for them and the family. Maybe you want to travel somewhere before your kids are a certain age. You can learn a lot about your kids when dreaming and talking about life plans, and your kids will appreciate being included in family planning.

    • Get outside!

      • In January, your kids would much rather be outside building a snowman than studying books, right? So why use that interest to plan your lesson and make them more engaging?
      • You could study snow, for example. You could measure snow in different states of matter, taste snow, and make snow cones, snow forts, and snowmen.
      • This could be the perfect opportunity to chart weather patterns. You and your kids could study your local weather patterns and compare them to others like Alaska, Iceland, or Sweden.
      • This might not work if you don’t live in a wintery location; however, you can constantly adjust to your environment. Maybe you need to study sand, the ocean, or the grass.

    Or don’t.

    Maybe you feel confident in the schedule and routines you planned at the beginning of your homeschooling year. Your kids were thriving with that schedule, and you are feeling good about your ability to juggle all the pieces. You Do Not have to change anything! No rule says January brings all kinds of changes, whether we like it or not.

    Each family has a routine and schedule that works for them, and homeschooling is no different. You are in charge. Like Napoleon Hill once said, “You are the master of your destiny. You can influence, direct and control your environment. You can make your life what you want it to be.” So no, as asked in the title, You do not have to overthrow the schedule for January.

    You can head right back into your pre-holiday routine, rest assured and with a smile. It is a New Year, but it doesn’t have to be a new schedule. So as we head into 2023, take some time to reflect and decide how to proceed with your homeschooling. Trust yourself, make whatever changes you need to make, or dust off that fall schedule and keep trucking. Enjoy. You Got This!

     

     



    The Future of Education: An Immersive Learning Environment.

    The Future of Education: What Will Learning Look Like in an Immersive Learning Environment?

    This month, Schoolio will launch its Winter Wonderland immersive learning world, which has been much anticipated after the debut of Dino World in the summer. We’re so excited to share it with our customer base of parents and kids so you can learn about the future of education: An immersive learning environment. 

    The future of education: What is immersive learning?

    If you’re a parent who is not really into the tech-innovation scene, you may wonder- what is an “immersive learning experience”? An immersive learning experience takes users into a 3D virtual world- well beyond the 2D video experience of platforms like YouTube that use passive observance. In an immersive 3D world, the user has an avatar representing them and moving around in the environment. If you have kids who like to play video games, you’re probably familiar with this type of environment- Minecraft, Roblox, and Fortnite are all 3D immersive environments. Picture an immersive, active, social, 3D environment like Roblox, only the places your kid visits are curated, safe, and educational. Are you getting excited?

    Children are bored with the classroom.

    As a parent to two gamer children and a teacher in the K-8 grades, I can immediately see and appreciate the massive potential of immersive learning environments for kids and education- and I’m sure you can too! It’s no secret that kids are chronically bored in classrooms; it’s a fact. We know this when we have to force our children out the door each morning or when our children fake stomach aches to avoid the classroom. Also, when we find movies and tv shows with characters who lie, cheat, and sneak around to “escape,” the dredge of the school day is relatable. And when our kids get home at the end of the day, where do they want to go? Straight to their video games!

    The benefits of an immersive learning environment are numerous, and the potential is infinite. 

    Imagine the variety of topics, classes, and experiences that can be brought to life for our kids- allowing them to explore their interests and passions in a safe and fun space. Teachers and experts can be drawn from anywhere in the world to bring the best of the best content to students. Learning options will no longer be limited by geography or socioeconomic status. Imagine walking your avatar through a 3D rendition of the Louvre or the Museum of Natural History- you could take a virtual field trip to literally anywhere!

    The future of education: Immersive learning style.

    In addition to the multitude of options for course topics, field trips, and worldwide access to experts, the actual learning style in an immersive learning environment opens yet more doors to our children. Suddenly, children are not sitting and observing, like in a classroom, virtual school, or even learning through a platform like YouTube. Now they are a part of the experience. They are there. Their avatars can move around, touch, and build within the space. Tactile, hands-on experiences can be replicated, and children can learn and play with new tools. Not only is it safe (6-year-olds want to fiddle with a power saw? Let them have a go in a virtual, 3D environment where all their fingers will stay intact!), but it’s a better way to learn.

    Project-based learning, where students learn through completing a project that shows the relevance and real-world application of knowledge, is preferred by teachers but challenging to implement within the constraints of a 1:30 classroom with limited resources. With an immersive learning environment, the options for creating these project-based learning experiences are limited only by the imagination. “Tell me, and I forget, teach me, and I may remember, involve me, and I learn.” is a famous Benjamin Franklin quote about the value of participatory learning. With a 3D immersive environment, every student can be a full participant in their own learning experiences- even if they are one of 30 in a typical American classroom, or they are in a remote Northern community, or they are in an impoverished part of Africa. The doors are open to every student.

    The future of education: Immersive learning meets each student’s needs.

    It doesn’t stop at customizing the learning style in an immersive environment- each student’s needs can be met exactly where they are by allowing each child to work at the exact level they need. In an immersive learning environment, a student “behind” their grade level can work at the level they need, with complete privacy from their peers around them. Challenges, projects, and independent work can all be tailored to each child to experience in the best way for them alone.

    Another winning aspect of the immersive learning environment model of education is the social experience- often a criticized point of online or at-home learning. In a vast 3D virtual world, kids can choose who they interact with and how often. Voice and video chat allows kids to meet new friends, unrestricted by geographical boundaries. Students can make friends based on like interests rather than the year of birth- and the collaboration options and experiences are endless. Have you ever overheard your child coordinating with teammates in a video game? Imagine coordinating to solve a critical thinking puzzle, design a robot, or build a virtual bridge. Children can also choose the level of socializing they want to participate in, so your introverted kid who values their quiet time isn’t inundated and overwhelmed by a noisy classroom all day, and your energetic extrovert can choose to interact with new people every single day. 

    The future of education: is it safe?

    Now I know a lot of parents worry about the safety of these open-chat worlds, and that is a valid concern when the game itself doesn’t have many checks or securities in place (I’m looking at you, Roblox) but rest assured that the technology exists to protect our children in an immersive learning environment, we need to choose to implement it.

    The Schoolio immersive learning environment gives parents and teachers options to restrict who their children interact with. Known friends only? Their age range? Language censoring? It’s up to you! In addition, let me introduce you to S.A.I., the Schoolio Artificial Intelligence technology that will act as each child’s assistant, protector, tutor, and friend. S.A.I. monitors chat interactions, can spot cyberbullying and inappropriate language, and even detect a change in mood in your child, alerting you to any potential problems your kids may be having. 

    Schoolio Artificial Intelligence Technology will learn with your student.

    Not only will S.A.I monitor social interactions in the immersive learning environment, but S.A.I. will learn with your child. While your child learns fractions, adverbs, and pond life, S.A.I. will learn about how they learn: What activity types create the best retention for them? What time of day is best for math or science? When are they tired and lagging; when are they energized and curious? What are your child’s passions, interests, and natural competencies and skills?

    What are their areas of strength and weakness? All this data S.A.I. collects helps the immersive learning environment be tailored closer to your child’s uniqueness. Plus, with the Schoolio immersive learning environment, we care about more than grades and academics. We want to know how your child feels while they learn.

    Essential knowledge to educate children effectively.

    Emotional and mental wellness, as well as noting potential learning disabilities and neurodivergence, are essential knowledge to educate children effectively. Are they always anxious before math? Let’s recommend mindfulness and grounding activity before we begin. Are they feeling inspired by their current science project? Let’s see what other projects and courses are available for them to explore in that same topic area. Are they frustrated and wanting to quit during their building project? Let’s pause with a relaxation moment and a motivational quote and refocus before getting back at it. S.A.I. will also report to parents and teachers about how your child is doing overall, as a complete human, not just as an empty vessel filled with academic knowledge. 

    Speaking of parents and teachers, do you wish you could collaborate more easily with all the educators and experts in your child’s ecosystem? Especially with our unique needs, kiddos, there can be many people throwing exercises, schedules, and tips at us that we need to coordinate into our child’s lives. With the Schoolio immersive learning environment, all the adults in a child’s life can collaborate and coordinate as a team. The teacher can add homework, the tutor can add practice work, the speech pathologist can add exercises, the sports coach can add drills to run at home, and the scout leader can add badge criteria notes- all with scheduling and calendaring options to keep it all organized in one place, and with S.A.I. by your child’s side to help them with time management and organization, so they are never overwhelmed. 

    Immersive learning experiences aren’t coming; they’re here!

    An immersive learning experience is the natural progression of technology into the realm of education. It is not “on the horizon”; it is here! The current education model hasn’t been updated since its inception during the Industrial Revolution; frankly, it’s time. Our kids are already playing (and learning!) in the immersive environment. It’s time to take it to the next level and use our technological innovations in our kid’s best interests to guide, educate, and assess in a modern way that prepares them for the real, tech-filled future that is bearing down on them. Imagine a universe as infinite as human imagination and your child’s ability to learn, play, and socialize wherever their dreams and passions may take them. That is what learning in the immersive, digital world will look like.

    Click Here to Check out Schoolio Digital.

    Learn about building stronger parent-child connections through digital learning. 

    How to Bring Writing into Other Areas

    Sneaking It In: How to Bring Writing Into Other Areas

    By Chelsea McLeod 

    Sneaking it in: Writing

    Writing in school is often seen as a skill linked only to English. It is often viewed as an immovable part of the curriculum and focus in this class. While this is technically true, it is not the whole picture. Not only is writing helpful in other areas, but it is also essential that it is practiced in more ways than can be offered in a single class.  Furthermore, while many of us inherently “know” this fact, it is often difficult to wrap our minds around it when planning the homeschool day and to try to incorporate writing with other subjects less traditionally associated with it. 

     

    How To Incorporate Writing Into Other Subjects

    So now, how does one add writing to other subject areas? When we traditionally think of writing, we think of essays, stories, paragraphs, spelling practice, etc. These are all great ways to practice and can be very effective in building skills, there are many other engaging ways to work on writing while learning other subject matter, and you can make it fun while you’re at it!

     

    Science

    • Experiments 
      • Before you complete the experiment, have your learner make a prediction of the outcome and write it out. You can also have them include why they think what they do and have them add some proof or detail their thinking. 
      • For older students, you can create an assignment where they need to complete some research and explain in written form why the outcome was a certain way.

     

    Math

    • Journals
      • Math can be tricky, but one of the best ways to incorporate more writing is to have your student journal. They can ask questions in their journal, formulate hypotheses, and even explain their thinking when it comes to solving problems.
      • They could also have a few minutes each class to write about their frustrations in math or celebrate successes they have been working hard to achieve.
      • Finally, in these journals, you can have them use the 3, 2, 1 method of exit slips (an informal assessment of understanding). They could write three things they learned in the lesson today, two things they found interesting and one more question they still have about the topic.  

     

    • Story Problems
      • You should assign your student to write a few story problems. You can give them an equation they can use, or they can come up with their own. They then write a short trial that can be solved using that equation. 
      • This can be done with another homeschool family or a group, and then the students could trade and solve the problems. That way, they are practicing their problem-solving skills and writing.
      • These are hard for lots of students to solve as it takes some higher-level thinking. It is important to piece together the necessary information and separate that won’t be used to solve the problem. For this reason, this might be a more effective exercise for older students who have had some practice and success with story problems.

    Helping your kid write

    Art

    • Explain Artistic Expression in Detail
      • Learners need creative freedom, but sometimes it is difficult for us to know what they have made/drawn, especially when they are younger. In this case, you could have them draw a picture and then explain it in written form. You could also ask them why they decided on this particular thing. 
      • They can draw a story’s characters and setting and then write it. This way, they can bring words to their visual work and a visual to their story. In many ways, this can sometimes even help to overcome a block. If they struggle to write or draw, you can have them do the opposite to spark their imaginations.

     

    Social & History

    • Write a Textbook
      •  A great way to review and solidify information is to compile it into a cohesive and informative text. This assignment is best done with older students as it can benefit from lots of cumulative knowledge. I have used such an assignment in a High School Class in place of a final exam. 
      • A similar concept can be used with younger students. However, it would need to be a modified assignment that may include less extensive writing. 

     

    Physical Education

    • Plan a workout
      • Your student could plan a workout, including the warm-up, all the exercises and cool down. They would then complete the training themselves or lead a small group. Once that is done, it would be a perfect opportunity for a reflection. A written piece of their thoughts on what went well, what didn’t and what they would or could do differently next time. 
    • Keep a Journal
      • They could keep a journal for a week or two. In this exercise, they could keep track of what they are eating and how much exercise they are getting or reflect on what they could do to change their habits or maintain a healthy lifestyle.

    Some Other Ways to Get Kids Writing More

     

    Thank you cards

    Thank You Cards

    • For example, if you go on outings to the museum, a lecture or a play, you can have your students write a thank you to the workers or speakers. 
    • If you are a part of a homeschool co-op or group hosted at several different houses, your student could thank those hosts. 

    Introduction Speeches

    • Similarly to the above, if you have a guest speaker at a homeschool co-op meeting, or maybe you put together an assembly in honour of a particular day, you could have your student plan and write an introduction. They could research the speaker and include some information about 

    Pen Pals

    • This one is a classic! There are often programs in schools that connect kids to this type of thing. Similarly, several online programs or even Facebook groups explicitly aim for homeschool kids and connect them globally. 

     

    You can get creative with incorporating writing practice into your homeschool day. Writing practice doesn’t have to be specific or focused in only one area; it can also be spontaneous, like writing a grocery list or planning out a phone call you have to make.

    So, as you can see, there are many different ways to get your learners to write; honestly, this isn’t even an exhaustive list. There are many more ways for your student to strengthen their skills.

    In the end, the more exposure they have to writing in their various subjects, the stronger they will become. So take some ideas from this list or come up with your own but most importantly, focus on the practice and not the subject matter and see how much growth your student writer can achieve. 

     

    Getting started but aren’t sure how? Book a Concierge Call.

    If you aren’t sure how to get started or what programs would best suit your child’s learning needs, then you can chat with one of our experts on a one-on-one Concierge Call, completely free!
    Click here to book a Concierge Call. 




    Running Records: How to Assess Your Child’s Reading Level

    Running Records: How to Assess Your Child’s Reading Level

    By Chelsea McLeod

    Reading is a fundamental skill; it is an essential building block that supports all other types of learning. If reading is not developed, a child will struggle with other things in their schooling experience, which is just as crucial in a homeschool environment as in a traditional one. Therefore, while we all know that teaching our children to read is vital to their proper development and learning, it can be overwhelming to dive into and assess.

    Running Records: Assess reading

     

    Determining reading level is an integral part of the learning journey. Your learner should be reading differently levelled books depending on what situation they find themselves in. When reading on their own, they should be reading at an independent level, but when reading with you and learning, they should be reading at an instructional level.  An excellent tool used to assess reading levels is called a Running Record. This type of assessment can give a lot of information about your child’s reading skills; a running record can provide a whole picture of your child’s reading, what level they are reading at and how to move forward in teaching them. 

    What is A Running Record?

    A running record is a great tool to assess your learner as a reader. It is a snapshot of their reading. A running record evaluates a student’s word identification skills and fluency level. These are essential pieces of the puzzle of building strong, confident readers. Completing a running record involves writing down everything happening in the order it happens. Limiting the amount of editing you do as an observer as you record is essential. The idea is to record as much as possible so that you can gather a lot of information in a relatively short period and perform this type of assessment without much prep time. 

    Choosing a Passage 

    When completing a running record, ideally, both the observer/teacher and the learner/student view a copy of a passage. Also, because this is a tool often used for assessment purposes, the passage being read should be new to the student. When ready, the student reads his/her passage out loud; the instructor records any errors on their copy.  It is also important to time the student for one minute to measure reading fluency, and finally, the instructor calculates reading accuracy. If your learner/reader can read a section from a book of choice with an accuracy between 90-95%, then that passage would be a great choice to use for a running record.

    To calculate accuracy, you will need to have them read 50-100 words from the text. Then count their errors as they read. Finally, subtract the number of mistakes they made from the total number of words in the passage. When you have this total, you divide this number by the total number of words. For example, if the passage has a total of 50 words and they made five errors, 45 words are correct (50 – 5 = 45). Then, 45 divided by 50 times 100 (45/50 = 0.9 x 100 = 90) is 90. Therefore, the reading accuracy is 90%. 

    Running record

     

    How Running Records Can Help Guide Instruction

    Running records can give you real-time insight into your learner’s strengths and struggles, which can help point you to what they need to work on. The information gathered from this type of assessment can be used to determine if your current reading instruction methods are effective concerning word identification and fluency; if the time spent on reading instruction in your homeschool day is enough, and finally, if any other areas require further assessment or if more focused intervention is necessary. Therefore once completed, you should be able to create a more well-rounded picture of what you are doing well, what needs more attention and how to proceed during your reading instruction time.


    How To Complete A Running Record

    First, you need to sit down with your learner, and you both need to have a copy of the passage to be read. You can use a typed copy on white paper or get free templates for this purpose, like this one. Second, since a running record is not a standardized assessment, you can mark the information in any way that makes sense. 

     

    Here are examples of some of the common coding that you can use:

    • Incorrect word or mispronunciation – write the word said above the printed word
    • Inserted word – draw an arrow where the word was inserted and write in the word inserted above
    • Omitted word -draw a line through the skipped word
    • Self-corrected word – write the word said above the printed word and write SC over it. Or I place a slash mark after the word and SC beside that. 
    • Repetitions – underline the word or phrase that was repeated however many times it was repeated.

    Finally, some of us like to check off each word that is read correctly. Some of us have an easier time following along and being present when doing this during the assessment. Also, be sure to time the passage and include a mark after 1 minute of reading. You can use a slash mark or a straight line after the last word read at one minute. This will provide the student’s fluency rate when you are completing your final calculations.

     

    How to Calculate and Assess

    When counting errors, it is common practice that mispronunciations, repetitions, and self-corrections are not included in the error count. Repeated errors are calculated as follows; for example, if the child always says “to” every time they come to the word “the” in the passage, this is only counted as a single error. When you have all the mistakes tallied up, you will calculate the reader’s Accuracy (Please see above).

    Once you have an Accuracy percentage, you can calculate the fluency rate. Look at where you marked the passage after the 1-minute timer, then count all the words that were read before this mark. For example, if there were 100 words before this mark, the student reads 100 words per minute. Reading comprehension is also essential to reading skills but is assessed separately. 


    Running Record: Assess

    Deciphering the Final Results 

    Now that you have your reader’s accuracy, you can determine their reading level. As stated during the opening of this piece, a learner must be reading at an independent level when they are reading alone. This is a book at a level they can read with 95% accuracy and above. This is because they need to read fluently (without interruptions) and with minimal word decoding to clearly understand the text and comprehend the message they are reading.

    If there are too many misunderstood words, they may not get the intended meaning when they are reading with you, during the homeschool day or whenever they can read a more challenging text that falls into the Instructional level. This is usually a text they can read with 90-94% accuracy. This is because they now have the added benefit of reading with a partner who can fill in the missing pieces or answer the questions that come up when they do not know all the words they are coming across. If a book or text falls under 90% accuracy for your learner, it is too complicated and should be set aside until they are better prepared to read it. 

    Lastly, once you have determined your child’s reading level, you can better cater your teaching to their needs. You can also look at the marks you made on the running record to determine if there are any patterns to their mistakes. For example, if they are continually having trouble with double consonants or the long o sound. You can use this data to inform your next steps during your teaching day. Hopefully, this has been informative, and you feel better prepared to assess your learner. Happy Reading!

     

    Book a Concierge Call.

    If you aren’t sure how to get started or what programs would best suit your child’s learning needs, then you can chat with one of our experts on a one-on-one Concierge Call, completely free!
    Click here to book a Concierge Call. 



     

    Teaching Financial Literacy

    Teaching Financial Literacy, Why is it Important?

    Written by Nakisha Blain

    Teaching financial literacy is crucial to a well-rounded education because money is security. If we skip teaching our kids about money, we set them up for unnecessary hardship later on in life.

    What is Financial Literacy? 

    Financial literacy is understanding how money works and how to manage money. 

    Despite being able to summarize it in a sentence, teaching financial literacy, and learning about financial literacy is complex and often challenging. 

    We start learning about it from a young age by watching our parents and their money-spending habits. 

    Then we learn things in elementary school, like how to count coins and bills and make change. In high school math, we practice calculating interest and principal. 

    But even with all these lessons, the financial education of most people still needs to improve.

    Teaching Financial Literacy: Parental Habits.

    Whether you realize it or not, we start teaching financial literacy when our children are young by them observing how we use our money. 

    It starts with children observing our spending habits. I tell my children when the budget is getting low. And then I explain to them why I have to save the money we have left for bills or emergencies. 

    We can either support their learning of this or damage it. So, for example, when people give my kids money as gifts, I rarely let them go over their budget for things. 

    If they get $20 but want something that is $25, I do not give them the extra $5. So they have to pick something else or save their money for that $25 item.

    By being firm with spending limits, I am teaching them to prioritize and do their best to make their money count. And I am constantly reminding them that they can choose to save their money, although they rarely make that choice. 

    Simply put, as parents, we are most responsible for modeling and reinforcing good money habits. However, we also need to show them how to prioritize and be happy living within their means.

    Teaching Financial Literacy: Academics 

    Financial literacy is also full of academic skills. 

    In younger learners, that looks like learning to recognize coins and count them based on their value. In older kids, that may look like understanding and calculating interest. Both of these skills are covered in most math curricula. 

    However, there are other essential skills that are necessary for financial literacy that often aren’t covered in general math classes. 

    One example of that is saving for retirement. Did you know that depositing small amounts over a long period is more profitable than depositing large quantities over a short time? 

    Another example is amortization calendars. Many states require new homeowners to receive an amortization calendar from their mortgage company. It is a spreadsheet showing exactly how much interest and principal you will pay on each payment until the debt is repaid. 

    When you are choosing a curriculum for your financial literacy studies, it is essential to make sure they include critical, and also practical skills like balancing a checkbook, tracking spending budgeting, and saving for retirement. 

    Teaching Financial Literacy: Entrepreneurship.

    Another essential piece of the financial literacy puzzle is understanding entrepreneurship. Building a business requires very different skills than managing a family’s finances. Including important lessons about entrepreneurship is important. 

    Check out the Entrepreneurship Special Interest Unit. 

    Entrepreneurship, Academic Skills.

    Entrepreneurs must be able to raise capital, valuation, set prices, and evaluate return on investment. 

    While these seem like complex skills, even young children are capable of building successful businesses with help from their trusted adults. 

    Entrepreneurship, Character Traits 

    Entrepreneurship also teaches a lot of great character traits, too. 

    Patience

    All young business owners must be patient while building their businesses. But, unfortunately, it takes a while for word to get out, even for the best products or the tastiest food. 

    Diligence 

    To build a successful business, one must work on it every day, even when you are tired or distracted. And in doing this, we can learn diligence and the satisfaction of doing something hard. 

    Social Skills 

    First, selling a product or providing a service means getting out there and interacting with people. So you have to learn how to get their attention and open up to you about what they want. 

    Second, working in a business is rarely done solo, so our young leaders will get first-hand experience working with people, organizing projects, and keeping people focused. 

    Third, it will allow our kids to practice celebrating hard work and experiencing failure. Both are experienced together when you are part of a business. 

    Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Skills 

    The most important part of teaching financial literacy and entrepreneurship to kids is the benefits of their problem-solving skills. 

    By giving kids real problems to work on, you motivate them to try harder and work longer to solve their challenges. 

    Kids and Entrepreneurship 

    And while not all children will grow up to be entrepreneurs, their lessons can be life-changing even for a 9-5 employee. Things like hard work and problem-solving can have benefits that spill over into all parts of our lives. 

    Why Use a Curriculum? 

    A financial literacy curriculum will ensure you don’t miss essential skills like budgeting, balancing a checkbook, or reading an amortization calendar. 

    You will feel confident that you are working hard to ensure no gaps in their education and that you are doing your best to provide them with an excellent education and set them up for success.

    And Schoolio has you covered for affordable financial literacy unit studies for grades 3, 4, 5, and 8. 

    Conclusion 

    Teaching our kids about financial literacy is a long process that takes years and years instead of days or weeks. 

    It’s very important that we be good role models and stewards of our money, because our children will learn more from watching us than they can from academic exercises. 

    However, academic exercises are also essential to ensure they get a rigorous and diverse education, whether they are just managing their family’s finances or a business. 

    We’d love to hear from you; what topics do you want to see in our next financial literacy course?

    Book a Concierge Call.

    If you aren’t sure how to get started or what programs would best suit your child’s learning needs, then you can chat with one of our experts on a one-on-one Concierge Call, completely free!
    Click here to book a Concierge Call. 

     

    How to Schedule Lessons on the Schoolio Digital Platform

    How to Schedule Lessons on the Schoolio Digital Platform

    Now that you have successfully added a course for your student on the Schoolio Digital Platform, you are ready to customize your learning schedule. In this blog, we will learn how to schedule lessons on the Schoolio Digital Platform.

    There’s more than one way to add to your schedule on the Schoolio Digital Platform.

    Did you know there is more than one way to add courses and lessons to your child’s schedule on the Schoolio Digital Platform? Let’s walk through both the options.

    Option 1: Click Schedule on the Course or Unit

    Option 1: Schedule

    When you select the student you’d like to schedule, you can click ‘schedule’ at the bottom of the unit or course you want to add. Once you have selected the unit it will take you to the lessons page where you can schedule the course.

    Select the date and time

    You can now select the day and time you want your student to complete the lesson. Additionally, you will have the option to repeat the lesson plan with how you’d like. Then you are able to select the interval for 1 week, 2 weeks or more.

    Option 2: Schedule from the planner

    Calendar Overview

    Once on the Calendar overview, you can schedule a lesson by selecting the ‘schedule lesson’ button.

    Calendar Overview

    When you click ‘schedule lesson,’ you will see the menu to select the lesson that you’d like to add to the schedule. Select the course, unit and lesson, then select the day and time. You can either click ‘save’ and continue on or ‘save and new’ to add additional lessons to the planner.

    Now you can get started!

    Now that you have added a lesson to the planner, you are ready to start learning! Enjoy and have fun!

    If you aren’t seeing all the courses you’d like for your child, you can always add more! Click here to learn about adding a course to the Schoolio Digital Platform.

    We hope you and your student will enjoy The Schoolio Digital Platform with over 4,000+ videos, interactives, and pre-made or custom lessons to suit your student’s learning style. If you need clarification about how to get started, we are happy to help.

    Book a Concierge Call.

    If you need help with how to get started or what programs would best suit your child’s learning needs, then you can chat with one of our experts on a one-on-one Concierge Call, completely free!
    Click here to book a Concierge Call. 

    Do you need further information about how to schedule a lesson?

    Check out this thorough explanation video on adding to the planner on the Schoolio Digital Platform!

    https://youtu.be/v0hpiwRJwLU

    Click here for video.

    Adding a Course on the Schoolio Digital Platform

    Adding a Course on the Schoolio Digital Platform

    The Schoolio Digital Platform offers 4,000+ video lessons, worksheets, interactives, lesson quizzes, and more for a super affordable price. Covering all the core curriculum for grades one to eight. Now that you have signed up your student and subscribed to the Schoolio Digital Platform, you are reading to take the next step: Adding a course on the Schoolio Digital Platform. 

    Let’s Get Ready to Add a Course on the Schoolio Digital Platform! 

    Now that you have successfully subscribed to the Schoolio Digital Platform, you can take your next step: Add courses for your student on the platform. If you’ve already added your courses when registering your students, you can leave it how it is; however, if you’d like to customize the courses and add more, you can follow these steps.

    Step 1: Browse By Marketplace or Add a Custom Course 

    How to Add a Course on the Schoolio Digital Platform

    You’re almost ready to begin your homeschooling journey on Schoolio Digital. First, select courses for your child to get started. You can either Browse by Marketplace or Create a Custom Course. The marketplace is where you will find all the core curriculum for your child’s grade. Adding a customer course is something that you can do for electives. You can learn more by clicking on the highlighted ‘Custom Course’ in blue. 

    Step 2: Select the Courses or Units that You Need

    Step 2: Select the Courses or units

    You can select the courses or units you want based on your child’s learning needs and grades. Simply click ‘Add to Cart’ on the course that you are looking for.

    Step 3: Add Course

    Add Course

    Your third step will be to click ‘add’ on your shopping cart; you’ll notice that almost everything on the Schoolio Digital Platform is $0. This is because all core subjects are included on the Schoolio Digital Platform. When you see a price on a unit on the Schoolio Digital Platform, it is because it isn’t a core curriculum piece but rather an elective.

    Step 4: Get started!

    All curriculum bundles or units that you add will appear on your child’s lesson portal for you to assign for them.

    Book a Concierge Call.

    If you need help with how to get started or what programs would best suit your child’s learning needs, then you can chat with one of our experts on a one-on-one Concierge Call, completely free!
    Click here to book a Concierge Call. 

    Need a little more help with adding courses?

    Check out this thorough explanation video on adding a course on the Schoolio Digital Platform.

    https://youtu.be/cWikSVEjIGA
    Learn how to add a course

    How to Add a Student to the Schoolio Digital Platform.

    How to Add a Student to the Schoolio Digital Platform.

    Are you new to the Schoolio Digital Platform? Using the Schoolio digital platform might overwhelm you, and learning a new digital system can be confusing! That’s why we are here to help guide you through every step on the Schoolio Digital platform so that you and your student will be successful while bringing fun back into learning. This blog will teach how to add a student to the Schoolio Digital Platform.

    Let’s Learn How to Add a Student to the Schoolio Digital Platform.

    Adding a student to your account is much easier than you’d think. First, head to your account and sign in. Once you’ve signed in, you will be prompted to add your first student on the Schoolio Digital Platform.

    Step 1: Add Your First Student 

    How to Add a Student on the Schoolio Digital Platform

    Add Student Details:

    Once you have clicked the Add Your First Student Button, you will be taken to the student details page. You can go ahead and enter your student’s information here. Fill out the required fields: Student Username, Student’s Password, First Name, and Date of Birth. Then select your child’s school grade. (Don’t stress too much about this, as the courses are customizable. So, if your child is technically in grade 4 but needs a grade 3 level math, you can select that once you get to the courses.)

    You can add the courses automatically or wait and add them later. Just to remind you, your student’s email and phone number are entirely optional. Now you can save your changes.

    Step 2: Add Student Details

    Student Details

    Your Next Step is to Subscribe Your Student on the Schoolio Digital Platform.

    You’re ready to go!

    Now that you’ve completed all the steps for signing up, you can subscribe your student on the Schoolio Digital Platform to gain access to over 4,000+ videos and lessons.

    Book a Concierge Call.

    If you need help with how to get started or what programs would best suit your child’s learning needs, then you can chat with one of our experts on a one-on-one Concierge Call, completely free!
    Click here to book a Concierge Call.

    For more information on how to add a student on the Schoolio Digital Platform check out this video:

    Now it’s time for your next step! Adding a course to your Digital Platform.

    Click here for information to subscribe a student. 

    Help Your Child Excel With These 7 Tips

    The other day I heard someone say, “Parents work so hard and sacrifice so much so that at the end of the day, our kids will be a little further ahead and have more opportunities than we did.” This isn’t specific to our generation, as generations of parents before us have wanted better or the best for their children. We all stress that our children aren’t getting the opportunities they deserve or that they’ll fall behind somehow. Is there some magical remedy that you can tap into to help your child excel?

    Let’s take a look at why we want our children to excel.

    “I want them to have a better life than I did.” This is a common phrase that many parents share. And while many can offer the better life in the younger years, there comes a time when your child will leave the nest and rely on their abilities. This is why many parents feel the intense need to pressure their children to excel. Because if we can guarantee their success while they’re young, perhaps that will spill over into their adult years.

    Another reason some parents wish for their children to excel is that they are competitive. Before you gasp and brush this off, let’s understand that many parents who have already been raised in or even work in a more competitive environment find that ‘pushing’ their children to do their best comes naturally.

    You may assume that a competitive parent is the one screaming from the stands at the basketball game. But, competitive parents come in all different forms. While sports parents are the most relatable when we talk about competitive parents, we must remember that parents can also be competitive in the academic portion of life. For example: “My child has the best grades in the class.” “Well, my child was reading at the age of three.” “Did you know my child got an award for the best voice in her school?” 

    They’re our kids; we like to brag about them! But we must be cautious that that pride doesn’t put pressure on our children to excel. You might be thinking, ‘hold on, I thought this blog was about getting my child to excel?’ And it is. So, let’s jump to the first tip to help your child excel.

    Help your child excel with these 7 tips.

    1. Don’t place too much pressure on your child.

    This tip is number one because it is the most important. As you read above, you’ll see that we as parents love to praise our children and brag about them for all their successes. But, you must be careful not to allow that bragging to pressure them always to do the best possible. Your child is exceptional, but you need to let them succeed and fail. When you only allow them to ‘do their best all the time,’ they will become overwhelmed and resent the idea of the success that you want for them.

    Did your child have the best grade in their class or homeschool class during 7th grade, but their grades have declined in their 8th-grade year? That’s ok. Avoid saying things like, “I don’t understand what happened? You were doing so good.” That is unnecessary pressure that won’t lead them to success. In many cases, it will just lead them to the opposite.

    2. Don’t push them.

    Is this another confusing concept? Can your child excel without you pushing them to do so? Absolutely, and more so. Forcing your child to ‘do better, and be better without care and understanding will lead to frustration and overwhelm. You should aim for your child to trust you and know that your love for them comes before your desire for them to excel. Your child needs to know that you know what they need, what they can handle, and who they are. They don’t need us constantly reminding them of what they ‘can’ or ‘should’ accomplish.

    While gentle nudges of love are acceptable, you have to be sure to keep those nudges peaceful, caring and loving.

    3. Be sensitive to their needs.

    Every child is unique in their way. One child might excel in sports but struggle with academics; another might excel in academics but struggle with sports. Some children may do well at everything they try, while others may work a little harder to accomplish what they need. Your child has needs, wants, hopes and dreams. Be sensitive to their thoughts and feelings. If you aren’t sure what your child ‘wants,’ then ask them. Talk to them. Could you help them?

    Forget forcing your child to answer questions like “What do you want to be when you grow up?” instead, ask them, “what do you want to do right now?” Does your child have unique interests that they’d like to explore? Do they want to spend more time with you? Would they like to learn to cook with you? While you, as the parent, do have a good sense of what your child wants and needs, there is probably something you’re missing. Do you want to help your child excel? Then start a conversation.

    4. Stop stressing so much.

    This tip is significant for all parents but especially for our homeschooling parents. Are you stressed out that your child isn’t meeting the learning standards that they should? Do you worry that they aren’t doing enough in a day, so you essentially force them to sit and finish four pages of math, five pages of Language, and practice an instrument for a half hour?

    Are you stressed and slightly annoyed when they don’t do all the things on the academic list? When parents are stressed, we tend to be less affectionate and responsive to our children. Parental stress can inadvertently spill into our parenting style, which has many adverse outcomes for our children. One particular concern is the feelings of failure and rejection that some children may experience when they feel as if they are the reason their parent is stressed.

    If you want to help your child excel in any area of their life, being stressed about their success isn’t the answer.

    5. Support their interests.

    The outdated education system of measuring success based on grades is flawed. You should aim to support their interests because when your child can explore their interests, they will maintain much more learning than if they were forced to meet the standards of a broken education system.

    What does this look like? If you want to know what your child is interested in, then clearly, as stated above, the first step is to talk to them. And if you and your child are still not getting a clear understanding as to what their interests might be, dive into some interest-based learning materials to help them find those things that make learning fun. You could explore Special Interest Units like our Unique Electives for more variety for interest-based learning.

    Add electives for fun learning

    Find a wide variety of unique electives to help with interest-based learning. 

    6. Model a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

    It’s no secret that children mirror what they see. Are you living a healthy and balanced life? Do you make sure you are ambitious regarding your health, nutrition, exercise, and rest? Does your child see you enjoying healthy hobbies and interests? When your child sees you modelling a healthy and balanced life, they will aim for that also.

    Does this mean you must eat kale salad in front of them and run marathons on the weekend? No! There are two extremes when it comes to a healthy and unhealthy lifestyle. Aim for balance for yourself, and model that beautiful balance for your child.

    7. Emphasize the importance of character.

    Greek philosopher, Aristotle, said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” Excellence is a habit. Your child’s success in life is based on healthy habits. What are some fundamental habits that can lead to success? Listening, organization, sharing, timeliness, attention, good conduct and respect for adults, peers, and oneself. Just like it is essential to model a healthy and balanced lifestyle, it is as important to model a good character and help your child develop these fundamental habits for success.