- Use modeling clay as part of your nutrition curriculum this year. Purchase modeling clay in a wide variety of colors, and ask your home-schooler to create models of various types of meals. Creating a junk-food meal and then a healthy meal out of clay can help you discuss the differences between the two meals, as well as encourage your child to think as he is working. You might ask an older home-schooler to create a model of an unhealthy food and a model of a healthier version of the same food. For instance, instead of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on white bread, he can create a peanut butter and fruit sandwich on whole wheat.
- Modeling clay can be a great aid when learning about human anatomy. Break out the anatomy textbook and ask your child to create various body parts out of clay and talk about their functions. Instead of a traditional test, you might ask your child to create clay models of various parts of the body without using the book.
- When learning about botany, your home-schooler can create models of different types of plants. She might also create models that show what happens when plants do not get enough light, water or other nutrients. Ask her to create a model of her favorite flower, then head to a nursery together to learn how to grow it.
- Take a nature hike with your home-schoolers and ask them to point out some of the animals they see along the way. Take photos of the animals and print them out once you are home. Ask the children to create models of some of the animals using modeling clay, then look up the various species in your encyclopedia or online to find out more about them.
- If your children are learning about the solar system this year, ask them to create a model of it using clay. They can use a diagram of the solar system for guidance, taking care to use realistic-colored clay and label everything as they go along.
