Is your child participating in your school district’s distancing learning program? Are you looking for ways to provide supplemental hands-on activities to enhance their learning experience? We’ve been homeschooling our three children since 2012. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that learning needs to be customized to meet the unique personality, strengths, and challenges of each student. If you’d like to learn how you can personalize your virtual learner’s school experience, check out my post below.
Why should I supplement distance learning?
Supplementing distance learning can be beneficial in two primary ways.
- Distance learning can be challenging for some children. If your child is struggling in one or two subjects supplementing can help them grasp the concept. You can use computer activities, worksheets, or hands-on manipulatives to help your child move closer to mastery.
- Distance learning will cover all the core subjects for your child’s grade level. You do not have to teach them every subject, but adding some fun hands-on activities can make learning more engaging and provide variety in learning modality.
How to Get Started?
Your child’s teacher should be able to provide you with an outline of topics that will be covered. This will help you determine what to supplement.
- Determine which topics your child is studying and identify any problem areas they need extra help with.
- Set a budget. It is easy to spend a lot of money on educational materials but you don’t have to spend a lot to have a big impact.
- Look through our resource library to get ideas. I’ve had a lot of fun putting together three shopping carts for kids of different ages. In all cases I limited my budget to around $100.
If you’d like a personalized learning plan, check out our hands-on learning posts and list of favorite hands-on supplements.
How to Customize Distance Learning for $100 or less!
Sample Package #1: 2nd Grader
This child is an active hands-on learner. His primary goals for the year are to strengthen reading fluency, develop descriptive writing skills, and build math skills including number sense, addition & subtraction, basic geometry, and telling time. Science topics will cover a wide range of topics and social studies will focus on types of communities.
Reading & Language Arts
- Reading Eggs Subscription 30-day FREE trial ($9.95/month)
This online interactive program includes phonics, reading comprehension, a library of e-books, spelling, and math. - Library Card FREE + FREE Book Recommendations from Read Aloud Revival {early readers for boys & girls}
- Fairy Tale Spinner Board Game $15
Math & Critical Thinking Skills
- Tenzi Math Game + Card Deck $25
- FactMonster FlashCards (online) FREE
- Q-Bitz Solo $10
Social Studies & Science
Fine Arts
- You Are An Artist Chalk Pastel Tutorials FREE + Chalk Pastels & Construction Paper $10
- Classical Music Listening Guide using Classics for Kids FREE
Bonus
- KiwiCrate Monthly Subscription Box $16.95-$19.95/mo.
Sample Package #2: 5th Grader
This child is an experiential learner. His primary goals for the year are to read literature from a variety of genres, to compose and edit writing pieces in a variety of styles, and to further develop math skills using the four operations plus basic geometry and fractions. Science topics will cover physical science including the solar system. Social studies will focus on our nation’s history, our government, and the unique features and geography of each state.
Language Arts & Reading
- Library Card FREE + FREE Book Recommendations from Read Aloud Revival {8-12 year old boys / 8-12 year old girls}
- Usborne Creative Writing Book $14
- WriteShop Monthly Elementary Writing Prompts FREE
Math & Critical Thinking
- Fraction Finders (Math Mosaics) $13
- S’MATH Game $15
- FactMonster FlashCards (online) FREE
- IQ Twist $9
Social Studies & Science
- USA Geography Online Games – Sheppard Software FREE
- Professor Noggin’s History of the U.S. Card Game $8
- U.S. Government Lapbook for grades 3-6 from Knowledge Box Central – $5
- Magic School Bus Space Lab $32
Fine Arts
- Art Hub for Kids Drawing Tutorials FREE + Sketch Book & Colored Pencils $7
- Classical Music Listening Guide using Classics for Kids FREE
Bonus
- Tinkercrate Monthly Subscription Box $16.99-$19.99
Sample Package #3: 8th Grader
This child is highly curious and enjoys incorporating the arts into their studies. His primary goals for the year are to read literature from a variety of genres (short story, poetry, drama, and novel), to compose narrative, persuasive, and informative writing pieces, to develop public speaking skills, and to study English grammar. For math this year, the student will be studying pre-algebra. Science topics will cover earth science and biology. Social studies will focus on the middle ages through the early modern period.
Language Arts & Reading
- Library Card FREE + FREE Book Recommendations from Read Aloud Revival {teen boys / teen girls}
- Write Shop Monthly Writing Prompts for Teens FREE
Math & Critical Thinking
- Number Knockout Game FREE This is a super fun freebie that tests mental math ability using all four operations and exponents.
- Genius Square $25
Social Studies & Science
- Europe Lapbook from Knowledge Box Central $5
History, Geography, Climate, Wildlife, and More - Famous Figures of The Middle Ages & Renaissance $18
- Professor Noggin’s Earth Science Card Game $8
- Introductory Dissection Kit $23
Fine Arts
- Watercolor with Me $15 + Watercolors & Paper $9
- Classical Music Listening Guide using Classics for Kids FREE
Bonus
- Doodle Crate Monthly Subscription Box $16.95-$19.95
Feel free to comment below with questions or ideas. For daily encouragement, ideas, and resources please visit us at Facebook.com/delightfulhomeschooling.