There is an ongoing debate in the homeschool community as to the value of projects to the learning process. Some feel these types of activities should be viewed as extras which can be done if their is time after the "regular" lessons are finished. Others view them as time and money wasters, to be avoided at all costs. And still others, such as myself, view them as absolutely indispensable for teaching important life skills and for cementing knowledge in young minds. This quote by Richard Maybury, author of the Uncle Eric Series, does an excellent job of summarizing my beliefs as to why hands-on education is so important:
Hands-on projects not only reinforce lessons, but they also teach a child skills which can be used in other areas. Hands-on learning accesses a different area of the brain than classroom lectures, making it possible to teach things that otherwise might not be learned. Studies done on memory disorder patient Henry Molaison provide an interesting insight into the way that our brain stores different types of learning. For instance, though Molaison was unable to retain any short term memory or convert those experiences to long term memories, he was able to retain and improve upon motor skills he had practiced, even though he couldn't remember having practiced them. Hands-on learning takes advantage of the full learning capabilities of our wonderful brains and gives equal opportunity to students who are gifted in other types of learning.
Rediscovering Our Creative Sides
The idea of adding hands-on projects to our normal educational routines can sometimes seem overwhelming, especially for those who have convinced themselves that they aren't "creative." But humans were made in the image of a creative God, and each one of us reflects that creativity in a unique way. Hands-on education is just a matter of rediscovering our own personal form of creativity, while also allowing our children to express their own creativity. The most effective form of learning will be one that feels natural and is painless to implement. This doesn't mean that it won't be messy or time consuming, but the satisfaction we receive from it will be worth the sacrifice.
All these projects are a lot of work, but the kids remember and enjoy them so much more than all the book work. And in the words of Edith Schaffer, "time can be made to have double value by recognizing that what is done today will be tomorrow's memory." and "Many times you are not choosing what to do with the two or three hours for the immediate results, but you are choosing a memory (or not to have that memory) for a lifetime." (from What Is A Family)
Experience creates models automatically . . .This is why classroom instruction via lecture is the least effective way to teach and hands-on learning by doing is the most effective. We are made in such a way that we build models automatically by doing. Typically, classroom instruction is like teaching someone to play Monopoly just by making him memorize the rules and then giving him a test on those rules. . . Unfortunately, some models are impossible to learn using hands-on process, so one method humans use to substitute for real world experience is telling stories. Stories are used to demonstrate and illustrate ideas.Book knowledge is necessary, but it is useless if a child cannot remember it or has not been taught how to apply it. Hands-on activities can be used to enhance lessons, but some hands-on activities ARE the lessons. Stories are a good substitute when we can't experience something for ourselves, but we really learn best by doing. Hands-on projects turn abstract facts into learning that is relevant to your child. Details of a particular project are usually remembered much longer than details learned through rote memorization because the child has something concrete to attach the facts to, a memory of an EVENT that they personally participated in.
Hands-on projects not only reinforce lessons, but they also teach a child skills which can be used in other areas. Hands-on learning accesses a different area of the brain than classroom lectures, making it possible to teach things that otherwise might not be learned. Studies done on memory disorder patient Henry Molaison provide an interesting insight into the way that our brain stores different types of learning. For instance, though Molaison was unable to retain any short term memory or convert those experiences to long term memories, he was able to retain and improve upon motor skills he had practiced, even though he couldn't remember having practiced them. Hands-on learning takes advantage of the full learning capabilities of our wonderful brains and gives equal opportunity to students who are gifted in other types of learning.
Rediscovering Our Creative Sides
The idea of adding hands-on projects to our normal educational routines can sometimes seem overwhelming, especially for those who have convinced themselves that they aren't "creative." But humans were made in the image of a creative God, and each one of us reflects that creativity in a unique way. Hands-on education is just a matter of rediscovering our own personal form of creativity, while also allowing our children to express their own creativity. The most effective form of learning will be one that feels natural and is painless to implement. This doesn't mean that it won't be messy or time consuming, but the satisfaction we receive from it will be worth the sacrifice.
Creating is good theology. In the beginning God created. ~Ann Voskamp
All these projects are a lot of work, but the kids remember and enjoy them so much more than all the book work. And in the words of Edith Schaffer, "time can be made to have double value by recognizing that what is done today will be tomorrow's memory." and "Many times you are not choosing what to do with the two or three hours for the immediate results, but you are choosing a memory (or not to have that memory) for a lifetime." (from What Is A Family)
