Summer break is a wonderful time for homeschool families to slow down a little, travel, spend time outdoors, and take a break from formal lessons. At the same time, many of us still want to keep our children thinking, creating, exploring, and learning in fun low-pressure ways.

That is why we created this free Interactive Summer Learning Calendar for elementary through high school students. Inside, you’ll find a wide variety of educational activities including science experiments, geography games, coding challenges, virtual field trips, art activities, logic puzzles, and hands-on projects. Most activities are quick, free, and designed to work well for mixed-age homeschool families.

You can use this calendar of summer learning activities in whatever way works best for your family. Some families may choose to do one activity each day, while others may pick a few favorites each week. Older students can work independently, while younger children may enjoy doing activities together as a family. The calendar is designed to be flexible, low-stress, and easy to fit around summer camps, vacations, pool days, and relaxed schedules.

Many of the digital resources included here are the same types of interactive tools we use in the web-based unit studies at FundaFunda Academy. We believe learning is often far more memorable when students actively explore and interact with content instead of simply reading about it.

If you enjoy these kinds of activities, you may also want to listen to the Homeschooling with Technology podcast, where we regularly share practical technology tools, websites, apps, and ideas homeschool families can use to make learning more engaging.

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Did you know that advent calendars can be educational? They can be great ways for homeschooling families to bring some holiday fun into their learning routine.

There are all kinds of advent calendars for all kinds of ages and interests: reading calendars for younger kids, STEM builds for middle and high schoolers, or group puzzles for the whole family.

You could pick one calendar per child, or even one calendar for the whole family, and turn it into a daily routine as a part of your homeschool: open the day’s door, discuss what’s inside, and then journal about it or pair it with a quick activity.

Advent calendars are not just treats — they’re opportunities for daily learning, curiosity, and connection during the holiday season. Below are some Advent calendars that we recommend. 

1. National Geographic Amazing Science Advent Calendar

This calendar, great for ages 8-12, contains a mixture of gemstone specimens and simple science experiments (everything from growing a crystal tree to making your own snow!). Perfect for curious kids who love hands-on science exploration.

2. National Geographic Gemstone Advent Calendar

This calendar contains 24 real gemstones your child can collect, identify, and learn about. It’s a great option for elementary-aged geologists and perfect homeschool families trying to take a fun spin on earth science.

3. Thames & Kosmos Science Advent Calendar

The Thames & Kosmos Science Advent Calendar includes 24 unique science experiments covering chemistry, physics, and biology. Each day reveals a new science tool or activity, which is ideal for older elementary and middle schoolers who love structured experiments.

4. Japace Kids Science Experiment Advent Calendar

This calendar includes a plethora of hands-on STEM activities like slime-making, crystal-growing, volcanic eruptions, and more. It’s a great option for older elementary and middle schoolers who enjoy fast, exciting science they can do mostly on their own.

5. 24-in-1 STEM Building Projects Advent Calendar

With this calendar, your child can open a new engineering challenge every day: build small mechanical projects such as a glider, catapult, traffic light, and windmill. This calendar is great for hands-on, project-based homeschooling, and is especially appropriate for ages 7-13.

6. STEM Wooden Engineering Advent Calendar

This engineering-based advent calendar contains daily wooden STEM builds including a hand-cranked generator, mechanical vehicles, a fiber optic light, and more. In a homeschool setting, it can be used to encourage creativity, ingenuitive thinking, and fine motor skills. It’s great for curious students ages 8 and older.

7. STEM Microscope Discovery Advent Calendar

This calendar reveals daily prepared slides and tools. It’s ideal for pre-teen students who enjoy biology, observation, and lab-style science work.

8. STEM Electronics Advent Calendar

This electronics-focused advent calendar includes lessons in electronics, circuits, and introductory engineering. Teens build a different small electronic project each day. Excellent for homeschoolers interested in robotics or engineering careers.

9. Disney Storybook Collection Advent Calendar

This calendar contains 24 mini storybooks featuring favorite Disney characters. It’s perfect for young readers because it can help families to build and maintain daily reading habits throughout the holiday season.

10. Usborne Advent Calendar Book Collection

The Usborne Advent Calendar Book Collection holds 24 small books full of bright illustrations and engaging stories. It’s great for younger kids who are just learning to read.

11. National Park Puzzle Advent Calendar

This calendar includes 24 mini jigsaw puzzles that all fit together to make one large puzzle. It’s great for teaching logic, patience, spatial reasoning, and can also be used as a fun study-break. This is a good option for a family calendar, because siblings can take turns building each section of the puzzle.

12. The Purple Cow Shocking Science Advent Calendar

This advent calendar features 24 surprising science “tricks” and experiments — fun for kids who love wow-factor science like static electricity, color reactions, and illusions. It’s recommended for ages 8 and up.

13. Hidden Games – Professor Charlie’s World Tour

This advent calendar is an escape room and a board game and a murder mystery all rolled into one. Each day reveals a puzzle to help you get closer to catching the culprit. The answer to each day’s puzzle will tell you which clue to open on the following day. This advent calendar is great for teens, and can build reasoning and critical thinking skills.

14. EXIT: The Game – Advent Calendar: The Intergalactic Race

The premise of The Intergalactic Race advent calendar is to race across the cosmos in order to hold the best Christmas party! Each day reveals a riddle to be solved in order to move forward. This advent calendar is recommended for ages ten and up, and is an excellent way to incorporate creative problem-solving into your homeschool throughout the month of December.

15. Brain Teaser Advent Calendar

This brain teaser advent calendar contains one metal or wooden puzzle (and answer key) for each day leading up to Christmas. This is a great family-friendly option, where family members can take turns solving puzzles, or all can compete to solve the day’s puzzle in the least amount of time. This advent calendar is most engaging for tweens and teens, although younger children can enjoy it as well. It’s beneficial for homeschooling, building critical thinking skills and spatial reasoning, as well as patience and determination.

BONUS: LEGO Advent Calendars

While not strictly educational, LEGO advent calendars that contain Lego mini figs, are a great option for homeschoolers because Lego bricks in general encourage engineering, logic, fine motor skills, and creativity. Plus there are lots of options, from themes like LEGO City and LEGO Friends, to LEGO Harry Potter and LEGO Star Wars. Click here to view a whole bunch of different LEGO advent calendars, appropriate for all LEGO-loving ages.

We hope that you found this guide helpful and educational, and that you and your family enjoy incorporating advent calendars into your homeschool this holiday season!

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It’s one of those skills we want our kids to have, but here’s the short & sweet version: Baby steps matter. Give your kids the intermediate steps along the way and you’ll reap the benefits. 

This isn’t one of those hidden skills kids may or may not need later on…public speaking is a critical skill that benefits children and teens for a lifetime. From your typical science fair presentations to job interviews and community leadership, the ability to speak confidently in front of others can open doors and foster success. For homeschooling families, this skill can be nurtured within the safe creative confines of your home, while beginning to expand to more varied social opportunities.

In this guide, we’ll explore practical tips, creative ideas, and free resources to help your kids grow as confident communicators, no matter their age or current comfort level.

Why Public Speaking Matters

The value of public speaking goes far beyond simply talking in front of a crowd. It develops skills that are vital for every stage of life:

• Confidence: Overcoming fears and learning to speak clearly builds self-assurance.
• Communication: Articulating thoughts effectively and persuasively is a cornerstone of success, not to mention effective writing.
• Critical Thinking: Organizing ideas and responding on the fly sharpens the mind.
• Leadership: Inspiring and motivating others stems from strong speaking skills.

Whether your child is outgoing or reserved, incorporating public speaking into everyday life packs their toolbox to thrive as they head out into varied life experiences.

Opportunities for Younger Learners

For younger children, public speaking can start with playful, low-pressure activities. Here are some ideas to get them comfortable with sharing their voice:

1. Storytelling Nights

Turn storytelling into a family event. Encourage your child to:

• Retell a favorite story or fairy tale.
• Create their own imaginative tale, using prompts like “What would happen if animals could talk?”
• Use puppets or stuffed animals to act out a story they read or one they made up.

These activities help build creativity, vocabulary, and confidence in front of an audience.

2. Show-and-Tell

Adapt the classic school activity for your homeschool setting. Let your child:

• Present a favorite toy, book, or piece of artwork.
• Share why it’s meaningful to them and answer questions from the family.

The interactive element of Q&A fosters quick thinking and conversational skills.

3. Mini Presentations

Give your child a chance to “teach” the family about something they love. Topics could include:

• Their favorite animal or hobby.
• A country they’d like to visit.
• A science experiment they’ve tried.
• A rather silly “would you rather” question that they sussed out.

I loved reading about a group of friends who would periodically have powerpoint parties where they would get together and share what they did for their jobs. It’s one of those moments where we get to shine sharing about something we do well… and public speaking is front and center!

Opportunities for Older Learners

For older kids and teens, public speaking opportunities can become more structured, preparing them for real-world scenarios.

1. Family Debates

Organize friendly debates on lighthearted topics like:

• “Is pineapple on pizza acceptable?”
• “Would you rather visit the mountains or the beach?”

Assign roles for opening arguments, rebuttals, and closing statements. This teaches reasoning, persuasion, and respectful discourse.

2. Dinner Table Discussions

Make mealtime a space for thoughtful conversation. Assign one person to lead a discussion on topics like:

• Current events or history facts.
• Hypothetical questions, such as, “If you could time travel, where would you go?”

These informal discussions build confidence in speaking and encourage critical thinking.

3. Video or Podcast Creation

Teens often enjoy creating content. Encourage them to:

• Record a how-to video.
• Start a podcast about their favorite hobby.
• Share book or movie reviews in vlog format.

We’ve chosen to integrate public speaking into our middle schooler’s history learning. She loves graphic design, as well, so this is really a 3 for 1 deal! At the end of each unit, she’ll get a week to create her slides in Canva, script her presentation, and then deliver it. We’ve given support and made it as low-stakes as possible at the start so that later on we can broaden the audience, use fewer notes, and add in additional gestures. 

Using the Free 30-Day Speaking Challenge

Looking for an easy, structured way to get started? Download our free 30-day public speaking challenge. Each day features a simple prompt to encourage practice, such as:

• “Pretend you’re giving a weather report.”
• “Teach your family how to do something you’re good at.”
• “Explain your favorite hobby to someone who’s never heard of it.”

This free 30-day challenge is designed for kids ages 8–18 and includes prompts for all skill levels. It’s a versatile resource that fits seamlessly into your family’s routine.

CurioSpeak: A Guided Approach to Public Speaking

For families seeking formal instruction, CurioSpeak classes provide expert guidance in small group settings. These classes focus on:

• Building confidence.
• Polishing delivery.
• Developing skills for specific scenarios, like presentations or debates.

While structured classes are not required, combining them with at-home activities creates a well-rounded approach to public speaking.

Other Free Opportunities to Practice Speaking at Home

There are countless ways to incorporate public speaking into everyday family life:

• Virtual Family Gatherings: Have your kids prepare and deliver a short speech during a Zoom or video call. It could be a joke, a story, or even a toast for a special occasion.
• Book Clubs: Create a family book club where everyone takes turns discussing what they’ve read.
• Community Engagement: Encourage older children to volunteer for announcements or presentations at local events, such as church services or neighborhood meetings.
• Scripted Plays or Skits: Let your kids write and perform short plays, complete with props and costumes.
• Improv Games: Play games like “Questions Only” or “Scenes from a Hat” to develop quick thinking and speaking skills.

Parent Next Steps

1. Model Confidence: Let your kids see you speaking confidently, even if it means embracing mistakes as learning opportunities.
2. Provide Constructive Feedback: Offer praise for their efforts and gently guide them on areas to improve.
3. Celebrate Effort: Highlight their progress and encourage them to keep trying.

As you go…

Helping your children develop public speaking skills doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With fun activities, family-led opportunities, and resources like our free 30-day speaking challenge, you can nurture confident communicators at home.

No matter your child’s age or personality, the journey to becoming an effective speaker is something they can progress in!

What’s your family’s favorite way to practice public speaking at home? Share in the comments

Melissa Muir, MAT, is a homeschooling mom of four and a licensed language teacher in the Commonwealth of Virginia for K-12 Language Learning. With years of experience working with children of all ages and a deep commitment to making language learning accessible, engaging, and personalized, Melissa knows what it takes to inspire language learners. She and her husband run Curio, which seeks to make writing, language-learning, and homeschool easier for families through live classes, resources, and self-paced materials. She shares homeschool and teaching content on YouTube.

The post Empowering Public Speaking at Home: A Family Guide appeared first on FundaFunda Academy.

1. Olympic History and Culture Mini Unit Study

FundaFunda Academy offers a web-based mini unit study all about the history and culture of the Olympics, from Ancient Greece up through the present day and beyond. It will also cover the difference between the Winter and Summer Games, where the Olympics have taken place in the past, as well as when they have been cancelled, boycotted, or postponed.

Explanations of Olympic symbols, mascots, and logos are also included. There are even activities for making your own Olympic torch, mascot, and more! Additionally, FundaFunda Academy has a fun summer Olympics bingo containing things you could see or hear while watching the Summer Olympics.

This is just $5 and contains the assignments seen below:

Enter this giveaway to win one! If you purchase it and win, you will be refunded for your purchase

2. The Boys in the Boat Online Book Club

Literary Adventures offers online book clubs for middle schoolers and high schoolers featuring The Boys in the Boat, the story of an Olympic rowing team from the early 20th century. These book clubs come with instruction on spelling, grammar, and vocabulary. They also offer ideas for hands-on activities and engage students through critical thinking questions and writing projects.

3. Music of the Olympics

Music in Our Homeschool has a free fifteen-minute music lesson on the music of the Olympics. The lesson covers four Olympic classics: Bugler’s Dream, Olympic Fanfare and Theme, The Olympic Hymn, and When You Believe. Once you’ve taken the course, you’ll be able to recognize the pieces when you hear them in the Olympics!

4. Summer Olympics Digital Breakout

Digital breakouts are like online escape rooms, and this one is all about the Summer Olympics! It works through Google Forms, a platform that many people are already familiar with. It’s aimed at late elementary or middle school-aged children, but it can provide fun for all ages. Additionally, it comes with an answer key, so you won’t be left frustrated!

5. Official Olympic Resources

The Olympic Museum offers PDFs on a wide variety of topics from Olympic history to overviews of past games to fun activities. These PDFs are all free and are available on their website. They are a great way to get excited about the Olympics, and learn something too!

6. The Science Behind the Olympics

The U.S. National Science Foundation offers a number of videos on some of the science behind the Olympics. From the forces required in weight-lifting to the fluid dynamics behind swimming events, these videos can spark curiosity and answer the questions of eager observers.

7. 2024 Summer Games Handbook

This fun and interactive Summer Olympics Handbook comes with a plethora of mini studies to get you up to speed for this year’s Olympic games. From biographies of Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky, and Usain Bolt, to an dive into the histories of France as a whole and Paris specifically, there is something in this handbook for everyone! It is geared toward grades 1-6, but it sure to bring excitement and insight to the whole family.

8. Fanschool

You’re already making predictions about which countries will win which events, so why not make it official? By joining the Summer Olympics Fanschool, you can do just that! Enter your predictions before the opening ceremony, and receive points each day based how well your picks do. The top three winners in the U.S. will receive a Chromebook prize! This is completely free to participate in!

Hopefully, these resources will put you well on the way to finding answers to all of your Summer Olympics-related questions. If you have more questions that these resources do not answer, post them in the comments below and we’ll take a look. Happy learning!

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*Some of the links in this blog post may be affiliate links. We earn a small commission if you buy something through them, but you do not pay anything extra.

As a parent, choosing the right English curriculum for your middle schooler can feel overwhelming. There are so many options out there – from traditional textbooks to online programs to literature-based studies. How do you decide what’s best for your child? First, take a deep breath. There is no one-size-fits-all curriculum that works for every student. The “best” choice depends on your child’s learning style, interests, academic strengths and weaknesses, and your family’s educational philosophy. That said, here are some middle school English curriculum paths to consider:

FundaFunda Academy

FundaFunda Academy offers a number of English courses for middle schoolers, including Writing Fun for Middle Schoolers and Writing Mechanics. FundaFunda classes are asynchronous (no live component) but have weekly deadlines and the students interact with each other and the teachers.

Writing Fun for Middle Schoolers

Writing Fun for Middle Schoolers is perfect for students who hate to write. The assignments are unusual and sometimes a bit zany. The purpose is to make writing so enjoyable students forget they are writing! Instead of grades, students will receive feedback which will include plenty of praise for what they have done right, as well as suggestions for improvement. Plus, they will be able to earn prizes!

Writing Mechanics

In Writing Mechanics, on the other hand, students will learn the mechanics they need in order to write well. They will do exercises to improve their grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary and then they will put what they have learned into practice. Students will also learn to proofread their own work and peer review their classmates’ essays. This claims aims to prepare students for the rigors of high school English classes.

Seven Sisters Homeschool

Seven Sisters Homeschool offers a wide variety of English courses for middle schoolers. Some of their longer form options include Middle School Short Story Writing Guide: Fairy Tales and Middle School Guide to Essay Writing. The also offer various literature study guides. 

Middle School Short Story Writing Guide: Fairy Tales

In Middle School Short Story Writing Guide: Fairy Tales, students will learn to understand the elements of a fairy tale, create characters, establish settings, develop backstory, form plots, write dialogue, edit, and proofread. This course is designed to be used 4 days a week for 5 weeks. The lessons are short and designed to help students achieve success.

Middle School Guide to Essay Writing

Middle School Guide to Essay Writing is a 10-week course designed to be used 4 days per week. It teaches students basic essay format, persuasion, literary analysis, how to write compare/contrast essays, how to write editorials/letters to the editor, and it also includes tips for taking short-answer essay tests to give your student skills they will need for the future.

Literature Study Guides

Seven Sisters Homeschool’s literature guides are meant to be used in conjunction with the book they relate to. These guides teach students about background information, genre, vocabulary words from the book, and summarization and plot development. They include comprehension questions for each chapter and suggested supplemental activities as well. There are literature study guides for a wide variety of classics including Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, Snow Treasure, and Sarah, Plain and Tall.

Literary Adventures

Literary Adventures offers a plethora of online bookclubs for students of all ages, including middle schoolers! Each one is designed to take about a month to complete they include background information and hands-on activities. They are designed to instruct your student in spelling, grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, literature, and writing. There are many options to choose from, including A Wrinkle in Time, Holes, Bud, Not Buddy, and Wonder.

The array of choices may seem bewildering at first. But look at your child and family’s needs, and don’t be afraid to mix and match components from different programs. Taking the time upfront to carefully select the right fit can immensely enrich your student’s middle school English experience.

Looking for More Resources?

If you are curious about other options, take a look at this blog post on online English games!

The post Homeschool Middle School English appeared first on FundaFunda Academy.

Wondering what your child’s high school English curriculum will look like? Confused by the abundance of options? Wanting to see a four-year schedule? FundaFunda Academy offers no shortage of high school English courses for you and your child to explore. So, which English courses should your child take during their four years of high school? Read on to find out!

Three Tracks

In large part, the courses your child takes will depend on their skill level. That’s why we offer three different tracks: struggling, average, and advanced.

Struggling

If English is not your child’s strongest suit, or if they don’t like English very much, we recommend the struggling track. It is slower-paced, and the basics are emphasized in freshman year before moving on to longer essays in subsequent years.

Average

The average track is designed for the students who have some experience with the basics of paper-writing and literary analysis, but who are not quite ready for more intense courses. This is our most commonly used track. Students begin with a firm grounding in MLA format before moving on to various literature courses of their choice.

Advanced

Finally, the advanced track is for students who have extensive prior experience with English and who love it. This track cuts to the chase, putting students through their paces with more challenging literature courses from the start.

The Courses

Choosing curriculum is no easy task for any parent. Here at FundaFunda, we hope that, with the right information, you will be able to make the decision that is best for you and your child. Below is a brief description of each of our English courses. That way, you can know exactly what your child will be studying in any given year, and you can use these descriptions to build a schedule that works for your family.

Writing Mechanics

This class is intended for students who need practice with the mechanics of writing. These are the tools they need in order to do well on the ACT and SAT, and also to write papers at college. The class will cover punctuation, grammar, vocabulary, and proofreading using a variety of online, self-grading resources. Students will write several essays, as well as learn to peer review one another’s essays before they are graded by a teacher.

High School English Literature and Composition

This class is designed for 9th grade students and prioritizes learning the basics of writing essays for future high school and college success. It includes an introduction to MLA format, ongoing vocabulary and grammar work, and a comprehensive array of literary elements, genres, and subjects. It is an overall introduction to high school English so students are better prepared for higher level classes.

Exploring Jane Austen

In this 1/2 credit class students will explore the world Jane Austen lived in, read 3 of her novels and compare them to film versions as well as discuss how relevant they are to our lives today. Assignments will consist of asynchronous discussions, video responses, fun projects like creating social media profiles of the characters, and one or two written essays. There will be an optional live discussion at a time that works for most of the class.

Visual Literacy

This 1/2 credit course intends to give students the tools to notice more of the images in their daily life and learn how to critically engage with them. Over the 16 weeks, students will watch movies, television shows, YouTube channels, music videos and look at photos, advertisements, artwork, graphic novels, and websites.

British Literature

Starting in Anglo-Saxon England, this course will reach back in time to some of our earliest literature and study how the written word has been used to convey cultural shifts and political and religious ideas. Students will read novels, plays, short stories, and poetry by the prominent writers of British literature. 

American Literature

Starting with the Foundational Literary Period and ending in the Postmodern Era, this class covers all the major writers and poets in American literature. Students will read novels, plays, short stories, and poetry that reflect the ideas, struggles, and achievements of the last 400 years. 

Independent Honors English

This class is ideal for the self-motivated, capable Junior or Senior who needs an English credit and cannot attend a class in person. Students will read a variety of works focused around storytelling, which is the foundation of every culture in the world. From reading myths and fables to contemporary novels and memoirs, students will be exposed to a variety of voices and genres, as well as lessons learned from centuries of lived experiences. They will look at how new stories are built from old ones and consider why there is nothing new under the sun when it comes to exploring the human condition.

Need More Options?

Here are some other English options we like:

• Music in Our Homeschool’s Ten Weeks of Shakespeare Introductory Course. This is self-paced and parent graded
• Literary Adventures has many self-paced options for high schoolers
• Seven Sisters Homeschool has a variety of English courses for all four years of high school, as well as study guides for literature books and this course on how to write a research paper

In Conclusion…

This is a lot of information to take in. If you have any questions about any of these courses, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We would be more than happy to assist you in any way that we can. You can email info@fundafunda.com or the teacher listed for a specific class. Good luck on your high school English journey; we hope to hear from you soon!

Other Blog Posts You May Enjoy:

• Online English Games to Use in Your Homeschool

The post Suggested Sequence of FundaFunda’s High School English Classes appeared first on FundaFunda Academy.

In this post, we’ll explore a range of options to unlock the joy of reading for every child.

1. Comic Books:

Comic books are a fantastic gateway to reading for children who may find traditional books intimidating. The visual appeal and concise text make comics an exciting medium.

Look for comic books that feature characters you loved when you were their age, or characters they’re already familiar with. Comics like “Garfield” by Jim Davis or “Calvin and Hobbes” by Bill Watterson are excellent choices to kickstart their reading journey.

2. Audiobooks:

For the auditory learners in your homeschool, audiobooks offer an immersive reading experience. Encourage your child to listen to audiobooks of their favorite stories or explore captivating narrations of new and exciting tales. Platforms like Audible provide a vast selection of children’s books, with many narrated by skilled performers who bring the stories to life.

3. Choose Your Own Adventure Books:

These interactive books empower readers by allowing them to make decisions that influence the story’s outcome. For kids who crave engagement and adventure, these books provide a unique reading experience. Titles like “Choose Your Own Adventure” series by R.A. Montgomery or “You Choose” series from a variety of authors are sure to captivate their imagination.

4. Graphic Novels:

Graphic novels are a blend of visual and textual storytelling, making them an excellent choice for reluctant readers. With captivating illustrations and compelling narratives, graphic novels can make the reading experience more accessible and enjoyable. Explore titles such as “Zita the Spacegirl” by Ben Hatke or “El Deafo” by Cece Bell to introduce your child to this engaging format.

5. Books on Topics Students are Obsessed with:

One of the most effective ways to encourage reading is to tap into your child’s existing interests. Whether it’s dinosaurs, space, or superheroes for younger students – or football, Taylor Swift and video games for older students, find books that align with their passions. Series like “National Geographic Kids” or “Magic School Bus” offer educational content in a format that feels more like an exploration than traditional learning.

Search for topics for older children and look for books that are short and have plenty of photos included so they won’t feel intimidated by the book, but excited to read it.

In the diverse world of literature, there’s a match for every child, even those who initially resist reading. By exploring alternative formats you can turn reluctant readers into eager bookworms.

Remember, the goal is to make reading a joyful experience, so be patient, supportive, and most importantly, have fun discovering the wonders of literature together.

Happy reading!

The post Unlocking the Joy of Reading: A Homeschool Family’s Guide to Books for Reluctant Readers appeared first on FundaFunda Academy.

1. Creating Digital Gifts Unit Study

Dive into a world of creativity with this online unit study on creating digital gifts. Teens can complete it at their own pace, and by the end of the course, they will know how to make a wide variety of gifts, all online. From virtual Christmas cards to online jigsaw puzzles, many teens will enjoy working on these projects and sharing them with friends and family.

2. 3D Pen or Printer

What if teens could imagine an object, and then make it in real life? Well, with a 3D Pen or a 3D printer, they can do just that! Although these things may seem complicated, they are fairly straightforward to use and there are numerous online tutorials to get your teen started!

3. Fiber Arts Kit

Crocheting, knitting, macrame, all of these are fun ways to keep teens creative and crafty. While there is definitely a learning curve, online tutorials can be a huge help. Kits like this one, this one, or this one are great ways to get started!

4. Interactive Science Kits

Combine learning and creativity with hands-on science kits. Whether it’s building a robot or conducting chemistry experiments, these kits turn education into an exciting, creative endeavor.

5. Programming Classes

Unleash their coding talents by gifting a course in programming. Whether it’s Scratch for beginners, or Python for the more advanced, learning to code is a journey in logic and creativity.

6. Outdoor Gear

Outdoor gear can be an excellent gift for creative teens as it encourages them to explore and draw inspiration from the world around them. Items like a durable backpack, compact sketching or painting supplies, or even a portable hammock provide tools for creative expression in natural settings.

7. Canva Graphic Design Class

Encourage a passion for graphic design with a course on how to use Canva, a popular website. Dreaming up and designing their own logos, advertisements, and posters allows teens to express their unique perspective and storytelling abilities.

8. Subscription to a Book Box

Book subscription boxes that include not only a carefully selected book but also related items like artistic bookmarks, exclusive artwork, or creative writing prompts can be delightful for literary-minded teens. LitJoy gives you choices of books and fun accessories, if you or your teen like a little agency in process.

9. Photography Class

Encourage a passion for photography with a photography class. Capturing the world through a lens allows teens to express their unique perspective and storytelling abilities. Choose from either asynchronous or self-paced options.

10. Stop-Motion Animation Kit

Animation software or tools, like a stop-motion animation kit, can be a great way for creative teens to bring their ideas to life in a dynamic and visually engaging way. Containing everything your teen needs to get started, these kits are a great launching point for your amateur animator. It is compatible with Windows or MacOS.

11. Cooking Class

Introduce the world of cooking in the most hands-on way possible: cooking classes! America’s Test Kitchen offers subscriptions to an online video library, and Sur La Table offers individual live Zoom sessions with cooking professionals.

12. Candle-Making Kit

Foster creativity through candle-making with this kit from SoftOwl. Scents, wax, and containers are all included–everything your teen needs to make their own candles! Candle-making kits are especially appropriate holiday gifts, and are a wonderful way to brighten the darkest time of the year!

13. Digital Business Classes

Has your teen ever wanted to open up an Etsy shop or start their own podcast? These classes can set them on the road to success in such ventures! They are an excellent gift for any enterprising young person in your life.

14. SIM Games

A SIM game can be an ideal gift for creative teens as it offers a virtual canvas for them to build, design, and experiment. Games like Cities: Skylines, SIM City, or Stardew Valley provide a platform for creative expression, allowing teens to construct and personalize entire worlds, homes, and characters. Through strategic decision-making and design choices, they can explore their architectural, artistic, and storytelling skills in a dynamic and interactive environment.

15. Art Classes

Fuel your teen’s artistic inclinations with online art history classes. Art supplies such as sketchbooks, paints, or a graphic tablet work well in conjunction with class, providing an outlet for self-expression.

In Conclusion…

In gifting these kits and courses, we aim not only to celebrate the present but to sow the seeds for a future where creativity flourishes in every aspect of teens’ lives. Let’s embark on this journey of fostering creativity together, making a truly extraordinary holiday season.

Wishing you and your teen homeschoolers a season filled with creativity and joy!

The post Gifts to Spark Creativity in Teens appeared first on FundaFunda Academy.

Here is exactly how to use the Scratch programming language to create the Christmas card – in 10 easy steps!

Step 1: Go to the Scratch website

Go to the Scratch website and create an account.

Step 2: Start your interactive Christmas Card

Click on ‘create’ in the menu bar at the top of the screen (close the tutorial that shows up by clicking X)

Step 3: Select a backdrop

At the top (where the red arrow is) type in a name for your project. Then go to where the purple arrow is pointing and click to select a backdrop. I chose “winter”.
(Note: next to the option to select from their library are options to draw your own background, upload from a file, or take a photo with the computer’s camera – so if your children are more ambitious they can try one of these)

Step 4: Remove the default sprite

Click on the trash can next to the cat to delete the cat (the default sprite) – unless you want him on the card.

Step 5: Add your first sprite

Click on ‘Choose a sprite’ (the cat face) and select one from the library (once again you could draw your own, upload a picture from a file or use the computer’s camera to take a photo). I chose a penguin.

This penguin sprite comes with many scripts –  these tell the sprite what you want it to do. You can currently see all the blue “Move” scripts, but if you click on one of the other colors you can see those categories of scripts.

Step 6: Make a dancing penguin

The different scripts (pieces of code) in Scratch will click together like a jigsaw puzzle. Make sure they do as if they aren’t connected, the code will be ‘broken’ and not work. Copy the script I have here by clicking on Events, Control, Looks, and Motion to find the blocks you need. Follow the colors to find them

If you select the wrong script by mistake – no problem – just drag it back to where you got it and it will disappear!

This script tells the penguin sprite to repeat 5 times the following sequence:

• Wait 1 second

• Move 10 steps

• Switch to the next costume

In Scratch, a costume is a variation on the appearance of a sprite and you use it when you want to animate sprites. Not all sprites have costumes but if they do you will find them when you click on the Costumes tab. Here you can see our penguin sprite has 3 costumes.

The effect of letting him move and then change costume makes it a more fun animation. Click on the penguin now – the one in the right panel – and you will see him dance. If he does nothing, check you have the code EXACTLY like mine and that all the pieces are properly joined together.

Step 7: Add a ringing bell

Now it is time to add another sprite. Follow the same steps as when you added the first one. I chose a bell this time. Drag it to where you want it to be on the screen. Here is the code to make the bell ‘ring’ when clicked. You can click on the “down arrow” to select ‘xylo1’ or leave it as ‘bell toll’.

Step 8: Add a blinking star

Add another sprite – you know how to do that by now. I used a star. These scripts will make it blink. Be sure you have the star sprite clicked before you add the scripts (see the red arrow). There will be a purple box around the sprite the scripts apply to.

These script wait briefly (.5 seconds), hide the star, wait briefly (.5 seconds), and then reshow it, and this repeats 5 times. Please note you need to change the value of the numbers. Just overtype with the values you want.

Step 9: Add a talking gift

Add your final sprite – I chose a gift. Then make it “talk” ie when it is clicked, add words to say “Happy Christmas” or whatever you want to say.

Step 10: Share with family and friends

Now it is time to save and share. Click on Files and then ‘Save’ (the red arrow) and then click on Share (red arrow). If you don’t share a project no one can see it!

Add some instructions on the project page like I did (red arrow) and finally grab the url (purple arrow) and email that to whoever you want to send it to!

Now just sit back and wait for the recipients to be impressed. Or – challenge yourself and try to create some variations to make your interactive Christmas card even better! Try to make a sprite change color or size perhaps.

And if your children love coding in Scratch, consider gifting them an online Scratch class for Christmas!

Bio:

Meryl van der Merwe started programming as a teen and worked as a computer programmer before becoming a homeschool mom. She has been teaching live and online programming classes – and other subjects too – for over 10 years. You can find her online classes at FundaFunda Academy. Follow her on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.

The post How to Teach Kids to Program an Interactive Christmas Card appeared first on FundaFunda Academy.