Comments on: Crafts and Hands-on Activities from a CM Perspective

By: Richele

Richele — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:31:42 +0000

Since my second is very visual I can see I’ll be visiting your collage a lot for more hands-on learning ideas.

By: Jimmie

Jimmie — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 02:44:25 +0000

@Erna,
You’ve put it brilliantly! I love your emphasis on imagination and play. So true!

By: Erna

Erna — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 02:06:45 +0000

Hi Jimmie! I loved your definition of how crafts can apply to learning or themed play. We use a bit of themed play with crafts and it would naturally flow in a lot of instances. It is true that it isn’t integral to our learning but it does allow for dramatic play and for the imagination to flourish. We just did a great week on aboriginals (Native Americans), went on a field trip, made some of their houses, a background scene, and even created mini clothespin people. Was this essential to our learning? No. Yet, it allows my daughter (and her younger sibling) to play out all that they have learned and all they have seen from our field trip to an Iroquoian village. We don’t do such elaborate things all the time but it is like a new “toy” in our home that my children had a hand in pulling together. :0)
Erna´s last blog ..Workbox Files Uploaded to Scribd

By: MasterpieceMom

MasterpieceMom — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:15:36 +0000

I agree! I think the distinction you made was great. Even before I found CM I was very put off by a lot of what seems to be ‘busy work’ that some homeschoolers do. Until I discovered CM, I figured I was a bad homeschool mom. LOL
MasterpieceMom´s last blog ..A Reading Lesson

By: Angie in GA

Angie in GA — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:14:21 +0000

Wonderful post!!! Thank you so much for sharing!! It put somethings in perspective for me!! Be Blessed!
Angie in GA´s last blog ..Giotto Inspired Art Lesson

By: Rachael in NZ

Rachael in NZ — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:03:19 +0000

The volcano is a bit like a math manipulative – used to help illustrate the concept. If you can’t witness the real thing it’s a great way to visualise it isn’t it!

By: Rhonda

Rhonda — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:55:17 +0000

Good thoughts! I think the distinction is good. Sometimes we may get carried away with themed play. I think this has me thinking that I should be careful that those things don’t take over our life. Thanks.

Rhonda
Rhonda´s last blog ..Kitchen Math

By: Dawn

Dawn — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:10:38 +0000

A really great post as always! I liked how you explained both types of hands on activities. I find that some of my kids really need the activities to stay focused. Especially the ADHD one. Blessings,
Dawn

By: Lynn

Lynn — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:21:08 +0000

I really enjoyed reading this. It was helpful to me. Honestly, I had not thought much about the distinctions, but there are some and it’s good to pay attention to them. It’ll help me decide what to incorporate as a lesson, and how!

Lynn
Lynn´s last blog ..Narration Through Drawing

By: sarah in the woods

sarah in the woods — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:06:47 +0000

I think this is a good assessment of the value of hands-on activities. I recently read this quote by Charlotte Mason in A Charlotte Mason Companion: “…children will dress up, act scenes; or they have a stage and their dolls or puppets act, while they paint the background scenery and speak the speeches. It is a mistake to think that a child will have much of an imagination just because he is a child. An imagination must be fed for it to grow, develop and become a strong, useful part of his intellect.” It seems that when real books are at the core, both hands-on learning and themed play have their place in a child’s education.
sarah in the woods´s last blog ..Thoughts on Thoughts