Oct 16 2008
Homeschooling meets 4-H
When we discovered 4H about 9 years ago, I never realized how useful it would be in homeschooling. Most, if not all, the projects offered by 4H compliment subjects that we do in homeschool. We are not involved in farm animal project. But the projects we do consider and often choose include a wide range of topics.
An obvious area in 4H projects is cooking. All homeschoolers (and some other people too) recognize the mathematics and chemistry in cooking. Of course, nutritional science is a major part of the cooking experience.
Sewing has been one of the areas I have enjoyed most in working with my own children and members of our 4H group. Each new member starts out with an apron. They do every part of the project from choosing and preparing the fabric, to laying out the pattern, to cutting. They mark the pattern if necessary, then move to the sewing machine. My 5 year old Grandson 2made his first project on the sewing machine last sprng. The entire project took him one hour. Fine and other motor skills are used in the process, as well as measuring and decision making. Putting on the finished apron is a confidence builder like no other!
Insect projects, tree identification, conservation projects (to mention only a few) all lend themselves nicely to science units. Aviation and aeronautics, fishing, and small engine repairs all capitalize on interests the child may already have.
Arts and Crafts are some of my favorite areas. We don’t stop with just making things. We visit art galleries, talk about paintings and other art, and take a look at how art has evolved into crafts over the centuries, and even more, how craft has evolved into art! The quilt is a great example of practical craft evolving into fine art.
Finally, I want to mention two project areas that are so necessary as school subjects, but can also be found in 4H: Public Speaking and Personal Finance.
If this inspires you, go ahead and check out the local 4H groups. You will find it an asset to your homeschooling.
Peace,
Ann
