Recently several parents and grandparent have asked about materials for homeschoolers. They are familiar with available packaged programs. They have wonder: Is there something more? Yes, there is.
TinkerActive Workbooks
| TinkerActive Workbook series is designed for young learners ages 5-8. Three disciplines are covered within each grade level: English, Math, and Science. The workbooks are sturdy, with stiff, laminate covers. This will protect from spills that may occur. Thick quality paper, pages with round corners. A lot of thought is evident in the creation of this series. |  |
| All workbooks follow a similar pattern: A concept is introduced with Let's Learn About which consists of basic information and a few interesting activities to practice the concept. Then the real fun begins with Let's Tinker, Let's Make, and Let's Engineer projects related to the concept. All activities require a collection of materials and simple tools, such as glue, markers, scissors, boxes, etc. Each consumable book includes stickers and a magnetic merit badge. These hands on, minds on projects are FUN. From the clever quirky minds at Odd Dot. | |
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Calling All Minds: How to Think and Create Like an Inventor
by Temple Grandin with Betsy Lerner
 | Calling All Minds is an intriguing mix of inventor mini-biographies, images of registered inventions from the U.S. Patent office with step-by step project instructions. Grandin frames these elements within a running narrative describing her personal journey of discovery. She introduces readers to her thinking process, her experiments with various concepts, and schematic drawings of her creations. The book is organized into five general sections: "Things Made of Paper," "Levers and Pulleys," "Things Made of Wood," "Things That Fly", and "Optical Illusions." Each section includes a cornucopia of material that is loosely connected. Like the discovery process, they do not flow in a strict linear fashion, instead inviting moments of serendipity along the way. |
"Things Made of Paper" chapter callout boxes contain a plethora of STEM-related components. Readers will find brief introductions to the history of these inventions: moveable type, the typewriter, Liquid Paper, scissors, and Crayola crayons. Bonus material includes an explanation of the term QWERTY and a discussion of the Fibonacci "golden ratio." Makers are treated to directions for creating Handmade Paper, Paper Snowflakes, a Crystal Snowflake, a Kaleidoscope, and Water Bombs.
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Explorer Academy by Trudi Trueit
 | National Geographic takes on a new publishing venture with Explorer Academy, a fiction series combining action-adventure with science, technology and world exploration. Twelve-year-old Cruz Coronado is a member of Explorer Academy, an international team of young people training to become the world's future scientists. Trueit has created stories with action, intrigue, and suspense galore. At one point in my reading I replied to a request from an individual near me, saying “I can’t come right now. Cruz is trapped underwater and can’t breathe.” |
Those who love scientific and geographical trivia will be fascinated with all the factoids scattered throughout the narrative. All volumes are chock-full of fascinating futuristic tech gadgets. There is a Jules Verne quality to the series, envisioning scientific achievements that may become a future reality.
National Geographic has created a wealth of extras to enhance the series. The treasure trove of online resources includes codes and ciphers to solve, profiles of scientists working on cutting edge advances. There’s an animation video of C.A.V.E. (Computer Animated Virtual Experience), a slide show of "Weird But True" facts, and personality quiz to determine a science-interest type.
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Crafty Cat series by Charise Harper
 | Comics, a charming cat, and crafts. What more could you ask for? Crafty Cat and the Crafty Camp Crisis is a story of expectations, making friends, and dealing with bullies is appropriate for younger readers. Back pages include directions for making each of the six monster crafts described in the text. |
I followed the directions for making mini monsters. This is a fun and easy-to-do project. These paper critters would be great as place cards. Add a message to accompany a gift package. Set one of a shelf for an expected surprise.
With great characters, clever dialog, and simple craft projects, Charise Mericle Harper has a created a graphic novel series for young craft and comic enthusiasts.
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Bonus: There's No Place Like Home
Looking for additional resources to support home-centered learning? Try these.
 KidLitTV stories, crafts & activities Celebrated actors read children's books. |  Create with Jarrett J. Krosoczka |  Plan your day with this suggested daily schedule from NESCA (Neuropsychology & Education Services for Children & Adolescents. Accessed via Lorena Germán |
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