Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau

Educator, Coach, EFT Practitioner

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Aug 15 2017

Florida field trips your homeschoolers will love!

Ready to hit the road? Remember you were saying you wanted to do more field trips this year?

When it comes to Florida field trips, I’ve got you covered. You’ll definitely want to hold on to this list…maybe print it and store it in the car?

The more I search, the more incredible Florida field trips I stumble upon every year. With a day off and a tank full of gas, there are literally thousands of destinations in the Sunshine State you can share with your family, too!

What I love about field trips is you can correlate them with your studies. But, what I love even more is that it’s okay to just drop everything and have fun on field trips, too! You don’t have to prepare or do follow-up learning unless you want to. For the best experience, just let field trips stand alone, allowing yourselves the pleasure of days off from lessons without the pressure to do anything more.

The List

It wasn’t easy, but I’ve identified some of the best field trips in the state. These are those can’t-miss destinations you’ll definitely want to mark on your calendar!

My criteria was simple — these field trips check all the boxes. But, if these choices aren’t your cup of tea, I’ve got an entire 40-page directory of Florida field trips  you can check out instead!

The Florida Museum of Natural History (Gainesville) is an incredible field trip for every member of the family. You can learn about the flora, fauna, fossils, history and people of native Florida, while enjoying amazing displays and interactive exhibits. My favorite exhibit at the museum is the Butterfly Rainforest, where hundreds of butterflies fly free as you walk along a winding path, thru lush landscaping, enjoying waterfalls, flowers and other small animals who call the rainforest home. With Gainesville also the home of the University of Florida, there are lots of great eateries and other fun places to explore in this area, too. Make a day of it, and explore everything Gainesville has to offer.

A visit to WonderWorks (Panama City Beach or Orlando) is like nothing you’ve ever experienced before.  Think of WonderWorks as an amusement park slash arcade slash science center, where people of all ages spend hours creating, imagining, and simulating using hundreds of hands-on interactive exhibits organized in zones throughout the facility.  From the moment you walk through the inversion tunnel, you’ll know you’re in for something truly different. Experience natural disasters firsthand, perform physical challenges, feel what it’s like in outer space, and much more. Hundreds of centers make this a full day activity. Schedule larger groups in advance if you want to explore it with friends.

The Cummer Museum (Jacksonville) is another of my favorite places to visit in the Sunshine State. The Cummer appeals to art enthusiasts, obviously, with its world-class display of over 5,000 pieces dating from 2100 B.C. to the present day. But, the Cummer also has several outdoor acres of stunning historic gardens for strolling, gazing and contemplation. If that isn’t enough, there’s also a large interactive center for creating, touching and listening. If membership interests you, joining the Cummer will also get you in to another 150 other museums throughout the country. Bring a camera and plan to spend at least half the day at this destination. Remember to budget time to visit the trendy cafe and check out the curiosities in gift shop, too.

If you think Disney Springs (Orlando) is nothing more than trendy restaurants and overpriced shopping, think again. While there is no shortage of expensive eateries and designer brand names, the real surprise of Disney Springs comes from discovering all the family-friendly areas and attractions peppered throughout this expansive, newly renovated mall. As a portal to all things Disney Orlando, Disney Springs is a great way to sample Disney and get introduced to Disney on your own terms, with or without passes to the theme parks. At Disney Springs, you can visit family friendly spaces like the carousel, the LEGO store, the splash pad, and enjoy outdoor entertainment pretty much all day, too. Because transportation from all the resorts converge at Disney Springs, if you happen to be staying anywhere at Disney, you’ll avoid navigating the parking facilities and save a whole lot of walking that way, too.

The St. Augustine Visitor’s Center (St. Augustine) is both the launching pad to the rest of the Old City, and a a destination in it’s own right. As the hub of activity in the center of historic St. Augustine, and the area’s largest parking garage, the Visitor’s Center itself also houses varied exhibits of local and historical importance throughout the year. Located just across the famous Castillo de San Marcos (a standing masonry fort), next to a huge public playground (SWING Park) and surrounded by hundreds of attractions of historic and educational significance, the Visitor’s Center is the best place for homeschoolers to start their visit of historic St. Augustine. Check the docket of daily activities, collect as many maps and brochures as you need, and speak to one of the knowledgeable representatives at the Visitor’s Center before setting off for an exciting day of fun and learning around the Old City.

One of Florida’s best kept secrets yet most phenomenal experiences is the guided tour of the robot factory at Sally Corporation (Jacksonville). Sally Corp is a 40,000 sq. ft. facility dedicated to designing, engineering and manufacturing “animatronic” figures for theme parks and attractions like Six Flags and Nickelodeon. Tours take audiences through real life ride simulations and explain the inner workings of their real-life humans, animals and fictional characters. Small groups (reserve in advance) are able to view projects currently in progress as well as participate in interactive games and programs on the factory floor. There is something for everyone at Sally Corporation, and best yet, tours are absolutely free.

A visit to Everglades National Park (Homestead) should be on every Florida family’s list of destinations, perhaps every few years for how much this park has to offer. A visit to the Everglades allows exploring a vast diversity of flora and fauna in many different eco-systems, including freshwater sloughs, wet prairies, tropical hammocks (habitats), coastal lowlands, marine, estuarine, and more. Visitors are exposed to the history of the peoples, conservation, scientific research, and more. It’s important to plan this visit wisely, as it changes with the seasons and covers so much ground. The web site is a great source to start planning, and it contains lesson plans to help explain and/or extend the learning, too.

Driving down the coast toward the Marine Science Center (Ponce Inlet) is a treat in itself. Upon arriving at the Marine Science Center, you’ll be able to choose from different several areas to begin your tour of the area. The turtle rehabilitation area is where sea turtles are cared for to be later released back to the ocean. In the sea bird area, you can view previously injured birds as they recover before being set free, or meet some of the permanent ambassadors who call the center home. The indoor area consists of viewing exhibits, touch and feel centers like a 14,000 gallon stingray pool, other specimens, and a gift shop with someone for everyone.  Nature trails surround the park plus the Center is also within walking distance of Lighthouse Park where your family can enjoy a breathtaking view of the lighthouse while sampling the sand and views along the shoreline.

It’s hard to beat a day at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (Clearwater). With so much to see and do, you’ll want to plan a full day to take in all the activities and exhibits, including otters, nurse sharks, sea turtles, and any temporary residents who live there while awaiting new homes. The aquarium also houses a surgical center, where visitors may get the chance to witness life saving procedures being performed on injured animals. Can’t-miss exhibits at the aquarium include the homes of Winter, the Dolphin from the film “Dolphin Tale”, and Hope, a rescued dolphin who was unfit to return to the wild, but is now flourishing at the center. Boat adventures, close up encounters and behind-the-scenes tours are also available.

Nothing says ‘Florida’ like the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (Titusville). You’ll learn the history of space exploration and hear of modern-day expeditions up close and personal. With so much to do at Kennedy Space Center, I recommend looking at the sample itineraries before deciding how to plan your day. From guided tours to bus tours to personal experiences and even an IMAX, there’s a lot to take in on this field trip. If traveling in the summer, keep an eye on the weather, too, because exhibits may close when skies are particularly stormy.

Check out this awesome list of Florida field trips!

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What I love about this list

What I love about this list is these destinations are great for the whole family. You’ll never have to worry about boredom (yours) or eye-rolling (your teens), since these are great for all ages.

 

For the largest state-wide field trip directory in Florida, check out my latest book, The Ultimate Guide to Florida Homeschooling. It contains another 40 pages of Florida field trips just waiting for you and your family to discover.

 

Know somebody traveling to Florida? SHARE this with them, too!

Happy travels!

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago.  A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast.  Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever.  A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT,Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide.  Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Written by Marie-Claire · Categorized: Homeschool · Tagged: calendars, car and travel, elementary, florida, high school, history, lesson planning, middle school, Outdoor classroom, preschool, relaxed, unit studies, unschooling

Mar 01 2017

Heads Up, Florida! New Book Released Today

I’m proud to announce the release of my latest book, “The Ultimate Guide to Florida Homeschooling“. It’s a book that has been years in the making, and I’m honored to be able to bring this kind of information to my Florida audience.

In this book, I share everything Florida home ed families need to know, plus a whole bunch of uniquely-Florida goodies — ones that make homeschooling here so special. I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside families in the Sunshine State for over 20 years.  Through this book, I’m able to give something back to families today, and those coming up in the future.

New homeschooling book for Florida families! Available now:

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I’d love for you to SHARE this new book with your friends and contacts. It’s the first and only book by a Florida homeschooler for Florida homeschoolers, and I think everyone will find something of value within its pages.

You’re also invited to ‘Like’ my Facebook page, and/or subscribe to my newsletter, because I’ll be sharing Florida-specific updates, homeschooling videos, giveaways and doing live events for my Florida homeschool friends!

Here are some sneak peeks of the inside (you can also “Search Inside This Book” on Amazon):

 

 

It contains up-to-date legal information to help you understand the Statutes and always remain in compliance.

Portions of the book have been reviewed by HSLDA, so you’ll know it’s completely accurate and can be trusted for your family’s educational needs.

Why not grab one for every member of your support group?

If I can answer any questions about it, don’t hesitate to contact me. And, as always, I appreciate our connection and your support.

Hope to meet you at the next Florida event!

Check it out now.

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago.  A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast.  Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever.  A writer, homeschool leader, and women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT,Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide.  Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Written by Marie-Claire · Categorized: Announcements & Special Events · Tagged: books, classroom resources, florida, history, laws and legal, me, support, unit studies

Mar 13 2015

I don’t do history, but I can teach it anyway

I’ll be honest with you.  History isn’t one of my strong points.  Actually, any study requiring the piecing together of events and examining how they’re interconnected is not my strong point.  I stink at the “bigger picture”, as it were.

Instead, I’m a fact person, a logic person, and a detail person.  (I also have what I refer to as a ‘semi-photographic’ memory, though I’m not sure if that’s even a real thing.)  I can easily remember facts, minutia, and random trivia; and as a bonus, I easily remember what things looked like the moment I first saw them, making it that much easier.

Ask me the phone number and address of someone I met years ago, and I’ve got it.  Ask me the score of the ball game on TV – even if I’m not watching, just happened to see the screen – and I’ll know it.  But ask me to examine themes as they result from events and artifacts in history, and I’m left sorting through a database of mental facts to recreate the pieces and answer your question.  The way my brain works served me well growing up, because memorizing facts is what schools were after at the time.

But, fast forward to becoming a homeschool mom, and though I remembered  zillions of random things about history, I felt I actually knew very little about history at all.

How was I gonna teach it?

Though I could perform parlor tricks all day long, certainly long enough to do history lessons with my kids, I was afraid I couldn’t help them connect the dots for the long term.  I worried I could only remember facts yet not get the significance.  I needed my kids to remember both.

So, how is a mom who is pitifully unable to “do” history herself able to teach history to her kids?

how to teach history

I had several things going for me as I homeschooled history.  The first was my amazing husband, a history buff if I ever met one.  Though he wasn’t around during the day when we did our lessons, he could always scoop up the pieces in the evenings and on weekends.  I’d clue him in on what we were up to, and he could discuss what they’d learned, ask questions, review projects or spark the kinds of discussions I just wasn’t capable of having. Between the kids’ assignments and watching them interact with him, I could gauge if anything actually sank in.

Another resource I heavily exploited were history courses, books and lesson plans.  Those were great, as all I had to do was follow along with the kids, monitor the lessons, grade the papers, then fetch more courses, books and lesson plans.  There were gads of great products to teach history when we first started — even more now – so I just chose the ones I thought my kids would like the best.  Sometimes, I let them choose, too.

In addition to those, I bought every kid’s history book and biography I could get my hands on — encyclopedias, too (Usborne and Kingfisher becoming favorites). I filled our shelves with something about everything. Plus, I took full advantage of television programming, and series after series of DVDs I ordered from a variety of teaching services and web sites.  Oh, and I bought project books so we could create scenes, dioramas, lap-books, foldable cities, and all the rest.

Turns out, history in our home was an absolute blast!  Most every lesson was successful, and my boys thoroughly enjoyed everything we did.  And though I can’t remember the upshot of lots of our lessons to save my own life, it’s okay. Because they do.  Phew.

And though I can’t remember the upshot of lots of our lessons to save my own life, it’s okay….

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As my kids got older, they began taking history classes outside the home the way some kids take math.  (Math is easy for me, and I teach most levels myself.)  In high school, virtual programs, co-op classes, online college classes, and history courses on DVD were our friends.

I’m happy to report my kids continue to enjoy reading and learning about history all the time, both on their own, and as a shared activity with my husband.  I don’t know many people who know as much about World War II, the Vietnam War, or ancient civilizations than my boys.  Again, phew.

I don’t know many people who know as much about…ancient civilizations than my boys. Again, phew.

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In my defense, I really do love history and I love learning it beside my kids.  And relationships in science and other areas come easily to me, for some reason.  But, I am not embarrassed to say I could not have been nearly as successful in history without the many, many resources I brought into our home to help me.  And because my kids move on to college, graduate with top honors, and are functioning well in life, I am fully convinced we did something right.

So, now, do you see how homeschool parents don’t always need to know everything?

Told you so.

Marie-Claire Moreau, Quick Start Homeschool

 

More like this:

Parents don’t need to know everything. In homeschool, that’s ok.

Do homeschool parents need special qualifications?

Chemistry and Calculus: Solutions for teaching tougher classes

SHARE it, will you?

Written by Marie-Claire · Categorized: Homeschool · Tagged: history, lesson plans, social studies

Sep 07 2014

Big list of history/social studies/geography

list for history

A list of resources to teach and learn History, Social Studies and Geography

{inclusion does not imply endorsement}

* denotes products specifically for geography, or which contain significant geography content

A History of US

The Classical Historian

History Odyssey

* Maps, Charts and Graphs / Modern Curriculum Press

Heritage Studies BJU Press

Heritage History

Oak Meadow High School History & Social Studies

America: The Story of Us

Ingri and Edgar D’Aulaire books

Greathall Productions audio

Jim Hodges audio

Evan-Moor

Beautiful Feet Books

Memoria Press

* Little Passports

Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett

Moving Beyond the Page

Horrible Histories / Horrible Geography

Christian Liberty

BiblioPlan

A Beka Book

Learning Adventures

KONOS History of the World

Alpha Omega

John Green’s Crash Course in World History / Khan Academy

* Knowledge Quest

* Galloping the Globe

Tapestry of Grace

Diana Waring Presents

Heart of Dakota

Drive Thru History

Trail Guide to Learning / Geography Matters

Veritas Press

Winter Promise

Truth Quest

Sonlight

The Mystery of History

History at our House

Childhood of Famous Americans series

Usborne Encyclopedia of World History

A Living History of Our World

Kingfisher History Encyclopedia

Notgrass Company

Time Travelers American History

Easy Peasy Homeschool Ancient History / Early American / Geography / Modern American

The Story of the World

American Heritage Education Foundation

History Channel

socialstudies dot com

Want more BIG LISTS like this?  CLICK HERE!

 

Marie-Claire Moreau, Quick Start Homeschool

 

 

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Written by Marie-Claire · Categorized: Homeschool · Tagged: big list, books, classroom resources, geography, history, reading, social studies, unit studies

Jun 09 2014

Field Trips: Fun with a purpose

Photo: Moreau

When was the last time your children were excited about something they’d learned?  Was it after reading a book?  Hearing a lecture?  Seeing something on television?

Great!

Could it also have been after visiting a place of interest and seeing something first-hand?

Even better!

When teaching our children, it is important to notice — and remember – times when our kids are really engaged and deeply learning.  By adding more of these opportunities into our homeschool days, we can insure that quality learning occurs in many different ways — not just from a curriculum or a book.

Did you know that many children actually learn much more when on a field trip or participating in some “live” activity?  For some kids, just the act of experiencing something themselves creates a richer environment and sparks greater interest than just hearing or reading that lesson alone.  Parents sometimes call this, “hands on” learning.  I like to think of field trips as ways for learners to “step into” experiences, instead of watching them from the outside.

The flexibility of homeschooling makes it possible to plan field trips all year long.  These live experiences may be scheduled randomly throughout the year or added as a regular part of every homeschool week (i.e., “Field Trip Friday”).  Any number of experiences add another dimension of fun and learning.  Field trips don’t have to be far away or expensive, either (read THIS).

One of the best field trips our family has ever taken was at the former homes of Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe (neighbors — who knew?).  I could spend hours writing about these tours and accompanying museum displays — it was some of the finest learning we have ever experienced, sparking months and months of reading, research and studies after the fact (there are still several titles on our reading lists to this day).

If you’re homeschooling, consider adding more field trips and live experiences into your homeschool repertoire.   These days are often unforgettable.

My kids and I often think back on this scene, that of Mark Twain’s solarium in his Hartford, CT home:

 

Photo: Moreau

 

We imagine all of the dreaming and inspiration that occurred while he and his family shared books and conversation on the divan nearby.  It was a day that impacted each of us so much, and I know my children will never forget.

Don’t you love to be able to say that about things your kids are learning?

Is it time for another field trip?

Marie-Claire Moreau, Quick Start Homeschool

 

For more information about this location, visit:

Mark Twain House and Museum

Harriet Beecher Stowe Center

For more posts like this, click:

Edge-of-their-seats-learning

Science fairs for homeschoolers

Accidental Learning

I talk about how to discover ways your child learns best in my book, Suddenly Homeschooling.  Feel free to grab a copy if you’d like advice about recognizing patterns of learning and incorporating more of those into your daily homeschooling.

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago.  A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast.  Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever.  A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT,Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide.  Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Written by Marie-Claire · Categorized: Homeschool · Tagged: car and travel, elementary, high school, history, lesson planning, middle school, Outdoor classroom, relaxed, science, unit studies, unschooling

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