unschooling Archives - Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau

Jan 30 2018

25 Great YouTube Channels for Students

People have long watched YouTube for entertainment. But, as the amount of educational content keeps growing, YouTube is increasingly becoming a valid learning tool for today’s students.

For myself, YouTube is one of the first places I go to learn something free. I see and hear of its benefits from families I work with throughout the year. I imagine a not-too-distant future in which people learn directly from YouTube and similar platforms, and no longer need anything else. Strange as it seems, a world without the need for books or organized curriculum may not be very far away.

I spent this morning trying to recall some of the YouTube channels my family really enjoyed over the last few years. I created a list of some of our favorite channels, and added several I recently discovered on my own. With so much content, it wasn’t easy choosing only 25 channels to share with you. Once you begin watching, you’ll probably find others that appeal to you, too. Stick with a couple of topics, or branch off as you desire. Sometimes, following rabbit trails and discovering new things can be part of the fun.

To protect your students, I must suggest you preview all videos first. Then, enjoy some of my picks with your students this year.

My Top 25 YouTube Learning Channels

in alphabetical order, each opens new window

The Backyard Scientist

The Brain Scoop

The Slow Mo Guys

Timeline – World History Documentaries

Today I Found Out

Veritasium

Know of a great learning channel I missed? Add a COMMENT for my readers.

And SHARE with friends, will you? Other parents want to hear about this!

Happy viewing!

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.

Check out Marie-Claire’s new book for Florida home educators…it’s on Amazon HERE.

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.

Sep 17 2015

Fear of change

I remember being 25, an Assistant Professor at the time, asked to give a lecture about a topic I had little experience in. It had to do with the practical considerations and psychological implications of undertaking a system-wide redesign within an organization, one that could theoretically pull the rug from under the feet of many employees at one time. Knowing my limitations, I purposed to research the topic to death over the weekend, then fake it the best I could on Monday morning.

I recall thinking that weekend about what that kind of change would really feel like to people in that situation. I remember reading articles all about stress, insecurity and facing unknown in the workplace, really trying to understand the kinds of reactions a major upheaval like that would cause for the people who worked there.

That was actually the first time I really thought about change. Though I hated change and was living a very inflexible life, I had never taken the time to wonder why.

After my research, I remember thinking thank goodness it wasn’t just me. I learned that, for most people, change isn’t exactly a welcome thing. Until that point, it was something I just never knew. What a relief.

I’ve come to understand much more about change over the years. Mostly from my own experiences, but also by observing it in others. Turns out, it’s true what I discovered years before — change is akin to fear. And, though it may be necessary — sometimes even very exciting – the stresses and insecurities that come with changing course towards the unknown are very, very real.

I’ve learned it’s natural how worry accompanies change. When we contemplate a big decision, a life altering switch, or a relatively major transition, we’re prone to worry. Are we making the correct choices? Are we sure we’re following exactly the right path? What if we make a mistake? Can we take the change back if things don’t work out?

I’ve learned there is comfort in knowing. No matter the struggle, no matter how bad, no matter the senselessness of it all, at least we know what is. Change changes all that. At least for a time, there is no knowing. There is no guarantee change will solve something, let alone anything. There is never a promise change won’t make everything worse.

Perhaps the biggest lesson I’ve learned, however, is that change requires faith. Faith in those guiding us toward that change, faith in the efforts of those supporting and lifting us during the transition, faith in the tools and techniques we’ve selected to help us along, and faith in ourselves to succeed.

I understand this fear of change. I face it regularly. But, friends, there comes a moment when we must rise against our fears and do what is necessary to create the lives we want.

Is there an area of your life you’d like to change? Will you state your intention in the COMMENT box, so my readers and I can offer words of support? Will you stand for the change you’d like to see in your life, and take the steps necessary to move forward?

I am standing for you, too.

May 07 2015

Making it measurable

Everyone knows homeschooling is personal. It’s our business. With few restrictions, we get to choose what we do. And that’s the way we like it.

On the other hand, this is real life. Despite the freedom, the reality is that after graduation (usually slightly before) someone, somewhere is going to start asking questions. Certain people are going to want to know what we did all those years.

Don’t kid yourself, parent. No matter how fervently independent you may have been to this point, there will come a time — when nearing completion or right after graduation – when you’ll have to start sharing, disclosing and proving. Your student will be asked produce evidence of high school completion. Whether it’s for college admissions, scholarship committees, employers, or somewhere else — it’s going to happen at one time or another.

That’s where quantifying high school comes in. You need to make sure everything is measurable.

Let me be clear. I don’t want to dictate your homeschool style. And I never suggest withholding from a child what he or she really wants to study in whatever way he or she wants to study it.

What I’m saying is, there will be someone on the other end, hand held out, waiting for a transcript, a list of completed courses, a final credit count, a diploma, a test score, or some other measurement of your child’s high school years. And it’s your job to provide it.

In high school, remembering to record what your student does, how he did it, where he did it, the number of hours he did it, or how well he did it, becomes crucial. Only by carefully tracking experiences can you count them, measure them, label them, and put them on a transcript.

Only by carefully tracking experiences can you count them, measure them, label them, and put them…

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So important is the record-keeping process in high school, that it can make or break the student’s immediate plans after graduation. I’m not trying to scare you. Actually, I guess I am trying to scare you. Just try to imagine recreating the last 8 or 9 years of homeschool completely from memory — that’s the kind of horror you’ll face at the end of your child’s high school years if you haven’t bothered to track and measure. Which really, really stinks for your student, since you may underestimate something crucial — something that’ll cost her something important, like an acceptance letter, a scholarship, a job, or something else. Or, you might omit something entirely, something that really needed to be there, like a requirement for the next stage of your child’s life, making it impossible for him to proceed. Or, you might inadequately describe something, so that even though your child did it, those looking in from the outside aren’t able to tell.

When homeschooling high school, please, please write everything down. Establish some system, no matter what it is, of keeping track of what your teen is up to. If it’s well-organized, all the better. But even a box or bin where you drop random notes throughout the year is better than nothing. These notes will make the difference between a successful finish and a major disappointment for your kid.

…even a box or bin where you drop random notes throughout the year is better than nothing.

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Then, as you record things, make it a habit of measuring them, too:

Measure whether certain requirements have been fulfilled.

Measure whether it is enough of something or requires a little bit more of something.

Measure if the quality was high enough.

Measure if the experience will at least minimally satisfy the criteria of what the student needs for the next stage.

Measure whether someone looking in from the outside would consider what your student did to be worthy of whatever-it-is they have to offer.

One of the things I do is help parents measure high school. Usually, I work with those who haven’t kept detailed records, have no idea of the worth of certain experiences, or don’t really understand what their child has actually done. I help sort through facts, document experiences and put together evidence of completion. I help them measure.

I love doing what I do. But, you can do this yourself, too. Start early and remain consistent throughout the high school years. You’ll get it.

Want ideas for record keeping, measuring experiences and how to award credit? I’ll list some articles for you, below. Don’t forget to read them and follow the links inside, as well.

If you still need help, let me know.

Awarding credit three different ways

Record-keeping made simple

Comprehensive high school binder

Credits explained

Earning credit for life skills

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. The founder of many homeschool 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 system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, or with no educational background whatsoever. A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations and a homeschool leader in Florida, Marie-Claire also mentors homeschool families nationwide. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, and many other events. She currently writes for audiences at Quick Start Homeschool, which she founded in 2010, and as a guest writer on other sites as often as she can. Her articles have appeared in CONNECT magazine, on Homefires, at Circle of Moms, and she has contributed to hundreds of other blogs nationwide. Dr. Moreau can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Nov 05 2014

Climb that ladder. But remember to bring the kiddies along, too.

I’m about to push a button. By writing about something a little touchy.

I fear I may ruffle some feathers.

In advance — I’m sorry.

But, if you’ve been with me for some time, you’ve begun to understand. Read previous posts if you have to.

You know I don’t want you to settle. And I don’t think you need to sacrifice yourself just to homeschool, either.

Remember, I started this blog, this web site, and began offering my services because I want your life to be extraordinary.

Mine is.

I know you want that, too.

But, if I’m right, in addition to homeschooling, making a home, and being a parent, another part of you wants personal and professional success.

You want a job, a career, and a reason to get up in the morning besides math and laundry.

You seek online popularity. A following. Connection. A side income. Free product. An outlet, a hobby, fulfillment, recognition, appreciation, and the rest. Or, maybe you need to replace — even exceed – a full-time income, too. I get that. I really do.

You can have it.

But, a word of caution…

Your kids need you, too.

See, if you aren’t careful, observant, ultra vigilant and very-very-very aware, your path to success can be detrimental to your kids.

That’s right — you might actually harm them.

In fact, while it may seem innocent enough, your commitment to your success, your personal evolution, your professional development — while commendable and certainly very valuable for you – well, it could leave them (your kids) in the dust.

…your personal evolution, your professional development…could leave your kids in the dust.

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The dust, folks.

In search of your own success, isn’t it possible — even a teensy bit possible – that there isn’t enough of you left for them?

Taking your attention away from your kids and heaping it upon yourself has a way of undermining things. Your homeschooling, for sure. But, in reality, everything surrounding and having to do with your kids.

Let me be very clear. For us homeschool parents, focusing on ourselves is necessary. It’s required for our health, a prerequisite for our sanity, and critically necessary for our relationships and overall happiness. It’s a no-brainer, really. ALL parents need a break every once in a while.

But overly focusing on ourselves (our blogs, our stats, our social media, our goals, our training) is risky. Unless well-scheduled and well-balanced, there may be little time left to focus on the other things we need to do. As in, our kiddies.

When climbing your own ladder of success, please — I beg you. Take your children with you.

When climbing your own ladder of success, please — I beg you. Take your children with you.

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See, it’s a balancing act. And I’m worried. Because, for some of you, that balance may not be quite right.

I worry you may ignore them.

I worry you may shush them, assign busywork, brush them off, or turn on the television/computer/video box, a little too much.

I worry the lure of a second income, the distraction of social media, and the whole ‘I can have it all’ mentality may suck you in.

And, heck, I’ll just say it…I worry achieving your professional goals may make you less-than-a-great-parent. Not forever. But at a time when your kids really need you.

Have I ever been guilty? You bet. But, fortunately, I think I learned quickly. I can tell when I’ve ignored my role or my family just a little too much. I can recognize when I have allowed something in our home or school or health or relationships to slip. Either I notice it, or they tell me.

That’s why I don’t blog more often.

That’s why my list of projects is always a mile long.

Believe me, this all takes practice. I’m not perfect, either. It takes trial and error to get the balance just right, and then things go and change, so you have to start all over again. In our home, this seems to happen several times a year.

But it’s worth it, don’t you think? Because the kids won’t need 100% of you forever.

Besides, your kids want to climb, too. They need to. That’s why you’re doing everything you do!

Try to remember why you’re homeschooling, as this will guide you. You’ll know when to give the kids a boost, helping them to reach the first and second steps. You’ll know when to hold their hands, and when to back up and just start holding the ladder. You’ll know when to stand there watching nervously, and when it’s time to turn your back so they can climb alone.

And, if you’ve done your job right, they’ll know how to avoid the top-most, wobbly step.

And then there will be more time for you.

So, when you plan your success, parents, feel free to climb separately from your children, or by holding hands together.

But, please, just don’t climb alone.

Other articles you might like:

Time out for moms and dads

Growing great habits

The importance of listening to your kids

Working parents can homeschool, too

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