One of the struggles we have been having is motivation to do what is needed with a good attitude. This goes for me, not just the students in our school. Frustrations have been a bit overwhelming lately so we have been working hard at changing things up a bit, creating a different example of school work and finding a different attitude towards said work. While this change has been beneficial in some ways, it has not been the magical fix I wish it were.
One of the changes we made was to have the girls begin working on research projects. They are not major research papers but are rather a short assignment of a topic. The girls and I work together to come up with a topic and the presentation of materials. This presentation could be just a paper on what was learned. But it could also be a play, a 3D showcase, a piece of artwork, a computer presentation – anything the student wants as long as they can convince me that their chosen presentation style will be able to accurately communicate the research done.
This is a blank notebooking page from NotebookingPages.com.
Miss L has been working on some butterfly research. A couple of week ago, she researched the life cycle of a butterfly. Her chosen product was to illustrate and label the life cycle. It came out beautifully.
Last week, she researched butterfly museum, using the internet to take a few virtual tours of butterfly farms, museums, and research centers. The product chosen for this one was to simply write up what she learned.
These simple nature studies have helped Miss L feel a bit more motivated about the other school work she still has to do. Nature studies are interesting and can really help make a needed change in setting, motivation, and ideas. We will be continuing these types of nature studies so that research skills are gained but also the interest remains high.
At Home.
Tagged: ABC blogging, notebooking, research, science
At Home 
Love that you are trying something new! Spring can be a challenge, too many fun distractions !
Spring is definitely a challenge!
I read your post this afternoon and I just smiled. Sitting imaging your conversations like I have with my boy… he’s still working on his cacti presentation for the end of the month. So much to consider and do and information to pull up. He gets a little boggled down eh? I hope the research projects continue to go well.
Thanks. I can’t wait to read about his cacti research.
It’s so nice when they have a little control over how they presen what was learned. My 6 year old found a field guide to venomous animals on our bookshelf and has been carrying it with him everywhere for days. I think I may have to create some lesson plans that go along with it!
Yes! I’ll bet he would love to do something. Even if it is just recreating his favorite from clay and then telling about it! What fun when they fall in love with a topic, even if for only a few days.
Very fun. You will have to get a butterfly garden for her to do.
We have been thinking about the best way to do that. She has planted some flowers already.
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