There are hundreds of energy resources available online to help you homeschool. While some are behind a paywall, we're happy to keep providing the Watt Watchers program for free during this time thanks to the generosity and support from our sponsors and partners.
You may be intimidated by the very idea of homeschooling. However, it's an excellent opportunity to bond with your kids while teaching them all about the importance of energy and energy conservation.
In this blog, we'll take a look at what the electricity curriculum looks like for kids aged 6 – 18 (this includes elementary, middle school, and high school) and show you some of the best science and energy resources you can use to homeschool your children.
The central aspect of homeschooling to keep in mind is that you need to keep the lessons and activities age-appropriate. Every child is different, so take your own child's abilities and learning into account when deciding on an energy curriculum.
When you first start drawing up a science curriculum to homeschool your kid, it can be intimidating even to know where to start. There are hundreds of programs online to help homeschool your children, and it can be difficult to distinguish between high-quality offerings and nonsense.
So if you have free time, why not design your own curriculum? It takes a bit of extra work, but it's a lot simpler than it sounds. Start by checking out the typical course of study for your child's grade and work your way from there. For example, this page provides a good idea of what your child should be learning by grade so you can create a lesson for students in elementary school, middle school, or high school.
Identify topics that you want to cover, and also get input from your kids on what they'd like to learn about first while homeschooling. Children are naturally curious and will probably have some questions about electricity or science that you'd be able to answer.
A good piece of advice when drawing up a homeschool curriculum is to start with one topic or subject, such as electricity or energy. You can then take what you've learned and build it into a lesson plan for all your child's needs.
Finally, don't be afraid to consult with your child's science teachers while they're out of school. Most teachers would love to help parents out, especially if you're planning to homeschool due to the current lockdown. They'll be able to help provide you with invaluable information about your child's current state of knowledge and progress in school and what the plan for the year was.
The internet is jam-packed with free science resources you can easily find. The most challenging part is deciding which science resource sites to use and which ones to avoid if you're planning to homeschool your child. We've compiled a list of some of our favorite science resources that cover energy and electricity. Most of these sites also cover many more topics to kick-start your kid's appetite for learning.
The Watt Watchers program is a school-based program that helps schools reduce energy use by teaching students about energy saving and efficiency. While the program aims to reduce a school's energy consumption, there are plenty of ways that you can adapt their curriculum and activities to a homeschooling environment.
The Watt Watchers program is free because the State Energy Conservation Office fully funds it. All the lesson plans, projects, and curriculum supplements are on the website, so you can pick and choose which ones will meet your needs and help with your lesson.
Watt Watchers divides student activities into six main themes, such as electricity, water, and food. The overarching idea of the program is to teach kids about energy sustainability in all aspects of their life. The activities tend to cross over so that you can reinforce specific ideas through several activities outside of the classroom.
Nova is a source of high-quality documentaries on a wide array of topics. It’s a great supplement to keep your kids engaged and interested in science as a whole. The website has plenty of videos about energy and the need for sustainability.
The NSDL has information on almost any topic you can imagine. The site is easy to navigate and offers lesson plans and resources for educators and learners. You can use the advanced search function to hone in on a particular topic.
If you're struggling to bring ideas and concepts to life, check out Science Kids. The site has hundreds of interactive experiments that will whet your kid's appetite for all forms of science. It also has lesson plans and strategies to help you get your message across.
As you'd expect from one of the world's premier magazines, National Geographic Kids is well-designed and incredibly informative. While the site focuses primarily on geography and anthropology, there are plenty of resources to teach your kids about the importance of sustainability and careful energy use.
We'd love to help answer any questions and help you get started! Drop us a line and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Watt Watchers of Texas
204 E. Dean Keeton Street, Austin, Texas 78712
contact@watt-watchers.com
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Watt Watchers de Texas
204 E. Dean Keeton Street, Austin, Texas 78712
contact@watt-watchers.com