Great Green Idea: Green Parenting: Throwing Out the Textbooks in Homeschooling

Throwing Out the Textbooks in Homeschooling

Do you think that you can home school without a text book? It is possible with the advent of technology available in most homes. Think about all the textbooks that are used in the world today. How can you make a difference to help save the earth?

Textbooks

Textbooks are a part of life. There will always be good books to read that children love and we all will need the use of a dictionary at some point in life. It is possible to drastically reduce the number of physical textbooks used in schooling.

Technology

Technology advances continue on a regular basis giving students more tools to work with that will save the environment if used properly. Computer technology allows for students to use computers to create spreadsheets, write documents as well as leave notes on the computer.

Software is available to provide the ability for students to create art forms on the computer. Work can be saved on the computer as well as a hard copy saved on a separate medium. Theoretically, the lessons completed on the computer do not have to be printed out each time saving paper.

Software Programs

Software programs are available with a wide range of capabilities. Programs are also available to teach school subjects as well as help with grading of assignments. These programs also provide a dictionary, calculator as well as other needed resources. A wide range of other benefits are provided within individual programs.

Field Trips

Field trips are an important part of learning and do not have to cost. There are plenty of learning opportunities that allow hands on experience as well as observation with increased understanding. Art museums, parks, nature walks and science museums are a few examples.

Online Resources

Online resources are available to provide interesting lesson plans for children of all ages. Plans are available for special needs kids as well. The internet is loaded with learning objectives and hands on projects that can be done with the lessons taught. Member sites are also available as well as no cost sites. The possibilities are endless for learning materials.

Outside Resources

Local libraries also like to provide educational materials for readers. Borrowing books can help to save on textbook expense within the home school. Families from a home school group may also be willing to share materials helping provide for a better earth by recycling.

Really, nothing can ever replace sitting down with your child and reading a good book together. Discussing values and lessons learned hold enormous value, especially in the child's eyes. If we all work together, we can make a difference in the amount of printed material used for schooling. What resources to you have available for use in the home school that can reduce textbook use?