When your teen or tween is finished with assigned learning activities from school, here are some fun and inspiring enrichment activities.
Learn something new! Get ahead! Use time during school closures to learn something that really interests you. Find and grow your interests and passions!
READ A BOOK
Read anything you like.
Choose something you don’t normally have time to read. Set aside time every day to read! (Try bedtime. Reading before bed is an effective way to calm your mind before slumber.)
Remember D.E.A.R. Time in class? Drop Everything And Read. Do this every day.
Pick a regular time!
Audible.ca Students listen for FREE during school closures. Sign up today!
INCREASE YOUR VOCABULARY
Impress your friends, teachers, and parents with impressive new vocabulary!
Create vocabulary flashcards and use dictionary.com, or go ahead and use these cheat sheets on Spark Notes.
For instructions about how to create flashcards, check out the YouTube video that I push during SSAT prep. These basic instructions will work for you while you grow your vocabulary.
MATH DRILLS
Learn your math facts (yes, I’m talking about times tables, here!) Master your addition / subtraction / multiplication facts, for once and for all.
Make a some flashcards, using cue cards and Sharpies. Challenge your family. Impress your teachers later!
This is a challenge for kids of all ages. Everyone can improve their mental math!
There are many free math drill programs available online. To get started, check this one out.
LEMONADE STAND
Are you a wannabe entrepreneur?
Then develop your entrepreneurial spirit online. Create, build, and run your own business, from the ground up using Lemonade Stand.
Free trial for first-time users. Recommended for kids aged 10-16.
In this program, they don’t ask you “what do you want to be when you grow up?”
Instead, they ask, “what problem do you want to solve?”
I think this is brilliant. Definitely twenty-first century thinking!
ACTIVE HISTORY
Incredible website out of the UK. It has countless creative, interactive, and fun simulations of history. Active History challenges students at all levels, and brings history to life.
I recommend it for students in middle and high school.
KIALO EDU
This is an awesome debating platform.
Get Debating!
For the debaters out there who want more practice during school closures: check out Kailo Edu to build your critical thinking skills. Sign up, pick a topic of interest, and learn how to get started with the instruction videos and explanations. This site is incredible!
WRITING PROMPTS
Designating time to writing daily is a wonderful habit to start. If you’re stuck for topics, here are some creative prompts to inspire creative thinking!
POST-SECONDARY COURSES AT 140 UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE GLOBE
Find a course that interests you. Start virtual classes and see what you think!
Discover new interests and develop passions. Who knows where this will take you!
Personally, I plan to start Yale College's most popular course ever this week: The Science of Well Being. I've heard tons about this course, and will jump on the chance to take it online!
MATH AND COMPUTING ENRICHMENT: University of Waterloo
Try some math and computing lessons from a variety of resources shared by the University of Waterloo.
Go back to school ahead of the class!
Check back in a few days for more resources and ideas for enrichment activities to keep your family busy during school closures.
Take care!