December Unschooling Voices:

I have been a bit behind in answering the monthly question for the unschooling voices blog circle, so I thought I would get a jumpstart on December's topic, especially since the answer comes so easy to me!

December topic: What interesting activites, projects or experiments have your kids done this past year? We've gotten some really cool ideas from other unschoolers so tell us what you've done in 2006!

There are so many things that I can think of that fit this topic. I thought the easiest way to answer was to draw some of my favorite activities together in one post. These are really just the highlights from this "school" year (starting in July). You are welcome to search the archieves to find out more of just what we have done in the past!

Geocaching: http://theriesenbergs.blogspot.com/2006/11/geocaching-yesterday-fellow.html what kids isn't up for a treasure hunt? This is by far my favorite of our new activities! The kids and I can't wait to find more local caches and to use our new GPS (I got one for my birthday, days after our first adventure) to find caches as we travel!

Homeschool Biography Fair: http://theriesenbergs.blogspot.com/2006/11/what-second-annual-biography-fair-when.html it is quite interesting when kids are free to pick their own subjects and present them how they chose! Even the youngest of children seem eager to participate! Although this could be quite "schooly" if run by someone with a differnt agenda, it is an awesome experience for all the kids. We also host a science fair (Jan), Architecture fair (Feb), Geography fair (Mar), Art Fair (May) and a writer's tea (June).

Pioneer Village Tour:http://theriesenbergs.blogspot.com/2006/10/what-pioneer-village-tour-when.html It is funny when you attend an event run by homeschoolers, how they just UNDERSTAND what you want to get out of a fieldtrip. I can't recommend this event highly enough!

Red Hall of Fame Tour: http://theriesenbergs.blogspot.com/2006/09/what-reds-hall-of-fame-and-stadium.html My boys LOVED this program, little did they realize what an intensive math program it was!

Vactioning at Long's Retreat: http://theriesenbergs.blogspot.com/2006/08/vacation-at-longs-retreat-latham-ohio.html The joys (and ADVENTURES) of vacationing off season!

4-H: Obviously we are a bit obsessed as there are 3 posts related to this, http://theriesenbergs.blogspot.com/2006/07/2006-4-h-winners-circle-we-have-had-so.html, http://theriesenbergs.blogspot.com/2006/07/4-h-demonstrations-this-year-we.html and http://theriesenbergs.blogspot.com/2006/07/sophie-takes-bake-it-championship-our.html I can't encourage unschoolers and homeschoolers enough to research making 4-H part of your lives! It has been nothing but a WONDERFUL experience for us.