Lesson Plans from Learning Styles

Multiple Intelligence Theories Help Homeschoolers Plan Classes

Feb 12, 2008 Lisa Russell

Knowing how a child learns best is the key to crafting effective lesson plans. Homeschool lessons designed around learning styles make learning and teaching more fun.

Learning styles, the differing ways that children best receive and retain information, are considered important in the creation of classroom lesson plans. Harcourt Brace, a major publisher of classroom curriculum offers several supplementary tools to adapt their curriculum to each learning style.

In phonics, for example, they offer textured learning flashcards for students who learn best by touch, magnetic letters for students who learn best by handling objects, musical and poetic audio tracks for children who learn best by listening, or rhythm and picture cards for students who learn best visually, in addition to traditional textbooks for the children who learn best by reading.

Sometimes, teachers also present the subject differently for children who learn best with physical activity, dramatic biographies, and by building things. How can a homeschooling parent make lesson plans that work best for the specific needs of his/her children?

Homeschool Lesson Plans

In a homeschool setting, the only learning style to be considered is that of the children present. If you have a pack of rowdy boys, a lesson plan that involves sitting and reading quietly at the table for 45 minutes could cause frustration and interfere with learning. Such a situation does not make homeschooling sound like fun.

Combining Learning Styles with Teaching Goals

Your goal, for example, might be to have a child finish learning to count whole numbers, for kindergarten math. The child's aspirations, however, may not include writing tiny numbers in the math workbook; he’d rather get to the top of the maple tree. Forming a bridge between your separate goals might take the form of counting the branches. This solution enables the child to master counting without the frustration of writing numbers in the book.

Best Time for Learning

Consider this: learning doesn't have to take place between 8am and 2pm. Once a physically active child has burned off the energy of the day, perhaps in those relaxed hours after lunch or dinner (whenever those rare relaxed moments occur) they can be more open to academic knowledge. In fact, if there's a time of day when your child is sitting quietly with Legos or coloring books, you can be sure their mind is still working. The best time for learning is generally when your child is relaxed, receptive and comfortable.

According to a 1995 study by Arne-John Glenstrup and Theo Engell-Nielsen of the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, “what a (person) looks at is not necessarily an accurate indicator of what he is attending to.” Try reading the text of the history book while the child is naturally relaxed, even at bedtime, instead of in the morning when they'd rather climb in the trees. You might be surprised by how much they remember. Or, you could try reading the history text while they're playing dress-up. Wouldn’t it be a pleasant surprise to hear them say "Look, mom. I'm Nefertiti" just when you thought they weren't listening?

Learning Style Assessment

In order to find out how your child learns, you might want to pay attention to how he chooses to spend his free time. Is he climbing, dancing, singing, watching television, reading, talking, or drawing? There are several online assessments of learning styles and as you read the descriptions, you will likely find results you can use.

There are also local tutoring facilities, like Knowledge Points, and Sylvan Learning Center that offer Learning-Style assessments. You might find that your child has a combination of a few different learning styles, also called “multiple intelligences.” There are several books about learning styles and multiple intelligences on the market, some claiming there are 4 types of learners, others claiming there are 7 or 11.

What Works For You?

Consider, too your teaching style, and make sure that your chosen method of homeschooling isn't counter-productive to anyone's needs. If you have a child who learns best by listening and you happen to have a hard time reading out loud then you'll want to find other sources of spoken instruction, like audio books, cable television, videos and DVD's.

It's worth the extra effort, to plan lessons that coincide with a child's learning style. A love of learning isn't likely the result of drudgery or torturous hours spent repressing natural impulses.

The copyright of the article Lesson Plans from Learning Styles in Homeschooling is owned by Lisa Russell. Permission to republish Lesson Plans from Learning Styles in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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