By guest author Amy Roberts

It isn’t uncommon to hear a homeschool mom who is having a less-than-studious day say something like, “We are learning life skills today!” We laugh understandingly, but in the back of our minds we wonder,

“Can you do that?”

As a matter of fact, you can!

Here’s why…

If you are actively and purposefully teaching your children, it is school. Life skills count as school if they are being actively taught.

What do I mean by “actively taught?”

If you use the life skill to teach formal school subjects, then you can count those hours as school hours. You must be engaging your children in conversation and education, and they must be engaging in the act of learning. You cannot simply do a life skill and then call it school, but you certainly can teach along with the life skill and call that school.

Here are some examples of life skills and the school subjects they might encompass:

Grocery shopping

Math – price comparison, weights, units
Nutrition – calories, ingredients, additives, preservatives
Science – digestive tract, food production
Geography – origin of foods

Doctor’s office

Science – anatomy, medicine
Math – weights, measurements, volume

House cleaning

Home economics
Science – properties of common cleaners

Vacation

History – points of interest, historical figures and events of area
Math – mileage
Geography – map reading, topography

Hunting & Shooting Sports

Science – animal science
History – history of hunting and weapons
Math – trajectory, distances, windage and elevation, reloading and ammunition
Geography – landscape

Sewing

Math – measurements, angles
Science – textiles, gears and machines
History

Post Office

Math – weights, money
History

Dining out

Math – money
Nutrition – food groups, menus, content
Foreign language – based on restaurant
Cultural studies – decor, music, food

The possibilities truly are endless, but remember, you have to be actively and purposefully teaching while engaged in these life skills and activities in order to call it school.

So, fear not homeschool mama, you can be creative with your school hours!

What are some ways you have taught school using life skills?

About the Author: Amy Roberts

Amy Roberts of RaisingArrows.net is a Christ-follower, devoted wife, homeschooling mother of nine (with another due this fall), blogger, conference speaker, and author. Amy inspires the hearts of weary, overwhelmed mamas across the world as she offers practical and encouraging advice to help simplify the path and enjoy the journey of homemaking, homeschooling, marriage, and mothering. You can find this article and more at Raising Arrows.net.