Introduction

Welcome to The Home School Challenge. Here, you will be treated to some very special and unique projects that we have tried and liked in our home school. Some of our ideas are fairly simple and logical. Others might seem outrageous and absurd, but we have fun, and learning is maximized. Be prepared to make education your lifestyle, rather than just something that the state requires.

HOMESCHOOL CHALLENGE #1

The Paper Clip Project:
*You need 1 paperclip, preferably a nice, colored one for each participant.

Give each participant one of the paperclips, and instruct them to trade their paperclips for something else. The idea is to trade up for something a little better than the paperclip. Then, they should take the item that they received for their paperclip, and trade that item for something else, each time, trying to get something a little better than what they start with. To learn more about how this can work, find out how a man bought a house with one, red paperclip at http://www.oneredpaperclip.com/. This project can last for a set period of time, or go on indefinitely. Obviously, if you are trying for a new house, you will have to exercise some patience and take your time with this project. Be prepared to laugh until your sides hurt, as you see the faces of people as your children sweetly ask them what they will give them for their paper clip. The lessons learned during this project are vast, but as unique to each child as the project itself. I would love to hear from you after you launch this project. What else can you use besides a paperclip? Try it and see.

Have a Great Day!
Laurel Santiago