Even the best students, whether homeschooled or in public school, seem to slack off in the spring. Whatever the cause, spring fever seems to be universal. This is a good time to try something different. Since the weather is nice (or is supposed to be!), it's a good time for outdoor activities. According to statistics, West Virginia children are overweight. Homeschoolers have an advantage to avoid this problem more easily, since the kids don't have to spend hours sitting on buses and sitting in classrooms. There are more opportunities for exercise and we all ought to take advantage of them.

With fuel prices at an all-time high, field trips to distant places are often out of the question. However, there are always local roads to hike, bicycles to ride, and outdoor games for all ages. If you have a garden, give small children a plot where they can grow something interesting. Teenagers often balk at anything that looks like work; but if you start them young enough, they might get interested. Many of them actually enjoy yard work. Is this "educational?" When they grow up, they might appreciate knowing how to plant a garden or start a lawn mower!

There are a lot of nature studies and science projects that can be done outdoors. Learning to identify wild plants and trees is especially useful if you include avoiding poison ivy as part of the lesson! Plant flowers that attract birds and butterflies and keep a log of the different species you see in the yard and on walks. Take digital photos of the ones you can't identify so you can look them up in a bird book or on the Internet. We spent weeks one year trying to get a look at a bird we heard right before it rained, every time. We finally caught a glimpse of it and after an Internet search discovered it was "the rain crow" - the yellow billed cuckoo. Now we listen for it!

West Virginia has many historic sites and state parks. At least a few of these should be within driving distance of most people. Check the West Virginia Department of Tourism website and call 1-800-CALLWVA and ask for the 2008 Tourist guide. This is an annual publication that is free for the asking and contains a lot of information, maps of various parts of the state, lists of events, etc. There are many events in the state that never get listed in the guide because of the advertising cost, but the parks and many historic sites and events are listed.

Researching events and sites to visit can be a good rainy day activity. Hand the kids a WV map and have them figure out which events and places are close enough for visits. Let them calculate the mileage, figure out what the gas would cost, and do all the planning including a menu for a picnic lunch along the way. Enjoy the springtime, April showers and all.