Make Learning Stick: Concrete Examples in Homeschool

In this episodwe explore Concrete Examples (a research‑backed teaching strategy that helps children understand abstract ideas by connecting them to specific, everyday experiences.) You’ll learn:* What concrete examples are and how they differ from abstract explanations.* Why research shows concrete examples improve understanding and memory.* A step‑by‑step script you can use one‑on‑one with your child in math, reading, science, history, and life skills.* How to adapt this strategy across subjects and ages in your homeschool.Key Takeaways* Concrete examples “anchor” abstract ideas (like fractions, empathy, democracy, or evaporation) in real, tangible situations your child can see, touch, or act out.* Research shows that when students connect new concepts to vivid, relatable examples, they understand and remember them better.* Cycling the same concept through different concrete examples over time helps your child generalize the idea to new situations.Resources & LinksHere are a few places you can explore more about concrete examples and related teaching strategies:* The Learning Scientists – Concrete ExamplesA clear, parent‑friendly explanation of the concrete examples strategy and how to use it in studying and teaching.https://www.learningscientists.org/blog/2016/8/25-1* BookWidgets – “Help students learn better by using concrete examples”A practical blog post that shows how concrete examples help students grasp abstract ideas through real‑life hooks.https://www.bookwidgets.com/blog/2020/10/help-students-learn-better-by-using-concrete-examples-in-your-lessons* “Understanding by Design” – Wiggins & McTighe (book)A foundational book on instructional design that emphasizes using concrete examples and real‑world contexts to help students “see” big ideas.* “Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning” – Brown, Roediger, & McDaniel (book)Explores concrete examples alongside retrieval practice, spaced repetition, and other high‑impact learning strategies, with quotes about how vivid, relatable examples are more likely to be remembered. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit homeschoolce.substack.com