How to Homeschool Using Netflix

Published:
August 30, 2019

Contributor:
Jeannette Tuionetoa

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I am unsure why this is so, but it is said that we remember more when we watch something on a screen like a video, movie, and T.V. show. They say the information learned from what you watch is stuck in your subconscious more so than reading words on a page. That little fact is enough to consider using visual resources like them in homeschool. That being said, learning how to homeschool using Netflix seems to be a great move.

How to Homeschool Using Netflix

I have to admit that we are a Netflix family. I live in a second world country, and we literally, were able to access Netflix just last year. We do not have a television, so we subscribed to Netflix to watch movies together online as a family.

We also use Netflix to reward our children with a kid’s movie at the end of the homeschool week. I never put much thought into using Netflix to homeschool our kids. Although searching through the titles on Netflix, I see how this has become an actual option.

Note: The first thing I would like to advise is that you review anything you show to your kids before you plan on showing them the resource. Mainly in anything science-themed, I found that many of the resources emphasize that the Earth is millions of years old.

I still let my kids watch these types of videos, although I let them know that it isn’t true and that there is no basis for it. It would be good to teach your children what the Lord says about Creation in Genesis prior to watching science videos.

The rising costs of cable have made streaming sites like Netflix gain an edge on audiences. For about $10 per month, you have hundreds of options. It is a no brainer to use it as a homeschooling resources if you are able. You can separate accounts between each member of your family, which helps with what your children see and don’t see.

Netflix has shows about people, cultures, natural disasters, unexplained phenomena, animals, climates,  and geographical shows. Anywhere and anytime — with an internet connection — makes the perfect time to homeschool with Netflix.

Homeschooling with Netflix for aspiring architects/interior designers:

If your student has shown interest in interior design or architecture, Netflix has developed shows for this very passion. After your student watches the series, have them try to recreate their favorite designs or even create some of their own. Have them write about why they liked the design or even what life as an interior designer or architect might be like for them. Here are a few shows that they might like:

Grand Designs (Age: 13+) is a show presenting people who take self-building houses to new levels. This takes the audience from beginning to end. 

The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes (Age:7+)  is a series with an award-winning architect who travels the world touring beautiful, unconventional homes.

Amazing Interiors (Age: 13+) is an interior design show where houses are typical on the outside and AMAZING on the inside. It shows from start to finish design.

Using Netflix for science and geography:

Need to add some spunk into your science curriculum? These resources from Netflix can spark a unit study, research topics, writing assignments, and projects.

Our Planet (Age:7+) is the breathtaking exploration of animals in their habitats.

The 72 series episodes (Age: 13+). This show depicts 72 of the most dangerous animals, 72 of the cutest animals, and more.

One Strange Rock (Age:7+) is a series that follows eight astronauts who share their unique perspectives on Earth. 

Life in the Blue (Age:7+) explores below the surface of the ocean, and how hunters, hiders and other types of sea life use shallow waters. 

Wildlife Quest (Age:7+) is a series on a safari through Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa and learns how its animals and their young cope in a variety of environments.

National Parks Adventure (ALL ages) is a documentary tour of the awe-inspiring landscapes, historic sites, and untamed wilderness of America’s great parks. 

If I Were an Animal (ALL ages) is a sweet children’s series exploring lives of animals, so kids get to know more about how animals grow, behave, and why.

Culture & history Netflix titles:

These two resources are great to go alongside book reports and history unit studies.

The Wheelchair President (Age: 13+) This examines how President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s health and failed marriage impacted the conclusion and aftermath of World War II.

The Civil War (Age: 13+) depicts the action of famous Civil War battles and relates the stories of the soldiers, generals, and the president.

Homeschool with Netflix for business-minded students:

If your student has an entrepreneurial character or you would like to encourage them in their ideas. Use this resource as a way to motivate and build confidence. Have your children rank the proposals and decide why they chose the lowest or highest-ranked proposal/idea on the show. Did they agree or disagree with the panel and why?

Shark Tank (Age: 13+) is a show where ambitious entrepreneurs with ideas they believe will reap huge profits make their cases before a panel of ruthlessly inquisitive, skeptical investors.

Using Netflix in your homeschool for general knowledge fun:

General knowledge is something kids just can’t get enough of. Watching Cash Cab, kids can get to know random bits of information and test their own general knowledge. Make your own game on road trips and see just how fun your kids will have.

Cash Cab (Age: 13+) I love Cash Cab because my kids can watch it with us, and it is set in New York. Random people enter a taxi cab unassuming — but enter a game where they are asked trivia questions to win money, or at the very least get a free cab ride to their destination. If your family loves trivia, they will love this.

Learn about cooking with Netflix:

Cooking shows are the best and life skills are essential. These two go hand and hand. Task your students to attempt one of the recipes at home. 

Nailed It (Age: 13+) is a super fun show where contestants try to “nail” a caked/dessert by making it themselves. It is pretty hilarious.

Sugar Rush (Age: 13+) is a baking show where kids compete against each other for the best dessert challenges.

The Final Table (Age: 13+) is a global cooking competition where 24 chefs from all over the world compete to be an international culinary legend.

The Big Family Cooking Showdown (Age: 13+) is where four families compete in a brunch challenge with surprise ingredients.

Homeschool with Netflix for Bible:

As much as my kids love when my husband and I read God’s Word with them, they still enjoy some Bible animation to go alongside the lessons they are learning. These resources are available on Netflix for your kids to enjoy some good Biblically-based fun. Have your young ones draw or write about their favorite parts or characters.

Veggie Tales (ALL ages) If you are studying the books of the Bible with your loved ones, then Veggie Tales is always good to go alongside your lessons.

The STAR(ALL ages) is an animated story that follows a donkey and other animals in an imaginative retelling of the Nativity story.

The Chronicles of Narnia (Age: 13+) is, of course, C.S, Lewis is a movie where four kids travel through a wardrobe to the land of Narnia and learn of their destiny to free it with the guidance of a mystical lion. Aslan, a main character and lion,  is a literary Christ figure who plays a pivotal role in the story of Narnia, just as Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith.

Want to hear about more Netflix resources for your homeschool? Check out this ultimate list of Netflix family-friendly shows for your homeschooling family.

Netflix truly makes it easy to supplement your homeschool curriculum with visuals and holds a wealth of knowledge. Netflix provides hours of screen time you can be OK with your kids watching. They make for great sick-day learning fun and road-trip learning entertainment.

How to Homeschool Using Netflix

All you need to do is tie in your Netflix resources to your Homeschool Planet planner yearly schedule and plug them into your lessons or unit studies. Check out Homeschool Planet’s planner online for 30 days FREE:

Try the World’s Best Homeschool Planner for FREE!

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