"But I don’t care about that...” 😒

“I can’t get her excited about anything.”

Sometimes it feels like you’ve tried everything — new books, shorter lessons, exciting videos — and still your kid reacts with a heavy sigh and a very dramatic droop into the couch cushions.

I remember one Monday when my youngest daughter mumbled, “I just don’t care about any of this.” And honestly? I didn’t totally blame her.

Here’s what I learned:

You can’t force curiosity. But you can invite it.

It starts when we stop trying to push them toward “school” and start letting them stumble into discovery.

Try this:

• Start with a weird question (like: Can humans hear an elephant from 5 miles away?)

• Let hands-on come before explanations

• Pause the worksheets. Follow the giggle.

Your child might not think they’re “into science.” But they remember how thunder made the windows shake.

This week, we’re shifting our focus from pressure to play… and welcoming wonder through sound.

🎥 WATCH & THINK

📺 Watch Time: ~22 min | 🔗 Watch the Playlist

• 🔊 Sound: Crash Course Physics (10 min)

• 🪄 The Magic of Making Sound (6 min)

•  🎶 From Phonographs to Spotify: A Brief History of the Music Industry ( 6 min)

• 🧠 Pause & Reflect: Sound (1 min)

📄 Critical Thinking Worksheet → Download Here

Use this while watching or after — includes one-minute debates, “would you rather” prompts, and one bonus challenge!

New! The last video in the playlist is a short guided reflection.
Pause after each question to discuss or explore your thoughts together.

💎 REAL-LIFE HELP

When my wife was out of town, I did a simple public speaking challenge with my daughters (11 and 17) that helped us connect—and gave us a creative way to focus on how we use sound to communicate.

This idea was inspired by speaker and coach Vinh Giang, who teaches the power of self-awareness through video feedback. We gave it a homeschool spin, and it worked beautifully.

Try this with your kids:

• 📋 Pick a random topic (anything from “Why pizza is superior” to “How a cat could run for mayor”)

• 🗣️ Video record them speaking for 2 minutes—standing up and presenting to the room

• 🎧 The next day, replay the video:

  • First, just the audio (eyes closed)

  • Then, the video with no sound

• 💬 Talk about what stood out: tone, clarity, posture, delivery, energy

You don’t need a rubric. Just let them reflect, laugh, and learn.
It’s simple. It’s real. And it’s growth.

✍️ WRITING CHALLENGE

This week, we’re tuning into the world of sound — not just with our ears, but with our imaginations.

Whether it’s a noisy city, a quiet forest, or the sound of your own voice, there’s a story behind every vibration. These prompts are designed to spark creativity, build writing confidence, and inspire new perspectives.

Try one of these out loud with your learner:

• Elementary: What if you could only speak using sound effects? Describe a day in your life using just silly sounds and onomatopoeia.

• Middle School: Imagine waking up with the power to mute or amplify any sound. What would you change—and why?

• High School: Does silence communicate more than words? Write a scene where what isn’t said matters most.

📝 Want more? Download the full printable packs:

• Elementary Prompts 

• Middle School Prompts

• High School Prompts 

Parent Evaluation Guide – A simple rubric to assess creativity, research, and writing skills across all grade levels.

💡 Tip: These prompts also work as discussion starters—no pen or printer required. Feel free to mix grade levels based on your child’s energy and interest!

👋 UNTIL NEXT TIME

Sometimes, all it takes is one unexpected sound to break through the silence — a laugh, a weird noise, a song that makes everyone stop what they’re doing.

If your child seemed disengaged this week, that doesn’t mean they’re not curious. It just might mean they haven’t heard the right question yet.

So keep listening. Keep playing. Keep noticing what makes them pause and smile.

Because learning doesn’t always look like a perfect lesson plan.
Sometimes, it sounds like wonder in disguise.