Tips
Is It "School" or Is It "Play"? Redefining Learning with ReadWriteBuild
September 03, 2025
As parents, we often categorize our children's activities. Is this "schoolwork" or is this "playtime"? We hear well-meaning comments that can subtly create a divide between the two.
"This is so fun, it doesn't even feel like school!" "This project i...
As parents, we often categorize our children's activities. Is this "schoolwork" or is this "playtime"? We hear well-meaning comments that can subtly create a divide between the two.
"This is so fun, it doesn't even feel like school!" "This project is so robust, it definitely counts as school!"
The first statement implies that school isn't meant to be enjoyable, while the second suggests an activity's value is tied to its academic rigor. But what if we could dissolve that line altogether?
That's where the ReadWriteBuild philosophy comes in. It isn't just a curriculum or a hobby; it's a culture. It’s a way to seamlessly blend education and exploration, purpose and play. It can be whatever your family needs it to be.
Weaving RWB into Your Curriculum
If you want to integrate ReadWriteBuild into your formal learning schedule, it serves as a powerful tool for deepening understanding across any subject.
Imagine studying Ancient Rome. You could read about the rise and fall of the empire, write a journal from the perspective of a Roman citizen, and then build a diorama of the Colosseum or film a short play reenacting a key historical event.
Or, take chemistry. You could read about chemical reactions, build a classic exploding volcano model, and then write a lab report detailing the process and the science behind the eruption. By pairing RWB with any topic, you transform lessons into memorable, hands-on experiences that create lasting connections for you and your children.
RWB as a Passion-Driven Pursuit
Alternatively, ReadWriteBuild can thrive completely outside of structured school time. It becomes the framework for children to dive deep into their personal interests, turning free time into productive, passion-fueled exploration.
Does your daughter love horses? Encourage her to read every book she can find on different breeds, write her own fictional stories about a girl and her pony, and build a model stable. Is your son obsessed with dinosaurs? That's a perfect opportunity for him to read about paleontology, write an adventure story, and build his own fossil excavation site in the backyard.
This is how we empower our kids to not just have interests, but to learn how to truly explore them. They feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in how they choose to spend their time.
Beyond Labels
Ultimately, it doesn't matter whether you call it "school" or not. Whether you see ReadWriteBuild as a formal part of your homeschool agenda or as a creative way to spend evenings and weekends, the result is the same: you are cultivating a family culture that champions curiosity, creativity, and connection. You are giving your children the tools to become lifelong learners and creators.
So, how do you see it? Does ReadWriteBuild fit into your school day, or is it the spark for after-school adventures?
"This is so fun, it doesn't even feel like school!" "This project is so robust, it definitely counts as school!"
The first statement implies that school isn't meant to be enjoyable, while the second suggests an activity's value is tied to its academic rigor. But what if we could dissolve that line altogether?
That's where the ReadWriteBuild philosophy comes in. It isn't just a curriculum or a hobby; it's a culture. It’s a way to seamlessly blend education and exploration, purpose and play. It can be whatever your family needs it to be.
Weaving RWB into Your Curriculum
If you want to integrate ReadWriteBuild into your formal learning schedule, it serves as a powerful tool for deepening understanding across any subject.
Imagine studying Ancient Rome. You could read about the rise and fall of the empire, write a journal from the perspective of a Roman citizen, and then build a diorama of the Colosseum or film a short play reenacting a key historical event.
Or, take chemistry. You could read about chemical reactions, build a classic exploding volcano model, and then write a lab report detailing the process and the science behind the eruption. By pairing RWB with any topic, you transform lessons into memorable, hands-on experiences that create lasting connections for you and your children.
RWB as a Passion-Driven Pursuit
Alternatively, ReadWriteBuild can thrive completely outside of structured school time. It becomes the framework for children to dive deep into their personal interests, turning free time into productive, passion-fueled exploration.
Does your daughter love horses? Encourage her to read every book she can find on different breeds, write her own fictional stories about a girl and her pony, and build a model stable. Is your son obsessed with dinosaurs? That's a perfect opportunity for him to read about paleontology, write an adventure story, and build his own fossil excavation site in the backyard.
This is how we empower our kids to not just have interests, but to learn how to truly explore them. They feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in how they choose to spend their time.
Beyond Labels
Ultimately, it doesn't matter whether you call it "school" or not. Whether you see ReadWriteBuild as a formal part of your homeschool agenda or as a creative way to spend evenings and weekends, the result is the same: you are cultivating a family culture that champions curiosity, creativity, and connection. You are giving your children the tools to become lifelong learners and creators.
So, how do you see it? Does ReadWriteBuild fit into your school day, or is it the spark for after-school adventures?