Homeschooling Mom Turns “The Office”’s ‘That’s What She Said’ Gag into a Lesson Plan (Exclusive)

Homeschooling Mum Takes Inspiration from ‘The Office’ for Innovative Lesson Plans

Amanda, a mother of six with nearly a decade of homeschooling experience, has recently caught the attention of the homeschooling community with her creative approach to education. Drawing inspiration from the popular TV show ‘The Office,’ Amanda has developed a unique curriculum that merges her children’s interests with educational content.

Amanda’s journey into homeschooling began in 2016 when her eldest child expressed boredom with traditional schooling. Recognizing the need for a more engaging learning environment, Amanda and her husband made the decision to homeschool their children. As she delved deeper into this educational path, Amanda saw an opportunity to incorporate elements of popular culture into her lesson plans.

During the lockdown period in 2020, Amanda found herself re-watching episodes of ‘The Office’ and pondering how she could leverage the show’s humor and wit for educational purposes. This sparked the idea of ‘TVschooling,’ where she could use TV shows and movies as tools for teaching various subjects to her children of different ages.

One of Amanda’s innovative approaches involved turning the famous ‘That’s what she said’ gag from ‘The Office’ into a lesson on women’s history. By encouraging her children to research quotes from famous women and engage in discussions about gender equality, Amanda cleverly weaved important topics into their curriculum.

Amanda’s ‘TVschooling’ approach not only caters to her children’s interests but also fosters meaningful discussions on a range of subjects, from fire safety to social issues like sexual harassment. By using fictional characters and scenarios as entry points for these conversations, Amanda creates a safe space for her children to explore complex topics.

Impressed by the positive feedback from her homeschooling community, Amanda decided to share her curriculum with a wider audience. Her lessons, which include companion guides for TV shows like ‘Gilmore Girls,’ aim to spark critical thinking and curiosity in students through pop culture references and engaging activities.

Looking ahead, Amanda is enthusiastic about expanding her ‘TVschooling’ curriculum to include other popular TV shows like ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘Friends.’ By adapting her lessons to suit her children’s interests and learning styles, Amanda demonstrates the flexibility and creativity that homeschooling can offer.

As homeschooling continues to gain traction as an alternative form of education, educators like Amanda are paving the way for innovative teaching methods that challenge traditional norms. By leveraging the power of popular culture and personal interests, parents and educators can create enriching learning experiences that resonate with students on a deeper level.