Introduction “But why do I need to learn this?” is a common refrain from students of all ages. It is frequently a struggle to answer. Other people design standard curriculums, and we follow along. This is disheartening for both the teacher and the student. “What we learn when we learn…” is a series of … Continue reading What We Learn When We Learn Chemistry
How do you get it all done? Washing the dishes, turning over the laundry, planning and prepping meals, vacuuming the incessant dog hair, keeping surfaces clean and dust-free, making the beds, chauffeuring kids to activities, AND homeschooling? The truth is, it CAN’T all be done. Unfortunately, things that get done are quickly undone by others … Continue reading Managing a Home in a State of Flux
Mid-year breaks are a great time to evaluate whether that shiny product you bought in August is still working in your homeschool. Remember when you bought it? You were sure that this was the thing that was going to help your kid get it. But now it’s not proving the test of time (or the … Continue reading Is Your Curriculum working for your family?
I think this question has been the most often asked of me through the years by homeschooling mamas striving to teach younger and older students. It was MY number one question during that season as well. The quick answer: “You ARE teaching them!” It is amazing what those little ears pick up and what those … Continue reading Entertaining the Littles while Schooling the Bigs
“So…where do your kids go to school?” “Oh! We are homeschooling for now.” For now. Back in 1997, when Bill Clinton was committing to another four years in office, the Hale-Bopp comet was doing a fly-by, and The Lion King opened on Broadway, our little family of four embarked on the adventure of home education. … Continue reading Homeschooling… for now
Much of the mystery and mayhem associated with the raging hormones of the middle school years can be mitigated by choosing to homeschool. While many of us remember the drama, tears, and embarrassment of attending public school in junior high, we can offer our own children a safe haven of support and understanding during these … Continue reading Managing Middle School Mayhem
You’ve probably heard a lot of talk in the homeschool community about the importance of reading aloud. Reading is fast becoming a lost art in our video-based society. But it still remains the most efficient means of gaining information as well as a very pleasant way to slow down and enjoy a story. Today we’re … Continue reading Why Read Aloud?
What is a habit? A “habit is a routine or behavior that is performed regularly—and, in many cases, automatically” (Clear 13). Are there things that you ought to do regularly, but that you don’t ever accomplish? Would you like to get them done? If you could incorporate them into your day as habits, they would … Continue reading Organize Your Homeschool Using Habits
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Planning our homeschool journey is by far my favorite thing to do each year. There is something heavenly about dreaming of the future. What goals do we want to achieve as a family, for each of my children, and for goals do I have for myself? Every year I build a planner for the year. … Continue reading Plan a School Year in Five Steps
