Once again, the end of the homeschool year is upon us! Whether you are celebrating the end of one year, or already planning for next year, the end of the year is a great time to make a few assessments of the current year which will make planning for the next year even easier. >>Read ... Read More about End of Homeschool Year Evaluation
It's not unusual for young children to need help with b and d reversals. If your child confuses b and d when reading and writing, then try this trick.
Delight-directed learning is a lot like giving a mouse a cookie. One great learning resource always leads to another.
Are you wondering how to teach science to your dyslexic student? I am sharing how we teach Science to our homeschooled kids with dyslexia. Practical tips that can help you teach science for any grade in your homeschool.
Looking for a homeschool writing program for reluctant writers? Here's one homeschool writing curriculum that can really help.
Here are 10 tips for homeschooling kinesthetic learners, or methods such as using kinesthetic homeschool curriculum.
When our kids struggle with math, it is often difficult to find a good “fit” to teach skills. Older students who struggle with lower math don’t want something that looks “baby-ish” or has a lower grade level plastered all over it! Here are some suggestions and ideas for helping your struggling learner with his struggles […]
As a child, being homeschooled carries with it a certain stigma. Watch your teenager mention to a few new acquaintances that they’re homeschooled and behold their new “friends” st…
A struggling speller. If you have had one, you know how difficult the homeschool day can be for you and your child. Let's take a look at how to help a struggling speller.
As a potential homeschooling parent you no doubt have plenty of questions. Or maybe you know someone who homeschools and you are curious. Each of these are real questions that most of us have been or will be asked at some point. 1. Is homeschooling legal? The short answer, yes it is legal. The long answer is, well, long. Some states regulate homeschooling quite a bit, some states a small bit, and some have no regulation at all. The best place to find the most current homeschooling law is http://www.hslda.org/hs/default.asp Just click on your state’s picture, and the laws and current legislation (if there is any) will be shown to you. 2. Is your day like “regular school?” Well, first we have to define “regular.” In my house what we do is normal and “regular.” But, if you are referring to the standard eight hour day, with multiple times of standing in line, getting permission to go to the bathroom, waiting in line 25 minutes to go to lunch and then only getting 20 to eat that lunch, then the answer is no. But, this is different for every home schooling family. Some people may want to school for eight hours, I personally only do three. Some people may want their kids to stand quietly in line for 25 minutes for lunch. We just try to do this at the checkout at Kroger. 3. Don’t you have to have a degree to be a teacher? Well, if you are teaching in a public school the answer is yes. But, since we are answering questions about home school, I will refer you back to question number one. It depends on the state you are in. Some states have different opinions on this. 4. How do you handle all their classes when you have children in multiple grades? Again, the answer depends. If you take a unit study approach you may school all the children together – you know like they did waaayyyy back when public schools were started. Everyone sits together and hears the lessons for the day, and then will break apart to work independently in areas like reading and math. If you take a work book or text book approach, then each child will have their own set of materials, and you would work with each child separately, at different times. See how the answer to this is dependent on the individual homeschooling family? 5. How do you differentiate being a teacher from being a parent? Being a parent is no different from being a teacher in that, we are both responsible for the instruction and encouragement of the children we are responsible for, however, as a parent, we have a bigger responsibility to our children, for we see immediately the results of the children learning and unlike a teacher who manages a classroom of 20-30 children, that changes every year. As parents, we have both the time and emotional investment to understand and learn how our children best learn and are able to more easily adapt to each of our child's needs without having to sacrifice the needs of the individual over the whole. 6. Don’t you think they need to be in “real” school? Ahem. I will try my personal best to not to be offended. After, all my kids are learning “real” phonics and “real” math. I am not really sure what answer to give here, as the question is not asking anything specific. It is more like a derogatory statement about homeschooling in general. Ask a real question, get a real answer. 7. How could you possibly homeschool if ____________? (Fill in blank with whatever circumstance you can think of.) If someone wants to homeschool, they can generally figure out a way. This question is typically referring to different circumstances like single parenting, special needs children, gifted children, etc… I have a special needs child. I have a friend with an extraordinarily gifted child. Our homeschools look different. Some people may need to school when they are not at work, so their school may be in the evening. I school during the day most days and during the late afternoons when I have morning appointments. So, you really learn how to work it out according to the needs of your family. Got something to add? Be sure to let me know and I will keep this updated (serious and snarky questions allowed hehe)!
As homeschoolers, it's helpful to look at successful educational models to see what we can emulate. Finnish schools have earned a reputation for excellence
So, your child hates writing? Don't panic, Friend. Back away from the writing curriculum & check out these 25 teaching tips that work!
Are you busy with life and worried that you may not be teaching your child everything they should know? Relax! You may actually be inadvertently raising geniuses. Grab your tea and read these educational principles.
My Reading List for 2015: Books to Read This Year. It's time for my annual recommended reading list! This is the biggest reading list I have EVER posted
As homeschooling parents trying to raise our kids for God, anger can be an obastacle. I'd even say uncontrolled anger can be a homeschool destroyer.
Written by Adrienne Bolton of The Mommy Mess. This homeschooling mom life is just plain bizarre sometimes. Had you told me ten years ago our family would be here - eight years of homeschooling under
It’s easy to dismiss a kinesthetic learner as a child who is very active or struggles with attention. However, it may just be in their nature to touch and move in order to learn. These kinds of students don’t do well with lectures or group discussions – they need to be ACTIVELY learning! Read on ... Read More about 5 Tips for Homeschooling Your Kinesthetic Learner + Resources
Whether you take a relaxed approach to homeschool planning or you map out every day in advance, knowing what works best for your family is paramount. Here’s the approach we’re taking this year.
FREE GYMNASTICS UNIT STUDY (Instant Download)
Wondering what the biggest homeschool struggles are? In this post I share the real frustrations that come with teaching my children at home...and why I still think it's worth it. It will give encouragment to your homeschool heart and give you the boost you need to keep going! #homeschool #homeschoolencouragment #encouragment #homeschoolstruggles #homeschoolmom #learning #kids
It IS possible to thrive as an introverted homeschool mom. Get practical advice from an introverted homeschool mom who absolutely LOVES homeschooling.
“A2: Like this picture #primaryrocks”
Keep distracted students engaged in their school work by using these 6 methods that will keep them on task and working.
Back when he first received his diagnosis, homeschooling a child with Asperger’s was certainly never anything I saw coming. The reason why we'd homeschool was even less expected. Homeschooling a child with Asperger's may be easier than dealing with IEPs.
Overview: Homeschool Latin instruction moves fast during the Challenge years. Some supplemental practice can sure help! Note: This post was sponsored by Rosetta Stone. I received the product for free and was compensated for my time to write this review. All opinions are my own; I will always be honest with y'all. 'Dignity, dignity, always dignity.' So says Don Lockwood in one of my all-time faves, Singing in the Rain. Have you ever noticed that 12- and 13-year-olds also greatly value their dignity? They're not really into making themselves look silly anymore; in fact, they may become rather offended if
Wow! What amazing feedback I’ve gotten after my last post, Creating CareerSmarts! Thank you to everyone for your kind comments and enthusiasm. I’m so glad that other school counselors (and other ed…
Teaching kids about their bodies, sex, and reproduction is an important task. Here are some sex education resources to help.
Want to teach your child the most important spelling rules? These are the basics and will help your child spell common words.
Today, we will be discussing 7 different homeschooling methods and offering a free homeschool styles QUIZ to help you decide which way to go.
Are you looking for a history program that will make history FUN for your elementary aged kiddos? Check out Notgrass History, Our Star Spangled Story! This hands on history program is perfect for the busy homeschool mom.
Looking for the best homeschool language arts curriculum for dyslexia & ADHD? In this post, homeschool moms share their favorite programs!
10 ways to get your child with autism to sit still for homeschool recognizes that sometimes we need our kids to sit to learn.
In an earlier post, I went over a list of memory review games that I am planning on using this year with my Foundations class. (CLICK HERE if you would like to read that post.) In this post, I am s…
Want to know how to homeschool ADHD? Here are 29 Effective Teaching Tips! Harness the Genius of Your Child's ADHD & Have Fun!
Relaxed homeschooling is often used interchangeably with eclectic homeschooling and unschooling, but they're not the same. Find a working definition inside!
Why My Homeschooled Kids Are Not Given the Choice to Go to Public School. Why my homeschooled kids are not given the choice to go to public school sounds harsh. Also, you'll love more tips on my page The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter
Ever had a child who hates homeschooling, leaving YOU feeling like you did something wrong? Chances are, you didn’t. Kids can get overwhelmed just like adults. So, what can you do with a child who hates homeschooling?
Shakespeare doesn’t have to be scary or intense to incorporate into your homeschool. The stories are timeless, the language is beautiful, and they are
So many homeschooling styles - how do you COMPARE them when they're so different? Here's an easy way to decide which homeschooling style suits your family.
Narration - Telling Back or Testing? Books that Makes Teaching Narration Easy Peazy. Does a homeschooled child need constant testing? Try narration.
Free Don't Be an Idea Thief! eBook
The month of February is notorious for being the most likely time for homeschool moms to suffer from burnout. The novelty of a new school year has worn off, combined with the post-holiday slump and…
