I love using living books to help children "see" math. These math operations picture books specifically focus on addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to help build understanding and connect math to the real world. Books are powerful in helping children relate to abstract mathematical concepts! They can be used as pre-reading before introducing something new or after a concept is ... Read More
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How To Incorporate Anxiety Skills Into Your Homeschool
This guest post, written by my friend Jen Vail, is a treasure to help you deal with homeschool anxiety skills. Be sure to bookmark it or pin it to come back time and time again for ideas and reassurance. When I was much younger and not so dependent upon ibuprofen, I had a lot of plans. Fame and fortune, obviously, the admiration of Prince William, and all of the Rocky Mountain jeans I could ... Read More
25 Creative Candy Math Activities To Make Learning Fun
I don't know too many children who aren't motivated by candy math activities. In fact, most of them beg for math when candy is involved. How many times do you remember your kiddos begging for math otherwise? Ha! When those regular math lessons begin to make everyone weary, take a break and add in a little candy math! Besides bringing a few smiles to your homeschool, you might be surprised ... Read More
3 Unique Ways to Homeschool Active Children
How do you homeschool active children? You know, those sweet children who need to move and tend to make you a nervous wreck as they bounce off the walls. Yeah, them. You may not know this, but research has shown time and time again that children with ADHD and other energetic types are actually focusing their hardest when they're fidgeting and jumping. Being forced to sit still in a ... Read More
This Is a Great Way to Use Movies in Your Homeschool!
Using movies in your homeschool might seem like a cop out, but it's not at all when you use them for some fun learning. Project-based learning is the best. My kids have not only been more excited and engaged during a project vs. plain old textbook learning, they have absorbed SO much more information. Their interest is fed each day as we add a new element, a new perspective, or a new layer to ... Read More
70 of the Best Character Building Picture Books For Kids
Any time is a good time to read a fantastic picture book, but when that book serves double duty as an educational tool it's truly a "keeper". The character building picture books listed below are definitely keepers. We know that good character is best taught through example, right? The saying goes that way more is caught than taught when it comes to building virtues in our children. In other ... Read More
Organizing Tips for the Unorganized Homeschool Mom
You know that homeschool one mom - the one who is always calm, whose kids are always clean and polite? The mom who somehow manages to arrive everywhere early, impeccably dressed, with makeup, hair, and snacks? There seems to be one in every co-op. A mom who makes it all look effortless and easy. Her home always seems to be ready for company, her lesson plans always look pristine, and there are ... Read More
20 Must Read Winter Books for Kids
Winter is the perfect time for snuggling up with books - and lots of them! Over the years, we've gone back to certain books time after time during the winter season. I thought I'd share our winter book list with you and give you an idea of some of the book extension activities we've done to turn the books into great lessons. We don't always do extension lessons when reading, but the long days of ... Read More
2021 Nature Study Book List to Supplement No Sweat Nature Study LIVE Lessons
We are having so much fun learning science in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership! If you haven't joined us there yet, it's never too late. Live classes take place twice a month and previously recorded lessons are waiting for you right now! What is No Sweat Nature Study LIVE? Twice a month, 1st-8th graders can take part in fun, interactive, LIVE science lessons with a nature ... Read More
The Best Critical Thinking Games for Your Homeschool
Critical thinking games are the perfect way to teach and practice important thinking and decision making skills in your home. I've been using games as part of my plan of attack for years and it's been such a fun and challenging way to strengthen my children's ability to think and reason. Critical thinking is extremely important for everyone because it's the process by which we analyze and ... Read More
Nature Study is a Good Fit for Gifted Kids
There are definitely stereotypes when it comes to gifted kids. For instance, people might might picture an awkward boy or girl with glasses who plays chess and cello and snorts when he or she laughs. Parts of that may be true for some gifted kids, but they're often not at all like people expect them to be. Some have glasses, some play instruments, some are more interested in video games than ... Read More
15 of the Best Group Games for Families
These group games for families are perfect for any special gathering! Games have always been the go-to activity when family or friends get together because they are so much fun and keep everyone actively involved in the party. We don't have a giant extended family, but every holiday or birthday celebration will find the 10 of us gathered around the living room for at least a couple of ... Read More
