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These gifts for kids who love to cook are so fun! Perfect for Christmas, birthdays, or any occasion.

by Cindy Leave a Comment

Gifts for Kids Who Love to Cook

Do you have a budding chef or a flourishing foodie at home, always at your elbow in the kitchen and wanting to mix, roll, bake, or glaze? Check out these gifts for kids who love to cook and find something for every skill level. You'll enjoy what they whip up for you almost as much as you'll love seeing their smiles! Whether you've got a sous chef or a culinary artist, there's bound to be fun ... Read More

Last Updated: January 11, 2021 Filed Under: Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, Gifted & Struggling Learners, Holidays, Middle School Tagged With: gift ideas, kids cooking, stocking stuffers

This trio has been the perfect combination for a well-rounded middle school geology study!

by Cindy Leave a Comment

How To Teach a Really Great Middle School Geology Study

It might sound pretty boring to consider teaching a middle school geology study. I mean, isn't geology just about rocks...and aren't rocks, well, just rocks? Geology is WAY more than "just" rocks! It's the study of everything about the earth's crust - what it's made of, how the amazing landforms were created, and what materials and processes make up various types of rocks. You might be ... Read More

Last Updated: October 29, 2020 Filed Under: Creative Homeschooling, Middle School, Nature Study, Science & Nature, Unit Studies Tagged With: chemistry, hands-on science, minerals, physical science, rocks

Logical and critical thinking are great skills to be practiced for all kinds of important reasons!

by Cindy Leave a Comment

Why Logic and Critical Thinking Matter in the Homeschool

Yes, logic and critical thinking really do matter. A lot, in fact. We all want children who can stop and think before they act, right? That takes logic and critical thinking. And, I bet at least one of your homeschooling goals is to raise a well-rounded child who can transition into successful adulthood? Well, that adult is going to need a healthy dose of logic and critical thinking ability. ... Read More

Last Updated: October 25, 2020 Filed Under: Brain Training, Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, Gifted & Struggling Learners, High School, Living Math, Middle School Tagged With: brain training activities, critical thinking, logic

When nature study is boring, these tips will turn things around!

by Cindy Leave a Comment

3 Things To Do When Nature Study is Boring

No parent has ever made it through the great journey of child-rearing without hearing two very frustrating words - "I'm bored!" Whether it's sitting in a church service, a lazy day at home, or even partaking in the wonders of nature, kids everywhere are just a few breaths or activities away from finding themselves simply unable to proceed without complaining that they're bored. Kids, though, ... Read More

Last Updated: October 19, 2020 Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, Middle School, Nature Study, Science & Nature Tagged With: nature notebooking, nature walks

Math and Science with Candy: Hands-On STEM Activities

by Cindy 5 Comments

Hands-On Candy Math and Science Lessons Make Learning Fun

Rather than eat all that candy sitting around the house after trick-or-treating (or another holiday), why not put it to good use? These fun candy math and science lesson ideas will keep your kids busy, happy, and learning! What will we do with all this candy? Honestly, most of the candy that comes in this house after trick-or-treating eventually gets pitched or given away. There's only so ... Read More

Last Updated: October 12, 2020 Filed Under: Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, Holidays, Living Math, Middle School, Science & Nature Tagged With: biology, botany, candy math, candy science, classification, critical thinking, Graphing, hands-on, logic, multi-age, taxonomy

It's fun to use games to teach history in your homeschool!

by Cindy 3 Comments

40 Games to Teach History in the Homeschool

Do your children love history or do you hit walls every time you try to teach it? I hated history as a child, mostly because the textbooks were horribly boring, the teachers were dry as a crust of day-old bread, and those long lists of dates were entirely frustrating. Given the opportunity to teach homeschool history my way, everything changed. I LOVE history now and so do my children! From ... Read More

Last Updated: October 5, 2020 Filed Under: Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, Gifted & Struggling Learners, High School, History & Geography, Middle School, Unit Studies Tagged With: games, gameschooling

Learn tips to make writing fun and give it real-life connections.

by Cindy Leave a Comment

9 Simple Tips To Help Kids Love Creative Writing

One of my goals in homeschooling creatively has always been to help kids love writing. Whether students believe it or not, writing is an essential skill that finds its way into real life quite often. Teaching writing with real-life methods is a great way to convince kids of its importance. Not to mention, anytime an assignment can be connected to real life, it finally has a meaningful purpose ... Read More

Last Updated: September 25, 2020 Filed Under: Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, Gifted & Struggling Learners, Language Arts, Middle School Tagged With: creative writing ideas, handwriting, Writing

There are some special considerations when gifted kids need to learn foundational skills.

by Cindy Leave a Comment

How To Help Gifted Children Who Need Foundational Skills

It's long been a saying that we have to crawl before we can walk, walk before we can run, and run before we can race. Development is typically easy to track and anticipate as a child builds upon previous skills, a steady line sloping up. Gifted kids, though, develop much differently. Instead of a straight line gradually and predictably rising, their milestones can track more like the peaks and ... Read More

Last Updated: September 21, 2020 Filed Under: Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, Gifted & Struggling Learners, High School, Middle School Tagged With: asynchronous learning, gifted homeschooling

There are lots of great field guides out there, but one series is my top pick for homeschooling!

by Cindy 7 Comments

Why Audubon Are the Best Field Guides for Homeschoolers

Homeschoolers who want to enjoy serious nature study often ask me, "Which are the best field guides?" I do have favorites and I'll be sure to tell you in just a minute, but first you should know that you have lots of really wonderful options. Most likely, you won't go wrong if you choose field guides that appeal to you for one reason or another. If you have younger children, pictures and ... Read More

Last Updated: September 17, 2020 Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Elementary, High School, Middle School, Nature Study, Science & Nature Tagged With: field guides, Nature Study

Enjoy a literature based apple unit study to learn science, history, and math.

by Cindy Leave a Comment

An Appleseed Adventure: Apple Unit Study

I love unit studies and autumn is the perfect time for several fun, nature-based science topics. In September particularly, apple orchards are at peak harvest and it just so happens to be the birth month of Johnny Appleseed! Use any or all of the ideas below to enjoy an educational and yummy autumn unit study about apples with the entire family this month! This post contains affiliate ... Read More

Last Updated: September 11, 2020 Filed Under: Creative Homeschooling

What is hybrid homeschooling and how could you implement it? This post paints a good picture for you.

by Cindy Leave a Comment

Why Hybrid Homeschooling Has Been a Great Fit

Please welcome Courtney Day to the blog. She has found great success with eclectic homeschooling by adding various methods of hybrid homeschooling to her plans over the years. She has given you a nice overview of why and how she's chosen to farm out some of the teaching to other people. I think you'll be inspired! ~Cindy This post contains affiliate links. I have so much respect and awe ... Read More

Last Updated: September 10, 2020 Filed Under: Creative Homeschooling

Nature journals are way more educational than you might think!

by Cindy 10 Comments

Why Nature Journals Are Important

If you've been around here much, you know the importance I place on nature study. The real-life science lessons that offer a consistent "lab" experience are unmatched compared to simply studying the same topics from a textbook. But, just as important, nature study reaches so naturally into other academic areas that it's priceless for gently integrated learning. Today I'm focusing ... Read More

Last Updated: August 30, 2020 Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Elementary, Language Arts, Middle School, Nature Study, Preschool, Science & Nature Tagged With: Nature Journal, Nature Study, Notebooking, Science

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NaturExplorers Science Curriculum

NaturExplorers guides are perfect for the 1st-8th grade homeschool, co-op or classroom. This highly adaptable curriculum series uses nature study as the starting point for science lessons that reach into every other subject and meet all learning styles.

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When my boys were little, I loved reading these “letters from God” to them as blessings to start the day.
As I was sorting bookshelves earlier this month, I stumbled across this sweet book again. I decided the blessings are still as pertinent today for my bigger boy as they were years ago. So, we’re starting our day yet again with a quick, but powerful “letter from God” before jumping into our daily Bible studies.
Do you do anything special to start your day off on the right foot? I’d love to hear about it!
Click the link in my bio for a link to the book.
#homeschoolblessings #homeschoolfamily #homeschoolmom #homeschool #homeschooling #yourmorningbasket #startthedayoffright #charlottemasonmama #loveyourkids #wildandfreemama #childrensbook #devotionalforkids #homeschool365 #homeschoolmorning #ourjourneywestward #ihsnet
Winter homeschooling can be tough in normal years. Winter homeschooling can be tough in normal years. It’s cold, the days are dark, and everyone’s cooped up together 24/7. That’s a recipe for the winter blahs to march right into your house and wreak havoc on attitudes and motivation.⠀
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This year’s winter is unlike any other and those blahs may have actually settled in long before now. If you or your children are feeling down, anxious, or bored with school, are “at” each other constantly, bouncing off the walls, or tears and fighting are the norm…the blahs are there.⠀
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Let’s get you, your children, and your homeschool back on track. I’ll be teaching a Homeschool Masterclass on Thursday afternoon to help you kick the blahs to the curb. If you can attend live, come! If you can’t attend live, catch the replay!⠀
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We’ll tackle all sorts of problems the blahs bring with them with very practical  ideas that are easy to implement! ⠀
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Click the link in my bio to join me. There is no shame in admitting that the blahs have arrived and you need a little boost from a friend. ❤️ ⠀
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#homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolmom #homeschoolfamily #wildandfreemom #charlottemasonmama #winterhomeschool #homeschoolhelp #homeschoollookslikethis #thisishomeschool #homeschoolmasterclass #homeschool365 #ihsnet #homeschoolmama #helpmehomeschool #winterblahs
Oh, what peace this quote brings to my soul. It’ Oh, what peace this quote brings to my soul. It’s true, you know. I’ve told my children for years that it only takes a nature walk to see God through His handiwork and to know that His promises are true.⠀
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When the world seems to be falling apart around you, the sun never stops shining. The seasons never stop moving. Without a single, solitary effort of human hands, the woodlands still buzz with life.⠀
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A student of nature can see the consistency in cycles and notice the incredible and creative intricacy of even the smallest specimen and be in awe that we truly serve a God who isn’t unaware of even one tiny detail in our world right now. ⠀
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Life kind of seems overwhelming, though, I know. Remember when I said my motto lately has been to just put one foot in front of the other to do the next right thing? Nature walks (even when it’s cold) never fail me as a right thing. ⠀
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Breathe, friend. Take a nature walk today and let God speak to your soul.⠀
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#homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolmom #homeschoolfamily #wildandfreemom #charlottemasonirl #winterhomeschool #homeschoollookslikethis #thisishomeschool #winternaturestudy #nosweatnaturestudy #homeschool365 #ihsnet #naturestudy #naturexplorers #nature #hewins
It might seem trite to post a winter picture book It might seem trite to post a winter picture book list right now, but I’m a big believer in keeping things as normal as possible in my home when things aren’t so normal otherwise.⠀
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It’s the principle of putting one foot in front of the other as you simply do the next right thing. Good books almost always can be a “next right thing” choice.⠀
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Even though I’m not homeschooling younger children anymore, I’ll probably never stop sharing wonderful picture book ideas with you. 🤓 I’ve spent way too many hours reading and collecting to ever stop loving them!⠀
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Eli and I may not be using these books right now, but they are still some of my favorites for winter reading. Whatever may be going on around you, the winter months are always a good time of year to get in lots of extra reading. Snuggling and hot chocolate are optional, but encouraged.⠀
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Click the link in my bio to find a blog post about these books + some of our favorite winter chapter books, too!⠀
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#homeschool #readmorebooks #livingbooks #livingliterature #picturebooks #winterpicturebooks #homeschoolmom #wildandfreefamily #charlottemasonirl #winterhomeschool #homeschoollookslikethis #thisishomeschool #winternaturestudy #nosweatnaturestudy #homeschool365 #ihsnet
We celebrated a 14th birthday over Christmas break We celebrated a 14th birthday over Christmas break! 🎉🎁🎂🏀🥰
I love being auntie to a sweet baby again! 😍 I love being auntie to a sweet baby again! 😍
Merry Christmas from the Wests! 🎄 Merry Christmas from the Wests! 🎄
Christmas picture books are some of my very favori Christmas picture books are some of my very favorite books of all time. I’ve spent years collecting new ones here and there (and will probably continue collecting for years to come because there are at least a few favorites I still don’t own).🤗🤫⠀
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When the kiddos were younger, I would sometimes wrap each of the books and place them in a basket near the Christmas tree. 🎁 Each morning during December, one of my children would choose a book to unwrap and that was the one we would read for the day. Oh, such precious memories!⠀
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This year, even though my youngest is in 8th grade, the books are not hidden away! I’ve found a creative way to read them with Eli. We’re using them as mentor texts for his own stories during language arts. #sneakysmart (He’s writing some pretty great stories, too!)⠀
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Click the link in my bio if you’d like to see my entire list of picture book favorites for the Christmas season!🎄If you’d like to know more about using picture books to teach writing to older kids, search “writing with picture books masterclass”on my website.⠀
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#homeschoolbooks #christmasbooks #christmasbooklist #christmaspicturebooks #christmasschool #creativehomeschooling #livingbooks #livingliterature #readmorebooks #Decemberhomeschool #homeschoolfamily #homeschoollookslikethis #homeschoolmiddleschool #ilovebooks #charlottemasonirl #yourmorningbasket #ourjourneywestward #homeschoolrocks

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