The glorious days of summer are here! We’ve all worked so hard homeschooling for so many months, and now it’s time to rest, relax, and enjoy a few months off from work… right? Maybe if we weren’t homeschool parents. The truth is that while we do get a break from the quizzes, textbooks, and dirty…
World geography projects are a fantastic way to make learning meaningful, hands-on, and engaging for homeschool students. Instead of simply memorizing maps and facts, children deeply understand different countries’ cultures, histories, and geography, making personal connections along the way. When students research, write, and present their findings, they develop critical thinking, communication, and creativity—all while…
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…
Adding a good picture book to any lesson makes learning come alive. It also adds terrific visual references to help concepts have more meaning. This particular Christmas book activity is the perfect way to celebrate the season and help children learn empathy at the same time. In my mind, character-building is just as important in…
Enjoy the magic of Christmas with this precious literature-based lesson, which includes a special service project for your family to do together. You’ll love the Silver Packages book activity so much that it might even become a Christmas tradition. Traditions help families build relationships and give children peace and security. Because they are so meaningful,…
Character building is one of the best ways to solidify good values in our children. Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll write about ideas for helping our children build strong foundations in character. I pray that you and I will both be inspired (or re-inspired) to train our precious children in the way they…
We homeschool for many reasons, but one is more important than all of the others combined. We desire to pass on a bold Christian faith that finds our children seeking God with all their hearts and sharing Him with others from here to eternity. Come along as I show you how I plan homeschool Bible…
Geography doesn’t have to be boring or a tough subject. A lot of geography can be learned through something as simple as regular game time! After years of trial and error, here’s our list of the best games to teach geography. You’ll find wonderful options to make learning geography a blast for the entire family….
Look at this list of fairy tales boys love! And why wouldn’t they? These stories are filled with adventure and mystery! Have you noticed that many fairy tales have wonderfully strong female characters? There’s not a thing in the world wrong with that! However, when I set out to write Character Building Chapter Books for Boys,…
Welcome to Day 3 of my 10 Days of Teaching Values series. Today’s topic focuses on one of the most important things we’ve added to our homeschooling schedule – service and leadership opportunities that lead to beautiful character growth AND benefit others. You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use…
Now that I’m a “boy-only mom” (because my daughter is in college) choosing read-aloud books requires a new consideration. Will the potential book appeal to my boys? I can’t get away any longer with reading books that have any sort of girly-girl flavor. Lucky for me, there are TONS of wonderful living books to fill…
I’ve talked a lot about using picture books to help teach good character qualities here at Our Journey Westward. For that matter, I’ve talked a lot about using picture books to teach, well, everything. In this post, we’ll focus on Bill Peet character lessons as you read through his wonderful picture books. There’s something special…