Homeschooling in December can be rough. We all need a bit of a break from the monotony of the regular homeschooling schedule, don't we? Some people choose to take the entire month off to focus on the preparations of Christmas and turning the hearts of their children toward the One that Christmas is all about. I've found several ways over the years to accomplish both homeschooling and Christmas preparations - all turning the hearts of my children toward Christ. Creative Homeschooling in December In this post, I've rounded up all those homeschooling in December ideas from the last several years for you. I hope you find something that will be just perfect for your Christmas ... Read More
Christian Homeschooling
Christian homeschooling encompasses more than just school time. It really should be about how we do life - Bible study, character lessons, prayer time, daily attitudes, serving others, diligently and joyfully working, enjoying family time, worshiping together and so much more. In these articles I have tried to share everything from how I plan our daily Bible time and fantastic resources to help along the way to specific character training lessons and service project ideas that strive to build your children up as you point them to your Father.
Boyschooling Homeschool Curriculum for 5th and 12th Grades (2017-18)
I have another senior. How is that possible? It's really, indescribably true when you hear that time flies and your kids will be grown in the blink of an eye. So, this year I'm boyschooling a 12th grader and 5th grader. These boys keep me so busy with music lessons, sports, and more that I rarely know whether I'm coming or going. But it's all good and I treasure (almost) every single moment I have with them. I just know we're going to have a great homeschooling year - even with all the bumps that will inevitably come. Boyschooling Homeschool Curriculum Since my boys are so far apart in age, we aren't doing too much as a family in homeschooling anymore. Caleb is off doing his ... Read More
How To Improve Bad Attitudes in Your Homeschool
Do you ever have bad attitudes in your homeschool? I love homeschooling and my children usually do, too. But, sometimes the homeschooling attitudes in our house just stink. Have you ever wanted to wring the necks of grumpy kids who whine about every single task set before them. Or dole out about a hundred chores every time you run up against obstinate behavior? Me, too. I’m here to admit today, though, that it's not just my children with the bad attitudes. I have my moments, too. You know, the days (or weeks…or months) where homeschooling seems like a life sentence? You can listen to this post if you prefer! Improve Bad Attitudes in Your Homeschool When everyone seems ... Read More
When Your Family Thinks Homeschooling is Crazy
When my husband and I first set out to homeschool, many eyebrows were raised within our extended family. My mom and dad were horrified that my children would miss out on their entire childhood – you know public school is the only place to find friends and do fun things, right? My mother-in-law and father-in-law didn’t say much out loud, but I got the firm impression that they thought we had fallen off our rockers. They all believed homeschooling is crazy. Homeschooling is Crazy, They'll Get Over It To everyone’s great pleasure, though, they assumed homeschooling would be short-lived and my children wouldn’t be too damaged before we came to our senses and met the yellow school bus at ... Read More
Legalism in Homeschooling Methods
You don't normally hear the word legalism in homeschooling circles unless the discussion is about religion. I'm not talking about religion today...or maybe I am. Legalism in Homeschooling Methods Do you remember me telling you about my much-needed summer of rest? Some of that rest involved time spent listening to homeschooling podcasts for encouragement and researching things here and there on the internet as I planned our (then) upcoming school year. While I was certainly encouraged (!) and grabbed hold of a few new ideas to implement this year, I was frequently struck with a feeling of uneasiness. Over and over, the thought came to mind that we must be very, very careful that ... Read More
When You Need a Summer of Rest
Maybe you've noticed that I haven't been around for a while? Sometimes life just gets so busy that certain things fall by the wayside. Other times, I just need a break. Both happen to have been the case for me these last few months. Both are also the reasons I needed a summer of rest to restore my soul outside of blogging. Bigger kids lead busier lives. I couldn't have imagined being busier than my frazzled self when babies and toddlers were running around the house. But life can indeed get busier. I travel to ballgames and instrument practices and church events. I stay up way past my bedtime to talk about things on a teen's heart - and those can be big conversations! I spend ... Read More
Why the Jotham’s Journey Series is NOT to be Missed
What do you get when you mix historical fiction with lots of adventure then add daily devotionals for Advent? The Jotham's Journey series of books! These books are simply NOT to be missed. This post contains affiliate links. Wow. That's the best word I can think of to describe these page-turning, spine-tingling adventure stories meant to be read in December to point the way to the One who was our ultimate Christmas gift! They are our all-time favorite living literature for the Christmas season! There are four books in the Jotham's Journey series which are written as daily read-alouds for Advent (aka: the days leading up to Christmas.) You only read one book per year - meaning the ... Read More
Planning Homeschool Bible Time
We homeschool for many reasons, but one of them is more important than all of the others combined. It's our 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. While I know it's God who does the work in my children (Phil. 1:6), I also know He called us to teach my them about Him and His ways (Prov. 22:6.) My husband and I don't pretend for one minute to have all the answers to training little or big soldiers for God's army. We have tried, though, to be pretty consistent with a plan of action and that's what I'd like to share with you today. This post contains affiliate links. The ... Read More
Living Literature and the Bible
(This post contains affiliate links.) If you've been around here long at all, you know there's living literature out there to help teach ANY subject. Did you know that's true for the Bible, too? Over the years, I've found some FABULOUS books to go along with our Bible studies. Now, I'm not saying we read literature instead of the Bible - no way! But...these books have opened doors to Biblical conversations and reinforced Biblical studies we've already completed. Some people ask, how do you fit in Bible study and living literature? Well, our Bible study time tends to take on two "methods." The first method finds us diving deep into the Word - reading, discussing and/or ... Read More
The Tale of Three Trees: Nature Walk (Free Printable)
(This post contains affiliate links and links to my products.) The Book Tale of Three Trees is one of my very favorite picture books ever. I know, I know - I have a lot of favorites. In my defense, there are some REALLY great picture books out there! This book tells the story of three trees who each had a dream for their future. The first two trees believe their dreams are about to be fulfilled when the woodcutters come to harvest them. The third tree, on the other hand, believes its dreams are dashed when the woodcutters come because it only wanted to stand straight and tall and point to its Creator forever. In the end, none of the three trees get exactly what they wished ... Read More