We veered off the “typical homeschool path” this year to teach out-of-the-box homeschool high school chemistry instead. This isn’t the first time we’ve chosen a different path for our son, a smart kid who doesn’t thrive in the textbook world of science. Do you remember how we chose an out-of-the-box biology course last year? Because that course…
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…
Let’s wrap up homeschooling for the year! I promise it doesn’t have to be stressful. No matter your homeschool style, I bet you’re staring down piles of workbooks, notebooks, lapbooks, projects, worksheets, and folders. The end of the school year comes with wonderful examples of your family’s hard work! I’ve been asked before if I…
Whether you currently enjoy nature study time with your children or not, being part of a nature club is a great motivator and provides hours of fun learning time! 1. What is a nature study club? Quite simply, it’s a small or large group of homeschoolers who meet to study nature topics together. (I prefer…
There are definitely stereotypes about gifted kids. For instance, people might picture an awkward child with glasses who plays chess and cello and snorts when laughing. Parts of that may be true for some gifted kids, but they’re often not at all like people expect. Some have glasses, and some play instruments. Others are more…
With each new school year, I always find renewed energy and vision for homeschooling. Rather than wait until Thanksgiving or when the blahs of winter kick in (when it seems to make sense to write a post about why I’m thankful for homeschooling), I thought I’d harness this joyful beginning-of-the-school-year energy to list all those…
Living literature isn’t just for reading but also for teaching writing styles! Serious writing lessons don’t start in our homeschool until middle and high school, but believe it or not, I often use picture books to help me teach. Since picture books can be read in one sitting, they are perfect examples of good writing from…
Does your family have a favorite children’s book author? If you find yourself reading book after book from the same author, it’s pretty safe to say that your family may have a favorite! Why don’t you consider a favorite author study to celebrate that author (or illustrator) and learn a lot about the fundamentals of…
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…
Why would anyone use picture books to teach expository writing? Because picture books are written by master authors who can teach us clearly through their examples. Not to mention, it doesn’t take long to read through most picture books, so you can share examples and get right to the work of writing. What is expository…
If you’ve been around here long, you know that I love games! They are fun and educational, and a great way to hang out with family and friends. This post lists a variety of outdoor fun and games that your kids are bound to love. Whether you’re looking for a yard game, some pool fun,…
Nature study doesn’t have to stop when your homeschooled children get older. High school nature walks can be incredibly in-depth as science labs to supplement any curriculum. Many families enjoy nature study with more depth than ever before in high school. Considering nature study as one of the most perfect “labs” available for experiencing and understanding…