Voice. It's in every good piece of writing, but it's a tad elusive when it comes to defining and teaching. Writing that connects with readers has voice. Writing that makes you feel emotion has voice. Writing that comes to life has voice. Writing that sounds unique or comes from the heart has voice. Voice is the distinct personality of a writing. That sounds a lot like living literature, doesn't it? Exactly. If we don't want to read twaddle, we shouldn't care to write it either. That's where voice comes in. Some people might describe voice as the mood or tone of a piece of writing. While the mood or tone are definitely impacted by the voice - actual voice is something just a ... Read More
Brain Training with Dyslexia Games
You know how near and dear brain training is to my heart, right? It's been such a game-changer in our homeschool that I take it very seriously. We do some sort of brain training every. single. school. day. One day might find us playing a quick card game to building working memory. Another day might find us narrating a fable to expand comprehension. You might find us working on matrix puzzles the next day to increase logical thinking. I have a huge arsenal of brain training activities! I plan to share lots more about this topic in the near future, so keep reading. Today I'd like to share with you a new-to-me resource for brain training...Dyslexia Games. I received sets B and C from ... 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
High School Science for the Horse Lover
My daughter's first college mid-terms are upon her and I'm happy to report that she is both loving equine studies and doing splendidly! You might remember she's been my "horse girl" for the last 10+ years - and that passion for horses flowed right into her major in college. In Homeschooling a Horse Lover and Homeschooling High School: Student-Led Courses, I shared a little about how we specifically tailored my daughter's high school science courses to do three things... Meet our state's college-bound requirementsBe well-roundedAllow for specialized equine study I'm asked quite often what exactly her science transcript included. So, here's our version of high school science with a ... Read More
Using Picture Books to Teach Writing Styles
I {heart} picture books for so many reasons. One giant reason is their ability to teach so many in depth concepts in such non-intimidating ways that students often don't see fear in the lessons that follow. One such example is writing. I can't tell you the times I've been asked by homeschooling parents to tutor their children in writing or teach a writing class or point them to the perfect writing curriculum. It seems as if writing is one of the big, scary monsters of homeschooling. But it doesn't have to be hard! You have masters of writing at your fingertips every single day who can help guide much of the writing instruction in your home. These masters are the authors of really ... Read More
Using Picture Books To Teach Biography Writing
Living literature isn't just for reading - it's also great for teaching writing styles! Serious writing lessons don't start in our homeschool until middle and high school, but believe it or not, I use picture books quite often to help me teach. Since picture books can be read in one sitting, they are perfect examples of really good writing from master writers. Of course, you have to make sure you're reading books actually written by master writers (not twaddle.) And that's what I've set out to share with you in this series - books that are perfect for teaching various writing styles! The writing focus of this article is biographies. Wait, did I hear a "Yuck!"?? If you're children ... Read More
Brain Training: FUN Ways to Build Stronger and Faster Brains
At the IAHE Conference (Indiana Association of Home Educators), I taught four workshops. While they were all well-attended and well-received, one of the sessions sparked an emotional reaction like none other. My brain training session was the last on my schedule and one of the last of the weekend. I fully expected a low turnout and glazed-over eyes from those few. To my shock, the room was packed to the brim with eager participants. Some of them, I later found out, almost desperate for information to help their struggling students. Because of the immense response I had to the topic of brain training at IAHE (and elsewhere), I'm going to write a BRIEF summary of that workshop and ... 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
Homeschooling High School Is Worth It!
Y'all. Homeschooling high school is so much better than you could ever imagine. I just graduated my first who will go on to follow her equine passions in college this fall and I can tell you unequivocally that homeschooling was worth it. Every minute - the good, bad and ugly - was worth it. Notice I didn't say every minute was blissful or easy, but I am so very glad we made the journey to the end. Not only do we have great memories of doing life together, we've also had awesome opportunities to grow together in Christ, in learning, in trials and in triumphs. As I prepare for the 10th grade year with my second child, I already see some of the frustrations that might come our ... Read More
Guitar Lessons With or Without a Teacher
I can teach music theory. I can teach voice. I can teach at least a little piano. I cannot teach guitar. And, when you can't find a steady guitar teacher, that makes life hard on a kid who really wants to learn the instrument. My Caleb has been learning to play the guitar for a few years now, but we haven't always had a teacher. The teachers he has had have rocked (literally) and have each taken him to a new level. But, the dry spells between teachers are frustrating for him. (This post contains affiliate links.) When a kid is really interested in something, though, he learns pretty quickly how to make things happen. In this case, he decided to take lessons into his own ... Read More