Ah…high school. Why do I love homeschooling high school so much? Mostly because my teens don't need my constant attention and instruction anymore! Ha! While I'm not kidding about the independent learning thing above, there are other reasons I really enjoy the high school homeschool: We have great discussions.My children can (finally) logically defend issues that are near and dear to them.They have the ability to understand and handle more detailed world happenings that my husband and I worked so hard to shelter them from in the early years. As we focused on apologetics from the beginning, it's been very cool to see them automatically look at world issues through "Biblical ... Read More
Homeschool Curriculum Top 10: Middle School
(This post contains affiliate links and links to my products.) The year before I got a full-time job teaching, I was a substitute teacher for three school systems, K-12. Let me tell you...if I hadn't needed the money, I would have turned off the phone when the middle schools called. I loathed middle school. There were so many stinky attitudes and hormonal distractions! I actually wondered how I would possibly like my own children at that age. I'm happy to report that not only do/did I like my own middle school kids, I've learned these years have GREAT potential - both academically and spiritually. We have had SO much fun! Oh, the depths an interested middle schooler can go. ... Read More
Upper Elementary Homeschool Curriculum: Top Picks
(This post contains affiliate links and links to my products.) Third through fifth grades are probably my favorite years to teach. During this period, children are usually pretty good readers - making it more fun to dive deeper into other subjects. And, they still have a zestful spirit about learning which means we get to have A LOT of fun! The hardest part for me during these years is reigning in our learning times. There are literally hundreds of wonderful studies we could do, places we could go, and great curriculum choices to use. Over the years, I've fit about as much homeschool excitement as you can into these upper elementary years...and we have wonderful memories to prove ... Read More
Early Elementary Homeschool Curriculum: Top Picks
(This post contains affiliate links and links to my products.) I'm in the middle of planning 2nd grade for my littlest man. Blink. Second grade. I guess he's right - I can't call him a baby anymore. My little fella is steadily moving on in school. He's reading real books and working real math problems. He builds amazing Minecraft structures and plays basketball better than me. And he loves history and science. (Shh...You know why? Because most of history and science is spent all snuggled up reading living literature together. His big boy self wouldn't really want me divulging that secret to the world. These moments are memories, though. And something tells me he'll appreciate ... Read More
2011-12 Curriculum and Schedule
High School, Middle School and K4. Wow. This year will surely test my homeschooling grit! (Like the others haven't, right?) I've finally pinned down curriculum for the year ahead. We're all really looking forward to diving into some new materials, as well as some of our comfortable oldies-but goodies. I'll get right down to business sharing the main curriculum for each kiddo. Remember, we NEVER do everything every day! Mahayla - 9th Grade Caleb - 6th Grade Together Eli - PK/K4 ________________________________________________________________ We're also jumping back into ... Read More
Charlotte Mason Homeschool Curriculum 8th, 5th and PK
I love planning and preparing for a new year! And that's one of the things I've been doing on our lazy (yeah, right!) days of summer break. After much consideration, here's the plan - but it comes with pinkies crossed. This post contains affiliate links. 8th Grade Homeschool Curriculum We're jumping to Algebra 1 a little early. I have Algebra 1/2 we can fall back on if this gets too tough. Logic is a very important subject to me! We'll get an introduction to formal logic along with continuing logic puzzlers this year. Algebra 1: An Incremental Development, 3rd Edition (Saxon Algebra 1)Mind Benders Grades 7-12 Book B-2: Deductive Thinking SkillsThe Fallacy Detective: ... Read More
How Do You Know If A Child Is Ready For Next Year’s Curriculum?
This was a question asked recently at co-op. My friend's question related more specifically to whether or not a child is ready to "move on" to the next grade level. Here's the not-so-short answer I gave. I'm sure my friend would enjoy reading your comments, too. 1.) What grade you call a child is fairly meaningless as an overall rule. -Most children I know are working either somewhat above or below that particular grade in at least one subject. -If a child has struggled greatly in math, for instance, then go slower with math - starting now. Who cares if the workbook says 2nd grade when they are actually in 3rd grade? Who cares if they won't finish every workbook page by the ... Read More