Do you take a long summer break from homeschooling? If so, you NEED the I'M BORED Activity List! Because we live on a farm that requires a lot of attention in the summer, it's always been necessary to take a "traditional" long break from school. Even though we stay busy with farm, mowing, and gardening tasks, there is still plenty of time for children younger than 13 to say, "I'm bored!" While I certainly appreciate reading good books aloud on the porch swing and playing board games under a shade tree, I don't have time to be the constant director of activity or playmate for bored children. Many years ago, I started creating a yearly list of 100 activities that my children could ... Read More
Independent Math Explorations
Incorporating math practice into your regular schedule doesn't have to be hard with these independent math explorations. We all know that practice makes perfect, and that's especially true when it comes to mathematics. These games will give your children concrete tools they need to understand math concepts. And, they're great to use for exploration and practice during those extra moments when children need to be educationally busy while you're otherwise preoccupied. You'll love how easy it is to work on number sense, operations, fractions, measurement, patterning, algebraic concepts, and even geometry! With so many fun and exciting ways to learn about math, elementary students will ... Read More
Homeschool Geography For All Seasons
(This post contains affiliate links.) I'm a fan of research-based learning. This is learning that requires action from my children - not just pulling up rote facts or answering simple questions. In research-based learning, my children must dig deeper to determine answers. It forces independence and competence in knowing how to learn. While it's not difficult to design research-based assignments, it can end up near the bottom of my long homeschooling to-do list. I am so, so happy to introduce you to a new-to-me book that supplies ready-to-go, research-based geography lessons! Geography for All Seasons by Brenda McGee is one of the books I requested as a brand ambassador for ... Read More
Creative Homeschooling: Don’t Say No!
(Affiliate links are included in this post.) Don't Say No?? I'm not talking about discipline here - I'm talking about building creative, independent, interested, motivated learners! I have my plans for this little guy each day. Those plans include Bible, phonics, math, science, history and the like. We get most of those things done most days. Some days, however, Eli (6) is just so enthralled with something that the plans change and we fly with his interests down a road filled with learning and enthusiasm. Those days are awesome. Enter creative homeschooling. Some people choose to call this delight-direct learning, while others call it interest-based learning. Either way, the ... Read More
Weekly Lesson Notebooks
(This post contains affiliate links.) Better lesson organization is one of my main goals for the upcoming school year. Having a high school student, middle school student and a kindergartener, I have no choice but to be more organized - or feel flustered and fall behind too often like I did last year when I was less prepared. I have a newly organized planning notebook for myself and both of the big kids have their own weekly binder. Besides organization, the binders are going to help the kiddos work towards more work independence and responsibility. I'm so excited about these weekly lesson notebooks! Middle and High School Binders Basic Supplies The pocket pouch holds a ... Read More