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Speed Scrabble: Boost Spelling and Vocabulary

Pre-writing activities disguised as games make it so much more fun to learn and practice skills. Depending on the activity, you can teach or reinforce spelling, grammar, vocabulary, and writing. One of my family’s new favorites, Speed Scrabble (also known as Boardless Scrabble), would be a terrific way to address both spelling and vocabulary. Continue reading »
Categories:    Elementary, Language Arts, Middle and High School, Writing

Tips for Keeping Children Engaged, Part 2

Young children, as well as many special needs children, often struggle with keeping attention and focus during academics. Tips for Keeping Children Engaged Part 1 looked at some simple ways to help keep students engaged and interested in school work. Here are some additional tips for how you can help your child to stay on track and maintain his/her focus.Continue reading »
Categories:    Homeschooling

Tiger Mother… Sort Of

In reading several articles about Chua’s book, I realized that I, too, am a “Tiger Mother.” My daughters have been strictly homeschooled from birth, according to lofty goals their mother set before they were even conceived. Like children of Tiger Mothers everywhere, my girls were also expected to make all “A’s”. I pushed them, sometimes very hard…out the door in good weather.Continue reading »
Categories:    Homeschooling

Tips for Keeping Children Engaged, Part 1

While Kindergarten in public schools generally starts at age 5 or 6, many homeschoolers choose to begin some type of academics much earlier with their children. While every schoolteacher knows that the early elementary years are synonymous with short attention spans for many kids, homeschoolers also have the added excitement of trying to involve children as young as two. Fortunately, homeschooling offers the flexibility to accommodate the wide range of focusing ability that children bring to the table, whether the result of age, maturity, or special needs. Continue reading »
Categories:    Homeschooling

Extra Rules Always Required

Time and again, in various states around the country, we have seen that homeschool tax credit legislation attracts increased monitoring. With new federal “model” homeschool tax credit legislation already proposed, homeschoolers must be extremely vigilant in opposing this well intentioned threat to our homeschool freedoms.Continue reading »
Categories:    Homeschooling, Legalities

No Curriculum Needed Vocabulary Lessons

Words, words, words! A variety of research, such as that by the University of Kansas, has demonstrated that the number of words children know dramatically impacts their success in other academic areas. While reading to children is one of the best ways to help them gain a strong vocabulary, at some point it is helpful to study vocabulary words in an intentional way. For older children this is often incorporated as part of English or Reading curricula, but for young children, such as those who have just learned to read, what options are there for learning vocabulary? Continue reading »
Categories:    Homeschooling, Language Arts

What About College?

Being the parent of 3 teens (and a 10 year old), I’ve been looking at the options I can give my kids for college. A priority for me was to be able to pay for college without having any of us take on debt. I really wasn’t sure if I was being reasonable. Then I stumbled upon the book Debt Free U by Zac Bissonnette. He put me on the road to charting a path through college that will meet my kids needs AND my financial goals.Continue reading »
Categories:    College

Goodies: The Story of the World Vol. 1&2

It’s time for another goodie giveaway! This time I have Volumes 1 & 2 of The Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer which cover the earliest nomads through the rise of the Renaissance. From the author of The Well-Trained Mind, these books are billed as “History for the Classical Child”.Continue reading »
Categories:    Giveaways

Winner of Shurley Grammar:Level 1

Congratulations to Annie (levanpelt), the winner of our Shurley Grammar: Level 1 curriculum. Annie, please contact me with your address so that I can send your books. Continue reading »
Categories:    Giveaways

Homeschool Reevaluation in the New Year

Many homeschoolers take a break from schooling at least some of the time in December, in order to enjoy the holidays. January can bring a new jumpstart to the educational process, as families “get back into the groove” following traveling, hosting, and Christmas events. The new year is the perfect time to take a look at your homeschool and do some reevaluation – what is going well? What needs to be changed?Continue reading »
Categories:    Homeschooling

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