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TheHomeSchoolMom

Homeschooling help and encouragement from experienced homeschoolers - find out how homeschooling works and how to start, get tips & ideas for when things need adjusting, read curriculum reviews before buying, learn how online schools work, gain confidence about homeschooling high school, and more.

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Living Education by Oak Meadow

TheHomeSchoolMom Blog: Technology & Learning

Technology and Learning

by Living Education by Oak Meadow

When the modern homeschooling movement first began a few decades ago, the personal computer didn’t even exist, but now the majority of homeschooling families use a computer as part of their educational program. This not only reflects the growth of computers throughout our culture, but it also indicates that many homeschooling parents have assumed that computers can help children learn more effectively. But if we think that plugging every kid into a computer will transform education, we’re fooling ourselves – and potentially harming our children. Continue reading »

End of Year Homeschool Activities

10 Ideas for Making the End of the Year Special

by Living Education by Oak Meadow

Is yours one of the many families whose "school year" has a beginning, an end, and then a break before the next year begins? Schooling at home is something to celebrate, and when the end of the year arrives, it presents an opportunity for joyful recognition and reflection. Here are some ideas for ways to make it memorable and special for your family.Is yours one of the many families whose "school year" has a beginning, an end, and then a break before the next year begins? Schooling at home is something to celebrate, and when the end of the year arrives, it presents an opportunity for joyful recognition and reflection. Here are some ideas for ways to make it memorable and special for your family. Continue reading »

TheHomeSchoolMom Blog: Find Other Homeschoolers in Your Community

Finding Community as a Homeschooler

by Living Education by Oak Meadow

At first, particularly if you are new to homeschooling, it may seem like there are no homeschoolers around at all. But chances are very good that they are just hidden in plain sight! Families in many areas have established homeschool groups that meet for field trips, projects, playtime, and even parent-run classes. Finding them can be the hardest part. Some homeschool groups maintain a low profile to respect or protect the privacy of their member families. So it can be challenging to make that first connection. But homeschoolers, in general, are very resourceful and well-connected, and once you've found one local homeschooling family, you may soon hear about others. Continue reading »

TheHomeSchoolMom Blog: 12 Reasons Why Handwriting Is Important

12 Reasons Why Handwriting Is Important

by Living Education by Oak Meadow

1. The brain engages differently when we write something by hand as opposed to typing it on a keyboard or by touching a screen. Studies show that writing improves memory; students retain learning better when working with new ideas through handwriting instead of typing.

2. Engaging the body in writing by hand helps make writing a more holistic activity. There is something uniquely physical and multidimensional about putting pen to paper to form words and sentences. Continue reading »

TheHomeSchoolMom Blog: Homeschooling Multiple Grade Levels

Juggling Act: Homeschooling Multiple Grade Levels

by Living Education by Oak Meadow

What's it like to educate siblings at home? I caught up with three Vermont homeschooling mothers who do just that. Meghan has six children, aged 11, 9, 7, 6, and eight month old twins. Michaeline's children are 7 and 5, and she cares part-time for two additional children aged 2 and 1. Pam runs an in-home daycare for three children aged 4, 3, and 1 while homeschooling her own children, aged 13, 7, and 5. Continue reading »

TheHomeSchoolMom Blog: Homeschooler, Magician, Dad

Homeschooler, Magician, Dad

by Living Education by Oak Meadow

As a homeschool father, I was mostly in charge of going to work to pay the bills while my co-parent was largely responsible for the homeschooling, making food, organizing everybody, keeping us all alive--a ceaseless and thankless profession by most counts. Still, I have to admit, I was often jealous. I would go to the school where I was teaching, pouring my creativity and experience into creating lessons for other people's children, most of whom didn't want to be there. Then at night, I would collaborate with Kathy on our home curriculum--finding cool ways to explore the roots of Western Civilization or how to present division using chocolate chips--the creative engagement that attracted me to the teaching profession. Needless to say, I often felt torn between the need to make a living and the wish to participate in my children's education. Looking back now, I can see that those days when I did play hooky from my job in order to participate in my children's education are some of the most powerful and meaningful memories I have of my children. Continue reading »

TheHomeSchoolMom Blog: Rhythms, Routines, Rituals In the Homeschool

Rhythms, Routines, Rituals in the Homeschool

by Living Education by Oak Meadow

Rhythms, routines, and rituals help us stay centered and on track as homeschooling parents, and they enable our children to relax and feel secure because they know what to expect each day. A thoughtful routine allows us to focus our energy in one area at a time, knowing that other essential areas will not be neglected. Well-established rhythms help us manage the ebb and flow of homeschooling and free our remaining energy to deal with the unexpected. Continue reading »

TheHomeSchoolMom Blog: Homeschool Organization

Help! My Home Is Overflowing With School!

by Living Education by Oak Meadow

Whether you're just starting out or have been on the homeschooling journey for years, organizing your homeschooling routine can seem like an immense undertaking. The key to any successful organizational system is to keep it simple and make it part of your normal daily routine. The first year that I homeschooled my son Matt, I worked hard to make sure that homeschooling didn't throw our entire household into chaos. By the time his little brother Mason was ready for school, I had gotten a whole lot better at it.

Here are some of the lessons I've learned about homeschool organization. Hopefully these simple suggestions can help you get organized, too. Continue reading »

TheHomeSchoolMom Blog - Homegrown Riches: The Economic Challenges of Homeschooling

Homegrown Riches: The Economic Challenges of Homeschooling

by Living Education by Oak Meadow

Homeschooling is an economic challenge for many families, including mine. Sometimes it takes extra creativity to make it work. I've had to adjust my habits and expectations along the way. The two most important things for me have been crafting a realistic budget and being clear about our family's priorities. Making homeschooling work is non-negotiable in our family, so we make adjustments in other areas. I've learned that courage and creativity can enable a sense of richness and abundance while keeping things economically balanced. Here are some of the things that I've learned. Continue reading »

TheHomeSchoolMom Blog - Homegrown Riches: The Economic Challenges of Homeschooling {Part 2}

Homegrown Riches: The Economic Challenges of Homeschooling {Part 2}

by Living Education by Oak Meadow

Holiday celebrations are important. Over the years we've focused mainly on simple, handmade, joy-filled ways of celebrating. Our crowd's favorite kind of birthday party typically includes a special birthday snack, a gaggle of kids, and a fun place to run around. I encourage my children–and their friends–to give gifts of the heart: treasures from nature, homemade goodies, special handmade items, lovingly selected hand-me-downs, thoughtfully chosen items. We've stepped away from commercially prescribed traditions and created our own. We have consciously shaped many heartfelt traditions that we can replicate year after year even when the budget is meager. Continue reading »

You can homeschool!

Yes, You Can Homeschool!

by Living Education by Oak Meadow

There are many reasons that lead families to consider homeschooling. Often it comes up when a child's school is not a good match for their needs. Sometimes it's driven by a parent's desire to guide their child's learning in the context of their own values. Sometimes children need a more flexible schedule in order to pursue athletic or artistic training, and sometimes parents simply can't imagine missing out on the excitement of educational discovery.

How do you know for sure if homeschooling is the right fit for you and your child? Continue reading »

Simple Ways to Bring Literature into Your Child's Life

Bringing Literature into Your Child’s Life

by Living Education by Oak Meadow

Literature opens doors to the world around us as well as to worlds inside our hearts and minds. For children and adolescents just beginning to understand the vast reaches of emotion, literature can expand their perspective and add a richness and depth to their social skills. Here are some great ideas and online resources to bring literature into your child’s life. Continue reading »

school supplies with text How to Balance Working & Homeschooling - survival tips (thehomeschoolmom.com

Balancing Homeschooling and Working Full Time or Part Time

by Living Education by Oak Meadow

"Can I work full or part time and homeschool my kids? What has worked for people?" Many Oak Meadow families responded with their own stories and helpful tips about what has worked for them.

They recognize that finding balance is a work in progress, requiring flexibility and patience, determination, and a sense of humor! Here are some tips to help you move forward with your decision to homeschool while working outside the home. Continue reading »

Citizen Science

by Living Education by Oak Meadow

How YOU can get involved in real science!

There is a new craze hitting the streets, and hopefully this one is here to stay. It's called citizen science. With the advancement of technology, it has become easier and easier for "regular" people to do real science. There are people everywhere interested in contributing to science, especially if it's made easy for them. With citizen science, it is. Not only do citizens collect and report data, but they are becoming valuable helpers in analyzing the vast amount of data that is now available due to increased technology. The best part is that these are not just classroom activities, using hypothetical scenarios to mimic how science is done. While those activities are inherently valuable, think of the additional value of being an active contributor. Citizen science is a perfect way for homeschoolers to get a real world perspective on science. Continue reading »

Homeschooling Multiple Children

Homeschooling Multiple Children

by Living Education by Oak Meadow

Families new to homeschooling often wonder if it is possible to successfully homeschool more than one child at a time. It can seem very daunting! There are always challenges to homeschooling, whether you have one child or several. The trick to homeschooling multiple children, ages or grades with some measure of success and grace can be summed up in one word: organization. Continue reading »

TheHomeSchoolMom: Sustainable Living and Learning

Sustainable Living and Learning

by Living Education by Oak Meadow

Many of us find it easy to dive into new things with gusto. Once we've made the decision to try something new, like homeschooling, we want to learn everything we can so we can be really, really good at it. We make big plans—we'll work our annual trip to the seashore into a unit on oceanography!—and create rosy images of winter days with our children studiously bent over their books at the kitchen table while we bake homemade crackers and upload photos of the latest clever homeschool project to our blog site.
Continue reading »

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