Have you considered using a homeschool evaluator? Take a peek at some of the rich learning experiences that one homeschool evaluator has seen in her evaluations. Continue reading »
10 "Mom-Approved" Strategies For Homeschooling a Child With ADHD
It can feel scary to homeschool a child with an ADHD diagnosis. Their learning needs are often different from those of a neurotypical child. The thing is...homeschooling gives you the opportunity to individualize your child’s education in order to meet their specific needs. For many families, the decision to homeschool ends up being a better choice than a one-size-fits-all public school classroom. Below, I’m going to share 10 tips for homeschooling a child with ADHD. Continue reading »
Can You Skip a Grade Homeschooling? Can You Repeat a Grade? Should You?
If your kids haven’t mastered everything you or your curriculum set out for the year, should you have them repeat the grade? If they scored as well as a much older child would on an end-of-year achievement test, can you have them skip a grade homeschooling? Should you? Continue reading »
My 5 Favorite Things about Homeschooling Teens
Homeschooling teens, for me, has been challenging and refreshing and fun (most days). It can be easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day craziness of sibling bickering, mood swings, wondering where all the groceries went, driving to and from four different places, and finding time to fill up my own cup. So, what are my five favorite things about homeschooling teens right now? I'm sharing them all here and I hope they inspire you too. Continue reading »
It's Okay to Be "Just Okay"
Everyone can’t be a high achiever. If everyone were a high achiever, it would no longer be high. It would just be normal. Most of us, and most of our kids, are average. That’s kind of what average is. Public school kids are not one size fits all, so why would we expect homeschoolers to be? I'm not taking anything away from the amazing accomplishments of the graduates who have been posted, but I also want to share some encouragement for parents whose kids aren't graduating early or even "on time". Continue reading »
50+ Audiobooks to Keep Kids Entertained on Your Summer Road Trip
Audiobooks are exactly what you need to pass the time when the kids won’t stop asking, “Are we there yet???” These are our top picks broken down into three categories — audiobooks for families traveling with young kids, audiobooks for families traveling with older kids, and audiobooks for the whole family to enjoy together. Continue reading »
Swimming and Water Safety
It’s hard to imagine, but someday your youngster may be a teen or young adult navigating pool parties, afternoons at the lake or river, and even boat rides with people you don’t know—and you won’t be there. Helping kids learn how to swim and some basic water safety rules when they are younger may make them safer for their future water activities, even when you’re not around. Here are some tips. Continue reading »
What's on Your Summer Bucket List?
Now’s the time to make your summer bucket list or bingo card! Over some pancakes or smoothies, you and the kids can brainstorm experiences you don’t want to miss this summer. If you live in an area that has opened up, checking things off your bucket list will feel especially good. Here are some ideas to get your started. Continue reading »
Love Your Place: 10 Ways to Tap into Community-Based Learning
Now more than ever, homeschoolers are looking to emerge from their homes and engage with the community around them. Whether you are new to an area, a temporary resident, or a lifelong inhabitant, learning about the place you live can lead to all sorts of new opportunities and adventures in learning. Here are 10 simple ways to start using your community to enliven your life and learning. Continue reading »
9 Outdoor Experiments for Summer Science Fun
Taking science outside lets your child explore their environment and enjoy all sorts of messy play. Today, we’re sharing 9 outdoor science experiments for hands-on learning fun! Continue reading »
Boost Your Homeschool Budget With These Common Yard Sale Finds
In much of the U.S., the spring and summer seasons also bring yard sale season. Where you live, it might be known as a garage sale, rummage sale, or tag sale, but whatever the name, buying used items from families who are ready to let them go can be a boon for your homeschool budget. Here are some great homeschool supplies to search for at yard sales. Continue reading »
Homeschooling with Book Lists
The single most important thing you can do as a homeschooling parent is read to your kids every day. But what to read? Try consulting some high quality book lists and recommendations to learn about the books librarians, educators, book bloggers, and families have loved. Pin or print a book list that appeals to you, or mix and match suggestions from multiple lists. You can find book titles grouped into checklists, lists with descriptions, lists by year, lists by topic, and more. Continue reading »
Should You Continue Homeschooling Post-COVID?
Are you trying to decide whether to homeschool again for the coming year? If you’ve only homeschooled a year or two, you may be concerned you and your kids will be isolated or lonely because you’re basing your decision on your experience of homeschooling during shut-downs. Here's how things will probably be different post shut-down. Continue reading »
Have You Tried Both/And Instead of Either/Or?
The education pendulum swings, and homeschoolers often swing along with the trends of public schools. I’m old enough to have heard the experts be sure of phonics then whole language then phonics again. I’ve been through arithmetic, new math, and Common Core math. Various approaches to education have experts in their corner, and the experts often draw the battle lines clearly. Their way is the way. You do it their way, or you are doing it the wrong way. At least that’s the perception. But that doesn’t have to be the case. Consider Both/And instead of Either/Or. Continue reading »
7 Tips for Reading Aloud When You Have More Than One Child
Reading aloud doesn’t come without its challenges — especially when you have multiple kids spanning a wide range of ages. How do you choose what book to read? Do you pick one on the oldest’s reading level? The youngest’s? What time of day do you read? And for how long? How do you keep them quiet and listening harmoniously? Continue reading »
My Favorite Homeschool Language Arts Resources
How do you make language arts fun and engaging? There are lots of ways you can do this, and it depends on your child's age, your goals, and your time, and perhaps your state's requirements. I'm sharing some of our favorite language arts resources below that can work for a wide variety of ages and stages. Continue reading »
Using Scientific Current Events to Understand the Scientific Process
Studying scientific current events—or science news—is a good way to help your kids understand that scientists are always learning and revising their understanding. Here are some ways you can follow science news with your kids as a way to help them understand the scientific process. Continue reading »
What My Teens Say They Loved About Our Elementary Homeschool Years
When I sit down to plan homeschool this summer, it will be for three high schoolers. Were all of our homeschool days these last ten years filled with Instagram-worthy shares and fantastic projects and the best curricula and memorizing things? No, not even a little. If I'm being honest, most days were pretty ho-hum and some seasons we were literally just getting by with meals, Lego building, and lots of television. So, what do my three kids remember about their early years of homeschooling? I recently chatted with them and was pleasantly surprised to get some good feedback and not too many grumbles. Continue reading »
Spring Homeschooling: The Vernal Equinox
What makes spring? The vernal equinox! Well, at least that’s the term for what’s happening as the Earth’s tilt and revolution around the sun change whether the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere gets the most sunlight. Learning about the vernal equinox is a great way to welcome spring. Continue reading »
6 Science Shows On Disney+ Your Kids (And You!) Will Love
Since we’re spending more time at home right now (and I’m a work-from-home mom), it’s vital that we have stuff to keep the kids busy and engaged — and one part of that, for our family, is TV that’s both educational AND entertaining. That is the beauty I’ve found in Disney+. Here are 6 science shows on Disney+ your kids (and you!) will love. Continue reading »
