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Homeschooling Thoughts

Can You Start Homeschooling in the Middle of the Year?

by Mary Ann Kelley

You may have never thought you would consider homeschooling, or maybe you were thinking about starting in the fall, but circumstances are forcing you to consider bringing your child home mid-year. Perhaps it is bullying, a negative school environment, an illness, school anxiety, a stressful family situation, or some other unexpected circumstance causing you to consider pulling your child out before the end of the school year. Regardless of the motivation, your first question is likely, “Can I start homeschooling mid-year?” Continue reading »

Mid-Year Homeschooling: Connection, Not Curriculum

by Jeanne Faulconer

Did you or someone you know just start homeschooling “after the holidays” – right in the middle of the school year? “What curriculum should I use?” Even among experienced homeschoolers, January ruminations run toward assessing the curriculum and whether it is working. I know you don’t want to hear this – but your homeschool priority should be connection, not curriculum. Continue reading »

Adjusting to Homeschooling Mid-Year

by Living Education by Oak Meadow

Making the decision to switch gears and begin homeschooling partway through the school year takes courage and faith. Whatever you were doing before wasn’t working, and whatever you are beginning hasn’t had time to feel routine yet. Here are ten suggestions to ease the way. Continue reading »

Make Your Own Bird Unit Study

by Jeanne Faulconer

Winter is the perfect time for a bird unit study! Birds can provide you and your kids with a wild distraction from current events, a connection to the natural world, and a chance to be grounded in an off-screen reality. If you’re in a winter climate, the leafless trees, snow, and dormant vegetation provide a crisp backdrop for spotting birds. In moderate climates, your locale may be the recipient of migratory birds, providing an ideal opportunity to spot species that aren’t around during other times of the year. Continue reading »

Night Vision: Homeschool Astronomy Activities

by Jeanne Faulconer

In many parts of the Northern Hemisphere, winter is downright chilling, and both the season and the change from Daylight Saving Time mean the sun sets early. An activity that works well for homeschoolers this time of year is amateur astronomy—and you don’t even have to stay up late to see the night sky!  Continue reading »

Homeschooling and the Art of Letting Go

by Vanessa Wright

After planning the perfect homeschool schedule, imagine my surprise when my three precious (and energetic) children didn’t always stay on task or got sick, or plans changed, etc. After trial and error and tears (mine and my kids), I realized that just because we chose to homeschool, didn’t mean I had to do it all and do it all perfectly. I learned that I had to practice homeschooling and the art of letting go. Continue reading »

Benefits of Year-Round Homeschooling from January to December

by Amy Thetford

When you think of the first day of school, what comes to mind? If you’re like most people, you imagine crisp autumn air. Maybe you picture fun “first day” signs and shiny new backpacks. Likely, in your mind, the start of school syncs up with the end of summer. What if it didn’t though? What if your school year ran in line with the calendar year? Continue reading »

Christmas Around the World for Kids

by TheHomeSchoolMom

The celebration of Christmas offers a world of fun activities and lesson opportunities for homeschoolers. From recipes and crafts to discussing the historical and cultural background of Christmas traditions, opportunities for learning are endless. Continue reading »

Originally published on December 4, 2020 Topics: Christmas

Grandparent Tips for Helping during Virtual Learning

by Jeanne Faulconer

If your kids are learning at home for virtual classes, it’s time to call on grandparents, family friends, and helpful aunts and uncles to join your virtual education team. How can they help via Facetime or Zoom? Share these nineteen ideas for your relatives and friends who are meeting with your kids online. Continue reading »

How Will You Change Homeschooling?

by Jeanne Faulconer

A question to consider: how will you change homeschooling?  You might be a long-term homeschooler, or you might be homeschooling in reaction to public school closures and virtual classes. If so, your choice, along with the choices of many others, may impact both public school and homeschooling. Will the public education ecosystem change as a result of so many people opting out of the public schools? Will homeschooling change? Continue reading »

As featured on

US News & World Report, Forbes, KQED, HuffPost, AL.com, Money, Healthline Parenthood, Family Education, Parents, Scholastic

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