Our twins, now 13, are in eighth grade. When we started the academic year, I sat down with each twin (a boy and a girl) to discuss what they wanted to learn about this homeschool year and to share what I had planned for them as well. Homeschooling middle school is a fluid, flexible few years. I have an older son, now in high school, and he was my test subject and helped me loosen up my rigid thoughts and fears that middle school had to JUST be a launching pad to high school. We're interest-led with a dollop of what I call my "non-negotiables." Continue reading »
Search Results for: unit study
Christmas Around the World for Kids
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 »
Campfire Curriculums
Campfire Curriculums is a Christian extracurricular done from home for homeschoolers or non-homeschoolers that combines a Charlotte Mason ideology with job shadowing/apprenticeship. Emphasis is placed on experiential and hands-on activities with contributions from experts or professionals in each field. Continue reading »
My Top 4 Tips for Getting Started Homeschooling Your Middle Schooler
Homeschooling middle school can be a great thing because all the peer pressure, negativity, drama, etc. that comes along with these years can be lessened by choosing to home educate. I’m sharing my top four tips to help make your transition into homeschooling middle school manageable—whether you’re brand new to homeschooling or you’ve been homeschooling from the beginning. Continue reading »
A Day in the Life Homeschooling 3 Teens: Homebound Edition
Recently, I shared a day in the life of our homeschool with three teens. It was a particularly busy day, but a pretty typical one for our family. You see, even though we homeschool, we're rarely at home. Recently, life has changed due to statewide "stay home" orders. We are in our home. All the time. Our life is vastly different. This is a day in the life of our homeschool while we are homebound for comparison. Continue reading »
Connect with History & Geography Using Family History
If you’re looking for a unique way to inspire your children’s curiosity and interest in history, consider introducing them to genealogy. You can use your own family tree to make history more relevant and meaningful to children, strengthen their sense of identity, and help them to see where they fit in time and place in this world. Using your family tree to learn about the life and times of grandparents is a great example of “social history,” which studies the experiences of ordinary people. Notice the word experiences — if you portray history in terms of experiences rather than facts, it can help personalize the study of history. This helps children to make sense of the world around them. Continue reading »
Cemetery Field Trips for Social Distancing? Yes!
Are you looking for something to do outside with the kids during this period of social distancing? Taking them to a cemetery to document graves respects social distancing while providing kids with an opportunity to participate in a "treasure" hunt, use photography skills, enjoy nature, and learn about history. Continue reading »
Suddenly Homeschooling: Resources for When Schools Close
Because of social distancing, school systems across the country are closing for weeks or months, and parents everywhere are asking about how to homeschool or help their children learn at home. Short-term homeschooling is not new—it has existed alongside long-term homeschooling for many years, and parents may be reassured to know that this option has worked well for families for lots of different reasons. If you have kids at home unexpectedly, or if you’re advising a family member or friend with kids who are out of school, here are a few things to keep in mind. Continue reading »
Homegrown Adventures
If your thinking about homeschooling or your homeschooling and you want to know how you can plan and put together a unit study so that you can teach all of your children at once then this class is for you. I'll explain what a unit study is, why unit studies are amazing, and show you Continue reading »
Summer Learning: Creative Activities for Logging Extra Days
It’s almost summertime! Is a long summer vacation looming hot and bothersome in your mind? Why not transform that long and ordinary vacation into extraordinary summer learning? Many homeschoolers choose to continue schooling during the summer. Whether or not you homeschool year round, learning during the summer months is a great way to log in extra days, to spend quality time together as a family, or to just have fun—the more educational, the better. Continue reading »
Homeschool Summer Learning
It’s tough to think about learning when there’s so much fun to be had, and we understand! That’s why you’ll find five learning loss statistics below along with five suggestions on how to help your kids avoid the notorious “summer brain drain.” Continue reading »
Interested in Interest-led?
What is interest-led learning, and how can it fit into your homeschooling?
Interest-led learning is just what it sounds like -- letting a child's interests lead the learning process.
This means parents take note of what a child is curious about, enjoys doing, and is naturally drawn to. Then parents help a child learn about that interest. Since this may involve field trips, library books, research, projects, and more, there are many academic skills which are practiced, and a lot of content knowledge is learned -- just by helping a child pursue specific interests.
What might this look like in a homeschool? Continue reading »
Learning with the Olympics
I'm cautious about twisting every interesting thing into a "learning opportunity" that can turn off otherwise interested kids, but the Olympic Games are compelling, and your kids will probably want to know more.
Watching actual competitions on television or via internet is surely the hook. Competition is its own drama, and the personal stories of athletes who have trained for so many years are interesting.
But with the 2016 Olympics in Rio set for August 5 - 21, what are some good resources for additional learning? Continue reading »
Ask Jeanne: Homeschooling the Child Behind in School
My son is 12 and in 6th grade. He is failing this year. Truthfully, I don't know how he has passed in past years, and this year he seems to be regressing. He is currently reading at a 1.5 grade level. It is making it impossible for him to learn anything in school when he can't read. He is in special ed, but they can not work with him one-on-one - not enough resources. We have spoken with the special ed dept and the staff and they agree that pulling him out of school and working with him at home would be best for him. I want to go back and teach him the basics of reading and math. My question is how do I legally do this? I mean I want to start over with him at 1st grade, so how do I do that and still have him enrolled in some homeschool program? He doesn't have the ability to go to school and then me teach him the basics at home. It's just too much for him. So how do I start over with him? Please help. Continue reading »
Ask Jeanne: What Curriculum for Homeschooling Active & Outdoorsy Boys?
We just started homeschooling about a month ago. Our son is in first grade. We purchased the curriculum (here she named a specific well-known Christian curriculum), but it's not going as well as I had hoped. My son really doesn't like the structure of the program. He's a six-year-old boy who loves to be outside. Any encouragement, advice, resources, wisdom, or thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks so much! Continue reading »
New Homeschoolers Need Old Homeschoolers
What do new homeschoolers need from "old" homeschoolers?
In a previous post in my "Homeschoolers Helping Homeschoolers" series, I suggested that providing new homeschoolers with information is better than giving directive advice -- but what else is helpful?
If you are an established homeschooler reaching back to assist new homeschoolers, in addition to offering basic information about homeschooling -- offer Support, Resources, and Inspiration.
What are the best way to provide support? Continue reading »
Tips for Homeschooling with a Baby or Toddler
Parenting a young family is challenging. Babies and toddlers are needy, and homeschooling can feel like a huge responsibility. Here are some helpful tips for homeschooling with a baby or young toddler in the family. Continue reading »
Subscriber Exclusives
We have created these quality workbooks and unit studies exclusively for our newsletter subscribers. From our financial workbooks for teens to our notebooking units for middle grades, you can't buy these exclusive resources. We'll send you the links to your subscriber exclusive resources by email, just use the form above to request access. Comprehensive Homeschool Continue reading »
Homeschooling and Moving
Moving can bring wonderful opportunities -- new jobs, new friends, and new possibilities -- but it's also stressful. Our homeschooling family has moved to new homes in new states a few times, and I've realized homeschooling through a move has some positives, some negatives, and some things to think about. Continue reading »
9 Benefits of Hosting an International Exchange Student
Hosting an international exchange student can be a great experience for homeschooling families. We hosted a student from Ecuador, and while the commitment can seem daunting, having Isaac José with us for a school year enriched our lives.
What are some of the benefits of hosting an international student? Continue reading »
The Alphabet Walk: Learning ABCs with Rocks and Trees
Winter is a wonderful time to take Alphabet Walks with your children. In my part of the U.S., this means bundling up for the cold weather, but hunting for the ABCs in nature may be just the thing to get you and the kids moving on darker winter days.
The main object of an Alphabet Walk is to find letters that have been unintentionally formed in the outdoors. Perhaps crossing tree branches form an X against the blue sky, or a cat curved on your deck forms a perfect C. A front door wreath on your neighbor's house is an O. The brickwork above the windows in an old Main Street building creates a V. Continue reading »
Keeping It New in the New Year
The reality is that when you homeschool, it can easily seem like an endless treadmill. Often there aren’t the same demarcations in the school year that public school students experience, as many homeschoolers follow non-traditional schedules and do academics year-round. Moving from one "grade" to another becomes an issue of "in which subject?" and summer "break" can simply be a matter of shifting academics from traditional book work to more experiential learning. Homeschooling, like parenting, never ends while the kids are still at home. Continue reading »
English Composition for High School
Using process-based writing resources, students can master writing effective English compositions. Resources include parent info and student assignments. Continue reading »
Contextual Learning: Homeschooling Through Fashion
This year in my role as a homeschool evaluator, I met a number of tweens and teens who are interested in fashion. As we went through their portfolio of work and talked about their year, I was fascinated with the ways they had woven their interest in fashion with their academic studies. Two of the teens I met with had taken their interest in current fashion into the past -- studying the typical dress and accessorizing of women and men in earlier periods of history. They also took their fashion interest international -- studying the current typical dress of modern-day people in other parts of the world.
Both of these girls (who did not know each other -- they had arrived at this independently) had done extensive research to be able to portray the styles of other times and other places, and they could explain how the fashion reflected the culture, religious beliefs, gender roles, classes and roles in society, and daily life. They were articulate about the historical times and geography of the world as they discussed the observations they had made about fashion in these distant centuries and far-off places. Continue reading »
Our Favorite Homeschooling Christmas Tradition
It’s like fall comes and then… Boom! You’re getting ready for Christmas. Now, I’m certain that many of you homeschoolers out there already have your December homeschool-worthy Christmas plans in the works before Thanksgiving rolls around, and, well...yay for you. Me? The thought of Christmas plans doesn’t usually seriously cross my mind until the turkey Continue reading »
Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott was known for writing Little Women, a novel loosely based on her childhood experiences with her three sisters. She wrote many poems, short stories, thrillers, and plays using multiple pen names. Some of her plays were presented in Boston playhouses. Born - November 29, 1832 Died - March 6, 1888 Activities, Lesson Continue reading »
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. is known for using non-violent methods to call attention to civil rights injustices towards African-Americans. He was also a civil rights leader who was vital to the organization of the Montgomery bus boycott. He is famous for his "I Have a Dream" speech given in Washington, D.C., calling for an end Continue reading »
Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss is known for writing and illustrating children's picture books. Theodor Seuss Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss, was an American writer, poet, and cartoonist. Dr. Seuss' most famous book, The Cat in the Hat was written because he was worried children were not learning to read. Born - March 2, 1904 Died - Continue reading »
Tsunamis
How underwater earthquakes cause the formation of tsunamis; copyright GeoscienceAustralia CCbyAttribution The Physics of Tsunamis (Y,M,O,T) An educational website from the University of Washington on tsunamis. The site provides information on how to survive a tsunami, the different ways they are formed, and what they look like. Also provides a small database of articles and videos Continue reading »
Ancient Rome
A Tour through Ancient Rome in 320 C.E. Flyoverzone: Rome Reborn Virtual Tours (Y,M,O) You can take a virtual tour of Ancient Rome, using Flyoverzone’s Yorescape online VR platform or by using their Apple or Android apps. The Rome Reborn project has recreated the entire city of Ancient Rome in extreme detail. You can take a Continue reading »
St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick's Day is a holiday children love to celebrate—the folklore is magical and the craft opportunities are prolific! And? Everything is green—including the shamrocks and leprechauns! [feast_advanced_jump_to] Background The day is named after St. Patrick, who was born around the year 386 AD, possibly in Scotland. The short version of his significance is that Continue reading »
Thanksgiving
Library of Congress Thanksgiving Documents (O) A collection of primary sources from the Library of Congress that include historical proclamations, articles, and art. A teacher's guide is also available. Culturally Sensitive Lesson Plans for All Ages (Y,M,O,T) These lesson plans from the Native American perspective challenge students to consider the cultural and historical implications of the first Continue reading »
Narnia
Narnia.com (Y,M,O,T) Narnia.com is the official homepage of The Chronicles of Narnia on the web. The site hosts tons of Narnia news and resources. You can find reading and activity guides, recipes, costume guides, maps, crafts, and more. CSLewis.com (M,O) Find C.S. Lewis’s full bibliography, a list of C.S. Lewis Organizations in the U.S. and Europe, and Continue reading »
Oceans and Rivers
[feast_advanced_jump_to] Ocean Resources NOAA National Ocean Service for Kids (Y,M,O,T) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Ocean Service Kids’ page has a comprehensive collection of ocean education resources, including educational websites, videos, games, activities, science experiments, workbooks, teacher guides, lesson plans, whole curricula, and more. Learn about ocean wildlife, corals, fishing, pollution, tides, currents, and Continue reading »
Poetry
We're in a new golden age of poetry, and you and your kids can explore poetry together, learning more by listening to poetry, reading poetry, and writing poetry. [feast_advanced_jump_to] How to Introduce Poetry There may be no better introduction to poetry for younger and middling kids than the YouTube video "Ingredients of a Poem," created Continue reading »
India
Nations Online: India Country Profile (M,O,T) Nations Online has a complete database of resources for studying the people and places of India. It provides a brief overview as well as a comprehensive collection of resource websites to learn about India’s government, geography, environment, culture, business, tourism, and more. India.gov.in (Y,M,O,T) India.gov.in is the homepage of India’s national Continue reading »
Insects
[feast_advanced_jump_to] General Insect Resources Lesson: Classifying Insects (M,O,T) In this Lesson plan from the Natural History Museum Los Angeles County, students will learn about insect classification and then put their new skills to the test. Designed for middle school and high school students. Unit Study: Amber - Freezing Gold (Y,M,O,T) Free lapbook, notebook, and unit study resources Continue reading »
Hanukkah
Chanukah Printables from Crayola (Y) Crayola offers a collection of Chanukah-themed printables, coloring pages, games, and crafts that will be fun for all ages. The Jewish Museum Hanukkah Collection (M, O, T) The Jewish Museum in New York is home to a large collection of Hanukkah objects, artwork, and artifacts - some old, some new. You can Continue reading »
Easter
Easter Word Puzzles (Y, M, O, T) Use the premade Easter word list to print word searches, word scrambles, and crossword puzzles - or create your own custom puzzles. Egg Drop Experiments (Y, M, O, T) The egg drop experiment is a fun activity that can be adapted to all age ranges and teach a variety of Continue reading »
Egypt
The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum (Y,M,O,T) The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose, CA, is home to a large collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. If you can’t visit the museum in-person, you can explore the collection online. The website also includes a large amount of educational resources, including lesson plans, activity downloads, 360 virtual museum tours, videos, Continue reading »