Take a look at promotional material for preschools in your area. Chances are there's an emphasis on early math, pre-reading, and other academics. This approach sells. Nearly everyone I know is sure their children benefit from playing with blinking, beeping toys that "teach." Most of them sign their children up at the age of two or three to attend specialized enrichment programs that claim to boost abilities in science, art, sports, or language. Continue reading »
Search Results for: unit studies
Our America Series
Finn's & Ginny's parents are lost back in time, and the two young twins have decided to go back to early America to find them. In the first book of The Our America series, The Pilgrim Adventure, they discover that the Pilgrims had far more adventures than they had ever realized. Their second American adventure Continue reading »
Celebrating Christmas With School, Part 2
In a homeschooler's home is where you want to be in December! This month provides so many opportunities for creative, fun learning as families help children prepare for Christmas. But even for home educators, who generally seek to incorporate education into every aspect of life, it's easy to let December come and go in a blur of decorations, parties, gift buying and seasonal events. Don't let it happen to you! Continue reading »
A Homeschool Thanksgiving, Part 2
Thanksgiving can easily become the bump in the road on the way to Christmas, but the holiday deserves special attention and effort in its own right. There are just so many great ways to enjoy this holiday! Continue reading »
A Homeschool Thanksgiving, Part 1
One of the many joys of homeschooling is being able to prepare children for an upcoming holiday, rather than simply being swept away by it. November is the perfect time to take a break from regular studies, or add in some special activities by making Thanksgiving the central focus. With its focus on the character quality of gratitude, rich history, and wonderful family traditions, Thanksgiving lends itself perfectly to being a homeschool theme. Spend some time this month and help children fully understand the history, meaning, and traditions of this holiday, and they will gain valuable information about the beginnings of our nation as well as the importance of being thankful. Continue reading »
5 Easy Ways to Add a Splash of Geography to Your Homeschool
Here are 5 very easy and even enjoyable ways to learn more about our globe without compromising your other studies or losing your kids to utter boredom. Continue reading »
Taking School Outdoors, Part 1
As the weather warms with Spring, mothers everywhere begin singing praises that their children can finally go outside again! After months of being cloistered inside with books and projects, the warmth and sunshine of May brings yet another enjoyable aspect of homeschooling – doing school outdoors! While there’s no doubt that the kitchen table has its merits in the homeschool, taking studies out into the open can bring a world of creative options and invigorated spirits. Continue reading »
Teaching Money Management: Overview (Part 1)
Math, English, History, Writing, Spelling, Science... few would disagree that these should be included in the homeschool curriculum. But one of the unique opportunities homeschooling affords is the ability to train children in areas that go far beyond simply the academic. The ability to manage money can impact a child's future as much as or more than his or her academic knowledge, yet this subject is rarely (if ever) found in a typical public school academic plan. Continue reading »
Weaver Curriculum
The Weaver Curriculum is a unit-based, Bible-centered homeschool curriculum for grades PreK-12th. The curriculum uses the same daily Bible theme as a foundation and then creates lessons for each student. Students are then studying the same main subject at the same time with individual lesson assignment geared to each student's grade level. For example if Continue reading »
Learning Adventures
Learning Adventures is a home-based publishing company that provides unit study curriculum guides and accessories for homeschooling families. It is a multi-age unit study that is best utilized if a family has at least one child in grades 4-8. Features: 180 days of daily lesson plans in each volume A chronological history-based study for grades Continue reading »
TRISMS
TRISMS is designed to teach independent critical thinking and unit study skills. Students direct their own learning with guidance from parents. Students read literature, biographies, historical fiction, cultural studies, and most varieties of reference materials. Course materials come in packages that cover major eras of human history. Each package contains guidance for students and assistance Continue reading »
Draw Write Now
Draw Write Now is an eight-book series with step-by-step drawing instruction and short sentences for writing practice. Each Draw Write Now book is a unit study with 21 directed drawing lessons presented on two pages showing a colorful drawing, four sentences, and step-by-step drawing instructions. The units explore history, geography, natural science, and social studies. Continue reading »
Learning Styles
Homeschoolers have the same challenge as any teacher; how to best teach children according to the ways they best learn. By understanding your child's learning style, you can make learning more enjoyable for him or her, increasing the chances of learning success. Here are some strategies for teaching each type of learner. Continue reading »
Homeschooling as a Single Parent
Within the widespread growth of homeschooling families across the United States there is a small but growing community of parents who have dedicated themselves to giving their children a home education. These parents, at all costs, are striving for academic excellence in their children's lives. What makes this small community stand out from other homeschooling families? These home schools stand out because they are run by one parent. These parents don't often receive the accolades that they deserve, but the movement toward single-parent homeschooling is growing. So how do single parents home school their kids and work full time? They understand a few key qualities that must be in place. Continue reading »
Should I Teach Geography?
Have you ever been teaching a history lesson when one of your children pipes up with a question. “Mom, is Carthage a city in Oregon or some other country?” Oh dear, you think to yourself and then calmly explain, “Honey, first of all, Oregon is a state, not a country. And Carthage no longer exists, but I think it was located on the northern tip of Africa across the Mediterranean Sea from Italy.” After receiving two or more questions along this vein, you realize that you need some better resources. Continue reading »