Blog
Help! I’m a Homeschool Mom . . . and a Social Butterfly!!
5 Tips for the Extroverted Homeschool Mom Homeschooling allows a mom hours of quality time with her own kids in her own home. Many days she may not even need to leave the house. For most moms, it’s a fabulous, fun experience. Unless you’re an extroverted homeschooling...
6 Tips for Teaching Wiggly Learners
The wiggles can be one of the most frustrating aspects of teaching a child. But like the strong winds of the ocean, these wiggles can be harnessed and used to fuel lifelong learning. Many of the facts my wiggler has learned while doing her best wiggling have sunk deep...
Helpful Homeschool Hints – Beating the End of Winter Blahs
In New England, the winters are long. Although the month of March hints of warmer days to come, it is also a time of rampant “cabin fever.” Homeschooling can be tough on the days when it’s too cold to go out and all the rainy-day crafts and indoor activities have been...
Tips for Keeping a Tidy, Organized Home While You’re Homeschooling
I see this title and I have to chuckle. There isn't a room in my own house that is tidy or neat right now! Let’s face it - it can be quite a challenge to keep a tidy home while homeschooling live children. First, “they” are always there using the home and giving it...
The Great Co-Op Co-Host!
Tips for Co-Hosting a Homeschool Co-Op Co-hosting an event with a nearby homeschool co-op is a bit like hosting a mixer with another sorority in college. Two groups share the load and both sides wonder if the event will work out at all, but in the end the party goes...
Tips to Organize Your Homeschool Resources
Within Arm’s Reach In order for our school day to go smoothly, I have found a few “must-haves” that makes things easier. For me, schooling used to require drawers full of manipulatives, loads of laminated pages, a huge art supply caddy that twirled around so we could...
Christmas Short Story Lesson for Middle School: “Season of Acceptance” by C. J. Fosdick
I recently discovered a sweet story about a family who raises llamas. The main character is a 16-year-old girl named Hildy, who learns important lessons about love, acceptance, and forgiveness. The theme—loving people are loved people—and setting make it perfect for...
Homeschooling with a Toddler Underfoot
When toddlers are around, sometimes they are literally underfoot and you trip over them or they are quietly introducing the permanent marker to the wedding quilt from your late, great aunt. Whichever moment you find yourself in, homeschooling with a two foot tornado...
Teachable Moments are What Homeschool is All About
[ˈtēCH ə bəl mō mənts]: the moments that arise without prior notice or planning and whereby offer significant opportunities to explore a new area of research. Often, the points learned during such instances are likely to be remembered well. These occasions arise...
Thanksgiving Themed Writing for Kids
Thanksgiving Poems for Kids! The holidays are a great time to encourage kids to try new writing styles. And all the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the holidays make poetry the natural choice! Poetry is perfect for Thanksgiving Themed Writing for Kids. But...
20 Reasons Why I’m Thankful for Homeschool
“‘Tis the gift to be simple...” I am thankful for homeschool because I get to have a front row seat to my kids’ development and learning. There aren’t any other people obstructing my view of this great show we call “growing up”. I am thankful for the freedom to...
4 Tips for Homeschool Extracurricular Activities: Finding and Creating Meaningful Learning
One of the great things about homeschooling is the flexibility to build your own schedule; both the timing of it all and the contents of the day. Extracurricular activities help develop a well-rounded student and gives kids a chance to discover new areas of interest...
What is Homeschooling Like? A Day in the Life of a Homeschool Mom
I have always loved reading “A Day in the Life of Me” posts. It reminds me of the old Mr.Rogers show when he travels to meet a new neighbor. When I was a new homeschooler, I found so many great ideas as I read the semi-frightening posts. Now, as I have entered a...
From the Homeschoolers Anonymous Files: The Case of the Reluctant Reader
Join me in my imaginary, Homeschoolers Anonymous group, hidden in the basement of the local church. Bad coffee has been brewed, less than the average amount of denim is worn, hefty tote bags sit next to each chair. Take a look around the unexpectedly large circle and...
4 Models for Planning Your Homeschool Calendar
If all the homeschool parents filled a big stadium one day, our fight song would be entirely about flexibility. We, the homeschool army, take full advantage of our freedom to strengthen our muscle of flexibility- and we do it in every way possible. If your state laws...