We started school a little early this year since our newborn is due right after Christmas break. Hopefully, by beginning in August we'll have a bit of a head start. Here's Joseph: Catherine: Benjamin: Thing One and Thing Two! Our day went *almost* like I had carefully planned.... We started at 9:15 instead of 9 o'clock sharp. Everyone's bed was made except Benjamin's (being just 4 he needs my help and I plum forgot). Most of the breakfast dishes got washed before school began Continue Reading
Home Schooling with Limited Space
Last week I answered the question "How do you home school?" and shared with you our typical school day. Today, I thought you might like to see just where we home school. Like many families with limited space, the dining room table is our classroom. On the opposite wall, we hang artwork, graded papers and study helps like multiplication tables. Because this is our dining room, and because it also happens to flow into our kitchen, there's a microwave and food cabinet in our "school room!" The Continue Reading
So You Think You Can’t Homeschool?
Wishing you could pull your child out of public school this year? There are plenty of good reasons for parents to be fed up with system! Mask mandates Vaccine mandates Progressive/politically radical curricula Violence, and/or bullying and and/or other safety concerns Failing schools And the list goes on. But while the spirit may be willing, many parents feel defeated from the get-go. I've heard this a lot over the years: 'I'd love to homeschool, but..." (insert reason Continue Reading
Parts of Speech & Popsicle Sticks: A Fun School Game!
If you have grade schoolers who are learning the parts of speech, here's a fun and easy way to reinforce the lesson that I spotted on Pinterest: Using a permanent marker, write about 10 nouns, 10 adjectives and 10 verbs on the ends of recycled or purchased popsicle sticks. Label three paper cups as follows: Nouns, Adjectives, Verbs. Hold the sticks in your hand and have your child (or children) pick one, read it aloud and place it in the right cup. Variations for older learners: Have them Continue Reading
Time to Get Ready for Home Schooling!
This Fall marks our 5th year with home schooling! Joseph will be a big 4th grader and Catherine is moving up to 3rd. Benjamin is still only 4 years old, so he's not an official student yet since we don't see the need for "pre K." This year, I'm just buying two $4 workbooks from Rod & Staff to get out for him to work on occasionally. Our curriculum consists mainly of Seton materials. The Seton Home Study school is 30 years strong and known for academic excellence (especially in the Continue Reading