Ideas for Keeping Homeschooling Fun: Following your child’s passion

Don’t think that because you are homeschooling your kids that they won’t still groan and moan when it is time to get down to serious work. It is pretty easy to get off track and behind in homeschooling when kids are resistant to anything that resembles real work. You can however keep them focused on school work if they have activities they are passionate about to give them something to look forward to. If this sounds like a bribe, it is because it is. Children will gladly do the activities they are less crazy about if it will be followed … Continue reading

2006 in Review: Homeschooling Blog at a Glance

As a new homeschooling blogger at Families.com, I wanted to know everything that has been discussed to date. In response to my own curiosity, and in an effort to make perusing our articles easier for you, our readers, I have compiled all of the blogs for the year 2006. Deciding to Homeschool Why homeschool Am I qualified for this? Reasons that Homeschooling Works! My Most Important Advice for Homeschoolers. The Cost of Homeschooling Instead of standing up for their own kids, why not stand up for all kids? Disclaimer: I am hardly an expert in education. Did You Know? ‘Empirical … Continue reading

The Homeschooler’s Advent Calendar: Crafty Activities at Families.com

Do you tour this website? I have to admit that I check out a few blogs regularly, but if I’m searching for something I often go to the forums to get people’s opinions. However, when I was thinking about today’s Advent calendar topic, I thought I’d take a good look around at what Families.com has to offer. Obviously the blogger in fun or kid’s crafts doesn’t blog in homeschooling–but which of us homeschoolers doesn’t like to get out the craft boxes every so often? In reality, I found many ideas that I can use for our Christmas celebrations during homeschool. … Continue reading

10 Reasons I’m Thankful I’m Homeschooling

I know (or at least I hope) you’re not doing any home schooling today. Today is a day to be thankful for what we have and to enjoy those we love. But just in case you find your way to the computer after all the dishes are done, here are my top ten reasons that I’m thankful to be home schooling: #1. I enjoy my kids. I like being around them–even 24/7. I think they are fun and we do fun things together but truth be told the real reason I like being around them is that they offer a … Continue reading

School’s Here! Organizing Tips

The kids are back in school, and more are returning on Tuesday. We’re the Tuesday batch, with two precious days of summer vacation to go. Of course, we will not be heading to school per se. Our school is at home and at a local part time alternate program that is based on play and your child’s interests. However, this does not mean that homeschoolers have no back to school flurry of activity. If you use curriculum, there is curriculum to ponder and buy and read. There are math manipulatives to stock up on and craft supplies to buy. Classes … Continue reading

What Does Preschool Look Like?

I’ve made it no secret that I’m not a fan of formally schooling kids before age 6. I think our society has pushed the idea that kids need to be educated earlier with the Universal PK agenda, but I still maintain that providing good experiences to little ones is more important than providing the 3 R’s at an early age. This isn’t an academic blog so I’m not going to delve into that research here. However, I thought it might be helpful to talk about what preschool might look like in a homeschooling setting. Turn Off the Television I don’t … Continue reading

The Homeschoolers’ Advent Calendar: Christmas Science

Those who know my family well, know us as “the science people”. When we worked at a private school, we ran the science fairs. In fact, it was a science fair for homeschoolers that got us started in running a home schooling support group. My husband especially, is known for his fine command of explaining physics to preschoolers. So if you knew us well, you would not be shocked that we actually have Christmas themed science. I hope you enjoy these links, tidbits, questions and ideas about science and Christmas. NORAD tracks Santa Clause You undoubtedly have heard that Norad … Continue reading

The Questions Continue Part 2: Q and A with Kaye

Kaye and I have been publicly discussing our views of home schooling vs. schooling out of the home (as homeschoolers would call it). Kaye’s last blog has asked so many questions that I have decided to answer them in three blogs instead of just one! The next section of Kaye’s questions are best answered Q and A style. The answers are so varied for each individual family, but perhaps some of you considering homeschooling can get a picture of what my day looks like. Can you share with me what a typical curriculum for homeschooling looks like? No, actually I … Continue reading