Search Results for: tag high school

Spring Break on the High Seas

Given the recent string of cruise line disasters, you’d think that you’d be able to snag a hefty money-saving offer by a major carrier right about now. Well, think again. I checked, and no luck. Cruising with my child is at the top of my bucket list and I figured I would dig around a bit to see if we could score a last-minute deal on a spring break sailing. While there are some deals out there, none of them coincide with my daughter’s break from school. What’s more, in most cases, flights to the cruise’s departure city cost more … Continue reading →

The Influence of Older Siblings on Preschoolers

A preschooler is blessed to have older siblings. A big sister is great for reading bedtime stories, doing hair and laughing. A big brother will play all day outside, let you win, and doesn’t mind if you get dirty. A sweet relationship develops between older and younger siblings. There are trying times, challenges, and disagreements but in the end a bond is formed that cannot be broken. Most big brothers and sisters have no intention of being a poor influence on their younger siblings. Many times what is acceptable and age appropriate for an older sibling is not acceptable or … Continue reading →

High-Action Fall Photographs

High school football is a huge deal in our small city, and with Homecoming week festivities kicking off today, I expect snap happy parents will be working overtime this weekend. In addition, to the big dance and big game, the local high school is hosting a massive pep rally where cheerleaders will take center stage. Our neighbor is beside herself right now as her daughter is the captain of the cheerleading squad and is on the Homecoming court. Basically, my friend will be living with a camera attached to her face the entire weekend. I don’t think she has to … Continue reading →

Unschoolers: At a disadvantage on standardized tests

Recently an article was published stating that unstructured or unschooling students under performed on standardized tests while structured homeschoolers out performed on standardized tests in comparison to their schooled counterparts. If you have been around the homeschool block long enough you standardized tests appear to be the measure used to determine if homeschooling qualifies as education in the eyes of non-homeschoolers. First, the standardized test was not developed to compare schooled children to homeschoolers. The standardized test is an accountability system to ensure schools were teaching the basics to their students. I fail to understand why national standards and standardized … Continue reading →

Supply List for a New Year Homeschooling

As the school year approaches it becomes the season to settle on curriculum, finalize your schedule and purchase all the tools and supplies you will need for the next year. Even after nine years of homeschooling the process still gets me excited yet fills me with a bit of anxiety. I end up with little sticky notes all over my desk and planner to remind me of what I will need for the coming year. Unlike traditional school where you are given a school supply list to go off of every year, homeschoolers check inventory and plan their own list … Continue reading →

My Daughter’s Graduation from Middle School

This past Friday I attended my daughter’s graduation from middle school. This ceremony was a bit more special than your average graduation. I say this because in most middle schools, the children move on together to high school. But my daughter attended a K-8 school where they are all going separate ways. These kids grew up together since either K-4 or kindergarten and so they had developed a very special bond. I think it’s a huge part of the reason that my daughter had so few problems in middle school. When we arrived at school, we were handed a pamphlet. … Continue reading →

Goofy’s Sky School

Remember those silly Goofy shorts? At first glance that sentence seems redundant, but anyone reading a Disney blog knows exactly what I’m talking about. I’ve spoken of them before; even though I’m a handful of generations out from the 1940s and 50s, the years of greatest Goofy short prevalence, even I encountered one or two in my life, and not just for fun. The last Goofy short I remember from growing up was in my high school Driver’s Education class. We watched a grainy film, clearly made decades before, of Goofy learning how to drive and causing several accidents along … Continue reading →

Homeschool Group Party in a Snap!

Homeschool groups are a great way for children to interact with each other. It is also a great way to plan “class” parties with more kids than siblings. My homeschool friends and I enjoy getting together for class parties. It’s fun for everyone involved and a nice break from the day to day routine. Planning a homeschool party does have to be headache. In fact, planning should be just as much fun as the party itself. Birthday in a Box makes coordinating your supplies and planning very easy. Recently, I planned a tea party for my children and other homeschooling … Continue reading →

Tea Parties to Reinforce Etiquette: Part 2/The Homeschool Tea

Let’s discuss tea etiquette. In order for you to plan a tea for the purpose of teaching proper behavior you must be aware of the basic manners for hosting a tea. Once you know the proper etiquette and have the right supplies you will be ready to plan a tea for your homeschool co-op event. Homeschool co-op teas are quite successful if the hostess is in the know with regards to how to plan a tea. I highly suggest planning a homeschool tea as a method to introduce manners in a group setting. This will reinforce the importance of personal … Continue reading →

Middle School Curriculum Choices from Christian Liberty Press

I have homeschooled since my oldest daughter was in Kindergarten. She is now in seventh grade. I remember back when she started Kindergarten I spent hours finding just the right curriculum with sweat under my brow nervous I’d pick the wrong thing. As she enters a new transition into middle school I feel the same pressure to find the perfect curriculum under the fear of ruining her life with one poor choice. Ahh, those transition years or first steps are so hard for a parent to make. The only advantage I had this time was years of homeschooling experience with … Continue reading →