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The Route to Your Brain
Different Kinds of Learners When it comes to learning, we all know that there are differences. Some seem to learn easily in school (straight “A” students), while others tend to fail. Some seem naturally “bookish,” while others prefer to be doing an activity. Some...
The Route to Your Brain
Different Kinds of Learners When it comes to learning, we all know that there are differences. Some seem to learn easily in school (straight “A” students), while others tend to fail. Some seem naturally “bookish,” while others prefer to be doing an activity. Some enjoy a quiet environment for study, while others thrive in an environment of noise and people. Some are slow starters, while others...
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Teaching Tip 10 — Talk Together
Let’s talk about talking, shall we? Have you noticed that some people are “natural” talkers? They effortlessly put together words and ideas whenever the opportunity arises. For these people, whether young or old, discussion is easy, free-flowing, and not always deeply...
Top 5 Reasons to Use The Library Teaching Tip #11
Homeschoolers have traditionally used the library. However, so much has changed in the digital world that you may be wondering if it's worth the hassle to pack up the kids, drive to the library, and then deal with all of the books that flood into your home! I think...
Teaching Tip 12 — Following the Rabbit Trail
Many years ago, we had a basset hound named Max (think sleepy dog, drooping eyes, and s-l-o-w motion). There were only two things that got Max’s attention and caused him to hustle—food and the scent of a rabbit. At that point, we lived in a somewhat rural area, with...
Teaching Tip 13 — The Power of Vocabulary
Have you ever been talking with friends, and had the sudden uncomfortable sensation of not understanding what they were talking about? What happened? What caused the change from enjoying a conversation to being baffled?It's probably the vocabulary.Any field of...
Teaching Tip 14—How Timelines Organize History!
You may be a big fan of timelines, you may be intimidated by them, or you may not have even run across this concept yet. Wherever you are on the spectrum, timelines play a significant role in helping your students to organize the things they are learning about in...
Teaching Tip #15—Geography Is Where History Happened
Recently, one of the students in my online world history classes chose to share with her class about the geography of Egypt. What was so exciting to me was her enthusiasm for what she had learned. She literally emailed to say:"I would love to show what I have been...
Skills for Homeschooling Moms
On Facebook, a homeschool mom asked me, "I am working on finding more clarity and intention behind homeschooling. . . Could you please share the three main skills you believe have helped you the most?" Such a great question!! And, honestly, a pretty weighty one, too....
Skills for Homeschool Moms: Part 2
Last time, I posted the first of 3 skills that will help you become more intentional in homeschooling—finding a workable routine. Today is the second post on this topic. Second Skill—Creating the Learning Environment Along with having a routine that gives you...
Skills for Homeschool Moms: Part 3
Third Skill—Becoming A Master-Teacher In the past few blogs, we've looked at the way a wise and workable routine makes homeschooling easier and how creating a learning environment will invite children into deeper levels of learning. The third skill that will transform...
Fostering Creativity and Imagination
A few weeks ago, I saw a man with his two young grandkids walking next to a flowing creek in the woods. The children held their nets in great anticipation as they eagerly scrambled over logs looking for tadpoles. It was such a perfect picture of the delight and joy of...
How Much? How Fast?
As a young homeschool mom, I attended a support group meeting in October. One of the other moms (a very confidant, capable woman) happily announced, "We've already completed 3/4 of our year's curriculum!" My heart sank as my mind silently rehearsed the fact that we...
Need more time for homeschooling?
Time. Don’t you wish there was more of it in your life? Time to accomplish more, rest more, read more, laugh more, play more? Especially when your life is filled to the brim with to-do’s? But, when it comes to homeschooling our kids, how do we find more time? After...
Frustrated with your homeschool schedule?
Children are not predictable, have you noticed? You have a wonderful schedule all set up (and you worked HARD on it, well done!!), and first thing you know, your kids are not cooperating with the program. They have questions, they are tired, they don't get it, they...
Teaching Multiple Levels at Once
Dear Friends, Does it ever seem like you could apply to the circus for a job spinning plates? Trying to keep this one busy with math, while that one is sounding out the alphabet, each at the same time you are simmering enough spaghetti sauce to serve an army AND...
How to Crush Learning
How to crush learning? That’s not what we signed up for, right? As homeschoolers, we are committed to our children’s education and development. We want to help them soar! So, why this post on how to crush learning? Good question! To answer, let’s play with our food...
Finding Our Balance
In a previous post, we looked at the difference between "a to-do list" and "an invitation." Today, let's consider how to invite our kids into a love of learning AND how to keep things more-or-less on track academically. Being able to balance these two is not...
If it’s in with the new, then it’s out with the old. . .
Recently I wrote, “More than any other teacher on the planet, you can be flexible with your lesson plan and schedule. If you see a sudden interest arising in your student, then make it a priority, change your schedule, and allow it in your lesson plan.” So, what does...
Homeschooling Curriculum on a Budget
Believe me, I was ALWAYS on a budget! When we first began our homeschool adventure, my husband was a public school teacher—which meant his salary was very low. . . and I was at home with our kids. But, where there's a will, there's a way. We saved up for curriculum...
Enough or too much homeschool work?
Enough is enough, as the saying goes—and as these examples indicate: A homemade birthday cake is delicious, unless you eat the whole thing in one sitting. A hot bath is lovely, unless the water overflows the tub and drips through the floorboards to ruin the room...
When they HATE school
We all know that teaching kids who hate school is incredibly difficult! And, to successfully tackle the problem, try breaking it down into bite-sized pieces: how to teach reading to kids who hate it;how to teach math to kids who hate it; how...
Turning Facts Into Meaning
How do we turn the academic "facts" into something our children can actually understand? What makes those facts become something usable, practical, memorable? When we discover the difference between teaching "facts" and giving our children meaningful interaction with...
Freedom to Invest
In the last three issues, we have been considering these homeschooling freedoms: We are free to slow down the pace; We are free to wrap the learning experience up in a blanket of love, assurance, and acceptance; We are free to give all of our kids a customized...
Freedom to Make It Fit
As homeschoolers, we have a freedom to give all of our kids a customized education—one that meets their specific needs. But what does that mean? How does that work? And is it really possible (given your busy life)? That's what we want to talk about today. These are...
Freedom to Love, Assure & Accept
Last week, we considered the freedom we have as homeschool parents to slow down the pace. Today, let’s talk about how we are free to wrap the learning experience up in a blanket of love, assurance, and acceptance. The model in our memory of how teachers act and...
Freedom & Liberty to Learn
One of the richest blessings of teaching our kids at home is the freedom it provides: We are free to slow down the pace; We are free to wrap the learning experience up in a blanket of love, assurance, and acceptance; We are free to give all of our kids a customized...