Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers

Honest. Quirky. Real. Practical tips, candid reviews, and stereotype-smashing humor for homeschooling families.

Honest. Quirky. Real. Practical tips, candid reviews, and stereotype-smashing humor for homeschooling families.

4 Fantastic Ways the Whole Family Can Learn Together

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When you’re schooling multiple ages, it can be a sanity-saver to find ways the whole family can learn together. Try these four that are great for all ages.

Written by Sara P. of Heart and Soul Homeschooling

As homeschool parents, we’re often pulled in many directions all at once. Does this sound familiar?

“Mom, I need help with this math problem!”

“Will you read this book to me, Mom?”

“Mom, can we do this science experiment now?”

All of that from three different children of three different ages going in three different directions. I can’t count how many times I wished I could make a copy of myself so I could do everything at once!

4 Fantastic Ways the Whole Family Can Learn Together

Of course, we know that isn’t possible, so I decided to do the next best thing: come up with fun and educational activities we could all do together.

Even though my daughters currently range in age from 9-17, I’ve found that some of our best learning opportunities happen when we’re all spending meaningful time together.

The whole family can enjoy many educational opportunities together. Some obvious options are field trips (a.k.a. family vacations) and educational documentaries and movies. However, those are usually on the schedule only occasionally. Don’t miss the simple ways you can include family learning time for all ages every day in your homeschool. [Read more…]

6 Creative Ways to Easily Homeschool Foreign Languages

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Try Sara’s fun, simple tips to homeschool foreign languages without a curriculum. The tips are perfect for kids of all ages, including high school students.

Written by Sara Jordan Panning of Heart and Soul Homeschooling

In high school, my oldest wanted to learn Japanese. I ordered a Japanese language learning set, but she just dabbled around with it. Now, she’s married and living in a rural area without a lot of job opportunities.

Except with this one large company. They’re always looking for applicants fluent in – can you guess? Japanese. If we had dug in and made learning Japanese a priority, she could have a cushy office job right now.  {sigh}

So, heads-up, y’all. Use Sara’s easy and creative tips for including foreign language lessons in your homeschool. ~Kris

Homeschool Foreign Languages

Teaching your kids a foreign language has benefits beyond just earning credits on their high school transcript. In a global marketplace, fluency in a second language can provide a competitive edge. Not only that, learning a second language can improve a student’s English grammar and mechanics skills and increase vocabulary.

But how can you squeeze foreign language studies into an already packed homeschool day?  Read on for six creative ways to easily homeschool foreign languages, even when your schedule is full. [Read more…]

How to Handle Homeschooling When You Move to a New State

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Written by Sara Jordan Panning of Heart and Soul Homeschooling

Moving to a new state can be both exciting and unsettling. Much like the decision to homeschool. Both also require careful thought and planning.

When we moved from state to state, I knew that I wanted to keep up with homeschooling no matter where we lived. I learned some things along the way that will hopefully help you handle homeschooling when you move to a new state.

Homeschooling When You Move to a New State

Helpful Tips for Homeschooling When you Move to a New State

There are several important and practical things to keep in mind when you’re moving and want to continue homeschooling. Use this as your checklist to help cut down on the stress.

Download this free  Homeschooling While Moving Checklist to help.

Before the Move

1. Know the law.

Research the homeschooling laws in your new state to see how they compare to what you’re currently doing. We moved from a moderately regulated state to one with stricter regulations. I wanted to have a plan in place ahead of time so that I would be prepared as soon as we arrived.

It also depends on what time of year you move. Is it summer, which allows for a little more breathing room in filing your paperwork? Or is it mid-school year when some states require that you submit paperwork within 14-30 days of residence?

A great place to find the answers to these types of questions is the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). If you’re not a member and you’re moving to a state with moderate to strict regulations, you might want to consider joining at least until you feel comfortable in your new state. You can speak with someone at HSLDA who specializes in your state’s laws.

2. Check out homeschool groups.

Before the move is also an excellent time to research homeschool groups that will be local to your new area. Facebook is a great place to start, along with a Google search for state homeschool groups. Researching ahead of time will help you plug into homeschool co-ops, activities, and support for you and your kids right away. A homeschool group is a great place to make new friends.

3. Look for homeschool-friendly areas.

Another consideration is choosing a homeschool-friendly school district if possible. If there are several school districts in the general area you’re moving to, you can check with homeschool groups to see if one district might be easier to work with than others. It might help you make a decision when choosing a place to live.

I learned that our district was generally more favorably responsive to homeschool paperwork than another one just five minutes away. It helped us narrow down our choices when looking for a house to rent.

During the Move

Moving is a stressful time of transition for the whole family. A little bit of planning ahead can help make it easier. Here are a few tips I learned:

1.  Pack a separate backpack and/or plastic storage bin with essential homeschool books and supplies for each child.

Keep this handy in the car, rather than lost amongst a jumble of boxes in a moving van. This will save your sanity and allow you to keep learning even while you’re traveling, without having to search for everything once you reach your destination frantically.

2.  Make use of media during the transition time.

This is an excellent time to listen to audiobooks in the car or watch educational DVDs on a portable DVD player. Learning doesn’t always have to look like a traditional textbook/worksheet method, especially during a major life change.

I recommend Jonathan Park CDs for science, classic literature that you can download for free as mp3 files, and fun, educational DVDs like LeapFrog or Drive Thru History. If you have a laptop and an internet connection in your hotel room, you can make use of educational websites and even Netflix. Kindles are a great way to “carry” a lot of books without taking up much space.

Homeschooling When You Move to a New State

3.  Take advantage of the travel time to see new sights and make it a field trip!

History is everywhere. Odds are that there will be some type of educational stop you can make on your trip. Many are free or low cost, too!

We’ve seen old one-room schoolhouses, Revolutionary War cannons, locks on a waterway shipping line, old mills, and other small historical sites of interest. It doesn’t have to be a huge tourist attraction like Niagara Falls (though we saw that on one of our moves) to be fun and educational.

We’ve homeschooled in hotels and in the car when necessary while traveling. I figure if people can live in an RV full-time and homeschool, I can manage to homeschool on the road for a while. It just takes a little creative thinking.

After the Move

Even once you move into a new place, there is always the initial process of sorting, unpacking, and getting settled. At least that’s been my experience. Organizing skills don’t come naturally to me. And, even the best-laid plans can get shuffled when you move to a new state.

That’s why my number one bit of advice for after the move is to relax and take your time finding a new homeschool routine. It won’t hurt to take some time away from the books to learn some real-life lessons together as a family. Things like patience, grace, and coping skills are essential things to learn, too!

My number one bit of advice for after the move is to relax and take your time finding a new #omeschool routine. It won't hurt to take some time away from the books to learn some real-life lessons together as a family.Click to Tweet

Take some time to learn the area in your new state. See some of the sights. Do something fun to break up the stress. Since you’ve planned ahead before the move, you’ll be ready to join any groups or file your paperwork when the time comes.

When you’re committed to homeschooling as a lifestyle, it’s only natural that you’ll continue homeschooling no matter where you might live. I hope these tips will help make the move a bit smoother for you!

Have you moved while homeschooling? What tips would you add?

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Homeschooling with Chronic Illness

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Homeschooling with Chronic Illness

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Written by Sara Jordan Panning of Heart and Soul Homeschooling

Homeschooling seasons ebb and flow. Some are easier than others. A new baby arrives or you make a cross-country move. Eventually, life returns to “normal,” and you find your homeschool groove again. However, chronic illness can be unpredictable with no end in sight. Homeschooling, with its built-in flexibility, can be an excellent option for families coping with chronic illness.

Homeschooling with Chronic Illness

I’ve been living with chronic illness and pain for 21 years and homeschooling for over ten years now. Based on my experience, you can homeschool in spite of chronic illness. I’ve found homeschooling to be a gift in spite of my health struggles.

Homeschooling with Chronic Illness

I had a chronic illness before my children were even born, so I went into homeschooling aware of it. Some people don’t receive a diagnosis until after they begin homeschooling, or they have periods of remission and recurrence with their illnesses.

Sometimes it’s a child who is diagnosed with a chronic illness, like diabetes, Celiac disease, or even severe allergies. Whatever the situation, homeschooling can be a huge blessing in the midst of difficult times.

Why Homeschooling Is a Great Option for Parents or Children With Chronic Illness

The flexibility of homeschooling makes it ideal for people coping with chronic illness. Homeschooling allows you to:

1. Slow your pace

If a flare-up strikes, you can take things at a slower pace. I have fibromyalgia, migraines, thyroid disease, PCOS, and mixed connective tissue disease (similar to lupus). Some days I can manage my pain with medications, followed by days when I can’t get ahead of the pain.

On those bad days, we cut back on our activities. A traditional school schedule doesn’t allow for too many absences or a slower pace, but homeschooling makes it easy.

2. Adjust school start times

If you’ve had a difficult night with insomnia or other sleep disturbances, you can sleep in. No rushing to catch a bus at 7 am!

3. Modify your calendar

We homeschool year-round. This schedule allows us to take breaks anytime we need them. No need to cram everything into a certain time period on the calendar. Even if you don’t school year-round, homeschooling makes it easy to reschedule your calendar as needed.

4. Monitor your child’s health

Homeschooling allows you to monitor your child’s health more closely. Whether it’s checking blood glucose levels or avoiding exposure to allergic triggers, you can create an educational environment that supports your child’s health needs.

Homeschooling with Chronic Illness

Tips for Coping When You’re Homeschooling With Chronic Illness

1. Create a literature-rich environment.

Books, especially living books, are the key to our homeschool success. Whether they’re audiobooks, library books, or our own growing collection, books are the heart of our learning. When I’m having a rough day, we can still enjoy learning together from a comfy spot on the couch with good books.

2. Take advantage of homeschooling’s flexibility.

If we plan a field trip but discover it’s a bad pain day, we know that we might have to leave sooner than we expected and come back another day. Sometimes we choose to reschedule.

If you’re homeschooling with chronic illness, consider trying relaxed, delight-directed learning or even unschooling for a time if necessary. A more relaxed approach to education allows you to capitalize on the good days without stressing over the bad ones.

3. Don’t discount the life lessons.

Children can learn important character lessons like compassion, patience, and perseverance through difficulties like a chronic illness. Look at trials as an opportunity for growth.

4. Don’t beat yourself up.

Sometimes we’re our own worst critics. We’re juggling so much in our roles as moms and homeschoolers, and chronic illness adds another layer of responsibility. Do what you can on the good days, but allow yourself some breathing room on the not-so-good days.

No one ever wants to become an expert on how to homeschool with a chronic illness, but sometimes life happens in less than ideal ways. Remember to give you and your children grace. When it comes down to it, pulling together to cooperate and get things done even when it’s not easy strengthens family bonds.

Do you homeschool with a chronic illness? What tips would you add?

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How to Make Life Skills Part of Homeschooling

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Written by Sara Jordan Panning of Heart and Soul Homeschooling

When it comes to providing children with a well-rounded education, we tend to focus on academics and extracurricular activities. Both are important, but, they aren’t the only things that we should be concerned about.

Our children need to master academics and pursue their hobbies and passions, but it is also essential that we teach them a variety of necessary life skills.

Homeschooling Life Skills

Life skills are those things that we all use to navigate life, society, and the world. They are the skills that make life easier and more enjoyable and enable us to function as productive members of society.

So what are some of the life skills that our children should learn?

Communication Skills

Being able to communicate with others effectively is essential. These skills include active listening, being able to express oneself clearly, reading social cues, and knowing how to take turns in a conversation.

Teach communication skills by using presentations and providing opportunities to participate in debates and give speeches. These activities are usually available through local homeschool groups. If that isn’t available to you, think outside the box and look to local community colleges, Toastmasters groups (for older students), or community theater.

For younger kids, you can do things like play telephone (which is excellent for getting them to listen carefully and convey messages) or even have a verbal, directions-based scavenger hunt. My youngest daughter loves scavenger hunts, and they help her learn to listen carefully and follow directions.

Money Management

Another essential life skill is money management. As adults, we spend a great deal of time either trying to figure out how to earn money, earning money, spending money, or trying to figure out how to spend less money.

However, many people only start learning these things as adults. It benefits our children if they learn at an early age. You can start teaching them very young – even when they are toddlers.

Take your children with you on shopping trips, to pay bills, and to the bank. Teach them what money is and what it is used for. Show them how to earn and save money, budget, and invest. You can give them an allowance or let them earn money for completing jobs around the house. Teach them how to balance a checkbook, help them open their first bank account, and teach them about credit and loans.

Entrepreneurship

You should also consider teaching your child about how to build a business. You can do this by helping them to figure out how to monetize one of their hobbies or passions. For example, if your child loves to draw, perhaps they can do caricatures at local family events. If they enjoy cooking, maybe they can have bake sales. The opportunities are endless!

My oldest daughter enjoys web design and coding. She is planning to run her own business, so we’ve focused on introductory business courses online to get her started. She has also done some Virtual Assistant work for me to learn how to blog and use social media for business purposes. All of these are valuable life skills that have become part of our homeschooling curriculum.

Homeschooling Life Skills

Grocery Shopping

Of course, we all have to eat. Your child should know the basics of nutrition and keeping their home well-stocked with healthy foods. You should make a point of taking them grocery shopping with you sometimes. Extra points if you teach them how to shop from a grocery list and stick to a set budget.

Cooking

Grocery shopping leads to cooking. Start early by allowing your child to help you in the kitchen by measuring (which is a great way to integrate math), pouring, and mixing. As they get older, you can teach them how to create a meal plan, and put them in charge of preparing meals one or two days each week.

Critical Thinking

This is a “critical” skill. (See what I did there?) Without the ability to analyze and reason, your child might fall prey to faulty logic and the inability to problem solve or think for himself. You can teach critical thinking skills in a variety of ways. Riddles, puzzles, and mystery books are fun ways to teach critical thinking from an early age.

As your children get older, discussing current events and the books they’ve read can help them think through the issues and formulate their own opinions.

Time Management

I’m sure that I don’t have to explain why time management is such an important (yet often difficult) skill to master. You can teach your child time management skills by giving them more control over their schedule. Help them create to-do lists, prioritize the items, and create schedules and routines. They might dislike it now, but they will appreciate it later.

Goal Setting

Another important skill is goal-setting. This is a skill that your kids will use all throughout their lives. You can teach them about goal-setting through exercises such as creating a vision board and then figuring out what they need to do to achieve those goals. This could also be an exercise in perseverance and delayed gratification.

What skills would you add to this list?

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