When I was a child, I was fascinated with maps. I remember being in fourth grade and finding a map of the world at my grandma’s house. As I ran my little fingers over the names and borders of various countries, I imagined all the different places and cultures. Written by Shawna of Different by Design…
Summer is here! That means it’s time for family trips to the beach. If you’d like to capture special memories of the sun and sand to talk about later (because shared memories are some of the best memories!), try making this beach in a jar with your children! (Be sure to keep reading for some…
There is more to an education than just reading, writing, and arithmetic. Life skills are an essential part of growing up. They prepare our children for living on their own, with roommates, and with spouses. There are numerous life skills that teens need to learn on their way to adulthood. Budgeting, car maintenance, balancing a…
Online creative writing can be both engaging and magical with a language arts program that knows just how to get reluctant writers from staring at a blank page to actively writing in ways they never have before! Check out how games and imagination bring writing, grammar, and spelling to life with Night Zookeeper! *Disclosure: I…
Homeschooling doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. For instance, you can do a spring nature study in your own backyard with supplies you already have on hand. (Or, if you’re reading this article later in the year, you can do an autumn nature study.) You can create your own nature journal and record your…
Sometimes you just need a fun project for a rainy day. Or maybe you’re having a poetry tea time or book club meeting and want to use books as decorations. Or, perhaps (gasp!) a pet or a child destroyed a book, and you can’t bear to throw it away! If you find yourself in any…
There are two things I feel like most homeschool moms absolutely excel at: worrying and feeling guilty. Yep. Most of us are champions at both of these. But why? Why do we feel like we should do these things? Or, maybe the more important question to ask is, Why do we do these things even…
Does your child love playing around with cameras and creating movies and videos? Are you a family who loves watching movies and shows together? Well, let me introduce you to the course “Intro to Filmmaking” from Film School 4 Teens that can turn these interests into critical life skills! Intro to Filmmaking by Film School…
Did you know that April is National Poetry Month? If you don’t love poetry (and even if you do), it can feel a little bit overwhelming coming up with ways to teach it to kids. Poetry can be such an important part of falling in love with language. However, it can also seem like something…
Who says homeschooling means sitting in desks all day? Veteran homeschool moms know that you can teach just about anywhere. In fact, an interesting learning environment tends to make for a richer educational experience. With homeschooling now becoming more of a mainstream option, it’s time to dispel the myth that you need a dedicated classroom…
I know I’m in good company, so I know anything I have to say for the great day that is Pi Day is going to be a refresher for you, but let’s refresh just for funsies! Pi Day is appropriately celebrated on the fourteenth of March since the circumference of a circle divided by its…
Whether it’s the holidays, illness, a new baby, a vacation, a move, or another significant life event, there are days, weeks, and yes, sometimes even months when school work — academics — take a back seat to other life events. That’s normal and necessary. It’s also normal and necessary that we find a way to get…
The worst has happened. Mom is sick! What to do? You’re in luck. Here are some simple tips and practical advice for homeschooling when mom is sick. To school or not school… that is the question. (Channeling my inner Shakespeare!) Seriously though, it depends on how sick you are and what you feel up for….
How to Spot a Homeschooler by the Things We Say The other day, I was spending the morning with one of my good friends when she introduced me to a new friend of hers. Even though this new acquaintance was much younger than us (nineteen), it was very easy to hang out with her because…
A quirky mom’s guide to homeschooling – complete with humor and giggles for those days when you need a down-to-earth, funny look at homeschooling! As much as we wish it otherwise, homeschooling is never perfect. Mom tends to be exhausted while trying to have everything together including lesson planning and remembering to thaw something for…
