While there are many ‘foreign’ languages a homeschool family can study, the one I recommend for those with young children is American Sign Language. Our journey to ASL began out of necessity with a child who was non-verbal. However, as our family has grown and our need disappeared we discovered that sign language was a wonderful tool in our parenting arsenal. ASL is uniquely hands-on, giving … [Read more...] about Hands-On Foreign Language for Kids
Memorable Faith, Courage and Virtue Stories
I like to begin our homeschool day with a faith reading, it sets a good tone for the day. A few years ago I came across a little gem of a book titled Rare Catholic Stories and Poems with Reading Comprehension, second edition, published by Catholic Heritage Curricula. This book is now newly revised to include over thirty stories and two hundred and eighteen pages. My review here is based on the … [Read more...] about Memorable Faith, Courage and Virtue Stories
Blackbird Exploring Poetry Unit
Blackbird & Company has a poetry unit study that I taught to my 12 year old son, his friend of the same age, and my 10 year old daughter. I thoroughly enjoyed the unit, and at the end, the kids didn’t want to be done. It was perfectly age-appropriate for these kids (who, for what it’s worth, are all reading well above grade level). From the site description of the unit: “Reading and … [Read more...] about Blackbird Exploring Poetry Unit
English From the Roots Up
We've implemented a new foreign language/vocabulary plan this year that's working quite well! Every school day after Bible reading we have some sort of skill drill - math flashcards, quick math or logic games, and Greek & Latin roots. Twice a week, using English from the Roots Up by Joegil Lundquist, we are learning one new root word and reviewing all we have already learned. This is … [Read more...] about English From the Roots Up
Growing With Grammar
I have been using Growing With Grammar with my daughter and youngest son for the past three years. This review will focus on the Growing With Grammar curriculum generally, as we have used several levels of the program. Growing With Grammar provides a thorough education in grammar, including sentence diagramming. Sentence diagramming is included starting in level 3 of the curriculum. The … [Read more...] about Growing With Grammar
Rod and Staff Grammar
When I was a child, my younger sisters studied grammar differently than I did. They learned something mysterious called ‘diagramming’ and had very interesting textbooks. Many years later a friend of mine was selling some books, and in the pile I found Rod and Staff grammar texts. Exactly what my sisters had studied! Of course I bought them. We were ready for a formal grammar … [Read more...] about Rod and Staff Grammar
Easy Make & Learn Projects: Human Body
Several months ago a slim little volume caught my eye on the clearance rack at Half-Price Books. Sometimes, the clearance rack leads me astray—all of those cheap books just screaming my name—but not this time! Easy Make and Learn Projects: Human Body by Donald M. Silver and Patricia J. Wynne was perfect for our study of the human body. The cover proclaims that there are “easy how-to’s for … [Read more...] about Easy Make & Learn Projects: Human Body
Stick Figuring Through the Bible
I had the opportunity to review Grapevine Studies Old Testament Overview for ages 5-7 and teen-adult. I was intrigued by the idea of stick figuring through the Bible. I have to admit I was not quite sure what to expect. If you take a look a their website, you will find wonderful products for homeschooling, churches and Christian schools. I knew my kids and I were in store for something … [Read more...] about Stick Figuring Through the Bible
Read for the Heart – A Book about Books
I have yet to meet a homeschool family that did not love books. On my quest to find wonderful books to be read to or by my children I have read quite a few ‘books about books’. One volume has earned a place on my personal shelf to be used often. That book is Read for the Heart: Whole Books for Wholehearted Families by Sarah Clarkson. Read for the Heart is 384 pages full of information and … [Read more...] about Read for the Heart – A Book about Books
Choosing Literature
Read the best books first, or you may not have a chance to read them at all. ~Henry David Thoreau. As busy home educating mothers, we all know the truth of this statement only too well. But how do we know which are the best books for our children to read? As a young mother, I was blessed to be mentored by a Principle Approach® mom who introduced me to the 4R method of study. Using … [Read more...] about Choosing Literature
Map Skills by Continental Press
I feel a bit like a nerd to share this, but one thing that I always loved working on while I was in school was map skills. I thought it was most fun when those maps were brightly colored, having always been a pretty visual kind of gal. I was thrilled, then, to find the Map Skills series from Continental Press, which is available from a variety of online stores. Pros: Affordable - Because … [Read more...] about Map Skills by Continental Press
Classic Starts
Since we've starting homeschooling, I've been so surprised at how much I learn right along with my kids. I've always loved to read, but I feel like I wasn't exposed to the classics as much as I should have been as a child that went to public school. So, I've made it my goal to once again, learn right along side my kids and read tons of classic literature. When we first started out a couple of … [Read more...] about Classic Starts