One of the issues I've struggled with over my years of homeschooling is the desire to do hands-on science projects with my children and the time/effort/inconvenience needed to gather all of the materials to do so. While I adore doing hands-on projects with my children, I do not enjoy gathering up all of the needed materials, running out at the last minute to purchase that one thing I thought I had … [Read more...] about Science on a Tracking Expedition from the Young Scientists Club
Search Results for: nature
Games for Learning
While browsing the Christian Home Educators of Kentucky Convention last year, I came across a booth with several games that looked exciting. The company, HL Games Limited, allowed me the opportunity to review three of those games. All of them are appropriate for middle elementary children and older. Amuse Amaze happens to be our favorite of the three, although all of them are fun. Your job … [Read more...] about Games for Learning
Don’t Make Me Count to Three!
"Don't Make Me Count to Three!" by Ginger Plowman is not only a very humorous book, but full of wise and practical advice about Biblical discipline. As a mom of three children, I still have much to learn about patient, loving discipline that reaches the hearts of my children. And this book fits the bill! Not only that, but it's fast moving and easy-to-read. You won't find yourself grasping … [Read more...] about Don’t Make Me Count to Three!
Apples Spelling
Apples: Daily Spelling Drills for Secondary Students has been a wonderful addition to our middle school curricula. My daughter has been through years of spelling since she's in 8th grade. I wasn't quite ready to completely stop spelling instruction, but I didn't want it to take up too much time and be drudgery this year either. Apples has been the perfect fit for us! Each week my daughter … [Read more...] about Apples Spelling
Grandpa’s Box
Grandpa's Box: Retelling the Biblical Story of Redemption by Starr Meade Looking for an overview of the Bible from Creation to Revelation in a fun read aloud? This book might be just what you're looking for! Grandpa loves to hang out with his grandchildren, Amy and Marc. He owns a trash-to-treasure shop where the children spend hours playing. One day, he decides to show the children his … [Read more...] about Grandpa’s Box
Your Backyard Birding DVD
Have you ever wanted to identify the bird that likes to perch right outside your kitchen window? Or better yet, to be able to say, "here comes our cardinal, he's announcing his approach to the feeder," just by hearing his call? Our family's love of birds has developed over the years. We've enjoyed studying and watching birds as well as creating a bird habitat in our own backyard. The Bird Song … [Read more...] about Your Backyard Birding DVD
Writer’s Inc and Write for College Writing Handbooks
The GreatSource Education Group, a Houghton Mifflin Company, has produced a variety of academically useful and reliable handbooks. Chief among them are the writing handbooks, including Writer’s Inc. and Write for College. Both books are intended for high school students. They present writing in an orderly manner, complete with lots of examples. These two handbooks contain enough writing … [Read more...] about Writer’s Inc and Write for College Writing Handbooks
The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History
When we used Winter Promise last year for studying Early American History, we were introduced to the book The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History by Jennifer Armstrong. Although I had been advised against using it in our homeschool (which I'll touch on later), I found myself delighted by the stories that make up this fun and informative history book. Things That We've Enjoyed … [Read more...] about The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History
History Comes Alive
As a Charlotte Mason homeschooler, teaching with living literature is imperative to me. And considering that I like to package much of our history and science learning into unit studies, incorporating living literature into our current unit makes awesome connections for my children. The History Comes Alive books written by Barbara Greenwood fit both the CM and unit study aspects of our … [Read more...] about History Comes Alive
First Day of School Ideas
It's that time of year again! Many homeschoolers are finishing up their summer breaks, the smell of new school supplies is in the air, and co-ops and support groups are gearing up again. For many folks it's Back-to-School time. There is something exciting about the fresh start of a new school year! Even though we school year round, we take a short break at the end of summer and officially kick … [Read more...] about First Day of School Ideas
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
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