Making homeschool decisions easy
People have strong opinions about interjecting morals onto stories. Are Aesop’s Fables improved by tacking a pithy moral on the end? Should we read stories to our kids that aim to improve them? On first glance Laying Down the Rails for Children might seem to fall into such a category–stories intended to help kids form good habits. But what I’ve found, is that really the
After two decades of homeschooling, I sometimes look back and see things I wish I had done differently. If I could do it over, I would get more of Susan K. Marlow’s exciting and wholesome books for my family to enjoy. The Circle C Ranch books are written in several series from beginning readers to teens and, unlike many series, they remain interesting. In fact, I
There are few books as suited to finding homeschool rabbit trails as The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss. I’m sure you know the story: A family with four boys was shipwrecked on a deserted tropical island. Because they had been planning to set up a colony, the ship was full of useful supplies, but getting them onto the island was an adventure in
As homeschoolers our days are steeped in books. We connect with the characters we read about. And their stories become a part of our story. Carrot Top Paper Shop has created a wonderful line of gifts celebrating literary heroines from Jane Austen to Lucy Pevensie. The hand-drawn prints are whimsical and evocative. Each girl meets your gaze with an open, friendly expression. Role Models for
Homeschooling is hard, sometimes isolating, work. We can all use encouragement and an outside perspective. Throughout the month of September, Julie Bogart, the creator of Brave Writer, read an essay a day from her book A Gracious Space, Fall on Facebook Live. Even though you can’t tune in live, you can still watch the replays. They are available on the Brave Writer YouTube channel. It’s
Reading good books together is a cornerstone practice of our homeschool. Reading together gives our children a deep well of reliable language patterns. This reservoir helps them become discerning, articulate readers and writers. Good books also spark their imagination and give them a rich sense of lived history. But really, one of the biggest benefits is that it’s enjoyable to share stories together. ~Don’t miss
History is one of those subjects that can be dry and boring (do you remember your history textbooks from elementary school?) or filled with fun and adventure. I don’t know about you, but I prefer history lessons that are filled with fun and adventure! History with Heirloom Audio Productions One of the best ways to make history come alive is with great books – and
This past September, I made my biggest curriculum mistake yet. I had researched and thought and finally purchased a curriculum. But when it came time to start school, I realized that I would have to do heavy editing to make the curriculum match my student’s level. I set it aside and bought another curriculum–happily, one that we have been making progress in all year long.
