Homeschooler Cafe'

Unit Study for All Ages - My Recommendation

2026-05-30T22:14:16.808-05:00

It's been a hot minute since I last posted. My two ''boys'' have grown up into amazing men and are almost 30 at this point. lol! So needless to say, I am a homeschool veteran. We homeschooled alllllll the way though. 😂

I was thinking about a unit study we used to do and thought I'd throw it out there again. It's called Learning Adventures.

Here's a little about it:

Learning Adventures, a free, literature-based unit study program that turns learning into an exciting journey around the world. Rather than teaching subjects separately, the curriculum weaves together history, geography, science, language arts, art, and hands-on projects around a central theme or destination.

It encouraged curiosity, creativity, and meaningful learning by allowing children to explore topics in a connected and engaging way. The program was designed with flexibility in mind, making it easy for families to adapt activities to different ages and learning styles.

What we appreciated most was how naturally it sparked a love of learning. Instead of feeling like traditional schoolwork, each unit felt like an adventure filled with books, projects, recipes, crafts, and discoveries. It provided a wonderful balance between structure and freedom, giving us plenty of opportunities to follow rabbit trails and dive deeper into topics that captured our interest.

For families looking to keep learning alive during the summer months while creating lasting memories together, Learning Adventures offered a fun and refreshing approach to education.

4 Common Homeschooling Styles: Which One is Right for Your Family?

2023-01-06T20:59:00.000-06:00

Are you considering homeschooling your child but unsure which approach is right for you? Here are four common homeschooling styles to consider:

Traditional: This style is similar to a traditional school setting, with structured lessons and a curriculum that follows a specific set of standards. If you prefer a more structured and traditional approach to education, this style may be a good fit for your family.
Unschooling: This style is based on the belief that children learn best through real-life experiences and self-directed exploration. Unschooling families do not follow a specific curriculum and instead allow children to learn through their interests and experiences. If you value creativity and self-directed learning, unschooling may be a good fit for your family.
Montessori: This style is based on the educational philosophy of Maria Montessori, which emphasizes a child-centered approach to learning. Montessori homeschooling often involves hands-on materials and a focus on self-directed learning. If you believe in the importance of hands-on, experiential learning, the Montessori approach may be a good fit for your family.
Classical: This style is based on the classical model of education, which emphasizes the study of great works of literature, history, and science. Classical homeschooling often involves the use of a specific curriculum, such as the Trivium or the Great Books. If you value a strong foundation in the classics and a rigorous academic approach, classical homeschooling may be a good fit for your family.

Ultimately, the right homeschooling style for your family will depend on your values, goals, and preferences. Consider exploring each of these styles in more detail to find the one that best aligns with your family's needs and goals.

What are your values, goals, and preferences when it comes to education?

Navigating Homeschooling Laws: 10 Essential Questions for Homeschool Moms

2022-12-30T20:39:00.000-06:00

Here are some additional questions related to state laws and homeschooling:

What are the homeschooling laws in my state?
Do I need to register as a homeschooler with my state or local education agency?
Are there any specific requirements or requirements for homeschooling in my state, such as assessments or curriculum standards?
Are there any resources or support systems available to homeschoolers in my state or community?
How will homeschooling affect my child's ability to attend college or participate in extracurricular activities?
Are there any legal implications or risks to consider when homeschooling in my state?

Have you researched homeschooling laws in your state? Share your tips for finding reliable information on the legalities of homeschooling.

NEXT POST: Homeschooling Legalities: A Handy List of Resources for Understanding State Homeschooling Laws

Homeschooling Decision Time? Consider These Essential Questions for Homeschool Moms

2022-12-27T20:50:00.001-06:00

Here are some questions that homeschool moms may want to consider when deciding whether to homeschool their children:

What are my goals for my child's education?
Am I prepared to take on the responsibility of educating my child at home?
Do I have the time and resources to homeschool my child?
What kind of homeschooling approach will work best for my child and my family?
How will homeschooling affect my child's socialization and extracurricular opportunities?
How will I handle issues such as grading, testing, and record-keeping?
How will I support my child's learning and keep them motivated to learn?
How will I balance homeschooling with other responsibilities and commitments?

Why does my dog lick firewood?

2022-12-27T16:55:00.004-06:00

Do your kids ever ask weird questions like this one: Why does my dog lick firewood?

Does your dog ever do strange things like... lick firewood? LOL!

Here are some possible answers to such a weird question. See what your kids come up with and let us know their thoughts!

It's not uncommon for dogs to exhibit strange behaviors, and licking firewood is one of them. There could be a number of reasons why your dog is licking firewood. Here are a few possibilities. I personally believe number 2 is the answer for our weird one. ;)

Taste: Firewood may have a taste that is appealing to your dog, especially if it has been treated with any kind of wood preservative or has absorbed other flavors from the environment.
Nutrients: Dogs are scavengers by nature, and they may be drawn to firewood because they believe it contains some kind of nutrient or mineral that they need.
Curiosity: Dogs are naturally curious animals, and they may be licking firewood out of pure curiosity and a desire to explore their environment.
Oral fixation: Some dogs have an oral fixation, which means they have a strong desire to chew or lick things as a way of satisfying their natural urges.
Boredom: If your dog is bored or lacks mental and physical stimulation, they may turn to licking firewood as a way to occupy their time and keep themselves entertained.

It's important to monitor your dog's behavior and make sure they aren't ingesting any harmful substances or objects. If you're concerned about your dog's behavior, it's a good idea to consult with a veterinarian or a professional dog trainer for advice.

8 MORE Fun and Educational Activities for Homeschool Kids to Take a Break from Schoolwork

2022-12-23T20:18:00.002-06:00

Here are some MORE amazing ideas for you:

Do a science experiment or build a model. This can be a fun and educational way for kids to learn about the world around them.
Learn a new skill, such as playing an instrument or learning a new language. This can be a great way for kids to challenge themselves and learn something new.
Go on a virtual field trip or visit a local museum or attraction. This can be a fun way for kids to learn about different cultures and historical events.
Write a play or create a video. This can be a great way for kids to use their creativity and learn about storytelling and performance.
Participate in a virtual class or workshop. There are many online resources that offer classes and workshops on a variety of topics, such as art, music, and coding.
Create a garden or take care of a pet. This can be a great way for kids to learn about responsibility and the importance of taking care of living things.
Do a puzzle or play a brain teaser game. This can be a fun way for kids to exercise their problem-solving skills and keep their minds sharp.
Plan and execute a small community service project. This can be a great way for kids to learn about the importance of giving back and helping others in need.

Have you found any effective strategies for taking breaks from homeschooling? We'd love to hear about your experiences and any tips you have for taking time off during the school year.

Homeschool Burnout? 8 Fun and Educational Activities to Give Your Kids a Break from Homeschooling!

2022-12-19T20:18:00.002-06:00

RELAX! TAKE A BREAK.. but learn while you do!

Looking for a change of pace in your homeschool day?

Go for a walk or hike in nature. This can help kids get some fresh air and exercise while also providing a change of scenery.
Do a craft or art project. This could be something simple like coloring or painting, or something more involved like knitting or woodworking.
Play a board game or card game. This can help kids practice their problem-solving and strategic thinking skills while also having fun.
Cook or bake together. This is a great opportunity to teach kids about nutrition and the importance of eating healthy foods.
Have a movie or game night. This can be a fun way for kids to relax and unwind after a long day of schoolwork.
Play a sport or go to a park. This is a great way for kids to get some physical activity and have fun at the same time.
Read a book or listen to an audiobook. This can help kids improve their reading skills and expand their knowledge of the world around them.
Write in a journal or start a creative writing project. This can help kids express their thoughts and feelings, and can also be a great way to improve their writing skills.

How do you plan for breaks from homeschooling? Share your strategies and experiences for taking time off during the school year!

NEXT POST:
8 MORE Fun and Educational Activities for Homeschool Kids to Take a Break from Schoolwork

Is Your Homeschooled Son Struggling with Math? Try These Strategies for Success!

2022-12-17T20:21:00.001-06:00

Homeschooling can be a wild ride, especially when it comes to math. If you're a homeschool mom of a boy who's struggling with math, it's okay to take a break and come back to it later.

One of the perks of homeschooling is that you can tailor the curriculum to your child's needs and learning style. If math isn't your son's thing, try using a different approach or resource. There are plenty of online math games and interactive activities that can make learning math more fun.

Remember, math skills take time to develop. It's totally normal to have struggles and setbacks when learning any subject. Encourage your son to keep trying and to ask for help when he needs it. If you're feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, take a break and come back to math when you're both feeling more relaxed.

In the end, if your son is struggling with math, it's okay to take a break and come back to it later. Try different approaches and resources, and encourage your son to keep trying and ask for help when he needs it. By taking a calm and patient approach, you can help your son build a strong foundation in math and boost his confidence.

Do you schedule breaks from homeschooling in advance or take them as needed? Share your experiences and tips for taking breaks during the school year!

Homeschool Burnout? 8 Fun and Educational Activities to Give Your Kids a Break from Homeschooling!

Homeschooling Deals with Adobe Student Discount

2022-03-12T20:12:00.000-06:00

Are your children interested in technology? Within them may be the seeds of a possible future occupation.

My son took advantage of this Adobe student discount and has become an expert in the editing of wedding movies, motion graphics, logos, and design, among other things. You really never know what's going to happen when your kids experiment with things! This application gave him the courage to experiment with other programs, and he is currently creating music with Ableton Live.

Adobe's most popular design and collaboration tools are available at up to 80% off the full retail price for students, faculty, and staff! Create amazing reports and portfolios, collaborate on assignments, and more with Adobe's award-winning tools for design, web, video, and mobile.

Are you taking advantage of the discounts available for homeschoolers?

Photo by Compare Fibre on Unsplash

Do you buy glasses online? My GlassesShop.com Review - Coupon

2017-05-10T15:36:00.000-05:00

I posted this review on my personal blog but thought all of you homeschoolers

might like to check it out as well!

I was asked by GlassesShop.com to collaborate with them and I jumped at the chance! I seem to have a slight glasses obsession lately so I couldn't pass this up!

I decided to get prescription sunglasses and can not wait to wear these babies to the beach. It's been rainy and overcast here so the first sunny day I just had to try them out. (See my video.)

The glasses frames that I chose are the Lina Rectangle in Green. I am totally loving how the green looks with my hot pink hair! lol. I do have green eyes so that helps with color coordinating. They put the gray 60% tinted lenses in which I think is the perfect tint. This style comes in blue and black as well.

I really like how these sunglasses fit and they are very lightweight. They don't weigh down on my nose at all like other eyeglasses! That's a plus when it's hot out. I've got a LOT of glasses (told you I'm obsessed with them) and these are definitely one of the nicer pairs that I've gotten online.

Lina Rectangle: $29.95

Gray 60% tint: $9.95

Have you ever ordered glasses online? I've done this quite....a few times.... (obsession). Basically, you need to know your prescription, and your Pupillary Distance (PD). Say what? That is the distance between your pupils. For GlassesShop.com you don't have to have it if it's not on your prescription but I followed the instructions I found online and figured mine out.

Want to try these out for yourself?

Use this coupon code for 50% OFF!! GSHOT50

This code means you can have 50% off on eyeglasses and sunglasses

with free lenses (sale frames excluded).

Disclaimer: These glasses were gifted to me by GlassesShop.com. But of course, all opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own!

Homeschool Mom Superpower

2017-04-28T06:38:00.000-05:00

Homeschool mama's have a superpower...or two...or three!

What's yours?

I think mine was multitasking. I say 'was' because mine are graduated and nearly graduated. YAY!!

(Feel free to copy and share this photo!)

Turn Your Homeschool Experience into a Business - Guest Post by Carol Topp

2017-04-27T08:26:00.000-05:00

Turn Your Homeschool Experience into a Business

By Carol Topp

The most successful businesses spring from using the skills, talents, and experiences of the owner. Why not use your knowledge and understanding of homeschooling to create a business? It can be done! Here are some business ideas that use your experience as a homeschool parent, as well as tips from those who make their livelihood in the homeschool marketplace.

Tutoring

Many homeschool parents find they are qualified to become private tutors earning money from tutoring math, reading, or foreign languages. My friend, Cynthia, tutors Spanish to individuals and small groups of students. She has also has been hired to teach Spanish at several homeschool co-ops. Katie tutors online with Tutor.com in the evenings after her children are in bed. She could earn more with face-to-face tutoring, but the online model fits better with her schedule.

Editing

Why not use all that grammar and punctuation you've been teaching your kids to good use. Offer your service as an editor to bloggers, novelists, and writers of all kinds. Mary Jo Tate raised her four sons on her income as an editor while homeschooling. To learn how she did it, read her book Flourish at Home available at FlourishAtHome.com. She explains, “I didn’t know much about running a business, but God providentially led me to some conferences for entrepreneurs where I began learning principles that could help me grow a home business while continuing to teach my children.”

Testing

If your state requires annual testing, then offering standardized testing, diagnostic testing, and even personality testing to homeschool families can be great sources of income. You may need training and a license to offer some tests, so do your research to see what it takes to be able to offer testing services.

Parenting Advice

Many homeschool parents need advice from experienced homeschoolers. You could consider sharing your wisdom by offering phone counseling or webinars. Hal and Melanie Young offer a five-session webinar called Boot Camp 9-12 for parents with pre-teen boys at RaisingRealMen.com. As parents of six sons (and two daughters), they offer helpful, practical advice and get paid for it! Melanie told me, “It's important to stop and ask yourself, “Is this something I would have paid for in my homeschool journey?” People won't pay for things they can easily get free, so you need to make sure that what you are planning to offer is marketable. Involve your family as much as you can in your business; that way it becomes “our family business” and not “Mom and Dad's business” that takes time away from the family.”

Homeschool Consultant

Lee Binz (TheHomeScholar.com) applies what she knows about homeschooling through high school in her consulting business. She offers her time to parents who need help with transcripts and college admissions. You could also convert your experience into a home-based business. By the way, Lee’s website and products are an excellent model of how to run an online business. Take a look and copy any of her ideas that fit your service and your style.

Learning Disability Specialist

Kathy Kuhl (LearnDifferently.com) is a specialist in learning disabilities. She consults with families who need help adapting their homeschool to a child’s learning challenges. She advises on planning, curriculum, support, withdrawal from school, and transition to high school level work, employment, and college. Kathy, advises, “Many people enter this field because they have a child with special needs. While your own experience is an asset, strengthen your usefulness and marketability with personal study and training. You may do this work out of love, but remember that your time is worth something. A wise woman—who had seen others burn out from years of giving their time away in this work—advised me to charge for my work. But I do some pro bono work every month.”

Foreign Language Translation

If you can read, write, or speak a foreign language, you could be hired as a translator. Email and Skype has made translation easier to do from home. While Spanish is a popular language, Asian and Middle Eastern translators are more in demand and therefore pay better.

Art Lessons

Art classes were always in demand at my homeschool co-op, and parents were frequently willing to pay an additional fee for art classes. You can approach co-op leaders in your area and see if they will let you teach a class. Accept payments from parents to make the process easier for the co-op leaders.

Music Lessons

If you play an instrument, consider teaching beginning students. Piano, guitar, and drum lessons seem to be the most popular. Offering lessons back-to-back for siblings or teaching music lessons at a local homeschool co-op is convenient for parents and makes the best use of your time, too.

Childcare

You take care of your own children all day, so it may be possible to run a daycare from your home without too much additional work. Offering before and after school childcare would be a popular service in many neighborhoods or offer to be available on snow days and charge a premium price for the short notice!

Writer/Author

Many homeschool parents write their own curriculum because they couldn’t find what they needed. That’s what I did when I wrote the Micro Business for Teens series. It’s easier than ever to self-publish and distribute your curriculum to homeschool parents using services such as Amazon’s CreateSpace.com and CurrClick.com.

Bookseller

Stroll through any homeschool convention hall and you’ll find homeschool families running bookstores like Jay and Maria Asplin who own JM Cremp’s: The Boys Adventure Store from their home in Minnesota and travel the country during homeschool convention season. Other booksellers stay home and run their stores completely online.

Speaker

Popular speaker Heidi St. John of TheBusyMom.com speaks to huge crowds about homeschooling, parenting, and marriage. If you have a unique topic and an encouraging word, begin sharing your wisdom. You could start by doing radio interviews, podcasts, and local speaking engagements. Offer to be a guest on one of the homeschool podcasts in the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network.

Homeschool Group Administrator

Some homeschool groups, especially co-ops, are so large and active that they hire an administrator to run their programs. The homeschool group may be a nonprofit, but it operates like a business and needs someone with administrative skills to keep the group flourishing. Be sure to brush up on the laws regarding employer taxes. Visit HomeschoolCPA.com [http://homeschoolcpa.com/] for details.

Turn your homeschooling experience into a successful business. Most of these ideas can be run completely from home and are flexible enough to allow you to balance homeschooling and business. I hope the examples from other homeschool parents have inspired you.

Tips to Get Started

1. Create a short business plan. Put it on paper. Writing things down seems to make us think more carefully. Include sections on the need for your product or service, who your customers are, how you will find them, your price, and the cost to get started. Then show your plan to several people, including current business owners and potential customers. Ask them for honest and helpful feedback.

2. Conduct a mini market survey. Ask three to five potential customers if they are interested in your services and what they would pay. Their feedback can help you set a price and determine what services to offer.

3. Consider how you will be unique. Ask yourself, “Why will a customer buy from me and not my competition?” Maybe you offer top quality, speedy service, or the cheapest price. Typically a business can offer two enticements to a customer, but not all three, so you can offer high quality quickly, but not inexpensively.

4. Test your business idea by offering free services or products to a few initial customers. Ask for their feedback. If they give you positive feedback, ask their permission to use their comments in your marketing materials and on your website.

5. Set up a website. Collect emails so you can communicate with interested visitors to your site. Offer some information such as a short ebook or a blog post series in return for an email.

Carol Topp, CPA (www.HomeschoolCPA.com and www.MicroBusinessForTeens.com) operates a home-based accounting practice helping business startups and nonprofits. She is the author of Homeschool Co-ops: How to Start Them, Run Them and Not Burn Out and the Micro Business for Teens series. Carol and her husband live in Cincinnati, Ohio and have two daughters, both homeschool graduates.

Copyright, 2015. Used with permission. All rights reserved by author. Originally appeared in The Old Schoolhouse^® Magazine, the family education magazine, Fall 2015. Read the magazine free at www.TOSMagazine.com or read it on the go and download the free apps at www.TOSApps.com to read the magazine on your mobile devices.

Homeschool Moms Love This!

2014-11-17T10:17:00.001-06:00

I am a homeschool mom who is also an entrepreneur. I have a shop on Etsy and run a business from my home while I homeschool!

I love it!

Customize any design with YOUR quote!

Homeschool MAMA necklace

I am a homeschool mom who is also an entrepreneur. I have a shop on Etsy and run a business from my home while I homeschool! I love it!

This is a necklace that I made for us "homeschool MAMA's"

We ♥LUV♥ homeschooling and sometimes we want to show that to the world!

Everything Beautiful Etsy Shop (link)

Made-by-Hand Education By Lindy Abbott

2014-10-20T11:20:00.000-05:00

I am so excited to put this article on my blog considering I have my own Etsy business and I also homeschool! (Come visit me! Link at bottom of page.)

I LOVE the ideas presented here so check it out:

Made-by-Hand Education

By Lindy Abbott

“It’s better homemade,” is increasingly a sentiment many young homemakers, especially those aged 20 to 30, believe. Thankfully we still have our older generations who happily share their skills with those who are increasingly seeking lessons.

Several months ago it thrilled my heart to have my spiritual mother teach my daughter and me how to knit. As she sat between us on the sofa, she guided us between the giggles and missed stitches. We learned how to knit, and the time we shared together created a precious memory in our hearts. The benefit of knowing that a lot of love goes into a product makes it worth the extra time it takes to have something homemade.

Teaching home economics is becoming more popular than it was in the 1980s. My generation, in the late 1970s, was probably among the last that was required to take home economic classes in high school. We learned to plan attractive, balanced meals one semester. I actually learned how to make a perfect chocolate meringue pie in a fully equipped kitchen. In the second semester, everyone had to sew a buttoned shirt and a skirt with a zipper. In yesteryear, schools considered these skills as important as academic classes. I think they still are today!

Most colleges still offer a major in home economics, but it has been renamed “human science.” My early childhood education degree was taught within the College of Human Science, along with degrees in nutrition, interior design, and textiles. Thankfully I was exposed to classes in each of these areas. As a homeschool parent you are blessed with the opportunity to teach your children valuable skills to be used in their home, and you can also encourage entrepreneurship.

The virtuous woman in Proverb 31 sold her goods to assist her family, and we can too. Teaching your children home economics naturally fits into homeschooling, and it is much easier to sell your items worldwide with several Internet sites like Etsy (www.etsy.com) and Artfire (www.artfire.com), which provide very easy-to-set-up shops. I have obtained permission from several shop owners to introduce you to their wares in this article, to give you insight into what others are making. I strongly encourage you to include your children when you plan activities and work together in designing unique, sellable items.

In my twenties, I learned that the Bible instructed women to be keepers of their home. Titus 2:3–5 charges older women to teach younger women to love their husbands and children and to be keepers at home. The Greek word oikourous, translated “keepers at home,” is derived from two Greek words. The first, oikos, means “a house, dwelling, a family or household.” The second, ouros, means “to be a keeper, watcher or guardian.” I simply love that women are called by God to be guardians of the affairs in the home! In 1 Timothy 5:14, Paul exhorts women to “guide the house,” using the verb oikodespotein for guide. Do you see despot in this Greek word? Yes, women are to rule the home in the sense of being wise, diligent managers running households efficiently. Sewing and cooking serve as the foundation of home economics, and individuals can use skills in these areas to produce numerous marketable items.

The Internet provides a wide variety of instructions related to creating quality homemade products with do-it-yourself videos, blogs, and websites. The hardest part may be trying to focus on only one or two projects at a time so that each can be thoroughly developed. Think about what types of products naturally appeal to you and your children, but also try a few things that you have always wanted to do but may have no experience with. I am looking into taking pottery classes this coming year, and after recently seeing all the beautiful pottery in artisan shops in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, I can’t wait to start. Visiting craft fairs and small specialty shops can be a good place to see what is selling.

Hopefully a few examples of online shop owners will spark your interest and inspire your family to create your own unique ideas:

• Kelli of Desert Soapstone started making soap about five years ago after the birth of her first child. She uses only natural oils in her soap. She confesses, “Olive oil and coconut oil are my favorites to work with . . . .” Her husband, an artistic architect, helps her decide on scents and designs. “I am mostly inspired by nature as far as design goes and color combos. There are a lot of amazing designs in nature,” explains Kelli. Excellent online sources about making soap include these: www.teachsoap.com and www.soapqueen.com. You can visit Kelli’s store at www.etsy.com/shop/desertsoapstone.

• Long before April thought of homeschooling, she had started her home business of sewing homemade items. “Time management is key . . . . I treat my business as a business and not a hobby,” shares April. “It takes a great amount of discipline to keep this business running, profitable, and fun!” April focuses on quality, and therefore her 11-year-old homeschooling son does not help her sew, but he helps with pricing and other aspects of business. I simply love the beautiful materials April has chosen for her products and the wide variety she offers. Her stand-alone website is www.forsheedesigns.com.

• Laurie has a shop called Gifts and Talents in which she sells items that are decoupaged. She says: “I started doing art before I could write. Even at 3 years old I was putting the smallest details into my drawings.” Recipe boxes, key hooks, and light switch plates are among the many items she decoupages, and all can be made to match your colors or patterns. You can find her beautiful array of items at www.etsy.com/shop/GiftsAndTalents.

Your home economics can include beading jewelry, card making, photography, collage art, mosaic tile, woodcrafts, costume design, candle making, creating soup or cookie mixes, and making fresh baked goods. Of course, home repair projects are always available and perfect for home economics lessons; if you have older children, you could complete a building project like making a bookshelf or a stone walkway.

Homeschool families can easily find ways to incorporate a home business into the school day. Today the tools and information to build an interesting course that might just result in a home business are at your fingertips, and maybe you will find a passion or talent you never knew was within.

Lindy Abbott is a passionate follower of Jesus with a strong understanding of the Biblical, Christian worldview. She is a certified teacher and a homeschool mom of three teens. From childhood, she discovered writing as her way to express what she felt and learned. Lindy is a published author, freelance writer, editor of a homeschool newsletter, and avid blogger. Read

her regular post at www.lindylou-abbott.blogspot.com.

Copyright 2012, used with permission. All rights reserved by author. Originally appeared in the September 2012 issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, the family education magazine. Read the magazine free at www.TOSMagazine.com or read it on the go and download the free apps at www.TOSApps.com to read the magazine on your mobile devices.

Come visit my Etsy shop!

Everything Beautiful

Jewelry by Janet Powers

Homeschool Mom

Entrepreneur

Pastor's Wife/Minister/Worship Leader

School's...in! What are you looking forward to the most?

2014-09-30T15:49:00.000-05:00

So, what are you most looking forward to this school year? Is it a new curriculum? Field trips? Unschooling with no curriculum?

Leave a comment and let us know!

I Am a Lifelong Learner ~ Are You?

2014-06-23T09:52:00.000-05:00

Something I do OTHER than make jewelry: LEARN

One of my plans for today (other than getting some orders out) includes learning. I am a lifelong learner...homeschool mom... who is showing my kids how to be lifelong learners as well.

On the agenda for today is: The Power of The Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf. I've already watched part of this video. (Oh yeah, and I will watch it while I fold laundry! LOL)

Dr. Caroline Leaf is:
*An amazingly smart woman
*A Christian
*A scientist
*Interesting
*A captivating speaker
*A beautiful, amazingly smart woman!

This video isn't just for adults. I recommend it for teens as well. My 17 year old was enjoying it as well. She offers amazing insights that all can learn from.

Let me know if you decide to watch and learn!

The Power of The Brain

Printable Maps - Large World Maps, Country Maps

2014-02-19T11:24:00.001-06:00

I found a GREAT resource!

This is from Owl & Mouse at YourChildLearns.com Print Large Maps Homeschool

"Print maps large or small; from 1 page to almost 7 feet across; PC or Mac. For classroom and student use. MegaMaps requires Adobe Flash. Free online software - no downloading or installation."

You can even print mega maps! Super huge! So big you can walk on them.

Check out my map!

Yes, I am a homeschool mama AND and entrepreneur.

I run a business from my home.

A bunch of my international sales have been

marked with a dot on this map.

It helps me to keep my vision of my jewelry

going all over the world!!

Find my shop here:

Everything Beautiful

Etsy Jewelry Shop

My fam team!

2014-01-10T12:14:00.003-06:00

Son 1 the photographer / videographer

Husband the preacher

Son 2 the... whatever hat he is wearing at the timer

My mom & me

Kitchen Lab: Edible Experiments and Other Mad Scientist Recipes ~ Guest Post By Tamara Christine Van Hooser

2014-01-07T20:24:00.000-06:00

Kitchen Lab: Edible Experiments and Other Mad Scientist Recipes

By Tamara Christine Van Hooser

“Who—me? Teach science? You must be joking! I barely passed science when I was in school. I’m certainly not qualified to teach it now!” The prospect of teaching science brings to mind names such as Einstein, Newton, and Bernoulli, along with the complex equations and scientific theories they espouse. Thus, it is easy for a homeschool parent with no science degree to view science as a daunting challenge and to shy away from teaching science. It’s easy to become even more discouraged by the price tags found on numerous materials required for science experiments, especially if you have a limited budget.

The truth is that science is all around us, and it takes no special training, knowledge, or extra expense to introduce your elementary-aged children to basic scientific principles right in your very own kitchen with common household ingredients. As The Magic Schoolbus’s Miss Frizzle likes to say, the key to making science come alive for kids is to “take chances, make mistakes, get messy.” Conducting science in your kitchen lab is an excellent vehicle for tying in cross-curricular skills such as measurement, nutrition, responsibility, and following directions, as well as kitchen safety and the scientific process. Select recipe experiments that end in an edible treat to motivate your kids’ scientific curiosity, and reward the junior mad scientists for a project well done.

Homemade Root Beer

Combining root beer and science will be an instant hit for all root beer lovers.¹ While many recipes call for ingredients that the average family does not have handy, a simple recipe of brewer’s yeast, root beer extract, sugar, and warm water is enough to teach kids about fermentation and carbonation.

Mix ¼ teaspoon yeast in a cup of warm water. Dissolve 1 pound of sugar in ½ gallon of water heated to 180 degrees F. Stir in 4 to 6 teaspoons of root beer extract and let cool.

Mix in the yeast solution and carefully pour the mixture into a plastic gallon-sized jug. Pour in enough warm water to fill the jug, leaving 2 inches empty at the top, and twist the lids on securely. Keep the bottles at room temperature for three to four days, and then refrigerate for an additional four to seven days.

For young children, a quick version of this experiment substitutes dry ice for yeast. Simply place the dry ice in the root beer liquid in an airtight container, such as a portable cooler. It should be carbonated and ready to drink in one to four hours. Add ice cream for a root beer float celebration, or hold a taste test to compare commercial brands to your homemade version.

Ziplock Ice Cream

For a completely scientific treat, make your own ice cream to go with your homemade root beer.² In addition to being a tasty project, making ice cream is a good way to learn about freezing, melting, and changing states of matter. In a quart-size ziplock bag, mix ½ cup milk, ½ cup heavy cream, ¼ cup sugar, and ¼ teaspoon vanilla. Seal the bag securely and place it within a 1-gallon size ziplock bag filled with 2 cups of ice and ¾ cup rock salt.

Seal the gallon bag and let the child squeeze and shake the bag vigorously until the mixture thickens like ice cream. Spoon the ice cream into your float or a bowl, and enjoy your tasty treat. Optionally you may substitute other flavors for vanilla, such as adding mashed berries, chocolate syrup, peppermint extract, or food coloring for a colorful snack.

To finish reading click "read more."

Pizza Science

Kids love pizza, so tell them they get to make pizza for science and they’ll want to repeat the experiment over and over again.³ Most people are familiar with baking a pizza in the oven, but can you cook one on the stovetop or over a barbecue or campfire? This experiment will answer that question and take care of lunch or dinner for the day.

Using frozen pizzas, try cooking them in a dry skillet and a lightly oiled skillet. Do you get better crust results from a covered or uncovered skillet? Light up the barbecue and bake your pizza on the grill with and without foil underneath. Build a campfire and wrap the pizza in tin foil. Place it in the hot coals and see how long it takes to cook.

Which method produces the crispiest crust? Experiment with different cooking methods until you find the one that works best.

Science Art

Young children can learn about the art and science of mixing colors with an edible rainbow cupcake color wheel craft.⁴ Mix up a batch of your child’s favorite cake mix and bake some cupcakes.

Put out six small dishes of white frosting and food coloring. Stir colors into each cup, making red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, letting your kids discover that red and blue make purple, red and yellow make orange, and yellow and blue make green. Frost each cupcake in a single color and demonstrate how to place them in a ring to make a color wheel that mimics the order of colors in a rainbow.

Edible Cell Model

Learning the parts of a cell can have a numbing effect on kids who do not like memorizing or are intimidated by all the long scientific names, but an edible model turns it into a fun project.⁵ Cell models can be made out of Jello, cake, pie, or any other treat that appeals to your child. Each part of the cell is represented by a different type of candy, so ask your child to create a key that tells which candy stands for which cell part. It should include the cytoplasm, Golgi bodies, lysosomes, mitochondria, nuclear membrane, nucleolus, nucleus, ribosomes, rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and vacuole.

Place each part in its correct location on the body of the cell. Take pictures or make a video of your child explaining the project, and . . . enjoy the dessert!

Rice Krispy Skin

In the same vein as the cell model, mix up a batch of rice krispy treat mix to mold a model of the skin.⁶ Use licorice vines or strips of fruit leather in different colors to represent the veins, arteries, sweat glands, and nerves. Paint a strip of food coloring or frosting along the top to represent the epidermis. Rows of round chocolates represent hair. Make a photographic record of the masterpiece for posterity’s sake before devouring.

Plant Part Salad

So many plants are edible or have edible parts that turning the study of plant parts into a kitchen science project is a natural fit.⁷ Have your child select at least one salad ingredient from each part of the plant: leaves, flower, fruit, root, stem, and seed. Mix it all together and top with your favorite dressing, or make your own dressing. Include the salad on the dinner menu, and let your child bask in the rave reviews of her culinary talents.

Taste Test

A taste test experiment is a yummy way for kids to explore what makes a good (fill in the blank).⁸ Select a product that is available in several brands or varieties, for example, strawberries, apples, chocolate chip cookies, or potato chips. Make a list of the criteria that each sample will be graded on, such as sweetness, tartness, texture, crunchiness, or color, as well as how it will be graded.

Dole out the samples without letting the children know which is which, to avoid predetermined bias. Have them grade each sample on the criteria chosen. When all tests are done, reveal which brand or variety corresponds to each test and determine each child’s favorite in a blind taste test.

Edible Crystals

Growing crystals is a classic earth science project, but if a kit and chemicals with unpronounceable scientific names are not within your budget, try using sugar and water or maple syrup to create your edible crystals.⁹

Heat sugar and water in a 3:1 ratio and stir until sugar is dissolved completely. Add any coloring or flavor that suits your taste, let the mixture cool in the refrigerator, and then pour it into a clean, clear jar.

Coat a long piece of string with the sugar liquid and suspend over the jar opening so that it hangs to the bottom of the jar. Store the jar where it won’t be disturbed, and over the next several days watch the crystals form on the string.

Maple syrup crystals grow even more quickly. Heat the pure maple syrup until it thickens, and then pour it over a bed of ice or a chilled plate to see crystals form in minutes. When the candy crystals have grown large enough to suit your child, let him try his homemade candy.

PBJ Earth

If you have ever been a kid, you know that peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are an indispensable feature of childhood. What you may not know is that if you can put aside your mom’s admonitions for a moment and let your kids play with their food, you can turn PB and J into a science lesson about the layers of the earth’s crust.¹⁰

Lay out bread, peanut butter, jelly, and honey, and give each child a blunt dinner knife or plastic knife. The bottom layer of bread represents the rock of the inner solid core. Spread with honey, which represents the outer liquid core, and add a second layer of bread to represent the lower mantle. Spread a layer of peanut butter to represent the asthenosphere, spread jelly to represent the upper mantle, and the top bread layer will represent the earth’s crust.

You may also choose to cut the sandwich diagonally and push, pull, and slide the pieces to demonstrate divergent, transform, and convergent boundaries in plate movements. Once the science demonstration is over, lunch is on!

Endnotes:

1. Homemade Root Beer. (June 30, 2012) Retrieved from All Recipes: allrecipes.com/recipe/homemade-root-beer/

Making Root Beer. (June 30, 2012) Retrieved from Learning Zone Express: www.learningzonexpress.com/Documents/Worksheets/3519_Food_Science_Worksheet.pdf.

2. Anne Marie Helmenstine, P. (June 30, 2012) Make Ice Cream in a Baggie. Retrieved from About.com Chemistry: chemistry.about.com/cs/howtos/a/aa020404a.htm.

3. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (June 30, 2012). Stove Top Frozen Pizza Science Experiment. Retrieved from About.com Chemistry: chemistry.about.com/od/foodscienceprojects/ss/Stove-Top-Frozen-Pizza-Science-Experiment_2.htm.

4. Lipoff, Sarah. (June 30, 2012). Edible Color Wheel. Retrieved from Education.com: www.education.com/activity/article/edible-color-wheel/?coliid=805.

5. Howard, Todd and Nick Hoffman. (June 30, 2012). The Incredible, Edible Cell. Retrieved from Access Excellence at the National Health Museum: www.accessexcellence.org/AE/ATG/data/released/0251-NickHoffman. Jello 3-D Animal Cell Craft. (June 30, 2012). Retrieved from Enchanted Learning: www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/animals/cell/jello.

6. Fun Biology Science Project for Kids—An edible skin model that is made with Rice Krispie Treats and candy. (June 30, 2012). Retrieved from Hub Pages: hteacher.hubpages.com/hub/Fun-Biology-Science-Project-for-Kids-An-edible-skin-model-that-is-made-with-Rice-Krispie-Treats-and-candy.

7. Van Hooser, Tessa. ((June 30, 2012). Tessa’s Plant Part Salad. Retrieved from All Recipes: allrecipes.com/personalrecipe/62739062/tessas-plant-part-salad/detail.aspx.

8. Bilgrami, Shaheen. (June 30, 2012). Test Your Tongue: Are Strawberries Sweet or Sour? Retrieved from Education.com: www.education.com/activity/article/fool-tongue-strawberries-sweet-sour/?coliid=801.

9. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (June 30, 2012). Maple Syrup Crystals. Retrieved from About.com Chemistry: chemistry.about.com/od/sugarcrystalsrockcandy/a/Maple-Syrup-Crystals.htm. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (June 30, 2012). Rock Candy—How to Make Rock Candy. Retrieved from About.com Chemistry: chemistry.about.com/od/foodcookingchemistry/a/rockcandy.htm.

10. “Peanut Butter and Jelly” Earth Layers. (June 30, 2012). Retrieved from Montana State University Dept. of Mathematical Sciences: www.math.montana.edu/~nmp/materials/ess/geosphere/inter/activities/application/index.html. Edible Geology. (June 30, 2012). Retrieved from Nevada Commission of Mineral Resources: minerals.state.nv.us/forms/educ/EdibleGeology.pdf.

Tamara lives in western Oregon with her husband, Christopher, and homeschools William and Tessa. She taught elementary grades in public school settings for seven years. When she is not teaching or writing, she enjoys reading and volunteering at church. She considers teaching her children to “love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength and their neighbor as themselves” as their most important educational goal. To connect with her, please visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/teachingisFUN.

Copyright, 2012. Used with permission. All rights reserved by author. Originally appeared in The Old Schoolhouse^® Magazine, the family education magazine, October 2012. Read the magazine free at www.TOSMagazine.com or read it on the go and download the free apps at www.TOSApps.com to read the magazine on your mobile devices.

photo credit: roland via photopin cc
photo credit: jazzijava via photopin cc

Boiling Water Science Experiment ~ Our Homeschool

2014-01-07T12:17:00.002-06:00

Brrrrrrrr.....!! Baby it's cold outside!

Here in Chicago-land it is -2* and with the windchill it is -22*.

Yesterday, my boys thought it would be great to do a science experiment that they found online. The temp with windchill yesterday was -54* !!! No kidding! We have NEVER experienced this before. The boys were greatly intrigued to say the least.

Of course, a warning is issued because boiling water is involved.
WARNING! Children should NOT do this experiment without a parent or guardian!

Materials

You only need two things:

freshly boiled water
really cold outdoor temperature

Basically, you toss the boiling water into the air (NOT above anyone's head!!!!) and watch it turn into snow!

Why does it turn into snow?

This is what Live Science has to say about it:

"When it's cold outside, there's hardly any water vapor present in the air, whereas boiling water emits vapor very readily that's why it's steaming," Seeley says. "When you throw the water up in the air, it breaks into much smaller droplets, so there's even more surface for water vapor to come off of.
"Now, cold air is very dense, and this makes its capacity to hold water vapor molecules very low. There's just fundamentally less space for the vapor molecules," Seeley explains. "So when you throw the boiling water up, suddenly the minus 22 air has more water vapor than it has room for. So the vapor precipitates out by clinging to microscopic particles in the air, such as sodium or calcium, and forming crystals. This is just what goes into the formation of snowflakes."

Here is Weather.com's version found on YouTube:

Let me know if you try it and link back so we can watch your experiment!

Interesting Stats on Homeschool vs. Public School

2014-01-06T10:34:00.000-06:00

Stats interest me, especially stats about homeschooling.

Here is one that I am particularly interested in. I suppose it is because my husband and I are in full time ministry. (Or however you want to word that.)

Will your children believe in Jesus when they graduate from high school?

Homeschooled: 94%
Public Schooled: 15%

94% of homeschoolers keep the faith and 93% continue to attend church after the high school years. But a shocking 75% to 85% of Christian children sent to public school drop out of church, and do not hold a Christian worldview after high school graduation.
(Stat quoted from: Christian Home Education)

Look at it this way:
One hundred Christian kids go to public school
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Twenty of them continue in "the faith" or going to church after they graduate.

This stat is astounding! Over and over I hear on Christian TV and radio, "Why are our children leaving the faith/church?"

Well, lets look at the facts. Most of them are being sent to the public school. What do they learn in public school? A lot more than educational stuff! I know this first hand because "I were one!" LOL.

Sadly, parents actually think that they are sending their kids to school to get an education... to get book smart. If they think that teachers are only teaching what is in the text book (which can't be trusted these days... times have changed sista!) they are fooling themselves.

How is it even possible for a teacher to teach and not give their opinion. I wonder if teachers announce that something is their "opinion" every time that they give it so that the child can easily sift through what is said and toss the junk?

I will conclude... for now... with a verse out of Scripture (highlight mine).

Luke 6:39-40And He also spoke a parable to them: “A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.

Created by: CollegeAtHome.com

Mama needs some new jewelry!

2014-01-02T23:24:00.002-06:00

I'm having a sale in my Etsy shop! Come check it out: Everything Beautiful

Real Play, Real Learning ~ Guest Post by Willemien Kruger

2013-11-15T11:08:00.000-06:00

Photo added by me from: Pixabay

Real Play, Real Learning

By Willemien Kruger

Here in South Africa we cannot imagine a lifestyle where children are not outdoors most of the time. Some of my friends who come from other countries have told me how it took them a long time to get into the mindset that the “place for children to play is outside—not inside.” The great advantage of the outside is that one needs far less toys for entertainment. It never ceases to amaze me how children really play with almost nothing when they are outdoors. As long as there is a three-dimensional space where they can move forwards and backwards, run, hop, jump, and climb to move up and down (as in trees)—if you then add a bit of soil, sand, and water together with a few sticks and stones and leaves and stuff—children will never be bored!

Our children here in South Africa grow up outside . . . with bare feet on grass, mud play, tree climbing and sunshine all year ’round! It is a privilege we mostly appreciate when our children get fidgety by the hour in those rare times of continuous rain for three days. Charlotte Mason encourages being in nature, doing what she calls “nature study,” which is quite natural for children to do if they are out in nature a lot. If you do not have your own backyard, then do put in some extra effort to get into nature as much as possible by going to a park or forest or beach or even a neighbor’s yard. For now I am going to assume that most of the readers have access to their own nature area, and I’ll give some practical ideas to set up an outdoor environment for keeping children of all ages productively busy (from baby phase to teenager phase).

First, ensure that the basics are available: open grass, water, soil, sand, trees, and rocks. Trees will be even more enjoyable if they are of the sort one can climb. Water does not have to be a swimming pool, and when children are small, even just a bucket filled with some water is sufficient; water features, such as fountains, are also very entertaining and relaxing. If you have these basics, living things such as insects, birds, lizards, spiders, etc. will quickly inhabit your backyard, making it an outdoor observatory for nature study.

Add interesting play, provoking things such as a climbing frame, swings (homemade ones can be made, e.g., knotted ropes or a tire fastened with ropes), a tree house, tires, bamboo, a hose pipe, and pets.

Provide an area where they can roller skate or ride bikes or practice throwing a ball through a loop. Set up a net for kicking a ball into.

Involve your children from a young age in helping you when you have your own vegetable or herb garden, flowers, bonsais, orchids, or whatever your green thumbs like to grow. If you are an animal lover, all sorts of pets and other small animals can provide lots of learning opportunities for caring and can even develop into a business later, e.g., raising birds, chickens, etc.

There are so many opportunities for productive (paid) work in a garden; you can decide if you want to add them as basic chores or regard them as “extra,” paid chores. Mowing and maintaining the lawn; varnishing wooden structures, chairs, tables, or other furniture; painting permanent structures; annual tree planting or trimming; adding fertilizer on regular basis to grass or beddings; cleaning the fish pond; raking up autumn leaves; and weeding flowerbeds are examples of outside chores that children can carry out successfully—and they’re fun too! Projects for older children could include building a tree house, swings, ladders, and structures for imaginary play, e.g., boats, tents, prisons.

Do things outside regularly: have picnics lunch or dinner outside, do art outside, read on a blanket or a swing or on the grass, have tea under a tree, play badminton, play ball games, pitch a tent and camp in your backyard with a real fire to cook a meal on, watch the stars and seek out constellations, or study the moon’s cycle for a month.

Teach your children observational skills as you do this yourself. For example, highlight changes in seasons and nature every time you are outside; watch the leaves fall; experience the warmth, the cold, changes in light, length of day, and how much the wind is blowing; and observe how much or little rain falls and then talk about God’s design for seasons of growth and rest. Learn to observe weather in all its forms. Matthew 6:28 (AMP) says, “Consider the lilies of the field and learn thoroughly how they grow.”

Intentionally let nature study be part of “school”—apart from conducting science experiments outside, have your child prepare a speech/report about your own bird gardens as part of your science studies, or do a work project when trying to attract birds to the garden, e.g., building a feeder, or teach your children how to prepare the garden soil for the new planting season—as you do it together.

Being outdoors is healthy and good and provides many informal learning opportunities with little effort! Both children and adults will benefit from being outdoors more. I truly believe God is revealing to us His character, wisdom, and wonder in nature, so getting out in nature often will have an impact on our souls and spirits. You will not be untouched when you “look out for God” in nature. Let us help our children also to have this experience as we allow them outdoor fun!

“The meadows are clothed with flocks, the valleys also are covered with grain; they shout for joy and sing together” (Psalm 65:13, AMP).

Five Rules for Moms When Children Are Outside

1. Let them get dirty! This is very important, and it will prevent grief (yours, not theirs) if you dress them appropriately beforehand.

2. Allow them some time to get into the play, even if it takes a while. Sometimes they need to warm up a bit before they really start to build “that dam” you suggested.

3. Allow them to do what they want to do. Sometimes they just want to sit a while on the swing. That is okay. Offer them that quiet time.

4. Encourage them to collect things. This is a hard one, and I agree that one should have limits and rules, e.g., snakes are not allowed in the house and spiders cannot roam free.

5. Permit them to explore and experiment with nature. This does not include allowing them to torture or destroy any animal or plant, but do allow them the odd breaking of a rock to see what is inside or carefully taking apart a flower or seed to analyse the intricate design for themselves.

I love the season of life I now live, as a South African homeschool mother of three precious children and happily married. I love to research and read wholesome, intelligent, and value-adding information, and I enjoy sharing what I learn. Find support to continuously improve your homeschool on my website, www.homeschooling-curriculum-guide.com, pointing YOU in the right direction, whether you are just starting out or have been doing this for a while.

Copyright 2012, used with permission. All rights reserved by author. Originally appeared in the June 2012 issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, the family education magazine. Read the magazine free at www.TOSMagazine.com or read it on the go and download the free apps at www.TOSApps.com to read the magazine on your mobile devices.

What are you creating in your "home educating" lifestyle?

2013-11-14T11:51:00.001-06:00

How many homeschoolers do you know? Do you know their children very well or do you mostly just associate with the parents? Do you know your children very well?

I ask these questions just to get you thinking... and myself as well. I don't know a lot of homeschool families. At least not as many as most do. I've only been part of a co-op or group a couple of times and I've homeschooled our boys for their whole lives (17 years). They say it's not healthy to go it alone but that's basically what I've done. Live and learn...

Anyway! I do know enough homeschool families to observe their "style" and the attitudes of their children. It has been my observation that the kids whose parents have chosen to do a strict "school at home" or sit the child down to a teaching video.... learn this... learn that... type of style, are resentful. The children I know, from about 3rd grade up to now graduated, don't want to be homeschooled or wish they weren't.

Many of those families have created resentment, bitterness, rebellion... That's the sad news, but there is hope!

If our children aren't learning "the way THEY should go" and are only learning what has been pre-

programmed and put in front of them, how could they be happy?

There are so many learning styles and topics that interest us all as individuals, that if we all have to learn the same stuff, the same way, MANY will feel unfulfilled and not happy with their education.

Unfortunately, I wasn't taught that learning is a lifestyle nor was I encouraged to pursue to learn about things that I am interested in. As an adult who graduated from a less that great public school, I have supernaturally acquired the desire to continue to learn! I am so excited about learning now that I can learn (for the rest of my life) on my own terms!

I can, and do, learn everyday in the way that God made me! Say I want to learn a new jewelry

making technique (I do own my own business: www.janetpowers1.etsy.com) and someone tells me that I have to learn "this particular" technique. Not only that, but I have to sit down to a text book and read how to make this new design using only this book. Well, chances are, I won't be learning that technique! That's not how I was wired!

How can we expect our children to learn this and learn that and do it only this particular way when God has wired us all so differently?

I understand that people NEED to be educated but why does it have to be so stringent? Why can't

we loosen up a bit and let our children learn... REALLY learn?

I want to challenge you with this:

Pick one day a week... say Friday's... and let your child learn whatever they want and however they want.

If they learn best by doing, let them pick a topic and make a lapbook!
If they learn best by seeing, let them pick a topic and watch videos.
If they learn best by reading, let them pick a topic, go to the library and get a bunch of books!

Then, after a few weeks of LETTING your child learn, ask them questions and let them give you an oral report. Don't bug them every week. Don't let them know it's an oral report. Just let them tell you what they have learned about the topic that they chose.

I believe you will be amazed. Your child will blossom. You will spark a love for learning when your child gets to learn about what interests them in the way that "he should go."

If you try this, I'd like to hear about it. Leave a comment ok?!

How is your summer going?

2013-07-15T09:39:00.000-05:00

I am wondering how your summer is going as a homeschooling family. Is there any learning going on? Sometimes we head into summer with great aspirations to continue "school" and "do school" through the summer.

I have found that if I help to create and encourage the boys to have a lifestyle of learning, they will do exactly that and we don't have to "do school." When they were younger, it was important to make sure they kept up on their times tables, reading and things like that. Now that they are in high school, that is all changing!

Over the last couple of years, I have let go of the strict school schedule and have tried to instill a love for learning. I don't necessarily want the boys to have a love for studying a textbook and taking a test. In my experience, that goes into some sort of temporary bank in the brain and in the not so distant future, is let out.

Instead, I want the boys to love learning. When you love to learn, you explore. In order to explore, you have to open your mind to other possibilities and outcomes. When you do that, the unexpected often happens and then... you learn! In that process, you apply yourself and when you experience something, it seems to stick and you remember it.

Being a lifelong learner is so beautiful! I know a few very intelligent men who continue to learn in their "old age." (At least, that is what the world would say of them.) I personally think they are young. Their minds are beautiful and young. How can a mind stay young and be "old" at the same time?

These guys don't get stuck in their ways. They are open to other ideas. Even in their "old age" they continue to WORK and to learn. That's right! Neither one wants to retire and they both love for others to "use" and benefit from their intellect. They are always willing to look into a problem and help. These gentlemen not only help, but they teach you as they help you so that you can learn from the experience as well.

That's the way problems and situations become learning tools.

I think that is beautiful! That is what I desire for my children, and myself quite frankly. I want them to love to explore! I want them to love to learn something new. I want them to learn and for others to benefit from their experience and intellect. I want them to teach as they sort through issues.

That being said, our big aspirations to "do school" in summer usually get flushed. Nice talks, genuine learning opportunities, and exploration step in and do the job that no textbook or test can do.

My advise it to trust God and step aside! Let the Holy Spirit lead your child into a life of learning and exploring. ...and while you're at it, let Him lead you there too!