Homeschool Hacks

Use a timer to help dawdlers

Randa — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:08:07 +0000

Do you have a dawdler? I think most kids tend to dawdle with schoolwork at some point in their lives. We have found that using a timer is extremely helpful with subjects that are maybe not the most loved and that induce time wasting.

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Math Game for Boys

Randa — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:27:02 +0000

For kids who don’t enjoy practicing math facts, games are often helpful. We discovered a fun way to use the nerf guns and a white board today. We drew a target and put numbers in each section, then after two shots, Big J added up the numbers. Then we changed up the numbers and did subtraction too! He loved it!

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Use Dice to Practice Math Facts

Randa — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 23:26:30 +0000

We’re just finishing up basic addition in our house, and in order to set in some of the basics so that no thought is required to come up with the answer to simple facts like 3+5 or 6+4 for example, we’ve been practicing with dice. It works great and my little guy LOVES it. He’s not a fan of math, so any little game that can make math fun is awesome!

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Tips for keeping little ones busy

Randa — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 17:27:11 +0000

If you have little ones, you know it can be difficult to keep them occupied while you’re trying to be productive with the older kids’ schoolwork. Here’s a great post from Life as Mom about being intentional with that time when you need the littles to be occupied.

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Fun spelling games to play in the car

Randa — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 17:15:10 +0000

You have to be in the car anyway – may as well put the time to good use. Here’s a great suggestion from FiveJ’s to play spelling games in the car to pass the time.

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Multi-Tasking Subjects

Randa — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 02:38:09 +0000

In an effort to be sure we’re doing right for our children, sometimes we can end up piling on the subjects and have a difficult time finishing everything. One great way to accomplish more is to combine subjects and make tasks do double duty. It’s easiest to do this with language arts. In the elementary years, as you’re doing handwriting, use the words from your phonics lessons as spelling words, and use those words for handwriting practice.

Another option, particularly for the older kids, is to combine writing with science and history. Assign regular writing assignments on science and history topics. This way you can work on their writing skills while they are studying and researching other subjects.

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Save money with used curriculum

Randa — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:18:21 +0000

If you’re new to homeschooling, you might not be aware of the many sources for purchasing used curriculum. Homeschool Roundup has a post covering various places to get used curriculum that’s worth checking out.

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Help kids hold pencils correctly

Randa — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:32:25 +0000

I have a 6 year old and when he first started writing, we went round and round about how to hold the pencil. I would correct his grip and 10 seconds later it would be messed up again. It’s hard for little ones to hold a pencil correctly. Then we found the magic solution! Pencil grips! It made it so easy for him to hold the pencil correctly and get a good start with handwriting. We use these small grips and they work great. But I’ve also seen the grips called “The Claw” that look really cool too:

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How to keep glue lids from clogging

Randa — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 19:57:38 +0000

It’s time for arts and crafts and you get it all ready, then everyone sits and waits while Mommy unclogs the glue bottles. No more! Use this trick of coating the lids in oil to cut down on clogs.

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Make a “tissue” box to keep little hands busy

Randa — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 19:43:33 +0000

This is an awesome idea for keeping a little one busy while doing school with the older kids. Use an old tissue box and material squares and make some big fun! Read all about it at The Imagination Tree.

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