Have you ever read a book and thought, “Why haven’t I ever heard of this book? Why isn’t everyone talking about this book? Did I miss something? People must know about this book!” (If you have, please, please share it in the comments below!) I just finished reading this kind of book to my 5-year-old…
Continue ReadingI am constantly on the search for ways to make math fun and meaningful in my homeschool. Math really is cool when you’re playing with it, and I like to show my kids that there can be a reward for all of the hard work they do in their daily math books. One way I…
Continue ReadingThis year, along with the usual assortment of crazy making candy and that magical substance that removes newspaper ink from paper and holds tight to the fibers of my couch and the seat of my pants, the Easter Bunny delivered new books for each of the children. They each received a book about the faith…
Continue ReadingA friend came to me today with concerns about her nephew. Well, she’s not concerned, but her sister-in-law is. The child just turned three and is, apparently, a bit of a handful. She was asked not to bring him back to the church nursery unless she was going to stay with him. Ouch. Sis-in-law is…
Continue ReadingThis year we are using quite a bit of curriculum from the Institute for Excellence in Writing. We’re using Primary Arts of Language for Helen’s phonics, Teaching Writing: Structure and Style for Henry’s writing program with our co-op group, and The Phonetic Zoo for Henry’s spelling. Andrew Pudewa, president of IEW has been a mentor…
Continue ReadingIf you’ve been following my posts on scheduling, you may have noticed that Thomas and Henry have a block called “Science Box Time.” This is a time of open ended science exploration facilitated by the handy little book Sandbox Scientist: Real Science Activities for Little Kids. I first discovered this book when I randomly checked…
Continue ReadingIf you know me or have followed my blog at all, you know that I have always tended toward a relaxed, unschool-ish, laissez-faire approach to my kids’ education. You probably also know that I have flirted with curriculum on and off, and that part of me has always longed for a more predictable routine and,…
Continue ReadingPart of our Morning Time this year will be learning a hymn each term. We will listen to a beautiful performance of the chosen hymn and then sing it every day of the term during Morning Time. I’ll also provide sheet music so the kids can learn to “read” the sheet the music. At this…
Continue ReadingSteve Weeks’ Dandelion is one of those rare CD’s that everyone in my family enjoys and whose lyrics don’t cause embarrassment when the kids serenade their grandparents. My kids and I have memorized all of the acoustic, folksy songs, and they are so much fun to sing. Weeks has an incredible talent for…
Continue ReadingThe subtitle for this gem of a book is “A guide for parents whose child is more: intense, sensitive, perceptive, persistent, energetic.” If you have a child that fits this description, you must get your hands on a copy of this book. I am raising a very spirited young woman. One of my favorite tales…
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