BionicBlox: A Great Toy for a Builder Boy

Last week, when asked by one of my lovely Facebook readers, Jessica, if I had any suggestions for architectural-type educational toys designed to develop math and building skills in her six-year-old son, I IMMEDIATELY thought of our family set of BionicBlox.  I quickly responded to her message knowing that these simple and age-appropriate blocks would be just the thing for any budding builder...boy OR girl!  

Creative Writing Prompt Bag

Although I have an entire year of creative writing prompts planned for our weekly creative writing time, every now and again, I like to veer from THE PLAN.  (Insert big gasp!  As I've mentioned many times before, one of the benefits of having an ordered plan is the ability to liberate from it from time-to-time knowing it will still be there...in perfect order...when you return to it.  But, I digress...)

Southern Scratch Biscuits

Few foods conjure up my childhood memories quite like my momma's southern biscuits.  She, herself, was from Ohio and had never really eaten biscuits prior to marrying my dad.  She quickly learned that it was a southern staple he just couldn't live without!  (This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details.)

My dad was the youngest of ten born to a poor Oklahoma farming family during the last few years of The Great Depression.  Apparently, what his parents lacked in finances, they made up for in frugal living.  Beans, rice, greens, and biscuits were cheap, could feed a crowd, and were easy for a busy farmer's wife to whip up in no time.  

Abstract Self-Portrait Art Tutorial

Here's me!...or at least the abstract-y, arty me.  

And have you met my two oldest kiddos?!

Co-op Plans for 2013-2014

Every July, all four of us co-op mommas get together for coffee to discuss the upcoming school year and our hopes and dreams for our co-operative learning.  (OK, so if truth be told, we spend 95% of the evening just chattin' about nothing/everything and only 5% of the evening ACTUALLY planning co-op...but, fellowship is important too...right?!) 

(This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details.)

We meet once more in August to solidify our plans and tie up any loose ends before the BIG DAY...our first co-op meeting, which usually happens the first or second week in September.  

You may well remember that last year, we created a Geography Club, of sorts.  We chose to use Galloping the Globe as our main curriculum and supplemented with Eat Your Way Around the World and other homespun activities.  Every other week found us learning about one country of the world, its culture, religion, and people.  At the end of the year, we had a wonderful spring program at which each co-op family highlighted their favorite country from our "travels."

Easy Encouragement for the Struggling Reader

I wouldn't say that he HATES reading.

I think "It's not his favorite thing to do" paints a more accurate picture.

But part of that apprehension has developed because he has watched his sister's reading blossom while his SEEMS to remain stagnant.  Or, at least that's what HE thinks.  

The truth is, so often a child who is "struggling" to learn to read can't see a steady progression of improvement.  What they read yesterday seemed hard.  What they are reading today seems hard. And (in their mind), what they will read tomorrow will be harder still.  

Pinterest Flips and Flops: Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

Welcome!  It's the second Monday of the month, and that means it's time to give my thumb's up or thumb's down on a couple of projects that I've pinned on my Pinterest Boards and give you a chance to do the same in a link-up party.   I'm trying desperately not to be a pin "hoarder".  I'm hoping you'll help keep me accountable to actually DO some of the projects that I think are pin-worthy.  So far, I've had a few FLIPS and a couple of FLOPS!  

Free Lower Case Alphabet Book Pintables

After coming across my original Preschool Alphabet Book printables and corresponding art activities, several readers wrote asking if I could produce a lower case edition.

Why didn't I think of that??

After all, lower case letters are ALWAYS my preferred method for teaching the ABCs.

So, here ya' go.

First Day(s) of Homeschool 2013

With the arrival of September and autumn winds, comes the start of another year of HOME + SCHOOL. As is our family tradition, we did not have ONE first day of school. We had FOUR.

I began by determining what our actual REAL first day of school would be...the day I wanted to be "back to normal"...and then backed up four days (one day for every child I will be teaching this year).

Then, starting with the youngest learner...in this case, my preschooler...I scheduled a first day for each individual kiddo.

ENTIRE Art Class DVD Series GIVEAWAY!

(This post contains affiliate links.)

This past spring, after a crazy-busy winter, my kids and I had the privilege of taking an art time rabbit trail. We tucked our normal art plans aside, and chose instead to use See the Light's Art Class Vol. 1 DVD. We absolutely loved it! Pat's unique style of combining faith AND art technique in an easy-to-implelent video was EXACTLY what this tired momma needed! All I had to do was hit "play." (For more of my thoughts, see my original review.)