The Big Book of Homeschool Ideas: 54 Mommas (and Me) Share Their Homeschooling Expertise

Alright, y'all, I'm not gonna lie. I've read a lot of homeschooling books.  A.LOT.  And while they were all very well-written and while I gleaned much from most of them, they each were penned by ONE author with ONE perspective and ONE homeschooling approach making it difficult to see the large spectrum of homeschooling possibilities.

10 Summertime Steps to School Time Prep

With summer quickly slipping through my fingers, I have shifted into full-boogie mode. I've got my game face on and I'm prepping for the coming year. While I hold fast to my summer days desiring to relish each and everyone, I am also committed to using this slower-paced schedule to ready myself for the fall and all the wonderful learning adventures on the horizon.

Here's a brief look at my TOP TEN summertime steps to school time prep.

Technically, my prep for the coming school year happens the year before...mid spring when I do the following:

• Determine a skeletal curriculum plan.
• Prepare a shopping list.
• Purchase the core of my curriculum at my state's annual homeschool convention. 

Assuming that I've started the summer with these first three items checked off my list, I can officially go into summertime prep mode.

Homeschool Curriculum 2014-2015

Big changes are happening 'round here, folks!

Big changes.

With one child launching into middle school and another child just beginning the journey in kindergarten...not to mention the two other boys pressing forward in elementary and the toddler who prides himself in running-at-the-speed-of-sound..., I've officially hit a stage of homeschooling that requires evolution.  

Evolution of technique.

Evolution of schedule.

And for the sake of momma-sanity, evolution of core curriculum.  

With a huge gulp, I said "so long" to a history curriculum that we have absolutely loved for the past five years, and welcomed change.  

Notebooking 101: FAQs of Notebooking

We've come to the end of our brief look at how to begin notebooking in your homeschool. I know I have painted in broad strokes. But if truth be told, the best part about notebooking is that there is no ONE way...or RIGHT way. Feel free to take the thoughts I've shared these past few days, keep what you think might work for your family, and scrap the rest guilt-free, knowing that your notebooks will be as unique as the children creating them.


While I have tried to give a basic outline of what a notebook is and includes, I know there are many who want to know what notebooking looks like in the real world of homeschooling. You know...the world of children who don't always want to do their work...of houses with little to no storage space for dozens of 3-ring binders...of toddlers who insist on wiping their peanut butter and jelly hands on the nearly completed notebook page that happens to be sitting on the dining room table.

Notebooking 101: What to Include in a Notebook

I recognize that telling someone WHAT to put in her personal notebook is about as ridiculous as telling her what she should write in her personal diary. It is, after all, personal.
But,

I also know that every fiery blaze starts with a little spark.


You may very well have an urge to begin notebooking with your children but just need a gentle nudge...a spark...to help you know how to begin.

5 Days of Notebooking 101

A few weeks ago, while lounging on the beach...book in hand, I watched as The Hubs helped my children create an intricate waterway in the sand. They carved out trenches and poured bucketful after bucketful of water down their man-made path. Their "river" was complete with tributaries, a flood plain, and a delta.

At the time, my children had no idea that each of these small sand details added up to big learning. They were just five kids enjoying a sunny day at the beach with dad.

Lego Party

Like most tween boys, my oldest son is a Lego fanatic.  So not surprising, when asked how he wanted to celebrate his birthday, he only needed a nano-second to request a Lego-themed bash surrounded by family and friends.

Right about this time, my daughter had been learning to make stop-motion videos with a stop-motion app on our iPad.  I was quick to enlist her services to make an invite to the party which we sent to all the party guests.



Confession time, all!

I love throwing kids parties!  I love the games. I love the crafts. I love the smiling faces of the party guests as they leave with a belly full of cake.

While I'm usually pretty good about planning games and crafts within the party theme,  the "ambience" part of my little shin-digs...when left totally up to me...usually falls a bit flat.  Admittedly, I'm not a decorator.  I tend to delegate that to The Hubs whose artistic eye can find the treasure in every heap of trash.  (He's a picker.  Did I mention that?!)

Notebooking 101: Helpful Tools of Notebooking

After reading about WHY you should be notebooking and seeing a few examples of the many different kinds of notebooks your children can create under your encouragement, you might be wondering...

Great! But, how do I get started? What does my child need in order to notebook? and where do I get it?
The truth is, notebooking really IS just as simple as writing in a notebook. While there are many flashy elements you can use to enhance a notebook, don't feel pressured into taking out a line of credit in order to pay for them all.

Verse of Truth for the 2014-2015 Homeschool Year

Every summer as I pack away last year's learning and look towards the coming year with hopeful anticipation, I begin to pray.  I call on God to reveal a word of truth...a verse I can cling to for the coming school year.  Because when the days get hard...and THEY WILL GET HARD...I can look to the Truth He has so graciously revealed to me and be encouraged to "finish the work" that He has called me to. (2 Corinthians 8:11a)

Hobo Packs: Easy Campfire Meal

When this city-fied girl agreed to marry The Hubs, I also unknowingly signed up for camp cook.  Truth is, he's a man that likes to camp.  And by camp, I mean IN A TENT with nothin' but a sleeping bag and a back pack to serve as amenities.  Over the years, I've convinced him that THIS GIRL needs a little bit of luxury...like say a bar of soap and a toothbrush.

But, he's still pretty firm on THE TENT.  No campers or trailers allowed.  What we can't haul on our backs or in a small cart gets left behind.  Although we do own a propane camp stove, we rarely ever use it and prefer to make all our meals over the campfire.

What We're Reading in July 2014

The warm July sunshine has found us all outside for most of our days.  But, that hasn't stopped us from getting cozy with a few good books.  You can find us reading at the beach, in the hammock, or even under a tent on the lawn that's been MacGyvered from an old bed sheet and some long sticks (Sweetie Pea's current favorite outdoor reading spot).  

Through this busy-soaking-in-the-sun month, I haven't assigned any particular books to my kids.  While I've put forth several title suggestions for inspiration, for the most part, I've let them choose their own reading material.

Winner of Talking With Your Daughter About Understanding Boys

Congratulations, Karen P!

You are the winner of a copy of Talking With Your Daughter About Understanding Boys by Bob & Dannah Gresh.

You will be contacted via email and will have 72 hours to respond or your prize will be forfeited and another winner will be randomly selected.

Thanks to all who entered. I'm sorry I could only pick one winner. But, if you still have a desire to own this book or any of the other wonderful parenting resources from the creators of Secret Keeper Girl, I'd encourage you to check them out on Facebook or Twitter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Notebooking 101: Different Types of Notebooks {with a video}

As I mentioned in part 1 of this series (The What and Why of Notebooking), notebooking starts with a notebook. But from there, notebooking can take on many forms. One glimpse down the stationary aisles of Target will tell you that there are a plethora of different types of notebooks and journals...all of which are perfect for creating a one-of-a-kind learning treasure. In addition, there are many different ways to create your own notebook without having to purchase one at a store.