Workbooks Have a Place and Purpose in Homeschooling Too

Written by Jessica.

What is a workbook?

It's a simple question with a somewhat complicated answer, especially for those of us who teach from home. According to its definition, a workbook is a student’s book of problems to be solved directly on the page.

In the homeschool world, I’ve noticed that workbooks often have quite a bad reputation. We like to throw around terms like “living literature,” “activity-based learning,” and “hands-on manipulatives.” You don’t find many moms boasting about using workbooks! The truth is, when used in moderation and not exclusively, the workbook has a place and has a purpose.

DIY "Stained" Glass Mason Jar Candleholders

Written by Jessica.

Back in autumn, I made a simple craft project with my kids. It was an instant hit! We made a variation of it for Christmas. And for winter. At the kids' request, we’ll be making it for Valentine’s Day…spring…Easter…summer…and even in their favorite colors to use in their rooms at any time of the year.

This project is lovely enough to give to grandparents, or others, as a homemade gift. My kids love their completed projects so much that they choose to keep them on their nightstands next to their beds as “night-lights,” but they could also be used to decorate a dining or living room table.

What is this project, you ask? “Stained glass” Mason jar candle holders!

6 Mom-tips for the Monotony of Mid-Winter Homeschooling

Written by Jessica.

With the quiet season of mid-winter comes opportunity in our homeschools to accomplish much, enjoy our children and family time, and make the most of cozy days indoors. But if we're being honest, sometimes these post-Christmas winter days can feel rather bleak and monotonous compared to the delight and extra-ordinary of the holiday hubbub of last month.

Sometimes a slight pivot or minor change in thought or routine can make all the difference and gently point you to the comfort and cozy that winter homeschooling has to offer. Here are six mid-winter ideas to help you find both:

Is Your Christmas Tethered & Anchored?

Written by Jessica.

Last year around this time, I purchased some Christmas songbooks so that our family would have the words to all our favorite Christmas carols and hymns. I knew the first verses to most of them, but my husband and children didn’t. Since it’s sometimes difficult to hear all of the words in songs just by listening, especially when the language is formal or old-fashioned, I thought it would help everyone to have the words in print to refer to. I didn’t realize that I was starting a new family Christmas tradition.

When to Switch and When to Keep Your Curriculum

Written by Jessica.

One of the amazing things about homeschooling today is the vast amount of teaching and learning resources within reach. The homeschool curricula market is a huge one, and the dizzying array of choices reflects that. No matter your teaching style, the needs and abilities of your children, your budget, or what your core values and beliefs are, there is - quite literally - something for everyone. I know that I have logged more hours than I could possibly count reading about and researching curriculum options for every subject, for each of my kids.

When Your Homeschool Looks Nothing Like the One on Instagram

Written by Jessica.

In September, at the start of a new school year, everything feels optimistic and promising. The school supplies are still shiny and new. All the curricula that were carefully chosen still feel like good picks. The school area and the house are picked up and organized.

I’ve been homeschooling long enough now to know, however, that there are going to be bumps, distractions, failures, mishaps, mistakes, and tough days ahead. It won’t feel like September all year long! And it’s during these more turbulent times that homeschoolers can fall prey to comparison.

When the Homeschool Year Gets Derailed: A Cautionary Tale

Written by Jessica.

Last September, I was anticipating our best homeschool year yet. I had years of homeschooling experience and for once felt confident. I’d researched and purchased what I thought was the just-right curriculum for my kids and was ready and organized. I had ideas and plans to keep my kids busy in their waiting times, to schedule our day, and to add in some fun. I was eager to start the year.

We had a happy and awesome first day and a few really productive early weeks of homeschooling. But then the year took a dramatic turn and our homeschool slowly started unraveling. I didn’t know it yet at that time, but our entire year would be quite the challenge.

6 Simple Summertime Art Projects for Kids

Written by Jessica.

This spring we added two puppies (yes, TWO!) to our family within a few weeks of each other, closely followed by two kittens (yes, TWO!). Needless to say, for several months, our homeschool routine was utterly, completely, seriously derailed! In fact, the last few weeks of our school year were spent trying to catch up on everything that fell to the wayside and was never finished.

Art was one of those things.

Because summer vacation was just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to have the kids make some seasonal art and arts & crafts type projects that could be displayed around the house during the summer months.

All About Reading for Building Fluency and Confidence

Written by Jessica.


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

Our family has been using one or more levels of All About Reading in our homeschool for the past six years. I’ve changed curriculum in other subjects more times than I’d like to admit. But, AAR has been a constant. There are many reviews out there about the first levels of the All About Reading program but few about Level 4. Whether you’re already an AAR fan or have just heard about it, this might help you to discern whether using AAR Level 4 is a good fit.

5 Tips for Finishing Strong When You Feel Behind

Written by Jessica.

Unless you homeschool year round, you're probably heading into the last month of the school year. Maybe you feel relieved. Perhaps you feel nostalgic and want to soak up every last minute because your kids won’t ever be these ages and these grades again. Or maybe you feel a teensy bit anxious because you are behind and are not sure that you can get through all the material you have left in the remaining few weeks of school.

When You Feel Like Sending Them to "Real" School {Part 2}

Written by Jessica.

February is late winter, a time many educators feel unmotivated or stuck in a rut. Some call this “the blahs.” It’s the no-man’s land of the school year – the freshness of a new school year is long past, the fun of the major holidays are over, and spring is still far away. It’s in this season that our day-to-day challenges and real-life shortcomings can seem magnified.

When You Feel Like Sending Them to "Real" School

Written by Jessica.

It’s January, and many of us are in the heart of mid-winter: cold weather, short dark days, cabin fever from being cooped up inside. As an unapologetic homebody, I happen to love the way winter calls for cozy, quieter living with my family. I like the restart and the self-reflection that comes with January, too. But there’s no question that mid-winter is a tough time of year for educators of all sorts. If you’re a homeschool mom who never truly steps away from juggling your parent and teacher roles, that can be even truer.

A Repurposed Christmas Tree for Nature Study

Written by Jessica.

It is just one week until Christmas Day, and right now the family Christmas tree is a gathering place for many. In our house, we cozy up on the couch and read with tree lights aglow as we count down to Christmas.

The foot of the tree is everyone’s favorite spot to play or do schoolwork in December. It’s a place for sharing family memories; my children never tire of pointing to the ornaments and asking to hear the story behind each one. During Christmas week, branches, heavy-laden with the decorations of years past, provide a backdrop for our family’s celebrations.

Creating a Christmas Even a Mom Can Enjoy

Written by Jessica.

Psst…Christmas Eve is only five weeks away. Deep breaths, everyone. No need to panic.

The weeks leading to Christmas can bring a mixed bag of stress, feelings of excitement, and anticipation for the special memory making and festive celebrating. This is especially true for moms who tend to be the magic-makers during the holiday season. Let's face it, we wear a lot of extra hats at this time of year. Typically, we're the bakers, the wrappers, the shoppers, the crafters, the decorators, the party planners...and the list goes on. We can often get so busy doing that we have no time to actually just be--to enjoy the Christmas season ourselves. The month of December and the days leading up to Christ's birthday can sometimes feel more like a burden instead of a blessing.

If you find yourself dreading December, here are a few quick ideas to create a Christmas that even a mom can enjoy:

Help for the Grumpy Homeschool Mom

Written by Jessica.

As this past summer came to a close, I was looking forward to getting back into a routine and doing school again. A new school year always feels like a good, fresh start. So, it came as quite a surprise to me when my middle child said incredulously, “What do you mean you’re looking forward to doing school again? You’re always tired and grumpy when we do school.” And then my other children chimed in with agreement and added their own two-cents. Ouch.

When the First Month of Homeschool Feels Like a Loss

Written by Jessica.

A few years ago, we had a tough first day back to homeschooling. I no longer remember the details, but I do remember that no one wanted to do school. There was lots of complaining, many bad attitudes, and at least one big meltdown. That day, I truly felt like a failure as a teacher and a mama. Later, I remember sitting sniffling at my laptop, searching for the magic wand that I could wave to put everything right. Impulsively, I ordered an elaborate and overpriced “virtues” program, complete with posters, charts, coloring pages, and a teacher’s guide.

A Simple Solution for Homeschool Down Time

Written by Jessica.

The new school year is in sight now. And while I've been spending quite a bit of time thinking ahead to the future, I've also been looking back at last year, specifically those blocks of unstructured time when my kids weren't working one-on-one with me, doing independent work, or doing a lesson all together as a group. To be honest, those scraps of free time between subjects didn't go as smoothly as I would have liked.

6 Ways I'm Using Summer to Have a Better Homeschool Year

Written by Jessica.

It’s summertime, and like many homeschooling parents, I’m luxuriating in the free time and breathing space of these carefree days. About a third of next year’s curriculum is here, but I’ve got a couple of big decisions still to make. I’m already thinking about what school supplies we’ll need.

Summer is brief, and a new homeschool year will be here before I know it. I’ve not always used my summer days as well as I could have and have learned a few lessons the hard way about how, and how not to use my summertime! With that in mind, here are some things I am doing this summer to help me have a better homeschool year, and some I am not.

My Experience with My Father's World Adventures in U.S. History

Written by Jessica.

I’ve never been a fan of pre-packaged or all-in-one curricula. I’ve always thought that part of the advantage of homeschooling is being able to pick and choose the curriculum for each subject and come up with a personal plan for the school year that’s unique to each family or child within that family. Gathering curriculum and piecing things together always seemed more frugal, more tailored, more…homeschool-y? And then, there was last summer.

The Quick-Start Guide to Clearing Out Unwanted Curriculum

Written by Jessica.

The end of this school year is in sight, but I’m already starting to think about what materials I’ll need for next school year. This is an ideal time to go through books, curricula, and other learning materials to clear out what is no longer needed. If you are willing to do some work, this time of year presents an opportunity to sell or donate any items that you don’t plan to use again.