A Simplified Morning Time {with a video}

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Morning Time is definitely a current buzzword in homeschooling circles. With the popularity of the Your Morning Basket podcast, it seems that everyone has caught the fever. And why not? A purposeful time together each morning pouring over Truth, beauty, and all that is good should be an anchor in the homeschool day.

My Favorite Books for Personal {Momma} Reading

Several weeks ago while playing a mixer game at a women's retreat, I was asked this very weighted question...
"What is your favorite book of all time?"

WHAT?!

How in the world can one whittle a life-time of great books down to just one?

Every time I open a book, I'm changed. The words shape me...for better or worse. That's what words do. They seep into my character. The worm their way into my worldview.

5 Tips for a Peaceful Start to the Homeschool Day {with a video}

The first ten minutes of a homeschool morning really can set the course for the rest of the day. Chances are, if you stumble out of the gate in sluggish lethargy instead of launching out with purpose and a plan, you are dooming your day before it has even begun.

You don't have to stand idly by and watch as all your well-laid plans get derailed. You don't have to end the day in frustration or with feelings of failure. 

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By creating a peaceful start to each homeschool day and beginning with the things that REALLY MATTER, you can stand prepared for all the rest knowing that your day has been pointed in the right direction. (But, of course, this holds true for every area of your life, not just homeschooling. I've been reading quite a bit about starting the day out right in THIS BOOK.  But, I digress...)

My List of the TOP Book Lists {and other tips for developing a reading culture}

Developing a reading culture in your home seems like a simple enough plan...just immerse your family in literature, right?!

Well, yes...and no.

While surrounding your children with books IS the first step to cultivating a love of reading and a story-formed home, there really is more to it than merely scattering a random stash of books around a house.

Creating a literary home...a home where books are a part of the family rhythm and culture...takes intentionality. It requires a purposeful selection of reading material and a schedule that gives priority to reading.

Eclectic Homeschooling: Learning a la carte

Every summer, when I release my curriculum choices for the upcoming school year, I receive a number of comments regarding the rather random-looking compilation of books. But, although it might look like a hodge-podge collection, there is a definite method to my madness.

I am an eclectic homeschooler. Craziness, pure craziness!

But what does that mean exactly? And why would someone choose such an a la carte style of learning? 

3 Simple Tips for Using All About Spelling With Multiple Ages

Two years ago, as I watched my daughter struggle with spelling, I went searching for a program that would unscramble letters for her. I needed a tool that would put sounds in their proper order...something that would set them all straight. 

I found All About Spelling and watched with thankfulness as words FINALLY became clear to her. (You can read all about that here>>> and more here>>)

Since then, two of my boys have joined her in an ongoing quest to learn HOW to spell...not WHAT to spell. 

Admittedly, with three different children doing three different levels of All About Spelling, it can sometimes be difficult to keep all the curriculum organized in a user-friendly way. By implementing three simple tweaks to the program, I've established a smoothness to our spelling time, making All About Spelling more manageable for multiple ages. 

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.

How to Make a Simple Timeline When Space is Limited {video}

Our space is small. Our space is simple.

And dare I say...our space is free from the "school" look. In our attempt to create a welcoming haven for both family and friends, The Hubs and I have purposed not to let our home look like a classroom.

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True...learning takes place in every room and during every part of our days together. BUT, for the most part, we choose to emphasize the HOME of homeschool, not the other way around.

That being said, as I mentioned last week, timelines...and the ability to SEE history stretched out chronologically is a key element of our days.

Here's our simple way of creating a usable timeline when available wall space is limited.

A Few Thoughts on Spiritual Parenting {with a video}

On the day each of my children was born, I was entrusted with a talent. A talent of immeasurable worth. The Master placed these talents in my arms and charged me to keep watch over them, to nurture them, and to grow them until the day when He would require their return.

I have five talents. Five little souls to teach, train, and disciple in TRUTH.

Raising my children in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord" is not something I take lightly. As a mother, it is my greatest and most important ministry...a mission field right in my own living room.

A Hearty Thanks From Me to You

My blog began as a simple way for one momma to reach out of her four walls and connect with other women walking the same journey.  But, it has turned into so much more.

Because of you!



Thank you so much for all of your support this past year-and-a-half.  I have enjoyed getting to know many of you and look forward to our continuing conversation each day.

Learning the Scientific Method {with video}

After a year of putting together homespun nature study units, I switched gears, took a big gulp, and plunked down a hefty chunk of change to purchase the entire Noeo Science Chemistry 1.  I typically do not buy all-in-one-box sets, but instead choose to piece curriculum together by buying some second-hand books and utilizing the library for all the rest.  (This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details.)

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.  

A Word About Purchasing Flashcards

I realize that even the mere mention of flashcards can make some homeschool moms cringe, but I also know that they are a crucial part of review time for others. Whatever side of the line you find yourself, I hope these few tips will help you as you attempt to buy the "perfect" cards for your homeschool.

Not all flashcards are created equal. If that's true, then what makes a good flashcard? Well, if you're askin', here's my 2 cents...

How I Schedule Our Homeschool Day {video}

I'm a card-carrrying member of the "I have a schedule and I'm stickin' to it!" club, BUT when it comes to scheduling my HOMESCHOOL day, I purposefully DO NOT have a schedule. With little ones to care for during school hours, our day has to be flexible...nearly fluid! Here's what it looks like.



*Quick aside...with several children/grade levels to teach, I obviously can not teach a CORE subject to them all at the same time. With the help of Task Cards, the kids can skip ahead to their "simple subject", do an enrichment activity (board game, computer review game, puzzle, etc.), or "play with the baby" time to one child WHILE I teach a core subject to another. The children each have an added incentive...if he/she can complete this solo activity quickly, he/she can have a few minutes to play until it is his/her turn to work on a CORE subject.

What does your homeschool day look like?  Do you have any helpful scheduling tips to share? 

Teaching Sentence Structure to Kinesthetic Learners {video}

Like most kinesthetic learners, my eldest sone struggles at times to retain some of the basic foundations of rules-based subjects like language and math. To help him remember the major fundamentals, I often have to use some actions...and a few sound effects!

Here's a look at one of the little memory tricks I've taught him this year to encourage proper sentence structure.

Do you have a kinesthetic learner?  What tips and tricks have you used to help he/she memorize the "rules".

Taking Some of the Chaos Out of Homeschool Art Time {video}

Although most homeschool moms would be quick to acknowledge the many benefits of scheduling a weekly art time, many are naturally reluctant to make it a priority. Let's face it...sometimes art time comes with a lot of chaos. And who wants to add more of THAT to the day?!

How I Start My Homeschool Day on the Right Foot {video}

As your mother always said, "A good morning starts the night before."

It seems so simple...barely even worth mentioning...but in addition to setting out my task cards, preparing for my day the night before has really helped me to start my homeschool day on the right foot. Here's a quick peek...