Homeschooling During Summer Vacation: Creating a Summer Scrapbook

OK, Mom’s! Fess up! How many of you homeschool during summer vacation. One of the advantages of homeschooling, is that “school” “learning” and “family vacation” all become synonymous. How many homeschoolers have taken the summer vacation only to have their children write reports, fill out essays, journal their experiences, or even record the trip via a web page! I know that many homeschooling families choose to continue their academic “seat work” studies year round, while others tend to take a more “hands on” real life educational approach. My advice is that you should do what works best for you and … Continue reading →

Homeschooling on a Public School Schedule

Homeschooling on a Public School Schedule One of the challenges that many homeschoolers face is whether or not to homeschool on a public school schedule. What I mean by that is that in many states (homeschooling attendance laws vary from state to state) homeschoolers are required to teach their children a certain amount of hours every day. For many families, this creates great freedom to create a homeschool schedule that is tailored for each family, one that meets that families needs, and one that is flexible enough to allow for plenty of change. I did face a challenge in this … Continue reading →

Homeschooling and Socialization

When I first began homeschooling, the first thing I heard was, “What about socialization?” If I only knew how those words would impact the next decade of my life. Many people feel that unless a child is submerged into a culture of the “school” experience; that pertains to a classroom of 20-30 kids of the same age that your child will be “under socialized”. In my early homeschool years, a lack of socialization looked desirable to me. Really, it’s true. I thought that maybe homeschooling would be a cure all for bad attitudes, copying friends misbehavior, and the dreaded “teen … Continue reading →

What is Classical Education?

Classical Education is taking a modern stand and many homeschoolers are choosing to return to this style of education. Based upon the educational methods of the Ancient Greeks, Classical Education is based upon a method that divides education into three stages or levels. These are: Primary Education Secondary Education Tertiary Education Primary Education is based upon teaching children how to learn. It involves what is known as the Trivium or teaching Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric. It relies heavily on teaching the art of reading, writing, thinking, and reasoning. Latin and Greek were also studied, enabling children to read and discuss … Continue reading →

Lapbooking: The Newest Craze

If you have been in homeschooling circles for any length of time, then you are probably familiar with the term, “Lapbooking”. If not, now that you have heard the term, you will more than likely hear it again. Lapbooking is a wonderful learning activity that combines some of the methods of Dinah Zike with homeschooling, making learning easy, fun, and useful. A Lapbook is made by taking a Manila Folder and opening it flat. Then you take both sides of the folder and fold them inwards until they meet in the middle. You then fill the Lapbook with all sorts … Continue reading →

Using Intrinsic Rewards

When I first began homeschooling I learned the value of using “Intrinsic” rewards. Bribing children with items such as candy, cookies, and toys is unhealthy, expensive, and an utter failure. By teaching children the meaning of things such as goal setting, achievements, and responsibility, we can promote “Intrinsic” or “Internal” rewards. When little children make progress in areas, it is typical to reward them with a sticker or plenty of verbal praise. This is a moderate approach and much more desirable then continuously buying children gifts or rewarding them with money every time they make a small achievement. It may … Continue reading →

Using Educational Television Programs

When homeschooling, one of the first complaints is often about the television. Grandparents (who may not approve of homeschooling) may mistakenly believe that the children will do nothing but watch television all day long. While more conservative homeschooling parents may decide that this is the perfect opportunity to rid the house of the television all together and spend more time reading living books or listening to quality family based audio programming. For those who like to use television (or don’t mind watching it for fun) there are plenty of educational programs that can help enhance a lesson, or even can … Continue reading →

Homeschooling In Alaska – The “Forget-Me-Not” State

The next state in my blog series of state requirements for homeschooling is the great state of Alaska, the state flower is the gorgeous “Forget-Me-Not” and how could we forget a state that has not one, not two, but FIVE different options for homeschooling your children! The following summary of information regarding homeschooling options comes from the Home School Legal Defense Association’s website www.hslda.org. Required school age is between 7 and 16. (A child who is six years old and enrolled in the first grade in public school is subject to the compulsory attendance law. A parent may withdraw such … Continue reading →

Colleges and Universities That Have Accepted Homeschoolers

Today’s blog is a continuation from my last one regarding homeschoolers and college. While many colleges are now considering homeschoolers, I thought that you might like to see a list of schools that have accepted homeschool students. I found the following list from The Everything Homeschooling Book which has compiled a list of colleges / universities that have accepted homeschoolers. Not that this list is complete of all colleges, but it does list some well recognized schools that your child may be considering. If the school that your child is looking at is not listed on here still contact that … Continue reading →

Creating a Homeschool Schedule

Sometimes it seems that just because we are Homeschoolers we don’t need to keep schedules, after all we are homeschooling and allowing our children to lead their education-right? Well, not necessarily. It is very important to maintain a sense of order while homeschooling. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by creating a homeschooling schedule. By having the children wake up, eat breakfast, and attend classes in an orderly manner you are not only making your life simpler and easier, you are also preparing them for success in the outside world and with their future activities. Although you … Continue reading →