Category Archives: Homeschool

Whether you currently homeschool and are looking for resources to help you or are considering homeschooling and want to learn more, this is your information source!

Will Core Curriculum Standards Affect Homeschooling?

You may have already heard about something called the Common Core State Standards Initiative. It is often referred to as Core Curriculum Standards. There is a lot of information about it online. The shortest explanation is that the Common Core State Standards Initiative is a set of curriculum that is intended to establish a single set of clear educational standards for students in kindergarten through 12th grade in English and Mathematics. There has been a lot of controversy about the Common Core State Standards Initiative. Those who support it feel that it will provide a equal set of standards that … Continue reading →

Homeschool Field Trip: Peachy Keen

Summer is the perfect time to take advantage of Mother Nature’s bounty and look beyond the walls of your home for some fantastic homeschool lessons. For clans with students of varying ages, a field trip to a u-pick farm can be a real treat.  Most states feature fields, orchards and sprawling acreage designed to give city folk a taste of country life.  These green spaces are bursting with seasonal produce including corn, strawberries, tomatoes and my daughter’s favorite—peaches. Picking sweet, juicy, tree-ripened peaches lends itself to a slew of hands-on lessons.  For starters, a field trip to a peach orchard … Continue reading →

Make the Most of Summer Travel

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Whether you homeschool year-round or take time off during the summer months don’t let the season of sunny days fly by without a few fun lessons. Family road trips are the ideal vehicle for hands-on learning.  Rather than allow your kids to blow travel time watching movies, playing video games or annoying their siblings have them master geography using colorful flashcards or practice math facts using your vehicle’s odometer and mile markers along the highway. By involving the entire family in some interactive “car-schooling” your kids will have the states and capitals memorized in no time.  To test your children’s memory … Continue reading →

Free Homeschool Resources

Cut down on your homeschooling expenses by taking advantage of getting free homeschooling materials. Hurry, because some of these offers will only be available for a short time. Free Romping & Roaring Letters D, E, and F Printable Packs Letters are more fun to learn when you play great games. Download a free Romping & Roaring Letters D, E, and F printable packs. Free Write Through the Bible Cursive Copywork Bundle Printables  These materials usually cost almost $18, but you can get them free through July 26, 2013. The kit, Write Through the Bible Cursive Copywork Bundle,  includes three full years … Continue reading →

Family Movie Night

Family movie night is a tradition in my house.  We love to watch movies anyway so naturally we would love watching them together.  It is a wonderful way to spend memorable times together.  On hot summer nights or rainy afternoons, a movie with the kids is a perfect way to spend it! Tips for Family Movie Night Make it a Regular Night.  You can have family movie night every week, every two weeks, or every month.  Whatever you chose, make sure that it is an official day.  As your kids grow, and get busy with life,  you will want to … Continue reading →

Visual Latin: Makes Latin Easy!

The thought of teaching Latin made me want to hide under a table. I did not think there would be any way for me to teach Latin. I never took Latin in school. I have no experience in this subject and quite frankly it is an intimidating subject if you are unfamiliar. Knowing that I decided to homeschool to provide a better education I knew I would have to find away to teach my children Latin. Latin will help build a strong foundation for English. A person who knows Latin will have a firmer grasp on vocabulary and spelling. I … Continue reading →

Tutorial Apps

Currently Photoshop is keeping me humble.  In order to understand it, I had to ask a friend for help.  Recently, I downloaded a tutorial from the app store.  I love the ability to watch a video as I work on my computer at the same time.  I found learning this way to be highly effective.  Not only do I get to see someone doing it, I have the ability to mimic it on my own screen at the same time.  That is a combination I need when figuring out certain things like Photoshop.  The downside is that you cannot ask … Continue reading →

How to Make Ice Cream

A fun activity to share with your children is making ice cream.  You do not need to buy an ice cream maker to have fun with this activity.  I just purchased an ice cream maker and the family loves it.  Just be warned it does take time to make ice cream, unless you do it by hand as the recipe is for below. Ice Cream without an Ice Cream Maker Ingredients 2 cups cold heavy/whipping cream 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk Your choice of mix-ins (berries, chocolate, cookies, etc.)   Instructions   Whip cream with mixer or whisk until … Continue reading →

TakeLessons.com: When You Need the Extra Help

Help has Arrived with TakeLessons TakeLessons simplifies the process of finding a Music Instructor or Academic Tutor who is assuredly who qualified and safe. I like keeping it simple and not having to do my own background check.  I also like that TakeLessons has been in business since 2006 and worked with over 30,000 students nationwide.  They are experts at connecting students and families with the experts in music, art, and academics.      It is expected to get a case of the jitters when hiring someone you do not know to instruct your child.  However, it should be comforting … Continue reading →

Summer Bucket List

What is a summer bucket list? Quite simply it is a list of items you want to accomplish this summer.  Whether you homeschool all year or not, this is a great summer activity for you and your children.  It is a fun way to set and accomplish goals. What things to have on a summer bucket list? Lists will vary according to each person and family.  The size of your family and ages of your children will determine what your list looks like.  I suggest having each member of the family add to the list or perhaps make their own … Continue reading →