Learning the Heart of Homeschooling

  The Heart of Homeschooling As the school year is coming to a close, many of use are thankful for the rest.  Homeschool years are active years and often leads to exhaustion.  Sadly for many it leads to frustration.  But as we get the time to rest, let’s reflect on the true heart of homeschooling. Homeschooling is a lifestyle–not an institution. It is led by the heart while holding the hand of a loving God for guidance. Keep your eyes focused on your calling to educate your children academically, emotionally and spiritually. Children should feel like your greatest joy and … Continue reading

School Supply Favorite: Apple Wireless Keyboard

Apple Wireless Keyboard:  My New iLove Obsession I purchased an iPad for my homeschool about a year ago. I cannot say enough amazing things about it and neither can my children. I bring it everywhere making every drive, waiting room, or park a classroom. We also conduct school on our porch and backyard. My smaller kids use apps most of the time and hardly noticed the need for a keyboard. Yet, my older kids and I often found ourselves wishing the iPad came with a small keyboard. I tried to fill the need by purchasing a case that had a … Continue reading

My Home School Grades

Not all states require homeschoolers to keep records but all homeschoolers should require it of themselves.  Even a personal log of what your children have done and accomplished is valuable.  Your child may want to keep track for herself, laws in your state may change, your child may attend school or college, you may want to keep track for yourself to know what your child has done and what worked best in your homeschool.  For all those reasons and more, you will want to an easy to use, thorough, and affordable tracking system.  One such system that you may want … Continue reading

Getting Kids to Spring Clean

The time of year for spring cleaning is at hand. Break out the mops, dustpans, and garbage bags because it is time to clean and de-clutter. I always feel lighter after cleaning out a challenging closet or a kid’s room. Probably one of the most challenging rooms to de-clutter are the kids’ rooms. My kids find ways to hang onto the craziest things. With three girls in one room and a messy boy in another room, I suspect a lot of garbage bags will be used. This year, I am enlisting the kids to help out. Naturally, it isn’t at … Continue reading

CurrClick Online Classes

Homeschool Live Online Class {at a glance} Product: CurrClick Live Online Classes Format: Connects using Adobe Connect Grades: Kindergarten thru High School depending on class chosen. Classes: Science, Math, English, Foreign Language, Art, etc. Teachers: Qualified and screened teachers, CurrClick publishers, and homeschool parents. Cost: Varies on class chosen. What are CurrClick Live Online Classes? CurrClick Live is a division of CurrClick the site for downloadable curriculum in a click. CurrClick Live offers a variety of  homeschool online classes. If the prospect of entering into the world of online learning is overwhelming, then let me alleviate your fears.  The site is easy to … Continue reading

Homeschooling on the iPad with Dew Learning

  What is Dew Learning? Dew Learning is first and only K-12 Christian Curriculum for the iPad and accessible through any internet device.  Exciting news for online learners and even more exciting for iPad owners who can take their entire curriculum with them wherever they go. Non-traditional schooling is just that…non-traditional.  Education takes place on the road, while swinging in the backyard, at the dinner table, library or a restaurant.  Now you never have to leave books behind or break your back trying to carry it all.  Dew Learning comes on the most portable device on the market to give you ultimate … Continue reading

Record Keeping with Homeschool Minder

Homeschool Minder is a record keeping (web-based) software for homeschool teachers.  It is intuitive and interactive as it tracks grades, achievements, skills learned, lesson plans, assignments, and your calendar.  If it involves homeschooling it goes in Homeschool Minder.  Yes, you can input field trips.  Yes, you can input appointments.  Oh yes, even days at co-op.  It is the only record keeping system you will need.  Really…it is that exhaustive. You may be overwhelmed at first but navigation is easy and bypassing anything you don’t feel you need is simple and won’t get in your way.  If you state requires attendance or you submit … Continue reading

Materials to Encourage Spiritual Growth in Kids

All the materials below are ebooks and can be downloaded in an instant! The ABC’s For Godly Children is a comprehensive, Bible eCurriculum centered around teaching children ages 4-10 about the God they serve and how to have a heart like His. By using each letter of the alphabet a Bible lesson is presented in an understandable and interactive format to teach core truths concerning the Gospel, Godly Character, and Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. Your children will learn their ABC’s and a necessary Biblical foundation as they connect them through Scripture memorization, detailed lessons, simple crafts, and interactive song.   ~$8.00 each The Dig for … Continue reading

Favorite Pick: Expanding Folding Crate on Wheels

Expanding Folding Crate on Wheels I know you are wondering why any person would need such a contraption. Do not dismiss this versatile, back saving, cart just yet. I didn’t think I needed on either. I took the advice of a reader and decided to give this a whirl. I discovered it was the one thing I never knew I needed. You see in my homeschool, we are hardly ever home. School is often on the go and that means lugging around a ton of school books and projects. I normally priortized and spread things out among the kids to … Continue reading

Making the Decision to Homeschool

  The most popular decision to homeschool is faith followed by dissatisfaction with the school system.  However, some chose to homeschool for other reasons.  The choice to homeschool is personal.  Yet, it is still the unusual choice so we wonder, why homeschool? Here are what some had to say about their decision to homeschool: My husband and I were both homeschooled. There was never any other option for our children in our minds. Home is best. ~Amy   I never considered it until my sister-in-law married a man who was homeschooled, and they planned to homeschool their own children. After that I … Continue reading