W E L C O M E T O
Uncovering the Hidden Skills in Handwriting
Handwriting is a foundational skill that supports educational development across a spectrum of areas. As homeschooling parents, fostering a love and respect for handwriting can provide our children with tools that benefit them academically, developmentally, and creatively.
Essential Travel Tips for Homeschooling Families on Summer Road Trips
Traveling as a homeschooling family offers a wonderful opportunity to merge education with real-world experiences. By following these tips, you can make your road trips both fun and fruitful. Remember, every journey is a chance to discover something new—not just about the world, but about each other.
Embracing the Great Outdoors: A Homeschool Family’s Guide to Connecting with Nature This Summer
By embracing the great outdoors this summer, we can offer our children profound experiences that not only complement their formal education but also build a solid foundation for environmental stewardship. Connecting with nature isn’t just a summer activity—it’s a joyful, ongoing part of our homeschooling adventure that nurtures respectful, informed, and conscientious future citizens.
Fourth of July: Celebrating Independence and Embracing Educational Freedom
The Fourth of July is more than fireworks and barbecues—it's a celebration of history, freedom, and the values that shape our nation. For us homeschoolers, it’s also a beautiful reminder of the freedom we have in customizing our children’s education to include deep dives into these important cultural stories. Each year, as our children grow, these lessons expand and deepen, reflecting their increasing understanding and our family's evolving interests.
Empowering Futures: The Importance of Personal Finance and Career Readiness with uThrive Academy
Understanding personal finance is key to achieving financial independence and security. It empowers individuals to make informed decisions about saving, investing, and managing debt, which are crucial for a stable future. Similarly, career readiness equips young people with the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the workforce confidently, adapt to its demands, and succeed in their chosen careers.
Join Me at the Wild + Free Conference This September!
The Wild + Free conference is more than just an event; it's a gathering that rejuvenates and inspires homeschooling families. This year's conference, marking a special 10-year milestone, is packed with unforgettable moments:
Summer Pages: Why Reading is Essential for Kids During the Summer
To make reading an enticing part of your summer schedule, consider creating a cozy reading nook in your home. This dedicated space can be a quiet corner with comfortable pillows, good lighting, and easy access to books. Also, you might want to set weekly themes such as adventure, mystery, or science fiction, which can guide your children in selecting books and add an element of fun to their reading choices.
Celebrating Homeschool Dads: Father’s Day Cheers to the Unsung Heroes
As Father's Day approaches, it's a perfect time to celebrate the invaluable role that homeschool dads play in our families. These dads might not always be in the spotlight, but their contributions are monumental. Whether it's weekend science projects, math tutoring, or just being the household’s chief bug catcher, homeschool dads bring a mix of fun, love, and unique teaching styles to our educational journeys.
Free Homeschool Resources: Enhancing Your Curriculum Without Breaking the Bank
By leveraging both free resources and occasional paid products, you can create a rich, diverse, and effective homeschool environment that fosters a love of learning in your child. Whether you’re supplementing a subject or exploring a new interest, the wealth of resources available can make homeschooling both fun and affordable.
Unlocking Interactive Learning with Everything Blocks
With three children at home, each at different stages of their educational journey, finding resources that cater to their varied needs was challenging. Everything Blocks proved to be the perfect solution. These blocks are not only versatile enough to adapt to different educational needs but also promote physical engagement and interaction with learning materials, which is vital in maintaining young learners' concentration and interest.
Mastering Life Skills: A Practical Guide for Homeschool Moms this May
Life skills go beyond traditional academic subjects, covering everything from financial literacy to basic cooking and problem-solving. Teaching these skills is not just about preparing kids to manage on their own; it’s about empowering them with the confidence to make informed decisions, solve problems creatively, and handle the ups and downs of life effectively.
Busting Homeschool Myths: The Middle School Edition
The perception that homeschooled middle schoolers miss out on crucial social development is widespread but unfounded. Homeschooling offers the flexibility to engage in diverse social activities beyond the classroom. From group projects with local homeschooling co-ops to participation in community service and sports teams, homeschooled children often interact with a wider range of age groups, fostering adaptability and empathy.
Unveiling the Magic Behind My Basic Bundles: The Ultimate Homeschool Companion
As a former school principal turned homeschool advocate, I've poured my heart, soul, and a wealth of educational expertise into creating what I believe to be the cornerstone of any effective homeschool curriculum: My Basic Bundles. These aren't just collections of resources; they're your all-in-one solution for morning baskets, independent work times, and those crucial practice moments in between.
Introducing My Summer Learning Bundles: Close the Learning Gap with Fun and Focus
The summer slide is a well-documented phenomenon where children lose knowledge and academic skills due to the long break from formal learning. My Summer Learning Bundles are crafted to keep your child's mind active and learning throughout the summer, ensuring they return to your homeschool routines in the fall, ready and refreshed, without missing a beat!
Nurturing Empathy for Nature: Teaching Kids About Endangered Species
Teaching children about endangered species is more than just sharing facts about animals; it's about cultivating empathy, responsibility, and awareness of the environment. By understanding the challenges these species face, children can develop a deeper appreciation for biodiversity and the critical roles different animals play in our ecosystems. This knowledge encourages a sense of stewardship for the Earth that can last a lifetime.
Celebrating the Homeschool Year: Ideas for Every Schedule
As we approach the conclusion of the academic year, it's important to pause and reflect on the journey undertaken. For homeschoolers, whether adhering to a traditional academic calendar or engaging in year-round education, this milestone carries significant weight. Celebrating the end of the homeschool year is more than a mere ritual; it's a vital act that acknowledges hard work, consolidates gains, and reinvigorates both learners and educators for the adventures ahead.
Celebrate World Bee Day: Why and How to Teach About Bees in Homeschool
Bees are essential pollinators, supporting the growth of trees, flowers, and other plants, which serve as food and shelter for creatures large and small. Without bees, our gardens would be less vibrant, and our plates less colorful. Teaching children about bees helps them understand the interconnectedness of nature and the impact of each creature on our planet’s health.
Engaging Bee Activities for Homeschoolers
Create a Bee Garden:
Streamlining and Preserving Homeschool Memories with Artkive: My Personal Recommendation
As we all know, homeschooling can generate a beautiful array of your child’s artwork, crafts, and school projects that can quickly pile up. Finding a way to preserve these memories without cluttering your home can be a challenge. That’s where Artkive comes in—a service I've found incredibly helpful for turning piles of my children’s creations into professionally bound keepsake books. Here’s why I recommend it for any homeschool family looking to preserve and celebrate their children’s educational journey.
Embracing Deschooling: A Summer Transition to Homeschooling
What is Deschooling?
Deschooling refers to a period of adjustment where families take time away from formal educational structures and curricula to allow for a smoother transition into homeschooling. This period is not simply a break but an important time to unlearn the rigidity of traditional school settings and embrace the flexibility and personalized learning that homeschooling offers.
Celebrating Cinco de Mayo: Understanding the History and Culture in Homeschooling
Debunk Myths: Discuss common misconceptions about Cinco de Mayo, particularly the incorrect idea that it is Mexican Independence Day. This opens up a discussion about the importance of understanding and respecting other cultures.
