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Homeschool mom cultivating self confident

Cultivating Self Confidence

The fussy mom.  Are you acquainted with her? She is always commanding, demanding, interfering, intervening, redirecting, reminding, worrying, hurrying, hovering, and smothering, moralizing and mediating. FUSSINESS Many times during our journey I fell into the fussy mom syndrome, hijacking the joy God had for me, my children and our homeschool. Oftentimes it was because I was feeling insecure or fearful, catapulting me into homeschool mom overdrive. Charlotte Mason tells us,  “But the fussy parent, the anxious parent, the parent who explains overmuch, who commands overmuch, who excuses overmuch, who restrains overmuch, who interferes overmuch, even the parent who is with the […]

child artist

Art the Charlotte Mason Way!

Is art education the unsolved mystery in your homeschool? It is for many moms—but it doesn’t have to be if you teach art the Charlotte Mason way! Albert Einstein said, “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression.” Charlotte Mason believed art should be a staple in every child’s education, and she explains a simple way to make it easy and effective when she writes:  There must be knowledge … not the technical knowledge of how to produce, but some reverent knowledge of what has been produced that is, children should learn pictures line […]

A woman with a child is reading

How to Train Your Child’s Character – The Charlotte Mason Way!

Training your child’s character can be likened to tending a garden. Nurturing to life the good character qualities you want to see grow and blossom. It’s about watching over what’s sprouting up and carefully cultivating that which will one day bear fruit. It requires tilling the soil and weeding out anything that is not fructiferous and fragrant and beautiful. Charlotte Mason considered character traits to be habits. Habits of thought and habits of deed. A mother’s role is to gently guide the child, like a guardian angel, into habits of gentleness, courtesy, candor, respect for others, and truthfulness. The work […]

Little girl reading a book under big linden tree

How to Cultivate the Art of Free Time in Your Homeschool

Free time in the homeschool is an art. One worth pursuing. It’s a long forgotten yet invaluable rhythm of education and is truly one of homeschooling’s best kept secrets. Not only is it necessary to understand the importance of free time, you need to know how to implement it into your homeschool day. Leisure was a cornerstone of Charlotte Mason’s methodology, and she provided ample amounts for her students. In addition to their academic studies, each day Charlotte would give the students large blocks of free time to pursue their own interests and passions, like the arts. They engaged in […]

Narration in HS

Narration: A Homeschool Game Changer

Narration is a game changer. It’s one of the things we got right in our homeschool. I can say this with confidence because I see in my adult children today that same love for learning that was cultivated through narration early in our homeschool—a love for learning that has carried them through their college studies and has remained with them as they’ve moved on to their adult lives. The beauty of homeschooling is getting to choose learning methods that are best for our children. Ones that actually work and encourage a love of learning. Methods that bring learning to life. Charlotte […]

Award-Winning Science

Why Choose Jeannie’s Charlotte Mason Science Books?

Because Excellence in a Science Education Matters My best selling, award-winning Apologia science series is the number one science curriculum for kindergarten through middle school. Not only are my books the number one rated science curricula on the market, chosen as a Cathy Duffy top pick, they will give your children a genuine love for science and a love for learning. My Apologia Science Story In the beginning, as I frantically thrust myself into the world of homeschooling, my natural proclivity was to stir up in my children a passion for science that matched my own. Most of my college years […]

Apologia Audio Books

Apologia Science Audio Books

We all know that homeschooling is harder on some days than on others. When tears are flowing and the kids are slow as molasses, just getting through the three R’s can be a huge feat. We find ourselves letting everything else slide—you know, like science and history, or art and literature. It’s okay. It happens to everyone. But Apologia has a solution. The Apologia Science Audio Books for the Young Explorer Series are designed to make teaching science easy—when life isn’t. At the push of a button, science gets done. Not only do the audio books give mom the break […]

Elementary Science

Elementary Science

The philosophy behind my elementary science series was born out of my early experiences with science and God’s amazing creation. Here’s how it all began.  My father was a geologist who owned an oil company. When I was a child, he would take my brothers and me to the lease. I was always fascinated by the tall derrick that drilled miles and miles into the ground to tap into an ocean of oil deep under the earth. I would stand in complete awe, wishing I could fully understand what was happening, hungering for knowledge. When I got bored of watching […]

Homeschool Nostalgia

Homeschool Nostalgia

Many of you who have gone on to graduate a homeschooler have moments of nostalgia that make you stop and sigh. I call this phenomenon “homeschool nostalgia.” I had one such moment while watching a Youstream video of my daughter dancing in the Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen pageant. I watched the video and reminisced. Not only was I reminded of this special moment of accomplishment, I thought of all the hours I put into my child’s education, passions, and heart. It seemed endless—those years, months, weeks, and days. Even the hours and minutes at times felt like a heart wrenching […]

How to Homeschool part three

How to Homeschool Part 3: What Do I Teach and When?

Wondering how to homeschool? Just starting out and not sure where to begin? You’re not alone! For me, the hardest part was figuring out exactly what I needed to teach my child. What subjects were required for a homeschool education? What year should I teach each subject? Well, I found out it’s a lot simpler than I thought. Just focus on the basics until you get your feet wet. After you get a handle on the three R’s—Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic —launch into other fun activities and extra curricular classes/courses. Essentially, begin with the basics then add on electives from there. […]

Mother and Child Parenting Motherhood Love Care Concept

How to Homeschool Part 2: Homeschool Methods

There are various homeschool methods and philosophies people use when educating their children. Some choose one and follow it all the way through, while others mix and match depending on what they want to accomplish. Still, some homeschoolers begin with one then change their methodologies as the years wear on and they begin to understand more about their family and philosophies. Below are the most common homeschool methods used today. Classical Classical homeschoolers follow the classical Greek model of the trivium. They divide learning into three stages based on an average child’s cognitive development. Grammar stage children (K-5th) think concretely […]

Top 10 Reasons to Homeschool

How to Homeschool Part 1: Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Homeschool

The thought of homeschooling can seem overwhelming at first. But like everything, if you take it one day at a time, you’ll find the reward far outweighs the sacrifice. In fact, you’ll discover homeschooling was not a sacrifice at all, but an investment. An investment in your family, your children’s character, and your life.   Is it hard? Sometimes (especially if you have a tendency to overdo things.) But now that I’m on the other side, I can say it was well worth it. If you are considering homeschooling and looking for some specific reasons to take the plunge, consider my top […]

Let them Go

College Prep: Let Them Go

After reading the past posts, you now know everything you need to know to help your homeschooled child find the college of his dreams. Whew! It’s been quite a journey, but you’ve been faithful and you’re almost there. Now it’s time to let them go. Sending a child off to college can seem like a scary thing. We as moms know there are potholes out there and lots of problems to be tackled. We wonder if our child is fully prepared. We know him better than anyone—his strengths and his weaknesses. And it’s those weaknesses that keep us up at […]

Easy Admission Essay

College Prep: Admissions Essay

It is my desire that this College Prep: Admissions Essay post will clear up the mystery of the dreaded college essay!It’s the one part of the college application that causes students the most stress. But it doesn’t have to. The purpose of the admissions essay is simply to: Get to know your child better Find out what makes your child tick Hear your child’s story Understand the “why” behind your child’s “what” No matter what anyone tells you, the essay is not the most important piece of the college admissions puzzle. It won’t make or break your child’s chances unless it’s horribly […]

Visiting Colleges

College Prep: Visiting Colleges

College visits are an important part of choosing the right school. They help your child get a feel for the campus, the students and professors, and the overall atmosphere of the institution. Visiting colleges inspires your child to finish strong while looking forward with anticipation to the day he moves into the dorm. My desire is that this post College Prep: Visiting Colleges will help prepare you and your child for the exciting adventure of college road trips! Start Early It’s best to visit all your child’s colleges of choice during his junior year. That way, if your child is […]

Paying for college

College Prep: Paying for College

Although we need to discuss transcripts, college essays, and some other important college admissions items, I want to jump ahead to this post, College Prep: Paying for College, because this topic is a concern for so many. If you are worried about paying for college, be aware that there are many ways to make it affordable. Talent Trap In an attempt to fund college, some parents focus on their child’s talent in hopes it will earn him a scholarship. There are several issues with this, the first being that the child may not want to play baseball or piano or […]

Portfolios

College Prep: Portfolios

Years ago, when homeschooling was new, colleges required personal interviews and thick portfolios outlining every detail of the homeschooled student’s high school coursework and experiences. Now that homeschooling is more mainstream, portfolios are no longer requested or required. However, in this post, College Prep: Portfolios, I’ll explain why they are still a good idea. Here are the three reasons your child should consider keeping a portfolio: Colleges might have some questions about a course or two on your child’s transcript. For example, they may want more information about the biology course your child took. If you have a well organized portfolio, […]

Test Prep

College Prep: Test Prep

In a recent survey, I asked homeschoolers and test prep teachers what the typical point increase was for students who took an actual SAT or ACT test prep course and for students who did not. The results were what I expected but not what is generally reported in the media.  Students who did not take a prep course, but rather prepared on their own using SAT/ACT prep books and online practice questions did not see an increase in their scores. It is usually reported that SAT prep increases a student’s score only by an average of 30 points. However it […]

Recommendation Letters

College Prep: Recommendation Letters

Most universities and scholarship boards require applicants to submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher. This can be tricky for homeschoolers since colleges do not want letters from parents. When my daughter began her college application process, she had never completed a class outside the home except for an online dual enrollment course through Liberty University. She was enrolled in classes her senior year but barely knew the instructors when she started applying to colleges. My daughter ended up asking for letters of recommendation from her ballet instructors and mock trial coaches. It’s important to begin thinking early about […]

SAT Subject Tests

College Prep: SAT Subject Tests

Like AP exams, colleges put a lot of stock in the SAT Subject Tests, sometimes known as the SAT II tests. In fact, some Ivy League and top tier universities require at least two SAT Subject Tests to be taken before a student is even eligible to apply to that university.  Like CLEP, the SAT Subject Tests were created by the College Board to assess college level knowledge of a subject. Also like CLEP, colleges are often willing to grant credit if a student scores well on the SAT II exams.  If your child is strong in a particular subject, […]

CLEP or Not

College Prep: CLEP or Not?

CLEP has become quite popular in the homeschool community. You may be wondering, “What is CLEP?” Should I consider it for my child? In this post, College Prep: CLEP or Not? I’ll share the upside and downside of CLEP in college admissions. CLEP is a test created by the College Board to assess college level knowledge of a subject. It’s called the College Level Examination Program. Essentially, if your child knows a subject well enough to pass the test, he can earn college credit for that subject. When is CLEP a good option? If your child is highly motivated and eager […]

Dual Enrollment

College Prep: Dual Enrollment

Now it’s time to talk about College Prep: Dual Enrollment. But what exactly is dual enrollment? It’s when a high school student takes college courses while in high school. The student is enrolled in both high school and college at the same time and the classes count for both high school and college credit. Dual enrollment puts your child’s transcript through the rigor test that colleges use to evaluate the difficulty of high school work. It beefs up the high school transcript and lends credibility to your child’s homeschool GPA. Dual enrollment also gives your child a head start on […]

AP Anyone?

College Prep: AP Anyone?

In this post College Prep: AP Anyone? I’m giving away one of the secrets to wooing those admissions counselors and luring in an acceptance letter from the college of your child’s dreams. For academic hopefuls, the junior year matters. Time to spit shine that transcript! My daughter never took an AP class until her senior year. In 11th grade, she was still planning to be a professional ballerina. College wasn’t even on the radar. Thus, she crammed four AP classes into her senior year (two were taken online). It would have been easier for her to do two her junior year […]

Standing Out

College Prep: 9 Ways to Stand Out in College Admissions

In the last blog, we talked about depth—not breadth—when pursuing extra curricular activities. In this one, College Prep: Standing Out, we’re going to talk about ways to get noticed in college admissions. Commitment, leadership, and long-term involvement are what colleges like to see. Homeschooled students have the rare opportunity to become experts in the fields that interest them. Don’t let your child settle for a typical education. Encourage him to specialize in one or two areas, making him stand out from the crowd. This will definitely get the attention of college counselors. What are some ways your child can stand out […]

Be Unique

College Prep: Be Unique!

Be Unique! Colleges look for students that “stand out” from among other applicants. They’re interested in those they feel will enhance their school and campus. That’s not to say a “typical” student can’t get in, but it helps to show that your child is special and can offer something unique to the student body and to the school itself.  The most important way to stand out is to prove commitment through long term involvement in an extra curricular activity, passion, or interest. This means your child shows dedication that goes beyond participation. Think depth, not breadth. Colleges don’t want to see […]

SAT or ACT

College Prep: SAT vs. ACT

So you know your child will need to take college entrance exams as part of the college admissions process, but which test should he take and when? This post, College Prep: SAT vs. ACT, explains the similarities and differences of the tests to help you think through which test is best for your child. The SAT and the ACT are the two main exams your child will need to take. The tests are more similar than before since the SAT was redesigned in 2016, but there are some differences you should know about to help decide which is best for your […]

Think Extracurricular

College Prep: Think Extracurricular

Colleges love extracurricular activities. So shouldn’t my child do as many as possible to impress the admissions committee? That seems to make sense but it’s not the case. Think not too many, not too few. Depth not breadth. Ultimately, do what you love in a way that shows the colleges the unique person you are. Have your student participate in activities that not only interest him but ones in which he can make a difference. Some examples include: scouts, clubs, sports, music, dance, and community service. Look for opportunities that enable your child to acquire and demonstrate leadership skills. This […]

College

College Prep: Great Transcripts

Ideally,  ninth grade is the time to begin mapping out the courses your child will need in high school to graduate with a great college prep transcript.  It’s okay to begin thinking through the courses in eighth grade or even later than ninth grade. My older daughter decided she wanted to go to college in January of her 11th grade year. So we began the process then. Though we had to play catch up, it was not a big deal and she ended up getting into an extremely competitive college on scholarship. Pulling together a college transcript can be done at […]

8th Grade Counts

College Prep: 8th Grade Counts

Jumping through hoops. Yep. That’s what it boils down to. Navigating the road from high school to college can be tough. You’ve been told it’s easy. You’ve been told it’s hard. You’ve been encouraged. You’ve been discouraged. You’ve been given information. You’ve been given misinformation. Well now it’s time for the truth.  But let me warn you—next year the truth may change. Yes. The hoops change positions all the time. Sometimes hoops are taken down and replaced by other hoops. But here’s the good news:  Getting your homeschooled child into college is not difficult—it just requires knowing what hoops to […]

Encouraging Success

Encouraging Success in Your Children

I often speak and write about nurturing our children’s gifts, talents, and passions—about encouraging their success. Homeschooling offers the unique opportunity to tailor our children’s education to their own personal bents. We don’t have to follow the standard scope and sequence designed for a typical student. The cookie-cutter mentality is often why students leave high school and college not knowing what they are going to do with their lives. They spend so much time focusing on that which is not their area of giftedness that they have no time to develop or even discover their true strengths and passions. As […]

Immersion Science

Immersion Science

Many educators promote the spiral or survey approach to education, wherein a child is exposed over and over again to minute amounts of a variety of science topics. Those supporting these approaches aim to “expose” the child to science each year giving a bit more information than was given the year before. This method has been largely unsuccessful in public and private schools as the National Center for Education Statistics data indicates that eighth graders are consistently less than 50% proficient in science. There has to be a better way. And there is: immersion science. Educators assume the young child […]

ABC Spelling Blocks

Spelling Solutions for Your Homeschool

Some people leave the womb with a natural inclination toward spelling. For others, spelling is a lifelong struggle. I have children in both categories. With my natural spellers, I don’t think it mattered what curriculum I used. Spelling made sense to them. With my poor speller, who also struggled with dyslexia, well, let’s just say I spent a pretty penny searching for a solution. After years of trying everything under the sun, I fell upon a set of instructions in Charlotte Mason’s Original Homeschool Series. I realized at that moment that the methods used in all the other curricula were […]

Cultivating Creativity

Notebooking: Cultivating Creativity

We all know how important knowledge is, but what about creative expression? Could it be that creativity is the missing link between joy and learning? Albert Einstein said, “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” He believed creative expression to be an essential element of all academic fields of study—even science.  The question we must ask is: How can we engage our children’s creativity in order to increase their knowledge? There are many ways to do this, but an important element is the establishment of a student notebook. The notebook is an […]

The Perfection Trap

The Perfection Trap

At times we fall into what I call the perfection trap, demanding more from our children than they are capable of giving. Our reactions to their misbehavior can be harsh, lacking in the mercy God has for us. When we constantly communicate frustration with our children’s imperfections, we fail to portray Christ to them. If we are forever irritated by their weaknesses, we miss the opportunity to show them the grace of God. Is not our Savior patient with us, bringing us to repentance? A loving response along with a heartfelt chat will do more for our children than the […]

Pass on the Love

Pass on the Love

Is it not the cry of our hearts to pass on the love we have for God to our children—to live out our faith in a way that models it for them? When I’m walking closely with the Lord, I’m full of joy and excitement. Spending time with Him makes me more aware of His presence, His delight in me, and His mercy toward my weaknesses. In turn, I’m more merciful toward others and myself. This is reflected in my tone of voice and the way in which I treat my husband and children. When speaking of spiritual things, I’m […]

Homeschool Methodologies

Homeschool Methodologies

There are several philosophies and methodologies that homeschoolers use when educating their children. Some people choose one and follow it all the way through, others mix and match depending on what they want to accomplish, still others begin with one then change their methodologies as the years wear on and they begin to understand more about their family and philosophies. In this post, I will describe some of the most common homeschool methodologies used by families today. Classical Classical homeschoolers follow the Classical Greek model of the Trivium. They divide learning into three stages based on an average child’s cognitive […]

Focus on the Facts

Focus on the Facts

There are several things I’ve learned over the years about teaching math in the homeschool. Undeniably, the first and most important element for imparting a solid math education is—drum roll please—to focus on the facts! Skip the skip counting and help your children memorize their math facts. Truly, it is the most important part of elementary math. It’s more important than that drill sheet they have in front of them each day, and yes, it’s even more important than that well-researched, expensive curriculum you bought at the book fair. Again, if I could implore you to do ONE THING in […]

Homeschooling Works

Homeschooling Works!

Despite what many might believe, a vast majority of homeschooled children say they have plenty of opportunities for socialization with other children and, as adults, come to excel in all measured areas of adult life, according to a new study. In short, homeschooling works!   Study: Home-Schooled Children Excel as Adults Mon, Dec. 28, 2009 Posted: 11:51 PM EDT Despite what many might believe, a vast majority of home-schooled children say they have plenty of opportunities for socialization with other children and, as adults, come to excel in all measured areas of adult life, according to a new study. The […]

The Truth about Spelling

The Truth about Spelling

Over the years, I’ve shared my story at conferences and workshops about how God led me to teach my son to spell. As a result, I’ve received many queries about the program that I used. In essence, I did not use a program, but a procedure. I want to share it with you in the hopes that it will help your struggling speller. The first thing to know is that reading and spelling are two different skills. If you try to use the procedure you learned for reading with spelling (phonics) you will be a horrendous speller. Children should be […]

Homeschooling with Purpose

Homeschooling with Purpose

It fills me with awe and wonder that each of our children was chosen by God before the foundation of the world. Each was created for a particular purpose- a purpose God ordained in advance that they should pursue. Our children are all unique, created with different gifts, talents, abilities, interests, passions, dislikes, and preferences. All of these characteristics make them the wonderful children He intended them to be. As parents we’re called to train and nurture our children, helping them develop their gifts and discover the wonderful purpose God has for them. If God was so intentional in creating them unique […]

Four More Years

Four More Years

The post below was written during the time when I was entering the homestretch of homeschooling my oldest. These heart reflections and questions were born out of the startling realization I had only four more years with my daughter in the home. Lately, the thought of having only four more years of homeschooling my oldest has been with me constantly. Four more years! Can you imagine? After it’s all said and done, what will have been the most important thing I did as a homeschool mother? What will benefit her the most? Will it be completing every course with an A+? That’s not […]

Evaluating Your Student's Writing

Evaluating Your Student’s Writing

Though we want to encourage our younger children to enjoy writing by keeping our critique to a minimum, there comes a time when evaluating your student’s writing must take priority, especially for upper level students. Though evaluating creative writing and narratives is highly subjective, by following the guidelines of what is commonly known as the “six traits of writing,” you can effectively evaluate the content of your child’s writing assignments. Even if you find the writing uninteresting, you can still grade it objectively by using these guidelines. Also, if you find the topic and writing highly fascinating, you may be […]

Lesson Plans

Lesson Plans

I found my homeschooling days to go much more smoothly the times I produced lesson plans before the year began. There was more peace in the home and I experienced greater confidence. Lesson plans helped me so greatly because they reduced the stress of homeschooling on a daily basis. It worked best for me to create lesson plans for one semester and then create more over Christmas for the next semester. Each child was given his lesson book and each day he knew exactly what to do. I could have told my children each hour what to do, but that would have […]

Creative and Academic Writing

Creative and Academic Writing

Creative and Academic writing are both important to teach in your homeschool; yet, of the two, academic writing is more necessary and useful for your child’s future success. Most homeschool courses that address writing focus on stories, descriptions, and other creative genres. The lessons attempt to pull the creative spark from the students, encouraging them to experiment with language, similes,  metaphors,  and stylistic techniques for writing. The ability to craft a more stylistic story is not necessary for success in college. However, having these tools can help a child when they are composing an essay for college. If the student is practiced […]

The Composition Code

Writing in the Homeschool

Academic writing is simple, really. Almost too simple. You’ll soon be saying, “Why didn’t I think of that?” The Composition Code is simply a formula for academic writing. It’s the easiest way to teach homeschool writing. It’s not used in many other kinds of writing, though as an attorney, my husband uses the format loosely when writing legal briefs. After you read this, you may be thinking, boring, boring, boring. Just remember, the point of academic writing is not to entertain but to prove your knowledge in an organized and concise manner. Yes, boring–but a producer of A’s. In fact, […]

Academic vs. Creative Writing

Academic Writing vs. Creative Writing

One kind of writing—academic writing—is rigid and procedural. It’s purposed purely to convey knowledge, data, and information. It’s orderly, organized, and follows a formula. It’s necessary. It can be dull. Anyone can master it. Everyone should master it. The other kind of writing—creative writing—is inspired and artistic. It entertains with word pictures, concepts, and deep meaning. It’s enjoyable to read and touches us while teaching us. It’s an art form. It’s not necessary to learn, but a joy to those who do. Academic writing will earn you A’s; creative writing may get you published. Academic writing must be taught, but […]

Teach Them to Write

Teach Them to Write!

Practically every college professor complains about the dramatic decline in writing skills of college students. “If you teach them nothing else, please,” they implore, “Teach them to write!” Writing, or the pedagogy of writing, has been somewhat of a fixation of mine. You see, ever since I learned that my husband—who doesn’t have a writer’s heart—made straight A’s on all his college essays, while I—a passionate writer—didn’t enjoy such an experience, I’ve wondered about this thing called writing. Though I’ve always considered myself a writer, most of my teachers and professors didn’t view the methodical eloquence nor the originality and […]

Quitting Homeschooling

Do You Want to Quit Homeschooling?

I recently ran into a sweet, godly homeschooling mother. She hesitantly shared with me that she may not be homeschooling her oldest through high school; instead she was considering private school. I could tell she was nervous to tell me, but I reassured her I didn’t judge her decision; after all, if God guides you to put your child in school, He has a reason for it. This caused her to stop and ponder. She admitted she wasn’t sure if God was guiding her to do it. Her reasons for quitting homeschooling had more to do with fear, confusion, feelings […]

Homeschooling from Overflow

Homeschooling from Overflow

Are you homeschooling from overflow or are you homeschooling on empty? Do you run out of steam halfway through the day or are you able to maintain joy and energy on the journey? God desires for us to minister to our family out of abundance, from the overflow of what He has poured into us. The Lord so longs to pour into you, to feed you from the Bread of Life so that you may be full. Taste and see that the Lord is good! More important than choosing the right curriculum or keeping to your schedule—more important than doing, doing, […]

Teenage Boy Studying At Desk In Bedroom

Steps to Self Learning

Students who have developed a foundation of good character (no, not perfect children, but those who have a conscience about doing the right thing) and have gained personal responsibility for their education—with an eye set on the future—are prime candidates for self learning.  The first step to moving toward self learning is to carefully select curricula that is well suited for self education. This means the course can be used by the student alone, once he has grasped how it should be done. You see, after your child has learned to read (a teacher is often needed full time for […]

Mom helping child with homework

Laying a Foundation

Laying a foundation of character is essential if you are to successfully move your child from dependence upon you as the teacher to independence and self learning.      Obviously, children that are not yet reading need a lot of supervision. The same is true when teaching elementary students new concepts. In addition, when a student is struggling with a concept, such as long division, the teacher (though she may have moved into the role of coach) will need to stand over the child as he works through the formula until he completely understands the algorithm and can do it […]

Student studying and learning with laptop

Self Learning in the Homeschool

As the idea of self learning in the homeschool began to take hold, I was asked to share some practical tips on how to move your children into a self learning lifestyle. Let me begin by saying I feel the biggest problem we find in government and private schools is that the students are taught to be dependent upon someone else for their education. They are not given autonomy over their work. Students don’t feel responsible for their education because someone else spoon feeds them and checks to make sure the entire bite was swallowed. If it’s not, they are given […]

Journal Writing

Journal Writing

The benefits of journaling are countless. It was truly one of the best things we implemented into our homeschooling. Not only did my children enjoy journal writing, the time they put into journaling during the elementary years laid the foundation for academic writing in the middle and high school years. However, I did not allow my children to journal until they could spell some of the common words found in a typical journal entry. Charlotte Mason taught, and I believe, that children should not be allowed to write misspellings as it ingrains improper spelling into their minds. I think this is […]

homeschooling

Phonics Intervention

Do you have a late elementary homeschooler still struggling to read or spell? Don’t despair! I have a solution that worked for me and it will work for you! It’s called Phonics Intervention strangely published by Saxon Publishers. Why do I say strangely? Because it just does not seem like a Saxon product. The author is a special education teacher who wrote the curriculum based on her need to find an effective way to teach her own struggling reader how to read. I can honestly say the program is very well done.  As many of you know, one child of mine […]

Narration

Narration

Narration is one of those treasures that, if done consistently, has potential for great reward. I believe it’s foundational to a successful homeschool education, reaping benefits far into the high school years. Here are some questions one homeschool mom asked about narration: My oldest is going into first grade and is reading probably at a second grade level. One of my goals this coming year is to establish the habit of narration. How should I schedule it? Should I pick a book (like Aesop’s fables) and have him narrate from it once a week? Or do I have him narrate […]

Homeschool Planning

Homeschool Planning

Homeschool planning was something I enjoyed. It helped me stay in touch with my children’s needs, goals, interests, personality, and learning style. I always took these things into account when writing and evaluating each child’s plan. My oldest was an independent learner and my youngest a self-starter. One was overcoming dyslexia and the other was average to above average in everything. Between the four, there were many things to consider when planning. The goal was always to challenge my children to move up a notch academically without discouraging their joy and love of learning. It was a delicate balance. I […]

Why You Should Homeschool

Why You Should Homeschool

Where to begin? There are so many reasons why you should homeschool, the first being the freedom it affords you children—freedom to pursue an individualized education and life path that enables them to be true to themself and mature into the person God created them to be.  Freedom Let’s begin with academic freedom. Sadly, our nation is falling behind the global market in the academic arena. The National Center for Educational Statistics shows a consistent downward trend beginning after fourth grade. American children are simply not making the grade. They graduate knowing less than 50% of the material they should know. […]

Why Your Child Dislikes Writing

Why Your Child Dislikes Writing

It can be rather discouraging for the homeschool mom when, after trying every method and motivation possible, a child simply refuses to write. If you’re in that boat, don’t despair! Many a homeschool mom has fought this battle and won, so you are not alone. There could be one of many reasons why your child dislikes writing. The encouraging thing to know is there are simple solutions to address and overcome each and every one of these obstacles. The first factor is that perhaps your child doesn’t like the physical mechanics of writing. Does he hold his pencil with an […]

Anxious, woman, fearful.

Distractions

I read a great quote that said, “If Satan can’t tempt us with destruction, he’ll tempt us with distraction.” How true for the homeschool mom! Our enemy tempts us to veer off God’s perfect path by distracting us with a plethora of “good” things: things that seem beneficial, that seem profitable, even necessary. Things that may even have the appearance of godliness, but in reality are just distractions. We have all been given a specific course, a path to pursue in both walking with God and in accomplishing His will for us. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus […]

Why Notebooks

Why Notebooks?

Over the years homeschool moms have asked, “Why notebooks?” And to that I would have to say creating and using notebooks was one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things we did in our homeschool. It honestly kept me afloat and from feeling discouraged or ineffective. In fact, notebooks even gave me a sense of accomplishment, a much needed sentiment in the ongoing homeschool journey. We usually used notebooks in place of worksheets, even when the curriculum provided them. Fill in the blank worksheets with word searches, matching games, and the like were unable to engage my children the way creating […]

Mic vs. Mac Evolution

Micro vs. Macro Evolution

Our children have heard us say that evolution isn’t true, yet we often aren’t sure how to explain why or in what way it isn’t true. The simple concept of microevolution versus macroevolution is a great to place to begin helping our children understand this important and foundational topic. If you aren’t sure what the difference is yourself, read on. As the author of Apologia’s elementary creation science curriculum, I believe it’s crucial we are able to explain the truths and untruths of micro vs. macro evolution to our children. Evolution is not an evil word in itself. The word simply […]

Teach Them to 'Speak

Teach Them to Speak

Statistics show that most people would rather jump from an airplane than speak in public. Even more astonishing, the fear of speaking is greater than the fear of death. Most Americans, and most people in the world for that matter, prefer death over speaking to a crowd! Only five percent are capable and willing to take the platform. Only five percent have the confidence to speak to an audience. So the questions remain: who are those five percent? Why are those five percent ready, willing, and able to take the platform? Who will those five percent be when our children […]

Short Lessons for Homeschool Success

Short Lessons for Homeschool Success

When it comes to passion for a child’s educational success, nothing rivals a homeschool mom. We diligently research the latest methodologies and put to test the newest curriculum. We devour books on education, creating sophisticated lessons based on newfangled ideas. Yet Charlotte Mason found amazing success using the age old, timeless and simple tool of short lessons. Lessons that span a mere 10 minutes. She advocated that short lessons not only train the child to pay attention, they increase the child’s retention of the material. And Charlotte Mason was right. Studies reveal the average human attention span when learning new […]

The Habit of Attention

The Habit of Attention

One of the most profound—and often under appreciated—methods of Charlotte Mason is her teachings on habits. How I wish I had known of this extremely influential concept when my children were younger, before they formed the bad habits we invested a lot of time undoing. Mason addresses the fascinating subject of attention: The Habit of Attention. She explains that a child should stay focused on a subject and not allow his mind to wander hither and thither with every interesting thought that pops into his brain. The thing is, our children have fascinating thoughts and ideas, but they must be […]

Free Time

Free Time

Free time is one of the greatest benefits of a homeschool education. It gives students space to think and create, to pursue and develop their passions fully and deeply. I’m so pleased with how much my daughter accomplished with her free time even during the middle school years. When she was thirteen, she taught herself to draw realistic animals with pencils and made and sold beaded jewelry. She designed HTML blog templates for other children. She put on history and drama camps for homeschoolers every summer beginning when she was nine. She even produced a ballet newsletter and sold subscriptions. […]

Nature Study

Nature Study

We’ve all heard this and that about how children need to get out in nature. Charlotte Mason advocated for nature study ruthlessly—demanding we gather our kids and a book and go sit outside somewhere natural, even if we have to take a twenty minute train ride every day to get there. She was passionate about letting children experience God’s beautiful creation, so Mason’s brilliant, high achieving students did the nature thing. They excelled academically, though they spent the greater portion of their lives outdoors. Recent research shows us that Mason had the right idea. As it turns out, her students […]

Removing Rocks

Removing Rocks

Sometimes we must stop what we’re doing and address issues that come up in our family. When we have everything all planned out for our day or week, these interruptions can seem overwhelmingly burdensome. Yet, we must see them as part of God’s plan for the path we walk. I once found the morning interrupted with a long overdue “talk” with one of my children who had been ever so stealthily walking the wrong path in his heart—toward his siblings, chores, parents, school, bedtime, and who knows what else. After a momentary discouragement, I realized something significant: we are on […]

The Homeschool Journey

The Homeschool Journey

I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many new homeschoolers that have just begun their homeschool journey. Most of them find homeschooling a delight. As they spend each day with their children, they begin to glimpse into the windows of their little hearts and see things they didn’t know were there—good things and not so good things. What is so precious about this is that we really do come to know our children the way God intended for us to know them. God did not set up schools where children would depart for hours from the very people to whom […]

Paper Jams and Patience

Paper Jams and Patience

Have you ever heard that God has an incredible sense of humor? It never fails that when I’m considering some spiritual concept, have some spiritual revelation, or especially if I’m supposed to teach or write something about a spiritual principal—I’m tested on it. Hence, paper jams and patience. I remember the day I was finishing up my Botany Co-op Manual. With every lesson, I included a short devotion the co-op teacher could read to the kids. I was writing on suffering and how Christians grow through it. I included Bible verses about thanking God for our trials. You know, they […]

Easy Geography

Easy Geography

I want to share some of the things we did for geography in our homeschool. Our method was not only educational, it was easy, and it included incorporating inspiring living books into our geography studies. Each summer at the homeschool convention we scoped out the YWAM booth. We would purchase all the Heroes of the Faith missionary stories that took place in one single area or country (South America, China, Africa). I would then organize them chronologically. Before beginning the books, we’d do a one or two week unit on the country we had chosen. We’d make a little notebook […]

Am I Doing Enough?

Am I Doing Enough?

Have you ever asked yourself, “Am I doing enough?” I certainly did in the early days of homeschooling. Why do you think every homeschool mom asks this question at one time or another? I believe the problem is that when you are doing enough—it feels too, too easy. So you think, I’m surely not doing enough. It can’t be this easy! Certainly my child isn’t learning enough or getting enough knowledge. I need to fill his brain with more, more, more until we are so challenged, so overloaded with information, that we simply can’t fill another minute of our supposed […]

Socializing Your Homeschooler

Socializing Your Homeschooler

Are homeschooled kids socially deprived? That’s what some people who don’t homeschool their children say. Of course these folks don’t understand the homeschool process or what socialization really looks like. Contrary to the conjecture of homeschool critics, I generally find homeschooled children to be remarkably bright, polite, and humble (this might have the appearance of social deprivation in a society that promotes self and lack of discipline). For example, a particular homeschooled child may “appear” shy because he is not being loud and drawing constant attention to himself. At first blush, the world may consider this child socially inept, when in […]

Narration: A Foundational Technique

Narration – A Foundational Educational Technique

“What do you remember from what I just read?” I ask the gathering of children around me. Looking to the four year old, I encourage him to begin. “I learned that the sun is ninety-three miles away. It’s so far away that it would take a lot of years to fly there in a spaceship.” The nine year old child draws a deep breath and rapidly explains, “It’s ninety-three-million miles away and it takes eight minutes for its light to reach us here on earth which means that we always see what the sun looked like eight minutes ago and […]

Young Earth Creationism

Young Earth Creationism

Were animals created thousands, even millions of years before man, hunting, devouring and destroying one another as they do now? Was there death on this earth before the fall of mankind? What is death? Death is when something with life dies. Does that mean plant death? No. God tells us in Leviticus and many other places that the life is in the blood of the creature. For as for the life of all flesh, its blood is identified with its life.  So, death is when someone or something with blood in it dies. But, from where did death come? Therefore, […]

Nature Walks that Work

Nature Walks That Work!

So we were all told that nature walks were part of Charlotte Mason’s education. Upon reading this, many of us promptly bought Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Study, packed our pencils and nature journals—one set for each child—and drove to some lovely nature spot to explore and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. We hoped to open our children’s eyes to the magnificence surrounding them and encouraged them to pick something to sketch or about which to write. Unfortunately, our family found it rather dull after a half hour or so. All we saw in nature was an endless trail of weeds, dirt, […]

Untying Homeschool Burdens

Untying Homeschool Burdens

As an author of homeschool books, I want so much to interact with and bless homeschool moms. It is my heart’s cry to encourage, build up, and say, “YOU CAN DO THIS!” to every mom I encounter with those weary and worried filled eyes. I seek to untie the heavy burdens they have strung upon their backs. Burdens that weigh them down with guilt, shame, and hopelessness. Those rampant lies that say they are inadequate, driving them to do this and that and use every bit of curriculum they bought at the last convention—else they are failures. I can’t count how often I have […]

Memory Work in the Homeschool

Memory Work in the Homeschool

When I first began to homeschool, I read all about a classical and Charlotte Mason education. Soaking up every bit of teaching available, I became increasingly convinced of the merits of memory work. We launched into memory work full speed ahead, memorizing a variety of lists, from poetry to ancient Egyptian kings. My five year old performed the amazing feat of reciting all 43 presidents of the United States of America for our homeschool group’s annual presentations. I was so proud of her and anxiously began searching for the next miracle memory task. Providentially, a few years into this process, […]

Character Training for All

Character Training for All

One Easter, after sitting with my children in their fort and telling them the story of Christ, I watched as my oldest child hid resurrection eggs for her three younger siblings. Immediately, I was struck by the preciousness of the lives they live. The relationships they are forming will be a source of support and comfort to them their entire lives. We have seen many dear friends come and go, with relocation and other circumstances taking them from us. But the immediate family God has given us remains a constant. The joy our children derive from one another is in direct proportion to […]

Choosing Curriculum

Choosing Curriculum

For today’s homeschooler, the curriculum options for every subject are overwhelming. There is so much out there. So many good things to choose from. How do you decide what to use? I believe it boils down to your ultimate goals for your children. What do you want more than anything for your children? To be academic scholars or perhaps devoted Christians? Ideally it’s both, but one will take precedence over the other in each family. When I first began homeschooling, I would have vehemently answered that it was the latter—to be devoted Christians. But if you looked at my curriculum […]