Homeschooling: Where do I Begin? So you have made the decision to home school your children, but have no idea where to start. Today, let me give you a jump start. Understanding that you should: Establish your family mission statement Pick the subjects/topics/curriculum to study Determine how you stay organized … you can still get started today. First. Pick a subject that interests you and your kids. I highly suggest going to the local library (or browsing your own bookshelves). When I first began homeschooling I discovered my library did not have a book limit. What that meant was every time I took the kids to the library, we would leave with 20-40 books! (Words of wisdom: teach your children to respect books. Keep your library books in a separate location, like a basket. Mark your calendar to remind you when the books are due. I suggest giving yourself a few days cushion just in case the baby gets sick. Late fees at the library are minimal unless they are multiplied by 40 books…) Second. Learn everything you can about that subject: Together! Read. Research online. Search Netflix. Search YouTube. Get deep into learning!! Third. Choose a project to showcase what you all have learned! Project Ideas: Mini books, notebooking, lapbooks, pocket books, and power points are just a few suggestions. Third. Spend a week (to a month) becoming and expert and making that project! (approximately). Fourth. Ready, Set, Learn! Have a blast learning along side of your kiddos. The more excited you are, the better. Enthusiasm is contagious. Fifth. This step is vital. The kids (and you) have worked hard to create some amazing project. No matter how simple the final product turns out to be, make sure the kids share it with someone. Have them walk daddy through their creation, explain it to grandma, or teach it to a neighbor. This will do two things: Reinforce what the kids have learned Let them bask in the spotlight! Here are a few resources to help you set up your project: Sign up here to receive freebies, deals, and resources!! A wonderful resource for mini-books~ Lapbooking templates My Favorite Pocket Projects How to create a power point
Pinterest for Homeschoolers! Have you found me out on Pinterest yet? I am constantly browsing this wonderful site for the best resources to help you with your homeschooling adventure. There is an endless source of inspiration out here. Hop on over to my page and follow me. See What I Have to Share with you! Click here:) Be sure to click on the follow me button!
Math is Just Like Christmas! Math is Just Like Christmas! is a post from Bekki @ A Better Way to Homeschool where we learn to train our children to become lifelong learners. If you have enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Bekki on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+! I introduced the boys to their manipulative math bin today. It was like Christmas Morning! This little guy was so excited that I never could get a picture in focus! I gave them no agenda, just “Explore”. They had a ball handling all the fun things: base 10 blocks, practice clocks, counter markers, math mats, and rubber stamps. The older boys had fun “making things” out of the different sets. Squishy created a unique game while Giggles built with the blocks like they were Legos. The most surprising discovery was the set of rubber stamps. These have become, not only a fun activity, but a necessary component of every lesson. My kids no longer want a 100% written on their work, they want a 100 block stamp instead (the older kids want the 1000 block stamp). A really simple, yet surprisingly challenging activity is to write numbers onto a blank piece of paper and then to have the kids stamp the correct block representation of each number. I was surprised that it was as challenging as it was for the younger boys and we have incorporated it into our weekly math activity schedule. What’s in our math manipulative bin? Base 10 stamps Base 10 Starter Kit Learning Clock Geometric Patterns Teddy bear counters …and more… Preview of the Heart of Homeschooling God’s Way Master Class. We need to STOP measuring success by grades, achievements, awards, and worksheets.
Boy Heaven Boy Heaven is a post from Bekki @ A Better Way to Homeschool where we learn to train our children to become lifelong learners. If you have enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Bekki on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+! Boy Heaven! My husband recently bought me a new printer for my office. He surprised the boys today by handing them the old broken unit and a few screw drivers. They were busy for hours! Yes, they are wearing helmets. They were riding bikes and scooters until the surprise project was presented. They were so excited they left their helmets on for quite a while… Favorite discovery. Circuit boards galore! The boys were astounded at how many parts, pieces, springs, electronics, ribbon cables, gears, and screws were hidden inside this simple machine. What a great lesson!
Disclosure Policy This blog is a site written and edited by me, Bekki Sayler. I am the homeschooling mama of 5 amazing boys and LOVE the homeschool life. A Better Way to Homeschool was born out of my passion for coming alongside and equipping and encouraging new and frustrated homeschoolers. I believe the Lord has blessed me with a vision to help many homeschooling families. I work daily to provide homeschooling tutorial videos, homeschooling guidance, coaching, inspiration, and much more. If I thought I could create a brick and mortar business to meet your needs I would do so in a heartbeat! My gifting is in my ability to boil down decades of homeschooling and practical family life advice to share it with you all on-line. This is my “other full-time job”. I honestly believe it is more than fair to be compensated for my many hours of hard work that are invested in bringing you the best resources I can create or find. As this site continues to grow, so do my expenses. This blog contains custom products created by me and affiliate links. That means you and I are partners keeping this blog alive. I make a small percentage in commission when you purchase my creations or follow the links I share. In return, I am committed to bringing you only high-quality products and services. The money I earn helps cover the costs of running this blog, like domain name and web hosting and allows me to stay at home with my children. I do make you this promise: I promote only those products and services that I would use personally. I always share my honest opinions and experiences, even for products and services whose ads appear on my web site. If I am compensated to write a blog post, I will make full disclosure. All content on A Better Way to Homeschool is copyrighted, and it may not be reprinted in full form without my written consent. This disclosure is provided in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR § 255.5: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Amazon Affiliate Advertising Policy A Better Way to Homeschool is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.” Affiliate Policy with other Bloggers and Advertisers A Better Way to Homeschool is partners with other bloggers and advertisers such as, but not limited to They Call Me Blessed, Teach Them Diligently, CJ Affiliates, Moolah, Early Bird Mom, and more. My husband and I pray about this site and its content. Our prayer is that you will find resources that truly bless and equip you and your families on your homeschooling journey. My Christian integrity is more important to me than making a profit. I will never intentionally share any content or endorse any product or service that will compromise my integrity. If you find any products that are of concern, please contact me and I will remove them immediately! Compensation received will not influence what I share with you or my ability to express my honest opinion. Again my integrity is not for sale! Please check the total on any purchase at checkout. Although I make every effort to post the current information, offers are subject to change without notice. It is your responsibility to make sure FREE items ARE STILL FREE at check out. Last revision: December 10, 2018