Best Homeschool Math Curriculum for Struggling Students and Their Parents Since you mentioned math… Five kids later, I can testify that most kids are NOT future mathematicians. In my “scientific study” of five kids, only one is a math guy. He went all the way through Calculus 3 and cried when it was done. The other four? They burned their books the moment they reached “high enough”. Please… …don’t try to make your artist, dancer, or farmer fit into a mathematicians world. Mathematicians reveal themselves. I knew my son was a math brain long before high school, but I purposefully held him back until he touched 9th grade so I could make sure he didn’t miss the math of daily life. Measuring twice, cutting once.Building and managing a budget.Tripling recipes.How to know you have enough gas to make it home.Are the beans on sale for $3.00 a can REALLY a better deal than the ones sitting next to them? Math has always been my love hate subject- yours too? I love math.I just hate teaching it to kids older than 12 because I have to study their math lesson and do all the problems first- then teach them the lesson and have to endure the frustration.I always frustrated my older sons when teaching math. SIGH. Why? Because I don’t know the harder math off of the top of my head. But we survived. And the boys all thrived!!! Lessons from a mom of five boys who all made it through Algebra without dying. Get a clear understanding of what your kids really need to learn: It will have nothing to do with a chapter or page number!Always look for hands on lessons to practice skills!If your kids don’t know how to add, subtract, multiply, divide, solve fractions and decimals, and do percentages… They are NOT ready for algebra.Do a little math every day.Solve math problems on windows with dry erasers or on the sidewalk with chalk.Hang a white board and do math together.If a math curriculum isn’t working DITCH IT! (Try my favorite on for size)Use graph paper for help kids learn to solve math neatly.Make math funny. Solve math with jokes, or get your kids funny shirts. My math kid LOVES his latest shirt. WARNING- You may not think it’s funny because its a higher math shirt. Trust me. It’s funny.Look for math picture books and read aloud daily! Yes, slip in a math book or two each week.Eat the problems. Whenever possible, teach math with food. Best Homeschool Math Curriculum for Struggling Students and Their Parents This is a tricky one. What works for my kids may not work for yours, but here is a list of amazing math curriculum and youtube channels to give you and your kids assistance as they follow their math roadmap to success. Pro Tips: Know what your kids need to learn before starting to teach.Look at the table of contents in your child’s math book. I bet you know how to solve most of the math. Use the Table of contents as a guide. Teach what you KNOW. If you get stuck- turn to the lesson page! Teaching Textbooks is by far the most recommended math curriculum by homeschool moms. They have video lessons so your kids can simply follow along and do the work. Math You See is another homeschool mom favorite. It is very hands-on and makes very small steps forward so your child can achieve mastery. My boys didn’t love it; but I know MANY homeschool families who do!Evan Moor is HANDS DOWN my favorite publisher for teaching materials for kids PreK-6th grade! I discovered them before entering into homeschooling. Easy to follow and fun, I recommend them for all subjects- but especially math, history and science!All Things Algebra. I WISH I had found Gina when my older sons were beginning pre-algebra! Her curriculum is hands-on, challenging, but fun. She’s not cheap- but her materials are WORTH the money!Abeka Math is wonderful! They appeal to me, someone who loves color. “If mama doesn’t love the math curriculum, no one will.” Kids with Special needs? Teaching Math to Students with Autism Homeschooling Kids with Dyslexia YouTube Channels for Math help The trick is finding the correct teaching from someone you can relate to and learn from, right? The Organic Chemistry Tutor saved us when my sons hit Algebra and beyond. Math MashUp Is great! Goofy Math to make your kids laugh These are video my kids loved, or that I loved to torture them with when they needed to learn or practice a concept. Sergeant Seven will have your kids master their 7 multiplication facts in 7 minutes. School house rock! Why? Because it works. The number three is our favorite! Goodies I’ve created for over the years. Printable Math Basics through grade 6 Your Turn! Did I miss anything that worked well in your home? PLEASE share below!!
Earth Schooling by Accident: Teaching and Learning as we Go A reader emailed me. “My 16 year old is really struggling with his purpose in life. He asks WHY about everything, lately. It’s just why about finishing high school, why he’s here, and what is he supposed to do in life (all in a very negative way). It’s heartbreaking as a mom, and while I’ve always taught them they are here on earth for a purpose… I can’t always answer those questions thrown at me. Have any of your boys struggled with that?” Her heart beckoned me to respond. I stopped in my tracks and wrote her back. “Yes… My youngest son was really struggling a few years ago (when he was 14 I think). I did something extreme. Every day, rain or shine, we began our day with a walk. I didn’t give him a choice. Honestly, his dyslexic brain needed the fresh air. Every day we laced our shoes and hit the road for the first 1-2 hours of school. I found myself looking at the man-child and realized I have very little time with him. It was killing me that when he struggled with school our relationship suffered. I named our new way of learning Tom Sawyer schooling. I handed him my phone and encouraged him to take pictures. We walked to a local beach and searched for treasures.We purposely splashed in puddles.He began to talk more and more each dayI began to listen with intensity. After a few weeks, (yes weeks), he said, “don’t laugh… but I think I might know what I want to do when I grow up.” “Buddy, I won’t laugh… what?” He took a deep breath. “A cardiothoracic surgeon.” My eyes went wide. ignoring the truth that he is dyslexic and can’t spell for beans, I replied. “WOW!! How can I help you get there?” Mom, this is the most important thing I learned that day. He already KNEW what his first steps were! We continued walking and talking and he became more and more excited. Not wanting to lose any of the GOLD flowing from his lips, I recorded his developing plan so he could write it down when we got home. The Un FANCY recording of our conversation He’s now almost 16. He’s been studying human anatomy and the history of medicine since. He studies on his own, unprompted. Things like: how to survive and thrive in medical schoolhow to sleep enough in medical schoolhow to learn complex ideaadvance note taking skills Everything he studies has a clear purpose in helping him reach his goal. and he’s ALL IN. New homeschool word: Earthschooling. I didn’t know this is what I was doing; but it works. No. I didn’t buy any curriculum:). Everything he does has purpose. Everything he does has purpose. Taking photographs to relax his mind and soak in the outdoors and improving his fine motor skills through sewing and crocheting earning money for medical school with: photos he’s takena DIY heart foldableHeart BOOM cardssnowman printablesteaching kids to crochet, opening his Etsy shop. He’s laser focused on his goal, and we give him time, resources and assistance by wrapping all his school in a way to align with his goals. Oh the JOY As his teacher, I lay the practical skills he needs right on top of his goals. And then I stand back and rub my eyes in astonishment with what he accomplishes. Your teen can do the same kinds of amazing. If I could whisper in your ear it would be to say… stop normal school for the next few weeks, at least for an hour or two a day and hang out with him without technology. For me, walking was the ticket. It may be going on a drive with him… you know him best. That season is a serious gauntlet where the enemy not only discourages their hearts, but floods their minds with hormones so they can be testy. Prayer is key. So is leaning into their lives and listening. Even if it’s late at night. Once you’ve spent time enjoying each other, he may be open enough to share some of his hopes/wishes with you… respond with “how can I help you get there?” And then listen and take notes.” 3 Tips to Unlocking this Magical Learning Spend enough time shoulder to shoulder with your kids that they relax and learn to TRUST YOU with their heart.LISTEN a lot more than you speak. Take notes even.Choose materials and hobbies that feed their passion. Yes, even buying gifts like this for your wanna be surgeon like we did. (He LOVES it). I learned this “How can I help you reach your goals” and then listen from Kerry Beck. Wow! One workshop from her transformed my homeschooling. PRINT THIS FREE HOMESCHOOL MOM REMINDER. This post comes with a free printable reminder list to help keep your heart focused on the heart of homeschooling. I always have the hardest staying focused. This printable simplifies it! Here is a sneak preview… DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PRINTABLE Download the checklist. You’ll get the printable, plus join 9,000+ homeschool moms who receive my weekly parenting tips and ideas!Print. Any paper will do the trick, but card stock would be ideal.Place it on your refrigerator as a helpful reminder. WANT MORE POSTS ON HOMESCHOOLING FROM THE HEART? Don’t homeschool your kids Godly women and homeschool You don’t need to apologize
Solution for “My Child Hates School” In our Facebook group, Our Lives as Homeschool Moms, she hesitantly asked, “How long do you go without a child doing his (homeschool) work before you just enroll him in public school?” My favorite answers from other homeschool moms: …Read More »
Make Toys from Sticks, Stones, and Natural Materials Just because you’re stuck at home due to injury, illness, or global pandemic, doesn’t mean you can’t create a magical playtime for you and your kids. While we all live in different climates and have different types of raw materials near our back doors, we can use what we find to make some fun natural toys. Browse for a few ideas.Go outside and gather your materials with your kidsLet them lead I bet you’ll make something cool, but I’m also guessing you’re gonna make something else: MEMORIES! Learn more from The Best Ideas for Kids Nature Sun Catchers! Learn more from Hands on As We Grow Learn more from Adventure in a box Make a fairy Garden! Learn more from Family Handy Man Make a tie tac toe board! Learn more from Chicken Scratch NY Paint Name, or word, rocks! Learn more from Mama Papa Bubba Make story stones! Learn more from Happy Hooligans Related: Turn classic puppet show stories into story stones Sea Glass Chime! Learn more from All Snug as a Bug Nature Sensory Bottles! Learn More from Rhythms of Play Make a SIMPLE draw string bag with your kids to store these NATURAL WONDERS! Learning at Home: Everything you need in one place Don’t stress about Screen Time
Easy Fall Art Crafts for Preschool and Up I held onto summer for as long as I could, but the rain, cold, and gorgeous colors peeking through the trees have convinced me it’s ok to declare that fall is in the air! I’ve scoured the internet looking for the tastiest fall, pumpkin, leaf and fall themed goodies for you and your kids. Whether you are enjoying the sunshine for a few more weeks, or are already curled up by a fore with a hot delicious drink, these easy fall crafts and activity ideas are sure to delight! …Read More »
Thanksgiving Writing Prompts Thanksgiving Writing Prompts for Homeschoolers.While we do break free from our regular homeschooling routine during the holidays, it is important to continue writing:). Grab your free Notebooking Templates and have your child choose one of the Thanksgiving Writing Prompts Below (source: Alpha Omega Publications) Download Thanksgiving Printable Paper homeschool helpers printables Grab your pencil and put on your thinking cap! • On Thanksgiving, my family likes to… • If I had been a Pilgrim child on the very first Thanksgiving, I would have… • My favorite Thanksgiving memory is… • What I like/dislike about Thanksgiving is… • I think a turkey would/wouldn’t make a good pet because… • If I had been a Pilgrim travelling to America on the Mayflower, I would have taken along… • On Thanksgiving, it’s traditional for my family to… • The Pilgrims’ feast on the first Thanksgiving included… • The best thing the Indians did to help the Pilgrims was… • I am thankful for my family because… • When I think of Thanksgiving, I think about… • To make a great Thanksgiving turkey, you… • The first Thanksgiving I can remember was… • As I walked up to the table to share Thanksgiving with my family,… • My favorite part about Thanksgiving is… • To me, Thanksgiving symbolizes… • My perfect Thanksgiving meal would include… • Thanksgiving at Grandma’s house is… • Being thankful means… • I think brown and orange are Thanksgiving colors because… • The first Thanksgiving and today’s Thanksgiving are very similar/different because… More Thanksgiving Activities Here Thanksgiving Math, Reading, Science Activities for 3rd Grade 30 Thanksgiving Activities, Crafts, and Games for K-2nd Grade 21 Thanksgiving Math Activities for Kindergarten 4 Thanksgiving Jokes Solved with Divisibility Fall Math and Literacy Super Bundle- Grades K-2 Download your 44 Writing Ideas {Printable}
Teaching Kids to Write- One Day at a time Drum roll… My 3 biggest tricks for turning kids into writers are EASY Write and send paper letters- together Bring back letter openers There’s something magical about going to the mailbox and pulling out envelopes with handwriting on them. “I just got a letter?” This will take quite a bit of effort, but it is so worth it for your kids. Imagine the excitement of tearing open a letter and reading together over tea! Need to find a penpal for you and your kids? Hope Notes for Dakota Boys and GirlsPenpal SchoolsLetters to soldiersLetters to THEMSELVES in the future in a time capsule! Looking for some letter writing prompts? My friend, Let’s do it! Buy some cute stationary, some fun stamps and a letter opener and let us ‘correspond’ by mail!! Oh, you KNOW you want the thrill of opening your mailbox and finding a handwritten letter from me.I know I’d love to receive on from you as well. This beats text messages every day of the week! XOXO, me!! 2. Buy journals. Require 10-30 minutes of free unedited writing every day. Use timer. The only real rule… the pencils keep moving entire time. Drawing counts. So does writing in the sand with a stick So do random sentences like “ I don’t want to write today but I hav too keep my pencil moving. My little red pencil that I got from the doctors after I slipped and fell in the front yard and everyone thought I broke my foot. Nope. But I did a pencil out of it…” (mistakes were intentional on my part) 3. You must journal at the same time. Writing is a muscle. You can write and your kids need to see you holding a pencil too. While the kids are journaling, you write: letters, lists, cards, silly poems, etc. My favorite pencil sharpener of all time: demonstrated by my goofiest son. Adjust the daily time to meet age and ability. 10 minutes is a long time for a younger “I hate writing” person. So start low and add time. What can they write? The list is endless: lists, comics, drawings, describe something random, story, poem, rewrote their favorite picture book but change the place and characters and tweak the details to match the switch. Rules: Don’t edit journals. No spelling or punctuation or anything!Free and creative writing needs to flow without fear of being redirected. The best way to snuff out enthusiasm is to have a kids fill up a page or two and then correct it and make them rewrite. The first goal of writing is to write daily, grow to the ability to write freely, and to press into an idea. You know they are READY starting to learning the writing process when the timer goes off and they beg for a few minutes to finish their thought. Always give it those few minutes. Once you see them writing daily and diving in and chasing ideas, add another broken record saying. “Writing is a process. No one sits at a blank piece of paper and writes a perfect anything. Writing is a process.steps to a completed piece.” Then say things like, “You’ve already mastered and will keep practicing the first step in the process. Finding an idea and writing a rough draft. Let’s go a little bit further now.Start thinking about what you’ve written so far and let’s pick ONE of your ideas to push through the whole process.” Homeschool mom… You’ve got this. Pro-tip: Be a broken record about writing-Repeat the same sayings all through each week. “Writing is a muscle. It gets stronger as you exercise”. “What are the 3 Know-Knows of writing? Know the PURPOSE of each writing. Know your AUDIENCE. Know the specialized vocabulary for that piece of writing.” Writing muscles take a LONG time to develop. Daily practice is your best friend!
Memory for Kids: Building Better Minds! Mind Blown. The book that BLEW MY MIND About a month ago, ordered Limitless as an audiobook and devoured it on my daily walks. I am on a mission to walk 1,200 miles this year and one of the ways I stay motivated is to listen to audiobooks. I knew I was listening to GOLD. The BEST thing we can teach our kids is:*HOW to learn*HOW to remember*HOW to improve their reading speed and comprehension Walking in circles around the local football track, I became obsessed with the possibility that I could improve my own memory. I quickly invested in Jim’s Memory Masterclass and Kwik reading programs. I planned to try them for a week or two and get my money back if it wasn’t working. I figured I could race through, test to see if it was a scam, and then ask for a refund. NO WAY. I don’t want my money back!!!!! HUGE life changing is happening as I roll up my sleeve each day and read and study and YOU need to know about this today. Imagine beginning your day with your kids: 10-20 minute reading videos. I started doing this a with my youngest son. The results so far?My son is BLOWING me away. I knew he would. I told him he would… He’s dyslexic and I honestly believe he was boring his brain to death trying to read before… He went from 200 to 500 words per minute in a week… Now he is just barely getting started and has jumped from about 200 words per minute to over 500 words per minute! Me?I’ve stopped calling myself “Dory” from Finding Nemo and have embraced the truth that I can build a better brain.My reading speed has doubled, and we’re only a few lessons in to the Kwik Reading. I keep surprising myself with the memory tactics I’m learning in the full memory class as well. * Two days ago I learned 24 different meanings of the word fervent and know them backwards and forward.* I learned two Bible verses this morning while walking and listening to birds. Have you ever met someone new and forget their name within a few seconds? Me too! So we are working on learning the tactics to quickly and permanently remember names! * I memorized the Top 100 Male names and began teaching them to my 15 year old so we can become name learners together. Womens names are next on my agenda! I learned about Jim Kwik during an interview. He was a guest on a podcast with one of the doctors we follow online. I was mesmerized by Jim’s story and purchased his book while watching the interview. What if my short term memory issue could become a part of my past? What if you could really memor? Today, I am deep into this new land of brain super powers, neuroplasticity and so many other things I didn’t know I was missing. In days, this is the kind of progress I’ve made: I memorized my favorite poem, “Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” by William Wordsworth.I created an “imaginary news paper” in my mind so I can record what happens in my day, so when my husband comes home from work at night I can give him the highlights, rather than my typical “not much happened” answer.I find myself no longer saying, “I forgot.”Instead, I find myself saying, “I didn’t draw the memory on my mind well enough to remember; just a second.” Learning HOW to learn is unlocking things in my life that I never thought possible! My next personal goal is to go grocery shopping without a list with the confidence of knowing I will remember everything I need while I am still at the store! It’s a whole new world for me and I am diligently working on “infecting” each of the others in my family, plus anyone who will read or listen. In this world full of technology and digital overload, what of you could teach you and your kids to:: have a super power memoryquickly learn everything from vocabulary words to grocery listsbuild better recall of people’s names and eventsread faster and with much higher comprehension What if you really could unlock your memory, increase your reading by 25%-100% or more? Or like my son, increase reading speed by 150% in less than a week! Better yet…What if, like me, you can teach your kids to do it… Resources I’ve absorbed, invested in, and am devouring: Limitless, a book by Jim KwikMoonwalking with Einstein, by Joshua Foer (This book was mentioned in the Limitless book and I downloaded it and almost have it complete. Some language and suggestive language inside)Recall Masterclass by Jim KwikKwik Reading by Jim Kwik If I could rewind the clock and teach all five of my sons over again, I’d teach them how to read effectively and quickly, how to REMEMBER what they read, and how to learn anything. If your kids already know how to read, it’s a great time to begin learning and weaving these types of trainings into your day. Get excited and learn along with them and join me on this path of unlimiting our minds! PRINT THIS FREE HOMESCHOOL MOM REMINDER. This post comes with a free printable reminder list to help keep your heart focused on the heart of homeschooling. I always have the hardest staying focused. This printable simplifies it! Here is a sneak preview… DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PRINTABLE Download the checklist. You’ll get the printable, plus join 9,000+ homeschool moms who receive my weekly parenting tips and ideas!Print. Any paper will do the trick, but card stock would be ideal.Place it on your refrigerator as a helpful reminder.
7 Easy Thanksgiving Desserts that Kids Will be Proud to Make Inside: Thanksgiving Desserts for kids and made by kids. Important: Keep kids safe in the kitchen! When teaching kids to cook, don’t forget to make sure they master Turkey Tetris. Seriously. Nothing makes you aware of how blessed you are like having to move a bunch of food around so you can fit an over-sized bird in your refrigerator. Remember- Your kids WANT to help when they are little. I think one of the the biggest mistakes we make is how we respond to the question, “Mommy, can I help?” “No, sweetie, go play while mommy cleans up/makes dinner/folds laundry.” When kids are 3-years old, we know that “let me make eggs” means they run to the fridge, open the door and break 11 eggs on the floor before we can stop them. But, this stage- the “can I help” stage is where the magic of raising wonderfully helpful teens happens. Answers to the question: Can I help? Absolutely! Yes! Here are your very own rubber gloves to protect your hands while you do dishes. Oh, thank you! Go get your apron. Pretty please! I need help making dinner. Of course! Many hands make light work! How would you like to help me? I was hoping you’d ask! Which job should mommy do, and which job should you do? Sure! Do you want to be the boss or the helper? Helping around the house should be fun, natural and expected. Create a special playlist that tune in kids to the fact that it’s time to cook, time to sweep, time to fold. Relationships aren’t built over coffee at a cafe; relationships are built over piles of dirty dishes and mounds of laundry. Food. It’s a BIG deal. We have encouraged our five sons to help in the kitchen from the time before they could walk (think-rolling high chair). I remember the first time my oldest son decided to make eggs for the family. “I make eggs!” I tried to beat the little squirt to the fridge, but the 3-year old had broken a dozen eggs on the kitchen floor before I could stop him. He beamed with pride. While I always had kids open cans, dice veggies, and stir pots of delicious foods, my husband is truly the brilliance behind teaching my sons how to run a kitchen. Kids love to help in the kitchen. All five of our sons can cook to some degree or another. We even have their favorite “fails”- like chili. … Read More »
22 Simple Manners Every Kid Should Know By High School Has this ever happened to you? You beam with pride with joy at how wonderful, caring, and thoughtful your kids are; and without warning, they prove your heart wrong. Before you beat yourself up for being a terrible mom, Before I drag my ungrateful son away from his new pile of gifts, I need to tell us something. They’re kids. … Read More »
7 Patriotic 4th of July Activities for Preschoolers Celebrate Independence Day with these amazing 4th of July Activities for Preschoolers! Because they’ll LOVE them all!! Have a red, white, and blue fashion show! Kids will love throwing together wild and patriotic clothing combinations and come strutting through the room to make you smile. Build a float and march in a parade (or down the street) 4 of our five sons The first year we lived in a small town in California, we decided to enter the boys in the 4th of July parade. Can you believe they won 1st prize? One of the boys is riding his bike ahead. It was all decked out with red, white, and blue party streamers. We created a tank by wrapping our wagon with spray painted cardboard and stuck our preschooler in the driver’s seat (secret plan to keep him busy). The air is sucked from my lungs as I see my oldest son in my hubby’s Navy dress uniform. That’s the same uniform my husband wore to our wedding! Make 4th of July Pinwheels! These pinwheels make great cupcake toppers or party picks, and with the awesome 4th of July ribbons from the Ribbon Retreat, they will add some fun and festive flair to your next patriotic gathering! 4th of July Printables get yours here This 16 page fun and engaging reader is just the ticket to help your preschoolers dive into the 4th of July! Your preschoolers wil: Trace say and trace the sight words they will find in their readerColor and read their bookinteract with each word inside the readerFall in love with reading 4th of July books F is for Flag Every day seems like Flag Day. Perfect for reading together with a young child, F Is for Flag shows in simple terms how one flag can mean many things: a symbol of unity, a sign of welcome, and a reminder that-in good times and in bad-everyone in our country is part of one great big family. Red, White, and BOOM! It’s the Fourth of July! Travel across the country for a city parade, a beach picnic, and fireworks in the park in this poetic celebration of the many cultures and traditions that make America’s birthday BOOM! I Spy July the 4th A Is For America! A Fun Fourth of July National Patriotic Holiday Guessing Game Gift for … Preschoolers and Toddlers! 4th of July Activity Book Beautiful projects appropriate for child ages 6 -12.Printed on a high quality paper.80 Pages various activities for children 4th of July Gross Motor Boom! Crash! Fireworks! Great games by Preschool Plan it! The children pretend to be fireworks! When you yell “BOOM” they start making fireworks movements and sounds and when you yell “CRASH” they fall to the floor! EXTENSION: Give the children colored dancing scarves to use during this! Fence Weaving Image and Activity from Centers and Circle time This is the simplest activity, but it is wonderfully entertaining. Materials needed: FenceRed, white, and blue streamersAdorable kids Patriotic Windsock Craft Craft by All Kids Network “This craft would make a great gift for a Veteran or a 4th of July decoration. Wrap red, white, and blue yarn around a toilet paper roll to form patriotic stripes. Then have your child help you fold a sheet of paper to make rows of stars reminiscent of paper dolls. The paper folding can be a lesson on the term “half”, since you will be folding the paper in half 4 times!” Summertime FUN from my friend Amy with Planning Playtime!! Preschool summer theme Summer continues with our most favorite summer theme!Enjoy pool noodle sight words, flip flop matching, and pool noodle tallies. Preschool Camping theme Letter Matching Smore’s, Tent Patterns, and, Alphabet Hunt Bag, and 10 Frame activities! Space theme The Space theme is packed full of learning fun like marshmallow constellations, 10 Frame moon rock counting, and space play dough patterns. What’s your favorite activity to help preschoolers celebrate summer and the 4th of July? More preschool FUN The BEST list of delightful books for preschoolers and their parents Preschool at Home- MAGIC Easy Preschool Crafts and Activities
How to make a fan cooler Free Printable for your fridge! Fun Science projects: How to Make a Fan Cooler! How to make a fan coolerMake an Easy Air Conditioner DIY Air Conditioners Home Cool Down Tips If cool in morning, open all windows and cool off houseUse fans to keep air circulatingKeep curtains and shades closedUse dehumidifier if humidDo not use oven Keep People Cool Wear lightweight breathable clothingKeep clothes on!Cold bath for feetCool showers/bathsCold wash rags held to neckStay indoorsStick to the shadeDrink lots of cold drinksEat cold/cool foodsKeep a pack of wet wipes in the fridge – wipe your neck, face, hands and pressure points Pets need to stay cool Never leave your pet in a parked carUse cooling collarLimit exerciseProvide shade and waterMake pet pop cycles Food Ideas for HOT days Do meal prepping when weather is cooler!Frozen fruitTaco saladGreek chicken pitasAntipasto saladRolled sandwich meat, cheese, fruitCold sandwichesCerealYogurt with fruitWatermelonCarrots, celery, and veggie trayTuna saladDeli wrapsIce cream & pop-cyclesCold pasta saladsBLTA (cook bacon in cool of the day!) Seriously! Ways to Entertain kids Long cool baths with toysMovie marathonIndoor forts with fansMovie theaterLong drives in ACSwimming after heat of the day passes: SUNSCREEN!! Dream About SNOW? YES!! printable fun Perfect for distraction from the heat! Activities Included in this pack: KWL Chart about snowMy Weather ReportThe color of snow readingComprehension questions: The color of snowThe Sound of Snow readingSound of snow mazeTypes of snow readingFill in the blank: Types of snowSnowfall, Snow-cover, and formations vocabulary (3 pages)Crossword: Snowfall, Snow-cover, and FormationsAvalanche ReadingTips to Surviving an Avalanche Flip-ableWilson “snowflake” Bentley?Comprehension Questions: Snowflake BentleyMake paper snowflakesSnowflake Sudoku
Homeschool Mom- Printable Bingo Game Free There is no right or wrong way to be a great homeschool mom. You already qualify as the best teacher and mentor on the planet for your kids. No one else cares as much about their success as you! Instead of being too hard on ourselves, let’s have a little fun. Invite a friend to Play Homeschool Mom Bingo! Print your gameMark off the ones you’ve completedShare the fun with friends! Need help completing a square? 1. Turns baking into science “Believe it or not, cooking and baking can be great teaching tools. You know what I always say….“Science is everywhere!” You may be wondering how spending an afternoon baking chocolate chip cookies can relate to math and science. Then again, you may not care if the end result is cookies. Let’s go over the super important sounding words that are at the heart of learning in the kitchen.” 2. Buys copy paper by the case 3. Homeschool Master Goals Established… check! 4. Follows 2+ Homeschool bloggers Ok, this one is subjective. If you are lucky enough to have homeschooling friend’s next door, like I did when I first began homeschooling you may not need to follow a homeschool blogger. There are many, many, many moms (like me) who share their homeschool journey through their own blogs. My favorite homeschool bloggers: Amy with Planning Playtime has amazing preschool goodiesAna with They Call Me BlessedGena with Music in Our HomeschoolKelly with Happy You, Happy Family (not a homeschool blog… but she sees you through your screen)Don’t forget A Better Way to Homeschool (That’s me) 5. Asks homeschool questions in FB group Come join Our Lives as Homeschool Moms! If you ask 100 homeschoolers a question, you will get 137 different answers. I may be a bit biased, but this little corner of the internet is the most encouraging I’ve found! 6. Owns a FANTASTIC pencil sharpener Worth every penny My husband doesn’t understand. He laughed when I told him how much I spent on this bad boy. But it’s a life changer. It treats expensive, wonderful, quality pencils and cheap, peeling, “can’t hold their lead” pencils equally and without prejudice. I will almost never say what I am about to say, but I can’t help myself. Go buy yourself a Carl Angel 5 Pencil Sharpener right now. 7. Knows That LEARNING is the goal, not page numbers What does successful homeschooling look like? You’re gonna want this printable for your fridge. 8. Attends 1+ online or in-person homeschool conference After I attended my first homeschool conference, I was hooked with connecting with other homeschool moms. Especially older homeschoolers. There’s something magical about gleaning hard earned wisdom from people a little farther ahead of you than you are today. Pro-tip: Make it a goal to find one GOLDEN nugget (wisdom, advice, or resource) from any conference you attend. It only takes one to make the whole conference worth your time and money! Online conferences worth attending at least once: Charlotte Mason Inspired All Kerry’s Conferences and Workshops are amazing! 9. Knows where to ask MATH questions I highly recommend collecting mathematicians for your homeschool journey. Yes, you’ll want a math roadmap, but sometimes you just need someone to explain things to you. While I’ve collected a few math whizzes in my time homeschooling, I’ve also found some amazing YouTube teachers! Organic Chemistry Tutor! Wow this guy has made a huge difference for usMath Antics: Clear and easy to followMath and Science: My personal favorite. He helped me remember how to do all the math things I forgot! 10. Has books in EVERY room of the house Adoring books may be the one common trait of homeschool moms! 120 Classics to read This is the Best List of Delightful Books for Preschoolers (and their Parents) 11. Ignores the “you should” comments Everyone on the planet will give you advice about homeschooling. You’ll want to quickly learn to fine-tune who you collect advice from. Years ago, a friend taught me to inspect the life of the person who is freely giving me advice before listening. 12. New BUG? Homeschool moms can turn anything into a learning activity, but the best homeschool moms hide the truth that kids are learning. Their kids believe they play all day! Discovers new bugcollects itturns into science lesson for the week 13. Trains CHARACTER 14. Buys or creates printables 15. Confident that art, music, dance, and LEGOs are important 16. Loses sleep while thinking about teaching kids 17. Sometimes feels alone and overwhelmed 18. Sometimes feels alone and overwhelmed 19. Googles “how to make learning FUN” 20. Looking for affirmation that she’s on right track 21. Has thought it might be easier if they go to school-school 22. Has gifts and abilities she wants to use in teaching but doesn’t know how
Ways to Say Happy Father’s Day Husband Let’s join our kids and celebrate their father with these fun ways to say Happy Father’s Day Husband to their dad! Let’s get creative this year and celebrate Father’s Day, with FUN and creative ways to Say Happy Father’s Day. Sure, the mud pie and t-shirt with handprints are amazing, but so are these! 5 Amazing Gift Ideas for Father’s Day 1. Camping Gifts for Dad Camping Gifts for Dad Maybe it the fact that being dirty is just part of the fun, but most kids LOVE camping with their dads! Help their next camp out be amazing. Fun camping gifts HammockGreat multi-toolGloves with flashlights in the fingers! 2. Father’s Day from Bump From your little bump If you’re expecting, your husband may still feel like a deer in the headlights. Help him feel extra special with a fun gift from that moving bump! 3. Best Dad By Par Best dad by par If your hubby loves golf, he’s gonna love these. 4. Cycling Gifts for Dad Cycling Gifts for Dad These are my personal favorites, because all five of our sons enjoy biking with their dad. They can’t revisit the feel of hero dirt! Hero Theme to help celebrate dad! 5. Ways to Make Dad a Homeschool Lesson Interview himCreate a Power point presentation “My Dad”Oh! How about a a secret message with your own special code that he will need to break to readMake a dad collage! Have dad lay down on butcher paper and trace his body. Yes, kids LOVE this one. Then color, decorate, or label with all the things dad loves!Print, cut, color, and create your own keepsake craft while sharpening fine-motor skills Get your kit here There are many, many ways to let your husband know how important he is in the live of your children. Father’s Day can get overlooked because it falls right after the school year ends and all the kids scatter into doing summery things. Take some time to pause and celebrate Father’s Day for and with your husband! More about Fathers Dad’s Role in Homeschooling: The Powerful Man Behind the Scenes
Best Photo Bombs- Homeschool Siblings and Family Photos Do you see what I see? I’m not sure what you think about photo bombs. But this one makes me so happy. Lol. …Read More »
Homeschool Life Win #197 As our kids spread their wings and catch flight, it can take our breath away.It’s what we want. We teach them to read and to calculate the best deals at the grocery store, and at some point it happens. They find their sweet spot. It’s incredibly humbling to hand dinner to someone you’ve birthed, taught, raised, and mentored and to see an accomplished adult looking back at you. LUCK? It’ll take your breath away! Nope. It’s days, weeks, months, and years of mentoring, guiding, correcting, training, and… letting go. It will look different for each and every one of our children.But that swelling feeling of warmth that fills our hearts and brings color to our cheeks will be the same. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been watching one of my sons soar. He launched his little shop and is daily releasing art that he’s been working on for months. It’s absolutely incredible to watch as he, “does what he said he was going to do”. Being the mom of an artist, I’ve listened to countless dreams, ideas, and plans… But now I get the double joy of watching his talent being unveiled. WOW! Let me give you a glimpse of what can happen when kids are given time and space to develop their talents. https://www.redbubble.com/people/TheSaylerMan/shop But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Where did this very talented man begin his journey to success? With a medical challenge that required HUGE surgeries every few years until he was 10 years old. Wasn’t he adorable? Medical issues that still cause him to develop grit Potty trained at 4-years old (because surgeries kept causing all progress to be lost as he lay in hospital beds”. He didn’t read well until he was 8 (He was one of five of the delayed readers in my home) When taking standardized tests, he simply created patterns with the little bubbles. Creative FANCY patterns. We’d fight over math. A lot. Eventually, I got him math teachers because I loved him too much to fight over my inability to teach him math in a way he could understand. He found a love for performing on stage in 8th grade. He began writing a book in 8th grade that eventually turned into a full screenplay in college and morphed to his passion project. ONE day before the production of a feature film project was to begin, the world shut down and he found himself staring at a project that could NOT be done due to pandemic. He moped for a bit, and I told him to think outside the box. Maybe there was something there that was hidden. (YES. I take credit for the next one. lol) He turned that feature film into a full 22 minute animated film. HAND DRAWING thousands of frames in a few weeks. He teamed together with other film students and produced and incredible little film that will make you cry when it’s released. A letter to you from me… Mom, Your child may be struggling to learn to tie their shoes today. Maybe they can’t hold a pencil correctly or write a complete sentence.It’s ok. Keep loving on your kids. Teach them HOW to learn. Marinate them in more books than you think they should read.Give them magic markers and let them draw. Turn on music and let them dance.Give them a guitar and let them play. Provide Legos and time to build. Let them learn to write computer programs. Someday, not too far in the future, you will hand them a dinner plate and you will see an amazing adult looking back at you. Every ounce of effort, love, time, and attention you put toward their life and education is worth it. xoxoBekki PS- This is the FUN part of homeschooling. Come follow Micah… Update! I’m going to be a Mother-in-love AGAIN!!! We’re delighted!! Focus on the heart, character, and attitude of your kids 99.8% more than academics… It may not make life easier, but it will make life RICHER! Get my book today!
Teaching Kid to Study More Effectively What does this list of words have to do with studying? Fire HydrantBalloonsBatteriesbarrelsurf boarddiamondknightoxtoothpasteneon sign Here’s a weird little story. Try not to cringe. My 15-year old added some details. You are standing next to a fire hydrant. Not just any fire hydrant, but a huge red one big enough for Clifford the Big Red Dog to pee on.Out of no where, someone comes and ties a big RED balloon onto the hydrant and then adds many more balloons to the bundle. So many balloons that the hydrant pulls out of the ground and begins floating away.WHOA!Out of nowhere, energizer bunny batteries come flying through the air and begin popping the balloons. Oh no! Where are those batteries coming from?You look down and see a huge wooden barrel firing batteries faster than you thought possible. Squinting you look at the side of the barrel and see the picture of a surf board.What’s that you see? A diamond is rolling down the surfboard! The biggest, brightest, most beautiful diamond you’ve ever seen is rolling down the surf board!BOOM!The diamond hits a knight in shining armor in the head and knocks him unconscious.Don’t worry! Paul Bunyan is walking by with Babe, his big blue ox. The ox begins licking the knight back to consciousness.Confused, the knight blinks awake and is startled to see a big ox standing above him. He’s confused because the ox is covered with toothpaste!Overjoyed about being awakened, the knight licks the toothpaste off of the ox’s side and reveals a neon sign that is blinking. “YOU Win!!!” Can you retell the story? Can you recite the list of words? Do it now. Then be amazed…
Character Training Resources are in HIGH Demand! My boys will fight over blueberries, Legos and who gets to be the most gentleman-ly boy. Today, we entered the gauntlet of doors at our dentists office. There are three doors to open and they fought over who got to open which door AND almost killed me in the process. LOL. You should have seen the girls behind the desk. Are you in the same boat? If you have sons, are your holding on to your sanity as you raise up the next generation of godly men? Boys test our grit. If your sons are near the age of 12 you may be surprised at the thoughts that go through your mind. Related: All five of my sons were lucky to survive 12… just being real. I have thousands of readers with daughters and yet I’m still looking for bits of wisdom to pass on. Do you have any nuggets of wisdom for raising godly women? I was chatting with a mom this morning about our kids. She was trying to make sense of our family’s stance on dating. It seemed so foreign, strange, and crazy that none of our sons date. Oh, they’re social and have lots of friends. The girls think they are super cute and the boys have to be creative in keeping them at bay… But they don’t date. It’s so odd to the world. Funny, that’s how it should be. Our kids, our families, our lives shouldn’t fit in. Our 20-year old was cussed out at college and called horrific names because he opened the door for a young woman who had her arms full.His offensive crime? He saw she had her hands full, so he opened the door. Gasp. After he told her to have a wonderful day (sincerely) a group of boys said, “dude… you have guts. I’d never open the door for a girl here!” How sad. When did it become wrong, bad, or offensive to be kind, considerate, and a gentleman?When did it become weak, bad, or scandalous for a woman to accept assistance from a …….MAN? Related: 22 Simple manners Kids should know by the time they graduate high school I’m rambling a bit. We need to be strong when raising up our sons and daughters. The world needs men and women of God who are not afraid to be men and women of God. How will they know what that means if they are not taught? How can we teach them if we weren’t taught ourselves? There are some INCREDIBLE goodies for you to grab before the BYB goes away. REAL MEN 101: GODLY MANHOOD GOD’S GIRLS 101: GROW IN CHRIST There is so much inside this year’s Build your own bundle. You’re gonna need a cup of tea, a chunk of time, and a printable to help you. Related: Homeschool Goals Planner to help sort through the Build Your Own Bundle Where do I begin with the Build Your Own Bundle? Grab your free planner Decide how many products you want from the bundle Choose the best option for you: This year, you can add ANY product (excluding the mystery bundle & premium products) as long as the retail value is $100 or more. Now, here’s the really cool part! $100 retail = you pay $25$200 retail = you pay $40$340 retail = you pay $60$800 retail = you pay $80 The more you add to your bundle the BETTER the savings! Again, the flexibility of this makes it totally WORTH IT! Build Your Bundle sale ends 5/22/19. #BYB2019 (referral) –>> https://www.buildyourbundle.com/#a_aid=ABW&a_bid=d82325b2 Time to save hundreds of dollars on next year’s homeschool curriculum and resources! The Build Your Bundle sale begins on May 15th, but you can enter now for your chance to win ALL 15 bundles in this year’s sale. Plus more great prizes will be awarded from May 15th-22nd, so head over now! Show me this year’s BYB!!! #BYB2019 Enter here for your chance to win BIG this year from Build Your Bundle. Two winners will receive ALL 15 Bundles, plus daily prizes awarded May 15th-22nd for more than $5000 in total prizes! “I discovered Build Your Bundle four years ago, and it has made a world of difference in our homeschool journey! My kids LOVE being able to pick what they want to learn about and how they want to learn about it, as well as having such a wide variety of options to choose from. We’ve grown from elementary to middle school with BYB, and we wait anxiously every year for it to roll around. This was an incredible way for us to learn about new companies, authors, blogs, and opportunities for us as a homeschooling family. We discovered Mystery of History, How Great Though Art, A Journey Through Learning, and Amanda Bennett through BYB, as well as dozens of other great authors and resources. Plus, the cost is so much less than buying traditional curriculum. For a family on a budget, you can’t beat it! And if you’re trying to find new ways to learn and grow, then this is a sale that can’t be missed!” April D. – South Carolina, USA Make Learning Basic Math Facts a Breeze Free Copy of My book Successful Homeschooling: What if… 97+ Amazing Ways to Make Math Fun for Our Kids Need Help Finding Real Scholarships?
MouthWatering Pizza Dough Recipes Pizza… oh pizza:) I have has pizza every Friday Night since my childhood. My parents took us out for pizza every week and I loved it. Family time, pizza, the simple pause in everyone’s week to gather. It’s a tradition I carried into marriage and it still is a highlight of our week. I’m not sure when I began making pizza rather than ordering out. Maybe 25 years ago? I probably started with those Boboli pizza crusts and packs from the grocery store. We all have to start somewhere! I upped my pizza skills when a friend sold me Pampered Chef Pizza stones. You don’t need them to make pizza, but they are worth the investment. I’ve made BBQ pizza on the grill, pizza in small wood fire box that cooks the dough in 90 seconds, and in the oven. Yes, my husband bought us a ROCCBOX as a kickstart supporter! This baby cooks pizzas in 90 seconds! Perfect for entertaining! Our current recipe uses 100year old sourdough starter, gifted from a friend. When she handed me the containers, I was blessed she thought of us. But it wasn’t until I asked for help with using the starter that I learned it was a family sourdough starter passed down for over 100 years! If you can get your hands on a sourdough starter this is wonderful. Yes, you can begin one EASILY. 2 cups proofed starter1 tsp salt1/2 cup water3 cups organic flour2 Tbsp oil (not olive) Love your dough. This life-changing dough video is how I make my doughs. MixForm ballCoverLet rise (I usually let mine rest and rise for 6 hours+) Preheat oven to 475If you have stones, let them heat in oven! Break into balls and roll into pizza shape. That recipe makes about 3-4 balls of dough. I double the recipe for my crew.Lay on parchment paper. Top with favorites.Bake 15-ish minutes.Yum!! Related: One of my sons did a Chemistry of pizza presentation years ago. No sourdough starter? This was my go-to Pizza dough for years: Dissolve 1 Tbsp oil, 1Tbsp yeast, 1 tsp sugar in 1 cup lukewarm warm waterWait until frothyAdd 2-2.5 cups flour & 1tsp salt Roll outLay in parchment paper.Top with favorites! 475 degrees, 22ish minutes Enjoy Pizza making is an art and your ability to make, roll, and understand the texture of dough takes practice. Weather, humidity and elevation have always effected my doughs. Always start with less flour than needed, so you can add more if necessary. And seriously, use this video to help you love your dough. Want to make dough with me? I recorded the process on Facebook a while back. Part One: Getting the dough ready Part 2: Rolling the dough and topping
Zoom Backgrounds for Teachers My kids are always scrambling to find a new background for their next zoom class or meetings. I think it’s a simple way to spice things up in a world that is becoming more and more comfortable working, teaching, and learning at home. A creative virtual backdrop can be more than entertaining; they can be a stress reliever too! No last minute scramble to tidy up those stray toysLaundry can wait until after you’re done with your classYou can enjoy living in a virtual dream home Great zoom backgrounds are bright, crisp, and clean. They’re like your Sunday Best outfit, only for your computer screen. Every day, my son is quizzed by his calculus professor, looking for a good joke. This professor knows that laughing releases “feel good” hormones from your brain and sets you up for learning. It’s kind of a sneaky pro tip for teachers… make them laugh. I create zoom backgrounds that not only allow you ignore your laundry for a little bit longer, but actually add room for creativity and fun with subtle message changes from one image to the next. Zoom makes it easy to switch out your background. Who needs clean, crisp, professional zoom backdrops? Honestly, anyone who meets online for work or school. People react differently to you based on what’s in the background. Who wants to live here? You can virtually! Give it a try! 4 stunning backdrops for everydayFunny zoom backdrops to make people laughBackdrops specifically for teachers; filled with affirmationsFunny math teacher backgrounds In case you’re wondering… yes, I do custom backdrops too.