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Life Changing Books Every Homeschool Parent MUST Read

This is a collection of the best homeschool books for parents collected from hundreds of moms and dads online! These book recommendations are from Homeschoolers in the trenches.

Is your favorite on the list?

…

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Filed Under: blog, popular

10 Ways to Homeschool with JUNK MAIL!

Let’s cut the strings of traditional curriculum and lean into the love of leanring!

When those magazines and catalogs come in the mail, turn them in to homeschooling GOLD.

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Filed Under: blog, popular

Many Homeschoolers are Delayed Readers Too

Inside: Ways to inspire your late reader. {Plus free cheatsheet}

All FIVE of our sons were delayed Learners

#1 Son

  • Didn’t talk until he was four
  • Couldn’t read until he was six
  • Wouldn’t drive until he turned 19…

    Read More »

Filed Under: blog, popular, sticky Tagged With: reading, reading and writing, reading late, reluctant reader, Uncategorized

Creativity and Boredom

Inside: Free boredom Buster Ideas {Printable}
My dad always said creativity and imagination lived just on the other side of boredom.

I used to think that was so stupid.

Sorry, dad.

Then I grew up.

collage of kids being creative, kid in sheet fort reading, kids hands with paper crafts, girl in fort using telescope

…

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Filed Under: blog, popular Tagged With: boredom, creativity and imagination in kids, video

How to Homeschool When that First homeschool Year is a Flop

Sifting through my emails over coffee reading through questions form homeschool moms.

  • How do you get kids to read?
  • How do I teach kids respect for others and themselves?
  • How do teach a child to write?

And then my heart sunk. This one wasn’t a question, but an exhale of defeat from a mom who just began my free Homeschooling with confidence class.

 

 “My homeschool year was a flop”.

…

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Filed Under: Blog, popular, sticky Tagged With: homeschool, homeschool mom

How to Turn Homeschool Frustration into Joy and Learning

Dear homeschool mom,

Don’t homeschool. I’m not kidding.

Yes,  kids need to read and write and solve basic math problems, but they don’t need school at home.

They need to have plenty of time to run, jump, slide, swing, lay, laugh, build, and rest.

Related: building toys

Give them time to be bored, time to think, time to day dream.

Don’t give them workbooks, worksheets, and hours of assignments.

Instead, give them LESS.

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Filed Under: blog, Homeschool Hacks, popular, Ready to go Resources

You Don’t Need to Apologize for Raising Kids In a Greenhouse

It’s not fair.


When you dedicate your life to raising your kids and personally stay at home to make sure their needs are met, you are like a master gardener inside a greenhouse.


Greenhouses are safe and controlled environments which provide optimum conditions for seeds to grow.

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Filed Under: blog, Mom Solutions, popular, slider, sticky

Easy Survival Tips for Living with a 12-Year Old Boy

 
Inside: The secret to surviving life with your hormonal 12-year old boy and 3 must reads if you’re raising boys.  {PLUS Free Raising Sons Cheatsheet}

My 12-year old boy almost died today. 

That’s right, I almost killed him.

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Filed Under: character training, Mom Solutions, popular, sticky Tagged With: 12 year old boy, Emotional Boys, popular, video

Easy Kitchen Chemistry Experiments

Science in the kitchen is a sure fire combination to draw your kids right into the depths of science.

It’s kind of like cheating!

Fizzics Brings so many fun Chemistry Experiments right into your kitchen

Create a growing carbon sugar snake with simple ingredients. A science activity for the adults to try that demonstrates combustion & chemistry for kids.

Create fireworks in a glass! This colorful science activity is highly popular with kids and can be used look at buoyancy, density and surface tension.

A simple color change in the kitchen! Simply grab a lemon and a mug of tea to explore kitchen chemistry that you can drink afterwards 🙂

The gummy bear osmosis experiment is perfect for variable testing! Learn how to design a simple kitchen chemistry activity that explores how water moves.

The Chemistry of Pizza, by my son

This was such a great project! Not only did he learn about all the chemical reactions taking place while making pizza, he taught me how to make my famous pizza dough even better!

Get Creative in the Kitchen!

Buy now

America’s Test Kitchen Kids brings delicious science to your kitchen! Over 75 kid-tested, kid-approved recipes and experiments teach young chefs about the fun and fascinating science of food. This is the fourth book in the New York Times bestselling cookbook series for Young Chefs.

collage view of kitchen chemistry books for kids
So many amazing picks!!

Filed Under: blog, popular

97+ Amazing Ways to Make Math Fun for Our Kids

Inside: A master list of simple, inexpensive, and fun ways to teach all the basic math principles your kids need to thrive. PLUS- Free Math Roadmap

Most homeschoolers overcomplicate math with fancy curriculum, worksheets, quizzes, stop-watches and tests. We choose to be different!

Before you scroll, get your free gift

Stripping math back to its basic foundational core, we can set our kids up for success in life by giving them a solid foundation with allows them to add, subtract, multiply, divide, count, measure, weigh, and estimate.

Pickin’ Cute!!!
…

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Filed Under: blog, Homeschool Hacks, popular, Ready to go Resources, sticky Tagged With: Fine Motor Skills, math, Math art, Math facts, Patterning and sorting, teach addition and subtraction

Successful Homeschooling: What if…

What if by the time you finish teaching your kids…

    • They are kind.
    • They are confident.
    • They look people in the eye when spoken to.
    • They befriend the new kids.
What if:
    • They put down their phone when others are in the room.
    • They are strong and hard working.
    • They know how to cook, chop wood and change the oil on a car.
    • They are compassionate and caring.
    • They LOVE to read and devour the written word.
    • They never text and drive
…

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Filed Under: Blog, popular, sticky Tagged With: a better way to homeschool, curriculum, free email class, homeschool, homeschool freebies, how to homeschool, popular, teaching

10 of the BEST Homeschool Subscription Boxes for your Kids

Inside: Top picks for homeschool subscription boxes by moms like you. These subscriptions will spice up your homeschool

Travel to the future with me, and let’s give each other a virtual high five today.

Ready?

best subscription boxes for kids
HIGH FIVE

There are two boxes and an envelope on the kitchen table for your child.

YOU are so excited, you can’t contain yourself.

Related: Learning by Surprise Enhances Memory

You close your eyes and think to yourself:

  • “Don’t say they’re for school!”
  • “Don’t say they’re educational!”
  • “Don’t say they’ll be fun learning lessons!”

You are squirming with excitement, because you know your child is holding the future in their hands and waiting with anticipation for the go ahead to peek inside.

Yes!!

They hold up one of the boxes.

“This one?”

YOU: Not, yet.

They try to hide disappointment, and hold the the other box.

“This one?”

best subscription boxes for kids
What’s inside?!?!?

YOU: Maybe you should open the envelope first.
((Insert wink.))

They tear open the paper and read, “You are about to get a glimpse of the future. Something that will some to you every month for the rest of next year!!!”

At this point, tell them to pause while you get another cup of tea or coffee and ask them to guess what’s inside.

YOU: What do you think it could be?

((Insert virtual high-five here))

They are so excited, they can barely contain themselves.

What is in the boxes?

💛 Excitement
💛 Curiosity
💛 Fine motor Development
💛 FUN

How is this possible?

best subscription boxes for kids
Something for everyone

Related: Learning by Surprise Enhances Memory

I polled hundreds of homeschool moms and compiled their favorites list of kits into a list for you.

My own 15-year old gets the Kiwi Co Tinker Crate each month. When it arrives, he places it on the ottoman and waits for the end of the day.

That evening, he opens the box with great fanfare, making sure his DAD sees and is equally impressed. Then he gets building.

  • Careful reading of instructions
  • Fine motor development
  • Engineering and design
  • Problem solving and math skills

Those are the words we HIDE AWAY from his ears and replace them with

  • WOW!
  • FUN!
  • Let me see.

MAGIC.

You have time to make this happen. Most kits take a few weeks to get to you and there is one for almost every kind of child and passion.

Just be stealthy and I promise…

…I won’t spoil the surprise.


Food for thought: These make GREAT gifts for people in nursing homes too!!

Quick Links to the top Homeschool Subscription Boxes

  • Green Kid Crafts
  • KiwiCo
  • Mel Science
  • Bitsbox
  • Ivy Kids
  • Young Woodworkers
  • Let’s Make Art
  • Rock By Rock
  • Raddish
  • Letter from Afar
  • Highlights
  • Little Passports
  • Think Outside
  • Craftsman Crate
  • Sensory Therapy Play Box
  • BarkBox
  • DIY Preschool Earth Box Plan
  • DIY ABCs of God Plan
Free Science for three months from Mel Science? Here’s how you register!

When you really want to know what’s best you ask the experts, right?Kids LOVE getting stuff in the mail! Surprise them with a special gift – A subscription box just for THEM! Perfect for birthdays, holidays and more!

But, if you’re like me you’re wondering which are the BEST Subscription Boxes for kids.

So I asked all the moms On our Facebook page:

I’m looking for subscription box and membership ideas for homeschoolers.

Most subscription boxes are chosen to meet a specific need, want, or interest. Throw in the fact that you don’t need to look for duct tape, buttons, or instructions for how to whip together something cool and BOOM. Your kids will think you’re the coolest mom on the planet.

Not sure which boxes will best fit your family? That’s exactly why I asked a few dozen of my homeschooling friends.

Check out all the AMAZING subscription boxes other Homeschool Moms love.


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Filed Under: blog, popular, Ready to go Resources, slider, sticky

The Carl Angel 5 Pencil Sharpener- My Top Pick

Worth every single dollar.

Bonus points if you can name the movie he’s quoting!

…

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Filed Under: blog, Homeschool Must Haves, popular, sticky Tagged With: pencil sharpener

Gingerbread Man Printable Unit

Fun filled Centers and Worksheets for your Preschool Gingerbread Man Printables. Kids will love these hands-on learning games and activities that work on counting, number formation and order, letter recognition, patterns and more.

84 Pages of Fun Printables in this Set!!

Get Your copy today

This Gingerbread Man Printables set also includes 15 no-prep worksheets that reinforce scissor practice, tracing, letters, numbers, patterns and more. These are print and go printables that are great for last minute sub plans or extra practice.

This unit includes:

  • 16 Hands-on, Interactive Math and Literacy Centers
  • 15 No-Prep Extra Practice Worksheets

Make lessons more memorable by adding Taste and Smell and all the senses!

Here are some DELICIOUS ways to spice up learning.

  1. Prepare your printable goodies for your preschoolers!

2. Whip up a batch of gingerbread cookies together.

gingerbread cookies
The Pioneer Woman to the rescue!

3. Learn the history of gingerbread. Answer the question, “What’s a fairing?”

4. Peek at the LARGEST gingerbread house.

5. Ooh and Ahhh over the delicious creations of the National Gingerbread Competition!

6. Make a gingerbread paper village! Your older kids will LOVE this craft.

Download your fun craft

7. Grab a few cookies and enjoy a traditional story together!

Watch this Read Aloud Here

Filed Under: blog, Popular, popular, Preschool Printables Tagged With: fine motor, gingerbread, preschool

Christmas Activities: Build Your Own Christmas Tree Game

Christmas is that wonderful time of year that delights our souls, causes us to wonder and distracts the daylights out of our kids. The best way to grab their attention during Christmas and the whole advent season is to improvise.


This Christmas Activity is guaranteed to make them smile!!

Christmas Activity Preschool
Buy Now

Easy to Play

…

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Filed Under: blog, popular, Preschool Printables, sticky

Pincer Grasp Activities for Fine Motor Development

Your son is using all of his fingers to rake small items into his palm rather than pinching them together with his thumb and index finger.

Your daughter is choking her crayons rather than carefully holding them between her fingers.

Maybe your kids need some help strengthening their pincher grasp

The development of this fined tuned grasp is influenced by a child’s growing interest in objects and desire to hold them.  Kind of curiosity’s way of helping our kids.

We all need great pincher grasps to:

  • zip zippers
  • button buttons
  • tie shoes
  • thread needles
  • write beautifully
  • hold pencils without cramping
  • beating someone at tidily-winks
  • putting on make-up
  • painting nails
  • and so much more!

8 Hands-on Toys to Help Kids Develop Pincher Muscles

Sewing Buttons!!

pincher grasp activities
Buy on TpT

Related: Fine Motor Activity from Hands On As We Grow

pincher grasp activities
Super easy!!

More Pincher Grasp Activities!

pincher grasp activities

Simple Activities to Improve Pincher Grasp and Help Your child Hold a Pencil

  • Peel Duct Tape: Place strips of duct tape onto surfaces like the sidewalk, garage walls, or the floor. Your child simply peels the tape!
  • Squishy Sponge: Give your child a sponge and bucket of water. Have them water plants by squeezing the water out from the sponge!
  • Tongs and tweezers: Give your child a pair of tongs, and egg carton, and a bin of small things (pom poms, beads, pasta, etc). Have them fish out objects with tweezers and sort them into the egg carton.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RZNG5PW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=abett06-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07RZNG5PW&linkId=c20a374356badff2b7b81f0fe672daf8

Classic Games are the perfect way to sneak in Pincher Grasp Development

Don’t Spill the Beans

Ants in the Pants

Kerplunk

Jenga

Hi-Ho Cherrio

Perfection

Medical schools are noticing a decline in students’ dexterity, possibly from spending time swiping screens rather than developing fine motor skills through woodworking and sewing.

The New York Times

The great news is Pincher Grasp Development is easy to weave into your child’s day. A Little less swiping of screens and a little more of old fashion fun and these intricate hand muscles can get a good work out!

For Older Kids

Crocheting and knitting

Embroidery

Tin Foil Art

Using a sock to improve pencil grip (Brilliant)


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…

the homeschool mom

Download Your Free Printable

  1. Download the checklist. You’ll get the printable, plus join 9,000+ homeschool moms who receive my weekly parenting tips and ideas!
  2. Print. Any paper will do the trick, but card stock would be ideal.
  3. Place it on your refrigerator as a helpful reminder.
the homeschool mom

Filed Under: blog, Life Skills and Chores, Mom Solutions, popular, sticky Tagged With: pencil grip, pinch grasp

Dad’s Role in Homeschooling: The Powerful Man Behind the Scenes

Inside: Six homeschool lessons to glean from your kid’s dad. Even if he never picks up a red pen to help you grade a math test.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. But when the going gets tough in homeschool, moms across the globe search for answers.

  • We corner teachers to glean classroom management skills.
  • We laugh and cry with our girlfriends about our kids as we sip too much coffee.
  • We pick the brains of other homeschoolers we happen to bump into at the grocery store.
  • We Google in desperation. “Which curriculum is best for a dyslexic science-minded girl who refuses to wear matching socks on Tuesdays?”

But ask the man in our lives his opinion about how to teach his children or how to manage our lives, No way Jose….

Read More »

Filed Under: popular, sticky Tagged With: dad's, dad's role in homeschool, father's day, father's day craft, homeschool freebies

Math with a Deck of Cards

Quick round up of all the math games I can find that you can play with a deck of cards.

best math card games

Total of 10

Lay out 20 cards on the table (leave out face cards or change them to equal 0, while aces equal 1). Kids remove sets of cards that add up to 10, ultimately trying to remove all the cards from the table. It’s harder than you think! Learn more at First Grade Round up

Nifty 50

This game is great to develop logical thinking and problem solving, review two digit addition and subtraction regrouping, and is fun! The object is to come up with a math equation that has a sum or difference closest to the number 50. First player to five points is the winner! Learn more at Scholastic

best math card games
Great collection from Math Geek Mama!

21

This game is a simplified version played in casinos, with no gambling involved. Object: be the closest to 21 without going over! Learn more at Scholastic

Place Value War

Turn over 1, 2 or 3 cards. Place
them in any position to make the highest
number possible. The higher number wins all
of the cards for that turn. Learn more at Newark Schools

Once through the deck

Shuffle the deck and place it face down on the table in front of you. Flip the cards face up, one at a time.

For each card, say out loud the sum (or product) of that number plus (or times) the number you want to practice. Don’t say the whole equation, just the answer.

Go through the deck as fast as you can. Learn more at Denise Gaskins

Related: Games with a deck of card FREE printable by SAU 39

Closest To

Starting with two digit numbers, deal out two cards per player. Each player takes the cards in their hand and rearranges the digits to create a number that is closest to 50. The players show each other their hands and the player who is closest to 50 wins the set of all of the players’ cards.  Learn more at Math engaged

Math Memory

 Lay all of the cards down on the table face-down in a grid. Players take turns flipping over three cards and seeing if they can make an equation with the face-up cards. Younger players can try using addition and subtraction, and older players can also try using multiplication and division. Players are challenged to remember what cards every player has flipped to help them create equations on their own turn. The player with the most amount of cards at the end of the game wins. Learn more at Math engaged

best math card games

Here’s a game similar to the one described above, but this version allows students to compare fractions instead. You will need two pencils, one for each player, to serve as the fraction line. Learn more at Super Teacher Worksheets

Guess My Number

Place a student at the front of the room and give him or her two playing cards. The cards can be ordered any way the student wants. Be sure the cards cannot be seen by the class!

Take turns around the room guessing what the number is. The types of questions asked have to use math vocabulary, such as, “Is it even?” “Is it odd?” “Is it greater than 10?” “Is it a factor of 20?” and so on.

The student can only answer with a “Yes” or “No”, until the actual number is guessed at. Learn more at K5Chalkbox

More math with a deck of cards!


More math goodies

Math Picture Books Breath Life into Arithmetic!
97+ Ideas for Making Math FUN
Homeschool Math: Grab your Roadmap to Success

Filed Under: blog, popular, Ready to go Resources, sticky Tagged With: math

Rubik’s Cube (TM) Top Secret Mission

A reader asked if I could create her son an activity to add to the Rubik’s Cube she bought him.

Nothing excites kids like the words “Top Secret”.

These activities make the perfect pair with a Rubik’s Cube(TM) and make excellent math centers, bell work, party activities or just plain fun.
Included:

  • Top Secret instructions
  • 18 Mission Cards
  • Mission foldable folders
  • Laughs and curiosity

*Rubik’s Cube sold separately

Rubik's Cube birthday parti
Get yours in my TpT Store


For Student: Prepare Top Secret Envelope and Mission Instruction cards.For longest life, copy onto cardstock paper and laminate.


Student comes to “Mission Commander” for 1-3 Missions to complete at a time. They must show the completed tasks to mission command before getting their next set of orders.


For Mission Command(YOU): Prepare Top Secret Envelope and Mission Instruction cards. For longest life, copy onto cardstock paper and laminate.

When Student comes to receive their secret mission give them 1-3 mission/tasks to complete. When they return with a successful mission they can receive a new set of “orders”.


These missions do not need to be completed in any particular order, but may be carefully selected by mission command to ensure success!

Filed Under: blog, popular, sticky

Make every day a Read Aloud Day

I’m here to remind us both of something very important.

read aloud day

There’s something more beneficial for our kids’ education than that curriculum we’re beginning to understand.

…

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Filed Under: blog, Homeschool Hacks, popular, sticky

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