Pi Day Fun One of the perks of being both a homeschool mom AND a mom is going over board for things like Pi Day. March 14 is when all the crazy, fun and quirky math lovers around the planet have a blast celebrating this amazing number. Yes, there’s even a PiDay Organization to fill your imagination with amazing ideas! We are Teachers has 31 Amazing Fun Pi Activities for you! “Thank you, We Are Teachers What is Pi? Pi is the sixteen letter of the Greek alphabet, and it’s also a symbol used to describe the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, meaning that pi equals the circumference divided by the diameter (π = c/d). The interesting this about pi is that mathematicians who have been working on this number believe that it is infinite, meaning that it’s not the quotient of two integers. In other words, the number pi goes on and on and on, and we don’t know where it ends! So, the number “pi” begins with the numbers 3.14159265, and goes on and on infinitely (so we think). Computers have been cranking away at the number for a while now, trying to figure out just how big it is (and if it will ever stop), and according to Number World, the number has been computed up to 10 trillion digits. Wow! How do you get in the spirit of fun days like Pi Day? Get it? Chicken Pot Pie?!?! But pi’s ubiquity goes beyond math.
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 »
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”. … Read More »
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. …Read More »
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. …Read More »
Homeschool Math: Grab your Roadmap to Success BEFORE you spend a moment worrying about math curriculum, let me share a secret. I didn’t understand where I was supposed to go until I’d been on the road almost 20 years. It’s crazy that it’s taken me almost two decades to truly understand this thing we call MATH. … Read More »
17 of the Best Advent for Kids Activities for your Family Inside: Fun Advent for Kids Printables to help countdown Christmas Share the nativity with your kids in a fun and unique way with these FUN and Easy Advent Activities. On Christmas morning, there were ash boot prints on my carpet and sleigh marks on my roof in the snow. To say my parents went over board to help us believe in Santa is an under statement. My child hood is filled with stories of Santa, reindeer, and all things Christmas. Did you grow up KNOWING Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas? I sure didn’t. And yet, Christmas remains magical in my life, even without a jolly old man in a red suit. Weaving the truth about the nativity story into our kids’ lives while surrounded by tinsel and elves can be a bit challenging, right? 17 Quick Advent for Kids Activities All 17 activities included in the BUNDLE 1. Advent Door Hanger Craft For 8 days, read a little bit about the nativity Story as found in the Bible. Then cut, laminate, and hang a decorative door hanger as a reminder that we choose to let Jesus in. A New Door Hanger for 8 days! Includes: mini story book foldable with prompts to help your child learn and re-tell the greatest true story of all time: The Birth of our Lord and Savior! 8 Advent style Door hangers (With light and dark skin alternatives!) These make fun and easy craft and story time, but also make a fantastic gift set! I laminated mine with –> peel and stick self laminate. Get your free copy of this set here. 2. Advent Scattergories 3. Advent Dice Game for Toddlers 4. Build your own Nativity Board Game 5. Mini Jesse Tree Activity/Craft 6. Daily Readings to Help your Kids understand the Nativity story from the Bible. As I began having kids of my own, i really wrestled with Christmas in general. Yes, I LOVE that it’s all about Jesus. But would my kids miss out on the MAGIC I experienced as a child? Nope. Heads up: No judgement here! Although you and I both know Santa is a myth and Jesus is real, many still bring the belly jiggling fellow into their homes. Like my third son. He was about 5-years old when he said, “Mom, I KNOW Santa is make believe, but I’m gonna have fun pretending to believe in him anyway.” Even at 18-years old, he just loves to add ALL the holiday flair into the scene; even as a sold-out-for-Jesus worship leader at church. 7. Ornaments for a flip Book 8. Advent Ornaments for a tree 9. Christmas Chain Countdown Craft 10. Advent: Make Your Own Calendar Adding Advent themed activities into our kids learning activities is another fun way to bring the advent season alive. Just make the focus the Lord, rather than the grade. 11. Advent: Language Activity- Find the Missing parts of the word 12. Advent: Writing: Diamante poem about Jesus 13. Advent Themed Math: Fact families 14. Advent themed math:Pie Graph 15. Advent Maze: Help Joseph and Mary find Bethlehem 16. Maze: Help the wise men find Jesus 17. Christmas Eve Reading No matter how you bring the Nativity truth, advent, and Jesus into your lives, have fun. It’s LOVE, laughter and memories that bring this amazing season to life for our kids! More Christmas Activities Christmas Color by NumberKindergarten Sight words: WinterSnowman Math: KindergartenSnowman Worksheet and ActivitiesWinter Writing Booklet and Writing PromptsScissors Skills worksheets and Fine Motor Practice: Winter Bible Studies for Kids: Bible Study BUNDLE #1Daniel 1: Bible Study and Children’s Ministry ActivitiesBeatitudes Coloring PagesSunday School Activities: Fruits of the SpiritBible Object Lessons for Kids: WaterfallsBible Fun for Kids: ABCs of God’s CharacterBible Study: What Can I Learn from the CamelBible Study: Pearl of Great Price- Matthew 13:45-46Bible Study: Transfiguration of Jesus- Matthew 17Daniel 4: King Nebuchadnezzar’s Tree DreamSunday School Lessons on Prayer for PreschoolersBible Study for Kids: What Can I Learn From the Ant?
Verb Craft and Activity Printables Verb Craft and Activity BUNDLE Hands on Verb Craft and Activities for Kids. …Read More »
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. … Read More »
Preschool At Home MAGIC My oldest son turned 28 yesterday. Sigh. Do your kids still leave their actual handprints on your walls, clothing, and windows? …Read More »
150 Educational Gift Ideas Kids will Love Inside: Over 150 recommendations for educational gifts and a free printable gift list!! First words out of hubby’s mouth this morning. “If the kids don’t get on their Christmas lists, they’re gonna get cans of corn for Christmas.” Me: “And they’d be blessed!” Get yours free Christmas is always a zoo at the Sayler home. A big happy zoo full of my own personal band of monkeys. The boys pull names out of a hat and then they are responsible for the three gifts that land under the tree for that person.This year? Back in the early days of homeschooling, I took FULL advantage of Christmas sales to stock up on goodies for school. Pencils, erasers, paper, books, great games, and even a good microscope were always on the list. But experiences always made the biggest splash. This year, I expect the holidays to be crazier than usual. So I am refining our Gift Ideas. Clutter-Free Gift Ideas! Get your copy here Over 150 Education Gift Ideas Your Kids will LOVE Top Game Pick Ticket to Ride Board Game!! Related: Yes, they may still play with the box, but they’ll love what’s inside as well! Your free Cardboard CONQUEST Kit Just don’t tell them they’re educational toys! If you’re looking for recommendations for fine motor skills, gross motor development, STEM, games, outdoor activities, and of course, books, you’re in the right place! PRINTABLE: Free Educational Gift Organizer printable {download here} …Read More »
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!!! …Read More »
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 … Read More »
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? 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. Visit Ivy Kids Kits here 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?” 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? 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. …Read More »
The Carl Angel 5 Pencil Sharpener- My Top Pick Worth every single dollar. Bonus points if you can name the movie he’s quoting! … Read More »
Best Way to Teach Basic Math Facts Video Mini- Series on the best way to teach basic math facts Part 1 Where to begin? Part 2 Our Mindset Part 3 Math + ART!! Learn to doodle with your kids! Part 4 Be sure to grab the freebie! Part 4 Get your FREE sea turtle page in my TpT Shop Math Printables More math teaching tips! Fun Math Activities 97+ Amazing Ways to Make Math Fun for Our Kids Growing collection of resources to help you teach your kids basic math facts. Get your FREE Math Road map here!
35 Homeschool Fun Friday Ideas Come on! We can be FUN once a week! Who’s in? Once a week, do something fun with your kidsGather all the materials a week in advance so you are ready A school year is about 180 days long. If we plan to be fun once a week, we only need 25 great ideas! Here are 35 great Homeschool Fun Friday Ideas to get you started Watch a movie together day! You decide if it’s kid choice, or mom suggestion! You can even make it a learning activity later if you dare, by having them complete a movie response page. I recommend doing that piece on a different day! 2. Visit a museum! Most towns have small little museums nearby. Don’t neglect those tiny little gems! Historical homes, interesting places, and even oddities make GREAT excursions! No museums at all near by? Go virtual! 3. Paint together! Don’t overcomplicate it! Some simple watercolors, watercolor paper, a good guide book and 15 minutes is all it takes! 4. Doodle together!! When you sign up, you will have access to: 12 Monthly Doodle Challenge Prompts12 Mini Activity Books for Adults & KidsColoring PagesActivity PagesSticker Pages Doodling is incredible powerful for learning! 5. Explore the neighborhood together! Make it fun by completing a scavenger hunt too! Road Trip Teacher has all sorts of them to read to print! 6. Plan and prepare a meal. But let your kids choose! Pick the food, prepare a grocery list, estimate a budget, go shopping, check to see how close their estimate was for that meal, then get to work cooking! Teaching kids to plan and prepare meals is an essential life skill and if done correctly is a fun educational activity! 7. Make HUGE Bubbles! Making a giant bubble wand is the easiest thing in the world, and all you really need are a few sticks and some string!These kid-made tri-string wands make the biggest bubbles I’ve ever seen – the kids won’t be able to resist playing with these all day long…Read on to find out how they can make their very own giant bubble wands, with our totally home-made and plastic-free tutorial!Forest School Tutorial by Rhubarb and Wren 8. Definitely do outside! Messy science = AWESOME Transform an ordinary day into an extraordinary one by combining Diet Coke and Mentos to create a spectacular soda fountain. Kids love watching (and doing) this fun, easy chemical reaction that combines two delicious ingredients to create a geyser of carbon dioxide bubbles.Scholastic Parents Looking for more mess? We have you covered. 9. So something with glitter outside! How about a glitter sensory bottle? TIPS for cleaning up 10. Make Ice Cream in a bag! Yes! This is where science meets taste buds and your kids will be overjoyed! 11. Play a board game! Don’t overthink this one either. Any game will do! Board games have incredible benefits for learning, building confidence and strengthening relationships! I share about our favorites games here: TabooSpeed CupsSettlers of CatanUnoYahtzee and MonopolyTicket to RideSequence 12. Build an Epic Fort Living room forts are NOT just for little kids!! Call all the kids and announce you have a plan that requires zip ties, boxes, blankets, and food. Then watch their faces. Your big kids may look at you funny. That’s ok. If you dangle the correct snack, they’ll jump on board too. Once the BIG kids get on board, prepare yourself for some EPIC fort building! Let’s do it. 13. Go on a hike, or long walk. Make Ketchup cookies to bring along:). 14. Build a cup tower together. As a TEAM. It’s a great lesson in self-control and teamwork. 15. Watch a local play or musical production. Check with your local school and news and mark your calendar. 16. Cloud watch! You can even create a FREE cloud identifier and learn about the types of clouds. Want to add a pinch of academics? Have your kids graph the weather for a month. 17. Play Basketball Basketball doesn’t have to be a sweaty, competitive game of five-on-five. Maybe there are only three children playing, or the game is being dominated by more athletic children, leaving others without the opportunity to play. Either way, there are numerous games played with a ball and basket that youngsters of all skill levels will enjoy.Here are plenty of H-O-R-S-E alternatives kids can play with just a basketball and a hoop.ActiveKids.com 18. Sidewalk chalk! Yes, kids can simply draw. But my kids play longer if I can stir up their creativity a little. Make and takes has 10 great ideas to get your kids chalking. Would you be stunned that #8 was my boys’ favorite? 19. Ride bikes together. TOGETHER. Nuff said! Except you may need to hunt for hero dirt! 20. Build Legos Together. But then let them stay out for an extra bit of time and see what happens. At first, all you might see is chaos. But maybe, just maybe, you will see order coming through... 21. Play Dress Up together. This delightful season of make-believe is short, so have fun, dress up, and pretend! Great Role Play Ideas Ice Cream Shop Dramatic Play Printables + Play Ice CreamPretend RestaurantMenus for playDoctor OfficePlay schoolSandwich shopVet’s officePost officeHair SalonDentist OfficeFlower ShopZooSuperhero FUNPizza ShopAirportMidwife Hospital Have FUN!! 22. Have kids do a fashion show. If you’re brave, give them access to your clothes. 23. CARDBOARD DAY!! Combat the “she loved the box more than the gift” blues. Do not use banned gift words: educational, learning, smart, prepare you for life, helpfulUse kid approved words: FUN, exciting, dangerous, popular, phantasmagoric!Be prepared with a list of challenges so you can get educational value out of that box if the gift itself backfires:) Get your cardboard idea kit here!! 24. Go Geocaching! Geocaching is the real-world adventure that’s happening right now, all around you. Watch this video to learn more about what geocaching is, how it works and how you can become a part of it. Ready? Get started here. 25. Visit a water feature near you. Lakes, rivers, brooks, ocean, or even waterfalls! Do a quick google search to find the nearest wonder near you. Water is calming. Calm = Good. *Practice water safety! Supervise kids closely around water. 26. Go fishing! Or create a fishing day right at home! Materials needed: Fishing poleweight/clayPaintPaint brushSmall snack like golf fish crackersTie a weight to the line.Set up targets in the yardHave kids try to land the weight in the target. Directions 27. Paint with Pudding!! 28. Make pretzels! This is a great fine motor activity, but also delicious cooking fun! These homemade pretzels never last long around our house. My kids love to make them…and eat them! I serve them to company with a variety of dips, such as pizza sauce, ranch dressing, spinach dip or hot mustard. Elvira Martens, Aldergrove, British Columbia Recipe to print 29. Create with Fimo Clay FIMO kids is an oven-hardening modelling clay. Unlike conventional modelling clay, FIMO kids can be used to shape figures and objects for lasting playtime fun due to the fact that, once modelled, items can be oven-baked to harden. All that needs to be done is place the FIMO kids clay in an oven for 30 minutes at 110°C. Once cool, the material is hard and solid.Staedtler 30. Learn to Crochet! I began teaching my son to crochet at 4-years old, because he was driving his older brothers crazy during reading time. Let him teach your kids how to crochet too! PS- You can view and of the “preview” lessons for free! 31. Learn some new songs! How about songs about the 50 states?!?! The State Songs of the 50 U.S. States online course is the perfect course to do with any state study! Listen to the state’s official –and unofficial –songs as you learn about each state. Videos of the songs, as well as links to lyrics and sheet music are included.Music In Our Homeschool 32. Yes day. For the bravest and coolest of parents. Only one day a year, purpose to simply say YES to everything within reason your kids ask. Tell them in advance is you are SUPERHERO brave. 33. Kids give mom directions. Get in the car and start driving. At each stop sign or light ask the kids, “left or right”? Do this 10-24 times and see where you end up! 34. Curl up and read. Never underestimate the POWER of an extended reading day. Jammies, popcorn, goodies, and great books. Not your cup of tea? Let someone read aloud for you! 35. Blow eggs and paint. But don’t hurt your cheeks! Use a baby snot sucker (also known as an infant bulb syringe). Fun craft to do with kids, or when they are are all busy. Yes, that means it’s a great mom craft too! Get your Free FUN Friday Idea List
100 Easy Earth Day Activities for Families just like Yours Inside: 100 Earth day activities for families Earth Day was established to help moms like me not implode when the clean laundry turns into a sand box. Earth Day Freebie! Download Your Free cheat sheet of the Earth Crafts and Activities for kids! Use this cheat sheet of to help you whip up creative and inspiring activities and memories – even when life is busy. Download the free cheat sheet. Join my weekly-ish newsletter and as a bonus, you’ll get the printable! Just click here to download and subscribe. Print. Any paper will do the trick, but card stock would be ideal. ENJOY making memories: even if they involve getting sand in the dryer! Here’s a SNEAK PEEK at your printable Cheatsheet …Read More »