6 Advent Countdown Ideas: Start Now! I love the holidays! I love our Lord Jesus with all my heart and it simply makes my heart skip a beat that, at this time of year, I can celebrate His coming in creative and unique ways. As a homeschooler, I have to confess that I have an incredibly difficult time focusing on traditional studies during the holidays. I’m simply too distracted by HIM to get too wrapped up in anything else! While we will “do school” we will absolutely spend too much time doing other things… And that is just the way it is:). While I will incorporate “school” ideas soon enough, I want to let you know that if you are like me, distracted by the blinking lights and nativities… It’s OK! Actually, it fantastic. … Read More »
Simple Advent Activities that Add Holiday Spirit to Teaching Inside: Christmas and Winter Wrapped into Learning Activities Snow begs to be played in, candy canes plead to be enjoyed, and kids refuse to focus… Crazy Snowman Photo by Matteo Paganelli Sounds like the holidays to me. If you thought is was hard to get your kid’s attention during Thanksgiving, wait until you try during Christmas! I always switch to holiday themed activities during the holidays. Beginning today, let’s snuggle with our kids and slow down. In the flurry of decorations, shopping, and potential holiday madness we need to take the time to share “what really matters” with our kids. … Read More »
Father’s Day Craft My dad slowly eyeballed the construction-paper arm. He clipped the threads that held it together and unfolded the flaps. He untied the string that held the accordion folded paper together. When unfolded, the card was a get well greeting from his little girl. Dad had carpel tunnel surgery on his wrist, and my get well card was a mock up of the surgery. He had to remove “stitches” and release the “nerves” to reveal my note. He loved it. Dads appreciate creativity as much as moms, they just do not get to experience it as often. … Read More »
An Easy Mother’s Day Craft: Your Magic Wand to the Past Inside: A treasure for you to tuck away for your kids’ teenage years. She gave you heartburn while you were pregnant. photo by Inna Lesyk He ran you ragged for hours on end when he was three. photo by Annie Spratt She decided that you won’t sleep again for 27.3 months. photo by Amanda Jordan You thought, “If only I could bottle their energy”. photo by frank mckenna Kids. They have a knack for placing dirty hands on clean surfaces, those kids of yours. Those kids of mine. What is it with kids and dirt anyway? You learned early on that: If you wore white, they would find mud, fall down, skin a knee and NEED a hug. NOOOOWWWWWWW! If you happened to find the bottom of the laundry hamper, your son would have explosive diarrhea- guaranteed. If you mopped the floor, your precious baby girl would slather herself with your expensive face cream and empty the baby powder in the bathroom. After you recover from your heart attack, she will proudly tell you that she was “helping”. Children. Maybe your babies and toddlers are a handful. Maybe you are exhausted. Maybe you had to turn your shirt inside out because “sweetie-pie” puked on you as you were running out the door for a doctor appointment and all of your other shirts have been waiting to be transferred to the dryer for 48 hours. photo by Kristopher Roller Did you know there are women who wash, dry, fold and put away a load of clothing within 2-hours? Yeah, I was confused when I first learned about this too. Everyone knows you have to re-wash a load of laundry 4 times before transferring it to the dryer. I know: You think you’ll be wiping noses and smelling diapers forever. You are confident that “she” stole your diamond ring, but since she can’t talk yet you will never see it again. He will be your undoing. You do your best. You really do. You are hoping it will buy you a “get out of jail free card” for those adolescent years. You pray that when your little darlin’ breaks into all their teenager-glory, that they will still be gushing with praises, pride, and pleasantries for you, their precious, perfect, mama. You believe that when your little darlin’ will always adore you. “She will be different, he will defy the odds,” you hope. I hate to break it to you… … Read More »
Mother’s Day Craft and Keepsake Mother’s Day Crafts Mother’s Day is a few weeks away. While it may seem self-serving to have your kids make you a Mother’s Day Craft, it can be one of those precious keepsakes that finds a forever home in your treasure chest. This booklet craft is easily modified for different age kids. Recommended Time for craft: 3 days- each with an hour block. (some children prefer to complete the project in one sitting. Younger children require smaller chunks of time spread out over a few days) Why do a Mother’s Day Keepsake? Your kids love you. Give them a chance to show it! They enjoy talking about you. You’ll want to capture the essence of “where they are” developmentally. Kids say the darn’dest things and it is precious to capture these funnies on paper. Plus, you may want to hold it over their heads when they are teenagers. Just kidding. Sort of. This craft uses scissor skills, helps fine motor development, and nurtures creativity. Related: Sneak Peek Video Buy now Includes: Mother’s Day Craft templates direction with photos 10 customizable booklet pages cut and paste activities scissor skill practice creative writing games and more Yes, I have a Father’s Day Craft Kit too! You can save by purchasing them as a bundle here. Preview of the Heart of Homeschooling God’s Way Master Class. We need to STOP measuring success by grades, achievements, awards, and worksheets.
Thanksgiving: 4 Simple and Fun Activities It is Almost Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is soon AS you are busily menu planning, shopping, and decorating you might want to prepare a few fun activities for the family. I know we will be preparing our second annual “Turkey Shoot” where we will be shooting balloons and turkey targets with bows and arrows and BB guns… Yes, I live happily with my husband and 5 boys. Here is My Top 4 List of Simple and Fun Activities Thankful Pie Spinner by Simply Modern Mom I love this idea. Trust me, even older kids will enjoy making a spinner wheel. Turkey Feathers You’ll find the directions and the cute printable at by The Idea Room. Thanksgiving Story Bracelets All you need is a pipe-cleaner and a handful of beads and you can lead a wonderfully memorable story time for your kiddos while the turkey is baking. My Monetessori Journey has a nice story printable and the directions for the beads. Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt Kids of all ages will love participating in your first annual scavenger hunt. I love this starter list by Family Fun. Have the kids brainstorm and add a few fun items to make it your own. 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
Arts and Crafts for Homeschoolers Art resources, deals, tips, and encouragement. This page is continually updated with new resources! Why do we teach and explore art? Francis Bacon said, “The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery.” Art is beauty, majesty, and creativity. Monet said, “Colour is my day-long obsession, joy and torment.” Explore art. Create art. Share Art. Do not make the mistake of pushing this critical area aside! If you need help, find some art classes! Short List of Mediums of art: Drawing with crayon, pencils, colored pencils, colored markers Finger paint Pudding painting water color oil pastel cutting and pasting sculpting with paper clay Bread dough sculptures woodcarving soldering needle-work crocheting mosaics *studying the art created during the period in History you study together. jewlry making welding music dance Click on the following links for Art Resources: Subscribe below. New links and activities are posted all the time!e Hand Paining Projects Footprint Art Subscribe here so you do not miss any new resources