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 #2 Son Didn’t walk until he was almost 2 Didn’t read until he was six Couldn’t follow simple directions until he was too old #3 Son Didn’t walk until he was 18 months old Couldn’t be without his “blankie” until he was 5 Believed balloons and umbrellas would eat him until he was 3 #4 Son Didn’t walk until 18-months Didn’t read until he was six Took an entire summer to ride a bike at age 7 Still can’t hold a pencil correctly at 15 #5 Didn’t read until he was TEN Still can’t spell at 13 Didn’t know where New Zealand was until 3 weeks ago Join me at the next online conference for homeschool moms Our kids were all delayed at something, some at a bunch of somethings. But, thankfully, they were also delayed at: Surviving being teased and tormented by other kids Being exposed to teaching that doesn’t line up with our Biblical worldview Failing in unsafe environments Thinking that they are entitled Making sitting at a table/desk a priority Being lazy and ungrateful <br /> Where are they now? #1 is married and moving up quickly in his career. He reads over 500 words a minute and is a historian. In an emergency, you want this guy to show up. Calm, cool, clear, and knowledgable. #2 Is almost done with his BA, leads a prayer group weekly, knows God’s word inside out, and devours everything written. He is currently completing his first screenplay and is in the editing process of completing his first short film. He is loving, compassionate, trustworthy and kind. He has also worked his way through college and lives a debt-free life. #3 The funniest, wittiest one of the bunch. Self-taught musician, this is the musically gifted one of the bunch. He is currently writing his first score. I am pleased to announce he no longer runs from the sight of balloons or umbrellas (which is great because we live in the WET side of Washington) #4 We call him DATA. As in the robot from Star Trek. He is the most academic brain in the bunch, desiring to understand how we can prove any and every scientific fact and finding. Just yesterday he shared that he wants to memorize the periodic table of elements so he will be better equipped to decipher chemical combination. We call this one the gentle giant. At Six foot one and growing, he towers over us all, but has the most compassionate heart of all. #5 Continues to be the busiest bee in the hive. He must move, disassemble, and repair everything. He is the reason I believe, “If I could go back I wouldn’t teach any of the boys to read until they turned ten or begged me”. His reading comprehension is through the roof because he spent his childhood absorn=bing stories, vocabulary and ideas as words were read aloud to him. He didn’t spend his childhood decoding… WOW. What a gift. My kids need to be delayed by the world’s standards, so they can develop according to the Lord’s Plan for their life. Don’t Panic if Your Kids Cannot Read Yet! Just keep reading to them. Leave them hanging in stories. Grab an exciting book and suddenly have to “Stop Reading” at an extremely exciting part. Talk to them about the books you are reading. Listen to audiobooks in the car. Give them access to books, lots and lots of books. Gather books that are below their reading level and have them “hanging around”. You, mom, pick up children’s literature and read silently to yourself. Let your kids see you reading kid’s books, grown-up books, funny books, well, any books. Help them see that a good book is fun. What to read? Delightful Books for Preschoolers and their parents 120 Classics to you should read with your kids before they leave home I have had 5 reluctant readers myself. Five. I chose not to panic about it, but to follow my own advice. Our youngest was the most reluctant yet. He didn’t begin reading until he was ten. Yes, TEN. I always read aloud to him and kept giving him the opportunity to read, but it never “clicked”. One day, that all changed. I was walking all over our home looking for him one day. He was silent… I was shocked to stumble over him reading quietly in a corner while snuggling with the dog. Did I say I was shocked? I knew it would eventually happen, but I was still shocked when it did. He fell in love with the Magic Tree House Series. As a matter of fact, he has read a whole book every day since the day I took this picture. Amazing! Do you have a reluctant reader? Keep reading to them. Supply them with lots of books. Visit the library. Often. Leave ’em hanging in a story. Just never give up. They will read. Never make it a negative, reading is fun. The only thing that matters is THAT they learn to read. Don’t Panic if Your Kids Cannot __________! Just fill in the blank. We live in a world that preaches, “don’t judge.” And yet we do. Usually, we judge ourselves to tears. We feel so wonderful about the walk, conversation and science activity our kids goggled through, and then feel deflated when someone shares the essay their 4-year old wrote on astrophysics. I used to color my grey hair. Now I simply listen to it closely. Let your kids develop at their own pace, but push them just slightly. Embrace your child’s natural talents and abilities. Do they need to run? Have them “do laps” and make them pause to catch their breath while you read aloud. See a growing interest on a topic? Visit the library and check out all the books on the subject you can carry, and then prop them up on your window sills. Don’t worry, they’ll ask you to read. Read aloud to your kids. EVERY day. Yes, audiobooks in the car count!! Encourage kids to uncover solutions, rather than “get the right answers”. Use the curriculum as a last resort, not the primary teaching tool. Trust your husband. He may see things you don’t. Trust the Lord. He knows exactly what your kids need. So my youngest son didn’t read until he was ten. So what? We were careful to keep him out of situations where this would embarrass him and we equipped him with what to say if he found himself stumbling over the printed page. Big deal! My oldest son didn’t talk until he was four. Honestly, he was our first child so we were stressed about it. But hindsight reveals why. He WALKED at six and a half month old. The child was too focused on gross motor and then fine motor development to be concerned with the pestering little details about language. Frustrating, that our second son couldn’t follow a string of instructions when he was little. He just needed extra time. Mama, whatever you think your child should be able to do right now… relax. If he is developmentally ready, set up FUN practice sessions. But keep it fun. Childhood should be filled with smiles, love, and delight. Our kids should be safe in our hands as they develop at their own pace. Relax. Breathe. I promise. They will read, write, experiment, solve equations, load dishwashers, and drive their cars away to their own home… when it’s the right time. You’re doing great. So are they. The only “behind” in homeschooling is the one the child sits upon. Full ClaFree Confidence Come inside Masterclass
Mitosis: Cell Cycle Flip Book I remember the first time I wore my contact lenses to bed. Everything was fine and dandy until I woke up the next day. I was dumbfounded. I could see every leaf on the tree outside my bedroom window! I had been wearing glasses since forth grade and never could see clearly without my glasses. I just laid there gazing at the leaves blowing in the morning breeze. I couldn’t believe how beautiful they were. That’s what really seeing something for the first time does for us. It amazes us. My kids had that kind of experience today. We are learning about cells and cell division from a boring book science text book and we were not impressed. What happened? The stars aligned and we unexpectedly gained access to a microscope, some plant cell slides, and a science teacher all at the same time… excitement was born! Amazement was release. The kids were hooked. Join me at the next online Homeschool Moms Conference While all I could say was, “That slide looks neat,” the science teacher was able to share his love for cell division with the boys. In five minutes, the boys transformed from “boys trying to use a microscope for the first time”, to biologists trying to identify the different stages of cell division. God’s creation is truly amazing! Here’s how I helped fuel the flames of excitement: We watched a few videos on cell division! We loved Crash Course: Mitosis (He a fast talker, but does great overviews!) We also loved Bozeman’s “Phases of Mitosis” Although these video’s are targeting high schoolers, my boys caught the main ideas without a hitch! Then I stayed up waaay too late creating a Cell Cycle Flip Book kit for each son (for both plant and animal cells). The boys have been busy today coloring, cutting, arranging and flipping about cells. It’s been a fun and productive morning! I posted my cell flipbook kit for anyone to grab a copy just a while ago. Download your FREE “Science is Curiosity” {Printable}
Ant Farm Kits: An Easy Science Lesson for Multiple Ages Our boys exchange names every year for Christmas and then are blessed to buy gifts for their selected brother. This year, our youngest picked out an Ant Farm for his brother. Not only is this an excellent gift for the animal lover of our family, but it has turned into an amazing “cross-grade” science lesson. I find it crazy that I have been the mom of boys for over 22 years and this is the first ant farm, don’t you? The boys were beside themselves when the ants finally arrived. Note: ants are not included in the ant farm. We ordered them from AntsAlive. The crazy cold weather caused them to be behind in shipping, but the ants arrived safe and sound! It has been fascinating to watch these industrious little creature go to town! 6 Lessons from Kids Learn from Ant Farms Ants are Purpose Driven. “By purpose, I mean having a clear long term objective or goal which shapes everything you do. For example, one ant’s sole job description is to find food for the colony. This is his purpose, and all that he inputs this time and energy into, and so it compounds his chances of success.” – Diana Quartey Ants are Well-Organized. They are so well organized, that they carry out their entire task through the division of labor. Nothing is left undone in the Ant colony, because of the well-organized structure, which has already been put in place. Ants are Unselfish. If they find something eatable, they immediately spread the word to others. Ants are Efficient. They take the shortest path possible. Ants Communicate. They take the time to pass on all information. Ants are Know their Limits. They only carry what they can handle. The Coolest Ant Farms Available! When my boys received their first ant farm, I simply ordered it from Amazon. It’s that clear blue get filled farm above. And it worked just fine. And then we met Thomas and his son from Formica Ant Farms. We started ant keeping a few years back. There is something new to learn every day and it just never gets boring. Ants are such exciting creatures! One day we realized that all the ant farms you can buy are kind of boring and almost all look the same. So we came up with the idea of creating witty, easy to maintain yet serious ant farms for beginners and pros alike. All of our products are compatible with each other. So the ant farm can grow with the size of your colony! Thomas & Eric Download your FREE "Science is Curiosity" {Printable} More from A Better Way to Homeschool Insect Bundle: Bees, Ants, Butterflies, and Spiders (Yes, I know spiders are arachnids)97+ Simple Inexpensive and FUN Ways to Teach Math Easy Survival Tips for Living with a 12-Year Old Boy Don’t Panic if Your Kids Can’t Read Yet How Parenting Books Make You a Better Mom So God Made a HOMESCHOOL Mom, Like YOU The Beauty of Leaving Kids Hanging in a Story Choosing a Chore System that Works for Your Family Banana Blueberry Muffins: It’s That Kind of Morning Should I Homeschool: Am I a Good Enough Teacher to Homeschool My Kids? New to Homeschooling? Here are Mistakes to Avoid! 5 Free Recipes to Empower Your Kids In the Kitchen Minds In Bloom: Unexpected Hobbies for Kinesthetic Learners 4 Tips to Homeschooling Multiple Grades Simultaneously For the win! Homeschooling from the Inside Out 71 Easy Adorable And Inexpensive Mothers Day Crafts The Beauty of the Perfect Picture Book at the Right Moment Letting Teens Go Too Soon= Disaster Childhood Should be Filled with Joy, Imagination, and WONDER 7 Things You Need to Get in Order to Have a Peaceful Home Why didn’t anyone tell me this BEFORE I started Homeschooling?
Banana Blueberry Muffins: It’s That Kind of Morning It’s That Kind of Morning! I have this crazy craving for a yummy muffin, but can’t quite wrap my taste buds around it. It all started when I remembered a Bran Muffin from my favorite bakery, Edelweiss Bakery. I know. Bran? But trust me, this is like no other bran muffin. (I used to work at this fantastic Bakery. If you’re in San Diego, go visit. Tell Lynn and Gerry Bekki sent me…) By the time I grabbed all the ingredients and made my way home I had made other plans… I feel free to defy my recipes and create one of my own. (Notice, these are no longer bran muffins) Banana Blueberry Muffins, by Bekki 1/2 c. Butter 1 c. Sugar 2 eggs, beaten 3 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. vanilla (because, vanilla.) 3 smooshed bananas 1 tsp. lemon juice 1/2 c wheat flour ( you can use just plain, all purpose too…) 1 c flour 1/2 tsp. salt 1 c blueberries Quietly combine all ingredients except blueberries. (Quietly… My kids are still sleeping). Fold in blueberries. Bake 325, 50-60 minutes. (It’s done when the kids wake up and a toothpick comes out clean when you poke the bread) You can bake in muffin cups or loaf pans, just adjust the time. I bet you want an exact time adjustment. I am a by sight baker. Set your timer for 45 minutes if baking muffins, 50 minutes if baking loaves. Check for done ness. Bake slightly longer if necessary. Ovens, elevation, humidity, and life itself can effect baking times. **freeze for quick breakfast or snacks!! Free Notebooking Pages Product Sampler from NotebookingPages.com.
Preparing Kids for Blood Work and Needles We need to train our kids for real life, while not scaring the pants off them. I had such an opportunity today. My youngest son needed to have blood drawn and I decided to prep him before we got there. He was all set and ready to go. Brave face, brave smile, ready to face danger head on. Then his kind brothers piped in. As we pulled into the parking lot one of the brothers says, “Hey, maybe they will use a chainsaw with blood sucking needles all around the blade!” Before I could reign them back in the older wiser brothers had filled the munchkins head with a few wonderfully horrible images to ponder as he silently walked toward the lab. Are you kidding me? After I rebuked the brothers sharply, using my best mean mommy face. We went inside. I am thrilled to report, the seven-year-old did great! He followed instructions perfectly and didn’t shed a tear or even utter the word “ouch”. Half way through the many viles of blood he says, “I can’t even feel it mom.” Victory! How to prep your children for medical tests that would make a grown man cry. You need to stay calm. You need to breath. They need to look at you and see a parent that knows that this is for their good. Tell them often that they can trust you and that you will never let them be surprised by a needle or painful procedure without advance warning- except in the case of an emergency. Role play doctor scenarios. Please do this at least once a year. Gather “supplies” while at doctors offices. They are usually glad to help. Let them know exactly what will happen. Do not down play a shot or surgery. Kids can handle the truth, especially if they get it delivered to them in a non-threatening moment. Give them coping skills. Remember Lamaze breathing? It works for shots and minor owies. Breathing does wonders. Holding and squeezing a hand works. Teach them to breath as they cry. Use the next scraped knee episode to practice. Explain long before they are strapped into a chair that struggling and having a fit will increase their pain and suffering. Show them. Hold your arm out and breath and relax. Have them feel your arm. Now strain and tense up and have them feel the difference. Stress and fear cause us to tense up… Each them to breathe. Let them know it’s ok to cry, just to breathe and trust you. Take them with you when you need blood work done and put on a brave face. I recently went to a lab for my own blood work up and there was a 3 year old named Gabriel having a full on panic attack. It was obvious that he had been there before and had not been warned or prepared in advance- he met the lab tech with horror. Poor thing:( While I know that prepping our children does not always guarantee eventless medical procedure, it really does help. Talk to your kids. Role play in advance. *I’ve been there. One of my boys has had 10+ surgeries, been under anesthesia over 20 times, and countless shots and needle pricks. 3 of my boys have needed IV’s at one point or another. I am the one who always held them down. But my husband is the one who insisted on prepping them in advance… It’s made a day and night difference. What have you done to prep your kids for shots, bloodwork, and surgery? More Helps: 6 simple ways to prepare child for blood draw Preview of the Heart of Homeschooling God’s Way Master Class. We need to STOP measuring success by grades, achievements, awards, and worksheets.
The Real Secret to Teaching Homeschool Algebra and Higher Math Inside: The real secret to Teaching Algebra in Homeschool. I’m a liar. What is worse? Getting caught by my 9th grader. Now, I never meant to lie, most surely I did not. I made a promise and got lazy. There I was, sitting next to my 9th grader explaining his algebra lesson for the day when I was suddenly caught in my lie. Crud. I had a sudden flashback to the time I broke a window as a little girl. I was about 5 years old and was throwing rocks at the corner of the house. I missed. Actually, I hit my mark. I intentionally threw the rock at the window and it shattered. Crud. I was five. I did not know I had the super-human ability to shatter glass! I ran inside to try to fix the broken glass (because I was five) and cut my finger. I was not only in trouble but dying from my wound. (yes, I was a drama queen). Of course, my mom saw through my lie when I told her I was not trying to break the window. She was gracious with me, but I still remember the guilt over 40 years later like it was yesterday. So there I was next to my son, stumbling over his lesson while trying to put up the front that I knew exactly what I was doing. I am the teacher after all. I couldn’t let him know I lied to him when I told him I would always be at least one lesson ahead of him in math (so I would not confuse the tar out of him). But there I was like Brer Rabbit stuck to the Tar Baby. (I love Uncle Remus. If you have never read these aloud to your kids you are missing out!) I had decided I had this “Algebra Thing” by the horns. And then I didn’t. How is the ratio of the volume of two figures related to the ratio of the corresponding sides of the figures? What?! I tried. I panicked. I was tempted to swear. And then I confessed. I had not even looked at the lesson before we sat down. I gave him a lighter math assignment and sent him on his way and then I repented of my sin. I found a quiet place and worked out the math. I may have shed blood, but I don’t want to freak out any of you who are still teaching your kids shapes. Finally, I figured it all out and I created my notes. I am happy to report that the next day I was able to happily teach my son about ratios being related to one another. Half way through the lesson I paused and said, “This is what it like to be taught by a teacher who is prepared. It’s better isn’t it?” He said, “Definitely!” Question: What is the Most Critical Mistake to Avoid when Teaching Algebra (or challenging subject) Answer: Faking itAs a Homeschooler, you may struggle with the math level your children are currently learning, but if you are no prepared you will frustrate them and set them up for failure. They may even just adopt our “You don’t need this skill to buy milk” attitude and never press into the subject. By being unprepared, we teach our kids it’s ok to do mediocre work. Yikes!Steps to Teaching Algebra (or other challenging Material) 1. Admit that it is challenging for you. Do not fake understanding. 2. Commit yourself to learning the material. I know. There is laundry in the living room, the baby needs their diaper changed, and dinner needs to be made before tomorrow’s breakfast. If you are going to teach the material, you need to understand the material. Set aside 30 minutes to study tomorrow’s math/challenging subject. Take notes Do the lesson (I do at least half of my son’s Algebra lesson before he does so I can explain it properly) Get help if needed. There are all kinds of online helps to assist you. Khan academy is one of my favorites. Work through the challenging material together. For instance, my son knows I do not remember chemistry or advanced biology. We work through the vocabulary and concepts together. But with math, I have to be a step ahead of him. Math is challenging enough without having your teacher say, “first, you do this. Wait, that’s not right, try this. Shoot, that didn’t work either.” 3. Get Help. If you simply cannot figure out how to do the material, you can get your kids tutors. Not all tutors need to cost you an arm and a leg. It’s not a crime to enroll your child in a high school or community college class either. Our local high school allows homeschoolers to take single classes. That’s a great option. Our local community college allows students to take their junior and senior high school classes and they earn both high school and college credit. When I tried to fake my way through my son’s Algebra lesson I really created quite a dramatic scene. He deserved better from me. Truth: Our kids may not all be learning Algebra and ratios today, but they do all deserve our best. I can’t say that I will never fail again because that would make me a repeat liar, but I am determined to be better prepared each day. How about you? Have you ever “lied” to your kids? Confession is good for the soul… Download your FREE “Math Concepts to Master Before Graduating High School” {Printable} Preview of the Heart of Homeschooling God’s Way Master Class. We need to STOP measuring success by grades, achievements, awards, and worksheets.
Minds In Bloom: Unexpected Hobbies for Kinesthetic Learners I am extremely humbled and excited to be featured on “Minds in Bloom” today! Please take a few minutes and come join me on Rachel’s fantastic website!! I love Rachel’s heart of teaming together with fellow educators to collaborate and share fantastic and inspiring tips, tactics, lessons, and encouragement! I am confident you will enjoy her website. Be sure to bookmark it so you can find her again. It is LOADED with valuable information and resources!
Letting Teens Go Too Soon= Disaster By the time our kids reach high school, we can bend to the pressure to “let them go” and “cut the cords”. photo by Erik Scheel Teenagers need the help, guidance, and strength of their parents even more than toddlers do. The transition from middle- schooler to adulthood is like running a medieval gauntlet. While some kids skate through their adolescence unscathed, many need extra care and attention. Unfortunately, we do not get to pick and choose which kids need extra help, and which ones do not. We need to “go the distance” with each and every child and teen. Our job does not slow down when our kids hit high school, actually, this is when the real “fun” begins. Truth’s About Parenting and Teaching Teens This is not the time to loosen the reigns. Honestly, adolescence is the time when kids really buck against authority, but should not be the time we let go. With the crazy flooding of hormones, teen brains can really struggle with rational thought and emotion. They need us desperately. Letting them make their own mistakes in their own educational journey should not mean we “Let Them Utterly Fail”. While we cannot complete their homework assignments for them, we need to stay on top of our teens. Some students flourish during this time and become “Captain of their Own Destinies”- even conquering the world. But, many students put on a realistic smoke screen that implies that they have the world by the tail, but are drowning in the amount of responsibility and work required in their life. By the time parents become aware of the fact that their students are struggling, they are facing a mountain of makeup work. Not fun on any continent. What does this mean? We stay on top of our kids. Continue to monitor their eating and sleeping habits. Maintain (or regain) parental control over things like tv and screen time so that we help them learn to manage these time-vacuum activities. While each family establishes what is acceptable to them, parents should be in control. Many teens need us to be firm over these things so they can safely flourish. Not doing acceptably in school should dictate less “fun time” with technology, social media, and texting. Be willing to go the distance WITH our kids. Are they struggling in math? Either tutor them or find them one. Sit at the table while they finish their assignments. Model what it looks like to be confused, but to press through confusion to comprehension. There are adults who are willing to sit and mentor/coach not only our kids but us parents as well. If you do not understand an assignment, concept, or assignment reach out and find help. Even Youtube can be a great resource! Some kids will be easy to guide, others will be challenging, but all of our kids need us. They need to know that they are not stranded on a deserted island, abandoned to figure out how to create a flowchart demonstrating how to name a chemical formula from its scientific name, write an expository essay, or solve a quadratic equation alone. There is a whole team of adults, teachers, and mentors ready to help them, but first they need us. Do not be intimidated by the amount or subject of material they need to assimilate. Let them see you confused. Let them see you research solutions. Let them see you ask for help. Let them protest as you take them to a tutor. Just do not give up and let go. God gave us the responsibility to secure their parachutes, no matter how loudly they protest! Sneak Peek at "Homeschool Guide for Real Families" {Free sample} Free Cheatsheet Full Class Free Confidence Come inside Masterclass
7 Things You Need to Get in Order to Have a Peaceful Home Inside: 7 Things You Need to Get in Order to Have a Peaceful Home Be Honest: Is your home more peaceful now than when the school year began? Photo by Jen Chillingsworth What words describe your home today? Peaceful, chaotic, loving, frantic, happy, miserable, orderly, disorderly, bumpy, smooth… Lately, mine has been chaotic, how about yours? I find that the more I have pre-thought the day, then better it runs. The days that I invite the boys to the table and begin fumbling around for what “schoolwork” I want them to begin are chaotic and counter-productive. What works best for me in regard to nurturing a peaceful home?… Read More »
15 Advent and Christmas Math and Reading Activities 15 Advent and Christmas Activities Math and Reading 3rd-5th Grade I just finished my first advent/Christmas Activity pack. I had a hard time finding graphics that I loved, but I am really excited about this pack. 5 Advent readings for you to use in your weekly Christmas activities, or as your family advent devotionals. 3 language activities using vocabulary from the history of Jesus’ birth. 4 fun math activities that are Jesus/Christmas focused. I made this pack specifically for my fourth grader, but the older kids are already begging to do some of the activities. I have included an advent calendar and a Countdown to Christmas Chain. We always write “prayer requests” and “thanksgiving to God” on our chains. Each day as we tear off a link, we thank god for a specific blessing or lift up family and friends in prayer. The kids love this!! Hope you enjoy this activity pack! Homeschooling with Confidence {free}
Advent Activities 15 Advent and Christmas Activities Math and Reading 3rd-5th Grade Are You ready for Advent? 5 Advent readings for you to use in your weekly Christmas activities, or as your family advent devotionals. 3 language activities using vocabulary from the history of Jesus’ birth. 4 fun math activities that are Jesus/Christmas focused. I made this pack specifically for my fourth grader, but the older kids are already begging to do some of the activities. I have included an advent calendar and a Countdown to Christmas Chain. We always write “prayer requests” and “thanksgiving to God” on our chains. Each day as we tear off a link, we thank god for a specific blessing or lift up family and friends in prayer. The kids love this!! Hope you enjoy this activity pack!
10 Things I’d LOVE to share with New Homeschoolers So here we are, just you and me. For the moment, my 4 youngest boys are all wonderfully occupied and I thought I would write to you, the new homeschooler. (if you are a seasoned homeschooler, please read and then add your 2 cents at the end of this article). What Advice Would I Give a New Homeschooler? Here is my top ten list of Unsolicited Tips and Encouragement from Me to You… 1. Pray. Every. Single. Day. Homeschooling is wonderful, but it can be completely overwhelming at times. I do not know about you, but I can barely complete my laundry without talking with the Lord. Here’s an inside look into my heart… 2. Release Your Expectations. When we begin homeschooling, it is easy to paint a very romantic picture of our children quietly studying at the kitchen table, or reading contentedly on the living room floor… Whatever your imagination cooks up, release it now. Homeschool is a living thing. As you and your children learn and grow things will morph and change. 3. Get Outside and get Dirty. You decided to homeschool for many reasons. I know, me too. Do not try to create a public school classroom around your kitchen table. The very nature of homeschooling is that we get to teach our children as we walk through our day. Make sure you get out with your kids as often as you can. Explore. Talk as you explore. Go to the library and learn about what you explored. 4. Model Hunger to your Kids. Be hungry for knowledge and show your kids what an adventure life can be. Each and every day look for multiple chances to say, “I do not know, but let’s find out together!” Introduce them to the library and have a ball researching whatever they are interested at the moment. If they are not interested in anything, find something that interests you and learn about it together! 5. Experience First. You really cannot teach a toddler what the word “Sticky” means until they stick their hands into the honey. Always look for the way to have your kids taste, see, hear, touch, and feel before they create, explain, write, and defend a subject. Trust me, the more senses you hit before the lesson, the more exciting the lesson will be! 6. Spy and Steal. It’s not what you think! Spy on the “best” homeschoolers you can and steal their best stuff. This may not sound very Christian. All joking aside, I am serious. Philippians 3:17 encourages us: Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. Look for great homeschoolers and glean from their years of wisdom. 7. Smile. A Lot! Learning is amazingly fun. Mounds of unfinished worksheets, quizzes, and tests are not. Make sure to focus on learning. Have fun with this homeschool thing. Sure there is a time for serious work, but even that can be fun if your heart and focus are right. 8. Keep your priorities straight. While school and education are very important, model true compassion to your kids. If life happens and you need to focus on family or neighbors, do so. People should always come first. 9. Do not Compare your family to another. Every family, every student, every child is different. Resist the urge to compare your children to anyone. I can tell you from experience that this is a hard one. You may know homeschoolers who have violin playing, chess champion, football quarterback, novel writing children. Great! Do not feel like you are failing if your children are not interested in the same subjects as the homeschooler next door. Embrace your unique family. 10. Keep it simple. With all the buzz about failing public education, it can be tempting to show “the world” how it is done by over-scheduling our own homeschool children. While activities are wonderful, be on constant watch for balance and imbalance within your home. That’s it. My 2 cents worth. I absolutely love homeschooling my children. I hope you are enjoying every day you are blessed to homeschool yours. More from Bekki So, God made YOU a homeschool mom Experience First: The Secret to Unlocking Learning Choosing a chore system that works for your family Inside Out Homeschooling A Better Way to Homeschool Beyond Blessed Life Planner 32%off using the code BeyondBlessed2019
Copywork, Dictation and Narration for Homeschool Success It just makes sense. If you want to become an expert at anything, find an expert and do what they do. By following this advice I’ve learned to braid my hair by copying MissySue improve my blogging my following my blog instructor better my cooking skills by mimicking Ree Drummond teach with success by Homeschooling God’s way I remember being laid up in bed. I had thrown out my back and couldn’t get up. My husband called in reinforcements and by the second day, I found myself being cared for by a friend of a friend. This woman taught me more about being a mom in two days than any other woman in my life. As I laid in bed, I listened to her run my home and care for all the kids- two of mine and four of hers. By the time my back healed, I knew I needed to seek her out for parenting tips. Writing and communication are no different. Benjamin Franklin, considered to be an incredible writer created a plan to improve his communication skills: study excellent writing take note of the main points let them sit in his mind for a day or two recreate the piece compare to the original For centuries, kids were educated by reading and copying the masters. Not, plagiarism, but copying. Copying is the writing down a passage word for word. Kids learn: penmanship by writing down great works of poetry and literature. excellence in writing by reading, writing and memorizing great thoughts from masters. careful listening by “taking down dictation” as words were recited by a teacher and recorded by the student. Why do Copy work and Dictation? The purpose of copywork is to get into the child’s visual (and motor) memory the look and feel of a sentence that is correctly composed, and properly spelled, spaced, and punctuated. The purpose of dictation is to have a child practice transferring his knowledge of the rules of grammar, spelling, and punctuation to actual writing. ~Jessie Wise Copywork is a wonderful tool to assist students who struggle with spacing, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. Steps for Copywork and Dictation First: Give child a selection of literature to hand copy in neat handwriting. Copywork is used for daily practice as a model for correct spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. marinade for excellent writing and thought… the best way to improve a child’s writing is to marinate them in excellent literature. Related: The copywork generator is a great free tool to help you create customized copywork sheets. Second: After a few days of copywork, dictate the same passage to your child. They write down what they hear, word for word. Dictation is introduced to (7-10 years and above) Read a selection aloud (keep passages short at first) Your child writes down what they hear. This skill takes time to develop. Begin with short sentences or phrases and build up over time to multiple sentences. Third: Students compare what they heard and recorded against the work of a master (7-10 years and above) teaches auto-correcting as they correct the mistakes they’ve made increased listening skills Increases their vocabulary and complex sentence writing ability as the words from poetry and stories dance in their minds Benefits of Copywork and Dictation Fine-motor development handwriting exposure to varied styles of literature attention to detail Memorization Tips for Success in Copywork and Dictation Choose passages that represent solid grammar, good vocabulary, and modern language Incorporating Scripture or poetry Pay attention to the development of your child Keep passages equal to their endurance and ability What about Narration? If you read or see something – you remember 15% If you hear something – you remember 20% If you see and hear something – you remember 30-40% If you tell it to someone – you remember 80-90% Narration is the process of retelling the story in your own words. When your child retells a story, event or main idea they are helping lock that information into their memory. Different types of narration. After listening to, or reading any selection, your child can tell you what they remember as you write it down. This is narration. Narration can be informal, “tell me what you remember”, or formal, “write down everything you remember”. Types of narration: Drawing a picture, then telling you about what’s going on Playing a secretary. Kids tell you what they remember as you write it down. Creating a comic strip of events capturing the beginning, middle, and end. Kids write down the story or main ideas. Sing the narration. Record a video of your child’s narration and watch it together as a family. Allow the child to “teach” the class on the whiteboard by drawing simple pictures as he narrates Narration helps the child develop the skill of paraphrasing, putting someone else’s ideas into their own words. Tips for Narration Use your normal readings from history, science, literature, Bible, or even math for narration practice. Start small, narrate back 1-2 sentences. As the child is able to form a couple of sentences, add on another. Begin with a prompt, Read two sentences from today’s reading and then ask an open-ended question, such as “what happened next?” or “why was this a significant event?” Help your child simplify their thoughts, “Is there a shorter way to say that?” What Can you use for Copywork, dictation, and narration? The short answer- anything The longer answer- any piece of literature or information that will enrich your child’s life. Notebooking pages are a great resource to use for copy work, dictation and narration. I’ve tried both plain notebook paper and notebooking templates with my own kids, and there’s just something to the templates that make this work more enjoyable. Bible memory verses great speeches funny poems famous poetry favorite sections from literature historical events scientific discoveries alliterations selections from excellent literature quotes from famous people words to favorite songs Additional tools for Copywork, Dictation, and Narration besides a paper and pencil Notebooking pages Whiteboard and pens! a variety of pens makes a whiteboard magical. Comic strip paper calligraphy pens (older kids) Book: 100 Years: Wisdom From Famous Writers on Every Year of Your Life Book: George Washington’s Rules of Civility Preview of the Heart of Homeschooling God’s Way Master Class. We need to STOP measuring success by grades, achievements, awards, and worksheets. Enroll in the sneak peek class here.
Don’t Panic if Your Kids Can’t Read Yet Don’t Panic if Your Kids Cannot Read Yet! Just keep reading aloud to them. Grab an exciting book and suddenly “Stop Reading” at an extremely exciting part. Leave them hanging in stories. Talk to them about the books you are reading. Give them access to books, lots and lots of book. Gather books that are below their reading level and have them “hanging around”. You, mom, pick up children’s literature and read silently to yourself. Let your kids see that there are no age-appropriate kid’s books. Help them see that a good book is simply that, a good book. I have had 5 reluctant readers myself. I chose not to panic about it, but to follow my own advice. Our youngest was the most reluctant yet. He is almost ten and had never really picked up a book on his own… until recently. Last week I couldn’t find him. I was walking all over our new home looking for him. I was shocked to stumble over him reading quietly in a corner while snuggling with the dog. I was shocked. I knew it would eventually happen, but I was still shocked when it did. He fell in love with the Magic Tree House Series. As a matter of fact he has read a whole book every day since the day I took this picture. Amazing! Do you have a reluctant reader? Keep reading to them. Supply them with lots of books. Visit the library. Often. Leave ’em hanging in a story. Just never give up. They will read. Never make it a negative, reading is fun. The only thing that matters is THAT they learn to read. Preview of the Heart of Homeschooling God’s Way Master Class. We need to STOP measuring success by grades, achievements, awards, and worksheets.
What Does Relaxed Homeschooling Really Look Like? Inside: Homeschooling can be rip-your-hair-out hard. These Tips will help you hold on to your sanity and all of your hair. I almost hit my goals with homeschooling. I know, “Almost doesn’t count except in horseshoes, hand grenades”, and homeschooling. Grandma always said, “you cannot hit a goal unless you have a target.” I aim for being a loving wife, a cool mom and a relaxed homeschooler. That is my target. Relaxed homeschooling. Yep. I try to hit that one every day, week, month and year of homeschooling. Sometimes, I even hit my goal! It has taken me years to realize that relaxed homeschooling is not lazy homeschooling. I know some of you just did a palm to the face while thinking, “Duh!” What does Relaxed Homeschooling look like? … Read More »
Daily Advent Readings: Where Do You Begin? Inside: What Bible Verses should you read with your kids during Advent? Here are Daily Bible Readings for every day during Advent. It’s as simple as: Download, Print, and Begin. Download your FREE “Advent Reading Freebie HERE” {Printable} Starting Late? No Worries. Jump in at any time! Related: When the Holidays Mess with your Homeschooling Mojo
7 Easy Thanksgiving Desserts that Kids Will be Proud to Make Inside: Thanksgiving Desserts for kids and made by kids. 7 Kid Made Thanksgiving Desserts The first time my oldest son tried to cook he was about three. He had decided that “I will make eggs”. Thank goodness the only damage was done to the eggs. I believe a dozen fresh eggs met their end that day. Photo by Andy Chilton 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”. One of the boys burns chili every. single. time. No matter how closely he watches the batch, it always goes wrong. This is now a source of great laughter in our home. Kids love cooking. As long as it is their idea of course. My brilliant husband even turned our home into a cooking school this year. As I was recovering from a foot surgery and was unable to stand for more than a few minutes, he decided the boys would learn to cook well. We invented cooking camp. {get your copy a the end of this article} Have I mentioned that my hubby is brilliant? The holidays are the perfect time to lure your kids into the kitchen. Invite them into your culinary world and teach them to make delicious and beautiful treats to share with your family and friends. Start easy. Cooking can be intimidating. My first real experience in the kitchen: I was 17 and my father told me we were having 30 people for Thanksgiving and I would be the chef. I panicked. I had a fit. I cried. Nothing worked. I was stuck. Lucky for me, my dad had a plan. He sat me down and taught me how to plan and then cook the meal. I have been executive chef of Thanksgiving since. Kids need success to build upon success in the kitchen. I have gathered easy recipes for you to try together. Drum roll once again… Here is My Top 7 List of “Must Make with the Kids” Desserts. Pilgrim Hat Cookies Can you go wrong with Taste of Home recipes? I think not! Cutest Turkey Cookies Ever! Kids will LOVE making Our Best Bites’ Turkeys! Pumpkin Fudge! The Recipe Girl makes it easy for us:). Pumpkin Fluff Dip Looking for the perfect side to your cinnamon graham crackers? All Recipes has your back! Caramel Apples! How easy would these be for the kids to help make these? Thank you Knead to Cook! Acorn Cookies This recipe is as easy as they can get! Studio Marcy has the easy instructions. Cornucopia I stumbled upon this one at The Craft Patch Preview of the Heart of Homeschooling God’s Way Master Class. We need to STOP measuring success by grades, achievements, awards, and worksheets. Enroll in the sneak peek class here.
Thanksgiving Writing Prompts: Yes, Writing! 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 Preview of the Heart of Homeschooling God’s Way Master Class. We need to STOP measuring success by grades, achievements, awards, and worksheets. Enroll in the sneak peek class here.
Why I Decorate for Christmas BEFORE Thanksgiving Yes, I am one of those people. I absolutely love the Christmas Season. But I hate the business, bustle, and hassle. Christmas is the time of year when we get to focus fully on the birth of our Lord and Savior, and I always became frantic right after Thanksgiving while I was scurrying to get everything set for our family traditions. A few years ago I was reflecting on a friend’s tradition of decorating before Thanksgiving. Like you, I thought she was crazy… so I asked her about it. “I love Christmas and want to enjoy every minute of the season in a restful state. (Or as restful as is possible). I decorate before Thanksgiving so I can simply enjoy every single day.” So a few years back I tried it. I did not even tell my husband my crazy plan. He left for work on the Monday before Thanksgiving and walked back in the door in the evening to a decorated home. He loved it. I was excited and he was able to simply enjoy the holidays without a longer list of things to do on the weekend. It saved him work and helped me get into the spirit earlier. So it became our tradition. Ok, it is really my tradition. I love sprinkling “fairy dust” and transforming the house while he is at work. This would not work for us if my hubby loved the process of decorating, but he does not so it works for us. I love taking the week of Thanksgiving to decorate for Jesus’ season. It sets my heart right. So I am one of those people. I put my tree up on Monday. String the lights on the tree and set up my decorations, like my Christmas village by Tuesday. String the lights on the outside of the house by Wednesday. Enjoy the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays from Thanksgiving week to the New Year. It works for us! How about you? Preview of the Heart of Homeschooling God’s Way Master Class. We need to STOP measuring success by grades, achievements, awards, and worksheets. Enroll in the sneak peek class here.