It's that "most wonderful time of the year" again! Many homeschool families take the entire month of December off while others continue on with their regular school routine. In years past we have taken a break from our regular studies - even the 3R's - to focus on some type of Christmas unit. This year, however, because of some unexpected changes in our schedule, we will be sticking with our … [Read more...] about Christmas Lessons
Thinking Games
My family loves games. Over the years, we have acquired a fairly large collection. But even with our large collection, we usually receive at least one new game for Christmas. But all games are not created equal. There are games that are completely based on luck, completely based on skill, and all combinations in between. I especially like games that require strategy and thinking. But not too … [Read more...] about Thinking Games
Hymns for a Kid’s Heart
After two year of homeschooling, I heard an idea I quickly embraced. In fact, I don't know why it hadn't been implemented already. Start each day with worship. We read the Bible. Math lessons were completed. Spelling done. But what about ideas wrapped in melody? I wanted words from the saints echoing in our soul. Our worship time varies greatly from new music to old. We use CDs, YouTube … [Read more...] about Hymns for a Kid’s Heart
Electric KitBook
We completed a unit study on electricity earlier in the year. As I was preparing for the unit, I kept wondering how in the world I was going to design hands-on electrical learning without having to buy lots of little pieces - and quite honestly, not really knowing what I was doing. Enter the Electric Circuit KitBook. This was an awesome tool! Not only did it provide the hands-on experiences … [Read more...] about Electric KitBook
Evan Moor-Daily Word Problems
The one area that our family tended to not work heavily on was word problems for math. It always seemed to be put in the back of the line with adding, subtracting and multiplying up at top priority. That was until I came across Evan Moor "Daily Word Problems" for Math. Reading of course needs to be in place in order to really tackle the concept of word problems but once that is firmly … [Read more...] about Evan Moor-Daily Word Problems
Sonlight vs. Tapestry of Grace:Our Experience
This seems like a topic that has been covered elsewhere but I had a reader ask me about my thoughts and experiences with Sonlight and Tapestry of Grace. I will try to do my best at representing our family's experience with both programs. I originally wrote this entry for my Harmony Art Mom blog in the spring of 2009. First off, I love both approaches to homeschooling. Some of my fondest years … [Read more...] about Sonlight vs. Tapestry of Grace:Our Experience
Earth Logic Curriculum Review
Finding a good science curriculum for middle schoolers can be a challenge, and Eva Varga has created another option for homeschoolers. Eva is a former public school science teacher, and has quite a resume, so she knows how to write effective lessons with creative experiments. Her Science Logic curriculum is a collection of secular lessons and activities for middle school students. There are … [Read more...] about Earth Logic Curriculum Review
50 magazine subscriptions give-away
Home Educating Family Finally, a magazine for the thinking family. Now through Nov. 30th, Home Educating Family magazine is giving away 50, 1 year subscriptions to the readers of Curriculum Choice. That's something you can mark off of your Christmas wish list! Also, you will be entered into a chance to win a copy of The Welled Planned Day planner. This planner looks spectacular! The … [Read more...] about 50 magazine subscriptions give-away
Hero Tales: Devotional, Character Study, Church History
Homeschooling moms are great multi-taskers and always on the lookout for items that also multi-task. Hero Tales by Dave and Neta Jackson, the authors of Trailblazer Books, is part church history, part devotional, and part character study. This book can be used with various age groups and double as a family devotional. The book is geared for children aged six to twelve, however, with guidance you … [Read more...] about Hero Tales: Devotional, Character Study, Church History
Spell to Write and Read
I knew my son needed to learn how to read, but I'd never taught anyone. I debated the decision to homeschool. I worried and fretted. Then I resolved to trust the process. I'd been taught the basics of teaching phonics through a program called, Writing Road to Reading. We used it. It worked! Then we got to the spelling rules and the notebook work. I had a general idea of what to do, but … [Read more...] about Spell to Write and Read
Usborne Introduction to Art
Our family completes artist study once per month during the school year. We focus on one artist during that month - learning about their life, observing their art and completing art projects of our own. One super book that has helped us during this art study time is The Usborne Introduction to Art by Rosie Dickins and Mari Griffith. Even more than being a specific help during artist study, … [Read more...] about Usborne Introduction to Art
Build-a-Skill Instant Books
A little over a year ago, I was in eastern Washington at a teacher store and I came across a few books called "Build-a-Skill Instant Books". I thumbed through them and thought these would be great for both of my boys to use. What I loved about them at first glance was it reminded me a lot of lapbooking. If you've done lapbooking before you might be familiar with the concept of cutting … [Read more...] about Build-a-Skill Instant Books