Adventures of a Catholic homeschooling family in Alaska.
I have to admit that we try to include a foreign language in our homeschool plans. We have tried to incorporate Latin and we’ve made a little better progress with Spanish. However, we often end up setting them aside to focus on the basics when the going gets tough. Thanks to the opportunity to [Read On]
History is a subject that seems to go one of two ways for kids. They are either bored to tears as a teacher drones on about a topic of little interest or assigns pages upon pages of a textbook for reading OR they catch the bug and want to really dig deep and learn more [Read On]
Note ~ This blog post about Writing Fiction in High School was made possible through review materials sent by Sharon Watson as part of a Schoolhouse Review Crew product review. When I look back at my high school years, I can recall a fair amount of writing involved. I was in honors and AP [Read On]
Two years ago, the boys enjoyed themselves on the computer solidifying their basic math facts with Math Rider. When this program came up as a vendor for the Schoolhouse Review Crew, D was eagerly awaiting word on whether we’d have the chance to review it again. Lucky for him, we made the list. [Read On]
Our family is full of readers. I can find the boys with noses in books almost any day of the week. However, reading a title for enjoyment and reading to really learn is a different stories. Right now, my older boys are digging deeper with literature studies from Progeny Press. For this review, we were [Read On]
This year the boys have been studying American History. Although the older ones had already cruised through the Lewis and Clark years, R was happy to help review Sacagawea (Brave Explorers Every Child Should Know) Complete PDF e-book available from Knowledge Quest. About Sacagawea (Brave Explorers Every Child Should Know) Sacagawea is an interactive [Read On]
While most of our homeschooling efforts seem to focus on the ‘basics’ like you would find in any school, I love the flexibility to add in studies that focus on character development. Leadership is one aspect of character development that I want my boys to build up. Through the Schoolhouse Review Crew, we have been [Read On]
I’ve found that my boys tend to gravitate more towards hands on learning and science is one subject that really lends itself to that approach. Aurora Lipper at Supercharged Science has created a great venue for igniting a child’s interest in learning more about the world around them with e-Science. My boys were thrilled that [Read On]
Space is a subject that has always appealed to humans. We glance up at the sky and wonder about life beyond our planet. The boys have enjoyed previous studies related to astronomy and I figured the opportunity to review Microgravity with Janet’s Planet on DVD would appeal to them. Microgravity with Janet’s Planet There [Read On]
There are a few subjects I always hesitate to ‘farm out’ for instruction with my boys. Sending the boys for private piano instruction is one area that I hesitate to do as I feel I have the skills to teach them. However, I do not have the time to spend with them doing the one [Read On]
Right before Christmas, we received a DVD for J and I to review from Little Pim. He has enjoyed watching other Spanish educational products in the past and I admit to being rather curious about this series after reading about it on other blogs. Also, the decision to teach your young child Spanish could help [Read On]
Our family has been blessed with the opportunity to review products from Classical Academic Press in the past. Last year, P and I started delving into the study of logic with their Art of Argument curriculum. Now, we have been experiencing the study of formal logic while reviewing The Discovery of Deduction: An Introduction to [Read On]
For those that homeschool, there are always going to be subjects where you feel a bit overwhelmed. While I might be considered by some to be a ‘good’ writer, I have to admit that I struggle with teaching that subject to the boys. However, writing is a crucial skill to have out in the world [Read On]
For many of my friends, when their children reach the age of 3 or 4 they are enrolled in a preschool program where the foundations of learning are laid for future educational experiences. My boys have not really experienced this structured learning as preschoolers (although D had a preschool class complete with circle time when [Read On]
Welcome to day one of the Teaching Creatively blog hop with the Schoolhouse Review Crew! Homeschooling allows us freedom to teach our children in ways different from a brick and mortar school and customize for their learning styles. Today’s focus is on delight directed learning, something that I am not always good at fully implementing. [Read On]
Throughout the years, I’ve heard the term “the American Dream” used. But, somehow it is a concept that is not always taught to our children from an early age. Inspiring the American Dream is tackling this lack of ‘education’ with their storybook, Abraham’s Journey: A Celebration of the American Dream. About Abraham’s Journey Abraham’s [Read On]
Homeschoolers have a unique opportunity to encourage their pre-school aged children in learning. After all, they may be surrounded by older siblings who are learning all the time and even willing to read aloud to them. However, I have found that it can be more challenging when balancing older grades to come up with what [Read On]
Last October, I had the incredible opportunity to attend Apologia’s Real Refreshment Retreat in Alaska. Unlike the ones held in Baltimore and Atlanta in the spring, this one had just a few of the Apologia speakers in attendance. While the size might have been scaled down, the impact of the sessions was not. While I [Read On]
In many circles, I keep hearing how this country has strayed significantly from the ideals set forth with documents like The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States. While I might agree with some of the arguments, finding a resource to educate MY boys about those documents and the ideals set forth [Read On]
Today for the Virtual Curriculum Fair for homeschoolers, we are sharing about Exploring Our World: Social Studies and more Science. This theme can include history, geography, world cultures, worldview, biology, botany, geology, etc., etc., etc. Last year I shared about our approach to these subjects in Learning About The World Around Us. As is [Read On]
As parents, we want what is best for our kids. Whether we send them off to school or homeschool our children, we seek to nurture their environment so they have the opportunity to learn and grow. A nutritious breakfast is one way to fuel your child’s brain for learning. Now, I’ll admit that there [Read On]
Welcome to the 1st week of the 2013 Virtual Curriculum Fair for homeschoolers. This week’s topic: Playing with Words: the Language Arts This theme can include phonics, reading, writing, grammar, spelling, speech, literature, etc., etc., etc. Latin and foreign language studies could also go here. Before I reflect upon changes in our house this year [Read On]
After a string of books for teens and adults, I am so happy to share one perfect for the younger kids. About The Christian Alphabet In 1999, the Lord inspired me at a church choir event. As I sat in the back pew, listening to the awesome Christian music, an incredible urge to draw came [Read On]
Anyone that knows me realizes that I have a real love for music. I enjoy playing the piano and I love to sing. While I took years of lessons for the piano, I have never had a formal lesson on voice to hone my skills in that arena. Now I am tackling a long desired [Read On]
I just got an email that this school year’s PhysicsQuest: Spectra’s Turbulent Times! kit is open for applications. This is open to all educators, including homeschoolers! I’ve signed up and anticipate the boys will love a little break from their biology / life science studies come spring semester when this arrives. Students will do [Read On]
Have you ever wondered what life is like for a missionary family? You can do that now through a DVD series titled Growing Up Wild. Our family was sent Volume 1 and Volume 4 for this review. Each DVD retails for $18.99 plus shipping and handling. There are 5 volumes available with a discount when [Read On]
It’s here! Time for the final day of the 5 Day Preparing for the Holiday Themed Blog Hop with the Schoolhouse Review Crew… Today’s focus is on homeschooling. What’s that you say? Homeschooling and the holidays can’t possibly go together?? My response is that they CAN go together. You just [Read On]
Some years I find myself having a hard time fitting in hands on science for the younger boys. And, when we have to spend a significant amount of time in the van, I am sometimes at a loss as to how the boys can be occupied without an electronic game system. Thanks to Activity [Read On]
My friend, Debra, has decided to start back her weekly link up for Read Aloud Challenge on her blog, Footprints in the Butter. Up until this school year, we did read alouds in spurts for what we were learning with the vast majority of reading aloud being focused up J with picture books. However, we [Read On]
This year, the boys and I are exploring American History. I am so thankful that there are many options available on how to approach different periods. The Pilgrim Story from Dayspring Christian Academy is one such option out there. This program pulls from the classroom teachings of Mary Stauffer, who has taught 3rd grade at [Read On]
