There are so many things we need to learn quickly when we start homeschooling—areas that can help establish a good educational path for our homeschool.
These articles include some of those basic things homeschoolers need to consider, things like teaching the 3 R’s, and topics such as “Should Learning Be Fun?”, and “Kids Are NOT Alike!”
The Secret to Learning
Here’s a question: Do you feel like you’re responsible for teaching your children EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO KNOW? If you think the answer is, “Yes,” then, break out the books on everything from abacus to zoology, because you have just taken on the Mt. Everest of homeschooling. And, inform your…
Kids are NOT alike!
When my children were 10, 8 and 6, a friend wrangled an invitation for us to join her at a farm for a homeschool science field trip: watching a butcher cut up a cow. It was supposed to be a practical view of—as well as a fascinating glimpse into—the insides…
Teaching a Child to Read (Part 1 of 3 Rs)
As a young homeschool mom, I thought that teaching a child to read must be as difficult as learning to speak Swahili. This was my first great hurdle to jump if I was to continue homeschooling my children, so I pored through the catalogs available to us in 1986, searching…
Struggling To Read (Part 2 of 3 R’s)
Do you have a child who is struggling to read? If so, I have a story for you. If you have ever met a high school graduate who says, “I will NEVER crack a book again as long as I live!!”, and you ask them why, you may discover something…
Writing and Spelling (Part 3 of 3 Rs)
Writing and spelling are another aspect of the Three R’s. If your kids love to write and are great at spelling, then move on to the next blog, which is on the third “R” — arithmetic. If that’s not your situation, I’ve got another story. It had never occurred to…
Teaching Grammar (Part 4 of 3 R’s)
Teaching grammar is a must! It provides the foundation and building blocks for writing. And, if you’re like me and you never learned much, now is a great time to learn! I somehow missed this subject, or at least most of it, as I moved from school to school during…
Making Math Fun (Part 5 of 3 Rs)
Teaching math to your kids can be a real challenge, but making math fun will make it an adventure! Math—loved or hated? Do you love math? If so, you light up when it’s time to pull out the math books and teach your kids. If, on the other hand, you…
Should Learning Be Fun?
As you begin reading this, check in with your own heart. Are you already feeling a bit defensive (“That’s a CRAZY idea! No one would know grammar if learning had to be fun!!”)? Or, perhaps a bit guilty (“Oh, NO! She’s going to tell me I’ve been doing this wrong!”)?…
You Want to Know WHAT?
As a young homeschool mom, I had the privilege of hearing John Taylor Gatto speak on education the year that he was named New York State Teacher of the Year. One nugget of wisdom shared that day, that has stayed with me all these years, is the concept of “the…
Break Down Each Step of Learning
In 2004, homeschoolers in Rotorua, New Zealand, joined us for an evening of dialogue about parents teaching children at home. It was a precious time, particularly poignant for me because it was being hosted by a Maori family. The Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand, with a somewhat…
Thoughts on Teaching Writing
To teach writing, it’s helpful to see how professional writers do what they do. So, with the background of having written or contributed to 17 published books over nearly 30 years, let me share a few tips: “Write what you know” is great advice. A well-written piece, like a delicious…
Grading and Testing
Is it necessary for you to test and grade your kids? Short Answers Testing kids? It depends. At some point, kids need to learn HOW to take a test. Grading kids? It depends. High school students will need grades for a transcript. For a more nuanced answer, let\'s consider what…
Why quit homeschooling?
If you are a homeschooler, may I ask you an honest question? Here it is: Have you ever wanted to quit homeschooling? I think if we could all sit around a table and talk together, we would be surprised at how much we have in common when it comes to…
How to Teach What They Hate
In a conversation on FaceBook, one homeschool mom asked me, “How do you tackle subjects that a kid might hate, but they have to take? In our current situation it’s Algebra. I feel like we can barely get through it, let alone make it fun.” That is SUCH an…
Time for a Change?
As you consider the events of this homeschool year, ask yourself, “Is it time for a change?” And, as you consider trying a new curriculum, it might also be valuable to consider a few changes in the approach to homeschooling. Here is a question that may help you evaluate whether you need to make…