homeschool – There's No Place Like Home

Self-Directed Learning: It’s Time to Clear Something Up…

Ah, self-directed learning. It’s one of my absolute favorite advantages of relaxed homeschooling. There can be no more effective way for children to learn, in my opinion.

In fact, its efficacy is what has enabled me to embrace a simpler homeschool approach for my children. Out of all the “fool-proof” tricks I’ve tried and well-intentioned advice I’ve received, there is no denying the fact that kids (at least, my kids) learn far more successfully and enthusiastically when they themselves are the ones who are given the reins on their education.

However, over the past few months I have realized that there are some who don’t quite understand what self-directed learning actually is, and I’ve found that the most confusion stems from one faulty idea: that self-directed learning is just another name for independent learning.

That couldn’t be further from the truth. Continue reading “Self-Directed Learning: It’s Time to Clear Something Up…”

5 Ways Unit Studies Saved Our Homeschool

Once upon a time, I quit homeschooling and sent my kids back to school.

Yes, really.

It’s not something I’m proud of, but I’ve come to realize that that dark experience is what gave me the courage to be as – ahem – outspoken about homeschooling and the public education system as I am.

While there were many things that gave me the courage and confidence to take them back out again after two years to begin our homeschool anew, today I’m going to focus on one thing that has kept us grounded: Continue reading “5 Ways Unit Studies Saved Our Homeschool”

Everything You Need to Know to Start Homeschooling

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – embarking on a new homeschooling journey can be scary. What can be more intimidating than being in charge of your child’s education when it’s been done by “professionals” for generations?

Well, I’ll tell you what…taking that very first step to begin with.

The fact is, there is so much more to beginning to homeschool than choosing curriculum and praying you get it right. Truth be told, choosing curriculum is actually one of the last things that should happen when getting started. Continue reading “Everything You Need to Know to Start Homeschooling”

A Must-Follow Reading Plan for Every New Homeschool Parent

I’ve been thinking. If there was one thing I could change about the beginning of our homeschool journey…. okay… strike that. (Because, unfortunately, there’s way more than one thing I’d change.) Okay, let’s rephrase that… one of the things I wish I had done as a new homeschool parent was to take the time to read.

Seems simple enough, right? So simple, in fact, that you may be wondering why I now feel it would have been so important for me then.

I’m going to tell you why. Continue reading “A Must-Follow Reading Plan for Every New Homeschool Parent”

Don’t Make This Mistake When Homeschooling High School

Homeschooling high school is a scary thing. Believe me, I get it. I’m going to cut to the chase today because I need to address someting that I see happening quite often. You see, this very fear is what I honestly believe is at the root of a mistake many homeschooling parents make once their kids reach those last four years of “school.”

It’s a mistake that many people wouldn’t even consider to be a problem in the first place, and therein lies the problem. Continue reading “Don’t Make This Mistake When Homeschooling High School”

How to Homeschool with Living Books

I love homeschooling. And I love books, so what better than to combine the two?

Now I’m not talking textbooks here – no thank you! As a homeschool mom, it is extremely important to me that my kids are learning in a way that is interesting and engaging, and, unfortunately, textbooks just don’t fit those criteria in my humble opinion. Continue reading “How to Homeschool with Living Books”

5 Common Reading Mistakes Made by Homeschool Moms

I love books. Are you with me? Chances are, if you’re a homeschool mom, books are as much a treasure to you as they are to me. Let’s face it. When a child learns to read, it opens up an entire world of knowledge to them.

Today I’m going to help you not to sabotage that. 🙂

One of the hardest things for us homeschool moms is to realize that you simply don’t have to replicate school in order to give your children a quality education. Unfortunately, that mentality is often all-encompassing and can potentially turn a child’s love for reading into a loathing of reading.

Take it from me. I’ve been there. Continue reading “5 Common Reading Mistakes Made by Homeschool Moms”

Teaching Your Kids Reading and Math Skills Just Got Easier!

Sometimes I feel like I was born in the wrong century. As a homeschool mom, I often look around at all of the online possibilities for educating my children – especially for reading and math – and feel intimidated instead of comforted.

Because of this, I’ve always tended to shy away from educational websites…until about 6 months ago. Continue reading “Teaching Your Kids Reading and Math Skills Just Got Easier!”

Here’s What Every Homeschooling Parent NEEDS to Know

Learning the history of public education will change the way you homeschool.

In this day and age, coming across homeschooling advice is as easy as the press of a button.

While tons of useful guidance of all kinds is available, there’s one thing I haven’t seen mentioned thus far. I’m going to tackle it today because I believe it can be vital to the well-being of any homeschool, and it’s something that I don’t think a lot of people give much thought to.

Okay, here goes. Continue reading “Here’s What Every Homeschooling Parent NEEDS to Know”