When my children were younger, I thought my kids should learn Spanish. So, I tried several CD-ROMs, books, and even a couple of community classes to make this happen. At that time, you couldn’t do foreign language online. I didn’t pursue it just because learning a second language is a good idea. I had
Since we unschool, you might think that the perfect homeschool planner for me would be no planner. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Just because we pursue passions doesn’t mean we are disorganized. After all, most people plan vacations to places they really want to visit. Planning ensures that they don’t miss
I have always wanted to learn Spanish. I took two years of high school Spanish, and then after college, I married the son of Colombian immigrants. My in-laws frequently conversed in Spanish with my husband, leaving me to rely on what I could recall from almost ten years earlier. Living in a culturally diverse
Ah, spring! Nature bursts with new life and hints at the warmer days to come. After so many months indoors, we can’t wait to get outside. Even with crisp mornings and threats of rain, I look forward to planning spring homeschool activities with my children. I try to incorporate as many relevant outdoor experiences as
When I started homeschooling eighteen years ago, I looked to the library for books like The Reading Teacher’s Book of Lists, Caldecott and Newberry winners, and other “best kids’ books” type lists. However, with the increasing emphasis on political correctness, homeschool reading can no longer depend on traditional references. To find the best books for
First, I must be honest. I never taught spelling with my oldest daughter (gasp!) who has now long since graduated my homeschool. I never used a spelling book, list of words, or curriculum with her, and online spelling programs didn’t even exist back then. Just as she effortlessly learned to read, she seemed to learn
I love this time of year. The twinkling lights reflecting off the snow. The starkly naked trees reaching for the cloudless sky. Promises of steaming hot drinks, cozy sweaters, and red smiling cheeks. And the joy of remembering Christ’s coming as a vulnerable, tiny babe fills my heart. Why then is this also the
To help make sure my teens are prepared for the business world, I like to read business and finance blogs. I also interview business owners and consultants. One of the common themes is the lack of work ethic and basic office skills among many young people entering the work force. As homeschoolers, we can
So, high school is underway… again. My daughter seems to be juggling everything okay except for one subject: Algebra. Entrepreneurship (which she is doing through SchoolhouseTeachers.com), literature, geography, history, French—no problem. But those subjects don’t require a lot of abstract thinking. At first, I was also concerned about the literature class because my daughter
Well, another school year is up and running. It’s both familiar and strange to begin high school with my third child. I’ve done this twice before, but every year, new resources become available and each child is a bit different. This year, my daughter chose to participate with her friends in a literature class
Recently, my husband asked me to find a new Bible study for my younger son and him to do together. They had been doing a chronological overview of the Bible using the graphic novel style Action Bible. When they finished that, they discussed the Gospel message. Then, my husband felt that an apologetics type
