How do we encourage our children to write? Here are ten tried and true ways I help my kids and students write and enjoy writing.
How to Encourage Our Children to Write
Category Archives: Learn
Poetry Games
Do your kids like poetry? Are you a fan? Poetry games are a wonderful way to learn about poetry, no matter your feelings on the genre. You’re not alone if you or one of your kids loathe it. Of all the writing genres, I think poetry gets the worst rap. Why? Poetry isn’t straightforward. Poems […]
Writing Prompts for Young Writers | Spring
One of the things I love about leading creative writing circles and classes actually happens before class when I create the agenda we’ll follow to inspire reflection, truth-telling, and storytelling. My classes always include writing prompts. These prompts, usually created around a theme, author, or genre, may emerge thanks to a poem or a specific […]
Reading Strategies | Help Kids Understand What They Read
Here’s a question I often ask students- Have you ever started to read, flipped page after page, tracked each word, maybe even spoken the words out loud, only to realize at the end of a passage or chapter you have no idea what you just read? You might be surprised how many students nod their […]
Celebrating the Winter Solstice
When my children were little, we celebrated Christmas much like my husband and I did when we were growing up. Presents, food, travel, and (limited) time together were the focus. While we definitely have some special memories, what I remember most about those early years is feeling overwhelmed. We didn’t have a lot of extra […]
Simple Handmade Gifts for Kids and Families to Make
Ever since my children could stand on a stool or sit on my lap while I sewed, they have made gifts. December in our house means we’re stirring beeswax, sewing rope into baskets, decorating cookies, and designing stuffed friends. We’re painting ornaments and assembling scrapbooks. It’s in their blood. Homemade gift-giving was a big part […]
Encourage Writing with Night Zookeeper
Writing can give our brains a workout; there’s a lot to learn and remember. It’s why whenever I teach writing, I encourage my kids and students to focus on their interests. It is also why I love using creative writing activities. Not only does creative writing make writing more fun, but it also gets kids […]
Choosing a Homeschool Curriculum for Preschool
Looking for a homeschool curriculum for preschool? When I first started homeschooling, I was too. They are out there. I found a lot of preschool resources and spent a good deal of money. Looking back, I wish I’d trusted my intuition instead of my fear. I worked at a preschool through college. A lab school […]
Choosing a Homeschool Curriculum- Tips to Get You Started
Do you use a homeschool curriculum? Do you use textbooks and follow the same track as the schools? What do your homeschoolers do all day? My answers- Sometimes, No, A Lot! If you’ve homeschooled for a while, I bet you’ve been asked these questions. If you’re new to homeschooling or are considering diving in, I’m […]
Games My Homeschoolers Love | Encourage Play & Watch Kids Learn
How do we help kids learn, love to learn, build connections, work as a team, and practice critical thinking? Play! Play! Play! Play fosters a love of learning. (Do you know this already? Looking for games my homeschoolers love? Just keep scrolling!) Full disclosure, before I had kids, I wasn’t someone who played or enjoyed […]
Niagara Falls with Kids
Looking for adventure, time in nature, a cool poncho? Look no further. Niagara Falls has it all. This summer (2022), my family and I traveled up to Niagara Falls for a quick, fun two-day trip. What follows are some of the things we loved and a few helpful tips for those who might be looking […]
How We Homeschool
Do you like taking a peek into the lives of homeschoolers? I do! I love how each family makes homeschooling their own. Here is how we homeschool, have homeschooled, and what it looks like to let your kid’s interests lead. How We Homeschool My youngest is going into middle school. It feels so bizarre to […]
Creating Science Unit Studies
When we started homeschooling, science was one of the subjects I was worried about helping my kiddos learn, but I have grown to love creating science unit studies so much. I always learn a lot too! Over the years, we’ve used several different types of resources for science. We’ve loved BookShark, Think Outside, and Kiwi Co crates. We’ve […]
Am I Patient Enough to Homeschool
I haven’t counted, but it would be fair to say that 1 in 2 people who find out I homeschool tell me they could never homeschool and be with their kids all day long because they don’t have enough patience. I am a patient person, sometimes, and I’d guess you are too. Sometimes, I am […]
Internal & External Conflicts | Post Reading Activity
Your student has finished a novel. Now what? It’s time to put all that awesome reading to work and dig a little deeper; that’s what! There are many, many ways to explore the themes and characters in a book post-reading. What’s important with a post-reading activity is not to squelch the interest the book brought […]
