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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 […]
When it comes to writing, imagery is an important literary device for kids to understand and use. Imagery brings a writer’s ideas to life. It helps them paint a picture with words. I love helping young writers create imagery and watch their writing bloom. They see the difference a good descriptive word adds and are […]
One of my daughters and my favorite ways to learn and connect with one another is through games. I especially love games we can play anywhere we are and games that don’t require a lot of setup or supplies. Sometimes we have time to kill, need a break from a complicated lesson, or we just […]
Homeschoolers, I am so excited to share all the things about uHandy mobile microscopes with you! uHandy mobile microscopes are the homeschooling tools I’ve needed for our science units but didn’t know existed. Turns out, not only are they do these amazing tools exist, they are super easy to use, affordable, and uHandy’s mobile microscope […]
I love to give FUN gifts to children, but I don’t want them just to be entertaining. I try to choose gifts that spark creativity or help kids learn a new skill. I love gifts that get kids interested in STEAM or learning about the world. I want the gifts I give to engage children […]
We started homeschooling in 2013, and ever since, my family has made many a favorite memory and learned a lot thanks to the incredible array of homeschooling resources in Indiana. Homeschooling in Indiana can be a lot of fun! We’re lucky, Hoosiers! But homeschooling resources are not always easy to find. Hopefully, this post will […]
I like to make decisions. My husband would laugh and say that’s an understatement. Perhaps it’s why I’m a teacher and a homeschooler. Autonomy is important to me. Tell me what to do, and you’re probably going to get push back. It can be a detriment (I’m working on it), but if you’re a homeschooler, […]
The number one reason I homeschool is so my children find as much joy as possible in learning. I want them to see learning as something they get to do, rather than something they have to do. Vacuuming is a chore. Learning something like math shouldn’t be. Can everyone enjoy learning math? I think so. […]
My family recently found our new favorite place to vacation. It only took us 13 years to make the 3.5-hour easy drive to Lake Michigan, and while I wish we’d known what a treasure the Indiana Dunes were sooner, I’m so glad we know about them now! I envision this is where we’re head for […]
When I was in school, learning about history meant reading from a huge textbook with tiny writing and, if we were lucky, watching old black and white movies. We memorized dates and the names of dead people. I don’t remember much because it was a huge snore. When we started homeschooling, I was determined to […]
My daughter recently finished her science curriculum. With only a few months until summer break, we decided we’d create our own unit study. “I want to learn about the stars,” she said, so we did what we do when we want to know something- scoured our bookshelves, checked out our favorite YouTube channels, Googled, and […]
Winter, the season of chilly winds and snowstorms. The season of icicles, sleds, snow people, and my personal favorite, the invitation to stay inside, sit by a fire, get cozy, and write! (Looking to dive right in- below, you’ll find my favorite winter writing prompts.) For some, like my daughter, winter brings pure delight. For […]
Have you heard of Art History Kids? If so, you know what I’m about to say! If not, consider yourself super lucky to have come across this post. Art History Kids is the online art history curriculum everyone needs to try. Filled, FILLED with lessons, activities, and resources, the creator and teacher, Lotus, provides everything […]
Have you ever traveled to China? Do you know what a xióngmão is? Have you ever seen one floss! Today is Multicultural Children’s Book Day, and as a part of the Multicultural Children’s Book Day celebration, I’m thrilled to be sharing with you one of Eugenia Chu’s children’s books, Brandon Goes to Beijing. Brandon is […]
If you have a junior or senior in high school, a college student, or your family (like mine) could use some time management tips and encouragement, Eat That Frog! For Students is a quick, informative read.
