Homeschool Blog
The homeschool methods that I’ve embraced are those of Charlotte Mason and Unschooling. I would probably say that I’m mainly Charlotte Mason with an Unschooling attitude. Intrigued? Click around below for homeschool advice and encouragement.
- Best Books on Shakespeare for Kids
We’re diving into Shakespeare and the Elizabethan Era with all the books on Shakespeare and fun books inspired by his works! Interested in learning how I introduce the Shakespeare’s actual plays to my kids? Find that info here: Easy Ways to Introduce Shakespeare to your Kids This post may contain Amazon Affiliate Links. I may earn… Read more: Best Books on Shakespeare for Kids - Fun Beginner Books for Emerging Readers
Our favorite chapter beginner books from the series Big Foot and Little Foot, Marvin and James, Mercy Watson, and Deckawoo Drive. - Book Club for Middle Schoolers: Our Selections 2024-2025
We had a fun second year of our book club for middle schoolers (although we only had two middle schoolers)! Here are all the ideas, links and discussion guides that we used for our meetings! This post may contain Amazon Affiliate Links. I may earn a few cents on qualifying purchases. Thanks in advance for helping… Read more: Book Club for Middle Schoolers: Our Selections 2024-2025 - Best Books about Poetry for Kids
Poetry, but make it fun! Here are the best books about poetry that we read in the past year. Bit by bit, my kids were inspired to write their own! This post may contain Amazon Affiliate Links. I may earn a few cents on qualifying purchases. Thanks in advance for helping with the costs of running… Read more: Best Books about Poetry for Kids - My Father’s World Review of Rome to the Reformation
Here’s our family’s My Father’s World review of Rome to the Reformation, which covers the Middle Ages. It can be used for a range of kids from 2nd to 8th grade. - A Closer Look at Our Living Books Stack
At the end of our school year this year, I did a thing. I decided to make a book stack of all of the chapter books we had read in the past 12 months, from July 2024 to June 2025. Ta-da! Our living books stack! I actually wish I had gotten a picture with the… Read more: A Closer Look at Our Living Books Stack - The Middle Ages in Literature: Review of AmblesideOnline Year 7
AmblesideOnline Year 7 focuses on the Middle Ages in literature and history. I’ll start there and then move on to the other subjects. - CS Lewis Books on the Middle Ages
This year our family fun theme is: CS Lewis Books! He wrote a lot of them. As a family, we’re reading the books he wrote for children. So these are the CS Lewis books I’m reading for me, and this is how it’s going. “Oh, that’s one of Lewis’s scholarly books. Are you a scholar?”… Read more: CS Lewis Books on the Middle Ages - Diverse Versions: Little House on the Prairie
I’m not saying “don’t read Little House on the Prairie.” But also check out these two books, rooted in history, and sharing Asian and Jewish perspectives. - Great Books for How to Write Poetry for Beginners
This past summer, I tried a few informal poetry projects with the kids. I’m no expert on how to write poetry for beginners, but these books helped a ton! - What is Mother Culture in a Charlotte Mason Homeschool?
Mother Culture is slightly different from self-care. If you’re familiar with Charlotte Mason, you have probably heard of it. So, what is Mother Culture? - Finland’s Education System: Awesome Results
It was in 2014 that Finland appeared on my radar. A newly released book highlighted parenting styles around the world, and Finland’s education system stood out! - What does Sisu mean: The Finnish Way to Happiness
When we studied Finland, I encountered the concept of sisu through author Katja Pantzar. What is sisu? Here are 10 ways I’m incorporating it in our homeschool. - Easy ways to Introduce Shakespeare to your kids
With memories of a attending a magical Shakespeare production at the Globe Theater in London, I knew that I wanted to introduce Shakespeare to my kids. - Nature Study: 5 Easy Tips the Charlotte Mason Way
Having gone to public school, I would say that Nature Study was probably the most foreign subject for me. Here are 5 ways to increase your nature knowledge. - What to Bring on a Hike: Love Nature with Kids
Nature Walks are such a great part of homeschooling. Don’t know what to bring on a hike? Over the years, I’ve found these items useful when curiosity strikes. - Citizenship Subject: Practical applications the Charlotte Mason way
What is Citizenship, exactly? Charlotte Mason considered the citizenship subject as intertwined with history and encompassing a study of government. - How to Implement Charlotte Mason Narration
Narration is highlighted in number 14 and 15 of the list of Charlotte Mason principles. But first things first…what IS Charlotte Mason narration? You’ve narrated before! Surprise! When you summarize the events of the day, or a book, or a movie…that is narration! Think of narration as a re-telling or a summary. After hearing the information… Read more: How to Implement Charlotte Mason Narration - Geography Board Games Inspired by Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia
We are currently studying Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia in our history cycle. In addition to interesting picture books, historical fiction chapter books, crafts, food, and art, I found these geography board games! I’ll say it once and I’ll say it again: Geography is the best interdisciplinary subject! Geography Board Games that are Actually Ancient Games… Read more: Geography Board Games Inspired by Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia - 5 Reasons to Add Strategy Games to your Homeschool
Games! Even before kids, we were huge fans of strategy games. Aside from books, Board Games are what take up most of our shelf and closet space! Here are 5 reasons to add strategy games to your homeschool: 1. Connection through strategy games It’s really hard to switch between being the homeschooling leader and just… Read more: 5 Reasons to Add Strategy Games to your Homeschool - Why do People Homeschool? This is Our Story
Why do people homeschool? Well, hmm…I have two answers for you. The first is for people who are challenging my audacity to teach my children. The second answer is for current or potential homeschoolers who really want to have a deep conversation about it. Both answers are true! Here’s our story. The First Answer So,… Read more: Why do People Homeschool? This is Our Story - Homeschool Music Education: Advice from a Piano Teacher
Music Education is near and dear to my heart. I used to run a full piano studio, and when people found out, they would almost always say, regretfully, “I wish I hadn’t quit piano.” There are so many parallels between teaching private piano lessons and homeschool music education! My Background When I started teaching piano,… Read more: Homeschool Music Education: Advice from a Piano Teacher - Living US History Curriculum: How to Implement it
This is our second time going through a living US History Curriculum with picture books and experiences. I’ve learned so much from homeschooling this way for seven years now. Our First time The first time we went through US History, my twins were 7 years old and the littles were 3 and 4. We lived… Read more: Living US History Curriculum: How to Implement it - Our Family Style Homeschool Curriculum for this year: 2024
Here are our family style homeschool curriculum picks: what we are starting and continuing in 2024. If I mention a specific curriculum, please know that I pick and choose from multiple curricula, modify everything, and add reads as I please. My oldest kids (twins) are in 6th grade! Please don’t tell me that’s Middle School… Read more: Our Family Style Homeschool Curriculum for this year: 2024 - 2024: New Year, New Curriculum
Isn’t the New Year always such a thrill? It feels brand new to write January 1, concentrating on writing the next numbers 2-0-2-4 correctly. Let me share what has worked for us: New Year, New Curriculum. Combatting the January Blues Does anyone else find January a bit dull after all the fall holidays? I noticed… Read more: 2024: New Year, New Curriculum - The Value of Self Directed Learning and Play
When real life interrupts school, shift and think of real life as school! More and more, I see the value in self directed learning. - The Functions of Play in Your Homeschool
Find a new way to add play to your day You might not think of yourself as a playful parent. Having twins, I certainly do not remember actively sitting down with them for creative and imaginative play. They had each other to play with, as soon as they were old enough to realize it. My… Read more: The Functions of Play in Your Homeschool - Top Twelve Money Saving Tips for Travel
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day has me reminiscing about the week I spent on the Emerald Isle, two decades ago! Friends and I traveled around the island for one amazing week, taking buses from the Guinness Storehouse to the house of Waterford Crystal to the Cliffs of Moher. For now, we are getting as close as… Read more: Top Twelve Money Saving Tips for Travel