Realizing Motivation: A Guide for Homeschool Moms
Motivation is a tricky thing… sometimes it’s our best friend right there with us keeping us going, and at other times it’s so elusive we wonder if we’ve ever known motivation at all! The lack of motivation in my life often results in procrastination and all the ugly that goes with it. But, the presence […]
Should Your Homeschooler Do End of Year Testing?
Since annual testing isn’t required in many states, you may be wondering if you need to use standardized tests at all…join us as we look at the pros and cons of homeschool testing.
7 Ways to Combat Homeschool Burnout
The unrelenting prolonged stress of managing so many responsibilities can begin to negatively affect lives. Don’t let it get to you!
High School Homeschooling
Teaching the adolescent can be a challenge, but we can all remember how being an adolescent was a challenge! As parents, it’s vital that we not only invest in our teenagers but also understand the teenage dilemma and work to become part of the solution.
Special Needs Homeschooling
All of us at Homeschool.com believe passionately that home is the best place to educate a child. This context is even more profound when it comes to the special needs learner. Who else knows the child like his parent?
Give yourself a Checkup!
Give yourself a Checkup! By Rebecca Kochenderfer For many, the holiday season marks the midpoint of the homeschool year. It’s also the perfect time to evaluate your homeschool efforts. And even though holiday shopping, merry-making, and more shrink your available free time, putting aside a few hours to do this one thing could make all […]
Taking Care of Yourself – Self-Care is Family-Care
Taking Care of Yourself – Self-Care is Family-Care Rebecca Kochenderfer When is the last time you stopped and asked yourself if you were doing alright? As parents and homeschoolers, we spend the majority of our days helping others. We plan nourishing meals, seek out curriculum our kids will enjoy, drive to activities and playdates—and WE […]
The Holidays are the Perfect Time to Teach Social Skills
The Holidays are the Perfect Time to Teach Social Skills By Jamie Gaddy With all of the festivities, parties, plays, and general hoopla there are plenty of opportunities to teach our kiddos some social skills during the holidays! Interaction with others at various levels is common during this season and provides some real time, real […]
What’s in Your Curriculum Bag this Season?
What’s in Your Curriculum Bag this Season? By Jamie Gaddy Some of you may be saying, “Nothing!” Which is what many homeschoolers do during the holiday season, (and don’t beat yourself up about it.) We homeschool to enjoy our freedom, and if it’s best for your family to take off during the holidays – then […]
Deschooling – Why It’s So Important
“Deschooling – Why It’s So Important” by Homeschool.com’s Rebecca Kochenderfer Remember how you felt when you started? You knew the school systems weren’t working for you, yet you decided to take the plunge and homeschool. When you did, you discovered that it’s actually fun to purchase school supplies and set up study areas! You eagerly […]
Tips for Senior Year
“Tips for Senior Year” by Homeschool.com’s Rebecca Kochenderfer Most likely, your high school SENIORS intend on having the best year possible! After all, they’ve waited three years to finally call themselves homeschool seniors which means graduation is just around the corner! Below are some tips for having the best possible year as a homeschooled senior. […]
Scheduling Curriculum for the Year
“Scheduling Curriculum for the Year” by Homeschool.com’s Rebecca Kochenderfer Do you get as EXCITED as we do when homeschool curriculum shows up at your doorstep? Looking at everything in person is so much fun! But then, why do you suddenly feel a little overwhelmed once you have everything pulled out of the box? All the […]
How to Learn a Foreign Language at Home
How to Learn a Foreign Language at Home The idea of homeschooling has its fair share of grand issues to contend with such as socialization, pedagogy, and personal values but it also faces smaller, yet equally important challenges during the process. One of the most common is subject matter. Most parents feel comfortable with the […]
How to Homeschool While Living Overseas
How to Homeschool While Living Overseas Just like no two kids are alike, not every international school is created equal either. Some international schools may lack the religious convictions an expatriate family (American family living overseas) is searching for. Or the school may have a twenty-three-kids-to-a-class ratio that you are uncomfortable with. Others may not provide the services we find in most U.S. public schools; like quality […]
Homeschooling the Child Who Hates School
Homeschooling the Child Who Hates School Homeschooling is not just for gifted students, Olympic athletes or those winning national spelling or geography bees. The beauty of homeschooling is that it works to meet the needs of the individual student rather than striving to placate a multitude of students with a multitude of needs. Because of […]
High School Homeschooling FAQ
While still firmly committed to the idea of homeschooling and the choices it provides, many parents begin to second guess their decision as their child approaches the high school age. Some believe they are not qualified to teach the challenging subject matter, others worry that their child will have difficulty being accepted into a college without a traditional high school diploma, and still others worry that high school is a key time for youth to begin to socialize with other young adults in a formalized setting.
African-American History: Leaders & Famous People
The African Americans who helped shape this country into what it is today are a vital part of history study. As part of our African American History Month celebration, we wanted to take a closer look at some of the most beloved of those individuals.
African-American History: Leaders & Famous People
The African Americans who helped shape this country into what it is today are a vital part of history study. As part of our African American History Month celebration, we wanted to take a closer look at some of the most beloved of those individuals.
5 Reasons to Continue Homeschooling Through High School
Many parents, even some who have confidently homeschooled through the elementary grades, wonder if they should send their child to a traditional school for high school. Some are concerned about the challenge of teaching higher level courses. Others consider social issues, such as sports, prom, and graduation. This is a personal decision which must be considered by individual families, but here are 5 reasons to continue homeschooling through high school.
More Than 101 Things To Do This Summer!
Homeschool.com’s newest list of 101 Things to Do This Summer is BACK! And guess what? This year, we turned to you in our Facebook group and asked you for some unique ideas. You answered our request and this year, we bring you 103 things for your kids to do this summer!
Planning to Have a Boring Summer?
For many families, summertime means moving from structure and routine-filled days to…well… nothingness, which can cause chaos. You can keep this from happening by engaging in meaningful activities. Get started by having a clear-cut plan for summer learning. Homeschool.com’s new book The Summertime Survival Guide for Parents can help!
Is Your Homeschool On the Right Path?
Inspiration Station March 2017, Issue 7 Is Your Homeschool On the Right Path? by Homeschool.com’s Rebecca Kochenderfer Self-doubt can rise during any part of your homeschooling journey. Sometimes the reasons for this are obvious. Perhaps your child is struggling with a specific subject area or a family member doesn’t support your decision to homeschool. […]
Rebecca Recommends – The 5 Love Languages
Rebecca Recommends… March 2017, Issue 7 “The 5 Love Languages” by Homeschool.com’s Rebecca Kochenderfer What language is your family speaking? Years ago, while browsing in my local bookstore, Gary Chapman’s best-selling book, The 5 Love Languages:The Secret to Love that Lasts nearly jumped off the shelf into my hands. That night, flipping through its pages, I began to understand the simple brilliance of this best-selling book, which is part of a successful series. Chapman teaches that there are “five love […]
How to boost nonfiction reading skills
Check out ReadingCare’s five-day free trials and get a discount on your first order! ReadingCare gives students a new reading passage every day, Monday through Friday, with plenty of vocabulary and comprehension notes. Parents can even engage with students through daily progress reports.
Personal Advice from Homeschool.com’s Editor on How to Finish the Year Strong
Today, I want to share with you the steps I always take to help me maintain a positive attitude and outlook, and to keep myself programmed for homeschooling success.
5 Top Things to Do to Prepare Your Child for Middle School
From Laurel Springs School – the top 5 things you should consider to move your child closer to becoming an effective, efficient, independent, and lifelong learner.
Top STEAM resources for your Homeschool!
Have you ever wondered how to incorporate more ART into lessons about core subjects like science and math. Add “A” to STEM, and you get STEAM! Educents offers great ideas for you to get started with STEAM.
Advice from Homeschool.com: The best ways to avoid homeschool burnout
As I mentioned in my first advice newsletter, I homeschooled all the way from preschool to college, made plenty of mistakes, and learned a lot along the way. One of the most important things I learned, and probably the best piece of advice I have for you is…Less teaching – More cheerleading
Top Back to Homeschool Resource Awards
During the last two weeks, Homeschool.com readers have voted for their Top Back to Homeschool Resources. These include products, curriculum, and websites. Please take a moment to review the winning companies—as they’ve been named the best of the best!
New website to teach the Constitution
Hillsdale College is pleased to announce a new resource to teach about the U.S. Constitution so it’s engaging and enjoyable for students of any age. It is the new Constitution Reader website: constitutionreader.com!
Voting Results – Top Homeschooling Products and MORE
Check out our current list HERE! Voting Results – Top Homeschooling Products and MORE for FREE email updates Send to a Friend During the last two weeks, Homeschool.com readers have voted for their Top Homeschooling Products Curriculum Websites Please take a moment to review the winning companies (listed alphabetically below)—as they’ve been named the best […]
Women in History DVD study
This FREE homeschool lesson will help your kids celebrate the greatest achievements of American women throughout our history.
Teaching Your Children Financial Literacy
Teaching Your Children Financial Literacy is written by DeeDee Hughes, managing editor of Oak Meadow’s free educational journal, Living Education. In this article, she shares top money lessons for each age.
What about Socialization?
The question of socialization comes up often in conversations about homeschooling. Parents who are new to homeschooling or considering it as a future option may recognize that school provides more than just academics. They may worry about how they will recreate those other learning opportunities in their home. Well-meaning neighbors and family members may ask, “But what about socialization?” Well, what about it?
5 Ways to Improve Your Child’s Success
The Critical Thinking Co. has guaranteed higher grades & top test scores for more than 50 years! Simply put—their products work. Their award-winning homeschool curriculum, riddles, puzzles, games, software, and apps develop thinking skills and improve standards-based learning.
What Practical Life Skills/Values Are You Going To Teach Your Children?
It’s important that we teach our children practical life skills–skills that teach them how to survive in society–how to thrive in society. These practical life skills can be divided into at least six categories and the skills that fall within each category are many, varied and probably endless.
8 Ways to Help Your Child Succeed
Calvert Education, a leader in homeschooling for more than 100 years, is pleased to bring you this list of eight ways to help your child learn and grow.
Earn College Credit
A CLEP* exam is the easiest and most affordable way to earn college credits—and REA’s extensive library of CLEP* test preps can help students succeed! Accepted by more than 2,900 colleges and universities, each passed exam earns from 3-12 credits, saving hundreds of hours of classroom time and thousands of dollars in college tuition. Millions of students have used this program to achieve their educational and career goals.
Setting Up Your Student’s Learning Space to Match Their Learning Style
If this is your first year as a homeschooling family, or if you have been homeschooling for years, it is important to prepare your child’s learning space for academic success.
Four Helpful Tips for Evaluating Online Courses
Many parents who are homeschooling turn to the Internet to find online instructional resources. But determining whether or not certain online courses are an effective academic solution can be confusing, so here are four important factors to consider when evaluating online courses.
College Financial Planning
If your child is in high school, your family may be preparing for the college application process. One aspect of the college admissions process that can feel confusing for some families is financial aid. There are many types of financial assistance for college, including need-based aid, merit scholarships, and grants. The School Counseling department at Laurel Springs is dedicated to helping our students and their parents navigate the process of applying for financial aid.
Creative Motivation Tips for a Great School Year
https://www.homeschool.com/articles/connectionsacademy12/ Creative Motivation Tips for a Great School Year It’s common for students of all ages to lose motivation from time to time–and this can be a source of stress and strain for parents. Below are several fun ideas suggested by some creative Connections Academy parents that you can use to combat difficult academic challenges, […]
5 Homeschooling Secrets
Connections Academy is an accredited school-from-home program for students in grades K–12 offering an award-winning curriculum with free learning materials and resources from leading educational publishers, and a personalized learning plan tailored to your student!
Yes You Can! Raise Financially Aware Kids
Teach your kids about money management. Try these four fun games from Stowers Innovations’ book, “Yes You Can! Raise Financially Aware Kids.”
Our Sponsor: Stowers Innovations
Share High School Literature With Your Teenager
Why is the study of high school literature so important? Of course, we want our children to be well read, and hopefully to enjoy reading in general. But at the high school level, perhaps reading is secondary to the resulting thought processes. When a student reads, a student also thinks. The critical and creative thought processes, discussions, and debates that result when a student and teacher analyze and interpret a piece of literature are boundless. Doing this within the family unit allows the parents the ability to interject their feeling, beliefs, values and ideas, making the entire process a learning and bonding experience. Following, are suggestions that will make this process an enjoyable one for you and your family.
Financial Help for Homeschooling Support Groups
Homeschooling has always been more of a grassroots endeavor which lets families stay true to their philosophies by allowing them to create individualized learning environments and educational programs to meet their own needs. It also means that like-minded individuals can collaborate to improve the process through supportive groups without the bureaucracy associated with traditional school organizations.
College Admissions for Homeschoolers
The college admissions process is a stressful one but the good news for homeschooling students (and their parents) is that the procedure has recently become easier and simpler….
Awesome Test Taking Strategies
Most states require some achievement testing on a scheduled basis and many homeschooling families use standardized tests as an evaluation tool. Either way, standardized achievement tests are a part of homeschooling and just like traditional students, homeschoolers need to know how best to succeed.
Homeschoolers Today’s Colleges Want You
In the early 1980’s, mass media jumped on the news that Grant, the eldest homeschooled son of Micki and David Colfax, gained entrance to Harvard University. Grant’s appearance on The Tonight Show marked the beginning of the media’s fascination with the idea that young men and women who never attended school could get into some of the nation’s most prestigious universities and colleges. Today, homeschoolers moving on to college has become a matter of course, so there’s no reason to miss the rewards of homeschooling, even during the high school years, if your child wants to attend college.
