Mom Is Teaching

I know that there are some beautiful families that have kids who love each other and respect each other and never, ever fight.

Mine isn’t one of them.

It’s a common parenting task, whether home schooling or using public schools. Pulling the kids off of each other as they slug it out over the blue hot wheels car even though there are three others just like it a few inches to the left. What? Don’t tell me your’s haven’t done that! Well I know I’m not alone here, from a comment by Suzanne:

I am the mother of a previously HS child, who I then sent to public school Kindergarten, and now he’s coming back home.
I am not nervous at all about HS’ing again. I am just trying to figure if I should keep his 7 year old sister home for 3rd grade. THAT gives me a lump in my throat, can I handle two….or will I spend my days settling the warring factions of sibling rivalry? I would love to hear your thoughts on that.

Ohhh sibling rivalry. I have more than my share of that around my house. Mostly the boys love each other, like for instance when my oldest hugged and kissed his brother last night after a painful collision with the coffee table. But there are still those moments of brutal screaming, crying, and threats. Most of that coming from me while they are wailing on each other over the littlest, mundane things.

I’m pulling out my copy of Siblings Without Rivalry: How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live Too this weekend to reread and try to adjust myself. I find I have to do that every so often so I fall off the sane parenting track. This is obviously why I’m an only child.

So what’s your parenting tragedy for when the kids are fighting and fussing?

parenting, sibling rivalry

I’m a bit stumped on a question I was asked so I’m asking you for help. Lori D is looking for a family that does a particular style of home education, and while I know what she’s talking about I can’t put my finger on exactly who it was or when I talked about them. Maybe someone else has the answer.

Summer, I’m looking for a blog that you referenced sometime back. It’s about a family that does “Project Homeschooling” style. They do a project together as a family and whatever they learn from it that’s great. Can you help me? Thanks!

I’m drawing a big blank on this! I know what she’s talking about, I distinctly remember talking about a family, maybe a few families, that did things like this, and yet I can’t find the posts about them. I know that I loved this style when I first heard about it. It is a bit like unit studies are a larger scale, as the entire family comes together to do the project. Older kids and younger kids work together and take from it what they will.

Does anyone remember who this was, or who else does this? Are you a family that teaches in this way? Have any links to share that might tell more about this style?

home education, family, kids

As the school year draws to a close for some a new wave of home educating families are stepping up. The ones who either made it through the year of public or private school and are switching to home education, and the ones facing enrolling their children in school for the first time next year and deciding to stay home instead. As the year stretches into the summer there will be more and more parents suddenly doing the “OMG I’m not sending the kids to school, what will I do” freak out dance.

I love Tammy’s response to one parent’s fears on perfect homeschooling. Things don’t have to be perfect, in fact nothing ever really is. But who would want perfection anyway, that’s pretty boring if you ask me. Spontaneous chaos is what gives moms a chance to shine, and where the most important lessens are often learned. Even if you feel like hyperventilating when it’s happening.

It’s totally normal to be hyper when you’re starting out something SO new, an interesting, and BIG, and fun, and scary, and all that. So, enjoy it. Sign up for everything, get really going. Then, when you feel yourself burning out, back out, do less stuff, and relax. Whether you start by relaxing or start by going into overdrive, you’re still doing a great job and learning about your role as a homeschooling parent.

I think even some experienced families get a little freaked out with each new year. The kids are older, they may be requiring something new, younger children might be getting old enough to start some things, regulations and requirements might have changed, or anything else can throw perfectly sane parents into confusion.

I saw a few other blogs linking to this list of benefits of home education. Some were saying that when things started feeling stressed and they were questioning enrolling their children for next year this list made them relax. So I thought I would pass it on as well, something to help you de-stress and breath.

home education, education, school, parenting

I was thrilled when I received an email asking if I wanted to read Deschooling Gently before it officially came out. I practically jumped out of my seat with excitement at the idea. Tammy Takahashi is one of my favorite homeschooling bloggers and Just Enough, Nothing More is a blog I try to read every day. I received an ebook copy in my email and waited with bated breath for a free night when I could sit down and devour it. This weekend I got that chance and the wait was worth it.

Deschooling Gently is one book that I have to recommend for every new homeschooler. Tammy explains beautifully the problems that many parents face when they look upon homeschooling for the first time. She also shares plenty of her own experiences, both good and bad, so that you get a definitely personal feel. You will not feel like you are being talked down to by some homeschooling guru like some books. She takes you through her own journey into homeschooling her three children and shares some tidbits of other families that she has known who have struggled coming into homeschooling. Let’s face it, for many people choosing to go against the grain and take the homeschooling route is a difficult decision to make.

In Deschooling Gently you explore the many important topics that frequently come up in homeschooling. From choosing the “right” curriculum, to goal planning, to just keeping track of it all. Plus how to find support and how to deal with the ever present doubters and haters. She shares a lot of great information plus lists useful websites and books for you to check out to learn more.

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For the last few months I have gotten at least one email, sometimes, more, each week asking me questions about homeschooling. I don’t mind it at all, in fact I love trying to find the answers to these questions and share links that I hope will help them further. But in these questions there are often some asking me for curriculum recommendations. I honestly don’t mind fielding questions on finding good curriculum, but I need a little help to know what they need.

Last week I got two such emails. One was from a mom looking for places to get free or cheap homeschooling resources and curriculum material, another from a mom wanting to know where to buy her daughter’s curriculum from. The problem is when you are looking for curriculum there are a thousand different variables. What style are you using, how much structure do you want, and what are your state’s requirements? Those simple questions can be the difference between spending hundreds of dollars on a prepackaged set or spending a few dollars on some used books and printer paper.

Many soon-to-be homeschooling parents know they need to check their state’s laws before homeschooling. Find out what is required, will you need to keep records, will you be required to take the standardized tests, will you need to submit anything before homeschooling. But from there some parents do not know where to go. I still remember one email I received two months ago from a frustrated mother who was quickly planning to pull her child out during winter break. Her need to homeschool came on so quickly that she had not yet had a chance to really learn more about it. When I supplied links to various sites that would provide more information her response was flustered disbelief. She had assumed that there was one national curriculum plan that all schools, and all homeschooling families, had to follow. The idea that there were many different styles and options went against her assumptions about what homeschooling meant.

I thought now might be a good time to update the list of homeschooling methods I’ve talked about. I certainly haven’t covered them all, and they are just basic overviews, but they are a good place to start if you’re not sure where you are at on the homeschooling spectrum.

• Enki Education (Holistic Approach)
• Waldorf part 1 and part 2
• Unschooling
• Montessori
• Classical /Neo-Classical
• Charlotte Mason
• Unit Studies
• Eclectic
• Literature based
• Principled Approach
• Online homeschooling

homeschooling, education, curriculum

Got any great homeschool tips you would like to share?

The always fabulous Mrs. Fussypants is almost ready to reopen Homeschool Hacks, the collective tip site for homeschoolers. If you have any tips, ideas, or hacks to make homeschooling easier let her know. I have several to add, I just haven’t had time to email her yet. I know, I know! Must make time for the Fussypants!

She’s taking it a step (or several) further than just homeschooling though. She is calling the main site Blissfully Domestic and dedicating it to all things domesticly related. Covering tips on children’s health, cooking, crafts, and more this is looking to become a full service stop on the internet. And she promises that it won’t just be for homeschoolers, so you can send your non-homeschooling friends over as well.

Of course if you never checked out Homeschool Hacks before you could always do so now. The archives are full of already shared tips and ideas that you can browse through. From lesson plans to games to resources and more. There is a lot of great advice tightly packed into those archives. Or you can just wait until the grand reopening on February 18th. I don’t know about you, but I’m terrible at waiting. Especially for surprises.

So if you have any tips or advice that you would love to share with other homeschooling families head over and give Fussy a shoutout. You might just see your name up in the big lights of the new Homeschool Hacks. It’s all about sharing the love.

homeschooling, homeschool hacks, Mrs. Fussypants, tips, ideas, advice

Last night a friend of mine shared this blog post that she had found. It really hit home with her, and gave myself some food for thought. I woke up this morning knowing that there are many other homeschooling moms out there who probably fit in the same situation. And probably some who didn’t even realize that they were.

Can we really expect our children to shun screen time in favor of books if we are constantly checking our email, reading message boards, or *gasp* blogging throughout the school day?

Can we admonish our children to finish their work in a timely way when we can barely get dinner on the table by nightfall?

Can we honestly reprimand our kids for letting projects go unfinished if they can look around and see a half-dozen incomplete projects (sewing, crafting, writing, cleaning) of our own making?

Can we chide our children for letting their work pile up until it is overwhelming when we are dealing with a mountain of neglected laundry every saturday?

In short, if we are disorganized, scattered dilettantes, can we really expect anything better of our children?

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It’s a backwards Works For Me Wednesday, where we get to ask a question and soak up the answers that come our way. I’ve got a quick question that I hope someone can answer.

We’ve got a lot of stuff. Crayons, glues, pencils, papers, notebooks, scissors, and so on. Unfortunately not a lot of space. The closets in this house are tiny, and already cramped full. Counters are limited, shelves are stuffed, and we’re basically living in too small of a house. It is unnerving, because compared to most people we know we barely have anything. Yet in a house that seems to have been made for newlyweds our family is bursting at the seams.

So give me some good storage ideas. Something that doesn’t look tacky, but that doesn’t cost much. If I can do it for free or next to it that’s even better. But it also has to be able to withstand nosy cats and a curious toddler.

What would you suggest?

works for me wednesday, storage

A friend of mine has made the choice to homeschool her sons and plans on pulling them out over winter break. I wonder how many other families decide this is the time to take action and homeschool? We often focus on the families preparing over the summer months, but there are many who sit through that first semester of school and say “no more”. It must be a mixture of fear and relief that first day back, when the neighborhood kids are packing on the bus outside and you are staring out the window hoping no one notices that your kids aren’t in line.

April of Lunablog must have been thinking the same thing when she decided to open up her free homeschool curriculum. The first year of lesson plans will become available on New Year’s day.

Some families probably think it is illegal. I know my friend feared that she had to complete the year before she could pull her sons out. Luckily here in Oklahoma the laws are very relaxed and it’s not a problem at all. Legally at least. It’s probably best to check the state laws first though, as some states may require you to jump through hoops before pulling your children out of school.

I also can’t stress enough that when pulling kids from the tightly structured school day to a looser homeschool day to give your kids time to unwind. Deschooling is letting them get it out of their system, to unlearn that learning is a chore to be avoided but instead a treat to be enjoyed. Don’t worry that they’re not doing much during that time, there is more than enough real world education they can get as they unwind. If that seems too unnerving for you maybe you need some Deschooling For Parents too.

And just a short note: unschooling does not mean unparenting. I know that most people can tell the difference, but there are always a few who don’t get it. If you read the comments there you’ll see a great discussion on how the two differ.

New year, homeschooling, unschooling, deschooling, free curriculum

I am thrilled to be hosting the Carnival of Homeschooling for a second time. It is always so much fun reading the great posts that people submit. I was even more excited when I found out that this was the 100th edition! Recently Oklahoma, where I live, just celebrated it’s centennial. So I thought I would let them celebrate the big 100 together and share some fun facts about the great state of Oklahoma as you browse the carnival.

But first, let’s start the celebration off right!

Jocelyn presents 2007 Holiday Bundle posted at Lothlorien, saying “A homeschooler’s bundle of homeschool prizes: books, ebooks, magazines, tshirts, candles, and more! A three week contest that is a homeschooler’s delight!”

HappyCampers presents Happy Thanksgiving To Those We Love Near & Far posted at Reese’s View Of The World, saying “Need a way to put your digital pictures together in a memorable way? My husband found a program called Muvee (www.muvee.com) & it is so very simple. You upload your pictures & video to the program, choose a “style”, throw in a song or two from your computer, & viola! A memorable movie that you can either upload to the internet hosting site (we use Photobucket) or burn onto a disk. For Christmas last year, I made a movie of our whole year’s photos & burned movies & sent those instead of Christmas cards. Anyway–I wanted to share this really NEAT and so VERY easy program because it makes some knock out movies! ”

Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,579,212 residents in 2006 and a land area of 68,667 mi² Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state. Its name is derived from the Choctaw words okla and humma, meaning “red people”,and is known informally by its nickname, The Sooner State. Formed from Indian Territory on November 16, 1907, Oklahoma was the 46th state to enter the union. Its citizens are known as Oklahomans, and the state’s capital and largest city is Oklahoma City. (from wikipedia)

Melissa presents November 23rd - The History of Art - Lascaux Cave Paintings posted at Melissa’s Idea Garden, saying “I am beginning a daily blog post where I will share about a type of art or a specific piece of art, some information about it and links for people to explore and hopefully a lesson plan link. This link is to the first post which is about Prehistoric cave paintings. ”

Theresa Twogood presents The ‘New Dark Ages’ posted at OLIN e-Book e-Publishing, saying “This will become your response to when one asks why you home school. I hope you can use this to help families.”

Summer presents What does that spell? posted at Wired For Noise.

Carole Fogarty presents Nine things you don?t know about your children?s bedroom: posted at THE HEALTHY LIVING LOUNGE.

April Duritza presents A smoother-running household in one minute or less posted at Lunablog.net.

Before Oklahoma became a state it had a long, troubled history. It was to Oklahoma where thousands of Native Americans were sent after being forcibly removed from their lands in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee in the 1830s. The area, already occupied by Osage and Quapaw tribes, was designated Indian Territory by the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the Indian Intercourse Act of 1834. Fifteen tribes were given land within the territory in 1830, but by 1890 more than 30 tribes had been given land in the territory. This land was later greatly reduced by the Dawes Act in 1887 in an effort to promote white settlers moving in and to allow purchase by railroad companies. Still Oklahoma has the largest American Indian population of any state. Many of the 252,420 American Indians living in Oklahoma today are descendants from the original 67 tribes inhabiting Indian Territory.

Activities Coordinator presents A Nation Deceived posted at Life On The Planet.

HappyCampers presents Powerful posted at The Adventures Of The Williams Family, saying “It’s amazing what the media feeds our children. ”

Tricia presents A Word About Social Justice posted at School on Wheels, saying “What are you teaching your children about social justice? Social justice is an issue that can be discussed with children from even a very young age. They can make a difference (as can we)!”

Andrea presents We need to choose between homeschool and public school posted at Notes From A Homeschooling Mom.

Mandy presents Helping Your Child Learn History posted at Building Blocks Blog.

On November 16, 1907, Oklahoma became the 46th state in the Union. This move to statehood was greatly prompted by the discovery of oil just below the ground. People came from all parts of the world to seek their fortunes in Oklahoma’s teeming oil fields. Cities like Tulsa, Ponca City, Bartlesville and Oklahoma City flourished.

Kevin presents Increasing Productivity in the Homeschool Classroom posted at More4kids Homeschooling.

JacciM presents Of Heroes and Spiritual Mothers posted at The Educational Life, saying”Is there room in our curriculum choices for going beyond the 3R’s? Is there a place for inspiring our children with the lives of great heroes? ”

Judy Aron presents Tax Credits For Homeschoolers - Bad Idea! posted at Consent Of The Governed, saying “Why we do not need federal laws which mention homeschooling, nomatter how well intentioned they are”.

Annette Berlin presents 20 Ways To Save On Homeschooling posted at Homeschooling Journey, saying “Providing your child with fine home education doesn’t have to be expensive. It all depends on the choices you make. There are plenty of free or inexpensive resources available if you choose to take advantage of them. ”

And yet while we look at the prosperity we cannot forget the terror that was going on at the same time. The 1921 Tulsa Race Riot was a shocking moment of civil disorder that lasted for more than 16 hours. As racial and political tensions grew disrest amonst the citizen grew. Finally errupting after a young black man was arrested for assault and members of his commuity feared a lynching would happen. One gun shot became the worst race riot in US history.

DeputyHeadmistress presents Homeschool Leadership posted at The Common Room, saying “Be wary of putting people up on pedestals. ”

Robin presents My Autodidacts and Me: Unschooling with a Curriculum posted at The Life Without School Blog, saying ” … mom learns yet another lesson on the homeschool journey, as does daughter. Curriculums have their place in our world when used as a tool to meet a need as defined by the learner (even if derived from an imposed demand, or not) and especially when the learner chooses her path and her method. ”

Susan presents Mother of a prodigal child posted at kerugma, saying “Hi, my name is Susan and I have a rebellious teen… ”

Ella presents The playground posted at most | least.

Rose presents Check Your Child’s Toybox for Lead posted at Learning at Home. Lead exposure causes brain damage–and lead is in a lot of toys. Check the list before you go out to buy more toys.

Rebecca presents Two More Reasons to Homeschool posted at Little Homeschool on the Prairie.

During the great depression Oklahoma was hit hard. As part of the dust bowl caused by drought, ovr grazing from cattle, and farming pplants that did not hold the top soil into place. Many Oklahomans, nicknamed Okies by the press, left for what they hoped would be more prosperous lives elsewhere. Those who stayed suffered through massive dust storms that blacked out the sky. Black Sunday April 14, 1935 was the worst storm recorded, one that many people thought was a sign of the world coming to an end.

ChristineMM presents Right Ways of Behavior Parenting Series: Epilogue: Feeling Overwhelmed by Parenting Challenges posted at The Thinking Mother. ChristineMM shares about feeling overwhelmed by parenting challenges and works out her thoughts in a series of blog posts about children’s behavior.

Rebecca presents Homeschool Hovering? posted at Little Homeschool on the Prairie.

Ted Reimers presents Where to find Scholarships posted at CampusGrotto.

Despite the hardships and the problems Oklahoma grew and thrived. In 1952, The Economy Co. publishing company changed the way schools taught reading with the publication of Phonetic Keys to Reading. After some resistance, the book’s emphasis on developing reading skills through a phonetic and structural analysis of words caught on. The next year Oklahoma became the first state to provide by law for a statewide educational television system. Oklahoma continued to go up, up, up. Oklahoma is even the home to an astronaut, Owen Kay Garriott.

Shauna presents holiday reading basket posted at Treasure Seekers.

Henry presents The collection from a couple years ago posted at Why Homeschool, saying “Henry writes that one of the benefits of having children who love to read is they also tend to think more.”

My own post Academics and Education posted here at Mom Is Teaching shares some of my thoughts on how parents view academics in schools.

Amanda presents The Homeschooler’s Book of Lists Resource Book Review posted at The Daily Planet, saying “Don’t you just love it when you find a treasure chest of knowledge?? I know I do. I recently found a wonderful resource book that has just about everything in it. Here is my review. This book is one that will really enhance your homeschool.”

NerdMom presents It’s Disgusting and We Ate It! posted at Nerd Family Things. I have found a fun yet educational book about how different food views are.

Dawn Adams presents Teaching Latin posted at Day by Day Homeschooling.

Denise presents Hundred chart Nim posted at Let’s play math!. This game gives young children a chance to build fluency with double-digit arithmetic, an important foundation for their future study of mathematics.

Sarah presents Titanic Unit Study posted at SmallWorld.

Dana presents Homeschooling for more than “just religious reasons” posted at Principled Discovery.

Oklahoma is a beautiful state, one of both tall grass praries and sparkling mountain ranges. Despite the state’s troubled history Oklahoma has became a place that many are proud to call home. Mickey Mantle, Gene Autry, Maria Tallchief, Wiley Post, Belle Star, Hanson, Troy Aikman, and Shannon Lucid are just some of the famous Oklahomans many people have heard of. Artists, scientists, athletes, and more have found beginnings in Oklahoma.

Barbara Frank presents Is There a Novelist in the House?….Yes! posted at Barbara Frank. saying “A homeschooled teen is an early winner in National Novel Writing Month.”

christinemoers presents Decluttering is not just for housework posted at welcome to my brain. Letting the school “stuff” pile up can suffocate learning!

Barb presents The Heart of Harmony - Drawing with Children-Nature Journal Style Lesson 3 posted at The Heart of Harmony, saying “I have started a series of blog entries that help families to use the book Drawing with Children to help with their nature journaling skills.”

Jenny-up the hill presents Silk Worms posted at Up the Hill Gang.

Tea Party Girl presents Have You Made Your Indoor Tea Corner Yet? posted at Tea Party Girl.

Stephanie presents An Easy and Frugal Grandparent Gift posted at Stop the Ride!, saying “A fun project to do with the kids! ”

HowToMe presents How To Sew a Warming Scarf posted at HowToMe, saying”Have you ever seen something in a magazine and thought - “Oooh, I can make that for Christmas and I know just who I can give it to!”? Well, that happened to me this week and I can’t wait to tell you how my $5 investment turned out”

Jacque presents Just Another Imperfect Homeschool Family posted at Seeking Rest In The Ancient Paths, saying “Homeschoolers are real people. I am a real, flesh-and-blood, totally imperfect human being who happens to: 1) be married to a nice, giving man and 2) homeschool our eight fantastically talented children. All of us are imperfect, and each of us have our times when, believe me, you do not want to be around us.”

Let’s finish this off with a song. Everyone join together in the state song!

Brand new state! Brand new state, gonna treat you great!
Gonna give you barley, carrots and pertaters,
Pasture fer the cattle, Spinach and Temayters!
Flowers on the prarie where the June bugs zoom,
Plen’y of air and plen’y of room,
Plen’y of room to swing a rope!
Plen’y of heart and plen’y of hope.

Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain,
And the wavin’ wheat can sure smell sweet
When the wind comes right behind the rain.
Oklahoma, ev’ry night my honey lamb and I
Sit alone and talk and watch a hawk makin’ lazy circles in the sky.
We know we belong to the land
And the land we belong to is grand!
And when we say–Yeeow! A-yip-i-o-ee ay!
We’re only sayin’ You’re doin’ fine, Oklahoma! Oklahoma–O.K.

Lydia presents Levers La La La: A Science Song to Teach about Levers posted at Little Blue School, saying “Three classes of levers. Three verses of the La La Levers. Another little blue song. ”

NerdMom presents Nerd Family: Friedman on Schools (Choir Style) posted at The Nerd Family Blog. This is a humorous and musical interpretation of Milton Friedman’s views on homeschooling.

I hope you have enjoyed this week’s edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling! Submit your blog article to the next edition of carnival of homeschooling using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

homeschooling, blogging, blog carnival, carnival of homeschooling

Rocks In My Dryer is doing a backwards Works For Me Wednesday today. Instead of posting a tip we are supposed to be asking a question. Well here is mine.

As the holiday season creeps closer I get a knot in my throat at one thought: the gifts. Maybe I’m too picky in what I want for my son. Especially when it comes to toys. No light-up, loud noise, battery needing, plastic stuff. When I say that I seem to get these looks of “Then what on earth do I buy?” Usually because my request is so bizarre I end up with a pile of toys I hate. They’re loud, obnoxious, easily broken, require a thousand batteries, and don’t let the kids actually play. Pushing a button over and over again does not count as playing to me.

So, since some people have made it clear that they’re going to continue to buy what ever over priced thing is being commercialized the most this year and I’m terrible at telling people no…

What do I do with the gifts? What do you do in that instance? Donate them, try to return them, finally put your foot down?

children, holidays, gifts

Today’s Question for Homeschoolers is one that was sent to me by email. It is something that I have no experience with myself, so I am hoping that some of you that do will chime in with great answers. I know there are many homeschooling families in the same or similar households. Where children are spaced far apart and parents feel a bit frazzled by the gap at times. Here is the email I received:

I have two sons that I am homeschooling. One is 16 and one is 4. I feel like with such a huge gap I am forever running back and forth between them. When my oldest needs help I need to focus so my youngest suffers. But when trying to keep my youngest entertained during the day I have trouble helping my oldest. There there is driving them every where. Soccer practise, the library, music lessons, dance class, playdates and real dates. I’m exhausted!

I was exhausted after just reading the email! I am sure trying to care for two children so far apart in age must be a hassle. How do you make sure both children are getting what they need when they are on such different levels? I’ve wrote before on homeschooling with young children in the house but I am still by no means an expert on this. Especially when dealing with such a large age difference. (more…)

Some people remember things visually best. They cannot recall the name of the road but can see the houses on it, or they cannot remember the name of a singer but can remember his face perfectly. When trying to remember important appointments for those who are more visual having a planner that they can look at and see their appointments helps them to remember.

But some need more visual clues, an image that they can recall in their mind later. Creating a visual calender is the perfect way to help them remember what they are scheduled to do. I have a very basic one for my oldest son. Though I am not the best at art, I drew images of what he has scheduled for every day. The image of the paint brush helps him to recall that we will be painting later, the image of the library reminds him what day we go to get books.

Even older children can be helped with recalling details if there is a visual image they can associate with it. Use photos, magazine cut outs, or hand drawings to stick on a blank calender. You can even use a plain white board to write and errase around the images. Or use smaller images tucked inside a blank book or journal for visual clues.

You can find other great tips at Works For Me Wednesday. And don’t forget to enter in my giveaway for some great homeschooling books.

reminders, calender, Works For Me Wednesday

It’s another Friday installment of Questions for Homeschoolers! Where you ask the questions and other people answer them.

That was my game show announcer voice. What do you think?

OK, on to the question. The question this week is one that I am sure many homeschoolers have faced at least once. And it has to do with money. Isn’t the universal issue we all face, money? We all want what is bet for our kids, but sometimes that seems to come with a hefty price tag.

How to choose the right curriculum with out costing a fortune?

Doesn’t this question come up often? Money always seems to be a huge deciding factor for new homeschoolers, ones who see the packages costing hundreds of dollars and immediately fall over. I’ve talked before about homeschooling not being expensive and I’m sure I’ll talk about it again and again. Mostly because it seems to be one of the first questions nw to homeschooling families ask. It also is one of the issues people against homeschooling have, that they feel a single family cannot afford all the things that a typical school has.

So please share your thoughts and ideas on educating kids without spending a small fortune. I know we all have tips on this one!

And if you have a question that you would like to see posted feel free to ask! You can either leave a comment or send it to me in the contact form. I hope to hear from you soon!

Friday’s quetion on getting kids to tune in was a great one. I am sure that every parent has dealt with moments when their kids just cannot settle in and focus. So what can you do to counter that?

The answers I got were wonderful. From letting the kids run around and burn off steam before hand to reminding them of what they will get to do once they are done these moms really shared some great advice. Christine shared her hilarious tactic of having her kids pull out their wiggles and put them in a box until later. We’re Raffi fans in this house so you can be sure Shake My Sillies out was in my head after reading her comment.

From reading the comments it’s pretty clear that kids are balls of energy. They can focus best when that energy can be directed somewhere. Whether it’s to a physical task now, like handing them a towel and set them to dusting, or to a physical task later, like going to the park after their work is done. If your kids are tuning out find a way to harness that energy and help them get it out.
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