Helps For New Homeschoolers: Part 5 – Find Your Own Way

compass

I could do it too: give you a plan completely laid out from Kindergarten through 12th grade, covering every subject plus hand-picked and much sought-after electives, including all of the books you would need spelled out right down to the publisher, date, and edition.  I could hand you a list of dos and don’t dos [...]

When It’s Time to Hang It Up

running shoes

As we age, recovery gets harder.  Simple exertions take a larger toll.  We don’t “bounce” so well as we once did. When you are over 50, and still running, you have to be more careful about monitoring your liquid intake so as to avoid dehydration.  Nutrition concerns loom and steps must be taken to refuel [...]

Helps For New Homeschoolers: Part 4 – Finding Strength

hand weight

There will be days…maybe several.  Maybe more than several.  Things will NOT go as you plan.  The schedule will NOT hold together.  The materials will NOT be exactly the right fit.  The entire endeavor will NOT appear to be all that you hoped it would be.  You WILL wonder, “How did I get here?”  We [...]

Dr. Mary Hood on Selecting the Right Curriculum

stack of books

She has homeschooled her children for 25 years, written several homeschool books, and has her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction.  Think she knows a thing or two about the subject? “How to Select the Right Curriculum” by Dr. Mary Hood, an article published in The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, provides seven tips from a homeschool veteran.  [...]

Helps for New Homeschoolers: Part 3 – The Role of Curriculum

books

When we first start homeschooling, the first consideration we naturally gravitate to is the choice of materials we will use.  Somehow, through our perception of “school,” our own experiences, or what we see others do, we equate teaching our children with textbooks, workbooks and “school” materials.  So that is where we start.  They become our [...]

Helps For New Homeschoolers: Part 2 – Defining Success

success/failure sign

We need to know what we are aiming for before we can hit it. Success may not look like you think it will.  And real success probably won’t look anything like success as defined by the world at large. So before you start chasing those all illusive dreams for your children (and your homeschool), pray [...]

Helps for New Homeschoolers: Part 1 – Check Your Fear

girl with scared look

Many homeschoolers will face criticism at some point in their homeschooling “career.” It may come from family, friends, the well-meaning stranger or even the church. While these criticisms can be hurtful and disappointing, we can stay above the wake of loud voices by staying strong in our faith and remembering whom we serve. It really [...]