Build homeschooling socialization while reading a good book together! Viv and I figured that if, way back in 1876, Mark Twain wanted her to get a kick out of Tom Sawyer’s adventures, we would read the book just like that. We intended to have some fun with this one!
We wanted to invite some friends along for the ride and we didn’t have to look very far. Fifteen enthused peers read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer together. It was my job to guide them toward “entertainment” the whole time! We read the book over the span of 8 weeks, covering 4 – 5 chapters each week. In the end, I can confidently say that the students thoroughly enjoyed the book together and I was honored to sit in on their laughter and discussions. Here’s what we did!
The Awesome Perks of Reading Aloud to Your Middle Schooler
(I received Sonlight 100 in exchange for a series of blog posts that contain my honest opinion.) Our leather couch is sagging in the middle. It came into our lives when we were poor newlyweds with a 2-year old toddler and a baby-on-the-way. One Saturday, we strolled the aisles of Sam’s Club and spotted a sturdy 4-piece leather living room … Read More
The Pros and Cons of Homeschooling for You and Your Child
If you are considering homeschooling your child, I’d love to cheer you on and contribute my two cents to the complex decision before you.
Preparing, Enriching, and Equipping a Middle Schooler to Thrive
Worried about a bored tween? Perhaps it’s time for a new challenge!
Getting the School Year Off the Ground
Well, here we go! A new school year is upon us. We logged two days of school before embarking on a week’s journey to New England. I wanted to try on our new schedule and make sure we had all of the supplies that we needed. Now that we’re back from a wonderful trip to Boston, Plimoth Plantation, and West … Read More
Let’s Get This Straight: 2 Thoughts About Homeschoolers vs. Public Schoolers
I think there’s a tension between homeschoolers vs. public/ private schoolers. (I dunno… I could be wrong… but I think it’s there.) We’re each doing our very best, yet we’re afraid that maybe our children are missing out. We wonder if other women are judging us. We stumble over our words when we talk with one another because we’re not … Read More
Get Your Child to Play More Games, Solve More Puzzles, and Exercise Creativity
Don’t you just love when your child is totally absorbed in creating, puzzling, or playing? I do! We have a closet full of incredible games and toys – solitaire marbles, colored blocks, a Buddha board, dominoes, chess – but with a baby crawling around, I haven’t known what to do with all of those tiny pieces and fragile items. So, … Read More
The Playful Pioneers Review: 3 First Impressions
I first heard of Jennifer Pepito’s curriculum on The Homeschool Snapshots podcast. I love her philosophy about the preschool years and became interested in her “Peaceful Preschool” curriculum. While I was checking that out, I discovered her newest curriculum, “The Playful Pioneers“, which provides a multi-sensory approach to the first 5 books in The Little House on the Prairie series … Read More
Our Plans for a Regular Old Summer Day
Year-round schooling is my style. I thrive in the sweet terrarium of structure and accomplishment. My children, on the other hand, need a nice, long break from the monotony thrill of a rigorous academic schedule. Besides, our summer schedule is gladly full of friends, outdoor adventures, vacation, and camps, so it’s not realistic to expect school-work-as-usual. When we are home, I … Read More
Teach Your Baby to Read: The Secrets to a Literary Education
Tucked in your daily routine are the secrets to your child’s literary education. You’ll want to know what these are because your child’s literacy depends more on his grasp of the stuff of life than on his ability to decipher short-vowel sounds. After all, you and I can understand literature not only because we can physically read, but also because we can … Read More
