I can’t lie – I’m a planner girl. I have tried just about every style of paper planning system on the market. There is just something about sitting down, laying out your week on a beautifully decorated planner spread. I’ve also had seasons of life where I’ve wanted to try an online homeschool planner but Read More
The Great Big Review of the Oak Meadow Sixth Grade Curriculum
We are starting the process of wrapping up our current school year, and for my kids that means a ton more freedom. For me, it means getting next year all figured out and lined up. I have really struggled to find the right plan for my youngest for her upcoming school year. I went through Read More
Homeschooling Middle School: The Myth of Independence
I can recall when my kids were younger, when I was wishing and daydreaming about when they would FINALLY be old enough to work independently. When they wouldn’t need me all.the.time for everything. I really thought that a day would come when they would just happily scamper off with their school books and do it Read More
The Anxious Mom’s Guide: Knowing When It’s Time to Quit Homeschooling
As we wrap up this school year, and excitedly look towards the next, for some of us there is also an element of worry and wondering. Is it time to quit homeschooling? Have we come as far as we can? Are my children getting everything they need out of our homeschool life. I’d say this Read More
Build Your Library Level 8: A Secular, Literature-Based Exploration of the History of Science
It’s that time of year again. When us home educating parents are starting to decide on curriculum and resources for next year. I knew that I wanted a secular, literature-based curriculum for my oldest next year. I also knew that after a year of working really hard at subjects he finds really difficult, he needed Read More
Annabelle and Aiden: Bringing Complex Science To Kids of All Ages
Have you ever come across a book that just electrifies you – makes your toes tingle and your face smile? Fills your heart with happiness and hope? When I was given the opportunity to review two of the Annabelle and Aiden books, written by J.R Becker and illustrated by Max Rambaldi, that is precisely what Read More
A Charlotte Mason Plenary: Where Everyone Gets a Seat At the Table
One of the most common bits of advice I’ve given (and received) about learning the Charlotte Mason method – is to go directly to Charlotte Mason’s original writings. However, for most of us, reading the Original Homeschool Series from Charlotte Mason can feel daunting and overwhelming. Victorian writing, flowery language, references to ideas and people Read More
Education Is A Life: Self-Education for the Homeschool Parent
Among the most recognizable of all of Charlotte Mason’s words, “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life” are probably at the top of the list. As a home educator that is inspired and driven by Mason’s philosophy and methods, I keep this at the front of my mind at all times when I’m Read More
No, I’m Not a Charlotte Mason Purist – And You Probably Aren’t Either.
I have never described myself as a Charlotte Mason purist. I have spent years, however, studying as much as I can about Mason’s philosophy and methods and try as I might, I just keep circling back around to this style of homeschooling. You may recall a post that I published near the end of last Read More
Dear New Homeschool Mom: Things I Wished Someone Had Told Me
I need to preface this blog post by saying very clearly that I am not a seasoned veteran of homeschooling. We’re in our 5th school year as a homeschooling family, and some days that feels like such a long time. Other days, it feels like we’re still getting started. There are a few things that Read More