Homeschooling

Things to Entertain my Boys at Great-Grandma’s House

Published on by Kariane

We’re headed to California next week to take care of my grandmother as she recovers from back surgery.  Recovery and two young children don’t always go hand-in-hand.  That said, my two boys are so excited about going and helping and spending time with their Great-Grandmother, that I’m hoping it’ll be a wonderful experience for all of us.

 

In order to keep my boys entertained during times when my grandma needs quiet over the next couple weeks, I picked up a few activity books from our favorite local bookstore. … Continue reading

My Homemade Calendar Notebook

Published on by Kariane

For two years now, I have made my own calendar notebook, which doubles as a journal/planner.  Like many people, I used to buy a paper calendar every year.  However, I never found a calendar that allowed me to do everything I wanted to do with it.

 

When I used pre-made products, something always felt problematic.  Sometimes there wasn’t enough space for each day. … Continue reading

Family Game Night: Mole Rats in Space Cooperative Game

Published on by Kariane

We like to play games in our family.  Board games, card games, outdoor games; we’ll play them all.  And now that my four-year-old is ready to join in the fun, it’s enabled us to take our games a step beyond Slips and Ladders and Candy Land.

 

Cooperative games have been a big hit in our house because, instead of competing with each other, we all work together to win or lose the game. … Continue reading

Little Reminders of Love

Published on by Kariane

We homeschool our boys.  Last year, my oldest son took a once-a-week art class.  That was the extent of our formal, every week classes.  This year, he’s taking three classes.  The same once-a-week art class, a nature class, and an all-day enrichment class that covers a variety of topics (robotics being the most exciting part for him).

 

Being away on three different days will be a new experience for all of us. … Continue reading

Learning is Fun: Making Bead Necklaces

Published on by Kariane

My 4-year-old has recently become very interested in necklaces.  He’s always had a bit of interest in my necklaces, but it never really stuck.  Then his big brother bought him a cat necklace at the Artisan Fair where his big brother had a booth (see HERE), which immediately turned my 4-year-old into an every day necklace wearer.

 

Following the introduction of the cat necklace, we took a family trip to Michigan, where – in addition to lots of family gathering and fun – we cleared out my [deceased] mother-in-law’s (see HERE) belongings in order to donate them to a local women’s shelter.… Continue reading

When a Random Comment Reflects Learning

Published on by Kariane

After they find out that we homeschool, people often ask me how I know my kids are learning.  After all, while kids in schools (and even some homeschoolers) take tests, I don’t test my children.  And the answer is, in a myriad of ways.

 

Sometimes I know they’re learning because they demonstrate a skill.  For example, my 8-year-old can add, subtract, multiply, divide, and work basic fractions. … Continue reading

Learning by Doing: Manning a Table at a Local Artisan Fair

Published on by Kariane

Last year, my elder son made a family friend a series of four bead ornaments depicting the life-cycle of a caterpillar (an egg, a caterpillar, a chrysalis, and a butterfly).  She loved them, and suggested that he start a business selling them.  My then 7-year-old leaped on this idea and began to make ornaments to sell.

 

The problem arose when we couldn’t find a venue through which he could sell them. … Continue reading

Edible Fresh Fruit Flag

Published on by Kariane

In case you’re looking for a last-minute, healthy, patriotic dessert idea, it’s hard to go wrong with an edible fresh fruit flag.  It’s essentially a disassembled fruit salad.  It tastes delicious, looks great, and is very easy to make.

 

We began the tradition of making an Edible Fresh Fruit Flag as part of our July 4th celebration two years ago. … Continue reading

Family Game Night: Uno Card Game

Published on by Kariane

I love to play games.  Board games.  Card games.  Strategy games.  Word games.  Puzzle-solving games.  Any of them.  And my boys seem to have inherited that same love.

 

Over the years my 8-year-old has been a fan of a huge number of games, each for their own period of time.  My 4-year-old is just beginning to enjoy game playing with games that aren’t cooperative, meaning everyone works together (Cauldron Quest and Wildcraft are two cooperative games that we enjoy; I’ll review them another time.).… Continue reading

The Pen is Mightier

Published on by Kariane

While my boys generally get along well, like all siblings they sometimes squabble with each other.  The other day when we were cleaning up my [then] three-year-old’s room to prepare for his birthday party, I found the above message on his shelf.  It was clear he had taken the time to write something, but I wasn’t aware that he could spell (let alone write!)… Continue reading