We love Zeus on the Loose!
Fabulous way to mix mythology and math … teaching mental arithmetic in a game that you can play quickly over and over.
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Ancient China + Math = Win! {Review}
What happens when you combine an engaging story, Ancient China, and an elementary math concept?
A fabulous way to get your kids excited about learning math!
What REALLY makes a good homeschool day?
Question: What does a “good” homeschool day look like for you?
Answer: For me, a good homeschool day is one where everybody is willing to engage in some kind of learning.
When they were little that meant that they would play the games I had created or wanted to read the books I had chosen. Now that they are older (10 to 16), it means they pleasantly do the learning activities that we’ve agreed on without whining or complaining (math assignments, typing program, read for 30 minutes).
Good days don’t happen every day … but they do happen often enough that I enjoy the overall experience. My guess is that most of my children have a good day 7 out of 10 days that we homeschool. Some struggle more than others. And I have one who hits about 4 in 10.
Once in a lovely blue moon, all 4 show up 100% at the same time. These days are priceless, and I usually pinch myself all day long.
Long Road Perspective of Successful Homeschools
One day at a time … one day at a time …
Homeschool success is NOT built in an instant. It is full of messy disasters, unintended detours, and collossal failures.
It is ALSO full of delightful moments and exciting discoveries.
And you never know which is coming today.
But if you show up today … and you show up tomorrow … and you don’t give up … and you don’t give in (okay — this is starting to sound like a cheesy song!)
But seriously … successful homeschools are the ones who decide that they are going to show up each day and do their best. They are going to embrace the good, the bad, and the ugly as all part of the journey.
They hunker down in the hard moments and celebrate like crazy during the good times.
And then, regardless of how the previous day went, they show up again the next day — ready for whatever comes.
How to Regulate Screen Time
Question: How do you regulate screen time?
Answer: Ah … screen time … the big elephant in the room for every homeschool parent. To do it … to not do it … how much is too much? … what about educational stuff?
Here’s what we do:
1. Each kid has certain planned learning experiences (some look like games) that are part of the regular school. These are loosely regulated. If they want to spend more time on them, I’m okay with that up to a point. Some are VERY fun, and I have some kids that will play and play all day long. Then I have to pull the plug and tell them to go do something else with their brain.
2. We watch documentaries together as part of school. The kids will sometimes choose to watch educational shows (like Cyberchase) on their own. I usually let them watch on their own when I need the younger ones to be “babysat” while I’m gone or am otherwise occupied.
3. Non-educational screen time we call recreational watching. This is HIGHLY regulated, because I want my kids to learn that technology is a tool not a toy. We don’t play any non-educational games (and we personally have decided against Minecraft … although many homeschool families use it with success … because of it’s highly addictive nature).
4. Each day, the kids have a list of things that need to be accomplished. Most is chore related, but there is also practicing instruments, daily hygiene, and school assignments. If they finish their entire list, they are rewarded with 15 minutes of “free” screen time that they can cash in after 3 pm with permission. As long as they are watching or playing approved screen content, they can use these minutes when and how they wish.
5. When kids are sick, we use screens to help pass the time. Anything done on screens before 3 pm must be educational (documentaries, educational shows, or educational games). After 3, they can transition to non-educational shows.
6. We occasionally watch a movie as a family. This happens about once a week.
History “Where’s Waldo” Style {Review}
What happens when you mash up “Where’s Waldo?” with “A Moment in History” … this amazing homeschool history resource.
My kids have spent YEARS going through this book. Finding extra tidbits every step of the way.
Why You Need to Celebrate Today
Hey you!
Do you take time to celebrate?
No — not “it’s birthday time and we need to have a party” celebrate.
I mean really CELEBRATE!
Celebrate the first time your kid writes the letter “s” the correct direction … or the fact that your two boys made it 15 minutes without trying to kill each other … or that there was an actual vegetable on the plate with dinner.
Do you take time to celebrate the little successes?
Because little successes, added up over time, lead to massive success. A truly successful life is built one small success at a time. Choosing to celebrate the little successes helps you prepare to fully embrace and recognize that your life has BECOME a success.
So today I invite you to find 5 small things to celebrate. The smaller, the better.
Today is the day you can begin to see that you are building a successful homeschool life!
Imagination Runs Wild with a Bilibo {Review}
The power of open-ended toys is … well … endless.
The bilibo that I’m talking about this week is one of the most open-ended toys that I’ve ever found.
How to Teach the Countries of the World
Question: How can I teach my kids the countries of the world?
Answer: I’ve done a few different things.
1. We put a big map up on the wall. My favorite is the laminated map that Costco sells every fall because it also has flags and a US map comes with it. I’ve seen other families put the map under plastic and use it as decoration on their dinner table.
2. We purchased an inexpensive globe and get it out when I want to explain relative size of countries or so the kids can better grasp how all the countries are related on the globe.
3. We LOVE the Stack the Countries app that you can get for the iPad or android. It has a fabulous amount of learning packed in, and my kids love the game elements. It also helps that every country gets cute eyes that makes the entire thing feel friendly and fun.
4. We’ve also read fairytales and folktales from around the world, using the map to figure out where the stories come from. Anytime you can incorporate stories into learning, the learning is more readily received and it tends to stick better.
Teach Writing with Rory Story Cubes {Review}
One of my favorite little writing tools … easy to pull out. Easy to use. Lot’s of fun.
A writing staple for my homeschool.