Does the thought of teaching your child to read make your heart race? I’ll admit that my two biggest fears when we started homeschooling were the prospects of teaching my child how to read and of one day having to conquer algebra. After all, reading is the basis for everything in between! Homeschooling = A […]
Language Arts
The Story of Frida Kahlo
A Biography Book for New Readers The Story of Frida Kahlo: A Biography Book for New Readers is a beautiful, colorfully illustrated introduction to this famous artist. It is written simply, with short chapters and lots of sidebars and pictures–just right for young readers who are ready to move beyond simple picture books. Non-fiction is […]
Essential Speed Reading Techniques
More Efficient Speed Reading Essential Speed Reading Techniques: How to Become a Better, Faster Reader is the first book of its kind that I have actually seen results from. Rather than teaching “skimming and scanning” techniques, this little handbook teaches how to really speed up your reading, while reading each word: “It’s an advanced form […]
10 Ways to Encourage Independent Reading
Whether you have a reluctant reader or an enthusiastic beginning reader, encouraging a love of independent reading will set them up for success. There are some easy things to get kids excited about reading. Check out our list of favorite tips! How to encourage independent reading 1. Read aloud to your children every day, even […]
5 Ways to Get Your Student Writing Now!
Is it a challenge to get your student writing? Creative writing develops valuable skills that help students with academic writing and critical thinking. For homeschool parents, it can seem like an uphill battle to get your student writing. If you’re the parent of a reluctant young writer, the task is difficult. The summer is the perfect […]
Grammar of Poetry
Learn the Building Blocks of Poetry This blog uses affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Grammar of Poetry is a 30-lesson course for middle school and early high school level students, with a suggested 1/2 academic high school literature credit. It is designed to be completed in one semester as part of a language arts […]
Stories to Tell: Learning from Oral History
Incorporating Oral History Into Your Curriculum As we move into the high school years in our homeschool, my son has begun to study modern history. Many curriculum companies save the twentieth century for later years due to the often harsh and more disturbing events that have occurred. While this is true, one advantage to studying […]
Living History: Real Teens Meet A Real Hero
Real Teens Meet a Real Hero Our Real Teens Read literature group had the privilege of meeting a real hero. After reading Anne Frank’s Diary of a Young Girl and Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, discussing both books, and learning some background history, we arranged a field trip to meet a Holocaust survivor and hear […]
Creative Writing with A Pirate’s Guide t’ th’ Grammar of Story
Creative Writing for Pirates! This blog uses affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Creative writing is an important part of language arts, but I talk to so many homeschool moms who have fallen into the trap of not teaching enough writing and feeling overwhelmed. The common reason is the difficulty of finding a curriculum that […]
How to Engage Middle Schoolers with the Writing Process (Freebie!)
When middle school rolls around, students discover that the writing process is a big part of their curricular demands, and not just for English class. History, science labs, and even fine arts courses require more writing as students enter the secondary years. Homeschool students begin doing more independent work in these years as well, and […]
Early Chapter Books for Young Readers
Summer Book Choices for Young Readers This blog uses affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. It isn’t easy to find really good chapter books for young readers. When a great book comes along, we tend to hold on to it and re-read it over and over again. Even though we continue to “do school” […]
Which Version of The Odyssey Should I Read?
How do I choose which version of The Odyssey to read? This blog uses affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. If you have been assigned The Odyssey to read for literature class, you may be wondering how to choose the correct version to read. Some things to consider are your reading experience, your reading […]