Electronics for Alternative Learners Electronics classes are perfect for homeschool science for 'out-of-the-box' learners. These classes are great for kids who don't thrive on textbook learning. Electronics projects also benefit kids who need to experience something with their hands to help them understand a concept. QSL offers online … [Read more...] about Hands-on Science: Electronics for Homeschoolers
Middle School
Homeschooling Algebra: A Different Perspective
Tears . . . That is the first word that comes to my mind when I think of the word algebra. My past experience with algebra wasn’t great. I struggled to understand the concepts, spent hours studying, and got help with my homework from friends and family. I just didn’t get it. When we decided to homeschool eleven years ago, I knew I’d have to … [Read more...] about Homeschooling Algebra: A Different Perspective
Bringing Literature to Life: Motivating Preteens to Study Literature
6 tips for engaging your reluctant reader in the world of great literature. This blog uses affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Soon after college, I taught English in a public middle school where English was a second language to many of my students. After spending several years immersed in literary adventures as an undergrad, I … [Read more...] about Bringing Literature to Life: Motivating Preteens to Study Literature
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 course, but … [Read more...] about Grammar of Poetry
Embracing the Teen Years
First steps, first words, first birthday . . . We celebrate these milestones and look forward to them from the day our children are born. The teen years seem so far away, but they arrive before we know it. Many homeschool parents look upon the teen years with dread. They worry about how they’ll teach more difficult subjects, how hard it will be … [Read more...] about Embracing the Teen Years
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 is … [Read more...] about Creative Writing with A Pirate’s Guide t’ th’ Grammar of Story
Getting Middle Schoolers Engaged with the Writing Process (Freebie!)
When middle school rolls around, students discover that writing 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 we have to be … [Read more...] about Getting Middle Schoolers Engaged with the Writing Process (Freebie!)
Brave Beauty
Finding the Fearless in You This blog uses affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Brave Beauty: Finding the Fearless You (Faithgirlz) by Lynn Cowell is a collection of 100 'courage-building ways' to find answers and confidence in God. Each chapter includes a story with relevant scripture references, questions or quizzes, challenges, … [Read more...] about Brave Beauty
EASE Into Middle School
Is My Child Ready for High School? How do you prepare your middle schooler for high school? High school seems like such a daunting event for many homeschool moms, and “the experts” often make us feel like we are behind before we even start. Once sixth grade gets under way, panic sets in with the realization that there is so much to do, and … [Read more...] about EASE Into Middle School
5 Ways to Motivate Middle School Writers
Ah, middle school! A time of hormone surges and living in a sort of limbo stage between childhood and adulthood. As a parent, I do sometimes feel like we’re living in the Matrix when it’s time to sit down and focus on “schoolwork.” And English gets a bad rap anyway as a “boring” required class. Literature and Grammar It’s easy to make the … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Motivate Middle School Writers
St. Patrick’s Day Printables for Elementary/Middle School
Free St. Patrick's Day Printables Need a fun and easy St. Patrick's Day activity for your elementary or middle school aged kids? These printable activities will help! Our freebie has a St. Patrick's Day scrambled word activity, library checklist, and St. Pat's Day themed notebook page. This activity will add to your magical day of fun while … [Read more...] about St. Patrick’s Day Printables for Elementary/Middle School
St. Patrick’s Day Activities for Kids
Fun & Easy St. Patrick's Day Activities This blog uses affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner! I don't know about you, but my kids love to get into the green spirit and celebrate this day. They look forward to a day that's all about magic and fun. To keep the theme going, I like to add … [Read more...] about St. Patrick’s Day Activities for Kids
Comic Book Style Learning
Graphic Novels and Comic Books for Learning This blog uses affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. For kids who are reluctant readers, it can be a challenge to get them to do independent work, especially with traditional textbooks. Many kids who are already "turned off" from reading only get more and more frustrated when presented … [Read more...] about Comic Book Style Learning
5 Reasons to Incorporate Art in Your Homeschool
My kids have been participating in homeschool art classes for several years, and we have seen many benefits to setting aside this time each week. Sometimes, it is easy to get caught up in just getting the basics covered in a busy homeschool, but there are many reasons why it is important to go beyond the 3 R's, and add Art as an elective in your … [Read more...] about 5 Reasons to Incorporate Art in Your Homeschool
Filmmaking: Crafting Curriculum to Meet Their Interests
Teaching to Their Interests This blog uses affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. My eighth-grader has become passionate about filmmaking, from script writing to directing to camera-operating. He started with a flip camera, then added a camcorder and a stop-motion animation program with a webcam. He's been working all summer … [Read more...] about Filmmaking: Crafting Curriculum to Meet Their Interests
Making History Come Alive
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Making History Come Alive with Living Books for All Ages If you want to make history more meaningful to children, teach them that it is made up of real people, places, and events. Instead of making facts and figures the focus of their lessons, make history come alive for … [Read more...] about Making History Come Alive
Lightning Literature & Composition: Grade 8
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Middle School Literature and Composition When I first looked at the reading list for Lightning Literature & Composition: Grade 8, I was impressed with the range of choices. This program is designed to teach both literature and writing at a high school preparation level. … [Read more...] about Lightning Literature & Composition: Grade 8
7 Tips for Teaching Teen Writers
Guiding Teens through the Writing Process Do you teach writing in your homeschool? As the facilitator for a homeschool teen literature group, I have discovered that many homeschool moms don’t even know where to begin teaching writing to their teens. It is an often neglected subject, dwarfed by algebra, sciences, and high school elective … [Read more...] about 7 Tips for Teaching Teen Writers
Smile and Succeed for Teens
Preparing Teens to Succeed in the Workplace Teaching teens social skills--"people" skills--is often overlooked, but it is important for their success in the world. Whether teens are looking to obtain employment while still in school, preparing for college interviews, or simply gearing up for their future careers, Smile & Succeed for Teens: A … [Read more...] about Smile and Succeed for Teens
High School Science: Applied Engineering
Applied Engineering: Studies of God's Design in Nature Applied Engineering: Studies of God's Design in Nature Parent Lesson Planner along with the books Made in Heaven, Champions of Invention (Champions of Discovery), and Discovery of Design make up the Applied Engineering: Studies of God's Design in Nature course from Master Books. Our ninth … [Read more...] about High School Science: Applied Engineering
