If we’ve kept pretty close to our schedule, we’ll play a game after lunch.
Each of our four children and I have our own “day” where get to pick things like the board game or what we eat for lunch or who opens with prayer, etc.
My favorite favorites! Use black EXPO ULTRA-FINE tip dry erase markers.
Magnet the dry erase board to the back of a metal door or fridge for storage.
Use for spelling, for math facts, for contests between kids
Keep one on the fridge to keep track of any “consequences” your kids earn during the day or things you need to do later so you don’t forget
Page protectors
Enables you to reuse worksheets for multiple kids or for practice
Put mazes and preschool workbooks in page protectors
Keep chore lists in page protectors & post them
“Eye Lighter” or reading guides
Love these for the struggling reader to help them keep their place.
These are see-through to encourage them to look on to the next line for better fluency, rather than blocking that.
Reusable sticky index tabs
Use these in big textbooks or teacher’s guides
Reinforced notebook paper in 3-ring binders
Each child has one 3-ring binder for the year with tabs for their non-workbook paperwork, such as writing, history, science, etc.
Put their schoolwork checklist in the cover
Label Maker
Label the front of identical workbooks; Label drawers so kids know where to put away their stuff
AUDIO-VISUAL
Audio Dramas & Books on CD
Our culture has become extremely VISUAL. This is a way to train our AUDITORY skills. An excellent way to make use of time in the car
Focus on the Family Radio Theater
Narnia, Anne of Green Gables, Secret Garden, Les Miserables, The Hiding Place, Ben Hur and many, many more!
Dramatic retellings – NOT unabridged readings of the books
Lamplighter Theater
Radio Theater taken from old books. Very well done with a great message.
Jonathan Park
Like “Adventures in Odyssey” – audio drama series with a creation focus
Brinkman Adventures
Similar to “Jonathan Park” – but stories have a missionary focus
YouTube Videos
Math Antics – the best videos we’ve found for teaching math concepts in a step-by-step easy-to-comprehend way
Exercise videos – either watch “real” exercise videos or put on a worship song with a fast beat and march around the room with hand motions. Great to start the day, or break it up when there’s too much brain work.
Science or History videos – on those days when we’re not doing a hands on science or History activity – we do a quick search for a video
Worship song lyrics – great any time you need to refocus. You can make a “playlist” and have them playing in the background while you’re doing your chores, etc. Low energy when you need that, or high energy when you need that.
Remember, your child’s character, is MORE important than their ability to do math. Not understanding math (or grammar or reading …) is not a character issue, complaining & being lazy & fearful is. Encourage them with this!
Math U See
Love Steve Demme’s teaching. We watch the video together weekly to make sure I teach correctly.
Manipulatives are very helpful for kinesthetic (hands-on) learners
Not a lot of drill for math facts.
Rapid Recall Math Facts
Visual – flashcards; Auditory – listen to math facts; Kinesthetic – write down on worksheet
GIVES them the ANSWERS which cuts down on frustration, gradually expects more of them.
With the struggling learner, do math in short increments, modeling & giving lots of input – not expecting them to do it themselves until they get it.
Teaching Textbooks
Easier curriculum, but still moves pretty quickly.
Continuously review previous activities.
Make sure they’re watching the lecture & doing their work
Modify by using calculator if that’s needed. Set a timer if taking too long.
Apologia Science
Love it! Intensive learning in one subject: Astronomy, Botany, Flying Creatures, Sea Creatures, Land Animals, Human Anatomy, Chemistry & Physics. Starting in 1st
Fun, hands-on activities. Optional notebook to keep track of activities.
HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY
Mystery of History (Volumes 1-4)
Written in an interesting, conversational form
Start at 2nd Can go 2nd-5th, then repeat 6th-9th.
Has great activities & weekly review. Has suggestions for books to read to go with the time periods. Has mapping activities for each week.
Get the PDF of the worksheets & print them off & make notebooks for your students in the summer so they’re ready.
Suggestions for timeline & notecards.
You can have a reader preread the book & do the notebooking worksheet (or folderbooks/lapbooks) available from MOH.
Try using the “Challenge Cards”
I read the lesson aloud while my children color pages & take notes using Myhomeschoolprintables. We have used the timeline cards from Myhomeschoolprintables to make timeline games. You can prep these in the summer.
Notgrass History
Includes Bible, Language Arts and History all in one.
5th grade through high school
America the Beautiful is TERRIFIC – but the reading books are more appropriate for 4-6th For older ones, assign extra or different books. Includes mapping activities! (Note: I haven’t done “From Adam to Us” or “Uncle Sam”)
Geography Songs CD
Window on the World
Christian Heroes Then & Now by Janet & Geoff Benge
Story Bibles – Egermeier Storybook Bible, Leading Little Ones to God, ESV Illustrated Family Bible
Bible notebooks
Scripture Typer
Hymnals
AWANA
Everyone have their own Bible in the same translation
LANGUAGE ARTS
Abeka Basic Phonics flash cards
Play games – lay them out on the floor & have them jump on them or play memory with them
Rod & Staff ABC Workbooks
Train them to follow your directions, to do their best, to work independently. Use this to prepare them to do harder schoolwork later.
Pathway Readers
Initially we read the stories 2-3 days in a row and break down the workbook activities 1-2 pages each day. We take turns reading a paragraph at a time.
The workbooks are great for teaching vocabulary and phonics and other language arts skills like alphabetizing and syllables.
For your younger ones, esp ones who struggle with their penmanship, don’t be afraid to have them dictate their answers to you. You’re working toward independence & excellence, but this can take time. Work up to it.
Handwriting without Tears
Climbing to Good English
Started in 3rd I don’t want to spend a year teaching “this is a noun” when my child isn’t ready to comprehend that. Have them memorize the definitions of nouns, verbs, adverbs, etc when they’re little, but don’t waste too much time on things they’re not mature enough to understand.
Sometimes too much busy work, so we might do only every other problem.
Includes poetry and writing activities!
Easy Grammar
No writing component. You can alternate with “Climbing to Good English.”
All About Spelling
Teacher intensive. Includes plenty of review.
Great for students who need audio-visual-kinesthetic approach
(For my child who learns spelling words quickly & easily, we use “Practical Spelling” which is an old school, inexpensive workbook of word lists + practice with Spelling City.com)
Start with WHAT you want to accomplish in a WEEK, then find a realistic time for it. It might not be every day. If you want time with each child each day, or each week – schedule that. If you want time for a project you’re working on – schedule that.
Chores
These grow with your kids. Start with what the youngest can do and work up from there. Give each child the same # of chores, but not the same difficulty level.
As a younger one becomes able to do it, shuffle the chores.
Work yourself out of a job.
Spend the summers training your kids how to do their own responsibilities.
Give each child a “jurisdiction” they’re responsible for. Do this daily.
When they’re little work in the same area of the house as the little ones.
Check their work before they have free time.
Monthly Break-down or Homeschool Tracker
Monthly breakdown = Use this for younger, parent-directed students. Plan out where you should be each month, building in some free time, giving more time off when you need it.
HST = Use this for older, independent students. Enter everything over the summer, then assign it weekly
Plan Long-Term Goals
If you’re not using ABEKA or another prepackaged curriculum for 12 years straight, it is very helpful to roughly plan out your years with the end in mind.
Make your own “Independent Drill book”
This includes things they can do independently, especially for memorizing
Terrific to free up your time to work one-on-one with a child who needs help
Make colorful “posters” or add workbook pages they need to practice
Math facts, Grammar, History/Science, Scripture memory, Spelling Rules
Break it down with daily tabs (M-F)
Timers & Alarm Clocks
Use your kitchen stove timer, or a timer on your phone – for getting kids to work LONGER/FASTER or to cut down on them being OVERWHELMED
Use a nap button on an alarm clock or a CD to keep them productive in their rooms
Alarm clocks to wake them in the morning & to get ready for bed at night
GoogleCalendar
“To do” list, “Groceries” list
Birthdays, schedule dates with husband & individual children
Repeating activities
Multiple shared calendars for husband & older children
Here is the audio from the talk titled, “These are a Few of my Favorite Things: What I Love After 15 Years Homeschooling,” that I gave at the MHEA conference in Starkville MS in May.
I’ve broken down the written notes into shorter posts that will be coming out next week. Enjoy!
This is the audio from the “More Than a Homeschool Mom” talk that I was honored to share at the MHEA conference in Starkville earlier this month. May God receive all the glory. You are welcome to share as you’re led, but please link back here.
Over the weekend I had the incredible opportunity to share a full-length message based on my “Dear Younger Me” series at the MHEA Conference in Starkville MS. I pray that others will be encouraged by both my successes and failures as a mom and for God to be glorified over all.
You are welcome to share this link and list of “nuggets” with others, but please do link it back here.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Prov 3:5-6)
Nugget #2: “Don’t Be Anxious”
“Let your reasonableness (NASB= gentle spirit) be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:5-6)
Nugget #3: “Hide God’s Word in Your Heart”
“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Ps 119:11)
Nugget #4:“Respect Your Husband”
“Let the wife see that she respects her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33)
Nugget #5: “Number Your Days”
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)
Nugget #6:“Discipline Yourself”
“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness, for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:7b-8 NASB)
Nugget #7: “Brothers and Sisters Really Can be Best Friends”
“A brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)
Nugget #8:“They’re Imitating You”
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” (Ephesians 4:31-5:1)
Nugget #9: “Don’t Give Up”
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
Nugget #10:“Refuse to Discipline in Anger”
“Do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)
Nugget #11:“Grace and More Grace”
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience– among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:1-10)
God “saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,” (2 Timothy 1:9)
So if you met yourself when your kids were as young as mine (4 and 1), what would you tell her?
If you haven’t read Part One in this series, click here.
Dear Kim,
Take a minute and read this passage out loud. Savor it. I hope this one puts a smile on your face and the joy of the Lord in your heart.
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in ChristJesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesusfor good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:1-10
I want so much for you to be walking daily with Jesus, that I’m afraid I’m pushing you too hard. And when things are hard, you’re be tempted to do it in your own strength. And the thing is, Kim, it is too hard for you to do it in your own strength. You’ll only be able to walk this narrow road of faith as you trust in Him and believe in the mercy of God who loves you and gave His own Son for you.
Remind yourself daily that you were saved by grace, through faith, and that none of this is your own doing. It is not the result of works. You can’t earn God’s favor. You will neverdeserve His love.
It’s the other way around, Kim. While you were dead in all your sins, while you were a child of wrath, while you were the chief of sinners, God demonstrated His love for us, the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us, sending His own Son, to die for us that we could be forgiven. Wow! This is the good news of the gospel.
It’s so easy to get this mixed up.
Remember that God created you. Not the other way around. You are HIS workmanship. He created you in Jesus for good works, not because of them. As Paul wrote to Timothy, God “saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” (2 Timothy 1:9 ESV)
Before the ages began, Kim. Before you’d taken one single breath. Before you’d had the opportunity to do even one good deed, He saved you and called you. Because of His own purpose and grace.
Now, walk in that grace, by that grace. Give that grace to others. Pour out on others the grace and love that has been poured out on you. Trust Him with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. He’s got the whole world (that includes you) in His hands.
So if you met yourself when your kids were as young as mine (4 and 1), what would you tell her?
If you haven’t read Part One in this series, click here.
Dear Kim,
This is going to be another tough one. Not so much a tough one to hear, but a tough one to follow.
Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness, for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:7b-8 NASB)
You’re reading the books and listening to the speakers about how to discipline your kiddos, but how about how to discipline YOU? And not just disciplining yourself to wake up early to go to the gym, or disciplining yourself not to eat that third cookie of the day, but disciplining yourself for the purpose of godliness.
OK. I hear you, older Kim, but what does that look like?
There are two places I want you to focus: (1) be diligent to study His Word and to pray faithfully each and every day and (2) keep a watch over your mouth. I’ll save that second one for my next post, so for today, let’s look at how to be faithful in your relationship with your Heavenly Father.
Kim, I know that you’re worn out, that you don’t want me to add one more thing to your “to do” list. But, Kim, it’s just not like that. This is going to be time that fills you up, that gives you more energy. It will give you the direction that you need, so you can spend the time you have investing in worthwhile pursuits.
Check out Terri Maxwell’s book “Sweet Journey” and go through it with a friend or a sister, or by yourself if you can’t find anyone and make a daily commitment to start your day with Jesus. She’ll help you get started in how to spend time with the Lord every day.
It will be good for your children to be trained to wait for Mommy while you read and pray. It will be time well spent. Trust me. Go to bed a little earlier and get up a little earlier. Just like your children will be trained a little bit at a time, so will you, and you need to start now. Don’t wait until they’re older to invest in your own time with the Lord. Trust me. (Why do I keep saying that? I think it’s because I know how prideful I am and what a hard time I have taking direction from someone else. Ouch.)
After you finish Mrs. Maxwell’s book, join a Bible study. A real one. Find a Precepts study (one day I know you’ll love them) or look up Community Bible Study. Don’t be afraid. I know some of those other ladies know more than you do, but you know what: That’s good! You can learn from them. Be transparent with them and tell them your needs. Do the best you can on the homework and just keep going.
No one becomes an Olympic athlete over night and no one expects you to know the full counsel of God in a day, but you’ve got to start somewhere. So, put aside your pride and all those time wasters and begin today to have a consistent time with your Savior, Redeemer, Father and Friend. Trust me. You won’t regret it.
GAMES
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