Tag: Planning Tools

A big question on many a high school senior’s mind is: what can I do instead of college? Let’s be honest: hitting the books for an additional two or four years isn’t for everyone. Although some students just need a supportive nudge, others know, without a doubt, that college is not for them. For those […]

In the previous post we talked about how to help students with special needs through homeschooling.  The homeschool setting allows for flexibility to plan instruction with their needs in mind. It also allows individualization that may not be possible in a traditional classroom setting.  It also opens the possibility for even more creative types of […]

Whether you are old school and still call it home economics (home ec) or you call it life skills, teaching your child how to care for themselves and their home should be an important part of your homeschool routine. Learning life skills early on will help your student thrive in the real world, improve their […]

For both traditional and homeschooled students attending college after high school, the admissions process can be daunting. Most students apply in January or February of 12th grade, find out admissions decisions by April, and make their college choices by May 1. That means that high school seniors are already involved in this process and that […]

As parents, we are constantly finding new opportunities that will inspire students to learn. Without motivation, the most engaging lessons and activities will not grasp the attention of our children. Increasing student engagement and motivation just takes a little bit of imagination. To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of ways to […]

There are so many benefits that come from homeschooling. One of those being the ability to engage students in the learning process to increase their focus and promote a higher level of critical thinking skills. With a one-on-one approach, parents can easily identify learning opportunities for their students, based on their individual strengths, interests and […]

The purpose of science education is for students to understand and interpret the natural systems of the world around them. Science is driven by curiosity and reasoning and is much more than the memorization of scientists, theories, and formulas. The education of science encourages problem solving and collaboration. With that in mind you’ll want to […]

As you start to think about setting math goals for students, remember that SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable/attainable, relevant/realistic, and time bound. In math instruction, there are five interrelated components that should be the foundation of goals, strategies, instruction, and assessments to work towards mathematical proficiency: conceptual understanding procedural fluency strategic competence adaptive reasoning […]

Beginning with the end in mind will help you set expectations, measure progress, and create opportunities to celebrate the success of your child. While some subjects (i.e. math) may have more concrete indicators of progress, areas like reading may not. Creating goals for specific components of reading will help guide your instruction and allow you […]

Planning homeschool goals and objectives isn’t always easy. I remember when we first started homeschooling, I had these grand plans for what we would accomplish throughout our first year. What I didn’t  have was a concrete outline of our goals, therefore actioning on completing them was tough. I discovered, over time, that setting homeschool goals […]

You are not the only one who will learn and experience exciting and inspiring tips and lessons at a homeschool convention. Your children will, too — if you bring them along. The question is, how do you keep them occupied and happy while you attend different sessions and visit the multiple vendors? Luckily for you, […]

Any homeschooler who has attended a homeschool convention will tell you, preparation is key. Without it, you’ll probably spend more time waiting in line, battling the crowds, and wandering around aimlessly rather than fully experiencing and learning about all the things that conventions offer. And the earlier you begin prepping, the better off you’ll be—because […]

It’s that time of year again! College applications are open and deadlines are quickly approaching, both exciting and nerve wracking to high school seniors. These feelings can also creep up on parents as your child is getting ready to leave home for the first time. A common concern is how to afford a homeschooler’s dream […]

Burnout is a reality in everyday life. Employers, employees, athletes, and people from all walks of life experience burnout for different reasons. Homeschooling parents, and especially their children, also experience it during the homeschool year. Burnout is defined as a “physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress.” It can happen at any moment […]

Don’t look now, but the new homeschool year is edging closer!  Even if we try hiding behind pool noodles, tall sunflowers, or even a picnic umbrella, it’s going to find us, eventually. So, we might as well wrap our heads around the idea and prepare. The best way I know to keep “back-to-homeschool overwhelm” from […]