Homeschooling

63 posts

Evaluations & Portfolios

In other posts, we’ve discussed testing and assessment options. Depending on the legal requirements for homeschoolers in your state, you may choose to instead have your child evaluated, or have a portfolio evaluation. Evaluations Who might benefit from an evaluation? Young children, students who don’t read well or quickly yet, children with learning […]

Which test is best

Which Test is Best?

One of the most frequent questions I get about testing is,          “Which test should I use?           Which one is best?            How do I choose            From the CAT, SAT, MAT, or Iowa Test?” Well, maybe not in such Seussical style, but you get the idea! The CAT […]

Desktop Organization -- Everyday Homemaking

Controlling Paper Chaos

(I found this in my archives from almost ten years ago and realized I need to revive this system, as my desk paperwork is again running amok. Do you ever realize you KNOW what to do but just need a reminder?)   The photos in this blog (well, in all […]

Holidays as Homeschool Curriculum

(While this was originally written for homeschooling families, most of the ideas are easily adaptable for any family.) Do you ever feel stuck in the day-to-day sameness of your school routine? If you circle the holidays on your calendar, you can have not just instant mini-units, but family fun and […]

Mentoring Moms—“Dancing” Together without Stepping on Toes, Part 1

I was recently privileged to participate in a discussion with hundreds of homeschoolers of various ages, ethnicities, income levels, family sizes, and in various seasons of homeschooling. As the more veteran homeschoolers and the newer home educators interacted, I sensed I was privy to a tentative “dance” of sorts, in […]

Mentoring 2.0 – Speed Mentoring

Speed Mentoring By Elizabeth Kennedy and Vicki Bentley A traditional mentoring program (such as Home Education 101) is designed to inspire long-term encouragement and relationship. If that sort of mentoring relationship is the “marriage,” this activity is the “speed dating”! It can be used as an ice-breaker at the start […]

What Records Should You Keep?

Homeschool Records: Souvenirs of Your Homeschool Journey Just like your banking records, there are certain papers that are useful for you to stash away for the future, whether for a school official, or for your children, or for you to reminisce! It is helpful to put together a portfolio each […]

mom goes back to work

When Mom Goes Back to Work

Re-entering the Workforce Homeschooling moms often wonder how they can best position themselves to re-enter the workforce after the last child has “left the nest”—or even to augment the family income while still homeschooling. Here are a few tips to help you confidently land that job. Update Your Resumé Your resumé […]

Read Aloud to Build Skills and Relationships

Most of us read aloud to our little ones, but once they are able to read on their own, it’s tempting to leave the reading to the children themselves. No matter the age of our children, reading aloud is still a valuable family activity–even through the high school years! Hearing […]