For any WordPress bloggers out there, do you ever pay attention to the writing prompts that once appeared each time you write a new post? I never paid much attention to them as my struggle with blogging isn’t usually what to write about, but instead finding the time to write about anything! But last summer […]
Embracing Spring
Are you ready for a new start? Are you looking for a clean slate? Think about embracing the newness of spring, and all that it brings. I wrote all about this season’s promises in this month’s Heart of the Matter Online edition. Enjoy.
10 Ways to Customize Your Curriculum and Cut Costs–Part 2
I committed to writing a part 2, or sorts, to suggest ideas for older students. There are realities of life and new expectations as children grow, whether they attend college or decide upon another route. They must be able to articulate themselves in written and oral format. I will boldly state that any curriculum that […]
10 Ways to Customize Curriculum and Cut Costs–Part 1
I shared much of this information below during my presentations at conferences during the month of April. It occurred to me that people are always looking to save money; why not post some thoughts here? Also, though I find myself jaded with two teens in the house, I forget how many homeschoolers are just beginning […]
Fitting Big Business into your Little Homeschool Planner
We’re baaaaaccccckkkkk, at least for a brief moment! We had a tremendous time, and experienced God’s “blow-your-mind” blessings as described in Ephesians 3:20. Then, during this past weekend, our older two participated in an academic competition. Given the trip to Memphis, we literally went almost around the clock preparing in the last minute-effort to give […]
A Pre-Conference Blogging Break
I should have posted this message days ago, but I had no idea how busy these days would find me! I am taking a brief hiatus in order to make final preparations for the Heart of the Matter Online Conference and the Great Homeschool Conference in Memphis, TN. Please keep us in your prayers until […]
Senior Year: Rigorous or Relaxed?
There is an amusing wall photo traveling the Facebook circuit right now regarding homeschools. You’ve probably seen it, but the bottom line, so to speak, of the photo is that what actually happens in most homeschools is very different than the perception of outsiders–the neighbors, the government, public school friends, professional teachers, etc. Indeed, I talked […]
Creating a Set of Experiences
Have you ever heard a word or phrase that seemingly “stuck” with you? That conversation that you psychologically cannot turn loose? The words are obviously meant to marinate, but the “why” isn’t apparent in the moment. I had this experience a few months ago when I ran into a former coach at our youngest daughter’s […]
Inclusive History Takes More than a Month
What do your history studies actually produce in your children? Knowledge? Memorized facts? If that’s it, you are missing out on the total power of history to enlighten, enliven, and elevate your child in mind and spirit. This is both possible and necessary, especially if your history studies encompass stories that include the history of people […]
More College Visits
As I posted in my highlights for February post, in addition to the busy-ness of home life and homeschool, we are also in full swing with the process of helping our oldest make a decision regarding where she’ll spend the next several years once she leaves our home. You can see our first college visit here. […]
February ’12 Homeschool Highlights
I took my own advice from my last post and changed the youngest’s daily schedule around. Early results are that I’m far less overwhelmed by the amount of work there is to do when I bring the oldest home from college. The youngest is a little shaky with a mid-course change in her routine–she’s so much […]
5 Considerations when a Homeschool Schedule is Just Paper
Blessed are the flexible, for they’ll never be bent out of shape. At least, that’s what I’ve heard. I pride myself on spending gargantuan amounts of time each summer planning our school days–selecting curriculum, thinking through a workable schedule, ordering my own workload in order to take advantage of peaks and valleys in each child’s […]