Category: Homeschooling Rhythms
How long is a typical homeschool day?
Many homeschooling families wonder how long a typical homeschool day should be. The answer is that this varies for each student and each family, and will change as the child gets older. In the early grades, the parent is completely involved in the learning process, but as the child moves through the grades, more and
Continue reading10 Ideas for Making the End of the School Year Special
Is yours one of the many families whose “school year” has a beginning, an end, and then a break before the next year begins? Schooling at home is something to celebrate, and when the end of the school year arrives, it presents an opportunity for joyful recognition and reflection. Here are some ideas for ways
Continue readingRhythms, Routines, Rituals
Rhythms, routines, and rituals help us stay centered and on track as homeschooling parents. They enable our children to relax and feel secure because they know what to expect each day. A thoughtful routine allows us to focus our energy in one area at a time, knowing that other essential areas will not be neglected. Establishing
Continue readingTransitioning from School to Homeschool
Sending your child off to school is a big transition. Making the shift to homeschooling when your child has been in school is another big transition. It may take some time to feel settled on the homeschooling path. Here are some things to anticipate as you make your way. Practice Patience This is a big
Continue readingSetting Up Your Homeschool Space
Many new homeschoolers wonder how best to set up their homeschool room or learning space. The possibilities can seem overwhelming. Here are some tips as you envision and establish a practical spot in your home where homeschooling can be comfortable and productive. Keep an Open Mind Your homeschooling room doesn’t need to look like a
Continue readingI didn’t think I wanted to homeschool at first…
Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Amy Tudor. You can follow her homeschooling adventures on Instagram at amy.tudor and find her articles in Taproot magazine. We’re thrilled to have her share her homeschooling story. Homeschooling never appealed to me. We live in a remote Vermont forest with very few other children nearby. My
Continue readingDecluttering the Homeschool House
Homeschoolers usually spend a significant portion of their days at home. The many hours of projects, crafts, meals, and experiments that happen every day in a homeschooling house can add up to a significant amount of clutter and chaos. What are some ways to keep your home and your family from getting overwhelmed by this?
Continue readingPlanning for Success: Using a Weekly Planner to Find the Rhythm in Your Homeschooling Life
by DeeDee Hughes, Director of Curriculum Development at Oak Meadow How many times have you planned your day in your head, only to forget half of what you wanted to do? Or maybe, like me, you make lists — leaving notes here and there all over the house — and then lose track of the
Continue reading10 Ways to Create and Maintain Balance as a Homeschooling Parent
1. Know your priorities. Be clear with yourself about what is most important. Make sure everyone in the family knows what those things are. Talk regularly about the reasons why your family does things the way you do. Be open with each other when it feels like it’s time to revisit or reaffirm your family’s
Continue readingMotivating Middle Schoolers
There is no doubt that middle school students can be difficult to engage at times, and this can be especially true for home teachers who are also parents. Middle school aged students hold on fiercely to their newly discovered independence, and at the same time they need some guidance while they learn to develop their
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