Too many times have I heard the phrase, "We don't have money for curriculum." Honestly, there have been many times that that I have said the exact same thing. It wasn't because I didn't budget. Money was just tight! However, we need to do what it takes to create and maintain a workable homeschool budget. Jesus said in Luke 14:28; "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?" These homeschool budget tips should work for everyone: 1) Make your pie in the sky list Organizational Supplies- Think bookshelves, desks and such. Even if you are thrifty and shop yard sales, there is still a cost. School Supplies- paper, pencils, notebooks (I really stock up during back to school sales.) Curriculum- This one is clearly a given. Choose this wisely. Sometimes an initially high price tag pays off as you pass it through your children. Computers Science stuff- microscopes, experiment … [Read more...]
Finish Well: Homeschooling Encouragement
The following are just few tips to help you finish well. Intentionally living, realizing our goals, and remembering why we homeschool will help you in this school year's grand finale! How can we finish well? 1.) Take advantage of the sunshine! Create a Spring schedule that allows for plenty of outside time. Maybe you can add botany, or study birds in your science lessons. Whatever you choose, purpose to go outdoors. You could take schoolwork outside, go for walks or bike rides, have picnic lunches or BBQ dinners! 2.) Ask yourself, "What does finish mean?" Evaluate yourself and your children honestly. What was your goal(s) for the year? You don't need to finish every page of every workbook. (SHHHHH! Don't tell my children that!) 3.) Choose a last day and celebrate! Give your children something to look forward to and make it fun! My own children are just strange... They can't wait to finish this year just so they can start the next one! I am the one saying, "Wait! I am … [Read more...]
5 Tips to Help Your Child Read
I am a homeschooling mother of two, and it was a very different process to help each child read. My first child was an amazingly fast learner and was reading chapter books by the age of 4! Today, she is 20 and still an avid reader. My second child is the complete opposite. While she loves to read, learning does not come as easy for her, and reading had a bit of a slow start. She has to strive and work hard to make good grades that were so easy for my oldest. When it came to teaching my youngest to read, it was so hard to keep my perspective and not blame myself for her slow start. However, I never gave up, and today, my sweet third grader has improved by leaps and bounds and is reading chapter books. She still has some room for improvement that will come with our diligent pursuit of good reading skills. I want to share my methods with you in hopes that you can save yourself mental anguish, self-loathing, and that "I must be a horrible mother" bologna! 5 Tips to Help Your … [Read more...]
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