Archive for the ‘Homeschool Curriculum’ Category

The middle of July seems like an odd time to start thinking about school, but not if you are a homeschooling parent that is in the process of deciding which teaching method to use in the fall.  Although homeschooling is not a new concept, the different methods that can be used to teach have drastically increased since the beginning of homeschooling. With each homeschooling method, there are potential pros and cons. Many of the differences in homeschooling methods boil down to differences in how you view education, how much you want to be involved in teaching, the amount of structure your child needs, and what you want them to learn.

We have compiled a small list of methods to get you started on your research and thought process, while you still have time to decide and choose the best method for you.

Read the rest of this entry »

While summer is in full swing across the nation, many homeschooling families are planning out what the fall school semester will look like for their children and choosing their homeschool curriculum materials. Although there is no reason to sound the alarms and call an end to summer, there is definitely a need to check your calendar and count how many weeks until school starts.

There are a few things that you’ll want to have in order before classes actually get started for the new school year. This may be a good time to clean out any clutter that has been left behind from previous years of homeschooling, or the general clutter that busy families tend to create and leave behind. Perhaps you still need to find a support group that will be a good fit for you and your homeschooling family, or some extra-curricular groups. This is even an ideal time to start streamlining some meal planning in advance while you have the time to teach older kids how to cook.

Read the rest of this entry »

Choosing a homeschool curriculum can be a daunting task, especially if you are considering switching from a curriculum that was unsuccessful for your child’s needs. There are some things to keep in mind during the process that can help you choose a curriculum that fits both the needs of you and your child.

Consider the following questions as you shop:

Read the rest of this entry »

Different parenting resources present disagreeing data about whether or not holding a child back another grade in school after failing standardized tests helps improve academic performance. While some argue that giving a child another year to “catch up” is a positive alternative, many specialists and parents claim retention can do more damage to their child’s learning and social development.

 According to Karl Alexander, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, grade retention “at any age raises the risk of dropping out of school later,” and has a negative impact on all areas of a child’s academic achievement and socio-emotional adjustment.  Another study conducted by the University of California also found that students who have been held back another year attribute being retained for their “poor peer relationships, poor self-esteem and their continuing struggles at school.”  This is why it is imperative that you consider the following alternatives before deciding to hold your child back another year:

Read the rest of this entry »

Wordly Wise 3000 enriches vocabulary skills while making vocabulary learning fun. The homeschool vocabulary curriculum contains riddles, crossword puzzles, hidden messages and many other engaging activities to help kids in grades K through 12 absorb up to 4050 new vocabulary words!

With Wordly Wise 3000, students build their reading vocabularies while simultaneously strengthening their reading, critical thinking, and writing skills. Here you will find a Wordly Wise books and word lists for every level of vocabulary curriculum!

Read the rest of this entry »

Homeschool Curriculum

Finding the appropriate homeschool curriculum can be a bit tricky, but once you find one that fits perfectly with your child’s learning style and pace, believe me, it will be absolutely rewarding.  Studies show that homeschooled kids tend to be more academically advanced, mature, confident, and eager to learn than their peers.  An effective homeschool science or homeschool math program, for example, can teach your children to think outside the box, explore what hasn’t even been conceived, and discover new ways to solve problems much earlier than kids who are publicly or privately schooled.

Read the rest of this entry »

As more and more parents become increasingly disappointed and unhappy with local public schools and weak enforcement of state education standards, the need for additional and effective homeschool curriculum continues to grow.  Parents have come to realize that if they want their children to meet and keep up with the state education standards for their appropriate grade level, they’re going to need quality Math curriculum or English curriculum that they can use to teach their children outside of school.

The Common Core State Standards Initiative contains documents that provide what your child should know by a certain grade level. As a parent responsible for your child’s education, you will want to read the standards and evaluate whether or not your child meets the requirements. In addition, here are three things you can do to make sure your children are not lacking in good education:

Read the rest of this entry »

FREE iPad Giveaway

NEST learning has a new amazing offer! For EVERY homeschool curriculum item you buy, you get an automatic entry to win a FREE iPad. ($499 Value) Official Terms and Conditions

Read the rest of this entry »

Live Butterfly Garden

One of the educational toys on the market that is gaining huge popularity for its creativity, learning aspects and entertainment is the Live Butterfly Garden for kids by Insect Lore.

Read the rest of this entry »

Homeschool Record Keeping

It’s every homeschooler’s nightmare. A local school district official knocks on the door and asks to see your homeschool record keeping. However, after a brief moment of panic, the realization dawns that this isn’t a nightmare after all. You’ve done your homework and are prepared for such a visit. After spending a few minutes looking over your records, the impressed official heads for the door, satisfied you are in compliance with the law.

Read the rest of this entry »