Posts Tagged ‘Homeschool Curriculum’

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.

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Hand-Eye coordination is an invaluable and necessary skill sometimes overlooked as part of homeschool curriculum. As simple as it seems, hand-eye coordination must be learned. The good news is that kid’s games and summer activities are a perfect way to disguise training. Here are our three favorite hand-eye coordination homeschool curriculum kits – easily camouflaged as just another game for a summer of fun!

1. Joey Jump

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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.

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Math – Check. Science – Check. English – Check. History – Check. Sports – ?.

Organized sports teaches your child teamwork and good sportmanship - a value that will help them succeed in life!

It’s that time of year again – time to break out the calendar and begin planning next year’s schedule. While you are planning and budgeting your homeschool curriculum materials, are you leaving something out? Everyone covers the basics when purchasing homeschool materials: science, math, social studies, English, etc., but many forget a very important part of any child’s homeschool schedule: Sports.

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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:

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We help educators be more effective, student’s succeed, and families experience healthier relationships. The community of academic and faith-based educators, involved parents, families and caregivers recognize NEST as a premier source for inspiring, educational and entertaining resources for both children and adults.

For more information on home education, please visit our website

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Homeschooling is an option parents are increasingly deciding to make.They are becoming dissatisfied with the public school system, and they want to ensure their children receive a quality education. One thing many people do not realize, though, is this quality can be costly! When one considers most homeschooling families are, of necessity, one income households, it becomes especially important to manage these costs. Here are some tips on how to keep your costs down without sacrificing excellence:

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“History is boring” is often the general consensus of school kids. It’s a failure of educators to take something as thrilling as the establishment of our nation and reduce it to a series of facts and dates, only to be regurgitated back out of bored little minds who won’t retain much of it past college. As home educators, let’s shake it up and help the next generation understand that history is a living thing with real people, and it’s still being created!

President’s Day is the third Monday in February, and it’s a great chance to spark their imaginations and get them thinking of Washington and Lincoln as inspirational people, not just old men that lived long ago. Let’s look at some ways to do this: Read the rest of this entry »

In the midst of Black History Month, focusing on the national, social, scientific, and political contributions of African Americans such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Harriet Tubman opens the door for diverse learning experiences. In honor of this month, take a field trip to a landmark of the civil rights movement, watch a biography on DVD, or listen to a Presidential speech. Nest Learning offers a wide array of products to bring these subjects to life. And while you’re sparking your children’s imaginations, here are some interesting trivia facts to share with them:

• Allensworth, California was built in 1908 as an all-black city, self-sufficient and free from racism. It is the only town in California to have been founded, financed, and governed solely by African Americans. In 1974, California State Parks purchased land within the historical township and created Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park.

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