Category: Teaching Tips

Curriculum Review: A Conversation with the Math-U-See Blocks(or: Why We’re Saying Goodbye After 14 Years) 

Pauline
Math U See blocks

By Pauline Abello “All right,” I said, gathering the Math-U-See blocks on the table. “I need you all to sit down. We need to talk.” “We’ve been sitting for fourteen years!” the blocks replied in unison. “I know,” I said. “And you’ve been very good at it.” Red Hundred Block leaned forward dramatically. “Is this about… Singapore?” “It’s not just about Singapore,” I said carefully. Blue Ten Block crossed his imaginary arms. “We gave you mastery. We gave you clarity. We gave you manipulatives you could trip over in the Read More …

Choosing

Pauline
Mother and Children”, Dutch interior family scene, oil on canvas, circa 1930

By Duffy Gibb Lately, choice has loomed large in our world. Whether its choosing what to make for dinner, what coursework gets done today or what candidate to vote for, choice is as human as breathing. Every day we are faced with choices beyond our imagining, choices that a few decades ago were unattainable , a few centuries unimaginable. We choose where we live, whom we marry, how we want to raise our families- all choices that just a few hundred years back or a few thousand miles away weren’t/aren’t Read More …

Things I Have Learned in My Homeschool Journey

Pauline

 by Lisa Serra Soon I will be retiring from this career to which I have devoted myself.  I began homeschooling my oldest son in 2002.  At that time, I had three children.  My path into homeschooling was circuitous like most of yours.  I had a precocious son who could read and understand math like a second grader but he couldn’t sit still for more than five minutes.  In the spring of 2002, my husband and I sat through kindergartens that were traditional, child-centered, Montessori, and one that was so esoteric Read More …

The Homeschool Mother’s Progress

Pauline

By Pauline Abello Last semester we all started a journey together.  The Lord led us to this moment, together, to climb this mountain called HOMESCHOOL.  For many of us, we never thought we would climb this mountain.  It was a surprise to be at the foot of it.  Even looking up at it seemed daunting.  So high…. Others didn’t feel qualified to climb the mountain. And yet here they stand too.  All of us, from all walks of life. The Lord has called us to climb “Homeschool Mountain” together. So Read More …

The GIFT of Homeschooling

Pauline

By Bridget Elkins I started my homeschooling journey when I pulled my son out of public school halfway through his fifth-grade year.  I did not know what I was doing, just that I was doing it and that was it.  I am not the type to make big decisions (or little ones) without much thought and research.  It takes me forever just to buy an area rug because I have to read all the reviews and shop around until I am convinced I am getting the best possible deal.  This Read More …

Quotable Mom Tips

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Moms sharing homeschool tips

November 2021 Excelsior Newsletter Leeann and I had been discussing on Marco Polo (video) chat that Latin had lightly introduced the third declension but they don’t yet expect you to fully understand it—but just to grasp a little of it is all that is expected. The thought of what we don’t yet know or think we “ought” to know to be “proficient” in homeschooling could be a cause of stress— but what she said in response was SO profound and worth repeating. “I’ve made a deal with myself…you know that Read More …

Thanksgiving: Cultivating a Heart of Gratitude in All Seasons

Pauline
country homeschool thanksgiving

By Guest Post Author Ingrid Pechin Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Hooray for Thanksgiving! For many of us, it’s our favorite holiday; a time for family traditions. School studies are set aside temporarily for another kind of labor, a labor of love and memory making. Favorite recipes (Mushrooms Berkeley comes to mind for our family) are simmering in shining saucepans on a crowded stovetop. A young lady is setting the table with fine china and real linen napkins, the ones with great grandmother’s carefully embroidered initials in the corner; Read More …

Tips on Staying Healthy and Healing Sickness

Pauline

There is definitely something very contagious going around.  Here are some of my best practices and tips that help us stay well: Prayer–we pray pretty much every night for good health.  I didn’t want to be remiss and start a list without first giving glory to Him.   Boosting the immune system – it’s our natural defense – it can only handle so much stress–lack of sleep combined with eating junk food/white sugar/processed foods are all stresses on the immune system. If you are going to endure one of those stresses Read More …

You CAN Do This

Pauline
homeschooling moms in phoenix az

There’s a lot of new homeschooling moms in these days. Maybe this is you and you are visiting this blog looking at curriculum sites or options for next year. We are certainly seeing record numbers–it will be looked back as a historic year in the homeschooling movement. 2020 will be remembered as the “mass Exodus” of public schoolers. Many are leaving because they are frustrated (understandably) with the choices their district has given them – go to school in a mask and sit in a fish bowl desk…or sit behind Read More …

Behind WHO?

Pauline
Homeschooling is individualized

The Fear of Failing Them I think we all worry about failing our children. That they will be “behind”. But in the homeschooling community there is a great question that we like to ask each other as a way of reminding each other and encouraging one another, “behind WHO?” You worry your child will be behind? Who are they behind? Behind who? Who sets the standards? The state? The teachers union? Your in-laws? The nosy neighbor who has an opinion? Your best friend whose kid aced the SAT? Who sets Read More …