“Special needs” is a tricky term. It can cover everything from a gifted child with sensory issues to a profoundly disabled child who is nonverbal. But what all children with special needs have in common is that, in order to thrive, they need something outside of the norm. The standard routines and processes that work… [Continue Reading]
homeschooling
How I Homeschool 5 Grades of Kids With No Stress!
People are amazed that I homeschool five grades of kids all at once without losing my mind. I’m actually amazed too. I shared some details about how I do that HERE. In this video, I actually unbox all our books and give you an overview of how I homeschool. Yet, after that, I’ve gotten more… [Continue Reading]
3 Easy Ways to Homeschool the Visual Learner
According to the VARK learning styles model, there are 4 major types of learners: Visual Aural/Auditory Read/Write Kinesthetic Most people are a mixture of these 4 categories depending on different factors such as material and who they are learning from. As a homeschooling teacher, it is important to know what strengths your children have and… [Continue Reading]
Homeschool Resolutions
I’m counting down the days until homeschooling starts this year. I love the beginning of the new school year. I love new school supplies. I love cracking open new books! I love learning right along with my children. Yet each year there are always challenges. At the beginning of each new school year, I make… [Continue Reading]
Dos & Don’ts of Homeschooling to Encourage You
1. Don’t homeschool unless you and your spouse are both on board. Do proceed if both parents are unified and at peace with the decision! 2. Don’t wait to have all your ducks in a row until you start. Do realize that you can only do it with God’s help, strength, and guidance. (And you’ll… [Continue Reading]
Eight Fun Ways to Incorporate Usborne and Kane Miller Books into Your Homeschool
When it was my turn to be young (before personal computers and internet were born) the holy grail of non-fiction in our home looked a little something like a set of 22 drably uniformed soldiers neatly lined up to fill the entire bottom bookshelf of the family entertainment center. Each had a different letter on… [Continue Reading]
14 Great Gift Ideas for College-Bound High School Graduates!
Our fourth oldest just graduated from high school last month, and we are already preparing her for college in the fall. She’s received some great gifts! If you’re looking for gifts for a graduate here’s a list of great ideas! Note: This post contains affiliate links. Click on the photo of any item to see… [Continue Reading]
Can Homeschooling Really Be Easy? | Lea Ann Garfias
I homeschool five children. Five. From elementary through high school. I have another homeschool graduate. Not only do I homeschool them all, but I write, speak, play the violin professionally, edit a homeschool magazine, and serve in my local church. I believe homeschooling can be easy. That’s why I wrote (cough, cough) Homeschool Made Easy… [Continue Reading]
Sonlight Unboxing & How I Homeschool Multiple Ages Together
One of my favorite times of the year is when my new homeschool curriculum arrives. The last couple of years I’ve used Sonlight to homeschool all my children together. It works great!! I’m doing the same thing this year, too. Below is my unboxing video. This year I’m using History/Bible/Literature (HBL) Levels C and H…. [Continue Reading]
Summer Reading For Family Togetherness
Would you like to create more togetherness for your family this summer? Summer is supposed to be a relaxing time, but I’ve found that kids who have too much free time often get into trouble. Also, my kids are also prone to fight because they don’t have many activities to pull all ages together. Do… [Continue Reading]
Seven All-Time Favorite Read-Alouds | Sarita Holzmann
As moms, we have the unique privilege and joy to read to our children. As Sonlighters, we get to cuddle on the couch to read every day and call it “doing school.” Glory! The natural love for reading and learning blossoms from these moments we spend together. I have always been a book lover. As… [Continue Reading]
7-Day Writer’s Challenge