Homeschooling Education Articles for Teachers - Page 3

  As a homeschooling mom, I’m always looking to showcase my children’s knowledge in interesting and interactive ways. I’d like to share some simple, inexpensive ideas that have worked for our family. Lap Books A lap book is basically a large folder that covers your lap. Have your child decora...

Just because summer arrives in all its glory, it doesn’t mean that homeschoolers need to stop learning. But, there are times when a little break becomes necessary. A break recharges the batteries of both the teacher and student. When a respite is needed, some families are reluctant to stop school...

Most teachers, including those who homeschool, have had to answer that dreaded question "Why do we have to do this?"  This complaint can be about any subject, but in our house, math seems to be the topic that most often provokes this question. I remember feeling that same frustration in elementar...

The summer reading programs have begun at most libraries. These annual programs are a great way to get both young and old readers excited about books. For some families, it can be hard to find books that people of all ages can enjoy together. However, there are many titles that fit this descripti...

We all know someone who isn’t afraid to “stick their neck out” to help others. They are people whose selflessness and compassion go beyond good deeds. Here are some simple and practical ways for children to be philanthropic. These ideas can be incorporated into state-mandated curricula, as well a...

On a recent walk around town, I asked my homeschooled children to take photographs of various buildings and other structures they saw. I told them that although each structure might look different, and serve a different purpose, each one was built using the same geometric principles. In order to ...

I love going to the zoo. It’s a chance to relax with my children and see incredible, often endangered, animals up close. Many zoos offer educational programs that are tailor-made for groups of homeschooled children. I’ve never taken advantage of such programs, as my children prefer to simply ob...

Literature analysis can be a difficult concept for students to understand. The ability to extract information from a book and reiterate it in written form can be a difficult skill to master. Analysis involves more complex thinking than simply naming your favorite character or part of the book. In...

Summer break is just around the corner, which means it's time for family vacations.  Minivans will be filled to capacity and everyone will be bursting with excitement to reach their intended destination. This is a perfect time to sneak in some learning time. With minimum planning, fun and learnin...

Parents who are new to homeschooling are likely to feel overwhelmed by the notion of how to ‘break into’ this educational arena. They have many questions as to how, when, and where they should school their children. Prior to deciding to homeschool it is wise to weigh the pros and cons in order to...

Here are some quotes most people recognize: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” “I have a dream,” and “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” The most powerful and inspirational speeches of all time contain words that people remember long aft...

Crayfish. Crawfish. Crawdads. What you call them depends on where you live. For those unfamiliar with this type of animal, crayfish are crustaceans that resemble tiny lobsters. They come in a variety of colors, and are generally a few inches long, although the biggest ones can be a couple feet lo...

Learning and discipline are interconnected. The ability to control emotions, effectively manage time, and maintain proper social discourse are important skills that are used in school and throughout life. The issue for the homeschooling parent can be finding a way to instill these values and beha...

One of my children once asked me, "In what war did the most Americans die?" It was a fascinating question.  After some thought, I guessed that the answer was World War II. We looked it up and discovered that I was wrong. The correct answer is, the Civil War. This surprised me, and also got me thi...

One of the biggest surprises our family had when we started homeschooling, was the sibling bonding that occurred. I had feared the worst, but was pleasantly surprised. I found out that siblings can get along. This may seem obvious to some people (the ones who don't have kids who squabble), but fo...