My thoughts on last year’s curriculum choices: 11th Grade It’s getting a little hard to give detailed reviews at these upper levels because it has become so hands off for me. That’s a good thing! The biggest role for a parent at this stage of the game to to provide accountability. The Student Planner remains … more
Mathematics is a frequent subject of curriculum searches, and most homeschoolers go through a few different programs during their tenure. We’re all looking for a curriculum that teaches the maximum amount of math understanding with the minimum amount of pain. With the multitude of products available these days, and the belief that “different things work … more
I decided to do something new this year and post a quick review of the curriculum we used last year so we can all see how well it worked. 10th Grade Jacobs Geometry – I will admit it was a rough start, since Dusty was transitioning to self-teaching with a textbook from a video-based program. Once … more
Dusty – 11th Grade Precalculus – Dual-credit online class through LeTourneau University – LeTourneau is a college we are looking into for Dusty. When we found out that they had dual-credit online classes for half the cost of another online class we considered, we decided to give them a try. Center for Lit English classes … more
I never thought that one day I’d be lucky enough to have a homeschool retreat of this type in my own neck of the woods. Melissa, a friend who blogs at Reflections from Drywood Creek, is putting together a one-day retreat for those interested in classical and Charlotte Mason education. We will be honored to … more
In my small, specialized world of classical and Charlotte Mason homeschooling, a lively debate has taken form over the last year. A book had been written, and then a critique, and the ensuing conversations have created two “camps” in the previously-homogeneous crowd of Charlotte Mason educators. What are those two views? One, that Charlotte Mason was … more
You may have noticed my mentions of pens in posts regarding our schooling. Yes, we do use pens. I had heard pens, specifically fountain pens, recommended for children who are learning to write and who become fatigued by pressing too hard. I was told it was how children learned penmanship here in the past as well as … more
I can’t tell you how many times I hear this question come up in the context of homeschooling: What can I do to keep my toddler occupied so she/he doesn’t constantly interrupt and derail our school? After this question will come a torrent of suggestions, usually about curating a number of preschool-like activities to distract the … more
Just a visual reminder that a rich education can be simple. Here is some of last year’s copywork and math for our then third-grader. Enjoy your December!
If there’s one subject that intimidates homeschoolers, it’s math. We homeschool moms love us some humanities: literature, history, geography, Bible. We will attend workshops on these subjects, spend the lion’s share of the budget on these subjects, and fill most of our schedule with these subjects. But we often treat math as a necessary evil. And usually, … more