As a kid, I always wanted to be a teacher; as an adult, that hasn’t changed. I was worried about that when we decided to homeschool, but I find myself still teaching – just in a wider variety of roles than ever! Sometimes, what needs to be taught is pushing my boundaries of knowledge, however. … Continue reading Kids Create: Making a Historical Documentary
Tag: writing
“Balancing Diapers and Deadlines” – Review
My kids are long out of the diaper stage, but there’s more to balance than ever, and that’s why I was excited to review the class Balancing Diapers and Deadlines from Lisa Tanner Writing. I haven’t taken this type of online class before. It’s a go-at-your-own-pace thing with a box to check when you’ve finished… Continue reading “Balancing Diapers and Deadlines” – Review
NEW! A Linked Unit Study for Elise Broach’s “The Wolf Keepers”
Every once in a while, I read a book that I grabs all of my attention and screams to be used for fun with kids. I love taking those books and turning them into fun unit studies for educational purposes, and Elise Broach’s new book The Wolf Keepers is just such a book. A high-stakes middle… Continue reading NEW! A Linked Unit Study for Elise Broach’s “The Wolf Keepers”
Writing History at Epic Patriot Camp
Last week my kids experienced the most amazing camp ever. It was Epic Patriot Camp, sponsored by the National Park Service, held at the Abingdon Muster Grounds, and taught, in part, by the wonderful author Jenny L. Cote. For six hours each day, the lived the Revolutionary Battle of King’s Mountain. Over the course of… Continue reading Writing History at Epic Patriot Camp
Learning to Write with Author Jenny L. Cote
Our recent visit to Patrick Henry’s Red Hill was exciting for more reasons than the hands-on ones I shared yesterday. It’s where we got to meet author Jenny L. Cote for a writing workshop. I’ve always wanted to go to a book signing, and although I’ve gotten a few invitations from authors whose books I’ve… Continue reading Learning to Write with Author Jenny L. Cote
1 Easy Way to Teach about the American Southwest
Recently my Little Man asked to read Elise Broach’s book Missing on Superstition Mountain. I knew he would love it – it’s packed full of adventure, danger, and treasure hunting – but I hesitated. This book is perfect for teaching about the American Southwest. There are many, many threads that can be tugged to build… Continue reading 1 Easy Way to Teach about the American Southwest
Become a Published Author with Lulu
Taking school on the road is one of the great perks about homeschooling. Nothing can match being out in the real world, learning about something from an expert who lives and breathes the subject. We’ve met some pretty great ones through the years, but last week we met a bunch of them all at… Continue reading Become a Published Author with Lulu
Write Your Own Thanksgiving Psalm
One thing that I love about homeschooling is the flexibility to go with the flow when inspiration strikes, and sometimes that springs from the scripture I read during my own early morning quiet time. A few months ago, when I was reading the Psalms, I was struck by the repetition in Psalm 103. I liked… Continue reading Write Your Own Thanksgiving Psalm
Write Your Own Irish Blessings
Okay, I realize that if you write them yourself, they won’t really be Irish (unless you are) but this is a fun introduction to poetry and a way to think about others while studying a neat aspect of Irish culture. We began by reading some traditional Irish blessings. We found a bunch over here. Of… Continue reading Write Your Own Irish Blessings
Field Work Friday – How to Write a Story
This week we met at our local library to learn about story writing. Children’s Librarian Amanda Weaver started out by reading a Toot and Puddle book, and then she shared a story that she had written as a child. Next she talked with the children about the important parts of a… Continue reading Field Work Friday – How to Write a Story