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Welcome

Free Homeschool Science Materials Checklist

July 30, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Sometimes you just need a homeschool science materials checklist to see what your missing in your science supplies. Also, look at my page Homeschool Planner for more free homeschool planner printables.

Besides, part of learning how to homeschool is doing all the fun hands-on science.

However, more than once, I have been caught short at the house with some of the supplies we needed in our home to complete the activities.

And even though we have used laid out science curriculum too, I have learned a lot through the years regarding how to stock my kitchen and home.

Homeschool Science Materials Checklist for your 7 Step DIY Free Homeschool Planner by Tina Robertson

So, I have reduced some of the things we have used over and over, year after year and put them in this homeschool science materials checklist.

For example, we love doing science and have used 365 More Simple Science Experiments with Everyday Materials more than one time through the years because we love to pick activities which interests us.

In addition, we love books like Janice VanCleave’s Big Book of Science Experiments because you can easily obtain other materials not found at home.

Household Products for Science at Home

Now, depending on which area of science, like earth science, chemistry, physical science or life science, you will need to have a few exact materials for a branch of science you focus on.

For instance, we add specific things we need and use Homeschool Science Tools.

In addition, Homeschool Science Tools has just kits if you don’t want to use a full science curriuclum.

Look at their science kits here to see your options.

So this list is a list of general things you will want to stock your home with.

It’s kind of a given too that you will eventually want a microscope and slides, but I noticed year after year I have collected some of the same things in home.

Reducing materials I seem to use year after year into this checklist, I’m hoping to keep you organized.

And not do like us by having to put a fun activity on hold until we make a run to the store.

I hate when that happens.

Free Homeschool Science Materials Checklist

Also, I have a provided space on the free printable science material checklist so you can add unique items you’ll need for upcoming science lessons.

Too, another tip is to jot beside the product the total number of items you have. Sometimes I think I have more jars than I actually do.

This science checklist will help you to keep those items at home organized.

homeschool-science-materials-checklist-for-the-7-step-homeschool-planner-grab-your-free-copy-over-tinas-dynamic-homeschool-plus

This Homeschool Science Materials Checklist is part of the 7 Step Free Homeschool Planner and you can begin building your own homeschool planner below.

Homeschool Science Materials Checklist for your 7 Step DIY Free Homeschool Planner by Tina Robertson

Add Your Science Checklist to Your Homeschool Planner

Be sure to add this science checklist to your homeschool planner each year.

Step 1. Choose a Pretty Front/Back Cover

Step. 2. Choose Calendars/Appointment Keepers

Step 3. Choose Goals/Objectives

Step 4. Choose Lesson Planning Pages Right For You!

Step 5a. Choose Unique forms JUST for You!

Step 5b. Choose MORE Unique Forms JUST for You!

Step 5c. Choose MORE MORE Unique Forms Just for You!

Step 6. Personalize It

How to Get the Free Science Materials Checklist

Now, how to grab this form and 10 other free homeschool planner forms. This is a subscriber freebie.

 1) Sign up on my list.
2) Grab the freebie now.
3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Homeschool Science Materials Checklist for the 7 Step Homeschool Planner @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Don’t forget to follow BOTH of my Pinterest accounts for more AWESOME pins.

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: 2. My FREE Organizing Printables {Any topic}, Curriculum Planner, Homeschool Planner, Science Tagged With: freeprintables, homeschoolscience, organizationalprintables, printable

Free Native American Plains Indians Fun Lapbook for Kids (& resources)

July 29, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today I have a free Native Americans Plains Indians fun lapbook to add to your list of homeschool lapbooks. Also, you can look at my page Plains Indians Unit Study & Lapbook to see our co-op.

This Plains Indians lapbook was created for upper elementary to middle school. There are approximately ten minibooks in this Native American Plains Indians lapbook.

However, if you do a letter size file you only need eight minibooks. We did one which was letter size and two which were legal size file folder so we could add more fun resources.

Free Native American Plains Indians Fun Lapbook for Kids (& resources)

Besides, learning about the Plains Indians a lapbook is a fun way to organize all the fun bits of information your child wants to know.

Look below at the different minibooks included in this free lapbook.

  • Tribes of the Plains
  • Spear and Shield Dance
  • Food of the Plains Indians
  • Make a leather tipi
  • Tipi with pictographs

Also, here are five more included.

  • Another tipi but create you own design
  • The Great Plains Geography
  • Buffalo a way of life
  • Chiefs of the Great Plains
  • Picture Words

The Plains Indians

If you’re looking for a way to bring learning about the Plains or Native Americans, you’ll love studying about the Plains Indians.

In addition, we concentrated on several areas when studying about the Plains Indians.

First, it was important to me to not perpetuate stereotypes. Nobody likes that done to them. The problem is none of us were alive then.

Free Native American Plains Indians Fun Lapbook for Kids (& resources)

So, we have to use the best primary sources we can find to determine how the Plains Indians lived and what was important to them

In addition, I wanted to include reference resources which were helpful for our age range.

Plains Indians Tribes

First, I wanted the children in our co-op to appreciate a few of the tribes that roamed The Plains.

For example, they are the Mandan, Wichita, Caddo, Kansa, Sioux, Comanche, Pawnee and Crow to name some.

Also, here are a few other topics to include when studying about the Plains Indians.

  • Learn what is pemmican
  • Explore the geography of The Plains because Native Americans learn to live off the land and
  • Investigate how they made tools and clothing
Free Native American Plains Indians Fun Lapbook for Kids (& resources)

However, not only will you want to share ideas about how Plains Indians lived but make this fun diy pop up book.

It’s not included in this free lapbook because we made with material we had on hand. One of my sons was interested in how the Native Americans road horseback while hunting.

So he was inspired to tittle this book The Stand Off and inspired by the work of George Catlin.

DIY Pop Up Book

Too, I had this older cool book Plains Indians Diorama to Cut & Assemble. So the Native American and buffalo my son cut out of the book.

Then, take a letter size page of construction paper and have your child draw or use markers to illustrate his knowledge of The Plains. Decorate or color the paper with whatever scene your child wants to illustrate.

Next, fold it half and cut two parallel, horizontal slits per image to pop up. Cut the slits on the crease where you want the pop ups at. Try to space the tabs apart where you want your images.

For instance, for the buffalo and the Native American you will cut four slits about one inch and then push the tabs in.

Finally, glue the images on the inside of the book on the tabs. So cute.

I found this video of the pop out book of what we actually did except instead of one tab we had two tabs. 

Your child could print free clipart or use an activity book to add fun things to your lapbooks.

You can add other Native American tribes and use any of the pop up features in activity books.

More Free Plains Indians Resources

Also, you’ll love these other free Plains Indians Resources.

Free Native American Plains Indians Fun Lapbook for Kids (& resources)

Some of them are lesson plans and others are teaching helps.

  • The Buffalo: A Way of Life for the Plains Indians
  • Plains Indians Pictographs
  • Native American’s Of the Great Plains
  • The Iron Horse vs. the Buffalo
  • Also,, remember to go to my Native American Plains Indian Unit Study.

This free Native American Lapbook is a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get access to my Exclusive Subscriber’s Only Library and you get this freebie too.

This is how you get access to these pages quickly.
► 1) Sign up on my list.
► 2) Go to your inbox and confirm your email from the automatic reply I sent you.
►3) Look for the automatic reply giving you the password to the private subscriber’s area. You should have it soon.

Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Geography, History Resources, Lapbook Tagged With: lapbook, lapbooking, lapbookresources, lapbooks, Native Americans, nativeamerican

18 Kindergarten Science Homeschool Curriculum For Active Kids

July 28, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Choosing kindergarten science homeschool curriculum for energetic kids is challenging. Besides homeschool kindergarten should be fun.

Today, I’m sharing solid tips in how to choose science curriculum for your homeschooled kindergartner.

Some take a spiral approach and are very workbook driven while others include many hands-on lessons.

However, before I jump into sharing so many wonderful choices, you need to know the importance of balancing subjects.

18 Kindergarten Science Homeschool Curriculum For Active Kids

For example, as a seasoned homeschool mom with three grads I know the importance of focusing on the skill subjects first.

The skill subjects are also known as the three Rs – reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic.

How to Balance Kindergarten Homeschool Science with Skills Subjects

And here are three reasons why the skill subjects should stay in the forefront.

  • First, if a child can’t read well, he’ll struggle his whole life
  • Second, when a child does read well, he can study any subject or topic which delights him and
  • Third, math is needed lifelong and without a solid start in math, a child will struggle in science.

However, what some educators tout in the homeschool world is that it must be an either or choice.

Choose skill subjects or content subjects like science to focus on primarily in the younger grades.

Don’t get me wrong. There is some merit to that way of thinking.

Look at Slow and Steady Get Me Ready For Kindergarten: 260 Activities To Do With Your Child From Age 0 to 5 to show how playing and learning are essentially linked.

For instance, some moms of kindergartners can have an unrealistic view of what a learning day looks like for a kindergartner.

In addition, they also have an unrealistic view of how much time their children should spend homeschooling.

18 Kindergarten Science Homeschool Curriculum For Active Kids

Although children are on different learning scales, here are some ways that kindergarten moms may not understand the learning process.

  • They want their kindergartener to write or worst yet write with a pencil.
  • Too, they think that a child should be reading at this age. It’s very normal for children to still be learning letter and blend sounds. Even children reading beginning chapter books is normal.
  • In addition, instead of embracing their energetic child, they think children should sit down for long periods of time to learn.

As you can see, there are a variety of skill levels.

Nevertheless, there are qualities which make homeschooling easier which a lot of young children share.

So, tap into those natural strengths to capitalize on for learning.

How to Match Science Curriculum with Learner

Look below at the strengths you want to tap into.

  • Most are very energetic and eager to learn.
  • Being wiggly and inquisitive, they can tolerate a variety of learning material that meets their needs for hands-on activities,
  • They move and wiggle but they’re paying attention.
  • Playing IS how children this age best learn. It should be hard to separate science fun from playing during the day.
  • And they’re learning with every breath they take.

Now that you have a glimpse of the big learning picture with kindergartners, I want you to choose kindergarten science curriculum meticulously.

Choose one which aligns with your child’s nature desire to learn.

Next, I don’t believe you have to make a choice between teaching science which is a content subject versus a skill subject. You can do both.
But you do need to know what is important to teach when your child is feeling overwhelmed or when life hands you a less than a desirable schedule to homeschool.
Sometimes, you can only teach the skill subjects.

But if you can teach science right along at the beginning it will make your child’s learning experience more enriching.

However, there is one more significant foundational point I want you to know.

18 Kindergarten Science Homeschool Curriculum For Active Kids

Besides, I can’t help sharing with you points that have helped me succeed in homeschooling for 20+ years.

Two Approaches to Teach Homeschool Kindergarten Science

Thus, there are two ways to teach science at this age

  • One is where you take a beautiful science topic book or story and teach facts through finding easy hands-on activities to go along with the topic; and
  • the second way is using a laid-out curriculum which covers a multiple of topics like earth and science, animal science, plant science or human body.

The important point to remember is that science is not a subject a child can be behind in at this age.

18 Kindergarten Science Homeschool Curriculum For Active Kids

Besides kindergarten science homeschool curriculum comes in a variety of options.

You want to create a love for science.

So hands-on activities should be abundant and writing about it should not be.

18 Kindergarten Science Homeschool Curriculum

Finally, look below at solid science curriculum for kindergarten.

1. Nick and Tesla Series

This first one is Nick and Tesla series. This is a reference story like series more than curriculum.

And this is a perfect example of a fun series for a bit older child, but one that will feed the curiosity of a budding scientist.

If you have an eager science minded child, you can tweak an older resource to meet his needs.

One of the best parts is that you can do this with all your children.

Follow your child’s interests and include hands-on ideas as you child wants to do them.

  • Nick and Tesla’s Robot Army Rampage
  • Nick and Tesla’s Super-Cyborg Gadget Glove

2.Summer Beach from Sassafras Science Adventures.

Next, Summer Beach is a kindergarten full year program from the same company that makes the The Sassafras Science Adventures.

It includes a Summer’s Lab Teacher Guide, Summer’s Lab Student Lab Manual and a Summer’s Lab Reference Notes. You decide if you want to use the Student Lab Manual or the Reference notes.

Each unit has 4 lessons and is presented in a short story form along with questions for you to ask.

They use the idea of making a sandwich like learning science. You add different parts to build your science topic or sandwich for the week.

And you have two scheduling options.

  • Summer’s Lab Lab Manual

3.The Sassafras Science Adventures.

Then, this curriculum can be used for multiple ages too. However, it is a curriculum if you want more laid out.

Next, is The Sassafras Science Adventures which is written for grades K to 5. And there are several books each based on a different topic.

There are components for creating a lapbook and it too is written in a story form.

  • The Sassafras Science Adventures: Volume One: Zoology
  • The Sassafras Science Adventures 3: Volume 3: Botany

As I mentioned each book is on a different topic.

There is Anatomy, Botany, Zoology, and Earth Science; there are other books in the series but they begin with first grade.

4.The Cat In the Hat’s Learning Library.

Also another fun one which has been around for a while is the Cat In the Hat’s Learning Library. Kids love this series anyway.

Use the science focused books for a fun science program and add in coloring, crafts, and drawing as you child wants to. It’s such a fun introduction to science.

5.The Magic School Bus Science Chapter Books 

In addition, another fun keeper and great choice is the The Magic School Bus Science Chapter Books.

I loved these too like the other books especially if you have younger children, it’s worth buying to use over and over again as each child comes along.

6. Preschool Science: Exploring Creation Together

And although this next one says preschool, it’s for ages 3 to 5.

One of the best parts of Preschool Science: Exploring Creation Together is not only presenting science in a story form, but it includes hands-on ideas with items you can find at home.

Another part is the parent’s section where they speak to you in how to use the curriculum as a guide.

7. Funschooling Level A for K- 2

Additionally, the funschooling books for Level A are K – 2. You can use them to cover a couple of years. depending on how much science you want to cover.

Funschooling is such a fun series of books. And they are quite a few choices for science. Remember too although they say K to 2, some books may be a bit more mature in terms of activities.

However, the content is solid and fun. Until your child can do some of the activities, you can try easier ones.

They have space, oceans and a nature study journal to name a few.

  • Fun-Schooling Science Handbook – All About SPACE: Explore the Universe! Research, Create, Play, Experiment & Learn
  • All About Ocean Creatures: Fun-Schooling –

8. Be Naturally Curious

Also, Be Naturally Curious is another choice.

I’ve not used them but I have been eyeballing them. They have minicourses as they call them which are downloadable pdfs.

They take a story approach along with games, activities, nature and being outside.

If you lack the room for a ton of books this pdf guide would make a great resource and I love the topics hey have for grades K to 5. So you could use this with your older children too.

9. Christian Liberty Nature Readers

The Christian Liberty Nature Readers I’ve used and are beautiful and packed full of information for your eager learner.

I love the fact that I could just sit and read about spiders to my kids or whatever topic they were interested in and just ponder the beautiful creatures.

As mentioned, they’re readers. So if you want to add in some hands-on activities there is plenty of information to pull from.

I loved reading ahead and finding science activities like insect lore to go with our reading.

10. Science Unlocked

Another one we’re going to do soon is Science Unlocked.

Science Unlocked is everything that you need to teach your child an entire month’s worth of science in one box – complete with detailed teacher guide and student workbook.

The series Wonder is for K to 2. And they have topics like

  • Squishy Science,
  • Penguin Parenting
  • From Brrr to Burrow and
  • Blast off to name a few topics.

11. Master Books

Too, Master Books is a curriculum which has a series named Let’s Talk Science.

Master Books has a beautiful Charlotte Mason approach to teaching science. We have not used it, but it has experiments, memory verses and activity pages.

12. The Good and The Beautiful

Furthermore, we’ve been using the other components of The Good and The Beautiful but not the science yet.

They have a science series they want to expand on it and named it Science for Little Hearts and Hands. The first course is for Preschool to 2nd and is Course Set—Fields and Flowers .

13. BookShark

Yet another wonderful science curriculum for kindergarten age is BookShark.

PreK is geared toward ages 4 – 5 and Level A is for ages 5 – 7.

BookShark uses beautiful literature with hands-on projects lined out in a full year program.

14. Christian Liberty

This next one is Christian Liberty which has a sweet 92 page book called The World God Made and is straight up and simple if you’re looking for a faith-based curriculum.

15. Nancy Larson Science

Another solid choice is the Nancy Larson Science programs which are for K to 5. As stated on her site, she believes a hands-on, cross-curricular approach wrapped in a scientific conversation is the best way to teach children.

16. Pandia Press

REAL Science Odyssey – Life Level One is geared toward K/1 as it states up to 2nd grade. And it is a secular program which many homeschoolers like as well.

You can find REAL Science Odyssey – Life Level One on Home Science Tools where they pair the program with a science kit.

Next, these two choices are some of my favorites we used.

17. Use Subscription Boxes

Something about getting a fun box of surprises every month just adds the excitement to learn science. We really love getting our science boxes.

Look at this Little Passports Science Jr. – Subscription Box for Kids | Ages 5-8.

And here is another one STEM Discovery Boxes – Monthly STEM Science Subscription Box for ages 7 to teen.

Bitsbox – Coding Subscription Box for Kids.

18. Use Topical Science Books.

This last choice is to use a topic-based reference science book and explore on your own. Because science should be fun, follow your child’s lead and choose beautifully illustrated books on one topic.

Add in hands-on projects and you have a very unique science curriculum. Add in a few science workbooks but sparingly. This will allow you to not have to create assignments.

Look at some of the choices for topical books.

  • The Berenstain Bears’ Big Book of Science and Nature
  • Human Body Activity Book for Kids: Hands-On Fun for Grades K-3
  • National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Science
  • Abeka 5 Year Old Kindergarten Science
  • Nature Smarts Workbook, Ages 4–6: Learn about Animals, Soil, Insects, Birds, Plants & More with Nature-Themed Puzzles, Games, Quizzes & Outdoor Science Experiments
  • Cut and Paste: Science
  • Real Chemistry Experiments: 40 Exciting STEAM Activities for Kids
  • My First Book of Planets: All About the Solar System for Kids

Other Kindergarten Science Homeschool Curriculum Tips

  • Homeschool Science Ideas for K – 2
  • BEST Free Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum With A Gentle Approach (List)
  • 10 Affordable and Complete Homeschool Kindergarten Curriculum
  • Homeschool Kindergarten Life Science – Hands-on Fun Nature Tree Study
  • 21 Fun All-In-One Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum
  • 18 Kindergarten Science Homeschool Curriculum For Active Kids
  • 10 Favorite Science Movies and Documentaries for Homeschooled Kids
  • Kinder Gardening to Celebrate Nature and Science
  • 3 Less-Known and Irresistible Homeschool Hands-on Science Books

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Homeschooling, Science, Teach Kindergarten Tagged With: curriculum, earthscience, elementary science, homeschoolscience, kindergarten, life science, physical science, science, sciencecurriculum

Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

July 27, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Squeeze in more fun summer activities for middle schoolers by making this fun pineapple candle. Plus, there is more to homeschool middle school than just academic subjects.

Middle school kids love to do crafts year-round or do we call them activities.

Besides, this fun pineapple candle can be used in several ways.

Add it to a homeschool area, to your tween or teen’s room, or do it along with my huge Amazon Rain Forest Unit Study.

Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

Too, pineapples are bromeliads and bromeliads grow in tropical areas. So, add this summer craft as another easy activity to your unit studies.

Fun Facts About Pineapples

  • Pineapple is neither a pine or an apple but are made up of lots of berries that have grown together.
  • Pineapples take 18-20 months to be ready for harvest.
  • Pineapple plants produce only one pineapple at a time.
  • Hawaii produces ⅓ of the pineapples in the world.
  • Pineapples actually originated in South America not in Hawaii like many think.
  • The pineapple is a symbol of hospitality.
  • The largest pineapple on record weighed a whopping 17.76 pounds.
  • The top of a pineapple can be replanted to grow a new pineapple plant.
  • Pineapple juice makes a great meat tenderizer.
  • Pineapple is a member of the Bromelioideae family and Ananas genus.
  • Pineapple plants grown between 3.3 feet and 4.9 feet in height.

Because summer isn’t over yet and there is still plenty of time for fun as well as learning before the temps start to cool a bit, let’s make this cute pineapple craft.

Summer Craft for Homeschool Middle School

This project is fairly easy and kid friendly with a few safety warnings and maybe a hand pouring of the hot wax for young children.

Too, if you love crafts, you may have several of these things on hand.

If not, add to your growing list of supplies by using the list below.

List of pineapple craft supplies.

  • Small Glass jar
  • Fake Succulent (Dollar Tree)
  • Soy Wax Beads
  • Yellow Candle Wax Colorant
  • Candle Wicks 
  • Pineapple Fragrance Oil
  • Sharpie or Paint Pen
  • Glass microwavable container
  • Green paint

I like to use wax beads for a few reasons rather than cutting up a big slab of wax.

First, they melt faster and more evenly and second, they make it easy to measure the amount needed for irregular shaped containers like this one!

Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

Also, you can buy an individual scent for your candle.

But when you purchase the variety pack it was a better deal than just getting one.

Plus, you will have plenty of wax beads left over from your bag to make other candles throughout the seasons.

How to Make a DIY Summer Pineapple Candle

Begin by taking a sharpie or paint pen and draw upside down V’s to create the spikes of a pineapple. Then let it dry.

Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

Next, use green craft paint or spray paint to make the screw on the lid green, set aside to dry.

Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

Fill your glass jar with beads where you want the top to be.

And add a few more tablespoons worth because as your beads melt they will fill in the spaces in between and you will have less than you did while they are whole.

Afterwards, place the wick down inside the jar and curl the excess around a pencil to keep it straight in the jar.

Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

Then, pour your measured amount of wax beads and a small piece of yellow colorant into a microwave safe glass container.

Heat in 30 second increments until completely melted.

Shave off just a bit of your candle colorant and mix it. Continue to do this until your desired yellow shade is reached.

Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

Stir in fragrance oil, again just keep adding and stirring until the scent strength you like is reached.

Carefully pour melted wax into your jar and let it cool completely.

Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

Trim the wick with scissors to slightly shorter than the jar.

Finally, grab your jar lid and hot glue the plastic succulent to the top to create the crown.

Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

Other Pineapple Themed Summer Fun Ideas

  • Pineapple Infused Water
  • Pineapple Casserole Recipe (with Ritz Crackers)
  • Tropical Pineapple Lemonade
  • Fingerprint Pineapple Craft for Kids

We really enjoyed this pineapple summer craft to help us finish up our summer and now we have a lovely home decor item that the kids have pride in creating and they beg for us to light.

Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

Pineapples are delicious and they smell amazing, making them a great subject for this summer craft don’t you think?

Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

More Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

  • Fun Making Ocean Layers Soap | Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • 20 Fun Summer Ideas for a Teen
  • Super Easy and Fun Aquarium Jar Craft For Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities, Homeschooling Tagged With: crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, middle school, middleschool, summer, summer activities, summer crafts

Day 2: Homeschool Roots Matter and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

July 26, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Homeschool roots matter because without knowing roots, you can’t appreciate how precious your choice is. So in Day 2. of the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers savor the homeschool lifestyle by understanding how it got started.

For instance, I did a unit study with my children on the American Civil War or as my grandmother called it The War Between the States,

I added in lesson plans on our family genealogy during the Civil War because we had a family member who fought in the war.

Day 2 Homeschool Roots Matter Free 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschool Educators at Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
Civil War Overview Lapbook
Civil War Lapbook

Looking at the war through the eyes of past family members heightened the feelings of my children for the sensitive issues on both sides of the war.

Homeschooling is no different.

Understanding the history and struggle of pioneer homeschoolers builds appreciation for the depth and value of teaching your children at home.

New to Homeschool

Taking time to understand your homeschool roots and heritage gives your journey meaning and richness beyond focusing just on a new math or history program.

When the time comes for struggling, you can take heart that thousands and thousands of homeschoolers have gone before you.

They not only pioneered the way, but in the process homeschooled, nurtured and cared for their family.

You too can do this by taking time to look at some of these homeschooling pioneers, past, and present.

Do you know these homeschool pioneers?

{From left to right, Dr. Ruth Beechick, Dr. Raymond S. Moore, standing: Charlotte Mason, John Holt, Mary Pride.}

JOHN HOLT

One name written large in the history of homeschooling is that of author, relentless education reformer, and respected social critic, John Caldwell Holt.

Certainly, a pioneer in the homeschooling world, he is the author of Growing Without Schooling started in 1977.

It is no longer in print, but several of his articles can be found on-line and are worth poring over for encouragement. But also check out any books he wrote that you can.

Look at this link to grab some homeschooling roots and immerse yourself into the thinking of the past.

Click here to read Growing Without Schooling Resources.

CHARLOTTE MASON/CHARLOTTE MASON APPROACH

An 18th century British educator and a popular method of education that a lot of homeschoolers follow. She believed that education is “an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life.”

Some of her methods include narration, use of living books, short lessons and nature studies.

Click here to read Simple Charlotte Mason

New Homeschooler

DR. RUTH BEECHICK

Dr. Ruth Beechick was a former teacher, professor, and curriculum developer. A respected pioneer in the homeschooling world and now retired.

She writes for homeschoolers whom she sees as the greatest hope for the future of our society.

There are too many excellent books and curriculum to list here. You will want to add most of her books to your homeschool library.

MARY PRIDE

Because there were not many books in the 80’s on homeschooling, Mary Pride’s work is considered pioneering.

She is also considered a curriculum guru in the homeschooling world. Founder of Practical Homeschooling magazine, her books are still considered some of the very most informative. In addition to a long list of books she wrote on homeschooling, we have to mention she did all this with nine children.

RAYMOND MOORE

Often referred to as the “Grandfather of Homeschooling”, he authored Better Late than Early.

The Moore formula of homeschooling can be summed up as follows; high success comes when you pay attention to the individual needs of the student, follow their interest and allow them to mature at their own rate.

This is NOT a complete list by any means of pioneers or those that paved the way. 

Look at the National Home Education Research Institute Left, Right, and Online: A Historic View of Homeschooling.

By avoiding the “I’ll-give-homeschool-a-year ” attitude you are on the road to understanding that homeschooling is so much more than choosing curriculum or taking it for a test run.

Day 2 Homeschool Roots Matter Free 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschool Educators at Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

It is a lifestyle change and it takes longer than a year to adjust to any major change in your life.

Absorb the gems and pearls of thoughts from the minds of the past and the present and be determined to stay the course by watering your homeschool roots.

Other Resources for New Homeschoolers:

  • Day 1 Learn The Lingo and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp (& free glossary)
  • The NOT To Do List: 32 Things New Homeschoolers Should Avoid
  • Top 5 Homeschool Approaches New Homeschoolers Need to Know
Day 2 Homeschool Roots Matter. 31 Days of New Bee Homeschooler Blog Boot Camp
Day 2: Homeschool Roots Matter {31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers}

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