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11 Tried and True Ways to Tame the Home When You Homeschool

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

With the new school year comes different grade levels for kids. It may mean more relief for mom or it could mean more work when adding in younger children to the day.

Add a few preschoolers that need naps in the afternoons and a newborn baby and I was left many days wondering how I was going to fit in grocery buying, cleaning the house, menu planning and running errands.

11 Tried and True Ways to Tame the Home When You Homeschool @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

It didn’t take too long into the school year before I was behind on cleaning the house and preparing for meals.

Tips and Tricks for Making a Messy House Clean

Though I thrived with schedules, my do-a-little-each-day method to cleaning wasn’t working.

Stepping back to examine even my method of cleaning, I want to share these sanity-saving tips that I used through the years.

  • If your kids are real young and you are outnumbered, make your shopping day Saturday or when Dad is off work.

For a few years, I took my oldest to the store while my husband took care of the youngest boys. It just had to be or otherwise my whole day was wasted getting only a small portion of what we needed.

  • As the boys got a bit bigger, I joined a local co-op in my neighborhood where I get could get fresh fruits and vegetables.

That was awfully convenient and I didn’t really need much preparation when they showed up in the neighborhood.

  • Also, the Mr. didn’t mind a bit stopping by the store after work and grabbing a few things.

So I would go about once every two weeks for the big items and the Mr. would grab perishable items if we ran out.

  • Limit your days to the grocery store. You only have so many days in the week.

It’s exhausting to not plan meals and go to the grocery store every other day.

I never wanted to do that and didn’t. When I could, I went once every two weeks, but sometimes I had to go weekly but not every day or every other day.

  • Then as the boys grew older and entered middle school, I was able to go to the store weekly and more on a schedule, but it had to wait until after school or about 2:00 or so.

This still gave me time to shop and get back before dinner.

  • As the boys approached high school, I made sure my grocery list was organized by aisles so that when Mr. Senior 2013 learned to drive, he could take over the grocery shopping.

There was no guessing what items or brands we liked because he had been shopping with me for many years since he was little.

Now, just organize your grocery list and let your highschooler do it.

  • Another tip that saved me countless of hours was investing in more than one crock-pot.

I would have 3 crock-pots going at one time.

Sometimes it would be two meals and one side dish and then sometimes it would be 3 meals and one of them a breakfast for the next day.

There is no such rule that you have to have only one crock-pot.

Our lives are very different from most families and we need to think outside of the box.

  • Did I mention that I even ordered once in a while from the Schwan’s delivery grocery? They have a few great tasting dishes.
  • Nowadays, you can even shop at Walmart and with free delivery, things can be delivered straight to your door.

My sister does this all the time. It’s a great way to shop with no stress and everything comes to your door.

  • As far as cleaning, I learned to have less products to clean with so that I could do all of the rooms in the house quicker instead of a different cleaner for each room.

I had to change the way I liked doing laundry too.

  • I tried to do a one day laundry day and get a majority of it over with.

I saved back things like linen and towels, which could be washed and dried, but could wait on being folded.

Those kinds of clothes I did while we did school and of course the baby’s clothes were washed just about every day.

I learned that by washing a bulk of them on one day, I made a dent for the week and could focus on school.

Those are just a few quick tips that saved me during the time school booted back up and during the year when I felt like I was getting behind.

What do you do to get it all in for the day?

Hugs and love  ya,

Tina Signature 2015c

Also, look at:
Inspiring Your Homeschooled Kids to Do Chores
Should You Switch to a 4 day Homeschool Schedule?

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Narration – Telling Back or Testing? Books that Make Teaching Narration Easy Peazy.

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Gauging homeschool progress is only natural. Besides, we do need to know what our children are retaining.

Narration not only works for filling a child’s mind with useful facts, but it is a gentle way of measuring progress.

Narration Telling Back or Testing. Books That MakeTeaching Narration Easy @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Instead of administering a test, try narration.

What is narration? It is simply telling back what they have read or what you have read to them. It is telling back what a child knows.

A child doesn’t really own the information until he or she can tell it back.

Gentle Art of Narration – Equals Meaningful Progress

This is a Charlotte Mason technique that has produced positive results in children of all ages and learning styles.

In addition, it can be a useful tool to use when you have recently taken your child out of public school and has test burnout.

True, it can be used a lot of times with younger children, but for children that are having trouble comprehending, it is a great tool.

Start off small with a few lines from one paragraph, move to one paragraph to two short paragraphs, to a page and eventually the whole story.

I used the The Classic Treasury of Aesop’s Fables for longer stories and then for funand to fill my boys’ mind with beautiful thoughts, I used a A Child’s Garden of Verses.When they were real young, I used a higher elementary age book like American Tall Tales and A Child’s History of the World, which was a nifty way of adding history to the day too.
Instead of dumbing down the answers by making a child choose a multiple choice question for a story, have them tell you all the details or facts.

In time, as the child grows, help them to learn techniques like summarization. For now, narration is a very useful tool to find out exactly what the child knows.

They can delight in the love of being read to or enjoy good literature without the fear of reducing it to a worksheet that is dull and boring.

The next time you are wondering if your child is understanding what you are teaching them, ask them to tell back the story to you or to a friend.

Start off small and by letting them narrate to you, they can give the whole scope of their understanding instead of being limited by a few multiple choice questions.

Have you tried narration?

Hugs and love ya,

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Biggest Challenges to Homeschooling

True Heroes History iPad App – Pssst!! Another Sweet Giveaway. Giveaway Closed.

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This Giveaway is Now Closed. Thank you for scooting by and please visit my other links and stick around! The winners are listed at the bottom.

True Heroes History App Homeschool Review @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

I was given a free download of True Heroes History App and I was paid for my time. However, paid for my time does not mean paid off. ALL opinions are my own and for sure I will always tell you what is on my mind. Your experience may vary. When I do accept a review it’s because I am excited to tell you about it. Read my full disclosure here.

When I heard history and interactive, I was excited about Tiny using True Heroes 1781 History iPad App by Jolly Books.

I say it often, but I always want you to know that I don’t accept all the numerous requests for reviews that I get. I have to get giddy and it has to be something you or I will want to take a closer look at.

Okay, it doesn’t hurt either when I can giveaway some sweet things to you too.True Heroes Mystery iPad App @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
So for the last couple of weeks, Tiny has been playing True Heroes 1781 History App and the first thing that caught my eye was the year. Tiny, not so much, but that is the beauty of interactive play.

Through the years, I have tried numerous ways of gently introducing key or significant dates to my sons without resorting to humdrum put you to sleep memorization.

Right away, I recognized 1781 as a key year or turning point in the American Revolution. Picture association with a key date helps a visual learner or even history hater to at least be aware of that time period.

History Mystery Interactive iPad App

As home educators we know we have to teach dates, but committing key dates to our child’s memory, not so easy.

Though the app says it is for K-6, you know how I feel about history. It is a content subject and grades can be subjective.

One of the gems that I really liked about the app as we went through it was that the focus was not just on George Washington, but it starts off with stepping back in time and experiencing things that people of that time period experienced.

There is a lot of play time before you even get to the story of George Washington. At first, we were looking too quickly to get to the part about George Washington.

But I had to catch myself thinking that way because really the sequence of events follows the way I think history should be taught, which is to get the full flavor of life at that time period through a character’s eyes.Colonial Village @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool PlusFirst, you step back in time to a village complete with barn, a colonial house, store, print shoppe (yes, I loved how they used time period spelling), a tailor and an inn to name a few.

Colonial House @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool PlusYou start off by collecting water, building a fire, planting seeds, gathering your crops and buying a basket.Crops Growing @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
Too, I loved the word list definition game because the game not only piques interest for that time period, but it gives a list of words like dishonest, thoughtful and brave to build moral virtues.

I really want to let you know something right now that is a little off the path of what I am talking about because it is important to me and that is the developers are indie app developers.

This stirred me to support them because they can weave things like teaching moral character and values into their apps, something that would probably not be important to a great big huge company.

After playing a game about defining character building words, Tiny used items from the inventory or saddle bag to buy a basket. But first, some math is involved like fractions.

Learning about planting and storing crops in the cellar is a fun part about learning about everyday life. Buy a shovel head and it turns dry corn into corn for the chicken.

Benefits to an Older Child

  • One thing the game touts that also had me hooked was intuitive reasoning.

In other words, not all actions have specific directions and laid out directions. They have to deduce some of the actions through interactive play.

I feel this is a great tool to use for an older child as he investigates and reasons out what he needs to do next.

  • Too, the facts he gathers along the way through hands-on play feeds a budding history buff who may be allergic (okay, okay) to books.
  • I find too that even though girls love this type of play, boys really benefit from the media center.

Did I tell you that Tiny couldn’t resist showing me when he was shooting bottles at a shooting range?

Chicken House @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

However, there are some things that I feel may be a bit above a Kindergartner’s head.

The visual layout of doing day to day activities will appeal to the very young, but one part we noticed is where you hear a chicken cluck.

The child knows then to go the barn and is told that chickens need dry corn.

He is then asked, “How will a chicken eat corn that way?”

A child has to deduce that he has to go the store, buy a shovel head and when it’s in his inventory/saddle bag, he has to tap on it and the corn turns into feed.

That part,  I feel is above the way a Kindergartner would reason to find the answer.

Help from an older sibling or mom would help him to get past that part. Then again, some Kindergartners have the patience of Job and might be able to find out quicker by tapping on all the items.

Canning, preserving and even recipes are some of the nifty little things that your child will also learn about. Cutting vegetables are just too cute when you cut them to put them in jars.

There is even an element of mystery to find out who is “Q”.

Baby George Washington @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool PlusYoung George Washington @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Of course, I don’t want to spoil all the surprises like at the museum or at the end.

History That Sparks a Love for Auditory Learners

There is one part that though we were pleasantly surprised at toward the end when it got to the part about George Washington.

Washing in debate @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool PlusGeorge Washington @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

It switches from an interactive game to an audio story telling mode.

From the time George Washington was born to being the first president, the audio story telling mode is a nice plus if you have an auditory learner like I do.

Tiny really liked sitting back and having the story read to him.

Don’t forget, I have a free American Revolution unit study and lapbook that would fit so well with this app.

Mystery, intrigue, fun in everyday mundane life and absorbing facts about the first president, this sweet little find of an app is a great compliment to any unit study about colonial life, the American Revolution or George Washington and the best part is that you can use it with all of your kids.

Guess what? I love that my sponsors love you and want you to try it out.

So today, I am giving away 3 of these apps. You have a chance to win, so don’t think you won’t win because I have to give them to somebody.

Would you like it?

Look at the details below and don’t forget to connect with Jolly Books because they have another app about Pocahontas coming out soon!

Yippeeeee! Giveaway Details – Easy Rules – 3 Winners

Begins: August 26, 2015.  Ends: September 2, 2015 @ 8:00 a.m. CST

Just comment here on my blog.

3 winners will be selected using random org and will be notified afterwards.

Also, because you can’t be a once a month email reader, if a winner does not respond to my email within 24 hours, I will choose another winner.

1. Open to any resident because this is a download. You will not be shipped anything.

2. You have to be a blog follower.  You can comment twice.

Comment in your first comment letting me how many kids you have that will enjoy this and in your second comment, let me know what you want me to blog more about this next school year. That’s it. Keep it easy, I like easy and uncomplicated. 

Go Down to the Bottom of this Post and leave your comment where it says LEAVE A REPLY.

Let’s get this party started!! Hope You Win.

Connect with Jolly Books

Do you want to know when the Pocahontas app is ready? I do. Sign up for their newsletter at the very bottom of the page.
Pssst! They even have free Colonial life lesson plans on their new blog! Give them some love and follow to get the latest.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jollybooksfun
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Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+Jollybooksfun/posts

Congratulations to the Winners!

Winner 1.  Christina Baxter          Winner 2. Kasha                          Winner 3: Amy s

Winner 1                    Winner 2                                 Winner 3

 Product Facts a Glance1

Company Name: Jolly Books
Website: Jolly Books
Product Name: True Heroes 1781 George Washington App
Grades: K-6
Type of Format: iPad app
Price: $2.99

Hugs and love ya,

Tina Signature 2015c

 All product information is correct and accurate as of the date of this review.

Linking up @ these awesome places:
A Little Bird Told Me|Mommy Solutions|A Little R&R|

2016 New Year New Goals Form – Free 7 Step Homeschool Planner

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

It may seem insane, but last year when I looked for this form to put in my planners, updating it got away from me with the move overseas.

2016 New Year New Goals Printable @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

This year, I had it on my to-do list to get a 2016 New Year New Goals Form done really early so that I would have time to not only add it to my planner, but to reflect on it before the end of the year.

Curriculum Pages for Planner

Besides, I can’t make goals spur of the moment or without having time to really think about. Call me slow, but on some things I just am, or is that quick now? okay, okay.

The reasons I originally created it are still some of the same ones this year:

  • I need more general goals.
  • One to three general goals make it doable instead of a whole long list that I really can’t reach.
  • I wanted a place to also put what I want to do less of. Sometimes I hyper focus on accomplishing instead of letting go. Do you ever do that? Letting go of what I can’t control is a great stress reliever and reminder that I am just human.
  • I wanted something that I could put both in my homeschool planner and my blog planner.

Creating it early gives me time to ponder on goal setting.

I feel too like I can get a jump on the new year because the end of the year is always busy for me. I figured you may still be putting your curriculum planner together and may want to stick this in a place or two.

Grab it below.

2016 New Year New Goals Printable @ Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Don’t forget! If you want to start building your homeschool planner, I take you step by step with OVER 300+ free downloads and options.

7 Easy Steps – “Tons of Options & Pretty Color”

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

Step 7. Bind it! Love it!

What do you think? Can you use this form early?

Hugs and love ya,
Tina Signature 2015c

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3 Tips from the Pros Before You Become a Homeschool Educator!

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I’ve read dozens of articles on what makes a great public school teacher.

The articles usually tout some facts about high ratio of student to teacher, classroom burnout, building some kind of strong network for the teachers and otherwise taking measures to retain good teachers for some long period of time. Does this sound familiar to you too?

Is Homeschooling Really ALL About the Children?

As homeschool teachers do we have different needs? How do we measure up as teachers? What makes a great or exceptional homeschool teacher?

When I started to homeschool, I read all kinds of books about how to teach and tutor. This was a good thing at first.

Soon though I realized I was relying on them to teach instead of what I was given naturally. The truth of it was I was not a public school teacher. I had no background in teaching as a public school teacher.

What I did learn was that teaching at home is totally different than teaching in a classroom.

3 Tips from the Pros Before You Become a Homeschool Educator @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool PlusHow do I know this if I have never taught in a classroom? Because I don’t compete with public school teachers. What I mean by this is that instructing can be the same for any good teacher, however, it’s the method that is different.

Methods for learning at home couldn’t be more opposite than a public school setting.

It’s not my style to bash public school teachers as I care for all people and each deserves dignity.

I will say though that no matter how well-intentioned public school teachers are, the students are not their children. Why is this so paramount? Because love is the strongest motivator in the universe to get the help that your children need.

Too, public school teaching is a relatively new concept. Homeschooling is not. “Home, not the school, was the original educational system,” Raymond and Dorothy Moore wrote in their book Home-Spun Schools.

Contrary to what both public school advocates and even homeschooling families may think, classroom burnout does not have to exist.

We are not trying to be public school teachers modeling our learning environment after a public school setting, using the same teaching tools or teaching to a test. We are at home teaching, living and learning together.

Parents are the most important educators of their children.

3 Tips from the Pros

However well meaning intentions do not necessarily make us superior homeschool teachers either.

What is required to be a good homeschool teacher?

1. Conviction. You don’t have to have a teaching degree to have conviction.

Conviction has been defined as an unshakable belief in something.

Conviction comes from the heart and our conviction is not based purely on emotion but on knowledge.

The knowledge is that Proverbs 22:16 says to “train up a child”. It really is that simple.

Our conviction comes from the fact that we have been given the obligation as parents to train our children. Our emotion or heart moves us to be unshakable in that belief because of our love for our children.

2. Teaching is an Art.

This means we need to continue to strive to develop our methods.

Teaching requires a lot of work and skill. Education has to be relevant to our everyday living.

A child needs to see the direct relation between learning and living practically.

As homeschool teachers we will need to continually read, educate ourselves at conventions and put into practice what we are learning.

Appreciating that each of our children learn differently heightens our attempts to become better teachers. As good teachers we constantly strive to improve our methods and not stick to one plan.

3. Enthusiasm.

Using boring curricula can hamper any progress but worst yet is a boring teacher.

Enthusiasm is contagious. It’s true not every moment in our journey we are just bubbling with enthusiasm so that is why it’s important our children learn to be self motivated.

In order for self motivation to take root, our positive attitude, motivation, and spark towards what we teach is a must. Our children are so very smart and can detect when we are sincere or not about our teaching.

Practice what you teach, model what you want your children to learn, instill values for hard work and practical living, pray for wisdom, love your children for who they are and best of all realize you are qualified to teach.

Hugs to you today,

Tina Signature 2015c

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