Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

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Tina Robertson

Homeschooling STARTS When You STOP Caring What Others Think

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

When I was in homeschool leadership, I was told I dressed up too much. It was like passive aggressive compliments. Caring what they thought, I started dressing like I thought they wanted me to do. What is ironic is that I’m not really a person who cares much about what other people think. However, deep down, I am a person who likes drama free leadership. Looking back, caring what they thought was my part (or so I thought) in keeping our group drama free. But, what I actually learned from my homeschool fashion faux pas was that homeschooling really starts when you stop caring what others think.

Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’m no fashionista for sure.

I am a girl who loves makeup, big jewelry, and clothes that mix and match.

I’ve always loved a chance to not wear my sweat pants as a homeschool mom. Homeschooling REALLY STARTS When You STOP Caring What Others Think. Click here to read why I cared and shouldn't have!Instead of dressing like myself, I dressed to please others and felt frumpy.

At some homeschool events, I tried to paste on a happy smile, but I was miserable when I started wearing things that didn’t really express the kind of person I was.

Letting go of the worry about what other leaders would think as they showed up in sweat pants helped me to see that the way they wanted to look was their choice.

I wasn’t judging them or even being critical of what made them feel good, but at the same time I couldn’t let go of who I was either.

I learned that it wasn’t really about fashion when I showed up for leadership.Homeschooling STARTS When You STOP Caring What Others Think Don't Change the way you are inside or outIt was about being myself even in how I homeschooled and not changing because others had a set way of doing things.

When Homeschooling Really Starts

Look at these 3 valuable tips to help you stop caring what others think.

ONE/Know your own teaching heart and style.

This is where I failed.

I knew I loved to teach. Instead of focusing on drawing up what was inside, I cared about things that didn’t really matter.

What is more attractive is knowing exactly the person you are and what you want to teach.

When I took a moment to analyze how the other leaders were showing up at events, I needed to not make it my business.

Showing up in sweats did not made my feel dynamic.

TWO/ It does mean you have to respect others.

A lot of the way some homeschoolers acted in our group wasn’t something I cared for either.

After all the hard work done by leaders, some homeschool moms were determined to not respect a different way of doing things.

What I learned was that not caring about what others think as I honed my teaching style, choose my homeschool approach, and curriculum didn’t mean I couldn’t respect their choices.

I know that as a homeschooler we are pretty opinionated people and I can admit that.

Having my strong opinion about how to homeschool my kids didn’t mean I couldn’t respect another homeschooler’s opinion even if it was different than mine.

THREE/ Talk with a close homeschooling friend who really knows you.

One of the best things I did was to talk to a close homeschooling friend who knows me inside out.

When I was struggling in my leadership group with dressing in a way that didn’t make me feel good inside, it was because deep down I don’t like drama in a group.

Talking to a friend who helped me to see that I can’t control what others think, helped me to focus on not worrying about what if drama occurs.

It bothered me too because when I get dressed up it’s part of what makes me feel good down inside.

My closest homeschooling friend helped me to appreciate that it’s also unhealthy to not be who I am and what makes me light up.

I love sweats and putting my hair up, but a lot of times those are moments (to me) that are for private. I don’t go out in public looking like that.

My homeschooling style is similar.

We have a certain routine or formality that runs our day because it makes our homeschooling dynamic.

I did have a homeschool room when the kids were little and set it up a lot like a school room. We loved going in our room each day and I loved how organized it was.

Also, in the privacy of our home we wear our pjs and sweats too. Just like we have a very relaxed and informal learning time each day.Homeschooling STARTS When You STOP Caring What Others Think. What is ironic is that I'm not a person who cares much about what other people think. But in this case, I did. Click here to read why it mattered and shouldn’t have!For many years now I dress to make me happy as I attend or lead homeschool events. The same way I run my homeschool. And just like when I got sidetracked in my leadership roles and dressed in a frumpy way that didn’t please, I’ve made the same mistakes when homeschooling.

I’ve chosen curriculum that I’ve had to dump because it didn’t fit our homeschooling lifestyle. It’s so easy to forget who you are in the world of homeschooling.

I won’t ever let it happen again.

Have you made some of the same mistakes?

I think you’ll also like these tips!

Hugs and love ya,

The Dos & Don’ts When You Hit A Learning Plateau in Homeschooling

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

The stages of learning can be like the ocean. It can be churning and grinding and you can ride high on the swells and then it can dip down low and almost be motionless.

When You Hit A Learning Plateau in Homeschooling

Everybody at one time or another rides those waves of learning. Surviving the wild ride though can be quite another thing.

Also, it can be hard to know if the rest of your children are on target because you may only have the experience of your oldest child, which may not have struggled much with any subjects.

If you plow ahead with the curriculum like something is wrong with your child instead of the curriculum or the skill that is being taught, then you might be banging your head against a wall.

Believe me, I have done it and not only does it zap you of energy, but tears normally follow.

Here are some things that have worked not only for my boys, but also for others that I have helped.

Are You Making these Mistakes When You Hit a Homeschool Learning Plateau? The stages of learning can be like the ocean. It can be churning and grinding and you can ride high on the swells and then it can dip down low and almost be motionless. Click here to grab some tried and true tips!

4 Short Cuts to Overcoming Learning Plateaus in Homeschooling

  • Do stop.  You may think that this is easy to do, but not when you feel like your kids are already behind. The reason to stop is to re-evaluate so that you can make progress. It’s hard to remember, but stay honed in on the goal that you want your children to learn instead of completing assigned work.
  • Do communicate with your child.  Don’t try to figure this out by yourself. If your child can talk and explain his feelings, then he should be able to tell you how he feels. No, you are not looking for him to figure out the problem, that is your job. Let him express how this skill or subject makes him feel. From the youngest child to the teen, all they want is to know we are listening. Listen not just with your ears, but with your heart. Listen for key words that tell you if he is frustrated.  If he is, this could mean that he is not developmental ready for the material. Too, this may give you a clue that it may be that nasty old word: rebellion. Your child may not be hitting a learning plateau at all, but might be heading toward being a learning rebel. More times than not though, my experience has been that it is a learning plateau.
  • Do take advantage of free online tests or consultations. Children just need time at certain stages in their life and learning to marinate a little longer with subjects. So going back over what they know does not make them get behind, but actually they become masters of learning. For example, when teaching a child how to read, don’t move them on to the next level book if they struggle with each page at the current level.  Move them down a notch to a book they have mastered and it will boost confidence, instill a love for reading, and give them a real can do attitude. Too, it allows them to stay at that skill level until they are ready for the next skill. Also, most homeschool friendly companies are very parent friendly and they know best how their curriculum should be used. Call them and convey your concerns. Give them a chance to give you a tip or two.

  • Vary the routine or approach. This seems to be the biggest hurdle to overcoming a learning plateau.  One year, Mr. Awesome was struggling with grammar and vocabulary.  I realized that he wasn’t understanding it when reading on his own. Even though we discussed it orally, he didn’t get it when he did the practice problems. It was hard to determine if we were on target or if he needed to go down a level.  I started doing the whole lesson orally and he got past the plateau. At that time, he learned better by still interacting with me.  We were able to go ahead with it, but I had to change what I was doing because he understood it better by using his auditory skills and hands-on index cards.  I made it fun by using index cards to stick all over him to help him remember words. We took what could have been something we both were frustrated with and turned it into fun and something memorable. I value the look on his face and the fun he has had because that is what has spurred us on now into his high school years.
  • Don’t compare children. And, I don’t mean just within your family.That is something as home educators we almost never try to do in our own home, but then we look at other families’ children and try to go there.  It never works.  For example, I have seen some kids who are very knowledgeable on rocks, or caves, or dinosaurs, but then another child who hardly mentions the words in their school. What are we to surmise? That one child is ahead and the other child is behind. A huge No!  Homeschoolers are as unique as each of your children and the truth of it is that many homeschoolers can go through their whole journey and never do an in depth study of rocks, caves or dinosaurs. Children do not need to learn the same in depth level on each subject. This is a true gem in homeschooling because we don’t produce miniature robots of each other. Find out what you want YOUR child to know from this skill or subject and move on or stay on it.

If you have to stay on a skill or level or even return weeks or months later to it, count your blessings that you have the freedom to do so.

Like the ocean, learning has an ebb and flow and you will not always be moving forward.

Sometimes you just have to float gently along and take in the sites. When you do, try to remember that floating along is still forward movement, even in baby steps. That is progress.

Are You Making these Mistakes When You Hit a Homeschool Learning Plateau? The stages of learning can be like the ocean. It can be churning and grinding and you can ride high on the swells and then it can dip down low and almost be motionless. Click here to grab some tried and true tips!

Have you hit a learning plateau yet? What do you do?

You may also love these tips:

The Dos and Don'ts When You Hit a Homeschool Learning Plateau

Hugs and love ya,

7 Educational Movies for Kids About Westward Expansion

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

Whether you have visual learners like I do or just want to add a fun twist to your day while learning about westward expansion, your kids will love these 7 movies about westward expansion. Also, you love more ideas on my page BEST Westward Ho Unit Study and Lapbook!

There are one or two that are documentaries and one or two of the movies that I really love which I feel are both entertaining and educational.

Also, we watched all of them on Amazon Prime which we love.

There are so many advantages to Amazon Prime that we’ve loved while homeschooling, but that is another thread.  It has been worth the membership for our family.

Fun Movies About Westward Expansion

Pop some corn, grab the blanket, and enjoy these westward expansion movies!

Heads Up. Most, if not all of the movies I recommend here, we’ve watched.

Obviously, things can change over time. So always preview the movie before you let your children watch and if you see something that has changed to not family rated, let me know.

ONE/ The History of the Oregon Trail & the Pony Express.

This is much more documentary like but the pictures, maps, and narration is educational and has quite a bit of background information.

Here is the review from Amazon: Ride along with the pioneers who suffered hardships and victories to forge The Oregon Trail, America’s longest and most famous trail. Then discover little known facts about the legendary Pony Express riders and their part in the Civil War. Breathtaking photography, live re-enactments, illustrated maps and rare photos make these two award-winning historical adventures come to life for all ages.

7 Educational Movies for Kids About Westward Expansion

TWO/ Sacagawea.

Out of all the movies, I think this was one of our favorites. It was narrated by “Sacagawea” but it was more movie like than documentary.

From beginning to end, it held our attention as it showed her life, talked about her marriage, and joining the Corps of Discovery. A beautiful way to tell this part of American history.

It mentioned a lot of the Native American people and showed what Lewis and Clark learned along the way about plants and animals.

If I had to choose chose one movie for a middle school kid, it would be this one. It covered quite a few topics.

Here is the review from Amazon. She was an expectant mother, but she endured every hardship these seasoned soldiers experienced. Without her the Corps of Discovery would have failed. This program re-enacts her journey in her words. Sacagawea will save Lewis and Clark time and time again on their expedition from negotiating for horses and show them which plants are edible. 

THREE/ Ghost Town and America’s Historic Inns.

This one talks about how the the great California gold rush impacted American history.

It has nice older black and white pictures along with views of the modern places pioneers panned and mined. What is very interesting in how different people made their living from the gold.

Here is the review from Amazon: Indulge your sense of passion for history with two programs that offer a fascinating link into America’s past. Visit eleven Gold Rush-era ghost towns. Then, bask in the hospitality of America’s most storied inns, taverns, and hideaways. 

Then, add in these fun westward ho coloring pages to make learning come alive.

7 Educational Movies for Kids About Westward Expansion

 

FOUR/ The Wild West Uncovered.

This is a cool documentary about Virginia City after people flocked there and it flourished.

I loved seeing all the old pictures, the way they lived, and the history. Heads up: They do mention there was child prostitution by then, but no pictures. But it’s so cool to learn how the city grew in riches and with so many people of different backgrounds. I never knew the diversity that lived there.

Besides that, the pictures and relics they find and seeing the old saloons, some still intact, makes this a very informative movie.

Too, it was really interesting that Mark Twain wrote there before he was famous. This documentary is not baby-ish and could certainly be viewed by a high school kid too.

Here is the review from Amazon: Discover the real Virginia City. Hollywood has forged our vision of the legendary Wild West through Westerns like the TV show Bonanza. This vision of the west conquered by cowboys, miners and outlaws all hit by gold fever has filled our imagination. Mark Twain’s colorful writings of larger the life characters has also contributed to the picturesque perception of the Wild West and Virginia City.

FIVE/ How the Wild West Was Won by Ray Mears.

A beautiful documentary and certainly one that your high school kids will like alongside your middle school kids. Beautiful scenery and I love the fact it starts off with being in Washington D.C. and showing how Americans wanted to go west. He takes a different slant about the west by focusing on the mountains and terrain. Kept our attention the whole time.

Your girls will like it, but I think especially good for boys who may like learning about survivor skills.

Here is the review from Amazon: Bushcraft expert and survivalist Ray Mears explores the awe-inspiring landscape of that shaped the story of the Wild West. How did the mountain ranges, great plains and the deserts challenge westward expansion? Discover how extraordinary topography, extreme weather and ecology presented both great opportunity and even greater challenges for Native Americans and early pioneers of the Wild West. 

SIX/ Wildlife of the West.

Beautiful images, scenery, and animals of the west bring this time period in history alive.  And you can add a bit of science to this topic while watching this movie.

I especially love the fascinating facts  about each animal that is on the side as you watch. I’m tempted to do some notebooking pages for each animal. (ha)

Here is a snippet of how it looks below. But, the movie could be paused so that your kids could write a few facts about the wildlife of the west because no doubt the animals would’ve been the same kind the earlier settlers encountered.Here is the review from Amazon. Experience the wonder of more than 2 dozen of the West’s most intriguing animals. Wildlife of the West takes you stream-side and mountain-side, to dizzying heights and stunning habitats. 

Seven/  Manifest Destiny: The Lewis & Clark Musical Adventure.

This was goofy but had great music. But this movie musical would certainly appeal to a different learner who appreciated the humor, but had a lot of great facts while they’re singing and acting.

It’s too silly for a high school kid and some more mature middle school kids may not like the humor, but you could include your younger kids with this one if you had a middle school kid who loved movies with a spoof.

Here is the review on Amazon: This cult musical comedy turns the tale of Lewis & Clark into a romping spoof of American history. Follow the explorers out on the trail as they discover that destiny may be anything but manifest. With bold, stylized visuals and ten memorable songs — this is an adventure you’ll never forget. 

I know you’ll find or two movies here to make your westward expansion unit study come alive!

7 Educational Movies for Kids About Westward Expansion
Whether you have visual learners like I do or just want to add a fun twist to your day while learning about westward expansion, your kids will love these 7 movies for kids about westward expansion. Click here to grab these fun movies and add to your study or unit study!
Whether you have visual learners like I do or just want to add a fun twist to your day while learning about westward expansion, your kids will love these 7 movies for kids about westward expansion. Click here to grab these fun movies and add to your study or unit study!

Also, you may like these other helpful and fun resources:

Hugs and love ya,

Free 2018 Homeschool Planning Form (Kelly Color)

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

Today, I have the second choice for the 2018 Year Round Homeschool Planning form and I named this color scheme Kelly.

Remember that I create both academic and planning calendars. Though they may seem similar they are not.

When you take a closer look, you’ll see that each calendar has a different purpose. The form I’m sharing today is for you to PLAN your school year and track the number of days and weeks your kids are doing school.

I have all 12 months on it, which means you can start on any month that you begin homeschooling and move forward to plan your year.

Plain calendars (okay, they are not so plain) are just for noting dates and for your reference. I don’t create them to write appointments on OR to track your school.

(Also, if you want to grab the first free color choice Poppy, you can go here to Free 2018 Homeschool Planning Form – Poppy Color)

Free Curriculum Planner Pages

Plain calendars are always on Step. 2. Choose Calendars/Appointment Keepers. The 2 page spread appointment keepers are for appointments and have more room for writing.

The form today is to plan your homeschool year with days off, teacher planning days and holidays to take off. It gives you a glimpse of your homeschool year. Plan and track your school year on it.

Because this form is not a calendar but more of a planning tool, I keep it each year at Step 5a. Choose Unique forms JUST for You!

If you need to see how to use it go to that step Step 5a. Choose Unique forms JUST for You! to look at my sample copy.

If you want the 2018 2 page per month Appointment Keeper, look at the glamorous option below.

Also, this two page spread can be used in a home management binder, blogging planner, financial planner or fitness planner.

My copyright allows you to print it off as many times as you need it for your needs.

You can get it now!

TOS

Important: READ THIS FIRST.

Before you email me asking where your download link is or tell me that it is not working, read this to ensure that you get your pretties timely and that you don’t pay for something and not get it.

• All my products are digital. You will not receive a physical product for anything in my store. A digital physical year calendar does not mean a physical product or calendar.
• Downloads are INSTANT. When you pay, you will receive an email with a download link INSTANTLY. Depending on your internet connection, the email could be just 30 seconds or so, or a bit longer. The point is it will be soon, not a week later,etc.
• The email with the download link will go to the email you used for paypal. If you used your husband’s paypal, your downloads will go to that email. Please check that email and your spam before emailing me telling me you can’t find it.
• Please put my email tina @ tinasdynamichomeschoolplus dot com (of course substitute the right symbol for dot) in your address/contact list so that your product does not go to spam.

MY GUARANTEE: To treat you like I want to be treated which means I know at times technical problems may cause glitches, so I will do everything possible to make your experience here pleasant. I value your business and value you as a follower. I stand behind my products because they are actual products I use and benefit from too. Though I cannot refund purchases after you have been given access to them, I will do what I can to be sure you are a pleased customer.

You can grab this newest beautiful color option!

Also check out this 2018 – 2019 calendar.

Free 2018 Homeschool Planning Form (Kelly Color). Begin building your free 7 Step Homeschool Planner with this BEAUTIFUL homeschool planner page. Step by step choose each form to fit your needs for homeschool planning. Click here to download it!

DOWNLOAD THE FREE 2018 HOMESCHOOL PLANNING FORM – KELLY OPTION HERE.

Are you ready to begin building your UNIQUE Homeschool Planner?

7 Easy Steps – “Tons of Options & Pretty Color” Begin building your planner

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! Not a kazillion other people

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!

Hugs and love ya,

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

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

3 Ways to Choose the BEST Online Homeschool Curriculum (Psst! Don’t Miss Black Friday!)

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

I’m PROUD to partner with Time4Learning. However, Time4Learning did not pay for this post. All opinions of any curriculum are always mine, but I wanted you to know that I’m proud to have Time4Learning as a sponsor.

In the past 10 years, it seems like online homeschool curriculum has popped up and taken over the homeschool market.

We’ve never had so many choices in choosing online homeschool curriculum as we do now.

When I chose to use Time4Learning,  I had a lens through which I chose online curriculum and it worked.

ONLINE HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM THAT ROCKS

[ad] You'll love reading these 3 timeless tips about how to choose online curriculum, but come on over for Black Friday BOGO from Nov. 24 to 27! Hurry!!

Sharing 3 ways to choose the best online homeschool curriculum, I want you to look past all the blinking beacons on websites and look at these tried and true tips.

One/ Flexibility. Don’t underestimate the value of it.

One of the reasons I started homeschooling was to decide when and how my kids would learn.

During my homeschool journey, I’ve experienced many exhilarating planned adventures like living overseas in South America and trekking the Amazon Rain Forest and many unplanned sad and stressful times like time spent in the ICU as my husband recovered.

I needed laid out lesson plans and I needed a variety of grade levels to choose from. It’s why I chose Time4Learning.

I don’t want to have to check in with a teacher like an online school.

I simply did not need the stress of answering to the schedule of another person.

Second/ Curriculum on the go. 

Until I moved overseas, I didn’t appreciate the value of curriculum on the go.

When I learned that we could take only two suitcases each for our move overseas, I almost passed out.

My shoes (ha) wouldn’t fit in two suitcases let alone our homeschooling books.

Oh sure. We could have paid thousands of dollars to ship my physical curriculum or I could look for a PreK to 12th grade curriculum to cover multiple grades. That’s another reason I love  Time4Learning.

You simply sign up and sign in each day and follow a routine set up for you.

Third/ Know the difference between choosing online curriculum and an online school.

When you first start homeschooling, you may think you want an online school.

Soon, you realize that it’s just public school at home. Look at my tips The Great Homeschool Hoax – Public School At Home.

You move to another phase of your journey, the one you stay at longer and learn then what you really need is curriculum help and not an online school.

For me, what I really wanted was NOT another school telling me what to do, but homeschool curriculum laid out in an easy way for me to use.

That is one BIG reason I love, love Time4Learning.  It’s not a school but curriculum.

It’s not like those online schools designed to stress you out because they want your kids to test, meet with you in a parent/teacher conference, and dictate what my kids should learn.

I’ll decide if I need that for my kids since I’m the one with them each day.

There are many online schools, but not many all online homeschool curriculum providers for Prek to 12th grade that have been around for a long time and understand homeschoolers.  Because Time4Learning is not public school at home, it’s not offered to public schools.

It’s just what it says, online homeschool curriculum that does not bring public school to home just because you chose online homeschool curriculum, but supports you when you need help.

You’ll love how easy Time4Learning makes it for you to teach and guess what?

You can try them out because for Black Friday they have a super nifty deal. It’s a BOGO. Buy one month, get the 2nd free!

HURRY- BOGO November 24 to 27 or Mark Your Calendar

[ad] You'll love reading these 3 timeless tips about how to choose online curriculum, but come on over for Black Friday BOGO from Nov. 24 to 27! Hurry!!

Have you tried Time4Learning? What do you like best about online homeschool curriculum?

Also, look at these other super helpful tips.

Hugs and love ya,