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Tina Robertson

31 Days of Dinner Ideas for April

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31 days of dinner ideas for April, for those busy homeschool evenings @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

I hope you’re hanging with me on planning meals so that your homeschool day is less stressful. Remember my tip, which is if you don’t struggle with all meals, just plan for the time of the day where you are tired, busiest or want to think less about meal preparing.

31 Day Planning means Flexibility, Saving Money and Being Healthier. That Equals Smarter.

For me that time happens to be supper. It’s not that I am not interested in cooking or eating something delicious and healthy, it’s just that I am ready to slow the day down. So I plan my dinners because I am a stickler for avoiding stress when I can control it.

It’s not the time for me to run to the grocery store or begin cooking something to realize that I am missing one ingredient to complete the meal.

I simply follow the directions and keep evening time low stress and high on taste.

Today, I am sharing 31 days of dinner ideas for April so that you have it early for next month too.

Download here April 31 Days of dinner

Remember you can grab any 31 day dinner ideas I have done so far because instead of trying to match up days with our activities for the month, I just do a straight list of 31 days of ideas regardless if the month has 31 days or not. This way, I can have options and mix and match too.

Grab January dinner ideas along with an editable menu planner here,  grab February dinner ideas here, and grab March dinner ideas here.

Surely, one of these menus will impress you enough to inspire you. Plus I have done the hard part for you which is coming up with ideas and not repeating dinners. (Oh I repeated one or two meals because we loved them, but for the most part variety is the key to enjoying both the meal and planning.)

Which meals are you finding hard to prepare?

Hugs and love ya,

Signature T

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10 Tips When Teaching Grammar to Your Homeschooled Child

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10 Tips When Teaching Grammar to Your Homeschooled Child @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

When should you start teaching grammar? How much grammar is enough or too much? What is the purpose of grammar?

When I started homeschooling, I had more questions about grammar than I got answers for when I was in school. And though I would not call myself a total grammarian, like Kelley, who feels like all writing is the beginning of a treasure hunt to unearth errors (oh the sheer delight), I do love me some grammar.

Look at these 10 tips when teaching grammar to your homeschooled child because I hope to lighten your load about the stress of teaching grammar and give you some helpful insight.

1. Grammar is not too late when you start later.

Although I started teaching grammar in third grade, quickly I learned that teaching grammar could have waited until fifth or sixth grade because it’s easier then to grasp complex issues of grammar rules.

It does not mean that the mechanics of writing like spelling and capitalization should not be immediately corrected. Modeling correct grammar is a good teacher.

2. Grammar is not really about improving ideas for writing.

Yes, I know this may sound far-fetched. You can, however, have a child that is an advanced writer but lags behind in grammar structure. A child or an adult may clearly communicate his thoughts but may not be aware of proper tenses.

Too, roles can be flipped. For example, I know people with a linguistic background who can make my writing shine in no time. Their eye to detail is unmatched and I love that about them.

However, they would also be the first one to admit that knowing technical details doesn’t always mean that you can write well or with confidence.

Creating worthy and valuable writing content is a learned skill.

I often wonder if people with a strong English background fear writing less or more than somebody that does not have a strong grammar background? It still intrigues me.

3. It is important to learn the vocabulary of grammar.

The vocabulary of grammar was something I did not learn in school. And like any language, English too has beginning vocabulary terms like is what a basic tense and advanced vocabulary terms like conditional tenses.

This brings me to my next point.

4. Advanced grammar helps with learning foreign languages.

When teaching Latin to my first son, I realized that if I had not used Memoria Press, which guided us with basic grammar tips and then connected basic information to advanced, I would have struggled notably with helping my son study a foreign language.

What I am saying is that it is hard to compare a foreign language with your native tongue if you don’t have a full scope of advanced English terms.

The beauty of learning grammar is clearly shown when you start teaching and learning a foreign language.

In helping my son study a foreign language, I learned more details about my native English language than I did in just studying it each year.

5. Writing classes can improve grammar.

Writing classes should focus primarily on content, creativity of ideas and clarity.

Applying grammar to troubled areas like their vs they’re and our vs are makes grammar a crucial part of writing. But this doesn’t mean that writing curriculum should stifle the creative writing process or overshadow it with many rules.

Is this why so many kids hate writing? Again, grammar should enhance writing and help a budding writer choose words more carefully.

6. A well-written grammar course can be completed by 10th grade or so.

Using Rod and Staff English in high school helped me to understand that studying grammar as a separate subject didn’t have to span all four years of high school.

Of course, stopping a formal study of grammar would depend on how much previous grammar instruction your child had in school.

Grammar is Alright (oh, oh, scratch that, I meant) All Right

Too, I learned that if I chose an advanced grammar course in the beginning high school years, then the next few years could be focused on helping my student find his writing voice while applying grammar as a priceless tool.

7. Attack grammar with the same powers of observations used in science.

I vividly remember a tip shared many years ago by an intuitive homeschool mom. She said studying grammar should be like a scientist examining something under a microscope.

By magnifying a feather, salt or sand, a scientist brings items up for a closer look. Zooming in on them gives them a different perspective and shows how the pieces fit the whole.

Attack the parts of grammar with the same enthusiasm that a scientist scrutinizes infinitesimal pieces under a high powered lens until you get comfortable teaching grammar.

8. Basic grammar is vital to an excellent education.

Don’t get caught up in all the hype of advanced grammar that you don’t teach your child the essentials of grammar.

Teaching concepts like the parts of speech and effective sentences and paragraphs are mainstays of grammar. From there, a child can build on it in later years.

Fearing that I would make a mistake in each sentence I wrote, I overly stressed about writing. That mindset trickled down to teaching grammar.

9. Don’t make grammar boring and blah.

When grammar is learned through games and with a group, it can be fun.

I did treasures hunts in my home for the parts of speech when the boys were little.

We still do mad libs when we have had enough of formal grammar and I buy copious amounts of grammar games at conventions when I can find them.

10. Practice good grammar every day.

Don’t let the fear of grammar hold you back from letting your writing ideas overflow or trickle. Practicing good grammar each day makes it easier to pen your thoughts to paper or to share what you know with others.

I still struggle with grammar but the basic human need to communicate is a powerful motivator to learning complex grammar concepts. Find the joy in teaching grammar because it should be exhilarating and not exhausting.

What has been your experience with teaching grammar?

Hugs and love ya,

Signature T

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Ultimate Homeschool Unit Study Planner – Which Lesson Planning Pages to Use?

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Ultimate Homeschool Unit Study Planner - Comparing Two Different Lesson Planning Pages @ Tinas Dynamic Homeschool Plus

I am excited today about sharing an update to the Ultimate Unit Study Planner and about explaining how best to use the different types of lesson planning pages that are included in it.

There is a reason it is the Ultimate Unit Study Planner because your homeschool journey changes each year and so should your planner.

New Beautiful Unit Study Planning 2 Page Spread

First, look at the new lesson planning page below, which has been added to the other two that were already included in the unit study planner.

Tracking Monthly Lesson Plans 1

Like I mentioned, your planner needs to change and be flexible. That is why this new lesson planning page was created.

For example, when I first started doing unit studies I was using the multiple level planning pages below (more on that in a minute) because I had multiple ages.

Now, I am down to homeschooling one and I see a very different need.

Look at some of the reasons why you would use this newest lesson planning.

  • You have an only now and don’t need as much room to write.
  • Each day has two lines so that you can jot down for one child.
  • Also, I see this lesson planning page mixed with the other detailed one I already have if you want to use it for an older child. Tip: Print off some of the original lesson plannings pages and mix with this one.
  • Also, I have the need again to track activities on the weekend because Tiny is doing high school level work now.
  • The weekend notes would also work for those states that have stricter record keeping and where every bit of learning, including weekend activities,needs to be tracked.
  • Because it only has two lines per day, there is a useful Note section on the far left to jot down whatever you need to track for the week. For me, I will be adding my objectives, lists of supplies for our unit study and books among other things in the note section.
  • In addition, this lesson planning page can be substituted in the free student planner for an older child.
  • If you are using unit studies and adding them to your present curriculum, you may not need as much room to write activities. This is the perfect lesson planning page to add your curriculum planner if you’re gradually adding unit studies.
  • A huge change in this lesson planning page too is that it is a month at a glance. Print off 1 (2 page spread) for each month. Can you say thin planner?
  • Also, this lesson planning page would works for a seasoned veteran, who doesn’t need as many detailed lesson planning notes and just needs a guide now.
  • This works too for those Type B personalities who want to see a few notes or who just need a framework.

As you can see, it is a very versatile lesson planning page that took me months and months to create based on homeschooling my only now and an upper grade child.

Now, look at the other lesson planning page.

4a Lesson Planning Pages subjects filled in @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

The original detailed lesson planning page has some very useful advantages that can’t be overlooked either:

  • It is divided into three sections, lower, middle and upper grades.
  • It is for tracking work for multiple ages of children.
  • On the far right, I listed subjects for you to check off as you cover them in a unit study. Most subjects are covered naturally and there is a place for you to do that each day.
  • This is the one I used most when I had multiple children.
  • Too, this lesson planning page is EDITABLE. I actually have two versions. One lesson planning page, I don’t have you guessing which subjects to cover, I add them. The other page, allows you to add in your own subjects because as your children get older, you will have a few kids doing upper grade work and some doing lower level work so it gives you more flexibility.
  • This lesson planning page is better for detailed lesson planning and it is a week at a glance, i.e. more room to write.

You know me and my need to see all this jibberish laid out visually, so I did this quick comparison to show you the obvious differences in the lesson planning pages.

Just remember you get all of them in this planner.

3 Types of Lesson Planning Pages for Unit Study Planner @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

I also added a new cover so that brings the color options to 4 for covers. And of course I had to make some matching note and journal pages.

The Ultimate Unit Study Planner is just what you would expect from an ultimate planner, which is to have everything you need in it as your homeschool changes.

Don’t forget:

  • it is also undated, which means you can use it year after year
  • has plenty of room to write on for the detailed lesson planing page
  • has one template that has editable subjects
  • has forms to track objects and assessments
  • has 14 sets of pages to plan a unit study. Not only do you have lesson planning pages, but you get detailed pages to help you plan each unit study.
  • unit study tracking page
  • 80+ pages with printing instructions and sample how to use pages

I hope you like the new lesson planning page added, the new curriculum cover and the new note pages!

You can grab it here and don’t forget as you’re building it to add the many free pages here on my site to it. Look at this post 10 Things to Include in Your Homeschool Planner – Because Paper Planners Rock!! to see some of the pages in my planner.

I hope you like this new lesson planning page! I am so stoked to use it.

Hugs and love ya,

Signature T

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

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


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Ancient Greek Theatre Mask – Easy Hands-on History

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Our Ancient Greece unit study had a huge stop/start gap because we packed and moved back from South America, but we are winding it down finally.

Ancient Greek Theatre Mask - Easy Hands-on History @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Before we do though, we added one more fun easy hands-on history activity, which is an Ancient Greek theatre mask.

Hands-on Ancient Greek Drama

Tiny looked through the book TOOLS OF THE ANCIENT GREEKS: A Kid’s Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Greece (Build It Yourself), which has been a huge help in finding activities for middle and high school kids and not so babyish.

Too, it was a good time to time talk about Ancient Greece drama.

Quoting from the book, TOOLS OF THE ANCIENT GREEKS: A Kid’s Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Greece (Build It Yourself), “Drama included performances of tragedies, which often told stories of the mythical past, and comedies, in which performers poked fun at politicians, famous people, and even the gods.”

Tiny decided to make an easy Ancient Greek mask focusing on comedy.

Easy Greek Mask 1

So we gathered up what we had at home. Look at this list of things to gather.

  • pencil
  • cardboard or paper plates
  • paints, chalk pastels, sharpies
  • scissors
  • DAS Air Hardening Modeling Clay
  • your choice of yarn or paper to curl for hair and/or sequins or whatever you have around the house to decorate your mask
  • the red tie ribbon came off a used gift bag

Tiny started by drawing an oval on the cardboard to give the mask a shape to work with.

Easy Greek Mask 2

Then he started flattening the clay and using the clay to mold the face. The clay dries pretty quick, which is one reason he loves this clay.

Too, you could paint it or use a sharpie or even use chalk pastels. If you decide to use paper plates, then one suggestion in the book said to glue the paper plates back to back. Then, make one side comedy and the other side tragedy.

Easy Greek Mask 3

After Tiny finished the face, he added chalk pastels and sharpies along with red cheeks to make his face comical.

Ancient Greek Theatre Mask - Easy Hands-on History @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Adding a red ribbon or two and he was ready for drama. Tiny really enjoyed this activity and it was a great way to learn a few facts like:

  • drama is a Greek word meaning “action”
  • tragedy is a play that usually depicts events from a mythical past and that often ends sadly
  • comedy is a play that makes the audience laugh by poking fun at politicians, famous people, and even the gods

Hugs and love ya,

Signature T

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

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


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4 Reasons Your Homeschooled Child is Uninspired To Learn (and what to do)

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4 Reasons Your Homeschooled Child is Uninspired To Learn (and what to do) @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

When you hear about the success (or so it seems anyway) of other homeschool families and their kids while your kid whines and won’t do anything other than what is absolutely necessary to get by for the day, it is the ultimate discouragement and makes you feel like a complete failure.

Today in sharing 4 reasons your homeschooled child is uninspired to learn, I am giving you some tried-and-trued tips that have worked for others that I supported when they got to a brick wall. Some kids too are just not excited about anything and that can be tough.

I hope this insight moves you to not give up on homeschool. You deserve to have a peaceful home without the fights, back talking and every day arguing.

Complacency can be a killer.

Children are no different than we are when it comes to being affected by their environment.

If they feel that their home learning environment is the same as public school, which they may be contented with, they may see no difference in how they are learning. Have you taken time to explore methods that work for your children or are you modeling public school?

Resentment sets in because a child may feel that public school was fine for him and he has very little motivation to change his day.

Homeschooling works when you embrace a life style change. Your child needs to know that homeschool and school at home are two very different concepts. See my article, The Great Homeschool Hoax – Public School At Home to be sure you are aware of the two very different educational models.

Forget strong-willed, the kid is a rebel.

There are many reasons that a child rebels and not all of them are necessarily signs that a child will go wayward. Children are affected by change or stress in their life. Childhood is all about constant change, so it’s not so easy to detect rebellion versus a silent cry for help.

However, if a child is outright rejecting your authority all the time and not just during school time, the problem more than likely is a discipline problem.

Let me say this again because it’s a subtle, but powerful detail to remember when you are having conflict. Here it is:Pay attention to what is going and to when you see rebellion. If it’s just during school time, it could be a struggle with their workload.

Are You Breeding Rebellion? (gulp)

Your child may be rebelling because he is drowning under the weight of a curriculum or approach that is not working for him. He doesn’t need discipline then, he needs relief, compassion and a champion to help him sort out what is not working for him.

However, if acting up or rebellion is most of the day and not just at school time and he is constantly arguing with you about everything, fighting with siblings and intentionally disrupting the entire day, then it could be rebelliousness. You will then need clear sanctions for his behavior.

If that is the case, it is better to put school aside or slow it down until you restore your relationship.

While you address the rebellion, which is stressful enough, keep school very light. It teaches your child too that while school is important, he is what matters most.

Grab some more tips in my article, 3 Wrongs Ways to Homeschool a Hot Headed Child.

Your “Ambitious” Planning Can Bite You Back.

Hiding my over planning insanity under the cover of “organized” for the year, I had to change. I too made the mistake of being over ambitious.

And no matter how many times we hear it, we forget it. Homeschooling is about finding what works for your child and not trying to make him somebody he is not.

Look at my points in my article, Homeschooling for the Love of Learning – Does it Really Work because ambitious homeschooling has a way of biting back.

In our enthusiasm we may be hurting our child because we could be setting curriculum goals, which may be impossible for a child to reach.

Helping many parents with planning, I know they want the best for their child. However, instead of teaching a child to love learning for intrinsic value, which is one of the greatest motivators to intelligence and by setting impossible goals, they set their child on the path to disappointment, burnout and exhaustion. It’s hard to come back from that.

Spending time reading aloud together (yes even with a teen in high school) can restore relationships. Check out my tips at Homeschooled Kids Who Read – Pastime Pleasure or Professional Prerequisite.

A child is either behind or advanced in grade level.

A child can advance by two grade levels or be totally bored with the curriculum. Learning is an ebb and flow and if we get too comfortable as parents with the same curriculum, we could be adding to a child’s lack of motivation for learning.

Homeschooling is about changes and if we are not challenging our children when they need it or delay the next concept or grade level to allow them to reach the next level when they’re ready, then we are fostering exasperation.

Grab some tips on finding a balance here at Helping our Homeschool Children Find their Inner Drive When We are Not Sure We Have It.

Setbacks are part of homeschooling and because homeschooling is parenting, it takes a thick skin to not view your child’s challenges as a personal assault.

Step back from school, do the core subjects until you find the problem. Identifying the problem is more than half the battle because then it gives you a starting point for a solution.

Has your child lost his love for learning? You are NOT alone.

Hugs and love ya,

Signature T

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.