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How to Make A Homeschool High School Transcript & Middle School (Free Editable Form)

January 22, 2023 | 5 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

After homeschooling 20+ years, I’m sharing how to make a homeschool transcript. You’ll love the other forms I have on my homeschool planner and how to homeschool high school and homeschool middle school page.

Besides, it’s been a while since I’ve updated my original transcript.

In addition, this unique form I’ve updated today can be used beginning in middle school.

How to Make A Homeschool High School Transcript & Middle School (Free Editable Form)

Also, my homeschool high school transcript was created with much flexibility.

You can use this editable transcript for many different reasons.

If you want to track some courses starting in middle school.
Or you have a special needs child and want to take a bit longer time or need more flexibility with subjects.
Too, if your teen wants to graduate earlier, this form gives you much flexibility.
And if you want to follow a 4-year traditional high school course this form is perfect and finally
You may lean toward the unschool-ish side and want to track subjects instead of years or grades this form fits that need too.

As you can see it’s a unique form.

Homeschool High School Transcript

So, when I got his question from Carol, I was excited.

Hi, had a quick question do you know of any place we as homeschool parent can purchase,blank transcripts with a guide to teach you how to prepare them? Getting overwhelmed with our son now in high
school.Thanks again, your a God send.

Homeschool High School Transcripts @ Tinas Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Sharing a few general tips to help you through the high school years and some specific tips for the transcript,

General High School Transcript Tips

Decide a grading scale and stick with it when you do decide. Here at my Step 5a. Choose Unique Forms JUST for You, look at option 10 on that page where I give you a couple of options for grading scales.
About credits. Know that a very basic rule of thumb and easier to remember without all the educationalese is that one high school textbook or course equals to about 1 credit. Look here at Homeschool High School–How to Log Hours for High School for more tips. And if you’re tracking by hours another rule of thumb is that 1 credit equals about 120 hours.
And finally, you don’t produce a transcript immediately upon entering high school or even in 10th grade. I changed from how I thought I wanted it set up in 9th grade until his senior year. You have time to mull over what is needed for your child’s particular direction if he is in any grade other than a senior this year.
A high school transcript is a 1-page document. When and if a college asks for more, then second page which is a comprehensive course description. Your 1-page document should be clean, simple, and well articulated, not a diary of your whole homeschool journey.
Course Descriptions. You do not put course descriptions on the transcript. You put descriptions on a second page so they’re noted and you have them if asked by a college. Just put the name of the course.
One more thing I need to mention is plan for the 3 Rs in high school like you have all the other grades. Depending on what your child is doing will determine which one you may spend more time in. Each year cover 1 English, 1 Science, 1 Math and 1 History.

As I mentioned earlier, key to filling it out is charting your courses or subjects in middle and/or high school and then filling out the transcript, not the other way around.

What I’m saying is 1) Plan the courses 2) Change the courses as needed, 3) Redo courses 4) and LASTLY prepare the transcript.
You track most all work and courses by planning pages. My form is so flexible that is you want to use it for planning and tracking you can too.

Basics of High School Transcripts

Transcripts, like birth certificates are official documents and that means they need to look somewhat uniformed although we have unique journeys.

Use the forms below for planning while you look over the high school transcript.

I have had them for years before I produced my transcript because that is the part of the phase that takes longer.

Charting a course for 4 years or longer is not easy, but then again it too doesn’t have to be done all at once either.

You can find those forms on Step 5a. Choose Unique Forms JUST for You.

Transcript Tina's Dynamic Homeschol Plus

My first transcript is above, and I left it here so you can see how things change.

And my newest high school transcript template has these features in each section. Look below as I explain each section.

How to Fill out the TOP SECTION of the High School Transcript Personal Basic Information

full student name
student address
date of birth and sex
phone number
email
parent/guardian name

school name
school address
phone number
email
date of graduation
signature of principal or administrator

How to Fill Out the Middle Part – Courses/Subjects of the High School Transcript

This section is where this template is different than most and that is you can use it just for high school or for middle, unschooling or modify for a child with special needs.

For example, look at sample 1 below.

This first sample is using my editable form for a traditional 4-year high school experience.
Note you can just put the grade level or
You can add a school year to it 202? – 202? after each grade if you want more specificity.
Under each grade level you would add the courses, the grade and the credit earned.
Too, there are 6 areas so you can separate the electives or specify other individual courses.

Furthermore, look at this sample 2.

Instead of tracking by grades, list by subjects or courses which can be good if you begin in middle school or have a special needs child. Use the main box for Subjects or Courses and not grade level.
Under each subject there are 6 lines to list courses. That is an additional 2 lines for courses instead of the traditional 4.
Also, another way to track is by combining courses AND the school year. This works best for a child that has a leaning toward one area or discipline over another. For example, if your child is science minded, he may take more courses in Math and Science. You can reflect that on this form.
Use ** asterisks to denote something unique about a course and then add to the key at the bottom of the transcript.

Lastly look at the bottom section of the transcript where you can note important details.

You have flexibility to add any notes or circumstances unique to your situation.

How to Fill Out Last Part – Grades/Making it Official/Noting Honors, Dual Enrollment, Etc.

Below I have explained each section and have even given you some wording for each section if you need it.

Grading Scale. Add the grading scale you’ve chosen to use through your journey.
Academic Summary. If you need to add test scores add them here. Too, if you need to distinguish between weighted and non-weighted grades or GPA. And to keep it simple, weighted means there was an overall grade for subjects. For example, honor and AP courses are normally weighted. Unweighted means course difficulty was considered. Also, you will notice that Total Credits Earned are put here and NOT tracked by courses or grade. If you want to track credits, be sure to use the planning pages I have.
Notes: There is plenty of room to explain either dual enrollment, honors courses or modifications because of special needs. For example for special needs add : Modifications for special needs was given for the American History Remedial Course. For Dual Enrollment: Dual Enrollment courses were taken by Lone Star Community College. For Honors Courses. Please note this area is subjective meaning no two schools even agree. So explain with detail how you determined this course as hnors. For example, Honor courses were determined by a faster pace, more in depth study, and special projects.
Sign, date it, and make official. You’ve got this.

How to Easily Create the Homeschool High School Transcript

Also, look at video on YouTube How to Easily Create the Homeschool High School Transcript.

Moreover, look at my other beautiful and detailed homeschool planner forms.

More Homeschool Planner Forms

Also, look at these posts for some detailed and practical help:

You have some time to investigate and learn.

Focus on keeping a well rounded out course in the 3 Rs and savor the treasured high school years.

Lastly, grab this free form below.

How to Get the Free Editable Highschool, Middle or Non Traditional Transcript

Finally, how to grab the free editable transcript printable. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get access my subscribers library and this freebie.

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

Bird Craft For Kindergarten Make an Adorable Fun American Robin Foot Print

January 21, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have three fun learning ideas for your kindergartener. One is a bird craft for kindergarten. Also, grab my other tips, ideas, and crafts for kindergarten on my page Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum.

Too, I have a free American Robin Unit Study and Lapbook you want to add these fun crafts and Dynamic and Delightful Hands-on Bird Unit Study and Lapbook.

So, I’m sharing three simple activities that you can do with your child for an easy bird unit study.

Bird Craft For Kindergarten Make an Adorable Fun American Robin Foot Print

One is a sweet little footprint bird with a nest, an egg craft, and a math game.

Also known as robin red breast, the American Robin is one of the most recognized birds in North America.

You will find some great books for preschool through kindergarten and some more fun hands-on activities.

American Robin Fun Facts

First, here are some fun American Robin facts.

It’s breast is actually a warm orange-reddish color which is immediately noticeable.
It has been noted that early English colonist named this thrush after the robin red breast of their native homeland, England.
One of the more unique facts about the American Robin is its ability to live in just about any type of habitat from mountain forests to wilderness in Alaska.
It’s scientific name is Turdus Migratorius, commonly known as the North American Robin.
Robins do not mate for life.
Robins stay in the egg for about 12 to 14 days, and they lay 1 egg per day for about 5 to 6 eggs in the nest.
They mater normally about one year after they were born.

Additionally, add more bird craft for kindergarten ideas below.

More Bird Craft For Kindergarten Ideas

In addition to the other resources, you’ll love some of these books too.

American Robin Bird Books and Resources

11 Fun Resources and Books to Learn About North American Robin Birds

Studying about North American Robin birds is fun to do anytime of the year with all ages. You'll love adding one ore more of these resources to your study.

1. All About Robins

A robin is one of the most familiar and beloved of all birds that are found throughout North America. You may see robins running across lawns or going after earthworms in your yard or a park. You can also find robins by listening for their clear, melodic singing.There are many facts about robins that most people don’t know. If your children have ever wondered about robins and how they grow from chicks to adult birds, this book is for them. The book contains dozens of beautiful photos of robins from the time they first hatch, to when their mother feeds them, until they take their first flight. It also includes many little-known facts that are sure to captivate young naturalists.

2. Model Backyard Birds Toys

Set of bird figurine toys, which contains 7 different small plastic birds. The weight of bird figure toy is 96G / 0.2LB. The set of small plastic bird contains 7 pieces of toy birds, such as robin, bluebird, oriole, woodpecker, etc. Please refer to the picture for the actual size and color.

3. Big Book of Birds

The book draws in children and parents alike with captivating information about and charming illustrations of hummingbirds, peacocks, flamingos, bald eagles, secretary birds, puffins, red-crowned cranes, and more. The book also invites young bird-watchers to protect birds where they live and make their gardens bird-friendly. The text is chatty, funny, and full of remarkable facts.

4. A Nest Full of Eggs (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1)

Named a Best Children's Science Book of the Year by Science Books & Films, this picture book shows how the birds develop inside their eggs during the spring; how they mature into fledglings in the summer; how they learn to fly in the fall; and how they leave for warmer climates in winter—only to return when spring comes around again.

5. BACKYARD BIRDSONG GUIDE EASTERN AND CENT (cl) (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)

Suitable for beginning bird watchers, Backyard Birdsongs is an interactive handbook of birds and their songs. With a touch-button electronic module that contains common vocalizations of seventy-five species from across eastern and central North America, this volume offers a truly sensory way to identify and get to know local birds. Crisply detailed, scientifically accurate illustrations accompany each entry, and up-to-date range maps provide clear geographical reference points. With an introduction that will inspire readers to look out their windows and venture into the field, this unique book gives people of all ages an exciting entryway into the subtle art of using birdsong to identify birds.

6. A Nest for Celeste: A Story About Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home (Nest for Celeste, 1)

Beautifully illustrated with hundreds of black-and-white drawings, A Nest for Celeste is a short novel that tells the story a mouse living in the 1800s and his friendship with John James Audubon’s young apprentice. While enjoying this sweet amd appealing story, young readers will also learn about nineteenth-century plantation life and the famous naturalist who was known for his paintings of birds and American wildlife.

7. An Egg Is Quiet: (Picture Book, Kids Book about Eggs)

This stunningly beautiful and wonderfully informative book from award-winning artist Sylvia Long and author Dianna Hutts Aston makes for a fascinating introduction to the vast and amazing world of eggs. Featuring poetic text and an elegant design, this acclaimed book teaches children countless interesting facts about eggs. Full of wit and charm, An Egg Is Quiet will at once spark the imagination and cultivate a love of science.

8. Robins!: How They Grow Up

Robins are the most familiar and beloved of all birds, found throughout North America and celebrated as one of the first signs of spring. But there's a lot about them that most people don’t know! In this visually stunning picture book that features comic-book panels combined with painterly illustrations, Eileen Christelow tells the story of two young robins’ first year, and reveals plenty of little-known facts that are sure to captivate young naturalists. Narrated with humor and filled with kid-pleasing details, this fascinating account of how robins grow up includes an Author’s Note, Glossary, More About Robins, and Sources.

9. Rob the Robin: A Tale of a Feathered Friend

Join Rob the Robin on his adventure as he discovers first the difficulty of surviving a long winter and then the wonders of spring. Written as an early reader, this tale is sure to delight children with captivating photography and pictures that visually tell the story in such a way that will interest both readers and non-readers alike.

10. The American Robin

In this book, Roland Wauer offers a complete natural history of the American Robin for a popular audience. Combining his own observations as a field naturalist with data gleaned from the scientific literature, he described the American Robin from every angle - appearance and biology, distribution, behavior, life cycle, and enemies and threats. In addition, he explores the legends and lore surrounding robins ("Whoever kills a robin redbreast will never have good luck were they to live a thousand years") and offers suggestions for attracting robins to your yard with favorite food, water, landscape plantings, and nesting places.

11. American Robin Plush Authentic Bird Sound

Kids and adults love this bird stuffed animal and are captivated by its realistic sound. They are also great baby toys and used as sensory toys. With one squeeze, Audubon birds produce beautifully authentic bird calls provided by the Cornell lab of Ornithology’s bird recording archives.

And here are more kindergarten homeschool curriculum ideas below.

Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum And Crafts

Finally, let’s make some fun American Robin crafts.

Footprint American Robin Craft

You will need:

Cardstock
Red and brown craft paint
Markers
Google eye
Raffia or straw
Craft glue
Paintbrushes

First, grab a cute little foot and paint all the way from toes to the heel with brown craft paint, leaving a little on the instep unpainted.

Paint the instep red to create the robin’s red breast.

Quickly press the foot onto cardstock, red pointing downward, pushing firmly all over to make a solid imprint.

Let your child attach a google eye with glue and add details like feet and a beak with markers.

Next, cut up small bits of raffia, straw, or even tan paper and set aside.

Create a nest by adding a blob of glue wherever your child wants.

Sprinkle raffia over glue and press in gently until full.

Let the glue dry and your footprint robin and nest are ready to show off.

Use letter tiles to demonstrate to your child how to spell simple words like bird, egg, robin, nest, etc..

Second, move on to the next fun bird craft idea.

How to Make Painted Robin Eggs

Paint one or a nest full of unfinished wooden eggs to look like any bird your child would like.

We stayed with the American Robin theme and made it teal with black spots but you could recreate any type you like.

We finished it off by tucking it into a small nest we had.

Third, do some fun bird math.

Hands-on Bird Math

Lastly, here is an idea for a simple math game you can play with your child requires only some plastic birds like these ones and a numbered die or two.

Have your child roll the die and count out the corresponding number of birds.

You can practice simple addition and subtraction by rolling more than one and creating basic math problems for them.

Winter Craft Ideas for Kids Animals in Winter Fun Snow Slime

January 20, 2023 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you’re looking for more winter craft ideas for kids, you’ll love this snow slime inspired by the book Animals in Winter. Be sure you grab more ideas for winter fun on my page winter season unit study.

Slime has been a hot sensory activity for years and it shows no signs of slowing down.

So, when I looked for a fun winter craft idea for kids, I looked no further than the box of borax to turn it into a wonderful stretchy slime as a base for winter animal play.

Winter Craft Ideas for Kids Animals in Winter Fun Snow Slime

Even older kids love the relaxing and appealing texture of slime sliding through their fingers.

Playing with slime is a great way to take up some time on a long winter afternoon when you are stuck indoors.

In addition, it can be very calming as well.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t turn it into a simple lesson by adding a book and some winter animals.

This slime as I mentioned was inspired by Animals in Winter, Let’s Read and Find Out.

These books are great for younger elementary and teach concept in simple way without talking down to kids.

Winter Books and Snow Resources

When you add in more hands-on activities learning sticks.

13 Snow, Snowman, Animals, and Winter Books

Add one or more of these books to your learning day if you're learning about snow, snowflakes, winter or just for fun.

Winter Cottage

Immerse Yourself in This Story of Love and Companionship Amidst Deprivation

It is the fall of 1930, and America has plunged into the Great Depression. On a remote dirt road deep in the snowy woods of northern Wisconsin, misfortune forces the impoverished Sparkes family to take desperate measures.

A wayfaring quartet consisting of thirteen-year-old Araminta (nicknamed Minty), her recently unemployed father-a poetry-quoting widower called Pops-and her younger sister, Eglantine (known as Eggs-a dreamer like Pops), and their dog, Buster, are on their way to Minneapolis to live with the curmudgeonly Aunt Amy. When their car breaks down and they are unable to fix it, the homeless four stumble upon a vacant summer cottage by a lake. In desperate straits, they decide to settle in.

1. The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder

How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered inside this exploration of the science of snow, featuring photos of real snow crystals in all their beautiful diversity. Perfect for reading on winter days, this book by a nature photographer and a snow scientist will inspire wonder and curiosity about the marvels of snow.

2. Sneezy the Snowman

B-R-R-R-R! AH-CHOO! Sneezy the Snowman is cold, cold, cold. To warm up, he drinks cocoa, sits in a hot tub, stands near a warm fire–and melts! But the children know just what to do to build him up again–and make him feel “just right”.

3. Snowmen at Night

Have you ever built a snowman and discovered the next day that his grin has gotten a little crooked, or his tree-branch arms have moved? And you've wondered . . . what do snowmen do at night? This delightful wintertime tale reveals all!

4. The Biggest Snowman Ever

When the mayor of Mouseville announces the town snowman contest, Clayton and Desmond claim that they will each make the biggest snowman ever. But building a huge snowman alone is hard! They work and work, but their snowmen just aren't big enough. Soon they have an idea. As the day of the contest approaches, Clayton and Desmond join forces to build the biggest snowman ever.

5. Over and Under the Snow

Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow lies a secret world of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals making their winter home under the snow. This beloved nonfiction picture book exploring the subnivean zone reveals the tunnels and caves formed beneath the snow but over the ground, where many kinds of animals live through the winter, safe and warm, awake and busy, but hidden beneath the snow.

A Hat for Minerva Louise

"Stoeke's second book about that intrepid screwball, Minerva Louise, is a rare find."—The Horn Book, starred review. The other chickens hate snowy mornings. But not Minerva Louise! To her a snowy day—like everything else—is an adventure. But this chilly, chipper hen needs something to keep her warm. What she finds—and how she finds it—will keep young readers cackling.

6. How to Catch a Snowman

Our heroes' entry for the snowman contest has magically come to life―and ran away! Can YOU help catch it? Get ready for snow much fun as you travel through a winter wonderland with running, skating, and bouncing through trap after trap to catch the snowman and claim the winning prize. Will the snowman teach our heroes a lesson they'll never forget?

The Big Snow

When the geese begin to fly south, the leaves flutter down from the trees and the cold winds begin to blow from the north, the animals of the woods and meadows, big and small, prepare for the long, cold winter ahead when the countryside is hidden under a deep blanket of snow. They gather food and look for warm, snug places in the ground, trees, caves or thickets, where they can find protection against the icy winds.It might have been hard for the birds and animals of the hillside to survive when the Big Snow came if their good friends, who lived in the little stone house, had not remembered to put food out for them.Here, in many beautiful pictures, the Haders show how winter comes to the woodland as the busy animals make their preparations.

7. Curious About Snow (Smithsonian)

The Smithsonian does things right and this Curious About Snow book is a
great introduction for curious kiddos with real images and simple explanations.

8. Animals in Winter

This is a clear and appealing book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. Introduce kids to basic science ideas as part of discussions about the seasons and animals.

9. Arctic Figurines, Including A Harp Seal, Husky, Caribou, Arctic Rabbit, Killer Whale, Walrus, Arctic Fox, Beluga Whale, Igloo, And Polar Bear

SET OF 10 FUN AND FRIGID FIGURES – It’s hard to stay warm at the North Pole, but you can discover its wonders in your home with these frigid friends. This TOOB includes a Harp Seal, Husky, Caribou, Arctic Rabbit, Killer Whale, Walrus, Arctic Fox, Beluga Whale, Igloo, and Polar Bear.

10. Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.

Then, add in ideas for studying about animals in the winter.

You can focus on one animal or just ask general questions about animals survive in the winter.

Animal Themed Questions

Talk about and explore the answers to some winter themed questions using books or the internet while your child plays with their snow slime

Why are some animal coats white?
What is hibernation?
Which types of animals hibernate?
How do animals get ready for winter?
How do animals not freeze in winter?
What is adaptation?
What is migration?
Do animals in your area hibernate or migrate?
What makes it snow? Does it snow where you live?

Besides the craft aspect of snow slime this is a great opportunity to talk about the science behind slime.

Slime is simple chemistry, and it is made through a chemical reaction between two main ingredients which are polyvinyl alcohol (glue) and borate ion (baking soda or borax).

Try dividing your mixture and adding more and less borax to it.

Then ask, what happens to the texture of the slime.

Additionally, here are more winter unit study resources.

More Winter Craft Ideas for Kids Resources

Look at these other winter unit study resources.

Finally, let’s make some fun snow slime.

How to Make Snow Slime

Here is a list of supplies:

8 oz bottle school glue
1 cup warm water
1-2 teaspoons borax
Blue glitter
Craft paint-optional
Bowl
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Spoon for stirring

First, pour the school glue and half of the water into a large bowl and stir to combine thoroughly.

In a second container dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of borax into the other ½ cup of warm water.

Mix in as much glitter as you like, you could also add a little paint at this point if you wanted to color it. Blue would be so pretty.

Add the borax mixture to the glue mixture just a teaspoon or two at a time until your slime has the right consistency.

It may take a minute for each addition to mix in well and reduce the stickiness.

You want it just a bit sticky but not enough to make it hard to get it off your hands.

Two to three tablespoons seemed about right for us and you can always add more borax but once you add too much it’s hard to fix it.

Now, add bowls, plastic animals, winter themed cookie cutters, craft sticks for cutting, and other small play items to your slime to keep the fun going for hours.

Store slime in an airtight container between uses.

Remove slime from bowl and knead for 1 minute to combine. Heads up: Children should wash hands well after each use.

Popcorn Science Mini Unit Study Which Brand Pops the Best

January 19, 2023 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You’ll love this popcorn science mini unit study. Also, you’ll love my mini corn book on my fall unit study and Best Homeschool Unit Studies.

This mini unit study includes the whole family in on the tasty fun, with plenty of hands-on activities, books, videos, and more.

Also, I have a fun science experiment that is easy to do for all ages and expandable for a more in-depth activity.

Learn about the history of popcorn with some fun facts.

Dive into an experiment, make a sensory bin, play a game, read a book, or watch a quick video.

And enjoy this fun collection of corny ideas for your unit study

10 Popping Popcorn Facts

January 19th is National Popcorn Day.
It’s over 5000 years old.
The first commercial popcorn machine was invented in 1885 by Charles Cretors.
Convenient microwaveable popcorn was invented by the Pillsbury company in 1982.
The unpopped kernels at the bottom of a bag are called old maids.
Kernels are made up of about 4% water and that water causes it to pop when it’s heated up.
Nebraska produces the most popcorn in America at about 250 million pounds per year.
Way back in the 1800’s, it was often eaten as a cereal with milk and sugar.
The scientific name is Zea Mays Everta.
It was not allowed in movie theaters in the early 1900’s.

Also, you’ll love some history facts.

Besides being a delicious snack, your child will appreciate a bit of corn and popped corn history.

History of Corn and Popcorn

It was introduced to early American settlers by the Indians.

The first corn farmers were the American Indians, the Aztecs, the Incas, the Mayas and others.

Additionally, there are varieties like black corn, pink corn, red corn and white corn, besides the better-known yellow corn.

Writing of Peruvian Indians in 1650, the Spaniard Cobo says, “They toast a certain kind of corn until it bursts. They call it pisancalla, and they use it as a confection.”

Pre-Inca Peruvians worshipped a corn goddess adorned with a crown of corn ears radiating from her head like the spokes of a wheel.

How does corn grow? The kernel is the seed. The seed is planted in the soil. The stalk begins to grow. The stalk is the stem. Leaves grow from the nodes.

Ears of corn grow from the nodes. Each plant is male and female. The silk catches pollen from the tassels.

Then pollen travels down the silk and fertilizes the kernels.

Next, here are some book ideas.

Resource for a Fun Popcorn Study

10 Fun Popcorn Unit Study Resources

Grab some of these resources for a fun popcorn unit study.

1. The Physics Of Popcorn : Discover And Learn With 22 Experiments

In The Physics of Popcorn, you’ll discover the truth about toast, learn how the microwave oven works, and conduct experiments with static electricity!

2. Tomie dePaola's The Popcorn Book

Tony likes to cook. Tiny likes to read. And both twins like to eat . . . POPCORN!So while Tiny cooks it, Tony reads about it: what popcorn is, how it's stored and prepared, legends and stories about it, and its history in Europe and North America.

3. Pop!: Otto, the Kernel Who Didn't Pop

Meet Otto, a young Kernel who’s been dreaming about the day he would pop. But what happens when Pop Day finally arrives, and things don’t go as planned? When all the Kernels pop except for Otto, he's left wondering what went wrong. Otto returns to his jar, alone, until a delicious smell leads to an exciting discovery. Perhaps Otto didn’t need to pop to do everything he’d always dreamed of!

4. Popcorn! (Charlesbridge)

Pull up a chair and dig in! POPCORN is chock-full of tidbits about one of America's favorite snack foods. Learn what makes popcorn pop, how Native Americans liked their popcorn, and how television almost wiped out popcorn's future. Cooking tips, recipes, and resources included.

5. Growing Popcorn (James's Garden)

From seed to bowl of popcorn, James learns the value of patience and neighborly generosity as he grows a backyard crop of corn with his family. Included is a recipe for stovetop popcorn that you too can share with your neighbors and friends!

6. Popcorn Party -Fast Paced Family Game of Dice, Cards, Matching and Pops

HIGH FLYING FUN: What’s a party without the popcorn? With matches being rolled on just about every turn, you never know who will be popping next in this high-flying, catch-the-kernel food frenzy!

FAST PACED ACTION: Get your game face on and get ready to roll, pop, match, and catch to win! But watch out; don't try to catch the kernel when it's not time or you may get popped with a penalty!

7. Popcorn Dice

Popcorn Dice is a fast & fun dice game for the whole family!

Gameplay is simple to learn and games usually take less than 15 minutes.

Roll your dice to pop your popcorn, but careful not to let it burn.

8. Word Families Game

WORD GAMES FOR KIDS: Children create and learn words with common endings in this fast-paced game

EDUCATIONAL GAMES STRENGTHEN VOCABULARY: Strengthens vocabulary, spelling, and fluency

9. Learning Resources Smart Snacks Count 'em Up Popcorn

Learn numbers and counting with food you can play with

Build number sense and recognition, and practice counting

Set includes 15 jumbo popcorn pieces to count into 5 different-size bowls (printed with numbers 1-5)

10. Moose Racing Popcorn Poppin'

TIME FOR POPCORN FUN: Wind up the timer at the bottom of the popcorn bucket by pulling the string.

FOLLOW THE RULES: Pop the die, once the die has popped, you follow the instructions on the die (next, reverse, repeat, skip or choose)

In addition, here are more corn posts.

Corn and Hands-on Ideas

Geronimo Stilton Field Trip to Niagara Falls Summary And Fun Corn Craft
Fall Unit Study {Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}
Preschoolers will love exploring their five senses with this Popcorn 5 Senses Activities
Your little one will love learning How to Make Dancing Popcorn through this easy experiment.
If you were a Little House fan you will remember the popcorn and milk “trick” from Farmer Boy. Recreate it in your own kitchen with your child with the Popcorn and Milk experiment.
This Popcorn Letter Practice is not only great for prewriting activities but doubles as a sensory bin too.
Popcorn: How It’s Made YouTube
Why Does Popcorn Pop? YouTube
How Popcorn Works YouTube
For a quick activity, toss some unpopped kernels and a few popped ones in a shallow dish, include tongs for fine motor practice, a magnifying glass to examine popcorn closer, and some letter beads to practice spelling out popcorn related words with little ones.

Finally, here is a fun and simple experiment.

You can easily add on to this experiment by adding more brands, different varieties, or by trying to pop them via different methods.

Track the results. For example, by microwave, pan pop and air pop.

Or by using this method I am showing you that is the easiest for all age groups- microwaved in a paper bag.

Popcorn Science Experiment

Before you begin you want to stress to your child that in a scientific experiment

You want to keep all variables the same except for one thing which is the brand.

It is very important that you use the same method to pop all 3 types of popcorn and that you use the exact same amount for each one.

You will need:

3 different brands of popcorn
3 paper bags
Smalls bowls
Pen

Directions:

Start by having your child make a hypothesis (an educated guess) on which brand they think will pop the most and the least.

Label each of your paper bags with the brand of corn you are using.

Then, have your child count out 100 of each type of popcorn into little bowls, make labels to keep track as you transfer popcorn.

Transfer each bowl to the correct paper bag and roll it down tightly.

Heat in the microwave for 3 minutes.

Repeat for each bag.

Remove bags and have your child either count the number of unpopped kernels left or the number of popped for each and write it down on your label.

Talk about the results, was their hypothesis correct? Were they surprised by any of the outcomes?

Day 30 Homeschool Expectations and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

January 18, 2023 | Leave a Comment
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Day 30 is homeschool expectations of the free 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers.

Reflecting on what you have accomplished and your homeschool expectations your first year.

And reflecting on your first day of school will keep you planning forward.

Looking back is key to being able to plot your course the next year or even the next day.

Day 30 Homeschool Expectations and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Making mistakes is part of homeschooling, learning from them is key to making homeschool fit your family.

Though I want you to take many points away from this boot camp, one point that is especially important to remember is to adjust your expectations to survival mode the first year.

Homeschool Expectations

Goals kick start your journey and you want to see them as guideposts for the E N T I R E journey and not to be accomplish all in your first year.

If you have taken time to learn homeschool lingo, track your week, practice dividing out a book into manageable lesson plans each day and determine what home education will mean for your family, you have accomplished quite a bit.

The average new homeschooler who starts her school year only thinking about nothing else, but curriculum choices can be detrimental.

Now is the time to figure out where you will have time for yourself in the day, what kind of support you want from your husband and when you will take time for physical refreshment and spiritual nourishment.

Don’t start school and then just “plug in” everything else wherever.

Plan your day by “zones” in bigger chunks. For example, mark 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. on your calendar as school.

That means no phone calls answered, no door answering and no cleaning.

As your children get older, they can do some school by themselves at the table or school room while you sneak away for 10 minutes to change out the wash. Many times now my morning is very free because my sons grow more and more independent.

Look at your progress as a journey, measuring year to year and not day to day.

For example, if one year you got caught up on science, then use the next year to bring history to the front burner and cover less science.

How to Measure Progress and Homeschool Expectations

One year you may add another family member to your family and feel you are behind. You are not, it is just life. Catch up the next year.

Measuring progress by longer periods and not just your 1st year is key to being successful.

If I could have this next point bleed through the pages of this post, I would. I have been called dramatic on a few occasions, but here is my pleading point: Do not measure progress by THIS year only.

It takes almost a year or more to finally pull away from the public school mentality.

Explaining this point, one remark I consistently get each year among my new homeschooling parents is: “I’ll give this a year”. Wow. What pressure a family has just put on itself.

Each family member feels pressure to perform successfully for the first year.

An example I like to use to illustrate how short sighted this statement could be is comparing it to your first year as a new parent of your first born.

(Mr. Senior 2013. Yes, then I was less “round” than I am today, but more exhausted.)

I know that over parenting was involved with me and hubby. We use to say that one small baby can wear out two parents and two sets of grandparents.

If I had judged having more children on what I did that first year of parenting by over rocking, over coddling and over worrying, I may not have had any more children.

The truth of it is that sleepless nights, extra reading about how to care for newborns and asking questions of veteran parents enabled me to join the ranks of millions of other capable parents.

Your first year homeschooling will be your certification to joining the thousands of successful homeschool parents.

New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics

1 – 7 Start with the Homeschool Basics

8-14 Homeschool Organization 101 for Beginners

15 – 21 Best tips for New Homeschoolers Choosing Curriculum

22- 28 Homeschool Preschoolers, Highschoolers, Resistant Learners, Homeschool Mom Burnout

29-31 Homeschool Expectations, Free Resources and Tips

29 Free Useful Resources and Homeschooling Tips

Looking back to see what you did your first year will help you to look forward and to not measure success by only your first year.

Homeschooling truly begins when you stretch forward.