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Day 20 Homeschool Lesson Planning And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

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Homeschooling at the beginning is not about stressing about homeschool lesson planning but learning how to lesson plan if you want to. Today is Day 20 homeschool lesson planning of the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. 

There is a big difference.

Just as you would not expect your child to know how to read this year until you start together, you need to cut yourself some slack in how to lesson plan.

Day 20 Homeschool Lesson Planning And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Each new homeschooler’s background makes a difference if he or she feels qualified or not to teach their children.

Do not stress over the fact that you do not know how to lesson plan.

Struggling homeschoolers and even seasoned veterans are constantly scrutinizing their lesson plans versus how much time they have in the day to school.

Homeschool Lesson Planning Tips

Lesson Planning is Just As Much Lesson Journaling.

This may sound like another oxymoron but in the beginning, it is better to journal what you accomplished at the end of the day. This is a huge benefit for several reasons. One reason is because you can realistically see what you can achieve for the day.

This will fast forward your learning curve because you will plan closer to what your children can realistically finish for the day. Avoiding wasting valuable years being stressed out over unrealistic lesson planning will add joy to your journey.

Many organizing planning mommas have been misled thinking they have more hours in their days than the rest of us.

By seeing what was accomplished versus what was planned gives you a more realistic feel for lesson planning.

Write it All Down.

Paper planner, online planner, app or great big oversized calendar in your kitchen, it does not matter. Keeping track of what you do is all that matters.

Yes, I love my curriculum planner and I have found that many times anytime I tried something online, I came back to paper planners.

They work for me because I have it sitting writing there beside me and no need to boot up. However, that is just me. You may prefer and may do better with something else. It does not have to be elaborate, simple works best.

Launch A Lesson Plan.

Whether you are using a boxed curriculum or choosing each subject yourself, you will one day want to substitute a lesson plan.

Maybe you want to plan how to complete a book. Again, my suggestion is that because you want to learn how to lesson plan your first or second year, start right away. Jump into lesson planning now and test the waters.

Look at this example below of how to cover a grammar book for the school year.

Study each step as I have thoughts and questions that you need to ask yourself. It is an easy way to learn the beginnings of lesson planning because you have a resource.

Later on. as you become more skilled, you can make lesson plans from practically any resource.

Day 20: Lesson Plan or Lesson Journal? {31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}

7 Steps for Planning a Homeschool Lesson

  1. Determine the total days in your school year or time for the curriculum. Note: Typical days in a school year are 180. I will use that number too.
  2. . Decide how to divide the book/curriculum. Dividing by chapters is an easy way.
  3. Weed out chapters/content that you don’t want/need to cover. I started with 32 chapters and whittled it down to 30 that I feel we may need this year.
  4. Determine chapters you want to cover. I will cover 30 chapters over the course of a school year.
  5. Simple Division. Divide 30 chapters by 180 day equals about 6 days per chapter to cover it for the time I have allowed.
  6. Ask: Do I want to include special projects or testing ? Then adjust the number of days up or down depending on what type of projects.
  7. Can some of it be covered orally so that there is not so much writing?

A plan has to be adjusted to your needs and to your household and not copy what you see seasoned veterans doing.

It is hard to not compare yourself to seasoned veterans because you may have set real high expectations this year.

You may feel their success and confidence might be absorbed through some type of osmosis if you copy exactly what they are doing.

The problem with this is that you don’t lead their lives and vice versa.

Lesson planning and tweaking curriculum are learned arts. Give yourself some time and in the meantime take advantage of laid out or boxed curriculums if you want to.

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

Day 20 Homeschool Lesson Planning And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
Day 20: Lesson Plan or Lesson Journal? {31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}

Geronimo Stilton The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar

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

Geronimo Stilton Back The Fourth Journey Through Time has several sections in it. If you love the Geronimo Stilton Books, you’ll love this book and book craft.

The section and craft we focused on is about Cleopatra.

This book of the Geronimo Stilton series takes us through Cleopatra’s Time, Genghis Khan and Queen Elizabeth.

Geronimo Stilton The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar

And today we are going to hang out in Ancient Egypt with the Queen of the Nile and have fun reading Geronimo Stilton Back The Fourth Journey Through Time.

About The Geronimo Stilton Books

Geronimo shares accessories to become perfect Ancient Egyptians.

Geronimo Stilton The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar

And fashions during Cleopatra’s Time which gives a perfect base for today’s hands-on activity.

Geronimo Stilton The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar

These books really can’t be beat for introducing historical topics, vocabulary, and fun illustrations.

Here is a peek into the elaborate and beautiful library of Alexandria.

Geronimo Stilton The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar

Then, you can also add a few facts about Ancient Egypt.

Geronimo Stilton The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar

Add this The Geronimo Stilton Book Fourth Journey Fun Egypt Game.

Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt Fun Facts

  • Ancient Egyptians loved board games.
  • Egypt has the only remaining ancient wonder in the world.
  • While she was known for her beauty, she was also very intelligent.
  • Cleopatra spoke around 9 different languages.
  • Both female and male ancient Egyptians wore eye makeup.
  • Cleopatra was the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty. 
  • Cleopatra’s favorite perfume was Mendesian perfume named for the city Mendes.
  • She had 4 children- 3 with Mark Antony- Ptolemy Philadelphus and twins Cleopatra ‘Selene’ and Alexander ‘Helios’. And one with Julius Caesar who she named Caesarion “Little Caesar”.
  • Ancient Egyptians called their home Kemet rather than Egypt.

If you want to add a few books to your mini unit study then, Everything Ancient Egypt.

And 1,000 Facts About Ancient Egypt are a couple great companion reference books.

Also, look at this great video on Cleopatra Queen of Egypt or Ancient Egypt For Kids from Homeschool Pop while you create your jewelry.

Cleopatra Project Ideas

Finally, let’s make a fun Cleopatra collar and craft jewelry.

You will need:

  • smooth sturdy cardboard
  • empty toilet paper rolls
  • hot glue gun/sticks or school glue
  • craft paints
  • dinner plate and a bowl
Geronimo Stilton The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar

First, trace a large dinner plate onto your cardboard.

I used the back cover from a 12” x12” cardstock pack. You could also use poster board, but it will crumple a bit easier.

Corrugated cardboard will work but may be too thick.

Geronimo Stilton The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar

Next, trace a bowl up near the top of the larger circle. You want to leave more room at the bottom for your necklace design.

Cut out both circles.

Geronimo Stilton The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar

Cut all the way up one side of the empty toilet paper rolls.

These next few steps are fun and are what make this project turn out amazing.

Start by creating designs on your cuffs and collar with hot glue.

This is a good introduction to a hot glue gun if you feel your child is ready because it doesn’t really require touching the glue or pressing things together.

Geronimo Stilton The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar

Now, use the hot glue gun to create a bunch of different jewel shapes on aluminum foil or a silicone mat.

I did find with the foil that it stuck to the hot glue. I just peeled off around it because it doesn’t affect it if left on the backing.

You can also help tidy up the edges and shapes with scissors. Dried hot glue cuts very well.

Geronimo Stilton The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar

These silicone mats are great for protecting your table or desk while painting, gluing, etc.

Too, another tip is that you can use regular white school glue if you like to make your design.

But hot glue dries much faster. Let the hot  glue harden and dry completely, pull off any glue strings that may be left behind. Then paint them in using pretty jeweled colors.

Geronimo Stilton The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar

While your jewels are drying give your cardboard collar and cuffs a coat or two of gold, going right over the hot glue lines

Geronimo Stilton The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar

Once your gold and jewels are dry you can attach them to the cuffs and collar with a bit more hot glue.

Your beautiful Cleopatra inspired cuffs and collar are ready to wear and show off your royalty!

Digging into ancient history can be so much fun and educational at the same time.

Homeschooling offers us a wonderful opportunity to introduce the world in a more relaxed way and make memories at the same time.

Other Geronimo Stilton Books Resources

Geronimo Stilton The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar

Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones

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

If you’re doing hands-on history and want to add ancient Greek games for kids, you’ll love this knucklebones game and the other history games on my page.

I am sharing with you how to make and play Knucklebones.

It’s one of the oldest discovered ancient games.

Knucklebones is an ancient Greek game typically played with 5 small objects.

Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones

They were initially made from the knuckles of sheep or goats. 

It was also called Tali, 5 stones, Jacks, scatter jacks, dibs, jackstones, or astragalus.

It is a primitive form of the modern game of jacks that is played with little metal pieces and a rubber ball.

The game of Knucklebones is 2,000 years old.

How Knucklebones Was Invented

The official rules are not known as it is such an ancient game.

But several versions have been guessed at through paintings and sculptures.

We are making the version that is like the more modern jacks game.

According to Sophocles, the mythical figure Palamedes invented te game of Knucklebones.

And taught it to Greek soldiers during the Trojan War.

Here is an image of a sculpture depicting two Greek girls playing Knucklebones.

They look so much like two little modern girls playing on the sidewalk, don’t they?

Ancient Greek Games for Kids

Look at some other toys ancient Greek children played with or spent their day being entertained with. And learn the Greek name for them.

  • Spinning Top-Stromvos
  • Rattles- Platagi
  • Animal Figurines- Athyrma
  • Marbles- Spheria
  • Piggyback game- Ephedrismos
  • Ourania- Game with a ball
  • Passe-boule- Similar to basketball

Here are some images of Ancient Greek Toys  to get an idea of what they looked like.

Ancient Greece Game Knucklebones Rules

You can play this game with 1 to 4 players. Cast (or toss) the knucklebones the same way you would dice.

Toss one knucklebone up into the air and try to grab one off the ground. Catch the falling one before it hits the ground.

Repeat but grab 2, then 3, then 4 to complete a sequence.

The winner is the first person to complete all the required sequences.

You can also play by tossing up all into the air and trying to catch as many as you can on the back of the hand or in your palm.

If you are going to play this version make your knucklebones smaller so they are easier to catch and don’t hurt.

Yet another variation is to try to toss one up and grab as many as you can in your hand before it falls.

You will want to practice.

Don’t scatter them to much or throw them too high. This will give you more control over catching them or grabbing them up.

Also, a completely different take on knucklebones assigns a points system to each side of the die.

And the winner is the one with the highest point value after tossing the knucklebones and counting up where they land. This is where the numbers or symbols you added come into the game.

Encourage your children to make up their own game with the Knucklebones. See what their imagination comes up with.

Next, look how to make your own DIY Knucklebones.

How to Make DIY Knucklebones Game

I found this terra cotta air dry clay at dollar tree and thought it looked pretty ancient so it was perfect.

You will need:

  • Air dry clay
  • Paint pen or permanent marker
Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones

Then, create a rustic dice shape by first rolling 4 to 5 similar sized balls of clay out.

Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones

Next, pinch to create a bowed shape on the top and bottom of one face. But don’t invert too much if you plan on writing/drawing on them.

Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones

Rotate and repeat this step all the way around, this will give us a basic shape similar to real knucklebones.

Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones

Allow the clay to dry completely. This is what your final shape should look like.

Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones

Decorate your sides with numbers or symbols if you like using a small paintbrush and paint or a paint pen. 

We researched ancient Greek numbers and used those. This will give your child some math practice too. You could also make up your own symbols for your family if you want.

Make a key like I did here to keep track of what each Greek number represents.

Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones

What do you think? What other Ancient Greek games for kids will you add to your Ancient Greece Unit study?

Other History Games for Kids

And finally, here are some other Ancient Greece activities.

Other Ancient Greece Activities

How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child?

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

Determining the best learning style approach is much easier when you know about homeschool learning styles.

A learning style is not something I thought about when I started homeschooling or even when my kids were struggling.

However, had I taken time to learn what is the best learning style for each of my children, I would have saved myself unnecessary stress.

How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child?

And although a lot of resources exist about learning styles, I like simple explanations.

Instead of using the technical terms in the educational world, I find using the term learning personality is more beneficial.

It’s easy to understand that each child has a different personality and it affects how and what they learn.

Some children are more language arts focus, others more craft focus, and still others relationship focus.

Styles of Homeschooling

For example, when I started homeschooling, I used only a workbook approach. It’s the only learning style I knew from my experience in public school.

However, as I homeschooled longer, I researched the other learning style approaches besides just workbook approach.

The other four approaches besides workbook approach are

  • the Unit Study approach,
  • Classical approach,
  • Unschooling approach and
  • Charlotte Mason approach.
How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child?

Determining which learning style works for your family helps you to choose curriculum that works for your family.

Look at these questions which will help you to determine the best homeschool approach for your family.

  1. Do your child learn best by doing? Charlotte Mason, the Unschooling and Unit Study approach all focus on hands-on activities. Of course the topics you study about will be applicable, but each of these approaches advocates hands-on learning.
  2. Are you wanting your children to model great minds of the past? Then you’ll want to learn about the Classical approach.
  3. If your child prefers to stay on topic and you want to cover all school subjects through the one topic then research a Unit Study approach.
  4. Some families prefer that learning is child-led and the parent is only the facilitator. Then research the Unschooling approach.
  5. Maybe you live in a state where strict record keeping is necessary. Then, can you combine a workbook approach which makes test taking and record keeping easier with another approach loved by your family.

Why Your Child’s Learning Personality is Important Too

Because teaching styles are only part of choosing curriculum easily, I’ve included a link to my online course Identifying Your Homeschooled Child’s Learning Personality.

How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child? Determining the best learning style approach is much easier when you know about homeschool learning styles. A learning style is not something I thought about when I started homeschooling or even when my kids were struggling. However, had I taken time to learn what is the best learning style for each of my children, I would have saved myself unnecessary stress.

YOU WILL LEARN:

  • How to understand the way your child prefers to learn so that you can teach him in a way that he enjoys learning;
  • How to pinpoint your child’s learning personality;
  • A starting point in understanding (barring any special learning challenges or disabilities) and accepting your child’s preferred way of taking in information;
  • Understanding when the learning personality emerges; and
  • Teaching tips for each learning personality to stop the head-butting.
How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child?

Other Homeschool Learning Style Resources:

Day 19 Guiding Homeschool Teens And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

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

Guiding older children or homeschool teens is our topic for day 19 of the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. 

Teaching teens can be a joy. I know there are many nightmare stories about teens.

And I too have experienced my sons’ surges of emotions, but I’ve breathed in every minute of enjoying their company.

Day 19 Guiding Homeschool Teens And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

However, I have also learned in helping other new homeschoolers that teaching teens whom you have homeschooled from the beginning is quite a different story than teaching a teen that has just been pulled out of public school.

Academics have to be put on auto pilot if your relationship has suffered or is suffering.

Guiding Homeschool Teens

This is true whether you homeschool from the beginning or are just starting out. It is possible to restore and repair any strained relationships if you are willing to work on relationships at the same time as refining their school subjects.

Also, teaching homeschool teens requires a bit more of diplomacy over discipline. So, I hope in sharing these tips from the trenches, you will benefit.

Tips from the Homeschool Trenches on Guiding Teens

When your children are young, you are making almost all the decisions on curriculum. It is not that way as they grow older.

1. Preparing for Adulthood Means Your Teen Gives Input Now.

Give up some of the control without giving up the authority as a parent.

Include your child in some of the research, scheduling and selection of curriculum.

It will be hard for them to learn how to weigh a heavy decision when they are an adult like choosing a job or marriage mate when they are not allowed to make a decision on books, science experiments and teacher’s manuals.

Learning to make decisions and accepting consequences for decisions made are best learned under your roof and while they are still living with you.

Day 19: Guiding Older Children. {31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}

If your teen seems to be behind in every subject now that you are a full time homeschooler, don’t be discouraged.

2. Relationship Over the Three Rs – reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic

but take time to work through the lower grades. You’d be surprised at how fast a teen can get caught up when he is inspired and has your support.

This is one time in their life when a relationship means more than the 3 R’s. A good heart will be of far more lasting value than not learning how to do math on their fingers.

Besides, I know a lot of brilliant people who still do math on their fingers.

Capture his heart for the doing of good and all education will be used for that. We want to teach our children to be self-less, not self-serving when it comes to helping others. We don’t want to lose that goal in the academic road that lies ahead.

Your teen may not look like they need you now and even to other people may look like an adult, but now is the time they your solid and consistent principles are needed more than ever.

Toddlers require a lot of physical work and it can be exhausting. Teens require a lot of meaningful conversations that seem to drain me at times faster than any physical activity.

Day 19: Guiding Older Children. {31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}

Then I remember I have a few short years left now and don’t want to waste any opportunities and discuss all that is on their mind.

My household has changed now and I find it weird and strange to ask things like did you remember to shave before we leave for a field trip.

3.Relationship with Others Outside the Family is a Must

Teens need a network of true friends outside their family. Having friends adds to the joy of living and many homeschoolers do not want their children to be loners. A lot of homeschool teens enjoy their life and it is natural to want friends.

I read one article that said learning how to make friends is like riding a bicycle and neither one can be learned from a book. We encourage our sons to make friends with persons of all ages. Long lasting friendships are priceless treasures. While they are with you and are honing in on how to size up a man by his character, you can guide them about social relationships.

Do their friends have the same values? Do their friends like them for who they are and not what they can get from them?

Day 19 Guiding Homeschool Teens And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Even though their life in the next few years will have plenty of demands of adulthood, don’t close the gap on the care free days of being a young man or young woman too soon. They will pass through this stage and enter adult hood which has it own weighty responsibilities soon enough.

One day I will exhale, but for now I’m savoring every moment of guiding my teens.

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

Day 19: Guiding Older Children. {31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}