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32 Free Beautiful Homeschool Planner Cover Pages

October 28, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have 32 free homeschool planner cover pages, inside pages, and back covers for your homeschool planner.

If you’re wanting to build your own unique and beautiful homeschool planner, you’ll love these homeschool planner cover pages.

Also, having a variety of planner pages to choose from, you can build a planner each year or each semester.

32 Free Beautiful Homeschool Planner Cover Pages. I have 32 free homeschool planner cover pages, inside pages, and back covers for your homeschool planner. If you're wanting to build your own unique and beautiful homeschool planner, you'll love these homeschool planner cover pages. Also, having a variety of planner pages to choose from, you can build a planner each year or each semester. The planner pages are 3 types in this one download.

The planner pages are 3 types in this one download.

First, I have pages which are to be used as a front cover.

The second type of pages are pages which are inside pages and can be placed right after the front cover pages.

Last, I have pages which can be used as back covers. They have quotes on them.

Homeschool Planner Cover

I have many different types of covers I have. I have listed them below.

Sunkissed
Not So Serious
Purple Haze
Blue Serenity
Navy and Chevron
Red and Gray
Orange and Pink
Bubbles
Blue and Pink
Brown and Teal
Love Makes Our House a Home
One Mother Teaches More
Traveler
Sandra Dodd Quote (Pink)

Doodle Coloring
Coral Inklings (Editable)
Summer Loving
Melting Bubble Gum
Point Well Taken
Orange and Gray
Teal and Green
Chevron Blue
Navy Blue
Purple and Green
Zebra and Pink
Scripture Quotes Cover
Live, Laugh, Love
Cicero Quote
Five in a Row Quote

Also, you don’t need a special printer for your planner. I’ve used a mobile Canon printer for years because it doesn’t take up a lot of room.

Too, I take it with me when I travel.

32 Free Beautiful Homeschool Planner Cover Pages

And I have some eye candy for you too when you create your planner.

Other Homeschool Planner Resources

In addition, look at these other homeschool planner resources.

I have many color options for you to choose from.

School Planner Cover Ideas

For example, look at just 6 color choices below of the 32 color options you get.

Homeschool Planner Front Cover Pages, Inside Pages, and Pages for Back Covers

You'll love building your own unique DIY homeschool planner with my beautiful and colorful pages. This round up includes front pages, inside pages and pages to be used for back covers.

However, you can mix and match and use them to create the best planner for you this year.

Summer Loving Color

Bright and beautiful, you'll love using this as a front cover or inside page.

Another Beautiful Inside Page

Again, you can use it as inside page right after another cover or stand alone.

Summer Loving

Mix and match with other reds and blues.

More Beautiful Options

I have more options for you aa you build your 7 Step Free Homeschool Planner

How to Get the 32 Pages of Free Planner Covers, Inside Pages, and Back Covers

Grab the free 32 page freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

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

However, not all of my freebies are in the library (wink).

I like to keep up to date with what is valuable to you so I can give you more, some freebies you must sign up again on the form below even if you are already a follower.

It’s the only way I have of freely delivering them to you. If you’re a new follower, just follow the steps below.

You can get access quickly.
► 1) Sign up on my list.
► 2) Go to your inbox and confirm your email from the automatic reply I sent you.
►3) Look for my reply AFTER you confirm your email with the freebie access.

Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages

Julie of the Wolves Free Hands-on Arctic Unit Study

October 27, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you’re looking for a literature-based unit to do for an Arctic unit study, you’ll love Julie of the Wolves. Be sure to grab more ideas on my page Arctic and Inuit Unit Study Free Lapbook – Hands-On Ideas and also on my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies.

Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George is a wonderful book for reading aloud or it can be an exciting adventure as an independent reading chapter book.

Julie of the Wolves Free Hands-on Arctic Unit Study

It makes the perfect addition to a winter or Arctic unit study.

Too, I’ve pulled together some of my favorite resources to go along with the Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George to help you put together your own unit study.

And I have rounded up vocabulary words, videos, additional books, and of course plenty of great hands-on activities.

About Julie of the Wolves Book

First, Julie goes by two names Miyax to her Eskimo village and as Julie to English speaking friends.

The story tells of the adventures of Julie after she runs away from a forced marriage to live in the wild Arctic fighting for survival, following the way of her people.

But will she choose to continue this way or return to civilization?

There are 3 books in the series, but we are going to focus on the original for this.

In addition, this story is a great base for a unit study as it covers Eskimo life, snow/winter, animal habits and habitats, and the emotions of growing up.

You can go in the direction of studying the book from a literary angle, diving into Inuit life and culture, studying the animals and habitats mentioned in the book, or a combination of all.

Hands-on Ideas for Learning About the Arctic

Always include some fun hands-on ideas in your unit studies to keep the kids interested and make the points really hit home.

Arctic and Inuit Unit Study. Free Lapbook – Hands-On Ideas. Be sure to grab my lapbook, ideas for studying animals, making snow goggles, soap carving and making a salt dough map.
Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity
Winter Season Unit Study
Arctic Ground Squirrel Lapbook & Unit Study Resources
How to build a Milk Jug Igloo– That’s a lot of milk.
Arctic Region
How to Build an Igloo ( with real snow)
Inuit Soap Carvings
Wolf Facts & Worksheets
More Arctic Wolf information
The Inuit Way of Life lesson plan
Ideas for a diorama and a Miyax (Julie) doll.
Free Gray Wolf lapbook

Too, many birds are mentioned in the book which live in the Artic. For instance, look at this list of ones to learn about.

lapland longspurs
puffins
snowy owl
siskin
sandpipers

Next, add in some other reference books.

Other Arctic Books and Resources

In addition, Nature Anatomy is a go to spine for anything nature related.

In this book I found a couple pages on snowflakes, animal life like caribou, seals, fish, snowy owls, and other birds of prey that are found in Arctic regions.

Another book in the series Ocean Anatomy covers polar bears, penguins, seals, Narwhal, and whales.

But also sea ice, life under the ice, glaciers, and Icebergs.

And Safari LTD Animals may be considered for young children, older kids love them too.

Older kids can use them in dioramas, as inspiration for an art project or to create an inviting display.

Additionally, YouTube has wonderful videos.

Videos about Arctic Life

Too, you’ll love this list of vocabulary words.

Julie of the Wolves Vocabulary Words

Last, here are 12 vocabulary words for each of the three sections of the book to get you started.

First, this list is for Part I.

Bleak- unpleasantly cold and damp.
Lichen-A slow growing plant that produces leaflike branching growth on trees and rocks.
Semaphore- a system of sending messages using arms or two flag poles.
Undulate-Increase of decrease of volume or pitch.
Carrion- Rotting flesh of dead animals.
Ravenous- Extremely hungry.
Wean- Gradually accustomed to living on something other than mothers milk.
Deference– Tendency to yield to another.
Viscera-Internal organs in the main cavities, especially abdomen.
Apogee-The farthest point at which the moon or a satellite is from the earth.
Forage- To look for and collect, as in food. Further, grab my Foraging and Feasting Unit Study and Lapbook.
Permafrost- Permanently frozen ground.

Second, this list is for Part II.

Shaman-A person who acts as intermediary between the natural and supernatural worlds.
Blubber-The insulating layer of fat underneath the skin of some animals.
Prance-Spring forward from the hind legs.
Tundra-A treeless plain where the subsoil is permanently frozen.
Derisive-Showing contempt or ridicule.
Scarce- Insufficient for the demand, food in this case.
Mythical-Based or described in stories rather than history.
Drone- A monotonous low dull sound.
Descent- Downward movement.
Foyer- Large entrance waiting area.
Piteous- Deserving or evoking sympathy and sorrow.
Seize-To grab or take hold of.

Further, here is Part III.

Brandish- Move or swing objects back and forth.
Abeyance- State of temporary suspension or disuse.
Saunter –Leisurely walk with no evident aim.
Deviate- Change or turn away from planned course.
Bravado-Bold show of courage to impress or intimidate.
Cumbersome-Hard to manage due to size or weight.
Desolate- Bleak, depressing, empty, bare.
Larder- A storeroom for storing food goods.
Plaintive- Showing sorrow.
Totem- A person or thing considered to be a symbol of something.
Temperate- Mild temperatures, without extremes.
Resonant- Evoking powerful memories or emotions

Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam

October 26, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you’re studying pond life for kindergarten you’ll love this activity for your kindergartener to build a beaver dam. Grab my other craft ideas for kindergarten homeschool curriculum.

As the largest rodents in North America and the second largest rodent in the world, beavers are a fun subject to cover.

They go along perfectly with a pond life unit study. They are a vital part of life in rivers, ponds, and lakes.

Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam

I have a fun and inexpensive hands- on activity to share that your little one will love.

It’s a simple invitation to create and learn using items gathered from the yard and few items from the house.

Your child will probably spend the day playing in their little “pond” learning and growing their imagination.

Beaver Facts for Kids

Beavers don’t actually live in the dams they build; they make them to create a deep pond of water for protection from predators. They live in similar structures called beaver lodges.
Beavers build their dams out of trees, limbs, mud, moss, plants, grass, and rocks.
When they feel threatened, beavers will slap the water with their tail making a loud noise to warn all creatures in the area.
A long time ago beaver fur was commonly used to make hats and clothing. Some people still trap beavers for their fur today.
Beaver dams don’t just benefit them, they also help with carbon storage, flood management and drought prevention. They are also helpful in keeping streams cool.
Also they create wetlands that house many frogs, fish and invertebrates, and in turn these animals provide food for birds and bats.
Beavers can swim underwater for 15 minutes.
Some adult beavers can reach up to 55 pounds.
Beavers eat the inner bark of trees and woody plants, but they also enjoy soft vegetation like apples, grasses, clover, water lilies, giant ragweed, and cattails.

Pond Life Activities

Before you begin your activity, read about beavers and ponds and choose a video or two to watch together.

If possible visit a local pond or lake that has beavers to observe them in the wild.

This will help give your child a good point of reference for beavers and how and why they build dams.

Also, grab letter tiles you have on hand,

Scrabble tiles are great because you can pick the games up inexpensively at yard sales and thrift stores.

Use them to practice beginning letter sounds or spell out words related to your theme.

For this one you could use:

Pond
Beaver
Fish
Turtle
Dam
Water
Frog

Allow your child to build silly words and see if he can pronounce them as well.

Too, you’ll love adding some of these books to your activity.

Books About Pond Life

This is one in a little series of picture books that are gems with beautiful illustrations and they teach children about the ecology of the pond. Over and Under the Pond goes perfectly with this activity.

Nature Anatomy is another one. If you don’t know by now I just love this series, they are perfect to add to any nature study that you do.

This next resources if Natural and Earth Science Educational Flash Cards.

If you enjoy doing earth science with your child this is a great addition. Little cards with everything from beavers to minerals.

Safari LTD North American Wildlife toobs are a great resource for small world play like this, to give children a model to see for art or learning.

Also they can be used in dioramas, or to create an inviting setup for a new unit study.

Beaver Videos

Finally, here are a few videos that are interesting and will give you and your child a little more understanding of beavers and ponds.

How to Build a Beaver Dam Activity

Gather:

Sticks and small branches
Grasses
Leaves
Small rocks and pebbles
Mud or clay
Moss

First, go on a nature walk into your own backyard to gather the above items.

Set out your invitation to play and learn in an inviting way by placing the items neatly on a tray (or cooking sheet like I did).

This makes it more eye appealing than just throwing everything you gathered in a heap.

Add water to a shallow dish or pan to create a pond.

Encourage your child to create a beaver dam in the pond using all the same items that a beaver would use in the wild.

Twist sticks together to make it sturdy. Add moss and clay to the openings between sticks, etc.

Continue building until it is heaped up both above and below the water.

Once they have built their dam in the water, add in a fun little plastic beaver as well as other pond animals.

Now they can have fun exploring inside and outside the dam.

How cute is this little beaver peeking out from the dam he just built?

Finally, you’ll love these other resources for teaching kindergarten.

Other Tips and Crafts for Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum

Day 21 Time Tested Tips For Homeschool And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

October 25, 2022 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today is day 21 time tested tips for homeschool of the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers.

Time tested teaching tips are treasures. There are some tips for homeschool which fit across the education board on a variety of subjects that work year after year.

Instead of trying to figure this all out on your own, by applying some of these teaching tips in your day to day school from the beginning, I am hoping you avoid the hitting-a-brick-wall syndrome.

Day 21 Time Tested Tips For Homeschool And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Making learning fun as well as meaningful will hold the attention of a lifelong learner.

Look at these time tested teaching tips.

6 Tips For Homeschool

Adding in project oriented tasks like a family night where your children demonstrate to extended relatives what they have learned gives them a purpose to be proud of their learning.

1) Time tested tips for homeschool. Remember, testing does not demonstrate mastery. Keep this as one of the most important tips for homeschool.

Day 21: Time Tested Teaching Tips. {31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}

Skits, dioramas, lapbooks and musicals are great ways to show mastery of material.

{Tiny showing off what he learned for the year for an end of the year talent show. It is nice to have an audience of relatives, homeschoolers and friends.)

(I have expectations for my children and public speaking is one of them to demonstrate mastery. Here is Tiny a little older and about 6 years down the road. )

2) **Do not force your children to learn in the learning style you feel comfortable with and then ask what is wrong with them. One of my best tips for homeschool.**

As adults, we need to come out of our comfort zone and try to teach to our children’s learning style.

This is not coddling because as they get older, we balance that with teaching them to learn in other ways.

If they are hands-on learners then train them to heighten their auditory learning skills too or visa versa.

3) Do not practice insane homeschooling by separating your children on every subject by grade level.

You are not a public school. It is natural to learn together and subjects like science, history, Bible, art and music can be taught to all of your children together using one or more books at one time.

Preserve your sanity by teaching some subjects together. Note: I will be sharing an upcoming series on how to teach multiple ages together.

Too, I’m going to switch gears here on you.

Who is Tina Robertson

But before you can appreciate how I can help you here are are a few things about me. Sure, this free new homeschooler boot camp is all about you.

However, you need to know that I’m not new to the homeschool world.

It has been several years since I wrote this series and I want to update you on my successes. And I’ve helped HUNDREDS get on the road to homeschooling.

Too, I have 3 homeschooled grads. So I’m well past having my oldest kid being 10 years old.

But the best part is that what I have for you works.

Also, look at a few other things about me.

I am the author of the book Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers: When You Don’t Know Where to Begin

And I have a detailed self-paced online homeschool Kickstarter course. It is a detailed comprehensive course for first time homeschoolers.

That is enough about me.

This new homeschoolers free boot camp is about you. I’ve not only been helping new homeschoolers in person, but here at my site for years.

4) Do not schedule TOO long or too much in the day and do not schedule TOO short or too less in a day.

How do you determine this? Well 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. should be saved for high school seniors getting ready to enter an Ivy league college.

For elementary age children, the morning time consisting of 2 – 3 hours is a nice balance on the 3 R’s.

Save the afternoon for a fun hands-on science project or history project.

Also, a five line paragraph is too much for a first grader still learning to write and one 5 line paragraph is too little for a highschooler who has no disabilities.

As I blog this year, I will be sharing some ways to assess and measure progress.

(Crazy kids! Something about schooling on those tiny cute little desks that made learning about science come alive. They always had keen observations when I pulled those desks out. Uhmm …..investigating marshmallows and M & M’s didn’t hurt either.)

5) Do include your child in choices of schedule, subjects and where he wants to learn.

Do not give up your authority as parent to have the ultimate say but show that you are reasonable and workable. Have a bottom line on what you want to get done for the day?

Does it matter that he goes to his room to do math as long as he does it?

Does it matter that he sits on the living room floor to do map work as long he gets done what you have planned? Roll with it and relax. There is a difference between relaxed and lazy homeschooling. Relaxed means you get it done while enjoying it.

6) Do harder subjects first in your day when children are more alert.

Normally math is the subject across the board that deserves first with writing behind that.

Keeping things simple when you teach is an acquired art is another one of the important tips for homeschool.

Tips for Homeschool

Too, teaching is not just about learning techniques and styles, but it comes from the heart.

Techniques for teaching and plans for action can always be mastered, but a good teacher full of love is what your child needs this year.

Have you tried any of these teaching tips for homeschool tidbits?

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

10 Things to Learn From The Fun Geronimo Stilton Chapter Books

October 24, 2022 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We absolutely adore the fun Geronimo Stilton chapter books for ages 7-10, grades 2^nd-5^th, but also reluctant readers will love the Geronimo Stilton books.

Geronimo Stilton is an editor in chief of The Rodent’s Gazette, the most “famous” newspaper in New Mouse City.

He’s also the author of his own best-selling book series.

But the Geronimo Stilton chapter books were actually written by Elisabetta Maria Dami who is an Italian children’s book author and she is the creator of the character Geronimo Stilton.

10 Things to Learn From The Fun Geronimo Stilton Chapter Books

And the character of Geronimo Stilton is a shy, funny, but adventurous mouse.

Because the author Elisabetta Maria Dami has an interest in archaeology and a passion for traveling and exploring, Geronimo is always off on an adventure.

The whole series makes for a fun literature study but especially to incorporate geography and history into your unit studies.

About the Geronimo Stilton Series

Look at these ten things to learn from the Geronimo Stilton books.

1. Learn literary devices in a fun way.

Be on the lookout for examples of literary devices such as:

Onomatopoeia
Similes/Metaphors
Hyperbole
Idioms
Puns

What is an onomatopoeia?

Other than it being my favorite little gem found in these books, it’s a literary device to know and super fun to teach.

First, let’s take a minute to appreciate how fun this word is to say.

If this is a new word for your kids, be sure to listen to the pronunciation.

“Onomatopoeia is the process of creating a word that phonetically imitates, resembles, or suggests the sound that it describes.”

For example, a dry fall leaf crunches underfoot.

Also, look at my Amazon Shop to see a list of the books.

A bumblebee buzzes around the backyard.

Geronimo Stilton must love Onomatopoeia too because the word pictures he uses to show the reader this literary device are perfection for a visual learner.

How many examples of onomatopoeia can you find in each chapter?

2. Have a fun vocabulary scavenger hunt.

Make a list of new words you find in each chapter.

It won’t be hard for your kids to find them.

3. Focus on character development.

You will fall in love with the characters.

They are full of personality.

For example, Geronimo Stilton is quite the “scaredy-mouse”, but he is always going on an adventure and facing lot of fears to get there.

Have your child pick a favorite character and follow his/her character development throughout the story.

4. Nurture a love for famous mystery novels and authors.

If your geek level is as high as mine, and I assume it must be if you’re reading this post, you’ll love the fun facts that pop up for adults too.

These books are a great bridge to a study about other famous mystery titles and authors.

There’s even a nod to some characters you might recognize like Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s well-known fictional Belgian detective.

What a fun way to introduce your reader to other books, authors, and the mystery genre!

5. Cultivate a love for history and geography.

Not only does Geronimo Stilton live in the center of New Mouse City, he reluctantly travels around the globe.

Each book will land the reader in a new place.

These books are great for learning state facts, especially New York, and they’re also the perfect addition to a history and geography study about where the setting takes place.

6. Have some cheesy food fun.

Geronimo Stilton is a cheese connoisseur. He eats lots of cheese.

He talks about cheese and makes “punny” jokes about cheese.

It’s impossible to not want to snack on some cheesy delights of some kind.

Create a cheese platter and sample some new snacks.
Make homemade macaroni and cheese.
Look at moldy cheese under a microscope.
Have a cheese fondue night.

7. Nurture a love for timeless treasures like antiques.

Any antique lovers out there? Well, you will love Geronimo Stilton’s eye for timeless treasures.

If your kids are into antiques, visit a few thrift stores and hunt for treasures.

Check out American Pickers or Antiques Roadshow.

8. Learn how to plan a trip.

Plan a vacation to the destination in your book.

Estimate the cost of flight, hotel, and car rental. Research prices on the internet to find the best deals.

How much will you need to for food and spending?
What activities will you do while you’re there?
Add the cost of excursions or admissions to special events or destinations.

9. Learn how to face fear.

Geronimo must face lots of fears to travel, solve mysteries, and go on each adventure.

These are a great way to talk to your kids about fears, anxiety, and coping skills.

10. Learn about nurturing family ties.

I love the Geronimo is a family guy!

He spends a lot of time with his nephew, Benjamin and his sister, Thea.

It’s a great opportunity to focus on the importance of family.

Create a family tree.
Research your family’s origin.
Send an email to a family member to brighten their day.
Do something nice for a sibling.

Have you tried this series with your children? I know you’ll fall in love with the books.