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10 Skill Sharpeners Grammar and Punctuation Resources & Fun Ampersand Craft

August 29, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Are you looking for skill sharpeners grammar and punctuation resources for grades K to 6th instead of a full curriculum? Also, look at 24 Borderline Genius Ways To Relieve Language Arts Boredom.

Also, I cannot lie but I love this fun ampersand craft to add to a school area or your office.

There are plenty of great books, games, and activities out there to help your child master the art of grammar without using a boring, dry curriculum.

After all, each child learns differently, and you can tailor their lessons to their learning style.

Grammar covers the rules of a language governing sounds, words, sentences, and other elements.

10 Skill Sharpeners Grammar and Punctuation Resources & Fun Ampersand Craft

It includes things like sentence structure, parts of speech, tense (past, present, future), and syntax. While spelling is considered mechanics of language arts it still goes hand in hand with grammar.

I also have included a tutorial for a fun and easy ampersand bookend to celebrate World Ampersand Day, September 9th.

This fun bookend helps contain those piles we all have on our shelves and tables.

About the Skill Sharpeners Grammar and Punctuation Series

First, there are several reasons why I love using the skill sharpeners series.

As I mentioned, sometimes you need to focus on one skill whether your child needs reinforcement with one skill or if focusing on less helps your child to grasp concepts faster. Curriculum mixes several different components of language arts and isolating one skill keeps learning simple.
Next, you know my love for themes and unit studies, and I love the fact that these colorful workbooks have themes.
Rules are highlighted in the boxes and easy to learn and the best thing is it’s just pick up and go.

More Grammar and Punctuation Language Arts Resources

Also, look at more resources to go with the skill sharpeners grammar and punctuation series.

Next, look at how to make this fun ampersand craft. Just too cute.

How to Make an Ampersand Bookend Craft

You will need:

Paper mache ampersand (Hobby Lobby)
Grey Paint
Baking soda
Clean, dry sand
Grey felt
Masking tape
Small funnel
Scissors
Paintbrush

Paper Mache letters have supporting spacers throughout that block some of the channels, because of this it makes it hard to fill them to give them enough weight completely.

So, to work around that without cutting off the whole back, we will make several holes.

Use scissors or a Phillips head screwdriver to make a hole big enough to fit a small funnel.

Poke in as far as you can without coming through the other side.

Pour sand in and move it around to be sure to fill as much of it as you can.

Lay a piece of masking tape over the hole just big enough to cover it.

Repeat 3-4 more times, be sure that you do at least 2 more on the bottom half.

I found that the very top on both sides of the bottom and one on each side halfway up allowed me to fill the entire thing pretty much despite the support pieces.

Also, I was able to get probably between 1 ½- cup of sand.

Now to make faux concrete we are going to mix 2 Tablespoons of gray paint with 1 Tablespoon baking soda and stir well.

That is just enough paint to cover the 8 ¼” size ampersand but if you go bigger you will need to mix up a little more.

Paint on a fairly thick coat, be sure to get inside all the cracks, crevices and turns.

While the paint is still wet dip your paintbrush in the sand and dab it all over to give it a rougher texture like concrete.

Be sure to pay extra attention to the areas that you taped over to blend in the seams but don’t build it up too much or it will call attention to these areas.

Once completely dry flip it over and paint the other side and allow that to dry as well.

Once all the paint is completely dry cut small pieces of gray felt slightly smaller than the flat bottom and hot glue them in place be sure to smooth the hot glue out, so it lays as flat as possible.

This will keep the rough texture from scratching up your shelf or table.

Lastly, look at these language arts resources.

Skill Sharpeners & Language Art Resources K to 6th Grade

Sometimes you just need language art supplements to go with your unit studies and not a full program. You’ll love these language art resources.

Skill Sharpeners Grammar and Punctuation, Grade 6

Help children improve their writing while learning important grammar and punctuation rules. These colorful activity books make language skill practice fun!

Skill Sharpeners: Grammar and Punctuation provides visually engaging reading selections, activities, and word games that will motivate your child to practice and learn essential grammar and punctuation skills. Plus, a Language Handbook provides you with a quick reference of the concepts covered.

The activity book is organized into 15 theme-based units around topics that sixth graders enjoy, such as ancient civilizations, superheroes, and gaming. Each unit focuses on a grammar concept and punctuation concept, and includes:

-A reading selection A short fiction or nonfiction text engages children and presents the concept or skill in context.-Rule boxes Grammar and punctuation rules are made simple with a short explanation, and clear examples help to teach the skill.-Colorful practice activities A variety of activities include fun illustrations to motivate your child to practice the grammar and punctuation skills.-Riddles and word games Your child will use critical thinking skills while applying the targeted grammar or punctuation skill in a fun format!-Writing practice The Write It Right! page encourages your child to use the skills in context, which further promotes understanding.-Review page The short review activity is a great way to check your child s understanding.

Evan-Moor Skill Sharpeners Grammar and Punctuation Grade 5, Full-Color Activity Book - Supplemental Homeschool Workbook

With the Evan-Moor Skill Sharpeners Grammar and Punctuation Grade 5, Full-Color Activity Book, parents will be able to give their fifth-graders a boost in the classroom in reading and writing success. Our homeschooling workbook contains 15 different units that introduce different grammar and punctuation concepts. Each unit has a unique theme, including outer space and sports, with reading texts that will appeal to grade five students. We use a variety of riddles and word games that will keep gr. 5 children engaged while they're learning these important grammar and punctuation rules.

Writing Practice

BOOK - SKILLS GRAMMAR PUNCTUATION GR 4

The activity book is organized into 15 theme-based units around topics that children enjoy; such as dinosaurs, pirates, and toys. Grammar and Punctuation provides visually engaging reading selections, activities, and word games that will motivate your child to practice and learn essential skills. Plus, a Language Handbook and Dolch Sight Word list provide you with a quick reference of the concepts covered. Each unit focuses on a grammar concept and punctuation concepts, such as nouns, letters, word type, sentence structure and so much more!

Evan-Moor Grammar & Punctuation, Grade 3

Evan-Moor Grammar & Punctuation, Grade 2

The activity book is organized into 15 theme-based units around topics that children enjoy such as dinosaurs pirates and toys Grammar and Punctuation provides visually engaging reading selections activities and word games that will motivate your child to practice and learn essential skills Plus a Language Handbook and Dolch Sight Word list provide you with a quick reference of the concepts covered Each unit focuses on a grammar concept and punctuation concepts such as nouns letters word type sentence structure and so much more!

Evan-Moor Skill Sharpeners Grammar and Punctuation Grade 1, Full-Color Activity Book - Supplemental Homeschool Workbook

The Evan-Moor Skill Sharpeners Grammar and Punctuation Grade 1, Full-Color Activity Book is a smart addition to any homeschooling classroom, as it gives kindergartners an introduction to skills they need for reading and writing. Our full-color homeschool grammar workbook provides gr. K kids with a basic understanding of grammar and punctuation rules. Clear examples on each of the full-color pages give young students the basic knowledge they need to begin understanding punctuation and grammar. We also keep kids entertained, using riddles and word games that make learning about grammar and punctuation fun.Home Enrichment Workbook

Evan-Moor Skill Sharpeners Grammar and Punctuation Grade Pre-K, Color Activity Book - Supplemental Homeschool Workbook

Help children improve their writing while learning important grammar and punctuation rules. These colorful activity books make language skill practice fun! Skill Sharpeners: Grammar and Punctuation provides visually engaging reading selections, activities, and word games that will motivate your child to practice and learn essential grammar and punctuation skills. Plus, a Language Handbook and Dolch Sight Word list provide you with a quick reference of the concepts covered. The activity book is organized into 15 theme-based units around topics that preschoolers enjoy, such as animals, families, and birthdays. Each unit focuses on a grammar concept and punctuation concept, and includes: • A reading selection – A short fiction or nonfiction text engages children and presents the concept or skill in context. • Rule boxes – Grammar and punctuation rules are made simple
with a short explanation, and clear examples help to teach the skill.

Gross Me Out Mad Libs: World's Greatest Word Game

Mad Libs is the world’s greatest word game and the perfect gift or activity for anyone who likes to laugh! Write in the missing words on each page to create your own hilariously funny stories all about gross things!Some days, my burps smell just like TYPE OF FOOD! With 21 “fill-in-the-blank” stories about passing gas, belching, and eating expired food, Gross Me Out Mad Libs is the perfect activity for any young fan of gross things! Play alone, in a group, or in a porta-potty! Mad Libs are a fun family activity recommended for ages 8 to NUMBER.

Basher Basics: Grammar

It used to be that learning grammar was one of the most boring exercises ever, but not anymore! Using his trademark personality-based approach, Basher illustrates each grammar basic - from parts of speech to sentence components to groupings and agreements - with its own character, who explains exactly what makes them tick and how they are used. Plenty of practical advice will help everyone unravel the rules and regulations of the English language. The book's cutting edge design and innovative approach will make it perfect reference for linguists of all ages who struggle to remember the difference between a preposition and pronoun.

Looney Labs Mad Libs: The Game - Best Card Game for Adults Kids

If you really enjoy mad libs there is even a board game to play to build those skills in parts of speech.

Free Editable Field Trip Tracking Guide for Homeschool Field Trips

August 22, 2023 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have a field trip tracking guide for homeschool field trips. Also, look at my Homeschool Planner page for more forms.

Homeschool field trips are an important piece of the educational puzzle.

We homeschool so that we can experience learning while living.

I never imagined when I had my then 4 year old and 1 year old in tote as we went to the zoo that I already started homeschooling with field trips.

Field trips just felt like a natural part of learning, and it is one important reason I have held on to the homeschooling lifestyle.

Free Editable Field Trip Tracking Guide for Homeschool Field Trips

Without going all sappy on you as I look back to some of our fondest homeschool memories, I also can tell you that some of the most significant educational milestones were met while we were out on carefree adventures.

No, lightning bolts of information didn’t infuse my sons, at least not then anyway.

But our learning adventures nurtured the thirst for a wide range of topics.

Little did I know that all the hard work of planning field trips paid off.

6 Advantages of Exploring Field Trips

Look at some of these ways that field trips inspire a love of learning.

1. They are a breeding ground of learning for hands-on learners.

When a child can touch and interact at places like a museum or zoo, your teaching can’t compare. It instills learning moments for life not found in the confines of 4 walls.

Homeschool Field Trips | Learning About Birds | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

{Our field trip at the park where we had a bird presentation.}

2. Professionals, whether they are members of an Audubon society or are geologist come alive and speak about their profession or hobby in their own natural surroundings

Their passion for their hobby or profession leaves an impression on your child that they won’t easily forget. Instead of competing with natural born teachers of their craft, utilize them to teach your children.

3. Sometimes homeschooled kids choose their profession later in life because of what they were exposed to while on field trips.

{Tiny as he feels one of the birds.}

4. Children can appreciate art and culture while experiencing it.

It is sad that some public schools have had to almost leave field trips out of the school year because field trips are an excellent way to build respect for the arts.

5. Field trips build higher critical thinking skills.

When writing numerous topics and essays throughout the years, the boys have been able to tap into their memory as they recalled what they have learned

6. The needs for socialization by both mom and child are met.

Though you and I both know that unless we crawl under a rock someplace, that homeschoolers are pretty savvy and socialized folks.

But as homeschoolers we love to meet up with our friends and savor the time we are together.

Because field trips are enjoyed best with a well-behaved group, you may want to form a group. A field trip can build quickly if you know where to look.

More Homeschool Field Trips Resources

Homeschoolers Hangouts

One of the best ways to connect with other homeschoolers is through friends.

You know that Kelley and I are life-long friends and she had a friend who homeschooled and I had my sister, and we built our group from there.

If you live in a place where you think you are the only homeschooler, a good place to start is your library and go during the day.

Look for places that homeschoolers frequent like local book stores and places that teach music or dance lessons and for goodness sake, the park.

I met another homeschool mom because our sons were taking Kindermusik.

Though I would recommend connecting online it can be tough.

Be friendly, but be cautious about giving out personal information until you know somebody a bit better.

Homeschool Field Trip Planning Tips

After you form a small group, some places give a small discount for a group if you will pay at one time. Be sure you call ahead and ask.

Formulate a few rules for field trips.

We always make sure everybody knew that though we were having fun, when we had a guide on our field trip or somebody was talking that the kids (and moms) were to be quiet and listen and learn.

We keep a database for our member’s phone numbers so that if anybody had problems on the road, we would have each other’s cell numbers.

The field trip leaders knew everybody that was coming and would mark off the list as they arrived.

We take seriously if somebody votes and then doesn’t come or communicate with us for good reasons. Why? Because we may have told another family that we were full or our price discount may depend on having enough people show up at the event.

Members constantly not communicating, showing up late or voting and not coming, would be reason for dismissing them from my group.

It may sound cruel and we didn’t do it a lot, but when you have volunteer field trip leaders, then all members should make their job easy and keep in mind their actions may affect the rest of the group.

I am looking forward to taking more field trips as we prepare for our move to South America. Who knows? Maybe we won’t just do a lapbook about the Amazon rain forest, but may actually get to visit it now for a field trip.

Look at my form I use to track our field trips.

Do you cherish your time away from home while learning? You should because the time will pass quickly.

Look at these other homeschool planner products

Free Editable Field Trip Tracking Guide

This is a subscriber freebie. That means you get this freebie if you’re following me or if you sign up right now.

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

7 John Muir Environmentalist Facts and Fun Teaching Ideas

August 18, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 7 John Muir environmentalist facts and some fun teaching ideas. You’ll also love the John Muir Spring Unit Study (and Hands-on Geography Ideas).

The national park system’s development is largely due to John Muir environmentalist, naturalist, author, mountaineer, and political activist.

It is widely agreed that he is the “Founding Father of National Parks”.

And his contributions are celebrated through many landmarks named after him like hiking trails, glaciers, highways, and monuments.

7 John Muir Environmentalist Facts and Fun Teaching Ideas

National Park Service Founders Day is August 25th and I can’t think of a better way to learn about the National Parks than through the man who helped found and educate people about them.

John Muir helped create several of our national parks like Sequoia National Park in California, Mount Rainier in Washington, and The Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.

John Muir Environmentalist Books, Resources, and Teaching Ideas

Too, these are some of the books we’ve used and love to help teach about him or create your own unit study.

11 John Muir Resources

The mountains are calling, and I must go -John Muir

In observance of National Park Service Founders Day and the care and work John Muir put into helping it become a reality, put together a unit study with a book or two, a video, a game, and a few hands-on activities like visiting the closest national park to you. There is plenty to choose from below.

John Muir Wilderness Box Set

A collection of John Muir’s best-selling writings and essays collected in 1 set.

Part of John Muir's appeal to modern readers is that he not only explored the American West and wrote about its beauties but also fought for their preservation. His successes dot the landscape and are evident in all the natural features that bear his name: forests, lakes, trails, and glaciers. Collected here in 1 set are some of Muir's finest wilderness essays, national park observations, travels throughout Alaska, and writings about working in the Yosemite Valley.

A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf

John Muir, one of America’s great environmentalists, has inspired nature lovers for generations with his writings.

A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf by John Muir is the adventure that started it all.

Walk with John from Indiana through Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. A story that is sure to inspire your own adventures and love for nature and the off beaten path.

John Muir: Candlewick Biographies: America's First Environmentalist

John Muir loved the land. Born in 1838, he was a writer, a scholar, an inventor, a shepherd, a farmer, and an explorer. But above all, he was a naturalist. John Muir was particularly devoted to the high cliffs, waterfalls, and ancient giant sequoia trees that, through his careful influence, were set aside as Yosemite, one of the first national parks in America. Here is the life story of the man who, moved by a commitment to wilderness everywhere, founded the Sierra Club in 1892, a conservation group that carries on his crucial work to this day. Back matter includes an epilogue, a bibliography, and information about the Sierra Club.

A Passion for Nature: The Life of John Muir

"I am hopelessly and forever a mountaineer," John Muir wrote. "Civilization and fever and all the morbidness that has been hooted at me has not dimmed my glacial eye, and I care to live only to entice people to look at Nature's loveliness. My own special self is nothing."In Donald Worster's magisterial biography, John Muir's "special self" is fully explored as is his extraordinary ability, then and now, to get others to see the sacred beauty of the natural world. A Passion for Nature is the most complete account of the great conservationist and founder of the Sierra Club ever written. It is the first to be based on Muir's full private correspondence and to meet modern scholarly standards. Yet it is also full of rich detail and personal anecdote, uncovering the complex inner life behind the legend of the solitary mountain man. It traces Muir from his boyhood in Scotland and frontier Wisconsin to his adult life in California right after the Civil War up to his death on the eve of World War I. It explores his marriage and family life, his relationship with his abusive father, his many friendships with the humble and famous (including Theodore Roosevelt and Ralph Waldo Emerson), and his role in founding the modern American conservation movement.

National Geographic Complete National Parks of the United States, 400+ Parks, Monuments, Battlefields, Historic Sites, Scenic Trails, Recreation Areas, and Seashores

National Geographic’s wide-ranging travel guide to recreation areas, trails, historic sites, nature hikes, seashores, camping, and campgrounds is geared to everyone who loves outdoor recreation. This 544-page reference is the ultimate travel planner for all things national parks, filled with full-color photos, detailed maps, historical background, and practical facts on the location of the park system properties, as well as the best times to visit and top-rated activities.

Our National Parks

ohn Muir (1838–1914) ranks among America's most important and influential environmentalists and nature writers. Devoted to the preservation of wilderness areas, Muir founded the Sierra Club and was active in the establishment of Yosemite National Park. Our National Parks, originally published in 1901, includes ten articles that previously appeared in The Atlantic Monthly. Muir wrote them in hopes of exciting interest in the parks, certain that visitors would fall in love with the scenic grandeur as he had—and that their enthusiasm would ensure the parks' preservation.

National Parks Scratch Off Map of United States Poster, ALL 63 Parks

UNIQUE DESIGN…ARROWHEAD SHAPES: Scratch off each beautifully designed US National Park as you visit them, like Acadia, Zion, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Olympic, Grand Canyon, Arches and others!

National Parks Trivia: A Card Game: 400 Questions

Get to know America's 63 national parks with 390 wide-ranging trivia questions that cover their iconic geography, ecology, geology, history, wildlife, and botany—from the authors of Scenic Science of the National Parks.

Professor Noggin's Wildlife of North America Trivia Card Game

PLAY & LEARN: Professor Noggin’s series of educational card games encourages kids to learn interesting facts about their favorite subjects.
FUN FACTS: Journey through the Wildlife of North America discovering facts about our continent’s most interesting animals. From Polar Bears to Pronghorns, from Alligators to Bald Eagles, this game is perfect for young nature lovers.

Our National Treasures Matching Game USA National Parks Memory Game for Kids. Yosemite, Yellowstone, Arches, Denali and More

What you get – Our National Treasures Matching Card Game comes with 52 tiles (26 pairs) and instructions

Clear instructions – Easy to learn memory card game. Learn to play in less than five minutes!

Develops critical skills – card games for kids help preschoolers practice their focus, memory, & matching skills.

Trekking The National Parks -The Perfect Board Game for National Park Lovers

Wildly Popular National Parks Game - Winner Of The Mensa And Parent's Choice Award

Created By National Parks Enthusiasts - This couple traveled to every single national park and then worked with their son to make the game.

Fun + Educational - It’s the perfect recipe for a family game night! Appeals to a wide range of people: outdoor lovers, board game players, and gift givers. A great board games for kids!

Next, look at some facts about the life of John Muir.

7 John Muir Environmentalist Facts

John Muir traveled to every continent except Antarctica.
John founded the Sierra Club, an acclaimed American conservation organization.
Muir temporarily lost his sight due to an accident at 29 due to a factory incident that pushed him to make a change and be a wilderness explorer.
A 211-mile-long hiking trail in the Sierra Nevada was named John Muir Trail in his honor.
In September of 1867, John walked 1000 miles from Indiana to Florida, this journey is retold in his book- A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf.
Throughout his life, John Muir wrote 300 essays and 12 books.
Because of Muir’s vision and work, you can now visit almost 400 National Park Service sites. What a legacy he left behind for so many generations to appreciate and enjoy.

Also, look at some videos..

Videos about John Muir

John Muir- Father of National Parks
For a quick birds eye view of 25 Best National Parks at once check out this YouTube video.
Biography of John Muir
John Muir Father of The National Parks- 1 Minute History
How The National Park Service Got Started

More John Muir Activity Ideas

Finally, here are some more fun ideas when learning about the life of John Muir.

Learn what an environmentalist is. An environmentalist is defined as one who is concerned with or advocates for the protection of the environment.
Grab ideas from John Muir Spring Unit Study (and Hands-on Geography Ideas).
Try using the John Muir Laws How to Teach Nature Journaling to improve sketching and watercolor skills combined with your nature walk. While this is not the same John Muir nor is he related to him, his appreciation for nature and its beauty reflects the same mindset. His mother was a lawyer for the Sierra Club, which the original John Muir was the founder of, and she insisted her sons middle name be Muir. Use the beautiful pictures for ideas for water coloring or nature journaling.

Learn the 7 principles of Leave No Trace, especially if you enjoy camping and hiking. Writing them down would make for an excellent copy work assignment.
Find ways that you can volunteer in your area to help the environment, beach clean-ups, park clean-up days, recycling, ways to reduce and reuse items, conserve water, etc.
Play nature-themed games to focus on the flora and fauna that he studied.

5 Ideas to Kick-Start Your New Homeschool Year By Including Others

July 24, 2023 | 5 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You’ll love these 6 ideas to kick start your new homeschool year. Also, you’ll love How to Plan Your First Homeschool Year When You Don’t Know How To Start.

I value traditions when it comes to kicking off our year.

Plenty of photos and quirky poses at the beginning of our new school year are a must in my home.

However, the boys have enjoyed our year more when we included others and socialize (gasp ..can you believe we do).

5 Ideas to Kick-Start Your New Homeschool Year By Including Others

Sure, I have made special breakfasts and bought new homeschool supplies which I love.

But there is something about being with other homeschoolers as we start off our year that keeps us stoked the whole year.

5 Ideas to Kick-Start Your New Homeschool Year By Including Others @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

The feeling of excitement is contagious when the kids see each other again.

Not only does it excite our kids, but as moms we enjoy the camaraderie also.

Too, maybe it’s the feeling that you know you are not alone as so many others have decided that not only are we doing this another year, but this is our way of life.

5 Ways to Include Other Homeschoolers in Your New Homeschool Year

It’s the warm feeling of security deep down knowing I won’t have to kiss my sons good-bye and send them off.

Maybe it’s the mother in me and not the teacher when we start our school year, but it gets harder to separate the two each year.

1. Start the Year At the Museum

From a simple idea of starting our year off with others at a museum when the children were little to including way more homeschoolers, we have always preferred being with others to celebrate.

Also, you’ll love some of these books.

5 BEST How to Homeschool Books

I've rounded up some of the best books to help you get started homeschooling.

Homeschooling for New Homeschoolers: When You Don't Know Where to Begin

Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers is a real eye-opener on homeschooling. It will alleviate a lot of the anxieties about getting started homeschooling. Reading each chapter’s highlights will give you encouragement, knowledge, guidance, and peace of mind to homeschool with confidence. The best part is that you’ll be educating the person who loves your kids the most in this world--YOU! Armed with the knowledge to make better choices in curriculum will empower you to continue the path of home education. Unlike many books based on one family’s experience, Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers is also based on Tina’s many years of mentoring hundreds and hundreds of new homeschoolers at live workshops. When you don’t know where to begin Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers equips you to successfully homeschool your children.

The Unhurried Homeschooler

Homeschooling is a wonderful, worthwhile pursuit, but many homeschool parents struggle with feelings of burnout and frustration. If you have ever felt this way, you’re not alone! Most of us need to be reminded of the “why” of homeschooling from time to time—but "The Unhurried homeschooler" takes parents a step further and lifts the unnecessary burdens that many parents place on themselves.

Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakable Peace

Those who have made the decision to homeschool their children have done so out of great love for their children and a desire to provide them an excellent education in the context of a warm, enriching home.

The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and Life

Parents who are deeply invested in their children's education can be hard on themselves and their kids. When exhausted parents are living the day-to-day grind, it can seem impossible to muster enough energy to make learning fun or interesting. How do parents nurture a love of learning amid childhood chaos, parental self-doubt, the flu, and state academic standards?

Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom

Education has become synonymous with schooling, but it doesn’t have to be. As schooling becomes increasingly standardized and test driven, occupying more of childhood than ever before, parents and educators are questioning the role of schooling in society. Many are now exploring and creating alternatives.

2. Start the new homeschool year with a fun group dance.

Then years later, we had a true Texas hoedown and started off our school year a few years back by square dancing.

We pulled out all the stops, kicked up our heels and had Texas Bar B Q (or you could have Memphis style Bar B Q or Kansas style Bar B Q, or …..okay okay) complete with all the trimmings.

There was no shortage of great food and great cooks among our homeschool moms which I find is the case in many events I have hosted. I love the generosity.

Include Other Homeschoolers in Your New Homeschool Year

We hired a “true” caller and his “gang” to teach us how to square dance and this is what we “learned” on our 1st day of school.

We invited the whole family, grandma and grandpa to celebrate the start of our new year with us. Kelley, Cynthia and I coordinated one of our most memorable back to school parties with our group.

Pssssst……..this is a good way to include those in your circle of family and friends that may not be up on your decision to homeschool. Include them in your fun at the beginning of the year.

That way you really set the standard for how your year will start and then they will know right from the beginning you are a rebel…..tee hee hee

3. Head to the skating rink for a fun cold indoor activity.

Actually, according to the kids it was a tossup between the square dancing one year and ice skating in August another year.

See if you can rent the ice skating rink just for your back to school party and ask for a more reduced rate even if they don’t advertise.

Remember, most businesses welcome customers in the morning or early afternoon when public school is back in session and their business is slower.

{Tiny ambushed one of our Seniors that year.}

Of course playing in the snow in August outside was the icing on the day for us that year!

4. Let someone else teach the first day. So memorable.

Rendezvous at the Reef was another big hit with the group. Start off the new year by somebody else teaching a class and learning about the ocean.

From Public School to Homeschool For a Relaxed Lifestyle

We headed to Galveston, which is by the coast/ocean to have a class about ocean life and life at the reef.

My kind of instructor who includes hands-on things for both older and younger children to hold and learn about as she teaches.

Things like watching the penguins being fed and watching all the sea life and not in our home class room gets us so excited about the new year.

5. Host a Not Back to School Geography Quest.

The Not Back to School Geography Quest was also another big hit with our group.

We had hands on items from the country the kids chose, experiments to watch and even tasted some food from other countries.

One of the moms getting ready to serve home made salsa after the kids presented information on Mexico.

More Tips for the New Homeschool Year

Young or old, anybody can join in this kind of party and everybody learned something.

Though we have had many years that we have spent with others, I wished we would have done something every year.

It has meant the difference between a mediocre start to our year with the kids tolerating all my pictures and poses and a memorable one.

Don’t just set aside a day or two, take a week or more to get in all those back to school pictures and plan a special event or party even if you just include one more family.

What is one week in a 52 week year year if you school year around? I have never regretted the work in coordinating all the events, but I have regretted not planning more.

Studying our square dance moves, gliding on ice and playing in snow in August, rendezvousing at the reef or ocean and “jet- setting” through countries mark years that we won’t easily forget.

How will you start your first day or first week of school?

How to Rock Homeschool Creative Writing (when you don’t feel like THAT creative mom)

June 26, 2023 | 8 Comments
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Today, I have tips for homeschool creative writing. Also, you’ll love the tips on my post Which One is Really the Best Homeschool Writing Curriculum (a comparison).

Have you ever fumbled your way through teaching a homeschool subject?

Then realize later that you gave your children an amazing start?

It’s not a teaching method I tout because blunders don’t always turn out so productive.

However, teaching is partly influenced by what we were taught growing up.

And homeschool creative writing was a painful process for me.

How to Rock Homeschool Creative Writing (when you don’t feel like THAT creative mom)

In middle school, I wasn’t given a specific and detailed explanation of what is creative writing.

For example, I was told to write creatively.

But as a child I thrived with details, planning and wanted specificity.

My teacher was naturally creative and it was almost a lethal combination for me.

My middle school teacher thought I couldn’t relax and let thoughts flow or so it seemed.

And I thought my teacher didn’t know how to teach because she was unclear in her assignment and didn’t mind the details or so I thought.

How to Rock Creative Writing When Homeschooling (and when you don't feel like THAT creative mom) @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Until I started homeschooling my own children, I didn’t really grasp what my teacher was excited about.

Hoping to bridge the difference between exceptional homeschool teachers who are naturally creative and those who can be when they clearly understand the assignment, look at three things I learned the hard way.

Freedom from the Homeschool Curriculum Box

Progress can be made only when both the homeschool teacher and student understand that creative writing is a natural inward expression of creativity unchained from rules.

That is powerful if you think about it.

It is about emotions, thoughts, and self-expression. It’s about you and who doesn’t like talking (or writing) about their self.

In explaining creative writing to my boys, I used the example of a group photo taken by one of their friends.

When my boys’ friends show them the photo, can you guess what my boys look at first? Yep. They look for themselves first in the picture.

We can’t help it, it’s natural. We want to see how we look.

What is Homeschool Creative Writing

Creative writing is like finding yourself in that photo.

Naturally creative teachers know that putting thoughts on paper is the outside of what is brimming on the inside of an individual.

Once explained to a child, he can bring comical thoughts, deep emotions and even fears to the surface for writing topics.

Digging up those thoughts in a child’s mind may require effort on the part of a teacher.

Key to unleashing creative topics for your child to write about is reading aloud to your child. Not only will reading aloud foster their imagination, but it helps your child to find their inner voice for writing.

Though I didn’t fully understand all the benefits of reading aloud when I started homeschooling, I reaped the benefits of doing it each day.

When I turned my boys loose, my sons could write pages and pages of stories based on their wild imagination that was stimulated by excellent literature.

After they would write pages and pages, I failed again. I switched to teacher mode. Correcting grammar and errors is what I thought writing was all about.

That wasn’t working because I almost created a resistant writer with my first son because I had stifled his creativity.

I learned after a battle of wills to not be part of the problem. Be part of the solution.

Thinking that my oldest son had to make a point to the endless stories he was penning was the second mistake I made.

Being a product of my schooling, I had been taught to be clear, concise and brief in my speech and writing.

Those qualities are important as I learned, but not to the extent that they diminish my son’s love for words and expressing emotions through artfully contrived words.

Being part of the solution is to let your child write without fear of being overly corrected, mechanical or trying to make their writing fit your boxed curriculum.

More Homeschool Creative Writing Tips

From my childhood and experience teaching my first child who was similar to my learning style, I knew that if told him that creative writing was like painting with no rules, he would add his flair to his writing. And he did.

Also, I learned to not bring my teacher mode to the table and start correcting his paper or in other words smother an ember before it becomes a flame.

And I always added in a good dose of reading aloud each day to help all my boys find their style for writing.

Adding creative writing to your curriculum can be challenging but having confident writers years later has been worth every effort.

But I learned a few more things too.

I learned to use my teaching strengths as a spring board to creative writing ideas. And I learned how to help my kids create and brainstorm for writing topics.

8 Writing and Composition Resources For All Ages

Whether you’re teaching handwriting, composition, or creative writing solid tips come from having an abundance of composition and materials to choose from.

Aesop for Children: Story and D'Nealian Copybook Volume I (Aesop for Children Story and Copybook)

The Aesop for Children Story and D'Nealian Copywork Book, Volume I, includes seventy-three original unabridged fables illustrated by Milo Winter. Also included are copywork selections using the moral of each fable in D'Nealian style manuscript with adequate space for students to copy the included examples in their best handwriting. How to Teach Copywork:Copywork can seem simplistic. Give your child a sentence or two and have them copy it. It can also seem like busy work, but the benefits are great! Copywork is a simple introduction to handwriting, spelling, and composition. Have children copy only the best authors, with the best writing, and ideas to fill their growing minds. When to begin copywork:Once a child learns how to write their letters comfortably, they are ready to start simple copywork. Start with very short sentences and have them copy it, always in their best handwriting.

Writing Strands: Beginning 1

Learn basic communication skills with this updated Writing Strands curriculum for a new generation!

This Beginning 1 course was created for students learning to write sentences and paragraphs on their own. The assignments gently guide students through their work each day, helping them master basic writing with unique exercises on dialogue, reporting, interviews, role playing, persuasion, story writing, and organizing and grouping ideas.

Writing with Ease: Level 1 Workbook (The Complete Writer)

In Writing with Ease, Susan Wise Bauer lays out an alternative plan for teaching writing, one that combines the best elements of old-fashioned writing instruction with innovative new educational methods. The Complete Writer workbooks (each sold separately) complement this plan with lessons, student worksheets, and teacher instructions for every day of writing instruction. Each covers one year of study. Used along with Writing with Ease, The Complete Writer, Level One (first in a four-volume set) complete the elementary-grade writing curriculum.

Jump In, 2nd Edition: Middle School Composition

ump In, 2nd Edition retains the step-by-step features of the first edition and its conversational style, along with some humor to ease the fright of writing! Students master the art of writing paragraphs, different types of paragraphs, topic sentences, and main ideas (thesis statements). They also practice writing nine types of essays and one research report. Proofreading lessons are included, along with suggested writing schedules and specific student checklists for each essay assignment.Let student-directed Jump In, 2nd Edition teach composition for you. A suggested writing schedule and checklist come with every essay assignment.Teachers will enjoy the new grading grids for each essay in the Teacher’s Guide, making grading much easier.Middle school. Two semesters. 98 daily lessons.

The Power in Your Hands: Writing Nonfiction in High School, 2nd Edition

Finally, your teens will write without dread! Have they almost given up on writing? Do they reach for the tissue box when you say, "Write an essay"? Do you worry they won't be ready for high school or college writing? Do they say they think of things to write but can't write them down? With THE POWER IN YOUR HANDS: WRITING NONFICTION IN HIGH SCHOOL, 2ND EDITION, they'll learn essay writing in a relaxed, nonthreatening atmosphere with a little humor thrown in. This 2ND EDITION includes proofreading marks and exercises, a new chapter on common grammar mistakes, and numbered lessons to easily keep track of daily lessons. This course teaches your teens what they need to know for high school and will be prepare them for college writing: persuasion, compare-and-contrast essays, literary analysis, a research paper with MLA documentation, and much more. In addition, students will learn how to write description and narration essays. Beginning writers will feel safe, and advanced writers will enjoy Digging Deeper lessons.

Photo Credit: www.writingrockstars.com

Writing Rockstars

Homeschooling Students Improve Writing Skills With Our Online Writing Program

The Art of Poetry

If you have ever felt mystified by, or unable to enjoy the significance of poetry, this book will lead you step by step to understanding and love of this branch of literature, guided by a gifted poet and teacher. The Art of Poetry is an excellent middle school or high school curriculum; it will teach the practice of reading a poem slowly and carefully, introduce students to the elements of poetry (such as imagery and metaphor) and the many forms that can make a poem, from sonnet to open verse. In the belief that practice is the best way to learn, this book is rich with explications, exercises, and activities. A biography of each poet is also included, and we are providing audio files of many of the poems.

Cover Story Set

Curriculum is a creative one-year writing curriculum for middle school students

Later I realized that I don’t have to give up details, planning or specificity when writing. I will share specific details in an upcoming post about how I used my strengths to make creative writing flourish.

What about you? Are you afraid to step out of the box and teach creative writing?

You can do it!

How To - - -

About the Skill Sharpeners Grammar and Punctuation Series

More Grammar and Punctuation Language Arts Resources

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6 Advantages of Exploring Field Trips

1. They are a breeding ground of learning for hands-on learners.

2. Professionals, whether they are members of an Audubon society or are geologist come alive and speak about their profession or hobby in their own natural surroundings

3. Sometimes homeschooled kids choose their profession later in life because of what they were exposed to while on field trips.

4. Children can appreciate art and culture while experiencing it.

5. Field trips build higher critical thinking skills.

6. The needs for socialization by both mom and child are met.

More Homeschool Field Trips Resources

Homeschoolers Hangouts

Homeschool Field Trip Planning Tips

Look at these other homeschool planner products

Glam It Up Package

2. Ultimate DIY Homeschool Unit Study Planner

Editable Homeschool Lesson Planning Pages – Mink Over You

Editable Weekly General Planning Page

Dynamic and Fun Human Body Lapbook for Multiple Ages

Doodle Coloring Curriculum Planner Cover

Sunkissed Curriculum Planner Cover

0. Westward Expansion History Fun 10 Coloring Pages

00. Ancient Civilization History 20 Coloring Pages

1. The Best Undated Dynamic Daily Homeschool Planner

Awesome Reading Aloud Tracking Time Homeschool Form

Editable Front Cover – Coral Inklings