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World War II Hands-On History – Make a Secret Message Deck

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

Today, we kicked off our homeschool unit study about World War II with a fun hands-on activity, which is making a secret card message deck.

World War II Hands-On History - Make a Secret Message Deck. What a FUN way to kick off your homeschool unit study. Check it out

Let me back up first because I want to share with you my original post where I gathered World War II Free Resources For a Middle School Unit Study.

Using some of those resources and sharing more as we now kick off our World War II unit study, I like to introduce new unit studies with a hands-on activity when possible.

Spies, Lies and Secrets in World War II

I grabbed some of the books we had and one we love is Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself, which I used on this activity to pique Tiny’s interest.

And what better way to learn about World War II than to learn about secrets, spies and a secret message card deck. Not only did we learn a  bit about spies but it was a chance to sneak in some geography in a cool way.

We read about how a deck of cards could conceal maps to safety. Decks could be soaked in water to take away the top layer and messages would be inside.

So we decided to try this.

1 WWII Secret Cards Activity @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Looked at what we grabbed.

  • 2 decks of matching cards
  • pen or marker
  • scissors
  • rubber cement (you know the kind with a brush in it)
  • map. I used a map from our WonderMaps which is worth every penny because this cool program can be used over and over. All the maps are listed by theme. So I grabbed the World War II theme.
World War II Hands-On History - Make a Secret Message Deck
2 WWII Secret Cards Activity @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

So I printed the World War II map and then you fold the page in half lengthwise and into half again. Try to crease it well as you go along.

Secret Card Message Deck

Unfold it and smooth it out a bit and then fold it in half width wise, then again and one more time.

3 WWII Secret Cards Activity @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

When you open it up, you will have 32 sections. Take a pen and number each section in the top left of each section until you get to 32.

4 WWII Secret Cards Activity @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Hands-on History

Then cut the 32 sections out and now you have 32 tiny pieces ready to stick inside the center of the cards.

5 WWII Secret Cards Activity @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Next match all the cards from each deck until you have all matching pairs.

Then Tiny placed a small piece or section on the card and carefully glued the second matching card on top.

More World War II Unit Study Hands-on Activities

Be sure to not glue the small piece of paper, just glue around the edges.

Important tip: Be sure the cards are facing the same direction so when you turn it over, it looks like one card. In other words it has one back side and one face card side. Cool uh!

6 WWII Secret Cards Activity @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Tiny presented the cards to Dad to see if he could guess what was different about them. He never guessed there was a small message inside each card.

Too, since a deck has 52 cards in it, there is room to make more spy messages.

Can you tell which cards have been “doctored” above and have a message in them?

And what is better yet is that the pieces of the secret message can be put back together to form the map.

Secret Message Map @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

I think I have Tiny’s rapt attention on our unit study and he is ready to move on to the next part in our homeschool World War II unit study.
Because we do our unit study and lapbooks too as we plod along, I never have lapbooks in one giant download.

I also do it this way so that you can grab just the parts you need instead of downloading minibooks you may not need.

World War II Hands-On History - Make a Secret Message Deck
World War II Hands-On History - Make a Secret Message Deck
World War II Hands-On History - Make a Secret Message Deck
World War II Hands-On History - Make a Secret Message Deck
World War II Hands-On History - Make a Secret Message Deck
World War II Hands-On History - Make a Secret Message Deck
World War II lapbook and homeschool history unit study.

Hugs and love ya,

Signature T

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

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


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10 Days Why A Homeschool Mom Is Not Better Than a Public School Mom (but could be). Day 2

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10 Days Why A Homeschool Mom Is Not Better Than a Public School Mom (but could be). Day 2 Confidence @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Today, I’m continuing on in my 10 Days Why A Homeschool Mom Is Not Better Than a Public School Mom (but could be). Day 1  and sharing about a comment that most homeschool moms feel uncomfortable replying to, which is “you must be so confident.”

Most homeschool moms  I know are rockin’ it as they homeschool, but are modest which is why it can feel uncomfortable talking about how confident they are.

Why Homeschoolers Should Be Confident?

Confidence, I feel, for us as homeschool educators is akin to courage.

It reminds me of the quote by Nelson Mandela, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

The difference between a homeschool mom and a mom who may choose public school because of fear is that despite fear, a homeschool educator trusts, believes and feels assured of her abilities to move forward to homeschool.

Why A Homeschool Mom Is Not Better Than a Public School Mom

Let me break this down.

A homeschool mom is not trusting blindly or based on emotion or passion alone, which are both important, but they are not the complete basis for confidence.

A homeschool just doesn’t believe homeschool will be successful, but she can look at the many facts and successful families that have gone ahead of her.

It’s facts like this from NHERI, which discuss how our homeschool graduates are performing.

The SAT 2014 test scores of college-bound homeschool students were higher than the national average of all college-bound seniors that same year. Some 13,549 homeschool seniors had the following mean scores: 567 in critical reading, 521 in mathematics, and 535 in writing (College Board, 2014a). The mean SAT scores for all college-bound seniors in 2014 were 497 in critical reading, 513 in mathematics, and 487 in writing (College Board, 2014b). The homeschool students’ SAT scores were 0.61 standard deviation higher in reading, 0.26 standard deviation higher in mathematics, and 0.42 standard deviation higher in writing than those of all college-bound seniors taking the SAT, and these are notably large differences.

And look at my article, Homeschooling for the Love of Learning – Does It Really Work.

Then, a homeschool educator knows that she did not use a state approved curriculum to teach her child how to potty train or how to teach her native tongue to her child. She knows her home is the center of education and the first place of education.

Her previous successes as a parent spill over and overflow when she starts on the next natural step of parenting, which is educating her child.

Knowing that there will be bumps along the way and plenty of things she does not know, a home school is moved to become the professional her child needs. She doesn’t need to know about ALL the methods of teaching a child or ALL the curriculum, but only what her children need to know.

Confidence is like a weak muscle. The more you use it, the stronger and more defined it becomes.

In the beginning, it’s hard to have confidence because your children may be real young or because you are new.

However, year after year, confidence soars and becomes mighty as you see your children master reading (with happy tears in your eyes) and you see your three-year-old now a successful high school teen or young adult.

That is the difference between a homeschool mom who presses on despite her fears. She doesn’t succumb to public school because of fear.

What have you accomplished with confidence?

Also, look at my articles From Struggling Homeschooler to Empowered Educator, When does homeschooling become “normal”, and Cultivating the Desire to Homeschool.

Hugs and love ya,

Signature T

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

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

Start the Homeschool Year Off Right: 5 History Ideas for the First Week

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

Don’t follow me. Okay, wait follow me, just don’t do what I would do when I started the new homeschool year, which was BORING!

Look at starting the homeschool year off right by using some of these 5 history ideas for the first week or second, or . . .

Start the Homeschool Year Off Right. 5 History Ideas for the First Week @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Hands-on Homeschool History

One// Play a card game.

A few years ago, I reviewed a card game by Birdcage Press and we fell in love with it and added it to our history.

Also, this Ancient Egypt Top Trumps Card Game is another great option.

The best part about these card games is that it is for ages 6 to adult, so everybody can play together and start the year with a fun kick.

Two// Cook a meal or dish from a certain time period or event.

This is always a hit with the kids. Who doesn’t like to eat something delicious?

Then to add some science to our history we have been eyeballing this book, which is for middle grades but could easily be adapted for other grades.

Then, look at some of these dishes we have made:

Three// Grab my history coloring pages.

If you have kids that are younger, love to color, need a break or just want to do something different to start off history with, grab one or more of my fun 20 Ancient Civilization history coloring pages.

Four// Begin with a living book, which brings history alive.

Don’t start off your year with snoring boring textbooks (zzzzzzzzz). Grab one of these 20 Ancient Civilization History Living Books.

Five// Pop some popcorn and get your history on by watching a movie from Netflix.

Your kids will love you for this one because they’re not sure if you’re having school or learning. You’re doing both.

Look here at Homeschool History Teaching Ancient Civilizations Using Netflix.

If you want some more tips for teaching history, look here at

Avoid teaching history in a boring way, it’s not about dead people, but it’s about the events and details that bring history to life.

Hugs and love ya,

Signature T

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

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

Homeschool Quarter Planning Form – Free UNIQUE 7 Step Planner

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

Today, i have free homeschool quarter planning forms. Grab other gorgeous planning pages on my Homeschool Planner page.

You know I’ve said before, it takes me sometimes several months thinking about a homeschool form for the 7 Step Homeschool Planner before I actually release it to you.

The reason why is because my forms are created out of need as I go throughout my many years of homeschooling.

Homeschool Quarter Planning Form - Build Your UNIQUE 7 Step Planner @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

4 Homeschool Quarter Planning Forms

This one, the homeschool quarter planning form, I actually have been thinking about for a year. And I am so OVER THE TOP excited to share it with you today!

Let me tell you first how I set it up, how I will be using it this year and why I needed it last year too.

How to Use the Homeschool Quarter Planning Form - Build Your UNIQUE 7 Step Planner @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Look at how I created this newest from.

  • It’s divided into 4 quarters or 4 pages with three month calendars on each page.
  • It has a box at the top right to pen in whether you follow an academic or a physical year calendar.
  • So that the calendars can be used over and over, pen in the day of week so your calendar is current year ready. Note: (Not that you would do this, but remember the first of the month doesn’t always begin on Monday or Sunday. I know you know that, but you’d be surprised how giddy you can get when filling in a new form.)
  • Because you can choose when to begin your homeschool year, you determine which months are your first quarter, your second quarter and etc. Just put an X, highlight the quarter or place a check at the top right section. I love the flexibility of determining which months are which quarters.
  • On the calendar highlight or circle the dates you want to reach certain objectives, goals or projects and
  • then use the lined box to the right of the calendar to write down your thoughts, plans or objectives.
  • At the bottom of the page or the end of the quarter is a place for evaluation.

Homeschool Quarter Planning Forms

Though I have two other objectives form which are kept on Step 3. Choose Goals/Objectives I ran into small problems that set me back when planning with broad strokes.

Because this is my third high school teen, I know that our year needs to not only be varied, but focused.

Dividing the quarter planning forms up, I can focus on one or more skills or subjects for a specified period of time.

The other months I don’t have to plan so detailed. These new forms can use them in a variety of ways.

  • One or more can be used when you need to plan for a short term or three months.
  • If you have a high school teen, you may need to plan all of the quarters more precisely.
  • If you have an older child, but the rest of your children are younger, this allows you to plan for your oldest child in a more detailed way.
  • If you want to plan with fine details for all of your children, no matter their age, each form allows you a place to write down your plan.
  • The best part is that you can print off as many as you need. You can print one for each child, one quarter for all your children or print all of them for your children.

I have just started putting together my planner and will be not binding it for a while yet because I am still undecided about some things I want in it, but this is not one of them.

More Homeschool Planner Forms

Besides, I’m already using these quarter planning forms

I hope you love these new forms and read on to see how to get them.

These printable quarterly forms are subscriber only freebies and come in a bundle with other free forms!

How to Get the Free Homeschool Planner Quarter Planning Forms

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) Sign up on my email list.

2) Grab the freebie now.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Easy Steps – “Tons of Options & Pretty Color”

Step 1. Choose a Pretty Front/Back Cover

Step. 2. Choose Calendars/Appointment Keepers

Step 3. Choose Goals/Objectives

Step 4. Choose Lesson Planning Pages Right For You!

Step 5a. Choose Unique forms JUST for You! Not a kazillion other people

Step 5b. Choose MORE Unique Forms JUST for You!

Step 5c. Choose MORE MORE Unique Forms Just for You!

Step 6. Personalize It

Step 7. Bind it! Love it!

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

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

How to Rock Freezer Cooking While Homeschooling

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

How to Rock Freezer Cooking While Homeschooling @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

This year, I have been sharing my 31 days of dinner ideas with linked recipes because I want you to see how you can have it all while homeschooling.

Don’t give up well-planned meals because you are busy homeschooling kids. Did I mention that I have a passion for cooking?

I have not always felt that way because in the beginning, my total focus was on homeschooling. I didn’t really plan on giving up cooking and though I didn’t, it was meager at times.

Besides menu planning for 31 days, I have always believed in freezer cooking.

So I was over the top excited, when a fellow homeschool mom put together a freezer cooking course that doesn’t take too long to go through.

What makes it so different than other things out there is that the homeschool mom lives my life. Okay, well you know not my life literally but because she homeschools, her priorities are my priorities.

I always value taking courses from persons who are living my homeschool lifestyle because I am always up for learning anything new or a trick or two that I didn’t know.

There is always room for learning more especially when I know the tips would be ones that I can realistically use while homeschooling.

The eCourse didn’t disappoint and I was excited to get started right away.

What I love about the course is that.

  • I like having tips for when I freezer plan a smaller number of meals like I did, or when I need meals for a longer period of time.
  • You know me, I love step by step directions like I give for my planner, so I love the fact that it’s explained step by step.
  • Too, I loved watching the videos for practical how-tos.
  • I love having everything that I need to get started; recipes, tips and even labels all ready to print.
  • The teaching tips are easily adaptable for a large family, a family with multiple wannabe cooks (like mine with my teens) or a family with fewer kids.
  • I could show you all my pretty new kitchen utensils I got since we moved back to the states. (okay, okay)
  • It didn’t take a whole lot of time to go through and the best part is that
  • I learned so many quick and fast tips for freezer cooking.

Freezer Cooking

I would have loved to have made more meals, but my freezer is so teeny tiny that I only cook and plan for one week.

I needed two more meals to complete my meals for the week, so I got them together quickly following the Freezer Meal 101 eCourse.

I just took from the program the help I needed this week.

Freezer Cooking 1

Too, since we moved back to the states I have been stocking my kitchen back up after I got rid of so many kitchen things. I really needed a do over and I’m glad moving game me permission to do so.

These measuring spoon which are round for liquids on one end and rectangular on the other hand for sticking into spice containers is fabulous for not only cooking but to use when freezing several meals at one time.

I used mine to make the Jamaican Jerk Chicken recipe in the eCourse. I made my own Jamaican Jerk spice following the recipe in the course and can’t wait to try it on my chicken.

Freezer Cooking 2

I followed the tips in the eCourse to make freezer cooking easy because I know in the past I have complicated it by not being prepared with everything I need.
I also have been loving using my new eco-friendly measuring cups. I love the colors.

Freezer Cooking 4

Like I mentioned before, I love the fact that all the labels are premade in the eCourse.

All I have to do is print off. Since I didn’t have the correct label size, I just used what I had and wrote the directions on it for the Jamaican Jerk Chicken and Chicken Hurry recipes in the course. I will be getting the labels soon so that I can just print them and stick on the meals.

Hands down the best part of freezer cooking is that you can quickly make a month’s worth meals and not cook, which I love.

Too, I will be getting a new freezer soon and can’t wait to fill it with more meals from the Freezer Meals 101 course.

What do you like best about freezer cooking? If you need tips on how to be organized with your meals, be sure to scoot over and sign up for the Freezer Meals 101 course.

Hugs and love ya,

Signature T

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

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

Linking up @ these places:

Mommy Monday |The Homeschool Nook | Turn It Up Tuesday | Inspire Me Monday | Project Inspire{d}|Hip Homeschool Hop |Wonderful Wednesday |Coffee & Conversation |Mommy Solutions |A Little Bird Told Me |Hearts for Home |This Is How We Roll |Family Fun Friday|