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homeschool

7 Step Homeschool Planner – Top 10 Favorites

January 5, 2015 | 19 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

When I started creating the 7 Step Homeschool Planner quite a few years ago and before I started sharing with you, I had no idea that other homeschoolers had the same needs that I did.

Before I share the 7 Step Homeschool Planner – Top 10 Favorites of my readers, I wanted to take a minute to explain how to use it so that you are getting the most benefit from it.

Homeschool Planner Favorites

What makes the 7 Step Homeschool Planner so UNIQUE?

The top feature of the planner is that YOU pick exactly what you need each. 
Your needs change each year and so should your planner.

No downloading one huge .pdf of forms that may not be what you need for this year and laid out in way that works for somebody else. You are in control. (I love that word.)

7 Step Homeschool Planner – Top 10 Favorites

The nightmare of paying and downloading a planner that is set up to suit the needs of somebody else never works exactly the same for you.

The other top feature is that I guide you STEP by STEP through the 7 Steps or sections needed in a planner. I got you covered so that way you don’t miss something significant for the year.

I take the guesswork out of it for you.

Too, though I suggest that you put them in the order that I explain, a huge advantage to you hand picking each form is that you get to arrange the order of the sections.

Everybody has a method to their madness and your planner should speak volumes about the way you prefer to organize.

Although I could go on about how I add forms each year, give you tidbits on organizing along the way and tell you there are free forms at every step, which is another perk, the last advantage is that each planner is unique because my pages are not matchy-match.

The mix and match style keeps your planner just plain awesome. Your planner will always be unique because of the pages you choose each year

You can read some more key features of my planner on the 7 Step Homeschool Planner main page.

Without making you wait any longer, here are my readers’ Top 10 Favorites of my 7 Step Free Homeschool Planner.

Going from dazzling to totally awesome order, I started with number 10 on the list.

My teacher’s schedule gives you a glimpse of at least 3 kids at one time.

Tina Robertson Homeschool Schedule

10.  Teacher’s Schedule.  Look here on STEP 5b, Form 13.Class & Teacher Schedules to find  this form.

9. Then, you loved the planning sheet when planning for multiple children.Look here on STEP 5c, Form 2. Planning Sheet for Homeschooling Multiple Children to find this form.

And you can read about how I use the planning sheet on 5 Days Of The Benefits & Challenges of Teaching Mixed Ages Together – Day 4: Embrace Homeschooling Multiple Grades.

Look here on STEP 5c, Form 1. Community Service Record to find this form.

I love forms created out of a need because they are always the best instead of a fluff form for the sake of busy record keeping.

8. Then the community service tracker was created out of my need to track my highschoolers community service projects and apparently some of you were in need of it too.

7. Then like me, you also liked the 5 page holiday reference page in your planner.It is perfect in any planner and print off as many as you like.  You were really fond of the turquoise luv (me too.)

Look here on STEP 2 Option 5 Holiday Reference Page to find this form. 

Be sure you check out my Ultimate Unit Study Planner and Glam it Up Planner because each one serves a different purpose just like each of my unique forms do.

  • 2. Ultimate DIY Homeschool Unit Study Planner

    2. Ultimate DIY Homeschool Unit Study Planner

    $5.99
    Add to cart
  • Glam It Up Package

    Glam It Up Package

    $4.99
    Add to cart

Look here on STEP 2, Option 5 Long Range Planning to find this form.

6. Then you know I am big on long range planning and goals because otherwise we just meander through homeschool with no plan. So you took it to heart too because the Long Range Planing form was number six.

Homeschool Lesson Planning Forms

5. Then you chose a back cover for one of the forms you used this year.  I think this means I need to create some more choices too since you are using it like I am.

Look here on STEP 1 Choose a Homeschool Planner Pretty Back Cover to find this form.

Look here on STEP 4 Daily Homeschool Lesson Planning form to find this form.

4. Then the daily lesson pages which are undated, thank you, so we don’t feel like we are behind from the beginning came in at number four.  A lot of you are using this lesson planning set up.

3.  Then there was a real need to clearly identify which curriculum resource was needed for which term and which child.  So the Curriculum Resources page was in your top 3 choices as a way to track curriculum resources.

Look here on STEP 5a, Form 4. Curriculum Resource Checklist – Editable Too! Up to 4 students on one page to find this form.

Look at these other fun planner pages

  • Glam It Up Package

    Glam It Up Package

    $4.99
    Add to cart
  • 2. Ultimate DIY Homeschool Unit Study Planner

    2. Ultimate DIY Homeschool Unit Study Planner

    $5.99
    Add to cart
  • Editable Homeschool Lesson Planning Pages - Mink Over You

    Editable Homeschool Lesson Planning Pages – Mink Over You

    $2.50
    Add to cart
  • Editable Weekly General Planning Page

    Editable Weekly General Planning Page

    $1.99
    Add to cart
  • Dynamic and Fun Human Body Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    Dynamic and Fun Human Body Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $5.00
    Add to cart
  • Doodle Curriculum Planner Cover Store 1 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus 600x

    Doodle Coloring Curriculum Planner Cover

    $1.75
    Add to cart
  • Sunkissed Curriculum Planner Cover

    Sunkissed Curriculum Planner Cover

    $1.75
    Add to cart
  • 0. Westward Expansion History Fun 10 Coloring Pages

    0. Westward Expansion History Fun 10 Coloring Pages

    $1.75
    Add to cart
  • 00. Ancient Civilization History 20 Coloring Pages

    00. Ancient Civilization History 20 Coloring Pages

    $3.50
    Add to cart
  • 1. The Best Undated Dynamic Daily Homeschool Planner

    1. The Best Undated Dynamic Daily Homeschool Planner

    $8.25
    Add to cart
  • Dynamic Renaissance Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    Dynamic Renaissance Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $4.00
    Add to cart
  • Dynamic Lewis and Clark Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    Dynamic Lewis and Clark Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $4.00
    Add to cart

2. Then number 2. This is the beautiful 2 pages per month calendar with bigger boxes to write in for appointments.

Look here on STEP 2 Choose Calendars/Appointment Keepers to find this form.

and then drum roll please . . .

Curriculum Pages for Planner

1. Weekly General Planning page came in at first place with 8,384 of you downloading it.

Look here on STEP 5b, Form 17. General Weekly Planning Page.  You can choose the free version or I have made the paid version editable with a WHOPPING 74 boxes.  Of course since it’s undated, it’s a one time purchase.

A lot of my other forms were neck in neck with these, but these showed the top number downloaded. Did your favorites make the list?

Remember too, I always, always take your suggestions for new forms because this is planner is for me AND for you.

7 Step Homeschool Planner – Top 10 Favorites

I am so glad that I have a place here where I can share all my homeschool planning forms.

Are you seeing what I have already created free for this coming school year?

Click here to go to my Free Organizing Printables category to grab them.

Hugs and love ya,

7 Step Homeschool Planner - Top 10 Reader Favorites

Ready to start building your own UNIQUE planner?

{The only thing quick here are the steps because this free planner has grown to over 500+ free downloads spread throughout the 7 easy steps and still going strong! Grab your cup of caffeine, coffee!}

7 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!

I am PROUD to be part of iHN.  This blog hop is organized by iHomeschool Network, a collaboration of outstanding homeschool bloggers who connect with each other and with family-friendly companies in mutual beneficial projects.

19 CommentsFiled Under: 2. My FREE Organizing Printables {Any topic}, Curriculum Planner Tagged With: curriculum planner, freecalendars, freeprintables, homeschool, homeschool planner, homeschool planner front cover, homeschoolmultiplechildren planning forms, homeschoolplanner, lesson planner, planner, planning, student planner

Hands-on History Activities for Learning about Ancient Civilizations

December 26, 2014 | 6 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You’ll love these hands on history ancient civilizations activities. Also, you’ll love my pages Ancient Civilizations and Ancient Civilization II.

Many things we use today come from the powerful empires of the past, but ancient history can sometimes be a challenge when teaching our kids.

Making a connection to the past through hands-on learning helps a child to not only remember what he has learned, but helps him to develop critical thinking skills. By doing this instead of just memorizing, a child interacts with the past and this cements learning. CLICK here to grab an idea or two for Hands-on History Activities for Kids for Learning about Ancient Civilization!!

Making a connection to the past through hands-on learning helps a child to not only remember what he has learned but helps him to develop critical thinking skills. 

By doing this instead of just memorizing, a child interacts with the past and this cements learning.

HANDS-ON HISTORY CONNECTING TO THE PAST

Do not feel intimidated either if you are not the crafty artsy type of person because hands-on history activities for learning about ancient civilizations do not have to be complicated.

Grab a few of these ideas.

 Mesopotamia

mesopotamia alphabet

Draw the ABC’s of Mesopotamia.This is just way too cool and it’s a language arts lesson too.

The pictures are water color pencil with marker outline.

Carve a cuneiform cylinder seal using clay or play the royal game of Ur.

cuneiform-cylinder-seals-slide      Game of Ur
{source}                                      {source}
Draw a ziggurat or build a ziggurat and hut.

And I love this hands-on geography, history and map curriculum I used because it fits hands-on learning at any age!

ziggurat-drawing    hut
{source}                                                     {source}

Include some easy notebooking about Ancient Sumeria.

The Indus Valley

(Modern Day Pakistan)

Do a connect the dots of Mohenjo-Daro or build the city of Mohenjo-Daro.

Mohenjo_Daro_connect_dots
Mohenjo-Daro

Ancient China

Grab these paper dolls or make some terracotta warriors.

china
soldiers

Build a pagoda or make Ming plates.

build-a-pagoda-slide    MingPlates1
{source}                                             {source}

Also, we love, love the activities from Home School in the Woods.

Hands-on History Activities for Learning about Ancient Civilizations

Read here about the hands-on activities for 14 great empires or you can look at the guide we used.

Phoencia

(Modern day Lebanon)

Ancient Phoenicia Craft Roundup

Check out my post about making a boat, creating some purple dye or learning the Phoenician alphabet.

Hands on History Ancient Civilizations Activities

Next, here are more hands-on history ancient civilizations activities.

  • 20 Ancient Civilization History Coloring Pages 
  • Ancient Egyptian Mathematics: Build a LEGO Math Calculator
  • Hands-On History: The Rosetta Stone and Breaking The Code
  • 9 EASY and Fun Hands-on Ancient Greece Kids Activities

Assyria and Ancient Babylon

(Modern day Iraq or northern part of Mesopotamia)

Be sure to check out how to teach history in 14 lessons. You’ll love this curriculum if you need to teach history in broad strokes!


Also, read Why I Love and Use BrimWood Press History here.

And here is my hanging gardens of Babylon craft.

        hanging gardens of babylon
                                               

Ancient Greece

Create a playscape or ancient world and have a Greek feast.

greekworld    greek-feast
{source}                                                 {source}

Play a Greek mythology matching card game or make a Grecian urn.

Greek Mythology Matching Game_General    grecian urn
{source}                                        {source}

Do a paper model of the Parthenon or make an ancient Greek water clock.

paper-parthenon_clip_image002    How to Make a Water Clock
                                                           

Ancient Egypt

 Use a shoebox to make a mini Egyptian Sarcophagus or mummify a rubber chicken.

king-tut-sarcophagus-
rubber chicken

   

Go from paper plate to creating an Egyptian collar or make a minibook printable on the Pharaohs crown using this free .pdf.

from paperplate to egyptian necklace    double crown
                                                          

Include a sugar cube pyramid, cookie map or make yummy mummy hot dogs or make papyrus.

Ancient-Egypt-Activities--1024x1024   papyrus
                                                                         {source}

Grab the Ancient Egyptian printable game I created or grab this free printable maze.Ancient-Egypt-Collage-Snake-Game-        akhenaten-maze-m
                                                                                    {source}

Ancient Rome

Make a styrofoam Colosseum or dig for the city of Pompeii.

the-colosseum        Digging-up-Pompeii
{source}                                          {source}

Make an easy peazy Roman costume or build an Roman aqueduct.

How to Make an Easy Peazy Roman Costume    aqueduct

Make an easy Roman mosaic.

mosaics

{source}

Hands-on History Activities for Learning about Ancient Civilizations

And don’t forget, I created a lapbook about Ancient Civilizations. It is more like an overview on them.

Do you see anything to get you your kids inspired about learning about the Ancient Civilizations while keeping history hands-on?|

6 CommentsFiled Under: Ancient Civilizations, Free Homeschool Resources, Geography, Hands-On Activities, History Resources Tagged With: geography, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, homeschool, homeschoolgeography

The One Question Homeschooled Kids Dread Answering

December 22, 2014 | 5 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Besides answering questions to relatives about what my kids have been learning and no I don’t mean the kind of genuine questions where my extended family is interested, but the kind where they think they can quiz my kids to find out if they are truly learning, there is one question dreaded more by my kids.

The one question homeschooled kids dread answering is what grade they are in. And when my kids shrug their shoulders and answer with, “I don’t know”, that just gives the relatives one more thing to bristle about.

When kids have not been exposed to public school grade levels and they have not learned to keep pace with a grade level, they really don’t know what grade they are in and guess what? Most kids don’t care.

As my kids have grown older and see the shrieks of terror on some adult’s faces because my kids have no idea what grade they are, my kids try to reply as best they can.

When Mr. Senior 2013 was in fourth grade and without any prodding from me, he replied, “Which subject?” The reply made complete sense to me.

I learned a few things from that encounter:

It was probably best to prepare my kids for questions like that because most people are asking just to be polite;

It was a reminder to me that I had released myself from the bondage of graded level learning because my kids were all over the place in each subject and it was a good feeling;

That my kids were being allowed to learn at their own pace;

That I did recognize the differences in each of my kids because they were accomplishing skills at different grade levels; and

That if I had to reply to it I probably would have to say something like he is in 9th grade reading, 7th grade grammar, 8th grade math, 7th grade writing. .. oh my!

Through the years, I have found it better to reply with a more general reply like he is in middle school or high school.

Too, I find a more general reply avoids a lot of confusion even for my sons. For example, we may have started a new curriculum mid-year and my sons may reply they are in one grade level for that year and then still be in that same grade level the beginning of the next year.

To avoid my kids feeling confused, which are the only ones I am concerned about when answering that question, I just have them reply in generalities by saying middle school or elementary school.  The kids understand there are about 3 or 4 grades considered for any level, even high school.

Sometimes, the boys reply by saying their age and then the adult can figure it out on their own.

Besides how many people would understand that you may be starting pre-algebra with a 11 year old or a 5th grader reading high school level literature?

How about you? Do your kids know which grade they are in?

Hugs and love ya,

2012Tinasignature 3 Reasons You Wouldn’t Want to Homeschool

Also, check out some other comebacks here:

“I’m homeschooling because I want them socialized”

How do I SOCIALIZE my kids?

Gauging Homeschool Progress – Masters of their Material?

5 CommentsFiled Under: Begin Homeschooling Tagged With: gradelevels, homeschool, homeschool challenges, multiple children, teachingmultiplechildren

Free Middle School Science Curriculum and Magazines

December 4, 2014 | 19 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I thought I would share what we are using which is free middle school science curriculum and magazines. Also, look at my page homeschool middle school for more fun tips

First, the earth science book is one that Tiny just started reading.

Free Middle School Science Curriculum and Magazines

One of the reasons we loved these books were because of the hands-on activities spread throughout.

Free Middle School Science Curriculum

Next, purchase a few fun science supplies from Home Science Tools and boom – you’ have fun hands-on science for the year.

Also, The Life Science book is a 448 page download. So give it some time to download. It’s geared toward 7th grade-ish. But you know how I feel about grades – they’re subjective.

Free Middle School Science Curriculum and Magazine

Update: Free books can come and go quicker than at times we can keep up with them. There does not appear a link anywhere right now for this book. However, I have still have plenty of free help for you.

First, look at these life science topics that are in the CPO Life Science book and I have listed some comparable free links below.

Free Life Science Book

Living Systems Unit I

  • Chapter 1 Studying Life
  • Chapter 2 Living Things
  • Chapter 3 Interaction of Living Things

Genetics Unit III

  • Chapter 8 Reproduction
  • Chapter 9 Hereditary
  • Chapter 10 Code of Life

Structure and Function of Living Things Unit V

  • Chapter 13 Diversity of Life
  • Chapter 14 Plants
  • Chapter 15 Animals

Biology Unit II

  • Chapter 4 Chemistry and Physics Connection
  • Chapter 5 Cell Structure and Function
  • Chapter 6 Cell Processes
  • Chapter 7 The Microscopic World

Evolution and Change Unit IV

  • Chapter 11 Evolution
  • Chapter 12 Earth and Life History

The Human Body Unit VI

  • Chapter 16 Human Body Systems
  • Chapter 17 Support and Movement
  • Chapter 18 Vision and Hearing

Next, look at these links which are free other textbooks.

  • Here is a super helpful Life Science online/digital textbook.
  • Then here is another 7th Grade Life Science Textbook by Prentice Hall to download chapter by chapter.

Besides, I love the fact that these books give ideas for hands-on activities, have vocabulary words in the margin and have challenges throughout the book. A nice bonus for a freebie.

The Earth Science book is a 391 page download, so it give some time to download also. It’s geared toward 6th grade-ish. But you know how I feel about grades – they’re subjective.

Free Middle School Science Curriculum and Magazine

Free Earth Science Book

Updated. This book appears no longer free.

However, look at the topics that are in the CPO Focus on Earth Science and I have listed some comparable free textbooks below.

The Scientific Process Unit I

  • Chapter 1 Science is Everywhere
  • Chapter 2 The Science Toolbox
  • Chapter 3 Introducing Earth

Plate Tectonics and Earth Structure Unit III

  • Chapter 8 Plate Tectonics
  • Chapter 9 Earthquakes
  • Chapter 10 Volcanoes

Ecology V

  • Chapter 14 Resources
  • Chapter 15 Ecosystem
  • Chapter 16 Biomes

Energy in Earth’s Systems Unit II

  • Chapter 4 Heat
  • Chapter 5 Density and Buoyancy
  • Chapter 6 Earth’s Surface and Heat
  • Chapter 7 Heat Inside Earth

The Shape of Earth’s Surface IV

  • Chapter 11 Water and Weathering
  • Chapter 12 Beaches
  • Chapter 13 Natural Hazards

Next, look at these links which are free other textbooks.

  • Nice! The Earth Science online/digital textbook.
  • Free Earth Science Textbook by Chapter
  • Another Free Earth Science textbook.

More Homeschooling in Middle School Resources

  • Free Middle School Science Curriculum and Magazines
  • 11 Best Science Fiction Books For Middle Schoolers
  • How to Choose the BEST Homeschool Middle and High School Language Arts Curriculum & Options
  • 10 Best Science Movies for Middle School
  • The Best Eighth Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations
  • How to Successfully Homeschool Middle School
  • A to Z List: Middle and High School Homeschool Electives
  • Fun Winter Craft Ideas for Middle School Homeschool
  • Beginning Homeschooling in Middle School – 3 Questions Worth Asking
  • Which One is Really the Best Homeschool Writing Curriculum (a comparison)

The last science book is an 8th grade Physical Science book. It is 468 pages long.

Update: Free books can come and go quicker than at times we can keep up with them. There does not appear a link anywhere right now for this book. However, I have still have plenty of free help for you.

Look at the topics that are in the CPO Physical Science book and I have listed some comparable free textbooks below.

The Physical Sciences Unit I

  • Chapter 1 What Physics and Chemistry Are About
  • Chapter 2 Science and Measurement

Laws of Motion and Energy III

  • Chapter 5 Newton’s Laws of Motion
  • Chapter 6 Energy and Machines
  • Chapter 7 Gravity and Space

Matter V

  • Chapter 11 Temperatures, Heat and the Phases of Matter
  • Chapter 12 The Physical Properties of Matter

Changes in Matter VII

  • Chapter 16 Acids, Bases, and Solutions
  • Chapter 17 Chemical Reaction
  • Chapter 18 The Chemistry of Living Systems

Motion and Force Unit II

  • Chapter 3 Motion
  • Chapter 4 Forces

Electricity, Sound, and Light IV

  • Chapter 8 Electricity and Magnetism
  • Chapter 9 Waves and Sounds
  • Chapter 10 Light and Color

Atoms, Elements, and Compound VI

  • Chapter 13 Atoms
  • Chapter 14 Elements and the Periodic Table
  • Chapter 15 Molecules and Compounds

Free Physical Science Book

Next, look at these links which are free other textbooks.

  • 8th Grade Physical Science Textbook
  • Nice! The Physical Science online/digital textbook.

Next, we have been loving these free science magazines for middle school kids.

Picture1Picture3
Picture2Picture4

They are from National Inquirer, a middle school science education journal. 

There are several free issues to download and read.

When you click on each issue, it tells you what the theme will be and some of them have additional lesson plans to download.

Each free issue is chock full of pictures, ideas and questions to stimulate the science mind.

Free Middle School Science Curriculum and Magazines

Lastly, we have been using them as part of our reading time too. If you just need a break or want to try something different, you can’t go wrong with free curriculum.

Also, check out these other resources for middle school:

  • 10 More Spring Study Free Resources for Middle and High School Kids
  • Mega List Free Resources for Human Body Homeschool Unit Study. Crafts, Lesson Plans, Teachers Guides for Elementary, Middle and High School
  • Middle School Homeschool Science 50 Free Spring Activities
  • How to Choose the Best Middle School Literature And Favorite Resources
  • How to Build Middle School Curriculum Directly From Amazon
  • Texas Native American History Quick Unit Study (Middle School)
Free Middle School Science Curriculum and Magazine
Free Middle School Science Curriculum and Magazine. Scoot by and download these AWESOME free resources for your middleschool kids!

19 CommentsFiled Under: Free Homeschool Resources, Middle School Homeschool, Science Tagged With: curriculum, earthscience, homeschool, homeschoolscience, middleschool, sciencecurriculum

Eliminating 3 Non-Essentials in Homeschooling

November 10, 2014 | 10 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

With our move to South America, I had two suitcases to pack with what was absolutely essential to living in South America.  Included in our two suitcase maximum for each person was not just clothes, but homeschooling books.

Non-Essentials In Homeschooling

Eliminating non-essentials was utterly crucial to making a smooth transition.  The line between absolutely vital and unimportant became very clear.

Homeschooling is similar because there are just some things that are not required to raising life long learners.  Instead of a homeschooling help, some things can become a hindrance.

Look at these Tips to Eliminating 3 Non-Essentials in Homeschooling.

Assigning a Book Report – Non-Essential.  I did it too.  I assigned my boys books reports in the beginning of my homeschool journey only because that is what I did in public school. 

Like most new homeschooling teachers I associated books reports with good readers and writers. 

The longer I homeschooled, the more I realized that my strategies like reading aloud, practicing writing each day, acting out stories, creating puppets with the boys when they were preschool age and debating an author’s viewpoint in the high school grades was incredibly more powerful.

It has been my experience that forced book reports do not fuel the love for reading and especially with wiggly boys.

Also, I learned that if I just had to assign one for the language arts teacher inside of me then assign a book my kids don’t like. Who really wants to be forced to use literary analysis on a book they love?

Instilling the pleasure of reading or lingering over vocabulary for the love of words has to be cultivated with other equally pleasurable tasks.

When you are doing copywork with your children, talking orally about the plot or rising action of a book or researching about an author, information in a book is then absorbed and retained.

More important reading is associated with pleasure and not drudgery.

College Degree – Non-Essential.  As you homeschool longer, you realize that all that is needed is the ability to learn alongside your children.

Here is a little secret I learned while conducting my homeschooling workshops. 

Quite a few of the public school teachers in my workshop didn’t want the other moms in the workshop to know they were teachers. 

Of course, I was elated and enthusiastic to have quite a few public school teachers in my workshops because I savored our time together as we shared teaching tips.

However, many (not all) of the public school teachers turned homeschool educator felt that their college education hampered their ability to think outside the box. 

Appreciating their candor and vulnerability, I realized we all struggle with things that make us feel inadequate.

A parent’s degree or lack of it has very little bearing on the success of their journey.

Check out the article The Myth of Teacher Qualifications by HSLDA.

Knowing All the Answers – Non-Essential. We may think we need to know all the answers, but when I have been honest with my boys by letting them know that I don’t know all the answers, they appreciate that I am human too.

What I have found is that knowing where to go to find the answers or how to connect with other homeschoolers has been more essential.

Too, a dogged determination, willingness to work hard and an unwavering dedication to your children's education have been the keys to successfully homeschooling.

Eliminating the clutter as I packed and weighed each bag carefully for our move, though stressful at the time, allowed more room for what was really important.

Only so much will fit in a bag and only so much will fit into a homeschool day.

Looking back now, unloading all that clutter and eliminating the non-essentials has allowed me to maximize the time we have together by savoring what we brought with us.

You'll love my other tried and true tips through they 20+ years I've homeschooled.

  • How to Mesh Your Personality With Homeschooling When They Collide
  • 100 Reasons Why Homeschooling is a SUPERIOR Education
  • Homeschool Critics: How Do You Know You’re on Track?
  • Top 10 Tips for Maximizing Space in (Really) Tiny Homeschool Spaces
  • How to Survive Homeschool Sick Days
  • How to Cope Successfully With Homeschool Mental Stress
  • 3 Ways to Instantly Gain More Time in Your Homeschool Day
  • 3 Foolproof Ways I Cope When I Can’t Homeschool (or Blog)

What about you? Have you overstuffed your day with non-essentials?

Hugs and love ya,

Patience, Confidence, Knowing all the Answers – NOT Required to Homeschool

3 Homeschooling Myths Debunked

Things Homeschoolers Know

10 CommentsFiled Under: Homeschool Simply Tagged With: homeschool, homeschool challenges, homeschool crisis, homeschool lifestyle, homeschoolchallenges

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