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Transitioning from Public School to Homeschool For a Relaxed Lifestyle

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

It’s not easy transitioning from public school to homeschool. Also, look at my page The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter for more tips and resources.

Afraid of messing up their child for life, new homeschoolers feel that having a strict schedule and having school from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. is the road to homeschooling success. 

Transitioning from Public School to Homeschool For a Relaxed Lifestyle

New homeschoolers transitioning from a public school mindset to a relaxed homeschooling lifestyle have a hard time wrapping their minds around the concept of relaxed homeschooling.

I admit I was one of those homeschoolers. Relaxed was one shade off from lazy. I was quite judgmental. It was ugly and I admit it!

Unless I kept my boys busy with a schedule every part of their learning day, we would not be meeting my standards for success so I thought.

From Relaxed to Rejuvenated Homeschooling

First, look at some of these books about homeschooling.

5 BEST How to Homeschool Books

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

It can take years to embody the definition of relaxed homeschooling.

Some homeschoolers even confuse relaxed with unschooling. Because they may want to follow more structure, they’re hesitant about adopting relaxed homeschooling.

Transitioning from Public School to Homeschool For a Relaxed Lifestyle

Don’t wait years and miss out on adding the vital element of relaxation to your day.

Take a look at some of these points that will help to hone the definition of relaxed homeschooling.

Relaxed homeschooling works with every approach.

Relaxed homeschooling is not an approach, but it is a lifestyle.

This means that you don’t have to give up your homeschooling approach, but it does mean that whatever homeschool approach you follow, it needs to be examined.

For example, determine how you can make your approach more relaxed and less rigid.

Transitioning from a Public School Mindset

If you follow a unit study approach, can you make it more relaxed by doing math all together one day?

Normally, math is not a subject that can be done with multiple ages, but you want to find a way to step back. Relaxed means to rejuvenate your day. Choose one day and read a living math book to all your children.

Instead of focusing on the math worksheet you missed for the day, focus on the feeling that math becomes a subject that a child can love instead of dread.

If you follow the classical method of homeschooling, can your language arts one day be about each child narrating back a story he loves?

Transitioning from a Public School Mind-Set to a Relaxed Homeschooling Lifestyle @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Forget the physical act of writing one day and encourage your children to use their vocabulary building skills by using new vocabulary in an oral story telling setting.

If you follow the Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling, can music involvement for the day be a physical act of interpretation like dancing?

Some of this will obviously depend on the ages of your children. Anytime kids can act out something to be learned, it was more memorable and captivating.

Define what is education for your family.

One of the first things you want to do when starting is to define what is education for your family. Does it include art, living books, textbooks, hands-on learning, life skills or all of them?

Beyond thinking about worksheets, most new homeschoolers don’t give pause for even a moment to look clearly beyond the present to the future.

The importance of this cannot be stressed enough.

Learning should not be just about filling a child’s head with knowledge, but it should be a part of living that is delightful and pursued lifelong. It’s about equipping a child for adulthood.

How will your family do that in a relaxed atmosphere?

Look beyond how things are presently done either in public school or in your present homeschooling journey to see what YOU want to change to make it better for your children.

Jump headfirst into understanding your child’s learning style.

No matter how much I talked to one homeschool mom whose present homeschooling approach was not working with her son, she was not going to change.

Transitioning from Public School to Homeschool For a Relaxed Lifestyle

She was just sure there was something wrong with her child.

There was — he didn’t learn how she thought he should. Really, the problem was her.

Tears and fighting followed and she made her homeschooling journey one miserable day after the other because she refused to change her teaching style.

Transitioning from Public School to Homeschool For a Relaxed Lifestyle

When our child’s learning style doesn’t mesh with our predetermined way of teaching, are we willing to change our teaching style?

How to Kill Boring Homeschooling Days

Relaxed homeschooling means to change the way we think homeschooling should be and make it fit our child.

I had one son who loved textbooks and workbooks because some subjects he preferred to learn that way.

I have another son who cried in agony when he glanced at a textbook.

Transitioning from Public School to Homeschool For a Relaxed Lifestyle

Should I think that I had less rigorous standards with my second son because I added in living books and more hands-on? Was that just fun or was it relaxed for him?

Brow beating our children to make them accept our teaching style instead of accepting them as they come, pre-wired to learn in a certain way, never worked.

Finding what is best for your child is relaxed homeschooling.

Relaxed homeschooling means that we accept when changes have to be made in our homeschooling.

Changing our homeschool approach and giving up curriculum when it’s not obviously working for our family while not stressing out over the price we paid for it are signs that we have softened in our homeschool journey.

Can you think of other ways where you can introduce a more relaxed attitude into your every day?

More Transitioning From Public School to Homeschool Tips

Arts And Crafts For Kids Inspired By Georgia O’Keeffe | Free Printable

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

I have some fun arts and crafts for kids inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe and a free cut and paste craft.

Georgia O’Keeffe was an American painter.

Georgia O’Keeffe was born on November 15, 1887, in a small town called Sun Prairie in Wisconsin.

Arts And Crafts For Kids Inspired By Georgia O'Keeffe | Free Printable

She was famous for her flower paintings and nature themed works.

And for her large-scale images of flowers.

For example, on one of her paintings she said, “I have painted what each flower is to me and I have painted it big enough so that others would see what I see.”

Also, her paintings included shells, leaves, bones and landscapes of New Mexico.

BOOKS FOR KIDS ABOUT GEORGIA O’KEEFFE

First, look at these fun books.

When possible I prefer living books then add reference books.

5 Georgia O'Keeffe Books For Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Add some of these books to your home library about Georgia O’Keeffe.

Next, look at some arts and crafts for kids inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe.

ARTS AND CRAFTS FOR KIDS INSPIRED BY GEORGIA O’KEEFFE

Then look at more cut and paste art crafts.

I have How To Make Sunflower Craft Like Van Gogh For Young Crafters and Colorful Picasso Craft Ideas To Make: Free Printable for Little Hands.

In addition, here are more facts about Georgia O’Keeffe.

FACTS ABOUT GEORGIA O’KEEFFE

  • She studied art in college and became a teacher.
  • Her unique style was focused on flowers, landscapes, and the beauty of nature.
  • And she believed that flowers were powerful and beautiful; she wanted everyone to see them in a new way.
  • In the 1920s, Georgia moved to New Mexico.
  • The desert was very different from her home in Wisconsin. But she fell in love with the desert.
  • And the colors of the desert— like rich reds, deep blues, and bright yellows—found their way into her art.
  • She loved the bones of animals and often used them in her art.
  • She passed away at the age of 98.
Arts And Crafts For Kids Inspired By Georgia O'Keeffe | Free Printable

Use my free cut and paste craft for your child to create their own Georgia O’Keeffe inspired craft.

HOW TO GET THE FREE PRINTABLE GEORGIA O’KEEFFE INSPIRED CUT AND PASTE CRAFT

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) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie now.

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

Explore The Best American History Gifts For Kids And Educators

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

For the child or adult that loves American history gifts you want to do something a little different, a little extra, a little fun.

You know that I have you covered with different and unique ideas for all ages, time periods, and personalities- from puzzles and games to art.

Of course, before I just hand over my list I have to share some great information with you.

Explore The Best American History Gifts For Kids And Educators

Mind you it is not an extensive list, just a quick overview on each of the defining eras.

Within American History you have many different periods, and your American History buff can fall anywhere within this timeline.

They may be fascinated by all wars, or all presidents, maybe they are fascinated by the documents that shaped America.

AMERICAN HISTORY TIMELINE

Colonial America (1607-1776)

  • The founding of the first permanent English settlements
  • The development of colonial society and culture
  • The American Revolution

Early National Period (1776-1815)

  • The establishment of the United States government
  • The War of 1812

Antebellum Period (1815-1861)

  • The expansion of the United States westward
  • The development of the plantation economy in the South
  • The rise of the abolitionist movement

Civil War and Reconstruction (1861-1877)

  • The American Civil War
  • The Reconstruction of the South

Gilded Age (1877-1900)

  • The rise of industrial capitalism
  • The growth of cities
  • The Progressive movement

Early 20th Century (1900-1945)

  • World War I
  • The Great Depression
  • World War II

Cold War (1945-1991)

  • The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union
  • The Vietnam War

Modern History(1991-Present)

  • The end of the Cold War
  • The rise of globalization
  • The War on Terror

MORE GIFT GUIDES FOR KIDS AND EDUCATORS

Explore The Best American History Gifts For Kids And Educators

Finally, look at this fun list of American history gifts for all ages.

10 American History Gifts

Explore the best American history gifts for kids and educators.

French And Indian War Activity: How To Make An Iroquois Longhouse

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

We’re making a fun French and Indian War activity Iroquois Longhouse. Also, look at my posts French and Indian War 1754 -1763 free unit study and lapbook and Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning for more fun ideas.

This highlights the home style of the Iroquois tribes who sided with the British.

We’re using an empty oatmeal container as a simple base for the traditional longhouse as we talk about the who, where, why, and when of the French and Indian War.

French And Indian War Activity: How To Make An Iroquois Longhouse

The French and Indian War was a major conflict between the British and French empires in North America from 1754 to 1763.

The war was fought over control of the Ohio River Valley, a region that both empires claimed.

Who fought in the war?

The war was fought between the British and French empires, along with their Native American allies.

The British and French both wanted to control the Ohio River Valley, the British built forts in the Ohio River Valley, which angered the French.

In addition to the French and British fighting various tribes sided with each side and joined in as well.

BOOKS FOR KIDS ABOUT THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR

First, look at some of these books to help bring this period in history life.

We try to read living books when we can find them then add reference books.

7 Books and Resources about the French and Indian War

Grab some of these books and resources to bring to life the years during the French and Indian War.

Here is a quick breakdown of which tribes aligned with each side during the long war to protect their land and maintain control over their territories.

They chose their sides primarily based on who they thought would allow them to maintain their way of life and allow them to access things like hunting and fur trade routes.

TRIBES THAT SIDED WITH THE FRENCH IN THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR

  • Abenaki
  • Algonquin
  • Delaware
  • Huron
  • Illinois
  • Miami
  • Odawa
  • Ottawa
  • Potawatomi
  • Shawnee
  • Wyandot

TRIBES THAT SIDED WITH THE BRITISH IN THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR

  • Cherokee
  • Chickasaw
  • Choctaw
  • Creek
  • Iroquois
  • Mohawk
  • Oneida
  • Onondaga
  • Seneca
  • Tuscarora
French And Indian War Activity: How To Make An Iroquois Longhouse

The war was fought in North America, primarily in the Ohio River Valley. The war lasted for nine years, from 1754 to 1763.

After a long 9 years the British ultimately won the war, and gained control of the Ohio River Valley.

WHAT WERE THE AFTEREFFECTS OF THE WAR?

  • The British gained control of the Ohio River Valley, which gave them a major advantage in the future.
  • The war strained the relationship between the British and the Native Americans.
  • The war helped to lead to the American Revolution.
  • The French and Indian War was a major event in shaping the future of North America.
French And Indian War Activity: How To Make An Iroquois Longhouse

Next, look at more French And Indian War Activities for kids who love history.

MORE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR ACTIVITIES

Finally, look at how to make a Iroquois longhouse.

HOW TO MAKE AN IROQUOIS LONGHOUSE

You will need:

  • Empty oatmeal container
  • Brown paper bags
  • Hot glue gun/sticks
  • Brown paint
  • Paintbrush
  • scissors
French And Indian War Activity: How To Make An Iroquois Longhouse

First, cut your oatmeal container roughly in half, lengthwise, including the plastic lid to create a solid wall on both ends.

French And Indian War Activity: How To Make An Iroquois Longhouse

Paint the outside of the container brown so that the printing does not show through the covering, paint over the lid as well.

You may need 2 coats. Allow it to dry completely.

Cut off the bottom folded over portion of several paper bags and cut the rest into strips.

French And Indian War Activity: How To Make An Iroquois Longhouse

Make cuts all the way across each strip about ½” to 1” apart but do not cut all the way across, you want to create a ‘fringe’.

French And Indian War Activity: How To Make An Iroquois Longhouse

Begin hot gluing the strips on the top and continue gluing one after another just under the edge of the last piece until they reach the bottom.

French And Indian War Activity: How To Make An Iroquois Longhouse

Trim the excess off all the way around to neaten it up a bit and make it fit the structure better.

French And Indian War Activity: How To Make An Iroquois Longhouse

Use brown paint to brush over the paper strips to give the paper a more rustic look so it looks more like thin sheets of bark. Add as much or as little paint as you like.

French And Indian War Activity: How To Make An Iroquois Longhouse

Don’t forget to leave a doorway open on the front of your longhouse by using smaller strips to cover one end.

French And Indian War Activity: How To Make An Iroquois Longhouse

Add some plastic native American figures and enjoy your creation as is or use it as part of a bigger diorama as you dive more into this period.

6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map

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

I have a few Ancient Israel fun activities middle school if you’re learning about Ancient Civilizations. For more ideas look on my page Ancient Civilizations. Also, look at my page Hands-On Simple And Best Homeschool Geography Ideas & Tips for more fun hands-on geography.

And I created one and then rounded up whatever else I could locate to create a fun unit.

There is just nothing like a hands-on project to help your child dig deeper and understand better whatever topic they’re learning about.

6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map

Today we are going to make a topographic relief map of Israel, using a somewhat unusual art medium, beans.

Using different colors and shapes and sizes of beans helps differentiate the different areas of this Middle Eastern land.

From the Mediterranean sea to the mountains in the coast of Blaine, we are outlining the major topographical differences of Israel.

Ancient Israel was a small country in the Middle East that existed from about 1200 BC to 586 BC.

It was home to the Israelites, a people who believed in one God.

The Israelites were originally nomads, but they eventually settled down in the land of Canaan.

They built a kingdom with Jerusalem as its capital.

The Israelites had many kings, including King David and King Solomon.

David was a great warrior who defeated the Philistines, a powerful enemy.

 Solomon was a wise king who built the first temple in Jerusalem.

The Israelites were conquered by the Babylonians in 586 BC.

The Temple was destroyed, and many of the Israelites were taken into exile.

After 70 years, the Israelites were allowed to return to their homeland. They rebuilt the Temple and re-established their kingdom.

The Israelites were later conquered by the Romans in 70 AD. The Temple was destroyed again, and many Israelites were killed.

Despite these setbacks, the Israelites have survived as a people.

BOOKS ABOUT ISRAEL FOR KIDS

Next, look at some of these books to add to your unit study.

4 Books About Israel for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Grab some of these fun books for your home library or to add to your learning day.

They continue to practice their religion and celebrate their culture.

Jump into learning more about the ancient and modern-day people of Israel with these activities including our topography map tutorial.

6 ANCIENT ISRAEL FUN ACTIVITIES MIDDLE SCHOOL

  1. Encourage your middle school kids to engineer a model of Masada with this STEM Challenge while Studying Ancient Israel.
  2. History of Ancient Israel and Judah explained in 5 minutes
  3. History Unboxed offers a subscription box but you can also purchase individual boxes like this one for Ancient Israelites Unboxed. It can be specified for youth or young adult and includes everything you need to make a rams horn trumpet, try an ancient treat of real honeycomb, and what you need to make and use your own oil lamp.
  4. I originally did this with younger kids but I think it has great benefits for middle school too- Hands-on Ancient Egypt: Israelite Mud Bricks for Kids.
  5. Try a dish that the ancient Israelites would have enjoyed like this Jacob’s Lentil Stew, by this time you know how wonderful cooking is as part of the learning experience.
  6. Learn to read Hebrew in just 6 weeks with illustrations, memory tricks, and 12 lessons to have you on the road to learning this ancient language.
6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map

Finally, look at how to make this topography map of Israel.

HOW TO MAKE A TOPOGRAPHY MAP OF ISRAEL

You will need:

  • Heavyweight cardboard/cardstock.
  • Tacky glue
  • An assortment of dried beans
  • Sharpened pencils
6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map

The first thing we’re going to do is print off a simple topographical map of Israel, like the one I found here at Geography Realm Map of Israel.

We printed a simple map outline and then referenced topographic maps to fill in each section.

Next, you are going to flip over your printed map and lay your pencils sideways, almost flat and rubbing lead by scribbling all over.

You want a good thick coat that covers all the map parts you want to trace.

6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map

Now you’re going to take a piece of cardboard or cardstock and slip it behind your map print out.

Take a pencil and trace the outline of your map of Israel onto the blank piece of paper.

This will transfer the lead that you scribbled on the back to the new page.

Lift slightly and be sure that it has been traced everywhere before you completely move it.

6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map

This will give you your basic outline.

First decide which beans will represent which topographical feature and create a little key in the bottom corner by gluing the bean and writing what it represents.

You can also use one type to mark the capital.

6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map

To create the blue for water you can toss white navy beans into a ziploc bag with food coloring or liquid watercolor and then allow to dry.

6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map

Now take your school or tacky glue, and “paint” the section that you want to start with. You have a little bit of working time but I do not recommend painting the entire map yet.

6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map

Press the correct beans into the thick glue until you have covered the entire area you need to then move onto the next section.

6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map

Repeat until the map is fully covered; to seal the map you can brush a layer of glue over the top of the beans if you like.