When I became a grandma, I bought an iPad for the sole purpose of downloading colorful Kindle books and engaging apps for babies. It has been surprising and encouraging to me that my two grandbabies actually prefer real books. Happily, we are prepared for hours of reading courtesy of all our children's books which have … Continue reading A dozen classic books to save for your grandkids
There are fewer things more frightening to a homeschool mom than the idea you may not know enough to give your children the best education possible. Even if you have an extremely high IQ, chances are your kids do as well. Even if you are a grammarian par excellence, you may not be able … Continue reading How to homeschool when your kids are smarter than you
If you had told me two years ago--or even two weeks ago-- that I would be the featured guest on a radio show, I would have laughed. Yet this crazy life of mine took a turn that direction this week. It began with an email from a young, hip 'n' happenin' friend, Paul, who … Continue reading An accidental radio debut
(Reblogged from the Midwestern Parent Educators blog post I was honored to write recently.) MPE provided numerous resources and blessings during our 20 years of homeschooling, but none as important as our small cluster group. Each family in our little group planned and executed an annual field trip or activity, and by the end of … Continue reading Twenty field trips for KC homeschoolers
Have you ever had one of those experiences where God so clearly and undeniably orchestrated a situation that it just made you smile? Those times are especially sweet when the circumstance is totally inconsequential. That's when I envision our Heavenly Father looking down and blowing a little kiss from heaven, just for fun. Recently I … Continue reading A little kiss from heaven, just for fun
As a homeschool family, we were always on the lookout for potential gaps in practical areas that our kids were not exposed to in the classroom--knowing how to say the Pledge of Allegiance, for example. One gap was summarily exposed when we were on a field trip to a student performance of a play in … Continue reading “Let’s Go” field trip book now available
What teacher or parent doesn't love it when the opportunity to multitask presents itself. The next time you're heading to get groceries with the kiddos, seize the teachable moment! While compiling ideas for my new book, Let's Go: Field Trips for Teachers, Homeschoolers and Active Families, a friend and mentor was kind enough to … Continue reading Quick grocery store field trip ideas
If you are in need of a harvest party theme without any ghoulish overtones, consider hosting a History Mystery. This event is ideal for classrooms, homeschool or church groups, or even neighborhood gatherings, and gives kids (and adults) a chance to have great fun with costumes and props. If you're not careful, you might also … Continue reading How to host a History Mystery
This week I head into my eighth year as an English teacher at a local homeschooling co-op. Each group of students and their families has been entirely unique--one year I had three sets of twins! However, the same issues tend to crop up as we grow and learn together. If you attend a co-op, here … Continue reading Five things your homeschool co-op teacher wants you to know
After seeing all the fun her older children were having at their book club meetings, my friend Annette Meyers realized her elementary students could also benefit from discussing books with friends. She hoped it would get them--and keep them--interested in reading. Annette and her husband have homeschooled since 1993, have graduated four students and have … Continue reading Fun book club ideas for young readers
Traci Matt 