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Our Fifth Grade Reading List Homeschool Picks

August 14, 2015 by Selena Robinson 4 Comments

If you follow the Charlotte Mason method strictly, then you already know about what she called “twaddle”. Mason felt that kids should avoid books that had no educational or intellectual value. Instead, kids were to read “living books” – works that enlightened them and taught them new concepts.

Even though I love the CM method, I believe that there’s a place for “twaddle”. I’ve always been of the opinion that I want my kids to develop a love for reading. We can help them choose challenging selections later.

Eventually, however, it is definitely time to ease away from twaddle and into books that are designed to make kids think or dream. And that’s where we are with Tigger. So – here’s a look at our fifth grade reading list homeschool picks!

Fifth Grade Reading List Homeschool Picks

Choosing Our Reading List Picks

This year with Tigger, I wanted to encourage her to focus on some of the classics. She likes modern books like the Ramona series and “Smile” by Reina Telgemeier. And those are great books, but for her school reading list, she needs to be challenged.

During our public school experiment last year, Tigger got tested with the LEXILE reading system. Her score was within the 10th-grade range. However, she’s not quite ready for the advanced topics covered by high school books, so classics it is! I also added a few books featuring characters of color so she can have some figures to whom she relates.

I’ve only included 12 books on our “official” list, because I want her to finish one per month. We’ll be doing unit studies for each one (stay tuned!), so that will give us time to drop anchor and really explore each work.

Our Fifth Grade Reading List Homeschool Picks

1. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

2. Charlotte’s Web

3. Anne of Green Gables

4. The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond

5. Treasure Island

6. Black Beauty

7. Harriet the Spy

8. Little Women

9. Kidnapped

10. The Secret Garden

11. The Mighty Miss Malone

12. Where the Red Fern Grows

Fifth Grade Homeschool Reading List

And those are our fifth grade reading list homeschool picks! To get a look at our other reading lists for this school year, visit the posts below!

First Grade Reading List Homeschool Picks Our Homeschool Second Grade Reading List

Get even more of our homeschooling tips by following the board Homeschooling with Look! We’re Learning! on Pinterest!

What’s on your homeschool reading list this year? Share your picks in the comments!

This post is part of The Massive Guide to Homeschool Reading Lists by iHomeschool Network! Click over to read tons of awesome booklists shared by my fellow homeschooling bloggers!

ReadingLists


Filed Under: Book Lists, Reading Tagged With: booklists, books for kids, fifth grade, homeschool reading list, reading, reading for kids, reading list

Apple Array Practice for Second Grade

August 13, 2015 by Selena Robinson 9 Comments

Apple Array Practice for Second Grade

One of Pooh’s objectives this year is to learn to work with arrays.

When I was in school, we weren’t using arrays. We were memorizing addition and multiplication facts back then.

Now, though, arrays are an important (and helpful) way to understand adding and multiplying.

So I put together a math product: Apple Arrays! – A fun, apple-themed way to have array practice for second grade!

Help kids learn to use arrays when adding with these printable apple addition arrays for second grade!

By the way, be sure to check out our Apple Orchard Playdough Counting Mat for your toddlers and preschoolers!

Need to practice visual discrimination? Don’t miss our Apple Alike! Same or Different Worksheets!

Work on using arrays to add numbers up to five with these printable apple themed addition array practice printables! These are great for math practice in early grades!

Apple Array Practice for Second Grade

To use these printables, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are included in this post. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

  • Printer (with ink)
  • Printer paper
  • Pencils

Printable Apple Arrays Printables for Kids

This product includes 16 worksheets that include both addition and multiplication for numbers 1-5.

Printable Addition Array Practice for Kids

If your students are still working on addition fluency, the first ten worksheets are all about adding numbers 1-5.

Apple Themed Addition Array Practice for Kids

A full answer key is provided, so the kids can check their work.

This is a great activity for practicing addition facts.

But if your students are ready for a quick introduction to multiplication, the last six worksheets are perfect for showing them the relationship between adding and the times tables!

Apple Math Array Practice for Kids

How to Use Apple Array Practice for Second Grade

I have to admit that when Pooh saw that there were multiplication problems on the sheet, his reaction was “TIMES TABLES????”

It was a dramatic moment, for sure.

But I used the first few pages to introduce him to using arrays with addition.

And then we talked about how addition with arrays is the same as multiplication.

Apple Array Practice for Second Grade

This product focuses just on working with 5’s from 5+0 to 5+5+5, so you can use it to introduce times tables from 5×1 to 5×5.

The first set of pages contains apple arrays and written addition and multiplication problems.

Pooh and I looked at each row and column in the arrays to understand why we write those particular addition and multiplication equations to represent them.

Apple Array Practice for Second Grade

Count out the number of apples in each row to find your first addend.

Then count the number of rows to find the second. Simple!

Apple Array Practice for Second Grade

After he went through and solved the first set of problems, we used the second set of pages.

These pages have the apple arrays and addition/multiplication problems, but kids have to read the array correctly to fill in the addends/multiplicand/multiplier.

Apple Array Practice for Second Grade

Which he did on his own!

He was so excited to grasp how to read arrays and relate them to multiplying that as soon as Jay came in the door, he said “Dad! I learned how to do times today!”

Another one of those homeschooling gifts I’m thrilled to share with them this year.

Scroll down to get your copy of our Apple Array Practice for Second Grade!
Check out our other fall learning resources!

Pick up this printable fall books for kids booklist to keep track of the gorgeous fall stories you share this autumn!

This list of over 50 free fall printables for kids is perfect for educational fall fun!

If you need more suggestions for teaching multiplication, try these tips!

Ways to Teach Multiplication

Apple Arrays

To get your copy of Apple Array Practice for Second Grade, grab our 2nd Grade Learning Bundle! This bundle includes four learning printables designed to get your early elementary student off to a great year!

>>> 2nd Grade Learning Bundle <<<

Come along with the entire 2nd Grade Blogging Team for all of our Apple activities this week!

How to use an apple to explain basic fractions from Crafty Kids at Home

Apples Graphing Activity from Sallie Borrink Learning

Free Number Order Printable Apples from Life Over C’s

Preserve an apple from getting brown from Planet Smarty Pants

Apple Descriptions {adjectives} from School Time Snippets

Nouns and Verbs – Apple Theme from 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Black and White Apple Prints: A Lesson in Contrast from Creative Family Fun

Apple Toothpick Tower Challenge from Preschool Powol Packets

Filed Under: Homeschooling Printables, Math Tagged With: apple arrays, apple math activities, apple math worksheets, apple printables, apples, fall math printables, fall math worksheets, fall printables, fall worksheets, homeschool math, math, math printables, multiplication, multiplication arrays, printables, second grade, second grade math

Nubian History for Kids

August 11, 2015 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

A few weeks ago, I got the chance to share a guest post over at To the Moon and Back about how we teach Nubian history for kids in our homeschool. So if you’re a history buff, read on to get a look at how we cover this subject with our children!

Today is also another edition of the Laugh and Learn linky! Check out our picks from last week’s party and read this week’s new parenting and homeschooling posts below!

Nubian History for Kids

Nubian History for Kids

As part of our 10 Days of African History series, we did an in-depth study of the ancient kingdom of Nubia. It’s interesting to me that there are so few children’s resources about Nubian history, but since I found lots of adult-oriented material, I just tweaked it for the kids. 🙂

To see more about how we covered Nubian history with our children, check out the guest post I wrote for The ABCs of Ancient History series at To the Moon and Back: “N is for Nubia“!

N is for Nubia – To the Moon and Back

And now it’s time for the linky!

Come join us every Tuesday for our Laugh and Learn Linkup! You are welcome to share any Parenting or Homeschool link. You will enjoy all the great links! #LaughLearnLinkUp #Homeschool #Parenting #Blog #Mom #Bloggers

Welcome to our 45th week of Laugh and Learn – Homeschool and Parenting Linkup!

Last week was our best linkup ever! Thanks for sharing 79 links with us.

Laugh and Learn – Homeschool and Parenting Linkup will be open by 6 am every Tuesday morning.

Each and every week all of the hosts pick one favorite post to be featured on the next week’s linkup. All of your links will be shared on five blogs.

We are also sharing the top posts on Pinterest: #LaughLearnLinkup {Featured Favorites}. It’s added exposure for your awesome content!

Your Fabulous Hosts 😉

Tina
Me and Sawyerlos-gringos-locos-blog

Tina lives abroad in Latin America with her husband and four children. Currently in Mexico, Tina is active in homeschool, travel, and her Bible ministry. She blogs about all of their adventures and more at Los Gringos Locos.
Find Tina at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Google +
Linkedin
Tsu

Selena
Selena - head shot Look We're Learning

Selena is a writer and a homeschooling mom to four kids, including three with ADHD/SPD. Selena and her husband, Jay, are committed to teaching their children at home and loving every minute of it! You can read about the family’s homeschooling experiences at Look! We’re Learning, written by Selena!
Find Selena at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Google +
Instagram

Sarah
sarah-dedicated-homeschooler Dedicated Homeschooler

Sarah lives in Kentucky, USA, where she and her husband homeschool three children. Sarah writes for and about, families with special needs. She hopes to provide support and encouragement to all special needs parents in the homeschool community. Visit Sarah at Dedicated Homeschooler.
Find Sarah at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest

Haley
Haleys Vintage Finds & DealsHaley's Vintage Finds & Deals

Haley hopes to encourage stay at home moms. She wants to help moms learn how to make an extra income, to stretch a budget, to make crafts, and other useful information. Haley always has updates on the kids and funny things that happen. Visit Haley at Haley’s Vintage Finds & Deals.
Find Haley at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
Twitter
Google+
YouTube

Lindsey
Lindsey is a passionate writer eager to touch the hearts and minds of homeschoolers and parents abroad. As a devoted mother to two, happy homeschooler, and scatterbrained housewife, she's on a mission to find love and joy in "the simple life" and invites you to join her! Lindsey is a passionate writer eager to touch the hearts and minds of homeschoolers and parents abroad. As a devoted mother to two, happy homeschooler, and scatterbrained housewife, she's on a mission to find love and joy in "the simple life" and invites you to join her!

Lindsey is a passionate writer eager to touch the hearts and minds of homeschoolers and parents abroad. As a devoted mother to two, happy homeschooler, and scatterbrained housewife, she’s on a mission to find love and joy in “the simple life” and invites you to join her! Visit Lindsey at Nitty Gritty Homeschooling. Find Lindsey at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Google+
Instagram
Pinterest
Twitter
YouTube


The Winners for the Week of August 10th:

arc-de-triomphe

CARDBOARD ARC DE TRIOMPHE

diy-farm-animal-game

DIY FARM ANIMAL GAME

minecraft-unit-study

MINECRAFT UNIT STUDY

display-kids-artwork

DISPLAY KIDS ARTWORK

cooking-with-kids-banana-burritos

KID MADE BANANA BURRITOS

Thanks to everyone who submitted a post. Please check out the post above by clicking on the image.
[bctt tweet=”Come share your favorite #parenting or #homeschooling post with us. #ihsnet #ibabloggers”]

Now give us your best posts!

An InLinkz Link-up


Kiwi Crate Inspires Young Innovators

Filed Under: Geography, History, Homeschooling Tagged With: african history, history, laugh and learn linky

10 Homeschooling Gifts I’ll Never Take for Granted Again

August 10, 2015 by Selena Robinson 10 Comments

Last year, I went through a serious case of homeschooling burnout. I was working, I was going to college full-time, and I was attempting to homeschool my three oldest children. And it was not going well.

I sent them to public school for a few months, but even though I appreciated the slight increase in “alone time“, I missed them terribly. And I found that I actually missed homeschooling.

Now that we’ve returned to homeschooling, I’m determined to have a more thankful attitude toward our learning this year by appreciating the homeschooling gifts our family enjoys by being together. Here are 10 of the homeschooling gifts that I missed and vow to never take for granted again.

10 Homeschooling Gifts

Image: beerphotographer / Dollar Photo Club

10 Homeschooling Gifts I’ll Never Take for Granted Again

1. Preparing breakfast with my children

2. Making artwork together

3. Playing outside with my kids

4. Sharing a new story as a family

5. Taking a homeschool field trip

6. Listening to my children talk about what they learned

7. Watching all four of the kids read quietly

8. Helping my daughter (who hates math) master a new math concept

9. Seeing my kids get excited about choosing books at the library

10. Hearing one of my children say “Thank you” when we finish the school day

What homeschooling gifts are you thankful for? Share them in the comments!

And let me just add an update here – There are a few more homeschooling gifts that I’ve grown to treasure:

11. Watching my children support each other in a tough subject

12. Being there when they have questions or fears about learning something new

13. Waking up when we feel like it and beginning the day relaxed

14. Taking a vacation whenever we’re ready for one

15. Observing my kids grow into young adulthood with confidence

Homeschooling Gifts I'll Never Take for Granted Again - Look! We're Learning!

Need more parenting encouragement? Don’t miss these posts!

5 Ways to Show Love to Your Defiant Child - Look! We're Learning!

How to Homeschool in Five Hours a Week

How to Keep a Homeschool Tantrum from Derailing Your School Day - Look! We're Learning!

This post is part of the Homeschool Gifts linkup from iHomeschool Network! Click over to read what our fellow homeschooling bloggers are thankful for this year!

Homeschool Gifts

Need more ways to plan your homeschool this year? Check out my Homeschool Planning board on Pinterest!


Filed Under: Homeschooling, Homeschooling Encouragement Tagged With: homeschooling, homeschooling support, homeschooling tips, motherhood, parenting

5 Ways to Make Geography Fun

August 8, 2015 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

This year, I’m determined to cover more geography with my kids. But the problem with studying geography is that it can be incredibly boring, even for the parents who teach it.

When I was in school, geography consisted of my teacher pointing at maps, telling us to read pages in our book, and then quizzing us on what we learned. Gag.

But the beautiful thing about homeschooling is that we can teach geography however we like! So, here are 5 ways to make geography fun that I plan to use in our homeschool this year!

If you like these ideas, don’t miss our list of hands-on geography activities you have to try!

5 Ways to Make Geography Fun

5 Ways to Make Geography Fun

1. Go for a geography walk.

In Crystal Wagner’s “Geography Field Guide”, she recommends taking children outdoors and using nearby land features to illustrate larger ones. A local stream could represent rivers, a hill could represent mountains, and so on. That way, kids can “see” geography, instead of just reading about it.

Geography Field Guide, Crystal J. Wagner

2. Choose an area of the world for in-depth study.

Drop anchor in one part of the world and study it thoroughly with your kids. For example, the notebooking pack “Discover Europe” allows kids to get to know the entire European continent by examining the people, culture, and geography of each country.

3. Include hands-on activities.

Kris Bales’ book “Hands-On Learning” describes a ton of ways you can take geography learning off the page for your kids. Making papier-mache models, cookie dough maps, and learning centers are just some of the suggestions she gives that can make geography more fun for students.

4. Use notebooking.

Adelien Tandian’s “Geography Notebooking Pages” are perfect for helping kids organize what they learn. As you cover your lesson, you can have your children fill in the basic facts of each region. After completing an area of the world, children can use their notes to write a report or complete a diorama!

5. Make a part of the world into an ongoing series.

Taking another cue from Kris Bales’ book, we’ll be having Fifty State Fridays with our kids this year! I don’t want to give away how this is done (seriously, read her book), but when you make geography into a regular series, it’s much easier to get everyone excited for your upcoming lessons.

Ways to Make Geography Fun for Kids - Look! We're Learning!

Do you have any ways to make geography fun for your kids? Share them in the comments!

Check out these other suggestions for teaching geography in your homeschool!

Hands On Geography Activities

10 Amazing Geography Books for Home School

Want more geography ideas? Follow my Geography for Homeschoolers board on Pinterest!

This post is part of The Massive Homeschool Geography Guide from iHomeschool Network! Click over to read more geography posts from my fellow bloggers!

The Massive Homeschool Geography Guide


Filed Under: Geography, Homeschooling Tagged With: geography, geography activities, geography activities for kids, geography for kids, homeschool geography, ways to make geography fun

Back to Homeschool with Family Fun Friday!

August 6, 2015 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Are you celebrating back to homeschool time this week? Lots of homeschoolers are! We’ve settled on our homeschooling curriculum and I am currently in the midst of a lesson planning marathon. 🙂

Naturally, the homeschooling tips shared during last week’s Family Fun Friday were right on time for me! Take a look at the features and then get even more homeschooling inspiration from this week’s posts!

Back to Homeschool with Family Fun Friday

Monica H&BHnewlogo2013
Monica created Family Fun Friday and blogs at HappyandBlessedHome.com where she shares free preschool tools and printables, encouraging words for moms, and ideas for having fun together as a family. Follow: Blog / Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter /Google + / Bloglovin’/ Instagram. Monica will feature Family Fun Posts.
Selena-headshot_zps34ee5bae-1 Look Were Learning Logo
Selena is a homeschooling graduate and a veteran homeschooling mom to four super special kids. She blogs at Look! We’re Learning! about unit studies, foreign language, and homeschooling with ADHD. Follow: Blog / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram / Twitter. Selena will be featuring homeschooling and kids’ crafts.
1463182_10201254448749001_1981766402_n Untitled5
Herchel enjoys blogging about parenting, organizing, crafting, and having good old-fashioned kid fun her blog Scrggbug Corner. Follow: Blog / Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter /Google +. Herchel will feature organizing and family fun.

Here are my favorite posts for this week!

Back to Homeschool with Family Fun Friday

1. If you’re trying to use more online resources in your homeschool, you’ll love the 25 Free Educational Websites for Kids from Tidbits of Experience!

2. Get some inspiration for your preschool homeschool room with Growing Hands On Kids’ Montessori Inspired Tot School Space!

3. Embark On the Journey shares an adorable printable pack based on the classic children’s book The Little Red Lighthouse!

4. We’re planning to school year round this time, so I loved the ideas at Year Round Homeschooling on how to Make Year Round Homeschooling Fun!

5. Need help getting your homeschool supplies organized? Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus shares tips to help you Get Organized for the New Homeschool Year!

6. Help your kids build literacy the Lego way with Growing Book by Book’s Lego Activities That Build Reading and Writing Skills!

Were you featured? Grab the Family Fun Friday button below!

HappyandBlessedHome.com

<a href=”http://happyandblessedhome.com” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://happyandblessedhome.com/FeaturedButton.jpg” alt=”HappyandBlessedHome.com” width=”200″ height=”225″ /></a>

 

Stop by to see what my co-hosts are spotlighting this week!

awesome kids crafts

Tasty meals for busy days

Bloggers are invited to share their best family-friendly and mom-inspiring posts in the link-up below.

Link guidelines:

  • Link your post.
  • Link back to the link party.
  • Follow your host(s).
  • Spread the word. Share and pin your favorites.
  • Mingle! Bloggers love comments.
  • Grab a button.
  • If you link up, you permit the hosts of Family Fun Friday to use your pictures/ideas as part of future posts and/or social media.

Family Fun Friday is a growing link-up with over 200 bloggers sharing their posts each week. Each host shares her favorites from the week before, increasing your chances of being featured. Co-hosts will also be pinning their favorites to a community Family Fun Pinterest Board. This link party opens up at around 4 pm EST on Thursdays.

Please be aware that by linking in Family Fun Friday you give our hosts permission to use your images to create a collage for our features. We may also use the collage to promote Family Fun Friday through our individual social media accounts.



2015 Homeschool Omnibus

Filed Under: Blog Hops, Family Fun Friday, Homeschooling

5 Awesome Homeschool Planning Resources for Busy Moms

August 4, 2015 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

If you’ve already gotten your homeschool planning done for this year, you are my hero. (Needless to say, I am nowhere NEAR finished.)

Even though I’m finished with my college experience, I find that I am still so, so busy! And I think most moms are. It can easily feel like we just do not have enough time in the day to plan our homeschool lessons, especially if we’re parenting more than one child.

So I’m excited to share 5 awesome homeschool planning resources for busy moms today!

Today is also another edition of the Laugh and Learn linky, so you can check out our features from last week and read the newest posts shared below!

5 Homeschool Planning Resources for the Busy Mom

5 Awesome Homeschool Planning Resources for the Busy Mom

Creating a Schedule That Works – Marlene Griffith

Need to get your life together in a hurry? Marlene explains how you can go from unscheduled to scheduled in just 12 days. Since homeschooling parents need a schedule that everyone can stick with, she also talks about starting with a clearly defined purpose. That way, you have an overall goal to keep in mind as you stick with your routine.

Blueprint Homeschooling – Amy Kneppers

Amy’s book is a really great way to outline your entire year in advance. Yes, I mean, your ENTIRE year. She includes exercises you can complete as you read to help you get a feel for the rhythm of your home and how homeschooling can fit naturally into the life you already lead.

Homeschool Planner – Jolanthe Erb

If you want to have one homeschool planner you can use year after year, Jolanthe’s planner is the one. This homeschool planner is composed of editable PDFs, so you can type in this year’s lessons and then print them when you’re finished. Next year, you can do it all over again!

Homeschool Planner 2015-16 – Patricia Espinoza

Do you want a pretty paper planner that makes you feel happy to plan lessons? (I do.) Patricia’s Homeschool Planner is so beautiful that looking at it just makes me feel better. You can print the pages you need, skip the ones you don’t, and get to planning your year peacefully.

Planning Your Best Homeschool Year – Kyle McVay

One of the issues with homeschool planning is that we can get so focused on covering the material or finishing our curriculum that we forget to consider our kids! Kyle’s book is excellent for helping parents consider their kids learning styles right from the beginning. There’s no point in planning a homeschool year your kids will hate, right?

 

And now, it’s linky time!

Come join us every Tuesday for our Laugh and Learn Linkup! You are welcome to share any Parenting or Homeschool link. You will enjoy all the great links! #LaughLearnLinkUp #Homeschool #Parenting #Blog #Mom #Bloggers

Welcome to our 44nd week of Laugh and Learn – Homeschool and Parenting Linkup!

Last week was our best linkup ever! Thanks for sharing 78 links with us.

Laugh and Learn – Homeschool and Parenting Linkup will be open by 6 am every Tuesday morning.

Each and every week all of the hosts pick one favorite post to be featured on the next week’s linkup. All of your links will be shared on five blogs.

We are also sharing the top posts on Pinterest: #LaughLearnLinkup {Featured Favorites}. It’s added exposure for your awesome content!

Your Fabulous Hosts 😉

Tina
Me and Sawyerlos-gringos-locos-blog

Tina lives abroad in Latin America with her husband and four children. Currently in Mexico, Tina is active in homeschool, travel, and her Bible ministry. She blogs about all of their adventures and more at Los Gringos Locos.
Find Tina at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Google +
Linkedin
Tsu

Selena
Selena - head shot Look We're Learning

Selena is a writer and a homeschooling mom to four kids, including three with ADHD/SPD. Selena and her husband, Jay, are committed to teaching their children at home and loving every minute of it! You can read about the family’s homeschooling experiences at Look! We’re Learning, written by Selena!
Find Selena at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Google +
Instagram

Sarah
sarah-dedicated-homeschooler Dedicated Homeschooler

Sarah lives in Kentucky, USA, where she and her husband homeschool three children. Sarah writes for and about, families with special needs. She hopes to provide support and encouragement to all special needs parents in the homeschool community. Visit Sarah at Dedicated Homeschooler.
Find Sarah at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest

Haley
Haleys Vintage Finds & DealsHaley's Vintage Finds & Deals

Haley hopes to encourage stay at home moms. She wants to help moms learn how to make an extra income, to stretch a budget, to make crafts, and other useful information. Haley always has updates on the kids and funny things that happen. Visit Haley at Haley’s Vintage Finds & Deals.
Find Haley at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
Twitter
Google+
YouTube

Lindsey
Lindsey is a passionate writer eager to touch the hearts and minds of homeschoolers and parents abroad. As a devoted mother to two, happy homeschooler, and scatterbrained housewife, she's on a mission to find love and joy in "the simple life" and invites you to join her! Lindsey is a passionate writer eager to touch the hearts and minds of homeschoolers and parents abroad. As a devoted mother to two, happy homeschooler, and scatterbrained housewife, she's on a mission to find love and joy in "the simple life" and invites you to join her!

Lindsey is a passionate writer eager to touch the hearts and minds of homeschoolers and parents abroad. As a devoted mother to two, happy homeschooler, and scatterbrained housewife, she’s on a mission to find love and joy in “the simple life” and invites you to join her! Visit Lindsey at Nitty Gritty Homeschooling. Find Lindsey at her blog link above, and on the following social media networks:
Facebook
Google+
Instagram
Pinterest
Twitter
YouTube


The Winners for the Week of August 4th:

20 First Day of Homeschool Celebrations

20 First Day of Homeschool Celebrations

19 EXPLORING OUTER SPACE ACTIVITIES, CRAFTS, AND PRINTABLES FOR KIDS

19 EXPLORING OUTER SPACE ACTIVITIES, CRAFTS, AND PRINTABLES FOR KIDS

25 Free Educational Websites for Kids

25 Free Educational Websites for Kids

5 ADVANTAGES TO CREATING YOUR OWN HOMESCHOOL UNIT STUDY

5 ADVANTAGES TO CREATING YOUR OWN HOMESCHOOL UNIT STUDY

European Espresso Cake

European Espresso Cake

Thanks to everyone who submitted a post. Please check out the post above by clicking on the image.
[bctt tweet=”Come share your favorite #parenting or #homeschooling post with us. #ihsnet #ibabloggers”]

Now give us your best posts!

An InLinkz Link-up


Filed Under: Homeschool Curriculum, Homeschool Planning, Homeschooling Tagged With: homeschool planning, homeschooling, laugh and learn linky

Our 2015-16 Year Round Homeschool Schedule

August 3, 2015 by Selena Robinson 8 Comments

This year we’re trying something that’s kind of new for us: an actual year round homeschool schedule.

We’ve always been year-round homeschoolers (sort of), because we don’t actually take a summer break. But this is the first year that I’ve actually sat down and planned to teach lessons the whole year.

If you’re interested in year-round homeschooling, take a look at our year-round homeschool schedule for 2015-16!

Our Year Round Homeschool Schedule

2015-16 Year Round Homeschool Schedule

The reason we’re embarking on a true year round schedule this time around is because I’m planning to become a full-time minister. Since I’ll be spending around 70 hours a month in our Bible ministry, I’ll be trying to do the bulk of my ministry during temperate months and NOT in the heat of summer…lol.

As a result, we’ll be doing the bulk of our homeschooling in the summer. And – in speaking to some other homeschoolers, I’m not the only one taking that approach. Summertime here is just too hot to do anything and most of the recreational facilities are packed with public schoolers during summer anyway, so…summer school it is!

One other note: I no longer use timed scheduling. I’ve done that in the past and it just does not work for our family. We do much better when we have a general rhythm to our day.

Here’s our year round homeschool schedule:

September – April:

Tuesday: Unit Study, ELA, Math, Science, P.E.

Thursday: Unit Study, ELA, Math, Geography, P.E.

Friday: Unit Study, ELA, STEM, Logic, P.E.

May – August:

Monday: Unit Study, ELA, Math, Science, P.E.

Tuesday: Unit Study, ELA, Math, History, P.E.

Thursday: Unit Study, ELA, Math, Foreign Language, P.E.

Friday: Unit Study, ELA, STEM, Art/Music, P.E.

And that’s it! Have any of you tried a year round homeschool schedule? What adjustments did you have to make along the way? Share your experiences in the comments!

This post is part of the 2015 “Not Back to School Blog Hop” from iHomeschool Network! Click on over to read how my fellow bloggers are getting ready to NOT go back to school this year!

2015 Not Back to School Hop

Keyboard Classroom

Filed Under: Homeschool Planning, Homeschooling

10 Simple Science Printables for Kids

August 1, 2015 by Selena Robinson 15 Comments

We’re going to be focusing more on science during the upcoming school year than we have in the past. Science is NOT one of my favorite subjects to teach. I was a humanities major. 😉

But, thanks to some of the great resources available from Enchanted Homeschooling Mom, I’m finding it easier than ever to plan my science lessons this year! Here are 10 of the simple science printables for kids you can find at Enchanted Homeschooling Mom, including a complete weather science curriculum!

10 Simple Science Printables for Kids

10 Simple Science Printables for Kids

1. Dinosaur Science Writing Prompts – Enchanted Homeschooling Mom

2. Printable Cloud Wheel – Enchanted Homeschooling Mom

3. Shark Coloring Pack – Enchanted Homeschooling Mom

4. All About Butterflies Pack – Enchanted Homeschooling Mom

5. Penguin Friends Pack – Enchanted Homeschooling Mom

6. Dolphin Anatomy Lesson Game – Enchanted Homeschooling Mom

7. Plant Journal – Enchanted Homeschooling Mom

8. Duck Mini-Unit – Enchanted Homeschooling Mom

9. Scientific Words Journal – Enchanted Homeschooling Mom

10. Weather Detective Science Curriculum – Enchanted Homeschooling Mom

And these are just a few of the printable resources available from Enchanted Homeschooling Mom! If you’d like to get access to all of these printables, plus tons more, you can join the EHM Members Only site for a one-time fee of just $15! Click the image below to learn more!

EHM Members Only Website

On a personal note: I want to say that Jill was the first professional blogger to take me under her wing. She gave me tips, support, and encouragement when I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. 🙂 It’s a privilege to be able to support her this time around.

This post is part of the Blog Hop for Enchanted Homeschooling Mom – a project to support Jill of EHM during her difficult time! Be sure to stop by to see my fellow bloggers and their roundups of fabulous resources from Enchanted Homeschooling Mom!

Not Back-to-School Picnic Ideas – Stir the Wonder

10 Fun Gross Motor Ideas – 3 Dinosaurs

Sensory Bins – Brain Power Boy

Space Activities – Preschool Powol Packets

Storybook Activities – Growing Book by Book

Spring Crafts for Preschool – Kidz Activities

Around the USA – Trillium Montessori

Disney Themed Crafts – Life with Moore Babies

10 Free Coloring Packs – Sunny Day Family

Disney Printables – In The Playroom

10 Simple Science Printables for Kids – Look! We’re Learning!

Pray Species – Fall Crafts and Activities

Superhero Activity Sheets – Crafts on Sea

Kids Activities to Prepare for a Disney World Trip – Mess for Less

Enchanted Preschool Printables – Itsy Bitsy Fun

Living Montessori Now – Living Montessori Now

Sensory Bins Based on Children’s Books – Mom Inspired Life

Science Ideas to Start the School Year – Capri + 3

Blog Hop for Enchanted Homeschooling Mom

Filed Under: 2015-16 Curriculum, Homeschool Curriculum, Homeschooling, Homeschooling Printables, Science Tagged With: homeschooling, homeschooling printables, science, science printables

End of Summer Activities with Family Fun Friday!

July 30, 2015 by Selena Robinson 1 Comment

For a lot of homeschoolers, summer is coming to an end. And there’s no better way to celebrate the start of the new school year than with some fun end of summer activities!

Last week’s edition of Family Fun Friday featured some great outdoor activities that are perfect for winding down summer break as a family. Be sure to read on to see even more great posts this week!

Fun End of Summer Activities

Monica H&BHnewlogo2013
Monica created Family Fun Friday and blogs at HappyandBlessedHome.com where she shares free preschool tools and printables, encouraging words for moms, and ideas for having fun together as a family. Follow: Blog / Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter /Google + / Bloglovin’/ Instagram. Monica will feature Family Fun Posts.
Selena-headshot_zps34ee5bae-1 Look Were Learning Logo
Selena is a homeschooling graduate and a veteran homeschooling mom to four super special kids. She blogs at Look! We’re Learning! about unit studies, foreign language, and homeschooling with ADHD. Follow: Blog / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram / Twitter. Selena will be featuring homeschooling and kids’ crafts.
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Herchel enjoys blogging about parenting, organizing, crafting, and having good old-fashioned kid fun her blog Scrggbug Corner. Follow: Blog / Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter /Google +. Herchel will feature organizing and family fun.

Here are my favorite posts for this week!

Fun End of Summer Activities

1. Did you and your kids make some great memories this summer? Letters in the Sand shares how you can make a beautiful Summer Memory Book!

2. Get outside and have some watery summer fun with the Water Play Activities from Seasonal Family Fun!

3. Help your kids practice STEM and have a sensory experience with the DIY Water Wall at There’s Just One Mommy!

4. Who doesn’t love bubbles! Superheroes and Teacups shares Tons of Fun Bubble Activities!

5. Are you continuing to homeschool through the summer? Take a look at the way Mom’s Morning Coffee does Summer: Homeschool Style!

6. Do your kids love ocean animals? Make a cute Sea Creatures Craft with I Dig Pinterest!

Were you featured? Grab the Family Fun Friday button below!

HappyandBlessedHome.com

<a href=”http://happyandblessedhome.com” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://happyandblessedhome.com/FeaturedButton.jpg” alt=”HappyandBlessedHome.com” width=”200″ height=”225″ /></a>

Bloggers are invited to share their best family-friendly and mom-inspiring posts in the link-up below.

Link guidelines:

  • Link your post.
  • Link back to the link party.
  • Follow your host(s).
  • Spread the word. Share and pin your favorites.
  • Mingle! Bloggers love comments.
  • Grab a button.
  • If you link up, you permit the hosts of Family Fun Friday to use your pictures/ideas as part of future posts and/or social media.

Family Fun Friday is a growing link-up with over 200 bloggers sharing their posts each week. Each host shares her favorites from the week before, increasing your chances of being featured. Co-hosts will also be pinning their favorites to a community Family Fun Pinterest Board. This link party opens up at around 4 pm EST on Thursdays.

Please be aware that by linking in Family Fun Friday you give our hosts permission to use your images to create a collage for our features. We may also use the collage to promote Family Fun Friday through our individual social media accounts.



Filed Under: Blog Hops, Family Fun Friday, Outdoor Play

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Hi! I'm Selena, a veteran teacher and homeschool mom to four. I'm so glad you're here!
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