*Guest Post Home-schooling can be a frustrating experience especially if you have active kids that keep getting distracted. But that doesn't mean that it is impossible to home-school your kids with success. If it is done correctly, it can be a rewarding experience for parents. The following are 5 tips on home-schooling your kids. Keep the Study Sessions Short Parents should not force the children to sit down for a long time and finish all their studies at one time. Children have a short attention span so parents should create short learning sessions. In this way, the child will be eager to sit down and finish all the study assignment since he knows it will be soon when study time is over. You can use persuasion to make your children sit down to study, for example, no study no TV, cook his favourite food if he studies, or take him cycling at the park if he studies. Make Lesson Learning Fun Parents should try to make the lesson learning fun. Research shows that kids … [Read more...]
Homeschooling on the Road on a Budget
*Guest Post If you do school at home, you homeschool. If you do it on the road, it stands to reason that you “roadschool!” There are as many options available to roadschoolers as there are to homeschoolers . . . and there are thousands. You could spend thousands of dollars on museums and activities. You could even consider it money well spent if it goes to furthering your child’s education. But, maybe you don’t have thousands to spend. Your child’s education does NOT need to suffer as a result. In fact, their education will be incomparably enhanced if you take advantage of the low-cost opportunities all around you as you travel the country. There are inexpensive and even free ways to enhance your homeschooling across the country, you just need to know where to look. Reciprocal Museum Memberships Reciprocal memberships offer discounted or free admission to participating museums, zoos, aquariums, and more all over the United States. North American Reciprocal … [Read more...]
Storage Solutions for Homeschoolers
Picture Source: Graduation Source Storage Solutions for Homeschoolers Homeschooling families know how important it is to stay organized, because your household is a combination of a home and classroom. One of the ways to stay on task and keep track of all your books and materials is to have appropriate storage containers for your school-related supplies. Basic School Supplies It’s helpful to have a centrally located stash of basic school supplies, keep a running inventory, and buy items before you run out. Some of the basics that every homeschool classroom will need include: Paper Notebooks Glue sticks Erasers Markers Paints You can store these items in labeled plastic dishpans, bins, or a small chest of drawers. Manipulatives In a homeschooling classroom, you will have plenty of manipulatives, puzzles, and other small items to keep track of. Nothing is worse than losing a key piece of a puzzle or learning activity. To keep track of all these small … [Read more...]
Disneynature Monkey Kingdom
** I was provided with a copy of this title for the purpose of this review. However, my own opinion was used and not influenced in any way. Disneynature Monkey Kingdom I look forward to every single Disneynature film that is released. Recently I was able to watch Disneynature's Monkey Kingdom with my family. This is another great Disneynature film that will pull you right into the lives of beloved animals. It was neat to see the characteristics and lifestyles of these Monkey's. They are a neat animal that lives by a class system that I never knew about. I learned about how the "lower" class of Monkey's live and how it actually benefited Maya in the end. Such a neat and uplifting story. I loved watching Maya as she defeated the odds and raised her son Kip the best way that she possibly could. It did not matter if it was in the Jungle or in the City. She is a great Mom! Disneynature Monkey Kingdom is a show that will not only educate you but will also pull at your … [Read more...]
Fun and Easy Back To School Pencil Holder and Outshine Simply Yogurt Bars!
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #OutshineSnacks #CollectiveBias Fun and Easy Back To School Pencil Holder and Outshine Simply Yogurt Bars! I am currently 6 months pregnant and I must say it is HOT outside. ALL I have been wanting to eat is items from the Walmart freezer section. Especially the Outshine Simply Yogurt Bars, Outshine Coconut Water Bars, Outshine Fruit Bars & Outshine Fruit and Veggie Bars. They are all taste great, they are better for me and they help to keep my cool this summer. Ok...so the kids love them too which is an even bigger bonus! Walmart has a large variety of Outshine Yogurt Bar and Fruit Bar flavors. For over 18 years Outshine has made frozen fruit bars out of things like strawberries, peaches and coconuts. It is so nice to know that I have options to choose from and a snack that satisfies without the guilt. I know I am making a better food choice for me, the … [Read more...]
It’s Catching The Infectious World of Germs And Microbes
** I was provided with a copy of this title for the purpose of this review. However, my own opinion was used and not influenced in any way. It's Catching The Infectious World of Germs And Microbes By Jennifer Gardy, PhD - Illustrated By Josh Holinaty My daughter loves to read books that are educational. She wants to know everything and anything she can about the world around her. Recently I was sent a copy of It's Catching The Infectious World of Germs and Microbes by Jennifer Gardy, PhD. This book not only taught my daughter about the world of germ and microbes but it captivated her interest and she has read this title at least 10 times. She has even memorized many of the germ and has brought them up several times in our conversations. This has truly became one of her most read and most favorite books. Since she loves it so much I think it best to let her review this book in her own words! Ashes Thoughts (Age 10) The book It's Catching is useful and helpful. I learned that … [Read more...]
Halloween Monster Mouths!
** I was provided with product for the purpose of this review. However, my own opinion was used and not influenced in any way. Halloween Monster Mouths! I always have a house full of kids and I love making fun items with them for the holiday's! Recently the kids had a week long Fall Break which allowed us to spend a whole week doing nothing but fun crafts and recipes to get us in the Halloween spirit! One of the treats that the kids decided to make were Halloween Monster Mouths! These were not only a hit with them....but I loved them because they were healthy! Oh and did I mention super easy to make? Check out the recipe and instructions below! Ingredients: Sliced Apple Betty Crocker Fruit By The Foot - any color 1/2 cup peanut butter about 20 marshmallows ( or you can use Fruit Gushers to mix it up) Directions: 1. Spread peanut butter on two apple slices. 2. Take about 4 inches of a Betty Crocker Fruit … [Read more...]
Edible Plant Cell – HomeSchooling Fun!
Edible Plant Cell - HomeSchooling Fun! I love home schooling my daughter. We enjoy learning together and also coming up with fun crafts or recipes to make her learning experience more hands on and fun. Recently we were studying about plant cells. I thought it would be fun to actually make a plant cell that we could eat. My daughter loved that idea and immediately sat down with a pen and paper to come up with her ideas and a grocery list. This was fun and educational because my daughter had to look at each feature of a plant cell and pick and choose what items would work best and actually look like they do in real life. For example she decided that the Golgi Body looked more like string candy and the Nucleus looked more round like a hard cinnamon candy. Of course after making the list of candy and sweets my daughter could not wait to make this tasty plant cell model. So we rushed out to the store and purchased our extensive list of sweet goodies. When we got home … [Read more...]
Worlds Together Cuba DVD – Great For Home Schooling!
** I was provided with a review copy of this title for the purpose of this review. However, my own opinion was used and not influenced in any way. Worlds Together Cuba DVD Review I love home schooling. It is so much fun to come up with a curriculum to teach my daughter. Recently we have been focusing on other countries. I want her to know what the world around her is like and watching DVD's like Cuba is a great way for her to see what other places are like. Worlds Together Cuba will take you on a tour of Cuba. The DVD will show you the culture and life of the people of Cuba. From their sugar plantations to the museums and churches. We learned about the free education and about how they offer free day care for children ages seven and under. This Worlds Together Cuba DVD is the next best thing to actually going to Cuba. Now lets face it...I would love to take my daughter to all these countries so that she could see them first hand. But that is … [Read more...]
Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty Review
I was sent product for the purpose of this review. However, my own opinion was used and not influenced in any way. Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty Review When it comes to putty I can tell you till I'm blue in the face that it is for my daughter. But in truth, it is for the both of us! I love playing with putty! Recently I was sent some Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty for the purpose of this review. I was excited because it has been a long time since I had putty to play with. I was also excited because I read that this putty was different from all the rest. Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty will not dry out and crumble. I was sent three really fun putty samples for the purpose of this review. Glow In The Dark, Heat Sensitive Hypercolor and Creatures. I could not wait to see just how awesome these were! Glow In The Dark - My daughter loves to play with this one in her room at night. She will roll it out flat and place stuff on it like different toys or cut out … [Read more...]
Art of Homeschooling Boys
Art of homeschooling boys Nobody can deny the fact that homeschooling girls are easier than the boys! This is because the girls and boys are wired differently. Studies show that the development of the boy's brain is different from that of girl's even before they are born. In fact, boys have more of testosterone that shapes the brain development. Therefore, naturally boys are more active that is they love jumping, running and climbing. Also, they are more curious and have an investigating and exploring streak. Though, parents might find this nature quite difficult to deal if they are planning to homeschool boys, but the fact is this nature can be used to your advantage. You just need to know the art of homeschooling boys. Here are few things that you can try: Let them build: You might feel Lego toys are useless and just add to the mess in the home, but on the contrary it is a perfect learning tool for boys. Use Lego for teaching kid’s math, engineering, history, science … [Read more...]
Oriental Trading For All Your School Supply Needs!
** I was provided with product for the purpose of this review. However, my own opinion was used and not influenced in any way. Oriental Trading For All Your School Supply Needs! Home schooling is in full swing. My daughter and I got started on her schooling as soon as all of her school supplies arrived. Thanks to Oriental Trading I was able to order everything in one place! This is my first year home schooling and to be honest I was unsure about what supplies I would need. As I was looking through Oriental Trading it was easy to just put a list together and start ordering. They have a great back to school section that contained pens, pencils, erasers, glue, paint, stickers, scissors, markers, crayons, book marks and more. I knew that I was completely done with my shopping supplies by the time I got done looking at their back to school section! My Supply List: IN-73/29034 12pc Chalk QT - 3 IN-8/505 Burgundy Stick Pens QT - 1 IN-8/539 Cardinals with Holly Stick Pens QT - … [Read more...]
Rubber Egg – How To Remove The Shell From The Egg
Rubber Egg - How To Remove The Shell From The Egg Most of you know that I have finally taken the plunge into home schooling. I have been spending my days planning out lessons, scheduling classes and coming up with experiments. One of the experiments I am looking forward to the most is taking the shell off the egg. It is super easy to do and something that I know my daughter will love! How To: 1-2 cups of vinegar (Fill your container of choice about half way) One Egg In 3 Days and you will have a transformation. To start off the experiment let your child play around with the egg. Notice how the shell looks and feels. Record your findings in your Science journal (if you keep one). Then place the egg into the vinegar and notice the bubbles around the egg. Make sure to check on your experiment every day. If you keep a science journal it would be a good idea to document what you see each morning. On day three you will find that the shell is completely gone … [Read more...]
Magical Foaming Soap! Super Fun & Simple Science Experiment!
Magical Foaming Soap! Super Fun & Simple Science Experiment! Here is a super fun and super easy science experiment you can for very cheap! This can be done with kids at any age! I have an 8 and 9 year old and so the science lessons can be adjusted to the appropriate age. You can make it just simple or go in depth and have them write in a journal about what is going on scientifically, however in depth you want to take these it will still result in the same ending which is FUN! My kids write what they are going to do, a hypothesis of what they think will happen, the process of what happened and a conclusion of the overall experiment and what went on with it. You can even get the crayons out and have them draw what happened and what it looked like to include some art as well. I like to take pictures and then print them out and the kids can paste those pictures into their journal so they don’t forget what the experiment looked like. Magical Foaming … [Read more...]
Bubbly Foam! A Fun Science Experiment For Your Little One!
Bubbly Foam! A Fun Science Experiment For Your Little One! I used to do a version of this experiment (elephant’s toothpaste) at school growing up but it was done up at the front of class and we had to stand back and it just honestly isn't safe for little kids. The reaction is different with this experiment for sure because the ingredients are different but it’s along the same line and still really fun and this one is kid friendly! This is fun for the kids to see that they can make foam! Yes my kids decided to inspect the foam with their hand held magnifying glass as well. They could see a lot of tiny bubbles and that was super fun for them! Bubbly Foam! What you need – Empty water bottle Hydrogen peroxide Dish soap Packet of active yeast Food coloring Funnel Measuring cup Directions – (You might want to take this experiment outside or have the bottle in the middle of a cookie sheet because this will be foaming out … [Read more...]