I am homeschooling again! Is it weird that I am the one most excited about it? Well, anyway a move and the many, many issues at the local school have given my oldest son and I reason to decide that homeschooling is in his best interests. This go round I have smartened up and decided NOT to use an online curriculum. Yes it kept me accountable and yes we knew exactly what to do and when to do it but it was so stressful and felt more like 5-6 daily hours of grueling homework rather than a relaxed school at home environment. This time I have decided to use Oak Meadow for our curriculum (with no online support). I bought a used syllabus on eBay and it is quite perfect for us I think… it has a slight Waldorf feel to it and it is no wonder because the creators of this curriculum were Waldorf teachers.
Also this time around I will not be his only teacher. I was VERY put out recently by my husband’s employer when they decided to switch him to second shift. I think I am going to be grumpy about it for a loooong time to come BUT it will mean my husband is home every day to help out with homeschooling. So I guess that is a bit of a silver lining.
One thing I have done this week is re-subscribe to all my favorite homeschooling blogs. I missed them so!! I prefer secular blogs but don’t mind a little Christian slant as long as it isn’t ONLY about that. Here is a list of my favorites.
1. Simple Homeschool – This blogs has several writers and lots of great info on keeping homeschool simple and organized. Today’s post was all about Circle Time, which is a part of the Oak Meadow philosophy.
2. The Homeschool Classroom – Every post is FULL of great resources and links.
3. The Curriculum Choice – This blog seems to center more on homeschool product reviews which is really helpful. it gives me ideas for new tools and resources.
4. Magic and Mayhem – This blog by homeschooling mom Alicia is awesome. I read it daily and wonder where does she get the energy?!? I love that much of their learning seems to take place by doing and living rather than by completing worksheets.
5. Stitching Life – Great project ideas on this blog. I bookmarked the Scream artwork post because I think my little artist would really enjoy that.
6. Teach Mama – MANY great projects and resources including many posts on outdoor learning.
Do you have any to add?
thank you, thank you, thank you for your kind words! I’m grateful to be on your list and proud to be in such great company!
cheers, my friend!
Thank you for this list! With the gazillion homeschooling blogs out there, its always great to get recommendations from a trusted source (that’s you!). ;) LOL!
I also subscribe to the blogs of the contributors at Simple Homeschool.
these look great! And they are all ones I hadn’t yet come across. I hadn’t even considered homeschooling until my son was about to start kindergarten (which he is now in), but I am seriously considering it for next year and am trying to read a lot this year to plan and see if I think it will work for us! Thanks!
We LOVE Charlotte Mason, but even if we didn’t this blog would encourage and inspire us in soooo many ways!!!! http://higherupandfurtherin.blogspot.com/ (((((HUGS))))) sandi
Hello!
Your blog popped up on my Google Alert for outdoor learning. I don’t do a home school blog specifically but feel that many of my posts may help homeschool families.
If you pay my blog a visit (thank you in advance), please do have a look at the blog index – this is the quickest way of finding out what is relevant to your circumstances.
Well done for your work. In spite of being a teacher, I strongly believe that “Anything school can do, you can do better!”
I looked into Oak Meadow when I was looking. Really liked it. Wishing you the best with homeschooling!
Nell
Oh, how neat to be on your list! Thank you! :) Congrats on starting the journey again, and I hope OM is a much better fit. I’ve heard lots of good things about it.
I’m off to check out the blogs on your list (and in the comments) that are new to me now. Thanks!
This is so helpful for a homeschooling mom like me who really needs a leg up on a daily basis. Thank you! These blogs just got themselves a new follower!
Oh good luck! Great list of blogs. I can understand why second shift would be frustrating but try to enjoy the fact that he will be around during the day. I would give anything most days to have the hubby around for just a little while.
If you plan on doing ANYTHING outdoors you MUST check out Juliet (comment above). Her blog is fabulous. My girls and I do a lot of her activities and love them.
If you need more outdoor ideas for tiny little ones you can visit my blog, but I mostly focus on infant and toddlers. Lots of great nature related inspiration though!
Although I am a decidedly Christian homeschooling mom, I wrote an ebook called Think Outside the Classroom which I’ve been told by hundreds of moms helped them to relax so much and really focus on education in a new and different way. I think you would love it–it also has practical tips about implementing a relaxed approach into your day.
I’d love to send it to you if you’re interested! Just let me know!
Thanks for sharing these blogs! My husband works second shift too and that gives us just another reason to homeschool our child (and future children) – otherwise they would not see dad for 5 days in a row! We really like being a second shift family (I work from home). That way we have daylight hours even in the winter to be outdoors when we would like. :)
It has its benefits I guess. I dislike it because I work during the day from home and want to relax in the evenings and eat dinner as a family. With hubby on second shift I am a single parent at night and we eat dinner without him.
Hello, I’m thinking on homeschooling my 3yr old and I was wondering if you, or any of the moms have any suggestions on which material I should look at? It’s so overwhelming because there’s so manny out there and you don’t even now which one to trust.
I would really appreciate any information. Thank yo so much.
How old is your son? Maybe your readers could suggest some books, etc. I always loved reading assignments that required analysis of the piece. But then, I’m a word nerd.
He’s ten. ;)
Oooh, I got nothin’ for a 10 yr old. I’ll give you some suggestions in 3 yrs. :-)
Thank you so much for including The Homeschool Classroom in your list! :) I always love hearing when people enjoy our blog.