Each year, about this time, I start thinking (i.e. planning) about next year. Big picture planning. Shopping for curriculum options. Scouring Pinterest. Dreaming big. The fun stuff. However, at the end of each week, I do a different type of planning. I grab my pencil and and a big eraser, and go to work making… Continue reading Simple Weekly Lesson Planning
Author: North Star Homeschool Resources
Welcome friends! I started my teaching experience as a certified science teacher in Texas in 2003 and spent seven years teaching science in public school, grades 8-12. In 2014, I began the homeschool journey with my own three children and taught elementary, middle, and high school science in homeschool co-ops along the way. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a Master's degree in Education. I'm happy to help with your homeschool journey!
A Delicious DNA Model
I feel like we have had a little "model mania" in science lately. Today was a favorite though, mainly because it involved CANDY! Since we are learning about cells, I added in a lesson about DNA, even though our current unit is about classification and not genetics. First, we reviewed cell organelles and their functions… Continue reading A Delicious DNA Model
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Aprons with Iron-on Cell Diagrams
(The included Amazon links are affiliate links. If you use the links to make a purchase, you help to support this blog. Thank you!) Diagrams and models are important to science learning because it helps students visualize things that they cannot usually observe. If they can be involved in the creation of models and diagrams,… Continue reading Aprons with Iron-on Cell Diagrams
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Nature Study Monday: Rocks
Mondays are our Nature Study days. We usually go to a local area for a nature hike with a purpose of learning more about a specific topic. Topics may be from our Nature Notebooks, or we may pick our own topic and use some of the blank pages in the journal to draw, write, or… Continue reading Nature Study Monday: Rocks
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Friday Fun
(The included Amazon links are affiliate links. If you use the links to make a purchase, you help to support this blog. Thank you!) Mondays and Fridays are my favorite days of the week. Mondays are full of new week energy, and I feel rested from the weekend and ready to conquer my task lists… Continue reading Friday Fun
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Organizing Science Units from The Good and the Beautiful
We have been using science units from The Good and the Beautiful for two years now. Last year, we completed the units for Marine Biology (free), Chemistry, Human Body, Arthropods, and Into to Energy (this used to be 2 units, they have now been combined into one unit). This year, I scheduled fewer units for… Continue reading Organizing Science Units from The Good and the Beautiful
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Self-Directed Reading Lists
Every year, I start with the best intents of having well researched reading lists for the girls for their daily independent reading time. I have book lists from Mensa Kids, Read Aloud Revival, The Good and the Beautiful, etc. What usually happens is about this time of year, after Christmas when we are still trying… Continue reading Self-Directed Reading Lists
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Homemade Valentine’s Day Heart Pillows
Valentine's Day is still a month away, but given the nature of 2020 and 2021 so far, looking forward to the next bright, colorful, candy-laden holiday is just what we need. Over the past two years, I have made a real effort to decorate for more than just Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. So, this year,… Continue reading Homemade Valentine’s Day Heart Pillows
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Using Pixar in a Box for Writer’s Workshop
Last May, I asked the kids what kinds of electives they wanted in the upcoming school year. My youngest wanted more art projects and to learn Spanish. My older two wanted to learn more about technology, coding, robotics, and writing. So, as part of exploring options for coding and technology, I checked out Khan Academy's… Continue reading Using Pixar in a Box for Writer’s Workshop
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A Matching and Memory Game for Learning Cell Organelles
My kids love games. On Fridays, we historically play math games, but sometimes we add in geography games, logic games, or puzzles. I have decided to create a few games to use in science to help with learning vocabulary that my middle schoolers will be using again soon in high school biology. We just started… Continue reading A Matching and Memory Game for Learning Cell Organelles
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