As I mentioned in an earlier post, I designed this year's science curriculum around Magic School Bus books and videos. We are beginning our school year this summer with insects. The first book/episode I chose is Gets Ants in its Pants, a book about Ms. Frizzle and the kids visiting an ant hill colony. The… Continue reading Magic School Bus Gets Ants in its Pants
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Kicking off the 2017-2018 year
Two weeks ago today, we started our new school year with an excited 1st grader, 4th grader and 5th grader. I baked donuts with icing and sprinkles for breakfast. We made new school shirts. We painted grade signs for taking photos. We wrote about ourselves on the first day of a new grade. Then I… Continue reading Kicking off the 2017-2018 year
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Planning for a year of Magic School Bus
I have been wanting to do this since last year: design a complete year's hands-on science curriculum based on Magic School Bus books and videos. My oldest kid is going into fifth grade. It's now or never. The science lessons for each topic are based on the 5-E method: engage, explore, explain, elaborate, evaluate. Engage… Continue reading Planning for a year of Magic School Bus
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Hunting for curriculum deals
One of the perks, and drawbacks, of homeschooling is choosing (what you believe to be) the right curriculum for your child...and then purchasing it. Some companies offer complete curriculums for hundreds to thousands of dollars. I am not a fan of the boxed curriculum. Some are, and it works for them, and that's fine. I… Continue reading Hunting for curriculum deals
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“So, how long are you gonna homeschool for?”
"So, how long are you gonna homeschool for?" I get asked this question often, mostly by non-homeschooling folks. And, my standard answer is, "For as long as the girls want to." I just had the conversation with each of them this week about whether they want to continue to homeschool next year, or go to… Continue reading “So, how long are you gonna homeschool for?”
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Sewing a sampler
My kiddos are sewing their first sampler. While reading a biography about young Betsy Ross with our Beyond Five in a Row unit curriculum, we started on this sewing project this week. So far, it is a hit. Pinterest provided the idea of using a gingham material for a grid to make stiching easy. I… Continue reading Sewing a sampler
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Made me laugh: 6 Reasons You Shouldn’t Homeschool Your Kids
This blog post at lifeofahomeschoolmom.com made me laugh. I loved it so much, I had to share: 6 Reasons You Shouldn't Homeschool Your Kids. Ahhh, satire.
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Thomas the Train autism resources on PBS Learning Media
PBS Learning Media has a collection of short videos and activities for children on the autism spectrum featuring Thomas the Train. After reviewing the materials, I heartily agree with the recommended age range of preK-2nd grade. From the site's description, "Students with ASD can struggle with impulse control, flexibility, problem solving and emotional regulation. Thomas &… Continue reading Thomas the Train autism resources on PBS Learning Media
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Place value pill box
Place value is not a concept that "clicks" for my third grader. We have base ten sets. We have place value coins. We have counters. We have place value stacking cards. But this is still not an automatic skill for her, so we keep adding math tools to her toolbox for her to use to… Continue reading Place value pill box
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Keeping art and artist study budget friendly
My kinder kid has reached the last few readers in her Starfall curriculum, which happen to be about artists. Today, her little reader was about Vincent Van Gogh. I found this book, Usborne's Art Treasury, at our beloved library, which contains activities based on artwork of famous artists. We are creating a landscape with paints… Continue reading Keeping art and artist study budget friendly
North Star Homeschool Resources 