The Wolfe Pack {Reviews+Resources+Suggestions=Support for the Discerning Homeschool Mom}

providing the discerning homeschool mama with support on her journey

HOMESCHOOLING in KANSAS: the Basics

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{The term “homeschooling” has been a hotly debated topic for years and is even more so today. This article is not to debate what equates to “homeschooling” but to help define WHAT you want for your kids and HOW to get it.}

If you are in Kansas and thinking about homeschooling your kids this year, there are a few things you need to consider.

But, more importantly, you first need to understand the basics of the process.

Before all of this crazy COVID chaos, it was a lot easier to dissect the different homeschooling concepts but things have gotten rather murky with dozens of terms that seem to mean the same thing:

Distance Learning

On-line Options

Public-school at Home

Charter Crossovers

Hyrbid Schooling

Virtual Classroom

and more…..

But if you find yourself wanting to keep your kids at home for school, no matter which term is being used, you need to understand the basics. And the best way to understand the basics is to ask yourself a series of questions. 

The first question you need to ask yourself is:

Do I want to school at home WITH the help of my LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT?

If you want to keep your local district involved, then that’s where you need to go to get started. There are as many different virtual/distance learning/hybrid plans from the districts as there are districts in the state. So, if that’s what you want, you need to seek them out for help. Only they can help you with the details. 

But if you want to cut ties with the local district and not take part in what they are offering as an alternative to coming into the classroom, the next question you need to ask yourself is:

Do I want to partake in the free PUBLIC SCHOOL AT HOME option that is offered through the STATE OF KANSAS?

This has been available for years and you’ve probably seen it advertised on TV {K12 and Kansas Connections Academy are two I see most frequently.} This is free and available to any kids in the state of Kansas. You can head here or here to check out some options. This route will remove you from your district but keep you in the Kansas State Department of Education’s realm. There are a few “schools” from which you can choose. They provide the curriculum and, at least some, provide laptops for you to complete their curriculum. If that’s the route you want to take, check out those links. They will send you loads of information on how to get started. I personally know some families that have had great success with this route and I can put you in touch with a few if you’d like. Just let me know. 

But, if you said “no” to those two questions above, your final question is this:

Do I want to HOMESCHOOL WITHOUT ANY CONNECTION to the public school system?

If your answer to that is “yes,” then these are the steps you need to take:

STEP ONE: UNDERSTAND that the state of  Kansas does not officially recognize “homeschooling” as an option. No worries, though. They just call us “non-accredited private schools.” It’s totally legal and any competent adult can do it {seriously, that’s how they define who can teach your kids….”competent adult.”} You can find more info from KSDE here and you can read the statues here. 

STEP TWO: REGISTER with the Kansas State Department of Education as a non-accredited private school. It might sound daunting but it’s super duper simple. Go here to get that done.  All you need is your name, your address and the name of your homeschool. That’s all. You don’t even need your kids’ names, ages or grades. When it asks for “custodian,” that’s you. And you only need to do it ONE TIME. You do not need to do this every year. I did it in 2011 and haven’t visited the site since. 

THREE: WITHDRAW your kids from their public schools {assuming they attended previously.} I know this sounds daunting too, but it’s NOT! And don’t let the district bigwigs or local school secretaries freak you out. Just do it. Here is an example of a good withdrawal letter. You do not need to tell them anything else.  You can go here to see what you do and DO NOT need to tell the local school. Just withdraw your kids and move on. You are 100% within your legal rights to educate your kids at home in the state of Kansas {and every state for that matter.} 

FOUR: KNOW the requirements. Thankfully, in Kansas, the requirements are very few. No testing is required. No portfolio submissions needed. No curriculum approval process. No attendance is monitored. You can go here for an easy rundown on the requirements. But, believe me when I say it is very minimal. At the moment, in the state of Kansas, homeschoolers have a lot of freedom and luxury. It may not always be that way, but that’s the situation for now. 

FIVE: CHOOSE your curriculum. This is, by far, the most time-consuming step. And there is no way for anybody to tell you what will be right for your family. There are as many curriculum options as there are WalMarts in the country. Or more. This is where many families get overwhelmed and discouraged. The most important thing to remember is that whatever you choose to do, does NOT need to be forever. You can adjust as many times as you need to throughout the year. 

But, to get started, I would head over here and read about the learning styles of your kids. That will give you a good start and will, in the very least, help you eliminate several types of curricula.

I would also check out these two articles that discuss the various methods of homeschooling: How to Choose the Best Homeschool Teaching Method for Your Family and A Beginner’s Guide to Homeschooling. 

And this article offers a three step approach to deciding on curriculum and could really help you narrow things down. 

Another great resource is anything by Cathy Duffy. I have a couple of her books, which I loan out to potential homeschoolers all the time, but you can get a lot of her info online here {you can also buy her books there.} She has reviewed OODLES of homeschool curricula and does a great job of dividing things into helpful categories. She also outlines whether they are of a Christian, secular or neutral worldview. Using her resources should leave you with at least a few viable resources.

My last suggestion would be to reach out to both local homeschool groups and also national groups {which you can find plenty of online.} But, I would save that step for last. I’d arm myself with a wee bit of knowledge first and “arrive” in those groups with some specific questions. It’s really hard for veteran homeschoolers to answer “what’s the best way to homschool?” Why? Because, really, nobody can answer that but you…which, in truth, is the heart of homeschooling!

YOU GET TO DECIDE WHAT’S BEST FOR YOUR KIDS’ EDUCATION!

We know it takes a lot of time and energy to make the decisions necessary but, believe us, it will be worth it! 

The Best MATH PROGRAM for Kids {and Moms} Who HATE MATH

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{This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy for details.} 

The Best MATH PROGRAM for Kids {and Moms} Who HATE MATH

Math-U-See

Horizons Math

Life of Fred

Christian Light Education

Learn Math Fast

Math Lessons for a Living Education

You might be thinking this is a list of available homeschool math programs, and in a way,  you would be right. 

But, really, this is a list of math we have used in our homeschool.

And by used, I mean, actually used for a decent amount of time during a school year. 

And, the best part of this, is that all of them were for ONE KID. Yep, six different math programs for one kid.

He’s an only child and HE HATES MATH. 

He didn’t hate it from the very beginning when it involved counting blocks and tracing numbers. But as soon as it involved computing problems, even as simple as single digit addition, HE HATED IT. He could do it but HE HATED IT. 

And, the way he felt about math resulted in

TEARS,

FRUSTRATIONS and

more than a few whispered

SWEARWORDS

from me. 

As you probably know, if your child hates doing something, it’s really easy to start hating the experience of asking that child to do it. 

So, soon enough, I HATED MATH too. 

But, we all know math is necessary to learn so we didn’t give up. 

But, we did try out a whole bunch of math programs. 

We started with Math-U-See and stuck with that for a few years. It was great for its hands on blocks and visual number street concept. I also loved the way the pages were laid out with their spacious work areas. And, the fact that Steve Demme taught all of the lessons was helpful. But somewhere along the line, Steve started using a strategy that made no sense to me, which meant I could not help the kid with it, and since HE HATES MATH, he always needed my help. So, I decided to make a switch mid-year. 

We switched to Horizons Math. I thought the kid would like the colorful pages and that I would like the spiral approach. But, the pages were crammed with too many problems and for a kid who HATES MATH and is a messy writer, more space and a better layout were necessary. But, we finished out the school year with it and then tossed the half-used book into the trash. 

Next up was Life of Fred. I had heard so many great things about this unconventional program with its story approach and real-life applications. I decided we’d give it a go during the summer months. But, with its unusual approach, I figured we needed to start at the beginning. So we started with Apples….and didn’t get too far. Neither of us really enjoyed the stories; we found them weird. And, there was simply not enough practice to accompany the stories. So, that was the end of Fred. 

When the fall rolled around, I was searching for yet another math program.  A fellow homeschool mom suggested Christian Light Education. The small booklets were appealing to me and I thought would be less overwhelming to my son. So, we did the placement test, which resulted in him being more than a grade level behind. Though I didn’t like that fact, I knew it must be true. After all, HE HATES MATH and we were now on our fourth math program {in six years.} So, I swallowed my pride, and ordered the level that the placement test suggested. But, apparently, I did not swallow ALL of my pride, because I was determined to catch him up within that year. So, we doubled up on math. Yeah. For a kid who HATES MATH, that was a really dumb move on this mama’s part. But, he’s a compliant kid and did what I asked….with lots of frustration, tears and whispered swearwords {from both of us, truth be told.}

And we actually used CLE for a few levels. He was catching up, but still hating it, and then I was offered a full set of Learn Math Fast for free and I took it. It is promoted as a program that works for kids who don’t like math, find math difficult to grasp or need to catch up. That was surely a description of my kid so we gave it a go! But, it is very clearly designed to start with Volume One {they don’t use grade levels} and work through the rest of the volumes quickly {that’s the “fast” part of the title, I guess.} Well, it didn’t work. Their approach was totally different to what he had learned with the other eighty-two programs he had tried {okay, it was only five by this point, but it felt closer to eighty-two}, so that program was abandoned fairly quickly and the remainder of the set was passed on to another family. 

So, now we’re sitting a few months into a new school year and,  yet again, need another new math program. So, Math Lessons for a Living Education it was! The name alone promotes a concept of learning math from the perspective of using it in real life. And it had stories to go along with it. At this point, I was so tired of math, that I figured if he could just learn how to use it in real life, I’d be satisfied and we could move on with life. So, that’s what we did for seventh grade. And we both hated it. The stories seemed totally random and didn’t really incorporate math into real-life situations and they certainly didn’t lend themselves to any type of excitement or anticipation about reading the next one. So, we finished one book of that during 7th Grade but I knew I needed to find something else for 8th Grade and beyond. 

And, then the kid announced his firm intention of being a zoologist when he grew up. And I knew that meant that I needed to make a very specific and rigorous plan for his High School science and math.

So, back to the drawing board I went. Or at least, I started to go. But then God took care of all of my math worries and woes by sending me on a quick and unexpected trip multiple states away close to the end of that summer.

While in California for a funeral, I stayed with my favorite auntie. This favorite auntie happens to be my ultimate role model for homeschooling. She homeschooled all of my cousins long before it was even legal to do so. And, in the end, she produced five well-adjusted, gainfully-employed, mathematically-literate adults. 

Why I hadn’t approached her about math before is beyond me. Maybe because it had been two decades since she had actually taught my cousins so I assumed she’d be out of touch with today’s programs? I don’t know. But, I should’ve known she’d have the perfect suggestion for us because, really, does math change? 

You can add manipulatives and color pictures. You can add DVDs, video streaming or live instructors. But, does the actual math really change? No. 

When I explained where my son was in math and where he needed to go, she immediately got up, walked into her garage and came back with the math book that all five of my cousins used in 8th Grade:

Saxon Algebra 1/2

I took that old, worn, hardbound book and opened it. On the inside cover I discovered the signatures of all my cousins and the dates they used the book. It made me think of when I was in school and had been assigned a textbook for the year. 

But beyond the sweet nostalgia of realizing that a second generation would be using that book, was the sudden “ah ha” moment of what my son needed. He just needed straightforward, simply presented normal math. 

So, I packed that Saxon book into my luggage with a newfound excitement for the upcoming school year. 

And then I got home and sat down to plan the lessons out and got overwhelmed.

It was straightforward all right. I knew it was what he needed to finally set a firm foundation in math and get him ready for the rigors of Algebra, Geometry and Calculus in high school. But, it was so straightforward that I knew he would need more than just the plainly written daily lessons for him to actually learn. And, now that we were dealing with the beginnings of advanced math concepts, I knew I could not teach it. 

And then God stepped in again. I wish I could recall exactly where I read about Nicole the Math Lady. I think it was in a FaceBook group for homeschoolers. But, I am not sure. But, no matter where it was, I am positive that God placed Nicole right there in my path for a very specific purpose. I had never ever heard of Nicole before. Ever. But, I will be forever grateful that I discovered her when I did. 

Nicole TEACHES Saxon math lessons to your kids. For a very low subscription fee, you can log into her videos and watch her go through EACH LESSON. She does it efficiently with nothing but a big whiteboard, some colored markers, total clarity and a sweet smile. 

It was like hiring a one-on-one private and highly qualified teacher to tackle the one subject that was hated in our house. 

The kid and I watched the daily lessons together {so I knew what he was supposed to be doing and could help him correct mistakes of his written assignments} and then he would do his daily assignment. Every day, Nicole saved the day in our home. I’m not kidding. I cannot adequately praise her approach or thank her enough for her lessons. 

After one year with Saxon and Nicole, my son is ready to take on Algebra for Ninth Grade! 

And, for once, it’s just the middle of the summer and we’ve already got Math all figured out: Saxon Algebra with Nicole the Math Lady. 

If you are interested in “hiring” Nicole the Math Lady, you can find the details by clicking on her name…just pick one of the 54 times I dropped it for you. Oh, heck, let’s make it a nice round 55 times because, in case you didn’t notice,  I LOVE Nicole!  

The kid may never love math, but I know we will have much fewer tears, frustrations and swear words with this approach to math. 

And I know this approach will give him what is necessary to take the required science courses in high school. 

And I know this approach will have him all prepped and ready to roll for college in four years. 

FEB 2021 UPDATE: We are now half-way through his Ninth Grade year and the kid is rocking Algebra! And, really, all of the credit goes to Nicole! Not only does she offer easy-to-understand videos for every lesson in his Saxon Algebra 1 textbook, she now also offers online grading. So, she does ALL THE MATH WORK for me! 

 

How to Slow the SUMMER SLIDE

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{This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy for details.} 

SUMMER SLIDE is a phrase used to describe the slide backwards that many children make in reading and math skills over the summer break. 

When I was a classroom teacher, the SUMMER SLIDE was to be expected. And reviewing for several weeks in the fall in order to combat the SUMMER SLIDE was also to be expected. It’s common practice for classroom teachers to build in several weeks of review at the start of each new school year. Unfortunately, it is impossible to target each kid’s specific “slide issues” so, instead, entire classes receive the same review.  Sally might’ve slid back twelve steps in math and three steps in reading while Billy slid back two steps in math and twenty steps in reading. But both Billy and Sally {plus their twenty classmates} would have to sit through the same review lessons. 

But, one of the many benefits of homeschooling is that we don’t release our students into the wild summer with nothing but a library card and our sincere hopes that they’ll do more than just watch TV, play video games and sleep late. We actually get to shape their schedules and continue to place expectations on their education. 

But, unless our kids have no break in their school routines at all, homeschool kids are still prone to the SUMMER SLIDE. 

So, why not be purposeful in making sure our kids don’t lose too much over the summer break? Below are five simple suggestions for slowing the SUMMER SLIDE.

{Note: The links are pink! Just think, “pink link” if you are wanting to follow a link to something.}

 

ONE: DO FUN UNIT STUDIES

Doing a UNIT STUDY is one of our favorite educational activities to do over the summer because we get to learn about all sorts of subjects, people and events that we didn’t have time for during the regular school year. The variety of UNIT STUDIES that is available is endless and fairly inexpensive {if not totally FREE.} Plus, they are easy to add to/subtract from as fits your family’s needs and schedule. You can read all about the fun benefits of UNIT STUDIES here: How and Why to Teach with Unit Studies.  

But be warned! Once you decide that UNIT STUDIES are an amazing way to keep the learning moving forward over the summer, you might get overwhelmed with deciding what to study. Like I said, the topics are endless! One approach is to go with current events like Sharks or The Summer Olympics. Here are ten Summer-Themed Unit Studies to check out! Another option is to focus on those {annoying} things your kids tend to talk non-stop about but you don’t usually want to partake in,  like Frozen or Minecraft. Or you can take a favorite read-aloud and turn it into a full experience with these American Girl Unit Studies or the Ultimate Treasure Island Unit Study.  But, no matter which UNIT STUDY {or twelve!!!} you choose, your kids will surely benefit from the variety of learning opportunities involved! 

TWO: PLAY EDUCATIONAL GAMES

In order to keep school at least a wee bit fun during the school year, we try to play at least one EDUCATIONAL GAME per week but, sadly, it is often the first thing that gets cut when we are running short of time. But, summer is the perfect time to be diligent about playing EDUCATIONAL GAMES! Whether you want to review math, science, spelling or history, there are loads of EDUCATIONAL GAMES that are not only fun, but also serve as a very purposeful review. 

Some of our favorites include Four Way Countdown {which covers all four mathematical operations so it’s perfect for nearly all ages/skill levels,} Game of the States {geography and commerce,} Wordical {spelling} and Totally Gross {science.} For a brief breakdown of the many benefits of EDUCATIONAL GAMES along with detailed reviews on several games, check out How and Why to Use Educational Games in Your Homeschool. 

And you don’t even have to fill your Amazon cart with new EDUCATIONAL GAMES! There are several ways to turn games you {probably} have cluttering your hall closet right now into a fun new way to act as an educational review. With just a few minutes of your time, you can turn a classic board game into an amazing EDUCATIONAL GAME. Check out this post for ideas on How to Use Classic Board Games as a Fun Way to Do School Review. 

Whether Amazon delivers something new or you get crafty with the old, your kids will totally love playing some EDUCATIONAL GAMES this summer and you’ll love the educational benefit! 

THREE: SHARE a BACK & FORTH JOURNAL 

We’ve done this off and on for years and not only is it a fun way for my son to practice his least favorite subject, writing, it also provides us with a wonderful keepsake. You can make this super simple with a plain spiral notebook or much more elaborate with a fancy personalized journal. Either way, the concept is to have your child write to you about whatever he/she wants and then to for you to write back. This way, your kid is not only reading AND writing, he/she is doing it on a very personal level. And, as we know, the more personalized we can make the lesson, the more educational value will be found in it.

My son, who is now 14 and detests writing, truly loves when we do a BACK & FORTH JOURNAL. He especially loves asking me questions because I take the time to answer him with care and honesty {which, is not always the case when we’re in the middle of doing school, running errands or whatever.} And I love the fact that I have a precious journal to keep for the future. Plus, I seem to be able to show more interest in things like Minecraft, dragons and baseball through writing than I do in person. I also tend to sneak in “schooly” questions like, “what was the coolest thing you learned in science this year?” And, I always write in cursive because it gives him more practice at reading my fancy script! 

A BACK & FORTH JOURNAL really is the perfect way to keep your kid reading and writing over the summer!

FOUR: USE RANDOM RESOURCES

Chances are, you already have a hearty stash of handy RANDOM RESOURCES at your fingertips!

Library: Sign your kids up for the summer reading program at the library. Or, finally, look into their digital resources that you bookmarked in your web browser months ago but have yet to use. My library offers access to free foreign language lessons that I plan on using this summer! 

Digital: Do a deep dive into Netflix or Disney+ in search of a new-to-you science series. Break out that set of educational DVDs you picked up at Costco months ago. Sign up for a super fun multi-sensory way to cement those stubborn math facts online with Drill Team!

Mail: Sign your kids up for an old-fashioned magazine subscription like ZooBooks or Ranger Rick. Or, instead, go modern and check out one of the many cool subscription boxes that are so popular these days.  You can read about nine different subscription boxes in this review, Best Educational Subscription Boxes Your Kids Will Love. 

Pinterest: Revisit your Pinterest Boards and do some of those fun hands-on activities you pinned long ago but never got to. 

There are so many ideas that I wish we could do but save “for when we have more time”. Well, summer is the perfect time to dig into that stash of RANDOM RESOURCES! 

FIVE: COMPLETE LEFTOVER CURRICULUM

This is an idea that I came by accidentally but have used every year since I discovered it. As the school year winds down, I always go through all our son’s work so I can finalize grades and organize things for storage. Inevitably, I discover LEFTOVER CURRICULUM amidst his finished work. It might be additional practice pages in the rear of his textbooks, alternate test versions in the teacher’s manual or fun/trivial items that I purposely had him skip in the interest of time. All these items make great review pages during the summer months. 

And because they tie in perfectly to what was just learned during the school year, they are the furthest thing from busy work. They are purposeful pieces redesigned to serve as a review. 

So, how will you SLOW THE SUMMER SLIDE? Will you do fun UNIT STUDIES, share a BACK & FORTH JOURNAL, play EDUCATIONAL GAMES, use RANDOM RESOURCES or complete LEFTOVER CURRICULUM?

Every Homeschooler Needs THIS Stuffed in Their Stocking

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{This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy for details.} 

 

Every homeschooler needs  FRIXION ERASABLE RETRACTABLE COLORED PENS stuffed in their stocking!

WHY? 

Two simple reasons…

ONE: They’re a colorful addition to your school supply arsenal.

They come in a variety of fun, VIBRANT COLORS but don’t bleed or transfer and are FULLY ERASABLE {see below.} So, you no longer need to sacrifice COLORFUL FUN for the sake of practicality! The seven pack includes what you see in the pictures above and the ten pack adds lime green, orange and a third shade of blue. 

 

TWO: They really work!

My son uses these pens exclusively. He hates the sound of pencil scratching and he makes too many mistakes to use normal pens {that don’t erase} so this is seriously all he uses.  He uses them for math problems, writing essays, science notebooking, Bible verse copywork, spelling tests….every time he needs to write something for school, he uses one of these pens. And, like most typical twelve year old boys, he makes a lot of mistakes and tends to be more than a wee bit messy with his handwriting. So, to say he erases a lot would be an understatement.  He erases ALL THE TIME and these pens REALLY WORK! They write clean and clear and they erase just as well! 

So, if you are searching for a FUN but USEFUL item to stuff in your homeschooler’s stocking, be sure to grab some  FRIXION ERASABLE RETRACTABLE COLORED PENS by Pilot! 

{WARNING: We have tried a handful of knock-off brands but nothing compares to FRIXION ERASABLE RETRACTABLE COLORED PENS by Pilot. The less expensive knock-offs run out of ink sooner, rendering the lower pointless.}

{BONUS: Pilot also makes FRIXION ERASABLE STICK PENS that aren’t retractable. They tend to be a little less expensive but we prefer not needing to keep track of caps all the time.}

{SUGGESTION: If you’re hesitating to spend decent money on writing utensils for your kids because they tend to misplace pens and pencils frequently, I don’t blame you a wee bit! I strongly suggest a CLIPBOARD WITH STORAGE. These have been a game-changer for us. My son keeps all his pens plus protractor and ruler inside with his assignment list clipped to the front. It has helped keep him much better organized!}





Three Tips on How to Homeschool During the Holidays

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Long before I was a homeschool mom, I was a classroom teacher and one of the biggest challenges I experienced every year was figuring out ways to push through the academic curriculum while wading through the holiday season filled with parties, programs and plays. It was NOT An easy balance to find. Sway one way too much and my First Graders wouldn’t be able to read/write or add/subtract. Sway too far the other way and parents complained about “missing out on all the fun parts of school.” {I do not miss that type of pressure at all!}

I never dreamed that it would be just as hard as a HOMESCHOOL MOM to ensure that academics did not totally fly out the window as soon as mid-October hit. 

Between the amazing array of field trips that seem to abound every fall {apple picking, pumpkin patches, picnics in the park…} and parties to celebrate the various holidays {Caramel Apple Decorating, Thanksgiving Feasts, Gingerbread House Building…} having a full week of schooling at home seems impossible. Throw in at least one play, program or musical and it’s a wonder we get any teaching done at all from October through December.  

And, before you utter, “but learning happens all the time, no matter where you are and what you are doing” let me remind you that, while that is true, it’s not THAT simple. I agree that learning CAN happen anywhere. I believe that learning CAN occur at anytime.  BUT unless your kids are going to grow up to be professional Pilgrims or toy-making elves {no offense to those professions, ha ha,} they will need to know how to read and write. If they want to survive in the world of shopping and eating out, they will need to be able to multiply and divide. If they want to go to college, they will need to know how to formulate a scientific hypothesis and write clearly structured essays. And those things cannot be taught if we stop focusing on academics for the last 10 weeks of every single calendar year.

So, how can we continue to teach academics during this busy holiday season?

TIP ONE: Plan Ahead!

Wrap up 25 Christmas books, start on December 1st and read one book per day until Christmas.

Pick fun but purposeful unit studies to use all winter long {check out these brand new 12 Days of Winter Unit Study Packs that will go live in December 1-16, 2020!}

Assign copywork of the lines your kid needs to know for the Christmas play.

Take paper and pencils to the store when shopping for gifts and ask your kids to find the total before you go to the register.

Search TpT for lessons on holiday symbols and traditions or the true story of Christmas.

Choose crafts that teach skills your kids actually need and not just because they are cute.

Create an Advent activity for the month of December that is both meaningful and academic.

If your family does the Elf on the Shelf, be an Elfover-achiever and make at least some of the elf’s daily antics centered around academics.

Take the time not only to go Christmas caroling but also learn the words of and the meaning behind classic carols before you go! {Click here to receive my December FREEbie – a 40-page Hymn Study Pack on Angels We Have Heard on High.}

None of that advanced planning takes away from the fun and joyful experiences of the holidays. But they do make the activities more meaningful and purposeful and they keep your kids focused on their academics while still having fun.

TIP TWO: Get creative!

Ask your kids to group the ornaments into types {shapes, sizes, colors, etc} and graph them before you put them on the tree.

{Or, later in the season, have them count the number of pine needles that have fallen off before they vacuum, ha ha.}  

Rewrite the math assignment to include word problems about gifts, stockings and candy canes.

Say “we will practice fractions while baking cookies today” and make your younger kids reduce those fractions while the older kids need to find equivalent choices.

Replace the spelling words in your kid’s workbook with words including “sleigh, tradition, mistletoe”.

Teach formal letter-writing by having your kids write “thank you” letters.

Switch out your lunch-time read aloud book for something holiday related. {For a great historical fiction Christmas chapter book appropriate for all ages, check out the Imagination Station’s Danger on a Silent Night.} {And then take your fun new read aloud to the next level and get a resource to accompany it here. This Novel Study Pack is filled with vocab studies, puzzles and more!}

Explore the science of snow and the chemistry of instant hot-cocoa.

Define the laws of physics that allow graham crackers to be held up in a vertical position with icing while building gingerbread houses.

Yes, it will take longer to be creative. Yes, it will feel more like work than if you simply hope they’ll learn through osmosis while baking cookies, decorating trees and building gingerbread houses.  But, the extra time and effort will be worth it. They’ll be doing actual academics while enjoying a variety of fun activities!

TIP THREE: Be Diligent!

Acknowledge that your kids’ academics fall solely on you. Yes, that’s a lot of pressure but it’s what we signed up for when we decided to homeschool. So, remain diligent during the holiday season.  

Be diligent about your time.

It’s okay to miss out on a field trip or two.

It’s okay to say “no” to the choir director at church.

It’s okay to turn down the opportunity to organize the co-op Christmas party.

Be diligent about goals for your homeschool.

Stick to your daily routines.

Stick to your lesson plans.

Stick to your curriculum.

Do not put that carefully-chosen curriculum on the shelf “until January when things settle down.”

Be diligent by acknowledging that in January, you will be hit with Valentine’s Day, Easter and end-of-the-year craziness.  

Be diligent in continuing to educate your kids during this busy holiday season.

Be diligent now so you are not caught off-guard in May and then decide to scrap the last 10 chapters of math.  

I know this sounds difficult and time-consuming but, if you PLAN AHEAD and BE CREATIVE, it’ll be easy to BE DILIGENT!

And if you do all three, you can easily slip in loads of fun activities and memory-making!

And wouldn’t a spare $500 help you successfully homeschool through the holidays as well….or at least help buy gifts and goodies?

I’ve teamed up with some of my favorite bloggers for the 7th annual Christmas Blessings Giveaway with the hopes of making this holiday season even better by giving away $500 in Paypal cash to two families!

While we wish we could bless many more families, we were able to come up with a big prize for TWO families – $500 each (delivered via Paypal) – that we pray will make a big difference in their lives this Christmas season!

There are lots of entry options in the Rafflecopter form below – the more you enter, the better your chance of winning!  I know it can seem tedious and time-consuming to go through all the entries, but isn’t a chance at $500 worth it? I think it is!  Plus, all of these amazing bloggers donated their own money toward the cash prizes, so this giveaway wouldn’t be possible without them.  I hope you’ll take the time to check out each one. Who knows, maybe you will find some new blogs to follow.

The giveaway will run from Monday, November 16th through Wednesday, November 25th (ends at 11:59pm EST). Winner will be notified by email shortly after the giveaway ends and will have 48 hours to respond to claim the prize or another winner will be drawn. You must have a Paypal account to win.  By entering this giveaway, you agree to be added to the email lists of the participating bloggers.  Please be sure to read the Rafflecopter terms and conditions upon entering.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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