Blog

Weekly Homeschool Roundup 2/28/20

Here we are at the end of February.

We made it!

I read (somewhere) today that January and February are the hump days of the school year. That’s very true, isn’t it? I feel like now we are on the home stretch, and I can cope with anything homeschooling throws at me as long as I have sunshine!

Last weekend was my son’s Classical Conversations Protocol event. My husband and I were parent chaperones and we had the best time. After a lovely dinner in midtown Atlanta we went to see the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. Just wow. I had never seen them before and was mesmerized.

What struck me as we were with these young people was the depth of their friendships, the way they handled themselves so beautifully in different situations, and what a gift it is that they are together for homeschooling high school. We have a UNIQUE group of children and parents and are very blessed!

Weekly #Homeschool Roundup 2/28/20

In these high school years I believe that the “social” aspect of homeschooling has to be one of the biggest benefits. Healthy socialization is so important, and I’m watching deep friendships develop that are having a HUGE impact on my son.

These kids are like a group of siblings - it’s really neat to watch.

87279590_2971659889562408_325389346569977856_o (1).jpg

And of course I just feel so small compared to my 6’4” son. He’s really turning into quite a wonderful young man.

87254885_2971660096229054_1008628796942712832_o (1).jpg

On to my finds for the week…

  • Free Star Wars Inspired Bingo Game for Kids

    This is such a great free printable from Rock Your Homeschool… oh, how I miss the days when my kids were young and loved to play Bingo!

  • Women’s History Month — Learn About Teresa Carreño, composer

    Beginning in March we will be learning about women composers in SQUILT LIVE! (as well as in the listening calendar I create monthly). Teresa Carreño, a Venezuelan performer, conductor, and composer, is an interesting figure for kids to learn about. She played for President Lincoln at the White House when she was a young girl, and there is a beautiful picture book about it, too. Join us in SQUILT LIVE! to learn about Teresa and other female composers.

  • Buy the Swimsuit

    I know it’s not close to summer yet, but this post is close to my heart at any time of year. I wrote it when my mom passed away - almost three years ago now. There are times when I miss her a lot, and this week has been such a time. Cherish your time with the people you love.

  • Coarsening is Not Educating

    This article (and letter from a parent to his child’s private school teacher) in World magazine was excellent. I shared it on the blog Facebook page and it got a lot of pushback. Interesting…

  • Never Discount the Importance of These Days in the Trenches

    I hope you are familiar with Kara Anderson. I feel like she and I are kindred spirits - this article really spoke to me.

    We are HERE with our kids. That’s what hard to explain, I guess, to people who don’t understand homeschooling.

    It’s part about school, and part about just life.

    It’s a little about math, and a lot about errands, really.

    Can I tell you a secret, though? My son and I have the best talks while running errands.”

Enjoy the extra day in your year this weekend - and I’ll see you next in March!

Did you have any good things to share this week?

Let me know in the comments below!

Weekly Homeschool Roundup - 2/21/20

It was all too quiet here this week.

My son was at the Georgia TeenPact leadership event all week.

Yes, I got all the laundry done, wrote a TON of SQUILT LIVE! lessons, watched TWO movies with my husband, and spent quality time with the dog (ha!), but there was something missing - the sound of kids in the house.

I still have three years to prepare for being an empty nester, but this week made it feel more real.

Sigh.

It’s also been raining and raining - and the raining some more. The sun is out right now and I can feel my mood lifting. Spring is on the way!

Weekly #Homeschool Roundup - 2/21/20

Teen Pact was a fabulous experience for my son and his friends. Grant was elected a senator and wrote a speech to deliver on the last day, so that’s exciting!

He told me he definitely wants to attend next year.

Screen Shot 2020-02-21 at 10.44.01 AM.png

Here’s what I discovered for you this week while I was missing my guy!

  • Just Mercy and the Changing of a Mind

    This week I finished Bryan Stevenson’s book, Just Mercy. It is a book that caused me to truly examine my thoughts about some hard issues. It is a book that I believe makes me a better homeschooling mom because it broadens my view of the world and allows me to share that view with my children.

    While I have yet to see the film (it’s on my list), I loved this review from The Rabbit Room. I think you will, too.

  • Your Tech is Changing You

    This article, from the Teen Pact blog, is excellent. It’s worth thinking about and discussing with our teens. Are we taking every thought captive to obey Christ? It’s hard in this digital age!

  • Substitute Teachers in Our Homeschool

    Of course, I love this post from The Waldock Way. Jessica shows you how she uses online opportunities with art, music, and nature study to give her a little break in her homeschool teaching duties. It’s a win-win!

  • Beyond Candyland: Growing Gamers

    My Little Poppies is where you want to go to learn how to incorporate more games into your homeschool. In this post, Cait shares games that kick it up a notch from Candyland — lots of great stuff here!

  • Homeschool Masterclasses

    My friend Cindy West is beginning to teach homeschool masterclasses online! It’s so easy to sign up and attend training from the comfort of your own home. Cindy has graduated two children and is homeschooling another and she’s a smart cookie. I’m excited about this!

I hope you had a good week! Spring is getting closer, isn’t it?

Do you have any good things to share with me?

Leave them in the comments below!