It seems a bit laughable now, but I never expected math to be a hurdle in our homeschool. I assumed that because I understood and enjoyed math, I’d be able to help my children succeed with math, too. It didn’t work out quite that simply. I worked hard to find…
Pennsylvania has acquired the dubious distinction of having some of the most stringent homeschool laws in the nation. Although the passage of HB 1013 gave homeschoolers a little more freedom, we still have a host of hoops to jump through. One of the requirements that has been particularly challenging is…
A few years ago we were fortunate enough to belong to a very active homeschool group. Several of the moms were enthusiastic planners and scheduled as many field trips as we could possibly fit into our schedule. It was wonderful! Then life happened. Several families moved away or joined another…
Math was a painful subject in our family for a year or two. Tears and frustration became all too common–something I had wanted never to happen in our homeschool. Because my children already dreaded math, things only escalated when I had to reteach a concept or require any corrections. Bad…
I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I have placed very little emphasis on art in our homeschool. Because I’m homeschooling a large family, most of my attention has been focused on the academic essentials–math, reading, and writing–and other required subjects. At the same time, I realize that exposure to creative…
Math is unfortunately one of my kids’ least favorite subjects. I regularly hear one or another of them say, “I’m just not good at math.” Or, “Math is just too hard!” Now that I have two teens who are working through algebra, I also hear the oft-repeated question: “But what…
Learning the periodic table can be a daunting task. In fact, I have to confess I never advanced beyond a basic understanding of how to use the table for my chemistry assignments in high school. But what if there were a fun, challenging video game that could eliminate all the…
As my children reach the upper grades, I find myself continually challenged to keep up with their high school courses. Algebra, geometry, physical science, chemistry–I’ve coached my teens through all of them. But even though I enjoy helping my kids with high school subjects, sometimes they just need more skillful…
I have surprisingly vivid memories of my high school typing class. Electronic typewriters were the new thing then, although I lugged in an ancient electric monstrosity that hummed and clicked in the quietness of the classroom. Mrs. Johnston was an old-school typing teacher–the best of the best–who enforced a strict…