Month: July 2021

Family Activities

Back-to-School Traditions

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Hey Loves!

As quick as summer came, it seems it is coming to an end as we all prepare to get back into school rhythms. 

I wanted to share with you some easy and fun back to school traditions but I really want to hear your traditions when heading back to school!

Let’s get into it!

Spa Day: Let’s face it, in the summer we get a little laxed, so to make grooming fun, we do a spa day at home. I give my kids a pedicure, manicure, facial and do their hair. I think it is really good for all kids to learn the importance of self care as early as possible. This is also a fun way to prepare for and discuss upcoming schedule changes, fears, apprehensions and work through them. 

Pictures: I know the whole world does “first day” photos but as a homeschool mom, this was the one thing I knew I could do and do well. I’ve kicked it up a notch with grade shirts and coordinating outfits. Again, I’m extra. 

First Day Handprints- I know this one will end before I’m ready but it warms my heart to go through the past handprints and see how they’ve grown. It also breaks my heart 

Preparing learning bins: I let my kids see all their new (to them) curriculum. I layout so they experience it through all their senses. Then I have my kids clean out their learning bins, get out all the crayon and pencil scuffs with Lemon EO and load them back up. After 4 years, my kids need new bins so I’ll bring you along for the personalization and organization. 

Back to school baskets: You can read all about them here but I love how excited my kids get seeing their new supplies and grade shirts. It really helps set an exciting tone for the kids. 

School Supplies Shopping: This is a new one that James and I endeavored upon this year. As my kids are doing one full day a week at a local homeschool program, they will need additional supplies. Call me a nerd but I used to love going back to school shopping for supplies and James enjoyed it as well. We used this cute printable to keep track of our needs. Check out my Instagram to see him shopping and marking things off his list.

Until Next time

Homeschool

Our Homeschool Math Manipulatives

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Hey Loves!

How goes it? Is anyone else in full “back-to-school” mode? Honestly, I feel like I have been in this space for a while, planning, preparing and sharing. I recorded a video of our math manipulatives that some of you requested and I thought I would a draft a blog to say the following:

You do not NEED any of this. Not one thing.

I strongly suggest you hunt sales and buy used.

If your kids need or desire a multi-sensory approach, manipulatives help a ton! I bought these over the course of 4 years. I also had help from the grandparents.

Please please please do not feel pressured into buying anything or stressing over what to get where. I share my favorites in this video if that is what you would like to start with.

I linked as much as I could here.

Please hit me up if you have any questions or suggestions!

Holiday Activities

Our (Projected) Homeschool Rhythm

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Hey Loves!

This summer is way easier than last summer and for that, I am thankful. It is also easier to plan for homeschool and, again, I’m thankful. 

I wanted to share our homeschool Rhythm with you. Please know this will ebb and flow and is a work in progress. It’s also very far from perfect. If you want to know about our rhythms, check this out. There’s a whole blog and video detailing why do a rhythm and not a schedule.

On Tuesdays and Thurdays, we will do a little car school. Mostly science and bible using podcasts , audiobooks and call and response. On Thursdays, I would also love to do some park school, lunch outside and some good fun This is due to our enrichment activities now that we can finally safely participate in them. 

Every day we will use a loop schedule for our subjects and curriculum. You can grab a blank printable here. It really helps us all to see all we need to achieve and how. 

Every morning, (except tuesdays) James will do his morning starters and Jude will do morning baskets. 

We will journal in the evenings, switching from the mornings. I think this will allow us to get more school work done quicker and enjoy our day. 

Mondays and Wednesdays will be heavy school days, meaning, we will get through all of one loop, some review and make sure our foundation is solid. 

Monday and Wednesday James will do his science and history with me solo while Jude naps. 

Again, this is all proposed. Nothing is set in stone and will likely have to change or be adjusted. That is ok!!! 

We are continuing with a loop schedule because that is what works for us. 

Again, you can grab that template here. 

Let me know how it works for you!

Homeschool

Homeschool Goals, 21-22

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Hey Loves!

How goes it? Sailing into summer? We sure are! Today I wanted to share our goals for the 2021-2022 school year because every time I share them via socials I get asked lots of questions. 

I am also sharing because for a while, I was making goals all wrong! EEEEEK!! Had lots of mom guilt for sure. Since then, I’ve been making goals way more cohesively and it has truly enhanced our experience from homeSCHOOL to HOMEschool. Get it? I focused so much on the learning and was separating that from the whole child and our family.

How I start…

Every year I check out this book, Home Learning Year by Year from the library. I know you’re thinking “why not just buy it?” and the answer is if I did, I would drive myself crazy trying to meet certain metrics day by day. This way, I can look at it cumulatively and assess what we need to work on and what is solid. I can create learning goals per subject based on that.

Then I think about all the other things that aren’t included in that book like life skills, biblical application, allyship, fine motor and processing goals and create metrics to meet those goals. I do this for each kid.

I also involve my kids in this process. I ask them what they want to learn about, what goals they have for themselves and what they are interested in, etc. 

Then my husband and I review them and begin the editing process until we are both solid in their goals for the next year and can work together to help our sons achieve these goals.

So far this method has proven effective so we will keep at it.

Ready? Set. GOALS!