Homeschool Archives - Growing In Grace

Homeschool Nature Club: nature study resources for all ages

April 13, 2023Tracy

I love nature study, and I have loved doing it with my kids over the years. However, I’ll be honest, it’s one of those subjects that I have the most guilt about. I love it, but it doesn’t always fit into our week. I love it, but I don’t always know how to actually get it done. And, as my kids have gotten older, a lot of the nature study resources haven’t “grown with them.” A lot of what is out there for homeschool nature study is geared toward the younger kids. The result is that our love for nature study, particularly my teenagers’ love for nature study, has kind of fizzled out. I wanted to find something that would appeal to my older kids, or at least my fifth grader, and would help me pursue nature study successfully for myself.

So when I was given the opportunity to review the Homeschool Nature Club membership, I was absolutely thrilled. First, because it looked like the perfect solution for providing whole-family nature study courses, with “mature” nature study resources for my older kids. And second, it felt like coming full circle, as this membership website is the new and improved platform for the nature studies (originally written by Barbara McCoy) that were our very first introduction to nature study 10 or more years ago.

And let me just say at the start here, I have loved this nature study membership as much for myself as for my kids.

Freedom from Procrastination Book Review

March 30, 2023Tracy

I’m not sure I’ve met anyone who doesn’t ever struggle with procrastination, but I know it’s definitely something I’ve struggled with. And I can see that those I know who have ADHD definitely struggle with procrastination. Some of that battle has to do with time blindness and time management, but there’s also a heart-battle involved. That heart-issue leading to procrastination is what caught my attention when I saw Barb Raveling’s book Freedom from Procrastination mentioned on instagram. She graciously provided a pdf copy for me to review and share with you. The book has been extremely helpful, as I’ve mulled over it for the last couple of months, working through the different “Renewal” questions and worksheets provided, and studying the devotional parts of the book. If procrastination is your struggle, and you are ready to get to the heart of the issue, this book is a tremendous resource.

Freedom from Procrastination review:

Getting to the Heart of What’s Holding You Back

Homeschooling Independently Responsible Learners: a book review

March 13, 2023Tracy

Transitioning from homeschooling little ones who can’t read and need you for nearly every task to homeschooling older, independent learners is no small task. Trust me. I have two in high school now, and my youngest is in fifth grade this year. Independently responsible learners are not created overnight. There is definitely a process involved, which is why I was excited to get my hands on Dennis DiNoia’s book Teach: Creating Independently Responsible Learners. I’m always on the lookout for books that help me to be a better homeschool teacher, and this book definitely fit the bill. Teach is an easy-to-read resource with lots of practical ideas for “creating independently responsible learners.”

Dennis DiNoia (perhaps better known to many of us as Mr. D from the online courses Mr. D Math) writes a compelling autobiographical sketch of his journey as an educator of high school students. From public school educator, to tutor, to online homeschool course creator, Dennis provides practical tips that he has learned and put into practice in multiple settings.

Choosing the best ADHD Homeschool Math curriculum for your child

December 2, 2022Tracy

I’ve often said that there is no perfect “ADHD curriculum,” because kids with ADHD are just as varied as kids without. Any curriculum you choose will need some adjustments, and just about anything you use can be adjusted. With that in mind, these ADHD homeschool math options are quirky and creative, colorful and engaging, or hands-on with lots of variety. Plus, these particular options for ADHD homeschool math are items we have used personally. Though these homeschool math curriculum choices won’t solve all your ADHD challenges, choosing from this list may help you find something that, with a few adjustments, could be the perfect curriculum for your child.

$best homeschool math for ADHD | homeschooling ADHD | homeschool math curriculum for ADHD$

The ADHD Homeschool Math Curriculum List

How to find your Homeschool Values

July 22, 2022Tracy

homeschool value | homeschool planning | homeschool objectives | homeschool curriculum

When we think of homeschool planning, most of us imagine stacks of curriculum in front of us, a planner of some style, colored pens or highlighters, and that intimidating blank page. Planning a year’s worth of learning for multiple kids in different grades is daunting, I don’t care how many years you’ve been doing it. But planning your homeschool doesn’t start with curriculum or even with the lesson plan. It doesn’t start by calculating days and weeks or blocking out vacations. The planning starts by identifying your homeschool values, those core principles or ideas that are most important to you.

A Simple Literature Approach to Homeschooling

June 1, 2021Tracy

literature approach | homeschooling | Beautiful Feet Books

I love using a literature-rich approach to homeschooling, filling our home and our days with beautiful books, rich stories, and deep conversations. But I also know that for many moms, the stack of books and the giant binder of lesson plans that come with many literature-rich curriculum options can feel really overwhelming. One of the things that caught my attention with Beautiful Feet Books is the beauty and simplicity it brings to a literature-rich homeschool. Its simple literature approach to homeschooling and beautiful teacher guides make Beautiful Feet Books a great open-and-go homeschool option.

Motivating your Writer with Digital Tools for Writing

February 2, 2021Tracy

bardsy homeschool | homeschool writing tools | digital tools for writing

Motivating my kids to write, even my child who loves writing, can be tricky. Although I have a background in writing and do quite a bit of writing professionally, encouraging my kids through the writing process just isn’t easy! Writing is a process. It’s hard work, even if you are creative. And it can be really discouraging, disillusioning, and confusing. Starting with a great idea is the easy part; seeing that idea through to a final draft of a story is not. If you have little background in writing or are overwhelmed with the process yourself, motivating your child-writer can be even more difficult. What I have appreciated most about Bardsy Homeschool are all of the digital tools for writing that it provides to both encourage and motivate your writer.