Homeschooling Archives - Intentionally Well

Do These 5 Things When You Don’t Feel Like Homeschooling

January 31, 2023January 31, 2023by Emily Sewell8 Comments

The alarm pierces the dark coolness of my room, jolting me awake. Is it morning already? As I wipe my eyes and stumble to the bathroom, the thought of another day of teaching overwhelms me. I don’t feel like homeschooling today. I need a break, and my kids probably do too. But I still need this day to count towards our school year.

This post contains affiliate links

We all have days where we feel like this. Maybe we went to bed late the night before, perhaps we’re sick, or maybe the baby indulged in an all-night kegger (of milk, that is). Whatever the case, some days we just need a break from doing normal homeschooling. There is no need to feel guilty about that. Here are 5 low maintenance and educational things you can do instead when you don’t feel like homeschooling.

#1 Have a Read-A-Thon

Remember read-a-thons from elementary school? They were so much fun, and the teachers loved them too. All you need are books, puzzles, and all things cozy. Don’t forget a book for yourself! Read-a-thons are fabulous on rainy winter days.

Lighting candles around the house really sets the mood. My kids love read-a-thon days. My fourth grader devours Minecraft books, while my second grader bounces between picture books, beginning chapter books, and Epic!. What if your child isn’t reading yet? No worries! Did you know there are hundreds of read-aloud books on Youtube? If you’re sick or not in a position to actively read to your child that day, this is a great option.

#2 It’s Baking Day

When I don’t feel like homeschooling, I’m probably (definitely) in the mood for homemade treats. A baking day is a great alternative. I’m pretty sure it’s in the homeschool mom guidebook that we must use baking to teach real-world math, so why not make a day of it? Have the kids plan a menu, order groceries, and have at it! Pro tip: Cooking with kids is more enjoyable when you work with one child at a time. Also, it’s a pretty special milestone when the kids can cook on their own without burning down the house.

#3 Watch a Documentary

Pull out the blankets, pop some popcorn, pile on the couch together, and turn on a documentary. There are so many great options! From Disney+ to Netflix to YouTube, you can find a documentary about anything you’re currently studying or something the kids want to learn more about. After it’s over, have a group discussion. Then, the kids can then write a movie review, draw a picture of something they learned, or act out their favorite scene. Seriously, the possibilities are endless.

#4 Pull Out the Board Games

I love board games. Love. Being an only child, I didn’t get a chance to play them as much as a wanted. Well, I am making up for lost time now! Board games teach so many essential skills.

Benefits of playing board games include critical thinking, practice turn-taking, collaboration, flexibility, communication, accepting loss, and strategy.

So many benefits! I really appreciate how there are options for cooperative board games these days. They are a fun way to build up sibling relationships, and it is so sweet to see the kids encouraging each other. Some of our favorite board games are:

#5 Pack Up for a Day Outside

Have a change of scenery and get out of the house! Seriously, the forest cures just about any woes, in my opinion. But if hiking in the woods isn’t your thing, that’s ok! Head to a playground, a pond, your own yard, or even a random empty parking lot. Wherever you can go, you can make it work. My perspective on spending the entire day outside changed when I realized that There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather. We just need the proper gear. So, friend, pack up all the snacks, lunch, water bottles, blankets, and good outerwear, and enjoy the outdoors! It’s literally a breath of fresh air.

These are all things I do when I don’t feel like homeschooling, whatever the reason may be. I hope this sparked some inspiration for you when you are needing a break. Did I miss anything? I want to hear about it. Tell me in the comments below. Also, don’t forget to share this post, because these things are more fun when you do them with friends.

Homeschooling

Develop Math Facts Mastery with AIM: Addition and Subtraction

January 9, 2023January 9, 2023by Emily SewellLeave a Comment

Everything was going along just great, or so I thought. My homeschooler did well in math. She progressed through her lessons just fine, and she was about to begin multi-step multiplication. She had just completed a quiz, and I saw these dots all over the paper. “Are you counting out your math problems?” I asked.

But I already knew. With a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach I realized she didn’t have the math facts mastery I thought she did. This was a big deal, and we needed some extra help. We needed to stop everything and master those math facts before we did anything else.

What’s So Special About AIM: Addition and Subtraction?

Luckily, I found AIM: Addition and Subtraction. AIM stands for Accelerated Individualized Mastery. It’s the supplemental branch of the Math-U-See curriculum. Students only work on math facts mastery with this program. And with only 22 lessons, it is short, sweet, and effective.

Research shows the overwhelming benefits of a multisensory approach to learning. Math-U-See incorporates this concept into every part of their curriculums, including AIM: Addition and Subtraction. Each lesson taps into various types of learning, including visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic. They all have the following format:

Image of a teacher at a chalkboard stating how AIM: Addition and Subtraction teaches each lesson. It introduces new concepts with videa, uses build, write, say method with manipluatives, uses draw, write, say method with colored pencils, and mastery is shown through flashcards.

My daughter loved working with the little blocks, and she became excited about math! This curriculum is so much more than rote memorization. The lessons actually teach the relationship between numbers and therefore easy strategies on how to quickly recall information.

The Results Speak for Themselves

Our goal with this curriculum was for my daughter to gain math facts mastery. And let me tell you, she met and surpassed that goal! At the beginning of AIM: Addition and Subtraction, her pre-test scores were petty low. Lower than I expected, actually. However, her post-test scores were almost perfect!

At the end of this supplemental curriculum, my daughter’s confidence increased, and I felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I confess I felt like I failed in some way because my child had a significant gap in her knowledge. Isn’t that every homeschool mom’s fear? That we will miss something? But let me tell you, friend, You are enough.

Final Thoughts

My favorite thing about homeschooling is the ability to change things when something isn’t working. Our previous math curriculum didn’t work for us anymore. But thank goodness we found something that does! We loved the supplemental AIM: Addition and Subtraction so much, that I am switching her (along with my other children) completely over to Math-U-See.

Tell me your thoughts! Have you ever had to change curriculums in the middle of the year? Let me know in the comments below. And if you enjoyed this post, share it with your friends!

Homeschooling

Essentials for a Homeschooler’s Day Outside

September 29, 2022September 29, 2022by Emily SewellLeave a Comment

Although homeschooling enables personalized learning wherein parents adapt to their children’s abilities, it does leave much to be desired in terms of outdoor experiences. Homeschool children need to spend time outside. Outdoor environments promote healthy emotional, physical, and social development. In a study on the importance of outdoor activities, Janet Loebach suggests that being outdoors creates diverse opportunities for unstructured play as well, which stimulates a kid’s creativity and problem-solving skills.

Outdoor environments encourage exploration and independence in children. From equipment for park strolls to museum dates, here are essentials you should pack for your homeschooler’s day outside:

1. Spare clothes

Indoors, you don’t have to worry as much about soiled clothes, especially not when your child’s closet is only a few steps away. However, unforeseen weather conditions or accidents can result in messy clothing when you’re taking your homeschooler outside. Before heading out, pack a change of clothes with you. We also recommend checking the weather forecast for rain later in the day. This way, you can come prepared and bring a raincoat or a warmer jacket to prevent your kid from getting sick. After all, catching a cold can put a damper on your fun learning trip outside.

2. Stroller

With young homeschoolers, carrying a stroller is best if you plan on taking them to sprawling places such as parks or planetariums. As the iCandy strollers prove, they allow you to stay mobile for a day of play and learning. If you’re worried about transporting the stroller, don’t be. Today, strollers come with car seat adaptors and seamlessly convert to a complete travel system, allowing you to use them with your car seat rig. If you have a packed itinerary that entails flitting from one museum to another, rest assured a stroller’s your best bet in ensuring a smooth trip.

3. Picnic Necessities

Taking your kids out for a picnic is a novel experience, especially when their lunch breaks are regularly taken inside the house. Eating outdoors can provide a much-needed break and change of scenery to your homeschool day. We recommend making an event out of the picnic, even if you only head out to your backyard or nearby park. Pack paper plates and plastic utensils, paper towels, and a picnic blanket alongside an insulated picnic bag and your kid’s favorite snacks. You can get all these from REI, a brand that offers an assortment of picnic tools, such as lightweight blankets that are resistant to the elements. All that’s left is to relax with your curious student as you help them identify different cloud formations in the sky.

4. Art Supplies

In our previous post ‘Summer Activities Your Kids Will Love’, we shared how kids enjoy using paint brushes to create different shapes on the sidewalk (yes, even with just water). Although art activities are easy to implement into your homeschool day, being outdoors exposes your children to new sights. To nurture their creativity, equip them with a small sketchbook and a set of colored pencils the next time you visit a park. It’ll be interesting to see them sketch several bird species or various colored flowers on paper. While these are objects you can show through books or on a screen, nothing beats seeing and capturing them in the flesh.

5. Game Equipment

A day out can be an opportunity for active play. When you take your kids outside, bring game equipment, such as jump ropes, hula hoops, or balls, with you. Ball play, for example, would entail bouncing, catching, dribbling, and throwing items. In an article on motor performance, Bouwien Smits-Engelsman explains how ball skills help build balance, problem-solving skills, and spatial awareness skills in children. To maximize your homeschooler’s day out, have exciting and educational game equipment on hand. This way, they can stretch their limbs as they learn a thing or two about hand-eye coordination.

Homeschooling, real life

The Importance of Social Emotional Learning with LuvBug Learning

September 27, 2022December 13, 2022by Emily SewellLeave a Comment

Social emotional learning is such a buzzword these days, especially in the education community. But what is it exactly? Social emotional learning is simply the process of developing self-awareness, self-control, and intrapersonal skills. That’s it. Social emotional learning occurs in all sorts of situations, like at home, on play dates, during full blown meltdowns in the middle of Target. You get the idea.

Disclaimer: I received this product for free, and I was compensated for my time for this post. As always, my opinions are honest and true to my personal experience with these products and services.

Sometimes, however, we want a more focused learning environment for our kids with regard to social emotional learning. This is why I was thrilled when I was introduced to LuvBug Learning! LuvBug Learning is an online play-based SEL curriculum that is perfect for your elementary-aged child. Keep reading because I have a DISCOUNT code for you!

Teaching Feelings with LuvBug Learning

LuvBug Learning is the leading gaming platform for social emotional learning. Children do not even realize they are learning important life skills as they interact with Pixar-quality characters and games. These characters exist in various worlds where children engage in critical thinking skills while learning all about feelings and good character qualities.

These include things such as:

Gratitude
Empathy
Integrity
Responsibility
The Golden Rule
Honesty
And so much more!

The graphics on LuvBug Learning are one of my favorite key features. I have shared before how a couple of my children, as well as myself, are neurodivergent. The animation on LuvBug Learning is so engaging and captivating for my children. They already love games like Roblox. However, with LuvBug Learning they are getting filled up on that dopamine, all the while learning skills they will utilize in everyday life. In my opinion, it is vital for neurodivergent kids to have a focused SEL curriculum, because it is easy for them to miss certain social cues or rules of etiquette in everyday life.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Emily Sewell (@intentionally_well_blog)

So What’s Included?

LuvBug Learning has a variety of subscription options, with the best price per month option being the annual subscription. Furthermore, I have an additional discount code just for you! Use code: LUVBUG5 for your annual subscription to only cost $5/month! Although LuvBug Learning offers deals throughout the year, this is the best you’re going to see. This offer EXPIRES October 15, 2022, so don’t wait! This price gets you one child account and one parent account, but you can easily add additional users for a small fee.

Furthermore, each child on your account will have their own dashboard. What I love about LuvBug Learning’s platform is how customizable it is. Parents have the ability to filter and tailor their child’s experiences based on their individual wants and needs. Parents also can also track their child’s learning progress in a very easy and concise way with the Social Emotional Pillars tracker in their dashboard.

With beautiful and FUN graphics, characters, and games, LuvBug Learning is an obvious choice for social emotional learning for your elementary-aged child. Join today and grab your discount with code: LUVBUG5, and let the fun and learning begin!

Pin it!

Homeschooling

Catch Up on Math Skills with CTCMath

September 22, 2022December 13, 2022by Emily SewellLeave a Comment

As homeschooling parents, we know every child has different strengths and challenges. We do our best to choose curriculums that fit our children’s needs. We do everything we can think of to get the concepts mastered, whether it’s making flashcards, playing bingo, or having a nerf gun fight. Seriously, whatever it takes.

Even with all of that, sometimes we need a supplemental resource to reinforce what we are learning. So, when I found CTCMath, I knew I had to share it with you! Ever since I found CTCMath, I have been so impressed. Their Homeschool Family Membership makes an excellent tool to help students catch up on math skills.

What is CTCMath?

CTCMath is an online supplemental math curriculum created and founded by Pat Murray. Pat Murray is an Australian educator with more than thirty-one years of teaching and tutoring experience. Personally, math is and has always been my favorite subject. However, I know so MANY adults who still claim to hate it based on their negative experiences in school.

As we know, math is a subject that builds upon itself continuously. If one concept is not mastered, it can, and will likely, create future stumbling blocks. Children fall further behind and often lose confidence in their own abilities. This is why it is so important to have supplemental resources to help kids catch up on math (or any subject they might be struggling with!) available to homeschoolers.

This is where CTCMath can step in and fill in any gaps your child might have. With CTCMath and the Homeschool Family Membership, children will:

Have access for all grades K-12
Have lessons taught in a concise manner using animation
Learn at their own pace
Catch up on concepts not fully mastered
Gain understanding and confidence in areas of previous struggle
Develop an individualized learning routine where they succeed

CTCMath has won multiple rewards as a result of their success in helping kids match up on math skills. — Check out CTCMath today!

How Does CTCMath Work?

CTCMath utilizes a multi-sensory approach through visual and auditory learning. Every lesson introduces concepts with a four to nine-minute animated video. These videos are simple and concise, which is wonderful if your child can be easily overstimulated. Additionally, each lesson contains a printable PDF, so students can have something tangible in front of them to use as a guide and/or take notes. Children then assess their understanding of the lessons through interactive questions.

On CTCMath’s dashboard, parents have the ability to assign lessons and track progress. Searching for lessons is so simple. It is very easy to filter the entirety of CTCMath’s lessons by grade, topics, and lessons. You, then, assign lessons to your student, which shows up on their own personal dashboard. Furthermore, as your child progresses through their lessons, they celebrate by earning awards.

CTCMath parent dashboard helps parents assign lessons to help their children catch up on math skills quickly and confidently. — The parent dashboard is so easy to navigate!

Final Thought on CTCMath

CTCMath is an excellent choice for homeschooling parents who are looking for a resource to help their child catch up on math skills. Their lessons are simple and clear. This curriculum is the perfect choice for a student who struggles with overstimulation and overwhelms, because of the way lessons are presented. I know that when your child is needing extra help, you want them to master skills quickly and effectively. CTCMath enables you to track your child’s progress easily so that you can move on as soon as a skill is mastered. Check out CTCMath today with their FREE TRIAL and HALF PRICE DISCOUNT!

Homeschooling

Should You Homeschool Online with BrainPOP?

September 8, 2022December 13, 2022by Emily Sewell1 Comment

We all know every child has different learning styles, needs, and preferences. It can be hard to tailor your homeschool to the varying needs of your children with an “all in one” or “open and go” curriculum. That’s when homeschooling online shines. With so many web-based options out there, it’s overwhelming hard to choose which one to go with. That’s why I am excited to share BrainPOP with you!

BrainPOP was created by a leading educational technology company. It is used by over six million educators in both traditional and home education settings. BrainPOP is like many other online platforms. You have a dashboard and create an individualized class with up to 4 learners. However, what makes BrainPOP so unique, in my opinion, is its the appeal to neurodivergent learners.

Homeschooling Neurodivergent Children

Homeschooling a neurodivergent child is no small feat. I am not a doctor, and I do not have any specialized training. But, two of my three children are neurodivergent. Additionally, I was given a neurodivergent diagnosis earlier this year. Neurodivergence and its effects are a major reason we decided to homeschool in the first place. So, when I find a resource that appeals to this group of kiddos, I want to shout it from the rooftops! BrainPOP does just that.

Every topic of learning in BrainPOP Homeschool is introduced with a “movie.” I use quotations because these are actually short animated videos, but they are super engaging. Throughout the video, there are questions for the learner to answer to make sure they are understanding the topic. You, as the parent, have the ability to tailor these questions to your child’s grade level. So, right off the bat, learners are visually stimulated, and their comprehension is immediately evaluated. This creates an active learning experience from the start.

Additionally, BrainPOP encourages high-order critical thinking skills. This focus is vital for developing executive functioning skills for neurodivergent kids. Making a concept map, creating a movie, and inventing a new game by coding are all ways executive functioning skills are stimulated and practiced. It is pretty awesome if I do say so myself!

Girl homeschooling online with BrainPOP. She is watching a video about weather on a laptop in a homeschool room.

Core Subjects or Supplemental Learning?

So, I bet you are wondering if BrainPOP Homeschool is designed for core subjects or supplemental learning. While all subjects are included, this curriculum is best viewed as supplemental learning. Designed in units, you and your learner can choose topics like Greek Gods, Weather, Algebra, Conflict Resolution, Grammar, and so much more. Seriously, there are so many great topics. However, you would need more for a full year’s curriculum.

Furthermore, BrainPOP showcases a “Topic of the Day” on your homepage, and they will even give you recommendations based on your child’s grade. When you sign up, you get to choose from BrainPOP Homeschool, BrainPOP Homeschool Jr., or BrainPOP Homeschool Combo depending on your family’s needs.

Pin it!

Final Thoughts on Homeschooling Online with BrainPOP

While BrainPOP Homeschool is meant for all kids, I am so impressed with how their lessons and format appeal to neurodivergent kids. Because neurodivergence is a core characteristic of our family, I am always viewing resources through that lens. BrainPOP gives kids autonomy in how they learn, and feel ownership over their experience, which is a big deal to neurodivergent learners. When you sign up for an annual membership, you get two weeks free AND 28% off, so check out BrainPOP today!

Homeschooling

Help! I Don’t Enjoy Teaching Homeschool Science

August 8, 2022December 13, 2022by Emily SewellLeave a Comment

I have a confession. I don’t enjoy teaching homeschool science. There, I said it. I didn’t like science when I was in school, and I would still just rather not. It’s not science’s fault. I find various aspects of science interesting, but it’s just not my thing.

Disclaimer: I was compensated for my time for this post. As always, my opinions are honest and true to my personal experience with these products and services.

The idea of loving every aspect of homeschooling is a myth. And you know what? That is okay! We are human people with likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses. Homeschooling our children does not mean having to become superhuman. We can educate our kids, while also being our authentic selves.

Now that we have established science might not be our forté, what are we going to do about it? Great news! I have some ideas and resources for you, and I can’t wait for you to read about them below. However, I want to make one thing clear. While it is totally okay for us to have our own opinions about school subjects, it is more important that we still maintain a positive homeschool environment for our children. When my daughter wanted to enter the science fair at her co-op, I assisted her project with a smile. I loved seeing her excitement during the process, and (mom brag moment) I was thrilled to celebrate with her when she won.

Homeschool science fair winner holding up her ribbon while standing next to her project on sound waves. — Homeschool Science Fair Winner

Online Science Curriculum

One of the biggest misconceptions about homeschooling is that it’s all on the parent to teach everything. This is just not the case. There are so many options when we don’t want to or feel like we are not equipped to teach certain subjects. Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science Membership is the perfect solution for someone, like myself, who would rather not teach science. I shared Greg Landry’s science lab with you before, and he is now offering a brand new family membership!

This Christ-centered science curriculum membership provides affordable access for the whole family. A variety of science classes and labs for grades first through twelfth, as well as a host of other free resources, are included. Greg is a published former college professor and homeschooling dad with over 20 years of teaching experience. With his Homeschool Science Membership, parents are able to speak to him directly when they have questions. Furthermore, families gain access to RightNow Media, which is similar to a faith-based Netflix but with added Bible studies and Christian resources. My kid LOVE the show, The Adventures of Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent.

Check out Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science today!

Community Resources

If you are not looking for an online curriculum, have no fear! There are still plenty of other options if you are not interested in teaching homeschool science. My first piece of advice would be to talk to your fellow homeschool mama friends. Maybe you have a friend who loves teaching science, but she hates teaching math (I love math, by the way). You could do a subject swap, where you meet regularly and take turns teaching. The bonus to this is consistent play dates with friends.

Secondly, look to your local library. Our local library offers a variety of homeschool classes, one of them being STEAM based. I was surprised to learn all of the options offered by our library, and you don’t even have to have a library card to participate. So, make sure to also check the libraries in the surrounding areas.

Lastly, joining a co-op is a wonderful option, when you don’t enjoy teaching certain subjects. My children have a co-op day once a week, where they get to participate in a variety of classes that would be hard to do at home. Local homeschooling Facebook groups are a great resource to garner information on what types of co-ops are offered in your area. Plus, you will get some frank and honest opinions from other homeschooling moms.

Your Unique Homeschool

The beautiful thing about homeschooling is it looks different for every family. The individuality of home education is my favorite thing. You, as the parent, are best able to decide how to educate your children. And you don’t have to do it alone!

I hope you check out Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science Membership, as well as all of your local resources. In doing so, I hope you feel empowered and encouraged by the fact that you are not alone in this homeschooling journey. Tell me, is there a subject you just don’t enjoy? Let me know in the comments below. As always, follow me on social media and share this with your friends who might need a little encouragement today!

Homeschooling

Education Perfect Elevates Your Homeschool

August 3, 2022December 13, 2022by Emily SewellLeave a Comment

It’s SO hard to sort through all the online homeschooling options. Well, I am thrilled to save you some precious time and tell you all about Education Perfect. Education Perfect is a personalized online platform committed to developing independent learners through technology. With more than 40,000 lessons, experiments, and games across dozens of topics, children can easily gain access and knowledge in their area of interest.

Disclaimer: I received this product for free and was compensated for my time. My opinions are honest and true to my personal experience with this product.

How Can Education Perfect Elevate My Homeschool?

Designed for ages 9-18, Education Perfect comes alongside you, regardless of your homeschool style. They assist parents in a way that works best for each individual family. While Education Perfect offers a variety of subjects, they really shine in their foreign language studies. As someone who struggled through Spanish class in high school (and college), I really appreciate self-paced language learning curriculums. The foreign language options EP offers are OUTSTANDING. They include:

Spanish
French
German
Chinese
Arabic
Indonesian
Italian
Japanese

I was so excited to see Arabic listed under the Content tab. Our neighbors immigrated from Egypt, and their primary language is Arabic. My children and I were so excited to have the opportunity to learn this beautiful language and practice it in real life. Also, I love that students have the option to switch to an immersion approach once they have progressed far enough along in their language studies. I was so easy to set up assignments for the entire week for my children from the Teachers Portal. My children were provided a link to their tasks. This meant I did not have to set up their lessons each day. They just had to point and click to get started!

A young girl is sitting at a desk completing a lesson in Arabic from Education Perfect. — My daughter learning how to introduce herself in Arabic.

In addition to online lessons, students have the opportunity to participate in monthly homeschool festivals and competitions. They earn certificates and chances to win prize money (hello!) for all their effort. I know my children will do just about anything to earn their own money. What a great concept to apply that motivation to schoolwork! I really feel Education Perfect does a magnificent job in creating a sense of community among their clientele. That is quite a unique and special quality to find in an online curriculum.

Outstanding Communication and Customer Service

Education Perfect has the MOST user-friendly and easy-to-navigate website I have ever seen from an online homeschooling company. Seriously. Just about every page on the website has a video or tutorial to make sure you know exactly how everything works, as well as knowing every feature. It’s so nice to not have to waste time by clicking around and trying to figure everything out on your own.

Use CODE: **SAVE20** for 20% off (expires 10/31/22

In addition to all the website help, you will receive informative emails to get you and your students started off right, as soon you register. Furthermore, every homeschooler has the option to book a platform demo lesson with an Education Perfect member to assist you through the registration process. The personal connection with EP staff doesn’t stop after you’re registered. Nope. Weekly homeschool training lessons are available for you to participate in. Have you ever heard of another company going this far above and beyond, so their clients are set up for success? I definitely have NOT.

Info graphic showing customer service support for Education Perfect. — The BEST client support!

Overall, Education Perfect is a first-class option when looking to add a high-quality online curriculum to your homeschool. After your FREE trial period ends, this program costs $25/month or $250/year. This includes one parent account and five student accounts. You can save 20% off your purchase by using the code: SAVE20 at checkout (expires 10/31/22). Check out Education Perfect for yourself. I would love to know what you think in the comments below. Make sure to share this post with your homeschooling friends as well!

Homeschooling

Take Advantage of Summer Homeschool Resources

July 12, 2022December 13, 2022by Emily Sewell2 Comments

I begin looking for summer homeschool resources when my kids show new interests. One of the best things about homeschooling is the ability to follow and encourage our children’s delight in new things, topics, and experiences.

Sometimes, they have so many things they want to explore, but they don’t know what to focus on. My child is currently bouncing among dolphins, coding, and even aliens! Summertime provides an excellent opportunity to explore and engage in new topics before committing to a full study during the school year.

Disclaimer: I was compensated for my time for this post. As always, my opinions are honest and true to my personal experience with these products and services.

Try New Things

Not every homeschooling family takes a summer vacation, yet most homeschoolers switch to a lighter and more relaxed schedule during the summer months. This is the perfect time to check in with your child and gauge their new interests. Wherever their curiosity takes them, Homeschool Buyers Club has the resources.

Homeschool Buyers Club is like Costco for homeschooling. And what’s better than Costco? Nothing, nothing is better than Costco. Homeschool Buyers Club has curriculums and resources for any and everything. They provide free resources, as well as discounts to things you’ve already heard of like Mathseeds, Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers, RightStart Math, and SO much more. We have really enjoyed diving into the free and discounted summer homeschool resources.

Visit New Places

When you think of summer homeschool resources, do you think of your location? Stop and look around! Is your preschooler showing interest in diggers (this is my youngest child!)? Call a local construction company and ask if they will let you come to the lot to look at the machinery up close. And go on all those field trips you didn’t get around to during the school year.

Take a day trip to a new city. We live in Indianapolis, and Cincinnati is only a couple of hours away. We took a day trip to Loveland Castle and the zoo, and it was SO much fun! They have animals, like manatees and a komodo dragon, that our local zoo doesn’t have. What’s a place near you that you’ve heard of but never visited? Get together with some other homeschool moms, and I am sure you will be able to brainstorm some awesome ideas.

3 children pictured in front of Loveland Castle, outside of Cincinnati, Ohio. — Outside of Loveland Castle

3 children at the gardens of Loveland Castle in Cincinnati, Ohio — Gardens at Loveland Castle

3 children outside of the zoo in Cincinnati, Ohio. — Cincinnati Zoo

Stay Home

If traveling is not an option this summer, have no fear! You can explore new interests and summer homeschool resources right from your living room. Whether it’s watching a documentary on Netflix or taking a tour through a museum on the other side of the world through YouTube, there are endless ways to tap into new things without leaving your home.

I really like to try out subscription-based curriculums in the summer. Most have a free trial period, and it gives us a chance to see if the subscription will fit well into our homeschool rhythm. Homeschool Buyers Club has the best price on so many subscription-based curriculums. One we chose to stick with is Mathseeds and Reading Eggs, which my preschooler absolutely loves.

Mathseeds displayed on a laptop. — My preschooler LOVE Mathseeds!

Don’t Let Summer Pass You By

Whether you travel the world or keep it close to home, let’s make a commitment to spend our time intentionally this summer. Let’s allow our children to stretch, grow, and try new things while we take a break from rigorous academics. Whatever you choose to do, Homeschool Buyer’s Club is definitely here to help you on your exploration journey. Check them out today!

Pin it!

Homeschooling

These are Your Homeschool Preschool Essentials

July 6, 2022December 13, 2022by Emily SewellLeave a Comment

I am here to share with you some amazing and beneficial homeschool preschool essentials. The pressure to buy all the things is strong when your kids are young, and they are just beginning their homeschool journey. I am a former preschool teacher, and I also operate within a real-life budget.

My youngest child attended a Mom’s Day Out preschool when we started homeschooling. We kept him enrolled, even though I taught my older children at home. However, this year, he will be home full-time with us. I am so excited! He starting pre-k. Because he is my last child, I do not want to spend a lot of money on things we will only use for a short time. So, I am sharing with you what I consider to be all the homeschool preschool essentials.

Essentials You’ll Use for Years

Tabletop easels are great because they take up less space and can easily be stored. I love easel work because it hits so many learning points for preschoolers. For example, did you know that easel work teaches pre-writing skills by encouraging top/down hand motions?

This marble run kit is a favorite for all three of my kids! However, I plan to utilize it most for our preschool. So much STEAM activity is involved in planning and building these structures. And preschoolers LOVE it when they finally get to release the marbles down their creations.

This set of gears provides another opportunity for planning and creating with a big reward of action at the end. We work on building gears on the flat surface first, then we start working on vertical structures.

I love this dinosaur balancing game. This kit works on proprioception skills as well as fine motor movements. Start with the animals on a flat surface, then work up to using the included curved base. My preschooler also really enjoys doing pretend play with this toy.

I love these blocks so much. I had them in my classroom when I taught preschool. Every piece is the exact same size and weight. That might sound boring, but it actually fuels creativity. Because all the blocks are equal, it makes it easy to build amazing structures that are stable and don’t fall over easily.

Essentials for Arts and Crafts

I’ve said it before, and I will say it again. I am not a crafty mom. When I taught preschool, my co-teacher did all the arts and crafts, because I just didn’t enjoy it. However, they are SO important for preschoolers. Crafts provide opportunities for so much exploration and learning, so of course, I will be doing all the crafting with my preschooler this year. Below are a few things I consider to be important to always have on hand, but might not be obvious. Additionally, most of these products can be used in other subjects as well, such as math and science.

These Dot Markers were a last-minute addition to my homeschool preschool essentials, but I am so glad I bought them. They are easy to hold for kids who might not have a great pincer grip yet, and they practice the handwriting skill of using appropriate pressure. Use these to create artwork, or you can use them to learn all about patterns in math.

Everyone knows about construction paper, but using cardstock paper is really great for preschoolers. Cardstock is, of course, thicker than construction paper. This means when your child uses 10x the amount of glue necessary, the paper won’t tear as easily. The same is also true when your little one colors with markers in the same spot a little too much. Cardstock is also great to build on established hand-strengthening skills like folding, tearing, and cutting.

If your preschooler is still struggling with their pincer grip, triangle crayons are awesome. They encourage proper grip, which means you’re having to correct your child less. Added bonus is these crayons won’t roll off the table.

Essentials for Sensory Play

Finally, we need to talk about the importance of sensory play. My preschooler has ADHD, and he needs sensory input throughout the day. Even if your child is not neurodivergent, sensory play is essential for early learning. It fuels learning and curiosity for preschoolers (and all children, honestly). Below are things that I have on hand for sensory play at all times.

Last year I added a fidget station to our homeschool, and it was such a huge hit. Every child has their own preferences with fidgets, so this kit provides a little bit of everything.

Any time I am talking about sensory needs and children, I share this vibrating cushion. It is probably what gets the most use, in our home, out of all our sensory tools. A child can sit on it, and it will automatically start vibrating. This provides loads of proprioception input. My preschooler likes to use this cushion during meal times, as well as when he is upset and needs help calming down.

This Ikea Trofast storage bin is what I am using for a sensory box. It is big enough to provide enough room to play but small enough to be practical. I also like how it can be used for water play. I switch up what is in here every week for my preschooler. For our first week of school, I put soapy water in it along with his little construction builder trucks. His activity was to wash and dry them. He loved it!

And there you have it! I wanted to keep this list sparse, containing only what I consider to be homeschool preschool essentials. You can always add more once you begin schooling and notice gaps. But this list will get you a great start to your homeschool journey! I would love to know what you think is a must-have for homeschooling preschoolers. Also, make sure to share this post with your friends!