Jun

10

Time to Organize, Purge, and Rediscover

Posted by Homeschool_Dad

June 10, 2009 | 1 Comment

We have way too much stuff at our house.  We’re not terribly materialistic.  (Living on a teacher’s salary, we can’t afford to be.)  The stuff that clutters our house isn’t high tech computers and gadgets. It’s not fancy sculptures our previous collectibles. Instead, our shelves are deducated to the following: Books Educational toys Art supplies [...]

Mar

19

Teach Away From the Test

Posted by Homeschool_Dad

March 19, 2009 | 3 Comments

As most homeschool families know, the public school system all too often strips itself of vital educational programs. “No Child Left Behind” might focus on improving reading and math scores. But in the process, arts and sciences and other subjects are tossed to the wayside. Homeschooling provides flexibility and independence. If your child is passionate [...]

Dec

21

Snow Day!

Posted by Homeschool_Dad

December 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

How strange… Just a few days ago I was blogging about rainy day activities.  I was lamenting the fact that — since my family and I live in Southern California — we don’t get to experience days of being snowed in. Well, a couple days after that post, we drove up to Washington state.  And [...]

Dec

8

Setting Weekly / Monthly Goals

Posted by Homeschool_Dad

December 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Because my wife and I meet with an Education Specialist each month (with work with a charter school), it is important for us to keep tabs of all the school work we do.  Lots of homeschoolers don’t need to worry about this, and therefore, they don’t bother.  I bet there are a lot of Unschoolers [...]

Oct

16

Listening to Your Children’s Dreams

Posted by Homeschool_Dad

October 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment

No, I’m not talking about eavesdropping while your kids mumble in their sleep.  (Although that can be quite entertaining.)  I’m talking about listening to the hopes and goals of you child. Now, every good parent already does this, whether or not they homeschool.  But homeschool parents are in a very special position — because they [...]

Apr

30

Do They See You Learn?

Posted by Homeschool_Dad

April 30, 2008 | 1 Comment

  I have been struggling to learn a new set of computer codes this week.  It is a struggle because I think that while my brain is very adept at memorizing recipes, translating French, and sewing tiny tucks in heirloom outfits html codes seem to get stuck somewhere between how to clean the toilet and [...]

Dec

2

Saturday Shopping: Best Educational Christmas Gifts

Posted by Homeschool_Dad

December 2, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Most of you might not remember, but I do…years ago when women got dressed up and went shopping on Satudays. I want to bring a little of that back so on Saaturdays I plan on doing little lists of cool gifts and things you might find interesting. With Christmas coming up I hope it is [...]

Sep

17

Self Directed Learning From the Beginning

Posted by Homeschool_Dad

September 17, 2007 | 1 Comment

O.k..last time we were talking about how to let a older student heal from burn out. The best thing, though, is that they never get burnt out. Children are born learning about the world around them. They learn to smile, to talk, to walk, to play and none of that has to be taught to [...]

Sep

14

Encouraging Self Directed Learning Part 2

Posted by Homeschool_Dad

September 14, 2007 | 1 Comment

You know the old saying, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.” ? Read on. Exactly what do we mean when we say, “self directed” learning? The quick answer is that it is the point at which a student takes responsibility and interest in his own learning plan. A [...]