Math Anxiety

Does your child suffer from math anxiety? This is more of a common problem then one might think. Whether you are in sixth grade or in college, math can cause quite a bit of stress for some people. There are a few ways that you can help your child with their anxiety. Teaching some relaxation techniques can help. What I have taught my child is to take a deep breath in and slowly exhale a couple of times, while thinking positively that you can do math!

Other ways to help with math anxiety, is just to prepare. Besides having your child complete their math lessons, you can have them practice their skills with practice tests. Math flash cards and math games are also very helpful. Being prepared and thinking positive can really help in overcoming anxiety.

Homeschooling, Your Way!

One of the great things about homeschooling, is that you can tailor your child’s educational needs, when ever needed. If a schedule isn’t working, you can change it. If your curriculum isn’t working, you can change it. If you want to add different educational tools, well, you get the idea. The reality is, that kids do better in school, when they feel better. So, by altering certain elements, in the way your kids receive their education, can make a huge difference in their ability to learn and retain information. For instance, if they are not “morning people”, you can always start your school day later in the day. If they like music or love to sing, then why not use educational songs as part of your homeschool. In the end, if it helps you to teach or your child to learn, then in my opinion, it should be part of your homeschool ;)

Homeschooling Halloween Top 10

     If you are looking for ways to “spook” up your Homeschool this month, then do I have some ideas for you!

    My Top 10 Homeschooling Halloween Add-ons:

1. Halloween crafts are always a fun idea
2. Halloween themed printable worksheets
3. Halloween spelling word list
4. Halloween themed educational games
5. Halloween themed paragraph writing
6. Create a Halloween Poem
7. Unit study on skeletal system
8. Paint a Halloween themed picture
9. Cook a Halloween themed food
10. Lastly, learn the history of Halloween

I hope these ideas, help you have a Fun "Halloween-themed" homeschool, for October ;)

Fall is in the Homeschool

It’s September and fall is almost here. I love this time of year! The changing color of the leaves, the cooling of the weather, sigh…

Another reason, why I love the changing of seasons, is that it gives me an opportunity for me to add fall themed add-ons, to our regular homeschool day. For example: fall themed printable worksheets, fall themed educational games, fall themed middle school writing assignments. In my opinion, adding fun themed add-ons like these, are a great way to spice up your “day to day” homeschool. Plus, the kids like them too ;)

It's Time to Homeschool

If you are new to homeschooling? Then you may be excited and anxious about back to school time. Usually, before school time begins, public/private school moms are busy buying school supplies for their child, shopping for new clothes, getting them all set to start their new school year away from home. Getting ready for a new homeschool year isn’t that much different. We all shop for school supplies and kids always need new clothes each year. The only difference is we are also shopping for what homeschool curriculum, we will want to use, as well as learning about our states homeschool laws, etc. Yes, there is  bit more involved, in being a homeschool parent, but the good news is that all your hard work is going to be worth it :)

Internet Safety For Kids

As adults we know how to keep ourselves safe, while we are on the internet, but what about our kids? Providing internet safety for kids is something that we as parents have to do. Kids do not realize the risks and dangers that can come from the internet. Even though the internet is a wonderful a tool to have, it has many sites that are not age-appropriate for our children. Without proper supervision and guards put into place, children are at risk for harm such as bullying, personal encounters, and addictive behavior. As parents we like to believe that our children would know better or make better choices, but children are not adults, and they can be influenced by strangers over the internet. So, what can we do as parents, to make the internet safer for our children? There are many web browsers like Google, that provide child safety filtering. In addition, you can also purchase and install a web filtering software for your children. By using these types of web filtering software, it will act as a safety barrier between your child and the internet by filtering out anything inappropriate. Of course, do not allow them to give you a false sense of security. Parental supervision is always a good idea. As well as talking with your child about the "dos & don'ts" while they are on the internet.

Summer School

School is out, or is it? Yes, it is summer time, but does that mean that the learning has to end? Whether you homeschool or not, you can always continue your child’s education, even during summer break. Summer school can include your regular homeschool curriculum, or you could do a fun unit study. Even just allowing your child to do some educational games online or through an app, is a great way to keep the learning going through summer vacation. By allowing your child to continue their education year-round, you are not only helping them advance their education, but also keeping them from having summer learning loss.

How to Homeschool?

How to homeschool? A question many parents find themselves asking. When I first began homeschooling, I remember asking anyone I knew that homeschooled, how they did it. I also got on message boards and blogs, looking for advice and tips about what it would be like and how to get started. Today, I am the one answering those types of questions and sharing my tips and support with other like-minded parents. So, what do I say to those moms and dads that are thinking about or wanting to homeschool? I say to anyone considering or starting to homeschool, to ask yourselves why you want to homeschool. Make a list of what you feel would be the pros and cons of homeschooling for you. The truth is, homeschooling is trial and error, but with a little bit of patience, you can do it. Homeschooling is very rewarding and worth every bit of effort (;

Floating Letters-a candy experiment

Looking for a fun, cool science experiment you can do for Easter? Then look no further! So, what is it and what science tools will you need? It is called, Floating Letters. This experiment is super easy to do. All you need is 5 minutes and some candy: M&M’s, Skittles, and/or Jelly Belly beans will work. You will also need a bowl of warm water. Once you have your ingredients, you will have your child drop the candy into the bowl of water, logo side up. You do NOT stir the water. Within a few minutes you will be able to see the floating letters. So, what is happening? The letters that you see printed on the candy is made of edible ink, which does not dissolve in water. As the candy shell dissolves in the warm water, the letters just peel off and float. Of course, it is always fun to ask your child why they think the letters came off first, before you spill the beans ;)

"6 Candy Science Fair Projects for Kids." Parenting. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2014.
MCMEEL, ANDREWS. Floating Letter. Digital image. Parenting. ANDREWS MCMEEL PUBLISHING, n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2014.