Category Archives for "homeschooling"

How Checking Boxes Stole the Joy of Our Homeschool

By Holly Giles | homeschooling , Inspiration

I began the adventure of homeschool with joy in my heart for what was to come. Preschool was so fun and being outside was a delight everyday full of new discoveries. It was when Grayson began first grade that I felt the pressure of a schedule and all the subjects that were listed in our […]

Learning Can Happen When We Get Out of the Way

By Holly Giles | homeschooling , Mama's Musings

Our school year is coming to a close for evaluations this summer. I technically school year round because of our schedule, but it is nice to feel like you are closing the door on a subject or math book, take a break and regroup. I had been having my yearly freak out that my boys […]

Nature Morning Time

By Holly Giles | homeschooling , Nature Study

Morning time seems to be a buzz word lately. We have been doing a form of it for eleven years in our home I call table time. Anyway you name it, it is a wonderful way for the family to be together at a specific time of day to read, write or learn about topics […]

What Backing a Trailer Taught Me About Learning Styles

By Holly Giles | Family , homeschooling , Mama's Musings

Backing a trailer is not part of my skill set. My husband, Curtis seems to think that it is time for me to learn since we travel with one each summer. Our trips to conventions are more frequent and so are the odds something will happen on the road and he will need my help. […]

Make Ribbon Books with Little House on the Prairie

By Holly Giles | handicrafts , homeschooling

Ribbon books are an adorable handicraft for children of all ages. Reading the literature series, Little House on the Prairie is the perfect opportunity to learn a new skill. Reading aloud to my children is the best part of my day and this series tops our list of favorites. We spent a year reading the series […]

A Boy and His Backyard Camper, Lifestyle Learning

By Holly Giles | Boy Crafting , handicrafts , homeschooling

Have you ever wanted to build a backyard camper? I have never had the thought myself, which is why I discouraged the idea with my youngest son Grant. He has had a fascination with campers and trailers since he was very young. Always pointing them out on a car ride and dreaming of having his […]

Handicrafts: Wooden Pencil Holder

By Holly Giles | handicrafts , homeschooling , Uncategorized

Handicrafts are an abundant portion of our learning at home. The wooden pencil holder provides skills with measurement, drills and a saw. Boys and girls alike will feel accomplished when tools of carpentry can be learned. It can open up a whole new world of imagination for them. Smaller sized drills are available that work […]

The Best Homeschool Day

By Holly Giles | Family , homeschooling , Inspiration

It seems that the best homeschool day is sought after by many. New homeschool moms are on the quest to find it. Moms who are a few years in circle the wagons with newer, better curiculum to see if that will help them discover it. However I discovered the best homeschool day quite by accident.

Don’t Climb The Trees! A Case for Childhood Play

By Holly Giles | Great Outdoors , homeschooling

We recently attended a student day event at a beautiful state park. The day was supposed to be filled with demonstrations and hands on activities for students to learn primitive tool making. Grayson was most excited because this is one of his hobbies. Another family joined us for the event and as we walked from […]

DIY All Purpose Utility Pouch

By Holly Giles | handicrafts , homeschooling

Creating useful tools for children to use is part of life skills training. This utility pouch first came out of necessity and then quickly became an all purpose, fun addition to backyard play or chores.

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