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Everyday Homeschooling

Looking Forward To A Great Homeschooling Year | Aug 29, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

Are you making preparations for the upcoming school year? Finding books, gathering supplies & getting organized can be exciting! I also realize that it can be rather daunting at the same time!

My encouragement to you today is to adopt the same approach to teaching academics as to teaching your kids anything else. For instance, let's look at bike riding. When you teach your children to ride a bike, you allow for individual differences in each child. Same goes with homeschooling.

Welcoming Jeane and Megan Hendrix! | Aug 27, 2012 by Jeane and Megan Hendrix

We here at HSLDA are pleased to announce the birth of a new weekly column featured here on the HSLDA Blog. This column is your chance to ask any question you like of Jeane and Megan Hendrix, a mother-daughter duo who double as best friends. We are calling this column The Rearview Mirror, since this team will be sharing from their past family and homeschooling experiences. They welcome questions and comments at RearviewMirrorBlog@gmail.com.

Their purpose is to encourage and uplift you in the unimaginably challenging yet immensely rewarding task you have taken on - nurturing and educating completely unique people.

Encouragement As You Take Off To A Brand New Year | Aug 23, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

I'm here to encourage you as you take off to a whole new homeschooling year! Part of the fun of any journey is anticipating what's ahead -- what you will see, where you will go & what you will experience. It's the same with homeschooling. Think of all the new things your family will learn, places you will discover and the knowledge that will be gained in the upcoming days!

As I grew up as a little girl in the Maryland suburbs, we spent many Saturdays flying with my dad, a seasoned pilot. The five of us kids always knew that we were in good hands with my dad in the left seat. He had been in the Air Force, was an engine specialist, great mechanic, and an absolute stickler with details. He checked his check list, then checked it again. Complacency was something that my dad didn't tolerate. There was never a fear in our minds, knowing that we would not only take off but that we would also land safely.

The One Who Learns The Most Might Be You | Aug 22, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

When we first started homeschooling, one of the exciting aspects for me was anticipating all the wonderful things that the twins would learn. I thought about teaching them to read confidently, spell correctly & speak clearly. I imagined them being able to do lengthy math calculations in their heads without reaching for a single piece of paper, something I hoped to eventually do as well.

How wrong I was -- not about the twins learning to read, write & calculate, but about who would learn the most. I was the one who would learn the most in that God was teaching me & growing me in different ways that I hadn't imagined.

Exposing Our Kids to Beautiful Melodies & Great Hymns | Aug 20, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

If there's one thing that students learn when studying music it's that timing is everything. Yes, technique is important, but if the timing is off --- it's major. And so it goes with homeschooling -- our time is limited when it comes to exposing our children to the great hymns of the faith, so my advice is to do it now while they're young.

Music ministers to the soul and is so moving! And great hymns are not only inspiring --- but they'll be remembered for a lifetime ---making it important to allow kids to learn them while they're young.

In Favor of Legos | Aug 17, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

Any LEGO fans out there? I love LEGOS! With their countless opportunities to inspire children & adults all over the world, I think LEGOS are great for homeschoolers. Whether it's summer or winter -- we can't go wrong in having our kids do LEGOs.

Everywhere I go, moms tell me that they think that LEGOS are worthwhile. Come to find out that many moms have helped get kids started with their first LEGO sets, then enjoyed seeing kids create towns, forts, castles and more.

Starting a New School Year - How to Prepare for a Great One! Part Two | Aug 15, 2012 by Tracy Klicka

Dear homeschooling moms,

Last week I shared some foundational tips to help you plan for a great next school year. If you missed that post, click HERE to read this list. In addition to those, here are a few more thoughts on how we can prepare for a super year of homeschooling...

All For Prayer | Aug 13, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

This morning -- coffee mug in hand-- I got into the van to run a few errands, flipped through my classical stations before tuning in to Pastor John MacArthur's radio program Grace to You. He's doing a great series on prayer this week so I encourage you to check it out if you can. Today he made the point that "Prayer is primarily worship." So very true!

Starting a New School Year – How to Prepare for a Great One! | Aug 11, 2012 by Tracy Klicka

Dear homeschooling moms,

My favorite time of year for me as a homeschooling mom is right before we start up a new school year. I’m excited about spending time learning with my children and teaching them new things. I enjoy picking out new literature we’re going to read together and finding interesting field trips we can take in conjunction with our topics of study. I love the thought of my kids being engaged in their education—wanting to learn, working hard, and being committed to their own discovery. They love reading and this adds to my love of homeschooling.

Your Home Needs You | Aug 9, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

Today as I walked out to get the mail from the mailbox, I felt like I was at Death Valley -- not because of the heat, but because of the absence of people. No kids were out playing & the only sound to be heard were the birds. It's kind of sad to see kids hurried off to day camps and return exhausted at around five o'clock in the afternoon. The question becomes, "Where have all the mothers gone?"

In order to have an orderly, peaceful, loving home we must be there - at least some of the time. I believe that the mother really sets the tone for the household, and if the house had a soul --- it would definitely be the mother. That might sound kind of odd, but the point is that our husbands & children (our homes) need us!

Improvement, Progress and Pressing On | Aug 7, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

Have you seen some of the Olympic Games? I think it's been thrilling to see Michael Phelps compete in the swimming races & to watch the incredible skill in both women's & men's gymnastics.

The Olympics often stir our competitive spirit & rouse our enthusiasm up for sports & athletic excellence. That's a good thing of course, but sometimes in real life we can misinterpret that perfection in & of itself is the goal. That can be a slippery slope and counter-productive for kids where homeschool is concerned. Sure, many of the ideals that the Olympics stand for are noble and worthy, but it's naive to fall into thinking it's solely about perfection.

Multiples -- We're Talking Twins & Triplets, Not Math | Aug 6, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

Today my twin sister JoAnn is helping me with a cleaning project at the house and I'm trying to talk her into going with me on a trip (I know it's crazy) to Twinsburg, Ohio for the annual Twins Day Festival, a 3-day gathering of multiples from all over the world. I think it would be fun to talk with other twins or triplets and hear some of their stories.

Little Ones In The House? Two Things Not to Forget ~ | Jul 30, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

My encouragement today is for all of you who have young children in your home, and it's this:

~ Tell 'em stories ~

~ Tuck 'em in at night ~

If you're not great at storytelling, simply read stories. The kids will never forget snuggling at bedtime and hearing mom or dad read to them.

Whether it's a whole "story hour" or just a simple kiss goodnight, night time is a special time to spend with our children. It's a time to pray and express love to one another -- a cherished time that will be remembered throughout our children's lives.

Opening Ceremonies tonight! Encouraging Our Kids To Aim High | Jul 27, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

I can't wait for the Olympics to start! Tonight's the night for opening ceremonies ---

I'm thinking about some of the Olympic ideals -- the tenacity,perseverance & dedication of all the athletes --

I wonder what all the moms are thinking..... after all, they're the ones that have driven the kids to practices, meets, work-outs. Maybe they're wondering if it will be worth it all.

You're A Natural Teacher, So Teach With Your Own Style! | Jul 24, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

Whether you're brand new to homeschooling, or a seasoned veteran with 20 years of experience under your belt, why is it that in mothering & in teaching, we have the tendency to think that we somehow need to be like someone else or do things like someone else? Maybe it's just me -- but I think it's easy to fall into the trap.