The Sensible Homeschool – Practical Help & Encouragement for Your Homeschool

Homeschool Planning with a Master Course of Study

July 12, 2019July 15, 2019

I’m a list person. I love lists. If there’s a problem for me to solve, the solution will probably involve a list. And, if it’s a list in the form of a spreadsheet, all the better!

Now, even if you’re not on the same page as me about lists being the answer to life’s most pressing problems, please hear me out.

There’s one list – and, yes, it’s a spreadsheet *giddy squeals* – that has helped me plan out our homeschool years more than any other resource I’ve made or bought. The best part is, it’s *EASY* and *FREE* to make and highly customizable.

Ways We Customize The Story of the World Curriculum in our Homeschool

July 5, 2019July 6, 2019

We love The Story of the World history curriculum.

(And, given that I loathed history when I was a kid, it’s no small potatoes for me to say that I love a history curriculum!)

After using Tapestry of Grace Primer for my oldest son’s first and second grade years, we started Volume 1 of The Story of the World and haven’t looked back.

Thinking of Homeschooling? You Can Do It!

June 28, 2019June 22, 2019

Not too long ago, if you asked me if I like gardening, I’d have answered…

“No way! I kill plants!”

(I didn’t mean to kill them – it just happened. I’m pretty sure it had to do with forgetting to water them for months at a time…)

5 Important Things to Teach in Your Homeschool

June 21, 2019June 22, 2019

The more we homeschool, the more I realize a lot of my job as home educator does NOT have to do with academics.

Sure, the 3 R’s are important, but there are higher objectives we should be prioritizing.

An Interview with a 2nd Grade Homeschool Kid

June 14, 2019June 7, 2019

In last week’s post, I interviewed my 5th grader about his homeschooling experience. Now it’s my 2nd grader’s turn.

The following is an interview with my youngest son, our middle child. I’ve tried to capture his exact responses and he’s read and approved of this post.

An Interview with a 5th Grade Homeschool Kid

June 7, 2019June 4, 2019

I’m a homeschooling mom who was public schooled. From time to time I wonder what it’s like for my kids to be home educated. Do they like homeschooling? What are their favorite and not-so-favorite parts about their education?

Well, the best way to find out is to ask – so I did.

The following is an interview with my oldest son. I’ve tried to capture his exact responses and he’s read and approved of this post.

2 Unexpected (But Awesome) Supplies for Your Homeschool

May 31, 2019May 28, 2019

Pencils? Check.

Binders? Check.

Pegboard and hardboard panels? What?

They’re probably not the first thing that pops into mind when you think “school supplies.” But these two boards have been some of the most-used tools in our homeschool over the years.

The Secret to Creative & Resourceful Kids

May 24, 2019May 27, 2019

I’ve tried – oh, have I tried – to get the kids to clean up one thing before pulling something else out. “One toy out at a time” I’d call in a sing-songy voice…

Yeah, right.

After years of trying, I’ve finally accepted that it’s just not going to happen. There just will be lots of things out at one time and you know what…

…the world isn’t going to end!

Our Homeschool Summer Break – Year 5

May 17, 2019May 21, 2019

I’d like to start this post with an apology for any neck injuries you may have sustained by following this series of posts. It’s been like watching a tennis match!

Back and forth I’ve gone, trying to find the sweet spot for our summers. More academic? More relaxed? Over-scheduled? Lazy days? Seems like we’ve tried it all.

We’ve finally caught up to real time in this series – we’ll be heading into our 5th official homeschool summer in less than a month!

Our Homeschool Summer Break – Year 4

May 10, 2019May 10, 2019

If you’ve been following this series (if not, start here), you’ll probably have noticed a pattern by now. We seem to keep ping-ponging back and forth between work-focused summers and play-focused summers, always trying to find the sweet spot.

Year 3 was a summer of virtually no advanced planning and no academic work. So, you probably won’t be too surprised when I tell you that Year 4 was the complete opposite.

(And, according to my oldest son who was just reading over my shoulder a minute ago, Year 4’s summer was “horrible!” Can’t win ‘em all, I guess.)