Dreaming Big. How To Instill a Love of Reading in Your Children.

  I would like to start by saying I have two vastly different children. My son picked up reading at a very early age of four. By five he was reading fluently and by seven he could read anything and often did. My daughter on the other hand was a reluctant reader. Struggling still at seven to master simple phonics. By eight she started to read more fluently and now at nine is beginning to read novels. It's been a struggle with her. Lot of tears were shed on both sides. I spent many hours talking it out with my husband trying to figure out the best strategy to get her reading better....

Read More

Free Kids Coding Roundup!

It's a world of technology out there.  If you have been wondering how to introduce your kids to this fast paced world of learning look no further then coding. It's the basis of all the app's, games, and websites out there. I have compiled for you a listing of some of the very best sites to use. The best part is they are all free! Just click on any image below to go direct to the site!  Java Programming ebook free to download in English, French, Russian and Ukraine.  Hackety Hack uses Ruby programming to teach kids from the ground up. No prior experience is necessary.  Kids...

Read More

Freedom From the Box.

“Curious Word Origins, Sayings and Expressions.” School~ “ The Greek schole which was the original source of school, once meant just the opposite from what the school boy of today thinks of that institution. It meant vacation, leisure, rest. The education of a Greek boy was by private teachers in reading, writing, arithmetic, singing, and gymnastics. But no man ever considered his education to be completed. His leisure time was spent in listening to the discussions of learned men, and thus this product of leisure, this use of ones spare time came also to be called schole. Eventually...

Read More

30 Ways To Mix It Up In Your Homeschool.

So we've all been there. School's been back in for awhile and the book work is getting everyone down. It's time to mix things up! Take school outside for the day. Play background music during work time. Get some books on cd from the library. Let kids color or draw pictures about what you are reading while you are reading. Include movement to your lessons to allow kids to release some energy. Teach your kids a new game. Dodge ball, skipping, hopscotch etc.. Take a walk through the neighbourhood and discuss architecture, shapes, form, color, plants, animals, vehicles, etc…anything you see...

Read More

6 Ways to Motivate Your Children to Learn.

  Sometimes as adults we forget how hard it is to shake the summer fun off and knuckle down to the bookwork. If you have taken the summer off be prepared for a week or two of feet dragging as you get back into a routine. It can take longer for some kids than others. Some ways you can motivate your child are;  1. To make the lessons include fun projects.  2. Have the child read about or research a topic of their choosing.  3. Reward your children often with praise for work done well. Rewards can also include stickers, a special snack, etc.  4. Offer breaks from the...

Read More

Free to Canadian Educators!

I love finding great Canadian resources for my kids and for all of you my wonderful readers. So guess what? I have done it again. Canadian Geographic Education will send you free of charge educational magazines and lesson outlines thorough out the year. You too can sign up to receive teaching kits! Canadian Geographic has a long standing history of delivering quality educational materials. Opening my mailbox and finding a wonderful issue all about WW1 was exciting. With Remembrance Day coming up in November it gives me time to plan and prepare a unit for the kids. I am excited to see what...

Read More

Finding Community Service Opportunities for Kids Under 12.

As a Canadian homeschooling family we are well aware that community service opportunities may be harder to come by. You see in the public school's kids are encouraged to start volunteering in small ways early on. Whether they are taking papers to the office or helping smaller kids on the buses they are actively volunteering regularly. All these hours are tallied and kept on record. In highschool they need 40 during their highschool careers. Well as homeschooler's it's not as easy. You can't say 'for the record my child helped me voluntarily to clean.' Finding opportunities can be tricker...

Read More

Free Canadian Government Learning Resources.

While looking around online for freebies for teaching, I found this great resource. As a Canadian often we are often given free resources but only to download. Sometimes we are lucky and find real hands on materials. Thanks to the Government of Canada for making these resources free for all citizens. Included is a teacher's packet. It includes all the resources seen as well as some others. I ordered another extra couple of student copies so the kids won't have to share. We have been putting off learning about the government for long enough. I have to say after looking these materials over...

Read More

Quest Clubs Now in Canada!

A wonderfully generous with her time mother and her friend have started the first chapter in Canada of Quest Clubs. I wanted to let everyone know what a great organization this is. For years the local choices have been Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, and 4-H. All are excellent programs but this one is really a good fit for so many. Their motto 'Ask anything! Explore everything!" really gives you the idea of what the group is all about. The fact that there are 1200 badges and rising is just the icing. Kids love having incentives. Although my daughter insists she just likes the games. Each...

Read More

Some Things Take Time.

  We entered our second week of homeschool for the 2014-2015 season. Although we technically are a few weeks in as we had a jump start on our classes at the end of last year before we realized we needed a break. This means we are picking up where we left off. I am discovering just how much that can be a draw back. There's review that needs to be happening in most subjects.  Day 1: The kids were supposed to be tested but after a three day weekend and no study time it seemed almost cruel. So we had to review the chapter that was to be tested. We are still reviewing french...

Read More

Popping the Misconception Bubble.

  Here is the crux folks. Misconceptions lead to bigotry in all forms. They are unhealthy in so many ways and society needs to weed them out. I just read an article about homeschooling on another blog. Of course I can't resist reading the comments. It amazes me number one, that so many people who don't homeschool themselves seem to be suddenly experts on the topic. Number two, it's shocking just how misinformed some of these people are. Number three, even those who weren't misinformed seemed to feel the need to be rude which only serves to discredit their very valid point.  I...

Read More

Leave Nothing But Footprints.

This year I have implemented Phys Ed (Physical Education) into our daily schedule. The reason being my kids are at that age where toys and games don't interest them the same as it used to. So to encourage some physicality into the day I thought it was needed. Today's class, going for a walk on the incredibly beautiful Hub Trail. We didn't make it an overly long trek as we only get one hour for this class. It was humid and sticky today and so quiet. As we walked along the biking path we spotted a dragonfly. Now normally these creatures are pretty adept at escaping before anyone is too close....

Read More

What's This World Coming To?

  As with all technology it's sure to have some glitches in the machine. Telehealthcare may not have to do with homeschool or be related directly but certainly it is of a concern after our experience yesterday. I wonder how many others have had similar experiences? My son had a planters wart on his foot which appeared to be getting severely worse. Blisters were forming all over the ball of his foot. Now normally going to your regular healthcare provider would be advised. However that wasn't an option for us so I decided to take him to a walk in clinic.  This newer, tech...

Read More