Don't waste the Summer, WRITE!

So, the end of the school year is upon us but that doesn't mean SCHOOL or HOMESCHOOL has to stop!
Summer is a GREAT time to practice writing!
Creative writing is a good place for reluctant writers to work on it!
You can come up with a lot of ways for them to work or you can get some creative writing help!
They can write an essay, start a Summer journal, get a penpal to write to, write letters to family members, write stories based on characters from books they have read or even just make notes on their video games.
How will this help them with their writing you ask....well....

• It is less formal than school. 
• They can do it on their own time.
• They can do it how they would like.
• They can base it on their interests.

This will make it more FUN and less school.

You can even get a group of kids together and have a creative writing club or weekly meet-up!

Socialization and writing!!

How do you work creative writing into your homeschool?

Happy Homeschooling!

Are umbrella schools for rainy days?

I read online about umbrella schools and wonder WHAT IS THAT?
Is is a school for my child? Is it still school for a rainy day? Is it still homeschooling?
I don't understand....
Guess what.... you are not alone!

Here is some answers!

What Does an Umbrella School Do?

In some states, homeschoolers can get some level of support and legal protection for their home education program. So while the answer varies from state to state, here are some of the typical features of umbrella schools:

• Provide legal legitimacy to a family's home education program in states that require it
• Issue report cards
• Maintain attendance records
• Host field trips, academic clubs, reading contests and the like
• Provide a student ID card (which may be useful in obtaining discounts with local merchants)

So, does that mean I can still practice unschooling? You need to check your States laws! 1st and foremost! That is IMPERATIVE if you want to homeschool. Each State has laws and each State differs. 

Your child might be able to unschool. Your child might have to attend a charter school. Your child might be required to have a cover school. Your State might have no laws.

But, if you do need an umbrella school....your State should have a list of ones that will work for you and your child. They should be helpful rather than hindering you.

Don't let this affect your decision to homeschool! You can still do it!

Happy Homeschooling!

Can I Homeschool my special needs child? YES!

So, your child is special needs and public school isn't going well and you have decided MAYBE to homeschool! But are worried if you can do it....... YES, YOU CAN!

Yep, wrote that is all caps because I was yelling it at! You, as their parent can do the best for your child and if that means homeschooling them....so be it! Have faith!

Wait, how do I start? First, breath and then get out that computer and google!

If your child has ADHD, homeschool auditory central processing disorder, homeschool dyslexia, down syndrome, autism, aspergers or ? you CAN homeschool them!
Here are my hints and tips:

• Find a homeschool group related to your childs needs. This will help you learn to teach them and give you a chat group of parents in like situation.
• Find a homeschool group period to how you want to homeschool, secular or religious or ? Many of these have their own sections for special needs kids PLUS they are open to options in your area, other homeschooling parents to talk to in general, deals on curriculum and reviews on curriculum.
• Find a local homeschool group if you can! Great for socialization and some Mom/Dad to other parents time!
• Sit back and enjoy the ride! Nothing is better than spending time with your child,watching them grow and learn while you grow and learn alongside them!

If you have a special needs child and have any other tips for parents looking into homeschooling, pipe in and post them!

Happy Homeschooling!

Getting your student to WRITE....

Ok, next to Math....this is the biggest struggle for us.
My youngest son fights me on writing. He has no imagination. I don't get it, the kid reads things like Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia and Mad Scientist Club...... he reads books FULL of imagination and yet, I put paper in front of him and ask him to write something....YIKES!
You would think I had asked him to dance naked in front of a crowd. He screams, he fights, he wails and it ends up becoming a bicker battle between him and I.
Guess what usually happens? I say forget it and we skip the writing.
I just hope he gets a career that doesn't involve anything more than note taking!
But I just can't sit back and wait.
We need something to make sure his brain doesn't stagnant and rot.
Student writing practice is imperative!
So, I gave him a journal and he has to pick a dinosaur and then write down all the information on it he can find. He wants to be a paleontologist when he goes to college. Whether or not this happens, I do not know.
So, until then....we study Earth History and we study dinosaurs and we write how it works for us and we struggle through.
From a writer's viewpoint(mine) it makes me CUH-razy that my child doesn't like to write, but to each his own. And as a Mom, I fully understand that my kids are not exactly like me nor are they like each other.
I deal.... I accept.... I fine solutions that work.
How do you deal with teaching a subject that your child HATES?
Happy Homeschooling!

Can you say a game of hangman?

I don't know about you, but I loved playing hangman!
What other way can you play a game, practice spelling and have fun with friends..... hangman?!
Nowadays, you don't need a scrap of paper and a pencil....you can play hangman online.
SWEET!!!
I love that I can find hangman games online that I use the boys spelling lists by grade and have them use those for a fun game of hangman with me, each other or their Dad!
Fun Family Time!
And guess what, they are doing schoolwork and learning at the same time.
I call that a homeschooling Mom win-win!

What games or fun things can you play online and incorporate school into?
Do your kids like it? Do they catch on?

Happy Homeschooling!