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Co-op is an abbreviation that stands for co-operative learning. In the context of homeshcool, co-ops are as unique and varied as the homeschoolers that comprise them. In general, co-ops are at least 2 families who agree to get together regularly with the intention of learning—whether the learning goals are academic, social, experiential, etc. Some co-ops are centered around getting together to explore the great outdoors. They are less focused on assignments and more geared toward following the child’s natural interests or building community. The curriculum you choose may also lead you to look for a local co-op with similarly minded...

This month I wanted to dive a little deeper into some of the aspects of not only my Charlotte Mason-Inspired Kindergarten, but also the idea of the kindergarten year as a whole. What is the purpose of a kindergarten year, especially if you’re coming from a Charlotte Mason background? I won’t be discussing arguments that Charlotte Mason did not approve of any kind of kindergarten (which is not true) as I think Leah Martin has already done a wonderful job covering that. Today I’ll mainly be talking about why we decided to start our kindergarten year later than when my...

Of all the silver linings to the tumultuous times we’re living through, one of the most significant may turn out to be the apparent influx of families that are about to give homeschooling a try.  Over the last few months, I’ve personally received numerous messages from friends of all stripes asking for tips, resources, and advice about homeschooling. Every online homeschool group I’m part of has welcomed a significant increase of new members during this time and countless posts by new or potential homeschoolers seeking information and support. Almost every inquiry boils down to the same basic question: “I want...

Second graders. Their baby fat is starting to burn off. They are becoming more interested in social interaction. Hopefully they are on their way to reading on their own for pleasure. Their attention span might be longer than their younger counterparts, but don’t feel the need to follow a school-at-home approach. A lot can be accomplished in a short amount of time. This leaves plenty of room in their lives for playing outside, expending physical energy, and following their passions. Even as my kids get older, I like to keep the time we spend “schooling” each day to under 2...

Your kids can only learn so much through worksheets. When it comes to logic and spatial reasoning skills, we often learn through life experience. However, how can we teach our kids these important skills at home?  We are a big fan of gameschooling, and Camelot Jr is one of our favorite puzzle games to keep in our homeschool arsenal. It looks deceptively simple with only 8 wooden blocks, but when you try and beat the challenge, you quickly realize that less is more. Overview of Camelot Jr Camelot Jr is a unique puzzle game that will allow your kids to...