Who Wants to Get Organized, Mama?

Who wants to get organized? I think the answer is EVERYONE! Just not me–today. How do I get out of this slump? I’ve lost the enthusiasm I had at the beginning of the year. Looking back, the times I’ve lost my joy are the times that I’ve been worn out physically or the house is
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Habits Bring Peace, Mama

Classical education and Charlotte Mason education both vouch for creating good habits and starting them when the children are young. There are so many benefits that result from the forming of good habits. Peace is one of them. Wouldn’t we all like a dose of peace in our homeschool days?  It took me a few
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Literature-Based Learning, Mama

I am not an expert on literature-based learning, as we are a bit eclectic in style. (If you are wondering about styles, take a look at back issues of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine or explore literature courses at SchoolhouseTeachers.com.)  But I can say that, after teaching more than twenty years, my children have learned exponentially
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Are You In Survival or Revival, Mama?

Let’s talk about the hard things of homeschooling. There are times (maybe years) where you are homeschooling through illness. Or, maybe the lack of finances or job security is particularly hard. What about that marriage that is hanging in the balance? What about those teens that are rebellious? What about the trials that keep coming? 
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Should You Teach Typing, Mama?

When I first began homeschooling 25 years ago, I didn’t even think to add typing to my children’s education. But when I saw them use an online learning game and watched them “hunt and peck” for letters on the keyboard, I knew it was time.  Today, typing has become a skill that most of our
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Social Studies or History?

I read an interesting article in the New York Times recently. The author Dr. Daniel Bessner, a historian, wrote about history becoming controversial and the rapid decline of the history profession (researchers, professors, and teachers). Dr. Bessner goes so far as to say, “It’s the end of history. And the consequence will be great.”1 What!?
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Do You Have a Late Reader, Mama?

Half of my children were early readers, and half were late readers. There were struggles that we pushed through. Some tears were dried. But in the end, with consistent day by day help and encouragement, they are all good readers now. One needed vision help; one needed help for dyslexia—some needed more time. We read
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Jiggles, Wiggles, and Giggles, Mama

Our youngest is now an active ten year old. He can’t sit still while doing book work. His body has to move. The chairs have to move (rock, shuffle, and fall over). The pencil has to fly. His body and hands and feet have to move. His mouth has to make noises. It can be
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