Many of us find ourselves home with our kids even more than usual due to the COVID-19 situation. With libraries closed, co-op classes on hold, and friends and family kept at a distance, you may feel like you don’t have enough books and resources to really be able to teach […]
Read MoreLanguage Arts
Can Grammar Be Fun?
Mission: revamp the way we look at grammar! I would not have thought this possible if I had not become an ESL teacher myself. Years ago, when I embarked upon my teaching journey, I thought teaching grammar had to be taken seriously. No fun or games. I was so wrong. […]
Read MoreFun Ways to Teach Grammar
“Grammar? Argh!” Have your children ever moaned those words? Completing endless pages of grammar exercises often elicits that very response. Direct, sequential grammar instruction is important for helping students to understand sentence structure (and thereby to improve as readers and writers), but that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun […]
Read MoreLearning Language Arts Naturally: How to Add Copywork to Your Homeschool
Copywork is the practice of writing a passage, a sentence, or even a word from another writer’s example. It is powerful teaching tool that honors the natural way children learn, can be used by students of any age, and enables you to cover multiple subjects in a single lesson. If […]
Read MoreHow to Raise a Reader: 10 Tips to Promote Literacy at Home
There are many ways you as a parent can support your child’s growing literacy. Here are some strategies you can use with your family to help your kids see themselves as readers. Read every single day. You can start when your children are infants. Create special times of day that […]
Read MoreHow to Teach Language Arts in Your Homeschool
As homeschoolers, reading is the most foundational and important skill that we will teach our children; however, we must think beyond simply teaching our students how to read and also understand all the parts that comprise a solid language arts curriculum. What Does Language Arts Mean? “Language arts” is a […]
Read MoreFrustrated When Teaching Your Child to Read? Here’s Help!
Your child may be frustrated from constantly being corrected. You may be frustrated from constantly correcting your child. Your child is going to make some mistakes; that is part of learning to read. Some children are used to being corrected so often that they look up after every word to […]
Read MoreTissue Box Spelling!
I have a confession to make. As a homeschool mom, I was a total curricula nerd. Introduce me to a new resource or program, and I would devour it as I would a thrilling novel. Every year, choosing curricula was the highlight of my spring. Yes, I need to get […]
Read MoreUnderstanding Literature and Nonfiction Texts: Simple Tools for All Ages and Reading Levels
By Dawn Burnette Whether your child is in first grade or twelfth grade, reading above grade level or just starting to sound out words, direct and intentional instruction in reading comprehension should be a regular part of each day. Reading comprehension is one of the most important skills we teach […]
Read MoreJump-Start Your Reluctant Writer
Justin ran desperately through slashing brush that was doomed by the fire raging behind him. As he ran, his mind raced to Sam … where was he? Justin threw a fervent look back over his shoulder, but saw no one. There was nothing to do but keep going–faster, faster! He […]
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