by Terri H. | Giveaways
That title got you, didn’t it?
Math. We’ve used so many different programs for math for my youngest. It wasn’t my favorite subject in school, and it wasn’t my favorite subject to teach in elementary school, either. I’ve been searching for the perfect math curriculum for as long as I’ve been homeschooling and both of my girls are in high school now.
Here’s What I Do Know
Every kid is different. Yes, you know that, too. But truly, one math curriculum does not work for another. Take my own children for example. I tried almost everything to get my eldest daughter to NOT love Saxon. She did. And still does. And she’s thriving with it. She gets that from her dad, certainly.
My youngest is just like me. She doesn’t care about formulas, and the answer, “because that’s how you’re supposed to do it” just doesn’t fly with her. Me either. We want to know why. If we could study and analyze an algebraic formula as if it were a character in a great fiction novel, we’d do well and even love algebra. But we don’t.
Math Non-Math Lovers Like
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by Terri H. | Homeschooling
Planning a road map of your homeschooling is key to success. After all, we plan our vacations right down to the minute detail sometimes, don’t we? Why wouldn’t we give our children’s education the same attention to detail? I’ve coached hundreds of families since 2008 and what I have discovered about homeschooling parents/grandparents/caregivers is:
- no two families are alike
- we want to do the very best for our children
- our questions change as seasons change in our homeschooling
- we research like crazy
A homeschool coach, whether it be for a one-time consulting session, or an ongoing support group, can be so very valuable to you and your entire family. Sometimes you might just need validation and support. Other times you’ll need specific advice on how to navigate curriculum changes, high school years, extra-curriculars, scholarships . . . the list is endless.
I can help you with all of those and more. While this isn’t about ME; it’s about YOU and YOUR unique family, it’s good for you to know of my experience and background.
In a nutshell here it is:
- homeschool mom to two who just graduated two children
- one daughter received talent and academic scholarships, covering her full tuition to a private school
- another daughter published her first book at age16 and graduated early because she was accepted to The Author Conservatory, a 3-year college alternative program for writers
- long-time homeschool consultant and evaluator (since 2008)
- homeschool speaker (conferences, podcasts, etc.)
- long-time educator in elementary schools and virtual schools
- Master of Science in Education
- experienced with special-needs students including giftedness
- coach to hundreds, maybe thousands, of families since 2008
- owner and administrator of Life Learning Academy, private umbrella school for homeschoolers in Florida
But don’t take my word for it. Here’s what some of my families have said:
Thank you, Terri, for all of your help over the years. You truly care about people, and it shows.
I’m pretty sure we’d be lost without you. D____ is doing SO WELL now thanks to your guidance.
Our careers are so demanding, but we knew we needed to pull our kids out of school and keep them home. You have helped us navigate the world of working in high-level, high-stress jobs while homeschooling our boys and we are eternally grateful. We have an appointment set up to discuss J’s high school transcripts.
This coaching group was FANTASTIC! I made life-long friends here. It’s so nice to talk with others, to bounce ideas off one another and just enjoy the solidarity. We homeschoolers are a special breed of people! Thank you for being there for us and I can’t wait for the next. Please open another group soon. 🙂
My next Homeschool Helpline group begins the first week of September. Fees are $90 per person. We meet twice monthly via Zoom during September, October and November.
Grab your seat today because space is limited to only eight participants!
REGISTER NOW!
by Terri H. | Homeschooling
For Kids
Tip #1
Ask your mom to take you to the local park. Walk up to random strangers and ask them if they have also wondered if a 100-kilogram astronaut falls into a black hole, what happens?
If they look scared, you know that person is not the friend for you. If their eyes grow wide with excitement, you’re in!
Tip #2
If you’re out with a homeschool group, you’re a little safer. Now you can really be yourself. Bring your Onewheel and your ukelele and don’t be ashamed of singing while playing and riding around. Your type of friends will skate, jog, or scoot beside you. You may end up with some harmonizers.
Tip #3
Assuming that there is no dress code, wear your pajamas to co-op. All those other homeschoolers know that a 10:30 class is too early anyway.
Tip #4
If you’re too shy to break into the group of homeschoolers who seem to know each other already, don’t worry. Just sit quietly by yourself until someone notices. Homeschoolers are kind, friendly people and you’ll be included in no time.
Tip #5
Ask your friends who go to public school to give you some tips. Actually, no. Don’t do that.
For Parents
Tip #1
If you’re a dad, I’m sorry. When homeschool moms come together, sometimes they can’t stop talking. They don’t mean to leave you out.
Tip #2
If you see a homeschool dad, please be friendly to him. But also let him know that it’s totally okay to ignore your conversation if that’s what he wants to do.
Tip #3
If you haven’t yet found a group of homeschool moms with which to chat, and you see a group at a park or field trip, simply elbow your way in there, throw your giant lunch cooler up on the table and start sharing all those organic snacks. You’ll be accepted in no time.
Tip #4
If you ever feel like you’re on the outside, just tell the other moms how wonderful their kids are. That’s a 100% guarantee that you’ll make friends with everyone.
Tip #5
Even if you do go to the gym, please, please don’t ever dress like those mom friends of yours who drop their kids off at school and then head for their morning workout. The homeschool mom dress code doesn’t allow for that.
Soon, we’ll talk about the serious side of making friends while homeschooling. In the meantime, you can read about how much fun we have in our Your Homeschool Coach Homeschool Helpline group. Space is limited to only 8 participants at a time, so get in on the fun today!
by Terri H. | Homeschooling
You Probably Won’t Stick to “The Plan”
We homeschoolers have so many inspired ideas when we first begin! Who doesn’t love a new adventure, with a shiny new schedule to go along with it?I promise you, you will go “off course”. You will “follow a different path”. You will get “redirected”. It’s all okay. It’s necessary, and it leads to new adventures and new opportunities.
Consider This Fictitious Day
* 8:30 You and your children begin the day with stretching, exercise and/or prayer time. Everyone is smiling and well-rested. The bigger kids help make smoothie bowls for breakfast at 8:30 am while their younger siblings clean up their toys. Breakfast is followed by journal writing and free reading. Your group history lesson begins at 10:00 followed by a snack (which the kids prepare themselves) and a short free-play or free-time session for everyone until exactly 10:45, which leaves just enough time to fit in some handwriting practice before it’s time to involve the kids in preparing a healthy lunch. (more…)
by Terri H. | Homeschooling
Homeschool co-ops are very popular among many homeschoolers and they can be wonderful avenues to make friends, receive support and even expand your child’s academic horizons. Co-ops (cooperatives) are groups generally created by a number of families working together for the benefit of all who want to join. A couple of questions I get asked often are, “How can you join one and how do they work?
Let’s explore a few things you need to know before joining a homeschool co-op.
Benefits of Joining a Homeschool Co-op
Homeschool co-ops vary in what they offer. Some co-ops are designed to support homeschooling families by working together to organize play dates and field trips. There are many of these types of co-ops in Florida, and if you are brand new to homeschooling, these casual meet-ups can be a wonderful way to meet others and to get support.
Such homeschool co-ops often organize and offer things like a yearly prom, regular weekly park days, field trips to various places around the state, sports teams and a yearbook to members.
Academics
Co-ops can also be more academic in nature and more structured in the way that they are run. These types of co-ops generally require parents to pitch in somehow; either by teaching a class, assisting in a class, or providing clean up or lunch help during the day. (more…)
