The Canadian Homeschooling Momma

Top 7 Misconceptions about Homeschooling "Debunked" |

2012-01-18T06:45:00.000-08:00

A great You Tube clip my fellow homeschooling friend posted on Facebook today... To funny but true as well!

Teaching Kids To be Wise with Money |

2011-11-15T11:08:00.001-08:00

I came across this awesome piggy bank today from Money Savvy Generation.

It is a great way for kids to learn about diving up their allowance/chore money into the different categories:Save, Spend, Donate and Invest.

Kids can watch as their money in each category adds up over time, they learn the valuable lesson of dividing their money, they learn about the satisfaction of donating money and over time they will see the impact of how their savings and investment grow to help them with their future goals.

For younger children books such as The Berenstain Bears' Dollars and Sense and The Berenstain Bears' Trouble with Money are great to read for them to learn about the value of money and the importance of managing money.

For children a little bit older Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace Jr.: Teaching Kids About Money! is a great resource as well - helping train your kids to be "Tomorrow's Millionaires."

For homeschooling moms Brette McWhorter Sember's book The Everything Kids' Money Book: Earn it, save it, and watch it grow! looks like a great resource for the classroom teaching kids everything from banking accounts to ATMs to investment to how to make money. (Note: this is an American book so some things may be different and/or confusing for those working with CND money).

For older children I like Dave Ramsey's method of matching your children's savings up to a certain amount in order to encourage them to save and work hard to make more money towards a certain goal. So they may want to save up for a car - and you can offer to match them up to $5,000 for instance towards that goal.

Starting at a young age to teach children about the value of money and the importance of managing it wisely is vital to having an young adult and an adult that will function well when they are on their own.

Top 10 Tips for Homeschooling |

2011-10-04T07:18:00.001-07:00

Since I have never home schooled myself, I asked my mom for her top ten tips from her years of homeschooling.

Here is what she had to say:

(1) Always start fresh first thing in the morning (8:30 am) as children are awake and at their best for learning - and keeping to the same schedule gives them a routine to follow and teaches them time management and responsibility. It is important to start with prayer to start their school day as well.

(2) Teach them to sing Oh Canada and also teach them The Lord’s Prayer Sing and recite each morning

(3) Always get your child to start with the subject they struggle with the most (get it done and over with) then alternate by enjoyable subject and challenging subject throughout the day. OR Alternate them by day ex. If math is their weakness study it first one day then second the next.

(4) When students are learning to read record their reading so that as the weeks and months go by you can play back how they started off and how great they are progressing! Gives them a boost to their confidence to see how far they have come too!

(5) Alternate 'special' subjects like Science and Social Studies during the week. You could even have certain days for each 'special' subject i.e. Wednesday = Art Day - Thursday = Science Experiment day etc.

(6) Have a Treasure Box with little gifts in it to give students as tangible rewards for doing great work or trying their best. ( We all like to have praise for doing well and to have it acknowledged verbally is nice but getting little trinkets as a reward is wonderful )

(7) Having a chalk board, or white board, is wonderful as a teaching tool and children like to work on it as well.

(8) As your students get older do a 'ticket system' or a 'merit system' instead of the 'treasure box' now your students get tickets for doing well and can turn them in and purchase larger items for working hard. ( Doesn’t mean that every test has to be perfect but when they work hard to their greatest potential then they can be were rewarded )

(9) Remember - even though it is homeschool - School always has recess and a snack! It is important to give them mental breaks throughout the day, and to let them get out physical energy as well.

(10) School trips, music lessons, sports, and clubs at church are important to keep your students happy, active and socialized.

Thanks for sharing all of these great tips mom!

Homeshooling Doesn't Have to Stop At the Classroom Door |

2011-09-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

Homeschooling kids can be such well rounded individuals because homeschooling doesn't have to stop at the classroom door.

Chores can be part of the everyday routine teaching children to be responsible, helpful and giving them the life skills they will need when they are out on their own.

Homechool kids can take a break from
their book work and help mom bake or can help make dinner learning cooking and measuring skills.

Homeschool kids can also help dad with whatever projects he is working on. Whether it changing the oil in his car, or doing yard work etc. why not have your kids work with him to learn hands on life skills.

After school lessons and activities are also a great example of how learning doesn't have to stop at the classroom. Having your homeschool kids involved in extra curricular activities and lessons are also a great way for your kids to
socialize with more children their own age.

Great Learning Songs |

2011-09-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

I have recently been introduced to KidsTV123 on You Tube. They have some GREAT learning songs that you can use throughout your homeschooling day for a fun little break from book work and to help teach your little ones key things such as adc, 123s, months, shapes, planets and more!

I learned "Around the World Geography" when I was little and I STILL remember those songs. I also learned the order of the solar system through song and of course the classic alphabet song. Songs are a GREAT way for children to learn and it sticks with them forever.

Here are a few of the clips from KidsTV123:

Months:

Numbers 1-10 and back again:

Phonics Alphabet:

Days of the Week:

And there are MANY more videos to watch for children of all ages!

There are some clips that aren't Songs but are great resources as well like "The Reading Machine":

One Mom's Perspective - Why We Homeschool |

2011-09-29T11:56:00.000-07:00

Great explanation of WHY We homeschool.

Are your an "Ignorant" Homeschooling Mom? |

2011-09-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

An interesting clip for homeschooling moms to watch.

Rewarding Positive Behaviour | With the Help Of Melissa and Doug

2011-09-29T11:09:00.000-07:00

Melissa and Doug is SUCH a great company! They have so many great toys and educational tools.

I just recently came across their Magnetic Responsibility Board for kids.
It looks like a great tool for not only rewarding positive behaviour but it also doubles as a task/chore chart as well.

The website describes how the item works:

"Catch children in the act of behaving well, reward them, and watch those appropriate behaviors multiply! Open the fabric hinged boards to reveal a behavior chart on one board, while the other board keeps all the magnets close at hand. A sturdy cord is attached for hanging. Dry-erase board and 90 magnets including responsibilities, positive behaviors and rewards. Here's a way to please (and thank you) everyone!"

They look like a fun and interactive way to get your child motivated about being responsible for completing their daily tasks!

Easy Daysies - Daily Schedules For Kids |

2011-09-29T10:41:00.000-07:00

Last night on Dragon's Den I saw Easy Daysies which are a magnetic daily schedule/organizer for kids. They were created by an elementary school teacher and mom of three, Elaine Tan Comeau.

There are several different types of daily task kits that you can buy from the 'Every Day Kit' to 'Chores and Rewards' to 'Family Activities' and more.

They seem like a great tool for kids as they are graphic, each child gets their own board, and you can easily interchange the magnetic tasks to suit their changing needs.

My favourite is 'Chores and Rewards' because your kids can check off the spaces with a marker as they complete their tasks.

Homeschool Humour |

2011-09-29T08:34:00.001-07:00

Too Funny - but sometimes I think this IS how the public views homeschool families...

Rewarding Good Behaviour |

2011-09-29T07:48:00.001-07:00

For the few years that I went to a Christian private school I really enjoyed their method of rewarding and encouraging good behaviour.

They had a 'merit' system and gave out 'merits' that were small pieces of different coloured paper (that looked like money) with the value amount written on them. They had 5s, 10s, 25s, 50s, 100s, and 500s each on a different colour of paper.

Here is an example of an American school's Merit Money:

They then had a list of what good behaviours or achievements would earn students the different amounts of merits. For example getting 100% on a test earned you a 500 merit bill! And memorizing your chapter scripture verse within the first week of the month would also earn you 500 merits.

5s or 10s would be given out if the teacher noticed you doing kind things for others and they would be given to the students with a note explaining what they did to deserve the merits.

If I recall I think 25s were given out if you got in the 70% range on a test and 50s were given if you got in the 80% range on a test and 100s if you got in the 90% range.

The key, if you were to use this tool for your homeschool, is to make sure to formally outline how to earn mertis and how many will be given for certain actions or behaviours. You could even bring the merit system out of the homeschool room and into the rest of the home to help encourage good behavior OR to reward your kids for doing their chores etc.

Now what good are all these merits with nothing to buy?

SO, at the end (or beginning) of each month you have a 'Merit Store' with items for sale that your child can use their merits to purchase. Not only are merit stores FUN for the kids and a great way to reward their good behaviour, but they are also a great way to teach your child some valuable lessons in saving and spending money as well.

You might want to have a few larger items that you know your kids will want to save for to teach them a lesson in saving. Or, if you have younger children, you may just want to have mostly small items to make sure your child feels rewarded for their good behaviour each month.

Here is an example of a large merit store at a school - a homeschool merit store could be much less formal. Maybe you set it up in the morning before school starts, or maybe all of the goodies are in a bin or a 'treasure chest' that you bring out once a month.

*Be Sure to price the items in a consitent way based on how much they would cost in real life, and based on how many merits you find that your students are earning on a monthly basis.

Another idea instead of making the merits and printing them on different colour paper is to use actual Canadian play money. This will also make your children more familiar with real money and how it works, and will help them learn to add and subtract with real amounts / bills and coins. Each child could even keep a special box or piggy bank to keep their merits in.The Merit system is a great way to encourage not only good behaviour, but also academic achievement, Christian Character and life skills (such as chores and learning to save money).

Organizing Your Homeschool |

2011-09-28T10:36:00.001-07:00

A Few Tips on how to make your homeschooling day more organized.

The Right Tools + Routine + Self Discipline to keep things neat = Organization!

Some great organization tools:

Use a shoe organizer on your closet door for school or craft supplies - great because it holds a lot of items, makes use of a space that would normally not be in use AND the pockets are clear so kids can see exactly where everything is. Put 'teacher supplies' up high out of reach of younger children.

Another 'door organizer' used on the wall to maximize storage space. Label the different pouches to help with organization or have a different door organizer for each child to keep everything separate and in it proper spot.

Place all of your child's daily workbooks/curriculum in a magazine holder on their desk. Label it with their name. Place the books/worksheets in the order which they should complete them in.

Have a Daily Goal Chart for each child. They will write how many pages they will do in each subject each day and will be able to cross off their goals once completed each day. You can help your child modify their schedule as certain subjects get more difficult/easy for them (i.e. the number of pages they do each day for each subject will reflect the level that they are working at in each area).

Keep a Portfolio for each child. A Binder in which you place all of their exemplary work, large projects and tests. Place dividers in the book for each section you wish to have in their portfolio. This way all of their tests are in one place, all of their art is in one place, all of their exemplary work is in one place etc. Portfolios are a great organization tool but are ALSO a source of pride for a child and helps them monitor their progress as well.

Let your kids personalize/make their own pencil/supply holder. This will keep all of their desk items in one place and it will teach them to be responsible for what is theirs.

Store your curriculum/supplies by grade in plastic bins. For parents with multiple children this is a great way to story everything as each new school year they will have access to the all of the grades that they need and they won't have to reorganize each year.

Put a shelf in the closet to maximize storage space. Use decorative bins to store loose items or books/curriculum that you don't use on an everyday basis.

A great idea is for each child to have their own individual pin boards to feature their work or to leave them personal messages or to post their individual goals on. Here is a really cute design:

A Day In The Life Of a Homeschooling Family |

2011-09-26T13:07:00.000-07:00

A neat look into a day in the life of a homeschooling family!

I would be MUCH more organized and strict that this homeschooling mom, but she admits that her laid back approach is what works for her family.

I think a key thing this clip points out is that the kids LOVE and thrive off of being involved in extra curricular activities as then they can socialize with other children their age and can gain more skills in other areas that you can't learn at home very easily (Sports, Debate, Choir etc.)

A Real mom's Perspective of Homeschooling |

2011-09-26T12:58:00.000-07:00

Came across this clip on You Tube. I like that it is a real mom's honest perspective of homeschooling. I really relate to a lot of the ideas / values she has as to WHY she chose to homeschool. Interesting that she comments to about the 'nay-sayers' when if comes to other's opinions on homeschooling. I am a little apprehensive about those people too, but she seems to also have many around her encouraging her that what she is doing is a good thing!

Take a Look:

A Little Bit About Me |

2011-09-26T09:27:00.000-07:00

I was home schooled up until grade 1 as my mother wanted to teach my brother and I to read through phonics and none of the schools in our area taught reading in this way. I then went to a Christian school up until grade 7 and then homeschooled again for grade 7 and 8. I went to a public high school and the transition was great. I finished my education at University where I graduated 5 years later with my Intermediate/Senior Teaching Degree in English and Drama in Education & Society.

I am not homeschooling yet... but for now this blog will serve as a place for me to post all of the resources and ideas I find throughout my initial planning/researching process of homeschooling. It will also feature ideas from the experiences I had growing up with homeschooling as well as advice on transiting a child from homeschool to public/private school.

The Morning Board |

2011-09-26T09:04:00.000-07:00

Morning boards are a great way to get your kids excited about the school day.

They are a source of routine that younger children thrive on and also serve as an educational tool to teach about the days of the week, the months, the weather and seasons, the temperature, the time and more.

A few great DIY Morning Boards Below:

Here is a great DIY morning board that I found on the Aprons and Apples blog and HERE is the post about it. It uses hooks and laminated papers.

HERE is another morning board found on Delightful Learning that uses dry erase markers:

And here is another DIY Morning Board that uses Velcro as well, found on All About Home's blog HERE:

Inspiration Homeschooling Images |

2011-09-23T15:18:00.000-07:00

I Pulled together some inspirational images of how others have set up their homeschooling rooms!

Check them out on my Pinterest HERE