Math is a dreaded subject in many households, and while there are hundreds of options for reading programs, math can sometimes feel a little more barren. As a kid, I hated math after about fifth grade, so I can understand the dread. One of the things we forget when we’re nervous about teaching math to our own kids (I’m talking to myself here) is that most math up to 6th grade is stuff we use every day. That’s why I really like a curriculum that is full of real-world examples.

History is one of those subjects that people tend to either love or hate. Personally, I love it! It was my absolute favorite subject as a homeschooled child. I had big dreams that my children would love it too, and right now we’re at about a 50/50 split. One child loves it, and one has disliked it for most of his school years—though that’s starting to change. I really recommend having deep conversations with your older kids about historical events if you can; it’s fascinating

Preschool is often one of those times when people start thinking about homeschooling, but choosing a curriculum can be overwhelming. There are a lot of preschool options out there, and many of them are delightful. I’ve thumbed through a ton of them and used parts and pieces of many over the years for classes I’ve taught or with my own kids. Meadowlark is somewhat unique. As many preschool options as there are out in the world, there are few secular options with this beautiful

I’ve been a homeschool mom for what feels like forever, but if we’re counting formal schooling years, it’s been about 8 years. I started out much like everyone else—really excited to do all the things, follow a curriculum to the letter, and have all the beautiful learning experiences. That was not the plan my then-3-year-old had in mind, and I’m pretty sure he’s only recently started to enjoy any aspect of what could loosely be called “schoolwork.” Even then, I was pretty ecl

It's co-op recruitment season. Many co-ops are opening up registration for the fall now. With that in mind I wanted to give a rough rundown of what a co-op is and how to navigate choosing one you might not regret! A homeschool co-op is traditionally a group that provides experiences or classes and is a cooperative or joint effort of the parents who come together. There are no regulations for a homeschool co-op in the state of Alabama. Anyone can form one at any time for any r

One of the very first questions new homeschoolers ask is also one of the most stressful: Where do I find curriculum? With so many options available—free, inexpensive, brand new, used, online, offline—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. In this Tip of the Week , I’m breaking down where to find homeschool curriculum and then highlighting options that fit different homeschooling approaches I’ve outlined in a separate post. Online Curriculum Retailers Rainbow Resources rainbowresourc

Let’s be honest—homeschooling is a journey that rarely ever feels totally “figured out.” But there are things we can do to stay...

Notice that cheeky side line I've been in the homeschool world roughly forever at this point and truthfully the most common questions...

So you’ve decided to homeschool! But how? There are so many different curriculums out there and before you ever touch one it's important...

We took a spontaneous trip to this museum last week! One of my favorite subjects as a child was history. I was a super serious little...

We love a schedule or a rhythm, and today I’m sharing some tips to help you navigate that part of your routine! Hi! I'm Jessie! If you're...

The angst started early - Jessie circa 1998-ish Long ago in the 1990s, when I was a homeschooled kid in a tiny town in rural Mississippi,...

The first part in a new planning series! So you've decided to homeschool? Welcome! It can be a beautiful life filled with family memories...

We've asked kids and parents alike to come up with these tips for creating a love of reading in your child and in your home. At the end...

Check out this quick guide on how to practice Nature Study in your homeschool, even if you don’t spend much time outside! Nature Study is...

So you want to homeschool? Here are 10 things to consider before you get started! In our homeschool, we play with sticks! Before you...

Tips for using a scavenger hunt in nature! Use any scavenger hunt sheet that is available to you! As you are getting ready to play nature...

My top 10 picks to read if you are thinking about Homeschooling! You will find an endless supply of books about homeschooling these days....

Remember that the winter hits most of us pretty hard. If you are struggling, it’s likely not just you. It’s cold or wet out (or both) and...

What is a co-op? How do I pick a good one? Check out these tips!