Choose an area that interests you or simply browse throught the following homeschooling hints. Enjoy!

For children having trouble with b,d,and p, try this:

b -- put the back on first

d -- make the donut first

p -- make a backpack with the pack on the back

Kim, Eden Prairie, MN

More help with b and d...

Have the student make two fists. Point thumbs upward and turn knuckles inward until they touch. This makes a bed. The fist on the left is shaped like the first letter, b. The fist on the right is shaped like the last letter, b. A handy reference that is always at your fingertips.

Rene at ammundsen@who.net

And yet another b and d hint: I told my daughter to look at the round part of the letter. The round part of the b is in front of the vertical line; and so the sound is made in front of her teeth. The round part of the d is behind the vertical line; and the sound is made behind the teeth.

ESmith in Corpus Christi

Help with b and d...I was taught to spell "bed". the word itself looks like a bed, so if you get the b and the d backwards, it wont make a bed. :)

tails@amaonline.com

We have been homeschooling our 2 boys for one year. Our oldest, 6, is at the 2-3 grade level and our youngest, soon to be 4 will begin structured Kindergarden next year. Another hint for "B" and "D" as well as "P" and "Q": When you say the letter, your mouth is either open or closed. When it is open, the circle is written first. When your mouth is closed (lips form a line), the line is written first.

Katie, Florida

For my first grader, I put his sight words on colored index cards in a binder. The colors are divided into ten cards each. I give him the binder so that he has control over it and he reads the words. In just two weeks he has learned many of the words. Once he learns the blue cards he knows the pink ones are next. He feels confident he has accomplished the words for that day.

Pat in Oceanside, Ca.

The best way to teach a child to read is to read to them. As often as you are able. Yes, even street signs!

Kristi, Edmonds,Wa

When trying to teach my son when he was in first grade, phonics, I found I had the greatest sucess by teaching him the leters in sign language as well as the pictures used to help them learn the letters. When he would get stuck on b or d I would sign the associated picture (example: the picture for b was a bible and the picture for d was a dove) Because he knew the sign he was able to correct himself and that helped him to feel good about finding the answer on his own with too much help from mom.

Cassi

Teaching phonics & writing to my 5 year old. We made a paper chain. Each link had to begin with the letter that the previous link ended with. In the beginning Mommy "Schoolteacher" did the writing, and only a few links a day. As Christmas approached, my 5 yr old wrote the words, Mom spelled, or wrote on a grease board to be copied. He got very excited as the chain grew, and was very prould of his own phonics chain on the Christmas tree.

CL/Florida

To help my 7th grader with his reading I let him read a bedtime story to my 5 and 7 year olds.

Susan Miller,Pa.

On choosing a curriculum, the way I did it was I prayed alot. I asked the Lord, "What curriculum do you want me to buy" I went through every source there was until I got down to "Five in a row". I realized I had been trying to find a cheap advanced curriculum because I was just excited about homeschooling. It's all right to be excited but I really shouldn't try to push my daughter to learn stuff she isn't ready for. My daughter is 2 and ahalf and I kept telling myself she needs a 4 yearold program, when she wasn't really ready for it. It's almost like I wanted her to be ahead.

skessler@mail.win.org

I would like to help anyone who uses them, make more efficient use of colored index vocabulary cards. You can teach parts of speech and get a head start on grammar if you use the following method: 1a. Nouns go on blue index cards using black ink. 1b. Pronouns go on blue cards using red ink. 2. Adjectives go on orange cards in black ink (or on white cards in orange ink if you can't find orange index cards). 3a.Verbs go on pink cards in black ink. 3b. Helping verbs go on pink cards in blue ink. 4. Adverbs go on yellow cards in black ink. 5. Prepositions go on green cards in black ink. 6. Conjunctions go on white cards in green ink. 7. Prefixes and suffixes would be written on white cards with black ink. If Greek in orogin, the card should have a green border, if from Latin, the border should be red. If you write the words on the blank side, you can use the lined side for writing definitions, synonyms, antonyms, etc. This method not only serves well for english, but you can carry it over into foreign languages studies as well. Store the cards in an index file with the parts of speech labeled on the tabs, and the definitions of the part of speech written on the front of the divider card. The cards can be as simple or as complicated as you want, but if you establish a method, the cards can increase in complexity with the child's age/grade without causing confusion later on.

Patricia Clayborn

My 5 year old has a fascination with spelling, so to keep up his interest I let him choose the words he wants to learn to spell each day, (5 to 10 words, and he really remembers them. Also, we do all our spelling on a big dry- erase board so he can write as large as he wants, and he loves it!

Kelli Carrington, Mableton, GA

When writting (printing) b's, d's and p's there is an easier method than donuts, thumbs etc. Teach the child how to cursive writing instead of printing. This may sound far fetched especially for the K's and 1's but it isn't any more difficult for them to lean who to write vs print. In cursive writting there are no 'reversable' letters. As a dyslexic adult I know how difficult it is to get the printed words correct but, have very little dificulty with neatly written ones. We used curvive writing for our grade one (2 yrs ago) after he suffered trying to learn to print and he loved it. Now he has no difficulties printing either!!!

Chaplain Bright

Today, I found an excellent way to teach prepositional phrases. (This would work well with any part of speech.) I had my 13-year old choose two articles out of the day's newspaper - one was short and the other was fairly long. I let her choose them so that she would have an interest in what she was reading. We went through the short article together and she did the longer one on her own. I had her pick out the prepositions and object of preps. in each article. Not only did she learn her preps. much faster than trying to teach it out of a book, but it also gave her an easy way to read our local, state, and world news.

Melanie Moore BM14282@worldnet.att.net

We have been homeschooling our five for 1 1/2 years, and still have so much to learn, but I have discovered a great way to help my pessimistic, discouraged 10yo improve his spelling I made and copied spelling workpages for him to do - only 5 or 6 words per day. BUT, for each word on that day's list, he must COPY it correctly, look it up in the DICTIONARY, write it out in SYLLABLES, find and write a simple DEFINITION or synonym, then use the word in a SENTENCE.. He still may spend over an hour on his spelling each day, but this seems easier to him than a loooong list. I also choose words that relate to his other subjects, and include various forms of the word - tenses, plurals, suffixes, etc. We do a pretest on Thursday of that week's words, and retest the ones he missed the next day.

Karen - mcdaniel@mail.ccsdana.net

We were studying circulation of the blood. We made a paper mache heart, used clothes line colored with marker for arteries (red), veins (black), and valves (red and black), and buttons for blood cells, oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc. The girls drew pictures of lungs and an outline of the whole body. This was all glued to a big piece of cardboard. They traced the path blood takes and what happens with oxygen and waste material.

Karen, St. Louis, MO

For science, when studying the rainbow, if you can remember the name Roy G. Biv , you can remember the colors in order. Each letter is a color. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

Mike

Another hint to remember the colors of the rainbow (taken from Eagle's Wings God's Creation Science) Rainbows Over You, God's Blessed Vow Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet

Mom of 3

A twenty bead counter has been extremely successful in helping my 1st grader with math. I grew tired of math "counters" (i.e. bears, beans, etc.) that were always getting lost and had to be retrieved and put away. We took a coat hanger (cut open & straightened) and bent one end into a 3-inch triangle. Then we fed 10, 1/2" light colored wooden beads on, and then 10, 1/2" darker colored ones. To close up the other end we also bent it into a 3 in triangle. These two triangle ends (bent 90 degrees from the central wire) are meant as the base, or legs, that the counter stands on. I found it helpful to take a permanent marker and mark the numbers 1-20 on the beads. The concept of adding and subtracting became clearer and great fun.

Bobbi@borawski.xnet.com

Baking is a great math activity with my children. Today my son and I made waffles. Using different sized measuring cups and doubling recipes can boost their problem solving skills ex. I have a 1/3 cup measure and I need 2 cups of flour. How many 1/3 cups will it take? Of course they learn fractions. Estimation- How many waffles will a double recipe make. How long will it take to bake them? How much do they weigh, how long? Then you can write a waffle story !.........

Marsha Owen,San Jose, CA

To learn to add and subtract I told my kids to picture candy bars. I would say Daddy gave you a candy bar, then grandma gave you 2,etc.. It worked! I remember my oldest daughter got so involved in a candy tale that when I told her her sister took a candy bar, she went into her sister's room and said "Thanks alot Laura!" slamming the door behind her. Of course Laura was baffled. We all laughed and had a nice discussion about real and pretend. We also used bites of food for subtraction. It made dinner and math a game.

Lorena Bliss, St. Louis, Mo.

I was having trouble teaching my now 7-year-old to count by 5's. Being a kinesthetic learner, I decided to have him count while doing jumping jacks. We said all the 5's (5,15,25,35,etc) when clapping over our heads. We said all the "ty's"(twen-ty, thir-ty, for-ty, etc)when our hands came to our sides. It took only two sets of jumping jacks and he could count to 100 by 5's.

Tammi, Delaware

A fun way to teach multiplication facts,is to make a memory game out of blank index cards. For example, have 9x3 on one card, and 27 on another. Continue in this manner until all of the "families" or "units" are written. A good way to break it into smaller games, is to have each "family" decorated with a different pattern. You can use contact paper, wrapping paper, or any other idea you have. Cover the back of the index cards, choosing a different pattern or color for each family. Teach one family at a time. Mix the cards up, turn them face down in rows, and have your child try to get as many matches as possible. It's much more fun for them if you play too.

Lillie Klintworth, Mims,Fl.

In order to get my daughters speed up in Math, I saved a jar and cut a slit in the lid. I give her a page of simple math problems (single digit addition, subtraction and multiplication)and for every problem she gets right in one minute, she gets a penny to put in her jar!! She has never been more excited about Math.

Michelle, OH

To teach my six year old how to count money I set up a bank in our kitchen. The bank has play money in it, of course. I posted a menu of his favorite snacks and meals on the fridge door. Every item has a price. When he was first learning the prices were simple (.10 for a juice box; .05 for a cookie etc.). As he progressed the prices went up to odd change (.17; .23). This way he has learned to combine coins. Then we combined dollar bills and change ($1.15 for a pb sandwich for example). In our first grade year I plan to add sales tax to each item.

Marlene, Ga.

To teach my 6 year old addition and subtraction facts we "play" a game called Match "9" ( or 10 or what ever number you are working with. To play, just write the numbers 0 - 9 (or what ever number you choose to work with) on the back of index cards. Each player must then match two numbers that equal the number that you are using. Example : If you are playing Match "9", you must match 6 with 3 or 5 with 4 etc. If a player gets a match then they get another turn. The winner is the player with the most matches. When my child was first learning the facts I would make sure he won by a match or two. But as he got better I began to challenage him. Instead of using index cards you can use a deck of playing cards. To make the game harder for older children use more than one suit.

Marlene, Ga.

When teaching multiplication and then division to my son, I found and then made a set of flashcards unlike any I had seen before. They are triangle shaped with the numbers in the corners ie: 4 5 20. Then he can see that 4x5=20, 5x4=20, 20 divided by 4=5 and 20 divided by 5=4. These let him see at a glance all the members of that fact family.

Jenise Gauci, Perris, Ca.

Before beginning mathematics class, I like to warm up with the 9 (nine) mulitiplication tables . I do :

78 x 9 = __;78-8=70; 7plus 0 plus 2 =9

>add one to the first number(7)+1=8

>take the 8 from 78 to get 70

>the sum of the product is always equal to 9 or a multiple. 7+0+2=9

I'm sorry this looks so complete. Count

00,add one to the tens place

09,subtract 1 form the 1,s place

add18,

27

36

45,subtract one

54

6

7

8

9 Do each multiple of 9 twice:

9 (i.e.9, 18, 27, 36, etc)

10

11

12

This method enables one to perform mental math and acclimates the brain to partake in numeric references. The acclimation of the brain for reading and writing can also be done by using the senses such as closing the eyes and concentrating on colors, music or even fruit. P.S. This is not only fun but will reap positive results. GOD bless!

DaTay@bhs.com

For History, I have decided to put a self-sticking velcro ( by the yard) strip on my living-room wall above the couch. I used the soft fuzzy side. Now as we study important people, and historical events, we choose a small, (2" square) picture to represent it and write the name, date, etc. We laminate it, and attatch a small piece of the (hook or rough) side of the velcro onto the back and now we can add it to our "Time Line" I plan on filling this time-line with my four kids over the next ten years. Of course we have our own birth years marked too with pictures of us. I will also make markers in the same manner for the centuries, ie, 100 A,D., 200 A.D all the way up to 2000, to put inbetween our pictures. It's a natural conversation piece for visitors, and ofcourse, my kids enjoy being the leading authority on the represented people and events, It gives them a chance to review, converse, and public speak without their being aware of it. Ha! More homeschooling than they think. Additionally, this gives our guests a chance to be impressed and feel good about the alternative of Homeschooling too.

Annalisa, California, Rogerfamily@msn

To interest my girls in geography, we found e-mail pals in different areas of North America. We hung a large North American map showing the United States and placed name tags showing the location of each pal. This encourages the girls to research the areas of their pals. Knowing someone in an area makes it so much more interesting to study. We've used the internet to request information from these areas,too. Typing a letter to a e-mail pal is always so much fun, the kids never notice that they're using language and writing skills, not to mention getting that "so important" socialization practice!

darlene@iamerica.net

During a geography lesson, I wanted to teach my children about sedimentary rock. We went into the kitchen and "built" one with wheat bread(earth), strawberry jam(volcanic ash), gummy worms(fossils) and so on.Then, we decided to eat it!(YUK!)

mataxi@netexp.net

In our small home we have very little space for a time line. To give our three boys a visual perspective on history, we created a history notebook. Using the "Greenleaf" method, we read books then write reports and file them in our books in chronological order. It's really worked for us!

eaton@gloryroad.net

In an effort to interest my 9-year-old to learn map skills we purchased a wall map of the state we live in. The map is 3ft.X5ft.. We hung it on the wall in the family room (which also serves as our classroom). Now any mention of our state on the world news and the local news leads him to the map finding out where they are talking about. It really worked better than we hoped! Our 4 year old is also very interested in the big map. He knows the capital and the county he lives in!

Faye, Alabama

To learn world geography, make "passports" for each child. As you complete a chapter on a particular country, paste a stamp or sticker denoting that country on the passport. Preparting and eating food from different countries can make study come alive too.

Dot sadsack@nidlink.com

A great (and effective) format for learning about other cultures is to make a book where the child writes about what it would be like for him/her to live in a particular culture. This way they can relate to it better. IE: If I lived in Mexico, I would...

Karen M.

From experience I have found that the best way to make children learn in an effective way is to make it creative. Recently I was teaching my kids about Ancient Civilizations and after we had finished we made a play (also working on English skills) to make the whole subject more real...I think they got a better "hands on" understanding.

Ingra, Aust.

To teach geography, we gave our son a blank photocopy of the US map and a list of the states, their capital city, and their abbreviation. Each day we gave him new states to find and label (we started with our own state and the states of people we know). Within 2 weeks, he knew all 50 states and their abbreviation. FYI: To remember the states from Maine to New York, remember the "New" states do not touch (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York).

Katie, Florida

We are homeschooling our 5 yr old. Here is a great way to study geography. Kyle loves playing catch-- so we bought an inflatable globe from the dollar store. As we play catch if you drop the ball you must tell something about the globe. He loves to tell what he knows and when I drop the ball I have the adbvantage of teaching him something different. When he runs out of things to tell the game is over so now he wants to study so he can play longer. He doesn't even know he is having school.

Jacque781@aol.com

To make it easier for our four children to read their own assignments in the lesson plan book, I write their assignments in different colors. Our oldest child's assignments are written in pink,the second child's are in blue, the third in purple, and the fourth in black.

Ann Zielske, Minnesota

In order to keep Science and History fun and different I have given each child a notebook for each subject. We glue activity pages, scriptures and pictures into these notebooks. Each child also has a folder containing the weeks work and a folder of completed work. This helps them to see what is expected for the week and all that they have accomplished so far each year. We have also begun using History Through Literature this year and are very pleased with the curriclum. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to teach American History from a strong Christian perspective.

Nancy DeVore (devore@iglou.com)

This sounds so very elementary, but after having been violently thrust into home schooling because of a verbally abusive teacher, the most useful advice I received was to write the lessons plans in pencil because they always seem to change!

Melany, Tennessee

To help teach independent study: Using index cards: Label the front of the card with the subject; on the back, print the total amount of time that should be spent for the day, then list in priority what should be done during that specific time span. The last item on our list is always a fun way to spend a few remaining minutes; Such as computer time. This method is very helpful for the child who needs ultra-structure, but mom cannot always be at his side. I have also found this student does well with a handy timer.

hook@ncweb.com

I used to plan everyday seperatly.. Now, I plan what I would like to accomplish in school as a weekly list. It gives me a more lax schedule. It is somewhat like a weekly unit. This too, is done in pencil to accomadate last minute brain storms ! :)

barbarar@awod.com (BARB) in SC

Write each days lesson plans on an index card. I have found this works much better than a lesson plan book. My daughter puts the date at the top of the card when she has completed the days work.

Lorraine@GA

I use my computer's database program to keep up with library books: who checked them out, when they are due, and what subject, if any, we used the book with. Then at the end of the month or year, you can print out a list showing all the supplementary materials you have used. My children were amazed to see how many books they had actually read in a year's time!

Teresa, Green Mtn. NC

I print up a list of the subjects that need to be done for the day. We like to put the child's name at the top and dress it up with cute graphics. The child crosses off each subject as it is completed, and when all subjects are done I write "MERIT" across the paper. It is then a "MERIT TICKET" and five "MERITS" can be exchanged for a free day!

Elaine, Texas

To keep each subject in order I use a milk crate (which you can find at all office supplie stores or discount stores) with colored hanging file folders. I lable each hanging file folder with a particular subject such as math, english etc. Within each hanging file folder I have plain files that break down each subject further, ex. in the math hanging file I might have a folder labled "tests", another labled "activity papers", or one for manipulatives ect. That way I can just go get out the one file folder get what I need and put it back in the crate. It really saves on clutter. Now for all my childs paper work, each year I buy a 6 pocket student file portfolio. I lable each pocket with a particular subject. Then as she completes her papers I just file it away. Not every single paper but most of her work. Then at the end of the year I put my lesson plan book and any last important papers for the year in the back, put the rubberband around it, lable it with the grade, name and date and then store it away.

Nadine, Indiana

Book-charts are fun. Our kids enjoy the ice cream cone on the wall. A book (or a reading session, depending on the child) is worth a construction paper "scoop" on the cone. When it reaches a predetermined height (such as the ceiling), we head out for ice cream! The kids like putting tail ribbons on a home-made kite (then we flew them). Pizza parts is a fun idea, too. We even played a construction paper board game on the wall!

skyking@easynet.on.ca

I have a calendar to mark down field trips, extracurricular activities, and any other events that have no tangible "results".

skyking@easynet.on.ca

Share a subject with another homeschooling family, like science or math, one mom is in charge one week and the other mom/parent is in charge the other week. The children really seem to enjoy this and it gives the mom on that week a chance to be with other moms sharing the teaching.

Anna Brown

I was having trouble with so many grades at once (my kids are 13,11,10,8,&5) and someone suggested putting the close grades together. For Science and History my oldest 2 do the highest grade together and the 3rd and 4th children in line do the highest of their grades. I've had them sharing these subjects for several years and it helps us all.

Wendy in NE

I have a trick for clutter. Every day, any item left lying around is put in a bag, and at the end of the week, the chidren have to pay me a quarter for each item. If they don't have a quarter, they have to earn one. This system helps our house to always look clean.

Jan Dixon, Virginia

I have learned the great uses of clear contact paper. I am new to homeschooling with 3 different ages...3,5,& 7. We have found that using clear contact paper over workbook sheets, with washable makers work terrific! Another use is to cover the writing pages and they can practice their writing skills over and over!

tawny@totacc.com

To teach my preschoolers what goes where in their drawers we labeled them. Each child drew a picture of what goes in the drawer, like socks, t-shirts,etc. It teaches responsibility as well as organization.

Cher,Cherry Hill,NJ

I've discovered that if I leave the texts, work books and other "educational" materials on a low bookshelf, often the children will pick them up during "non-school" time and study things on their own...the things which most interest them... then at the next "school" time I let them show me what they've discovered!

Elise, Virginia

In trying to teach our children to work with a good attitude... before school (and whenever needed... ) we have what we know as "5 minute pick-ups". We gather in the kitchen near the timer and someone is chosen as the 'leader'. He begins by asking "who likes a clean house?" all reply with an enthusiastic "I DO!". He then goes on to ask questions like " who likes to spend all day cleaning house?" (Answer: an agonizing "Not me!) "who likes a messy House?" " Who likes to eat off dirty dishes?" "Who likes work when we can have fun?" etc. etc. Then the timer gets set for 5 minutes and 1 -2 rooms are chosen for 'the attack'. The object is to get done with picking up (and sometimes vacumning and dusting!) before the timer rings. Then go on to the next room(s). It is surprising how fast you can go through the house with some enthusiastic youngsters! They are happy and so is mom! Ready to start a great day!

Carrie, Michigan

We have found a good way to help our children learn resposibility, conservation, and money management by making a chart of "Household Responsibilities." Each child has daily chores etc. to accomplish. If all are done the child earns "Busy Bucks" (we make them ourselves on computer) The child may then save their "Bucks" or spend them by choosing something from a "Earn, Buy and Forfeit" list we have made. When child hasn't completed their resp. they must forfeit the amount of "Bucks" they would have earned. We have a "Busy Bucks" store at the end of each month and they can buy items or trade a set amount of "Bucks" for cash. This is helped a great deal and the children are using their "Bucks" to buy gifts for others also!!

Anna Williamson, annaw@loganrec.com

The one thing that I have found to be very helpful for those youngsters who just must go, go, go; is a kitchen timer. Our 8-year-old would stand all day when we began K. I started by setting the timer for 15minutes. After he got used to working for that period of time, I increased it 5 min. every other week. We are up to 1 hr of work before needing a break.

rsz@cbd.net

I usually spend 4-5 hours each day homeschooling. At the end of the day, I've spent a lot of time teaching, caring for and cleaning behind my little ones. I have a 2.5 yr old, two 4.5 year olds and an 8 yr. old. Dad works hard and long, and we don't have a local family support system so I had been having a hard time getting one on one with the children. I developed a system where different ones now have a night when it's their turn to stay up a little later than everyone else. It's my time to read with them, play a game or just talk. Although children may feel loved anyway, the one on one time is so special to them...and us!

Darlene sweetmix@bellsouth.net

We live in the north and have long winters. Instead of taking "snow" days with the public school, we continue to have school and as spring gets closer and we really need a break, we take a "Sunshine" day.

Michaeline Penkivech, Michigan

And a hint for chores: I make up a chore list being as detailed as possible and write them on a large piece of paper. As anyone completes a chore, they get to cross it off the list. Because the list is so detailed, they cross off lots of chores, which motivates them more.

Katie, Florida

For less stress in the home, watch your children doing chores and assign the chores that he/she does best and with less complaining. For instance I was surprised at my 7 year olds excellent vacuuming when the 10 & 12 year old are sloppy at this. We swithched some chores around, and wow, what a difference! (sometimes it is good to have the kids do those chores they don't like too to teach them the art of self-discipline.)

Sallie, Mississippi

My Friend and I take Fridays to clean the house real well. She watches my son for four hours while I clean. I watch her children for four hours while she cleans. We all have a lunch break together from noon to 1:30. It is working out really well. For the rest of the week, everyone helps mom by picking up after themselves and little chores. Daily housework in our home takes 30 to 45 minutes.

Trickett

Use "zip-lock" bags for special papers such as Math Facts, History Maps, etc...this will save you with laminating the pages and they can be changed as needed. Ruth, Broken Arrow, OK

Ruth,

We had a project of making scrap books for each child. They titled it "My Sixth Year of Life" (or whatever age) and put things in it such as photos of trips we took, reports on field trips, interesting newspaper articles for the year, new products that have been developed etc....

Karen, Tennessee

We are studying the pilgrims. Today we made an anchor for the Mayflower. The children made a paper chain to attach to a paper anchor I had cut out for them. Me decided to make it a 50 link chain. We wrote the numbers on the chain starting with 1 to 50. It gave us practice writing the numbers and counting plus a fun anchor to play with.

Kathy Mullican

We are making our own yearbook! The children photograph and write summaries of our field trips and we will have "school pictures" included. At the end of the year we will take them to be copied so each child will have their own. Then they can have their friends "sign" them, also.

Kim, hunch@sprynet.com

Consider putting together a family newsletter once a month to pass out at church or mail to family and friends. Let your children do most of the work including short stories, poems, drawing, quotes, jokes, math riddles,ect. This is good practice for writing as well as many other things.

Tanisha, AZ

Our 5 yr old was getting bored with the "typical school day". To keep his interest, I threw out that day's plans and pulled out a box of old printer paper. I told him that instead of school, we were going to make a real pirate's map! I gave him a list of items that he HAD to put on the map (his reading and spelling words! ei. sky, trees, cave, etc.) After he mapped out his design (creative expression) I had him draw all of the items on his lists and label them properly (writing/spelling). Only then was he able to add the items that HE wanted on the map (which lead to a new and even MORE advanced reading list! ei. prirates, treasure, quick sand, etc) He spent 2 solid hours engrossed in this project, and when completed, had a very impressive piece of work to display! With a little imagination, we turned a potentially dreadful day into an adventure! He actually accomplished MORE than my lesson plan would have covered, and he never even REALIZED he had "done school"!

lescalf@bellsouth.net

This is a great hint for anyone who is tired of textbook style lessons. I would ask my children the topics they were interested in for each subject. Then I would type up a list with all of their interest on it. This list would need to be completed by the end of the school year. For geography it could be drawing different maps for each country and writing a report on each on. For science it could be a list of animals and your child must write a thorough report on each one. My children love this because they can work at their own pace. It only takes a matter of minutes to find their interests then type them up. This really helps with research skills. My oldest daughter said she feels like she is in college , even though she is in the seventh grade.

Lisa Bess,Missouri

I take my children for walks at different times of the day as there is always something to discover along the way. (eg. plants starting to bloom, or rivers giving off "smoke" on a cold day, or even birds flying south) all these and many, many more things go on in the world around us. Have the children guess what type of flower is going to bloom and how the seeds can be spread. Show them a bird buliding a nest for the new family, or even show them the birth of an animal. We even learn our spelling,science and math skills this way! The World is a great learning resource that never closes!

A. Madden -West Canada

This is out first year of home schooling and we had so many of our friends asking us about the curriculum, our set up and what our day was like in general. So instead of having people drop in on us unannounced we decided to have an open house. Something like the public schools do. We ended up with 47 friends, and 7 teachers from our public school. Our daughters had a great time showing off their new school room and their new books. We took pictures to put in their scrapbook and had cookies and punch for refreshments. It was big hit! We were tired after the long day but felt we had given home schooling a good impression. If anyone is interested I would be happy to go into more details of what we did.

Tammy bigfoot@accs.net

We publish a Christian home school KIDS' newsletter... written by and for kids. Our heartbeat is to have kids share their experiences, as well as their love for the Lord. No subscription cost (donations accepted). We've had a great time getting it off the ground and hearing from kids from different parts of the country... e-mail us for more information!

connellfam@fairfieldi.com

For the Christmas season my six-year-old son made a Christmas wreath from his handprints. He traced his hand on green paper several times it took twelve of his hands, he then cut them out and overlapped them (in one direction) to form a ring. he traced two of his hands on red paper and glued them at the heel to make the bow. a little glitter and voila a Christmas wreath to cherish and remember his handprint.

Genie cobbs creek VA

i have found a way to teach my almost 10 year old daughter cooking/baking skills and ministering to others at the same time. one day a week we bake together(with her doing most of the work & mom supervising) and in the afternoon when schooling is finished, we take off with our freshly baked treats for the nursing home, to see a friend who is sick or maybe just discouraged, or someone else who the Lord has laid on our hearts. she has really enjoyed this and it gives her and mom a chance to get out and visit with others. oh, i almost forgot~~~ if you're really fortunate, the recipient of these treats might even offer to share the fruits of your labor!!!

kay, kupz49c@prodigy.com

When trying to figure out how to best teach the children the books of the Bibile, I finally came up with this. We wrapped boxes (macaroni & cheese, software, nilla wafers, cake mix, pop tarts, etc.) (all empty) in white butcher paper. Then we stenciled the "spine" with the name of the book. It worked particularly well, as I could mix up the "books" and have the children put them in their proper order and could also group them according to topic, i.e., the history books, the law books, Pauls letters, etc. It was a bit time consuming stenciling that many books, but served very well as art for several days! And, it does take a bit of room to store them! If anyone has better ideas, I would love to hear them!

watkinslady@ols.net

For my preschooler: He can make the first letter of his name. I let him write it on the engine of a paper train. I then made a boxcar to follow with each of his name's letters. I then made a set of letters from his name for him to put in each train car. It was good practice in matching and also helped him learn his name.

Kathy Mullica

We have six plastic shoebox size totes that we put preschool activities in and use them at our table. When I am teaching my third grader, my 2 1\2 year old sits at the table (kitchen table) with us playing play-doh, coloring, working on colors, shapes, letters, numbers, etc. This is a good way to intergrate diferent ages and they also benefit from a trickle down affect. It always seems to work better if I plan ahead instead of trying to do it that morning. It feels great including her in what we are doing rather than telling her to go play, putting on a video or schooling during nap time. It also helps motivate my third grader because he may join in as soon as his work is done. My preschooler is also very enthusiastic about showing her school-artwork to her father. There are many good preschooling activity books at the library and we also use Slow and Steady, Get my Ready. If you have children below the preschool age, you can cut the binding off of preschool workbooks and slide each page down into a pocket page protector and use over head projection markers, vis-a-vis, that wipe off. This way you can use them over and over again and that keeps them economical.

Kim, Missouri

To teach your child to spell his/her name,play a singing game like BINGO but put your child's name instead. It really works.

Angela,Louisiana

I have homeschooled for 7 years and my youngest daughter, 9 yrs old, has never attended a traditional school. I found when teaching her as a preschooler that she enjoyed games. I taught her to speak by singing and playing - so I taught her to read and count the same way. Her favorite game was the train game. We were learning "ch" and "sh" sounds. I made an imaginary track around our living room and ch, ch, ch, ch, ch, ch, shhhhhhhh (sh - we stopped) she made glittered signs with the letters and we did the actions. We also visited the Railroad Museum in our city and "studied" other things train related - ALL THIS AT AGE 4!

stevens3@ix.netcom.com

I used ryhmes with my 2 and 3 year old for them to remember colors. Red, red go to bed, Blue blue, I love you. They have grasp colors quickly.

Bernadette

I have just started homeschooling my three year old son and my sister in law has joined in with me with her four yr old and it is great to have family doing this together we keep eachother motivated.

Kelly NC

I have learned that one of the best investments for homeschooling is a computer...We have a local directory and as we finish using items we e-mail those in the directory to see if they would like to purchase or swap curriculum, books, etc. It is wonderful.

Renee Toccoa Ga

A tape recorder is a good tool for a student to use in order to prepare for a spelling test.

wilder@aeroinc.net

I can't take the credit for this hint, but sure would like to share it. Cover your kitchen table with a clear plastic table cloth. Slip under the cloth any charts, maps, posters, etc. that you want your family to learn and enjoy. Change the material as often as needed.

Corner Stone Schoolhouse

I have three children ages 6,11 and 13 and I have learned the best way to teach all of them at the same time is to have very similiar topics for the same subjets

cindi@writeme.com

I have a 3rd grader and a 7th grader. Sometimes, my life is very hectic with activities outside of homeschooling. It was relatively easy to homeschool just one child. He is a quick and willing learner. However, the youngest one would prefer to do anything rather than crack the books. We have alot of interactive lessons that are hands on, however, we must have those lessons that are textbook style. I have assigned certain lessons to my son, 12, to teach my daughter, 8. She thinks its great and he learns alot by teaching her. It is reinforcing certain subjects that he learned in the third grade but maybe did not retain. He is presently teaching her the nervous system and the solar system. He is reminded of the basics that he learned "years ago." *Also, I do not know how any homeschooling family can get by without a computer. My children have learned alot with the interactive CD Roms for kids. The sound effects and the characters that walk the child through and keep their minds awake and active have been wonderful for my daughter who has a very selected attention span. She has loved the Reader Rabbits and for spelling and language, she loves "Wiggins" and "Book Workshop" these allow her to create stories and save them. She can also animate the characters and add sound effects and choose fonts that she likes. They have provided hours of fun while learning. Both my children have become computer literate by using educational software.

Libby (E-mail: raggedy@gte.net)

To help your students with basic addition and subtraction, use a yardstick. No more little beads to worry about the baby choking on. Also, bring your Chutes And Ladders game out of retirement. Only this time the child learns addition as well as consequences. Do more with those colored index word cards (white cards with colored stickers work too)than quiz. I made up two games to play. One way is to deal everyone three cards of each word usage (each color). Everyone takes turns playing cards in grammatical order to make up silly sentences (for instance: "The socks jumped loudly on the bed;not "jumped loudly the socks on the bed"). A spinner or die could also be used to determine the word usage which must be played, to insure more silliness. The second game to play is in suit. Deal everyone an equal number of cards(like ten). The rest go in a draw pile, the top card turned up to form a discard pile. Players must lay down a card that follows the suit ! or sound (if the word is "bed", player must play a noun or a word with short "e"). My four year old, who already reads loves these games!

Michelle, compumgk@power-tech.net

Did you know that many public school districts in California have home education departments? All textbooks and workbooks are provided free of charge. Why not; your taxes already paid for them. An accredited teacher serves as your advisor.

Kim, Lancaster, CA

To help a lefted handed child write their alphabet, numbers etc. I put a piece of paper over the letters, etc. for them to copy. This also so works for right handed children .

Doreen

For those who use babywipes, save the boxes. They can be recycled as craft organizers. Just label them on the ends with a felt tip marker with whatever they hold, eg..scissors, glue, crayons etc... They stack nicely and are durable.

Janet, Washington

Here's a helpful tip for the easily distracted child (like my 3rd grader). I have resorted to setting the timer for every page he does. For each page done before the timer beeps, he gets a 2-minute break. For example, he usually has 5 math pages per day. If he gets them all done within the given time, he gets a 10 minute break when he finishes his math. I do the same for spelling, grammar, or anything else that I can time. The break time isn't long, but he loves it! My stress level has gone down greatly since I started doing this. The trick is making the time limits fit the work, so that he can succeed if he keeps at his work. He also likes to have the timer in front of him so he can see how much time is left.

Kim in Minnetonka, MN

I have three children ages 10, 9, 7 and I have been homeschooling since my husband had a stroke three years ago. I love it except sometimes we have problems getting the work finished. One day my 9 year old just raced through the work and said at least it is done even if all of this was all wronge. Well this occured so often I was very upset so I suppended him from school. People laughed but he had to do the same things at home like dust, scrub floors and yard work ect. that a child in public school would do at home after being supended. Well he had three days of this and it has worked well so far. I do hope someone has a solution for my 10 year old and the math he hates to do. I plan to try the above timer thing.

Elizabeth deojrr@yahoo.com

I use sheet protectors alot I use them with china markers, also take workbooks and split them down the middle put in sheet protectors and they can be used again and again You can place many books in a 3 ring binder this way.

Rachel Indiana

Here's two helpful ways that I have taught the Books of the Bible. First take poster board with 18 circles drawn on them with the beginning letters of the books, have child stand in front of board and toss a bean bag what circle they land on they should name the book(s) that begin with that letter after they can say all the books of the Bible, then go to next game by labeling all the books on closepins, stretch and tie yarn or string to two chairs put in middle of string a divider that says Old Testament and arrow pointing towards left and with New Testament pointing right, let child put "books" clothes pins on side of the Testament they belong to then after learning which books goes to which Testament they can then work on putting the books in the correct order.

Susan, Alexander, AR

Our family recently discovered that it is possible (and easy) to refill our empty printer ink cartridges ourselves and save a tremendous amount of money doing it this way. Not very many folks seem to know about this option. I shudder to think of all the empty cartridges we have thrown out in ignorance! With six children to homeschool, we use quite a bit of ink on a daily basis. We no longer cringe when the children are printing in color. :-) Be happy to send you a link that tells more about this. Knowing how to refill our cartridges has been a real blessing! We would love to bless you as well.

Joanne, olivegarden@cafes.net

Words to live (and teach) by: "Do not then train youth to learning by force or harshness yet lead them to it by what amuses their minds so that you may discover the peculiar genius of each." Plato.

In other words; be creative when teaching youth of all ages, including high schoolers. Visuals are extremely important and will help maintain attention. Utilize various form when presenting information to help students with specific learning styles to understand. Use visual, auditory, and kinesthetic, in combination along with a strong language based curriculum. Keep it loving and positive and your child will survive the cruel educational world.

Jan Rnoble.ironman@worldnet.att.com

I have extensive experience working with learning styles and strategies both with primary and secondary school students and would be willing to share what I have, free of charge, of course with parents tutoring their children at home. I live and work in Uruguay, South America and can be reached at: gabo@multi.com.uy

Gabriel Díaz-Maggioli, URUGUAY

Remember, to teach is not to fill a bucket, but rather to light a fire.

khackert@usit.net

I find it fun at different times to let my child be the teacher after I know she has learned her lessons very well. She gets to quiz me and at the same time it reinforces what she has already learned.

Midkid2@ccipost.net

Science projects and research papers can be very overwhelming. So can a lot of home work. Somebody famous, I can't remember who, said, "You can eat an elephant one bite at a time." In other words, just take it one step at a time. Don't look at what you have left to do, look at what you have already acomplished.

Sherah1183@hotmail.com

I am a first year home school mom. My children are 11, 8, and 2 1/2. The best advice I have been given so far is, no matter what pray with your kids every day before you dive into anything. I have been tempted at times when I am feeling over whelmed, to bag the prayer and just get going. God is so good he is helping us to find our style and even learn a thing or two in the process. Always pray first then proceed.

Heidi Stonemets ID

I have been home schooling my children for twenty years now and here's something I've learned. It's not necessary to ask children to finish everything on a page. Repetition and busy work are necessary in school where there are children at many levels and teachers not in touch with where each child is at at a given time. Here at home I do know, and if a child demonstrates that something has been mastered we just go on. No more seemingly endless math exercizes, grammar pages,etc. We go at each child's own speed and they are so happy when they get a few correct and then can go on.

BL7921@sure.net

I have been homeschooling for 6 years now. My children are 10, 8, and 3. The one thing that I have learned through the years is that school needs to be fun!!! Yes, math can be fun! Science can be fun! Even English can be fun!

Jean in Boone, NC

I am new to this site but wanted to post a hint.. I am a mom to 3 - aged 6 and under, but one of the best things I have found is to let the older ones teach the younger ones..even in play they learn alot...

l.a.

Encourage one another. Those of you who have been home schooling for a while, be sure to give words of encouragement to us new to the scene. Advice is helpful, but only if asked for. An encouraging word works much better.

Yvonne, Coraopolis, PA

Involve your child in voluntary activities in your community. This allows your child to interact with others in a safe environment.

rightroad1@aol.com

The best resource I have found is our local library. They have a computer and software that are available for free!

Joann Felczan felczana@tso.cin.ix.net

More important than any of these hints: teach your children how to pray and pray with them often (several times a day). Anything is possible with God.

Katie, Florida

Don't be afraid to OFTEN evaluate how things are going--and make any changes that are needed. This may mean more or less time spent on certain subjects, using different materials or approaches, or even looking at other schooling options!! Don't feel you must "grit your teeth" and stick with what you are doing no matter what the cost!!! (This comes from a family of 6 children, ages 2-14, in our 7th year of homeschooling---having tried at various times with various children, public school, private school, coops, "homeschool acadamy," etc, etc.)

Jill E, Milford Center, OH

I'm new to homeschooling, this is our first year. My 3 children are grades 1,2 and 4. I've found that spacing our "school time" in 1.5-2 hour sections has really helped. The kids enjoy the outdoors and it is sometimes difficult to get them to consintrate on their studies, Allowing for long breaks thru out the day and reading after dinner has really proved to be more enjoyable for our family.

K.Nixon CA

I am new to home schooling, with a daughter who just finished the equivalent of kindergarten. My biggest and happiest surprise is that a child will live up to what you expect of them. I hold this thought firmly when I am met by the resistance of more traditional friends and family.

Lindy, Fairbanks, Alaska

After homeschooling now for five years there is so much I'd like to share! To those of you facing unsupportive comments from friends and family, I can tell you that over time your children's actions and progress will speak for itself. My own mother was initially not supportive and now she too is homeschooling! Be committed, do the best you can considering your own circumstances and enjoy the precious time with your children - it goes way too fast!

Kathy rogfam@power-net.net

This will be my 3rd. year of homeschooling. And I have found a BIBLE VERSE that really helps me when my children just don't understand some new concept. Instead of getting frustrated I remember GOD's PROMISE to ALL of us: THE SWEETNESS OF SPEECH INCREASES LEARNING! (Proverbs 16:21) Isn't that so true?

Patti Tobar, CA.

Being naturally an impatient "perfectionist" type, I'm really learning the value of allowing God to shape my heart - concentrating on that as the first priority has made a huge difference in the couple of years that we've been home schooling in my daughter's attitude. I was crushing her spirit and eventually would have found it a tough road. I really do believe that home schooling is "parent training"! Thanks for the hints above - they've been an encouragement to me "down under" in Queensland, Australia.

Jo - heritage1@optusnet.com.au

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