Designing a home-centered life: learning, exploring, and creating with our five littles
When we begin Classical Conversations Cycle 3 in the fall, my littles will be ages 3, 6, 8, 10, and 11. This is our second time through this cycle and my oldest son's last time. I've decided to create a book list all my own this year. (As opposed to previous years where I've layered over an AO list.) I have consulted my best "book buds" - Five in … [Read more...]
In Spring and Summer, we're very nearly all baseball all the time in this family. Since my crew loves the game, I thought perhaps they would love some books involving the game. These books are their favorites, but they are more than baseball books. They're just really great stories. So, maybe they'd be home runs with your gang even if … [Read more...]
"Art is one of the basics for little children. They love talking, listening to stories, and drawing or painting." Isn't what Susan Schaeffer Macaulay shares in For the Children's Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School true? Put two of those together and I think you have some of the best building blocks for teaching art. I've made … [Read more...]
At the end of each school year, I pencil out a simple, summer schedule. Mostly full of hopes for our summer and a tiny bit of intentional learning. This year, I’m keeping it even more simple than ever before. Because I’ve learned something this year. I don’t want more, I want more in our less. I want to pick some really good stuff and … [Read more...]
Guys, seriously so many good books in this world! I get so excited when I find some we love and I love sharing them with you. Here are some books we love reading that just so happen to teach us great things about animals. They're like science in a storybook. 1. I Love My Daddy, Because... - In beautiful drawings of daddy animals caring … [Read more...]
Ever since I read this article, I've been wanting to talk with y'all about it. These statistics on biblical illiteracy reveal a sad state of affairs. Researchers George Gallup and Jim Castelli put the problem squarely: "Americans revere the Bible--but, by and large, they don't read it. And because they don't read it, they have become a … [Read more...]
Over the years, I've stumbled on a few ideas which my children have loved that are now our family traditions leading up to Valentine's Day. They are simple, meaningful, and easy to execute, which is why we enjoy returning to them every year. 1. DIY card making station: At the beginning of February, I fill a simple wooden box with paper and … [Read more...]
Amazon box after Amazon box has started to arrive full of books. I don't know about you, but that's the unofficial signal to my family that we're about to start "school" again! That means I've made my lists and I'm ready to share. I'm afraid our curriculum choices list might begin to get boring to my faithful readers as I'm prone to choosing the … [Read more...]
Have you tried listening to audiobooks with your family? When I first considered audiobooks, I wasn't sure if my littles would be interested or when we'd find the time to listen to them. My concerns were wasted! They're such a part of our family routine now that I can't imagine us without them. I'll share 3 tips for success with … [Read more...]
Have you ever been in a conversation with someone who name drops? Well, Leigh Bortins is kinda like that, but with books. In a totally innocuous kind of way, of course. This year I totally lucked out with Leigh Bortins as the featured speaker at the practicum I attended. Throughout her talks, Leigh shared with us books she has read, … [Read more...]