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3 Keys to Increasing Communication with Your Children About How and What They Would Like to Learn

January 30, 2014 by

Welcome to the fifth and final week in this series on Organizing Your Homeschool for a Brand New Year.  I’m excited to share with you today about communicating with your children regarding learning methods and topics!

3 Keys to Increasing Communication with Your Children About How and What They Would Like to Learn www.GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com #organization #communication

For a while after we began homeschooling, we followed a packaged curriculum and really enjoyed it. In fact, even though we don’t currently use a full packaged curriculum, I do have a favorite and may go back to it with my littlest two girls in the fall. I have such fond memories of our learning time with our books from Heart of Dakota Publishing!

When my 4th child was born, we began to move away from the full package of curriculum. I needed my children to work more independently at that time. My children were also getting a bit older and they had expressed the desire to begin learning about their individual interests more, as well. This is the plan I came up with to meet their needs.

3 Keys to Increasing Communication with Your Children About How and What They Would Like to Learn www.GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com #organization #communication

3 Keys to Increasing Communication with Your Children About How and What They Would Like to Learn

  1. Talk with each of your children about what he or she is interested in learning more about. Keep in mind that these things may be academic in nature, but could also include topics such as cooking, art, beadwork, photography, writing a novel, and more. The sky is the limit! You will be able to find a way to incorporate almost any topic of interest into your learning day.
  2. Take your children to the library, the local bookstore, or used curriculum sales to search for books and/or curriculum that covers their topics of interest. Alternatively, you may also peruse catalogs at home or get online together to search curriculum or other learning web sites and blogs for the perfect learning tools for your family.
  3. Once you have your materials in hand, help your child to come up with a schedule or workable plan for using them to learn as much as possible about the topics he chose.

That’s it. Try using these keys in your homeschool, see how they work for you, and please do come back here and share with me how it’s going!

Do you have tips for increasing communication with your homeschooled child? Please do share in the comments below!

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4 Steps to Strewing for Education

January 23, 2014 by

Are you ready for Week 4 of Organizing Your Homeschool for a Brand New Year? This week we will discuss the term ‘strewing‘ and talk about how this may work for your home and learning lifestyle.

4 Steps to Strewing for Education www.GirlfriendsCoffeehour.com #homeschool #organization #strewing

Strewing is a word you may hear more often tossed around in unschooling or child-led learning circles. Sandra Dodd defines it as “leaving material of interest around for our children to discover.”  Aadel Bussinger offers an ebook called The Art of Strewing and it is filled with many wonderful ideas!  Aadel also offers many articles on strewing in different circumstances over at These Temporary Tents.

4 Steps to Strewing for Education

  1. Know your child.
  2. Choose items based on what you know about your child’s interests.
  3. Place the chosen item somewhere it can be easily found, or simply tell your child that you found xyz and thought they might be interested.
  4. Leave your expectations behind. It could be that your child is not interested in the game, art supplies, movie, etc. right now. However, they often will pick it up a day, weeks, or months later. The ‘art’ is in being able to allow that exploration on their own timetable.

So what does strewing look like in a child-led learning environment?

  • An exploration table with just one item or related set of items where your child may explore, engage in imaginary play, and generally learn more about these items with all of his or her senses!
  • Books left on the coffee table for children (and adults!) to pick up at their leisure to read or gaze at pictures until their hearts are content.
  • Chalk and construction paper placed where little ones will find it and create drawings and experiment with color as much or as little as they choose.
4 Steps to Strewing for Education www.GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com #strewing #homeschool #organization

We set this out over the holidays and our girls spent many hours playing with Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus. I plan to set out a new toy, or otherwise fun-to-explore item, for them to enjoy every couple of weeks, or perhaps monthly.

  • An impromptu trip to the park or for a walk around the neighborhood to examine the newly fallen snow or the changing colors of the leaves.
  • A new game laid out and ready to be played with the family.
  • Watching an entire Netflix series about airplanes, World War II, dragons, and more, simply because that is what your child is ‘into’ at the time.

There are many more—and different—scenarios that could be described. The above are just a few of the scenes that have played out in my home, a few ways that I have found to easily strew and pique the interest of my children.

If you do more research via the above-linked sites, or if you get Aadel’s book, you will learn much more about what strewing looks like and glean many wonderful ideas for implementing this idea in your own homes.

Do you have ideas for strewing or encouraging child-led learning? Please share your thoughts and tips below!

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5 Ways to Prepare a Homeschool Schedule

January 16, 2014 by

Welcome to Part 3 our series, Organizing Your Homeschool for a Brand New Year! I’m so glad you are here, and I hope to help you learn more about scheduling this week with some tips from me, as well as a few links and recommended resources for your homeschool.

5 Ways to Prepare a Homeschool Schedule www.GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com #organization #homeschoolorganization

In Part 1 of this series we discussed decluttering and in Part 2 we talked about getting rid of curriculum. If you missed either post, be sure to go back and read them before tackling this third step.

After decluttering and getting rid of ‘extra’ curriculum and other unneeded items, in my home it is then time for creating a schedule of sorts.

I have talked before about our unschooling tendencies; our desire to be more child-led in our learning pursuits. Still, we do have a bit of a routine that we follow.

5 Ways to Prepare a Homeschool Schedule www.GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com #homeschoolorganization #organization

Currently we have a large marker board that is located just above my desk near the kitchen. On it are written all of the chores for each child; our weekly menu along with our Dinner Time (6:30), for easy reference when a child invariably asks “what’s for dinner” at 5 p.m. each day; and a current quote or Bible verse which we are trying to live by. Our routine is not written on the board, as everyone already knows what it is. It goes something like this:

  • wake/shower/dress
  • eat breakfast/complete kitchen chores
  • feed pets
  • complete other assigned chores
  • begin any assigned lessons
  • check ongoing chores (such as trash, wiping down table, washing dishes) at key times throughout the day, such as after breakfast, after lunch, and before dinner
  • be sure all chores are complete BEFORE asking for computer/iPad/video game time

This looks great written out, but please know we do not have it all down pat. We have great days, and some are not as great, as far as staying on task goes. We are a work in progress, much like the rest of you.

Are you looking for tips for creating a schedule or routine for your homeschool? Keep reading.

5 Ways to Prepare a Homeschool Schedule

  1. Routine A routine is simply an order of doing things, much like the list I shared above. Decide what needs to be done, list it out, and then instruct your children to follow it in order. For me, this works well, because I have a list to follow but without times listed I do not feel overwhelmed or stressed if we do not finish ‘on time’.
  2. Time Schedule This method is exactly what it says; creating a schedule that lists out exactly what needs to be done and during which timeframes. This may be your preferred method if you do not get stressed trying to be on time or if you need a little nudge to improve punctuality in either yourself or your children.
  3. By curriculum program Using your curriculum exactly as written, following the provided schedule, and sticking to the suggested hours of instruction for each day. This method works for many and if it is what you and your children prefer, I say go for it!
  4. By subject You may choose to have your child complete assignments or learning pursuits by subject. Simply choose one subject per day to study. Perhaps Mondays will be science, Tuesdays will consist of art projects, and so on down the list. This could be a fun way to spend your days, learning about any given subject for hours at a time, never needing to stop to move on to the next subject.
  5. Wing it  Study whatever you want, however you want, anyplace you want, and for as long as you want. No pressure. We use this method a bit, but I am hoping to get to the point where I am completely comfortable and confident enough to wholly embrace it!

Need to see more samples and resources to help you to determine what will work for you? Check out these posts from some of my blogging friends!

Why a Daily Schedule Doesn’t Work for Me ( What We Do Instead) Sarah Mueller

Extra Freebie – Curriculum Planner Sandra Modersohn

Homeschooling Plans, Charts, and Ideas Tonia Lyons

Do you have tips and tricks for scheduling your homeschool day? Please share in the comments! And be sure to visit again next week for Part 4 of this series, Organizing Your Homeschool for a Brand New Year!

 

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Six Steps to Ridding Your Shelves of Extra Homeschool Curriculum

January 9, 2014 by

Six Steps to Ridding Your Shelves of Extra Homeschool Curriculum www.GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com #homeschool #organizing

Welcome back to part 2 of Organizing Your Homeschool for a Brand New Year! This week we will tackle what to do with your extra curriculum and other items that were not cleared out last week.

Ridding Your Shelves of Extra Homeschool Curriculum www.GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com #organization #homeschool

Six Steps to Ridding Your Shelves of Extra Homeschool Curriculum 

  1. Determine which items you want to sell and which you would like to donate.
  2. List items on Ebay, hold a garage sale, find a local consignment shop or sale to participate in, or post them on Facebook or your blog as For Sale. Or collect your items all year and participate in your local homeschool curriculum sale at the end of the school year. Often, there are several taking place in any area.
  3. Take boxes and bags of the items you will not try to sell to your local Goodwill, or donate to a church or neighborhood family you know that could use extra clothing, toys, and books. There may be a local shelter or daycare that needs what you have.
  4. Check with local churches if you do not know of anyone in need. My church has a section on their web site for posting items needed or items being offered for sale or donation.
  5. Post a notice in your local homeschool group’s forum or in any Facebook groups you may be a part of (if allowed) about items you would like to donate to homeschool families. I often hear of or from people looking for free or low-cost items because they don’t want to spend a lot before trying, or they just don’t have the extra money to spend at the time. You have the opportunity to be a huge blessing to another homeschooling family by donating your gently used books.
  6. Another possibility is to offer your books and homeschool curriculum for loan or rent. I do not know the ins and outs of this myself, but I feel sure you could do a little research to find out more. Many families simply do not have room to store curriculum permanently, or perhaps they just don’t care to. This could be a workable solution for you and them!

Do you have more suggestions for clearing off your homeschool shelves? Please share in the comments. If you missed Part 1 of this series, please be sure to visit Organizing Your Homeschool for a Brand New Year. 


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Interested in joining us for our next Online Bible Study that starts on January 13, 2014?   Click HERE for more details!

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7 Ways to Stay Focused as You Work Towards the Goal of Decluttering

January 2, 2014 by

Each year, as we enter the new year, many of us begin to set goals or make resolutions. Personally, I don’t make resolutions. I choose a few goals and try to meet those throughout the year. For me, changing the wording helps with that feeling of less-than that often comes when I don’t meet the goal. This way, I still have the rest of the year to succeed!

This month I will be writing a series of posts for At Home w/ GCH that discuss getting our homeschools organized for the new year. With this series, I am hoping to help many of you, as well of myself, as we focus on just one task each week. Feel free to take more than one week to complete each task, though. It will probably take longer than that for me here, since I am also in the midst of homeschooling and working each day, too!

7 Ways to Stay Focused as You Work Towards the Goal of Decluttering www.GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com #organization #homeschool

This week our task is decluttering. I am sorry to say that my home is often cluttered. The job of decluttering seems to be a constant work in progress, and can very easily get me overwhelmed if I don’t focus.

7 Ways to Stay Focused as You Work Towards the Goal of Decluttering www.GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com #organization #homeschool

7 Ways to Stay Focused as You Work Towards the Goal of Decluttering

  1. Set a timer and work for a specific amount of time, then take a break. You will be impressed with how much you actually accomplish in that concentrated amount of time.
  2. Start with one small space. A desk, a drawer, a shelf. Simply beginning is half the battle.
  3. Throw away extraneous papers that are lying around.
  4. File bills, pay stubs, and other important documents.
  5. Purchase plastic or cloth bins to use as storage (found at places like Target, Walmart, or Goodwill and other thrift stores).
  6. Sort toys and books into ‘like’ piles and place them in bins together. This simple step helps so much when it is time for you and your children to clean up!
  7. Label the bins according to the item—blocks, books, Mr. Potato Head, cars, etc.

Do you have tips and tricks for decluttering? Please leave your suggestions in the comments section below! Be sure to check Organizing Your Homeschool for a Brand New Year  for other posts as we move forward with this organizational series throughout the month of January.

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Discipling Our Children at Home

December 24, 2013 by

Over the last several months, the teaching team at our church has been speaking about discipleship. They have taught us what a disciple is, which is basically a student; what it looks like to disciple others, which is to bring friends and family along with us on our journey with Jesus; how time, talent, and treasure are all a part of being a disciple (giving); and so much more! If you are interested in hearing the messages in this series, please listen here.

Discipling Our Children at Home www.GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com #goandmake #homeschool #discipleship

As we began this series, and moved forward each week, I wondered whether I was discipling anyone. I am a disciple myself, a follower of Christ, and I am striving to lean in and follow Him even more carefully as the weeks and months go on. I do write for a few blogs as a contributor and on my own blog, and those could be considered a way of discipling. I pray that what I write encourages someone along their faith-walk at some point. But I kept asking myself, who am I discipling? How can I disciple someone?

Then it dawned on me.

Those I am discipling every day are my children.

You may think that is an odd realization since, as a mom in her 8th year of homeschooling, I am with my children all day, every day. Still, it took me a while. I guess I was looking outward, towards a church ministry area or leading a bible study in my neighborhood, as many of my friends and acquaintances are doing. However, in this season of my life, while I am busy homeschooling and raising my five children from ages 3 to 16, I have limited opportunities to disciple those outside of my own home. But what a ripe-for-the-harvest ‘field’ I have right here before me! Once I realized this, I was even able to encourage another friend who was asking the same questions that I had been asking.

Homeschooling. This is our ‘discipleship program’! What a blessing it is to be able to be home, to learn together, to stop academics as needed to teach biblical principles and to correct behavior, to discipline, and to disciple, as we walk the homeschooling journey together with our children.

I want to encourage you, homeschool mama, as you move through each day and especially in this holiday season—do not compare yourselves to others. God has given you very specific duties to carry out with your own children! Perhaps you can fit in some volunteer hours at church or in a shelter in your area, or in some other setting where you are able to disciple others. Maybe you were able to participate in the Christmas cookie exchange, hang hundreds of tiny lights on the exterior of your home, and bake holiday breads for 10 days straight in preparation for the local holiday bake sale.

If you cannot and did not, please do not despair.

God has you in this season right now to pour into your children. On the days when it seems too difficult, and you feel like you have nothing left, lean further into Him. He will give you the strength, the wisdom, His words to pour into and speak over your children, and to lead them just a bit closer to Him each day!

Do you have any suggestions for discipling our children? I would love to hear them, so please leave a comment below!

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Encouraging Thankfulness in Our Children

November 21, 2013 by

Encouraging Thankfulness in Our Children www.girlfriendscoffeehour.com #thankfulness #homeschool

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, and many of us plan themed studies for our homeschool during this time. We take care to teach our children about our country’s history, and also encourage them to appreciate our freedoms. Being thankful for what we have, and for who God made each of us to be, is the key to gaining that appreciation.

Today I wanted to share with you some resources that you may want to use in your homeschool that will help to foster an attitude of thanksgiving, as well as a few scriptures upon which to meditate.

Resources for Cultivating Thankfulness

FREE Thanksgiving Coloring Sheets

Thanksgiving Printables: Preschool Handwriting Worksheet

“I am thankful for” Free Thanksgiving Printable

Thankful Turkey Box Tutorial

Gratitude Rolls: Special Food Tradition

Encourage Thankfulness with Scripture

O give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known His doings among the peoples! 1 Chronicles 16: 8

I will give to the Lord the thanks due to His rightness and justice, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. Psalm 7: 17

At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. Ephesians 5: 20

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. Philippians 4: 6

For everything God has created is good, and nothing is to be thrown away or refused if it is received with thanksgiving. 1 Timothy 4: 4

You may choose to memorize some of these verses with your children as a family. Perhaps each of you could choose a favorite among these verses, commit them to memory, and then recite them for one another on Thanksgiving Day. Another idea is to have your child use one, or several, of these verses as copy work each day leading up to Thanksgiving, and even beyond.

Did you find these resources helpful? Do you have other tips for encouraging thankfulness in our children? Please do share in the comments!

Are you a blogger? We invite you to add your thankfulness posts to our linky party below!

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4 Benefits to Sorting Activities for Young Children

November 14, 2013 by

Our first order of business today is to announce the Pumpkin Painting Contest winners! We ended up with only 2 entries, so we decided to feature both here on At Home w/  Girlfriends Coffee Hour.

1 Pumpkin Decorated for Both Halloween and Thanksgiving from Organized 31

3 Fine Motor Pumpkin Activities {Fine Motor Friday} from School Time Snippets

Thank you both so much for entering the contest. Your ideas were excellent, and I just may use them in our homeschool real soon!

Now on to our topic for the day! 

4 Benefits to Sorting Activities for Young Children www.girlfriendscoffeehour.com #homeschool

I homeschool multiple children from pre-k, elementary, middle school, on up to high school. We read various books, complete different lessons, and participate in certain types of play, all according to the age of the child, as well as the needs of the family at the moment. Much of the time we need something to keep the little ones busy while Mommy cooks or siblings are completing independent work, or simply wanting some time to themselves. One of the activities that I have found that all of my children enjoy is sorting. They sort toys, crayons, beads, books, legos, etc. This activity is especially beneficial to young children. I’ve explained the reasons why below.

4 Benefits to Sorting Activities for Young Children

  1. Sorting activities can be used to teach organization at a young age.  Grouping items by shape, color, texture, and size are all a part of learning to organize.  Allowing your child to learn this while he is young will mean he is a step ahead of the organization game as he grows older.
  2. Sorting keeps them busy! My two little ones can sit for a very long time sorting bears, crayons, colored pencils, lids, magnetic letters, especially if it is a new activity or one they have not done recently.  My 4 year old creates bear rainbows &  bear armies, and also engages in pretend play as she sorts.  I love to listen to some of the conversations she has as she sits at our table with bears in hand.
  3. Sorting also teaches early math skills. Children can see, when they line their items up, how rows and columns are formed.  They learn to count, and often begin to add and subtract without being taught.  It comes naturally!
  4. I believe sorting also teaches responsibility. We have taken great care with our sorting bears. They are very special toys in our home and are only played with in a certain way (gently) and in certain areas (at the table or during blanket time). Since we have these ‘rules’ in place, our daughters tend to take more care with their sorting toys while playing, as well as when cleaning up afterwards.

Need more ideas for bringing sorting into your day?

Have your preschooler:

  • sort silverware
  • help you sort laundry
  • separate fruit by type, color, or size
  • sort shoes by ownership
  • sort books according to softcover or hardcover

These are just a few more ideas that I hope will be helpful to you!

Do you have a favorite sorting item in your homeschool?  What benefits have you seen come to your children through sorting?

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5 Ways to Keep Your Littlest Homeschoolers Busy

October 31, 2013 by

Homeschooling can be a challenge any day of the week. Add in a toddler or preschooler (or both!), and it can become downright difficult if you don’t have a plan for keeping them busy! Today I have some ideas for you that are engaging as well as educational, and should help corral those younger ones while you read aloud, help their sibling with math, or try to prepare a meal.

5 Ways to Keep your Littlest Homeschoolers Busy www.girlfriendscoffeehour.com #homeschool

 

5 Ways to Keep Your Littlest Homeschoolers Busy

  • Utilize blanket time (or room time/playpen time) while you read to older siblings. Place a blanket on the floor for each child; choose, or have your child help you choose, a few select toys to play with during this time (2 to 3 at most); set the timer for prescribed amount of time, 5 to 45 minutes (training will be needed, but you can teach your child to stay in one place for the full 45 minutes, perhaps longer, with a little practice).  During the learning phase, don’t expect to be able to get alot done, but after a few days to a week for most children, you will be able to get some good learning time in. Try this several times a day in short amounts, or a couple of times per day for a longer stretch of time!
  • Give your child his or her own ‘work’ to complete during your learning time. Find fun coloring or tracing pages, easy sorting activities, or books for your child to look at while you work with a sibling.  Have him sit right next to you while doing this to ensure that he stays engaged and you remain aware of what he is doing.
  • Take your lessons outside.  Set up for reading or doing math problems at a table near an area where your smaller children can safely play.  This is a great time during warmer months to introduce water or sand play, pull out the Play Dough and paints, or experiment with other messy play like shaving cream painting, tracing letters in cornmeal, or pushing trucks through a bin of corn kernels.
  • Have older children play with the younger children while you work with their sibling. If you have older children, you may find a way to schedule times for each of them to play with your younger children while you teach another sibling his English lesson or practice reading. Then switch and work with the other child.  Even younger children can be put ‘in charge’ of a sibling who is younger than them, if they are in a nearby room and have access to mama as needed.
  • Spend time with your youngest children first.  You may find it easier and more productive to take your smallest children outside, or to spend some time doing a special activity, first thing in the morning.  Your older children can use this time to complete chores and any independent work they may have (handwriting, silent reading, essays, research, typing, etc.).  This often helps the younger children be in a better frame of mind to play on their own for a bit while you spend some time with their older siblings. Their ‘tank’ has been filled and they are ready to get started with their day!

Still need some fun and practical ideas? Here are a few blog posts on the topic that you may find helpful.

How Do I Keep My Preschooler Busy? by Kendra over at Prechoolers and Peace.

Keeping Toddlers Busy During Homeschool & Baby and Toddler Busy Ideas by Karen over at Teach Beside Me.

Planning Busy Activities for Toddlers During Homeschool from Tabitha of Meet Penny.

Sensory Bottle Fun by Lara at Lara’s Place and a Cup of Grace.

Great Preschool Activities from Monique at Living Life and Learning.

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Fun Fall Recipes for the Homeschool Family and Linky Party

October 17, 2013 by

AHWGCH_Woerner

 

Fall has arrived in my neck of the woods. I can see hints of orange in the treetops as I sit here writing this post. Along with the fall season comes cooler weather and, for me, an urge to prepare all sorts of delicious fall dishes that we may not serve so much throughout the rest of the year.

This week I have collected several recipes for you for some fall fun in the kitchen! I’ve linked them below for you. I hope you’ll try some of them, and please do come back here to let me know how it went!

 

Fun Fall Recipes

Granny’s Perfect Pumpkin Pie: Plus a Yummy Gluten Free Option, found at Not Consumed.

Caramel Pumpkin Doughnut Hole Muffins, Perfectly Pumpkin Pancakes, Perfectly Pumpkin Waffles, and Rustic Apple-Stuffed Coffee Cake from A Nest in the Rocks.

Pumpkin Spiced Oatmeal from A Moment With Mom.

Cinnamon Orange Stovetop Potpourri from Covenant Ranch Trucking.

Gluten Free Apple Crisp found at The Chaos and the Clutter.

Dairy Free Pumpkin Bread and Mixed Berry & Cocoa Nib Oatmeal Cookies from Southern Test Kitchen.

Fall Inspired Caramel Apples found at Happy and Blessed Home.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins from Preschoolers and Peace.

 

Fun Fall Linky Party 

I hope you will link up with us this week with your own fall recipes. You’ll find the linkup listed below.

Also, next week when we host the next linky party, we have chosen a theme for you. Pumpkin Painting, and we’ll be having a contest!  Be sure to work on your pumpkins between now and then, and come link up next week to enter the contest.  Children and parents alike may enter to win.

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