Great Books for an Outdoors Education

by on March 10, 2010
in methods & philosophies · 27 Comments

Our family recently returned from our annual winter camping trip. Three wonderful days of backpacking, sleeping in a wood heated cabin, hiking to ocean lookouts, eating trail food, playing cards, sharing stories and many laughs. The woods and mountains, any time of year, are two of our family’s favorite places to be together.

Coming down from the natural high of that experience, and reflecting on the many other hikes we’ve had together, I believe strongly that an outdoors education isn’t about books at all.

It’s about actually being out there: tromping through the woods, climbing mountains, combing the seashore and exploring caves–discovering with your own senses the natural wonders of this world.

You can’t have firsthand nature experiences through reading alone, no matter how well written a book is. But you can support your outdoor studies with some good books in hand.

Here are a few to get you started:

[Read more...]

How to Homeschool with a Baby or Toddler (& Enjoy It!)

by on March 8, 2010
in organization · 40 Comments

When I was first considering homeschooling, it overwhelmed me to think of teaching multiple children. How do you orchestrate the day so that everyone gets enough attention?

And what if you find yourself blurry eyed from lack of sleep because of a sweet newborn? Or in the races as you daily chase a never-stay-put toddler?

Is it possible to successfully homeschool with little ones underfoot?
[Read more...]

Weekend Links

by on March 7, 2010
in links · 1 Comment

“I think, at a child’s birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift should be curiosity.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Curriculum Choices: Sonlight Explored

by on March 5, 2010
in curriculum · 45 Comments

(Disclosure: Once a month here on Simple Homeschool, I’ll be giving a review/overview of various curriculum options. I’m beginning with Sonlight because it is the one with which I’m most familiar. All information in this post is based on my own experience and opinions.)

Stories have the power to teach, comfort, and transport us to faraway lands. As someone who majored in literature during college, I’ve always loved and enjoyed learning through both the autobiographical and fictional accounts of others.

That’s why when I discovered Sonlight, I could hardly wait to start learning with my kids. [Read more...]

The Family Hour: Recess for Everyone

by on March 3, 2010
in family time · 13 Comments

Here’s a challenge for you — spend 30 solid minutes with your children each day for the next week.

This may seem more an issue with families of schooled children than those who homeschool. After all, most of us spend the whole day with our kids already. But I think that is precisely why we need a Family Hour.

We need a break from schoolwork and time to just be. [Read more...]

3 Steps to a Natural Home Learning Atmosphere

by on March 1, 2010
in home maintenance & management · 10 Comments

You probably have a clear idea of what learning looks like inside the four walls of a school building. But when starting to consider home education, suddenly the learning view gets a little murky.

Should I put desks in my basement, stick up a flag, and start the day with the pledge of allegiance?

Perhaps–or maybe there’s a way to nurture both our children’s learning and their longing for the comfort of “home.”

Does the term natural learning sound appealing? Like something you wish your family had?

Then use these three “E’s” to cultivate a natural learning atmosphere in your neck of the woods.
[Read more...]

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