Bloom’s Taxonomy: A simple roadmap to learning

by on August 15, 2012
in a mom's education · 10 Comments

Written by contributor Jena Borah of Yarns of the Heart

I’m a big picture kind of person. I like to look at the map and stay focused on the destination. But homeschooling is full of little details that threaten to pull us off the path and down rabbit trails.

That’s why, here at the beginning of the school year, I like to remind myself of how simple education really is.

In the 1950s, a committee of educators came up with a list of broad learning objectives called Bloom’s Taxonomy, and it’s been revised over the years. The first step in learning is simply remembering facts, and as a student progresses through the levels, he or she takes the learned material and creates something new. I love that.

The ultimate goal of learning is the ability to create something new.
[Read more...]

How to avoid summer setback

by on July 11, 2012
in curriculum · 21 Comments

Written by contributor Jena Borah of Yarns of the Heart

Do you know about summer setback? Education researchers say a child can lose up to two months of reading achievement between May and August. If this happens every summer, children can lose up to a year and a half between 1st and 6th grade (Cooper et al., 1996).

Why? Because their home lives are not full of books and enriching experiences. Whatever learning momentum they had gained during the school year comes to a screeching halt. When I heard that, I was amazed! We homeschoolers never stop learning.
[Read more...]

Motivating Learners in Your Homeschool

by on October 1, 2010
in a mom's education · 18 Comments

Some days everyone wants to sit on the couch and watch TV. That’s when we homeschooling moms start to panic. They are supposed to be LEARNING!

In my 16 years of homeschooling, we had plenty of “unproductive” days, and here are a few things I learned:

1. Adjust your expectations.

Concentrate on your child’s attitude toward learning more than the observable act of learning. My mantra through the years has been “maintain the joy of childhood and the joy of learning.”

More than giving information, my job was to nurture that natural love of learning, not to kill it. I had to stop and stand back once in awhile, gagging that teacher in me. If they were engrossed in a book, I refrained from assigning a book report. Instead, we talked about what they were learning, extending and applying what they read, but no book reports unless they asked for it. [Read more...]

Homeschooling and Socialization: How to Answer the Socialization Question

by on September 1, 2010
in a mom's education · 28 Comments

We’ve all been there.

A well-meaning friend, relative or neighbor nods, smiles–then here it comes: “Homeschooling sounds great, but what about socialization?”

In my article, The Socialization Question, I dive deeply into the subject, but for now, I want to give you some  practical advice on how I’ve learned to answer the inevitable questions.

1. Find the common ground.

“I’m concerned about it too because socialization is teaching kids how to function well in society.”

2. List the characteristics of a well-socialized person.

[Read more...]

What About Public School?

by on July 30, 2010
in a mom's education · 18 Comments

I know this is a homeschooling website, and I’m a homeschooling mom, but that free education option down the street looks awfully tempting sometimes.

I homeschooled my first two children all the way though high school graduation, but that last little bugger–she just HAD to go to public school.

Can homeschooling and public school education happily co-exist?

Here are some things to consider before you sign up: [Read more...]

How to Study Your Favorite Country

by on June 16, 2010
in Uncategorized · 14 Comments

As unschoolers, we like to let our kids follow their interests and develop their giftedness. We let them explore and discover, and we offer suggestions and guidance.

But once in awhile, some direct, concentrated school-like activity is fun. That’s what this post is all about.

Here is a one-week unit study on the country of your choice, unschooling style. It’s pretty flexible, but covers a lot of territory. [Read more...]

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