About Kara

Kara is the editor of Simple Kids. She balances life as a mother of four with writing and homeschooling.

Kara’s day in the life (with an 18 month, 4, 6, and 11 year old)

by on January 25, 2013
in organization · 42 Comments

DayLifeKara

Hi there! My name is Kara Fleck and I’m the editor of Simple Kids. Jamie invited me to share with you our day – what homeschooling looks like for the fifth grader, first grader, preschooler, and a toddler and for me, their work-from-home mom.

There are quite a few different “fruits” in our homeschool smoothie blend, but our main influences are Waldorf and Charlotte Mason, though we make room for some technology and other learning styles, too.

5:30 am – a peaceful beginning

I’m a morning person and I’m awake at 5:30. I get dressed and then come downstairs and shuffle around the house. I let the dog out, make myself a mug of coffee, and start getting the house ready for the day. I sit down to my desk and answer emails, edit blog posts, and do a bit of writing.  I enjoy this quiet time.

Kara_morning

Around 6:30 my oldest, Jillian, wakes up and comes downstairs where she grabs a blanket and curls up on the sofa. She plays Words with Friends to give her some spelling and vocabulary practice.  She currently has games going with me, her dad, and her Grandma.  We chat a bit but mostly she is quiet and lets me work undisturbed.

My husband brings the toddler, Amelia, down to me around 7:20. Max and Lucy, my first grader and preschooler, come downstairs soon after. Max has woken up in a sour mood and chooses to sit by himself in the living room for a while and Lucy is still very, very tired.  But, otherwise, the day has gotten off to a smooth start.
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Weather Activities for Kids: Rain or Shine

by on October 29, 2010
in curriculum · 16 Comments

Written by Simple Kids editor Kara Fleck

At this time of year, the weather seems to change almost daily. This fluctuation makes weather watching especially fun. Every day there is something new to discover!

Observing the Weather

As long as the conditions are safe to be outside, the kids and I try to be outdoors at least once a day. Sun, rain, or snow, our main method of weather observation is getting out there and experiencing it!

While we’re outside, I encourage the kids to think about what we are experiencing with our senses.  We make a note of the temperature and I like to give them some gentle prompting to make observations on their own.  This year my third grader is learning to read a barometer as well.

Some Thoughtful Questions to Ask:

  • What does it LOOK like outside?
  • What does the air FEEL like on your skin?
  • What do we HEAR?
  • What does it SMELL like outside?
  • What should we WEAR on a day like today?

Keeping Track of Your Observations

There are many different options for a homeschooling family wanting to record their weather observations. Today I’m sharing with you two fun methods that our family has used.

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Living History Museums: Going Beyond Textbooks

by on June 23, 2010
in field trips · 26 Comments

Written by Kara Fleck, editor of Simple Kids.

Would it surprise you to learn that my family and I are time travelers? It is true!  Our mini-van recently became our personal time machine when we visited one of our favorite local living history museums, Conner Prairie.

Living history museums are a way to interact with history, up close and personal, and in some cases at the very spots where the original events occurred.

A visit to a living history museum moves education beyond the page of a textbook. They offer a chance to experience history with your five senses: you can see, hear, smell, taste, and touch the past.

Many living history museums provide an opportunity to interact with performers who portray the thoughts and feelings of their characters while demonstrating the daily chores, pastimes, and politics of the era.

If you’re planning a field trip to a living history museum, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your visit:

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