Encourage handwriting with a summer lunch menu

by on July 23, 2012
in a mom's education · 19 Comments

Written by Jamie Martin, editor of Simple Homeschool and Steady Mom

The idea came to me while I was busy making a list of what the kids needed for summer camp. Why not create a lunch menu they could order from?

It would be fun, yes, but with the added bonus that they would write their order down–thereby encouraging summer handwriting practice.

I had no idea I’d stumbled upon such a hit! Later in the week even the teachers at camp said, “So tell us about this lunch menu we heard about.”

Well, there wasn’t much to it–which is why I was actually able to pull it off! Here’s how you can create your own if you’re interested.
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Relaxed Elementary Education (2011 Curriculum Fair)

by on May 13, 2011
in curriculum · 30 Comments

Written by contributor Renee Tougas of FIMBY

Ages of my children: 12, 10, and 8

Educational Philosophies I pull from: Leadership Education, Literature-Based, Charlotte Mason, Unschooling

When Jamie first proposed this series I thought, “That will be easy to write. We don’t use much.”

Then I saw all the questions from the introductory post and realized I might actually have something useful to say.

A few of your comments jumped out at me:

  • The repeated request to know what has worked and what hasn’t, and why.
  • How to “make your own” curriculum.
  • How to use readily available resources (like the library) and literature as materials for learning.

I can answer these because of our own eclectic and interest-led elementary homeschooling experience.
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Curriculum Choices: Handwriting Resources

by on June 18, 2010
in curriculum · 14 Comments

Written by Jamie Martin, editor of Simple Homeschool and founder of Steady Mom

Handwriting curriculum is one of the first purchases new homeschooling parents make, eager to get their child started off on the journey of communicating through the written word.

Learning to write their own name feels exciting and important to young children, so as parents it can seem like a big responsibility to choose the best resource.

Well worry no more! This post contains six of the most helpful, popular handwriting choices currently on the market. [Read more...]