Kicking off the new year with homeschool inspiration

Written by Jamie Martin of Simple Homeschool 

As we kick off a new year, I visited the archives of Simple Homeschool and chose some of my favorite posts from the past year that might inspire us as we return to our learning rhythms and routines.

I want to send a sincere thanks to the amazing contributors and guest posters who have helped me fill this virtual space with so much quality content over the past twelve months.

I’ll be bookmarking this post to come back to in the future and I hope you’ll do the same!

The Best of Simple Homeschool 2016

Melissa’s homeschool day in the life (with a 2- 5-, 8-, 9- 12- and 15-year-old)

“Our usual daily routine starts with breakfast and morning chores. After that, I try to structure our time and our environment and let each kid choose what to work on within that framework.”

~ Melissa

(Note: Look for our new homeschool day in the life series starting next week–woot!)

My 3-step process for homeschool planning

“Coffee and my wits will only get me so far, but a plan can help to clarify our daily goals and keep this homeschool machine running smoothly.”

~ Kara Fleck

The homeschool hack that’s saved my sanity for 8 years

“Desperate times call for desperate measures, and I knew I had to make life at home at least a little quieter if I was going to survive it, as well as add homeschooling to the mix.

A parent’s desperation–I think that’s how some of the best life hacks have been invented over the years!”

~ Jamie

When you just really want to start homeschooling

“Eight years later, my missteps are obvious. I tried to do too much, too soon, with people who were way too small.

I put too much pressure on myself, and I let people on the internet boss me around, making me into some kind of inexperienced homeschool method purist.“

~ Kara Anderson

How a certified teacher chose unschooling for her kids

“Mom, we’re unschooled. You don’t really teach us.”

~ Marla

Read the World Book Club

Bookmark this page if you’re using Give Your Child the World in your homeschool this year – It has tons of extras like video clips, recipes, printables and downloadable maps.

~ Jamie

It’s okay to say no

“A few years ago, it was very popular for mom bloggers to write about being the “yes mom.”

~ Kris

5 things that are finally working

 “At five years in I can confidently say I know what’s finally working for us. In case you’re also in the “trying-on” stage or exploring different ideas and options, perhaps one of these will be just the ticket for you.”

~ Kari

A virtual field trip to Anne’s Prince Edward Island

“Gather the Anne fans in your home and come to the Island with us today.”

~ Jamie

In celebration of the slow learner

“I was eight years old and it was clear – being a ‘slow learner’ was a shameful thing.”

~ Shawna

Introverts homeschooling extroverts: Practical ways to make it work

“Don’t get me wrong: I do enjoy people. But being around people all the time also wears me out emotionally.”

~ Purva

Haunted by the ghost of public school past?

“The Ghost of Public School Past makes me second-guess what I know to be true. It makes me push and when I push, the kids balk. It never ends well.”

~ Cait

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.” ~ T.S. Eliot