Guest Writer

Children are naturally curious about the world around them. They ask tons of questions. One of the best ways to engage that curiosity is with hands-on activities and experimentation, like learning about melting wax through a crayon art project, or making a history timeline to put the past into perspective. Laboratory investigations, on the other hand, can be intimidating, but they are worth the time and effort.

One of the challenges of science is that so much of our world is microscopic, and it is hard to study what we cannot see. Our bodies are composed of millions of tiny cells. Molecules travel across cell membranes. But how do we know that? Have you ever observed osmosis, when water travels from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration? Although you cannot see the water molecules traveling, you can infer that they do from what happens to a gummy bear left in water.

[Read more…] about The Gummy Bear Experiment–A Fun, Edible Science Project

Every homeschool mom wants to be successful in homeschooling. But how do you know if you’re successful—especially if you feel like a failure? Many moms spend countless hours researching curriculum, reading articles and blogs, and asking other homeschoolers for advice. After all, educating your child at home is a tremendous undertaking and should be taken seriously. How can you be a successful homeschool mom? How do you measure success in homeschooling?

Want to be a homeschool success? Keep reading!

If I asked you to name ten key historical figures, who would be on your list? How many of them would be women? For millennia, women have shouldered most of the domestic responsibilities, leaving men “free” to lead nations, fight wars, and leave a lasting mark on history. But if you look for them, you can find the women who have left a mark on history, and you can and should teach women’s history to your children.

Learn more about teaching women’s history!

Employers are increasingly showing interest in neurodiverse employees. The term neurodiversity has been around a long time. This term encompasses people on the autism spectrum, those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), speech disorders, dyslexia, and several other neurodevelopmental conditions. Neurodiversity advocates seek to highlight that these conditions are not necessarily a deficit, but come with strengths and weaknesses unique to each individual. In a 2009 study, neurodiverse students who viewed themselves as “different” rather than as having a “deficit” had higher academic self-esteem and confidence in their abilities, including career goals. This perception may be key for you if you’re considering planning to homeschool children with special needs.

From a biblical perspective we understand that God made man in His image. The God-given diversity of abilities, strengths, and weaknesses includes everyone. If you have children with special needs in one or more areas, they likely also have strengths in other areas. If you’re planning to homeschool children with special needs, your experience may look different, but the goal is the same. The goal is to equip the child to make a positive difference in his world.

Learn about Homeschooling with Special Needs

Quick question: Who would like to go back and relive their middle school years? No one? I think once was hard enough! We describe them with words like awkward, confusing, sometimes even painful. But you know what? Also amazing. Really. I don’t think of my own middle school years as amazing—but when I look back at my three (now grown) sons, and the hundreds of middle school students I was privileged to teach, I clearly saw God at work in these young people. In the middle of the mess, there were also victories.

So parents of middle schoolers, take hope. You and your children can survive these years of changes and growth without losing your sanity. As my church moms love to declare, God’s got this! Prayer, perspective, a support group, and maybe some deep breathing techniques will be foundational as you learn how to guide your homeschooler through middle school.

Learn about guiding your child through middle school!