What is a unit study? A unit study is a method of learning in which you pick a topic, and all subjects revolve around this topic. This is a great way to grab your child’s attention using something that interests them to teach. Doesn’t it make sense that if you teach your child using something that they love they will pay attention, and pick things up without even trying ? There are really no rules for Unit Studies- you can make every aspect revolve around the theme, or just include it in a few subjects. It can last a week or an entire month. As long as it holds your child’s attention and they are learning. For instance if your child is a Lego lover you could choose Lego as your topic. Let’s do a breakdown of what a unit study would look like using Lego as a … [Read more...]
Science for Preschoolers and Kindergarteners
Science for Preschoolers and Kindergarteners Science is a fantastic and fun learning activity to incorporate into your homeschool curriculum. The first thing I did when putting together a loose science curriculum for my Kindergartener was to create a science kit. I started by picking up a plastic shoe box with a lid from Dollar Tree. It is easy to build on from there as your child is able to do more complex activities. Our kit includes: Goggles Tweezers Magnet wand Eye dropper Ruler Magnifying glass Measuring cups and spoons A funnel Plastic spoon 2 plastic baggies Paper cups A couple q-tips Rubber gloves A small notebook for recording “notes” You could also grab this cool and ready to go complete science kit from Magic … [Read more...]
Homeschooling Your Second Grader
Homeschooling Your Second Grader Whether you have been homeschooling since preschool or this is your first year, keep in mind one of the top reasons that you’re probably homeschooling- so you can move at your child’s pace. That said, here are some of the basic things that are generally taught in second grade. Math- Count, read, and write whole numbers up to 1000, adding and subtracting 2 and 3 digit numbers. Your child should be learning measuring objects using inches, and centimeters. Delve into learning place values, and adding and subtracting money with decimal points. Work on time up to quarter-hour. Language Arts- Encourage daily silent reading time, continue to work on reading comprehension, inference. Study short and long vowel sounds. Teach your child about punctuation and … [Read more...]
Best Apps For Homeschooling!!
If you are a techno savvy momma, and you don’t mind including some screen time into your preschooler or kindergarteners day here are some really fun, educational apps that I have rounded up to support your homeschool curriculums. Best Apps For Homeschooling!! WetDryTry is part of the Handwriting Without Tears program but you don’t need to be using the program at all for this app. Your child uses their finger, or a stylus to erase the letters with a “wet” sponge, then a paper towel, and finally chalk. It is a great tool for learning letter identification and writing skills. Pocket Charts Counting 1-20 – Great app for learning to identify and count numbers 1-20. It looks like a traditional school pocket chart and your child has to match numbers with cards that have … [Read more...]
Homeschooling Your Kindergartener
Homeschooling your Kindergartener So your child is old enough for formal schooling, where do you go from here? What do you need to start with? While you can find countless opinions on the internet or from friends on how to homeschool Kindergarten, the one reoccurring theme you will hear is to not spend a lot on a box curriculum. There are a few basics skills that your child needs to master and these are the tool; a good phonics program, a writing program, and math. After months of researching, web searching, and asking the opinion of every mom I knew with homeschool experience, I finally came up with this collection of resources that I think cover the 3 most important basics for a reasonable price. If you purchase everything I have listed below you will still spend less than … [Read more...]
DIY Ohio State (or Any Team) Football Wreath
It's football season!! Hubby is a DIE-HARD Ohio State fan! So here is a great DIY for the season! This football wreath is a super easy project and it would look great on your front door or hanging in an entertainment room! This was a very cheap and easy wreath to make! I got almost all of the supplies at Wal-Mart! The good thing about this wreath is that you can customize to fit any of your favorite teams! It is a bit time consuming, but not in the least bit hard! So, what are we waiting for?! Let’s get started!! Money spent: $6 Time spent: about an hour Supplies: Pool noodle ($.88 at Wal-Mart) Duct tape Hot glue gun ribbon ($1.97 at Wal-Mart) tulle ($2.57 at Wal-Mart) football ornaments ($.50 each, bought 3 packs of two at Michael’s Craft … [Read more...]
Mess Free Color Mixing Activity For Preschoolers!
So I was on the hunt for some fine motor skill activities that were fun. We have been working on colors and I saw a suggestion on finger painting. I wasn't a fan of that unless it's outside and well it's still a mess if my daughter is anything like her mother was at her age ;) So I came up with this idea. Mess free color mixing. You can teach colors and what colors what each other and best of all? Clean up takes less then 10 seconds (maybe more if you have a long walk to the trash can!) First pick your colors. We started off with red and blue because they make her favorite color purple! Put one color at the bottom corner of a ziploc bag and the 2nd color at the top opposite corner. Get as much air out as possible and zip the bag up GOOD! Then tape the side of the bag down. I suggest … [Read more...]
DIY Kool Aid Play Dough
I was looking for some fun way help my 3 years old with her fine motor skills and kept seeing recommendations for Play-Doh reading it also helps with sensory skills I was hooked. I knew I wanted to make my own and saw a bunch of different 'recipes online' that called for Cream of tartar (which I didn't have) and the ones that didn't call for it had no recipes for adding color. So I decided to mix a little of both and praying it came out as my kids where getting excited. It came out better than I could have hoped! 1 cup baking soda 1/2 cup corn starch 3/4 cup water 1 Pack Kool Aid of choice color (we used Strawberry for red) 1/2 teaspoon salt Have your child mix the baking soda and corn starch in a pot. Use hands to make sure all the lumps are broken up. Add … [Read more...]
Peaches and Cream Muffins
I like to make items for breakfast on Sunday nights that can warmed up threw out the week. Since peaches have been on sale I wanted to use them in breakfast and these are perfect. They are great with yogurt and great on the go breakfast! Ingredients: 2 cups flour, divided 2 teaspoons baking powder 3/4 cup homemade brown sugar, divided 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon all spice 2 peaches peeled and diced, about 2 cups 3/4 cup heavy cream (you can use this heavy cream substitute if needed) 1 egg, slightly beaten 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted 1/2 teaspoon vanilla Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper liners. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 3/4 cups of the flour, the baking powder, 1/2 cup of the … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Coca-Cola Smoky Barbecued Ribs
So this recipe enticed me based on the soda and liquid smoke. Figured what can it hurt to try it out. Well I got the ULTIMATE compliment from my husband. The rib lover who eats ribs. The Navy man who has eaten ribs in 6 different countries... He told me these ribs for the top 5 BEST he has EVER had. I about died. No joke I thought he was just trying to flatter me ya know ;) but he was dead serious! Not a piece of meat left over on ANYONE'S plate! If you try out this recipe let me know what you think! Ingredients 3 1/2 pounds pork loin back ribs 1/4 cup packed homemade brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon pepper 3 tablespoons liquid smoke 2 cloves of garlic, minced 1 teaspoon salt 1 medium onion, sliced 1 can cola (we used Coke) 1 bottle barbecue sauce Method 1. … [Read more...]
DIY: Wine Cork Heart
This task is easy, the hardest part is getting all the red wine corks ;-) What you need Wine corks (about 100 if you go for the size I did) Hot glue Ribbon to hang First you want to take what corks you have it get the pattern of where you want them, and in the shape you want. My rows start at 1 then added 1 each row. (1,2,3 ect) up to 11 corks a row then down to 10 then the rounded parts are 4 and 3 in each. Once you have your pattern you want to start hot gluing the the wine corks in rows. Let the rows dry and settle. Then start gluing the rows together. I suggest starting at the top and working your way down to the point like seen below. Once your doen let the glue … [Read more...]
Red Pancake Hearts for Valentine’s Day
Get ready to spread love and warmth with these delightful red pancake hearts. Perfect for Valentine's Day or any special occasion, these pancakes are not only visually stunning but also incredibly delicious. With a touch of magic and a secret ingredient, they will surely win the hearts of your loved ones. Whether you choose a classic pancake flavor or explore unique variations, these heart-shaped pancakes are sure to bring a smile to everyone's face. So, grab your apron, and let's dive into the scrumptious world of red pancake hearts. Can I use a different shape for the pancakes? Definitely! While heart-shaped pancakes add a special touch, feel free to get creative with other shapes like stars, circles, or even personalized initials. Use cookie cutters or simply mold the batter … [Read more...]