Resources for Teaching Early Math Concepts Hands-On -

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Homeschooling Early Math - Making Your Manipulative Kit and More

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Betsy

Betsy blogs at BJ's Homeschool about high school and college and all the fun of homeschooling the early years too.  Betsy also offers free help to homeschool families.  She is the author of Homeschooling High School with College in Mind, a simple guide tohigh school, with tips for making the college admissions process easier too.

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Homeschooling Ups and Downs - What to Do When You are Stuck -

This article has moved.  I invite you to click here to read it, which is full of resources and encouragement for you and your homeschool.

Thanks for stopping by BJ's Homeschool,

Betsy

Betsy is mom to her 20 year old college student whom she homeschooled from day one.  She blogs at BJ's Homeschool, about the early years, high school & college and wrote a new book for homeschooling teens.  She offers free homeschool help and messages at BJ's Consulting.

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Copyright, 2017 All Rights Reserved

Homeschooling Help - What to Do When You Feel Stuck

Summary: Resources to help you set up your own homeschool, plus our favorites for homeschooling curriculum preschool through high school. #howtohomeschool #homeschoolcurriculum #homeschool

Are you considering homeschooling your children or teens?  Does the vast amount of homeschool information online tend to overwhelm you?  

Would you like some resources and tips from a homeschool mom who has been there? 

What about when you are just stuck, or have things that are just not working out right, and you have no idea what to do about it?

When that happened to me, sometimes there was a homeschool family nearby to reach out to.  Or, on other occasions, a friend from Co-op had the answer.  Or one of my favorite bloggers served as a resource for me, and got me unstuck, or just got me on my way again.

What do you do when you are stuck?

Sometimes these options mentioned above are not readily available.  Or maybe your contacts are not up on the current topic that you are exploring and wanting an answer for.

In my opinion - There is always a way!!  

Looking back to our homeschooling years, I got stuck in some way, from time to time.  When that happened, my husband and I searched out our answers using a variety of approaches.

Sometimes our help came from a book.  Other times, it came from an online search or a trip to the library.  Or it was a contact through our local or online homeschool group.  If we still didn't have our answer, we  turned to a trusted advisor or a homeschool consultant.  

So today, let's consider those options, starting with looking for help in a trusted or new homeschooling book.

1.  BOOKS 

Sometimes we found our answer in a homeschooling book.  One book that I would have liked to have had on my shelf years ago, is the Big Book of Homeschool Ideas.  It is full of information from more than 60 homeschooling moms, on a variety of topics.  The folks at iHomeschool Network have just published their second book in this series.  Have you seen their new one yet?

The kindle is listed for only 99 cents!

 Big Book of Homeschool Ideas

The new volume is written by over 50 homeschooling moms, on over 70 topics!  I sure could have used that book when I was at a loss.  I was asked to write a chapter of it, an honor for me.

My chapter is called "The Nervous Mom's Guide to College", which outlines how we planned high school at home, with college in mind.  Why did I call it that?  Because I was one nervous mom when helping my teen get into college.

Then she got into each of the colleges on her list.  No longer nervous mom.  Click here for more information and to get your copy.  I liked it so much that I wrote a review of it here.

If I couldn't find my answer in a book, I often did some researching online or at the library.

2.  RESEARCHING 

When my daughter became a middle schooler and wanted to homeschool high school, that is what I did, and I did a lot of it.  My local group did not have the answers that I was looking for, re homeschooling to college.  So I did my own research on that.  

The librarians were so helpful to me.  I also got a lot out of the college websites online.  Over the last 3 years, I put my best tips for high school and college into my second published book.  

Have seen my book around called . Why re-invent the wheel?

I share lots of different ways to approach homeschooling high school, which can help you plan for your teen.

Homeschooling High School with College in Mind, 2nd edition

I hope that this book might save you lots of researching time!  Below are the high school planning printables that are included in both the kindle and the paperback.

College Entrance Requirements Form

Overall High School Plan

Curriculum Planning Sheet

High School Credit Record Form

Transcript Form

Activities and Awards Form

Homemade Course Form

Writing the College Essay Form

Course Descriptions Record Keeping Form

Reference Letter Request Form

PE Record Form

For more information, you may click here - Frugal College Prep for Homeschoolers or get it here - my book on Amazon for only $11.99.  

3.  FACEBOOK GROUPS

These groups, either yahoo or facebook based, were especially helpful when I was a newbie.  I would share my curriculum ideas and get helpful feedback.  I found out that I was not the only homeschooler who was nervous and wondering if I was doing enough!  I was that mom!

 Then when I hit an issue in high school, I often contacted my online groups, to search out my questions on college admissions and lots more.  I found it helpful to connect with other moms who had similar situations as far as their homeschools.

Are you looking for a group that focuses on high school and college?  I recently became the admin. for this group for homeschooling high school moms.

You are invited to join my encouraging group for high school moms, called at Homeschooling through High School.  

Lots of moms just like you there, sharing triumphs and challenges.  Get your questions answered there, too. Join us here.

It is a fun group to be in, and lots of info gets shared there.  We are always welcoming new members!  Click here to join if you like.

Well, if facebook or other online groups didn't give me the answer, then I sought out a consultant or another person who had a lot of experience in the area of our concern.


4.  HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM IDEAS

I have homeschooled for 14 years and share all about that on my blog, BJ's Homeschool.

I have lots of homeschool curriculum ideas for you on my blog.  Here are the links to those resources:

Just click the links below for more information on our favorites for each ages, early year, middle school, and high school.

 Elementary Homeschool Curriculum, (Preschool - 5th grade)

Homeschool Middle School Curriculum  (6th through 8th)

For High School, I offer a FREE PDF, full of helps and resources below:

HIGH SCHOOL HELP 

I have been mentoring families for many more years.

From my experience, I have seen so many success stories that show that homeschooling is a solid educational choice.

And if you google "Homeschooling - does it work?"  you will get links to lots of research about that.

Many families worry that homeschool high school would be too hard to do.  Is that you?

If so, I offer a FREE download -called  HIGH SCHOOL HELP - full of homeschool high school resources, to make homeschooling your teen not only doable, but also rewarding, for them and for your family.

5.  HOMESCHOOL HELP 

Here is my story of one of our biggest parenting issues at our house.

My little one was showing signs of sensory processing disorder when she was about 1.  I had friends who were pediatric OT's with special expertise, so I contacted them right away.  They gave me lots of helpful tips for helping my kiddo.  It was such a help. If this is relates to you, feel free to check out my special needs homeschooling board.

I have been there, I have freaked out myself more than a time or two, or maybe lots more, lol and I enjoy connecting with other families.  It is my joy.  If you have a question or just want to bounce an idea of two off of a veteran homeschooler, feel free to send a message to me via BJ's Homeschool. 

BJ's Homeschool 

I am not some intimidating "expert" who knows everything.

I don't!  Who does!

I am just a homeschooling mama who has been there, having homeschooled my kiddo since she was a little one.  Over the years, I have learned a lot about homeschooling all ages.

My kiddo is in college now and very independent, so I have time to connect and love doing that.  I strive to be a supportive helpful voice to moms who have hit with an issue and just want to discuss it with a supportive person.

Another important thing that we did, to support ourselves when we were stuck, was to go out on a short country drive, a mini-nature drive, even in rainy weather.  Being out in nature, along a country road, always helped to fill us up again.

Here are a few pictures from one of those trips with my daughter....

...and sometimes the answer was in my heart, all along.

What do you do when you are stuck?  What things would you add to this list?   Did you know that I blog to connect with other families?  It is my JOY.  I love reading your comments!

Thanks for stopping by BJ's Homeschool,

Betsy

Betsy is mom to her now college grad, whom she homeschooled through high school.  She blogs at BJ's Homeschool, about the early years, highschool, 
college, gifted/2e and wrote -Homeschooling High School with College in Mind, 2nd Edition,   She offers homeschool help through messages at BJ's Consulting,  and has had some of her articles picked up by the Huffington Post.

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Copyright @ BJ's Homeschool
Updated 2019

Homeschooling High School - Core Studies, Graduation Requirements and More

Summary:  Tips from a veteran homeschool mom for planning and getting started with homeschooling high school.  What are core studies?  Are there homeschool graduation requirements?  Choosing your homeschool high school curriculum.  What about college? Making homeschool transcripts and more.


Are you considering homeschooling your teen?  Homeschooling high school is really not that hard.  But you have heard that before....and is it really true?

Are  you nervous about continuing to homeschool all the way through high school?  I was, when contemplating it during the middle school years...

High School was my favorite time, of all of our homeschooling years. 

Yes, it was much more complicated than the earlier years.  

But having my daughter at home meant that she her individual educational needs could be met. 

She also had more time to try out new activities and develop her interests, and go to youth conferences, etc.  

And watching her blossom and grow, during the teen years... priceless! 

Today I'd like to share how I became confident as a mom who was homeschooling her teen.  

There were key pieces of information that were important to me for my high school planning....And once I got them under my belt, my confidence grew....a lot.

Then I was ready to take on high school with confidence.  

First of all, let's talk start with assigning high school credits.

1.  Assigning High School Credit

It is not that hard to assign high school credit.  Here are 3 ways to do just that.

I call them ...................1.  the Textbook method

                                         2.  the Hours method

                                         3.  the Mastery method

The textbook method is the traditional way.  

The hours method involves keeping track of the amount of time spent in learning activities.  

The mastery method refers to assigning credit based on demonstrated mastery of a subject or a skill. That could be video making, playing an instrument, etc.

We did a lot of different kinds of learning, and all of it counted!  It is also included in my book, mentioned below.

2. What About Core Studies?


Core Studies are just the basic high school courses in math, English, social studies, science and foreign language.  

I have a post on our favorite frugal homeschool high school curriculum for each of these core studies areas, if you are interested.

3. Are There Homeschool Graduation Requirements?

What your choose for core studies is most often up to the individual homeschool family.  You do not need to follow the public school graduation requirements, only those laid out in your state's homeschool law.  

Most states do not lay out requirements for a homeschool diploma. It is usually left to the homeschool family to decide when to graduate their teen.  

So in most states, you can shape your teen's high school years around their needs, depending where they will be heading.

4.  What About College?

If your teens might be going to college, then you will want them to do the studies that are outlined by the colleges, ie, the college entrance requirements.  

Checking likely college websites is essential for college bound teens. I have much more on that in my book, laying out typical requirements for a different kinds of colleges, mentioned below.  

Community College - If your teen is headed to community college, it is advisable to just check in with admissions there.  

In our state of WA, the incoming students just take an entrance test, which evaluates their math and English skills.  

It is usually SO much less complicated compared than going into a 4 year college, and usually the SAT/ACT is not needed.

AGAIN - You do not have to follow the public school graduation requirements....those are for public school kids!

5.  High School Electives and Interests


The beauty of homeschooling high school is that you get to build and nurture your teen's interests and help them to discover their strengths.  

Even with preparing for college, my teen had lots of time to do electives and try out her interests in activities.

Now that we finished talking about credits, core studies and a bit about electives, let's talk transcripts. 

6.  Making your High School Transcripts

Transcripts are just a document that lists all of the courses that your student took, with grades, a place to put their SAT or ACT scores, with identifying information on it.  More on transcripts can be found on my blog.

My book below also has a full chapter on how to put your transcripts together, with lots of high school planning forms to make your planning easier.  Below is the book and the table of contents.

Kindle and Paperback are On Amazon

For more information: Homeschooling High School with College in Mind. 

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope that this post will help you in your important work with your teens,

Thanks for stopping by BJ's Homeschool,

Betsy

Betsy is mom to her now college grad whom she homeschooled from preschool.  She blogs at BJ's Homeschool, about the early years, high school & college and wrote a new book on high school..   She offers free homeschool help and messages at BJ's Consulting. 

Want to stay in touch?  

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Copyright, Revised 2021
Revised, All Rights Reserved

Our Favorite Books for Birds and Bird Watching - And a Simple Unit Study

Summary: Picture books and resources for birdwatching, preK through middle school.   This post may included affiliate links to products that we love and have used or would use in our homeschool, and click here for my disclosure policy.

Do you enjoy birdwatching with your kids?

We started doing that when our daughter was only a preschooler.  She loved watching the birds as they came to our feeder.  Later we even made a simple unit study centered on bird watching.  

So today I'd like to share about that, and also recommend to you our favorite books about bird watching, from preschool through the middle school years.

1.  Getting Started with Bird Watching 

One of the reasons that we loved homeschooling our 2e daughter was that we could build in nature study, and getting out in nature whenever we wanted...Well, if it was really raining, we just might not want to, lol. 

For my gifted 2e kiddo, being out in nature was really the best medicine for finding peace after a hard day.  And for me, too!

Stream Schooling was always a favorite.

That started when she was a little one.  Sometimes getting out in nature was a simple as exploring for insects in the backyard, or just taking a book outside, to read under a favorite tree.  We also liked having a bird feeder and a suet feeder hanging out our living room window, so that we could watch the birds come by.

Gradually, bird watching became a favorite past time for my daughter. When my daughter had an interest, like this, we often enjoyed extending our learning in any way that she wanted to.

A Flicker

We always have tried to build in nature in our homeschool, and get out, searching for herons.....especially when we needed a break from our studies.  

Great Blue Heron

My daughter's interest bird watching has blossomed through the years.  She still loves to take photos of birds, and, in fact, recently, she came home from college with a photo of two eagles.

Do your kids like to do a little birdwatching?  Take a break from your regular homeschooling routine, and enjoy some birdwatching together as a family!   You can even make a simple unit study for it if you like.

2.  Making a Simple Unit Study

Having a bird feeder nearby, and watching the comings and goings there, can be a great nature study and unit study activity.  Math can be done just  by just adding in some bird count activities.  You could even report your findings to the FeederWatch site.  That touches on science, reading, and even math, for recording and reporting your stats to the site.

Nature journaling can be the science and art component.  Sometimes we even joined in with  Cornell's Feeder Watch!  We enjoyed doing that each year, just by counting the number of different birds that came to our backyard feeder.  My daughter and I had so much fun trying to identify them!

Adding in some great books about birds can then easily complete your unit study.

Next, I'd like to share our favorite book about birds and birdwatching, starting with picture books, for your youngest nature lovers.  Here they are with links for more information....

3.  Our Favorite Books and Nature Journals 

  For Little Birders

Birds, Nests and Egg

How Do Birds Find Their Way

Bird Log 

For Elementary Birders

Birdhouses You Can Build in A Day

Backyard Birding for Kids

Beginning Birdwatcher's Book - with 48 Stickers

Peterson Field Guide for Backyard Birds  


How about some bird art?

Have you seen these video art lessons from Chalk Pastels?  

Your kids can learn more about bird identification by learning how to draw them.  Click here for more information and a sample lesson.  (On Sale through Feb 16th)

What would you add to this list?  I love reading your comments.  

Would you like to read about 24 Delightful and Enjoyable Outdoor Learning Ideas?

And have more fun with your kids outside this spring, with a World War 1 fun activity by Adventures in Mommydom, and...

For more ideas on bird watching for elementary kids, click here for my post on Birdwatching - Our Favorite Nature Study In our Homeschool .

For Older Birdwatchers - Middles/Teens


Birds of North America


Hi Diddle Diddle, Read a Bird Riddle 

This is our favorite book for older kids and teens, to get doing with a bird watching hobby.... 

This book, by Georgette Vikingstad Valle, illustrated by Debra Valpey, consists of 28 accurate and complex riddles that cleverly describe each of the birds that are featured in this book. 

This is a great way to introduce birding to older kids.  It can also a fun way to test birding knowledge, for those kids who have already started bird watching.

The illustrations are also beautiful and may inspire your kids to draw or paint what they see...

Illustrated by Debra Valpey

Click here to read more about this book.   

Do you have a high schooler in your house?  You can even make bird watching into an high school elective. 

And give them a camera, and let them loose.  That could become a photography elective.  

What are your favorite books about bird watching?  Please share in the comments.   

Thanks for stopping by BJ's Homeschool,

Betsy

Betsy is mom to her now college senior, whom she homeschooled from preK through high school.  She blogs at BJ's Homeschool, about the early years, high school & college.  

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