So, the time finally came. The Butterfly has now died on stage, but I don’t think it was like she imagined it would be. She didn’t get shot or stabbed. She didn’t get to scream and drop to the ground dramatically. She went into a coma, and in the next scene, she was gone. Still, the […]
The Latest from the Blog
Teaching Writing – High School Essay Intensive {IEW Review}
Over the years, several homeschooling moms have asked my advice on how to teach writing to their teens. I’ve never felt confident recommending a single resource in the past, because I haven’t come across a comprehensive, well designed program. Teaching high school writing can be intimidating, but after working our way through High School Essay Intensive from Institute for Excellence in Writing with […]
Peaceful Sailing {Wordless Wednesday}
Earn Dual Credit with SpeedyPrep {Homeschooling High School Review}
My daughter has been hard at work preparing for the American Literature CLEP using SpeedyPrep. Taking a CLEP exam has been part of her plan for earning dual credit, and preparing her transcript for college by verifying her high school work. For the purpose of this review, we received access to SpeedyPrep’s service, including all of the courses, for […]
Readers in Residence {Apologia Homeschool Review}
Over the past 6 weeks, my youngest daughter (now 10) has been working her way through a brand new homeschool reading curriculum from Apologia Educational Ministries called Readers in Residence Volume 1 (Sleuth). This series is designed for students in grade 4 and up, and focuses on literature, reading comprehension, and vocabulary. Using award winning children’s […]
Homeschooling Life
Spring Morning Sparkle
It seems like clouds and cold air have been hanging around Connecticut lately, with no signs of spring in sight. I didn’t realize that it was starting to get to me until this morning. When the sun finally came out, I remembered how much I’ve missed it. My oldest daughter and I took a early morning ride […]
Bessie’s Pillow {Book Review}
Over the past weeks, we’ve been reading Bessie’s Pillow A Young Immigrant’s Journey published by Strong Learning, Inc during. The book was written by Linda Bress Silbert, and is based on the true story of her grandmother, Bessie Driezen. The story follows the journey of Bessie, who left Lithuania for the U.S. in 1906, by herself, at the age […]
Remembering How I Became A New Englander
It’s been 15 years now, since I left New York behind, quietly slipped over the state line and became a Connecticut resident. It was something I said I would never do, back when I was 21 and knew everything. When we moved, I didn’t think it would be forever. In fact, I still don’t see […]
Parenting
Bittersweet, Defined
Looking at this photo, I can’t help but smile and feel a little pain in my gut. I heard from my youngest daughter today that there is a character in the My Little Pony series named “Bittersweet.” She told me that she will be super nice, then mean a second later. She was wondering if that […]
Adorable Chaos Cleans Up {Flashback Friday}
{Note: This post was originally published 7 years ago. } Giving kids clothes and food is one thing but it’s much more important to teach them that other people besides themselves are important, and that the best thing they can do with their lives is to use them in the service of other people. -Dolores Huerta The […]
Telling Kids the Truth About Cookie Dough and Important Things
This post is a flashback from the archives. It was originally published 6 years ago, when my kids were 4, 7, and 11. Our daily lives have changed significantly since those days, but I still maintain that establishing an honest, trusting relationship with your kids when they’re young will lead to a more peaceful experience of the teen years. Also, skip the Santa […]
Homeschooling High School
7 Colleges for Homeschooled, Unschooled and Self-Directed Learners
I began researching colleges last year, when my daughter began her Freshman year of homeschooling high school. Does that sound a bit early? I feel that the more I know about college requirements for homeschooled students, the more effectively I can prepare my daughter for the admissions process. I think as a homeschool parent, it’s essential to know all the options available. […]
9 {More} Colleges for Homeschooled, Unschooled and Self-Directed Learners
Due to the overwhelming response to my last post 7 Colleges for Homeschooled, Unschooled and Self-Directed Learners, I have decided that a series of follow-up posts are needed to cover this topic accurately! My next list covers a wider geographic area and isn’t limited to the North East (though it still isn’t balanced). Many schools […]
How to Earn Dual Credit for High School and College
Disclosure: I received course materials for free in exchange for a candid and honest review of this high school home school curriculum. All opinions are my own. Homeschooling through the high school years can feel like a daunting task. For the past year, I’ve been exploring the different ways for my daughter (14) to complete […]
High School Homeschool Lessons with Uzinggo
There is one aspect of homeschooling high school that has worried me for quite some time. How do I teach higher level math and science? I am all for learning along side my girls, but algebra? Chemistry? Can you hear my whining voice? Do I have to relearn geometry? The answer is no! Homeschooling parents […]
