Year 2 Homeschooling Plans: Goals versus Needs, Unschooling, and a Sabbath Rhythm

Six weeks ago we completed our first homeschooling year.  Recently, we’ve hit some significant bumps.  I tried unsuccessfully to address those bumps within our current set-up, to no avail.  If the compost pile is stinky, find out what’s missing and add it, or find out what’s not working and stop putting it in the pile. …

Update: Homeschooling Year 1

It’s been months since I posted.  That’s typical for me as blogging is a side hobby that is low on my list of “needs-to-get-done-immediately.”  I did, however, want to give an end-of-year update about what I was able to study before we began, what we’ve tried and how we got to a routine that worked…

Checking In

Oh how excited I am when I think of this coming “school” year with my kids!  I’ve been reading, searching online, sketching out plans on scraps of paper, and purchasing a few things.  At this point I can share what I’ve been reading in preparation as well as a very few “mostly certain” selections for…

If the Sky is the Limit, How Will I Prepare?

One of the things I’ve observed about homeschool families is that the process of choosing a curriculum tends to be boiled down to finding curriculum packages or programs.  I understand why this approach would be helpful  in the process of making what is an unquestionably overwhelming decision.  This approach is also not unique to the…

Reflections on a Homeschool Convention

I recently attended a homeschool convention and I went with an open mind.  With a 17 year career in education, I have developed some strong ideas about all topics related to education.  One of the things experienced homeschooling mamas have stressed to me is that I should not apply what I’ve been conditioned to believe…

Radio Silence

I’ve let this space lapse, even as I’ve continued to add to my list of things I’d love to share and discuss.  I still have plans for developing content and tools to support teachers.  And I have new plans too, plans that spring from the new adventures on my horizon. In the almost three years…

Book Review: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Carol Dweck

One of my favorite books of all times, Carol Dweck’s Mindset has changed my thinking in fundamental ways.  If you’re going to read anything before the start of your school year (either as teachers or parents), read this one!  Synopsis At first glance, Dweck’s Mindset appears to be a pop-culture self-help book.  Don’t be fooled. …

From the Compost Pile: Grading & Progress Reporting

One of the richest sources of potential growth as educators can come from our mistakes, struggles, regrets, less-than-satisfactory performance, and failures. According to Carol Dweck hard work can lead to success and failures and setbacks are opportunities for learning and growth.  From the Compost Pile posts chronicle some of these growth potentials from my own…

Dear Parents: Please Stay Positive

Dear Parents Series:  I’m introducing another series called, “Dear Parents,” where I discuss ideas and topics from my perspective as a former teacher to parents of school-aged children.  My hope is that it will help teachers and parents have more understanding toward, greater respect for, and a better working relationship with one another.  With that…

The Fallacy of “Make-and-Take”

Transitioning from being a classroom teacher to working with classroom teachers in a professional development capacity was eye-opening for me. I’ve learned that most teachers are dedicated and passionate about growing professionally in order to better support student learning. I’ve also come to realize that we love “make and take.” What do I mean by…