Homeschool

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How to Use Montessori Methods with BookShark Curriculum

March 6, 2019 Katie Leave a Comment

For the homeschooling families that LOVE to learn, you’re going to love BookShark, which is a literature-based homeschool curriculum that is our sponsor for this post. It allows homeschooling families to have more flexibility in their journey. If you’re a homeschooling Montessori family, I wanted to show you ways to use BookShark with Montessori Methods.

How to Use Montessori Methods with BookShark Curriculum

You may recall that we spent half a year with our son in a local Montessori school. While the experience there was wonderful, we did feel bringing him back to homeschooling was best for our situation. During that experience, I learned a ton about Montessori methods, and am now enjoying adding them into our homeschool routine with BookShark.

Incorporate Montessori Math Manipulatives

Since Math isn’t included in the BookShark literature based kits, you will want to incorporate Montessori math manipulatives with this homeschool curriculum. While BookShark offers a few options outside their curriculum for math, I found that using Montessori methods worked best for our son. My son is very hands-on, so this is a no brainer! Math manipulatives are super important to kids who are visual learners.

Self Led Reading Encourages Responsibility

Another way you can use BookShark with Montessori methods is by encouraging self-led reading. I encourage my son to read whenever he can. I love the read aloud options that come with BookShark as well, but allowing kids to self-read encourages responsibility. One thing you should know about Montessori type learning is that character traits are super important. Anything we can do to get kids to develop their character more is always a good thing.

Expand on Science Projects

Want to use BookShark with your Montessori method? Do daily hands-on projects when it comes to science projects. I can’t tell you how much my son loves science, so I try to do what I can to help him learn as much as he can. That often includes expanding on science projects. I, of course, like to do the weekly science projects with him. BookShark touches on many aspects of Science, and to make it more Montessori, you would just do daily hands-on projects. It’s that simple!

Meshing Montessori and History

Another way you will want to use BookShark in your Montessori methods is by meshing in history. A great way to incorporate BookShark into your Montessori style is by allowing your kids to be constructive and even critique prior interpretations. If they have questions, encourage them to ask. If something doesn’t make sense, encourage them to seek further answers. History is a big part of the world, BookShark and the Montessori method will allow your child to ask questions, explore, and learn more than you ever thought possible.

Time Management is Also a Big Deal

In Montessori education, kids learn about time management, but also about giving children freedom in their activity choices. When it comes to using BookShark in your Montessori Methods, there are tons of ways in which you can allow student-led learning.

BookShark is a great homeschooling tool. For those of you who are focused on teaching your kids the Montessori style, you can totally use BookShark to help homeschool your children in this manner.

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Transitioning from Homeschooling to Public School

March 5, 2019 Katie Leave a Comment

In just a few short months, we’re going from a homeschooling family to a public school family. We will have a kindergartner, second grader, and fourth grader. While I’m sad about ending this season in our life, I’m really excited about what it will bring. Public school will change our lives in a good way. Here are some ways we’re transitioning from homeschooling to public school.

Transitioning from Homeschooling to Public School

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Enjoy the time you have left

At first, I got freaked out because as a homeschooling family, we don’t have strict standards. My kids learn, but they aren’t bound by tests and textbooks. The world is theirs as far as learning goes. They don’t have to sit for hours at a desk, they can do their school work and then spend the rest of the day doing things that they enjoy. Part of transitioning from homeschooling to public schooling is to enjoy the time we have left.

Spend some of this time doing fun things with the kids like these cheap activities to do with kids, or fun games and outdoor activities with kids. Having them home for a few more days means you can spend some of that time learning through fun!

Don’t stop the learning process

As school is ending for us this year, we’re focusing on a continuous learning process. I want my kids to know their stuff for next year. So, every day they are doing some type of reading, writing, and math. I plan to continue this throughout the summer. Keeping their brain active in learning is an important part of transitioning them to public school.

Things like our list of easy summer homeschool ideas or these reasons to visit a museum are great for keeping the learning process going.

Encourage your kids about the transitioning from homeschooling

Am I nervous? YES! However, I’m trying not to push my worries to my kids. They are little and don’t need to feel stress or nervousness from their mommy. Instead, I’m getting them excited about the process. We talk about the positives and the possibilities. It’s going to be great and they are excited about it.

Don’t forget to get them excited about back to school shopping, making new friends, and the new world they are about to enter into this year.

Keep communication open

I think a huge part about my kids entering public school is talking to them about the process. What they should expect, even though they don’t believe me with some of it. I plan on taking my kids through the process. Talking to them about why we’re done homeschooling. Not only including them in on the process but letting them know the details. Who their teacher will be, what time school will start and end, and what kind of lunches we’ll be packing. Communication will make them feel better and more prepared for this transition.

As a homeschooling mom, I felt like it was important that I listen to my kid’s desires. They desire to go to school and experience the classroom. We found a school that we love and everyone is excited about this new chapter in our lives! Transitioning from homeschooling to public school doesn’t have to be scary!

More Parenting Tips

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Best Documentaries to use with BookShark Level 6

February 20, 2019 Katie Leave a Comment

We have totally fallen in love with our sponsor, BookShark. This list of the Best Documentaries to use with BookShark Level 6 has been a great resource for our son over the last year. As we have gone through this level, we found tons of ways to make it more fun for him to learn. He is such a visual learner, that it worked out great to include more videos.

Best Documentaries to use with BookShark Level 6

We received the BookShark Level 6 program for use with our son in exchange for reviews here on our blog. As we have utilized this in our homeschooling efforts over the last year, we have fallen completely in love with the program. For more information about how we use Bookshark, check out the posts linked below.

History Documentaries for use with BookShark Level 6

Documentaries about Egypt

Kids Animated History of Egypt – This option on YouTube by History Trailers is great for younger kids. Easy to watch, and short enough to keep their attention span. It fits readily into the early days of studying Egpyt.

Ancient Egypt for Kids – Homeschool Pop is a favorite, and this is under 20 minutes with great animation so perfect for the short attention span of tweens.

What the Ancient Egyptians Knew – This Discovery channel full-length documentary fits ideally with the early lessons in Level 6.

Documentaries about Greece

Ancient Greece for Kids – Another great option from Homeschool Pop, this one is just a bit more than ten minutes in length but ideal for introducing your kids to the Greek portion of Level 6.

The Ultimate Guide to Greek Mythology – While this one was fine for my mature 11-year old son, it does have some subject matter that you may prefer to not have your child view. True mythology does deal a lot with some adult content, so I recommend viewing this yourself prior to letting your child watch.

Documentaries about Rome

Ancient Rome Documentary – This short documentary is a great beginning to the history of ancient Rome.

Ancient Rome for Kids – This Homeschool Pop option is short, sweet, and to the point. It’s excellent for a beginner introduction to the history of Rome.

Naked Science – Roman Tech – If you have kids interested in how things were built, or how battles were won – this is an amazing option to introduce them to the tech and science behind Ancient Rome.

Science Documentaries for use with BookShark Level 6

Chemistry Videos and Documentaries for Level 6

Good Thinking – Chemical Reactions in Action – This video from the Smithsonian Institute is a great fun introduction to chemistry for any level.

The Periodic Table – Crash Course is by far one of our favorites for great content. This video is short, but covers the basics of the periodic elements and helps children (and adults) understand the need for the table.

Periodic Table Song – Kids Learning Tube presents an amazing periodic table song to help your kids learn more about the elements while also picking up on a catchy song.

Physics Videos and Documentaries for Level 6

Swings, Slides, and Science – This fun video from SciShow is a great introduction to physics for your children.

Quantum Physics for 7-Year-Olds – If you haven’t seen this TedX Talk yet, then you definitely should. It’s for 7-year-olds, but really for everyone. A great way to introduce high level physics in a way children can understand.

Newton’s Laws – This Crash Course video on physics is a fun way to introduce your kids to the laws that rule the world of physics.

Biology Videos and Documentaries for Level 6

How the Universe Works – This full-length documentary shows tons of information from the beginning of time to the present day. This is evolution based, so not for those who are creation minded.

Learn Biology with Dr. Binocs – For kids who love something fun and somewhat hands on, this is a perfect video that presents biology.

Human Body Systems for Kids – Kids Learning Tube is a perfect place to go for human body information. This is geared toward children and ideal for their ability to learn about the human body.

How the Human Body Works – Another wonderful option for learning about the inner workings of the human body.

More Tips for Using BookShark Level 6

No matter how you structure your day with BookShark, there are tons of ways to make it unique to your family. We have loved all of the read-aloud options, and it has created extra time together as a family. We did, however, find that we sometimes had to read 2-3 days of work in one day to keep our obligations at bay. It worked for our family, but might not for others. Adjust what you need to make the curriculum work for your family. That includes adding or subtracting some of the videos here to help.

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Best Caves in Kentucky to Visit with Kids

February 16, 2019 Katie Leave a Comment

Are you planning a fun family vacation? Do you want to take your children to new and exciting places, seeing sights they’ve never seen before and going on wonderful adventures they’ll talk about for days? Look no further than this list of the Best Caves in Kentucky to Visit with Kids! Kentucky’s caves may be just what you’re looking for.

Best Caves in Kentucky to Visit with Kids

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My friend Jasmine gathered some great information to share with you about caves in Kentucky. This summer as we plan some travel, we are considering Kentucky as a place to visit with our son. Since we love making road trips educational, this seemed like a perfect idea to feed his interests. I love including natural education while learning something new about a destination!

Mammoth Cave National Park

The largest known cave system in the world, Mammoth Cave, is located in Kentucky. How long is this cave? Over 400 miles of the cave system has been explored.

The cave is the main attraction but that isn’t all this National Park has to offer. They offer camping, horseback riding, bicycling and more! Those are just the land options. For those who don’t mind getting a little wet, they also offer canoeing, kayaking, and swimming.

While reservations are not required, they come highly recommended due to the high volume of ticket sales.

They offer a variety of tours, not just for the cave. The prices for adults range from $8-$20 and kids from $4-$20 (ages 6-12). They also offer discounted rates for parties of 12 and up.

There are also a numerous amount of places to visit in the park: The Big Woods, Cave Island, and The Rotunda just to name a few.

Lost River

In Bowling Green, Kentucky, you will find the Lost River Cave. Home to Kentucky’s only underground boat tour, it is perfect for a family outing. The tickets are affordable, so a family of five won’t have to spend an arm and a leg just to have some fun.

The Lost River Cave not only has the cave boat tour but you can also go on one, or both, of their Zipline tours. If you and your family don’t have a fear of heights and want to get that adrenaline pumping, ziplining is the way to go.

Tickets are sold on a first come-first served basis but walk-ins are accepted.

They also have a nifty little gift shop to pick up a souvenir to commemorate your time at the cave.

Bonus: If you have a car lover in your family, the National Corvette Museum is close by to the Lost River Cave in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Carter Caves State Resort Park

What could a small town such as Olive Hill, Kentucky have to offer? Why not a cave? Carter Caves State Resort Park resides in this town of only about 1,600 people and there is a lot to do here. With over 12 tours, between walking and crawling, there will never be a time where you’re sitting around wondering what you should do next. The Bat Cave Walking tour lasts about 45 minutes while the Bat Cave Crawling tour lasts about 3 hours. Each will offer a different experience.

Two of the caves are guided tours all year and they also offer 2 tours that are self-exploration; one is open only on Labor Day and the other is open year round.

Some other things to do are hiking, bird watching, camping, canoeing, and so much more.

You can reserve a lodge, cottage, or campground to max out having the most fun and the best family vacation.

Hidden River

Now, we travel to Horse Cave, Kentucky to find the Hidden River Cave. Explore the underground cave system on a guided tour. Reservations are not required for any of the tours offered, except the Wild Off-trail cave tour which requires a 2-day notice.

Children 5 and under get in for free, kids tickets are $12 and adults are $22 for the public guided cave tour.

This tour lasts about 1 hour, so for me, someone who doesn’t like long times underground, this is definitely one of the best caves in Kentucky to visit.

They offer tour packages that could also help you save and maximize your experiences.

Cave tours aren’t the only thing this place has to offer. Ziplining and Rappelling could be crossed off your bucket list today!

If you like museums, they have one too! The American Cave Museum will teach you about the wildlife that was around and so much more.

Outlaw Cave

Horseback riding, mini golf, zip lining, and bumper carts all have one thing in common: Outlaw Cave. It is located in Cave City, Kentucky.

Outlaw Cave is non-strenuous so it is definitely the most family-friendly cave. This cave tour is probably the shortest at approximately 30 minutes but there are other things to do here as well.

There are guided trail rides the whole family can enjoy. No reservations and with prices that definitely won’t break the bank.

One of the best things about Outlaw Cave is they include All Day passes that will have you running around and enjoying your day for hours.
Included is unlimited rides on the alpine slide, chairlift, trampoline and climbing wall. The Cave tour is free with the All Day pass. Mini-golfing, bumper cars and go-carts also come all included in the pass as well.

So, whether you take a leisurely stroll through the cave or race with go-carts, the activities you have access to will surely put a bright smile on your children’s faces and be an experience you will never forget.

Planning your trip to visit Caves in Kentucky

Wherever you go, and whatever you decide to do, the caves of Kentucky are waiting for you and your family to indulge in the rich history, amazing sights, and fun activities. Before you go, take a moment to grab the book, Caves: Learning About Landforms book for your kids to read ahead of time. This helps them learn a bit more about what to expect, and can be a perfect tool to include in the classroom. For yourself, the book Blind Descent: The Quest to Discover the Deepest Place on Earth is a good read to prepare you for learning more about caves.

More Educational Travel Ideas:

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7 Ways To Celebrate Black History Month

January 24, 2019 Katie Leave a Comment

February isn’t just the month of Valentine’s Day cards and candy, it is also Black History Month. This is a wonderful time to explore Black History with your kids so they can better understand the men and women of color who made this country so great. If you aren’t sure where to begin, take a look below. These simple suggestions can help children better grasp how important this month is.

7 Ways To Celebrate Black History Month

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1. Head to YouTube to listen to Dr. King’s I Have a Dream speech.
There is no better time than now to listen to this famous speech and really pay attention to the words and message. Listen to this “I Have a Dream” speech with your children and talk about any questions they might have after listening to it.

2. Visit the library to check out biographies of well known African Americans.
You will find so many kid-friendly biographies about Rosa Parks, Barack Obama, and many other well known African Americans in history. Now is the time to head to the library and check out a stack so you can read up on them and discover new facts. Below is a list of some of our favorites to pick up and learn from during Black History Month.

3. Visit your local history museum to check out any exhibits showcasing notable African Americans.
With Black History Month being in full swing, your local museum may have exhibits of interest. If not, see if you can find virtual exhibits online to enjoy. This is a great way to get up close and personal with history. We love living in Battle Creek, Michigan. It is the final home and resting place of Sojourner Truth. There is so much here to learn!

4. Enjoy the children’s book, “D is for Drinking Gourd”
This children’s book takes the reader through the alphabet teaching them a fact with each letter. It is a great way for kids to learn more about African American history in a way that is kid-friendly and invites lots of conversation when the book is done. “D is for Drinking Gourd” is an excellent kids book!

5. Find streets or schools in your city named after African Americans.
Take a look at schools, buildings, and streets in your city and see if any of them are named after well known African Americans. If so go on a tour of these spots and see if you can find out more about the men and women they are named after.

6. Find items you use each day that were invented by African Americans.
Did you know the traffic light was invented by an African American man? There are many items we use and count on each day that were invented by African Americans. Take the time to learn more about these items and the people who invented them.

7. Write a letter to an African American you admire (mayor, musician, actor, etc.) telling them why.
Think about a well-known person you admire. Take the time to write them a letter thanking them for their contributions and courage to face adversity. Let them know that they matter to you and that you don’t want their story to be ignored.

As you can see, there are fun, easy, and even frugal ways to explore Black History Month with kids. Give some of these suggestions a try and see how they can help you embrace this month fully!

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