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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

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission on purchases made via these links. 

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

• How to Throw an Epic Back to School Bash
• How to Create a Bedtime Routine for School-Aged Kids
• Tips for Adjusting to Back to School Schedules
• 20 Major Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

Homeschooling is one of those adventures that can be expensive! You think it’s going to be inexpensive, but then everything starts adding up. That’s why I am happy to share How to Homeschool Multiple Grade Levels on a Budget.  If you have multiple grade levels to homeschool, it can be hard to do it on a budget. You aren’t the first person to homeschool multiple grade levels though, it’s all about learning from those who have gone before you! 

How to Homeschool Multiple Grade Levels on a Budget

I am a BookShark Homeschool Curriculum partner this year.  While I was not paid for this post, I did receive free curriculum in exchange for sharing my opinion. 

Homeschooling on a budget is a must for most of us.  When you have children of all ages, it can get expensive fast.  That’s why learning how to homeschool multiple grade levels on a budget is a must and is truly easier than you think!

Choose a curriculum that covers multiple ages

This is one of the biggest reasons that BookShark is a highly recommended curriculum.  Being able to use one level over a few ages and grades really has a ton of benefits.  Katie started with Level 6 for her son who was in 5th grade early this year.  While they didn’t finish the full curriculum by the end of their school year, they can go back and use this level for him to continue into what would traditionally be 6th grade.

How is this possible?  Because this curriculum is all about teaching naturally on the level your child is currently learning.  With the History and Language Arts working together so well, all you have to do is chose additional things like a spelling program, creative writing program, or your own additional homemade worksheets.  So, for my 5th grader and my 3rd grader, I could easily use Level 4 or even Level 5.  I would work through the same books and timeline with them together, but then add in closer to grade level spelling drills, handwriting practice or even creative writing prompts.

BookShark gives you a chance to cover multiple ages of children all for one price.  You can do read aloud books together, and let children take turns with the books, or even pick up extra copies if desired.

Reuse curriculum from an older child

If you’re going to continue homeschooling, don’t get rid of your previously used curriculum. You can easily rescue that curriculum for your next child. Reusing curriculum is a very budget friendly way to homeschool multiple grade levels on a budget. Here are some tips for reusing curriculum.

• Make copies of worksheets instead of having the student write in the workbook.
• Use a separate sheet of papers for the answers.
• Remind your child to take extra good care of the curriculum.
• Take precautions to protect the outside of the workbooks and books!

This is a perfect way to use curriculum that you can purchase and use multiple years without spending so much up front.  With BookShark, you naturally have an option to reuse for younger children or use together if close in educational level.

Visit local science museums

One of our favorite things is to visit local science museums.  There are tons of great learning experiences that appeal to all ages in one location.  We’ve often spent hours learning about waterworks, plant life, or even engineering.  The best thing about science museums is that they usually have the same concepts repeated in multiple areas on multiple levels to ensure everyone can understand and learn no matter their age.

We have used our BookShark Science curriculum to learn about many things, and even done the experiments that come with the curriculum, but sometimes we want to see things on a larger scale.  Heading to the local museum helps us to do more hands on learning while still having fun with science.

Spend time teaching your children the same concepts

Not every concept has to be taught differently. For example, you could spend time teaching all your children about fractions. They don’t have to be a certain grade level to necessarily learn a new concept. You can do unit studies to help save money, but also your sanity.  This is one of the best methods of education, as it also allows you to dive into deeper concepts with older students while reviewing basics. 

It is also another great reason that using BookShark works so well.  You are teaching a lot of the main concepts together but can also break things down to grade level if needed.  

Head to the library – for real

If you have not used the library as a resource for homeschooling multiple grade levels on a budget, then you’re missing out. You can even look online to see what is available before you head to the library. There are apps in which you can use your library card to read books. You can put books on hold and you can go exploring to find books you never thought you’d use. Utilize the library as much as you can, especially if you’re using a homemade curriculum with your kids.

BookShark really fosters a love of reading in your children.  The library is a great resource that can help you find even more books that fit the topic of study, or those extra copies needed for you to read together.

Go on field trips to regional locations

Weekly field trips are a huge part of our homeschool routine.  We can easily teach while exploring a museum, a local arboretum, the capital building, or even city hall.  In fact, one friend took her children recently to a local grocery store and had the kids learn a little about each department and how they work.  It is simple to adapt to individual needs of your children but still be family-friendly in the process.

BookShark gives you a 4-day school week that makes field trips fit easily into your routine.  You aren’t tied down to a Monday-Friday school schedule, and that makes it a ton easier to manage fun field trips and downtime.

So, the next time you’re wondering if you can homeschool multiple grade levels on a budget, know that you can. Do you have any tips to pass on to other homeschool parents?

More Homeschool Tips:

• Homeschool Tips for Learning Language Arts with Literature
• Why I Am Using Bookshark Secular Homeschool Curriculum
• How to Create a Homeschool Planner
• Printable Kindergarten Homeschool Pages
• LEGO Building Games for Homeschool Classrooms
• Places to Find Secular Homeschool Curriculum
• Ultimate List of Free Homeschool Curriculum

There are an overwhelming amount of Math Activities for Preschoolers. It’s amazing all of the ways you can help your preschooler learn math. Everything from using what you already have – to buying activities marketed specifically for teaching math. Here I will share with you some of my favorite activities and products that I have used with my own children.

Math Activities for Preschoolers

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on purchases made via these links. 

Even if you don’t plan to homeschool your children, you can start with some natural playtime education ideas.  Working with them as they play, or on weekends when you have downtime with them is so important.  These activities for preschoolers are tons of fun and a great way to teach them!

Daily Activities

During your normal daily routine, there are plenty of opportunities for teaching your preschooler math. Everything from counting the number of food items on your preschooler’s plate during meals to counting arms, legs, toes, eyes, fingers etc while they play.

During playtime count the building blocks or number of toys your preschooler is playing with. Count stop signs you stop at while driving. There really is a limitless number of things you can count during your daily routine. Just be creative.

Make Your Own

Using construction paper or colorful cardstock cut out number shapes. Stick them around the house or, if it is easier, you can stay in one room. Call out a number and have your preschooler find that number. Celebrate when they find the right number and if they find a different number praise and correct them by saying “I see you found number ____ great job. We were looking for number ___ can you try again?”

You can make note cards with numbers on them and use it as a homemade matching game. I also suggest decorating the cards with stickers. Making sure that each card has the same number of stickers as the number written on it. Spread the cards out in a big pile and let your preschooler match them.

Once your preschooler has conquered matching the cards turn it into two separate number decks. Take one deck and hide them around the room. Have your preschooler pick a card from the second deck and then go search for the matching card only bringing back matching cards to you.

Printables

Online you can find printable coloring sheets or activity sheets to print off that have to do with numbers as well. If you use this as an option, you can sit with your child and talk about the number on the sheet and practice counting to that number.  We have our own set of Kindergarten Printables, but there are more you can find on sites like Worksheet Fun. 

Buy It

There are several items you can buy to help your preschooler with math. It is easy to feel overwhelmed when you are looking around but, there are only a few items that I would say are “necessary”. I use necessary very loosely here and nothing is necessary to teach your preschooler math but, these items may help make it more fun and slightly easier.

My ultimate favorite item for preschoolers are these counting cookies . What preschooler doesn’t love cookies?

These peg boards are perfect for when it comes to combining knowing the numbers and visualizing what that number looks like. A couple other great universal tools for counting are counting bears or, Mara’s Counting Box.

Tips

First, figure out how and when your preschool learns best. Each child has a time frame during the day when they are at their best and are most likely to learn the best. Take that time frame to teach new concepts.

While some kids do learn better when being quizzed with flashcards, many kids are actually overwhelmed with this style of learning. Instead, I suggest keeping it light and fun. Take the small opportunities where they pop up during your daily routine and be sure to reinforce the concepts they have already picked up and slowly introduce new concepts (ie. they know how to count so then you would introduce what numbers look like).

There are several different ways to teach a child new concepts so, if they aren’t grasping this new concept the way you are trying, ask around and try a new way.

When I am investing in something on the pricier side like the counting bears or Mara’s Counting Box, I like to make sure that the item is versatile and will grow with my child. Both of these items can be used for sorting, counting, color identification, grouping, adding, subtracting and several other ways as well.

The easiest way to get your preschool to learn anything is to be repetitive. When it feels like you have repeated yourself too many times, repeat it a bunch more times. Even if your preschooler doesn’t seem like they are grasping the concept, give them time, they will get it. They learn best when they are playing so dive in and watch the “ah ha” moments appear.

More Homeschool Tips:

• How to Introduce Math to Preschoolers
• How to Teach Shapes to a Preschooler
• How to Create Lesson Plans for Toddlers
• Must Have Learning Toys for Toddlers
• Places to Find Secular Homeschool Curriculum
• Ultimate List of Free Homeschool Curriculum

Last fall we embarked on a different journey for our family.  Our son switched from homeschooling to a local Montessori school. While this worked well for awhile, after the holiday break, we knew we needed to switch back.  That’s when Bookshark came on the scene and asked us to do a review of their BookShark Secular Homeschool Curriculum.  I had already begun discussing going back into full-time homeschooling, and after looking over their information, I knew this was our solution.

Why I am Using BookShark Secular Homeschool Curriculum

We are advocates of all types of education for children.  In fact, we truly believe that education should fit the individual child, not the opposite.  Making a child attempt to learn according to some standardized test or protocol doesn’t always work.  For our son, while parts of Montessori worked well, others did not.  He is a natural reader and loves learning, but testing just never works for him.  The process of BookShark curriculum is so reading focused, it worked naturally for him to get back into the swing of homeschooling.

They asked me to do a review

I’ll be pretty honest here.  BookShark reached out to me and asked me to do a review of their curriculum.  They saw that we are advocates of secular homeschooling, and I am always speaking out about how homeschooling isn’t just for religious reasons.  As a mixed religion family, we have never made our homeschooling journey about religion. It has always been about our son, his needs, and what worked best for his education.

When they reached out to me, I jumped at the chance to review this curriculum.  I knew I needed to be honest here about my thoughts, so, I was prepared to tell them all of the things I didn’t like, but honestly, I adore this curriculum from start to finish!  There are so many ways for me to easily personalize it for our family, that it made it a seamless transition back into homeschooling for our son.

BookShark curriculum focuses on facts while using fiction

One of the things that I loved the most when I first cracked open my boxes of curriculum and books, was the fact that they interweave fictional books with factual accounts. For example, the history program for Level 6 which our son is using, has a great set of books for him to read about ancient Egypt. Using these books as a base for engagement, the BookShark materials then encourage him to learn specific vocabulary words, definitions, and historical accounts of the Ancient Egyptian culture.

As we have finished recently the books Mara Daughter of the Nile and The Golden Goblet, both by Eloise Jarvis McGraw, I have loved seeing how they took these great fictional accounts, and easily wove in historical facts.  The books themselves are an easy read to get our son interested.  Using the vocabulary drills and the tips on writing things like descriptive paragraphs are all perfectly woven into the fictional stories.  These books are chosen as excellent examples of ancient Egypt, and they give you a perfect way to weave those educational lessons into fun reading time.

This is a perfect curriculum for a child who is a natural reader.

Admittedly, our son loves to read.  Last summer alone, he read over 50 chapter books.  These are not little books, but hundreds of pages each.  That means that a curriculum that is book focused works wonderfully for him.  He will sit down and read his assigned chapters with no complaint or struggle.

While I have no experience with younger grade levels, I have seen and read many reviews that show it works great for teaching children to read.  If your child is a reluctant reader, this could either be a great way to get them to read more, or could be a struggle for them.  This is one area you really have to consider for yourself.

BookShark keeps parents involved but not overwhelmed

Reading out loud together through poetry and other books is also a big part of the BookShark curriculum.  I love that it has brought us together as parent and child.  It’s like we have another special bond in doing this together.  I am learning new things right alongside him and falling in love with the characters he is reading about.

This is just a portion of our school time, so I don’t feel overwhelmed, but I am actively involved in his education and learning throughout the process.  We can accomplish a lot in just a few hours time, and I am able to easily go right back to my daily work while he reads his assigned pages.

The lesson plans are simple to follow

One of my favorite things about BookShark as a secular homeschool curriculum is that the lesson plans are so simple to follow.  You receive one large binder, and each subject has its own set of plans.  You can place them in the binder easily week by week, so you can always easily flip back and forth to the current week.

There are tons of options for adding in additional programs

Since the curriculum is largely about history, language, and science, it is easy to supplement with their suggested mathematics and spelling materials as needed.  In our case, we use Saxon math as it is a great curriculum for our son.  We do not currently use a separate spelling program because he has mastered most common grammar and vocabulary.  Instead, we utilize the language program give to us by BookShark for consistent review and creative writing helps.

I am totally in love with BookShark for our son.  It has given me, as a work at home mom, so much freedom.  I have truly educational and easy to follow lesson plans that keep him interested, and the bulk of the work has been done for me.  Not to mention the fact that he is loving the books and how much he is naturally learning!

Do you have questions about BookShark?  Make sure to follow their Facebook page and feel free to ask questions!

Preschoolers are one of my favorite ages to teach. As complicated as it may seem, teaching them is pretty easy. These tips for How to Teach Shapes to a Preschooler are from my own experiences with children.  Between the ages of one and four, toddlers absorb so many things that we that we don’t even realize. Some things may take a bit longer than others for your child to pick up but, I can assure you that they will pick it up. Shapes can be one of those tough subjects to teach.

How to Teach Shapes to a Preschooler

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission for purchases made via these links.

As you get started trying to help your preschooler, you may feel overwhelmed.  The great thing is that there are so many options and great ways to reach them at their level.  Below, you’ll see some of our tried and true methods that really help stay on focus!

Helpful Information

Science has said that a child hearing their parents voice helps their brain to make stronger synapse connections. So spending as much time talking to them as you can is pretty important. Another important thing to help your child learn new things is repetition. For a new concept to stick with your child, you need to repeat it somewhere around 20 times before it is easily recalled by your child.
Starting Point

Make sure that you have several types of shapes within their toys and around the house. This can be anything from a clock to a shape sorter. The options are pretty limitless. The key is to make sure the shapes are varied and not just your typical simple shapes.

How to do I Teach my Toddler

I find that teaching a toddler works best when you get down to their level. Be present in what they are doing. Being involved in what they are doing will allow you to keep them interested while you are working on new concepts.

At Home

When working with your child at home, I have found that it is best to not make it feel like hard work. Make it casual and fun. If you can get them to, look at each shape and repeat the shapes name after you say it.

Play with them

Get down on the floor with your child. While you are playing, label each shape that your child picks up along with every shape you pick up.

Puzzles

Puzzles are another great resource for learning shapes. There are several types of puzzles you can get to help with shape identification. You can get ones with basic shapes or you can get matching puzzles as well.

Make it a Game

Once your child is a bit more familiar with the shape names, you can turn it into a game. Scatter shapes all over the room and ask your child to bring you a specific shape. Celebrate when they bring the correct one and when/if they bring the wrong shape you can say something along the lines of “thank you for bringing me this [insert shape name here], but, I was looking for a [insert shape name here]. Can you please bring me one?”  

While You are Out

When you are out at the park or even shopping, you can extend the labeling here as well. Take time to label the street sign shapes, any shapes you may see at the park, or in the store. Use every opportunity that you can to point these out. Once your child is more comfortable with shape names, you can ask them to tell you what shapes they see while you are driving or walking.

The hardest part of teaching your preschooler their shapes is to remember to take the time to point out all of the shapes. As an adult, pointing out shapes just doesn’t cross our minds. It may take time for this to become a habit for you as well as for your child to completely grasp the concept but, the trick to both is just staying focused and taking advantage of every opportunity possible.

More Preschool Teaching Tips: 

• How to Create Lesson Plans for Toddlers
• Must Have Learning Toys for Toddlers
• 8 Ways to Introduce Numbers to Your Toddlers
• 7 Sensory Activities Toddlers Love
• 7 Ways to Raise a Toddler that Loves to Read
• 7 Ways to Introduce Your Toddler to the ABC’s
• 7 Ways to Build Toddler Gross Motor Skills
• 7 Ways to Build Toddler Fine Motor Skills
• 7 Ways to Teach Toddlers Colors