Putting the Homeschool Cart Before the Horse
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge..." Proverbs 1:7 I started attending our local homeschool conference when my oldest child was 22 months old, and I am so glad I did! At that point, my husband and I were not looking for information on the nuts and bolts of teaching different subjects, but rather inspiration on the visionary aspects of homeschooling - the big picture. Our firstborn is "one smart cookie". At 22 months, he knew the alphabet backward and forward, could count to some fairly large number, and talked like a five year old. I ...
I Spy… Days, Direction, and Lessons Learned
I don't know about you, but the low temperatures and snow are starting to get old and I find myself wishing Spring would hurry up! Until it gets here, we are stuck with Winter so let's make the best of it and read some encouraging posts from bloggyland... Should homeschoolers have Teacher in-service days? Snow days? Click here to hear one mom's point of view. Read this awesome account of one blogger's story: What Homeschooling Has Taught Me. I am totally lovin' this mom's Homemade Preschool Board! What a fun way to learn the basics! Don't miss this hilarious post: The Doodle, The Witch, ...
Beware the Lotus
Our history read aloud for the day was from William Russell's Classic Myths to Read Aloud. We were following the journey of Ulysses and his men on their return home after ten years at war with the Trojans. In this reading, they had just landed on an unknown shore and met a peaceful people that fed them a strange fruit they'd never tasted--the fruit of the lotus, an intoxicating flowering plant on the island. "Whoever tastes of that fruit has no longer any desire to return home or to do anything at all, but to sit and dream happy dreams ...
For the Love of Reading
Sometimes people ask how I instilled the love of reading in our pre-teen boys. I usually reply that I read to them when they were young. However, another mom remarked that she read to her kids too, but none of them like to read, which made me ponder this question further. What causes one child to love reading while another considers it a chore? Does the parent instill the love of reading, or is this something a child develops on his or her own? Photo Credit: Marsha, Other Such Happenings I believe there are steps a parent can take to encourage a ...
Genetics and Ability
My son’s teenage friend asked my husband for assistance in designing a business card for a new entrepreneurial pursuit that he is initiating. Ben is very talented in photography and video-taping. He has proven himself capable in the recent filming of weddings and church functions. As a current high school graduate, he is setting himself up to be self-employed in a side business of his expertise. Since my husband’s career is in the field of design, he is familiar with the various computer programs. So last night my loving spouse stayed up until the wee hours of the morning, ...
Making Writing Interesting
In our schooling, I've always struggled with what to require for writing. I love to write, always have, and I believe a big part of that has come from my love for reading good literature. In one sense, I want to allow that natural desire to write flow from loving the way words can be crafted in the books that my kids love. I do, however, think there should be some guidance from me. While I haven't ever used a set in-depth curriculum with my children, I have tried a few books on writing and have found them each ...
Enrichment
Projects, Crafts, Subject Helps, Homeschool Methods, and Homeschool Support
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…” Proverbs 1:7 I started attending our local homeschool conference when my oldest child was 22 months...
Sometimes people ask how I instilled the love of reading in our pre-teen boys. I usually reply that I read to them when they were young. However, another mom remarked that...
Genetics and Ability
My son’s teenage friend asked my husband for assistance in designing a business card for a new entrepreneurial pursuit that he is initiating. Ben is very talented in photography...
In our schooling, I’ve always struggled with what to require for writing. I love to write, always have, and I believe a big part of that has come from my love for...
The mini-office concept was started in public school by a teacher that was having trouble with kids focusing. So she took some legal size file folders and created a small...
Read More Homeschool Enrichment ArticlesThe Reference Section
Reviews, Special Needs, Preschool, High School, and Fine Arts
This is how my family is doing it! Expanding the Options for Home Schooled High School Students: Dare to Compare High School Diploma Programs from Excellent Colleges and...
Work on these easy resolutions and in only a few minutes you can feel confident in your ability to homeschool high school! 1. Start Record Keeping! You can initiate a record...
What a difference a year makes! This time last year, my son had about 8 words in his vocabulary. He was still wearing diapers. Now he talks non-stop, creating elaborate stories...
Describing my middle son has always been easy for me. He has a good amount of healthy determination. He is a problem solver and loves a physical challenge. When he’s with...
Does Homeschool High School Terrify You?
Lee Binz has become a mentor and a friend to me. I can’t say enough about the advice she has given to me and to have an opportunity to share with you my review of her...
Read More Homeschool Reference ArticlesFamily and Faith
Parenting, Family Life, Home Management, Godly Living, Biblical Womanhood
Our history read aloud for the day was from William Russell’s Classic Myths to Read Aloud. We were following the journey of Ulysses and his men on their return home...
What is your child wearing today? There are often many articles written about the benefits of homeschooling, but how many talk about the cost saving benefit of NOT having...
The horrific news from Haiti has filled your living room. News reports a unimaginable death toll between 100,000 to 200,000 people. 3 million people were affected. Nearly...
It’s that time of year again. You know, the one that follows the most wonderful time of the year. It’s the mid-winter blah time of the year. No matter how much you and...
The holidays are over and we are all back in the classroom. If you are less than excited, the solution may be as simple as stepping outside into the sunshine. January and...
Read More Family and Faith ArticlesCompany of Friends
At the Forum, I-spy, Social Media, Announcements, and Giveaways
I don’t know about you, but the low temperatures and snow are starting to get old and I find myself wishing Spring would hurry up! Until it gets here, we are stuck with...
We have an exciting NEW announcement for newsletter subscribers! Heart of the Matter has partnered with In the Hands of a Child to provide you with a FREE lapbook just for...
I have been so busy the past few weeks learning how to coupon and saving a ton of money on my grocery bill. It’s nice to have a break to scan the bloggyverse in order...
Yesterday we announced our partnership with Rosetta Stone and the new Homeschool Language Trip. Now we would like to give you the opportunity to win a Rosetta Stone language...
Heart of the Matter is thrilled to partner with Rosetta Stone for the 1st Annual European Language Trip! Please read the official press release below and check back tomorrow...
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