I Spy – Reading Fun, Radicals, and Really Cool Crafts!
February 18, 2010 by Cassie
Hello again friends! I hope you all had an awesome Valentines Day with your families. We weren’t able to do anything special around here, but that was just fine with me. I would rather be home where its warm instead of running around in all this snow! Speaking of snow, I hope you are all staying warm! While you’re cozied up with your computer looking for inspiration this week, check out these great reads…
- Thinking about incorporating unit studies into your homeschool days? Lots of perspective in this article: Unit Studies – Time or Money?
- Here are some great ideas for making reading fun for little ones you don’t want to miss!
- Here’s another great homeschool link: How to Be a Radical Home Educator
- We can’t let this week go by without a great arts and crafts link! Check out this really neat Eraser Dot Painting idea for a fun twist on painting.
- And while you’re in the crafting mood, you may want to try making this Pirate Hat. It’s too cute and looks super simple!
I hope the rest of your week is full of love, laughter and blessings! See you next week 
Cassandra Simpson is a homeschooling wife and mother of four children, ages 1, 8, 9, and 12. She is starting her 6th year of home educating in Indiana and uses a “Classically Eclectic” teaching approach. Cassandra is the Assistant Lead Moderator for HOTM’s forum and loves talking homeschool with anyone who will listen! Her hobbies are reading, blogging, sewing, and cooking. You can check out her family’s blog at In His Image.
I Spy… Days, Direction, and Lessons Learned
February 4, 2010 by Cassie
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, and the Wardrobe.
- Here’s another great read from Lee the Homescholar about Choosing Your Homeschool Direction. She is plum full of great advice!
Hoping you aren’t suffering from the winter blues or cabin fever! See you next week.
Cassandra Simpson is a homeschooling wife and mother of four children, ages 1, 8, 9, and 12. She is starting her 6th year of home educating in Indiana and uses a “Classically Eclectic” teaching approach. Cassandra is the Assistant Lead Moderator for HOTM’s forum and loves talking homeschool with anyone who will listen! Her hobbies are reading, blogging, sewing, and cooking. You can check out her family’s blog at In His Image.
I Spy – Salt Paintings, Socialization, and Study Links
January 27, 2010 by Cassie
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 to find some gems for you to put on your “to read” list this week! Here’s what I found…
- Got a toddler (or two or three)? Read this great post about Feeding Toddlers.
- Check out these 3 Fun Geography Links to use in your homeschool studies.
- How much does socialization factor into your homeschool decisions? It All Depends on What You Value.
- Feeling crafty? Check out this idea for Salt Painting!
- For more great reads check out this list of 100 Inspirational Reads for Homeschoolers.
These should keep you pretty busy reading til next week, see you then! Have a blessed week!
Cassandra Simpson is a homeschooling wife and mother of four children, ages 1, 8, 9, and 12. She is starting her 6th year of home educating in Indiana and uses a “Classically Eclectic” teaching approach. Cassandra is the Assistant Lead Moderator for HOTM’s forum and loves talking homeschool with anyone who will listen! Her hobbies are reading, blogging, sewing, and cooking. You can check out her family’s blog at In His Image.
I Spy… control-journals, cookies, and charts
It’s a new year now, and there is a lot of talk in bloggyland of resolutions, goals, and changes for the better. I’m not sure what it is about the beginning of a new year and a fresh, new calendar that drives us reminisce and reorganize, but I am all for new beginnings! If you are searching for fresh inspiration as you enter a brand new year, you have come to the right place!
- For those if us NOT starting a new diet this year, check out this fabulous recipe for a cookie version of a Reese’s Peanut Butter cup. I can’t wait to try this one out in my kitchen!
- Take a look at this blogger’s ideas for a student control journal to help your kiddos get organized in twenty-ten.
- If you are rethinking discipline in your home and need some ides, check out this post about utilizing an If-Then chart.
- Are all those homeschool supplies taking over your home? I am loving this creative, inexpensive idea for organizing art supplies.
- We can’t forget about resolutions and goals for the new year. Take a look at this link-up post from the Happy Housewife about 2010 goals.
I wish you all the best of luck fulfilling those new year’s resolutions! I am looking forward to making 2010 even better than 2009. See you next week!
Cassandra Simpson is a homeschooling wife and mother of four children, ages 1, 8, 9, and 12. She is starting her 6th year of home educating in Indiana and uses a “Classically Eclectic” teaching approach. Cassandra is the Assistant Lead Moderator for HOTM’s forum and loves talking homeschool with anyone who will listen! Her hobbies are reading, blogging, sewing, and cooking. You can check out her family’s blog at In His Image.
I Spy…Good-bye 2009 Edition
Can you believe this is our last I Spy of 2009? This year has really flown by! It’s the time of year for reflection and thankfulness. And for many homeschooling families, a time of evaluation and tweaking. Many of us are gearing up for a few changes in our curriculum or the way we do school. If you are looking for some inspiration, you have come to the right place.
- Check out Homeschooling When it Sucks for some encouragement and humor.
- Thinking about using the Workbox System when you start back to school in the new year? Worried about space issues? Check out these Small Space Workboxes.
- Here’s a great post for mothers homeschooling with energetic toddlers.Use a Rainy Day Jar!
- For a great dose of encouragement, read about how one blogger traded it all for a Slow Life on Easy Street.
- For even more inspiration, check out these two posts about keeping it all in perspective when you’re a homeschool mom:
I am praying that your New Year will be full of family, smiles, and laughs. I’ll see you in 2010!
Cassandra Simpson is a homeschooling wife and mother of four children, ages 1, 8, 9, and 12. She is starting her 6th year of home educating in Indiana and uses a “Classically Eclectic” teaching approach. Cassandra is the Assistant Lead Moderator for HOTM’s forum and loves talking homeschool with anyone who will listen! Her hobbies are reading, blogging, sewing, and cooking. You can check out her family’s blog at In His Image.
I Spy: Cookies, Chore Checklists, and Christmas Crafts
December 16, 2009 by Cassie
Hello friends! I have been in frantic (cyber) window shopping mode all week, trying to get the best possible deals for my Christmas shopping money. I will be so glad when I can finally say my shopping is finished. However, if things go as they typically do, I will be finishing up the day before Christmas! I hope all your Christmas preparations are going well and you are enjoying the season. If your shopping is already finished, then you may enjoy perusing these links, If not, then you will probably still enjoy them!
- Speaking of gifts, I have another great link for you! Check out The Crafty Crow for some great ideas for gifts kids can make.
- Nothing says Christmas like a nice, soft gingerbread cookie! Check out this Ginger Cookie Recipe to make some for your family.
- While you’re perusing cookie ingredients, don’t miss this great post about the most important ingredients in mothering.
- Robin at Heart of Wisdom has done it again! This time she is sharing these great 15 minute clean-up checklists.
- And finally, don’t miss this helpful article about toddler self entertainment.
Next time we get together to share links, it will nearly be Christmas! Until then, have a blessed week!
Cassandra Simpson is a homeschooling wife and mother of four children, ages 1, 8, 9, and 12. She is starting her 6th year of home educating in Indiana and uses a “Classically Eclectic” teaching approach. Cassandra is the Assistant Lead Moderator for HOTM’s forum and loves talking homeschool with anyone who will listen! Her hobbies are reading, blogging, sewing, and cooking. You can check out her family’s blog at In His Image.
I Spy: DIY gifts, funny one-liners, and imperfect homeschoolers
Wow, Thanksgiving has come and gone and we all know that means Christmas is sneaking up on us soon! For our family, it seems like life gets super busy this time of year. In the midst of all your holiday decorating, baking, and shopping, here are some great links to peruse (if and when you find the time to relax).
- I am always on the hunt for tips and tricks to make our workboxes work for us to their full potential. You will really enjoy this article from Robin at Heart of Wisdom on how she plans and organizes each week with workboxes. Don’t forget to check out her links at the bottom, she has included some great downloads!
- Looking to save some money this year by giving handmade gifts? Check out this article with lots of great DIY Christmas gifts.
- Looking for some comic relief during this hectic holiday season? Don’t miss this post full of funny one-liners.
- Keep the kids busy creating a unique holiday village! Look at this craft tutorial from The Crafty Crow.
- As homeschoolers, we are always in need of some encouragement and inspiration from fellow moms. Get your weekly dose by reading this Letter from an Imperfect Homeschooler.
I hope you are staying warm and cozy as the weather gets colder. Many blessings from my house to yours! See you next week…
Cassandra Simpson is a homeschooling wife and mother of four children, ages 1, 8, 9, and 12. She is starting her 6th year of home educating in Indiana and uses a “Classically Eclectic” teaching approach. Cassandra is the Assistant Lead Moderator for HOTM’s forum and loves talking homeschool with anyone who will listen! Her hobbies are reading, blogging, sewing, and cooking. You can check out her family’s blog at In His Image.
I Spy: Thanksgiving Edition
Wow, this past year has zoomed by, I can’t believe it’s Thanksgiving week already! Is it just me, or do the days seem to speed by quicker when you have kiddos in the house?
I have plenty of Turkey Day linky-goodness to share with you so let’s get things rolling…
- Check out these adorable Turkey Cookies!
photo credit: Bridget from Bake at 350
- Planning on having lots of leftover turkey to munch on after the big dinner? Check out these yummy looking recipes.
- With all the busyness of the Holiday season, we are all bound to have a few bad days here and there. Check out this article to help put it all in perspective: It Could Have Been Worse…
- Need some tips on cooking the perfect turkey? Check out this advice from The Happy Housewife for an Easy and Delicious Turkey.
- Looking for a great candy recipe to give to friends over the holidays? Check out these mouth-watering Chocolate-Caramel Truffles. I will definitely be making some of these VERY soon!
Cassandra Simpson is a homeschooling wife and mother of four children, ages 1, 8, 9, and 12. She is starting her 6th year of home educating in Indiana and uses a “Classically Eclectic” teaching approach. Cassandra is the Assistant Lead Moderator for HOTM’s forum and loves talking homeschool with anyone who will listen! Her hobbies are reading, blogging, sewing, and cooking. You can check out her family’s blog at In His Image.
I Spy… Holiday Helps, Workbox Games, and Creative Narration
November 18, 2009 by Cassie
Hello friends! I want to start this week’s feature by apologizing to everyone for my lack of a submission last week. I got too caught up in getting unpacked and settled in and my mind was in a state of utter chaos. I completely spaced! I hope you will forgive my absentmindedness.
I have some really great links to share with you this week, so without further delay…
- The Thanksgiving holiday is just a week away and there are some wonderfully helpful posts out there to help you get through the holiday. Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom shares how-to Have an Organized Thanksgiving, and if you are seeking some great holiday crafts to do with your kids check out this exhaustive list of turkey kid’s crafts.
- Speaking of holidays, we all know that Thanksgiving Day is synonymous with cooking and baking, Need some tips on managing your littles while in the kitchen? Read this article from Joyful Chaos!
- As usual, I have come across some more great posts from fellow Workbox System users. Check out these suggestions for implementing waiting stations and while you’re out it go to What’s in the Box? to learn about a great workbox resource that’s FREE!
- And to wrap things up, here is a great post from Counter-Cultural School about creative ways to do narration.
Have a great week and Happy Homeschooling!
Cassandra Simpson is a homeschooling wife and mother of four children, ages 1, 8, 9, and 12. She is starting her 6th year of home educating in Indiana and uses a “Classically Eclectic” teaching approach. Cassandra is the Assistant Lead Moderator for HOTM’s forum and loves talking homeschool with anyone who will listen! Her hobbies are reading, blogging, sewing, and cooking. You can check out her family’s blog at In His Image.
I Spy… Moving, Multiplication, and Messes
Hello all you awesome HOTM readers! I am in the process of packing and getting ready for a move this week, but I wanted to be sure to give you all your weekly dose of link madness! Most of these blog posts are from the past few weeks, as I haven’t had much time to read through my most recent feeds. But they are great reads nonetheless, enjoy!
- Speaking of moving, here are some great hints and tips for those of you with small children who may be facing a move in the near future.
- Here is a great idea for practicing word families with your beginning reader by Lynn from Learning by Living.
- Here’s another wonderful suggestion for all you workboxers out there: making “Work with Mom” cards work for you!
- Looking for a healthy dose of mom encouragement? Read this post by Lora Lynn from Blissfully Domestic about finding beauty in the messes our children leave behind.
- And last but not least, here is a great idea on how to make those multiplication tables stick for your kids!
I hope you enjoy reading from these blogs, I just wish I had the downtime to read some more myself. Soon my moving adventure will be over and it will be back to life as usual. Have a blessed week friends!
Cassandra Simpson is a homeschooling wife and mother of four children, ages 1, 8, 9, and 12. She is starting her 6th year of home educating in Indiana and uses a “Classically Eclectic” teaching approach. Cassandra is the Assistant Lead Moderator for HOTM’s forum and loves talking homeschool with anyone who will listen! Her hobbies are reading, blogging, sewing, and cooking. You can check out her family’s blog at In His Image.
