Great Chess Class on OutSchool.com PLUS code to get it free!

My youngest son wanted to learn chess. I looked around for some type of class as this is not a part of my skill set. I was thrilled to find one and then it was cancelled. I was so frustrated! BUT, I was thrilled to find a beginner chess lessons on OutSchool.com  

Chess: 64 Mini Lessons for Rapid Improvement: Bite-sized lessons in chess strategy, tactics, opening ideas, and basic checkmates. Each video is paired with a detailed interactive lesson. This class is meant for beginners. You have access to the course for one year, and you can write the instructor a question during the first EIGHT weeks and he will answer you. 

The best part of this class is if you are new to OUTSCHOOL, you can use my code and the $20 class is FREE!   My Outschool Code: dB3aAvKb you are able to use to get $20 off which makes the course FREE!  

Chess is such a great game and teaches so many wonderful thinking skills.  It is fun for our students to have an interesting activity to learn as we head into the season of dreary weather.  My son is 12 and has found it very easy to follow and has improved his chess.com ranking since using the course.  A win for us!  

Let me know if you have any questions!  You can also use the code towards any OutSchool class if you are new to OutSchool.    Code for $20 off dB3aAvKb

Happy Learning!  

Becky

PS  This post contains affiliate links, which help me and you!  

Discovering Christmas by Amanda Jass Illustrated by Marina Halak

Discovering Christmas by Amanda Jess illustrated by Marina Halak is a 25 Day Advent Devotional.  This is a beautiful hardback book with gold embossing on the cover.  Each day features a devotional, scripture passage, questions for discussion, things to do, and a prayer.  (Read About It Talk About It, Go About It, & Pray About It) The gorgeous pictures enhance the book and you will want your children to gather around as you read. 

I consider myself an almost expert on Advent books as I own over ten.  I can confidently say I LOVE this one.  It is easy to follow along, has good topics, and is so engaging.  The book is designed for children ages 4-8, but I think you would be able to read with your children up to nine.   This would be lovely to use at the dinner table around advent, at bedtime, or for family worship.  I highly recommend Discovering Christmas by Amanda Jass!  

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

I’m Amanda. A children’s author, illustrator, wife, and mom of three girls ages eight & under. Being a mom is one of the greatest things ever, but it’s crazy hard too.

Between the discipline, dishes, tantrums, and messes, it can seem almost impossible to bring things like faith and fun into our days at home.

This is why I create engaging kids resources that you can trust to be consistent with biblical truth. Let’s ditch the overwhelm as we build sustainable rhythms in our homes, connect as a family, and help our littles learn about their Creator all at the same time!

When Should I Start Planning for High School? by Becky Boerner, consultant.

 
Home educators often ask me, ‘When should I start planning for high school.” My answer is usually around 7th, or 8th grade. Honestly, the end of 6th grade is not too early.

Why do you ask so early? Because, it is great to start early and think through what you want your student to accomplish. It is nice to use 7th and 8th grade to earn high school credit for learning a language, PE, or explore a fine art.

But, no matter when you start here are a few tips for planning for high school.

 1. Try to make a multiyear plan that includes 7th and 8th grade. Look at what your co-op is offering or other online classes. Find out if certain classes are only offered certain years. Making a multi-year plan will benefit your student, and prevent future stress.

2. Start with the end in mind. If your dream is to attend a certain college find out what their requirements are to attend. What does your student need to accomplish before they get to their senior year?

3. Start researching curriculum. Check out high school curriculum at conventions, ask your home school friends what they like, and borrow curriculum from others to get a good look. It is nice if you have some time to process this.

4. Think about what activities your student would like to do in high school. Do they want to volunteer, get a paid job, and what would they like to explore? What do you need to add to their resume?

5. Do you feel your student would be a good candidate for dual enrollment with college credit? Start exploring the requirements now. Do they need a recommendation or a test score? Do you think they will they be able to direct their own learning and work with a college professor? Pre-planning goes a long way.

Having a high schooler is exciting. It is wonderful to watch your student become who they were created to be. 

Helping them plan, guiding, and mentoring them is a privledge. As home educators we want to be prepared to help them the best we are able.  These are just a few ideas to think through.

 I wish you well on your journey!

Becky

PS If you would like to discuss high school curriculum, high school planning, or anything to do with home education please click here to make an appointment. I would love to help you! I love problem solving.

~Homeschool Mom to 7
~Mom to high school graduates and college graduates
~Mom to employed homeschool graduates.
~Mom to a MIT graduate
~Mom to students who have won over $100,000 in scholarships
~Certified Teacher
~M.Ed. in Reading Education


and pretty fun to talk to!

Home is Right Where You Are :Inspired by Psalm 23 by Ruth Chou Simons

 Home is Right Where You Are: Inspired by Psalm 23 written and illustrated by Ruth Chou Simons is one of the most beautiful picture books I have seen and read in a very long time. In the book you follow a child as the parent presents the paraphrased words of Psalm 23 to encourage and uplift a child.  The text and words are stunning!

I have reread the story about five times in the last week.  The words are very comforting and speak deeply to the heart of children and adults.  The watercolor pictures are stunning, peaceful and enhance the wonderful text.  I made my 12 years sit through the book because I wanted him to know the words from the story. 

I would recommend this ideally for children ages 4-8 years old.  To me this a book you would buy for each of your children that they would take with them into adulthood.  My thought is that both the parent and child would treasure the memories of reading this together. 

It would be lovely gift for a child’s a birthday, new baby’s arrival, baby shower or Christmas.  I highly recommend Home is Right Where You Are written and illustrated by RuthChou Simons.  This will be a highlight for me for 2024. 

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review. 

Before I was a published author, I started a creative business called GraceLaced, and before it was a full-fledged company, it was a blog I spent 6 years writing on. In the years before the blog, I was just tinkering with creative projects after the kids went to bed. 

And before I was creating in the margins, I was an unlikely new boy mom learning how to balance public ministry with my pastor + headmaster husband Troy (still my man, but no longer in these roles).

Further back, before I was a newlywed, I was an art major with big and impossible dreams… and even before I became an art major, I was a biochemistry major, secretly delighting in writing and creating. 

God weaves every part of our wanted and unwanted seasons into the fabric of the Story he writes for us! So, here’s to not skippin a paragraph or jumping to the end. He’s the Author of full-circle and he completes every story he writes.