Thursday, February 12, 2026

10 Questions. . .by Becky Boerner

Repost:  As we have been covered in snow in the Midwest. .  reflection might be good right now.  

A friend of mine is giving a talk at a homeschool group.  I came up with some questions for her.  I thought they might be fun to share.  Maybe you can get together with a friend and talk about the questions, email them to an online friend, or answer one in the comments.  I am hoping they help you remember why what you are doing is good.
  


1. What is going well in your home-school right now?

2. What is one thing you would like to change mid-year?

3. What has your student learned since the beginning of this year? It is easy to forgot about progress when you are bogged down in the day to day.

4. Have you saved a work sample? Thought about end of the year assessments? (had to throw that in)

5. What do you love about homeschooling? Why are you glad you homeschool?

6. What about homeschooling RIGHT now is never going to happen again? Your kids will never be this age again. You might never get to hold a baby and homeschool again. You might not get to teach anyone else to read. . etc. Hold onto that moment and treasure it. . journal it. .photograph it.

7.  What is the best read-aloud you have read to your kids this year?

8. What field trip and/or activity was awesome?  Everyone did something wonderful.

9. What do you do that gives you life? If nothing. . maybe make it a goal to find something and do it.

10. What is the best book you have read personally?

Monday, January 12, 2026

Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You by Jeffrey Selingo

To enter my contest to win a consult or portfolio review click here.  


When friend and family tell me that their student is applying to college soon and ask my thoughts my answer is, “The game has changed since you went to school. “ Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You by Jeffrey Selingo is the book you need if you are applying to college. The book is written for parents and students and will teach you how to play the new game especially if you applied using an erasable pen like I did.

The author uses many current statistics, talks about what is important to look for in a school, and helps you figure out what will be a good fit for you in a college. I appreciated that he discussed cost and that he used many helpful examples to explain how to set a budget. The author shares a list of what he terms the “new” dream schools that are both accessible and excellent.

This is a great book if you are just starting your college journey, in the middle, or trying to end strong. I recommend.

I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review.

Blurb:Attending college has long been a rite of passage for millions of teens and a bedrock of the American dream. But that well-worn path has lately taken a wrong turn, denying admission even to super-achievers and putting intolerable stress on family finances. Now, in Dream School Jeffrey Selingo shifts the spotlight from how colleges pick students to how students can better pick colleges.

With test-optional policies and grade inflation leveling the playing field for applicants, getting into prestigious schools has become a kind of lottery. “Plan A” may work out, but increasingly it isn’t—so Selingo urges families to ditch the “Top 25 or bust” mindset and look beyond the usual suspects. Hidden-gem schools with incredible value and rich opportunities are waiting to be discovered. Backed by unparalleled research—and an eye-opening survey of 3,500 parents—Dream School reveals what really matters in a strong job prospects after graduation, hands-on learning experiences, and a sense of belonging. To help students find their perfect match, Selingo highlights 75 accessible and affordable colleges that will satisfy those priorities.

Organized into three easy-to-digest sections, Dream School explains why elite college degrees turn out to matter less than you think, why many parents and students are choosing value over prestige, and how to make sure the degree really pays off. In these pages, Selingo’s engaging style and expert insights turn what is often an unnavigable maze into a clear roadmap.

Destined to become the ultimate guide for families crossing the perilous college admissions landscape, Dream School isn’t just a book—it’s a lifeline for those who can find themselves trapped in an overwhelming process.

Tuesday, January 06, 2026

Service Credit or Portfolio Giveaway. Ends January 20, 2026 @11:59 So Enter today!

 Winner Chosen!  Congratulations Laura L.  Thank you to all who entered!

Contest runs through Tuesday January 20 at 11:59.  I wish you the best and hope you win!  

Happy New Year!!  I hope your homeschooling is going well.  I am excited to connect with families in 2026 through portfolio reviews, transcripts, and consulting!  For Portfolio reviews click here, and for Consulting click here.  

I  am giving away a 40 minute consult ($50)  OR A Portfolio review ($45)  You may redeem your prize anytime between now and July 1, 2026. The prize is non-transferable.  

Use the Gleam entry form below to enter.  The contest ends January 20th at 11:59pm 

Please know I verify all winning entries. If you need help, email me: ohiohomeschool@gmail.com  

How to become a Public Follower.


To become a follower, look under: "I would love it if you would follow my blog publicly, Please click on "Follow" below."  After clicking on that button follow the steps. You may use a Google Account, Twitter Account or Yahoo Account to follow. Click on one and follow the steps. In order for your entry to count you must follow publicly.

If you are on a mobile phone... go to the end of this post and click on the words "View web version" (It is under a HOME button) It will take you to a page where if you look in the top right corner you will see the FOLLOW button. Click on that and Follow Publicly.

Please know that I verify the winning entry. If you need help with a step please email me. ohiohomeschool@gmail.com 


Portfolio Review OR $50 Towards a Consult

Tuesday, December 09, 2025

The First Christmas by N. T. Wright Illustrated by Helena Perez Garcia



The First Christmas by N. T. Wright Illustrated by Helena Perez Garcia is a wonderful book that shares the Christmas story with gorgeous pictures to go along with the text. This picture book is larger making the pictures more engaging to the reader. The book also has shares how God keeps his promises with scripture reference.

This is a stunning book that will be a Christmas treasure for your family. You can have several children or one child gather around and they can easily see the wonderful pictures with the Christmas story. I would recommend this for any child between the ages of 4-8, and honestly older children and adults will also be very engaged. I highly recommend The First Christmas by N. T. Wright Illustrated by Helena Perez Garcia .

I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review.


N.T. Wright (Nicholas Thomas Wright, b. 1948) is a renowned English New Testament scholar, theologian, and former Anglican Bishop of Durham, known for his extensive work making Christianity accessible, including children's books like God's Big Picture Bible Storybook and My Big Story Bible, which connect biblical narratives for young readers, stemming from his deep academic background at Oxford and St. Andrews and passion for communicating faith.