Fallacy Hunters: Introduction to Logical Fallacies for Young People of the Digital Age by Jane Petito

So thrilled to share a resource from a homeschool mom.  

Fallacy Hunters: Introduction to Logical Fallacies for Young People of the Digital Age (Book 1 - Personal Attacks and Distractions) by Jane Petito is an excellent book to help teach kids ages eight up about logical fallacies. The book shares six logical fallacies in the personal attacks and distraction category. This wonderful book in the form of a graphic novel gives information like a well written textbook with space to respond to thoughtful questions. 

I found Fallacy Hunters so engaging with visual appeal, great examples, and information that is logically presented and easy to understand for late elementary middle school students. I sat down to read part of the book and found myself very absorbed and finishing the book in one sitting, so also a good book for adults.

In a world where our students are being bombarded with people trying to persuade them with illogical fallacies being able to respond logically, graciously, and truthfully to fallacies is a skill worth cultivating. Fallacy Hunters is a great book to help our kids prepare, sort, and better understand what is being pedaled to them.  

I highly recommend Fallacy Hunters: Introduction to Logical Fallacies for Young People of the Digital Age (Book 1 - Personal Attacks and Distractions) by Jane Petito.  A great book to add to your homeschool library. 

Check out Jane's web site packed with more resources. 

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

Logic Lion was created by a mom and her two young sons after discussing how often they noticed tricky, false, and unfair arguments going unchecked and negatively impacting the world. Jane, John, and Henry Petito created Logic Lion and the idea for Fallacy Hunters to give young people a way to fight back against logical fallacies in the digital age. Jane received her B.A. from Harvard College and has worked in the finance and fine art worlds. She currently homeschools her two boys, who inspire her to foster critical thinking and agency in childhood education. While not writing and editing for Logic Lion, John and Henry can be found reading books, wrestling one another, or beating their parents at chess. 

Guest Post. Lunar New Year 7 Day Learning Plan by Arica Schell

        

This wonderful unit study was shared by Arica Schell!  If you click on each picture you will see each days' activity to  celebrate Lunar New Year!  

Thank you, Arica! 

 

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?

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.

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

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. 

Merry Christmas, My Darling Dear: Celebrating the Gift of Jesus written and illustrated by Amy Kavelaris

Merry Christmas, My Darling Dear: Celebrating the Gift of Jesus written and illustrated by Amy Kavelaris published by Thomas Nelson is a beautiful Christmas picture book for children ages 4-8.  This sweet story shares the gospel message of Christmas with exquisite pictures and an engaging story. I was drawn into this this beautiful picture book and was absolutely enchanted.  I loved the mama dear and baby dear who tell the sweet story.  It made me want to hold my youngest close as I read the book.  

This is a book that you will want to share with a little one year after year to celebrate Christmas.  The beautiful redemptive themes that share the true meaning of Christmas are accompanied by stunning and engaging pictures.  This a true delight.  I highly recommend Merry Christmas, My Darling Dear: Celebrating the Gift of Jesus written and illustrated by Amy Kavelaris. 

A great gift for your child, a grandchild, a niece or nephew, godchild, or really any child to share the sweet story of Christmas. 

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

 

Amy has been captivated by the study of light, drawing and design since she was old enough to hold a pencil. She grew up sketching and writing poetry, in a tree overlooking the lake and now her work can be found in stores and homes around the globe. She is a follower of Jesus and is unbelievably grateful for every opportunity she has to create, for His glory.

Launched in 2013 as an art school for children, Amy Kavs Art/BloomPrints Studio LLC switched it’s focus in 2016 to custom paintings corporate design work, and children’s book publishing.

You can find her work in Target, Walmart, Anthropologie, Casetify, BeBe Au Lait, Altar’d State, Better Homes and Gardens, and others.

She has collaborated with countless brands including: Skecher’s Shoes, Pampers Diapers, PLUM NYC, The Miss America Foundation, and Wild Bird Company.Amy and her husband live in the Midwest with their three small girls. 

Pairables, 53 short stories that link to the Bible’s Old Testament by Jas Lonnquist Illustrated by Miley McMahon

 

Pairables:53 short stories that link to the Bible’s Old Testament by Jas Lonnquist Illustrated by Miley McMahon is a delightful book devotional book for children in late elementary and the middle grades. Each chapter shares an Old Testament Bible passage, a modern-day short story, and a prayer. I enjoyed the stories in Pairables that are well written and relatable to both children and adults. The short stories connect well with the Old Testament Bible story featured. My son and I read them together and the stories provided us with some good discussions. The stories resonated with both of us.

Sometimes it is hard to get started talking about spiritual things or to dive into the Old Testament. Pairables is a wonderful way to facilitate discussion, connect with kids on spiritual things, and learn about the Old Testament. Pairables could be read at the beginning of a Sunday school class, used for family devotions, or read with your child before bed. I highly recommend Pairables: 53 short stories that link to the Bible’s Old Testament by Jas Lonnquist and Illustrated by Miley McMahon.

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

As a writer, it's my privilege to cover a lot of territory. With more than 200 produced credits in film, TV, and video, the common thread is this: complex stories laced with emotional power and hope - stories to be felt and remembered.

https://writtenbyjas.com/

 

A Kid's Guide to London, Paris, Rome, and New York by Lonely Planet Kids

 
Where would you love to travel to? My dream was to travel to London. I was thrilled we were able to go to London on our Make a Wish Trip. So many sweet memories that I love to reflect on.

Today I am featuring the Lonely Planet A Kid's Guide to London, A Kid's Guide to New York City, A Kid's Guide to Paris and a Kid's Guide to Rome.  I have each book with a matching Lego Postcard set.

I am thrilled with this series. They are perfect for kids to learn about a place, take with them on a trip, or to expand their view of the world. Each book is a paperback to keep it lightweight for traveling, is a kid friendly size, and the inside flaps are big enough to bookmark pages of interest.

Each books shares how to get around the city, places to see, parks & green spaces, food, animals, and celebrations! The colorful pictures and engaging text make this a great book for all kids ages 9-12. Younger kids will enjoy the pictures and having the book to read to them.

I highly recommend the Lonely Planet A Kid's Guide To series! They are incredible!

On our Make-A -Wish Trip in London 2019

Repost: Charlotte Mason by Tammy Glasser

Ten years ago I had my friend Tammy Glaser write an article about Charlotte Mason's educational ideas for my blog.  Tammy has committed her life to teaching her kids and others using the Charlotte Mason method.  She is truly inspiring.  I thought we would enjoy a re-post of this article.  

Tammy Glaser is a friend of mine who writes at Aut-2B-Home.  I consider her a great source of all things Charlotte Mason and have shared how her blog changed my life.  I asked her if there was a Charlotte Mason Topic that she would share with us at Ohio Homeschooling.   Enjoy!

Think Clear, Feel Deep, and Bear Fruit Well. 

Trying to understand the ideas of Charlotte Mason, a Victorian Era educator, can be tricky 150 years later. How does her first principle—“Children are born persons”—apply today? Well, children are not products to be standardized, tested, or graded. They are certainly not percentiles. Children are capable of learning far more than we imagine. We find ourselves resorting to praise, stickers, and rewards as we force-feed knowledge to them. We end up narrowing our focus to the boundaries of the three testable R’s to boost standardized test scores. We are tempted to cut out what they need most—the best of history, literature, art, music, nature study, etc. Children long to know, and do not need artificial rewards and prizes if we allow them to “think clear, feel deep, and bear fruit well” as Matthew Arnold put it so eloquently.

 

Think Clear

Children hunger for knowledge when offered in a manner that stimulates the appetite. Unfortunately, oral lectures, textbooks, and worksheets prepared by experts and teachers dull the taste buds. These artificial devices rob children of the opportunity to think. The mind is a living thing that feeds on ideas. It will starve without them. A steady diet of ideas found in well-written books and interesting things will awaken the mind to awe and wonder.

Cognitive scientist Daniel Willingham wrote, “Memory is the residue of thought.”  We remember things our minds have pondered. The mind will remember when allowed to observe, think, and share what is known. Children observe by reading, listening to a read aloud, or attending with their senses. They think by processing what they observe, making connections, and asking their own questions. They can share what they know by retelling, reenacting, drawing, building, writing, playing, devising experiments, creating, etc.

How does this look on a practical level? Take science for an example. Some friends and I were on a nature walk with our children. We heard a dull noise in a spot. We had never heard sounds like that. We wondered what it could be, so we followed the noise and discovered frogs! Thousands of frogs. What kind of frogs? We took a picture so that we could find out. Why were they making so much noise in the middle of the day? We had to look that up, too. When we realized there might be eggs, we went back and collected some to watch the life cycle of the frog firsthand. We learned about how to care for them, what to feed them, what to expect, etc. We took photographs, wrote notes in our notebook, and made nature notebook entries, etc. Three months later, we have been finding teeny-tiny frogs on our walk and we wonder if they are kin. The life cycle of a frog is not something we memorized because we lived it.

Feel Deep

Children also long to forge with their community and their world. They want to feel connected to someone and something. Finding connections between wide and varied things instills a sense of awe and wonder. Reading living books (classics and the best of modern offerings) sparks more excitement because the boundaries of subjects are blurred. Reading about the life of a person by imagining what their childhood was like, seeing how ideas inspired them, and feeling surprised at life’s twists and turns is far more exciting than a fact-laden paragraph in a textbook. Stories have a privileged status in being stored in long-term memory. http://www.aft.org/newspubs/periodicals/ae/summer2004/willingham.cfm

Children feel more connected to their learning with they are allowed to personalize their understanding. They want to discuss ideas rather than listen to a long oral lecture and take notes from a white board. They find drawing and writing in personal notebooks far more satisfying than filling out a multiple-choice sheet. Journals carried from year to year record their growth as persons and are far more likely to become treasured keepsakes than meaningless workbooks.

Every week, we spend over an hour walking a mile-long trail because we stop and study things that capture our attention. I take pictures. At home, we pick one picture of a thing from nature and try to identify its common name and Latin name if we do not already know it. Sometimes, we end up submitting a photo to websites like Butterflies and Moths of North America , Bug Guide , and Project Noah  for help. These free resources are one way to get the whole family involved with citizen science. We draw pictures with watercolor pencils in our nature notebooks, note the common name, Latin name, date and location and write about anything interesting. We also keep a calendar of firsts to record the first Carolina jessamine, wisteria bloom, banana spider, etc. of the season. Our calendar helps us anticipate when to begin looking the following year.

Bear Fruit Well

We often joke about short attention spans—“Squirrel!”—and bemoan how many people are taking medication to address it. How we structure our lessons and organize our day can build the habit of attention. Many and varied short lessons keep the attention fresh as does varying those that require sustained mental effort with those that are light and active. Going outside and exploring the natural world every day also lengthens attention span. Children pay more attention when they can retell and share what they think and imagine. Play, creating, and finding delight builds attention as well.

     For many years, my habit of nature walks was sporadic at best. Another homeschooling friend and I made a pact last fall to walk a nearby wildlife refuge every Friday and enjoy a picnic afterwards, weather permitting. Except for travel and illness, we have kept our promise. We have armed ourselves with bug spray and bottled water on the hottest days and raincoats and boots on the wettest days. We have bundled up on the coldest days and, to be honest, those were the shortest walks ever. On the day of tropical storm Andrea the weather did not look bad enough to skip our walk. We hit the trail even though the nature center was closed and saw foam bubbling out of a tree! I cannot begin to tell you about all the wonders and delightful memories we have forged in the past nine months.

      Next month, my friend and I are opening a school based on a Charlotte Mason philosophy of education. Last fall, we had no inkling of starting a community school for full-time students and co-oping homeschoolers. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine that the photographs we were taking would don the walls of its website. Those weekly walks, which were hard at first, have become foundational to our lives. We look forward to seeing awe and wonder in the eyes of our students.

Sow an act, reap a habit;

Sow a habit, reap a character;

Sow a character, reap a life.

But first,

    We must sow the idea

    That makes the act worthwhile.

 Tammy is on the far right. Photo courtesy of the Clarendon Citizen from the Article "Harvest Community School to offer education alternative"  

By Tammy Glaser.  Tammy Glaser started a  school called Harvest Community School in South Carolina.  She blogs at Aut-2B Home. The opinions shared are  entirely her own.   

Earl & Worm by Greg Pizzoli

Today I am sharing about the series Earl & Worm by Greg Pizzoli! Look at those cute covers and wonderful illustrations!

As someone who taught kids to read for many years, I was excited to see this delightful series! These sweet stories are great for kids and adults will be engaged with the humor. The books are targeted for kids ages 4-8 with younger ones listening and grade school children independently reading! The illustrations support the text and make it easier for beginning readers to understand the story.

Each book has three stories. These redemptive stories skillfully weave in themes of friendship, kindness, and making the most of every day. They will delight all readers and I highly recommend Earl & Worm by Greg Pizzoli.

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


Earl & Worm The Bad Idea and other Stories.

Earl and Worm have been friends for a very, very long time, but their friendship had a rocky start. Earl is a happy go-lucky bird who plays saxophone to his plants because they love music in the morning. His neighbor Worm, on the other hand...well, Worm is the exact opposite. She would rather read in silence.

How will these very different neighbors become the very best of friends? With some sweet lemonade, the right shade of paint, and an unfinished poem, and most of all, sharing a little bit about themselves.

Award-winning creator Greg Pizzoli delivers three funny and heartwarming stories that will delight fans of other iconic duos like Elephant and Piggie or Pizza and Taco.

Earl & Worm #2: The Big Mess and Other Stories (Earl and Worm)

Earl and Worm couldn't be more different--but they also are also the best of friends. So when Earl's mess gets out of hand, Worm is sure she can help. And when a lucky penny turns rotten, rain-soaked Earl helps Worm see the sunny side. Through it all, the pair's funny hijinks turn tender . . . and the big mess ends up where they least expect it!

Come along for three giggle-inducing stories that will have kids hooting along soon after they've outgrown Elephant and Piggy.

Homeschool Myths by Becky Boerner Updated

The year is underway, and hopefully you are getting in the groove of home education.  After having the privilege of talking to many home educators in person and virtually through the years, I have found that I am not alone in believing some homeschool myths. Though none of us believe them every day, it is easy to let them slip in.

Myth:  I think his her homeschool day always flows way better than mine.

Fact:  Sometimes his/her day is better than yours, but sometimes yours day is better than theirs.  That sounds so simple, but when you are alone at your house and watching chaos ensue it is easy to believe that myth.  

Myth:  When others homeschool, their children sit around the table and smile up at them, complete their work without complaint, and do what they are supposed to do. 

Fact: Most families' kids are probably like yours and occasionally argue, act stubborn, and maybe even cry about doing their work.  (Of course, I have only heard about other children doing this.☺) Homeschooling is hard and that is okay! 

Myth:  Other people do so many amazing things with their kids all day long, while I am just trying to get through the day! 

Fact:  You do amazing things with your kids.  I have looked at thousands of portfolios and talked to many homeschoolers over the years.  I have never looked at a family that did not do at least one thing amazingly well.  I never cease to be amazed at the creativity and ideas that flow from people.  If you are home educating each day, you are doing something amazing!

Myth:  Home Educated Children are always very grateful that you are home educating them, and regularly tell you.    

 
Fact:  You care about your children and are pouring out your life for them.  They occasionally will say something nice, but they are kids.  How many of us were that grateful to our parents until we left home?  Hopefully we can help cultivate grateful hearts, but know that kids are kids.

Myth:  There is a enough time in your day or week to do everything you want to do plus join a co-op, take a field trip, play a sport, or do a service project.   

Fact: I never ceased to be amazed at the many curriculums, opportunities, and activities that there are to choose from.  You can not do everything.  I challenge families to choose wisely what is most important and make sure there is time for your student to be, read, and learn new things independently.  

Myth:  Students working online at Kahn Academy, an online math program, or "Researching" are doing what they are suppose to do and not just telling you they are.  

Fact:  They are not always doing what they are suppose to do. Really. I have learned checking in, having students show you their work, and getting a report is the best way to monitor this.  

The reason I share the last one is almost every veteran homeschooler I talk to has had this happen at least one time with their student. 

PS  This last one is for those of use with older students.   

Happy Home Educating!  Do any of these resonate with you?  

Becky 

I would love to help you with a consult or coaching.  Let's have a virtual meeting.  

  

Repost: Go play in the leaves!-- Happy First Day of Fall!

Happy First Day of Fall!  I posted this back in 2011.   I am reposting with pictures through the years of fall with my kids.   I did take my own advice!  Hoping you are making some memories this fall!  

---------------------------------

This is one of my favorite times of the year to be homeschooling.  There is something incredibly fun about going outside on a weekday with your kids, and knowing that kids who happen to be in school can not do that. You get to do what so few are able to do. 

I still remember the first year we homeschooled.  I felt so free.  I was great to have the time with my kids doing something simple.  I treasure those pictures and the memories.

It is easy at this time of year to worry about not getting enough done, are you covering everything you should be covering, and wondering if you are doing all you could be doing.  I recommend you leave those worries inside, and remember that one of the reasons you homeschool is to be with your kids.  Do not let this season slip away.  It will be gone before you know it. 

So my recommendation is to pick up your camera and take everyone outside to play in the leaves.  You won't regret it.

Becky

Where To Go When with Kids by Lonely Planet

 

Have you traveled with kids? OR What are you reading? I almost always travel with kids. I feel like I have gotten better over the years, but there is definitely more planning, extra time, and other factors to consider when taking a trip with kids. I had a friend say it is the ability to anticipate everything while still being flexible is a mom super power.

Where To Go When with Kids by Lonely Planet is out now. This is a fantastic book to help you plan a trip anywhere in the world with kids. The book shares when special events take place, kid friendly places to visit, and the best time of year to travel. I was amazed by all the information included in this beautiful book. I highly recommend Where to Go When with Kids!

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

Blurb: Discover 300 unforgettable travel experiences for families with kids and teenagers in this ultimate trip planner for every month of the year!

From spotting throngs of penguins on South Africa's Boulders Beach in January to seeing Hong Kong's dazzling festoon of lights at the city's seasonal Winterfest in December, Where To Go When With Kids is the comprehensive trip planner of inspiring month-by-month adventures to spark your family's curiosity and create memories to last a lifetime.  Where To Go When with kids by Lonely Planet.

The Redeemed Reader: Cultivating a Child's Discernment and Imagination Through Truth and Story by Janie Cheaney, Betsy Farquhar, Hayley Morell, Megan Saben

 

The Redeemed Reader Cultivating a Child’s Discernment and Imagination through Truth and Story is the book I wish had been around when I started teaching, homeschooling and parenting many years ago! It takes a deep dive into the world of children’s books from picture books through books for young adults, and asks the hard questions about content, where does your faith fit in, and allows you to think through your children’s reading choices. The book also encourages kindness to authors, loving your library, where to donate books, and managing your home library.

I found myself smiling, relating, and joyful while reading The Redeemed Reader Cultivating a Child’s Discernment and Imagination Through Truth and Story.  by Janie Cheaney Betsy Farquhar, Hayley Morell, Megan Saben.The book is thoughtful, well written and not preachy. I will keep it on my shelf for many years to come for the amazing book-lists, and reread to remind myself the importance of story in our kid’s world. I highly recommend and this will be a favorite of 2025 for me.

I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.

You might enjoy viewing The Redeemed Reader Web site and book-lists.  

Happy Back to School OR Surviving the First Few Weeks of Home Education by Becky Boerner

 

Happy Back to School!  (But is it really?) 

The advertisements are showing back to school supplies, everyone is excited about pumpkin lattes and school clothes.  But is everyone truly that excited about the start of school? 

I find the first few weeks of back to school very challenging.  Sometimes it seems like no one remembers their math facts, getting work completed in a timely manner is challenging, and I am pretty sure my students have forgotten many important things from last year.  (Remind me why we are doing this again?)

I wanted to share a  few thoughts from someone starting their 21^st year of home education.  Please know I am preaching to myself.  

•    The first 2-6 weeks can be very challenging.  It seems like your students have forgotten everything from last year, still cannot find their clearly marked supplies, and do not remember  how to be efficient.  Grace.  I would encourage you to work consistently on creating good routines, review the routines, and keep making changes to establish a good routine.  Routines are the key to success. They are worth working on the first few weeks as they will make the rest of your year better. Your future self will thank you!  
•  Don’t be afraid to make some changes to your schedule.  That perfect schedule you made in the summer probably will have a few holes or not be executed quite the way you imagined it to.  Don’t give up!  Get feedback from your students and move forward.  What a great life lesson for our students to watch us demonstrate how to adapt and make changes to schedules that are not serving us well.    
• Celebrate the Wins!  Make sure you celebrate completing the first test, finishing work, starting on time, putting supplies away, and simply making it through any day.  Home education is hard work and deserves celebration. 
  
•  Save some work samples.  You will forget all the progress you made at the end of the year if you do not save work to compare.  Start building a portfolio of work samples now. 
• Look for opportunities to smile at your children, laugh with them, and praise them. It is easy to get caught up in all that has to be done. You are also a building lifetime relationships. 

Give yourself plenty of grace, space, and time to work through the first few weeks of home education. It always gets better. 

The work you do in September will benefit you exponentially in the coming month! 

Happy Back to School!  I would love to know your best tips.  

Becky

PS I am always here to help if you need some help working on your schedule, planning for high school, and walking through how to help a challenging student.  See here for my services.  

To make a 40 minute consulting appointment.

For Email consulting