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Chore solutions: balancing responsibilities and screen time with a token economy
Short on time? Help your children learn to balance responsibilities and free time with a token economy chore jar. Write chores on popsicle sticks and put them in a mason jar. Children can choose a...
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Finding her pack: intellectual peers and community in a gifted child’s life
An average wolfpack has two to fifteen members. At last count, we have six Lego wolves, two plastic wolf figurines, and seven stuffed animal wolves. I did the math yesterday. Six plus two is eight....
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Raising young women of virtue: our Catholic homeschool girls’ group (CHB...
I’m blessed to be part of a vibrant homeschool group. We have dozens of clubs and groups, monthly potlucks, opportunities for professional development and encouragement, and a wide variety of...
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Learning about the papacy: the life and service of John Paul I
The day St. John Paul the Great died, I was discussing the idea of fate in Romeo and Juliet with a room full of ninth graders. It was a Catholic high school, so the principal made a an announcement on...
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Catholic Homeschool Girls Group – Teaching Girls to See the Good in Others...
Fifth grade. I had a huge perm, glasses with blue and pink tinted lenses, and a chronic runny nose from allergies. There were two classes per grade, and most of us had been together since...
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How to prepare for (and ace) the essay on the new SAT
Change is the only constant in parenting. It’s the same for high stakes testing, too. That makes parenting a child through the SATs an additional parenting challenge. If you’re not familiar with the...
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Four ways you’ll frustrate your gifted writer, and how to fix it
Things I never thought I’d say until I became a parent: Don’t throw snakes at me. Dinosaurs don’t belong in the refrigerator. You can’t leave the house without pants. And also, much to my writer...
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Catholic Homeschool Girls Group – Be Christ to those in Need (CHB link-up #4)
She sat alone at lunch time, hiding flushed cheeks behind a red plastic lunchbox. He had thick glasses and a speech impediment. He made jokes about getting picked last in gym class. She sat on the...
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Why I Think You Should Let Your Kids Fail
I think you should let your kids fail. Here’s why. It was hot. I was a billion years (okay – 39 weeks) pregnant. And there we were at the neighborhood Harvest Festival, biding our time for the...
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How to Find the Right Mentor: A Child-centric, Worry-free Approach
We were in an office. Or was it a library? The girls were with a sitter; that much I remember. I was uncharacteristically alone. My lap felt empty; my heart felt worse. Kindergarten parent...
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How to survive – and enjoy – the holidays with a Twice Exceptional
If you have a Twice Exceptional child, you know the holidays can be rough. Here’s how to survive – and maybe even enjoy – the holidays with a 2E. I’m thinking about resigning. Dear Everyone, I quit....
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Hate Teaching Poetry? Get Over It. Here’s Why – and How
Hate poetry? You’re not alone. But trust me – you need to teach it in your homeschool. Here’s why you should teach poetry even if you hate it, and how to do it in spite of yourself. Poetry isn’t...
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Why I Homeschool my Gifted, Sensory Processing Child, and How
Despite years as a high school English teacher, I homeschool my gifted, sensory processing disorder child. And you know what? You can, too. Here’s why – and how. As usual, my mom picked up on it...
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Make the Most of your College Visit – a Guide for Homeschoolers
Are you a homeschooling family getting ready to make some college visits? Read on to make the most of your time on campus. The contemporary college admissions process is a far cry from what I...
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Five Must-Read Books for Catholic Tots, Kids, Tweens, and Teens
I’m always on the look out for great children’s books. Here’s a round up of our favorites: five must-read books for Catholic tots, kids, tweens and teens. (This post contains affiliate links. See my...
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Not So Formulaic: Breaking Down Stereotypes, One Blog Post at a Time
Curious about why my blog is titled Not So Formulaic? I’m working to break down stereotypes – of Catholic womanhood, homeschooling, and family literacy – one blog post at a time. Critical thinking is...
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Be President for a Day: Take the Presidential Podium Video Challenge (Free...
Take the Library of Congress Center for Young Readers Presidential Podium Video Challenge. Prepare your own presidential remarks, record them, and submit for a chance to be featured in LOC...
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How to Spot Fake News and Media Bias: Free Printable for Students and Families
How do you sort through fake news and media bias? With a little old fashioned critical thinking! Here’s a short course on evaluating an argument, complete with a handy printable. Writers and...
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Getting Out of Survival Mode: When Gifted Homeschooling is a Drag
Are you in survival mode while homeschooling your gifted child? When our expectations make gifted homeschooling a drag, we just need to remember a few key tips. Survival mode belongs in Minecraft, not...
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How to Reach a Daydreamer: Handling the “Difficult” Student at your...
Do you have a daydreamer who doodles everywhere or stares into space during class? She’s actually an intrapersonal learner, and you can reach her insightful mind through creative classroom activities....
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