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5 YouTube Channels for Upper Level Math

October 12, 2018 Leave a Comment


These days my head is full of formulas, variables, and equations. My oldest is in high school now, so I’m officially engrossed in upper level math. Since I’m the one teaching the math lessons, I have to take time to make sure I completely understand the mathematical concepts I’m teaching.

It’s been a long time since I’ve had to do high school math, so I sometimes need a refresher on a particular concept. That’s when I turn to YouTube for math tutorials. These videos help jog my memory and sometimes show me a new and better way of teaching a specific concept.

Let me tell you. Some of these Youtube math masters teach better than I do. Do I get mad? Give in to self doubt? Nah. I just thank God for the gift of YouTube and call for my daughter. She sits down, watches the explanation, talks with me about it, and goes off to do the lesson in her math book. That’s a win for both of us.

Yes, YouTube is great, but there are hundreds of math channels there. It’s hard to sort through them all. Which channels are watch worthy? Check out my list of favorites and subscribe.

Khan Academy: Khan Academy is the go to website for all things math related. Sal’s detailed videos have helped my daughter and me better understand many different mathematical concepts.

Tarver Academy: This channel is informative and entertaining. Tyler Tarver’s videos are practical, pointed, and amusing. He’s helped us better understand many math topics. At first, I just watched videos to learn more about math, but now I also tune in to see what’s going on with Tyler’s  adorable family.

MathAntics:The more intricate concepts of math are built upon basic principles. Every now and then my daughter needs to review one of these basic concepts. MathAntics is the perfect website for review. We both love these informative and entertaining videos.

Professor Leonard: Professor Leonard is the Superman of Math. I love his enthusiastic and detailed approach to math instruction. He does a great job of taking complicated concepts and breaking them down into easy to understand steps. I love that he provides lots of examples as well. Check out his playlists for specific topics such as Calculus, Statistics, and Algebra.

MathTutorDVD: I discovered this channel last school year have used it often. The channel features full length lessons in Prealgebra, Algebra, Calculus, and Trignometry. If you’re teaching upper level math, you’ll want to subscribe to this channel.

Teaching math can be challenging, but YouTube videos make it easier for moms and kids to understand concepts. Are you teaching upper level math this year? Are there any YouTube channels you’d recommend? If so, PLEASE leave a comment below. My YouTube account always has room for another channel!

Filed Under: Math

7 Tips to Transition from Classroom to Homeschool

October 9, 2018 Leave a Comment

This past summer I had the opportunity to present a few workshops at Southeast Homeschool Expo in Atlanta, Georgia. Many people I chatted with explained how they were in the process of moving their children from a traditional school setting into the homeschool setting.

Though these families had unique goals and diverse teaching methods, the question they asked was the same: How do I transition my child from traditional school to homeschool?

Transitioning from traditional school to homeschool can be intimidating, but it can be done. Here are seven tips to help you and your family make a smooth move.

1. Make sure you know your state’s homeschool laws. Every state has its rules for homeschooling. Review these guidelines carefully, so you remain compliant. State requirements vary, but some states may require testing, curriculum review, and student portfolios. The HSLDA website provides information about state regulations.

2. Don’t try to recreate school at home. Classroom lessons are structured for mass presentation. Homeschool lessons are formatted for personalized instruction, so take the time to create the comfortable atmosphere and reasonable schedule that fosters learning. School on the sofa, in the park, or at the library. You don’t need an official school room for teaching.

3. Take time to adjust. Fight the urge to nosedive into every suspect right away. If you do, you risk burnout and discouragement. Take time to adjust to this new educational experience by introducing subjects little by little. Consider just doing math and literature for the first week, then adding additional subjects in future weeks.

4. Don’t rush your curriculum choices. There are many curriculum choices available, so take time to research the ones that appeal to you. Download curriculum samples and question fellow homeschoolers about their curriculum choices. Be sure to sure to consider your family’s needs as well.

5. Find your child’s learning style. Save time and energy by taking time to discover your child’s learning style. Is your child a visual, auditory, tactile, or combination learner? Once you determine how your child learns, you can select appropriate curriculum and create effective and appealing lessons and activities. My favorite resource on student learning styles is The Way They Learn by Cynthia Tobias.

6. Pace yourself. Homeschooling is not a race, so don’t try to imitate other homeschooling families. Their homeschool will look much different than yours because their children are not your children. Always remember to work at a pace that best suits the needs of your child.

7. Don’t be hard on yourself. You are doing something amazing, inspiring, life-changing, and challenging. From time to time, you’ll encounter a challenge that may feel overwhelming. When challenges come, face them and keep on moving. Do not beat yourself up about what you did or did not do. Do not ruin your day by rehashing what did or did not happen. Give yourself lots of space and grace!

And here’s an additional thought…

Enjoy yourself! Homeschooling is a wonderful blessing you should enjoy. Have fun teaching and learning alongside your children. Make marvelous memories you’ll all look back on fondly.

Have you moved a child from traditional school into the homeschool? If so, let us know how things went. Would you offer any additional advice? Share your thoughts in the comments below and consider sharing this post with a mom who is making the transition from the traditional school to homeschool.

Filed Under: General Information

Observing Live Animals with Webcams

October 2, 2018 1 Comment

If you have a child who loves animals, you’ve probably made multiple trips to the zoo and aquarium. But sometimes poor weather or distance may prevent you from venturing out to see the animals. If this happens to you, don’t worry. Your animal enthusiast can still enjoy watching the animals.

Live animal webcams allow animal enthusiasts to observe animals all over the world. These webcams are stationed in zoos, parks, and nature preserves around the world. All you need to do is visit a website providing a live stream of the animals and begin watching any time, day or night.

Here’s a list of the animal webcams we love:

Africam: Enjoy a live look at the African wild via the site’s many Safari Cams. This one is a Thorpe family favorite!

Monterey Bay Aquarium: Choose this famous aquarium’s webcams to see what  birds, sea otters, and penguins are up to.

Panda Cam: If you’ve got a panda lover, you’ll want to see the pandas in action at the San Diego Zoo.

UStream Animals: This website allows you select from multiple webcams. Tune in for footage of eagles, owls, hummingbirds, and the animals in the sea.

Animal observation is not only fun, but it also provides an excellent opportunity for children to practice observational skills. You can take observation to the next level by having your child make written observations about animal behavior.

I’m happy to share the observational worksheet I created. It’s called Webcam Observation Log. Grab your copy and start your animal observations today!

Filed Under: Science

7 Things You Can Do Tonight To Make Your Tomorrow Better

September 27, 2018 Leave a Comment

I like to begin each school day in a clean working space and with a clear mind. But as you know, these things won’t happen on their own. In order for me to have a pleasant and productive homeschool day tomorrow, I’ve got to do some planning tonight.

And so, each night before I head to bed, there are certain things I do. When the new day arrives, I never regret having spent time doing these things the night before. Today I’m sharing the seven things you might want to do tonight in order to make tomorrow’s homeschool day even better.

Plan tomorrow’s dinner. To me there are few things more annoying than standing in front of the fridge and pantry at 5:00 pm and having no idea of what I’ll be serving for dinner. Avoid this horrible scenario by planning ahead. Take meat from the freezer to thaw in the fridge overnight or get a head start on things by prepping ingredients for a slow cooker meal. When you plan for tomorrow’s dinner tonight, life is much easier.

Review tomorrow’s lessons and activities. Take a few moments to look over tomorrow’s lessons, activities, and appointments. Do you need to print out copies for tomorrow’s math activity? Do you need to stop by the gas station before heading to music lessons? Will bad weather cause a change of plans? If you review these issues tonight, you’ll feel better tomorrow.

Get clothes ready. Some people think homeschool sit around in pajamas every day, but we know that’s not the case.  Since we usually need to be better dressed than that, it’s wise to prep clothes before going to bed. Select your outfit and have the kids do the same. If anything needs to be washed or ironed, take care of it before you go to bed. Your morning self will thank you.

Reflect upon your day. Before you go to bed, take some time to think about your day. How’d you feel about how the day went? Did you meet your goals? How much did the kids learn? How well did you teach? Did the kids have fun? What went well? What would you like to do better tomorrow? Reflection helps you make mental preparations for the new day.

Clean up. It’s hard to focus on learning if things are messy and disorganized. Plus, it’s no fun to rush around cleaning in the morning. At the end of the day, do yourself a big favor by putting school materials away and organizing your materials for tomorrow. If you clean up tonight, you can begin the new day in a clutter free atmosphere.

Treat yourself. You’re a hardworking homeschool mom and you deserve a treat! Make time to do something for yourself. Take an extra long shower or indulge in a bubble bath. Phone that friend you’ve been meaning to call. Scroll through your favorite Pinterest feeds or tune in to your favorite show on Netflix. Eat a bit of that Sea Salt Caramel Gelato. Whatever it is you like to do for you, do that before you call it a night.

Go to bed at a reasonable hour. You already know rest is important. Your body and mind need to recharge each day. Wrap up your evening tasks in enough time so you’ll be able to enjoy a good night’s sleep. If you don’t, you may soon find you’re not functioning well. Don’t rob yourself of the rest you need by staying up too late.

A good homeschool day doesn’t just happen. It takes planning and discipline. How do you get ready for a new homeschool day?

Filed Under: Planning

Geocaching 101: Fun for Homeschool Families

September 25, 2018 Leave a Comment

Did you know that right now at this very moment there many hidden treasures surrounding you? They’re waiting to be discovered, but can only be found by those who know where to look. Those people are called geocachers and you can become one. If you’ve never gone geocaching, you and your family are missing out on many fun and educational opportunities!

What is geocaching?

Geocaching is the fun and recreational activity of hunting for and finding a hidden object using GPS coordinates posted on a website.

What does the cache look like?

This is where things really become interesting because you’re never quite sure what you’re looking for. This just makes the hunt event more fun. Caches usually come in the following sizes:

  • Nano: Tiny and usually magnetic
  • Micro: Usually fits inside the hand, like a decorated pill bottle
  • Small: Container such as a plastic peanut butter jar
  • Regular: Tupperware container size
  • Large: A large bucket (such as a 5-gallon bucket)

Cache containers are not made of paper because these materials do not fare well outside for long periods of time and in varying elements of weather. Look for plastic, usually clear, containers and sturdy metal containers. For detailed information about cache containers, check out this post, Cache Containers Explained.

How do you hunt for a cache?

Begin by downloading the official geocaching app and creating a free account. Log in and you’ll be able to see icons for all the caches hidden around you. (Make sure your GPS/location service is running; you’ll need it for directions.) Next, take a look at the map and tap the icon for the cache you want to find.

You’ll then see the name of the cache and how far it is from you. You’ll also see ratings for difficulty, terrain, and size. Tap the Hint button to see if the cache creator has offered any hunting hints. If you wish to message the person who created the cache, tap the Message button. You can also check out the following info:

  • Description: You’ll usually find information about who created the cache and why. (We recently found a hidden cache in the parking lot of hospital. A mom stashed it there as a way to remember here son’s birth there.) You may also be given additional information about finding the cache and its log book.
  • Activity: Here is where you can find information about when the cache was last discovered. Once a person finds a cache and logs it as found, they are required to leave a comment about the find. Most people leave a comment such as TFTC (Thanks for the cache!), but sometimes finders leave interesting clues about the cache. We’ve found these to be particularly helpful when trying to locate a hard to find cache.
  • Attributes: You’ll want to read this because it gives pertinent information about each cache. This tells about parking options, whether the cache is kid and/or pet friendly and what the ground conditions may be like (poison ivy, thorns, etc).

Once you’ve read up on the cache, tap the start button and begin your search by following the GPS instructions.

What do you do once you find the cache?

You’ll be excited once you make a find, but you’ll need to be discreet when retrieving the cache. You don’t want to draw excess attention to the hiding spot because after you leave, a muggle, someone who is not a geocacher, may tamper with the find or throw it away. For a list of additional geocaching jargon, check out this link.

Once you have the cache in hand, if possible open it up and take out the log page. Sign and date the log and place it back inside the container. Some logs may already be full or they may be in poor condition due to outdoor conditions such as rain. When that happens, let others know by sending a message to the creator or by leaving a comment when you list the cache as found.

After you’ve found the cache, go back to the app and click the green button labeled Log Geocache. This will record your find by changing the green icon to a yellow smiley face.

What do you need to geocache?

You’ll need the geocache app to know where to look. In addition, I also keep some things stashed in our van.

  • Gloves: Cache containers can be dirty, so you’ll want to use gloves when handling them.
  • Insect repellent: Your hunt will be outdoors, so repellent can help keep pesky bugs away.
  • Hand wipes/sanitizer: Allows you to clean your hands in between hunts.
  • Long sleeve shirt and pants: Sometimes your hunt takes you into grassy or woods areas. Protect yourself from ticks, thorns, branches.
  • Proper footwear: Sneakers are good because they’ll allow you to cover various types of terrain and protect your feet.
  • First aid kit: Sometimes we’ve been scraped by thorns or branches. Ointment, antiseptic wipes, and bandages are helpful for addressing little cuts or abrasions.
  • Tweezers: Log rolls come in various sizes. Tweezers can be used to pull out small logs.
  • Pen: You’ll use it to sign the log page.

Geocaching Photos

Here’s a photo of a recent magnetic nano size find. It’s pretty tiny. The log needed to be removed with tweezers.

This is a photo of a micro size find. This log was tucked away inside the decorated pill bottle.

Here’s what a log looks like. After it’s signed, the log is placed back inside the bottle.

Whether you’re heading out for a full afternoon of geocaching or making a quick “dash and cache” on your way to a particular destination, you’ll still have fun. There’s something rewarding about finding something the average person walks by without noticing.

Have you gone geocaching? If so, let us know by leaving a comment. We’d love to hear about what you’ve found. Are you inspired to head off on your first hunt? Let us know that too. We hope you’ll have as much fun as we have. Happy hunting!

Filed Under: Activities & Projects

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andrea.thorpe

Wife to 1, Homeschooling Mom of 3 Girls, Writer, Planner Addict, Lover of Jesus, sunshine, books, and hot chocolate ❤️

andrea.thorpe
I *thought* I’d be kind and help her make clay f I *thought* I’d be kind and help her make clay food for her Barbies. I *thought* she’d applaud my creative efforts. Not so. 😐 #homeschooling #homeschoollifestyle #blackhomeschool365 #kidscrafts #girlmom
Since we couldn’t get out and do much during the Since we couldn’t get out and do much during the pandemic, we picked up a few new skills while at home. Making chunky blankets was easy and fun, plus it was good my youngest: patterns, counting, and hand-eye coordination. Yes, I know it’s still summer, but winter IS coming. ❄️ #homeschooling #homeschoollifestyle #homeschoolmom #blackhomeschooling #chunkyblanket #diyblanket #handknitted
It’s August. Yesterday, we quietly eased into th It’s August. Yesterday, we quietly eased into the new school year. The girls aren’t taking on all subjects this week, but math is always at the top of our list. #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoollife #homeschoolsuccess #homeschoolmath #blackhomeschooling
I am thankful for my husband, a wonderful and hand I am thankful for my husband, a wonderful and hands on homeschool dad. He helps our high school daughter with her biology dissections. All I do is take pics. 😉 #homeschooldad #sciencedad #homeschool #homeschoolscience #apologiascience #homeschooling #homeschoolfamily
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