My head hurts. My heart aches. George Floyd’s tragic death is yet another stain on the fabric of our nation. It has taken me days to process the horrific video and has taken me even longer to formulate written words to express how I feel.

It pains me beyond words to recall that excruciating eight minutes and forty-six seconds. The entire ordeal is horrifying, unfair, inhumane, raw…agonizing. However, there is a singular moment one that is the most gut-wrenching of all. Mr. Floyd cries out for his mother, his deceased mother. And that anguishing cry of “Mama” struck a nerve that runs deep. I am a mother and Mr. Floyd’s cry broke my heart.

George Floyd’s cry was a familiar one, one that originated centuries ago, yet reverberates up through the centuries. It’s the shrill cry of slave children, on plantations and auction blocks, who were ripped away from their beloved mothers never to be reunited. It’s the muffled cry of a young enslaved woman dragged away from family only to be abused and violated by a vicious master. It’s the cry of an innocent Black man choking from the life-sapping grip of a noose tied to a tree limb. “Mama.”

I am a mother too, but I have no sons. But because I am not raising sons does not mean I can become idle. I love and am married to a Black man. I deeply love the Black men in my family and I cherish the relationships with the Black men I call friends. And so, as the mother of three girls, my job is crucial. I must pass this love of the Black man down to them. I am teaching my daughters to love, respect, and value Black men. I am teaching my daughters to pray for, support, and encourage Black men. I am raising daughters who know about and understand the Black man’s contribution to our world.

My heart grieves over the repeated injustices Black people, specifically Black men, continue to bear. I am a mother and I have maternal influence in this household. I remain dedicated to wielding that influence to raise up three young women ready, willing, and able to support their precious Black brothers made in the image of God.

Over the last couple of weeks, online websites have overflowed with tips regarding how to keep children and teens healthy and happy while they remain at home for an extended period of time. But in one online group I frequent, a mom joked, “The kids are fine, but me? Not so much. Is anybody checking on moms?”

I’m checking on you! Here are a few tips to help you maintain social, physical, and mental health as you endure social distancing measures and in some cases, stay at home orders. 

Tap into your support system. Travel restrictions and social distancing don’t have to prevent you from connecting with your usual homeschool tribe. Use social media to connect with fellow homeschool moms who are also making adjustments and will understand your struggles. Step into tech and chat with friends using FaceTime or a Google Hangout.

Learn something new. Check out Udemy, one of my favorite educational sites. It features a variety of self-paced online courses for people of all ages. Brush up on your culinary knife skills, learn to use oil pastels, or discover how to use a new piece of software. Many courses are reasonably priced at around $19.99. Some courses are priced as low as $11.99.

Pamper yourself. You may not be able to get to your nail tech or take advantage of your longstanding appointment at the hair salon. However, you can still pamper yourself at home. Here are a couple of my favorite at DIY treatments: 

• Brown Sugar Body Scrub: Mix up  ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup olive oil, and ¼ cup honey. Stir to combine. Once in the shower, apply the mixture to your skin and massage in a circular motion. Rinse off with warm water and be sure to thoroughly rinse the shower when done. Oil can make the surface very slippery. 
• Oatmeal Facial Scrub: Combine ¼  cup ground oatmeal, 2 tablespoons honey and 2 tablespoons  plain yogurt. Mix thoroughly until a smooth paste forms. Smooth the mixture over your face, leave on for ten minutes, and wipe off with warm water and a soft washcloth.
• Simple Foot Soak: In a large basin or foot spa, add enough warm water to come up to your ankles. Add ½ cup of Epsom salt and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. 
• Soothing Lip Scrub: Combine ¼ teaspoon brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon olive, and ¼ teaspoon honey. Use your finger to gently spread the mixture over your lips a few times. Remove the scrub with a warm damp washcloth and then apply your favorite lip balm. 

Get outside…alone. You’re already making sure the kids get the fresh air and exercise they need, but don’t neglect yourself in this area. Take some time to enjoy the outdoors alone. Go out to the yard and do some stretches. Have a seat on the porch and read a book. Talk a walk. Outdoor time alone will provide the quiet time you need to refresh and reboot.

Start journaling. You likely have plenty of thoughts swirling around in your head right now. Clear the clutter from your mind by writing it all down. In addition, document any interesting details from the day and take to jot down the things you’re thankful for. Rereading your entries in the years to come will be an interesting experience. 

Create a photo journal. Each day, snap a pic of something fun or interesting your family is doing. Create a special photo album just for these pics. Once things settle down and regular life activities resume, consider creating a photo book using a company such as Shutterfly. This will make an awesome memory!

Keep pressing forward as you cultivate learners from the comfort of home!

Back in the day, when I was in elementary and middle school, we read dozens of books each year. I loved that. But back in those same days, my teachers assigned book reports. I hated that. To this day, I still feel a twinge of angst whenever I recall the hours I spent staring at a blank page, trying to come up with pages of important things to say about the book I’d just read.

Let’s fast forward to the Thorpe family homeschool. All three of my children love to read and they also enjoy discussing and sharing information about the books they read. However, when it’s time for them to explore a book’s settings, themes, characters, symbols, and plot, I don’t want them to use the old school book report format I dreaded so much.  

Here in our homeschool, I prefer to use fun and engaging book projects that will give my girls the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge while exercising their creativity. Consequently, I step outside the book report box and offer my children creative, yet comprehensive post-reading activities. Check out these three fun and fabulous book report alternatives.

Create a board game. Have your kids show what they know by creating a card or board game about the book they’ve just read. Have your child give their game a catchy title based upon the book, design a unique board with detours and pit stops, and create game cards that require comprehension and recall.

Design a movie poster. Kids love movies! Grab a large piece of posterboard and have your child create a movie poster based upon the book they’ve read. Our posters included a starred rating, at least two quotations from the book, a tagline, and of course an illustrated a scene from the book. I added a writing component by having the girls describe who they would cast in their movie.

Make an Awards Board. Have your child select several notable book characters and have him create an award to present to each character. Awards should be based upon what happens in the book and may include awards such as Most Courageous, Most Creative, Best Leader, etc.

Next, have your child write a paragraph for each award winner. He should clearly explain why the character deserves such an honor. Add an artistic element to the project by asking your child to create character photos to mount on a large sheet of posterboard or on a tri-fold project board. Be sure to mount the paragraphs as well. For additional fun, host an awards reception with food and speeches.

When it comes to sharing knowledge about books, homeschool moms have the ability to choose exciting ways for their children to do so. Tap into your child’s creative side and take book reporting to a new level by using one of these artistic ideas.

Is your local library closed? If so, now is the perfect time to take advantage of online book offerings, especially those that include free trials. Give your child time to read the book. Then, grab some snacks and sit down together to watch the movie version of the book. As a final review, have your child compare the book to the movie. Continue reading to get a copy of the homemade resource I use with my middle school and high school daughters. 

Where To Find Books Online

Start with your library’s website. Many libraries use the Libby app, or something similar, to allow cardholders to borrow e-books and digital downloads. Next, try Audible. Kids can listen to books through Audible by using the site’s free 30 day trial subscription. Finally, check out Scribd’s vast digital library. They also have a free 30 day trial and you can sign up without using a credit card.  

Book First, Then Movie

Once kids have listened to or read the book, you can stream the movie for them to watch. Here’s a great list of book titles that have become movies: 

For Younger Students:

• Charlotte’s Web 
• Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
• The Lorax
• Mr. Popper’s Penguins
• Jumanji
• Stuart Little
• The Polar Express

For Fans of Roald Dahl:

• Matilda
• James and the Giant Peach
• The BFG
• Fantastic Mr. Fox
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 

For Middle School Students:

• Bridge to Teribithia
• A Wrinkle in Time
• The Outsiders
• The Maze Runner
• Holes
• Because of Winn Dixie
• A Series of Unfortunate Events
• The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
• Percy Jackson and the Olympians
• Inkheart
• Ella Enchanted
• Watership Down
• Lord of the Rings
• The Hobbit
• The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

For High School Students

• The Help
• The Color Purple
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Lord of the Flies
• A Separate Peace
• Jurassic Park
• The Hunger Games
• The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman
• Ender’s Game
• The Queen of Katwe
• Divergent
• Their Eyes Were Watching God
• Twelve Years a Slave

Book vs Movie Extension Activity

After the movie ends, provide your child the opportunity to do some critical thinking by completing a printable Book vs Movie activity page. This easy to use set of worksheets can be used with any book and movie. Click the red button to download your free copy.

 

Did I miss your favorite book and movie? If so, leave your recommendation in the comments.

My phone’s home screen is full of apps. I’ve got the usual ones like Instagram, Dropbox, Amazon, and WeatherBug. However, some of my favorite and most frequently used apps are the ones that help me in my homeschool journey. Check out this current list of my favorite apps.

Pocket Grade: Calculate grades quickly by using this quick and easy grade generator. Simply set the number of questions and you’ll be shown grade percentages. This app has helped me calculate my kids’ grades and the grades of students in my co-op classes. (Here’s the Apple version, but there’s no Android version. Here are a few similar grading apps for  Android users.)

Calculator Infinity: You may not need to purchase a high-end calculator for a student taking Algebra. This powerful app includes functions for matrix vectors, statistics, and complex equations equations as well. (Apple version and Android version)

Google Keep: Homeschool moms always have several to-do lists. Create your lists and check items off in Google Keep. This simple but powerful app allows me to create shopping lists for all stores I frequent each week. (Apple version and Android version)

Google Calendar: Keep your appointments, meal plans, and reminders all in one place. Enjoy the organizational ease that comes from this app. (Apple version and Android version)

Nature Melody: Sometimes you just need a break from the sounds of a busy life. Nature Melody can soothe with the sounds of ocean waves, rainfall, crackling campfires, babbling brooks, and chirping birds. (There is an Apple version, but no Android version. Here are a few similar nature sound apps Android users).  

USA Rest Stop: Field trips are part of every homeschool family’s life. Whether you need to make an impromptu stop or you’ve planned to stop in advance, USA Rest Stop shows rest stops on highways all across the USA. This app helps you find a clean and safe place to stop no matter where you are. (Apple version and Android version)

Waze: Homeschool moms and their kids are real road warriors. Because we’re off to so many different places throughout the week, a navigational app is a must have. Don’t less road issues slow your roll. Get accurate directions and real time traffic updates with Waze. (Apple version and Android version)

Trello: If you’re looking for the ultimate organizing app, look no further than Trello. Use Trello’s cards and boards to visually organize homeschool information such as lesson plans, curriculum, and reading lists. If you’re new to Trello, check out their introductory video here. (Apple version and Android version)

Do you have a favorite app for homeschooling? Don’t keep it a secret! Let me know!