How To Succeed in an Online Class

October 18, 2018 Leave a Comment

A few years ago, I stopped teaching science to my oldest daughter. She was ready for a change of pace, so we began to explore online science options. After sifting through many possibilities, we finally found an excellent science instructor. My daughter has done well and her love of science continues to grow. Both of us are pleased with online science classes.

Online classes can be a great way for homeschoolers to learn. However, our children need to know how to make the most of the online experience. Here’s what I’ve done to help my daughter achieve success in online classrooms.

Understand the class requirements. Sit down together to read and discuss the course description and class syllabus. By doing so, you’ll better understand class content, class expectations, and grading processes.

Understand the technical requirements. Learn how to use the educational platform the class will be using. Possible platforms include Go To Meeting, Google Hangouts, and Skype. You’ll need to know how to use additional laptop features such as the webcam and microphone.

Get the instructor’s contact information. Have your child add the teacher’s contact info to his or her personal contact list. If your child has a question or concern outside of class time, she knows how to reach the teacher quickly.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Remind your child that even though the classroom is virtual, it’s still okay to ask for help. A good instructor will answer questions during class and also answer questions outside of the class.

FInd a quiet and distraction free place during class. Help your child focus on the class by steering them away from noise and activity. If you don’t have a quiet place, have your child listen to class with earbuds or headphones.

Create a schedule. Many online classes only meet one a week, so students are responsible for completing additional work alone. Sit down with your child and create a weekly schedule. This gives your child something to do each day and limits the frustration associated with late assignments and looming deadlines.

Online courses are a great way to enhance the homeschool. Are any of your children taking online courses? If so, feel free to share how you’ve helped them find success. Leave a comment or suggestion. We’d love to hear from you!

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!

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.

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!

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?