If you’ve been homeschooling through high school, you know how quickly the college application season sneaks up. One minute you’re teaching paragraph structure, and the next you’re editing scholarship essays and personal statements. I’ve been there.
Author Archives: Jade
Every semester when midterms roll around, I start reviewing college papers for students who need a little extra support. And after grading what feels like hundreds of essays, I’ve noticed a few trends that always seem to pop up.
Why Graphic Novels Belong in Your Homeschool Literacy Lessons If you’ve ever looked at your child reading a comic or graphic novel and thought, “That’s not real reading,” you’re not alone. Many parents, especially homeschooling families, worry that graphic novels are “too easy” or not serious literature. But here’s the truth: graphic novels can be […]
Have you ever sat down with your child to write a story, only to stare at a blank page together, wondering where to begin? Many kids love the idea of storytelling but need a little structure to bring their imagination to life. That is where Story Mountain, also known as Freytag’s Pyramid, comes in. Think […]
If you’re a homeschooling parent, you’ve probably heard this question at least once (or a hundred times):“But how will your child socialize?” It’s the number one question homeschool families face and one of the biggest misconceptions about homeschooling today. The truth? Homeschooled kids are some of the most social, adaptable, and confident young people you’ll […]
Columbus Day vs. Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Teaching History Without Bias Every October, families across the United States encounter a familiar question:Should we celebrate Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day? As homeschooling parents, we have a unique opportunity, and responsibility, to go beyond the traditional textbook narrative. Teaching unbiased history means helping our children think critically, […]
The American Library Association (ALA) hosts Banned Books Week to celebrate the freedom to read. The ALA began tracking book challenges in the early 1980s, creating lists of titles that schools or libraries attempted to remove due to controversial themes, language, or ideas. These “banned books” range from “classics” like To Kill a Mockingbird to […]
In today’s digital world, it’s easy to overlook handwriting. Most kids can type faster than they can write, and many assignments are completed online. But for homeschoolers, handwriting, and especially cursive, still plays an important role in a well-rounded education. Here are three big reasons to keep it in your homeschool routine: 1. Understanding Legal […]
When I was in college, I took a class about integrating video games into the classroom. I remember my professor saying, “If you can’t beat them, join them… and teach through them!” At the time, I didn’t realize how much that advice would stick with me years later. Kids these days spend hours exploring virtual […]
Last year, I received a call from a worried parent. Her 10-year-old had been coming home upset almost every day frustrated by distractions in class, targeted by a few classmates, and anxious because the school had implemented “active shooter” drills. She asked me, “Is there a way my child can still get a great education […]