It's been a while...but I'm back and I'm so excited to be with you again! Catch up on what's new and what to look forward to. Or, if you're brand new, get to know a little more about Homeschooling Outside the Box. You are very welcome here! You can also check out the new Nature Journal and sign up for my free monthly "Everything" guides ..read more

So far in this “Homeschool Rhythms” series we’ve talked about morning time, narration, getting ready, group work, individual work, and read alouds. We’ve moved our way through morning activities and lunch so today we’re going to talk about rest time! I know some of you might have the urge to check out right now thinking your children have aged out of this time of day but I assure you, it is for all ages…including you, mama. Rest time is a beautiful hour of the day when you can take a few deep breaths, make a fresh cup of coffee, and reset for your afternoon ..read more

For decades homeschoolers have been plagued by the question, “what about socialization” from well-meaning (and let’s be honest, sometimes not so well-meaning…) neighbors, family, and friends. The question chafes at us because it assumes that the minute we begin homeschooling, we hole up in our homes and avoid all contact with any other humans. That’s just not the case though; community is an essential part of the homeschool experience and a great homeschool group can be the place for you to find lasting relationships. Six years ago, I was struggling to find a community to fit my outside-the-bo ..read more

So far in this “Homeschool Rhythms” series we’ve talked about morning time, narration, getting ready, group work, and individual work. We’ve moved our way through morning activities and today we’re going to talk about reading aloud! I want to talk to you today about making read-aloud time a family activity for all time – no matter what your child’s age. This is a beautiful part of the day that can be a little more laid back and relaxing and there are a few different ways you can make it happen. I don’t think many people would argue about the value of reading great lite ..read more

When you ask a seasoned homeschooler about structuring the day, you will often hear the same refrain: “combine as many subjects as you can.” But what about the subjects that require a certain set of skills for children to master?  You can generally look at academics in two categories: skill-based subjects and non-skill-based subjects. Skill-based subjects are really best taught 1-on-1 or in a very small group of kids at a similar level of skill. I like to chunk these into three categories: Language (learning to read, write, and speak other languages), STEM-L (science, tech, engineering, m ..read more

What if I told you there was a skill that would help prepare your child for any job he might pursue in the future? And what if this skill was so attainable, that you wouldn’t have to purchase a fancy curriculum or join an elite co-op to access it? The pandemic that rocked 2020 has thrown us many curveballs but one positive consequence has been a rise in homeschooling. Parents all over the world are realizing that they can provide their children with opportunities and experiences that are not only extremely valuable but can also prepare them for the unique world they are launching into. Homesch ..read more

When you ask a seasoned homeschooler about structuring the day, you will often hear the same refrain: "combine as many subjects as you can." Academics can generally be broken into two categories: skill-based subjects and non-skill-based subjects. Anything that is skill-based really is best taught 1-on-1 or in a very small group of kids at a similar level of skill. Some examples are math, reading, spelling, or writing. A non-skill-based subject would be something everyone can learn together no matter how old or experienced they are. Some examples of these subjects would be bible, memory work, h ..read more

I have no doubt that when my children are grown people, making their way in the world, they will hear the faint refrain of my voice when they roll out of bed and get ready for their day: “Attitude-dressed-bed” And again after they have breakfast:  “Teeth-face-hair-deodorant-zone” These have been the anthems of our mornings for years and my goal has been to create habits for them to help them (and myself) get the day off to a right start. If the phrase “get ready” sounds reminiscent of “on your mark, get set, go!” that’s not an accident. Starting the day with a proactive posture is importa ..read more

Homeschooling is not for the faint of heart. It requires endurance and initiative. It requires sacrifice and diligence. But it also requires something you might not realize…a sense of humor. We homeschool moms can be so serious; the stakes are high! We’re going against the grain! What if we mess up…this is our kids we’re talking about, after all?! But, but, but…we were never meant to completely reinvent the wheel, and one of the best things we can do for ourselves, our families, and our homeschool is to take ourselves just a tad less seriously. If you are on Instagram, you have no doubt seen m ..read more

If there is a quintessential practice in Charlotte Mason’s approach to education, it is the act of narration. You can pick and choose which living books you want to read, you can use watercolors or not in your nature journaling, and you can dictate your own routine in a way that best fits your family, but you simply cannot reap the full benefits of Charlotte Mason’s approach without narration. WHAT IS NARRATION? Narration is the art of knowing. Simply stated, it’s the act of telling back what you have heard in a way that is authentic to you. This isn’t about parroting ..read more