By Maresa Kelleher   “Bloom where you are planted.” My kids have not only heard this a million times but have lived it. I always say that my kids are truly my heroes. Moving constantly, not having any family around, a parent possibly being deployed, being “the new kid” often, and really, just having such an unpredictable life can be overwhelming! The ever- changing landscape of military life is, I think, EXACTLY why God led us to homeschool. This would be their constant. This would be the anchor that steadied them through each move, each new state, or new deployment or new tour schedule ..read more

By Jessica Leavitt   A common mistake made by many (parents, teachers, doctors, relatives, well-meaning strangers) is that literacy only relates to being able to read. This couldn’t be further from the truth! The Language Arts encompass so much more than simply the reading of words. Children should be learning to listen and speak, both in a learning context and in a casual conversational context. Did you know? Drawing is considered a pre-writing skill! Make sure you give your child credit for talking about stories they have heard, for making up and telling stories orally, and for having ..read more

By Sarah Buchwalder   Not too long ago, Valentine's Day was called St. Valentine's Day. St. Valentine was a Roman physician and martyr who wrote letters to friends and loved ones from prison as he awaited execution because of his Christian faith. The notes were signed: "From, your Valentine." Why not take some time with family one of these winter days to make your own valentines - notes of hope and encouragement to those you love and maybe even those you don't know? A hospital, care facility, or even correctional facility might welcome simple cards letting residents know you are thinkin ..read more

Make the most of this 34th annual Maine homeschool event. Take advantage of the money and time saving tips below. Learn the strategies you need for the best experience possible!      If you will be staying overnight, make your reservations early. Some room types do sell out. Click here for accommodations at the Hampton Inn. Plan ahead for meals. Hampton Inn serves a FREE hot breakfast and rooms have refrigerators. The Portable Pie Place Food Truck will be available at the Armory throughout the day on Saturday. Check the General Information&nb ..read more

What is a Unit Study? Unit Studies offer students a thematic approach to learning. Typically, all subjects are covered through an in-depth study of one central topic. Learning becomes an adventure with students becoming more engaged, excited, and eager to dig deeper. Topics can be introduced to spark interest or to develop a special interest.   While typically unit studies are best suited for the elementary grades, they can easily be adapted for upper or lower grades or used in a multi-grade setting.   This makes them a popular and practical choice among homeschool families with m ..read more

By Kathy Green   Merry Christmas! If you follow the liturgical year, the celebration of Christmas has just begun and will continue until January 6 (Epiphany). There is still plenty of time for more caroling, gift-giving, and sharing the message of hope in Jesus our Savior.   If you are like our family, though, the day after Christmas is a time to quietly reflect on Christmas Day memories made and the thoughtful gifts so lovingly prepared by friends and family. The heart and soul behind each gift become so clear and evident. That is often the greater gift! What a joy and blessing i ..read more

By Michelle Collomy   When our first daughter was born, my aunt gave us a copy of The Polar Express. We always read it on Christmas Eve. It was our favorite. My husband, Daryl, still reads it to our grandkids every Christmas Eve. Several years later, when Jesus saved us, we wanted to shift our focus onto Jesus rather than Santa, so I bought The Legend of the Candy Cane. We love that story because it's fun and so beautifully illustrated. More importantly, it shares the Gospel message.   We have a huge collection of Christmas stories. Our kids buy Daryl a new one every year ..read more

by Hannah Overlock   The holiday season is here! As many families prepare for celebrating, daily routines and school planning can easily become overwhelming. In such a busy season of life, we can forget one of the beautiful truths about homeschooling: life itself is a learning experience. Here are some basic holiday ideas that can count as valuable "school time." Hannah is blessed with a wonderful husband and 4 amazing kiddos. She is a certified, public school science teacher turned homeschool mom. Hannah enjoys reading, exploring nature, and sharing nerdy moments with he ..read more

By Maresa Kelleher   35 days. That’s how long the government shut down for in 2018 to 2019. 35 days of uncertainty. 35 days of furloughs for some government workers. For 42,000, such as our family, 35 days of not knowing what the future held. You see, my husband is active-duty Coast Guard and because of where the branch falls within the government confines, when there is a shutdown, his pay is suspended until a resolution can be found and yet, he still has to work. In his almost 18 years in, we had never experienced this before.   We had only been at our new duty station for a few ..read more

In the quest for mathematical mastery, parents and educators often grapple with choosing the best program that not only teaches math effectively but does so in a way that alleviates math anxiety and fosters a genuine love for the subject. Among the myriad of options available, Wonder Math stands out as a beacon of innovation in elementary math education. This program eclipses traditional tutoring methods like the Russian School of Math, Kumon, and Mathnasium by a significant margin. Here’s why.   Engaging Math Games for Kids Wonder Math introduces "math games for kids" as a central the ..read more