Plumpaper.com is having a 30% off sale right now through November 12th (2023). (This is NOT an affiliate link. I will not make any money if you purchase this product.) Plum Paper Planners are Incredibly Customizable Binding - Plum Paper Planners come in spiral binding (gold or silver), disc cut, or saddle stitched. Some even have interchangeable covers or hard cover options. Sizes - Options include A5 (5.8” x 8.3”), 9” x 7”, and 8.5” x 11”. Layouts - There are so many choices here Vertical Layouts (this includes 5 separate vertical options) Horizontal Layouts (This has 4 options within i ..read more

Help! I'm overwhelmed. Where do I start? There are SO many resources - I'll list some below that you may find helpful. And, many others have also answered this question. So, here is my stab at it... Disclaimer: My advice is based solely on my experience. It does not constitute legal counsel, but is just my opinion. Legal Stuff Seriously, check your state laws first so you know exactly what you need to do. I can't provide any legal advice or any state-specific (or country specific) laws. And then read the rest of this as far as it is applicable to you. Check your legal requirements - then doub ..read more

After using All About Reading (AAR) for several years, I have picked up a few tips that I hope might help someone else just starting out… Boss Tips Check the front of each workbook to see you can make copies for use with multiple children in the same family. I know the PreK workbooks (including the supplemental Alphabet letters book) allow this. If you have a color copier this might come in handy - especially if there is a “mess-up” and your kid wants to start over (or a younger sibling wants to participate even though they aren’t really doing the curriculum). Prep the student workbook ah ..read more

I feel so honored that Bex Buzzie of “The Homeschool Advantage Podcast” reached out to me a while back about interviewing on her podcast. Check out the episode here! (It is the March 24, 2023 episode.) I had so much fun chatting with Bex about homeschooling, my journey, as well as some tips on how to help your struggling reader. In this episode I talk about the strategy from my article “The Simplest, Free Way to Help a Struggling Reader.” (Check out the blog post here.) If you are looking for a podcast to encourage and rejuvenate you in your homeschool journey, look no further. Bex Buzzie of ..read more

Disclaimer: I cannot guarantee that my method saves any money. For me, however, it saves time and my sanity - esp. since I have three kids in three separate grades.  I will be using the material 3 times and am terrible at night-before or week-of prep. I do far better with a project that I prep well in advance so that when school starts it is just open and go. Click here to read my review of All About Reading curriculum. How I set it up to REUSE all the materials with each kid I pre-assemble the activities in a large 3-ring binder before we ever start the next level - The student book tha ..read more

Disclaimer: I cannot guarantee that my method saves any money. For me, however, it saves time and my sanity - esp. since I have three kids in three separate grades.  I will be using the material 3 times and am terrible at night-before or week-of prep. I do far better with a project that I prep well in advance so that when school starts it is just open and go. Click here to read my review of All About Reading curriculum. How I set it up to REUSE all the materials with each kid I pre-assemble the activities in a large 3-ring binder before we ever start the next level - The student book tha ..read more

What is All About Reading? All About Reading, the brain-child of Marie Rippel came about as she struggled to help her dyslexic son learn to read. Hers is a phonics-centered (Orton-Gillingham based) curriculum for early elementary students. All About Reading (AAR) includes four levels as well as a Pre-Reading curriculum. At the time of this writing, I am part-way through level three with my oldest and feel like I can finally say IT WORKS with some authority. Check out the All About Learning Press website here.  Why did I choose this curriculum? I have always known that I want my children t ..read more

Help! I'm overwhelmed. Where do I start? There are SO many resources - I'll list some below that you may find helpful. And, many others have also answered this question. So, here is my stab at it... Disclaimer: My advice is based solely on my experience. It does not constitute legal counsel, but is just my opinion. Legal Stuff Seriously, check your state laws first so you know exactly what you need to do. I can't provide any legal advice or any state-specific (or country specific) laws. And then read the rest of this as far as it is applicable to you. Check your legal requirements - then doub ..read more

The book in a nutshell…A Synopsis In Dr. Ruth Beechick’s “The Three R’s,” she lays out a very gentle, or “natural” learning method. Her book could technically be used to plan your own curriculum for children in 1st to 3rd grade. Though I prefer to use a more curriculum-based approach at this point in my homeschooling, I found this book very inspirational. It has helped me to continue breaking from the mold of the classroom teacher I am used to into a more flexible and child-centered approach. Dr. Beechick focuses on paying attention to when your child is ready for the next step of learning rat ..read more

Listed below are five books that I have really enjoyed reading as we started our homeschooling journey… These books span the gamut from secular resource suggestions to curriculum planning to spiritual encouragement for Christian parents. The list includes books aimed at secular and/or Christian parents. Links to the Amazon listing are included - but they currently are not affiliate links (I will update if this changes). See the Used Book Resources page for other great places to buy books. Homeschool Bravely by Jamie Erickson (2019) Ms. Erickson is an outspoken Christian, and this book is defin ..read more