The Homeschool 5 in 10

Why is creativity so important? When is the best time to foster this important skill? What activities that naturally foster curiosity and creative thinking? We are continuing to answer questions and more in a mini-series about Fostering Creativity in Kids with retired child psychologist and early childhood specialist Dr. Connie Eslinger. This second episode discusses the importance of storytelling, both as a parent and a child. For a transcript of today’s show visit...

Why is creativity so important? When is the best time to foster this important skill? What activities that naturally foster curiosity and creative thinking? Today we are going to start taking a detailed look at these questions and more in a mini-series about Fostering Creativity in Kids with retired child psychologist and early childhood specialist Dr. Connie Eslinger. This first episode provides a wonderful introduction to the series and gives some fun ideas to kick off the series using...

Looking for ways to add a little spice to your summer? Today we are going to be talking about five fun lesser-known holidays that can enhance your homeschool and increase your child’s understanding of fine arts, science, geography, handwriting, and more. This podcast is filled with amazing resources and ideas that you will be able to implement without ever leaving home! 1:05 World Music Day (fine arts) 2:31 International Joke Day (handwriting and public speaking) 5:23 National Ice Cream...

What will your children remember about you when you are gone? Have you thought about that? The longer I am a parent, the more I long to leave my children with a godly legacy and loving memories. But a legacy like that doesn’t just happen. It takes intentionality, and these 5 actions are a great place to start. 1:42 Dinner 4:10 Vacations 6:10 Date nights 8:18 Traditions 9:45 Collections of Memories For a transcript of today’s show visit TheHomeschool5in10.com. For more...

Does your child know what is ok to share and what is not? Do they know how to share other’s content legally? Today we are talking 5 copyright laws every student needs to know because not knowing could cost your child $150,000! 1:53 What’s legal? 4:30 Creative Commons vs. Public Domain 5:56 Bible Quotes and Recipes 7:06 Images, Music, and Video 8:59 Your Child’s Own Works For a transcript of today’s show visit TheHomeschool5in10.com. For more homeschooling takeaways, tips, and...

Are you considering Apologia’s What We Believe series for your homeschool? Or, are you looking for a biblical worldview curriculum that provides a solid foundation for your children as they grow older? Today I’m looking at this 4-volume series and sharing an honest review based on our personal experience with each of the four textbooks. As you consider this curriculum, you will want to make sure you have thought about these five things before you begin. 1:26 What This Series is Not 2:34...

Have a child who wishes grammar wasn’t so boring? Today Dr. Melanie Wilson, author of Grammar Galaxy, shares some simple ways to make grammar fun no matter what curriculum you use. 1:36 Find Mistakes 3:09 Fun Sentences 4:40 Homophones 7:11 Games 8:27 Stories For a transcript of today’s show visit TheHomeschool5in10.com. For more homeschooling takeaways, tips, and resources, become a Homeschool 5 in 10 Insider. Connect with Kathy Gossen: Email | Website | Instagram | Facebook |...

Do you own an Alexa device? If so, have you ever considered how you can use it in your homeschool? And, if not, listening to today’s podcast may just convince to give Alexa a try, even if just on your phone. Today’s podcast is not only filled with creative ideas and how-to’s regarding the use of Alexa in your homeschool, but also comes with three printable cheat sheets so you can immediately start using Alexa to enhance your homeschool today! 2:11 Keep track of time 5:41 Listen to music,...

Today is the last day of our 3-part series on homeschool planning. We have talked about planning our annual calendar, plugging our subjects into a weekly schedule, and today we are going to break down a typical homeschool day and discuss the pros and cons of different options. 0:33 How many hours? 2:12 How flexible? 5:53 What other activities? 6:31 Preschoolers? 8:18 How can I have less stress? For a transcript of today’s show visit TheHomeschool5in10.com. For more homeschooling...

Need help scheduling all those subjects into your week? While this is going to look different for everyone, today we are going to focus on five popular schedules and discuss the pros and cons of each so you can make the best choice for your family. 1:02 Period Scheduling 2:24 Block Scheduling 6:58 Loop Scheduling 8.55 Spiral Scheduling 9:40 Checklist Scheduling For a transcript of today’s show visit TheHomeschool5in10.com. For more homeschooling takeaways, tips, and resources, become...

Getting ready to plan your homeschool calendar and not sure where to start? In this episode, I look at a few popular ways homeschoolers schedule their year and compare the pros and cons of each. Chapters 1:17 Local School Calendar 2:58 9-Week vs. 6-Week Terms 5:12 Year-Round Schooling 6:57 4-Day or 5-Day Weeks 7:48 Other Options For a transcript of today’s show visit TheHomeschool5in10.com. For more homeschooling takeaways, tips, and resources, become a Homeschool 5 in 10...

Looking for a way to get in a little music education, develop some character skills, and/or work on fine motor skills? In this episode, I talk with Gena Mayo of I Choose Joy! and Music in Our Homeschool about 5 reasons why learning to play the recorder can have some major benefits for children beyond just learning the notes on the page. 2:06 Easily Accessible 3:09 Ease of Playing 4:13 Musical Skills 6:14 Physical Skills 8:20 Character Development For a transcript of today’s show visit...

Looking for ways to add a little spice to your homeschool days and break up the monotony this spring? Today we are going to be talking about five fun lesser-known holidays that can enhance your homeschool and increase your child’s understanding of literature, history, science, politics, language arts, and more. This podcast is filled with amazing resources and ideas that you will be able to implement without ever leaving home! 1:18 Children's Picture Book Day 4:30 National Virtual...

Trying to figure out how to add some nature study this spring? In this episode, I talk with Cindy West of Our Journey Westward, the creator of No Sweat Nature Study Live classes and NaturExplorers, about 5 things to look for in nature as the seasons change. Together, we talk about where to find specimens in the spring, what to do when you see them, and some things you can do to instill an excitement for nature study along the way. This is part 2 of 2. 1:01 Grasses 3:29 Mushrooms For a...

Trying to figure out how to add some nature study this spring? In this episode, I talk with Cindy West of Our Journey Westward, the creator of No Sweat Nature Study Live classes and NaturExplorers, about 5 things to look for in nature as the seasons change. Together, we talk about where to find specimens in the spring, what to do when you see them, and some things you can do to instill an excitement for nature study along the way. 3:03 Bugs 6:27 Birds 8:33 Flowers For a transcript of...

Did you know that most of the habits your child will have as an adult are engrained in them by the time they are 9 years old? That begs the question: what habits are the most important to teach early on? These 5 rich habits are ones you can teach your kids now to benefit them long after they are grown up. 1:27 Rich Habit #1 4:27 Rich Habit #2 6:42 Rich Habit #3 8:13 Rich Habit #4 9:48 Rich Habit #5 For a transcript of today’s show visit TheHomeschool5in10.com. For more...

Ever wondered how modern homeschooling came about or why homeschooling was shunned for a time in the first place? Today we are going to take a look at the history of homeschooling in America and the impact that history has on our freedom to homeschool today. 2:29 1950 3:23 1977 6:05 1980 8:28 1983 9:26 2020 For a transcript of today’s show visit TheHomeschool5in10.com. For more homeschooling takeaways, tips, and resources, become a Homeschool 5 in 10 Insider. Connect with Kathy...

Looking to save time and money in your homeschool? You can save both by family schooling. By studying subjects together, you can build stronger family relationships, save money, and save time. These 5 subjects are a great place to start. 1:43 History 3:10 Science 4:37 Bible 6:36 The Arts 7:35 Language Arts For a transcript of today’s show visit TheHomeschool5in10.com. For more homeschooling takeaways, tips, and resources, become a Homeschool 5 in 10 Insider. Connect with Kathy...

Typing—it’s one of those essential life skills in this technology age. When is the best time to have your kids learn to type? Are there any milestones we should consider before they begin typing? How often should they practice typing? Can typing help them in other academic areas? Today, we are going to talk about all of this and more as we discuss 5 things to know before your kids start to type. :55 When Should Students Start to Type 3:17 Proper Typing Posture 4:50 Can typing help other...

Preschool can be such a fun time of learning. Everything is exciting! The birds in the trees, the characters in storybooks, how high you can build a block tower—there’s so much to discover and do. The question is where to start? Today Kathy shares five areas to focus on during the preschool years and provides practical tricks for each so you can have fun helping your child prepare for kindergarten. 0:41 Gross motor skills 2:45 Fine motor skills 4:14 Social skills 6:18 Character 7:50...