After a horrible public school experience for our oldest son, we decided to start homeschooling. I had actually made the decision in February of that year, but we waited and dealt with the aggravation and issues at the school until the end of the school year. In all of the educational decisions we have made, that's the one I regret the most. I didn't know we could withdraw midyear and start homeschooling right away. I didn't have a homeschooling mentor to tell me it would be alright. So for ...
Homeschooling
Professional Development for Homeschoolers
When I was a classroom teacher, we needed to complete 100 hours of professional development over the course of five years. So on average, about 20 hours a year. During that time, I took courses on differentiating instruction, teaching writing, guided reading, developmental spelling, and Everyday Math. I spent hours upon hours writing a literature-based Social Studies curriculum. I attended faculty meetings, teaching conventions, and workshops offered throughout the region. I read books and ...
August Teacher Appreciation Days
Your favorite stores are showing the love at their teacher appreciation events this August for classroom teachers and homeschoolers. I know some of the brick and mortar schools are already back in session. Up here they go back somewhere between the last week of August and the week after Labor Day. Homeschooling is a whole other ballgame. But one thing teachers and homeschoolers alike need to know about is Teacher Appreciation Days! ...
Teaching Developmental Spelling
Luckily, during my classroom teaching experience, I worked in two school districts that allowed the classroom teacher to differentiate spelling for each student in our class. Differentiating instruction is how we best meet the needs of our students and give them what they need to be successful. Since spelling ability is developmental, I always found it vital to use a spelling program that was created with differentiation in place. Early in my teaching career, I worked for a ...
5 Stages of Spelling Development
Just like so many things in our children's lives, learning spelling is developmental. Once you know what the developmental levels are, and what level your child is on, you no longer have to worry about if they are behind or right where they need to be. When we have our children, it begins. The constant comparison to other children. From who is holding their head on their own, to who is sleeping through the night. Eventually, that turns into who is reading at what ...