Last Monday was back-to-school week for my family, and our week started out with our first day at Artios Academies, a once-a-week integrated academic and arts program for homeschoolers that we’re participating in along…
Back to School at Guardian Academy: Curriculum & Plans for 2015-2016
We will soon be back to school at Guardian Academy, and lots of changes are taking place this year in our homeschool plans and curriculum choices. Last May we moved…
Learning Continues Despite Life’s Distractions
Even after 10 years of homeschooling, my biggest challenge is still consistency. Because of our lifestyle — owning two busy donut shops — my plans are interrupted on an almost daily…
Real-Life Homeschooling: A Day in Our Life
Last week I got to thinking about how our homeschool days have been flowing… all over the house. So I decided to take a few pictures of where we “did school” throughout the day to give…
Thankful to Homeschool When Life Happens
I’m going to be honest here: This year has been particularly hard. Life has gotten pretty crazy with major changes for our business, home and family, including the building and…
Back to School at Guardian Academy, First Day
If I had to sum up our first day of school here at the Ward house in one word, it would be “hectic.” But hey, that is just my life…
When Back-to-School Isn’t Picture Perfect
What do you remember most about the back-to-school season of your youth? The smell of freshly sharpened pencils, perfectly tipped crayons and a clean backpack? Picking out a cooler lunchbox? Laying…
Guardian Academy Curriculum Plan, Part 1
I love new beginnings! I had started planning for this new school year even before the last one ended. This coming year I will be teaching my son Joel (4th…
“Freedom Worth Defending” – 29th Annual Oklahoma Homeschool Capitol Day
Our family decided to attend this year’s Oklahoma Homeschool Capitol Day. I took our two daughters to this event seven years ago, when our son Joel was only a year…
Friday Flashback: There’s a New Teen in Town
We’re technically almost four weeks into the new year, and we haven’t had a “typical” homeschooling week yet! January is historically a very busy travel time for my husband because…
Preparing our Homeschool for a New Year
I love starting a new year. I am a big fan of resolutions, goals and dreams as well. For me, the new year feels like a chance at a new…
30 Days of Thanks: Five Reasons I’m Thankful for Homeschooling
Join us in 30 Days of Thanks! We will be posting all month at NextGen Homeschool about some of the things we are personally thankful for, and when we do,…
30 Days of Thanks: Curriculum Choice
Join us in 30 Days of Thanks! We will be posting all month at NextGen Homeschool about some of the things we are personally thankful for, and when we do,…
30 Days of Thanks: A Letter to My Mom
Join us in 30 Days of Thanks! We will be posting all month at NextGen Homeschool about some of the things we are personally thankful for, and when we do,…
30 Days of Thanks: Good Sibling Relationships
We will be posting all month at NextGen Homeschool about some of the things we are personally thankful for, and when we do, the post will include a link-up at…
Join Us in 30 Days of Thanks This November
In recent years, many people have participated in a 30 Days of Thanks challenge on their blogs or social media by expressing thankfulness for at least one thing every day…
Flashback Friday: Guardian Academy’s Unit Study Presentation Day
In our homeschool this year… This year we at Guardian Academy (the little homeschool co-op I’m doing with my sister Elizabeth and her girls) are studying the Middle Ages using…
First Day of Homeschool at Guardian Academy
In our homeschool this week… Today was officially our first day of homeschool here at Guardian Academy, as well as our first little co-op day, when my sister Elizabeth’s family…
NGHS Journal: Bring on the Summer Camps!
In my life this week… I completed the third week in a four-week weight-loss and exercise program at my local fitness studio, Hot Fitness. It’s a cross-training program with a…
Friday Flashback: Learning on the Road
In our homeschool this week… we took a last-minute “field trip” to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, tagging along with my husband who had business there. This type of homeschool travel opportunity…
Friday Flashback: “Spring” break… or was it?
In our homeschool this week… we never took an official spring break, so we planned to take Monday-Wednesday off this week to head up to the mountains before most of…
Friday Flashback: Projects, lapbooks & more!
In my life this week… it was non-stop action at the Gotcher household! A week ago today, I was driving down to Colorado Springs for a last-minute trip to see…
Friday Flashback: Sunshine, golf & gladiators
In my life this week… The past few days have been gorgeous here in Northeast Oklahoma. Today it is in the mid 70s and sunny. My husband came home from…
Friday Flashback: A week of surprises
My theme for this week is… Surprise! In my life this week… My husband had to take a last-minute trip to Dallas for work, leaving Sunday afternoon. I found out…
Friday Flashback: My solo parent juggling act
In my life this week… It was time for another round of the “solo parent juggling act” — when hubby’s out of town for work and some of his contributions…
Friday Flashback: A week of highs and lows
This week was an exhausting rollercoaster ride for my family, complete with exhilarating highs, unexpected turns, and stomach-dropping lows. I debated whether I was still motivated to write today, but…
Friday Flashback: Reading spark from Captain Underpants
This has been a very busy week for us, but great educational steps took place in spite of my crazy schedule. With my husband traveling and my best friend visiting…
Friday Flashback: A new year, a spa day, a snow day?
This week was the absolute best first week back to school after an extended vacation. The fact that I spent most of Monday at the local day spa utilizing my…
Fresh Take on the New Year of Homeschooling
Like most homeschooling mamas at this time of year, I have been busy preparing for the new year: From lesson planning and making necessary tweaks and changes to our school…
Gotcher Family Thanksgiving
By Rosanna Ward I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving holiday. This year for Thanksgiving, the Gotcher family gathered in force at my home in Oklahoma. Mom and Dad…