As homeschoolers, we are used to being asked “why” on a regular basis — why did we decide to homeschool? It’s not a difficult question to answer, because we wouldn’t be homeschooling if we weren’t clear about why. However, knowing your “why” is just the beginning. Your “why” helped you […]
Homeschool Conventions 101: How to Plan
We are quickly approaching the homeschool conventions season. I love this time of year, and every year I eagerly anticipate our local homeschool convention in Oklahoma. This year is going to be even better: I am also planning to go to the “Teach Them Diligently” convention in Omaha, Nebraska. Teach […]
Tuesday’s Tip: Must I finish every textbook?
Spring is in the air — at least in some parts of the country — and as you start counting the few weeks left until summer, you might be asking yourself: Must I finish all these textbooks? In a word, no. For one thing, public school classrooms rarely finish a […]
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 the ski resorts closed for the season. After having such beautiful weather at the end of last week, it was […]
Spring “break” or homeschool burnout?
Once again, it is spring break! Every year at about this time, I find myself needing the break. But I also get worried that taking one may put us behind (or further behind than I already feel). I count the weeks left until my arbitrary “school’s out” date and worry […]
Ask a NextGen Homeschooler: What Textbooks or Curriculum Do You Use?
Welcome to “Ask a NextGen Homeschooler…” It’s your turn to ask the writers at NextGen Homeschool — four formerly homeschooled moms who are now homeschooling our children — to weigh in on your homeschooling questions. From the practical to the personal, all questions are welcome — whether you’re a current homeschooler […]
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 some dear friends from Durango who were in town for their daughters’ dance competition. We turned around and went back […]
Tuesday’s Tip: Host a Moms Resources Swap
Last night my local homeschool group dedicated a portion of our monthly meeting to a “resources swap.” Similar to a curriculum/book swap or clothing swap, the idea was for moms to bring one or more favorite resources to share with the rest of the group — from local contacts and […]
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 working at the Daylight Donuts shops we own and took our son Joel golfing. On Thursday mornings, Joel goes with […]
Identifying the learning styles of your children
When I first started homeschooling eight years ago, I didn’t really know much about learning styles. I also didn’t consider the differences in my girls learning styles when choosing our first curriculum. However, I soon discovered that the way I learn was not the way my daughters learn. I am […]
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 about it while he was at the airport coming home last Friday. Surprise! While in Dallas, he also had to […]
Tuesday’s Tip: Survival skills for solo parent days
In last week’s Friday Flashback post, I shared some of the ways that I juggle homeschooling, working from home, and solo parenting when my husband is traveling for work. Although most homeschooling parents are already “solo” during the day — one parent homeschools while the other works outside the home […]