As I've journeyed to find the life that is ours, I've made it my mission to help others do the same--helping moms to embrace a homeschool life uniquely their own.
As a military wife, you quickly learn to become a bit of this and a bit of that if you want to survive. And that is what you'll find here on my channel. You also learn quickly to embrace the life that is yours...because it in no way compares to civilian life!
With more than a decade of homeschooling behind us, I have learned a lot! I love to share what has (and what hasn't!) worked for us, embracing a homeschool life that is uniquely ours.
We have graduated one kiddo & transitioned her to a 4-year college. Another in high school, and the last in middle school.
Blog homeschoolbreakroom.com/
Hang Out w/Other Homeschool Moms: facebook.com/groups/thehomeschoolbreakroom/ Instagram: @ hsmom_tricia
Oh, I can’t believe I didn’t address that! 🤦♀️ Forester’s is considered a pretty rigorous program. This kiddo is STEM-bound which is one of the reasons we chose it over Mr.D, a program my other kiddo used. I think an average kiddo who enjoys math or doesn’t object to a bit of struggle would probably do fine with it, too.
@@TheHomeschoolBreakroom Thank you! I have a program I like for my average math kids but I have one who is very good at it and loves it. I will keep this in mind for her!
Good question, I hadn't looked in some time. It looks like its here, but I can't tell for certain. We no longer use it. I'd contact MBTP to be sure. www.movingbeyondthepage.com/purchase/sku-detail/2957/moving-beyond-the-page-spelling/
You mentioned that your son finished too soon, but that you skipped books. Would it have helped to extend his time by having him read all of the books?
Good question! Maybe? For some reason, I can't really wrap my head around this answer. 🤣 He read a bunch of other books, so it wasn't like he was doing fewer hours of school work. But if he hadn't skipped books, I guess he would have done this longer and just less of the other stuff. Even if he had read everything, I still think he would have finished early, just not AS early. I can't remember if I mentioned it in the video but he's a pretty fast reader. So that does skew how early he finished, too.
Thank you so much for sharing this video! Did your child take precalculus algebra as well as precalculus Trigonometry? Also, since in the state of NC, Economics and Government are required for HS graduation, were you able to take these two classes as ducal enrollment classed?
No, she switched to statistics. We considered another pre-calc class but statistics interested her more. By that point, she had decided against a science major that would have required calculus, so there wasn't a need to take it. She took government but not economics. Since NC doesn't set homeschool graduation requirements, we didn't end up doing a traditional econ class.
There's a lot I liked about Elemental Science but, overall, it wasn't not a hit for us. We tried it twice (maybe 3 times?) because I really wanted to like it.
This year, for literature for my high schooler, I have chosen four books that I want him to read and I'm having him keep a commonplace book. Three of the books we already owned and the last one I could have gotten from the library, but chose to purchase it. No expensive literature programs and no quizzes. I'm just requiring that he make at least two entries per week in his commonplace book.
I had to look up the term 'commonplace book', it's not a phrase I knew! I love this kind of approach to literature, honestly. Reading good books, thinking about them, discussing them...it's my favorite. <3 What books will he read?
I love literature based learning, but I completely agree that it has to be limited in order to work for our family. I cannot do a literature based language arts, history and science. I have several children and it just becomes too much. Last year and this coming year I chose to do literature-based history and it's been great. This coming year I'm going to do a literature based science as well, but with only one main book as our spine. I may or may not get some additional library books to go with each topic. We also use audiobooks while we are driving a lot. I recently discovered that I could get hoopla through my library, download books to my phone and listen to them in the van. So excited about this option!
Great video… random question. Do you use a mic for your videos? I think the sound quality is very nice and I’m looking for a good, inexpensive one to use.
I use the Hollyland Lark M2. It was more than I set out to spend but I'm beyond thrilled with it. I tried two others. I wanted to love the PQRQP Wireless Lavalier but I didn't think the sound was much better. I really liked the HMKCH Wireless Lavalier. And I would have kept it but they have dishonest marketing, IMO. I got the 'get a free gift card from us after you leave a 5-star review' postcard. And I return every item that sends me one of those. The quality was good for the price...but that postcard earned them a return. Here are the links to all 3 (in that order): amzn.to/4c7AZvD amzn.to/3VLZ4SV amzn.to/3KMBUFZ I used to use this one. But once I changed phones & needed a wireless mic, that one became a pain. amzn.to/45sCCBJ
I think you introduced me to Guest Hollow curriculum when you reviewed your daughter going through Chemistry in the Kitchen! So glad to have found them. We love the style of their units. Next year, my daughter is finally be doing Chemistry in the Kitchen next year!
I just purchased Boys in the Boat for my son to read over the summer then the next morning saw an email for 50% off the literary adventure unit for it so we finally dove in and bought one to try. I have been eyeing them for a while, but have never heard anyone talk about them. I am excited to hear you enjoyed it and how many side trails they include, we love those too! I am really looking forward to checking it out more bow for when we are ready to start it! I am going to check out Math Without Borders for my rising 8th grader! He gets sooooo annoyed if things take too long to explain. He understands math quickly and wants to get to it, but also likes a physical book to reference when needed. This might be a good fit for him, and one we havent checked out yet!
Oh, I hope you love Boys in the Boat. I listened to the adult version of the book several years ago. I can't believe how captivated I was by the story but I binged through it! If you haven't seen the movie yet, it is streaming now. The movie is fantastic, too. If Math Without Borders doesn't seem like a great fit, Mr. D is very concise, too. There's no textbook, though. We also have an old Jacob's Algebra book that is concise.
@@TheHomeschoolBreakroom he tried Mr D and for some reason he did not like it. My other son is thriving with it. So, we were glad Mr D had awesome customer service and was able to refund us for the course. He is going to preview some over the summer to see what might be a good fit!
Isn't it interesting how kids can be drawn to/against curriculum?! I'm always interested to see how different kids react to the same program. I'm glad to hear they have good CS. I've only dealt with them in regards to questions about problems or grades.
@@TheHomeschoolBreakroom it is so funny, especially because the kidso who is doing great with Mr D math is the one I was absolutely not sure would do ok without a physical book, explanations to go back to a read if needed etc. The one who didn't like it is the one I expected to do best with that format. Ha! They are always keeping me on my toes!
I am so glad to have found your page. I am a first generation homeschool mom, heading into our third year soon. I have all the writing strands curriculum books that were passed down to me, and my instinct tells me it will work, but it is so radically different from other curriculum. And then my goal is also to help my child enjoy reading, similar to yours, but have not met many or any other families on that same page. This is encouraging and affirming for so many reasons. Thank you for sharing your experience. I am subscribing and will be watching more from you! 🙏
The Writing Strand curriculum is a really solid program -- and I got it the same way! I really like how clearly each project is laid out. While we've never used it as our main curriculum, I think it's good for the right students. The homeschool community can be good about encouraging books/reading, but it can often be so fragmented on what kind of books kids "should" be reading. I'm just in the camp of "read what you enjoy and do it without guilt!"
I’m so touched by how you understand your sons’ learning processes and help just enough for them to succeed but, I imagine, to still feel independent ❤ We homeschool year round (my kids insist) and one of them is using Moving Beyond the Page. He enjoys it so much- well with the exception of the art/crafts aspect so we modify that. He uses CTC Math which he says he will ‘always’ use. He enjoys a lot of structure. My other son is a didactic learner so he forges his own path. Currently he’s fully immersed in the Spanish language and all his studies for other subjects are in Spanish - except for math which he uses Denison and CTC Math for. Oh and coding which so far is in English. He devours all things geography, history and cultures too. So both are enjoying this 7th grade year which will soon be 8th grade! Thanks again for your videos. They’re always extremely informative and helpful x
Do you have a video on how you put together your daily planner? Looks interesting. Would love to see how you set it all up when you get a chance. Love your channel! ❤
Oh, I bet you'd like them! (And thanks for commenting about them, I forgot to add my link!) They run a sale every Wednesday off one book, 50% off I think. I was JUST thinking about your mama yesterday. How is she doing?
@@TheHomeschoolBreakroomI love how everything is set up for you. My mom is doing so good. She is responding to treatment well. She has 4 more treatments to go.
My kid did RSO Bio this year as well; we still have the rotting banana on the counter, as a matter of fact. Ha! Thank you for the wealth of knowledge you share with us.
Ha! Matthew loved that one. When we went on vacation, I accidentally left a small baggie of pineapple on the counter. It was puffed up and, before we had finished unloading the car, he was measuring the bag. 🤣🤦🏻♀️
We did RSO Biology 2 this year as well! However, we did save anatomy for this year and plan to combine it with health. My kiddo likes structure and autonomy, too. Too bad about the online class not being available next year. :(
Saving the health portion is a great idea! We used this one on Outschool. The teacher, Alison, used to teach this class directly for the publisher of RSO before they closed down their online classes. outschool.com/classes/biology-2-full-year-course-with-labs-semester-2-sC1mGVZV?sectionUid=994a11fe-4802-4b4d-b82a-567babde1c4d&showDetails=true&usid=EMdNOp3j&signup=true&
Love this AND a video on apps/ things to do when sending kiddo away for college…not a tech mom but feel her love of tacos, milk and yarn may need to supplemented..she’s not wanting to take car first year
Oh, things to do before college would be a good one. I didn't realize she was going to head off to college after all! Wow. <3 Congrats on graduating your baby. You've done well, mama.
@@TheHomeschoolBreakroom yes…it’s unconventional but a God thing for sure. Would love to see what apps we should put in her phone,etc that would facilitate her…she doesn’t want car first year
