Do you study in units? Do you have separate subjects at different times of the day? Do you get together with other families for special learning projects? There are many ways to organize the school day, and being able to make it just right for your particular students is one of the best reasons to homeschool.

Yet all these approaches can lead to a lack of integration of studies. Do your students end up with the idea that Ancient Egypt happened, and then, when it was all finished, along came Ancient Greece? Do you feel frustrated sometimes when your students don’t make connections that seem obvious to you? Do you love to follow the kids’ lead when they’re excited about a subject, but worry that your studies are too fragmented and might have gaps?

Timelines can help with all these problems, and many more. If you make a schoolroom timeline, you can add any lessons to that timeline in minutes, helping your kids to see the context, regardless of the subject area.

The time when a person lived, a nation was established, a picture was painted, a scientific discovery was made, a natural disaster took place – all these things can be marked on the timeline, giving you opportunities to put new information in context and review previously learned information as well.

You need to begin with a line. A long strand of string or yarn, a stretch of painter’s tape, or a banner of paper are all practical options. If possible, put your timeline on the wall of the room where you study so it’ll always be available. If this just won’t work with your decor, think about using an accordion fold or roll of paper so it can be stretched out and viewed all at once.

Now here’s your chance to integrate math and history. Calculate how long your timeline will be and how many years it will cover. Now, calculate how best to divide it: one inch per year is one option, but you might prefer to use one foot per decade or one yard for each century. Since these decisions depend on the space available, the length of time you’ve decided to include, and the number of events you want to be able to mark, this can be a terrific opportunity to practice problem solving and working well together.

Actually constructing the timeline will require measurement and more calculation. Mark and write in the basic time divisions neatly. This can be a chance for computer practice, if you want to print out the dates, or it can be an art or handwriting project.

Now, each time a date comes up in your studies, add it to the classroom timeline. You might want to start with some special family dates: the birthdays of all the kids, for example. Then, when you read about a person or place or thing or event, find its spot on the timeline.

You can use labels, strips of paper, lengths of yarn radiating out from the date points, or index cards lined up along the timeline. Add drawings, quotations, and even small objects. Soon, visitors to your home will be admiring your handiwork – and your students will really understand the relationship between Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece.

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Mimi Rothschild is the Founder of LearningByGrace.org the nation’s leading provider of online PreK-12 online Christian educational programs for homeschoolers.

Valentine’s Day is a light-hearted holiday, a time for thinking about the people we love. Bring some hearty fun into your homeschool lessons with these ideas:

• Take leftover candy canes from Christmas (don’t we all have a few squirreled away still?) and make easy heart candies. Put parchment paper or foil onto a cookie sheet. Lay the candy canes in pairs with the curved hooks at the top and both ends touching to form hearts. Bake them in a 200 degree oven for about five minutes, just till they melt together. Let them cool before removing from the parchment paper or foil.
• Fold construction paper in half and cut hearts, discussing basic shapes or symmetry while you do so. Cut lots in different sizes, and lay them out on paper to form bodies, heads, hands, feet, and other parts of people or animals. Draw in details for your heart creatures.
• Study heart health. Learn about heart rates, heart-healthy foods, and how the heart works. Older students can check the details on the rates of heart disease in our nation, combining math and science in a sobering lesson. Move on to plan healthy meals for the family, and an exercise plan with the recommended amount of cardiovascular exercise for the week.
• Send valentines to friends and family, using the lesson as an opportunity to practice handwriting, letter writing, or poetry, depending on the ages of your students. Free ecards are an environmentally responsible possibility, but real physical mail is getting so rare that sending a card in an envelope can be an exciting event for the recipient.

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Mimi Rothschild is the Founder of LearningByGrace.org the nation’s leading provider of online PreK-12 online Christian educational programs for homeschoolers.

So many homeschool families have small family businesses which make it possible for one or both parents to devote plenty of time to homeschooling. We hear about families cheerily practicing math skills by working on small business accounting, gaining practical skills for their futures by working in the family business, or studying happily alongside the home working parents.

But we also hear about children working in the fields instead of studying, being kept out of school to babysit younger siblings while parents work, and being limited in their learning as the needs of the family business take precedence over the needs of the students.

We also hear about moms trying to earn from home and homeschool at the same time, ending up exhausted and unsatisfied with their accomplishments in either area.

Is it possible to combine homeschooling and a family business? Here are some strategies that help:
• Structure your learning – or at least some of it. We have friends who have a family band. Their kids not only perform in the band and learn business skills by assisting with management tasks, they also get to travel all over the country. We know these are valuable, educational experiences. But the kids spend their mornings working with very structured study materials. They make sure to get the basics covered, and then they benefit from the unstructured learning that is their life with the family band. You might choose to have the kids work on simple accounting or inventory tasks during math time, write business letters during writing, or help work out a marketing plan as part of a business skills class, but then make sure that all the other subjects are covered, too.
• Get feedback from the kids. Many kids are excited by the opportunity to take part in a family business, and to do tasks which they know are important and contribute to the family’s welfare. But few kids will really enjoy – or learn much from – hours of filing or packing up orders. While all students have to do some tasks they don’t enjoy, pay extra attention to feedback on work-related tasks to be sure you’re not letting the needs of the business come before the needs of the kids.
• Get help. Running a business takes a lot of work, and it may be necessary to delegate some tasks. Whether that means getting more help with homeschooling or with the business, be realistic about how much help you need. Work with the kids to set up a realistic schedule of times when you’ll work alongside them – you on the business and them on their schoolwork, when you’ll work together on business-related learning opportunities, and when you’ll work together on schoolwork and set the business aside. If all the tasks you need to do won’t fit into that schedule, then it’s time to delegate.

With caution, a family business can be a wonderful learning experience, a good way to increase funds for homeschool costs, and a chance for one or both parents to be available for homeschooling.

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Mimi Rothschild is the Founder of LearningByGrace.org the nation’s leading provider of online PreK-12 online Christian educational programs for homeschoolers.

Fashions in education come and go. As homeschoolers, we can usually ignore them. One of the areas that comes up repeatedly in different guises, though, is the question of critical thinking skills.

One year the pendulum swings so far that educators are saying, “It doesn’t matter what they learn, only that they learn how to learn.” The next, it’s back to the basics, with rote memorization of facts at the center of teaching. Then we’re back to critical thinking, but calling it “problem-solving.”

The latest version of this debate is being called “21st Century Skills,” and some educators are hailing it as the most important new thing on the horizon. Critical thinking, creativity, problem identification, and the ability to work with others to solve problems are all part of this new constellation of skills that we’re told has arisen from new technologies and new ways of approaching the world.

As homeschoolers, we aren’t bound by educational fashions, so we can see that there’s nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

James 1:5 tells us, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.” The source of wisdom is, and always has been, God, who created us with the ability to reason. The book of Proverbs talks often about critical thinking: “A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.” (Proverbs 14:15) “It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.” (Proverbs 19:2)

Critical thinking means that we read and listen carefully, making sure to understand and search for evidence for the claims made. We must be able to dissect the reasoning behind an argument and judge its validity. We should think creatively, since we are made in the image of the Creator God, and have the God-given the ability to think and to delight in new thoughts.

As for working collaboratively with others, we have the example of Jesus before us, as well as the word of God on the subject: “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:13-18)

So how can we help our students to gain the ability to learn, understand, reason clearly, and yet also to work with others to solve problems peaceably?

Read together, and use questions like these to guide your children toward wisdom:

• “What’s the main idea here?”
• “What evidence does the author have for his claim?”
• “Are these facts or opinions?”
• “Can we check on this information and find out whether it’s true?”
• “Are there other explanations for this, or other ways to look at this?”

Approach problems, such as puzzles, complex math questions, and practical challenges, with a spirit of inquiry. Questions like these will help lead your kids to take a critical thinker’s approach to problem-solving:

• How can we describe the problem clearly?
• How many different ways can we think of to approach this problem?
• Exactly what would the best outcome look like?
• What steps could we take to solve this problem?
• What kinds of information do we need in order to find our best answer?

Finally, we should make sure that we don’t confuse critical thinking with a rebellious spirit. “Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you,” says Proverbs 32:9. Our God-given understanding allows us to delight in learning about God’s ways, not to refuse the wisdom of God’s word.

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Mimi Rothschild is the Founder of LearningByGrace.org the nation’s leading provider of online PreK-12 online Christian educational programs for homeschoolers.

With winter weather and the time pressures of getting ready for the holidays, homeschoolers may be spending less time out and about. We can still give our kids the benefits of field trips, though. Later in this post, you’ll find a list of just some of the many wonderful museums you can visit online.

Get the most from your field trips by following a few simple steps:

•    Visit the site yourself first. This way, you can see what background your students will need in order to get the most from the online visit, and you can choose an appropriate objective for the visit.

•    Choose a learning objective for each of your children. Older students can write reports, while younger ones can do a virtual scavenger hunt, sending you a link to a page you asked them to find. Many sites also have games or quizzes designed for kids, and these can be excellent objectives.

•    Follow up. Just visiting is fun, but taking that knowledge and applying it to other lessons is the way to make the learning stick. Have students write, draw, retell their learning to other family members, or in other ways use the things they’ve learned.

Favorite places to visit:

•    The Cave of Lascaux is a beautiful website, allowing us to visit a place few people can see in the physical world. The artworks made there by early humans show that they, like their sovereign Creator, were made with a desire to create. Enjoy a Virtual Visit to the cave, learn its history, and finish up with online quizzes and puzzles.

•    Visit The Virtual Instrument Museum to see, hear, and learn about a dazzling array of instruments made from all kinds of different materials. You can enjoy exploring the museum in a free-form way, but it’s also a great opportunity to practice geography by finding the homes of all the instruments on a map as you explore, or to work on critical thinking skills by sorting the exhibits.

•    The National Museum of the American Indian has lots of wonderful exhibits. One is about the history of Native American women’s clothing. Another is the special online resource about Native American Codetalkers. Click on the “Education” button and then the “Print Resources” button to find a variety of PDF files to print out, including posters.

•    It isn’t only museums that make good virtual field trips. Check out the Virtual Cave for an excellent science lesson. There are plenty of amazing photographs, and lots of information as well.

•    The Exploratorium is probably the best science museum for kids around, and they have so many great resources that you’ll need to make more than one visit. Take time for free exploration, or build field trips into lots of your science lessons.

•    A cyber field trip on the Grimms Fairy Tales can include reading the classic fairy tales as well as some history and geography. National Geographic has done a good job on this website, with stories to read and listen to, plus background information and creepy graphics that add to the fun. The treasure chest on the left side of the home page hides the contents list, including kids’ activities.

The web is a wonderful thing, and it changes every day. If your favorite virtual field trip destinations disappear over time, you can find new ones by searching for “virtual museum” or for your favorite real-world museums – chances are they have online exhibits.

Leave us a comment telling us about your favorites!

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Mimi Rothschild is the Founder of LearningByGrace.org the nation’s leading provider of online PreK-12 online Christian educational programs for homeschoolers.

Are you traveling away from home soon? Homeschooling families have (yet another) advantage over public school families in that they have the flexibility to travel without having to miss school. Still, you will probably have to make some adjustments.

Here are some ways to approach schooling during the holidays:

•    Adjust your routine. Many families find that getting all the basic “book work” done in the morning and leaving the afternoon free for sightseeing and visiting works best. Lessons in the hotel room or guest room, on a regular schedule, can be reassuring for young children and help keep them from getting overexcited. On the other hand, if you’re fitting into the schedules of people you’re visiting, there’s nothing wrong with having lessons in the evenings or at other convenient times. Don’t make your children feel that they’re missing out on the fun. Even if  your routine is completely changed, though, consider keeping something like 15 minutes of reading every evening or something similar, to give a little bit of structure to the kids’ days and make it easier to get back into the swing of things when you return to schooling.

•    Consider how you plan to travel. Some kids can read in the car and some get carsick if they try. Airports can be a fine place to do math lessons, especially if you have your laptop along, but the combined excitement and boredom of air travel can make it hard for kids to concentrate. If you don’t yet know how your particular children will respond to the travel method you’ve chosen, plan to lower your expectations for them while traveling.

•    Take some time off. Sometimes this is truly the best plan. The schoolwork will still be there when you get back to it. Appreciate the opportunities that travel offers to make some unscheduled discoveries, and know that you can make the time up at another time of year if you feel you need to.

When we think of homeschooling’s benefits, we usually think of the opportunity to provide a first-class education at much less than the cost of a typical private school, the chance each child has to work at his or her own pace and in the best way for that particular child, or the blessings of learning in a nurturing Christian environment.

There are benefits for the parents as well. We have a closer family life, the ability to be sure of what our children are learning, and the pleasure of spending more time with our precious children as they grow. There’s another benefit for parents, though, one we often overlook when we count our blessings as homeschoolers.

Have you thought about your own education? It’s true, refreshing our knowledge of the things we learned in school – or occasionally the things we should have learned in school and didn’t – is one of the great benefits we homeschool parents gain from our children’s schooling.

Some of the things we now have the opportunity to learn, such as web design, the history of Christian  music or forensic science, may never have been available to us when we were students. Now we can take pleasure in learning these things as adults.

For no cost of time or money above the investment we’re already making in our children’s education, we can polish up our algebra, learn about world history with our more mature understanding, and perhaps finally get complete comprehension of how to multiply fractions.

Our children get to see our own excitement in learning, and to have our example of diligent study and an enthusiastic teachable spirit. Our friends and spouses get a more interesting and informed conversational partner.   And we get the satisfaction of being better educated individuals.

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Mimi Rothschild is the Founder of LearningByGrace.org the nation’s leading provider of online PreK-12  online Christian educational programs for homeschoolers.

Nobody likes being stuck at school every day, even if your schoolroom also happens to be your home.  It’s good, even healthy, to get out once in a while and see what’s going on around you, beyond the four walls of your house.  But thinking of things to do that are fun and educational for your children can be challenging.  Here are a few ideas that might help you get started:

Museums, zoos, farms and planetariums make excellent educational experiences for your students.  They are a great way to tie in lessons on science and math, because they really bring the subjects from paper to life.  They can sometimes be a little pricey, though, so if cost is a factor, organize some other homeschoolers in your area to get a discounted group rate.  Going with a group also benefits your children by allowing them much needed socialization time with their peers.

Local colleges often host small art galleries where students can exhibit their work.  These galleries are usually open to the public, and are free or available for a small entry fee.  If all goes well, your students will leave there inspired by the creativity of others.  Encourage them to try their own hand at artwork once you get home, and maybe even set up your own little gallery somewhere in your home.  Check first, of course, to be sure the work they are showing are appropriate before you go.

Outdoor trips are always fun for kids, and can usually be turned into something educational without much effort.  Simple things, such as a walk in the park or a hike through the woods, can really open the doors to discussions about nature and Creation.  Just examining the intricate details of the leaves on the trees can open a child’s eyes of wonder.  If you live near the ocean, take a trip to the beach.  Build a sandcastle, walk in the surf and examine the shells that are scattered along the sand.   Nature is a wonderful testimony to the Lord and what he has created all around us.  Use the experience to truly enjoy His handiwork, and don’t forget to thank Him for it.

Tap into the local businesses in your area for some enlightening and unique field trips.  Most businesses, particularly factories, welcome visitors and often offer free tours of their facilities.  How thrilling would it be for your child to watch how a newspaper is made, or how bread is baked from start to finish?  They’re sure to be talking about what they saw and learned for years to come.

Nursing homes also make a wonderful place for you and your child to visit.  Spending time talking, reading, and listening to people who have lived long and intriguing lives can be captivating to a young student.  This also instills a sense of giving in them, as they learn to give of themselves and their time to brighten someone else’s day.  Most seniors living in these homes love to have young visitors, so everyone benefits from the experience.

Of course, you don’t have to go out to have a fieldtrip.  There are lots of online resources to educate and entertain your children from the comfort of their own classroom.  Look for videos and how-to demonstrations so your kids can learn as they watch.  The site http://www.diaryofahomeschoolmom.com/fieldtripideas.html  has a couple of links to get you started.

If none of these ideas appeal to you, tap into the resource of other homeschool Mom’s in your network for ideas or suggestions.  Perhaps one or more of them are already planning a trip and you can sign your children up to go along.

Regardless of what you choose to do for a trip, it will all come down to what you make of it.  You can turn just about any activity into a learning experience if you are creative.  And don’t forget to have fun!!!

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Mimi Rothschild is the Founder of LearningByGrace.org the nation’s leading provider of online PreK-12 online Christian educational programs for homeschoolers.