homeschooling

March 30, 2020 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Attend the Teach Them Diligently Online Conference

Have you always wanted to attend a Teach Them Diligently event but have never been able to? Now you can!! With meet-ups, a LIVE Exhibit hall, recorded workshops, live sessions, and too many other elements to mention, this will be as close to a TTD event as we can make it by streaming to your home. Register now and join us for the coolest virtual homeschool event ever!

At first, I was bummed that the Teach Them Diligently conference was canceled. This is an AMAZING conference for homeschoolers and parents.

The amazing thing is they’re turning this into an online conference!!

And you can register for only $20.

Yes, for $20 you can listen to ALL the workshops from your home!

The online conference starts soon!

I’ll be teaching on:

The Grumble Free Year

Dare to Dream, Mom

and

Homeschooling Adopted Kids

These are workshops I teach around the US, and now you’re going to be able to hear them, too! I’m very excited!

Register here for $20!

The price will go up once the conference starts.

I’ve included descriptions and teaser slides from my talks. I’m so excited to connect in this way!

Homeschooling Adopted Kids

As a mom of ten children (seven through adoption), Tricia Goyer understands the unique homeschooling challenges that often come with adoption, including dealing with: special needs, past trauma, lack of relationship, chaos, learning disabilities, and so much more. Tricia provides practical ideas for helping kids reach their potential, yet also accepting children as they are. She also shares how to discover moments of peace and joy with your family, even in the middle of the struggle.

The Grumble Free Home

The Grumble-Free Year followed Tricia Goyer’s family as they tried to go complaint-free in order to develop hearts of gratitude. While an entire year without grumbling seemed like an impossible challenge, Tricia shares her family’s plans, successes, failures, and all the lessons learned along the way. Your family will walk away with real-life steps for uncovering hearts that are truly thankful!

Dare to Dream, Mom!

Have you ever told yourself, “After the kids are grown, then I’ll follow my dreams”? Tricia has a message for you. What does God have for you NOW? Yes, we want to love, give, and care for our family, but God also wants us to influence others for His glory. Tricia Goyer believes following God’s dreams takes steps of faith . . . and following Him is one of the best examples you can display for your kids!

As you can see, my workshops (and many others) are for ANY parent or grandparent. I hope to inspire you and help you through these talks.

P.S. Please share this with friends and other parenting groups you’re a part of! Since I won’t bet getting speaking fees for all my canceled events, the affiliate commission for these will be a huge blessing!

Do you need balance in your homeschool?

Pick up a copy of Homeschool Basics. Receive tried-and-true homeschool advice from veteran homeschooling moms Tricia Goyer and Kristi Clover. We dish out practical help on getting started and staying the course. Homeschool Basics will remind you that the best homeschooling starts with the heart. Packed with ideas to help you push aside your fears and raise kids who will grow to be life-long learners.

Kristi and I believe that homeschooling can transform your life, your home, and your family. Mostly, we believe homeschool can truly prepare your children for the life God’s called them to live.

Don’t let doubts hold you back any longer. Hope and refreshment await.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read full privacy policy here.

March 26, 2020 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

How to Manage School-at-home Schedules

Are you a parent suddenly thrown into the sea of homeschooling? Or, maybe you’re a homeschooling veteran trying to manage the changes to your system during the quarantine? Either way, these ideas for how to manage school-at-home schedules are for you!

How to Manage School-At-Home Schedules

1. Pick a shorter pocket of time to homeschool & teach multiple grades of kids at once.

Schools need more time because they are teaching large groups of kids. You’re not. Your kids are getting more individualized time. Do not think you need to school for 6-8 hours a day. 1-2 hours for kindergarten to second grade and 3-4 hours for the other grades is plenty. You are giving individualized attention. Your kids ARE getting what they need.

Once you’ve picked out your pocket of time, figure out ways to school as many kids as possible together. You can even combine subjects, too! How? You can study History and Bible with multiple ages by reading missionary stores. (I love these from YWAM.)

You can also do a unit study with multiple kids. I love these studies from Five in a Row! There are so many great ideas. I read the books to all my children, and then we explore Geography, Culture, Literature, Art, Science, and more together! Even guides designed for 5 to 9-year-olds take us on enough rabbit trails to satisfy even my high schoolers, and we’re all learning together!

That word “together” is key. People are amazed that I homeschool five grades of kids all at once without losing my mind. I’m actually amazed too.

I shared more details about how I do that HERE. In the video on that page, I actually unbox our books, and I give an overview of how I homeschool. During that school year, I used two levels of Sonlight curriculum to teach children in Grades 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, and 9th. And the best part is they all excel while also having fun!

2. The greatest asset to your kids is YOU.

There are a lot of things you can do for your kids, but the thing your children need the most is a mom who enjoys learning with them.

Your children’s connection with you is greater than any worksheet or assignment. Choose things you can enjoy together. Read books aloud, create art, research things your kids are interested in on YouTube, bake together, listen to audiobooks together, share family albums. Find things you all enjoy.

Spring is a perfect time to plant a family garden or grow flowers! The fresh air and being outdoors is a great way to break up a school day and counts as physical education, biology, botany, or environmental science. Plus, you can eat the fruits of your labor and enjoy the beauty of nature.

3. Understand everyone is anxious.

Take time to talk about disappointments, worries, and fear. Instead of jumping straight to discipline when your kids do something wrong, try to figure out what really is going on in your kids’ hearts. If kids are worried and anxious, take time to talk, to pray, and to relax. Jumping into “homework” isn’t going to help anxious kids.

I learned that when a child’s emotional brain is spiked, her thinking brain is turned off.

During this time, kids need a place to think, write, or draw what is going on in their hearts and minds. Writing helps kids process emotions. Writing moves thoughts from a kids’ emotional brain to his thinking brain, allowing him to process all that’s going on.

I believe in this so much, I’ve created Stay Home Journals for kids.

Get your FREE Journal here!

https://bit.ly/freejournalforkids

Of course, moms need peace, too!

Often in my day, I don’t have peace. Why? Deep down I’m overwhelmed by kids, marriage, deadlines, mentoring, homeschooling, keeping up a house … and now the quarantine. Sometimes I feel exhausted and trapped.

It’s just too much, and I don’t remember to turn to God and to trust Him. Instead, I attempt to work harder to “get things under control,” and I rush around trying to fix things. I worry, complain (mostly in my head). I refuse to seek help and I forget how to find peace in chaos.

If you’re struggling with finding peace in this chaos then this post is for you: How to Find Peace in the Chaos.

4. Let kids sleep in.

There is no need to get everyone up and busy with school work. You have all day, right? Let kids get their rest, and you can use those quiet moments to read, pray, and get your mind and heart ready for the day.

Because my homeschooling kids finish all their schoolwork during the day there is no homework at night. We have dinner together and enjoy each other’s company. Then we hang out and everyone goes to bed at a decent hour. And then, they get to sleep in. With this schedule, my kids get 9-10 hours a night, which is what they need!

Years ago I was interviewing a doctor, and she told me that most of the behavioral problems that parents have with tweens and teens have to do with lack of sleep. Teens are staying up too late and waking up too early. Because they are growing so much, tweens and teens actually need the same amount of sleep as toddlers. And when they don’t get it, they’re like a whole bunch of BIG cranky toddlers running around. I’ve found this to be true.

There are many benefits to homeschooling, and sleep is one of them. You might enjoy reading more about what I found out about letting your children sleep in this post.‎

5. Use this time for building precious memories.

Your kids will always remember this time … consider it a gift! As we all face this strange, new reality, we can choose to love and guide our families through the uncertainty. No matter what may come, the main thing is to remain steadfast in our love for God and each other. We will get through this together.

Do you need balance in your homeschool?

Kristi and I believe that homeschooling can transform your life, your home, and your family. Mostly, we believe homeschool can truly prepare your children for the life God’s called them to live.

Don’t let doubts hold you back any longer. Hope and refreshment await.

Are you new here? Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.

March 11, 2020 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Math Mastered with the Less-Mathy Math Bundle from Sonlight

Math Mastered with the Less-Mathy Math Bundle

Do you have a math-hater? Do one or more of your kids struggle with math confidence? As a 25-year veteran homeschooling mom, I know mine have. After homeschooling our three biological children, my husband John and I went on to adopt seven children from foster care. Many of my children had faced physical and emotional issues that affected their ability to learn. I had seen normal homeschooling difficulties with my three oldest kids. However, with our adopted seven, I faced homeschooling trials that challenged me daily.

That’s where Sonlight came to my rescue.

When John and I adopted our sibling group of four they looked like this. We knew that this was God’s plan for us and for them. We welcomed them into our home and planned to homeschool them with love the way we had done all our other kids. But, unfortunately, state laws prevented us from doing so until the adoption was final. For six months we had to work our entire household around the schedule of public school education. I dreamed of the day when my girls would be home all day and we’d sit around our dining room table and enjoy hours of learning together.

Little did I know…my four beautiful girls had a lot in store for me as a teaching mom, and us as a family.

Behind their big smiles hid kids who had lost their zest for learning through rote memorization and masked learning disabilities. I remember the first few weeks of homeschooling and the tears and frustration we faced. To say we had dove off into the deep end would be an understatement. Our saving grace was that I had been using Sonlight’s teaching tools and learning strategies for years. It wasn’t instant. It wasn’t easy. But with Sonlight by my side, I helped my girls not only learn how to learn but to love it as well.

With Sonlight’s hands-on tools for teaching, I was able to reach my children with personal, easy to use, engaging content. Sometimes kids just need to experience math in non-mathy ways like project-based learning, stories, and hands-on exploration to see that they are actually good at math. Math doesn’t have to be a struggle, it doesn’t need to incite anxiety, fears, or tears. With Sonlight we helped our kids become learners and with Sonlight’s Less-Mathy Math Bundle you’ll have cheers (instead of tears) at math time.

If you’ve found yourself (or your kids, or both!) running for the Kleenex when it’s time to do math, fear no more. Sonlight’s Less-Mathy Math Bundle is exactly what you need to make math fun and family teaching time peaceful again. Homeschooling with Sonlight makes me feel like Supermom!

Enter to win your Less-Mathy Math Bundle here: Sonlight’s Anniversary Giveaway

What’s Included in the Less-Mathy Math Bundle?

This Book Thinks You’re a Math Genius

This fill-in book helps children to think like mathematicians by introducing key mathematical concepts in a highly visual–and entertaining–way. Through fun activities and illustrations, This Book Thinks You’re a Math Genius encourages young readers to engage with new ideas by experimenting and investigating for themselves.

Explore seven key areas of math: geometry, space and volume, statistics, numbers and number patterns, codes and ciphers, and the concept of infinity.

Each spread centers on an open-ended question that introduces a key mathematical concept and suggests activities that engage the child in a fun way. Children will do all sorts of mathematical stuff, but not like anything done in math classes. You’ll break codes, draw cool patterns, hunt for objects and get wet feet. By the end, you’ll be an official math genius – and you won’t even have added 2 plus 2.

https://app.viralsweep.com/vsa-widget-ed0edc-63158.js?sid=63158_313663

Math Adventures

Every kid can go on a fun math adventure!

In a village hidden in the woods, animals live, work, play, and sometimes even quarrel. Led by a wise owl, second graders can wander through this enchanted space. As they visit the town, they’ll decode recipes, count cookies, and practice their addition, subtraction, and logic and problem-solving skills.

These books do not emphasize formal math definitions or terminology. Instead, math concepts are introduced gradually and naturally, as part of the story-based framework. Through this combination of storytelling and entertaining activities, even reluctant learners can grasp basic mathematical principles and begin to love the world of numbers.

Included in this workbook is practice in the following skills:

Reading and comparing quantities between 10 and 20
Grouping by 10s
Counting up to 100
Addition and subtraction, plus an introduction to multiplication as repeated addition
Strategies to help mental calculation skills
Logic puzzles…and more!

This set includes grades 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Young children learn math best if they have fun while they are doing it. The Math Adventures series approaches math as an experience that should be playful and relatable.

Math Adventures is designed to make math practice engaging and enjoyable for young learners. Featuring colorful illustrations and an entertaining storyline, these workbooks will help your children develop the skills needed to succeed in math.

Hands ON Tools

My children love anything that’s hands-on and these are some of their favorite math “toys.” When I want to get my kids excited about math and keep them engaged throughout the lesson I reach for these–it’s a hit every time! Math CAN be fun and with Sonlight’s Less-Mathy Math Bundle you’ll see a renewed sense of wonder and joy in learning. You’ll be reminded why you chose to homeschool in the first place–to offer your children the most well-rounded education and a love of learning. When it comes to homeschool math education Sonlight is my number one partner.

Want to win your own Less-Mathy Math Bundle from Sonlight?

Right now Sonlight is celebrating YOU with great give-aways in honor of their 30 year anniversary serving homeschool families just like yours! You can enter to win a Less-Mathy Math Bundle–and MORE–here: Enter to win the Less-Mathy Math Bundle

Celebrating 30 Years of Connecting Families and Helping Kids Love to Learn

It’s our 30th anniversary! Celebrate with us! What have we been doing for the last 30 years that is cause for celebration?Some folks might say we’ve been in business or we’ve been selling homeschool curriculum for a long time. Others may point out that Sonlight is the original Christian, literature-based curriculum.

While those achievements are true and worthy of being recognized, we are most proud of the fact that for thirty years we’ve been helping kids love to learn and connecting families—one to another and to God.

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February 19, 2020 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Chapter Books that Teach Kids Not to Grumble and Complain

Tricia Goyer, the author of the Grumble Free Year, shares some of her favorite books that teach kids not to grumble that she incorporates into her homeschooling.

Chapter Books that Teach Kids Not to Grumble and Complain

As a homeschooling, Sonlight mom, I love the joy of reading books together. I also love that books allow me to talk to my children about important character traits, such as not grumbling.

As we read about a character’s challenges, my kids and I also talk about how blessed we are in our lives. This became important to our family as we decided to strive for a “Grumble Free Year.” All eleven of our family members (including my grandma), tried to go a year without grumbling. It wasn’t easy, but we did focus on changing from the inside out … and these novels that we read aloud helped us do that. During our year, we had many great conversations about the little things we often complain about compared to the big challenges the characters in the books faced.

Books can be a great launching point for teaching gratitude for your family, too! Here are some of our favorite Sonlight books that have really grown our gratitude:

Mary Jones & Her Bible (HA08) This is an incredible true story of a girl so inspired by the Bible that she determines to get a copy—whatever it takes! This book made us grateful that we have Bibles that we can read at any time. More than once my kids told me, “I can’t imagine not having a Bible of my own to read.”

The Great Trouble (HA23) As a “mudlark,” the orphan, Eel, spends his days in the River Thames, searching for odds and ends to sell. Not only does Eel have a secret, but there is also an outbreak of the “blue death.” This book captivated all my children. We talked a lot about how grateful we were for our living conditions and for our health care.

Only the Names Remain: The Cherokees and the Trail of Tears (HR13) From 1837 to 1838, thousands of Cherokee Indians were forced to march from their homelands in Georgia to live in exile in Arkansas. Fighting bitter cold and blazing heat with little food or water, one out of every four died. This sad, but moving, account of the Trail of Tears made us thankful for the stability of our lives. Yet it also made us aware of the pain so many endured.

These two middle graders of mine love to read. With Sonlight we always have great choices that encourage and inspire them.

There are many afternoons they’ll sneak off with a book and get lost in new worlds. This is such a blessing to me as a mom who loves reading. I hope you catch your kiddos sneaking a book off the shelf, cuddled away in their favorite reading fort, or tucked in bed asking for just one more chapter. Cherish these precious moments and don’t forget to take some time out to get caught up in the pages of a book yourself!

Unexpected Blessings

Life never goes as we expect. Homeschool days never turn out as perfect as we’d planned, yet we can either grumble about those things, or we can shift our perspective. We can focus on the good blessings of having a home and a family—and a chance to grow to love Jesus and others better. It’s then we lift our eyes to God. When we remember all He’s done for us, our troubled hearts can become grateful hearts. The more we do this, the more we hard-wire our grateful response, even in the middle of our homeschooling day.

When I first started homeschooling, I believed my job was to get the schoolwork done. Yes, that is part of my job, but with each year that passes, I know that growing my children’s hearts for loving Jesus and others is truly the most important part. These are lessons our kids can learn through the stories in Sonlight’s curriculum. That’s something this homeschooling mom is thankful for and why I’ve come to depend on Sonlight.

Sonlight has helped us create a family culture around great literature. The quality, depth, and worldview help mold my children into lifelong learners and fully devoted followers of Christ. The number one goal of Sonlight is to teach my child to seek God’s kingdom above everything else. Their attention to high-quality, engaging content does just that. I know when I choose Sonlight, I’m choosing a curriculum that enhances and enforces the worldview and qualities I hold dear as a parent.

I want my children to “sense the excitement and challenge of following Jesus in big and little things – not only at home and at church, but also in their work and culture.” That’s why I trust Sonlight!

For more information about homeschooling excellence with Sonlight curriculum visit https://www.sonlight.com/

I believe in turning grumbling into gratitude so much that I wrote the Grumble Free year and started the Grumble Free Year Challenge. Check it out for your family!

Teach kids to turn grumbling into gratitude in a new picture book by bestselling Christian authors Tricia Goyer and Amy Parker.

The Grumbles were a happy family . . . some of the time. They tried hard to not complain but bills and laundry and sibling squabbles kept the Grumbles rumbling. But when Grandma Grateful came for a visit, they noticed something different. Will Grandma be able to show the Grumbles how to approach life with gratitude? Bestselling authors Tricia Goyer and Amy Parker have teamed up to provide children and their families a sweet, simple, and silly story about how to turn grumbles into gratefulness. Get the Book Here.

Get the printable here!

February 4, 2020 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Growing Your Child’s Love For Jesus and Others!

As a homeschooling parent, I know growing your child’s love for Jesus and others is a priority. Like me, you probably chose to homeschool because you want your children to have a strong, spiritual foundation. We feel homeschooling will give us more of an opportunity to help our children to grow to love Jesus and others. Yet when it comes down to the day to day busyness of life (and reading, writing, and arithmetic), this often gets pushed to the side. Here’s how to make it a priority:

Make Time for Bible reading.

When we start getting behind in English or Math, reading the Bible is often the first thing we cut out. Yet knowing the Word of God will help our children throughout their lives. As children grow in their relationship with their Heavenly Father, God will be there to teach, lead and guide them.

If kids can read, I recommend the Discoverer’s Bible (https://www.sonlight.com/DB02), which is part of our Sonlight Curriculum. The Bible provides the full text (Genesis to Revelation) of the New International Reader’s Version®of the Bible. Edited for a third-grade reading level, the NIrV uses the NIV as its base, but breaks long sentences into shorter ones and substitutes simpler words where appropriate.

There are many Bible reading plans you can try, but the important thing is teaching children to read to understand … and not read to finish. Sometimes my children will read a whole chapter, during their Bible reading times. Other times, we will read one or two verses and take time to discuss them. What’s important is that God’s Word is read and God’s messages take root in children’s hearts.

And that’s why I appreciate the Sonlight Curriculum—the Bible Study is included in the lesson plan. Another wonderful book we loved, that is part of Sonlight, is Mary Jones and Her Bible (https://www.sonlight.com/HA08). This true story made us appreciate how much God’s Word should mean to us. It’s something we shouldn’t take for granted.

This is Alyssa reading from the Discoverer’s Bible in her “dramatic” voice!

Serve and Pray for Others

We can teach our kids important character traits, but we also must allow them to use those traits. Kids can learn about love, but better is allowing them to love others by holding a canned food drive. Kids can learn about being joyful, but better is them sharing their joy with an elderly family member or neighbor. When kids serve, it allows Jesus to work through them, and it’s a gift they carry into life.

We attend an inner-city church, and our kids have many opportunities to serve. One of their favorite things to do is to help babysit for the Teen Mom Support Group that I lead. My younger girls love to play with babies as the young moms receive help and instruction.

I also teach my children to pray for others—those who live close and those who live far.

One of our favorite Sonlight books was Window on the World (https://www.sonlight.com/CH04). This book is a wonderful introduction to ninety-two largely unevangelized countries and peoples of the world. From Afghanistan to the Zulus, and beyond. Each two-page spread includes a story, maps, interesting facts, full-color photos and illustrations, and suggested prayers. A treasure-trove for developing a godly heart for the world!

Grow in Gratitude

It’s easy to take all we have for granted. It’s easy to grumble when we don’t have what we want or when things haven’t gone as planned. Our family recently took on the challenge of trying to stop our grumbles and focusing on grumbling instead. You can read about it here: The Grumble Free Year

The desire for something “better” in our homeschooling day, makes us forget what we already have. Comparison with other homeschooling families always results in grumbling. Gratitude, on the other hand, reminds us of what God has done. It makes us understand that we have enough to share with others.

Do you find yourself grumbling? Take time in God’s presence to evaluate what is at the root of your grumbling and discontentment. Then, think about things you can change. Ask,

“How can I focus on the solution, not just the problem.”

Also, only God can change our hearts, and He can change our kids’ hearts too. Things change when we seek His help in our day.

Instead of simply trying to change our kids’ behavior, we can remind them that we love them, and God loves them … and they can turn to God in prayer when they need help. Then, intentionally notice and praise your kids when they are doing something well! Point out you can see how God is helping them.

When I first started homeschooling, I believed my job was to get the schoolwork done. Yes, that is part of my job, but with each year that passes, I know that growing my children’s hearts for loving Jesus and others is truly the most important part. These are lessons this homeschooling mom is thankful for!

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September 20, 2019 by Pamela Black Leave a Comment

Calming Angry Kids With A Million Praying Moms

Today’s episode of the Million Praying Moms podcast is for every mom who has been in the whirlwind of dealing with an angry child.

You’ve asked yourself so many questions, but in the end, you just need relief…something to help turn the tide toward a more peaceful home.

Friend, today’s episode is for you.

Calming Angry Kids With A Million Praying Moms

On today’s episode of the Million Praying Moms Podcast I spoke with Erin and Brooke at Million Praying Moms. I hope you’ll find hope and help through this conversation.

Click here to tune in and listen to Calming Angry Kids With A Million Praying Moms!

Did you get your bonus? Only a few days remain!

These prints are yours FREE as a digital download (frames not included) when you become a quarterly subscriber to Pray the Word Journal on or before September 6th!

Details here!

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September 10, 2019 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

5 Ways to Stay Motivated as a Homeschool Teacher

Ways to Stay Motivated as a Homeschool Teacher

Are you struggling to find ways to stay motivated as a homeschool teacher? I know it can be rough sometimes that’s why I’m sharing what’s worked for me for almost three decades. Let’s look at what you can help ease the stress on those crazy days.

5 Ways to Stay Motivated as a Homeschool Teacher

It’s amazing to think that I’ve been a homeschool teacher now for over 25 years. That’s right–John and I made the decision to homeschool when our son Cory was ready to start kindergarten. We’ve stayed true to that choice through all the ups and downs. And with ten kids (yes, I said ten!) there have been some trying times and long days. However, through it all, we thank God that we’ve been able to see the kids grow and thrive as we’ve educated them at home.

But there are days…

That’s why, if you’re a homeschool teacher, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. I know it can be difficult and that’s why I hope these 5 Ways to Stay Motivated as a Homeschool Teacher can help you find some inspiration and peace for those days when you feel discouraged or off track.

On hard days, this is what I do:

1. Think of my kids as adults and look back on our homeschooling with fondness.

My adult children are some of my best friends. Quite often, you’ll find us sitting around the dinner table playing board games on a Friday night. My oldest son, Cory is a children’s pastor at our church, my daughter Leslie is a missionary in the Czech Republic, and my son Nathan is a Christian author just starting his career.

I’m immensely proud of them. And I know that one of the reasons they are all successful, happy and living lives dedicated to the Lord is because of our choice to homeschool. All the years we invested in the one-on-one teaching times, reading as a family, and sharing our daily lives and faith with them has paid off. That is something that never fails to inspire me.

2. Read a book together that I’ve been wanting to read for a long time.

One of the best things about the homeschool curriculum that we use from Sonlight is that it includes so many wonderful books. There isn’t a day that goes by without reading in our homeschool. Sometimes we are reading as a family, sometimes individually, and sometimes the children are reading to each other. Not only are we all learning together but we are building family bonds that will last a lifetime.

But don’t feel limited to just reading homeschool books. Read the classics like Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Read age-appropriate magazines and newspapers. Teach your children to read and understand food labels so they can make healthy choices as adults.

Teenagers especially can gain great insights from reading about current events online and being taught how to look at the reporting of those events critically. They can also find where to look for the truth in the various different sources. This can help them form strong defenses as they enter into a world that is quickly slipping into more and more ambiguity.

3. During dinner have your kids share what they’ve learned with their dad or another family member.

For part of our homeschool years, my husband John has worked from home. While that has been a huge blessing, he is still working during that time and often in another area of the house. Being able to share what they’re learning with him is something they have always looked forward to.

As a working author (who also speaks and travels throughout the year) there are times when I’ve been away and get the joy of having the kids share with me what they’ve learned. Being able to teach someone what you’ve learned also reinforces that subject. It’s a win-win and a great way to build your child’s self-confidence.

4. Help a new homeschool mom. It inspires me and makes me realize how far I’ve come.

I love helping others. It gives me joy and a sense of purpose. So many others have fed into me throughout the years and I remember how much it has meant to me. When I meet a new homeschool mom at a conference now I recognize that look in her eyes–the look that says “Help!” That’s why I try to share as much as I can about how I’ve made homeschooling work for our family.

But the truth is, I can’t help everyone individually. I’m only one person. Luckily, I found a way to reproduce myself–through writing. Through my books, I can reach so many more people. My friend Kristy Clover and I joined together and wrote Homeschool Basics. We dish out practical help on getting started and staying the course. Homeschool Basics will remind you that the best homeschooling starts with the heart. It’s packed with ideas to help you push aside your fears and raise kids who will grow to be life-long learners.

Kristi and I believe that homeschooling can transform your life, your home, and your family. Mostly, we believe homeschool can truly prepare your children for the life God’s called them to live.

5. Take your homeschool outside the house: serve in the community, join a Bible Study together.

I started a local Teen MOPS group when my three oldest children were still young. At times, I worried that I wasn’t doing enough teaching. That maybe I wasn’t the best homeschool mom when I brought them on errands with me to serve in our community. But what I learned as I’ve gotten older (and so have my kids) is that they were learning–they were learning what it means to serve God and surrender your life to His call.

We are still serving teen moms and their families. But now, we all help. Every week we get the opportunity to love on teen mothers and their children at our church in Little Rock, Arkansas. Seeing my children serving together and finding joy and purpose in that has taught me homeschooling works. We have made loving and serving others part of our education. And of all the things we hope to teach our children, knowing and loving God–and others–should be our number one goal. If we have done that, we have taught them well.

I understand the struggles:

– I work from home.

– I teach multiple grades at once.

– Sometimes the kids are unmotivated.

-Sometimes I am.

-I have kids with learning disabilities.

-Some of my kids need special help and get speech and occupational therapy.

-Three of my kids are dyslexic.

I’m an ordinary mom who is sometimes tempted to scroll Facebook instead of reading aloud. BUT I’ve also figured out sure-fire ways to make sure the important stuff gets taught, I’m not too overwhelmed, and the kids have fun while learning. (At least most of the time.)

If you’re ready to find Homeschool Success then my Homeschool Success Course might be right for you!

Let me share all the practical tips and tricks I’ve learned to:

—Homeschool multiple levels in four hours a day.

—Understand the basics of homeschool laws and what your kids need to graduate and go to college.

—Discover your gifts as a homeschool teacher.

—Finding extra help for special needs kids.

…and so much more!

Here is my welcome module to give you a glimpse of this course!

YOU can give the gift of a homeschool education to your family by joining me here: www.homeschoolsuccesscourse.com

August 23, 2019 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

The Goyer Homeschool Classroom 2019-2020~A Sneak Peek!

The Goyer Homeschool Classroom 2019-2020

I’m so excited about sharing The Goyer Homeschool Classroom 2019-2020 with you! Every year is a new journey and I look forward to it with joy because I have seen the fruits of home education in my family for decades. Let’s look at what homeschool will look like this year in the Goyer house.

The Goyer Homeschool Classroom 2019-2020

Welcome to The Goyer Homeschool Classroom 2019-2020. I want to give you a sneak peek into the room where we have our homeschool day. The truth is, we just use our dining room. We don’t have a fancy classroom. But we’ve managed to make this space into a wonderful classroom and learning center for our children.

If you’ve followed me for any time at all, you know I use Sonlight to homeschool all my children together. It works great. What makes Sonlight Homeschool Curriculum easy is that Teacher’s Guide has everything listed out—what needs to be done each day. There are also handouts and worksheets to go with the books. Since everything is figured out for me, there is little prep.

To teach all my children together, I use two different levels of the curriculum. For the older kids I use 100 and for the younger kids I use D. We are doing American History so there are several things that we read altogether. To keep us organized, I use a large whiteboard where we post and track the assignments for each of the kids. It’s extremely helpful to do it this way because we can just erase as needed and make changes quickly. It also allows us a visual way to track our progress.

The Goyer Homeschool Classroom 2019-2020

My high schoolers have their own set of assignments. I am so blessed that my older son who is a college student helps organize this and also helps tutor the girls in math and science. Our homeschooling truly is a family affair and we love that. Not only are my children learning, but they are building bonds that will last a lifetime.

As you will see in the video below, we use lots of storage crates and bins to keep our classroom organized. Each child has their own crate containing their books which allows them to easily access their own work and work more independently. This is especially helpful for my high schoolers. This is probably the most organized our classroom will be all year…but even if the crayons will all soon be dumped together–new crayons are a joy.

EnJOY Your Day

Speaking of Joy, that’s the scent I diffuse into my classroom most often. I’ve been using Young Living oils for years and find that it helps calm and refresh both the kids and me during our homeschool day.

There’s so much that goes into a great homeschool year, but the number one ingredient is love–and a lot of patience. Having such a great curriculum from Sonlight also makes the days go smoothly and leads my kids to be better equipped as believers in Christ and stewards of the world God has given us.

Check out my video for more ways we set up the Goyer Homeschool Classroom 2019-2020!

You might also enjoy these top posts on homeschooling!

Hope and Refreshment for Homeschooling Parents

Need more ideas and advice on homeschooling? Pick up a copy of Homeschool Basics. Receive tried-and-true homeschool advice from veteran homeschooling moms Tricia Goyer and Kristi Clover. We dish out practical help on getting started and staying the course. Homeschool Basics will remind you that the best homeschooling starts with the heart. Packed with ideas to help you push aside your fears and raise kids who will grow to be life-long learners.

Kristi and I believe that homeschooling can transform your life, your home, and your family. Mostly, we believe homeschool can truly prepare your children for the life God’s called them to live.

Don’t let doubts hold you back any longer.

Get Homeschool Basics on Amazon Now!

The Goyer Homeschool Classroom 2019-2020 and Homeschool Success

Now, more than ever, parents are having to figure out homeschooling FAST!

I understand the struggles:

– I work from home and I teach multiple grades at once.

– Sometimes my kids are unmotivated.

-Sometimes I am.

-I have kids with learning disabilities.

-Some of my kids need special help and get speech and occupational therapy.

-Three of my kids are dyslexic.

If you’re ready to find Homeschool Success then my Homeschool Success Course might be right for you!

Let me share all the practical tips and tricks I’ve learned to:

—Homeschool multiple levels in four hours a day.

—Understand the basics of homeschool laws and what your kids need to graduate and go to college.

—Discover your gifts as a homeschool teacher.

—Finding extra help for special needs kids.

…and so much more!

Here is my welcome module to give you a glimpse of this course!

YOU can give the gift of a homeschool education to your family by joining me here: www.homeschoolsuccesscourse.com

July 25, 2019 by Tricia Goyer 1 Comment

Join Me at the Back2Homeschool Virtual Conference

Join Me at the Back2Homeschool Virtual Conference!

What if this year you could be more prepared, focused, and confident in your homeschooling?

What if you could start the year ready to dive in headfirst and teach your children the things that matter most?

For most of us, it’s been a couple of months since we finished our “official” homeschool year. Now, it’s time to start making our plans to head Back2Homeschool (or, maybe this is the start of your first year ever–yay!) Even though I’ve been homeschooling for 25 years (no kidding!) I still get excited every year to go Back2Homeschool.

This year, I want to make sure you’re more ready than ever to head Back2Homeschool and have the best year ever.

That’s exactly what you’ll be when you join more than 50 of the best writers and speakers in the homeschool movement today–including me–as we share ideas, tips, lessons learned, encouragements, and more in the first-ever Back2Homeschool Virtual Conference.

From academics to organization, discipleship to building stronger family relationships, we invite you to join us as we all explore new ideas to implement in your homeschool. This virtual conference offers incredibly practical workshops as well as many that will be foundational for kicking off your new homeschool year– and staying the course– with the right focus.

Here is what you get when you Join Me at the Back2Homeschool Virtual Conference:

Workshops going LIVE all week of July 22-26
More than 50 Speakers
More than 60 Different Workshops
Lifetime Access
Swag Bags for All Who Register
Virtual Exhibit Hall with more than 40 companies like Apologia, Alpha Omega, Notgrass, Creating a Masterpiece, Mystery of History, and many more.
Plus so Much More!

Invest in your homeschool and your family, and pursue your calling to the best of your ability and join me at the Back2Homeschool Virtual Conference!

Don’t Miss the Swag!

Come for the speakers, but don’t miss the swag! Everyone who signs up will get access to a fantastic collection of resources and tools provided by the speakers and sponsors. This multi-page pdf contains some amazing deals and wonderful helps for you just in time for the start of school! Including information from me on Calming Angry Kids.

In Calming Angry Kids I share our family’s story of how we were able to overcome anger and find hope and peace for our home. Watch this short video to find out more.

Jump In Anytime

They will start releasing workshops on Monday, July 22 and the last of the workshops will be released on Friday, July 26. But feel free to jump in anytime. Maybe you’ll watch at least some of the videos on the day they are released, BUT you will have access to them all indefinitely!

I’m sure that this will become a great resource for those days when you’re not sure you can go on, or how to handle a new situation, or are just looking for fresh ideas to mix up your routine a bit. No matter what your needs, or when you watch, I hope you’ll join me at the Back2Homeschool Virtual Conference.

Have you checked out my homeschool success course yet?

Let me share all the practical tips and tricks I’ve learned to:

—Homeschool multiple levels in four hours a day.

—Understand the basics of homeschool laws and what your kids need to graduate and go to college.

—Discover your gifts as a homeschool teacher.

—Finding extra help for special needs kids.

…and so much more!

Here is my welcome module to give you a glimpse of this course!

YOU can give the gift of a homeschool education to your family by joining me here: www.homeschoolsuccesscourse.com

July 12, 2019 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Ignite Your Child’s Mind with Hands-On History Kits

Sonlight’s Hands-On History Kits are here and we are so excited!

We brought our kids home to homeschool after adoption. Because the older girls had been in public school all their lives they had an idea of what school looked like—lots of lessons and worksheets and counting down the hours until they can play. When we started homeschooling with Sonlight, they didn’t know what to think. Not only was mom spending hours a day reading wonderful books to them, but their hands were also often free to be creative while they listened to me read.

That’s why I love Sonlight’s Hands-On History kits. It not only gives my kids an opportunity to be tactile while I read the lesson to them, but it reinforces the lesson while they play. And they love it! Happy homeschooling kids mean a happy homeschooling mom–and less stress!

Happy Kids=Happy Mom

My kids just seem to pay attention better when their hands are busy. With Hands-On History Kits, we are both happy. And they aren’t just learning–they’re getting a 360-degree education using all their senses. That means they will retain more of every lesson.

One reason homeschool moms crash is from trying to do too much. These hands-on kits mean I no longer need to spend hours searching through Pinterest or make a dozen trips to the store. Sonlight’s Hands-On History Kits have all the pieces to make a history lesson fit into our busy schedule. With Sonlight, I know I can easily plan my lessons and be prepared no matter what life throws our way. As a busy mom of ten (yes ten!) I rely on Sonlight to take care of the details so I can focus on what matters most–interacting with my children and teaching them with my whole heart.

All Hands-On Deck for a Great Value

Each box is a year’s worth of hands-on projects that’ll enrich your learning in one low-priced package! The Hands-On World Cultures Kit covers history, geography, and cultures (from Egypt to the invention of the motor vehicle.) The kit includes everything you need to complete 9 projects throughout the year, including a large 100+ page full-color illustrated instruction booklet, chock-full of diagrams for each step of the way.

These new hands-on supplements are perfect for any history program.

Click here to watch my unboxing of the Hands-On History Kit:

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July 8, 2019 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

5 Grand Ways Kids Can Love Their Grandparents

This summer as your kids are searching for something to beat the boredom, it’s a great opportunity to teach your kids how to love their grandparents.

Did you know? 10% of American children live with one or more grandparents.

1. Send them a letter.

Even if they live nearby and even though it may cost mere cents, it’s still a grand gesture to send some snail mail. Toddlers can draw pictures (& moms can translate the picture if necessary.) Thanking them for their love and respecting their stories is always a beautiful thing to give elders.

2. Ask them questions.

Asking anyone questions implies that you value their knowledge and expertise. The elders in our community have valuable advice to give us! Your kids can get a good list of questions going. Pose this to your youngsters: “What 3 questions would you ask someone that’s been alive for __ years?”

What 3 questions would you ask someone that’s been alive for 70+ years? @TriciaGoyer

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3. Offer to help.

If distance is not too big an obstacle, how might you be able to help around the house? Kids can love their grandparents through service–can they pick up leaves? Mow the lawn? Dust off that one bookshelf? Paint a wall? Run some errands?

4. Make something with them.

Baking, carpentry, fishing, even writing can be great ways to show respect and love for your grandparents. Who knows?! You might finally get your hands on that heirloom recipe you’ve had your eye on!

5. Walk them through your family’s photo album.

If you’ve got access to recent photos, walk them through your favorites from the past year. Remind them of that performance their grandkid starred in, those report cards, soccer trophies, and science projects. Grandparents love to discover new ways to brag.

What are some ways your kids love their grandparents?

In my book Walk It Out I share how God helped me walk out love for my own grandmother by bringing her to live in our home instead of allowing her to spend her golden years alone in a nursing home. The truth is, it’s been a huge blessing to our family and my children continue to learn from her wisdom daily. To learn more visit Walk It Out.

Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.

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homeschooling

Attend the Teach Them Diligently Online Conference

The amazing thing is they’re turning this into an online conference!!

Yes, for $20 you can listen to ALL the workshops from your home!

I’ll be teaching on:

The Grumble Free Year

Dare to Dream, Mom

Homeschooling Adopted Kids

The price will go up once the conference starts.

Homeschooling Adopted Kids

The Grumble Free Home

Dare to Dream, Mom!

Do you need balance in your homeschool?

How to Manage School-At-Home Schedules

1. Pick a shorter pocket of time to homeschool & teach multiple grades of kids at once.

2. The greatest asset to your kids is YOU.

3. Understand everyone is anxious.

During this time, kids need a place to think, write, or draw what is going on in their hearts and minds. Writing helps kids process emotions. Writing moves thoughts from a kids’ emotional brain to his thinking brain, allowing him to process all that’s going on.

Get your FREE Journal here!

4. Let kids sleep in.

5. Use this time for building precious memories.

Do you need balance in your homeschool?

That’s where Sonlight came to my rescue.

Little did I know…my four beautiful girls had a lot in store for me as a teaching mom, and us as a family.

Enter to win your Less-Mathy Math Bundle here: Sonlight’s Anniversary Giveaway

What’s Included in the Less-Mathy Math Bundle?

Explore seven key areas of math: geometry, space and volume, statistics, numbers and number patterns, codes and ciphers, and the concept of infinity.

Every kid can go on a fun math adventure!

Included in this workbook is practice in the following skills:

This set includes grades 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Math Adventures is designed to make math practice engaging and enjoyable for young learners. Featuring colorful illustrations and an entertaining storyline, these workbooks will help your children develop the skills needed to succeed in math.

Hands ON Tools

Want to win your own Less-Mathy Math Bundle from Sonlight?

Celebrating 30 Years of Connecting Families and Helping Kids Love to Learn

While those achievements are true and worthy of being recognized, we are most proud of the fact that for thirty years we’ve been helping kids love to learn and connecting families—one to another and to God.

Books can be a great launching point for teaching gratitude for your family, too! Here are some of our favorite Sonlight books that have really grown our gratitude:

More Great Reads For Growing Readers

The Monk Who Shook the World (GR23) The Story of Martin Luther held us spellbound. We could not believe all the rules and relics that past church officials used to control people. It made us grateful that we can go to church and serve God, knowing we have direct access to Him.

Chapter Books that Teach Kids Not to Grumble and Complain

Books can be a great launching point for teaching gratitude for your family, too! Here are three questions to ask:

1. What makes you grateful for your life after reading this book?

2. What character traits do you appreciate?

3. What did we learn about being grateful?

Unexpected Blessings

I want my children to “sense the excitement and challenge of following Jesus in big and little things – not only at home and at church, but also in their work and culture.” That’s why I trust Sonlight!

Make Time for Bible reading.

Serve and Pray for Others

I also teach my children to pray for others—those who live close and those who live far.

Grow in Gratitude

Do you find yourself grumbling? Take time in God’s presence to evaluate what is at the root of your grumbling and discontentment. Then, think about things you can change. Ask,

Calming Angry Kids With A Million Praying Moms

Click here to tune in and listen to Calming Angry Kids With A Million Praying Moms!

Did you get your bonus? Only a few days remain!

Ways to Stay Motivated as a Homeschool Teacher

5 Ways to Stay Motivated as a Homeschool Teacher

1. Think of my kids as adults and look back on our homeschooling with fondness.

2. Read a book together that I’ve been wanting to read for a long time.

3. During dinner have your kids share what they’ve learned with their dad or another family member.

4. Help a new homeschool mom. It inspires me and makes me realize how far I’ve come.

5. Take your homeschool outside the house: serve in the community, join a Bible Study together.

I understand the struggles:

The Goyer Homeschool Classroom 2019-2020

The Goyer Homeschool Classroom 2019-2020

The Goyer Homeschool Classroom 2019-2020

EnJOY Your Day

Hope and Refreshment for Homeschooling Parents

Don’t let doubts hold you back any longer.

The Goyer Homeschool Classroom 2019-2020 and Homeschool Success

I understand the struggles:

This year, I want to make sure you’re more ready than ever to head Back2Homeschool and have the best year ever.

Here is what you get when you Join Me at the Back2Homeschool Virtual Conference:

Don’t Miss the Swag!

Jump In Anytime

Happy Kids=Happy Mom

All Hands-On Deck for a Great Value

Click here to watch my unboxing of the Hands-On History Kit:

What are some ways your kids love their grandparents?