Let's talk about independence.

Some homeschoolers want more of it like it's the Holy Grail of home education. Others counter with the criticism that homeschooling is not meant to be a solitary activity.

So, which is it?

Let's explore some ideas in The Myth of Independence.

Listen or read more at http://blogshewrote.org/2015/10/08/the-myth-of-independence/

The perfect homeschool plan is not elusive. In fact it is easy to create the perfect plan for your family if you begin by considering the needs of your family, considering your limitations as a homeschool teacher, and avoiding common pitfalls.

Planning means following a series of prescribed steps that will ensure that you have a plan that is going to work.

Listen or read more at https://edsnapshots.com/ten-steps-perfect-homeschool-plan/

When someone asks about my favorite homeschooling resources, I give the usual list - white board, dry erase markers, lots of notebooks, and a library card. I could share that list of resources today but I think I'd rather take a look at a few different things that you'll need for homeschooling that you can't buy at WalMart or Amazon. These are my homeschooling essentials.

Listen or read more at https://happyhomeschoolnest.com/blog/homeschooling-essentials

Do you have a perfectionist child? One that is unsatisfied with pretty much anything they accomplish? Sometimes even when they've done a good job? It's sad to watch our kids missing out on the joy of creating art or music, playing sports or other competitive activities that could bring them such a sense of accomplishment.

Listen or read more at https://homeschoolingwithdyslexia.com/helping-the-perfectionist-child/

Sometimes I tend to over-complicate things. Why do one math curriculum when you can do two? The best curriculum is the one with the most pieces, right? Since I'm a homeschool teacher I need a fancy lesson plan book, don't I?

Not so fast there homeschool supermom. Before you get mired down in the idea of a complicated homeschool lesson planner, consider the purpose of teacher lesson plans.

Listen or read more at https://edsnapshots.com/homeschool-lesson-planner/

When you were in school, did you ever play around all semester before attempting to cram all the information into your head the night before a test? I did! To be honest, it never worked.

Listen or read more http://classicallyhomeschooling.com/diligence/

One topic I receive a lot of questions about is starting a book club for kids. And while a lot of information about my book clubs can be found on this blog and my YouTube channel, I thought I'd answer some of your most common questions.

Listen or read more at http://www.notbefore7.com/2016/08/11/creating-a-book-club-for-kids/

We went through a long, dry spell where we did not go to the library at all. I had a two-year-old, four-year-old, and six-year-old and frankly it was just not enjoyable to do.

I couldn't look for books, the kids were distracted by everything shiny the library had to offer (everything that was NOT a book), they wanted to run down the stacks and NOT be quiet. It was a long, dry spell, and I suffered no small amount of guilt for it.

Listen or read more at https://edsnapshots.com/library-trips-with-kids/

There was a stack of books sitting next to me on the driveway. We had just finished reading Aesop's Fables and I told the girls to go play for ten minutes. I set the timer and got up to stretch as well.

This was the routine for most of our school days for the first three years of our homeschooling. We completed two lessons (a reading and an activity), then took a 10-minute break for them to run and play. Even when my oldest was in third grade, we reverted back to this schedule on days she found it difficult to focus or if we took our lessons to the park.

Listen or read more at https://www.triumphantlearning.com/movement-improve-focus/

Did you know March is National Reading Month? Because living books are so very good, every month is all about reading in our house! But in honor of this annual celebration of reading, I thought I'd take some time to share some of my best tips for raising readers.

Listen or read more at https://ourjourneywestward.com/11-tips-for-raising-readers/