The Rainbow Resource Center Homeschool Blog

There are moments in my day-to-day life that reveal to me that I am still learning. As parents, guardians, educators, and adults, there are always days when we must rally. But there are mornings when you wake up and the weight of the world presses you down deeper into your blankets and pillows. These are the mornings when having a rally plan for ourselves AND for the education of our children is crucial. In these instances, there is more at stake than just not having time for a shower or your morning workout. This is the molding of our children's minds and their education. It’s worth the rally!

Now that we have separate catalogs for Curriculum and Enrichment at Rainbow Resource Center, it's easier than ever to see the differences between the two functions. If you're making a sandwich, curriculum is like the turkey and sourdough bread - it's the main substance. Enrichment is like what you add to the sandwich to make it even better, such as the lettuce, tomato, aioli, and avocado. You might love most of what your curriculum offers, but you may also notice some gaps. Enriching your homeschool curriculum through supplemental resources helps perfect it by closing those gaps!

What is the difference between teaching and coaching, and how does this difference apply to homeschooling? As it turns out, both can be appropriate depending on the context, situation, and type of learner. Understanding the distinction between the two terms will help you when choosing homeschool curriculum and supplemental resources for your child, especially as you consider the level of instruction that your student needs in a given subject area. 

We live in an age of distractions - from phone alerts to unexpected interruptions - making it hard to focus on what's important! This is a common struggle, especially in a homeschool environment where school tasks can easily get derailed. But what if there was a simple way to reclaim your focus and boost productivity? Let's explore the Pomodoro Technique, a proven method for training your brain to concentrate. Learn how using this simple technique in your homeschool can help both you and your children overcome distractions, manage time effectively, and celebrate accomplishments!

You’ve picked out your curriculum and you’ve unpacked your Rainbow boxes. You’ve got the fresh school supplies. You’ve cleaned off the dining room table and hung up some maps and charts. But as your start day looms closer, you panic and think, exactly how am I going to do this? There’s no one-size-fits-all, unfortunately. But there are several elements of a typical homeschool day to take into consideration as you plan your school day and school year. Your day will be filled with different types of activities!

What makes a job fulfilling versus a job where you can’t wait for the day to be over? What makes the difference for adults who like their job versus those who are going through the motions? One major factor is that you find purpose in your job. This is also called internal motivation. There are other factors, such as the location, salary, and benefits, that are also important. This is external motivation. But if you know that your work is making a difference in the world, big or small, this is often very motivating. How do we help our teens find this kind of motivation as they move toward adulthood?

The comparison game. I know I’ve played it. It’s a game that leaves you unhappy, unsure, and unclear about where the road you’re on is taking you. It’s not a fun and exciting game or one you can ever win. It doesn’t leave you feeling accomplished or satisfied, but instead it allows you to think that your best just isn’t good enough. Comparing yourself to others is already a dangerous game, but comparing your homeschool or your children’s accomplishments to others is even more precarious!

In our modern world of runaway online shopping, package safety has become a critical aspect of our daily lives! Even if you are not as concerned about package safety as the next guy, staying informed about the latest updates on deliveries headed your way can help you maximize the smiles and avoid the tears. Let's take a look at some good reasons to use USPS Informed Delivery and FedEx Delivery Manager to track your orders!

Sometimes, just getting started is the hardest part of the writing process. In college, my writing professors noted my ability to get content on the page and how this was a gift for a writer. On the other hand, the red pen was dominant on all my papers, and a few were “not worthy of a grade.” You might be wondering whether or not you should grade your homeschooler's writing assignments. In this article, we will look at some of the benefits of deciding not to grade!

The term “classical education” is one you hear frequently in home school circles. There are some well-known publishers who specialize in products following a classical education model. These products have a lot of appeal because they are structured, academically rigorous, and often, user-friendly. On the other hand, the whole approach can seem a bit intimidating and overwhelming with all that is offered. One is left wondering if you can do “a little bit” of classical education rather than embrace the whole thing. The short answer is: You can!