I love homeschooling and am very grateful to have found a "post-homeschool" career that expands on that passion. Married to Manuel since 1989, we chose to homeschool in 1997 when our daughter, Amanda, was in first grade.
Our approach to homeschooling was very eclectic to meet our children’s unique learning needs. Blessed with very different children - a natural, gifted learner and a struggling learner on the spectrum, my homeschool philosophy focused on giving my children a love for learning and teaching them how to learn. If I had to classify my methodology, it could be summed up as “a modified Charlotte Mason, delight-directed approach" with a bit of Unit Study thrown in! Homeschooling has been a tremendous blessing to my family, and although it is not the easiest thing I have ever done, it has been my greatest accomplishment.
It is my joy to serve homeschool families as a curriculum/product consultant at Rainbow Resource Center! Whether reviewing catalogs for new products to equip homeschool families, evaluating curriculum, or writing and recording helpful videos and articles, it is my desire to provide you with the best information and options to help you meet your family’s goals.
Last month, my husband and I took a winding exploration down Route 66. Yes! The same route popularized by Disney® Pixar Cars. One of our trip’s highlights was visiting a replica Hubble Telescope in Marshfield, Mo, the birthplace of Edward Hubble, for whom the telescope is named. Standing in awe, I gazed up at the telescope and realized how much I didn’t know about this magnificent telescope. So, I did what countless other homeschool moms do, I decided to create a unit study! It is my hope that your family enjoys this introductory look at the Hubble Telescope!
This month’s unit study will teach you more about a wildly popular toy that was created in the late 1930s by a carpenter and remains a family-lead business: LEGO!
Log cabins are a part of our American heritage, a reminder of simpler times when families lived, worked, and played together. Did you know that June 25th has been set aside to celebrate the log cabin? This month, I invite your family to celebrate this humble home. Before we begin, note the web links to family friendly sites for further exploration.
Love it or hate it, the story of the famous game of Monopoly® is bursting with controversy, financial theories, prison escapes, and more. March 7th celebrates the creation of the game that is still very popular today!
February 2nd is considered one of the most popular winter non-holidays. If you are from the Midwest or the Northeast, you may know Punxsutawney Phil as a beloved predictor of weather and seasons. Let's take a look at Groundhog Day and weather forecasting in this unit study!
Wandering through a building, you notice a strange looking sign with raised bumps. As you run your hand over them, your mind floods with questions. What are those bumps? Why are they there? Who invented them? Known as Braille code, those raised bumps are displayed in patterns to create words, allowing blind or visually impaired children and adults to read. As a family, set aside time to explore the fascinating history and methodology of this tactile reading system!
March celebrates the birthday of beloved television personality, Mr. Fred Rogers. Remembered for his gentle, compassionate voice, our unit study this month looks a bit different, as we introduce a new generation to this larger-than-life celebrity, and his message of kindness and the value of all people. Starting with a quick look at Fred Rogers, we will wrap up with a look at 3 life lessons he taught.
Welcome Matey! Join us to celebrate the beautifully diverse land of Australia in this unit study! Down under, January 26th is a national holiday celebrating the colonization of New South Wales, or Australia, as it’s called today. We have much to learn. Be sure to follow the links for child friendly videos and websites.
This week, we celebrate 50 years since man first stepped out of a space craft and made “one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.” Our family-friendly unit study this month considers the historical importance of this moment and adds fun activities for children to explore the space experience.
In central Illinois, our local farmers have been busy planting with their tractors and equipment. By May, the fields already have a tinge of green. People are planning their home gardens, too. Around our office you hear talk of trying new vegetables and there are more than a couple seed catalogs in...
The beginning of May brings many bright colors, new life springing forth, birds chirping merrily, and exuberant Mariachi music! Wait, what!? On the fifth of every May, many Mexicans celebrate the commemoration of the Battle of Puebla. This holiday is conveniently called Cinco de Mayo (5th of May)....
As a homeschool parent, there are a lot of things clamoring for your attention – the kids, the house, the schooling, outside family, work, friends, pets, church, sports, and… you get the idea! Quite frankly, we start carrying more than we can handle and it affects us. When Mama ain’t happy,...
When a student approaches a perceived challenge in a school subject, it can often lead to critical reflection in both our students and in ourselves. In these moments, it's important to identify the “why” behind the challenge and find ways to navigate through it. What is making this task “not fun”?...
I am amazed daily by what we can learn: all the opportunities for learning and discovery available and accessible to us. This is something to intentionally instill in our children: the importance of looking for those opportunities and looking forward to learning new things. Is it just me, or does...
