They are busy. All day long. Those little toddlers, bundles of energy, move around all day, jumping from thing to thing to thing, only resting when there’s food, or a story, or a nap.

And you? You’re trying to teach math. But that toddler? That toddler really isn’t interested in math and is instead interested in puling all the tissues out of the tissue box or coloring on their belly with purple markers.

This wasn’t what homeschooling looked like. It was presented with neatly blocked schedules, with toddlers doing independent mat-time work, and academics being completed before noon. Here it is lunch, and you’ve barely cracked the math books with the olders, and the toddler, or toddlers? They keep pulling you from what you think you need to get done.

There needs to be a strategy.

Here are some things I have found helpful:

1. Do not compare. Do not compare your family’s structure with another family’s plan. Especially if that family, at the time, does not have a toddler in the house. Comparing eats away at one’s happiness. All it will lead to is worrying that you’re not doing enough or you doubting the structure of your day. Learn from others, but don’t compare.

2. School in the afternoon. I know, I know, I know. If you’re like me, you like to get everything done in the morning and have the afternoon free for, well, free stuff. I’ve learned that sometimes the best strategy is to save the detailed academic work with the olders until the toddler is down for their rest time. In the afternoon. Plan some independent activity for the olders to do in the morning, but save the heavy-duty teaching until later.

3. Start your day with the toddler. Read to them in the morning, find an activity to do with them, include them in your day. When you fill that toddler’s cup with mom-time they can go through their day knowing that they are important. So grab those books, cuddle on the couch, and read to your toddler in the morning.

4. Rotate toys. Don’t leave all the toys out for your toddler to have free access to at all times. Instead develop a rotation for some toys that you only take out during academic times. Many times I’ll pull out a new toy or activity for the week – not just a day. I know we’ve all heard this one, but it truly does help occupy time in the structure of a week.

5. Coloring books. Obvious, but a life-saver in this house. I’ll pull out the coloring books and the busy toddlers have always been content to “do their school” at the table while the olders work. It also helps to develop structure and understanding of daily order.

6. Involve them in your day. Samuel, my two year old, will sit with me while I teach the kids. And, you know he’s learning. Just the other day, I was working with letter sounds with an older, and when I showed the o card, Samuel replied with the four sounds that o can make. I didn’t sit and teach Samuel; he learned by doing, by being with us. Make it an effort to include them in all you do.

Remember — they will only be toddlers for a little while. This is a just a stage, and at one point, not so far in the future, you might just miss those busy days of little ones getting into everything. Well, you might not miss the marker on the walls. Toddlerhood is a sweet moment in life, a time that should be cherished. It is possible to homeschool, to homeschool well, while you have toddlers in the house. Don’t fight these years, simply embrace them for the wonder in which they hold.

Toddlers and Homeschooling is a post from: The HSBA Post
© 2012 The Homeschool Post | All rights reserved

You can’t force people to leave comments, although every blogger would love to. It’s annoying if you’re just getting started and nobody comments. But after awhile you just get used to it.

Well… you kinda get used to it.

Okay, you never get used to it.

Make it easy.

If you have a blog, you’re competing for attention. Your readers have a bazillion other things to do.

Which means to keep them reading – or commenting – you have to make it ridiculously easy.

If your readers use your RSS feed, they have to make a special effort to get back to the site and comment. Which means, they have to

1. Think of something to say
2. Scroll back to the top
3. Click on the title
4. Wait for the page to load
5. Scroll to the bottom
6. Comment

Wouldn’t it be great if they could

1. Click on the word “comment”
2. Wait for the page to load
3. Comment

Remember, every step and every click is an opportunity for your reader to stop. Think about how you do things online. Too many clicks and you’re done. They are the same way.

So how do you make commenting easy?

First, ask them.

If you’ve ever been married to a man, you know that they can’t read your mind. And, in fact, only your best friend can read your mind. And that’s on a very, very good day.

So if you want your readers to comment, don’t expect them to read your mind. Ask them.

Write an action item at the bottom of the post. Here are a few good ideas to start with:

• What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!
• Did I leave something out? Tell me in the comments.
• Have you experienced something like this? Share your story in the comments.
• Know anyone like this? Tell us about it in the comments. And don’t mention their names!
• What do your kids do? Share it in the comments.
• Do you disagree? Let me know your side of the story in the comments.
• Have you written something that fits? Share a link to it in the comments!
• Have an example of this? Link to the story or picture in the comments.

You’ve given your readers both what to say and specific instructions on how to say it.

Then make the clicking easy.

Notice each of the comment prompts above have the word “comments.” This is an ideal place to put a comment link.

Save your draft:

Now click on “Get Shortlink.”

Copy the stuff in the box and press okay.

Go to your final line and highlight the word “comments.” Click on the link icon.

Paste the shortlink in and put “#comment” right after it. Click “Add Link” to finish. Don’t forget to save/publish/update the post!

Sit back and wait for the comments to come flowing in!

Okay, this won’t make your comment numbers huge, but it will make it easier for readers to comment. And that’s the point.

When someone reads the RSS feed, here’s what happens:

1. They read the comment prompt and know exactly what to write.
2. They click the word comments.
3. They are taken directly to the comment section.
4. They comment.

Ridiculously easy.

Yay.

Whatcha think?

Do you like the idea of making commenting easier? Will you do it? Tell us about it in the comments!

(Oh – and if you use Blogger or Tumblr or another platform and you know how to do it there, please leave a link. Thanks!)

Better Blogging: How to Make it Easy for RSS Readers to Comment is a post from: The HSBA Post
© 2012 The Homeschool Post | All rights reserved

Did you feel it? You may not have noticed when you turned that corner from first semester to second—there was probably a lot of celebrating and shopping and eating going on at the end of your year—but we’re firmly planted in the final half of the school year. Now is a good time to work hard before distraction arrives and spring fever pulls both mother and child.

Think about the verse in this month’s desktop wallpaper:

“. . . we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” ~Isaiah 64:8

Don’t be confused: you’re not the potter and your child the clay, God molds your child just the same as he does you.

Be thankful for the precious lives He’s blessed you to touch—nurture and teach them—but remember that there’s One who loves them even more than you do. Train your children (and yourself) to rely on His guidance.

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February 2012 Desktop Wallpaper is a post from: The HSBA Post
© 2012 The Homeschool Post | All rights reserved

A while ago, my husband and I decided to stop buying cereals for breakfast. Because of this, we needed to find some cheap and easy ways to make sure that our whole family could start the day off right. Oatmeal and muesli made their rounds and then breakfast tacos. Occasionally coffee cakes will find their way to our table. Still, we are always on the lookout for a yummy and filling breakfast food that the whole family will love.

This casserole is very easy and can be prepared the night before for a stress-free breakfast the next morning.

Easy Breakfast Casserole

• 1 lb bulk pork sausage
• 1 dozen eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1-2 tsp. onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9×13 in. casserole dish.

2.  Brown and crumble sausage. Drain off fat and then distribute evenly on bottom of casserole dish.

3. Whisk eggs and milk together. Stir in onion powder, salt, and pepper. Pour on top of sausage in casserole dish.

4. Bake in pre-heated oven for 35-40 minutes.

5. Top with cheese and then continue baking for an additional 10 minutes.

Easy Breakfast Casserole is a post from: The HSBA Post
© 2012 The Homeschool Post | All rights reserved

I’m not a resolution kinda mom. On January 1, I’m no more likely to start something new/good/healthy as I am to start on March 23.

So when I found the 12 in 12 program I thought, “Perfect! A new good thing every month.” (Plus I’m a serious joiner!)

Each month you commit to doing (or not doing) one thing.

“12 Commitments. 12 Months. Start anytime!”

That’s the tagline. One commitment each month.

One.

Not two. Not a few.

One.

Flossing in January

I decided my first month commitment was to floss. I know I need to. And actually, I like to. I just don’t for some reason.

But ever since I started (January 7, I think), I’ve flossed everyday.

And my daughter sees me, so she wants to join in.

I’m developing a good habit for myself, and I’m helping her to create one too!

What’s in February?

I’ve been thinking about what I’ll do in February. But I’ve been thinking about what I’ll do – without thinking about the impact I have on her.

So now I’m making a list of the things I want to model for her. A list of habits a strong, smart woman has. A list of things that a girl can watch her mom do and when she picks it up, she’s a better person for it.

Here’s my list, in no particular order:

1. Floss (January)
2. Move my body 10 minutes.
3. Stop biting my nails.
4. Stretch in the morning.
5. Pick a theme song and play it loudly (and sing along).
6. Eat a fruit.
7. Compliment someone.
8. Neaten the living room before bed.
9. Make my bed in the morning.
10. Leave the house without forgetting something.
11. Display happiness in a childlike way (laugh, skip, wiggle, etc.).
12. Read something printed on paper.

I’m not sure what I’ll pick for February. Clearly I want to do them all – so now it’s about only picking one. If I try to do them all, I’ll be doomed.

What good habits do you want your kids to have? Will you join the  12 in 12 movement? Share your plans in the comments and tweet them with the hashtag #12er!

12 in 12: Doing It for My Daughter is a post from: The HSBA Post
© 2012 The Homeschool Post | All rights reserved

We are delighted to see you continuing your alpha-themed photo fun with the A B See Photomeme. I always enjoy pulling up the Flickr group to see what has been added. Here’s a little slideshow that showcases the group. The first portion are the most recent. We wanted to showcase them here.

I think I’ll do another round after I figure out what to enter for Y and Z… and this time I’ll write on the pictures like one of our participants has done. How fun! Maybe I can turn it in to an A B C Book for the toddler and baby!

Do you want your photos showcased here? Join the fun! Copy the below button on your sidebar and commit to adding a photo every week, or even once a month… take as long or short as you want to go through the alphabet. Go forwards or backwards – or even skip around. We don’t mind.

<a href=”http://hsbapost.com/2011/09/30/september-absee-photo-meme-showcase-prize//” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://hsbapost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ABSee.png” title=”HSBA Post” /></a>

Want to see our best photos from 2011? Last month we posted a pretty collage. We aren’t offering a prize for the meme any longer because of the sparse entries, but we just might surprise you and offer one at the end of the year for our favorite photos. We love pretty collages and you guys are amazing photographers!

Ready, aim… Keep Shooting!

Phonic Photos – The A B See Photomeme Continues! is a post from: The HSBA Post
© 2012 The Homeschool Post | All rights reserved

The first month of 2012 is nearly gone. Was it a cold one where you are? Did you stay indoors more – or did you get out and about?

We visited grandma’s house in the country this month and had a blast doing yard work and burning trash. You wouldn’t think burning trash would be fun, but for my city kids, it was as fun as going to play Laser Tag. They even roasted smores over it. We sat outside for hours after dark watching the glowing embers and the boys pitched a tent and slept outside.

Where did you go this month?

We love seeing your links and hearing about fun field trip ideas. Join us here each month on the last Friday of each month to link up your field trips. Our readers showcase their field trip links, linking recent trips or not-so-recent trips here on our linky tool below. It doesn’t matter how old your link is, but please only post the link to a particular field trip once.

Wherever you are going – inquiring homeschool minds want to hear about it (and see pretty pictures!)…

Rules for linking up:
1. Your Fantastic Foto Fieldtrips post must be about a field trip and must contain photos.
2. There is no date limit on when you posted the article on your blog (ancient stuff from 2006 is acceptable).
3. You can include as many links as you want each month — the more the merrier (wow us!).
4. Do not link back to your main blog page — just the url from the actual field trip post and a title of where it was would be great: example — Sprittibee/Ice Hockey Game
5. Be sure to use the graphic for the meme either in your post or sidebar (or both)

Feel free to browse back through our older Fantastic Foto Fieldtrip posts to find great links and fun picture posts. Just click on the field trips category on our sidebar and scroll away!

We can’t wait to join you on your your adventures! Especially those of us who are stuck inside because of snow, right? [I haven't experienced that many times in my life, living in Texas...]

…….

FANTASTIC Foto Fieldtrips: January 2012 Edition is a post from: The HSBA Post
© 2012 The Homeschool Post | All rights reserved

This post is part of our monthly series highlighting books and activities from the Five In A Row (FIAR) curriculum.

Robert Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening is a curious poem – challenging for grownups and particularly interesting for kids.

I’m keen on looking for math in our FIAR books, but this time I’m thinking about doing some math in a new way. There’s math in poetry – tons of patterns with the iambic pentameter and such. But this picture book took a short poem (it’s only 16 lines) and added illustrations to give it that extra touch.

Illustrations… hmm…

There’s a classroom teacher who created a math assignment around photography. What a cool project for homeschool families; you can make it as strict or as loose as you want.

He blogged all about the process, including the challenges and results,which makes modifying it for homeschool super easy and fun!

Snowy Evening Math Photos

If you have snow around, use the beautiful images in Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening to inspire a photo field trip in the neighborhood. Use the assignment and rubric from the above links or just go with the flow. Encourage your children to look at the world with math eyes!

I live in Houston, where it snows once every nine years. So I had to depend on Flickr for these examples.

Abstract, curious, math-y!

There’s some fun math in the angle of the snow, and also in the shadow in this pictures. It makes me wonder if the camera is tilted or if the snow is on a hill. Click on the image to get some math thoughts from the photographer.

by windiepink | Flickr.com | CC BY

Mr. Rene’ Descartes would love this one!

Lots of snow, but also some coordinate plane stuff here:

by Jan Tik | Flickr.com | CC BY

Blocks and smiley faces!

These look like snow covered blocks – big ones! Fancy math term: rectangular parallelepiped. (Get your two year old to say that – it’s SO cute!)

by plizzba | Flickr.com | CC BY

Graphing animal tracks is fun!

You know how you put a bunch of dots on a grid and then connect them? That’s graphing in math. That’s what these animal tracks look like! Incidentally, this photo is from my favorite Flickr person who has a great collection of math photos!

by woodleywonderworks | Flickr.com | CC BY

What do your photos look like?

What kinds of math do your kids see in the snow or other weather you might have? Share the links and their thoughts in the comments!

FIAR: Snowy Evening Math Photos is a post from: The HSBA Post
© 2012 The Homeschool Post | All rights reserved

With one persistent, metallic ringing of the dinner bell, fourteen feet run at top speed toward the house. In a large family, it only takes one missed meal before you learn to listen for the sound of the bell. Hunger is a fine instructor.

Since buying a few acres in the middle of the barren Texas countryside, I have been amazed at how quickly the children drop everything to “come ‘n get it”. Shovels, rope swings, tea parties and cats are all discarded while one child races to beat another. They’ve learned to listen and respond to a familiar sound.

This isn’t a tale of Pavlov’s dog. But it is a convicting reminder of my hearing problems.

I regularly hear the ring of the dinner bell, more commonly known as the Holy Spirit’s conviction.

“Is that a good use of your time?”
“Was that a kind tone of voice?”
“Were you fair and just in dealing with that disagreement?”

Unlike my children and the dinner bell, I find it far too easy to tune out His voice. My own selfish desires win more often than they should. I know it’s time to get off the computer or to speak gently to a naughty child or to listen patiently to both sides of the story. But I can easily muffle that clanging dinner bell and do things my way.

So what is the solution to improving my hearing?  When I am faithfully and consistently in God’s Word, I hear the prodding of the Holy Spirit much more clearly. Not only do I hear Him, but I’m also led to obey.

The more time I spend in the Word, the more my ears are tuned in to His voice. It’s a simple equation.

How is your dinner bell working today?

Gwen clangs the dinner bell three times a day for her eight children and husband John.  Remodeling, moving, babies, homeschooling – and Bible translation? The good and the bad is detailed on their blog -Tolivers To Texas.

Come ‘n Get It! is a post from: The HSBA Post
© 2012 The Homeschool Post | All rights reserved

Down here in Texas, we can see the ground for most of the winter. In fact, all of the winter – except on the one or two days every few years when we get a rare winter snow. That makes nature study a whole lot easier and comfortable during the cooler months. I classify winter as cool.

I know for some of you up there in the ice and snow, you might be shaking your head and tightening your snuggie at the thought of venturing outdoors with the homeschool brood in January. Don’t worry, you! Those spring buds and warm breezes will be up your way soon enough.

The fact is, when the summers here swelter to over one hundred successive days of over 100 degree temperatures, nature study goes by the wayside. It is much more interesting to do your schooling indoors when your leg might melt on to the car seat.

So, that being explained, you’ll understand why the spring bug has already started to bite in our homeschool. This past week we had a few over 70 degree days… and the trees are thoroughly confused, having just recently lost their leaves for fall after Christmas. #gofigure

Spring for us is literally just around the corner.

With that in mind, I wanted to share a few great links for your nature study prep. It pays to do a little planning to help guide your adventures outdoors.

Below are four links that will bless your nature studies:

• Sprittibee’s Nature Page – links, quotes, book suggestions, nature blog list, etc. (lots of stuff here!)

• The Handbook of Nature Study – outdoor challenges (she’s our nature blog winner for 2011!)

• National Wildlife Federation’s Green Hour Challenge

and…

• Growing Up Green - a simple gardening book for children and adults

We got this little book in the mail last year. After a few years of gross garden neglect, we are planning to start using it with our raised beds in the back yard very soon. Two babies in two years is heck on a garden. Last year we were in the worst drought ever and the only thing we planted that survived was the seed from the previous year’s cilantro, which promptly popped up as soon as the temperature got low enough this fall.

I have a forest of cilantro out there right now in my yard; hence tonight’s dinner selections – Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad with Texas Caviar.

Gardening is very rewarding. Not just the edible part. Try it with your kids and you just might like it!

According to Growing Up Green, there are many virtues that children gain by working alongside adults in a garden, including self-awareness, patience, empathy, sincerity, trust, warmth, concentrated energy, and wisdom. Charles E. Majuri, Ph.D., is a horticulture therapist that uses gardening as a way to connect with kids. He believes that gardening with children builds family health, awareness, and relationship. Throughout his book you will find practical gardening advice for beginners, as well as togetherness and focus activities for your time spent with the kids outdoors. He encourages you to take notes each month as you work outside. This would make a splendid addition to your nature journaling, and we hope to make it part of ours this year!

Whatever you do, I hope you will take the Green Hour Challenge in some way – so that no child is left inside. There is so much wonder awaiting you just outside your door!

P.S. If you have some favorite nature links, please leave them here in the comments so that other homeschoolers can benefit! Join us at our <a href=”http://www.facebook.com/homeschoolpost“>Facebook</a> page, too — we’ll be discussing nature there this week!

Nature Study for Children is a post from: The HSBA Post
© 2012 The Homeschool Post | All rights reserved