Blog – Blossom & Root - Embracing the inherent magic of childhood in home education

Planning

Planning Our Homeschool “From Behind”

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Homeschool planning used to stress me out so much. There is some quirk in my personality that makes it physically uncomfortable to cross things out, white-out over pen, and change something that’s been “officially recorded.” This did not combine well with the other half of my personality–the one that doesn’t like being told what to do and loves to dance the line between structure and freedom on a daily basis.

April 10, 2019 by Kristina Garner

OUR HOMESCHOOL WEEK IN REVIEW: APRIL 1 – 7

Spring Brings Homeschool Magic

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Springtime–even the merest hint of it–brings a certain magic to our homeschool every year. Something about the sweet smell of the thawing soil, the new flash of green, and the bird song that carries into the evening brings swift and lively inspiration to our homeschool.

April 8, 2019 by Kristina Garner

History and Geography, Our Homeschool Week in Review series

Our Homeschool Weeks In Review: February 11 – 24

Diving Into Our First History Unit of 2019

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Oh my gracious, it has taken me so long to finish this post! I promise that, once second grade launches and our spring sale is underway, I’ll get back into our regular schedule for these “homeschool journal” posts. I really love writing them and sharing them with you!

March 12, 2019 by Kristina Garner

Brave Writer Lifestyle, Our Homeschool Week in Review series, S.T.E.A.M.

Our Homeschool Weeks in Review: January 28 – February 10

The Big, Fat Field Trip Extravaganza

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Right now, my life is consumed with highlighters, red pens, stacks of printed pages, and piles and piles of books. I am up to my eyebrows in final edits for our second grade curriculum, as well as a dozen different Book Seed issues. I love the madness of creation, and I even love the tedium of the editing process. But it’s called for a temporary shift in every other aspect of my world, including homeschooling.

February 13, 2019 by Kristina Garner

Our Homeschool Week in Review series, Parenting

Our Homeschool Week in Review 1/21 – 1/27

Giving Space to the Good Stuff

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I like to think we maintain a very whole-child balanced homeschool, but the truth is that I often go through phases when less-academic activities are perpetually put on the back burner. I always give plenty of space and time to free play and interest-based, curiosity-led learning, but the “good stuff,” as I call it–the art and baking and making stuff together as a family–is frequently put aside.

January 30, 2019 by Kristina Garner

Reading and Writing

Favorite Winter Books for Our Nature-Based Homeschool

“Winter is the time for home.”
Edith Sitwell

A basket filled with books is a beautiful and powerful thing. Sitting patiently on a shelf or in a corner, it cradles so many opportunities. Imagination, connection, wonder, inspiration, and priceless snuggle time.

January 23, 2019 by Kristina Garner

Blossom and Root First Grade, Our Homeschool Week in Review series

Our Homeschool Week in Review 1/14 – 1/20

Falling Into Our Winter Homeschool Rhythm

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Our second week back from winter break was a busy one. We added a bit more of our academic subjects in, went on a day-long field trip, finished two more projects from the Rooted Childhood January collection, and spent the weekend romping in the snow at my grandparents’ house in Monument.

January 21, 2019 by Kristina Garner

Nature Study

How Can I Incorporate More Nature Study Into My Homeschool?

The term “nature study” can be a bit of a kaleidoscope. It means different things to different people. Many believe that it applies only to formal lessons on nature-related topics, such as a structured lesson on the life cycle of a beetle.

January 16, 2019 by Kristina Garner

Nature Study, Our Homeschool Week in Review series

Our Homeschool Week in Review 1/7 – 1/13

Embracing Winter in Our Homeschool

It’s been awhile since I wrote a “week in review post.” Our late autumns and early winters tend to necessitate a bit of a stepping-away or dialing-back. I use the time to reflect on the year past, set my focus for the year ahead, and to enjoy the holidays with my family. We took the last two weeks of December, and the first week of January, off from homeschool and the much-needed break was heavenly.

January 14, 2019 by Kristina Garner

$homeschool math first grade$

Math

What We’re Using For First Grade Math

This year, we’re using a combination of several resources for first grade math, including: