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By Shawna, on April 7th, 2013 
Kids who want to make video games? Check. More questions than answers? Check. Now, where to turn? Umm… Computer Science for Kids is here to help, with their Beginning Microsoft Small Basic curriculum.
Small Basic, what’s that?
Beginning Microsoft Small Basic has eleven chapters. The first explains the purpose and history of Small Basic and compares it with predecessors and contemporary programming languages. Later chapters lead the student through the components of Small Basic and creating your first program, along with obtaining random numbers, decision-making instructions, looping and subroutines, working with graphics and animation, and even . . . → Read More: Review – Computer Science For Kids: Beginning Microsoft Small Basic
By Shawna, on March 13th, 2013 
Art can be a difficult thing for homeschool parents, if, like me, they feel like they have no artistic talents whatsoever. I doodle. That’s it. Teach drawing? I wouldn’t know where to start, other than supply paper, pencils, and a plethora of “how-to-draw” books – which, for years, has been our approach to art. Supply materials and let them create at will.
For the most part, that’s an approach that everyone is content with – except that I know that there is the potential for so much more. One of the easiest ways to add more structured learning . . . → Read More: Art Lessons The Easy Way
By Shawna, on November 15th, 2012 
My middle son loves to sing. Not sure how he caught that bug, but that’s just the way it is. We’ve had a product in the house lately from Vocal Coach, called Vocal Coach Singer. It’s a huge collection of voice coaching products crafted for the privacy of at-home use.
Despite the name referencing “Singer”, Vocal Coach isn’t just for singers. It’s also excellent for actors, speakers, teachers, professors, really, anyone who uses their voice a significant amount, or feels that an improvement in their . . . → Read More: Vocal Coach Singer
By Shawna, on January 5th, 2012 
We’ve been in between-house limbo for several weeks now, and thankfully, it’s been over the holidays – a time of year we usually focus on unit studies, fun activities, and spending time together as a family. It’s been a perfect time to explore a homeschool Spanish Curriculum created especially for use within families.
The REAL Homeschool Spanish bundle includes a 100-page text, a 170-page activity book, an answer book with easy-to-read answers for the activity pages, and audio files. It is available as either a digital download or in hardcopy form. In the download . . . → Read More: REAL Homeschool Spanish
By Shawna, on April 6th, 2011 
Have a pint-size piano maestro wannabe in the house? Want your preschooler to start piano lessons at an early age, but are hesitant to schedule lessons for your temperamental tot? Want to see if your preschooler is interested enough in music to stick with it for a while?
Here’s your piano for preschoolers solution:
Kinderbach: Piano Lessons for Young Children.
Designed for ages 3-7, these videos (and the accompanying worksheets and coloring books) are perfectly preschooler-friendly. Short, interactive, entertaining lessons keep them engaged and interested as they follow the adventures of . . . → Read More: Kinderbach
By Shawna, on March 30th, 2011 
Latin. When I think Latin and education, the first thing that pops into my head is the movie Dead Poets Society. Expensive private school students chanting in Latin.
Not something I’d be inclined to replicate in our home.
There ARE good reasons to learn Latin. Many of our English words have Latin roots, and it’s especially valuable for those that delve into science or medicine. For learning foreign languages, especially Spanish, French, Italian… there are enough similarities in grammar and vocabulary to give a HUGE jumpstart.
But… fancy private school, we are not.
. . . → Read More: Latin for Children
By Shawna, on March 23rd, 2011 
Art: I have this love/hate relationship with art. Love the idea of creating art – hate that I’m terrible at it. And a couple of my kids are much, much better at it then I.
Definitely not something I have any teaching ability in whatsoever. Definitely a skill I want to encourage in the kids.
What to do? Hope and pray that the right curriculum finds us – one that, out of necessity, requires no more actual skill from me then providing the books and supplies.
Lo and behold, I think one found . . . → Read More: Artistic Pursuits
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