BookShark Homeschool Curriculum

Math can be the bane of a homeschooling parent’s life. Kids who hate math might put off their schoolwork, lose their focus during math lessons, or become frustrated when trying to learn a new concept. A simple way to make math easier for children is to use math games. Rather than running to the store or placing an online order, try these low-prep math games you can make at home in just minutes! They’re super easy to put together and they’re a nice way to switch up math class for the kids while reducing math anxiety.

If you do a quick search for early literacy, you’ll find study after study confirming the link between early literacy and future academic success.

Educational organizations and schools have taken this to heart, encouraging direct literacy education at home and providing it in schools. But as homeschool families, we know that play, not targeted instruction, matters most in a young child’s social, emotional, and academic development. The skills so integral to early literacy—observation, critical thinking, questioning, and evaluation—don’t need to be taught through flash cards or lessons.

As homeschooling parents, we want to ensure our kids know math, history, spelling, reading, and other traditional school subjects. But did you know there are many things we teach those kids—who are with us all day long—that have nothing to do with school or what might be found on a standardized test. When you’re doing life together all the time, there are many lessons your kids will learn just by being around you.

Our house is full of books, and, of course, being a homeschool family has only added to our collection. I’ve always loved books, and I am a voracious reader. My husband is a book lover as well, so it was natural for our love of the written word to overflow to our children. Although our interest in books came easily, here are five ways that we fostered a family book culture. Replicate these in your home to create a haven for books and reading.

As a child, I loved pretending to be a teacher. But despite my love of teaching, I never expressed a desire to pursue teaching as a profession. In fact, it was the exact opposite. Specifically, I stated that I never wanted to be a teacher—ever.

I don’t really know why I was so opposed to teaching. It could have something to do with the fact that my parents were both teachers. I watched how hard they worked, how they never seemed to have time off. They carted home papers to grade, lesson plans to write, and stories of difficult students and a failing public education system.

If your son tends to dawdle instead of completing a page of grammar exercises… If your daughter draws pictures instead of working on writing assignments... If you’ve seen your child’s shoulders slump when asked to read...

Then you might have a reluctant learner when it comes to language arts. From making excuses to complaining to avoiding the work, these behaviors point to a problem. But there’s good news! Your children can learn the skills they need and even enjoy the process, too!

Learn what experienced homeschool parents have to say about homeschooling and their kids. What worked for them AND what didn't? Listen or read as Ximena, DeeDee and Janna discuss what other BookShark community members and parents shared about what they would do-over in their homeschool journey.

Once upon a time…

It’s one of the first phrases little ones learn as parents introduce them to the world of books.

Throughout history, story has been an integral part of cultures worldwide. Myths, legends, and history are passed down from generation to generation through storytelling.

Just think about the impact stories have on our day-to-day lives. Consider how they are woven into the fabric of who we are as individuals and citizens.

Have you heard the advice about getting up early and getting your most important tasks done before noon? It’s great advice until it’s taken too far.

Since my family is composed of early risers who are up and moving before 7 a.m., I decided I could get homeschool and housework done in the morning. This arrangement would leave me and the children free in the afternoons for playing at the park and reading books together.