tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84262056005833191102012-01-29T13:52:38.201-06:00Mother of six traveling around the country full time in a camper. She shares stories and wisdom on homeschooling and traveling while educating her children. She writes for a newspaper about homeschooling.Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.comBlogger251100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-63165691880743446772012-01-23T14:29:00.001-06:002012-01-23T16:02:36.377-06:00

I want to personally invite all of you to a class I will be teaching for SHEM called Basics and Beyond. This month's class is on getting out of the home and learning from our surroundings which includes the yard, neighborhood, community, and state. I hope to encourage you to take what you have learned in books and live it, smell it, touch it, and do it. My family and I have been traveling

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-3338897124796278992012-01-17T22:31:00.000-06:002012-01-17T22:31:13.310-06:00

There aren't many times in my life that I feel like I am going to explode.  Tonight is one of them. Do family, friends, and COMPLETE STRANGERS feel the need to tell me we do not need to control our children and how to raise them? "You have to let them go sometime!" "They need to get out on their own!" "What, are you going to follow your son everywhere he goes?  He is almost 20!" "You

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-82398786270141682032012-01-05T22:51:00.000-06:002012-01-05T22:51:08.582-06:00

Once again, January is upon us.  I usually use this time to hit the books hard.  The wind is blowing and the temperature dropping - what a great time to stay indoors and make a huge dent in our book work. Every state has different laws.  Here in Missouri, we are required to keep a log book and record plans.  So in January I get the book out and get caught up on the lesson plans and record

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-20357359441307010062011-10-21T00:22:00.000-05:002011-10-21T00:22:49.131-05:00

We spent the afternoon riding up into the mountains.  It is so hard to spend all day at a desk or table when there is so much to learn in the amazing world around us. I do believe some bookwork is necessary but to get so textbook bound and miss out on the educational opportunities that are put all around us is a shame.  Our kids will learn from their books, but they can also learn just as much

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-21461009060634405362011-08-29T23:13:00.000-05:002011-08-29T23:13:01.261-05:00

First day back to school.  It went well.  The first week always is a little rough.  I decided to order the students book that goes with Shurley Grammar.  It will save us a lot of time with copying sentences and such. I also had to order the next Apologia Elementary School Botany course.  I got the Notebooking Journal that goes with it.  It adds a lot of great content to the curriculum. My

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-86209391056983708222011-08-23T00:39:00.000-05:002011-08-23T00:39:37.976-05:00

Take a deep breath. Yes, the new school year is here and are you excited or do you dread it? I wonder how our students feel.  Are they excited or do they dread it? My experience with children shows that they are extremely influenced by the people around them.  If we as the parents and teachers have a good attitude it usually overflows to the children. Let them see you studying. Let them see

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-21060393247404740292011-07-13T12:43:00.000-05:002011-07-13T12:43:55.016-05:00

July usually brings a start to our daily school schedule.  We slowly work into a full course load by September. This is what our morning looks like: Bible study Prayer Devotions Get dressed Make and eat breakfast Chores Journal writing or draw pictures PE twice a week Write a letter to a loved one once a week A couple weeks later we may add: Read for 30 minutes  (most my children read more than

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-115387208928541732011-06-29T23:53:00.000-05:002011-06-29T23:53:34.471-05:00

I went to Walmart and bought a piece of plastic that was just a bit bigger than our dining room table.  I bought the thicker clear plastic so it would not tear. I put it on our table and inserted maps, charts, time lines, anatomy and biology pictures, etc under it.  It is a great way to learn geography, history, science, and any other rote memorization that needs to be done. As often as I can,

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-73479483560608352892011-04-05T01:45:00.001-05:002011-04-05T02:15:05.595-05:00

This topic is so large, I'm not sure where to start. Let's try with definitions and then the differences and similarities of these two home school philosophies. 1. Unschooling - Typically means using our lives as the greatest textbook.  Unschoolers begin teaching at birth by using day to day events to educate their children.  It is not uncommon a child may begin to read as young as four and then

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-30861652388696141552011-01-08T00:05:00.000-06:002011-01-08T00:05:24.003-06:00

Deciding what books to bring on this trip has been one of the harder decision concerning our journey. We are book lovers and own some of the most amazing texts.  Our library in our old home was huge.  The reference books and historical fiction books filled the shelves.  There were so many I could use to reinforce what we were learning and give us more information about where we would be

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-73668399978701031642010-12-17T23:32:00.000-06:002010-12-17T23:32:50.453-06:00

Printed in the Oct 2010 Christian County Headliner News Starting back to school is always a mixture of excitement, nervousness, stress, exhaustion, and lots of money. My senior is thinking about finishing up his textbooks and beginning the College Plus program that has students Clep out of the basic college courses while they are still in high school. Hanna is a sophomore this year and is also

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-26664987305103367642010-12-13T20:47:00.000-06:002010-12-13T20:47:57.841-06:00

There is not much room in a camper for a bunch of books.  Although, I seem to find room to stash them in every corner, nook and cranny.  Books above, in the bathroom, under beds, in cabinets, and all shelves.  With eight of us, there are many different styles of books, authors, and genres.  But, as far as curriculum books, we made room for as many as we could. I have thought of doing it all

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-49148165454228958882010-12-03T22:55:00.000-06:002010-12-03T22:55:26.506-06:00

What is the world is Road Schooling?  Some of you might know the answer, if you do it.  Homeschooling is bring back education to the responsibility of the parent, not others.  Road schooling is homeschooling on the road. Traveling full time around the country brings opportunities that only come because of that lifestyle.  We don't just read about the Civil War, we actually walk the trenches

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-56222970594315556312010-12-03T22:51:00.000-06:002010-12-03T22:51:55.153-06:00

When we decided to sell our home and travel full time, I really researched this topic. I even talked with a lawyer. There are horror stories out there of homeschool families falling victim to people putting their nose where it doesn't belong. In Springfield, MO a family had their kids taken away for two weeks because a neighbor thought they were outside too much during the day, so she hot lined

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-30208780804602533512010-10-15T00:30:00.000-05:002010-10-15T00:30:01.324-05:00

Another week of school is almost done. It has been another great one. One problem though, our Pre-Algebra curriculum is not working for my son. He is really smart. He has always gotten A’s in Math. I’ve already tried two different Pre-Algebra Math curriculums. Neither has worked for us for different reasons. One is so tedious; the other doesn’t explain things well enough. I am going to buy a

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-24047148465642412822010-09-16T22:44:00.001-05:002010-09-25T11:46:43.068-05:00

Printed Aug 2010 So often we miss what is right in front of us. The other day I sat down and looked around my home. I thought about what we do every week. What from the average day can I incorporate into our school? How can I take breakfast and turn it into Science, Math, History, and Geography? My children do need book knowledge, but we should not underestimate the value of daily life skills.

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-51874781165843618442010-09-02T00:08:00.000-05:002010-09-02T00:08:41.854-05:00

Printed July 2010 A home school hidden treasure; that is what I call the Discovery Center in Springfield. We have been going to this amazing Science Center for over eight years. It has been as invaluable supplement to my children’s education. As some of you may know, we travel full time around the United States. During our trip, we try to go to as many Science centers as possible. I must say

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-69538052399546121682010-06-18T00:30:00.001-05:002010-08-19T01:05:52.472-05:00

Written in April 2008 for Christian County Headliner News, MO Whenever a couple of homeschoolers get together usually one of the first questions they ask is, “What curriculum do you use?” I think this is a very relevant question right now with the Southwest Missouri curriculum fair going on this weekend. It starts Thurs. from 6:30pm-8:30pm, Fri. 8:00am-5:30pm, and Sat. 8:00am-5:30pm. For me,

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-86803961087862225272010-06-18T00:19:00.000-05:002010-06-18T00:19:15.238-05:00

Article written by my daughter Hanna for the Christian County Headliner News, MO in Oct 2008 To Each His Own Differences are what make the world beautiful, and it’s also what makes homeschooling wonderful for individuals. It’s called different learning styles and no two people are the same. I’m the second oldest of six kids and am in 9th grade. From my 11th grade brother to my little sister, who

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-89531017923358343422010-06-18T00:17:00.003-05:002011-02-02T19:01:32.499-06:00

Dear Home School Student, Hey there! How are you faring this new school year? Did you have to cram to finish for last year? Are you a bit behind? Maybe, like me, you’re a bit ahead. Maybe you’re stressed out some about it, like me. I’m a freshman. My first year of high school has plugged along slowly. I started 9th grade early. It’s going ok. I like the requirements I have to make to graduate.

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-31861413216261489982010-06-18T00:15:00.004-05:002010-06-18T00:21:23.474-05:00

Written May 2010 for Christian County Headliner News, MO Classical, Unschooling, Charlotte Mason; these are just a few of many different home school philosophies. Let me simplify this before I give descriptions of these philosophies. Homeschooling is just that, completing school at home. But, that does not mean that homeschoolers must take public school books, schedules, and requirements and

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-26159010315936313442010-06-18T00:14:00.001-05:002010-08-19T01:07:20.913-05:00

Written January 2010 for Christian County Headliner News, MO January and February are great months to get er’ done! We always hit the books hard and get as much school work done as possible. With all the cold weather and being stuck inside it makes getting this done easier. When the weather is nice we are more tempted to get involved in so many activities that we don’t always complete our “

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-59973436395637154752010-06-18T00:11:00.001-05:002010-08-19T01:07:51.686-05:00

Written July 09 for Christian County Headliner News, MO I hope you homeschoolers are having a wonderful summer. I’m sure some of you have taken a summer break while others have had to continue their schooling through these hot days. We’re nearing the end of July so I just wanted to take this article to remind you of some things to help prepare you for the new school year. If you’re considering

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-8359622305814000962010-06-18T00:09:00.001-05:002010-08-19T01:08:22.285-05:00

Written Oct 2009 for Christian County Headliner News, MO This year I have two high schoolers and one 2nd grader. My other three kids are too young for formal schooling, but learn extensively everyday as they listen to the older ones. Now that my older ones are in high school, I don’t feel like I have as much liberty to take time off for unit studies that don’t include their normal math, science,

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8426205600583319110.post-70993733605891596902010-06-18T00:07:00.001-05:002010-08-19T01:08:44.489-05:00

Written Dec. 2009 for Christian County Headliner News I have a gripe. Normally my articles are positive and encouraging. Well, not this month. I don’t know about you, but I am so sick of the prejudices against homeschoolers. You wouldn’t believe all of the strange looks and comments we get from complete strangers as we travel around the country. For a country who is supposedly embracing diversity

Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15010721909018116303noreply@blogger.com0