Blog - The Happy Housewife™

Encouragement for the Overwhelmed Homeschool Mom

By contributing writer Colleen

As we dive into fall, many of the homeschool moms I talk to, especially those homeschooling for the first time, start admitting that the initial excitement they once felt has worn off, and they’re left feeling tired and overwhelmed.

Have you ever felt that way? I know I have. Here’s some encouragement for you.

The newness of the curriculum and plans has gone away, and the battles have begun. Let’s face it, fighting over homework gives way to fighting over all work once you begin homeschooling. Very few children adore being told what they need to do and when they need to do it.

Homeschooling can be hard.

I want to encourage you that you’re doing a great thing. Even if it’s one of those days when you peek through the curtains and stare wistfully at that big, yellow bus full of kids and wish that your kids were getting on it too.

We all have those days.

Surprise Rides

When those feelings hit you, it’s time to step back and remember why you are homeschooling in the first place. Call for an impromptu day off, pile the kids in the car, and head to a park or museum, taking advantage of having the venue mostly to yourself. We call these “surprise rides,” and I don’t tell the kids where we’re going. I just tell them to get in the van because we’re going on a surprise ride.

Instantly, moods change, and the atmosphere turns collaborative as they take turns guessing until we pull into wherever it is that we’re headed. Hearts change, and we enjoy each other once more.

During these breaks, try really hard to put aside work and school thoughts in your mind. The goal is to put everything else away and just be there for your kids. Play, explore, and enjoy each other.

On the way home, you’ll all feel refreshed and blessed. It’s a time to remember that those reasons you homeschool (whatever they are) all boil down to the sweet faces you live with and love. Taking advantage of the flexibility to step back when you all need a break is one of those often forgotten blessings of homeschooling.

Shed Your Expectations

Perhaps fall is the perfect metaphor for homeschooling. It’s a time to shed all the old expectations and behaviors that weigh you down, relax, and pull back to be with your family. A hibernation of sorts.

Regardless of how you regroup, remember that you’re homeschooling for the best of all reasons. You’re doing what you feel is best for those precious children. Always keep them in the front of your mind, and you won’t go wrong.

Take heart, mama. That yellow bus will continue to pass you by, while you sometimes stare longingly at it, but those kiddos in your kitchen are going to be there for you and for each other. You’re building a legacy of love. Keep up the great work.

You might also like…

photo credit (top photo): Travelin’ Librarian via photopin cc

Compost Cups Science Project

by Toni Herrbach

As we walked through the autumn forest and noticed the falling leaves, I asked the kids what happened to the piles of leaves we walked through last year. That started a conversation about decomposition.

Decomposition and Composting

Decomposition is the process in which organic material is broken down into simpler forms of matter (according to Wikipedia). It’s natural recycling!

When leaves fall and plants and animals die, they start this process of breaking down or decay. Insects, bacteria, and fungus all carry out decomposition. In the end, dead matter decays and is turned back into soil. That’s what happened to the piles of leaves from last fall.

You might have a compost bin or pile at your house where your yard, garden, and kitchen waste are decomposed to create nutrient rich soil that can be put back into the garden.

Make Your Own Compost Cups

To study composting up close, we decided to create our own mini compost bins in cups, so we could see decomposition in action. You can make your own compost cups science project with these easy steps.

Supplies Needed

16 ounce plastic cup
Organic items such as grass clippings, kitchen scraps (no meat or dairy), leaves, coffee grinds, bark, etc.
Plastic wrap
1 tablespoon water
1/4 cup dirt
Rubber band or tape

Instructions

1. Place organic material, dirt, and water in the plastic cup.

2. Cover the cup with plastic wrap and seal with a rubber band or tape. Give it a good shake and place it in a warm, sunny place like a window or safe spot outside where it won’t be disturbed.

3. Every couple of days add another tablespoon of water and give it a shake. Note what is happening to the organic matter.

What Happens?

The warm environment of the cup increases the activity of the microbes inside. These bacteria and fungus go to work breaking down the organic matter in the cup. The added water and oxygen from the shaking keep the process going.

Within a day or two you can see this happening. Given enough time, you’ll be able to see the organic matter turn into dark, nutrient rich compost that can be added to garden soil.

By contributing writer Marci

Trees Through the Seasons Art Project

by Toni Herrbach

By contributing writer Marci

Trees have the ability to change all throughout the year depending on the season. In the summer, we seek shade under their lush green foliage, and in the fall, we marvel at their brilliant hues of yellow, orange, and red. Trees can finally show off their bare, strong branches and tiny twigs in the winter. Then, the leaves begin to emerge again in the warming sun of spring.

This is an interesting scientific phenomena that kids can explore through art. They can make a drawing of a tree through the seasons to show their understanding of the leaf cycle.

Talk with your child about the seasons and the effect the seasons have on trees. Draw how trees look during each season.

Start with one season and work your way through. Chalk pastels work great to create your trees through the seasons artwork.

Use this project and these resources to put together a leaf unit study of your own.

Autumn Worksheets: Free Printables

by Toni Herrbach

By contributing writer Lauren

Since Fall is upon us, we need a few autumn-themed worksheets to spice up our homeschool days!

Each printable in this set is written at the second grade level.

In this autumn worksheet packet:

Autumn Antonyms – Change each underlined word to its antonym
Autumn ABC Order – Cut out each autumn-themed word and glue in alphabetical order
Autumn Fractions – Color the given fraction correctly
Skip Counting with Apples! – Skip count to find the missing number in each row

Autumn Worksheets
October Autumn Printables 2014 Happy Housewife.pdf

877.2 KiB
Details...

Preschool Leaf Activities

by Toni Herrbach

By contributing writer Colleen

Pulling together an autumn leaf study is super-easy and can be a lot of fun for your kids. These preschool leaf activities require only a few simple materials, most of which you probably have around the house already.

Get Outside

Start by taking your children on a nature walk, either at a local park or around your neighborhood, and gather fallen leaves. Using a tree identification guide, work together to identify the leaves and the trees from which they came.

Matching Leaves

Next, use those leaves to create a fall matching activity for the little learners in your home. Draw ten trees and cut them out of brown construction paper. Label them 1-10. Set them out for your preschooler and ask her to put the correct number of leaves on each tree.

Capture the Colors

With some of the prettiest leaves from your walk, make sun catchers. I did this when I was little, and I still remember them hanging in our kitchen window. Now I try to do it with my kids every year. Simply take the colorful leaves from your walk and place them between two pieces of waxed paper. Then iron the sheets together using a towel between the paper and iron. Make a simple frame out of construction paper if you want to, and hang in a sunny window.

Rake Leaves

There is something to be said for teaching kids responsibility when they’re young. Giving them life skills like raking, sweeping, cleaning, and pitching in around the house, prepares them for owning their own home when they’re older. And, by doing it when they’re young, you’ll be capitalizing on their desire to be just like Mommy and Daddy, so it’ll be easier than implementing chores later on.

Raking leaves (and jumping in them) is tons of fun for kids for all ages – especially preschoolers. And there are lots of benefits of raking leaves with your kids. Pick up a few kid-sized rakes online at Amazon or a Montessori shop, and get the kids into the yard to help you out.

For more great ideas, you can check out my Fall Themed Pinterest Board and The Happy Housewife Fall Pinterest Board.

What are some things you do to celebrate fall with your preschoolers?

Benefits of Raking Leaves

by Toni Herrbach

By contributing writer Tabitha

I love fall. I love the cooler temperatures. I love the falling leaves. I love walking through the leaves. I love spending time outside with my kids enjoying the weather before it gets cold. There are so many things we can do!

One of the activities we try to enjoy every year (I will avoid calling it a chore or a problem!) is raking leaves. It can be fun!

An odd thing about the house we live in currently is that it has very few trees. The little ones that were there when we moved in are getting bigger, but not enough for a huge raking project. However, our neighbors’ trees are another story. We get lots of leaves from everyone else’s trees.

So what do we do? We rake them all into a big pile. We bury each other. We jump out of the leaves to startle someone. We play in the leaves. We bag them up and recycle them (through the city). We fill fall decorations with them. We throw them at each other. (Well, not me, usually, but the kids do.) We rake our neighbor’s leaves.

We do it all again the next week, after more leaves have fallen. It never ends, but neither does the fun. (We won’t mention the wet, soggy, snowed on or rained on leaves. Wait til they dry out.)

Two of my kids hiding in the leaf pile

Benefits of Raking Leaves

We are working together as a family. We are showing by example that work can be fun and rewarding.
We are showing our children that work is necessary. Otherwise, yards look unkempt and not as fun to play in.
We are being physically active as a family.
We are spending time together.
We are building imagination as we play with the leaves.
We are learning about the world around us. (Seasons and trees)
We are learning about tools, including proper and safe usage.
We are experiencing the reasons for street safety. (Cars drive by.)
We are learning about jobs and city government.
We are learning new skills that can be applied elsewhere.
We are learning to serve others (raking other people’s yards) as well.
We are talking to neighbors as they, too, spend time outside. It’s amazing how many friends you meet when you spend time in your front yard.
We are establishing good habits and routines while caring for our home.
Plus, it’s just fun.

King of the leaf mountain

I grew up in southern California. The leaves didn’t change colors. Some of them just died every now and then. Did we ever rake? Yes. Was it a seasonal tradition in the fall? No. I love having this tradition with my children and the fact that even the ones that aren’t old enough to contribute much can still benefit. I never shoveled snow at home, either. Maybe that’s why I love doing these things with my kids now.

Kids getting the leaves ready for city pickup

This is something they remember from years past and always look forward to doing again.

So… some afternoon this fall, go bury some kids in the leaves! If you don’t have any (kids or leaves) go find some!

Apple Activities for Preschoolers

by Toni Herrbach

By contributing writer Colleen

September is apple month in many parts of the United States, and we always look forward to a trip to the orchard at some point during this month. I’ve been through apple crafts, experiments, and activities with my two older kids before, and I am looking forward to revisiting some things with my little ones this fall.

First up? Searching for the “star” inside the apple.

My five year old adored this simple activity. I told her that there was a secret star hidden inside every apple that made it possible for more apples to grow. I said that, just like Jesus is hidden in our hearts, keeping us safe and strong and enabling us to grow into good adults, this star is in the apple.

I cut the apple in half across the middle and showed her the “star” that holds the seeds. She was thrilled, and immediately pulled out the seeds to count.

After drawing what she observed (the seeds, star, color of the flesh and skin, etc.) in her science journal, she conducted an apple experiment. We simply cut a lemon in half and brushed one apple half with lemon juice and left the other alone.

After two hours, my daughter checked out the two apple halves and reported her findings. She noticed that the apple with lemon juice on it looked the same as it had before, while the other had begun to turn brown.

She drew those observations in her science journal and then wanted to eat and paint. So we sliced up a fresh apple, called her sister in, and did some apple stamping. For such an easy activity, this kept both girls busy for a long, long time.

Put some red, green, and yellow paint on a paper plate and give your child a paint brush, cup of water and paper towel for rinsing colors, and a piece of paper. Have them paint color directly onto an apple half and use it like a stamp on the paper. They can go back to the picture and add leaves and stems for detail.

There are so many great apple activities around the internet. If you’re looking for more things to do with your children after a visit to the apple orchard this fall, you may enjoy these:

Do you have other great ideas for enjoying a fall autumn theme with your little ones?

Flash Card Math Games

by Toni Herrbach

Flash cards might seem old school, but they are very effective teaching tools. These simple, portable cards are great for memorizing facts and can be used on your own or in a group.

Another benefit of flash cards is their flexibility. Of course, you can use them the traditional way, or you can play games with them. Here are some fun flash card math games to try with your kids.

The Stair Game

This can be done with one or more students. Start at the bottom of the stairs. Each student gets the opportunity to answer a flash card. They go up one stair for every right answer and go down one for every wrong answer. The first student to the top or to the top and down again wins or play until a single student reaches one of those goals.

Option: You can use this as a speed drill with 2 or more students competing against each other and have the winner go up one stair. Winner gets to the top first.

Sum It Up

This is a fun game for more than one student or with a parent and a child. Divide flash cards evenly between all players. Each player solves the problems on his or her flash cards and keeps track of their answers on a piece of paper. Players total up the numbers on their paper and the highest total wins.

Make Math Families

Give the student a stack of multiplication flash cards and a stack of division flash cards. Their job is to match up the multiplication card with their corresponding division cards and make math families. Example: Match 6×7 with 7×6, 42÷6, and 42÷7.

Model It

This game is especially good for young learners. Give the student a flash card, then give them a manipulative such as Legos, candy, or beads. Let them represent the equation on the flash card with the manipulatives. If the equation is 2 + 3, the student should have a group of 2 items and a group of 3 items. This lets the students “see” the math. They can find the answer by counting. This is great for moving from concrete to abstract thinking.

Match Game

Write the answers to the flash cards on index cards and scatter them on the table or floor. The student’s job is to match the flash cards with the answers.

What flash card games do you like to play with your kids?

You might also like…

By contributing writer Marci

Solving the Homeschool Math Challenge

by Toni Herrbach

By contributing writer Colleen

When you have kids that just won’t stop moving in your homeschool, subjects like math can be a huge challenge. Even if a wiggly child is good at math, that subject presents unique challenges that are hard to overcome.

photo credit: tracy the astonishing via photopin cc

Math is:

Sequential – Each lesson builds upon the last. A child (even a bright child) needs to do it mostly in order to lay a good foundation for higher levels of math. If he skips around too much, he’ll struggle in math later.
Repetitive – Math takes practice. While not all children need as many repetitions as others in order to master concepts, each kiddo needs some practice to become a strong mathematician.
Paper and Pencil – Because math is a skill to be mastered, most kids need to actually do the problems on paper in order to cement them in their minds. Active kids aren’t always the biggest fans of this type of work.
Overwhelming – Let’s face it, math can be overwhelming to kids. There is always something new to learn, and it seems like it never ends.

All of these issues add up to fights in many homeschools. I know that my son, who is very gifted, struggles whenever it’s time to pull out the math book. He doesn’t struggle because math is challenging. He struggles because the nature of math is tough for him. But math has to happen. So what should we do as homeschool parents?

Change It Up

If a curriculum isn’t working, there is no law that says you have to stick to it. Try something different. There are computer-based programs, textbooks with lots of repetition, and workbooks that favor more of a spiral approach (circling topics back around and around until a child gets it).

Try a few different things to see which method works with your child’s learning style and personality. Borrow a few different programs from local homeschool friends, if possible, to try different things out. Remember, your only limit is yourself.

Homeschooling is a chance to see what works best and go with it. There is no one size fits all method of learning.

Get Your Kids Moving

If your kids don’t like to sit still, try to get them moving. In desperation one year, I took scissors to my son’s workbook pages and cut apart his math workbook. I spread the small chunks of paper throughout the house, told him how many pieces he had to find, and let him go on a math scavenger hunt to do his work.

I didn’t modify the work in any way. I still had him do all the problems on the page, but he didn’t feel as overwhelmed because those assignments were spread all over the house in small bite-sized pieces, and he was able to move between each segment. It was an adventure that he loved, and the complaining ceased.

Modify the Curriculum

There is no rule that says your child must do every problem in a lesson. If there are a lot of repeated concepts and your child has clearly demonstrated to you that he knows that skill well, don’t make him practice any more. Allow him to move on.

It’s easy to become a slave to the curriculum, but really, it doesn’t do your child (or you) any good. Make the program work for you; don’t become a slave to it. If your child knows what he or she is doing, then let him be done with that concept. Otherwise homeschooling isn’t any different than having him be in school.

Relax

Above all, relax. It’s math. Yes, it’s important that your child knows how to manage his money, count, and calculate, but it’s more important that your child is confident, well-adjusted, and sure of himself. If the math you’re doing isn’t working, and it’s weighing you all down, step back, reevaluate, and try something else.

Above all, enjoy having your kids home with you, and work together to figure out a plan that works. It’s your turn. What simple ideas do you have for helping your kids through their math issues?

Math Worksheets for 2nd Grade: Free Printables

by Toni Herrbach

In second grade children build on all the math skills they learned in kindergarten and first grade plus learn new skills.

Here are the math skills your child should work on in the second grade.

Numbers

Counting by 1s, 2s, 5s and 10s up to 1,000.
Understands even and odd numbers.
Reading and writing the numbers from 1-1,000.
Understands place value up to 1,000.
Understands the relationship between 1s, 10’s, 100s. (10 ones equals 10, 10 tens equals 100, etc)
Comparing numbers (greater than/ less than) up to 100.

Equations

Adding numbers up to 100.
Subtracting numbers up to 100.
Word problems using numbers up to 100.
Beginning two digit addition and subtraction.

Measuring

Measuring length.
Comparing and estimating length.
Understanding inches, feet, centimeters, meters.

Time

Telling time on a digital and analog clock.
Understanding am/pm.
Writing time in various ways.

Money

Identifying penny, nickel, dime, quarter, dollar.
Solve word problems involving money.
Adds money up to $1.00

Shapes

Identifying three, four, five and six sided shapes.
Analyzing shapes by the number of sides and corners.
Able to divide shapes into fourths, thirds, and halves.

Math is a subject that we always work on throughout the summer. If kids don’t practice their math skills they quickly forget them.

Use these worksheets to help reinforce what your child learned in 2nd grade.

Each worksheet in this packet is geared towards the 2nd grade level.

In this Math Worksheet Packet for 2nd Grade:

Addition or Subtraction? – Determine the correct operator for each equation
Fruity Forms: Expanded and Standard – Match the expanded form of each number with the standard form
Missing Numbers! – Solve each equation in the cycle
Greater Than, Less Than, or Equals? – Solve the inequalities by practicing addition, subtraction, and simple multiplication

Math Worksheet Packet for 2nd Grade
September 2014 Math Worksheets HH.pdf

512.9 KiB
Details...

By contributing writer Lauren.

Platforms:	Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
Date:	September 23, 2014

Platforms:	Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
Date:	August 20, 2014

Surprise Rides

Shed Your Expectations

You might also like…

Decomposition and Composting

Make Your Own Compost Cups

Supplies Needed

Instructions

What Happens?

You might also like…

You might also like…

In this autumn worksheet packet:

You might also like…

Get Outside

Matching Leaves

Capture the Colors

Rake Leaves

You might also like…

Benefits of Raking Leaves

You might also like…

The Stair Game

Sum It Up

Make Math Families

Model It

Match Game

You might also like…

Math is:

Change It Up

Get Your Kids Moving

Modify the Curriculum

Relax

You might also like…

Numbers

Equations

Measuring

Time

Money

Shapes

In this Math Worksheet Packet for 2nd Grade:

STAY UPDATED!

CONNECT WITH ME