Category: Homeschool Families

Homeschooling Multiple Children: Finding the Right Fit
Meet Your Child Where They Are: Customizing BookShark for the Perfect Fit

My husband Joe and I decided to homeschool our children very early on in parenthood. We discovered BookShark right away – it was a perfect fit for our family. The prewritten weekly schedule was just the level of organization I wanted in a homeschool program – now I wouldn’t have to create everything from scratch! I ordered the Pre-K program three years ago, when my oldest was three, and I never looked back.

In what seemed like the blink of an eye my oldest daughter sailed through preschool and kindergarten. Her love for learning grew with each passing year. First grade was a big year for both of us. My daughter would be entering the elementary school years. And I would be teaching two separate grades of children, preschool and first grade, simultaneously.

I felt nervous, like I was entering uncharted territory. What if I couldn’t figure it out? Would I struggle to keep track of all the details, the books, all those critical thinking questions between two separate grade levels? Thankfully each level of Bookshark spans a three-year age range. I could always teach just one level over both their ages if I needed to simplify.

There was no need to worry! BookShark is designed to flex and fit with any schedule. By following a few simple steps:
- Customizing my curriculum
- Leaning on BookShark’s built-in tools for parent success
- Managing my time
- I have the ability to create an enriching homeschool schedule for my family, fostering a deep love of learning in the process.
- I was able to nurture the unique needs of each of my children.
Using Bookshark Assessments to My Advantage

BookShark has many tools to help parents succeed in finding the right level of curriculum for each student. These include:
- Reading assessments – lists of words for children to read, to determine their proper level of reader
- Language arts assessments – a sample weekly English lesson for children to complete
- Mathematics placement tests – Each math program offered by BookShark – Math-U-See, Singapore Math, Saxon Math, and Rightstart – has its own placement test. Not only did these tests help me figure out the best level for my children, but they were invaluable in choosing which math program would be best for our family.
All of these tools are found on BookShark’s main website. They recommend that the level of reading a child uses should match their language arts level. This helped me understand what level of education would be the best fit for each of my children.

It’s important to remember that these assessments are just a starting point for discovering the best level of math and English. Children are unique individuals. The knowledge they gain does not always follow a clear path or a straight line. My children progress slowly in some areas before shooting ahead rapidly. As an educator, sometimes I just have to hang on for the ride.

Case in point: seven weeks into first grade my oldest was identified as being highly gifted. At the beginning of the year, she could only read basic words and phrases. She tested into first grade, which was the appropriate grade for her then. Eight weeks later she was reading third-grade chapter books. She had completed two math workbooks. She will likely finish second grade mathematics within the next month or two and first grade by December.

Don’t Be Afraid to Customize the BookShark Experience

My experience with my oldest daughter’s learning journey taught me a valuable lesson: feel free to modify the homeschool journey. Sure, I just purchased first grade two months ago. My youngest can still use those materials when she gets older. Right now, Level C with third grade readers and language arts is best for my oldest daughter. I could stick my head in the sand and keep her at her current level, but why hold her back?

She is progressing quickly. That’s how her brain is wired. As her teacher and her mother, I owe it to my daughter to support her in the best way possible. If my child needs more advanced readers then I will give them to her. BookShark gives me the flexibility to modify the difficulty of each school level up or down based on child ability. This flexibility is my favorite part of the curriculum.

It’s All About Time Management

Before I began teaching two levels I took the time to get organized. Organization is key for success in homeschooling, especially if you’re managing a household while you teach. I take my children to four activities and two play dates each week. I cook three meals a day from scratch. Ever since my husband was diagnosed with a thyroid disorder I have managed all of the housework, cared for our 37 birds and managed a good portion of the yard work and errands while he heals, and I owe it all to organization.

It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it does have to exist.
Lean on the BookShark Monthly Calendar

BookShark already makes life easy by providing parents with a printable calendar to organize your homeschool schedule. I use our calendar for all my daughters’ extracurricular activities and science experiments for the year. Before the year begins I flip through the science experiment books for each level and make sure:

The experiments will fit with the weather over the year.

We have all our materials and that they all work

I have chosen a date each week that we are likely to have time for an experiment

Then I write it down in my calendar in pencil. Life happens. Sometimes I need to change things around. Pencil makes that easy.
Get a Day Planner

I’m not sure why but I found the concept of a day planner very intimidating. Before I began homeschooling two levels at once I made all sorts of excuses to not use one. Let me be clear, day planners are essential for homeschooling success, at least in our home.

Once again, they don’t have to be fancy. I tried many printable planners. The best one was a plain, old wide rule composition notebook.
At the top of the page I write the date and day of the week. Otherwise I forget what day it is. I also leave space for any house chores and homeschool prep that need to be completed that day.

On each line I write down, roughly, the hours of the day from when I wake up to the time I go to bed. I plan what we will eat and when I need to start cooking. I write down where we need to drive that day and when we need to be in the car. I plan when my children will be practicing their electives and, roughly, when they will be in school.

At school times I make two columns, one for each student. I alternate between work they can do more or less independently and work that needs more supervision from me. When one child is working on independent work, like math or spelling, I might be doing a read aloud with the other. Some activities, like history and science, we do together since my daughters draw different conclusions from the same project or read aloud.
My schedule is not set in stone. It is a guide. Sometimes life comes up. Spontaneous play dates happen. If something is not finished one day, I write it on tomorrows page of my notebook.

What this notebook does is take the stress off my memory. I don’t have to constantly remember everything I have to do in a day. I can reference my day planner any time, giving clarity to my thinking and allowing me to be more present with my children throughout the day.

Be Present in the Moment

Homeschooling multiple levels of children can be accomplished smoothly with the proper planning. Not only that, the entire experience can be fun and rewarding for everyone!

Every family’s homeschooling journey is different. Take each day one moment at a time. Most of all, don’t be afraid to customize the Bookshark experience!

I am a firm believer that by:

Listening to my children

Observing where they are in a given day

Fostering a love of learning

Using the tools available to me

I can handle anything.

BookShark has enabled me to optimize how I educate my children. I can customize each of my daughters’ school schedules and meet my children where they’re at, maximizing their homeschool experience.

For my family, homeschooling is an ever-evolving process. I need a curriculum that provides the flexibility to ebb and flow with life’s changes. BookShark’s ability to conform to our lives has allowed our family to maintain a high quality of education in constantly changing circumstances – adapting to every unknown – helping us grow in love, and strength, together.

About Our Author

I’m Bianca, a mom of many hats. Our homeschool journey began in 2020, in the Green Mountain State of Vermont. When we’re not enjoying the splendor of the countryside, my family is immersed in our literature-based curriculum and school 7 days a week, year round. With two highly gifted and competitive daughters we keep a rigorous schedule, but always make time for our friends and family.

You can usually find me in the homeschool room with a cup of apple tea, or shuttling my children to and from activities. I also operate a Facebook page, Northern Vermont Homeschoolers, to facilitate connection between the lovely homeschoolers of our great state. Read about our journey on my website Bianca’s Family.
03/18/2025
Planning Your BookShark Homeschool in 3 Steps: From Box Day to Daily Lessons
So, you did it… You placed your order, eagerly stalked your shipment, and finally celebrated your BookShark Box Day! Whether you are new to BookShark or a longtime homeschooler, after happily unpacking your boxes and exploring the piles upon piles of books you just received, you may find yourself feeling a little intimidated. You might even be asking yourself:
- Where am I going to put all of this?
- Where do I begin?
- How will we ever make it through all of these books?
If you find yourself wondering about these things, don’t worry! You are not alone, and I am here to tell you it is not as scary as you might first think. With just a little bit of organization and preparation, you will quickly feel as though you have been using BookShark forever and maybe even have a few of your own tips to share.

Organizing Your BookShark Materials

1. Label

The very first thing I recommend is labeling all the books in in your package. Some people like to put color coded stickers or write with Sharpies on the book binding, but I prefer sticking a mailing label on the inside of the book cover with the level written on it. With this method, if I lend a book out to someone all they have to do is open the book to see who it belongs to.

(Time required: 10 minutes)

2. Assemble

Next, I assemble my Instructor’s Guides. BookShark has made assembling your Instructor’s Guide as painless as possible. The bottom of each page of the Instructor’s Guide lists these key parts:
- Subject (Example: World History, Year 2 of 2)
- What section the page is part of (Example: Section Two)
- Week number (Example: Week 2)
For this example, all of the pages with this label will be placed behind the Week 2 tab in the BookShark binder.

(Time required: 10 minutes)

3. Store

Finally, it’s time to find a place to store your materials. I recommend using two separate shelves for each level—a student shelf and a teacher shelf. If your children are anything like mine, seeing a shelf full of all the materials they will be covering throughout the school year is daunting. I have one student shelf next to our desks that holds the weekly required materials and school supplies (pencils, erasers, dry erase markers, etc.).

I store the rest of the materials on a teacher shelf on the other side of the room out of sight. By keeping only, the necessary materials close at hand, it is easier to find the books I need and to keep anxiety at bay.

(Time required: 10 minutes)

Phew! That wasn’t so bad, was it? It literally took me only 30 minutes to properly label, assemble, and store all of my books away. Now what about weekly preparations? I think you will be surprised by how little time is required to prepare for the upcoming homeschool day or week.

Daily Homeschool Preparations with BookShark

The daily preparations are by far the easiest steps to take. Since BookShark has everything completely scheduled for the week, I just quickly look over the assignments and discussion questions each day. This allows me to have an overview of what we will be learning about that day and to easily reach over and pull the assigned books off the student shelf.

(Time required: 5 minutes)

End-of-the-Week (or Beginning-of-the-Week) Preparations

Since BookShark is planned to use a 4-day schedule, I dedicate a few minutes of my Friday end-of-the-week wrap-up with these tasks. Some moms prefer to do these on Sunday night before the week begins. Pick a time that works for you.

1. Restock the Student Shelf

The end of the week is the perfect time to change out books. I put the books we have completed back on my teacher shelf, and add the new books we will be using in the upcoming week to the student shelf.

2. Add Worksheets to Student Binders

Next, I remove all the student activity sheets from the Instructor’s Guide and place them in the student binder.

3. Gather Science Lab Materials

Then I check the Science Instructor’s Guide to see if there are any household items required for the next lab assignment. I gather those plus anything we need from the included Science Kit in one area.

(Time required: 10-15 minutes)

It is as simple as that. At the start of the school year, you organize materials. Each week you do a bit of prep, and then each day you acquaint yourself with the assigned work. Your BookShark Instructor’s Guide carefully guides you through the rest.

About the Author

Roxanne Raiche is a book hoarding, coffee loving, homeschooling mama of three in Iron Mountain, Michigan. She is the voice behind Blushing Bibliophile.
03/18/2025
Homeschooling with BookShark: A Smart Choice for Military Families

Most homeschooling families have the same basic checklist when trying to choose from the endless curriculums available. We are all looking for one that fits our kids’ learning styles and our budget. We also want one that won’t bore us to death but covers the subjects our state requires. Talk about stress, we have all been there.

Unique Challenges of Military Families

Military families are rare. Homeschooling military families are even more rare. We have our own unique set of struggles. Things like deployments, learning new homeschool laws with each move, and even homeschooling from a hotel room while between base assignments. Long periods of time away from a parent is the norm for the homeschooled child in a military family. Keeping track of your homeschooling materials during moves? It’s a challenge!

Imagine you are happy with your curriculum in your low-regulated homeschool state. Your children are thriving, and everyone is breezing through life. Suddenly, you learn that you are moving in one month and you have absolutely no choice in the matter. You are going to a state that has stricter homeschool regulations, which include making progress reports and providing an upfront yearly overview. Or imagine that your school year is going smoothly, and your spouse receives orders to go away for six to twelve months for training or deployment, leaving you as the sole parent and educator at home. This is the life of the many military families that choose to homeschool. Hello, instant stress headache.

Relief is on the Way

Wouldn’t it be a little easier to breathe if we had one solid curriculum that covered all the topics our kids need to learn? Then we could stop panicking every time we get those dreaded orders to move.

Enter BookShark.

I wanted a stress-free curriculum that would make my homeschooling life easy, and it delivered. I no longer have to worry if my boys will have a well-rounded curriculum. No more pulling my hair out, wondering if I am meeting the requirements of any state we can possibly be moved to, especially if the move is in the middle of the year.

We are currently in that exact situation, living in a half-packed house, eating random meals while trying to clean out the panty. And for once, worrying about homeschooling laws is the last thing on my mind. As a homeschool mom, this is huge. Normally I eat, live, and breathe homeschool worries.

But this time I know everything will be just fine because BookShark has my entire year planned out for me.

A Lifesaver

A plus with BookShark is that it will grow with my kids. I won’t have to switch curriculums when they get older and I can stay with what I know and trust. But not-so-secretly, my main reason for loving BookShark as a military family is their awesome Instructor’s Guide. Sounds silly, right? It is a lifesaver during deployments when one parent is holding down the fort alone. I started BookShark Level B with my boys when their dad was deployed.

Thanks to the Instructor’s Guide, no matter what type of day I was having, I managed to stay right on track, and their education didn’t suffer. Also, the curriculum is flexible and the guide is so easy to understand. When Dad is stateside, he is able to pick up a book and teach whatever topic comes next. It’s a real gift for him to be involved in his kids’ education while he’s able, especially because he knows that he might be sent away at any time.

Peace of Mind

The military homeschool family is unique in many ways. But one thing we will always share with our civilian counterparts is wanting what is best for our families and children. With a life as challenging as ours, I am glad to know that BookShark is there to ease one more worry from my mind.

About the Author

Ashley Panzica-Tolbert is a skirt wearing Army veteran who also happens to be the homeschooling and adventure finding mom of 2 boys. Her massive caffeine addiction and BookShark curriculum get her through the frequent moves and deployments of military life as a homeschool family.

03/17/2025
How to Homeschool Without a Support System
Homeschooling is hard. Worth it, but still hard. Sending your child to school has its challenges as well, and when I weighed the stresses on sending my kids to public school versus those of homeschooling, I chose the stresses of homeschooling.

Most of the time, I would say that the stresses are about equal, at least for our family size. Getting four little kids out the door and into the car five days a week for drop-off and pick-up? I shudder just thinking about it.

Our first year of homeschooling was wonderful, mostly because we were surrounded by close friends. Even though we never lived close to family, there were several people I trusted who I could call and ask to watch my kids when I needed a break. I also had a couple of local homeschool mom friends who I leaned on for asking advice or venting frustrations.

I underestimated the impact of losing that support system.

Shortly after we started our second year of homeschooling, we made our first long-distance move. We left our home of the past 14 years and moved over 500 miles away from everything we knew.

I’ve spent the past year and half homeschooling without a support system. Without that support system, the stress scales tip. I confess that more than once, I’ve fantasized about sending my kids to school.

My reasons for homeschooling thankfully outweighed the difficulties, and we are still homeschooling today. Slowly, ever so slowly, I am building a new support system, but doing so has taken a lot of emotional energy on my part.

Because this is still fresh for me, and my support system is still a work in progress, I’d love to share what I’ve learned about surviving as a homeschool mom without a support system.

1. Find an Online Support Group

Thank goodness for the internet! Yes, our smart phones are a distraction, and the internet has more than its share of drawbacks, but what did homeschool moms do before the internet? They were far more isolated, that’s what!

Facebook groups for homeschool moms are plentiful, so if you haven’t joined any, now’s the time to find a few that work for you. (There is even an unofficial BookShark group you can join.) While many moms use Facebook groups to ask questions about curriculum, schedules, and learning difficulties, Facebook groups can be a great place to vent about the things that only another homeschool mom will understand. You just need to find the right groups.

Admittedly, finding the right group can take a little bit of trial and error. But your groups are out there! I recommend joining several different groups. With time, you will figure out which groups are going to be the most helpful to you as far a support goes. Eventually, you may develop relationships with a smaller group of moms within the group that could evolve into a surprisingly strong support system, though eventually you will need local support (see point #4 below).

2. Make Alone Time a Priority

You and I both know that getting alone time as a homeschool mom is important. When you have no support system? Alone time is more than a #selfcare hashtag you put on your Instagrams; it’s critical for your mental health.

Actually, getting that time is much easier said than done. I know what it’s like to not be able to afford a babysitter. Then there’s the problem of allocating babysitting funds to competing needs: date nights to strengthen your marriage versus alone time to save your sanity. And even if you have the money for babysitting, sometimes finding a babysitter you feel comfortable leaving your kids with is the greater challenge.

All of these obstacles leave you, for better or for worse, heavily reliant on your spouse to get that precious alone time. Communication is key. Sometimes, we assume our spouse knows we need a break. Trust me–they don’t.

You need to communicate to your spouse just how much you need this alone time to be a better mom, to be a better wife. Be clear and specific about what you need.

And when they offer you that break–even if it’s just going to grocery store alone, take them up on it. Seriously. Don’t be a martyr! Drop what you’re doing and go for it; these opportunities don’t come around all that often.

3. Go Ahead! Use Screens in Your Homeschool

When the babysitting money is gone or non-existent and you literally have no one to call to get a break, don’t be afraid to use media. I know, I know. In certain parenting circles, screen-time is the devil–right up there with red food coloring and McDonald’s.

I’m not in that camp, but it’s taken me a long time to get over the guilt of using screens to get a break. Now don’t get me wrong. When my kids choose outside time over screens, my heart skips a beat, and I pat myself on the back. However, when you have no support system, something needs to give.

Especially if you are an introverted homeschool mom, rest time, getting up before your kids, and early bedtimes will only get you so far. You need to make compromises around screentime if you’re going to avoid homeschool mom burnout.

I cannot believe how many educational shows, YouTube channels, and documentaries created specifically for kids exist today. Here are some lists to get you started:
My kids know more facts about animals because of Wild Kratts than I have ever known in the history of ever. So get over the guilt and turn on the T.V. You need to take care of you, and your kids will be okay. I promise.

4. Work to Develop a Local, In-person Support System

Building a new, local support system is one of the most emotionally exhausting things I’ve ever done…but eventually, you really are going to need it. You cannot live without it long-term. Homeschoolers need community, plain and simple; you can only survive on an island for so long.

That being said, it takes a lot of emotional energy to put yourself out there over and over again, and as homeschool moms, our emotional energy is limited. So, you need to take it slow and set small goals.
Here are some possible goals to get your started:

Try one new co-op a semester.

Set up one playdate with an acquaintance.

Check out a local homeschool mom night.

Try one new church a month.

Strike up one conversation a week with another mom at the park.

After you’ve completed your goal for the month or the week, give yourself permission to make no other effort whatsoever. It could happen faster than you think, or you could be at this for a couple of years. Allocate a certain amount of emotional energy to rebuilding and trust the rest to time.

A Final Encouragement (For the Days When You Want to Give Up)

You can homeschool without a support system. I’ve used the first three tips to make it this far, and as for the last tip, you never know when you’re going to strike gold, when your choice to put yourself out there one more time will finally pay off.

I met my closest friend in our new city at the park last summer. I put myself out there again, after six months of striking out in these types of situations. Because we only have one car, this was an evening park visit, and I completely exhausted. Quite honestly, I would rather have been sitting quietly on a bench reading a book than initiating a conversation with yet another complete stranger.
But I did it anyways. I chose a mom who looked more exhausted and lonelier than I was (that’s a bonus tip for you!), and I put myself out there for what felt like the millionth time.

We hit it off right away and have been close ever since. Our kids are the same age, and while they don’t homeschool, we have so much in common.

My support system is still weak. One good friend and a couple acquaintances are not enough. But it’s a start, and a few small successes have given me the resolve to keep going, to keep trying, to trust that it won’t be this hard forever.

Keep going! Both in homeschooling, and in rebuilding your support system. It’s worth it.

About the Author

June loves deep discussions about homeschooling, parenting, and minimalism. When she’s not homeschooling, decluttering, or blogging at This Simple Balance, she loves to enjoy perfect silence while sipping a hot cup of coffee and thinking uninterrupted thoughts—which, of course, with four kids ages eight and under doesn’t happen very often!
03/17/2025
Using a Book-Based Curriculum for Kids with ADHD
If you have children with ADHD, reading may not be their strong suit. Or if you’re fortunate enough to have an ADHD child who is a bookworm, that child might struggle to recall information or answer questions about the work afterward. For active kids, sitting down and reading can pose a challenge. With a few tweaks, though, a book-based curriculum can be perfect for ADHD kids.

Why a Book-Based Curriculum is Perfect for ADHD Kids

Some of the suggestions for teaching kids with ADHD include using video games, computer software, and active play as outlets for their mental and physical energy. As a result, parents might wonder about the value of using a book-based curriculum for children who have ADHD. Here are a few reasons why a literary approach can help:
- A book-based curriculum improves comprehension skills. Children who have ADHD often struggle with comprehension due to executive function issues. Reading and learning to summarize what they read helps these kids improve their ability to grasp information and retell it.
- Reluctant readers can see the value in books. If your children don’t enjoy reading books, they may feel differently after seeing how much they can learn from reading them. This is especially true if the curriculum is implemented in a way that lets them make or do something on their own.
- Using a book-based curriculum inspires creativity. As children hear various book genres (legends, historical fiction, comedy, suspense, etc.), they are introduced to different styles of writing and storytelling. These stories can spark their imaginations, giving them material to think, write, and create their own works.
How to Create a Book-Based Curriculum for ADHD Kids

So the big question is: How can you create a book-based curriculum for kids with ADHD? The key is to choose books that are exciting and stimulating enough to hold your child’s interest. Here are a few tips:

1. Choose books with illustrations

Pictures do wonders for kids with ADHD. They take books from the abstract to the possible. When kids can see what’s happening, they remain invested in the story.

2. Create activities based on the plot.

Take any and everything you can from the book and make it into an activity, craft, or project. These extension ideas help active kids think more about what’s happening and remember the plot more clearly.

3. Encourage kids to write their own stories.

Add in a few writing prompts as you progress through the book to stimulate your children’s writing skills. When a chapter ends, ask “What do you think will happen next?” Then have them write about it. Or when the book ends, ask them to come up with an alternate ending.

4. Use immersion reading.

Immersion reading refers to reading a work while listening to it in audio form. Kids who tend to move around also tend to have short attention spans, so keep their minds on the material by having them follow along as it’s read. They’ll stay on task much better.

You can definitely make a book-based curriculum the perfect choice for kids with ADHD. Just remember: Keep the stories interesting, engaging, and interactive. If you do, your active learners will become lifelong readers.
03/17/2025
How to Land and Keep a Work at Home Job as a Homeschool Mom

One thing many homeschool moms want to do is land a work at home job. Relying on one income in today’s economy can be tough, and working from home seems like the perfect way to supplement a spouse’s income or provide a full time income if necessary while continuing to homeschool.

Once you have decided what type of work at home job is perfect for you, you need to apply and then land the job. In the virtual world, this is easier said than done. Often times you are competing against many other moms who want the job same as you. In order to land a work at home job, you must stand out. How can you nab the best work at home jobs as a homeschool mom?

Be Professional

The number one tip for a homeschool mom wanting to land a work at home job is to be professional. Your email tone will need to be professional not relaxed. This means leaving out the texting abbreviations (LOL) and the emoticons from your messages.

Also, be sure to end emails with a closing and a signature line that includes your full name, a photo, a link to your website, Facebook page, or other social media handles. Including a signature can make every email look professional and shows that you take yourself seriously.

Make sure your social media profiles include a recent and businesslike photo of you — no cropped-out kids or messy backgrounds. Also, be sure that you don’t share too much of yourself online. Everything you put online is available for the world to see and believe me when I say potential employers are Googling you!

Be Available

The next tip for a homeschool mom wanting to land a work at home job is to be available. This does not mean that you need to be attached to your email every second of the day. It does mean, however, that you respond to emails and requests in an appropriate amount of time —typically within 24-48 hours.

If a potential client is looking to hire you, he doesn’t want you to respond to his request a week after he asked for a phone interview. If you are unable to respond to email for a potential client, how will you respond once you are hired? Keep this in mind and do your best to be available.

Be Reliable

Have you completed tasks for other clients in the past? Were you reliable? Do you have references that will attest to the fact that you turn in assignments on time? As a work at home mom, you are responsible for completing tasks independently. Potential clients want someone they can rely on to complete a task correctly and on time.

Having a curriculum that minimizes your prep time means you can devote more time to meeting work deadlines. So, look at ways you can streamline your day-to-day schedule so that you maintain an impeccable reputation.

Always under promise so you can overdeliver. And never use your role as a homeschool mom as an excuse for being unreliable. Your client needs his work done regardless of if your children were sick or you had a plumbing issue.

If you are considering becoming a work at home, homeschooling mom consider these three things. If you present yourself as a professional, are available for employment requests, and can show that you are reliable you will have a better chance of standing out and landing that job!

03/17/2025
How to Turn a Gloomy Day into a Cozy Reading Party

It’s fun to spend bright summer days outside exploring nature or running around the park. What do you do on gloomy, rainy days though? Those gray days when you’re trapped inside? You create a cozy reading atmosphere and turn gloomy afternoons into beautiful memories of a cozy reading atmosphere.

Light a Fire

Gloomy rainy days tend to be cold due to the damp chill in the air. So light a fire in the fireplace to help create a cozy reading atmosphere. If you don’t have a fireplace, you can turn up the heat. Or play one of those YouTube fireplace videos on your television to at least simulate the sounds and look of a fire.

Just remember to keep the room warm. Your kids will adore staying warm on cozy reading days when the weather outside is abysmal.

Sleeping Bags, Pillows, and Blankets

Grab a big pile of sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets and drag them into the living room. Pile the pillows into comfortable nests. Toss blankets over chairs to make tents.

Encourage the kids to curl up in sleeping bags on the floor. The idea is to be comfortable and warm while it’s pouring outside.

Tea, Hot Chocolate, and Cookies

Brew some flavored tea or make hot chocolate to sip. Bake cookies and eat them hot from the oven. After all, nothing is as pleasant as curling up in a sleeping bag on pillows, sipping hot chocolate, and nibbling on warm cookies while reading a delightful book.

Dim the Lights

Dim the lights in the room while and keep just enough light to read your book. The dim light creates the intimate atmosphere needed to be cozy.

Use lamps and book lights to give yourself enough light to read. Book lights and lamps won’t turn the room too bright for an intimate atmosphere but will allow you to read comfortably.

Invite Friends Over

Invite friends over for a cozy reading afternoon at home instead of the park. Have them bring sleeping bags, pillows, and favorite books so everyone can curl up together.

Snuggle in front of the fire and enjoy being warm and together on a gloomy afternoon. Offering hot chocolate, tea, and cookies truly creates a fun, intimate, cozy atmosphere for reading.

Read Aloud

While curling up together to read books individually is pleasant on a gloomy afternoon, don’t forget how enjoyable it is to listen to stories together. Pull out your current read aloud or turn on an audio book.

Spend cozy hours listening to good books together in front of a warm fire. Read from your favorite childhood books or catch up on your stack of Read-Alouds from your curriculum. Listen to current popular kids’ books. Laugh at the jokes and weep at the tragedies. Enjoy listening to the stories together on these cozy afternoons.

Using these six techniques you can turn miserable, cold, gloomy, rainy days into beautiful memories, memories of cozy afternoons listening to good books or reading a fun novel while nibbling cookies.

About the Author

Sara Dennis is a homeschooling mother of 6 children ages 5 through 19. After much research into homeschooling in 2000, she and her husband fell in love with classical education and used it as the foundation for their homeschool. Sara Dennis blogs at Classically Homeschooling.

03/17/2025
Why Would Christians Choose a Secular Homeschool Curriculum?

Homeschool curriculum shopping can be challenging when searching for a secular curriculum. Curriculum providers tend to market to the conservative Christian homeschooler, so there are a lot of options of that flavor while secular and faith-neutral choices are fewer.

Even homeschoolers who do homeschool for religious reasons don’t necessarily want a Christian homeschool curriculum for several reasons.

They Want to Keep Academics and Bible Separate

Many Christian families want to use materials that are not religious because their goal is to teach religion separately from academics. Many Christian publishers weave scripture and theology throughout their curriculum. For those who choose to keep academics and faith separate, this integration is not welcome.

Others may want to dive deeper into a certain part of the Bible or study their faith according to their own plan and not based on a timeline set in a curriculum.

Their Beliefs Are Different from Mainstream Christianity

Christians don’t fit one mold. Under the Christian umbrella, there are myriad different denominations, beliefs, values, and doctrines. There are Christians who are young earth and Christians who are old earth. Some Christians agree with the belief that America was founded on Christianity. Others question parts of that story while some believe none of it. This means a traditional Christian textbook may not line up with every Christian’s beliefs. Those whose views are different than mainstream Christianity may have a difficult time with traditional Christian publishers.

They Believe Christian Materials are Too Biased

A popular argument I have heard from some who have used Christian materials and switched to secular was that the material was too biased. While they may want to teach God’s word and a worldview that goes with that, they want to do it in a respectful way, while exposing their children to other beliefs and traditions.

Many Christian homeschool curriculums make this difficult. They may bring up an opposing view and bluntly say it’s wrong, without explaining why or without using a tolerant approach. Other Christian curriculums do not mention opposing views at all, totally shielding kids from anything that doesn’t fit the publisher’s particular worldview.

Parents who prefer to teach they whys behind other beliefs and want to study them more in depth may want a secular curriculum with a more neutral perspective.

They Use State Funds for Curriculum Purchases

In some areas, homeschoolers can use state monies to purchase homeschool curriculum. But that money can’t be used on materials with religious perspectives. So those families need to find a quality, secular homeschool program even though they may have strong religious convictions or even choose to homeschool because of those beliefs.

Because homeschoolers (both Christian and not) do not fit a mold, more and more secular curriculums are being published. This means that Christians who want to use a secular curriculum will have more options than ever before.

Regardless of which curriculum you use, you will want to be aware of what it teaches and how it relates to you and your family’s beliefs. Not all Christian curriculums will include Bible integration. Not all secular curriculums include solely evolutionary content. Study the material, and find what works best for you and your family regardless of your religion.

About the Author

Misty Bailey is a homeschool mom of three and has been homeschooling for over 5 years. You can read about her homeschool journey and more on her blog, Joy in the Journey.

03/17/2025
Do I Really Have to Read That? Questions About the BookShark Program

As homeschooling parents, our time is at a premium. Many of us are homeschooling several kids. In addition, we need to cook meals, grocery shop, clean the house, take kids to activities, and perhaps also work a part-time job.

Life is busy.

To carve out more time in their schedule, parents frequently ask these two questions about reading the books in BookShark homeschool curriculum.

1. When Can I Stop Reading Aloud to My Child?

BookShark recommends that you read aloud to your child through the middle school level. There are many reasons to read aloud to your child, but the primary reason is that children can comprehend a story at a higher level when it’s read aloud to them versus when they read it on their own.

The more challenging books in the BookShark levels are assigned as Read-Alouds. As Jim Trelease, author of the Read Aloud Handbook, states,

“A child’s reading level doesn’t catch up to his listening level until eighth grade. You can and should be reading seventh grade books to fifth grade kids. . .A fifth grader can enjoy a more complicated plot than she can read herself, and reading aloud is really going to hook her, because when you get to chapter books, you’re getting into the real meat of print—there is really complicated, serious stuff going on that kids are ready to hear and understand, even if they can’t read at that level yet.”

In addition, some of the Read-Alouds in a BookShark Reading with History package tackle difficult topics. If you’re reading them aloud together, you can discuss the issues as they’re happening in the story. You can talk about the choices characters make and the situations they face.

2. Do I Have to Read the Books My Child Reads Independently?

In short, no, you don’t. The BookShark Instructor’s Guide contains the questions you should ask your child about the Readers as well as the answers, so you’re covered. However, I still recommend reading the readers on your own, especially once your child reaches Level 3 and above. There are some real treasures in the books that are chosen as readers. I’m guessing that most parents did not read many of the books in their own childhood.

Second, if you have a child who gets excited by reading and learning about history, you can share his enthusiasm when you read the Reader, too. You can discuss the story and facts that you learned. Finally, as your child progresses up the higher levels, you will get to read excellent literature that is just as appropriate for older middle school aged children as it is for adults.

BookShark will give your children a quality education, and if you continue to read aloud and read your children’s readers, you will more fully share in that education with your child.

If you have more questions about how BookShark works, reach out to customer service for help! Email [email protected] or call 1-866-668-0179.

About the Author

Melissa is a homeschool mom to three kids. BookShark is her primary curriculum, and she and her kids love it! When she’s not homeschooling, she’s either shuttling kids from one activity to another or working from home as a freelance writer. You can read more about Melissa’s homeschool journey at her blog Moms Plans.

03/17/2025
10 Big Fat Homeschool Fears (& How to Conquer Them)
Ask any veteran homeschool mom whose kids have already graduated from high school, and she will reassure you:
- She had the same fears you have now.
- She realizes now how pointless most of those fears were.
What a difference 10-15 years of hindsight makes! But you don’t have to wait that long. Let’s look right now at ten of the biggest and most common homeschool fears so you can face—and more importantly, conquer—them.

1. What if I fail to prepare my child for the real world?

Whether a family homeschools or not, parents may still fail to prepare their children for adult life. (The good news is that young adults can learn those adulting skills when they are required!)

Choosing to homeschool doesn’t make parenting any easier. However, having unhurried time at home to model good habits, to correct thinking, and to guide each child individually gives a homeschool family an enormous advantage in this arena.

The valuable, real-life experiences homeschoolers have can prepare them well for adult life if we maximize every opportunity:
- community volunteer service projects
- public speaking
- competitive music
- collaborating in co-op projects
- ballroom dancing
2. What if I don’t have what it takes to inspire my children every day?

It’s unrealistic to think you’ll keep the same enthusiasm for homeschooling every day. What you can do is plan for those days when you can’t muster the inner drive to motivate your kids. Use plan B days and couch days when the learning is more low-key or stealthy.

Here’s more good news. It’s not solely your responsibility to inspire your kids. When you build upon your child’s natural curiosity with great living books and by following rabbit trails of interest, your child’s own motivation to learn will blossom. Then the two of you can work together to keep the enthusiasm high.

Like us, kids want choices; they want autonomy to move through the day, choosing the times when they prefer to learn, exercise, and relax. When our tweens and teens learn to be independent managers of their time and their education, they continue to learn even when we aren’t feeling so perky.

3. What if I get angry?

Homeschooling is a humbling process. Patience is a skill learned while on the job. You probably are going to blow your top as a homeschool parent. Make allowances for bad days and recognize that some days you will lose it—momentarily. You’re building rigorous academic habits and life skills for the long run; mistakes are part of the process.

4. What if I get ill?

Homeschool parents face the same sicknesses and accidents other families do:
- bedrest for pregnancy
- caring for a relative who is in the hospital or recuperating at home
- coping with a spouse’s sudden medical crisis
When these situations happen, assess how best to homeschool based on the circumstances as they are (not what we wish they were). Focus on what you can accomplish with the limitations of an illness instead of what you can’t.

You may need to cut back academics to only the basics of math and language arts. School may take place in waiting rooms or at the hospital. If you are using a boxed curriculum, you will be able to rely on the laid-out lesson plans that require no intensive planning on your part. And at other stressful times, you need to simply take a break from school altogether until life becomes more normal.

Teaching your children about the fragility of life and the priority of family are important lessons, too.

5. What if my child doesn’t measure up?

Becoming a seasoned homeschool teacher means you know that learning is an ebb and flow. Your child will leap ahead at times and lag behind at others. The great thing about homeschooling is that we don’t have to evaluate our kids according to arbitrary scales determined by school boards. As long as our children are moving forward, it doesn’t matter that they don’t know the value of coins when other school kids learn it or don’t yet know how to write in cursive even though other kids their age do.

Trust that the learning is happening—different facts and skills—possibly on a different timetable, but happening nevertheless.

6. I’m too unorganized to do this well.

While organizing is an essential component of homeschooling, that doesn’t mean a homeschool mom has to mimic a public school setting with a fancy schoolroom and elaborate record keeping. As long as you can research curriculum, make a choice, consistently teach your children, and submit any paperwork your state requires, you can do this!

7. How can I be sure that I cover everything?

Choose a thoroughly researched curriculum that you can trust to guide you through the major goalposts of an education.

Then accept the fact that you will not cover everything. And neither do public schools. How did we ever come to adopt an impossible standard of covering everything? (And who defines everything, anyway?)

Instead of being scared that you won’t teach them everything, overcome fear by giving your children the tools and skills to learn anything. Research skills, reading for meaning, and technical ability set your children up for success in this modern age.

8. Will my kids be socialized?

Creating opportunities for socialization is a responsibility of a homeschool parent. Resolve to meet the needs of your children in this area, whatever it takes. It may mean joining or starting a co-op. It will certainly mean driving across town or hosting playdates.

But don’t go to the extreme of over scheduling your children out of fear of being weird, unsocialized homeschoolers. Talk to your kids about their needs for socialization. Introverts will want less time than extroverts. Watch their behavior, and work on any social skills that you see are deficient. But rest assured that there are plenty of awkward kids in every educational sphere. Homeschooling doesn’t necessitate that your kids will become reclusive freaks.

9. I’m afraid my worst school subjects will become my kids’ worst subjects.

Yes, your worst subjects could be your kids’ weaknesses, but the inverse is equally as likely. Your strengths could become your kids’ strong suits.

It is possible not to negatively influence your child about subjects you don’t like. For example, your children can become math lovers as long as you don’t pass your math anxiety to them.

Using a boxed curriculum, hiring a tutor, using a DVD supplement, joining a homeschool co-op, or trading out teaching time with another homeschool mom are just a few options to compensate for your own personal academic soft spots.

10. I’m not cut out to be with my kids all day long.

Sometimes, being with the kids all day is no picnic. Homeschooling is a selfless act not for the faint of heart. But that does not mean we have to offer up our sanity and health on the altar of homeschooling. It’s okay to take breaks. In fact, you need to have time away from your kids—guilt free.

How do you refresh? Do you like to head out alone and browse the yarn shop or meet a friend for dinner out? Or do you prefer for dad to take the kids out so you can stay home alone in peace and quiet? Whatever it is, make it a priority.

Being successful in homeschooling means coming face to face with your biggest fears. Second-guessing is normal, but don’t allow fear to dominate your thinking. When feeling weak, I remember what Nelson Mandela said, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
03/17/2025