Homeschool Archives | The Sparrow's Home

Homeschool science that prepares your kids for the worldviews they will face in college

August 5, 2019 by Susan 4 Comments

Online homeschool science courses that teach that science supports, rather than contradicts, Scripture help develop a Biblical worldview in students as they approach college.

I was compensated for my time in writing this post. All opinions are my own and I’m genuinely thrilled to partner with College Prep Science.

Christian parents.

We raise our sweet babies up to know the Lord, investing countless hours on family devotions, taking them to church, and modeling Christ-like living to them.

Then at 18 we send them off to college and wonder why so many leave their faith.

My husband and I will be experiencing our first foray into empty nesting this fall. (And to answer your question: Yes, I do expect there to be weeping.) As I think about my boys living away from our home, at the top of my prayer list is that they would maintain a strong Biblical worldview.

And when I say “Biblical worldview” I mean that they would see the world through a lens that says,

On all domains of doctrine and in life, the authority of scripture is to be placed higher than all human understanding, for it is God’s word and as such the highest authority.

-John Wycliffe

Introducing (drumroll please) Homeschool Disney

June 3, 2019 by Susan 10 Comments

I’m not the biggest Disney fan in the world. My husband, however, has a good shot at that title.

My appreciation and love of Disney has grown over the years. And that is in large part to how completely stuffed the Disney parks are with educational and learning opportunities. You see, I’m a consummate lesson-finder.

Movies, TV shows, books…lessons to be found.

Walks in the woods, games, random inanimate objects…I could teach a class.

When I began visiting Disney parks with my husband, I was wowed by the impeccable attention to detail. I have long said that when you visit Walt Disney World or Disneyland, you’re being invited to be a part of the stories. And I was also pretty amazed (and surprised) by the amount of learning that can be drawn from the parks.

17 role models of what living out an ordinary faith looks like

May 13, 2019 by Susan 3 Comments

There’s not one single answer to what it looks like to live a life of faith. These 17 people each lived out an extraordinary story in a uniquely different way, and a simple faith was at the heart of each one.

I received a complimentary book and was compensated for my time in writing this review. As always, all opinions are my own.

What makes someone a hero of the faith? Just the phrase is intimidating, if you ask me. But as with most things in life, a change of perspective can make all the difference. I’ve been reading about the lives of 17 individuals who did some amazing things and instead of feeling intimidated, I’m inspired.

The book is Eternity through the Rearview Mirror: How Simple Faith Changes Everything—Seventeen Extraordinary Lives, and I’m anxious to tell you about it.

Our new favorite party game is simply fun…and different every time you play

December 31, 2018 by Susan 2 Comments

If you like Apples-to-Apples, this fun party game may be your new favorite! You use books to find the perfect fit to a prompt. Prepare to laugh…a lot!

We get a new family game every year for Christmas. And this year, I am proud to say…we found a real winner! My friend Kay from Heart to Heart Homeschooling recommended this one to me and I knew it would be a hit. My husband wasn’t sure, but after our first time playing he looked right at me and said, “I was wrong, that was fantastic!”

Nurture your child’s head, hands and heart

October 29, 2018 by Susan 5 Comments

Young children learn best in gentle ways. Making crafts, telling stories, cooking together. Even more than the fun of the experience, they build memories with your child. How wonderful would it be if someone did all the legwork, laid it all out, and you could just choose what would work with your family?s

I am being compensated for my time in reviewing Rooted Childhood. As always, all opinions are my own.

Teenage boys don’t particularly like doing crafts. Nor do they like to read poetry or snuggle, for that matter. Thankfully, although my boys are getting older, I have some delightful littles in my life that I can do all this fun stuff with.

I thought of them immediately when I discovered Rooted Childhood. Well, first I thought how much fun it would be to have had this collection when my boys were young…then I thought of my little friends. I invited them over right away.

Meet DSST, the CLEP test’s lesser known cousin

October 15, 2018 by Susan Leave a Comment

Earning college credits with DSST tests is an amazing way to save money on college. With a few resources to help you study, you can be earning credits in no time!

I was compensated for my time in writing this review. Opinions are always my own.

$30,000. That’s my estimate of how much we’ve saved on our boys’ college through earning credits by exam. Thirty-thousand-dollars!

Credits by exam is exactly what it sounds like. A person takes a test and if they pass, they are awarded college credits. If you’ve heard of this amazing money-saver, you’ve likely heard of CLEP. CLEP tests are the most commonly known college credit granting tests.

We love CLEP tests! But there’s another way to earn these credits by exam that many people miss… DSST tests. (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests).

I think it’s time more people were introduced to this overlooked resource.