Homeschool Archives - Page 4 of 8

No-Fuss, Cheap Copies: Serious Savings on Money and Hassle

August 14, 2017 by Susan Leave a Comment

I love getting the best stuff. And I love a deal. Almost never do those two loves come together. Before I tell you about my new favorite thing, let me ask you a question:

Do you know how much you pay for copies?

I did some research, and found that each black and white page printed on a home laser printer can cost an average of 5-8 cents, and 12-15 cents for a page with color. Pages with solid color graphics can cost even 50-60 cents per page.

And that’s printing at home. The office store nearest me charges 11 cents for black and white prints and 59 cents for color. One sided. And you have to drive there to have them done.

Help for Your Struggling Reader: A Review of Nessy Learning Online

August 7, 2017 by Susan 8 Comments

Have you tried to find new ways to motivate your struggling reader? If so, the phrase, “wit’s end” has probably come to mind.

I tutor students each week who need a little extra help. Right now my clients include kids from kindergarten through 7th grade, and I am always looking for new tools to benefit them. I find that anytime I pull out my tablet or laptop, the kids are more engaged.

The problem is, although I’ve found some useful games to work on sight words, spelling, and math, none of them are targeted to my individual students. Nor have I found anything that seems to be designed specifically with struggling students in mind.

Until now.

This summer I’ve been using Nessy Learning with 5 of my students, and I am head over heels!

What have you done with your freedom?

July 3, 2017 by Susan 2 Comments

If you’re a Christian and an American, you will (as Ricky Ricardo used to say) “have some ‘splaining to do” one day.

Bibles? You can own, read, give away or sell as many as you’d like. We have the ability to talk about our faith, write about our faith, broadcast our faith. And even as we can see those rights being infringed upon so often these days, the truth is if we are not growing God’s kingdom…we really have no excuse.

Graduation Party Ideas: Hits & Misses

June 12, 2017 by Susan 10 Comments

I made a huge mistake with my son’s graduation party. I forgot to take pictures! This shames me, not only as a mother, but as a blogger. Before the party started, I took a few. The weirdest thing is, that at one point during the party, I looked out the back window and thought, “I love seeing all of these people enjoying each other’s company.” And I actually went out and took a few pictures.

But did it cross my mind at that point to take other pics? Noooooo. No standard picture of my son with his cake (doughnuts, in this case). No pictures of my son at all.

Here’s what I attribute it to: I lost my mind temporarily due to outlets.

But the party was great! Let me tell you about it.

Finally, Online Math that Works: A Review of Mr. D. Math

April 10, 2017 by Susan 9 Comments

Do you have a favorite teacher? What about a least favorite? A good teacher can make a difficult subject make sense and a bad teacher can make you hate even your favorite subject. Am I right??

My College Algebra teacher was t-e-r-r-i-b-l-e. He used to talk about how math was like a banana hanging from the ceiling, and we were all gorillas trying to reach it. He said he was going to push a chair under the banana for us. What?! Yeah, that was my reaction too. That story is the only thing I remember from his class.

We’ve been using a new math curriculum that I love, and my math-gifted-but-non-math-loving son “likes better than anything else” we’ve used. (It is still math, after all). And his reason why?

The teacher.

Online Shop Grand Opening!!

April 3, 2017 by Susan 7 Comments

We’re Open!!

What are all the words for excited? Giddy. Thrilled. Jazzed. Beside myself. Yeah, all of those! The day has finally arrived to unveil what I’ve been working on for months. Special goodies just for you!

Welcome to The Sparrow’s Home Shop

(cue sound of cheering crowds)

The shop is populated by three categories: Digital Products, Handmade Products, and Recommended Resources. And while we’re starting small, we’ll be adding products along the way.

Click here to go to the shop now.

**Update** The shop closed for a variety of reasons. Largest of which is that I realized that sales is not my bag. If you want to talk tea or salve or homeschooling through high school…please drop me a note and I’d love to chat. (Chatting is most definitely my bag!)