Monthly Archives: January 2011

Easy Maple Sugar Snow Candy

Posted on January 27, 2011 by Julie @ Creekside Learning

We made maple sugar candy with the freshly fallen snow today. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Only three ingredients: maple syrup, vanilla extract and snow. If you don’t have any snow, you can use crushed ice instead. You will also need … Continue reading →

Posted in F.I.A.R., homeschooling, science | Tagged Cooking, Little House series | 2 Comments

This Just In: I’m Nuts

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Julie @ Creekside Learning

Yesterday was just one of those days. Actually, it wasn’t. It was a normal day. Or what qualifies as normal around here. Kids played, did school work. Got in their usual scuffles over toys. Then Love Bug refused to nap. … Continue reading →

Posted in homeschooling | Tagged Proof that I've lost my mind | 4 Comments

Review of RightStart Math

Posted on January 22, 2011 by Julie @ Creekside Learning

Choosing a math curriculum was one of the bigger purchasing decisions I made as I embarked on our homeschooling journey. There are several very solid programs out there, and it’s not an easy choice for someone new on the homeschooling … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Elementary Years, homeschooling, math | 14 Comments

A Peaceful Time-Out Alternative

Posted on January 18, 2011 by Julie @ Creekside Learning

A few years ago, realizing that “time out” was not making much of a difference in some concerning behaviors of my then-three-year-old, we were inspired by the concept of the Montessori Peace Table. Our adapted version are the Peace Flowers, which … Continue reading →

Posted in homeschooling, Montessori inspired, Parenting, preschool | 7 Comments

Learning Letter Sounds: Our Letter Pockets

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Julie @ Creekside Learning

This is our Letter Pocket Board, made from a tri-fold display board that can be purchased at any office supply or craft store, inspired by The Activity Mom. I took 13 long, white envelopes, sealed them, and cut them in … Continue reading →

Posted in homeschooling, pre-reading, preschool | 2 Comments

Winter Fun with the Hot Chocolate Café

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Julie @ Creekside Learning

I surprised the kids this morning with a pretend Hot Chocolate Café. So far, they’ve used it for several hours of creative play and it was so simple to put together, mostly with things I already had in our stash … Continue reading →

Posted in creative play, Early Elementary Years, homeschooling, preschool, toddlers | 16 Comments

Learning What Works

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Julie @ Creekside Learning

We are so, so, so off balance here this week. We’ve added The Queen Bee to our homeschooling mix last week and we are trying to find out what works for all of us, what will make our day flow. … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Elementary Years, homeschooling, preschool, time management, toddlers | 4 Comments

My Homeschool Lesson Planner

Posted on January 6, 2011 by Julie @ Creekside Learning

I love technology, don’t get me wrong. I spend way too much time on my laptop and my iphone. I love discovering new ways to use technology to learn things and to help my children learn things. But when it … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Elementary Years, homeschooling, lesson planning, preschool, time management | 5 Comments

Our Learning Room

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Julie @ Creekside Learning

Of course, the kids can and do learn all over the house, and beyond, but this is our main Learning Room. The maps and calendar are hung up higher than child-friendly height, but since we have a toddler, it’s necessary. … Continue reading →