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Jen Merckling

life.unimaginable

Curriculum

After 14 years of homeschooling--I've tried a lot of curriculums! Discover my top 12 favorite homeschool curriculums--the ones I keep coming back to year after year!

Top 12 Favorite Homeschool Curriculums

After 20+ years of homeschooling–I’ve tried a lot of curriculums!  Homeschoolers have so many great curriculum choices available…Which is awesome, BUT–it can be totally overwhelming!  Don’t let the multitude of homeschool curriculums scare you into analysis paralysis!  Here’s the thing–there is no one perfect curriculum!  We all have different needs and preferences.  However, I do…

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Filed Under: Curriculum, Early Learning, Elementary, History, Homeschooling, Math, Middle School, Most Shared, Reading Tagged With: Affiliate, All About Reading, All About Spelling, apologia science, curriculum, elementary school, favorite curriculum, Homeschool, homeschooling, How to Homeschool, IEW, Institute for Excellence in Writing, middle school, Ready for Reading, Saxon Math, Sonlight, tapestry of grace, Teaching Textbooks, The Good and the Beautiful

Homeschool Supplies–Ultimate List

It’s that time…Local stores are rolling out the school supplies! Which kinda makes me cringe (didn’t summer just start??)–but also…I couldn’t pass up the $.97 markers! In a few weeks–the panic will be palpable…Aisles filled with moms and kids clutching supply lists from all the local schools. No thanks to all that mania (another reason…

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Filed Under: Curriculum, Homeschooling, Organization Tagged With: Affiliate, Homeschool, Homeschool Organization, Homeschool Supplies

Night Zookeeper Review: How it Helps Homeschoolers

Seeing my son improve as a writer–and enjoy writing…These are the heart of my homeschool goals this year. So when Night Zookeeper approached me with their Online Language Arts Curriculum I was definitely intrigued…My little guy is 10. In a nutshell–he has very high verbal skills but initially struggled with reading.  And now that we’ve…

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Filed Under: Curriculum, Elementary, Homeschooling Tagged With: Affiliate, Curriculum Review, Night Zookeeper, Writing

Homeschool Kindergarten Reading Curriculum

The Best Curriculum for Kindergarten

  Kindergarten…so full of possibilities!  For many it’s the beginning of their “official,” journey into the world of homeschooling!  If that’s you–welcome!!  Along with all the excitement of starting something so monumental, comes a lot of pressure!  You are homeschooling because you feel it’s the best choice for your child and your family…You want to…

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Filed Under: Curriculum, Early Learning, Elementary, Homeschooling, Math, Most Shared, Reading Tagged With: Affiliate, apologia science, favorite curriculum, Homeschool, Homeschool Curriculum, How to Homeschool, Kindergarten, Ready for Reading, Saxon Math, Saxon Phonics K

2nd Grade Homeschool Curriculum–What We Loved

Sometimes I get really excited about my homeschool curriculum picks and just have to share them–even before we use them…This year I decided to write my curriculum picks reflectively… (And I procrastinated.) But now you can see what worked and what ended up being tweaked a bit as the year progressed! That’s the beauty of…

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Filed Under: Curriculum, Elementary, Homeschooling Tagged With: Affiliate, Curriculum Review, Encouragement, Homeschool 2nd grade, Homeschool Curriculum

Is Saxon Math Right for Your Homeschool?

I’ve been using Saxon Math for almost as long as I’ve been homeschooling…(16 years).  It’s my staple, no-brainer curriculum choice year after year. For whatever reason–talk of math curriculum brings out some really strong emotions among the homeschool crowd. We’re fierce about our math! Perhaps because math is such a foundational subject or perhaps because…

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Filed Under: Curriculum, Homeschooling, Math Tagged With: Affiliate, curriculum, Curriculum Review, math, Saxon Math

How to Start Homeschooling: The Ultimate Guide

I have been homeschooling 16 years…It’s not something I ever imagined doing–but now I can’t imagine my life without it. If you’re at the beginning of the journey, I just want to come along beside you and give you a huge hug.  You can do this!   (Currently, some of you find yourselves schooling-at-home temporarily because…

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Filed Under: Curriculum, Early Learning, Elementary, Encouragement, High School, Homeschooling, Middle School Tagged With: Affiliate, curriculum, Getting Started, How to Homeschool

How to Homeschool History (Without a Curriculum)

The homeschool world is full of shiny curriculum…I love it!  I love researching it, shopping for it, and opening it all up (it’s like Christmas in July when the boxes start to arrive)! The smell of new books and fresh crayons–it’s the smell of hope and endless possibilities!  I’ve definitely chased my fair share of…

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Filed Under: Curriculum, Elementary, History, Homeschooling Tagged With: Affiliate, Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, Elementary, History, Homeschool, Morning Basket, Routines, Unit Studies

Choosing Homeschool Curriculum: Where Do I Start?

Homeschooling has been such a huge blessing in my life and family–I’d do it again in a heartbeat!  I started researching homeschooling when my oldest son was about 3 years old–I really wrestled with the decision! (Here’s my post about why I homeschool and still love it). And after that initial decision to homeschool, I…

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Filed Under: Curriculum, Early Learning, Elementary, High School, Homeschooling, Middle School Tagged With: Affiliate, Getting Started, Homeschool, Homeschool Curriculum, Homeschool Resources, How to Homeschool

Secrets to Developing Independent Learners

Independent learners.  Hmm…That sounds like a lovely “pie in the sky” idea, especially when you’re sitting with your first-grader and reading every. single. word. for them.  Will this child ever be able to do work without me…even if I’m not sitting here keeping him on task? And if you have older kids–you wonder: When will…

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Filed Under: Curriculum, High School, Homeschooling, Math Tagged With: Homeschool, Homeschool Math, How to Homeschool, Independent Learning, Teaching Textbooks

Let's talk homeschooling high school! Here are my homeschool 9th grade curriculum choices--old favorites and new curriculum picks!

Homeschool 9th Grade Curriculum Picks!

Though I’ve homeschooled for 15 years–this is my first time homeschooling 9th grade!  My two oldest children opted for public high school, but this 3rd child of mine–she’s all in!  She loves the freedom and independence homeschooling allows…and has no interest in the dramatic antics she’s heard all about from her older siblings.  So here…

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Filed Under: Curriculum, High School, Homeschooling Tagged With: 9th Grade, Affiliate, apologia science, Homeschool, Homeschool Curriculum, homeschooling, How to Homeschool High School, IEW, Notgrass History, the homescholar

I love learning what curriculum other homeschool families are using with their kids! Here's a peek into what I'm using with with my 1st grade son (and why)!

My Homeschool Curriculum 1st Grade Choices

I’m so excited to get started with my shiny new 1st grade curriculum!  I don’t homeschool year-round (Sweet Friends, I need a break from formal lessons!!  Summer is my absolute favorite.  Summer is life to me–and isn’t all of life learning?  Maybe I’m technically an unschooler in the summer…).  Anyway, for me, it’s back-to-school time–at…

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Filed Under: Curriculum, Elementary, Homeschooling Tagged With: Affiliate, Apologia, Handwriting Without Tears, Homeschool, Homeschool 1st Grade, Homeschool Curriculum, How to Homeschool, Saxon Math, Saxon Math 2, Sonlight

Teaching Textbooks has made such a positive impact on our homeschool! And the new Version 3.0 provides families with even more convenience and value!

Why I Love Teaching Textbooks (and how it just got better!)

(FYI…Teaching Textbooks provided me with their updated curriculum–version 3.0 for review…I was already using and loving Teaching Textbooks 2.0!  As always–this post reflects my personal experiences and is 100% my opinion!)  Excited to share with you why I love Teaching Textbooks, and give you an update and review of the newest version! My Switch to…

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Filed Under: Curriculum, High School, Homeschooling, Math, Middle School Tagged With: Affiliate, Homeschool, Homeschool Curriculum, Homeschool Math, How to Homeschool, How to Teach Math, Teaching Textbooks

Homeschooling multiple ages can be a bit tricky, but using unit studies has helped me keep things both simple and individualized for my children.

Homeschooling Multiple Ages — With Unit Studies

I’ve always homeschooled multiple children…Which makes for some interesting curriculum decisions.  Do I teach three different historical periods?  Should I buy a different science curriculum for each child (because surely I can juggle Chemistry with a side of Physical Science topped with Marine Biology)…?  Here’s the truth, Sweet Friends–in the early years (which in this…

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Filed Under: Curriculum, Elementary, History, Homeschooling, Middle School Tagged With: Affiliate, apologia science, Homeschool, How to Homeschool, IEW, large family, Multiple Ages, Multiple Kids, tapestry of grace, Unit Studies

Incorporate music lessons into your homeschool holiday celebrations! Teaching music to elementary aged children is simple and fun when combined with holidays and special days throughout the year!

Teaching Music to Celebrate the Holidays

One of my favorite things about homeschooling is celebrating (and learning about) the holidays with my kids!  There’s good food to make, stories to read, art projects and crafts to make–but there’s also great music to share!  I love music–however, this is one of my weakest subjects when it comes to teaching my kids!  That…

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Filed Under: Curriculum, Elementary, Holidays, Homeschooling Tagged With: Affiliate, curriculum, Holidays, Homeschool, Homeschool Music, How to Homeschool, Music Curriculum, Music in Our Homeschool

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Hello! Welcome--I'm Jen! I've got 6 kiddos (including sweet twins) --lots of laundry and always dirty dishes! I've been Jason's wife for 26 years, a mommy for 24 years, and a homeschooler for 20+ years...I'd love to be friends. ♡

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Audrey graduated from KU over the weekend!! We’r Audrey graduated from KU over the weekend!! We’re so proud of her!! ❤️💙🥰🎉
Everything’s bigger in Texas…🤠❤️ Includ Everything’s bigger in Texas…🤠❤️
Including the love & hospitality of my husband’s brother & sister-in-law! 🥰
I’m so thankful for the time together…They even got me in the water!! 🌊🚤❤️
Had so much fun showing our Chiefs Love in Disney…We got a lot of love back—but also some haters…
😂❤️💛😏 #chiefskingdom in the #magickingdom 🏰
My sweet sister & I just created this adorable Fal My sweet sister & I just created this adorable Fall Coloring & Activity Book for Kids!🍁🎉
Just sweet—no Halloween references…Your kids will love all the whimsical details & fun activities!!🧡 

Link in bio…🥰
🍁Quick Tip: I love planning for the next school 🍁Quick Tip: I love planning for the next school week on Fridays! After we wrap up each  subject, I write out next week’s plan…

🤓I used to plan on Sunday night—but this routine has been so helpful because…
🍁Where we are & what we’re doing is fresh in my head.
🍁It feels faster because it’s broken into small chunks—I plan as we finish each subject & before I put away those materials for the weekend.
🍁I don’t have to drag things out on Sunday—because the planning is already done! 🎉
🍁 I know if I need to grab any supplies over the weekend! 

 #homeschoolplanning #homeschoolorganization
Created a sweet little notebook… Matches my Home Created a sweet little notebook…
Matches my Homeschool Lesson Planner! 👯‍♀️
Perfect for journaling & reflecting…🥰💗 

Details:
7x10 inches, 110 pages, lined notebook 
Available as a matte paperback or hardcover! 
(I like to use hardcover notebooks for Bible study.)💗

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