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Jen Merckling

life.unimaginable

Homeschooling

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

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

“Once upon a time…” There’s just nothing like those four words signaling the start of an enchanting story…a fairy tale. Personally, I adore fairy tales—give me all the princesses, castles, bad wolves, and magic beans! And I love sharing them with my kiddos!  One of my favorites is Goldilocks and the Three Bears. It’s lite…

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Filed Under: Early Learning, Homeschooling Tagged With: Affiliate, Fairy Tales, Goldilocks, Kindergarten, Preschool, Thematic Units, Three Bears

4th of July for Kids (FREE Printable)!

Aren’t we all a bit of a kid on the 4th of July?  Give me all the streamers, popsicles, black snakes, and hot dogs! The 4th of July is just plain fun–it isn’t fancy or stressful! (Except when 20 children are all doing arm circles with sparklers within inches of each other’s faces…) It will…

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Filed Under: Family, Holidays, Lifestyle Tagged With: 4th of July, Affiliate, Free Printable, kid activities

Summer Math in the Kitchen: Make Learning Fun!

Summer math lessons…Always high on my “good intentions,” list, but somewhere between the swimming pool and sidewalk chalk, they don’t always become a reality! The truth is–I love math, but it can be an exhausting subject! In the early years, we’re memorizing facts and nailing down foundational concepts. Later we’re tackling algebra and geometry!  Sometimes…

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Filed Under: Homeschooling, Math Tagged With: Affiliate, Free Printable, Homeschool, math, Summer, Year Round Homeschooling

Why Sensory Play is Important!

Welcome to my house–don’t mind the tub of pinecones, collection of rocks, and the bowl brimming with water and toy frogs!  It’s all part of play–which as you know, is where kiddos learn best!  There’s a fancy term for letting our kids collect, pour, mix, sniff, and generally make a mess…It’s called Sensory Play!  And…

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Filed Under: Early Learning, Family, Homeschooling Tagged With: Affiliate, Homeschool, Importance of Play, Parenting, Preschool, Sensory Play, Toddlers

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,…

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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

Essential End of Homeschool Year Checklist and 5 Day Challenge!

Whew…We just wrapped up another year (our 15th year of homeschooling)! And the truth is–I’m so tempted to shove all our homeschool books in a cabinet, jump in the pool, and not think two bits about school until August! But this year, I’m vowing to actually end with some semblance of grace and be intentional…

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Filed Under: Homeschooling, Organization Tagged With: Affiliate, End of School Year, FlyLady, Freebie, Homeschool, Homeschool Organization, How to Homeschool

4 Easy Steps for Organizing Your Digital Homeschool Files

Once upon a time I taught 2nd grade in a public school–before the age of Pinterest.  In fact, we barely used email. I certainly never looked for teaching ideas on the internet–I barely even knew what the internet was…So what the heck did teachers do back in 1999?!  Well, we coveted our beautiful, black file cabinets!…

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Filed Under: Homeschooling, Organization Tagged With: Affiliate, Digital Files, Homeschool, Homeschool Organization, 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

Sharing 3 Amazing Books that will change the way you homeschool! I read them this year and was so encouraged and inspired! If you're new to homeschooling or a veteran homeschool mom--these should be on your must read list!

3 Books That Will Change the Way You Homeschool

I’ve been at this homeschool gig for a while now…(wrapping up my 15th year—unbelievable)! And in many ways it feels like I’ve got it down.  I’ve grown into a pretty relaxed, eclectic homeschool mom.  But sometimes when you’ve been doing something for awhile—you just don’t appreciate how much you still need encouragement. How the weariness…

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Filed Under: Encouragement, Homeschooling Tagged With: Affiliate, Homeschool, Homeschool Encouragement, Homeschool Resources, How to Homeschool, Must Read Books

What Grade Level is My Child In?

I always try to prepare my children for social situations–just doing our part to break the awkward turtle homeschool stereotypes!  (“Okay, Little Loves…We are about to enter the library–let’s not run and yell and tear every book off the shelves! That would be awesome!“).  I guarantee my 4-year-old twins will be asked, “How old are…

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Filed Under: Encouragement, Homeschooling Tagged With: Affiliate, Grade-Levels, Homeschool Grades, How to Homeschool

The laundry piles are not going away! With 6 kids--I've learned some tricks for keeping it simple! Sharing My 5 Tips for Tackling the Laundry! #laundry #laundrytips #cleaning #homeorganization

5 Tips for Tackling the Laundry

Oh, the laundry!  There is literally no end in sight.  For years, I lived in denial of this fact.  I thought I could somehow get it all done. Visions of empty laundry baskets and spotless closet floors danced in my head…Until I accepted the truth.  Laundry is a constant work-in-progress. And that is okay–it’s just part…

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Filed Under: Family, Lifestyle, Organization Tagged With: FlyLady, Housekeeping, Laundry

Do you want to teach reading at home? Discover Ready for Reading, a phonics curriculum designed for moms by a homeschool mom and teacher!

Teach Reading At Home With Ready for Reading!

Teaching my kids to read has been one of the most rewarding experiences of homeschooling (and my life)! There’s just nothing like hearing your sweet babies read their first words and watching them grow as readers! When I decided to homeschool 15 years ago, the very first thing I purchased was a phonics curriculum!  My…

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Filed Under: Curriculum, Early Learning, Elementary, Homeschooling, Reading Tagged With: How to Homeschool, Kindergarten, Phonics, Phonics Curriculum, Preschool, Ready for Reading, Teaching Reading

Like classroom teachers, Homeschool Moms need workdays to keep organized and learn new skills! Here are 5 Ways Teacher Workdays will help your Homeschool!

5 Reasons Homeschool Moms Need Teacher Workdays

  Years ago I taught 2nd grade in a public school.  And while I loved teaching my students–I sure did love my teacher work days!  These are days carved out on the calendar for teachers to get work done–without students! Sometimes they’re called Professional Days or Inservice Days–but regardless of what you call these special work…

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Filed Under: Encouragement, Homeschooling, Organization Tagged With: Affiliate, Homeschool Organization, homeschooling, How to Homeschool

Here are 3 Amazing Apps for Preschoolers that seamlessly weave together open-ended play, preschool skills, and technology!

3 Amazing Apps for Preschoolers That You Won’t Feel Guilty About

Often I get asked how I keep my littles (4 year old twins) busy while I’m homeschooling my daughter in high school and first grade son. (Honestly, it sounds harder than it actually is…twins have a way of entertaining each other!) But even if you’re not a homeschool mom, I’m guessing sometimes you could use…

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Filed Under: Early Learning, Family, Homeschooling, Lifestyle Tagged With: Activities for Young Kids, Affiliate, Apps for Kids, Homeschool Preschool, iPad, My PlayHome, Thinkrolls, Toca Boca, Using Technology With Kids

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Hello! Welcome--I'm Jen! I've got 6 kiddos, twins, toddlers, teens--lots of laundry and always dirty dishes! I've been Jason's wife for 20 years, a mommy for 18 years, and a homeschooler for 14 years...I'd love to be friends. ♡

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This sweet little book is meant to be read with ou This sweet little book is meant to be read with our little ones! They love joining in & “reading” the pictures! ❤️ 
It’s part of The Story of Christmas product in my shop—which also includes a game, narration, & coloring pages. 
 
Link in my bio!!❤️
All dressed up & nowhere to go!😂 #2020life All dressed up & nowhere to go!😂 #2020life
Happy Halloween from Harry, Hermione, & Professor Happy Halloween from Harry, Hermione, & Professor McGonagall!🎃🧙‍♀️
Math can be cozy too!❤️ We’re loving The G Math can be cozy too!❤️ 

We’re loving The Good and The Beautiful Math 3!❤️ 

Decided to mix it up a bit & try something different for math...Have you found any curriculum gems this year?❤️
Learning + Play = Engaged Learners The twins hel Learning + Play = Engaged Learners 

The twins helped the shapes move into their new homes! They are still playing...😉 

So excited about Ready for Math...Coming  Spring of 2021!🎉💗

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