• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Meet Jen
    • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • Disclosure & Privacy Policy
  • Blog Menu
    • Homeschool
    • Lifestyle
    • Family
  • Resources
    • FREE Subscriber Resources
    • My Favorite Resources
  • Shop
    • My Shop
    • Homeschool Planner
    • My Favorite Resources

Jen Merckling

life.unimaginable

Affiliate

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…

Read More

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

Sharing my favorite easy family recipes that make every day special! These are 14 of my Go-To recipes, perfect for weeknights or special occasions!

Easy Family Recipes — make every day special

These days I don’t always have much time for cooking (maybe it’s not so much the cooking, but the clean-up)!  As a homeschool mom, I feel like I am.always.in.the.kitchen!  So when I do take the time to make something for my family (beyond peanut butter and grilled cheese), I want it to be something they…

Read More

Filed Under: Family, Lifestyle Tagged With: Affiliate, Easy Recipes, Homemaking, Recipes, Subscriber Free Resource, What's For Dinner

There are many misconceptions about homeschooling. One myth, that "homeschooling will save my child," threatens to derail us with guilt and self-doubt.

Homeschooling Will Save My Child (one of many myths)

So excited to be part of an important series–Homeschool Myths: Busted–Exposing the Truth Behind Homeschool Myths!  Myself and other members of the Homeschool Blogging Connection Team are tackling a wide range of homeschool myths in this series, with the hope of offering encouragement and support.  And while–yes, there are many misconceptions about homeschooling out there,…

Read More

Filed Under: Encouragement, Homeschooling Tagged With: Affiliate, Faith, Homeschool, Homeschool Challenges, Homeschool Encouragement, Homeschool Myths, How to Homeschool, Mental Health

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…

Read More

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

2018 Homeschool Moms Conference {ONLINE}

Thanks Registration for the 2018 Homeschool Moms Conference is now closed!  It was a huge success–please join us next year! Earlier this year I was super honored to speak at my local homeschool conference! (And I was a complete nervous wreck and wanted to puke for about a week leading up to the event…) But…

Read More

Filed Under: Homeschooling Tagged With: 2018 Homeschool Moms Conference, Affiliate, Homeschool, homeschooling, How to Homeschool

Sharing my free homeschool planner and how I use it to map out my entire school year! A great resource for keeping track of curriculum, books and materials, and student goals! Long range lesson planning will help you see the big picture, stay on track, and get organized!

Free Homeschool Planner — a Long-Range View

I love seeing the BIG picture!  When I sit down to chart out our plans for the school year–I always start with long-range planning.  Over my 14 years homeschooling, I’ve established an important planning routine.  It basically goes something like this…Choose my curriculum, start locating books and resources, identify goals, and finally–plot it all out…

Read More

Filed Under: Homeschooling, Organization Tagged With: Affiliate, Free Resource, Homeschool, homeschool planner, How to Homeschool

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…

Read More

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

Cleaning With Essential Oils — My Shortcut

I love the idea of cleaning with less chemicals…And as Chief Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Window Washer, and Countertop Wiper (AKA: Mom)–I get exposed to a lot of them!  So, I’ve been searching and experimenting with different natural cleaning brands for a while now.  But nothing has really stood out to me–plus they tend to get…

Read More

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Affiliate, Cleaning, Essential Oils, Homemaking, Housekeeping, Natural Cleaning, Rocky Mountain Oils

If you want to learn how to pray, or if you want to grow in your faith and prayer life--try the simple ACTS prayer structure! I'm sharing how the ACTS prayer structure helps me in my personal daily prayer time, and I hope it blesses you!

How to Pray — A Simple Prayer Structure

My prayer life has gone through ebbs and flows over the years.  Somewhere along the way, someone shared a simple outline for personal prayer with me called ACTS.  And while there’s no one right way to pray—I’ve found this strategy really helpful.  My hope is that if you want to learn how to pray, or…

Read More

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Affiliate, Christian, Faith, How to Pray, Prayer Life

Grab your Free Easter Copywork! Created for multiple-ages, the copywork includes coloring and bible verses--10 pages total, to help your family celebrate Easter!

FREE Easter Copywork

Easter is almost here!!  And I’m so excited to share my free Easter Copywork pages with you!  It’s my prayer that writing out and reflecting on the Bible verses and copywork sentences will help your kids grow in their knowledge and understanding of Jesus and His great love for them!  What an amazing privilege and…

Read More

Filed Under: Holidays, Homeschooling Tagged With: Affiliate, Copywork, Easter, Free Resource, Handwriting, Homeschool

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…

Read More

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

Teaching your left handed child handwriting can be challenging--especially if you are right handed! I have two left handed sons--here's what I've learned to help teach them handwriting!

Tips for Teaching Your Left Handed Child Handwriting

All the boys in my house are lefties…My hubby, my teenage son, and my kindergarten son.  It makes for some elbow bumping at the dinner table–but that’s nothing compared to the struggle with handwriting!  Teaching my left-handed children fine-motor skills (specifically handwriting) has been one of the more challenging tasks for this right-handed momma!  I’ve…

Read More

Filed Under: Early Learning, Elementary, Homeschooling Tagged With: Affiliate, Handwriting, Homeschool, How to Homeschool, Left Handed Kids

Easy Panang Curry recipe you will love! I've spent years trying to recreate my favorite Thai dish at home! Finally, I found the right balance of flavors! Plus-- it's quick, easy, and requires only 6 pantry items!

Easy Panang Curry

I discovered and fell in love with Thai food about 10 years ago (before that—was I really living though?)—curry is life.  In particular, I discovered my most favorite food in all the world—Panang Curry.  I know—this does not exactly sound like something you can recreate at home.  But I love this dish so much, I…

Read More

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Affiliate, Favorite Recipe, Panang Curry, Quick Recipe, Weeknight Dinner

I'm sharing my FREE Saint Patrick's Day Copywork and Activity Packet--which is created for multiple ages (Kindergarten through Upper Elementary)!

St. Patrick’s Day Copywork and Activity Packet {FREEBIE}

Somebody pinch me!  Suddenly we’re seeing green–in the best way possible!  I don’t know about you, but getting to March is such a relief to me–bring on all the joy of St Patrick’s Day and Spring Break!  My husband is part Irish–and my kids have always loved getting into the spirit of the holiday!  I’ve…

Read More

Filed Under: Holidays, Homeschooling Tagged With: Activity Packet, Affiliate, Copywork, Free Resource, Homeschool, St. Patrick's Day

Getting our kids to practice spelling words—sometimes it feels like pulling teeth. We know spelling practice has to happen, but it doesn’t have to be busy work! I’m sharing 4 strategies to spice up your spelling routine!

Spelling Practice — Mix it Up!

Getting our kids to practice spelling words—sometimes it feels like pulling teeth.  We know spelling practice has to happen, but it doesn’t have to be busy work!  I’m sharing 4 strategies to spice up your spelling routine! A Note About Spelling Programs…My Personal Favorite: Before we jump into the 4 strategies, I have to tell…

Read More

Filed Under: Curriculum, Elementary, Homeschooling Tagged With: Affiliate, Homeschool, How to Homeschool, Spelling, Spelling Power, Spelling Practice, Teaching Tips

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

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. ♡

Read my story→

SEARCH MY WEBSITE!

Follow Me!

All About Learning Press

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM!

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.)💗

Copyright© 2026 · Brunch Pro Theme by Shay Bocks

AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES