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Jen Merckling

life.unimaginable

Homeschool

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 17 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

children homeschooling

6 Things No One Tells You About Homeschooling…

I’m getting ready to officially start my 17th year of homeschooling!  I can hardly believe it. I have a senior, a 3rd grader, and twins in kindergarten…The senior is my first child to officially graduate from our homeschool (my oldest two kids graduated from public high school). Homeschooling has truly become our lifestyle…But I still remember…

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

Don't miss these 10 BEST Tips to Successfully Homeschool High School! Give your teen the life skills they need to succeed & achieve their dreams! #homeschool #highschool #howtohomeschool #tips #homeschoolhighschool

10 Best Tips to Successfully Homeschool High School

Today it’s a pleasure to have Miranda Lamb, The Reluctant Cowgirl, on the blog…After homeschooling through high school, she’s sharing her 10 Best Tips to Successfully Homeschool High School! Welcome, Miranda!  Homeschooling through high school was never part of my plan. But I made the mistake of going to a homeschool graduation. As I sat in…

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Filed Under: Encouragement, High School, Homeschooling Tagged With: Affiliate, High School, Homeschool, Homeschooling High School, Teens, the homescholar

3 Reasons I Love Homeschooling...even on the mundane days! Homeschooling may not always be cute and exciting--but it's always worth it! #homeschool #encouragement #howtohomeschool #homeschoolbenefits #whyihomeschool

When Your Homeschool Moments Aren’t Instagram Worthy

Most of the moments in our homeschool days don’t feel very “Instagram,” worthy…I wish they could all be cute with pinecones, flowers, and watercolors…(And pants—pants are good.) But no—many of our moments don’t make for great photo ops…The daily grind isn’t always very romantic: math, phonics, worksheets. Not to mention dirty dishes and piles of…

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

Free Preschool Math Worksheets (Numbers 1-5)

As much as I truly believe that young children learn best through play…my littles love sitting down and doing “work”! I think it makes them feel grown-up…So in a sense, it’s truly an extension of their imagination and play! When they are doing their “work,” I want them to experience success and joy–this should be fun…

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Filed Under: Early Learning, Homeschooling, Math Tagged With: Affiliate, Homeschool, Kindergarten, math, Preschool, Preschool Games

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

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

Homeschool sick days are inevitable and can lead to feeling overwhelmed! After 15 years homeschooling, here are my tips for getting through sick days!

Homeschool Sick Days

Well, Sweet Friends—cold and flu season is having a party over at my house. I’m currently drowning in a sea of Kleenex…Besides me, five of my six kids have also succumbed to this yuck. And if a houseful of sick people doesn’t derail homeschool plans, I just don’t know what does. It’s easy to get…

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Filed Under: Encouragement, Homeschooling Tagged With: Affiliate, Homeschool, How to Homeschool, Sick Days

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

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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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❤️Love of Learning, Leadership, Creativity, Cr ❤️Love of Learning, Leadership, Creativity, Critical Thinking… 
Just some attributes at the heart of why many of us homeschool! 

We’re digging deep into all that this coming week over at the Life Skills Leadership Summit! I’d love for you to join us!! {Grab your free pass in my bio!}🎉 

I’ll be talking about growing independent learners through all the seasons of homeschooling...💐☀️⛈🍁❄️ 

And the longer I homeschool (17 years now)--the more I am convinced that our kids create & experience meaningful learning through play! 🦄🤖🤴🦸‍♀️

❤️My 6 year old twins created this barn (and a set of paper dolls & horses)--complete with apples in a barrel, hay for the horses, and tiny carrots...I did nothing but provide the materials and the TIME to play!

It may not be Instagram or Pinterest “pretty”—but they were so engrossed and immersed in the process!!

 What project is taking over your dining room table?🐴🎨😉
Slow, cozy mornings...Just one thing I love about Slow, cozy mornings...Just one thing I love about homeschooling! The twins set out their toys to enjoy the fire & then disappeared...Now it’s very quiet—maybe too quiet... #whataretheyupto
Happy New Year!!🤩 Time to take down this tree Happy New Year!!🤩

Time to take down this tree & make some changes in 2021!🥳

{GIVEAWAY—Closed!! Winners have been notified —Congratulations to Sarah & Amy!}🎉❤️

But you still have time to join me for the Make Over Your Life Summit!🥰

We're covering all the things...in 8 individual tracks or grab the All-Access Pass:

❤️Marriage 
❤️Spiritual Life 
❤️Schedules 
❤️Home 
❤️Motherhood
❤️Homeschool 
❤️Health 
❤️Finances
Starts Monday--but Early Bird Registration (and best price) is NOW!
{Link in My Bio!!}
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!🎃🧙‍♀️

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