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Jen Merckling

life. unimaginable

Homeschool

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: 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…

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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…

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

What is all the excitement and buzz about? Build Your Bundle is a HUGE digital homeschool curriculum and product sale that happens only once a year! Here's a look at what I purchased this year--hope it helps you as you explore the sale!

A Peek at My Build Your Bundle Purchases

  Hi Sweet Friends!  There has been a lot of excitement and buzz in the homeschool world this week about the Build Your Bundle sale!  For years, I got the emails–and ignored them!  Finally, I decided to check out what all the hoopla is about…And it really is an amazing sale on homeschool curriculum and…

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Filed Under: Homeschooling Tagged With: Affilate, Build Your Bundle, curriculum, Homeschool, homeschooling

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

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 do…

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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

Teaching math with manipulatives helps kids understand math concepts and build a strong foundation in number sense! Plus using math manipulatives is fun! Here are my top 10 favorite math manipulatives! I've used them countless times while homeschooling my own children and as a classroom teacher!

Top 10 Favorite Math Manipulatives

I know I may be in the minority—but I love math, and I really love teaching math!  I’m truly a nerd at heart.  When it comes to teaching math to young students—using manipulatives is definitely the way to go!  Regardless of what math curriculum you’re using—math manipulatives help kids gain a more concrete understanding of…

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Filed Under: Early Learning, Elementary, Homeschooling, Math Tagged With: Affliliate, Hands On Learning, Homeschool, homeschooling, How to Homeschool, How to Teach Math, math, Math Manipulatives

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…

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Filed Under: Homeschooling Tagged With: Copywork, Easter, Free Resource, Handwriting, 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 14 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, 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, tapestry of grace, Teaching Textbooks

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

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…

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

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…

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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…

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

There is much to learn about how to homeschool! One is learning how to teach your child! I'm sharing strategies I learned as classroom teacher to help you teach any lesson for any grade! They've given me confidence over the last 14 years of homeschooling, and I know they will help you!

How To Homeschool –Teaching 101

So you’ve taken the plunge—you’ve decided to start homeschooling!  And I’m so excited for you—it truly has been one of the greatest blessings in my life!  When I started 14 years ago—it felt like a huge leap of faith (you can read all about why I got started and still love it—HERE)!  But now you…

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

Free Valentine's Day Copywork! 14 page set with coloring, includes some of my favorite bible verses about LOVE! Created for both younger and older children!

FREE Valentine’s Day Copywork

Love is in the air! Spring is around the corner (that’s my story—at least we’re through January)!  And in honor of Valentine’s Day and all things lovely, I’ve created a set of Valentine’s Day Copywork! I love copywork—it’s such a gentle way to focus on grammar, spelling, handwriting, and memorization.  Honestly—I think it’s a great…

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Filed Under: Holidays, Homeschooling Tagged With: Copywork, Free Printable, Homeschool, Valentine's Day

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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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