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Jen Merckling

life.unimaginable

homeschooling

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

Why I Homeschool — 18 Years of Benefits

I colored inside the lines all my life…Deciding to homeschool was one of the first decisions that really took me off the beaten path. At first, I was terrified of what others would think—I spent a lot of time trying to justify why I homeschool (mostly to myself). Not necessarily because anyone was point-blank asking…

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Filed Under: Encouragement, Homeschooling, Most Shared Tagged With: Affiliate, Homeschool, homeschooling, large family

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

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

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

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

    This sale has ended–thank you for your interest! Visit my shop for more digital homeschool products!  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…

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

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

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 20 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

Kid Activities take time, energy, and money! Are the sacrifices worth it? At our house the benefits outweigh the sacrifices, but there's a fine line.

Kid Activities — Are the Sacrifices Worth It?

The last snowflakes just fell on this year’s Nutcracker ballet. It was beautiful—truly lovely. I wish I could just watch and enjoy the show—but instead I sit with shoulders tense, holding my program in a death grip and barely breathing. My eyes following my fourteen year-old daughter’s every move. Partly because I know the hours…

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Filed Under: Encouragement, Family, Homeschooling, Lifestyle Tagged With: Affiliate, elementary school, Homeschool, homeschooling, kid activities, middle school, Parenting

Round Three! I am in the thick of homeschooling middle school…Specifically, this will be my third go at homeschooling eighth grade.

Homeschooling Your Middle School Child

Round Three! I am in the thick of homeschooling middle school…Specifically, this will be my third go at homeschooling eighth grade—it is actually one of my favorite years. Thirteen and fourteen-year-olds are independent learners, capable writers, and problem solvers—translation: mama’s life is easier! Middle school course work (don’t miss my 8th grade curriculum post) is…

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Filed Under: Homeschooling, Middle School Tagged With: 8th grade, Affiliate, Favorite Post, free homeschool webinars, homeschool transcript, homeschooling, middle school, note taking, record keeping, the homescholar

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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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