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Jen Merckling

life.unimaginable

How to Homeschool

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,…

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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…

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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…

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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

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

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

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

Homeschooling can be hard! But sometimes I've made it harder than it needed to be--sharing some lessons I've learned after 14 years!

5 Ways I’ve Sabotaged My Homeschool

Homeschooling has been part of our family for 14 years—it’s etched into our lifestyle.  There are so many reasons I truly love it—but like most worthwhile endeavors…it comes with some hard days (hard years even)!  Sometimes it’s because we’ve all been sick—nothing like the stomach flu to take you way off your game (and add…

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

Sometimes we have to make big changes--in the middle of the school year! Here's the advice I gave a friend wondering how to start homeschooling midyear.

How to Start Homeschooling Midyear — Emergency Homeschooling

A little over a year ago, a neighbor approached me–full of concern for a friend, who was wondering how to start homeschooling midyear.  Second semester was well underway–but her friend found herself in crisis-mode and in search of alternative educational choices for her daughter in high school.  The friend was facing a divorce–which involved moving….

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Filed Under: Elementary, Encouragement, High School, Homeschooling, Middle School Tagged With: Affiliate, Emergency Homeschooling, Homeschool, Homeschooling High School, How to Homeschool

Learn simple strategies to homeschool with toddlers and preschoolers! Encourage creativity, family realtionships, and let go of perfectionism!

How to Homeschool With Toddlers

A common question I hear from moms is, “How do you homeschool with toddlers?” Sometimes it’s moms questioning whether or not they should even consider homeschooling, because the idea of adding something extra to the job of raising little people who are still in diapers, can’t dress themselves, and are constantly requesting snacks (on very…

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Filed Under: Early Learning, Encouragement, Homeschooling Tagged With: Affiliate, Homeschool, How to Homeschool, Preschool, Toddlers

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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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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 
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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!🎃🧙‍♀️
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?❤️

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