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Jen Merckling

life.unimaginable

middle school

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

Experience success homeschooling middle school math--regardless of what curriculum you're using! I'm sharing 5 Tips for Homeschooling Middle School Math!

Homeschooling Middle School Math — 5 Tips for Success!

Homeschooling middle school math —that subject brings up some serious emotions among us mamas! For some fear.  Maybe disdain.  Confusion. A few might admit to joy (it’s okay—I’m nerdy like that too).  AND Passion…homeschool moms feel some real passion about their math curriculum choices! Middle School Math Success But regardless of what curriculum you’re using…

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Filed Under: Homeschooling, Math, Middle School Tagged With: Affiliate, Homeschool, math, middle school

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

Middle School Math, Middle School Reading, and 8th Grade Curriculum.

The Best 8th Grade Curriculum — For Me!

The elusive best curriculum…we’re always on the hunt for it. But much like other homeschool myths—the perfect curriculum doesn’t exist. We have to find the best for our families—and my best might look really different than the best for the family down the street or the one on Instagram. It probably even looks different than…

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Filed Under: Curriculum, Homeschooling, Middle School Tagged With: Affiliate, curriculum, eighth grade, middle school

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…

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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, 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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I’ve never been so mesmerized by rocks!! 😍 T I’ve never been so mesmerized by rocks!! 😍

The Grand Canyon literally took my breath  away!😂😬 Jason & I hiked  down from the South Rim (Bright Angel Trail) to the bottom, camped 2 nights, & hiked out the South Kaibab Trail (4,800 ft elevation gain from camp)...If you know me—you know this was WAY out of my comfort zone!😅

My husband is the best trainer because I actually felt so good! 🥳🏆(He’s been getting me ready since September...ie...6 am hikes, sub-zero temps, & repeating the same one hill we could find elevation on in Kansas!!) And we’re still training for a rim-to-rim hike in June! 🏜 

I really could not decide which pictures to share...none of them do this amazing place any justice...🏕

❤️Here the rocks truly cry out the Glory of our Lord!❤️
❤️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

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