Category: Homeschool

Homeschool, Planning

Plan your Homeschool Year like a Pro!

My Teaching Library

Plan like a pro using this each to follow checklist…

1. Plan & Organize

  • Know your state’s homeschooling requirements and update all necessary documentation. You’ll find requirements for each state here: HSLDA.org
  • Establish goals for your child(ren), academic objectives, personal development, and life skills. I encourage you to engage your child(ren) in this process. Ask for their input regarding desired accomplishments, areas of interest, and subjects requiring further attention.  I have goal planning forms inside our Mega-Planner. If you need short term goal sheets for a child with ADHD, you can find them here.
  • Develop a comprehensive schedule and routine for the first month, including planned breaks. When doing so, know that you should expect to be flexible. The beauty of homeschooling is that life happens and you can adjust!
  • Consider multiple methods, such as thematic units, weekly segments, subject-based planning, or conceptual frameworks. Keeping different methods within your plans will help your child(ren) to stay engaged and excited.
  • Organize curriculum materials and print any required worksheets or planners. Utilize binders or other organizational tools; ensure adequate printer supplies are available. Want school supply recommendations? I’ve got them here!
  • Establish a flexible daily or weekly routine. A flexible mindset is key when homeschooling!
  • Download the Mega-Planner to help get and stay organized.      

2. Prepare Your Learning Environment

  • Declutter and update the homeschool area to create a conducive learning space. Remove unused books, outdated worksheets, and expired supplies from the previous year.
  • Acquire essential school supplies, including writing instruments, notebooks, and art materials.
  • Implement a storage solution for instructional resources and completed student work.
  • Post a visual schedule or morning overview to clarify daily expectations.

3. Gather & Inventory Curriculum

4. Set Up the Academic Calendar

  • Record critical dates that you want to plan around such as holidays, co-op meetings, and field trips. For families homeschooling year-round, advanced planning of breaks and excursions ensures goal attainment. Calendars can be found in our Mega-Planner.
  • Schedule regular planning or “teacher days” to review progress and evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum and methodologies, making adjustments as needed.

5. Foster Enthusiasm in Students

  • Design and implement an engaging activity or tradition for the first day of the homeschool year.
  • Prepare a back-to-school kit with new supplies or a small token to mark the occasion.
  • Discuss goals and interests with each student to tailor learning experiences accordingly.

6. Prepare Yourself as the Instructor

  • Reflect on previous years’ successes and challenges, incorporating feedback from your child(ren) regarding preferred resources, activities, and areas for improvement.
  • Develop a self-care strategy to prevent burnout, prioritizing periodic breaks. This is very important! 😉
  • Join the My Teaching Library fb group for support.

7. Final Steps

  • Create a list of potential field trips and hands-on projects to enrich the curriculum.
    Download your Field Trip Advance Planning Forms here and your child(ren)’s after field trip forms here.
  • (When possible) Prepare meals in advance to facilitate low-stress school days. Also, remember to incorporate recipe planning and cooking within your homeschool plans from time to time. These activities are learning activities! Download our colorful recipe templates to use for planning.
  • Maintain adaptability throughout the year! Remember to stay flexible. Burn out is real and your child(ren) can feel it too. Learning is a journey, not a race!  


My Teaching Library – A teacher and parent recommended, comprehensive site, offering you flexible, child-centered materials for all core subjects PreK-12th grade! With My Teaching Library, YOU are in control. You control what and how you teach your children as well as how you access the resources.

What and how: Instead of a one-size-fits-all curriculum, you’ll have instant access to educational materials designed to give you choices! You select what you want to use, and when you want to use it. Why? Because every child learns at their own pace and through their own unique learning style.

How you access: You decide if you want to purchase resources individually or save by becoming an All-Access member.

What are members saying about My Teaching Library?

 “I’d say My Teaching Library is about saving time and sanity. This is a well-organized site that is just brimming with resources for every grade level and subject…. Everything feels like it’s right there are your fingertips just waiting to be accessed…”

“You can easily plan your entire homeschool year using just My Teaching Library alone with all the teaching supplies and homeschooling magic you can make! These are the only homeschool educational resources you need – really!… By now, it’s not hard to conclude that I am a huge My Teaching Library fan. I will always be a member because they offer so many great teaching resources for homeschool!”

My Teaching Library…The premier choice for thousands of homeschooling families!   

Homeschool

Online vs Offline Homeschooling: Which is Better?

My Teaching Library

Make an Informed Decision: Online versus Offline

Regardless of why you chose homeschooling, if you are reading this, you are curious which is the best way to homeschool.

With the ease of today’s digital world combined with the daily demands of life, online homeschooling seems a no brainer, especially given the top reasons why parents say they’ve chosen to use an online program:

– I’m not a teacher.
– I don’t have time to prep and plan.
– I have a job and don’t have time.
– I have other kiddos running around

Hi, I’m Lynda Ackert and I’ve been in education for over 30 years. I’ve taught in public school and was a full-time homeschooling momma (PreK-12th grade). Homeschooling is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made…and I’ve done it all, both online and offline.

I’ve learned a lot…but to truly help YOU see the difference, and not just rely on my experience and opinions, I’d like to present you with facts borne out from research. (I’ve included the sources at the bottom of this page.)

After I present the facts, I’ll share more of my own thoughts.

Should You Use an Online Program or Stay Offline (Using Physical Materials)?

RESEARCH FINDINGS:

Engagement and Focus

Online: “The collective research shows that digital media have common features and user practices that can constrain learning. These include diminished concentration, an entertainment mindset, a propensity to multitask, lack of a fixed physical reference point, reduced use of annotation, and less frequent reviewing of what has been read, heard, or viewed,” said linguistics professor Naomi S. Baron, in How We Read Now.

Students tend to associate technology with entertainment and are far less likely to give the material the attention and focus needed. They are more likely to multitask, skim text, and refrain from engaging with the material.

Offline: When students can learn with their own print materials, they focus better and concentrate on what they are doing.

Print-based learning is not as linked with entertainment, contains far fewer distractions, and allows students to physically engage with the material through annotation, writing, and drawing – helping students stay on task.

Deep Understanding & Long-Term Retention

Online: Students learn less and do not retain the materials as well. Research shows that there are less brain connections made using online, digital learning methods. (WOW! This is HUGE!)

Offline: Students learn more using physical materials. Their understanding, comprehension, and retention were higher when reading print than when reading the same text on a screen or even listening to or viewing the material.

Students who read the material in print were also more successful at identifying main ideas, recalling specific details, correctly remembering sequencing, and completing abstract tasks like drawing inferences. Additionally, students of all ages who had read the material in print scored higher on assessments than their peers who had used digital learning!

The physical properties of paper also account in part for its superior effect on learning. The visual geography of paper has memory-linking effects that help students connect what they have read with where they saw it on a page or how far into a book it was.

Using paper in the classroom also aids learning because students can write on, draw on, and annotate their materials. Research done by experts in memory suggests that drawing, in particular, can strongly affect recollection, and is an effective learning tool.

Ownership Equals Self Confidence

Online:  When using online platforms, students are far less invested in their work. They have no tangible ‘products’ that are produced and thus the self-confidence that comes from creating and producing tangible materials isn’t possible.

Offline: When students have a print copy to work with and/or make their own, it helps them feel like they are in charge of their own learning. This increases their self-confidence and their investment in their own journey of learning.

When students have physical, consumable materials, they are more engaged! They can highlight, underline, write notes (physically writing is proven to be superior to typing in retention and making brain connections), cutting, pasting, physically manipulating and creating ‘owned’ masterpieces, projects, essays, etc.

When students write and create, they own their learning, articulate their thinking, and tap into creativity and organizational thinking skills. These student created materials (even their ‘notes’) help students understand what they are working on and encourage them to connect old and new knowledge. (BRAIN CONNECTIONS!) As students physically create artifacts, they visibly represent their thinking, understanding, and skills.

You’ve chosen to homeschool because you want the very best for your child. You and I both know that every child is unique. So, I’m going to be real here…Online programs are made for the masses. Even if the program is self-paced, the actual content can’t be changed. The order and material is set.

If you stay offline and use physical resources (books and printouts), you can tailor the materials to fit your individual child. If they show interest in a specific topic, delve deeper. If a your child isn’t grasping a topic at a given moment, you can elect to move forward (skipping that topic for a bit) and go back later when you feel they are ready. I could go on and on here about life circumstances, abilities, learning styles…but you get the idea.

Moving Past the Daunting Pause – Choosing To Stay Offline
Yes, it can be daunting to be your child’s primary teacher.
The time, the effort, the feelings of inadequacy.
It’s worth it!

Remember three things: 

1.  Homeschooling isn’t an 8 hour a day thing. If your state law requires 8 hours of ‘schooling’ a day, that doesn’t mean you sit down and teach for 8 hours! The typical homeschooling day takes between 2 – 4 hours, 3 to 5 days a week. That’s it! If you have a kindergartener, it probably will only be an hour and that doesn’t have to be all at one sitting.

Adding up educational hours: You can count daily life activities as learning! Here are things that you can record to be educational learning activities: chores, cooking, grocery shopping, gardening, visits to a museum, swim class… you get the idea!​

2. Noone will ever know your child, love your child as much as YOU. Ask yourself, how are you going to know, REALLY KNOW, what your child is learning and/or struggling with if you aren’t in the ‘trenches’, taking the time to observe, ask questions, delve into their learning?

Yes, online learning platforms will provide you with reports on skills learned but those reports can’t give you any insight into the ‘whys’ behind the results. Also, these programs (and reports) can never indicate nor assess your child’s ability to think beyond rote learning.

Online Platform Reports Can and Cannot Provide:

They can tell you…
– If your child can recall a facts and choose correct answers from a given set of answers about a reading passage and or video.

– If your child can answer math problems correctly

– What grade level skills your child seems to have “mastered” (…but haev lasting connections been made? Will the skills be retained? Research has shown that students who learn via printed materials score higher overall on mid-year, end-of year, grade level tests.)
​

What they cannot tell you…
– Why your child is not grasping a concept or recalling facts. Was he rushing through the reading? Did he read the passage fully? Can he read and understand all of the words in a passage? If you are using physical, offline resources and your child isn’t grasping or recalling what is in a passage, you can sit down with your child and delve deeper. Read with him. Ask him questions. Help him make connections he isn’t making.

– What mistakes or misunderstandings are happening causing your child to incorrectly answer math problems. A computer or video program is not able to sit side-by-side to watch your child go through the steps. You can. You can also help guide through asking questions. What is his reasoning?

– If your child can apply, think critically about, or extend the learning beyond the presented material. This requires questions to be asked, discussions to take place, projects to be created. What I mean is this…A online program’s report of your child’s abilities will never be able to tell you if your child can differentiate, organize, or examine the topic further. Can your child successfully appraise, argue, defend a ideas/topics? Can your child develop ideas further, investigate, and construct a way to do so.

What about an ‘online’ teacher? 
Unless you are paying for one-on-one instruction, realize that that online classes have multiple children in each class and are teaching over a ‘zoom-like’ setting. They can’t see everything that is happening, nor can they slow down or speed up based on one child’s (your child’s) needs. Because they have a set program, they can’t stop, delve deeper nor go on extended rabbit trails of learning that your child may benefit greatly from. After classrooms closed during 2020-2021 and were forced to hold classes via zoom, much research has proven the downfalls of this type of learning!

3. Homeschooling is a journey, not a race…and it’s a GIFT you’ll never regret! One of the BEST things I enjoyed as a homeschooling momma was the amount of quality time I had with my child. If you choose to use physical materials, stay offline and remain your child’s primary teacher, that time is precious quality time. Fleeting time. Time you will cherish in years to come!

You’re there at every twist and turn, witnessing and walking with your child through every aspect of the journey. As I mentioned previously, I did choose to use online programs a couple times. One year I chose a video driven curriculum and once I used an online classroom with a live teacher. Not choices I would ever make again.

As a homeschooling parent, when I was fully engaged, there was rarely a day that went by that I didn’t have the opportunity to encourage my child when he faced frustration, model appropriate character-building behaviors, or just listen, truly listen to my child’s heart when he needed it.

Embrace the Journey!

~ Lynda

Do you have questions about how you can homeschool using My Teaching Library?

Learn more:

What Makes My Teaching Library Different?

Sample Previews of My Teaching Library Products!

My Teaching Library All-Access Membership

Homeschool

Homeschool Curriculum – Choosing the BEST for your Children!

My Teaching Library
My Teaching Library – Designed with the belief that every child is unique; every family has its own schedule and homeschooling does not have to cost a fortune. 

EVERY CHILD AND FAMILY IS UNIQUE…HOME EDUCATION SHOULD BE THE SAME!

My Teaching Library is an award-winning, parent-recommended, comprehensive site, offering you flexible, child-centered materials for all core subjects PreK-12th grade which will allow you to create an educational experience designed just for your children and family!
As a parent, you will have the ability to select what you want to use, and when you want to use it, all based on your child(ren)’s abilities and skill levels while considering what works for your unique situation.

How is My Teaching Library different?

NOT PLACING YOUR CHILDREN IN A BOX:


Instead of a one-size-fits-all boxed curriculum, you will find a variety of educational materials designed to give you and your child(ren) choices. Because every child is unique, they learn at different rates and may have different learning styles!
Boxed (prepared, step by step, created for the masses) curriculum sets simply are not designed for the individual but are based on whatever the creator believes will be the pace and learning style of the children using them. What may seem to be a simpler, easier option for parents, (a boxed, set curriculum), can easily end up as an expensive investment that is thrown to the side and never completed because it just ‘wasn’t right’ for their child(ren). 
My Teaching Library puts an end to the purchasing of expensive curriculum designed for the masses. On My Teaching Library, you will find materials that exemplify excellence while providing a fun, varied learning journey. One that is parent-chosen and led.

MEETING YOUR CHILDREN WHERE THEY ARE:

Instead of a ‘grade-level’ only focus, a greater focus is placed on teaching needed and required skills and concepts as each child progresses through their educational journey. On My Teaching Library, you’ll easily be able to navigate from the home page to a list of skills and concepts divided by the grade(s) in which they are typically taught as a guide. 
These lists will guide you as the parent, to take full control of your child(ren)’s educational journey by choosing what is right for them at any given time.
If your child is excelling in a particular subject, why hold them to a boxed, grade-level curriculum where boredom sets in and the love for learning dies? If your child is not at grade-level in a subject, why set them up only to struggle to complete a grade-level curriculum only leading to frustration and tears?
These skills and concept lists are divided into the following categories to act as your guide:
  • PreK-Kindergarten
  • 1st – 3rd grades
  • 4th – 5th grades
  • 6th-8th grades
  • 9th-12th grades
You will also see an amazing array of “top suggested resources” ready to use, plus there are thousands of additional resources available to you on the site that can be easily found through the online catalog.

MAKING HOME EDUCATION AFFORDABLE: 

Instead of paying for expensive curriculum sets or paying piece by piece for individual products from different providers, My Teaching Library offers an unlimited, very affordable,  All-Access family membership. All-Access members have unlimited free access and a license to use everything on the site for the term of their membership. There are two membership plans available: annual and lifetime! 

 GIVING YOU INSTANT ACCESS:

All materials are same-day accessible! That is because everything is digital. You simply need to download, print and use it. No paying for shipping or waiting for materials to arrive. Whether you are looking for a full year’s worth of materials or want to add a fun, same-day, out-of-the-box, interest-driven lesson, you have everything at your fingertips instantly!

READ WHAT MEMBERS ARE SAYING:

“I personally love the fact I can find everything I need to make my homeschool journey easier right here.” Sharing Life’s Moments

“Thanks MyTeachingLibrary.com for compiling such an amazing amount of material!” Renaissance Mama  

 “As a homeschool mom of five kids (ranging in ages from 4-13), I am always on the lookout for curriculum or resources that will make my life easier and my planning quicker. Enter: My Teaching Library!” My Full Heart

“What we love about this program: It is so incredibly flexible! I would say this is the perfect site for educational resources simply because there is so much available on it!” Jenny

GET STARTED TODAY @ MyTeachingLibrary.com

Homeschool

Top Homeschooling Questions Answered (Part 3)

My Teaching Library

This article is part 3 of a 3 part series: Top Homeschooling Questions Answered.

The top hoemschooling questions are:

  1. When and how I should begin (Read Part 1)
  2. What do I need to teach (Read Part 2)
  3. What are the best programs to use (answered in this article)

There are three different types of programs to choose from when homeschooling. They are:

  • Using prepared, boxed curriculum created for the masses
  • Using online, learning platforms
  • Using skill-based and/or unit/theme based printable, teaching materials

What the best program is for you all depends on what works best for you and your child. However, there are some huge considerations to think about.

I’ll now cover the pros and cons of each:

Using Prepared, boxed curriculum created for the masses:

To ‘standardize’ education, our school systems have long adopted boxed curriculum. These programs all are based on grade-level skills and concepts, but they also change as states adopt ever changing standards and methods of teaching.

Pros of prepared, boxed curriculum:
  • Day to Day lessons are all created and given for the entire year. (This doesn’t mean there is no prep.)
  • Parents purchase having a sense of relief to have an ‘open and go’ curriculum (especially when they don’t trust themselves fully yet in being able to provide what is needed.)
Cons of prepared, boxed curriculum:
  • Lessons are not designed to meet your child where they are. Nor do they take into account their learning styles and preferences (and how those preferences can change).
  • There is no room (time) given for teachable moments or extended learning when a student shows an interest to dive deeper into a specific topic or interest.
  • Almost always requires extensive prep, even though they are advertised as open and go. Typically, the older the child, the more teacher prep will be required.
  • They can be very expensive. Prepared, boxed curriculum can be extremely expensive and all too often parents end up throwing out a good portion of it.
  • Parents will need to keep records.
  • Students often get bored and frustrated easily
  • Parents feel defeated when their children aren’t performing as they think they should based on what is given.

I first began using prepared, boxed curriculum in public schools. It was what I was given and expected to use. Even though these ‘open and go’ programs were created to be step by step, they still required me to do a lot of prep work. Plus, I always needed to find supplements to fill in the gaps to help students not quite ready for the material or for those that already knew the material.

Using online platforms:

Online platforms have been around and growing in popularity for years but really took off during the corona virus pandemic. They too are based on grade-level skills and concepts just like prepared, boxed curriculum, but are typically designed to move students along as they demonstrate that a specific skills or concept has been learned.

Pros of online platform curriculum:
  • Typically, easy to use for both parents and students.
  • Most will have some type of record keeping (but not all).
  • There is little to no lesson planning required for parents.
Cons of online platform curriculum:
  • Time required to be online with little to no ‘live’ human interaction.
  • If there is ‘live’ human interaction, it is on the teacher’s timeline and not yours. One huge advantage of homeschooling is having real flexibility! You lose this if you must meet someone else’s schedule.
  • Parents may still need to keep records depending on the program.
  • Often, too many of these online programs simply have a quick video or lesson to read and then a few questions to answer. Because of the format, these questions are typically all multiple-choice questions. There is no ability to have students learn to express and write out their thoughts or to be creative.
  • Parents have very limited interaction with the child or the work .

Using skill-based and unit/theme based printable, teaching materials:

For transparency purposes, my company, My Teaching Library, fits into this category.

Pros of using skill-based and unit/theme based printable teaching materials.
  • Materials are selected to meet each unique learner where he or she is.
  • Day to day lessons are assigned as the parent decides. If more time is needed or a bunny trail or teachable moment happens, it isn’t an issue! Exciting things can happen as deeper learning and interests are explored.
  • Creative expression is valued and practiced often
  • Encourages parent-child interaction and is typically more relaxed and enjoyable.
  • Allows for extreme flexibility in lesson planning and daily schedules.
  • Can be the least expensive way to homeschool (if you are an All-Access member of My Teaching Library)
Cons of using skill-based and unit/theme based printable teaching materials.

After 30+ years of experience and year of interacting with thousands of homeschooling families, I truly believe this is the best way to homeschool, so I can only say that the cons are what parents believe.

Here is a list the most common reasons homeschooling parents give for not trying to ‘do it themselves’ through the use of printable teaching materials that are not already laid out in a step by step format…

  1. Parents believe they don’t have the knowledge to teach without a prepared, boxed or online program.
    In most cases, this simply is not true! In fact, the most important thing to know is ‘what to teach.’ I cover that in Part 2 of this series. Once you know what should be taught, then you simply find, download, print and use the materials you need to teach a skill or concept. If a child needs extra practice, you give it to them through additional printables. If they ‘get it’ without doing an entire workbook or unit of printables on the same skill, you simply move on!
  2. Parents believe they don’t have time to lesson plan.
    I can tell you that, unless you use a fully online platform (and that platform only) you will need to lesson plan regardless of what type of program you choose. In my opinion, the cons of using online platforms far out way the cons of doing a little lesson planning. Once you get a little experience behind you (a month or so), most parents are only spending 15-30 minutes a week creating a lesson plan for the next week. You can find everything you need to create your own lesson plans in My Teaching Library’s Mega-Organizer.
  3. Parents worry about record keeping.
    You’ll most likely need to keep some type of records regardless of what type of program you use. The records you are required to keep all depends on the homeschooling law in your state. (See Part 1 of this series for how to find out what those are.) Also, you can find everything you need in My Teaching Library’s Mega-Organizer.
  4.  Parents worry it is too expensive to print what is needed.
    After years of printing myself, I recommend getting an Epson ecotank! The initial expense will quickly be recovered in the money you save from not having to purchase other types of programs, plus ecotanks are very cost effective when it comes to ink!
I do hope that you will be inspired to take homeschooling
by the reigns and go full steam ahead after reading this series!

I also hope you’ll be inspired to at least try to teach without feeling the need to use a prepared, boxed curriculum or an online program. However, if you do decide to decide try one or both, that’s okay…but just be aware that they may not be everything you thought they’d be.

Always remember…

  • Keep your homeschooling journey joyful, fun, and relaxed!
  • You are your child’s first and best teacher.
  • No one knows your child better than you.
  • No one has the right to shape and mold your child more than you do.

If you have questions about homeschooling
or My Teaching Library, please feel free to ask.
Click here to leave a message!

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Homeschool

Top Homeschooling Questions Answered (Part 2)

My Teaching Library

Whether you are considering homeschooling for the first time or have been homeschooling for a while, you’ve most likely asked yourself the following questions…

  1. When and how should I begin?
  2. What do I need to teach?
  3. What are the best programs to use?

In part 1 of this series, I answered question #1, “When and how should I begin?”.

In part 2 of the series, I’m will answer question #2, “What do I need to teach?”

Before I begin, here is a recap of my qualifications:

As an educator with over 30+ years of experience, I’d like to help you answer these questions! But before I do, let me give you a little more insight into my background…

As I previously stated, I have 30+ years of experience in education. I hold two Bachelor of Science degrees, one in education and the other in psychology and have completed multiple postgraduate courses. I’ve worked in the public school system in the U.S. and Japan before becoming a full-time homeschooling parent. I also served as a founding member and coach for the 10 Greatest Gifts Project and am owner of and content creator for My Teaching Library.

…and my beliefs on education:

My educational journey and teaching experiences have only solidified my belief that every child is a masterpiece. All are unique. Trying to teach all children all the same isn’t the answer. We should nurture every child as a unique learner.  I also believe, both as an educator and a parent, that no one knows a child better than an engaged parent.

So, now that you know who I am and my beliefs, I’ll answer the question…

What do I need to teach?

My answer: Teach the skills and concepts needed to be successful in each major subject, (Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies). Beyond that, you should also teach whatever else is required by the law where you live, (see part 1 for a link to check U.S. State laws) such as foreign language, P.E., etc. States will often differ in what is required for classes outside of the four major subjects.

A child’s educational journey is 13 years long (Kindergarten – 12th grade) and throughout that journey, many skills and concepts will be introduced, reinforced and built upon over several grades. To help guide educators, these skills and concepts are typically given by grade-level. However, always remember that every child is different.

Some children may not be ready to learn and master certain skills or grasp certain concepts during the given ‘grade’ where the skill is listed.

Some children may be ahead by a grade (or more) in one area and yet not in another. So, as you homeschool your child, always remember that these given skills and concepts are only meant to help guide but should never be used to compare. Meet your child where they are and go forward!

Haven’t ‘standards’ (skills and concepts) changed through the years?

Yes! Over the 30+ years I’ve been in education, those in charge of public education have changed (and will continue to change) grade-level skills and concepts and the ‘way’ things may be taught.

I began teaching long before ‘common core’ was developed and implemented. Not long after its adoption, many educators began screaming to do away with it. Today, after the lock downs of the pandemic and school children having lost a couple years of real, person to person instruction, many in education are now wanting to lower standards!

As a homeschooling parent, I urge you not to get caught up in the ever changing, landscape of skills and concepts (as defined by legislatures) but instead, find and use a solid, tried and true list of the most important skills and concepts that should be taught

Where to you find the skills and concepts that should be taught?

My Teaching Library offers everyone FREE ACCESS to an online, solid, tried and true list of grade-level skills and concepts for K through 12th grades for each core subject.

These lists can be found on the home page of My Teaching Library!

Now that you know how to access the ever important skills and concepts that should be taught for the four core subjects, I will address the last question in this series, “What are the best programs to use?” in part 3.

Read Part 3 now!

(Want to receive new blog posts from My Teaching Library in your inbox when they are published? Simply enter your email in the box where it says “Follow My Teaching Library” just to the right of the title of this article.)

TAKE AWAYS TO REMEMBER:

  • Teach your child specific skills and concepts for a successful learning journey.
  • Don’t get caught up in the ever changing landscape of public education’s recommended lists
  • My Teaching Library offers an online, solid list of important skills and concepts to guide you through (K-12th grade)
Homeschool

Top Homeschooling Questions Answered (Part 1)

My Teaching Library

Considering homeschooling? Already decided to homeschool and have questions? Get answers to the top homeschooling questions!

  1. When and how should I begin?
  2. What do I need to teach?
  3. What are the best programs to use?

I’d like to help answer these questions for you buut before I do, let me give you a little more insight into my background…

My name is Lynda Ackert and I have 30+ years of experience in education. I hold two Bachelor of Science degrees, one in education and the other in psychology and have completed multiple postgraduate courses. I’ve worked in the public school system in the U.S. and Japan before becoming a full-time homeschooling parent. I also served as a founding member and coach for the 10 Greatest Gifts Project and am owner of and content creator for My Teaching Library.

My educational journey and teaching experiences have only solidified my belief that every child is a masterpiece. All are unique. Trying to teach all children all the same isn’t the answer. We should strive to nurture every child as a unique learner.  I also believe, both as an educator and a parent, that no one knows a child better than an engaged parent.

Now that you know a little about me, let me begin answering the first ‘top homeschooling question…

When and how should I begin?

First, let me say that you as a parent, began the day you began talking to your child. Every interaction is a learning experience for a child. Every time you play with them, read to them and simply share life with them, you are teaching. As a parent, you are your child’s primary teacher and you always will be.

The question you are really asking yourself is, “When should I begin formal education?” Some will tell you age 5-6. However, that isn’t my answer.

WHEN TO BEGIN:

If you are an engaged parent, which I believe YOU ARE since you are even asking the question, you are the best person to make the determination when to begin formal education. That may be as young as 3 or 4 if your child is demonstrating a desire. Your state law will set an age when you must begin, but that doesn’t mean you cannot begin earlier if your child is ready. If your child isn’t ready, that’s ok. Simply begin when the law says you must.

Again, remember that every child, your child, is unique. Unique from their peers and unique from siblings (if they have them). Do your best never to compare. It isn’t easy but don’t go down the comparison road. Love and honor your child for where he or she is at any given moment.

HOW TO BEGIN:

Taking into account that you’ve already begun from the first day you interacted with your child, let me address HOW to begin formally and legally.

The first thing that should always do is check the homeschooling laws where you live. If you live in the U.S., the best place to get this information HSLDA.org/legal. Homeschooling laws vary widely so always stay informed of what your requirements are wherever you live.

Once you understand the law, then you can begin to move forward with the next question, “What do I need to teach?”

Go to part 2 now to read!

TAKE AWAYS TO REMEMBER:

  • Every child is a unique learner, never play the comparison game.
  • An engaged parent is a child’s best teacher and knows their child better than anyone else.
  • Before and during homeschooling, always know and follow the laws where you live.
Discounts, Homeschool, Parenting, Uncategorized

Educational Discounts for Homeschooling Families

My Teaching Library

Did you know that homeschooling parents are entitled to receive discounts offered to public school teachers or private tutors!

To get these discount, you will need some physical proof you are a teacher before going to a business and asking for an educator discount. You don’t have to pay for and educator ID because if you have a computer and printer, you can create your own with a free download from My Teaching Library!

What Types of Businesses May Offer Teacher Discounts…

Homeschoolers have asked and received discounts at all sorts of places of business:

  • Arts & Crafts
  • Bookstores
  • Catalog Suppliers of all sorts of things
  • Computer Stores (computer hardware and software for teacher & students)
  • Craft Supply Stores
  • Furniture Stores (student desks & chairs)
  • General Merchandise
  • Hardware Stores (For all those bookshelves and projects)
  • Museums
  • Music Stores
  • Office Supply
  • Science Stores
  • Sporting goods

If you do not already know that an educator discount is offered, who do you ask? When you go to a place of business, ask for the general manager or for the sales person in charge of corporate accounts at larger businesses. Ask that person if they give an “educators’ discount” BEFORE you tell them you are a homeschooler. A “yes” answer will give them less room to wiggle out once you do tell them you homeschool. If they say “yes,” tell them you are a homeschool educator (No need to go into great detail.) and you’d like to apply to get an educators’ discount.

What You Will Need

You will definitely need an educator ID card that proves you are a teacher. You can create one easily on your computer with My Teaching Library’s FREE Homeschool ID resource!

  • Download your template and open it with a pdf program. Then, click on each section to type in your information. Next, click on the image section and upload your photo.
  • To print a normal size (credit card size) ID card, make sure your printer is set to print the template as is. This means you do not want to click on any scaling options such as “fit to printer margins”, “custom scale” or “reduce or enlarge” settings. If you print, as is, your ID will print at the size of a credit card.
  • Once you print out your ID, cut it out and laminate it. You do not have to have a lamination machine as you can purchase laminating – self-adhesive or self- sealing sheets or pockets at most any office supply store or even Walmart!

Sometimes, some businesses may also want you to have a statement on letterhead from your school saying you are authorized by that school to make purchases. If this is the case, simply create a letterhead on your own computer, state that you, as the educator, are authorized by that school (your homeschool – create your own homeschool ‘name’) to make purchases and have it signed by the ‘principal’ (your spouse or close family member)!

Most businesses will only require an educator ID, but just know that you ‘may’ have a business that wants a letter of authorization as well so you may want to have one handy.

Want a list of businesses that we know gives homeschooling parents an educator discount as of this writing?

Click here to go to our Main Site Article to Read the list!

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Homeschool

Real Homeschool Challenges SOLVED!

My Teaching Library

There are a lot of challenges in homeschooling. Here are three of the biggest:

Challenge #1: Finding great, affordable teaching materials for any size family.

Homeschooling can be expensive! A family can spend hundreds of $$$ (if not thousands) a year on curriculum, website memberships, etc.

Challenge #2: Finding teaching materials that fit your child(ren)’s learning styles.

In an effort to standardize teaching materials, too many websites and curriculum providers lose sight that every child is unique with different learning styles and rates of learning.

Challenge #3: Finding flexible teaching materials.

Most curriculum providers offer one (maybe two) styles of teaching materials. Doing the same thing day in and day out doesn’t allow for student interest, family time or bunny trails. Sometimes, the BEST learning can be when a bunny trail is taken. (What is a bunny trail? They are the paths you make as you help your child(ren) follow their curiosity about an interest or a question. It is a diversion away from their typical set curriculum.)

What if there was a website that solves ALL THREE CHALLENGES?

There is…My Teaching Library!

My Teaching Library has yet again been recognized as one of the BEST Homeschool Curriculum & Products on the Planet for 2023!

Here is how My Teaching Library solves your homeschooling challenges:

  • Challenge #1 – Affordability – Every homeschooling family, including yours, (regardless of size) can get all the materials they need (PreK-12th, All subjects) for an entire year for the low cost of only $60. During your active membership, you can come back as many times as you need and download all the printable resources you need!
  • Challenge #2 and #3: Materials for different learning styles and gives flexibility – There are literally thousands of downloadable resources from which to choose and My Teaching Library has created the library with so many because all children are unique and homeschoolers need flexibility!

On My Teaching Library, you’ll find…

* curriculum sets
* videos
* unit studies
* notebooking units
* lapbooking units
* posters
* flashcards
* reference materials
* individual worksheets
* books

My My Teaching Library has been designed to give you ultimate control.

Why?

  • Every child is unique…and so is your family!
  • No one knows your child(ren) better than you do!

That’s why My Teaching Library doesn’t give you a day to day set schedule (i.e. plan). If you are new to homeschooling this may scare you but don’t let it! Remember, your child(ren) and family are unique and you know your child better than anyone else!

However, My Teaching Library doesn’t leave you without any guidance. You are provided with an extensive list of Skills and Concepts by grade level (K-12th), so that you know exactly what is typically covered in each grade. One thing to keep in mind, these lists are guides. Your individual child(ren) may…follow the guide perfectly, lag behind in some subjects, be ahead in others…again, every child is unique!

You’ll find the Skills and Concepts by grade located on the home page! 

Keeping you organized…

To keep you organizaed, you’ll want the Mega-Organizer!!  This organizer is a game changer and it’s FREE when you become a member! (Again, annual family membership is only $60!)

This Mega-Organizer is packed with forms that will help you stay organized both for school and for home…

* 2 different Attendance Record sheets
* High School Course of Study Check List
* Transcript Record Chart
* Grade Keeper
* Curriculum Planner
* School Goals Chart
* Quarterly Scheduler
* Academic Project Planner
* Weekly Assignment Planner
* Lesson Planner
* Field Trip Log
* Extra-Curricular Log
* Reading Time Log
* Music Practice Log
* 2 different Student-kept Reading Logs
* Notebooking Rubirc
* Lapbooking Rubric

For your Family
* Weekly Round-up (To list your most weekly tasks, a shopping list, special cleaning needs, events, dinner menus and more)
* 2 different Family Calendars (For all 12 months)
* 7  different Chore Charts
* 1 Family Task Chart
* Important Phone Numbers page
* Shopping List
* Address Book
* Password Keeper
* Home Improvement Goal Chart
* Bill Payment Record
* Tax Deductible Donations Record
* Home Inventory List
* Personal Daily ‘To Do’ Monthly List

…PLUS, there are forms to help you stay organized if you have a career (outside of homeschooling and running a home).

What people are saying about My Teaching Library…

Ready to stop struggle?
Become a subscribing family for only $60 on My Teaching Library today!

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Homeschool

Homeschool Game Changer!

My Teaching Library

Are you one of the many homeschooling parents that find themselves making comments about their child’s curriculum like…

  • “Curriculum is too expensive!“
  • “I bought this program (curriculum) but it’s not a good fit for my child.“
  • “My child is bored with this curriculum!”

If you’ve made one or more of these statements, you aren’t alone!

Homeschooling parents spend hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars on curriculum each year and, all too often, the curriculum isn’t a good fit for a child. Perhaps it is too advanced or not advanced enough. Perhaps it doesn’t fit a child’s learning style. Perhaps, the style of curriculum worked at one point but a child needs more variety (i.e. workbooks and worksheets work well for a while but then your child may need some diversity such as hands-on, interactive lessons.) Typical homeschooling programs are expensive and not designed to allow flexibility for individual learning styles, pacing differences or just a fun change up in lessons.

If you want an affordable way to homeschool and one that offers real flexibility, you need…My Teaching Library!

Award winning My Teaching Library offers thousands of teaching resources from typical curriculum and worksheets to hands-on, interactive unit studies AND you’ll find it one of the most AFFORDABLE programs available.

On My Teaching Library, you’ll find…

* curriculum sets
* videos
* unit studies
* notebooking units
* lapbooking units
* posters
* flashcards
* reference materials
* individual worksheets
* books

My Teaching Library is Affordable and Flexable…

Become an annual ALL-ACCESS member for only $60 a year (that equates to only $5 a month). With an All-Access membership, you can download all the printable downloads you need (all grades – every subject) for every child you are homeschooling in your family for an entire year…all for FREE! As long as your membership is active, you’ll never need to pay for individual products, curriculum, worksheets, posters or any resource. Will you be homeschooling for several years? Purchase a LIFETIME All-Access plan and you’ll be set for all the years to come!

My Teaching Library Will Guide You Through…

My Teaching Library isn’t is a day by day, scheduled and regimented curriculm provider. That is because every child is unique, learns in different ways and in different time frames. To guide you through, My Teaching Library provides you with an easy to follow, easy to access “Skills & Concepts to Teach: K – 12” section to use whenever you need it…located on the home page! As a parent, simply use these skills and concepts as your guide to facilitate your child(ren) through their homeschooling journey.

Also, check out the Mega-Organizer to help keep you organized!!  This organizer is a game changer as well AND it’s also FREE when you become an all-access member! This Mega-Organizer is packed with forms that will help you stay organized both for school and for home…

* 2 different Attendance Record sheets
* High School Course of Study Check List
* Transcript Record Chart
* Grade Keeper
* Curriculum Planner
* School Goals Chart
* Quarterly Scheduler
* Academic Project Planner
* Weekly Assignment Planner
* Lesson Planner
* Field Trip Log
* Extra-Curricular Log
* Reading Time Log
* Music Practice Log
* 2 different Student-kept Reading Logs
* Notebooking Rubirc
* Lapbooking Rubric

For your Family
* Weekly Round-up (To list your most weekly tasks, a shopping list, special cleaning needs, events, dinner menus and more)
* 2 different Family Calendars (For all 12 months)
* 7  different Chore Charts
* 1 Family Task Chart
* Important Phone Numbers page
* Shopping List
* Address Book
* Password Keeper
* Home Improvement Goal Chart
* Bill Payment Record
* Tax Deductible Donations Record
* Home Inventory List
* Personal Daily ‘To Do’ Monthly List

…PLUS, there are forms to help you stay organized if you have a career (outside of homeschooling and running a home).

Here are what people are saying about My Teaching Library…

Check out My Teaching Library today…It is a Homeschooling Game Changer!

Learn about All-Access! 

________________________

 Learn more about My Teaching Library!

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Homeschool

Stop Wasting Money on Curriculum that Doesn’t Fit.

My Teaching Library

Is this you?

So often I have read comments on other sites and social media that read something like this…

“I bought this program (curriculum) but it’s not a good fit for my child“

or this…

“I just received the curriculum I purchased and it doesn’t cover everything I thought it did!“

Can you related to any of the above statements? Have you purchased a curriculum or program that is not for your child? What are some of the reasons that this happens? Here are some possibilities…

  • Your child isn’t quite ready
  • Your child has already learned what is being taught and needs something more
  • Your child’s learning style just doesn’t match the curriculum
  • Your child simply needs to learn more that the curriculum covers

I homeschooled my son from PreK-12th grade and I can’t tell you how much money I spent on curriculum that he hated or just didn’t fit. That’s why I created My Teaching Library!

My Teaching Library offers thousands of teaching resources from typical curriculum and worksheets to hands-on, interactive unit studies AND why I offer subscription plans that gives you ALL-ACCESS to everything! If you download something and it isn’t a good fit, chances are good that you can find something else that is a good fit for your child! I’m also continually adding new resources so that you have even more to select from when trying to find what works for your child.

An annual ALL-ACCESS subscription is only $60 (which equates to only $5 a month) and that is for ALL SUBJECTS! Now, tell me…Have you spent $60 on one curriculum or program that covers just one subject and it was not for your child?

I also offer a lifetime ALL-ACCESS subscription which over the course of several years can save you even more money!

What My Teaching Library is not

Now, I want to touch on one last concern I see so many parents have. I see so many (especially new homeschooling parents) say…

“I need a day by day, step by step program!“

“I’m scared I’ll not teach my child what he needs to know!“

Why I don’t like step by step, day by day programs/curriculum:
Step by step, day by day programs become rigid and doesn’t leave room for you, the parent, to do what your gut tells you your child needs.

No one, not even curriculum developers know your child like YOU DO!

So, what do you do? How do you know what skills and concepts your child should cover for each grade? How can you judge ‘where’ your child is in terms of what is being taught in specific grades?

My Teaching Library offers a ‘Skills and Concepts’ section on our home page for every grade!

Use our ‘Skills and Concepts’ to guide you as you find what works best for your child. Let it help you stop saying “not for my child” but rather “This is the next thing I should help my child learn” and then find the resources you need to teach it!

Also, if you ever can’t find what you are looking for on My Teaching Library, please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask! If MTL has it, I’ll send you to those resources. If MTL doesn’t have it, I will put that on my list of things to add to our library!

Visit….My Teaching Library !