Part I: Pam Barnhill’s Morning Basket and Plan Your Year Resources
I’ve heard it said (and I agree) that the month of August is like one long Sunday night. So much to do to get ready for September! So much bittersweet satisfaction in that last little bit of freedom.
That said…
I’ve been hitting the planners pretty hard in preparation for the school year. I have three kids that I’ll be homeschooling: one 6th grader (blog name: Angela), one 2nd grader (blog name: George), and one 3 and 1/2-year-old, (blog name: Anarchist).
I really need to have some plans in place! Otherwise, with this crew, all educational bets are off.
So while I know that you have an infinite number of resources at your fingertips—thank you, dear Internet, for overcomplicating my life!—sometimes it’s helpful to have a friend’s recommendation. So let’s go.
Today I’m giving a shout-out to Pam Barnhill and her blog, Ed Snapshots. Pam and I have been having coffee together every morning for the past month and I’ll tell you, I am every bit the better homeschooler for it.
(Pam’s like, “What in the world are you talking about, Margaret? I’m in Alabama, y’all!”)
(Okay, in truth it was just coffee, me and her amazing downloads. Still! She writes very well and I felt like she was there.)
Being from the South, Pam is gracious, vivacious and a joy to hear. This Minnesotan is in love with her accent! Fortunately for me, (and for you, if you choose), her podcasts are a treasure trove of tips and inspiration.
Because…
Know this…
Pam is unbelievably smart when it comes to homeschooling. Fortunately for us, she doesn’t hoard her intellect! On the contrary, she makes her educational tips so very practical that even a long time home educator like myself (14 years and counting) has gained a ton of insight into making this adventure work.
What’s more, she shows me how to make it fun.
After a fairly rough year with lots of bumps last year, I really need to make it fun.
“Even for those of us who use an alternative calendar schedule, I love back-to-school time because it gives me another kick in the pants to get things going the right way!”
Therefore, and without any reserve whatsoever, I am wholeheartedly endorsing both of her packages. Yes, I was given them free in exchange for this review, but I will tell you with all the honesty of an overscrupulous Catholic…
They are both well worth the price.
- See a sample of Your Morning Basket HERE;
- See a sample of Plan Your Year HERE;
And then let me know when you fall in love with these resources! Because we’re all in this “teaching our kids with faith, hope & love” gig together, and it doesn’t end…until it ends.
I know this because I have college kids and preschoolers!
I know because I love learning new things every day. ♥
Awww, poor Francis is now “Anarchist”…I’m just glad he wasn’t demoted to “Anti-Christ” which is what my eyes saw the first time.
I love Pam’s resources. They are both practical and beautiful!
Okay, that’s both horrible AND made me laugh out loud.
(The “Antichrist” bit, not the practical/beautiful one.)
Love ya, Meghan!
I wish I would have seen this a few weeks ago!!! It looks great! I love the quote about August feeling like a month of Sunday nights. It describes it well. I am excited to start our first year of home school. I hope your year gets off to a great start. Blessings!
God’s will is perfect, sweet Angie! So…He meant for you to see this yesterday and have no regrets whatsoever. 🙂
Love you!
I’m homeschooling an 8th grader, a 6th grader, a 4th grader, a 2nd grader and a kindergartner, with and 4yr old and 2 yr old playing barbies in the background. This is my first year HSing since my oldest was in 1st grade. I’m using Seton and following their lesson plans to a T. I know I’ll be OK, (because I’m anal, anxious person and need to keep on schedule)… it’s the kids that will probably go crazy, because, i haven’t scheduled in any fun. I’ll have to check out Pam’s blog. i really want the kids to like this homeschooling thing and not get bogged down with it.
As a recovering anal, anxious homeschooling mom, I have to say yes! Schedule in some fun!
Seton is a wonderfully rock-solid program, Amy–we used it too, for many years–but it’s quite workbook-heavy and can be…well, dry if you view it as yet another checklist.
Give Pam’s “Morning Basket” principles a try, if only for 15 mn/day. Sit the kids down ALL TOGETHER (we call it “together time”) and sing a hymn, do a read-aloud, recite some poems, look at art.
Above all, smile.
Love them up.
Have fun. ♥