I'm just finishing a book by Blake Boles called, Why Are You Still Sending Your Kids to School? If you are on the fence about home educating or know someone who is, this is your book. In addition to reading Boles' book, I invite you to watch a free webinar that I recorded this month, … Continue reading Are you still on the fence?

This year we are celebrating Independence Day by watching Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton: An American Musical, recently released on Disney+. Before lockdown due to Covid-19, I daily entered the lottery for a chance to win tickets to see Hamilton on stage. Me, and probably like 3 million others. So, for now, I'm thrilled to get this … Continue reading “Hamilton” Brings a Unique Hope to America

Last week, millions of Americans celebrated Juneteenth, commemorating the emancipation of slavery.  For so many, it is their true Liberation Day.  Back when I was in the classroom, I taught in a year that was responsible for covering US History.  The school was made up of 100% students of color.  I am ashamed to say … Continue reading The Liberated Learner

Do you remember the scene in Beezus and Ramona when the girls are in art class and the teacher announces that the children are to paint a make-believe animal?  Any animal from their imaginations. Ramona gets right to work, but Beezus just stares at her blank paper considering the possibilities.  -sigh-  If only she had … Continue reading What to do when your child has NOTHING to write about.

Regardless of whether your kids go to school or if you've always homeschooled, all of us are entering a season that is unprecedented due to COVID-19.  Most likely you have been bombarded by lists of resources, digital learning platforms, Instagram live sessions, etc. that you can fill your time with while your children are home … Continue reading How to thrive when you are stuck at home

There is nothing like a good story.  Stories are powerful because, in each of them, there is an echo of the person we are, or the person we hope to become, or of the hurt we experience, or that thing we are longing for. Stories are for bedtime, for passing down history and tradition, for … Continue reading The Magic of a Good Story

I grew up a huge baseball fan.  I watched it on tv, listened to games on the radio until way past my bedtime (because I was convinced that if I turned it off, I would jinx my Yankees), I visited the ballpark multiple times a year.  I grew up hearing stories of my dad’s baseball … Continue reading 3 Reasons why kids hate writing

Take a moment to think about it... What is the purpose of education? Why do we need to be educated? Don’t read on until you have your answer. Got it?  Ok, keep reading. There was a time when the purpose of education was to learn “stuff”.   We needed a way to preserve knowledge.  Like … Continue reading What is education for?

In one word: Autonomy.  That’s it.  Give your child control over his learning. Ok, don’t freak out.  I can just hear some of you.  You don’t know my child.  If I give him an inch when it comes to his work, he will do anything BUT what he’s supposed to do!  Yep. Mine too.  But … Continue reading The secret to getting your kids to fall in love with learning (or at least not complain as much as they used to)