Trial and Error
I like learning new things, but I hate making mistakes. I don’t mind the “trial” part but the “error” part is distinctly painful. In a way, then, parenting and homeschooling … Continue reading Trial and Error
Tag: homeschool
Playtime is Over: The Odyssey, Emily Wilson translation
My children are studying ancient history this year, and as part of that—and as part of my Cavalcade of Classics—we read The Odyssey aloud together. Emily Wilson’s translation of Homer’s … Continue reading Playtime is Over: The Odyssey, Emily Wilson translation
TBR List Declutter, Issue 50
Tangent: Gettysburg Address “‘But in a larger sense,’” I read, “‘we cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground.’” In our history studies we’d gotten back around to the Gettysburg Address. … Continue reading TBR List Declutter, Issue 50
Junior Philosopher
The past several lunchtimes, my kids and I have been listening to Plato’s The Last Days of Socrates, with varying levels of attention. Today, my son and I had this conversation: son: … Continue reading Junior Philosopher
Raising Readers: Selecting Books
A week or so ago, I wrote about how my spouse and I accidentally created a Reading Culture at our house, and then accidentally inculcated our children into it. Today, I wanted to … Continue reading Raising Readers: Selecting Books
Raising Readers: Reading Culture
I was sitting and reading one afternoon last fall when the cat got up from my lap and, wakened from the world of the novel on my lap, I realized … Continue reading Raising Readers: Reading Culture
Fruit Punctuation
This morning while I was peeling and chopping and tossing things into the slow cooker, my six-year-old told me about something in a book he was reading. “It says ‘Anakin’ and … Continue reading Fruit Punctuation
To Drink Deeply
“Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in. I drink at it; but while I drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. Its thin … Continue reading To Drink Deeply
Studying Ancient Egypt
To complement our study of ancient Egypt, we built a pyramid. In order to be as authentic as possible, each of these LEGO bricks weighs three tons. Next we need … Continue reading Studying Ancient Egypt
Mothering Monarchs
Wednesday before last, I went out to check the mail and discovered a Priority Mail package from Pennsylvania. It held the ten swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) plants and one dozen live … Continue reading Mothering Monarchs
Pandora’s Homeschool
“Mom, did you say eighty thousand people died in one moment?” asked my daughter. This afternoon, my children and I sat under the Tree of Knowledge, and they accepted with trust the apple … Continue reading Pandora’s Homeschool
The Starry Afternoon: An Artistic Victory
My kids love crafts, but for the past couple of years, my eight-year-old has been very resistant to anything labeled “art,” especially drawing. I think it has to do with … Continue reading The Starry Afternoon: An Artistic Victory
Imperfect Happiness 