Thrift Schooling

  Back-to-School for homeschoolers tends to look different than in the traditional school setting, but we can still have fun! Something about the new school year gets kids excited and ready to learn—even if you hear a little complaining along the way.  Push through the complaints, and you might be surprised to see how excited they really are. This is your special time with them. You kept them home, and that is precious. Adding a few surprises and treats at the beginning of the year can help ease the transition, making back to homeschool  a pleasant experience not only for children, but parents! Thrifty Ways to Celebrate 1. Buying new folders, binders, notebooks, and themed school supplies Are your kids into space this year? How about music? Buy cute stickers or space-themed materials to use in your homeschool. Sometimes it is just the simple things that count. This year, we found fun, themed erasers  to help keep the momentum going with the beginning of the new year...

  It's that time of year. You are going to see photos of kids holding up a chalkboard with their name and the grade they are going into. Just give it a few weeks and you will see them all over social media. You, too, can do that as a homeschooler—but, for my family, that would just confuse my kids too much! Grade levels are not really a thing in our home. Math is one grade level. Reading is another. History is done together and electives are non-traditional. While the first day of school chalkboard tradition is out, getting excited about the first day of school is 100% in.  On the first day of summer break I told the kids with a sing-songy voice that it was the first day of summer vacation—they were thrilled. Today, my six-year-old asked me if I would do the same thing on the first day back to school. I laughed. I am so glad he is just as excited to start back up as I am. Here are five ways that you can celebrate the new homeschool year! Pick one, two, or more—just have fun! 1...