Happy Earth Day everyone – the happy day each year that we all share Facebook posts about how important the earth is, make some super cool crafts about the planet, and think about how we really ought to do something about that climate change thing. It’s so hard. It’s so overwhelming. We want to do… [Read More]
Lingering and Lollygagging: Essential Elements of Learning
This morning our farm is covered in white. The snow is coming down hard and it is lovely. The fire in the living room is bright and hot and the dog and cat have wisely sidled up together beside the hearth. A fresh pot of coffee is on and its rich aroma is calling, but… [Read More]
Cultivating Independence & Innovation
There’s lately been an abundance of exciting times in our home! I suspect that those of you with your own young, evolving artists, scientists, and determined toddlers will relate. This week we put our family’s last toddler car seat into the garage and pulled out a big boy seat to replace it. The very same… [Read More]
Unpacking Project-Based Learning: Publishing
As many of you know, my daughter Eva is a seasoned author, writing and self-publishing one book each year for the past six. This week, she released her new holiday-themed picture book featuring her beloved character Kinzy, “the charming koala with the huge ego.” Entitled The Christmas CAT-astrophe, the story follows Kinzy and his platypus… [Read More]
Fearless Learning
“Mom! We’ll never need to buy new clothes again!” My 8-year-old son nearly took the door off its hinges as he burst inside with his news. “We’ll make all of our clothes out of algae woven into fabric. These algae will be a continuously reproducing kind, which of course makes the fabric stronger. Each time… [Read More]
Are You Obsessed with Halloween?
October is here! And that brings cooler weather, crunchy leaves, pumpkins, and a month-long celebration of all things creepy. We love holidays in our home, and Halloween is among our favorites. There’s nothing like exploring your fears and becoming something other than yourself for a whole night to inspire empowerment and creativity. That’s why I… [Read More]
Quietly Making Noise: Launching a Teen-Produced CD
Cheers, friends! Raise your collective glasses and join me in a toast celebrating the official release of Ian Ridenhour’s new CD, “Quietly Making Noise.” For those of you who are new to the blog, Ian is my 14-year old son, who has been a career musician since the ripe old age of two. “Quietly Making… [Read More]
Mindful Education: A Source of Well-Being
This month a sad turn of events in my own family reminds me of just how important it is to help ignite the emotional intelligence that resides in our children. Among the greatest gifts we can offer is our children’s repeated exposure to works of great literary, visual, and natural beauty. During times of intense… [Read More]
Do You Do School in the Summer? And Does it Count?
One of the top 10 frequently asked homeschooling questions is if we “do school” over the summer. I’m quick to answer “no,” because we don’t do the more formal education day during the summer months. We use these to finally come outdoors, get some sun, and let our brains and bodies find creative, nourishing outlets… [Read More]