Backwoods MamaHomeschool

Back to (Home) School

Back to (Home) School

Over the last month our family has been transitioning from leisurely summer days to the predictable routine of fall. I have been slowly preparing for the upcoming learning year by filling my journal with lists of resources to purchase, interests to pursue, and goals...

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Home Learning 2015-2016

Home Learning 2015-2016

The beginning of the school year has already passed and we are well into on our third year our home learning! There are several changes for us this year, all of which are exciting and a little nerve wracking. One change is that I have been officially teaching two...

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Shifts and Changes: Home Learning 2014/2015

Shifts and Changes: Home Learning 2014/2015

For our family home learning is something that is constantly evolving and changing. I admire families that are committed to a particular style of home learning, whether it be Charlotte Mason, Montessori, unschooling, classical schooling, among others. The reality is...

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A Little Bit of Winter with Selah Outdoor Exploration

A Little Bit of Winter with Selah Outdoor Exploration

We hadn't seen snow, in any great amount, since we left on our trip to Thailand back in January. There was a hint of flurries last week, but my husband and I debated if it was in fact snow. Piles of snow still do exist in these parts but you must drive up the mountain...

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Indie Computer Games for Kids

Indie Computer Games for Kids

There are many opinions about the risks and benefits of computer use by children but I am not about to discuss them in this post. My husband is a techie who enjoys computer games so it makes sense that computer games have a place in our home. Around here games...

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The FREEkn’ Farmer

The FREEkn’ Farmer

A couple weeks ago we participated in the Freakn' Farmer up at Covert Farms, but today we took part in the FREEkn' Farmer over at our friends' farm. You see, the Freakn' Farmer increased their child race admission prices considerably from last year and that dissuaded...

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Looking Ahead: Home Learning 2014-2015

Looking Ahead: Home Learning 2014-2015

As you might have surmised, if you don't already know, we are home learners. Currently we are enrolled home learners which means we receive some money from the provincial government and in exchange we report to a learning consultant (a registered teacher) who supports...

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What is a Learning Circle?

What is a Learning Circle?

Often in my blog posts I mention activities that we've been doing with our Learning Circle. There has been some curiosity about what a Learning Circle is and what we do. Recently, I received an email from a friend who asked: I have some questions for you about the...

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Valentine’s Day with our French Co-op

Valentine’s Day with our French Co-op

Happy Valentine's Day!About once a week we gather with two other families for an informal French cooperative. I am francophone and so is my husband, our children know a little French. During our meetups I read French books and sing French songs with the children. We...

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Preparing Art Projects for Children – Is It Worth It?

Preparing Art Projects for Children – Is It Worth It?

A quiet day at home was just what we needed. My eldest has been begging me to do some Valentine's day crafts so we sat down and looked at some ideas. This was a bit of mistake because the crafts he initially chose we didn't have the supplies for. Eventually, we did...

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Freedom to Play

Freedom to Play

The Christmas holidays are officially over yet our Christmas tree and most of the decorations remain. I am slowly putting things away but I have toyed with the idea of keeping the remaining decorations up until Candlemas, February 2nd. In the past, Candlemas, known to...

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Building a Wilderness Survival Shelter

Building a Wilderness Survival Shelter

Near the lake the trees are just beginning to change colours, but a short drive up Carmi mountain and the landscape is painted in vivid colours of yellow and red. It reminds me of autumn in northern British Columbia, simply beautiful.Wilderness survival is the theme...

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We are Home Learners

We are Home Learners

My eldest son is old enough to be in kindergarten but we have chosen to take the path of home learning. Our decision has felt so natural that giving an account of our choice seems somewhat strange. I was not home schooled and neither was my husband yet we were...

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Eco-Friendly Arts and Crafts for Kids

Eco-Friendly Arts and Crafts for Kids

I haven't met many children that don't enjoy art and crafts in one form or another. For a while I thought my son was the exception but he has since proved me wrong. Now I find myself searching for craft inspirations on the internet late into the night. The...

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