One of the most important prerequisites for doing what matters is planning. Although I do a lot of my work on the computer, I’ve used paper-based planners ever since I was in middle school. I prefer to plan during contemplative...
Most modern readers have little context for the mindset, manners, and morals, or even many of the conflicts that consumed the characters in the novels of the late 19th and early 20th century. This lack of context can affect understanding and appreciation of the tales.
Summer is coming soon, and although formal class time may end for some homeschoolers, it’s easy to keep minds active if you create a learning lifestyle. This is a wonderful season to tackle outdoor projects and learn practical skills, as...
Mary Ellen Potter of Ashland, VA, formerly of Commerce, CA, left this life April 27, 2013. She was the widow of Edward Jackson “Jack” Potter, and leaves behind beloved family and friends.
Charlotte Mason said that “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life,” and she was right. A study published in 2010 on “Family Scholarly Culture and Educational Success” (PDF), reports that a family’s “scholarly culture – the way of life in homes where books are numerous, esteemed, read, and enjoyed” matters. Here’s how!
A look at the literature portion of the the Common Core Standards (CCS), with an excerpt from Hard Times by Charles Dickens.
Common Core Standards are a cause for concern. The CCS promise to nationalize mediocrity and increase control over every aspect of K-12 education, and ultimately over every citizen. Here are articles and resources to help you learn more, including an alphabetical list of state groups opposing CCS.
I’ll admit it–I’m a bit of a contrarian. Most of the business advice you’ll read is about growing your business as big and as fast as you possibly can, but for the Do What Matters business, that’s not always the...
I love wordy holidays. We spend time teaching our children that words matter, and how to read, write, and speak correctly (or at least I hope we do), and I think those home lessons are reinforced by national holidays that...
13-year-old Logan LaPlante talks about a real-life education model that makes learning relevant. Hackschooling (aka homeschooling) works.
In celebration of “Virginia Home Education Month,” I was invited to put up a homeschool display at the Cochrane-Rockville branch of the Pamunkey Regional Library. You can see photos below.
Here is a collection of favorite quotes on lifelong learning, learning and freedom, unschooling, institutional schooling, homeschooling and general truth about learning by speakers from C.S. Lewis and Charlotte Mason to Aristotle and Mark Twain.
In a video that reminds me of some of John Taylor Gatto‘s work, Stephen Round, a dedicated second-grade teacher reads his letter of resignation from the Rhode Island school system. Here are a few points Mr. Round makes in the...
Although entrepreneurship and micro-business have traditionally been seen as paths to wealth, the Doing What Matters business model is intended to lead toward a simpler, richer life. In the graphically illustrated five-minute video below, Plenitude author Juliet Schor discusses how to create a human-scale “plenitude economy” with...
Gifted students learn differently, and most learners have a primary learning style that makes teaching easier. Learning to adapt your curriculum to your student rather than trying to squash the student into a curriculum is an important part of becoming a great homeschool teacher.
I was delighted to run across this video in which farmer, writer, and speaker Joel Salatin explains how to build a “do what matters, make it pay” lifestyle business. In just under seven minutes, he covers many of the key...
Knowing when to drop what isn’t working, or how to supplement or adapt your curriculum is an important part of becoming a great homeschool teacher.
Class Dismissed is described as “a feature-length documentary that focuses on showcasing alternative education strategies that are working for many families.” It follows a family who pulls their two daughters out of a highly rated institutional school in order to teach them...
Last time, I promised an example of what it looks like to create a microbusiness from what matters, what you love, and what do you do well. To do that, I’ll share the story of Curtis, a construction entrepreneur. Why Curtis became an...
In the mid-Atlantic region, we’re battening down the hatches in preparation for Hurricane Sandy. Preparations include drawing water, gathering candles and oil lamps, and trying to get everything washable washed in case the power goes out. Once the basics are...
If you have a local library, support it through regular visits, volunteering, and other ways. As a homeschooler, you can help to shape your library’s collections and programs through strategic requests (nicely conveyed, of course!). And finally, an infographic on “Why Support Your Local Library?”
Visit the Great Books Week site for a few ideas on how to celebrate, some quotes on great literature, and more. In a world of strife and turmoil, the classics remain beautiful and timeless. I hope you enjoy celebrating this week!
If you want to do what matters and make it pay, you must first decide what matters. Although most “find your passion” books begin with a straight line premise that your “thing that matters” will directly be the thing that...
Homeschooling can be challenging, but a good book can encourage and help to renew your mind. Here are three of my favorite books about family and learning.
Join us for a great Carnival of Homeschooling, featuring articles on time and what to do with it, words, nature, celebrations, and more.
A remembrance of a trip to the World Trade Center, the 9-11 Day Movement, free America prints, and quotes on freedom and liberty, plus two announcements.
Hillsdale College is offering free 10-week online courses on the Constitution of the United States. These can provide grounding for wise decisions in the coming election season.
Get ready for tax time with organized records A guest post by Carol Topp, CPA If you have been keeping an organized record of your income and expenses, you will find tax preparation easy. If you are unsure how to...
A Simple Bookkeeping System for Micro-business A guest post by Carol Topp, CPA Small business owners need a simple bookkeeping method. The system described here uses single entry bookkeeping, not double entry bookkeeping that is taught to accountants. Record keeping can...
A guest post by Carol Topp, CPA Small business owners might delay working with an accountant until they think they can afford it, but this can be harmful to a new business. Knowledge that is too little or too late...
I'm not doing an email newsletter at the moment, so here's a printable newsletter with articles and booklists. We hope you enjoy the Everyday Educator!
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