As 2016 draws to a close I find myself reflecting on all of our homeschool adventures, rabbit holes of learning and books of inspiration. You, my readers, have with been with us through them all and I thank you. I hope we have brought you some encouragement, resources and laughs this past year. Here are the top 10 posts of 2016 here at Nourishing My Scholar, plus our top 10 photos on Instagram. I hope you enjoy this look back over our year!
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10. Brain Activities for Kids – “Your brain is the most complex part of your body! It is the part of your body that tells you what’s going on around you. The brain even creates the thoughts and feelings that make up your personality! This is definitely a part of the body we need to know more about! The kids and I enjoyed some fun brain activities, this week, that included interesting brain facts, the different parts of the brain and its history.”
9. Fun Gilmore Girls Gift Ideas – “Today I’m going to let you know about a guilty pleasure of mine. Are you ready? Gilmore Girls! Yes, I love the Gilmore Girls. I love their coffee addiction. I love their movie and book references. I love the town troubadour’s songs and all of the great music on the show. I may be slightly obsessed with this show. I’m on my 6th or 7th time watching the entire series.”
8. Are We Still Unschooling? – “This past homeschool year has been fraught with ups and downs for our family. We have had other homeschoolers join us daily for adventures. We have taken college courses. We have had fun with experiments. We have read some wonderful books. We have struggled with asychronisity. We have dealt with sickness and loss of family and friends. We moved from our community to a farm, and we have adjusted. Through it all we’ve made compromises and come closer as a family. Even our homeschool has shifted. Is it still unschooling?”
7. Eclectic Homeschooling Curriculum – “Our homeschool doesn’t run off of a boxed curriculum like some. That isn’t to say that we don’t use them at all. We simply don’t use them in the traditional way of starting with chapter one and working our way chronologically to the end. We prefer the ability to follow our interests, tumble down rabbit holes, and to get lost in our passions.”
6. Winter Solstice Activities & Books – “The Winter Solstice is upon us! Also known as the shortest day and longest night of the year, the winter solstice usually takes place on December 21st or 22nd every year in the Northern Hemisphere. Many cultures around the world celebrate the solstice by holding festivals, and holidays. These celebrations were created to celebrate the return of light, and the joy of each day growing longer and longer.”
5. Homeschooling WITHOUT a School Room – “We live in a cozy farmhouse of only 960 square feet with my sister and brother-in-law….4 cats, 2 dogs, a ball python, and a tarantula! Thankfully the chickens, goats and cows are all at the barn and in the pastures. Trust me when I say how much we adore being in this tiny house. Being here means we are living on the farm with people we love and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”
4. 20 Books for Kids NOT ready for Harry Potter – “What if your child isn’t ready for Harry Potter? What books are similar but for a younger audience? I’ve scoured the internet looking for great fantasy adventure books, alike to the famous Harry Potter series, yet geared toward children who are NOT yet ready for the intensity that comes along with the Hogwarts life. So, here are 20 Books for Kids Not Ready for Harry Potter!”
3. Harry Potter Christmas Tree – “This Christmas we wanted to do something really special and maybe start a new tradition. I give you…the Harry Potter Christmas Tree!”
2. 25 Books Your Child Should Read AFTER Harry Potter – “Your reluctant reader has finished the Harry Potter series…um…now what? Here they are all glassy eyed and full of wonder from their journey into Hogwarts and Diagon Alley. They are simply unwilling to come back to the muggle world, but instead wish to stay in the realm of fantasy and adventure. Unfortunately, there is no replacing Harry Potter, but there are fantastic books and book series to keep your child engaged, entertained, and reading.”
1. 10 Things You Need to Know to Homeschool – “I never thought someone would come to me and ask, “How do you homeschool? How do you make it all work.” But that is exactly what has happened. Several moms new to homeschooling have asked, “How do I get started?” I’m no expert. I am however, an expert on my own children. We’ve only been doing this homeschool gig since our children were preschool age. So in that time frame, I’ve learned a few things.”
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