Julie Naturally
healthy, natural living for Christians
Many critics of unschooling say that unschooling doesn’t work. And some who try it out of exasperation quit after a year or two, claiming it doesn’t work. They claim this because they thought magical things would happen and they are disappointed. Unschooling is not some magical land where kids always do something educational and thereby …
As a child, opening the stocking came last. After all, when I was growing up, my Christmas stocking was usually filled with underwear, socks, and maybe some candy. Very practical, but not very Christmas-y. I guess my parents thought it best to throw in some necessities to put a small dent in the usual clothing …
So, you’ve heard about this crazy homeschooling philosophy known as unschooling. Maybe you’re thinking, Sounds interesting. I might like to try it. But, why choose that over other methods? I mean, are there any benefits of unschooling? There are indeed! Now, I will say that unschooling doesn’t have a monopoly on these benefits, but it …
When my children were small, having a gift free Christmas didn’t seem possible. We did limit the number of gifts so they never expected a shower of gifts on Christmas morning. With four children and a limited budget, this was a necessity. But, now that they are older (and all the cousins are, too), it’s …
I learned early on how to teach math for K-6th grade in one year. My oldest son refused to do math curriculum. I made up for this by using Math Facts to the Max, Times Alive:Times Tables the Fun Way, Family Math, and a few other tools you can find in this math resources post. …
Being grateful comes easily when hubby receives an extra bonus at work. Or, when everyone enjoys good health for awhile and friends visit often. The car runs well and we avoided purchasing a “lemon.” But what about those years when hubby works overtime and instead of a raise, he gets a pay cut? Or, little …
Every year, my church has Missionary Christmas and they invite one of our missionaries to come and speak about Christian missions. It’s wonderful to see slide shows and hear about the impact they are having in Taiwan, Germany, India, and even in remote northern Canada. There is always an invitation to the congregation to be …
Everyone knows that flowers have petals and smell nice. You probably also know that bees and butterflies land on them and gather their nectar. They also spread flower pollen. But, there are other interesting facts about flowers for kids who really want to dig in to learning about these amazing structures. Here are five things …
If you’ve some of my other posts, you probably know that I don’t advocate giving prizes for Bible memory. I had very bad experiences with teaching my kids about God’s Word whenever prizes were involved. What worked the best was talking about my own testimony and how God has worked in my life. The second …
My favorite Israel subscription box comes to my home once a quarter from Artza Box. I love getting a taste of the Holy Land and collecting new treasures for my home that reflect my faith. Here is the latest one: An Israel subscription box that delights all the senses Feast for the eyes and warms …
We tend to take trees, and plants in general, for granted. Most children know that trees are shady and pretty, but how about the importance of trees for kids and adults everywhere? Why should we care about trees and think twice about cutting them down? Let’s find out. The Importance of Trees for Kids, and …
I haven’t really met a kid who hated all trees. But, I have met kids who hate certain trees because of the way their fruits smell. I have also met children who hate certain trees because they are allergic to them. Because of these things, sometimes kids decide to avoid trees or decide that they …
As I’m sure you know, most high schoolers take three science courses. These are: Chemistry, Biology, and Physics. Some students may also take a Computer Science course. But, in all of those courses, they rarely get advanced Botany. In fact, most children never study Botany again after third grade and can’t even name ten plants …
Because Christian unschoolers do math differently, I compiled a list of my favorite homeschool math resources from over the years. Two of my children have graduated and the others are out of elementary school. So, now is the time! First, I’d just like to challenge you to think of math as a tool, not a …
I can’t believe that my last two kids are both now in high school! It’s bittersweet. I have been talking with my daughter who’s a junior this year about life after high school. Will she choose an alternative to college or will she need some college readiness skills? To help her figure this out, I …
Online writing for kids can be a lifesaver when you homeschool several children. It encourages independent work and allows you to focus on the kids that need one-on-one attention. But, how do you find a program that engages your elementary-aged kids and teaches them, too? After all, teens have access to imaginative learning projects that …
Have you heard of Artzabox? These quarterly subscription boxes aim to take you to the Holy Land and walk in Christ’s footsteps. While a trip to the Holy Land is on my bucket list, this offers a great alternative. I can even use it in my homeschool to teach my kids about Israel. In this …
You might not think that unschoolers consider a homeschool supply list, but you should. There are certain things that just make unschooling easier and more fulfilling. We want to have enriching homes that encourage learning, so we need to stock them with particular supplies that promote curiosity, adventure, and a passion for learning. The things …
Imagine if an online chemistry course allowed you to visualize atomic orbits and bonds and connected the science to everyday things. Would that transform your view of chemistry? It has for me. You see, when I was in college, I really wanted to major in Biology, not Psychology. I settled for a minor in Biology …
All four of my children have some sort of learning difference, which means they need imaginative learning projects to succeed. The oldest two struggle with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Four doctors diagnosed my younger daughter with high functioning Asperger’s at age 6 and my youngest son struggled with regulation issues and Sensory Processing Disorder. (He …
Because my kids are teenagers and young adults, I don’t often write about little kids. After all, most homeschool programs try teaching small children to read, write, and do simple math, and I am very much against that. Read-aloud time and lots of outdoor, hands-on play should form the staple learning diet of young children. …
My younger son needs a little nudging when it comes to reading books. He is very picky. It is challenging to find books that he not only likes, but that aren’t intimidating. He doesn’t have severe dyslexia like his older brother, but he is a somewhat slow reader. So, sometimes he says, “I hate reading.” …
Does your teen love plants? Is he looking for something a bit off the beaten path to do after high school? Maybe one these careers in botany is a good choice. After all, botany is important, perhaps the most important science of all. Without botany, the world starves. Want to solve world problems? Want to …
This year, my younger daughter enters her junior year of high school. You know what that means, it means it’s time to talk about career choices. She has already told me that she thinks she wants to go to college. I told her that she needs to decide on some possible careers first so she …
