car and travel Archives - Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau

Aug 15 2017

Florida field trips your homeschoolers will love!

Ready to hit the road? Remember you were saying you wanted to do more field trips this year?

When it comes to Florida field trips, I’ve got you covered. You’ll definitely want to hold on to this list…maybe print it and store it in the car?

The more I search, the more incredible Florida field trips I stumble upon every year. With a day off and a tank full of gas, there are literally thousands of destinations in the Sunshine State you can share with your family, too!

What I love about field trips is you can correlate them with your studies. But, what I love even more is that it’s okay to just drop everything and have fun on field trips, too! You don’t have to prepare or do follow-up learning unless you want to. For the best experience, just let field trips stand alone, allowing yourselves the pleasure of days off from lessons without the pressure to do anything more.

The List

It wasn’t easy, but I’ve identified some of the best field trips in the state. These are those can’t-miss destinations you’ll definitely want to mark on your calendar!

My criteria was simple — these field trips check all the boxes. But, if these choices aren’t your cup of tea, I’ve got an entire 40-page directory of Florida field trips you can check out instead!

The Florida Museum of Natural History (Gainesville) is an incredible field trip for every member of the family. You can learn about the flora, fauna, fossils, history and people of native Florida, while enjoying amazing displays and interactive exhibits. My favorite exhibit at the museum is the Butterfly Rainforest, where hundreds of butterflies fly free as you walk along a winding path, thru lush landscaping, enjoying waterfalls, flowers and other small animals who call the rainforest home. With Gainesville also the home of the University of Florida, there are lots of great eateries and other fun places to explore in this area, too. Make a day of it, and explore everything Gainesville has to offer.

A visit to WonderWorks (Panama City Beach or Orlando) is like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. Think of WonderWorks as an amusement park slash arcade slash science center, where people of all ages spend hours creating, imagining, and simulating using hundreds of hands-on interactive exhibits organized in zones throughout the facility. From the moment you walk through the inversion tunnel, you’ll know you’re in for something truly different. Experience natural disasters firsthand, perform physical challenges, feel what it’s like in outer space, and much more. Hundreds of centers make this a full day activity. Schedule larger groups in advance if you want to explore it with friends.

The Cummer Museum (Jacksonville) is another of my favorite places to visit in the Sunshine State. The Cummer appeals to art enthusiasts, obviously, with its world-class display of over 5,000 pieces dating from 2100 B.C. to the present day. But, the Cummer also has several outdoor acres of stunning historic gardens for strolling, gazing and contemplation. If that isn’t enough, there’s also a large interactive center for creating, touching and listening. If membership interests you, joining the Cummer will also get you in to another 150 other museums throughout the country. Bring a camera and plan to spend at least half the day at this destination. Remember to budget time to visit the trendy cafe and check out the curiosities in gift shop, too.

If you think Disney Springs (Orlando) is nothing more than trendy restaurants and overpriced shopping, think again. While there is no shortage of expensive eateries and designer brand names, the real surprise of Disney Springs comes from discovering all the family-friendly areas and attractions peppered throughout this expansive, newly renovated mall. As a portal to all things Disney Orlando, Disney Springs is a great way to sample Disney and get introduced to Disney on your own terms, with or without passes to the theme parks. At Disney Springs, you can visit family friendly spaces like the carousel, the LEGO store, the splash pad, and enjoy outdoor entertainment pretty much all day, too. Because transportation from all the resorts converge at Disney Springs, if you happen to be staying anywhere at Disney, you’ll avoid navigating the parking facilities and save a whole lot of walking that way, too.

The St. Augustine Visitor’s Center (St. Augustine) is both the launching pad to the rest of the Old City, and a a destination in it’s own right. As the hub of activity in the center of historic St. Augustine, and the area’s largest parking garage, the Visitor’s Center itself also houses varied exhibits of local and historical importance throughout the year. Located just across the famous Castillo de San Marcos (a standing masonry fort), next to a huge public playground (SWING Park) and surrounded by hundreds of attractions of historic and educational significance, the Visitor’s Center is the best place for homeschoolers to start their visit of historic St. Augustine. Check the docket of daily activities, collect as many maps and brochures as you need, and speak to one of the knowledgeable representatives at the Visitor’s Center before setting off for an exciting day of fun and learning around the Old City.

One of Florida’s best kept secrets yet most phenomenal experiences is the guided tour of the robot factory at Sally Corporation (Jacksonville). Sally Corp is a 40,000 sq. ft. facility dedicated to designing, engineering and manufacturing “animatronic” figures for theme parks and attractions like Six Flags and Nickelodeon. Tours take audiences through real life ride simulations and explain the inner workings of their real-life humans, animals and fictional characters. Small groups (reserve in advance) are able to view projects currently in progress as well as participate in interactive games and programs on the factory floor. There is something for everyone at Sally Corporation, and best yet, tours are absolutely free.

A visit to Everglades National Park (Homestead) should be on every Florida family’s list of destinations, perhaps every few years for how much this park has to offer. A visit to the Everglades allows exploring a vast diversity of flora and fauna in many different eco-systems, including freshwater sloughs, wet prairies, tropical hammocks (habitats), coastal lowlands, marine, estuarine, and more. Visitors are exposed to the history of the peoples, conservation, scientific research, and more. It’s important to plan this visit wisely, as it changes with the seasons and covers so much ground. The web site is a great source to start planning, and it contains lesson plans to help explain and/or extend the learning, too.

Driving down the coast toward the Marine Science Center (Ponce Inlet) is a treat in itself. Upon arriving at the Marine Science Center, you’ll be able to choose from different several areas to begin your tour of the area. The turtle rehabilitation area is where sea turtles are cared for to be later released back to the ocean. In the sea bird area, you can view previously injured birds as they recover before being set free, or meet some of the permanent ambassadors who call the center home. The indoor area consists of viewing exhibits, touch and feel centers like a 14,000 gallon stingray pool, other specimens, and a gift shop with someone for everyone. Nature trails surround the park plus the Center is also within walking distance of Lighthouse Park where your family can enjoy a breathtaking view of the lighthouse while sampling the sand and views along the shoreline.

It’s hard to beat a day at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (Clearwater). With so much to see and do, you’ll want to plan a full day to take in all the activities and exhibits, including otters, nurse sharks, sea turtles, and any temporary residents who live there while awaiting new homes. The aquarium also houses a surgical center, where visitors may get the chance to witness life saving procedures being performed on injured animals. Can’t-miss exhibits at the aquarium include the homes of Winter, the Dolphin from the film “Dolphin Tale”, and Hope, a rescued dolphin who was unfit to return to the wild, but is now flourishing at the center. Boat adventures, close up encounters and behind-the-scenes tours are also available.

Nothing says ‘Florida’ like the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (Titusville). You’ll learn the history of space exploration and hear of modern-day expeditions up close and personal. With so much to do at Kennedy Space Center, I recommend looking at the sample itineraries before deciding how to plan your day. From guided tours to bus tours to personal experiences and even an IMAX, there’s a lot to take in on this field trip. If traveling in the summer, keep an eye on the weather, too, because exhibits may close when skies are particularly stormy.

Check out this awesome list of Florida field trips!

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What I love about this list

What I love about this list is these destinations are great for the whole family. You’ll never have to worry about boredom (yours) or eye-rolling (your teens), since these are great for all ages.

For the largest state-wide field trip directory in Florida, check out my latest book, The Ultimate Guide to Florida Homeschooling. It contains another 40 pages of Florida field trips just waiting for you and your family to discover.

Know somebody traveling to Florida? SHARE this with them, too!

Happy travels!

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT,Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Jul 28 2015

Will my homeschooler be able to go to prom?

{This post is one in a series called, “Top 10 Fears”, in which I speak to the most common fears parents express about homeschooling the high school years. To see all of the topics, or start at the beginning, click HERE.}

Fear #8

Your child can’t go to the prom

To many teens, and a surprising number of parents too, prom is seen as the premiere social event of Senior year. Though proms have evolved somewhat — even generating controversy from time to time – the popularity of this graduation ritual doesn’t seem to be going away.

I encounter many homeschool families in my work. One of the things I hear from newcomers, especially those who’ve recently withdrawn their children from school, is the perceived lack of things for homeschooled teens to do. Parents and their kids want to know — will they still be able to attend activities at the high school (e.g., football games, yearbook committee, driver’s training)? Plus, they almost always ask if they can go to the prom.

Since different states have different rules about extracurriculars and after-hours events, I can’t really answer this question without looking up the laws of that state and reading through the school district’s policies. It’s a lot easier to call and ask them directly, so that’s what I usually advise the parents to do.

Where I live, for example, homeschoolers cannot go to prom on their own, but they can attend as the guest of someone else. In other areas closeby, the rules are completely different, and only the students from that specific high school are allowed to attend the prom.

With matters like these, it’s usually best to call the Principal’s office of the high school where you live. As a homeschool parent, you might want to be put in touch with the faculty member or advisor in charge of the event anyway. If it were me, I’d want to discuss the logistics, plus I might want other targeted questions answered (security, chaperones, or dress code) prior to the big day anyhow.

If your town doesn’t allow homeschoolers to attend prom, be aware that many homeschool groups and organizations hold their own proms every year. If there isn’t one being held in your area, why not organize one of your own?

To your success,

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. The founder of many homeschool groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, or with no educational background whatsoever. A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations and a homeschool leader in Florida, Marie-Claire also mentors homeschool families nationwide. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, and many other events. She currently writes for audiences at Quick Start Homeschool, which she founded in 2010, and as a guest writer on other sites as often as she can. Her articles have appeared in CONNECT magazine, on Homefires, at Circle of Moms, and she has contributed to hundreds of other blogs nationwide. Dr. Moreau can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Jun 09 2014

Field Trips: Fun with a purpose

When was the last time your children were excited about something they’d learned? Was it after reading a book? Hearing a lecture? Seeing something on television?

Great!

Could it also have been after visiting a place of interest and seeing something first-hand?

Even better!

When teaching our children, it is important to notice — and remember – times when our kids are really engaged and deeply learning. By adding more of these opportunities into our homeschool days, we can insure that quality learning occurs in many different ways — not just from a curriculum or a book.

Did you know that many children actually learn much more when on a field trip or participating in some “live” activity? For some kids, just the act of experiencing something themselves creates a richer environment and sparks greater interest than just hearing or reading that lesson alone. Parents sometimes call this, “hands on” learning. I like to think of field trips as ways for learners to “step into” experiences, instead of watching them from the outside.

The flexibility of homeschooling makes it possible to plan field trips all year long. These live experiences may be scheduled randomly throughout the year or added as a regular part of every homeschool week (i.e., “Field Trip Friday”). Any number of experiences add another dimension of fun and learning. Field trips don’t have to be far away or expensive, either (read THIS).

One of the best field trips our family has ever taken was at the former homes of Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe (neighbors — who knew?). I could spend hours writing about these tours and accompanying museum displays — it was some of the finest learning we have ever experienced, sparking months and months of reading, research and studies after the fact (there are still several titles on our reading lists to this day).

If you’re homeschooling, consider adding more field trips and live experiences into your homeschool repertoire. These days are often unforgettable.

My kids and I often think back on this scene, that of Mark Twain’s solarium in his Hartford, CT home:

We imagine all of the dreaming and inspiration that occurred while he and his family shared books and conversation on the divan nearby. It was a day that impacted each of us so much, and I know my children will never forget.

Don’t you love to be able to say that about things your kids are learning?

Is it time for another field trip?

For more information about this location, visit:

Mark Twain House and Museum

Harriet Beecher Stowe Center

For more posts like this, click:

Edge-of-their-seats-learning

Science fairs for homeschoolers

Accidental Learning

I talk about how to discover ways your child learns best in my book, Suddenly Homeschooling. Feel free to grab a copy if you’d like advice about recognizing patterns of learning and incorporating more of those into your daily homeschooling.

Dec 11 2013

20 {Guilt-Free} Ways to Homeschool the Holidays

Something many homeschoolers seem to share is a desire for children to keep learning even during holidays and vacations. Some parents even feel a sense of guilt or shame for taking time off!

It takes nothing more than watching a young child “play” for a few minutes to understand that learning never takes a day off! Every activity and experience presents an opportunity for learning a new theory, fact or skill. When viewed in this light, nothing ordinary families do is ever a waste of time!

Holidays, in particular, are chock full of ways to learn. With this in mind, I have prepared a quick list of 20 guilt-free ways to weave a little homeschooling into everything you do this season. (I have used Christmas in this example, but please substitute any holiday, vacation or season; then, adapt these kinds of ideas for your family!)

20 Guilt-Free Ways to Homeschool the Holidays

Hang outdoor decorations: Measure distances in yards, feet or inches — or use a child’s foot or a small toy as a measuring stick! Use calculations to divide long expanses into parts, then learn to center wreaths and picture frames smack dab in the middle. Learn to bang nails, apply removable sticky hooks, unfurl and tie knots into ribbons and monofilaments, and don’t forget to make everything secure, discussing how wind shear could possibly take it all away! {Award credit in: science, art, math, or practical arts}
Bake some goodies: Purchase supplies, measure ingredients, and learn successful ways to bake cookies, cakes and candies. Double- or triple recipes as necessary, talk about cooking temperatures (and candy thermometers if applicable) and discuss food substitutions if necessary, too! Don’t forget to talk about cross-contamination, proper food storage and long-term shelf-life, too. Then, dive in and taste-test your creations to see how they came out! {Award credit in: practical arts, science, math or economics}
Clean the house: Learn new chores, or practice existing ones. Ready guest rooms and tackle seasonal chores, too. Get a family competition going by using a clock or timer. Or, set chores to music to make them a lot more fun. Emphasize health and safety, and create healthier, natural substitutes for toxic cleansers if you like, too. {Award credit in: life skills, physical education, science or home economics}
Get a tree: Cut or buy a real tree or purchase a potted tree from a local nursery. Discuss the different varieties and price points, making sure to learn about growing habits, climate concerns and which characteristics make your choice the most appealing for a Christmas tree. Care and nurture the tree for weeks to come, then dispose or recycle it in an eco-friendly way, or plant it in the yard when the holidays are over. {Award credit in: science (botany), economics, gardening, or life skills}
Visit family and friends: Whether traveling near or far, travel presents many outstanding opportunities for learning. Ideas include learning about a new area, charting distances on a map, following routes on a globe, making air or automobile travel arrangements, packing for a long trip, buying/making a hostess gifts, meeting new people, and everything else that comes in play along the way. {Award credit in: geography or anything else you decide!}
Write cards and letters: Hand-written cards and letters are most meaningful at holiday time, so encourage students to write to grandparents, cousins, distant relatives and friends this season. Include extra cards for military personnel, if you are so inclined, discussing the importance of remembrance and acts of kindness at holidays, and all year long. Focus only on messages, penmanship and general neatness. Resist the urge for perfection, instead allowing students to send heart-felt messages to those who mean the most. Students may be taught to address and stamp their own envelopes, too. {Award credit in: language arts, handwriting, or life skills}
Volunteer: Compassion education is greatly emphasized during holidays, thus opportunities to help are abundant in most areas. Working at shelters, soup kitchens, and events to assist those less fortunate are great ways to contribute, if families are able. Just as worthwhile are smaller efforts like collecting food items, making small monetary donations or walking dogs at a local shelter during the holidays, too. Remember to talk about the need for these activities all year long, not just at Christmas. {Award credit in: community service or practical arts}
Plan a menu: Meal planning requires much more than just deciding what to eat. Students can be given part of the responsibility for a holiday meal — or may be assigned the entire project to complete (and budget) on their own. Some students may enjoy creating shopping lists and doing comparison shopping (and/or couponing), too. Encourage them to design colorful menus, too! {Award credit in: cooking, practical arts, home economics, or design)
Send thank-you notes: See #6; or, help students to create fill-in-the-blank (“Mad Libs” style) thank you letters instead!
Find a new recipe: Many children enjoy variations on traditional favorites and/or trying new foods at parties and other events. Utilize their desire to discover new foods by encouraging students to discover new recipes on their own. Provide a list of recipe web sites you trust, a stack of recipe books or access to the local library. Then, show children how to create recipe cards or print recipes for storage in a binder. {Award credit in: research, technology, practical arts or economics}
Learn about the origins of the holiday: Online research is probably the quickest way to do this, but consider also talking to older relatives as part of the research, too. Where did the holiday originate? How is it celebrated there today? Including drawing, writing or other assignments if desired, or just keep it light and fun. Consider incorporating regional crafts, heirloom recipes or older traditions into your home this year, or just talk about your celebration will differ from many years ago. {Award credit in: history, geography, research and technology, other}
Mail a secret letter or package: Children of all ages enjoy the mystery and suspense of receiving secret cards and letters. Expand on this idea by sending a secret note or a small package to someone they know. Aspects of the mystery should be left up to the child, including what to send, how to go about doing it, and what to do if the secret is discovered. Sneaky activities and beginner sleuthing skills may include traveling to a distant post office for shipping, having a non-family member address the envelope or encrypting messages to be decoded as the sender is revealed. {Award credit in: science, technology, writing — you decide!}
Find out how the postal system works: When is the last day to mail a card with guaranteed Christmas delivery? What is the actual difference between sending “snail” mail versus electronic mail, and which is appropriate in which case? What is a business day anyway? What is the actual volume of letters delivered every year at this time? Advertising (or “junk” mail?). Find the answers to these questions and more by talking about the U.S. postal system, and other carriers, too, if you like. Include air mail, intra- and inter-continental mail in your studies, too. This activity can lead in many different directions — even including stamp and postcard collections, sending mail to oneself, and so much more! {Award credit in: practical skills, geography, mathematics and more}
Cut out paper shapes: A favorite activity among many kids is the cutting of paper shapes. Whether it be paper dolls, paper chains, paper snowflakes or anything else, cutting requires planning, a steady hand and concentration — plus, following a specific set of instructions or designing shapes on their own. Capitalize on the fun by providing many different colors, kinds and textures of papers (newspaper, card stock, loose-leaf and more), and lots of different cutting tools (scalloped-edge scissors, pinking shears, student scissors, etc.). Let students run wild, and make sure to let them hang their favorites on the windows or Christmas tree. Remember, great snowflake patterns can be found online — free! {Award credit in: art, crafts, technology or design}
Wrap gifts: Have you ever noticed some kids are better at wrapping gifts than others? It takes a bit of dexterity to crease corners and fold crisp edges. This year, allow students to help wrap gifts for friends and relatives — showing them alternative ways to do it, too. Have kids brainstorm creative ways to wrap presents, too, using recycled gift bags, plastic and cellophane wraps, repurposed potato chip bags (washed, then turned inside out) and more. Decorate papers with rubber stamps or cut-outs, too. {Award credit in: art, crafts, science (recycling/ecology), or practical arts}
Make handmade crafts and gifts: Nobody ever said gifts needed to be expensive! Some of my most treasured gifts were handmade by little people! With this thought in mind, pull out the box of craft supplies or head over to a nearby dollar store to get ready. Then, set the children free on their own, or provide some potential project ideas (working alongside younger learners). Age appropriate gifts could include picture frames, candle holders, tree ornaments, sculptures, floral arrangements, beaded items and more. Older students can browse Pinterest or family-friendly web sites for ideas, too. {Award credit in: art, crafts, economics or practical arts}
Learn new songs: Holidays are great times of the year to learn new songs or revisit older, traditional tunes. Crank up the volume and learn new songs. Print song-books if you like, and share the fun with friends and neighbors, too. Have children who play musical instruments? Add them to the mix, as well! The more the merrier. This is a learning experience for all ages! {Award credit in: music}
Learn table etiquette: How many parents of sloppy and unruly children wish they had actually taken the time to formally teach table etiquette? Though these skills can (and should) be modeled and taught throughout a child’s youth, children benefit from receiving specific lessons in how to act and behave at a dinner table. Setting a table, sitting there, responding to questions, engaging in pleasant conversation, serving oneself and eating properly, are all a part of proper table etiquette. Practicing eating at someone else’s home is very beneficial, too; thus, taking turns with a friend could be one of the exercises to help cement these skills. Families can make these activities especially fun dressing up and serving special foods, too. After-dinner conversation, dancing or clean up can also be incorporated, as desired. {Award credit in: practical arts or life skills}
Mix [non-alcoholic] drinks: Special events deserve special beverages ~ and no child is immune to a sweet cup of eggnog or frothy, fruity holiday punch. Create a “bar” of ingredients for children to experiment with and allow them to create their own holiday “signature beverage”. Start with a variety of fresh or frozen fruit, fruit juices and some bubbly drinks (like seltzers and lemon-lime sodas) and garnishes (fruit slices or chunks). Include crushed ice and a blender, and let students create their favorites. Or, opt for coffee- and chocolate-flavored concoctions with a pot of decaf coffee, some hot cocoa packets, various milks (almond, rice or cow’s milk) and whipped cream toppings. Include sprinkles, fun straws and stirrers, too. Children should be charged with naming their drinks, too! {Award credit in: cooking, home economics, nutrition or practical arts}
Make a wish: Well, not exactly. But having children create a list of accomplishments for the year, plus a list of goals for the next year is an excellent idea. Particularly for teens, goal-setting is an important skill they can master now — in a fun way. Make this a family activity, or challenge every student to come up with a private list and submit it to you. Not only will this project get students thinking, it can tell parents a lot about what skills they have mastered or hope to conquer next year. {Award credit in: language arts or life skills}

Merry Christmas!

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Nov 19 2012

Homeschooling thru the holidays

Among the many reasons people give for homeschooling is flexibility in scheduling. Flexibility to learn any time they like. Flexibility to play any time they want.

But did you realize there is learning in recreation and play? Time off from homeschool isn’t time off from learning at all! As a matter of fact, down-time can be nature’s best way to learn — giving students the chance to discover, accomplish and soak up much more than what can be found in books alone.

Keeping this in mind means it’s okay to take time off to celebrate holidays and other days that are important to you throughout the homeschool year. Whether you are curriculum-users, online students, literature-based learners or anything else, I highly recommend time off when your family needs it!

What traditions are important to your family? Are Thanksgiving and Christmas your favorite times of the year? Or maybe your traditions include giant family reunions on Independence Day or chili cook-offs on New Year’s Eve. Whatever they may be, family time should be honored. It’s important, and the preparations are, too.

Think about the planning leading up to big days like these. What skills are involved? Is communication one of them? How about budgeting, shopping and price-comparisons? Does design and space planning play a part? What about travel? Now think of decorations, banquet tables of endless buffets, game-playing, and all of the special touches that make up the day. What kinds of things can children learn by creating banners, making photo collages and slide shows? How much creativity goes into all of those home-made games and activities anyway? Would anyone dare argue that preparations like minor home renovations and cooking aren’t necessary skills? And no list is complete without at least mentioning areas like history, geneology, foreign languages, geography, interpersonal skills, fashion, personal hygiene and so many more.

As your family moves throughout the holiday season, particularly as you approach days that are very important to you, rest assured that learning does not end the day before and begin again the day after. Good stuff happens before, during and after special days. Take heart in knowing that nothing is ever lost by enjoying time off, and that there is value in everything you do as a homeschool family.

Related posts:

From Rigid to Relaxed

Yearly Homeschool Schedules

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