Teaching Your Children – Page 2

11May 2020 by Krystal 5 Comments

TOP 11 Homeschooling Tips and TRICKS!

Homeschooling is a LIFESTYLE. It’s been our family’s “normal” for five years now, with all the blessings and challenges that it has brought our way. I am a former K-6 ESL(English as a Second Language) and high school Spanish teacher. I worked at a private school abroad and then at various public schools here in New York state for a total of six years, receiving tenure in the West Seneca Central School District. I made the decision to leave the public school classroom and begin homeschooling my little ones even though no one in my family had done so previously. It's been an adventure ever since! So, my kids have never been to "school" outside of our home besides homeschooling co-op groups once or twice a month and weekly Sunday…

25Mar 2020 by Krystal 13 Comments

“Corona-Crisis”

Faith, Teaching Your Children

Two little cousins who are missing each other right now: My Davin and nephew Dawson We are living through a historic time right now. Each day I try to ask God what I can do in the midst of it. I keep living, breathing, teaching my kids, cooking meals, doing laundry, but inwardly I know my little routine somehow matters more now. I am in compliance: the stakes are higher, as public health is top priority. The weirdness of the new term “social distancing” is already being “embraced” (pun intended)! It's our new reality, our temporary "normal" worldwide. My mind can’t completely wrap itself around the implications of this pandemic, but here are some I have noticed: People can’t mourn the way they normally would when someone passes away, as…

04Jan 2020 by Krystal 9 Comments

Your “Unwritten” Goals…

Faith, Personal Testimonies, Teaching Your Children

2019 has come and gone, but its memory in my heart and life will always live on. It began with a warm Ecuadorian family celebration to ring in the new year, each one of us sharing our hopes and aspirations. I had written down a few goals for the year, including teaching myself how to play piano by ear and writing a new book. In another sense this would be a year in which physical suffering would remind me of my weakness and frailty to accomplish anything on my own. It started in the spring as I was planting seeds with my children: I hit our metal mailbox and had to get stitches on my head. That didn’t stop me, and summer was a pleasant time of family bonding, active…

24Dec 2019 by Krystal 10 Comments

Do You Believe?

Faith, Teaching Your Children

I’ve realized people, even adults, desire something magical that they can at least pretend to believe in, whether they know it or not. Laurelle and I..sleeping beauty! We recently returned from a Disney vacation, and you could see every parents’ desire to create wonder, joy, and memories for their little ones everywhere you looked. The girls are dressed as princesses, waiting in long lines to meet and greet with Queen Elsa and Cinderella for a few treasurable moments. A sweet moment...Laurelle and Fancy Nancy! The disappointment comes when, as my five-year-old Laurelle realized, Fancy Nancy doesn’t talk to you, her costume being a huge painted replica head with skin-colored stockings covering her arms and legs. She looks like the Disney Junior and book character that we have enjoyed and come…

17Jul 2018 by Krystal 5 Comments

Ahoy There Matey! Pirate Summer Learning

Teaching Your Children

Summer is a great time for teachers and students alike to take a much-needed break. Being a homeschooling mom, I have looked forward to summer for that very reason! However, I do find that some structure and fun learning can be easy, helpful, and intriguing even in the summer. Here are some ideas for you:1. Pick a topic or theme for your kids or better yet, have THEM choose something they are interested in (this is called a "unit study" in formal, teaching terms!)2. Go to the library and check out some interesting books on your topic of choice3. Begin learning together and make some easy, fun activities/games as you go (It's not meant to feel like school because it's summer!)This summer, we are doing PIRATES and SHIPWRECKS. We started…

28Jun 2018 by Krystal 6 Comments

Summer FUN Without Breaking the BANK!

Teaching Your Children

Summer is finally here where I live in Western New York! Let's take advantage of this time, and save a penny or two in the process! Here are my TOP TEN ideas, in no particular order, for a low-budget and high-fun summer!!1. THE BEACHWhen I think of summer, I have a beach in my mind. My husband definitely does, being from Ecuador! Locally, we have been to Olcott Beach and Niagara-on-the-Lake beach in Canada (pictured above). Olcott Beach and Carousel has the most quaint environment with rides and games for kids that cost only a quarter each (photo below); if you haven't checked out this gem yet, put it on your list! Niagara-on-the-Lake is an enjoyable ride over the Canadian border, passing gorgeous vineyards and countryside. It's a small beach but…

20Jun 2018 by Krystal 6 Comments

Music~The Rhythm of Our Souls!

Faith, Teaching Your Children

We are watching "Pinkalicious" right now as I write, a cute show on PBS kids, and Peter is singing the blues! He is trying to make people feel happy when something goes wrong, but the "blues music" just makes everyone feel more sad about their problems. Music and its rhythm, lyrics, and vibe can elicit a variety of emotions, both positive and negative.Have you ever thought about how amazing it is that God blessed people with the imagination and creativity to invent instruments and make wondrous music? Children naturally ignite when music is played, and I never tire of seeing their little bodies move about, twist, and shout! We all appreciate music, and being thoughtful with the types of music we listen to is key(no pun intended)!This past year teaching…

12Jun 2018 by Krystal 15 Comments

Teaching YOU & Your Kids to DITCH the DEVICES!

Teaching Your Children

I just finished up my second year of homeschooling, so I am still at the beginning of this incredible and faith-filled journey! Looking back on this past year, I had obstacles and challenges to overcome, hard moments and trying times to face; there were many sleepless nights or nights with very interrupted sleep! In spite of it all, we learned so much together as a family, and I would love to share with you my favorite and most memorable day at home with my children.As a backdrop, this school year I followed a very riveting curriculum called Five in a Row Volume 1 by Jane Claire Lambert. It guides you by reading a different book each week, and through that book you and your children learn about and discover science, social…

02Jun 2018 by Krystal 6 Comments

Laughter is the Best Medicine!

Teaching Your Children

Today my children and I were enjoying gorgeous weather, running through the sprinkler to keep cool and picnicking outside. We like to make up our own "knock knock" jokes sometimes while we eat. My one son begged me to look up jokes about poop, and we ended up finding a web-page where baby bibs had the funniest sayings. Here are a few:"I'm going green, in my diaper.""Poop loading. 80% complete.""I'm smiling because I pooped." "Want to see my compost pile?""I'm on all liquid diet.""Yes it's full and yes, it's your turn!"I started to recall things my kids have said that have cracked me up, the few that I can remember off the top of my head:Luke at age 3, after learning about Jesus' resurrection: "Mom, look at this fish by the river."…

28May 2018 by Krystal 2 Comments

Summer Teaching Ideas For Your Kids!

Teaching Your Children

This is officially my tenth post, and it's a pleasure to use this outlet as a way for some of us to communicate with each other and to uplift one another. Always feel welcome to comment and ask questions if you have any. Thank you for being here!Well, I started the journey of homeschooling a few years ago with my children, and it is the most wondrous and challenging experience (and I'm not even close to being done)! This year by the time May rolled around, I was completely wiped and ready for summer vacation. To get my kids and I through the last two weeks of school, this was my plan:1. Pick topics that are easy to learn about outside.2. Make sure it doesn't require a lot of planning!In…

Category: Teaching Your Children