SMHEA Conference

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Well, hello again. It is time to put my Sabbatical aside and start blogging again. So much has happened in the last six months – all good things, which have lead to many, many learning and growth opportunities. Not just for the children, but also for me.

Before I catch you up with our homeschool, let me announce that I will be speaking at the Smoky Mountain Home Education Association Event on February 22, 2025. If you can make it, you can meet and greet different co-ops in the area.

SMHEA Conference

I will be speaking on the power of words to shape our lives.

To recap the last six months, let us start with academics: Continue reading »


The Digital SAT

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As you might know, the SAT is now strictly digital. There is a software one must download called Bluebook, not to be confused with other blue books out there.

Bobcat

Bobcat at my house the other day, while we were preparing for the digital SAT

Bobcat walking in the grass

The College Board will give you more details about it on their website. I can tell you we are finding it easy to use and navigate, but everybody is different. Continue reading »


Rescheduling Events

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We had to reschedule the Spelling Bee for February and TeenPact for March. January seems plagued with winter storms and COVID-19 outbreaks. So we learn to change the schedule and carry on.

Snow on shrub support

Snow in our backyard

Many years ago, I published a post about flexibility. One of my readers said, “Flexibility is easier said than done.” I totally agree. We packed and made plans for several weeks and, frankly, months, about TeenPact and the Spelling Bee. Continue reading »


New School Year

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And… we’re off! Grade 6 and Grade 8 (with three high school credits), here we come! I am so much more relaxed this year because we do not have that March exam looming over our heads at the old umbrella school. It was good while it lasted. That achievement test gave me a calendar and a benchmark. I am glad I don’t have that anymore though. We have entered a new era.

Mom and students

Mom and students before 6th and 8th grade

With our new umbrella school, we do not have to take a test. If we test at all, it is because we need to figure out if the kids like the ACT or the SAT better. Once we have decided, we only prepare for that one test as we look long-term to college admissions. Continue reading »