Keeping up the habit of sharing a helpful habit! Today I share answers to the questions about the anchor of our day. A habit of a couple of decades. Originally posted November 2009 and updated recently on Hodgepodge for today’s needs. Afternoon Quiet Time is this… If you haven’t read the other posts in this series, please do: Shh! It’s Quiet Time Just Take a
Mike Mulligan Chalk Pastel Art Tutorial
We are big fans of Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel, Mary Anne. Every time I turned the page to this particular scene – the dirt, the steam, the clouds of smoke – I always thought this would make a wonderful Mike Mulligan chalk pastel art tutorial. So we set aside an art afternoon and enjoyed it! Chalk Pastel Art Supplies Needed: White piece of
Free Fall Art Lessons for All Ages
A few leaves are already starting to turn here in the south and that means it’s time to turn our attention to fall art! Pull out those fantastic reds, oranges, browns, yellows and greens and enjoy our free fall art lessons for all ages. Don’t you love a fall palette? These colors make me so happy! I’ve put together a list of our best art
Train Chalk Pastel Art Tutorial
Little Engine! This Train Chalk Pastel Art Tutorial is a MUCH-requested one from one of my youngest students. He is a real fan of The Little Engine that Could originally by author Watty Piper. Train Chalk Pastel Art Tutorial You will need the following pastel colors: blue (of course!), yellow, black, brown, green, gray and white. We will start drawing a line with your blue
100 Helpful Homeschool Habits
Helpful homeschool habits. Over the years with babies, toddlers, stacks of school books, hungry mouths and now towering teens, these are the basic routes I’ve discovered for seeing results. (And honestly, for keeping my sanity in that daily does of chaos with five children!) Over 100 helpful homeschool habits. All of our best habits in my book, Help! I’m Homeschooling! In our years of homeschooling
How to Do Art in 5-10 Minutes
Q: How do you fit in art? How can you do art in 5-10 minutes? When, oh when, is a good time to do art with children of all ages and stages? (These are questions I get often.) A: The answer is super simple. We have found – after much practice in our home – that the best time for us to enjoy art is
Elementary Homeschool Curriculum Choices
Many a time I have found myself pausing and being thankful that the younger two that make up our elementary homeschool are so close in age. Almost exactly two years apart with the same birthday month. They are buddies and they cheer each other on in their learning. Older sister coaches reading. Younger brother waits patiently while she finishes handwriting – and then they are
Preschool and Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Choices
In years past, I have always shared details of our preschool and kindergarten curriculum choices here at Hodgepodge. Now that we’ve had much practice with children in preschool, elementary, middle and high school all at once, I felt it was time to make a permanent spot for all our favorite homeschool curricula. One place that Hodgepodge readers could easily find and reference. See, I get