This year we let go of the last remnants of curriculum and enjoyed finding our own homeschooling groove.
In case you missed them, here’s a round-up of the most popular Navigating By Joy posts of 2013. Click on the photos to see each post.
Science
Instead of following a science curriculum, we did at least one hands-on science activity each week, an approach that proved very popular with the kids!
1. Elephant toothpaste – Fun with catalysts
2. Gummy bear science – Osmosis in action
3. How to make sure science gets done when you’re not using a curriculum
I talk about our curriculum-free approach to science here.
History and geography
Some of our favourite projects this year have sprung from our reading of The Story of the World (vols 1 and 2).
4. Aboriginal dot painting for kids
5. Miniature Japanese zen garden for kids
6. Hands-on Russian history
Maths
In spring 2013 we began an experiment, doing our own thing in maths. It’s gone better than I could have imagined, and I’m buzzing with ideas for 2014.
7. Pythagoras and the knotted rope
8. How to help your children fall in love with maths
9. Five Days of Maths Playtime
Homeschooling
10. Nine homeschool apps we wouldn’t be without
11. Five Steps to an organised homeschool space
12. The pros and cons of joining a homeschool co-op
Language arts
13. Five writing games your kids will love
14. How we do poetry teatime
15. Our top 6 read-aloud chapter books
Thank you to everyone who contributes to the homeschool blogging community – as a blogger, commenter or reader. I couldn’t homeschool without you!
I wish you all a very happy, healthy and successful 2014.
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I’m appreciatively linking up with:
Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers
I’m glad to say that I’ve read all these posts, and have learnt much from them. It’s been really useful to follow the changes in your approach to homeschooling through your blog, and read the success stories that have come out from them. They’ve been very inspiring indeed!
Wishing you a fantastic 2014. I shall look forward to reading about your new ideas. 🙂
Thank you so much, Hwee – you’ve been a wonderful encouragement to me this year, both here and on the Tiger Chronicle!
Oh my gosh, Lucinda!! Love them all. Pinning. I’ll need to go back and reread! These are great….
I want my kids to come to your HS!! Now, if only you didn’t live on another continent, maybe we could work something out! LOL
Lucinda, would you be interested in joining the “blog in a blink” Top 13 of ’13 linky?
Monica, who manages the Catholic Bloggers Network has instituted the linky and you can find the inlinkz at her blog, mine or any of the others who are participating….. I’m sure you know her. She’s amazing! I know you have 15 here, but essentially, it is a year in rev of “top” posts, so it fits.
Here is my link if you’d like to join.
http://campfiresandcleats.blogspot.com/2013/12/top-13-and-mosts-posts-of-2013-with.html
I am using a “top” post as well as my “mosts” posts that I linked to sarah’s at Amongst Lovely Things….the link to her hop is in mine, too, if you are into joining a “mosts” linky. ( Most clicked, most commented on, etc, etc….it’s fun.)
Hope to see you there!
It has been a blessing getting to know you and becoming friends with you this year, Lucinda!
God bless and have a happy 2014~!~
Chris, your comments always leave me smiling from ear to ear. 🙂 Your boys are very lucky to have such a positive and enthusiastic mom!
Thank you for the invite to join your link up, it looks like a visual and inspiring feast!
It has been a delight getting to know you this year, for sure. Here’s to more friendship and fun in 2014! God bless you!
You are an inspiration! Thank you for all the great posts you do, and I look forward to many more in 2014.
Thank you Phyllis, and likewise thank you for being an inspiration to me!
Oh wow – I’ve got my inspiration for 2014 now! Am leaving this post open so I can explore all your wonderful links – thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Ingi! 🙂
Thanks for linking up, Lucinda! I know many who glance thru the linky will be enticed to click over and will benefit from your post!
Happy New Year!! (It’salmost 1AM here and wehad our New Yr Eve celebration already…the boys are getting ready for bed and I’m grabbing a minute for fun!)
Looking fwd to more of your HS fun and inspiration in ’14!
God bless!
Happy New Year indeed! It’s going to be a wonderful one, I just know it! 🙂
Thank you, as ever, for all your encouragement, Chris!
What a wonderful variety of posts, Lucinda! I think you have really found your homeschooling feet this year, and as a reader of your blog, it is a joy to see! I hope you continue to have lots of homeschool fun in 2014!
Thank you so much, Claire. I’m looking forward to sharing the blogging fun and inspiration with you this year!
Lucinda,
I am not surprised there are a few maths posts in your most popular posts of the year. I am sure many people are looking for a better way to tackle this subject. I love all your ideas! Buzzing with ideas for 2014? I can’t wait! Thank you for sharing!
Look at all of the wonderful content! I’m pinning this post to come back to it when I have some time — and need to gain inspiration. The LEGO stuff caught my eye!
Thanks for linking with Collage Friday!
Thank you so much, Mary! And thank you for hosting the link-up!
I’ve revisited the rock post several times. My daughter is working to repeat the experiment. She got the igneous rock to work, but is having trouble with the sedimentary. We didn’t follow the directions very well and need to redo it with crayon shavings instead of crayon pieces ground in the food processor.
I admire her persistence! I hope it works using a pencil sharpener. Grating certainly takes a while … especially disheartening if it doesn’t work!