As I look around Facebook, I am see the photos everyone is sharing of their kid's first day of school. It always sneaks up on me, because with our big Summer road trips our whole Summer is just about over by the time we get back. Of course, we do not technically have a Summer break with homeschooling, since we are constantly learning and working during the Summer trips too. However, our homeschool "school year" will officially begin August 24th, the Monday after I get back from the travel conference I am currently at. As we prepare for the new school year I have made some changes, and I thought I would share them with you.

As some of you may know from past posts. I am homeschooling all four of my boys now 15, 13, 11 and 9. My 13 year old has severe dyslexia and my oldest and 11 year old both have behavioral disorders that often get in the way of their learning. Because of this, curriculum choices have been a learning process for us. For the last few years, I have focused on mostly hands-on and verbal instruction for my youngest three, but this year I wanted to make a switch to more "book based" learning as my 13 year old progresses. I don't want him to get in the habit of not reading his instruction at least to some degree.


Because of this, we have made a change to Sonlight core curriculum this year. Bible, language arts, history an reading is all included in the core curriculum I purchased. My youngest three will be on one core together, with it being slightly advanced for my 9 year old and just under where my 13 year old should be according to traditional school standards. This is a great balance for them. My oldest will be in a 9th grade core, and will be working independantly. I really love the "real book" learning that Sonlight focuses on, and think it will be a fun experience for the whole family.

Another change we will be making is to add in more writing practice. My boys have had writing assignments in the past, but I want to beef up their writing practice this year, because I think it is an incredibly important skill in life. Not only writing creatively, but handwriting as well. Handwriting is quickly becoming a lost art due to electronics, but I think it is important to keep up with. BIC understands the importance of handwriting as well. That's why they are celebrating the 30 year anniversary of the mechanical pencil with their #BICFightForYourRight campaign in an effort to encourage and support the use of handwriting.


We will be adding cursive writing to our curriculum this year. I have already had the boys practicing it a bit. I know it is not used often in pubic school now, but I can remember having an entire year of school where we could write in nothing but currsive. It is a skill I want to instill in my boys. I recently visited the #BICFightForYourWrite website to sign the pledge to save handwriting. Right now, if you do it to, you can have the chance to win a $1,200 BIC prize pack to help you write more at home. There is no purchase necessary, the sweepstakes is open to U.S. residents 18+ only and ends 9/14/15. You can visit their site for a full list of rules.




We love BIC Mechanical Pencils in our home because one BIC Mechanical Pencil is the equivalent of 2 1/2 wood pencils. They also don't require the use of a loud pencil sharpener or shavings everywhere. The boys love  the Xtra-Craze and Xtra-Shine designs, but the pencils are available in all varieties and designs so that there is the perfect pencil for everyone!


Are you homeschooling your kids this year? What homeschool curriculum will you be using? Don't forget to visit the #BICFightForYourLife website to sign the pledge to save handwriting and enter for your chance to win a huge prize pack. Plus, there is a surprise 30th Birthday Sweepstakes coming soon. Be sure to stay tuned to the BIC Facebook page for more information! Sweepstakes will be taking place on the following dates.

• 8/16 Giveaway: No purchase necessary. U.S. only, 18+. Ends 8/16/15
• 8/28 Giveaway: No purchase necessary. U.S. only, 18+. Ends 8/28/15
• 9/10 Giveaway: No purchase necessary. U.S. only, 18+. Ends 9/10/15