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How to Create a Homeschool Schedule for a New School Year

How to Create a Homeschool Schedule for a New School Year

by Melissa Droegemueller | Jul 19, 2018 | Homeschooling (Elementary School), Preschool at Home

Are you a new homeschooling mom? Maybe you are considering preschool at home or you have decided to homeschool your Kindergarten or 1st grade student. It can be overwhelming: from curriculum to to socialization, everyone has an opinion.  Creating a flexible, effective...

Unit Study: Homeschool Complete Review & Giveaway

by Melissa Droegemueller | Dec 9, 2017 | Homeschooling (Elementary School)

Are you ready for the winter break? The colder temperatures have arrived in Iowa, and we are making a long list of activities that will keep us busy inside over the next few months. We have our favorite educational toys for open-ended play, winter books, and list of...

Our Decision to Homeschool: Kindergarten

by Melissa Droegemueller | Jul 20, 2017 | Homeschooling (Elementary School)

We were outside the library a few days ago, waiting for them to open before heading out of town for vacation. Since I knew we were about to spend 5 hours together in the car, we started playing a short game of “catch the stuffie.” I would toss the bear to...

The Benefits of Homeschooling-Entrepreneur Version

by Melissa Droegemueller | Jan 1, 2017 | Homeschooling (Elementary School)

Our homeschooling journey began about the same time our second daughter was born. I was teaching at our older daughter’s preschool while pregnant, and we all intended to go back when baby Kate was six weeks old. Right before I returned, I was told I would be the...
My Biggest Mistake as a Homeschooling Mom

My Biggest Mistake as a Homeschooling Mom

by Melissa Droegemueller | Nov 16, 2016 | Homeschooling (Elementary School)

It’s hard to believe that we’re already in our fifth year of homeschooling. Sometimes it feels like we’ve just begun and other days, when I talk to new homeschooling parents, I realize just how far we’ve come as a family. When our older daughter was in Kindergarten,...
Homeschooling: 1st Grade Curriculum Choices

Homeschooling: 1st Grade Curriculum Choices

by Melissa Droegemueller | Aug 17, 2014 | Homeschooling (Elementary School)

I cannot believe that August is already here! This summer has flown by, but we are ready to get back into our regular routines and see our friends again. Here are our curriculum choices for 1st grade (2014-2015): (Reminder: Rolling Prairie Readers uses affiliate links...
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Melissa Droegemueller | Rolling Prairie Readers

About Melissa

I am an elementary school teacher–turned–homeschooling mom with over 11 years experience working with babies through 4th graders. I believe in making learning FUN for ALL kids.

At Rolling Prairie Readers, we are passionate about learning through play, chasing adventures, and good books!

Our mission is to create a community of lifelong learners where parents inspire and empower their children to follow their passions and use their unique gifts to make the world a better place.

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  • 100 Hands-On Activities for Tactile Learners
    100 Hands-On Activities for Tactile Learners
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    How to Encourage Independent Play
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    Classical Conversations Review Game
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    Developing Emotional Intelligence with Children's Books
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    6 Fun Activities for Teaching Colors to Kids

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Former elementary teacher turned homeschooling mom helping busy families connect through play. 💕 Check out our FREE Resource Library:
Instagram post 2153960201530093821_8736387314 We had our fall break from homeschooling this week, and I was so encouraged to see my girls fall back into their rhythms of self-directed play. . While I have made lots of parenting mistakes, I feel like we set really good habits for independent play when the kids were toddlers and preschoolers. . It makes me happy to see them know how to fill their free time without needing a ton of direction from me! . How do your kids do with independent play?
Instagram post 2150236470311760665_8736387314 NEW blog post: 7 fun things to do with kids in Iowa! . When you think of Iowa, you might picture mile after mile of rolling farmland. 🌽 And you would be right! . There are also lots of fun things to do with kids: @americangothichouse @wintersetia @traveldubuqueia @fieldofdreamsmoviesite @visitmasoncityiowa @riverboattwilight @lauraingallswildermuseum . Today on the blog, you can check out our favorite Iowa day trips for families (completely unsponsored). Click the link here for easy access: @theplayschoolclub
Instagram post 2149433291437310281_8736387314 We drove two hours to the pumpkin patch, only to have it pour all day long. ☔ . Thankfully, they had a covered play area, so our youngest spent nearly in hour in the dry corn pool, and our oldest (extrovert) got to make friends in the farmers market stand. We skipped the corn maze and jumping pillow, though. 😂 . As a mom, I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist. About 20 minutes into the drive, I tried to convince my husband to turn around. A movie day on our couch sounded much more appealing. But he encouraged me to be a bit more spontaneous, and it totally worked out. We had a great time together, got some delicious apple butter, and came back home. 💕 . Real life > Instagram . #familymoments #familytime #familyadventures #pumpkinpatch #fallfamilyfun #momlife
Instagram post 2148184397340524352_8736387314 Our youngest LOVES the corn bin. Her sister, not so much. I love seeing their individual personalities and preferences develop every year. . What do your kids love to do at the pumpkin patch?
Instagram post 2146724516330881301_8736387314 Next week is our "rest week" in our homeschool schedule. . I feel like we burnt out about 3/4 of the way through last year, and I wanted to be more intentional with our school calendar this time around. . We have a couple of fun activities scheduled for our break, and I know the girls have been saving up projects to work on with their free time. We'll also stock up on library books and put them next to comfy blankets on the couch. 😍 . The final thing I want to do is print off our pumpkin activity guide this weekend so the girls can pick a few fall*ish things to do in the coming weeks. 🎃📚🍁 . If you want to check out our guide for yourself, just head to playschool.club or click the link in our profile for easy access: @theplayschoolclub
Instagram post 2145826169487353005_8736387314 I am absolutely giddy this morning! 😍 . Fall is my favorite season, and a cool front blew in last night so it actually feels seasonal outside. 🍃 . I got to thinking about our October traditions back when we lived in Texas. Every year, we would plant a few pumpkin seeds and place them all around the house. 🌱 . Now that we live in the Midwest, we go to a real pumpkin patch at the farm (instead of the grocery store). I think we're even going to do a corn maze this year! 🌽 . How about your family? Any fun October traditions? 🎃
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