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Homeschool Routines are Better than Schedules

Homeschool Routines are Better than Schedules

by Melissa Droegemueller | Mar 25, 2021 | Homeschooling (Elementary School), Homeschooling (Tweens and Teens)

If you are new to homeschooling or considering it for the future, you probably have seen beautiful, color-coded schedules on Pinterest or Instagram. Today, I want to share my thoughts about WHY ‘down to the minute’ schedules don’t work for EVERY homeschooling family....
Time to Change Your Homeschool Math Program? {Teaching Textbooks 4.0 Review}

Time to Change Your Homeschool Math Program? {Teaching Textbooks 4.0 Review}

by Melissa Droegemueller | Jan 20, 2021 | Homeschooling (Elementary School)

Are you curious about homeschool math options? Here are my thoughts on the NEW Teaching Texbooks 4.0! It’s one of the most common questions asked in homeschooling circles: How do I know when it’s time to change curriculum or programs? After years as a classroom...
First Day of Homeschool Tips

First Day of Homeschool Tips

by Melissa Droegemueller | Aug 11, 2020 | Homeschooling (Elementary School)

Are you a brand-new homeschooling family? Here are some first day of homeschool tips to get you started on the right foot! Be sure to check out our FREE Resource Hub for Unexpected Homeschoolers here. I am a former classroom teacher who has been homeschooling my own...
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...
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Melissa Droegemueller | Rolling Prairie Readers

About Melissa

I am an elementary school teacher–turned–homeschooling mom with over 13 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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    The Importance of Nursery Rhymes in Literacy Development
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    10 Simple Learning Activities: Straw Pieces
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    8 Fun Rainbow Books for Kids
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    Visiting De Smet, South Dakota - Ingalls Homestead and Tour
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    Patriotic Activities for Kids
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    How to Encourage Independent Play

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Helping your kids learn & grow through playful lessons at home. 💕 Specializing in early childhood education.
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Melissa D || preschool at home
Every fall, our town plants thousands upon thousan Every fall, our town plants thousands upon thousands of tulip bulbs. And every April, we get to enjoy the fruit of their labor as bright colors erupt on every street. I'm holding tight to this analogy -- even though spring is blooming all around me, things feel barren as we go into the 13th (?) month of the pandemic. With a high-risk kiddo, it's hards not to feel like we've been left behind. It's lonely, and I'm tired. And yet, my marriage is stronger than ever. Our family has grown so much through these hard times. I realize how lucky I am to be part of this Fab Four. ❤️ #2021happyfile
It happens every year. We are all so tired of sc It happens every year. We are all so tired of schoolwork. The introverts are tired of being together 24-7. The extroverts are tired of being stuck with tired introverts who don't want to talk all the time. Deep breaths. How can I focus on my relationships today? Because those are more valuable than test scores and busywork!
Our Earth Day busy box is filled with green and bl Our Earth Day busy box is filled with green and blue toys found around the house! Here are some of the items I included: * bristle blocks * pegs * pom poms and tweezers * linking rings * lacing buttons * green and blue craft sticks ------- A busy box is toy rotation on a tiny scale. Basically, you grab a shoebox or small container and fill it with a handful of open-ended toys. Your child can then mix and match the toys for a variety of play options. Unlike busy bags, where there is just *one* activity for a child to complete, a busy box allows a child to be more creative in their play. It also increases focus and stamina for playing with a limited number of materials, while building independence (and a little bit of freedom for you). #homeschoolpreschool #preschoolathome #earlylearning101 #littlelearners #totschool #toddlerfun #preschoolplay #preschoolfun #earlyyearsideas #preschoollearning #preschoollife #preKathome #playbasedpreschool #preschoolactivities #toddleractivitiesathome #preKactivities #tactileplay #handsonlearning #handsonactivities #finemotorskills #looseparts #learningthroughplay #playbasedlearning #playtolearn #playislearning #openendedplay #playingislearning #playmatters #learnandplay #wherelearningmeetsplay
It's time to get Earth Day books from the library! It's time to get Earth Day books from the library! Do you have any favorite titles to recommend? #raisingreaders #littlebookworms #readeveryday #kidbookstagram #picturebooksofinstagram #earthdaybooks
I absolutely LOVE seeing all of this color bloomin I absolutely LOVE seeing all of this color blooming all over town. 🌷 We took a family walk the other night in the rain and looked at all the tulips popping downtown. And then we had hot chocolate! #2021happyfile
As homeschoolers, we used to spend most of our day As homeschoolers, we used to spend most of our days outside of the house -- choir, softball, co-op classes, playdates with friends, trips to the library. But it's been a long 13 months at home. Activities that used to happen out in the real world are now happening in our living room: church, virtual family visits, movie premieres. With the help of @1thrive, we were able to give our living room (also known as our classroom) a bit of an update! Thanks to their Susan wall organizer, we've put together a command center that helps our kids take control of their learning and gain independence. In one spot, they can see important dates, store their daily checklists, and keep track of all those supplies we use regularly (no more frantic searches for the protractor!). Benefits of the 1Thrive Wall Organizer: * The frame and chalkboard/whiteboard are magnetic! * Two small buckets are included to store markers, pushpins, or small plants. (We keep our multitude of timers in one bucket, so we can always find them.) * The individual pieces can be rearranged for maximum efficiency using a simple frame and hook system. * It helps my kids be independent, organized, and self-directed during the day. * It’s prettier than anything I could buy at a teacher supply store! (And I love the teacher supply store.) And get this: it was a breeze to install! The necessary hardware arrived with the organizer, and after a little bit of measuring/planning, we had the frame on the wall in just a few minutes! (You can use over the door hooks if you prefer not to install your organizer on the wall.) Check out all the details here (and enter a giveaway to win one yourself): https://rollingprairiereaders.com/homeschool-wall-organizer/ #learningathome #homeeducation #learnathome #homeschoollife #homeschoolingmom #homeschoolmoms #homeschoolersofinstagram #homeschoolmama #365homeschool #homeeducator #homeschoolideas #homeschoolingideas #homeschoolblog #homeschoolfamily #workathomemoms #wahmlife #mompreneurlife #1thrive #1thrivers #1thrivewallorganizers #commandcenter #commandcenters #familycommandcenter #getorganized #familyorganization #familyorganizer
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