Marcia Miller's Reflections & Resources

Archive for December, 2010

Kapla Building Blocks

Kapla Building Blocks

Kapla blocks are beautiful, smooth-sanded pine building planks for people of all ages.  We got a set of these when Ben was about thirteen, and we’ve loved them ever since.  We keep them in a pretty basket in the living or family room so they’re always ready to [Read More]

Math and Literature

Math and Literature

When Ben was younger, I loved reading aloud to him.  We enjoyed all kinds of good children’s literature.  Reading together was a sweet way to spend time together, to learn new things, and to enjoy good stories. At some point, I became familiar with books that [Read More]

Creating Our Own Path

Creating Our Own Path

Every day, as much as we can, we try to create the life we want to live, not the life someone else wants us to live. We do our work, our projects, earn income, keep house, grow things, and build things. We read real books, talk with interesting people, go places, explore [Read More]

Homeschooling Authors & the Books We Love

Homeschooling Authors & the Books We Love

If you’re looking for some good homeschooling books and authors to inspire you, check out my ever-expanding list of favorites on my menu page. Whether you want some practical everyday ideas, some new inspiration and encouragement, or some thought-provoking [Read More]

Beautiful Pattern Blocks

Beautiful Pattern Blocks

I love wooden pattern blocks. They feel good to the touch, come in bright colors, and are wonderful for creating beautiful designs. We have a large collection of them in a basket in our living room, and whenever I put them out on the coffee table, people of all ages [Read More]

Instead of Curriculum

Instead of Curriculum

A variety of good books and magazines according to our interests Games, puzzles, building toys, and other fascinations Family activities, field trips, and travel adventures Musical instruments, power tools, and project supplies Road trips, train trips, and camping trips [Read More]

Projects

Projects

In our family, we love projects. Big projects, small projects, projects of all kinds. They all involve real activities we pursue because we want to build something, create something, grow something, or find out about something. I’m not talking about projects that we [Read More]

Early Reading vs. Later Reading

Early Reading vs. Later Reading

Here’s a great article summarizing some newly published research about children learning to read at various ages:  Research Finds No Advantage In Learning To Read from Age Five.  It’s worth reading.  I thought these were a couple of the best quotes: [Read More]

You’ve Got Lots of Time

You’ve Got Lots of Time

There’s no need to rush. The days might go by quickly, but the months and years meander slowly on their way. People are often in a hurry to make kids grow up. We want them to be independent at a young age, sleep on their own, wean early, tie their shoes by themselves, [Read More]

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Recent Posts

Fire Station Field Trip!

Fire Station Field Trip!

After many years of sharing a variety of outings and field trips with our son, Ben, when he was younger, it was great [Read More]

Hoorah!

Hoorah!

This summer, Ben participated in a two-month intensive fire service training academy through the Getchell Fire [Read More]

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

It’s a lovely new year, with many new days and months to create new adventures for yourself, your family, and [Read More]

Smart, curious, alert, observant…

Smart, curious, alert, observant…

I once again came across this wonderful quote from John Holt, and thought it deserved sharing: “What makes people [Read More]

Create Your Own Graduation Party

Create Your Own Graduation Party

Reilly, Sarah, Ben, Taylor, Tanner After years and years of homeschooling together, five families from our local [Read More]

Hard Work & Recognition

Hard Work & Recognition

Sometimes people question the ideas of unschooling because they wonder how kids will learn to work hard if [Read More]

A Day at North Bend Fire Training Academy

A Day at North Bend Fire Training Academy

Ben has been participating in a fire service technology class for the past couple years at the Fire District 1 [Read More]

Traveling Adventures

Traveling Adventures

“And when the kids are old enough, we’re gonna teach them to fly…” Thank you, Dave Matthews. [Read More]

18 Years

18 Years

My sweet son, Ben, turned 18 a little over a month ago. I’ve been thinking about what a pleasure it has been to [Read More]

Not Back To School Camp!

Not Back To School Camp!

At the end of August, when most teens are getting ready for school, Ben and a few of his lucky friends are happily [Read More]