Author Archives: Mary Adalbert

Let’s be honest, we all have our favorite subjects to teach and explore with our homeschoolers. And, while grammar is important (it really is!), it’s often homeschool science that brings the excitement to our days. From studying nature and exploring physics to learning about our bodies in anatomy, science tends to be one subject that families love because it provides endless opportunities to explore God’s creation in engaging, hands-on ways. Through science students learn without even knowing it and spend time with one another discovering, which is what makes homeschool science experiments so special.  Grab your goggles, read about the scientific method, and take time out this week to make your homeschool science routine POP with one of these fun homeschool science experiments!

7 Homeschool Science Experiments that Rock!

1. Drinking Plants- Grab a few white carnations, food coloring, and glass cups. Fill the cups halfway with water and a few drops of food coloring in each glass making each a different color. Place the stem of the carnation into the water and wait. Within 30 minutes the carnation will begin to change colors after “drinking” the water. Discuss how plants consume nutrients, like water, to help them grow!  Want to try some other variations of this experiment or want more scientific explanations?  Check out this site!
2. Musical Magic– Play around with music and water! Fill the same type of glass bottles with different amounts of water. Dip your fingers in and make music on the rim of the glass. What happens? Then have students blow over the top of the bottles. Are the sounds the same? Compare the level of water to the sound it makes! You can also do this experiment with water glasses! And don’t forget to research how sound and resonance works scientifically!
3. Light It Up– Light up your night and learn all about turboluminescence with a little sugar and this awesome experiment from BBC!
4. Slime Time– It only takes a few ingredients to make slime! Follow these homeschool science directions then teach your students about colloids and non-Newtonian fluids. They’ll be as engaged by the information as the slime!
5. If You Build It– Building models is a wonderful way to illustrate concepts you’re learning about in your homeschool science curriculum. And the options are endless from a 3-d model of the earth’s layers with a Styrofoam ball to a diorama of a habitat, models are the perfect science projects! Use your homeschool science curriculum and a unit you’re already studying as a platform to get you going. Or, get started with these awesome Jell-O cells!
6. Egg-cellent Eggs– Your students will fall in love with science (if they aren’t already!) through these 10 fun egg experiments. From growing crystal geodes to exploring heat and gravity, homeschool science experiments have never been easier. Just grab an extra dozen eggs next time you’re at the grocery store and get cracking!
7. Vinegar Chemistry– We’ve all seen the vinegar volcano, but there’s so much more to discover about chemistry and chemical reactions using this common household substance. You’ll even learn about digestion by making a CO-2 sandwich!

Homeschool science experiments are the ticket to helping our students become little (and big!) scientists and to keeping homeschooling fun! How do you incorporate experimentation into your homeschool routine? Tell us in a comment below!

Want more tips?  Follow our Blog and Facebook page!

Originally posted 03/29/2016, updated 07/10/2020

Whether you’re a first-time homeschooler or you’re a seasoned textbook homeschooler, crossing over into online homeschooling can be different and challenging for many reasons. That’s why we’re here to help you learn how to homeschool online and make things a little bit easier.

We all know that everyone learns differently. But, it’s really important in this day and age to include technology in your learning process. You’ll be using computers and technology at college, on the job, and in everyday life in more ways than you can count. That’s why online homeschooling courses are a great option that will help you prepare for the future and beat the boredom that you may feel in textbook classes. I found great success in online homeschooling, and I know you can to! Online homeschooling helps students to focus, provides great feedback in a timely manner, and allows you to make the most of your time! However, there are few things you should know before you make the switch to online homeschooling.

Online Homeschooling

1. Online homeschooling can open the door to distraction. Computers are great, really great! With just a few clicks you can uncover information on just about anything. However, they also provide easy access to social media like Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram, and Pinterest. And these are just a few of the websites that I get distracted on. It’s very easy to take a “break” from online homeschooling and find yourself an hour or so later wondering where the time went! If you choose to pursue online learning I recommend blocking social media sites because it is SO easy to get distracted and lose track of time using them. Taking breaks is important in any school program, but make to also only allow yourself those breaks after you’ve completed important items. For example, I set a goal to finish an online video and complete an assignment, then take a 10 minute break. Set a watch and, when the time’s up, get right back into doing school.
2. Online learning requires focus and dedication. Have you ever been reading a textbook and 20 minutes later realize that you didn’t retain any of the information? It’s frustrating! Well online homeschooling can be the same way if you don’t give it your full attention. Don’t get tricked into thinking that online homeschooling will be easier because you don’t have to read as much; it requires just as much attention as textbook courses do! Just because your learning online doesn’t mean you won’t need to use the same methods you do to stay focused and engaged in other environments. Take notes in every class, set out a schedule and cross of each item you complete, and be sure to study your notes and for tests.
3. Save your work! I’m ashamed to say that I have lost many files, online and on my computer, because I haven’t saved them right away. In fact, one time I lost a 10-page research paper that I was writing for a professor! The last thing that you want is to have to re-do your homework. Save as you write, don’t wait until the end, and make sure you understand exactly how to submit assignments and that you ask questions if you have any problems. And, if you don’t have an online program with live teachers to help you, you’re not getting the best of what online learning has to offer. Make sure to choose a program that has people to help you with your work along the way!
4. Online homeschooling is challenging! I have heard many people say that online classes don’t promote real learning. Take it from me, that is NOT true. In fact, statistics show that online learners (especially homeschoolers) test higher on the SAT and the ACT.  If you’re ready for a change and a challenge, choose online homeschooling classes. But, be sure to choose the right ones! Not all online homeschooling is challenging. Make sure you program is accredited and has a great reputation so you can be sure you’re getting the best. Find out more about online homeschooling here.

Online homeschooling is a unique learning experience that’s radically different from the classroom. There are many benefits and many things to consider before switching to an online homeschooling program So make sure you know what’s best for you, set boundaries, and choose the right program before participating in online homeschooling.

As a parent who is considering changing your child’s education and routine, how do you feel? Nervous? Afraid? Concerned? All of those feelings are completely natural in most decisions we make for our kids! I often question my decisions, even when I do believe I am making the best one for my little boy. Those emotions, however, do not always help when trying to make a decision! So, here are some tips from Bridgeway to consider when deciding if homeschooling is right for you.

In this video, Kimberly asks 3 essential questions that can help you decide if homeschooling is the right option for your family. Questions like, “Do you know your homeschool laws?” And, “Do you know what type of homeschooling options are out there for your child?” If you’re wondering if you should homeschool, start here!

If you are ready to take that leap into homeschooling, then what kind of homeschooler do you think you will be? Do you want to be in control of everything and track your student’s progress and grades, or would you rather have a partner helping to keep you on track? Do you want printed curriculum, or do you prefer to have more online options? Join Kimberly again as she dives into the 4 types of homeschoolers, and see which one best fits you!

We’re here to help! Our Homeschool Specialists would love to help you find your perfect fit. We’ve worked with families like yours for over 29 years.

Take our Should I Homeschool Quiz and if you have any questions, reach out to us at 800-863-1474!

Let’s face it — parenting is hard. Not only are you trying to keep other human beings alive, you also want them to grow to their fullest potential and become great individuals within our society, making wise choices and living a happy life. That comes with a lot of pressure. Many times, as a mom, I feel overwhelmed by the number of choices I need to make and how many options are out there, especially when my child just isn’t thriving in school. If you’re wondering how to get started in homeschooling, chances are questions and concerns abound — Should I pull them out of school What would I do if they were home all day? Am I the right person to teach them? What happens if we fail at homeschooling?

While those are all valid fears, that’s just what they are — FEARS. Choosing to homeschool or change your schooling options doesn’t have to be a lifelong decision! I find peace and rest taking one day, one week, and one semester, at a time instead of thinking about the next 10 years of my child’s life. And honestly, what works for us this year, might not be the best option for your child next year! So take a deep breath, check out these top tips for how to make a SIMPLE switch and get started in homeschooling! Then, you can get excited for some fun homeschool adventures this next semester!

Before You Get Started in Homeschooling…

First off, before we dive into the tips, just remember: your child is completely unique; an individual who sees the world from a perspective unlike any other child. The most important thing you can do when making the switch to homeschooling is to know what makes your child tick and how to teach them. My favorite tool for understanding learning and personality traits is Bridgeway’s Learning and Personality Style Assessment. Not only do they show you how each child learns, they also give you tips on teaching and communicating, comparing your own learning and personality with theirs to see your similarities and differences. So interesting and helpful!  

Crossing Over Into Homeschooling the Simple Way

OK, let’s check out these homeschooling tips from Bridgeway Academy and see how they make it SIMPLE:

S = Success. We all want our kids to be successful, and at Bridgeway, their statistics don’t lie. Last year, 92% of their graduating class went on to their first-choice college! And that’s true for lots of homeschooling families.
I = Involvement. Homeschooling, especially with a homeschool academy that has an advisor and teacher walking alongside you, means that you sit in the driver’s seat of your child’s education. You know exactly the curriculum and content your child is learning, and you get to make tweaks and adjustments as you go.
M= Measurement. Success does not just mean your child can score high on a test. With homeschooling, we want your child to relate to content, interact with learning, and actually understand new concepts!
P = Possibilities. Going to school means your child spends hours of time sitting in a classroom, then coming home and working on homework. Homeschooling opens a whole world of opportunities because they can still learn core competencies and also chase after their passions and absorb other life lessons.  
L= Limitless. From online homeschooling and live online classes to textbooks and co-ops, you have numerous options for teaching. And you can mix and match to keep your student fully engaged.
E = Excitement. Learning doesn’t have to be dull and boring. We want every child to love what they learn, ask more questions, and dig deeper into new things! We want every child to become a life-long learner who continues to grow, even past their school years.

So, are you ready to learn more about how to get started in homeschooling and making the switch SIMPLE? Check out this free resource for your family, then call 800-863-1474 to talk with a homeschool specialist today.

I googled “educational apps” and within 0.51 seconds received 3.6 billion results! Yes, I said 3.6 billion! What an incentive to throw up my hands and refuse to enter this forest. On the other hand, apps are so useful and an essential part of our culture, helping to support and solve problems for every need. There are games, lessons, stories, portfolios, organizers — and something every homeschool parent can use: stress relievers! Here are our best educational Apps for homeschoolers in 2018 that we think you will app-reciate most!

Elementary Educational Apps

• Starfall Help your Pre-K – 2nd-grade student learn about reading, math, and more, with this fun game! There are tons of activities that can help students learn basic skills and even more if you decide to become a member.
• Wizard School Duck Duck Moose and Khan Academy have partnered together to give more educational resources for free! Built around exploration and creativity, your child can build and create, then share with you! Parents do have control over whom their child can send messages to.
• Addimal Adventure Enjoy silly animals while you explore the jungle to learn addition with this game! It helps kids build a conceptual knowledge of addition, and is not just a memorization tool. The game does not progress like others, though, so kids might get tired of it after awhile.

Middle School Educational Apps

• Scratch Are your kids as interested in technology as are mine? Why not put that to good use? With Scratch, kids can learn how to program their own games while also building their creativity and problem-solving skills.
• POPGeo USA Encourage your kids to love geography and learn about the United States, the state parks, major cities, and more! With the newest update, your kids will enjoy the new animations and images.  
• World’s Worst Pet Have fun while learning new words and meanings! This adventure uses words that students will use in their everyday lives.

High School and College Prep Educational Apps

• SAT Prep by Ready 4 With thousands of questions, reviews, and explanations, this app will help you reach your fullest potential on the SAT!
• Geometry Pad Explore geometry and shapes through this app! It’s great for a more hands-on experience with geometry than just using a calculator.
• The Homework App Staying on top of your schoolwork and homework has never been easier! This homework app helps you stay organized while giving you an easy way to see all your projects for each week. This will be especially helpful in training them for college.
• Study Blue Ready to ace all your courses? Make the most of your study time with the best of flashcards and quizzes. Best of all, you can share all of your study materials with friends so you can all be prepared for anything.

Top Educational Apps for Parents

• PhotoMath Do you need help explaining algebra concepts to your teens? Check out this amazing tool that can give outlines and explain how to get the answers!
• Libby by Overdrive Want that audiobook from the library but don’t know when it will be returned? Check it out on the Libby app! The Libby app is supported by over 30,000 libraries, where you can download and consume what you want, whenever you want it! The only requirement is that you have a library card.
• Any.Do Like to make lists? Here’s a great app for keeping all of your lists organized. Best of all, you can share with your family so that everyone knows what plans are going on each day.
• Yummly Get instant inspiration for cooking while using the Yummly app! With such an easy-to-use search tool (you can search by food type, allergy, meal, and more), you can save time searching for new recipes and making your shopping lists!
• No longer do you have to create and print out a chore chart each week! Instead, add some magic to your chore list with Chore Pad! This app lets you create chores for each child and gives them the opportunity to customize their look, earn stars and trophies, and have the opportunity to cash out on them when they have earned enough stars!

While there are tons of educational Apps out there to choose from, the best apps will always fit your needs and provide support to your homeschoolers. What apps do you use in your homeschooling or planning day? We’d love to hear what’s happening in your homeschool!

While the end of August typically denotes the end of summer, it also means the beginning of the school year. This is always an exciting time because it means a fresh start, new school books, and school supplies! But, this season often comes with a hefty price tag and the sadness that inevitably follows with the end of freedom and flexibility that is summer. Make the most of the end of your summer with these fun August freebies on events and school supplies that won’t lighten your wallet.  Here are some of the August homeschool freebies that you won’t want to miss!

August Homeschool Freebies

National Park Birthday Free Entrance August 25-28

Each year, National parks have free entrance on the park systems birthday, August 25th. But this year, it’s the park systems 100th anniversary so to celebrate they will be offering free admission from August 25th-28th! Visit a national park on one of these days, snap a picture, and be sure to tag us on social media!

Movie Days

Make the most of the last month of summer by checking out the free movie days at your local theater. This is one of my favorite August homeschool freebies! Many offer free matinees for kids on movies like Toy Story, Mulan, Monsters Inc, and other family friendly movies. Some theaters that participate in these programs include Cinemark, AMC, Rave, Regal, Carmike.

School Supplies Deals

While not exactly free, a lot of companies are having huge back to school sales on school supplies which you can stock up on for the homeschool year. Some of my favorite deals include 69 cent Crayola markers from Target, 25 cent notebooks from Staples, and $3 backpacks from Walmart! Check your local listings, or find out the skinny on all your back to school supply needs with the searchable database at Penny Pinchin Mom!

Free Slushies on August 19th

Kids everywhere love slushies! Until August 19th head to your local 7/11 and you can get two slushies (or slurpies) for the price of one. That’s a sweet way to end the summer!
Back to school does mean that summer must come to an end. But, the fun and family time doesn’t have to because of the flexibility we have as homeschoolers. As you eek out the last firefly chasing and popsicle enjoying this summer, don’t forget to take advantage of these end of summer deals and August homeschool freebies to finish your summer and start your school year with a bang! 

There have been days that I’ve wanted to quit. I’ve wanted to break down, drop out of school, and give up on all of my future hopes and dreams. These days usually follow stressful weeks full of classes and homework, finals week, or the occasional exam day. And although I’ve wanted to quit, let it be known that I haven’t. After lots of tears and conversations with my mom I’ve discovered my own ways to stay motivated.

1. Set Goals.
   

   I set goals. I set goals for the week, for the month, for the year, and for the next four years. Having direction and goals to pursue really helps me to stay motivated when the going gets tough. The best way for me to do this is to use an excel spreadsheet. I use excel to map out exactly what I want to get done, the best part is, if I change my mind or if something doesn’t work out, I can always go back and change it! I know that I am doing these things for a reason, and the end goal will be more than worth the hard school work that I put myself through.

2. Do Things You Love.

   After a long day of classes, I make sure that I set aside at least an hour to spend with my friends or to do something that I really enjoy, like running or reading a good book! This hour helps me to refocus my brain and helps to alleviate my stress levels. I’ve also noticed that after doing these things I always feel more focused and ready to tackle my assignments. So figure out what you love and make time for it! That may mean waking up an hour early, or even going to bed an hour later. However you decide to do it, it’s worth it.

3. Talk about Your Struggles.

   Sometimes, when school gets really tough, I talk to my mom. She always helps me see that I’m probably exaggerating a little bit, and she helps me plan out how I’m going to move forward. Sometimes she tells me that the best thing to do is just look forward, which can be hard when you feel like the problem is in the now, but overall it really helps alleviate stress and refocus your brain. As I’ve said in numerous blog posts before, mom is ALWAYS right.

4. Get Plenty of Sleep.

   Many students don’t realize the importance of sleep. When you sleep, information is transferred from the short term memory into the long term memory. Taking time to properly rest can help your academics drastically and it can help keep you focused and efficient!  If you’re ever feeling completely overwhelmed, take a nap. Even just 20 minutes can make all the difference! This article here shows you exactly how much sleep to get in order to accomplish something:  http://lifehacker.com/how-long-to-nap-for-the-biggest-brain-benefits-1251546669

I guess what I’m trying to explain is that when you’re feeling overwhelmed, sometimes the best way to accomplish your tasks is by first taking a break, planning out your goals, and then taking it one step at a time! Never be afraid to ask for help, and know that you are doing the best you can!

Igniting passions through learning is what we are all about at Bridgeway Academy,  which is why we are excited to share our newest Live Online Class series “Author In Your Home.”  Taught by best selling author Renae Green, this series is designed to provide a strong foundation for writing with the setting that allows creativity to soar. Our Live Online Classes give students the opportunity to tap into their creative sides, explore their imaginations, and ask questions from a well renown author.  Don’t just take it from us though, check out what Renae has to say about her love for teaching and writing!

What do you love most about teaching?

I love playing a small part in awakening creativity in others. God is a creative God, and we are made in His image. Yet many of us don’t ever fully access that creative part of our brains. Once it gets turned on, though, watch out! There’s no telling where we can go once we’re tuned in to our own creative natures.

How long have you been in education?  (Either teaching a classroom or your own family)

I got my first full-time teaching job with Aldine Independent School District in Houston, in 1990. I was 22. (Man, that makes me feel old!) I’ve been actively teaching  in public schools, private schools or home educating my own children ever since.

Why did you choose to partner with Bridgeway Academy for Live Online Classes?

I love teaching, but I don’t love the emphasis our public schools place on standardized testing. I homeschooled my own children for many years, so when I had the opportunity to join the Bridgeway team, I was thrilled.

What made you want to be an author?

I’ve always written. It’s how I process things. One of those deep-down desires of my heart was to be an author, but I didn’t think it was really a possibility for me. I had no idea how to even get started on that path. So I wrote, and kept everything I wrote in a cardboard box in my garage. A little over ten years ago, a friend of mine—a published author—encouraged me to attend the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. I sold my first article to Charles Stanley’s In Touch magazine at that conference, and soon after I was offered my first book contract. It doesn’t usually happen that quickly, but I think since I’d been writing and developing my craft all those years, it came a little quicker for me once I started seeking publication. Psalm 37:4 really is true: Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

What advice can you give to students wanting to write their own novel?

Set a daily word count goal, and stick with it. Even if you think what you’re writing is the absolute worst thing that’s ever been written, just keep going. Get a rough draft written. THEN, the fun part (I say that with a smirk and a tinge of sarcasm) begins. You get to REVISE! And revise and revise until your blob of clay becomes a masterpiece. You can do this!

I believe we were created to be creative beings. We were made to be writers and artists and musicians and inventors and creators of new things. You can do this, because you were made to do this.

Want to learn more about Live Online Classes for homeschoolers taught by Renae? Watch this short video!

Summer school. Those words alone can make even the most dedicated student’s stomach churn. But it doesn’t have to! Online Summer School often brings more freedom to your school year and can help lower frustrations when you start your new school year. Here’s how homeschooling summer school online can make life easier and more exciting!

1. Avoid Summer Learning Loss.

   Many people believe that summer is a time for students to recuperate and rest their brain, and while that is an essential part of summer, it can also be a detriment to your child’s learning. Studies show that over the summer months, students lose months of skills! So, it is important to keep your child’s brain sharp by encouraging and facilitating learning to ensure that they don’t struggle when the new school year starts.

2. Keep your brain sharp as you learn new things.

   The more you challenge your brain, the more active and engaged it is in learning new things. Accordingly, enrolling your child in an online summer school will facilitate learning outside of the classroom.

3. Get ahead in academics for the school year.

   Many students stay busy during the school year with extracurricular activities, travel, and competition. Additionally taking an online summer school class could help your child get ahead on his or her classes, reduce pressure during the school year, and allow your student more time to focus on what they love.

4. Catch up on concepts you didn’t master.

   Nearly every student struggles with one subject, topic, or assignment. Take the time during summer to master those concepts so that it’s a breeze when the school year starts up again. Summer homeschooling is a great way to focus on one concept to make sure you’ve got it. 

5. Flexibility: You can take your work anywhere — even poolside!

   The great part about online summer school is that you can take it wherever you go, whether you are home or traveling! And if your family loves going to the local pool, use summer homeschooling to take some breaks from the sun throughout the day.

6. Freedom: School anytime you want! Whether it’s in-between grad parties or vacations or even on the road.

   Bridgeway Academy doesn’t require its students to log in and do their school work every single day. We understand that especially during the summer months, families are very busy; therefore, our online summer school classes offer you the flexibility to log on and accomplish the lessons when it works best for you!

7. Study extra-curricular things you normally don’t have the time to pursue.

   With so many core curricular class requirements during the regular school year, it can be difficult for your child to learn about the topics that they enjoy. Take the time during the summer to enroll in an online summer school class that focuses on your child’s interests. For example, take an online animal science class and supplement the lessons by going to the zoo or volunteering as a dog walker at an animal shelter!

8. Explore Dual Enrollment with your high schooler.

   Making the transition from high school to college can be extremely difficult, but taking an online summer school dual enrollment class can make it a little bit easier (and less expensive). Enroll your student in one of Bridgeway’s Dual Enrollment classes to get gen-eds out of the way so that your child can jump right into his or her major when they start college! This could also provide a little leeway for students who aren’t sure what they want to pursue and may switch majors a few times.

9. Learn time management (so kids aren’t always asking to be inside playing video games).

   During summer, kids want to sleep in, play video games, or hang with their friends. Adding the extra responsibility of taking an online summer school class will teach them to manage their time so that they can finish their courses, play with their friends, AND get that hour or two of video game time in at the end of the day!

There are so many reasons to take an online summer school course, and with open enrollment, Bridgeway Academy has options for every family, child, and student — no matter what you’re looking for!

Living in Alaska means homeschooling can be an exciting adventure! During the summer months, the temperature typically ranges from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, making it ideal for nearly all outdoor activities. Likewise, the Alaskan landscape provides copious opportunities for exploration. Here are 10 ideas for taking Alaska homeschooling outdoors!

Kayaking through the Southeast Alaska Sea!

Kayaking is a fun and easy activity that the whole family can participate in! Take it solo in individual kayaks, or kayak with younger family members on a two-person tandem kayak! Make it a field trip by looking for the marine life, then researching what you see when you get home!

Hike the Mendenhall Glacier!

Travel to Juneau to see the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier. Take a short hike and visit some of the ice caves, or make it a day trip and hike the entire trail to see the beautiful lake at the end of the glacier. Don’t want to make the trek? Several flight companies offer an aerial view of the gorgeous glaciers.

See the Northern Lights!

What a magical and breathtaking sight to see! And you can see them from different areas in Alaska, like Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Brooks Range. Peak northern lights activity occurs between 12:30 and 4:30 a.m. during the summer. If you make this trip, be sure to bundle up, and teach your kids what causes the Northern Lights!

Visit the Goose Creek Tower!

Are your family members fans of Doctor Seuss or unique and interesting architecture? If so, the visiting the Goose Creek Tower would be a fun adventure for you! Not only is the structure unique, it also provides visitors with a view of over 300 miles! If you want to see it up close, take a ride on the Alaskan railroad through Talkeetna!

Check out the Permafrost Tunnel!

Take a summer Alaska homeschooling field trip to the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, or “CRREL,” Tunnel. Inside the tunnel, the ground is frozen over and gives light to frozen plant remains, fossils, bedrock, and more. It’s the perfect teaching tool when learning about fossils!

Visit Kennicott Ghost Town!

Introduce your family to some books about historic ghost towns, like Ghost Towns of the West, by Lambert Florin, and then take an Alaska homeschooling field trip to Kennicott. Kennicott is an old mine town that once made over 100,000 million dollars from its copper.

Explore the Buckner Building!

Do you have a child interested in history or WWII or American history? If so, take a trip to the Buckner Building in Whittier. The Buckner Building was a secret military base that had a hospital, theater, jail, movie theater, rifle range, and library. Now, as it crumbles back into the mountain, it has become a monument to the intelligence and military community.

Visit the Musk Ox Farm!

Nearly every family has at least one member who loves animals! So take a trip to the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer to visit the animals that are known for running with the mammoths. Use it as an Alaska homeschooling class on native animals and settlements! Maybe even end the trip by watching the move, Ice Age!

Take a hike at Glacier Bay National Park!

Glacier Bay National Park is not only beautiful — it is also home to the famed and rare Glacier Bears who are known for their silvery-blue color. They are the rarest bears in the world, so spotting one would be something to remember!

Journal!

Make your summer of Alaska homeschooling something to remember by taking pictures and journaling about all of your adventures! It will be something to look back on in a few years and a way to see how Alaska changes over time. Check out our two-part series about Nature Journaling to learn more!

Don’t hesitate to get started on your summer adventures! Homeschooling in Alaska gives so many opportunities for learning and applying those lessons to your real-life situations. If you are ready to get started in your homeschool year, don’t forget to check out what Bridgeway has to offer Alaska families!

Bridgeway Academy, an innovative leader in both homeschool and charter school products and services, has recently partnered with Renae Brumbaugh Green, co-author of the new series, Daniel Everhart and the Skylands of Caterra: Guarinot, and dedicated teacher for Bridgeway’s Live Online Classes.

With over 85 course options available, Bridgeway’s Live Online Classes give students live instruction from an expert teacher, interaction with their peers, hands-on projects, and real-life experience.  By studying in trimester, semester, or full-year classes, students engage their curiosity and are encouraged to dig deeper.

Bridgeway and Renae are excited about how this partnership can benefit students from around the world with a brand new series of Bridgeway Live Online Classes: Author in Your House.  Middle school- and high school-aged students can dive into unique courses, taught by Renae Brumbaugh Green, and study some of her best-selling books, as well as learn the literary devices, plots, and characterization students need to write their own novel.

Renae shared, “I can’t wait to work with Bridgeway on the Author in Your House series. I love teaching almost as much as I love writing! The most important thing to me about teaching is making it fun! Learning (and writing) never needs to seem like a chore. Writing gives wings to our imagination, to our deepest thoughts, and allows those thoughts to soar. I want to help students develop a love for the world of literature and writing and give them the tools needed to write their own novel.”

Over the past 10 years, Bridgeway has had over 1,500 students join the Live Online Class program for grades 1-12, with students studying unique courses like Intro to Coding, Marine Biology, Creative Cartooning, Bridge Building, and more. Adding the Author in Your House series adds another dimension to the creative courses developed within the Live Online Courses.  According to one of our families,

I really liked the quality of the instruction. The teacher was extremely professional. It was clearly evident that she has experience in the classroom and online teaching students…The classes were more than just sitting and watching a teacher lecture. She used interactive whiteboards, videos, colorful pictures, rubrics, PDF printouts which we printed out at home, and class discussions.”

Accredited by AdvancEd and ACSI, Bridgeway Academy is known for their individualized approach towards homeschooling. Established in 1989, Bridgeway Academy has pioneered learning style research and innovation within the homeschooling community, especially in digital education. Their creative online courses are developed to meet each child’s unique needs and set them up for success.

Find out more about Bridgeway Academy’s Live Online Classes for grades 1-12 at https://homeschoolacademy.com/home-school-programs/

Without a doubt, my favorite summer holiday is Independence Day. With several of my family members serving in the Armed Forces, July 4th is near and dear to my heart. And it’s important that my July 4th celebrations reflect that. There are so many options to celebrate Independence Day, and most towns have their own activities. However, figuring out what to do can be a lot of work, especially at the last minute. Here are my favorite recipes, crafts, and activities for celebrating Independence day!

Independence Day Recipes

No July 4th celebration is complete without good food! From burgers to hot dogs, watermelons, and chips — a good picnic will have it all. But what recipes should you use? Here are some of my favorites!

• USA Flag Fruit Kabob plate Enlist your kids to help put the fruit on the kabobs and design a beautiful and patriotic flag that everyone will enjoy! All you need are some strawberries, blueberries, bananas — and voila!
• Patriotic Trail Mix It’s not only easy to make, but it can be put out as a picnic appetizer for your family and friends to enjoy while the grill-master is cooking up the cheeseburgers and grilled veggies.
• July 4th Rice Crispy treats These are a fool-proof addition to your dessert table that both kids and adults will love and that make celebrating Independence Day sweet!

Independence Day crafts

• When preparing for your July 4th celebration, it’s always a good idea to include some fun and easy crafts! If you’re having a party that will continue on late into the evening so that you can watch the fireworks, make these cute and easy 4th of July lantern jars to light the way!
• You could also set up a fun photo booth for your guests to take pictures in front of for their Facebooks or scrapbooks! All you need are some patriotic fabric strips, white paint, a potato, and a stick!
• Finally, be environmentally friendly by using your old glass bottles to create these fun centerpieces! Paint American flags on them, use glitter to make them sparkly, and put some mini American flags in the center!

Independence Day activities

• The best July 4th celebrations always have some sort of fun game or activity! Depending upon the state that you live in, go out and buy some fun and safe outdoor fireworks to use after nightfall! Similarly, most stores have poppers and sparklers that kids can also safely use with adult supervision.
• Another fun activity fit for the whole family is Fourth of July trivia! How much do you know about our history? Here are some fun American flag facts to incorporate into your trivia questions!
• Get everyone working off those hot dogs with a fun, family game of Capture the American Flag! Instead of your typical white flag, have each team use a small and hideable American Flag! This can be played both in daylight and at nighttime before the fireworks!  

As you begin celebrating Independence Day, don’t forget to remember what makes this day so special and worth honoring. Play the national anthem and thank members of your family for their service; we wouldn’t be here today without them! If you decide to make any of these recipes, crafts, or activities, snap a picture and tag Bridgeway Academy in your Facebook or Twitter post!