PA State Parks: Little Buffalo

One of many hats is substitute teaching. On one of the last days of school this past year, the fifth grade class had finished its planned activities so I taught a little Pennsylvania history.

“How many state parks can you name?”

Hands raised all over the room.

I pointed to a student. “How about you tell us one.”

“Hershey Park.”

“Well, that’s a fun place to go, but that's an amusement park not a state park.”

I received a few more wrong answers, but someone finally mentioned read more

Mexico, Pennsylvania: Then and Now

We have a popular ice cream store in our area. Everyone knows about Mexico Mart, where they sell huge delicious ice cream cones for comparative little money. Mexico Mart operates in a small town called Mexico halfway between Harrisburg and State College in Central Pennsylvania. I wonder how many people know the history behind Mexico, Pennsylvania.  I didn’t until my mother began to pull books out of her bookshelf while looking for a church directory I had asked for. read more

Children’s Book Fun-Grades 5-6

Bly, Stephen. Nathan T. Riggins Western Adventure series. Youth can immerse themselves in the culture of the old west in these cowboy novels. Descriptions of each of these books are at http://www.blybooks.com/series/nathan-t-riggins-western-adventure/.

Bly, Stephen. Lewis and Clark Squad series. This series set in modern day times features a basketball team who works together on the court and off of the court. Mr. Bly is our family’s favorite author, and this was our absolute favorite read-aloud. Read the titles of each book at http://www.blybooks.com/series/lewis-clark-squad/. read more

Children’s Book Fun-Grades 1-4

During the time when we were homeschooling, our family read many books together. Here are a few of our favorites. For more fun, I’ve included some links. read more

A Story of God’s Grace: Peggy Ann Bradnick

Peggy Ann Bradnick Jackson
photo by Sandy Sieber

For anyone, the thought of being kidnapped is terrifying. For one 17-year-old girl back in 1966, this actually happened. In fact, this particular kidnapping of an ordinary girl named Peggy Ann Bradnick became a historic event because finding her involved read more

Homeschool Support Groups: Part Two

Tom & Joanna Wert Family

(by Joanna Wert originally posted on her blog, Fifty Something, as the Letter C of the ABC’s of Homeschooling)

Over 25 years ago, I began my homeschooling venture. At first, I did not know a single other homeschool family. Shortly thereafter, though, I met my first read more

Homeschool Support Groups: Part One

(by Joanna Wert originally posted on her blog, Fifty Something, as the Letter C of the ABC’s of Homeschooling)

Joanna and Tom Wert

Today's topic for the ABCs of homeschooling concerns community. Community equals support, ideas, mentoring, a sense of belonging, and pooled resources.

During your first few years of homeschooling, read more