One of the best projects or achievements - Marnie Harrington

If someone asked me what one of my best projects or achievements were, I'd answer 'Just one?' but I've thought about it and I've come up for you, The Small Terror!!!!

The Small Terror is a movie. Well, it's more than just one movie, The Small Terror has a sequel and

The Hole - Short story - Marnie Harrington

One sunny afternoon, two young sisters were playing skippy in the back yard of their father's mid sized home when something through the hole in the fence caught the younger girl's eye; the old woman from next door was digging a deep hole in the ground near a dusty planter bowl. Her eyes were deep set and her back was

Following your Interests!

Following Your Interests!

(There's a video about this topic below after you've read this post, or you could just skip to it straight away!)

You'll often hear people saying that one of the benefits of homeschooling is that young people have the freedom to

Activities, Activities! -Melinda Harrington

Activities, Activities!

-Melinda Harrington

(There's a video made by Marnie down below after you've read this post, or you could just skip to it straight away!)

When I list out the so called ‘extra-curricular’ activities that we have been involved with over the years – I start to feel exhausted. I know that we are not unusual as a homeschooling family – getting out there and involved in activities outside of the home seems to play a really large

The Dreaded “S” Word – Socialization - Melinda Harrington

The Dreaded “S” Word – Socialization

- Melinda Harrington

The Correct Amount and Appropriate Quality of Socialization

(There's a video made by Marnie at the end of this post you can watch after reading, or you could just skip to it straight away!)

By far the most common question homeschoolers are asked is “.. and what about socialization?” Or “What about the social side of things?” Most homeschoolers we know roll their eyes or stifle their laughter when the topic of 'socialization' is raised. Let's

Choosing an instrument for your child (and what's involved with learning an instrument) - Marnie Harrington

 Choosing an instrument for your child (and what's involved with learning an instrument) - Marnie Harrington

-Commitment

There's no getting around the fact that you need to practice regularly in order to learn an instrument! For kids and beginners, just 15 minutes a day is enough to keep them improving. Don't be discouraged when your child loses interest. It's inevitable! When that happens, just

Learning Instruments - Marnie Harrington

Learning Instruments - Marnie Harrington

(There's a video about this topic down below after you've read this post. Or you could just skip to it straight away!)

Getting kids to learn music and play instruments can be tough at times but it does has many benefits! Here are a list of reasons why children should always have the opportunity to play music!

-Refine/develop mental skills

Beat and bar division, scales, rhythm and musical intervals all use similar mental skills as maths does. It can develop

Challenging Days. -Melinda Harrington

Challenging Days.

-Melinda Harrington

Well there’s just no denying the fact that some homeschool days are less than perfect. Some days just don’t go the way we planned, do they?

I remember one day looking at the clock and realizing that it was 2pm, and there was no way that we were going to get started that day. So I gave up, and went to have a shower and change out of my pyjamas. Yes, I had not even managed to

Dealing With Negativity. -Melinda Harrington

Dealing With Negativity.

-Melinda Harrington

Sadly some people who homeschool do not receive positive support from family and friends. Indeed, some homeschooling parents receive a great deal of negativity. I know of some homeschoolers who are constantly

Learning Languages!! By Marnie Harrington

Learning Languages!!

By Marnie Harrington

(There's a video about this topic down below after you've read this post, or you could just skip to it straight away!)

Learning languages is a requirement for homeschooling when you register in Victoria.

Many homeschoolers (and most people) learn a language at some point in their lives, whether it be because of their ethnic backgrounds, or they have a particular place they want to visit or have family in, maybe just curiosity of another culture! I decided to learn Mandarin because

Cooking! - Marnie Harrington

Cooking!
- Marnie Harrington

(There's a video down below about this topic after you've read this blog, or you could just skip to it straight away!)

We have friends who are really into all things crafty and creative! Every year for the Geelong show they enter (and win) all sorts of things from knitted dollies to breath-taking

Tweens and Teens – Getting out of the Way! -Melinda Harrington

Tweens and Teens – Getting out of the Way!

-Melinda Harrington

(There's a video made by Marnie about this topic down below after you've read this post. Or you could skip straight to it now!)

It’s been fascinating to watch how many home educating families change the way they homeschool as their children grow into the early teens and beyond. Everyone’s experience is different of course, but there have certainly been some major homeschool changes at our house in the past twelve months – so much so that it makes my head spin sometimes.

We went on a road trip! - Marnie Harrington

We went on a road trip to Canberra to see the Australian War Memorial!! They've been projecting the names of all the WWI fallen soldiers onto the wall of the Australian War Memorial because of the centenary of World War I. We have a relative, my great grandfather's uncle, Harry Respini, who was among the fallen.

On our way to Canberra, we visited Bendigo Pottery and Bendigo Woolen Mills! Bendigo Pottery was pretty interesting. It was like a museum and we guided ourselves through a

My Plans for the Future! -Marnie Harrington

My Plans for the Future!

(There's a video about this topic down below after you've read this post, or you could skip to it straight away!)

 I've had many plans over the years growing up... Various different career options have floated in and out of my favor at different times in my life. The first

Why do I Prefer Homeschooling? - Marnie Harrington

Why do I Prefer Homeschooling?
-Marnie Harrington

(There's a video about this topic down below after you've read this post, or you could skip to it straight away!)

 I've been homeschooling since i was in grade 2. Before that i was attending a little Steiner school for 3 years; Kinder, Prep and grade 1. So I have experienced what it's like to attend school and i feel worthy of making a comparison - homeschooling

Advice for new homeschooling kids!

Advice for new homeschooling kids!
-Marnie Harrington

(There's a video made by Marnie about this topic down below after you've read this post, or you could skip to it straight away!)

This is an adventure!! Always keep a positive attitude! Homeschooling is a fun time of learning and discovery! If you're new to homeschooling you might be feeling anxious about all the changes, and unsure of yourself and

Best ever homeschool resource -Melinda Harrington

Best ever homeschool resource

-Melinda Harrington

(There's a video made by Marnie about this topic down below after you've read this post, or you could skip to it straight away!)

 

All homeschool families are different – now that’s an understatement! I’ve been lucky enough to visit with dozens of homeschool families over the years, and what I’ve noticed is

Why now? Why is Home Education Gaining Momentum? -Melinda Harrington

Why now? Why is Home Education Gaining Momentum?

-Melinda Harrington

(There's a video made by Marnie about this topic down below after you've read this post, or you could skip to it straight away!)

The following table is from Information Sheets which are available on the website of  the VRQA (Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority). 

	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016
Registrations	3435	3718	3977	4461	4743
Year on year change	-	+ 283	+ 259	+ 484	+ 282
% Change	-	8%	7%	12%	6%

This table appears to indicate

Following a Schedule... or not... -Melinda Harrington

Following a Schedule… or not..

-Melinda Harrington

(There's a video made by Marnie about this topic down below after you've read this post, or you could skip to it straight away!)

 I recall a homeschool mum telling me that she had been ‘reported’ to authorities because her neighbour heard the children out playing in the yard during ‘school hours’. According to the neighbour, the children were not being properly educated because they were not sticking rigidly to school hours.

I know of many home educating families who follow a daily schedule that includes traditional school subjects, along with play times, sports time and reading times. And then again there are those families who

How do you measure success? - Melinda Harrington

How do you measure success?

- Melinda Harrington

(There's a video made by Marnie about this topic down below after you've read this post, or you could skip to it straight away!)

 Having met so many successful young people who have been home schooled, I was surprised when someone recently asked me “..but how do you measure success?” It got me thinking about how the measure of ‘success’ is a subjective thing.

For some people ‘success’ equates with