Author: Julie Polanco

Julie Polanco is a 17-year veteran homeschooling mom of four challenging, artsy kids. She is a speaker, author of two books for moms--God Schooling: How God Intended Children to Learn and 100 Ways to Motivate Kids--and she is the high school botany instructor for www.SchoolhouseTeachers.com. Julie has been featured in several publications and blogs, including Autism Parenting, Today's Parent, Old Schoolhouse magazine, Some Assembly Required, Homeschooling with Heart blog, and Alternative Health Guide. She teaches live middle school science workshops for her local homeschool co-op and blogs at www.julienaturally.com.
Have a late reader? Don’t lose heart.
Have a late reader? Don’t lose heart.

My oldest son didn’t read fluently until he hit middle school, obviously a late reader. As you might imagine, I worried. A lot. And, I tried everything to get him reading. I’m pretty sure I bought at least five different reading programs that promised results. I kept thinking, “this one will be the one that…

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A Route 66 Vacation for a Fun Trip Through History
A Route 66 Vacation for a Fun Trip Through History

Looking for an unusual vacation idea this summer? Why not plan a Route 66 vacation? Even if you can’t travel the whole Mother Road, driving sections of it can offer a new way to explore a piece of American history. A Bit of History This legendary highway went through eight states, starting in Chicago and…

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Lessons From Our Animal Adventures
Lessons From Our Animal Adventures

Lately, I’ve been clearing out old materials from earlier in my homeschooling journey. As I’ve packed up early readers, puzzles, games, and leftovers from kits, I stumbled on some unusual items. A ladybug farm. A butterfly enclosure. The triops tank. Oh, yes. A smile grew and I closed my eyes. Memories of all the critters…

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Lifeschooling reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic
Lifeschooling reading, ‘riting, and ‘rithmetic

One of the most frequently asked questions about lifeschooling is: what about the three R’s? How do kids in a relaxed, lifeschooling home learn to read? What about the college essay? Do they learn their math facts? What about high school math? A couple of stories of learning to read in my lifeschooling home. The…

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