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Wildflowers and Marbles

Beauty in the Ordinary

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Simple Machines Physics Lesson Plans & Printable | Updated

Simple Machines Physics Lesson Plans & Printable | Updated

February 9, 2019

Several years ago I wrote a set of Physics based lesson plans for middle school students based on a course I built for my son (at the time he was 10 – he’s now 18 and about to graduate!) – if you’d like to wander down memory lane you can read that post here. Then, three years ago, I updated… Read More

Filed Under: Books, Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, Home Education, Sciences

Simple Machines with Fantastic Physics – Lesson Plans & Printable

Simple Machines with Fantastic Physics – Lesson Plans & Printable

March 2, 2016

If you’ve been a long time reader here, you may remember this post from six years ago – Boy Meets Machine. My then-10-year-old was enamored with a course I built around a fantastic book, The Way Things Work by David Macauley. The book naturally connected itself with some interesting hands-on Physics based explorations and some other fun reading that animated… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, Home Education, Lesson Plans, Sciences

Toward the Sciences: Considering the Lilies and Setting Their Feet In a Very Large Room

Toward the Sciences: Considering the Lilies and Setting Their Feet In a Very Large Room

January 25, 2012

I’m often asked, “How do you DO science in your home?  Especially in the early years?  What do you use?”  I can certainly tell you what we enjoy, and give you some ideas, but it may not be the tidy, wrapped-in-a-bow package you’re looking for. “The child who sees his mother with reverent touch lift an early snowdrop to her… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, Home Education, Learning Spaces, Living Learning, Nature Study, Sciences

Elementary Living Science Resource

Elementary Living Science Resource

September 13, 2011

I’m so thrilled to let you all know about this series of books authored by Mr. Glenn O. Blough and delightfully illustrated by Jeanne Bendick!  They are all out of print now, but they were very easy for me to find and purchase used very inexpensively.  They may still be in your library system, so do check! I discovered one… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Home Education, Nature Study, Sciences

Learning about Ducks…and Discovering Smithsonian’s Backyard

Learning about Ducks…and Discovering Smithsonian’s Backyard

December 3, 2010

We’ve really been enjoying some wonderful non-fiction science picture books and I thought I’d share them with you! I have long been a big fan of the Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science series of books. They’re engaging and a wonderful way to introduce elementary science concepts. I have collected several of them over the years; I began to wonder if there were any… Read More

Filed Under: Home Education, Nature Study, Sciences

Element-al, my dear!

Element-al, my dear!

May 5, 2010

Chemistry (and non-chemistry) fans will love this video! Enjoy an introduction…to Oxygen! Oxygen from Christopher Hendryx on Vimeo.

Filed Under: Home Education, Sciences

The Way Things Work – Boy Meets Machine

The Way Things Work – Boy Meets Machine

January 7, 2010

I wanted to offer what has been an exciting and very fun science course for us this year! When I asked my 4th grade son what he would like to study for science his response was, “ENGINEERING AND BUILDING THINGS!!” I immediately thought of a great book already living on my shelf – The Way Things Work by David Macauley…. Read More

Filed Under: Learning Spaces, Lesson Plans, Living Learning, Sciences

Home as Laboratory

Home as Laboratory

May 2, 2007

Approximately 10 tadpoles have been lovingly deposited here, in my favorite fountain. They seem to be thriving. Initially I thought – GREAT! – science project! We pulled out our book From Tadpole to Frog and started reading. Then, somewhere near the end, the boom was lowered. “Tadpoles sometimes take as long as 2 years to complete their transformation into a… Read More

Filed Under: Home Education, Sciences

Well hello! My name is Jennifer Mackintosh and I’ve been collecting wildflowers & marbles and sharing here about all the ordinary things that make life joyful since 2007. You’ll find a little bit of everything here – planning, organizing and decorating ideas, Charlotte Mason & Classical home education ideas, lots of books, our Catholic faith, and a peek at a few of the corners of our life. I’m so glad you’re here!

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Catch up with me – snapshots of ordinary days

It’s Friday morning - the end of a work and scho It’s Friday morning - the end of a work and school week. Can I get an, “Amen?” 🙌🏻 Who’s joining me for coffee and #mothersmorningbasket before the day gets away?
Some homeschool weeks - if I’m being attentive l Some homeschool weeks - if I’m being attentive like I should be - I have to keep my eyes on my own work and off of social media or other distractions. And then I need to prioritize rest to be ready for the next day. This is one of those weeks.

All 3 of my school age kiddos are transitioning in some way. I’ve been here before. Big skills, big effort, big stretching.

As home educators, we’re here for the planning, the assignments, the execution and assessment, but - friendly reminder - your child is a person. A person with a mind, and a soul. And he’s capable of an extraordinary education! At touchstones along the way that child will signal that he needs help transitioning and making the next step. After all some next steps can be really scary! He might be ready to read, or on the cusp of stepping into algebra, or ready to step up a sports skill, or ready to stretch away from you toward adult independence. All of those are BIG transitions and require courageous “next steps.”

Each child reacts to “next steps” in very different ways. Some charge forward without thinking...others are petrified and paralyzed. Some act out...others withdraw. I’ve experienced a spectrum of responses with my five kids. And we, their parent educators, act as cheering section, personal manager, ring master, confidant, and strong shoulder - sometimes all at once. But we must be attentive and act. We have to be the person that supports, encourages, cheers, prays for, slows down, makes eye contact, and extends a helping hand. We have to be present and attentive. And that’s where I am right now!

I had a minute to come up for air today and I thought I’d take a minute to encourage you in case you’re in a similar place! 🙂 We get these kids for a relatively short time (ask me how I know!!). If you’re in the trenches and life is full and you’re trying to help multiple kids stretch - I’m right there with you, cheering you on! You’ve got this! Take time to guard your rest! (You can’t give from an empty well!) And “let us work wholeheartedly for our children.” (St John Bosco)
Though my goals are many and my days are full, my Though my goals are many and my days are full, my vision for 2021 is distilled and simple!

I have never created a vision board before! But this year, I was inspired by Chevonne at @thiswellplannedlife when she shared her vision board that she assembled on a magnetic board; so I did the same. Mine is still in progress - I’m missing a couple of elements that complete my vision for 2021, but I thought I’d share what I have for now!

“Create in me a clean heart, O Lord,” (Ps 51:10) is the verse that chose me this year. And it is my prayer for 2021.

“Work wholeheartedly” is an excerpt from a quote about education from St. John Bosco that I read years ago, and it defines my purpose as one who works with my whole heart for my children’s education.

The Cardinal Mindszenty quote on motherhood is from @justloveprints Etsy store, and it is at the heart and the center of my vision board because it is the heart of me. It is my primary focus, my life’s work, my story, my joy, and the source of my greatest lessons. Without my husband I would not be a mother so I definitely consider this print as representing my vision for my marriage as well!

The cardstock print of the work surface is from @peachpom - I thought it was a beautiful way to show that my vision for my work, my writing, my content - all I do in my extra time is to be focused on the good.

And then I have a few words that are meaningful to me - “create” and “inspire.” Made in the Image of God we are made to create. Being creative brings me great joy as does sharing that creativity through inspiring and encouraging others.

And then, I love the reminder (from @poiandhun) to enjoy the little things. If you know me at all, you know how foundational the philosophy and posture of wonder is to me! Wonder is the ability to see with a child’s eyes, to see the small without distraction. And to do so is to “enjoy the little things.”

There are many ways to vision board - a magnetic board, digital, paper. I love that mine frames my work spaces as a reminder and focus!

Since I’m new to this, I’d love to know if you vision board - what do you use? What are some things that comprise your 2021 vision? ❤️
I don’t know about you, but I love simple soluti I don’t know about you, but I love simple solutions! I need a weekly view of the appointments and events I’m juggling - it keeps me sane. Even in the midst of Covid I’ve still got 2 kids in braces, regular check ups for the six of us, birthdays, anniversaries, and all the regular appointments that still happen!

I use daily inserts in my planner (from @8lotus.co - check my profile for a coupon/link) and I love the space they give me for my days! But I needed something for my weekly view! 

I found this sticky notepad on Amazon and it’s perfect! I jot down  my weekly essentials (those things that are pegged to a specific time) and sticky this to my monitor! Perfect for regular viewing and checking in while details go in my planner! I was worried the sticky would be...less than...but it’s fantastic! I have used these for a couple of weeks and I can apply, remove, add events, apply again, remove again - and it continues to stick with no corner lifting! Very impressed!

In case you’re looking for something like this to help you with a simple weekly overview, I found this on amazon. There are a few different styles available, and if you search “sticky weekly planner” you’ll find vertical variations of this. The link to this sticky notepad is in my amazon favorites if you want to check them out!

If you use a daily planner, do you keep a weekly view somewhere? What do you use?
National clean your desk day was this past Monday. National clean your desk day was this past Monday...but I waited to share my clean desk with my new corner riser for my monitor! There are so many rectangular monitor risers, but my desk real estate is small and my monitor is tucked in the corner. I found the perfect corner shape riser that fits my small space perfectly and is very sturdy! I put the link to it in my Amazon favorites if you’re interested!  Bonus...it was only $20.

My desk never stays clean for long - it’s a working desk! But I hope this morning you’re enjoying a clean desk or table with a warm cuppa wherever you are! ☕️

#nationalcleanyourdeskday
In my current Mothers Morning Basket. 🧺 What’ In my current Mothers Morning Basket. 🧺 What’s in yours?

#mothersmorningbasket
Perhaps THE best way to refresh your weary homesch Perhaps THE best way to refresh your weary homeschool, your kids, and your own tired spirit is to go outside.

Yet, I understand that in recommending this it may leave some without direction, or at least in want of a workable idea in going forward.

So I want to recommend the book, “Play the Forest School Way.” And I also want to suggest that you allow your children to collect some of the nature treasures found (except for those found in national parks, etc, where specifically prohibited).

“Nature offers us a sanctuary, a place where we can find peace and wonder.”

Aristotle wisely observed that wisdom begins in wonder. You’ll find wonder outdoors amongst the bugs, butterflies, weeds, and wildflowers! Go play in it!

#homeschool #charlottemason #charlottemasonhomeschool #charlottemasonhomeschooling
I like to be totally honest with y’all! If somet I like to be totally honest with y’all! If something doesn’t work, I’ll say so. And if something is working well, I want to shout it from the rooftops! Today, I’m shouting from the rooftops!!

This year I’m using @8lotus.co daily inserts in my planner and I LOVVVVVVVE them! The paper is heavenly, but the layout is a perfect mix of functional and simplicity! (Coupon and link in my profile if you’re interested) My appointments, time blocking, and to do lists - all on one page!

Last year, I struggled a bit with integrating my goals into daily action steps and not...just...well, having them get lost in a day. One of the measures I put in place to counter that was disc punching my @makse.life goals and putting them right into my planner! ✅ Win!! (See Makse story highlights for more) I have found that once I’ve worked out my weekly action steps in my Makse goal setting, I spread them out in my priority box on my daily view! Y’all!!!! This is such a little thing that has made such a positive impact. My most important daily goals are separate from my regular tasks. I know what is most important in moving me forward. And...I do always leave a “catch up” day for my weekly goals...because...life!

Anyway, I’m just stunned what a difference this has made not only in productivity, but overall vision! It’s a huge win!

How do you separate your daily action steps out from your regular planning? If you’ve ever set them aside like this has it made a difference for you?
would you like to see more? Catch up with Jen on Instagram

Shop Cloth + Paper Inserts and Planners – use code JEN10 for 10% off your order

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Useful and Free Resource: Customize Your Copywork
Makselife Goal and Weekly Planner - 2021 Review
My Desk - In a Bag
The Catholic Daily Planner - A Review
MakseLife | Integrated Weekly & Goal Planner System
The Morning Basket Plans & Printables - 2015
Create In Me - Word of the Year - free printable
Anna Vance Paper Co Homeschool Planner | Review
A Talk, A Giveaway, and My New Shop
Organizing

Favorite Things

Catch up with me on Instagram

It’s Friday morning - the end of a work and scho It’s Friday morning - the end of a work and school week. Can I get an, “Amen?” 🙌🏻 Who’s joining me for coffee and #mothersmorningbasket before the day gets away?
Some homeschool weeks - if I’m being attentive l Some homeschool weeks - if I’m being attentive like I should be - I have to keep my eyes on my own work and off of social media or other distractions. And then I need to prioritize rest to be ready for the next day. This is one of those weeks.

All 3 of my school age kiddos are transitioning in some way. I’ve been here before. Big skills, big effort, big stretching.

As home educators, we’re here for the planning, the assignments, the execution and assessment, but - friendly reminder - your child is a person. A person with a mind, and a soul. And he’s capable of an extraordinary education! At touchstones along the way that child will signal that he needs help transitioning and making the next step. After all some next steps can be really scary! He might be ready to read, or on the cusp of stepping into algebra, or ready to step up a sports skill, or ready to stretch away from you toward adult independence. All of those are BIG transitions and require courageous “next steps.”

Each child reacts to “next steps” in very different ways. Some charge forward without thinking...others are petrified and paralyzed. Some act out...others withdraw. I’ve experienced a spectrum of responses with my five kids. And we, their parent educators, act as cheering section, personal manager, ring master, confidant, and strong shoulder - sometimes all at once. But we must be attentive and act. We have to be the person that supports, encourages, cheers, prays for, slows down, makes eye contact, and extends a helping hand. We have to be present and attentive. And that’s where I am right now!

I had a minute to come up for air today and I thought I’d take a minute to encourage you in case you’re in a similar place! 🙂 We get these kids for a relatively short time (ask me how I know!!). If you’re in the trenches and life is full and you’re trying to help multiple kids stretch - I’m right there with you, cheering you on! You’ve got this! Take time to guard your rest! (You can’t give from an empty well!) And “let us work wholeheartedly for our children.” (St John Bosco)
Though my goals are many and my days are full, my Though my goals are many and my days are full, my vision for 2021 is distilled and simple!

I have never created a vision board before! But this year, I was inspired by Chevonne at @thiswellplannedlife when she shared her vision board that she assembled on a magnetic board; so I did the same. Mine is still in progress - I’m missing a couple of elements that complete my vision for 2021, but I thought I’d share what I have for now!

“Create in me a clean heart, O Lord,” (Ps 51:10) is the verse that chose me this year. And it is my prayer for 2021.

“Work wholeheartedly” is an excerpt from a quote about education from St. John Bosco that I read years ago, and it defines my purpose as one who works with my whole heart for my children’s education.

The Cardinal Mindszenty quote on motherhood is from @justloveprints Etsy store, and it is at the heart and the center of my vision board because it is the heart of me. It is my primary focus, my life’s work, my story, my joy, and the source of my greatest lessons. Without my husband I would not be a mother so I definitely consider this print as representing my vision for my marriage as well!

The cardstock print of the work surface is from @peachpom - I thought it was a beautiful way to show that my vision for my work, my writing, my content - all I do in my extra time is to be focused on the good.

And then I have a few words that are meaningful to me - “create” and “inspire.” Made in the Image of God we are made to create. Being creative brings me great joy as does sharing that creativity through inspiring and encouraging others.

And then, I love the reminder (from @poiandhun) to enjoy the little things. If you know me at all, you know how foundational the philosophy and posture of wonder is to me! Wonder is the ability to see with a child’s eyes, to see the small without distraction. And to do so is to “enjoy the little things.”

There are many ways to vision board - a magnetic board, digital, paper. I love that mine frames my work spaces as a reminder and focus!

Since I’m new to this, I’d love to know if you vision board - what do you use? What are some things that comprise your 2021 vision? ❤️
I don’t know about you, but I love simple soluti I don’t know about you, but I love simple solutions! I need a weekly view of the appointments and events I’m juggling - it keeps me sane. Even in the midst of Covid I’ve still got 2 kids in braces, regular check ups for the six of us, birthdays, anniversaries, and all the regular appointments that still happen!

I use daily inserts in my planner (from @8lotus.co - check my profile for a coupon/link) and I love the space they give me for my days! But I needed something for my weekly view! 

I found this sticky notepad on Amazon and it’s perfect! I jot down  my weekly essentials (those things that are pegged to a specific time) and sticky this to my monitor! Perfect for regular viewing and checking in while details go in my planner! I was worried the sticky would be...less than...but it’s fantastic! I have used these for a couple of weeks and I can apply, remove, add events, apply again, remove again - and it continues to stick with no corner lifting! Very impressed!

In case you’re looking for something like this to help you with a simple weekly overview, I found this on amazon. There are a few different styles available, and if you search “sticky weekly planner” you’ll find vertical variations of this. The link to this sticky notepad is in my amazon favorites if you want to check them out!

If you use a daily planner, do you keep a weekly view somewhere? What do you use?
National clean your desk day was this past Monday. National clean your desk day was this past Monday...but I waited to share my clean desk with my new corner riser for my monitor! There are so many rectangular monitor risers, but my desk real estate is small and my monitor is tucked in the corner. I found the perfect corner shape riser that fits my small space perfectly and is very sturdy! I put the link to it in my Amazon favorites if you’re interested!  Bonus...it was only $20.

My desk never stays clean for long - it’s a working desk! But I hope this morning you’re enjoying a clean desk or table with a warm cuppa wherever you are! ☕️

#nationalcleanyourdeskday
In my current Mothers Morning Basket. 🧺 What’ In my current Mothers Morning Basket. 🧺 What’s in yours?

#mothersmorningbasket
Perhaps THE best way to refresh your weary homesch Perhaps THE best way to refresh your weary homeschool, your kids, and your own tired spirit is to go outside.

Yet, I understand that in recommending this it may leave some without direction, or at least in want of a workable idea in going forward.

So I want to recommend the book, “Play the Forest School Way.” And I also want to suggest that you allow your children to collect some of the nature treasures found (except for those found in national parks, etc, where specifically prohibited).

“Nature offers us a sanctuary, a place where we can find peace and wonder.”

Aristotle wisely observed that wisdom begins in wonder. You’ll find wonder outdoors amongst the bugs, butterflies, weeds, and wildflowers! Go play in it!

#homeschool #charlottemason #charlottemasonhomeschool #charlottemasonhomeschooling
I like to be totally honest with y’all! If somet I like to be totally honest with y’all! If something doesn’t work, I’ll say so. And if something is working well, I want to shout it from the rooftops! Today, I’m shouting from the rooftops!!

This year I’m using @8lotus.co daily inserts in my planner and I LOVVVVVVVE them! The paper is heavenly, but the layout is a perfect mix of functional and simplicity! (Coupon and link in my profile if you’re interested) My appointments, time blocking, and to do lists - all on one page!

Last year, I struggled a bit with integrating my goals into daily action steps and not...just...well, having them get lost in a day. One of the measures I put in place to counter that was disc punching my @makse.life goals and putting them right into my planner! ✅ Win!! (See Makse story highlights for more) I have found that once I’ve worked out my weekly action steps in my Makse goal setting, I spread them out in my priority box on my daily view! Y’all!!!! This is such a little thing that has made such a positive impact. My most important daily goals are separate from my regular tasks. I know what is most important in moving me forward. And...I do always leave a “catch up” day for my weekly goals...because...life!

Anyway, I’m just stunned what a difference this has made not only in productivity, but overall vision! It’s a huge win!

How do you separate your daily action steps out from your regular planning? If you’ve ever set them aside like this has it made a difference for you?
would you like to see more? Catch up with Jen on Instagram

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