Tag: homeschool

Clothed in GODLY CHARACTER: A 31-Day Journey to a Quieter Heart and Home Devotional

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog1 Comment

First, I want to apologize as I normally try to have the new devotional finished at least a couple of days before the next month begins… we’ve had a lot on our plates here lately, but I finally finished it! I have not completed the other devotional videos that I have been working on though… but GOD is working in that situation and we have witnessed HIS hand in so many areas this past month that it has been AMAZING!

Every morning, our families make a conscious choice about what to wear. We check the weather, look at our schedules, and pull garments from the closet to get ready for the day. But as Christian parents and teachers, how often do we pause with our children to intentionally choose our spiritual wardrobe before the schoolbooks open or the busy day begins?

In a loud, fast-paced world that tells us to look out for number one, scripture invites us to bring our families into a beautifully different rhythm. In Colossians 3:12, we are given a divine dress code: “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.” Godly character isn’t something that just happens; it is an identity we actively choose to put on every single day.

True meekness and godly character are not signs of weakness—they are strength under control. It is the wisdom to give a soft answer when sibling bickering starts, the quiet confidence of knowing who we are in Christ, and the patience to bear with one another’s mistakes.

Over the next 31 days, our families are going to lay down our sharp defenses, our arguments, and our frantic pacing. Through short daily scriptures, family-friendly discussion questions, and simple prayers, we will explore what it looks like to intentionally build a culture of grace right at home. Gather the kids around the table, open your hearts, and let’s begin clothing ourselves in the enduring beauty of Godly character.

We have a FREE activities planner that goes with all of our devotionals, but this one has a few extra activities included in the devotional as well. I have linked some resources below to go along with these optional activities.

Here is the FREE printable, if you’d like to join us:

Clothed in GODLY CHARACTERDownload
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Podcast Episode 06: Growing Children of GOD: Integrating FAITH Into Our Homeschool

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Pip: Welcome back to Pollywog’s Place Blog, where the curriculum planning is done, the Bible verses are cited by chapter and verse, and the school year has a theme for every single month.

Mara: Susie at Pollywog’s Place Blog has mapped out a full year of faith-integrated homeschooling, and today we’re walking through how she’s woven biblical principles into every subject — from financial literacy in January all the way through to December math.

Pip: Let’s start with the plan itself — and it is a plan.

Continue reading “Podcast Episode 06: Growing Children of GOD: Integrating FAITH Into Our Homeschool” →

From Daily Lessons to Transcripts: How I Organize Our Homeschool

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog1 Comment

If you homeschool more than one child, you know that teaching the lessons is only part of the job. There are also grades to record, attendance to track, lessons to organize, records to keep…and somehow we’re supposed to remember where we put all of it.

I can see all my students at a glance! I can also see any assignments that are overdue or need to be graded!

With five children homeschooling, I’ve learned that having a good system behind the scenes makes such a difference. One of the tools I use to keep everything organized is Homeschool Manager. I still keep my notebook too, but it may become a thing of the past with the new upgrades they have made to the program!

Drag & Drop tasks make it easy to adjust our schedule at a moment’s notice.

I can keep track of our lessons, grades, volunteer hours, book lists, and attendance all in one place instead of trying to piece everything together from notebooks, planners, and spreadsheets. And as my children get older, I especially appreciate being able to create report cards and transcripts from the records I’m already keeping. Your kiddos can even check off tasks independently, if that is something you want them to do!

I can generate reports with just a click of a button– no STRESS!

That means I’m not sitting down years later trying to remember what we did, when we did it, or what grade someone earned. I’m also not keeping piles of paperwork to collect dust. I also use the app to keep a note of upcoming appointments and events that we may need to adjust our schedule for… so nice to have everything in one spot!

Homeschool Manager has also recently made some upgrades, and I’ve really enjoyed how much more efficient and user-friendly it has become. When you’re managing several children at different ages and grade levels, anything that simplifies the administrative side of homeschooling gives you more time for what actually matters—teaching your children and enjoying the life you’re building together.

Try Homeschool Manager TODAY– FREE 30 Day Trial!

I love the freedom and flexibility of homeschooling, but I also want to know that I’m keeping good records along the way. Having one place where I can organize the practical side of our homeschool gives me a little more peace of mind and a lot less paper clutter.

Over 12 years of records in one spot!

If you’re homeschooling multiple children—or you have a child approaching the high school years and you’re starting to think, “Wait…how am I going to make a transcript out of all of this?”—this may be a tool worth looking into.

Transcripts are so easy! I’ve graduated two homeschooled kiddos and used these … the colleges loved them!

Because our homeschool days may be full of books, projects, garden lessons, field trips, life skills, and plenty of beautiful chaos…but our records don’t have to be.

Homeschooling is about so much more than checking boxes—but having the boxes organized sure does help.

I pray that this helps someone else on their homeschool journey.

May GOD Bless You in All You Do!

#Homeschool #HomeschoolMom #HomeschoolLife #HomeschoolOrganization #HomeschoolPlanning #HomeschoolRecords #HomeschoolHighSchool #LargeFamilyHomeschool #HomeEducation #HomeschoolTips

New features like lesson plans will make things even easier!
It’s also easy to keep track of attendance, book lists, and so much more!

Walking in the GOODNESS of GOD Devotional

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I am hoping to make a new devotional for each month this year… that’s a big challenge, but it is something that has been on my heart. For AUGUST, our monthly theme will be GOODNESS. We will be trying to find ways to show a little more GOODNESS through routines and habits.

Last month’s theme was SELF-CONTROL and let me tell you that LIFE sure has a way of putting our lessons to the test but GOD is GOOD and HE has seen us through some difficulties and HE can do the same for you!

Here is the FREE printable, if you’d like to join us:

Walking in the Goodness of God DevotionalDownload
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Walking in SELF-CONTROL Devotional

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place BlogLeave a comment

I am hoping to make a new devotional for each month this year… that’s a big challenge, but it is something that has been on my heart. For JULY, our monthly theme will be SELF-CONTROL. We will be trying to find ways to show a little more SELF-CONTROL through routines and habits.

Here is the FREE printable, if you’d like to join us:

Walking in Self-Control DevotionalDownload
Continue reading “Walking in SELF-CONTROL Devotional” →