Preschool Curriculum: A Year of Playing Skillfully I love this play based curriculum because it aligns so well with the kind of education we are going for at The Orchard. Joyful, playful learning that is hands on and engages the brain and body in a variety of forms. There are monthly themes and our lead […]

Gift buying around Christmas time can be very overwhelming, especially if you are trying to go easy on the toys and buy for multiple children. Years ago, I landed on aiming for a 1-2 books, an item of clothing, a game/puzzle/hobby gift, art supplies, and a few open ended type toys per child. This has […]

You may have heard that it is important to start with vision when it comes to homeschool planning. While I agree with this wholeheartedly, I often find that starting with vision feels vague and difficult to land practically. What does that mean? I heard a talk years ago that I have found myself coming back […]

The Orchard Homeschool Community was born from a group of moms who were determined to give their children the gift of time. Time outside, time to play, time to let their imagination run wild, time to be with family, to develop passions, chase interests, get lost in a great book, to experience life to the […]

A Living Homeschool Community “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” Psalm 34:8 This verse came to me shortly after we landed on calling our homeschool community, The Orchard. For years, God has given me vision and ideas for a homeschool community that is […]