Articles

From the time our children could sit in our laps, family devotion was a mainstay in our home, so teaching Bible to our children was paramount. But for too many families the sum total of Bible instruct...

(And Why Timberdoodle Loves Both!) One of our most popular questions: "Why do Timberdoodle kits use   Spelling You See   instead of   All About Spelling ?" Grab your pencils, friends, and let's dive ...

We offer several options for all grades, depending on what your needs are. The Basic version of our curriculum kits contains math, language arts, and thinking skills. It’s the most economical choice a...

We offer several options for all grades, depending on what your needs are. The Basic version of our curriculum kits contains math, language arts, and thinking skills. It’s the most economical choice a...

If you have the privilege of homeschooling a high school student, you’ve probably wondered about transcripts and diplomas, particularly if your child is college-bound. Hope: Our question for today is...

If you have made it this far through home schooling, you have shown true tenacity. Easy or not, you will now begin to reap the rewards for all your labors. If you are new to home schooling, you've arr...

Today we're sharing some ideas and resources for helping develop your child's motor skills. We've linked to some of the products we carry but you may be able to find similar products elsewhere if you ...

Today’s Q & A addresses our favorite assessments, courses, and questions to utilize in helping a student come up to speed on language arts. Hope: Someone wrote in and said, “We kind of dropped the ba...

If you've heard the buzz about All About Reading (AAR), it's for a good reason. The multisensory, mastery-based, stress-melting reading program works magic for readers of all ages and learning sty...

Originally written in 1993, shortly after the addition of Pearl, Baby #5. Learning Styles Having a newborn has reminded us again of why we teach our children at home. Teaching your child does not beg...

Originally published in Timberdoodle’s 1990-1991 catalog. Don’t you just love toddlers? They are so enthusiastic, loving, curious, confident, and innocent. However, to a home-educating mom, they are ...

And Other Reasons to Use Workbooks With Your Little Guys When we talk about workbooks for the five and under crowd, we almost always hear the same thing from certain friendly folks. They thoughtfully ...

Young children are almost always hands-on learners. That is why your child picks up and touches everything. It may look destructive, but it is how God has programmed him to learn. And because at this ...

Keep it fun! Your goal is productive learning and that can be accomplished through many fun methods. But if your child is not easily making the transition to being required to accomplish something, do...

We're so excited to have you join us for our 2023 curriculum launch party! This page has a lot of information on it. Feel free to take your time as you process it, and let us know if you have any q...

(The following is a video transcript. Scroll down to watch the video if you prefer.) Hope: Hi! It’s summertime here at Timberdoodle. We’ve been getting questions about what can we do with our childre...

This is a video transcript. Scroll to the end to watch the video. Deb: Hope, what question are we looking at today? Hope: Well, the question we’re looking at today is one that probably every homesch...

Plan for Convergent and Divergent Thinking As you begin making plans for next school year, you’ll want to keep in mind the necessity of incorporating both convergent and divergent thinking into your c...

“How should I pick a curriculum that genuinely meets the needs of my family?” At Timberdoodle we sell only what we deem the finest. But what is best for our family may be totally unsuitable for yours....

Hey, Wisconsin families! Are you familiar with charter schools? If not, here's an article that explains how they work. If you aren't currently part of a charter school but would be interested in l...

Ready to build your dream curriculum? With Timberdoodle's Custom Kit Builder, personalizing your child's education is easier (and way more fun) than ever! What Makes It So Easy? Our intuitive tool l...

(Without Falling for Every Shiny New Thing) Many years ago, we found ourselves at a homeschool convention, and somewhere between sessions, a fellow vendor—not a homeschooler himself—grinned and said, ...

A 12-Question Checklist Every Curriculum Seller Has a "Wonderful Plan" for Your Life As summer begins, your inbox floods with promises: "This kit will fix everything! Your kids will beg for math! You'...

“Does Timberdoodle keep track of grades or issue report cards?” Since we are a curriculum resource (not a long-distance school), we aren’t able to track your student’s work or issue a certificate of c...

(and How to Make the Most of Them!) Want to be a rockstar homeschool teacher? One big secret is understanding how you learn... and how your kids learn, too! Knowing your child’s learning style is ...

We invite you to subscribe to Timberdoodle's YouTube channel for helpful product overviews, FAQs, and homeschooling tips. Especially watch for a peek into each of our curriculum kits in mid-April wh...

Would you like to review products for us and have an opportunity to grow your blog or YouTube channel following? We invite you to apply to join our Ambassador Team! If you have an established blog or...

Quercetti, the manufacturer of Pixel Mosaics, has recently changed up their website and taken down the files of pre-made patterns that can be used with the Pixel Mosaics set. However, they have gracio...

When a parent emailed asking for tips on homeschooling her gifted daughter, we couldn't help but spill all our best secrets gathered over decades of navigating life with pint-sized brainiacs. Ready ...

(The following is a video transcript. Scroll down to watch the video if you prefer.) Hope: Our question for today is about the Mosdos literature program. You guys have given us feedback that it looks...

You Asked: How do I teach a 3- and 5-year-old together? Should I just use a Pre-K curriculum and challenge my older one separately? Our Answer: We love this question! First, grab our early education ...

What’s the difference between Basic, Complete and Elite kits? The Basic kits are the nuts and bolts backbone of the curriculum. You’ll cover the essentials of math , language arts , and thinking sk...

Got questions about learning struggles? You're not alone—and you're in the right place! Here's an overview on tackling tough topics with Timberdoodle: Q: Does Timberdoodle have a special needs curricu...

“My child hates writing. How can I make it more enjoyable for her?” The starting point would be to find out why your kiddo hates writing. Does she not have the fine motor skills to form letters eas...

If you've been researching math curriculum, you've probably stumbled across the terms "spiral learning" and "mastery learning" —and wondered what on earth the big deal is. Let's break it down for y...

Amanda asked: Do you think homeschooling a five-year-old is a better decision than public school? Joy's answer: You know, this is a harder question to answer than you might expect that it would be fo...

First of all— welcome ! If you're just starting your homeschool journey, we're thrilled to cheer you on and help you every step of the way. Here are some questions you might have as you get started. H...

You Asked: "My 9-year-old son is in 3rd Grade and will start homeschooling after Christmas. Should I buy a full-year curriculum, even though half the year is over?" Our Answer: Great question—and you'...

Welcome to the wonderful (and sometimes wild!) world of homeschooling! Whether you're just dipping your toes in or diving right in, we're thrilled for you. Here are our best tips, tricks, and encourag...

In a fascinating article written by Cyndi Ringoen, a neurodevelopmentalist, she pointed out that until a child has developed his auditory short-term memory, the ability to recall a sequence of numbe...

I’m looking for the very best curriculum for my dyslexic son. He is going into the 4th grade. He doesn’t read on grade level so I’ve been reading everythng to him. Please let me know what you have to ...

"How am I supposed to teach ALL these different ages at the same time?!" Deep breath, friend — you totally can. And no, it doesn't involve cloning yourself or surviving on cold coffee alone. First, ...

Do you want to combine grades to save some costs? Or are you striving for sanity while juggling multiple students? We have some tips for you in today’s video! (Scroll to the end of the transcript to...

We are often asked how our curriculum will work for a child with autism. This is a subject near and dear to our hearts, as you’ll read in this transcript. Scroll to the bottom to watch the video, if y...

A question we are commonly asked this time of year is: "What school supplies do I need to get for my Timberdoodle curriculum kit?" The simple answer is you wouldn't actually have to have much beyond ...

I hate schoolwork. I love to learn, but I hate inapplicable learning. I’ll never forget the time Dan insisted on showing me some process involving trouble-shooting a computer program I had never used ...

Our Curriculum Kits Tiny Tots (ages 0-2) includes learning materials for babies and toddlers. Suggested learning areas at this age range include language arts, STEM, emotional intelligence, motor ski...

Short answer: Nope—and that's a good thing! Here's the deal: Accreditation is for schools , not for curriculum. Think of it like this: your local school district gets accredited, but their textbo...

How do you organize your school materials? Here are some great pictures shared with us on our Facebook page, in our Facebook community groups, and on Instagram. Ashley S. "This is elite kindergarten...

Welcome to Timberdoodle's Custom Scheduler 3.0 This much-anticipated upgrade gives you more control over your schedule, courses, breaks, and even allows you to log your child's progress! Here we will...

There’s been a lot of buzz, discussion, and anxiety in the homeschool community for the last few years about the Common Core State Standards. Many of you have asked us what our stance is on the standa...

Social Media Groups for Encouragement, Support, and Idea Sharing If you hang out on any of these social media platforms, we invite you to follow us there: Instagram Facebook YouTube Pinterest Looking...

Experienced parents know that the amount of reading their child does will directly and positively impact his reading fluency and vocabulary development. That is why graphic novels, once relegated to t...

(It's So Much More!) Every year, someone asks: "Hey, why doesn't Timberdoodle pack Bible studies into their curriculum kits?" And here's the thing: The Bible isn't a checklist item. It's not a workshe...

What is a charter school? In a nutshell, a charter school gets state funding for each child they have enrolled, just as a public school would. The charter schools we work with here at Timberdoodle pas...

Visual tracking charts can help motivate your kids to complete their reading challenge goals. Here are printable versions of the progress tracker in your handbook, along with a few others if you woul...

(And Why We Think You'll Love It Too!) Looking for a math program that's clear, kind, and makes sense? Welcome to Math-U-See — where math isn't just learned; it's truly understood. Hands-On, Brains...

A Guest Post by Jean Soyke We’re often asked if Spelling You See uses phonics to teach spelling. Learn how Spelling You See’s use of phonics differs from most other programs. It’s fun to be at a hom...

(The following is a video transcript. Scroll down to watch the video if you prefer.) Deb: Welcome to Timberdoodle! Today we’re going to tackle the question of whether our curriculum is suitable for a...

You’ve seen it in our high school curriculum kits and on our website. But what is the Implications in Literature series really like? Hope is here to show you. Enjoy the tour! (The following is a vi...

[Note: This tutorial is also available as a video on YouTube .] Now that you have your schedule set up , let’s walk through how to print it. Login to your dashboard and click on Checklist. Ther...

We have twin kindergarteners and a young preschooler, so our academic day looks something like this: 1. Breakfast and morning routine This portion of the day usually runs from 6-8 AM and includes ge...

Many of you are asking about payment plans this month, so here are a few of the nitty-gritty details for you on the two options we offer. 1. Paypal's Pay Later PayPal offers pay-later options, includ...

You Asked: How should I educate a 3- & 5-year-old together? Use a Pre-K curriculum and just challenge my older (who’s ready for K curriculum in reading and math) separately? Our Answer: What a great ...

If you're waiting on your curriculum order, but you'd like to go ahead and get started with a school routine, here are some easy-to-implement learning activity ideas for you! Please don't feel like y...

One of the questions we hear all the time is: "What's your homeschool style?" And the short answer is... we don't fit neatly in any one box. We love what works. We ditch what doesn't. And we believe ...

Suggestions for working through school closures We have been contacted by many of you who find yourselves unexpectedly homeschooling and are looking for help to come up with an academic plan for your...

"My 7-year-old still isn't reading at the level I thought she would." "My 14-year-old knows phonics but reads sloooowly—and guesses at big words!" Sound familiar? If so, don't panic. Reading is the ...

This question on Facebook got us thinking: "Timberdoodle: I read your catalog cover to cover when it comes, and I love your thoughtful reviews of homeschooling resources. I’m wondering, though, about ...

I need some help. I had purchased a few extras to add to our basics for our school year, thinking it would not be too overwhelming for my kids (or me). However, I’m starting to second guess myself. My...

Read Across the USA, Win Prizes! This year, we are revisiting our Read Across the USA virtual road trip reading challenge. Reading is a fantastic way for your children to learn more about the great d...

As we kick off the 2023-2024 school year, our Blog Team is looking forward to sharing some fabulous product reviews with you! If you're a blogger and think you might like to join us, we accept applic...

Krissy is the daughter of dear friends of ours and received an autism diagnosis at age 2. Despite participation in various early interventions through the public school system, she made agonizingly sl...

9 Tips and Thoughts A GED Isn’t Worst Case! In our family, a GED defines graduation and not a diploma. I know that most people hear “I have a GED.” and think dropout, unwed mother, or possibly “did ti...

Literature cannot be neutral, but will either clash or harmonize with your family’s values. Mosdos Press Literature is a complete literature program that does not glamorize evil nor present subject ...

In response to an article I recently reposted about family devotions, there was a comment about the difficulty of doing family devotions when your family includes special needs children. This is a ver...

Originally published in a 1992 Timberdoodle catalog. How does a home teaching mom also find time to participate in a home business? More importantly, why?! Let me answer the why first. We do it not ...

Originally printed in a 1991 catalog. Many moms have called and written asking for a schedule of what a typical day is like at the Timberdoodle. I hope they haven’t been too disappointed to discover ...

Originally published in a 1992 Timberdoodle catalog. How do you teach your children and maintain the rest of your responsibilities? It is not as hard as some might think. First of all, we are very co...

Originally posted in a 1992 Timberdoodle Catalog. If you have been home teaching for any length of time, friends, relatives, and strangers have undoubtedly asked you, “how do you do it all?” Oftentim...

[Note: This tutorial is also available as a video on YouTube .] Hello, and welcome to Timberdoodle’s Custom Scheduler! We’re going to jump right in here. To set up your schedule go to scheduler.t...

(AKA your homeschool's secret weapon) Every Timberdoodle Curriculum Kit has a Timberdoodle Handbook tucked inside — your trusty guide to a stress-free, awesome school year. Curious what's in it? Let...

“I’ve just decided to homeschool. Where should I start?” How exciting that you are considering homeschooling! We offer full curriculum kits for all grade levels or you are welcome to order individua...

…I feel silly asking you this, because of course you are a Timberdoodle supporter :-). but can you give me any thoughts about trying to choose between Timberdoodle and Sonlight? 🙂 Michele I’m happ...

Reprinted from a 1990 Timberdoodle Catalog That very word can strike terror into the hearts of both children and moms! Children would rather play than work, and moms sometimes find it easier to do th...

From the Timberdoodle archives: Deb wrote this article in the early ’90s when she was still in the thick of homeschooling her children. What could your child possibly miss by not being in school? We...

1. Packed With Hands-On Fun We know wiggly kids learn best by doing, so we fill our kits with STEM, art, history, and more! Your kinesthetic learner will be busy (and loving it). "Simply love the curr...

“How much parent involvement is required with the kits?” It depends on the age and grade level of your child as to how involved you will need to be. You won’t spend a lot of time prepping for school a...

About this Episode We were so thankful to get a chance to sit down with the great team at Timberdoodle! If you’re overwhelmed by all the curriculum options available and unsure how to combine them to ...

Would you like to supplement your curriculum with a program that simultaneously improves your child’s visual perception, fine motor skills, patience, problem-solving, spatial perception, creativity, a...

(Without Losing Your Mind) Feeling a little queasy about giving grades? Don't worry—you've totally got this. Grading high school at home might sound scary, but it's really just another skill you'll ma...

(And Why Do Homeschoolers Love Them?) First off, for simplicity's sake, when we say "charter school" here, we're lumping together home-based charter schools , home study divisions of public schools ...

We pull from a wide range of resources, including numerous publishers and manufacturers, to create our curriculum kits. As a business owned by a Christian family, our faith and values are generally re...

Practical Homeschooling® Reader Awards™ have been a regular feature in Practical Homeschooling magazine since 1998! Thousands of homeschoolers rank the curriculum they have used, and the products with...

This year our summer reading challenge focuses on STEM subjects: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Reading is a fantastic way for your children to learn more about the important impact these...

Mystery Links Before You Go is a random link that our family has enjoyed, and we hope yours will too. In this spot, you may find a funny video, interesting fact, thought-provoking article, cool skil...

As we kick off the 2022-2023 school year, our Blog Team is looking forward to sharing some fabulous product reviews with you! If you're a blogger and think you might like to join us, we accept applic...

We often get the question, "How do Timberdoodle Curriculum Kits line up with my state's requirements?" Here is a brief overview of what subjects each state requires and how that lines up with our Curr...

Timberdoodle has often heard the question, “how do you schedule homeschooling?” and while many families do it differently we thought we would share what worked well for our family. Our philosophy has...

We asked members of our Blog Team to share their best homeschool organization tips and tricks. In this round-up of blog posts and videos you will find pictures of their school rooms and/or learning sp...

It’s a common question around here, and the simple answer is yes! Many children with dyslexia have great success with Timberdoodle Curriculum Kits. Read the transcript or scroll to the bottom to watch...

The Wreck Report for the SS Slavonia concludes that: "The Court having carefully inquired into the circumstances attending the above-mentioned shipping casualty, finds for the reasons stated in the A...

We were so excited to hear from one of our customers (She also happens to be my cousin AND her three daughters were a delight in our 2011 Photo Shoot!) about how she is planning out her daughters’ cur...

Did you know that with almost every online Timberdoodle purchase you earn reward points? Spend a dollar, and we’ll give you a nickel back in credit. Buying a Kindergarten Curriculum Kit for $795? You...

Yes! Here’s how and why we accept payment plans. Looking for all the nitty-gritty details? Check out our Payment Plans page. Deb: Hope, we often get questions here at Timberdoodle about “How can I...

The Dented and Damaged Sale Is Coming! Our biggest spring cleaning sale ever - many items usually sell out in minutes. As always, no item will be sold that is unusable; these products have cosmetic b...