Category: by Debra Bell

by Debra Bell, Elementary, High School, Homeschool For Success, Teaching Writing

Help! My Child Hates Writing

April 24, 2019

So your child says he hates to write. What’s a homeschool mama to do? Believe me, I feel your pain. Teaching writing classes for thirty years, I’m no stranger to kids who dread writing. With experience, though, I found some strategies that work. I love the challenge of convincing reluctant writers that they have something Read More...

AIM Academy, by Debra Bell, High School, Testing

5 Ways Advanced Placement (AP) Exams Can Cut College Costs

April 2, 2019

The Advanced Placement (AP) program, offered by the College Board, allows ambitious high school students to take college-level exams each May that potentially qualify them for college credit at the college of their choice. Each college lists the AP exams and credit they will award for a passing score on their website. Just search for “AP credit” Read More...

by Debra Bell, Elementary, Planning

Is It Me? My Child? Or the Curriculum? What to do when homeschooling frustrations abound

March 12, 2019

Last week we began a series on mid-school year self-evaluations, and how to trouble-shoot your homeschooling frustrations. This week I continue my discussion with Debra Bell, as we look at how to determine if it’s just a bad day, a character issue with your child/children, or simply a child in need of more support. Is Read More...

by Debra Bell, Elementary, Homeschool For Success

Is It Me? My Child? Or the Curriculum?

March 6, 2019

What to do when homeschooling frustrations abound Some things are probably working wonderfully for you this school year but others are not. How do you figure out how to address those problem areas? I sat down with Debra Bell for practical advice on trouble-shooting your homeschool. This week we look at how to pinpoint the Read More...

by Debra Bell, Teaching Writing

How to Evaluate What Your Kids Write

January 16, 2019

The world needs to hear what your kids have to say that is uniquely theirs to share. Here’s how to help them. Meet the Six Traits of Great Writing. I can still remember my confusion as I stared down my first pile of student essays. Now what do I do? How do I decide who Read More...

by Debra Bell, Homeschool For Success

8 Reasons Homeschooling Works . . . And Tips for When It Doesn’t

December 20, 2018

After I finished homeschooling our kids, I headed back to school to complete a Ph.D. in educational psychology. I wanted to know how kids learn best. Wouldn’t that be helpful information for homeschooling moms and dads? Researchers have studied how children learn for more than a hundred years. We have a substantial body of knowledge Read More...