this is my family presentation

Making English Fun

My Family: Class Presentation Script Examples

Welcome to our collection of “My Family Presentation Scripts,” a resource lovingly crafted for elementary school students.

In this compilation, we look into the tapestry of family life, heritage, and traditions.

From the daily routines that bind a family to the ancestral stories that shape their identity, these scripts are an invitation for young learners to celebrate and share their unique family narratives.

Ideal for classroom presentations, these stories not only foster a deeper understanding of personal backgrounds but also cultivate respect and appreciation for the diverse family structures and cultures within our communities.

Explore our scripts to tell the story of your family in your classroom but remember to adapt them for you and if you are a teacher for your students!

you can download them from the link at the end of the article.

My Family: Class Presentation Script Examples For Younger Learners (Ages 6-7)

My family members script.

“Hi, I’m [Student’s Name]. I want to tell you about my family.

I have a mom, a dad, a big sister, and a little brother.

My mom is a teacher, and she helps me with my homework.

My dad is a chef, and he cooks yummy food.

My big sister plays games with me, and my little brother makes funny faces.

We all love each other and have fun together.

My family is special to me!”

Our Family Traditions Script

“Hello, my name is [Student’s Name].

Today, I’ll talk about our family traditions.

Every Sunday, we have a family picnic in the park. We bring sandwiches and play soccer.

On birthdays, we bake a big cake and sing songs.

My family also celebrates holidays together, like Christmas, when we decorate our house and give each other gifts.

These traditions make our family feel happy and close.”

My Family’s Pets Script

“Good day, everyone! I’m [Student’s Name], and I’ll tell you about my family’s pets.

We have a dog named Buddy and a cat named Whiskers.

Buddy loves to play fetch, and Whiskers likes to sleep in the sun.

They are part of our family because they make us laugh and we take care of them.

I love my pets very much because they are my best friends.”

My Family: Class Presentation Script Examples For Ages 8-10

My family’s heritage script.

“Hi, I’m [Student’s Name], and I’m going to talk about my family’s heritage.

My family is from Italy, and we have some cool traditions.

We make homemade pasta and pizza, and we speak Italian at home sometimes.

Every year, we celebrate Italian festivals and listen to Italian music.

Learning about my heritage is important because it helps me understand where my family came from and the history of our ancestors.”

A Day in My Family’s Life Script

“Hello, my name is [Student’s Name], and I want to share a day in my family’s life.

We start our day with breakfast together.

Then, we all go to work and school. After school, I have soccer practice, and my sister has dance class.

In the evening, we cook dinner together and talk about our day.

Sometimes, we play board games or watch a movie.

Every day is busy, but we make sure to spend time together because that’s what makes our family strong and happy.”

My Family’s Holiday Celebration Script

“Good morning, everyone. I’m [Student’s Name], and I’ll talk about how my family celebrates a holiday.

We celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights.

We decorate our house with lights and candles.

We also make rangoli, which are colorful patterns on the floor.

Our family gathers to eat special foods and share stories.

Diwali is about light over darkness and good over evil. It’s a time for being with family and having fun.”

My Family’s Vacation Adventure Script

“Hi, I’m [Student’s Name], and I want to tell you about a vacation adventure my family had.

Last summer, we went camping in the mountains.

We hiked trails, saw a waterfall, and even spotted some deer.

At night, we sat around the campfire, roasted marshmallows, and told stories.

It was an adventure because we explored new places and tried new things.

I love going on vacation with my family because we make great memories together.”

My Family’s Cultural Background Script

“Hello, my name is [Student’s Name], and my presentation is about my family’s cultural background.

We are from Mexico, and our culture is rich with traditions and celebrations.

We celebrate Dia de los Muertos, where we remember family members who have passed away.

We make an altar with photos, candles, and flowers.

Our culture is also known for delicious food like tacos and tamales, and we love to have big family meals.

Learning about my culture is important because it teaches me about my roots and the customs that are part of my identity.”

My Ancestors’ Story Script

“Good day, everyone! I’m [Student’s Name], and I’ll be sharing my ancestors’ story.

My great-grandparents came to this country many years ago.

They traveled by boat and brought only a few things with them.

They worked hard to build a new life here.

My family tells stories about their courage and determination.

Knowing about my ancestors is important because it shows me where my family started and how far we’ve come.

It makes me proud of my heritage and inspires me to work hard too.”

You can download these scripts to edit from the link here.

We also have an article and download on tips for great presentations for kids here on the site which is ever popular!

we hope these stories have encouraged your students to view their families with admiration and pride.

Each script, whether it’s about daily life, cultural heritage, or ancestral journeys, is a testament to the unique bonds and histories that make up our family narratives.

These presentations serve not just as a tool for sharing personal stories but also as a means to foster empathy, understanding, and connection among classmates.

Further Reading

• https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/speaking/a2-speaking/talking-about-your-family
• https://preply.com/en/blog/speaking-about-family-and-relatives-in-english/
• https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/writing/a1-writing/about-my-family

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Making English Fun!

I have been a teacher of English for over 15 years, in that time i made hundreds and thousands of resources and learnt so much i think its worth sharing. Hopefully to help teachers and parents around the world.

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Meet My Family – Free Lesson Plan & PPT for ESL Teachers

Meet  David De’ Ath , co-founder, editor, and writer at Wonderful World English. With his extensive background as an English teacher, David provides valuable insights and practical tips on ESL for students and teachers alike.

If you’re an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher or a teacher of young learners looking for some tips and materials on teaching the subject of families and family trees, you’re in the right place!

This lesson is an important aspect of English language learning, especially for young learners, as it helps them build comprehension of everyday family words.

From basic words like “me,” “mom,” and “dad” to terms like “family tree” and “baby cousin,” this lesson is a must for any young learner in an ESL curriculum.

Teachers should include materials and visual prompts to teach a lesson on families and family trees effectively. The goal is for students to understand and produce the vocabulary and be able to answer the question, “Who’s this?”. Teachers can use TPR well and keep the lesson fun and engaging.

I am an experienced ESL teacher who has taught this lesson to families many times; it is good fun and great to have in a student’s English toolkit.

I have provided the materials I use for this lesson, along with the PPT and lesson plan for you below, for free!

Feel free to use these materials in your classroom; you can add or take away anything to your class however you see fit.

Let’s jump in!

Family Tree ESL Lesson

This lesson is a staple in any English curriculum.

Learners need to understand the vocabulary associated with family members at a basic level before moving on to more complicated areas.

Students typically love to get involved and discuss their parents or siblings, so this lesson can be a lot of fun.

With the right mix of games and activities, songs, and movies, this will surely be a success.

Below, we will look at the lesson plan on the subject of families for a 45-minute class for young ESL learners, as well as some materials and games to include.

Here is the lesson plan:

1. Lesson Plan

This lesson is focused on the key sentence: “How does it taste?”, and teaches students to reply with “It’s sour,” “It’s spicy,” “It’s sweet,” or “It’s salty.”

This lesson is for very basic-level English learners, so I don’t overwhelm them.

If you believe your students can handle a little more, then go ahead and include more vocabulary, such as “it’s bitter” or “it’s delicious,” for example.

This plan should be used as a guide to accompany the PPT supplied below:

Meet My Family

Objective: To teach ESL students family-related vocabulary, foster comprehension, and enable them to talk about their family in English.

You will need An interactive whiteboard for the PPT, a whiteboard/blackboard to keep score of points, paper, pencils, and flashcards of family vocabulary (optional).

1. Introduction (5 minutes):

• Greetings and classroom rule review.
• Split the class into teams (e.g., boys vs. girls or by the row they are sitting in).
• Review content from your previous lesson (if applicable).

2. New Topic Introduction (3 minutes):

• Introduce the new topic: “Family.”
• Show a basic family tree diagram and explain the concept.

3. Family Vocabulary (8 minutes):

• Introduce family vocabulary words like mother, father, sister, brother, etc.
• Show pictures of family members and ask, “Who is this?”

4. Family Tree Exploration (3 minutes):

• Show a more detailed family picture and explain relationships like grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
• Encourage students to identify relationships on the family tree.
• Invite students to point at the family member and produce the language; give points to whoever does this well.

5. Play movie (4 minutes):

• Play a relevant movie to boost comprehension.

6. Make a family tree (8 minutes):

• Show students a family tree and discuss.
• Hand out blank pieces of paper and have students fill in the names or pictures of their family members.

8. Present (10 minutes):

• Select a few students to come to the front and present their family tree to the class.
• Ask questions related to the family tree and award points for correct answers.
• Students can produce sentences such as “This is my mom. She is beautiful,” for example.

9. Wrap-up and Rewards (4 minutes):

• Review all the new language and relationships discussed in the lesson.
• Congratulate the winning team; small rewards such as stickers can be an excellent token of appreciation.

If you’re looking for some great ideas for games and activities that you can include within your lesson plan for this lesson or any other, the guide below is for you!

Related Article:  Fun Classroom Games to Play – Teacher’s Guide

2. Free PPT

Below is the PPT I made for you to use in your class; you can download this and use it as it is with the lesson plan above, or you can edit it however you would like:

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3. Materials

Some great materials are available on the subject of families and family trees.

You can use  YouTube , copyright-free images on sites like Canva, or check out useful platforms such as  Teachers Pay Teachers .

Make sure to use appropriate and relevant resources to make sure your class is fun and engaging.

It is great to make the most of flash cards and props in ESL lessons.

You can show an image of your own family and discuss this with your students; they will surely find this interesting.

And if your school has materials you can use, be sure to make the most of them!

The video below is great for teaching the subject of families and has all the key vocabulary needed for this lesson:

Any eye-catching video or song on the subject will keep your students captivated and more receptive to retaining the newly learned language.

Another key lesson is “How does it taste?” check out the link below for more free materials!

Related Article: How Does it Taste? – Free Lesson Plan & PPT for ESL Teachers

“Meet My Family” is a delightful theme that allows students to delve into family vocabulary and relationships, which are integral parts of everyday life.

This lesson opens a window for students to talk about their families, promoting a personal connection to the English language.

Utilize this guide’s lesson plan and PPT as a springboard if you’re seeking inspiration for your teaching journey.

Feel free to personalize the PPT by adding or removing slides to seamlessly align with your lesson objectives.

Incorporating enjoyable games, activities, and materials will undoubtedly make your lesson engaging and memorable.

If this material aids your teaching venture, we’d be thrilled if you could share this post and follow us on the platforms mentioned below.

Your support propels us forward!

Cheers to impactful teaching and the joy of learning.

Have a wonderful day!

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Family Lesson Plan

This family lesson plan is great for teaching kids and beginner English language learners about the members of the family in English. Learning vocabulary and expressions about family and family members is essential for ESL learners, both young and old. Everyone has relatives, so this topic is something everyone can relate to. Learning to talk about families connects students’ real-life experiences with what they learn in the classroom, which is great for language learning. 

On this page, you can find a complete ESL lesson plan about family and family members. This lesson plan includes all the materials you need including PDF flashcards, student cards, and board games. The games and activities on this page will have your students talking about their families in no time. 

This lesson plan is mainly aimed at kids/beginner learners of English. See the below to download all the materials needed for this lesson. In addition, at the bottom of this page, you can find additional materials to teach about family members to ESL learners. 

Materials for this lesson:

• Flashcards – Family
• Student Cards – Family

Introduce the Topic, Keywords, and Expression

Before teaching the keywords for the lesson, it is important to put the lesson into context so that students understand what they will learn. This will also activate the students existing knowledge about family vocabulary. 

The easiest way to contextualize a lesson about family is to show students pictures of your family. Showing your family will likely be very interesting to your students, especially if you teach young learners. Show students pictures of your family and ask them to guess who they are. For example, show them a picture of your brother/sister and ask them to guess how they are related to you. 

This can lead to some funny answers, especially with kids, who don’t always have a great concept of age. In many of my classes over the years, kids usually guess that my older brother is my dad, and my dad is my grandfather. 

Next, practice the keywords for the lesson using these  family member flashcards . Show students the flashcards one by one and ask them to repeat after you. Then, show students again and ask them to say the words on their own. 

Once students have practiced several times, it’s time to introduce the key expressions you will use during the lesson. The key expressions you use will depend on the age and level of your students and your particular curriculum. Here are a few example sentences you can use while teaching a lesson on family: 

• Who’s this/that?  – This is my (father).
• Who’s he/she – He/She is my (brother/sister).
• What does your father/mother do? – He/She is a (pilot).
• How many brothers and sisters do you have? – I have 2 brothers and 1 sister.

Activity 1: Nice To Meet You Game

After introducing the keywords and expressions, it’s time for a fun game to practice some more. This activity involves the whole class and requires a set of  family flashcards . 

How To Play:

Place the  family flashcards  on the board in a horizontal line. Then divide the class into two teams. Next, the two teams should line up at opposite ends of the line of flashcards. One student from each team should move down the line towards each other, touching each flashcard and saying the key sentence as they go. For example, ‘This is my father.’, ‘This is my mother.’, and so on. When they meet, they should stop and have a dialogue using the key expressions. For example,

Student A: ‘Who’s this?’

Student B:  ‘This is my father.’ 

Student A: ‘Nice to meet you.’

Once students have completed the dialogue, they should play Rock, Scissors, Paper. The winner stays where he/she is. The loser goes to the back of their team’s line, and the next student from that team gets ready. When the teacher says ‘Go’, the students walk toward each other down the line touching each flashcard and saying the key expression again. 

When they meet, they have a dialogue, play Rock, Scissors, Paper, and so on. The aim of the game is to reach the other end of the line of flashcards. If they make it all the way to the other side, they get a point for their team. 

Activity 2: Guessing Game – Speaking Practice

This game can be played in pairs or small groups of 3/4. For this activity, each group needs a set of smaller flashcards. Download, print, and cut out these  family student cards  and give one set to each group. 

How To Play: 

Each group should place their 8 cards face down and mix them up. Students will take turns guessing the family member while using the target language. To do this, one student will point to a card and ask another student, ‘Who’s this?’. Then that student will try to guess who it is by saying, ‘This is my (mother).’ 

Then they should turn the card over to see if he/she guessed correctly. If they got it right, then that student gets to keep that card. If he/she got it wrong, then they turn the card over again and mix up the cards. The game finishes when all the cards have gone, and the student with the most cards is the winner.

Activity 3: Level Up Game

This fun speaking game will get students up out of their seats and talking with their classmates. For this activity, again, you need the  family student cards . You can re-use the cards from the previous activity. This activity is also explained in  this video  from Games4esl.

In this activity, each student needs one family member student card. Next, explain that the four corners of the classroom are four different levels. Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4. First, all students should start at level 1. There, they should meet another student and have a dialogue based on the family member that is on their card. For example, 

Student A: Who’s that?

Student B: This is my uncle. Who’s that?

Student A: This is my sister.

Next, the 2 students should play Rock, Scissors, Paper. The winner then moves to Level 2, and the loser stays at Level 1. Then students should meet another classmate at their level and have a dialogue. Then play Rock, Scissors, Paper, and then advance to the next level or stay where they are.

Students should continue this until they have made it to Level 4. Once students have advanced through all 4 levels, then they get a sticker ( or high five from the teacher, etc.) and start again at level 1. After about 5 minutes, the student with the most stickers/points is the winner.

Review – Family Tree Diagram

At the end of the lesson, review the keywords and expressions from the lesson. A great way to review what they have learned, and to check their understanding of family vocabulary, is to ask students to help you to complete a family tree diagram. 

Start at the top of the board and draw/write ‘grandpa’. Elicit the other family members from students as you draw out a family tree. Once the family tree is complete, you can review the key expressions from the lesson. For example, ask students ‘Who’s this?’, and students can answer ‘This is my brother,’ etc. 

Related Resources

• Family Worksheets
• Family Flashcards
• Family Vocabulary Exercises
• Family Members In English – A Comprehensive Guide

6e - Unit 3 - this is my family

Created on March 7, 2024

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Unit 3 - This is my family

1) look at the picture, what can you see"i can see..."2) can you imagine the topic of the video"maybe the video is about...".

Search form

About my family.

Look at the email and do the exercises to practise and improve your writing skills.

Instructions

Do the preparation exercise first. Then read the email and do the other exercises.

Preparation

Do this exercise before you start.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Subject: My family

Let me tell you about my family. I live with my mum, my dad and my big sister. We live in California. My mum’s name is Carmen. She’s Mexican and she speaks English and Spanish. She’s a Spanish teacher. She’s short and slim, she’s got long, brown hair and brown eyes. My dad’s name is David. He’s American. He’s tall and a little fat! He’s got short brown hair and blue eyes. He works in a bank. My sister Shania is 14 and she loves listening to music. She listens to music all the time! She’s got long brown hair and green eyes, like me. I’ve got long hair too. We’ve got a pet dog, Brandy. He’s black and white and very friendly.

Write soon and tell me about your family.

Check your understanding: gap fill

Check your writing: gap fill, check your writing: multiple choice, worksheets and downloads.

Do you have a big family?

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Reclaiming Wonders

Classical Conversations: 20 Easy Ways to Rock Your Family Presentation

Welcome to Classical Conversations! Are you one of the 75% of people who are afraid of public speaking? Let’s change that by raising up kids who have been practicing speaking in front of classmates since they were four years old. Training up confident speakers is one of the top reasons my family loves Classical Conversations , and the yearly family CC presentation is just one of the ways this is done.

To my homeschooling family, our Classical Conversations co-op is a room of our favorite friends who feel more like a family. In a CC homeschool group, you get to know the family members, your children’s tutors, and your children’s friends. It’s not just your homeschool kids who will have to give a weekly presentation in front of their classmates. Family presentation is for everyone in the family… including the parents!

If this is your first year in Classical Conversations, the thought of standing in front of more than fifty kids and their parents may be a little overwhelming. However, it really is a great way to get to know the other parents at your Classical Conversations group, and hopefully, you will be able to find a new Mom friend among the crowd.

Let’s limit your stress level. Copy these ideas! Here’s a long list of Classical Conversations presentation ideas to lessen your worries. And, please, have fun and don’t stress it.

Affiliate disclosure: When you click and purchase a link in my post, I may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I promise to only recommend products or places that I have personally want, used, or researched. Thanks in advance for the gallon of gas. 😉

Make Your Family Presentation Funny Make Your Family Presentation Musical Make Your Family Presentation Encouraging Make Your Family Presentation Historical Make Your Family Presentation Familial Make Your Family Presentation Personal

What is a Classical Conversations Family Presentation?

A CC family presentation can be as formal or loose as you and your family want to make it. Your family presentation may last five minutes or ten minutes. It may be the highlight of your kids’ year, and they ask you weekly when your family gets to talk. In contrast, this may be the CC week that makes you want to choose to fake an illness.

Know the day for your family talk ahead of time, and plan accordingly. And don’t be afraid to express your concerns to the Foundations director. She’s your new best friend and can answer all your questions! The Classical Conversations foundations director may even let you pick the date, so you can wait until you’re feeling more comfortable.

~~~~> Wondering how Classical Conversations presentations play into your future homeschooling teens? Make sure you read “ Classical Conversations Challenge Program: How to Homeschool Teens. ” It’s not as scary as it sounds!

Why Does Classical Conversations Include Presentations?

CC makes public speaking a priority in all levels. The brief show-and-tell type presentations of their early years are preparing them for their upcoming years. They will be less nervous reading papers in front of their Essentials peers in fourth to sixth grades. And just wait until they advance to the CC Challenge years! Your kid will be reciting entire speeches, standing in front of a room debating and presenting grant proposals, and eventually defending themselves in front of a panel of “judges” with their senior thesis in Challenge IV.

Don’t stress the younger years. Your Foundations kids are learning basic skills that are preparing them for the future naturally. And rest assured that their confidence and eye-contact will just continue to strength and amaze us all.

What is Included in a CC Family Presentation?

The main components of a family presentation are simple. All you have to do is…

• Introduce yourself as Mom (and hopefully Dad if he can come)
• Let the kids introduce themselves by name and age
• Tell something about your family.
• And… Keep it short! Aim for five minutes and call it done.

Remember, this isn’t a big structured presentation that you need to spend an hour memorizing. Bring notes. Draw up a pasteboard. Grab whatever you need to make your life easier.

Ideas for Fun Family Presentation Ideas for CC!

Everyone’s CC family presentation looks different, but it isn’t necessary. Copy someone else’s ideas!

Most likely, the other grown ups in your Classical Conversations group don’t remember what each family talked about, and they definitely couldn’t tell you if you’re stealing someone else’s idea. Even if they realize you did exactly what they did the week before, Classical Conversations parents don’t care! Go ahead and steal these ideas!

Remember, family presentation can be a time to learn from each other, get encouragement from other homeschool families, and above all, get to know the amazing people that are now in your life!

Make Your Family Presentation Funny

Two truths and lie – Have a list of two true things and one lie ready for each family member. Read them out, and the community has to guess which one is the lie for each person. They love the interactiveness of this, and it can get a bit rowdy.

Guess who – Have each kid bring 2-3 items that belong to them. Put them in a big bag, and someone in the family unveils each item one at a time. The audience guesses who it belongs to, the owner of the item agrees or disagrees, and they tells a short story about the item.

Tell a joke – You know those silly jokes your kid wants to tell you over and over? Bring them to a new audience!

Rhyming words – Write a silly poem about each member of the family. The gigglier the better.

Make Your Family Presentation Musical

Family dance off – This is the most creative one I’ve seen in a while. The presenting family shared their favorite song that helps them wake up every morning, and the whole school got up and had a dance party with them. Don’t be afraid to make your presentations fun!

Sing a song together – Have each family member grab an instrument they can play (or bang) and sing a hymn or favorite song you enjoy singing together at home. Make it silly or make it beautiful. Either way wins.

Perform for us – Work together at home to prepare a short skit or play for everyone. Assign parts, bring props, and make it yours.

Make Your Family Presentation Encouraging

Share your faith – Tell a favorite Bible verse, Bible story, devotional, or prayer. This is a great way to practice sharing their faith!

Tell of homeschool victories – All homeschool parents need to know that they aren’t alone in this homeschool journey. Use this time to share a personal or family victory (or struggle); tell of how you are hoping to create a family of lifelong learners .

Share your homeschool journey – Mom can tell the family’s homeschool story while the kids tell their favorite part about homeschooling or their favorite subject.

Speak to younger homeschool moms – If you have older kids, use this time to share about your students’ Essentials or Challenge journeys. Let them see the connections with Foundations, and give younger moms a glimpse of what they can look forward to. (This also helps them know which “older” parent might have answers to their future questions.)

~~~~> Make sure you check out my “How to Be a Prepared Essentials Mom” blog post. There really is so much to know as you move into the upper levels of elementary school with Classical Conversations.

Make Your Family Presentation Historical

Family history – Share a story of your ancestor or where your family came from. This is especially meaningful if you can tie it into a history or geography topic for the year.

Meaning of the name – Have each person tell the meaning of their name when they introduce themselves or where their name came from. You could even tie it in with the meaning of your last name. Don’t forget to tell about the pets at home too.

Share your favorite historical person – Classical Conversations dives so deep into history! Use this opportunity to share random facts about the person you’re studying or even to introduce them to a new person that they should know!

~~~~> If you’re a history loving family, head over to my detailed “ Virginia History Road Trip Itinerary” for Williamsburg and Jamestown. I know it’s on your learning road trip plan in the future!

Make Your Family Presentation Familial

Recent Road trips – You know this one is our favorite! Homeschool families like to travel – it’s a fact. Inspire other people to take homeschooling on the road with your adventure mom tips or favorite road trips destinations. Bonus if you bring photos of your favorite destinations. I bet you’ll find a mom coming up to you afterward asking for your road trip planning tips .

Bring pictures – If you have pets or special items that you can’t easily bring to CC, bring a picture! Let the kids talk about the picture, answer questions about the picture, and possibly pass the picture around if you can. (If it’s okay with the community, bring your special pet. Better than a picture!)

Family traditions – What is that special thing you do together to celebrate that others might enjoy adding or learning about? What do you do at Christmas? What non-traditional holidays do you celebrate?

What we like to do as a family – Keep this simple. “My name is ——. My favorite thing to do is….” 

~~~> Wish you had a road trip to share? Check out “10 Tips to a Family Road Trip with Less Stress” .

Make Your Family Presentation Personal

My favorite games, sport, books, toy… – Kids listen to suggestions from other kids more than they do from their own parents. (Surely I’m not the only one, right?) Use this presentation time to convince other kids why they should play or read something new. It might even inspire a kid book club or show a mom how to incorporate gameschooling .

Bring a hobby – Have everyone bring a sample of a craft or hobby they like to do. This is another great way to inspire others to learn how to do something new and remind kids that mom will always be the lead learner in your homeschool .

Read some of their writing – If you are a small family with an Essentials student , use this time to tell why you love the program, and let your child proudly read one of their Essentials writing assignments. Even if they’re not in Essentials, bring something to share!

If you’re new to Classical Conversations or homeschooling or even just new to presentations in front of a group, I hope this ideas help! You and the kids can do more than you think you can.

Questions about Classical Conversations? Check out the CC website and ask me your questions.

Related Homeschool Posts

Thanks for stopping by my little corner! Here’s to your next adventure.

I’m Bobbie. As transplants from Texas, my family of six is on a mission to discover all of Georgia’s amazing places , experience amazing road trips across the United States , and create a homeschool life along the way.

Want to adventure like me? Reach out! I’d love to chat . Stop by my Instagram or Pinterest page to discover more of our adventures.

Want to work with me ? I’d love to work with your destination and tourism board to help other family travelers see all you have to offer.

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Published by Bobbie || ReclaimingWonders

Travel mom. Homeschool mom. Creating Mom. I'm here to help you create a life of learning for your family. View all posts by Bobbie || ReclaimingWonders

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This is my family

Mar 18, 2019

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This is my family. this is my beautiful family are my mom my dad my brother my twin sister and my grandma. my parents.

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• beautiful sister
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Presentation Transcript

Thisis my family this is my beautiful family are my mom my dad my brother my twin sister and my grandma

my parents are two very nice people that I care much at times, my father is a good man I admire and the like to be like someday my dad works in government and my mom takes care of the house.

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A Bunch of IRS Tax Deductions and Credits You Need to Know

Lowering your taxable income is the key to paying less to the IRS. Several federal tax deductions and credits can help.

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Tax season can be stressful and complicated. Thankfully, tax credits and tax deductions can reduce your tax bill and ease the frustration of owing too much money to the IRS.

Here are some common IRS tax deductions and credits. Whether you are a homeowner, parent, charitable giver, older adult, or self-employed person, there are various ways to optimize your tax savings. 

IRS tax return common credits and tax deductions

If you haven’t filed your taxes yet ( Tax Day is April 15), you can use these and other tax breaks (if you are eligible for them) to reduce tax liability. If you have already filed, this information can help you plan to maximize your tax savings for the 2024 tax year (returns you file in early 2025).

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Consult with a qualified tax professional to ensure you take full advantage of the credits and deductions available to you in compliance with tax laws. Doing so can help you to keep more of your hard-earned money and achieve greater financial stability. 

Note: This is a list of common tax deductions and credits that may be available to you. Please note that it is not exhaustive and does not include any particular order or ranking.

The standard deduction

If you are like most taxpayers, you take the standard deduction instead of itemizing deductions. 

• The standard deduction reduces your taxable income by a predetermined, fixed dollar amount.
• Itemized deductions can also reduce your taxable income, but the amount varies and is not predetermined.

However, to decide whether to itemize, you must know the standard deduction amount for each tax year. See What’s the Standard Deduction for 2023 and 2024 ?

Family-focused tax credits

Child Tax Credit: The child tax credit (CTC) allows eligible parents and caregivers to reduce their tax liability, possibly resulting in a tax refund. However, not everyone can claim the CTC, and credit amounts can differ for those who can. The child tax credit is based on income, filing status, the number of children, and whether the IRS considers your dependent a qualifying child. For more information on the 2023 CTC (for tax returns filed now, see Child Tax Credit 2023: What You Need to Know .

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Aimed at individuals and families with low to moderate income, the EITC is a refundable tax credit based on earned income and family size. It can financially boost working individuals, especially those with children, but is also available to some taxpayers without children. Unfortunately, many eligible individuals are unaware of the credit or don’t know how to claim it, resulting in it being overlooked.

Child and Dependent Care Credit: The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit can help you pay for childcare or dependent care services to enable you to work or search for a job. 

• You can claim up to $3,000 of eligible childcare expenses for one qualifying individual or up to $6,000 for two or more qualifying individuals. 

This is a non-refundable tax credit, meaning it can reduce your federal income tax bill, but you cannot receive the credit as a tax refund. Learn more at Summer Camp Tax Breaks for 2023 .

Adoption Credit: The adoption credit is available for taxpayers who adopt or start the adoption process in a given tax year. The credit can be applied to international, domestic, private, and public foster care adoptions. However, it does not apply to those who adopt their spouse's child. The federal adoption tax credit for the 2023 tax year is worth up to $15,950 (inflation-adjusted yearly), but income limits apply.

Homeowner tax deductions

Mortgage Interest Deduction: Homeowners can deduct the interest paid on mortgage loans, reducing taxable income. This deduction can be particularly beneficial during the early years of a mortgage when interest payments are higher. How much you can deduct might depend on when you bought your home and your filing status. For more information, see Deducting Mortgage Interest on Your Tax Return .

Mortgage Points : Points paid at the time of mortgage origination can often be deducted in the year they were paid, potentially lowering taxable income.

Gains on Home Sale: Individuals who sell their primary residence may qualify to exclude a portion of the capital gains from their taxable income, provided they meet certain ownership and use requirements. This is known as the capital gains tax exclusion for home sales .

Energy-Efficient Home Improvements: Taxpayers who invest in energy-efficient home improvements may be eligible for tax credits. For example, homeowners can lower their federal income tax bills by installing new energy-efficient windows, doors, water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners, and solar panels.

Medical deductions

Medical Expenses: Taxpayers who itemize deductions can deduct qualifying medical expenses that exceed a certain percentage of their adjusted gross income (AGI), which can provide some relief for substantial healthcare costs.

Health Savings Account (HSA) Contributions: Contributions to an HSA are tax-deductible and can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses, offering a tax-efficient way to save for healthcare costs.

Long-term Care Insurance Premiums: Long-term care insurance provides benefits to policyholders dealing with long-term care expenses. If your insurance premiums are substantial, you may be eligible to claim a deduction for some or all of the amount you pay to keep your policy. This can help decrease your tax liability. However, it is important to remember that this tax benefit has certain IRS limitations.

Education credits and deductions

Student Loan Interest Deduction: If you paid interest on your student loan last year, you might be eligible for a tax deduction worth up to $2,500. By using this deduction, you can lower your taxable income. 

• However, the IRS has specific rules for who can claim the student loan interest deduction; only some are eligible for the maximum amount. 

For more information, see How to Claim the Student Loan Interest Deduction .

AOTC: The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) is a partially refundable tax credit available to those currently enrolled in college. Eligible taxpayers can claim 100% of the first $2,000 spent on qualified education expenses and 25% of the next $2,000. The maximum credit is $2,500 per qualifying student. If the credit exceeds the tax owed, you can receive a refund for 40% of the remaining amount, up to $1,000 per qualifying student.

Lifetime Learning Credit: The Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC) is worth up to $2,000 per tax return and can be claimed for an unlimited number of years. However, the credit is not refundable. Unlike the American Opportunity tax credit, graduate students are eligible to claim the LLC, and students do not need to attend college at least half-time to qualify. 

For more information, see 11 Education Tax Credits and Deductions .

Work-related tax deductions

Home Office Tax Deduction: Self-employed individuals are typically eligible to deduct expenses related to their home office. Here's more about the home office tax deduction .

Educator Expense Deduction: The educator expense tax deduction (also called the teacher deduction) allows some teachers, counselors, principals, or other instructors to write off classroom expenses and supplies on federal income tax returns. For the current tax season (i.e., the 2023 tax year), the maximum educator expense deduction is $300.

Military Moving Expenses: Active-duty U.S. military personnel who relocate due to a military order and permanent change of station may be able to deduct certain moving expenses not reimbursed by the military.

Special deductions for older ddults

Qualified Charitable Distributions: If you are 70½ or older, you can make qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) directly from your IRA to eligible charitable organizations. 

• These distributions can be helpful for retirees who want to support charitable causes while minimizing their tax liability. 
• QCDs fulfill required minimum distributions (RMDs) without being included in adjusted gross income (AGI).

Extra Standard Deduction: Once you turn 65, you become eligible for an extra standard deduction in addition to the regular standard deduction. This extra deduction reduces taxable income, potentially allowing retirees to keep more of their hard-earned money.

Energy tax credits

EV Tax Credit: To encourage people to purchase electric vehicles (EVs), the federal government offers a tax credit of up to $7,500 for certain "clean vehicles." The EV tax credit amount depends on factors like the vehicle's sourcing, assembly, and when it was put into service.  Used EVs may also qualify for a tax credit of up to $4,000. Due to new EV tax rules, beginning January 1, 2024, you may be able to take the clean vehicle credit as a discount when purchasing the vehicle from a registered dealer. (Income limits apply to the EV credit.)

EV Charger Tax Credit: If you install an electric vehicle charging station at home, you can receive a federal EV charger tax credit equal to 30% of the cost of hardware and installation expenses. The maximum credit amount is $1,000. Additionally, starting last year, the EV charger tax credit for home and business installations applies to other EV charger equipment like bidirectional (two-way) chargers.

Miscellaneous tax deductions and credits

Charitable Contributions : Donations made to qualifying charitable organizations are tax-deductible for those who itemize, which can incentivize philanthropic giving. Be sure to contribute to legitimate charities and get and keep receipts for your donations. The IRS says that in most cases, the amount of charitable cash contributions taxpayers can deduct as an itemized deduction is usually limited to 60% of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income.

Jury Duty Pay Returned to Employer: If an employer continues to pay an employee's salary while serving jury duty and requires the employee to turn over the jury duty pay, the employee can deduct the amount turned over to the employer. Keep in mind that jury pay is taxable income.

Gambling Losses: While gambling winnings are taxable, taxpayers can deduct gambling losses up to the amount of their winnings if they itemize deductions. For more information, see Taxes on Gambling Winnings and Losses .

Bad Debt (Uncollected): If you have previously included an amount in your income and cannot collect it, you may be able to deduct it as a bad debt. Check out IRS Topic 453 for more information.

Saver’s Credit : People with low to moderate incomes who contribute to retirement savings accounts may qualify for a tax credit designed to encourage retirement savings.

•  If your income falls within the credit limits, you can claim up to $1,000 for single filers or $2,000 for joint filers.

As Kiplinger has reported, for those who qualify for the Saver's Credit , the lower your income, the higher the percentage of retirement plan contributions you get back on your tax return.

• Types of Income the IRS Doesn’t Tax
• Seven IRS Tax Changes to Know Before You File
• Most-Overlooked Tax Credits and Deductions
• Federal Tax Brackets and Income Tax Rates

As the senior tax editor at Kiplinger.com, Kelley R. Taylor simplifies federal and state tax information, news, and developments to help empower readers. Kelley has over two decades of experience advising on and covering education, law, finance, and tax as a corporate attorney and business journalist. 

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