Friendship bracelets can be very simple or extremely intricate, but at heart they're just colorful embroidery floss woven into lovely patterns, to be given to dear friends (or kept for yourself).  This knotted style is known as "Snake Around the Pole" and is probably the easiest friendship bracelet to make.

The supplies you'll need are:

four different colors of embroidery floss

scissors

clipboard 

Cut 8 strands (2 of each of the colors) of the floss, each about 3 feet long.  Line the strands up together and knot together about 4-5 inches from one end. 

 Take this end and place on a clibboard, with the knot directly under the clip.  Seperate the two strands of your first color from the others.  Take these strands and cross it on top of the others, making the shape of the number 4. 

Then loop the strands under the others and bring it through the opening created by the "4" shape.

This forms a knot that you will pull tight by sliding it toward the big knot at the top.  You'll need to use your other hand to make the other strands taught for the knot to slide easily.

Repeat this with the same string for as long as you want this color.  When you are ready to change colors, replace with two strands of another color and combine the first color back in with the others.

Repeat the "4" shape knots with this color until you are wanting to change then continue knotting and changing colors until you have reached a length that fits around your wrist.  Finish with another big knot, and leave enough room to tie the bracelet around your friend's (or your own) wrist.  Trim the excess strings once you are sure the size is what you want. 

There are so many varieties you can make with just this one knotting style.  Just by changing the colors and number of strands, it can fill many a lazy summer day.  My 10 year old son and 7 year old daughter have made so many of these, and have plans to make many more.  My son picked the colors green, gray, light brown and dark brown and make a camoflauge bracelet, he hasn't taken it off in nearly a week.  My daughter made one red, white and blue for the 4th of July, she changed it to using just three colors instead of four but used three strands of each color instead of two.  The kids got the hang of it very quickly, and my husband even asked them to make him one in blue and yellow (he's a manager at a NAPA warehouse) once he saw me wearing mine today. 

Remember, these are not just for girls, President Bill Clinton sported one in the first televised interview of his post-presidential years. 

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We have been watching D.V.D.'s on marriage with another family down here in Mexico. They are by a man named Emerson Eggerichs who does a wonderful job of communicating godly principles for marriage. I have read a lot of books on how a woman ought to honor her husband but this series has been really helpful for understanding how harmful to men our contemptuous attitudes can be, as well as how we can communicate respect to them.

I really appreciated hearing from a man's perspective what our communication means to them. For instance, most women get close by talking together, when we go out with our husbands, naturally what we feel will draw us closer is to talk. This might mean discussing issues with children, or ways we can have a better marriage. Strangely enough this type of talk did not seem to inspire closeness in my husband. As Emmerson explained it, when men want to feel close they often do things together, without much conversation. Things like hunting and fishing, or watching a game or simply going to the hardware store together. As women we can try to understand that our husbands are different from us, and show respect for those differences by trying to meet their needs.

As it says in Malachi 2:14-16, God hates treachery in marriage because he desires a godly offspring (paraphrased). We honor God when we work hard at our marriages, and having a happy, God honoring marriage is one of the best ways to give our children a heart for the Lord and His ways.

Jennifer Pepito-Chapel Editoral

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One of my favorite authors on "unschooling" is John Holt.  I thought about grabbing some of his best quotes for this column but there are far too many to pick from! 

 John was the person who coined the term "unschooling."  However, his meaning was simple;  removing a child from the public school classroom.  That is all unschooling really meant.  However, many homeschooling analysts have added so many definitions that it is rather confusing.  What parents do with their children after removing them from a classroom situation (or what they do instead of putting them there in the first place) has become one of the most debated and discussed aspects of homeschooing, I believe. 

Unschooling styles are as numerous as there are families.  Or as many as there are individuals in those families!  Let me give you a few personal examples:

My oldest child is self motivated and learns anything she wants to.  I don't have to coerce her.  She is driven to learn, as most children are in one manner or another. She teaches classes in an area she has become proficient in, and has her own cottage business which is teaching her how to manage her finances, time and resources.

My second child is content to read, act out characters, write his own stories, and work hard when he can see a tangible reward at the end. He's learning responsibility in several areas of his life and I am thankful we can be here to guide him.

The third child is a lesson in perseverance.  She will stick with something long after everyone else has given up.  She loves nature and also has learned that she can take on any job offered and will stick to it.  To this child however, the process is the reward.

And what about our fourth child?  He is very social, very busy and must have his hands in a project of his own design from sun up until sundown.  Very curious; makes up his own words if he doesn't know one that will fit.  "Flustraphobia" is one of his recent creations.  It fit the situation perfect!

My kids are all so unique.  ALL people are!  We try to hard to make everyone the same, unfortunately. 

Something I constantly have to remind myself, amidst the standardization mindset that even I get caught up in at times:  I am not raising my kids to be standardized.  I am aware of their uniqueness.  They are all different, and individuals.  I will not beat my head up against the wall trying to fit my square pegs in that round hole anymore.  It is not good for them, or for me either.  I have to learn what their bent is and go with that flow or our "educational" journey will be nothing but strife and frustration for all involved.

Do I do this perfectly?  Heavens, no! 

As I am working with my children and learning along side of them I have to pray hard and realize that there are many years of public schooling working against me personally, and in my endeavor to train and raise my kids. 

I was once a child who was forced to be standardized, all my corners were sheared off while I was being crammed into that round hole against my will, and against everything that is right.  Slowly, that part of me is coming alive again but only because I have the opportunity to really learn right along with my kids--learning with them, about them, and all about myself.

You are welcome to quote me on that!

Blessings!

Nancy

Nancy Baetz has been unschooling herself and her four children for 16+ years and enjoys the journey most days! She believes that the Lord has given these children to her and her husband and that with God's help, they will grow and learn with grace and mercy and become who they were meant to be.  You are more than welcome to stop by her homeschool blog or visit her website at www.nancybaetz.com

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I like a new twist on the same old, same old.  This week as I was purusing the blogs I came across the Sack Family blog and I said to noone in particular, "This woman has no sidebar!"  Which I thought rather odd and interesting all at the same time. 

As I read down the list of posts, which gave me an idea or two, I finally came to the, er, um, bottom bar I guess you'd call it.  There was all of the sidebar information, just down low and inconspicious like.  I'm supposing here that the reason for this is one of two things: She just wanted to be different or who and what she is, is not important in the grand scheme of things.  Just get on with reading the blog.  I could be wrong but I'll go with it. 

Anyway, here are a few of the posts that caught my eye.  First up is a paper mache ant hill.  My youngest would get a BIG kick out of making one of these as he is an ant lover.  Here are some ant book titles in case you'd like to start your own unti study.

Do you like quilts?  Do you enjoy the Iditarod?  The Iditarod quilt is a great project for any family doing an Iditarod unit study for next year!  You can view the quilt in Alaska and you can have your letter go over the trail.  My family has done Iditarod lapbooks so all of this looks interesting for more involvement with the sport.

Be sure to check the archives on this blog, especially if you are unit study and lapbook lovers!  This blog is full of ideas and linked to information.  Don't forget to say hello and thank you for any of the tips you glean from!

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB

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Here's a great site with lots of 4th of July facts for you! Some quotes and other sites are here. And from About.Geography.com comes following: 

The Census Bureau has released a collection of fun facts related to the Fourth of July. Did you know that 150 million hot dogs will be eaten on Independence Day?

Our homeschool group is going to meet today to grill, play games, and shoot off some fireworks (safely, of course!). Hope you have some festive food in store and maybe a few "big bangs" along with some "OOOOOOoooo and Ahhhhhhh" sites tonight as you celebrate our Independence Day!

Please pass the watermelon for me! (Sometimes I like to sprinkle a little salt on mine - nice for that sweet & salty taste!)

The meaning of America is not to be found in a life without toil. Freedom is not only bought with a great price; it is maintained by unremitting effort.                                                                                                  - Calvin Coolidge

The name of peace is sweet, and the thing itself is beneficial, but there is a great difference between peace and servitude. Peace is freedom in tranquillity, servitude is the worst of all evils, to be resisted not only by war, but even by death.                                                                         - Marcus Tullius Cicero

Say a prayer for our servicemen tonight! Happy Fourth! 

Donna Conner lives in Fort Worth, TX with her husband, Glenn, their son, Mike, and their dog, Lucia. Donna and Glenn have been homeschooling their son since the beginning of his education. Mike completes his homeschooling this year. Donna is an artist and has always enjoyed writing. She wrote Homeschooling Only One five years ago, after discovering that there were many other families homeschooling only one child. Her website is devoted to those with only one student in their homeschool, with listings of online resources. You can visit her website at  http://donnac.com and read her blog at: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/DonnaC

copyright © 2008 Donna Conner ~~ All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of author, except in the case of brief passages embodied in critical reviews and articles where the title and author are listed.

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Kristen Collier is working on a new book called "Obey Your Husband" with stories from couples who have an exceptional marriage.

If you've experienced the outrageous joy that comes when living a marriage God's way and would like to share your story with the world, then please e-mail Kristen your story as a Word attachment so she can directly copy it into the text. 

You can write whatever you'd like and as much as you'd like. 

If you would like more information about Kristen first you can visit her three blogs below. 

Kristen Collier
http://kristencollier.blogspot.com  

"Joy the Jellyfish"
http://www.joythejellyfish.blogspot.com  

The Colliers / Authors Page
http://www.collierauthors.blogspot.com

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB

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I’m currently on a plane flying back from a trip to LA and Santa Barbara.  It was a great trip and what a beautiful area.  I was able to spend time with my son in LA and attend Grace Community Church where he goes to church.  What a blessing that was!  I met his friends that he attends small group and Bible study with, and we were able to sightsee together over the weekend.  What a blessing to see your children on their own choosing to serve the Lord!  In addition, I spent some time in Santa Barbara with a dear friend who has decided to start an Artios Academies program in that area.  We had a great parent meeting and  I was able to meet some really meet some wonderful homeschoolers.  It’s funny though…no matter where I travel, it appears that the questions from parents are the same…..and I am really praying that the series that we have been going through over the past few weeks in this column has helped you FOCUS in on what God has for you and your family this coming year. 

Last week we spent time putting all of our observations, thoughts, reflections and answers to prayers in writing and now it is time for the “rubber to meet the road” so to speak.  Based on what you have journaled and decided over the past few weeks, go ahead and plot out what courses you feel your student needs to study this coming year.  Write out all areas that you wish to “study” this year:  academic, life skills, character, fine arts, etc. Then, it is time for you to begin to research resources that not only fit those “course” goals…but also fit your overall philosophy as you approach this next year and fit your overall goal for this year as a family AND as individuals.

I want to suggest to you some resources that I just love using for my homeschoolers.  I have personally used all of these resources with one child or another.  You can see a complete list of books that I’ve used over the years by visiting my site and clicking on the library thing link on the right hand side.  It will take you to a list of books that I have in my library and will allow you to search for various books based on subject, title or author. 

                History and Literature  ( I use a great books and history integrated approach to both history and literature)

                                Tapestry of Grace

                                Beautiful Feet Books

                                Sonlight Curriculum

                                Exploring Government

                                Great Books                      

                Science

                                Apologia Science

                                Beautiful Feet:  Science Through Literature

                Math

                                Math U See

                                Saxon Math

                                Teaching Textbook

                Foreign Language

                                BJU text and tapes/cds

                Grammar and Composition

                                Write Shop I and II

                                Jenson’s Grammar

                                Jenson’s Format Writing

                Worldview

                                Summit Ministries

                                The Truth Project DVD series from Focus on the Family

                                Nehemiah Institute

                                David Quine

                                Tapestry of Grace

                At Home Composer/Artist Study and Music Appreciation:

                                Harmony Fine Arts

I realize that these are just a very SMALL sampling of the curriculums out there that we are blessed to choose from.  However, these are among my favorite because while meeting the academic demands and standards of a high school student, they also allow for some delight directed learning, flexibility and adaptation to meet the individual needs of our children.  So often we give up that flexibility and individualized approach when we near the high school level…..but it is one of the things my guys are the most thankful for as they continued through high school. It continued to develop their love of learning, their self-motivation, and their self-discipline and character.

From now on out the process of planning for next year becomes quite personal.  I would love to hear from you if you get stuck or need some input along the way.  Please remember that there is probably an “older” woman around who is a bit further down the road regarding schooling and they are a well of wisdom.  Don’t be afraid to seek counsel.  “In the multitude of counselors there is safety.”  However, remember the most important, “WONDERFUL COUNSELOR” and continue to seek his guidance as well.

You can reach me at llane@wildblue.net

Hope to hear from you soon.   Faith and Courage,  LORI

OH…P.S.  On Thursday, I’m interviewing Rea Berg from Beautiful Feet Books.  You can listen in live at 3 p.m. EST by going to www.blogtalkradio.com/theendinmind or you can listen to it as an archived copy later at your convenience by visiting the same website.  You don’t want to miss this interview and Rea’s wisdom from 25 years of homeschooling experience.

Lori is married to the love of her life John and together they have four sons ranging in age from 22 down to 10.  The two oldest boys have graduated from home school and successfully entered college and/or internship positions!  (YEAH!) She is the author of “Beginning With The End In Mind”, a frequent speaker on home education, family and the arts, as well as the founder and Executive Director of Artios Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts where she has worked with hundreds of homeschooled high school students.  You can see some of the pictures of their home in the central Colorado Rockies by visiting Lori’s website at www.theendinmind.net where you will receive encouragement for the journey.  You can also hear Lori on “The End In Mind” broadcast on www.blogtalkradio.com/theendinmind

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Giving students an award for perfect attendance has been around for many years.  The size of the award has changed from a nice certificate and the privilege to write it on college applications to cars, vacations, and computers.

Some experts agree that this is not a good trend.  How many students attended school when they should have stayed home?  What about teaching the students that attending school isn't about getting an education but about a chance to win something? 

Supporters say that this is an excellent way to make parents make sure their students are in class.  So the only reason a parent should care is because they could win a car or vacation?  When a parent sends their child to school they usually expect them to be there.

I spoke with parents recently who were angry with the school because their child had been skipping class but the school wasn't telling them.  For all the schools fancy record keeping on who's in class and who isn't they don't bother letting the parents know if their child isn't there.  This student was failing her classes and the parents had no idea.  No calls, no e-mails, no letters in the mail letting the parents know that their child was falling behind because she was skipping classes.  The parents thought she was in school and had no reason to believe otherwise.

Some may argue that when you work and get paid you are awarded for your work.  No, you are not.  You are paid for services rendered, something that shouldn't be out of the ordinary.  You do a good job in order to keep your job and because it is what you would expect from those working for you.  An award is what you get when you have achieved something exceptional.  I have no problem with awards.  Perfect attendance is something to award.  It isn't a contest that should be given a prize. 

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB

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Jun. 26, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by floridasunsets

Very interesting post. I feel for the parent who thought their child was in school and never heard otherwise from the school. The year before we started homeschooling, my oldest missed twenty days straight, and I heard notheing from the school. We'd started having some behavorial issues with my son at this time so each day I went to the bus stop, watched my son get on the bus, drove to the school, and watched my son get off the bus and go into the school. So, to me, he was at school. I had no idea that he wasn't going to class, and the school never called. Thank God for the option of homeschooling!
Bettyk

- Home Where They Belong

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Would you like to win a copy of  The Schoolhouse Planner? Sure you would! Read my review below to find out why you want it, then find out how to enter at the end of this article.

A "one size fits all" planner from the office supply store just doesn’t have enough hooks to hang the many hats of a homeschool mom. Someone needed to come up with a planner to fit the varied, busy, and unique world of homeschooling, and Paul and Gena Suarez (along with some great contributors!) did exactly that.

Ever since it arrived in my inbox last week for review, I’ve been scrolling through the wealth of goodies that pack this great e-resource. I must say I’m impressed! (And for me to be impressed with an e-book planner is... impressive!)

Let me explain that little parenthetical statement up there. First I’ll admit, I’m a control freak with a renegade streak. I like to do things my way, and am not good at following another person’s system. Second, I’ll admit that I usually shun e-products, believing that in most cases, "A book in the hand is worth two on the hard-drive." For this particular product though, I’ll make an exception to both my prejudices.

The Schoolhouse Planner overcomes my planner-phobia by providing just the right amount of structure and balancing that structure with an amazing amount of flexibility. It overcomes my e-book phobia for being exactly what an e-book excels at: This planner is internet linked, up-to-date, and reproducible in a way that pre-printed planners just can’t touch.

The calendar boxes are roomy enough to allow lots of notes that would suit any planning style and the weekly planning logs and grade charts fit a wide range of needs.

Just to give a glimpse: There are charts to keep track of Bible memory work, extra-curricular activities, and highschool transcript credits. There are Nature Journal pages and Science lab sheets. There are Unit Study forms and Unschooling record sheets. The household pages include places to record wish lists and gift budgets, garden planning, emergency phone numbers, grocery lists and chore charts–and so much more.

Perhaps the most appealing thing about  The Schoolhouse Planner is that it is friendly! Personality and encouragement are interspersed throughout in articles, recipes and useful references--indeed even the forms themselves have personality!

The Schoolhouse Planner contains nearly 250 pages to facilitate home and school planning from from groceries to geography.

So, how do you enter the contest?  Write a blog entry about planning your school year--any aspect of it.  Then, leave a comment linking me to your post.  Make it funny, make it informative, or make it a true confession--–it really doesn’t matter (except for our reading enjoyment!), because I’ll have my 3 year old draw a random name. Comment with a link to your blog post by noon on Monday, July 7^th, and I’ll announce the winner in Tuesday’s Taming The Chaos! 

Domestic Chaos Tamer and Homeschool Mom of Five, Dell  writes about home, heart and hearth

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Once you’ve made the decision to pursue distance learning, how do you know where to start? The answer to that question really depends on your situation in life at the moment. 

One of the easiest ways to earn college credit via distance learning is by taking credit-by-examination tests like CLEP tests. You don’t have to be of college age to take CLEPs. In fact, if you have a child in junior high or high school, they can take CLEP tests and earn college credit themselves! 

If you really want your child to get a jumpstart on life, they can even work towards earning a college degree before they graduate from high school. Here’s one way: once they finish a subject like history or math, have them take the corresponding CLEP test. That way the material will still be fresh in their minds, and they’ll be able to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. For studying one subject in depth over a year (or however long it takes), they’ll be able to earn both high school and college credit at the same time! 

 Not only is this a way for your teenagers to use their time wisely, but also think about the huge advantage they will have upon graduation. At the age of 18 they could have earned both a high school and college diploma. They’ll be well-equipped to pursue whatever they’re interested in once they’re done with high school. There’s nothing like an early start! 

So how exactly does a high school student go about earning a college degree? In addition to earning credits, they’ll need to decide on what independent study college to enroll in so they can transfer those credits towards their degree. Personally I enrolled with Thomas Edison State College to get my English B.A. and had a great experience with them. Two other well-known independent study colleges are Charter Oak State College and Excelsior College. 

Once students acquire enough credits to earn their degree, they will then need to transfer those credits to the school of their choice. It’s important to make sure all the credits will transfer, especially if they are accumulated in different ways (for example, through tests, correspondence courses, etc.).  

Not every student is going to want to earn a college degree while in high school, and not everyone will have the time, need, or resources to do so. Still, why not give CLEP tests a chance? It won’t hurt a thing and the more credits one has under their belt, the better. It doesn't hurt to be prepared! 

Amanda Suryan is a 22-year-old homeschool graduate and former distance learning student. She has an amazing mini-course about accelerated distance learning called, "Five Reasons Why You Should Consider Becoming a Distance Learner!" To claim your FREE copy, visit: http://www.DistanceLearnerSite.com

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Ever have one of those days?  Of course you have.  You're a homeschool parent!  Sometimes we even have one of those weeks that starts to look like a country western song. 

The car brokedown, The microwave blew
oh yeah , the baby's got the flu

It's one of those days, one of those weeks
Lord please bless the humble and the meek. 

And so on and so forth.

Which may not be a song that ConsiderThe Lilies will really appreciate in conjunction with her being chosen Featured Blogger.  However, after coming across her blog and reading her first two posts I was so sympathetic I had to find a way to encourage her. 

Actually her blog looks like it's a wondeful way to share her daily experiences from morning sickness to funny anecdotes.  Through it all she reminds herself and her readers that in everything, consider the lilies and be thankful.  Her life is like your life and in that neither you or her are alone.  That is very encouraging!

So stop by Consider the Lilies and leave an encouraging comment and gain some encouragement for yourself.

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB

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