Last Weeks to Subscribe or Renew for Winter--Save 68%
Posted 10:53 AM, Nov. 13, 2009
Greetings!
Soon we'll be juggling holiday planning with lesson planning. Days will be brimming with extra activities from Christmas play practice to holiday baking to shopping for the perfect present. How do we get it all done and homeschool?
Is there a perfect formula?
No! Thankfully, there is no one perfect way to homeschool. There are so many pathways for homeschooling, and The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine is here to help you map out your family's exciting options!
With over 200 pages of encouragement and advice from homeschooling experts and other families just like yours, you'll realize you are not alone. The Old Schoolhouse® is standing beside you!
For only $7.95--a 68% savings--treat yourself, your family, and your friends to a one-year (U.S.) subscription to The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine! Use coupon code HSMOM795!
Live in Canada or another international location? Check out our sale on new and renewing Canadian and international print subscriptions! You'll want to order now because the deadline to receive the Winter Issue is quickly approaching!
A sneak peek at the upcoming issue is listed below--take a look--it is a packed issue.
It's the perfect time, the perfect price, the perfect present!
Quickly and affordably cross several names off your gift-giving list by ordering now for friends and family--and yourself! It's a gift of encouragement that will last 12 months. Plus, for less than one dollar a month, you and your friends will be blessed with ideas, advice, and resources to help you stand strong in your conviction to homeschool.
With your renewal, you'll receive a FREE copy of the E-Book Dreams and Designs--Homemade Supplies to Complement Your Homeschool!
With a spark of low-cost creativity and a few simple instructions . . . you'll be amazed! Design fun, easy-to-make learning aids and imaginative organizing tools using household items--and dream of your best homeschool year yet!
New and renewing one-year, U.S, print subscribers MUST use coupon code HSMOM795. The regular price will then drop 68% to $7.95! It's the perfect price, perfect time, perfect present for yourself, family, and friends.
Hurry, the deadline to get the Winter Issue is December 7!
Take a sneak peek at the Winter Issue!
Winter is a wonderful time to get cozy and catch up on YOUR homeschool reading. You'll find all the support and information you need to get re-energized for the upcoming new year inside each issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine.
Just take a look at what's inside the crisp, cool cover of the
Winter 2009 Issue:
Speech & Debate by Chris Jeub
The Fast Track to Memorization by Carol Barnier
Conflict in a Homeschool Group by Carol Topp
World War I: The War to End All Wars, a Unit Study by Jennifer Steward
The Spiritual Instruction of Preschoolers by Mike and Carolyn Riggs
Leadership Education for Followers: "Freedomship Education" Defined by Andrea Newitt
Top 10 Tips for Teaching Writing by Fran Santoro Hamilton
Support Groups: Cultivating a Garden of Friendship by Cheryl A. Bastian
Three Keys to Teaching Writing by Danielle Olander
The Three Flavors of Speech Communication by JoJo Tabares
The Princess or the Pack Mule by Denise Mira
Preschool: Start at the Very Beginning by Kendra Fletcher
Helping the Reluctant Writer by Lee Roddy
Homeschooling: Growing and Thriving in the 21st Century by Amelia Harper
Mix It Up . . . From Scratch! by Lisa Barthuly
When "No" Is Beautiful--And When God Changes It by Melissa Culver
Contemporary Classical Education: It Really Can Work for You! by Andrea Newitt
Magnetic Books by Jan Bloom
Ten Writing Tips by Ruth Beechick
Seven Gifts to Give Yourself by Molly Green
Subscribe or renew NOW for $7.95 and get this wonderful Winter Issue!
The deadline is December 7!
The price showing in our store is $25, but use the special coupon code HSMOM795, and the price will be reduced to just $7.95! An incredible 68% savings!
Don't forget your Christmas gift list! At this price, it's the perfect gift for friends too. Simply use our easy gift subscription option.
Use coupon code HSMOM795 to get the perfect price!
The staff and friends of The Old Schoolhouse® have come together to share their favorite family traditions, recipes, and more with you.
It's your FREE gift . . .
Get ready to . . . Wrap your family in a ribbon of thankfulness and joy and season your holiday with laughter, love, and togetherness. Start planning now for a wondrous holiday season with . . .
The TOS 2009 Digital Holiday Supplement
WOW . . . a gorgeous Holiday/Christmas Digital Magazine filled with a fabulous lineup of planning, recipe, gift, and craft ideas you'll love.
If you're looking for inspiration to get your holiday spirit revived for the upcoming season of festivities, you've come to the right place. TOS has put together a gorgeous, full-color, digital magazine filled to the virtual brim with traditions-in-the-making.
"This is TOS's gift to the homeschooling community, and anyone is welcome to it. The 2009 Digital Holiday Supplement will fulfill your yearnings for fresh and original additions to your long-treasured, family customs, and maintain Christ's honored position first, and foremost, in your celebrations."
-Gena Suarez, publisher of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine.
Don't forget, this holiday idea book is free--no strings attached. Feel free to share it with your friends, homeschool support group, family, church group, blog visitors, customers, newsletter subscribers, and anyone who would enjoy making memories of an unforgettable Thanksgiving and Christmas..
Download Directions:
Open and browse the Holiday Digital Supplement.
In the top toolbar, click the Download link. A dialogue box will appear. You will want to use the first option that is listed. It will have a small PDF icon to the right and the file size-35 MB. The radial button next to "All Pages" should be darkened. If it is not, click on it to darken.
Click the "Download PDF" button in this first section.
A download dialogue box will appear with options to "open with" or "Save" the PDF. Click on SAVE. Please do NOT try to open the PDF before downloading.
Click on OK.
You will be prompted to select the directory on your hard drive where you wish to store the Holiday Digital Supplement PDF. Make a notation of the directory you select.
Click SAVE.
This is a 35 MB file and many people will be accessing it, please allow extra time for the download-especially if you have dial-up Internet service.
TOS Affiliate Secret . . . An Interview with Nancy Carter
Posted 5:00 PM, Oct. 28, 2009
Many of you may know Nancy Carter, editor of The Homeschool Minute E-Newsletter. Did you know that Nancy is also a TOS affiliate? I was just informed that she earned over $200 in commissions last month! I had to know how she did it, and she was gracious enough to agree to an interview to share a few affiliate secrets with us.
Cheryl: Hi, Nancy! Thanks for meeting with us. I have visited your blog “Lessons Learned on the Farm” several times—you write such inspiring and encouraging entries. Tell us about your motivation for your blog.
Nancy: When I first started blogging, we had just moved out to our farm and I was looking for a way to journal all that we were experiencing and learning. Hence, the blog name, “Lessons Learned on the Farm”!
Cheryl: You have 185 friends on your blog, and you are a friend of 199. After reading your blog, I know why—there is such a wealth of information. How did you begin to gain and keep loyal readership?
Nancy: It's just like in real-life, to have a friend, you have to BE a friend. I do A LOT of reading and commenting on other people's blogs. Originally, I would just start by visiting the new bloggers and welcoming them to HSB or I would click through to interesting entries from the HomeschoolBlogger front page and comment on them. I think I was one of the first 25 bloggers at HomeschoolBlogger. It was a really exciting time to watch HSB grow and grow! After a while, I developed real, online friendships with some bloggers and would visit other blogs that they would mention. I discovered mommy bloggers, craft bloggers, homesteaders, and much more. Now I have to use bloglines to keep up with them all!
My blogging has slowed down a bit in the past year as I got busy with other things (probably reading blogs—ha!), but I used to try to post every day or at least a few times a week. Now, I'm doing well to post once or twice a week, but thankfully folks still come by and comment. ☺
Cheryl: I also noted that you are a TOS affiliate. How long have you been promoting TOS products?
Nancy: I have ALWAYS promoted TOS products on my blog (even before they HAD an affiliate program), because I absolutely love The Old Schoolhouse and had just discovered the magazine when I first began blogging. It looks like TOS first set up the affiliate program with ShareASale in April 2008, and I jumped right in there at the time. It was so new though, I didn't have a clue about what I was doing. I put some buttons on my sidebar and one at the top of my blog, and that was about it for months. Somehow or another though I got my first check for $67.80 a few months later in October ‘08. I was pretty shocked, but pleasantly surprised when that showed up! After that, it took me a while to get in the groove of things, but WOW, I've been getting checks almost every month since May ’09, and my last one was for over $200!
Cheryl: You consistently post on your site. How many times do you add or change the affiliate links to your blog?
Nancy: Honestly, I put one product in my sidebar and the dynamic banner (which changes to promote different products and sales) at the top of my blog and have just left them there. I don't really like to mess with my template much. I do most of my promoting through individual blog entries about sales that TOS is having or new products. After realizing that I'm actually making some money doing this, I think I need to pay a little more attention to what I'm doing. Ha!
Cheryl: How do you get information on sales for TOS, and how do you decide how to present it on your blog?
I get my information from reading the emails that TOS sends out. Every affiliate needs to be on the TOS Special Offers email list so that you see every email special promotion, new product, or freebie that comes out. Even if someone just clicks through your affiliate link to claim a TOS freebie, ShareASale tracks their cookies so that if they later make a purchase (within a certain time frame), you will get credit for that purchase! I love it, and my readers let me know that they appreciate the heads-up about sales, freebies, and helpful products.
I also really appreciate and make sure that I read each TOS Affiliate E-Newsletter. Those always give a great review of the best products to promote and include your ShareASale ID and graphic information. Sometimes there are also little goodies (like free E-Books) for promoting certain products. I just have a lot of fun with it!
***We have just started a blog on HSB for TOS Affiliates to keep you updated on new and current sales and promotions on the SAS site. Visit The Affiliates’ Corner here:http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TOSAffiliateCorner/ and add us to your friends list!
Cheryl: Congratulations on making over $200 in commissions last month using the affiliate program. Any other ideas you can share with us?
Sure!
First of all, save your affiliate newsletters in a folder for future reference. They will have your ShareASale ID number in them. Don't let those newsletters just get lost in your inbox.
Then bookmark the Totally TOS link to the Schoolhouse Store and the Get Code link. It is so much easier to promote products when you have those links handy.
Be sure to keep your friendly conversational tone on your blog and continue blogging about other things so that people don't think your blog is becoming one big advertisement after another. They are reading because they are interested in what you have to say, not what you have to sell.
Don't forget that you can also promote the TOS products via links on email, Facebook, etc. . . . I got a great response from the Labor Day Subscription Sale on Facebook!
And finally, take time to post your personal opinion on the products if you can. Your friends and readers are probably interested in the same kind of products you are, and they will enjoy hearing what YOU have to say about them. You can always use the text used in product descriptions, but—it's just a suggestion—you can always add your opinions. And if you read an article that you really love or use one of the activities from an E-Book, feel free to post about it (and give your affiliate link to the appropriate product) whenever you want. Yes, people love sales, but TOS products are a great value even at full price, and sometimes people are looking for a product even when it isn't on sale.
Cheryl: Thank you for your time and sharing these great ideas . . . I, for one, will definitely use them!
Nancy Carter, editor of “The Natural Schoolhouse” column and The Homeschool Minute E-Newsletter, is a homesteading, homeschooling wife and mother of three sons. Her family enjoys a lifestyle of learning on their farm in Kentucky. Read all about their “Lessons Learned on the Farm” at www.HomeschoolBlogger.com/tn3jcarter.
Cheryl Allin serves as a marketing assistant for The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine.She and husband Gregg stay busy homeschooling their two children in North Carolina and are always on the lookout for educational materials and opportunities supporting their faith and the “free or almost free” philosophy they have adopted. Check out their blog at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cherylallin/php.
Are you interested in becoming an affiliate? TOS is offering an incentive for you to join—any new affiliate in the month of October can get any TOS E-Book valued at $12.50 or less for FREE after one month of participation! Join TOS’ affiliate program here,and then email me at callin@thehomeschoolmagazine.com with your name, website or blog address, ShareASale ID, and which Totally TOS E-Book you would like. One month after you sign up and send me the email, the store will send you the E-Book for free!
Confessions of a (Computer-Illiterate) Marketing Assistant . . . Part 3
Posted 11:14 AM, Oct. 19, 2009
Now if you are just joining me, you’ve missed a lot! I previously gave a confession regarding my lack of computer skills, my new job as affiliate program director requiring me to use them (and learn new ones), and my need to educate myself on affiliates and exactly what they do. After reading TOS’ FAQ, I decided that becoming an affiliate to make some extra income (especially with the holidays on their way) seemed easy enough. After all, I was already promoting TOS products I loved through emails and my blog, and now I would get paid for it! I joined the affiliate program—which was surprisingly easy--but now I had to figure out how to get people to my blog . . . followers and E-friends.
If you own a website, you can simply add our affiliate links and people come to you. But what if you have no patrons or have a blog like I do? How do you make E-friends and future customers? Personally, I don’t like to sell things to ANYONE—ever. Ugh, the pressure and possible rejection! (Remember the Boy Scout popcorn deal in part 1? That is one of MANY examples!) I figured affiliate sales would be different than regular sales though—after all, TOS items were products that I liked, personally used, and didn’t mind promoting.
I put the question, “How do you make E-friends?” on my personal blog, (remember, I had no friends or comments originally) and Nancy and Gloria had some great ideas: (I feel so loved and am so happy—I have comments now!)
1-Attach your URL to everything: signature line on your email, facebook, twitter account, even your Christmas cards. That way every message you send out will be an opportunity for others to visit you.
2-Read others' blogs, comment, and add your blog URL to the signature. Let them know that you're adding them as a friend, and ask if they'll add you too.
3- You can also try visiting friends of your friends or blogs that other friends mention.
Those were awesome suggestions and really got my mind going. Next, I thought:
If I were a follower of my blog, what type of site would I like to follow? Definitely a site that was fun, inspirational, and encouraging—a site that I could trust. Also, one that was updated frequently with new sales and freebies.
Who do I want to be friends with? Someone that has similar beliefs and ideas. I would read up on a potential E-friend and make sure she is someone that I really want to be friends with. If I don’t agree with her attitude and views, I won’t add her.
I have decided not to obsess on the number of E-friends that I have. I believe that if you write motivational and uplifting blog entries, people will enjoy reading your blog and will want to be your friends, just like in a normal friendship. Add some freebies and discounted materials from TOS to the site, and that is like icing on the cake!
Are you a pro at being an affiliate? Please share some of your success stories here! We need to support and encourage each other in ALL of our homeschooling and life adventures!
I’m off to work on my blog . . .
UPDATE: I am super excited to now have nine E-friends! Thank you to all who visited me. It is so encouraging when people comment on my blog, because it makes me feel like I am making a difference in the homeschooling world! Stop by my blog and leave a note and your address--I would love to come visit you! Good luck on your affiliate adventure—and blog, blog away!
Are you interested in becoming an affiliate? TOS is offering an incentive for you to join—any new affiliate in the month of October can get any TOS E-Book valued at $12.50 or less for FREE after one month of participation! Join TOS’ affiliates program hereand then email me at callin@thehomeschoolmagazine.com with your name, website or blog address, ShareASale ID, and which TOS E-Book you would like. One month after you sign up and send me the email, the store will send you the E-Book for free!
Cheryl Allin serves as a marketing assistant for The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine.She and husband Gregg stay busy homeschooling their two children in North Carolina and are always on the lookout for educational materials and opportunities supporting their faith and the “free or almost free” philosophy they have adopted. Check out their blog at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cherylallin/php.
Confessions of a (computer illiterate) Marketing Assistant Part 2 Part 2 . . .
Posted 12:06 PM, Oct. 12, 2009
In case you just joined us, I had previously given a confession of my lack of computer skills, my new job as affiliate program director requiring me to use them (and learn new ones), and finally educating myself on affiliates and exactly what they do. After reading TOS’ FAQ, I ultimately decided that becoming an affiliate to make some extra income (especially with the holidays on the way) seemed easy enough. After all, I was already promoting TOS products I loved through emails and my blog, and now I would get paid for it!
Time to sign myself up!
I went here to sign up. This took me directly to the ShareASale site. It asked me a few questions that were easy to answer. There was a part that asked for my email address for the blog—I felt a panic attack coming, because I wasn’t the site owner. I have seen other bloggers who were affiliates, so I knew there was another way. I scrolled down the screen and there was a spot to enter my personal email address, which I did. I finished the application and awaited my confirmation email. So far, so good!
Later that day, I received an email from ShareASale that I was accepted to the program. I went to the ShareASale website and logged in with no problems! There was a note that I needed to print out and send in a W-9 for tax purposes—so I did—after all, I wanted ShareASale to have NO PROBLEMS sending me my commissions when it was time! From this page, I could access my account, see any earnings, and find items I wanted to promote on my site. (My thoughts at this point went something like . . . this is WAY too simple; there must be something that will stump me!)
I clicked at the top—“get a link/banner” button—and The Old Schoolhouse® logo came up. I clicked the blue “get links” button, then the “view all creatives available” button. Tons of TOS products came up for me to choose from—and they were all items I would take pleasure in promoting.
I chose the WannaBe Series™ first, because the whole family enjoys these and I recommend them to everyone. (Banner ID: 177454 - WannaBe 140x180 in case you are following me) I clicked the “get this banner’s HTML code” button (there’s that scary acronym again=), and the code immediately came up. My special affiliate ID was already in there . . . I should be able to just cut and paste the code onto my site. (I think I might be getting good at this!)
I logged into my blog and wrote a new entry. Next, I clicked the source code (on the top where the tools are)—and it brought me to the place that intimidates me—HTML! (But I was getting a bit braver, so bring on the HTML!) At this point, I had no clue what to do, so I decided to wing it! I scrolled to the last item on the page, then pressed enter once for a free line. I went back to ShareASale to copy the code, pasted it in my blog in the free line, and hit source again.
I can’t believe it! I did it! I did it! And it was as easy as the FAQ says it was! (Someone save me—I think this might become a new hobby!)
Now if I could only get some friends to visit me—so just how do you social network and make E-friends? I am at a loss, because although I have friends, they don’t blog or facebook. I didn’t do any social networking myself—just the normal emailing for homeschooling events—until I started this job.
So, how do I form E-friendships? Maybe that’s another subject for another blog post.
Are you interested in becoming an affiliate? TOS is offering an incentive for you to join—any new affiliate can get any TOS E-Book valued at $12.50 or less for FREE after one month of participation! Just email me at callin@thehomeschoolmagazine.com with your name, website or blog address, ShareASale ID, and which TOS E-Book you would like. One month after you sign up, the Schoolhouse Store will send you the E-Book for free!
Cheryl Allin serves as a marketing assistant for The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine.Cheryl and husband Gregg stay busy homeschooling their two children in North Carolina and are always on the lookout for educational materials and opportunities supporting their faith and the “free or almost free” philosophy they have adopted. Check out their blog at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cherylallin/php.
Encouragement is a big part of the homeschool equation, and we have a special offer that includes encouragement for both you AND a friend! For a limited time, you can subscribe to The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine for two years AND get a FREE two-year subscription for a friend! (U.S. only for both subscriptions.)
You'll love these gifts and your friend will too! At this price, it's like getting each two-year subscription for under $20. Plus, we'll even send our current Fall issue to your friend right away!
Where else can you find a gift for your friend that will encourage her for two years AND give her 19 gifts to enjoy with her family?
Money is tight and many people have cut back on their curriculum spending. Our 19 free gifts cover history, science, math, writing, handwriting, art, and home ec. What a neat way to bless your friend.
Already a subscriber? You can still take advantage of this deal. Use the special BOGO link, and let us know in the comment section at checkout that you are renewing your subscription. We'll just add it onto your existing subscription!
It's our gift of encouragement for you and a friend!
One thing we want to do at The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine is to encourage you all year long. We don't just support your stand; we stand with you! Our writers are homeschool moms and dads who are experts in their field, as well as everyday home educators. Enjoy this gift of encouragement from TOS!
Take a look at all you and a friend can get for $39:
Two-years of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine for you ($39 value).
19 FREE gifts for you. (over $400 value).
Two-year subscription to The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine for your friend ($39 value).
19 FREE gifts for your friend (over $400 value).
The Fall Issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine for your friend ($7.95 value).
This is over $85 worth of magazines and 2 gift packs
worth over $400 each--all for $39!
NOW is the time to treat yourself and a friend to the gift of encouragement!
Hurry! This offer ends October 31!
Fire prevention tips, FREE E-Book, and a contest--You could win a fun book and a smoke detector!
TOS wants to help raise fire awareness by educating you and your family with the following resources during Fire Prevention Week:
Take a few minutes to discuss the fire safety tips written by firefighter Dayna and Sparkles with your family.
Then download our FREE WannaBe E-Book, I Want to be a Firefighter, and learn what it takes to be a firefighter.
Finally, let the creativity flow and enter our contest for a chance to win one of two fire prevention prize packs--which include a smoke alarm. TOS cares about your family and wants you to be safe and educated this Fire Prevention Week!
The National Fire Prevention Week was established to remember the Great Chicago Fire which began on October 8, 1871, but did its worst damage on October 9. This fire killed 200-300 people and burned more than 17,500 structures. This tragic fire forced the firefighters to rethink fire safety. On the 40th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the International Fire Marshals Association decided that the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire should be a time to inform the public about the importance of fire prevention. President Calvin Coolidge signed a proclamation in 1925 to observe the first National Fire Prevention Week.
Five Fire Safety Tips
Firefighter Dayna and Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog want to share five fire safety tips to help you and your family stay fire safe. (Photo courtesy: PBS KIDS Sprout)
Fire safety tips to share with your children:
Smoke alarms help keep you safe. When you hear the sound from a smoke alarm, it is telling you to "Get out! get out!"
In case of fire, be sure to crawl low under the smoke on your hands and knees--the air is cleaner and cooler there.
It is important to have an escape map and an outside meeting place. A tree, a mailbox, or a fence may make good meeting places.
Have a home escape map and practice your home fire drill with your family two times a year.
Firefighters help us to stay safe. They know how to put out fires. Firefighters wear special clothes to keep them safe. They will come to help you.
For parents:
1. One of the most important tools to help you stay safe from fire is a working smoke alarm. It can help save your life and the lives of your loved ones. According to the Home Safety Council, more than 95% of the households in a 2004 phone survey had at least one smoke alarm. Approximately half of all home fire-related deaths occurred in the roughly 5% of homes without smoke alarms. However, in homes with smoke alarms in which home fires were reported, 65% of those homes had smoke alarms that did not work. Common reasons for non-working smoke alarms were missing, dead, or disconnected batteries.
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement.
Install smoke alarms both inside and outside sleeping areas.
Install smoke alarms on the ceiling or above eye level on the walls, and be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Test the smoke alarm once a month.
Change the smoke alarm batteries twice a year.
Occasionally vacuum smoke alarm to keep free of dust.
Replace smoke alarms after 8-10 years.
2. When a fire occurs, the air is cleaner and cooler 12-24 inches from the floor. Children should realize the importance of crawling on their hands and knees, not on their bellies.
3. Be sure to have a designated meeting place and be sure everyone in your household knows and understands where the meeting place is. A tree, fence, mailbox, or even the neighbor's house may make good meeting places.
4. Sit down with your family and make an escape map. Know two ways out of every room. Practice your home fire drill using your escape map two times a year.
5. Many times children tend to hide from firefighters during an actual fire-related situation. Children need to know that firefighters are helpers and are their friends and are there to help them.
You can find these and other important fire safety tips at Sparkles' and Firefighter Dayna's website, Firefighter Dayna. Their website features activities for children, including fire safety videos, activity sheets, fire safety tips, and much more! Children can meet Sparkles' friends and see photos of Sparkles at work and at play. They are welcome to submit their fire safety videos and coloring pages to Sparkles, send Sparkles a fire safety related question, or ask Sparkles a question about being a fire safety dog or about firefighters.
God has designed each of us with particular talents and gifts for a purpose. And as a parent, you have the awesome responsibility of guiding your child to discover his/her calling. Enjoy the process of mentoring your children to become what God desires for them as you explore their delighted interest in the various I-wanna-be dream jobs featured at our Schoolhouse Store. For now, enjoy one of our most popular ones, When I Grow Up, I Want to Be a Firefighter, as our gift to you to learn about becoming a firefighter.
Want to see more? You can find other WannaBe E-Books in theSchoolhouse Store!
All the kids wonder, "What would it be like to be a firefighter?"
One of a young child's favorite field trips is to the fire station. There, he's introduced to Mr. Firefighter, his clunky yet all-important fire suit, the awesome hook-and-ladder truck, and special lifesaving equipment.
You won't want to stop at just a trip to the fire station though! This study covers so much more--a nitty-gritty, comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look into the life of a firefighter!
Your kids will be captivated by this E-Book! Take a look at some of the interesting topics included:
Discover the history of firefighters and the evolution of firefighting equipment.
Explore the ins and outs of a fire truck.
Meet a real-life fireman and hear him describe his job in his own words.
Learn about the relationship between firefighters and robots, and build your own robotic arm!
Enhance math skills while determining a firefighter's salary per city, rank, and seniority.
Spark creativity with imaginative writing prompts.
Work with language arts while doing a crossword puzzle, learning "firefighter" vocabulary, and completing a word search.
Discover what God says about fire in the Bible. Get moving and include physical fitness by playing the games provided.
Make a fire truck from an old shoe box and decorate it.
Fan the flame of discovery in your child!
All this great information and more is in one of our most popular WannaBe Series™ E-Books, When I Grow Up I Want to Be a Firefighter. This $8.95 value is yours free.
Help your child discover the answer to the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" while learning about becoming a fireman. This could be the spark that ignites the fire of interest for your child--and who knows what path it may take?
Does your child like to read?
What about books on tape?
Would you like a chance to win fire safety material?
Then we have a contest for you!
In our Firefighter WannaBe E-Book, you will meet a firefighter and learn all there is to know about becoming one. Since firefighters prevent fires and help teach others about prevention, and we have two prize packs to give away, we decided to have a contest for you and your family about fire safety.
(Sparkles with one of the prize packs.)
To find out more and to enter the
contest, head on over to the HSB Company Porch!
Confessions of a (computer illiterate) Marketing Assistant ~ It's Easy to Become a TOS Affiliate!
Posted 10:59 AM, Oct. 5, 2009
Part 1
I must admit I love my job as a marketing assistant here at TOS--the projects, deadlines, and feeling of a job well done are unparalleled.
However, TOS took on a work in progress (in computer skills—or lack thereof) when they hired me. Yeah, I can email, work with Word and Excel, and IM, but the other stuff is WAY over my head.
I have to confess that, one, learning new things on the computer intimidates me—I didn’t even have one when I was in college; (Did I just show my age?) two, I am just now learning what HTML means; (I just shudder when I hear that word—even thinking about entering all those codes is overwhelming.) and three, I am soooo not a salesperson. (I am so uncomfortable selling stuff that when my son sells Boy Scout popcorn, I normally buy what he HAS to sell and that’s all we do!)
Let’s not even talk about my blog, because it is nothing short of pathetic. I know the information I post is useful to others (if I could get people on my site—sadly I have had one comment and no friends!), but I can’t figure out how to put in all the pictures and cool stuff I see on other sites.
Now, isn’t it funny how God will always push you to do things out of your comfort zone? Just when you think you have a grip on things . . .
Fast forward life to this week—I was just given the job of “affiliate program director”—sounds pretty cool, I thought! I suppose my boss had faith in me that I could do the job, but did she know about my serious lack of computer skills? As I got ready for this new-found duty, I nervously thought, “Great, buuuut, what exactly is an affiliate?”
I started researching on the Internet and even went to the library and checked books out on affiliates. It was overwhelming—I couldn’t believe all you could do as an affiliate and how complex it all seemed. Thank goodness I read TOS' Affiliate FAQ page. I finally understood what an affiliate was when I read:
“An affiliate is an independent organization or person, who is willing to promote a product or a service, in exchange for a commission should that product be purchased, or lead generated, as a result of their online promotional efforts.”
Whoever wrote this definition was obviously more educated in this stuff than I was. However, the word commission caught my eye . . . so I read through the other questions and answers and found out:
1-The program was free. (This is my family’s homeschooling motto!)
2-All you needed was a valid website and an email. (I have a blog and email!)
3-I can get paid monthly from sales on TOS products, referring a friend to the program, and even some of my friends’ sales. (With the holidays coming this would be a great help to our family!)
4-TOS sends out newsletters with new sales, text, and picture IDs to all affiliates. (All I do is just cut and paste!)
After reading a few more of the FAQs, I realized that I could make a commission on TOS items that I personally use, enjoy, and already promote to my friends and family. Normally when I found a TOS item I liked or a sale they were having, I always emailed my friends about it. The affiliate program would give me the chance to earn money on something I was already doing!
At this point I thought, “Not only will I take on the job of affiliate program director, but I am going to take on the new mission to become an affiliate myself. Goooo, Supermom!”
But then I read…..
"Q. What kind of computer or technical skill is needed to be an affiliate?
A. Affiliates will need to be somewhat familiar with HTML, so that they can correctly copy and paste the linking code from ShareASale and place it within a web page or within the body of an email message."
HMMMM—well, I already confessed that I was NOT any good with HTML, so I started to get a bit intimidated. But my type-A personality was not about to give up on the new mission. After all, if I was promoting this program to others, I certainly had to figure it out myself . . .
Coming soon . . . Part 2 of Confessions of a (Computer-Illiterate) Marketing Assistant
Are you interested in becoming an affiliate? TOS is offering an incentive for you to join—any new affiliate in the month of October can get any TOS E-Book valued at $12.50 or less for FREE after one month of participation! Join TOS’ affiliate program here, and then email me at callin@thehomeschoolmagazine.com with your name, website or blog address, ShareASale ID, and which TOS E-Book you would like. One month after you sign up, the store will send you the E-Book for free!
Cheryl Allin serves as a marketing assistant for The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine.She and husband Gregg stay busy homeschooling their two children in North Carolina and are always on the lookout for educational materials and opportunities supporting their faith and the “free or almost free” philosophy they have adopted. Check out their blog at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cherylallin/php.
The Digital Holiday Supplement is a brand new, FREE E-Book being released by TOS on November 1, 2009. If you want YOUR free copy, email Gena at gena@tosmag.com and she will put you on the waiting list.
What you learn about the first Thanksgiving may surprise you! Plus fun holiday crafts and yummy seasonal recipes are all thought out to help make your holidays easy and special.
Fire Prevention Week Contest ~ Help Us Pay Tribute!
Posted 4:37 PM, Sep. 30, 2009
Fire Prevention Week starts this coming Sunday, October 4. It's a good time to review fire safety with our families and honor the firefighters in our communities.
We have a few activities and freebies just for you . . . read about the contest, the fire safety tips, and a FREE E-Book.
Contest Info
From now until October 11th, midnight EST, we are hosting a "Tribute to our Firefighters" contest here on the Porch. Join us as we say "THANK YOU!" to the men and women who serve to keep our families safe.
To enter this contest, all you have to do is post a "thank you" to a special fire fighter in your life or to all fire fighters working hard each day in our communities.
Please post right here on this contest entry. Please feel free to share the link to the tributes. We want to say a loud "Thank you!" to firefighters everywhere!
We'll then select 2 random winners on Monday, October 12th, 2009.
The winners will receive the following prize pack from Fighterfighter Dayna and Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog!
Included in the prize pack is a copy of the children’s fire safety book and audio book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog from Firehouse Dog Publishing. This fun, educationally sound book is autographed by Firefighter Dayna and “pawed” by Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog. To date, this book has been credited with saving the lives of two children and their families (http://www.sparklesthefiresafetydog.com/saves). The winner will also receive a smoke and CO combination alarm, courtesy of First Alert. This combo alarm is designed to provide early warning of a fire or carbon monoxide danger and it has a photoelectric smoke sensing chamber and an electrochemical CO.
Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog loves helping teach fire safety! Sparkles’ website features activities for children, including fire safety videos, activity sheets, fire safety tips and much more! Meet Sparkles’ friends and see photos of Sparkles at work and at play. Children are welcome to submit their fire safety videos and coloring pages to Sparkles, send Sparkles a fire safety related question, or ask
Sparkles a question about being a fire safety dog or about firefighters.
Fire safety tips and a FREE E-Book!
CLICK HERE to check out these fire safety tips from Fighterfighter Dayna and Sparkles, plus get your FREE copy of WannaBe Series™ E-Books, When I Grow Up I Want to Be a Firefighter.
Thank you for participating in our Tribute to Firefighters contest!
Fall has arrived, bringing cooler temperatures, stunning foliage, and abundant harvests . . . It is the "ripe" time for back-to-homeschool resources in the Schoolhouse Store.
We've "hand-picked" homeschool resources for those last- minute, back-to-homeschool necessities. Check out ALL of the sale products below. TOS is here to help you . . .
Get organized. Be inspired.
Stay encouraged!
THE solution for an organized and productive homeschool year is on sale!
How to get our cute tote bag FREE while staying organized and encouraged!
We're doing some fall cleaning and clearing the last of our tote bag inventory. We have 40 totes ready to give away for FREE. These totes have some marks on them, but they are still good to go! Display your heart for homeschooling wherever you go with the TOS Homeschooling with Heart tote bag. These 40 tote bags are "warehouse seconds".
To get your free tote bag, you must be one of the first 40 people to order our U.S. Encouragement Bundle, which includes the 2009 Schoolhouse Planner and our one-year, print (US only) subscription bundled together to keep you organized and encouraged for a full year!
What is an encouragement bundle?
U.S., Canadian, International bundles available!
An encouragement bundle contains two essential tools to help you have a productive and encouraging homeschool year.
Purchase The 2009 Schoolhouse Planner E-Book and receive a one-year, print subscription for just a few dollars more! It is our back-to-homeschool gift of support just for you!
Hurry! Only 250 U.S., 250 Canadian, and 250 International encouragement bundles available!
The savings are huge, and we only have 250 bundles available for each category--U.S., Canadian, and International. Yes! 250 of you in the U.S., 250 of you in Canada, and 250 of you located internationally can get this great deal, but you have to act quickly!
Pick your bundle below and save between $20 and $30! It's our back-to-homeschool gift of encouragement, information, and support just for you!
Hurry! The bundles are gone on Sunday, October 4 at midnight!
U.S.
Encouragement
Bundle Save $20!
Get The 2009 Schoolhouse Planner E-Book and a one-year, print subscription!
Only $44 Save $20! Only 250 available!
International Encouragement
Bundle Save $30
Get The 2009 Schoolhouse Planner E-Book and a one-year, print subscription!
Only $54
Save $30
Only 250 available!
Canadian
Encouragement
Bundle Save $20!
Get The 2009 Schoolhouse Planner E-Book and a one-year, print subscription!
Only $44 Save $20 Only 250 available!
Getting Started Back Issue Bundle Save 33%
New to homeschooling? Information from teaching grammar to organization!
3 issues only $13.20
Save over $6
Fiesta of Freebies
2nd Edition! Only $3.00
Immediate access to hundreds of Internet resources. No more lost bookmarks!
The resource of resources! Only $3.00
All Back Issue
Bundles Save up to 33%
Specialized encouragement!
High School
Special Needs
Fall Issues
Pick Any 3. Save over $6
Dreams and Designs Save 32%
You can be a creative and resourceful teacher! Save 32% Only $8.45!
Nature Study Save 32%
Get out and enjoy
a fun fall nature study! Save 32% Only $8.45!
HomeWork Save 32%
Gain confidence to start a home-based
business. Save 32% Only $8.45!
__________________________
You're not afraid of the big bad wolf, are you?
What can we learn from the Great Depression? Molly Green tells us in the October issue of Molly's Money-Saving Digest.
By the way, how do we make dinner for the entire family for only $5?
It's all in Molly Makes $5 Dinners and $3 Desserts! Get both for only $9.95 Hurry! This special price is only good until October 1!
Put both items in your cart. Use the coupon code
OCTMOLLY at check-out!
___________________________________
Engaging and exciting for all ages! Save 45% on the entire
Wannabe Series™
Activity-packed. Ready-to-use. Multi-age.
Only $49 for all 10!
Less than $5 for each comprehensive unit study.
You will receive the first 5 titles immediately upon purchase. The remaining 5 will be emailed to you upon release.
Fan the flame of discovery for your family!
Kids of all ages will LOVE learning about the fascinating careers that are highlighted in this amazing series! Hop on a learning adventure with your kids like you've never experienced before! "Contrary to what you may think by the title, this isn't just for little kids--it will appeal to a wide variety of ages. . . . This is truly a unit study for the whole family."
-Kimberly Charron, TOS Research Panel, GA
________________________________
No more long hours spent planning hands-on learning activities for your homeschool!
Spend more time enjoying learning activities with your children, rather than planning them! We've done the planning for you.
The Schoolhouse Planner monthly modules have the time-saving solution for hands-on learning!
Your inbox will burst every single month as your family enjoys the tremendous, sensory-integrated activities included in the 2009 Schoolhouse Planner monthly modules.
Each activity-packed module serves as an excellent curriculum resource, offering quality activities the whole year through to boost the productivity and "fun-factor" of your homeschool.
You do not need to own the 2009 Schoolhouse Planner to use and enjoy the Planner modules.
Pre-purchase all 12 modules for the 2009 Schoolhouse Planner now and save over 35% off the actual value--if you purchased all 12 modules separately, you'd pay over $95. But now you can get all 12 for only $61.55!
$7.95 Subscription Offer Still Good Until Tomorrow at Midnight!
Posted 7:22 PM, Sep. 21, 2009
Just a couple days ago we announced an extension on our $7.95, one-year subscriptions. We've had to extend our extension and it ends tomorrow (Tuesday) at midnight.
Just click on the subscription of your choice above, add the item to your cart, and during checkout use coupon code FB795. You won't need the code for the digital subscription as it is already marked down. Just a couple days ago we announced an extension on our $7.95, one-year subscriptions. We've had to extend our extension and it ends tomorrow (Tuesday) at midnight.
Just click on the subscription of your choice above, add the item to your cart, and during checkout use coupon code FB795. You won't need the code for the digital subscription as it is already marked down.
Have you heard about our $7.95 subscription special?
You may have been wanting a 1-year print subscription to The Old Schoolhouse® but $25 is more than your budget can handle. For the last couple days, we've been offering a 1-year subscription to TOS for only $7.95 to our 12,000+ Facebook fans. Perhaps you didn't hear about this awesome deal because it was offered to them first.
If you join the TOS Facebook fan page, you will often get certain specials and freebies before anyone else. For instance just a couple days ago we announced an extension on our $7.95, one-year subscriptions, and it ends today (Friday) at midnight.
Just click on the subscription of your choice above, add the item to your cart, and during checkout use coupon code FB795. You won't need the code for the digital subscription as it is already marked down.
It couldn't be any easier to put more of your money
in your pocket and put TOS in your hands!
You'll definitely want to pass this fantastic offer on to your friends and support groups! Don't forget, if you have a Facebook account, join The Old Schoolhouse® fan page and find out about other super deals first.
Has the new school year started with gusto at your house? Or guesses?
"I guess we'll use this curriculum. I guess we'll start on Monday. I guess we'll use this folder, and I guess we could try unit studies this year."
Does any of this sound familiar? Time for a change?
Get ready to plan a year of enthusiastic homeschool learning
with consistent input from the Lord!
Take the guesswork out of your planning,
systematically organizing your homeschool this year with the E-Book:
The New School Year:
Planning Your Course and Letting
the Lord Determine Your Steps
The Old Schoolhouse®Magazine enjoys regular contact with seasoned homeschoolers willing to share their wealth of specialized information. Inside, you'll find guidance and encouragement to assist you with all your planning needs. Get excited! TOS has gathered some of the best and brightest to share pointers and advice to get you going and keep you on track this year!
You may have plenty of ideas-have you considered what the Lord wants for your homeschool?
How has your homeschooling progressed this year? Is it possible that in all of the rush you have missed the hush of the Holy Spirit? Remember to let Him guide you throughout your days. His guidance, much like grace, is free to those willing to listen.
"Something happens every August. Department and discount stores put everything from socks to paper clips on sale, waiting for mothers to come. And they do. In the frenzy that is 'back to school,' mamas fill backpacks with new pencils and crayons and fill their children's closets with the newest and latest styles. It's all done just in time to get little Bobby and Suzie to school.
For many mothers, this is where back to school ends. But somewhere, there is a mother holding her babies and looking out the window watching the bus go by. She is a homeschool mother, and she is wondering if she has made a mistake. That same mother spent the summer she had hoped to spend with her children planning, planning, and re-planning the school year just to sit down on the first day to interruption after interruption and no progress. She knows homeschooling is part of God's plan for her family, but she just can't get it together. Where did she go wrong? We've all been there in our homeschooling journey. Some of us more than once. Some of us every year. And some, day after day.
Inspiration for the weary mother can be found in The New School Year: Planning Your Course and Letting the Lord Determine Your Steps from The Old Schoolhouse®. This encouraging read will teach you how to find more time in your school schedule, plan for multi-level teaching, organize Mt. Schoolwork (that pile of loose paper and hoped-for plans) and will restore your passion for educating your children at home. The New School Year will teach you how to structure your homeschool to make time for what is necessary, enjoy what is not, and will give you the tools to make this the best school year yet. So instead of catching the bus, you'll be catching butterflies!"
-Dana Warwick, Bartlett, TN
Get ready for some butterflies this year-and not the nervous-stomach kind!
The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine offers The New School Year . . .
It's easy to share this FREE resource--here's how!
Just copy and paste the code from the box above and place into the template of your blog or website. Let all your readers know that this resource is totally free--no strings attached! Then let them know how they can share this with their readers, too!
Take a close look at the chapters and their authors:
The Introduction by Karen Sargent will help you realize that many of us are very much like you. Karen has moved repeatedly as an active-duty Navy spouse, has run several businesses from home, and works part-time editing for The Old Schoolhouse®. She entered her 20th year of homeschooling in 2009 and admits she still needs help with planning and organization. She directs you with honesty: If you are the perfect homeschooling mom who never misses an event, keeps your children perfectly pressed and dressed, your home spotless, assignments completely organized, and everything in life functioning smoothly every single day, then you probably don't need this book. But if, like Karen, you desire to run your home and school a little more smoothly and can admit to desiring some help, then The New School Year will bring you just that: a whole new, better-organized school year!
Planning Your Homeschool Year ~ How to Cooperate With the Holy Spirit begins the book with encouragement from Steve and Jane Lambert, of Five in a Row.
Should you schedule your day as classroom teachers often do-systematically and with precision as to every piece of information you plan to teach on any given day?
Is leniency so desired that it brings each of us "complete freedom to wander aimlessly through the world around us, randomly studying whatever we want whenever the notion strikes us?"
Are you using the process of education to make disciples? Should you be?
From a Biblical foundation and personal experience, they will remind you to stay focused on the Word of God as you decide how to plan your homeschooling year. Using Scripture to guide you, Steve and Jane share how all wisdom and knowledge is found in Christ, and that by planning to allow God to intercede into your studies, you and your children will find the Holy Spirit will determine your steps. Exactly how will you plan to do this?
"Allowing our children to plan their own way through
the educational jungle each year leaves God out of the plan.
And planning our own way through the school year maze
may leave God out if it's not built wisely."
The Lamberts will show you how to find a better balance-with God's guidance, prudent planning, and a little faith-filled R-I-S-K.
Managing a Multi-Level Homeschool can be challenging. Malia Russell of Homemaking 911 takes us back to the common questions we all learned to ask when seeking answers.
Who? Exactly who is in charge of your home and, therefore, your homeschool?
What? Curriculum choices abound; are there ways to teach multiple grades easily?
When? Malia approaches two issues here-when will you introduce subjects and when will you actually do school?
Where? There are so many places to be: co-ops, field trips, sports, using the computer, and more. Exactly when will you be homeschooling at home?
Why? Work to the heart of "why" you homeschool with a series of revealing questions to guide your way.
How? Malia helps you give thought to how you will actually meet all of your responsibilities, and meet them well. Each of us can only juggle so many tasks-what will you choose as your focus this year?
Organizing Your Schedule, Library, and Personal School Boxes is a systematic process. Terri Johnson of Knowledge Quest takes you on a quest for organization! What five steps will Terri share to get your schedule organized? From subjects to materials, she will pass on her knowledge. Breaking curriculum down to manageable scheduling pieces, she provides examples like this:
"Let's say that there are 120 lessons in the grammar book. Take 120 and divide that by 36 weeks in the school year. Your answer is 3.33 and that means that your student will have to cover 3 1/3 lessons per week to finish the book in one school year. What this means to me is that I will need to schedule grammar for this child at least 3 times per week."
By expounding on breakdowns similar to this one, she helps you gain a better understanding of how to schedule lessons using any curriculum you choose-even without a predesigned schedule included!
Then Terri shares thoughts on organizing your personal library-helping your homeschool run smoothly and keeping stacks of scattered books from overtaking your home. Finally, she advises you on the often overlooked task of maintaining control of our school boxes. Be sure clutter is banished while necessary tools haven't vanished!
Organizing the School Year With Unit Studies is easy when Amanda Bennett guides you through the many possibilities to consider.
Will you welcome a new baby this year?
Could your son's soccer team make it to the finals?
Is it possible you will move during the year?
Learn from Amanda as she uses the following Scripture in relation to your homeschool:
"So teach us to number our days,
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." -Psalm 90:12
"To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven." -Ecclesiastes 3:1
Be enlightened as Amanda demonstrates how to plan a unit study around the changing seasons.
"With each season come wonderful learning opportunities-chances to go outside to observe and learn about the world around us. Seasons are becoming hazier in the busyness of life, and many students miss the opportunity to study the amazing changes that take place with each passing season. With unit studies, you can plan a season unit study for the week that each new season begins. For example, the first week of autumn . . . "
Will your students be enjoying the changing seasons as Amanda urges you on? Find ideas for seasons, holidays, baseball, and more as you gain incredible insight from the imaginative creator of Amanda Bennett Unit Studies while improving the organization level of your own homeschool!
Organizing and Planning Your School-Your "Special OPS" Mission will lead you on a mission designed by Cheryl Allin and The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine as you follow a three-phase plan to a fantastic year of homeschooling!
"Your mission: a three-phase plan to get you and your family off to a great start."
Phase One will help you organize your space-from paper to schoolroom and supplies; get some step-by-step help to make it happen!
Organize Your Equipment and Papers
Organize Your School Room
Organize Children's Supplies
Keep Clutter Away
Finish
Keep it That Way!
Phase Two works at planning your actual school year-evaluate the little things that matter in big ways.
Your Mission Statement
Know the Law
Organizing Your Plan
Phase Three provides you the same guidance you give your children-take it all one step at a time; small steps lead to great success!
An Epilogue by Ruth Beechick, with her years of expertise and matter-of-fact, straight forward attitude, will get you well on your way to making positive changes in your homeschool this year and for every year to come. This new school year can be your best!
(Take a peek inside!)
Begin planning today when you
The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine has already begun to share this fantastic new E-Book with homeschoolers across the country. Did they find it helpful? Here is what they had to say:
"This E-Book is an indispensable tool for everyone who homeschools! There are great ideas on how to organize your time and your space, how to handle multi-level teaching, and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in planning your school year. Sample schedules & schedule templates are included to make organizing the day easier. There is a wonderful section by Amanda Bennett on how to organize your year using unit studies. A step-by-step plan for organizing your books, work space, equipment, and planners makes it easy to get things in order before school starts. And wisdom from Ruth Beechick is just icing on the cake! This E-Book is a wonderful resource!"
-Cheryl Novak, Charlotte, NC
"Okay, so I'm not the most organized. And maybe I do need a little extra help with the clutter and organizing. Maybe I have a plan under this pile some where . . . ! Or maybe I should just read this book on planning! I found so many useful tips for helping even the most hopeless when it comes to organization and planning-and I fall into this category! I enjoyed reading each topic and found new "strength" to endure my busy days when I feel I have accomplished nothing. I especially liked the idea of scheduling "down" time so we can hear from God as to what to do with it. I have new-found motivation to get organized, get a plan, and get going! What a wonderful book!"
-Michelle Huddle, Fountain Inn, SC
"The Lamberts remind us that as homeschoolers, we do not have to follow a formula for planning like public and private school teachers do. Teachers in those settings typically do not have the time or the resources to carve out blocks of the day that allow for freedom of the Spirit to move. If we open up the door for God to move in and through each day that we are given to instruct our children, He will help us to lead our children to become disciples of His, not of the world . . . All of these articles offer great encouragement and help to kick off your 2009-2010 school year. The best part is that this E-Book is FREE!"
-Jenny Thompson, Pensacola, FL
"The ideas and encouragement contained will apply to any family regardless of the style of schooling that you follow or the type of curricula that you use. Homeschooling families can learn tips from trusted sources who are still in the trenches-right with you-and those who have successfully completed their journey. You can learn how to organize your books and materials, how to prepare your schedule from a big-picture perspective down to what should be covered each day, and you'll be reminded of why we homeschool and who is the One truly in charge. This is one book that I will be re-reading each year . . . The final part of this great book is from Ruth Beechick, someone I have come to respect as a voice of wisdom. She writes a gentle reminder that whatever curricula we choose is really a tool. There are many resources available-use them in the way that works best for your family, even if that means putting them aside."
-Hillary Moore, Gosport, IN
"My very favorite portion of the E-Book comes toward the end, kind of like dessert. The "Special OPS" is a neat, orderly list of targeted organizing for the dedicated classroom space. She gets you organized in the paperwork and boxes of it all, then preps you to mentally map out your mission and vision for your homeschool. The New School Year: Planning Your Course and Letting the Lord Determine Your Steps E-Book is a timely tool for your new or ongoing school year. There is never a better time to have the Lord so order your steps. Thanks to the authors for their time and experience!"
-Rolayne Taylor, Fort Wayne, IN
"How inspiring it was to read about how important it is to have the Holy Spirit fill us throughout our day. Not just in a Bible curriculum or a devotional time but allowing Him to help us through every aspect in our day. I've struggled over the years in homeschooling to allow my days to have 'quiet moments' so God can show me His discernment. Reading this E-Book has helped open my eyes to the many reasons we chose to home school in the first place . . . I always said if my school items are organized and my lesson plans in order, then my day runs smoother. This E-Book will help you in getting and staying organized as well as giving practical advice on keeping God in the center of your daily life."
-Lynn Pitts, Great Falls, MT
"I have learned in this new E-Book from TOS that God should be the main ingredient of your homeschool recipe. I totally agree with this-I mean, without Him I would not have the strength and courage to continue on this path. I'm quite serious. But I realized that I should invite the Spirit to guide us more in our days . . . this E-Book encouraged me to take small bites at the challenges I have in front of me like de-cluttering my office, scheduling our homeschool, and incorporating more unit studies. And it reminded me of the importance of always seeking the Holy Spirit every day of the week to see where He will guide us. This E-Book was indeed a good encouragement-to take our homeschool and make the best year ever!"
-Isabelle Lussier, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Homeschool planning can be intimidating. Handling students of multiple ages with different subject matter and several extra-curricular activities can be tough. Raising disciples and glorifying God is exciting!
Gain insight into deciding what is necessary for your family and what is not. Enjoy a Biblical foundation as these popular Christian homeschool educators offer you words of encouragement and practical steps you can begin to take today.
Reading The New School Year . . .
E-Book could make a
HUGE difference for you this year!
Change the I guess to "Yes"-You can do this!
Get it now, our free gift to you!
All E-Books published by The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine
come with a money-back guarantee!
Magazine but not quite ready to commit to a subscription without seeing it first?
Check it out for FREE! We're so certain you'll love our publication that we'll gladly send a FREE sample to anyone new to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine - we even cover the shipping!
Welcome to the HSB announcement blogboard from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine,
LLC. We hope you will enjoy the articles posted here by the Porch Team. Please feel free to leave comments!
~ Tia Linschied, Senior Editor of HSB
Our E-Newsletters give you wonderful, informative information about homeschooling, news bits, contests and PRIZES for homeschoolers, articles to encourage you, calls for writers, free unit studies and lesson plans, and just a lot of FUN. Bring the community to your inbox, and no worries, we never sell, trade or give your email or any other information out to anyone.
Come join the homeschool party!
The Homeschool Minute is our most
popular newsletter, full of encouragement and support just for YOU!
Subscribe to *FREE* newsletters offered by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.
TOS wants to help raise fire awareness by educating you and your family with the following resources during Fire Prevention Week:
Firefighter Dayna and Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog want to share five fire safety tips to help you and your family stay fire safe. (Photo courtesy: PBS KIDS Sprout)
Curious about The Old Schoolhouse
