Nov. 10, 2009 - Reaching Homeschoolers
At a homeschool convention last year, another vendor and I struck up a conversation. He had a lot of energy but seemed a bit uptight; however, he readily admitted that he felt totally out of place because he didn't homeschool and this was definitely not his "typical convention." Not really interested in finding out what his "typical convention" was like, I smiled and assured him that we all knew he was out of place the minute he walked in the vendor hall, but we're a polite group and so we didn't point or stare as we talked about him to each other. He grinned and relaxed a bit.
"Obviously, you're a pretty direct person," He said. "So I was wondering, how does a guy who knows nothing about homeschooling sell his product to homeschoolers?"
Ignoring the fact that this out of place "greedy capitalist" was there just to make a profit, I chuckled and asked him, "Why do you think homeschoolers would even want to buy your product if you know absolutely nothing about us?"
He didn't seem to want to answer that, so I continued, "Get to know us a bit and you'll figure out it's not that hard to sell to us. We're pretty frugal but can be gullible in the right circumstance with a promising product, especially at a homeschool convention."
"Fair enough." He replied. "Then I'd like to show you my stuff and see what you think. But first there's one thing I've been wondering about homeschoolers for quite a while now."
"Oh, and what is that?"
"Why do you homeschoolers have so many kids?"
"Umm, gee, maybe it's because we have more exciting things to do than watch Jay Leno after the kiddos go to bed?!?" (Okay, I didn't really say that but I did think it.)
Instead, I politely tried to explain that for some of us homeschooling isn't just an educational choice but a life decision based on a belief that children are as a blessing from God. He wasn't getting it and I was getting hungry so the conversation quickly died of natural causes.
If I ever run into him again, however, I'm sending him over to Ethan Demme (of Math-U-See fame) who gives a much more thoughtful and complete answer to the question, How do I reach the homeschool community? His post is directed at politicians but he starts from the same premise that you have to know something about us, past and present, in order to reach us.
As a homeschool grad and marketing guru, Demme provides an excellent round-up of information and resources to understand this growing but changing movement of homeschool radicals who actually believe they can teach their children at home and live to blog about it. Check it out and keep in handy if you ever run into my vendor friend at your state homeschool convention.
(Note to Demme: Please add a paragraph on fecundity and homeschoolers, thanks in advance.)
-Spunky
Cross-posted, with permission, from SpunkyHomeSchool
Nov. 9, 2009 - SpellQuizzer Give-Away & Review
SpellQuizzer is a spelling program that helps kids learn their spelling and vocabulary words. SpellQuizzer is spelling software for children that need help learning their spelling and vocabulary words. The SpellQuizzer web site has pre-made downloadable spelling lists that you can download and use with SpellQuizzer. ~SpellQuizzer.
A couple of weeks ago, I was contacted by Dan over at SpellQuizzer and asked if I would be willing to review this new software. It was an honor to be asked and I was certainly eager to do so. I really didn't know what to expect, but my initial hope was that the program wouldn't take a four year degree to understand!
I am pleased to say that it did not! From download to first use took only moments and SpellQuizzer was very simple to use. However, don't let the simplicity fool you, this is one powerful tool! My children get tired of writing and rewriting their spelling lists. SpellQuizzer allows for a little variety. They are able to type their spelling words using verbal cues that YOU create. All that is needed to use this software is an inexpensive computer microphone.
In a nutshell, you will take your child's spelling list and record them in the SpellQuizzer program. Say it, use it in a sentence and then repeat it if you'd like. Your child will then have the opportunity to type the word into the space provided. Further information can be found on the SpellQuizzer site.
I like this program for several reasons but mostly because it is another tool that I can use to reinforce my children's spelling words without making them write them each and every day.
Now for the contest:
SpellQuizzer is willing to award a FREE copy of the software and user license to the winner of this contest!!! (Thank you Dan!) Add a comment to this entry for your chance to win. Post on your blog about this contest and then come back and leave a second comment with the link to your post for a second chance to win. The contest ends at midnight, on Sunday November 15, 2009 and the winner will be drawn at random using Random.org. The winner will be contacted on Monday!
©2009 Adorning Grace
Nov. 9, 2009 - I have no idea what day we're on... But it's going well!
We did an extra school day on Saturday - Bible, Reading, Latin review, Math Drills, and Music. They watched a documentary film produced in 1924 - Grass. They were tickled by the screens they had to read instead of listening to a narrator. Then the girls made a 1920s dinner, using menu suggestions and recipes straight from my vintage magazines. Our Turkish Delight failed - we'll try again, later. Dinner was tomato bisque, lima bean loaf, stuffed onions, broccoli, and cranberry jelly. They did a super job... But I don't think Lima Bean Loaf will be on the menu again. It was kind of dry and bland...
Today we started early with the household chores, since Rachel had a chiropractic appointment at 10:30am. Once the chores were done, I did their Grammar & Latin lessons with them, their Math, and helped with some mapwork. Now the girls have independent work. Then, we'll watch a documentary on either the Suffragettes or on Tutankhamen. I'll let them decide which.
Liam did phonics and reading already, and his copywork, math, and social studies. I'll be helping him with his science after lunch, and get some more reading in.
Rachel & I were both bit by deer ticks, yesterday. Ugh. Rachel, I understand.... since she played outside all day long. But I was only outside for about 10 minutes while I talked to Steve, then I went to the city with my mother for the day. When I got in the shower last night I found the tick, stuck in but good, so a tick check on Steve and the kids commenced, and we found one on Rachel, too. It has been so cold, I hadn't even been thinking about ticks. I called the doctor this morning and found there is no preventative pill you can pop for Lyme disease, so we have to watch our bites and if we get a rash or flu-like symptoms (yeah - right during flu season!), we need to go see the doc.
In other news - On Oct. 31 we met Steve at work so that we could take the kids to Happy Wheels - Christian Skate Night. While there, Liam jumped out of the car and swung the door wide, so it dented another car. A really tiny little dent, no paint chips or cracks... So I gave the lady our insurance info. She called on Thursday and said the mini-ding was going to cost $363 to fix. I nearly spit coffee everywhere. Seemed a little exorbitant. I've been on the phone dealing with the claims department several times now. The good news is this: my insurance company will cover the damage, and it won't raise my premium.
Prayer needed for a family situation... My ex-husband knows that we are in Maine for the time being, and is starting to play his mental games. From there, things usual spiral down hill real fast. I believe that the Lord has protected my girls from the situation in miraculous ways... and if I could describe the miracles, you would agree. So, I also believe that the Lord has a plan for my girls, that He has protected them for a reason, and that He will not let them suffer now... but it's still (for my frail human nature) worrisome.
Nov. 9, 2009 - Farraday Road Review
Farraday Road is a book by Ace Collins and is a Lije Evans Mystery. I have tried to read this book on numerous occasions and I continuously either get interrupted or just cannot stay focused for some reason. Because of this, I asked my 15 year old to read it and give us her opinion on it, which she gladly did. These are her words: "Farraday Road is a wonderful book with twists and turns every chapter that leave you wanting more. It was a mixture of modern day and history and would be a good book for anyone who likes mysteries." She goes on to tell me that the books is VERY interesting when dealing with a cave. She has sparked my interest and I will continue on until I have read it, but in the meantime, you get only her opinion. However, I do know that the end is not really the end but can't tell you more because I don't want to spoil it for you. 
*I received this free from Zondervan in exchange for my honest review.
Nov. 9, 2009 - The Screwtape Letters - Audio Review
I have always wanted to read The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, but I never could keep the storyline straight and often confused Wormwood with his uncle, Screwtape. Focus on the Family produced a very nice audio version and so now, I've "read" it.
If you're not familiar with The Screwtape Letters, let me give you a little info. There are three main characters: Screwtape, Wormwood & "The Patient". Screwtape is portayed as a demon who is fairly high up on the chain of command, yet not high enough to escape punishment himself. Wormwood is his nephew who is working on his "patient" by putting stumbling blocks in his pathway so that he does not please the "enemy" (Christ) but pleases "Our Father below" (Satan). His goal is to prevent his patient from accepting Christ. Apparently it is a bad thing for the demons if they don't fulfill their goal.
This audio version is very good. There are 4 CD's and lasts about 4 hours long. I will say that I would not allow small children to listen to this as the voices can be pretty intense and frightening.
*I received this free from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.
Nov. 8, 2009 - American Heritage Review
America’s Heritage: An Adventure in Liberty is in CD format and the best part, it’s FREE. This is not just free for me to review - it’s free for other educators too. The American Heritage Education Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization “dedicated to the understanding and teaching of our nation’s factual and philosophical heritage to promote constructive citizenship and freedom, unity, progress, and responsibility among our students and citizens.”
The levels to choose from include: Elementary (184 pages), Elementary in Spanish (294 pages includes English & Spanish), Middle School (182 pages), and High School (187 pages). WOW! All of these levels, K-12, are in one place on one CD! I like it!
The curriculum begins with 1622 -The Mayflower Compact for high school and for both middle and elementary levels, the curriculum begins with 1776 - Colonial America: American Revolution and they all conclude with the year 2000 - What is an American? The units, which are broken down into certain months of the year, have themes such as Freedom & Progress, Responsibility, and Unity.
Worksheets and various activities are included in the lesson plans. Although this is geared for larger groups, it is something even a single child could learn from.
To learn more, click here to go to America’s Heritage website or click here to see what my crewmates think of this curriculum.
*I received this for free in exchange for my honest review.
Nov. 8, 2009 - ACT Discover Review
I received ACT’s online career planning program called DISCOVER. This program helps you learn more about yourself and what interests and abilities you have. With this knowledge, you can choose a line of work that best suits you.
The website is pretty self explanatory. It’s also nicely color coded. J Anyway, the idea is for you to answer various questions to get a good idea of what career choice would be best for you. I sat down and went through the questions and ended up looking at a “map” that was broken down into color coded pie sections with a bunch of letters in each of them. This map is a visual way “to help you organize information about occupations and to find out about educational requirements for occupations you are considering.” Would it be best for you to work in the Arts, Science & Technology, or Social Services? How about Administration & Sales, Business Operations or Technical? These “career clusters” are all compared to points of a compass as some are geared towards people, data, things or ideas.
I really liked looking at the colleges and found out how much our local college charges annually and per credit hour and what majors they have. This is awesome and something my older daughters would benefit from if they choose to go to college.
This is a very good resource if you’re not sure what field you would like to have a career in. I believe it is always best to pray about what God would have you to do as a career and then go for it. My husband was in engineering school when God called him into the ministry. This is not an occupation he would have chosen on his own.
The cost is $19.95 for 3 months & $24.95 for 6.
For more info, click here to go to ACT’s website or here to read what my crewmates think of this program.
*I received a free 3 month membership in exchange for my honest review.
Nov. 7, 2009 - Add hand-made jewelry to your Christmas gift-giving list!
Visit my dear friend Melody over at With the Fruit of Her Hands for all of your jewelry needs. I can personally attest to the quality of her work. While you're over there, join the contest she's currently having!
©2009 Adorning Grace
Nov. 5, 2009 - What have I done?
In order to feel like I've been productive this week, I'm going to make a list of all I've done. I've been tempted to do nothing but enjoy a good book on the front porch and have taken those opportunities several times this week, however, there still seem to be so many things calling for my attention.
So, beginning on Monday and going through today, this is what I can remember accomplishing so far, this week:
5-6 loads of laundry
Cleaned and reorganized the school bookshelf
Cleaned off and reorganized my desk
Online banking several times
Grocery shopping
Cleaned bathroom
Cleaned out and reorganized bathroom storage shelves
Pulled out all Thanksgiving curriculum items
Cleaned off and reorganized Collin's school desk
Started reading "Little House in the Big Woods" aloud
Wrote a letter
Changed and reduced my DISH network, AT & T, and Verizon bills
Posted a picture on Facebook
Voted in Amendment election
Cooked many meals
Made cookies
Offered a written schedule to Gena at TOS
Prayed for friends in need
Helped the kids with schoolwork
Ok. I feel better now.
Nov. 4, 2009 - so much to do...
I really need to clean out the closet in the living room - condense the boxes, since most are only 1/3 full! Make room for coats and boots and a basket of mittens and hats!
I desperately need to organize my crafty stuff. Seriously, my desk looks like Hobby Lobby puked on it.
I could really use a new set of book shelves - all of ours are running over. Piles of books are taking over the window sills and end tables... And there are still more books in boxes! And I just ordered more books from amazon... erm... but I NEEDED them!
I did get the laundry room shelves cleaned out and organized today - that was a good feeling! And Liam's room is nice and tidy, as is the kitchen. The living room is currently occupied by sick children, so there are blankets and pillows, and water bottles and tissue boxes, as well as quiet games and books to amuse them. My Lydia is sick - possibly flu - so I am trying to arrange to get off work this weekend.
After much prayer and deliberation... we are completely changing gears for the rest of the school year. I know - seems like a quick decision, but it was something we'd been talking about since about week 3!
We are going with Ambleside Online - a curriculum rather derived from Charlotte Mason's. I am using year 6 for both of the girls, since they are at very similar levels. I am structuring the day like so:
Latin
Grammar
Bible
Math
History (M, W, F)
Science (Tu, Th)
Art (M, Th)
Music (lessons on Tu, F - Piano practice daily)
Poetry - currently memorizing 'October' by Robert Frost (going out of order)
Computer/Typing (not part of Ambleside, but required by Maine State Law)
Their actual work is done by 11:30am, and then they spend time after lunch reading and doing handcrafts.
Today, during handcrafts, we continued working on cross stitching. They are practicing their stitches right now, but in a day or so will begin making cross stitched bookmarks to give as gifts for Christmas. Today was really fun - the time period in history we are studying is the 1910s-1920s, so I played music from 1911, 1914, and 1918 while they stitched patterns from a needlework book I have from 1912! We talked about the 19th ammendment while working (women's right to vote), then looked through some 1920s copies of Life Magazine that I have.
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