We are well into school now, and the reports have begun! The information in the encyclopedias was just a wee bit (maybe 40 years?!) out of date!

So, we embarked on a quick tour of the internet to find information on that rather odd animal called the Platypus. We found the following site that was VERY user friendly, laid out in a manner easy for young children to use, and contained some excellent information.

http://www.thebigzoo.com/zoo/

This site does sell zoo "stuff," so be prepared for the "look what we could buy" from the children. Even browsing through the store was enjoyable, though. The products are not things available locally to us, and some were highly educational.

If you are interested in a decidedly Christian -creation perspective on animals, Answers in Genesis has a wonderful "Zoo Guide" available. They also have guides for the museum and the aquarium. They are not that expensive, are full color, and have related activities to go with them. These are an asset to any home interested in the study of animals. Currently AiG is offering a special on the three books - $44.99 for all three, a savings of $14.98! (see the last link) Links are:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Zoo-Guide,4575,241.aspx (zoo guide)

http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/ka/v1/n1/zoo-guide-supplements (extra activities for the zoo guide)

http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Aquarium-Guide,5200,241.aspx (aquarium guide)

http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Museum-Guide,5459,241.aspx (museum guide)

http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/3-Guide-Pack,5461,131.aspx (all 3 guides!!)

As Labor Day weekend nears, more families are either into their new routine, thinking about their starting date, or panicked to realize that the new year is already here! Wherever you find yourself, here are some free ideas to help you on your path.

This first link is an all-time favorite of mine. This link takes you specifically to lessons, but delete everything after the ".com" and there is SO much information to behold. This website has been well put together. http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/weblinks/lessons.htm

This next site is similar to the one above, in that it deals with a bit of everything. Take a look around, I think you may find several useful helps. http://www.everythinghomeschooling.com/

For those still needing help with math, here is another fun (and free!) site full of activities and lesson helps. http://www.homeschoolmath.net/

Did you know it was illegal to fish for trout from the back of a camel in Idaho?! I didn't! This last site will give you an awesome unit study on our lovely state of Idaho. If you are planning a move, or a travel, or just interested in another state, they have unit studies on all 50 states. http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/unitssubjgeog/a/susid.htm

Wow! It is hard to believe that school has started (for us) or will soon start (for many others). As we begin our journey through a new curriculum this year, certain areas of deficiency have already made themselves known. At the same time, some of our children are excelling in other areas. With either group, they either need more to do or more practice.

For those of you finding yourself in the same boat, share your ideas! Competitions are a great way to spur a child on or give another "extra" work to do. Do you have any competitions in your area? Have you checked with local co-ops or businesses?

Math is always a difficult area for us to find groups of any sort. Here is a website that I have run across that gives some wonderful ideas for games, crafts, ideas, forming clubs, and yes, even some competitions! http://www.googolpower.com/content/crazy-4-math/club

Many areas have local math clubs for those working out of the same book. Other areas have local math drills where students get together by ability level to drill and have fun.

What do you have in your area?

As I gear up for our summer plans, I have baskets full of craft notions, fabric scraps, and odds and ends of bottles, paper tubes, etc.

But the biggest question on the minds of others as I walk through the store is, "What do you DO with that stuff?!"

It is great to have books of craft ideas, but when you have gone through them all, or you don't have any to begin with, where do you turn? This summer I have discovered some wonderful websites with great (yet affordable) craft ideas. When you are stuck indoors and looking for something to do, check out one of these sites!

www.fibrecraft.com

http://familyfun.go.com

Enjoy those hot days, and have fun learning with your children.

What a mess! We began moving nearly two months ago! No phones, no computers, "camping" in various houses...Now we are in our new home, but the piles of boxes seem endless!

What have we learned during this time of craziness? Vacation can be school!

We have visited new and intriguing places: laundromats, fast food restraunts with playgrounds, postoffice annex buildings, canyons...

We have learned new things: we really like AC, the car is a tiring place to be, 2 dogs and 2 cats do NOT belong in the same vehicle, country dogs do NOT know what to do in the city!

But in the midst of all the chaos, confusion and frustration, we have learned. We have learned to better function as a team, working towards the same goal. We have learned how to efficiently camp in a kitchen that doubles as a dog run. We have read books that we normally would not have had time to read. We have sat in the dark and giggled at fond memories from times past. We have learned what we can do without, and what we really would like to hold on to.

So now as we unpack, we find ourselves with a growing "goodbye" pile and LOTS of books. We didn't realize how many books we had! And just as we open the flaps of another box, here arrives Fed Ex with our shipment of school books for the upcoming fall! (Yes, the children are still wondering how the nice lady found us in our new home!) Is there such a thing as too many books? I'll have to get back to you on that! :)

In the meantime, as we get back to our regular school routine, and many of you now begin your vacations, see what YOU can learn as you spend time together. Go places you have not gone before and then spend the time talking about where you are. Even the strangest places can be a learning experience (have you seen a two-story outhouse?!). Spend time remembering previous trips or places visited.

Even if a big family vacation is not in the budget, there are plenty of free places to visit all over our wonderful state. Find a local home building site and walk through the skeleton structure of a house. Talk about where the rooms are, why you do or do not like the plan, what you would build differently... Go through houses in various stages. The process is fascinating, and gives a great education to children.

Find a stream, river or lake and look for anything living. Look for tracks in the sand or dirt, talk about what might live in the water if you can't see any water life. Have children draw what they see or come up with a new species that could inhabit the water.

Contact a local grocery store or lumber yard and ask if you can do a homeschool tour. Many love to have children come, and often hand out freebies such as stickers, samples, or items with their logos (we love our Albertson's trucks!). If you live near a factory, check with them!

Have you thought of visiting a local public school? School is out for the summer, but administrators generally have no problem giving a tour to homeschoolers to show them what a public school day is like; where students eat, where the bathrooms are, where they go for various classes...It is a really big impression to see how far the bathrooms are from some classrooms!

Whatever you do, have fun as a family! Take pictures (and develop them)! Enjoy the time you have together away from your normal routine.

FOUNDATIONS OF GENESIS OF IDAHO
FIGI
PRESENTS
The Grand Canyon Debate

Considered the icon of canyons, the Grand Canyon is a masterpiece of water erosion. Worldly scientists tell us that the canyon formed over millions of years by “slow water erosion.” If this is true, where is evidence of the carved-out materials? Biblical scientists, on the other hand, point out the many evidences of a catastrophic history in the formation of the canyon; Geologists Doug Bennett and Brent H. Carter participated in a lengthy field review in the summer of 2006 with seven other creation scientists to review and evaluate the evidences on the origin of Grand Canyon. Both geologists believe the canyon was formed by catastrophic water action related to the Biblical Flood.

Brent will present the post-Flood origin of the canyon whereas, Doug will present the canyon formation happening in the latter stages of the flood. This will be a friendly forum to present the evidences of the Grand Canyon genesis in debate format. What will the presented evidences tell you?

February 22 in Boise

February 23 in Ontario

See www.figionline.com for more information and times!

Twice Sold tales in downtown Nampa is currently having a used curriculum sale, continuing through the 17th of February. They are located at 1215 First Street South.

Stop in to check out the sale, and maybe find a treasure as well!