The Proof:

And isnt this a happy little boy whose staying with Grandma Suzi this week???

now to the food!

What says Spring more than eggs??? Well, and asparagus?  

Slow-Scrambled Eggs over Asparagus

Scrambled eggs as smooth and creamy as a well-crafted custard are easy to produce if you do it the French way—using room temperature eggs cooked very slowly over low heat.

Ingredients:
*  2 bagels, cut
* 1 lb. asparagus, tough ends trimmed and spears peeled
* 4 Tbs. unsalted butter
* 8 large eggs, lightly beaten
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
* 1 Tbs. minced red onion (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to broil.
2. Butter and toast bagels lightly, remove from oven and set aside. Steam or blanch asparagus, drain thoroughly and set aside.
3. Sliver 3 tablespoons butter. Beat eggs in a bowl. Melt several butter slivers in a large nonstick saucepan over very low heat. Add eggs, and stir continuously with a wooden spoon for 15 to 20 minutes, adding slivers of butter occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter, and when it melts, add asparagus. Cook for 5 minutes, tossing occasionally.
5. To serve, arrange asparagus spears on warm plates, top with eggs, sprinkle with red onion and serve with bagel toast.

Now one more glimpse of Spring…

• http://www.highland sswcd.org/ everything/ office%20info/ kid%20page. htm -- Florida
• http://lancaster. extension. psu.edu/Family/ BKC_Resources. html -- Lancaster, Penn -- Learn-At-Home Theme Kits
• http://www.epa. state.il. us/kids/teachers /materials- resources/ -- Illinois free environment resources
• http://betterkidcar e.psu.edu/ Units/Workbooks/ 101KidsBusy/ 101KidsBusy. pdf - 101+ Ways to Keep Kids Busy
• http://computersfor learning. gov/ - Not only home schools, but any school or community group that are trying to educate kids from pre-K through grade 12, can be eligible to receive used computers from the government through its surplus property program. Contact Computers for Learning, P.O. Box 4410 , Washington , DC 20026-4100 ; 888-362-7870
• http://www.intel. com/education/ index.htm Educators can get everything they need to know about the inner workings of a computer including lesson plans, student materials, overheads, colorful posters of a Pentium Processor, as well as an actual silicon wafer, a microprocessor, processor chips, transistors, diodes, connecting wires and batteries for hands-on use. This free package is available to teachers for grade five through nine. Homeschoolers are also eligible for this program! Get your kid's teacher to get one. Just like a computer, free upgrades are also available. Contact The Journey Inside: The Computer, Education Programs; P.O. Box 5937 ; Denver , CO 80217 ; 800-346-3029
• http://www.kidsdoma in.com/down/ pc/_subjectfreew are-index. html - Educational Freeware

Teri in Arizona!  Thanks Teri!!

History Channel to test market Liberty 's Kids!

Great news! If you are a fan of the revolutionary children’s show “ Liberty ’s Kids” and would like to see it back on the air, now is your chance! Beginning this Wednesday, February 27, The History Channel will air episodes of “ Liberty ’s Kids” on Monday - Friday 7:00 am to 7:30 am and Saturday 7:00 am to 8:00 am. However, this is only a test marketing of the show. IMPORTANT! The History Channel needs to know this is the kind of programming that we as parents want for our children. So tune in and watch, then contact The History Channel at http://www.history. com/global/ feedback/ index.jsp? NetwCode= THC and tell them how much you and/or your children enjoy the program. If the show does well, the producers are prepared to create more programs highlighting other historical eras in American History. Imagine how much fun it would be to watch the same type of educational animated series about other periods of our nation’s history like the Civil War or the Oregon Trail . Click here to read an informative “ Liberty ’s Kids” review: http://www.knowledg ehouse.info/ libertykid. html

This is a volunteer position but you will receive free copies of The Old Schoolhouse each quarter - one for yourself and one copy to share with friends, family, and families who are thinking of homeschooling, or to place at local libraries and/or at homeschool group meetings.  If you are selected to become the coordinator for your state, you will be responsible for posting updates and special state information on this state blog - Information such as:  events, homeschool conventionsn, state laws, special meetings or speakers coming to the area.  The events do not have to be all inclusive, just a good overview of things that are of interest to homeschoolers.  You may also post field trip ideas/reviews and places of interest in your state. You can also blog about your personal experience with homeschooling from time to time. Writing prompts are sent out each week to help people who don't have much to post on their blog that week.

You are also allowed to gift 3 one-year TOS subscriptions each year to area libraries, area support group leaders or new homeschoolers - those people who you think could benefit from TOS! Basically, you become a contact person for people in your state and we help you get the word out about LOTS of info related to homeschooling through our magazine.

If this is something that might interest you, please email me at kprice@thehomeschoolmagazine.com.

I appreciate your interest and look forward to hearing from you soon!

Are you from Louisiana and read this blog occasionally? Sign up to be my friend! I'd love to read what's going on in your neck of the woods too!

Debbie

Thanks to Terri Johnson of Knowledge Quest for researching this for us!!!

Best Online Geography Sites
(and they are all free)!

Okay, I am having way too much fun! The Old Schoolhouse Magazine asked me to locate the best free geography sites on the web and I think that I have done just that. I have come up with 15 great sites for helping you teach your children geography while having fun at the same time. And the best part is that they are all free. Let me tell you about these great tools for learning. By the way, the links are in no particular order of preference, so just click on what sounds interesting to you.

ONLINE GAMES AND QUIZZES

1.Sheppard Software has provided many free and fun to play geography games at their website - http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Geography.htm. There are various levels of play so that your beginners and advanced students alike can find something to hold their interest. You do need to have Flash Player 6 or higher on your computer to be able to play these games, but no other downloading is necessary. The instructions are minimal, so it takes a few minutes to get the hang of the games in some instances (or at least it did for me!). Also, they do have other games across the curriculum, so feel free to check out their science and vocabulary games as well - plus many others!

2.If you or your children like puzzles, then you will love this website! At this website - http://www.yourchildlearns.com/geography.htm - you can either play with the on-line puzzle maps, or you can download them to your own computer. If you would rather not download them, here is the direct link to the online map puzzles - http://www.yourchildlearns.com/map-puzzles.htm. These are a lot of fun and a great learning tool for kids of all ages (yes, even adults!).

3. Take National Geographic's Geography Bee quiz! These questions can be fairly tough, but you get a second and even third chance to get them right (there are only 3 choices per question) thereby allowing you to KNOW the answer, which you are unlikely to forget. Also, the questions are new every day, so you can play every day and get new questions to answer. Very fun! Here's the website - http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee

4. Test your knowledge of world or regional geography with this fun quiz at http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/. A great aspect of this game is that children can see improvement quickly, even by their second round at the same quiz. Builds confidence and knowledge!

5.This quiz site - http://www.ilike2learn.com/ilike2learn/geography.asp - allows you to not only learn about the countries and capitals of the world, but also the mountains and bodies of water. If you need a hint, or the answer, it comes in the form of a pop-up, so you may need to disable your pop-up blocker. This site seems to add new games frequently. Great learning tool!

6.Another great quiz site - http://www.actionquiz.com/quiz.php?trivia=geography. Here you can play against other kids and teachers and see if you can win. You do not have to use your real name (no reason to, so don't!) and the game uses a pop-up window. So, if your computer blocks pop-ups, you either have to disable that feature to play, or if you get a message that allows you to open the pop-up, you can go about it that way. Warning: this is a fun game to play and rather addicting. After playing five times against some strong opponents, I finally won!

7.This website - http://www.geosense.net - also allows you to play alone of against another player. You are asked to not only identify countries of the world but cities as well. It is quite challenging and also very addicting. I played six rounds against my opponent and only won twice (and I thought I knew my geography like the back of my hand - reality check!). If you do not mind that your scores are not recorded in their log, you can play as a guest. Or create a login ID to keep track of your scores and establish an identity at this site.

8.This quiz site - http://www.garyradley.com/games - has both "find" games and "quiz" games giving your students a well-rounded familiarity with the countries of the world. My only trouble with these particular games was that it was sometimes difficult to click on the correct country because the hand spread over more than one country area. But overall, this is a great site to round out your online geography games.

GREAT REPORT SITES

Atlapedia and CountryReports are two great sites for general information. If your child or student needs to find some facts on a given country or view/print some maps for a particular region of the world, Atlapedia is a great all purpose website for gathering information for research papers, etc. - The website is http://www.atlapedia.com/index.html. Full color physical and political maps are available. Also, CountryReports lets you drill down on a world map to the country you are interested in and gives you some great facts and information and maps of that area. The website is http://www.countryreports.org/.

JUST MAPS - BUT REALLY COOL MAPS!

Do your kids like all kinds of maps - satellite, physical, political, even weather? Then they will enjoy creating their own maps at this site - http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachine/index.html.

Would you like to see what the earth looks like a night as seen from space. This view of the world was taken from photos of the earth at night from a satellite. The earth is lit only from the city lights of civilization. Spectacular! - http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap001127.html

Okay, everyone knows about Google Earth, right? This is an incredible piece of software that is taken from actual photographs of the earth. In fact you can zoom right down into your own backyard. Mind-boggling! The software needs to be downloaded onto your computer. It is located here - http://earth.google.com/

FUN VIDEO SITES

Yes, this is one of my favorites! At this website - http://www.animatedatlas.com - you can watch a five or ten minute video about the growth of our nation. Superb and educational!

TEACHER RESOURCES

Are you in need of some worksheets to print out that will reinforce the geography you are teaching to your students. Here is a great site with lots of printables (my computer tells me that is not a word, but I think you know what I mean) - http://www.tlsbooks.com/geographyworksheets.htm.

This site gives you contact information of places where you can receive free geography materials - http://www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/Geography/free.html

This has been so exciting researching these free sites for you. If these games are played often and these resources tapped into and used, your students will gain tremendous knowledge and retention in the realm of geography (SO WILL YOU!). And it will be painless! That is the part I love! Have fun!

Terri Johnson
Knowledge Quest, Inc.
www.knowledgequestmaps.com
877.697.8611

Gena and Paul Suarez, publishers of The Old Homeschool magazine, are already beginning to fill in their speaking calendar for 2007. Here are some areas of the country that they will be in:

early January - New England??

mid-January - Wisconsin and Minnesota

early February - Texas or surrounding areas

mid-Feb to March 1st - Chicago area

March - Washington, California, and Oregon; WEST COAST - other area states, too!

April - South Carolina

May - Michigan

June - PA

When they make a trip to speak somewhere, they'd like to make the most of their time and meet with several groups in that state. Their presentations are given FREE of charge, but if a "love offering" can be taken to deflect some of the travelling costs, that is always welcome! Here are the topics that they are ready to discuss:

~ Presentation Topics ~

Homeschooling Is Not An Option
Paul freely discusses various data and facts about what's going on in today's public schools, why a Christian child should not take part in them, and offers a general message to the church. He encourages homeschooling parents where they are at, right now. They are making a difference! Moms and Dads, when you look into your children's eyes, you are seeing your grandchildren and great grandchildren as well. Paul discusses this long-term perspective for the Christian homeschool family. If you are thinking about putting your child into the public school system, come hear Paul first. Very biblically based with a challenge to the parents at the end.

The Well-Integrated Homeschool
Gena goes over the numerous ways to achieve a relaxed mindset while homeschooling; it should never be a chore! A laid back, joyful homeschool is a realistic, long-lasting homeschool. Long term is the goal, and she encourages families to stick with their commitment to home educate their children all the way through. Gena, after sharing a brief, panoramic view of the history of both compulsory and private education (parent-based vs. institutional-enforced) offers some compelling strategies to encourage families to "lighten up" and help their children enjoy learning as much as life itself.

Note: Both presentations contain sensitive content, as Paul and Gena share a little on what's happening inside today's public schools. Please be aware that while children are welcome (Paul and Gena's own kids will be present), parents should be aware that these issues will be mentioned (homosexual agenda is just one issue). Also, Paul and Gena don't charge a fee to speak to homeschool groups, but they appreciate any gifts that might help to offset their travel and production costs. Each presentation is an hour long. You can schedule either one or both of them to speak, but they would request a 15 minute break in between presentations. They will want to have a table available so that they can set up magazines and homeschooling books to sell, but there isn't any pressure to buy. It will just be a wonderful time of encouragement and information that will help to affirm each person's descion to homeschool!

Writing for Magazines

Another workshop Gena gives is for aspiring magazine writers. Do you have what it takes to write for periodicals? It may be a whole lot simpler than you think. Gena's talk goes over good (and bad!) query letters, ways to get an editor's attention, controversy in writing (sometimes a magazine is looking for JUST that!), selling -without overselling- yourself, and so much more. Gena is available afterwards for a Q and A as well as hearing article pitches for publication. This talk is one hour long and goes over ways to become published in homeschooling magazines - and beyond. Take the information and apply it across the board.

If you would like to have Gena and Paul come speak to your homeschool group, just email Kris Price - kprice@theoldhomeschoolhouse.com and I'll see what we can arrange.

Kris Price
Assistant to the Publishers
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC
www.theoldhomeschoolhouse.com
kprice@theoldhomeschoolhouse.com
www.homeschoolblogger.com/ClassicalEducation4Me

Lake Charles Civic Ballet will present "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" with performances in Lake Charles and Lafayette, Louisiana. Tickets for many of the  student performance dates are still available. General Admission tickets are available for homeschoolers.

Check out their website: http://www.ladydanceschool.com/LCCB_Rudolph.htm

I have been personally involved with this ballet company for many years. I think that you will be pleasantly surprised with the professional quality production that this classical ballet company provides for the Southwest Louisiana area!

At this website students from K-12 can participate in a mock election,
with ballots for all the current legislators and also questions
regarding current issues. There is a wealth of curriculum available
on the website also, for all ages.
http://www.nationalmockelection.org/

Have you read the article on page 68-72, "Unschooling-Philosophy Matters" in the new TOS magazine?

I have considered myself somewhat of an unschooler. I believe that God gave each one of us, including our children, particular bents, gifts or talents to be developed. The unschooling method encourages children to follow these bents. I agree with Mr. Beuligmann that we need to be careful about the philosophy that we base our homeschooling methods on, but I also believe that we can learn from non-christians, as well as, Christians.

What do you think? Are you a Christian unschooler? What does that look like?

Debbie

Project FeederWatch is a program of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
This program is for anyone who enjoys watching birds come to their
feeder and would be willing to set aside some time to identify and
count birds in their backyards and report them to Cornell for
scientists to use in gathering data about bird populations in the
United States and Canada.

The annual participant's fee is $15 and for that you receive:

* Instruction set
* FeederWatch handbook, filled with tips for
o attracting birds to your yard
o maintaining a clean and safe feeder area
o selecting bird feeders and foods
o identifying birds
o discouraging predators and pests
* Bird-identification poster
* Colorful wall calendar to keep track of your bird-counting days
* One year subscription to BirdScope
* Access to the FeederWatch web site

You can report your data either manually through the mail or through
the web site. You can also keep track of the data being collected in
your area or accross the continent by other Feeder Watchers.

You can be a part of the world's largest research team, studying
feeder-bird populations from coast to coast!

More information can be found at their website.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/

Take your students on a pilgrimage back in time to the medieval world of Geoffrey Chaucer. On their Pilgrimage your students will get to meet and interact with characters such as the Knight, the Wife of Bath or the Prioress from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.

Our special school Pilgrimage to Chaucer's England will be open to grade levels 1 - 6 from 9:00AM to 2:00PM on Monday April 2, 2007 and for grade levels 7 -12 on Tuesday April 3, 2007 . To maintain a safe environment for children, the Pilgrimage to Chaucer's England will not be open to the general public. Admission is $6.00 per person. Orders paid by February 15th, 2007 will receive 1 free chaperone ticket for every 10 paid tickets. If you can not make our scheduled Pilgrimage dates, you and your students are welcome to join us on one of the weekend days of the Acadiana Medieval Faire for the same discounted price.

While on their Pilgrimage to Chaucer's England, your students will be able to experience a real, live joust by champion jousters the Knights of Valour. Since 1997 the Knights of Valour have been entertaining audiences internationally with their exciting shows of horsemanship, bravery and chivalry. Their team annually competes in full-contact jousting tournaments around the world and is led by 9 time international jousting champion Shane Adams. The Pilgrimage to Chaucer's England is the only place in Louisiana where you can see a real medieval-style joust by world champion jousters. The Knights of Valour are ready to entertain you in a style worthy of Kings!

The Pilgrimage to Chaucer's England is also the only place in Louisiana where your students can experience real, authentic medieval music by the nationally prominent early musicians L'Ensemble Cercamon and Istanpitta. Istanpitta is a United States based ensemble performing music of the 10th to 14th century Middle Ages including many traditional Middle Eastern dances. The ensemble consists of 3-5 musicians playing a variety of period instruments including Oud, Lute, Saz, Early Percussion, Shawms, Renaissance Recorders, Transverse Flutes, Krummhorns, Vielles, Medieval Harp and Bagpipes. L'Ensemble Cercamon is a French Canadian early music ensemble whose energetic interpretation of musical works and songs drawn from the Middle Ages naturally attract large crowds.

Pilgrimage Reservation Form and Information

http://www.acadianafaire.org/education.htm

Are you homeschooling a special needs child?

Is your child learning disabled, dyslexic, developmentally disabled or ADHD?

What are you doing to educate this child?

Do you need more help and support?

What helpful services or support groups have you found in Louisiana?

Have you signed up for the TOS Special Needs newsletter? The most recent newsletter has an encouraging article for moms! Sign up for it today!

Please comment or send an email to contribute to this discussion!

You might be interested in this scholarship opportunity from AIG to
Liberty University ($50,000).

http://www.answersingenesis.org/cec/research-paper-challenge/

What an excellent idea one homeschooling mom had; a free exchange list
on Yahoo Groups. It seems to operate a lot like Freecycle if you've
ever heard of it. If you have extra, unused, or no longer needed
homeschooling materials, you post an 'offer' message on this list for
other homeschoolers to see, and if someone needs it, they email you
directly. After the exchange has been decided, the the 'giver' posts
that the item has been taken. It can also work the other way; if you
need a certain item, you can post a 'needed' message and if someone has
it to give away, they email you directly, and the 'needed' person posts
that the request has been fulfilled. This is a relatively new group,
but I can see it going far! Good luck to them!

http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/freehomeschool