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!

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Just" a Homemaker?

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Enjoy this true account of The Wright Brothers.

This Chapter FREE this week!

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Save $10 on our One Year Sub with Winter Issue AND get the 19 Free Gifts!! Limited time only! See HERE

Would you like to see a copy of our magazine? Click HERE for a free sample.

Thank you for visiting the Schoolhouse Store! To your left, you’ll find a wide variety of categories. Click on each one to discover many wonderful titles from which to choose for YOUR homeschool. And the best part? Whether you purchase ONE item or many different ones, shipping is ALWAYS free. It’s our policy!

Be sure to END your shopping experience today with a subscription to The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine! Be continuously encouraged all year long. And see below for a special you can’t pass up; when a two-year subscription is purchased, YOU are going to get:

http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/presidents_activities.html

Grades K–2: Social Studies

Coin Matchup

Have your students match the President to the coin that shows his face.

• Presidential Coin Matching
• http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/presidents/coin.htm

Grades K–2: Social Studies/Language Arts

Coloring Pages

Have students color a picture of a President and then write a short description of that President.

• Presidents' Day Coloring Pages
• http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/presidents/coloring.htm

Grades 1–3: Language Arts

Dear President Bush

Have students write a letter to President Bush.

• President George W. Bush
• The White House
• 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
• Washington, D.C. 20500

Grades 1–3: Social Studies

The Hunt

Take students on an Abraham Lincoln treasure hunt.

• Abraham Lincoln for Primary Children
• http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/proj/lincoln/treasure1.htm

Grades K–3: Social Studies

Build a Log Cabin

Lincoln grew up in extreme poverty and lived in a primitive log cabin. Have students re-create a log cabin.

• Lincoln Log Cabin
• http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/crafts/lincolnlogcabin/

Grades K–8: Social Studies/Language Arts

The Memory Game

A great way to show students a link to the past is to have them interview an adult—a teacher, a parent, or other relative—and compile a list of the Presidents who served during that adult's lifetime. Students can ask the adult to describe an important memory about each President.

Grades K–8: Social Studies

Through Lincoln's Front Door

Have students take a tour of Abraham Lincoln's home, from the kitchen to Willie and Tad's bedroom.

• Lincoln Home Photo Tour
• http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/gallery/pict.htm

Grades K–8: Social Studies

George Washington Lived Here

Students can explore all three floors of Washington's beloved home, Mount Vernon, on a tour of the historic Virginia mansion.

• Mount Vernon
• http://www.mountvernon.org/virtual/index.cfm/ss/2

Grades 1–2: Social Studies

Find the Matching Pair

One of these Georges is not like the other. See if your students can find the two portraits that match.

• Matching Georges
• http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/kids/puzzle2.html

Grades 1–4: Social Studies

Who's Who?

Students can try to identify some Presidents by looking at their pictures.

• Name That President—Question 1
• http://www.primarygames.com/presidents/question_1.htm

Grades 1–8: Social Studies

Quizzes

Test students' knowledge about Presidents.

• Presidents' Day Quiz (grades 1–2) (PDF file)
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/presidents_1-2_quiz.pdf
• Presidents' Day Quiz Answer Key (grades 1–2) (PDF file)
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/presidents_1-2_quiz_key.pdf
• Presidents' Day Quiz (grades 3–5) (PDF file)
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/presidents_3-5_quiz.pdf
• Presidents' Day Quiz Answer Key (grades 3–5) (PDF file)
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/presidents_3-5_quiz_key.pdf
• Presidents' Day Quiz (grades 6–8) (PDF file)
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/presidents_6-8_quiz.pdf
• Presidents' Day Quiz Answer Key (grades 6–8) (PDF file)
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/presidents_6-8_quiz_key.pdf

Grades 2–5: Social Studies

Presidential Flags

Have students create a unique flag to honor their favorite President. Students can draw or paste an image of the chosen President in the area where the stars would normally go. Suggest that students add (anywhere on the flag) a number of stars equal to the number of the President (e.g., Washington is one star, Adams is two stars, etc.). Students can then write an important fact about the President on each stripe.

• Copyright-Free Images of Abraham Lincoln
• http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/resource/freepix.htm
• By Popular Demand: Portraits of the Presidents and First Ladies
• http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/odmdhtml/preshome.html

Grades 2–8: Social Studies

Visit the White House

The President's home is, of course, the White House, but how many of your students have actually been inside? Have them take a quick, interactive tour of the White House, narrated by Spotty, President Bush's English Springer Spaniel.

• Spotty's White House Tour
• http://www.whitehouse.gov/kids/tour/

Grades 3–5: Social Studies

Presidential Bill Match

Have your students match the President to the bill that shows his face.

• Presidential Money Match
• http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/presidents/bills.htm

Grades 3–5: Social Studies

You're Elected!

Now what? Have students find out what it's like to be President.

• The PBS Kids Democracy Project: President for a Day
• http://www.pbs.org/democracy/kids/presforaday/index.html

Grades 3–5: Social Studies

White House Pets

What can a President do when his son's goat gets loose in the White House or when his son wants a turkey for a pet? Have students read these stories to find out.

• Letter Regarding Tad's Goat
• http://www.historyplace.com/lincoln/goat.htm
• Tad Lincoln Saves Jack
• http://members.aol.com/RVSNorton1/Lincoln65.html

Grades 3–6: Social Studies

Presidential Kids

Have students try to match a quote with a specific Presidential child.

• Hands-on Presidential Activities
• http://americanhistory.si.edu/presidency/5a2b.html

Grades 3–6: Social Studies

Bake a Cake for George

According to a 19th-century newspaper, this cake was one of George Washington's favorites. That makes it a perfect treat for your students to make in honor of his birthday.

• Bake a ‘Washington Cake’ (for George's birthday)
• http://www.osv.org/kids/crafts11.htm

Grades 3–8: Social Studies

Word Finds

Have students search for names of Presidents hidden in a puzzle.

• Presidents (grades 3–5) (PDF file)
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/presidents_med_wf.pdf
• Presidents Answer Key (grades 3–5) (PDF file)
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/presidents_med_wf_key.pdf
• Presidents (grades 6–8) (PDF file)
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/presidents_hard_wf.pdf
• Presidents Answer Key (grades 6–8) (PDF file)
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/presidents_hard_wf_key.pdf

Grades 3–8: Social Studies

Lincoln's Time

From Abraham Lincoln's first day in the White House, he faced the irreconcilable conflict between slavery and abolition. Bring students back to this time period to view slave living quarters.

• Slave Quarters
• http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/lincolns/slavery/qtvr_aasouth.html
• Urban Slave Quarters
• http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/lincolns/slavery/gal_aasouth.html

Grades 3–8: Social Studies

My, How We've Grown

Have students watch an animated growth chart of the United States, from President Washington's time to 1907.

• Abraham Lincoln for Primary Children
• http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/proj/lincoln/states.htm

Grades 3–8: Social Studies

Where in the Country Are the Presidents?

One way we keep the memory of our Presidents alive is by naming places after them. Have students find such places anywhere in their state or country.

Grades 4–6: Social Studies/Mathematics

Presidential Home States

States take great pride in the claim that one of their residents reached the White House, and a candidate's home state plays a big role in calculating his or her chances of winning the Presidency. Do your students know which state can claim the most Presidents over the years? Have them find out with this graphing activity.

• Where Did They Come From?
• http://www.eduplace.com/activity/presidentshomes.html

Grades 4–8: Social Studies/Language Arts

The Emancipation Proclamation

Have students read the first page of Lincoln's handwritten Emancipation Proclamation, issued January 1, 1863. Lead a general discussion about freedom. Then ask students to list specific freedoms they have in their home, school, and community. Next, brainstorm a list of freedoms denied to slaves. Have students write a short personal response to the proclamation from a slave's point of view.

• Emancipation Proclamation (primary source)
• http://www.historyplace.com/lincoln/lincpix/emanc-proc.jpg
• Emancipation Proclamation (typed copy)
• http://www.historyplace.com/lincoln/emanc.htm

Grades 4–8: Social Studies/Mathematics

Decisions, Decisions

Pose a question of interest to your students, such as “Should we have a class president?” or “Should we have a school mascot?” Then explain that politicians often take polls to determine public opinion before making key decisions on issues. Take a class poll to determine everyone's position on the selected question. Discuss any surprises that may result from the poll and what would make students change their minds in a follow-up poll.

Grades 4–8: Language Arts/Social Studies

Presidential Mix and Match

Test students' knowledge about Presidential facts.

• Presidential Facts Challenge (PDF file)
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/presidential_challenge.pdf
• Presidential Facts Challenge Answer Key (PDF file)
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/presidential_challenge_key.pdf

Grades 5–8: Social Studies/Language Arts

Power to the President

Students will read Sections 1–4 of Article II of the United States Constitution, learn more about powers granted to the President of the United States, and write a “Help Wanted” advertisement for the job.

• Presidential Powers
• http://www.eduplace.com/activity/presidential_powers.html

Grades 5–8: Social Studies

Guess the Meanings

The Presidential seal comprises many symbols. Have students find out what they mean. Students can also create a new Presidential seal.

• The President's Seal
• http://americanhistory.si.edu/presidency/5a2a.html

Grades 5–8: Mathematics/Social Studies

You Do the Math

How much does the President earn an hour? Have students use the information below to figure his hourly rate of pay, before taxes.

• Approximate yearly income, including expense allowance: $400,000
• Average work week: 75 hours
• Vacation time: 2 weeks

Grades 6–8: Social Studies

Presidential Challenge

How familiar are your students with U.S. Presidents? Have them see how few clues they need to recognize our nation's leaders.

• Who is That?
• http://www.funbrain.com/who/

Grades 6–8: Social Studies

Where in the Country Are the Presidents?

We honor our Presidents in many ways, from casting their images on coins to naming places and monuments after them. Challenge students to find the obvious and not so obvious places where Presidents' names and images appear. Ask students to cite their sources.

• National Geographic MapMachine—online atlas, street maps
• http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachine/

Grades 6–8: Social Studies

The Speeches of Abraham Lincoln

Have students read some of Lincoln's most famous speeches.

• Selected Speeches of Abraham Lincoln
• http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/speech.htm

Grades 7–8: Social Studies/Language Arts

Name That President!

Have students test their Presidential recall with an online game of hangman.

• Hangman
• http://www.mce.k12tn.net/us_presidents/hangman.htm

Grades 7–8: Social Studies

What Did You Call Me?

Can your students match the Presidents to their nicknames?

• Presidential Nicknames Matchup
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/presidents_match.pdf
• Presidential Nicknames Matchup Answer Key
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/presidents_match_key.pdf

Grades 7–8: Social Studies

Toward Democracy

This lesson addresses George Washington's leadership in forging a new government for the United States after the break from England in 1776. The lesson uses Washington's own words to illustrate the events leading to the establishment of our national government, and the crucial roles he played throughout that process.

• George Washington Lesson Plans—Lesson 2
• http://rs6.loc.gov/learn/lessons/gw/gw2.html

Grades 7–8: Social Studies

A Presidential Site

Have students design a mock Web page for their favorite President. Features might include sound clips, photographs, current events of the time, family news, and fun facts.

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This captivating and affordable audio performance of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, one of the most famous speeches in American History, is a unique opportunity to bring history to life for your children. Performed for you by long-time professional actor and voice talent with over 15 years of experience as an educator, Wm. Daniel File, this powerful and lively rendition will add sensory depth to your American History and Civil War studies. The recording includes both a fun and fascinating introduction to the Gettysburg Address and of course the performance of Lincoln’s speech itself. Burn it to CD, add it to your child’s i-tunes play list, or play it directly on your computer. This is a recording you’ll want to use again and again, throughout your studies.

Other recordings of famous speeches by AUDIOFILE: Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death,” Lou Gehrig’s “Farewell Speech” and “The Night Before Christmas.”

Use these affordable recordings to supplement your history and public speaking studies throughout the year.

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A South Mississippi teenager has been honored as a national hero by the Boy Scouts of America.  13-year-old Michael Vogel of Hancock County received a national heroism award from the Boy Scouts during an annual Pine Burr Council Recognition Dinner at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg Friday night.    

Michael saved the life of a toddler who fell into a friend's swimming pool two years ago.  He says it was skills he learned in scouting that helped him help the child.  He also says he's proud of his award.

"I think it's wonderful, I like it," said Michael, who was just 10-years-old when he performed his heroic act.  "It's the first time that I've ever done anything heroic and I'm amazed at what I've done, myself," Michael said. 

Michael and his family live in Kiln, where he is home-schooled.

Meanwhile, the senior national volunteer with the Boy Scouts would certainly agree that young Michael Vogel is a great example of what it means to be a scout.

Rick Cronk of Lafayette, California, the President of the Boy Scouts of America, praised scouts and scouting volunteers in an address at Friday night's banquet.  And he says he's confident scouting will continue to play an important part in the lives of millions of American young people.

 "There are roughly 50 million living Americans who were scouts, cub scouts or boy scouts for short or longer periods of time.  If for every one of those 50 million scouts there are two members of their family that also understand what scouting is all about, that means that 150 million or one-half of all Americans have some warm feeling for the values of the Boy Scouts of America.  It's pretty incredible," Cronk said. 

Cronk also said the biggest challenge facing scouting today is encouraging Hispanic children to join the Boy Scouts.

By the way, Thursday was the 97th anniversary of the Boy Scouts.

Time Guest Speaker & Topic

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Homeschooling is growing in popularity as an alternative to public or private school.

Susie Smith, who began the North Greenwood Home Educators group, said homeschool parents "want the best education they feel that they can get their children."

Smith's main reason for choosing homeschool, however, was the desire for her daughter Morgan, 10, to have a Christian education.

Smith wanted her to get a good foundation of who she was and a Christian worldview during her formative years without having to deal with peer pressure, she said.

There are currently 10,000 registered homeschool families in Mississippi, Smith said.

Smith previously was part of North Central Christian Home Educators Group, which encompasses Grenada, Winona, Carrollton and Greenwood.

However, Smith noticed several Greenwood families who were interested in starting their own organization. From those beginnings came her Greenwood group, which so far has 12 families with students ranging from kindergarten through 12th grade.

"We're constantly growing," said Smith. She frequently gets calls from interested parents.

Homeschoolers traditionally face negative stereotypes, such as the idea that they are stunted socially by not going to class with other kids, and that they do not get a quality education because they are not necessarily taught by professional educators.

Smith puts out a monthly newsletter with a calendar of social and educational activities for her group's home schoolers. They have events such as monthly field trips, craft days, a weekly play day, moms' night out and family night with bowling and pizza.

Previous field trips include the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, a visit to the state Capitol, a tour of the fire station, a behind-the-scenes look at the Greenwood Leflore Hospital and a trip to the Memphis Zoo.
Advocates also say homeschooled children are more well-rounded because they can interact with people of all ages and not just other students the same age.

Some high schools and colleges will also open up their science labs to allow homeschool students to do experiments.

If her daughter does decide to go to public school, Smith said she is confident because of the foundation that she has had through home schooling.

Advocates brag that homeschool students actually perform better on standardized tests.

According to the Mississippi Home Educators Association, homeschool students average an ACT score of 22.5, which is significantly higher than the national average.

"Homeschoolers consistently score above the national average," said ACT spokesman Ed Colby.

Colleges are becoming more receptive to homeschool students, finding that they have better study habits and are capable of working well independently. The MHEA Web site lists Dartmouth and Harvard among colleges and universities that are homeschool-friendly.

The homeschool curriculum comes with lesson plans that look like any other teacher's, and Smith thinks she is stricter regarding her daughter's academic performance than a public school teacher might be.

The MHEA is a Christian ministry dedicated to assisting families who are committed to the education of their children at home.