Jan. 26, 2010
The Call of Educate for Eternity
Psalm 78:5-7 – “He decreed statutes…he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.”
Part of what I used to do for 11 years as a county homeschool co-ordinator was help new homeschool moms get started in the adventure of educating their children at home. To me, this was the best part of the job description! In the process of talking with these moms I got to know them a little, I learned what brought them to the decision to homeschool.
Honestly, I am most encouraged by those who have prayed, read books, read magazines, asked dozens of questions and have come to the conclusion that it is God’s call. It has been my experience that these are the people who will go for the long haul. These are the people who will be most successful and their children will be the most well-rounded and motivated.
I believe that the homeschool “movement” is a revival. We are picking up the baton of godly education that those before us dropped. And when the baton was dropped in this country (in  the 1850s when the first Government-funded public schools opened their doors) it slowly started to roll…away. It picked up speed in the 1960s when prayer was taken out of public schools, a little faster in the 1970s when authority was taken away from teachers and principals to discipline students. And faster and faster through to the 1990s and the beginning of the twenty-first century when immorality and violence have become so rampant in our public schools that parents must wonder if they will ever see their children again after they walk out the front door.
Safety is a big issue, to be sure. But the bigger issue for us should be to raise children who will be effective adults for the Lord…Not homeschooling for the sake of homeschooling, not homeschooling so that they will be geniuses, not even for their safety. But that they will be those “first fruits” in a new generation of godly leadership…the first of several godly generations, should the Lord tarry. Most of all, we homeschool so that our children will live a love relationship with Christ begun in a life-style of faith.
I hope you will review the reasons why you homeschool, and I hope that it all begins with The Call.
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf <>< |
• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
|
Jan. 2, 2010
Encouragement from Spurgeon
"You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, and training them up in God's fear, and minding the house, and making your household a church for God, as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of hosts."
~ Charles Spurgeon
|
• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
|
Dec. 23, 2009
Merry CHRISTmas!
Dec. 22, 2009
3rd Annual Unschoolers' Winter Waterpark Gathering ~ Sandusky, Ohio
Wondering what spectacular gift to give your family for Christmas?
Let them know you’ll be going to the ….
3rd Annual Unschoolers Winter Waterpark Gathering
Kalahari Indoor Waterpark Resort - Sandusky, Ohio
February 8-12, 2010
http://ugoevent.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UWWG/
- Keynote Opening Speaker – John Taylor Gatto along with over a dozen other speakers
- Lots of Funshops for kids and adults of ALL ages
- Awesome Events:
- Winter Carnival w/ games, face painting, stage acts & even a Dunking Tank!
- Talent Shows
- Movie Nights
- SSUDS Gatherings –Secret Society of Unschooling Dads
- Grand Ballroom Dance
- and more.....
- On-going Kid's Craft and Playroom
- On-going Older Kids Lounge and Gaming Room
- Thrilling Waterpark Rides and Coasters, Wavepools, hot-tubs and more...
- Super Discounted Room Rates (Large Full Kitchen Suites Average only $21.50 /person per night - With Waterpark passes included!!!)
- NO Conference or Registration fees (participation to all UWWG events included with your room rates!)
Check out our UWWG website for further info on all the awesome speakers, funshops and events: http://ugoevent.com/
For all the latest info and to begin connecting with others, please join our UWWG yahoo group at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UWWG/
You truly won't want to miss this awesome gathering with a thousand plus unschoolers from around the country!
Happy Holidays and hope to see you at the 3rd Annual Unschoolers Winter Waterpark Gathering.
February 8-12, 2010!
Please help us spread the word! Please forward this to all your homeschooling groups and friends. THANKS!
~ Carol Reinhard
UWWG Coordinator
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UWWG/
http://www.ugo.unschoolgathering.com/
|
• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
|
Dec. 16, 2009
Christmas Traditions at the Wolf House
See if this sounds familiar to you...
It's Christmas morning, the day we remember and celebrate our dear Saviour's birth. The alarm blares out an hour before any of the roosters roosting in the stable with the holy Babe would have dared to crow. You drag yourself out of bed and after starting the coffee-maker, setting out food to ready for all the different stops you will make today, you wake up each family member. Are you greeted this important day with, "Merry Christmas, Dear!"? Or, "Merry Christmas, Mommy!"? OR do the noises emanating from your family sound more like something that a bear family roused too early from hibernation would sound like? Makes you wonder if you should have skipped that beautiful candle-light Christmas Eve service last night.
But does it stop there? Oh, no. Once everyone is up and running, the kids dive down the stairs, rip open their presents, quick "thank you's" are passed around, and breakfast is eaten half-way between the kitchen and the car as we all pile in, stowing presents for extended family members (that probably won't be appreciated) and a collection of casserole dishes as we go.
And thus begins the long tour of various family members' homes. What a holiday.
This scenario became far too familiar at our house. Each Christmas morning I would become depressed. Not because of the rush, rush of getting everyone dressed, fed and packages ready; but because I would remember my childhood Christmas memories. We had plenty of time to open and enjoy our presents, play with our new toys, put things together, try on our new oufits, to laugh and...to make memories!
When our oldest was around five years old, my husband and I made the decision that we really did want our children to have their own Christmas memories at their own home! Since then, our family gets up on Christmas Eve morning and we make our own memories. We take our time and open our gifts; we ooo and ahhh and pass around our "thank you's" and hugs and kisses. My husband and I can relax and sip our coffee and watch the girls enjoy their presents while carols play in the background to remind us of our greatest Gift: Emmanuel, God with us.
Have any of you modified your Christmas schedule to make your own family memories? Tell us about them!
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<>< |
• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
|
Dec. 15, 2009
HSLDA/Washington Times Op-Ed ~ Socialization Not a Problem
Washington Times Op-ed—Socialization not a Problem
by J. Michael Smith
HSLDA President
One of the most persistent criticisms of homeschooling is the accusation that homeschoolers will not be able to fully participate in society because they lack “socialization.” It’s a challenge that reaches right to the heart of homeschooling, because if a child isn’t properly socialized, how will that child be able to contribute to society?
Since the re-emergence of the homeschool movement in the late 1970s, critics of homeschooling have perpetuated two myths. The first concerns the ability of parents to adequately teach their own children at home; the second is whether homeschooled children will be well-adjusted socially.
Proving academic success is relatively straightforward. Today, it is accepted that homeschoolers, on average, outperform their public school peers. The most recent study, “Homeschool Progress Report 2009,” conducted by Brian Ray of the National Home Education Research Institute, surveyed more than 11,000 homeschooled students. It showed that the average homeschooler scored 37 percentile points higher on standardized achievement tests than the public school average.
The second myth, however, is more difficult to address because children who were homeschooled in appreciable numbers in the late 1980s and early 1990s are only now coming of age and in a position to demonstrate they can succeed as adults.
Homeschool families across the nation knew criticisms about adequate socialization were ill-founded—they had the evidence right in their own homes. In part to address this question from a research perspective, the Home School Legal Defense Association commissioned a study in 2003 titled “Homeschooling Grows Up,” conducted by Mr. Ray, to discover how homeschoolers were faring as adults. The news was good for homeschooling. In all areas of life, from gaining employment, to being satisfied with their homeschooling, to participating in community activities, to voting, homeschoolers were more active and involved than their public school counterparts.
Until recently, “Homeschooling Grows Up” was the only study that addressed the socialization of home-schooled adults. Now we have a new longitudinal study titled “Fifteen Years Later: Home-Educated Canadian Adults” from the Canadian Centre for Home Education. This study surveyed homeschooled students whose parents participated in a comprehensive study on home education in 1994. The study compared homeschoolers who are now adults with their peers. The results are astounding.
When measured against the average Canadians ages 15 to 34 years old, home-educated Canadian adults ages 15 to 34 were more socially engaged (69 percent participated in organized activities at least once per week, compared with 48 percent of the comparable population). Average income for homeschoolers also was higher, but perhaps more significantly, while 11 percent of Canadians ages 15 to 34 rely on welfare, there were no cases of government support as the primary source of income for homeschoolers. Homeschoolers also were happier; 67.3 percent described themselves as very happy, compared with 43.8 percent of the comparable population. Almost all of the homeschoolers—96 percent—thought homeschooling had prepared them well for life.
This new study should cause many critics to rethink their position on the issue of socialization. Not only are homeschoolers actively engaged in civic life, they also are succeeding in all walks of life. Many critics believed, and some parents feared, that homeschoolers would not be able to compete in the job market. But the new study shows homeschoolers are found in a wide variety of professions. Being homeschooled has not closed doors on career choices.
The results are a great encouragement to all homeschooling families and to parents thinking about homeschooling. Homeschoolers, typically identified as being high academic achievers, also can make the grade in society.
Both “Homeschooling Grows Up” and “Fifteen Years Later” amply demonstrate homeschool graduates are active, involved, productive citizens. Homeschool families are leading the way in Canadian and American education, and this new study clearly demonstrates homeschool parents are on the right path.
Michael Smith is the president of the Home School Legal Defense Association. He may be contacted at (540)338-5600; or send email to media@hslda.org.
|
• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
|
Dec. 15, 2009
Firewood Tips ~ The Old Farmer's Almanac
In December, lay in dry fuel, while the snow keeps off. –Old Farmer’s Almanac “Farmer’s Calendar,” 1796
 Firewood Tips
• One large log lasts two to three times longer than the same volume of smaller logs.
• To avoid insect pests, never store firewood on the ground touching your house.
• Burn only seasoned wood (seasoned logs seem light in weight and have dark ends with cracks).
• Wood-burning stoves are three times more efficient than standard fireplaces.
• For the prettiest flames, burn birch or maple.
• Ash makes great firewood. According to an old saying, “Ash new or ash old is fit for a queen with a crown of gold.”
Find out which woods make great firewood!
• Add a handful of pine or hemlock needles, rosemary sprigs, or sage branches to your next fire to add natural incense to the room.
Wood warms you thrice—when you chop it, when you stack it, when you burn it.
|
• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
|
Dec. 12, 2009
Do You Need Convinced?
Matt. 2:13-18 – “When they [the Magi] had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill Him,’
“So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘Out of Egypt I called my Son.’
“When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
“’A voice is heard in Ramah,
Weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
And refusing to be comforted,
Because they are no more.’”
Isn’t it funny that in this world we have a tendency to doubt the miraculous?
It took the appearance of an angel to convince Joseph, no matter how much he loved young Mary, to believe that she was carrying the Lord’s Babe. But when he was later told in a divine dream that Herod was trying to kill his “Son,” Joseph had no doubt that Jesus, God’s Son, had come to earth and was in his care. He needed to be convinced of Immanuel’s coming.
Herod NEVER had any trouble believing. He knew about the star that had appeared nearly two years before; the news of the shepherds may have reached even to the throne of the great Herod and all he needed was confirmation from the Magi that the new King, indeed, had been born. Even though his heart was hard, he needed no convincing of the King’s arrival.
What about you? Do you need convinced that He has already come…has come as Immanuel: God with us? Or are you still waiting around with hardened heart, looking but not seeing? Look around you this Christmas season…the Light of the World is represented by the twinkling of lights displayed at nearly every house, by every CHIRSTmas tree’s high shining star and in the carols floating through the air. Whether it is intentional or not, whether the world realizes it or not…with each light that shines, each start that’s hung, each carol that’s sung…we ARE acknowledging the coming of The King!
Jesus has been revealed to the world, He has no reason to hide…welcome Him in this Christmas season!
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<>< |
• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
|
Dec. 5, 2009
God's Accuracy
God's accuracy may be observed in the hatching of eggs.
For example:
-the eggs of the potato bug hatch in 7 days; -those of the canary in 14
days;
-those of the barnyard hen in 21 days;
-The eggs of ducks and
geese hatch in 28 days; -those of the mallard in 35 days;
-The eggs of
the parrot and the ostrich hatch in 42 days.
(Notice, they are all divisible by 7, the number of days in a
week!)
The lives of each of you may be ordered by the Lord in a beautiful way
for His glory, if you will only entrust Him with your life. If you try
to regulate your own life, it will only be a mess and a failure. Only
the One Who made the brain and the heart can successfully guide them to
a profitable end.
God's wisdom is seen in the making of an elephant. The four legs of
this great beast all bend forward in the same direction. No other
quadruped is so made. God planned that this animal would have a huge
body, too large to live on two legs. For this reason He gave it four
fulcrums so that it can rise from the ground easily.
The horse rises from the ground on its two front legs first. A cow
rises from the ground with its two hind legs first. How wise the Lord
is in all His works of creation!
God's wisdom is revealed in His arrangement of sections and segments,
as well as in the number of grains.
-Each watermelon has an even number of strips on the rind.
-Each orange has an even number of segments.
-Each ear of corn has an even number of rows.
-Each stalk of wheat has an even number of grains.
-Every bunch of bananas has on its lowest row an even number of bananas,
and each row decreases by one, so that one row has an even number and
the next row an odd number.
-The waves of the sea roll in on shore twenty-six to the minute in all
kinds of weather.
All grains are found in even numbers on the stalks, and the Lord
specified thirty fold, sixty fold, and a hundredfold - all even
numbers.
God has caused the flowers to blossom at certain specified times during
the day, so that Linnaeus, the great botanist, once said that if he had
a conservatory containing the right kind of soil, moisture and
temperature, he could tell the time of day or night by the flowers that
were open and those that were closed!
Thus the Lord in His wonderful grace can arrange the life that is
entrusted to His care in such a way that it will carry out His purposes
and plans, and will be fragrant with His presence.
Only the God-planned safe life is successful. Only the life given over
to the care of the Lord is fulfilled.
[Author Unknown]
"The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, & His understanding no one can fathom." Isaish 40:28
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<>< |
• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
|
Dec. 4, 2009
Homemade Liquid Dish Soap
First of all, let me share w/you a section about "Soap vs. Detergent" from the book, "The Naturallly Clean Home" by Karyn Siegel-Maier. This information helped solidify my conviction to make my own house cleaning products. FYI...my own comments will in brackettes [ ].
"Before the dawn of large-scale manufacturing, liquid soaps were made from saponins, foaming, sudsy substances found in the roots of soapwort, soapberry, & yucca. The typical liquid dishwashing soap bought from the grocery store is made from a petroleum distillate, a toxic pollutant & nonrenewable source. [Dish detergents are a leading cause of FATAL poisonings in small children!!] This product is actually a detergent, not soap. The safe & natural alternative is a vegetable-based soap called castile, a pure soap made from cocnut or olive oil. It is readily biodegradable...Castile soap can be found in liquid or solid form in health food stores &, thankfully, some supermarkets [I get mine in the health food section of Kroger]."
Here's my favorite formula:
Liquid Castile soap
10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops rosemary essential oil
**Other great essential oils are grapefruit, orange, citrus, eucalyptus, or bergamot. Experiment w/your own favorites.
~Fill a clean, old dish soap bottle, or same size squirt bottle, w/liquid Castile soap.
~Add oils.
~Shake bottle before each use.
~Squirt in dish water & wash. **This is a relatively low-lather soap so don't over-use. 1-2 TB per sink full will do.
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<>< |
• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
|
Nov. 27, 2009
Homeschool Encouragement...From the U.K.
"There is no evidence that this part of the Bill is needed; in fact, the reverse is very much the truth. We have just had the chief inspector saying that 1/3 of state schooling is unsatisfactory, while the true figures on home education say that maybe 1% of home education is unsatisfactory. The phrase involving beams, motes and eyes comes to mind."
~Lord Lucas's, House of Lords - 26 November 2009 [emphasis mine ~ KW]
Encouragement & blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf |
• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
|
Nov. 18, 2009
Homemade Spray Disinfectant
2 c. water
3 TB. liquid Castile Soap
20-30 drops of Tea Tree Oil
~Mix well in a spray bottle.
~Squirt on everything from baby's bottom to the cutting board!
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<>< |
• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
|
Nov. 15, 2009
Our Places on the Team
| I Cor. 14:33 – “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”
James 3:16 – “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder…”
Ever have one of those days when things are so loud and disorderly that if the roof caved in it wouldn’t be a surprise? When the kids are constantly nit-picking each other and the pitch and volume of your voice just keeps getting higher and louder? And then, dear Dad comes home to his loving family only to be bombarded with all the problems. But never fear…SU-permom is here! She’ll just take over Dad’s role as Head of the House and he can exercise his “authority” by gladly giving it all over to her. But…does that really bring peace to the situation? Does that foster love and respect in the wife’s (and children’s) heart when the family leadership roles are reversed?
There will be no peace in our homes until we find contentment by accepting our role in God’s plan for the family. Not accepting our roles is an expression of envy and discontentment and that destroys the peace of our home.
As homeschool mothers/teachers it can be hard to “give up” our leadership role when our husband walks through the door. All day long we’ve been giving the instructions, making the plans; being nurse, taxi driver, peace-maker, cook, teacher and Supreme Court judge. It’s hard to lay that mantle of authority aside when Hubby comes home.
In his Advanced Home Schooling Workshop tape entitled Establishing an Orderly Home, Gregg Harris says, “All order is an outgrowth of purpose.” He goes on to explain that a coach has a goal in mind and therefore decides what places on the team (what roles) each player plays. “Take away the goal post and the play has no purpose.” When we have a goal, or a vision, our various roles will then make sense. When everyone is doing their own “thing” then there is great disorder; disorder brings no glory to God. If we see and participate in our place on the team, we have order; order does bring glory to God. God’s glory is our goal!
God has specific roles for each member of the family. When women are willing to take their proper place in God’s order they get more of the man they wish they had! We can’t keep going to God in prayer asking Him to make our husbands the godly leader we wish they were if we don’t honor our husbands by letting him assume his role as leader of our home. This is NOT about superiority vs. inferiority, but about places on the team, about restoring the household to its proper place. My friend, Jami S., is one of the most godly women I know. I once heard her say something that I have kept written in my day-timer: “My humbleness will get me further than my pride.” God is a loving God and wants us to understand true submission and my Bible says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph. 5:21) That’s reason enough for me!
Moreover, what is our example teaching our children? Oh dear, I hear that old saying running through my head again, “Children learn more from what is caught than taught.” What are my children “catching” from me? Just as viruses have a tendency to work their way through a household this time of year, attitudes also work their way through. What attitude about places on the team work their way (for good or bad) to my children?
As we practice submission to our husbands we ought always hold them up in prayer. Remember, the man carries the heavier burden. He is responsible before God to put his very life on the line, to give his life for us! “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her…” (Eph. 5:25)
I certainly realize that we homeschool moms have a lot on our plates already…but when we live out our roles, peace will begin to reign and those loads might just become lighter. Our attitudes will be turned to respect and a deeper love for our husbands (Eph. 5:33) that our children will “catch” and take with them into their own homes in years to come.
Blessings from Ohio,
Kim Wolf<>< |
• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
|
Nov. 11, 2009
Veteran's Day!
Nov. 10, 2009
Is Your Iron Getting Rusty?
Prov. 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one man [family] sharpens another.”
When you began your homeschool adventure, where was it that you went to ask questions, get answers, find the camaraderie of many shoulders to cry on and find out that your child wasn’t a freak because he was having trouble with his nine times-tables? Where was it that you could count on someone with experience to be there for you?
Does “support group” ring a bell to anyone?
I hate to say it, but in many areas support groups are going the way of snow in summer-time…they seem to be melting away and fading into the atmosphere. And I say, “what a shame!”
It’s come to my attention that many of our precious experienced homeschoolers are starting to drift away from attending their area support group meetings. Do they feel that they have out-grown them?
Look at it this way: if I take two pieces of rusty, dull iron – I have two pieces of rust, dull iron! J But if I rub them together, something great happens; they start to change. They become a little sharper, they become a little brighter and shinier. They become something usable. Iron can’t sharpen iron unless there is friction between the two…they have to meet together.
As I asked you in the beginning, think about when you were a new homeschooler and your child just wasn’t catching on to a concept and, at your wit’s end, you went to your homeschool support group and started asking around for help. Lo and behold! There was a wonderful, experienced mom there who had actually “been there, done that”! You went home, tried her advice and it worked!
Now…think of this: A new homeschool mom, full of hopes and dreams and fears comes to your homeschool support group. Her child just isn’t catching on to a concept and she’s at her wit’s end; and after coming to your support group she starts asking around for help. Lo and behold! Does she find it from you…OR is this one of those nights when you decided you just didn’t want to go tonight? After all, what more do YOU need to learn about homeschooling since you’ve done it for so long?
Well, what if the reason you are to STILL attend your group has changed? What if it’s now a ministry? What if the reason that new homeschool mom leaves the meeting a little sadder and a little more fearful and discouraged is because YOU weren’t there to answer her questions the way someone was there for you?
Isn’t it time for us to be there for a new generation of homeschoolers? Isn’t it time for us to share our experiences, our triumphs, our joys and even our failures with the new crowd? Isn’t that part of our Titus 2 duty? Did the Lord really make you a part of your group JUST so you could get a newsletter, go to gym or co-op or field trips, find out about curriculum sales and legislative updates? I don’t think so.
This is a new season in our lives and an opportunity to shine as examples of experienced homeschool moms!
Let’s not be a part of the “me, me, me” crowd…we’re past that. Let’s be the Lord’s hands and feet and minister to our sisters and their families and ease some of those fears and build some dreams! After all, a long time ago someone cared enough to be there for you. Now it’s your turn.
Blessings,
Kim Wolf<>< |
• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
|
Nov. 5, 2009
Old Farmer's Almanac ~ A Quiet Sun, A Cold Winter
A Quiet Sun, a Cold Winter
 The Old Farmer’s Almanac is calling for a colder-than-normal winter. One contributing factor is sunspots—or the lack of them!
This year and next, sunspot activity will be very, very light. Whenever this phenomenon has occurred in the past, the result has been a cooling influence on Earth. Solar experts believe that the Sun will remain calm for another year.
See sunspot activity for 2009.
 Robert B. Thomas, who founded this Almanac in 1792, believed that weather on Earth was influenced by sunspots and solar radiation. Sunspots are magnetic storms on the surface of the Sun. Click here to read “What Are Sunspots?”
 To this day, the Almanac uses three disciplines to predict the weather: meteorology, climatology, and solar activity. (See How We Predict the Weather.)
If you’re interested in learning more about the Sun’s effect on our climate, read “The Influence of Solar Activity on the Weather.”
Or, join this forum: “Are Sunspots Disappearing?”
Seasons of the Sun
Learn about the discovery of the 11-year solar cycle and its importance in predicting the frequency of sun spots and the strength of solar storms. |
• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
|
Nov. 5, 2009
Wooly Worm Weather
Using wooly worms (Pyrrharctia isabella) to predict winter is old American folklore that traces its history back to early Americana. Supposedly, Native Americans taught the pioneers to read wooly worms to predict winter weather. Wooly worm is the common name for the larval stage of the Isabella Tiger Moth. They are also called wooly bears.
Step 1
Look for wooly worms under rocks and inside hollow logs.
Step 2
Examine the wooly worm, paying attention to its bands of colors. The wooly worm will curl into a ball when touched or threatened. When they crawl, they can crawl very quickly!
Step 3
Wooly worm forecasters say that the size of the brown band of color will tell you what kind of winter is coming. Legend says that the thinner the brownish red bands, the harsher the winter will be. If the wooly worm is mostly brownish red in the middle, winter will be mild.
Step 4
Wooly worm enthusiasts claim an 85 percent success rate over the last few decades. Scientists tend to disagree and say wooly worm weather prediction is as unscientific as using groundhogs to predict winter weather. The groundhogs likely side with the wooly worms.
Step 5
Whether or not you believe in the power of wooly worms, they can be a fun project for children and adults.
{from www.ehow.com} |
• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
|
Nov. 3, 2009
Summit County Homeschool Geographic Bee
| NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BEE
SUMMIT COUNTY HOMESCHOOL BEE
CHEC will host the local Homeschool Geographic Bee on Friday December 4, from 3-4 p.m. at The Chapel (Akron Campus).
The National Geographic Bee is a geographic competition open to all students in grades 4 to 8. Our local Bee is for homeschooled students who reside in Summit County and surrounding communities. The winner of this Bee will take a written test to qualify for the State Bee.
To register or get more information, contact Bob Mellen at robert.mellen@att.net. Send the name, age, and grade of the child(ren) you wish to participate. You must register by December 2.
The cost of the Bee materials is provided by a gift from 4 Corners Maps, an on-line map store found at www.4cornersmaps.com. |
• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
|
Oct. 29, 2009
Central Ohio Homeschooler seeking volunteers to help with Eagle Projec
Dear fellow homeschool leaders,
I thought it would be appropriate to send this to you since there may be some lists owners whose list members might be interested- I tried to reach many of the central Ohio lists but I may have missed some. Please feel free to forward it if this is the case. This project will be facilitated in north central Ohio (Powell/ Dublin Ohio area).
I am excited to announce my son is working on his Boy Scout Eagle Scout Leadership Project! I am very proud of him. According to statistics the number of boys who start scouting and actually recieve this award was 5%. He has worked hard and has asked me to send a request to the homeschool lists for volunteers who'd be willing to help him complete his project.
David Lopez is seeking volunteers to help with his Eagle Leadership Project.
Background on the Project:
- David's passion for skateboarding and concern for children lead him to choose the SafeKids Central Ohio, a non-profit “coalition of public and private organizations working together to prevent injuries to children” to be the beneficiary of his project.
- Did you know that accidental childhood injuries are the leading cause of death in children 14 and under? Did you know skateboarding injuries contribute to those statistics?
- David's project will generate a Safety Card to inform and educate parent and children on safe skate boarding procedures. There are currently no educational resources for this sport available to central Ohio parents.
How Can Volunteers Help:
- Participate in a brainstorm meeting On November 3rd, to gather ideas for the card's logo.
- Donate a snack/ treat for those participating in the brainstorm session.
- Work with him in determining what information is most essential and how to lay it out on the safety card.
- Donate a ream of cardstock - the cards will be being printed on cardstock.
- Participate On November 21st when the cards will be distributed to Nationwide Children's Hospital; Close To Home Centers; recreation centers; skate shops; etc. He needs
- Distribution Volunteers - these are those willing to take cards to a predetermined site.
- Base Volunteers - those willing to help get the assignments to the Distribution volunteers.
- Donate cookies, or other snack foods for those participating in the November 21st distribution process.
Seek out relevant websites and skateboard safety information that might be placed on the card and then e-mail your research finds to David at davidseagleproject@yahoo.com.
We are excited about the impact this project will have on the safety of central Ohio children. Together we can help educate parents and children; thus impacting their ability to choose to skate safe!
Your help is greatly needed and appreciated!
Please contact David today davidseagleproject@yahoo.com Let him know how you are willing to help.
Thank You!!
Kathy Lopez |
• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
|
Oct. 26, 2009
Abraham Lincoln Quotes...
"You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence. You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves."
~~Abraham Lincoln
|
• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
|
|
