Posted By Homeschooling6

I'm constantly dodging toys and stepping over things in this place. There are legos & playmobile pieces everywhere I turn I have killed a few good toy soldiers (poor guys didn't have a chance).

 

In the kids room um, you can't even see the floor.

 

We are constantly moving things from here to there .

 

Life in a 700sq.ft, apt. house

Posted By Empty Nest Mom in General Homeschooling

Are you thinking about homeschooling? Here are some negatives and positives of homeschooling:


The negatives include:
 
1. Homeschooling doesn't mean your children will ace every course, have no problems, get into an elite college on scholarship, obtain a high-paying job, get married and have their life turn out perfect.

2. Homeschooling is a lot of work and takes most of your free time.

3. You will endure a lot of pressure from the world, your family, AND yourself that, by homeschooling, you are "ruining" your children. It can be real frustrating to spend time preparing lessons and getting equipment together only to have a "bad" day or a child who doesn't seem like he is learning. Every homeschool mom will tell you there will be days (or even weeks at a time) when you will feel like nothing is going right and you should just put them back in school.

4. Even though you can homeschool cheaper than sending them to private school, it still costs money to provide an excellent education at home. You WILL have to sacrifice in other areas of the family budget in order to have the money you need to homeschool.

5. You kids will most likely go through periods of time, both during their homeschool life and after, when they wish they were not homeschooled. You (the parents) must be the one who makes the decision and sticks with it.

If you let God take control, do the best you can and forgive yourself on the days you don't, the positives include:

1. Your child will receive a better education in the areas that are most important to him. By homeschooling, you are able to focus your child's education on courses & activities that will help him do what the Lord has called him to do, instead of doing what everyone else is doing. This will better prepare him for his particular career or ministry.

2. Your child will learn to think for himself and be self-educating. This will help him throughout his adult life. Even though he won't learn "everything he needs to know," by the time he graduates, he WILL know how to find the answers for himself.

3. You can arrange your school day around your spouse's schedule so that everyone has quality time together, creating special family memories that your child will never forget. Even if he becomes a prodigal son, he will think back on these times and remember what life is like in a loving and caring Christian home. Eventually, he will tire of the "world outside" and will come home.

4. The character traits and behaviors that you have personally WILL show up in your children. As these manifest, the Lord uses them to let you see how you look to others. As you are training your child, the Lord will also be training you. It will make YOU a better person!

5. You child will eventually tell you that they were glad that you homeschooled them for a variety of reasons. My daughter says it kept her out of "worse" trouble; my son says it enables him to get a high-paying job without college. The reasons will change as the mature and have families of their own.

5. When you are all done homeschooling, you will know that you have done what God called you to do and the Word says, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (NIV, James 1:12)

Posted By Empty Nest Mom

I now have a Twitter feed and Facebook page for homeschooling. If you're interested, follow the links.

Posted By Empty Nest Mom in Life After Homeschooling

I've finished the course. I've run the race and now, after 2-1/2 years, I've graduated!


Now, I can get back to my real life! I'm happy to be back on Homeschool Blogger and look forward to interacting with everyone again.

Posted By Homeschooling6

We are 4 months into our homeschooling year. Seems like yesterday was our first day.

 

I thought I would write a post on what we are keeping, dropping and adding.

 

With Joshua, we are dropping Phonics Tutor. Josh, is not a computer person. He doesn't like to do school on the computer. We are replacing it with Spell to Write & Read.  We will continue to use CQLA (minus the spelling portion), Christian Light science, reading and social studies and he will continue with Math Mammoth.

 

Annette, we added CLE LA. She enjoys T4L but I prefer a more workbook type LA program. She still uses Time4Learning about three times a week. We are also adding in CLE Math. She wants to give it a try. Since she is using CLE for science, social studies, reading and language arts she wanted to include math. We will continue with Meaningful Composition. She is not thrilled with MC but she doesn't like writing period!

 

Caleb, will continue CLE math and The Phonics Road to Reading. I love the PR. It includes phonics, spelling, writing,grammar, and reading. I'll give it a review once we complete level 1. I can't wait to purchase level 2 so I can look through it. For now I did drop CQLA. Since he is getting grammar and writing with PR.

 

Brent, will continue using Phonics Road, Math Mammoth/Schoolaid math. He is doing well. Both Brent & Caleb's reading and spelling as improved with PR.

 

Ethan, is starting SWR & Cursive First.

 

All the children are adding in Cursive First. Josh, my 6th grader is now using more cursive then manuscript. His cursive has improved too. Brent, is also starting to write more in cursive since we started Cursive First. Annette, can still use some improvement and Caleb's penmanship is looking better too.

 

I bought all the children a copy of The New England Primer

 

 

I am having the four older ones memorize the alphabet. In Adams fall we sinned all. Annette, Caleb & Brent have memorized up to the letter M. Josh memorized up to the letter F. I thought they wouldn't be interested in the book but they all love it. They even carry their own book around and practice on their own. I plan to have them memorize some poems and such this year. We'll see how much of the book they can memorize by the summer.

Posted By HomeschoolBlogger Company Blog in Featured Blogger of the Week


How many of you are TOS Affiliates? Ever think about becoming one? I'm sure you have a lot of questions about it. Let's find out with this week's Featured Blogger the TOS Affiliates Corner!

How do you become a TOS affiliate? Find the answer on the first blog post, Welcome to the TOS Affiliate Blog!

If you become an affiliate, what kinds of ads have to go on your blog? Check out the latest TOS promotion for When I Grow Up I Wanna Be A Police Officer.

As a TOS affiliate you won't always be asking your readers to buy something. TOS loves go give away freebies! While you don't make any money off of these promotions being able to tell your readers about free gifts is always a bonus!

So if you aren't a TOS affiliate yet, what are you waiting for? Christmas break is a great time to get started because in 2010 TOS has a lot of great products coming out!

Say hi to Cheryl, the TOS affiliate coordinator and if you have any questions you can ask her in a comment.

Would you like to nominate a HSB blogger for Featured Blogger of the Week? Email me at tlinschied@thehomeschoolmagazine.com. Please keep in mind that Featured Bloggers must be at least 18 years of age and their blog must be encouraging, uplifting, and/or inspiring.

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB

Posted By Jenn 4 Him in 2009 Journal

 

Look what arrived moments ago!  I am off to open it up further, just wanted to give an update!  Wow, I am impressed.  I was not expecting this fast of a delivery.  Time to get busy!

~Jenn

P.S. Miss Kitty is busy checking it out, too.  Here is a better picture of her from this week.  Ah, my kitty.  Now there is joy!

Posted By HomeschoolBlogger Company Blog in specialneeds

Merry Christmas (very soon)!!  It's time to talk about Christmas!

How do you run your homeschooling around Christmas? The season has plenty to do, but my kids demand structure. This time of year I tend to turn to my Christmas unit study. The art time in the afternoon will get turned into present making time or ornament making time. Though being Christmas time I search for more meaning in our days.

This time of year I also try to fit in outside service projects. In talking with a homeschooling mom recently she shared how they use this season to help train their children in service to others and keep it Jesus focused.

The day after Thanksgiving she and her family settle on a family that is in great need. They each give part of their Christmas gifts to feed and care for this family. Then a week before Christmas they drop this package off at the needy family's home.

You may say well there are groups out there that do that. Yes, there are. I would argue though that it is our duty as Christians to help others and what better way than just a simple exchange in love and covered in prayer. You show very clearly to your children that it IS better to give than to receive.

Thank you my friend for sharing that with me! 

Think of a way you can share the love of Christ with others. What does your family do at Christmas to make Christ an active, real part?

I pray blessings to you and may your Christmas time be productive for the Lord!

Heather lives in West Virginia. She and her husband have been homeschooling their 5 children for 8 years.  Due to a genetic disorder their children have multiple special needs. Heather is also dealing with personal health difficulties. Living life to the fullest for the glory of God is their goal!  Visit Heather's page at  www.homeschoolblogger.com/gfcfmomofmany/ or at Special Needs Homeschooling.