The first 3,000 one-year subscribers will receive (by USPS mail) 25 free homeschooling gifts
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But you don't get four gifts - you get 25! And yes, even the shipping is paid for - and you are not required to buy anything again - EVER. Click HERE to see all 25 gifts.
Hurry! Promotion will sell out fast! - Gena
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• Homeschool CPA • offers the following e-books: Money Management for Homeschool Organizations. A 39 page ebook covering money management for small, medium and large sized groups. Sample forms and examples of financial statements in clear English are provided. Also covered are topics such as using Quickbooks, collecting fees, creating a budget, insurance, and hiring paid teachers. All written specifically for homeschool groups.
501c3 Tax Exempt Status for Homeschool Groups. A 51 page ebook explaining the pros and cons of tax exempt 501c3 status. Is it needed? Is it worth it? Also covered are non profit incorporation, the application process, and how to maintain tax exempt status. All written specifically for homeschool groups.
Susanna Hope is Growing Up!
November 27, 2007 - 12:27 a.m.
5 lbs. 14 oz. - 20 inches long
"Stay, stay at home, my heart, and rest;
Home-keeping hearts are happiest,
For those that wander they know not where
are full of trouble and full of care;
To stay at home is best." ~*~ Longfellow ~*~
Jul. 24, 2008
Math Resources
We are half way through summer!This is the time of year when homeschool parents start planning for the Fall.This time of year can also be a great time to start working on some fun review items with your kids to get them ready for the new school year.Here are some great Math items we just added to the schoolhouse Store.
25 Engaging, Reproducible Stories with Math Problems That Build Early Math Skills. Kids read easy and adorable math stories, then solve companion word problems! Reinforces addition, subtraction, shapes, patterns, time, money & more!
Reproducible easy-to-read stories and activities that invite kids to add, subtract, measure, tell time, and practice other important early math skills.
Reproducible, Easy-to-Play Learning Games That Help Kids Build Essential Math Skills
Play Hickory Dickory Clock, Pocket Change, and other games to build skills, such as time, money, patterns, and more!
The Pre-K Act (HR 3289) and Education Begins at Home (HR 2343) are two bills that if made into law could give the government control over how to raise your own children. Click on the links above to read the full bill or you can go to World Net Daily to read a summary of the bills.
Education does begin at home but the teachers are the parents, not the government. While this bill seeks to intervene for those infants that may be at risk, the bill does not clarify whether or not a parent has the right to say no. Instead it reads that if the child fits under this category or that category they are at risk and must be given help. Not everyone with a low-income is a drug addict or an abusive parent.
The Pre-K Act would encourage parents to put their children in a government approved pre-school, with a degree holding pre-school teacher, so that the government can raise them up. This of course would happen with a visit by a state trained employee who will know how to make preschool sound like a wonder no child should miss and make you feel neglectful for not even considering it.
As it stands right now, many hospitals already have a visiting nurse come to your home after you have had a baby, on the premise "to help you if you need it". I had a friend who lived just across the street from me who had a visiting nurse come by and then turn her in for child abuse because her house was a mess. Imagine that, a mom with a newborn baby and a three year old running around in a messy house. The nurse claimed that it was unhealthy for the baby. There was no mention of how unhealhty it was for the three year old and the baby couldn't even roll over yet or pick up things off the floor to put into its mouth. I asked my friend why she had even allowed the woman to come visit her. She said, "I didn't know that I could tell her no." The charges were later dropped and my friend learned a lesson, it's your house, it's your child, you can say no. Especially to someone who isn't there just for the purpose they are claiming to be there for.
Both bills point out that states, teachers, and parents must comply with the law in order to gain the funds and services, as always. It's their way or no way.
This mom has some valid concerns, she wants her daughter to love learning. One of the professionals she heard or read from said, in short, that a lot will depend on how good the teacher is. (You can read the full statement in the second to last paragraph.) So what happens if you get a teacher who is not good at helping a child who needs extra help in a given area? What if there is no time? What if the teacher just stinks all together?
For any mom, I'd encourage you to take a deeper look at homeschooling. You may decide it isn't for you, but I noticed that it wasn't even addressed in the article. Homschooling will fit all of your child's needs because you know exactly what it is they need. You'll be able to keep that love of learning in them as well.
Jul. 21, 2008
Minute to Minute - Kindergarten Cornered
Minute to Minute
Readers Helping Readers
Greetings!
We at TOS know how hard it can be to teach young children the basics. That's why we make available FREE resources like the Preschool Academics E-Book and the Kindergarten Korner, featuring TOS articles filled with helpful advice on how to teach your child in the early years. We know that early learning takes constant repetition and perseverance from you and your child. But in the end, when your child reads that first sentence, you are blessed with a feeling of overwhelming accomplishment!
This week's reader, Tammy, has just completed her first year as a homeschool mom of a preschooler, but she worries about next year. She knows from here on, learning will be more intense, and she wonders how she'll ever keep up with homeschooling her young daughter and taking care of her ill, aging mother. Both need her constant attention. Is it possible to homeschool while taking care of an aging parent? You tell us.
Something Special
Kindergarten, Interruptions, and Grandma
Dear Minute to Minute Readers,
Help!!!! I am new to homeschooling. How do I homeschool my preschool age daughter and take care of my aging mother at the same time? My mom requires constant attention to see what she is doing and where she is. She constantly interrupts me when I do preschool with my daughter now. She interferes greatly, and it is a challenge to even teach ABCs and 123s. How in the world can I start homeschooling my daughter in Kindergarten? Thanks for any help you can give.
A New Homeschooling Mom,
Tammy
Homeschooling Resource
TOS Magazine's Spring 2008 Digital Back Issue features articles that will help you educate your preschooler. Inside this issue you'll find "How to Homeschool a Preschooler--Should We?" as well as other helpful tips and resources that will aid you in homeschooling your preschooler. Download your copy today!
Homeschooling Resource
ABC Safari, written and illustrated by Karen Lee, encourages your Kindergartener to learn his ABCs in a new and exciting way. This wonderfully durable book, available in soft or hardcover, takes your child on a "trek through a swamp, a puddle, a pond, in lakes and the river, and the ocean beyond." Your child will help find animals on this fun safari adventure. The book also includes a "For Creative Minds" educational section with sorting cards and animal fun facts.
If you have any suggestions or ideas on how Tammy can homeschool her kindergarten age daughter while taking care of her aging mother, please email us. Emailing or otherwise responding to this email constitutes permission for The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC to publish, post, reprint and distribute part or all of your response in the Minute to Minute E-Newsletter, the print, digital and online versions of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, on Company websites and in other Company publications.
Jul. 18, 2008
The State of Education: In Six Words
You’ve probably seen it by now – the “sum up your life in six words” craze. Sounds impossible at first, but people have come up with some pretty witty and moving stuff. How about summing up your “state of education” in six words? I spent a little time playing around with some possibilities to offer an idea of the variety of ways you might approach it. Then I got to thinking – why not start a single-purpose blog? So after you post your six-worders here, how about popping over to www.homeschoolinsixwords.wordpress.com and doing it there?
Are you looking for a fun way to keep your children’s math skills up over the summer? Here is a fun free Math Riddle E-Book I came across that seems like it is “summer school” worthy.At the top of each page there is a riddle to be answered.Once the math problems are answered then answers can be used to solve the riddle!Sounds like fun to me!
Jul. 17, 2008
CLAIM: Kids Who Says "Yuck" to Foreign Food May Be Racist ~ Huh?!
LONDON, July 7 (UPI) -- Toddlers who say "yuck" when given flavorful foreign food may be exhibiting racist behavior, a British government-sponsored organization says.
The London-based National Children's Bureau released a 366-page guide counseling adults on recognizing racist behavior in young children, The Telegraph reported Monday.
The guide, titled Young Children and Racial Justice, warns adults that babies must also be included in the effort to eliminate racism because they have the ability to "recognize different people in their lives."
The bureau says to be aware of children who "react negatively to a culinary tradition other than their own by saying yuck."
"Racist incidents among children in early years settings tend to be around name-calling, casual thoughtless comments and peer group relationships," the guide says.
Staff members are advised not to ignore racist actions and to condemn them when they occur.
Copyright 2008 by United Press International
See the dangerous things that happen when a country signs the "UN Treaty on the Rights of the Child"? England and Canada have been prime examples of the out-landishness that putting the govenment in control of "all things children" will do - both to society and, most importantly, to the family.
I don't understand why the simple option of personal preference isn't taken into consideration here. So now, in England, are we to assume that children can't prefer one candy over another, one flavor over another, Italian food instead of Chinese? I suppose so.
So, just in case you didn't know, the things that make your children unique and wonderful also - according to the 'state' - make them racists.
Will they then start putting pets to sleep because they prefer certain people over others? Have you ever seen a dog raised in the home of people or a particular color that barked at people of another color walking down the street? Is that dog racist or does it simply enjoy its own family and the safety of its own home? A friend just told me about a parrot they had that hated women...yet would fly to the shoulder of any man and coo to its heart's content. Once when we went to Holmes County and were about to take an Amish buggy ride, the gentleman driving our buggy had the only white buggy horse used by an Amish family. He said that when they go "to meeting" on Sundays that he had to tie up his buggy "out of biting distance" because the other bay colored (dark brown body w/black mane, forlock & tail) horses didn't like him and woud bite him! Were those horses racists?
What these government "experts" don't want to understand is that everyone, even an animal, has a personal preference. Our taste buds enjoy different things. God made us unique! Uniqueness is something utterly lost when the government gets involved...you MUST like every type of food!...you MUST go to a school confined to one building...only with children of the same age...only taught by government fed teachers who only teach what they were taught...the WAY they were taught to teach it! Whew!
Jul. 16, 2008
Walking (sometimes running) through the seasons - Home Where We Belong
Summer – it’s supposed to be some kind of a break isn’t it?A break from the norm, going to the beach, gardening (one of my favorite pastimes), vacationing, etc.But it doesn’t seem to be so at our house.Oh, we do the summer things.It is a break from the norm … but it’s CRAZY BUSY!
Every year, we go to Word of Life Family Campground in beautiful Schroon Lake, New York, for a week.It comes right after we have wrapped up school, and my quarterly reports are due to my school district, along with my letter of intent and annual assessments for the year.I think I’m going to lose my mind every year, and this year was no different.
The laundry that fell behind during “busy June” now needs to be caught up (actually, it is rarely caught up - shhhh).We not only needed to pack, but we needed to know what we are lacking so we can purchase items we may need. Also, get the dog to the vet for the rabies shot, brush her out really good because it's shedding season. Oops, her license is expiring. Renew that ... Teenage son wants more driving practice ... the list seems never-ending.
We have been spending a week at Word of Life Family Campground for the past 10 years, and have stayed in a tent the past two years. We love tenting, but it is a lot of work!The week is full of great bible teaching – the cream of the crop of bible teachers.We had Ray Pritchard and Jimmy DeYoung as our main speakers.I tried to do all of our meals at the campsite, so that was a lot of beforehand preparation.I did as much at home as I could, then froze it so all I had to do was warm it up at camp.So it wasn’t so bad, but it was still a lot of work – hauling the dishes up to the bathhouse, where there’s a utility sink with counter space – keeping the cooler cold with fresh ice daily - makes you appreciate home, that’s for sure.And it helps you to know you can do more than maybe you think you can do.I thought on the way home from camp, after packing up three tents, all cooking utensils, propane grill and stove, fishing poles, air mattresses (with help, of course)… oh, so tired … they should sell exit T-shirts that say “I survived my week of tenting at Word of Life Family Campground.”Even as the thought entered my mind, I remembered – “I had the same thought on my way home last year.”
I have had one week to recoup.Sort of.It’s been a week of laundry and getting things back in place.And sleeping.Sometimes three (short) naps a day.Am I getting too old for this sort of thing? Thankfully, I am finding my energy is returning.I feel ready to tackle the rest of summer with it’s projects and fun.
I said all of that to say, I can’t wait for school to start so we can get routine back!I love the start of a new school year.It’s never really new, we just pick up where we left off.But there’s always a chance to readjust or try something just a little bit different.I’m not trying to hurry summer. The most difficult (but rewarding!) part is over.I plan on enjoying the garden, getting to the beach at least once (I wish there were family friendly beaches!), and I long to spend endless hours with my boys, in a creek with minnows and crayfish, and salamanders; relive my childhood a bit.
But when fall comes, I won’t bemoan the end of summer.It will be a continuation of learning – always learning, but in a different season, and with a bit more structure.We would also really love to visit the CreationMuseum – whether to end summer, or kick off school.
And the seasons, they go round and round … home where WE belong.
Jul. 16, 2008
History Books That Skip Major Historical Events
Over the last week I was at the Arlington Fly-In, a yearly airshow featuring experimental aircraft. Each day offered classes that taught varying aspects on how to build your airplane. There were also classes with special speakers. I attended the forum that Lt. Colonel William Holloman lll spoke at. Mr. Holloman was a Tuskegee Airman.
The class was about what it was like to be a Tuskegee Airman and the difficulty those airmen faced due to segregation and prejudice. Before the class began Mr. Holloman was speaking about how textbooks in the public schools today do not mention World War II or they just skim over the topic. That's a big reason why he goes around speaking publicly about his experiences, so that others can learn about a major part of our history.
I wondered what would happen after all the World War II veterans were gone. Who will tell the story then? Who will remember the horrors and atrocities of that war? The textbooks aren't going to teach the students. They will remain silent and history will be forgotten. Even in fictional books, the popular genre is magic, not history. How long does it take for fact to become legend and a legend to become myth?
Jul. 16, 2008
Minute to Minute - Tips from our Readers to Get Your Kids Motivated!
Minute to Minute
Readers Helping Readers
Greetings!
Last week, Teresa, a homeschool mom of three, wrote the Minute to Minute Readers to ask for advice and tips on how to motivate herself and her children to do schoolwork. She considered trying the Charlotte Mason method or Unschooling process for her children but didn't know where or how to learn more about these styles of learning. No matter what she tried, she just couldn't find motivation.
Teresa, you're not alone. Other moms have shared similar questions in the past with TOS Magazine. In fact, The Homeschool Minute has published helpful
When you're just not motivated to begin the school day, glean from the techniques and ideas in Minute to Minute and TOS Magazine that will help you and your children get the motivation ball rolling.
Something Special
One Of Those Days
Dear Teresa,
Your desire to homeschool and your love for your children is clear, and that is more important than anything else. First of all, let me recommend that you read the article titled, "Is Your Homeschool Ready to Collapse?" in the Spring edition of TOS. It sets up some really clear guidelines for developing a mission plan for your family and what you want to get from your homeschooling efforts. This sets up clear paths and expectations which help guide your every step.
We all have those days when we don't feel like working on school stuff. At our house, those are the days I declare a teacher workday, and we go off and play or do what we want. The trick is to get everyone interested in learning. When my kids hit a road block and no one wants to do schoolwork or I feel like no one is learning anything, I know we have to make a change. This has happened often in our 8 years of schooling. Usually, I ask the kids to list some things they want to know more about or that they are really into right then. I try to find the same topic on both lists and create a lesson plan around that. It takes some elbow grease from mom, but it is worth it in the end because it gets us all re-energized and ready to learn. Plus, I can slip all kinds of educational things in without them really realizing it.
With your children so close in age I would think unit studies would be an excellent way to incorporate everyone's needs into one lesson. It is also easily done for free but does take some work from mom. Lapbooks might also be another great tool because they are hands on and work well for the younger set. Since they pretty much just require a box of manila folders, colored paper, glue, scissors, and crayons they are also inexpensive. Add trips to the library or research online and you have them on fire for learning. Because the approach uses multiple intelligences, you should find your kids retain the information much longer than they would in a "container style" learning environment.
Both the Charlotte Mason style and the Unschool style require access to books and resources. Add in nature studies and Bible studies and you should cover all your bases. The library and Internet both have a plethora of information on these styles. You could also check with local homeschool groups. Many have programs where they exchange materials with one another to help offset the cost of educating your children while living on one income. Most are also eager to let you borrow different texts while they aren't using them.
Most important to remember is that if this is God's plan for your family, He will provide you with all you need to teach your children what He wants them to know.
A Homeschool Mom,
Tammy
Getting To Know Charlotte Mason
Dear Teresa,
I wholeheartedly recommend the Charlotte Mason method! I will be homeschooling my fifth year this year and have started the Charlotte Mason method and have seen such a huge difference in our days. My kids say, "Boy, that day really flew by!" We study history chronologically and our literature, writing, reading, copywork, science, and some math areas tie in with our time period. We read "living books" together; they narrate back to me what we have just read, and we write it out on "notebooking pages" and draw pictures; they put timeline figures on our long timeline, and we incorporate recipes, art projects, games, and other activities that tie into that place and time period.
Through this, they have developed such verbal skills and writing skills as well as really understanding history and how it has influenced us. They also have learned to cook and do various handicrafts. We learn about the science and scientists of the time and duplicate experiments or scientific methods of the time, like mummifying an apple. We also learn about mathematicians like Pythagoras or Archimedes and learn about their formulas and theories and how to use them. We even had Pi day.
Just look for "notebooking pages" on the Internet and enjoy reading and learning together. You don't have to do it all at once in one year. Just add a little bit each year. I would start with reading books together and then writing some notebooking pages and drawing pictures to go with them first. Orally narrating right after reading what you have just read is the best way to start and then the writing naturally follows! Cuddle up and the kids will really look forward to it and not even know how much they are learning! Enjoy each other and best wishes!
Homeschooling In The Charlotte Mason Method,
Katie
Keeping It Simple With A.C.E.
Dear Teresa,
I can certainly understand your frustration. Not having all that you need up front with whatever curriculum you are using can make the process even harder, to the point of being overwhelming.
I hear your concern about your children not being at grade level in their learning. That would concern me, too. I think one of the best words of advice I could give you is to simplify things just to help get you and your kids to where you want to go academically.
I personally am not familiar with the Charlotte Mason method. I wouldn't know where to begin with Unschooling either, but one curriculum I am familiar with and have used more than once is the P.A.C.E. program available through The School of Tomorrow. Accelerated Christian Education or A.C.E. has a simple program that will take the overwhelming feeling out of your homeschooling experience. Each child would be diagnosed or tested (either on-line or in P.A.C.E. book form) in order to assess his learning gaps and show where he would begin based on what he already knows. No matter what level he is currently working in, the testing will give you a clear picture of where to start. Once your children have been tested, the results will show what P.A.C.E.s would be necessary to complete to cover any learning gaps they may have, and it will tell you what P.A.C.E. number they should each start with once the learning gap P.A.C.E.s have been completed.
Each school year is comprised of 12 P.A.C.E.s in each subject: math, English, social studies, science, and word building (spelling). With this program you can either just use the P.A.C.E.s to fill in the gaps and then use other curriculum to move on from there, or you can use the P.A.C.E.s for your entire program. Each P.A.C.E. book is Biblically based, with scripture to memorize and character building themes built right in with colorful cartoon strips on pages throughout the text that teach those themes in a fun and exciting way. The P.A.C.E.s themselves cover the basics and are perfect for keeping your day a bit simpler. Plus there are motivating factors for your children to work through each P.A.C.E. and see their own progress with small charts that get stars placed for each P.A.C.E. that is completed. So, they have an automatic visual that shows how well they've done and how far they've come.
This program also helps with motivating your children to set goals for themselves and work a bit more independently since the P.A.C.E.s are self taught. There are no additional products needed with the P.A.C.E. books, which helps to simplify things, even if you just use the program part-time.
I hope this information helps, and perhaps, will be just what you need to give you a good starting place and peace of mind in all aspects of your homeschooling.
Homeschooling With A.C.E.,
Dawn
Learning What They Like
Dear Teresa,
Hello, my name is Lisa. I am not only a veteran homeschooling parent 20+ years, but I am also a homeschool consultant. I have heard your plight from many moms that were frustrated and felt hopeless to help their children and themselves. Take a deep breath, because now you are starting down a path of growth for your children and you. God has so much to show all of you about His wonderful world. Start with exploring God's wonderful Creation (Cost:FREE!!) in your textbook, the Bible. Supplies needed: Bibles, notebooks, pencils, colored pencils, glue sticks, double-sided sticky tape, blank maps of the world (several for each child), art paper, and colored paper. Books to check out: water cycle, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, grasses, trees and shrubs, fruit trees, birds, insects, weather, the ocean, geology, volcanoes, and thermal energy. Use the Bible and the days of creation to study science and history. Math can be included in this as well. Grammar is included when you are writing. Discuss proper form, parts of speech, and essay writing. Don't focus on it, just add it in. Your children will love the freedom to explore.
This is actually how I started. I didn't want my son to feel like he had to sit in "school mode" for 2 hours a day or longer. I ordered only 2 sets of books. McGuffey Readers and Rays Arithmetic, both of which I still have and use. The only other materials I used were books from the library. I sat down and asked my 5 year old what he was interested in. "Vikings," was his answer. We spent 6 weeks reading everything we could find on the Vikings: drawing and making models of ships, armor, houses, clothing etc. Maps were used to chart the path they cut across Europe and across the seas. Next we studied bugs; he loved bugs. We sketched and researched bugs until he could identify every type of bug in our region. He had a blast. In addition to that we mapped our entire area and researched the history of the area--notebooks galore. I now suggest parents get a 3 ring binder 1-1.5 inches per subject. We purchased the ones that were designed to use on construction sites: cardboard with a clip board inside. These worked wonderfully for holding paper to sketch on and write on when we were out. We also studied the plants and trees that the bugs used for food, homes, etc. We studied how weather affected the growth and life cycles of the bugs. We followed this method for the next 10 years. We then incorporated college textbooks for physics, chemistry, human physiology, writing professionally, algebra II, and geometry, etc.
For math we did use textbooks: Rays Arithmetic and then Saxon. If money is a factor, look into ordering the Math Mammoth Gold series. It covers grades 3 through high school Algebra. Usually the Green series is attached to this, and you can use this basic format to build the material for 1-2. All answer material is included. The cost is $55 for a CD to be sent to you. You can also order the series to download to your computer.
Saying all of that, my best advice to you is to step back. Lay out a course of basic information that you feel should be covered, and don't restrict them to "grade" appropriate levels. Explore; let them find and record as much as they can, draw diagrams, color them, journal the information on the material. Sounds too easy doesn't it? It is just that easy. There are so many low-cost resources out there that can help you.
Remember when we were taught how to cross a street? Stop, look, and listen. Right? Well, here are a few quick tips I keep posted in my mind when I feel overwhelmed or frustated. Sometimes in life we can be so busy or moving so fast that we actually need to stop or slow down just to really catch up.
Stop: Stop what your kids are doing for a while and take a breather. Relax, and set your mind free. Pray, and seek the Lord; ask for direction. Give yourself some time and space to step back from the situation and really see what's going on.
Look: Look at what you're really doing. Look at what you're kids are doing, the way they are responding. Ask yourself some questions, questions like where are your strengths, your weaknesses? And focus or "look" on those things.
Listen: Listen first to the Lord; He will answer you and lead you. The Bible tells us very clearly that we must first seek Him. Second, listen to your husband. God has made him the head of your family and home. Listen to yourself also. I believe moms have discernment built into them, but we have to take time to really get quiet and still sometimes to hear it. And listen to your kids. Find what they love and are interested in and the things that aren't so fun but have to be learned will come. Sometimes if we take the pressure off and "hang loose" w
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Jul. 24, 2008
