Jan. 9, 2010 - Martin Luther King Day: Not Possible If Bible Suppressed
Here's a question for social studies, Martin Luther King Day, and current events: Who wrote this?
"An American citizen does not need to go to far-off India or Africa to learn how people live without the Bible. .. The result may now be seen in the general prevalence of ignorance, poverty and oppression; the ownership of land limited to a comparatively few persons, corruption and rapacity on the part of public officials, general improvement checked and the country impoverished by frequent insurrections and revolutions, that indicate incapacity for stable and prosperous self-government.
France, however, once made the actual experiment of suppressing the Bible and Bible readers for two centuries, during the period from 1572 to 1795, while the Reformation of the 16th century was progressing in Germany, Switzerland, Britain and other countries.
Thomas Carlyle, in his history of the French Revolution, that occurred 1788 to 1795, has very dramatically portrayed scenes and incidents, which become pregnant with new and thrilling interest, when briefly summarized to illustrate the folly and sad consequences of suppressing the Bible and Bible readers in that nation. The historic value of these incidents should make this story interesting and instructive to every student and teacher....The period has become one of spiritual and moral bankruptcy. The Bible has been suppressed and blind human reason has been exalted. There is no bond of morality to hold the people together. Men become slaves of their lusts and appetites, and society, a mass of sensuality, rascality and falsehood. Infidelity, despotism and general bankruptcy prevail every where...When the Bible was suppressed in France and human reason exalted, all the infernal elements of a depraved human nature held high carnival. Enthusiasm and fanaticism, the allies of ignorance and superstition, caused the people to think and act wildly. If in his heart there is no devout faith, to develop the sense of personal responsibility and duty, man becomes ready for any evil under the sun. Sin, however, has been and always will be the parent of misery. "The wages of sin is death." This one terrific experiment, of a half-century in France without the Bible, should be enough for a thousand worlds, through countless years..."--The Choctaw Freedmen, Robert Flickinger.
Download the free public domain e-book, The Choctaw Freedmen, and read more at Project Gutenberg.
Truly, there is nothing new under the Son (Christ).
Where would America be without the Bible? Perhaps without the Bible, and the untiring work of Christian anti-slavery/abolitionist missionaries and educators like (the almost forgotten) Flickinger, we might still have legal slavery in the west. Without the Bible, Martin Luther King and his dream would also be suppressed.
African American spirituals, with their strong biblical message, also played a unique role in America's spiritual contribution to the world. Consider this passage from Flickinger's book, about African American spirituals, including the hauntingly beautiful song, "Steal Away to Jesus":
"In 1871, when the Jubilee singers first visited Newark, New Jersey, Rev. Alexander Reid happened to be there and heard them. The work of the Jubilee singers was new in the North and attracted considerable and very favorable attention. But when Prof. White, who had charge of them, announced several concerts to be given in different churches of the city he added, "We will have to repeat the Jubilee songs as we have no other." When Mr. Reid was asked how he liked them he remarked, "Very well, but I have heard better ones." When he had committed to writing a half dozen of the plantation songs he had heard "Wallace and Minerva" sing with so much delight at old Spencer Academy, he met Mr. White and his company in Brooklyn, New York, and spent an entire day rehearsing them. These new songs included, "Steal away to Jesus," "The Angels are Coming," "I'm a Rolling," and "Swing Low."
"Steal Away" (a song many believe was used as code for runaway slaves on the Underground Railway) was composed by Wallace Willis, Choctaw freedman in the old Indian Territory, sometime before 1862. See the lyrics en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steal_Away. Listen to Steal Away, as well as other American Spirituals, and download free mp3 music: www.pdmusic.org/spirituals.html.
God's Word says, "He has made from one blood every nation of men..."--Acts 17:26
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. " Dr. Martin Luther King
Love..."is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. - The Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:6
Dec. 24, 2009 - O Little Town of Bethlehem: Persecuted for Christ
This Christmas, as our hearts turn toward the birth of our Savior and Lord in the little town of Bethlehem, may we remember the persecuted Christians struggling to continue living there today. Although few western news sources report on Muslim persecution of Christians, it is easy enough to find the real story, in these days of international news access via the internet. Here are just a few reports:
"The situation is very dangerous," said Samir Qumsiyeh, owner of the Beit Sahur-based private Al-Mahd (Nativity) TV station. "I believe that 15 years from now there will be no Christians left in Bethlehem. Then you will need a torch to find a Christian here. This is a very sad situation."--Jerusalem Post
The Jerusalem Post also reports that ""Unfortunately, Christian leaders and spokesmen are afraid to talk about the problems we are facing. We know of three other Christian families - Salameh, Kawwas and Asfour - whose lands were also illegally seized by Muslims."
A Christian businessman who asked not to be identified said the conditions of Christians in Bethlehem and its surroundings had deteriorated ever since the area was handed over to the PA in 1995.
"Every day we hear of another Christian family that has immigrated to the US, Canada or Latin America," he said. "The Christians today make up less than 15 percent of the population."
Note that the Christian population of Bethlehem, before the takeover of the Palestinian Authority, was in the majority (formerly 92%, by some reports).
According to a report by Christian Today, "Israeli attorney and author, Justus Reid Weiner, has just penned a new book, ‘Human Rights Christians in Palestinian Society’, based on eight years of research into the human rights abuses directed at Muslims who converted to Christianity."
Weiner states that "Christian victims were reluctant to even meet me. If they agreed to reveal what they had suffered, they insisted that I refer to them by a pseudonym...a pastor who was shot and left for dead at a church which was attacked 14 times...According to my estimate, if current trends continue, only the relics and holy sites will be left in another 15 years. The Christian community in Bethlehem will cease to exist.”
As we celebrate Christmas, may we remember those who suffer for Christ. Merry Christmas, and may God bless you and yours, this Christmas and throughout the New Year!
Dec. 9, 2009 - Free Unit Study Teacher's Outline for Life Science, Small Group Learning
Teacher's Outline Life 4 ME
Use the following free unit study lesson plan in your homeschool or small group. Young people of all ages will enjoy exploring the question, “How was I made?” Have fun!--Melissa L. Morgan
Lesson Goals:
Children will learn that God created them in His image, from the time of conception.
Children will learn that they are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” unique, and that all human life is precious to God.
If you are teaching this lesson to a small group, send permission slips home to parents, or print in your church bulletin. Alter the following Handout to suit your needs:
Handout for Parents
Our class is beginning an exciting journey next week. We will study Living God's Way together, learning about God, love and life, from a Biblical worldview.
All topics will be covered using scripture and family friendly resources. However, we respect parental authority, and wish you to be fully informed. Topics such as abortion and conception will be tastefully discussed, using age appropriate terms.
Pease feel free to ask any questions, and join us in the class any time. (If you do join us, please don't hesitate to help out!)
If you choose not to attend with your child, sign your name below, if you have reviewed and approved class materials and lessons.
Teacher Name and Phone Number
Name of Parent or Guardian
Date
Class Time (30-45 minute Lesson]
Introduction (Approximately 5 minutes)
Write the memory verse on the board. Say it out loud as a class:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.”--Jeremiah 1:5
Introduce the lesson and engage student's interest with a short circle time activity. After children are sitting quietly, pass arountd an unborn baby model. Ask each student, “How old is this baby?” Write down each answer.
Multimedia (Approximately 10 minutes)
Watch a video or other multimedia resource on the development of human life in the womb.
LessonTime (15- 20 minutes)
Read the tract, “How Was I Made?” from http://eaglesnesthome.com /facts.htm. After reading, answer any questions and give each student a copy of the tract to take home.
Take out your list, containing answers to the question, “Now, who knows how old is this baby?”
Ask, “Do your parents have baby pictures of you in the womb, or of your brothers or sisters?
Say, “These pictures in the video that we watched are called ultrasounds. Ultrasounds are like a window into the womb, showing parents and doctors a living, growing human being.”
Explain that the correct answer for the age of the baby model is 10 to 12 weeks
Snack Time (Optional—if extra time)
Board Activity (Optional—if extra time)
Draw an unborn baby on the board. It doesn't have to be actual size, or a work of art. Draw a circle around the baby, to show the womb. Outside the circle, write random words (I.e., chicken, horse, plate, fish), but include the following words:
Science on a small budget.
Organize Your Homeschool On a Budget
What Does My Preschooler Need to Know? What does your preschooler need to learn, and how can you teach it?
Dec. 2, 2009 - Climategate and Evolution: A Call to End Blind Faith in Scientists
Hear the latest about global warming? With recent revelatory emails, confirmed to be legitimate, an international conspiracy is revealed, and so-called settled climate science is now hotly contested. However, the other shoe is still waiting to drop. What about "evidence" for molecules to man evolution? Should we still blindly believe it?
If science can be so easily manipulated to prove one area of science, which we were told was "settled," then how do we know which area of science might also be manipulated?
Hmm, just asking the question; I'm still allowed, aren't I? Or must I continue to parrot that the Emperor is wearing clothes—I’m not allowed to think, ask questions, because I’m not part of the science elite? Must we continue in our blind faith in molecules to man evolution and human-caused climate change, blindly obeying the anointed intelligentsia?
Now we are told that the raw data for human-caused climate change has been conveniently destroyed. (See http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6936328.ece). I thought that science, to be legitimate, must be testable. We can’t test destroyed data, can we? Again, I’m just asking. Am I still allowed?
According to Professor Pielke, atmospheric scientist at CIRES at the University of Colorado at Boulder, “there are serious issues exposed by the emails — including the goal of these scientists to prevent proper scientific disclosure of their data, as well as to control what papers appear in the peer reviewed literature and climate assessments.”-- Professor Pielke is an atmospheric scientist at CIRES at the University of Colorado at Boulder, a professor emeritus at Colorado State University, a former Colorado State climatologist, and an active critic of the IPCC process, http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/pielke-sr-climategate-emails-just-a-small-sample-of-a-broad-issue-pjm-exclusive/
What can we say to all this? Trust in God—be skeptical of man. Scientists, like all people, are subject to moral decay and manipulation of facts.
Nov. 25, 2009 - Thanksgiving: Tribute of Praise to God--or Thank You to the Native Americans?
Public schools today often fall flat when they attempt to remove from Thanksgiving any reference to Jesus. Any serious study of history will show that although the Pilgrims were thankful to the native Americans for their gifts and help, Thanksgiving began as a holiday to honor God and the Bible.For those who would like to rewrite history in their own image, facts are inconvenient, and suppressed.
David Barton of the Ohio Christian Alliance writes, "As you celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday this year, remember to retain the original gratefulness to God that has always been the spirit of this, the oldest of all American holidays."--David Barton, Thanksgiving in America, November 25, 2009
Barton also included interesting historical information about Thanksgiving, as well as key quotations.
"Congress recommended a day of . . . thanksgiving and praise so that the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts and join . . . their supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ to forgive our sins and . . .to enlarge His kingdom which consisteth in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost." Continental Congress, 1777 --Written by Signers of the Declaration Samuel Adams and Richard Henry Lee Appoint
". . . a day of public Thanksgiving to Almighty God. . . to ask Him that He would . . . pour out His Holy Spirit on all ministers of the Gospel; that He would . . . spread the light of Christian knowledge through the remotest corners of the earth; . . . and that He would establish these United States upon the basis of religion and virtue." Governor Thomas Jefferson, 1779
"I. . appoint . . . a day of public thanksgiving and praise . . . to render to God the tribute of praise for His unmerited goodness towards us . . . by giving to us . . . the Holy Scriptures which are able to enlighten and make us wise to eternal salvation. And to present our supplications...that He would forgive our manifold sins and . . . cause the benign religion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to be known, understood, and practiced among all the inhabitants of the earth." Governor John Hancock, 1790
Oct. 29, 2009 - Real World Government and Social Studies Resources
My family has handed out Wallbuilder's inexpensive voting resources at church; they are the best we've seen. Wallbuilders offers more resources for history and social studies including historical and original documents. They also provide "Know the Candidates and Issues" sources to track Federal legislation and find out how your Congressman and Senators are voting. Visit Project Vote Smart, On The Issues, iVoteValues, Easy Voter, and The Ballot, American Family Association: Voter Resources, Catholic Answers: Voter's Guides, Christian Coalition: Voter Guides, Eagle Forum: Election Central, Family Research Council: Voting Records, Focus on the Family: CitizenLink, National Right to Life Committee: Voting Records, and the Pew Forum.
I love Finney's quote: "The time has come that Christians must vote for honest men, and take consistent ground in politics or the Lord will curse them..."--Wallbuilders, http://www.wallbuilders.com
Wow! Unfortunately, I think the cursing thing may be already happening to US.
Oct. 14, 2009 - Do My Kids Know Right From Wrong?--Review of McDowell and Hostetler's Book
I recently reread McDowell and Hostetler's book Right From Wrong. I read it the first time a decade ago; since then, my two older children have become adults, and my youngest is ten years old. If anything, the moral foundation in America is collapsing more rapidly than it was in the previous decade, and our youth are hanging onto what truth they have by a thread. And the majority in that generation without truth is now raising their children based upon what they learned from professors, who teach that reality is whatever you make it to be.
As I have gotten older, I am more convinced than ever that the authors of Right From Wrong are correct; it is essential for "adults to equip their youth with the ability to resist the erosion of their values and determine what is right from wrong."
In Part I: A Crisis of Truth, the authors describe the problem: what has happened to erode truth, and how it has affected the current generation. The nature and character of God was dethroned by man, starting with humanism during the Renaissance, and devolving into the so-called Age of Reason, the Enlightenment, when standards of right and wrong began to be determined by human reasoning rather than God. In addition, with the Industrial Revolution man looked further toward man and away from God, and Darwinism presented a ready replacement for God, for those who wished to replace God with man.
The Barna statistics convincingly demonstrate that although churched youth fare slightly better than unchurched youth,churched youth increasingly reject biblical values of right and wrong. They do not believe in objective truth, but have bought into the world's view that each of us can decide right and wrong for ourselves. This has resulted in an explosion of Christian kids who are adopting the world's views and culture of corruption, including premarital sex, drugs, lying and cheating.
I agree that the reason "our children are not adopting our values is not because of the state of American society, but because of how we, as parents, have responded to it." I especially appreciated the example of the Israelites, who gave their children material blessings, but did not teach them what God had done for them. Here in America, we have abundant material provisions, but we are spiritually starving to death.
I heartily concur that "if we wish our youth to remain active in church throughout their teen years, if we desire for them the assurance of salvation in Jesus Christ, if we want them to espouse biblical Christian belief, then equipping them with solid convictions of truth and morality may be the single most influential gift we can give them."
God has made Himself known in His Word; Truth is absolute, not relative. As I have gone back to school at GBS.edu , I hope to become better equipped to transmit God's absolute truth to the next generation, as a mom, a wife, a writer, and a teacher.
If you'd like to try out GBS, ask them about their free Wisdom Literature course.
Sep. 29, 2009 - Education or Indoctrination? Obama Worship Songs in School
You can’t get away from it, so we might as well discuss it. Obama worship songs; they’re all over the internet, including Youtube. (Read more about Obama schooling at Homeschooling With Heart. )
We should teach our children about our government, and about our president. However, these songs and curriculum go way beyond teaching children facts. Should public school dollars—your money—be spent to teach kids to love Obama—some may say to practically worship him as a god?
“One song that the children were taught directly quotes from the spiritual "Jesus Loves the Little Children," though Jesus' name is replaced with Obama's: "He said red, yellow, black or white/All are equal in his sight. Barack Hussein Obama."-- Fox News Politics.
I’m not sure if I should be rotfl or covering myself with ashes because of the blasphemy. I guess it doesn’t really matter what I think. What really matters is what God says. So I searched His Word, to try and find out.
I don’t find public school in the Bible; God’s Word, in Proverbs 22:6, charges parents with the responsibility for child training.
Proverbs 1:8: “Hear, my son your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”
Deuteronomy 11:19: “And you will teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up.”
Furthermore, in the Ten Commandments, children are commanded “Honor your father and mother.” Ephesians 6:4 commands parents to not “exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” How can children honor parents, if schools are teaching values that parents disagree with? Won’t that exasperate the children, and incite them to anger?
This may surprise many of you, who would expect me to be opposed to the almost idolatrous promotion of Obama that is occurring in many public schools. However, let’s pretend for the moment that all of the parents of the children involved were in agreement with what the teachers did. If so, then it is appropriate to use your tax dollars to teach what you want, to your kids (not to mine). Although Obama worship really looks stupid, and promotes group think, that is the parents’ responsibility, not mine. I am responsible for what my kids learn; you are responsible for your kids.
Actually, however, in the case of the New Jersey school, at least one parent was horrified, and not in agreement. "I'm stunned -- I can't believe it's our school," said Jim Pronchik, who told FOXNews.com his 8-year-old son Jimmy was one of the 18 students in the video. "We don't want to praise this guy like he's a god or an idol or a king or anything like that. That's the wrong message to be sending."
I may not agree with you in what you say and do, but I will defend your right to have your children say it.
If my kids were in your school, and I wanted them to learn that the Bible says homosexuality is a sin, would you defend my right to have my child taught that way, using your tax dollars? Do you say “No?” Then so-called “public” schools are only public for you—not for me. Read more about government school indoctrination at Are We Sacrificing Our Children?
Daniel Webster, of dictionary fame, wrote that "If religious books are not widely circulated among the masses in this country, and the people do not become religious, I do not know what is to become of us as a nation. If truth be not diffused, error will be; if God and His work are not known and received, the devil and his works will gain the ascendancy; if the evangelical volume does not reach every hamlet, the pages of a corrupt and licentious literature will; if the power of the Gospel is not felt through the length and breadth of the land, then anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign without mitigation or end."
Sep. 17, 2009 - Free Darwin book Giveaway Planned for Students
Do you believe Nothing created everything? Intuitively, you know that is nonsense, don't you?
Ray Comfort's Living Waters ministry will be giving away free 50,000 copies of a special edition of Darwin's Origin of Species book. Comfort's book includes an introduction revealing the theory's many hoaxes and also Darwin's own thoughts on the existence of God.
Sep. 5, 2009 - Laborers, Democrats, Republicans and Patriots: Remember the Republic!
Most textbooks (including many, if not most, used by homeschoolers) teach students that America is a democracy. However, our founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence, establish a Constitutional Republic, based on immutable principles (yes, from the Bible) that are not subject to the whims of democracy.
Why does it matter? In a simple democracy, the majority—not the law--will rule in all matters. That may work for awhile, if the majority of the people are just. However, in a simple democracy, if the majority of the people vote for tyranny and evil--say, eliminating a weaker part of society--then that evil becomes the law. History is a teacher; the French Revolution and Madame Guillotine aptly illustrate the extreme tyranny of the majority.
We can debate semantics until the cows come home (or the chickens roost!)—definitions may vary. The point is that the key to America’s greatness has always been the origin and author of our rights--The Author of our rights--given by God.
AWR Hawkins notes”Our Founders saw the dangers that democracy posed for our great experiment in freedom and risked “[their] Lives, [their] Fortunes, and [their] sacred Honor” to create a republic instead. It is to honor them and preserve our own liberty that we don’t just pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States, but also to “the republic for which it stands.” (Read the enlightening comments and discussion along with the article.)
In our Democratic Republic, our government of the people is restrained by laws, based upon the idea that we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights--life, liberty, pursuit of happiness. Note the right is "pursuit of happiness," not a guarantee of happiness.
These rights emphatically cannot be given or taken away--they belong to all, for all time. This is the uniqueness of America. This is the Christian concept that makes America a "shining city on a hill" and the envy of the world. This envy causes other nations to either malign (or sometimes kill) or emulate us.
Of course America is inhabited by corrupt and wicked people, just like everywhere else in the world. Sometimes we have even elected those evils into our government and enacted unconstitutional laws, especially as we have forgotten our Creator and the Author of our rights. We have forgotten that all men are CREATED equal.
We have our share of horrors, such as slavery and ill treated workers over the centuries. However, as long as Americans remember that we are a Constitutional Republic (democracy limited by the rule of law), our God-given rights give hope to downtrodden people everywhere. True republicanism--all are Created equal, one nation, under God--eliminated slavery and brings equal justice to workers and business owners alike.
Yes, our Republic stands, a shining example, not perfect, but the closest example of God-given government on earth, as long as we remember that our Rights are from God, not from men. What God has given can not be taken away, as long as we remember.
As Patriots Day follows Labor Day, remember the Republic.
A student at University of Oregon concludes, after study, that "lack of ideological diversity on college campuses is a dangerous threat to free and open discourse in academia."--www.horowitzfreedomcenter.org
If you are considering college for your homeschoolers, it is something to think about. It also is never too early to think about career guidance counseling. For a free assessment, go to USA Jobs.
Aug. 11, 2009 - High School History Studies in Biblical Archeology--Real Raiders of the Lost Ark
Perhaps your homeschool high schooler is getting a bit bored, and you are concerned that they aren't learning much this summer. What could be more intellectually tantalizing than a search for the real biblical Ark of the Covenant? However, beware, Ark raiders: is our desire for the glory of God, or for money? Explore these resources to get you started.
For now, I don't see credible evidence that conclusively proves the Ark has been found. If the stories are true, the evidence is not being shared with the general public. Why does all this matter? How would a confirmed discovery of the Ark of the Covenant change the political and religious balance in the middle east and the entire world? Will a new Jewish Temple be built, igniting an apocalyptic war?
Answers in Genesis reminds us that "The Bible does not say we should ‘believe all things,’ but rather that we should ‘prove all things’ (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Neither does it encourage a gullible approach toward those claiming the name of Christ. Rather, it warns about wolves among the flock, and also teaches that the heart of man is deceitful and depraved (Jeremiah 17:9).
As in other areas, extraordinary claims carry an extraordinary burden of proof. There is already a huge amount of archaeological and other evidence consistent with the truth of the Bible. Bible-believing experts exist in many fields, such as the archaeologist author of our article on Jericho (The walls of Jericho). They are always glad to assess and publicize actual evidence of genuine finds (there have been many over the years) supporting the historicity of the Bible."-- www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v21/i2/ark.asp
We don't need to find the Ark, to find God's Covenant. Look in your Bible, Exodus 20, to find the Ten Commandments. Through the Commandments, the Law of God, comes the knowledge of sin. We don't need temple sacrifices of animal blood for sin. Whether the Ark of the Covenant has been found or not, Jesus the Christ has already paid the sacrifice for sin for all who receive Him. So what do you think?
What does the next generation think about abortion? View the Winners of Lia's Challenge: Pro-Life Video Contest (ages 11 to 18). Click here to watch the videos, such as "Hero," asking questions such as "What if I was never born?"
Jul. 28, 2009 - Real World Learning Plan for Economic Prosperity
Can government, working alone, provide prosperity? In this time of economic uncertainty, skeptical Americans consider various plans from Washington D.C. that may jumpstart, fix, or derail our modern society.
Our grandparent's generation held a different view--God wishes that we help and build up our local community!
"No town has room for the knocker; but rather, every community should bestow unstinted praise upon the individual or group of individuals who strive unselfishly to assist home progress, and lend them every assistance.We are just a great family of men and women living in the same neighborhood, and forming a community of souls intended by the Almighty to live an amiable, unselfish life, ready to assist one another in time of need and sorrow and to vie with each other in promoting the welfare of our municipality in its upward progress through all time to come.Patronize home business men, uphold your institutions, be proud of your homes, boon your town and everything worthy of mention in it, and
prosperity will be yours."-- Little Cities of Black Diamonds, New Straitsville Social and Athletic Club
We can help kids "develop empathy for others, which is entirely different from classroom "socialization." Helping an elderly or handicapped neighbor repair their home can provide learning experiences as well as character development. Kids and parents can volunteer together for community service, such as working in a food pantry, volunteering at a shelter, or planting flowers or vegetables at a dilapidated street corner. Families can join a neighborhood watch program to learn about law and safety in the real world."--Real World Learning for Less, Melissa Morgan
Read the full article for inexpensive and free sources for Real World Learning for Less, at Homeschool World. So, what's your view?
Jul. 18, 2009 - Progress Report on Free Ebook Reader--Jornada Mini Laptop Project
In June, I first reported on my Jornada MIni Laptop Project (See Summer Festivals and Reading Lists), so it is time for an updated progress report. I've downloaded and installed over a hundred free, public domain Ebooks, most in mobi (.prc) format.
For Ebooks that don't come in .prc format, MobiReader offers a free Mobipocket Creator program, as well as hundreds of free, public domain downloadable (and not so free) Ebooks. Here's a small sample:
Stevenson's Treasure Island
Kipling's The Jungle Book
Craik's The Little Lame Prince
Potter's The Tale of Tom Kitten
Twain's Tom Sawyer Detective
Hope's Bobbsey Twins in the Country
Alcott's Little Women Stratton-Porter's Freckles
So far, we've filled up several flash drives with children's literature books. So many books, not enough time!
Jun. 29, 2009 - Independence Day Challenge: Beat My Score
The Intercollegiate Studies Institute, ISI, reports that a random sample of Americans took a simple test designed to assess each respondent’s “knowledge of America’s founding principles and texts, core history, and enduring institutions...over 70% of Americans failed this basic test of the kind of knowledge required for informed and responsible citizenship."
Here's my score on the American Civic literacy Quiz,
"You answered 30 out of 33 correctly — 90.91 %."
I'm disappointed; my score should have been 100%. I'm not that good with money. Come on, you can do better. Take the test here, www.americancivicliteracy.org/..
American heroes risk their lives to keep freedom safe; I pray we don't waste their sacrifice through ignorance.
Jun. 25, 2009 - Free Young Student Magazines, Focus on the Family, Breakaway and Brio & Beyond
As long time subscribers to Focus on the Family magazines Breakaway and Brio & Beyond, we were saddened when we heard they were eliminated from publication. However, they are now available for free on the internet, at http://www.korministries.com/site/#brands. If you are a Christian young adult, or simply young at heart, check them out for information on student issues, music, and more. They are looking for reader feedback and ideas, so now is the time to help them with their future direction.I filled out a survey, and received a free music download.
Jun. 23, 2009 - Summer Festivals and Reading Lists
We made it through graduation, and are transitioning into our summer schedule. Last week we enjoyed a family camping trip to celebrate graduation, and we attended the Alive Festival in Ohio (www.alive.org). I especially liked performances by Point of Grace, Skillet and Hawk Nelson.
Summer is for exploring new books. I have a bit more free time, so I'm enjoying Lyn Cotes' Texas Star of Destiny historical fiction series, as well as L.A. Kelly's Tahn, Return to Alistair, and the Scarlet Trefoil.
I'm working on turning a decade old HP Jornada handheld computer into an ebook reader, so that my youngest homeschooler (who has visual challenges) can read large print electronic books. So far, we're using free software from Mobireader, and finding an overwhelming selection of free downloadable electronic books to try.
Please note: the University of Virginia eText site is changing. The new address is lib.virginia.edu/digital/collections/finding_digital.html . Their free digital collection will still be available at the old site for a short time, but after they move, you'll need the new address. I'm also investigating free public domain audio books at .librivox.org/.
May. 21, 2009 - High School Graduation, Online College
It's official; our oldest daughter is graduating from homeschool high school! Great job, Lori; we're so proud of you!
We're also very happy with your progress at Clovis Community College, taking college classes online while still in high school.
If you're interested in shortening your path to a college degree, try these free College Level Examination Program (CLEP) study resources: Free University CLEP INfo
Homeschool mom/author (Co-author "Educational Travel on a Shoestring," "Homeschooling on a Shoestring," Practical Homeschooling columnist), shares frugal family, educational and travel resources and tips. Check back for frequent educational freebies and cheapies, including literature, unit studies, special needs, teens, high school, distance education, homeschooling college, health, home learning freebies (preschool - young adult), debt-free living, avoiding business scams, writers resources, bio-ethics, abortion violence, science, creationism, intelligent design, evolution, internet safety, Biblical worldview curriculum sources and book reviews.
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Educational
Travel on a Shoestring : Frugal Family Fun and Learning Away from
Home ,"
written by Melissa
L. Morgan and Judith
Waite AlleePractical,
frugal, witty and wise, Educational Travel On a Shoestring is one
of those rare books folks will not only delight in reading but
delight in using...Don't leave home without it."--George
Grant, author of Just
Visiting. Click
here for a short sample from our new book, "EDUCATIONAL
TRAVEL ON A SHOESTRING," with freebies, links, and tips from
two frugal moms who love to travel!Educational
Travel on a Shoestring Electronic
Resource GuideFor
a downloadable, clickable electronic resource guide packed with
educational travel tips and freebies, get your own copy of the
new Educational Travel on a ShoestringElectronic
Resource Guidefor
only $6.98. The Guide is a downloadable e-book in Adobe Pdf
format, with 79 pages of travel freebies, cheapies and tips for
frugal educational and homeschooling travel and field trips. For
instant secure download of our
Electronic
Resource Guide,
click
here. Homeschooling
on a Shoestring,
written by Melissa
L. Morgan and Judith
Waite AlleeHomeschooling
on a Shoestring Comments:
"This
book is the most original and helpful homeschooling book I've
read in years. Highly Recommended."--Mary
Pride, publisher of Practical Homeschooling magazine; Katie from
Lexington, KY Product Rating: 5 out of 5: This is a wonderful
book. I picked this up at recent Home School Convention and have
been reading it every chance I get. This is the kind of book that
you will read through, and then refer back to many times."
Contact
your favorite library or bookstore to get your copy.
