Jack-Jack's Blog

• Mar. 21, 2010 - Sunday=Funday #1

Posted By momtotheincredibles

Quick little artsy or sciencey ideas to add a little spark to your day will be posted each Sunday. At least that is the plan.

How about an all-time favorite-Flubber or Blobber or whatever you want to call it.

Supplies needed:

1 Tbsp white glue
1/2 tsp borax
1/2 cup water
food coloring (optional)
2 paper cups

Steps:

Dissolve borax in water.
Pour white glue into 2nd cup and add food coloring at this stage.
Put 1 Tbps of borax solution in glue and stir.
Take mixture out of cup, knead with your hands. Viola!

Science says:

"Everything is made from molecules. Plastic molecules, or polymers, are long chains of smaller, repeating molecules studck together. Polymer chains can be linked, which is just what you did. . . . These long chains of cross-linked molecules are what makes plastic strong and moldable."

Try changing the amount of borax added to the water. What happens?

All above information came from the book, Super Science Concoctions by Jill Hauser and published by Williamson Publishing. Amazon has it here for less than $10.

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• Mar. 20, 2010 - Stories on CD from the Children's Bible Hour with Uncle Charlie

Posted By momtotheincredibles

Kids stories on CD have been lifesavers for us on long car rides. "How long until we get there?" questions have been answered with "Four stories" instead of 2 hours. Somehow that sounds so much better. We enjoy new stories to listen to so we were excited to receive the Seasons of Faith books/CDs from Children's Bible Hour Ministries to use and review for you. This illustrated book series is adapted from CBH radio scripts and narrated on CD by Uncle Charlie.

Titles are

Race With Midnight (Spring)
You Can't Come In (Summer)
Seventy Times Seven (Autumn)
Braving the Storm (Winter)

These softcover books mirror the seasons of faith that Christians go through. Race with Midnight has new faith developing and a young girl sharing her faith with others. This story of two girl cousins and horses has a little adventure. You Can't Come In is about two very dirty boys and the lesson they learn from having trouble getting the dirt off. As we listened to You Can't Come In we were reminded to apply the truths of the Bible to our daily lives. Both of these were excellent stories, however their viewpoint on "going to heaven as soon as you die" is different than Ecclesiastes 9:5, Psalm 115:17, and other verses tell me. Also, we do not believe in once saved always saved as all four books seem to. We believe that our actions show our acceptance of God's grace and that we have to continually choose to follow Him. My children are well grounded in the doctrines of our church and always speak up when they hear something else, so this did not negate the good message of the story.

Seventy Times Seven teaches forgiveness in a way that children will easily understand. This was our favorite story. Braving the Storm is about trials coming into our lives and how we deal with them. It is the story of a boy whose family has had to move because of financial troubles. He wonders why God lets Christians suffer.

The artwork is fairly simple and attractive to children and has no goofy pictures. Caucasians, African-Americans, and Hispanics are represented. The CD recordings of Uncle Charlie reading the stories are well done and sound like he is in the room telling the story. Scriptures used are from the New King James Version, a favorite version of ours. Five discussion questions for each story are available online here.

I probably would not purchase these myself only because we have so many of stories on tape/CD and because of the issues already mentioned. However, the stories are appealing so decide for yourself. You may visit the CBH website at www.cbhministries.org or here for more information. Each of the Book/CD sets is $10. Free standard shipping when buying the complete set between March 17 and April 15 IF you use this code-FREESHIPAPR15

I received these book/cd sets from CBH as a member of TOS Crew. I give my honest opinion after using them with my family.

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• Mar. 19, 2010 - HOO - Spring: New Beginnings

Posted By HomeschoolBlogger Company Blog in hsingonlyone

First off....Bon Voyage, Tia! May your journey into a new season be joy-filled and may you feel His Presence every day of this new adventure!

Spring.. It's a time of New Beginnings. New shoots and new leaves are budding out, some flowers are peeking thru the mulch as they seek the sun. A new season of life.

I know several HOO'ers (those who Homeschool Only One) who are going thru their own new season--and a difficult one at that. Due to health issues, they are even questioning their decisions to homeschool, since they've had to set aside homeschooling for a bit. If you find yourself in a difficult situation where "normal" had to be set aside, just remember, it's only for a season. Don't jump to conclusions or make life-changing decisions in the midst of the storm. Seek others as a sounding board; consult your husband; and always, always bathe all you do and are in prayer. Expect answers from the One who was and is and is to come; He can give you the answers you seek as well as provide the Peace that passes understanding.

Life sends us curves at times, but we can always trust that the Lord will bring us through. The end result might not always look like we think it "should," but all will be what it should be. We will be the better for the journey, and will always be in the Palm of His Hand, even during the darkest days. We know all things will work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

If you are walking your own difficult season, with no end in sight.... Be encouraged. It truly won't be forever. And it will all work together for good....

Donna Conner lives in Fort Worth, TX with her husband, Glenn, their son, Mike, Donna's mother, Charlotte, and their dog, Lucia. Donna and Glenn homeschooled their son since the beginning of his education. Mike graduated from homeschooling in the fall of 2008. Donna is an artist and has always enjoyed writing. She wrote Homeschooling Only One in 2003, after discovering that there were many other families homeschooling only one child. Her website is devoted to those with only one student in their homeschool, with listings of online resources. You can find these free resources, including a message board for those who HOO, on her website at http://donnac.com and read her blog at:

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/DonnaC

copyright © 2010 Donna Conner ~~ All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of author, except in the case of brief passages embodied in critical reviews and articles where the title and author are listed.

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• Mar. 19, 2010 - Special Words for Special Needs: Sneaky factoids!

Posted By HomeschoolBlogger Company Blog in specialneeds

This week on the Porch we are talking about spring. I got so excited about spring I jumped ahead a bit last week. This week I would like to share what happened when we started our spring study today.

I have several books set aside for each holiday or season change. I keep the print-offs in a file folder marked for the occasion, and the books I keep wrapped in a rubber band in a quiet spot on the book shelf. I try to gather together all the material for the week Sunday night and smooth out any rough patches. These past weeks I have had several doctor appointments on Mondays and ministry packed Sundays. In the end I didn't get to preview and set up the week like I planned.

Today I reached for the set of books that I use for scientific seasonal info. The entire first page was full of a theory of how spring came to be. Some scientists think our big blob of a molten earth got hit by another big blob and hit it off center...yadda yadda... I was furious! The other books in this series did show evolutionary theories, but only as theories not proven or unproven by science. They were easy to jump over for the youngest ones and nice to sit and discuss with my oldest. This time the theory was written as- "this is what happened."

It was a reminder to me that I must preview my children's books. My daughter with autism is a voracious reader. She will read anything in the book shelf. There is great joy in watching her explore the written word. There is also a great responsibility in gently guiding her to reading materials that match her needs.

She is a black and white thinker. What she reads that is in a non-fiction book is truth. If it blurs the line she gets upset and anxious about the book and will quit reading it. Fiction is easy for her. She knows it's make believe. But what is she to do with a non-fiction book that is showing her "facts" that are not real?

Our children with special ways of thinking need to watched closely as to what they watch, read and take in as facts of the world. This is not just about how we believe about creation. This has broad implications in learning. If your child watches a show that repeatedly has children counseling children and disrespecting their parents, how will your child internalize that message? If they read a book that has too mature a topic, how can they stop thinking about it? This is why I think we need to be vigilant, especially with out youngest, gentlest minds.

This is a blessing my friends. We are able to tend to our children and help them grow. Helping them chose the best brain food (books) possible. You never know, it may help you to pick up those classics that you didn't catch the first time through!

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 www.specialneedshomeschooling.com.

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• Mar. 19, 2010 - Do Hard Things-Start Here

Posted By momtotheincredibles

Start Here-Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are is a follow-up book to the bestseller, Do Hard Things by brothers Alex and Brett Harris. (Another brother is Josh Harris and Dad is Gregg Harris, both authors of fantastic books.) As you may know, Do Hard Things was a book that started a "rebelution" against the low expectations adults have for teenagers. As teens read Do Hard Things, they were inspired to indeed do incredible things that many adults would deem as "too hard". Some teens need a little more guidance in planning and that is where Start Here helps.

Start Here is a how-to guide. Leading you through the process of doing a small or large hard thing, the chapter titles are:

You Are Here
Getting Started
When You Have a Great Idea
Side Effects May Occur
Matters of First Importance
When the Doing Gets Tough
The Guts Factor
Now What?
Putting It All Together
Making It Rain

Actual teen examples are given as inspiration. This quick-to-read book also reminds teens that they may not have to come up with some grand thing, but can assist someone's idea to be the best it can be. I especially liked reading Alex and Brett's reminder from the "Handling the Changes" chapter that only God's opinion matters. A listing of 100 hard things, which may help a teen discover his own hard thing is in the appendix.

This book is a must have for anyone who has already read Do Hard Things to help them do what is in their minds. The discussion questions in the back would make it useful for youth groups. Many of our Christian teens get lost to the world because they have had nothing to do that really makes a difference in the world. Start Here may help to inspire a teen in your family or church to do something incredible that will literally change someone's world.

In July, Alex and Brett are coming to Atlanta, GA for a Rebelution conference. My teens plan to attend. Go to the Rebelution website TheRebelution.com for more details for the Atlanta conference or another near you. See the promo for the Rebelution Tour on YouTube here.

If you are interested in purchasing this title follow this link or visit http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781601422705 I received this book from Random House for the purpose of reading and reviewing for you. I give my honest opinion of the book. They have also generously allowed me to have a drawing on this blog to give one copy of Start Here to one of my readers. The contest will close on March 28th. Please leave a comment below telling me an idea you or someone who know has had that would be a "Hard Thing" to do. Make sure you leave a way to get in touch with you, in case you win!

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• Mar. 18, 2010 - Passing the Senior Editor Hat

Posted By HomeschoolBlogger Company Blog in HSB News

In some ways this is a hard post to write, and in others I'm actually very excited! I have been the senior editor of HSB for nearly 4 years now. I have learned a lot about blogging, I've made a ton of new friends, and it has been fun! However, it's time for me to move on.

My family is moving to where we won't have internet, cell phone service, or television. We're all very excited about that! Still, I imagine you can see what a problem that is for a senior editor of a blog web site. This new life style isn't compatible with daily blogging and answering of emails.

Besides, it's time for a fresh face around here! Kristen Hamilton will be the new Senior Editor of HSB and I think she's going to be a good fit. I hope all of you will welcome her and make her feel comfortable. If you have any questions, you can direct them to Kristen at khamilton@thehomeschoolmagazine.com.

I can't wait to see what fun and interesting topics Kristen will have lined up for all of you! It's going to be kind of weird for me to watch the Porch grow and change from a different perspective. Kristen is going to do a fabulous job--I'm leaving the HSB Company Porch in good hands. Kristen will be here to help you with the blog platform change, whenever that happens . . . just know it has not been abandoned!

You may or may not find me blogging on my personal blog a little more, but not daily like I used to do several years ago! No internet at home, remember? I'm not blogging elsewhere, I'm not looking for greener grass. I'm too lazy to move my lawn chair. I'm just becoming another passenger on this blogging cruise. I'd love to hear from all of you from time to time!

Tia Linschied
No Fancy Title Here

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• Mar. 18, 2010 - DS

Posted By Joshua

I got a DS Lite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I bought with my own money. I got it from my friend who was getting a PSP so he was trying to sell it and I bought it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It cost $50 for the DS, two games, a case, and headphones. Now I have 7 games. IT IS SO AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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• Mar. 18, 2010 - Teeth 2

Posted By Joshua

I had two more teeth pulled on 2/16/10! I have had eight teeth pulled within a year. I think my teeth like my mouth and don't want to leave.

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• Mar. 18, 2010 - Reminder for Homeschool Online Convention

Posted By momtotheincredibles

Just a simple reminder about the first annual online homeschool convention put on by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. For only $20 through March 31, you will hear seminars from THE people in the know about homeschooling. AND freebies galore for those who attend. Just think, no travel, no babysitters, just listening at your convenience. You see, these will be recorded and available for your downloading.

If you have gone to a convention, you know that a CD recording of one seminar is not cheap. Usually the 5 dollar range. For the price of 4 seminars, you get them all!

I was thrilled to receive a free pass from TOS to the seminar, just for telling you about it! (I was going to purchase anyway, though.) If you are homeschooling or thinking about it, do not miss this opportunity.

Some of the presenters are:

Todd Wilson-love this guy's humor
Amanda Bennett-maker of unit studies extraordinaire
Sue Patrick- creator of the Workbox System, which I love
Mark Hamby-inspiring
Malia Russel-speaking on teaching the difficult child.
Susan Wise Bauer-author of Story of the World history books we enjoy.

and so much more.

Preregistering allows you to listen in on two pre-convention seminars AND a Nature Study freebie which is fantastic. Many, many ideas to use God's second book in the homeschool.

Sign up now at http://www.schoolhouseexpo.com or go here.
So far, all those I know who have registered are thrilled with their freebies, so preregister ASAP!

TOS is also having a big sale through this Sunday (21st). Visit
now to see what might interest you. http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=434 or here.

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