FREE RESOURCES~ALL TOPICS/SUBJECTS

I would like to invite you to check out the lower right sidebar for FREEBIE web sources for homeschooling.  I get so excited when I see something useful, like today I found and posted an interactive map that shows the founding of Rome to its fall through geography. Go check it out!
Blessings
SisterTipster<3

That Somebody in Our Life~

No, I'm not talking about our spouces, but this person could be our spouse.  I'm not talking about our mothers either, but again she OR our fathers could be this person to us...

It's the person in our life who THINKS WE CAN and therefore WE THINK WE CAN~\

it's the power of empowerment and encouragement from another!!  Do you have someone who is on your side, constantly affirming your presence unconditionally in this world? This could be a spouse or parent, a best friend or co-worker, a friend or pastor of the church or someone who knows us warts and all with LOVE and acceptance who continuously uplifts and encourages us to BE THE BEST us! 

This is one tall order, I know.  In fact, in my life I have had two of these who have lifted me~actually I can think of three who showed me love and if two were living would continually be a source of encouragment.  For it was Mary, an elderly friend who years ago told me I am resourceful~WHAT? ME??? It was she who said I was " the hostess with the mostess" meaning that she thought I could make anyone feel at home.  It was Mary who loved me and accepted me, encouraging me to the best I could ever become~her memory is soo special to me!  I had a school teacher who thought I was "special" too.  One who encouraged me to walk with God and do His will. I see her occasionally in life and she's such an encouragement even now...then there was the little lady in my church, Mrs. Jackson who with wavering gait and speech always had a word of encouragement for me! Did she know that it would mean so much? I don't want to gush about these people and what they did, because it feels funny to just tell it, but this kind of relationship is soo uplifting and it's really a call to do this for others.  I think this might be why I had these people in my life~to teach me this kind of love! WOW~do you have an encourager in your life? Are you one?  I have some wonderful girls who are the bestest friends a gal could EVER have! I wouldn't trade a one~YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!! ;-)) But I am telling you, everyone needs somebody in our lives to love us and cast that vision of how good we can be on days we might not know or have forgotten it ourselves! AND for those of us with a tank full of love or wavering on empty, it's good to realize the best way to FILLUP is to give it away~become the encourager for others around us~what about our spouse and children? Do they know our love and support? AND the girls, do they know you think they "rock?"  Somebody in our life can encourage us to become somebody in the lives of others~

I am blessed! Somebody cared. I care!
SisterTipster<3

Learning the Life

Reaching, stretching, retracting, withdrawing all fall in this ebb of life and homeschooling isn't anything but an educational pursuit OF LIFE! IMHO, if this is soooo, then WHY do we find ourselves making it more OR less than we should?  When we artificially manufacture the learning environment, do we do our children a service?  By making our homeschools strict, regimented and totally structured are we ultimately doing what is best for our children? Conversely when we are too lax ~ is this a correct description? I am thinking not challenging, not "something" our kids will need to have in their arsenal as adults ENOUGH! 

I completely "get" that many of us (I did) start out trying to recreate the environment of the school systems we may be acquainted and comfortable with, but IF learning is ALL the time and in each and every situation, does it need to be modeled after something that isn't even working that well in the general for the specifics of our children in our homes?  My daughter is being taught sewing, and she said to me, "Why don't you just pick out a pattern or two and give me those choices," instead of the trip we were making for her to pick out several patterns of her choosing out of the ENTIRE pattern book!  Oh my!! Here I had given her the unending possibilities to pursue the art of sewing, and she wanted what she perceived as something better~LESS! Happily, I can report that after I explained that she could chose and that a class of 30 kids might not be able to, despite their desire~it really took getting her in front of the choices~~~oh how much fun she had, and she came home with SEVEN PATTERNS!! and an excitement to sew! Wonder what it might have been if I had just chosen a couple with my "adult-ole lady-Mama TASTE"!??  LOL! 

Do we do this very kind of thing within our homes with all or some of our academics?  When I began homeschooling nine years ago, I purchased a "box curriculum" and salivated for a "classroom" eventually getting one and realizing that it was just a room that would require more cleaning and attention on my part!!  Yes, it had a table and bulletin board, white board, two desks AND a huge bookcase~ooooh I decorated to teach as well,~~but as we got older, we moved away from this to a HUGE bookcase system and our kitchen table and two desktop computer work stations right in our living room WHERE LIFE occurs! I am not saying that homeschooling in a special room is wrong, but I am saying that life and all of learning is better gained in the natural home environment.  It's not only cost effective, but also is a better focus.  Another example of this mindset is that there was a contest for a best homeschool makeover last year which amazed me.  Moms over the country organized and SPENT to doll up their educational space~I have been there, but knowing what I know~my vote went to a Mom who showed her living room coffee table and a few baskets of books stored underneath.  I know (only because I learned before with first hand personal experience) that it isn't necessary to have all that EXTRA stuff~but apparently I am not popular in this thinking because the winner got tons of votes with her all schoolhouse looking space! OK~not to bash, but think about learning for LIFE~does it have to be a segmented area of our homes~a segmented area of our lives?  I am not an "unschooler" in viewpoint or practice either, but unschoolers who allow natural learning within the home without forced or guided learning do have a point, albeit not as strong as the "desire driven community where a child has interests coupled with the classical learning of well thought out structured materials (this would be our aim in our home education!)! With this said, I do believe in curriculum, and in days gone by have over-schooled my children~totally run them ragged with education~BOOK LEARNING and it's not any fun when it's like this! Do we know how much is learned as we LIVE together?

The ultimate question is not what curriculum or space is used to educate but what are the long term goals of being educated.  If education is LIFE PREP 101 then we must give our children a life that is with faith and family values with the ability to learn and grow~does it take loads of money to accomplish this in boxed materials and a separate room fixed up like the one room schoolhouse? I don't think so, but rather we can learn and grow~become educated in our everyday pursuits as we LIVE together!

Just so you know, I do have a room dedicated to learning in our home~a library! But we don't school in there nor will we ever! We school right at our kitchen table or in our living room~cats in our laps and wrapped all snug in our blankies on cold winter days! THINK about this in the long term.  Focus on the goals of the long term~and yeah, it's wonderful IF it's your thing, but if it's not~don't stress! LIFE IS EDUCATION and along with some good GOOD books and math skills to a higher plane, our kids will make it! I love history and find GREAT  value in it~so we have focused on learning world history for years~it's a key to our present and future!

Here's to LEARNING LIFE!
SisterTipster<3

Did We Forget?

It's easy to overlook and forget things that aren't pleasant.  I think it's called "avoidance" by the psycho-guru world??  Well, after seeing a documentary film about the September 11, 2001 World Trade Towers ATTACK, I am convinced as a society~we are in an avoidance mode OR have just plain forgotten! I want to urge everyone to take a minute and check out some footage, some "old" articles or whatever you can find including some library books on this subject to REMEMBER the worst peace time attack on OUR NATION in recent history.  I had the privilage to see a documentary film on Netflix last night regarding the unconquerable spirit of America in the face of such terror~yes, terror.  This particular film is unique because it is made by several (about 30) independent filmmakers who are on the scene and contribute their footage and voice to such as was those days when America experienced the UNTHINKABLE. I never want to be a "dooms day prophet" EVER, but seeing and realizing that we are still a very vulnerable nation is quite unsettling~and we go about our lives, with a lase-fare attitude because somehow, it wasn't my child, parent or co-worker or friend who was taken, stolen from the world on that day.  We've allowed our hearts to forget and avoid this pain so that we go on as we must each day, but the negative is that if we do forget, is it possible we are even more vulnerable to something in the future as bad or even worse?  I know that any manner of remorse and grief does not alter the past, but I also know that pain can create change.  We THINK we've chosen change when we remain not only as vulnerable as ever, but in many ways have become more so by harboring the attitudes that will allow a villian to come to us again~and in front of our eyes, our faces!!

Dear Gentle Readers, PLEASE educate yourself on the events surrounding this event in our nation's history~and when you do, educate your children to love and honor our nation and our people~yes, it's ours; we are ours!  There's a war going on that we must battle to overcome oppression in the world to keep our national interests secure.  It begins in our hearts and minds.  Let's take another look-see and REMEMBER 911 well before this upcoming 9th anniversary.  It's horrible and not fun, I know.  I love to laugh and be happy, but the inheriant happiness I enjoy is lost IF my nation falls to terror.  I must REMEMBER and act.

My actions include self education, prayer and then educating my children to stand for freedom and national pride.  We are keepers of the spirit of America in our homes, and we can influence our families to love God keep His commandments AND honor our One Nation Under God~INDIVISIBLE with LIBERTY and JUSTICE for ALL, all within our borders.

God bless America! Home of the free BECAUSE of the BRAVE~this is us as well as our military! We must be brave enough to face down the painful memories and seek God and a higher cause to love our nation.





If you would like to watch a very good film (over an hour on 9/11, please go to the
9-11 The Falling Man
Like Pearl Habor we must NEVER forget!
SisterTipster<3

BUSTIN OUT the PRIDE and ARROGANCE!

WHAT IS UP with the Mamas who act like their homeschools and kids are just perfect? Anyone out there struggling like I have over the years? Anybody LIKE ME?   It's the most irking thing to read where a Mom is braggin and post'n about her wonderful family and all giddy-happy~~and some of us are in the trenches SURVIVING and pressing onward in a job that is tough, lonely and unique.  There are soo many of us swimming up stream in a RIVER where we are the only ones! I know! I have YET to be in a church family where I had other homeschoolers to fellowship with! It's been 9 years!!! Oh yeah, we've been in co-ops.  Some were the best experiences, and others WE WERE FURTHER ISOLATED and sometimes mistreated! Yeah, I'm TELL'N It! I am soo sick to death of the pride and arrogance of some! We all~yes, ALL of us are in the same little boat, paddling up that current AGAINST the GRAIN to homeschool~but why do some feel self righteous and smug? Is it pride? OR DO I misunderstand.  Are they just masking a greater feeling that appears soo different?

"Why can't we be friends?" is a line from a 1970's funk song discussing differences~WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT! even in our homeschools! No two family is going to be the same for sure! I believe we should encourage each other in love and support~what does this look like? I've seen some pretty awesome homeschooled kids reach out to new comers or those very shy to encourage them~AND I HAVE SEEN SOME awful homeschooled kids ignore and marginalize kids too! WHY won't we all reach beyond our percieved barriers and encourage each other in love and support to the greater good?

I WANT TO SAY that we should put away~disolve our haughty ways and reach out to one who needs us~ AND we won't know who this is...it could be a mom who looks like she's all together AND the one who is obviously falling apart.  We Christians are KNOWN (if you didn't know it-I am TELL'N It!) for killing off our wounded and not binding up the wounds of brokeness so often! WE CAN LOVE EACH OTHER~even the unlovely~not just the unChristian, but the
unorganized
unhappy
unsaved
unnerving
unsuccessful
unfriendly
unhelpful
unintellegent
unenjoyable

There is HOPE for everyone in the Family of God and just because someone "doesn't fit with me" or "doesn't meet my needs" or some other such that we should cast them off~Oh IF our Lord did that to us!

Lets bust out this pride and arrogance and see all around us as an opportunity for fellowship and care.  It's not about me, but WE!
God bless HOMESCHOOLING and all the homeschoolers!
SisterTipster<3

History~Medieval World Susan Wise Bauer

You KNOW I LOVE history! In our homeschool, it has taken a preeminent place in the education of our children.  Much of their education has centered around it~other subjects woven into support its study and pursuit.  Susan Wise Bauer's The History of the Midieval World: From the Conversion of Constantine to the First Crusade is NEWLY released (Feb. 22nd), and I have had the opportunity to read it for review!  If you are familiar with Mrs. Bauer's work, The Well Trained Mind with her mother, Jessie Wise then you know what an important new book this is to education.  This is the second of her adult level (although I believe a well read high schooler will benefit) history series; the first, The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome.    My children and I have read the children's series: The Story of the World: History For the Classical Child (volumes1-4) in our history studies and really enjoyed them! This is the upper level series with much much more detail and imagery! With over 700 pages this is a thorough account of how Christianity became the major player in the western world when prior to Constantine it was not mainstream or even well tolerated.

I find this book exciting and think every high schooler and adult should read it too!

Please know that you can get this at The Well Trained Mind (Peace Hill Press)and you can get a signed copy too! Whoohoo! Check this out! IF you are just getting started with young children,  I recommend the children's series. 

The History of the Medieval World will be released February 22~

The History of the World~GOTTA KNOW IT! This is essential info for life!
SisterTipster<3

FREEbie for elementary kids~POST 100~whooohoo!

I just have to say that this FREEbie comes from a friend of mine who's developing curriculum now, Stephanie Ruby along with Christy Gifford.  You can get a GAMES book download
http://eggheadacademics.com/EHA-FUN1.html!  

Egghead Academics is all about fun~go check this out~you can get 15% off an order by signing up for their FREE Newsletter!

POST 100~CELEBRATE good times~come on! It's a celebration!!! I am quoting a song from the 70's....now don't let that fool ya... HA HA!! OK...Glad you stopped by~hope you enjoy!
blessings
SisterTipster<3

Download N Go Unit Studies~Pizza Party! Fun-Fun!!

The Download N Go series by Amanda Bennett and The Old Schoolhouse are offering a fun new study sure to have our mouths watering~Pizza Party! Just the thought of some hot cheesy chewy pizza~my fav is taco or veggie, but you envision your own...does your child love it?...MAKES MY mouth water!  This week long unit study for ages K-4th grades will take this subject to interesting heights.  Each day is a list of objectives that your child will be learning.  The format is lapbooking which is a great way to teach littles any subject with a hands-on approach.

With Download N Go™ unit studies, each is one week in length, having five daily lessons with lapbook components for each day. The name, Download N Go™, comes from the concept that these studies are ready to use as soon as you have downloaded them. No preparation or waiting time or other expensive resources are required. A few inexpensive items are needed for the lapbook—a simple file folder, a glue stick, safety scissors, brass brads, and crayons or markers. That’s it—simple, effective, and what a way to learn!

I am finding this to be very true of these studies.  I reviewed Amelia Earhart earlier in the month~it's great!


Included is the history of pizza, how mozzerella cheese is made as well as famous Italians and information on Italy. You'll find a reading list included with ISBN as well as activities you download, print and use for the lapbook. The activity graphics are colorful and interactive.  Your child will be increasing motor skills as he cuts, folds and glues each part while learning in the areas of reading, listening, vocabulary, science, history, geography, character and more!  

Pizza Party is five days of fun!

Check out these NEW NEW NEW and this NEWEST in the series!


SisterTipster <3
(Please see my discolosure concerning reviews in the bottom left of my blog. Thanks.)

A Little Help From MY Friends~

Having a good friend can help in so many ways, especially with homeschooling.  Having support from a personal friend as well as friends who we can access on line in groups such as yahoo groups where folks who have a common interest such as a common curriculum or age group brings us together in a "virtual" way so that we can gain the experiences of others.  Homeschooling groups are another valuable friend finding outlet for homeschoolers, as well as our families. Often though, unless we can find those who are understanding or accepting of home education there can be misunderstanding which might lead to conflict.  An example would be extended family such as grandparents who are not in favor of homeschooling who will "hammer" to get the practice changed in the home...whew~who needs that? NOW we can't throw out our families, but we can limit what negative influences they can have IF in fact it's negative.  I take all comments on advisement generally, and look within to see if there is what and any truth within.  If there are valid valuable points, I consider what is said.  This can be a good rule when dealing with this kind of criticism and negativity regarding this area.  Everyone isn't going to like what we do.  In time though, as often has been the case, respect and possibly a change of opinion or response might be gained from the opposition.

Since we ALL need encouragement, to find it IS ESSENTIAL!

Look for those like-minded folks out there who share your values~NOT that they have to "agree" with us totally, OH NO! But we do need to see, and experience the collective wisdom of others who have gone on before us in home education as well as those STILL in the trenches!

I want to encourage us all to find someone who will stand with us in this endeavor~our spouses, families and friends to encourage us...and of course the Lord of Heaven who graciously gave us our precious children to raise up as Christ-like citizens of this great nation~EVEN on a day I want to "pinch their heads off!" LOL!

OK..my friends, I am thankful for you.  You keep me thinking, growing and striving onward!
SisterTipster<3

Delightful Music~

Girl Thing One and Boy Thing One both love music.  It's amazing how much they've taken to it.  This year, they are honing in their musical skills with their chosen instruments.  Our girl loves piano and bass, while boy loves his trumpet but has been "seen" discretely playing the piano.  Today, I listened as daughter played her piano keyboard in various tones~music box was one that really was soo nice.  She's amazing and this it totally DELIGHT DRIVEN.  The idea is a child delights in a subject area and just feasts and feasts upon the subject matter at their own pace and desire.  She's taken to Japanese the same way for her foreign language study.  I have NO IDEA how many books she's purchased or borrowed from the library to study her desired culture and language.  She's so amazing in this way, and NOW she's looking for a monologue to do for drama club.  I guess we'll have to say she's into the "arts."  My boy is also into his trumpet that each day I get a concert of his playing.  He too is doing delight driven learning in this way.  While we encouraged the trumpet initially, and it's on his curriculum list for each day, it's not THERE ON THE WEEKENDS which proves that a kid who loves something will pursue it! Delight driven learning is the best; while I am not an advocate of exclusive delightly driven learning, it's a powerful tool! Hey, if everyone just did what was "delightful" how many of us would have taken SOME of the stuff we did that has well rounded us in our adulthood?  So in my humble, yeah, I'm humble~LOL~opinion, delight driven learning is a PLUS but not a total style of teaching for the homeschool.  It's good that children find delight in at least SOME of the subjects studied, but if not, it's OK too~functionality is really more the goal for the total process.  Functionality means so much in this age of education and life.  Listening to the radio the other day about the challenges of educating to the present age made me consider that homeschooling STILL is the best option.  What better natural and normal environment for life learning~learning that will prepare for the home and work world than HOME?  Home, a place of refuge and challenges~if you think there are no challenges, think again.  To LIVE together and harmoniously live within the constraints of family and then to reach out into the world is no small feat!

Delightful music is at my house today, and I am enjoying the process~
What delightful learning is occuring in your home?  Do you have a child naturally drawn to a subject area where they can soar?

blessings
SisterT <3

Math~STILL WORKing IT at Our House!!

Are you confident and satisfied with what is going on with MATH at your house? I am well known to have MATH TERROR myself, so teaching this daunting subject is just that for ME~so I look for well designed and formulated materials to teach with.  Believe me, I've been "through" quite a bit, and by far the VERY best for ME in the lower grades was using Abeka Book Arithmatic K-6th grades.  Now we have tried a couple of supplementals that I liked to boost up skills that needed MORE practice than what is offered in the curricula~We had difficulty with long division, so we needed extra work to cement the process so we could move on.  I used things I found online and even a workbook from Wal-mart! So it's the skill building that's so important.  Today, I am known to make up my OWN worksheets too to practice a skill.  Also since we are much older, we are using Teaching Textbooks for Pre and Algebra. To explain using this curricula, let me say that it has DVD instruction,  but it's step by step and for my children, they complain it's TOO detailed~HA! HOW CAN MATH instruction be too detailed? Soooo I have them do it, but  I also supplement with things that help them.  We are doing fractions so I have used Math Tudor DVD for additional visual instruction.  I also want to BRAG on Maria Miller for her work in math and introduce her blog to you, 
Homeschool Math
There are some unique features to Mrs. Miller's math approach. She had LOADS of freebies ( a HUGELY informative monthly Math Newsletter!!) as well as VERY affordable workbooks for various grade levels.  She does YouTube videos and has her own math YouTube channel! You will appreciate her style and work.  She's very knowledgeable, and if you want to contact her, she will help! I have used her curricula for supplement for some time now.  You may want to give her a try as well!

I think MATH is one of those TERROR things that is a work in progress~so I keep working the process! This is a subject that needs a LOADED GUN APPROACH so that a strong knowledge and understanding is achieved so that high math is attainable!

WHAT DID NOT work, was ALEKS.  It's a great math system possibly for some kids, but we found things like my daughter's work not being recorded on the "pie" but also that while she made progress, the assessments drove her backwards. Also the way to do the math was all screen driven with no workbook and limited practice.  I did not like this, and found that if MORE practice is needed it's almost impossible to figure out how to give it.  Also math IMHO is one of those pencil to paper skills~PERIOD.  You can't really do math without this method.  So ALEKS was not for us.  We left Abeka because we went with Teaching Textbooks so that we could take advantage of the step by step simple instructions for the upper grades~it goes throughout all of high school.

SOOOOOOOOOOOO here ya have it~my math TAKE~
If it's not working or needs a tweak~try something new!
SisterT<3

Out With the OLD and IN With the New!

It's the time of year for a check up from the neck up~to evaluate our homeschools; note that HOME is the first work of this compound word that drives ME CRAZY because my spell checker always notes it as misspelled! WELL...ha! But let me say that HOME is where all schooling is most important.  Home is the seat of where all learning takes place.  Just focusing on the 3-R's won't do the job, but looking well to the ways of our households with patience, love, joy, peace, long suffering, goodness, meekness, faith...Check out Ephesians 5 for the list of the FRUIT of the SPIRIT~God's Holy Spirit that is active in the life of the believer in Christ! Manifesting these in our home, our place of abode is the challenge each and every day!

I have teenagers.  No secret.  But I tell you, as proud as I am, there are just days . . . and the challenges and hurdles get high sometimes.  I remember having littles too.  Oh, now this is another set of unique challenges as well, but NONE OF THIS is impossible...ooookay, maybe it IS impossible without God.  But we must focus our eyes on the eternal not the present in our face stuff that keeps on happening everyday.

I want peace~I need to  be quiet.
I want joy~I need to laugh more.
I want faith~I need to trust and wait.
I want love~I need to give and receive.

There's a WHOLE BUNCH of JUNK I wanna throw out in 2010 that will take the whole year for irradiate from my life.  If I want the things or quality I believe is God designed, then I must fully find ways to place my whole being into the will of God whether I can see, touch, feel, or experience the thought of it at the time.  This is NOT going to be easy, but HIS GRACE is SUFFICIENT.  What a message and peace this is in every area of our lives. 

SO out with the JUNK~the old and IN with the NEW~God's will for my life, my family and ultimately our homeschool. 

Do you need to think about this like I have? What priorities need to be strengthened in 2010 to enrich your home and homeschool? 

I am wishing you all the most wonderful, fantabulous, grandious, gracefilled, fundawonderful NEW YEAR loving your family and hitting the books again very soon~education is the HOME and school is everywhere!

Blessings
SisterTipster <3

Download N Go Biography Amelia Earhart~Lapbooking!

Amanda Bennett and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine are partnering for a series of lapbook unit studies called Download N Go (Remember the Autumn Download N Go FREEbie?? (left sidebar!).)  Together this team will bring different themes~I am on the DNG Review Panel having received Amelia Earhart with no monetary compensation for my opinions.  I am a The Old Schoolhouse affiliate@http://www.sistertipster.blogspot.com.  I will be reviewing one Download N Go unit study each month so we can all become acquainted with these new studies.  Download N Go will answer questions for young children ages K-middle elementary school in a hands on fun way!  Ameilia Earhart is the first of the biographical unit lapbooking studies with more promised!

All about DownLoadNGo~check it out!

Just the name Amelia Earhart evokes a kind of mystery for me.  This once lady flyer lived in an era when it was quite daring for a woman to be so bold.  She led quite an interesting life with such a mysterious end that even today questions are unanswered.

But each day question are posted to your child so that learning will take place.  Questions about her life, about flight, her character and more!  The answers are available as your child navigates the information and creates the lapbook as a keepsake of the fun activities.

If you've never lapbooked then you may be wondering just how this method of learning works and what to do.  For parents there is a tutorial on how to do lapbooking with links to video instructions as well as a narrative by Stephanie Ruby.  I have to say that bit's a neat learning tool for young children.  I used this method with my church children to teach portions of the New Testament, and they loved it!  Be sure and allow your child to do all their own cutting and with your guidance putting the lapbook together.  (Remember your child's work is their own and you will be able to see their progress as they LEARN!  They are soooooooo proud work! Please allow your child this freedom to learn~it's so important to praise every step with gentle instruction!)  Stephanie has some good suggestions for making everything work beautifully! The tutorial videos are adorable~I loved watching the children in the video show just how lapbooking is done, and you might want to let your child see it too!  By using scissors and writing as well as gluing, your child will be building fine motor skills as well as educational knowledge about Ameila Earhart.  Lapbooking is GREAT for children!

Included are all the lapbooking components needed to complete the ONE WEEK~FIVE DAY STUDY that incorporates subjects:  historical biography, science, character and geography.  Activities: vocabulary words, research, question and answer, drawing and more~These are simple enough for the young child, but challenging enough for the experienced one as well!

Everything is here for a week of quality education and what's more, you will be able to spark a curiosity for flight and planes in your child!

 

I will suggest that extensions can be made for a field trip to the airport to see modern planes take off and land! If arranges you could get a tour of the plane and airport.

Each day there is a book list with SUGGESTED books that can be checked out from the public library.  Mrs. Bennettt is sure to let us know that these titles are just suggestions, but she does have links for you to purchase any of them.  Included are video online links to incorporate visual learning~have your speakers on so that all the sights and sounds can be enjoyed!  I was fascinated to watch these "peeks" into the past in the form of short 4-9 minute film that introduced me to the world of early flight: Amelia's world.  I can envision using this study to enhance a study of the early 20th century or a deeper science unit on flight, atmosphere or weather!

Much of the information is found on websites that is written for children, but some for older readers as well.  You will need to read to a young child and navigate the internet usage so that safety is assured.  The lapbook pages are beautiful and full color.  If you want black and white you could print in grayscale to preserve ink, but they are full color and nice!  This is not a coloring project or a book to read from but real lessons built into lapbooking studies for your child.

You will find what you need in this unit study to download it right away and teach without prep or worry!

The only thing you will need to have on hand are simple lapbooking supplies:

file folder

safety scissors

brass brads

glue stick

crayons/markers

pencil

I find Download N Go to be complete and interesting!

Amelia Earhart, the first Biography themed Dwonload N Go study by Amanda Bennettt and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine will be  useful in teaching young children to around fourth or fifth grades about an amazing lady with tenacity and knowledge on the early days of flight.  These are affordable at $7.95 each; you can't go wrong.  There is a chart of projected studies planned for the next several months 
Here!

blessings,

FREEbie Fun for KIDS . . . Big and Littles!

Here are some links for printables~luv this!
Merry Christmas!

FREEbie printable Nativity

Snowflake lover? TAKE this site on to enjoy~

Snowflakes~patterns and MORE!


Christmas links:

Christmas on the web: A thorough and deep trove of resources.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/christmas

Christmas Information, Facts, Legends & Customs
http://www.christmasarchives.com/index.html
http://www.joyfulheart.com/christmas/ articles

Q&A on the real meaning of Christmas from ChristianAnswers.net.
http://www.christiananswers.net/christmas/home.html


Holiday selections from Dr. Ralph Wilson's Christian Articles Archive.
http://www.joyfulheart.com/christmas/

Christmas resources
http://www.teacherhelp.org/chris.htm

History of gingerbread
http://wwwiz.com/issue04/wiz_d04.html

Christmas recipes
http://www.vegsoc.org/info/xmas.html vegetarian
http://www.imagitek.com/xmas/recipes/index.html
http://www.merry-christmas.com/recipes.htm
http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Holidays-and-Events/Christmas/Main.aspx cookies
http://www.merry-christmas.com/recipes/ all sorts

Thanks Laura of HSTreasure Trove and Kathy of Homeschool Buzz ;-))
SisterT.

Merry Christmas!

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is candy canes.  Dare I call it a tradition? But I love to have them on my Christmas tree~yes, I have one of these as well! But the candy cane is not only a yummy delight, but reminds me of the shepherds who the angels told of the birth of the Savior.

The History of the Candy Cane

Traced back to Germany in 1670, legend tells that a choir master of the cathedral gave sugar sticks bent into the shape of a shepherd's staff~crooked to keep his young children who were singers quiet during the long performances in church.  By the 1800's August Imgard of Wooster, Ohio was making candy canes for Christmas tree decorations.  By the turn of the 20th century, candy canes had taken on their familiar shape and continue today as both decor and a sweet delight! Millions are enjoyed around the world~

"As shepherds tended their flocks by night, behold an angel of the Lord who glory shone bright around him said, "Glory to God in the Highest and on Earth, peace goodwill toward men."

It's my prayer that you will enjoy the REAL Christmas this year~the Love of God in Jesus Christ~His birth that began His ministry and led to His crucifixion upon the cross for the sins of humanity.  God sent His only Son so that whosoever believes will not perish, but have life everlasting~the GREATEST gift was LOVE~Jesus!

Coloring pages: 
Candy Cane
Christian Christmas (nativity, angels, and more!) 

Merry Christmas!

FREE eBook: Christmas Helper from Currclick!

Check out this freebie~
Currclick.com

Merry Christmas!

Irreplaceable!

Some things just can't be replaced.  Treasures of all kinds from Grandmother's fine linnens she did beautiful handiwork on, to antiques and other collectables.  Things that are tangible are somewhat in some ways replacable, but in school for our children the care of a good teacher is IRREPLACEABLE!

The public school system has professional teachers with degrees and certifications.  Career and life's calling are at the core of many in the field, and you might find some who are in it for other reasons as well, but in homeschooling, the teacher may not carry credentials.  This teacher may not have a degree from a college or university.  But one thing this teacher has is the BEST interest of the student~totally!  Not to dis the other teachers out there! I have had public and private school teachers impact my own life, and I am friends with some too! I just think that a little motto that I first heard when my children were in public school, "parents are the first and best teachers!" Oh soo true! AND we are totally irreplaceable.

As teachers and parents, our children learn from babyhood throughout their lives! We are with our children to guide, love, train and protect LIKE nobody else! No one has the best interest of our child like we do! NO ONE! I know that there are well meaning and good people who care, but at the end of the day, WHO is going to stand by a young man or lady as she navigates life, but Mother and Daddy!

Relishing today that I am IRREPLACABLE in the lives of my children, and while the Lord will one day take me home on His appointed day, I still will have been and will forever be IRREPLACEABLE!
Think about this! What an opportunity for impact we have on the lives of the NEXT generation in this world~for good or evil...

I often have said and think that in the end, I will not be remembered by how well I dressed, how much my bank account held, or how gorgeously kept my home is, but by the love and care~MY CHILDREN FEEL!

Consider that you too are irreplaceable in the lives of your littles, and make Christmas Merry!

It's the only ONE you've got this year~make the most! (Put your pic where mine is...)

ONLINE Learning~MY Experiences AND Take on It!

A FaceBook buddy is asking about online gaming which leads me to think about our experiences in online learning systems! I have to confess that I have been tempted and succumbed on more than one occasion to purchase online computer based curricula.  AM I HAPPY about this? At this point I have found the ones I've tried to be BUST!

All things considered, I need to explain. 

The first thing we tried was Switched On Schoolhouse by the makers of Alpha and Omega.  It's an online complete curricula for whole grades, and we tried the 3rd grade with our daughter.  It was too isolating for a child that age; meaning that a child does not need to sit computer screen or TV screened for that matter ALL day long~and she was away from my guidance, love and support in learning! I do not recommend this for complete curricula for a young child and read on....

Then I did use Teaching Textbooks Math 7, and PreAlgebra with her as well as her brother.  Different kids, right? ABSOLUTELY! He has thrived on this system.  She disliked TT because she said it was too in depth, hence we tried ALEKS math online.  OK..need to explain what these two are and how they are different.  Teaching Textbooks has a work book and if Math 7 is web based and will self grade.  PreAlgebra is not web based, but has CDs and I graded.  THIS WAS GOOD because I was much more hands on, verses the temptation to let it all get away from me and find out...as I have done with ALEKS that there were learning issues. . .ALEKS is completely web based~no text.  We tried to mitigate this with having our daughter write the problems in a notebook which just slowed her down.  But trying to come up with away to use more than just the key board, mouse and computer screen was challenging! THEN the PIE~which is the only evaluation record that correlates the Items Mastered list and Items (my child) is ready to learn list.  Ha! After 9 mos of working and over 100 plus hours of working~she only mastered around 59% of the program. HOW this occurred was that there are evaluations that are periodically given by the system and you can gain or decrease in your learning percentages~OK..so she failed.  Ha!

The real sap sucker on this is that we then went BACK to TEACHING TEXTBOOKS and pretested to see if you was ready for Alg I~NOT! So after 1/2 a year in PreAlg  and 9 mos (yes, she worked this summer) in ALEKS , AND she is not ready for her high school math~NOW we are heading back into TT to see what we can do...

BUT it's not just math I tried computerized learning~

I went with Advantage Learning's Writing program which is web based.  The program does not except for an evaluation actually teach the way to write.  FRUSTRATING and a B U S T!

THEN~there is foreign language...take TELL ME MORE which has been the BEST thing in our computerized learning arsenal.  Both children find these to be user friendly AND they are learning the material! YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Daughter is learning Japanese and son is learning Spanish!

Overall, I not going to encourage a child to do more than one course or some supplaments on the computer for school.  OUR CHILDREN NEED US~not a computer!!  There's some guilt here on my part, but now I know~and I should have~that nothing replaces a good teacher! NOTHING! Using small doses is not bad, just be AWARE that learning is actually taking place...

ON another bright note, we do use online books like the public domain ones, and when they were younger, the phonics gamed, starfall.com.  I would never suggest this phonics program to stand independent of your care in schooling your young child, but if they like "games" these are FREE and worthy of the educational benefits it they offer!

Blessings, and NOW YA KNOW~from me, anyway...what's your experience?

Online Christmas Party ~BuCKeYe Garland and Candy!

I like a good party and this is going to be GREAT! You can "mingle" around and meet everyone here! There are different rooms to visit, so make yourself at home and enjoy! We are wishing you and yours a VERY MERRY Christmas! along with a prosperous New Year!

I do think I am weird though...OK, you THAT KNOW Me...BUT seriously, I like a simple Christmas tree.  Much of what I like in decorations is crafty.  I like a paper chain on my tree; I've strug popcorn in past years~but never cranberries as WE EAT THOSE! But this post isn't about that stuff, it's about WHAT I have done this year! Our family are Buckeye Transplants meaning we are new to Ohio~the Buckeye State!  Recently a friend of mine gave me a bag of beautiful buckeye nuts.  Now they are not to be eaten, but the are quite pretty I think.

So with my buckeyes displayed this fall in my basket, I began thinking about what I want to do with them.  Along with the buckeye nuts, she gave me a handmade buckeye ornament and necklace made out of the nuts which are adorable! But I wanted to do something different! So I decided to decorate with them by drilling them and stringing them with fishing line.  This evening my children and I worked to drill and string the nuts so they could decorate the chandelier in our kitchen.  Daughter had already hung candy canes, and buckeye nuts would enhance the look...Here's the process...and read on for what we will do tomorrow and see the pic to finish up the project!

It started with drilling these nuts! Now they are hard and slick on the shell~not so easy for a boy learning to use a drill~CAN we call this shop??

The drill slipped on this one~holding them with channel lock pliers helps!

                                                                                                                           With some practice he did a great job in drilling! We used a 2x4 scrap to protect the table.  We were also wary of the drill slipping and catching hands or body~ouch! THIS DID NOT happen, but is possible~BEWARE of drill use dangers!

My son drilled, but so did my daughter~GIRLS COUNT TOO right? Equal opportunity homeschooling!! AND HEY, I got in on it too! Never hurts to know how to use power tools!

                                                                                                                         Here's daughter holding the channel lock pliers with the buckeye nut.  This team work is inspiring in our children.  I love to challenge them with projects they have to help each other with~it teaches so much about working with others and people skills~and at this age: TEENAGERS~YIKES! Seriously, they are a blessing!

You would never want to string these nuts on anything less strong that fishing line.  While not really heavy, a large amount will create some weight when hanging! WHO WANTS a broken garland?

You can see the large bore sewing needle I used here as well.  I did not double strand the fishing line, but if I were making a garland for our Christmas tree, I may well have because of the increased wt.  You can see a bead in this picture. I experimented with beads, but decided that I liked the all natural look of the nuts alone.  They are a nice chocolate brown color so I wanted to preserve this natural look without any other distractions in the colors of  any beads.  You might like beads with yours! I also varied the sizes of the nuts as I strung them.  God doesn't do anything the same way twice, and so I varied the sizes! Who can argue with God's designs?

All strung up! I know these are not good pictures, and I apologize for this, but my camera is unavailable.  Cell phones don't always do it, do they? To discuss stringing a bit further, please BEFORE you do more than the first one, tie it off by holding the two strands of fish line together and put the nut into a knot so that it will stay put as you string the rest of your beads.  If you don't tie it somehow, your buckeyes will fall off the fish line as you string it.

It's difficult to see, but daughter is draping the garland on the chandelier.

                                   Still hard to see but it's all draped now! Looks pretty good!

     This is our Christmas tree 2009.  My daughter said she really likes ALL the stuff on our tree.  I thought it was because it is all of the handmade stuff, and in a sense she agreed, but added, "it's our stuff~stuff from all our Christmas' A REAL trip down memory lane and our lives!"  Wow~ I like having their first little ornaments they made on it each year, but I never knew she valued it too.

Thank you God for this warm moment between us~Christmas is about so much and we thank you for all Your blessings. Amen.

                                                                                                                                                                    I don't know if you have buckeyes where you are, but you could use nuts of any type to string if you wanted to that are "worthless." I think acorns are pretty too and pine cones! Walnuts would work!   I am going out in the morning to pick some evergreen branches and put them in the chandelier as well.  I may even ties some bows...hmmm...WHAT COLOR? Red, a plaid or gingham? I have some yarn~

Thanks for coming by and I hope that our simple idea is one that will inspire you to look to God's world for some decorating ideas. It's pretty much FREE and using His designs!

Have you ever eaten Buckeyes Candy?? YUM!

Here's the recipe!

Merry Christmas!

C is For Christmas and Cookies! FUNtastic Folders 2 UNIT Study: In the Kitchen and the Nativity

I have been given the opportunity to review C is for Christmas and Cookies 2 Unit Studies: In the Kitchen and the Nativity by Sharon Crooks and Pamela Fenske which is a PDF download consumable offered by Currclick.com.   At this time, I am not an affiliate of Currclick and will receive no monetary compensation for this review other than that I received the product (FTC required statement).  I want to review this product for you who have young children who will benefit from such a study.

This lapbook/eStudy is a brightly colorful 67 page down load in PDF format.  There are actually two studies as the title suggests, one on cooking in the kitchen and the other on the Nativity~both themed around Christmas.  The age group targeted by this study is K-2nd grades.  I think that this is about right, and I like how the text is written to your child to engage him in the process of the learning.  Of course you will want to help your child in each phase of this study as in the kitchen there is learning about some of the tools of baking as well as hygiene such as handwashing which is so important.  I really like how handwashing is reinforced for the child in pictures as well as in activity.

BUILD MEMORIES with your child this Christmas Season with Christmas LEARNING!

Nothing is more fun than cooking together and working on projects to learn together!  Inside C is for Christmas and Cookies you will find fun activities like baking yummy cookies and building on skills so useful in the kitchen as well as Biblical learning about the birth of our Savior! Schooling around the season with a definite REASON is presented here~you will be able to share Christ and His birth as well as the fun aspects of baking cookies.  No Santa in this study, it's all about Him!

Right in the beginning there is a supplies list so you won't be in the dark over what you will need. I do think this is very important as I hate to be mid-project and have to stop to run and get something~this is a magic buster with kids, or it has been with mine! They want me ready to go~supplies in hand, even when they were younger!   This list in in the beginning of the study. There are no unusual supplies needed, but common things, but you may have to go and get some brass paper brads.  If you are like me, you will have most other supplies, but just make sure you look the list over well~none are extravagant.

Colorful pictures illustrate how to put the Funtastic Folder together.  There are many hands on projects as well as reinforcement activities to teach so many things!

I have been asked if lapbooks could or are used as complete curriculum for young children.  There is so much here that it could certainly be used if not as entire curricula, but as a launch for sure! Each child is different and each situation, but here's what you will find:


1. Science.  There is a discussion on germs and what they do.
2. Health.    Good handwashing and illness prevention is discussed as well as kitchen etiquette.
3. Homemaking.  Baking cookies fits this bill~yum! And these are kid friendly recipes that are tasty!
4. Math.  Measurements are taught in the cooking with practical hands on as well as an activity!
5. Handwriting. There is copywork for your child with appropriate 3 lined paper.
6.  Fine motor skill development. Loads of cute, large cut outs for your child's folder!
7.  Safety skills.  There are special instructions for kitchen safety.

9.  Listening/Reading skills. The Christmas story is presented.

10. Critical thinking.  Puzzles and more! Loads of activities for each section!

C is for Christmas and Cookies  is a wonderful age appropriate offering that children K-2nd grade will love! 

Thanks Shari Crooks for this opportunity to review C is for Christmas and Cookies  for my readers!

Merry Christmas and go check out C is for Christmas and Cookies! 
Regularly priced $21.99 on sale: $18.99!!