I love contests and freebies!!! Check out the Kelly Moore Site to see if you win a Kelly Moore Bag!! I have entered.. will you??
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Tuesday, February 9, 2010
What I have Learned While Homeschooling!
While working on a mom’s night presentation for our homeschool group, some
things came to mind, that I wanted to share with you. These are those lessons I have learned from being a mom, a homeschooling mom of children with special needs. Even if you do nto have a child with special needs, I think you might pull something from this as well!
You know, I can remember back to when I was a brand new mother. And we had our first child, a perfect little boy. A few months later we were told that he was having seizures. From that moment our world was changed.. and it has never been the same.
Our homeschooling journey has been defined by the learning disabilities and health struggles in our family. There has been no room in our home for comparing to others. Looking at other children to see how our child
is doing, if they are at the same skill level etc..
In some ways this is so very freeing. Because, you realize in short order that each and every one of us are created uniquely by our Creator. We all know this, for sure, but it is a totally different thing when you work with your child who is struggling to read or to write his name, or maybe even, to simply to sit in a chair.
In homeschooling, we often times get so caught up in what the world is doing, what the world is expecting, that we forget that we are raising these children up to glorify the Lord.
Recently, I was having a conversation with a mom about labels. There are some families that have the thought that labels are a bad thing and should be
avoided at all costs. While I understand their thinking, I do not agree with them. I agree, you do not want your child to become their label, you also do not want them to use the label as a crutch.
However, by having a label you will be able to have resources on how to help them overcome their struggle. For example, my son has dyslexia. By reading about dyslexia, first I was able to ascertain, whether or not he really did have dyslexia, or if he was simply delayed. Second, I was able to locate the
resources that helped him to overcome his reading struggles. Sounds like a win-win situation to me!
Here is one way to think of labels. When you are sick do you just guess at what is wrong with you, and then give yourself the cure that you think you need?
Or do you go to the doctor, or health practitioner of your choice? Perhaps do blood work, or take an X- ray? Then you know how to handle what is truly
going on within your body. The same rings true with your child! Learning what ‘label’ may be attached to a learning struggle can help you help your child
achieve all that the Lord has planned for him!
Also, figuring out what is going on with your child does not necessarily mean taking them into the local school district. You can do much of the research
yourself, at the library, the book store or on the internet and the other families in your local homeschool group. If you do feel you need outside
help, you can then determine if you need to try to get help from the district, or if you can acquire private help, perhaps through your insurance.
Now, how can this help you with your child, who does not have any learning disabilities? I think that it is helpful when home educating our children to think outside the box. Okay, that is such a cliché, I just really do not know how else to describe it without using another cliché, like, sometimes you will need to take the ‘unbeaten path’!
So, what do I mean by this? What I mean is that as homeschoolers we have the ability to change gears if something does not work. We do not have to wait for the school board to approve new curriculum. We can look at a situation, if our child is not flourishing with this curriculum, analyze what is going on.
Does he need something more interactive, hands on? Do I need something that does the teaching for me? In order for him to understand it better. Does he simply need to take breaks between math problems, or does he need to do his heavy work (whatever is difficult for him) early in the day, or late in the afternoon? Does he need to run a lap before he sits down to read?
Sometimes when homeschoolers, especially new homeschoolers, hit a
brick wall with their kids, they feel they have failed, that homeschooling is not working. Often times, if we step back and look at what is going on, simply
changing curriculum, or method, or schedule is all that is needed for that
child to thrive! Don’t throw in the towel! Remember what it says in
Galatians 6:9 "And Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season
we shall reap if we faint not." Keep the faith, God enables those He calls!
It has also helped me to realize that the scope and sequences of the world, are arbitrary! Yes, you can use them as a guide, especially if you have no idea
what to teach. However, if you take a a look at several, from different states,
and different curriculum publishers, you will soon find that they each do it a little different. There are some things that you must teach in order, as they build on each other.
However, many things can be taught when your child is either ready, or if they have the interest. When a child learns about something while they have an interest in that subject, the child is more likely to retain it long term! This is also a great reminder for us as teacher to keep our subject matter interesting! Interest led learning is a great way to go! If your child has a love for something, like animals, or aviation, or railroads, incorporate as much learning as you can about that subject. You will never regret
it! And neither will they!
While homeschooling we want to help our child have academic excellence, however, we want to remember what the bible says, ‘For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?’ Mark 8:36. We want our children to do well academically in order to live out the purpose God has for their lives, and to glorify Him, not simply to be man-pleasers.
Friends, don’t throw in the towel! Look outside the box, find that unbeaten path, and you just mind find the answers that will help your family accomplish all that God has for you!
things came to mind, that I wanted to share with you. These are those lessons I have learned from being a mom, a homeschooling mom of children with special needs. Even if you do nto have a child with special needs, I think you might pull something from this as well!
You know, I can remember back to when I was a brand new mother. And we had our first child, a perfect little boy. A few months later we were told that he was having seizures. From that moment our world was changed.. and it has never been the same.
Our homeschooling journey has been defined by the learning disabilities and health struggles in our family. There has been no room in our home for comparing to others. Looking at other children to see how our child
is doing, if they are at the same skill level etc..
In some ways this is so very freeing. Because, you realize in short order that each and every one of us are created uniquely by our Creator. We all know this, for sure, but it is a totally different thing when you work with your child who is struggling to read or to write his name, or maybe even, to simply to sit in a chair.
In homeschooling, we often times get so caught up in what the world is doing, what the world is expecting, that we forget that we are raising these children up to glorify the Lord.
Recently, I was having a conversation with a mom about labels. There are some families that have the thought that labels are a bad thing and should be
avoided at all costs. While I understand their thinking, I do not agree with them. I agree, you do not want your child to become their label, you also do not want them to use the label as a crutch.
However, by having a label you will be able to have resources on how to help them overcome their struggle. For example, my son has dyslexia. By reading about dyslexia, first I was able to ascertain, whether or not he really did have dyslexia, or if he was simply delayed. Second, I was able to locate the
resources that helped him to overcome his reading struggles. Sounds like a win-win situation to me!
Here is one way to think of labels. When you are sick do you just guess at what is wrong with you, and then give yourself the cure that you think you need?
Or do you go to the doctor, or health practitioner of your choice? Perhaps do blood work, or take an X- ray? Then you know how to handle what is truly
going on within your body. The same rings true with your child! Learning what ‘label’ may be attached to a learning struggle can help you help your child
achieve all that the Lord has planned for him!
Also, figuring out what is going on with your child does not necessarily mean taking them into the local school district. You can do much of the research
yourself, at the library, the book store or on the internet and the other families in your local homeschool group. If you do feel you need outside
help, you can then determine if you need to try to get help from the district, or if you can acquire private help, perhaps through your insurance.
Now, how can this help you with your child, who does not have any learning disabilities? I think that it is helpful when home educating our children to think outside the box. Okay, that is such a cliché, I just really do not know how else to describe it without using another cliché, like, sometimes you will need to take the ‘unbeaten path’!
So, what do I mean by this? What I mean is that as homeschoolers we have the ability to change gears if something does not work. We do not have to wait for the school board to approve new curriculum. We can look at a situation, if our child is not flourishing with this curriculum, analyze what is going on.
Does he need something more interactive, hands on? Do I need something that does the teaching for me? In order for him to understand it better. Does he simply need to take breaks between math problems, or does he need to do his heavy work (whatever is difficult for him) early in the day, or late in the afternoon? Does he need to run a lap before he sits down to read?
Sometimes when homeschoolers, especially new homeschoolers, hit a
brick wall with their kids, they feel they have failed, that homeschooling is not working. Often times, if we step back and look at what is going on, simply
changing curriculum, or method, or schedule is all that is needed for that
child to thrive! Don’t throw in the towel! Remember what it says in
Galatians 6:9 "And Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season
we shall reap if we faint not." Keep the faith, God enables those He calls!
It has also helped me to realize that the scope and sequences of the world, are arbitrary! Yes, you can use them as a guide, especially if you have no idea
what to teach. However, if you take a a look at several, from different states,
and different curriculum publishers, you will soon find that they each do it a little different. There are some things that you must teach in order, as they build on each other.
However, many things can be taught when your child is either ready, or if they have the interest. When a child learns about something while they have an interest in that subject, the child is more likely to retain it long term! This is also a great reminder for us as teacher to keep our subject matter interesting! Interest led learning is a great way to go! If your child has a love for something, like animals, or aviation, or railroads, incorporate as much learning as you can about that subject. You will never regret
it! And neither will they!
While homeschooling we want to help our child have academic excellence, however, we want to remember what the bible says, ‘For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?’ Mark 8:36. We want our children to do well academically in order to live out the purpose God has for their lives, and to glorify Him, not simply to be man-pleasers.
Friends, don’t throw in the towel! Look outside the box, find that unbeaten path, and you just mind find the answers that will help your family accomplish all that God has for you!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Year 3 TOS Homeschool Crew Try-Outs About to Set Sail!!
Have you been reading the reviews written by me and my fellow crew mates over the last 2 years, thinking.. 'How can I get in on that?' Here is your chance!!
TOS Homeschool Crew is about to set sail on it's 3rd year! And it's beginning NOW!!!
Please visit here to read about what is expected of a crew member! And to learn how to begin this process!
I have to tell you that I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the TOS Homeschool Crew! As most homeschoolers who have homeschooled for a handful or more years, (in our case 10 years) you really do have a homeschoolng profile. Methods or styles that you avoid, and ones you seem to navigate towards. Being a part of the crew, has allowed me to use products I would have never tried out on my own! And sometimes I am very surprised, that I LOVE it!!!
Our personal homeschool journey has been made more interesting, more adventurous and most of all, more successful, because of the time I have spent on the crew! Outside of our family, I have really enjoyed having access to these products, and then being able to share them with our homeschool group!
I have always loved the idea of homeschoolers helping homeschoolers! That is the crew at it's best! And what's great is there are over 100 reviewers. So I may love it, and someone else may not, or vice versa. Either way, we will explain why we feel that way, and the homeschool parent at home, can begin to figure out, from a real homeschool parent if this is something that will work for their family!
Please note, this is work! You have deadlines to keep and guidelines to follow! However, the work is well worth the opportunity to try out these products!
If this sounds like something you would like to try.. please click here and begin your voyage with the crew!!! You won't be sorry!!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Math Tutor DVD
This is my second year as a crew mate on The TOS Homeschool Crew. On my first voyage with the crew, I had the privilege of reviewing Math Tutor DVD.com (you can read that review here) and once again I have been given the opportunity to review a product by Math Tutor DVD.com.
I was sent a a free copy of Young Minds Numbers and Counting to review. Now, I have been a fan of Mathtutordvd.com since before I was a member of the crew, so I was thrilled to hear that we would have another opportunity to look at one of their products.
Most of DVD's are of Jason Gibson teaching math concepts in front of a white board. As you can see from the photo above this DVD is nothing of the sort.
This DVD is designed for the preschooler. It blends beautiful classical music pieces, with stunning photography and adds in counting up to the number 10. There is repetition of counting, which helps to reinforce what they are learning.
There are also bonus features on the DVD. Dot-to-Dot which shows an incomplete photo and then dots. The child visually follows along while the photo is completed, which is yet another way to reinforce their counting skills up to 10. Also in that section you will find a puzzle section. In this section, they divide the screen in several sections using puzzle shapes, as they count each section is 'removed' to reveal the picture below.
My kids are all much too old for this product, however, I really enjoyed watching it through. I liked that fact that there was beautiful classical music throughout the entire DVD. There are countless studies that link listening to classical music with improving math abilities. Here the two are married beautifully.
If you have a preschooler, this would be one DVD you wouldn't mind watching over and over.... and over!
You can order you copy of Young Mind Numbers and Counting for $19.99.
If you are saying to yourself, that's great, but I no loner have a preschooler! Well, I would encourage you to visit MathTutorDVD.com. Where their tagline is Math Help, Algebra Help, Calculus Help, Physics Help and everything in between! I have been using MathTutorDVD.com for several years in my home. Since math is not my strong point, these DVD's have helped me teach my children when I get stuck! We pop in the DVD and away we go. He explains the concepts, and works through many practice problems. MathTutorDVD.com has been invaluable in our home. Please check them out to see if they will benefit yours!
Please visit the crew blog to see what my crew mates have to say about this awesome product!!!
I was sent a a free copy of Young Minds Numbers and Counting to review. Now, I have been a fan of Mathtutordvd.com since before I was a member of the crew, so I was thrilled to hear that we would have another opportunity to look at one of their products.
Most of DVD's are of Jason Gibson teaching math concepts in front of a white board. As you can see from the photo above this DVD is nothing of the sort.
This DVD is designed for the preschooler. It blends beautiful classical music pieces, with stunning photography and adds in counting up to the number 10. There is repetition of counting, which helps to reinforce what they are learning.
There are also bonus features on the DVD. Dot-to-Dot which shows an incomplete photo and then dots. The child visually follows along while the photo is completed, which is yet another way to reinforce their counting skills up to 10. Also in that section you will find a puzzle section. In this section, they divide the screen in several sections using puzzle shapes, as they count each section is 'removed' to reveal the picture below.
My kids are all much too old for this product, however, I really enjoyed watching it through. I liked that fact that there was beautiful classical music throughout the entire DVD. There are countless studies that link listening to classical music with improving math abilities. Here the two are married beautifully.
If you have a preschooler, this would be one DVD you wouldn't mind watching over and over.... and over!
You can order you copy of Young Mind Numbers and Counting for $19.99.
If you are saying to yourself, that's great, but I no loner have a preschooler! Well, I would encourage you to visit MathTutorDVD.com. Where their tagline is Math Help, Algebra Help, Calculus Help, Physics Help and everything in between! I have been using MathTutorDVD.com for several years in my home. Since math is not my strong point, these DVD's have helped me teach my children when I get stuck! We pop in the DVD and away we go. He explains the concepts, and works through many practice problems. MathTutorDVD.com has been invaluable in our home. Please check them out to see if they will benefit yours!
Please visit the crew blog to see what my crew mates have to say about this awesome product!!!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
The Great Eight
Olympic Gold Medal figure skater Scott Hamilton shares his eight secrets to finding happiness in the face of a life filled with challenges, difficulties, and career-canceling odds.
With never-been-told, behind-the-scenes stories from the skating world, personal challenges including testicular cancer and a brain tumor, as well as divine miracles, Olympic Gold Medal figure skater Scott Hamilton shares the secrets to his lifelong journey to find the silver (and gold) lining in the clouds of life. His life principles, fashioned into eight secrets that begin with the rote of learning to skate the figure 8, are the keys. Scott says, "Skating taught me how to be happy. I have always kept these eight as my own private, personal secrets that I practiced daily with repetition, focus, and discipline. Now I want to share them with the world."
The Great Eight, is a book meant to inspire the reader. As I made my way through the book, I was amazed by the adversity that Scott Hamilton has endured since he was a small child, in the form if health issues.
As a mother with children who have had to struggle through health challenges, it is wonderful to hear stories of successful adults, who have to persevere, and who have excelled!
I am thankful to have taken the time to read The Great Eight, and thankful that Scott Hamilton shared his experiences with the world. Those experiences are bound to help a struggling young person, or not so young person, as they travel down what ever trial they may happen upon.
You can purchase your copy and book retailers near you.
**I was given a free copy of The Great Eight as a member of the Book Sneeze program, in exchange for my honest opinion. All views expressed here are my own, and do not constitute a guarantee of service. **
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Help Haiti While Growing Your Homeschool Library!!!
Last year, I introduced you to a neat new company called Homeschool Library Builder. This is a wonderful resource for homeschoolers, or really anyone who is educating with literature.
At HSLB you will find both new and gently books and affordable prices. And to top that off if you become a member you get some extra perks, including ways on earning credit towards future purchases!
I love the fact that this business is run by 2 homeschool mom's. What you will find throughout the site, is their special attention to find ways to help the homeschool family. If you click on their About Homeschooling button, you will find helpful info for the family, as well as, for your family.
Please visit my original review here, to learn more about what Homeschool Library Builder has to offer.
If you act RIGHT NOW they have two awesome specials going this month. With one of them you can help out Haiti and help yourself all at the same time!
First, for the entire month you can save 20% off everything in the store. That alone is an great discount, considering their already low prices! However, they are also giving you an opportunity to save an additional 15%. They are asking their customers to make a donation of any amount to the Heartline Ministries, serving Haiti. If you do ,you will then receive an online coupon for an additional 15%, good for Super Bowl Sunday only. That's a total of 35% savings!
Please visit Homeschool Library Builder this weekend and help others while helping your family.
I have written this review as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew, I have not received and compensation in the form of product or payment, however what I have written is an honest opinion of HSLB.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Ok, So I am Going to Homeschool Now What??
If you are a new homeschooler you probably have thought this at one time or another. Or as you plug away through your year, you might be thinking this is not working, now what?
Often times as new homeschoolers, when we start we start with what we know about. If we have a friend using a certain curriculum or program, we try it. If it worked for them it will work for us, right? Not necessarily!
Once you have decide to homeschool, or once you realize that you need to change what you are doing, there are several resources you can use to help you design your own curriculum. What does that mean?
Basically you can either pay someone else to design your curriculum for you, this would be Abeka, Bob Jones, Rod and Staff, Sonlight, My Father's World, etc... these curriculum companies give you the opportunity to purchase all your curriculum in a box. Which is where the term boxed curriculum. Many, many families have great success with purchasing and using boxed curriculum.
However, sometimes the cost can be pretty hefty, especially if you have a large family. Or you may have some special learning needs in your family, and this may require you to design your own curriculum. So where do you start?
There are several resources that I have used to design our homeschool curriculum. The first book I would recommend would be; Home Learning Year by Year, How to Design a Homeschool Curriculum from Preschool Through High School by Rebecca Rupp.
This book has been invaluable to me in the developing a curriculum for my homeschool. You can either use it to design your curriculum, or you can use it to make sure what you have designed has not left major gaps.
Another great book is, What Your Child Needs to Know When, According to the State, According to the Bible, by Robin Sampson. In this book you will find not only great information aon biblical standards versus worldly ones, you will also find checklists with room for 5 children, to ensure your children are on track. This is good for grade K-8.
You might be saying, that those are great, but you really do not have the budget to spend on books right now. There are also a couple of great resources online that can help guide you on your homeschool journey.
One of those is World Book Encyclopedia Scope and Sequence. On this site you will find a typical course study from preschool all the way up to high school. It is not curriculum, but it will point you in the direction of where you need to go.
Another great website is Old Fashioned Education.
The creator of this website, created this curriculum for her children. She created it from Kindergarten -11th grade. She was a mother of 2 active boys with little to no budget for homeschooling. You can use her website to show you how to create lesson plans, or you can use the ones she created. You can follow exactly what she supplies or you can use it as a spring board or as supplement.
On Old Fashioned Education, you will find a full curriculum. Just about everything you need is there, for free. In the form of free resources on the internet (such as free e-books from the people of Answer in Genesis) , or books that have lost their copyright, so they are available for free. So these books are old. We have utilized this website many times throughout our homeschooling.
There are many resources available on the site, to help you get started.
If you find your self homeschooling and really have no clue where to start, in addition, to the resources listed here, you can also peruse the big curriculum companies ( listed above) and see what they teach in what grade and that will help you choose how to construct your lessons.
My prayer is that one or more of these resources wil be a blessing to you and your homeschool.
Happy Homeschooling!
Often times as new homeschoolers, when we start we start with what we know about. If we have a friend using a certain curriculum or program, we try it. If it worked for them it will work for us, right? Not necessarily!
Once you have decide to homeschool, or once you realize that you need to change what you are doing, there are several resources you can use to help you design your own curriculum. What does that mean?
Basically you can either pay someone else to design your curriculum for you, this would be Abeka, Bob Jones, Rod and Staff, Sonlight, My Father's World, etc... these curriculum companies give you the opportunity to purchase all your curriculum in a box. Which is where the term boxed curriculum. Many, many families have great success with purchasing and using boxed curriculum.
However, sometimes the cost can be pretty hefty, especially if you have a large family. Or you may have some special learning needs in your family, and this may require you to design your own curriculum. So where do you start?
There are several resources that I have used to design our homeschool curriculum. The first book I would recommend would be; Home Learning Year by Year, How to Design a Homeschool Curriculum from Preschool Through High School by Rebecca Rupp.
This book has been invaluable to me in the developing a curriculum for my homeschool. You can either use it to design your curriculum, or you can use it to make sure what you have designed has not left major gaps.
Another great book is, What Your Child Needs to Know When, According to the State, According to the Bible, by Robin Sampson. In this book you will find not only great information aon biblical standards versus worldly ones, you will also find checklists with room for 5 children, to ensure your children are on track. This is good for grade K-8.
You might be saying, that those are great, but you really do not have the budget to spend on books right now. There are also a couple of great resources online that can help guide you on your homeschool journey.
One of those is World Book Encyclopedia Scope and Sequence. On this site you will find a typical course study from preschool all the way up to high school. It is not curriculum, but it will point you in the direction of where you need to go.
Another great website is Old Fashioned Education.
The creator of this website, created this curriculum for her children. She created it from Kindergarten -11th grade. She was a mother of 2 active boys with little to no budget for homeschooling. You can use her website to show you how to create lesson plans, or you can use the ones she created. You can follow exactly what she supplies or you can use it as a spring board or as supplement.
On Old Fashioned Education, you will find a full curriculum. Just about everything you need is there, for free. In the form of free resources on the internet (such as free e-books from the people of Answer in Genesis) , or books that have lost their copyright, so they are available for free. So these books are old. We have utilized this website many times throughout our homeschooling.
There are many resources available on the site, to help you get started.
If you find your self homeschooling and really have no clue where to start, in addition, to the resources listed here, you can also peruse the big curriculum companies ( listed above) and see what they teach in what grade and that will help you choose how to construct your lessons.
My prayer is that one or more of these resources wil be a blessing to you and your homeschool.
Happy Homeschooling!
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