The Old Schoolhouse Magazine $7.95 and 10 FREE gifts!!!

For many years now I have loved The Old Schoolhouse Magazine! And it is NOT because I am a part of the TOS Crew!!!  TOS has blessed my family, myself and my homeschool for many years now. Long before the crew was a glimmer in their eyes! If you have toyed with the thought of subscribing, now really is a great time! Times are tough for so many, especially families living on one income! I usually have paid $39 for 2 years. Right now their special is $7.95 for 1 year, plus 10 free gifts. Please see the ad below to see how to redeem this offer!!!

Happy Homeschooling!!!

We are a magazine with a heart for homeschooling.

Through the years, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine has reached thousands of homeschooling families like yours around the world--each with different homeschooling styles and needs, but the same goal of providing the best education possible for your children.

Each family is unique and TOS Magazine provides a variety of content from experts and homeschooing families just like yours. They share their triumphs and trials, ideas and resources.

Now, you can enjoy a one-year subscription for only $7.95!

The Real Deal--Get at least $100 worth of gifts for FREE!

These are tight economic times. Many homeschooling families are sacrificing extra income to provide an education for their children.

At TOS Magazine we support and stand with you, in your convictions and in this economy. That is why we are delivering big savings on subscriptions and at least $100 worth of free gifts!

Subscribe or renew for one year (U.S., print) and pay only $7.95. PLUS, receive 10 FREE gifts--while supplies last!

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With your renewal, you'll receive a FREE copy of Dreams and Designs--Homemade Supplies to Complement Your Homeschool! This bonus E-Book is in addition to the 10 FREE gifts! Renew now!
 

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Read more about the Dreams and Designs: Homemade Supplies to Complement Your Homeschool E-Book.This $12.45 value is yours FREE, when you renew your Canadian or international subscription.

Do you know someone with whom you would like to share this fantastic deal?

Our Winter 2009 issue is absolutely packed with
articles on support groups, preschoolers, and
tips and tricks for teaching writing!

Winter is a wonderful time to get cozy and catch up on YOUR homeschool reading.
You'll find all the support and information you need to get re-energized for the upcoming new year inside each issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine.

Just take a look at what's inside the crisp, cool cover of the
Winter 2009 issue:

• Speech & Debate by Chris Jeub


• The Fast Track to Memorization by Carol Barnier


• Conflict in a Homeschool Group by Carol Topp


• World War I: The War to End All Wars, a Unit Study by Jennifer Steward


• The Spiritual Instruction of Preschoolers by Mike and Carolyn Riggs


• Leadership Education for Followers: "Freedomship Education" Defined by Andrea Newitt


• Top 10 Tips for Teaching Writing by Fran Santoro Hamilton


• Support Groups: Cultivating a Garden of Friendship by Cheryl A. Bastian


• Three Keys to Teaching Writing by Danielle Olander


• The Three Flavors of Speech Communication by JoJo Tabares


• The Princess or the Pack Mule by Denise Mira


• Preschool: Start at the Very Beginning by Kendra Fletcher


• Helping the Reluctant Writer by Lee Roddy


• Homeschooling: Growing and Thriving in the 21st Century by Amelia Harper


• Mix It Up . . . From Scratch! by Lisa Barthuly


• When "No" Is Beautiful--And When God Changes It by Melissa Culver


• Contemporary Classical Education: It Really Can Work for You! by Andrea Newitt


• Magnetic Books by Jan Bloom


• Ten Writing Tips by Ruth Beechick


• Seven Gifts to Give Yourself by Molly Green

"Every issue is just like attending a homeschool conference--motivation galore! I receive many homeschool magazines, etc., but yours really stands heads above the rest."
--Katrina V.
Spring 2007

". . . The pages of TOS overflow with ideas and thoughts that make me feel right at home . . . I've always been annoyed by magazines that are full of advertising, but with TOS, I find resources that make sense for real life . . . You have helped me to have the best year of homeschool I've had yet!"
--Vicky
Spring 2007

Why should you subscribe or renew NOW?

• The 10 FREE gifts are gone at  midnight on October 30!
  


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• You'll receive a FREE copy of Dreams and Designs with your renewal!
  


• The Winter issue and your next 3 issues will be right there to provide you with information, ideas, advice, and encouragement for the coming year!

 

 Hurry! Friday, October 30, the
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Remember, use coupon code 10GIFTS to get the special price and 10 gifts.

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Vantage Learning

Recently we had a homeschool graduate and  college student over for dinner. I quizzed her a bit, around the dinner table, about what she felt was the most important skill academically to have in college. She shared with us, that the ability to communicate, whether that is verbally or in written form, is essential in order to excel. And the skill of writing a paper and other types of reports and communications are the most important skill. Actually what she was sharing is that she wished that she had a stronger foundation in that area.

With that piece of knowledge, we began our school year with the desire to strengthen that skill in each of the children.

Imagine my excitement when I learned that I would be reviewing MyAccess from My Vantage Learning. MyAccess is an online writing program. As part of the crew, I was given a one year membership for all of my children and myself.

Here is what they say about their program:
    "My Access will help you develop the strong writing skills and confidence you need to be successful in both your academic and professional efforts. A completely web-based solution to improve your writing.  My Access requires no software and is accessible anywhere you have a computer and an internet connection- at home, at school, at work, or at the library."

Everyone on the crew received the 'Home Edition'  here is what they say about their "Home Edition":
      "My Access Home Edition fits neatly into any language arts curriculum, whether you're homeschooling your own children, tutoring students after school, or just trying to help a child improve his or her academic confidence."

  I have used the  program with my 14 year old and myself. I wanted to have a working knowledge of both the student and the teacher/parent applications. You can view demos of both the student and parent accounts here.

I have been very happy with the product! Here is how it works.....

You will set up an account for yourself and for your student. In the parent/teacher account you will pick the age range of your student. From the teacher account you will be able to set assignments. You will also be able to see the progress of each of your students. You are  able to print out the reports that your student writes. As well as the performance report for each assignment.

Once a child submits an assignment, they are graded. They will rank somewhere between Below Proficient-Proficient and Advanced. They are also given a Holistic Writing Score.

The child is then given an opportunity to revise their submission. Based on the mistakes made, the program will give them tips and pointers on how to correct their paper.

While this program is not an all inclusive writing program. There is a teaching session during each assignment. When your student clicks into the 'assignment' they will have the option to select 'Earn Points', which will take them to the writing course. They will earn points as they work through the course. Or they can choose 'Begin Writing' which will let them start their draft.

There is also a tab called 'Activities'. Under this tab you will find extra skill building activities that build on the writing course.

Within the writing course, the student is taken through a scenario where they are a new reporter following a reporter on assignment. While they are tagging along they learn the steps needed to create an interesting story.

In addition to the pre-designed assignments that come with your program, you also have the ability to assign a custom report. So if they have just read a book and need to write a book report, you can use this program to do that.


If you feel at all inadequate in teaching writing or simply need some help in this area. My Access would be an awesome addition to your homeschool repertoire .

You can order a one year subscription for either 3 students and a parent or 6 students and a parent.
The cost for the entire year for 3 students is-$99.95
                                and for 6 students it is-$129.95

Don't forget to check out the crew blog and see what my crew mates have to say about My Access.

Christian Music

We are a ver conservative Christian family. We strive to do all we can to live a modest and godly life. And in this world, that can sometimes be quite difficult.

I am not a seamstress, which means we must search for clothes we deem appropriate. In this time of Hannah Montana and baggy clothes, not to mention the provactive clothing they try to sell preteen and teen girls this is not easy to accomplish. It is, however, well worth the effort.

Another area where we are quite conservative is our music choices. Many years ago, I had made the decision that we would listen to  conservative Christian Music primarily. We would not listen to the radio, we would purchase the music we would like to listen to, and we would make sure that it was God honoring, and not worldy in nature.

I have seen a difference in myself after switching over to conservative Christian music. I also see a difference in my kids. They were small when I made the choice. And now that they are teens, I can see that they do not fall into many of the same traps I see other young people fall into. Not to mention some of the traps I fell into as a young person. And they love the music that we listen to. Actually, they request it. It is on theri Ipods and MP3 players! On our family trip to Disneyworld, they each had headphones listening to the music of their choice... conserative Christian music!

We now have an awesome resource at our fingertips!

Our church has established an internet radio site. Please visit http://www.lancasterbaptist.org/internet-radio.asp to find 24 hour God honoring Christian Music!  This amazing resource if FREE!!! I pray that your family will be blessed by this  new ministry!

 

Virginia Soaps and Scents

As a member of TOS Homeschool Crew we received a complimentary sampler from Virginia Soaps and Scents, in order to complete this review.  I had read about them in The Old Schoolhouse magazine and had been interested in trying their products. So, I was excited to hear that I would be reviewing them this year!

I have a friend who began making soaps, so I am a little bit familiar with hand made soaps. Well, only familiar enough to know that I like them. I watched part of the soap making process and  it looks very labor intensive... a labor of love.

In our sampler we received 'bed and breakfast' size versions of the larger bar. The bar you purchase is 4 times the size of what I held in my hand and weighs in at 4.75 ounces.

Virginia Soaps and Scents has based their business on their 'Handcrafted Olive Oil Soap'. I have learned that this is a real soap, not a detergent. Most of what you would find on the shelves in the stores are detergent bars rather than soap. They use all natural ingredients with no added chemicals for hardening or lathering properties.  The bars are extremely hard and long lasting due to the recipe they created. The bars do have a fluffy lather from the generous amount of coconut oil that is added. 

I received  Fresh Orange, Coconut Lemon grass and Oatmeal, Milk and Honey.
Now, I have only tried the Fresh Orange bar of soap. That is because it is indeed long lasting. I did not want to open and use all of them at once. However, I have smelled the other scents and they also are very pleasant. I really enjoy the fragrance. It is not too over powering and not too faint. It is just... right!

You can purchase one bar for $4.50. However they have several different discounts offered;

             3 bars for $12

     Buy 4 get 1 FREE

                Buy 10 Bars  for $35

The next item I received was a sample Shampoo Bar. I received the Ginger Lime Scent, though it is also available in Cherry Almond and Coconut Lemongrass.  They even have one specially formulated for Oily Hair in the scent of Tangerine Grapefruit.  Their shampoo bar contains no added color. It is also olive oil based  but also contains castor oil which helps to hold in moisture. I was very curious about the shampoo bar, it is so different than what we are accustom to using. The full size shampoo bar is 5.5 oz.  It will give you the same number of shampoos as a 32 oz. bottle of shampoo. They also recommend that you can use it all over if you have dry skin, and that it is also great to shave with.  I did try the bar. I liked it the more that I used it.  It did clean my hair.... it even had a "squeak" to it!  The Shampoo Bars are available for $5.50 or 2 for $10.

The last thing that we received was the Laundry Soap Kit. Now I am going to be honest with you, I have been making my own laundry soap for quite some time. So this was not foriegn to me.  I did try their product and it made up a nice batch of Laundry Soap. My clothes came out clean! And with 5 kids  I have plenty of laundry to try it on !!

You have two options with the Laundry Soap. You can purchase it in the kit form, as they gave it to us. Which includes the grated cleaning soap and a pre measured amount of Borax and Washing Soda.  That will make two gallons of a gel form soap. The cost for that is $4.95. Or you can purchase the cleaning bar, which is just the soap, ungrated. And you would then add Borax and Washing Soda to it, and follow the same recipe. The cleaning Bar costs $3.95. And it will make 2 batches.  Each batch should give you between 64 and 72 loads of laundry.


I really have enjoyed using all of the products from Virginia Soaps & Scents.  I find all of their prices very reasonable. If you put a priority on high quality products that do not contain chemicals, then this is the company for you. I do not think you will find a higher quality, more reasonably priced product.

On a side note, this is a long time Christian Homeschooling Family. It is a joy to support like minded families!

Please take some time to peruse their site. And as always, please visit the crew blog to see what others have to say about Virginia Soaps & Scents.

Amazing Bible Timeline and Charts

I have had the Amazing Bible Timeline on my wish-list for some time. I saw an advertisement for it, and thought it would be an awesome tool for our homeschool.

When I heard that I would be receiving a free timeline as a member of TOS Homeschool Crew to review, I was thrilled.

We had started to implement it in our daily study, looking up what we are reading in our bible, looking on the timeline to see what was going on during the same period of time.

The timeline is a perfect size to fit on our dining room table underneath the clear vinyl I already have in place. So, in addition to including it in our bible study time, we also looked at it as we sat around our dining room table. Much like the photo below.

I think that a table is the best placement for this tool, it makes it easy for children and adults to gather around and see what you are studying. It's unique design allows for 6000 years of time to be showcased all at once, see the photo below

I felt as though we have been only skimming the surface of what this timeline has to offer, when I received a strange email in my email box. It's subject was "Wow!  Let's Clear This Up Right Now" and it was from the people that sent us The Amazing Bible Timeline.

Prior to receiving this email, I really had enjoyed using the timeline, and it was after clicking through the link they shared that my stomach started to turn.

I do not like to be deceived. And I feel as though that has happened with this product. This email brought to my attention that there was an LDS (Latter Day Saints) version of the timeline. In fact, upon further investigation, they have a separate website strictly for the LDS Timeline.

I decided to really look at my timeline and sure enough, I did find a reference quoted from the book of Mormon. Now, when you read their answers to why there are LDS dates on the Timeline they state that the film for the original timeline had been destroyed in 2000 and they had to use the LDS timeline to reprint it, and go through and remove all the LDS info. While that might seem ok, however it has been 9 years and the corrections still have not been made and that upsets me.

They also did note when Brigham Young moved the Mormons to Utah. That did not bother me, as he is actually one of my ancestors, and it is nice to put it in context. However, I do have issue with studying something quoting the Book of Mormon, as this is not my faith!

I have included several links below for you to do your own research.

This first one, is a link to their FAQ included with their email:

http://bibletimeline.net/theldsquestionandussherstablequestions.html

Here is the link to the NON LDS Timeline website:  I no longer see their list of resources on these pages. I know that I did read them when we first received the product, but have not been able to locate them on the site now.

http://bibletimeline.net/index2.html

 

Here is the link to the LDS Site listing their resources:

http://lds-timeline.com/timeline_background.html

 

Timeline is $29.97 plus $6 shipping and handling. They also offer you a full refund if you are unhappy with the product. If this is something that interests you for your family, please research the websites and decide if it will make a good fit.

 

Please visit the crew blog to see what the other crew members have to say about this resource.

November is Epilepsy Awareness Month

I can remember the day, like it was yesterday. Although it was nearly 17 years ago. It was the day I was told that what I was witnessing, was my 6 month old baby having seizures. And that he has been having them since he was 4 months old.

Are you kidding me??? When did I get run over by this MAC truck? When did the room start spinning? How did this happen?

You know when I was growing up, our family, and I mean my extended family, really did enjoy good health. And relative good fortune. I think if you were to ask all of my cousins..... we would all say we had a grand time with each other growing up. We were all overall healthy kids. Playing sports, hanging out with friends, and basically living care free lives.

When we thought about having a family, I never in my wildest dreams thought one of my children, let alone 4 of them, would struggle with any health problems.

The Lord had a way of preparing me, although at the time I did not realize it. I remember seeing a segment on one of the news magazine shows, about having a neo natal unit in the hospital where you deliver raises your child chance at survival if there were to be an emergency. We did choose a hospital with a neo natal unit. We did not need, but we wanted to be sure our child would have all that he or she would need.

Enter our oldest child.... he was a healthy baby boy, no complications or signs of distress. The first four months were wonderful. He was meeting all his developmental milestones. And then we started noticing something strange.

The doctor assumed we were the 'typical' first time parents, over cautious. He was wrong! What we were seeing were seizures. It took 2 months to get a diagnosis. It was not until he was having a status epilepticus event (prolonged seizure) that we received a diagnosis.

Our lives, and his, would never be the same. Our dear boy has struggled with seizures his whole life. In his 17  years, he has probably had a total of 3 seizure free years. 2 while on the ketogenic diet, and one last year. In spite of the many years he has been plagued with seizures, he is one happy boy, who loves the Lord.

I know that the Lord has had His hand on our boy, on our family all of these 17 years. Helping us, by placing things in our path that we needed. I am so thankful.

I am thankful for the lessons that I have learned from my son. I have learned the true meaning of unconditional love. I have learned to live in the moment. To be present in whatever it is we are doing... whether it is good or bad... Living that way allows you to experience the purest joy... the joy of a child... the joy that my boy experiences.

 And above all we have learned to lean solely on the Lord. Leaning on the Lord through our rough years have made the burden light. For that I am thankful. I am thankful for the love my son has for the Lord. I love to listen to him tell me about his Sunday School Lessons. Or how his heart was stirred in preaching. Or to watch him be so moved, that he goes forward at the end of a service, to have time with the Lord in prayer.

If the Lord did not bless us with a son with these specific needs, I am not sure what kind of parent I would be. I fear that I would be one of those keeping up with the Joneses types.  Trials of any kind, especially long term health trials have a way of putting that into perspective.

On a side note-4 of our 5 children have had to deal with epilepsy. Currently only our oldest is still battling seizures. We are thankful that 3 of our children have been able to receive treatment (the ketogenic diet) and have been able to resume life...with seizures being nothing more than a bump in the road for them.  Our oldest is still in the throws of epilepsy. I am thankful to have the arms of our Lord to lean on.

November is Epilepsy Awareness Month. Take some time and learn about Epilepsy.

Here are some facts most people don't know about Epilepsy;

Epilepsy Facts

• Epilepsy affects over 3 million Americans of all ages – more than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and Parkinson’s disease combined. Almost 500 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed every day in the United States. Epilepsy affects 50,000,000 people worldwide.
  


• In two-thirds of patients diagnosed with epilepsy, the cause is unknown.
  


• Epilepsy can develop at any age and can be a result of genetics, stroke, head injury, and many other factors.
  


• In over thirty percent of patients, seizures cannot be controlled with treatment. Uncontrolled seizures may lead to brain damage and death. Many more have only partial control of their seizures.
  


• The severe epilepsy syndromes of childhood can cause developmental delay and brain damage, leading to a lifetime of dependency and continually accruing costs—both medical and societal.
  


• It is estimated that up to 50,000 deaths occur annually in the U.S. from status epilepticus (prolonged seizures), Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), and other seizure-related causes such as drowning and other accidents.
  


• The mortality rate among people with epilepsy is two to three times higher than the general population and the risk of sudden death is twenty-four times greater.
  

 

If you would like to help further research for a cure for epilepsy, please visit Citizen's United for Research in Epilepsy for information on how to help!

 

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about epilepsy!

 

What Happens When 30 Homeschoolers Go To the Park During School Hours????

***Please Note: If you are reading this on facebook, please scroll to bottom of post and click "View Original Post"

A group of homeschoolers from our church had a field trip today. We went to an exotic feline breeding compound and then to a local park for a picnic and fellowship. There were just about 30 of us in attendance. Kids ranged in ages from 3 1/2 months to a several high schoolers!

We visited a local park that has a 'lake' for fishing, with lots of geese and ducks. The kids enjoyed feeding them and talking to them... and 'playing' on the shoreline while the ducks congregated all around.

After lunch, while the kids were playing in the play area. A few mom's were with them in the play area, and a few of us other mom's and one of my boys and the baby were sitting and chatting at the picnic table, in eye sight of the others.... everyone playing nicely together I might add! And lo and behold the "park police" happen upon our group.

Let me tell you, once we saw them get out of their squad car... yes squad car, this is a rather large park....  us mom's descended upon the play area...... one of the mom's that was now speaking with the officer's looked at us coming and thought..."Here comes my back up!"  

Their claim was that there was a complaint that we were throwing rocks at the ducks in the lake. Which we were not.  Our thoughts, were more along the lines of they were curious why these teenagers.. (Mine were among the oldest kids there) were out of school.  We spoke with the officers, and were polite..... explained we were feeding the birds bread.. not throwing rocks.... LOL..... my word..... I was thinking.... where's my HSDLA card....

When the officers, just stood there, not really leaving, just  like they were looking for more info. One of the mom's had asked the officer, do we look like we are causing trouble? He said no. Then he seemed to pause as if thinking about what to say..... he then explained that there are posted signs that say do not feed the birds.... we apologized and promised to 'keep an eye' on our children. And they returned to their squad car. (side note, they had claimed to have posted signs every one hundred feet... we did not see a single sign)

A few moments later we saw the police officers across the lake speaking with some young people (18-22 years old) and procede to pat them down.  This was a good lesson for our children to experience. We have chosen to dress distinctly modest and not worldly. And in this situation, I believe that it served us well. We had a neat appearance and pleasant demeanor, which left the officers with a positive experience with homeschoolers, and with Christians.

This was a field trip I had planned for our group.... one of the mom's shared with me these parting thoughts..... " Thanks for such an exciting field trip.... we will never forget this one!"

So, if your life is lacking excitement, go on a field trip with your local Christian Homeschool group, you never know what might happen!

 

Happy Homeschooling!!!!