All About Spelling has become immensely popular as a spelling, phonics, and reading curriculum in a very short time. If you have questions about how this multisensory curriculum works, visit the homesite for All About Spelling. You can also purchase the curriculum directly from the publisher on that site.

Click to visit the All About Spelling website.

Marie who is the author of All about Spelling offers Weekly Spelling Tips as well as a free download: 20 Best Tips for Teaching Spelling. This is a great resource for homeschooling. All you need to do is go the her website and sign up for the Spelling Report and Tips. Quick and Easy! Don't pass up this free resource.

One other thing I want to share with you is a great place for information and support for teaching language arts in general or more specifically teaching spelling with All About Spelling. It's a new forum that is growing fast. Ask any questions you have about All About Spelling  or anything about homeschooling and Language Arts.

If you have personally used All About Spelling, please leave a comment  about how it worked out for your family. Thanks.

For Used Apologia Science -

Elementary and High School

Young Explorer Series

Exploring Creation with Botany by Jeannie Fulbright

This is an in-depth study of the plant kingdom  for students from about first through sixth grade. The text is written in an captivating Charlotte Mason style like the Apologia  Astronomy book for elementary children. There are explanations and descriptions that are written for a child to comprehend easily and at that appropriate reading level. No need to  stop and define words. since everything is explained simply and thoroughly, perfect for the ages it was written for.  Since the book is written for a wide range of ages (6-12), it is easy to use with all of your children together or at least those that are younger than seventh grade.

This book begins with a lesson on the nature of botany and the process of classifying plants. It then discusses the development of plants from seeds, the reproduction processes in plants, the way plants make their food, and how plants get their water and nutrients and distribute them throughout the body of the plant. As students study these topics, they also learn about many different kinds of plants in creation and where they belong in the plant classification system.

The activities and projects use easy-to-find household items and truly make the lessons come alive!  This is the part of the study that my four boys would have loved if this book had been around when they were in elementary grades. The projects include these and more:

• making a “light hut” in which to grow plants
• dissection of a bean seed
• growing seeds in plastic bags to watch the germination process
• observing how plants grow towards light
• measuring transpiration, forcing bulbs to grow out of season
• making a leaf skeleton
• forcing pine cones to open and close

The publisher and author recommend that you spend the whole school year to complete this book, using two sessions each week to the work through the course. Some of the activities and projects in the book are long-term and results of these can take several days to observe. For projects like these, you will need to have a flexible schedule.

The author of the Young Explorer Series of Apologia is Jeannie Fulbright. On her website, she writes this about homeschooling her children:

"I so very much love homeschooling, though non-homeschoolers can’t comprehend that sentiment – especially if I were to relate what it is really like. I used to pray for it to be easier. But I’ve learned that the only way it will be easier is if I change my attitude about it. My present desire is that my heart will change, that I would no longer wish for homeschooling to be quiet and peaceful and smooth sailing, but that I would have a willing heart to embrace and enjoy it the way it is today. For this is the way that the Lord has ordained it, and these little rambunctious boys and girls are my gifts to treasure, train and love. If the day is chaotic, I desire that my heart would be submitted to that with joy. If school takes all day, I want to remember that God is in control and He sets my schedule, not I. I want to homeschool as unto the Lord, not unto myself. For if I get irritated and upset because things didn’t go as planned, or as easily as I wished, then I’m saying my plan for my day was better than God’s. And because God’s plan happened, which was out of my control, then I want to be thankful and joyful anyway.

So, these are my high hopes for myself. And I pray that this year, the Lord will accomplish in me all that I hope He will." You can read more from Jeannie at JeannieFulbright.com

So now there are two high acclaimed  science curricula for homeschooling elementary children:  Considering God's Creation which we reviewed recently and Apologia's Young Explorer Series-Exploring Creation by Jeannie Fulbright.

Homeschool Math

Modern Curriculum Press Mathematics (MCP)

MCP is an economical basic math program with textbooks for grades K through 6. MCP Math includes consumable workbooks that are in red, black, and white with simple drawings as illustration. It also comes with a teacher's guide that is simple to follow, featuring a section that helps students correct common errors. Each lesson covers the math concept and the methods for finding the solutions methods in a traditional way. Many word problems are included. There are separate sections for problem solving.

Modern Curriculum Press Mathematics uses a traditional drill and practice format. MCP Math can be used as a supplemental text, though as a primary text it is more popular with homeschooling families than government schools. Each book is smaller than a typical traditional hardback textbook, or compared to some newer text series which may include many textbooks, or no textbook at all to bring home.

The low cost of this curriculum and its simplicity makes it an attractive choice to many homeschool parents. The texts were not designed to conform to the controversial NCTM standards of mathematics reform, which is also appealing to many homeschool families.

From the publisher of  MCP Math:

"A complete, economical math series teaching problem-solving strategies, critical-thinking skills, estimation, mental-math skills, and all basic math concepts and skills. Its design encourages thinking skills, active participation, and mastery of skills within the context of problem-solving situations, abundant practice to master those skills, developed models students actively work with to solve problems, and reinforcement of problem-solving and strategies. Each lesson begins with a developed model that teaches algorithms and concepts in a problem-solving situation, and students are required to interact with that model."

MCP Math Curriculum is  a less expensive alternative to the popular Saxon math textbooks. In contrast to Saxon's method of combining many skills, Modern Curriculum Press usually presents one skill at a time. There have been a few complaints that some of the units have too many practice problems, but this is easily overcome by just to requiring that every problem is solved. Extra practice may be needed from time to time, and when such is the case, extra problems are appreciated.

MCP (Grades K-6) Mathematics Levels K, A-F includes

• Models for each lesson to help students learn concepts and skills
• Problem Solving lessons to introduce strategies for solving real-life problems
• Abundant opportunities for practice to ensure mastery of skills
• Chapter tests to help students prepare for standardized tests
• Field Trips (Levels A, B) and Excursions (Levels C-F) to help students practice critical thinking skills
• Easy-to-follow lesson plans

New & USED Modern Curriculum Press

Used Homeschool Curriculum Searches for Textbooks and Workbooks

abeka speech for today for sale are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

Right now is the best time to look for and buy your used homeschool curriculum.

Look here for

Used Math U See

See what Math U See Best Buys are available this week. For individual levels, more links to used curriculum follow below:

• Math U See Starter Set
• Math U See Manipulatives

• Primer Math U See
• Alpha Math U See
• Beta Math U See
• Gamma Math U See
• Delta Math U See
• Epsilon Math U See
• Zeta Math U See
• PreAlgebra Math U See
• Algebra Math U See
• Geometry Math U See
• PreCalculus Math U Set

Questions about various Homeschool Math Curriculum. The Math U See homeschool curriculum teaches math skills explicitly. There is a definite, logical sequence instructing math concepts that is systematic and cumulative. Math U See has a structured, step-by-step procedure for introducing, reviewing, and practicing concepts. Math U See uses multi-sensory tools that engage the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic channels simultaneously in rapid succession. Math U See offers continuous and ongoing assessment and progress monitoring which allows for frequent opportunities to re-teach when needed. Need more information?

Competency Testing to help You Determine Placement

Determine what level of mathematics the student has mastered so they will know in which book to begin.

As the student does an exam, watch them to observe how confident they are about their math knowledge.

If they aren't functioning at an acceptable level, then place them in the respective book where they are struggling. For example, if they are having difficulty with the division problems in the Delta competency test, they should begin in the Delta level, since this is where that concept is presented.
If you don’t know which test to begin with, there is a one page pretest which tests a student’s general math knowledge and will assist you in deciding which specific competency exam to take.

The competency exams have two parts.

1. computation skills

2.(word problems) focuses on thinking skills, understanding of the concepts.

These placement exams are available on the Math U See Website.

If you are making the transition from the Classic to the newer curriculum, the Transition page has information to help you.

• Alpha Competency Exam
• Beta Competency Exam
• Gamma Competency Exam
• Delta Competency Exam
• Epsilon Competency Exam
• Zeta Competency Exam
• Pre-Algebra Competency Exam
• Algebra 1 Competency Exam
• Geometry Competency Exam
• Algebra 2 Competency Exam

Math-U-See fits with a many different homeschooling styles.

How does Math-U-See fit with the Charlotte Mason approach?
The lessons are short and free of "twaddle." There are lots of opportunities for hands-on experience, and students are encouraged to "teach back" the concepts to the parent (narration).

How does Math-U-See fit with Classical Homeschooling?
Memorization of facts is encouraged in the early grades, and mastery of concepts required at every level.

How does Math-U-See fit with Traditional teaching methods?
Concepts are taught on dvd, and workbooks are used for practice and review.

How does Math-U-See fit with a Relaxed or Unschooling approach?
The books are not assigned grade levels, so it is easy for students to work at their own pace or interest level.

How does Math-U-See fit with Unit Studies?
Topics are grouped together by concept, helping students to see how math ideas are related to each other and the whole structure of mathematics.

Reviews: To See More, go to HomeschoolReviews.com

"I'm going to add a word of caution for those who are pulling a child out of public school and going to homeschooling. If your child is doing OK in public school with math, you may not want to go with this program. MUS is taught in a completely different way than most public schools, and it could cause frustration for your child. .."MORE

"Math-U-See is a wonderful math curriculum that helps students understand visually how math works. Mr. Steve does a wonderful job of explaining and demonstrating how math works, not just telling" ...MORE

Individual books for each unit build important social studies concepts through on-level text and strong visual images.

( The auction above contained Pearson Learning Core Knowledge History & Geography for Grade 2. The set included a student workbook, student individual books, teachers manual and originals. The set  was PURCHASED at  RETAIL FOR $201.94 and was selling

Another Core Knowledge book (see above) was listed. This one was Pearson Learning Core Knowledge
History & Geography for Grades 5.  It was in VERY GOOD condition...with minor cover wear...pages perfect...no writing. The retail price was  $55.97 and it sold for $30.99 on eBay. Nice SAVINGS.

"Pearson is the world's leading PreK-20 educational publishing company, dedicated to working with educators to change the way America thinks. We create educational materials for learners of every age. By understanding what it takes to succeed at the college level and beyond, Pearson is able to design educational materials that teach students at every level how to prepare for the challenges they will face in the 21st century.

For students, Pearson provides effective and innovative curriculum products in all available media, educational assessment and measurement for students and teachers, student information systems, and teacher professional development and certification programs.

Pearson's respected brands include Scott Foresman, Prentice Hall, AGS, PowerSchool, SuccessMaker, TeacherVision, Addison Wesley, Allyn & Bacon, Benjamin Cummings, Longman, and many others. The company's comprehensive offerings help educators provide targeted instruction and intervention to ensure that every student succeeds.

Pearson's other primary businesses include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group.

Pearson has organized its PreK-20 programs, products, and services into five main content areas to help teachers, school superintendents, parents, students, and caregivers easily find what they need:

• Curriculum
• Assessments
• Information Management
• Educator Learning
• Family Learning"

From the Pearson home site

( see other Core Knowledge Series- What Your ___Grader Needs to Know by E. D.  Hirsch)

Used Homeschool Curriculum for sale at great prices.

Homeschool Incremental Writing Program

As per the description from the book itself,  WriteShop is a writing program that:

(1) emphasizes clarity, conciseness, colorful vocabulary, and interesting sentence types;

(2) focuses on developing a strong paragraph;

(3) offers a wide variety of writing activities;

(4) helps students know exactly what to look for when refining their own work; (5) helps parents know how to methodically evaluate their children's writing.

WriteShop 1 is an incremental writing program  which includes Teacher and Student books.  There are WriteShop Copying and Dictation Exercises for WriteShop 1 available.

This curriculum is recommended for students in the 7th-10th grade, although 5th-6th graders can use the program at a slower pace.

The program consists of 30 lessons and can be done in a 1 year, 2 year or 3 year time frame.

The two basic components of the WriteShop program:

1. Teacher s Manual- Teacher s Manual is the heart of the WriteShop program. It contains daily lesson plans, schedules, tips for editing and grading, answer keys, and student samples. Brimming with creative ideas and supplemental writing activities. 280 pages.

2. WriteShop I student workbook.  WriteShop I student workbook teaches the basics of descriptive, informative, and narrative writing. Consumable workbook contains Skill Builders, word banks, detailed writing instructions, editing checklists, and evaluation forms. 298 pages.

The authors are Kim Kautzer and Debra Oldar

Grade Level: 6-10

Format is a three-ring, tab-divided binder

The publisher is WriteShop Incremental Writing (2003)

Used Homeschool Curriculum Searches for Textbooks and Workbooks

2009 6th grade Switched on Schoolhouse are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

Teach natural science from a biblical perspective with this gigantic 272-page book plus Teacher's Manual with free audio CD
This unique curriculum is adaptable for 2nd to 7th grade and is especially useful for notebooking methods and making lapbooks of learned material.

Considering God's Creation Covers:
o Universe
o Stars
o Solar System
o Earth
o Light
o Sound
o Wind
o Weather
o Clouds
o Rocks
o Plants

o Insects
o Mammals
o Reptiles
o Birds
o Fish
o Amphibians
o Food Chains
o Reproduction and Genetics
o Human
o Animal Anatomy
o Physiology

Easy to Adapt
". . .Considering God's Creation seems to come closer than any others I can think of for meeting the needs of a home school family that wants a Christian science curriculum that can be used to teach a broad span of grade levels together."  says Cathy Duffy of 100 Top Picks.

Less Preparation Time
No need to spend hours researching! Easy-to-follow and comprehensive lesson plans are done for you.

Very Affordable
Most everything you need comes with this low cost program.(only about $30 on eBay and that is for your whole family- amazing!)
Results
"This program highlights the intricate wonders of science with fascinating and accurate detail. It sparks a child's curiosity and ignites a life-long eagerness for more."

Use alone or as a supplement to other science curriculum- allows for great notebook or lapbook making!

For more information on Considering God's Creation...see the Eagle's Wings home site

___________________________

Greek and Latin Roots Supplement to Considering God's Creation

When a curriculum is as good as this one, sometimes other curriculum developers jump on the bandwagon and create a supplement. That is what 4R Press has done. They have created an add-on to be used with Considering God's Creation science curriculum by Mortimer and Smith.

Considering God's Creation Science Definitions Notebooking Pages with Greek & Latin Roots

• Can be used as a stand-alone study or as a supplement to another science curriculum using the provided vocabulary list
• 40 Lessons covering Creation, Plant Kingdom, Animal Kingdom & Human Body
• 210 Vocabulary words with etymology to aid in learning common Greek & Latin roots
• Beautiful illustrations to aid understanding of definitions
• Student notebook cover page included
• Regular price $2

SALE for limited time:   $1 through the end of August (2010)

(I just took a look at the this (Considering God's Creation Science Definitions Notebooking Pages with Greek & Latin Roots)
and can't believe the value. This is a great resource to help your children learn the definitions of their science terms and is illustrated in a way that lends itself to memory. I wish this has been available when I used the Considering God's Creation Curriculum with my children in 2002.    ---Julie Simmons of Best Homeschool Buys)

This and other products from 4RPress are available from CurrClick.

Used Homeschool Curriculum Searches for Textbooks and Workbooks

used considering Gods creation are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

by checking to see what is available today for used cd-rom homeschool curriculum (Switched on Schoolhouse).

Switched-On Schoolhouse is a comprehensive, Bible-based curriculum that offers computer-based learning for grades 3-12. With 3-D animation, video clips, and other fascinating multimedia, Switched-On Schoolhouse is the perfect homeschool curriculum for today's generation. With this flexible, best-selling curriculum, you can customize student learning to fit individual educational needs.

Unlike traditional textbooks, Switched-On Schoolhouse (SOS) has variety with a vibrant mix of fun lessons, assignments, tests, and more! Lessons are created to engage the  students' attention and facilitate learning. SOS is available for grades 3rd-12th. The five core subjects are Bible, History/Geography, Language Arts, Math, and Science. Also offered are  a wide selection of electives.

This award-winning curriculum offers ease, accuracy, and quality academics.

AWARDS

1. SOS is included in Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks

2. The Old Schoolhouse EE award

To find out more see our REVIEW for Switched on Schoolhouse.

See what used Learning at Home curriculum is available today!

Teach your first grader at home! A well organized, easy-to-use curriculum manual that includes Bible, Bible memory, Language Arts, Art, Arithmetic, Health, Manners,  Responsibility, Physical Education, History, Geography, and Science. Daily lessons are based on a four day week allowing the fifth day for field trips. Daily ideas for teaching at home. A great tool for character building and excellence in learning in an uncomplicated style!

Ann Ward's Learning at Home includes a structured curriculum that is complete with all the needed subjects. Each week has lesson plans for Monday-Friday. The lesson plans seem very "school-like" in their approach and design.  A detailed list of concepts taught is included for all of the subjects.

Mrs Ward provides a schedule that breaks some tasks down into as little as 5 minute intervals. The children recite the days of the week, date and numbers 1-50 (progressing to 1-100) each morning. This is an excellent method for children to learn information quickly! It is rote memorization. Some key information MUST BE MEMORIZED to facilitate future learning, that builds on that foundation.

Personally, I have found that children learn more quickly when you work on a concept for a short time (like 5 minutes) with intensity and work on it frequently, like once a day.

The Learning at Home curriculum does contains some excellent ideas for teaching. One example is The Grid, which is a matching game. It is a great tool for various types of learning.

The suggestions on chores for children, are insightful.

Field trips are presented as a natural and easy way for children to learn many things. The curriculum offers some great ideas on follow-up and review after a field trip.

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Find out more about Learning from Home . See the review by Cathy Duffy.

Maps are essential when you teach Geography in your homeschool.

See prices for Markable Maps

The Markable Map is a good choice because you can write on it over and over again with water based markers. This map is 23 inches by 34 inches - a modified Robinson projection map. The Markable Map can be hung on the wall or you can fold it up for easy storage (folds to smaller than 12" X 12".  The map's laminated surface allows marking  water-based markers or with grease pencils. Personally, I would buy just the map and not the set that includes the markers. The water-based marker set seems overpriced ($6.08) to me. You can probably find a set of markers for less than $2 locally.

What are Others Saying about the Markable Map?

Some families love this map:
No it does not include every lake and river, but is has been a great tool since my kids enjoy labeling each place as we study it and they make notes through the year. It is simple to use and younger students like using it. It is convenient, helpful, durable, and fun. Also: Having a markable map for the world and for the United States is essential, but many would also like to have a markable map of Canada.

Some are disappointed with this map:
Some people have been dissatisfied with this map because the "world map is too small for labeling." "Even when the kids write in their tinest letters, you can't tell what country, river etc. they are referring to, because their writing spills into the next country, river etc." She hopes Sonlight will offer a better map for their excellent curriculum.

Another user says " it has a major mistake about coloring China and Taiwan in the same color. Taiwan is not part of China."

Consider Making Your Own Markable Map
One cost-cutting idea for a different type of marking map is to lay a paper map on a table and cover it with a see-through vinyl table cloth. You can mark on the table cloth just like you can mark on the markable map.

If you use Sonlight curriculum, this is a required resource in each Sonlight core program for K through 300. The map comes with a four color set of markers. Remember, you can save $2.67 on the set if you are a Core Sonlighter.(I think you can get just the map and use markers that you already have or buy some that are less expensive.)

Other Sources for Markable Maps:

Sometimes eBay has Markable Maps available. Sometimes the listings may not be the same map offered by Sonlight, so be sure to consider if it would work for your homeschooling geography needs and also, is it worth the price.

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State maps 17x 22 laminated new markable 2 sided    US $5.00

Lot of 25 Sonlight 6 World History 1 and Markable Map    US $1.29

New and Used Homeschool Curriculum

Used Homeschool Curriculum Searches for Textbooks and Workbooks

markable maps, MARKABLE US MAPS, markable world map, sonlight markable map for sale, USA/World Markable map are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

Truthquest History is one of Cathy Duffy's
100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum

History may seem murky, but only because we wrongly focus on the long corridor of human actions. History is really a door to God Himself!

God created mankind and his times. He is the initiator; we are the responders.  God's truth shapes all of history and humanities: government, philosophy, art, architecture, literature, scientific thinking, economics, law, and all human endeavors. He is sovereign over all.

TruthQuest History  brings together worldview wisdom, classic literature , and chronology... all into a remarkable account with deep spiritual meaning. How? Truthquest answers,

• "Picture your family reclining in a comfy boat. The current of TruthQuest History carries you... because each topic has its own powerful commentary and reading list. Your children do not just visit times... they understand them! They do not just read... they see cause-and-effect truth!"

Whatever your learning style, TruthQuest History can help you learn. Truthquest can be a great fit for families who follow  Charlotte Mason's ideas, those who like the  Classical approach, for  unit-study adherents and even for unschooling familes exploring an era. TruthQuest History even enables  you to teach your own theology and choose your own resources.

Truthquest enlivens your history study, art, culture, & ideas of consequence. Truthquest guides can be used with multi-level students. There are events & literature for all grades, and writing exercises for older students

You can find out all about Truthquest at their home site which offers you samples to help you decide if the curriculum works for your family. See the following pdf downloads on the Truthquest site.

•  Table of Contents
•  Sample Section
•  View Optional “Spine” Resources

New  The Teaching Textbooks with free shipping

Teaching Textbooks Geometry

If you are looking for used homeschool curriculum,  the Teaching Textbooks Geometry normally comes with a textbook, an answer key and test bank, the solutions CDs, a test solutions CD, and also the lecture and practice CDs.

"We used this curriculum with our daughter, who has been homeschooled since third grade, and was a junior last year when we used it.  Over the course of our homeschooling experience, we have tried so so many math curricula and we were so thankful when we found this one!  We have been using Teaching Textbooks since our daughter was in pre-algebra.  She will be using Teaching Textbooks Algebra II this year.  One of our favorite things about this program is that the lecture and practice CDs, solution CDs, and test CDs explain each and every lesson, every practice problem in the book, every homework problem, as well as all test problems.  So, if our daughter answered something incorrectly or was having difficulty in a certain area, we could see each problem worked out and explained."
Testimonial on a recent eBay auction for the Teaching Textbooks Geometry

Our son Jonathan has been using the Teaching Textbooks. You can read about that at the post: The Teaching Textbooks Algebra.

For used, see what is available today:

• Algebra-Teaching Textbooks
• Geometry-Teaching Textbooks
• Pre Calculus-Teaching Textbooks

If you can't find what you need, be sure to check back later. If I have a link to a used curriculum page, it is because eBay normally has that curriculum available, at least during the summer before a new year when the most people are selling their used curriculum.

**************************

Teaching Textbooks Help and Guidance:

To find out more about this math curriculum from families that have used it, try the following links:

You'll find a very helpful review at The Teaching Textbooks at Homeschoolmath.net

Another good review like discussion is at  The Well-Trained Mind Forum

OR from the publisher:

For more information about this curriculum, go to the TT home site.

Used Homeschool Curriculum Searches for Textbooks and Workbooks

teaching textbooks geometry best price are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

OR

New  The Teaching Textbooks with free shipping

Teaching Texbooks Algebra

My son, Jonathan, is using this Algebra 2 set right now. He likes it because he doesn't have to come to me for help since every single one of the almost 3,000 problem set problems in the textbook is worked on the solution CDs with multimedia step-by-step explanation. My son used Saxon Math up to Algebra 2. He couldn't seem to get any further than lesson 40 before getting bogged down and having to back up and review. Finally, we decided to try The Teaching Textbooks after looking at the website and reading some reviews.

As others have observed, it appears to be easier than Saxon, but since Jonathan is having a struggle with math at this point, and he is more of an artistic creative person than a scientific mathematical person, we decided that EASIER would give him more success. He hasn't gotten past 15 lessons, so I don't know what my final opinion is of this curriculum for Jonathan, but at this point, it seems favorable.

The strength of The Teaching Textbooks is the individualized usability. A student can go over the explanations of how to work a problem whenever he needs to. He can also find other problems LIKE the one he is having trouble with and watch how to work them, also. If your student makes the basic effort required, this curriculum should provide the teaching and explanation needed to get through Algebra 2.

One recommendation for students who want to be prepared for the ACT or SAT: take several practice tests. Not only will you be less nervous since you will know what to expect, but you can read up on any problems that you miss or that you skipped and learn how to do them.  Some of the problems on the college entrance tests will be different from the textbook problems that are familiar, so it is very helpful to  spend some mornings working through ACT or SAT practice tests.

The  CDs contain 10-15 minute lectures for every lesson in the printed textbook. They also feature multimedia step-by-step explanations to the practice problems with each lesson. The CDs are especially good for students who learn better by listening and watching than by reading.

In addition, the Test Solutions CD offers step-by-step explanations for each problem in tests 1-16.

I haven't seen the Geometry Teaching Textbook, but I hope is as good as the Algebra that we are using now.

FOR NEW:

Christian Book Distributors offers new  The Teaching Textbooks math curriculum. When this post was written the Algebra 2 set was selling for $184.90 and comes with free shipping.

FOR USED Homeschool Curriculum for other levels of The Teaching Textbooks:

• Math 4-The Teaching Textbooks
• Math 5-The Teaching Textbooks
• Math 6-The Teaching Textbooks
• Math 7-The Teaching Textbooks
• Algebra-The Teaching Textbooks
• Geometry-The Teaching Textbooks
• Pre Calculus-The Teaching Textbooks

******************

NEED TO READ SOME REVIEWS of The Teaching Textbooks?

To find out more about this math curriculum from families that have used it, try the following links:

Reviews of The Teaching Textbooks at Homeschoolmath.net

Reviews of The Teaching Textbooks at The Well-Trained Mind Forum

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For more information, go to the home site for The Teaching Textbooks curriculum.

Homeschooling doesn't have to be expensive.

Progressive Phonics All-in-one Reading Program:

There are so many free resources that are excellent for teaching your children just about anything. My latest search for free homeschooling curriculum has turned up a FREE phonics program that looks very good.  It is called Progressive Phonics and is an all-in-one reading program that is looks easy to use and fun. It apprears to be totally FREE gives us a reason to try it out. It may be all you need.

Progressive Phonics

The Progressive Phonics homepage tells us:

1. ANYONE can teach a child to read and write in just a few minutes a day using Progressive Phonics. This is ideal for  home-schoolers. You don't have to buy expensive phonics programs to teach your child to read.
2. You don't need experience. Just pick a book and start reading it with your child.
3. There are matching handwriting worksheets and activity sheets for each book -- when children write what they learn, they learn it better.
4. Essential sight-words are included (the phonics rule-breakers) that many phonics programs leave out.
5. Get Instant access -- you can download it and use it today. (Registration is required, but you can look at  sample books  before you register)
6. These books can be read on-screen or you can print them out.  Each book takes about 4-8 minutes to print and uses only a small amount of  ink and paper.
7. You can read one of their books with a child and see for yourself.

Summary of the Progressive Phonics Method:

• Read the book WITH your child. You read the “regular” text, and he/she reads the big, red words, sort of like reading the different parts in a play. (You can read the book on your computer or laptop, or print it out on your printer.)
• Help your child sound out the words as needed.
• Read a book many times. This helps develop the eye muscles and left-to-right reading patterns that are necessary for reading.
• Fluency is achieved when a child can see a word and instantly recognize it. (A child may need to see a word thirty or forty times before it becomes automatic, and some children may need to see a word well over a hundred times before it becomes automatic.)
• Do the handwriting worksheets and activity sheets that accompany each book. When children write what they learn, they learn it better.
• (This also increases the number of "exposures" to each word = speeds up achieving fluency.)
• Don’t worry about upper-case letters or capitalizing proper nouns and sentences. Uppercase letters are taught in Alphabetti Series #4.
• Don’t rush it. Body builders don’t train in a day, neither does a child.
• And most of all, make it fun. A love of reading will last a lifetime.

A couple of comments from parents who have used this free Phonics Program:
"Thank you so much for this amazing series. It is ideal because of the grammar. I teach children that experience learning difficulties. Often these children are very bright and need something that is enjoyable and stimulating. They simply love it and enjoy coming to the support classes. It is amazing to see how more confident they are. They are also willing to pick up other books and explore." R.V.

"These books are great. They are really helping my 7 year old overcome some of his difficulty in reading. They are so much fun!! I have recently started using them with my 5 and 4 year old daughters. They love them too. They are really going to be prepared for Kindergarten and Jr. K come this fall. Thank you for this wonderful resource, from a mother of 3 with #4 on the way !!!!"

-------------Progressive Phonics is the brain child of Miz Katz N Ratz, a writer-illustrator who grew up on both sides of the "pond" (half in America and half in England), and who chooses to spell "colour" as "color."

Other Phonics Resources:

A truly gentle approach to teaching the basics (reading, writing, and math) to K through second grade can be found in a small set of booklets: Ruth Beechick: Strong Start Series These books will help any new homeschool mom become confident in teaching her children. They helped me see that teaching all the basics naturally fits into our day when we use the many teachable moments of everyday life.
My children's favorite learn-to-read beginner books are hands down Bob Books

Though not my favorite, Abeka Homeschool Curriculum remains a top choice among parents just beginning to homeschool.

A truly gentle approach to teaching the basics (reading, writing, and math) to K through second grade can be found in a small book: Ruth Beechick: The Three R's

Dr. Ruth Beechick is a  talented teacher who believes that home is the best place for children to learn. She thinks that parents don't give themselves enough credit for being the best teachers for their children!  Every year New material for homeschoolers is introduced that  builds on Ruth  Beechick's wisdom. No matter what methods you decide to use in your homeschool, you'll be blessed by Ruth's advice and encouragement.

This book previously was published and sold as three books in the Strong Start Series. There was a separate book for Reading, one for Writing, and one for Arithmetic. Now all three are combined into one very slim volume that is a quick read and full of nuggets of wonderful homeschooling advice and ideas for teaching your youngest children the basics: Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic.

So what is in this book, The Three R's? The book is divided into three parts that are tabbed for easy reference.

• The READING section tells how and when to begin phonics, and how to develop comprehension skills.
• The LANGUAGE section shows how to develop written language skills naturally, in the same way children learn oral language.
• The ARITHMETIC section explains how to teach understanding of math concepts, and not just memorization of facts.

Learn how to take the mystery out of teaching the early grades with this practical, down-to-earth guidebook by Ruth Beechick.

**My Own Experience with This Book**

As a homeschooling mother that relied on the advice and ideas from these early Beechick books, I can strongly recommend these books (now reprinted as one book-The Three R's) for the easy method of teaching explained by Ruth. These books will help any new homeschool mom become confident in teaching her children. They helped me see that teaching all the basics naturally fits into our day when we use the many teachable moments of everyday life. The additional teaching only takes a fraction of the time that classroom based curriculum requires. Plus your child's learning opportunities can be minutely fitted to your individual child's needs and learning style. These are wonderful books that give such wisdom. ...and we all need wisdom when we homeschool! (Julie Simmons of Best Homeschool Buys)

The Three R's : Three resources in one  READING, WRITING, and ARITHMETIC!

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Other Recommendations:

Find out more about a very useful set of 55 little books for your beginning readers. This is an Abeka summer reading set that I used for all five of my children as practice books when they were learning how to read.

More: See Homeschool Phonics Resources

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Three Rs homeschooling book are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

The CalcuLadder Series (from Providence Project by Edwin C. Myers, Ph.D.)  is a math drill supplement that really helps your children learn their math facts quickly in just a few minutes a day.

Designed for grades 1-7

Each wire-bound CalcuLadder workbook has twelve copies of each of its 16 drills, for a total of 192 pages, printed on quality paper in a rainbow of colors. Your child repeats a given drill each day until he can complete it correctly within that drill’s suggested time goal (two to five minutes). Most kids can advance one drill Level about every two weeks or ten tries, although individual rates vary.

This math supplement, Calculadder, has been around for a while. We used it when my children were in the elementary grades in the late 80s and 90s. The drill sheets were on different colored paper  with an appealing design. While we faithfully practiced everyday, the kids made excellent progress in increasing their speeds of completing the fact sheets. It was very easy to implement into our daily schedule and the children really liked the change of pace from their other types of assignments and homeschool activities. They are very affordable, too.

It is a known fact that rote memorization of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts is a necessity  for math improvement. These timed math drills help kids (or adults)  master the memorization of math facts. Each set includes 192  daily work sheets that are enough for the whole school year.

Besides the math, Providence Project also has a a penmanship  practice book called Readywriter that enables pre-writers to get plenty of fun, writing development practice. As an artsy person that loves to draw, I love these books. Readywriter gave my preschoolers a "school book" that really helped them develop small muscle coordination for handwriting. See the example below: The child draws the hopping path of the frog from lily pad to lily pad. Another page requires the child to cut the pan of brownies into squares with his pencil by drawing horizonal and vertical lines.  Each sheet takes a while to complete since there are so many lines required to complete the pictures. It keeps the little ones busy for a while.

With these helpful books, you know how your kids are doing, and how much progress they’ve made.

Weak areas stand out clearly, so you know where to focus your teaching.

Spend just minutes a day will get needed results.

You can buy a drill book with a year's worth of speed tests already printed and bound in the book or you can buy the MasterPak 1 or MasterPak 2 that has the drills on CDrom for you to print out as needed. Multiple volumes of the Calculadder Series  also called Learning Vitamins are available on the CDs so that you can print off exactly what you need. If  you don't mind printing pages on your computer and like to find bargains--you should purchase a MasterPak. All pages are PDF files. MasterPak 1 contains CalcuLadders 1, 2, and 3 plus Ready Writer® (see above). MasterPak 2 contains CalcuLadders 4, 5, and 6 plus AlphaBetter®, which is a dictionary skills tool.  MasterPaks include all the worksheets plus guides, achievement record, and keys. MasterPak CDs run on either Windows or Mac systems.

Personally, I prefer the bound books with the rainbow of colors. They really are beautiful, not that expensive, and a pleasure to use in home schoool.

Best Buys on Calculadder

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calculadder math drill, english from the roots up sheets are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

This Geography Songs Review consists of:

1. A basic description States & Capitals Songs Kit and Geography Songs Kit with a sample lesson plan.

2. Our personal experiences using this product

A basic description of Geography Songs Kits

1. The Geography Songs Kit(Geography Songs - Sing Around The World CD)

includes 33 songs; a workbook with maps, lyrics, illustrations and tests; and a 25" x 36" world map. 33 songs teach the names and locations of the continents, oceans planets and 225 countries.

It includes famous landmarks and maps to label and color.The maps are numbered in the same order that they are sung in the songs making it easy to locate the countries while you are singing. Some songs are about just one country, others are about a whole continent.

Song list: British Isles, Western Europe, Former USSR, Scandinavia, Southern Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Equatorial Africa, Northern Africa, East Africa, Northern Central Africa, Horn of Africa, West Africa, Southern Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, South America, Central America, Mexico, West Indies, US Southern Border, Northern Border, Eastern Border, Middle, Pacific States, Canada, Greenland, Continents & Oceans, and Solar System.

This retails for $19.95 for the tape set  or $22.95 for CD set

Sample  Lesson Plan for Learning the Countries in Europe

This sample lesson plan is from the  homesite for Audio Memory.

2.  States & Capitals Songs Kit:

-a large 25"x 36" map of the USA with 172 items to label. Students can color the map while they listen to the songs. The lyrics of the songs are on the map. Students point to the states on the map while they sing. Each state is adjacent (geographically connected)  to the next state.

-Sound track with 9 songs and 4 test songs. The USA is divided into 5 sections, each with its own song:

* The northern border
* The southern border- After students learn the southern border, from California to Florida, they learn the capitals in the same order.
* The eastern border
* The middle
* The Pacific states.

The test on the tape requires children to remember the name of the state and the capital that comes next as they go from west to east. These materials are appropriate for all ages, but are especially enjoyed by children under high school.  At the time of this post, the cost was $9.95 for tape kit / $12.95 for CD kit

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Our Personal Experiences with Geography Songs

We (the Simmons Family) used the United States & Capitals songs  and the Countries of the World in our homeschool years ago.  Though the voices of the singers for the Geography Songs CDs are not what I would call talented or refined. The pitch is right and the songs memorable which is the most important factor for memory work such as this. The songs can get stuck in your head which in the end is a good thing, since you are more likely to remember the names of the places. As an adult, I would be annoyed by the songs if I was listening to them for any other reason, but because they really do help my children (and myself) remember the geography facts, I am a ready audience. I am so happy to find tools like this that help us learn things quickly and easily.

I think that the best way to use the Geography Songs is to listen to one song twice every day  until all have learned it well. This might only take 5 - 10 minutes per day. This is the way that our family used it.  We were able to learn and remember the states & their capitals and we actually had fun doing it.

I highly recommend coordinating this memory with what ever you are studying in history. For example, if you are studying US history, then learn the states and capitals  the same year. If you are studying the Middle Ages in Europe, learn the countries of Europe and their capitals that year.

For further retention we also played some Geography drill games to practice the knowledge from the songs in another context.  We made a game out of asking each other, "What's the capital of ___________." while we waited for food at a restaurant, while riding in the car, or anytime we had spare minutes in between doing things.

Please note that this is not a  comprehensive geography course, but is especially useful for helping children memorize the names and locations of the key countries, states, capitals, etc. The Geography Songs do an excellent job of this!

The included map shows all the places that are learned from the songs. Children color and label the  map. I always pointed to the locations on the map as we sang along with the CD.  The workbook is reproducible, so one set is all you need for the whole family.

Remember, check for Geography Songs on our site, Best Homeschool Buys.

I hope you will take time to watch the next video. This is such terrific illustration of what a great tool the Geography Songs by Audio Memory is to help young (and older) children learn geography basics. Just be sure to point to the map places as you sing with your children so they will associate the names with the places. This is so much fun! It brings back happy memories of when my children were younger and learning together this way.

For more information on the Geography Songs or other memory by songs products, see the homesite for Audio Memory.

See Cathy Duffy's review of this product.

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African American Boys homeschool are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

One homeschooling mother decided to write her own curriculum to fill the gap. I would like to introduce Belinda Bullard, who homeschools her three children, teaches college, writes curriculum, scrapbooks, sews, and manages a vibrant family. You can find out more about her Charlotte Mason style curriculum at her blog, Chronicles of a Blessed Heritage and at the curriculum site, A Blessed Heritage.

I learned from Belinda that in 1997 only one percent of homeschoolers were African Americans, but that percentage is growing exponentially. Just five years later, that figure was closer to 5 percent–and rising .

From Belinda's blog she explains why she decided to write a curriculum for homeschool history:

"Upon careful study, I concluded my search disappointed.  Significant portions, if not all, of African-American history were missing from most Christian and/or literature-based curricula.  At best, there may have been a cursory mention of more prominent characters like Harriet Tubman, George Washington Carver, and perhaps Frederick Douglass.  Moreover, not only was the African-American experience ignored, but also the same was largely true of all people of color.  Too often the tragedy and triumph of the Native American, as an example, was overshadowed by the overabundance of literature on the life of the Pilgrim.  Americans of Asian and Spanish descent were not mentioned at all.   God gave me a vision to write this curriculum."

The Blessed Heritage lessons are presented using a Charlotte Mason approach. Passages of literature present ideas. The parent encourages the children to reflect and document what has been read. One way of doing this is through journaling and timeline development.  The curriculum guide provides activities for auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning.

In Belinda's own words,

"I searched for literature that was uplifting and accurate in capturing the emotions of people of color (not just African-Americans).   I wanted books that were able to move the mind and heart, not just present facts.   It was, and is, important to me that the child who benefits from this curriculum not only can place people and events, but also gain an awareness of what a given experience felt like for the people involved."

In consideration of the financial plight of many homeschooling families, Belinda reminds parents that most, if not all, of the books listed as needed resources are available in public libraries. Also, remember that books can be bought used at substantial savings. (NOTE from Julie @ Best Homeschool Buys: "I  recommend Paperback Swap as a great way to recycle your old books, and receive credit for new books that you may need for homeschool such as the books that are used in this history curriculum.")

"It is my prayer that each one who uses A Blessed Heritage’s products will be enlightened and inspired by the stories told.  Most of all, regardless of the struggles that our people and all people encountered in building this great nation, we should be clear that, as Romans 8:28 exhorts us, ‘All things work together for good for them that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose’.  May God bless you richly." Belinda Bullard

Belinda Bullard

One further note from Belinda about this curriculum:

"Julie,   this is such a wonderful blessing for me, and thank you!   The only thing I would add is that the curriculum isn't just for elementary schooled students.   We have several products that were designed with middle school aged students in mind.    I appreciate your help in spreading the word."

For additional information in African American homeschooling in general, see Best Homeschool Buys' list of links and resources at African-American Homeschooling Resources.

Used Homeschool Curriculum Searches for Textbooks and Workbooks

blessed heritage history are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

Best Homeschool Buys usually has listings for Used Apologia textbooks and materials for every grade.

Click on links below to see what used Apologia homeschool curriculum is available for sale today:

Science for Homeschool	Apologia Elementary Science Apologia General Science Apologia Physical Science Apologia Biology Apologia Chemistry Apologia Physics Advanced including Human Body

Since our family used Apologia for seventh grade through high school, you might like to see my Apologia Science Review that tells how it worked for us. Remember, every family is different. Just because a curriculum is a fit for us doesn't necessarily mean that it is right for your family.

Which Apologia Science should I take at the secondary level?

Knowing which science courses to offer your student at the secondary level and when to offer them can seem difficult. In reality, course sequencing for junior high and high school isn't that hard when you know one important fact: A student's mathematics level is the key factor for his or her success or failure in the high school sciences. If you make sure that your child is well prepared mathematically for the science course he or she will take, you will have gone a long way toward assuring your student's academic success. See secondary science chart.

What are the differences between Apologia editions?

Improvements made in the newer Apologia science editions are:
* Dr. Jay  Wile has been answering student questions on each of these courses for seven years or more. Those questions have allowed him to realize what sections of the books could be written more clearly. Thus, the newer  editions  are even more understandable than the first editions.
* The student text has graphic icons that tell the student if there is a related multimedia presentation on the optional CD.
* There are course websites that have links to materials which provide extra help as well as interesting news related to each field.
* There are cumulative tests in the solutions and tests manual if the teacher wants to give the student quarterly, semester, or final tests.
* The tests in the solutions and tests manual contain a point system that helps the teacher grade the tests.
* Though the module tests are found in the solutions and tests manual (so that the teacher has a copy of them), a second set of tests is also included in a perforated booklet. This allows the student to take tests without referring to the solutions and tests manual.
Because of the differences between the 1st and 2nd editions, students in a group setting  must all have the same edition.

The best place to find Used Homeschool Curriculum!

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apologia science objectives are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

A Beka Geometry
Cathy Duffy explains the difference in  A Beka's 2 geometry textbooks:

Plane Geometry which is a one-year course uses traditional methods. These include formal proofs. This metho helps develop logical, systematic thinking skills. It is a primarily theoretical rather than practical. This text is equivalent to the typical high school geometry course. You need the student text and the solution key, which shows the solutions to the problems.  Also available are a Student Test Booklet and Student Quiz Booklet.

Analytical Geometry-  For students who plan to major in math-related fields and for parents with good math knowledge. It is either a semester or a one-year course. A Beka recommends using Analytical Geometry one semester and  Trigonometry with Tables the other semester. Also available is a solution key for selected problems and a student test/quiz booklet.

See what Used A Beka Geometry or Used Abeka Math is available today.

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Saxon Algebra courses include Geometry.  Some people object to sprinkling Geometry lessons throughout an Algebra book. Though we used Saxon for high school math, I feel that my children might have done better in Geometry, particularly theroms and proofs, if they had a separate Geometry course. Even so, Lane and Nathan,( the oldest2  children) went on to major in engineering and are now working engineers with real jobs

Check for Used Saxon Math.

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Used Teaching Textbooks - Geometry- Most reviewer consider the Teaching Textbooks to be an easier course.

I love the way Konos Curriculum connects history and science to real people. We get to know the people through reading living books and then each one is added to our timeline. The timeline is a wonderful tool to  mesh together what is learned in the units.

There are 160 timeline characters that go with the Volume 1 Unit Studies.

-  See what used Konos Timeline Sets are available today. See what used Konos Curriculum is available today.

or  click to the  Konos Home Site where they are available for $59.95 + S/H.

Following is the list of timeline characters for each character trait unit:

Volume I Timeline Characters

Attentiveness
Jesus, Samuel, Mary, Martha, Joseph Brant, Sequoya, Hiawatha, Osceola, Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, Geronimo, Chief Joseph, Sacagawea, Pocahontas, Tecumseh, Jim Thorpe, Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone, William Clark and Meriwether Lewis, Kit Carson, Jim Bridger, Jedediah Smith, Bringham Young, John Stutter, Helen Keller, Alexander Graham Bell, Louis Braille, John James Audubon

Obedience
Jesus, Joshua, Abraham, Sarah, Noah, rainbow, Adam, Eve, tree, Widen, Jonah, Lot, Paul, Timothy, Col. Alois Podhajsky, Sir Thomas More, Johannes Gutenberg, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gen. George S. Patton Jr., Eddie Rickenbacker, Adm. Hyman Rickover, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Harry Truman, Audie Murphy, Henry VIII, Richard the Lion-Hearted, Charlemagne, Elizabeth I, Mary, Queen of Scots, Queen Victoria, Esther

Orderliness
God, Days of Creation, Adam, Zerubbabel, Aristotle, Galileo, Johannes Kepler, Sir Isaac Newton, Linnaeus, Lamarck, Charles Darwin, Charles Babbage

Trust
Joseph, Mary, Ruth, Boaz, Naomi, David, Goliath, Saul, sheep, Eve, tree, Samson, Delilah, Daniel, lion, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, John the Baptist, Abraham, Isaac, altar, camel, Noah, Elijah, Corrie ten Boom, George Mueller, Hudson Taylor, Jim Elliot, David Copperfield, Andre Cole, M.C. Escher, Samuel Morse, John Bunyan, Robin Graham, Thor Heyerdahl, Robert Fulton, Daniel Bernouilli, Orville Wright, Wilber Wright, Charles Lingbergh, Amelia Earhart, Baron von Richthofen, Chuck Yeager

Stewardship
Joseph, Pharaoh, Daniel, Ken Cooper, Eric Liddell, Johann Sebastian Bach, George Fredrick Handel, David Livingstone, Teddy Roosevelt, William Mayo, Charles Mayo, Clara Barton

Patience
Joseph, Pharaoh, Jacob, Rachel, sheep, Leah, Esau, angel ascending the ladder, David, Job, George Washington Carver, Luther Burbank, Cyrus McCormic, Sir Alexander Fleming, Jane Goodall

Honor
Moses, tabernacle, Aaron, Jesus, Cain, Abel, Seth, Paul, Mary and Jesus, Ham, Shem, Japheth, Augustine, Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Mother Teresa, William Booth, Corrie ten Boom, Phidias, Ghiberti, Donatello, Michelangelo, Auguste Rodin, Edgar Degas, Frederic Bartholdi, Emma Lazarus, Gutzon Borglum, Alexander Calder, Henry Moore, Gregor Mendel, Fanny Crosby, Isaac Watt, Charles Wesley, John Newton, Sir Christopher Wren, Filippo Brunelleschi

Investigate more Unit Study based Homeschool Curricula.

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best homeschool buys, KONOS Timeline Characters volume 1, used konos curriculum volume 1 are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

See what new and used Wordly Wise is available today...

Wordly Wise by Educators Publishing Service is a popular vocabulary workbook curriculum  that  provides systematic  instruction which builds a connection between vocabulary and reading comprehension.  Several of our 5 children used it in our homeschool during fifth through ninth grade.  We liked it because it didn't take a lot of time to do the lessons, yet they were interesting and memorable. My children spent about 20 minutes on Wordly Wise for 4 days a week.

When children are approaching high school,  vocabulary instruction should focus on preparing them with strategies to unlock the word meaning that they will come across their textbooks, in literature, and in achievement and college entrance tests.

They need to develop skills & strategies that focus on vocabulary development and reading comprehension.

Wordly Wise curriculum includes exercises that develop skills in:

• Critical thinking
• Using a dictionary and pronunciation key
• Word usage
• Test taking/assessment
• Context clues
• Synonyms and antonyms
• Multiple-meaning words
• Using word parts to determine meaning:Prefixes,suffixes,Greek & Latin roots
• Homophones
• Picture clues and captions
• Analogies
• Word origins
• Repeated exposure in many contexts

What about Wordly Wise for younger students?

The following video gives an overview of  Wordly Wise 3000 vocabulary for the elementary child.

Check out our New and used Wordly Wise at Best Homeschool Buys.

Wordly Wise Benefits include for the younger grades include:

* The flexible lesson plans introduces and develops vocabulary in 20–25 minute lessons, 3–4 days a week
* The High-utility & content-area words have been chosen from The Living Word Vocabulary and The Reading Teacher’s Book of Lists
* Additional practice materials to reinforce vocabulary
* Assessments (Formal and Informal) can be administered individually (as well as in small groups)

Beautifully meshing literature together with each historical period making history come alive.

Our family used Beautiful Feet for the study of the Ancient World and also the Medieval World. We adapted for some of the children at the junior high level and others at the high school level. It worked very well for us. We liked the literature selections very much, even enjoyed reading parts for Shakespeare's Julius Caesar while studying Rome. Genevieve Foster Books are used as an anchor book for many of the historical periods covered by the Beautiful Feet Guides.

Beautiful Feet's Ancient History Guide: History Through Literature

You might be interested to know that the Beautiful Feet Ancient History Guides have been revised, expanded and improved. The favorite year long ancient world study now includes TWO study guides in one! It features separate notes for intermediate (5th-8th grade) and high school students.

One of the Beautiful Feet Guides is for Ancient History. It guides you through the fascinating ancient civilizations of Sumeria, Egypt, Greece and Rome. You'll find Biblical history combined with the writings of Shakespeare, Padraic Colum, Genevieve Foster and many others.  The guides contain lesson plans, detailed study notes, vocabulary lists, maps,and tests including answer keys. All this combines to make this Beautiful Feet curriculum proves to be an exciting study that reveals much relevancy of the ancient world to today!

Practical Homeschooling Magazine’s Reader Award First Place in History, 2009  AND MORE: see below:

Important components of Beautiful Feet:
References
A listing of relevant websites
Vocabulary lists
Historical notes
Comprehension questions and answer key
The Intermediate section of the study guide contains 71 lessons. You are recommended to complete 2 or 3 each week.
The Senior High section contains 91 lessons. You should try to complete 3 per week.
...and much more. Everything you need to teach ancient history using the best literature available.

The Author of the Beautiful Feet History Through Literature Guides, Rea Berg

Rea Berg who has her Masters in Children’s Literature, was first inspired  by the book, For the Children's Sake written by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay , to pursue a "living books" approach to education when she began home schooling  in the mid 1980's. Macaulay's work inspired Rea's creation of our History Through Literature Study Guides, which combine a biblical worldview with a solid literature approach. Charlotte Mason's books also confirmed that creating a love of learning within an academically stimulating and challenging environment could best be achieved by reading a rich selection of well-chosen classic and historical literature for children. Rea includes many books from the Golden Era of children's historical literature,from the 1930s through the 1960s. Such notable authors as Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire, James Daugherty, Olivia Coolidge, Genevieve Foster, Esther Forbes, Elizabeth George Speare, Holling Clancy Holling, Alice Dalgliesh, Marguerite De Angeli, among many others wrote award-winning books noted for their literary quality and artistic beauty.

Beautiful Feet Books now provides guides and educational products to home educators all over the globe and The History Through Literature Study Guides  have received  recognition such as: Mary Pride's Practical Homeschooling Reader Awards for categories in History, Geography, and Literature, Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Picks, and The Old School House magazine.

See more Beautiful Feet (used) History Through Literature books and study guides.

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Beautiful Feet Early American History for Primary Grade    US $8.00

Beautiful Feet American History Time Line by Berg    US $5.50

BEAUTIFUL FEET Medieval History STUDY GUIDE Homeschool    US $6.28

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Games from Discovery Toys & Aristoplay

Although games are not often thought to be a big part of homeschool, I found that educational games such as those offered by Discovery Toys and Aristoplay are a great way to promote effortless learning. Not only that, but playing games together is such satisfying fellowship. The social interaction of playing a game with others is a far cry superior to playing video games alone.

Good games are not hard to find and most classic games are beneficial to children by helping them develop various problem solving skills. Discovery Toys and Aristoplay games provide even more learning potential as they create games that help children learn skills and knowledge as they have fun with their friends and family. Learning is truly a rewarding experience that natural curiosity craves and seeks.

During my 20 years (plus) of homeschooling our 5 children, I have always sought to have a learning environment for my children that goes far beyond our basic curriculum. Playing games together compliments our studies and on some days replaces the usual assignments.

My children loved Jewels in the Attic! (Doorknob cards turn any room into a dark cellar, a guest room, a library and the attic. Players work together to decode the clues to reach the attic and win the jewels.) FUN!

For discount Discovery Toys

For Aristoplay Games

I have always tried to incorporate a timeline in our history studies. I like the way the Foster books include sketches of the people and events that occurred during a certain period of time. I often make copies of these pages to include in our timeline creations. Foster does such an excellent job to give readers a sense of the way events overlap in history. I have never seen any other book or teaching source that does this as effectively.

The Genevieve Foster books are used by the Beautiful Feet guides and other history homeschool curricula.

(See Beautiful Feet used homeschool auctions)

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Genevieve Foster GEORGE WASHINGTONS WORLD 1941 1st Ed    US $24.99

WORLD OF WILLIAM PENN Genevieve Foster 1973    US $32.00

The World of William Penn NEW by Genevieve Foster    US $21.85

New and Used Homeschool Curriculum

A Short List of Pros of Homeschooling:

(There are many more)

-Fosters family closeness and good relationships between siblings

-Enables students to pursue studies of a wide range of topics that may be outside the range of a traditional school's scope and sequence

-Homeschooling can offer extremely individualized education.

-Homeschooling keeps families together instead of family members going off in different directions.

Homeschooling usually prevents peer pressure issues that often have such negative effects on children and especially teens.

Homeschooling usually produces young people that are confident, responsible, socially skilled, and productive.

Cons of Homeschooling:

-There are some opportunities that are readily available in traditional schools that are not available in homeschool. (The opposite is true also- homeschooling offers opportunities that are not available in regular school.) But with homeschool, there is always tremendous freedom because your children can learn however and where ever and from whomever. Parents can find opportunities for their children that totally make up for whatever they miss in regular school.

-Because homeschooling has become more widely accepted, many people drift into homeschooling that are not prepared for the hard work and restructuring of life that homeschooling may require. If the parents can not offer the leadership to help their children thrive in life which includes practical skills, social skills, spiritual training, academic knowledge and skills, then the children will suffer. Every family is different, so homeschooling is very individualized, but it does take effort and work from the parents. It is not a "laid back", do-nothing endeavor.

-I take issue with the often mentioned "con" of homeschooling: Lack of social interaction. I would guess that this is a problem with less than 10 percent of homeschooled children, yet it is always mentioned as a con! My experience with homeschooling is that homeschooled children have much better social skills than traditionally schooled kids. They usually know how to communicate well with people of all ages, not just their peers. This comes from not being segregated by age. They are around adults and children of many different ages every week. Homeschooled children generally have very good manners and learn how to work hard because they pitch in with the family chores so that Mom has time to teach and read aloud. Today, particularly, with the popularity of homeschooling, there are abundant opportunities for social interaction: coops, field trips, park days, church groups, and volunteer work.

-Homeschooling in high school can be difficult for families with unmotivated teens. (as I have discovered first hand with my youngest son). With an unmotivated high school student, you can't go on homeschooling as in the early years with Mom or Dad teaching or leading the child to learn on his own. My son got lazy. We wasted a year of school,  accomplishing very little. This year, we enrolled him in a homeschool tutorial that has classes that meet once a week. He still has the benefits of homeschool, but he has accountability to other teachers in addition to his parents which, in his case, was what he needed. He has become a great student with this tutorial motivation.

-Homeschooling is hard. It takes parents who are committed to giving their children the best education that they can and who continually seek opportunities that suit their children's needs. This means looking all around for those needed  sources -tutors, special classes, lessons, travel, field trips, events, seminars, videos, audios, books.

Our family (with 5 children) has homeschooled for over 20 years with success. Our oldest son is an electrical engineer, second oldest son is a mechanical engineer, third son is a business major in college who hopes to have his own business. Our only daughter is an English major who is a writer (almost finished with her first book).  Our youngest son is still homeschooling (mentioned above) He is thriving this year with the extra motivation of a homeschool tutorial.

The picture below is of me with Jonathan, (youngest son) on Mother's Day this year. He is playing his lute which he made as a project for his humanities study of the Medieval Period. The lute really works!

I believe that Doorposts offers the best materials available for applying the Bible to family life and for instructing your children in righteousness. We loved these products! Every single one that we used was useful in teaching our children the application of Biblical truth. These products are easy and delightful to use. I hope to write a more detailed review of specific Doorpost publications sometime soon.

What did we use and like?
Some of the Doorpost products that our family of 7 used were:
For Instruction in Righteousness,
Go to the Ant, The Blessing Chart
If...Then Chart, Stewardship Street
Brother Offended Checklist
Service Opportunites Chart
Mighty Acts of God.
And Patterns and Toys:
The Ruby Doll: Proverbs 31 Doll
Days of Creation, Armor of God Patterns
Bible Time Paper Dolls, Jonah and the Big Fish Pattern, Baby Moses Doll Pattern

Unfortunately, Doorpost products are hard to find used.  (See what Pre-owned Doorpost Materials are available today)Most families want to keep them or they get so thoroughly used that they are not fit to be sold. I keep all of my Doorpost products even though my children are mostly grown.

Amazon may have some used Doorposts for sale. I set up some links at the bottom of the eBay listings for you to check out. Go to Doorposts.com so see all the products. You'll find their prices to be very reasonable.

US Auctions Australian Auctions Austrian Auctions Belgian Auctions Canadian Auctions French Auctions German Auctions Indian Auctions Irish Auctions Italian Auctions Dutch Auctions Polish Auctions Spanish Auctions Swiss Auctions UK Auctions

Best Match Time: ending soonest Time: newly listed Price: lowest first Price: highest first Price + Shipping: lowest first Price + Shipping: highest first

As Unto the Lord A Guide for Wives Doorposts NEW    US $18.00

Brother Offended Checklist Booklet Doorposts Color NEW    US $9.50

Go To The Ant Chart Doorposts Color Laminated NEW    US $5.50

New and Used Homeschool Curriculum

This video offers a lot of practical tips for encouraging your children to think like entrepreneurs.

A few of the entrepreneurial tips Cameron offers:

• Give children opportunities to be problem solvers when it comes to work and finding better ways of doing something. Get them thinking about services they can offer or things that they can make that people with buy.
• For the money your children earn, teach them to save 50 percent of what they earn in a Bank savings account.
• Help them invest their saved money to make more money.
• What about ADD? How does it correlate with the entrepreneurial spirit and inspiration?
• How failure at one thing can lead to success in another.
• Why  you don't have to be good at everything to be a successful entrepreneur.

There is so much more in this 20 minute video. The last part of the video is especially inspiring to those of us who would like to see our children take a different path that the masses shaped for corporate jobs.

If you are really interested in home business and entrepreneur endeavors for yourself of your children, you would probably like Susan Whitehead's interviews better known as Homeschool E-Biz.

Save 20% On The New 2010 Version Of Switched-On Schoolhouse -Use Coupon Code "SAVEBIG" during checkout!

Consider these:

Some of us are in a season right now that leaves little time for teaching. It happens to every family, but is especially prevalent now with the present economic woes as more homeschooling mothers are taking on part time employment to make ends meet.  Well, the Switched on Schoolhouse homeschool curriculum does the teaching for you so you can homeschool with less time involved as the teacher. I won't pretend that ANY HOMESCHOOLING can be done with out parental oversite. We must always be involved and on top of things. Our children need accountability. They also do better when parents are interested and aware of what they are learning, especially when there is further discussion about the subjects at hand. That being said, you can rely on Switched on Schoolhouse to teach Math, Language Arts, Science, History, Geography, and Bible.

(picture credit:  http://www.homeschool-curriculum-savings.com )

Switched-On Schoolhouse is a full CD-ROM curriculum where children learn, study, and do their schoolwork right on the computer. All the core subjects are included: Math, Language Arts, Science, History, Geography, and Bible. SOS automatically guides the rate of student work, drills, and sets the level of achievement.

Homeschool Mom, Evelyn says, "I like the expanded answer key which displays acceptable answers for problems and questions. That makes grading simpler for me and fairer for my  students. "

The Switched on Schoolhouse Curriculum includes automatic grading and record-keeping. There is just no easier way to teach your child at home. This computer based curriculum will be a great help for any parent who wants to home school but feels unable  because of time,  resources or know-how.

SOS includes many features but the often cited favorite by children  are the interactive games for one or two players that provides practice for the  students and reinforces what they are learning.

See our Switched on Schoolhouse Review by Best Homeschool Buys

You can what this You Tube video that shows a fourth grade boy using the AOP Switched on Schoolhouse. (Sorry I couldn't embed this video for you since the embedding feature was disabled

Other Related Links for Homeschool Software:

Computer Homeschool Site with list of links

Homeschool Software Site : Family relates personal experience with homeschool software

Computer Curriculum for teaching children to use computer tools such as:

• produce a book advertisement using PowerPoint
• write a report about endangered species using Word
• analyze and graph survey results using Excel
• organize data on a topic using Access
• create a digital scrapbook using Photoshop
• animate a story using Flash

Each technology project, integrates into traditional subject areas such as language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and visual arts. (May be more suited for traditional school. I haven't tried this program, but it looks interesting)

Used Homeschool Curriculum Searches for Textbooks and Workbooks

used switched on school house grade 4 are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

photo credit: Travis Isaacs

Listen to interviews...

with experienced homeschoolers and home business owners that will encourage you toward your entrepreneurial efforts and help you  know how to avoid pitfalls.

Susan Whitehead of Homeschool Biz Expo offers daily interviews with a Panel of Home Education Experts, Family Focused Entrepreneurs, and Internationally Known Public Speakers which include:

Andrea Cockrum

"Mrs. Entrepreneur: Behind the Scenes Glimpse of Living with an Internet Success Story"

Andrea is not your average homeschool mom of 5. She’s lived in Central America for months, showcased her art at local art shows, and is married to one of the most popular and well respected internet marketers on the planet. Andrea isn’t afraid of challenges and handles them with amazing grace! You will love hearing from this REAL mom!

March 1, 2010 - Best Homeschool Buys Summary

Day Eight Notes

Susan Whitehead

"Stepping in Faith: Going From J-O-B to FREE!"

Susan is the proud momma of 5 and life-long serial entrepreneur. In 1998, she made her first dollar online and hasn’t looked back since! In 2005, she and her husband began to feel a call to walk away from a VERY secure (and high paying) military career to pursue a more entrepreneurial lifestyle. In faith, they set out on an adventure of a lifetime…relying on their own God given skills and gifts to create incomes for their growing family.

March 2, 2010

Kerry Beck

Kerry enjoys meeting with young moms to encourage them in raising, educating and encouraging their own kids. She also has a strong desire to show families ways to give children a love of learning.

March 3, 2010

Jim Cochrum

"Multiple Income Streams for a Raging River of Profits"

Ranked as the #1 most trusted Internet Marketer on IMreportCard.com, Jim Cockrum, homeschool dad of five, has a long history of making money online. He’s sold multiple millions of dollars of products and services and has been helping others start successful eBay and online businesses since 2000. He earns his living from the Internet and he works full-time educating others on how to run successful Internet and eBay businesses. The Cockrum family has committed their lives to helping others find their true calling and passion that they believe is placed in each person by God.

March 4, 2010

See Last Week's Homeschool Entrepreneurs

Used Homeschool Curriculum Searches for Textbooks and Workbooks

andrea cockrum are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

I really enjoyed listening to the Susan's Whitehead's interview with Andrea Cochrum, wife of internet entrepreneur, Jim Cochrum and homeschooling mom of five (3 internationally adopted).

Susan (of Homeschool Biz Expo) and Andrea have much in common. Both have 5 children are homeschooling, and have husbands that work at home.

Andrea is married to one of the most popular and well respected internet marketers around. The Cochrum family business is an example of a home business that is run by the husband while the wife handles the majority of the homeschooling and home making work. Andrea talks about her supportive role to her entrepreneur husband.

Andrea first revealed her initial uneasiness with Jim's desire to leave the corporate world and rely on his fledgling new internet business as a means of supporting the growing Cochrum family. It was a process for Andrea to trust this to her husband, to pray and rely on God to provide for their family even though at the time she felt very unsure about their likelihood of success with a home business.

She discusses the adjustments that were required as they learned how to manage family life, homeschooling, and running a business from home.  I laughed as she revealed her secret...her husband Jim often does his work in pajama pants and  has to hunker down in a closet somewhere to take a business call  to get away from the noise of five children at home.

People don't understand their family since they, including Jim, are home all the time. The easiest answer for "What do you do?" is that Jim is an author, because it is so difficult to explain what he does as an eBay expert and helping people find tools to build a business online.

Andrea believe that the home business has been a uniquely positive experience for their five children. The older children express an interest in following in their Dad's footsteps.

I listened to Andrea's amazing story about their adoption of baby Aven in Guatemala  in September 2008. The Cochrum family, because of Jim's internet business, was able to relocate temporarily in Guatemala for an indefinite period while the adoption was finalized.  She shared some of the opportunites that they took advantage of  while living in South America  including hiking to a volcano. It was a great experience for the family to live in a different country for a while.

Andrea talks about homeschool stereotypes and how through her blog, she hopes she is debunking those myths and showing how homeschoolers are real families and not weird, socially disfunctional nerds.

She explains her opinion that some people are "entrepreneurially wired"  and entrepreneur success comes more easily to them. Her husband is one of those, but she isn't. Yet you can see that her supportive role has been an essential element of Jim's success. Additionally, Andrea offers advice to wives that have husbands that want to pursue their own businesses.

So besides homeschooling, managing her home, keeping up with five kiddos, and supporting her husband in his entrepreneurial  endeavors, she spends a lot of time writing her blog which you can visit at: True Moments with Family.  Andrea considers the blog her family scrapbook. Another Cochrum family website that is about Adoption, Adoption Questions We Get is a very helpful site with delightful pictures and true personal  Cochrum family stories. She answers adoption questions that are typically asked.  She also has a low key art business on the side that she hopes to develop further when these days of mothering and homeschooling are over.

You can still get in on the second half of the Homeschool Biz Expo interviews that are offered free this week, one interview each day. The ones that I have listened to offer some really good ideas and will help get you thinking about all kinds of possibilities for your family to develop additional income. A home business can be a great addition to homeschooling and offers some great opportunities to your children in addition to providing income for the family.

For more information see original article, Homeschooler Entrepreneurs,  announcing this free home business resource  or blog post  Homeschool Family Business.

-First Day interview:  Debbye Cannon of Business Mom Mentor

For more information see original article, Homeschooler Entrepreneurs,  announcing this free home business resource.

Debbie Cannon speaking to moms and all nurturing women who are in a sense, Moms, even when not raising children of their own. Homeschooling and/or looking out for the well being of others is a business unto itself.  If you homeschool, you know that in many ways homeschooling is like running a business in your home. You must prioritize, systemize, organize, plan and set goals.

Debbye has developed a strategy known as Smart Cuts: (shortest,smartest,fastest ways of doing things). Women have so much to do. We are struggling with the juggling. We are not lazy, but we don't want to spend more time on our work and required tasks than we have to. We all desire to have more value in life.

___________________________________________________________________________________

From Julie Simmons of Best Homeschool Buys

My notes from today's home business interview of Debbye Cannon with Susan Whitehead:

"Taking the Struggling Out of Juggling to Increase Productivity"

Debbye created a system to accomplish more. Friends started recognizing that she was having success in accomplishing more in her home and with her family. She had learned prioritizing without agonizing. Her methods included steps that go beyond organizing through cleaning out clutter. She shows other women how to find good ways to do tasks, but to be realistic about methods and goals.

I took notes on the interview. You can read my notes on Debbye Cannon's Solutions HERE:  Home Management Interview

- photo credit: abardwell

If you are interested in learning more about the possibilities for home business, you've got to see this new resource for homeschool entrepreneurs!

If you are like me, you have at least considered ways you could contribute to the family's income while staying at home to teach your children. I had so many questions when I first started my online business three years ago:  Where do I start? What should I do? What can I do? How do I do it?

My mentor and friend, Susan Whitehead (homeschool mother of 5) is launching a great resource for homeschooling families this week. Whether you are hoping to add income to your family or already have a home business that you want to improve, Susan 's Homeschool Biz Expo is lined up to give advice and tips from experts (real homeschoolers who also have successful businesses) that will help you avoid making mistakes.

Experienced homeschoolers and home business owners will encourage you toward your entrepreneurial efforts and will show you how to avoid the mistakes. Susan's Panel of Home Education Experts, Family Focuse Entrepreneurs, and Internationally Known Public Speakers include:

Debbye Cannon- Business Mom Mentor

"Taking the Struggling Out of Juggling to Increase Productivity"

Julie Schultz

"Selling Old Books Online to Make a Great Living"

Steve & Kerry Beck

“Can’t Miss Formula For Creating Your Very Own Online Business"

Sarah Cook- Raising CEO Kids

"The Keys to Inspiring the Inner CEO in Your Kids"

Bob and Tina Farewell -an entrepreneurial homeschool family in 30 years of marriage

"Keeping Your Marriage Strong While Birthing a Successful Business and Raising Entrepreneurs"

Terri Johnson of Knowledge Quest

"Confidently Homeschooling Your Kids While Operating a Thriving Business"

Cindy Rushton-homeschool convention speaker & author

"From Ideas to Products: Creating a Business with Your Brilliance"

The list above is only the first week's schedule of interviews. There is a whole more week of interviews just as helpful as these.

These interviews are totally free for you to listen to. You only need to register with your email and Susan will send you each day's  link to her interview with the leading homeschool entrepreneurs. If you sign up late, I believe that the links to the interviews will still be sent to you, one per day, until you have had a chance to listen to all 12 of them.

Susan's interviews are no longer free but are still offered at a value for all the information that is provided.

Find out more about Susan's interviews at her site, Homeschool Ebiz Expo

- photo credit: The Consumerist

I hope to listen to each interview and write a summary review each day from my notes. I hope this will be as great an inspiration to you readers as it is to me.

"Taking the Struggling Out of Juggling to Increase Productivity"

"Mrs. Entrepreneur: Behind the Scenes Glimpse of Living with an Internet Success Story"

Thank you, Susan,  for all of your hard work in offering these resources to us!!!

This is how I know Susan Whitehead of Homeschool Biz Expo. As I sought to learn how to start a family business, Susan  stood out to me as a person that was willing to answer my questions. She responded to my email questions, and even was available by phone if I should need help. Since then Susan has given birth to her first son after four daughters. She and her husband are homeschooling their 5 children. Recently, her husband Michael retired from the military to pursue fulltime work at home.

Julie Simmons of Best Homeschool Buys

- photo credit: di_the_huntress

Homeschooled Engineers

Nathan (at  left: Mechanical Engineering-2008) & Lane (at right: Electrical Engineering-2009)

After over 12 years of homeschooling, then community college, then the university, our two oldest sons each received a B.S. in engineering at Mississippi State University.

Homeschool gave Lane and Nathan the freedom to pursue their own interests. Their creative ideas were encouraged and enabled. We often gave them time away from some of their traditional school assignments to get really involved in a project. I count these delight directed studies as some of the best learning opportunities in homeschool. Children are like sponges for learning the things that interest them.

If you have a budding engineer, provide him/her time, space, and materials to work on projects. There are so many great building sets available. The time your child spends building is not wasted time. They may be building important things one day soon and making a living for their families with their building expertise.

Also, help your children see the relationship between math and every kind of problem solving. Students often bewail the lack of practical use of algebra and other math disciplines.  It is important to demonstrate and teach your children the day to day application of math, but also, they need to realize that the problem solving that is involved in math work is applicable to problem solving in all areas of life (especially engineering!)

Lane Builds with Fishertechnique Set

One note to other parents of children who have a strong interest in engineering with a relatively weak preparation during high school. Both of our sons, because of jobs (and other interests) during high school/homeschool, didn't go beyond Algebra 2. They both went to community college, starting with College Algebra, then Trig, then Cal I, II, III, IV and so on.

When they went to college, they succeeded because they were serious students with determination to do whatever was required,  not because of excellent high school prep. When they got to the university, occasionally, they would drop a course that they got a bad start in, and begin again the next semester with a head start.   This is expensive, but is worth it if necessary. They also took advantage of limited "Grade Forgiveness" to retake a course.

At MSU, engineering is one of the few (or only?) majors that doesn't require foreign language in high school or college.

Used Homeschool Curriculum Searches for Textbooks and Workbooks

homeschool curriculum engineering are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

My good friend, Susan Whitehead, who is a homeschooling mother of 5 just like I am, created this little video about homeschooling that though  noting the difficulties, expresses appreciation for the blessings for homeschooling.

Homeschoolers have a secret. Our secret, which many people do not understand, is that homeschooling is more about family life than about school. Yes, the 3 R's are part of the homeschool equations, but when we start looking at the benefits that accompany a life where little children spend their days with their parent(s) and siblings, we see results that are priceless. As Susan states in her video:

-The joy of having children who are best friends.

-The pride of seeing a child master reading.

-The blessing of solid bonds with your children.

-The fun of learning together, reading aloud together, cooking together, cleaning together.....just time to be together as a family, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Check Susan's  Mrs.Homeschool.com blog to find out what "inspired" her to create this lovely video.

__________

Susan balances being a mom to 5, a wife, a homeschool teacher, and a home business woman. She is really on the ball, but she has her struggles with getting everything done just like the rest of us.  Though I'm ahead of Susan  with the homeschooling, since only one of my five is still in high school, I have much to learn from Susan about business since she has successfully developed multiple streams of income to add to the family income.  She recently developed a website to help other homeschool moms learn how to earn income by setting up multiple revenue streams.

Her website is called MrsHomeschool.com and is all about the homeschool life coupled with learning how to work. She offers income earning  ideas suitable for children and parents, but especially for homeschool mothers.  Susan is particularly knowledgeable in using the internet as a tool for earning income and has had first hand experience that she can share with others.

Homeschool Classroom for Four

Avoid Homeschool Burnout...

I've heard it said that if you are new to homeschooling, and you haven't felt like crying several times in the first few weeks, then you are not really homeschooling. We feel the full impact of our own character flaws as well as the faults in our children.  Part of homeschooling is developing patience. Now is the time to adjust, to find better ways of doing things that aren't working out, and develop good habits while establishing a routine with a flexible schedule.

A plan and a schedule...

is of utmost important for getting homeschool done. Sometimes we plan more than we can possibly do. We must be realistic in our planning, but with creativity, often we can increase productivity in the time that we have.   There are a number of very good homeschool planners available for purchase that can really increase your productivity and help you keep up with the records, your homeschool schedule, and details of your homeschooling experience (No easy task). You can find many helpful ideas, forms, and information that puts your family on the right track.

Children's Chores

In order for a parent to be free to homeschool, many household chores must be delegated to the children. Summer is the best time to establish chore responsibilities and teach children how to do their chores well, but if it is not going well, the only way to fix it is to devote some time each day to teaching your children how to do their chores.  This will pay off in the end, but for right now, it seems to be a heavy burden. Don't feel stressed about the time it takes to get school days going somewhat smoothly. This is just a fact of life.  The whole process is a learning experience.

Help Your Children Develop Life Skills:

Learn to value the living experiences that your children are learning through as well as the academics that you are seeking to teach.  It is all part of a balanced life and preparation for maturity.  Many practical skills are essential for your children to learn and home is such a well equipped training ground for young learners. A favorite resource of mine that is a tremendous help to scheduling in a large family is Managers in Their Homes (MOTH for short).  After more than 20 years of homeschooling, I have never seen another product as helpful for managing homeschool and life for a large family.

Advice to New Homeschool Parents:

My advice to new homeschool parents is to give yourself some slack during the first month or so of school at home. Try to find enjoyment in the process.  Do not allow yourself to be stressed.  Maintain a sense of humor and try to keep the an encouraging atmosphere that has built in rewards for accomplishments. You must establish some sort of accountability program that all the children understand which will encourage hard work and completion of assigned tasks.

Incorporate an Accountability System in Your Homeschool Organization:

That's where an accountability system that includes checklists or charts are needed.  Such a system will have definite, predefined requirements along with planned rewards or planned withholding of privileges to correspond with the child's effort and/or accomplishments.

More than one of my children has expressed dislike for checklists claiming that they can get their work done without it. But Mom knows better. There is some laziness as the heart of every human being and that includes my children. They don't want a checksheet because it makes them have to work hard every day. If a system is used properly, parents are daily aware of what is accomplished by each child and make sure that the privileges or lack of priviledges that in contengent on their work, is delivered. This also teaches the valuable lesson of good  consequences for good behavior or or bad consequences for bad behavior.

One of my favorite verses that I remember when I am feeling stressed and burdened is "Come to Me all of you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." I receive peace of mind when I leave the outcome to Christ. I must give it my best effort, but He brings the fruit, He accomplishes all good things.

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(Thanks to the Reed family for sharing their homeschool classroom picture above....Thanks, Heather!)

Read about the Simmons family's Year Round Homeschool Schedule.  It has built in time to de-stress and pursue your hobbies and interests.

Read how one family avoids homeschool burnout....a different approach.

And remember to avoid financial burnout by checking Best Homeschool Buys.com for great prices on Used Homeschool Curriculum.

Used Homeschool Curriculum Searches for Textbooks and Workbooks

homeschool classroom, homeschool, Pictures of Homeschool Classrooms, homeschool classroom pictures, classroom organization, photos homeschooling classrooms, homeschooling classroom pictures, homeschool schedule, homeschool classrooms pictures are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

There were many outspoken proponents of education in the time our nation was established. One was Benjamin Rush. He was a doctor during the Revolutionary War.  He happened to be one of John Adams' best friends and he was his  physician, as well.

Benjamin Rush said,

"I beg leave to remark, that the only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in Religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments."
Benjamin Rush

This quote is encouraging to me. In teaching our children at home, we are seeking to establish that foundation for education from which is yielded the virtues which are more and more lacking in our country. This kind of education with a Biblical basis is our hope for future generations to guard liberty and preserve our Republic.

Benjamin Rush (December 24, 1745 – April 19, 1813) was a Founding Father of the United States. Rush lived in the state of Pennsylvania and was a physician, writer, educator, humanitarian and a devout Christian, as well as the founder of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Benjamin Rush was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and attended the Continental Congress. Later in life, he became a professor of medical theory and clinical practice at the University of Pennsylvania.  Rush was also an early opponent of slavery.

Despite his great contributions to early American society, Rush is probably remembered most for what in did  in 1812. He encouraged John Adams to write to Thomas Jefferson and  thereby helped restore the friendship of the two former presidents whose friendship had languished because of hurtful political endeavors.

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If you have a friend who is considering homeschooling, this  a great time to help her learn more about it with a discount subscription.

But, this offer ends tonight at midnight PST--September 22.

The Old Schoolhouse has paired their one-year print subscription with the Schoolhouse Planner to provide you with the ultimate in organization and encouragement. U.S., Canadian, and other international residents can purchase these bundles for only $44--that's a savings of $20!

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Canadian residents can enjoy a TOS Encouragement Bundle for only $44! Save $20 and get a one-year print subscription and the Schoolhouse Planner! )

Many of you who visit this site know us, the Simmons family. Four of our five children have finished homeschooling through high school and have gone on to college. Of those four, only our daughter made a great score on the ACT (28). Our three sons made scores that didn't keep them out of college, but were nothing to brag about.  I tell you this so that you will not be discouraged if your student doesn't do as well as the averages reported for homeschoolers.  All of our children went to community college for the first 2 years.  They all have received some scholarships based on their success at community college.  Our oldest son went on to receive a degree in Electrical Engineering at Mississippi State University and he has been inducted into several engineering honor societies. Our second son got his degree in Mechanical Engineering (also at MSU) and completed a successful Coop program through the university.  Both of our engineer sons are gainfully employed in their field at present. Our third son is presently working on a business degree at FL State U while managing a Chick Fil A and preparing for a career as an owner/operator of Chick Fil A.  He also received a scholarship from Chick Fil A.

Homeschoolers should have no fear of college.

Even though the way we homeschooled in high school was different from what was required in college (we had much more flexibility) , all four of our college children thrived in college classes. They were in no way handicapped from having been homeschooled. Adjusting to college classes was not difficult for any of them, and they each have their own strengths and weaknesses in study habits and learning styles. Homeschoolers should have no fear of college. Don't be slack in preparing, but don't stress about it if some things are not accomplished well in high school. It is no big deal. High school records, subjects. and accomplishments  get forgotten as college accomplishments take their place.

The Simmons Family

In almost every study, homeschoolers come out in a positive light. The following article came out on CNSNews.com on September 1. It may help you in considering homeschooling through high school. It is very encouraging...

Home Schoolers Top National Average on ACT

Compared with other students, homeschoolers scored higher than the national average on this year's ACT, a national standardized test used to gauge educational development and college readiness.

The national average for 2009 graduating high schoolers reported by ACT (American College Testing) officials is 21.1 on a scale from 1 to 36.  Homeschoolers scored a national average of 22.5.

Like the SAT, ACT scores are used in the college admissions process to evaluate applicants.  Virtually all colleges accept either test, Ed Colby, spokesman for the ACT, told CNSNews.com.

Scores are based on the 1.48 million students who graduated in 2009, Colby said.  Among those students were 11,535 homeschoolers, he said.

Ian Slatter, director of media relations for the Home School Legal Defense Association, said the one-on-one attention home-schooled students receive is conducive to learning.

"Parents can tailor-make an education program to suit the child. The child can then advance at their own pace," he said.

Homeschoolers are further prepared for college because they must take initiative to accomplish projects, Slatter said.  "Typically, in the home-school environment, the teen is self-directed in their learning because parents set a topic or task, and the student will then do their own research."

Used Homeschool Curriculum Searches for Textbooks and Workbooks

ACT scores of abeka students are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

I am  very happy to share the latest TOS (The Old Schoolhouse Magazine)  E-Book (about E-Books!) with you . . .
E-Homeschooling: Embracing the E-Book Revolution

This originally $14.95 value is FREE!
You may already know the value of E-Books for homeschool curriculum and records, but if you don't, the information found in this free ebook is invaluable to you.

This unique book will help answer the following questions about E-Books and so much more:
•    Why should I buy E-Books and what are their unique benefits?
•    How can I use E-Books with homeschooling?
•    How am I supposed to read them?
•    Can I get help creating my virtual bookshelf?
•    What can you tell me about storing E-Books on my computer?
•    What are some great organizing tips for E-Books?
•    Can you give me a lot of suggestions and ideas that I can actually use?
•    What can I learn about the E-Book market and The Old Schoolhouse®?
•    What do I need to know to publish my own E-Books?
•    What are some of the legal issues in electronic publishing that I need to know about?

Whether you would like to know more  about E-Books, or are already using them as an incredible resource, or maybe you just need  more information to even write and publish your own E-Books, you’ll be delighted by the wealth of information provided.  (After all, ebook publishing allows experienced homeschoolers write and publish curriculum and tips at a minimal cost.  These savings are passed on to the buyer and many times, you will come across helpful ebooks that are absolutely free!)

Here’s what Heidi Strawser, E-Book Reviews Specialist, has to say about it:
“E-Homeschooling: Embracing the E-Book Revolution is the most all-inclusive ‘book about E-Books’ that I have ever seen (and I’m not just saying that because I had a part in writing it)! As the E-Book Reviews Specialist for the Schoolhouse Store, I see a lot of E-Books cross my path each week. Even I was impressed with the ideas and suggestions that are presented here. One of the most valuable aspects of this E-Book, in my opinion, is the legal portion written by TOS’s own legal consultant, Susan Spann. This portion is well-written and informative; and a great place for new E-Book writers to begin. From there, I’d encourage writers to check out my article for all the things we are looking at when screening E-Books for sale in our store. I think you’ll be encouraged to start writing! If not, at least you’ll learn more about E-Books, their value in today’s homeschooling arena, and how you can benefit from them.”

Get your free copy of E-Homeschooling: Embracing the E-Book Revolution

today and enjoy!!

Check out Cindy's New Organized Mom Super Set! It is full of great ebooks and audios that will help take you by the hand and plan the best homeschool year ever! Plus! When you purchase your set you get MORE help with record-keeping, organization, and setting up your home to learn--you also get access to Cindy's Organization 911 Seminar Set and her newest Seminar Set, Let's Get Organized for the New School Year.

Easy Record-Keeping for the Reluctant Homeschool Mom!
By Cindy Rushton

Record-keeping!  Does your hair stand up when you think of record-keeping? Do you begin to grind your teeth?  Did you feel like skipping this article just because it seems impossible for “EASY” and “Record-keeping” to ever go together??

Relax.  I know that there is not a “one size fits all.” I know that in spite of how hard we may search, there is not a perfect system for every mom!  That is OK! My prayer is that if you are in need of some ideas to make a couple areas a little easier or if you have no idea of where to begin, that you will find a few ideas as you come home with us to see how simple record-keeping CAN be.  Ready for some quick tips??? Here we go…

--> Find what is mandatory. Every state and school district has differing requirements. Find other homeschool families in your area and see how each of them manages their homeschool records. Find the easiest way possible to meet the requirements. Make it as DOABLE as possible!

--> Choose what works for YOU. Every mom has her favorite method that works JUST for them whether a planner with reproducible pages… a ready to use planner… a simple spiral notebook… binders… a filing cabinet… computer… etc, etc, etc!  Before you consider anything else, look at who you are.  What makes you feel more comfortable? What helps you to feel more accomplishment?  Whether formal or informal… detailed or not even written down… YOUR way is the best way!  Decide what works best for you!

--> Document daily! Don’t let it build up. Jot it down throughout the day. When my children were little, I kept one journal for everything. I kept it out on my desk so I could just jot down what we were doing as we did it. It was amazing how much easier that was than even waiting till the end of the day. As they got older, I transferred this process to them. I had always made it easy. So, transferring it to them did not overwhelm them. I began this process by letting them keep up with their reading log. The rest was easy after that. They now keep their records just like I used to. At the end of the month and again at the end of the semester I go through making sure that everything is on target and also look to see how well they are keeping up with my overall schedule. Without good records, this would be impossible.

--> Keep all of their work in Notebooks. We keep ALL of our written work in a binder of some sort.  Then, we take it further… we keep ANYTHING that can be pressed in binders.  Anything left?? Yes! Then, we take pictures and keep THEM in the binders! (Hehe!)  ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that can be studied can also be kept in Notebooks in some way.  We keep anything that would expand a study and build a great collection of information on topics we study… great quotes, definitions about a subject being studied, diagrams, character sketches, pictures, coloring sheets, art prints, poems, Bible verses, narrations, Bible word studies, on and on!  Our main reason for Notebooking in this way is that if our children are going to spend their time DOING something, it ought to be worthwhile enough for us to KEEP IT.  This teaches them to value their work, do a great job on all they do, and that ALL areas of life are truly educational.

--> Scrapbook events, activities, fun studies, and projects! Scrapbooks/Yearbooks for what are REALLY doing throughout our school year is not only fun, but it helps to preserve the memories of ALL that we are doing in our family.  There are just some things that our children are learning that are impossible to document without scrapbooking! Get out of the old “school” box and really document your family’s education. You won’t be sorry!

--> Use planning sheets designed JUST for homeschooling. Don’t let commercial record-keepers keep you from homeschooling with a lifestyle of learning! Look for printable pages that are designed just for the homeschool mom. You can find great options everywhere!

--> Buy resources that are designed just for you. We have an entire line of resources that we now have available through our bookstore. Check out our Make Your Own Brain-in-a-Binder Printables. It is designed specifically for the homeschool mom who wants pages designed for every area that must be balanced in the busy homeschool family. Also, check out other great resources by homeschool writers and even pages that are included in many homeschool books (we always try to include pages that we use in our books).  Now, you may be like me. You may prefer to make your own planning pages. That is perfectly fine! You can tailor your pages to fit exactly with your family needs. Just be sure to use what works for you!

--> At the end of the school year, file all records together. This may seem to be a mute point, however this will save your brain! At the end of our school year, I gather everything together and add them into one big binder. I date the binder and store it away for my children’s permanent file. Be sure to pull all of your records together into a set and safe place. When you get discouraged along the way, just look back and see how far you have come—it will be a HUGE blessing!

Ok...So, Are You Ready?

So, what about you?  Still scared about Record-keeping?  Why not think through YOUR OWN way?  Try your spin.  Use what is easy, simple, and will give you more time with your little ones while helping to keep things in place for you.  Most of all, find a way that can capture all of these precious memories of these days for you so you will have them to look back upon tomorrow!  Have fun! EVEN with Record-keeping!

*******************************

Need MORE Help?

Check out Cindy's New Organized Mom Super Set! It is full of great ebooks and audios that will help take you by the hand and plan the best homeschool year ever! Plus! When you purchase your set you get MORE help with record-keeping, organization, and setting up your home to learn--you also get access to Cindy's Organization 911 Seminar Set and her newest Seminar Set, Let's Get Organized for the New School Year.

Yep! Both! Complimentary!  Get your set here:

I have ordered from BookCloseouts .about half a dozen times and each time I have been impressed with the service and the value. I have found some hardcover classics that were priced less than paperbacks. It is like a treasure hunt when I look through their online catalog. When I spend a little time searching, I inevitably find a book that surprises me, a real value. I got a hard cover Johnny Tremain and several hardcover Laura Ingalls Wilder Little House books to complete our collection.

The nice thing about Book Closeouts is that they regularly offer discounts. Right now they have over 7000 Children's Books that are half of their usual Book Closeout price. This is only for a limited amount of time ( I don't know how long or I would tell you) so don't delay if you would like to grab this awesome deal on children's books.

7000 Children's Books have been discounted  by an additional 50%! Don't have the kids sitting around the television or playing video games. Keep the children entertained all summer long with great reading material. Challenge their minds and let them explore their imaginations with a good book.

They offer books for all ages including from babies to teenagers and even over.  They also have school subject books at  grade classifications from preschool to young adult.

Browse the entire sale collection right here.  Every book with the  has been discounted by an additional 50%!

Do not miss out on this exceptional promotion.  This is a limited time sale so do not delay.

BookCloseouts.com offers 5 million NEW books at blowout prices, many under $5.00 with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Her 2 older brothers have each received engineering degrees from a major university. For them, their college degree in engineering IS a ticket to a higher paying job from the beginning, but what about an English major like my daugher that reads and writes already like other people breath. Does she really need a college degree. I have a college degree and besides teaching school for a while, I have homeschooled 5 children for more than twenty years. But my daughter has a better vocabulary than I because of all of her reading. She is certainly a better writer than I am. She even did well in math and science in high school and at community college.

She would like to have her novel published before the end of 2010 and then continue to write, to travel, to read, , and one day homeschool her children.

So at this point, we all agree, that she needs to prove that she can make money with her writing. We are giving her some time to try.

These are the books that I grew up with.  The stories and pictures are delightful and remind me of my childhood. When I began homeschooling my children, my mother let me have this set that is shown in the picture above. The name of the series is Best in Children's Books published by Nelson Doubleday Inc and there are many more volumes that what I possess.

Does anybody remember The Magic Porridge Pot story that was in one of the volumes? I loved that story of the magic pot that made so much porridge that it filled the house and went out into the streets.  It was illustrated by Andy Warhol who worked during the 1950’s as a commercial artist in NY and illustrated some children’s stories including this one. Just take a look at those illustrations from  The Magic Porridge Pot in Volume 21.

Illustrations in these books offer quite a variety and make each book an artistic treasure. I have hear a very small sample of the printed pictures since each volume is profusely illustrated.

"Eating Animal Crackers" Story

"The Billy Goats Gruff" story

"Three Little Kittens Have Lost Their Mittens" Rhyme

Each book from the Best in Children's Books series begins with a classic story with color pictures usually drawn by a renowned artist. The books normally include some beautifully illustrated poetry, a science story, a story from history, a geography travel story, and an assortment of other stories of a wide variety.  Do those story subjects sound familiar? They should, since that covers the subjects taught in elementary school (except math).

When homeschooling young children, you can cover most of what they need to learn just from reading stories. This is such a fun way to homeschool and it is a low stress method. Cuddle up on the sofa and read to your children. If they are brought up on hearing stories read.  When they were young, my children were able to remember far more from what I read to them than from what they were required to read in textbooks. Now textbooks aren't all bad. They have their place, especially in the older grades and they are certainly useful as a reference, but they can be dry and tiresome. They sometimes contribute to diminishing a child's natural curiosity and love of books.

These books (Best in Children's Books) are an example of living books...books that feed your child's imagination and give her answers, books that delight, books that stimulate children to strive toward virtue.

Actually, I originally had fewer books, but when I saw that the books are always available on eBay, I found a deal and added about 12 more books to the few that I had already.  Buying them in a lot on eBay, they often end up costing between 50 cents and a dollar for each.  I am enjoying collecting more of them.

For other great buys on living books, Best Homeschool Buys has a page that lists the LOTS of children's books that are available on eBay.  This is changing everyday so take a look regularly to see what treasures you can find that don't cost very much.

Used Homeschool Curriculum Searches for Textbooks and Workbooks

doubleday best in childrens books series, best in children\s books, childrens books from the 1950s, ebay books Best in childrens books published by Nelson Doubleday Inc, the best in children\s books nelson doubleday are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

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We all have bad homeschooling days sometimes. I've even had bad weeks, or bad months, and even some bad years. Now years later, it doesn't seem to matter that every homeschooling day wasn't rosy. Life is just not a bed of roses and neither is homeschooling.  So we just have to expect that there will be those hard homeschooling times when nothing seems to be accomplished or when Mom is sick, when there is crisis in the family that must come before the school schedule,  or when there is no time to "do school".  When those times come, remember these seven tips to help you make the best of the situation:

1. Don’t give up. I truly believe a month or so of unproductive “schooltime” is better than being in public school for a whole year. Children continue to learn during these times.

2. Take time out. If you can’t handle things the way they are, take the pressure off for awhile. Do different types of things. For example, get outside more to enjoy nature, take walks, play music, dance, make things, bake together, play games, read aloud just for fun. All of these things are very beneficial and may be just what everyone needs to make the structured learning fresher.

3. Make a list of things that your older children can do independently. Let them work from this list when you are not able to be involved for awhile.

4. Spend time helping your children learn and do more chores. This will eventually ease your time crunch and is so GOOD for your children.

5. Rent educational films from the library.

6. Emphasize training of character, Bible teaching, prayer, and worship even at the expense of other subjects. Seek to instruct spiritually first and the academics will come along nicely after. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you.” Don’t stress over the academics.

7. Talk to your husband (or close friend) about problems and enlist his help.

8. Adjust the school schedule to the needs of your family. The flexibility of learning at home is one of great merit. Feel free to make changes and adjust.

photo credit: juhansonin

Our oldest son used Christian science texts that were designed for classroom instruction. He got through Chemistry because one of the fathers volunteered to teach a small homeschool class.

I read about Apologia when it was newly released (I think it was in 2001). There were testimonies from formerly frustrated students who were enjoying this curriculum. Nathan, our second son, in the 11th grade started with Apologia Exploring Creation with Chemistry. I was amazed that he was able to learn Chemistry on his own by reading the text. He learned it independently and made B's on the tests. If he got stuck on something, he would come talk to me about it, explaining what he knew and what he didn't understand. Inevitably he would figure out enough to go back and do something differently. I didn't teach, I just listened and responded if I knew anything about what he was telling me.

Jay Wile wrote this science series with an informal tone, explaining everything thoroughly. He wrote it as if he was a tutor talking to his student, rather than as if he was a professor lecturing a class. We have since used Apologia General Science, Apologia Physical Science, Apologia Biology and Apologia Chemistry with our children. The books are non-consumable and can thus be used over and over. We highly recommend them.

Used Homeschool Curriculum Searches for Textbooks and Workbooks

Apologia Exploring Creation with Biology CD, apologia science review, switched on schoolhouse spanish reviews are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

Some advice from an experienced A Beka Teacher:

"I have taught A Beka for years . The curriculum is very scripted meaning that it tells the teacher exactly what to say and do. It is also very seatwork oriented.  The best thing about it is that my children learn so much! To make it more pleasant,  I try to incorporate hands-on science, cooking, learning centers, and field trip so that it is not just paper and pencil work. I would not recommend this curriculum for the below-average student, but for children at average or above-average level, it is a winner for teaching reading skills.

Just try to keep the curriculum enjoyable for the students and the teacher.  Cut out seatwork that you don't see as necessary and add in activity that fits with what you are studying. That will effectively balance out the strain of too many paper and pencil assignments. One more thing...don't feel that you must go by the script when teaching. Use it for a reference. It is there if you need it and is especially helpful if you are a first time teacher. It is a tool and you are not a slave to it."

Another Abeka teacher that praises the Abeka Curriculum:

"I have been using the Abeka curriculum for many years and I love it. I don't use ALL the ABeka work sheets but I use most of them. Believe me, you have no idea how much paper and pencil work is required in public schools plus centers. . I have incorporated most of the Abeka methods into my classroom. Everyone is surprised at how far ahead the students in my classes are.  They seem to think that in some way,  I end up getting the children who are naturally smarter.  I know that the success that I am having is because of the Abeka curriculml.  It is so good. I try to share the strategies but they are locked into free choice play centers while I devote my time to group activities and again I use the ABeka stategies for learning. I am definitely sold on ABeka."

Homeschool parents do not have the specific lesson plan requirements that traditional school teachers may have.  You are free to adapt the Abeka Curriculum to your child rather than adapt the child to the curriculum.  THAT is the beauty of homeschooling.

For Sale:  new and used Abeka Curriculum at great prices:

Used Abeka K

Used Abeka 1

Used Abeka 2

Used Abeka 3

Used Abeka 4

Used Abeka 5

Used Abeka 6

Used Abeka 7

Used Abeka 8

Used Abeka  9

Used Abeka 10

Used Abeka 11

Used Abeka 12

Bargain LOTs of Abeka Books

Used Homeschool Curriculum Searches for Textbooks and Workbooks

a beka homeschool advice, homeschool blogs using ABeka Curriculum are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

If you are looking for excellent literature that will  inspire your sons with a knowledge of world history and global geography, and that do so in the context of the love of Christ....

R.M. Ballantyne was born into Edinburgh’s great 19th century publishing elite. His family firm published both Walter Scott and Thomas Chalmers. No wonder he knew how to spin a classic yarn! His prodigious output of nearly a hundred adventure stories was the natural fruit of the rich Scottish legacy of unbridled courage, undaunted chivalry, literary excellence, Christian virtue, and global vision. I am so grateful that Vision Forum has once again made these rip-roaring tales available. May they inspire the next generation to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord.— George Grant

Republishing the Ballantyne Christian Adventure Library is a dream come true for Vision Forum. Each Ballantyne book is produced with quality and care to give another generations of readers Smythe-sewn hardbound books that can be passed down to grandchildren.

Do you have a boy who needs a little inspiration? Give him Ballantyne!
Your son will learn about the preciousness of time and the Christian boy’s call to action through the pages of these exciting literary adventures.  He will learn that only godly character will win the day, and he will learn what it means to be a man with a Gospel mission. And he will learn this in the context of high adventure and the chivalric code of nobility. Eric Quayle, author of The Collector’s Book of Boy’s Stories explained that Ballantyne’s characters:

...rescued helpless natives from a cruel death at the hands of cannibals, or dashed through smoke and flames to the side of the swooning heroine, or plunged without a moment's hesitation into the shark infested waters for the sake of an injured friend. And, at the end of their courageous display of selfless devotion to duty, they modestly refused to accept any thanks from the victims of the drama other than perhaps a firm shake of a gratefully outstretched hand of the one who had been snatched from the jaws of a fearful death.

A list of the newly published Balantyne books available through Vision Forum follows:

• Blue Lights
• The Coral Island
• Deep Down
• The Giant of the North
• The Gorilla Hunters
• Hunted and Harried
• Martin Rattler
• The Pirate City
• Red Rooney
• The Young Fur Traders
• Gascoyne, the Sandal Wood Trader
• The Dog Crusoe and His Master
• The Cannibal Islands
• The Pioneers
• The Island Queen
• Ungava
• The Lonely Island
• The Norsemen in the West
• Post Haste
• Fighting the Flames

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1	New and Used Homeschool Curriculum

Our cat Frankie loves to get on Jonathan's Saxon Algebra 2 books.  He loves to be the center of attention so he plops down on Jon's books whenever he needs attention. Anyone who has a cat knows that they can be a very big distraction to a student who is trying to learn a new Saxon math lesson. Concentration goes out of the window.

Jonathan is our fifth "child" to use this Saxon Algebra 2  set of books.  We have an older edition and textbook is a hardcover. Having all the Saxon Math books through Advanced Math has been economical for us since we are getting five years use out of each set.  That is just $10-$15 each year. What's more, I have sold some of the earlier grades like Saxon 54 for $15 - $25 dollars after we used them for so long.

Save money on your homeschool curriculum for next year. Check for used Saxon Math below on  eBay.

To see what bargains are available for a particular Saxon book, click below:

• Saxon Math 1
• Saxon Math 2
• Saxon Math 3
• Saxon 54
• Saxon 65
• Saxon 76
• Saxon 87
• Saxon Algebra
• Saxon Advanced Math
• Saxon Calculus
• Saxon Physics

That's a lot of links, but I've heard that my visitors find it convenient to go straight to the level that they need, so I have included links to each grade or level.

Every family is different, so what works for us might not be right for your child. Some of the other popular math curricula such as Math U See and Singapore Math are listed for browsing on our Homeschool Math Curriculum page.

I wrote last year about our success with  our Year Round Homeschool Schedule.  If you haven't settled on a good schedule for your family, you might want to read here about what Cindy Rushton is offering that you can help you (Free for you). It concerns developing a good schedule for your family. This is the story:

Cindy was telling me all about her Ultimate Homeschool Expo.  She has just finished adding all of the resources into the Ultimate Homeschool Expo virtual library where everything is ONLINE for your convenience. Cindy builds a  exclusive Membership Site that includes everything from the UHSE in one place--it has audios (from all of the sessions and from the bonus gifts that her speakers give to us), ebooks, complete unit study guides, articles, printable notebooking pages, cookbooks, on and on. I can't believe all of the things that we receive for only $39.95. But she is offering a sampler FREE...

I am so excited that Cindy has given me permission to give my readers a sampler of one of her free gifts that is part of the Membership Site. This gift is an ebook and audio set that Cindy normally sells on her website.

I just listened to this and it is so practical and helpful, just what what I need to help me set priorities and set up the routines that will help us accomplish our goals.

Listen to.....

Scheduling ABC’s Audio Workshop with Cindy Rushton

Let Cindy show you her secrets to developing a homeschool schedule that works for your family!
Download by Mp3
http://tinyurl.com/2cpsb9  (you may have to copy this url and paste into your browser

As a  picture captures a thousand words, a gift like this lets you see the value of the Homeschool Expo Library.  And, just think...this is only ONE of the homeschooling helpful gifts included on the Homeschool Expo Membership Site. There are hundreds more!
New homeschooling ideas and classic homeschooling ideas are ready and waiting to encourage homeschool families.  Join today and get set your next homeschool year.

Nathan Making a Yellow Dog with Play Dough

Play dough is an art medium for homeschool with multiple uses.  I always kept a supply of play dough for my preschooler's "school" acitivity time.  Making things with play dough was an activity that was often on their school time list. It would keep my 4 year old occupied for a while while I worked one on one with my older children who needed help with reading or math.

I often made playdough with items I already had available in the kitchen. I stored it in a freezer bag and placed that bag in a plastic container with a lid. The container also stored cookie cutters, a child's rolling pin, plastic knives, and other home tools for playing with play dough.

Keep some plastic placemats to lay down for a playdough work surface on the table. There are wonderful learning placemats available at Walmart and other stores that feature world map, US map, the presidents, fractions, and many other facts that children will pick up over time, just by having the information on the placemat and talking about it with them from time to time.

You can color your homemade playdough with food coloring, but many children will prefer the uncolored since it looks more like real cookie dough.

Our playdough kit was put up and we only brought it out once every couple of weeks. By making play items available only at certain times, makes the children more excited about them.

When the playdough started to get old and dry, we would just whip up a batch of new dough!

Here is one recipe for it:

Playdough Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups flour
• ½ cups salt
• 1 tablespoon alum
• 3 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 ½ cups hot water
• food coloring

Combine oil, water, and food coloring. Combine dry ingredients and mix thoroughly and knead.

Lane Concentrating on His Creation

1. Teaching the Multi-Grade Homeschool Home
2. What You Need to Have a Good Art Education Program in the Home
3. Saving Money with Coupons
4. Habit Formation
5. Reach for the Stars: Getting Your Children (and You) Excited about Story-writing
6. Unfamiliar Territory: Covering Subjects You’re Not Familiar With
7. Lap Booking
8. Bringing Science to Life
9. Reading and spelling - How to Get it Right and What to Do When the
10. Why Teach to the Strengths When You can Strengthen the Weaknesses. An Intro to Cognitive Skills Testing and Training
11. 7 Essential Ingredients to Homeschooling Success
12. Management and Home Ministry: Getting it all Done While Putting First Things First
13. Simplified Biblical Instruction&Character Training for Your Young Children
14. Homeschooling on a Shoestring
15. Lies Homeschool Moms Believe
16. Hands-On History - How To Make History FUN!
17. Choosing Curriculum Based On Learning Style
18. Cooking Up Some Fun- How To Teach In The Kitchen!
19. Teaching Science Out of the Box
20. Evolution-Proofing Your Kids before They Go to College
21. Doing the Impossible One Day at a Time
22. Taking the Mystery Out of Science Fair Projects
23. Geology Dig into Rocks and Fossils (KIDS CLASS!!)
24. Homeschooling: Preference or Conviction?
25. What About Socialization?
26. Making Time for What Really Matters
27. Get a Jump Start on College: Save Thousands of Dollars and Give Your Teen a Safe Head Start on College!
28. Decoding the Classics: How to Read, Enjoy, and Teach Great Literature
29. The Language of Leadership
30. Funschooling
31. 46 Million Dead: Why Worldviews Matter
32. Staying Sane, Keeping On
33. Homeschooling Your Child with Learning or Attention Difficulties
34. Raising Kids to Godliness
35. Cornerstones of Communication: Beyond the Words (Specifically Teens)
36. Listening Beyond the Words: Communicating with your Teen
37. Tying it All Together: How to Use Unit Studies as the Centerpiece of a Relaxed Method of Homeschooling
38. Certified to Teach by the Grace of God --- Encouragement for Moms Who Feel Inadequate to Teach Their Children
39. Seven Highly Effective Habits of Happy Homeschool Moms
40. History & Geography through Literature
41. The Truth Behind the Mom-First Myth
42. The Three R’s for Mom:  Reason, Relationships and Resources
43. Discovering Creation with Living Books and Hands-on Science
44. Making Time for What Really Matters
45. The Mistakes Manual
46. Can the Bible REALLY Tell Me How to Succeed at Homeschooling?
47. Building your Home Library
48. Teens in the Throes of Today's Culture
49. Asking the Right Questions and Questioning the Answers
50. Hints for Successfully Homeschooling High School Students
51. How to Create Self-Reliant, Financially Successful Teens
52. Creating an Unbreakable Bond with Your Child
53. The Secret to Parenting
54. Helping Your Teen Get Published
55. Marking Your Teen's Writing
56. The Great Art Escape: Incorporating the Arts in Your Homeschool
57. Life in the Fishbowl: The Homeschooling Pastor’s Family
58. Fitting in Fitness

PLUS! Kids Classes this Year!
(For Members Only!)

1. Geology Dig into Rocks and Fossils with Felice Gerwitz
2. Civil War to Civil Rights with Angela Broyles
3. Research and Report Writing with Tyler Hogan
4. Make Your Writing Great with Cindy Rushton
5. Expressionism with Sharon Jeffus
6. Notebooking! SURE to Addict You Too! with Cindy Rushton

This is not all! There is much more to check out at the Ultimate Homeschool Workshop. Get your ticket today!

photo credit: Andrew Stawarz

When Tim and I made the decision over 20 years ago to homeschool our children, my first task was to read everything I could find about homeschooling.  With my children's future in my hands, I wanted to learn, learn, learn so I could offer them the best education and family life that I could by God's grace.  (Another day, I will share with you the books that I read that gave me direction.)  When Lane was 12 and Nathan was 10, Robert was 6, Sara was 4, and Jonathan was 2, we were living in SC and I had the chance to go to a homeschool workshop convention at Bob Jones University.  It was not often that I took a day away from the children to go somewhere by myself, but with the help of my husband, I was able to go. At this workshop, I got so many great ideas and was so encouraged by the 100's of other homeschooling families there.  There were individual classes on homeschooling like "Teaching with Live Animals", "Learning History through Reading Classics Aloud", "Multi-level Teaching". These were practical classes that helped me immensely.

Those days of needing to travel to a homeschool convention are over.

I just got an email from my friend, Cindy Rushton.  Cindy is excited to offer her newest edition of the Ultimate Homeschool Expo.  You see, the amazing thing about the Ultimate Homeschool Expo is that everything is ONLINE so it is more than a convention--it is a homeschool resource library.  If you are a new homeschooler or if you have years of homeschooing under your belt, you will find loads of ideas and encouragement from the top notch guests that Cindy has on the Ultimate Hmeschool Expo lineup

With every online event that Cindy plans, she builds a private Membership Site that includes everything in one place. There are audios from all of the sessions (and more from the bonus gifts that her speakers give to us), ebooks, complete unit study guides, articles,  notebooking pages you can print, cookbooks, and more....!  I can't believe all of the things that we receive for only $39.95.  You are likely to be able to save on your next year's curriculum and supplements through the ideas you get and the included homeschooling materials.

Anyway, back to the reason that I am sharing with you...

Cindy just sent me permission to give you a sampler of one of her free gifts that is included on the Membership Site. I am so excited to give it to you! It is a audio and ebook set that she actually sells on her website, but she is giving away on the Membership Site. Here is the link:

Need some help gearing up for the new school year? Wish you had a friend to take you by the hand and help you plan your year? You will LOVE this! It includes a quick Mommy Planner with a selection of planning sheets from all of Cindy's products to help you get  on target with your homeschool planning. You'll find lots of goodies!

These gifts give you an idea of the quality information Cindy provides. ...and this is only ONE of the special gifts included on the Homeschool Expo Membership Site.  There are hundreds more!

Let’s Get Ready for a New School Year Super Set! Let’s Get Ready for the New School Year Mommy Planner…Ebook by Cindy Rushton

Download Part One

Download Part Two

PLUS! Companion Audio! Let’s Get Ready for a New School Year–Audio

Download by Mp3

Take my word for it, you will WANT a ticket to this event and access to all of these wonderful resources. Grab your ticket here:

Ultimate Homeschool Expo
Julie (from Best Homeschool Buys)

photo credit: Pink Sherbet Photography

How long has homeschooling been around?

Home education has been the primary means of learning for the majority of recorded history.  Even before history was written down, we are certain that children learned mostly through the teaching in their own families.

Through participation in  life's daily activities, children acquired knowledge of everything from farming, building, caring for livestock,  tool making, sewing, making soap, and everything else they needed to be able to do.  Lessons necessary to teach them to  read, write, and cipher  enough to be responsible citizens  and to handle their homes and businesses took  a small fraction of the time that they take today, and the lessons stopped when the season called for their help in the field or elsewhere. The lessons were provided by parents, grandparents, siblings, or perhaps a  hired teacher paid for by the community's families to teach the basics. There were no laws that compelled attendance. The highly educated founders of our country were for the most part educated through their own parents or tutors.  There was nothing like our modern institutionalized schools back then, yet they were far better educated.

In contrast, institutionalized schools are a recent invention.  It seems to be taken for granted today that these schools have been around for ages and are the best means of education.  That is just not so. The last compulsory education laws were not passed in the United States until 1918.   The current homeschooling movement is considered new only because it has occurred after the compulsory attendance laws have taken root and been accepted.

The modern homeschooling movement began building in the 1960's One of its early advocates was John Holt who in 1977 began publishing Growing Without Schooling, a magazine advocating  no school for children.  He was a former teacher who  gave up on school reform. His magazine offered a look at natural curiosity as a basis of learning, and gave a fresh view of education that is often lost in the drudgery and boredom of the usual traditional school. Also, in the 70's and 80's Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore began publishing books that  focused on the harm that can be caused by pushing children too early into  school.

As a young mother in the 80's, I subscribed to Growing Without Schooling to read about this curious "new homeschooling". I was amazed as I read story after story of children thriving by spending time with their parents learning throughout the day, more from activity, reading aloud and conversation than from textbooks.  Then in 1985  I found a  book that really gave me a heart for homeschooling. The book was Home Grown Kids: A Practical Handbook for Teaching Your Children at Home by Dorothy and Raymond Moore (more on that in another post).

So, the  history of Homeschooling takes us back through the ages to see that education through families and small communities works. Homeschooling  (as it is termed today) or home education is actually a return to family-based education which has been the norm throughout history.

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The Ultimate Guide To Homeschooling Work Book Teacher    US $4.99

Ultimate Guide to HOMESCHOOLING Book for Parents Bell    US $8.99

New and Used Homeschool Curriculum

photo credit: claudiogennari

photo credit: John-Morgan

My friend Debbie Bailey gave me a book to read about homeschooling.  The book was Homegrown Kids: A Practical Handbook for Teaching Your Children at Home by Dorothy and Raymond Moore.  I was interested in homeschooling but I knew nothing about it.  Debbie had given me a book that was to change my life!

As I sat down to begin reading this book, Lane was an active 4 year old and Nathan, toddling around in diapers, was only 2. I opened the book and read,

"To mothers and fathers who are more concerned about principle than social pressures, who cherish their children more than their own freedoms, who are willing to study to provide them sound values, academic excellence, and a sense of self-worth."

I was hooked from there on.  I found time to read chapters as I watched my little boys play outside, or while they were sleeping or even as they built a camp with the sofa cushions.  My heart was engaged.  God was drawing me to an untraveled path that would give Tim and me the opportunity to be with our children, to teach them the Truth, to create a family togetherness that would bless us for years to come.

The Moores showed me (through this book) how I could teach my children using everyday experiences and resources that were available in my home, how I could really enjoy my children, how I could give them a first class, wholesome education that encourages character development and promotes creativity.  Today, there are so many books, articles, and websites that can give you this precious information that I first read in this book, but at that time, there was little available. Our culture with its accepted belief that you need a school to teach your children was so prevalent that mothers like me felt uneasy just considering homeschooling.

When it comes to faith or when it comes to my children, God grants me His special strength. I may give up if I am pursuing something for myself, but if it is something for the Lord or for my children, perseverance is my friend through God's grace. That is only the reason we have been able to homeschool our children all these years (from 1985 until today).

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NEW Family Pride Holmes Mary Jane    US $28.71

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New and Used Homeschool Curriculum

Christian parents have a desire to have homes that model good work ethic, enterprise, and accomplishment. Homeschool families strive to incorporate activities for all family members that work toward these goals. Now more than ever, as we face challenging economic times, we all want to find cost-saving activities that are constructive and helpful to our families.  Vision forum is offering a sale this week on products for practical and frugal home management.

Homestead Blessings:

Learn how to bake bread, create soap, and make lovely homemade candles—each skill offers a great way to save money while working together as a family. Use to cut your family’s grocery bill, or as thrifty, but uniquely personal gift.  Professionally-produced, 3-DVD set: a fun-filled presentation of homemaking skills by Vicki, Jasmine, Hannah, and CeCe West as they “teach by doing”-experts at saving money and family togetherness.

Transform your yard into a family vegetable/fruit garden! Learn how with The Backyard Homestead. Save money and enjoy fresh, organic, great-tasting food all the time; raise chickens, goats, or even a cow OR keep bees; . The Backyard Homestead gives the details you need to make it happen. Then, when the harvest is in,  The Backyard Homestead will guide and instruct you so you can learn how to cook, preserve, brew, cure, or pickle the fruits of your garden.

The Last book in this offer is Just In Case by Kathy Harrison: (essential guide to family preparedness.)

Disaster can strike when you least expect it. Be  prepared by following Kathy Harrison's practical suggestions for emergency preparedness and self-sufficiency in Just In Case.

-Everything you need to know about how to survive when public services fail is covered

-Evaluate, organize, and rotate your food supply;

-Pack an evacuation kit;

-How you can protect important documents from fire;

-How to develop a communications system;

-Learn to make nutritious soup with canned and dried items from the pantry.

-Keep your children entertained in difficult circumstances.

Check Vision Forum's website for these helpful books.

Kid's Chores

Tips for Successful Kids Chores

Homeschooling families have to be organized to get the household chores done.  The benefits of developing a better system for your children's chores is two-fold:

1) The house cleaner and straighter

2) The children learn to work (and hopefully develop a good work ethic and an appreciation for what others do for them).

I want to encourage you in the worthwhile endeavor of teaching your children to work in the home and with the family. This e-book - Tips for Successful Kids Chores will help you improve your home chore plan. You will find suggestions for implementing a chore program in your home that includes your children. Here you will find some ideas for how it is done in other homes. Also, you'll find chore ideas to give to your children so that they can to work as part your family team.

Included in this booklet are the following sections:

1. How to organize your children’s rooms including how to perform a 3 day blitz!
2. How to deal with unsavoury attitudes over chores
3. Age by age chore suggestions & help
4. Zoning your child’s room
5. Dealing with Chore Allowances
6. Motivation for training your children to do their chores
7. How to set up your chore pocket system
8. Chore cards for children from preschool to young teen (Separate File)

This is mostly a total system to enable you get your chore plan up and running but also has a chore pocket system that adds some fun to the process. While the booklet will help mothers with kids of all ages the pocket system is mainly for children from preschool to 10 years of age.

This booklet, Tips for Successful Kids Chores, is offered free from CurrClick for the last week of December 2008.  Every week CurrClick offer certain free downloads primarily for homeschooling. Sign up for the CurrClick mailing list to find out what is free each week.  It is a great deal for homeschoolers, especially those that enjoy making lapbooks and notebooks in their studies.

For my best tips for avoiding homeschool burnout see post on Homeschool Stress.

Used Homeschool Curriculum Searches for Textbooks and Workbooks

children helping household chores, childrens chores, children\s chore pictures filterui:imagesize-medium, chores for kids around the house pics, kids helping in household chores are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

Buy Used Homeschool Books

1. Shop Thrift Stores, Goodwill, and Garage Sales - Over the years I have bought at least half of our books for homeschooling at Goodwill and garage sales.  I got some terrific bargains.  Some of the books, I still have after 20 years and some have been sold or donated. I have occasionally found textbooks, but mostly topic books for unit studies, reference books, and fiction for children.

2. Shop used curriculum online sites like Homeschool Classifieds and Best Homeschool Buys.  When you buy from other homeschoolers, you are helping them collect some money to enable them to pay for next years curriculum.   One some of these sites, If you think they are asking too much, try making an offer that is reasonable.  You may be surprised, it will often be accepted.  See more sites for used homeschool curriculum at the bottom of this post.

3. Check out books from THE LIBRARY - You can either use the item for a few weeks and return it or decide that you do like this book and want to purchase it. Many libraries have the book catalog online and even allow you to reserve books and renew books online. What could be easier.  Also, when the library doesn't have the book you need, try the interlibrary loan request.  All you do is fill out a simple form to request a book and the date that you need it and you will be contacted when it is available.  Then you check it out like any other book.  This is a service that can save you from buying so many books.  The important thing is to decide exactly when you need it.  You can usually renew the interlibrary loaned books so that you can keep them twice as long.

5.  You can find so much free teaching help on the internet...free print outs,  ebooks, worksheets. SEARCH for  free homeschool , free homeschooling, free samples, free printables, and more !! What ever you are going to study, you can search on the internet and find all kinds of helpful info that you can use.  Actually, there is usually so much available that the problem is just deciding which ones to use!

6. Learn in the REAL world.  Take field trips, visit free parks, go on nature walks, get outside.  There is so much learning that takes place with no books involved.  Look everywhere for learning opportunities.  This way of learning will be remembered by your children.

7.  If you have access to cable or satellite TV, record the educational programs that complement what you are teaching.  You can look online for the TV schedules- what plays when...such as The History Channel or The Discovery Channel

You CAN homeschool on a shoestring. You will learn to be creative which in the end is rewarding and fun.

Children that grow up in a family that has to budget benefit because they have a greater appreciation for their blessings.

This site, Best Homeschool Buys offers used and new homeschool books and curriculum at discount prices.  Take a look at what's available.  Since these are organized ebay homeschool listings, new items are added daily, so please check back often.

Cheap Homeschooling: Buy Used Books

Other sites that may help you save are:

Homeschool Christian Message Boards

This Little Piggy Stays Home

The Homeschool Library

The Back Pack

Homeschooling on the Cheap

Used Homeschool Curriculum Searches for Textbooks and Workbooks

cheap apologia, cheap homeschooling textbooks are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

Politics by Visual Manna

Art and Politics is a perfect short unit study

for an afternoon of political fun and art. This study covers the significance of art and politics in history. Written in an easy to understand style, this text discusses the significance of propaganda, some early and important political artists and art and includes a series of fun and stimulating projects. Don't miss this opportunity to help expand your child's political knowledge in a fun and engaging way. Visual Manna offers an engaging and fun array of Christian art curriculum for homeschoolers, available in downloadable format on CurrClick.com.

FREE!

And now, courtesy of Visual Manna, you can get your kids interested in the election with this week's freebie, a short unit study about Politics and Art. (See "Free Product of the Week" at CurrClick.com for details.)

Voting is a very important part of our civic responsibility. But before informed voting can take place, people need to understand the issues. Dr. Martin Luther King often spoke of his family dinners. These Dinners often centered around what was happening in the world, far beyond the scope of King Household. Try incorporating these types of discussions into your family meal!

For those of you have not voted, there's still time! Polls are open now and will remain open until November 4th. Visit CurrClick.com on October 1st to cast your vote: Participation is completely free and will include information about each of the candidates, real time results, quotes from each of the candidates about their position on homeschooling and an optional exit poll. Results of the exit poll will be posted on November 4th.

Results of the election will be sent out to news organizations across the country. Don’t miss this opportunity to make your voice heard.

Dozens of instantly downloadable election unit studies, lapbooks and workbooks from top publishers ON SALE for up to 35% OFF. Sale begins October 1st.

Dear Friends,

I would like to take a moment this morning to invite you and your children to participate in a very special event that is going on this week - something your family is just going to love to be a part of!

Many of you are familiar with our company publishing company Remembrance Press, home of the The Gift of Family Writing and The Girlhood Home Companion. This summer we began a new chapter in our lives with the founding of Hopeful Farm, a non-profit organization based in Kentucky that ministers to families impacted by special needs.

The vision for Hopeful Farm was planted in our hearts ten years ago, after the birth and death of their fourth child, Nicholas, who was born with a genetic syndrome. Now, Hopeful Farm is finally becoming a reality.

The mission of Hopeful Farm is truly unique and much needed as it seeks to provide an all-access environment in which families impacted by special needs may find time to focus on each other, build relationships, and gain refreshment and renewal in an escape from the exhausting grind of everyday life.

This is the first time Hopeful Farm has held a benefit of this magnitude, and you will not believe the resources that are being donated as a thank you for your participation. If you have been wanting some of my writing or drawing products to enrich your home school curriculum, not to mention our resources for mothers and daughters, this is something you have to see! www.hopefulfarmfoundation.org/benefit.htm

Not only that, but my publishing friends have donated some incredible resources as well, as a way to bless you for becoming involved in this very important work. Your family can have a direct impact on families with children with special needs - and in return, your own family will receive a blessing from all of the wonderful companies that have offered their products in support of Hopeful Farm.

If you would like to hear what Hopeful Farm is all about, you can access an online interview by Cindy Rushton with my daughter Claire and I at www.hopefulfarmfoundation.org/interview.html

This benefit will run for through the month of October, so take a look now...and please tell a friend or three or four about it!

Thank you and God bless,
Jill Novak

Lane and Nathan loving a science experiment.

Over the last 22 years of homeschooling, we have had to develop daily schedules each year that fit our family. Having a schedule gave us a flexible structure that helped us in reaching our goals though we rarely had days that fit the schedule without adjustments.

Year-round Homeschool

Besides having a daily schedule, we roughly followed the public school's schedule...starting in August and ending in May with the flexibility to take trips with Dad during the school year. However, we found a better way, when we decided to homeschool year round.

I have found that even with my best intentions, it is hard to have school in the summer as thoroughly as during the rest of the year. It may be just me, but I believe I am conditioned to feel the need to be off the school routine more during the summer. Also, since we have friends or family that follow the traditional school calendar, a summer school schedule cuts into some of the activities our children might be invited to do. So…we take about 4 weeks together off during the summer or maybe even 6 weeks.

The beauty of it is you can plan your 36 weeks of school and fit them in however you want to. If you want to do more than 36 weeks, that is fine, too. My preference is to try to keep the children reading, at least for pleasure. Even in their weeks off, and sometimes I have them do a ½ lesson of math, just so they don’t forget what they have been learning. We don’t do writing requirements when we are off, and if the reading of math doesn’t get done, it’s OK. It is encouraged though if we are not too busy.

The week off every 4 or 5 weeks is for my rejuvenation, too. I get to catch up on things and even tackle some projects that I don’t normally have time to do. This helps me not to feel burned out. It also gives our family a chance to concentrate on practical living skills and learning in other ways, including following interests to a greater degree.

Planning your homeschool schedule is a very individual thing and we have tremendous freedom to set up our time in a way that works best for our own family. Here are some great ideas to think about when you plan a schedule for getting homeschool done.

Used Homeschool Curriculum Searches for Textbooks and Workbooks

our homeschool schedule, Rod and Staff English 4 schedule, year round homeschool schedule are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

Little Bear Treasury Notebooking Pages
by Notebooking Nook

Have Fun Creating a Notebook with Little Bear

This set is also available in both the

Primary Combo & Language Arts Combo

Liven up  your child's writing assignments by creating a Little Bear notebook with these free (this week only) notebook pages.

Have some fun with Little Bear! Your child WILL have fun creating a notebook from the Little Bear Treasury, a favorite children's classic. The notebooking pages are all in black and white and have a classic look to them.

Included in this set:

• Title page
• Several narration pages (for variety)
• Hollow letters for handwriting practice (one page for each story)
• Additional primary-lines for copywork

A $3.95 Value, FREE!

You have nothing to lose.  It may be just what you need for your child.

If you miss this offer because it becomes outdated, I encourage you to check out CurrClick anyway, since they have different free offers every week.  If you sign up for their mailing list you can watch out for free items that will enrich your homeschool.  Besides the free stuff, they have a humongous selection of materials for sale that you can download.  Save time, gas, and mail costs by buying to download and print with your own printer.  What could be easier?

Curriculum Information and Review:

With 3-D animation, video clips, and other fascinating multimedia, Switched-On Schoolhouse for grades 3-12  may be the perfect homeschool curriculum for today’s generation. With this flexible, best-selling curriculum, parents can customize student learning to fit individual educational needs.

Betsy P., a homeschooling mother, is using SOS for Language Arts and Bible for her two children. She describes the two major parts of the program- one for the parent and one for the student. She tells how easy it was to set up each of her students in the teacher section. Also, she set up the number of attempts she wanted to give her children to try to answer questions correctly (she started this at 3), the number of assignments she wants them to do each day, whether to take off for spelling, the grading scale she wants to use, the calendar year. These kinds of options allow her to fine tune the curriculum to her own family's needs. Betsy also likes the way the curriculum allows the parent to review the children's answers. The automatic grading and record-keeping makes keeping track of each student quick and easy.

Now when the kids click onto their section, a list of their assignments comes up. On this page they can tell which assignments they have finished and when others are due. Switched on Schoolhouse even assigns projects. Her children are enjoying this curriculum. They read a chapter and answer a series of questions on their own. Then they push the grade button and get instant feedback. "The kids go through all of the questions once and grade them. Then, we go back through the ones they missed together so I know what needs to be taught again. So far, it is wonderful! We will just have to see how the tests go."

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2010 (see coupon at bottom of page) is a useful curriculum published by Alpha Omega Publications. It is a complete Bible-based curriculum CD-ROM homeschool curriculum where students do their schoolwork on the computer. The core subjects included in Switched-On Schoolhouse are Math, Language Arts, Science, History, Geography, and Bible. The SOS program guides the rate of a student's progress, incorporates drill, and sets achievement levels for students. The program includes built-in review which is so important for long term retention. (We parents can all recall our school days, how easily we allowed ourselves to forget what we had studied so hard to remember for a test. The built-in review attempts to overcome this tendency.)

Unlike traditional textbook curricula with dry, one-dimensional lessons, Switched-On Schoolhouse (SOS) has a diverse, vibrant mix of entertaining lessons, assignments quizzes, and more! Fun-filled lessons are created to captivate students’ attention and engage them in learning. Available for grades 3-12, Switched-On Schoolhouse offers five core subjects and a wide variety of electives. With features that enhance content and functionality, this award-winning curriculum offers ease, accuracy, and quality academics.

Other features about this curriculum that parents like:

-When you have one of the book pages open, you can right-click the mouse and choose to have the passages read to you. (especially good for a child with reading comprehension difficulty)

-I can go into the program and reset assignments and quizzes

-The program also keeps up with how much time they spend on each assignment

-The lessons plans completed and ready to print really saves me a lot of time.

-there are built-in projects and research papers the kids have to complete

Some dislike:

-As with any curriculum, it takes time to get familiar with its workings.

-Since SOS is a software based curriculum, a few users encounter problems that must be solved through tech support. I have read varying reports, some satisfied and some unsatisfied, with the availability and level of support through Alpha Omega.

This program is  recommended for parents who want to home school their children but feel inadequate due to time restraints or lack of talent or resources. I also know parents who have used Switched-On Schoolhouse for only one or two subjects in order to have more time to actively teach other subjects to their children. It is such a great alternative for many families.

{Note: We have not used Switched on Schoolhouse thus far. The information in this review is gathered from the publisher as well as from various reviews found on the web. Remember, just because a curriculum is perfect for one family, doesn't mean that it is best for everyone. Please compare the features of a curriculum with your children's learning style and needs. If you would like to read more reviews from people who have used this curriculum,  go to Homeschool Reviews.

--Julie Simmons}

Check what new and used Switched-On Schoolhouse software is available for discounted prices today.

Or go to Alpha Omega for a discount on a new purchase with the banner below.

To buy Switched-On Schoolhouse new from Alpha Omega Publications, click above and use coupon, "SAVEBIG"

Related Homeschool Software Links:

Switched on Schoolhouse Sale Post                    Homeschool Software Site

Computer Homeschool has a list of links relating to homeschool software

Computer Curriculum for teaching children to use computer tools such as:

• produce a book advertisement using PowerPoint
• write a report about endangered species using Word
• analyze and graph survey results using Excel
• organize data on a topic using Access
• create a digital scrapbook using Photoshop
• animate a story using Flash

Each technology project, integrates into traditional subject areas such as language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and visual arts.

Used Homeschool Curriculum Searches for Textbooks and Workbooks

2010 switched on school house, alpha omega switched-on-schoolhouse curriculum reviews, homeschool software review, reviews switched on schoolhouse algebra, switched on schoolhouse reviews, switched on schoolhouse spanish 1 reviews, Used Homeschool Switched on Schoolhouse, used sos curriculum are some of the homeschool curriculum and other resources that homeschool families need. What homeschool books are you looking for? Go to our MASTER MENU or use the SEARCH box in the sidebar.

Homeschooling moms must juggle teaching with housework, cooking, shopping, mothering, being a good wife.  My best advice is for you to PLAN & PRAY...

Here is a list of planning tips:

1.  Write out goals for the family as a whole and for each child. Make sure that the goals are realistic and not idealistic.  They are to aim for, but not to cause discouragement.  Keep in mind, the beauty of homeschooling is its flexibilility.  These goals will allow you to be focused in your planning.  You will be able to achieve more with goals than without.

2.  Declutter the house. There are excellent books available to help you with this task.  Basically, you need to throw away, give away, or store enough stuff to make your home easier to keep in order and more peaceful to live in.  It is great to have a "clean out" day with the whole family involved.  With some children, though, this is difficult when they don't want to let any of their possessions go.  If you have room in the attic, let your child pack a box of toys to store there rather than having to give them away or throw them away.  (My daugher-now 18-still remembers and reminds me that I got rid of some of her dearly loved stuffed animals years ago!  I learned my lesson and never again did I make a decision about her things without letting her be involved!!)

3.  Work up a new chore chart, post it, and make sure everyone is doing their part. If the children have gotten rusty on completing chores over the summer, or if moms and dads have been slack on holding them accountable for their work, then it is time to get the chore routines back in gear!  This is essential for me to have time for homeschool.  These days it is so easy to make chore charts on a word processor.  When we started homeschooling, over 20 years ago, I made them with paper, pencil, and ruler.  My children always enjoyed marking off chores and receiving a  sticker to mount on the chart when all their daily chores were completed.

4. Plan for meals;  keep them simple. We mostly have cereal for breakfast.  Sometimes one of the children cooks breakfast.  I always encourage them to take on more responsibility and learn how to do new things. Lunch is usually sandwiches, leftover pizza, soup, and/or fruit.  As soon as the kids are old enough, they make their own lunch.  They really enjoy being able to decide what they want and fix it themselves.  Then occasionally, I make lunch for everybody.  Supper is the meal that needs to be planned for.  You will feel twice as burnt out if you are scurrying around in the late afternoon trying to make a good supper for your family without a plan in place.  I recommend once a month cooking to supply 2-4 meals weekly from the freezer.  Oooo....that takes so much pressure off of your daily schedule.  Cooking one or two meals that take a substantial amount of time is a lot easier than cooking like that every day.  Plan some quick menus to fill in the rest of days a week.  Again, be realistic in your meal planning...but plan you must.

5.  As good as planning is, it falls far short without prayer and seeking wisdom from the Lord.  As I tell my children, reading the Word and prayer ALWAYS has priority over homeschool academics.

Proverbs 16:9 says "The mind of the man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.