tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89589098272654030672024-02-08T05:30:43.726-08:00Elementary Homeschool CurriculumUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-54933589891370531382015-03-23T13:45:00.000-07:002015-03-23T13:45:00.082-07:00Welcome Spring!<b id="docs-internal-guid-b96712c2-f65f-bc38-ed0e-aae937a36147" style="font-weight: normal;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With spring approaching, something fun we like to do is explore how nature is changing around us. With a wooded area nearby, we have the opportunity to view the changes in the trees, the </span><a href="http://www.science4us.com/elementary-life-science/living-things/animals/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">animal wildlife</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and the way the weather starts to wake up the woods. We explore ant hills, snake holes (carefully), and hunt for toads.</span></div>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We search for tracks and listen for birds. We write down what we see and sounds we hear. We draw pictures of the observations we make. We then take this information inside to the computer and start with our research. It was by listening to a bird outside and then doing a little web search that we were able to find that a Chuck-will’s Widow lives somewhere nearby. He has a rather interesting call that seems to go into the night.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />Welcome spring!</span></b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-76662753987041976982015-02-16T14:20:00.000-08:002015-02-16T14:20:00.155-08:00Music in Your Homeschool<b id="docs-internal-guid-22a8e7cc-f65e-b6c7-a18f-eb51a5cdbc59" style="font-weight: normal;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Music is a great addition to your homeschool if you are looking for something fun and educational to include in your day. Taking some time to explore the sounds of music from many years ago and comparing it to music that is available to us now is a great way to examine the similarities and differences. It’s neat to compare and contrast musical stylings as you learn about a new subject. </span></div>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another really fun aspect of incorporating music studies into your homeschool is by including online </span><a href="http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/art_and_music_games.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">music games.</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Learning about percussion, wind, and string instruments are all made more exciting by using games to enhance music education. Plus, any chance to include fun in your day is a good day for the kids! </span></b><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-3704389179411197902015-01-05T11:25:00.000-08:002015-01-05T11:25:00.691-08:00Happy New Year!<b id="docs-internal-guid-43fb796d-f65d-dee0-a258-fd7f6b73627c" style="font-weight: normal;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As a new year begins, I try to take this time to evaluate how our school year has been going to this point. Are things working out as I had hoped or do we need to make a mid-year change to any of our curriculum options? Regardless of how much I like the product or how much I may have spent on it, if it’s not working for us, it’s not something I want to continue to use in our homeschool.</span></div>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How is your teaching going with plans you made at the start of the year? Have you found any adjustments that should be made or changes to curriculum you need perform? Don’t allow your curriculum to make choices for you. If you don’t like it or it’s not working, then change it so it does work for your homeschool or put it aside. You are the boss of your </span><a href="https://www.time4learning.com/homeschool-curriculum.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">homeschool curriculum</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, not the other way around. Be sure to keep that in mind when scrutinizing the efficiency of your resources.</span></b><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-76262242716600367762014-12-02T10:40:00.000-08:002014-12-02T10:40:00.511-08:00Art Time = Fun Time<b id="docs-internal-guid-087ab602-f65c-9550-76d0-cf56fa8ab629" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-087ab602-f65c-9550-76d0-cf56fa8ab629" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When December rolls around I’m excited by the opportunity to focus on some fun projects we don’t always have the time to include in our day. While science may be the most exciting subject around here, art is a very close second. The kids enjoy any excuse to get messy and art offers plenty of opportunities.</span></b></div>
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<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We use a fun </span><a href="http://www.time4learning.com/art_lessons_online.shtml" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">art curriculum </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that showcases interesting videos along with how to recreate the art projects at home. This often leads to discussions of different art adventures that we would be interested in pursuing. Sometimes, we include additional art lessons right away, other times we save them for exploration at a later date. </span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you are looking for ways to take a break from your regular lessons, look into a fun and new art program to keep your days interesting and fun. </span></b><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-66798025197784110882014-11-10T12:25:00.000-08:002014-11-10T12:25:00.722-08:00Holiday Fun<b id="docs-internal-guid-a72b0eb5-f65a-e9e1-7f80-cf53f2b6ff89" style="font-weight: normal;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The holidays are quickly approaching and that’s an exciting time in our homeschool! We like to do crafts, activities, stories, and anything that involves glue and paint! One aspect of homeschooling we like to take advantage of during the holiday season is lapbooking. We enjoy the finished product of </span><a href="http://www.time4learning.com/homeschool/lapbooking.shtml" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lapbooking</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as well as taking a break from our regular school lessons to do something new. </span></div>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sometimes, it’s nice to take a week or two to try something new or do something different. The holidays are a lovely time to do just that. It allows your family the opportunity the come together to focus on something fun and interesting and to embrace a nice change of pace from your regular schedule. </span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Enjoy this time with your homeschooled kiddos! The time goes so quickly and the holidays can be so magical!</span></b><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-53462798278429061182014-10-20T09:11:00.000-07:002014-10-20T09:11:00.862-07:00Nature Studies<b id="docs-internal-guid-9145cc98-f659-cdf1-b2d7-9515a781d289" style="font-weight: normal;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We definitely try to incorporate seasonal learning into our homeschool days. The kids love to talk about autumn and the changes a season bring to us. I love the opportunity to discuss the nature that surrounds us and how the gorgeous scenery is more than just a beautiful backdrop to our lives. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />We discuss the </span><a href="http://www.science4us.com/elementary-life-science/balance-in-nature/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">balance of nature</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and how plants and animals will start to adapt the cooling weather. We take walks and listen to the leaves crunch, the birds fly above us, and the bugs sing their chorus. It’s a marvelous time to open up discussions on nature related topics and how the life cycle of a tree changes is the same from year to year. </span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Take some time to embrace the newness of the fall season and the passing of summer. Boots and scarves, jackets and bonfires all make this season one full of wonderment. </span></b><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-6098283343035164332014-09-02T14:45:00.000-07:002014-09-02T14:45:00.446-07:00Back to School Time<b id="docs-internal-guid-cc01699b-f658-ddd5-037e-27a5c6c97e33" style="font-weight: normal;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.time4learning.com/backtoschool.shtml" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back to school</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> time! The curriculum has been chosen, supplies have been purchased, and books are ready to go. The months of planning and preparing have come to fruition and it’s time to get the teaching underway. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is definitely exciting when a new school year begins. The kids are ready to get back to their regularly scheduled programming and I’m ready to have the “I’m bored!” chorus cease! The newness of school after a few months away bring back refreshed and interested kids, even if it lasts all too brief. </span></div>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Embrace the excitement of the new year as it fades faster and faster with each year. Talk longer if they will listen, read more if they ask, and allow the learning to continue. Far too soon you will hear the refrain of school time groans creeping back into your homeschool.</span></b><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-86520250004703065642014-08-04T15:15:00.000-07:002014-08-04T15:15:00.482-07:00Spelling for Fun<b id="docs-internal-guid-b02f72a6-f657-a7c3-2ab1-4fe73b636eda" style="font-weight: normal;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There seems to be an abundance of spelling curricula available for homeschoolers. Any way you want to teach it, there’s likely a curriculum available for you to use. With the mobility our family enjoys by homeschooling, we tend to utilize online resources. </span></div>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of our favorite computer resources is an online </span><a href="https://www.spellingcity.com/spelling-curriculum.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">spelling curriculum</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. By choosing a curriculum that offers so much variety in spelling and vocabulary games, we are able to use it for a variety of purposes. We enjoy handwriting worksheets, word matching, definition games, and online spelling tests. There are a lot of resources from which to choose, making that subject an easier one with which to work.</span></b><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-74815791381390436072014-07-21T13:15:00.000-07:002014-07-21T13:15:00.564-07:00Homeschool History<b id="docs-internal-guid-52acaaa4-f656-bc1d-f00d-a796605cc490" style="font-weight: normal;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">History is one of our favorite subjects to study. It’s exciting to read stories of what has happened in the past and how it has impacted our lives in the present day. We often learn of people we did not previously know and how they changed the way our works even today. It’s easier for our homeschool when history reads like a story, telling the details of events and other people’s lives like we had sat down with a novel.</span></div>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We also incorporate social studies projects to help understand the ideas we have read and discussed. We’ve made wigwams when discussing Native Americans and covered wagons when reading about pioneers. We also have fun playing </span><a href="http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/social_studies_games.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">social studies games</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The projects are the kids favorite activities and the fun in learning is mine!</span></b><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-7614502079735728832014-06-09T10:00:00.000-07:002014-06-09T10:00:01.879-07:00Science in Your Homeschool<b id="docs-internal-guid-31b4b1ef-f655-a036-b836-a5ef685beb15" style="font-weight: normal;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How does science work in your household? With kids spanning several ages and homeschool grades, it can be difficult to work together on many subjects. Science, however, is one of those times we come together to learn. Science topics are easily worked across several age groups by adding in or reducing the material presented based on learning capabilities. </span></div>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the ways we make science work for us is by the use of </span><a href="http://www.science4us.com/elementary-science-projects/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">science experiments</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. I find an experiment that utilizes household materials and we get started. The kids get excited when I start setting up and for those few minutes before we get started on an experiment, they are quiet with anticipation. It’s one subject I know we can all do together. </span></b><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-1156212196451422572014-05-16T09:05:00.000-07:002014-05-16T09:05:00.091-07:00Finishing the School Year<b id="docs-internal-guid-e72d8bb5-f654-70a5-227b-085f7f8e9c19" style="font-weight: normal;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As the school year begins to wrap-up, I have been thinking about ways to improve our homeschool in the fall. I think about what curriculum choices worked out well for us and which ones did not. Fortunately, we will still be using the same core curriculum in the fall. That makes summer planning much easier for me. </span></div>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the fall, I plan on incorporating music studies and </span><a href="http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/art_and_music_games.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">music games</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> into our weekly schedules. Often, when time is getting short or our schedules get too hectic, music appreciation is one of the first subjects that fall by the wayside. I’m hoping to do more to include additional ways to include learning about music. Besides, the kids in this house are already huge fans of music! </span></b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-38674721099708761402014-04-15T19:23:00.000-07:002014-04-15T19:23:16.040-07:00Homeschool Spelling WordsHow do you practice spelling words in your homeschool? We have found the best way to commit words to memory is to practice them through the use of online games. It is an easy and fun way to learn new words and practice <a href="http://www.spellingcity.com/popular-word-lists.html">popular word lists</a>. <br />
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By finding games that are exciting and even silly, kids can have a great time playing without even realizing they are learning. It has been said that great readers may not be good spellers but that good spellers are often great readers. With such an important life skill at hand, such as reading, it's vital to put our best foot forward when it comes to honing our spelling skills. <br />
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In what ways have you found to enhance spelling practice in your homeschool? Have you tried word games? Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-15013055534016233812012-12-21T08:03:00.000-08:002012-12-21T08:03:00.272-08:00Reading Fluency<div>Silent reading is twice as fast as oral reading, but in order to become a better silent reader, you need to develop <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/readingpyramid/fluency.htm">good fluency</a>. Fluency is simply being able to recognize words automatically as you read, so that you can develop more expression in your reading and read smoothly with expression. </div><div><br /></div><div>There are two common ways to improve fluency, the direct and indirect way. The direct method has a child read a passage of about 100 words at their reading level. The passage should be decodable but not predictable. The child will read and reread the passage with a certain amount of time until they are fluent. The indirect method encourages kids to read voluntarily in their free time. </div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-25011354919429058892012-12-07T07:51:00.000-08:002013-05-15T13:00:21.828-07:00Heartfelt<div>
Christmas is a very special time of year for most everyone. It is a time when young and old share, laugh, and love. Maybe this year your children can incorporate sharing into their <a href="https://www.time4learning.com/homeschool-curriculum.htm">homeschool studies</a>. <br />
You can use the idea of an Advent calendar to schedule special things for your children to do during December. Maybe they can bake goodies for a elderly person in your community, It is always helpful when kids shovel the snow-covered sidewalk for a neighbor or relative. Grandparents LOVE handmade pictures with lots of XOXOX’s at the bottom. Underprivileged kids might enjoy toys your child no longer plays with. <br />
It doesn’t really matter what types of activities your kiddos plan, it is just important they show they care for others. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-63509171070292659712012-11-21T07:50:00.000-08:002013-05-15T13:12:58.285-07:00Thankful<div>
November is "We Are Thankful" month! Thanksgiving and Fall are usually times to celebrate family. The first Thanksgiving took place in 1621 when the Plymouth colonists (Pilgrims) and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast. This is a great time to emphasize sharing and being thankful for what they have. </div>
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Here are ideas you might useful:</div>
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<li>Write thankful letters to soldiers.</li>
<li>Make a construction paper turkey. Write something you are thankful for on each tail feather. </li>
<li>Have your child create a poem about something they are thankful for and share it with the family at the dinner table.</li>
<li>Encourage your child to go through their toy box and select five toys they would like to give to a needy child. </li>
<li>As a family, make “thankful” placemats for Thanksgiving dinner. Give each family member a 14”X14” felt piece (or whatever size fits your dinnerware). Using fabric glue, attach pictures (either drawn or printed ones) that show thankfulness. Use a fabric marker to draw and write on the placemat. </li>
<li>Using the word THANKFUL, <a href="http://www.time4writing.com/writing-skills/">write</a> something you are thankful for for each letter of the word. </li>
<li>Bake something tasty for a shut-in. </li>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-10439828204219661362012-11-07T07:47:00.000-08:002012-11-07T07:47:00.321-08:00Homeschool Literature<div>Have you ever wondered if there are any literature books written by homeschoolers. Have you ever wondered if there are any books written about homeschoolers? Well, the answer is yes to both questions. <a href="http://www.homeschoolliterature.com/">Homeschool Literature.com</a> is a neat site that has books for and about homeschoolers and homeschooling. </div><div><br /></div><div>The site offers a directory with reviews by homeschoolers, study guides, and ideas for further study.What a rare jewel that is for homeschooling families. I know that when I told my reluctant reader and writer that Eragon by <a href="http://www.homeschoolliterature.com/book-by-homeschoolers/eragon-by-christopher-paolini">Christopher Paoloni</a> (one of her favorite books) was written by a homeschooler, it turned her thinking around. She suddenly realized that if he could write a book, she could too! She set out on her writing journey. She hasn’t’ finished her book yet, but what is important to me is that she believes in herself, wants to read more, and has finally realized that writing is not the enemy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Challenge your child to read about or write about what they are most interested in. Maybe they will write a book and have it featured on Homeschool Literature.com!</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-65227410147390342022012-10-21T07:46:00.000-07:002013-05-15T13:17:31.560-07:00Who is the Teacher?--<div>
One way for kids to have more ownership in their lessons and retain more of what you teach them is to let them be the teacher once in a while. My daughter loves it when we I let her do this. </div>
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Sometimes after she has read a story, I have her make a test for Mom to take. She doesn’t show much mercy to me either. I had a little trouble on one test. I can still see her face as she giggled about me missing some of the questions. What I got out of this was the ability to measure her <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/readingpyramid/comprehension.htm">comprehension</a> of what she read. In order for her to make a good test for me, she had to know about what she read. I was impressed with the difficulty of her questions. </div>
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You can also let an older child teach a concept they are good at to a younger sibling. Let them make the <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/scope-sequence/index.shtml">lesson plans</a> for a younger sibling. Once in a while will not hurt the younger child. </div>
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This is a great way to increase retention of lessons being taught and create interest and curiosity before the lesson. Be sure to let your child know they are going to the be teacher before you assign the task of reading and creating a test for you or planning or teaching a lesson to a younger sibling. When they know what is expected, they will do a much better job. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-87151739211645776592012-10-07T07:44:00.000-07:002013-05-15T14:38:35.248-07:00Visual-Spatial Learners<div>
My daughter has dyslexia and is a <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/visual-spatial-learners.shtml">visual-spatial learner</a>, a right brained learner. She is bright, but definitely learns differently from me. She thinks in pictures rather than words. She needs the whole picture first and doesn’t work in sequential steps. </div>
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The left hemisphere is sequential, analytical, and time-oriented. The right hemisphere perceives the whole, synthesizes, and apprehends movement in space. </div>
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If you think you might have a visual-spatial learner in your home, here are things to look for:</div>
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<li>Thinks primarily in pictures </li>
<li>Has visual strengths </li>
<li>Relates well to space </li>
<li>Is a whole-part learner </li>
<li>Learns concepts all at once </li>
<li>Is able to learn hard things easily and easy things are hard </li>
<li>Is a good synthesizer </li>
<li>Sees the big picture; may miss details </li>
<li>Reads maps well </li>
<li>Is better at math reasoning than computation </li>
<li>Learns whole words easily </li>
<li>Must visualize <a href="http://www.spellingcity.com/Find-A-Spelling-List.html">words to spell</a> them </li>
<li>Prefers keyboarding to writing </li>
<li>Creates unique methods of organization </li>
<li>Arrives at correct solutions intuitively </li>
<li>Learns best by seeing relationships </li>
<li>Has good long-term visual memory </li>
<li>Learns concepts permanently; is turned off by drill and repetition </li>
<li>Develops own methods of problem solving </li>
<li>Is sensitive to other people’s attitudes </li>
<li>May have very uneven grades </li>
<li>Enjoys geometry and physics </li>
<li>Is creatively, mechanically, emotionally, or technologically gifted </li>
<li>Is a late bloomer</li>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-54045659678251805642012-09-21T07:34:00.000-07:002013-05-15T14:42:43.194-07:00I’ve Decided to Homeschool, Now What?--<div>
I’ve decided to homeschool, now what? Have you ever been there or is that where you are right now? It is okay to be anxious about it. Give it time to sink in and most of anxiety will fade away. After all, if you have made the wrong decision, life IS NOT over and your kids will rebound. You can always send them back to public school.</div>
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Most folks tend not to give their efforts enough time. You should really try <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/homeschool-curriculum.htm">homeschooling</a> for at least two years before you consider throwing in the towel. It takes a bit to get used to the new way of learning and it takes awhile to learn what works for you and your child. The first year is the hardest!</div>
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Try to find a good local homeschool cooperative to join. Your child will be able to take classes you might not want to teach and you will make new friends, find support and encouragement, participate in filed trips and parties and more. </div>
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Try to attend a homeschool convention. Buy used curriculum until you know exactly what you want to use. Join online <a href="http://www.time4learning.net/forum/home-school-questions/">homeschool forums</a>, read homeschool blogs like this one. </div>
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Believe in yourself. You know your child the best, have his best interests at heart, and are his best cheerleader. You can do it.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-60311399834179011882012-09-07T07:39:00.000-07:002013-05-15T14:44:06.015-07:00Vocabulary Games<div>
Does my child really need to practice vocabulary skills? How important is it? Mastering words in essential to academic success and being able to communicate effectively. Building <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/readingpyramid/vocabulary.htm">vocabulary skills</a> improves reading comprehension and reading fluency. Without building a large vocabulary, students cannot read successfully and their future is in jeopardy. Good jobs demand a good vocabulary. </div>
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Kids are influenced by what is around them. If you want your child’s vocabulary to grow, be aware of how you speak around them. Play <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/readingpyramid/vocabulary.htm">vocabulary games</a> at home with them. One thing I have my daughter do for her vocabulary lessons is to draw and color a picture of the vocabulary word, write the meaning, and use it in a sentence. She also plays fun <a href="http://www.spellingcity.com/spelling-games-vocabulary-games.html">online flash vocabulary games</a>. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-43373473319235507162012-08-21T07:37:00.000-07:002013-05-15T14:45:23.275-07:00Phonics and Sight Words<div>
When I was a little girl, I learned to read by sight words. Dick and Jane was all the rage. When I entered third grade at a different school, they expected me to know <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/readingpyramid/phonics.htm">phonics</a>. I was so upset that I didn’t know what they were talking about. I was a great reader, but didn’t have a background in phonics. I had to catch up in a hurry in order to complete my <a href="http://www.printable-worksheets.com/3rd-grade">worksheets</a> correctly. </div>
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Since reading is a vital skill and a necessary component of learning other subject matters, repeated practice is necessary. A healthy blend of phonics and sight words seems to work for most kids. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-88952475520498369132012-08-07T07:35:00.000-07:002013-05-15T14:49:23.126-07:00Back to School PlansDo you need a battle plan to get ready for back to homeshool? I find that a checklist of some sort goes a long way with me. I tend to work off an agenda or calendar. If you do too, then maybe the following will help you as you get ready for a new year of schooling.<br />
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<li>Ask the kids what they are interested in learning this year. By letting them pick a few of the things they are going to learn, you have conquered lots of the un-motivation you sometimes experience.. </li>
<li>Clean and organize the main study area in the house. </li>
<li>Discover your child’s <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/learning-styles.shtml">learning style</a> and adapt your teaching style to match it. </li>
<li>Read curriculum reviews before you shop for yours. </li>
<li>Begin gathering your curriculum or building your own. Try to buy used curriculum when you can. </li>
<li>Make sure your library cards are not lost. </li>
<li>Think about extra-curricular activities your children might want to participate in. </li>
<li>Formulate a list of possible field trips. </li>
<li>Shop garage sales for board games, <a href="http://www.spellingcity.com/flash-cards.html">flash cards</a>, art supplies, books, and yes, even used curriculum. I see it at yard sales all the time. </li>
<li>Go over your chore charts for the kids and make revisions where needed. </li>
<li>Set up a tentative schedule. </li>
<li>Relax and breathe!</li>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-8827075041517998272012-07-21T07:41:00.000-07:002013-05-15T14:56:04.259-07:00Poetry<div>
There are many different types of poetry for kids. The following are just a few:</div>
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<li>Alphabet (ABC)-Each line in the poetry begins with subsequent letters of the alphabet. The poetry doesn’t have to rhyme. </li>
<li>Ballad-Ballad is one of the types of poems for children that has to rhyme. The poetry retells a historical event or you can write about a personal experience in the form of rhyme. </li>
<li>Acrostic-This is a typical form of poetry where the first letter of each line form a word itself. The letters are vertically aligned to form a word that is usually the subject of the poem. </li>
<li>Autobiographical-This is really an essay about yourself in rhythm. It can rhyme. </li>
<li>Cinquain-A cinquain is composed of only 5 lines. The 5 lines are a noun (title), description, action, feeling (phrase)and the title (<a href="http://www.spellingcity.com/synonyms.html">synonym</a>). </li>
<li>Diamante-A diamante is a diamond shaped poem about whatever you want it to be about. </li>
<li>Haiku-Mainly a Japanese nature poem. It usually has 3 lines of poetry with the first line containing 3 syllables, the second line having 7 syllables, and the last line having 5 syllables. </li>
<li>Limerick-Poetry of 5 lines. The last word of the first, second and the fifth line <a href="http://www.spellingcity.com/rhyming-words.html">rhyme</a> and the last word of third and fourth line rhyme.</li>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-18147397294263551032012-07-07T07:31:00.000-07:002013-05-15T14:57:45.297-07:00Patriotism<div>
Patriotism means love and devotion to one's country. There are many ways to show <a href="http://www.42explore2.com/patriot.htm">patriotism</a>, so it is important to make sure kids understand the basics. </div>
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<li>Define patriotism in their language</li>
<li>Learn about the American flag, look for flags in your town, and learn how to fold a flag</li>
<li>Invite a veteran to talk to your child and share stories from their past.</li>
<li>Read the Declaration of Independence to your child. Have him pretend he is starting his own country. Tell him to and try writing his own <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/scope-sequence/6th_grade_social_studies.shtml">Declaration of Independence</a>.</li>
<li>Read through the Bill of Rights and discuss why they think our founding fathers thought these rights were important. Develop a Bill of Rights for your home.</li>
<li>Learn about voting rights and make a pretend voter’s registration card.</li>
<li>Discuss immigration. Trace your family tree.</li>
<li>Sing patriotic songs together. Write down the lyrics and discuss what they mean. Write your own patriotic song.</li>
<li>Learn what the words to the the Pledge of Allegiance mean.</li>
<li>Write a thank you card to a soldier.</li>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8958909827265403067.post-75250226547154378872012-06-21T07:30:00.000-07:002013-05-15T15:02:39.200-07:00Handwriting Help<div>
<a href="http://www.time4learning.com/teaching-writing.shtml">Handwriting</a> seems to be a dying art, but there are some of us who still believe in it and want our children to master it. </div>
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If your child hates handwriting, try to discover the cause. Have you unknowingly criticized your child’s handwriting too much. “That is too sloppy.” “You still are not making that letter correctly.” Evaluate what you say to your child. Maybe your child has dysgraphia or <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/add.shtml">ADHD</a> and handwriting is a big challenge. Maybe your child’s fine motor skills need some work.</div>
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Here are some activities that will help with the fine motor skills needed for handwriting:</div>
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1.Give your child clay or play-dough to play with to strengthen the major muscles used in handwriting. </div>
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2.Have your child push a thumb tack into a wooden yard stick at every inch mark. </div>
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3.Encourage her to play with Legos, miniature cars, small blocks, action figures, and other small toys. </div>
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4.Do puzzles with your child. </div>
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5.Have your child practice walking on a balance beam. </div>
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6.Provide fun art projects that involve using crayons, marking pens, scissors, and finger paints, as well as tearing paper. </div>
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7.<a href="http://www.spellingcity.com/spelling-games-vocabulary-games.html">Play games</a> with your child that involve handling cards and small game pieces. </div>
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8.Ask your child to sort collections of loose coins into stacks of pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0