The Monthly Chat

February, 2007

Next edition >>

Printable bits of wisdom, ideas, and reflections for your friends and
homeschool group, from the members of HomeschoolClassifieds.com
Opinions expressed are those of the individual authors.
©1997-2009 HomeschoolClassifieds.com, Knoxville, TN

Organization/time management
Teaching my Children to Help Out Around the Home

I started homeschooling after my children had been to ''regular'' school. They were gone so much, we left home to catch the bus at 7:15 am and sometimes they didn't get home until 4:45 pm! By the time they did homework, ate dinner, etc. there just wasn't much time to teach or get much help with chores. They did some, but overall didn't help much.

Now we are homeschooling (Praise the Lord!), and I want them to help out as well as learn some skills they will need in life later. I was having trouble getting consistent help. I made charts, etc. but it wasn't working. I have backed up and am taking baby steps. Here is how I am doing it.

I have taken a regular envelope and sealed it. I then cut it in half and taped the halves on our pantry door. I just started with 3 jobs we were going to focus on. I wanted to make sure they were done, and I didn't want to overwhelm myself. The three jobs are: Trash, Kitchen Prep Helper, and Kitchen Clean UP. I then took 4 index cards for each job with each child's name on them. The jobs rotate so each day one child is off (for now). I put an extra card in the envelope with info on what the job entails.

I have consistently enforced these jobs for 2 weeks now, and I can say life is better. They do not fight about the jobs, because I have been consistent about each taking a turn. I am getting more help, and it helped my stress level go down some. I am going to gently add a few more jobs to train the children and help manage the home. They had been doing jobs before, but the consistency has helped tons! God Bless!

afptl

Homeschool helps
Textbook Resource

Need a textbook but low on cash? Try your local library. Many libraries check out copies of textbooks. You can usually get them for two weeks at a time and may renew them several times unless someone else requests the item. While you are there, ask the librarians about the databases available to patrons. Many libraries have a large number of great resources here, sometimes even the Rosetta Stone foreign language program...all for free.

waymire

Homeschool helps
Living Deeply, Together

Have you ever heard, “Take a break; put your kids in school!” Have you said this to yourself? I can answer “Yes” to both questions. Most recently, I heard it from my husband’s well-meaning grandmother. Life has been challenging at our house for two years: my mother’s life-threatening illness, my father’s cancer diagnosis and death, my husband’s emergency back surgery and recuperation at home. From Grandma’s point of view, it seems natural to think that school would be the perfect break. But this “break” would have cheated my family out of the rich truths that God has shown us.

Because my children were home, they saw me visit my mother in the hospital. They spent more time with their dad than they ever have. They had a relationship with their grandpa before he died. Because they were home, we sought God together. Because they were home, we could take a much-needed break from academics to simply absorb the intensity of our experiences and support each other.

Because they are still home, they have a growing relationship with my mom, who now lives with us. They play games with her, eat with her, make music for her, seek help from her, share their space, and minister to her every day. Our lives are clear examples of God working all things, even the hearthbreaking things, together for the good of those who love Him.

So, as much as I sometimes crave a break, putting my children in school won’t be the way I satisfy that craving. I want them here, so we can live true life together.

alphabetika

Math: fundamentals
Help for Poor Math Skills, Calculadder on CDROM

My son was having so much trouble with recall of basic math facts. I jumped through many hoops, then I combined the use of Calculadder with my math program. Calculadder is a review page you use every day until the child can complete the paper in certain length of time. It takes my son forever to finish one, but then he really knows his facts. It also has a Bible verse on the paper and a drawing that grows as you progress through the levels. I bought the Masterpak 1 on CDROM to print out what I needed on the computer. Works great for us! I bought it from Timberdoodle.com or try www.ProvidenceProject.com

afptl

Marriage & parenting
Touching the Heart of Your God-given Introvert

My daughter has been an introvert all her life, in the classic sense of the word: needing to be alone to re-charge and preferring a slower-paced life with ample down-time. Today when I asked her what her perfect field trip would be, she said, ''Staying at home.'' I laughed, but I knew she meant it. Her favorite discussion to have is contented silence, which contradicts all the advice about having heart-to-heart talks with my pre-teen and keeping the communication lines open.

What to do with a girl who is so intensely private? It's a challenge to give and receive communication on sensitive or spiritual topics. But it's not impossible.

I have found a journal to be an excellent way to ''talk'' to my daughter. I write in it and leave it on her pillow, and she may or may not write back. More often than not, I am giving her spiritual encouragement or gentle advice, or saying all of the little, sweet things that I so often think of but don't often say. I have told her that she may write anything she wants to without fear, and my rule for myself is to write only uplifting words, since writing is a more permanent record than speech. We have been journaling together for a few years now and between our writing and the security of homeschooling, I feel that our ''communication lines'' are open in a unique and precious way.

alphabetika

Organization/time management
Lesson Plans & Grade Record Keeping

I have finally been able to keep on track with lesson plans, grades & record keeping (after homeschooling since '92)!

I've created a full-year lesson plan page for each subject and have enjoyed this method for two years now. The page consists of the number of needed lesson blocks for each curriculum set (1st semester front/2nd semester back). There is a space above each lesson block to write in assignment days in pencil for 'flexibility'. The child has this page in each subject folder/notebook and checks off the block when the assignment is completed. I record the grade in the test blanks provided and then in my Record Keeping page (below).

I also created a full-year Grade Record Keeping page for each of my children. The page has four blocks each containing a subject & nine week column with the number of rows needed for subjects/activities. I have been able to keep record of grades each week by listing them at a simple glance. If no test/grades were assigned in a particular week, I simply place a check mark in that space to indicate work was completed.

cherburt

Sewing & needlework
How I Improved my Sewing Skills/Started Sewing

I used to sew, but had put it down many years ago. I decided I wanted to start sewing again, mostly in frustration at not being able to find clothing I wanted or could afford. I started with children's clothing, and the biggest tool I found was to purchase a Kwik Sew Sewing for Children book.

The books are a sewing lesson in themselves and come complete with a master pattern. You have many sizes available,and I just traced over the size I needed. I found a nice pattern tracing material called Pattern Ease that worked well. Easy to trace and cut and pin. I made things like Pj's tops and bottoms for the children first, easy to make, and still wearable even with my mistakes. I liked the Kwik Sew books, because I never would get out to take a real sewing class. I even called Kwik Sew and got help on the phone. I bought my books on sale at a local Hancock Fabrics, but I am sure they are for sale on the internet auctions as well. I have kept with it, and have purchased more books. I have even sewn a swim suit! God Bless!

afptl

Bible & Spiritual growth
Utilize Your Precious Time While Traveling!

I have always appreciated our family's talks while traveling. Though schedules are always vying to be kept and everyone is beginning this, collecting that, or finishing up thus and such, we can take advantage of travel time together to have fun and stimulating family discussions.

Topics we have covered and were kept Biblically-centered have included economics, politics, our faith, how things are made, how would you do it differently?, what would Jesus say (or do)?, what would you do if this happened?, emergency scenario discussions, and discussions on etiquette, human nature, animal behavior. You get the picture :)

I'm sure there are a wealth of topics each family could add that are unique to them and their areas of expertise and their own personal bents. Share your knowledge and discover each other's with stimulating, educationally-rewarding, heart-string-tying talks while traveling!

chooselife_777

Homeschool helps
Scope and Sequence

Want to design your own lessons but don't know where to start? Try a textbook -- not to use, but for inspiration. Most major publishers have samples online, including the table of contents. These make great scope and sequence models for your lesson plans. Just use library or internet resources to learn about the subjects listed.

waymire

Sewing & needlework
Making Your Sewing Machine Work Better

I have bought and sold quite a few sewing machines on a famous internet auction site. I have purchased these machines at yard sales and thrift stores. One thing I have noticed about these machines I have purchased is the lack of care they have received. When I first get one home, the first thing I do is to clean it. I am talking about removing the needle plate beneath the foot, and using a brush to clean out lint.

It is unbelievable what I have found! I use my vaccum sometimes as well. I then put a few drops of sewing machine oil (NOT WD40, or anything else) in this area. I then search the machine for any place where something turns, and I put 1 or 2 drops of oil. A really old machine may need grease in places. A little maintenance goes a long way. Read your manual or check out this free site on sewing machine maintenance. http://www.cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_c/c-102.html God Bless!

afptl

Bible & Spiritual growth
Let Dad be the Spiritual Leader

Are you using workbooks or church classes for your kids' Bible Study? Why not start a new tradition by having Dad lead Scripture time in the morning at the breakfast table? Let one of the kids pick which book of the Bible to read together, give everybody a Bible, and let Dad lead the discussion. Read a short section a day, and you'll be surprised how much everyone has to say!

As Dad leads the discussion with questions like who/what/when/where/how/why, he'll have a chance to infuse the kids with your family worldview. He'll build trust so that the kids go to him with their spiritual questions and concerns. Don't make the choice to have others like churches or curriculum providers shape your children. Let Dad do it through daily Scripture reading.

singingmamadee

Math: fundamentals
Use a Variety of Methods!

When teaching your children math, use a variety of methods. Don't just do what the book/text says, embelish the concept.

For example, you want to teach your child to multiply. The text uses pictures of blocks. You should let them feel it by using real blocks, then embelish by using the number line, candy, skip counting songs, Miquon, whatever other ways you can think of to solidify the concept. When you do this, your child will cement this concept in their brain, have fun, and remember it longer. You'll be using all three learning styles which always increases their memory.

Math isn't drudgery; it's a blast!!

hcinfo

Math: fundamentals
Mastering Mathematics

I have a son who has trouble with math. We were using another math program, but it wasn't working. It was considered the spiral approach, where the topic was introduced, and the publisher came back to it later. My son was so lost. Just when we started to get it, the chapter would be over and it was forgotten by the next time he saw it.

I looked around and found Mastering Mathematics. They go about it differently. They work an entire book and games around one topic. For example, one book is addition, one subtraction, one is multiplication, etc. Nothing fancy, but it sure helped a lot! I found them at http://www.masterypublications.com/ Hope this helps, and God Bless!

afptl

Homeschool helps
Host a Curriculum Night

Some of my favorite times with our various homeschool groups have been curriculum nights. Choose one home and set up tables to represent each subject area. Each mom in the group brings all the curriculum she wishes to share and lays it out on the appropriate table. Then, everyone circulates, looks at the materials, asks questions about unfamiliar curriculum and shares about how her materials have blessed her family. It's a great chance to examine materials you wouldn't otherwise get to see without ordering them, and it's interesting to hear ''testimonials.'' Another version of this would be have a ''My Favorite Curriculum'' gathering, in which each mom brings her favorite curriculum and shares about it.

alphabetika

Organization/time management
Print Center Benefits

Check out your local print center. Office Depot, Staples, etc. have print centers that can provide a multitude of services. You can have the spines cut from most soft bound books and workbooks up to almost two inches thick to make them much easer to put in a binder, copy, or use. Also check out the binding services offered.

waymire