The Monthly Chat


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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

 
Bible & Spiritual growth
For the love of children

I read some thoughts posted by another user that moved me to remember why I choose to homeschool. I lift my children up daily in prayer - but I also lift up the children that attend school. I see the damage it causes for some - they play in my home after school and I see their hearts break when they can't keep up. A few, from down the road, have been held back many times. I watch these children grow and become more callous over the years. They were once so sweet and gentle. I thank God for keeping his hedge of protection around my family. I pray for God to keep a hedge of protection around the many children in our country that don't have a family to direct them toward Christ.

The bible says it best regarding our children: ''Fight for them! Go before the throne of God, to our Father, and pray that they would be rescued from the control of darkness and be brought into the Kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). Pray that they would walk in truth -- that your sons would be mighty men against he enemy, like arrows in the hands of a warrior (Psalm 127:4-5) -- that your daughters would be mighty women of noble character (Proverbs 31:10) thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17).''
venusmom

Finance/Econ
Stay-cation instead of Vacation

On one of the money saving blogs I follow, they had this
wonderful post of a collection of ''mommybloggers'' in 85
different areas of the country about Stay-cations where you
explore things/events in your area as if you were a tourist.
Lots of great free ideas here!
http://queenbeecoupons.com/2011/05/staycation-nation-
budget-friendly-activities-for-85-u-s-cities/?
utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign
=Feed%3A+QueenBeeCoupons+%28Queen+Bee+Coupons+%
26+Savings+-+Daily+Buzz%29
smith8
 
Homeschool helps
Teaching 24/7

Many homeschoolers I see these days seem to be trying to
reproduce school at home, with workbooks and tests, and
even the type of busywork one finds in a traditional school. In
the early years -- birth through about third grade -- education
is happening every minute of every day and every
opportunity can be seized as a teachable moment. My early
education philosophy can be summed up as follows: A job
worth doing is worth doing poorly. Children learn from
mistakes, from attempts, and from simply being allowed to
work alongside Mom or Dad. Include them in as many jobs as
possible.
southwind

Other
My Kids, Never Miss a Day of School

One of the many advantages I tell people, curious about homeschooling, is that my kids NEVER miss a day of school. Sure there is illnesses and unplanned events, but we always just pick up where we left off.

There is never the cramming in of too many things in order to get my kid caught up with the rest of the class.

Do we ever cram? Sure we do! But it is on an individual basis, where I can still be sure they are ''getting it''. What would be the point otherwise? To cram and then forget?

FORGET IT!
ren
 
Bible & Spiritual growth
Soma Tonga

In India, if you are walking through rural roads, you'll occasionally come across a post with a sturdy shelf about shoulder height. It is called ''Soma Tonga,'' which means ''resting place.'' When people are traveling with a heavy load, they place their heavy load on the shelf for relief. Once rested, they continue their journey.

What do you think Christians in India call Jesus? ''My Soma Tonga.''

''Cast your cares upon Him'' 1 Peter 5:7

-copied from House to House, Heart to Heart magazine
cswbooks

Homeschool helps
When Selling Homeschool Books....

After several years of selling our used homeschool books, I have learned the following:
1) Make sure to keep all emails concerning a transaction.
2) Be sure to have a ''hard copy'' of a buyers name and address, just in case you have a computer problem.
3) When shipping, be sure to use media mail, the prices are lower than the standard rate.
4) Use delivery confirmation and email the tracking number to the buyer as soon as you ship. That way both parties know where the merchandise is at all times.
boswifedeb

Other
Mailing Items with Paypal

Did you know that if you have a scale to weigh your package then you can go to

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_ship-now

pay for, print out a shipping label, and place in your mailbox.

It appears cheaper than the post office. Also your package is automatically tracked for $.19 and you can add insurance if you like.
valerie_jones
 
Homeschool helps
Make Your Student Your Teacher

To solidify her learning, I am trying the following approach. After my daughter has learned a new concept in her curriculum, whether from a CD presentation, or a video, or from her own reading, I have her teach the concept to me, using a different example than the one presented in her lesson. If she can teach me what she just learned, she has gained in knowledge with experience, and is less likely to forget it.
mom4ever

Other
Learning Together

Home schooled children frequently combine for many purposes - and they interact well. The growth of the home schooling movement means that more and more children are learning together, just not in a traditional classroom.
Ernest Istook
called2bmom

Homeschool helps
Chess Promotes Spiritual Growth

In addition to the improvement in spatial relations skills, visualization, mathematics, and so forth that you've already heard of, chess has some spiritual benefit. The game is very contemplative, much more consistent with the Christian worldview than, say, video games.
jfulrich

Homeschool helps
Don't Worry

Don't worry if you don't finish every book/text book you have. Most textbooks review the beginning of each year anyway. It's best to relax, do your best, and enjoy the learning experiences along the way.
debhomeschool