Homeschool helps
Do Not Give in to Curriculum Peer Pressure
As parents we have told our children at one time or another to not give in to peer pressure. ''Be true to yourself!'' ''Stand up for what you believe is right!'' ''It's okay to stand alone!'' Sometimes us adults need to take our own advice: let us not be swayed by {curriculum} peer pressure.
Do you believe in your curriculum? Is it working? Are your children progressing each year? Then stand up for your curriculum choice! Do not be swayed to change your curriculum because it is not the ''in'' program, you get minimal or no support for it and/or every year you hear others, sometimes the same ones, say how much they hate it.
Do not be a ''closet'' curriculum user! Come on out, and be proud of your choice! I am! I too have encountered curriculum peer pressure over the past 4 years. Who cares what others think! My curriculum choice works for us! Each year my child learns and progresses, passes each grade and tests above grade level. We are happy using it! Nothing else should matter so stand up to curriculum peer pressure by being true to yourself and your family! (One last closing thought, do not forget to thank God that you have the liberty to choose your own curriculum!) | | maf24 |
Other
Portable Puppet Theatre
For an easy, portable puppet theatre, you need only an adjustable tension rod, a screwdriver, and a simple curtain panel or piece of fabric 44'' wide by 48-60'' long. A dark velour is good for that ''theatre curtain'' feeling, but any non-transparent fabric will do. Slip the curtain panel on the tension rod. If using fabric, sew a simple casing at one short end of the fabric, wide enough to fit around the tension rod. To set up for your show, find a doorway and slip the tension rod with curtain on it into the doorframe at a height comfortable for performers to sit or stand behind. Use the screwdriver to adjust the tension for a nice tight fit. Performers sit/stand behind the curtain, and audience sits in front. For an optional backdrop, set your curtain up in a hallway entrance with a wall behind it, and tape a scenery mural on the wall behind the doorway. Happy puppetry! | | susie_r |
| | Organization/time management
I'm BORED! Beating Summer's Uncertainty
Sometimes the lack of structure that comes with summer break can be frustrating to the child who's always asking, ''What's next? Are we doing anything interesting today?''
To help solve that dilemma, hang a large whiteboard in a heavy-traffic area like the kitchen. At the end of the evening, post upcoming events for the next day. You might also want to include chores or other things that need to be done before the event, project, outing, visitor, etc. will occur.
This way, everyone gets a ''heads up'' early in the day of your expectations or plans without Mom or Dad having to repeat instructions or announcements multiple times. | | susie_r |
Other
Emergency Water Supply Always Ready
Here in Florida, it's time to prepare for hurricane season. One thing we've done to cut down on expenses and waste is to fill empty 2 and 3-liter soda bottles with filtered tap water each time we finish a bottle of soda. We just rinse the bottle, fill to the top of the label, and screw the lid back on tightly. I recommend storing your water supply somewhere that's out of the way but climate controlled, so you don't have to be concerned with anything leaching from the plastic in high temperatures. This method allows us to have many big bottles to freeze in advance of a storm, with plenty left over for drinking, cooking, bathing, and other needs. Also easy to replenish, and once used, can be filled again or just recycled. | | susie_r |
Other
Lightening the Load
As a former public school teacher and Homeschooler, I will freely admit that I suffer from an addiction to school supplies and books! I have not taught public school for 13 years and (with much regret) I stopped homeschooling 1 year ago. Yet, here I am a year later and I have yet to have purged my school supplies. I am still storing my classroom supplies from 13 years ago, for Pete's Sake! I have recently come to the realization that all this ''Stuff'' is weighing on me and for my own sanity, it must go! I am attempting to live a ''lighter'' life and allow God to be my ''Stuff''. I invite you to support me in my endeavor. Thank you for shopping. | | renec |
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