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

 
Baking & cooking
Science in the Kitchen

Did you know you are working with science in the kitchen everyday? Yes, I know, that moldy food in the fridge counts as a science project :-). But really, did you know that you are performing scientific experiments when baking? Both baking soda & baking powder are leavening agents, which means they are added to baked goods to produce carbon dioxide & cause them to 'rise'. Baking powder contains baking soda, but the two are used under different conditions.

Baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate. When baking soda is mixed with moisture & an acidic ingredient (yogurt, chocolate, buttermilk, honey), the resulting chemical reaction produces bubbles of carbon dioxide that expand under oven temperatures, causing baked goods to rise. The reaction begins immediately upon mixing the ingredients, so you need to bake recipes which call for baking soda immediately, or else they will fall flat!

Baking powder contains sodium bicarbonate, but it includes the acidifying agent already (cream of tartar), & also a drying agent (usually starch). Baking powder is available as single-acting or as double-acting. Single-acting powders are activated by moisture, so you must bake recipes which include this product immediately after mixing. Double-acting powders react in two phases & can stand for a while before baking. With double-acting powder, some gas is released at room temperature when the powder is added to dough, but the majority of the gas is released while baking.

Which ingredient is used depends on the other ingredients in the recipe. Baking soda is basic and will yield a bitter taste unless countered by the acidity of another ingredient, such as buttermilk. You'll find baking soda in cookie recipes. Baking powder contains both an acid & a base & has an overall neutral effect in terms of taste. Recipes that call for baking powder often call for other neutral-tasting ingredients, such as milk. Baking powder is a common ingredient in cakes & biscuits.

You can substitute baking powder in place of baking soda (add more baking powder & it may affect the taste), but you can't use baking soda when a recipe calls for baking powder. Baking soda by itself lacks the acidity to make a cake rise. Yet you can make your own baking powder if you have baking soda & cream of tartar. Simply mix 2 parts cream of tartar with 1 part baking soda.
luvmyeight
 
Marriage & parenting
An Awakening

I am a parent who has very high standards for her children, and for the most part they rise to meet my expectations. I frequently I find myself in ''mother hen'' mode, and I have been known to fuss and fret with the best of them where my kids are concerned. Recently, however, I had a major epiphany by reading a stack of old letters.

They were my letters, given to me by my older sister after she found them cleaning out her attic. Apparently, I told her everything. . . And the odd thing is that I cannot remember feeling many of those things, and being that immature. Not only did they reveal character flaws, but the spelling and punctuation was a lot worse than I could have imagined myself writing. The evidence was right there in my lap, showing me that I hadn't been as smart as I'd remembered myself to be!

Looking back, I realize that at the age of ten, I was not a great letter writer like my Mother had always said. Yet my mother just may have been a genuis in her own rite. She always made me feel special, and I am just coming to realize that it's not because I actually was so very special. Her faith in me and her support has always helped me attempt to be as good as she believes me to be!

When dealing with my kids I often think ''I never did that!'' and wonder what's so wrong with my parenting that is causing my kids to behave in this manner. I realize now that my problem might just be the opposite of what I assumed. I was thinking I was not training them enough--not being strict enough. There is always room for more training where kids are concerned, and I still believe that.

However, sitting here today and rereading my own letters has led me to the vital realization that it is admiration that children need more than anything else. All this time I thought I was such a wonderful child, and I now realize that it might be only the way my mother saw me. My kids don't need so much criticism from me for their shortcomings; instead, they need more support and praise. I am determined to work on really believing in them and seeing every one of their good traits. I still want to keep my expectations for them high, but I am hoping that the more I help them THINK they are good kids, the harder they will try to BE good kids. I now believe with all my heart that it worked that way with me.
isharah
 
Hist/Geog/SS: General
My Favorite Homeschool Purchase

Last year I finally made the decision to bite the bullet and invest $75.00 on History through the Ages – Historical Timeline Figures CD...a decision I’ve not regretted. This is my second summer using this most amazing homeschool resource, and I am continually amazed at the versatility this product offers.

Amy Pak is the artist and owner of Homeschool in the Woods, the company who produces this and other quality homeschool materials. Besides being a homeschool mom of four, she’s a gifted artist, and has done a masterful job of organizing the layout of everything she lays hands to. I’ve purchased three of her products thus far and have been impressed with each and every one. In addition, whenever I’ve had questions and have called their company number, Amy herself has answered the phone each time. It’s quite the rarity to find a company these days that offers this kind of service and attention to detail. If you decide to purchase this product for yourself, let me clue you in on all that you have to look forward to.

You will immediately notice the quality and time that has been put into the research and drawing of each and every timeline figure...all of which are artistic gems. In addition, you will have the option of printing these figures with or without text, making them incredibly versatile. I have used these not only as timeline figures, but in making numerous history games, as well as coloring sheets for my children. Having the ability to resize the figures is the key here. Also, you will find that the way in which the CD is laid out makes for easy location of each figure either alphabetically, or chronologically. And because she has so thoroughly researched each figure, they are often times cross referenced in other sections, making it a sure thing that you won’t overlook a key figure for whatever study you may be doing. There are over 30 categories to choose from ranging from the Old Testament, to Scientists / Inventors / Mathematicians, to US Statehoods. And if all of this is still not enough, she has a section called Timeline Helps that offers teaching tips as well as photographs of all the many ways in which to do a timeline.

I could go on raving about this wonderful resource, but suffice it to say that if you decide to purchase this yourself, you definately won’t be disappointed. It’s a tool I will undoubtedly use each and every year...and so will you!
kimberlynn

Lang arts: readers/literature
Reading WIth YOung Children

I have learned over the years that teaching a child to read is a hard task to do. But the number one peice of advice I can give is this: be quick to help, to provide the word or sound that they have forgotten and read to them when they get tired. Keeping reading time as a positive, encouraging time will go far in helping them really learn to love and value reading!
jstephens5199
 
Bible & Spiritual growth
The Excavation of Me

As I finished my seventh year of homeschooling this past year, I found myself worn out and frazzled to a degree I had never before experienced. As I was discussing this with a friend of mine, she asked me, “What do you enjoy doing?” I was stumped to give an answer. In the days that followed, I continued to think upon her question, and more specifically, why I was unable to answer it. I soon realized that somehow I had allowed myself, the true essence of who I am, to slip away. I had become defined by my “roles” in life rather than by who I really am.

Once upon a time, I was an artist, a writer, an avid reader, an adventurer that loved long drives through the mountains, and quiet walks in the park. I had interests that fed my spirit, and nurtured my soul. I had thoughts and ideas that were uniquely me. And somehow, all of these parts of me were lost; Lost at the bottom of a mountain comprised mostly of a never ending list of “to do’s”. I knew that I would have to dig deep if I wanted to reclaim myself. And so began the excavation of me.

I began by taking one day a week for myself. While waiting for my husband to arrive home from work, I would get dressed. No homeschool mom uniform allowed. I would dress in something that made me feel good about myself. I’d put on my favorite jewelry and best perfume. I’d pack a good book, my journal, and bible. I would kiss my family goodbye, and set off on a date with myself.

These dates quickly became a time I savored and looked forward to each week with great anticipation. What I would do during my time would look different from week to week. Some weeks I’d simply find a quiet place to read or pray. Other weeks, I’d go to a movie or dinner with a friend. And still other weeks, I’d browse around in quaint little shops. My only purpose during these times was to rediscover my own interests and to do what I needed within that time to rejuvenate my spirit.

As the weeks have passed by, I am finding myself once again. I am in touch with my thoughts, feelings, beliefs, convictions, hopes, and dreams. I can once again hear my own voice within the distractions of everyday life. I would encourage every homeschool mom to do the same...dig deep! The excavation is most certainly well worth the dig.
kimberlynn

Marriage & parenting
Rich with Children

The world says ''the more children you have, the poorer you are.'' The Bible says ''the more children you have, the richer you are.''

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Psalm 127:3
tworubies
 
College/vocation
The first one is about to fly!

My first homeschooled child is about to fly to college. This is about how she isn't going to fly very far, and how that's just fine. Last year, while she was a junior in high school, we signed up for a campus tour at the local community college (CC). We knew CC was the goal as she has no clear educational direction as yet and we do not have the finances for a 4 year college right away, nor would she qualify for enough scholarships to make it affordable. (fill out a FAFSA online - you'll be shocked at what the government thinks you can afford to pay toward college and every college will require this as your first financial step).

Now I know where all my taxes are going since my roads aren't repaired – it’s going into the facility my children will be using for higher education! We are completely thrilled with the CC option now. As a rough estimate, a credit unit (16 week semester) is $80 at the community college, $300 at the university. The course choices available is extensive, computers were all running the latest in every software and all specialized software for things like CAD or 3D animation were available at both the small classroom lab computers and the main library computer rooms. Many services from counseling on anything including personal issues to job hunting and course tutoring, all are available for free to the students. Students can take courses that interest them with no penalties if they don't maintain a full time course load. A majority of courses offered have transferable units to a university, not just prerequisites for a 4 year degree but in some cases some of the upper level work as well.

In these restricted financial times, do not neglect the CC option. Many students do qualify for dual enrollment in their junior or senior year and can get that first year of college out of the way even if the goal is a 4 year college right away. The reduced costs give the freedom to explore a bit before moving on to a university. Added to that is the benefit of the child still being at home where you can mentor and aid until they are ready to handle advanced course work and the details of living a separate life when the time comes. The feeling of the times when I was in university was that the CC was somehow a lesser thing, a place where people rejected by ''real'' colleges went. That is emphatically not true. Check it out for yourself and do it early so that you know which direction to head when senior year rolls around!
hcinfo

Marriage & parenting
Parental Love

Disciplinary action is NOT an assault on parental love; it is a function of it. Appropriate, biblical punishment is not something parents do TO a beloved child; it is something done FOR him or her.

Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. Job 5:17
tworubies
 
Homeschool helps
Simplicity...a Beautiful Thing

I am a type A personality. I admit it, though not proudly. I began my homeschooling journey seven years ago with such high ideals. I would plan out the most elaborate of unit studies, layering so many levels of learning that I would wear myself out. My problem, besides the obvious, was that there were so many wonderful books, projects, field trips, and materials to use, that rather than narrowing them down, I would convince myself (foolishly) that I could do them all.

I have since concluded that “more is not better”. More is simply more.

After much prayer and thought, I have reviewed my own homeschooling philosophy over the years and have seen many changes, all of which were much needed. I no longer worry about doing everything perfectly. I don’t stress out about “gaps” in my children’s education. After all, who among us knows everything? I certainly don’t. And honestly, I wouldn’t want a child who does. Can you even imagine such a person?

Slow down, simplify, and enjoy this most beautiful journey we are on. Our children will learn more in an atmosphere of peace, than they will ever learn by being pressed to adhere to a hard and fast academic schedule. For me, there are more important things to accomplish. They are...

Talk with my children...daily, know their hearts, laugh with them, cry with them, read to them, cook with them, dream with them, relax with them, play games with them, tickle them, sing to them...even if it’s badly, instruct them, discipline them, listen to them, and above all, love them well!!!

It’s taken me many years of learning from my mistakes to understand this very important truth...

It’s not about what we accomplish in homeschooling, but rather what homeschooling allows us to accomplish!
kimberlynn

Homeschool helps
Enjoying your children

Lately I've had the feeling that something is amiss in the way I've been teaching my children. I am often too worried about the books, and not concerned enough about the truly important matters of the heart. I have realized that character and the passing on of my values to my children is supremely important, especially in light of recent events in our nation and world. I must focus on raising children who are not only well-educated in the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic; but also able to discern the issues of the day. It is so vital that they are able to defend their faith, and to rightly divide the Word of Truth! God bless.
mellie71
 
Marriage & parenting
Roots and Wings

''The two greatest gifts parents can give their children are roots and wings.''

Well, the quote goes something like that.

I was thinking about roots and wings recently, and though the two seem totally opposite, both are necessary for our children to become responsible adults.

Growing up, we kids knew our family identity- who we were and why we did the things we did. Just because someone else was allowed to go/watch/do something didn't mean it was right for us to. We knew our family traditions and values. We had roots.

More difficult than providing a child her roots is giving a child her wings. My parents sent us to camp for a week each summer. None of us ever got homesick, and my mother never cried when she said goodbye as we got on the bus.

I'm sure she cried when my oldest sister went off to college, but my mother never was one to bemoan the fact that one of her children had left the nest. We were allowed to call home from college once every two weeks- any more often than that (except for emergencies) and someone (either parent or child) would have gotten homesick for sure.

I'm so thankful my parents gave us roots and wings- we aren't afraid to visit new places or try new things. We are all adults with our own families. Right now I live more than half-way across the country from the rest of my family, but it's okay. This is where the Lord wants my DH and DDs and me.

Next fall my DD#1 will be off to college- out of state, two timezones away. Hopefully I will be as good at giving her wings as my parents were to us.
comom

Bible & Spiritual growth
Pray for one another

The Lord Jesus will not save a person against his will, but He has a thousand ways of making him more willing. Our prayers for our children (and others) unleash the power of God in the life of another individual. What a great responsibility we have as parents! We have been granted the privilege of entering into intercessory prayer for our loved ones and of holding their names and faces before the Father.

God gives us clear instruction in His word. James 5:16 encourages us to, ''Pray for one another...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.''
tworubies
 
Bible & Spiritual growth
Memorization of Scripture

Each year of our homeschool, we typically focus heavily on one area of learning that interests us. In years past, nature study, writing, and character received greater emphasis. However, one particular topic we stressed a few years ago continues to produce huge dividends in our lives- Scripture memorization. We began with short passages that pertained to character issues or topics of study, then moved on to longer passages relevant to our understanding of God and man, continually adding to our knowledge base. We now have a system for memorization adopted from Simply Charlotte Mason providing tons of review and time for mastery. The system is set up on index cards stored in a file box with labels for daily, odd days, even days, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and each individual day of the month 1-31. The daily practice includes new passages to be learned. Odd and even days may have scriptures that most everyone has memorized, and the remainder of headers have scriptures memorized and are practiced for review on the day mentioned. For example, today we would practice from our file anything behind our ''daily'' header (Psalm 24:1-5), ''Even day'' (Philippians 4:4-8), ''Monday'' (Romans 1:18-20), and ''6'' (Psalm 141:3-4) because today is the 6th. This system has helped us tremendously to review all of the Scriptures we have learned over the years and keep them fresh.

While I have not done this diligently, we also allow each child to record Scriptures they have memorized on a chart. When they have recited the passage they write the reference and date in a box and place a sticker beside it. When the chart is completed (basically a 25 box grid), we donate money to our mission jar or allow them to purchase something under $5 at the Christian bookstore. Occasionaly, I will also sift through the Scriptures we have committed to memory and ask for them to quote a Scripture on ''being anxious'', ''who are we working for?'', ''God's grace teaches us to say no to?'', or a ''prophecy of Christ's suffering'', etc... In this way, Scripture is practically applied. Memorizing God's Word has been such a blessing when teaching, correcting, rebuking, and training in righteousness. Please email with questions or suggestions for memorization. dajonesfamily@gmail.com
andreainoh

Marriage & parenting
A Parent's Discipline

Children love justice. When someone has violated a rule, they want immediate retribution. They admire the teacher who can enforce an equitable legal system, and they find great comfort in reasonable school rules. By contrast, the teacher who does not control her class allows crime to pay, violating something basic in the value system of children.

This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place. Jeremiah 22:3
tworubies
 
Homeschool helps
Please Don't SCHOOL at Home

I've always been a Mom/teacher who has tried to play by the rules. I taught what the state told me to teach, when they told me to teach it, pretty much ''how'' they said to teach it. But as I recently came away from my 2nd homeschool convention I have finally come to the realization that I homeschooled my children for the very reason that I didn't want the STATE telling me what to do or when to do it or even how! I hate to admit this - but it took me a long time to realize this! How long? Well, I have three children and they will be entering what would be the 12th, 11th, and 8th grades! See??? I told you it took me a while!

Anyway - if I could give one piece of advice to any new homeschoolers out there it would be this - DON'T SCHOOL AT HOME! Now this might be surprising to some so let me explain. What I mean is this ... do NOT bring school into your home. Educate your children. Teach your children. Allow your children to learn but don't ''school'' them at home. We have hundreds of buildings that can do that FOR you and give you the freedom to pursue your own interests if that's what you want!

Don't set up desks & schedules and make a lot of rules like I did! This is what you may be tempted to do at first but learn from my mistakes if you can. If you're kids want to school one day in their PJs - let them. If they want to take their books to the park and do it on a picnic table - pack a lunch and take them! If one day they want to spend hours and hours on Science - encourage them. Just please don't SCHOOL them.

If I had it to do all over again I would change a lot - I admit it. Like - I would have searched out more info on different curricula earlier. I would have attended a HS conference my first year - then I would have been hooked on them! I wouldn't have set up a school room and had such strict rules about being at the desks at a specific time. I would have enjoyed it more and so would they! As the new school year approaches - please take this simple advice. Please don't SCHOOL your kids at home!
happy2teach3

Organization/time management
Weekly/monthly menu

To help answer the question ''what's for dinner'' and to make grocery shopping easier, I have devised a monthly calendar of meals. I often set the menu weekly and write each night's dinner on a large dry-erase board with a calendar format. My children help by contributing ideas and writing ingredients needed on my shopping list for the week. It has saved us money by avoiding those last minute trips for fast food when nothing was planned, and it also gives my kids some independence with reading what is for dinner instead of running to me each day to ask what they will be served that night or later in the week/month. It is great to work with a month to avoid repetitive meals and forces you to think outside the box a little.
shall
 
Organization/time management
Plan Ahead to Save Time and Money

Planning out the year at a glance will give you a broad view of what you will need for the year.

List the main subjects to be covered.

Next, list specific materials for each area. Look for them used before buying new. Be careful that the versions match between Teacher Editions and Student Texts.

Determine how much time your child or family should spend on each area. Remember that homeschooling usually requires less time per subject than in a classroom. Make a weekly schedule with school subjects, chores, and activities.

Not everything has to happen every day. Penmanship can be 3 times a week and Writing twice a week.

I plan for skills areas (reading, spelling, math, penmanship) to be done individually, but we do content areas together. Sometimes history and science units run concurrently, but sometimes I plan for a 2 week history unit and then a 2 week science unit. I often recommend looking at the bulleted lists in the Typical Course of Study at www.worldbook.com for unit study topics.

If you make a simple list to start your planning, it won't seem quite so overwhelming and scheduling will become more manageable.
heart4teaching

Organization/time management
Your Home Library

We have a lot of books. A LOT of books. I can't really expect my five small children to keep them alphabetized, but I was getting really frustrated trying to find specific books. I came up with an easy system.

I purchased some small colored dot stickers. I made categories (history, math, reading, science, Bible, adult, kid, classics, readers, etc). When a new book comes into the house, it gets stickered on the spine before being placed on the shelf. All books with the same colored stickers go together. I could only find about 10 colors, so some of them have a color with a letter on it (Pink stickers with the letter ''S'' mean science, etc).

I made a few ''color keys'' and laminated them. They are posted on the side of each set of book shelves. It is much easier to find a specific book when I can narrow down the search area to one shelf instead of 10 bookcases.
pfamilygal