The Monthly Chat

August, 2011

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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.
Š1997-2009 HomeschoolClassifieds.com, Knoxville, TN

Finance/Econ
Paypal fees-what every buyer should know!

Before you push that paypal button to make a payment for a purchase, consider this: Paypal charges 2.9% of the purchase price + $0.30 to the seller of the item. So, while payment by paypal is convenient, it comes at a cost. Either that cost is absorbed by the seller, or you will be asked to pay the fee on top of your purchase price. (Which I just found out is contrary to paypal policy unless you are listing a ''handling fee'' and not a surcharge equal to the fee.) Either way, the fee is eventually passed on to the buyer by sellers listing items at higher prices to cover fees or by asking for handling fees.
Unfortunately, the way paypal is structured there is no way for the buyer to choose to absorb the fees. This may be an option in the future, though, after I gave an earful to a representative over the phone. The only way for the buyer to pay the fees is to add on the fee to the purchase price in the original payment. Then paypal will charge their fee on the money you added in, so then you have to add that amount as well to cover the fee in total. Now that is a math lesson in itself. (A math lesson I had to give the first representative that I spoke with)
I started out asking for non credit card/debit purchases thinking that there were no fees involved for paypal balance transfers. I was wrong. The fee applies to all puchases of goods regardless of the payment method. WOW! Paypal is making a pretty penny off all of us.
Using paypal is often convenient for the buyer and seller, but I am starting to realize that those fees really add up and that some buyers are unaware of this fee on the seller's end.
With the cost of shipping (even the media mail minimum of about 2.50) and most listings being postage paid, it seems that most buyer don't realize what a good deal they are getting on the actual cost associated with the curriculum after subtracting all the other money the seller is paying for postage, paypal fees, listing fees, gas to the post office and various sundry packaging costs. After writing this I removed all my listings under $8. If I am going to essentially give my unused curriculum and books away-its easier to give them away locally. Thanks to all of you that continue to give your unused items away at your own expense of time and money!
P.S. Give paypal a call if you think they should change their policies!

copeland4

Other
The Best Home Education Choice Ever!

As the parent of a struggling reader, the best decision I have ever made was to have him evaluated for a vision related learning problem.

Last summer I had given up on encouraging reading. I was at a point where I decided I would not have my child read anymore. I would just simply continue to read to him. (Which he loved.) All through first grade every time we sat down to read together it was a small battle. Headaches, fatigue, excuses and a disdain for reading were the only results. He could read sight words and decode if cajoled but never for a sustained amount of time. He was a super sharp kid, what was the issue?

He was evaluated by a behavioral optometrist and we found that his eye movements were horrible, he was over focusing and was generally lacking in basic visual skills necessary for efficient reading. After six months of vision therapy we had a new child! The child who was struggling with basic beginning level second grade readers last summer just stayed up, way past his bedtime, reading several chapters of a Hardy Boys novel.

Don't delay. If your child is older than seven and is still struggling with reading check out the symptoms checklist by copying and pasting the following into your browser:
http://covd.org/AboutVisionLearning/SymptomsChecklist/tabid/114/Default.aspx

The COVD website also has a list of doctors in your area that can evaluate your child and provide vision therapy services if needed. If you find your child has a vision related learning issue, it will be the best decision you will have ever made in helping that child on the path to learning.

Learning is experience. Everything else is just information. ~Albert Einstein

copeland4

Other
Homeschool Journey Begins

If I knew what I know now, after 18 years of homeschooling,
things would be different.

The biggest change would be our approach to schooling.
Finding our own niche and sticking with it no matter what
other homeschool families do, that would be the greatest
change ever.

Ignoring negative comments of others, would be next.

Also, give methods time. Nothing is instantaneous. This is
definately true of homeschool styles and methodology.

Make lessons fun, memorable and get the children in on it.
Lapbooks and notebooking, or other projects help retention of
information.

Last, and most important, focus on what works for you and
throw out what doesn't. If a curriculum or method failed for
your family, try something new. YOUR family is the only one
you are responsible for.

myhusbandsruby

Reference: general
What is the goal of your homeschool?

Entering our 10th year of homeschooling, and having graduated our oldest child last year, I often wonder if I have ''covered everything''? Done enough? Equipped my children for ''the real world''?

God will hold each of us parents accountable for how well we have ''trained up'' His children. If our children leave our home loving God with all their hearts, souls, and minds, and sharing that love with others, I feel they will have received an outstanding, God-honoring education.

The God who has called you to this great task of homeschooling your children is the same God who will enable you to do whatever He needs to be done!

Take comfort. Pray. God is able!

2rubies

Math: fundamentals
Moving with Math for Co-ops

I was so excited when I realized that a math curriculum I
had used in the past, Moving with Math, would work perfectly
for our co-op.

I am going to have the students do the 5 question review
to start off our session, and then I will mark the score on the
grid that is keyed to the math objectives. I will be able to
know what extra practice to send home with each individual
child after a month or so of classes. I will have a special stamp
I put on the extra practice pages so that the parents know
that it is for that purpose.

I will then start off the section with a pre-test for each of
the grade levels. After grading these, I will have a good idea
of how much time to spend on each objective. I can gear the
amount of practice on these pages to how well each student
did on the pretest.

jlforbi

Other
Return Service Requested

I love the monthly chat and have gleaned many useful tips as well as much insight and humor.

Someone, a few months ago, posted to mark your Media Mail items ''Return Service Requested''. However, there is a charge for this service (over and above the initial shipping you've already paid). So, for me, if it is a high value item I will write this on the package. If it is a lower value item (probably a $5-10 threshold), I usually forgo this, figuring in the remote chance that it gets lost I will just refund the buyer and eat the loss. HTH!

p.s. As a buyer please be sure to check that your paypal mailing address is up to date, too!

gsnapnc

Organization/time management
Pray Now, Plan Later

Homeschool planning season is in FULL GEAR and it is easy to get caught up in what new curriculum your favorite bloggers have found for their own children. It is also easy to feel ''behind'' if you haven't done your year long planning. Mommy peer pressure--we are all susceptible at some point.

I reminded myself this week to pray and pray some more. I should be praying more and planning less. I was coveting a science book that I researched online...the book is not expensive but not really in our budget for right this minute. When I really looked at my schedule...I wouldn't really need the book until October or later! I had been so TEMPTED to buy it now...I am glad I can wait.

Praying for direction, asking my husband's advice, and looking at gaps from last year's goals should be my priorities right now. Planning will come easier when you have prayed first.

We have only homeschooled for a year and honestly we still have enough to keep us busy until I have time to plan properly. I will have time to plan properly AFTER I have prayed about everything I wish to do in this coming year. Even if it means we are ''unschooling'' until I can find the time to pray.

Pray, ask God for wisdom. Wait. Then plan.

ajvarnado

Organization/time management
Printing shipping labels from paypal

I have bought from several sellers who don't know about the convenience of printing shipping labels from paypal from home, so I thought I'd post here for those who don't know. The only thing you need is a kitchen (or postal) scale to weigh the books, as you will be asked to fill in the weight. When you get a paypal payment, click link at the bottom of the page that says ''print shipping label''. Fill in the info on weight of package. Then you press ''pay'' and it will subtract the postage label amount from your account, and you print the label. Delivery confirmation is included for only 19 cents, which is nice compared to the 70 cents the PO charges. Tape the label to the package and put it in your mailbox or hand it to your postal carrier. You can even arrange for pickup (free) with your postal carrier if you prefer.

Even if the payment comes by check or MO, you can still print shipping labels through paypal from home. Under the ''my account tools'' on your account, on the right hand side of the page, click on Multi-order shipping (you can use this even if it is only one package) and follow the directions. No more running to the PO and waiting in long lines to mail packages! It makes transactions on homeschool classifieds so much more pleasant and easy.

smith8

Ministry & missions
Family Mission

We have been in missions since 2001 and don't regret the life that we've lived, and the one we've given up. We are finishing raising the last 2 of our 5. The 10 years that we lived in Brasil were exciting, frustrating, lonely, enriched, enlightening, dark, and more emotions than I have words for.

One thing I would suggest if you're considering a life in missions is to evaluate what you're doing in your Jerusalem right now. Do you have a heart for your neighbors? Do you have a heart for your community? What about the least of these?

Do you love Jesus and follow His word in your family structure? Do you r children respect your authority? Do you have a close loving relationship with them? Do you and your husband have a relationship of partnership, love, respect, and a habit of resolving your conflicts in a way that demonstrates the ''One anothers in His word'' (Love one another, be kind, tenderhearted forgiving one another as Christ has forgiven you.....and more.''

Your life doesn't have to be perfect before getting involved in missions, but it does need to be a life surrendered to Him in all areas in your life and there can't be hidden sin or pride lurking in the dark corners of your mind.

smakckck

Other
Homeschooling: It's Worth the Investment

Last year we tragically lost our oldest son in an accident. He was only 7 years old. Prior to his passing, there were many days that I would get tired and frustrated, and wondered if homeschooling was really the right thing for our family. After Ethan's passing, my husband and I were talking one day, and he said something like,''You know, I am so grateful that you have made the sacrifices to homeschool our boys. We got so much more time with Ethan because of him being home with us.'' And it's true, we do not know the number of our days. Cherish those days, and when you think that you cannot keep going on with homeschooling, take a break, hug and love on your kids, bake cookies, and read a nice book together. This is what it's all about, not just educating them about academics, but teaching them to love others and show them your love for them!

for_his_glory

Reference: general
Your homeschool is unique!

Sometimes it is difficult to get our bearings when we move into unfamiliar territory. Remember to NOT compare your bad days, or areas of weakness, with another homeschool family's pinnacle of success: it brings despair and it clouds reality!

2rubies

Hist/Geog/SS: US
First, know where you are. . .

''If we could first know where we are. . .we could then better judge what to do, and how to do it.''
~Abraham Lincoln

Our family has been listening to an amazing audio book, called ''Team of Rivals''. This book documents Abraham Lincoln's political career, taking into account the viewpoint of the members of his cabinet, who were his former and continued political rivals. Even my almost 8-year-old was listening intently. I highly recommend this title to all!

copeland4

Other
How to Educate?

An eternal question about children is, how should we educate them? Politicians and educators consider more school days in a year, more science and math, the use of computers and other technology in the classroom, more exams and tests, more certification for teachers, and less money for art. All of these responses come from the place where we want to make the child into the best adult possible, not in the ancient Greek sense of virtuous and wise, but in the sense of one who is an efficient part of the machinery of society. But on all these counts, soul is neglected. - Thomas Moore

called2bmom

Other
Easy packing method

I have found a simple and inexpensive way to pack my homeschool books for shipping. I simply use plastic wrap (the kind we use for our food). I wrap the items either singley or together with the plastic wrap prior to packing in the envelope or box. This keeps the pages and covers from becoming creased or ripped during shipping. It also keeps the spiral bound books from having their spirals bent up. Hope this helps!! God Bless!!

tammipowers

Other
Phillipians 4:6&7

In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

janie_ranae