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

 
Other
Places to report a spammer/scammer/phisher

FYI - Most ISPs have an e-mail where you can report the abusers to their own internet service.

Marking their e-mail address to be SPAM and blocking them might stop them from bothering YOU, but if you also report them, the authorities can go after them! They will be banned by their internet service providers and possibly could get prosecuted, also.

If we all do this each time we get one of these notes, we can get these annoying people off of the internet!

I have saved the various ISP reporting e-mail addresses and the government sites to my address book so I can report anything (with the FULL HEADERS) I get that obviously phishing, spamming or scamming
(remove any empty spaces and make 'at' into an @):
AOL: abuse at aol.com
Facebook: abuse at facebook.com
Hotmail: abuse at msn.com
Hotmail: report_spam at hotmail.com
Hotmail_non-spam: abuse at hotmail.com
MSN: report_spam at msn.com
Yahoo: abuse at yahoo.com
Gmail: abuse at gmail.com
In addition, report them to the following two government sites:
spam at uce.gov
reportphishing at antiphishing.org

Once I started doing this my junk e-mails went way down!
If we take a minute to forward their e-mail to these addresses, we can get these folks off of the internet!
luke15:10
 
Other
Games for Children

Here is a new game I am playing with the boys. I call it Treasure Hunt.

Simply put, I write a series of clues on slips of paper. They have to follow the clues to the treasure. The fun for the boys is in the hunt. The fun for mom is that the boys must use their newly learned skills to decipher the clues.

For instance, they have to be able to read the words that I've chosen to use. They have to be able to do the math computations that I've included. They have to be able to interpret the pictures that I've drawn.

Here is an example: What is the state's flower? First, they have to read the question. Second, they have to know the answer is Dogwood. Third, they have to find the next clue in our Dogwood tree.

Here is another example: 3x4=__ is written in the corner of the paper. In it I draw a carton of eggs. First, they have to do the math. Then, they have to figure out that the next clue is in the egg carton in the refrigerator.

And another: 5-3=__, 2x3=__, 6-4=__, 3x3=__. Where is this number found? First, they have to do all the math. Then, they have to figure out that the number that is referred to in the question is 2629. That is our house number. (Not really, I just made that up.) Then, they have to look in the mailbox for their lollipop!

We do have two rules: 1) They both have to participate in figuring out the clues. I don't want just one doing all the mental work with the other tagging along. 2) They have to work together happily with no argument. First sign of argument, mommy gets the treasure.

We are having a blast with this game. What a way to keep math and reading and thinking skills sharp during the summer.
cjalex
 
Organization/time management
Summer, Schedules and Starting Day

I was thinking of starting back to school this week. My kids need to get back into the routine. It seems they have exhausted most of their free time activities, and I am noticing that they seem somewhat bored... I can't stand that.

Even in summer, I like them to be occupied with worthy activities. As long as they are choosing to read, do puzzles, play nicely, knit, be creative, etc., then I tend to let them have their time. But when I notice they don't stay on a task very long, and just seem to be generally lost with how to spend their time, I step in and structure their day. At first they protest a little, but very soon I see such a difference in their personality. Even during our summer break, we had piano lessons each week, and daily piano practice, and daily reading time. But still, that isn't very much of a ''to do'' list.

I like a routine, but I don't have a strict schedule. I start school with my book orders still arriving. I pick an arbitrary date that is usually chosen because my kids are suddenly driving me nuts! : ) We plug through the year, basically just doing the next thing, often allowing for fun distractions, and then buckling down (double lessons, or some Saturdays) to catch back up (with who or what, I don't even know!). And then we are done when... well, usually when we finish our math book. As we get close to finishing our math book, I evaluate our other subjects and pace ourselves according to where we are with math. And I am never aiming to be done real early, since I don't want a huge summer break.

Anyway... this week, I am redoing their chore lists and redistributing responsibilities. They have both grown and are much more capable, and I sometimes don't notice that. It just sneaks up on me. : ) So we are going to try to get in a new chore routine this week, and organize our school supply boxes, and then I guess next week is the big day.

HAPPY HOMESCHOOLING! : )
mom2saa

College/vocation
Where Will You Be in Ten Years?

Where ever you think you will be in ten years, go there now. Really.

Job shadowing someone in the work place of your dreams may give you a reality check. When you are there, ask about the pros and the cons of the job. Even a ''career'' has a ''job'' attached to it. Abilities and interests aside, do you like how your host spends his day?

Before you decide which path to take, ask someone who has traveled that way and who knows what is at the end of the trail!
virtual_twins
 
Other
Going the Distance

I can't tell you how many times people have asked me, ''Are you REALLY going to home school through high school?” This is said, of course, with a shocked expression and raised eyebrows. Then there are those well-meaning but misguided folks who feel it is their job to let you know how messed up your kids will be if you don't release them into the general school population as soon as they hit 9th grade. I mean, forget about college (don't most colleges dislike homeschoolers anyway? Answer: NO!), and they won't land or keep a good job, find a wife, make money, etc...it's an endless litany of doom and gloom prophecies.

Homeschool Mom, don't listen to them! Pray, pray, pray, and seek the Lord on your child's high school education. Find out what makes them tick, how they are especially gifted, what talents they have. Sit down with your spouse and your child and sketch out a potential plan, find out what your state's requirements are, and flesh out the rest according to your individual child's unique make-up and areas of interest.

Some parents immediately pop their homeschooled children into public school as soon as they come to the high school years. I say, the high school years can be the best, most fruitful time of all in a homeschooled child's life; not just academically, but spiritually as well. There are so many helpful resources out there now to help you along in this journey.

Most importantly, don't panic! In some ways, preparing for high school may feel as though you are starting all over again. Remember those days? You're wondering about the best curriculum, the requirements that need to be met, which gaps need to be filled. You got through being a new homeschooler, and you will get through being the homeschool Mom of a high schooler as well.

Go the distance, homeschool Mom. You CAN successfully homeschool through high school!
mrsp

Other
Setting the Example

As I grew up in my homeschool, I always looked up to my mom. I even tried to mimic her handwriting at times! I watched her every move: including those days when everything was going wrong. When I saw her get frustrated, I began to think it was okay to get mad too. At church, I would see how quietly my mom was sitting and tried to be quieter than she!

Homeschool moms, your daughters are watching your every move! Make sure you are setting a good example; the BEST example. We daughters notice everything: from your posture to your attitude. When it seems like we aren't learning anything and you're tempted to quit, remember that we learn the most from your example.
joyfullyserving
 
Organization/time management
Chasing My Tail? Part I

We have a dog in our home, now; a Shepard/Black Lab mix, to be exact. He's a beautiful, black 7 month old bundle of energy, and he's fitting nicely into our family dynamics. I haven't had a dog in a very long time, and I had forgotten about all the pasttimes that amuse them so much, one of those being the infamous ''tail chase''. These precious animals will spin around and around and around trying to get that long, fluffy thing at the other end of their bodies; round and round they go. Sometimes they manage to get it, sometimes they don't; almost always, they exhaust themselves trying.

It reminds me so much of every day life in this modern century. As a homeschool mom, this reminder hits too close to home. How many times do we find ourselves ''chasing our tails'' in an attempt to fit it all in? And as we do this, we get less and less done, and feel less and less productive. I know I'm not the only one. When was the last time you sat down with a pen and piece of paper, and really prioritized your life, stuck to a do-able schedule, and at the end of the day, could say that you had been productive, without draining yourself in the process?

If you haven't done that in awhile, and you can honestly say that you have the ''chasing my tail'' syndrome, then it's time to STOP. Stop fruitlessly spinning around and around and getting nowhere. Take that pen to paper, and find out where you can cut some activity that is no longer beneficial or maybe re-arrange some of those appointments.

By the way, it's perfectly normal for dogs to chase their tails, AND exhaust themselves while they do it; after all, it's the way their Creator made them to be, so they're just doing what they are supposed to be doing. On the other hand, human beings made in the image of God, were not made for this same activity; we will burn ourselves out and shortchange our spouses and our families if we try to copy our animal friends. Stop chasing your tail, and start living a productive life.
mrsp

Art & music
Using Abeka Art Books

Choose no more than one art project per week per month. Unused ones can be for other children coming along.

Mark on the table of contents which ones were chosen and make a column for grades if you want to issue a grade or score. Month by month collect your supplies. Most supplies you may have on hand already but there might be a couple to get. Most importantly.....do the project too with your child...not theirs...your own version and at the same time they are. Kids love this! I have found this to be the key when I am trying to motivate my 3 boys to continue doing art projects.
scrabblemlhook
 
Other
Homeschooling is what you make it!

Growing up as a homeschooler, I vowed that I would never homeschool my own children. My teen years were especially difficult and very little ''book learning'' was done. My parents had chosen to homeschool us in an attempt to isolate their children from the worldly influences. This didn't sit well with a very social teenager.

God worked in my life and (as a parent) showed me that homeschooling looks different for every family. It truly is whatever you make it to look like to fit your family. He has called us to homeschool, and that is what we have done, in a very different way than my family did. Our homeschool is much more social, warm, active in community, full of vibrance and life.

Your homeschool will be unique to your family and the family's needs and hobbies. Whatever it looks like, the basics should always include the following:
1. God is the foundation. His Word is final authority.
2. Mutual respect between parent and child is necessary for success.
3. Relationships are more important than tasks or academics.
4. With diligence and the above priorities in place, learning will happen.
5. Character shaping is continually happening and must be modeled well in the home.

Homeschooling has a way of bringing about more character shaping of the parent at times, and we must bring all things into obedience to Christ. We must stay on our knees and dedicate every attempt to teach our children for His glory and honor.
living4christ

Health & PE
Being active

Your body is a gift from God. Nourish it and treat it well, you can
always find time for some kind of fitness every day. Park further
away from the store, clean while your watching TV, plant
flowers, or play freeze tag with your children. They will love it!
Try to eat clean at least once a day and enjoy life to its fullest!
Smile and laugh, it will keep you young forever!
fifgymnastics
 
Special needs
Humor is the Best Medicine

I was watching my sons one day during a particularly difficult time in my relationship with my adopted son. I was noting how my biological son had bonded more completely with my adopted son than I had. Why was that? As I thought about this, something happened and there was a disagreement between them. My biological son paused for a moment and made a joke. He got my adopted son's attention to shift and pretty soon, they were playing happily again. In that moment, it hit me that humor was the key to his success.

Because he wasn’t the parent and had no real authority, he had to be creative in his approach to his brother if he was to avoid conflict. As a result, he wasn’t a threat –- he had overcome things I hadn’t because I was holding on to the belief that I should use my authority to wield my power over my adopted son, instead of taking things in stride and moving on. Many of the things I wanted control over were no big deal but dwelling on them made my son feel picked on and our bonding and attachment progress had been slowed.

I had inadvertently prevented my son’s brain from being ready to learn because I had made him anxious. I began to defer to humor when a situation was mild and wasn’t an issue of direct disobedience or disrespect. When I was relaxed and smiling, he always practiced better choices.

The resulting outcome was that my adopted son suddenly began to take responsibility for the work he could do on his own and was not defiant when I needed to teach him a new concept. Because of humor, I had transformed my learning environment into one where the students were no longer stressed out. True learning began to take place--even with my two anxious, adopted children!
adoptioncounts

Handwriting
Poor Handwriting Help

If you have a child with poor handwriting or spacing the following might help:
-- Encourage your child to do their very best in doing copy work. Keep the work minimal so that you can expect better results.
-- Have the child copy short sentences that you hand wrote for them. Between each word use a highlighter to show them that they have to leave a space between words.
-- For the top line and bottom line of the lines to be written on, use a different color highlighter than you used for the spacing, to show where to begin and where to end the letters.
-- For computation problems in math have the child use different colors consistently to show place value.
-- Give sincere encouragement every time, about something even if it is only 1 correct letter!
sandtje
 
Homeschool helps
“What would I do different?''

With two grown and graduated, and two almost ready for graduation, I find myself pondering the question “What would I do different if I could start over again?”

I’d have to say that I would not have ever put the eldest in public school in the first place. I didn’t realize the impact the environment would have on them, so let’s say besides changing that, I would change our first learning style. I would have started right from the beginning and made it fun! They were the perfect ages; 2, 4, 8, and 10.

It took me seven or eight years before I felt confident enough to jump into a unit study. How I wish I’d done it sooner! I was so afraid that I would forget to teach them something important, that we’d miss something.

Every year it seems they learn a lot of the same basic principles, and each year it builds a little; so my new theory is that if we “forgot” last year, we can catch it this year or next.. I believe, with my children, if I had started with the unit studies and made it fun to learn, they would have been hungry for more information sooner than the typical books would have offered it. They would have excelled.

Now, after 13 years, I’m still hesitant to think ''outside the box'' for High School, but maybe that too would be different if I had jumped in from the beginning.

Best of fun in your learning adventures!
momma4ducks

Bible & Spiritual growth
Homeschooling - for me or them?

Many people ask me why I chose to homeschool our children. To be honest, in the first years, I didn't know. I didn't have a great fear of the public school system. After all, I came out of it and I manage very well. My husband teaches in a public school and many of my friends are teachers. I highly respect their passion for our nations children. Many are doing the best they can in a system that doesn't support their creativity.

As the years have gone on, I have discovered a few things about myself. I love to teach. I love to be the one who witnesses the 'aha' moments in my childrens' lives. I love that we are able to read the bible together. I have learned more about the love of my Heavenly Father and his forgiveness but studying with them. We are on a journey together, experiencing the discovery at different seasons of our lives.

Why do I homeschool? I still don't have an answer but I am relishing the destination.
ladyjinsa
 
Lang arts: readers/literature
Each Child Learns to Read When Ready

It seems so obvious to say so, but I talk to so many moms who stress out because their children have not learned to read.

My first 3 children learned to read easily when they were each 4. I just spent lots of time reading good books to/with them, showing them how to sound out words.

My 4th child, who is now 6, had been having a really hard time learning to read. My husband was wondering why she still wasn't getting it, and I was getting worried too.

So I kept praying about it and felt to just stop the reading lessons for a few months then try again this summer.

I happened upon Karyn Henley's Day by Day Begin to Read Bible in the library. The bible stories are written for a beginning reader. It is not dumbed down, but written in simple but rich language. We have been working on it a little each day and she's loving it and asks to work on reading every day! She said to me, now I love to read because I already know the stories from you reading the Bible to me and it helps me while I read these stories. I even bought her own copy for her and she loves it.

She had to be ready and it made the difference that the book was meaningful to her. So much for me to learn as I teach my children!
smith8

Marriage & parenting
Teacher?

Parents are teachers, its as simple as that. God gives you children to teach and train. Sure, its great when others pitch in and help... but it innately falls to the parents to make sure the job gets done correctly.

Parents not only teach their children, but they also teach one another. Each individual has their own gift or talent in certain areas and they should use it to sharpen those around them. We also should seek to be sharpened by others with abilities we have not yet developed in ourselves.

Parents should also learn from their children. Kids have so much to give and open our ''mature'' minds to, if only we allow it. The simply stated thoughts can somehow become complex as we truly try to learn what someone is telling us... whether they be 80 or 8. It is amazing the truths children can conclude when you let them think for themselves.

The teaching is so important... but the learning is what makes us all better teachers.
spohns
 
Special needs
Elementary, Dear Watson!

As in the well-known Sherlock mysteries, homeschooling adopted kids has it’s own set of “elementary” concepts one key concept is patience.

My daughter is eight. She was neglected for the first two years of her life and was taken from a foster home she loved to be adopted by us at the age of five. We had patience and knew when she was feeling loved and comfortable in our home, she would be ready for more formal learning so we didn't push her to start the tough subjects.

That year after we adopted her and her older brother, we did a unit study on birds. Many mornings were spent watching the birds on the bird feeder we had set up, looking through bird identification books, and delighting in the color and variety of the birds that “visited” our house. She learned the names of many birds during that time and more importantly, learned to have a deep appreciation for creation.

Three years later, she still knows the names of many of the birds we studied and searches for owl pellets when we take walks. Though she doesn't read, she has learned a lot!

When she is 25, no one will know or care how old she was when she learned to read. Proof of how pointless and degrading it is to push a child too hard when their brain is not yet ready for the work.
adoptioncounts

Other
I Didn't Understand Why...

I was homeschooled, along with five other siblings, during a time when it was sorely looked down upon. These days, as long as you appear to have your act together nobody seems to think twice about it.

Every morning my Mom would start out happy and motivated, but come noon she was ready to send us back to public school. We were, as she put it, ''ingrates''. I thought, ''Ingrates? I'm the one stuck at home with no friends, no real school, no nothing! I'm trapped by a crazy woman!''

Twenty years later, here I am. If she could see me now, hear me cry about how ungrateful my children are for the sacrifices I'm making, she'd have a good laugh.

My point? If this is really your calling, hang in there! It's very true that if ''you train up a child in the way he should go, when he is old he will not depart from it.''

''Be not weary in well doing...''
lauchremi