ABCs Class, Badge Clubs, Notebooking 1/2 Price Sale!
By Heather Idoni
Added Monday, August 03, 2009
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The Homeschooler's Notebook
Encouragement and Advice for Homeschool Families
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Vol. 10 No 56 August 3, 2009
ISSN: 1536-2035
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Copyright (c) 2009 - Heather Idoni, FamilyClassroom.net
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Welcome to The Homeschooler's Notebook!
If you like this newsletter, please recommend it to a friend!
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[Our friends at NotebookingPages.com have done it again!! You
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IN THIS ISSUE:
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Notes from Heather
-- Reader Feedback
Helpful Tip
-- Brave Writer Online
Resource Review
-- A Reason for Handwriting
Reader Question
-- Badge or Merit Programs
Additional Notes
-- Newsletter Archives
-- Sponsorship Information
-- Reprint Information
-- Subscriber Information
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Notes from Heather
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Reader Feedback
---
"I just want to thank you so much for your newsletter. I get
so much out of each one. Personal insights and advice in these
e-mails are so precious and easily applied - I am so very grateful!"
-- Rose W.
[Thanks for writing, Rose -- it is always affirming to get emails
like this from readers! It gives me a boost of confidence to know
I'm still headed in the right direction with the rather eclectic mix
of elements that goes into each newsletter. Sometimes it just seems
hodge-podge to me, but I like to think each family gets something
personally from each issue -- sort of a buffet-style! -- Heather]
---
And here are a few belated answers to reader questions...
---
For the mom with the dyslexic child --
"Two of our children are 'coming back home' to homeschool this
year as well. Our daughter is also dyslexic. While we don't
have a specific program for her, there are a few things that
have helped along the way. One is having plenty of rest. It is
essential. Secondly, we've found that reading from a computer
screen using the background color of our daughter's choice aids
greatly in her reading. Somehow the angle of the computer screen
is easier to read from than from the page of a book, though she
still reads from traditional books and is learning to adjust to
that more and more. We've found that using colored paper rather
than white to print out worksheets has also helped.
It isn't much, but these tips have helped our daughter greatly.
Your children will be blessed just to be home! The peace of
being home will help more than anything. Blessings to you as
you enjoy each other." -- Becky
---
For Linda with twins --
"Linda -- I also have boy/girl twins, yet they are now 17 years
old and going into their Senior year in high school. Although I
am not THE authority on teaching or on twins, I do feel that in
the last 12 years that we have homeschooled I have learned a few
things on the way and I hope my experience is somewhat helpful
for you.
First, I have to say that no one knows the difference between
boys and girls better than a homeschooling mother of boy/girl
twins. They are different. It doesn't matter what you think or
want to think or anything, they are just different. It is true
that girls 'tend' to be faster at learning to read, however, it
is also true that all children do things as differently as God
created snowflakes. As parents we have the most wonderful
opportunity to learn things the average person doesn't always
get.
With that said, the most important lesson I have gotten is this:
I can use whatever curriculum that I like -- I just need to tailor
it to the child I am working with. My daughter took to phonics
like a fish to water and can spell and read with the best. She
is very visual and auditory. Her twin brother, on the other hand,
is very hands-on -- and because he is a boy is very attracted to
anything multimedia. So, my daughter learned to read 'the Phonics
way'. My son learned to read by sight word with video and music.
He used paper letters on the floor, and magnets on the fridge.
He can spell, because I forced phonics, but that doesn't always
work. I have another son that also benefited from the videos
we used but really did learn phonics, can spell and just doesn't
really care to read. The next one is in preschool and it will be
all music from here -- no videos. He is easily distracted and
needs one-on-one attention and is very auditory.
Another thing I learned, was this: Just because someone else
thought it was 'perfect' didn't mean it was. I had to give myself
permission to really take some time to search out what was going
to work for my family. First, it had to be Bible based, then I
had to like it. The last criteria was that I could change it to
fit the child. You can take any program (including Abeka) and
tone it down or speed it up. Every child will work differently,
including twins. So, if you like Abeka, if it fits your family
philosophy, then have your daughter continue at her speed and slow
down a touch with your son. He'll catch up. They always do.
Then you can supplement his with a video or two.
The last thing I learned that was very important was this: Reading
to your children is like a balm on their mind. It allows them to
think and experience without the trouble of having to sound out
every letter. It always makes better readers.
In answer to your question about videos, the sight word videos we
still use are called 'You Can Read'.
I hope that helps even a little. I know it can be so overwhelming,
but take it slow. You have plenty of years ahead of you and God is
on your side." -- Marlena Jo in WY
---
[NOTE: If you have been thinking about signing up for Terri's
HomeschoolingABCs class, hurry! Time is running out! The special
Summer 2009 offer for over $275 in FREE curriculum bonuses is ending
soon! I highly recommend these classes. See ad below. -- Heather]
---
Do you have comments to share? Please do!
Send your emails to: mailto:heather@familyclassroom.net
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Helpful Tip
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Online Writing Classes
"Brave Writer offers online classes where you and your child get
to interact through a message board with their teacher and see
what the other kids are writing. I took a class from them that
was for teaching homeschool moms how to teach language arts
through copywork and dictation. It was very helpful and offered
info I've not found elsewhere.
The owner, Julie Bogart, also has a lot of info on her website
about the 'Brave Writer Lifestyle', which is a natural method of
learning language -- much in keeping with a Charlotte Mason
approach. I have a 7 year old who seems to be very gifted in
language, and I'm finding this approach to be a much better fit
than packaged curriculum. She has learned so much naturally on
her own that it just makes sense to me to continue to encourage
that avenue. Through copywork and dictation of quality literature,
children can learn punctuation and grammar, as well as sentence
structure and so much more.
Take a look at their website -- www.bravewriter.com -- and see
what you think."
[This was shared on one of our YahooGroups email groups -- probably
on HSGifted -- I forgot to note which one, but thank you to whomever
contributed that! -- Heather]
---
Do you have an idea, experience, or tip to share? Please write!
Send to: mailto:HN-ideas@familyclassroom.net
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Resource Review
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A Reason for Handwriting Series
Published by: Concerned Communications
I am a firm believer that handwriting practice should be short and
meaningful. That's just what you find in this series of books.
Starting with Kindergarten, students learn to form their letters
and get to color or decorate their pages -- which of course have
pictures of animals or items related to each letter. As they progress
to the next level, 'A', and beyond, users practice learning letter
formation for either manuscript or cursive, then begin to write words
and phrases. Designed to be used 5 days a week, each day students
spend about 10 minutes copying words or phrases, which are actually
part of a verse of Scripture they will be writing in full by the end
of the week. On Thursday they will copy the verse on a sheet of
paper for practice. Then on Friday they will choose a lined, blank
page from the back of the book to do their very best writing. The
pages to choose from all have decorative borders to be colored,
creating a finished product that shows off their best work.
Now to the 'reason' for the handwriting. Students are instructed to
choose someone to whom they will give (or mail) their finished work.
This could be a Sunday School teacher, family member, friend, or
anyone who would be encouraged by the verse of Scripture. Of course
you'll want to keep many of the masterpieces for yourself!
I have used the Reason for Handwriting series off and on over the
years. It has worked well for us to use it over 4 days a week,
choosing to forgo the practice day and moving on to copying the
verse right on the included bordered pages. Any way you choose to
utilize this series, you'll find it is an easy way to consistently
work on penmanship without a lot of busy work.
-- Cindy Prechtel, http://www.HomeschoolingFromTheHeart.com
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Last Issue's Reader Question
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"I once saw a merit badge curriculum that you could do with your
children that was not Boy Scouts, but it still taught the children
a great deal and they had something to show for their accomplishment.
I cannot remember the catalog that I saw it in. Also I would like
to hear reviews from anyone who has used it with their own children."
-- Jenny
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Our Readers' Responses
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"Keepers of the Faith -- www.keepersofthefaith.com -- has programs
for girls and boys that cover various topics and activities such
as basic skills, character, homemaking (the boys book has different
activities) and nature. Badges/pins can be earned. This program
can be done by individual families or by groups. They also now have
a program for young children - I think ages 4-6." -- Laurie
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"The one we are familiar with is called Contenders for the Faith
(boys) and Keepers at Home (Girls). Here's their website to learn
more about it: http://www.keepersofthefaith.com/
We love it!" -- Lisa
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"I believe she's talking about Pilgrims of the Holy Family from CHC."
http://chcweb.com/catalog/Electives/PilgrimsoftheHolyFamily/catalog.html
-- Kelly in FL
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"Are you thinking of 'Keepers of the Faith' and 'Contenders for the
Faith'? Keepers is for girls and Contenders is for boys. Each one
has a workbook that tells how to earn the different merits and where
you can keep track of them. We did these in a group setting with our
co-op one year and had lots of fun." -- Cindy T.
---
"I think you may be referring to the Contenders and Keepers at Home
programs. You can do this individually with your own son, or gather
a group of boys and do it like a cub scout program. My daughters
and I participated in the Keepers program for three years in a group
setting and really enjoyed it. The 'merit badges' can be earned for
Bible Reading, Bible Memory, Creative Skills, Homemaking, Knowledge
and Skills, Nature, Others (ministry), and Recreational Activities.
The boys' program is similar." -- Brenda
---
"Jenny -- We are involved in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Keepers and
Contenders at Home. All of these have wonderful resources that can be
used with homeschooling.
Boy Scouts has the merit badges. These can be used by anyone. The
booklets are reasonably priced and contain a fair amount of information.
There is a website that lists the various requirements for each merit
badge -- www.meritbadge.org -- and I think the badges can be purchased
by anyone (it is the ranks, like Eagle, that need to be purchased by a
troop.)
Girl Scouts has badges or patches as well. The books can be purchased
by anyone, however the badges need to be purchased by a troop leader.
Keepers/Contenders at Home is a Christian alternative to scouts.
There are two handbooks, one for girls and one for boys. These are
for individuals as well as groups. There is an extensive list of
possible badges." -- Jamie
---
"I believe the curriculum that Jenny is referring to is Keepers of the
Home and Contenders for the Faith. I have not tried this yet, but have
been mooning over it myself for about two years. There are so many
ways you can use the materials: as a family group, a club (I've heard
some church groups even use it), as an extra curricular supplement, or
as a total curriculum solution. The main thing I'm considering it for
is a homeschool club for girls and boys (which can be done with just
your children or a large group). There are badges, sashes, pins, charms,
and even stickers for the children to earn. The curriculum is Bible
based. You wouldn't have to buy everything from Keepers of the Faith,
but you could use the handbooks to guide you and purchase things second
hand, or even check out some things from the library. You can check out
their online catalog and website, or request a free catalog at
www.keepersofthefaith.com." -- Misty
---
"You may be thinking of Contenders of the Faith. I have the book, but
haven't started it yet. Hopefully we will start in September with another
family working with us." -- Vickie
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"Jenny -- Instead of Scouts, Contenders for the Faith is a good program
for boys, and the girls' is Keepers at Home. These can be found on-line
from Keepers of the Faith. The girls get charms or pins as awards for
learning a practical skill. I am not sure what the boys earn. This is
an opportunity for you to spend enjoyable, wholesome, fruitful time
together with your child -- sometimes to learn a skill together." -- Debra
---
"Have you considered a 4-H program? My brother was in Boy Scouts while
I was in 4-H growing up. He earned several badges (and skills). I also
learned many skills (sewing, cooking, wood working, photography, public
speaking, etc) that I still use today, but do not have the badge to show
off -- just the knowledge of a job well done or even a gift to give.
If you don't enroll your children in a 4-H program, contact your local
cooperative extension to see if there are programs you can use in your
home. The CE can help you learn a variety of skills that would be for
kids or adults." -- Heidi
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Editor's Note: Want to read more about other badge club options? Here
is a link to a 2002 article about badge clubs from a discussion by
members of our HomeschoolingBOYS.com email group:
http://www.homeschoolingboys.com/hsboys/articles/badgeclubs.html
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Answer our NEW Question
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"Does anyone have experience with, or know of, a good basic course in
computer skills? Thanks." -- Mary Beth
---
Do you have a suggestion for Mary Beth? Please share! :-)
Send your email to: mailto:HN-answers@familyclassroom.net
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Ask YOUR Question
=====================
Do you have a question you would like our readers to answer?
Send it to mailto:HN-questions@familyclassroom.net and we'll see
if we can help you out in a future issue!
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