World Monopoly 55% Off, PC Skills Classes, Large Families
By Heather Idoni
Added Monday, August 10, 2009
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The Homeschooler's Notebook
Encouragement and Advice for Homeschool Families
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Vol. 10 No 58 August 10, 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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IN THIS ISSUE:
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Notes from Heather
-- Monopoly Sale, Unit Study
Helpful Tip
-- Computer Skills Courses!
Reader Question
-- Managing Many Children
Additional Notes
-- Newsletter Archives
-- Sponsorship Information
-- Reprint Information
-- Subscriber Information
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Notes from Heather
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TODAY ONLY on Amazon.com - 55% OFF!
Monopoly World Edition with Electronic Banking
This looks great! My kids love regular Monopoly, so I'm getting
this one today while it is only $17.99!
Thought I'd share this deal in case anyone else reads their
newsletter in time to get it. (I apologize if the deal is over
-- I don't usually promote "one day only" deals, but I thought
at least a few families could get in on it!)
---
A few issues ago I mentioned that I had written a unit study
(my first ever!) for one of my favorite books, "The Four-Story
Mistake" by Elizabeth Enright. Well, I've decided to offer the
unit FREE on EasyFunSchool.com!
It is packed with great Charlotte Mason style treasures -- lots of
nature study, poetic prose, great vocabulary, character building
opportunities, tidbits of science, and more!
You can access it from the front page of the EFS website:
The first 3 chapters' activities are all online -- and the other 9
chapters will follow shortly. (I have it all written, I just have
to html code it and link it all to other resource websites, etc.)
"The Saturdays" is actually the first title in the series -- and it
is used in Beyond Five-in-a-Row volume 3 -- but you can begin with
Four-Story Mistake (it is not necessary to read the other first).
You just need the book from the library -- or you can purchase the
audio CDs (which are *very* well done!) if you don't want to read
it aloud. The audio books are available at a good discount from
my online store -- http://www.BelovedBooks.com
PLEASE pass this info onto all your friends!! :-)
-- Heather
P.S. -- I started sharing the unit (a few days ago) with some of
the Yahoo Groups I am on and also some that I moderate myself.
Here are some of the comments I've received so far...
"This is amazing that you would share this unit study right now! I
was watering my vegetable garden yesterday morning and looking at
my ripening tomatoes when I suddenly had the memory of reading the
series of books of the Melendy family... which I dearly loved and
read each and every summer of my childhood.
In 'The Four Story Mistake' the children are helping their house-
keeper, Cuffy, preserve all of their harvests in the kitchen. The
end results were hundreds of jars of 'jewels' that glowed in the
sun through the windows of the kitchen. I LOVE this series of
books and always wished I could have lived with that wonderful
family and in that amazing house!
I am looking forward to using your unit study as I still have my
beloved books from my childhood to share with my son.
Thank you so much!"
-- Debbie S., Member of the Homeschool Share Yahoo Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/home_school_share/
---
"Thanks for your work, Heather! My 6th grade daughter has been
reading and re-reading this book for years. She'd be tickled pink
if she actually got to do it for school!"
-- Deborah, Member of the Homeschooling Gifted Yahoo Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hsgifted/
---
"Thank you for sharing this with us! We love the Melendys!"
-- Loralee, Member of the HomeschoolingBOYS Yahoo Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/homeschoolingboys/
---
ABCs class...
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE HOMESCHOOLER'S NOTEBOOK IS PLEASED TO RECOMMEND...
~ The HOMESCHOOLING ABCs Class ~
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are a brand new homeschooling parent or experienced by a few years,
you will learn how to teach specifically to your children's unique
learning styles, select the best possible curriculum for your family,
learn how to stay focused, on-track and even organized, and more!
PLUS, you will receive over $275 in curriculum bonuses with each
class membership when you sign up this summer, 2009 - including
A Child's Geography, In the Hands of a Child & WriteShop materials!
Read more about this "must-take" class at the following link:
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Helpful Tip
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FREE Computer Skills Training Online
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"I just read last week's response to Mary Beth's question in
regard to online computer skills classes. I actually offer a free
membership resource with over 300 videos, including many complete
video courses:
http://www.moscertificationtraining.com/learn
Check it out and enjoy!" -- David
http://www.household-budget-made-easy.com
http://www.moscertificationtraining.com
(Over 300 Microsoft Office 'how-to' videos!)
---
Do you have an idea, experience, or tip to share? Please write!
Send to: mailto:HN-ideas@familyclassroom.net
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Last Issue's Reader Question
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"Hi -- I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for encouraging
books for larger Christian families?
Currently I have a 12 year old, a 17 year old, and a 16 months old.
We are planning to adopt again and I want to get tips on how to
homeschool a large family, especially help with organization and
patience.
Also, my 12 year old son is starting to go through puberty, which
is another change. Please pray for my strength in the Lord!"
-- Bonita
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Our Readers' Responses
=========================
"I have four boys and I use 'Managers of Their Homes' (excellent
book on home management):
http://www.titus2.com/ecommerce/products/prod_listing.php/1100
They also have similar items for chores and homeschooling.
This is our first year homeschooling -- my hubby decided it would
be best if we used A Beka Program 1, but I'm not sure what we will
use in the future." -- Jessica
---
"Bonita -- I homeschooled all 4 of my kids for 8 years with much
success. I used Sonlight a lot of the time and grouped kids as much
as possible. But for several years I grouped all of them (7 years
from first to last) into one science, History and English. They
always did their own math (Saxon) and spelling (Spelling Power):
http://www.familyclassroom.net/CBD-SpellingPower.htm
I used a whole lot of younger ideas and just added tougher reading
and experiments for the older kids. I have had a lot of fun doing
History Pockets (from Evan Moore Press) and just adding books from
the library.
I read several series of books to all of the kids at once and the
older kids were just required to glean more out of the readings.
We did all of the Chronicles of Narnia and Little House on the
Prairie series -- and the Christian Heritage series (American
historical fiction) by Nancy Rue. We found these super Christian
Heritage Teaching Guides for the series:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1561798576?ie=UTF8&tag=hsaudio-20
These were our favorite stories written about American history from
a kid's point of view!
Also -- when you think your kids have learned nothing the entire year
you will find out you are oh so wrong -- one of the younger kids will
pipe up on a conversation that you had with the older kids and things
will just spill out about all they know and learned for the year.
Good luck and God bless!" -- Jenna
---
"Dear Bonita -- Here are 2 sources I'd recommend: www.Titus2.com
has several resources and she homeschooled 8 children at once --
'Managers of Their Homes' and 'Managers of Their Schools' will help
with ideas for creating your own schedule that suits your family
and each person individually within the family, plus ideas for what
to do with toddlers while a highschooler needs some one-on-one with
you. Her book 'Homeschooloing with a Meek and Quiet Spirit' will
help with the patience part. Also, Vickie Farris, mother of 10 and
wife of Michael Farris (Homeschool Legal Defense Assoc.), has a book
out called 'A Mom Just Like You':
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0805425861?ie=UTF8&tag=hsaudio-20
All of these have helped me tremendously to keep my focus (and my
sanity) with a lot of prayer and submission of my flesh to the Word
of God. May the Lord bless you in your endeavors for him!" -- Debi E.
---
"Look up books by Steve and Teri Maxwell on Titus2.com. 'Managers
of their Homes' (have read this one and loved what it has already
done for my family!) and 'Preparing Sons' is another." -- Christa
---
"Hi! The 'Adopt and Homescool' Yahoo group is an encouragment:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Adopt_and_Homeschool/
Also, some of the members have their own blogs which are great
encouragement. As far as books, I haven't found any that are
specifically directed to the special situation of larger adoptive
families, probably because these parents are so busy with their
day-to-day that they haven't sat down to write one!" -- Dawn
---
"There are two books I would recommend: 'Managers of Their Homes'
by Terri and Steve Maxwell (www.titus2.com) -- and 'Mother's Rule
of Life' by Holly Pierlot (Catholic perspective, *very* thorough --
available at Amazon.com):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1928832415?ie=UTF8&tag=hsaudio-20
Hope that helps!" -- Mandi in SC
---
"I just read the newest book by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and found
it very encouraging, practical and faith-building. It tells the
story of their becoming a family of 20 -- and how God has provided
for them as they applied godly principles. It has recipes, organi-
zational and teaching tips as well as their engaging story. It's
called, 'The Duggars, 20 and Counting':
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/141658563X?ie=UTF8&tag=hsaudio-20
I found a copy at the library." -- Karen
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Answer our NEW Question
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"I would like to know if anyone has tried the Math-U-See program.
As you all know, homeschooling can be expensive at times. My two
homeschooled children, 12 and 13, have learning disabilities. This
seems like a great program, but I would like some unbiased feedback
(and not just off of their site). Of course, they wouldn't print
anything negative. Let me know whether or not it is a case of
'too-good-to-be-true'." -- Shelly T.
---
Do you have input from experience with Math-U-See to share with Shelly?
Please send your answer to: mailto:HN-answers@familyclassroom.net
=====================
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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Need Immediate Help?
=======================
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and let them know that Heather sent you!
This ultra-safe chat is supervised by experienced moms who are
there to serve and share their wisdom... or just offer a listening
ear and encouragement.
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