<![CDATA[Stone Soup Homeschool Resources

<![CDATA[Stone Soup Homeschool Resources - S.S. Blog]]>Sat, 31 Mar 2012 16:57:19 -0700WeeblyStoneSoupHomeschoolNetwork-SsBloghttp://feedburner.google.com<![CDATA[Robin the Stone Soup Gal Had a Farm...]]>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StoneSoupHomeschoolNetwork-SsBlog/~3/Ss3uKjyj6k4/robin-the-stone-soup-gal-had-a-farm.htmlSat, 31 Mar 2012 17:34:59 -0700http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/1/post/2012/03/robin-the-stone-soup-gal-had-a-farm.htmlWe will have a farm, very soon! We are frantically preparing and packing for our move to our new home on 5 acres. We are all VERY excited.

Things have been so busy at our house, that I have been neglecting my blog and site. I hope you will forgive me.

I will endeavor to take up posting helpful links and articles just as soon as I can, probably in mid-May.

Until then, many blessings for you and your family!

Following are photos of our new flock of chickens...

]]>http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/1/post/2012/03/robin-the-stone-soup-gal-had-a-farm.html<![CDATA[Three Things That Keep Me Sane]]>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StoneSoupHomeschoolNetwork-SsBlog/~3/bB2mfPl4k2w/three-things-that-keep-me-sane.htmlSun, 26 Feb 2012 23:33:46 -0700http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/1/post/2012/02/three-things-that-keep-me-sane.htmlWhen life gets busy, there are three things that keep me sane.

1) Chore charts. Everyone is helping, so I am not burdened by every little thing that needs to be done. I STILL have to follow-through and make sure kids do their chores, but they get done. There are no privileges (TV, Computer, Trampoline, Friends, etc...) for those family members who don't complete chores by 2 O'clock.

2) Menu Plans. I'm not married to them, but it sure is nice to have an idea of what I need to have in the fridge, and what to say to "What's for dinner, Mom?"

3) Daily Schedule. Don't misunderstand. This one is a struggle for me, but when I keep a ledger of what everyone is doing with their time, I see WHERE it's being wasted, what needs are and are not being met and more importantly WHERE I CAN FIT THEM IN.

Here's our current meal plan:

Two Week Meal Plan. Click to see it full size.

There are menu planning resources in my post, Menu Planning Made Easy.

For creating chore charts, check out my Chore Workshop Series.

Next: Planning Your Day or The Schedule-Phobe's Guide to Organizing Your Day

]]>http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/1/post/2012/02/three-things-that-keep-me-sane.html<![CDATA[Are Homeschool High School Diplomas Valid?]]>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StoneSoupHomeschoolNetwork-SsBlog/~3/VRU1k64A_0g/are-homeschool-high-school-diplomas-valid.htmlMon, 20 Feb 2012 01:35:47 -0700http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/1/post/2012/02/are-homeschool-high-school-diplomas-valid.html

By Lee Binz

HSLDA reports that colleges are now required to determine the validity of high school diplomas from public and private schools.

How exactly can the college determine validity? Will they be requiring course descriptions from every applicant? That would seem to be a lot of reading for the admissions team! Homeschool parents often think about their own transcripts and wonder if they are valid.

Yes, you are valid!

Isn't it interesting that public and private high schools are now having the same concerns about validity? You're not alone!

HSLDA states this new rule does not apply to homeschoolers. They suggest that homeschoolers need to check “homeschooled” when filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or their application may be delayed. Others feel that a simple check on a box marked "homeschooled" may not be enough.

Spunky Homeschool is concerned about colleges evaluating the validity of high school diplomas.

"By checking the homeschool option we are basically admitting that our diploma is not as valid as a traditional diploma and making it easier for the federal government to single out those who choose to homeschool. This is all to build infrastructure for a national diploma to go with the common core state standards. This may also impact transcripts and application for scholarships. Many schools use FAFSA as the first point of entry for consideration even if the funding does not come from the federal government. Checking the homeschool box places the student in the "non-traditional" or not easily validated stack because they "self-certify" which could possibly mean a different standard for consideration than those that come from a traditional school setting and that is on the Department of Ed approved list."

I encourage people to self-identify as a homeschooler. Sweetly and assertively express your rights. If you need college financing with the FAFSA, then checking the "homeschool" box is probably the best option for your family.

I also encourage people to avoid the GED when possible. Here is my article about it: Stigma-Free Homeschool Graduation!

A great way to "validate" your homeschool education is through a comprehensive record. My Comprehensive Record Solution provides you the guidance and coaching you need to finish the your homeschool records with confidence.

Article Source: Homeschool-Articles.com

Lee Binz, The HomeScholar, and her husband, Matt, are homeschool high school experts. Their boys earned full-tuition scholarships at their first choice university. Their homeschool transcript solution will show you how to create an AMAZING home school transcript that will impress the colleges! Learn how she did it on TheHomeScholar.com.

]]>http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/1/post/2012/02/are-homeschool-high-school-diplomas-valid.html<![CDATA[Proclamation of Thanksgiving]]>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StoneSoupHomeschoolNetwork-SsBlog/~3/21oQT_VY01A/proclamation-of-thanksgiving.htmlThu, 24 Nov 2011 11:53:34 -0700http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/1/post/2011/11/proclamation-of-thanksgiving.html

Photo credit: www.Jewlicious.com

By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore.

Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things.

They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.

And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.

Photo credit: www.presidentialsignatures.com

Read more about the Thanksgiving Proclamation, at AbrahamLincolnOnline.org
Thanks to Toni, The Happy Housewife, for reminding me where it all began.

]]>http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/1/post/2011/11/proclamation-of-thanksgiving.html<![CDATA[Menu Plan Monday]]>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StoneSoupHomeschoolNetwork-SsBlog/~3/70TcT8MtpzY/menu-plan-monday1.htmlMon, 26 Sep 2011 22:09:50 -0700http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/1/post/2011/09/menu-plan-monday1.html

You will notice a couple of things about my menus. For one thing, I don’t like fish. Sorry. I have tried it, many forms, many times. I just can’t get myself to like it. I think it’s a texture thing. Secondly, after six years as an obese vegetarian, I realized that it’s not the right diet for everyone, and I am now a confirmed meat-lover.

I share recipes that I have developed myself, but if I don’t share a recipe for something, it’s usually because I found it on the internet somewhere. Most likely, AllRecipes.com. I would LOVE it if you would share some of your favorite recipes with me too. I love to try new ones.

Monday: Grilled Ham and Cheese with Soup (Cooked by my 11 YO.)
Tuesday: Lemon-Basil Chicken with Angel Hair Pasta and Sautéed Veggies
Wednesday: Pot Roast, Green Beans and Creamer Potatoes
Thursday: Orange Chicken, Broccoli and Brown Rice (Cooked by my 14 YO.)
Friday: Fend for yourself! (Leftovers)
Saturday: Pollo a la Mexicana (Recipe below) with brown rice
Sunday: Spaghetti, with Italian Meatballs (my hubby’s recipe below) and Spinach salad.

Oh, and you will find my FREE Menu-Planning Resources (shoppnig lists, menu planners) HERE. (Clicking will open a new window.)

Javier’s Amazing Italian Meatballs

Ingredients

¾ pound ground beef
¾ pound Italian sausage
2 cloves garlic, minced or 1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 eggs
1 cup grated Parmesan/Romano cheese
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 tsp. salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
1 cup milk

Directions

Combine beef, sausage in a large bowl. Add garlic, eggs, cheese, parsley, salt and pepper.
Blend bread crumbs into meat mixture. Slowly add the milk 1/2 cup at a time. The mixture should be very moist but still hold its shape if rolled into meatballs.
Shape into 1 ½ in. meatballs.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 – 25 minutes. After this, I like to brown them under the broiler for 5 minutes, but Javier thinks this is unnecessary. I guess you will have to decide for yourself.

Pollo a la Mexicana (Mexican Chicken)
I created this recipe after we moved to Colorado from California, and I was missing my favorite Mexican restaurant, where I used to order this dish.

INGREDIENTS
Chicken and Sauce

2 tbsp. oil (I use coconut oil or grape seed oil---oils that are not corrupted at high temps.)
4 boneless chicken breasts
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced (or 2 tsp. granulated garlic)
1 white onion peeled and chopped
1 medium bell pepper sliced (I prefer red or yellow. Seeds and stem removed)
2 cups (from a 29 oz. can) tomato sauce
2 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon chili powder (or for more heat, use chipotle chili powder!)
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
Salt to taste (about 1 - 2 teaspoons.)

Rice

1 ½ cups brown rice (Just because it's healthier)
1 ½ cups water (add 1/8 cup more for high elevation)
1 ½ cups chicken broth
2 tbsp. tomato paste (Optional. It will give the rice a reddish appearance)
2 tbsp. oil (I use coconut oil or grape seed oil---oils that are not corrupted at high temps.)
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. granulated garlic, or 1 clove fresh, minced.
1 tsp. cumin
Salt to taste ( I use about a teaspoon)

Optional additions

10 - 12 corn or flour tortillas, warmed (optional)
1 - 1 1/2 cups sour cream (optional, garnish)
1 - 1 1/2 cups guacamole (optional, garnish)

Directions

Put brown rice, water, broth and seasonings in to pot on high heat for cooking the rice. When the water boils, turn down the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 45 minutes. (Until most of the moisture has evaporated.)
Cut chicken breasts into pieces. Trim off and discard excess fat. (I cut mine with scissors into bite-size pieces)
Set a large frying pan over medium heat. When hot, add oil and tilt pan to coat bottom. Add chicken in a single layer and brown for 3 - 5 minutes.
Add onion, garlic, and bell peppers to chicken pan; stir often and cook 3 - 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and add broth, 2 cups tomato sauce, seasonings, and chopped cilantro. Simmer for 12 - 15 minutes, until chicken is thoroughly cooked.
While chicken is simmering, remove tortillas from package and warm on a plate with a clean dish towel over them. We spray the towel with a little water from a squirt bottle to "steam" the tortillas in the microwave. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. If they are not warm enough, turn tortillas over, recover and cook on high for another 30 seconds.They can also be warmed on a skillet for a couple of minutes each.
When the chicken is done, it looks lovely served on a platter over the rice, and garnished with 2-3 whole cilantro leaves. The guacamole and sour cream (2-3 tablespoons for each person) can be served on the side of each plate, to each person's taste.

]]>http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/1/post/2011/09/menu-plan-monday1.html<![CDATA[Menu-Plan Monday]]>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StoneSoupHomeschoolNetwork-SsBlog/~3/Q1EAHvcYgQI/menu-plan-monday.htmlMon, 08 Aug 2011 15:11:34 -0700http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/1/post/2011/08/menu-plan-monday.html

Summer Menu Series, August 8 - 14

Monday:Chicken Enchiladas Verde (recipe below) & green salad

Tuesday: Crockpot Round Roast, new potatoes and cucumber vinaigrette

Wednesday:Chicken-Veggie Kabobs and corn on the cob

Thursday:Beef Stroganoff (with the leftover roast) whole grain noodles and green beans

Friday: Leftovers (Also affectionately known as FF: Fend-for-yourself Friday!)

Saturday: Chicken-veggie stir-fry, with a lemon-ginger sauce (Doesn't that sound yummy?) and brown rice

Sunday: Barbeque with friends. Potato salad (Recipe below) and fruit salad. Yum!

Chicken Enchiladas Verde
(A family favorite!)
Serves 8 - 10 people
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

INGREDIENTS
4 or 5 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (or even easier, a cooked chicken from the store!)
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced or 2 tbsp of garlic from the jar
1 cup sour cream
2 cups mixed shredded cheddar & jack cheeses (or the "Mexican Blend" from the store)
1 tbsp dried cilantro or 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tbsp paprika
2 jars (about 3 cups) of your favorite green salsa (Target sells a good mild one by Archway Farms. Sometimes I make mine, because mild green salsa can be difficult to find, or you could use red salsa instead---but then, drop the "verde" from the name!)
1 bell pepper, chopped. (optional)
12 – 14 corn tortillas

DIRECTIONS
1. In a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat, simmer chicken until no longer pink and juices run clear. (or bake or boil 20 – 30 minutes) Drain excess fat.
2. Dice or shred the chicken and return it to the skillet. Add the onion, garlic, sour cream, 1 cup of the cheese mixture, cilantro, paprika and pepper. Heat until cheese melts. Stir in ½ of the salsa and bell pepper.
3. After coating the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish with a little of the salsa, roll even amounts (about 1/3 of a cup) of the mixture into tortillas and arrange them in the dish (I do two columns of 6, with the last 2 wedged in between the columns.)
4. Cover with at least ½ jar of salsa (1 cup) and as much of the remaining cheese mixture as you like. (I use all of it!) Bake uncovered in the preheated oven 20 -25 minutes.

SUPER EASY German Potato Salad
(I get a lot of requests for this one!)

INGREDIENTS
10 red potatoes, cut into bite-size pieces & boiled until tender
1/2 large red onion, or 1 whole small onion, chopped
2 tablespoons of dried dill
Thousand Island dressing (to taste) I like my salad "juicy" so I use 1 whole, small bottle (Usually Amy's Organic)

DIRECTIONS
Mix, chill and serve!

FREE Resources:
Menu Planners & Shopping Lists

From Econobusters:
Free Menu Planning eBook

From OrgJunkie.com
Blank Menu Planner
Blank Grocery List Template (PDF)

From TheHomeschoolMom.com
Homeschool Planner & Menu Planner in One!
Menu Planner with To Do/Chore List

From KeepAndShare.com
Master Shopping List (PDF)
Glueten-Free Shopping List (PDF)
Lactose-Free Shopping List (PDF)

From LivingLocurto.com
FREE WEEKLY MEAL PLANS & RECIPES!
(Including shopping lists!)

]]>http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/1/post/2011/08/menu-plan-monday.html<![CDATA[HOTM Online Homeschool Conference Ticket Winners!]]>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StoneSoupHomeschoolNetwork-SsBlog/~3/FRl8RVuPox4/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit.htmlMon, 20 Jun 2011 11:45:22 -0700http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/1/post/2011/06/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit.html Thank you for entering the HOTM Online Conference!
A random number generator was used to determine the winning entrants. Winners will be contacted this week via email. Congratulations to those who won tickets to the HOTM Online Homeschool Conference, and thanks again for participating!
.

.
Winner 1: Erin Rosencrantz
"I would love to hear all of them, but probably the most useful for us at the moment will be Kendra Fletcher's Preschoolers, Preparation, and Peace."

.
Winner 2: Robin Day
New season for me. I'll have to say Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is the most relevant for right now. However, love Kendra Fletcher and always look forward to her wisdom.

.
Winner 3: Kim Rodgers
I see 4 that I would love to hear! Kendra Fletcher, Jamie Martin, Karen Metzger, and Dari Mullins. What a cool giveaway! Thanks Robin!

The HOTM Online Conference is August 8-12, 2011. You can register here at the price of $14.95 per ticket.

]]>http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/1/post/2011/06/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit.html<![CDATA[Heart of the Matter Online Conference Ticket Giveaway!]]>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StoneSoupHomeschoolNetwork-SsBlog/~3/eefIrEwmyvk/heart-of-the-matter-online-conference-ticket-giveaway.htmlTue, 14 Jun 2011 15:46:52 -0700http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/1/post/2011/06/heart-of-the-matter-online-conference-ticket-giveaway.htmlHeart of the Matter Online Conference Ticket Giveaway!

Heart of the Matter Online Conference is coming soon!

Speakers
Click on the names for more information about them.

Tyler Hogan: Bright Ideas Press

Kendra Fletcher: Author of Preschoolers and Peace

“Science Jim” Mueller: Author of Bite-Size Physics

Jamie Martin: Author of Steady Days

Leigh Bortins: Founder of Classical Conversations

Bethany LeBedz: Author of Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom

Maggie Hogan: Owner of Bright Ideas Press

Attorney David Gibbs: Homeschool Legal Advantage Attorney

Karen Metzger: Homeschool mom and speaker

Dr. Jay Wile: Author of the “Exploring Creation with” series

Terri Johnson: Founder of Knowledge Quest

Bonita Lillie: Author of Hands-On Essays

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau: Author of Suddenly Homeschooling

Karen Metzger: Homeschool mom and speaker

Dari Mullins: Author of Galloping the Globe

The HOTM Online Conference is coming soon!

To Enter: Simply leave a comment telling me at least one session you would be interested in. I will use a random number generator to pick the three winners on Sunday, June 19th. Winners will be notified Monday, June 20th.

Go over to the Conference page to see details about the speakers. Click on each speaker’s name to see specifics about the seminars offered.

Thanks for reading. Please, keep telling me what you like!

The HOTM Online Conference is August 8-12, 2011. You can register here at the price of $14.95 per ticket.

]]>http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/1/post/2011/06/heart-of-the-matter-online-conference-ticket-giveaway.html<![CDATA[Discover Spanish Giveaway]]>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StoneSoupHomeschoolNetwork-SsBlog/~3/YQFD9UN6wMo/discover-spanish-giveaway.htmlThu, 26 May 2011 01:19:02 -0700http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/1/post/2011/05/discover-spanish-giveaway.html

DISCOVER SPANISH GIVEAWAY
Are you looking for a great ‘Learn to Speak Spanish’ program for your kids, 6th grade and up? Language Treks is offering their award winning software program, “Discover Spanish”, FREE in the Discover Spanish Homeschool Contest!

It’s Easy To Enter and Win:
Become a fan of ours on Facebook at our Language Treks page. Send us a message in our message box, “DISCOVER SPANISH for HOMESCHOOLERS”.

You are now entered!

Additional Entry Options:

If you would like to enter more than once and increase your chances to win, you
can...

1. Post or add a comment at our Language Treks Facebook page.

2. Send us a friend request for Johnny Spanish on Facebook. (Johnny is the main character in the Discover Spanish learning system.) He has his own friend page.

3. Post or add a comment on the Johnny Spanish page.

4. Follow Johnny Spanish on our new twitter.

5. Follow Language Treks on our new twitter.

6. Now that’s a lot of ways to add more entries and increase the odds!! To ensure we record all the times you have entered, you MUST message us at the Language Treks Facebook page and tell us what additional ways you entered. For example; “Hi, I’m Jane Homeschooler... I’ve entered the Discover Spanish for Home Schoolers contest and I also completed 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 for even more chances to win.”

Contest Information:
Entries will be accepted until midnight, Tuesday, May 31, 2011. Winner will be announced June 1st, 2011.

NOTE: This contest is open to only homeschoolers in U.S.A. & Canada.

I had the opportunity to review the Discover Spanish program. To read my review, click HERE.

]]>http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/1/post/2011/05/discover-spanish-giveaway.html<![CDATA[Teaching Reading and Writing Using Comics]]>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StoneSoupHomeschoolNetwork-SsBlog/~3/67tWQPPjPhI/teaching-reading-and-writing-using-comics.htmlMon, 23 May 2011 23:20:18 -0700http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/1/post/2011/05/teaching-reading-and-writing-using-comics.htmlHow Parents Can Use Comic Strips To Encourage Children to Read, Write and Express Themselves
By Bill Zimmerman

Develop imagination, a fondness for reading and telling stories.

Comic strips are a perfect vehicle for learning and practicing language. Each strip’s three or four panels provide a finite, accessible world in which funny, interesting looking characters live and go about their lives. And readers with limited reading skills are not as overwhelmed in dealing with the size of a comic strip as they can be with a book of many pages.

Only few words are required for the characters to go about their lives and reveal their stories. Comic strips also don’t require long sentences or paragraphs to tell a good story. And, anyone who sees a blank talk or thought balloon floating over the head of a character wants immediately to fill it in with words and thoughts; doing so is the beginning step to tell a story.

My own love of comics began when I was a Child.

Back then, the very best day of the week was Sunday mornings when my dad left home early to bring back an armload of newspapers, all with their glorious color comics sections. The funnies were my paradise – I’d spend the morning going over each strip, following the adventures of my favorite characters. I’d look at the dazzling illustrations, be drawn into their colorful worlds and be challenged to decipher the letters in the white balloons coming from the characters’ mouths or floating above their heads. And with help from my father, I’d try my best to sound out the words in the talk balloons and make sense of the stories they told.

This, then, is how I first began learning how to read and to think imaginatively. The comic characters I saw and later copied became my friends and family, and I began to realize that reading could be fun and open up new worlds to me. I also began creating my own comic stories.

I grew up to become a journalist and newspaper editor, and author of many books that help young people find their writer’s voice. Not long ago I launched a new web site – http://www.makebeliefscomix.com -- where people of all ages can create their own comic strips – and in doing so, practice their language skills and have fun as well.

Tap into creativity with free online tools.

By giving youngsters a choice of fun animal and human characters with different emotions – happy, sad, angry, worried – as well blank thought and talk balloons to fill in with their written words, and some story prompts to spark ideas, youngsters will be able to tap into their creativity to tell stories and create their own graphic stories. (By the way you don’t have to use a web comic strip creator, you can just encourage your children to draw their own characters if they wish.)

Our best educators understand that playing is learning. Parents and teachers can use the process of creating comic strips to encourage youngsters to practice language, reading, writing, and communication skills. For those who teach young and old how to read and write or to learn English as a second language, an online comics generating site can be an invaluable tool in achieving these objectives. A parent or teacher, for example, could put together a comic strip with characters and blank thought or talk balloons, print it out, and ask children to fill in the balloons with words and narration. Better yet, a student can choose his or her own characters and develop stories alone or with a partner. One teacher I know who was teaching prepositional phrases had her students use online comics to include sentences with such phrases. Having to write sentences for characters to speak provides an engaging way to practice sentence structure and learn grammar.

Develop communication and vocabulary skills.

Educational therapists or parents who teach deaf, learning disabled, and kids with special needs, as well as trauma victims, also use comic strips to help their youngsters understand concepts and develop communication skills.

Comic strips are a great way for children to practice new vocabulary words and to practice dialogue in different situations. A child, for example, who may be having trouble with another child at school can use the comic to come up with words and actions to help him deal with this problem or practice dialogue for the child to use when a real-life situation arises. In effect, the comic characters can serve as surrogates for youngsters to work out different problems.

A student reading a novel or short story, could also storyboard the stories in comic strip form, or use the strip to keep developing the story after the book ends. A comic created can also be the beginning of a much longer written story, too. Creating comic strips with your children also encourages parents and children to work jointly and communicate effectively in creating something new.

Ideas to get your budding comic-writer started.

Some ideas for comic strips: Make believe that your animal characters can talk to each other or read each other’s thoughts. They can joke and have great adventures together. Or, imagine they could tell a beautiful love story. How would it go? How about a comic strip retelling a favorite fairy tale?

What about a comic strip in which a character writes a poem or sings a song to another? Or make believe a character could say the words to heal all people. What are the words your character would use? How about a comic strip in which characters throw the most fun party in the world. Where would it be? Whom would you invite? Or, maybe your party turns into a disaster. What happens?

Or, what if your characters could be bold and brave for a day. Just what great deeds would they do? Make believe your character could pass on a message to another, and that character passes the message on to another, and so on. How would the original message keep changing?

Here are a few other make-believe subjects:

You could write these on 3 X 5 cards, or on individual sheets of paper and give them to students to write or draw about:

...Make believe you planted your dreams. What would you hope to grow?

...Make believe that with the snap of your fingers you could change yourself. How or what would you become?

...Make believe someone gave you a golden treasure box. What would you place in it?

...Make believe that you could talk with a character from a favorite book. Who would that be? What would you both talk about?

...Make believe you were given a characteristic of some animal you loved. Would animal would you choose and which animal trait would you like to have?

...Make believe that your meal consisted only of flowers. What would you have for dinner this summer?

...Make believe that you could develop a new flower or herb that has special powers to bring peace to our world. What would it look like? What would you name it? Where would you plant it? How would its powers be released?

...Make believe that you could create a new season so very different from those we know. What would your season be like, and what would you call it?

...Make believe you had a net to catch a favorite moment in your life. Which would it be?

Please, share your work!

After completing each comic strip on the computer, a child can print it out and color and create her own comix library, or email the strip to a friend or relative. She can also use the comic strip to create personalized greeting card stories for family and friends and to celebrate special times in their lives. Wouldn’t you like to receive one on your own birthday or when you're in need of cheering up?

I hope you will try out makebeliefscomix.com with your children and send me feedback on the experiencing of creating comic strips. My email address is: wmz@aol.com

About the Author:

A journalist and prize-winning newspaper editor, Bill Zimmerman is the creator of MakeBeliefsComix.com (http://www.makebeliefcomix.com), a free web site which offers fun characters with different emotions, blank thought and talk balloons to fill in with words, and story prompts to help children along in creating comic strips. For many years he created an interactive, syndicated Student Briefing Page for Newsday newspaper to teach young people about current events that was nominated twice for a Pulitzer Prize. At Newsday, Bill also created a series of comic books to teach history and current events to young readers. Bill also has written 19 books which are aimed at helping people find their writers’ voices. They are featured on his other web site: www.billztreasurechest.com. His latest is ‘’Your Life in Comics: 100 Things for Guys to Write and Draw,’’ an interactive comic book for reluctant boy writers/readers. His work has been featured on the Today Show, PBS's acclaimed Ancestors Series, in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and such magazines as Family Circle, Parents, Esquire, Business Week, and Essence.)

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By the President of the United States of America.A Proclamation.