Homeschooler Cafe'

Two wonderful kids

2012-01-09T15:04:00.000-06:00

I am so glad that I homeschool and I have plenty of time to instill good values, manners, and love into our boys. They are teens now and are awesome!

The other day, our boys got $10 gift-cards for DQ. Instead of spending it on treats for themselves, they both decided that they wanted to treat our family to dinner after church. ...so sweet!

Do your kids surprise you that way?

Bible Class Books for Youth (PDF). Ebooks. Study the Bible on the Internet.

2011-12-13T11:03:00.000-06:00

I found a GREAT resource for Bible study for the kids or for adults. You can go through a book of the Bible and then answer the corresponding questions. I love it for the boys (15 and 12). Espresso is in Exodus and Double Espresso is in Acts.

I just saved and printed up the PDF for the book that they are reading. Then, they can answer the questions on the paper to turn in to me.

Bible Class Books for Youth (PDF). Ebooks. Study the Bible on the Internet.

Frustrated?

2011-12-06T12:32:00.000-06:00

Recently, a homeschool mom mentioned that she was becoming frustrated and her children were't liking their curriculum.

Here is what I suggested:

It's easy to become frustrated in homeschooling. I've always homeschooled and my kids are 15 and 12 1/2. One thing that helps is to change things up for a while. I use Time4Learning for that! It's very fun and kids do learn from it. Son 2 really likes it and we keep him subscribed. It offers language arts, math, reading, writing, social studies, science (we don't use the science), etc.

You can watch a lesson demo on their website: www.time4learning.com. You can pick grade levels for each subject which is great and you don't have to do every subject.

If you decide to sign up, would you please say that I referred you? I get a bonus for that. My name is Janet Powers www.homeiscool4u at yahoo.com

Also, another thing that helps is to just take a month off! Remember, it's your homeschool and you can run it the way you want to. You can do field trips as a family, play board games together, watch the Discovery channel, rent educational movies, play learning games on the computer like www.funbrain.com. You could do art lesson on YouTube or even music lessons. The possibilities are endless!

We've taken time off and it is refreshing for everyone.

If you need more encouragement, I'd love to chat.

:) Blessings,

Janet

www.homeschoolercafe.blogspot.com

www.homeward4.blogspot.com

photo credit

The English language is... weird!

2011-11-25T11:16:00.000-06:00

I received this in my email and thought you would like it!

~Just cracked me up

We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,
But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes;
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose should never be meese;
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,
Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.

If the plural of man is always called men,
Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen ?
If I speak of my foot and show you my feet,
And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet ?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth ?

Then one may be that, & three would be those,
Yet hat in the plural would never be hose;
And the plural of cat is cats, not cose.
We speak of a brother & also of brethren,
But though we say mother, we never say methren.
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his & him,
But imagine the feminine: she, shis & shim !

Let's face it - English is a crazy language.
There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger;
Neither apple nor pine in pineapple.
English muffins weren't invented in England.

We take English for granted,
but if we explore its paradoxes,
We find that quicksand can work slowly,
boxing rings are square;
A guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
Why is it that writers write, but fingers don't fing,
Grocers don't groce & hammers don't ham ?

Doesn't it seem crazy that ...
you can make amends but not one amend ?
If you have a bunch of odds and ends ...
and get rid of all but one of them,
What do you call it ?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught ?
If a vegetarian eats vegetables,
what does a humanitarian eat ?

Sometimes I think all people who speak English

Should be in an asylum for the verbally insane.
In what other language do people recite at a play,
and play at a recital ?

We ship by truck but send cargo by ship ...
We have noses that run & feet that smell;
We park in a driveway & drive in a parkway.
And how can a slim chance & a fat chance be the same,
while a wise man & a wise guy are opposites ?

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language
in which your house can burn up as it burns down;
In which you fill in a form by filling it out,
& in which an alarm goes off by going on.

And in closing ....

If Father is Pop ....

how come Mother's not Mop ? ? ? ?

How to eat a pomegranate

2011-11-18T14:32:00.000-06:00

The pomegranate: extremely healthy, people have been eating them for thousands of years, mentioned in the Bible, God made them and they are gooood!

Getting those little, juicy seeds out can be difficult and messy! This video shows us how to do it simply.

88 Menorah Ideas

2011-11-15T10:53:00.000-06:00

Hebrew~ Foreign Language for Kids

2011-11-15T10:40:00.000-06:00

Foreign languages can be difficult for a parent to teach a child if the parent doesn't yet know the language! Because of this "minor" hurdle, I will also be learning the foreign language.

We will begin to study Hebrew. My reasons vary but, if the language was important enough for God to have the original people on this earth speak it, then... it's important! Also, the Old Testament was written in Hebrew and that is important too!

Hear the Hebrew alphabet (aleph bet) pronounced

Also on that page are free downloads of flashcards, alphabet practice pages and "Let's Sing It" for kids!

Hebrew For Christians also has a FREE homeschool unit! Hebrew Curriculum Unit 1

Hebrew Lessons

Hebrew Worksheets for Kids

Find your name in Hebrew

Hebrew Made Easy (Jewish not Christian)

This is all I have found so far. If you have resources, please share!

Time4Learning

2011-11-03T12:06:00.001-05:00

I'm sure by now, you've heard of the online homeschool program called Time4Learning! Their ads are all over the place on websites, blogs, and in magazines. You can give Time4Learning a try in exchange for a review on your blog or website like I did! (Sign up to review Time4Learning.)

Time4Learning offers a variety of subjects depending on the grade level of your child. Time4Learning offers subjects for grades pre-K through 8th.

Features from their website~

Time4Learning includes the following:

Monthly cost: $19.95 for the first child and $14.95 for each additional child

My opinion:

Time4Learning is very animated, musical, and exciting. That is helpful for my son (12) as it appeals to his learning style. He likes it and learns from it; so I like it!

At the moment, we only use the Language Arts, LA Extensions, and the Math. Many times during this trial use, my son said that he learned in the subjects that he was doing. I appreciated hearing that! He also liked being able to take a break and go to the "playground" to play games. (The parents can set the time limits for the playground... another plus!)

Since I am a Christian, I am very picky as to what goes into my child's mind. In order for him to do the Social Studies and Science, I will have to listen in on every lesson. Time4Learning is not approached from a Christian worldview and I believe that there are many questionable concepts being taught. There is a discussion board on Time4Learning where people post about questionable teachings.

Another feature that I like with Time4Learning is the Parent/Administration area. I can look in on anything that my son has done. I can see what lessons he did and the grades that he got. I can even print his grades!

Try before you buy:

Time4Learning lesson demos

Scope and sequence

Review Time4Learning

I give Time4Learning 4 out of 5 stars!

I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions. Please read my full disclosure policy for more details.

Tod Wilson ~ Encouragement for the homeschooler

2011-10-24T09:18:00.000-05:00

Encouragement for the homeschooler

An Inspiring Family

2011-10-24T09:14:00.000-05:00

Encouragement for homeschoolers

Learn Our History DVD Review

2011-10-07T15:20:00.000-05:00

I have received 3 DVDs to review from Mike Huckabee's 'Learn Our History: TimeCycle Academy'

Since I don't watch much of the tele and I definitely don't watch much news (sorry Mr. Huckabee), I was really surprised to stumble upon the commercial for the Learn Our History DVDs. I was instantly intrigued; my curiosity was peaked!

Being a homeschool mom, I hate to admit it but, I have never really appreciated history! Gasp! Now that I am older, some of it does interest me. I also have to admit that I did learn from these Learn Our History DVDs.

The stories start off with a group of kids that have some sort of question about something that happened in history. One of the boys is the brain of the group and invented a time machine that the group uses to travel to the place and time needed in order to get their question answered. Sometimes it is a dangerous place like Ground Zero or Nazi Germany. Needless to say, by the end of the story, the kids find the answer to their question and more.

Learn Our History makes the following claims:

The Learn Our History: TimeCycle Academy series uses the incredible lessons of history to present important themes to your child, such as:

The need to stand up to bullies
The importance of self-respect and respect for others -including their elders
Belief in democratic values such as freedom and equality
Faith in God as a key principle in America’s development and greatness

My opinion

Pros:

Learn Our History DVDs do stand up to the claims that they make
A lot of information is given on a single topic
Our boys (12 1/2 and 15) did enjoy the movies and learned a lot
I appreciate the republican viewpoints (of things such as socialists) made throughout the stories
They don't leave out the scary parts (such as Nazis or terrorists), although they are spoken about in a way that is suitable for children
There is a bond throughout the group of kids except with the bully

Cons:

The bully calls names that some moms won't want their kids repeating (stupid, hillbilly, brainiac)
The bully has a constant negative attitude that is irritating
The smart girl often has a know-it-all tone
The graphics stink but youngest son (12) doesn't mind

Cost

FREE Gift Offer: $9.95 plus $3.95 shipping/handling plus 4 free gifts (If you are not 100% satisfied, you may return the DVD within 30 days for a full refund of the purchase price, with no questions asked. The free gifts are yours to keep, no matter what you decide.)

Then, once a month you will receive another DVD and your credit card will be charged $11.95 plus $3.95 shipping/handling. You have up to 10 days to cancel the next DVD selection. You can cancel your subscription at any time.

About TimeCycle Acadamy
Frequently Asked Questions

I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions. Please read my full disclosure policy for more details.

Fall Homeschool Days at the Creation Museum October

2011-10-07T14:20:00.000-05:00

Fall Homeschool Days at the Creation Museum ends October 27th

The Creation Museum presents a unique and unparalleled experience, a walk through time portraying significant, life-altering events from the past, illuminating the effects of biblical history on our present and future world. Be prepared to experience history in a completely unprecedented way. Our state-of-the-art exhibits, Stargazer's planetarium, life-sized dinosaur animatronics andy beautiful outdoor gardens with paved walking trails and petting zoo make this an exciting addition to every homeschool curriculum.

For the months of September and October (Sept. 1 - Oct. 27), the Creation Museum will be running special pricing just for Homeschool families. Your family only has 3 more weeks to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday's are Homeschool Days. Admission to the Museum is only $12 for adults (13 and up) and $8 for children (5-12). The Stargazer's Planetarium is also specially priced at only $5.

To take advantage of this special Homeschool offer, please present the attached PDF at the Creation Museum on the day of your visit. This pricing is ONLY available with the PDF coupon.

** As a special bonus, when your admission tickets are printed, they will be coded with the word "BLUE." Simply present your tickets in Noah's Cafe or the Dragon Hall Bookstore to receive a 5% discount on all purchases. The ticket must be presented at the time of purchase.**

Please pass this along to any, and all, homeschooling families you know. This is not a group rate. It is available to ALL Homeschool families. When you forward this message on, please be sure to include the attachment. If for some reason the PDF is not attached, you can access it here: http://tinyurl.com/3g7jbsp

If you have any questions at all regarding the Fall Homeschool Days, contact Eddie Lutz at 859-240-6642 or email elutz@creationmuseum.org.

P.S. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO FORWARD THIS INFORMATION TO ANY AND ALL OF YOUR HOMESCHOOL CONNECTIONS!!

eddie lutz
area representative
elutz@creationmuseum.org
phone (888) 582-4253 ext. 377
fax (859) 727-5415
www.creationmuseum.org

Time4Learning

2011-09-27T10:26:00.001-05:00

Are you interested in trying Time4Learning with me?

I've been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so be sure to come back and read about my experience. Time4Learning can be used as a homeschool curriculum, for afterschool enrichment and for summer skill sharpening. Find out how to write your own curriculum review for Time4Learning.

Frustrating

2011-09-26T20:47:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, homeschooling can be frustrating.

There are a lot of newbies out there who could use your help.

What do you do to combat those, "Am I really sure I want to do this?" days? Share your best tips.

photo credit:

Mommy’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
By Charlotte Bowman
© 2011 – Muscogee Moms LLC, muscogeemoms.com

Wanna Win? My Memories Suite Giveaway

2011-09-16T11:42:00.000-05:00

You are going to love this!

Digital scrapbooking, cards, calendars, blog banners, photo books... these are just a few of the creative things you can make with My Memories Suite!

I was contacted by My Memories to review this digital scrapbooking software and I get to give one away! I am so excited to be able to pass this blessing on to one of my readers.

The official rules are on my personal blog: Homeward Bound

Here are some samples of what I made:

This video tells all about what you can do with My Memories Suite:

______________________________________________

Receive a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store.
Code: STMMMS93521

______________________________________________

Contest ends September 26th, 12:00 PM Central
Find official rules here: Homeward Bound

FREE Unit Study!

2011-09-01T09:15:00.000-05:00

Teach your children all about brave Christians in other countries. These are great lessons for missions, Bible, compassion, and geography!

Best of all... they're FREE!

Voice of the Martyrs Kids of Courage

What is Kids of Courage?
"The Voice of the Martyrs publishes Kids of Courage (formerly LINK) materials for children 5 to 13 so that families and schools can include children in learning about and serving the persecuted church. Kids of Courage publications are committed to:

Educating students about courageous Christians and countries that restrict Christian worship.
Encouraging students toward greater spiritual growth by giving them examples of those who are risking all for Christ.
Providing practical opportunities for students to pray for and aid today’s heroes of the faith."

Kids of Courage Educational Videos

Outdoor Survival Training Books

2011-08-26T12:47:00.000-05:00

Outdoor Survival Training: Student Manual

This book is free for a limited time via PDF

Part 1cover–iv796 KBPart 622–26536 KBPart 21–51.5 MBPart 727–31808 KBPart 37–11808 KBPart 832–36824 KBPart 412–161.1 MBPart 937–41844 KBPart 517–21944 KBPart 1042104 KB

Kids Outdoor Survival Training ~ Website with tons of PDF links to print or save

Outdoor Skills and Ethics ~ PDF

U S Army Field Manual ~ PDF (HUGE resource)

Complete Outdoorsman's Handbook ~ PDF

Scouts quiz

Online wilderness survival quiz

Advanced wilderness survival quiz online

Pocket Survival Guide ~ PDF

California Survival ~ PDF

Homeschool History Worksheets

2011-08-26T09:43:00.000-05:00

Study history independently or supplement your history curriculum:

Historical Figure Worksheet ~ PDF

Historical Figure Worksheet ~ Microsoft Word Document

Character and Leadership Historical Figure Worksheet ~ PDF (I really like this one)

Character and Leadership Historical Person Lesson Plans and Worksheets ~ PDF (for Civil War but could be used for other historical persons)

Lesson Plans and Worksheets for Van Valen's Gold Rush Journey ~ PDF (this is a really neat project from National Museum of American History)

Jr. High and High School Real World Math eBooks

2011-08-25T16:52:00.000-05:00

These are great! I am using these for math part of this year.

FREE math eBooks (more at this link)

Kitchen Math ~ PDF

Money Math ~ PDF

Home Math ~ PDF

Simply Math ~ PDF

FREE Standardized (Sample) Tests PDF

2011-08-23T11:10:00.000-05:00

FREE Sample Standardized Tests for the sciences ~ with answers!

Standardized Test for Physics ~ PDF

Standardized Test for Chemistry ~ PDF

Standardized Test for Biology ~ PDF

Standardized Test for Earth Science ~ PDF

Standardized Test Grade 10 Life Science ~ PDF

Standardized Test Grade 8 Science ~ PDF

Standardized Test Grad 8 Computers ~ PDF

FREE Audio Books

2011-08-19T22:06:00.000-05:00

It's great to have kids read a book! Try adding some more excitement by getting them an audio book!

Audio Books for Kids

What are you doing?

2011-08-17T09:10:00.000-05:00

What are you doing to get ready for school?

I'd love to hear about it!

If you'd like to take it a step further, I'd love to post about what you are using for curriculum this year.

photo credit

Bible Study Downloads for Teens

2011-08-16T16:41:00.000-05:00

What is the most important subject in your homeschool? Well, reading is pretty important. Without it, you couldn't read the Bible!

FREE Bible Study for teens PDF ~ by music artist David Nevue

Youth Bible Study PDF ~ The Second Coming of Jesus

Youth Bible Study PDF ~ Ecclesiasties 12
FREE Bible Curriculum from The Church of Christ in Zion, Illinois

FREE Bible Curriculum for Homeschool and Sunday school

BUILDING YOUR FUTURE FINANCIAL LITERACY CURRICULUM - A 2010 AWARD WINNER!

2011-08-13T10:47:00.000-05:00

FREE Financial Literacy Curriculum

Let's make sure our high school students are well educated in finances. Don't forget to teach them about handling money God's way too!

(Downloads at bottom of post)

From The Actuarial Foundation website:

Building Your Future

Book 1 BANKING

Topics include savings accounts, checking accounts, credit cards, taxes

Building Your Future

Book 2 FINANCING

Topics include loans & interest, home loans, auto loans, insurance

Building Your Future

Book 3 INVESTING

Topics include bonds, stocks, mutual funds, risk & diversification, inflation

The Actuarial Foundation has released to U.S. high school and college teachersBuilding Your Future, an engaging and relevant financial literacy curriculum, to help teens master the foundational elements of personal finance and to prepare for life on their own.
Building Your Future helps students easily grasp the essentials of personal finance, gives them multiple opportunities to practice core skills and showcases the real-world impact of the financial decisions they make. Each chapter is classroom ready, with a Teacher's Guide that provides handouts and answer keys, instruction and assessment suggestions, definitions and resources that align with national mathematics and personal financial education standards.

PDF Download Teacher Book 1

PDF Download Student Book 1

PDF Download Teacher Book 2

PDF Download Student Book 2

PDF Download Teacher Book 3

PDF Download Student Book 3

TV Time ~ TIP

2011-08-13T09:37:00.000-05:00

TV time is teaching time. When your children sit down to the TV, make sure they aren't learning the opposite of what YOU teach them! :)

If we were honest, most of what is on TV is the opposite of how we believe and live.

Put some effort into finding positive, educational shows that everyone can all learn from. It's great to record them in advance so that when kids do get TV time, it can be a positive experience.