“Sonlight has brought joy back into our homeschool!”

Transcription

Q&A with Sarita Holzmann
co-founder of Sonlight
page 8
“Sonlight has
brought joy
back into our
homeschool!”
September/October 2014
$6.50 USA/$15.50 INTL
Password Security
In today’s hacking environment, security of your identification
and personal information is on the mind of anyone using a
computer The first line of defense for computer security is your
passwords. Following are some myths about passwords and
some ideas on developing better password protection, while
nothing is 100% at least these steps should make hacking your
information a bit more difficult and hopefully encourage would be
thieves to move on.
Following are some password myths courtesy of a Security
Focus article, Ten Windows Password Myths by Mark Burnett:
·
·
·
Random passwords from password generators are the best
passwords –
FALSE: They are usually difficult to remember, slow to type
and sometimes vulnerable to attacks against password
generating algorithms.
Fourteen characters is the optimal password length –
FALSE: These passwords are often split into two separate
seven-character hashes, which make them more vulnerable
to a brute force attack.
Passwords should be changed every 30 days –
FALSE: While this may be good for high-risk passwords, it is
not necessarily good for average users because they tend to
develop predictable patterns.
special feature
w
·
Never write down your password –
FALSE: Sometimes passwords need to be written down, e.g.
the only one who knows the password forgets it. The caveat
to this myth is to be smart about where the password is
written down and how it is secured and disposed of.
Some hints to create better passwards and increase your
password protection are:
 Contain a mixture of letters (upper and lower case),
numerals and symbols.
 Not contain your name or user name or be a common
word or name.
 Be easy to type quickly with few errors.
 Be at least 14 characters long – longer is better.
 Never use your network logon password for another
purpose.
 Never share your password with anyone.
 Change your password immediately if you think it has
been compromised.
 If you write your password down, make sure it is stored
in a secure location.
 Change your password on a regular basis.
Remember successful passwords have computer length and
randomness combined with human familiarity. There are no
ironclad password locks, but hopefully these suggestions will
lower your hack-risk.
HSF Ambassadors help families homeschool through hard times.
Visit www.homeschoolfoundation.org/volunteer to learn more.
Home School Foundation
... the charitable arm of HSLDA
www.TheHomeschoolHandbook.com
©
#10535
September / October 2014 | ©The Homeschool Handbook
3
Password Security
In today’s hacking environment, security of your identification
and personal information is on the mind of anyone using a
computer The first line of defense for computer security is your
passwords. Following are some myths about passwords and
some ideas on developing better password protection, while
nothing is 100% at least these steps should make hacking your
information a bit more difficult and hopefully encourage would be
thieves to move on.
Following are some password myths courtesy of a Security
Focus article, Ten Windows Password Myths by Mark Burnett:
·
·
·
Random passwords from password generators are the best
passwords –
FALSE: They are usually difficult to remember, slow to type
and sometimes vulnerable to attacks against password
generating algorithms.
Fourteen characters is the optimal password length –
FALSE: These passwords are often split into two separate
seven-character hashes, which make them more vulnerable
to a brute force attack.
Passwords should be changed every 30 days –
FALSE: While this may be good for high-risk passwords, it is
not necessarily good for average users because they tend to
develop predictable patterns.
special feature
w
·
Never write down your password –
FALSE: Sometimes passwords need to be written down, e.g.
the only one who knows the password forgets it. The caveat
to this myth is to be smart about where the password is
written down and how it is secured and disposed of.
Some hints to create better passwards and increase your
password protection are:
 Contain a mixture of letters (upper and lower case),
numerals and symbols.
 Not contain your name or user name or be a common
word or name.
 Be easy to type quickly with few errors.
 Be at least 14 characters long – longer is better.
 Never use your network logon password for another
purpose.
 Never share your password with anyone.
 Change your password immediately if you think it has
been compromised.
 If you write your password down, make sure it is stored
in a secure location.
 Change your password on a regular basis.
Remember successful passwords have computer length and
randomness combined with human familiarity. There are no
ironclad password locks, but hopefully these suggestions will
lower your hack-risk.
HSF Ambassadors help families homeschool through hard times.
Visit www.homeschoolfoundation.org/volunteer to learn more.
Home School Foundation
... the charitable arm of HSLDA
©
#10535
3
Publisher’s Letter
™
Brilliant Publishing LLC
Post Office Box 31687, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
Telephone: 717.571.9233
PUBLISHER / ADVERTISING
Judge each day
not by the harvest
you reap but by the
seeds you plant.
~Robert Louis Stevenson
Publisher
Maureen Williams
[email protected]
717.608.5869
Account Executive
Alex Chambers
[email protected]
EDITORIAL
Editor In Chief
MaryAnne Morrill
[email protected]
Senior Editor
Michelle Donofry
[email protected]
Change is a good thing. Come the fall I always feel especially restless, eager,
hungry for something new. Perhaps it’s the changing season or the new routines of
the new school year.
One of the best parts of my job is talking to you, our readers. Listening to your
challenges and helping you along your journey of home education truly makes my
day. I love that you never give up and everyone does it differently, while all having one
thing in common: They do what they say they are going to do, even when life gets in
the way.
In this issue we have our first “Behind the Curriculum” cover story, which features
Sonlight. We are blessed and excited to have them as our first in this series! I am
certain you too will agree that Sonlight is a brilliant company whose curriculum you
may want to consider using in your home school.
If you are looking for some seamless ways to add more science in your homeschool,
make math talk a part of your day, or some simple tips to foster a second language;
you will find excellent articles to get you started in this issue. Also, don’t miss the
fascinating article about how our childhood memories affect the way we spend money
on our kids. From passwords to recipes, this is sure to be a favorite issue for many.
Without further adieu, get out there start planting those seeds so that your
homeschool harvest will be bountiful in the near future!
Enjoy the issue and remember always …
Maureen Williams, Publisher
[email protected]
717-608-5869
http://twitter.com/@TheHomeschool
www.facebook.com/TheHomeschoolHandbook
http://pinterest.com/thehomeschool/
4
©
The Homeschool Handbook | September / October 2014
Social Media/Asst. Editor
Molly Anika
[email protected]
Style / Asst. Editor
Charity Plata
Subscription Service / Back Issues:
[email protected]
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Leonisa Ardizzone, Vicki Bentley, Sarita Holzmann,
The Container Store, The Home School Foundation,
Richard Havenga, Nicole Fonovich, Tanya Moat,
Annie Murphy Paul, Shannon Ryan,
Erin Smilkstein, Donna Vail
PRODUCTION / DESIGN
Art Director
Jeremy Tingle
[email protected]
The Homeschool Handbook is published bi-monthly by Brilliant Publishing LLC,
Post Office Box 31687, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588 Telephone: (717) 571-9233,
Fax: 843-215-7712. Postage paid at San Diego, CA and additional offices.
POSTMASTER please send address changes to The Homeschool Handbook,
Post Office Box 31687, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588. Volume 5 Number 05. The
Homeschool Handbook subscription rates: one-year $19.95 USD, Canada &
Mexico $49.95 International $79.95. All subscriptions are non-refundable.
Copyright© 2014 Brilliant Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. the publisher
reserves the right to accept or reject any advertising or editorial material.
Advertisers, and/or their agents, assume the responsibility for any claims
against the publisher based on the advertisement. Editorial contributors assume
responsibility for their published works and assume responsibility for any claims
against the publisher based on published work. No part of this publication can
be reproduced in any form or by electronic or mechanical means, including
information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the
publisher. All items submitted to The Homeschool Handbook become the sole
property of Brilliant Publishing LLC. Editorial content does not reflect the views
of the publisher. The imprints, logos, trademarks or trade names (collectively
the “Marks”) displayed on the products featured in The Homeschool Handbook
are for illustrative purposes only and are not available for sale. The Marks do
not represent the implied or actual endorsement by the owners of the Marks
of the product on which they appear. All of the Marks are the property of the
respective owners and are not the property of either the advertisers using the
Marks or The Homeschool Handbook.
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
No warranty whatsoever is made by the publisher and there is absolutely no
assurance that any statement contained or cited in any article touching on
medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. Even if a statement
made about medicine is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms.
The medical information provided is, at best, of a general nature and
cannot substitute for the advice of a medical professional (for instance, a
qualified doctor/physician, nurse, pharmacist/chemist, and so on). None of
the individual contributors, LLC members, subcontractors, advertisers, or
anyone else connected to Brilliant Publishing LLC and The Homeschool
Handbook can take any responsibility for the results or consequences of any
attempt to use or adopt any of the information presented in this magazine.
Nothing included, as a part of this publication should not be construed as
an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the
practice of medicine.
Publisher’s Letter
™
Brilliant Publishing LLC
Post Office Box 31687, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
Telephone: 717.571.9233
A
re we as a nation developing a love of
learning in our children? Or are we more
concerned with tests, tests for this and tests
for that; so interested in the test results that we
‘teach to the test’ rather than helping children
develop a passion for learning? Tests passed,
whose information is promptly forgotten.
Yet those who are willing to undertake their
children’s education out of concern for what is
happening or not happening in today’s school where bullying is epidemic are the first
people asked “What about socialization?”…
Since launching this magazine 4 years ago, I recently encountered the first person
that said she did not want information she posted on the Internet about a “survival doll”
she created to appear in the magazine because “The doll was an art piece. I am not a
survivalist. And I’m a little dubious about home schooling.” Seriously! I was so offended
I wanted to scream. They say it takes all kinds. I say instill the love of learning in your
children and you will make a difference in our collective future. That is why we work so
hard on this magazine…we’re counting on education making a difference.
As we keep our eye on the pulse of all things happening in education we will continue
to keep you in the loop with our findings. If there is a topic you think we need to cover,
please do not hesitate to send me an email. We want to be your go to resource for all
things home education.
In this issue you will find another installment in the Common Core debacle. I
think and have always felt Common Core is a good idea. However, it needs to be
addressed by more than the Billionaire Boys Club and companies poised to prosper
from it. No matter where you stand this is a topic that merits additional discussion and
investigation. So, while we keep an eye on Common Core we have delivered another
issue that is worthy of your time and attention. I hope that after reading this issue you
are inspired to keep doing what you are doing and instill the love of learning in your
children.
In an effort to help you in your educational endeavors, we will be launching
another magazine focused on what is available good and bad in the digital education
environment. To receive a free subscription, please send your email address to me at
[email protected] and I will see that you get on the list.
Enjoy the upcoming holidays!
Maureen Williams, Publisher
[email protected]
717-608-5869
http://twitter.com/@TheHomeschool
www.facebook.com/TheHomeschoolHandbook
http://pinterest.com/thehomeschool/
4
©
Don’t love your curriculum?
$100 says you’ll LOVE Sonlight!
PUBLISHER / ADVERTISING
Publisher
Maureen Williams
[email protected]
717.608.5869
Account Executive
Alex Chambers
[email protected]
EDITORIAL
Editor In Chief
MaryAnne Morrill
[email protected]
Senior Editor
Michelle Donofry
[email protected]
Social Media/Asst. Editor
Molly Anika
[email protected]
Style / Asst. Editor
Charity Plata
Subscription Service / Back Issues:
[email protected]
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Leonisa Ardizzone, Vicki Bentley, Sarita Holzmann,
The Container Store, The Home School Foundation,
Richard Havenga, Nicole Fonovich, Tanya Moat,
Annie Murphy Paul, Shannon Ryan,
Erin Smilkstein, Donna Vail
PRODUCTION / DESIGN
The F family
San Jose, CA
Art Director
Jeremy Tingle
[email protected]
The Homeschool Handbook is published bi-monthly by Brilliant Publishing LLC,
Post Office Box 31687, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588 Telephone: (717) 571-9233,
Fax: 843-215-7712. Postage paid at San Diego, CA and additional offices.
POSTMASTER please send address changes to The Homeschool Handbook,
Post Office Box 31687, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588. Volume 5 Number 05. The
Homeschool Handbook subscription rates: one-year $19.95 USD, Canada &
Mexico $49.95 International $79.95. All subscriptions are non-refundable.
Copyright© 2014 Brilliant Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. the publisher
reserves the right to accept or reject any advertising or editorial material.
Advertisers, and/or their agents, assume the responsibility for any claims
against the publisher based on the advertisement. Editorial contributors assume
responsibility for their published works and assume responsibility for any claims
against the publisher based on published work. No part of this publication can
be reproduced in any form or by electronic or mechanical means, including
information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the
publisher. All items submitted to The Homeschool Handbook become the sole
property of Brilliant Publishing LLC. Editorial content does not reflect the views
of the publisher. The imprints, logos, trademarks or trade names (collectively
the “Marks”) displayed on the products featured in The Homeschool Handbook
are for illustrative purposes only and are not available for sale. The Marks do
not represent the implied or actual endorsement by the owners of the Marks
of the product on which they appear. All of the Marks are the property of the
respective owners and are not the property of either the advertisers using the
Marks or The Homeschool Handbook.
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
No warranty whatsoever is made by the publisher and there is absolutely no
assurance that any statement contained or cited in any article touching on
medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. Even if a statement
made about medicine is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms.
The medical information provided is, at best, of a general nature and
cannot substitute for the advice of a medical professional (for instance, a
qualified doctor/physician, nurse, pharmacist/chemist, and so on). None of
the individual contributors, LLC members, subcontractors, advertisers, or
anyone else connected to Brilliant Publishing LLC and The Homeschool
Handbook can take any responsibility for the results or consequences of any
attempt to use or adopt any of the information presented in this magazine.
Nothing included, as a part of this publication should not be construed as
an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the
practice of medicine.
I’ve tried many curricula, and Sonlight
is the only one my children LOVE to do!
I have three favorite things about Sonlight: the top-quality
education, the love for learning and reading my children are
gaining, and the beautiful memories we’re making.
I pieced together curriculum for years to achieve the same effect
I get with Sonlight. Now I save myself time, money and headaches, and my children get the highest-quality education.
– Khristin N, Jones Creek, TX –
Get some Sonlight and
begin an adventure in
learning your whole
family will enjoy. Order
any curriculum package
and get $100 off!
To receive this limited-time offer for
new customers, use this special Sonlight
web address:
www.sonlight.com/14hh4
Your kids will Love to Learn. You will Love to Teach. Guaranteed.
volu me 05
|
issue 05
|
contributors
2014
inside
Leonisa Ardizzone, EdD, has
been a science educator for more
The Homeschool
than 20 years. She is the owner
Handbook
24
of Storefront Science, a science
exploration program in New York
12
cover story
City and author of Science—Not
Just for Scientists! Easy Explorations for Young
Children, published by Gryphon House. She
can be reached at leonisa@storefrontscience.
com or 646.833.7195.
8Sonlight: Behind the Curriculum
Education 101 and a veteran
special features
3
homeschool mom of many, offers
help and encouragement through
the Home School Legal Defense
Password Security
Association’s Toddlers to Tweens
solutions
program. For more information on homeschool
12Our Childhood Memories Affect How We Spend
please visit www.hslda.org/earlyyears.
Sarita
What to Do with your Preschooler/Early Learner
Sonlight
26
Living with Change and Interruptions in Your Home Education
Curriculum
(www.
literature-rich home education
and seeks to provide families with the rich
resources they need to raise life-long learners.
The Lazy Child Myth
miracles
shares
with
the
based principles that guide their
everyday
money decisions and support their
rigorous
curiosity of a naturalist, and the immeasurable
perceptions of an artist. Always attentive
outdoors, he leads the reader-viewer along
an inviting trail of words and images — gifts
Rich and Mary, his wife of 43 years, have two
children, and live on ten wooded acres near
Cannonsburg, Michigan. To read his 185 poems,
125 Haiku, and numerous articles, visit:
long-term
http://walkwithfathernature.blogspot.com/
Website: https://sites.google.com/
start money conversations with their children
through a fun, bedtime story and developed
companion workbooks to help deepen those
conversations. Visit www.TheHeavyPurse.com to
learn more on how to raise Money Smart Kids.
Connect with Shannon on Twitter (https://twitter.
com/theheavypurse/)
site/richardlhavenga/services
a series of articles to answer
of
Luca
co-author
Lashes,
LLC.
and
the who, what, how and why of
of
interactive
teaching mathematics. In the first
this
has
a
Masters
in
Educational
of
Education
and
with all good intentions, might not be the best
candidate), how to commit to do it yourself and
information please visit www.lucalashes.com
options if you are seeking help.
Tanya
Moat
writer,
web
Policy
is
a
freelance
designer
and
of “100 Best Companies to Work For.” The
simple pleasures every day, including great
Container Store continues to give back to the
food. You can learn more about them at www.
community with a focus on supporting nonprofits
EatLaughPurr.com.
Box Turtle Poem
please visit www.containerstore.com
and health. For more information and ideas,
best suited to teach math in your home (and who,
Leadership from Marquette University. For more
feline companion, Max, enjoy
that promote women’s and children’s wellbeing
article, she discussed WHO is
eBook and app series. She
list
Ambassadors Pump Up Support at Fund Raiser
YouTube
The Homework Lounge presents
on
magazine’s
(http://www.
and
Nicole Fonovich is the president
“Talking Math” with kids
FORTUNE
Facebook
Erin Smilkstein, MA.Ed., CEO for
full of flip-flops. Tanya and her
heart’
well-being.
(http://www.youtube.com/theheavypurse/)
Los Angeles, CA with a closet
with
financial
Shannon wrote The Heavy Purse to help parents
facebook.com/theheavypurse/)
and
Donna
Vail
of
Inspired
An
is
the
Founder
Education,
a
company devoted to empowering
families around the world to a
lifestyle of true freedom through
homeschooling,
inspiration
and
entrepreneurship. Donna and her husband have
homeschooled their six children for the past 16
years and now help today’s homeschoolers find
their way. For more about her company, visit
Annie Murphy Paul is a science
www.aninspirededucation.com.
writer who contributes to The
New York Times, Time Magazine,
The
Home
Foundation
Chicken Pesto Sandwich
charitable
Clear the Clutter Before the Holidays
School
is
the
arm
of
Home School Legal
Defense Association. It was founded by HSLDA
and other publications. She is the
author of Brilliant: The Science
of How We Get Smarter, to be
published by Crown in 2014. You can read more
on her website, www.anniemurphypaul.com.
in 1994 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) with the original
focus of helping other homeschool groups. God
has since expanded their vision, however, to
Index/Resources List
include needy families within the homeschool
funds and provide grants to homeschool groups
within the United States and internationally. The
Fo r b r e ak i n g n ew s & t i p s b e sur e to f o ll ow T h e H o m e s c h o o l H an db o o k o n s o c i al m e di a:
He
recently celebrated its 13th year
contributed article is just one example of an HSF
©
Nature”.
‘organization
© 2012 Richard Havenga
6
teach their children simple, value-
of the blog: “Walk With Father
Simple Tips for Fostering a Multilingual Child
facebook.com/TheHomeschoolHandbook
on a mission to help busy parents
Teacher, Naturalist, and author
blogger. She resides in sunny
community. They help families through several
twitter.com/@TheHomeschool
Shannon Ryan, CFP® is a Mom
Poet,
The Container Store stands for
resources
30
the
a legacy of family-centered,
Incorporate Science Seamlessly into Your Homeschool Life
health and hearth
28
29
is
sonlight.com). She cherishes
inspiration
24
26
Holzmann
co-founder and president of
curriculum
16
18
20
22
23
Photographer,
preschool through middle school children,
Money on Our Kids
14
Nature
thoughtfully prepared, and graciously given.
Vicki Bentley, author of Home
~ An Interview with Sarita Holzmann
Richard Havenga is a Writer,
Ambassador helping a homeschooling family.
Visit them at www.homeschoolfoundation.org.
Cover Art Courtesy of Sonlight
“Sonlight has brought joy back into our homeschool!,” writes Jamie B of
Cheney, WA. “Before Sonlight, I’d spend hours planning our curriculum and be
exhausted when it came time to teach. Sonlight has done the hard work, leaving me
with the energy to enjoy teaching my children. Plus, the quality of literature can’t be
beat. We’ve had so many good times learning together as we explored great books that
made us think.” On the Cover, Mom, Amelia (8) and Silas (6) enjoy Henry Huggins,
their favorite Core B book.
pinterest.com/thehomeschool
©
©
7
volu me 05
|
issue 05
|
contributors
2014
inside
Leonisa Ardizzone, EdD, has
been a science educator for more
The Homeschool
than 20 years. She is the owner
Handbook
24
of Storefront Science, a science
exploration program in New York
12
cover story
City and author of Science—Not
Just for Scientists! Easy Explorations for Young
Children, published by Gryphon House. She
can be reached at leonisa@storefrontscience.
com or 646.833.7195.
8Sonlight: Behind the Curriculum
Education 101 and a veteran
special features
3
homeschool mom of many, offers
help and encouragement through
the Home School Legal Defense
Password Security
Association’s Toddlers to Tweens
solutions
program. For more information on homeschool
12Our Childhood Memories Affect How We Spend
please visit www.hslda.org/earlyyears.
Sarita
What to Do with your Preschooler/Early Learner
Sonlight
26
Living with Change and Interruptions in Your Home Education
Curriculum
(www.
literature-rich home education
and seeks to provide families with the rich
resources they need to raise life-long learners.
The Lazy Child Myth
miracles
shares
with
the
based principles that guide their
everyday
money decisions and support their
rigorous
curiosity of a naturalist, and the immeasurable
perceptions of an artist. Always attentive
outdoors, he leads the reader-viewer along
an inviting trail of words and images — gifts
Rich and Mary, his wife of 43 years, have two
children, and live on ten wooded acres near
Cannonsburg, Michigan. To read his 185 poems,
125 Haiku, and numerous articles, visit:
long-term
http://walkwithfathernature.blogspot.com/
Website: https://sites.google.com/
start money conversations with their children
through a fun, bedtime story and developed
companion workbooks to help deepen those
conversations. Visit www.TheHeavyPurse.com to
learn more on how to raise Money Smart Kids.
Connect with Shannon on Twitter (https://twitter.
com/theheavypurse/)
site/richardlhavenga/services
a series of articles to answer
of
Luca
co-author
Lashes,
LLC.
and
the who, what, how and why of
of
interactive
teaching mathematics. In the first
this
has
a
Masters
in
Educational
of
Education
and
with all good intentions, might not be the best
candidate), how to commit to do it yourself and
information please visit www.lucalashes.com
options if you are seeking help.
Tanya
Moat
writer,
web
Policy
is
a
freelance
designer
and
of “100 Best Companies to Work For.” The
simple pleasures every day, including great
Container Store continues to give back to the
food. You can learn more about them at www.
community with a focus on supporting nonprofits
EatLaughPurr.com.
Box Turtle Poem
please visit www.containerstore.com
and health. For more information and ideas,
best suited to teach math in your home (and who,
Leadership from Marquette University. For more
feline companion, Max, enjoy
that promote women’s and children’s wellbeing
article, she discussed WHO is
eBook and app series. She
list
Ambassadors Pump Up Support at Fund Raiser
YouTube
The Homework Lounge presents
on
magazine’s
(http://www.
and
Nicole Fonovich is the president
“Talking Math” with kids
FORTUNE
Facebook
Erin Smilkstein, MA.Ed., CEO for
full of flip-flops. Tanya and her
heart’
well-being.
(http://www.youtube.com/theheavypurse/)
Los Angeles, CA with a closet
with
financial
Shannon wrote The Heavy Purse to help parents
facebook.com/theheavypurse/)
and
Donna
Vail
of
Inspired
An
is
the
Founder
Education,
a
company devoted to empowering
families around the world to a
lifestyle of true freedom through
homeschooling,
inspiration
and
entrepreneurship. Donna and her husband have
homeschooled their six children for the past 16
years and now help today’s homeschoolers find
their way. For more about her company, visit
Annie Murphy Paul is a science
www.aninspirededucation.com.
writer who contributes to The
New York Times, Time Magazine,
The
Home
Foundation
Chicken Pesto Sandwich
charitable
Clear the Clutter Before the Holidays
School
is
the
arm
of
Home School Legal
Defense Association. It was founded by HSLDA
and other publications. She is the
author of Brilliant: The Science
of How We Get Smarter, to be
published by Crown in 2014. You can read more
on her website, www.anniemurphypaul.com.
in 1994 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) with the original
focus of helping other homeschool groups. God
has since expanded their vision, however, to
Index/Resources List
include needy families within the homeschool
funds and provide grants to homeschool groups
within the United States and internationally. The
Fo r b r e ak i n g n ew s & t i p s b e sur e to f o ll ow T h e H o m e s c h o o l H an db o o k o n s o c i al m e di a:
He
recently celebrated its 13th year
contributed article is just one example of an HSF
©
Nature”.
‘organization
6
teach their children simple, value-
of the blog: “Walk With Father
Simple Tips for Fostering a Multilingual Child
facebook.com/TheHomeschoolHandbook
on a mission to help busy parents
Teacher, Naturalist, and author
blogger. She resides in sunny
community. They help families through several
twitter.com/@TheHomeschool
Shannon Ryan, CFP® is a Mom
Poet,
The Container Store stands for
resources
30
the
a legacy of family-centered,
Incorporate Science Seamlessly into Your Homeschool Life
health and hearth
28
29
is
sonlight.com). She cherishes
inspiration
24
26
Holzmann
co-founder and president of
curriculum
16
18
20
22
23
Photographer,
preschool through middle school children,
Money on Our Kids
14
Nature
thoughtfully prepared, and graciously given.
Vicki Bentley, author of Home
~ An Interview with Sarita Holzmann
Richard Havenga is a Writer,
Ambassador helping a homeschooling family.
Visit them at www.homeschoolfoundation.org.
Cover Art Courtesy of Sonlight
“Sonlight has brought joy back into our homeschool!,” writes Jamie B of
Cheney, WA. “Before Sonlight, I’d spend hours planning our curriculum and be
exhausted when it came time to teach. Sonlight has done the hard work, leaving me
with the energy to enjoy teaching my children. Plus, the quality of literature can’t be
beat. We’ve had so many good times learning together as we explored great books that
made us think.” On the Cover, Mom, Amelia (8) and Silas (6) enjoy Henry Huggins,
their favorite Core B book.
pinterest.com/thehomeschool
©
©
7
&
Q
A
special feature
Behind the
Curriculum
An Interview with
Sarita Holzmann
8
©
T
he Homeschool Handbook recently had the opportunity to interview Sarita
Holzmann, the co-founder of Sonlight Curriculum. The award-winning Sonlight
curriculum is a literature- based and Christ-centered program. Sonlight has won numerous
Reader Awards and has been awarded for best overall curriculum, best language arts
and literature, and best overall home school company, as well as most unique home
school company and friendliest home school company.
THH: Sarita, we here at The Homeschool Handbook realize that selecting a curriculum
is often the first and perhaps the most important decision a home educator will make.
To help our readers understand the inspiration for founding Sonlight can you tell us the
story of Sonlight?
Sarita: My husband and I were on staff at the US Center for World Missions, trying to
crack the code on how to reach the unreached peoples of the world. I started homeschooling
because the public schools in our area were unacceptable and, on missionary support,
we couldn’t afford private school. As we continued, I found I enjoyed homeschooling and
gathering resources. However, I noticed lots of moms were overwhelmed by the process
of choosing quality materials.
One day a friend whose family was home from the mission field for a short season
said, “Sarita, if you think it’s tough to pick material here, it’s ten times as hard overseas. I
would love it if we could pick the best of the best and make it available for missionaries.”
At that time, one of the main reasons people came home from the mission field was
because they couldn’t find good educational options for their children. I thought, if I could
keep someone on the field a little longer, that would be a worthy thing to do.
So while my kids napped each day, my husband John, my friend Becky and I started
Sonlight. We shipped out of our 800-square-foot house and a little garage down the road.
After we had been in business for a year we broadened our vision beyond only serving
missionaries; we also wanted to help people at home raise up kids with a heart for the
world. That global focus is still key.
THH: Briefly, what are the educational principles that form the basis of the Sonlight
curriculum?
Sarita: Our main goal is to inspire a love for learning. Students simply cannot learn
everything they need to know before 18.
We must give them a love to learn and thus prepare them to be lifelong learners.
To that end, Sonlight is literature-based, Christ-centered learning that fosters strong
family relationships, a global outlook and academic excellence. Literature-based learning
is an educational philosophy based on children’s natural curiosity and love for stories.
We use outstanding books as the centerpiece for learning. We also help parents teach
from the perspective of God’s truth and His love for all people.
©
©
July / August 2014 | ©The Homeschool Handbook
9
&
Q
A
special feature
Behind the
Curriculum
An Interview with
Sarita Holzmann
8
©
T
he Homeschool Handbook recently had the opportunity to interview Sarita
Holzmann, the co-founder of Sonlight Curriculum. The award-winning Sonlight
curriculum is a literature- based and Christ-centered program. Sonlight has won numerous
Reader Awards and has been awarded for best overall curriculum, best language arts
and literature, and best overall home school company, as well as most unique home
school company and friendliest home school company.
THH: Sarita, we here at The Homeschool Handbook realize that selecting a curriculum
is often the first and perhaps the most important decision a home educator will make.
To help our readers understand the inspiration for founding Sonlight can you tell us the
story of Sonlight?
Sarita: My husband and I were on staff at the US Center for World Missions, trying to
crack the code on how to reach the unreached peoples of the world. I started homeschooling
because the public schools in our area were unacceptable and, on missionary support,
we couldn’t afford private school. As we continued, I found I enjoyed homeschooling and
gathering resources. However, I noticed lots of moms were overwhelmed by the process
of choosing quality materials.
One day a friend whose family was home from the mission field for a short season
said, “Sarita, if you think it’s tough to pick material here, it’s ten times as hard overseas. I
would love it if we could pick the best of the best and make it available for missionaries.”
At that time, one of the main reasons people came home from the mission field was
because they couldn’t find good educational options for their children. I thought, if I could
keep someone on the field a little longer, that would be a worthy thing to do.
So while my kids napped each day, my husband John, my friend Becky and I started
Sonlight. We shipped out of our 800-square-foot house and a little garage down the road.
After we had been in business for a year we broadened our vision beyond only serving
missionaries; we also wanted to help people at home raise up kids with a heart for the
world. That global focus is still key.
THH: Briefly, what are the educational principles that form the basis of the Sonlight
curriculum?
Sarita: Our main goal is to inspire a love for learning. Students simply cannot learn
everything they need to know before 18.
We must give them a love to learn and thus prepare them to be lifelong learners.
To that end, Sonlight is literature-based, Christ-centered learning that fosters strong
family relationships, a global outlook and academic excellence. Literature-based learning
is an educational philosophy based on children’s natural curiosity and love for stories.
We use outstanding books as the centerpiece for learning. We also help parents teach
from the perspective of God’s truth and His love for all people.
©
©
July / August 2014 | ©The Homeschool Handbook
9
special feature
THH: What led you to decide upon a literature/readingbased curriculum?
Sarita: I believe most children respond more positively
to great literature than they do to textbooks. Sonlight has a
history theme each year, and we add Readers and ReadAlouds to augment the history.
Quality books can impart much wisdom. They can feed us
with spiritual insight beyond imagination. Great books help us
develop critical thinking skills, particularly when read under
the wise guidance of loving parents. Homeschooling with great literature
helps children (and families):
“
also higher than the national average for homeschooled students.
In the last two years, the average Sonlight applicant scored
396 points higher than the average for private religious
schools and 233 points higher than the national average for
homeschoolers. We know test scores don’t paint the whole
picture. But are these Sonlight students well-prepared for
college or life? You bet. Even if your students don’t take tests
well, if they can learn to read, learn about the world and hunger
for knowledge, they can do well in life.
•• Foster heart-to-heart discussion on topics you may not think
of discussing otherwise.
•• Broaden vocabulary and sharpen listening skills.
•• Gain the cultural literacy they need to make sense of the
world.
•• Receive information in an enjoyable and easy to remember
format. History comes alive and children spend less time
memorizing dates.
•• Develop their imaginations beyond their own daily
experiences as they develop a global outlook. They visit
places/people/periods in history through books that they
may never visit in person.
•• Build a common family culture; families enjoy shared
experiences and create memorable connections that last a
lifetime.
•• Build emotional intelligence and character.
•• Develop critical thinking skills (Why did the author write
that? What is going to happen? Why do these two authors
disagree with each other?).
•• Become great writers as they hear great writing and absorb
the rhythms, the sound, and the technique of excellent
writing.
I love to point out an extensive 2010 study that shows,
“A child from a family rich in books is 19 percentage points
more likely to complete university than a comparable
child growing up without a home librar y.” In fact, the size
of a home librar y greatly af fects educational attainment,
“even adjusting for parents’ education.” (From “Home
Libraries Provide Huge Educational Advantage,” April
2010. Accessed at w w w.miller-mccune.com in March
2013.) So even the home librar y families develop
through Sonlight helps them create a great environment
for learning.
Finally, homeschooling with great literature can make
learning fun. If you raise children who love to read,
they can learn anything. You equip them to be life-long
10
©
learners who thirst for knowledge as a part of their legacy
long after school days are done.
THH: Is Sonlight curriculum adaptable to different styles of
homeschooling?
Sarita: Yes. Sonlight offers a thorough, yet adaptable
education. Some of our customers use Sonlight with the
methods of Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, Unit
Studies, and Montessori (to name a few), and in Homeschool
Co-Ops, Structured and Relaxed homeschools – all with
great success.
Sonlight saves you time with open-and-go plans for the bulk
of your homeschool and therefore provides flexibility to add in
elements you love about another approach. However, Sonlight
is complete, so there is absolutely no need to supplement
unless you choose to. On its own, Sonlight is so rich that some
liken the curriculum to a feast where you pick and choose your
favorites from a spread that is already prepared for you. THH: In terms of academic excellence, how do Sonlight
students compare with other students on academic tests?
Sarita: I believe a love for learning far surpasses any tests
your students may take. However, I am pleased that academic
excellence is a hallmark of Sonlight. Over the years, Sonlight
students who apply for our college scholarships have scored
consistently higher than the national average on the SAT and
©
THH: Does Sonlight offer any forums or resources to help
families just considering or starting to homeschool?
Sarita: Sonlight offers a vibrant, free community forum with
support for new homeschoolers, including a New Instructor’s
Forum where parents can walk together in their first year of
homeschooling. We also offer free consultations with Sonlight
Advisors who are fabulous at guiding new homeschoolers
through their goals and helping them determine what might be
a good fit for their families. We have a section on our website
called Homeschool 101 that is chock-full of helpful articles and
tips on getting started and continuing well. I also recommend
The Three Rs by Ruth Beechick.
THH: Curriculum can be very expensive and often parents
are concerned that they will make the investment and then not
like the curriculum program. Does Sonlight have any methods to
help parents with the costs and eliminate the ‘what if we don’t
like it worry’?
Sarita: Yes! I know the agony of being a new homeschool
mom. I once spent over $1000 on materials that our family
did not enjoy and that I couldn’t return. I want to save families
from that frustration and help them invest in something they
love. That is exactly why we offer the Love to Learn, Love to
Teach Guarantee: Use up to 18 weeks (half a school year) of
your curriculum and really get a feel for homeschooling with
Sonlight. If you’re not convinced that your package is right for
you, you have one full year from your purchase date to return
it for a full refund. Sonlight also offers interest-free payment
plans so you can spread your costs over your school year.
THH: In the changing times in which we live it is wonderful
to hear about a curriculum that is not only striving to provide
children with an excellent education, but also imbue them with a
©
”
Our main goal is to inspire a love for learning.
desire to help improve the world in which they will live. Can you
share some aspects of what you do to give back to society and the
world through your company?
Sarita: As I mentioned, one of our goals is to raise up
kids with a heart for the world. The global focus of our
curriculum helps with that goal. But since 2008, we have
also offered five mission awareness projects to encourage
families in both learning and giving. These projects have
enabled us to translate Bibles in Mozambique, teach women
in India to read, support children’s Bible clubs in India,
and further Gospel radio programs in key regions around
the world. We have a new project for families this fall, so
check http://www.sonlight.com/give for details.
As a company we’ve always given charitably. In the beginning
when we were just starting out we gave 10% of our gross profits,
and at this point we are up to giving away 50% of what we earn
to different charities. We count it a huge privilege to be able to
do that.
Sonlight families tell us what a gift it is for their children to
be involved in the giving process and to be made more aware of
specific needs in the world.
THH: Being such a giving company does Sonlight have any
programs or scholarships to help students who want to further
their education beyond high school?
Sarita: We award about $90, 000 of scholarships each year
(over a million dollars in scholarships since we began) to eligible
college-bound students who demonstrate the leadership,
mission-mindedness, heart for learning, creativity and spiritual
depth Sonlight seeks to reward.
Our effort to empower parents to raise up kids who love to
learn has resulted in students of the highest caliber who are
already world changers. THH: Sarita thank you for taking the time to give our readers
a look behind the curriculum. Sonlight is the kind of company
that you wish more companies were like and one our readers
should definitely consider when looking for their curriculum.
For readers looking for additional information, please
visit the Sonlight website at htttp://www.sonlight.com/
homeschoolhandbook.html
11
special feature
THH: What led you to decide upon a literature/readingbased curriculum?
Sarita: I believe most children respond more positively
to great literature than they do to textbooks. Sonlight has a
history theme each year, and we add Readers and ReadAlouds to augment the history.
Quality books can impart much wisdom. They can feed us
with spiritual insight beyond imagination. Great books help us
develop critical thinking skills, particularly when read under
the wise guidance of loving parents. Homeschooling with great literature
helps children (and families):
“
also higher than the national average for homeschooled students.
In the last two years, the average Sonlight applicant scored
396 points higher than the average for private religious
schools and 233 points higher than the national average for
homeschoolers. We know test scores don’t paint the whole
picture. But are these Sonlight students well-prepared for
college or life? You bet. Even if your students don’t take tests
well, if they can learn to read, learn about the world and hunger
for knowledge, they can do well in life.
•• Foster heart-to-heart discussion on topics you may not think
of discussing otherwise.
•• Broaden vocabulary and sharpen listening skills.
•• Gain the cultural literacy they need to make sense of the
world.
•• Receive information in an enjoyable and easy to remember
format. History comes alive and children spend less time
memorizing dates.
•• Develop their imaginations beyond their own daily
experiences as they develop a global outlook. They visit
places/people/periods in history through books that they
may never visit in person.
•• Build a common family culture; families enjoy shared
experiences and create memorable connections that last a
lifetime.
•• Build emotional intelligence and character.
•• Develop critical thinking skills (Why did the author write
that? What is going to happen? Why do these two authors
disagree with each other?).
•• Become great writers as they hear great writing and absorb
the rhythms, the sound, and the technique of excellent
writing.
I love to point out an extensive 2010 study that shows,
“A child from a family rich in books is 19 percentage points
more likely to complete university than a comparable
child growing up without a home librar y.” In fact, the size
of a home librar y greatly af fects educational attainment,
“even adjusting for parents’ education.” (From “Home
Libraries Provide Huge Educational Advantage,” April
2010. Accessed at w w w.miller-mccune.com in March
2013.) So even the home librar y families develop
through Sonlight helps them create a great environment
for learning.
Finally, homeschooling with great literature can make
learning fun. If you raise children who love to read,
they can learn anything. You equip them to be life-long
10
©
learners who thirst for knowledge as a part of their legacy
long after school days are done.
THH: Is Sonlight curriculum adaptable to different styles of
homeschooling?
Sarita: Yes. Sonlight offers a thorough, yet adaptable
education. Some of our customers use Sonlight with the
methods of Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, Unit
Studies, and Montessori (to name a few), and in Homeschool
Co-Ops, Structured and Relaxed homeschools – all with
great success.
Sonlight saves you time with open-and-go plans for the bulk
of your homeschool and therefore provides flexibility to add in
elements you love about another approach. However, Sonlight
is complete, so there is absolutely no need to supplement
unless you choose to. On its own, Sonlight is so rich that some
liken the curriculum to a feast where you pick and choose your
favorites from a spread that is already prepared for you. THH: In terms of academic excellence, how do Sonlight
students compare with other students on academic tests?
Sarita: I believe a love for learning far surpasses any tests
your students may take. However, I am pleased that academic
excellence is a hallmark of Sonlight. Over the years, Sonlight
students who apply for our college scholarships have scored
consistently higher than the national average on the SAT and
©
THH: Does Sonlight offer any forums or resources to help
families just considering or starting to homeschool?
Sarita: Sonlight offers a vibrant, free community forum with
support for new homeschoolers, including a New Instructor’s
Forum where parents can walk together in their first year of
homeschooling. We also offer free consultations with Sonlight
Advisors who are fabulous at guiding new homeschoolers
through their goals and helping them determine what might be
a good fit for their families. We have a section on our website
called Homeschool 101 that is chock-full of helpful articles and
tips on getting started and continuing well. I also recommend
The Three Rs by Ruth Beechick.
THH: Curriculum can be very expensive and often parents
are concerned that they will make the investment and then not
like the curriculum program. Does Sonlight have any methods to
help parents with the costs and eliminate the ‘what if we don’t
like it worry’?
Sarita: Yes! I know the agony of being a new homeschool
mom. I once spent over $1000 on materials that our family
did not enjoy and that I couldn’t return. I want to save families
from that frustration and help them invest in something they
love. That is exactly why we offer the Love to Learn, Love to
Teach Guarantee: Use up to 18 weeks (half a school year) of
your curriculum and really get a feel for homeschooling with
Sonlight. If you’re not convinced that your package is right for
you, you have one full year from your purchase date to return
it for a full refund. Sonlight also offers interest-free payment
plans so you can spread your costs over your school year.
THH: In the changing times in which we live it is wonderful
to hear about a curriculum that is not only striving to provide
children with an excellent education, but also imbue them with a
©
”
Our main goal is to inspire a love for learning.
desire to help improve the world in which they will live. Can you
share some aspects of what you do to give back to society and the
world through your company?
Sarita: As I mentioned, one of our goals is to raise up
kids with a heart for the world. The global focus of our
curriculum helps with that goal. But since 2008, we have
also offered five mission awareness projects to encourage
families in both learning and giving. These projects have
enabled us to translate Bibles in Mozambique, teach women
in India to read, support children’s Bible clubs in India,
and further Gospel radio programs in key regions around
the world. We have a new project for families this fall, so
check http://www.sonlight.com/give for details.
As a company we’ve always given charitably. In the beginning
when we were just starting out we gave 10% of our gross profits,
and at this point we are up to giving away 50% of what we earn
to different charities. We count it a huge privilege to be able to
do that.
Sonlight families tell us what a gift it is for their children to
be involved in the giving process and to be made more aware of
specific needs in the world.
THH: Being such a giving company does Sonlight have any
programs or scholarships to help students who want to further
their education beyond high school?
Sarita: We award about $90, 000 of scholarships each year
(over a million dollars in scholarships since we began) to eligible
college-bound students who demonstrate the leadership,
mission-mindedness, heart for learning, creativity and spiritual
depth Sonlight seeks to reward.
Our effort to empower parents to raise up kids who love to
learn has resulted in students of the highest caliber who are
already world changers. THH: Sarita thank you for taking the time to give our readers
a look behind the curriculum. Sonlight is the kind of company
that you wish more companies were like and one our readers
should definitely consider when looking for their curriculum.
For readers looking for additional information, please
visit the Sonlight website at htttp://www.sonlight.com/
homeschoolhandbook.html
11
solutions
Buying Kids Everything They Want Does Not Make You a Good Parent
There seems to be an unfortunate perception today that our ability to buy our children
whatever they want is what makes us good parents. It does not. It typically does more
harm than good. Children grow accustomed to everything being handed to them and
struggle when they have to fend for themselves financially when they leave home. This is
not the future any parent wants for their children, but I still see it regularly in my financial
planning practice. I find there are two big culprits that cause good parents to make bad
money decisions when it comes to their children.
We Remember Feeling Deprived as a Child
We can all recall an item (or two) that we desperately wanted as kids, but our parents
told us, “No, we can’t afford it”. After being told “no” repeatedly, our frustration grows to the
point where we begin to feel deprived, even though we are not. Those feelings of lack and
disappointment burrow deep inside of us, waiting for the right time to emerge.
For some, it will happen as soon as they leave home and can tell themselves “yes”
to everything. For others, it won’t happen until they become parents
and their children ask for things and trigger those long dormant
memories of being told “no”. Even though they weren’t deprived,
it is what the child in them remembers and feels today. They
I didn’t consider
don’t want their kids to feel the same disappointment, so
how good or
they say “yes” to everything their kids desire.
positive emotions,
like joy or love,
could also lead
us to spend
mindlessly until
I had children.
By Shannon Ryan, CFP®
Memories
I still remember the first time I held each of my daughters,
never realizing how deeply you could love someone until that
moment. The intense desire and responsibility I felt to make
sure they never lacked for anything was overwhelming. And
sometimes, it is the love we have for our children that creates
financial problems. Love can cause us to spend mindlessly.
Money is Emotional
One of the first money lessons my father taught me was
around my emotions and how they affected my spending
habits. It’s easy to get in the habit of buying something to
12
©
on Our Kids
soothe our feelings of anger, frustration, fear or boredom.
Shopping makes us feel better, but the highs fade, so we do
it over and over in an attempt to feel good again. My teenage
self didn’t realize she did this, but once my father explained it
to me, it made a lot of sense.
For many years, I thought of emotional spending as
a coping mechanism for our more negative emotions or
something we used to justify those “I deserve this” purchases
and did my best to avoid those pitfalls. I didn’t consider how
good or positive emotions, like joy or love, could also lead us
to spend mindlessly until I had children.
©
The Solution: Step back and assess whether you
have been guilty of buying your kids things because of
your own bad memories of being told “no”. If so, don’t
feel bad, but be aware so next time your kids ask you for
something, you make a mindful decision, rather than an
emotional one.
Most importantly, be sure that you explain the why behind
the “no” ongoing to prevent your kids from believing they are
now deprived. You don’t want the cycle to repeat itself. I always
link my “no” to our family goal, which is something the girls are eager
to do. They understand that buying unplanned items could affect our ability to reach our
goals. I also give the girls the option to use their own money to buy the item too.
We Play Keep Up with Other Parents
We live in a world where our Facebook feeds are filled with other parents bragging
about the things they bought their children and their accomplishments. We find ourselves
caught in the endless game of playing keep up. This is a game you cannot win, so don’t
even try.
We all earn different incomes and need to make thoughtful decisions on how we use
our money based on our family priorities and values. Sometimes that means making
hard choices, but creating debt to give your kids everything they want puts your family
foundation at risk. Your children need a financially stable home, your love and support, not
more toys or designer clothes.
The Solution: You can’t give your children everything they want, so help them learn
how to identify what they really want, so they can work towards achieving the things that
matter the most to them.
I love my daughters very much and know that it’s not the things I buy that ultimately
matter, but what I teach them, such as using money wisely, that does.
©
13
solutions
Buying Kids Everything They Want Does Not Make You a Good Parent
There seems to be an unfortunate perception today that our ability to buy our children
whatever they want is what makes us good parents. It does not. It typically does more
harm than good. Children grow accustomed to everything being handed to them and
struggle when they have to fend for themselves financially when they leave home. This is
not the future any parent wants for their children, but I still see it regularly in my financial
planning practice. I find there are two big culprits that cause good parents to make bad
money decisions when it comes to their children.
We Remember Feeling Deprived as a Child
We can all recall an item (or two) that we desperately wanted as kids, but our parents
told us, “No, we can’t afford it”. After being told “no” repeatedly, our frustration grows to the
point where we begin to feel deprived, even though we are not. Those feelings of lack and
disappointment burrow deep inside of us, waiting for the right time to emerge.
For some, it will happen as soon as they leave home and can tell themselves “yes”
to everything. For others, it won’t happen until they become parents
and their children ask for things and trigger those long dormant
memories of being told “no”. Even though they weren’t deprived,
it is what the child in them remembers and feels today. They
I didn’t consider
don’t want their kids to feel the same disappointment, so
how good or
they say “yes” to everything their kids desire.
positive emotions,
like joy or love,
could also lead
us to spend
mindlessly until
I had children.
By Shannon Ryan, CFP®
Memories
I still remember the first time I held each of my daughters,
never realizing how deeply you could love someone until that
moment. The intense desire and responsibility I felt to make
sure they never lacked for anything was overwhelming. And
sometimes, it is the love we have for our children that creates
financial problems. Love can cause us to spend mindlessly.
Money is Emotional
One of the first money lessons my father taught me was
around my emotions and how they affected my spending
habits. It’s easy to get in the habit of buying something to
12
©
on Our Kids
soothe our feelings of anger, frustration, fear or boredom.
Shopping makes us feel better, but the highs fade, so we do
it over and over in an attempt to feel good again. My teenage
self didn’t realize she did this, but once my father explained it
to me, it made a lot of sense.
For many years, I thought of emotional spending as
a coping mechanism for our more negative emotions or
something we used to justify those “I deserve this” purchases
and did my best to avoid those pitfalls. I didn’t consider how
good or positive emotions, like joy or love, could also lead us
to spend mindlessly until I had children.
©
The Solution: Step back and assess whether you
have been guilty of buying your kids things because of
your own bad memories of being told “no”. If so, don’t
feel bad, but be aware so next time your kids ask you for
something, you make a mindful decision, rather than an
emotional one.
Most importantly, be sure that you explain the why behind
the “no” ongoing to prevent your kids from believing they are
now deprived. You don’t want the cycle to repeat itself. I always
link my “no” to our family goal, which is something the girls are eager
to do. They understand that buying unplanned items could affect our ability to reach our
goals. I also give the girls the option to use their own money to buy the item too.
We Play Keep Up with Other Parents
We live in a world where our Facebook feeds are filled with other parents bragging
about the things they bought their children and their accomplishments. We find ourselves
caught in the endless game of playing keep up. This is a game you cannot win, so don’t
even try.
We all earn different incomes and need to make thoughtful decisions on how we use
our money based on our family priorities and values. Sometimes that means making
hard choices, but creating debt to give your kids everything they want puts your family
foundation at risk. Your children need a financially stable home, your love and support, not
more toys or designer clothes.
The Solution: You can’t give your children everything they want, so help them learn
how to identify what they really want, so they can work towards achieving the things that
matter the most to them.
I love my daughters very much and know that it’s not the things I buy that ultimately
matter, but what I teach them, such as using money wisely, that does.
©
13
solutions
What to Do with Your
Preschooler/Early Learner
By: Vicki Bentley
A young mom writes:
I’m new at homeschooling—I have 2-year-old twins. I want
to teach them and get them ready for preschool. Please send
me info to help me start off on the right foot.
Another mom writes:
I have a 3½-year-old boy, a 2½-year-old girl and a 7-month
old baby boy. I’ve read preschool articles on websites,
listened to the sessions on beginning homeschooling from
the state convention, read a few books and magazines, talked
to homeschooling moms…but now that I’m really looking at
schooling my children, I just get overwhelmed and don’t know
where to start. I can see the goal or vision…that my children
will love to learn…to learn about God, to learn reading, math,
problem solving history, art, music, and everything in between…
14
©
but how do you start? They don’t seem to even want to sit still
and read a book…they just want to play with toys and pretend.
Vicki answers:
They are little; let them play with toys and pretend!
But you pick the toys, so you shape the play. Their play
is their work—it may look easy to you, but it’s not all easy
to them, and it is developing their thinking and providing life
experiences—sort of like hooks on which they can hang their
future learning.
Provide
them
with
stimulating,
age-appropriate,
developmental toys. You might want to peek through online
catalogs such as Timberdoodle or Discovery Toys for a few
ideas. Consider Legos or building blocks, thinking skills
puzzles, art supplies, life-skills imaginary play (role playing or
©
dress-ups or tools/homemaking items), musical instruments, etc.
The tapes or CDs you play can be educational and inspirational.
Your everyday activities can be helpful for their brain and skills
development.
For example, working puzzles is a pre-reading skill,
while helping Mom set the table is a math skill (oneto-one correspondence). Having them help put
away their things in an orderly fashion (which they
won’t be able to do yet, but can watch you joyfully
walk through it with them) is classification and
organization—science, math, and English skills.
Ruth Beechick has a helpful book called The
Three R’s of Learning. Valerie Bendt’s book,
Making the Most of the Preschool Years, has lots
of preschool ideas. You might also peek at Jane
Lambert’s Before Five in a Row guide for some fun and
educational activities based on classic kids’ books from
the library. Pick a holiday or two to celebrate each month as a
special treat and as a springboard for family learning.
It is not uncommon for little children to seem uninterested in
a read-aloud session, but don’t let that stop you from reading
to them! If your child will sit quietly for five or 10 minutes as
you snuggle and read together, that’s super. If not, read to her
anyway while she plays quietly with blocks (or colors or dresses
baby dolls or “cooks”…). She is absorbing more than you think
she is! Also, try reading at a time that she tends to be quieter
naturally, such as a morning wake-up cuddle time in your bed or
a bedtime snuggle in hers. Or maybe your afternoon quiet time
could always begin or end with a short picture book read-aloud.
Character training is a biggie at this age—Marilyn Boyer’s Fun
Projects for Hands-On Character Building has practical ideas
for everyday moms like us. And her mommy book, Parenting
from the Heart, has plenty of gentle encouragement from a mom
of many.
If nobody told you that they had to go to school at age 5,
what would you be doing with them? What are you doing with
them now? Interact with them naturally—you don’t have to
invent lots of artificial learning experiences—you have plenty
of “real” ones already!
Let the children cook with you—they are measuring and
pouring (math and science). Let them divide the cookies or the
pizza (fractions and mathematical thinking). Be sure to read
to and talk with them a lot; when they will occasionally let you
get in a few pages of a picture book, ask them what they think
will happen next. When they ask you a question, ask them,
“What do you think?” and let them explain to you (even if their
answer makes absolutely no sense—you can then tell them
your explanation, too).
When Grandma sends a present, write a thank-you note
and let each child scribble at the bottom of it (then translate for
Grandma!). Tell him he’s signing it for her. Write his name and let
him try to copy it (but don’t push—make the tools available). If
he doesn’t do well with a pencil, let him trace alphabet letters in
sand or rice or popcorn kernels (unpopped). Then try the pencil
again in a few weeks.
©
Later, you’ll write the note and he’ll really sign his name. Then
a few months later, maybe he can write the thank you part and
you can add…“for the red truck you gave me.
Love, …” and he can sign his name. Then by
maybe age 6 or 7, he will likely be able to
write the Dear Grandma part, the thank
you, and sign his name, and you just
fill in the rest.
Your goal is to get him to learn to
express himself, to communicate—
not to make it difficult or a test. And if
your niece and nephew are reading
at age 5 and he isn’t, don’t panic or
feel peer pressure! Of course, you
want to keep an eye out for signs that
he may need further help. Age two isn’t it,
though, if your little one seems to be able to
express himself to you in an age-appropriate way
and behave like an average, active, preschool boy.
By the way, James Dobson once said that to many school
teachers, the ideal little boy is … a little girl! However, boys are
different than girls—God wired them that way. Expect the little
boys to be pretty active and less interested in some language
stuff, at least to begin with.
If you think you may have a right-brained child or one who
seems to learn a bit differently than you are comfortable with,
Dianne Craft has some simple activities to stimulate healthy
brain function.
If you aren’t confident that you know what is appropriate,
Slow and Steady, Get Me Ready by June Oberlander contains
developmental activities for children from birth to age 5. And
if you plan to homeschool, I highly recommend you read the
Beechick The 3 R’s of Learning and Barbara Curtis’ Mommy,
Teach Me!, regardless of what teaching approach you utilize.
What Your Child Needs to Know When, by Robin Sampson,
includes a basic checklist for kindergarten through grade 8 so
you know what might be customary for a school-age child to
learn; this can help you avoid unrealistic expectations in the
earlier, preschool years.
Your local support group (or MOPS group) may have some
field trips and activities geared specifically to the attention span
and interest level of 2-to-4-year-olds.
However, don’t let what you see around you put pressure
on you. Ask the Lord to guide you in being a joyful mother of
children. My goodness—you have little ones! You have enough
on your plate to just make dinner and get the laundry caught up!
While you cultivate their character and nurture their knowledge,
it’s okay to let your children be—well, children.
The bottom line: This season will be shorter than you think, so
enjoy being a mommy!
Note: While this article is geared primarily for
preschool, most of the suggestions are also applicable
through the early grades.
15
solutions
What to Do with Your
Preschooler/Early Learner
By: Vicki Bentley
A young mom writes:
I’m new at homeschooling—I have 2-year-old twins. I want
to teach them and get them ready for preschool. Please send
me info to help me start off on the right foot.
Another mom writes:
I have a 3½-year-old boy, a 2½-year-old girl and a 7-month
old baby boy. I’ve read preschool articles on websites,
listened to the sessions on beginning homeschooling from
the state convention, read a few books and magazines, talked
to homeschooling moms…but now that I’m really looking at
schooling my children, I just get overwhelmed and don’t know
where to start. I can see the goal or vision…that my children
will love to learn…to learn about God, to learn reading, math,
problem solving history, art, music, and everything in between…
14
©
but how do you start? They don’t seem to even want to sit still
and read a book…they just want to play with toys and pretend.
Vicki answers:
They are little; let them play with toys and pretend!
But you pick the toys, so you shape the play. Their play
is their work—it may look easy to you, but it’s not all easy
to them, and it is developing their thinking and providing life
experiences—sort of like hooks on which they can hang their
future learning.
Provide
them
with
stimulating,
age-appropriate,
developmental toys. You might want to peek through online
catalogs such as Timberdoodle or Discovery Toys for a few
ideas. Consider Legos or building blocks, thinking skills
puzzles, art supplies, life-skills imaginary play (role playing or
©
dress-ups or tools/homemaking items), musical instruments, etc.
The tapes or CDs you play can be educational and inspirational.
Your everyday activities can be helpful for their brain and skills
development.
For example, working puzzles is a pre-reading skill,
while helping Mom set the table is a math skill (oneto-one correspondence). Having them help put
away their things in an orderly fashion (which they
won’t be able to do yet, but can watch you joyfully
walk through it with them) is classification and
organization—science, math, and English skills.
Ruth Beechick has a helpful book called The
Three R’s of Learning. Valerie Bendt’s book,
Making the Most of the Preschool Years, has lots
of preschool ideas. You might also peek at Jane
Lambert’s Before Five in a Row guide for some fun and
educational activities based on classic kids’ books from
the library. Pick a holiday or two to celebrate each month as a
special treat and as a springboard for family learning.
It is not uncommon for little children to seem uninterested in
a read-aloud session, but don’t let that stop you from reading
to them! If your child will sit quietly for five or 10 minutes as
you snuggle and read together, that’s super. If not, read to her
anyway while she plays quietly with blocks (or colors or dresses
baby dolls or “cooks”…). She is absorbing more than you think
she is! Also, try reading at a time that she tends to be quieter
naturally, such as a morning wake-up cuddle time in your bed or
a bedtime snuggle in hers. Or maybe your afternoon quiet time
could always begin or end with a short picture book read-aloud.
Character training is a biggie at this age—Marilyn Boyer’s Fun
Projects for Hands-On Character Building has practical ideas
for everyday moms like us. And her mommy book, Parenting
from the Heart, has plenty of gentle encouragement from a mom
of many.
If nobody told you that they had to go to school at age 5,
what would you be doing with them? What are you doing with
them now? Interact with them naturally—you don’t have to
invent lots of artificial learning experiences—you have plenty
of “real” ones already!
Let the children cook with you—they are measuring and
pouring (math and science). Let them divide the cookies or the
pizza (fractions and mathematical thinking). Be sure to read
to and talk with them a lot; when they will occasionally let you
get in a few pages of a picture book, ask them what they think
will happen next. When they ask you a question, ask them,
“What do you think?” and let them explain to you (even if their
answer makes absolutely no sense—you can then tell them
your explanation, too).
When Grandma sends a present, write a thank-you note
and let each child scribble at the bottom of it (then translate for
Grandma!). Tell him he’s signing it for her. Write his name and let
him try to copy it (but don’t push—make the tools available). If
he doesn’t do well with a pencil, let him trace alphabet letters in
sand or rice or popcorn kernels (unpopped). Then try the pencil
again in a few weeks.
©
Later, you’ll write the note and he’ll really sign his name. Then
a few months later, maybe he can write the thank you part and
you can add…“for the red truck you gave me.
Love, …” and he can sign his name. Then by
maybe age 6 or 7, he will likely be able to
write the Dear Grandma part, the thank
you, and sign his name, and you just
fill in the rest.
Your goal is to get him to learn to
express himself, to communicate—
not to make it difficult or a test. And if
your niece and nephew are reading
at age 5 and he isn’t, don’t panic or
feel peer pressure! Of course, you
want to keep an eye out for signs that
he may need further help. Age two isn’t it,
though, if your little one seems to be able to
express himself to you in an age-appropriate way
and behave like an average, active, preschool boy.
By the way, James Dobson once said that to many school
teachers, the ideal little boy is … a little girl! However, boys are
different than girls—God wired them that way. Expect the little
boys to be pretty active and less interested in some language
stuff, at least to begin with.
If you think you may have a right-brained child or one who
seems to learn a bit differently than you are comfortable with,
Dianne Craft has some simple activities to stimulate healthy
brain function.
If you aren’t confident that you know what is appropriate,
Slow and Steady, Get Me Ready by June Oberlander contains
developmental activities for children from birth to age 5. And
if you plan to homeschool, I highly recommend you read the
Beechick The 3 R’s of Learning and Barbara Curtis’ Mommy,
Teach Me!, regardless of what teaching approach you utilize.
What Your Child Needs to Know When, by Robin Sampson,
includes a basic checklist for kindergarten through grade 8 so
you know what might be customary for a school-age child to
learn; this can help you avoid unrealistic expectations in the
earlier, preschool years.
Your local support group (or MOPS group) may have some
field trips and activities geared specifically to the attention span
and interest level of 2-to-4-year-olds.
However, don’t let what you see around you put pressure
on you. Ask the Lord to guide you in being a joyful mother of
children. My goodness—you have little ones! You have enough
on your plate to just make dinner and get the laundry caught up!
While you cultivate their character and nurture their knowledge,
it’s okay to let your children be—well, children.
The bottom line: This season will be shorter than you think, so
enjoy being a mommy!
Note: While this article is geared primarily for
preschool, most of the suggestions are also applicable
through the early grades.
15
curriculum
By: Leonisa Ardizzone, EdD
Incorporate Science
Seamlessly into your
Homeschool Life
on a piece of paper, and write your thematic idea in the center.
Next, brainstorm and record science questions, good books,
art projects, field trips, and historical concepts that connect to
your theme. Then, connect the learning dots!
I encourage you to include your learners in the planning
and to keep the idea of open-ended inquiry in mind. To help
with that, here are some hints for increasing inquiry in your
scientific-process endeavors:
Ask open-ended questions: When observing an
object or starting an exploration, keep things simple. Use
questions such as, “What do you notice?” or “What does it
remind you of?”
Don’t stifle their thinking: Children will surely come up with
some outrageous ideas during the inquiry process. Rather
than saying, “No, that’s wrong,” ask, “Why do you think so?”
See where additional questioning can lead.
Turn questions back to the children: If a child asks you a
question, turn it back to him. Asking, “Why do you think that
happens?” gives the child the chance to engage in scientific
thinking.
Don’t be afraid to say, “I Don’t Know”: Instead of this
phrase being an end to learning, use it as an opening to
deeper exploration. If you get stumped, ask the children, “How
can we investigate further?” Then, work together to find ways
to gather more information.
Science is everywhere. It’s what we consume and how our bodies
function, the technology we rely on in our everyday lives, the nature and
structures that surround us, and so much more. The world is ripe for science
exploration by children of all ages, and there are many ways to incorporate
it into a homeschool curriculum.
Parents and educators often shy away from teaching science, but why?
The primary reason is that we assume that science is mostly about content.
We believe that if we don’t have enough knowledge of content, we simply
cannot—or should not—teach our kids. While it is important for kids to get
content, and their questions will most likely be content driven—“Why is
the sky blue?”or “How do roots take up water?”— you don’t need to be an
expert to incorporate more science into your homeschool programming.
Focus on broad themes for exploration. The themes I use are from the
Next Generation Science Standards, which I also use in my book Science—
Not Just for Scientists! Easy Explorations for Young Children, published by
Gryphon House:
•• Patterns
•• Change and growth
•• How things work
• Cause and effect • Energy
Let tangents happen: Building on ideas and experiencing
play-based learning means allowing children to share their
thinking and giving them time and space to direct their own
learning.
Science investigations can be linked to other subject areas
as well. Develop in-depth study projects that link science
with social studies, math, research, writing, and even foreign
language and the arts.
The aim is to create a truly integrated science-themed
study unit. For example, using size and scale as a theme
could lead to an in-depth study of structures. Do a
community study of buildings and structures that includes
a community walk. Talk with local experts. Learn about
the buildings’ use, history, and architectural styles. Add in
lessons on size, such as measurement and scale. Bring in
engineering and the forces at work on structures and how
these forces must be balanced to keep things standing up.
Have learners apply all this knowledge by building scale
models.
Remember, science is not a collection of facts. It is a habit
of mind that involves asking questions, problem solving,
critical thinking, and analytical assessment. When you think
of it this way, it is much easier to incorporate scientific thinking
into all learning experiences.
•Size and scale
• Systems
Within these themes lie the potential for numerous science (and
nonscience) learning experiences. For example, within the theme of cause
and effect, process-based scientific study can include doing an experiment
to test the effect of floor material, such as wood, tile, or carpet, on how high
balls made of different materials will bounce. Use the investigation to help
learners understand how to apply the scientific method:
Hypothesize: I think the ball will bounce higher on a tile floor than it
does on wood or carpet.
Develop a way to test the hypothesis: I will bounce a ball on several
types of floor material.
Understand what experimental variables are: Different types of flooring
affect the height of the bounce in different ways.
Use measurement tools to collect data: How high does the ball bounce
on wood? Tile? Carpet? Use a yardstick or measuring tape to find out.
Record the measurements.
Plot and analyze data: Plot the data in a chart or graph. Look at the
results, and decide how each floor type affected the height of the bounce.
Does the data support the hypothesis? An open-ended inquiry such
as this can lead to more questions, sending learners off on even more
explorations.
Make science an integrated part of your homeschool curriculum. Push
aside your fear of science by making content the secondary aim; instead,
focus on science as a process. To kick start your planning, draw a circle
16
©
©
©
17
curriculum
By: Leonisa Ardizzone, EdD
Incorporate Science
Seamlessly into your
Homeschool Life
on a piece of paper, and write your thematic idea in the center.
Next, brainstorm and record science questions, good books,
art projects, field trips, and historical concepts that connect to
your theme. Then, connect the learning dots!
I encourage you to include your learners in the planning
and to keep the idea of open-ended inquiry in mind. To help
with that, here are some hints for increasing inquiry in your
scientific-process endeavors:
Ask open-ended questions: When observing an
object or starting an exploration, keep things simple. Use
questions such as, “What do you notice?” or “What does it
remind you of?”
Don’t stifle their thinking: Children will surely come up with
some outrageous ideas during the inquiry process. Rather
than saying, “No, that’s wrong,” ask, “Why do you think so?”
See where additional questioning can lead.
Turn questions back to the children: If a child asks you a
question, turn it back to him. Asking, “Why do you think that
happens?” gives the child the chance to engage in scientific
thinking.
Don’t be afraid to say, “I Don’t Know”: Instead of this
phrase being an end to learning, use it as an opening to
deeper exploration. If you get stumped, ask the children, “How
can we investigate further?” Then, work together to find ways
to gather more information.
Science is everywhere. It’s what we consume and how our bodies
function, the technology we rely on in our everyday lives, the nature and
structures that surround us, and so much more. The world is ripe for science
exploration by children of all ages, and there are many ways to incorporate
it into a homeschool curriculum.
Parents and educators often shy away from teaching science, but why?
The primary reason is that we assume that science is mostly about content.
We believe that if we don’t have enough knowledge of content, we simply
cannot—or should not—teach our kids. While it is important for kids to get
content, and their questions will most likely be content driven—“Why is
the sky blue?”or “How do roots take up water?”— you don’t need to be an
expert to incorporate more science into your homeschool programming.
Focus on broad themes for exploration. The themes I use are from the
Next Generation Science Standards, which I also use in my book Science—
Not Just for Scientists! Easy Explorations for Young Children, published by
Gryphon House:
•• Patterns
•• Change and growth
•• How things work
• Cause and effect • Energy
Let tangents happen: Building on ideas and experiencing
play-based learning means allowing children to share their
thinking and giving them time and space to direct their own
learning.
Science investigations can be linked to other subject areas
as well. Develop in-depth study projects that link science
with social studies, math, research, writing, and even foreign
language and the arts.
The aim is to create a truly integrated science-themed
study unit. For example, using size and scale as a theme
could lead to an in-depth study of structures. Do a
community study of buildings and structures that includes
a community walk. Talk with local experts. Learn about
the buildings’ use, history, and architectural styles. Add in
lessons on size, such as measurement and scale. Bring in
engineering and the forces at work on structures and how
these forces must be balanced to keep things standing up.
Have learners apply all this knowledge by building scale
models.
Remember, science is not a collection of facts. It is a habit
of mind that involves asking questions, problem solving,
critical thinking, and analytical assessment. When you think
of it this way, it is much easier to incorporate scientific thinking
into all learning experiences.
•Size and scale
• Systems
Within these themes lie the potential for numerous science (and
nonscience) learning experiences. For example, within the theme of cause
and effect, process-based scientific study can include doing an experiment
to test the effect of floor material, such as wood, tile, or carpet, on how high
balls made of different materials will bounce. Use the investigation to help
learners understand how to apply the scientific method:
Hypothesize: I think the ball will bounce higher on a tile floor than it
does on wood or carpet.
Develop a way to test the hypothesis: I will bounce a ball on several
types of floor material.
Understand what experimental variables are: Different types of flooring
affect the height of the bounce in different ways.
Use measurement tools to collect data: How high does the ball bounce
on wood? Tile? Carpet? Use a yardstick or measuring tape to find out.
Record the measurements.
Plot and analyze data: Plot the data in a chart or graph. Look at the
results, and decide how each floor type affected the height of the bounce.
Does the data support the hypothesis? An open-ended inquiry such
as this can lead to more questions, sending learners off on even more
explorations.
Make science an integrated part of your homeschool curriculum. Push
aside your fear of science by making content the secondary aim; instead,
focus on science as a process. To kick start your planning, draw a circle
16
©
©
©
17
curriculum
By Donna Vail
Living with Change
and Interruptions in
Your Home Education
CHANGE
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Education is not about filling your children with a
lot of facts and figures so that they can parrot it back.
Educating your children in the home is about developing
a self-education mindset where learning anything is
possible. This creates self-determined and self-reliant
adults who can persevere through anything life can
throw at them.
To put you on the path, you will need to clear your
mind of old ways and build structure using the following
eight core areas: vision, inspiration, environment,
partnership, perspective, transition, balance and
purpose. Structuring your home education around these
core areas will allow you to see your world differently.
These core areas can be used in every area of your life,
not just your home education, so no matter where you
stand in your family or personal development, equipped
with the right vision, you are unlimited in what you can
accomplish and a whole world of opportunity opens up
to you.
As your home education continues and grows it
becomes woven into the fabric of life itself, creating a
new expression of life for you and your family. Living life
to the fullest is an expression of your soul; the fulfillment
of your natural born purpose and contribution to the
world. This doesn’t stop when you become a parent,
in fact, having children intensifies life with richer more
ns
iti
on
,
18
©
©
fulfilling experiences. Home education takes life to the next level.
The family that learns together, grows together.
We are all unique individuals. No two of us are exactly alike.
No matter how different you are from your children, they are a
perfect match to you for what they need in life so they can be
their best and fulfill their natural born purpose. Likewise, you’re
matched to them, growing and learning in the experience of family
as you emerge into your greater self. This perfect combination
is more easily navigated when you can be together learning and
growing day in and day out.
Regardless of how matched you are to your children, no one is
immune to challenges. Change, transition and the interruptions
will show up and at times what appears to be a well-structured
system will feel like it’s cracked and crumbling. Remember,
your home education is a direct reflection of your expression
as a family and each individually. Change and interruptions are
inevitable and a natural part of life and can show up as illness,
babies being born, job changes, moving, family members dying
or every day minutia. Every day is filled with real life and real
learning. To expect or desire something different or freedom from
this natural process only creates unhappiness, dissatisfaction,
stress and everything you don’t want.
In order to live more and learn more in your home education
and be able to navigate the change and interruptions that come
up naturally; apply these three steps and then apply the inspired
action listed below. A successful home education is built through
practice, perseverance and a lot of love.
Our first steps in our home education need to be to align with
our children’s needs. This includes identifying and aligning
with each person’s highest values. With this understanding
you will be better equipped to navigate change and see more
clearly what is an interruption or a learning opportunity.
Perhaps you did not realize how much change or that it would
include such a deep development of yourself. It’s not strange
and no, you’re not doing anything wrong when you have to
continually change the way you home educate over the years.
It’s more important that we embrace change and welcome
it as a sign our children are growing and developing. As
your children get older you’ll also see how their uniqueness
emerges. Your children need for you to make changes,
adjust and evolve along with them. Change is a sign you’re
making great progress and that they’ve learned, grown and
developed. Check in with yourself too, I’m sure you’ve grown
too. It’s all about aligning and finding the balance.
The next main ingredient and most influential component in
your child’s supportive and inspiring environment is you. What
will ease the daily success is flexibility and your ability to see
clearly what is happening as you make changes, navigate
transitions and interruptions. This clarity will help you adjust
along the way guiding your child through their development. As
©
you get training, learn and align, you’ll see what seems like an
irritation or disrespect is nothing personal at you but the child
trying to build character and within that lesson is a nugget for
you to grow. Keep in mind your mentor mantra – guide, provide
and step aside.
Finally, creating habits that are consistently practiced will
minimize complications or reactions to change. Key word there is
“minimize”, not eliminate. Part of the stress can be self-imposed
so it’s important to remember less is more and slow is fast,
especially when children are involved. In all your habit processes
include time for tweaking. If change results in too much friction it
could only need a small tweak. Take time to step back, think things
through, get quiet and allow the inspiration to flow. Throughout
the process you’ll want to remain open because our children
are simply giving us feedback. The beauty of home education,
whether in academics, relationships or otherwise—we have the
freedom to adjust with the highest regard for the child and the
whole family. Live in that freedom, use it when you need to and
continually respect and protect it.
Within the three steps I’ve shared with you, once you’ve
applied those you can move forward by taking this Inspired
Action to Living with Change and Interruptions:
•• Create a Family Rhythm instead of a strict schedule.
•• Fill your every day with only that which is aligned with the
highest values.
•• Pause and consider areas of friction or difficulty and allow
inspiration to flow.
•• Minimize interruptions means eliminating anything not
aligned with highest values.
•• Link core academics with highest values and interweave
all other studies with this alignment.
•• If you’re stressed and pressed, time to re-evaluate and
simplify your day.
When you change the way you look at your home education,
let go of the fantasy, work on yourself as a growing person and
filter everything with love; it all shifts. Now you can be certain,
you’re perfectly matched to your family and you are right where
you need to be, growing into more knowledge and love. Your
home education is perfect for your family.
For a time, if you’re still wrestling with change consider
changing your inner dialogue to remind yourself that change is
good. “Change is good.” “Change is good.” “Change is good.”
Sometimes I have to do this to realign myself. Letting go of the
old, embracing the new. Reminding myself that when things
feel like they’re falling apart, they are really falling together and
space is being created for something greater. Stay inspired to
love more, live more and learn more.
“Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its
original dimensions.” –Oliver Wendell Holmes
19
curriculum
By Donna Vail
Living with Change
and Interruptions in
Your Home Education
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Education is not about filling your children with a
lot of facts and figures so that they can parrot it back.
Educating your children in the home is about developing
a self-education mindset where learning anything is
possible. This creates self-determined and self-reliant
adults who can persevere through anything life can
throw at them.
To put you on the path, you will need to clear your
mind of old ways and build structure using the following
eight core areas: vision, inspiration, environment,
partnership, perspective, transition, balance and
purpose. Structuring your home education around these
core areas will allow you to see your world differently.
These core areas can be used in every area of your life,
not just your home education, so no matter where you
stand in your family or personal development, equipped
with the right vision, you are unlimited in what you can
accomplish and a whole world of opportunity opens up
to you.
As your home education continues and grows it
becomes woven into the fabric of life itself, creating a
new expression of life for you and your family. Living life
to the fullest is an expression of your soul; the fulfillment
of your natural born purpose and contribution to the
world. This doesn’t stop when you become a parent,
in fact, having children intensifies life with richer more
ns
iti
on
,
18
©
©
fulfilling experiences. Home education takes life to the next level.
The family that learns together, grows together.
We are all unique individuals. No two of us are exactly alike.
No matter how different you are from your children, they are a
perfect match to you for what they need in life so they can be
their best and fulfill their natural born purpose. Likewise, you’re
matched to them, growing and learning in the experience of family
as you emerge into your greater self. This perfect combination
is more easily navigated when you can be together learning and
growing day in and day out.
Regardless of how matched you are to your children, no one is
immune to challenges. Change, transition and the interruptions
will show up and at times what appears to be a well-structured
system will feel like it’s cracked and crumbling. Remember,
your home education is a direct reflection of your expression
as a family and each individually. Change and interruptions are
inevitable and a natural part of life and can show up as illness,
babies being born, job changes, moving, family members dying
or every day minutia. Every day is filled with real life and real
learning. To expect or desire something different or freedom from
this natural process only creates unhappiness, dissatisfaction,
stress and everything you don’t want.
In order to live more and learn more in your home education
and be able to navigate the change and interruptions that come
up naturally; apply these three steps and then apply the inspired
action listed below. A successful home education is built through
practice, perseverance and a lot of love.
Our first steps in our home education need to be to align with
our children’s needs. This includes identifying and aligning
with each person’s highest values. With this understanding
you will be better equipped to navigate change and see more
clearly what is an interruption or a learning opportunity.
Perhaps you did not realize how much change or that it would
include such a deep development of yourself. It’s not strange
and no, you’re not doing anything wrong when you have to
continually change the way you home educate over the years.
It’s more important that we embrace change and welcome
it as a sign our children are growing and developing. As
your children get older you’ll also see how their uniqueness
emerges. Your children need for you to make changes,
adjust and evolve along with them. Change is a sign you’re
making great progress and that they’ve learned, grown and
developed. Check in with yourself too, I’m sure you’ve grown
too. It’s all about aligning and finding the balance.
The next main ingredient and most influential component in
your child’s supportive and inspiring environment is you. What
will ease the daily success is flexibility and your ability to see
clearly what is happening as you make changes, navigate
transitions and interruptions. This clarity will help you adjust
along the way guiding your child through their development. As
©
you get training, learn and align, you’ll see what seems like an
irritation or disrespect is nothing personal at you but the child
trying to build character and within that lesson is a nugget for
you to grow. Keep in mind your mentor mantra – guide, provide
and step aside.
Finally, creating habits that are consistently practiced will
minimize complications or reactions to change. Key word there is
“minimize”, not eliminate. Part of the stress can be self-imposed
so it’s important to remember less is more and slow is fast,
especially when children are involved. In all your habit processes
include time for tweaking. If change results in too much friction it
could only need a small tweak. Take time to step back, think things
through, get quiet and allow the inspiration to flow. Throughout
the process you’ll want to remain open because our children
are simply giving us feedback. The beauty of home education,
whether in academics, relationships or otherwise—we have the
freedom to adjust with the highest regard for the child and the
whole family. Live in that freedom, use it when you need to and
continually respect and protect it.
Within the three steps I’ve shared with you, once you’ve
applied those you can move forward by taking this Inspired
Action to Living with Change and Interruptions:
•• Create a Family Rhythm instead of a strict schedule.
•• Fill your every day with only that which is aligned with the
highest values.
•• Pause and consider areas of friction or difficulty and allow
inspiration to flow.
•• Minimize interruptions means eliminating anything not
aligned with highest values.
•• Link core academics with highest values and interweave
all other studies with this alignment.
•• If you’re stressed and pressed, time to re-evaluate and
simplify your day.
When you change the way you look at your home education,
let go of the fantasy, work on yourself as a growing person and
filter everything with love; it all shifts. Now you can be certain,
you’re perfectly matched to your family and you are right where
you need to be, growing into more knowledge and love. Your
home education is perfect for your family.
For a time, if you’re still wrestling with change consider
changing your inner dialogue to remind yourself that change is
good. “Change is good.” “Change is good.” “Change is good.”
Sometimes I have to do this to realign myself. Letting go of the
old, embracing the new. Reminding myself that when things
feel like they’re falling apart, they are really falling together and
space is being created for something greater. Stay inspired to
love more, live more and learn more.
“Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its
original dimensions.” –Oliver Wendell Holmes
19
curriculum
By Erin Smilkstein, MA.Ed. TheHomeworkLounge.com
I do not believe lazy kids exist. I don’t.
When I hear a parent or teacher tell me that this student or
that child is lazy, I immediately know to start asking deeper
questions. In the last 15 years I have discovered that what
appears as laziness is a symptom, not a condition.
Children, from early on, are explorers. Young children
are researchers of the world, trying out new things. They
are the original scientists, discovering what works and what
doesn’t, what will fail, what won’t, and what will make Mom
react with wide eyes, and what will make her smile. The
concept of a “Kindergarten mind set,” - where everything is
worth exploring and everything has something interesting in
it - is easy to embrace. There is not judgment in the task, but
simply a desire to explore and try new things.
They are curious by design and open to new experiences.
They are also achievers. They want to do well. However,
somewhere in their education, at home or at school, some
children begin to experience a series of failures. Failures, in
Myth
The Lazy Child
themselves, are necessary and actually provide the opportunity
to learn, but if these failures were met with feelings of shame,
fear, embarrassment or inadequacy, children begin to find ways
to avoid failure in the future rather than work through them to
knowledge. They stop exploring and attempting new things
because they don’t want to be wrong or viewed as stupid. They
withdraw from new or challenging learning experiences to avoid
shame. Becoming “lazy” is a natural defense because when
challenging work can be avoided, the real feelings about failure
can be ignored. Plus, the label “lazy” is actually easier to live
with than the alternative, “stupid.” The child starts to believe
there is no harm to the self when no possibility of failure is
present, so they avoid any activity that might lead to shame.
When the child accepts the “I’m just lazy” label, the parents
will find it more and more frustrating to communicate with her. It
can take a little detective work - some investigating and problem
solving – but an underlying cause of laziness will be revealed. I
have yet to find a child who is unequivocally lazy- that is, who is
fully capable, emotionally and intellectually secure, but without
any desire to create, learn or perform. Remember: children
want to please, so it’s not in their inherent nature to be lazy.
“I’m just lazy” is such an easy excuse that the child generally
agrees to it and many times it’s accepted as the unofficial
diagnosis. The child can relax, because being lazy is not
about ability to learn math, intelligence, memory capabilities,
sequential processing speed, number sense or any of the other
factors that affect learning: it’s just laziness: I could if I wanted
to, but I’m just lazy. I’m here to stop that thinking. We need to recognize the more
truthful statement, which is, “I would want to if I could, but I’m
scared you’ll find out that I can’t.” Once we tackle the fears
behind the laziness, everything begins to shift.
Of course, there are times when children do not want to do
something they are fully capable of doing, like chores or an
academically easy set of math problems for example. These
fall under the “lack of motivation” category. While we would like
our children to have the intrinsic motivation to do something
because they should, they may not have that maturity yet. It’s
especially challenging if there is something else more exciting
to do (watch TV vs. finish dishes), or the task just looks boring
(a long, repetitive assignment.) Your job is to create motivation
when it is lacking.
What’s the easiest way to do that? With PLAY!
This could be as simple as “how many problems can you do
in 2 minutes?” then watch your child race, with a high five at
the end, followed by another 2 minutes. You don’t have to use
material motivation. There are many, many strategies that are
easy to do, yet highly effective for motivation.
It sounds funny to be excited about working with “lazy” kids, but
try to think that they are providing you the chance to help discover
the root of the issue and resolve it. Once that happens, you may
be surprised how enthusiastic your child is to learn more math,
take on challenging tasks or even say, “wait, let me try.”
“lazy” is a natural
defense because when
challenging work can
be avoided, the real
feelings about failure
can be ignored.
Call toll-free for a catalog 1-866-260-7221
or visit our website www.americanschool.org
20
©
©
©
21
curriculum
By Erin Smilkstein, MA.Ed. TheHomeworkLounge.com
I do not believe lazy kids exist. I don’t.
When I hear a parent or teacher tell me that this student or
that child is lazy, I immediately know to start asking deeper
questions. In the last 15 years I have discovered that what
appears as laziness is a symptom, not a condition.
Children, from early on, are explorers. Young children
are researchers of the world, trying out new things. They
are the original scientists, discovering what works and what
doesn’t, what will fail, what won’t, and what will make Mom
react with wide eyes, and what will make her smile. The
concept of a “Kindergarten mind set,” - where everything is
worth exploring and everything has something interesting in
it - is easy to embrace. There is not judgment in the task, but
simply a desire to explore and try new things.
They are curious by design and open to new experiences.
They are also achievers. They want to do well. However,
somewhere in their education, at home or at school, some
children begin to experience a series of failures. Failures, in
Myth
The Lazy Child
themselves, are necessary and actually provide the opportunity
to learn, but if these failures were met with feelings of shame,
fear, embarrassment or inadequacy, children begin to find ways
to avoid failure in the future rather than work through them to
knowledge. They stop exploring and attempting new things
because they don’t want to be wrong or viewed as stupid. They
withdraw from new or challenging learning experiences to avoid
shame. Becoming “lazy” is a natural defense because when
challenging work can be avoided, the real feelings about failure
can be ignored. Plus, the label “lazy” is actually easier to live
with than the alternative, “stupid.” The child starts to believe
there is no harm to the self when no possibility of failure is
present, so they avoid any activity that might lead to shame.
When the child accepts the “I’m just lazy” label, the parents
will find it more and more frustrating to communicate with her. It
can take a little detective work - some investigating and problem
solving – but an underlying cause of laziness will be revealed. I
have yet to find a child who is unequivocally lazy- that is, who is
fully capable, emotionally and intellectually secure, but without
any desire to create, learn or perform. Remember: children
want to please, so it’s not in their inherent nature to be lazy.
“I’m just lazy” is such an easy excuse that the child generally
agrees to it and many times it’s accepted as the unofficial
diagnosis. The child can relax, because being lazy is not
about ability to learn math, intelligence, memory capabilities,
sequential processing speed, number sense or any of the other
factors that affect learning: it’s just laziness: I could if I wanted
to, but I’m just lazy. I’m here to stop that thinking. We need to recognize the more
truthful statement, which is, “I would want to if I could, but I’m
scared you’ll find out that I can’t.” Once we tackle the fears
behind the laziness, everything begins to shift.
Of course, there are times when children do not want to do
something they are fully capable of doing, like chores or an
academically easy set of math problems for example. These
fall under the “lack of motivation” category. While we would like
our children to have the intrinsic motivation to do something
because they should, they may not have that maturity yet. It’s
especially challenging if there is something else more exciting
to do (watch TV vs. finish dishes), or the task just looks boring
(a long, repetitive assignment.) Your job is to create motivation
when it is lacking.
What’s the easiest way to do that? With PLAY!
This could be as simple as “how many problems can you do
in 2 minutes?” then watch your child race, with a high five at
the end, followed by another 2 minutes. You don’t have to use
material motivation. There are many, many strategies that are
easy to do, yet highly effective for motivation.
It sounds funny to be excited about working with “lazy” kids, but
try to think that they are providing you the chance to help discover
the root of the issue and resolve it. Once that happens, you may
be surprised how enthusiastic your child is to learn more math,
take on challenging tasks or even say, “wait, let me try.”
“lazy” is a natural
defense because when
challenging work can
be avoided, the real
feelings about failure
can be ignored.
Call toll-free for a catalog 1-866-260-7221
or visit our website www.americanschool.org
20
©
©
©
21
curriculum
“Talking math” with kids
An Introduction
to Homeschooling
SIMPLE
TIPS FOR
FOSTERING A
MULTILINGUAL
CHILD
Tip # 2 –
Couch Potato turned Language Learner:
While we don’t want your child watching TV a lot, you can turn
the little time they do watch TV into a second language lesson
by having your child watch television or movies in another
language. Simply change the language setting by pressing your
SAP (Secondary Audio Programming) button on your remote.
Tip # 3 –
Read between the Technologies: Technology
is advancing at an ever-so-rapid rate and parents should take
advantage of new tools and their potential to impact learning.
Many eBooks and apps are offering multiple languages so
children can further their language development while having
some fun. A child can read stories in the language they are
familiar with first and then read the story in a second language.
Language vocabulary can be strengthened by flipping back and
forth between texts.
(For old-school souls, hardcover books can work too – just
purchase your child’s beloved book in a foreign language.)
22
©
a big impact on how well the youngsters understood basic
mathematical concepts such as the cardinal number principle,
Many of us feel completely comfortable talking about letters,
which holds that the last number reached when counting a set
words and sentences with our children—reading to them at
of objects determines the size of the set (“One, two, three—
night, helping them decode their own books, noting messages
three apples in the bowl!”). A subsequent study by Levine found
on street signs and billboards.
that the kind of number talk that most strongly predicted later
But speaking to them about numbers, fractions, and
knowledge of numbers involved counting or labeling sets of
decimals? Not so much. And yet studies show that “number
objects that are right there in front of parent and child–especially
talk” at home is a key predictor of young children’s achievement
large sets, containing between four and ten objects.
in math once they get to school. Research provides evidence
Homeschool
Legal
Defense
AssociationThough it may not come naturally at first, parents can
that gender is also part of By:
the equation:
Parents
speak
to their
develop the habit of talking about numbers as often as they talk
daughters about numbers far less than their sons.
about letters and words. Some simple ways to work numbers
A study published in the Journal of Language and Social
into the conversation:
Psychology
drew
on
a
collection
of
recordings
of
mothers
their children removed from their home. Some were arrested.
s long as there have been parents and children,
talking “homeschooling”
to their toddlers,has
aged
20 happening.
to 27 months.
Alicia
•• Note
numbers
on signs
when were
you’re confronted
walking or driving
Many were
taken
to court.
Parents
by
been
It was
onlyChang,
with
a
researcher
at
the
University
of
Delaware,
and
two
coauthors
with
children:
speed
limits
and
exit
numbers,
building
concerned neighbors, worried friends, and aghast relatives—
the emergence of widespread compulsory public education
addresses,
in store windows.
determined
that mothers
spoke
to boyswas
about
number
concepts all of whom
were suresale
that prices
the homeschooling
mom and dad
that
this age-old
method of
instruction
virtually
forgotten,
twice
as
often
as
they
spoke
to
girls.
Children
this
age
are
were ruining
children’s
lives
dooming
them playing
to an
•• Asktheir
children
to count
howand
many
toys they’re
but not eradicated.1
rapidly
building
their
vocabularies,
Chang
notes,
and
helping
with,
how
many
books
they’ve
pulled
out
to
read,
or how
unproductive future of illiteracy and isolation.
Foreign service workers or missionaries who by choice
them
become
familiar
with
number
words
can
promote
their
many
pieces
of
food
are
on
their
plate.
But those early homeschoolers hung tough. They fought
or necessity did not send their children to boarding schools
interest
in math
later on.
the court•• battles.
They when
went to
the
library
and dates,
craftedand
their
continued
the tradition
of home education. Children who had
Use numbers
you
refer
to time,
That that
was kept
made
in another
study,
And
they
quietly
continued
teaching,
letting
illnesses
themclear
from attending
school
werepublished
frequently in own curricula.
temperatures: how many hours and minutes until
Developmental
in 2010,
which
recordings
their children’s
achievement
answerand
thedays
charges
their the
taught at home.Psychology
And families
who lived
inalso
the used
remote
areas
bedtime,
how many weeks
until a of
holiday,
of
parentsor
talking
their children
gauge how
number fiercest critics.
high and low temperature the weatherman predicts for
of Alaska
other to
isolated
regions to
answered
theiroften
children’s
words
were used
(the
kids
in this study were between the ages of
that day.
educational
needs
with
homeschooling.
14 and
30
months).
Psychologist
Susan Levineexperienced
of the University
In the 1970s and '80s, homeschooling
a
Massachusetts
the
firstcan
compulsory
•• With olderpassed
children,
math
become aattendance
part of talking
1
of
Chicago
and
her
coauthors
found
huge
variation
among
the
renaissance as a few parents began to question whether
law in 1852;
1918
all states
enacted
about by
sports,
science,
history,had
video
games, similar
or whatever
families
Some
children
were private
hearingschools
their parents
the publicstudied:
education
system
or existing
were
legislation.else they’re interested in.
speak
only
about
two dozen
words a week,
right for
their
individual
child.number
They wondered
if theywhile
mightothers
be
Editor’s Note: As of 2007 according to the National
were
hearing
such
words
about
1,800
times
weekly.
and 1.5
children
alike
will findwere
that math
able to do a better job.
CenterWith
for practice,
Educationparents
Statistics
million
children
The
frequency
of
number
talk
in
the
children’s
homes
had
makes
a
very
satisfying
second
language.
And what do you know? Parents discovered they could do
homeschooled in the USA.
A
As a parent and former educator, I am a firm believer
in fostering multilingualism in children. Countless
research results have confirmed the cognitive benefits of
learning a second language at an early age. Specifically,
better communication, memory, problem-solving, and
planning are some of the skills multilingual children have
experienced in later years.
So, how can parents easily nurture a second language
for their child, even when they don’t speak a second
language themselves? I’ve compiled a few effortless and
fun tips for achieving this goal.
Tip #1 –
By: Anne Murphy Paul
Do you speak math with your kids?
By: Nicole Fonovich
Take Note: Creating sight word labels are a
great way for children to build pre-reading skills. You can do
these labels in multiple languages to help your child learn very
simple words in another language. Notecards or sticky notes
are perfect for this project and labeling children’s games is a
great way to play and learn.
curriculum
Tip # 4 –
Music to their Ears: Music is a fun and
easy way to support memory retention. Listening, followed by
repetitive singing, of a familiar song in a foreign language can
help children learn the language in no time.
Tip # 5 –
Learn and Teach Alongside your Child: The
best way to reinforce what your child is learning is to learn
alongside them and make foreign language development part
of their daily routine. If an older sibling is learning a foreign
language, they can practice on their younger sibling. In addition,
if you have relatives who speak a foreign language reconnect
on a web-based video chat service and have the relative speak
to the child in that language.
Tip # 6 – Let the professionals work their magic: Enroll
a great job. They told two friends who told two friends and so
on. The modern homeschooling movement was born.
It wasn’t entirely that simple, of course. The early days
were rocky. There were few curriculum suppliers who would
sell to homeschoolers.
Teachers considered themselves experts. What made
these parents think they could teach their own children?
While few states specifically prohibited homeschooling,
legislators and school officials acted as if they had.
Homeschooling parents faced threats of jail time and having
your child in a formal school or get a tutor for the language
of your choosing. We have been taking our son, Lucas, to an
Italian language immersion school since he was a toddler.
Incorporating multiple tips from this list will not only
reinforce your child’s foreign language development, but will
also help them later in life. I urge you to commit to helping
your child develop a second language, which will benefit
them in later years.
Happy foreign language learning!
Nicole
©
©
23
curriculum
“Talking math” with kids
An Introduction
to Homeschooling
SIMPLE
TIPS FOR
FOSTERING A
MULTILINGUAL
CHILD
Tip # 2 –
Couch Potato turned Language Learner:
While we don’t want your child watching TV a lot, you can turn
the little time they do watch TV into a second language lesson
by having your child watch television or movies in another
language. Simply change the language setting by pressing your
SAP (Secondary Audio Programming) button on your remote.
Tip # 3 –
Read between the Technologies: Technology
is advancing at an ever-so-rapid rate and parents should take
advantage of new tools and their potential to impact learning.
Many eBooks and apps are offering multiple languages so
children can further their language development while having
some fun. A child can read stories in the language they are
familiar with first and then read the story in a second language.
Language vocabulary can be strengthened by flipping back and
forth between texts.
(For old-school souls, hardcover books can work too – just
purchase your child’s beloved book in a foreign language.)
22
©
a big impact on how well the youngsters understood basic
mathematical concepts such as the cardinal number principle,
Many of us feel completely comfortable talking about letters,
which holds that the last number reached when counting a set
words and sentences with our children—reading to them at
of objects determines the size of the set (“One, two, three—
night, helping them decode their own books, noting messages
three apples in the bowl!”). A subsequent study by Levine found
on street signs and billboards.
that the kind of number talk that most strongly predicted later
But speaking to them about numbers, fractions, and
knowledge of numbers involved counting or labeling sets of
decimals? Not so much. And yet studies show that “number
objects that are right there in front of parent and child–especially
talk” at home is a key predictor of young children’s achievement
large sets, containing between four and ten objects.
in math once they get to school. Research provides evidence
Homeschool
Legal
Defense
AssociationThough it may not come naturally at first, parents can
that gender is also part of By:
the equation:
Parents
speak
to their
develop the habit of talking about numbers as often as they talk
daughters about numbers far less than their sons.
about letters and words. Some simple ways to work numbers
A study published in the Journal of Language and Social
into the conversation:
Psychology
drew
on
a
collection
of
recordings
of
mothers
their children removed from their home. Some were arrested.
s long as there have been parents and children,
talking “homeschooling”
to their toddlers,has
aged
20 happening.
to 27 months.
Alicia
•• Note
numbers
on signs
when were
you’re confronted
walking or driving
Many were
taken
to court.
Parents
by
been
It was
onlyChang,
with
a
researcher
at
the
University
of
Delaware,
and
two
coauthors
with
children:
speed
limits
and
exit
numbers,
building
concerned neighbors, worried friends, and aghast relatives—
the emergence of widespread compulsory public education
addresses,
in store windows.
determined
that mothers
spoke
to boyswas
about
number
concepts all of whom
were suresale
that prices
the homeschooling
mom and dad
that
this age-old
method of
instruction
virtually
forgotten,
twice
as
often
as
they
spoke
to
girls.
Children
this
age
are
were ruining
children’s
lives
dooming
them playing
to an
•• Asktheir
children
to count
howand
many
toys they’re
but not eradicated.1
rapidly
building
their
vocabularies,
Chang
notes,
and
helping
with,
how
many
books
they’ve
pulled
out
to
read,
or how
unproductive future of illiteracy and isolation.
Foreign service workers or missionaries who by choice
them
become
familiar
with
number
words
can
promote
their
many
pieces
of
food
are
on
their
plate.
But those early homeschoolers hung tough. They fought
or necessity did not send their children to boarding schools
interest
in math
later on.
the court•• battles.
They when
went to
the
library
and dates,
craftedand
their
continued
the tradition
of home education. Children who had
Use numbers
you
refer
to time,
That that
was kept
made
in another
study,
And
they
quietly
continued
teaching,
letting
illnesses
themclear
from attending
school
werepublished
frequently in own curricula.
temperatures: how many hours and minutes until
Developmental
in 2010,
which
recordings
their children’s
achievement
answerand
thedays
charges
their the
taught at home.Psychology
And families
who lived
inalso
the used
remote
areas
bedtime,
how many weeks
until a of
holiday,
of
parentsor
talking
their children
gauge how
number fiercest critics.
high and low temperature the weatherman predicts for
of Alaska
other to
isolated
regions to
answered
theiroften
children’s
words
were used
(the
kids
in this study were between the ages of
that day.
educational
needs
with
homeschooling.
14 and
30
months).
Psychologist
Susan Levineexperienced
of the University
In the 1970s and '80s, homeschooling
a
Massachusetts
the
firstcan
compulsory
•• With olderpassed
children,
math
become aattendance
part of talking
1
of
Chicago
and
her
coauthors
found
huge
variation
among
the
renaissance as a few parents began to question whether
law in 1852;
1918
all states
enacted
about by
sports,
science,
history,had
video
games, similar
or whatever
families
Some
children
were private
hearingschools
their parents
the publicstudied:
education
system
or existing
were
legislation.else they’re interested in.
speak
only
about
two dozen
words a week,
right for
their
individual
child.number
They wondered
if theywhile
mightothers
be
Editor’s Note: As of 2007 according to the National
were
hearing
such
words
about
1,800
times
weekly.
and 1.5
children
alike
will findwere
that math
able to do a better job.
CenterWith
for practice,
Educationparents
Statistics
million
children
The
frequency
of
number
talk
in
the
children’s
homes
had
makes
a
very
satisfying
second
language.
And what do you know? Parents discovered they could do
homeschooled in the USA.
A
As a parent and former educator, I am a firm believer
in fostering multilingualism in children. Countless
research results have confirmed the cognitive benefits of
learning a second language at an early age. Specifically,
better communication, memory, problem-solving, and
planning are some of the skills multilingual children have
experienced in later years.
So, how can parents easily nurture a second language
for their child, even when they don’t speak a second
language themselves? I’ve compiled a few effortless and
fun tips for achieving this goal.
Tip #1 –
By: Anne Murphy Paul
Do you speak math with your kids?
By: Nicole Fonovich
Take Note: Creating sight word labels are a
great way for children to build pre-reading skills. You can do
these labels in multiple languages to help your child learn very
simple words in another language. Notecards or sticky notes
are perfect for this project and labeling children’s games is a
great way to play and learn.
curriculum
Tip # 4 –
Music to their Ears: Music is a fun and
easy way to support memory retention. Listening, followed by
repetitive singing, of a familiar song in a foreign language can
help children learn the language in no time.
Tip # 5 –
Learn and Teach Alongside your Child: The
best way to reinforce what your child is learning is to learn
alongside them and make foreign language development part
of their daily routine. If an older sibling is learning a foreign
language, they can practice on their younger sibling. In addition,
if you have relatives who speak a foreign language reconnect
on a web-based video chat service and have the relative speak
to the child in that language.
Tip # 6 – Let the professionals work their magic: Enroll
a great job. They told two friends who told two friends and so
on. The modern homeschooling movement was born.
It wasn’t entirely that simple, of course. The early days
were rocky. There were few curriculum suppliers who would
sell to homeschoolers.
Teachers considered themselves experts. What made
these parents think they could teach their own children?
While few states specifically prohibited homeschooling,
legislators and school officials acted as if they had.
Homeschooling parents faced threats of jail time and having
your child in a formal school or get a tutor for the language
of your choosing. We have been taking our son, Lucas, to an
Italian language immersion school since he was a toddler.
Incorporating multiple tips from this list will not only
reinforce your child’s foreign language development, but will
also help them later in life. I urge you to commit to helping
your child develop a second language, which will benefit
them in later years.
Happy foreign language learning!
Nicole
©
©
23
s
r
o
d
a
s
s
a
b
Am
t
r
o
p
p
u
S
p
U
Pump aiser
R
d
n
u
At F
education
By
Homeschool Foundation
The model the Arizona Ambassador Team developed for the
event is quite simple, and requires very few logistics and a lot
of well-placed promotional communications. They ask a minimum
donation of $5 per attendee, regardless of whether they use the
jumping equipment during the event.
“This approach enables us to ensure balanced results while at
the same time leaving room for God to work in the hearts of those
who wish to give more,” said Gary. “While many families pay the
minimum donation and are happy to do so since it is less than
they would usually pay to jump, other families who are able to do
so give a great deal more than that. At the end of the day, many
families have enjoyed themselves and made new friends and we,
in turn, are able to help others. It is a win-win situation.”
Coupled with HSF’s generous matching incentive for ambassador
teams, the $1000 raised at the Pump It Up fundraiser this year
allowed Arizona ambassadors to jumpstart their fundraising efforts
and gave them $2000 to assist another struggling homeschooling
family in their area.
R
Last year, the funding raised through this one event helped to
put a smile back on Mike Helton’s face—a homeschooling father
who had lost his teeth to intensive cancer treatments for a rare
form of leukemia.
If you’d like to be a part of an HSF Ambassador team and
bring hands-on help to homeschoolers in your state, please visit
homeschoolfoundation.org/volunteer.
ecently, the Home School Foundation’s Arizona
Ambassador Team hosted a fundraiser at Pump
it Up, a birthday and special events facility featuring
giant inflatables for jumping on in Peoria, AZ. This is
the second year in a row that the generous owners of
this franchise location have donated their space to the
cause of the Home School Foundation at absolutely
no cost to the local team! Since many entertainment
businesses have standard arrangements to pay out
an average of 20% on the earned funds, this is an
extraordinary gesture and a great opportunity for the
HSF Arizona Ambassadors.
“It is our pleasure to support an important cause like
this. We consider the local team representing the Home
School Foundation to be one of our regular partners,”
said Pump It Up General Manager, Juan Sandoval. Arizona State Ambassador, Carol Gary, shared
her thoughts. “It is fantastic to build relationships like
this with local businesses that help homeschoolers.
Often, it is assumed that support for the Home School
Foundation needs to come from homeschoolers, but
that is not so. There are others in the community who
want to support homeschoolers in their time of need and
encourage the concept of school choice. For the Pump
It Up event, which kicked off our spring fundraising
efforts, we invited homeschoolers and their friends,
whether homeschooled or not, to come and have fun
for a worthy purpose.”
24
©
©
©
25
s
r
o
d
a
s
s
a
b
Am
t
r
o
p
p
u
S
p
U
Pump aiser
R
d
n
u
At F
education
By
Homeschool Foundation
The model the Arizona Ambassador Team developed for the
event is quite simple, and requires very few logistics and a lot
of well-placed promotional communications. They ask a minimum
donation of $5 per attendee, regardless of whether they use the
jumping equipment during the event.
“This approach enables us to ensure balanced results while at
the same time leaving room for God to work in the hearts of those
who wish to give more,” said Gary. “While many families pay the
minimum donation and are happy to do so since it is less than
they would usually pay to jump, other families who are able to do
so give a great deal more than that. At the end of the day, many
families have enjoyed themselves and made new friends and we,
in turn, are able to help others. It is a win-win situation.”
Coupled with HSF’s generous matching incentive for ambassador
teams, the $1000 raised at the Pump It Up fundraiser this year
allowed Arizona ambassadors to jumpstart their fundraising efforts
and gave them $2000 to assist another struggling homeschooling
family in their area.
R
Last year, the funding raised through this one event helped to
put a smile back on Mike Helton’s face—a homeschooling father
who had lost his teeth to intensive cancer treatments for a rare
form of leukemia.
If you’d like to be a part of an HSF Ambassador team and
bring hands-on help to homeschoolers in your state, please visit
homeschoolfoundation.org/volunteer.
ecently, the Home School Foundation’s Arizona
Ambassador Team hosted a fundraiser at Pump
it Up, a birthday and special events facility featuring
giant inflatables for jumping on in Peoria, AZ. This is
the second year in a row that the generous owners of
this franchise location have donated their space to the
cause of the Home School Foundation at absolutely
no cost to the local team! Since many entertainment
businesses have standard arrangements to pay out
an average of 20% on the earned funds, this is an
extraordinary gesture and a great opportunity for the
HSF Arizona Ambassadors.
“It is our pleasure to support an important cause like
this. We consider the local team representing the Home
School Foundation to be one of our regular partners,”
said Pump It Up General Manager, Juan Sandoval. Arizona State Ambassador, Carol Gary, shared
her thoughts. “It is fantastic to build relationships like
this with local businesses that help homeschoolers.
Often, it is assumed that support for the Home School
Foundation needs to come from homeschoolers, but
that is not so. There are others in the community who
want to support homeschoolers in their time of need and
encourage the concept of school choice. For the Pump
It Up event, which kicked off our spring fundraising
efforts, we invited homeschoolers and their friends,
whether homeschooled or not, to come and have fun
for a worthy purpose.”
24
©
©
©
25
inspiration
By: Richard Havenga
Your menu of worms, slugs and bugs,
does not sound very tasteful.
NOTE:
This poem is meant to be read aloud to children in the style of Dr. Seuss.
Have fun with it and share this poem.
Add mushrooms, berries and fallen fruit,
you certainly are not wasteful.
With short, stout and scaled legs,
you lift your domed shell.
And despite your famous boxiness,
you actually walk quite well.
You red-eyed males,
are quite impressive.
But the brown-eyed girls,
are they more expressive?
When danger comes,
you do not cringe.
Just close the door
with your handy hinge.
The patterns on your carapace,
resemble hieroglyphics.
A mysterious code of yellow lines,
blotches, spots and widgets.
You eat your meals,
with your sharp, horned beak.
But if food is scarce,
you can fast for a week.
26
©
I count the growth rings on your square scutes,
a fairly accurate gauge.
Three times I’ve counted seventeen,
so that must be your age.
©
27
inspiration
By: Richard Havenga
Your menu of worms, slugs and bugs,
does not sound very tasteful.
NOTE:
This poem is meant to be read aloud to children in the style of Dr. Seuss.
Have fun with it and share this poem.
Add mushrooms, berries and fallen fruit,
you certainly are not wasteful.
With short, stout and scaled legs,
you lift your domed shell.
And despite your famous boxiness,
you actually walk quite well.
You red-eyed males,
are quite impressive.
But the brown-eyed girls,
are they more expressive?
When danger comes,
you do not cringe.
Just close the door
with your handy hinge.
The patterns on your carapace,
resemble hieroglyphics.
A mysterious code of yellow lines,
blotches, spots and widgets.
You eat your meals,
with your sharp, horned beak.
But if food is scarce,
you can fast for a week.
26
©
I count the growth rings on your square scutes,
a fairly accurate gauge.
Three times I’ve counted seventeen,
so that must be your age.
©
27
health & hearth
health & hearth
Chicken
Pesto
Sandwich
By: The Container Store
By: Tanya Moat
Clear the Clutter
Before the Holidays
‘Tis the season to get organized! Whether you’re
hosting a family get-together or simply need to plan for all
the toys, clothing and gifts your family will receive, there’s
no better way to relieve the stress of the holiday season
than by getting your home organized.
Identify spaces in your home that are the most oftenused during the holidays, and tackle those areas first. For
example, you might choose the family room, kitchen or the
kids’ closets. Don’t forget the area where you’re storing
your gifts and planning your holiday wrapping!
Makes 2-3 sandwiches
Ingredients:
1 lb. chicken breast
1/4 cup olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 tspn kosher salt
1/2 tspn oregano, dried
Juice of 1 lemon
Zest of 1/2 to1 lemon
Mozzarella
Pesto sauce (I bought a bottle but you can make fresh too)
French bread baguette
Tomato slices (optional)
For each space, commit to removing as many non-used
items as possible. Donate or discard items not worn or
used in two years. Clearing the space of items no longer
needed is imperative to staying organized!
If you identify items that are better stored elsewhere in
your home when cleaning house, relocate them. Golf bags
stored in the closet? Move them to the garage. However
don’t be tempted to start on another area until the first one
is complete.
Instructions:
• Combine the olive oil, garlic, salt, oregano, lemon juice and lemon zest together. Pour into a Ziploc bag.
• Add chicken and marinade for up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in an ovenproof skillet.
• Remove chicken from marinade and sear for 2-3 minutes per side.
• Bake chicken for 10-12 minutes. It will not be fully cooked.
• Remove from oven and cover skillet tightly with aluminum foil and set aside for 10 minutes. This will finish cooking the chicken.
• Slice the chicken and place on French roll baguette. Add tomato (if using), mozzarella cheese and pesto sauce.
• Bake until cheese is melted and serve immediately.
Create a plan to accommodate holiday gifts. How bulky
are the kids’ new toys going to be? How much hanging
space do you need for your new articles of clothing?
Think about how your spaces will function when the
holidays arrive. How much countertop space will you need
in the kitchen for baking/cooking needs? Are your holiday
dishes and glassware clean and easily accessible?
Special Notes:
My method of cooking the chicken was taught to me at a cooking class. The end result is a very moist chicken breast. The chicken
continues cooking after you remove it from the oven. Because eating raw chicken is very, very bad – you do want to make sure it is heated
to 160 degrees before eating. I’ve used this method for more than two years and it’s always turned out perfectly for me. If you’re chicken
breasts are mutant size – you may need to bake an extra minute or two.
You can also pick up a roasted chicken from the grocery store as a substitute.
Or even use good quality chicken slices from your grocer’s deli
Shop for organization solutions that will help contain
the items that are staying in the space, as well as consider
storage for new items you expect to receive.
Group like items together. For example, in the kitchen,
keep your baking supplies stored in a basket that you
can remove from the pantry when it’s time to make your
holiday cookies. Or, in the kid’s room, keep art and craft
project supplies all in one place.
Enjoy!
28
©
©
©
29
health & hearth
health & hearth
Chicken
Pesto
Sandwich
By: The Container Store
By: Tanya Moat
Clear the Clutter
Before the Holidays
‘Tis the season to get organized! Whether you’re
hosting a family get-together or simply need to plan for all
the toys, clothing and gifts your family will receive, there’s
no better way to relieve the stress of the holiday season
than by getting your home organized.
Identify spaces in your home that are the most oftenused during the holidays, and tackle those areas first. For
example, you might choose the family room, kitchen or the
kids’ closets. Don’t forget the area where you’re storing
your gifts and planning your holiday wrapping!
Makes 2-3 sandwiches
Ingredients:
1 lb. chicken breast
1/4 cup olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 tspn kosher salt
1/2 tspn oregano, dried
Juice of 1 lemon
Zest of 1/2 to1 lemon
Mozzarella
Pesto sauce (I bought a bottle but you can make fresh too)
French bread baguette
Tomato slices (optional)
For each space, commit to removing as many non-used
items as possible. Donate or discard items not worn or
used in two years. Clearing the space of items no longer
needed is imperative to staying organized!
If you identify items that are better stored elsewhere in
your home when cleaning house, relocate them. Golf bags
stored in the closet? Move them to the garage. However
don’t be tempted to start on another area until the first one
is complete.
Instructions:
• Combine the olive oil, garlic, salt, oregano, lemon juice and lemon zest together. Pour into a Ziploc bag.
• Add chicken and marinade for up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in an ovenproof skillet.
• Remove chicken from marinade and sear for 2-3 minutes per side.
• Bake chicken for 10-12 minutes. It will not be fully cooked.
• Remove from oven and cover skillet tightly with aluminum foil and set aside for 10 minutes. This will finish cooking the chicken.
• Slice the chicken and place on French roll baguette. Add tomato (if using), mozzarella cheese and pesto sauce.
• Bake until cheese is melted and serve immediately.
Create a plan to accommodate holiday gifts. How bulky
are the kids’ new toys going to be? How much hanging
space do you need for your new articles of clothing?
Think about how your spaces will function when the
holidays arrive. How much countertop space will you need
in the kitchen for baking/cooking needs? Are your holiday
dishes and glassware clean and easily accessible?
Special Notes:
My method of cooking the chicken was taught to me at a cooking class. The end result is a very moist chicken breast. The chicken
continues cooking after you remove it from the oven. Because eating raw chicken is very, very bad – you do want to make sure it is heated
to 160 degrees before eating. I’ve used this method for more than two years and it’s always turned out perfectly for me. If you’re chicken
breasts are mutant size – you may need to bake an extra minute or two.
You can also pick up a roasted chicken from the grocery store as a substitute.
Or even use good quality chicken slices from your grocer’s deli
Shop for organization solutions that will help contain
the items that are staying in the space, as well as consider
storage for new items you expect to receive.
Group like items together. For example, in the kitchen,
keep your baking supplies stored in a basket that you
can remove from the pantry when it’s time to make your
holiday cookies. Or, in the kid’s room, keep art and craft
project supplies all in one place.
Enjoy!
28
©
©
©
29
resources
ADVERTISERS:
Page #
Company/Title
Author
Web Address
IFC
HSLDA
www.hslda.org
3
Home School Foundation www.homeschoolfoundation.org/volunteer
5
Sonlight www.sonlight.com/hhcat
13 Easy Grammar Systems
www.easygrammar.com
17
Home School Foundation www.homeschoolfoundation.org
21 American School www.americanschool.org
25
Lighthouse Christian Academy www.lcaed.com
30 The Homeschool Handbook www.thehomeschoolhandbook.com
IBC Digital Homeschool Magazine
[email protected]
BC
Omaha Steaks
www.OmahaSteaks.com/mb42
Contributors:
3
Password Security Staff www.thehomeschoolhandbook.com
8
Sonlight: Behind the Curriculum Sarita Holtzmann www.sonlight.com/hhcat
12 Our Childhood Memories Affect How… Shannon Ryan www.TheHeavyPurse.com
14 What to Do with Your Preschooler/Early… Vicki Bentley www.hslda.org/earlyyears
16 Incorporate Science Seamlessly into Your… Leonisa Ardizzone, EdD www.storefrontscience.com
18 Living with Change and Interruptions… Donna Vail www.aninspirededucation.com
20 The Lazy Child Myth Erin Smilkstein www.thehomeworklounge.com
22 Simple Tips for Fostering a Multilingual Child Nicole Fonovich www.lucalashes.com
23 “Talking Math” with Kids Annie Murphy Paul www.anniemurphypaul.com
24 Ambassadors Pump Up Support at Fund… Home School Foundation www.homeschoolfoundation.org
26 Box Turtle Poem Richard Havenga http://walkwithfathernature.blogspot.com/
28 Chicken Pesto Sandwich Tanya Moat www.eatlaughpurr.com
29 Clear the Clutter Before the Holidays The Container Store www.containerstore.com
Because
Education
Matters...
™
™
Mail to:
Brilliant Publishing, LLC
Post Office Box 31687
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
One Year Subscription, (6 issues)
YES, Payment enclosed (make check payable to Brilliant Publishing LLC) OR Go
to www.thehomeschoolhandbook.com and select Subscribe to pay by credit card.
s
RahoisingGKRid
EAT
DO
w
Things
Lesson g
Plannin
Page 25
2 Tips
Topni1zing
Page 16
Orga
Page 36
Name ___________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________
City/State ________________________________________________________
Country/Zip ______________________________________________________
Tel _____________________________ E-mail ___________________________
YES!, I would like to be included in receiving news updates by email.
bruary 2013
January/Fe
$15.50 INTL
$6.50 USA/
Continental USA Subscription: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $19.95 / year
Canadian Subscription: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $59.95 / year
International Subscription: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $89.95 / year
resources
ADVERTISERS:
Page #
Company/Title
Author
Web Address
IFC
HSLDA
www.hslda.org
3
Home School Foundation www.homeschoolfoundation.org/volunteer
5
Sonlight www.sonlight.com/hhcat
13 Easy Grammar Systems
www.easygrammar.com
17
Home School Foundation www.homeschoolfoundation.org
21 American School www.americanschool.org
25
Lighthouse Christian Academy www.lcaed.com
30 The Homeschool Handbook www.thehomeschoolhandbook.com
IBC Digital Homeschool Magazine
[email protected]
BC
Omaha Steaks
Contributors:
3
Password Security Staff www.thehomeschoolhandbook.com
8
Sonlight: Behind the Curriculum Sarita Holtzmann www.sonlight.com/hhcat
12 Our Childhood Memories Affect How… Shannon Ryan www.TheHeavyPurse.com
14 What to Do with Your Preschooler/Early… Vicki Bentley www.hslda.org/earlyyears
16 Incorporate Science Seamlessly into Your… Leonisa Ardizzone, EdD www.storefrontscience.com
18 Living with Change and Interruptions… Donna Vail www.aninspirededucation.com
20 The Lazy Child Myth Erin Smilkstein www.thehomeworklounge.com
22 Simple Tips for Fostering a Multilingual Child Nicole Fonovich www.lucalashes.com
23 “Talking Math” with Kids Annie Murphy Paul www.anniemurphypaul.com
24 Ambassadors Pump Up Support at Fund… Home School Foundation www.homeschoolfoundation.org
26 Box Turtle Poem Richard Havenga http://walkwithfathernature.blogspot.com/
28 Chicken Pesto Sandwich Tanya Moat www.eatlaughpurr.com
29 Clear the Clutter Before the Holidays The Container Store www.containerstore.com
Because
Education
Matters...
™
™
Mail to:
Brilliant Publishing, LLC
Post Office Box 31687
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
One Year Subscription, (6 issues)
YES, Payment enclosed (make check payable to Brilliant Publishing LLC) OR Go
to www.thehomeschoolhandbook.com and select Subscribe to pay by credit card.
s
RahoisingGKRid
EAT
DO
w
Things
Lesson g
Plannin
Page 25
2 Tips
Topni1zing
Page 16
Orga
Page 36
Name ___________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________
City/State ________________________________________________________
Country/Zip ______________________________________________________
Tel _____________________________ E-mail ___________________________
YES!, I would like to be included in receiving news updates by email.
bruary 2013
January/Fe
$15.50 INTL
$6.50 USA/
Continental USA Subscription: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $19.95 / year
Canadian Subscription: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $59.95 / year
International Subscription: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $89.95 / year
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4 (4 oz.) Omaha Steaks Burgers
4 Stuffed Baked Potatoes
4 Caramel Apple Tartlets
49377WVD
Reg
$164.00
49
$
| Now Only.......
99
Limit 2 pkgs. at this price. Your 4 free burgers will be included to each shipping address
that includes The Favorite Gift 49377. Limit of 1 free box of 4 (4 oz.) Burgers per in-store
purchase and/or per shipment. Standard S&H will be added per address. Not valid with
other offers. Expires 12/31/14.
PLUS, 4 More
Burgers
FREE!
©2014 OCG | 411B120 | Omaha Steaks, Inc.
Call 1-800-613-8252 and ask for 49377WVD or order
online at www.OmahaSteaks.com/mb42

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