Lesson Pathways Deals & Steals (Again!)

Just wanted to remind you all that there's another Deals & Steals post up at the Lesson Pathways blog, where I am a writer! It's going to be a feature every Thursday so you should definitely bookmark or follow their blog so you can check it out (and their other great articles) each week! To read this week's post, please go here.

Homeschooling and Self-Doubt

As our first year of homeschooling draws nearer, I've been thinking about a lot of things. My son is going to be starting kindergarten and we're choosing to homeschool...and I've begun to have doubts. Not in my child or his socialization or anything to do with him really...I have self-doubt. Every time I sit down to lesson plan or think about the year ahead, the questions immediately start popping into my mind: Am I smart enough to homeschool? What if I get stressed out? How will I handle homeschooling my son and taking care of the baby? Will I be able to teach Math? (I really suck at Math.) What if I have more kids? Will I homeschool them all? What if he doesn't like homeschooling?
Of course, some of these questions I won't have to worry about for many more years and some will probably never happen...but they still come to me regardless. While sorting through some things in my bedroom the other day, I happened upon one of my old pen and paper journals. In it, I found an entry from not too long after I found out I was pregnant with my son. I was excited but also incredibly nervous. I was having an episode of self-doubt, similar to what I'm experiencing now. I had written questions like: Will I be a good Mom? How will I know what to do with the baby? Will the baby cry a lot? What if the baby doesn't like me? How will I know what it needs?
I was incredibly nervous about becoming a parent and I obviously didn't just transform into Mrs. Magical Mom that could solve any problem with a potato. I've messed up, made mistakes and just plain did things that were stupid. But I've also learned a lot too...and I think I've done a pretty good job so far. I obviously thought being a Mom was okay because I had another kid! :) And of course, God has helped me along the journey - blessing us with great kids that (generally) like to sleep, helping me and my husband to know what's right and wrong for our family, giving me a helping hand in the form of family members, etc.
Parenting has it's ups and downs, it's mysteries and miracles but through it all you find something that works for you - and that's all that really matters. And I think the same can be said about our homeschooling journey. Yes, I'm a little nervous now but once we get started and figure out what's right for us, I think we'll do just fine. Also, this gives me a chance to quash that self-doubt that likes to sneak up on me when I'm trying something new or embarking on a journey. Prayer is always helpful to calm my fear and soothe my troubled mind - my prayer today is to put more faith in myself, my abilities and most importantly, God.

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Lesson Pathways Deals & Steals

I just wanted to mention that on the Lesson Pathways blog (where I am a contributor) there's a feature on Thursdays called Deals & Steals where we compile the best freebies and low-priced products on the web for homeschoolers and parents. Christina S. and I wrote this week's feature. You should definitely check it out - here!

Carnival of Homeschooling

My blog post about Homeschooling Criticisms is featured on this week's Carnival of Homeschooling! Woohoo! Go over there to check out some great posts or you can read more about the Carnvial of Homeschooling by clicking the button below.

Our Curriculum and Schedule: 2010 - 2011 (UPDATED)

I've had a few homeschooling friends write recently about what curriculum and programs they're going to be using in the upcoming year for their children so I thought I would share ours as well. This is not an endorsement or ad for these products, they're just what we've chosen to use. My son is going to be a kindergartner in the fall. I've made up a big binder to keep track of our activities and progress. I realize we don't technically *have* to school him yet but he's so excited about doing "school stuff" that I want to encourage that enthusiasm. AND if he were going to public school this year, he'd be doing it all and a lot more from what I've seen.
Originally, I thought I'd take one subject a day to get him used to the idea of homeschooling but he's really excited and pretty much knows what we're going to be doing. Plus, doing it that way wouldn't really give us enough to do during the day. And I plan on using our first week of school as an orientation week - introducing him to the subjects and letting him see what all we'll be doing.
So we're doing several subjects a day, plus Bible and music. Fridays are Art Days where we are going to work on projects (like a craft celebrating a holiday or a birthday card for a family member) or read about different types of art. And of course, our homeschool co-op will be meeting twice a month. As far as our curriculum and schedules goes, this is what I have planned:


- Reading and Language Arts: Lesson Pathways (Most of the books it lists on the reading guide we have or I can get from our local library. There's also tons of links to videos, games and worksheets to help the kids understand the books.)
- History: Lesson Pathways' History Guided Journeys
- Letters and Phonics: Lesson Pathways FreeReading and Starfall (He still needs some help with letters and their sounds - Starfall is ideal for that.)

- Math: Lesson Pathways and AAA Math
- Science: Lesson Pathways (This looks very hands-on, with lots of experiments and projects so I know he'll like that for sure!)
- Bible: Not sure what we're going to use for this yet. Probably just reading Bible stories and trying to learn verses.

- Music: Progressive Piano for Young Beginners
- Etc: Tell Me About Today Wall Hanging (I have as yet to buy the last two things but I think they'll be very helpful.)

We're also going to use Kidzone, Making Learning Fun and DLTK for games, craft ideas, worksheets and coloring pages. I've also picked up a few workbooks and things here and there. We also have flash cards, games and crafts that Zeke's gotten from family members.

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Homeschooling Criticism

It seems like whenever I go someplace with my son recently, people inevitably ask him how old he is (he's four) and then if he'll be going to school next year. When we tell them that he's going to be homeschooled, we've heard a wide variety of responses - encouragement, criticism, skepticism and/or lots of questions. Two of the criticisms have stuck with me, though.
The first criticism I want to talk about was someone telling me that homeschooling is "the worst thing I can do for my child." I feel that the person insinuated that I was selfish and uncaring. I was shocked so I didn't really respond well at all and just brushed it off. Thinking back now though, it probably wouldn't have helped to try and argue my point because this was a person set in their ways and ideas.
How can someone say think that a homeschooling parent doesn't care? They care so much about their childrens schooling that they want to take it upon themselves to help them and train them. They are obviously VERY involved in their lives. Where is the not caring part? It hurts me that someone thinks that I don't care about my kids. I could see that argument if I had said I had to send the kids to school because they were so irritating and I couldn't handle them or something but I said nothing of the kind! I realize that other people's opinions don't really matter but I'm overly sensitive - and even more so - confused! Is it possible that perhaps the person didn't realize that homeschooling takes place at home and that I will be schooling them? Otherwise their argument doesn't really make sense to me.
The other criticism that bothered me (and I've heard it from a BILLION people) is that homeschooling is bad because it will make my kids "socially retarded." Other people's words, not mine. It irritates me because everyone and their brother uses the socialization argument - but is it really relevant anymore? "Oh, they’re homeschooled so they don’t know how to be around other kids! They don’t have any socialization! They just scratch their heads like monkeys and grunt!" I have as yet to meet any homeschooled kids that don't know how to be around people.
We've never been short of socialization in our family. I reiterate to people that we are part of a homeschooling co-op with lots of kids, that I have a lot of family that are involved in our lives and that we go to church weekly. This socialization argument also irritates me because these people don't know my kids - they just assume they must be shy or something and therefore can't go to public school. My son has always been a ham - we joke that he'll be in show business, or maybe just a really good salesman. He's the kid at the play place or park that goes up to any 'ol kid, yells "I'm Zeke!" and asks them to play. He does have his shy moments but most of the time he's pretty out-going. I've also seen the socialization that some kids get at public school and frankly, I'd rather have unsocialized weirdos. And speaking of, one of my newest favorite blogs is called Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers! :) She wrote a great post about socialization that you can read here.

Please note that I know homeschooling is not for everyone. I am totally okay with kids going to public school, we just feel homeschooling is the choice for us and our family. I'd like to hear your thoughts! What do you think about homeschooling and it's criticisms? Have you ever been met with these arguments or something similar? How did you respond?

Educating Friends & Family About Homeschooling

I am signed up for Homeschool.com's bi-weekly E-zine and a couple weeks ago they sent out a great article written by Ann Simpson that I wanted to republish for all my homeschooling friends!


How I Educate My Family and Friends About the Decision to Homeschool
By Ann Simpson

Ten years ago, when I started to homeschool my children, I think my family thought I had a screw loose! They thought it was such an odd decision on my part and they always wanted to know why? The topic of my qualifications were brought up, over and over again, as were the questions:

1) "Do you think you might be harming the kids?" and,
2) "What about the kids' socialization?"

Now, ten years later, I don't think homeschooling is the issue it once was. In the last decade, homeschooling has become more mainstream. People get it now. They understand the shortcomings of the public school system. They've heard that homeschoolers do really well on standardized tests and get into excellent colleges. They've read articles and seen news spots about how successful homeschooling is. As a result, I don't have to explain as much anymore. But still, when family and friends ask, I tell them the following:

• I came to the decision to homeschool my children after being a substitute teacher in our local school district. Before being in the schools, I thought learning occurred all six hours of the day. After being in the public school system, day in and day out, I realized just how little learning occurs throughout the day. I really had no idea that kids were in school for six hours, but less than half of that time was spent on academics. Also, I had no idea, how disruptive a classroom of 22 students could be, or how a class could be held hostage by three or four children that just didn't want to learn. I didn't want my children to be stuck in such an environment.
• Before I started homeschooling my children, I actually had my kids commuting 50 miles a day (there and back) to attend a school I really liked—so you can see that education was always important to me. It's funny too, because I was sending them to a small school out in the country, that I affectionately called "The Little House on the Prairie" school. In reality, a true Little House school would have been in my home, around my kitchen table! Isn't that how education has occurred for centuries?
•  Yes, I can be my own children's teacher! After all, who loves my kids more than I do? Love and affection combined with learning—you just can't beat that! And really, haven't I been doing it all along? I was there when my children learned to walk and talk. I taught them how to use the potty, how to button a shirt, and how to treat others with respect. I taught them their numbers and ABCs. Who is better qualified to continue teaching my children, but me?
•  Besides, homeschooling isn't so much about teaching, as it is an entire journey in learning. It is a journey that occurs 24/7—not from 8 am to 3 pm Mondays through Fridays. I now realize that my children learn from every experience and situation they encounter. Grocery shopping is a learning experience, as are chores, baking a cake, and helping others.
•  And as you all know, socialization is NOT a problem. My kids are in community sports, the scouting program, they have jobs, and they have mentors. Believe me; they know how to interact with others!

So now when people ask about why I homeschool, and really, they don't ask that often anymore, I cite all the above. But I think nowadays when people ask, it's usually because they see the value in homeschooling, and they're interested in doing it too.

Times...they are a changing!

SpellQuizzer Review & Giveaway

SpellQuizzer is a spelling program that helps kids learn their spelling and vocabulary words. Using SpellQuizzer you can enter the child's weekly spelling list and make audio recordings of the words in the list. The software then quizzes the child, playing each word back to him one at a time, checking his spelling as he types in the words. SpellQuizzer corrects him when he types in a word incorrectly, and re-quizzes him on any words he missed once the first pass is completed.
Spelling software helps students learn their spelling lists more quickly than traditional manual practice, such as writing down words by hand, because it is less of a chore for the child. Children today associate computers with fun and writing on paper with work. As such, they are more eager to practice their spelling words using spelling software like SpellQuizzer, than the old way of practicing where they sit at a table writing down their words over and over again. You can make spelling practice even more fun for the student by recording amusing sentences in the spelling software, or using a funny voice when you record your spelling lists. Users can easily export and import SpellQuizzer spelling lists to share with other users - this makes it easy for members of homeschool groups to share their lists rather than everyone having to record their lists individually.

I tried the product out myself and I thought it was great - I can definitely see us using it in the future with our kids, especially since we are planning to homeschool. It would be great for public school students as well, though. You can create your own custom spelling lists so you would be able to input your children's spelling list from school or use it to go with virtually any curriculum. I love that you can create your own lists - I can see myself having a lot of fun coming up with silly sentences to go with the words. :) Or if that's not your cup of tea, the SpellQuizzer web site has pre-made downloadable spelling lists that you can download from their website. The SpellQuizzer website is super helpful - in addition to the many lists for school children, they also have ones for preschoolers and adults! One of the free lists is letters of the alphabet and I know that will be right up my son's alley. The online community forum they have set up looks great - you can share information and spelling lists with others or request support if you need help. I know there are several homeschooling mommas that read my blog and the SpellQuizzer website has a page specifically geared toward homeschoolers if you'd like more information about that. Check out the SpellQuizzer website to download a free 30-day trial of the program!

Dan from SpellQuizzer was generous enough to provide me with my own copy of SpellQuizzer to review and another to give away to you, dear readers! To enter this giveaway, just leave a comment below! Also, don't forget to make sure and leave your email address if it's not already on your profile. You can get extra entries by doing any of the following:

- Follow my blog through Google Friend Connect or Networked Blogs.

- Subscribe via feed reader or by email.

- Follow me on Twitter.

- Become a fan on Facebook. (I know they've changed it and it's no longer "become a fan" but I refuse to say "go like me on Facebook!" It just doesn't sound right!)

- Tweet about this giveaway or post about it on your blog. (Don't forget to leave a link to your tweet or post!)

- Add my blog to your blogroll or display the button for my blog somewhere. (Please leave a link!)

- Vote for me HERE, HERE or HERE.

This giveaway will be open until Friday May 7th (my birthday!) at 9 PM (EST). I will choose the winner via random.org and notify them by a blog post (probably posted that evening/Saturday morning) and email. After a winner is chosen, I'll send the winner's email address on to Dan and he'll send you the free SpellQuizzer license! Good luck!

Homeschooling: To Co-op Or Not to Co-op?

I'm a little behind but I had a blog post up over at Lesson Pathways yesterday! Woohoo! It's all about homeschool co-ops, their benefits and how to find one. Head on over there and check it out! :)

Lesson Pathways - Why Homeschooling?

I recently became a writer for a blog called Lesson Pathways and my first blog post is up over there! It's all about why we are choosing to homeschool. I'd love to hear your thoughts! You can read it HERE.

(Also, Lesson Pathways offers a 100% free program that can be used as a curriculum or as a educational supplement. I signed up and it is awesome! No more searching the internet for activities or lessons for my kids to try - they're all on there by subject and grade level. Pretty awesome stuff!)

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20 Great Reasons You Homeschool

Found this kind of randomly online - click to see the full size version!

Government Home Visitations & Homeschooling

Even if you are not a homeschooler, I would appreciate you looking into this more and/or calling or writing your government officials. The message is from the Homeschool Legal Defense Association and my thoughts are below it.

Calls Needed: Government Home Visitations in the Health Care Reform Bill

We have previously encouraged you to call your U.S. representative and urge him or her to oppose the health care reform bill that is heading toward a vote in the U.S. House. We urge you to continue your calls. It is very likely that the U.S. House will vote on the health care reform bill this week.

HSLDA is aware of the high cost of health insurance and the problems this creates for individuals, families and businesses. HSLDA’s mission leaves us neutral on the issue of health care reform in general. However, HSLDA believes that the current health care reform legislation in Congress poses a serious threat to parental rights and homeschool freedom.

The problem is found in Section 2951 on page 568 of this 2,074-page bill. This section is titled Maternal, Infant, And Early Childhood Home Visiting Programs, and will create a federal grant program to fund state home visitation programs. Under the terms of this program, government officials, including social workers, will be able to visit the homes of certain families "in order to promote improvements in maternal and prenatal health, infant health, child health and development, parenting related to child development outcomes, school readiness, and the socio-economic status of such families, and reductions in child abuse, neglect, and injuries."

The home visitation program in the health care reform bill is voluntary. However, all the details of the home visitation programs are open to being politically influenced by government bureaucrats who may think that they know more about parenting than do parents. They may pressure parents to adopt child-rearing methods that are against the family's religious beliefs. Home visitation officials may even threaten families with abuse and neglect investigations if the families do not choose to follow the official parenting education models.

And fundamentally, HSLDA believes that the federal government has no constitutional authority to fund and oversee home visitation programs and parenting classes. Once the federal government gets a foot into the door of families’ homes, will it ever stop?

These home visitations are the reason why HSLDA is opposing the health care reform bill.

You can reach your U.S. representative by calling the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121, or toll-free at 866-220-0044. You can find your U.S. representative by using HSLDA’s Legislative Toolbox.

Note: This is just an excerpt - you can read the full message on this page.

I know that the health care system is messed up but I think there needs to be more time spent on figuring out how to fix it and not rushing through it. I think it's better to take our time and fix things than rush through them and mess things up more. This is not an anti-Obama or anti-liberal rant on my part, I just want us all to have the freedoms we are entitled to as Americans. For me, that is less government interference in my life. I believe government is good and has it's place - but it should not be in control of my life. That would be a dictatorship. And I think we know how good those are... (See Parade's World's Worst Dictators for more info.)
I want to know that when I choose to homeschool my child that there won't be interference from the government telling me what I am allowed to do or telling me that I'm not raising my child right. I don't want myself, or any other parent to face criminal charges (neglect or otherwise) for simply choosing to raise their children differently. Yes, there are cases where children are neglected or taken out of school and not homeschooled but that doesn't mean that everyone that chooses to homeschool is that way. That's like saying, "All young mothers don't know how to raise their children because they're young so we need to take their children away from them." (I am NOT saying they're going to do that - that was just a exaggerated explanation.) I went through and read the part they mentioned in the health care bill and after my brain stopped exploding from all the legal-ese, I saw that so much was left up to interpretation. The whole bill is like that really - or so it seems to me. I am by no means wanting to start an argument and if this turns out to be nothing to do with homeschooling or if it truly is voluntary and doesn't affect anyone badly, then I will be very glad and admit that I was wrong. But as it is, it doesn't seem to be that way and I am entitled to voice my opinion. Please feel free to leave your opinions and thoughts on this issue in the comments.

Fun Christmas Activities

With the holidays coming up, sometimes you just need something to keep the kids busy while you are wrapping presents, cooking or whatever other preparations you're working on - or perhaps you're just looking for a holiday-themed craft to do with your kids. I thought some of my readers with kids (or even just the adults! hehe) might enjoy trying out some of these fun things we've found online:

- Virtual Gingerbread House: Decorate your own gingerbread house with all different types of candy.
- The North Pole: So many different things to do on here - coloring pages, decorate a Christmas tree or snowman, watch a disco-dancing Santa and tons more. We also love that on this site you can send a letter to Santa and he'll send you one back! So cool!
- A Kid's Heart: Tons of different Christmas activities and games.
- DLTK's Crafts for Kids Christmas Activities: Coloring pages, crafts, printables, recipes and tons more.
- The Kidz Page Free Christmas Games: Online puzzle and maze games
- Enchanted Learning Christmas Crafts for Kids: TONS of crafts, most using simple household things.
- Activity Village Christmas for Kids: Lots of printables, coloring pages and crafts.