~ January 2014 ~

Dear Readers,

Well, the new year is here and I'm already more than two weeks behind! If you're like me, your New Year’s resolution probably is: "This year I will do all of the things that I didn’t get to finish last year." LOL! Of course if the new year is really going to be any different, it means that you have to actually do something, not just continue in your wishful thinking. It might help to read this article that I wrote several years ago. I always re-read it every year around this time to remind myself that it's never too late!

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1. I resolve to develop a homeschool mission statement and follow it.

2. I resolve to re-examine our curriculum choices and make changes if necessary.

3. I resolve to not get upset when our homeschool fails to run “smoothly” based on a made-up schedule or pre-set timeline.

4. I resolve to keep our schoolroom neat and organized. (Really, I will!)

5. I resolve to keep our homeschool records updated and accurate. (Most important for high school.)

6. I resolve to not compare my family to other homeschooling families, and not to covet the free time that my neighbor has because her children are in public school.

7. I resolve to always spend my time and money wisely.

8. I resolve to acknowledge each of my children’s unique strengths and gifts.

9. I resolve to take some regular time off for relaxation and reflection, and to maintain my mental and physical fitness.

10. I resolve to do my best to keep my patience and sustain my enthusiasm.

And one more... I know I’m not a perfect person, so I won’t expect my child to be a perfect student.

Book of the Month

This wonderful set of books by a veteran homeschool mom will provide refreshing encouragement and practical motivation throughout the year!

Get ALL 3 BOOKS (valued at $57) for ONLY $30!*
OR purchase one or more individual titles - also on sale!

*And don't forget the FREE SHIPPING!

E-Books of the Month

How to Write a Homeschool Mission Statement - The new year is a good time to re-think and re-organize your homeschool. Perhaps the excitement of beginning school in the fall has worn off and the mid-winter doldrums combined with the anxiety of all you have yet to cover has you feeling overwhelmed. In addition, you may have noticed that the busyness of daily life seems to distract you from the things that matter most. The whole family can get back on track by sitting down together and compiling a homeschool mission statement to assist in guiding you from this day forward. My easy-to-follow step-by-step guide explains how. Download this 36-page e-book for only $4.95! Click here for details.

Ben Franklin's Proverbs - We’ve all heard the advice "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." Benjamin Franklin had this to say and much more in his Poor Richard’s Almanac. This e-book features over 100 of Ben's best proverbs, along with lined pages for children's copywork with appropriate quotes, additional lessons and writing assignments for all ages. Makes a great Language Arts unit study! Also great for penmanship practice! HINT: National Handwriting Day is coming up on January 23. Practicing better handwriting would be a good New Year's resolution! Start by copying Ben Franklin's Proverbs. Only $4.95! Click here for more details.

P.S. I've seen a 15-page e-book of Ben Franklin's Proverbs on sale elsewhere for $3.99, so I think mine is a great deal considering it's 36 pages and includes supplemental lessons!

Famous Homeschoolers

Wilson A. Bentley, homeschooled by his mother, had a unique hobby of studying snowflakes. On January 15, 1885, he became the first person to photograph a single snow crystal. In his lifetime, Bentley captured more than 5,000 snowflakes on film. Of course, no two were exactly alike. Learn more about "The Snowflake Man" at FamousHomeschoolers.net.

Did you know...? Virginia is the only state to observe both Lee-Jackson Day (a state holiday) and Martin Luther King Jr. Day (a federal holiday). MLK Day celebrates the birthday of the slain civil rights leader. Lee-Jackson Day celebrates the birthdays of Confederate leaders Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. They may have been on the wrong side during the Civil War, but Lee and Jackson are both men of distinction - not just because they were homeschooled, but because their character and accomplishments are worthy of remembrance. Take a moment to honor these two men today by learning more about them:

Reading Between the Lines

The Mere Christianity Critical Analysis Journal by Stacy Farrell (author of Philosophy Adventure) is recommended for middle school and high school students, as well as adults. It can be used by homeschoolers for independent study; in family devotions with older children; or in a small group, co-op, classroom, or Sunday school setting. Read the rest of my review at HomeschoolingTeen.com.

Learning Links

The New Year (Here's our chance to start over, to do it right this time, to have another chance at success, to accomplish something that we want to finish.)

New Year Resolutions (Haven't thought of a resolution yet? Try picking one or more from the list! Do you really want to keep your resolutions this year? This article includes a few goal-setting tips.)

Homeschool Resolutions (Even though it's the middle of the school year, the new year is a good time for re-assessment and mid-course corrections.)

Let it Snow (Fun facts about snow! Includes Eskimo names for different kinds of snow.)

Teddy Bears (January 18 is Winnie-the-Pooh Day. This silly old bear and his friends are perhaps the most famous stuffed animals of all time. Learn all about the history of Teddy Bears.)

"I Have a Dream" (January 20, 2014 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Commemorate this day by reading the text of his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech.)

Handwriting & Penmanship (National Handwriting Day is coming up on January 23. This article contains tips for teaching handwriting and ideas on how to improve penmanship. Practicing better handwriting would be a good New Year's resolution! You can start by copying Ben Franklin's Proverbs.)

Freebie of the Month

For Everything There is a Season...and a Time for Every Purchase - If you want to get the best deals, it helps to know when the sales are. Most stores follow a regular sale pattern throughout the year. Here is a month-by-month guide to the biggest bargains for you to print out.

Valentine Gospel Tract - Remember when you were a kid and your classmates sent each other handmade paper Valentines? This year why not give your friends, colleagues, and neighbors a Valentine greeting that lets them know how much God loves them! I've created a Valentine gospel tract for you to download. It's actually two pages that you can print double-sided and fold over, so the recipient can open it up and read the message inside. The main text also works as a stand-alone Valentine handout if you'd rather just print that page only. Make as many copies as you wish!

Valentine Gospel Tract - inside page
Valentine Gospel Tract - outside cover

Quote of the Month

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.” ~Benjamin Franklin

A Note From Teri...

While many parts of the country have been experiencing the coldest winter ever, here in the Arizona desert it's been an extra mild one. Not even any ice in our bird bath! With temps in the 70's and up to 80 degrees the last couple of weeks, it seems a little early for spring. And yet the green grass is growing, the birds are chirping, and the doves are building a nest over our front porch. Wishing you and your family a warm, fun-filled year ahead!

Happy Homeschooling!

P.S. Did you like this month's newsletter?