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~ February 2013 ~
Dear Readers,
February may be a short month but it sure is a busy one! February 11 is Make a New Friend Day, February 12 is Kindness Awareness Day, February 14 is Valentine's Day and Arizona Statehood Day, and February 18 is Presidents Day.
February is also a popular month for homeschool birthdays! Besides George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, the following famous homeschoolers were born in February: Ansel Adams, Thomas Edison, Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley, Charles Dickens, and Laura Ingalls Wilder. (Laura was taught at home when she was unable to attend school due to distance or weather, and she also homeschooled her daughter Rose!)
Featured Article
The 1990s were the heyday of "edutainment" in the form of children's software as well as television shows. Two of my favorite educational series - The Magic School Bus and Carmen Sandiego - are now available on DVD so kids who were too young to watch them on TV can enjoy them today.
Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?
The Magic School Bus
Book of the Month
George Washington is fondly called "The Father of his Country." As President of the Constitutional Convention, Washington was the first signer of the U.S. Constitution. The Citizens Rule Book contains the complete text of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. This booklet is a practical reminder of the values upon which our country was founded. Order some for your Presidents Day celebrations. Only $1.00 each!
Over two hundred years after his birth, Abraham Lincoln is still considered one of the most influential Americans of all time. More books have been written about him than any other president.
If you like Abe Lincoln, you will love Abraham Lincoln: The Boy, The Man. This 160-page pictorial biography is perfect for homeschoolers, and it comes in a bilingual English/Spanish edition! Limited quantities.
E-Book of the Month
George Washington's 110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior Download this 17-page e-book for FREE! Includes Washington's original rules as well as selected examples for copywork and memorization, plus a writing activity.
Famous Homeschoolers
Some grew up in Arizona, others moved there later in life, and a few were just passing through. They all left their mark on the state. Each of them was homeschooled or self-educated! Read the full article here.
Reading Between the Lines
The Constitution of the United States - America’s supreme law - is the greatest legal document ever written. Respected worldwide, more than 100 countries have modeled their governments on it. But it gets no respect at home. Few Americans read it, and even fewer understand it.
How well do YOU know the Constitution? Do you know what’s in it? Better yet, do you know what’s NOT in it? Your elected leaders have sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution. Do you know if they are keeping their word? You can’t defend your Constitution if you don’t understand it.
Download a FREE PDF copy of Elementary Catechism on the Constitution of the United States for Use in Schools (from Monticello College). This digital reprint of an 1828 book by Arthur J. Stansbury contains a wealth of information about the founding political document of our country, with 333 study questions and answers. Written less than 40 years after the Constitution was ratified, the Catechism used to be the standard elementary textbook for teaching American schoolchildren about the U.S. Constitution.
Now the Catechism on the Constitution is a much-needed and informative lesson on American politics and law for citizens of all ages – and an intriguing look into the way the U.S. Constitution was understood, interpreted, and taught in the early years of our nation. Download a copy today!
Additional Formats:
Paperback |
Kindle Edition
Learning Links
George Washington's Farewell Address
Since 1862, there has been a tradition in the United States Senate that George Washington's Farewell Address be read on his birthday, February 22.
Freebie(s) of the Month
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
Valentine Cutouts - Write your own messages on these Bear Heart Notes.
Washington Word Find - My favorite kind of word game! (I found 60; can you beat me?)
Presidents Day Quiz - Lincoln and Washington Trivia.
(Requires Adobe Reader: click here for free download.)
Quote of the Month
“May this Valentine's Day be filled with love, understanding, and contentment as you journey through life with those you hold dear.” ~Darly Henerson
A Note From Teri...
It's only February, but spring is already in the air here in the Arizona desert. Outside I can hear the happy sounds of birds chirping, and the doves came back last week to build their nest over our front porch. Which reminds me, it's almost time for The Great Backyard Bird Count! The 2013 GBBC will take place on Friday, February 15, through Monday, February 18. The GBBC is an annual 4-day event that engages bird lovers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are. It’s free, fun, and easy! Everyone is welcome to participate - from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. Scientists use the observations from the GBBC and other citizen-science projects - such as the Christmas Bird Count, Project FeederWatch, and eBird - to get the “big picture” about bird populations. Learn about birds and bird watching, find birding activities for kids, and get more information about the GBBC at www.birdcount.org.
Happy Homeschooling!
P.S. Did you like this month's newsletter?