Knowledge House Newsletter


Homeschool Information... Ideas... and Inspiration

June Holidays & Special Days - Click Here!

~ June 2012 ~

Dear Readers,

Happy June! Do you homeschool through the summer? Whether or not you're continuing your studies, try to do something different to shake up your routine a bit and make some happy memories. Have a family game or movie night. Take a trip to a local park or museum. Check out a bunch of books at the libary. Go on a nature walk or bike ride. Can't afford to take time off for a family vacation? Maybe you can go camping some weekend. Don't want to leave the comfort of home? If you live in a nice climate, you can spend more time gardening, exploring, and playing outside. Consider a backyard campout, BBQ, stargazing or pool party. Too hot? Stay indoors and read, play games, or do puzzles. Write about your summer adventures, activities, thoughts, and dreams in a journal. Whatever you do, have fun!

Teri's Sig


Featured Article

Homeschooling Duties Of Fathers

A father's primary goal in life is to provide for and protect his family, but fathers also have a God-ordained responsibility for the training of their children. Sadly, there is a huge gap in our culture of men who are actually willing to stand up and be the father that God has called them to be. As his children's leader and teacher, the homeschool father should be involved as much as possible in their home education. The more he actively participates, the more credibility homeschooling has in the eyes of his children, the less stressed mom will be, and the more likely it will be a long term experience. It's a real blessing to have a father who can spend time with his children during the day. Even a father who works away from home can be their nightly homework checker or Bible teacher. A father may teach some other subjects as well, but most importantly, he must be supportive of his family’s homeschooling endeavor. Fathers should consider the following duties.

Principal (The principal may not do any teaching, but he is in charge to make sure the teachers teach, and he provides the help and support they need to do so.)

Pray for guidance and blessing.
Write down goals and a plan of action.
Make a schedule and see that it is followed.
Help select curriculum and plan lessons.
Talk to your children about what they are studying.
Review your children’s work; grade papers.
Assist with special projects (science experiments, etc.).
Go along on field trips.
Attend workshops and conferences with your wife.
Offer encouragement to your wife and motivation for your children.
Enforce the discipline of your children.
Take an active interest in politics and legislation that may affect home education.
Provide income for purchasing school supplies and materials.
Give your wife a break (bring home dinner; take the kids to the park).
Hand out the diploma or certificate of promotion at the end of the school year.

Spiritual Leader (As the spiritual head of the household, the father should be a good role model.)

Pray for your family and your homeschool.
Take the family to church regularly.
Bring God into everyday conversation.
Teach your children about God’s creations.
Teach your children about God’s historical works.
Teach your children the Ten Commandments.
Evangelize your children.
Take your children on "fishing trips" (witnessing).
Tune in to Christian music on the radio.
Lead the family in daily devotionals.
Encourage reciting Bible verses from memory.
Read the Bible aloud and study Biblical passages together.
Read Bible stories to children at bedtime.

Instructor (The father may be better at teaching certain subjects; examples follow.)

Physical Fitness/Sports.
Woodworking Shop/Auto Mechanics.
Science and/or Mathematics.
History, Government and/or Economics.
Logic and/or Critical Thinking.
Any other subject dad enjoys, majored in, or otherwise knows well.

Finally in all of these things remember Colossians 3:21 which says, “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” Similarly, Ephesians 6:4 states, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

SEE ALSO: Ode to a Homeschool Dad

Book of the Month

Citizens Rule Book

The 4th of July is coming up soon! Stock up now on Citizens Rule Books for handing out at tea parties and Independence Day celebrations. The legacy of my late father-in-law, this pocket-sized book includes the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, plus quotes by our Founding Fathers and information for jurors. Only $1 each!

Famous Homeschoolers

Frank Lloyd Wright

The famous American architect was homeschooled and self-taught in the field of architecture. His birthday is June 8, same as mine. :) Click here to read his biography. (Each month I will highlight another famous homeschooler.)

Reading Between the Lines

Free Giveaway!

The long lazy days of summer provide abundant opportunity for journaling. Have you ever kept a journal? Why or why not? If you do, what purposes does it serve? If you don’t, would you like to? Yvonne Root and Tonya Schulte, a homeschool mom and daughter, have produced a home study course titled JournalUp: Teaching Teens and Tweens the Power of Journal Writing for Life Enhancement. The book's introduction states: “People often ask about the best way to teach their teens and pre-teens the principles of journaling…. But, the absolute best ‘trick’ we know of to encourage regular journal writing habits in the lives of those young people is to build that habit in yourself.… That is why you will find assignments meant to be used by both adult and teen in every section of this study.… The unexpected benefit of this approach is that not only will you be teaching your teens a life-long habit that will serve them well in the future, you’ll be building the same habit – one which has the power to change your life in ways you never even imagined.” Click here for more information or enter the Giveaway widget for a chance to win a free copy of JournalUp (retail value $27)!

Learning Links

Family Travel Tips (How to make family travel more enjoyable for kids and parents alike.)

Play it Safe in the Sun (June is Skin Cancer Awareness Month.)

Summer Safety (June is National Safety Month.)

The Story of Old Glory (Flag Day is June 14.)

Father's Day (Read about the history and traditions of Father’s Day.)

In the Good Old Summertime (June 21 is the first day of Summer!)

Freebie of the Month

Here are some lists that will help with your summer travels!*

Road Trip Log - This is what we use to keep track of our miles, times, and places wherever we go; then we save them in a family trip binder for future reference.

Camping Checklist - A vacation packing list that our family has used over the years, with space to add your own items.

Family Trip Plan - We start getting ready for our trip a week ahead of time, by following this list of things to do.

Print out the above pages to keep in a binder. Throughout the year, I will supply additional printable household lists in each issue of this newsletter. Want to print out a matching cover for that binder? Click here: Household Notebook Cover

Homeschool convention season is here! Download a copy of How to Get the Most Out of a Homeschool Convention. This 14-page special report includes a handy checklist!*

*(PDF format requires Adobe Reader: click here for free download.)

Quote of the Month

“One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.” ~George Herbert

A Note From Teri...

Hey, can you do me a favor? My new Homeschool Library blog is entered in the Circle of Moms Top 25 Homeschooling Blogs. Please vote for me! Click here - scroll down and look for Homeschool Library of Links (it has the picture you see here). Vote by clicking the orange "thumbs up" button. You can vote for my blog once per day until June 27.

P.S. It's my birthday, so consider your vote a gift for me if you like the information I provide. Thanks, I appreciate it! :)

Happy Homeschooling!

Teri's Sig

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

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