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~ July/August 2011 ~
Dear Readers,
Do you ever feel like the whole world is passing you by as if everyone else is on fast-forward while you’re going in slow motion or backwards? Ha! Seriously, this is the first time since I started my Knowledge House newsletter four years ago that I actually missed a month. That's why I've had to combine the July/August issue. And I was surprised to see all the stores putting out their school supplies as soon as the 4th of July was over. In fact, several schools around here already started back up in July. That seems way too early. Whatever happened to waiting till after Labor Day? After all, August is national “Family Fun Month,” and what better way to end the summer than by spending family time together! As if you really needed an excuse to have fun as a family, right? But time flies and people with busy lives often need a reminder to stop and rethink their priorities. So be sure to take some time off during the month of August to play games, go hiking and biking, have a picnic or campout, and enjoy some good old-fashioned family fun! This can be the start of a habit to involve fun in the family all year round.
Featured Article
It’s that time of year to stock up on school stuff while everything is on sale! Even year-round homeschoolers will appreciate having a brand new set of supplies when moving up to the next grade. Get your kids involved in the planning process. Then go to the store as a family and let your children choose what they want from the wide variety of styles and themes that are available. This way they can express their individuality, and they will be more likely to enjoy using those items that they had a say in picking out.
Essential school supplies will vary depending on the type of curriculum and grade level. In general, however, if you have school-age children it’s a good idea to always have the following basic supplies on hand: dictionary, thesaurus, pencils, pencil sharpener, erasers, paperclips, stapler, scissors, clear adhesive tape, masking tape, computer, printer, ink cartridges, paper.
Preschool to elementary students will need: pencils, crayons, pencil and crayon sharpener, eraser, washable markers, safety scissors, white glue, glue stick, colored construction paper, drawing paper, notebooks, pocket folders, lined penmanship paper, math manipulatives, chalk, lunch tote (for field trips), and magazines with colorful pictures to cut out.
Middle to High School will need: pens, mechanical pencils, colored pencils, No. 2 pencils, fine-line markers, highlighters, ruler, scientific calculator, graph paper, three-ring binders, spiral notebooks (one for each subject), lined loose-leaf paper, pocket folders, composition book, journal, calendar, wristwatch, bookbag or backpack.
You might think your pre-teen child has outgrown the crayons, markers, and other art and craft supplies, but older children still do research projects, science fair entries, book reports, skits and plays that require visual presentations. You don’t want to find out that your supply closet is empty the night before a project is due, so keep some poster board, construction paper, and colored markers in there.
One more thing - in addition to checking your inventory, this is a good time of year to have the kids test all of their glue sticks, white glue, markers, etc. to make sure these items haven't dried out just in case they need to replaced. There's nothing worse than being in the middle of a project and finding out that something you want to use doesn't work!
A long time ago I made a checklist of basic homeschool supplies that our family found useful, which you might want to download and print out for your own use: http://www.knowledgehouse.info/HomeschoolSupplyList.pdf
Book of the Month
Well, a new school year is right around the corner! This is a perfect time to think ahead about how to make the most of those back-to-school days--especially if you homeschool.
The beginning of a school year is an exciting time of opening new curriculum, planning your upcoming schedule, etc. You want this to be your best year ever, right? So while you’re at it, why not write a homeschool mission statement! My e-book will show you how.
How to Write a Homeschool Mission Statement is an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide that explains in practical terms how to create, utilize, and display a homeschool mission statement. It includes: Examples, Discussion Questions, Worksheets, Keyword List, Scriptures, Quotations, Mottoes, Things to Do, and more!
If you are a new homeschooler, the reasons for homeschooling your children are probably still fresh in your mind. This e-book will help you clarify those reasons and put your educational plan in writing to ensure that your homeschool starts out on a strong foundation and continues to function well into the future.
If you have been homeschooling for a while, you may have noticed that the busyness of daily life often seems to distract you from the principles that matter most. Your family can get back on track by preparing a homeschool mission statement to assist in guiding you from this day forward.
Download your copy of How to Write a Homeschool Mission Statement, a 36-page e-book for only $4.95! (WAS $8.50)
OR get this e-book FREE in my "Back-to-Homeschool" set!
Famous Homeschoolers
Did you know...? Two Pairs of Famous Homeschoolers Have August Birthdays!
William Clark and Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis & Clark Expedition were both born this month (August 1, 1770 and August 18, 1774, respectively). http://www.famoushomeschoolers.net/bio_lewisclark.html
Wilbur Wright was born on August 16, 1867, and his brother Orville was born on August 19, 1871. National Aviation Day is also celebrated on Orville Wright’s birthday. http://www.famoushomeschoolers.net/bio_wrightbros.html
Also, don't forget Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell in honor of National Inventors Month! Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb as well as many other things. Alexander Graham Bell is most famous for inventing the telephone, but he was also a teacher of deaf people.
Reading Between the Lines
Wish you had the perfect quote (or quotes) to provide support for your family's homeschool mission? Well, look no further! Educational quotations can be a source of inspiration throughout your homeschool journey. Learning for Life: Educational Words of Wisdom is the only book of quotations compiled specifically with homeschoolers in mind. In fact, you will be pleased to know how many famous people from the past to the present agree with your educational philosophy!
Learning for Life is a 420-page treasury of nearly 3,000 quotations by more than 1,000 people on teaching, learning, and the pursuit of knowledge. The quotes are categorized by subject, covering both traditional and nontraditional forms of education. Many of these quotations are from Christian sources, harkening back to our schools’ Christian heritage and reflecting a strong biblical perspective.
The book begins with a selection of Bible verses, which serves as a reminder to not become so preoccupied with academics that one forgets the fundamental godly principles with which children should be nurtured. Following this, Learning for Life features quotations by a diverse spectrum of philosophers, scientists, religious leaders, statesmen, writers, educators, and others. These observations on education and child training range from witty to wise, practical to profound, and informational to inspirational. It's a conversation about education that reaches across time and cultures.
Learning for Life is a testimony to the long-lasting influence that parents and educators have on children and on the future. In this same educational spirit, Learning for Life contains biographical notes on each author so the reader can find out about a quotation’s source, the individual’s background, time period, and interesting facts such as whether he or she was self-educated or schooled at home. The volume also includes an appendix, index, and blank pages for writing down additional quotes.
For more information, please visit my Learning for Life page: http://www.knowledgehouse.info/learningforlife.html
Learning for Life is part of my "Back-to-Homeschool" sale!
Learning Links
Summer Movies (Wind down the summer and celebrate Family Fun month with some popcorn, lemonade, and one or more of these movies. Some of them have summer themes and others just evoke the feeling of a summer adventure.)
Meteors (The Perseid Meteor Shower peaks on August 12.)
Meteorites (How to recognize a meteorite.)
Lemonade (August 20 is Lemonade Day.)
Monarch Butterflies (The Monarch Butterfly's fall migration generally begins around August 21.)
National Parks (The National Park Service was established on August 25, 1916.)
I Have a Dream (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave this famous speech on August 28, 1963.)
Education Through the Ages (Homeschooling is taking us back to our educational roots.)
Teachers & Teaching (Almost everyone, at one time or another, has taught another person something.)
Famous Educators (Many famous people throughout history have made significant contributions to education.)
Labor Day (Labor Day will be on September 5 this year.)
Freebie of the Month
If you live in Arizona or your kids are learning about the state, you will love these free activity sheets: http://www.arizonaedventures.com/fun-games/free-activity-sheets/.
August & September Calendar - Print out these calendar pages and hang on your fridge, next to your computer, or keep in a binder. Includes a convenient list of holidays and special days, plus space for notes.
(Requires Adobe Reader: click here for free download.)
Quote of the Month
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” ~Thomas Edison
A Note From Teri...
Check out the special package I’ve put together for you - save over 50% on my exclusive Back-to-Homeschool set!
Easy Homeschooling Techniques
Easy Homeschooling Curriculum
Easy Homeschooling Companion
How to Write a Homeschool Mission Statement
OR purchase one or more individual titles - also on sale!
Happy Homeschooling!