Knowledge House Newsletter


Homeschool Information... Ideas... and Inspiration

July Holidays & Special Days - Click Here!

~ July 2012 ~

Dear Readers,

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who voted for my Homeschool Libary blog in the "Circle of Moms Top 25 Homeschool Mom Blogs" contest. I didn't make the Top 25, but I was in the Top 50. My blog ended up at #47 out of 221 total entries, which I thought was pretty good!

Teri's Sig


Featured Article

Summer Reading Fun

Long days, hot weather, and vacation time all provide abundant opportunity for reading - but with so many books to choose from, you don't want to waste time on mediocre ones. This section is devoted to making the most of your summer reading experience.

How to Choose a Good Book offers general guidelines on what to look for.

Some books are written in such a way that they are ideally suited for reading aloud. Such books utilize words, sentences, and figurative language in creative ways to enhance the plot development, bring the characters to life, and create a mood. I've put together a list of Read-Aloud Favorites that adults can enjoy reading and no child should grow up without hearing.

For some cool reading fun geared around summer getaway themes, check out my Summer Reading List. (Many of these titles are also on the read-aloud list!) You can download a printable copy for your convenience. It’s annotated and organized by age/grade. Take it along with you the next time you visit the library. Happy Reading!

Book of the Month

Citizens Rule Book

Happy 4th of July! If you haven't already, stock up on some Citizens Rule Books for giving to family and friends. 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

Amelia Earhart

Homeschooled as a child, Amelia Earhart grew up to be a very brave woman pilot and a true aviation pioneer. She disappeared on July 2, 1937, during an around-the-world flight. Seeking to chronicle Earhart’s fate 75 years after she vanished over the Pacific, researchers set out this week to look for wreckage of her airplane near where they believe the famed American aviator may have perished. Read about her life and aviation accomplishments at http://www.famoushomeschoolers.net/bio_amelia-earhart.html. (Each month I will highlight another famous homeschooler.)

Reading Between the Lines

Awesome Science: Explore the Grand Canyon with Noah Justice

A homeschool family produces the Awesome Science DVD series, and it’s actually a high quality production since the dad, Kyle Justice, is an experienced videographer/producer (National Geographic, Outdoor Channel, ESPN). Episode 1, Explore the Grand Canyon, takes viewers on an adventure to the Grand Canyon, as 14-year-old Noah Justice explains the science behind the canyon’s formation from a young earth creationist perspective.

I have to admit, I was skeptical about this title at first even though I’m a Christian homeschooling parent. Our family lives in Arizona, so we’ve been to the Grand Canyon many times and have studied it in depth. What could a kid who doesn’t even live in Arizona possibly have to tell us that we didn’t already know? And what kind of authority could a young teenager have that would make us want to listen to him as a tour guide?

Want to know what my opinion is now that I've watched it? Read my review to find out!

Learning Links

Fourth of July Fireworks (Learn about all the different styles of fireworks, how they work, what they're made of, and create some virtual fireworks!)

The Birth of America (Fun facts about the American Revolution.)

Gettysburg (The Battle of Gettysburg was fought on July 1-3, 1863.)

Ice Cream (July is National Ice Cream Month!)

In the Good Old Summertime

Summer Reading List

Summer Movies

Play it Safe in the Sun

Summer Safety

Solar Cooking

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

Freebie of the Month

Declaration of Independence
(Download a FREE copy of the Declaration of Independence. Read it with your family as part of your Independence Day celebration.)

Summer Reading List - Word DOC

Summer Reading List - Adobe PDF

How to Get the Most Out of a Homeschool Convention
(This 14-page special report includes a handy checklist!)

(Requires Adobe Reader: click here for free download.)

Quote of the Month

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.” ~Ronald Reagan

A Note From Teri...

Wishing you and your family a Happy July Fourth! As part of your Independence Day festivities, be sure to take a moment to reflect over where we are as a nation and what we can do as individuals to stand for life and liberty. Pray for those brave soldiers throughout the world who are willing to fight to defend our freedoms. Pray for God to appoint wise and godly leaders for our country in this critical election year. Pray for repentance to begin with each one of us this Fourth of July! “If My people which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” ~II Chronicles 7:14

Happy Homeschooling!

Teri's Sig

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

Copyright © 2012 by Teri Ann Berg Olsen, www.knowledgehouse.info. To subscribe to this free e-newsletter, send a blank e-mail to and follow the instructions in the confirmation e-mail that you will receive, or sign up on the web at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KnowledgeHouse. To unsubscribe, send a blank e-mail to . Questions? E-mail .