~ September 2010 ~

Dear Readers,

Happy September! This month is the 3rd anniversary of my monthly newsletter as well as the 30th anniversary of the day my husband and I first met! (It was in a creative writing class at college.) Both of us were independent thinkers who didn't follow the crowd - and even before we had kids, we knew we were going to homeschool. Anyway, to celebrate, I'm having a special 3 for $30.00 sale - plus you'll even get FREE shipping! This wonderful set of books will provide a source of refreshing encouragement and practical motivation throughout your school year ... at a price you can’t resist!

Featured Article

I think all homeschoolers have a fondness for one-room schoolhouses, don't you? In many ways, the atmosphere of a one-room school is similar to home schools with all grades learning together under one roof. Likewise, in either case it's not unusual for older students to help the younger ones with their lessons.

One-room school buildings hearken back to the days of ruggedly independent pioneering families. Many of these schools were privately owned before the government school systems took over. In the old schoolhouses, children were taught the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic – and the Bible was an integral part of education. In addition, back then the emphasis was on patriotism, not multiculturalism.

Today, children in Amish communities still attend one-room schools through the eighth grade. After that, they leave school and have a structured learning program supervised by their parents. All Amish schoolchildren begin their day with a reading from the Bible, just as they have for generations.

Traditionally, one-room schools have been known to be very orderly and provide a safe, secure environment. Such schoolhouses bring to mind simpler times of living in a pastoral setting free of the crime, corruption, and hypocrisy of the modern world. The Amish still live that old-fashioned lifestyle, with strong family ties and deep religious beliefs.

However, on the morning of October 2, 2006, the Amish community of Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania was forever changed after a man (who wasn't Amish) entered a one-room schoolhouse and shot ten girls (aged 6-13), killing five and seriously injuring the others, before committing suicide.

Nationwide media attention soon turned from the tragic events to the extraordinary forgiveness and compassion demonstrated by the Amish community. Meanwhile, the West Nickel Mines School was torn down and several months later a new one-room schoolhouse, the New Hope School, was built at another location.

The inspirational movie Amish Grace will be available on DVD on September 14. The film, starring Kimberly Williams-Paisley, is a fictionalized account based on the true story of the 2006 schoolhouse shooting. Amish Grace examines a mother’s (Williams-Paisley as Ida) personal journey in which she copes with the tragic loss of her daughter. Ida’s husband, Gideon, tells his remaining daughter how hate is a hungry thing that eats your heart until no space remains left for love.

The authenticity of Amish life portrayed in the movie isn’t exactly accurate, but it’s a respectful representation. The movie’s characters weren’t literal depictions, either, but composites of characters and personalities. What happened inside the one-room schoolhouse on the day of the shooting is never shown, and Amish Grace is approved by the Dove Foundation as faith- and family- friendly.

By the way, when Amish Grace appeared on the Lifetime Movie Network on March 28, 2010, it broke records in multiple demographics, making it the most-watched, highest-rated, original television movie in the history of that network! Of the cast and crew members, eleven of them received twenty-four Emmy nominations and four of them have a total of five wins. You can pre-order Amish Grace at Amazon.com.

Book of the Month

Well, a new school year is here! 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)

Famous Homeschoolers

The famous mystery writer Agatha Christie, born on September 15, 1890, was such a painfully shy child that her parents schooled her at home. Read her biography here. (Each month I will highlight another famous homeschooler.)

Reading Between the Lines

On Saturday, August 21, we attended a Creation Seminar at Desert View Bible Church in Phoenix. The featured speaker was Russ Miller of Creation, Evolution and Science Ministries. The seminar, geared towards equipping believers in their faith, was titled “What Your Teachers Can't Tell You.” During his presentation, Russ Miller presented “50 Facts versus Darwinism in the Textbooks.” Mr. Miller referred to The Evolution Handbook as a great resource on Creationism vs. Darwinism. He told how one time he challenged a Biology teacher, who was belittling kids who didn't agree with Darwinism, to read this book. Now the biologist tells his students, “I no longer believe Darwinism is true.” Copies of The Evolution Handbook were selling like hotcakes after the seminar. I purchased one, too. Click here to read my review.

Learning Links

• Labor Day (Labor Day is September 6 this year.)

• 9-11 Heroes (September 11 - we will never forget.)

• Grandparents Day (Remember your Grandparents on September 13.)

• Constitution Day (Constitution Day is September 17. That whole week is designated as Constitution Week.)

• Monarch Butterflies (The Monarch Butterfly's fall migration.)

• Autumn Leaves (Activities and resources for learning about fall leaves.)

• Autumn is for Apples (Learn a little bit about Johnny Appleseed - his birthday is September 26 - and try some yummy apple recipes.)

• Pirates (September 19 is "Talk Like a Pirate Day.")

• Etiquette & Ethics (September is Children's Good Manners Month.)

Freebie(s) of the Month

Constitution Challenge - In honor of Constitution Week which is September 12–18, have your children memorize the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. I've put together a decorative copy of The Preamble, a memory activity, memorization tips, vocabulary, and Constitutional Quotations for Copywork (4 pages total).

Rules of Civility - Have your children learn general courtesies, manners and morals the way George Washington did! Click here for a free copy of "George Washington's Rules of Civility" in a 17-page e-book.

P.S. I forgot to give you my compilation of 1960's facts and trivia last month! I made it for my parents' 50th Wedding Anniversary. You and your kids will be amazed to find out all about everything from that year! Major events, food prices, science and technology, arts and entertainment, and more! Click here to download (4 pages).

Quote of the Month

“I suppose it is because nearly all children go to school nowadays and have things arranged for them that they seem so forlornly unable to produce their own ideas.” ~Agatha Christie

A Note From Teri...

Hope you enjoyed this month's newsletter! Don't forget my “3 Books for $30” sale! Hint, hint :)

Happy Homeschooling!