~ November 2010 ~

Dear Readers,

The month of November includes two holidays of special significance to Americans - Veterans Day and Thanksgiving.

Veterans Day was established to honor our veterans and to thank those who continue to serve by protecting our freedoms and our way of life. Thanksgiving is a time when Americans pause to reflect on our beginnings as a nation, and to give thanks for the many blessings that we enjoy.

The next time you see someone in a military uniform, be sure to thank them for their service. And don't forget to include in your Thanksgiving prayers all those who will be spending the holiday away from home in order to defend the freedoms that we so often take for granted.

Featured Article

America's Thanksgiving commemorates the Pilgrims' harvest feast, part of the story of the settling of Plymouth Colony, an important period in American history. Since the Pilgrims' original feast was never repeated, it can't really be called the beginning of a tradition, nor did the Pilgrims call it a Thanksgiving Feast. Nevertheless, the 1621 feast has become a model for our own Thanksgiving celebration. Learn all about the first Thanksgiving, find out what else was happening at that time, read Thanksgiving poems, get authentic Pilgrim recipes, activity ideas, and see additional resources at: www.knowledgehouse.info/njfkthanks.html.

Book of the Month

This wonderful set of books by a veteran homeschool mom will motivate and encourage you throughout the school year while giving lots of practical ideas that can be used daily!

Famous Homeschoolers

“The March King” was born on November 6, 1854. Musically talented and homeschooled as a child, he grew up to be a world-famous American band conductor who composed over 100 popular marching songs. Read his biography here.

In addition, be sure to scroll down to "Freebies of the Month" in this newsletter for a great story written by Sousa himself!

Reading Between the Lines

Okay, let me forewarn you that this is a book for older teens or adults, and definitely not a read-aloud for the family. That said, it is an excellent book that immerses the reader into the day-to-day experiences of a soldier on the front lines.

From 2007-2008, Junger followed the 173rd Airborne’s Battle Company which was serving a 15-month tour of duty in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley, a dangerous place known as “The Valley of Death.”

Combat journalism is a difficult assignment, but Junger is a keen observer and his portrayal of the soldiers is honest and respectful. Junger lived through the same conditions experienced by the men that he came to know so well.

War does not glamorize combat but it is a story of heroes – normal guys who have risen to do what the worst situations demand of them. (Chapter 2 has an account of the ambush in which Salvatore Giunta earned his Medal of Honor.)

Read my compete review here: http://www.homeschoolpatriot.com/review-war.html.

Thank God for the brave warriors who have taken up these seemingly overwhelming duties so we can be safer. It can be difficult for ordinary citizens to understand what soldiers go through in the service of their country, but after reading this book you will appreciate them much more.

Learning Links

• Veterans Day (The history and traditions of this holiday, along with some activity ideas.)

• The First Thanksgiving (The Pilgrims' 1621 harvest feast became a model for America's Thanksgiving celebration. This page includes Thanksgiving poems, recipes, and activities.)

• Giving Thanks (The Thanksgiving holiday is a good opportunity to help your children reflect on what they are grateful for.)

• Family-friendly Thanksgiving Films (Some movies with Thanksgiving themes that the whole family can enjoy.)

• First in Flight: Wilbur & Orville Wright (To celebrate Aviation History Month, read about these two brothers who built the first successful airplane.)

• Teddy Bears (November 14 is National American Teddy Bear Day.)

• World Hello Day (Learn how to say "hello" in 37 different languages.)

Freebie(s) of the Month

• The Gettysburg Address - President Lincoln delivered his famous speech on November 19, 1863. Download this PDF and practice reciting it.
• Thanksgiving Proclamation - Print out a copy of the actual 1623 Thanksgiving Proclamation. It looks great on parchment paper if you have any!
• John Philip Sousa: Experiences of a Bandmaster - In The Experiences of a Bandmaster, Sousa recalls what it was like to play for presidents. As official bandmaster to the President of the United States, Sousa describes his nightmares on the bandstand. There's the visiting diplomat whose anthem is suddenly vanished from the bandbook, the night only he and the bass drummer turned out for the gig, the night the lights went out, the night the fireworks caught fire, and the first night they, the Union's Marine Band, were to play for the Confederate South. These entertaining anecdotes will be enjoyed by all ages.

Quote of the Month

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God...will guard your hearts and minds.” ~Philippians 4:6-7

A Note From Teri...

Whew, I'm glad the elections are over, aren't you? It seems like every year they become more intense. Our lives have been so hectic as it is, I'm looking forward to taking some relaxing time off with the family later this month. I hope that you too will be able to plan for a well-deserved break during the upcoming holiday season. Be sure to have your family spend some quality time together discussing goals, dreams, and the purpose of life. After all, you may have noticed that the busyness of daily life seems to distract you from the principles that matter most. But your family can get back on track by preparing a homeschool mission statement to assist in guiding you from this day forward. I created an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide that explains how. "How to Write a Homeschool Mission Statement" is only $4.95 for 36 pages! View the contents and download your copy here: www.knowledgehouse.info/hsmission.html

Happy Homeschooling!