Paths to Learning

Grandma's Office...

2012-01-26T19:04:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my office. Can you see my computer and desk over there, in the background? This used to be a rather boring place with my books and office supplies, my ipod/clock combo and some other office-y things. But you can see the transformation it has undergone. Now it is a fun place where two little girls can play and make McDonald snacks, feed farm animals, do puzzles and play house--sometimes all in the same day.

I guess it makes sense. I do work in my office and so do they. Because for toddlers, Play is Work. They practice fine and large muscle coordination by playing with small toys,stacking blocks, jumping, dancing, playing the harmonica, riding little ride-on toys and balancing on the little chairs.

Elinor was especially intrigued with dogs this week and as you can see has one riding in a little car while our dog, Scrappy, watches from a spot near my desk. Elinor was reinacting a scene from "Go, Dog Go!" one of the books Bob and I got her for Christmas. It was included in Sonlight's P3/4 package which we gave to each girl. She is still a bit young for most of the books, but we figured the girls would grow into it and you can never have too many books, right?

These busy girls are finding my office the perfect place to work and I couldn't be more delighted. I love my co-workers--and Allison can make a pretty mean plastic milk shake and oyster cracker snack.

Take care,

Jill

The Greatest Human Strength...

2012-01-24T14:12:00.000-05:00

I was listening to NPR and specifically "The Splendid Table" this past weekend and heard an interesting interview with Roy F. Baumeister concerning his book, "Willpower, Greatest Human Strength. "

It was so interesting. He cited a study done quite a few years ago--maybe 30--where children were taken one by one into a room and a marshmallow was placed in front of them and they were told if they didn't eat it for 10 minutes [or some such length of time] they could have two. The study was to see how many kids resisted the temptation to eat it and what the successful ones did.

Interestingly enough, the ones who resisted looked away and distracted themselves. Years later they looked at the lives of the kids in the study and the ones who practiced the most self control as children were the ones who were happier as an adult [rated by job satisfaction, longevity and happiness of marriage, parenting, and so on].

This led the author to state that "intelligence and willpower" are the two main attributes of successful/fulfilled people. If you have willpower you will probably no cheat on your spouse, do well in work, be healthier, etc. Intelligence without willpower is not as important as willpower with lesser intelligence. Interesting, don't you think?

He went on to relate how glucose and regular sleep seems to be what fuel the body/mind to have willpower. That is why it probably is not the best idea to try to resist an amazing dessert when you are tired and hungry.

As a homeschool parent, I think this is really something to ponder. You can't really do a lot about your child's intelligence, but I think we can help our kids learn how to strengthen their self control. The authors suggest that it is like a muscle and needs to be flexed in order to become stronger.

I haven't read the book, but I am did place a hold on it at our library. Intelligence and Self-Control [Willpower], it makes sense, doesn't it?

Take care,
Jill

Blogging for Sonlight...

2011-12-22T12:02:00.000-05:00

I have been doing some blogging for Sonlight Curriculum
If you would like to read any of these educational blogs, you can go here. I have touched on learning through baking, limiting toys, Christmas school, Character Training and more. If you have ideas for future blogs, please let me know. I am always looking for good ideas.

Take care,
Jill

Christmas Recipes...

2011-12-22T11:15:00.000-05:00

I posted a few recipes on my Bluegrass Mom's Perspective Blog and thought I would post a link here in case anyone is intersted.

Healthy Gingerbread Muffins
Hot Cocoa for a Crowd
Cinnamon Rolls

Have a Merry Christmas,
Jill

Christmas with the Grandgirls...

2011-12-07T10:37:00.001-05:00

OK, So I know it isn't Christmas yet, but our daughters in law came over last week so we could get some Grandparent photos. Sharon took pictures while Jen and Molly did antics to get their babies to smile.

Elinor was anxious to get on to other things, but Sharon managed to get some good shots. After a bit of frustration, we got the girls orange juice popsicles and I think this is my favorite shot. They are starting to play together a bit, which is fun to see. So, for your viewing enjoyment--Bob and Jill with Allison and Elinor.

Merry Christmas and may you have a wonderful time with family and friends.

2011-11-17T08:42:00.001-05:00

If you are looking for a great educational-game gift for your kids (Preschool through about 2nd grade) check out Mathtacular. For $39.99 this is a real deal. This has a DVD, tons of manipulatives and lots of great instructions so that Math will be fun for your kids. Also, you can get free shipping if you pick the Media Mail option.

If you do order. PLEASE put my name -"SL Consultant Jill E"- in the comment section. I am a Sonlight Consultant and that will make it clear that I tipped you off to this good deal. NOT just for homeschoolers. Seriously, this is a great deal and the kids in your life will love Mathtacular.

This is packaged in a game--a great gift for under the tree this Christmas.

Also, if you are looking for great books to read aloud to your children may I recommend a couple to you?

The Great and Terrible Quest--This is my favorite book of all time. If you would like to know why I love it so much you can go here.
Little Britches is another family favorite. You can't go wrong reading this autobiography. Delightful for parents and adults. A couple of "cowboy swear words" which you can read right over if you are reading aloud.

If you would like other recommendations, let me know. I would love to recommend a book or two for you to read aloud to your family.

Take care,

Jill

My Spaghetti Sauce Adventure...

2011-08-28T15:27:00.001-04:00

On Monday my friend Linda and I picked tomatoes at a local pick your own tomatoes and raspberry farm. It is just a nice patch of land a lady in our town plants and then has an honor system where you put your money in a jar on her porch. I picked a little over 1 bushel [$10] and then came home to day of satisfying work.

I put my jars in the dishwasher before I left to pick so they were ready when I returned home and then I washed and cored the tomatoes. My friend Judy, who lives in New York gave me a simple recipe for making spaghetti sauce. It is not too much work at all because you take the cored tomatoes and toss them in the blender to make a puree. It is quick and easy.

To 4 quarts of pureed tomatoes, you add 1 chopped onion [I just cut it up a bit and tossed it into the blender with the tomatoes so I didn't have to chop it.]

I assembled my spices and extra virgin olive oil and was ready to make the sauce.[I did add some fresh basil too, but I didn't have too much so I also had to add dried.]

Next I filled my HUGE pot and began to simmer the sauce, adding tomato paste and simmered some more.
I love my huge tulip shaped stainless stock pot. I don't use it often, but when I do I am so thankful I have such a great pot.

After simmering, I put the some of the sauce in jars and fired up the pressure canner. I know my other pot is still full, and that is because I added more puree and herbs. A bushel of tomatoes makes a lot of puree!

After processing all my batches I was satisfied to see all the jars sealed and are ready for winter meals.

I included the recipe below in case anyone is interested. The making of the sauce goes pretty quickly. It takes a while to cook it down and process it, but that gave me time to clean up the kitchen and start dinner--Basil Fetuccini with marinara sauce, cheese and some local ground beef.

Delightful!

Take care,
Jill

FRESH SPAGHETTI [MARINARA] SAUCE

4 quarts of pureed tomatoes*, just wash, take out the core and put in a blender, skin and all

1 chopped onion [I put large pieces in the blender-a food processor would work great]

1/2 C olive oil

3T sugar

1-2 tsp garlic powder or a couple of cloves of crushed garlic

3 T parsley flakes

1-2 tsp basil, dried or fresh chopped

1-2 tsp oregano

2 T salt

*Best combination is 1/2 Roma and half of a Big Boy type tomato

Cook 30 minutes on medium heat.

Add:

1- Twelve oz can of tomato paste [if not using Roma tomatoes, might want to increase this to 2 cans of tomato paste.]

Cook 45-60 minutes more at a steady simmer. Sauce will thicken nicely.

Yields 7-10 pints of sauce [depending on the tomatoes and how much tomato paste you put in]. Can at 10# pressure for 8 minutes. with about one bushel of tomatoes I made 4 batches or about 20 quarts of finished sauce.

Back to School--How can we get it ALL done? Buddy up!

2011-08-16T20:11:00.001-04:00

Homeschooling. Ahh, the joy of having your children home all day, learning and growing in the fertile environment of your very own home. It can be the most challenging job you will ever have. And, if you have many children it can seem impossible to meet the needs of everyone.

For years I have had moms and dads ask me how they can possibly teach 2, 3, 4 or more grades at once? Is it possible? And as this new 2011 school year is in its infancy, the questions begin again. How can we get it all done?

If you have more than one child and there is an age gap of a couple of years or more, one of my solutions is the "buddy time." You can probably guess what it is, but I will elaborate a bit by giving an example of how it looked in my home.

Around 10:00 daily I would have everyone stop whatever they were doing so we could do buddy time. I don't think I called it that, but that is what it was. Usually one child needed some special attention, so I would have that child spend time with me and the other four buddy up. It could be that Chad helped Kari with math, while Cris took Scotty out to play, freeing me to give Dusty some one on one time. Or, I might buddy an older child to listen to a younger read or give a couple of kids free time [upstairs in their room] while I had an older help and younger and I got dinner started. There are many scenarios, but basically everyone stops what they are doing 1-2 times a day and they buddy up for 15-30 minutes in order to get it all done.

I am not saying it always worked perfectly, but it worked pretty well. Another suggestion is to pay an older child to grade papers if you need help. I have a friend who has 9 children and she says that if one child wastes her time then said child has to give her the same amount of time in chores, etc. That helps get the chores done and curbs children wasting time too.

I have more ideas of how to run a more efficient homeschool and will post them in the coming days.

Facebook Friends

2011-06-28T20:59:00.000-04:00

I started a Sonlight Consultant-Jill fan page. I will be posting various Sonlight and homeschooling information over there, so if you get a chance, go over and "like" my page.

Thanks,
Jill

In the Good Ole Summertime...

2011-06-20T19:30:00.000-04:00

I know that many families want to enjoy the summer with their kids but don't really have any plans or ideas on things to do.

So, for your Summer Enjoyment, here are some ideas that may help:

Writing on Walls
Planning for the Fall? Encouragement
Shepherding your flock-- with links to posts about giving your children Something to Love, Something to Do and Something to Think about--Summer is a great time to start implementing these Great Charlotte Mason ideas.

And for your view pleasure, granddaughters Elinor and Allison at our farm, with my husband Bob and son Cris.

Take care and let me know if you have some great ideas for summer fun with children.

Jill

Math made Fun with MathTacular...

2011-06-09T15:14:00.000-04:00

I am so excited about this fun MathTacular set. I can't wait for Allison and Elinor to be old enough not to try to eat all the manipulatives.

I have this kit and it is great. The MathTacular Educational Kit is designed as a full supplement to your Pre-K through 2nd Grade math studies.

If you are familiar with Justin and his friends, you know that they are masters at making math fun, interesting and bringing math concepts to life.

You can get an idea of what MathTacular is by watching some of the video clips you can find here. But, the Educational Kit is so much more. It comes in a fun box that looks like something a board game would come in and it includes all the manipulatives you can see in the picture and the fantastic DVD that kids love.

If you are looking for a present for any 5-8 yr old children--I highly suggest this. The kids will have so much fun they won't know it is educational. And, for older children, Sonlight has a variety of Mathtacular products designed specifically for them. You can go here to see all the options and video trailers. {I love the new MathTacular 4 which teaches kids how to do story problems. Who can't use more help learning how to apply math to real life problems?}

You won't be disappointed. Make sure you put a note in the comment section that says, "Jill Evely sent me."

Take care,
Jill

It's a small Sonlight world...

2011-05-15T16:53:00.003-04:00

Most of you probably know that I am a Sonlight Homeschool Curriculum Consultant, which means I travel to a few state homeschool conventions every year to display the materials, counsel parents about what would work for their families and I also support my customers year round.

I have a real passion for teaching families together using literature. Now that my children are grown it is very rewarding to come along side and help families in this way.

Kari on right with one of her teammates, Jacquie.

You probably also know that my daughter Kari has served nearly a year in Americorps. She has been stationed in Mississippi and has worked on projects in New Orleans, Virginia, Memphis and a few other locations. But, a couple of weeks ago she was pulled off her Memphis project to go to Tennessee to assist the Red Cross with post tornado disaster response.

She has been working 12 hours a day for the past 10 days and finally got a day off. She was excited because they were going to get a home cooked meal. This is what she wrote:

"Then our whole team went over to Shelly's house for dinner (she's the homeschool mom who's volunteering with the Red Cross that I mentioned in a previous post), and we had a grand time of eating home cooked food and enjoying an evening with a really nice family at their really nice farm. Shelly and her husband have 4 kids and they homeschool them all. It was really neat, because I found out that they use Sonlight Curriculum, which is what Scotty and I used, and what Mom still represents and is a consultant for.

"Mom: I asked one of the girls if she'd read 'Mara, Daughter of the Nile' and 'The Great and Terrible Quest.' She said they had and that she loves them both. 'Mara' is one of her and her sisters' favorite books that they've read 10 or so times. I told her how Kelly [Kari's friend] read it to me when I had my wisdom teeth out because it was our favorite too. Such a small world..."

We should have known that the really nice homeschool mom was a Sonlight mom. :) How awesome to have favorite literature in common and to find a homeschooling kindred spirit in the midst of a disaster.

I am anxiously awaiting bringing Kari home to Kentucky in a couple of weeks.

Take care,
Jill

Kari's Americorps Blog

Sonlight's Early Readers--What level to choose?

2011-04-27T11:08:00.000-04:00

If you are contemplating using Sonlight's early readers and language arts, and don't know what to choose, perhaps this may help you. Since the readers and language arts work together, I always recommend that you choose the language arts level that will meet your child's needs and then get the readers to match.

[As a note, these Reader/Language Arts packages can be mixed and matched with Cores P4/5 -Core C, after that, when you move into Core D and above, you always use the readers that come with the Core because they reinforce the history being taught.]

If you have a precocious reader, you may find that the language arts level you need to start with will have readers that are too easy. That is OK. The readers support the language arts and many of the LA assignments refer back to the readers.

Many people want to know what to do if the readers are too easy. My suggestion--use them in conjunction with the language arts and then let you child read their science, history, library books, sequels to books you have read, more books by a favorite author, etc. You don't need to worry about reading with precocious readers, but you do not want to skip laying a firm foundation in language arts. Eventually their language arts skills will catch up with their reading.

So, here are my recommendations for which level to choose:

Grade K Readers and Language Arts--LA introduces the most common sound for each letter and it teaches one letter a week. By week 6 students are reading and writing short words. They are reading Fun Tales [little Sonlight books] by week 10. Before you are half way through the year, they are writing sentences with capitalization and simple punctuation. It is best if a child knows their letter sounds when they start this program, but it is not essential. Move at a speed that is comfortable for your child--slowing down or speeding up the pace as needed.
Grade 1 Readers and Language Arts--I recommend that children be able to three letter, short vowel words with fluency and confidence to start this level. Your child should also be able to write a complete sentence. [If your child can't, you can always go slow and work on writing skills, but I am just saying what you child should ideally be able to do.]
Grade 2 Readers and Language Arts--At this level, your child should be able to read vowel-consonant-silent e words and simple multisyllable words with confidence and fluency. They should also be able to write more complex sentences and to be able to write 2-3 in one sitting. Sonlight says, "This complete Language Arts program gives you all the tools to help you teach children to form and organize their thoughts, construct basic sentences and write simple paragraphs. You will likely serve as their scribe."
Grade 3 Readers and Language Arts--The reading level here has a wide variety of words and your child should be able to read long-vowel words and 5-6 letter words with fluency. The readers are short chapter books. This level teaches writing a 5 point paragraph, so they should have a firm grasp of writing sentences before starting this level.
Grade 4-5 Readers and Language Arts--It assumes the child can write a paragraph [taught in Grade 3 Language Arts] and the assigned readers are chapter books along the line of a Little House on the Prairie book. The assigned amount is more than in other levels too-usually reading 2-3 chapters per day, 5 days a week. There is continued work on writing paragraphs and more creative writing. Sonlight says, "Perfect for students comfortable with writing sentences and short paragraphs without much hand-holding. You may still want to serve as their scribe on more challenging assignments."

I hope this is a helpful overview of what level to choose. If you have specific questions, feel free to email me for advice or to set up a phone consultation.

Take care,
Jill

The Summer of Mom...

2011-04-26T20:11:00.000-04:00

Learning to Sew

I was reading the Sonlighter Club Forums today and this idea caught my eye. The ladies were talking about taking a semester off of all extra activities for their children and one mom said she has declared it, "The Summer of Mom." No lessons, so sports, no regular activities, no running around miles and miles a day to get to some activity or other.

It is the Summer of Mom--lazy days at home.

Family Summer Vacation

I love it! Most of our summers were that way when our kids were growing up but as I look around me it seems that there are not very many families who choose NOT to engage in lots and lots of activities. As I read the forum it was interesting to read all the activities that these homeschooled children engage in.

Here are a two examples:

Sometimes I would love to cut back, but I'm not exactly sure how. My dd [daughter] absolutely loves her voice lessons and gymnastics. My son adores gymnastics and cubs. He takes piano, too, and they both take a French class, and I also have them in swimming.
We have at least 12 places to be every week. We have co-op 2x a week, guitar, son's discipleship group, small group, park day, skating, a lot of church meetings for the plant (up to 3/week), and Keepers at Home. I try to keep reducing activities but more just seem to come up.

Older siblings reading to younger

I had friends years ago that had schedules like this.They have four children and each one was in several activities, plus they went to public school all day and were very involved in their church. They ate supper in their van 5 nights a week as they were racing from one event to the other--many times Dad and Mom going in opposite directions.

I asked my friend why she did it. She looked at me like I had two heads and said, "Jill. There is so much bad in the world these days that if you don't keep your kids busy they will get into trouble. "

Working with Dad to build a play house.

So, in her case it was fear.

But what about burn-out [kids and parents]? What about kids having time to find their own fun, beat their own boredom, discover their imagination and work out their own rules in games and sports? What about not being "activity dependent" and always wanting to be organized and entertained? What about family meal times and down time after supper to chat?

Those things are very intangible. You can't measure them by wins and losses or recitals--they are not quantifiable so are not considered important.I think that is so sad. I can not imagine rushing around all the time. It must be exhausting.

Learning to do outdoor cooking.

So, if you find yourself snowed under by a myriad of activities, lessons and scheduled "fun" and you would like a break. I recommend to you "The Summer of Mom." Kick back, turn on the sprinkler, read aloud to your kids in the evening, eat dinner together, have a picnic for lunch, play games, sing songs, nap, take walks and let the kids use their imaginations to create and to dream. I think you will all be better off for it and when summer ends, re-evaluate your activities to determine what is worthy of your time and what isn't. I think the "Summer of Mom" might be the best thing you have done for your family in a long time.

Take care,
Jill

Death of Picture Books?

2011-04-17T12:21:00.003-04:00

A good friend of mine, Gale W., sent me a link to a New York Times article from last year. It about broke my heart and actually, I had a few tears in my eyes as I read it. The article?

Bob enjoying Make Way for Ducklings!

"Picture Books No Longer a Staple for Children"

"Parents have begun pressing their kindergartners and first graders to leave the picture book behind and move on to more text-heavy chapter books. Publishers cite pressures from parents who are mindful of increasingly rigorous standardized testing in schools.

“Parents are saying, ‘My kid doesn’t need books with pictures anymore,’ ” said Justin Chanda, the publisher of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. “There’s a real push with parents and schools to have kids start reading big-kid books earlier. We’ve accelerated the graduation rate out of picture books.”

I have met these parents and thousands like them. Thousands you say? Yes. I have talked to tens of thousands of parents, homeschooling and traditional schooling parents, and have heard this same thing. It is heartbreaking. What about the great picture books that I shared with my kids when they were little? What about the common family culture and enjoyment you get when you share picture books like

Bill Peet books
Dr Seuss
Make Way for Ducklings
Classic Fairy Tales
Berenstain Bears
Harold and the Purple Crayon
Peter Rabbit Stories
Anything illustrated by Eloise Wilkin
Go Dog, Go!
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel [Mary Anne]

I could go on. These are the very essence of childhood, the foundation for appreciating the arts, cultural literacy and making sense of the world we live in. Children and adults who will never go on a safari can experience one through picture books. And how about historical picture books such as the D'Aulaire books? These are wonderful for children of all ages. I still love these books and Scotty just about wore out his D'Aulaire Greek Myth book when he was in late elementary/early middle school.

Picture Books! Most of you know I am a grandma now, and oh how lovely it is to pull out the picture books again. Though my two granddaughters are still at the board books stage now, I get to share picture books with my niece Violet every week. Old friends come out to meet me as we share these books. Curious George is still curious, The dogs still have the Big Dog Party in the tree that charmed me as a child, Mary Anne is still Mike Mulligan's best friend, the Pokey Little Puppy is still rolling "pell-mell" and on and on.

What a rich heritage to share with our children, our grandchildren, our nieces and nephews. The article went on to say--and this is the part that really wrenched my heart because I know it is true...

"Dara La Porte, the manager of the children’s department at the Politics and Prose bookstore in Washington. “I see children pick up picture books, and then the parents say, ‘You can do better than this, you can do more than this.’ It’s a terrible pressure parents are feeling — that somehow, I shouldn’t let my child have this picture book because she won’t get into Harvard.”

And this makes me cry.

Let us rob our children of the joy of picture books--let us rob ourselves of the joy of sharing picture books with our children, because of what? College???

Please!

We don't need more kids who can read at 5th grade level when they are 4 years old, we need more kids with imaginations who get to cuddle up with mom or dad on the couch to share great picture books. It makes me weep to think that we are so busy trying to get our kids ready for college that we miss the joy of childhood and family and relationships along the way. I am not saying that the death of the picture book is going to destroy families as we know them, but this trend of pushing and pushing and pushing our kids through childhood is not good.

And this next quote, should come as no surprise:

"... Laurence is 6 ½, and while he regularly tackles 80-page chapter books, he is still a “reluctant reader,” Ms. Gignac said.Sometimes, she said, he tries to go back to picture books.
“He would still read picture books now if we let him, because he doesn’t want to work to read,” she said, adding that she and her husband have kept him reading chapter books"

Oh, how I long to take Laurence into my office and let him read the myriad of picture books I have on the lowest shelves, just waiting for young friends. I would love for him to be able to read the "Barely There" books by Steven Cosgrove which enchanted Chad all those years ago, with their flowery language and intricate artwork. How I wish I could make his parents understand how they are depriving their 6 year old son of the magic of books and the wonder of reading, but forcing him to always WORK to read.

Big brother Chad reading a picture book to Kari and Scotty.

I can read hard-technical books, just like Laurence can read chapter books, but I also love to read juvenile fiction and to re-read the Little House on the Prairie Books and I read The Great and Terrible Quest, every single year--sometimes twice a year. Does that make me a slacker? I guess you don't have to worry about me getting into Harvard, though, since I am already a college graduate.

It is just not my Grandma/Momma heart saying this. The article goes on to say,

"Literacy experts are quick to say that picture books are not for dummies. Publishers praise the picture book for the particular way it can develop a child’s critical thinking skills.

“To some degree, picture books force an analog way of thinking,” said Karen Lotz, the publisher of Candlewick Press in Somerville, Mass. “From picture to picture, as the reader interacts with the book, their imagination is filling in the missing themes.”

Many parents overlook the fact that chapter books, even though they have more text, full paragraphs and fewer pictures, are not necessarily more complex.

“Some of the vocabulary in a picture book is much more challenging than in a chapter book,” said Kris Vreeland, ...“The words themselves, and the concepts, can be very sophisticated in a picture book.”

I believe this. I believe in picture books and the ability to educate, enchant and engage children in a way that a chapter book cannot.

Here's to the picture book. May it never die.

Take care,
Jill

For some great ideas of picture books to read to your children, or for older children to read to themselves, I have to recommend Sonlight's Preschool Collections.

Fiction, Fairy Tales, and Fun for Little Learners

I helped develop this curricula. Amy and I worked together to create a program for young children that incorporates lots of great picture books, some activities and a few games. This is a great program for 3-4 year olds.

Exploring God's World

I was privileged to be able to write hands on and developmental activities for this program. Sonlight trusted me with the awesome task of adding these type of activities. I consulted state standards for 4-6 year olds, interviewed a few early childhood teachers, read lots of books and articles in order to come up with meaningful activities with a purpose.

A few Blog posts that might be interesting for you:

The Top Three Things You need to know if you have a Pre-Schooler...

2011-04-12T15:19:00.000-04:00

Granddaughters with wooden food.

Well, I know I am not really full-time homeschooling anymore, but I do have my two granddaughters that come over a couple of times a week. We play with toys, sing songs, read board books and generally just have fun hanging out together.

My boys as preschoolers, back in 1982**

I really love little kids. They are so funny in so many ways that I find myself laughing right out loud a lot when they are around. I also love watching how they play and find it amazing that their natural curiosity leads them to do the very things they should be doing to develop their fine and large motor skills.

I have been doing a lot of research lately about what kind of things you can do to help your child develop in this area. I have read state standards, researched various activities, become very familiar with the Montessori method and gleaned ideas from various websites.

And, after all this research I have come up with the top three things to help your child develop as they should. So, for those who are interested, here goes:

Limit TV and computer games. They not only steal time, but they rob of children of imaginative play and of taking personal responsibility for entertaining themselves.
Read, Read, Read to your children. Reading teaches them a lot about language, it excites their imagination and broadens their world. READ!

My youngest son loved hats!***

Have classic toys available. These include [but are not limited to] balls, paper, crayons, scissors, blocks, toy cars, dolls and riding toys. With these simple toys a child can master many activities and have lots of imaginative play.

During my research I found an excellent resource for developing fine motor skills in preschool to first grade age children. I looked at many, many books and a lot of web sites, and talked to early child development teachers and this one book incorporates nearly every single idea that I found everywhere else.

It is called:

Activities for Fine Motor Skills Development , published by Teacher Created Resources. It has simple ideas, recipes, finger play games, black line masters to copy and much more. It is an amazing resource that I wish I would have had when I did my licensed home day care and when my children were young. It is well worth the price.

The best resource I found--very parent friendly!

So if you have preschoolers I encourage you to get this book, limit TV and computer games, read to your children and have classic toys available.

Pictures:

**A reminder of my hardest year--three preschoolers and temperatures that winter that were below zero most of the time. That was a looooong winter!
***Scotty--he loved hats and I particularly love this picture because it seems to capture all the fun and seriousness that is bound up in a preschooler.

Take care,
Jill

For more of my Pre-School thoughts and suggestions:

Results of a Scientific study-Why you should keep your pre-schooler home
Play is work-Is Preschool Necessary?
Tools or Toys? A lesson from my Dad
How to tame your toys--Some practical advice
Ideas to Keep Preschoolers happily occupied
The Top Three Things You Need to Know if You Have a Pre-schooler

Lies, Lies, Lies...

2011-04-12T13:32:00.000-04:00

I recently purchased the book by Todd Wilson called, "Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe." Now, if you are not familiar with Todd Wilson, he calls himself the "Family Man." I have never heard him speak, although he attends many homeschool conventions that I attend as a vendor. He has these little stickers he gives out that say something like, "My wife is my hero, she homeschools," and he passes them out to homeschooling dads.

For that reason, and that reason alone, I thought I liked him. But actually, I don't know him at all. I have seen him at conventions and know that he speaks, but what impressed me is the little stickers extoling the virtues of a homeschooling mom.

I had heard this book was very encouraging and so I bought it because my library didn't have it and only had one avenue for getting it through inter-library loan. They called me after some time and said they had located this now out-of-print book but the lending library charged nearly $15 to borrow it, did I still want it?

I don't think so.

I got it from Amazon for about $10 including shipping. I thought it would give me some ideas for my blog and give me some new insights. What it did was make me mad.

I found some of the ideas great, but I felt they were said in a very condescending matter. And--this really ticks me off--he comes across as some expert who knows how EVERYONE feels. How is that possible? How can he know something about every homeschooling mother?

He spends a great deal of time saying that Satan is behind all the insecurities and failings we have. I really have trouble believing that Satan is behind it all. I mean. what about our own human frailty? Maybe he meant that comes from Satan too, and I am not one to deny Satan, but not one to see him behind every failing or insecurity I have either.

He says EVERYONE [homeschooling moms] Believes these false lies:

Everyone's house is cleaner than my house
Everyone fixes better meals than I do
Everyone is more spiritually disciplined
Everyone's marriage is better than mine
Everyone else can do it ALL but me

and that " All homeschooling moms say harsh, sometimes hateful words to their kids and husband...

He says "the real truth is that all marriages stink from time to time. They argue, see things differently, say cutting comments or give the silent treatment sometimes. ...That's ALL [his emphasis, not mine] marriages."

I hate to sound braggy, but that is not my marriage. We don't give the silent treatment or make cutting comments. Not to say we aren't grouchy from time to time, but cutting comments, I don't think so. I don't believe I have ever said hateful words to my children or husband. I am not trying to sound holier than thou, but I really don't think he knows what in the world he is talking about.

He encourages homeschool moms to be "REAL" and then goes on to say that if you have something you are good at, "baking bread, making nice clothes for your kids, etc." keep it to yourself. You don't want others to feel bad about themselves. OK, so my question is, "How is that real?"

But, this is what made me rant and rave to Bob for a while."Women are prone to believing lies...We are all prone to believing lies, especially women...So, as we discuss the lies homeschooling moms believe, realize that this is an area in which females are more susceptible." UGH!!

Is this condescending or what? To me it sounds like he is saying, "Homeschool mom I am all wise and wonderful and poor little you are gullible, so I am going to tell you what to believe and to show you that you are better than you think you are."

I mean how sexist is that? And how patriarchal he sounds. I am still furious about that statement. There are other statements about how men are less gullible than women and so forth. Who is this guy and what decade did he fall out of? I know he is younger than I am and yet my Dad wouldn't have bought this sentiment.

The book goes on and on about how we are all as good as each other, how we are all too hard on ourselves and so on. And, in all fairness, he does say that " After finishing this book, I don't want you to try harder, but I do want you to enjoy your kids more. I won't ask you to be more diligent, but I hope that you'll laugh easier. I'm not trying to make you better, but I desire you to feel secure in your shortcomings." OK, that's nice.

He also makes nice statements like "God gave your children exactly the mother they needed," and "You are the best. You're number one. Numero uno! Primo teacherero! Plan A."

Of course you are gullible, prone to believing lies, shouldn't tell anyone about things you are good at...

I did find some gems in this book, but all in all it seemed like a poor attempt to boost up what are thought to be rather lame-brained women. I will be finding a new home for this book. I might take it to Half Price Books, but on the other hand maybe a quick trip to the fire pit might be more productive. I would hate for any homeschooling mom to believe all the lies in this book.

Take care,
Jill

Play is work...

2011-04-10T09:43:00.002-04:00

Play is Work...

Play is work.

For kids, I mean.

I get so frustrated with all the preschool programs that teach academic things that I could scream! {My sister-in-law as a pre-schooler-- she has been a legal assistant for over 30 years]For kids, play is work! I think if adults would realize that, we would not try to rush and ruin the built in educational system that God has designed for little children. They are inquisitive, they ask questions, when they are ready to know something they try to do it, or ask about it, they learn quickly. And they play.

I love watching kids play. They are so creative. I mean, when I watched my boys play with match box cars they would drive them around, make engine noises, create road systems [small motor coordination], toss them up and let them drop [gravity training], see how many they could put in a bucket [spacial training], sort them in a million different ways and so forth. Look at all that math learned through play.

When Kari played with the same toys, she did a lot of the same things, minus the engine noises. She would drive the cars around and say things like, "OK, lets get out and buy some milk," or "Here we are at the library." Same cars, different play. She was much more verbal, much more directed- and her play was work too.

And the sandbox. I LOVE the sandbox-talk about play being work. Kids use small muscles, large muscles, engineering, city planning, molding, sculpting, getting along with sandbox mates and so forth. And if you add water to the sandbox, things just get better!

OK, I will admit it. I come from a long line of sandbox lovers. We always had a LARGE sandbox-not those little plastic turtle things they have now-a-days, but a huge sandbox that was so big that we had to have a dump-truck come and dump a load of sand at our house. I had one as a child and so did our kids. We thought of it as standard child rearing equipment. My mom loved the sandbox. As a grandma she would sit with the kids and play if she had a chance, and at the beach she was always playing with sand in some shape or form. My mom told me once about the sandbox she has as a kid and how she played in it till she was really too old for it.

I said, "How old were you mom?"

Mom, "Well, till I started dating your father." [And she wasn't kidding! She was 15 when she started dating Dad!]

See what I mean about having a history with sandbox play.

But, in addition to that-bikes and rope swings and balls and wagons and puzzles and blocks and dolls are all part of work for kids. They need play. They learn more from play than from some contrived activity at a pre-school.

Now I am not saying that preschools are all bad, nor am I saying that if a 3 year old wants to learn their letters you should withhold information; all I am saying is preschool is not necessary to have a well rounded child. They will not have their academic future ruined if they do not go to preschool or have preschool at home. Seriously!

I mean, my generation never went to preschool-we never heard of it. Yet, there are rocket scientists, brain surgeons, Nobel Peace Prize winners and so forth that are my age. How did we manage to actually learn to do anything without preschool? Playing. Good old fashion play.

For kids, play is work. I believe that with my whole heart.

Play. is. work.

More about preschool tomorrow...
Take care,
Jill
[This is something I posted before, but as I keep getting more and more calls and questions about preschoolers, I felt it would not be bad to re-run it.]

Why Sonight? Aren't all Literature Based Curricula about the same?

2011-04-08T07:25:00.003-04:00

I get this question a lot. Many folks want to know why I love Sonlight so much and why I think it is the best out there. So, for those who wonder...

I have lots of thoughts and I also want to invite you to check out my Sonlight Webpage at www.sonlight.com/jillevely--Also congratulations on graduating two sons.

So, why Sonlight as opposed to other curricula that are out there.

Reading great books inspires children to do their own hands on activities such as drawings, writings, pyramids out of sugar cubes, beaver dams out of sticks and mud and so on. Many curricula have plans for moms to spend lots of time and money preparing coordinating hands on activities. Sonlight and I believe we just need to provide a learning-rich environment and great books--and that is all you need. The kids will take it from there.

Sonlight's goal [and my personal goal] is that of creating Ambassadors for Christ that are equipped to reach THIS generation. With Sonlight's broad base of books and their detailed IG teacher notes, children are taught to "Seek first to understand, then to be understood." I know with the well rounded education they get from Sonlight that they have been prepared to go to a our state universities, sit with people of varying backgrounds, and they have not been judgmental, but seek to understand where the person is coming from, then show Christ's love to that person--as an Ambassador.

I found many curricula try to advance their own religious agenda, but with Sonlight the information is given to you and then it is up to you to interpret it to your kids. The study notes constantly remind us to measure what this person or nation did by looking to God's word, but they are very balanced and lead kids to learn how to think critically and not to believe something just because it is in a book.

And, the thing that makes Sonlight head and shoulders above any other curriculum--the Instructor's Guides [IG]! If you are convinced that the literature approach is the way you want to go, look at Sonlight's Instructor's Guides. They are amazing--and another benefit, you can get all the books from Sonlight so there are no fruitless trips to the library and book store.

The editions match the IG right down to the paragraph and page number. They schedule every reader, read-aloud, history, science and Bible book and have great study guides for each book. The study guides have notes on everything from place and setting, to maps and time line suggestions, as well as comprehension questions [with answers], cultural literacy and nature questions and much more. The IGs save you so much time, and are so complete, they are unparalleled.

Those are a few reasons I heartily recommend Sonlight.

Please let me know if I can help you further. If you have friends that are interested in Sonlight or in homeschooling, please direct them to my Sonlight web page. www.sonlight.com/jillevely

Jill

Homeschool Resource Library

2011-04-04T16:09:00.006-04:00

Need to Place an Order? If you know what you want, go here and enter the item numbers. If you need help please email me for a free consultation or to make a phone appointment.
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Please Scroll Down to see my
Homeschool Resource Library
~~~May it be an encouragement to you~~~
I would love for you to visit my Facebook Page

I invite you to:

To ask me for advice: I love to give advice!And since I have been parenting for over 127 years, and homeschooled for over 17, I have a lot to give! Just Drop me an email.
NEW! Come listen to my one hour workshop [broken into 5 separate audio files] on How Living Books Teach

To get to know me better ~"The Whistle" is a short article telling why we started homeschooling and it tells what our kids are doing today.I hope it will encourage you
NEW! Homeschool 101--Homeschooling questions answered--Podcasts, videos, articles and more to help you with every aspect of homeschooling--from deciding if it is right for your family to preparing high school transcripts!

Welcome to my personal Homeschool Resource Library
[ A collection of wit & wisdom gleaned from over 132 years of parenting]

General Homeschool Advice:

NEW! The Top Seven Reasons to Homeschool [ask for your free copy]

NEW! The Good Ol' Summertime--Boredom busters and more

NEW! The Right Tool for the Job--Why you don't need to re-invent the wheel when it comes to curriculum!

NEW! Come listen to my one hour talk on How Living Books Teach [broken into 5 separate audio files]
NEW! The Language Police--why it is so important to use real literature [rather than textbooks] to teach [A three part blog post]

How can I homeschool? I don't know enough
My Favorite Homeschool Websites and Books
When Family Disapprove of Homeschooling
The Great Experiment [Homeschooling] Works!
Homeschoolers are Changing History
Recycled Educational Philosophies or What the professionals are finally learning!
Never Tease a Weasel [Character Training]
Has your Homeschool Dream turned into a Nightmare? [audio teleconference between me and two other homeschool moms]
Help for those with wiggly learners
Check out Sonlight's Podcast Library [great topics to help and encourage every homeschool parent]
The Whingdingdilly [or getting back to the basics, like reading, writing and arithmetic]
NEW! Writing on the Walls [or ways to make learning more fun!]
NEW! Socialization...should I be worried?
NEW! Transitioning to College after Literature Based Learning

Preschool Tips and Advice:

NEW! The Top Three Things You Need to Know if You Have a Pre-schooler
Results of a Scientific study-Why you should keep your pre-schooler home
Play is work-Is Preschool Necessary?
Tools or Toys? A lesson from my Dad
How to tame your toys--Some practical advice
Ideas to Keep Preschoolers happily occupied

Sonlight Specific:

NEW! How do I decide which level of readers and Language Arts to choose for my child?

Stretching a Core to last 1.5 years
ESL English as a Second Language Where to start?
A Novel Idea: Learning through Literature
High School Credits for Sonlight Cores
Ideas for supplementing Sonlight--extra books, movies, crafts
Kinesthetic or Hands on Learners & teaching Wiggly Learners
NEW! Teaching Lots of Children with multiple Core Programs: Part 1 and Part 2 [Two recorded teleconferences between me and Donna P., a homeschool mom of 8 [soon to be 9] children. Between us we have homeschooled 13 children and these recordings summarize our tips, experience and wisdom. Each recording is about an hour long, but I think well worth your time]

Sonlight Now has no-fee [no interest] payment plans

High School Helps

NEW! High School Planning: Here are some great brochures and charts you can print off [Developing a Plan, Recordkeeping, College Bound, Off to Work, Time Line-Keeping on Track and You can Homeschool Through High School.]

NEW! Narration for High School Students?
NEW! Teaching a Teen to Drive? A time tested tip that might save a life!
High School Credits for Sonlight Cores
Grading High School Work-Contract for Grade
High School Transcripts-What's a mom to do?

[Sonlight has the best microscope and awesome science programs. In college I majored in earth science and environmental science. I love good science--but until I found Sonlight Science my kids did NOT share my love of science. Sonlight's great books, science supply kits and day by day lesson plans helped me share my love of science with my children. From pre-school up, Sonlight Homeschool Science Packages are the best!]

[Kari Homeschool Graduate-Chad University of Kentucky Graduate]

General Parenting:

NEW! All Chocolate Chip Cookies are not the same [Reading to your kids, learning through real books] and a recipe

NEW! Heroes [What happens when our children find their heroes are not what they thought they were? How do we respond?]
Inverse Parenting or Parenting is not as easy as it looks
Mom I'm bored - Ideas to break this common whine!
Sailing by Ash Breeze- You can do it, but parenting is hard work!
Shepherding your Flock-tips on parenting with Charlotte Mason ideas
It is all about me! [Raising kids who are not narcissistic]
Never Tease a Weasel [Character Training]
NEW! Come listen to my one hour talk on How Living Books Teach [broken into 5 separate audio files]
I've been parenting for over 127 years!
NEW! Conquering Clutter [A PDF brochure with an overview of how to conquer clutter using 5 boxes!]

For more encouragement and help, visit:
My blog:

Paths to Learning...Taking the Road Less Traveled

Why we started Homeschooling in 1990

NEW! Illegal Punctuation and a Haitian Refugee

Sonlight's blog: My Posts on the Sonlight Blog

Mom...I'm Bored

Summer Boredom--A Simple Schedule

Did you miss attending a convention?

Drop me an email and I can assist you that way or we can set up a no-cost phone consultation.

You can get a free gift* for referring yourself or a friend to Sonlight.

Looking for the Sonlight Homepage? Click Here

Photos, top to bottom:

My son Scotty at three--homeschooled from birth through graduation
My two youngest children working with Dad to build a playhouse.
Scotty--As a pre-schooler full of imagination and fun

*The Great and Terrible Quest book

All About Spelling...

2011-03-25T12:40:00.000-04:00

I am excited that Sonlight will be selling All About Spelling beginning April 4. Although my children are now adults and I haven't had to teach spelling for years and years, I am really thrilled with All About Spelling.

I purchased the Level 1 Teacher's Manual and Student Packet and the Basic Interactive Kit. You can see it in this first photo. They suggest you use a 2ft x 3ft magnetic white board to get the full interactive benefit out of the program, but for display purposes I used a smaller one I had around the house.

You get a CD that has all the phonogram sounds. Phonogram is a litter or letter combination that represents a sound. It comes from two Greek words meaning sound and written. The CD will help you know how to pronounce them correctly do you can teach your children.I liked the layout of this program. It is very easy to read the directions, cut out the spelling tiles, put on the pre-cut sticky magnets on them and separate the flash cards. The lessons are scripted so that you don't have to prepare on a daily basis.

It uses a multi-sensory approach and has activities that include visual, auditory and kinesthetic modalities. Perfect for just about any type of learner. It is customizable and mastery oriented. Rather than working through a list a child works on learning to identify the phonograms and then works on applying this understanding to spelling. There are flash cards that they work on and when they have mastered a card, it goes into the mastered file. This way they are moving forward at their own pace and mastering the concepts and words as they go.

Here you can see the file box with the pre-made file dividers and I have put the cards behind the tabs. I had to purchase the little 3x5 file box myself. Everything else comes with the program.

I have a friend who has used AAS and Sequential Spelling. I asked her if she could compare them. This was her response:

With Sequential Spelling you write the words on a marker board with different segments in different colors, which helps with the visual aspect of it. All About Spelling has the added manipulatives of the magnet letter tiles and the word cards. My daughter did sometimes get tired of having to put the tiles back in alphabetical order after every session, so it is definitely more "fiddly" but for some kids that's just what they need. (My daughter being one.)

All About Spelling is far more scripted than Sequential Spelling. It tells you what to say and the response to expect, and provides dictation sentences and phrases for every list. In Sequential Spelling you have to make up your own most of the time.

It is not as... well, sequential! ...as Sequential Spelling, in that you don't start with "all" on Monday and are spelling "installment" by Friday. I think that system would have worked very well for me, but it got too hard too fast for my daughter. All About Spelling does seem more grade specific to me than Sequential Spelling.

You can see her review at her blog, here: http://ramblinroadstoeverywhere.blogspot.com/2009/12/all-about-spelling-review.html Thanks Karla for your help with this blog post.:)

I am excited about this program and think that it will work well for a variety of students. All About Spelling is built upon the extensive work of the Orton-Gillingham Program, which is a well respected method to teaching students to read. You can begin this program with students who are not yet reading and it will strengthen reading and spelling skills too. It is good for students who need remediation and for students that are good spellers. I think any student would benefit from this program.

It takes about 15-20 minutes, 5 days a week with virtually no prep time for the parent.

It is a win-win all the way around.

Take care,

Jill

Cincinnati Midwest Convention--Here I Come...

2011-03-21T16:54:00.001-04:00

There are only 10 days till the Midwest Convention--9 days till I have to set up the booth.

Although I have already done a LOT of prep work in order to have the best booth in the hall, I still had quite a bit to do. So, today was dedicated to finishing up.

I store my books and materials in our barn out at our farm.

Gathering up my last minute books, my faithful dog Scrappy and my iPod, I headed out in the truck to spend a day at the farm.

Scrappy found the smells surrounding the barn much more interesting than this huge stack of catalogs!

Yes, folks, these are the catalogs that are earmarked for Cincinnati. 1500 catalogs! Each box of 50 weighs 30 pounds, so 900 pounds are coming to Cinci.

I have tubs and tubs of books, display items, brochures, pens, extension cords and more!

Good thing we have a pick up truck! It doesn't seem like it should take so much time to get ready, but I like to get the booth set up in an hour or so, and that takes organization before the event.

I also practiced setting up some of the displays. I have a sample of the Mathtacular Educational Kit which is really cool. I can't wait till my two granddaughters get a bit older.

I think I like it displayed this way the best. It is sitting on the box. I love all the cool hands on manipulatives that complement the DVD. Awesome!

I also purchased the new Mathtacular Word Problems set. This looks really interesting and easy to understand. I love that it has a DVD, student book and answer key. Great for students and Mom.

In another week, we will pack up so we can set up on Wednesday at the Duke Energy Center.

Take care, and you may want to check our my homeschool resource library.

Jill

Banned Words in Lit Books, History Books and Standardized Tests--The Language Police Part 3

2011-03-16T13:47:00.003-04:00

I finished reading "The Language Police" by Diane Ravitch yesterday and I am still reeling from what I have read in this book. For post 1 and 2, please click on the numbers.

You would not believe that left wing and right wing pressure groups put so much pressure on the state text book people [who approve what text books to use] that text book publishers--[there are four major ones, only one a US owned company] have to be very careful they don't say anything to rile any group. Since Texas and California are HUGE textbooks suppliers and the schools can only used texts approved by the state oversight committee, they drive what is allowed in standardized tests and texts.

As I finished reading the book last night I came to Appendix 1 and was alternatively mad, shaking my head, reading parts out loud to Bob and actually laughing. So, for your enjoyment or for making you mad, here are some of the banned words, phrases and photos from actual state adoption committees. I have no idea how a contributing editor to a text book can even write anything that passes...

~Starting out with the first entry...

Able-bodied (banned as offensive, replace with person who is non-disabled]
Adam and Eve (replace with Eve and Adam to demonstrate that males do not take priority over females)
Lumberjack (replace with woodcutter) [My comment: Are they the same thing? When I say woodcutter does that conjure up images of flannel, men with cross cut saws and floating logs down a river? Not even close in my opinion, and many of the banned words do the same thing. They take away images, smells and so much richness.]
Birdman (banned as sexist, replace with ornithologist) [My comment--some guy on a roof with pigeons is not necessarily an ornithologist, is he?]
Pop and Soda (regional term, may confuse child, say name brand); [My comment: The interesting thing is California bans name brands so I guess they say carbonated beverage? And that is less confusing than pop or soda?]
Courageous (Banned as patronizing when referring to a person with disabilities.]
Craftmanship (Banned as sexist, no replacement.)
Cro-magnon man (Banned as sexist)
Devil,/Satan
God
East, Eastern (banned as Eurocentric when used to discuss world geography; refer to specific continent or region instead)
Fairy (Banned because it suggests homosexuality, replace with elf) [My comment: Elves and Fairies are not the same things, and I think Fairies would not do well at making toys with Santa.]
Fellowship (banned as sexist, replace as friendship. [My comment: Friendship of the Ring??? I don't think so!]
Freshman (banned as sexist, use first-year student.)
He/She/Him/ Her
Jungle (banned, replace with rain forest, savannah)
Man (banned as a sexist verb, as in man the pumps.)
Middle East ( banned as Eurocentric, replace with South-west Asia--May be acceptable as a historical reference)
Papoose (banned as demeaning to Native Americans-[My comment-but in a history book?]
Mothering (banned as sexist, replace with nurturing, parenting)
All Native American Tribes such as Navajo, use names they call them selves, such as Dine
Old (banned as an adjective that implies helplessness, dependency, or other negative conceptions)
Snowball (Banned for regional bias, replace with flavored ice. [My comment: did you ever throw flavored ice at someone on a cold day? Have a flavored ice fight?]
Tomboy [sexist]
Workmanship (banned as sexist, no replacement)
Huts (banned as ethnocentric, replace with small houses [My comment: Really? Are those the same things?]

I could go on. "Balance names like Mary and John with Jose, Lashunda, Che and Ling. Do not compare humans with animals such as "eyes like a doe". Images to avoid: Women in jobs less powerful than men, women or men in stereotypical jobs such as women teachers and male doctors; Men and boy heavier and larger than women and girls; Mother comforting children, giving sympathy, hugs, kisses, hot milk at bedtime, girls playing in dresses, Japanese people as law abiding {?}, older people who are cute, grumpy, meek, bitter, hard of hearing, rocking in chairs, baking, fishing, knitting whittling, etc.

I think you get the idea.

It makes me sad for all the children who have been educated over the past 25+ years with many/most of these bannings in place. In my opinion this is why it is so important that children are read and read for themselves real books, real literature.

Mario Vargas Llosa (novelist) has said literature offers a common denominator for understand human experience; it allows human beings to recognize one another across time and space...Nothing better protects a human being against the stupidity of prejudice, racism, religious or political sectarianism, and exclusivist nationalism than learning about other cultures and times through great literature.

Ravitch says, "Great literature does not comfort us; it does not make us feel better about ourselves. It is not written to enhance our self-esteem or to make us feel that we are "included" in the story. It takes us into its own world and creates its own reality. It shakes us up; it makes us think. Sometimes it makes us cry."

I will close for now, but I urge you if this sparks your interest at all, please get "The Language Police" and as always read to your kids. There is nothing better you can do than to share great literature with your children. If you don't know what to read, shoot me an email and I will be glad to help you.

Take care,
Jill

See other posts by going here:

See post 1 here
See post 2 here.
See Post 3 here.

Tools not Toys, again...

2011-03-14T16:36:00.000-04:00

Two years ago I posted this post about some wisdom from my dad, "Give kids tools not toys" never imagining that two years later I would have two granddaughters of my own who are now getting old enough to play. Elinor is nearly 11 months and Allison is 8 months.

They love rattles and stacking cups, but I was looking for something more. Something that could help them develop their fine motor coordination and mathematical reasoning. I am really happy with Wee WEDgits.
These things are fun for babies, chewable and interesting for adults too. I like that Wee WEDGiTS are made from non-toxic, phthalate free poly-vinyl material so I don't have to worry about the girls slobbering and chewing on them, and also that they fit with regular WEDGiTS so they can be used for a long time.

Bob and I were amazed last week when we were stacking the WEDgits into a pyramid and Elinor put the last piece in. They are neat because they don't fall over easy and you can stack them so many ways. This is the kind of tool the helps to develop mathematical reasoning, sorting abilities, color recognition and fine motor coordination, all through play.

This is a great tool for kids of all ages. My sister just bought some of the regular WEDgits for her 3 1/2 year old granddaughter and they have both been having a lot of fun with them.

Another tool that I love is the Teddy Bear Mix and Match Game. This game has the cutest heavy cardboard bears ever. There are pairs mountain climbing bears, alpine bears, ice cream cone eating bears, baby bears and more. This game can be played by non-readers and is like a concentration game. All bears are put face down and players take turn turning over two bears to try to get a match. If your bears match you take them, if not you turn them over and the next player gets a turn. I am sorry to say that when I used to play it with my nephew Issac [when he was 4 and then 5 years old] he won more games than I did.

The bears can also be used as templates to trace around and then the child can color them the way they want to. I always thought I would trace around to make a template to make cookie bears and maybe I will when Allison and Elinor get older. Then they can decorate them any way they want. This is a great tool to develop memory and observation techniques--also a good way to talk about jobs people have or what different clothes mean. These bears are just so cute, you can't help but want to play with them.

Another game which is wonderful for pre-arithmetic skills, spacial reasoning and more is Mighty Mind. This is good for kids at least 3-4 and up.

There are 32 plastic tiles and carefully sequenced cards which take children from just finding the correct tile and placing it on the card, to having a complicated outline that them must fill in with the tiles. Fun for all ages.

Mighty Minds says it this way:

Faster than a speeding puzzler. Able to leap into challenging puzzles in a single bound. That kid has a Mighty Mind!
MightyMind develops creativity & helps children understand visual/spatial relationships.
A great confidence builder in a fun, purposeful format.
32 colorful, easy to handle, durable plastic design tiles with 30 tangram-like design cards.
Smarter kids. Great Fun. Mighty Minds.

This is a great tool for kids to use alone, or one that you can use together. It can encourage team work among siblings. My kids had a wooden set when they were young and it was a lot of fun, and educational too.

These are just a few of the tools that I think are awesome for preschool-elementary age children. The WEDgits are my vote for the best baby toy in a long time because they are soft, chewy, stackable, colorful and fun for kids, parents and grandparents.

Take care,
Jill

I am an embarassment to my culture--or something like that

2011-03-10T20:35:00.003-05:00

I continue reading "The Language Police" and it makes me madder and madder.

There is a lot to make anyone mad about what textbook and standardized test makers have to go through to sell their products. At first I was mad at them for deleting everything worthwhile out of their products, but then as I read more they do it because there are so many pressure and special interest groups that will put up such a stink if their interests are not taken into account.

In a reading or social studies textbook, for example, there have to be the same amount of female and male characters. Same amount of men to women, same amount of boy animals to girl animals. If there is an nanny goat, there better be a male animal to balance the book out.

No African American can be shown as an athlete; no Asian person as a cook, no older person with glasses, apron, cane or anything that makes them seem old [I think gray hair is OK :)-even fishing and baking cookies is out!], no woman can wear an apron or be cooking or caring for children...and so it goes. The reason? This is stereotyping and is insulting to the group you are stereotyping.

What? [So, this is how I am an embarrassment--and maybe you are too.]

I think it is insulting to act like I am somehow an embarrassment to society because I care for children, cook a meal or wear glasses?? I mean isn't it really wrong to NOT show people doing things they actually do? I don't think all Asians shown should be cooking, or all African Americans should be athletes--any more than I think that all women should be shown as caring for children or baking cookies.

But none! Really!

As a woman who loves being a homemaker and who is a glasses-wearing, cooking-baking grandma, I resent the idea that showing a woman in that capacity is demeaning. In my opinion it is demeaning to me if you leave out anyone at all that looks traditional or is doing something that many people actually do.

I am still reading this book, but it makes me glad my kids got to read and have read to them, REAL BOOKS. Books that show people how they are--in all capacities.

Oh, and I forgot to say that grade school readers and standardized tests have to have questions that are location neutral. What I mean is that something can't be happening in the desert, or near the ocean or on a mountain or somewhere where it snows. The reason? Children who don't live in those places won't understand what those places are like and will somehow feel bad that they don't live by the beach or have snow, or whatever!!

So, we have watered down stories about a non-traditional person anywhere doing something. Wow, how educational is that? I think about The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder. We didn't have to have snow to understand how cold and depressing the Long Winter was. We didn't have to experience hunger to understand how hungry the whole town was. If you take away the location and the actual things people do [Ma cooked and took care of the girls, Pa took care of the animals and went to get fuel to burn--my how horrible for my children to see people doing these traditional chores!] what are you left with? Where is the educational value of books?

It makes me sad for students and for us as a culture.

Take care,
Jill

My Other Language Police posts:
See post 1 here
See post 2 here.
See Post 3 here.

The Language Police...

2011-02-28T13:38:00.007-05:00

I am just beginning to read this book by Diane Ravitch. The subtitle is "How Pressure Groups Restrict what Students Learn." So far, it is unbelievable. She is explaining how sensitivity reviewers decide what is included in text books, standardized tests and all sorts of educational materials that are used in public schools.

Oh, my--it is shocking. For example, a passage for 4th graders to read having to do with the history and use of peanuts.

It describes peanuts as legumes, in the same family as peas and beans. It says they are nutritious, and they were first cultivated by South American Indians, especially the Incas. It explains how the Spanish Explorers conquered the Incas, and Portuguese explorers defeated many Brazilian tribes. Then the peanut was shipped to Europe for cultivation. It goes on to tell how African slaves planted and developed peanut crops and then goes on to tell about George Washington Carver and his peanut work and discoveries.

Although the passages were suitable for the age group and historically accurate, the bias and sensitivity reviewers oppose the passage for three reasons:

A 4th grade student who was allergic to peanuts might be distracted by the statement that peanuts are nutritional and which does not mention the danger of peanuts to those who are allergic.
Using the term African slave --it is not considered appropriate. The term should be "enslaved African"
The passage that says that the Spanish and Portuguese defeated Brazilian tribes. They did not question the accuracy, but thought it might hurt someone's feelings.

Can you believe it? If these types of things have to be removed to make the readings without bias against any group, what is left? How can history be learned?

As I continue to read this book I will make further postings. It is clear to me that regardless of how your children are educated they need to be exposed to many, many types of literature where they can learn history from a variety of perspectives. When I was reading this chapter I couldn't help think of Sonlight's Intro to American History 1. See information below. Most of these books I love myself.

If you want your children to think critically then please expose them to great literature, read together as a family and talk about what you read. Who wants kids who don't value the nutrition of the peanut because some are allergic? That is just plain nuts!

More later,
Jill

See post 1 here
See post 2 here.
See Post 3 here.
[See what is in the Sonlight Core package--incredible treasure and a way to protect your kids from the bias and sensitivity reviewers.]

Discover key elements of American history from before the Spanish conquistadors through the 1850s, with a special emphasis on U.S. social history. You may wish to use this program, with modification, as the basis for teaching more than one child in 1st* through 6th grades.

Curriculum Overview:

Sonlight^® Core 3 introduces you and your children to the diverse peoples of the United States-those who lived in the Americas before Europeans came, as well as those who came after. It covers the time period from before Christ to about 1850. You will marvel at the way in which all of these peoples shaped our nation's history, and how the land itself shaped the people.
You'll begin your expedition with archeological information coming from hundreds of years before Christ then continuing with some of the significant peoples and civilizations that flourished in the Americas while Europe was in the midst of its "Dark Ages." You'll find out about those civilizations' grisly and cruel religions, as well as their beliefs that parallel the Gospel of Christ.
Of course, you'll accompany Columbus on his famous voyage across the Atlantic. You'll be present as the Spanish conquistadors subdue and ultimately rule and oppress the peoples they find in the land. You'll also watch as English connivers twist the Spaniards' record for their (the Englishmen's) own ends.

You'll find out how and why the Atlantic Ocean served as a highway that linked the Virginia colony to England while, at the same time, it severed the New England colonies from their "mother." You'll learn about the "charity colony" (now a state) that certain wealthy men from England started in order to provide a second chance for London's poorest slum dwellers. You'll discover which state was founded on the loot of smugglers and pirates, and which state (then a colony) was founded by men who believed the Bible taught them never to offer military or police protection when their citizens were attacked.

You'll be there during the American Revolution, watch as the Constitution is written, meet George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and others. You'll accompany Adoniram Judson on his trip to Burma (Myanmar) in the early 1800s, and watch, amazed, as the incomparable Nathaniel Bowditch, a self-taught man, revolutionizes the international sea transportation industry! You'll come to know and appreciate statesmen like Ben Franklin; the explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark; inventors like Robert Fulton and Eli Whitney; plus dozens of other unforgettable characters — each one brought to life through a compelling biography or historical novel.

Truly, Sonlight^® Core 3 offers you the opportunity of a lifetime to enter into our nation's history and enjoy it "live, as it happened."

Besides the more academic and subject-oriented books like former Librarian of Congress Daniel Boorstin's Landmark History of the American People and John Holzmann's Incans, Aztecs & Mayans, you and your children will enjoy engrossing titles like Esther Forbes' Newbery Award-winning Johnny Tremain and Marguerite Henry's Newbery Honor book Justin Morgan Had a Horse.

The Top Seven Reasons to Homeschool...

2011-02-15T19:45:00.004-05:00

Through the years I have been asked and nearly interrogated with the question...

"Why do you homeschool?" or "Why would a person want to homeschool?"

So, this year I decided to have a shiny laminated post card made telling the top reasons to homeschool. I came up with seven great reasons, worked with a veteran graphic artist and we put together this card that you can proudly display on your fridge or carry in your purse.

It conveys seven great reasons to homeschool and is a high quality card that is laminated on both sides so it will stay nice for a long time.

If you would like one, just let me know. Send me your name and address and I will be glad to put one in the mail for you.

Take care,
Jill

Closets...

2011-02-08T21:45:00.001-05:00

I am finally old enough to let you in on a secret...I have never really had my own closet--at least not for 96% of my life. And, now that I am finally getting one I know exactly what I want.

Until I was fifteen I shared a room with one or both of my sisters. Actually, until my older sister went to college when I was 13, we had always shared a double bed. My younger sister slept on a daybed in the same room and we all shared a rather boring closet in that small room. When my older sister went off to college, my younger sister moved into the bed with me and the day bed became a couch. We still shared the closet.

When I went off to college in 1974 there were three girls crammed in a tiny dorm room designed for two. Michigan State was overcrowded and so were we. They rebated me something like $60 for the inconvenience, and let me tell you that wasn't much even then. Three teen girls shared a closet that was about 3 feet wide and had two shelves. We had two desks, a set of bunk-beds and a tacky old couch that served as a bed for one of us. We were jammed packed but still thrilled to be on our own.

A year later Bob and I married. We moved into a 10 x 48 mobile home that was so small we had to lay on the bed to open the drawers of the built in dresser. We had a small closet that we shared. I suppose it seemed large after sharing that 3 foot one in college, but I can't remember. We didn't spend much time in that trailer because Bob drove 50 miles [each way] to his job so he could support us and put me through school, and I drove 50 miles a day in the opposite direction to to go college. He had the worst of it because the sun was in his eyes coming and going. I will always be thankful for his dedication. He never complained and he kept his promise to my dad that he would put me through the remaining three years of college.

There was a three year period when I had my own closet, when we moved to a new house when I was in 10th grade. It was a pretty average closet--4 or 5 feet long, one shelf and bi-fold doors that came un-hooked if you looked at them sideways. I still remember my wedding dress hanging from the top of that closet waiting for the big day--but I digress.

Home after home led to varying closets that Bob and I shared. I have had wire racks in closets that hit me in the back every time I tried to walk by them to get to where I needed to be. I had a cedar closet once that was kind of a walk in, but it was so narrow I could never get back to the end of it and even if I did, the light didn't shine there anyway. It was this closet we hid Christmas presents in and it was in this closet that Cris and Dusty, in childhood greed, raced to find hidden presents and ruined Christmas for Chad who didn't understand why Mom and Dad would hide presents in their closet. Chad learned about Santa because of that closet. We didn't find out till about 20 years later, but it still makes me mad.

I have looked at those multi-thousand dollar closet systems at the Container Store that will make you drool, but then really, who wants to spend thousands of dollars so your shoes will have a little drawer of their own? Really kind of a space waster in so many ways and you need a big closet to start with.

But, with the building of our cottage I got my very own closet. The closet of my dreams, you might say. Simple, but practical. So, I am going to share my perfect closet with you.

First, it has NO bi-fold doors. See the two doors, they open up so that there are no dark corners in my closet and they don't come out too far into the room, which is nice.

It has no wire racks, no drawers, no ugly door knobs, and is very space saving. Notice the Polish Pottery handles on my doors. I ordered these special from an importer. I love Polish Pottery.

What I want a closet for is to hold my clothes, shoes and some stuff on a shelf--maybe a bin of socks, or out of season sweaters, etc. Notice the nice smooth rod, not those wire things that only allow 3 hangers in a section. They drive me crazy. Notice the nice wooden shelf that is not wire, so things will not fall through. I painted everything white so it would reflect the light and not have dark corners. I plan to put some clear tubs up there for any out of season clothes or personal items.

I know that baskets are all the rage in closets--ones that pull out. But really, can you see what is in them? I will use clear totes so I can see exactly what is in each one-no guessing.

Notice the blue pegs on the wall. I have those on both sides. These are perfect for hanging up the clothes I have just taken off but want to wear tomorrow--like jeans, or a sweater, or my nightgown. Also great for hang up my purse so I can find it.

Bob and I put a whole rail of pegs 12" from the floor. These are my Shaker Shoe Pegs. I can hang 8 pairs of shoes on the pegs without taking any floor space. This closet is in a cottage, after all, so it is only 4 feet long, but it is wonderful to me. My shoes are not hanging in this photo because the pegs were just put up and the glue needed to dry.

So, there you have it. My low-tech perfect closet. No doors to derail, no wire shelves for things to fall through or to inhibit free hanger movement, great pegs for shoes, clothes and plenty of shelf space to organize whatever I want.

Yes, I am finally old enough to design and appreciate my own closet. Bob's closet is similar, but a bit smaller, no shoe pegs [he thinks I am a bit peg crazy], only one wall with wall pegs and he has a trap door in his that serves as a laundry chute to the laundry room below. Don''t tell him, but I got the better deal.

Take care,
Jill

Cincinnati Homeschool Convention--The Best Convention Around...

2011-01-25T09:05:00.003-05:00

This convention was awesome last year and this year promises to be bigger and better. It is affordable and has top quality speakers and a truly inspirational teen program. If you are anywhere within a day's drive, you might want to try it out.

Last year I talked to people who had come from The Philippines, Colorado, New York, Texas and more! It is truly a destination convention.

I will be in the Sonlight Booth-come by and say hi!

Jill

Caulking-a Fool Proof Method...

2011-01-17T09:25:00.000-05:00

As you may or may not know, we have been in the process of building a get-away/retirement cottage for over a year. We had to change builders and do quite a bit of the finishing up ourselves. I am here to tell you, when building a house, a LOT of caulking needs to be done.

Now, I am not good at caulking, but when my daughter, Kari came home at Thanksgiving on her break from her year in Americorps, she was a caulking expert. I was sure I was past help, but you are never too old to learn, right? So, the child became the teacher, and I the student.

Either Kari is an awesome teacher or I am a wonderful student, or maybe a bit of both, but I am now a most excellent caulker, just like my daughter. And, because this is a blog about learning, I am going to teach you how to caulk right now. For the record, I am a caulking maniac now and I caulked the octagon window in our cathedral ceiling, 10+ feet high, several windows, over a few doors where the drywall was short of the trim, behind sinks and Kari and I even attached a marble backsplash to the basement bath vanity with these same techniques.

So, here goes...
The first, absolute most important step, is you have to get a caulking sponge. Do not get any old sponge. Go to Lowes or Home Depot and go to the section that has ceramic tile and ask for a caulking sponge. They look like this:

Pretty humble, huh? But this is THE secret to caulking. It only costs about $2.00, so get yourself this sponge.

Now, get some caulk and a good gun. I never realized why the more expensive caulk gun is better than the cheapie model. Make sure it has a long poker-type thing attached and an open hole in the handle. You will need the right type of caulk. I copied the types below from the Lowes website. You may also want to ask for help from someone at the store. The caulk is usually near the paint in a big box store.

Types of Caulk

There are many types of caulks and sealers available. Each type is formulated for a particular purpose. You need to know what is best for different situations. Several different types are listed below with their purpose and typical characteristics. When shopping, always refer to the product packaging.

    * Painter's caulk: Inexpensive latex caulk is often used by painters to plug holes and cracks prior to painting. It can also be used to provide a smooth joint in a corner where textured materials meet. This allows the painter to paint a very straight line in the corner when using contrasting paint colors.

    * Acrylic latex: Paintable, acrylic fortified caulk can be used for both interior and exterior applications and it cleans up easily with water.

    * Siliconized latex: Very durable, latex caulk with silicone is available in different colors and cleans up with water.

    * 100% silicone: Silicone caulk is great for non-porous substances. It is the best choice for sealing ceramic tile, glass and metal surfaces, but is less appropriate for porous surfaces like wood and masonry. Silicone caulk remains flexible and is impervious to water. It cannot be painted and must be cleaned up with solvent. It also has a sharp odor when curing. It requires adequate ventilation and is usually available in either clear or white.

    * Tub and tile: Acrylic sealant gives a flexible, watertight seal. It is mildew resistant with water cleanup.

    * 100% silicone kitchen and bath sealant: This has the same characteristics as plain 100% silicone sealant.

    * Gutter and foundation sealant (Butyl Rubber): This can be used on metal, wood or concrete and is appropriate for use in areas that experience extreme temperature variations. It is often used on metal flashing and around skylights and requires solvent for clean-up.

    * Roof repair caulk: This is a convenient butyl rubber/asphalt formulation for sealing flashing, roofing, skylights, etc. It cleans up with mineral spirits.

    * Adhesive caulk: Used as an adhesive during the installation of sinks, countertops, etc, adhesive caulk dries harder than other caulks, but is less flexible.

    * Concrete and mortar repair: This caulk retains some elasticity to remain in cracks in mortar and concrete and cleans up with water.
----------------------------------------
OK, now take your caulk and put the tip, just a tiny bit of it, into the hole in the handle of the gun at an angle. Pull trigger and a little blade will cut the tip off at that angle. You want a small hole, too big and you get a mess. Now, straighten that metal straight pin-like thing out and poke it through your hole to break the inner seal and let the caulk flow out. Pull back the spring-handle thing and put your caulk in the gun, tip first. Now pull the trigger a couple of times till the caulk comes out.

If you have a small job, you can get the caulk in the tube--like toothpaste--and just cut a small bit [on an angle] off the end and you are good to go. This will kill your hand if you have to do too much so use a tube and gun if you have a lot to do.

Now, put too much caulk in a line along the edge you want to seal. It doesn't matter if you make a mess. Just put it on thick. When you get one edge done, go back and drag your finger [may need to be a bit wet] along the line of caulk, wiping the excess on your pants. Oh, wait, did I actually say that? Wipe the excess on a rag, or on some paper or just sort of fling into an old box or trash bin.

Now this is usually where the directions stop, and your caulk job looks like a 3rd grader did it. Ugh! This is where your miracle sponge comes in. Wet and ring-out the sponge. Now lay one long edge along your messy caulk and drag it slowly along the edge. You will notice the sponge is rounded so that it leaves a nice concave edge in the caulk as you drag it along. It should look awesome now, but if you need to put a bit more caulk and drag it again, do it! When you are satisfied with your edge. Rinse and ring your sponge and you are good to go for the next edge.

I totally LOVE how this works and looks. Not tricky, no big goops, no jerks where you stop and start, just a nice clean edge.

My bathroom at home has old nasty caulk and as soon as I can get some time I am going to scrape all the old caulk off and re-do it. I bet my old bathroom will look practically new.

Let me know if you try this. I have no idea why the caulking sponge is such a hidden treasure and no idea why they tuck it out of the way in the tile section and don't have any in the caulking section, but many thanks to Kari for introducing me to this tool that makes this amateur look professional. My assumption is, if you need to re-grout you use this same method and the same type of sponge and get great results as well.

Happy caulking,
Jill

Fun on the Farm with Grandma and Grandpa...

2010-11-14T14:00:00.001-05:00

Waiting for Grandma.

Chad and Molly went to the last UK home football game which means we got to spend some quality time with our 4th month old granddaughter Allison. We had some chores to do out at the farm so Allison have her first farm visit and seemed to enjoy herself. We have a Jeep all terrain stroller so she took a nice tour of the farm and eventually took her nap in the stroller while I sealed the grout in our soon-to-be-completed cottage.

Getting final operating instructions

She seem a bit small to run the tractor--you think?

I don't know Grandpa, I think I am too little.

Sitting on a stump in front of the cabin. The stump is for the fire ring.

Sitting on KY Limestone. Grandpa carried all those rocks up there today.

We were both ready for a nap when we got back home.

Christmas School Ideas...

2010-11-10T23:06:00.000-05:00

CHRISTMAS SCHOOL:

I started in 1990 the week after Thanksgiving! This was not a good time, but we were desperate. [To see why, go here]. At any rate Christmas and all its activities was looming.
I was so stressed out--I mean really! Ugh! School, decorating, shopping, cards, school, shipping presents--oh, my--I mean I was totally stressed out.

So, the next year I got smart. I planned for Christmas. We did no formal school for the two weeks before our Christmas break [for late middle/high school kids I did have them keep up with their math]. I had the kids help with cleaning, baking and addressing the Christmas cards. I had them help with wrapping presents, deliver goodies to neighbors and everything else there was to do. It was part of the school day.

In addition, I read great Christmas Classics--I read the Best Christmas Pageant Ever annually for 20 straight years. Several years I read the original Christmas Carol by Dickens aloud and then we watched the Mickey's Christmas Carol Cartoon. Christmas was fun and not stressful. The difference--I planned for Christmas, made it part of school and included the children as much as possible. The work got done and we were not stressed out at all.

So, my advice: Plan for the times you will be stressed and incorporate your children as much as possible.f

More later,
Jill

Jolly Gingerbread Men...

2010-11-09T20:37:00.000-05:00

In the next few weeks I want to give a few ideas for how to make the holidays less stressful if you are a homeschooling parent. I call it Christmas School. The first year I homeschooled I had a 7th grader and 4 and 1 year old at home and a 3rd and 5th grader still at the local elementary school. I was totally stressed at Christmas trying to get it all done. [Whatever that means.]

At any rate, the next year I got smart and planned for Thanksgiving and Christmas and made the preparations part of school and not in addition to school. One part of this is having the children help with the baking and making the Christmas cards.

For years our children each did some sort of art work or wrote a poem and then I put it all together and got it printed. Then they helped fold, stuff and put labels on the envelopes. There are lot of skills involved in this and it made getting ready for Christmas a fun, family event.

We also made caramel corn and Scrabble [our version of Chex Mix] to give away, plus baked a couple of types of cookies. Though I didn't have the recipe for Jolly Gingerbread back then, I want to share it with you. As you can see in this photo [taken after the kids were mostly grown up] I arranged the cookies, took photos and made this the front of our Christmas card. Another year, we put holes in the top of the dough before baking [cutting out a hole with a drinking straw works great] and we hung them on the Christmas tree. That along with some strung cranberries and popcorn gave our tree an old fashioned look.

I will give some more hints in the coming week or two, but for now, here is the recipe for THE BEST gingerbread cookies I have ever eaten. I thank my old homeschooling mom friend, Cheryl, for this recipe.

This simple recipe is really THE best gingerbread man recipe I have ever tasted. They can be decorated, but we eat them plain. The buttery goodness of these cookies are wonderful. I always make a double batch for a total of about 100. They don’t last long and make terrific gifts.

JOLLY GINGERBREAD MEN

These are the best gingerbread men I have ever eaten

Thoroughly cream together:

1/2 C butter

1/2 C shortening

1 C white sugar

1/2 C brown sugar

1 egg

1/4 C light molasses

Mix the following together and then stir into the butter mixture:

3 1/2 C flour

2 t baking soda

2 t cinnamon

1 t ginger

1/2 t ground cloves

Mix till all is blended and chill. Roll out cookies to desired thickness , cut with a cookie cutter and bake at 375° for 7-9 minutes. After you get the dough mixed up it may still look pretty dry, but just take it in your hands and work it into a ball. I use a 3” gingerbread (tin) cookie cutter and this make about 50 cookies.

As a tip, it is easier if you dampen your counter and lay a plain cotton (not terry cloth) dish towel on the dampened counter. Sprinkle the towel with a couple of tablespoons of flour and then put 1/3 of the dough (rolled in a ball) on the towel. Flatten it slightly with your hand, sprinkle it with flour and roll out like a pie crust on the towel. If it gets sticky, sprinkle with a bit more flour. After rolling and cutting out all the cookies, shake the towel off outside and throw in the dirty clothes hamper.

Take care,

Jill

Making Baklava--in photos...

2010-10-12T11:02:00.001-04:00

We had a family dinner this past Sunday and it was Chad's turn to choose the meal. Predictably he chose Reuben Sandwiches and Baklava. Baklava is a pain to make, but wonderful to eat. I don't make it very often, but we all love it when I do. This time I took photos of the process to accompany the recipe. So, for those of you who would love to make the best Baklava this side of Greece, here you go:

ALMOND-WALNUT BAKLAVA

Make the syrup first, so it will have time to cool off.

Ingredients assembled. The pyrex pitcher has the ground nuts, bread crumbs and cinnamon.

Syrup

2c sugar

1 1/2C water

1/2 C honey

1 cinnamon stick

3 whole cloves

Syrup cooking on the stove.

Combine above ingredients in a heavy medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil gently until reduced to 2 1/2 cups, about 10 minutes. Strain into bowl. Cool completely.

Nut filling

1 3/4C sliced almonds, toasted, about 7 ounces

1 3/4C walnuts, toasted, about 7 ounces

1/2C fine dry white breadcrumbs

2t cinnamon

Finely chop almonds and walnuts in a processor (or blender). Transfer to large bowl. Mix in breadcrumbs and cinnamon.

Pastry

2 1-pound packages frozen phyllo pastry sheets, thawed, (available in large grocery stores in the frozen food section.

1 1/4C (2 1/2 sticks) butter, melted, lukewarm

Whole cloves

Buttering the pan. I use a pyrex baking dish which is a bit larger than a 9x13 pan.


Athens Fillo now comes in a twin pack, so you don't need to cut it in half first.

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°. Butter bottom and sides of a 13x 9x 2" glass baking dish. Unroll stacked phyllo sheets on work surface. Press on folds to smooth. Using heavy sharp knife, cut stacked sheets crosswise in half. [If the dough is the right size to fit in your pan, you won't need to cut it. I found that Athen's Fillo dough now comes in twin packs and doesn't need to be cut. Also, because of the size, not so much is wasted and 1# was enough.]

Place 1 sheet of phyllo in bottom o prepared dish (keep remaining sheets covered with plastic wrap and damp towel to prevent drying). Because many brands of phyllo are not long enough to touch both ends of dish, it may be necessary to stagger sheets so that 1 sheet touches one end of dish and the next sheet touches the opposite end.

First layer, butered.

Brush first sheet with melted butted. Top with second phyllo sheet. Brush with butter. Repeat, using 12 more sheets, buttering each sheet. (14 SHEETS IN FIRST LAYER) Top with 3/4C of nut mixture.

Cover with 4 MORE SHEETS, IN SECOND LAYER, buttering each. Sprinkle 3/4C nut mixture over it.

Do THREE MORE LAYERS WITH 4 SHEETS EACH, buttering each sheet and putting 3/4C nut mixture over each layer.

Sprinkling on the nut filling. Make sure to get corners.

Top with 18 MORE SHEETS IN LAST LAYER, buttering each, (reserving remaining phyllo sheets for another use, may refreeze). Brush top sheet generously with butter.

Sometimes the dough rips. That is OK.

The dough is too short. Just put the next piece over the uncovered parts. With so many layers, it will all even out.

Using a long sharp knife, cut baklava lengthwise into thirds. To form diamond shapes, make 8 diagonal cuts, spacing evenly and forming about 15 diamonds (there will be some smaller pieces around the edge of the dish.) Press a whole clove into the center of each diamond.

Adding the cloves. When the cloves are all in, sprinkle top with water. I just put some on my fingers and sprinkle the best I can.

Lightly sprinkle top of baklava with cold water. Bake until pastry is golden brown, about one hour. Remove baklava from oven and set on work surface.

Out of the oven. It smells heavenly.

Adding the syrup.

Gradually pour syrup evenly over hot baklava.

Transfer to a rack and cool completely in baking dish. Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover with foil and let stand at room temperature. To serve, transfer baklava pieces to a platter, using metal spatula as aid.

Cooled and ready to eat. This serves a LOT and tastes great left over.

Enjoy,
Jill

How to Raise Boys Who Love to Read...

2010-10-08T13:42:00.001-04:00

There was an excellent article in the Wall Street Journal by Publisher Thomas Spence on this subject. If you have been disgusted by all the Goosebump/Captain Underpants and other gross books that are marketed to boys, you will love this article.

One thing I think it left out, though, is to get children interested in reading, we need to show them that reading is interesting. If kids don't like to read--read to them. I dare anyone to read Robert Lewis Stevenson's Kidnapped to teen or younger boys and not have them beg for you to read another chapter. And try reading Huckleberry Finn aloud to a your children and notice their engaged faces and questioning minds.

Reading books aloud to your children can create a family culture, can allow you to talk about subjects that might not normally come up in every day life, and to walk in another's shoes. Reading aloud bonds a family together.

The gist of the article is that boys are behind girls in reading. It says, "in some states the percentage of boys proficient in reading is now more than ten points below that of girls. The male-female reading gap is found in every socio-economic and ethnic category, including the children of white, college-educated parents."

The author, Thomas Spence continues: "The secret to raising boys who read, I submit, is pretty simple—keep electronic media, especially video games and recreational Internet, under control (that is to say, almost completely absent). Then fill your shelves with good books"

BRAVO! I could not have said it better myself other to add that parents can read TO their children, even when an child does not want to read for themselves. It raises cultural literacy, vocabulary, listening skills and a host of other skills.

Mr. Spence finishes with this final comment: "I offer a final piece of evidence that is perhaps unanswerable: There is no literacy gap between home-schooled boys and girls. How many of these families, do you suppose, have thrown grossology [reading gross books] parties?"

If you want help choosing great books for your children, I suggest ordering a Sonlight Curriculum Catalog
or email me. Even if you don't intend to homeschool, you can't beat Sonlight for being a great place to buy wonderful books that will even interest boys.

Take care,
Jill

For some more posts on Reading:

The blessing of having one income...

2010-10-04T20:13:00.002-04:00

We have had one income our whole married life. My husband has worked 1, 2 and sometimes 3 jobs at a time so that I could stay home and raise and homeschool our 5 children. And now that the kids are grown and I am more grateful than ever that we were able to live on one income.

Let me say, for the record, that I did work from home at various things during the years; sometimes because we needed a bit more money, sometimes for fulfillment and for a bit more money, but I never had to work away from home.

College graduation carrying Cris

When we were first married I was 19 [gasp] and had just finished my freshman year at Michigan State University. Bob worked and put me through college. I did not have a job--I went to school at a quick pace and we pitched in together to make supper, do the laundry and so on. I graduated from college in 3 years and 1/4 quarter [back in the days before MSU had semesters].

I finished my last class 4 weeks before our first son Cris was born. When I graduated it was like getting a raise, because we didn't have to pay for tuition or books anymore. I stayed home with Cris. It was really God's provision, I think, that I didn't have a job first because I am pretty sure it would have been hard to live on one income if we had been living on two.

Through the years I have babysat at various times and when we lived in Florida I did licensed home daycare to supplement our income. It was hard, and some days were long, but I was able to stay home with our children and I really did love the children that came to my home day after day.

Daughter Kari [L] and daycare best buddy Arden

Later, in Kentucky I baked bread for 5 years to earn a bit of money and to also teach the kids a bit about business. They all pitched in and helped.

Baking Hot Cross Buns to sell at Easter time

By this time we were homeschooling and I found that I could represent our homeschool curriculum as a Sonlight Consultant and make a bit of commission. That was in 1999 and I am still working part time in that capacity. I love the interaction with the parents I meet at the conventions and I count it a privilege to be able to encourage homeschool moms and dads.


My team in Indianapolis in 2009.

When Scotty graduated I said to Bob, "You weren't thinking I was going to get a job now, were you?" He said he wasn't I said, "Good. I wasn't either."

But, you would think I would be bored or unfulfilled. I'm not. I continue to encourage homeschool parents and I also have a nice little soap business that fulfills my creative needs and supports my soap-making habit. I have so many things I am interested in and even without homeschooling full time, I still don't think I will be able to live long enough to do everything I am interested in.

Soap on shelves

And now, with two grandbabies, I am very thankful that I am not working outside of our home. I get to babysit them a few hours a few days a week. How awesome is that? What a joy to be able to love and care for the next generation.

I think if I would have had a job it would have been hard to quit, but because I have been at home the whole time grandmothering is just an extension of what I have been doing all along.

Granddaughters Elinor and Allison

If you are living on one income [or mostly one income] so that you can stay home with your children. If you have to watch what you spend and sometimes wonder if being full time mom is worth the sacrifice, I have to say, "There is nothing better-your sacrifice is worth it!"

Take Care,
Jill

Soup-a-Palooza...

2010-10-03T14:46:00.001-04:00

Potato soup with ham. I added 2 cans of canned cheddar cheese soup to the pot for a cheesy flavor. .

I am not sure what this means, but I have seen all kinds of "a Palooza's" lately. A Scrapbooking-a-Palooza, a Birthday-a-Palooza and others. So, whatever it means, the truth is, I love to make soup when the weather gets cold. It got down to about 40 degrees last night, so today was a soup day. I am going to try to post a different soup recipe weekly for a few weeks, so today is the first day of Soup-a-Palooza at my house.

Baked Potato Soup

Bake at 400 degrees for about an hour, till they are soft when you stick a fork in them:

4 Large or 8 small potatoes [wash then prick each with a fork several times before putting it in the oven. I just sit them on the oven rack, but you could put them on a cookie sheet if you want to.] When done, take out of the oven, cut in half, let them cool a bit and scoop out the pulp.

If you want bacon or ham [optional] prepare it as follows.:

Fry 12 pieces of bacon till crisp and crumble or cut into pieces. Divide in half. Save 1/2 of it for people to sprinkle on top when they eat the soup and put the other 1/2 into the soup.
For ham, I like to add cooked diced ham or a small canned ham [Dak brand] and just break it up as you add it.

Melt over low heat:

1/2 C [1 stick] butter, then add:
1/2 C flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper or white pepper or both!
1 tsp dry mustard [optional]
1 tsp garlic powder and/or onion powder [optional]

When the butter and flour mixture boils add about a quart of milk, skim is fine. Stir until the soup is thick. I usually add some water, up to 2 cups if it seems too thick.

Add the potato pulp and ham or bacon if using.

It is great just like this. But you can do a variety of things with this basic soup. Here are some ideas:

Add chopped parsley--dry or fresh.
Add 1 8oz container of sour cream just before serving [non-fat is fine] Don't let the soup boil after adding the sour cream or it might separate.
Add chopped green onions [2 chopped green onions is plenty or you may want to use some for garnish only.]
Add 1-2 cans cheddar cheese soup and and equal amount of water
Have grated cheddar cheese, bacon bits and chopped green onions available for people to add to their soup.

I usually make way too much so I put the left overs in glass quart jars in the fridge. It keeps for at least a week and makes a good snack, lunch or dinner. No matter how great of a restaurant I go to, if I get potato soup, it is never as good as my homemade. As a note, I don't usually add cheese right to the soup because if you do and the soup boils, it can separate. That's why I usually add canned cheddar cheese soup or just have grated cheese on the table for folks to add to their soup after it is in their bowl.

Take care,
Jill

I have my very own on-line homeschool and parenting library--if anyone is interested...

2010-09-14T22:54:00.000-04:00

You can find it here: I copied some of it for those who may be interested.

Paths to Learning: ~ Jill's Homeschool & Parenting Library~

Please Scroll Down to see my
Homeschool and Parenting Encouragement Library
~~~May it be an encouragement to you~~~

I invite you to:

To ask me for advice: I love to give advice!And since I have been parenting for over 127 years, and homeschooled for over 17, I have a lot to give! Just Drop me an email.
NEW! Come listen to my one hour workshop [broken into 5 separate audio files] on How Living Books Teach

To get to know me better ~"The Whistle" is a short article telling why we started homeschooling and it tells what our kids are doing today.I hope it will encourage you

Welcome to my personal Homeschool & Parenting Library
[ A collection of wit & wisdom gleaned from over 132 years of parenting]

General Homeschool Advice:

NEW! The Good Ol' Summertime--Boredom busters and more

NEW! The Right Tool for the Job--Why you don't need to re-invent the wheel when it comes to curriculum!

NEW! Come listen to my one hour talk on How Living Books Teach [broken into 5 separate audio files]

How can I homeschool? I don't know enough
My Favorite Homeschool Websites and Books
When Family Disapprove of Homeschooling
The Great Experiment [Homeschooling] Works!
Homeschoolers are Changing History
Recycled Educational Philosophies or What the professionals are finally learning!
Never Tease a Weasel [Character Training]
Has your Homeschool Dream turned into a Nightmare? [audio teleconference between me and two other homeschool moms]
Help for those with wiggly learners
Check out Sonlight's Podcast Library [great topics to help and encourage every homeschool parent]
The Whingdingdilly [or getting back to the basics, like reading, writing and arithmetic]
NEW! Writing on the Walls [or ways to make learning more fun!]
NEW! Socialization...should I be worried?
NEW! Transitioning to College after Literature Based Learning

Preschool Tips and Advice:

NEW! The Top Three Things You Need to Know if You Have a Pre-schooler
Results of a Scientific study-Why you should keep your pre-schooler home
Play is work-Is Preschool Necessary?
Tools or Toys? A lesson from my Dad
How to tame your toys--Some practical advice
Ideas to Keep Preschoolers happily occupied

Sonlight Specific:

Stretching a Core to last 1.5 years
ESL English as a Second Language Where to start?
A Novel Idea: Learning through Literature
High School Credits for Sonlight Cores
Ideas for supplementing Sonlight--extra books, movies, crafts
Kinesthetic or Hands on Learners & teaching Wiggly Learners
NEW! Teaching Lots of Children with multiple Core Programs: Part 1 and Part 2 [Two recorded teleconferences between me and Donna P., a homeschool mom of 8 [soon to be 9] children. Between us we have homeschooled 13 children and these recordings summarize our tips, experience and wisdom. Each recording is about an hour long, but I think well worth your time]

High School Helps

NEW! High School Planning: Here are some great brochures and charts you can print off [Developing a Plan, Recordkeeping, College Bound, Off to Work, Time Line-Keeping on Track and You can Homeschool Through High School.]

NEW! Narration for High School Students?
NEW! Teaching a Teen to Drive? A time tested tip that might save a life!
High School Credits for Sonlight Cores
Grading High School Work-Contract for Grade
High School Transcripts-What's a mom to do?

NEW! All Chocolate Chip Cookies are not the same [Reading to your kids, learning through real books] and a recipe

NEW! Heroes [What happens when our children find their heroes are not what they thought they were? How do we respond?]
Inverse Parenting or Parenting is not as easy as it looks
Mom I'm bored - Ideas to break this common whine!
Sailing by Ash Breeze- You can do it, but parenting is hard work!
Shepherding your Flock-tips on parenting with Charlotte Mason ideas
It is all about me! [Raising kids who are not narcissistic]
Never Tease a Weasel [Character Training]
NEW! Come listen to my one hour talk on How Living Books Teach [broken into 5 separate audio files]
I've been parenting for over 127 years!
NEW! Conquering Clutter [A PDF brochure with an overview of how to conquer clutter using 5 boxes!]

For more encouragement and help, visit my blog:

Paths to Learning...Taking the Road Less Traveled

Why we started Homeschooling in 1990

NEW! Illegal Punctuation and a Haitian Refugee

Photos, top to bottom:

My son Scotty at three--homeschooled from birth through graduation
My two youngest children working with Dad to build a playhouse.
Scotty--As a pre-schooler full of imagination and fun

It is my passion to encourage homeschool families so that you can find joy in being a family that learns together.

I have been married to the husband of my youth for 35 years and have homeschooled my five children for 17 years-most of the time with Sonlight Curriculum. Our youngest son graduated from our homeschool in 2007. I love the outdoors, baking, reading and, of course, chocolate-but mostly I love getting all my kids together in one place. Ahh, heaven on earth! I am currently enjoying my two new granddaughters.

Take care,

Jill

The Three most important things to teach your children...

2010-09-14T21:17:00.000-04:00

Besides transferring your core beliefs--such as your faith, and things like honesty and kindness--which are paramount, what are the three main academic things you should teach your children?

This is my very own list done with absolutely no scientific studies or animal testing. No children or pets were hurt while I found the answer to this all important question.

Read
Think
Communicate

That's it! If you can teach your child to read and think and communicate, they have it made. Once the key to reading unlocks the secret to knowledge, you have accomplished step #. Then, they need to be able to think--really think--about what they have read, what they have heard, what they have experienced and to analyze and compare to find out what the truth or reality is. This is not easy.

Children do not learn to think by answering the questions [or assessments if you want to use the fancier terminology] at the end of the chapter. They don't learn to think by someone telling them what to think. They learn to think by thinking, by comparing, by reading and applying what they have learned. They learn to think by answering questions about how what they read or heard can be applied to real life, or how it compares with what they know, or how it compares with something else they have read. They learn to think by talking to you. That is step #2.

And that is where step #3 comes in. In order to succeed children need to learn how to communicate what they think. They need to be able to look someone in the eye and have a conversation. They need to be taught to have good written communication skills. They need to be able to express themselves to others in a concise and clear manner, both verbally and in in writing.

If they can do these three things they will do well in higher education, or in a job and in interpersonal relationships. In order to succeed in this culture reading, thinking and communicating are the most important skills you can teach your child.

I believe reading to your children from a young age, discussing with them what you have read to them, and then asking them to tell back or narrate what the story was about or why it was important is a great way to begin to teach the THREE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS. As your child grows you can continue discussing what they are reading and include them in discussions of politics, or religion or other things to sharpen their minds--to help them critically think about things and not to accept and repeat what someone else has concluded.

Read
Think
Communicate

That's it.

Take care,
Jill

Is reading THAT important?

2010-08-13T11:48:00.002-04:00

You probably think I am going to say yes, but I'm not.

GASP!

Yes, it is important. Yes, it is the foundation for learning. Yes, it is a magnificent tool. BUT, I am increasingly discouraged and saddened when parents think it is the ONLY thing. They think that reading trumps physical activity, trumps chores, trumps interpersonal relationships; they think that it is the measure of successful homeschooling and parenting.

And, on some level I totally understand. I mean, it is easy to quantify so it makes us feel good about ourselves if our 7 year old is reading at a 5th grade level, and makes us feel bad about ourselves if our 10 year old is reading at a 2nd grade level. It is easy to measure-- so we measure our kids against the "norm." We can't easily quantify and measure helping or relational skills so that I can 't say that my 7 year old is interacting relationally at a 5th grade level or that my 10 year old is doing chores at a 2nd grade level. The most we can say is they "are mature or immature for their age."

But, honestly, I talk to parents all the time who think their four year old should be in first grade because they can read at that level. Or, I have had people tell me their two year old is reading and thus should be in a kindergarten [or higher] grade level.
I want to scream...

Can they jump on one foot?
Can they tie their shoes?
Can they fold towels?
Are they kind to others?
Can they throw a ball?
Can they use inside voices in the house?
Do they whine?
Do they mind you?

People are so much more than reading. Children are so much more than reading. I know kids who could read at 2 or 3 and their parents encouraged it a lot--to the exclusion of many good activities. After all, their child could read so they had it made. Years later I seen that many of these kids have very little interpersonal skills or are extremely lacking in coordination. Now they may have been that way even if they hadn't spent their toddlerhood reading, but I am not so sure.

I have also seen preschoolers who are physically active who are not encouraged to learn to read. They are not prohibited from learning letters and sounds if they want to, but even if they are, the parents encourage lots of outdoor play and they do a lot of working along side Mommy and Daddy. These children seem better adjusted when they get older.

Yes, they learn to read somewhere between K and 2nd grade, but they seem to be more active, more interactive with others, more helpful and imaginative. They are not caught reading a book when everyone else is eating ice cream and playing tag. I am not saying that is always bad, but is reading everything? Is it more important than relationships? And, they usually are at the same level in reading [according to numerous studies] by the time they are in 3rd grade as the early readers.

As for 3 year olds that can read at first grade level. They are still 3 years old. They still need lots of play and exercise to complement their reading time. They need fresh air and sunshine. They need to help parents with chores and to learn to share with other children and to mind.

There are LOTS of lessons they need to learn before they are ready for first grade curriculum.

I know that many of you might not agree, but even if you don't, if your child is an early reader, please remember what age they are and don't rush them into mature material just because they can read. Please help them develop in areas they don't excel at so they can become well-rounded individuals.

Reading is not everything.

Take care,
Jill

Another post you might be interested in. Three Things Preschoolers Need.

For more of my Pre-School thoughts and suggestions:

Results of a Scientific study-Why you should keep your pre-schooler home
Play is work-Is Preschool Necessary?
Tools or Toys? A lesson from my Dad
How to tame your toys--Some practical advice
Ideas to Keep Preschoolers happily occupied
The Top Three Things You Need to Know if You Have a Pre-schooler

When Your Oven is on Fire...

2010-08-10T13:35:00.002-04:00

Let me start by saying, this is a tribute to my son Cris--the calm, even tempered one of the family. Kids are funny aren't they? They each come pre-programmed with certain traits that you can work around and bend a bit, but they are there. There is not a lot you can do with the pre-programming.

I am not going to debate, nurture vs. nature, but I think there is a lot to be said for both. I love Proverb 22:6 that says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it." Although more literal translation is a bit different, " Give instruction to a youth about his way, Even when he is old he turneth not from it. from it." [Young's Literal Translation]

I think this means that you need to raise child according to his bent, or his nature. If you have a sensitive child, or an artistic child, or a defiant child, or a happy-go-lucky type, or a visual learner, or an auditory one, etc., then you should adjust your parenting so that you can speak to that child's bent or nature.

Cris and daughter Elinor.

And this is where Cris comes in. He is the oldest of our five children and extremely calm and requires very little sleep. As a baby he slept about 20 minutes at a time during the day and at night woke up many times until he was over two. He stayed up late, got up early and could outlast Bob and I both. He is still, at 32, exactly this same way. He can survive for weeks on end on 5 hours or so of sleep a day--I need 8-9.

At any rate, Cris called me up over a year ago and said very calmly, "Mom? What do you do when your oven is on fire?"

Me: WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOUR OVEN IS ON FIRE? YOUR OVEN IS ON FIRE???

Cris :Not now, but when you have a fire in your oven what do you do?

Me: I have never had a fire in my oven.

Cris [surprised and calm]: Really? Well, yesterday I was doing wings and I had a fire in my oven. Flames were shooting out and so I had Scotty hold the door while I shot it with a fire extinguisher. I think my oven might be ruined. How do I clean it?

Me: I have no idea. Maybe try some hot water and baking soda? [For those of you who don't know me, I think that hot water and baking soda, or hot water and vinegar can pretty much clean anything.]

We chatted a bit more and hung up. It took Cris hours to clean his oven and yes, it did work. No harm done. But, those words stayed with me, "What do you do when your oven is on fire?"

What do you do?
Scream
Cry
Toss baking soda on it
Shoot it with a fire extinguisher while you little brother holds the door
Call 911?

What do you do? What would your kids do?

And this is where I get back to learning styles and bents. Only Cris would non-nonchalantly call for a helper from the living room telling them he has a kitchen fire and then calmly put it out with a fire extinguisher [I might mention that one of his sisters in law promptly jumped up and dashed out the front door! She's no fool!]. That is his bent, his nature. To take things calmly, analyze the problem and quickly administer the solution. Then face the clean up later.

What about your kids? Does each have a different bent? Do the learn differently? Perhaps if you struggle with raising or teaching your child[ren] you need to discover their learning style. It is fascinating to see how just understanding a bit about how your child is wired can help you relate to them better.

I suggest "The Way They Learn," by Cynthia Tobias or listening to some of the Sonlight Podcasts. You can find podcasts about learning styles her:

Take care,
Jill

How can I teach two children together who are not the same age or grade?

2010-08-05T19:57:00.001-04:00

I get asked this question a lot. It usually sounds something like this "How can my children who are 2-3 years apart in age actually both learn from the same books?" Usually the older student is brighter, more studious, etc. and they don't want to hold back the older, yet they don't want to teach two totally different levels of each subject to their children.

It comes down to skill-based vs topic-based learning.

Still based are things like math and learning to read. You have to learn the sound of the letters before you can blend them into words. You have to be able to blend easy words before you can read multi-syllable words, you have to know how to multiply before you can divide. You have to understand arithmetic before you can do Algebra.

Skill based subjects have to be built on, precept upon precept on a regular basis to gain mastery. It takes time and you can't teach a child who cannot subtract with one who divides with ease at the same time with the same materials. They need to develop certain skills before they can go on to the next level.

But, then there are topic based subjects. I can be 8 or 10 or 15, but if I have never learned about whales I can learn from and enjoy a book about whales or a documentary about whales. A 15 year old might understand more about the anatomy and ecosystems of the whale when the book is done, but the 8 year old will have learned a lot too--and they can discuss it and reinforce what they learned through discussion.

A parent can read Charlotte's Web to the whole family and while the youngest member will be enchanted with Wilbur and Charlotte, and an older child will see it is a story about friendship, an even older member will appreciate how love hurts and what true self-sacrifice is. Everyone will take away something different, but all will be enriched.

This is why you can teach varying ages together with Sonlight [or any literature based curriculum] together for topic based subjects like history, science, geography, Bible and cultural literacy. It is also why you will want to teach them separately for math and adapt their writing assignments to their abilities. You will not be holding back the older by teaching them together for topic based studies. The older child can dig deeper and tell the younger child(ren) what they have discovered. They can go deeper in the subject by themselves if they want to, but even if they don't they will have learned something they didn't know and will benefit from it.

And, when siblings learn together it strengthens family culture and bonds. It gives them a commonality, inside expressions, jokes and sayings and is just plain fun. If you have children up to 3 years or so apart, try teaching them at least one subject together and see how it goes. I think you will love it!

Take care,

Jill

Library in a Box...

2010-08-03T20:28:00.000-04:00

I live in a small town. The last census said around 6,000 and that included all the students in the local college and seminary. So, when school is not in session, the town is considerably smaller.

In fact, we have only two towns in our whole county-so I guess you could say I kind of live in Podunk. We have a county library in the other town but up until about a year or so ago, it was a pain to go to the library and ever since my kids learned to drive, I just didn't bother.

But now? Now it is different. Now we have the "Library in a Box" and it is fabulous. Basically what I do is go online, reserve any books I want and when they are available the library van comes over to our town, and puts my book in one of the doors on this locker system. Then they call me and tell me my book is in.

I go up to the last drive through lane of our local bank and there is our "Library in a Box system." You can see that there are two boxes for returns and then this big "locker." I type my PIN into the key pad and a door opens. I grab my books and go. That is all there is to it.

There are three of these "boxes" around the county so now even the most rural patrons can have this convenient service. I think at its inception it was one of only a couple of these types of systems in the whole US.

I want to thank our library for investing in this program and I want to encourage you, if you live in a rural area, to show your library this great set up. Maybe other libraries will see the value and bring "Library in a Box" to your area.

Take care,

Jill

Baby Students...

2010-07-28T09:58:00.003-04:00

I am feeling sad this morning after reading a post on the Sonlighter Club Forums from a mom with a 19 month old. She says that she started "Your Baby Can Read" with him when he was 3 months old and he had mastered the program by his first birthday. Now he has been working on letter names, shapes, colors and working on identifying the United States. She wants to know if he is ready for a kindergarten program.

What? I want to shake her and wonder what she is thinking? What is the purpose of this? Do we want him to be able to read War and Peace when he is six? Does she want him to go off to work with his little brief case when he is 12? Does she just like to have her son perform for Grandma and the neighbors?

When did we get to be a people who put so much emphasis on academics and so little on play and relationships and using imaginations? I heard a NPR story a couple of weeks ago about a country [Sweden?] which mandates full day school for children as young as 2! They interviewed some parents and they thought it was great that their children are getting professional teaching at that young age.

One mom cooed over her child who could spout off nursery rhymes by memory--as if that is a reason to send your 2 year old away for 35+ hours a week! The "professionals" and I use that term lightly, have convinced parents that they cannot possibly parent a child the right way. They need to pack Johnny off while still in diapers so he can be properly socialized and educated. You wonder how civilization managed to produce functioning citizens all these thousands of years when we didn't have preschool and 10 month olds who can read!

I know this lady is not alone. I have spoken to others like her--in fact I once spoke to a woman who was pregnant with her first child and was looking for curricula for that child because she knew this child was going to be very gifted. Not much pressure there. :) Honestly, I thought when most people are pregnant they were praying for a healthy baby and wondering what type of car seat to buy. It never occurred to me that they were planning academics and they were convinced their child would be gifted. That is a LOT of pressure.

I grieve for the children who lose their childhood to academics. I grieve for the pressure, the scheduled lives, the push, push, push to do better, learn more and the message that academics is IT. Where is the joy, the play, the snuggling on the couch, the imagining?

I love what the advice one mom gave to the mom of the 19 month old, "Also, keep in mind that academics aren't the end all of education. If you are not doing so already, you need to take things like fine motor skills (drawing, picking up tiny objects, using scissors) and following multi-step directions into consideration. Large motor skills (kicking, throwing, climbing stairs) are equally important, as are social skills such as speaking to adults, using polite words, and so on."

I wanted to stand up a cheer! YES! Academics aren't the end all of education or of child rearing! Imagine that. Before children can read they are very visual and notice everything. Did you ever notice how a child will say things like, "Oh, his car has the same hub caps as our car," and he is right? And you think, "Who looks at hubcaps?" Kids notice things. They can't read, so they pay way more attention to details and visual clues than we do. That is why when my nephew was 4 he could beat me in a concentration-type matching game 2 games out of every 3. He was more visual--I was more written word oriented. It is why I need words to figure out what burner to turn on my stove, not pictures. [And that is a whole 'nuther subject!]

I am not a language research scientist, but there has to be consequences with children learning to read before they have time to fully develop their visual observation skills. Surely God designed them to be so observant and to have such great visual skills to figure out their world for a reason. It has got to be a necessary foundation for higher level learning and if you short-circuit that in order to have bragging rights to the smartest child in town--what long range damage is being done?

While teaching children is admirable, I really think we should reconsider what to teach. How about sharing and getting along? How about compassion and loving your neighbor as yourself? How about doing acts of service within the family? How about developing the imagination by sandbox and outdoor play?

When did we get to the place that we think that children are like little pets that we should teach to do tricks so that we can amaze our friends? Maybe that is not what is going on here, but it grieves me to think that somewhere along the line we have failed new parents by letting them think that reading and academics is more important than relationships and imagination.

Take care,
Jill

You might want to read Play is Work or look at the side of my blog where the directory is, and click on play or playing, to read more along this line.

Photos are of my son Cris and granddaughter Elinor, and my daughter in law Jen with Elinor.

Welcome Allison Ann Evely...

2010-07-12T10:34:00.004-04:00

Molly, 39 weeks pregnant

This is what Allison looked like last week--all wrapped up in her momma. Molly always has a big smile but I think she was getting pretty anxious. At the Friday appointment the doctor said that the baby had turned into a breech position, so a C-section was scheduled for Monday at noon.

Allison had other ideas. She decided to come on Saturday, so an emergency C-section brought Allison into the world.

Aunt Kari and Allison

For some reason I only have two photos, and they both show Kari holding Allison. I will go visit today and take some more. But you get the idea. She is perfect in every way, 8# 6oz at birth, 18.5 inches long and a bit of dark hair.

Molly and Chad are thrilled and cannot wait to get Allison home to her waiting nursery.

Life is very, very good. My first two grandchildren born within 3 months of each other. Who would have thought?

Take care,
Jill

Ahh, I just got a few more photos:Grandma Evely [Me!] and Allison

The two grandpas and the proud dad!

Uncle Scott-------------------- Uncle Dusty and Aunt Sharon

Killing Mockingbirds is a sin...

2010-07-08T10:15:00.001-04:00

Without even knowing that Sunday is the 50th anniversary of the publication of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee I re-read this favorite book last week. I think it is my 4th time through it, but I am not quite sure. I read it the first time when I was homeschooling Scotty--he was in 8th or 9th grade. It is one of those rare books that has universal appeal, compelling with a great message.

This book has quite a few layers, speaking to topics of racism, small town justice and injustice, abuse, incest, fear, tolerance, fatherhood, growing up and the importance of family. Oprah W. says, "It's our national novel," and Laura Bush says, "It changed how people think."

I love Scout with her sharp mind and tomboy attitude. She is so real--if not precocious--and I love the scene where her teacher is all flustered because she starts school knowing how to read. How hilarious is that? The teacher tells her not to read anymore until she is taught the proper way! She can read at a high school level but the teacher wants her to go back to learning the sounds that the letters make. She was homeschooled by her father before it was fashionable and she learned to read by being read to. Imagine that.

If you haven't read this classic, and I hadn't until I read it to Scotty, pick up a copy. You will be spirited away to another time and place and become enchanted with this master story teller who makes us take a good look at society and at ourselves. I have vowed to finally watch the movie this summer--after all the years of reading the book, I think it is about time to see the 1962 film starring Gregory Peck.

Take care,
Jill

Eating on Vacation with kids...

2010-07-07T17:10:00.005-04:00

I have memories of traveling to Alaska, south Mexico, California and many more places [by car] with my family when I was a child. Now, granted, there were not the fast food choices that there are today, but in all our travels I think I can count on one hand the lunches we ate at a restaurant.

Mom always made sandwiches.

She kept the sandwich ingredients in an old blue steel case. I suppose it was an old draftsman case, but I am not sure. She kept bread, peanut butter, mustard, ketchup and lunch meat in there. What? Lunch meat?

Yes, that was back in the days where you weren't allowed to get food poisoning. Everyone at tuna sandwiches that had been in steel lunchboxes for hours and no one thought anything of it. We did not have frozen packs or insulated lunch kits--I guess we were made a stronger stuff back then.

I think she took the meat out of the fridge in the Airstream trailer we pulled in the morning and put it in the blue lunch case for later. I think she did this so that they wouldn't have to open the fridge when we were on the road because that would let out all the cold and since it wasn't plugged in while we drove, we didn't want that to happen.

At any rate, I hate bologna to this day because of being forced to eat a bologna sandwich with ketchup [I am not too crazy about ketchup either] for lunch on one of our trips. Maybe I was whiny, I don't know, but I wanted a PB&J instead, but I had to eat the bologna because Mom already made it for me and I shouldn't be so fussy. As a parent I understand that, but I never liked bologna and could eat PB&J every day for my whole life, so why did she make it for me?

When Bob and I traveled with young kids I vowed NEVER to have salmonella-in-a-box and to eat either peanut butter and crackers, cheese sticks [from a cooler], granola bars and that type of thing--or just stop at fast food. But, that can get expensive. So we found a solution that might help any of you who travel with children.

I would get a LOT of dollar bills and then when we stopped at a fast food place I would give each child $2.00 or if I had 5 dollar bills, I would give one to every two children. Then, they had to order for themselves and spend wisely. Since they always had some vacation money saved up they could spend over that amount if they wanted to supplement with their money, or if they ate cheap they could pocket the excess. The rule being, you must get full and eat something healthy--and no complaining about being hungry later.

It worked great. Basically everyone got water to drink, ordered off the cheap menu, shared fries and so on. Some splurged and got a shake occasionally, some pocketed spare change after every meal. It kept our costs down to a manageable amount and taught smart shopping and thriftiness as well. Plus, I didn't have to remember 7 different orders and then have to pray that the teen workers got it all right.

So, if you travel, you may want to use the suitcase method, or the $2.00 method [maybe up it to $3.00 now], or maybe stop at a rest stop and do some cooking [we have done that too]--but at least you have some options.

And, if I ever come to your house, please don't make me a bologna sandwich. UGH!

Take care,
Jill

Sonlight now has NO FEE Time Payments

2010-06-23T14:53:00.001-04:00

Paying for homeschooling curriculum can be daunting at times. So in order to serve you better, Sonlight has a new payment plan which will allow you to pay for your Sonlight materials over 3 or 6 months at no extra charge.

This is great news for many homeschoolers.

You pay no fee for the Time Payments Option. Sonlight now charges no fee and no interest on new Time Payment plans. You can spread the flat cost of your purchase over several months.
Your payment options include^*:
- A 3-month plan with 25% down and 3 monthly payments. This option is available year-round.
- A 6-month plan with 25% down and 3 payments every two months. This option will be available for orders placed in April, May and June.
You can go here for more information.

CHEO... my last 2010 convention

2010-06-16T20:10:00.002-04:00

Christian Homeschooling Educators of Ohio will have their annual homeschool conference in Akron this year. After 25 years of being in Columbus, the event planners made a change of venue and moved to Akron.

My team and I will be in the Sonlight booth ready, willing and eager to help. I will be presenting a workshop at 10:30 Friday morning, "Raising Kids who love to learn with guidance, great books and good times."

I will also have coupons for $15 off an order of $50 or more, good through the end of August. With featured speaker Voddie Baucham and The Family Guy-Todd Wilson, and with tons of vendors, it promises to be a great convention.

Experience an awesome convention!
- A New Facility
- Lots of Encouragement
- Keynote Speakers: Voddie Baucham & Todd Wilson
Family Discipleship: Brian & Betsy Ray
Featured Speaker: Dianne Craft

I have quite a bit to do before we leave next Thursday. I can't believe the 2010 convention season is almost over.

Take care,
Jill

Transcripts, again...

2010-06-15T11:51:00.006-04:00

Transcripts are not scary. Say it again, "Transcripts are not scary."

I have to tell you that it grieves me how much money is charged and how much scary hype there is related to creating a transcript. There are boot-camp sessions, endless numbers of books and speakers who all conspire to scare the pants off of you when it comes to transcripts.

The basic message is that your children will be jobless, friendless and homeless if you don't subscribe to their method [and it always costs money] of doing transcripts.

It isn't true.

A transcript is simply a resume of your child's high school accomplishments. It should include classes taken, grades given and some other basic information. It does not need to be in any particular format. It does not need to be done by a professional service. It does not take a genius. Simply put, it is a resume.

Now I am not saying that you don't have to keep decent records and have a high school plan so that your student has a well rounded education. What I am saying is that the transcript is just a recording of those classes your child has done. If you can keep records, you can make a wonderful transcript. Don't wait till the senior year to start trying to remember what courses your child did as a freshman--that will make you a wreck.

The secret to a good transcript, is to keep records as you go along. Assign grades as you go along and make course descriptions as you go along. It is not hard, it just takes keeping on top of writing down the records.

I once knew a lady whose son did not go to college. He went right to work and at the age of 28 decided to go into the military. They needed a high school transcript. She had never made one up, and he had graduated from their homeschool 10 years earlier. Now that is a reason to panic! She was scrambling to find records, try to remember what he had done and so forth. It was not fun! So, even if you child is not going to college or the military, please--create a transcript so that if they do need it down the road you will have an accurate resume of what they accomplished while they were in your homeschool.

I also recommend the book, Homeschoolers' College Admissions Handbook, by Cafi Cohen. It has a lot of good information that can help with transcripts and a lot more. If you would like a sample of what I created for my children's transcripts, email me jevely@sonlight.com.

I have other high school blog posts as well and you can find them here.

Take care,
Jill

Soap, Creativity and Reading...

2010-05-21T15:12:00.001-04:00

I love making soap and for me it is like therapy. When the scary lye water/goat milk combines with fats and oils and all of a sudden the chemical change happens -it saponifies and becomes soap- it gives me a rush and satisfaction all at the same time.

I think it is the creativity of it that hooked me. Some hobbies get old because they fail to stimulate our minds or they become repetitive and boring. But, if you can find something that challenges the mind it is a different experience every time.

I think God created us to be creative. When I look at dogs and other animals it seems like they do the same thing every time, day after day--but we were created to be creative. This is why I think that children need a lot of variety to stimulate their minds to keep them being inquisitive, creative little people. The feed on ideas and I think the best way to spark that creativity is to read to them.

Get some books and read to your kids and let the creativity begin. Excite their imagination. Learn about being satisfied with what you are and what you have with the "Whingdingdilly," learn about sacrifice and honor with "The Great and Terrible Quest," learn about prejudice in "Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry," and for just good all around family reading you can't beat "Little Britches" by Ralph Moody [the whole series is wonderful[.

If you would like other suggestions, ask you librarian, ask me, ask me to send you a Sonlight Catalog, get suggestions from "Honey for a Child's Heart," or other good book with recommendations.

Enjoy you kids--they grow so fast and reading together is a great way to stimulate creativity and to pass on your core beliefs.

Take care,
Jill

Ahh, Summer...

2010-05-19T14:03:00.014-04:00

No more teachers, no more books, no more teachers' dirty looks!

Can you remember that chat from elementary school? I do. Somehow the summer seemed so wonderful and stretched out before us like an endless road that kept going and going and going.

Ahh, Summer.

Many folks want year round schooling and I guess I can understand why. With so many working parents who have to pay child care in the summer, it makes sense to have school so the kids will be productive and not be left alone for many unattended for hours or will not have to be in long term day care situations. It is much easier for many parents to take a week here and there during a year-round school calendar to spend time with their children, than to take off an entire summer.

Also, studies [so they say] show that kids loose a lot of knowledge over the summer and shorter breaks are better to keep up skills.

I have to question this. If the kids really learned something, are they going to forget it all so quickly? I mean, if you take smaller breaks during the year [and more of them] won't they forget more?

I know with my kids a summer off seemed to bring about a maturity that always surprised me. Sure, they might forget some math process over the summer, but I could usually review it with them and they could "remember" it in about 5 minutes. But, there is something magical that happens to a student in the summer between grades that is hard to explain but I know many parents will testify that they have seen it too.

The kid grows up.

The little kindergarten student in June, becomes a more confident 1st grader in a matter of months. Children that have time to think and play and do chores and maybe get to go camping with the family mature at a greater rate than when they are going to school every day. I don't know why, but I think it is true.

Perhaps it is the lack of schedule that helps them learn to manage their time better. Perhaps it is because they spend more time with their parents and siblings. Perhaps it is because when the brain that has been working hard on academics is given more freedom, other parts of it that do not have to do with school-type thinking get a chance to develop.

I am not sure, but whatever it is, I am glad for it. I am glad that a lazy summer can be the means for a child to mature.

Along this line, I thought you might enjoy these thoughts as well:

Fire Escape and Playing Poker -Why even the public school textbook writers think homeschooling is a good idea--even if they don't realize it!
I'm Bored- Ideas for beating summer boredom

Take care,
Jill

[Photos of fun in the summer time]

INCH Workshops

2010-05-05T10:11:00.003-04:00

If you attended my workshops at INCH this year, and even if you didn't, I thought I would put my posts that relate to the ideas presented in my workshops all in one place. This may help clarify or re-inforce what I talked about.

Mothering Matters

Home Organization

Sailing by Ash Breeze
Chores and Self Esteem
Kids, Allowances and Money
Chores-The Nitty Gritty
It's All About Me [chores as a way to prevent narcissism]
Mopping and Dusting
Conquering Clutter [An overview of the 5-box method to reduce clutter-this is a PDF document]

Sonlight now has NO FEE Time Payments

2010-04-29T09:51:00.004-04:00

I am pretty excited about Sonlight's latest payment option.
Fee-FREE time payments.

You can now purchase Sonlight Curriculum today and take 3 months to pay for it, with no interest or fees. And, coming soon, you will be able to take 6 months to pay.

Your payment options include^*:
- A 3-month plan with 25% down and 3 monthly payments. This option is available year-round.
- Now available: A 6-month plan with 25% down and 3 payments every two months. This option will be available for orders placed in April, May and June. [We hope to make the 6-month plan available within a week or two. Check back here for updates.]

What a great option for those who want to get all the benefits of buying a full core Core Club Membership, but want to take their time paying for it.

Another great perk from a great company,

Jill

I'm a grandma...

2010-04-21T21:07:00.005-04:00

I know you are probably shocked because I look so youthful, but yes, Friday April 16, 2010 will live in infamy as the day that I became married to a grandfather. How is it possible that two such young people--more in love today than when we were first married--are grandparents?

Well, it's true and Elinor Grace is probably the cutest baby ever. Bob and I are smitten with this newest Evely.

Friday started normally with Jen going to work while Cris was out of town on business. By mid-morning she realized she was in labor--5 weeks early.

A quick phone call and I was on my way. Before too long Cris arrived and by 6:00 that night Elinor was born. You can see how thrilled she was to see the outside world in the photo above. She cried like crazy, which of course is good for the lungs, so we were all smiles.

But, Elinor was, after all, 5 weeks early, so she needed some oxygen, and an IV and some enzymes to develop her lungs and a feeding tube. But, today, she doesn't need any of it and it looks like she will come home in a day or two. Jen is doing great, Cris is the proud papa and Bob and I are all smiles.

We can't wait for her to come home and to snuggle her in a non-institutional setting. I did get to hold her a bit yesterday and today. This picture isn't too great, but you get the idea. This is one sweet and adorable baby--and I am not prejudiced one bit--just ask Bob!

Take care,
Jill

A fantastic convention...

2010-04-14T08:05:00.003-04:00

I just got back from the Midwest Convention in Cincinnati. I loved this event! The sponsors were organized and the guards, volunteers and even the crowd were the friendliest of any event we have ever attended.

Here is the booth from the front, with the big banner and Core 400 [Government and Civics with American Lit] and P4/5 [Preschool or Kindergarten for 4-5 year olds].

We had an awesome spot and were swamped the whole time. I didn't get a picture of my team or of how busy our booth was because I was too busy to take a picture. But we did talk to about 2000 people and if you were one of them, thanks for coming by.

I had a whole Newcomer 3--everything you need for one child about 8-11 years old for a whole year. I used to say, "Just add child and stir." Basically you need a child, pencil and paper and you are good to go.

This year I decided to make "sampler for every level" so that you can see samples of every Bible book, every history spine, samples of reading levels and science books. These samplers, along with all the Instructor's Guides really give a good feeling of what Sonlight is and how it works. You can see them lined up her by the "Why Sonlight" banner.

This past year I was privileged to be asked to create "hands-on" activities for P4/5. It was a challenge, but after consulting some early childhood educators, reading state standards and reading through many developmental activity books I was able to create some great activities that are not twaddle.

One friend asked what the definition of twaddle is an another quickly replied,

"Worthless, no purpose, busy work."

If you would like to see samples of the new P4/5 Instructors Guide, click here: and scroll down and click on "see samples." I think you will love it.

If you haven't been to a convention yet, I will be in Lansing in May and in Akron in June. I hope I will see some of you then.

Take care,
Jill

Blocks...

2010-03-26T08:53:00.003-04:00

I wanted to say a quick word about blocks. I think blocks are one of the best--if not THE BEST--childhood tools available. And I have to say, that I think Dr. Drew's blocks are among the best.

You can see Scotty many years ago with one of his Dr. Drew block creations. He used to make structures like this all the time when he was little. You can see this one is a sky-scraper type with little men in each cubical and a farm fence around the base with various animals corralled.

This takes a lot of imagination, small motor coordination, planning and time! It develops so many parts of a child's growth and is really a pretty cheap tool.

Disclaimer-I am not affiliated with Dr. Drew in any way. Now, let's look at the actual cost of this phenomenal tool. 72 blocks in a nice cloth storage bag--and these are high quality, nicely finished beechwood [hardwood] for around $60. This is a nice starter set and that is what Scotty has in the picture. We ended up adding planks for around $30. So, for about $100 we had a set of tools that can be used for years and years, by many, many children spanning more than one generation.

When I bought them they were cheaper, but even at $100. Let's say you have 3 children. That is $33 each, and figure they will play with them [conservatively] for 3 years each, that is $11 per year. If they play with them one day out of three, that is about 3 cents per day. And after all that playing, they will be just as good for your grandchildren!

What? Grandchildren?

Our blocks have been played with my our children [turning into catapults and domino runs in later years], our nieces and nephews, little friends that visit and now [still good as new, even the drawstring bag is in good shape] we have two grandchildren expected this year. In a couple of years this second generation will get hours and hours of creative play time.

So, whether you choose Dr. Drew blocks, or Melissa and Doug, or some other type of wooden block, know that you are providing tools that will give you a high return for the $$. I think this is a childhood tool that is worth the investment.

Take care,
Jill

High School Help...

2010-03-26T07:41:00.003-04:00

I had another high school question today, so I wanted to gather my high school posts in one location.

I will add to these as I have time.

2010 Sonlight Catalogs

2010-03-24T07:57:00.003-04:00

Yesterday while I was busy making waffles for my 2 year old niece and 5 year old nephew Scrappy started barking her "There's-a-guy- in-a-uniform-and-big-truck" bark. When I looked out I saw a UPS guy looking like he was going to cry.

I yelled out, "Do you have boxes for me?"

"34." [This said in a defeated voice.]

He was looking up at our house and the many steps it would take to lug all those boxes up the steps to my porch. There are twelve steps up to my house, and 34 boxes at 29# each, meant he needed to tote nearly 1/2 ton of Sonlight up the steps.

Now you know why he wanted to cry!

I yelled down to the truck, "You can put them on your hand cart and wheel them up my neighbors driveway and into our side door. There is only one or two small steps that way and the cart can come right up them."

Ahh--I saw him smile. I locked Scrappy in my office, rescued the waffles out of the waffle baker, put some syrup on them and gave them to the kids. I said they could eat in their hands if they needed to since I couldn't help them cut them up. I propped the door, opened the gate, got Bob to give the UPS guy a hand...and in rolled the catalogs.
Once they were done, Isaac and I counted the boxes, estimated how many there were, 1700--oh I and I got a LARGE warm cloth and wiped maple syrup covered hands, faces and the table. [You can imagine!]

Isaac said, "It takes math to figure out how many catalogs, doesn't it Aunt Jill?" And ever the homeschooler we counted, talked weight, shapes, found my name on the back and I had Isaac read the cover and my contact information printed on the back.

Ahh, a good day. I love catalog day. I just need to wipe down the chairs--still a bit sticky.

Take care,
Jill

Transitioning to College...

2010-03-17T14:32:00.005-04:00

Over on the Sonlighter Club Forums I see over and over again that folks want to be reassured that using a literature based curriculum will prepare their kids for college and for life.

It will.

Do you remember when you were pregnant or maybe when you first thought you might homeschool? I doubt that you checked out a text book about pregnancy or homeschooling and then answered the questions at the end of the chapter or took a final test. But, I am guessing, you learned? I am guessing, by reading real books and possibly discussing what you read and your thoughts about what you read with a friend or spouse, you learned, made decisions and had a fairly good idea of the thing you researched?

It is the same with our kids. When they use real books to learn and discuss what they have learned with you or write a response paper, they are learning--and what is more--they are learning to critically think about what they read. This is THE BEST way to learn, THE BEST way to assimilate information, THE BEST way to figure out where they stand and what they believe.

When Scotty first went to Eastern Kentucky University he was a bit hesitant. He had been homeschooled his whole life and had never taken a community college class or been in a co-op. He did have the opportunity to take a chemistry lab at our local Christian College with other high school homeschoolers, but that was the extent of his out-of-home education.

After a couple of weeks I asked him what he thought and how he was doing. He said, "Well, at first I just sat and didn't answer many questions. But, in my English class we were supposed to read some selections from Plato and discuss them the next day. When that day came, the teacher asked for us to tell what we thought and the significance of the writing. A few kids raised their hands and basically regurgitated something from the selection. But, the teacher said, 'No, what I want is what it means--what is the significance. What do you think about it?'

So, I raised my hand and told what I thought it meant, what the significance of it was."

"Kids looked at me with amazement and said, 'Did you study this last year?' and I had to answer no, that I had never seen it before. Then they said, 'How did you know that, then?' and I said, 'I just read it, thought about it and figured it out.' The teacher was pleased and I knew right then that college wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. The kids are just regular kids, the same kids who work at McDonalds. I don't know what I worried about."

And there you have it.

If you use literature to teach your children they well learn to think for themselves, learn to analyze what they read, be able to form opinions and then to communicate those opinions back orally or in writing. It will be second nature to them--they have been doing it for years. Reading textbooks and filling in blanks does not adequately prepare them for this higher level of thinking like literature based learning does.

It just doesn't.

[Note: I think textbooks can be used as a tool toward this end, if literature and discussion are used along with it. I don't think all textbooks are in and of themselves bad, but they need to be used as a tool, not to be memorized and accepted as fact.]

Take care,
Jill

[Photo: Scotty's graduation from our homeschool in 2007]

Socializaton...should I be worried?

2010-03-11T19:21:00.005-05:00

Years and years ago when we decided to pull Cris out of school because of a variety of problems, nobody talked about the "S" word. What they said back then, 20 years ago, was "He'll never be able to go to college."
"You realize you are destroying his chance of having a profession, getting higher education, etc."
"If you pull him out now, he will never be allowed back into public school later if you change your mind."

You get the idea.

We even got a letter from the superintendent saying this very thing. I wish I had saved it. It would be laughable.

But, evidence showed just the opposite. Homeschool kids flourished and have gone on to college, military and excel in a variety of professions, jobs and trades. Many are raising the next generation of homeschoolers.

Studies have shown that homeschoolers outperform traditional schoolers on every achievement test given.

So, about ten years ago, the nay-sayers changed their tune. Since they couldn't argue about the educational deficiencies of homeschoolers, they started throwing "socialization" at us.

"Your children won't be socialized."

I guess they think they will be like Mogli, raised by wolves and a big bear? They won't know how to....What? I mean what really won't our kids be able to do? What do they mean by socialization?
When I went to school if kids talked in class the teacher would look stern and say, "We are not here to socialize." That's right, we were there to learn.

But, somehow, it doesn't matter if we provide a quality education-our kids need to be socialized. I looked up socialization in a few places, and this definition seems to fit what folks think our kids are missing:

The adoption of the behavior patterns of the surrounding culture; "the socialization of children to the norms of their culture" wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

But is this what we want? Do we want our children to adopt the behavior patterns of the surrounding culture of 35 other age mates? I don't think so.

What most of us want for our kids is to be socialized to be independent adults, good family members, participating members of society--but we also want them to stand apart. Not to adopt the behavior patterns of the surrounding culture, but to be leaders and ambassadors for Christ.

And, according to the latest study done by Brian Ray, 98% of homeschoolers are involved in at least 2 activities outside of the home. They are getting lots of social experiences with people of all ages and ideas. They are not isolated and kept apart, but they are trained by working along side of their moms and dad, sisters and brothers--trained to be functioning members of society while getting a great education.

So, if someone asks you about socialization, feel free to ask them what they mean. Do they mean your child won't have social opportunities? If that is the case then I am sure you can let them know that you won't be keeping your child in a closed room all day without any human contact.

If they mean you will be depriving your children because you won't be keeping them locked up with their age-mates all day so they can become more like them, then you can let them know what you think about that! You may want to ask the parents of the public schooled children, "Aren't you worried about socialization?"

Take care,
Jill

Note: The picture at the top of the blog is of a T-shirt available from http://www.greathomeschooltshirts.com/

My daughter and the Press...

2010-03-01T12:08:00.001-05:00

This is a nice homeschooling article about homeschoolers who went off to college. My daughter Kari is quoted quite a few times. The author was homeschooled in Berea Kentucky then graduated from Transylvania University in Lexington, KY.

The Jessamine Journal: Nicholasville, Kentucky

Off to Indianapolis

2010-02-24T07:47:00.010-05:00

Today we pack up the truck so we can leave for Indianapolis tomorrow. The first convention of the year, IAHE .

Here is my office-notice matching shirts for the booth assistants and boxes and tubs of supplies.

We have a little apartment/guest room in the back of our house. I have tubs of books here, ready to be packed up--too bad it is cold and a bit snowy today.

There will be much scurrying around once we get to the conference center, trying to set up a 30x10 foot booth to look like a showcase. Here are a few boxes of catalogs. There are five altogether--each weighing 58.1 pounds. They have each been stickered twice--once with my contact information and one that is a unique coupon, good for $5 off an order of $50 or more. These are piled up in our short hall, blocking the cold air return and not allowing the bathroom door to open very far--see the door on the right side.

It is just like anything else-it is WAY more work than anyone thinks. Here you see a Newcomer 3 in the purple tub, the math supplies and in the bottom tub are the books for the front table.

I don't want to bore you with all the details, but there are signs to print, catalogs to label, coupons to print, books to organize, and then you have to figure out what tables, book shelves, book racks and other display items to bring. Here is a box of pens and gift bags, each with a book and a Smencil. These bags will be given away to every person who fills out a contact card that has a star sticker on it. 4% of the cards have star stickers on them.

And then there are banners, tablecloths, pens, tape and the equivalent of an office supply store to pack away. There are 5 banners [in the black cases] for each booth. Since I will have two booths, that is ten banners.

What if you need a utility knife, or tape, or scissors or... All that has to be packed.

It reminds me a bit of backpacking--only lots heavier! If you don't take it with you and then you need it at the convention, you are out of luck. I have had frantic convention neighbors who are relieved to find I have duct tape! My motto: Don't leave home without Duct Tape!

And then there is chocolate, nuts and dried fruit that are the fuel to keep my many assistants working during the convention. There will be a total of six moms, 4 teen girls, my graduated daughter and my husband working in the two booths during the two days. Their hours have to be coordinated, they need to be paid and the out-of-towners need to be housed.

At any rate, we have a small house. So, today, before we try to fit everything in our convention mobile [also known as a Dodge Ram pick up truck] there are boxes, tubs and more boxes scattered all around the house. I am praying it all fits!

Take Care,
Jill

Note: It all fit! I am so thrilled that there is even room left over for our suitcases!

Sprouts...

2010-02-22T15:53:00.013-05:00

Spring poked through some leaf mulch in my flower beds yesterday. The day before looked like this [see icicle picture below] as we drove home from our farm.
And then, yesterday came and it was like spring came bursting through. It is funny, because just the day before it looked like it was "Always winter, but never Christmas" and then it was like Aslan was on the move, and spring was anxious to tell winter to say goodbye.

Isn't that how it is a lot of the time? Just when things seem all cold and frozen and like things will never be sunny and warm again--then something little happens--and just like that, the ice is melting and the season is changing.

I couldn't help but think about when I was teaching Scotty to read. He knew the letter sounds, knew the idea but he seemed frozen in that knowledge and couldn't really understand blending. It was like winter had set in and we were stuck in the season of letter sounds-but no reading. Then, just like that, he "got it." He jumped up and down and hugged me and thanked me for teaching him to read. In that moment, the world opened up to him that had previously been locked away, frozen and inaccessible.

It was just like the little daffodils who are poking though the leaves. They are done sitting in the same place under the dirt, locked away, and are opening up to the big world.

Ahh, spring. When seasons change. When new life pokes through and new ideas take form.
Hope springs eternal and sometimes when one is coldest and surrounded by ice, the promise of spring poking through ground, gives us renewed energy.
If you are stuck in a cold place right now. Take comfort. Seasons change, nothing stays the same. There is green among the ice.

Take care,
Jill

Food Rules...

2010-02-17T08:52:00.005-05:00

I just finished reading a really good book called Food Rules by Michael Pollan.
The book's title is kind of a play on words, because it actually contains "rules" for eating, but it also seems to be saying that "Food Rocks" or "Food is Awesome" and that is why Food Rules.

A quick read, this book had me laughing right out loud in some places and nodding my head in others. Michael starts out with the words, "Eating in our time has gotten complicated--" and he continues on from there. He gives a brief overview of how food science is a relatively new science and that there is all sorts of conflicting information on what is the best way to eat, even among specialists and professionals.

Michael sums up all the rules in seven simple words.

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

Then he goes on to explain what this means by giving 63 easy to follow rules.

I don't want to go into too much depth, but with rules like:

Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food
Avoid foods that are pretending to be something they are not
Avoid foods you see advertised on television
Avoid foods that a third grader can't pronounce

You will find yourself getting a dose of common sense and a refreshingly healthy view of food.

With a easy to read format and only 139 pages [many of them partially blank or with pictures] you will find that you will glean a lot of memorable information in just a bit of time. I bought my copy from Amazon for $5.00 and had free shipping with Amazon Prime.

A great deal.

Take care,
Jill

Visit my Homeschool & Parenting Library...

2010-02-15T15:21:00.003-05:00

For the past year I have been working on an on-line homeschool and parenting library. It is a collection of my thoughts and ideas on both subjects. There is even an audio file of a talk I gave in Frankfort in September, "How Living Books Teach," and a teleconference I did with another homeschool mom on how to use Sonlight to homeschool a large family.

You can find My Library here: Homeschool and Parenting Library

I hope you will find it helpful to see these posts in this easy to find format. In the past week I have had some phone calls from people asking many of the same questions that I speak to in this library.

Take care,
Jill

Paths to Learning

Grandma's Office...

The Greatest Human Strength...

Blogging for Sonlight...

Christmas Recipes...

Christmas with the Grandgirls...

If you do order. PLEASE put my name -"SL Consultant Jill E"- in the comment section. I am a Sonlight Consultant and that will make it clear that I tipped you off to this good deal. NOT just for homeschoolers. Seriously, this is a great deal and the kids in your life will love Mathtacular.

This is packaged in a game--a great gift for under the tree this Christmas.

Also, if you are looking for great books to read aloud to your children may I recommend a couple to you?

The Great and Terrible Quest--This is my favorite book of all time. If you would like to know why I love it so much you can go here.

Little Britches is another family favorite. You can't go wrong reading this autobiography. Delightful for parents and adults. A couple of "cowboy swear words" which you can read right over if you are reading aloud.

If you would like other recommendations, let me know. I would love to recommend a book or two for you to read aloud to your family.

Take care,

Jill

My Spaghetti Sauce Adventure...

Back to School--How can we get it ALL done? Buddy up!

Facebook Friends

In the Good Ole Summertime...

Math made Fun with MathTacular...

It's a small Sonlight world...

Sonlight's Early Readers--What level to choose?

The Summer of Mom...

Death of Picture Books?

Fiction, Fairy Tales, and Fun for Little Learners

I helped develop this curricula. Amy and I worked together to create a program for young children that incorporates lots of great picture books, some activities and a few games. This is a great program for 3-4 year olds.

Exploring God's World

A few Blog posts that might be interesting for you:

All Chocolate Chip Cookies are not the Same

Creating a Common Culture through Reading

Is Reading that Important

How to Raise Boys that Love to Read

The Top Three Things You need to know if you have a Pre-Schooler...

Lies, Lies, Lies...

Play is work...

Play is Work...

Why Sonight? Aren't all Literature Based Curricula about the same?

Homeschool Resource Library

Summer Boredom--A Simple Schedule

All About Spelling...

Cincinnati Midwest Convention--Here I Come...

Banned Words in Lit Books, History Books and Standardized Tests--The Language Police Part 3

Tools not Toys, again...

I am an embarassment to my culture--or something like that

The Language Police...

Curriculum Overview:

The Top Seven Reasons to Homeschool...

Closets...

Cincinnati Homeschool Convention--The Best Convention Around...

Caulking-a Fool Proof Method...

Fun on the Farm with Grandma and Grandpa...

Christmas School Ideas...

Jolly Gingerbread Men...

Making Baklava--in photos...

How to Raise Boys Who Love to Read...

The blessing of having one income...

Soup-a-Palooza...

I have my very own on-line homeschool and parenting library--if anyone is interested...

You can find it here: I copied some of it for those who may be interested.

Paths to Learning: ~ Jill's Homeschool & Parenting Library~

The Three most important things to teach your children...

Is reading THAT important?

When Your Oven is on Fire...

How can I teach two children together who are not the same age or grade?

Library in a Box...

Baby Students...

Welcome Allison Ann Evely...

Killing Mockingbirds is a sin...

Eating on Vacation with kids...

Sonlight now has NO FEE Time Payments

CHEO... my last 2010 convention

Transcripts, again...

Soap, Creativity and Reading...

Ahh, Summer...

INCH Workshops

Sonlight now has NO FEE Time Payments

I'm a grandma...

A fantastic convention...

Blocks...

High School Help...

2010 Sonlight Catalogs