The Super Seven

Start A Blog. The art of blogging isn’t going anywhere soon, and is a great way to teach a teen the advantages to online marketing through social networking. Pick a topic that interests your student and get to work. Make it a goal to stick with it on a monthly basis. Creating your own blog is actually quite easy because there are Web-based toolsets that make the management of your blog incredibly simple – Blogger are just a few of the services available.

Play With Paper Airplanes. Really? Oh yes, and even catch up on some serious physics lessons in the process: Archimedes and Bernoulli’s Principles, and effect of wind resistance on your aero-design. Build several models with different variables, predict outcomes, and have a contest. See if your predictions hit the mark! It’s a wonderful way to spend an hour or two.

Plan a Garage Sale. Hand all the planning, processing, price determination, layout, and marketing/advertising directly to your student. Hold several boardroom negotiations on cost analysis and the percentage distribution of profits among family members. Business Finance 101 with some serious motivation! And you get your closets or attic cleaned out in the process.

Write Poetry With Math. What??? Yes – it can be done! Not only will it enrich your vocabulary, it’s a creatively fun way to write. Oulipo (pronounced oo-lee-po), uses math and patterns in writing. These constraints can create silly, even provocative creative works. Nothing is better than learning with laughter.

Role Play – Historically. Take the game of Who Am I? a bit further with this creatively versatile activity. Have your student select a historical figure of interest to them. Research the time period and significant events, and then put on a show. Dress up to the hilt, speak in-period, and drop small clues all day long – until the parents or siblings “get it.” Don’t make the answer too obvious right off the bat.

Create A Homeschool Yearbook. Think it through carefully, and make it as official as possible. Hit all the major areas that traditional school yearbooks do. With today’s desktop publishing and scrapbooking supplies, you may be able to come up with some very creative stuff. It will become a bit of history and special memories to tuck away forever.

Fake a Job Interview. There is NOTHING that will help interviewing skills for a future job or college admission like practice – and don’t forget to add as much formal pressure as you can on this endeavor! Research typical questions and answers online, prepare vigorously, dress the part, and conduct a formal interview. Don’t forget to throw in some really tough or unexpected questions as well. On the spot thinking is an excellent skill to possess. No giggling allowed!

Opportunity abounds for some fun and creative learning within the homeschool classroom. Add a dose of laughter and you have the recipe for some lifetime character-building memories in the making – all of which will only serve to strengthen family bonds  and prepare students for an experience in the outside world that will be either good OR bad – depending on what THEY choose to make of it.

But even newer on the forefront of learning opportunities is the usage of educational video games in the classroom. It’s becoming the norm in many public schools: programs like Study Island, First In Math, Starfall, and RazKids are providing new classroom learning methods as well as a system for recording benchmarks and percentiles.

So what’s the downside? Well, for years we have eschewed television and video, as it has been deemed a negative influence on children’s cognitive functioning and physical well being. It’s been linked to everything from childhood obesity to eyesight problems and attention deficit disorder. So what’s the real skinny on the sudden wave of virtual learning opportunities through video games?

The Pros

Dr. James Paul Gee, a leading authority on literacy and educational games at Arizona State University, says that “new theories have arisen concluding that human beings learn from experiences – that our brains store every experience we’ve had, and that’s the key to what influences our learning processes.” Add some serious forethought and expertise into designing educational experiences for children through games and you’ve got some real potential. Let’s look at how:

1. Games Feed the Learning Process. The brain develops from being challenged by experiences. Video games have all the components of this: motivation, clear goals, interpreted outcomes, and continuous feedback. Kids play video games for fun with the goal of progressing to the next level and eventually conquering the opponent and overcoming challenges by thinking through possible outcomes in a variety of situations.

2. They Do Away With Testing. Educational learning games can negate the necessity of standard testing by providing kids with the ability to master levels by repetition – a much better way of retaining information than studying frantically the night before a paper test. “Learning and assessment is exactly the same thing,” says Gee. “If you design learning so you can’t get out of one level until you complete the last one, there’s no need for a test.”

3. Games Build a Love for Challenge. The greatest minds – whether they are scientists, engineers, or businessmen – are all adept at solving multi-faceted challenges that utilize many different subject areas across the board. Video games entice kids to seek out and embrace challenges. If levels are difficult to master without some logical thinking, it’s the proverbial carrot in front of the bunny. Kids are ready to go for it instead of giving up and asking for help – it can be very motivational stuff.

4. They Encourage Risk Taking. One of the biggest reasons for poor participation from children is the fear of being wrong in front of others. In a video game, the risk of failure by trying something new is much less stressful than raising your hand in front of peers or siblings. If you lose, you just get to try again – without social embarrassment.

5. Games Are Variable Speed. One of the best pros about educational games is that they allow children to advance through levels at their own pace – without pressure. Ideally, games can be a part of the individualized learning process.  And with every new game, the knowledge and expertise picked up in previous games can be applied to a new experience, a fundamental part of learning.

The Cons

There are downsides to bringing video games into the classroom environment, be it a homeschool classroom or a traditional one.

1. Games Can Be Addictive. According to a study published in The Journal of Pediatrics, roughly 1 in 10 children who play video games are at risk of becoming pathologically addicted to them. And according to WebMD, kids who averaged 31 or more hours of video time a week should be classified as “obsessive gamers.” And 84 % of students who were addicted when the study began were still addicted 2 years later. These can be a scary statistics for parents who are considering bringing games into the homeschooling environment.

2. There is Difficulty in Development. A problem exists with the fact that designing, developing, distributing, and implementing effective game-based learning products into classrooms is difficult to say the least – and requires the joint effort of teachers, researchers, learning experts, game designers, and many others as well. Joint effort and coordination can be a political nightmare.

3. Lack of Funds. In this economy, spending cuts are everywhere, and education has borne the brunt of much of it. Most schools are operating with severe fiscal restraints – as are most households across the country.

Your Decision?

The fact is, quite a few traditional schools are already utilizing the educational video games within the classroom – as a method of teaching AND as a method of assessment. With homeschooling environments, it is up to parents to assess the benefits and detriments of using gaming as a teaching method. Games can help make homeschool learning more engaging, relevant, and give students the ability to problem solve in ways that static textbooks simply cannot.

It stands to reason – as with most parenting decisions – that the most beneficial path for our children lies in moderation. Embrace the new, because there are simply amazing online opportunities on the horizon, but keep a watchful eye out for excess or misuse.

If you are like me, you value your rights to raise your child according to what you know to be best for him or her. However, the CRC treaty will take those rights away!

Please read the notice below penned by Michael Ramney of ParentalRights.org and contact your senators today to help stop this threat in its tracks!

Next take action—he makes it easy to know if you need to contact your senators at ParentalRights.org/status —and then forward this to everyone you know who will stand with us.

Please Call Now to Halt CRC Ratification

The United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) poses a serious threat to the rights of parents to direct the upbringing of their children, by making the government – not the parent – responsible for decisions that are made for that child.

Proponents of the treaty last week posted an opinion piece at Time Magazine’s website calling for CRC ratification anyway. And they’d like to see us subject ourselves to its dictates by November 20 of this year.

Nor is this latest salvo the full extent of their efforts. They are also pushing online petitions asking President Obama to send the CRC to the Senate for its advice and consent, the final requirement for ratification.

Now it is time for us to act, to halt their grand offensive in its tracks.

And the place to do that is in the U.S. Senate.

Action Item

Please take a moment right now, before closing this email, to contact your senators and urge them to cosponsor SR 99, the resolution that opposes ratification of the CRC.

Your message can be as simple as the following, in your own words:

Hello. My name is ______, and I am concerned with the recent renewed interest in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This is a dangerous treaty that would endanger the right of parents to raise their children as they see fit, and which would allow U.N. officials to make rules and rulings that are binding in U.S. courts. Some special interest groups are trying to push the president to submit this treaty to the Senate, but I am strongly opposed to this treaty. I urge Senator ____ to send a message to the president as well, by cosponsoring SR 99, the resolution that opposes ratification of this treaty. Senator DeMint is the lead sponsor. Please contact his office to sign on. Thank you.

Though SR 99 has had 37 cosponsors since last April, we would like to see that number reach at least 40. Any fewer, and the chance remains that someone could be “turned” and vote for ratification even after signing the resolution. With 40 or more, we feel confident that no amount of arm twisting would get the treaty the 67 votes it needs.

Visit ParentalRights.org/status to see if your Senators are already on board, and to find the phone number of your Senators if they are not. Then, call today to register your support of SR 99 (and your opposition to the CRC).

Together we can send the message that it’s not an oversight: America does not want the CRC!

Sincerely,

Michael Ramey
Director of Communications & Research
ParentalRights.org

Happy January everyone! We are now settled back on campus, enjoying getting back into the groove of school. Though when we arrived there wasn’t much snow on the ground, within a few days, we were greeted back with massive snow storms. Within a week, we had accumulated almost 3 feet of snow. The last time I remember seeing this much snow was when PA had the blizzard of 96! We now regularly hear the dynamite blasts from up in the mountains as the passes are cleared and avalanches are prevented. The roofs also have to be cleared as well as they become heavy with snow. The faithful little swagger wagon succumbed to the sub-degree weather and decided she doesn’t want to start if the temperature drops below 10 degrees, which is a fairly frequent occurrence. I really don’t blame her as I’m not a big fan of running in cold weather either!

The activities around campus have changed a bit due to the weather. Instead of playing football or Frisbee in the yard, the students now go sledding, snowboarding, or skiing. Every Friday night we head down to the rodeo arena in town where they have constructed a skating rink. Everyone grabs a broom and plays broomball (basically hockey with brooms). Since the Klase girls aren’t much good at winter sports, we attempted to take a walk on our bike trail for some exercise. Much to our chagrin, the trail is now knee deep in snow, and we only succeeded in getting side swiped by a wall of muddy, slushy snow that a passing bus threw at us. It seemed to me the bus driver enjoyed our shocked squeals just a little too much!

It has been great to be back in class again. We completed a massive church history course from Bible times through the founding of America. Later this spring we will have an American history course that will complete the timeline for us. The church history course really gave me a whole new appreciation for our spiritual heritage. The stories of the martyrs throughout the centuries were a sobering reminder of the cost that is sometimes necessary when serving Christ. This week’s course is “The Theology of God’s Will.” We have been learning many wonderful principles for God-honoring decision making. I really wish I learned all this when I was 19! What a blessing for so many of these students to be hearing this at such a pivotal point in their young lives (not that I’m counting myself old yet, but they’ll be 8 years ahead of me on this for sure!).

In the area of service, we were able to serve the local community this month by helping to host a “Right to Life” vigil in the town square on the Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (1/22/12). We made cookies, shoveled the town square, and then held a service there to raise awareness for the 1.2 million abortions that take place in the U.S. each year. It is hard to believe that our nation ranks 3rd in the world for the most abortions, following just China and Russia. It was encouraging to see so many local churches unite for this event and I was privileged to be able to participate.

It is hard to believe that by the next time I write, it will almost be time for spring break! Our time here is slipping away much too quickly, so we try to soak up as much as we possibly can each day. Hope you all have a wonderful February!

About the Author, Sarah Klase

Sarah Klase is an Advisor Assistant at Bridgeway Academy and has decided to embark on a 1-year creation studies adventure at Jackson Hole Bible College in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Sarah, 27, holds an Associate’s degree in Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute and fell in love with JHBC 3 years ago when she visited the campus with one of her sisters. This year Sarah and her two younger sisters decided to take a year out of their lives to experience an amazing adventure complete with cross-country driving, interesting field visits, archeological digs and more! Tune in each month as Sarah blogs about her travels, experiences and learning’s.

A History Lesson – The Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria

There are lessons to be learned through studying the past – our own history is simply one of the greatest teaching tools for success in the future. On August 23, 1542, a fleet of three ships set out from the shores of Spain and toward the banks of the Americas, carrying Christopher Columbus, a man instrumental in the discovery of our own great country.

These three ships had varying characteristics – as well as certain strengths and weaknesses. The Nina and the Pinta were both smaller, sleeker ships, called caravels. The Santa Maria was a larger, round-hulled ship, called a “nao”. All three ships were well-armed, but the Santa Maria was much heavier, and eventually ran aground and was destroyed completely on December 25, 1492. The Pinta was light and fast, but broke a rudder early on, and even became totally lost in a strong headwind (although it did end up making its way back to the Nina). The Nina held true, and eventually came to deliver Columbus back to Spain and into the history books after his ultimate successful discovery of “India”.

So what is the correlation between these three boats and the choice of a public, private, or homeschooling system? We all want our children delivered safely and successfully back to our homeland in the end. Hmmm.

Public System

Pros:

• Convenience. Generally close to home, bus picks up and drops off on a set schedule.
• No additional cost. Although you pay school taxes, there is no extra fee for public school.
• Integration with peers. Kids are exposed to all different personality types – as in real life – and must learn to integrate with others and problem solve. Jungle survival.
• Exposure to sports/activities. A wide variety of extra-curricular activities and sports opportunities abound, although competition can be tough.

Cons:

• Class size. Large class size usually means that the brighter kids lose out, and those with learning issues can be lost in the mix.
• Rigid instruction. Public school teachers don’t have the resources or ability to customize a lesson plan based on a student’s learning style. It’s learn or lose – and many kids end up losing.
• Peer pressure. If it’s a negative behavior, your kids are sure to be exposed to it in some manner in public school. Bullying is also an issue for many.

Private System

Pros:

• Higher quality education. Private school classes are generally geared towards college-bound students.
• Future opportunity. Graduation from a private school looks good on resumes and on college admission applications .
• Birds of a Feather. Private school communities generally stick together, and even look out for one another. Although some may perceive it as snobbery, being part of a close-knit group can certainly have its advantages.

Cons:

• Expense. Private schools cost A LOT, this we know. And it’s on top of school taxes.
• Limited diversity. The types and backgrounds of the people your children will have class with may be much more limited than public school, making the adjustment to the business world a bit more difficult.
• Time-intensive. Parents of private school students are typically expected to be involved in quite a few volunteer efforts with the school which can take time.

Home Schooling

Pros:

• Custom education. Your child’s curriculum is made-to-order, taking into consideration their learning style and varying educational needs.
• Flexibility. You have an appointment? No problem. Your child is sick? No worries. Test scheduling? It’s easy to maneuver. Very, very nice.
• Close-knit families. Lack of quality family time is one of the biggest downfalls of today’s society – and homeschooling keeps families together and bonded in a way that rivals anything else.
• Faith aspect. You are free as a parent to keep faith strong and alive during the school day – this is becoming impossible in a traditional school setting.

Cons:

• Can be very time-intensive. With some homeschool programs, you’ll need to be your child’s full-time teacher in addition to being a parent – and that’s a scary prospect for most.
• Social isolation. Some say it’s just plain hard for kids to interact with others their age in the same way that traditional school kids do, no matter how you look at it (although there is some evidence to support the opposite) . Public school kids tend to label each other.
• College admission difficulties. Although homeschoolers are being taken very seriously by most colleges of today, there can still be issues with diplomas and the transfer of credits. It’s not as easy as having standard transcripts. That’s why it is critical to ensure that your student graduates with an accredited high school diploma.
• Wearing two hats is difficult. Being both a parent and a teacher– on and off, over and over – is truly hard to do. Lines can become blurred.

So now that you’ve taken a step back to rationally review the facts in a logical fashion – take the next step. Close your eyes and go with your gut feeling.

Which school system is right for your family and right for your child? I’ll bet you have an answer right there in your heart.

The scary fact is that a lot of teens move on to rack up debt that they can’t pay – early on in life. Starting out on your own in financial trouble is not a smart way to play the game. Here is the simple truth:

Very shortly you are going to be the sole person responsible for your own finances and planning for the future is YOUR solo gig.

The not-so-scary fact is that by taking a solid step forward and thinking about what’s best for you long-term (much like you did when you and your family chose to homeschool ), your future can look pretty bright. The great news is that many options available to you are now in digital or mobile format – and that you can easily relate to!

Here are some simple (but technologically up-to-date!) strategies to put in place right now:

1. Open a checking account. It’s easy, it’s free, and there are real-world penalties involved if you mess up (overdraft fees, etc.). Ask about the pros and cons of debit cards and how they work. Set up online access and be sure to utilize your bank’s online tools for managing a checking account including online banking, mobile banking, account alerts, bill pay, and transaction records. Using mobile banking will allow you to check account balances, pay bills, transfer money, view transactions, and receive mobile alerts on your phone when their balance falls below a set minimum, helping to avoid fees.

2. Subscribe to RSS news feeds involving the financial world. You can custom pick the feeds that interest you most, or have the most relevance to your fields of study – Google Reader is an excellent place to start . The feeds will automatically get you the news and information you need, without you having to go out looking on the web. Subscribing to email newsletters by some of your trusted institutions and accounting agencies will help to build your knowledge base as well – scan the topics and pick the articles that have relevant information.

3. Utilize online video resources and webinars. Look for information in the media format you can relate most to – in many cases there are video options that won’t bore the pants off you! There are many reputable sites that are targeting teens – they know you are going to be a large part of their future – so take advantage of their interest in you, right now.

4. Keep an ear to the ground for local seminars. A lot of colleges have not-for-credit evening or weekend short-courses available – and so what if you are only a teen, it’s a great way to prepare for college! Mom or Dad may even want to attend with you. University extension agencies are also great sources of free information for young people. Remember that any financial knowledge that you compile now can only help you in the future.

The fact that you are still just a teen affords you the opportunity to get in the “driver’s seat” (even if you are not 16 – woot!) financially speaking. A little bit of knowledge, some steady practice with the newest financial tools available to you, and you will have yourself a big leg up over other teens your age.

And – IMHO – the driver’s seat is exactly where you want to be! CU L8R!

We’ve come up with a list of questions you might have regarding a mentoring program – and the answers you need to make an informed decision on whether it’s the right move to make for YOUR household.

What is a homeschool mentor – exactly?

It’s a good basic question, as the term “mentoring” covers quite a broad area. Mentoring can include anything from calling another parent in your homeschooling network who has been through it all and getting some sage personal advice. Or it can involve enrollment in a program that can provide you with weekly or even daily assistance with your teaching methods researching, coping skills, or even spiritual guidance and prayer. A good mentor (sometimes called a homeschool coach) should be able to assist you with these things:

• Help you connect to other homeschoolers, either locally or through online communities
• Give you great ideas for activities or educational field trip ideas in your area
• Help with lesson plans, researching tips, and gathering resources for teaching
• Allowing you to observe a functioning homeschool program if you are just starting out
• Help you problem-solve with any issues that arise
• Give you advice on how to deal with local school officials if necessary

In a nutshell, mentoring can cover such a wide range of resources or input to your current homeschool program that it is hard to provide any one definition of the term. It can be what you need it to be – you just need to make an informed decision on how much help you really need.

How do I decide if I need a homeschool mentor – really?

Of course everyone could use an experienced coach in their back pocket through the course of any given week. If you are a parent, then you’ve asked yourself many times – oh my gosh, how do I know what’s the best course of action here? Often times, your best hunch ends up being the right answer. Sometimes, it’s not – but then you learn and move on. If you are not sure if you “really” need a mentor, ask yourself the following:

• Do you feel uncertain in your ability as a teacher?
• Do you feel exasperated or frustrated at the end of the day?
• Do you wish you had someone to bounce your ideas off of or give you motivation?
• Are you struggling with decisions related to the public school system and want to know the best way to handle them?
• Do you want to network with other homeschooling parents and teachers?
• Is it taking you way too long to plan your lessons and research materials?

If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to one or more of these questions, it’s likely a good time to look into mentoring!

What does mentoring cost – straight up?

It is possible to find a free mentor, especially if you have many personal connections in your own homeschool community. You may be able to find another parent who has been through the experience, and is willing to provide you with some guidance, tips, and be available when problems arise. With the age of the internet and its bounty of resources available at your fingertips, you can easily join an online forum or community where you can post your questions and receive answers from others like you. However, if you are looking for someone to reach out to on a consistent basis – and who has proven experience behind them with positive strategies for all of your roadblocks or issues, you should look into a paid mentor. Mentors are usually paid:

• By the hour for phone consultation (somewhere in the neighborhood of $25/hr)
• Monthly fees with access to website materials/program (we found $30 – $50/ month is reasonable)

So to sum it up – mentoring is affordable – even free if you’re resourceful enough – and it may just give you that extra boost you need.

How do I find a reputable mentor – and avoid charlatans?

If you perform a Google search on the term “homeschooling mentors,” you will be amazed at the number of sites that pop up. Some are other homeschooling parents who want to share their story, some are online programs, and some are people trying to sell their books and other things. Here are some things to scout for:

• Look for someone who has homeschooled their own children successfully – you want someone who has been down in the trenches and emerged successfully!
• Check credentials. A mentor should have substantially more experience than you do.
• If it’s an informal arrangement – perhaps another mom you admire in your homeschool community – make sure you formally ‘ask’ for mentoring help, and be very aware of how valuable that person’s time is!
• Look around on Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, or on other online forums – there is tons of free info out there and many ways to connect with potential mentors through social media.

Remember that the best way to know for sure that you are getting a good mentor is through the reference of other parents like you. Ask around! A good homeschool mentor can provide specific advice, resources, and the encouragement you need for your own success. So go for it!

Well friends, the last month has flown by! We have been home on break since Thanksgiving and are enjoying catching up with friends and family. Leah and Rachel jumped right back in to their housecleaning business and bake sale, but I had a chance to relax a bit before things got busy for me. For the last two weeks I have been helping a caterer with a few events and then spending the remainder of my time helping out at my brother Steve’s house. His home is currently under construction and my presence has been essential in performing menial tasks and low skill level jobs! It has been fun to spend time with him and get high on paint and stain fumes at the same time! I think my fingernails are permanently stained an attractive muddy brown as well.

Seriously though, it has been wonderful to be able to be home on break and set aside the books for a time. I heard that soon after we left Jackson Hole, the temperature there dropped significantly and was around -15! Needless to say I think we have some cold weather to look forward to when we get back in January! We are told that the town has turned the Rodeo arena into an ice skating rink. When we get back we’ll be able to play intense games of “broom ball” on the ice! (Broom ball is like hockey without the skates and a broom is the substitute for sticks.) When I say “we”, I really mean everyone but me. I will most likely cheer from the bleachers!

Since arriving home, life hasn’t just been work, work, work. We have been able to take a few day trips to see sights in PA that we’ve never seen before. One such trip was to Lancaster, PA. Shockingly, we had never before been to visit Amish country. We had a great time shopping in the Kitchen Kettle Village and keeping an eye out for buggies. One great find there was a pottery shop that sold beautiful handmade pottery.

Another day trip well spent was at Peddlers Village in Bucks County. It is beautiful this time of year – decorated for Christmas with greens and lights. We browsed the shops and sampled their hot chocolate and cider. The highlight was the gingerbread house display they have set up right now. Participants from all over have submitted entries in the annual gingerbread contest and they are on display until January 7th. There are different categories such as “classic design”, “best imitation of a famous building”, and “kids only”. The creativity these food artists have is just unbelievable. We were told we were lucky to not wait in line as there is often a long wait to view the 30+ entries.

All too soon it will be time to board the plane and return to Wyoming. Though we will be saying good-bye to friends and family again, we are looking forward to our second semester at JHBC. I’m sure we have lots to learn and will continue to be stretched through this learning experience.

I pray this New Year will bring you opportunities to learn and grow as well. As we celebrate the birth of the savior of the world, may we also strive to glorify the Lord by imitating Christ’s servanthood and love. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

About the Author, Sarah Klase

Sarah Klase is an Advisor Assistant at Bridgeway Academy and has decided to embark on a 1-year creation studies adventure at Jackson Hole Bible College in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Sarah, 27, holds an Associate’s degree in Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute and fell in love with JHBC 3 years ago when she visited the campus with one of her sisters. This year Sarah and her two younger sisters decided to take a year out of their lives to experience an amazing adventure complete with cross-country driving, interesting field visits, archeological digs and more! Tune in each month as Sarah blogs about her travels, experiences and learning’s.

It’s probable that parents lose a bit of cognitive function while working in the trenches of early childhood, battling those dirty diapers, dealing with sporadic tantrums, and managing the mountains of housework families leave in their wake. But I can assure you – we have gained quite a bit in common sense, problem solving ability, and how to think fast in a pinch. Believe me—you’re ready!

Tip: Don’t underestimate your credentials as both a parent and teacher

It will certainly help to educate yourself on each subject to some degree BEFORE delving into a curriculum with your child. Remember that you don’t need ALL of the answers… just a solid head start and the resources to uncover an answer when the eventual questions arise. Let us help you get a leg up with these great resources!

Homeschool Worksheets.

Worksheets are an excellent resource to help with identifying where your child might be weak – and where you are weak as well. They can help you to organize lessons, brush up on forgotten material/terminology, and they are cheap or free online!

• Math.com
• EdHelper
• Highland Heritage Forms

Study Guides and Strategies.

A website deserving of its own category! If you can think of it, there’s a whole guide to it found here. A wealth of valuable information in one location – use as a jumping off place for all your searches.

• StudyGS.net

Science/Outdoor Resources.

The natural world can sometimes feel more complex and unnerving than quantum physics! If science was not exactly your forte, and the thought of insects, fungal growth, scat, and poison ivy rash leaves you shaking in your never-before-worn hiking boots, fear not! With these resources, it might just be fun.

• BBC Blue Planet

The Power of Google.

If you have a question you don’t know how to find the answer to, just type it into a Google search, word for word. You might be amazed at what pops up.

Local Support Groups.

If all else fails, reach out and ask others in a similar situation. Networking with local homeschooling families is always a great idea!

• Jon’s Homeschool Resources

As your child gets older, keeping a firm grasp on the subject matter WILL undoubtedly become more difficult. With your older homeschooler (just for fun and to see how it works), you may want to role swap. Have them research their designated topic areas – then teach you the basics of the subject matter. As questions arise, you can tackle them together, essentially by functioning more as “classmates” than as a traditional “teacher” and “student”.

In summary, the pure beauty of homeschooling is that there is no “right” or “absolute” solution to any given situation. You can make homeschooling fit your lifestyle, your capabilities, AND your child’s individual learning needs. Your synergy together will always be a wonderful work in progress!

Our Winner is Anthony Willis – a 3rd Grader from Texas!

Congratulations Anthony!