Top Tips for September 2007

Topics for September 2007 Newsletter:

Top Three Tips

Time Out Corner

Children's Enrichment

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Check out September Activities and Reflections of an "Old" Homeschool Mom (If URL is not a link, please just copy- and-paste the URL into the Web browser.)

Moms' Section

Top Three Random Tips for Busy Homeschooling Moms:

1) Homeschooling:

The Tape Recorder

For busy Moms, the tape recorder is a God-send in several situations. For starters, use it
--for reading practice.(even little ones can benefit here)
--for problems with writing. Have the child tell the story or test answers orally. If necessary, he can go back and put them on the computer.
--for improved comprehension (high schoolers). Our children read their history into the tape recorder, using both eyes and ears to digest the information.
--for test preparation. Listen to the reading again and make notes.

Listening to the tape can also help improve speech and oral reading.

"The God of Music dwelleth out of doors." Edith Thomas

2) Nature Appreciation:

A quick, simple yet fun, productive art project...

Take a nature walk. Carry basket or other containers for collections.

Walk and talk about fall changes--colors, textures, etc. As you go, notice the interesting leaves, seeds, sticks, bugs, animals. At first, you may need to point out the "little" wonders of God's world. Pick up interesting pieces. Go slowly and let the children really savor the experience.

Note: They are to create an autumn scene with their nature treasures when they get back home. So keep this in mind. Be sure the youngsters gather enough leaves, sticks and so on. Also encourage variety in their collections.

For the pictures,
--Use heavy construction paper. I also backed the art with cardboard.
--Arrange the pieces, either as a scene or collage.
--Glue in place.
--Attach string or ribbon and hang on your art wall.

3) Household:

"If your house is really a mess and a stranger comes to the door, greet her with, 'Who could have done this? We have no enemies.'" Phyllis Diller

After a couple of years of homeschooling several children the art projects can begin to take over the house. If you're like me, I saved every scrap of paper that my children did. I couldn't bear to just throw them away.

But our home was fast becoming a fire hazard. So it dawned on me to take pictures. Just snap the smiling student with his just finished creation and mount the photos in your scrapbook or put them in the photo box for that year.

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Time Out Corner: Literature and Movies

To be our best for our families, we Moms need a short time out each day. Grab a book or pop in a DVD and relax with your husband,. (Although most of the recommended books/films are generally appropriate, they are suggested with us parents in mind. So please preview them.)

Book Recommendation:


• Sense and Sensibility
  by Jane Austen--This is one national craze which we can enthusiastically join! Watch for the Jane Austen specials on PBS in January 2008.

Movie Recommendations:


• Open Range--Robert Duvall
  
• The Burbs--Tom Hanks
  
• Stage Coach--John Wayne

Children's Section

Enrichment Idea: Guess the Verse

To encourage appreciation and understanding of God's Word and the members of our family.

• Choose a Bible saying.
• Write each word of the verse on a separate index card.
• Remove two or three cards and spread the rest of the cards on a table.
• From just the remaining words, see if anyone can correctly quote the exact verse.
• If not, put all the cards (mixed-up) on the table.
• Can anyone now remember the quote?

We love and need your ideas and comments. Please send us 1) your suggestions for book/movie reviews, 2) any special tips or shortcuts that you would like to share with fellow homeschoolers, 3) any and all other comments/suggestions.

Let us hear from you! Your input is important.

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