Another Year Almost Over?!

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I say this almost every time in the spring, “Where did the year go?” This year has certainly been filled with its share of joys as well as some hiccups in my own life. But, it’s okay, and I am on the mend and have had to adjust to things being different for awhile. School and other responsibilities don’t stop because of what happens to us, do they? Sometimes we just need to take a deep breath, rethink how we need to do things, and move forward.

Speaking of moving forward… it’s that time of year here in Ohio where you need to be thinking of what kind of assessment you want to do for your student(s) if you are going to homeschool for the coming year. This can be a nationally normed test or a homeschool assessment. If you are interested in testing, here is a website that offers testing: www.setontesting.com What I love about them is that they explain testing and have a comparison chart to see what is the best test for your student. The results of the test will be sent to you and you will submit those to the superintendent in early August when you notify that you are going to continue to homeschool.

If you are not interested in having your child(ren) tested, you can choose to have a homeschool assessment. In a nutshell, you choose academic samples of your child’s work for a currently Ohio licensed teacher to review them. The teacher is looking to see that progress has been made in accordance with your student’s abilities. They are not compared to other students. A standard form is completed by the teacher and this is then submitted to the superintendent in early August when you notify that you are going to continue to homeschool.

COVID brought about a lot of changes and this happened to have been a good thing for me and the opportunity to provide assessments to people via online. 99% of the families that I did assessments for prior to COVID lived locally since people would come to my house. Now, I see the majority of families online via Zoom and it doesn’t matter where you live in the state! So… if you are interested in this option and would like for me to review your child’s schoolwork, go to: www.calendly.com/schoolmarmohio to schedule your appointment.

Once I receive notification that you have scheduled an appointment I will send you a link to a Google Drive folder to upload samples of your student’s work. It is best if you have a gmail account, otherwise you can create a folder and email it to me. You can include videos, screen shots, pictures, PowerPoint presentations, etc. After we meet and I receive payment, I will upload the required paperwork into your Google Drive folder so you can make copies. Your scholar will also receive a certificate for all of the hard work they did.

The prices for reviews for this year (2023) are:

1 review $45.00

2 reviews $80.00

3 reviews $107.00

4 reviews $137.00

5 or more reviews $160.00

Please contact me if you have any questions. I am happy to help!

Have a great week! ~Lisa~


Photo by Mau00ebl BALLAND on Pexels.com

2022-2023 Homeschool Co-ops & Educational Programs

Co-ops and educational programs are such great ways to connect your children and you to other families who are homeschooling. Your children can take classes that you may not want to teach (such as a cooking class) or just don’t have the equipment for, such as chemistry. They are also a terrific way of meeting other homeschool moms. Some of my closest friends are those who I met at a local homeschool co-op.
* Please note that I am not recommending a particular co-op or program. This is purely an informational  listing of what is available in the area.  Be sure to investigate, research, and visit the co-op or program you are interested in attending.  Contact the co-op/program to see what is the best for your family and aligns with your values and worldview. 
If you have a great co-op or program and would like to be added to the list, please contact me.
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Bright Ideas Co-op
This is a faith-based homeschool co-op that offers educational and enrichment opportunities.
Location: Lebanon Presbyterian Church, 123 N East St., Lebanon, OH 45036
Day: Friday
Grades: K- 8th grade with preschool classes for siblings of students.
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CAFE Christian Co-op (a Community of Academics, Fine arts and Encouragement)
Just like a cafe is a place to relax, fellowship and enjoy the company of friends, CAFE Christian Co-op is a place for homeschool families to find help, support and encouragement.
Location: Evangelical Community Church, 2191 Struble Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231
Day: Wednesday
Grades: PreK-12
Website: cafecoop.weebly.co
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Charis Classical Academy 
Charis Classical Academy is a partnership program that offers a distinctive Pre K-9th grade classical education. CCA combines the individualized beauty of homeschooling with the order and discipline of a traditional classroom.
Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays Electives Day: Monday
Grades: Pre K-12
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Christian Home Education Support System (CHESS) This is not a co-op, but is a homeschool program. 
“Homeschooling isn’t easy, and sometimes it can feel pretty lonely.  You can find tutorials and social groups anywhere, but we strive to be your family’s family – where your kids will forge lifelong friendships and you can find invaluable encouragement, support, information…or even just a shoulder to cry on.”
Location: 908 E Lower Springboro Rd, Springboro, OH 45066
Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays   Electives Days: Monday, Wednesday
Grades: Nursery- 12th grade
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Classical Conversations
“Across the United States, Classical Conversations Communities exist to complement your home-centered education and connect you with like-minded families. Each community is facilitated by a trained parent-director, and classes are led by trained parent-tutors who model the classical tools of learning. Tutors have the privilege of encouraging students toward becoming lifelong learners while also encouraging parents in the classical teaching of their children.”
Grades: Pre K-12
* Local groups meet throughout the Greater Cincinnati Area.
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Divine Mercy Homeschool Co-op 
Location:552 Main St., Milford, OH 45150
Days: Mondays and Wednesdays
Grades: Pre-K-12
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Family Christian Homeschool Co-op 
Location: Fairfield Baptist Church, Fairfield, Ohio
Day: Friday
Grades: 1-12 with preschool classes for siblings of students.
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Growing Wild Nature Co-op
Location: Hueston Woods State Park
Day: Wednesday
Grades: 1st-8th grade with siblings of all ages welcome to participate.
Description: Growing Wild is a secular nature-based homeschool co-op that provides an immersive nature experience for children and families, fostering a love and respect for nature through hands-on learning and exploration. We welcome families of differing values, beliefs, abilities, and backgrounds to join us in our mission to connect homeschool children and families to the beauty and joy of nature.
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Help Homeschool
Location: Milford Christian Church, 844 State Route 131, Milford OH 45150.
Day: Wednesday
Grades: K–12
HELP Homeschool offers enrichment and academic classes taught from a biblical perspective. We partner with the parent for the purpose of equipping you in your God-given task of educating your children. Parents are given the flexibility to select the classes best suited to your student need and family budget.  Classes are held once a week so families experience minimal disruption to everyday life.
Website: https://www.homeschool-life.com/oh/helphomeschool
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H.O.P.E Helping Other People Educate Christian Homeschool Co-op
Location: Freedom Hill Community Church, Stow, OH
Day: Tuesday
General Description: Christian Homeschool Co-op strives to be a Christian homeschool cooperative that meets the enrichment needs of families living in Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, Munroe Falls, and surrounding areas. We want to not only enrich the families’ lives educationally, but also spiritually. We want this to be a fun and safe environment for families to grow together and support each other in the homeschool community.
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Kingdom Builders Co-op

Location: Bethany Baptist Church, 6049 Yankee Road, Liberty Township, OH 45044

Day: Wednesday

Grades: 1-12 with preschool classes for siblings of students.

General Description: We are a Christ-centered community that provides a variety of educational and enrichment classes for home-educating families in a safe and loving environment.

Website: kingdombuilderscoop.weebly.com  

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The Learning Tree Co-op in Springdale, Ohio 
Location: Vineyard Community Church in Springdale off Kemper Road
Day: Monday
Grades: K-12  with preschool classes for siblings of students.
Web Site: http://www.learningtreeonline.org/
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Leaves of Learning
Location: 7131 Plainfield Rd., Deer Park, Ohio 45236
Days: Tuesday-Friday depending upon classes taken
Grades: Preschool-12
Web Site: www.leavesoflearning.org
* This is a secular based program.
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Middletown Christian School Homeschool Program
Location: Grace Baptist Church. 3011 N Union Road  Franklin, OH 45005 (Middletown Christian School)
Day: Mondays- twice a month 9 am to 12 pm
Grades: 1-12
Description: This is a drop-off program offering classes in Spanish, Art/Music, Apologia Science, PE and more!  Additionally, Middletown Christian Schools offers students in grades 6-12 a partnership program with the school.
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PATH-Parents in Academic Training of Homeschoolers
We are a Christ-centered group of volunteer home school parents, partnering together with Christian teachers to provide high-quality courses for 7th – 12th grade home school students. Our goal is to have all courses taught from a Biblical perspective at an academic level to prepare students for higher education.
Location: Faith Church, 5910 Price Rd., Milford, OH 45150
Days: Monday, (Wednesday is additional for math classes)
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Points of Grace 
Location: Hamilton Christian Center  1940 Millville Ave., Hamilton, Ohio 45013
Day: Friday
Grades: K-12 with nursery and preschool program for siblings
Contact: Melissa Gibbons

(513) 687-1464
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Providence Extension Program (PEP):
This is not a co-op, but rather a homeschool program specializing in Classical Education with a Biblical Worldview.  PEP partners with homeschool parents to give 7th -12th grade students the knowledge of history, writing and speaking, and biblical philosophy vs. world philosophies they need to convince the world to follow them as they follow Christ.
Location: Campuses are in the Greater Cincinnati/ Dayton area
Days: Campuses meet either M,W or T,R
Website:  www.pep1.org
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Veritas Christian Homeschool Group
Location: Tri-County Baptist Church 8195 Beckett Road, West Chester, Ohio 45069
Day: Tuesday
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West Branch Learning Tree -WBLT Cheviot
Location: Friendship Baptist Church, 8580 Cheviot Road, Cheviot, Ohio
Day: Monday
Grades: Nursery-12
Website: http://www.homeschool-life.com/oh/wbltcoop
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Wisdom’s Way Co-op in Milford
Location:Faith Evangelical Free Church, 5910 Price Rd., Milford, Ohio
Day: Monday
Grades: Nursery–12
Website: www.wisdomsway.net

Congratulations!

Thank you to all who entered this year’s Homeschool Assessment Giveaway! Congratulations to Suzanne S. and Racheal C. If you need to have your children’s work assessed per one of the end of the year options, I am scheduling appointments now. We can meet online via Zoom or in person if you live in the Cincinnati, OH area.

To schedule your family’s assessments go to: HOMESCHOOL ASSESSMENTS

Have a great day! ~Lisa~

Homeschool Assessment Giveaway!

It’s time once again for my annual portfolio review giveaway. If you would like to be entered for a chance to win one of two free reviews (services only, no cash value), send an email to: lisammcafee@gmail.com.

The giveaway will end on January 31, 2023 and at that time I will randomly select a winner. Those who have won will be notified on February 1, 2023 via email. You do not need to do anything to be entered into the contest.

However, if you wish to schedule an online appointment with me for your student(s), go to: www.calendly.com/schoolmarmohio I am scheduling reviews now through August.

I hope you win! ~Lisa~

A New Year A New Plan?

Happy New Year! How are you doing? How is your school year going so far?

The fall has flown by and now we are in winter. How did that happen? You may be feeling like the outline you submitted to the superintendent is not going as you planned and isn’t working. Don’t fret! You can change things if you need to do so. The outline is what you intended to do, not something that is set in stone. Take some time to determine what is not working for your student. Evaluate why it isn’t.

Is the material too hard? Try slowing down the pace of what is being covered. If your child is not mastering multiplication facts, do not move onto division! It will be very difficult and cause a lot of tears for them (and probably you too). I suggest at least 85% mastery of the material in order to call it complete. Of course, completing 100% of the curricula is your goal.

Is the curriculum not your child’s style? Find something that is better suited to them. Here is a quick quiz for you to ascertain what type of learner your child might be. Learning Styles Test

Here are some good resources to check out various types of curricula should you wish to change.

CHEO (Look under the Choosing Curriculum Tab)

Cathy Duffy Review This website has many options from which to choose.

Rainbow Resource I love their reviews on products. I have used and recommended their company for many years.

I am available to do a consultation and coaching with you if you would like to do that. I have hour long Zoom appointments or can meet in person if you are local. (Cincinnati, OH). We can discuss my rates and your needs. You can message me and I will respond within 24 hours.

Have a great week! ~Lisa~