Archives

Time4learning

Oct1

I am always on the lookout for resources I can find that can help you as a homeschool educator. I found this online website that offers language arts, math, science, and social studies for your student(s) that I think looks interesting.  It is a PreK-8th grade online service with the following benefits:

  • Access to 3 Grade Levels of Lessons
  • 1,000+ Student-Paced Multimedia Activities
  • Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies
  • Interactive, Project-Based Activities
  • Detailed Reporting for Easy Record-Keeping
  • Lesson Plans and Teaching Tools for Parents
  • Lessons Correlated to State Standards

While they do not offer a science curriculum for 7th or 8th grade you could still have student use it as a supplement or if you have not yet covered that information, use as their curriculum for the year. Membership is less than $20.00 per month. There are also lesson plans, worksheets, quizzes, and tests to accompany the subjects. For more information and to see for yourself if this is something you would like for your school Click Here.

Lamplighter eBook and Audio Series Set

Sep27

Christmas is not far away and these resources would make a great present for the family. Lamplighter is a Christian publishing company that produces literature and audio series that build character. Who wouldn’t want that for their children? 🙂 I see they are running a special this month and wanted to pass it along to you. Here are the titles of one of the series:

4 eBooks:
The Boy of Mount Rhigi
That Printer of Udell’s
Basket of Flowers
Always in His Keeping

3 Dramatic Audios:
Teddy’s Button – 2 hrs
Sir Knight of the Splendid Way – 2 hrs
The White Gypsy – 2 1/4 hrs

Wait! There’s more! Another set is available for purchase for hours of quality entertainment and discussion.Click here to see the details.

Homeschool Camp

Sep20

Here’s a wonderful opportunity for you and your family to have hands-on experiences for science as well as enjoy the great outdoors. If you can’t make this particular event there are other ones to choose from throughout the year.

Homeschool Camp

October 2-3, 2012      REGISTER for one day or both!

Come discover the wonders of God’s amazing creation in His great outdoor classroom. You can spend one day or both days as your child learns from professional in their area of expertise with hands on applications. Pleasant Vineyard Ministries Camp’s 80 acres of woodlands, creeks, ponds, and hiking trails will serve as the outdoor lab as your child participates in hands on learning that will help them to discover God in Nature.
Classes
 
Birds of Prey – See birds of prey up close from a Hueston Woods Sate Park Ranger.
Enviroscape l – This class allows students to observe and simulate, in real time, the interactions of precipitation with various land use practices and the impacts they have on streams, lakes, water supplies, and ground water.
Rocks and Minerals– Specimens of rare minerals and unique rocks will captivate each student as they investigate them while learning how they were formed.
Forestry– Students will take a hike with an ODNR expert as she teaches students how to identify trees and plants in the woods.
Art in Nature– Students will create art from objects found in nature.
Geology of SW Ohio – Students will explore evidence found on the grounds of PVM Camp from Noah’s flood and glaciers.
Project Wild – Project WILD is one of the most widely-used conservation and environmental education programs among educators of students in kindergarten through high school.
Fur Trunk – This trunk contains a variety of furs and skulls from Ohio’s wildlife. Students will enjoy guessing what type of animal the furs come from, as well as feeling how soft the pelts are.
Enviroscape ll – This class will teach about the science used in developing a landfill and why recycling is important.
 Activities
There will also be activities such as the 500-ft. zipline, the 40-ft. rock tower, canoeing, nature hikes, campfires, fishing, large group games for all ages and much more.
 
Schedule
Tuesday ,Wednesday
8 AM Registration                    8 AM Registration
10 AM Forestry Hike               10 AM Project Wild/Fur Trunk
11 AM Birds of Prey                  11 AM Enviroscape ll
12 PM Lunch                              12 PM Lunch
1 PM Zipline/free time             1 PM Rock Climbing/free time
3 PM Eviroscape l                      3 PM Art In Nature
4 PM Rocks and minerals       4 PM Geology of SW Ohio
5 PM Dinner                               5 PM End of camp
7 PM Campfire program
Registration Fee

Cost is only $35 per family member for one day or $60 per family member for two days. Includes all meals and lodging. (Family one day max. is $140 and two day max. is $240.)

To register for the PVM Homeschool Camp download the Homeschool Camp Registration Form and mail or fax it back to Pleasant Vineyard Ministries at:

PVM Camp
1259 Swann Beatty Rd.
Camden, Ohio 45311

Fax 937-452-5566

Phone registrations with a credit card may be made by calling 937-452-3347.

CLICK HERE FOR A REGISTRATION FORM

Phoenix Phaxx: A Learning and Giving Adventure

Sep17

Phoenix Phaxx

I saw a supplemental curriculum for Social Studies that Sonlight curriculum and the  Far East Broadcasting Company are offering. It is a fun online program that features five countries.  History, daily life, and faith are discussed in the 8 minute long videos. You can also read about each country and discuss this with your child(ren). The program is called Phoenix Phaxx’ Pocket Guide to The Great Commission. Your children can collect money to help purchase a wind-up radio for children in these highlighted countries to share the Good News of the Gospel.You are encouraged to give a donation of $30.00, but it isn’t mandatory. Click on the link to see what it’s all about. click here

Have fun!

~Lisa

Struggling Students: Curriculum Resources and Books

Sep10

I was organizing and cleaning out my big ol’ pile of papers that I had written about a few weeks ago and came across a catalog from a publishing company that produces curriculum for struggling learners. A wide range of academic areas are included for you to investigate including: language arts; 21st century skills and strategies; test prep; math; science; history and social studies. There is a reading level correlation chart listed on the inside of the catalog for you to be able to see what level the books are for your student. They also have audio books and e-readers if you are in need of that format with regards to your student.

Last year I tutored a young lady who was in need of a biology text that would cover the subject matter, but at her comprehension level which was not grade equivalent. I didn’t want to have the family order a textbook or curriculum without being able to see it and asked for a sample. Much to my surprise and delight, an envelope arrived with photocopies of the table of contents, the preface, and several pages of two of the chapters of the student edition. But wait, there’s more! They included  pages of the teacher’s edition as well that has the table of contents, academic standards that are being addressed, a skills chart, and several pages of chapter 1. I was able to see how the chapter is taught and what resources can be used to enhance each chapter if a student is still struggling with the chapter.

The company believes in helping students to succeed that they have a monthly book giveaway for teachers. I am not sure whether individual home school families can enter, but if you are involved in a co-op or a homeschool group and could share your winnings that would be terrific. Here is the website for you to explore: Saddleback Educational Publishing

The We Are Heroes series is a high interest-lo level reading set of books that focuses on teens helping with humanitarian organizations such as Kids Against Hunger and Habitat for Humanity. Maybe your son or daughter will be interested in volunteering after reading these books.

Have you ever considered using Reader’s Theater with your reluctant reader?  Extra reading aloud may be needed, but it is hard to get an older student to do this. Orcabooks has several reading theater books available that have a synopsis and can be viewed before purchasing them.

~Lisa