Summers' Family Adventures

Unschooling Government

2011-11-15T12:19:00.001-05:00

Unschooling moment:

As we were driving to pick up my oldest daughter from play practice, my youngest daughter saw a left over political sign in a yard. Here in Ohio we just voted down Senate Bill 5 with Issue 2 on the ballot. She wanted to know what Senate Bill 5 and Issue 2 were.

So we got into a lengthy government discussion on how the people didn't like SB5 so they got enough signatures on a petition to put Issue 2 on the ballot. Then people voted on Issue 2. This was a great example of how we are truly a government ran by the people. etc.

Of course the conversation was a bit longer than this, but she came away satisfied and hopefully a little more understanding on how our government works here in Ohio. I'm sure our short conversation was more interesting than a lengthy chapter in a dry text book.

Unschooling Math - Yes it is possible!

2011-11-02T11:53:00.000-04:00

Discussing in a Christian Unschooling group I follow...ways our children have discovered math on their own.

Wanted to share the following discoveries:

This afternoon my almost 8 yo son discovered multiplication! While talking about his cousin - who had his wisdom teeth extracted today, ds came to the conclusion that we had 16 wisdom teeth in our truck (4 kids x 4 wisdom teeth each = 16 wisdom teeth)! I reminded him about the "skip counting" he already knew (5, 10, 15, 20, etc) and how that was an example of multiplication. He recognized a pattern and figured it out! Through more conversation, he realized that 5 x 3 and 3 x 5 are the SAME! Just like 20 + 10 and 10 + 20 are the same! VERY COOL! LOL! We also talked about the commutative property for addition and multiplication.

My youngest (10 yo) discovered multiplication when we were playing Yahtzee.....recently discovered division while we were shopping and trying to figure out how much one box of cereal is when they are advertised 4 for $10. AND then I point out, every time we do money we are using decimals too. SO not only did she learn division she learned dividing a decimal too. :)

Recently my 12 year old, who has always been good with numbers, decided to check out a math website, she spent hours with math problems, some story problems, some pre-algebra. It was so simple for her. I keep thinking, are you bored yet, doing problem after problem, with no reason behind it? Yet, at the same time, liking how well she did, and her drive to complete the task she set for herself.

Thank you families!

Christian Unschooling

2011-09-01T23:47:00.000-04:00

I really like the blog Christian Unschooling...the latest post really made my day :)

It speaks of the book: "Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith" by Ann Spangler.   From one of the reviews: "This book is a good starting point for beginning to understand the Jewishness of Jesus."

Now, you're probably wondering "what does this have to do with unschooling?"   Keep reading....

The post goes on to explain how the book explains how children were taught in Jesus' times. Do you think they all lined the school room in rows raising their hands up and down like children do today?   SORRY
wrong answer!

They learned the necessary skills they needed from their mother or father by watching them and participating in their daily work. They didn't learn history from a dry text book but from the tales told around the fire by their elders. My favorite quote from the book (above): "The usual method of learning was through hands-on experience, imitating someone who possessed the skills they wanted to aquire"

My favorite quote from the blog post: "What a radical idea! Learning through your life experiences and acquiring the applicable skills you needed along the way? By doing? You mean Jesus was in large part Unschooled? Blasphemy!"   :)   (as I chuckle out loud...this brings a smile to my face every time I read it.)

The blog post continues on to explain being an apprentice or learning under a rabbi as a disciple....(PLEASE read the blog for a more in depth explanation.)

To sum it all up beautifully:

"This is the goal of Christian unschooling. Not retaining data but raising our children in an unrestrained environment of constant contact and discipleship. Of listening to the spirit and allowing God to play a great hand in igniting passion and talent in our children. Of discipling by example, allowing our children to be immersed in our lives and experiences so that they can learn to do as we do.

It is not irresponsible, it is not lazy, and it is not a violation of scripture.

It is our attempt at allowing God to more organically shape the lives and futures of our children."

(from: http://christianunschooling.com/2011/08/25/christian-unschooling-following-the-rabbi/)

SEE why I like this blog SO MUCH!!! It really helps put unschooling into perspective. :)

Unschooling??

2011-05-17T12:22:00.001-04:00

OK - I really hate to use the terminology "unschooling" because so many people have pre-conceived ideas that are not necessarily true. I've labeled us "eclectic" but more in truth we truly unschool. I've found a great support group on Facebook that has helped me overcome my shyness about admitting we truly do unschool.

Here is a great post on "Is unschooling right for your family?"

To give you an idea what we are doing - here we go:

So right now my youngest isn't much of a reader but has recently started reading Percy Jackson - The Lightning Thief and looking forward to reading Guardians of Ga'Hoole series. She loves watching Pirates of Caribbean. Recently picked up books on Walt Disney (the man) and wants to know more about the person who created Mickey Mouse, etc.

My oldest loves to read and is working on "The Silver Chair" by CS Lewis since her goal is to read all his books on Narnia. She just finished reading "The Fairies Return" by Gail Carson Levine.

I just printed off fraction worksheets since my youngest was teaching herself to play piano and had questions on note values which led to discussions on fractions. So they wanted to learn more about fractions. My oldest wanted to learn more about clouds so I printed a worksheet packet from School Express about clouds.

We are reading together, Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little by Peggy Gifford for a book discussion group later this week.

For science we will be working out of an awesome book called "Exploratopia." Which is a great book that teaches science by doing and I can't wait to share it with my girls.

So we may not be following the public school curriculum outline we are learning lots of stuff but in a non-traditional way.

I'm Back :)

2011-02-15T11:55:00.003-05:00

OK - SO I took a long break from my blog so lots has happened. We basically scaled back on everything to realign and re-evaluate our family's spending and budget needs. Part of that was our home internet service. So that is the reason for the long break, it's awfully hard to keep up a blog with short times online at the local library.

So I'm sure your wondering what's happened....so I'll be quick....

My Christian Life
My growth in my spiritual life has been taking off and I'm so excited to get to know our God and His son Jesus again. I was baptized on Mother's Day in May 2010 and understand now so much more the meaning of being "born again." I've been teaching Sunday School at church (Abundant Life Community Church) in our Kids Room (Grs 2-5). I am currently the Costume Mistress for our church's community theatre's, (82nd Street Theatre) for the upcoming production of "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe."

My Work Life
I've closed my travel agency. I've worked some short term jobs from June to December. Now we've decided, for the moment, I'm staying home. Although, I am a Barefoot Books Representative and an Avon Representative. Barefoot Books is a wonderful line of children's books that are beatifully illustrated and well written. Of course, Avon, which I love all their products and believe no matter who you are or what your budget is Avon can meet your needs.

Homeschooling
This year has been interesting. Both girls went to Public School at the beginning of the school year. What brought me home is my oldest's daughter, who went to middle school (6th gr) and HATED it. And sadly it wasn't the kids or the academics, it was the negative threats given by the teachers daily. So I brought her back home in October. My youngest (4th gr) loved school but part of our budget reduction included a new rental home that cost less, so when we moved in December she came home. Both are loving it and so am I. We are still following an eclectic style and I try not to look over too many different curriculum options. When I start looking I start questioning yet things are going fine the way they are so I'm just going to keep going the way we are.

So there it is, and I hope you'll enjoy my upcoming posts.

Raising Homemakers Homestead Blessings 10 DVD Set GIVEAWAY

2010-06-03T08:31:00.000-04:00

Raising Homemakers is a new blog and this description is from the blog describing their mission:

RaisingHomemakers.com is dedicated to inspiring, teaching and blessing mothers who have an interest in raising their daughter in godliness and preparing them in the arts of homemaking to the glory of God.

Now some of you may take offense, but I want to let you know that just because we instruct our daughters to the art of homemaking doesn't mean they won't have a job outside the home. My hope is to raise my daughters with a good foundation and instruction in homemaking so if they do choose to work outside the home they can do it efficiently. I was never "instructed" so I struggle keeping our household tasks up and I do not want them to feeling unprepared like I do.

Raising Homemakers is having an awesome giveaway this week as they launch their new blog. It's Homestead Blessings 10 DVD Set. This set includes The Art of....Quilting, Sewing, Dairy Delights, Canning, Gardening, Herbs, Cooking, Soap Making, Candle Making, and Bread Making.

These are skills I'd love to learn and I'm sure many of you would too. So all you have to do is jump on over to their blog, Raising Homemakers, for all the details.

Memorial Day

2010-05-30T19:26:00.000-04:00

Just had to post a big THANK YOU! to all our veterans and current folk serving in the armed forces. Protecting what our forefathers, with God's influence, created for us and generations to come....a FREE Country. No matter what rules or challenges our country faces I still wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

I get to home school my girls, go to church, worship God, and follow the career choice I want to follow, plus so much more. Just remember to keep defending our Bill of Rights, whether in the service or not, it would do us all good to remember what our Constitution says and why so many have died fighting to protect it.

The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments of the Constitution, first introduced by James Madison to the very First United States Congress in 1789 as a series of articles that became effective December 15, 1791. Thomas Jefferson was a supporter of the Bill of Rights. One of the first fourteen copies of the Bill of Rights is on display in Washington D.C. at the National Archives.

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11 on May 5, 1868, Memorial Day was officially proclaimed. The first Memorial Day was observed May 30, 1868 when flowers were placed on the graves of both confederate and union soldiers in Arlington Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize Memorial Day was New York in 1873 and it spread to almost all states by the end of WW I. Although since the National Holiday Act in 1971 moved the holiday to the last Monday in May the meaning of this holiday has been lost into 3 day weekend holidays with fewer communities having observances as it was initially intended. You can find a listing of local Cleveland Ohio Memorial Day Events on Cleveland.com.

So I urge you to attend a local memorial service in your community and remember those who have died protecting our freedom and rights that we have here in the United States of America.

Today is National Missing Children's Day

2010-05-25T12:16:00.000-04:00

From an email I received from Take 25:

Today is National Missing Children's Day

Today marks the 28th annual National Missing Children's Day. First proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan and observed by each administration since, National Missing Children’s Day serves as a reminder to the nation about the importance of child safety and remembering children who are still missing.

May 25th marks the anniversary of the day when 6-year-old Etan Patz disappeared from a New York street corner on his way to school. Etan's story captivated the nation. His photo, taken by his father, a professional photographer, appeared in media across the nation and around the world. As a result, Etan became the poster-child for a movement and his photo came to symbolize the anguish and trauma of thousands of searching families.

For three decades, the search for Etan has continued. Just as that day when President Reagan proclaimed the first National Missing Children's Day, Etan is still missing. The widespread attention brought to his case and others eventually led to a nationwide commitment to help locate and recover missing children.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) honors this commitment by reminding parents, guardians, and others to make child safety a national priority and encourages them to participate in the Take 25 campaign.

© 2010 National Center for Missing & Exploited Children • Take 25 Campaign • 699 Prince Street • Alexandria, Virginia 22314 • www.take25.org

Please take 25 minutes to talk to your children (no matter if their are 3 or 18) about safety. With a focus on prevention. The Take 25 website has lots of conversation starters you can download and have that talk today.

Five Fun Family Vacation Activities Your Kids Will Love

2010-05-18T17:43:00.001-04:00

I went right to the source for this blog post and here are my children's responses:

1. A return trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando to the Magic Kingdom to ride rides and to see more of Disney's Hollywood Studios, since we didn't get to see as much of that as we wanted. The best time to go is in September and since we home school that isn't a problem for us.

2. Jekyll Island Georgia and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Go on a turtle walk or behind the scenes tour to really learn more about the Sea Turtle. Go swimming. Check out more stuff on the island such as the Tidelands Nature Center.

3. A camping trip to Northwest Ohio to the Lake Erie Islands. We can hit Cedar Point for Amusement Park fun with the adjacent Soak City for water park fun.

The Lake Erie Islands are our favorite place to visit and can only be reached by boat or plane. Cars are permitted on all three island; however a golf cart or bicycle offer a slower pace to enjoy the beauty around you. Rental shops are located within walking distance of the ferry docks.

Take the ferry to Kelly's Island and check out the glacial grooves. Kelly's Island offers boating, bicycling, fishing, fossil hunting, scuba diving, snorkeling, (check out the 50 shipwrecks around the island) picnicking, playgrounds, sailing and sea kayaking. Kelly's Island State Park has camping for RVs and tents, hiking trails and a beach for swimming.

Middle Bass island with glacial grooves, small houses, rental cabins, camping, beaches, marinas, a historic district, a wildlife refuge and soon - an Ohio state park. It's accessible by public ferries, private boats & planes and air service.

Put in Bay is on South Bass Island. There are several independently owned hotels (no chain hotels here) along with bed & breakfast inns, island cottages, private homes and condominiums. There is a state park with 10 full service camp sites with electric, sewer and water along with 125 non-electric sites. Put in Bay is home to Perry's Victory and International Peace Monument. There is para-sailing, golf, mini-golf, a rock climbing wall, kayaking, jet skiing, fishing, swimming, boating and bicycling. You can tour a historical society museum, a butterfly house, an aquatic resource center, a historical home tour, and a museum of island life. There is a tour train with an hour long narrative tour of the island, two caves to explore and a family owned historic winery to tour. There are lots of entertainers and festivals throughout the summer season.

Back on shore, in the winter (or summer), we can hit all the indoor water parks: Great Wolf Lodge, Castaway Bay, Kalahari and Rain.

4. Kennywood and Idlewild are two great family fun amusement parks we LOVE to visit over in our neighboring state of Pennsylvania. Kennywood is a little closer for us and a standard old fashion amusement park but offers great deals and lots of thrills for my not so brave girls that still want amusement park fun. Idlewild is a slower paced park and little further away for us but includes the water park. It's great for real little ones because it incorporates Story Book Forest and Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. But for the older ones there is the water park and a few rides that still provide thrills big enough for my girls.

5. Lastly - Mom's Idea - a trip to Kentucky...not only do we have friends there, I've seen a few places I think the kids (and grown-ups) might enjoy:

Creation Museum with 70,000 square feet that bring the pages of the Bible alive with lots of exhibits, theater presentations and live plants. I really think this would be so awesome to check out.
The Newport Aquarium with a million gallons of water displaying animals from around the world. You can touch a shark and meet a penguin too.
Drive further south to Mammoth Cave National Park. In this area there is lots to do with 8 different cave tours, an alpine slide, horse back riding, golf, canoeing, the national corvette museum and much more.
For the horse lovers, from Downtown Lexington you can take a 3 hour narrated Thoroughbred Heritage Horse Farms tour.
And finally, if you really want to check out Kentucky's back roads try finding Loretta Lynn's birthplace. Here is a website that gives directions. Here are two reviews from Trip Advisor and although they are a few years old, the place sounds very interesting and not overrun with tourist traps.

I can think of many other places to go that we could all enjoy but we'll just have to save those for another post down the road. :)

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the Williamsburg Tourism and TwitterMoms blogging program for a chance to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

Prentiss Kendall - It Is Well With My Soul Give Away

2010-05-12T09:28:00.000-04:00

Who is Prentiss Kendall?

Prentiss is an accomplished musician who had completed Bachelor of Arts Degree in Harp Performance. She has won many competitions, including solo category of the Nation Competition for Christian Schools and the South Carolina Association of Christian Schools Competition.

It Is Well is a collection of hymns sure to soothe and inspire whoever is blessed to win a copy!

Thank you to Jasmine Baucham a homeschool graduate who is hosting this give away on her blog.

Also - Thank you to Sarah Mae who at her blog Like a Warm Cup of Coffee led me to Jasmine's blog.

Sarah Mae's post today was awesome - it talked about the fact that we as parents need to find good role models for our children. Today's celebrities that are pushed upon our tween/teens are not godly models for our children. So she linked us up to some good role models for our girls to look up to.

What is a Teacher?

2010-05-06T08:25:00.000-04:00

From my 3R Homeschooling Yahoo group:

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In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, I'd like to dedicate one of my favorite posts to the dedicated mothers in America who sacrifice so much each and every day to home educate their children.

What is a Teacher?

A teacher is someone who can....

....Give a hug without getting arrested.
....Bandage a knee without calling the school nurse.
....Change a light bulb without calling the custodian.
....Make the children wash the bathrooms without union approval.
....Have a relationship with the principal without getting fired.
....Teach a child's mind while capturing their heart.
....Teach what they believe in and believe in what they teach.
....Meet the child's needs and not worry about meeting state guidelines.
....Commit to a lifetime of work without pay but receive rewards that last a lifetime.
....Pray in class, out loud, with the children and the ACLU can't say a word.

There is only one that can fill that job description...

....A teacher is a mom.

appears at http://spunkyhomeschool.blogspot.com/2010/05/what-is-teacher.html

N. Simpson

Taking care of our Earth

2010-04-30T11:12:00.001-04:00

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14 (It's too bad our sea is full of oil right now)

This was the status I posted on Facebook today. It is sooo sad to see our ocean filling up with oil...killing all the animals, plants and contaminating our land as it comes ashore.

Birds - Whales - Otters - Fish - Shrimp - Crabs - Oysters - Plankton (food for the fish) - Dolphins

Areas from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida will be damaged.

Here is a good article from CNN describing the environmental disaster.

Here is a current update from Yahoo which describes how our President has decided not to allow drilling....duh - it takes a tragedy to open the politician's eyes.

I know not everyone will agree with me but offshore drilling in the middle of our oceans is not exactly the smartest thing we could be doing. I don't understand why our government and these oil companies don't explore renewable energy options. These technologies have been around since at least the 1970s (probably earlier) and if we would have invested the money into them rather than destroying our environment with oil I believe we could be using renewable energy options daily instead of it being something "new."

Our Lord must be very disappointed with the way we are taking care of this precious earth. In Genesis 1 God gave man and woman dominion over the earth and all it's plants and creatures. That doesn't mean we should destroy it.

Happy Earth Day!

2010-04-22T09:25:00.000-04:00

I just had to blog about Earth Day today. - This year's theme seems to be water.

Since I live blocks away from one of the Great Lakes (Lake Erie) it seems appropriate I talk about the effect we have on our water. This article on Yahoo mentions how before the first Earth Day pollution was very evident, like the Cuyahoga River catching fire. Living in/near Cleveland I see the Cuyahoga River a lot and thankfully I can say that it has turned into a very vibrant, healthy river.

The Cuyahoga River dumps right into Lake Erie along with many other rivers near my home. Although the beaches and water along the shores of Lake Erie are not as clean as we would like them to be they are much better than when I was growing up. There are many efforts and organizations helping keep our beaches and water clean. Our homeschool Roots & Shoots group participates in beach clean-ups through the Alliance for the Great Lakes. We pick up the beach than do various water tests. It's nice knowing that we are helping make the beaches and the lake a better place for future generations.

Lake Erie right before a summer storm

One way we can all help the watershed in our local communities (which helps our local streams, rivers, lakes, etc.) is using Organic Land Care and not use pesticides. For more information on it you can check out the NOFA Organic Land Care website. The rain washes these chemicals into our streams, rivers, lakes, etc. Also, learn about your local water system and storm drains. Some of our storm drains dump into the lake which is not good, in my opinion. Chemicals from our cars such as gasoline and oil that may drip end up on our roads than washed down the storm drain which ends up in the lake. Another area is prescription medicine. I know when I was growing up we were told to empty the pills into the toilet than flush them. Well, where do you think that ends up? In our water system. An advanced level of prescription drugs is a problem in our water system. So throw them out in the trash then immediately take the bag out of the house so your little ones don't get them. Don't forget to recycle the bottle.

My oldest gets to see Disney's Oceans movie with her Girl Scout troop and I hope to take all of us to see it this weekend, it looks really good.You should see it with your family, anyone who goes the first week, Disney is donating money to help save the coral reefs. Also, any homeschoolers or educators (even parents) should check out the webpage under educators and download the Activity Guide and/or the Educator's Guide.

Have a great Earth Day! Enjoy our planet! Give thanks to God for this gift!

You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. Nehemiah 9:6 (NIV)

iPhone apps for kids

2010-04-21T08:41:00.000-04:00

Do you have an iPhone? Are you thinking about getting one? Well I ran across this great little website that reviews iPhone apps and let's you know which ones are great for kids. As a parent, any site that helps me swim better through all this internet information is a welcome help.

Some of the iPhone apps they recommend that caught my eye are:

Scrabble - my kids LOVE Scrabble.
Monopoly - great for a long road trip.
PegLight and PacMan - what a great idea, take classic games and put it on the iPhone.
SkeeBall - the first time I've ever seen this in gaming form.
GeoCaching - we did a brief class at the nature center on this treasure-hunting game and had fun.

Well, these are just a few of the many, many apps you can get for your iPhone. I didn't realize there were so many! This website breaks it down by age group and by category (creative, educational, just for fun, word games and free apps). It also has a tips and tricks page.

So all you iPhone users, it's not just for adults anymore and we can even sneak in some educational stuff for our kids without them even realizing it.

Note:
I’m participating in a contest at Best Kids Apps, a blog about iPhone apps for kids, for a chance to win an iPad.

Ultimate Blog Party 2010 - After Party

2010-04-19T09:57:00.000-04:00

The Ultimate Blog Party is over for this year but I want to share 3 of the blogs that really touched me personally.

1. On Having Faith
I read her post "Neighbors and a Diet" and felt like I could be reading my own story.

We live in a side by side duplex and share a yard. Our neighbors (in the other half) moved in last August. I know the wife because her son and my youngest were in the same kindergarten class when she attended public school. They are nice people but their children have taken over the yard. Their toys are strewn everywhere and they are a bit rough so it has been hard adjusting. But what has really helped is remembering that Jesus commanded to "Love your neighbor as yourself" so I continue to remind myself and my whole outlook on the situation has really changed....now I don't complain like I used to and prayer for the mom because she does have 3 little boys all under the age of 9 and I just can't imagine what patience she must have.

Also, her post on losing weight is so much like my own story. I'm 5'4" and weigh 225 lbs. I have a severe arthritis in my left knee join and knee cap...which makes exercise hard. I am pre-diabetes and have high cholesterol too. So a diet and additional exercise is a must but so hard. So I've decided to share that journey here on my blog too, mostly for accountability.

2. Me and Mine in a Small Town
Her blog post on the Biggest Loser was my favorite. It was so inspiring to know someone around my height and weight actually lost as much weight as I need too. Although she gained some back after having a baby, she is back to losing weight again. She posts every Tuesday on her weight loss journey...which I really like the idea of a weekly posting. I'll have to think about that for my blog too. She is a Christian mom too. So we have lots in common.

3. Faithfully Frugal and Free
Her blog is full of free stuff, give aways, ways to earn a little extra cash doing surveys. So since you know I LOVE FREE - of course I'd follow her blog. I'm so excited to dig into this one. The one contest that she is running now is a FREE 7 day/6 night stay in one of the amazing Orlando vacation homes from Global Resort Homes. How awesome is that?? You should hop on over and get into the action.

So these are just 3 of many and I can't wait to continue to dive into more blogs since the links are going to stay up on the blog until next year. Hope you can join us then too!

God bless and have a great day!!

Free High School Curriculum Sites

2010-04-15T08:35:00.001-04:00

As my daughter enters middle school I'm looking ahead to high school, Yikes! This is the point where a lot of home school families stop and the child goes back to school...parents just don't think they can handle high school, transcripts and credits. Well, I've done lots of research and I plan on going all the way with my children. I want to be the one to issue that High School Diploma and be involved watching them take on more responsibility as they blossom into young adult ladies. As a guide, we will be using Far Above Rubies by Lynda Coats. Here is where you can order Far Above Rubies. Here is a very well written review by Martha Robinson.

NOTE: Please consider purchasing Far Above Rubies here. The author, Lynda Coats has been doing missionary work teaching the Native Americans in Arizona over this past school year. She would like to continue her work in the fall. By purchasing this curriculum by May 15th, not only will you help her continue this wonderful mission, you will receive 13 bonus items too. Please see this link for more information.

(Note: I do not receive any compensation for your purchase or for advertising this curriculum.)
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I love free stuff, on our tight budget anything we don't have to pay for helps us tremendously. So I've found the following links to FREE high school courses:

FHSST (Free High School Science Texts) is a project that aims to provide free science and mathematics textbooks for Grades 10 to 12 science learners in South Africa. (Go to their "About" page for information on this awesome project.)

(Free) Online High School Courses & Curriculum Materials offers links to other websites. They have links to high school classes on English, Math, Foreign Languages, Physical Education, Social Science/History, Science etc. I have not investigated all the links available so please review them before sitting your child down with them.

April 11-17 -- is National Environmental Education Week.

2010-04-13T14:35:00.000-04:00

Be Water and Energy Wise Tips!

from the National Environmental Education Foundation website

Insulate your hot water pipes and hot water tank to save energy and money.

To save energy, hang-dry clothes on a laundry line instead of using the dryer.

Wash clothes in cold water and only in full loads to conserve water and energy.

Clean the lint filter in the clothes dryer after every load to improve efficiency.

Clean or change filters on your heating system in the winter and on the air conditioner unit in the summer so they work more efficiently.

On summer days, close the blinds to keep heat out and in the winter open them up to let heat in.

Replace old light bulbs around the house with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). CFLs use up to 75% less energy than a regular light bulb.

RECYCLE! It almost always takes less energy to make product from recycled materials than it does from new materials. Plus you'll prevent more waste from ending up in the landfill.

Recycling on glass jar save enough energy to run a 60-watt light bulb for 4 hours or a CFL for 20 hours.

Always turn off electronics when not using them - TVs, computers, and especially lights. Electronics are still using energy in the stand-by mode.

To keep cool, try using a ceiling fan instead of an air conditioner. It uses less energy and can help spread cool air around the room.

Trees save energy through shading in the hotter months. They provide wind break during winter. The result is burning less fossil fuels to generate electricity for heating and cooling.

Water lawns and gardens only when needed during the coolest part of the day; early morning is best.

http://www.eeweek.org/assets/files/water_and_energy/water_energy_tips.pdf

Super Teacher Worksheets from FreelyEducate.com

2010-04-10T13:50:00.000-04:00

Welcome Super Blog Party readers! I usually don't blog on the weekends but I thought I'd share some free stuff with you.

I love Lori's Freebie site. I subscribe to her blog and will share some of her great resources here once in a while. This is her latest and its a good one. Super Teacher Worksheets. You'll find worksheets (on the elementary level) for Language Arts, Math, Handwriting, Reading Comprehension, Holidays and more. Thanks Lori for another great site!

Look for my Monday Blog - I'll have some pictures from the Cleveland Zoo.

Ultimate Blog Party 2010

2010-04-09T18:26:00.000-04:00

Join us for the Ultimate Blog Party 2010 - This is going to be so much fun. This is the first year my blog is participating so I'm looking forward to this awesome party!

I am a Christian homeschooling mom of 2 girls and I blog about free resources for homeschooling and other great finds. Not only are these resources good for homeschoolers, parents may find them helpful to their children's schooling too. I also blog about some fun stuff we do here around Cleveland Ohio since there is so much great stuff here that people that live here may not even know about.

I'll blog about missing children and human trafficking since my step-granddaughter is a missing child believed to be a victim of human trafficking.

So join the party and check out some of my posts - looking forward to getting to know you!

Linda

The Missing Persons Bureau

2010-04-01T12:06:00.001-04:00

The Missing Persons Bureau

Posted using ShareThis

Some Human Trafficking Statistics from Ohio

2010-03-23T10:34:00.000-04:00

The following statistics are from 1997 over 10 years ago....this continues to be an ongoing problem across the world. Don't think it can't happen to you or someone you know.

Here are some statistics from right here in Ohio.....

In Ohio, over the past seven years, the average age when a girl enters prostitution has decreased from 16 to 14. The demand for prostituted children is increasing, as men feel safer from AIDS with younger girls. 75 to 95% of all prostitutes were sexually abused as children. Many prostitutes are high school dropouts, come from poor and abusive homes, move from place to place and are alcoholics or drug addicts. (Debra Boyer, U. Washington, Susan Breault of the Paul & Lisa Program, "Danger for prostitutes increasing, most starting younger," Beacon Journal, 21 September 1997)

2,632 youths were reported missing, more than 60% of them are listed as endangered runaways, who often end up as prostitutes in Ohio in 1996. Attacks against prostitutes were increasing as of September 1997. (State Attorney General, "Danger for prostitutes increasing, most starting younger," Beacon Journal, 21 September 1997)

16.9 is the average age of entry into prostitution for girls. (Delancey Street Foundation, San Francisco, "The lost boys," Sarah McNaught, The Boston Phoenix, 23-30 October 1997)

14 years is the average age of entry into prostitution for boys, 25 years of age is the average age that men leave prostitution. Male prostitutes usually do not have pimps. (Sean Haley, Director, Adolescent Services, JRI Health, Boston, "The lost boys," Sarah McNaught, The Boston Phoenix, 23-30 October 1997)

We believe our granddaughter may be a victim of human trafficking: www.bringhomeashley.9f.com

Human Trafficking

2010-03-18T12:02:00.005-04:00

Fellow blogger, Kristi Stephens, will be hosting Gillian Ferdwerda from Woman at Risk, International (WAR) on her blog at KristiStephens.com. She will be sharing statistics, stories and Hope. Please join Kristi for the next two weeks as she brings awareness to this subject.

This subject is especially close to my heart as we personally feel our granddaughter - who has been missing for almost 3 years - may have fallen to become a victim of human trafficking. She lived in an area overrun with gangs and drugs and was "in love" with a boy who could have easily lured her into this lifestyle. The last confirmed sighting of her was at an apartment where a "Sugar Daddy" pimp lived. Now we believe she could be anywhere from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus to Detroit.

Please see our story at: www.bringhomeashley.9f.com

Some Human Trafficking statistics:

1. Human trafficking generates 31 Billion annually, making it the third most profitable criminal activity in the world. ~ Not For Sale

2. About 80% of transnational victims are women, and up to 50% are minors. ~ Modern Abolitionists in the U.S. State Department

3. From 2001-2006, the U.S. Department of Justice prosecuted 360 people for modern day slavery and human trafficking—this is a 300% increase from prior years.(http://abcnews.go.com)

4. 80% of sex trafficking victims (as identified by 98 U.S. organizations) are in bondage to forced prostitution, servile marriage, sex tourism/entertainment, and pornography. ~ U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice

Herb & Spice Chart

2010-03-09T09:36:00.000-05:00

I had to share this resource - Herb & Spice Chart. You look for the main ingredient in your dish and flavor it with the spice recommended. I am so excited, since I love to "spice" things up when I cook and this will help guide me on which spices to use with which foods.

Thank you to Molly Green of Econobusters.com for leading me to this link via her "A Minute with Molly" newsletter I receive. To sign up go to: http://www.econobusters.com/ under the "Sign Up for our Free Newsletter" headline on the right side of the page.

Gussy Giveaway

2010-03-04T09:13:00.000-05:00

I've been off line for a while....I missed my readers. So to celebrate I'm linking you up with an awesome give away but you have to act fast because it ends today.

Gussy Giveaway These are the cutest, most feminine pouches and bags I've seen. I love the laptop bag and the baby blanket is the prettiest green, it reminds me of spring. So check out the give away and have fun!

Linda

UPDATE: More than one blogger is giving away the new HP TouchSmart 600 computer.

2009-12-22T09:48:00.000-05:00

You can go here and see all 5 of the special ladies that get to offer this awesome give away.

http://www.blogher.com/hp-touchsmart-review-and-sweepstakes

What an awesome Christmas present this would be.

Win your very own HP TouchSmart 600

2009-12-19T17:04:00.000-05:00

OK - in case you haven't guessed. I love reading blogs, especially other moms and homeschooling blogs. I also love entering contests. So I really get a thrill when I read a blog AND get to enter a contest. Recently, I've been blessed to win a couple contests I've read about on other people's blogs.

Today - I want to share a contest with you...hopefully one of us will win this awesome contest!

Read the product review post by "Mckmama" on her blog and at the end of the post it will tell you how you too can enter to read this awesome prize - Your very own HP TouchSmart 600. Here is a link to her blog: http://mckgiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/12/hp-touchsmart-giveaway.html

May one of us be blessed with this prize! Merry Christmas!

Fun Fashion for Girls

2009-12-18T16:17:00.003-05:00

The girls and I discovered this great new site where girls Ages 6-12 can design their own clothes. We had so much fun coming up with new creations. Laura is my fashion queen and she came up with some fun and unique designs...the final product ended up being pretty reasonable considering you won't find two of the same out on the street. Even Rose (who usually doesn't care as long as it's clean) wanted to create more fashions for herself.

My mom wanted to know if they had clothes for adults :) So I might suggest they expand their line to include us adults - we had fun too!

Right now, as a special offer, you can go to www.fashionplaytes.com and get a special discount just for my readers of $15 off your first gift certificate or custom outfit purchase of $25 or more– just use TWITTERMOM15 at checkout.

A Fashion Playtes gift certificate is good toward any merchandise on the site and your fashion designer can decide how to use it. Upon purchase of a gift certificate, you can forward it immediately by email, or print it out at home and deliver it in person to the lucky girl.

Let me know what your fashion diva came up with and once our new purchase arrives I'll post pictures here on my blog.

Become a Fashion Playtes Facebook fan. And you can find them onTwitter, too.

My awesome homeschool moment

2009-11-25T17:17:00.000-05:00

I had to share this awesome homeschooling moment.....

I'm eclectic in my homeschooling style so school work yesterday was a field trip and today was a day off for the holiday. Now I've tried to be pretty relaxed in what we study - always trying to find things to do the girls will enjoy so it isn't so much of a chore. We recently did some worksheets on the solar system, read a book on the moon and discussed it orally and currently we are working on a lapbook on the colonial days. We follow a daily math curriculum too.

Now my youngest daughter hates to write...give her anything to do with writing and she complains and moans and groans. Well....she just walked up to me and showed me a full paper front and back of writing. She has taken a book we have called "The World of Animals" and I think she has wrote every fact about elephants she can find on this piece of paper. She also says to me, I learned how to spell "Elephant" and successfully spells the word to me. Now she is back out in the other room on a 2nd piece of paper writing more facts down. WOW! I never thought I'd see her write so much on her own.

I just had to share :)

Green Tips - in honor of America Recycles Day - November 15, 2009

2009-11-10T09:04:00.008-05:00

1. Print on both sides of your paper. I have 2 printers an colored all in one ink jet and a duplex laser printer. When I use my ink jet I'll set my software's printer settings to print odd pages then flip the pages over and change the printer settings to print even pages, therefore using both sides of the paper. I bought a duplex laser jet printer to make this easier. I can choose to print on both sides right in my printer menu without having to flip over pages.

2. Continuing on the subject of printers. Use re-manufactured ink jet cartridges and laser jet toner. Send or take in your used cartridges for recycling. I don't like the refill services offered but I use Cartridge World because they guarantee their work...so I take in my old cartridge and buy a re-manufactured one.

3. We have been going through our house and replacing our light bulbs with the new energy efficient ones. They have really expanded what is available so we can even get candle shaped ones for our dining room chandelier. For safety, please make sure if you have a 3-way bulb you buy one designated as 3-way and also if you need one for your outside fixtures you buy one designated for outdoor use.

4. Currently, my daughter's Girl Scout troop is researching Styrofoam and it's effect on the planet. The local school district uses Styrofoam trays to serve lunch on and they go straight into the trash. They are looking for alternatives and facts to present to the community and school district to educate them on the bad effect these trays have on the environment. They also hope to offer either a recycling alternative or another type of tray they can use.

5. We have donated jeans to be recycled into housing insulation locally for habitat for humanity.

6. We donate old toys and clothes to charity for re-sale.

7. We save our paper craft scraps for other projects.

8. We are collecting used crayons to send to the Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island, GA. They melt down the crayons and re-sell them as turtle shaped crayons to raise money for the center.

9. We are collecting the rings around milk containers for a friend that will take them to the local animal shelter as toys for the cats.

For more green tips see: http://www.lightersafergreener.com

Our Vacation - Jekyll Island

2009-10-18T17:03:00.002-04:00

I haven't posted to this blog since September because I have been deciding which direction I want this blog to travel. I've decided this post will be about our family's recent vacation...not only did we go to Walt Disney World but we stopped one night in Jekyll Island Georgia - which we all absolutely loved and can't wait to go back. Next time we want to go for a week and really enjoy all this little island has to offer.

Jekyll Island is just south of St. Simons Island on the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors pay a daily parking fee but we went at the end of August and the beaches were pretty empty. We visited the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and learned about all the different sea turtles and actually got to see the turtles they were rehabbing.

Our dinner at The Driftwood Bistro at Villas by the Sea was fabulous, my husband and daughter had the meatloaf with one of my husband's sides being very tasty cabbage. My youngest (very picky eater) daughter had the kids pizza and ate every bit. I had their grilled shrimp and enjoyed every bite. The people who sat us and served us were extremely kind and the atmosphere allowed for you to be casual or dressy.

We stayed at the Days Inn which was a real deal (or steal) since it was located on the beach, had 2 pools, a kiddie wading pool and a hot tub. So you could sit pool side or go across the boardwalk to the beach. Although we stayed on the parking lot side in a standard room they have one bedroom suites with kitchenettes and beach views. The beach side rooms had nice patios with furniture so you can enjoy the view from your room. They offered a continental breakfast - not just your typical cereal and toast - but a variety of cereal, milk, juice, coffee, toast, pastries, donuts and batter to make fresh cooked waffles. All located on the 2nd floor with windows to enjoy the ocean view. They also offer bike rentals which is a wonderful way to see the island.

You can keep very busy with bird watching, kayaking, canoeing, horseback riding, nature walks, golf, tennis, fishing, boating, soccer, biking, and camping. There is a water park and shopping too.

We only had a very small taste and can't wait to plan a whole week to really enjoy this wonderful well kept Georgia secret.....Jekyll Island.

Music Class

2009-09-15T22:13:00.000-04:00

My family was blessed enough to hear about a music program offered to homeschoolers by the (Cleveland) Music Settlement. This institution has been around ever since I can remember, even when I was a child. After checking their website, I discovered they were founded in 1912....so as you can see this is a well established and a well reputed organization here in Cleveland, Ohio.

So anyway, we were able to be part of this inaugural semester of the Music Settlement and Case Western Reserve University partnership offering a general music class to students of home schooled students. My girls attended the first class this past Monday and both of them enjoyed it very much. As a parent and amateur musician, I am very impressed and excited about this class. I look forward to bringing you updates along this ten week course.

Unit Study Resources

2009-08-21T08:48:00.003-04:00

I know it's been a while since I posted. A popular way to homeschool is with unit studies. Here are a couple good resources to get started.

Homeschool Share (HSS) is a on-line cooperative effort of several homeschooling moms to provide free but quality literature-based unit studies and resources. They also have lapbooks. This site is nicely broken down by grade and you can search by author, book title, Caldecott Award winners, geography, holiday, season and subject & lesson index. The lapbooks are broken down by grade level and there is a complete section on animal studies. They also have a forum for discussions too.

Amanda Bennett's Unit Studies offers a variety of unit studies for sale on her sight. She also has lots of great tips on how to use unit studies in your homeschool. She also offers a free unit studies newsletter you can subscribe to and a blog you can follow.

The Homeschool Mom offers a list of unit studies but these are linked to other sites and some are just lesson plans. It's not quite as good as the above sites but it still offers some good resources.

Cindy Downes is a veteran homeschool mom who educated her two children at home from preschool through twelfth grade. She homeschooled from 1981 through 1985 in Delaware, 1985 through 1988 in Virginia, from 1988 through 1991 in Pennsylvania, and from 1991 through 1994 in Oklahoma where her children graduated.

This website is the result of that adventure. She has including everything she learned when teaching her own two children, as well as what she learned from consulting with others who dealt with problems such teaching multiple children at multiple grade levels, teaching older children while taking care of infants and toddlers, teaching Visual, Kinesthetic and Auditory Learners, and teaching teens who want to start a business or go into the ministry rather than attend college. In addition, she continually adds free unit studies as she writes them. Her goal is to keep this website up-to-date with the best curriculum she can find that will help parents of children who are Visual, Kinesthetic, and Auditory Learners or who have one or more of the other problems listed above. Cindy has lots of great homeschooling information on her website.

These are just a few but hopefully they will help you get started if unit studies is something that might be a good fit for your family. A great place to purchase unit studies is at Currclick - they carry Amanda Bennett Unit studies and more.

Science Resources

2009-07-31T10:27:00.002-04:00

Here are some cool science websites for you:

Joey Green's Mad Scientist Experiments - Fun stuff like an Anti-Gravity Machine, Balloon Car, Edible Glass, Fake Blood, Fried Marbles, Green Slime, Human Light Bulb, Quaker Oats Camera, Tornado Machine, Underwater Candle and more.

NASA Quest Challenges are FREE Web-based, interactive explorations designed to engage students in authentic scientific and engineering processes. The solutions relate to issues encountered daiy by NASA personnel.

From the Missourie Botanical Garden "What's it Like where You Live?" - Covers all the Biomes of the world, Freshwater ecosystems and Marine ecosystems. It also has a link to their new site on the Biology of Plants.

More great information on habitats at National Geographic.

Bird study by Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

BBC Bitesize Pages - I'm linking you to the main page. Click into any level KS1 - KS2 - KS3 (1 easiest - 3 hardest) and you will find science. These are really cool online examples of the subject matter.

Oberammergau 2010

2009-07-23T15:49:00.004-04:00

I usually don't mix my personal blog with my business blog but I felt this was worth sharing.

The Passion Play in Oberammergau Germany 2010. My parents were blessed enough to see this wonderful production back in 1980. They have never forgotten and still talk about it to this day. They are one in many but also one in few that were able to see this once in a lifetime event.

Next year this event takes place - It depicts the life and death of our Lord Savior Jesus Christ and it is a production made up of local villagers. This powerful once in a lifetime event has been taking place every 10 years since 1634 when the village was saved from the Blubonic Plague. Another example of our Lord's people keeping their promise to Him. What can be more powerful?

I am humbled by the fact that I can offer you the opportunity to see this event. So if your want to take part in history please contact me at summerstravel1@yahoo.com and I'll be glad and blessed to help you see this piece of history.

See below for more information........

Be a part of history!
Collette Vacations and Summers Travel brings you Oberammergau 2010

Click here for a short preview of what you will experience.

What is the Passion Play?
The world-renowned Oberammergau Passion Play began in 1634 when residents from the town sought reprieve from the Bubonic Plague. The inhabitants of the village vowed that if God were to spare them from the Plague, they would perform a play every ten years depicting the life and death of Jesus. Not a single person fell victim to the Plague after the villagers’ promise. That first performance sparked a heartfelt tradition that lives on today…

When does the Passion Play occur?
The Oberammergau Passion Play is performed every ten years for a limited time May – September 2010 by nearly half of Oberammergau’s residents who will bring to life this powerful story blending dramatic text, beautiful music and choral accompaniment.

Why would I want to see the Passion Play?
Perhaps it is the fact that the Passion Play is performed only every 10 years or that it has carried on an age-old tradition from 1634 to the present day. Whatever the reason, there are few events in the world that are truly once-in-a-lifetime happenings... and this is one of them!

Oberammergau 2010...

A great time to visit Europe!

Don’t wait another decade for this incredible experience!

CONTACT SUMMERS TRAVEL TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT. SUMMERSTRAVEL1@YAHOO.COM

Welcome!

2009-07-21T10:53:00.009-04:00

Welcome Carnival of Homeschooling readers!

My post on the Rocky River Nature Center is below - I just love it there!!

Please take a look around at my other posts. I post free resources along with activities we find to do around the Cleveland Ohio area.

My last post was in June because for the last 5 weeks we've been very busy. The girls have been going to Sports camps (soccer, baseball/cheerleading), drama camp and Vacation Bible School. Now we can relax a little but I'm getting ready to ease them back into school work. We have a couple books on the Moon Landing and a fun book on Ancient Rome. I also have state worksheets to complete, they want to learn about the state we'll be driving through on our upcoming vacation this fall.

We are eclectic homeschoolers so I'm always looking for fun stuff to do - this way the kids learn and don't even realize it....sneaky huh?? I also enjoy helping others plan their family vacations and save money...right now is a great time for travel deals so check out my travel blog too! (See the link under about me.)

Next week we are going to help clean up the beach at Mentor Headlands Beach...which will be our first time at this beach. Of course, we'll take a picnic than a dip in the Lake (weather permitting).

I'll be searching out some more great resources so stop back soon!

Rocky River Nature Center

2009-06-24T08:31:00.003-04:00

Over the last couple days, Laura had a program at the Rocky River Nature Center. This is one of my most favorite places...we go there enough the naturalist knows not only who we are, but our names too. Back to Laura - part of her program was counting how many animals (tiny to large) they saw over the 2 days.....final count 125.

Imagine that, in an urban/suburban setting - we have such a blessing that my city kids can see over 100 animals. Now I'm not saying 100 different species because they saw 3 salamander which counted as 3 animals but just the fact that in the small area of trails around the nature center they counted 125 animals. While Laura was in her program, Rose & I took some walks together too. We came across green frogs, tadpoles (almost to the frog stage), dragonflies, red-winged blackbirds, a woodpecker and a huge hawk flew overhead chasing a smaller bird.

This is why as much as I might complain - I truly love this area we live in. I would miss being able to see the diverse wildlife we have living around our cityscape.

History Resources

2009-06-01T10:59:00.003-04:00

As we get ready to study American History I've uncovered lots of great US History Resources and resources on Native Americans too. Here is what I've found:

http://www.americanjourneys.org/index.asp
American Journeys contains more than 18,000 pages of eyewitness accounts of North American exploration, from the sagas of Vikings in Canada in AD1000 to the diaries of mountain men in the Rockies 800 years later.

Read the words of explorers, Indians, missionaries, traders and settlers as they lived through the founding moments of American history. View, search, print, or download more than 150 rare books, original manuscripts, and classic travel narratives from the library and archives of the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Funded by the U.S. Institute of Museum & Library Services and by private donors, American Journeys is a collaborative project of the Wisconsin Historical Society and National History Day. It’s created for students exploring National History Day’s 2004 theme, “Exploration, Encounter & Exchange” and everyone else who loves American history.

http://www.eduref.org/Virtual/Lessons/crossroads/sec3/
CROSSROADS
Introduction: Elementary School Curriculum

The elementary school CROSSROADS curriculum represents an important part of our work on a seamless k-16 American history curriculum. During the school year 1992-93, elementary, middle school, high school, and college teachers met with project historian Richard B. Bernstein to discuss periods of American history and make preparations to translate these ideas into successful classroom instruction. In the summer of 1993, middle school teachers developed the first curriculum, based on this joint effort. Throughout the school year 1993-94, elementary school teachers met to review the work of the middle school teachers and prepare for curriculum writing in the summer of 1994. The first draft of the elementary school curriculum was field tested during the school year 1994-95 and extensively revised during the summer of 1995.

This elementary curriculum is divided into three parts:
1. A series of lessons for grades K-2 is organized around national holidays and other events often included in primary level instruction. The emphasis is on integrating historical study with language arts; children learn about key elements of American history through children's literature and a wide variety of activities. Not every unit of Mr. Bernstein's chronological framework is introduced in the primary grades. The lessons are aimed at telling compelling, historical accurate stories which will motivate student learning in future grades.

2. At grade 3 or 4 (individual school districts may decide which grade would be most appropriate), students are introduced to a study of chronological American history by examining units beginning with pre-Columbian Indians and ending with the Civil War and Reconstruction. This curriculum continues to employ literature as an important vehicle to introduce historical information, but also introduces more nonfiction sources and library research.

3. At grade 5, students complete their study of American history begun in an earlier grade by examining six units beginning with America after the Civil War and proceeding to the present. As with the earlier curriculum, additional emphasis is placed on research and nonfictional sources of information.

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/index.html
Your ringside seat to history - from the Ancient World to the present. History through the eyes of those who lived it, presented by Ibis Communications, Inc. a digital publisher of educational programming.

http://www.guesthollow.com/homeschool/history/americanhistoryindex.html
Welcome to our American history curriculum! This history curriculum was originally written for the target age of eight to nine (3rd grade) but can easily be used and adapted for other grades and ages. The easiest grades to adapt for and use our curriculum in are 2nd-6th grades. It is also an excellent supplement to any other history curriculum (for a variety of ages) with plenty of "gravy" like worksheets, printables, links, extra reading, crafts, activities and more.

Our American history curriculum uses a literature and "semi" unit study approach; whenever possible tying in other disciplines such as science, language arts and more. Our main focus though is on history.

http://www.fascinate-educate.com/2008/10/29/american-indian-unit/
This is a blog from Creative Teaching. This includes links and projects this family did for their American Indian unit study.

http://www.native-languages.org/home.htm
Native Languages of the Americas: Native American Cultures
Hello, and welcome to Native Languages of the Americas! We are a small non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting American Indian languages, particularly through the use of Internet technology. Our website is not beautiful. Probably, it never will be. But this site has inner beauty, for it is, or will be, a compendium of online materials about more than 800 indigenous languages of the Western Hemisphere and the native people that speak them.

I hope you enjoy these resources as you learn more about our great nation.

Missing Children Helpful Agencies

2009-05-20T15:10:00.006-04:00

I've mentioned this in the past - our granddaughter is a missing child. May 25th is National Missing Children's Day and I wanted to post some very helpful agencies you may not be aware of. These agencies have posters of missing children, resources for families and poster generators for families.

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

http://www.missingkids.org/

"This year the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children celebrates its 25th anniversary. It is the leading nonprofit organization dealing with the issues of missing and sexually exploited children. NCMEC has played a role in the recovery of more than 138,500 children. Today more children come home safely than ever before. In 2008, NCMEC helped recover more children than any other year in the organization’s 25-year history, raising the recovery rate from 62% in 1990 to 97% today. And more of those who prey upon children are being identified and prosecuted. Yet too many children are still missing and too many children are still the victims of sexual exploitation. There is much more that needs to be done."

Project Jason.org

Project Jason Mission Statement:

"Our mission as a non profit organization is to create and increase public awareness of missing people through a variety of outreach and educational activities. Project Jason seeks to bring hope and assistance to families of the missing by providing resources and support."

The cause of finding the missing sometimes seems to fall between the cracks of society's sidewalk. Having a family member or close friend inexplicably disappear does not happen to everyone, yet it happens more often than you would think. There are no boundaries of age or circumstance to prevent any family from suffering this fate. We never dreamed that we would become such a family, but here we are.

In the US, there are over 97,000 active missing persons cases altogether. All of their families deserve help in facing the tragedy of a loved one's disappearance. With your assistance, Project Jason can play an active role in providing them with comfort, assistance and resources while educating the public and increasing awareness of missing persons cases. Take a moment and try to put yourself in the place of these families. Please open your hearts to help us help them. Thank you for your support and generosity.

BeyondMissing.org

BeyondMissing is dedicated to protecting America's children. We are a nonprofit public benefit corporation, 501 (c) (3), incorporated in the state of California on March 22, 2001.

BeyondMissing was founded by Marc Klaas on June 8, 2001. Marc Klaas began to pursue an aggressive child safety agenda for the nation's children following the kidnap and murder of his twelve year old daughter Polly. Mr. Klaas provides the vision and the day to day leadership for our organization.

The BeyondMissing on-line tools:

allow Registered law enforcement agencies to immediately construct and distribute graphic/text Amber Alert flyers via email, fax and text messaging to pre-populated database of agencies within a 200 mile radial area of the abduction. (Registered users of BeyondMissing will be responsible for following Amber Alert protocols established within their agency, region or state when distributing an Amber Alert flyer.)

allow Registered law enforcement agencies to create and distribute English/Spanish language Abduction Alert or Missing Child Alert flyers via email, fax and SMS text messaging to BeyondMissing's pre-populated database of law enforcement agencies and media up to a 200 mile radius from the point of abduction. Additional "targeted" distributions can also be made.

allow parents to create a Missing Child flyer in English/Spanish of their missing child.

Mission: To aid in the recovery of abducted and missing children by providing high speed, cost effective communication tools to law enforcement and the communities they serve. Our only priority is missing children.

National Missing and Unidentified Persons Database

https://findthemissing.org/

This site provides an opportunity for families, law enforcement agencies and investigators to search nationwide for missing persons using a variety of powerful search features. Anyone may search the database, but by registering in the system both law enforcement professionals and the general public will also be able to:

Add new missing persons cases
Add physical and circumstantial details, photographs, dental contacts and other critical pieces of information to a case
Create and print missing persons posters
Track multiple cases as information is added to the system

With your help, we can increase the number of missing persons cases solved each year providing closure for families and law enforcement officials nationwide.

This site is part of NamUs, the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. In the near future, this database will be linked to search for matches against the Unidentified Decedent Database.

You would think every law enforcement agency would use all resources available to them. I recently found out The City of Cleveland Police Department does not utilize BeyondMissing.org and I opened a case on the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. Neither the Cleveland Police nor the FBI had her listed here.

I'm wondering why not?

Free Shakespeare in Cleveland

2009-05-09T09:52:00.001-04:00

Our current season consists of two Shakespeare plays being performed in repertory. First is the tragi-history, Antony and Cleopatra, directed by Alison Garrigan. Following that is The Bard's indefinable comedy The Winter's Tale, directed by our new Artistic Director, Tyson Rand.

2009 Schedule

June 19th and 20th-Antony and Cleopatra at Lincoln Park

June 26th and 27th- The Winter's Tale at Lincoln Park

July 5th- double show at Brunswick community Rec Center

July 11th- Antony and Cleopatra at Penitentiary Glen in Kirtland

July 12th-The Winter's Tale at Penitentiary Glen in Kirtland

July 18th-Antony and Cleopatra at Shaker Hts Colonnade

July 19th- The Winter's Tale at Shaker Hts Colonnade

July 25th- Antony and Cleopatra at Lorain Community College Stocker Center for the Arts

July 26th- The Winter's Tale at Lorain Community College Stocker Center for the Arts

August 1st- Antony and Cleopatra at The Kulas Stage at Wade Oval, University Circle

August 2nd- The Winter's Tale at The Kulas Stage at Wade Oval, University Circle

Some Great Resources and Inspiration

2009-04-29T08:56:00.004-04:00

I've recently learned about some great new resources and some newsletters you can sign up for...some are free others are not but either way they are wonderful.

I learned about this site from FreelyEducate.com:

www.alice.org - According to their About section Alice is "...an innovative 3D programming environment that makes it easy to create an animation for telling a story, playing an interactive game, or a video to share on the web. "

Sounds very cool! If you know a child interested in filmmaking, animation or gaming this is the place to get started. The site is a gift to us from the Carnegie Mellon University.

ALSO from FreelyEducate.com GIVEAWAY - Don't Miss Out!
Lori always has great giveaways and this is no exception. She is giving away Beehive Reader 1, which is a phonics reader for your beginning reader. It contains charming, wonderfully illustrated stories. It correlates with the All About Spelling Level 1 book. So head on over to www.freelyeducated.com and good luck!

This site I learned about from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine newsletter The Homeschool Minute:

http://www.econobusters.com/ Molly not only has this website but she has a free weekly newsletter you can sign up for. Her newsletter shares frugal tips, tutorials, recipes and more.

Monday night I went to an information night on Future Options for your Homeschooled Teen:

I heard speakers from 2 local colleges and 3 other ladies who offer different options for homeschooled children starting as young as age 10. The one lady who not only inspired me but my daughter Rose too. Rose will be turning 10 this summer. The speaker's name is Ruth Radney and she is a Learning Resources Consultant.

She has a monthly newsletter called "Inspire the Desire!" (copyright). As she describes it, "It is a great newsletter designed to inspire and nurture the love and joy of learning in everyone who reads it, and give them tools and resources to enrich their teaching or learning experiences." It is a monthly newsletter that averages 35-40 pages each month and a one year subscription is $12 per year. You can contact Ruth at learn4fun@gmail.com for more information.

Please check out her blog too: learn4fun.blogspot.com

I hope you enjoy these resources and I'll be gathering some more for my next post.

Paul Revere's Ride 234th Anniversary resources

2009-04-18T21:03:00.004-04:00

I love homeschool freebie of the day....they have great resources not only for homeschoolers but items that can supplement any child's education.

This weekend the resource is on Paul Revere's Ride (the 234th anniversary of which is this Saturday). They are offering FOUR wonderful resources all related to Revere and the history surrounding his midnight ride. Here's the complete rundown:

Listen My Children (MP3 audio) - FIRST UP up this a great half hour audio story about Revere's long life and influence, including the events of that fateful night, as originally dramatized on the radio program "Cavalcade of America", in December, 1952."

Listen My Children" Listening Guide (PDF ebooklet) -Next, you'll want to use this PDF discussion guide with background info and questions to accompany the above audio program.

Paul Revere's Ride (MP3 audio) - A SECOND classic audio for you: A wonderful dramatic performance of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's classic poem, "Paul Revere's Ride" as performed by Frederic March. If your kids have never heard it, they are missing out on one of the quintessential American poems. Give it a listen!

And FINALLY, there is a neat PDF art study lesson focusing on paintings & sculptures depicting Paul Revere (as well as the Minutemen), courtesy of Yes You Can! Publications. This is lots of fun and a great way to combine history with art appreciation & hands-on activities to boot.

Again, ALL of these resources will be featured on their site through the entire weekend.

Just go to http://www.homeschoolfreebieoftheday.com

Thanks, and have a super weekend!

Courtesy of The Erskine FamilyHomeschoolFreebieOfTheDay.com
645 Hopewell Church Rd, Canmer, KY 42722, USA

Top 10 Reasons Not to Give Up!

2009-04-15T09:26:00.002-04:00

Thank you The Old School House Magazine - I enjoy your newsletter "The Homeschool Minute"

Top 10 Reasons Not to Give Up!
This week's excellent Top 10 list comes from Erin Mewes.

Your children would never find a teacher who loves them more than you do.
Those bad days? You would still have them even if your child went to public school--probably worse.
If God has called you to homeschool, then NOT homeschooling is a sin.
Your children are cultivating a "learning lifestyle"--everything is interesting, and their curiosity is always piqued.
Your children are learning not just "school stuff," but life: choices, self-sufficiency, budgeting, time management, etc.
Your schedule can be flexible, allowing your children to actually spend time with their father--no matter what kind of schedule he has.
You have got the best class size of all--one-on-one.
You can correct problems as they happen--not as you happen to notice them (which could be weeks after they've made it a habit).
Your children are encouraged to be kind to all age groups, all races, all capabilities, and all viewpoints, regardless of what other children are doing.
Your children can focus on their schoolwork without worrying about the troublemakers in class, what they're wearing, or being "behind".

To Test or Not to Test - some Freebies to help

2009-04-15T09:13:00.003-04:00

I've just read some interesting opinions on whether we should test or not test our children. I personally do not use testing...I don't believe it is an accurate measure for my children's ability or intelligence. But since we live in a world where testing will happen one day to them, I know that I will eventually expose them to this experience.

Courtesy of The Homeschool Minute from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine - the following are places where you can obtain some free testing for your children:

For elementary grade levels, ABC Teach provides free math test prep worksheets similar to standardized tests. They offer English test prep worksheets as well. For your high school student, 4 Tests.com has a wide variety of free test practice in areas such as ACT, GED, SAT, and college exams.

Study Guide Zone serves up tons of free test practice, including those geared for post-high school testing. You'll find vocational tests, graduate tests, financial and business tests, and more. In addition, there is a section devoted to college and study tips including learning styles and test anxiety.

Whether you test or not, be sure to teach your child good study habits. It will pay off in the long run. - Molly Green, Econobuster

THE STORY OF EDITH BURNS... Happy Easter!

2009-04-13T10:04:00.000-04:00

THE STORY OF EDITH BURNS...

Happy Easter!

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas. She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns.

One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into the waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her.

Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.

Dr. Phillips walked into the office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"

Beverly said, "Why yes I do."

Edith said, "Well, what do you believe about Easter?"

Beverly said, "Well, it's all about egg hunts, going to church, and dressing up." Edith kept pressing her about the real meaning of Easter, and finally led her to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Dr. Phillips said, " Beverly, don't call Edith into the office quite yet. I believe there is another delivery taking place in the waiting room.

After being called back in the doctor's office, Edith sat down and when she took a look at the doctor she said, "Dr. Will, why are you so sad? Are you reading your Bible? Are you praying?"

Dr. Phillips said gently, "Edith, I'm the doctor and you're the patient". With a heavy heart he said, "Your lab report came back and it says you have cancer, and Edith, you're not going to live very long."

Edith said, "Why Will Phillips, shame on you. Why are you so sad? Do you think God makes mistakes? You have just told me I'm going to see my precious Lord Jesus, my husband, and my friends. You have just told me that I am going to celebrate Easter forever, and here you are having difficulty giving me my ticket!"

Dr. Phillips thought to himself, "What a magnificent woman this Edith Burns is!"

Edith continued coming to Dr. Phillips. Christmas came and the office was closed through January 3rd. On the day the office opened, Edith did not show up. Later that afternoon, Edith called Dr. Phillips and said she would have to be moving to the hospital and said, "Will, I'm very near going to my heavenly home, so would you make sure that they put other women patients in my room next to me who need to know about Easter?."

Well, they did just that and women began to come in and share that room with Edith and many women were saved. Everybody on that floor from staff to patients were so excited about Edith, that they started calling her "Edith Easter"; that is everyone except Phyllis Cross, the head nurse.

Phyllis made it plain that she wanted nothing to do with Edith because she was a "religious nut". She had been a nurse in an army hospital and she had seen it all and heard it all. She was the original G.I. Jane. She had been married three times and she was hard, cold, and did everything by the book.

One morning the two nurses who were to attend to Edith were sick.

While Edith was in the hospital, she had caught the flu and Phyllis Cross had to go in and give her a shot. When she walked in, Edith had a big smile on her face and said, "Phyllis, God loves you and I love you, and I have been praying for you."

Phyllis Cross said, "Well, you can quit praying for me, it won't work.. I'm not interested."

Edith said, "Well, I will pray and I have asked God not to let me go home until you come into the family."

Phyllis Cross said, "Then you will never die because that will never happen," and curtly walked out of the room.

Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into the room and Edith would say, "God loves you Phyllis and I love you, and I'm praying for you."

One day Phyllis Cross said she was literally drawn to Edith's room like a magnet would draw iron. She sat down on the bed and Edith said, "I'm so glad you have come, because God told me that today is your special day".

Phyllis Cross said, "Edith, you have asked everybody here the question, "Do you believe in Easter?", but you have never asked me."

Edith said, "Phyllis, I wanted to many times, but God told me to wait until you asked, and now you have asked." Edith Burns then took her Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the Easter Story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edith said, "Phyllis, do you believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is alive and that He wants to live in your heart?"

Phyllis Cross said, "Oh I want to believe that with all of my heart, and I do want Jesus in my life." Right then and there, Phyllis Cross prayed and invited Jesus Christ into her heart. For the first time Phyllis Cross did not walk out of that hospital room, she was so happy that she was carried out on the wings of angels.

Two days later, Phyllis Cross came in and Edith said, "Do you know what day it is?" Phyllis Cross said, "Why Edith, it's Good Friday."

Edith said, "Oh, no, for you every day is Easter. Happy Easter Phyllis!"

Two days later, on Easter Sunday, Phyllis Cross came into work, did some of her duties and then went down to the flower shop and got some Easter lilies because she wanted to go up to see Edith and give her some Easter lilies and wish her a Happy Easter.

When she walked into Edith's room, Edith was in bed with that big black Bible was on her lap. Her hands were in that Bible and there was a sweet smile on her face. When Phyllis Cross went to pick up Edith's hand, she realized Edith was dead. Her left hand was on John 14: "In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." Her right hand was on Revelation 21:4, "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Phyllis Cross took one look at that dead body, and then lifted her face toward heaven, and with tears streaming down here cheeks, said, "Happy Easter, Edith - Happy Easter!"

Phyllis Cross left Edith's body, walked out of the room, and over to a table where two student nurses were sitting. She said, "My name is Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"

If you believe in Easter, forward this on. God works in wonderful ways, and to believe in His power is to truly be free. If Jesus had e-mail, He'd do the same for you.

(Actually, maybe He just did)

"Father, bless this person in whatever it is that You know he or she may be needing this very day!"

Thank you to Dr. Vince and Rev. Laura Rizzo for sharing this special story.

Membership in the 4th Day Alliance will now be FREE

2009-04-01T09:14:00.003-04:00

Since this is the International Year of Astronomy, evolutionists are doing all they can to inculcate the world with their false science, and they are using astronomy as a means to do it. We'd like to counter their efforts as best as possible.

Membership in the 4th Day Alliance will now be FREE for everyone who signs up in 2009. Members enjoy a host of additional benefits including access to our Members Only section of our website. To help generate some excitement, we are going to be giving away the following items in a random drawing on April 30th, 2009:

All members, current and new, will automatically be entered into the drawing. We will announce the winners on April 30th in our Members Only Blog (if you win, you will be contacted directly). http://www.4thdayalliance.com/

2009-03-22T08:46:00.006-04:00

Some of you may already know that our granddaughter has been missing since July 2007. After much thought and consideration, I have decided to share with you the following personal narrative about this experience we have been thrust into by circumstances out of our control.

A Missing Child’s Family Speaks Out

When a child runs away or is taken away, the impact spreads beyond the immediate family. People outside the family think of the mother and father first. These strangers have a word of sympathy for the parents and for a brief fleeting moment thoughts such as, “I wonder how I would feel.” They may even go home and hug their child or children for no apparent reason. The forgotten ones are the missing child’s siblings, grandparents, aunt, uncles and even cousins. The child’s disappearance has a wide-reaching effect, not only on the family, but extending to the community as well.

I am the step-grandmother of a missing child. I am going to share with you our family’s story and just some of the impact her disappearance has had on our family. I can only share bits and pieces because it would be impossible to share everything, not only would it take a lot more space, but as yet, the impact isn’t completely known. As a typical response to grief, not everyone in the family has shared or shown the effects of this life event with others.

My granddaughter is considered an “Endangered Missing Child” and her name is Ashley Nicole Summers. I’d like to know how old she is here… She disappeared July 9, 2007 from the near west side of Cleveland, Ohio. Ashley actually ran away from her Great Uncle’s house on Holmden Avenue. She was staying there after a huge fight with her mother. None of us know why she packed all her belongings and left that day. My story will briefly touch on events from that day to the present, almost two years later.

Ashley’s mom, Jen, although still angry with Ashley, spent her whole summer in 2007 driving the streets of Cleveland looking for her daughter. Sometimes she followed Ashley’s boyfriend to see if she was with him. Jen and other family members hung posters up and down the streets of the neighborhood they lived in near West 98th and Madison. The posters were ripped down as fast as they went up. One of the posters made it into a local drug store, which led to our first lead. Someone reported to the police that Ashley was staying in the same building where they lived and they didn’t realize she was a run away. When the police arrived, Ashley was gone.

In one of my searches, I talked to some people on Lawn Avenue near West 65th Street. They knew where she was staying but were afraid to speak up. Although they didn’t say they knew where she was, I could tell by their facial expressions and hushed whispers. I gave them a flyer with our phone number on it and asked them to have Ashley call her PaPa, my husband, as he was very worried about her. We never heard from her. I got a lecture from my husband that day.

“You shouldn’t go back to that area, you could have been shot.” He told me that area is known for drugs and prostitution and he didn’t want to lose me like he lost Ashley.

Jen’s reaction appears to be indifference, but indifference is a form of denial, which is a normal reaction to grief: the grief and sadness that any mother would feel in her position. Ashley’s extended family, consisting of her aunts, uncle, and grandparents, have reacted with anger, guilt and sadness. A lot of questions and conversations take place among the extended family.

Conversations such as: “Why didn’t she call me?”

“I would have helped her.”

“Where do you think she is?”

On and on the questions go.

Personally, my husband John, Ashley’s grandpa, or papa, as he is affectionately called, is full of grief. I am careful as to how much I discuss my search for her when I talk with him. I have begun searching online for her, trying to get as many people as possible, all over the country, to see her picture. Unfortunately, Ashley didn’t receive any media coverage in the beginning because she was a runaway. In my efforts, www.lakewoodbuzz.com placed her picture on their homepage and kept related discussions post at the top. I posted on the Lakewood Observer’s Observation Deck, a discussion page, but wasn’t able to keep it going. In November 2008 Ashley’s case was converted from a status of Endangered Runaway to Endangered Missing at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the FBI got involved in the case.

Every once in a while, I’ll search the Internet with Ashley’s name to see if any new items pop up on a search engine. On February 13th, 2009 I was doing just that and found a blogspot at http://jamesrenner.wordpress.com/ with Ashley’s picture. The blog belongs to James Renner, a staff writer for the alternative weekly newspaper Cleveland Scene. He is also the author of The Serial Killer’s Apprentice, a book about 13 of Northeast Ohio’s most intriguing unsolved crimes and Amy: My Search for Her Killer. The latter book follows his investigation into the unsolved murder of Amy Mihaljevic, a high profile missing child, eventually found dead, in 1989. I met with Mr. Renner and helped him with some questions he had about Ashley.

Shortly thereafter, out of the blue, WJW Fox 8 interviewed Jen and her mom as well as the FBI It aired March 9, 2009. Not to be outdone by the competition, Channel 19 WOIO showed up at her doorstep and did another interview with Jen and the FBI the next day. In both interviews the FBI spokesman stated teenage prostitution was one of the theories they were looking into. Both newscasts mentioned two other girls that disappeared from the same west-side neighborhood Ashley lived in: Amanda Berry, missing since April 21, 2003; and Georgina DeJesus, missing since April 2, 2004. Jen doesn’t believe Ashley had been kidnapped and forced into teenage prostitution. She’s convinced someone harmed her or is hiding her out-of-state.

Since then, I’ve posted updates on www.lakewoodbuzz.com and on the Lakewood Observer’s discussion pages. The Observer’s forum post has gained momentum: David Lay, one of the community members, submitted an article to the Lakewood Observer about Ashley. He also broadcast the link on Twitter and the article has had over 10,000 views. This recent activity gives us hope for now.

I wonder how long we will keep pushing to have her story told. How many years go by before we give up and move on? Ashley has a new baby sister and another sibling on the way. Will she ever get to see them? Will they ever get to know her or even understand she once was, and still is, a part of our family? These are questions I ask myself as I continue to pray, hope and believe that one day, good or bad, we’ll know what happened to her.

If you happen to read this Ashley: we love you! Please come home!

by Linda Summers © March 2009

Additional Information
National Runaway Switchboard 1-800-RUNAWAY
Operated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Started 1971. More than 100,000 phone calls annually.

Statistics:
•1.6 to 2.8 million runaway and homeless youth live on the streets of America. (OJJDP, 2002, Research Triangle Institute, 1995)
•Youth aged 12-17 are at higher risk for homelessness than adults. (American Journal of Public Health, 1994, 1998)
•47% of runaway/homeless youth indicated that conflict between them and their parent or guardian was a major problem. (Westat, 1997)

Source: http://www.1800runaway.org/news_events/FactSheet.html

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Since 1983, our nation has observed May 25th as National Missing Children’s Day.
Statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice help shed light on the problem:

Missing children overview
•In one year, an estimated 797,500 children were reported missing.1
•According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 2,000 children are reported missing every day, and thankfully the vast majority of them are recovered quickly.
Nonfamily abductions
•An estimated 58,200 children were taken in one year by someone outside the family2 – typically for a short time, in connection with another crime.
•An estimated 115 children experienced a stereotypical kidnapping, the rarest type of abduction potentially posing great risk of serious harm.3

Family abductions
•An estimated 203,900 children were victims of family abduction, where the child was taken by a noncustodial parent.4
•24 percent of these abductions lasted one week to less than one month.5

If your child is ever missing, call your local police department right away. Police are required by law to immediately take a missing child report and then promptly enter that report into the FBI’s National Crime Information Center. After you have contacted local authorities, contact NCMEC at 1.800.THE.LOST(1.800.843.5678) or online at www.missingkids.com.

Footnotes 1. Source: Andrea J. Sedlak, David Finkelhor, Heather Hammer, and Dana J. Schultz. “National Estimates of Missing Children: An Overview” in National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children. Washington, DC: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, October 2002, page 5.
2. Source: David Finkelhor, Heather Hammer, and Andrea J. Sedlak. “Nonfamily Abducted Children: National Estimates and Characteristics” in National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children. Washington, DC: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, October 2002, page 6.
3. Ibid.
4. Source: Heather Hammer, David Finkelhor, and Andrea J. Sedlak. “Children Abducted by Family Members: National Estimates and Characteristics” in National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children. Washington, DC: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, October 2002, page 4.
5. Ibid., page 7.

Source: http://www.take25.org/page.asp?page=54

FBI's Innocence Lost Initiative Marks its 5th Anniversary
In June 2003, the Federal Bureau of Investigation in conjunction with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the U.S. Department of Justice, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section launched the Innocence Lost National Initiative (ILNI). Their combined efforts were aimed at addressing the growing problem of domestic child sex slavery in the form of child prostitution in the United States.
•Over 400 children have been rescued.
•The CyberTipline has received 5,127 tips of child exploitation through prostitution.
•The number of CyberTipline reports of known missing children involved in prostitution is 944.
•During that same time period, NCMEC has intaked 41,978 endangered runaway cases.
•Case data shows that many of these children can be at great risk of being lured or forced into child prostitution.

Source: http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/CampaignServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=3721

Maple Sugaring, St Pat's Day and a free resource

2009-03-18T13:45:00.002-04:00

Wow! All that in one post....here we go....

Sunday the family went to the last of the "History of Maple Sugaring" offered by the Cleveland Metroparks. We went to the Maple Grove Picnic area and took the tour. We learned about the native american's method and "traveled" through time to the present where they showed a small version of the methods used by the large producers up in Vermount and Quebec. Interesting fact - Thomas Jefferson had sugar maples planted down to Monticello so he could try to "tap" (sorry couldn't help the humor) into the Maple Sugar business. But sorry folks - Virginia is too warm of a climate to produce Maple Sugar. So the Northeastern U.S. and north up into Quebec has the best climate for Sugar Maples to produce a good sap to make maple sugar & maple syrup. I also learned that honey bees were brought here by the colonist and are not native to the U.S.

St. Patrick's Day - We were going to try to go to the parade in Downtown Cleveland but when we arrived at the Rapid Station the parking lot was filled beyond capacity. So we decided not to fight the crowds downtown and went to the park instead. Just a little Irish fact: 40% of US President have Irish Ancestors.

A free site to learn more about Thomas Jefferson: http://www.monticello.org/
It has a Monticello Explorer whic provides an in-depth look at Monticello with 3-D models, narrated tours, special animations, and an interactive map. They have a Monticello Classroom where you can Create assignments for your classes, review lesson plans or build your own, and save your favorites on your personal Monticello Classroom webpage.

Free Spelling Curriculum

2009-03-09T10:19:00.000-04:00

Free Homeschool Curriculum - Spelling Course

The Basic Cozy Spelling Course free online version. Appropriate for grade 6 to 8 level

This free, thirty lesson spelling course has been made available courtesy of Marie Rackham, author and producer of The Basic Cozy Grammar Course, The Basic Cozy Punctuation Course, The Basic Cozy Essay Course, The Intermediate Cozy Grammar Course Level 1, The Intermediate Cozy Grammar Course Level 2, and The Cozy Classroom CD.

Born and raised in North Vancouver, Marie earned degrees in English and Geography from the University of British Columbia. She worked as a public school teacher for thirty-four years, teaching at all levels from kindergarten to grade twelve.

The curriculum for the course provided here was personally used by Marie in the public school system at the grade 7, 8, and 9 levels.

"Spelling, like grammar and punctuation, is a technique of English. Spelling is an important communication skill. In my opinion, since the advent of the Internet, it is even more important because words on a web page may determine what people think of you and your abilities. Spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors will make you appear less credible to your audience."

"Good luck and have fun with the course!"

New Free Curriculums

2009-03-09T10:11:00.004-04:00

Los Banos Hoeschoolers
American History Curriculum
FREE homeschool history schedule written by the folks at Our Los Banos .com! This is a year long literature based unit study for grades 2-6, or as a homeschool supplement for grades K - middle school.

Otter's Science Curriculum: The Human Body
FREE 33 week literature based tour through the human body, first aid and survival using "living books"!

Little Otter's Science is for preschoolers through 1st grade. This is a gentle, literature approach to science with simple experiments and activities.

Otter's Elementary Science is designed for 2nd to 6th graders though you could easily use this program for a student up to 8th grade. Included are a variety of engaging books, websites, activities and experiments for a fun filled year of study.

Big Otter's Science is for high schoolers. It can be a supplement to Otter's Elementary Science so you can combine your younger kids with bigger kids and still study the same subjects or it can also be used as a stand alone curriculum with plenty of labs, some great optional DVD's and a unit at the end on survival and first aid.

They also currently have 425+ free printables, worksheets and lessons!

Dover Sampler

2009-03-06T09:34:00.001-05:00

With the Dover Sampler you can enjoy free samples from a variety of Dover's most popular books. The latest Sampler is packed with free, fun-filled samples from a few of Dover's latest releases. You'll find a coloring page that can help you beat the winter blues, authentic Celtic and Japanese clip art, and a whole lot more.

For more information and to sign up, just use this link -
www.doverpublications.com/tell-a-friend

Nutrition Exploration

2009-03-02T09:06:00.002-05:00

As I start my journey towards more healthy choices this year -I'm including the children on this journey too. I want them to understand the good and bad choices we make with food. I'm also hoping to get the whole family involved so we can make good choices together.

My resource to share with you today is Nutrition Explorations - Kid's Nutrition at it's Best (http://www.nutritionexplorations.org/index.asp). You will find links to School Nutrition Professionals, Educators, Parents and Kids. Under the Educators link you will find complete lessons plans, worksheets and activities in two different age groups -2nd and 4th Grade with fun activities geared towards those age groups. I personally will be using the 4th grade level for my 2 children (2nd & 4th graders), since it is easier to combine them. Both levels can easily be adapted to younger (or older) age groups.

I am very excited about this website and look forward to completing it with the children. I hope you enjoy this totally free resource too.

Busy Busy Busy

2009-02-26T08:58:00.003-05:00

I haven't updated the blog as often as I like but we've been busy busy busy.

I will be gathering some good finds soon...I've recently got some good links - one on nutrition. So look for that post soon.

Today we are going to our co-op and will learn about Bread making and the science behind it. Since it's supposed to be relatively warm (in the 50s) so after the co-op we'll probably take advantage of the weather and play at the playground.

My daughter will be participating in the Library's Reader's Theater this weekend and we have Girl Scout Cookie Booths this Sunday.

Monday our Roots & Shoots group meets at the zoo....that's a whole day trip.

Most recently I've been concentrating on finding our missing Granddaughter and making some important connections in that area.

Currently I'm reading The Serial Killer's Apprentice (about unsolved crimes in Cleveland) - very fascinating. Check out the author's blog: http://jamesrenner.wordpress.com/ He has recently featured our Granddaughter.

I'm also just getting started with my own travel agency. I'll post all about that once it's up and running.

So as I said.....busy busy busy.

Homeschool Freebie of the Day

2009-02-16T10:06:00.002-05:00

I wanted to share with you a wonderful site that shares free stuff
every day with you....just go to their site and sign up for their
newsletter. Each week in your e-mail your get wonderful stuff like
I've shown below. You can get all of these on their respective days
by signing up at:

http://www.wholesomechildhood.com/join/

First, here's a rundown of the cool stuff we've got coming your way
this week:

----------------------

Monday, Feb 16th:
Great President's Day Resource Links! (links)

Want to make the most of President's Day? Check out these
Lesson Plans, virtual tours, poetry & the actual papers
of presidents Washington & Lincoln!

Tuesday, Feb 17th:
A Chinese Wonder Book (PDF ebook)

This fascinating collection of Chinese stories and legends,
edited by Maggie Hogan of Bright Ideas Press, is a great
literature-based introduction to the rich history and
culture of China. Includes a read-aloud guide.

Wednesday, Feb 18th:
"Harriet Tubman & the Railway to Freedom" (MP3 audio)

A classic old time radio dramatization of the story of
Harriet Tubman and the activities of
the "underground railroad" during slave years.

Thursday, Feb 19th:
Blessed Is The Man: High School Unit Study Sampler (PDF ebook)

"Blessed is the Man" is a wonderful High School Unit Study
geared to Christian young men, and based on Psalm 1.
Today's resource is this extensive 74 page preview
of the complete four year curriculum - normally $10 on the
publisher's website - but yours to download today!
If you have growing boys in your household, DON'T MISS THIS!

Friday, Feb 20th:
Creatively Simple: How to Make Butter in the Blender (PDF ebook)

Learning to make butter is something everyone should do at least
once.

This simple ebook by Penny Raine can teach you how, using items you
probably already have in your kitchen. Detailed instructions and lots
of pictures.

The Great Backyard Bird Count

2009-02-11T08:51:00.002-05:00

My family will be participating this year in this awesome project. Below is a description from their website:

"The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds." http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/

Please join us in this wonderful event.

Teaching boys housework

2009-02-05T08:51:00.001-05:00

The following post was discussed on another board.....

"Does anyone incorporate, for the girls, crocheting, knitting,
learning to use the washer/dishwasher etc.? and the same for the
boys, more in the 'boys' things?"

I shared the following response:

I just had to share this....

To give you some perspective on this story - my dad would have been 74 yrs old now.

My grandparents taught him to sew, cook, do his own laundry and expected him to do it. He lived at home until he was 29 and after he graduated high school had to pay his parents rent to live in their home. He also had to continue to help around the house including doing his own laundry.

I remember my dad repairing work clothes as we were growing up....sewing on buttons by hand and using the old pedal driven sewing machine to hem up his jeans (since my mother's machine didn't like the heavy denim).

My parents divorced - my dad started doing his own laundrey (again) and cooking his own food. He also shared with me family recipes his grandmother baked with him...we stayed up to midnight one time making a fried dough with powdered sugar he called Angel Wings.

Even my grandfather did laundry when my grandma got sick. He taught me to bake... bohemian bread, dumplings, etc. He helped my grandmother with the canning and gardening.

So...teaching and sharing housework not only teaches self sufficiency - for me it has become a treasured memory of people I love.

Off to school - for Mom that is.

2009-02-03T16:06:00.003-05:00

This post is more a family update than a homeschool post but I hope you don't mind my indulgence....although thinking outside the box again I guess it was a homeschool moment....you'll see what I mean.

After much discussion and getting the support of my dear hubby - I've decided to return to school to finish my degree. Now that being said - you are probably wondering what I'll be majoring in - bear with me I'll get to it. I have so many interests - it has been hard to narrow down to one degree that would be a good fit for me and my family's lifestyle. So after meeting with the admissions representative and going through my jobs, what I've enjoyed doing, what I'd like to do and what is important in a job for me -we narrowed things down for me.

I decided on Medical Administrative Assistant. I worked in Medical A/R for 5 years and really enjoyed it...with my recent secretarial and office positions I just need to update my skills to help me get back into the field. After I'm done I can take the CMRS certification exam. I'll learn Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, Billing, Coding, & Transcription and the last semester I actually do an internship.
I'll be attending Bryant & Stratton College.

So yesterday and today I met with my admissions representative and financial aid, and took an entrance exam. All with two wonderful little girls that behaved, read, colored and worked on some fun worksheets I printed out. They got to see first hand the college admissions process and even went on a mini-tour of the campus. Pretty neat to be in 2nd & 4th grade and visit a college campus.

23rd Anniversary of Space Shuttle Challenger mission

2009-01-28T14:43:00.002-05:00

One of those days you know exactly where you were when it happened....too sad....

I remember this day sitting in my English Class with Ms Cure at Lakewood High School - watching this on the television.

Today marks the 23rd anniversary of the doomed Space Shuttle Challenger mission. Before the eyes of the nation, and the world, the space shuttle exploded. Seventeen years later, on Feb 1, 2003 the Space Shuttle Columbia had it's tragic entry back into Earth's atmosphere. Though we have made many gains and advances in space exploration, there is still significant loss and sadness that mars our accomplishments.

http://www.space.com/news/060127_challenger_anniversary.html

http://www.worldbook.com/wb/Quiz?Space_Shuttle_Missions&sc=

For more in depth information please see Charisse's Blog at http://homeschoolmate.com/blog/?p=502

Living on a Dime

2009-01-26T11:29:00.001-05:00

I highly recommend this website and their e-books. They provide useful tips and good information on all different ways to save money. Who doesn't need to save money now and then. If you would like to see all that they offer check out their website. Click on the title of this post to be linked directly to their site.

Blog sharing - Wonderful Post on Virtual Schools

2009-01-22T09:04:00.004-05:00

This was passed on to me from one of my homeschool discussion boards. I have read this blog and I am adding it to my top blog to read. It is wonderful!!! Inspiring!!! Please do not judge until you read many of her posts. This lady is a wonderful example for all Christians (an those who are not)...I look forward to reading more. Her post below is my answer as to why I do not use one of the virtual schools offered in our state for homeschooling.

"This came from http://ladyofvirtue.blogspot.com. She is the mother of 14 w/#15 on the way and has homeschooled them all. I HIGHLY recommend her blog - full of wisdom and grace. I'm posting her entry about Virtual/Charter schools below and request that not only YOU read it, but link it to your own blog, or copy/paste it onto your own blog (and give her the credit, of course) and tell everyone you can to read this. It's excellent!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf"

-----------------------------------------------------
Virtual Schooling
tuesday, dec. 2, 2008

I live in a largely blue-collar town. There are no mansions or super affluent people that make up our community. The families that choose to be "traditional", with the daddy as the breadwinner, struggle. Lots of homeschooling families that I know here have had trouble even affording a computer.

In a community like ours, virtual schooling where the government sends a family a computer, pays for internet use, and supplies all sorts of glossy, colorful curricula and even science and craft supplies, is just too much of a temptation.

When our state first began to offer such programs, I can remember the glowing reports of all of the "goodies" that were sent--it was like Christmas! Everything needed was provided, including scissors and craft paper, and seeds for growing things. Mothers who before had been wringing their hands wondering how they were going to afford the Saxon Math series were now almost care-free.

But there was a catch.

Someone has said that nothing in life is truly "free". With all of the goodies and the ease of knowing someone else was in charge came a large price. Instead of worries over buying supplies and curricula, now the mothers had a heavy burden placed on them every day. They had to coerce and nag and bite their fingernails over getting the work done that was required--a whole boat-load of extra fact-cramming and busy-work that made it almost impossible for anyone to have a good life, especially for the mother who had even 3-4 children on different levels. Instead of having their lives simplified, they were complicated beyond comprehension, and their children were being harmed in the process and turned into drones who hated anything to do with "learning".

The most unfortunate thing of all was that most mothers were convinced that this sort of government-sponsored slavery was what homeschooling was all about! Many who were already feeling overwhelmed about teaching their own children became convinced, after allowing the state to muck with things, that homeschooling was impossible and horrid. So, they gave up.

But learning is not a super-complicated thing that only professionals know how to do!

Our children were born to us completely helpless--they could not even hold their own heads up! Somehow, with our encouragement, they learned to walk and talk and feed themselves. Children, even in some of the most impoverished conditions, learn to do these things, unless they are ill or haven't any food to eat.

Why do children learn these things? Is it because they are constantly nagged, or they have been through the right "programs"? No. Children learn these things because they want to and they need to. The parents are there to facilitate and encourage.

Now here is the secret that those who run teaching colleges and publish curricula and make their living on the supposition of universal idiocy do not want you to know:

TEACHING CHILDREN IS NOT DFFICULT--THEY ALREADY WANT TO LEARN!

I once checked out a magazine published for teachers from the library, thinking I could glean something of value for my own family. An article was written therein about teaching composition to middle-school students. I could not believe the amount of verbage it took--paragraph upon paragraph of evidence and studies and then the methodology that took pages to explain. What a waste!

Writing is just an extension of language, another form of communication. When it is taught in this context, it no longer seems mystical or complex. Good writing is learned by reading the good writing of others--with reading aloud, discussion, and application.

The same goes for the other subjects. Math is a sort of communication, it is the communication of the Creator to His creation--that there is order and care. Science is best described as the "thinking of God's thoughts after Him". The wonder of this planet and the universe is the only catalyst needed. Once the appetite has been whetted, a parent need only to watch a child take off like a rocket-ship (and be willing to enjoy the adventure).

Of course, you can't enjoy the wonderful adventure of discovery with your child if every day is prescribed and written down. The time and energy you would normally have to explore and discover is all taken up by the reading of droll, dumbed-down texts, numerous questions to be answered by rote understanding, canned experiments and the like.

Yes, there are times when a little rote learning can be valuable, but not as an all-encompassing program. The teaching of facts should be likened to handing out tools that a skilled craftsman, the child, can use to create and discover further. Rote learning should never become the end, but the means. We should not be so much concerned with turning out children who can win at Trivial Pursuit as much as we should be concerned with raising children who can take the information in any situation, analyze it, and come up with wise conclusions and solutions.

I do not write theory here; I myself have seen the proven examples, and not just among my own children.

But the public schooling industry, and it is a great part of our economy, does not want you and I to know just how simple teaching and learning really is. Just think of how many meetings and conferences would have to be canceled. Whole political commmitees would have to be disbanded. We would see a lot of educational phd's flipping burgers, and whole educational supply industries woud go belly-up.

Besides all of this, those who desire power over our population would be the saddest of all, because people of America would once again, as in the crazy times of our inception, realize just how many choices they have, and would develop the intestinal fortitude to pursue those choices. I personally believe that it would allow Chrisitanity to return once again as the underlying foundation of our Republic, as parents would be allowed to pass on their Judeo-Christain values in a personal way to the next generation.

But you won't read this in the leaflets sent out to entice you. They will act as your friend, and say how they understand that you feel unsure and intimidated. But they are not friendly. They only wish to use your own fears to convince you that you can not do it on your own.

But, with God's grace and help,

YOU CAN!!!!!!

Presidential Inauguration

2009-01-21T09:46:00.003-05:00

My thoughts: As I left the TV on all day with the Inauguration on yesterday it is amazing to think that I watched history being made. I hope my children understood...I'm pretty sure Rose got it but Laura I'm not so sure. Being only 7 it wasn't of much interest to her. Although, I do realize I will need to utilize February as Black History Month to teach her more about the civil rights movement.

This administration has a lot of expectations to meet. We can only pray and ask God to guide our government in making better decisions than in the past.

Barack Obama Sworn in As 44th President

2009-01-21T09:45:00.001-05:00

Joe Biden Sworn in As the 47th Vice President

2009-01-21T09:35:00.002-05:00

Disney's Kid's Inaugural

2009-01-20T09:17:00.002-05:00

Our family started our celebrations last night. The girls watched the Disney Kid's Inaugural - We are the Future celebration on Disney Channel last night. If you missed it you can catch it online at:

http://disney.go.com/dxd/index.html?channel=198032&int_cmp=dcom_inaug_towerfull_watchnow_Intl#/disneygroup/usa/

Enjoy!

Ride on the Whistle Stop

2009-01-20T08:59:00.006-05:00

Leading up to the Inauguration I will be posting some videos, pictures and thoughts of this historic events today. So to begin with I have a video(courtesy of YouTube) of the Whistle Stop Tour. Enjoy!

Bubble Wrap Fun

2009-01-13T08:59:00.002-05:00

Ok - I'm sitting here this morning listening to my girls laugh & giggle over the simplest of pleasures - BUBBLE WRAP. I've just been told they want bubble wrap for their birthday this year - I wonder if I could get away with just getting them bubble wrap ;)

I just had to share because it reminded me that expensive toys and video games are nice but sometimes it's just the simple things in life that matter - like Bubble Wrap.

Freely Educate - Giving away All About Spelling

2009-01-12T17:45:00.003-05:00

I've blogged about Freely Educate before and they are doing it again. Actually this week has been a great week for their give aways. This week is All About Spelling (Level One). I've check out the website at http://www.all-about-spelling.com/ and it is a well though out spelling curriculum. It utilizes Multisensory methods in a step by step method that will help your child master their speling words.

Twitter Moms Network

2009-01-08T12:04:00.002-05:00

I've joined Twitter Moms social network - check it out.

Twitter Moms: The Influential Moms Network

Diagonal Friendship Bracelet

2009-01-08T11:05:00.003-05:00

Thanks to a friend of mine I found this website. This is how to make a friendship bracelet using embroidery floss. These directions seem a little simpler than the ones I have a copy of. If you know of any other sites with instructions - please post them in the comments.

http://www.makingfriends.com/jewelry/bracelet_klutz.htm

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T18:42:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! My goal for the blog this year is to post more frequently with some great resources we can all use.

My first resource is a list of "50 Places to Find Free Books Online" - Thank you to Lyn on my 3RHomeschooling Yahoo Group for this great resource!

http://education-portal.com/articles/Free_Books_-_50_Places_to_Find_Free_Books_Online.html

Enjoy!

New Friend

2008-12-21T15:11:00.006-05:00

http://classicalscholar.com/

This is my new Facebook friend's website. Her name is Diane Lockman - she currently lives in Indianapolis, IN but used to live here in the Cleveland area. She's been homeschooling for 9 years and her children are in their teens now. So I'm very happy we met. She follows a classical Christian curriculum she has developed and her blog shares her experience and wisdom she has gained over the last 9 years doing this. I look forward to spending time going through her blog as I continually evolve our homeschooling experience.

Her most recent post includes information on a contest you may be interested in:

What inspires you to create cool contraptions and dream up ingenious inventions? If you know what inspires you, then we need your help! Enter to win the Inspiring Invention Contest. Create a public service announcement that motivates others to get inspired and start inventing. Show us how invention enriches everyday life and your school could win a prize package from Sony Creative Software!

Contest Start Date: November 13, 2008• Contest End Date: March 15, 2009

You may enter if you are an individual or a School Group.

For more information go to:

http://www.discoveryeducation.com/inspiringinvention/

Writing tips

2008-12-16T09:29:00.002-05:00

Whether your children are homeschooled or in public/private school this blog will be helpful.

Although this is geared to homeschoolers - this blog gives lots of writing tips to help your child become a better writer. There are lots of great tips to help them improve their writing skills too.

Check it out:

http://www.writeshop.com/blog/

Endangered Missing

2008-12-04T09:04:00.003-05:00

Endangered Missing

ASHLEY SUMMERS

DOB: Jun 16, 1993
Missing: Jul 9, 2007
Age Now: 15
Sex: Female
Race: White
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
Weight: 130 lbs (59 kg)
Missing From:CLEVELAND OH United States Both photos shown are of Ashley. She was last seen on July 9, 2007. Ashley has a tattoo of "Gene" and a heart on her right arm.
Her hair may be cut and dyed blond.

ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)
Cleveland Police Department (Ohio) 1-216-623-5005 or Your Local FBI

Subject: An Obituary printed in the London Times

2008-12-03T09:37:00.002-05:00

This was sent to me and I love it.....

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

He declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student, but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home without the burglar suing you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, spilled a little in her lap and was promptly awarded a huge settlement..

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust, by his wife Discretion, his daughter Responsibility, and his son Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers: I Know My Rights; I Want It Now; Someone Else Is To Blame; and I'm A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

The Declaration of Celebrating Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T10:03:00.003-05:00

Following the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress recognized the need to give thanks for delivering the country from war and into Independence. Congress issued a proclamation on October 11, 1782:

By the United Stated in Congress assembled.

PROCLAMATION.

IT Being the indispensable duty of all Nations, not only to offer up their supplications to ALMIGHTY GOD, the giver of all good, for this gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner to give him priase for his goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of his providence in their behalf: Therefore the United States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the many instances of divine goodness to these States, in the course of important conflict in which they have been so long engaged; the present happy and promising state of public affairs; and the events of the war, in the course of the year now drawing to a close; particularly the harmony of the public Councils, which is so necessary to the success of the public cause; the perfect union and good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between them and their Allies, notwithstanding the artful and unwearied attempts of the common enemy to divide them; the success of the arms of the United States, and those of their Allies, and the acknowledgment of their independence by another European power, whose friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting advantage to these States:-----Do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe, and request the several States to interpose their authority in appointing and commanding the observation of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and they do further recommend all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.

Done in Congress, at Philadelphia, the eleventh day of October, in the year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and of our Sovereignty and Indepence, the seventh.

JOHN HANSON, President.

Letter Writing campaign

2008-11-21T10:01:00.003-05:00

Please write a letter to the producers of The View - please educate them nicely on the fact that homeschoolers are not demented and give examples of how you (as a homeschooler) or your children are not isolated and any positive aspects of homeschooling. Don't bash public/private schools just include as much information as you can to show that homeschooling is not just an education but a strong community in this great country.

The View
320 West 66th St.
New York, NY 10023

Joy Behar calls homeschoolers demented

2008-11-21T09:24:00.003-05:00

I realize the View is all about controversy but I find Ms. Behar's comments very offensive and hope to be able to let ABC know. My other goal is to get the word out to the public and stop a lot of these misconceptions about homeschoolers.

This was posted to one of my homeschool groups....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6slZ4Fps6Bo&eurl=http://www.allamericanblogger.com/

Joy Behar calls homeschoolers "demented" during discussion of how the Obama children should be educated. If you load the video, then fast forward to about 6:30, you will skip to where they start talking about the homeschoolers. Barbara Walters then talks about the "isolation" . Watch for yourself.

2008-11-10T09:30:00.003-05:00

On June 28, 1919, World War I (“The Great War”) officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles which took place at the Palace of Versailles just outside the town of Versailles, France. However, a temporary cease fire or armistice went into effect between the Allied nations and Germany on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. This is why November 11, 1918 is considered the end of “the war to end all wars.”

November 1919: President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. Originally the day was to be observed with parades, public meetings, and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11 a.m.

June 4, 1926: The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed this concurrent resolution:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and

Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and

Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday:

Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

May 13, 1938: An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) was approved making the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday - - a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day."

June 1, 1954: The 83rd Congress amended the Act of 1938 by replacing “Armistice” with the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380), November 11th now was a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

October 8, 1954: President Dwight D. Eisenhower issues the first “Veterans Day Proclamation.” He stated: “In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversay, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose.” He also declared the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans’ Day National Committee to coordinate a national planning of the observance.

June 28, 1968: The Uniforms Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) moved four national holidays to Mondays: Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. This insured three-day weekends for Federal employees.

The first Veterans Day on October 25, 1975 under this new law was very confusing.

September 10, 1975: President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479) returned the annual obervance of Veterans Day back to its original date November 11, beginning in 1978. Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11th no matter what day of the week it is. Veterans Day being observed on November 11th preserved the historical significance of the date and helps keep the focus on the important purpose of this day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

**United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs, History of Veterans Day website - http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

For Children to learn more about this important holiday: http://www.va.gov/kids/

Guy Fawkes Day Nov. 5th

2008-11-05T09:00:00.005-05:00

Did you know today is Guy Fawkes Day in England?

Who was Guy Fawkes and why is he so honored with a day named after him? Actually, it's not named in his honor, but rather his dishonor.

Fawkes was involved in the 1605 Gunpowder Plot aimed at blowing up the Parliament building and murdering England's leadership, including King James I. He was found in the early morning hours of Nov. 5 in a cellar under the building with 36 barrels of gunpowder.

The plot was hatched by extremists wanting to replace the Church of England-led government with a Catholic one. The conspirators rented a cellar that extended under Parliament and placed the cache of gunpowder in it with Fawkes, who would detonate it the next day while Parliament was seated for a regular session.

In a letter, one of the plotters warned a family member not to attend Parliament that day, and the letter was passed to authorities who then searched the cellar, finding Fawkes and the explosives. He and the other main conspirators were sentenced to death. As he was being led to his execution, Fawkes jumped from the hanging platform, broke his neck in the fall and died instantly.

The next year Parliament established Nov. 5 as a day of public thanksgiving. Guy Fawkes Day is still celebrated throughout Great Britain, with evening bonfires and fireworks. Many still burn effigies of Fawkes nearly 400 years after his botched attempt.Guy Fawkes Day is also known in England as Bonfire Night.

If you would like to know more about its history, click on this link: http://www.bonfirenight.net/

By Ken Tate
editor,
Good Old Days®
Good Old Days® Books
Good Old Days® Looking Back

**Thanks to Ken Tate and the Gold Old Days e-newsleter (Nov. 5, 2008, Vol. 7 No. 15) for the above information on Guy Fawkes Day. To subscribe to The Gold Old Days e-newsletter go to: http://newsletters.drgnetwork.com/

Mapleside Farms

2008-11-03T09:35:00.013-05:00

This past week we went with some homeschoolers on a field trip to Mapleside Farms in Brunswick, OH (http://www.mapleside.com/).

They have a Farm Market, Bakery, Restaurant, Craft Shop and Banquet Facilities. They also have an apple packing room and cold storage room. Outside they have a 40 acre apple orchard, a corn field (maze), pumpkin patch, and play areas.

We had a wonderful tour guide, Miss Cindi. They grow apples I've never heard of before -such as Melrose, Suncrisp and Winesap. I was really impressed, not only did the children learn new things, the adults did too.

Some fun facts:

They need 40,000 bees to pollinate the orchard. They rent the bees from a near by bee keeper.

50 leaves are needed to produce one apple blossom.

If you take cuttings from 2 different types of apple trees, graft them together, you end up with a new variety of apple.

Here are some pictures:

View - You can see the Elyria

Skyline and Water Tower

(40 miles away)

Rose and Laura

Apple Tree

Apple Orchard

Miss Cindi showing us the

production room.

2008-10-28T12:13:00.002-04:00

Knowing how hard it is to find sewing supplies, I've found this wonderful company.

Nature Study

2008-10-22T15:03:00.004-04:00

We've been spending time outdoors, especially utilizing the Cleveland Metroparks. So I absolutely recommend Handbook of nature-study by Anna Botsford Comstock. You can get this online for free here. This is a pretty thick book so it can become scary when you look at.

Don't woory I have a solution for you. Another homeschool mom has a blog devoted entirely to nature study using this book. She lives in California and her name is Barb. She offers short, weekly challenges and I'm just starting out following her challenges. You don't even need to go out and buy a special journal because she provides another link to print out pages based upon the study for the week. Here is her blog:

So get outside and explore nature - whether or not you have children, if you do have children it doesn't matter what age they are - it only takes a quick 20-30 minutes. Open your eyes and ears to the world around you.

Lapbooking

2008-10-17T16:38:00.001-04:00

Here are some links to lapbooking sites:

http://www.geocities.com/gibsevengang/lapbooks.html

http://www.squidoo.com/lapbooking

http://www.homeschoolhelperonline.com/lapbooks.htm

http://www.homeschoolshare.com/levels.php

I'll try to dig out some notebooking sites soon.

Celebrate Geography Awareness Week Nov. 16-22, 2008

2008-10-14T13:13:00.003-04:00

Celebrate Geography Awareness Week Nov. 16-22, 2008
For more than a century, the National Geographic Society has fostered awareness of the world’s diverse cultures and environments. The tradition continues with Geography Action! , an annual awareness program that helps educators promote geographic fluency in schools and communities across the United States and Canada.

Download a free Geography Action! Mapping the Americas Toolkit filled with activities, maps, and tips for planning highly interactive, festive events for students, families, and communities to enjoy.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geography-action/index.html?source=email_mww_20081014&email=mww

MY WONDERFUL WORD
http://www.mywonderfulworld.com/?source=email_mww_20081014&email=mww

ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN
My Wonderful World is a National Geographic-led campaign—backed by a coalition of national business and non-profit organizations—to expand geographic learning in school, at home, and in communities. We want to give kids the power of global knowledge. In the campaign's first year, more than 55,000 people like you signed up to show their support.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
Geography is more than places on a map. It's global connections. People and cultures. Economics and environments.Our young people need to know geography in order to understand today's world—and succeed in tomorrow's. But they're not getting enough of it, in or out of school. A National Geographic-Roper survey shows half of young Americans can't locate world powers like Japan and India. Twenty percent can't even find the Pacific Ocean. Without geography, our children aren't ready for the world. With your help, we can make geography education a priority. Kids who understand our world today can succeed in it tomorrow.

COMPUTER FIXED

2008-10-11T12:57:00.001-04:00

YEAH!!! Well - the computer isn't fixed but my wonderful husband got me a brand new one!! So, I'll be able to keep up the blog better and won't feel so out of touch. :)

Unschooling - well defined (if you can really define it)

2008-09-24T16:22:00.001-04:00

A must read to help understand the age old question: What is unschooling?

http://www.boingboing.net/2008/09/23/how-children-learn-c.html

2008-09-17T17:36:00.002-04:00

I've gotten soo many new links and ideas recently - it's hard to keep up without my own computer handy to post them here.

SpellingCity.com - make your own spelling lists. Play games, practice, take quizzes.

My church home http://www.lkwdumc.org Check out the rally day pics they caught me and the girls.

www.Lakewoodobserver.com Lakewood Observer - local news by local people. Great recent articles on what's going on including a great article on the 9-11 memorial at the high school created and made by the students. Keep your eyes peeled in about 2 weeks for a picture of my Laura.

September Update

2008-09-10T15:00:00.002-04:00

Ok - My computer is still down. But hope is that in the next 2 weeks we'll at least have someone come out and look at it. So as summer winds down and fall is approaching fast I have some links for you.

1. Home School Freebies - For all you homeschoolers out there, here is a freebie for each day of the week. Check out: www.HomeschoolFreebieOfTheDay.com Sign up for their newsletter and early Monday morning you get the list for the week informing you of what the freebies are for the week. Here's an example of this weeks freebies:

Monday, Sept 8: The Adventures of Pinocchio Delightful audio dramatization starring Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny) + coloring pages to keep little hands busy! Cool!Tuesday, Sept 9: The Story Book of Science A classic "living book" of stories about science in nature, provided by Yesterday's Classics.Wednesday, Sept 10: 60 Easy Recipes for Body & Bath Make your own lotions, bath salts, etc. for family use or as gifts!Thursday, Sept 11: The Pearl Box, 100 Beautiful Stories for Young People - classic inspirational & moral tales for little onesFriday, Sept 12: Be A Stargazer Great classic book introducing Astronomy & the science of light

2. Homeschool community: For local Cleveland area folks - www.neohsc.com Has discussions from people all over Northeast Ohio and it's a great way to connect with folks in the area. Whether you live on the West side, East side or down in Akron....you'll meet some great people!\

3. Programs at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History - On select Tuesdays and Thursdays of each month, Education staff will instruct special programs for Homeschool families and organizations from 1 to 2:30 pm. Programs may include hands-on, classroom and/or gallery presentations as appropriate. Students will be grouped by age according to enrollment.

Fee
Cost of programming is $6/person per topic with one adult free.

Please Note
In response to requests, we are adding programs for 4 and 5 year olds. These hands-on self-directed programs will be related to the topics listed above and run from 1:15 to 2 pm on the same days. Parents are expected to attend with their child. Cost of program is $6/person per topic.

Boook/Author Recommendation: Jennifer Chiaverini and the world of Elm Creek Quilts www.elmcreek.net Great books about a group of quilters and their life adventures along with snippets of information on quilts. They are hard for me to put down and have inspired me to really really want to try my hands on making a quilt.

Also - a friend of mine is collecting school supplies for a local elementary school. Check out the website: www.readyacademy.com

Fair Season

2008-08-02T17:42:00.002-04:00

My computer is down - so the blogs will be more spread apart. But it's Fair time around here so I'm just going to post a couple links to the local fairs.

Cuyahoga County Fair: http://www.cuyfair.com/

Rose has one of the pieces she made in pottery class entered in the Junior Fair and Laura is competing in the Cuyahoga County Fair Little Miss and Little Mister Fun Pageant this Tuesday.

Ohio State Fair: http://www.ohiostatefair.com/

One of my favorite events ( I hope I get there this year but it's kinda doubtful right now)
WGAR Country Jam - Dierks Bently, Diamond Rio, Phil Vassar, Lady Antebellum, James Otto, Crystal Shawanda, Lawless & More. This is where we got to see Rascal Flatts right before they took off in the charts. They always have great acts.

http://www.wgar.com/pages/splash/countryjam2008/

Gotta go.

3-D Glasses

2008-07-21T22:15:00.003-04:00

OK - I admit it....my children our Disney junkies. My youngest daughter loves Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers. My oldest daughter is a huge fan of High School Musical and Jonas Brothers.

So....when I went to the store (Walmart) to get the "free" 3-D concert for them to wear for Hannah Montana/Jonas Brothers 3-D Concert on Disney this Saturday - GUESS WHAT???
They were all out. Big surprise huh? (Not for me) Soooo.....I told them I'd find out how to make our own (of course my husband thinks I'm crazy). BUT guess what I'm perfectly sane and found all these great links....have fun!!!

You'll might have to adjust the size on these: http://terraweb.wr.usgs.gov/kids/glasses.html

From NASA - Explains how 3-D works, provides a link on how to make 3-D glasses and a link on how to create 3-D images. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/stereo/sun/3D_Glasses.html

A nice quick video: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/807306/make_3d_picture_glasses_fast_and_easy/

Right from Starz who will be airing the concert starting July 27th:
http://www.starz.com/appmanager/seg/s?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=template&template_dir=/features/3D/&template_file=content.html&src=starz_mktg&med=referral&content=3D&cmp=programming

Music Pages

2008-07-16T09:07:00.003-04:00

I first want to thank Lori at Freelyeducate.com for this resource.

Some of you may know I am a musician. It is a part of me I don't necessarily advertise but deep down love to do (just hard to find time with the children). I am looking forward to teaching them music this year: recorder and piano. The girls are also expressing interest in learning instruments so I am starting to research lessons for them.

Anyway the free stuff today is at the website G Major Music Theory http://www.gmajormusictheory.org/

Under Music Fundamentals is a completely free Music Theory Workbook consisting of 19 chapters covering the basic bass and treble cleffs all the way up to triads and minor scales. It is easy to use and I'm looking forward to using it.

There is also Harmonic Dictation, Contextual Listening (training your ear), and best of all FREE Piano and Guitar music. There are also links to AP Classes.

This site was put together by GILBERT DEBENEDETTI Here is a brief synopsis from his "ABOUT" page:

I teach Music Theory at the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), and at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. As a result of my Advanced Placement (AP) Music Theory course at CAPA, I have been chosen to be a Reader and a Member of the Development Committee for the AP exam. I am indebted to Janet Waanders and Brent Sandene at ETS for nominating me for this committee, and their faith in my abilities has inspired much of my work in music theory pedagogy.

Please visit his ABOUT page for more information on his credentials and why he offers all of this for free.

ENJOY!

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. ~Berthold Auerbach

Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons. You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

Music is the universal language of mankind. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Outre-Mer

The upcoming weekend and local happenings

2008-07-10T18:46:00.002-04:00

We've had a pretty calm week around here. I've pulled a few more things together for our year end portfolio review. I'm looking at our upcoming schedule and we have quite a few things taking place in the Cleveland Metroparks this month. So I thought I'd add a link to their website:

http://www.clemetparks.com/

We went to one of the many park areas they have today with our homeschool group. On Monday we'll be at the zoo with our Roots & Shoots group and the next week the girls are attending one of their educational happenings. We are also looking at going to a little music festival they are having Saturday.

A short description from their website:

The sixteen reservations of Cleveland Metroparks consist of over 21,000 acres of various landscapes and attractions for visitors to enjoy. The Park District is commonly referred to as the "Emerald Necklace" because the reservations encircle the city of Cleveland. Discover and enjoy any or all of the reservations!

It's easy to enjoy the picnic areas, reservable picnic areas, shelterhouses, wildlife areas, waterfowl areas, overlooks, all purpose trails, outdoor education facilities, and special features and attractions with downloadable maps and easy-to-follow directions. (http://www.clemetparks.com/visit/index.asp)

Since the parks are free to use, most of the educational programs are free and the zoo is free to Cuyahoga county residents on Mondays - they certainly qualify for "Free" stuff to do.

My family's 4th of July

2008-07-07T08:14:00.003-04:00

Well Fourth of July was pretty exciting. We walked in Lakewood's Fourth of July Parade then went back in the evening, listened to the Lakewood Project and watched fireworks. The next evening we went to the festival at Crocker Park and watched fireworks - which were quite honestly dissappointing since they only lasted 5-10 minutes. They were very pretty and unusual but very short.

Links to Lakewood 4th of July Pics:

http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs

Photo 51 under Ivor Karabatkovic is one of my Girl Scouts

In Danielle Masters Photo #1 the girl in the pink hat is one of my Girl Scouts too.

Enjoy the many pictures!

Hope you enjoy!!

Check the Observation Deck at The Lakewood Observer for any additions.

Freedoms

2008-07-07T08:04:00.002-04:00

First - Happy Birthday United States of America!

I don't know if our founding fathers would be pleased with our current state of being but as long as I'm allowed to publish this blog without fear of being put in prison for my opinions I know that our country is still the best around!

Those of us who have grown up in this country tend to become cynical although we must have something to offer if illegal immigration is such a "problem" obviously our country still offers hope to those oppressed.

Remember our freedoms and rights. I'm able to publish this blog without fear of prosecution. I am able to homeschool my children without being jailed. I am able to watch what I want on television without my government banning shows. I am able to listen to the radio without the government chosing what should be broadcast. I am able to tell my daughters they can still have any career they choose, including president. I am able to enjoy my pastors (male and female) and I am able to attend church without fear of prosecution or the government running it.

SO as cynical as we may become - we should still be thankful and remember our country is perfect but at least we still have our freedom.

SONNY SCOTT:Home-schoolers threaten our cultural comfort

2008-07-03T19:53:00.002-04:00

SONNY SCOTT:Home-schoolers threaten our cultural comfort
6/8/2008 9:39:01 AMDaily Journal

You see them at the grocery, or in a discount store.

It's a big family by today’s standards - "just like stair steps," as the old folks say. Freshly scrubbed boys with neatly trimmed hair and girls with braids, in clean but unfashionable clothes follow mom through the store as she fills her no-frills shopping list.

There's no begging for gimcracks, no fretting, and no threats from mom. The older watch the younger, freeing mom to go peacefully about her task.

You are looking at some of the estimated 2 million children being home schooled in the U.S., and the number is growing. Their reputation for academic achievement has caused colleges to begin aggressively recruiting them. Savings to the taxpayers in instructional costs are conservatively estimated at $4 billion, and some place the figure as high as $9 billion. When you consider that these families pay taxes to support public schools, but demand nothing from them, it seems quite a deal for the public.

Home schooling parents are usually better educated than the norm, and are more likely to attend worship services. Their motives are many and varied. Some fear contagion from the anti-clericalism, coarse speech, suggestive behavior and hedonistic values that characterize secular schools. Others are concerned for their children’s safety. Some want their children to be challenged beyond the minimal competencies of the public schools. Concern for a theistic world view largely permeates the movement.

Indications are that home schooling is working well for the kids, and the parents are pleased with their choice, but the practice is coming under increasing suspicion, and even official attack, as in California.

Why do we hate (or at least distrust) these people so much?

Methinks American middle-class people are uncomfortable around the home schooled for the same reason the alcoholic is uneasy around the teetotaler.

Their very existence represents a rejection of our values, and an indictment of our lifestyles. Those families are willing to render unto Caesar the things that Caesar’s be, but they draw the line at their children. Those of us who have put our trust in the secular state (and effectively surrendered our children to it) recognize this act of defiance as a rejection of our values, and we reject them in return.

Just as the jealous Chaldeans schemed to bring the wrath of the king upon the Hebrew eunuchs, we are happy to sic the state’s bureaucrats on these “trouble makers.” Their implicit rejection of America’s most venerated idol, Materialism, (a.k.a. “Individualism”) spurs us to heat the furnace and feed the lions.

Young families must make the decision: Will junior go to day care and day school, or will mom stay home and raise him? The rationalizations begin. "A family just can't make it on one income." (Our parents did.) "It just costs so much to raise a child nowadays." (Yeah, if you buy brand-name clothing, pre-prepared food, join every club and activity, and spend half the cost of a house on the daughter’s wedding, it does.) And so, the decision is made. We give up the bulk of our waking hours with our children, as well as the formation of their minds, philosophies, and attitudes, to strangers. We compensate by getting a boat to take them to the river, a van to carry them to Little League, a 2,800-square-foot house, an ATV, a zero-turn Cub Cadet, and a fund to finance a brand-name college education. And most significantly, we claim “our right” to pursue a career for our own "self-fulfillment."

Deep down, however, we know that our generation has eaten its seed corn. We lack the discipline and the vision to deny ourselves in the hope of something enduring and worthy for our posterity. We are tired from working extra jobs, and the looming depression threatens our 401k’s. Credit cards are nearly maxed, and it costs a $100 to fuel the Suburban. Now the kid is raising hell again, demanding the latest Play Station as his price for doing his school work … and there goes that modest young woman in the home-made dress with her four bright-eyed, well-behaved home-schooled children in tow. Wouldn’t you just love to wipe that serene look right off her smug face?

Is it any wonder we hate her so?

Sonny Scott a community columnist, lives on Sparta Road in Chickasaw County and his e-mail address is sonnyscott@yahoo.com.

Appeared originally in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 6/8/2008, section 0 , page 0
http://www.djournal.com/pages/archive.asp?ID=274594&pub=1&div=Opinion

Vegetables and stuff

2008-07-03T10:31:00.003-04:00

Ok - I'm definitely a city girl but I love fresh vegetables. So living in Cleveland we are very lucky to have a number of sources to get fresh vegetables. I'm participating in Lakewood Earth & Food Community (LEAF) which supports local agriculture. We specifically participate in City Fresh where we get fresh vegetable weekly. There is so much to write about this so I'm providing a link for your to go to and find out more information: http://leafcommunity.org/

Why I bring this up.... I know very little on preserving and preparing fresh vegetables. I found the following site (pickyourown.org) which gives directions on canning and freezing fresh produce. It also provides links to "pick your own" farms across the U.S. http://www.pickyourown.org/index.htm

So now I know how to freeze the peas I got. :)

Sewing Patterns - broomstick dress, T-shirt Dress, custom accessories

2008-07-01T18:54:00.004-04:00

The following information was posted on a Yahoo group I belong to:

Here is a pheasant skirt calculator with instructions. www.jcarolinecreative.com/Merchant2/peasantskirt_inst.html

Broomstick skirt http://www.ericas.com/projects/proj9801.htm

T-shirt dress http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_kid_crafts/article/0,1789,HGTV_3256_1371470,00.html or with photos http://www.mormonchic.com/crafty/patriotic-apparel.asp#2

And I found a free program to make custom accessories… http://www.wildginger.com/products/wildthings.htm

Also on this site… iCare patterns. Patterns for house wear creator. http://www.wildginger.com/downloads/icarefinish.asp

"I thought about altering them and fabric for basic at home or casual wear." Kathy P.

Enjoy!

Foreign Language Instruction

2008-06-30T11:40:00.004-04:00

There was a recent discussion on foreign language instruction. So I am posting some of the sites I've found.

Irish
Irish (Gaeilge) http://www.omniglot.com/writing/irish.htm

Greek
This New Testament Greek course prepares anyone yearning to read the Greek New Testament. It is being prepared for adults who may not have the ability or do not wish to attend a university or seminary. Anyone who has an average intelligence may participate, no matter what age. Many home schools with teenagers find the course beneficial because of the prepared study aids which accompany every lesson.
http://www.inthebeginning.org/ntgreek/index.htm

Hebrew
This is the Jewish Children's Learning Network. It is an excellent resource to learn about the Jewish Faith and it also teaches Hebrew. http://www.akhlah.com/

Ancient Hebrew Research Center Teaching the Ancient Biblical Hebrew Language of the Bible Through the Study of the Ancient Hebrew Alphabet, Culture and Thought. They also offer free Hebrew Lessons. Have you ever wanted to learn to read the Bible in the original Hebrew language? It's easier than you might think. We have free lessons with audio available. Many have commented that the lessons are the best they have used, why not give it a try?
http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/index.html#learn .

Misc Languages
BBC-Languages http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/
Offers French, German, Spanish, Italian and Portugese, Greek, Chinese and other languages listed under the drop down menu.

They have audio, Grammar, games, dictionary, videos, tests, and a whole bunch more stuff.

BBC-Schools http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/

Offers by Age levels:
Ages 4-11: Art Geography History Languages Literacy Music Numeracy PSHE Science Other Subjects

Ages 11-16: Art Business Studies Citizenship Design & Technology English Geography History IT Languages Maths Music PE PSHE RE Science Study Skills Other Subjects

I love exploring their sites - I always run across something new.

Spanish
You're busy. You don't have time to take a Spanish class. You're in luck, you've got us! We've helped millions of people learn to speak Spanish, at their own pace, in the comfort of their own homes. We have everything you need to start learning Spanish right now. Online lessons, quizzes and tests, audio drills with native speakers http://www.studyspanish.com/index.htm

Learn Spanish: http://www.lingolex.com/spanish.htm

Spanish Grammar Exercise: http://www.colby.edu/~bknelson/exercises/index.html

English & Spanish: Vocabulary Lists, Flashcards, Word Searches, and Worksheets
http://www.fastq.com/~jbpratt/education/mypages/myfreeworksheets.html

French
To Learn French.com 100% Free http://www.tolearnfrench.com/

French Tutorials http://www.ielanguages.com/french.html

FSL Activities with M. Renaud http://fslactivities.sd61.bc.ca/index.html

This site helps you learn French online. You can learn and practice FREE using our online French language lessons and unique question generator. It's free and cool! http://www.frenchassistant.com/default.asp

French in Action
A video instructional series in French for college and high school classrooms and adult learners; 52 half-hour video programs, audiocassettes, coordinated books, and Web site
http://www.learner.org/resources/series83.html#or

I'll be researching some Latin and German sites for you.

Linda

Over the weekend

2008-06-30T11:27:00.003-04:00

We went to the Cleveland Museum of Art's reopening. They had a booklet that was a scavenger hunt for the kids to do. We looked for items in each room and matched a sticker to a picture in that room than put it on the booklet. Some of them were just a small part of the picture so it really made the kids look. We got to hold a helmet from a suit of armor (with gloves on of course) and the kids made a collage.

Even though they said it was "boring" - I think they may have enjoyed it a little bit. I think John even enjoyed it a little book. I know he was amazed...it was his first time there ever! Once they are done with all the remodeling we are going to have a wonderful gem that will shine as bright as the Metropolitan Musuem of Art in New York. The website for the Cleveland Museum of Art: http://www.clevelandart.org/
They also have great activities for the kids at: http://www.clevelandart.org/kids/

The week gone by

2008-06-27T17:19:00.002-04:00

We've had a very good week. Monday & Tuesday the girls went to the Rocky River Nature Center and participated in Beginning Explorers and the Junior Explorers programs. We ran into some of our homeschooling friends there. The neatest thing - a hawk landed by the bird feeders. I got some pictures posted.

Thursday we went to a park in Olmsted Falls. The city park was a little small but nearby was a great little park where the kids played in the river. There were small waterfalls that they slid down. The cutest thing is they told dad they went on a waterslide and he's thinking blue plastic thing at a pool. I had to explain further it was really rocks that made up a small waterfall.

We've been also attending the afternoon programs at the library. We've been going up to the Madison branch. It's a shame more kids don't participate. The days we attended there were only 4 or 5 kids there.

Our weekend

2008-06-23T15:00:00.002-04:00

Over the weekend we stopped in a local bookstore here in Lakewood, OH - Madison Rose Bookstore (www.madisonrosebookstore.com) The people are super friendly and it is such a nice place to visit. They have a wide selection of used books, will look for a book for you, they even held a couple books my daughter wants until we come back later this week.

They have live music and poetry readings. I may be working with them to bring storytelling.

When in Lakewood you've got to stop in - you won't be sorry. They are on Madison east of Bunts near Wyandotte.