Using Tapestry of Grace Questions

Sent by Sarah P. for Sharon:

I am a relatively new Tapestry of Grace (TOG) user. My children are in
5th, 3rd, and 1st grades and we are using the lower and upper grammar
portions of the curriculum. I am wondering how other people cover the
weekly vocabulary words. Do you have your kids write them out? Do you
do all of them? Go over them verbally, etc.? Also, do you do any weekly
discussions with your kids who are reading independently? How do you do
this?

Any thoughts appreciated.

Sharon

More Summer Reading Program Options

Sent in by Kathy M.

1) Summer Bible Reading Program at Berean Christian Stores
http://www.berean.com/brlocations.asp#Anchor-Pennsylvania-3800

Pennsylvania
Lancaster Store
898 Plaza Blvd.
Lancaster, PA 17601 (717) 397-3517
(800) 759-4447 Mon - Sat, 9am - 9pm
Sun, Closed
For More Store Information: Events, Maps & Contacts

New Holland Store
16 South Tower Road
New Holland, PA 17557 (717) 354-5258 Mon - Sat, 9am - 9pm
Sun, Closed
For More Store Information: Events, Maps & Contacts

Souderton Store
773 Route 113
Souderton, PA 18964 (215) 723-4397
(800) 926-5288 Mon - Fri, 10am - 9pm
Sat, 10am - 6pm
Sun, Closed


2) Chick-fil-a
Our Kid's Reading Challenge program works best for Elementary aged children. If a child reads #10 books he is awarded with a FREE Icedream coupon; #20 books a 4 ct. Nugget Kid's Meal coupon. I think ages 10 & under would enjoy this program.

note: while the program is available to all frahchise locations not all may be participating so check with your local store



3) Pizza Hut
Welcome to the BOOK IT! online ordering form. We're glad you have chosen to enroll your homeschool family. Please provide the following information to request FREE BOOK IT! materials for the 2010-11 BOOK IT! Program for grades K-6.
http://www.bookitprogram.com/enrollment/homeschool.asp

Orders are taken on an individual homeschool family basis only. Homeschool group orders are no longer accepted. Each family must submit their own individual request.

Deadline: The 2010 enrollment deadline is June 30, however, we will continue to accept enrollment requests on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

Planning on moving? Materials will not ship until September and will not forward, therefore, if you are planning on moving, please wait to enroll until you have your new address.

Click Here to Complete the Homeschool Enrollment Form
http://www.formspring.com/forms/bookitprogram-homeschool_enrollment_form1


4) TD Bank
Summer Reading Program at TD Bank
Looking for a way to make summer reading even more fun for your kids?

It’s easy! Here’s what they need to do:

Read 10 books this summer.

Open the Summer Reading Form from this website. http://www.tdbank.com/summerreading/index.html

Fill in the form with the names of the books they've read.
Print the form. Take the form to your nearest TD Bank location to get $10! One $10 offer per reader.*
(P.S. As far as I know, there is no age limit.) :)


5) Barnes and Noble
Summer Reading Program at Barnes & Noble

Here's How It Works:
1. Kids read any eight books of their choosing.
2. Kids use the Passport to Summer Reading to document the places
visited in each book. A parent/guardian signs the Passport when it's
complete.
3. Kids bring their completed Passport to any B&N store between May 25
and September 7, 2010.
4. We'll give them a coupon for a FREE BOOK, to be chosen from a list of
exceptional paperback titles.
Limit of one (1) form per school-age child (grades 1-6). For more
information visit www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading.

Free Science DVD from NASA

Sent in by Ruth H.

NASA willsend a free DVD called "JOURNEY TO THE STARS" to educators and
parents. You can also get activity sheets to go along with it.

Here is a web page that explains about it:
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/07jun_journeytothestars/

Go here to fill out the form to receive the DVD:
http://journeytothestars.org/

Beginner Recorder Class Starts this Fall

Does your child have an interest in playing a wind instrument but he or she is just too young to participate in a band program? Or would you like them to learn to read music but don't want to pay for private music lessons? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the Home School Bands of Southern New Jersey (HSBSNJ) might be just what you're looking for. This fall HSBSNJ will be adding a beginning recorder ensemble to their established band program. Open to 8-10 year olds, this class will provide an introduction to basic music theory, ensemble playing, and general music education. This will be a great way for younger students to get their feet wet with an instrument without the expense of renting one. Classes will meet once weekly for 45 minute sessions. Students may also have an opportunity to participate in the HSBSNJ winter concert as well as some community outreach concerts. The class will be taught by Mrs Mandy Milne, a veteran music educator with a Master's Degree in Music Education and more than 20 years of experience teaching elementary though college music.

Cost: $90 per semester, approximately 13 lessons. Plus the minimal cost of the recorder, book, & music stand

Time: Monday afternoons 12:45-1:30

Location: Haddon Heights, NJ at St Mary's Episcopal Church on Route 30. Convenient to I-295.

Contact: Mandy Milne. mandymilne@comcast.net or 856-224-9353

Sent in by: Julie H.

Art Resource online

Submitted by S. Duggan

Ok, I will be honest this art site called Art For Homeschool http://www.artforhomeschool.com/ seems to be brand new but it looks like it has some interesting project ideas and help for those of us unsure about how to teach art. She is also selling a video set of art lessons that look like they might be interesting/helpful, especially if you feel art challanged or don't have a co-op near you that offers art instruction.


Like I said I don't know much about this site and it seems to be new. I learned about it on the blog of a homeschooler that I lurk on http://jimmiescollage.com/ because she often has links and ideas that appeal to me.

(though she makes it look so easy I sometimes feel intimidated but... that is an occupational hazard for us all and I just have to remind my self that how it looks on paper is probably not how it goes in life and that we are different people with different kids and different life circumstances but I can still learn from her and adapt it to me.)

History DVD opportunity

Sent in by Ruth H.

This
link was posted in a homeschoolers' list I belong to. The History
Channel is offering a FREE DVD called "America: The Story of Us" to
schools and home schools. Below is the link to a form to fill out
(they ask for principal's name and school name, but I just put Roger
as principal and "Hoover home school" as the school).

http://classroom.history.com/america-dvd/event/form


Also, here's the splash page for it with a sneak preview:


http://www.history.com/america-the-story-of-us-splash

Info. on My Father's World Curriculum

Sent in by Lesley S.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me about the My Father's World curriculum? Thanks

Looking for Help in Science, Art and Bible

This was sent in by Sharon, a friend of the list

I'm looking for some help and suggestions. Due to my situation I am unable to attend homeschool fairs or hold curriculum in my hands to evaluate it for myself. I am asking if you could be eyes for me.

I have an 8yr. old boy/3rd. grade and a 6yr. old/1st. grade girl. My specific questions regard science, art and Bible teaching.

I am not sure what I want to do for science. We have sonlight grade 2 but just wondering what others use. Sometimes I find maybe we only have time for some nature observations, ect. hmmm maybe that is not all bad. thoughts?

I have Sister Wendy's Story of Painting. Good book, but was wondering how to use it. Suggestions? Also does anyone have other suggestions on how to teach both the skill of art as well as appreciation/history.

Finally, we are not attending a church with a strong Sunday school program. I need to teach my children Bible doctrine at home. Any suggestions? Also if you have any good titles to recommend for family devotions I would be happy for those also.

Thanks for taking the time to help me out. It is sincerely appreciated.

Various Reading Reward Programs

Here are a number of Reading Reward Programs

From L. Ryken:
1) Pizza Hut BookIt Incentive Program
http://bookitprogram.com/default.asp
http://bookitprogram.com/Enrollment/index.asp


From K. Moyer:
2)TD Bank Bonus $10 Summer Reading Program for Kids

TD Bank is offering a $10 banking bonus for kids who participate in the
TD Bank Summer Reading Program through September 30, 2009.

Kids just need to read 10 books this summer to get a $10 bonus from TD
Bank deposited into a new or existing Young Savers Account.

Here's How to Get the $10 TD Bank Summer Reading Program Bonus
1. Kids need to read 10 books over the summer before September 30, 2009.
2. Visit the TD Bank Summer Reading Program to print out the Summer
Reading Program Log Form.
3. Write down the names of the books that were read.
4. Take the form to your nearest TD Bank by September 30, 2009, to
receive the $10 banking bonus.


3) River Sharks Reading Program
Read 5 books and receive FREE ticket to the Riversharks Friday, May 7th game. There will be fireworks post-game and the students will be recognized on the field pre-game.
Grades pre-k to 12
Adults will need to purchase tickets 12.00 Purchase tickets after you recieve your childs tickets.
You can visit there Webpage at http://www.riversharks.com/schedule /index.cfm?month=5&year= 2010



4)Six Flags Six Hours Reading Club for 2010(over for 2010 but keep in mind for next year)

It's that time again! Time to start logging in any reading your child, grades K-6, do outside of school curriculum for the Six Flags Six Hour Reading Club! Register your children with an email to Living Water's Six Flags
Reading Club Coordinator, Ana Williams, at livingwaterhomeschool@comcast.net
(put "Six Flags Six Hour Reading" in the subject line please).

We will need:Your name;Your children's names;Their grade level;Your mailing address; Email address;Phone number

Here are the forms each family should print out:
http://sixflags.weeklyreader.com/downloads/Student_Reading_Log_En.pdf
http://sixflags.weeklyreader.com/downloads/Parent_Letter_En.pdf
http://sixflags.weeklyreader.com/downloads/Reading_Club_List.pdf
http://sixflags.weeklyreader.com/downloads/Reading_Club_Certificate.pdf
For those that don't know about Six Flags offer, children must read six hours beginning today, January 1st and ending February 15th. Six flags will give each child registered a free ticket to any Six Flags park, to be
used this summer, usually mid-June to early August. One teacher (parent) ticket per family too! Happy Reading!




From S.Duggan:

5) Both Barnes and Noble and Borders bookstores normally run summer reading programs where you pick up a form at the store, read a certain number of books and receive either a discount on certain purchases or a free book from a list of designated books.

6) Many public library's also have summer reading programs of various sorts, check with your children's librarian to see what they do.

Heart of the Matter On Line Conference

Sent in by J. Cedeno


February 22 - 24

We invite you to join us online for the bi-annual Heart of the Matter online homeschooling conference.

Are your feet dragging? Do you need a little pick-me-up? Winter is wrapping up and we are anxious for spring -- for green, for sunshine, for life, for a little oomph in our homeschool day. It's easy to get bogged down and for things to turn hum-drum.

Heart of the Matter Online is excited to bring you a Homeschool Refresher conference that is sure to give you a boost. This conference will feature some speakers chosen specifically for their ability to revive, rejuvenate, and renew the hearts and minds of their audience. You are sure to walk away motivated and inspired to achieve great things!

Conference speakers are:
Belinda Bullard, founder of A Blessed Heritage - How Will I Be Remembered? A Mom for all Seasons

Cindy Carrier, founder of Values Drive Family Ministry - Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers, OH MY!: Successfully Integrating Little Ones into Your Homeschool

Sheila Carroll, founder of Living Books Curriculum - Planning for Learning--Homeschool Planning the Charlotte Mason Way

Maggie Hogan, founder of Bright Ideas Press - 7 Highly Effective Habits of Happy Homeschool Moms

Kris, author of Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers - Adding Spark to Your Homeschool with Hands-on Learning

Katie Kubesh, co-founder of In the Hands of a Child - Beginning Lapbooking

Diane Lockman, author of Trivium Mastery and The Classical Scholar - Reading Aloud: The Key to Language Development

Carolyn Morrison & Jennifer Leonhard, authors of Guilt Free Homeschooling - Taking the Mystery Out of Learning Styles

Jim Mueller, founder of Bite Sized Physics - Bite-Size Physics

Dari Mullins, co-author of Galloping the Globe and Cantering the Country - I'm Homeschooling, but I'm NOT HAPPY

Jay Ryan, author of Classical Astronomy and Signs and Seasons - Topic TBA

Natalie Wickham, author of Pajama School - Everything Your Child Needs to Know and How to Teach it to Them

Carol Barnier, author of The Big WHAT NOW Book of Learning Styles, who will be speaking on What Are You Thinking? Learning Style and Beyond

Tim N. Scoggins, Founder & CEO, the National College Counseling Center, who will be speaking on Harnessing Higher Education Resources

Angela Parsley, founder of Refresh My Soul Ministries, who will be speaking on Homeschooling Obstacles and the Support you Need

What you can expect:
Live sessions, entirely online, with some of the educational community's most popular speakers and authors.
Free access to download and save the MP3's from all the sessions, as well as all the handouts, chat logs, and presentations.
Participation in real-time question and answer sessions with all your favorite speakers.
The opportunity to make some new life-long friends and experience some fun and fellowship. Read what attendees are saying about previous Heart of the Matter online conference.

Tickets are going super fast, so if you want to attend, you'll need to hurry and get your ticket. Due to the size of webinar conference room, we can only sell a certain number of tickets.

Purchase a ticket for only $12.95


An online audio conference uses the Internet as a conference venue. What this means to you is that you will be able to access the conference from anywhere in the world using standard browser software which we provide. This software is compatible with all computers including Macs and it is provided by us, to you, with the cost of admission. All you need is a computer, internet connection, and speakers!
The conference will happen in real time but it will be recorded so if you can't be there then you can still download the sessions to listen to at your convenience.

Free Online Magazine from PA Homeschoolers

Sent in by Jen C.

Pennsylvania Homeschoolers has now begun the transition to a fully online and interactive magazine publication at www.pahomeschoolers.com which will replace our print magazine. We have our first week of articles up online now, and we think you’ll really enjoy reading and browsing. All articles are archived in easy to use categories, so you’ll always be able to find postings of special interest to you—so if you have a high schooler and you’re primarily interested in our AP Online classes or other topics related to teens, such as college admissions or scholarships, you’ll be able to quickly find that information. And if you have younger kids, or want ideas for different curricular areas or general encouragement or family organization ideas, you’ll be able to find those pieces, too.

And for this two weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day, we’re also have a ‘special’ of an additional series of articles to inspire you to help keep the sparks alive in your primary relationship with your spouse—something that can be a real challenge for busy homeschooling parents!

So far we have the following articles posted:

· An intro on why we are moving to an online format

· Writing clubs for homeschoolers—why to start one, and a sample assignment

· ‘The Great Paper Chase’ from Cassandra Frear, on a great way to tame the ‘paper monster’ in your home

· A parent’s view of PA Homeschoolers AP (Advanced Placement) Online classes

· How to sign up for AP exams for your homeschoolers—one mom’s saga

· New research from Dr. Gary Welton on homeschoolers and socialization

You can also now subscribe via RSS feed – and of course the whole website magazine is free. There will be at least one new piece posted each week day. And you can also respond to any articles posted, at any time, sharing your thoughts and experiences—you’ll be a part of the learning and sharing here, and we look forward to hearing your voice, too!

We’d also really appreciate it if you could let any email groups for homeschoolers that you belong to know about our new format and our website link—we especially hope to reach out to those who might never have subscribed to our print publication, such as families involved in our AP classes who live outside PA. And of course we’ll still have a full range of topics related specifically to homeschoolers within PA, too—and all our regular features (support groups in PA, info on the PA homeschool law, our very active public message board, info on our achievement testing services, expanded list of PA evaluators, sample articles from past print newsletters and many links to other homeschooling sites… ) are still there ready for your learning.

Welcome, and do let us know your ideas for possible future articles—and let us know, too, if *you* might like to write one!

Susan and Howard Richman www.pahomeschoolers.com

Winter Blah's Busters Including Special Events and Holidays in Your School Day: Olympics, Valentines Day, Chinese New Year, Presidents Day

When my kids were little I built much of my school year, especially in the winter, around various holiday's and special occasions. We still do that today, though to a lesser degree, and find that it really helps put some fun into our normal routine while still providing some learning.

February (especially this year) holds lots of Possibilities:

For all these holidays (and other great resources) for crafts and worksheets I would suggest becoming a member of Enchanted Learning enchantedlearning.com I have found it to be a valuable resource for the grade school years.

Also lots of good stuff for many holidays at http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/index.htm which is a free site.



Feb 2nd Groundhogs Day:
Learn about groundhogs, hibernation, shadows and how they are formed. Find a book at the library about the actual animal and also look for fun picture books about groundhogs we found a few at our library!.

Here are two sites about the most famous groundhog and official predictor who lives right here in PA.

http://www.groundhog.org/

http://www.punxsutawneyphil.com/




February 5th: Constitution Day:

Learn a little about the US constitution, read some of it, study one of the signers, go to center city and visit the Constitution Center or Independence Hall http://constitutioncenter.org/


February 12th Start of Winter Olympics:

Learn about the host country and the games themselves http://www.vancouver2010.com/

Watch the opening ceremony and find countries on a map or globe; pick a couple of countries, other then the US to root for, follow how they do, learn about these countries and make copies of of their flags.

Lots of fun stuff here http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/winter_olympics.htm

Make your own medals and laurel wreaths to wear when your team wins an event you are watching.

learn about the various sports and their rules, talk about sportsmanship and how to be a good winner or looser.
Here is a great site that teaches some of the science behind some of the Olympic events:
http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/olympics/

Learn about the ancient Olympics and how they differ from the modern ones, and how the modern ones started.



Feb 14th: Valentines Day:
Learn about St. Valentine, Find out how Valentines Day got started, make some valentines for friends or for people who need to be encouraged, surprise your mail man, librarian or the lady who always rings up your order at the grocery store with one, or give one to an older member at Church.

Fun crafts to choose from here http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/valentines_day.htm



February 14th Start of Chinese New Year:

Learn a bit about China

Lots of fun stuff to do and info here to keep you busy!! Love this site!
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/chinese_new_year.htm


Go to Philadelphia's China Town for a meal, or dim sum (though this week it might very crowded but you could go later and give foods you read about now a try Joy Tsin Lau is our favorite http://maps.google.com/maps/place?sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=joy+tsin+lau+restaurant&fb=1&gl=us&hq=joy+tsin+lau+restaurant&hnear=Philadelphia,+PA&cid=5246055854701499710)

A great resource is the book "Moonbeams, Dumplings, and Dragon Boats" by Nina Simonds et al.

Also check your library for Chinese storys and fairy tales, books by authors Grace Lin and Demi are also good for this.

The University Of Pennsylvania http://www.penn.museum/ normally does a fun Chinese New Years event though I couldn't find mention of this years date.



Feb 15th Presidents Day:

Pick a president and read something about him.

This site from the White House has info. on the Presidents Mansions, Portraits of all the Presidents and other fun info. Check it out and don't worry about "learning" just enjoy looking at the things that interest you or seeing what all the presidents looked like, it is all groundwork for later study.

Also some stuff here: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/presidents_day.htm



Feb 16th Shrove or Fat Tuesday end of Mardigras:

Info. and Crafts here: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/mardi_gras.htm
and here: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/pancake_day.htm

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/shrove-tuesday Has some info on these Traditions in the US.


Make Pancakes and Sausage for dinner, this is the day that all fat in the house was used up by indulging in these things before the fasting and restraint from indulging that came with Lent.

In the United Kingdom they often have pancake races on this day, this site http://www.sideburn.demon.co.uk/olney/pancake.html gives some info. on this funny tradition.


Feb. 17th Ash Wednesday

Here is some basic info. on this religious observance.
http://protestantism.suite101.com/article.cfm/ash_wednesday_meaning_and_purpose
How might you incorporate this into your understanding of what God is doing in your life and how he wants you to grow?



Feb 28th Chinese Lantern Festival:

some background info. here.
http://www.chinavoc.com/festivals/lantern.htm

read some more of the story books you didn't get to for Chinese New Year

ENOCH Conference '10 Update

Sent in by Mary C.

I wanted to let Tenths homeschool group know that I received an email from Sue August concerning the ENOCH convention. And just fyi, The conference this yr. will be FREE admission for any family whose oldest child is not more that 5. Also, they unfortunately had to change the dates to May 14th-15th.

Here are some additional details sent in by Kathy M.



ENOCH Annual Homeschool Convention Update
By Sue August

Even though you're probably not thinking a whole lot about the ENOCH Convention yet,
some of our volunteer staff membersare! Here's a quick explanation of what's new and exciting for 2010.
. This year the convention dates are May 14-15, 2010. Mark your calendar now!

. Free admission for Parents ofPreschoolers - Parents whose oldest child is Age 5 or younger get in free if they register online. Part of ENOCH's mission is to spread the word about the advantages of homeschooling. By offering free admission to Parents of Preschoolers, we're hoping to make it easy for these young parents to explore theadvantages of homeschooling.

ENOCH needs your help! You are the ones who can get the word out to these families. Look around your neighborhoods and churches and be sure to invite families of young children to register for the convention - free of charge!

David Hazell, of My Father's World, will present a special series of workshops geared
especially for these families.

. Back by popular demand, we'll have Historical Happenings presenting our Children's Program. They will offer 3 two-hour sessions this year. The other 2 two hour sessions are tentatively being planned to have a science emphasis.

. Keynote Speakers will be Steve and Terri Maxwell and the rest of the Maxwell Family,and Rebecca Powell.

. Still in the works - Our Speaker Coordinator is working on putting together a special Teen Track. More details will be in upcoming issues of the ENOCH e-newsletter.

We'll keep you posted via the ENOCH of NJ e-newsletter as more of the details for the2010 Convention get firmed up.

To sign up for the newsletter visit www.enochnj.org.