Author Archives: Adriana Zoder

Jul 2 2015

25 Best Homeschooling Books

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According to my umbrella school coordinator, homeschooling moms should keep themselves fresh by reading at least one or two books – an in-service for homeschool moms per year. Take 30 minutes in the morning, before your household wakes up, and read these books to strengthen your outlook on homeschooling. At some point, you will want to start reading the classic books of Western Civilization, if you have not read them before children (see #1 and #4 below).

Please note that I am an Amazon affiliate. Here’s a link to my aStore with all the books listed below.

Bookshelf filled with books

One of my bookshelves, in dire need of organization.

1. Well-Educated Mind by Susan Wise Bauer

2. Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer

3. The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by Debra Bell

4. How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading by Mortimer Adler

5. The Original Homeschooling Series by Charlotte Mason  Continue reading »

Jul 2 2015

Thoughtful Thursday Week 27 – Homeschool Conferences

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I have said it before, and I will say it again: homeschooling parents should attend a homeschool conference at least once a year. Sorry for should-ing all over you, but you should. I am not saying you should spend money on transportation, hotels and restaurants to get to one. But if you have a local event, by all means change your schedule, get a second job to pay for the fee, volunteer at the conference for discounts, do whatever it takes and attend.

Adriana Zoder and Susan Wise Bauer at the Appalachian Home Educators Conference in Knoxville, June 2015

With Susan Wise Bauer at the Appalachian Home Educators Conference in Knoxville, June 2015

The reason people don’t attend homeschool conferences is that they don’t think they will get enough value out of them. I know, I know, some of you are saying, “That’s not true. Some actually can’t afford a conference.” I can agree with that only for the extremely poor, but even they make an effort to earn some extra money for something they deem valuable.

Ultimately, it is human nature to choose activity A over activity B because activity B does not offer as much satisfaction or perceived value as activity A. Sure, I understand schedule conflicts. I also understand lack of resources. I even understand the fact that homeschooling parents are afraid of being made to feel inadequate in their efforts by so-called homeschooling experts.  Continue reading »

Jun 30 2015

Story of the World, Vol. 1, Chapter 42

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Chapter 42 is the last chapter in the Story of the World volume 1. It deals with the end of Rome.

The map gives the children a chance to identify continents and countries.

We made a Roman emperor scepter for our craft or activity. I knew we had all the materials around the house, so I did not need to improvise or buy anything new.

Scepter Craft

Recycled dowel and old tennis ball, getting ready to find new life together as a scepter

I can’t believe we’ve done it! We have finally finished it… I don’t know if it would have taken me less time had I not been blogging about it. Sometimes blogging about each chapter slowed me down, but other times it motivated me to work with them through some of the activities (besides coloring and map work).  Continue reading »

Jun 29 2015

Story of the World, Vol. 1, Chapter 41

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Chapter 41 talks about the attacking barbarians: Attila the Hun, Stilicho, and the Visigoths.

My son decided to draw a picture of Attila the Hun based on the description by Edward Gibbon, who is quoted in the Story of the World.

Attila the Hun sketched by a boy

My son sketched Attila based on the description in the activity book

The kids were really disgusted by the Huns’ habit of eating raw meat which had been spiced up between their saddles and their horse. Continue reading »

Jun 28 2015

Story of the World, Vol. 1, Chapter 40

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By the time we reach the end of the school year and the end of the history book, Rome begins to weaken and this is also the title of Chapter 40. The Celts and Boadicea captured our imagination.

The kids colored the queen of the Celts in pretty pink and green colors. Then, we had a Celtic feast as suggested in the Activity Book: berries, grape juice, bread, and (vegetarian) chicken.

Celtic Feast

Grape juice instead of wine, berries, bread and vegetarian chicken patties

We ate with our hands, as no silverware was allowed. Continue reading »

Jun 25 2015

Thoughtful Thursday Week 26 – Summer Camp

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Our son attended Cohutta Springs Youth Camp in Crandall, GA for five days (and five nights). It was very difficult to be without him for me. I missed him a lot, especially the first day. Deciding to send him there was a God thing back in May, so now that it was all done and settled, I prayed harder for peace. Peace finally came, along with confirmations that he was having a wonderful time. One of the counselors happens to be our sitter and she texted me by the second day that he was doing well and enjoying his time there.

He really enjoyed himself there. Every day, each cabin experienced four activities from a list which included: archery, swimming, BMX, the blob (giant air-filled pillow floating on their lake), banana boat rides (two boats shaped like bananas, connected in the middle, three kids per side), creative arts (they painted ceramic turtles), canoeing, indoor sports in the gym on rainy days, and more. Each cabin had their own worship time in the morning and then, as a whole, the campers assembled for morning and evening worship.

They put pictures on their secure site for parents to look at and it was fun to look for our son’s lovely face every day. He did not appear in the slide shows every day, as they could not get all the kids in there. When we did spot him, it was such a strange feeling: our son, so far away, having fun and living life away from us for almost a week.

Children and counselor at Cohutta Springs Youth Camp

My son (Superman shirt) with friends plus their counselor

It is not exactly a good feeling, but I decided I was going to be brave and accept the cycle of life. Children grow up. Continue reading »

Jun 18 2015

Thoughtful Thursday Week 25 – Continuing Education

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Last month, my sister graduated from a Romanian university with a master’s in education. I am so proud of her. She has been working on this degree for years, a bit at a time, as time and circumstances allowed. In addition to being a mom and an author, my sister has been working for a Christian radio station for more than two decades. She is not really planning on being a teacher, but she felt this master degree would give her the knowledge to continue to write and produce children’s radio programs.

The AL Abacus from Right Start Mathematics

The AL Abacus we use from Right Start Mathematics has two sides, for different operations.

As homeschooling moms, we also ought to invest in ourselves through continuing education. It is not only traditional classroom teachers who need in-service days. Home educators should read at least one book a year about how to teach. Summer time is the best time for this, of course, because many of us take at least a month off from teaching actively. Continue reading »

Jun 17 2015

Wonderful Wednesday – Box Turtles

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We have been doing nature walks here and there, but I recently felt impressed to take it more seriously. Childhood obesity rates and nature deficit disorder motivate me to a degree, but the most important reason is that I want my children to learn from the book of nature. Nature is like a book in which we can “read” about our Creator. Then, of course, there is the issue of health and exercise and spending time outdoors and bonding with natural things.

Boy and girl taking a nature walk

Ready for a nature walk

As I was wondering how to proceed in a more systematic fashion, I received an email from Handbook of Nature Study, a blog I subscribe to and use off and on. I remembered how they have this great membership site now and they offer so much for so little. Plus, they sent a coupon for the summer (the offer ended a few days ago, I think, but I am sure they will offer more coupons as the seasons change, so stay tuned).

Daisies

Wild daisies near our home

I invested in the Ultimate Naturalist Library because I will do these activities if I pay for them. It is human nature. We don’t always appreciate free things. But if we pay for a book, we are probably going to read it. In this case, we are talking about a lot of nature walks and challenges in order to discover our backyard and the different species of flora and fauna around us. It will also motivate us to get outside.

Black-winged dragonfly

Mystery insect (dragonfly?)

Every season, there are excuses for staying indoors. Continue reading »

Jun 11 2015

Thoughtful Thursday Week 24 – Completion

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Learning never ends, but school years do. After 180 days of school, we were happy to take our children out for a nice lunch at The Wild Plum Tea Room and give them their Certificates of Completion. Our son finished first grade, and our daughter Pre-Kindergarten.

We would like to go to the same restaurant every year for this event, but maybe that’s not necessary. Maybe every year we will feel like trying a different place. Who knows what the future will bring?

Completion

But The Wild Plum was a great choice for this year. They serve their delicious orange tea and many healthy choices.

Too bad it is not exactly man food. Our principal was not too fond of their menu, but we made it through and had a good time as a family (and school).  Continue reading »

Jun 8 2015

Story of the World, Vol. 1, Chapter 39

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Rome and the Christians or Chapter 39 brought up the subject of persecution. I have been enjoying ancient Rome up about until this point. Nero and all the Christian martyrs, not to mention how poor ol’ misguided Constantine and his Sunday law pretty much end all the fun I had with Rome.

Map of Roman Empire colored by boy

Map colored by my son

We made a secret symbol for our family. Continue reading »