Feb 10 2014

Mom Monday 6 – Thoughts on the Olympics

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Adriana Zoder

The Winter Olympics have started in Sochi, Russia, and it is impossible to ignore them. I have let the children watch a bit of the competition. They also colored some Olympics-themed pictures. I suppose it counts for arts and crafts in our homeschool.

Random thoughts about the Winter Olympics:

Sochi is so close to Romania, my home country – just on the other side of the Black Sea. It makes me a bit homesick.
The P&G commercial brings tears to my eyes every time I see it. “For teaching us that falling only makes us stronger, thank you, Mom.” I must keep this link close by for those days when I get tired of the mom job.
I can’t imagine what these olympians’ moms are feeling. Overwhelming pride and joy, of course, among other things like fear of injury.
During the Opening Ceremony, one of the American commentators remarked that Russia’s most amazing cultural accomplishments (art, music, ballet, literature) happened during turbulent times. The lesson for us? Adversity stirs up creativity. Those tough homeschooling days you have now and then, they could be the very times you produce your best results.
I don’t think Ashley Wagner should have been given the privilege of representing the US at Sochi. I understand the issue is not black and white. I wish her well, but I predict she will not medal in her individual event. Have you seen her competition?
The snowboarding dudes and dudettes are an inspiration. They are so relaxed.
Sage won the Snowboarding Slopestyle event by bringing in his own style. It teaches me that I need to take this thing called homeschooling and make it my own. I don’t need to be a purist classical homeschooler or a purist Charlotte Mason homeschooler or a purist anything. Instead, I need to learn what can be done and adapt it to our own situation. Wait, I’m already doing that. I am an eclectic homeschooler.

Feb 9 2014

Science, Not Exactly My Cup of Tea

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Adriana Zoder

Words do come easy to me. Science, well, that’s another thing altogether. Science is the subject I struggle with the most in our homeschool. So I delegate it to:

my husband
Ripley’s Aquarium
science4us.com (review post coming soon)

Let me put it this way: I made good grades in science when I was in school because I studied hard for every subject, but I did not enjoy science.

Daddy working with the kids on a science project. I gladly stood nearby, watched and took pictures.

The only science I enjoyed was Chemistry, especially Organic Chemistry, which we studied in the 11th grade in Romania. But I did not like Biology or Physics.

I just could not wrap my mind around mechanics. Oh, I could memorize facts and formulas and apply them to problems so that I could solve them and get a good grade on a test.

But it took me a long time to understand that if two trains are running in a similar direction, they approach each other at Speed 1 minus Speed 2, for instance. The weird thing is, I had no problem getting the concept that if these trains were to run toward each other, they would approach each other at Speed 1 plus Speed 2. Go figure.

For me, it is a lot easier to read a good piece of literature or to memorize the conjugation of French verbs. I love memorizing vocabulary and grammar rules. I thrive on it. But science? Eh, I could skip over it any day.

Thankfully, a homeschooling mom does not have to teach everything. So, I delegate science.

When my kids are studying with science4us.com, I just sit on the sidelines and answer questions, if need be. When daddy teaches them, I just watch and record it in my homeschool planner and record book. When my son is taking a homeschool science class at Ripley’s Aquarium, I sit back and enjoy. That is my strategy and I’m sticking to it.

To see what other moms struggle with in their homeschool, click the picture below.

Feb 3 2014

Mom Monday Week 5 – The Homeschool Mom’s Bible

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Adriana Zoder

A daily devotional time helps me a lot on this journey called homeschooling. The question is not, “Should I spend the time every day?” but “What exactly should I read?”

When I heard about the Homeschooling Mom’s Bible by Zondervan and Alpha Omega Publications, I knew that’s what I wanted to read this year. I could even choose a King James Version. (My affiliate link is NIV. They may have run out of KJV.)

I love the King James Version of the Bible. It’s so dignified – the way God’s words ought to be.

The Homeschool Mom Bible - The daily devotional pages got embedded into a KJV Bible published by Zondervan and Alpha Omega Publications.

My devotional this year, written by Janet Tatman, got embedded into a KJV Bible published by Zondervan and Alpha Omega Publications.

Written by Janet Tatman, you can find this devotional for free under the blog section of Alpha Omega Publications’ website.

That does not work for me, because they publish the devotionals one day at a time and I don’t read just one page a day. I read as many as it takes. Continue reading »

Jan 30 2014

Valentine’s Day Homemade Candy

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Adriana Zoder

Homeschooling allows for lots of time spent together in the kitchen, so here’s a science lesson with sweet lab results…

What says Valentine’s Day better than a homemade chocolate treat? Here’s a recipe I found in a magazine three years ago, which has been a great success with my family. There is a time to eat healthy and there is a time to enjoy a treat. This is the latter time.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Bonbons

Mix 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 5 Tbs. unsalted butter, at room temperature, and 1/2 tsp. vanilla in a large bowl.

Knead mixture until smooth, adding up to 1/2 cup more powdered sugar to prevent sticking.

My three-year-old daughter kneads the peanut butter and powdered sugar.

Roll dough into 1” balls and set on a wax paper-lined cookie sheet; chill 1 hour.

Here are the peanut butter balls getting ready to chill in the refrigerator for one hour.

Line 2 more cookie sheets with wax paper; set aside. Place assorted sprinkles in shallow bowls.

Microwave 1 1/2 cups light cocoa candy melts, stirring every 15 seconds, until smooth. I used a double-boiler because I find it easier.

: I honestly think it is faster and easier to melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler.

: In just two minutes, you should have this amazing chocolate paste to roll the peanut butter balls in. Try not to lick the spoon.

Drop the balls 5 at a time in the melted chocolate to coat. Removed balls with a fork allowing excess chocolate to drip off. Roll balls in sprinkles to coat. Place on the lined cookie sheets. Repeat with the remaining balls, then chill until chocolate is set. Makes about 40 bonbons.

The last step is the most laborious and you will remember why you only do this once a year. Not just because they are so rich…

I promise your homeschool will be very cheerful the day you make this recipe with the children and then enjoy it with them and hubby.

Jan 28 2014

Get 20% off Plus Free Shipping at Alpha Omega Publications

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Adriana Zoder

One of the reasons I homeschool is that I believe in delayed academics. Preschool and kindergarten seem incredibly overrated nowadays, probably because I went to school at six and a half. It was called first grade and I did fine.

There is a time to order a curriculum set in a box – like when you don’t have time or energy to hunt for free printables online, as nice as they are.

Preschool does not mean worksheets, but worksheets may be a part of a solid preschool experience. So what does a proper preschool experience look like?

free play with simple toys (no batteries, please)
time spent outside – nature walks, playground, gardening, tricycle riding
story time at the library
parents reading appropriate books out loud, at least 20 minutes daily
painting
drawing with crayons or chalk
sculpting with play dough (here’s a recipe)
helping in the kitchen
dusting furniture
helping with laundry
listening to classical and sacred music
singing
introduction to family’s religious values
cleaning up play room and own bedroom
some worksheets if preschooler shows interest

My preschooler is a girl who loves worksheets. For next year, I ordered the Horizons Preschool Curriculum Set from Alpha-Omega Publications. Since I don’t always have the time or energy to look for appropriate free printables online, I wanted a reliable source of “seatwork” I can reach for whenever she says, “I want to do school.”

Their sample sheets online gave me a good idea of what the books will be like. However, it was my first time dealing with this company and I had more in-depth questions. I did not want to order online until I spoke with someone. The lady who helped me was super nice.

If you, too, would like to ask questions and, maybe, order over the phone, call Kathy Nelson at Alpha Omega Publications. Her direct number is 1-800-811-8066 Ext # 4336. I receive no kickbacks from recommending her or this product.

Jan 27 2014

Mom Monday Week 4 – Are You A Teacher?

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Adriana Zoder

After my father-in-law’s memorial service, a friend of the family told me how impressed she was with my six-year-old son, who had the courage to stand in front of a hundred people and read Psalm 23. “Does he go to the local school?” “No, he doesn’t,” I replied. “We homeschool.”

She looked perplexed. “Are you a teacher?” I told her that I have a degree in publications and that teaching one’s children at home does not require a teaching degree or a teaching license. If you can read, write and do basic math, you can pick up a primer and take it from there.

Her body language told me she did not understand. She congratulated me for having the courage to take on the task of homeschooling. I said, “That’s exactly what it takes. Courage.”

I have read to my children since infancy. Here’s my daughter in October 2010, enjoying some reading with mom before bedtime.

I walked away from that conversation feeling secure with my choice to homeschool. In my mind, homeschooling starts at birth or even before. Pre-natal influences can start a baby on the right path, or not. I know because, for three years, I worked with teenagers who had been diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome at birth. Continue reading »

Jan 24 2014

5 Days of Homeschool Essentials, Day 5 – Craft Materials

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Adriana Zoder

(This post on craft materials as homeschooling essentials contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.)

Even high school students need poster board, right? And some fancy-schmancy markers? But when you homeschool elementary and preschool kids, like I do, craft materials become an essential. I would even put this before a few others I have mentioned. So last, but not least, here’s my #5 homeschooling essential: craft materials.

A simple Google search will reveal all sorts of ideas for crafts. For those of us who are craft-challenged, a curriculum like Home Art Studio will be worth every penny. Some of the projects you see here came from their DVD. I plan to do a full review on this curriculum in February.

Children mix red and yellow paint to obtain orange.

My kids mixed red and yellow to make orange, then painted small paper plates orange. They were so proud of their creations.

Small children love crafts and they develop so many skills through cutting and pasting, threading and buttoning, matching and measuring. Crafts are the perfect activity during which they have fun and learn at the same time, without realizing they are doing so.

Crafts don’t have to be difficult: paint a whole paper orange, let it dry, draw a circle, cut it out. Also, cut out triangles and mount on blue construction paper. Add details like eyes, mouth and clouds.

Your craft cabinet should contain inexpensive items (Dollar Stores come to mind) like:

scissors
glue
construction paper
scrap paper in different colors
card stock
crayons
markers
paint (different types)
brushes (different sizes)
stickers
play dough

Purple play dough flower, with stem and leaves

My daughter and I made purple play dough. It’s her favorite color. Then, we cut it out with our flower shape. We rolled the stem. For the leaves, we flattened bits of play dough.

Simple household items you already have will come in handy, like:

egg cartons (make sure they are clean)
paper plates
scotch tape
a stapler
cereal boxes
yarn
a hole puncher
brown paper bags
raffia
manila folders

Another simple project: kids love tracing their own hands. Then, have them paint them.

Here’s my suggestion: bite the bullet and invest in the ultimate Crayola Play Doh set. Then, the only thing you need to do is make your own play dough every six months. It’s certainly cheaper than buying it. Bonus: you appear even bigger and wiser to your children for producing play dough right in your kitchen. By the way, they will love to help you measure and knead.

Need a simple play dough recipe? Here it is:

1 cup flour

1/2 c salt

1 tablespoon cream of tartar

1 cup water

1 tablespoon oil

food coloring

Cook in saucepan over medium heat until mixture pulls away from sides of pan and becomes like play dough in consistency. Knead until cool. It will stay soft in airtight container. No need to refrigerate.

For more essentials, check out these blogs from my friends at the TOS Review Crew below:

Laura @ Day by Day in Our World

Julie @ Nurturing Learning

Lisa @ Farm Fresh Adventures

DaLynn @ For the Display of His Splendor

Lori @ At Home: where life happens

Nicole @ Journey to Excellence

Brandy @ Kingdom Academy Homeschool

Meg @ Adventures with Jude

Sarah @ Delivering Grace

Jan 23 2014

5 Days of Homeschool Essentials, Day 4 – An Internet Connection

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Adriana Zoder

The internet has changed our lives so much, I don’t know how we managed before it. I know people who homeschool without internet at home. It is possible. After all, pioneering homeschoolers of the 80s and 90s all managed without it.

My children coloring a page as they follow instructions from Kinderbach.com – our piano curriculum online

However, the internet makes it so easy for me to teach. Here are some ways in which the internet plays an essential role in my homeschool:

researching homeschooling in general and curriculum in particular
inspiration from other blogging, homeschooling moms
finding the best deals on curriculum
downloading free printables
science4us.com, mangolanguages.com, kinderbach.com, k5learning.com – all these curricula, which we currently use, are online. I will be writing reviews on all of them in a few weeks, by the way.
finding about the weather, which can change our plans for the (following) day. Who has time for the TV news to get to the weather forecast? We live in a mountain town, with steep neighborhood streets. Our driveway is at an incline, too. Not bad, compared to other homes around our town, but enough to make it dangerous to walk to the mailbox when it freezes over. Even getting two inches of snow means we are snowed in.
Amazon Prime, baby! Love it, love it, love it.
Google Translate – sometimes I draw a blank when my kids ask me for a word in French or Romanian or Spanish. Then, I tell them, “Let’s look it up!” Bonus: they learn the process of getting information.
blogging – the multitude of opportunities for dialogue and sponsorship a blogging, homeschooling mom exposes herself to is astounding.
Code.org – if you want your children to learn how to program a computer, you’ve got it made with this site.
The Khan Academy – my children are too young for it still, but we look forward to diving into this free resource for math, science, history, economics, with subjects being added regularly.

To see what my fellow crew members see as a homeschooling essential today, please click on their websites below:

Laura @ Day by Day in Our World

Julie @ Nurturing Learning

Lisa @ Farm Fresh Adventures

DaLynn @ For the Display of His Splendor

Lori @ At Home: where life happens

Nicole @ Journey to Excellence

Brandy @ Kingdom Academy Homeschool

Meg @ Adventures with Jude

Sarah @ Delivering Grace

Jan 22 2014

5 Days of Homeschool Essentials, Day 3 – A Support Group

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Adriana Zoder

When I started researching homeschooling, I looked at the internet (worldwide search), which directed me to HSLDA (national organization supporting homeschoolers legally in the US), which directed me to THEA (Tennessee Home Education Association – my state’s Christian homeschooling support group).

Which directed me to SMHEA (Smoky Mountains Home Education Association – our regional support group), which directed me to the EDGE (Empowering Disciples through Godly Education – a local co-op), which lead me to Sevier County Homeschooling Group – a support group for homeschoolers in my county.

EDGE homeschool co-op students in Seymour, TN

My children and other EDGE students on their first day of homeschool co-op, August 2012. My children were only two and four at the time – how time flies.

I attend the Sevier County Homeschoolers’ monthly Parent Support Night and it helps me so much. There’s something to be said about socialization, you know? I say that tongue-in-cheek, of course.

We bring some food, share a few things that happened in our homeschools, ask a few questions, get some answers, have a devotional, and win a door prize (or not). Good ol’ fellowship with like-minded moms while the kiddos are at home with their dads goes a looooong way.

These are my people. Homeschooling moms.

When I meet a homeschooling mom, we have an instant connection.

We get it.

We dig each other.

We know what it’s like to feel called.

We know how it feels to put our noses to the homeschooling grind every morning.

Homeschooling moms must have a support group to get started, to keep going and to successfully reach the finish line, a.k.a. graduation.

That’s why a support group is my #3 homeschooling essential. Check out some more essentials from my friends on the TOS Review Crew:

Laura @ Day by Day in Our World

Julie @ Nurturing Learning

Lisa @ Farm Fresh Adventures

DaLynn @ For the Display of His Splendor

Lori @ At Home: where life happens

Nicole @ Journey to Excellence

Brandy @ Kingdom Academy Homeschool

Meg @ Adventures with Jude

Sarah @ Delivering Grace

Jan 21 2014

5 Days of Homeschool Essentials, Day 2 – A Library Card

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Adriana Zoder

When I decided I was going to homeschool, I started doing more serious research. Until then, I had read some about what homeschooling is and how it can be done. But now that it was official and we were going to homeschool for sure, it was time to make a list of lists and get to reading all those books I had heard about.

Children's librarian plays dominoes with boy and girl

Ms. Ethel playing dominoes with my kids after Story Time

I decided to look into my local library‘s resources, although I did not think I would find anything there. After all, we live in an exemplary school system and a small town. Homeschoolers are scant to non-existent. Why would the library provide homeschooling books?

I sheepishly asked the librarian if they had a homeschooling section. She said, “Sure. Let me show you where it is.” She took me there and motioned to half a shelf of books, many of which were on my list.

My list, by the way, originated from a website run by the local homeschool support organization. Their motto was, “We have combed the shelves so you don’t have to.” Their list of seven homeschooling books represented the cream of the crop. Wonder of wonders, my library had most of them.

I was so excited, I was in tears. Tears of joy. My local library had most of the books to get me started on this journey. When I walked back to my seat at Story Time, another mom saw my armful of books and their titles. She leaned over and asked, “Are you going to homeschool?” I said, “Probably,” and waited for a gasp of horror.

She beamed and said, “We will, too.” I could not believe it. Now it was really hard to blink back the tears.

Coming to the library that morning, I thought I would not find much support. Not only did I find the homeschooling books I needed, I also found a kindred spirit in this other homeschooling mom.

I got books from the library for “Before Five in A Row” or for my reading list from “Books Children Love.” We get books the kids pick out every time we go there for Story Time. Last year, we saved $1,700 by using our local library instead of purchasing the books we read.

We attend Story Time regularly. Ms. Ethel, the children’s librarian, faithfully puts programs together which include reading, then a craft or a game. Summer Reading Programs provide great opportunities for learning, as well.

Need I say more? If the library cannot help you homeschool for free, it can definitely help you homeschool for less.

Check out more homeschooling essentials from some of my crew members:

Laura @ Day by Day in Our World

Julie @ Nurturing Learning

Lisa @ Farm Fresh Adventures

DaLynn @ For the Display of His Splendor

Lori @ At Home: where life happens

Nicole @ Journey to Excellence

Brandy @ Kingdom Academy Homeschool

Meg @ Adventures with Jude

Sarah @ Delivering Grace