Free or Frugal Homeschool on Friday

Ooh I am excited about the first one I am going to share.  I just found this website, when I was browsing new apps in the playstore.  I signed up for the app, and now I have signed up on their website.  Coursera offers free courses, most taught by colleges.  You can get a certificate for some of them, for 49 dollars.  DJ will be starting the Introduction to Forensics, that starts on Monday, and runs for 8 weeks.  I actually am going to replace it with the Science he is currently doing, since he is almost done with that anyways.  I can not wait for him to dig in and give this a try.  I want to take it too, and may sign up for the next class when it is available. 

Next is McRel Lesson Plan Library.  This is a new website to me as well, so I can only share it and encourage you to check it for yourself.  


Last, but not least, for this week, is the Watch Know Learn website.  They offer thousands of videos for History, and other classes.  We use it mainly for History.  They are a nice supplement to the American History we are learning right now.  Read the chapter, then find the video that corresponds to what you read, and History becomes more fun. 

Be sure to check back next week, for more awesome resources to help in your homeschooling journey.

Free Flashcards at Sudy Stack

Anyone who knows this blog, knows that I spend Summer doing Spring cleaning of my house, my homeschool supplies, and everything else. This blog is due for some Spring cleaning matter of fact. Anyways, one of the new websites I found this Summer, is Study Stack. Now, I have only tried it briefly, but my kids like to learn in a variety of ways. Usually, on Friday they get to play games and other avenues of learning. Since the computer is super important to them, they would prefer those games be online. Study Stack is not really a game, but an online flashcard generator for all subjects, even foreign language. I love flashcards, because they repeat things over and over, and that is the best way to retain information. So, my kids will definitely be giving this website a try. There is another one, I like too, but for some reason the site is down, so I can not share it yet.

Spring Is In The Air

It is Spring, yay! It actually starts acting like spring in early February, here in Florida. So we have been experiencing it for sometime now. Spring is when everything wakes up from up its long winter nap, and is reborn. Baby animals are born, as well as new flowers and leaves. Caitlin has been learning about the seasons and will begin working on her Spring door tomorrow. We color Spring pictures, cut them out and tape them to the door. Since I don't have bulletin boards, this works well for us. I did find some I could print on Edhelper for bulletin board themes, but they are huge and use a lot of ink. Below are some fun videos for you to share with your little learners. There are baby farm animals, baby farm animal story book, and a drawing lesson on drawing a baby lamb. Caitlin will be doing each of these tomorrow, along with other lessons. I use Edhelper for printables, but DLTK Kids, and TLS Books, offer free resources for your Spring time lessons. Edhelper has some free ones, but I am not sure which ones, but you could search around. Edhelper only costs me 20 dollars a year, and I love their resources. Plus we plant tomatoes, and cucumbers, which are always a great Science lesson, and affordable and easy.

Free Speech And Dog Fighting

I am a firm believer in free speech. It is one of the great things about this country. However, I have to say the Supreme Court did not make any sense to me yesterday, when they ruled that taping, and distributing dog fighting matches was considered free speech, and therefore protected under the Constitution.

I am sorry but the last time I checked dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states. If you are taping the event, and then distributing it for profit, or pleasure that would make you an accessory, or accessory after the fact, according to our own laws. An accessory either encourages an illegal act, has knowledge of an illegal act, or tries to cover up an illegal act. Would that not include taping dog fighting acts then either selling those tapes, or in any way sharing them with others? I thought the Supreme Court was supposed to interpret the law. This makes absolutely no sense to me, and why would they want to protect something so disgusting. Can you tape a rape, murder, or child molestation, and distribute as free speech, and be protected from the law? Of course not, that would make you an accessory to the crime, punishable under the law. This was a mistake, I think, on the part of the Supreme Court of this great country.

Lesson Plans For 04/22/10:

We will be playing catch up of previous lessons, due to illness on Tuesday.

DJ:
Reading: Read chapters 44-46 of Black Beauty with summary
Math: Digit identification, perimeter, division
Language Arts: Root words, capitalization
Reading Comprehension
Vocabulary
Sign Language: Review

Caitlin:
Matching worksheet
Phonics: Short E
Math: Addition
Flash Cards
Site Words
Reading: Pick two books from reading list
Money Identification

Homeschool Book Sale, Sign Language, Brain Pop, Suicide Kits

I have tons of things to share with you today. Yesterday, I forgot to share the freebie of the day, but you can still go to Homeschool Radio Shows, to get the Laura Ingalls Wilder the Long Winter MP3 audio download. They have others available to for free, and they add new ones all the time, so sign up for their newsletter. We just read the Little House book, so I was excited to see this. I also got The Silver Skates, for free, another book we are reading later in the year. Check it out, and see if you can use it. Today's freebie is Fireside Cheer, and a great resource all about fireplaces, you can get it here. They only last for 24 hours, so don't delay.

I am one of those crazy women, who buy way ahead. I have already bought Halloween costumes, marked down to three dollars. I also went homeschool workbook shopping last night. I got all of DJ's books, with the exception of Art, and even some great Science readers, all for 65 bucks at Christian Book. I love this company. They offer great products at great prices, and they will tell you if a book is nonsecular or not. Because I supplement book work with online work, I don't like to spend a ton of money, to get what I need.

Tomorrow is Health class, and we have been doing Nutrition, for the past few years. I found a new resource called Brain Pop, and Brain Pop Jr. They offer short videos on different topics, and an online test, you can print once completed. You can join for free, and try it out. It is 99 dollars for a full membership, so I would like feedback from anyone that is a paying member, to let me know if that is a good value. The videos are short, so I am not really sure. Nutrition is one of the free ones offered, so we are doing it, and we already did wind, which we covered previously.

This next one is just a warning for all my mom, and dad readers. There is a new website that appears to be a forum based site talking about suicide kits, and takes recommendations on new ways to commit suicide, to make new kits. No matter how you feel about suicide, or what you think your kids may or may not ever do, please be aware it is there, and that people appear to be using it. I personally find it very disturbing. I have no idea if they actually make the kits or not, or make them available. I think this person needs help immediately. Do you know what your kids are doing?


Lesson Plans For 01/07/10:

DJ:
Spelling: Write each word three times each
Language Arts: Main Ideas at Brain Pop, Writing
Math: Problem solving, fractions, multiplication, division
Health: Nutrition with test at Brainpop
Sign Language: Colors
Cursive Writing

Caitlin:
Alphabet Book: Letter R
Sign Language: Colors
Site Words
Flash Cards: Number to word identification
Math: Basic measuring
Reading: HOP Hip O Gets a Pet
Printing Practice

Parts Of A Plant

Yesterday I had a guest blogger, so I didn't get to post any lesson plans. If you home school, check out the post, it is very good.


Lesson Plans For 11/03/09:

DJ:
Science: Animal classifications review, Parts of a plant. Check out these two cool websites, to help your little one learn the parts of plants http://www.botanical-online.com/lasplantasangles.htm, http://www.mbgnet.net/bioplants/parts.html
Language Arts: Verbs, adverbs, prefixes
Cursive writing
Spelling/Vocab: Look up the definition for each word
Math: Subtract with zeros, addition, word problems

Caitlin:
Reading: HOP Tub Fun
Math: Animal counting
Printing practice
Alphabet book: Letter A, see below
Site words
Spider web craft: Cutting and pasting exercise
Emotions: Worksheet

Lesson Plans for 11/04/09:

DJ:
Social Studies: Thanksgiving, pilgrims, the Mayflower see video below
Language Arts: Verbs, prefixes, exact nouns
Cursive writing
Spelling/Vocab: Write each spelling word two times each
Math: Multiplication, division, subtraction

Caitlin:
Social Studies: Thanksgiving, pilgrims, the Mayflower
Reading: HOP Tub Fun
Math: Adding to ten worksheet
Printing Practice
Alphabet Book: Letter B
Site words
Opposites: Worksheet

Caitlin has completed all the letter worksheets, and is now making the alphabet book. To do this take the worksheets, and glue them to a piece of construction paper, then find, and paste other things that start with the letter A. The child should do this with help from the teacher/parent. Once the book is completely assembled, you can use it for phonics, letter identification, word association, etc.

Essay Writing Workshops At Currclick

Introducing Essay Writer's Workshop - offering fun, thematic, and effective writing skills to homeschoolers. Plus, an essay from one of our Essay Writer's Workshop Students, Kaitlyn Adams.

Don't miss this Christmas-themed Writing Workshop! Classes begin M-F, November 30-Dec. 4 from 12-12:30 ET This is a festive workshop designed for children ages 6-10. We will learn the art to writing a thoughtful letter of request to Santa. I will also stress the importance of appreciation as we learn to compose letters of thanks to Santa and other important people in our lives. Popular children's literature will also be incorporated into the lessons. This is a great way for your child to learn a valuable skill while having loads of fun. If you have any questions about the class, please email me at darbyshea@hotmail.com. Click here for more information... Regular Price $30, Our Price $25.00 Do a fun Turkey Day project and share it with the rest of the class! Classes are Monday-Friday beginning November 9-13th from 12-12:30 p.m. ET Paragraph Writing Workshop: The tools you need to write a fantastic Thanksgiving-themed paragraph! This is a workshop specifically designed to give students the tools they need when writing a paragraph. The class is designed for early writers between the ages 7-10. The child should know how to write a complete sentence before taking this course. Feel free to email me directly if you are concerned about the level the of this course or if you have any questions about the format. darbyshea@hotmail.com In this workshop, we will go step by step through the writing process. We will create paragraphs together using gotomeeting.com. This will allow the students to participate in creating, revising and editing paragraphs. This is a 5 class course. Each class will last 30 minutes. Parental support is necessary for this course due to the ages of the students. The class is regularly $30.00 for five, ½ hour classes but it is being offered at $25.00 as a special offer to my customers. There are 24 available slots for this class. This class will use the CurrClickLive Virtual Classroom. Computer microphone and headset and a high-speed internet connection are required. Instructions for using the virtual classroom will be sent out to all students before the first class. If you have any questions about the class, please email me at darbyshea@hotmail.com. Click here for more information... Regular Price $30, Our Price $25.00 Sign up Now for the December session of the 5 Paragraph Essay $60 for 10 hours of instruction M-F from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Eastern Dec.7-11th, Dec. 14-18 In this workshop, we will go step by step through the writing process. We will create 2 five paragraph essays using pre writing strategies, thesis development, drafting, revision and editing techniques. Daily seminars will be held for one hour, outlining the skills being taught for that day. The students will work on completing two five paragraph essays during the course. This class is for students between grades 8 and 12. Throughout the week the student will work on various projects given and submit it before the next scheduled seminar. The cost of the class is $60.00 per 10 hours of instruction. There are 24 available slots for this class. This is a workshop specifically designed to give students the tools they need when writing a five paragraph essay. Essay writing is important when taking exams and formulating answers to specific questions. A good essay writer is able to organize their thoughts in a way that guides their reader through their thought process and answers all parts of a question with accuracy and specific details. If you have any questions about the class, please feel free to email me at darbyshea@hotmail.com. Click here for more information... Regular Price $75, Our Price $60.00 For the Inside Scoop on CurrClick Live, follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

Keeping your Body Healthy, Spiritually and Physically By Kaitlyn Adams, Age 12 It is very important to keep our bodies fit, spiritually and physically, because it keeps us connected with our body and with God. Food and nutrition are important to our bodies because that is what our body will run on. Exercising is also a huge necessity because it makes our bodies stronger and it keeps us internally and externally fit. Keeping our soul fit is the most important of all because it is important to keep our spirit pure and important to keep in touch with our creator, Jesus Christ, our God. What we put into our bodies is a very important factor of our health because this will determine what our bodies are going to function on. It is absolutely essential that we eat healthy. Putting nutritious foods into our bodies are like fuel to keep our bodies running. Eating candy or “junk food” is okay every once in a while, but if we continually fuel ourselves with “junk food”, our bodies will start to slow down and eventually die quicker than normal. The food pyramid is a great way to prioritize what we eat. It helps us keep on track and realize how we should be eating rather than what we are really eating on a daily basis. Another thing that helps to keep our bodies healthy is vitamins. Taking assorted types of vitamins can benefit the internal and external parts of our bodies and help boost our immune systems. I want to stress how important it is to take vitamins to keep our bodies healthy and strong when we are young because our bones stop growing when we are old. Keeping our bodies healthy as a youth can really affect how fit our body will be when we get older. Eating healthy is an essential part of our lives because nutrition and good eating habits will put us one step closer to healthy living. Have you ever heard the expressions “use it, or lose it”? It’s true! If we do not use our body, our muscles and skin will become weak and flabby and our hearts and lungs will not function efficiently. Eventually, we will not be able to move at all. Our bodies were made to move, they actually crave it. Regular exercise is necessary to prevent the probability of getting a disease. Over 95% of people that don’t exercise are more prone to disease. Exercising is very important if we want to control our weight. If we do not exercise at all, we gain unnecessary calories that tag onto our skin and make us fat. Exercising can also build our stamina. For instance, if you want to be a professional biker, you have to work on it every day. You cannot complete a marathon on your first day because your stamina has not been built up yet. This goes for any sport. Exercise is extremely important because it keeps our bodies externally fit as well as internally fit! Most importantly, it is essential to keep your mind spiritually fit. Having a good relationship with your family is a definite plus because they are the ones that live with us and know our struggles. If there we develop a good relationship with our families we can rely on them to keep us accountable for our decisions. Making god choices in friends is also important. They can keep us accountable and they’ll always be there whenever we need them. In Proverbs 17:17 it says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Most importantly, it is necessary to have a one-on-one relationship with your Lord, Jesus Christ. Praying to Him and reading your bible everyday can refresh your soul to His word. In the Book of John 1:1 it says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”God will listen to our every cry, but we have to tell him things in order for Him to talk to us. God’s love is so deep for us. He loves us no matter what and he will always be there for us. In 1 John 4:19 we are told, “We love because He first loved us.” It is very important to have special relationships with friends, family, and most importantly, God, so that our spirit will be spiritually fit. Being physically and spiritually healthy is very important because the bible tells us to make good use of what he gave us. He gave us bodies, and to live physically productive lives. Eating healthy and keeping track of what we eat is beneficial to our body Exercise is important because it helps prevent disease, control our weight, and increases our stamina. Spiritual fitness is the most important because we are communicating with our very own creator and feeding our soul the Word of God. If we keep our body and spirit fit, we can succeed in every which way in life. About Toni Williams of Essay Writer's Workshop My name is Toni Williams and I am the creator of Essay Writing Workshop. I became interested in Currclick after I tutored the dyslexic daughter of one of my homeschooling mothers. I found that I had a lot to offer parents that may struggle with reading and writing difficulties that their children may be having. This experience gave me new insight to the world of homeschooling and the unique benefit it has to a child. I have worked as an elementary school teacher, curriculum designer, college instructor and independent tutor. I have a bachelor's degree in education from the University of South Florida and a master's degree in language arts from San Diego State University.

Language Learning for Homeschoolers: Free Spanish Resources

Language Learning for Homeschoolers: Free Spanish Resources

This post will be the first in a series of learning foreign languages in a homeschool environment. I'm going to start with Spanish, then German, then French. If there are more languages that people are interested in, contact Melissa and she'll pass those requests on to me.

Spanish is probably the easiest language to teach in a homeschool environment, simply because so many things nowadays are available in Spanish at little to no extra effort. Many kids' shows such as Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer, and Maya and Miguel incorporate Spanish words and phrases. Most DVDs have a Spanish language option as well. If you're teaching Spanish, you can also contact your local library to see if the library system has books in Spanish, or the bilingual books that have both English and Spanish. You can also check Meetup'>http://www.meetup.com">Meetup to see if there are language conversation groups near you. Other sources may also offer conversation groups, such as nearby colleges or cultural centers (in our area, Barnes & Noble also hosts conversation groups).

Here are some online resources that provide lessons, mini-lessons, or ways to practice:
Vocabulix'>http://www.vocabulix.com/">Vocabulix - mini-lessons for vocabulary and verb work; also offers a store for more resources
Spanish'>http://www.spanishromance.com/spanish-language/">Spanish Romance - topic-based lessons such as phrases, alphabet, and more
Study'>http://www.studyspanish.com/freesite.htm">Study Spanish - a mini-curriculum that incorporates grammar and vocabulary; also a paid option for more practice
BBC'>http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish/">BBC Spanish - put out by the BBC and includes a great course designed to give travelers the basics, but also includes many other resources
Lingolex'>http://www.lingolex.com/spanish.htm">Lingolex - huge list of free resources
Speak'>http://spanish.speak7.com/">Speak 7 Spanish - grammar-based lessons
LiveMocha'>http://www.livemocha.com/">LiveMocha - incorporates the ability to connect with native speakers as well as lessons

Here are some great ways to practice listening to the language as well:
Streaming'>http://streamingradioguide.com/">Streaming Radio Guide - scroll down to find the Spanish language stations
Broadcast'>http://broadcast-live.com/espanoles.html">Broadcast Live - list of Spanish radio stations at Broadcast Live
Univision'>http://www.univision.com/content/channel.jhtml?chid=19641">Univision - Univision's video list (site in Spanish)
Online'>http://www.onlineradiotv.com/watch-tv-online/live-tv-streams/spanish-language-tv-online/">Online Radio TV - list of radio and TV stations from around the world that stream online

Bekah
motherhood-moment.blogspot.com

Homeschool Freebie, Halloween Tragedy, Fire Safey

Todays freebie of the day is an ebook titled English as she wuz wrote. You can get this free ebook, by going to http://www.HomeschoolFreebieOfTheDay.com

On Saturday, was trick or treating for many communities. In Sumster, SC a 12 year old boy was fatally shot for knocking on someones door. The man that shot the boy, his brother, and father, is an ex convict, wielding an AK-47 gun. He told the police he shot the family, because he had been robbed twice already, and had no intentions of being robbed again. There was another young man, in the home, that the police caught running away with 7,500 dollars cash. Obviously these two, were into some kind of illicit activities probably drugs, and innocent people were harmed. I am in no way in support of taking away people rights to bear arms, but I am tired of hearing of these kinds of stories of some loon with a powerful gun taking out innocent lives.

This week is Fire Safety week, here at Melissas Homeschool. We will be watching, and discussing a different short video, each day. This is the video for today. They are short, and geared at children, making them easy to understand.

Need Some Stress Relief? Comfortis For Dogs, Freebie Of The Day

Love my blog, be sure to sign up to follow my blog. It is all about the animals today. Need some stress relief, like to watch funny animals, then watch this very funny video. Be sure to watch the cat with the soap.



Do you have a dog? Then you have probably experienced fleas, ticks, and other nuisance pests on your dog. Did you know fleas, and ticks get resistant to treatments, such as Frontline? Did you know one female flea, can lay up to hundreds of eggs herself? Did you know fleas, can jump up to 100 feet away from your pet? Our dog is just over one year old, he has never had fleas, until about a week ago. We used the standard flea collar, flea bath, and Fronline, and it worked great for 1 yr. Then boom we have an infestation, yuck it was awful. We had to bomb, wash and spray everything with flea spray, shampoo all the rugs, it is almost as bad as if your child gets head lice. And still a flea lives, so what is a pet owner to do. Enter Comfortis. What is Comfortis, it is a neat and easy to give pill that you give to your pet once a month. If a flea bites your pet, it will die within 30 minutes, thereby ending the vicious cycle of them laying eggs, and on and on it goes. The pill is affordable, about 15 dollars, is beef flavored so your dog will chew it up no problem, and your local Vet should have it in stock. I can not tell you how great this medication is. It worked fast, and lasts up to 30 days. If you have a pet, you really need to know about Comfortis. By the way this is not a paid post. I am tired of talking about the economy and politics, and thought I would lighten it up a bit.

Here is todays Homeschool Freebie of the day: Getting Yourself Organized (ebook)

Great collection of articles, strategies and tips on organizing
your household, your living space, your kids and your schedule. To claim this great free ebook, go to www.HomeschoolFreebieOfTheDay.com

Lesson Plans for 10/16/08:

Note I forgot to add Science: weather to todays lesson plan

Writing: Safety tips
Reading: Read chapter 5 of Mummies in the morning
Math: Division, multiplication, addition, and subtraction
Spelling: Put the spelling words in alphabetical order
Vocabulary: Think of a synonym for each vocabulary word
Language Arts: Phonics review
PE: 30 minutes
Health: Dental hygiene review
Spanish: parts of the body, write each spanish word and the english equivalent

Unit Study On Feelings, Homeschool Resources

This week, on http://www.schoolexpress.com/ they are offering a free unit study on Feelings. I have checked it out, and it is a good one. I save these, and add them to my curriculum, usually at the end of the year, or where there is an empty slot. They are free, and they will send it to your email every week, so sign up if you need some new curriculum ideas.

I am a day behind, so there will be two days worth of lesson plans listed, as I posted about the contest yesterday. Dont forget to enter, the prizes are great. Last months contest was a dog cake, and it is being made, and pictures should be up soon. I am a little behind, as my youngest is sick. She is very rarely sick, so this is kind of traumatizing to her.

Here are this weeks Homeschool Resource Freebies, for this week, you must sign up for their newsletter at http://www.homeschoolfreebieoftheday.com/ to receive these great freebies. Most are PDF files, and they have some great ones this week, check them out:

Monday, Sept 29: Autumn Studies Classic collection of Nature, Literature & Art Lessons for Primary Grades. Lots of simple Q&A studies, poems, examples and more.

Tuesday, Sept 30: How To Make Your Children Obey Great little ebook on how to teach your children to be obedient from Kathy Brodock

Wednesday, Oct 1: Lessons from "The Thinking Toolkit" Two lessons from this excellent book: Learn the differences between a discussion, a disagreement, an argument & a fight. Also, learn when to shut up!

Thursday, Oct 2: Way cool Science Experiments videos! Fun collection of "hands on" science experiments for kids, courtesy of GreatHomeschoolVideos.com

Friday, Oct 3: First Things First How to start your day with simple Family Devotions - great guide by Penny Raine

I particularly like Monday and Fridays resources.

Due to my husbands new work schedule, yes they have changed his hours yet again, our school day will now be from 9AM, until 2:30 PM. Here are our Lesson Plans, for 9/29/08, and 9/30/08

Monday
Writing: Write directions, for how to ride a bike
Math: Multiplication, addition and subtraction
Language Arts: Phonics review, prefix, suffixes, verbs
Spelling Lesson 5: Write each spelling word 2 times each
Vocabulary Lesson 5: Look up the definition, for each vocabulary word
Art- Draw Spongebob Squarepants shown above, and paint a Ocean related painting
Reading: Read chapter 5 of The Knight At Dawn

Tuesday
Writing: Draw and write what your home is like
Math: Multiplication, addition, subtraction, greater than and less than
Language Arts: Phonics Review, synonyms, antonyms
Spelling Lesson 5: Write each spelling word, and circle the vowels
Vocabulary Lesson 5: Use each vocabulary word in a sentence
PE: 30 minutes
Reading: Read chapter 6 of The Knight At Dawn
Science: Sea Creatures- Dolphins

Lesson 5 spelling words: alive, grind, pint, drive, diet, size, rise, died, tried, dial, five, pies, inside, cried, and island

Lesson 5 vocabulary words: alive, grind, pint, drive, diet, size, rise, dial, inside, island

Homeschool Resource Of The Day, Homeschool Buyers Co-Op

Homeschool buyers co-op is offering it members up to 40% off on Micrscopes, and slides. If you have a child that is learning Biology, then a Microscope is very hand, and almost necessary. Homeschool Buyers co-op is free to join, and they will automatically send you offers in the mail. They actually have two special buys this week, the second one, is Discovery Education Health. This program has never been offered to Homeschoolers before. It is being offered at a 50% discount, for a limited time. To check it out go to https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/index.php?option=com_epp_offer&Itemid=703 I do not see an expiration date for the offer, so read carefully. The Microscope offer, ends on 10/13, to check it out go to https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/index.php?option=com_epp_offer&Itemid=255

This week at Homeschool Resource of the day, the following free items are being offered. If you sign up for their newsletter, they will send you these offers, free to your email, every Sunday or Monday.

Monday, Sept 22: Emergency Prep for YOUR Family

Print this out. Read it. Make a plan with your family.
Keep this handy "just in case".

Tuesday, Sept 23: What to Do When Your Daughter Hates Being
in the Kitchen

Excellent little ebook on motivating your young folk to do their share
of the household work, and understand the reasons they are doing it.
Gets at the attitudes & heart of the problem. Good stuff!

Wednesday, Sept 24: Sew Modest Tips

A collection of very helpful sewing and modest dressmaking tips
and ideas from the Ringger family.

Thursday, Sept 25: The Morals of Chess by Benjamin Franklin (MP3)

Great audio recitation of Franklin's classic essay on how the game of
chess teaches real-world lessons and develops strong character.
You'll definitely be wanting to teach your kids to play chess after
listening to this. Extra: Great beginners' Chess rules guide included!

Friday, Sept 26: Treasure Island: A Paratey Literature Seminar For Kids

Lesson Plans for 9/23/08:

Spelling Lesson 4: Write each spelling word, and circle the vowels
Vocabulary Lesson 4: Use each vocabulary word in a sentence
Reading: Read Chapter 2 of The Knight at Dawn
Math: Multiplication, subtracting 4 digit numbers
Language Arts: Phonics review, pronouns, suffixes
Science: Plants and animals of the sea- Octopuses
Spanish: Parts of the body
PE- 30 minutes
Writing: Write a story about meeting your family

Lesson Plan for 9/9/08, Fun Ebook About Amphibians, Homeschool Resource Of The Day

Today I am going to start with a free activity printable ebook about Amphibians. This is the free resource, for this week, offered by School Express. If you are not a member of School Express, just go to their website sign up for their free newsletter, and recieve every week, a free themed unit, or fun ebook, to download and print. This is not a paid post, those are clearly marked, this is just resource sharing.

This weeks free homeschool resource of the day items available are as follows:

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 ones

Friday, Sept 12: Be A Stargazer
Great classic book introducing Astronomy & the
science of light
You can download these free ebooks, and incorporate them into your lesson plans. I will be downloading the Science ebook, available on Tuesday. Go to to sign up for their free newsletter, and every Sunday, you will get a week worth of free homeschool resources.

Lesson Plan for 9/9/08 is as follows:

Science- Plants and animals of the sea- starfish
Read chapter 5 of Dinosaurs Before Dark
Writing- What did you like best about Summer Vacation
PE- 30 minutes
Math- Multiplication, addition, subtraction, numbers and order
Language Arts- singular possessive nouns, phonics review, sentences
Spanish- Parts of the body

If time permits Music, and The story book of science