Wishing you a Blessed Yule

This weeks CoH is being hosted at Small World.

Have I Told You Today How Much I Love You? by Cheryl Sturm

Have I Told You Today How Much I Love You? by Cheryl Sturm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lovely children's book in bright primary colors sure to hold their attention, with some fun measurements thrown in. Perfect gift for a pre-schooler.

In the interest of full disclosure The Cadence Group provided me with a review copy.

View all my reviews

Carnival of Homeschool Holiday Edition is out.

Golden Grasses is hosting this weeks CoH.

Carnival of Homeschooling, 464th Edition Hosted by My Own Mind

Carnival of Homeschooling, 464th Edition

Autumn Carnival: Looking Forward, Looking Back

This weeks CoH can be found at Janice Campbell ~ making time for things that matter.

Carnival of Homeschooling

Living Life and Learning is hosting this weeks CoH.

Carnival of Homeschooling – Living and Learning

The Informed Parent is hosting this weeks CoH.

Carnival of Homeschooling for the Week of October 27th, 2014

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Carnival of Homeschooling: The History Edition

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Carnival of Homeschooling #458: The Wonder of It All Edition

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Carnival of homeschooling: Homeschool Freedoms Edition

Notes From a Homeschooled Mom is hosting this weeks CoH.

Carnival of Homeschooling #456 - "Ozymandias" Edition

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In Egypt's sandy silence, all alone,
Stands a gigantic Leg, which far off throws
The only shadow that the Desert knows:—
"I am great OZYMANDIAS," saith the stone,
"The King of Kings; this mighty City shows
"The wonders of my hand."— The City's gone,—
Nought but the Leg remaining to disclose
The site of this forgotten Babylon.

We wonder,—and some Hunter may express
Wonder like ours, when thro' the wilderness
Where London stood, holding the Wolf in chace,
He meets some fragment huge, and stops to guess
What powerful but unrecorded race
Once dwelt in that annihilated place 

Horace Smith

Carnival of Homeschooling - Introduction to programming concepts

Check out Carnival of Homeschooling - Introduction to programming concepts

Carnival of Homeschooling: Songs Stuck in my Head edition!

Home Spun Juggling is hosting this weeks CoH.

Carnival of Homeschool – The Ages and Stages Edition

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Carnival of Homeschooling – Back to school

Homeschool Buzz is hosting this weeks Carnival of Homeschooling .

Homeschool Lives, Homeschool Places: 451st Carnival of Homeschooling

Check out Homeschool Lives, Homeschool Places: 451st Carnival of Homeschooling

Carnival of Homeschooling #450

My Own Mind is hosting this weeks Carnival of Homeschooling #450

Carnival of Homeschooling: Wordless Wednesday Edition (oops)

Seems more like a Wordy Wednesday post but check out this weeks CoH.

Carnival of Homeschooling: So You’re Thinking of Homeschooling Edition

Scylla solving the puzzle feeder

Check out the CoH at Living, Life & Learning.

Carnival of Homeschooling ~ Planning, Organizing, and Choosing Curriculum Edition

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Carnival of Homeschooling: The Finding Solutions Edition

Tuiren

This weeks CoH is being hosted at Home & School.

Homeschoolers Deserve Respect

 Why do people automatically assume that when someone writes and opinion piece dealing with religion and somewhat lacking in knowledge of American History  CYNTHIA M. ALLEN: The shrinking role of religion in modern America is alarming  they must be homeschooled

Roy Rolison · Top Commenter · USM
Cynthia appears to be young. And her words are younger since they do not tell the truth of our history. She may be a homeschooler since the beginnings of this nation were actually not about religious freedom, but a monarchy locked into ONE religious belief for all its subjects.
Our Founding Fathers went out of their way to make it clear our nation would not be founded upon, or government by a religion, even Christianity. They had seen their ancestors restricted, their rights limited, their personal value destroyed by a government with a bible in one hand and a sword in the other. The Founders could have easily written into the Constitution that the new nation would cherish and rely on Christian doctrine. BUT THEY REFUSED. THEY SHOT DOWN ALL ATTEMPTS.
In fact, the first Treaty written and signed by this nation, by John Adams with 100 percent approval from the Senate, was the Treaty of Tripoli, which helped reduced piracy on the open seas of American ships carrying American goods for sale all over the world. It is spelled out in one sentence that the United States is not a Christian nation.
Cynthia knows not which she writes.

Well Mr. Rolison you too apparently know not which you write.

Homeschoolers are a diverse group of people just like public school students are. Cynthia is just as likely to be a product of a public or private school as she is to be a homeschooler.

Obviously Mr. Rolison intended his "she may be a homeschooler" to be a put down. I for one am sick and tired of the term "homescooler" being used as a put down. Homeschooling is a valid educational choice and should be respected, not a term used to put those you disagree with down.

Carnival of Homeschooling, Thank You Edition

Notes From a Homeschooled Mom is hosting this weeks CoH.

Carnival of Homeschooling #444: Countdown to Summer Edition

Way past summer here but still enjoying Dewey's Treehouse's CoH.

To all my Canadian Friends Happy Belated Canada Day!!!!!!!

Carnival of Homeschooling

Small World @ Home is hosting this weeks CoH

Carnival of Homeschooling {Edition # 441}

Every Bed of Roses is hosting this weeks CoH.

Carnival of Homeschooling: Graduate Edition

Check out the Carnival of Homeschooling: Graduate Edition @ Homeschool Buzz

Carnival of Homeschooling - The Wisdom Edition!

Consent of the Governed is hosting this weeks CoH.

Carnival of Homeschooling – Eliza Doolittle Day

Why Homeschool is hosting this weeks CoH.

The Carnival of Homeschooling – Oops, this week not next!

Our Curious Home is hosting this weeks CoH.

Carnival of Homeschooling

Nerd Family is hosting this weeks CoH.

Carnival of Homeschooling IS READY TO Enjoy!

Homegrown Mommy is hosting this weeks CoH. After two days of torrential rain and flooding we are thrilled to be enjoying sunshine today.

Carnival of Homeschooling: The Building Character Edition

The Homeschool Post is hosting this weeks edition of the CoH.

Carnival of Homeschooling: The Thousand Flowers Edition

 

Carnival of Homeschooling: The Thousand Flowers Edition hosted at Dewey's Treehouse.

#432 Carnival of Homeschooling: Homeschooling & Farms

Petticoat Government is hosting the #432 Carnival of Homeschooling: Homeschooling & Farms

I expected better

I love J.D. Robb's books so I was very disappointed when she choose to blame Montclair Jones' emotional problems on his being homeschooled in her latest book Concealed in Death.

Carnival of Homeschooling – April Fool’s Edition!

Catechism for a Witch’s Child

When they ask to see your gods 

your book of prayers 

show them lines drawn delicately with veins 

on the underside of a bird’s wing

 tell them you believe

 in giant sycamores mottled and stark 

against a winter sky

 and in nights so frozen 

stars crack open 

spilling streams of molten ice to earth

 and tell them how you drink 

a holy wine of honeysuckle 

on a warm spring day 

and of the softness 

of your mother who never taught you

 death was life’s reward 

but who believed in the earth

 and the sun 

and a million, million light years 

of being

J. L. Stanley

This weeks CoH is being hosted at  momSCHOOL

Carnival of Homeschooling: Learning Lifestyle, Reading, and News

Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy this weeks CoH.

Carnival of Homeschooling ~ Still Winter Edition

Check out the CoH hosted at Golden Grasses.

Carnival of Homeschooling {Edition # 428}

The CoH is hosted at Every Bed of Roses this week.

The 427th Homeschool Carnival "Just Keep blogging" edition.

Notes From A Homeschool Mom host this weeks CoH.

Guest Post - Three Tips for Great Trade Show Banners

Three Tips for Great Trade Show Banners

Have you ever wondered how to make your business really stand out among all the others at industry trade shows? How to make a first great impression and then capitalize on that great first impression? Tools and visual aids like pop up display banners are all well and good, but a little strategy for using those banners goes a long way. Here’s a few ideas.

 Establish a Goal

What are you trying to accomplish? That should be your first consideration as it will directly influence the choice of your visual aids and banners. Are you seeking new leads? Are you increasing brand awareness? Are you introducing a new product? Maybe you just want to tantalize or intrigue your audience—maybe you’re selling an idea (like an educational program) and not a product. This all plays into the kind of banners you might employ. Establish the essence of your most important message first. Experts say we only have six seconds to grab somebody’s attention at a trade show display. You must know your most important message before anything else. If you don’t know what it is, how can you expect anybody else to know it?

Grab Attention

Once you know what your goal is, your first priority is to grab the viewer’s attention. Remember those critical six seconds. If you don’t grab their attention, somebody else will. Maybe you can use some sort of optical illusion in your display; something intriguing is always a good conversation starter. Hopefully it relates to your goal. Whatever it is, it should be an attention getter. Try to remember something about great billboards or ads that caught your attention and then try to capture that quality in your display.

 Put It All Together

Don’t be a one-trick pony. Don’t just have the one great attention-grabbing ad or banner. Create an atmosphere where different banners—message delivery systems—create an environment that reinforces your main goal—product launch, lead development, or whatever. Make your messages consistent and matched by your booth’s coherent style. Make sure supporting ads or banners or media tools all have a consistent tone. Also, don’t go overboard. You can overload the customer with too many inputs and sometimes less is simply more. Some of the most effective trade displays ask a question. This can spark a conversation between you and the customer about your goal. That conversation is a very good place for you to be.

You can find an excellent selection of display banners and other interesting trade show materials, all at great prices, simply by visiting The Display Outlet.

Carnival of Homeschooling

Thankfully Winter is over here and we are experiencing SPRING. But if you want some more of the white stuff drop on by Small World for this weeks Carnival of Homeschooling!

Carnival of Homeschooling – Lincoln’s wisdom edition

Carnival of Homeschooling – Lincoln’s wisdom edition hosted by Homeschool Buzz

Carnival of Homeschooling – Winter Edition

We actually had sleet here and it's still on the ground two days later so this weeks title for the CoH is particularly apt.

Guest Post ~ Homeschooling and the Internet

Homeschooling and the Internet
Beginning in the late 1990s the Internet created new opportunities for students and their families who wanted to facilitate learning in an asynchronous (independent) environment. These opportunities began with online colleges which started to offer courses via the Internet in 1999. By the first years of the 21st century high schools and then elementary schools were including elearning in their curriculum.

Online education opened up new doors for families who wished to homeschool  -- or "unschool" -- their children. The percentage of school-age children who were homeschooled  increased from 1.7 percent in 1999 to 2.9 percent in 2007, representing  a 74 percent relative increase over the eight  year period. Although no formal statistics have been compiled since 2007, informal studies set the percentage of 2013 homeschooled students at 3.8% of the school-age population.

Parents give a variety of reasons for homeschooling their children. The most common reason seems to be a desire to provide religious or moral instruction, followed by a concern about the school environment (such as  drugs, safety, bullying,  negative peer pressure),  dissatisfaction with the methods or level of instruction, the child's health or special needs, finances, location (distance from the school) and a desire to educate the child within the family unit. Many parents feel that by providing their child with a nontraditional approach to education, they will enhance the child's interest in learning, ability to acquire information and  capacity for independently study.  

Today online education is a dynamic component of almost all homeschooling frameworks.  Homeschooling families have discovered the benefits of elearning which allows them to refine their children's education, present the curriculum in a vibrant and interactive format, encourage project-based and independent learning and promote creativity.

The United States Department of Education has begun to study the benefits of online learning in the schools. Their report, Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices of Online Learning  was based on the results of 50 independent research projects and concluded that online learning is a more effective technique than traditional face-to-face instruction. Multi-media and web-based applications have gone a long way towards improving online classrooms and the scholastic results of students who learn partially or fully online shows marked improvements.

Homeschooling parents have taken note of online learning opportunities. eLearning tools and methodologies are helping to increase the numbers of families who are exploring home-based instruction.  Whereas, in the early years of distance learning, homeschooling parents tended to focus on the drawbacks of computer-based instruction -- reliance on technology, a reduced emphasis in the parent-child face-to-face interactions, the students' lack of familiarity with traditional book learning -- the discussion has now shifted from whether to include online learning in the home-based instruction to how to best include online learning in the homeschooling environment.

In reviewing some of the benefits of distance learning for homeschooling students it's clear that most students can complete a portion, or even all, of their coursework through online resources and tools. Early elementary-aged children generally need more supervision but by the 5th or 6th grade students can receive asynchronous assignments from their parent or other homeschooling educational professional and complete those assignments either semi-independently or totally independently. Many homeschooling families have become involved in groups which focus on how homeschooling parents and students can collaborate and support each other. These interactions enable homeschooling students to work together on assignments -- in person or via skype, webex or another web application. The students can work in pairs or in small groups as they expand the scope of a lesson and increase their own social interactions.

eGames are a popular tool for personalized homeschool learning. eGames are designed to respond instantly to whatever the player does. eGames are arranged in series of increasingly difficult challenges which fit the sequencing of the curriculum (i.e. after completing the fractions level a student will move up to the algebra level). eGames promote independent learning in an atmosphere of vibrant information exchange.

At the end of the day, regardless of whether a child is educated in a classroom or at home and regardless of which methodologies or tools are used, the facilitator will always be the key to any successful educational model. Lowell Milken an educational leader and chairman of homeschooling giant K12 reminds homeschooling and classroom-based educators alike that "The most direct and enduring way to reach the mind and imagination of the learner is through the mind, imagination and character of the outstanding teacher."

Historical Fiction

The Pagan Lord by Bernard Cornwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

England is at peace and Uhtred is unwanted after he kills a priest. His eldest son is accepted into the priesthood and is now known as Father Judas. Uhtred leaves to go Viking and hopefully reclaim Bebbanburg. Uhtred fails to reclaim Bebbanburg but kills his Uncle (AElfric) and takes his cousin's wife and son hostage. Alfred's bastard Osferth falls in love with her and Uhtred gives Osferth the boy.

Meanwhile Cnut has devised a scheme to usurp Mercia from Aethelred (Aetheflaed's husband). Uhtred hurries back to foil his plot. He finds where Cnut hide, his wife and children and takes them hostage. He then pretends to kill Cnut's daughter. Cnut follows Uhtred and eventually corners him. Just when all looks lost Pyrlig shows up with his Welsh warriors. Still outnumbered Uhtred's forces are managing to hold when King Edward shows up and Cnut and his men start to flee. Uhtred challenges Cnut to a duel. Cnut is killed and Uhtred is in a coma.

The ending of the book makes it sound as if Uhtred died, but in the Historical Notes Cornwell reveals that Uhtred will live.

View all my reviews

The Carnival of Homeschooling Robert E. Lee Edition

Robert E. Lee riding Traveller

Robert E Lee was born on January 19, 1807 in Stratford, Virginia.  His father, Colonel Henry Lee, also known as "Light-Horse Harry," had served as a cavalry leader during the Revolutionary War and gone on to become one of the war's heroes, winning praise from General George Washington.

Check out Did it Right Today @ Homeschool Atheist Momma

Quick Start Homeschooling offers {Day 15} How Do Homeschoolers Get In To College?

Simple Homeschool shares Kara's Homeschool Day in the Life.

Take a look @ Revolutionary War Unit Study over at Learning Curve.

Kara’s homeschool day in the life (with a 6- and 9-year-old)

- See more at: http://simplehomeschool.net/karas-day-2014/#sthash.HjZC0pwl.dpuf

Kara’s homeschool day in the life (with a 6- and 9-year-old)

- See more at: http://simplehomeschool.net/karas-day-2014/#sthash.HjZC0pwl.dpuf

Kara’s homeschool day in the life (with a 6- and 9-year-old)

- See more at: http://simplehomeschool.net/karas-day-2014/#sthash.HjZC0pwl.dpuf

Kara’s homeschool day in the life (with a 6- and 9-year-old)

- See more at: http://simplehomeschool.net/karas-day-2014/#sthash.HjZC0pwl.dpuf

Kara’s homeschool day in the life (with a 6- and 9-year-old)

- See more at: http://simplehomeschool.net/karas-day-2014/#sthash.HjZC0pwl.dpuf

Robert E. Lee age 31

At 18, he enrolled at West Point Military Academy, where he put his drive and serious mind to work. He was one of just six cadets in his graduating class who finished without a single demerit, and wrapped up his studies with perfect scores in artillery, infantry and cavalry.

Congrats to Rebel Homeschool College Acceptance!

Read Merry Sickmas. 4 “Sick” Lessons Every Homeschool Mom Should Learn @ Homeschool Cheer

Rest for the Weary offers Getting a handle on homeschool burnout: Physical needs

A 10-year-old Boy’s Top 5 Books of 2013 is presented at Simply Convivial.

Mary Curtis Lee

After graduating from West Point, Lee married Mary Custis, the great-granddaughter of George and Martha Washington. Together, they had seven children: three sons (Custis, Rooney and Rob) and four daughters (Mary, Annie, Agnes and Mildred). Lee served with distinction during the Mexican-American War,  and later served as Superintendent of the United States Military Academy.

Check out Homeschooling Is Not for Everyone, and Neither Is Public School

When Crazy Meets Exhaustion tells Why I Will Never Homeschool My Kids

Schoolhouse Review Crew offers 8 Tips to Help You Start a Homeschool Support Group

The Blog of Questioning ask Is wanting to homeschool my children that radical of an idea?

8 Tips to Help You Start a Homeschool Support Group - See more at: http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/8-tips-to-help-you-start-a-homeschool-support-group/#sthash.24CqCPez.dpuf

Why I Will Never Homeschool My Kids

Why I Will Never Homeschool My Kids

Why I Will Never Homeschool My Kids

Robert E. Lee 1863

After turning down an offer from President Abraham Lincoln to command the Union forces, Lee resigned from the military and returned home. While Lee had misgivings about entering a war on the slavery issue, when Virginia voted to secede from the nation on April 18, 1861, Lee agreed to be the leader of the Confederate Forces. In April 1865 Lee surrendered to Grant at a private home in Appomattox, Virginia.

There's No Place Like Home offers Weekend Review: Our First Week of Unschooling

So how are they doing? over @ Notes From A Homeschool Mom. I could really relate to this post. My eldest son has finished College. He has a Masters degree in Computer Science and landed a job right after graduation in his field. My youngest son is currently working on his Masters in History and is doing well.

Harvest Moon shares  William Wordsworth - Poet/Poetry Study

There is A Moment of Calm over at Home Spun Juggling.

Robert E. Lee, President of Washington College from 1865-1870

After the war,  Robert E. Lee served as President of what is now Washington and Lee University.

Little Giant Steps advises you to Save Your Child Academically

Knitted Thoughts shares Writing Cures Loneliness

Why Homeschool 's contribution Teaching our children some of the really important lessons

Thank you for visiting this weeks Carnival of Homeschooling, to find out who is hosting next week click here.

Book Review - Fantasy

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There were 10 heralds but 9 survived the Desolation and choose not to return to the place of pain and fire (breaking the Oathpact), they just walked away leaving their blades behind. The 10th Herald Taln was left behind to bind the Oathpact.

Kaladin was a dark-eyed son of a doctor (Lirin). On Roshar eye color determines your status. Light-eyes are rulers. When the Brightlord of their village dies he leaves soul stones to Kaladin's family so that Kaladin can study to be a doctor. The new Brightlord (Roshone) is angered by this as he wants the wealth for himself. Brightlord Roshone tries to turn the village against Kaladin's family. When Brightlord Roshone and his son are injured in a dangerous hunt, he blames Kaladin's Father for his son's death. To get even he drafts Kaladin's younger brother (Tien) into the army. Kaladin chooses to go with him to protect him but is helpless to prevent Tien's death. He then tries to protect the young men in his squadron but when they are run down by a Shardbearer he is helpless to save them. When the Shardbearer attacks Brightlord Amaram his guard flees but Kaladin brings the Shardbearer down saving Amaram. Traditionally the killer of the Shardbearer gets the Shardblade and Shardplate (which are priceless and convey wealth and prestige on the owner) but associating it with the death of his squad he doesn't want it and gives it to another member of the squad. Unfortunately Amaram wants it for himself he kills the survivors of the squad and sells Kaladin into slavery to cover up his theft of the Shardblade and Shardplate. Kaladin finds himself a Bridgeman owned by Highprince Sadeas (who uses bridgemen as fodder against the Parshendi). When Kaladin figures out a way to use the bridge as a shield against the Parshendi arrows Sadeas has him left out in a highstorm to die, but Kaladin lives. More determined the ever to keep the men of Bridge 4 alive, Kaladin secretly trains them as soldiers and they prepare to escape. Their chance comes when Sadeas betrays Highprince Dalinar (The King's Uncle) by leaving him stranded on a plateau surrounded by Parshendi. Unable to leave Dalinar and his troops to die, Kaladin and his men (Rock, Moash, Skar, Drehy, Sigzil (Wit's servant), Lopen, and Teft) go back for them. Against the odds they are able to save Dalinar, his eldest son (Adolin) and some of his troops. Dalinar promises to protect Kaladin and his men from Sadeas. When they get back to camp Dalinar confronts Sadeas about his betrayal and demands he sell the bridgemen to him. Sadeas refuses until Dalinar offers his Shardblade in exchange for all the bridgemen. Dalinar then offers Kaladin and his men positions as his honor guard.

Highprince Dalinar has been seeing visions of the past during highstorms. Not sure if the visions are real or if he can trust them he considers abdicating and letting Adolin take over. But in the end Dalinar realizes the "Blackthorn" in needed to unite his people (the Alethi) . Armed with the knowledge that King Elhokar cut his own saddle girth. Which allowed Sadeas the chance to manipulate him, he demands the Elhokar make him Highprince of War.

Szeth (the assassin) is ordered by Highprince Taravangian to kill Dalinar.

Shallan gives up her plant to steal Jasnah's fabrial in order to really work with her. They discover that the Voidbringers are the Parshendi.

View all my reviews

College Fund for the Czubek Kids

Carnival of Homeschooling: The Model Homes edition

Check out the CoH @ Home Spun Juggling.

Hosting the Carnival of Homeschooling

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