Drama Camp

My daughter, Sarah, is off to Drama Camp this week. Dr. Nicky Chavers and his team travel around the country conducting Drama Camps for home school groups (and for Christian schools). This is amazing to watch. The team sweeps into town with everything, including sets, in tow and takes groups of kids from neophyte to actor/actress extraordinaire. Check out the Chaver's website at The Academy of Arts.

Sarah is in the elementary play "A Day in the Country." Not wanting to be front and center, she didn't try out for a big part. She just wanted to enjoy the experience. I couldn't talk my teen boys into participating in the high school play, "No Place to Flee." However, we're all going to enjoy the final production on Friday night.

I'll record my post-play thoughts (and maybe even pictures) either here or on my website at www.Christian-Parenting-Source.com.

Until we meet in the teachers' lounge again,

Linda W. Kelley

Don't Be Afraid to Fail!

I've had a poster for years that I've laminated and kept on my wall. It's been great encouragement to me and the children when we feel like we're failing at some task.

When my children struggled to learn phonics, it helped. When they couldn't learn how to divide, it helped. When I felt like being a home school teacher was overwhelming, it helped. And, when our family launched our web site, it helped.

Of course, our main source of encouragement is the Bible. We go to it for our strenth and comfort first. However, we also like to collect inspirational poetry and quotes.

I hope this quote on failure will encourage you, today!

Don't Be Afraid to Fail

You've failed many times although you may not remember.
You fell down the first time you tried to walk.
You almost drowned the first time you tried to swim, didn't you?
Did you hit the ball the first time you swung at a bat?
Heavy hitters, the ones who hit the home runs, also strike out a lot.
R.H. Macy failed 7 times before his store in New York City caught on.
English novelist John Creasey got 753 rejection slips before he published 564 books.
Babe Ruth struck out 1,330 times but he also hit 714 home runs.

Don't worry about failure.
Worry about the chances you miss when you don't even try.

------Anonymous

If you would like to read more inspirational poetry and quotes (especially about the family), check out the follwing links:

Family Poems

Family Quotes

See you in the teachers' lounge again soon,

Linda W. Kelley

www.Christian-Parenting-Source.com

Free Curriculum

This time of year can get a little dull for homeschoolers. Why not spice up your day by letting your children try some new curriculum choices?! Let's discuss the advantages of sampling free curriculum:

• Your children get to vary their routine for a little bit.


• You get to sample a variety of curriculum companies.


• Looking forward to next year can move you ahead of the game when it comes time to make curriculum choices in the fall.

Here are some great free curriculum samplers to begin with:

Check out my Home School Spanish page. Visual Link offers 11 free Spanish lessons, an online demo, and a 30-day free trial.

On the Home School Curriculum Fair page there are several links to free sample lessons from such companies as Konos, History Alive!, and Tapestry of Grace.

If your chilren have the--it's so nice outside, but I'm stuck inside doing school-- blues. . .

Try the above freebies to energize your home school day!

Until we meet in the Teachers' Lounge again,

Linda W. Kelley

www.Christian-Parenting-Source.com

Science Fair Pop Quiz

Here's a little pop quiz for you:

Answer True or False

1. Science Fairs are not for the homeschooled child.


2. Science Fair Projects are extremely costly.


3. Science Fair Projects take tons of time and lots of parent help.


4. Science (and/or Science Fairs) should be a spectator sport.


5. It's not a Science FAIR unless at least 10 students participate.


6. Every Science Fair participant must have at least one parent who GETS Science.Two is preferable.


7. A Science Fair should have rides because otherwise they're boring.


8. You will need to set aside a day, at least, to complete research at a library for your Science Fair project.


9. It's impossible to complete a Science Fair project in a weekend (or even in a week).


10. Science - by definition - is never fair.

If you answered false to all of these questions, congratulations, you received a 100% on the quiz. Let's discuss the ideas here.

Science Fairs are fun for every child including homeschooled ones. Many home school groups (or co-ops) organize these now. If your group doesn't have a Science Fair, why not start one?! And, if you live far away from other homeschoolers hold your own Family Science Fair. There's no rule that says a Science Fair has to be attended by lots of students.

Science Fairs don't have to be costly either. In fact, you can use supplies easily found around the home. Also,while the amount of time and parental involvement certainly varies, Science Fairs don't have to be an enormous time and energy drain. Older children should be able to complete most of the project with limited parental help --and with the right resources (the web site listed below gives lots of ideas for easy Science Fair Projects which can be done quickly and reasonably-priced).

When Science is hands-on, it's usually not boring. That's the whole idea behind a Science Fair. Learning happens best where the fun occurs.

Do you need a Ph.D in Chemistry to help your child with their Science Fair Project? No. Any time you teach a subject outside your area of expertise, you may need to search for additional resources. That's where I can help you. Check out myScience Fair Projects Ideas pagefor everything you need to help your children complete a fabulous and care-free Science Fair Project.

Until the next time we meet in the Teachers' Lounge. . .

Linda W. Kelley

www.Christian-Parenting-Source.com

© 2005 Christian-Parenting-Source All Rights Reserved

Testing, Testing, Testing!

It's that time of year when we teachers have to be thinking about scholastic achievement tests. Most states (Be sure to check your state guidelines) require an academic assessment report to be sent with the notification form you send to the school district each year. As a home school teacher you must decide whether you want an independet teacher to complete a portfolio review or if you want your children to take a standardized test.

My children have always taken the standardized tests. Why? Because they take tests well and I feel it helps prepare them for those tests which they'll need to do well on to get into college. I had the children take the Stanford Achievement Test the first two years of homeschooling. Then I switched to the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS). Yes, it's a longer test. You'd better dedicate one-two hours every day for a week (maybe longer for young children) to complete the test. However, I feel I get a more accurate result for that reason--there is more than one question on each specific skill being tested.

If you belong to a home school group or co-op you may have already ordered your tests through the group. If you haven't ordered your standardized tests yet, you need to do this ASAP. It can take 5-7 weeks to receive your tests. The ideal time to test is early May. I order mine from
Bob Jones University Press.

If you have questions about standardized testing, or anything home school related, please post a comment here or fill out the contact us form on my website at
Christian-Parenting-Source.com

First Day of School in April?!

Welcome Home School Moms and Dads,

How many times during your home school experience have you felt like you were the ones going to school instead of your children? Well, I certainly feel that way today as I start this blog. In fact, ever since our family began this web site journey, we have all been stretched. That has been very rewarding. Read our entire story and get tons of great home school and parenting resources at Christian Parenting Source.

Let me explain the path to the blog. When I taught in a public school, I migrated to the teachers' lounge every day for lunch. It didn't seem particularly profound at the time. However, in retrospect, I realize just how valuable those moments were. I miss those hasty meals spent with other professionals discussing teaching, children, stress, lessons, etc. One day, recently, I was particularly frustrated with our home school day. I remember thinking I wish I had a teachers' Lounge to go to.

It takes a lot of work to be a home school teacher. That can get discouraging. My hope for this blog is to make it a haven for you weary home educators out there. Come discuss ideas, share your exasperations, or explain what worked. Prop your feet up. Enjoy the time spent in the Home School Teachers' Lounge. Hey, could someone get a comfy couch and a latte machine moved in here.

Blessings until we meet again,

Linda Wakefield Kelley