We have a winner! I am pleased to announce that the winner of the Coolest Bag Ever is:
Joel & Kristin Spencer!
Thank you all for participating!
Janet
Friday
Thursday
Facebook 50/50 ~ Jewelry Giveaway!
Winner chooses Scripture and colors!
Everything Beautiful Facebook (that's me!) is doing a giveaway!
50/50
When EB Facebook gets 50 likes (page likes not photo likes), I will give away
a necklace, earrings, and bracelet set worth $50!
Rules:
Like Everything Beautiful Facebook page
Share about the giveaway with your friends
Have your friends like EB Facebook
When 50 page likes is reached, your name will go into a drawing for the jewelry set!
Share about the giveaway with your friends
Have your friends like EB Facebook
When 50 page likes is reached, your name will go into a drawing for the jewelry set!
Prize:
Jewelry Set worth $50
You choose the Scripture and bead colors
USA only, winner must be at least 18 years old
Tuesday
Coolest Bag Ever Giveaway ~ OPMOD P.A.C. Limited Edition Versipack
Alright moms, dads, hikers, bikers, and people who just want a cool bag-ers, this bag is it! Optics Planet has given me the coolest bag ever to give away. It's called the "OPMOD P.A.C. Limited Edition Versipack." Now that's a mouthful for most of us!
Retail Value: $39.99
This bag is made for people who need to carry emergency gear (are diapers emergency gear?) such as a first aid kit, flashlights, hiking gear, binoculars, ipads, ipods, headphones, cameras, pencils/pens/paper, etc, for those going to the city, the shooting range, hunting, or even for kids going on a field trip for their homeschool!
Features (from Optics Planet):
How do I see this bag being used? By:
I can see this bag being purchased by:
By now, I'm sure you thought of all of the ways you could use the "OPMOD P.A.C. Limited Edition Versipack." Sign up below for your chance to win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Photo credit: Optics Planet
I was given a Versipack to review and to giveaway. All opinions are my own.
Retail Value: $39.99
This bag is made for people who need to carry emergency gear (are diapers emergency gear?) such as a first aid kit, flashlights, hiking gear, binoculars, ipads, ipods, headphones, cameras, pencils/pens/paper, etc, for those going to the city, the shooting range, hunting, or even for kids going on a field trip for their homeschool!
Features (from Optics Planet):
- Plenty of space - 7 compartments total.
- Tough PVC Material
- Rear concealed Carry Pocket (Holster not included)
- Velcro Patches to accommodate Hook and Loop accessories
- PALS Webbing on Front, Sides and Bottom to add anything you need to get the job done.
- Breathable Mesh Backing for comfort
- Removable and Adjustable Carry Strap with Shoulder Pad
- Available in Black or OD Green
- OPMOD Limited Lifetime Warranty
How do I see this bag being used? By:
- Cops...I mean... police officers or swat team members who need a pre-packed emergency bag to keep in their squad car
- Those who need to carry uhhh emergency items
- People who hike and want to look super cool
- Dads who want a diaper bag that isn't girly (did I really say that?)
- Guys (like my husband) who desperately NEED a man-bag but refuse to carry one
- Guys (like my boys) who like to play air-soft out in the woods and need to carry bb's and clips
- Girls (like me) who go on field trips with her homeschooled teen boys and sometimes they have to carry the bag. They won't be embarrassed by this one!
I can see this bag being purchased by:
- Grandmas who need to find a cool birthday gift for their grandsons and are tired of buying them video games.
- Moms and wives who are looking for great Father's Day gifts for the men in their lives.
- Men, of course, who need a bag or pack for all of the things I listed in the second paragraph!
- Photographers
- Preppers
- Hunters, hikers, police, and military
- Last but not least, people who are planning on fighting zombies.
By now, I'm sure you thought of all of the ways you could use the "OPMOD P.A.C. Limited Edition Versipack." Sign up below for your chance to win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Photo credit: Optics Planet
I was given a Versipack to review and to giveaway. All opinions are my own.
Wednesday
Smokey Mountain Learning Adventures by Analisa L. Smith - Guest Post
Smoky Mountain
Learning Adventures
Analisa L. Smith
As a young child,
I spent more time in the mountains when away from home than perhaps any other
place. As an adult, the mountains are our home away from home. The mountains
have offered us ethereal beauty and educational opportunities that abound for
our homeschooling efforts. Following are some of the activities and locations
that our family has enjoyed in the Smoky Mountains and used in our
homeschooling adventures.
Nature Viewing
and Photo Tours
The Great Smoky
Mountains is famous for its spectacular display of fall foliage, with its deep
colors of yellow, orange, burnt brown, and crimson. Take in the view from
October until mid November while enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking,
canoeing, rafting, horseback riding, or scenic car rides. Be on the lookout for
trees such as birch, maple, cherry, hobblebush, beech, and lush evergreens.
These are great places to allow the children to make tree rubbings and learn to
differentiate bark types.
Photo tours are
often an unexplored learning aspect of the Smoky Mountains. One of the most
photographed areas is the Cataloochee Valley, where wildlife roams freely. This
area is home to many historic buildings, including springhouses and German
barns, making it an opportune photography location. Cades Cove is the most
visited area of the park and is home to a variety of beautiful wildlife to
view, identify, and photograph. Children should be informed beforehand of how
to observe wildlife properly so as not to interfere with the animals’ natural
habitat.
Monte LeConte is
one of the highest peaks in the Eastern United States, offering panoramic
views. The highest waterfall in the Smokies can be seen at Ramsey Cascades.
Make children aware of slippery footing in these areas, and be sure that you
know how to read trail markers. Hiking allows you to see nature firsthand, and
many hiking sites can be found by following signs along the roadsides. All
hikers should know the hike destination. Allow time for breaks and exploration
along the way. Some hike sites have trail guide pamphlets available; these
include a map of the area, and they also pinpoint sites for optimal viewing.
Whitewater
Rafting
Most of the river
rafting in the Smoky Mountains takes place on the Big Pigeon River. The lower
section is mild and tame while the upper section is the place to find the
whitewater rapids. Raft Outdoor Adventures and USA Raft are two
commercial rafting companies. Rafting is easy to find as an activity in most
any place throughout the Smokies. You can often save money by booking your
rafting trip online. Fees are competitive, and some outposts offer packages
that include activities such as horseback riding or zip lining. Rafting does
have risks, and waivers may have to be signed.
Hayrides
Hayrides are
typically thought of in connection with fall festivals, but in the Smoky
Mountains hayrides are offered most of the year. These hayrides offer
spectacular viewing of surrounding landscape and nature. Gatlinburg has
hayrides that traverse through the downtown streets during the fall months.
Cades Cove offers a hayride that travels the entire 11 miles around Cades Cove
Loop Road. Occasionally businesses offer wagon or carriage rides.
Festivals
The charm of
Smoky Mountain towns is celebrated in their festivals as they share their
culture through craft shows, quilting fairs, athletic contests, music, food,
art and more. Not just a fall event, festivals can be found in the area from
March through December. Some of the more celebrated festivals are the Gatlinburg
Craftsmen’s Fair, the Smoky Mountain Folk Festival, the Pigeon
Forge Harvest Festival, and Townsend’s Winter Heritage Festival. For
a schedule of upcoming festivals and other events, go to this website: www.allsmokymountainvacations.com/gatlinburg-events.html.
Wildlife
Wildlife can be
spotted in the natural surroundings of the Smokies. Bears, elk, deer, turkeys,
and foxes are a few of the wildlife species taking up residence there. Rangers
advise that when viewing wildlife from a vehicle, drivers need to pull over to
the curbside to allow other vehicles to pass.
For a close-up
visit with wildlife, there are many good choices in the region. The Smoky
Mountain Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo allow people to feed and
pet animals. The Briarwood Ranch Safari Park, with hundreds of animals
from six continents, offers a 4-mile safari by car, as well as wagon rides and
a petting zoo. Parrot Mountain is host to the largest eco-tourist bird
park in the southeast. Dinosaur Walk Museum exhibits realistic dinosaur
replicas up close and personal. The Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo
features more than six hundred live animals, many of which made their way to
the Smokies from the rainforests of the world. Ripley’s Aquarium of the
Smokies hosts displays of more than ten thousand marine animals.
Gem Mining
Gem mining is a
Smoky Mountain tradition that children of all ages enjoy. The mountains of
western North Carolina and Tennessee have a rich history of gold and gem
mining. It is not a clean process, and most people get wet and a little dirty.
Minimally, you will end up with dirt under your fingernails.
Mining takes
place in salted dirt or natural dirt. Salted dirt is dirt that has been
sprinkled with some gems and rocks by the mine owners so that customers,
especially children, can experience a gem find from their dirt bag. Natural
dirt is just that—dirt that is dug from local mines or elsewhere and that may
or may not contain gems. There are numerous gem mines throughout the Smoky
Mountain region. These gem mines provide buckets or sack cloths filled with
dirt and show you how to screen the dirt for gems—at a price based on bucket or
bag sizes and type of dirt. This gem mining process is re-created to reflect
the activities associated with the gem mines of the area from the early to
middle 1800s.
Historical Sites
In addition to
the Cataloochee Valley with its high mountain peaks, there are the Tuckaleechee
Caverns, which are sometimes called the “greatest sight under the Smokies.”
The Old Mill & General Store located in Pigeon Forge dates
back to the early 1800s and is labeled one of the country’s national treasures.
There’s a resident miller who still uses the old mill to grind corn meal today,
and there are many other history-related attractions to explore as well. Many
historic buildings exist in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park,
including cabins, barns, and grist mills.
Museums
Museums abound in
the Smoky Mountains. The Mountain Farm Museum is located on the banks of
the Oconaluftee River. This outdoor, somewhat “living museum,” has gathered many
historical buildings from the region to create the essence of a family farm.
The best time to visit the farm museum is during the summer months when there
are real livestock there. Volunteers tend the farm and wear period clothing,
making the visit and learning experience more authentic.
The Wheels
Through Time Museum contains a vintage collection of rare automobiles and
motorcycles with unique memorabilia. The Fields of the Wood Bible Park
provides a walk up the Ten Commandments Mountain and Prayer Mountain.
Carbo’s Police Museum warehouses thousands of police items from around
the globe. The Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center offers historical
information about the Native Americans. The Elvis Museum, Guinness
World Records Museum, and Floyd Garrett’s Muscle Car Museum are fun
places to visit too. Each museum has its own charm and historical value.
Cherokee
Reservation
The Cherokee
Indians are a federally recognized tribe whose history and culture can be
learned and observed throughout many parts of the reservation. The Oconaluftee
Indian Village is operated by the Cherokee Historical Association
and serves as a stepping-stone back to the 1750s. It is often referred to as a
“living” museum because it hosts live reenactments, interactive demonstrations,
and hands-on Cherokee arts and crafts classes.
The Museum of
the Cherokee Indian has many original artifacts that were made and used by
the Cherokee Indians, including various forms of art, tools, and weapons. The Mountainside
Theatre is home to the Unto these Hills outdoor drama—the
second-largest outdoor drama in the U.S. The story portrays a Cherokee Indian
who fights and sacrifices himself so that his people may remain in their home:
the Smoky Mountains. Original Cherokee arts and crafts may also be viewed in
many craft and gift shops found in the town of Cherokee and on the reservation.
Each of the
places mentioned in this article has a website that will provide more
interesting and essential information—just put your search engine to work!
Conclusion
In my opinion,
the Great Smoky Mountains rise above the rest of the land to offer a piece of
Heaven here on Earth. True to the name, the smoky fog that covers the Smoky
Mountains conceals many of the fantastic learning adventures the mountains
hold. The purpose we are called to as homeschoolers compels us to utilize what
God has given us as our classroom. The Smoky Mountains await you and your
family in your next homeschooling adventure.
Analisa homeschools
her youngest child, who has special needs. Analisa speaks nationwide about
learning issues and educating a child with special learning needs and serves
colleges, professionals, and special interest groups as a consultant. Her spare
time is spent with the Lord, family, and in the Carolina and Florida outdoors.
More information may be found at her website: www.abledlearning.com.
Copyright 2012,
used with permission. All rights reserved by author. Originally appeared in the
April 2012 issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, the trade magazine
for homeschool families. Read the magazine free at www.TOSMagazine.com or read it on the go and download the free apps
atwww.TOSApps.com to read the magazine on your mobile devices.
Homeschooler Cafe:
Messianic Prophecy for Kids by Brynn Padrick - Book Review
Don't let the title of this book fool you! Messianic prophecy may be a deep subject to some, but Brynn Padrick makes it all so easily understood as she guides
Brynn Padrick, the author of Messianic Prophecy for Kids, gives us a gimps into her world where she raises sheep and weaves on a loom. Mrs. Padrick is the mother of three grown children and loves teach children of the Messiah and to weave.
Brynn has two naughty sheep of whom she tells us about in her book. That happens to be my favorite part! She uses her sheep, complete with pics and humor, to tell us about the Messiah in the book of Isaiah.
Messianic Prophecy for Kids is just that... for kids. It is written in such a way that most 9-15 year olds will understand it perfectly. But this book isn't just for reading, it includes a little bit of math, fill in the blanks, places to draw, Scripture memorizing, plenty of questions, and of course underlining with beautiful colors or "threads."
My opinion:
Great book! I love how she wrote it in a conversation like style. Homeschool moms will enjoy going through this book with their children as it covers a multitude of ways to learn and a strong emphasis on Scripture. I like that she uses the New American Standard Version and conveniently has the Scriptures right there in the book.
I believe the kids will love the sheep as well, and see the Messiah (Jesus) very clearly in the Hebrew Scriptures. They may even take up a new hobby as Brynn Padrick shows them how to weave on a loom!
Purchase Messianic Prophecy for Kids $13
Messianic Prophecy for Kids on Amazon $12.95
The World Race ~ Mission Trip ~ Will You Go?
As I watch the video about the Word Race, I hear the words, "Here am I. Send me." from Isaiah 6:8.
Do you want more?
What is life about anyway?
Isn't the whole Facebook scene getting old?
Is it possible that God has more out there for you than this?
Check out the Word Race
It's a GOD sized adventure!
Even if...
Even if you don't plan on going to the World Race Mission Trip and spending 11 months living out of a backpack, healing the sick, casting out demons, and raising the dead, you can STILL be inspired.
BE...
Be inspired! Watch these videos about the different trips and be inspired to change the world....
YOUR WORLD.
The one that you live in...
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
YOUR CITY
Serve the Lord in YOUR church and help to set some captives free. (Did you know that there are people in bondage in every church?)
FREEDOM
Freely you have received.... freely give.
Watch here:
World Mission ~ Trip for young adults
Do you want more?
What is life about anyway?
Isn't the whole Facebook scene getting old?
Is it possible that God has more out there for you than this?
Check out the Word Race
It's a GOD sized adventure!
Even if...
Even if you don't plan on going to the World Race Mission Trip and spending 11 months living out of a backpack, healing the sick, casting out demons, and raising the dead, you can STILL be inspired.
BE...
Be inspired! Watch these videos about the different trips and be inspired to change the world....
YOUR WORLD.
The one that you live in...
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
YOUR CITY
Serve the Lord in YOUR church and help to set some captives free. (Did you know that there are people in bondage in every church?)
FREEDOM
Freely you have received.... freely give.
Watch here:
World Mission ~ Trip for young adults
Tuesday
High School Writing - Homeschool Writing - College Bound
I was searching for some good writing programs / eBooks / workbooks / instructions for our boys and came across these great resources.
High School Writing : CAHSEE Writing Program - PDF
Script Writing Workbook High School : for aspiring film makers / writers / plays - PDF
ACT Essay Workbooks for Christian Students - PDF
Writing for the SAT : for high school students desiring to take the SAT - PDF
Novel writing for high school : A guide / workbook for high school students desiring to write a novel - PDF
How to write for the SAT : A guide / workbook for high school students - PDF
How to analyze words in writings : Workbook for high school writing program - PDF
Literary response : Workbook for literature high school - PDF
Extra Stuff:
You can go to college - (Workbook & Questions) Guide for high school students thinking about college - PDF
Guide for the college bound high school student
photo credit: athena. via photopin cc
Giveaway: $75 for a FREE pair of glasses
WIN
$75 for a FREE pair of prescription glasses or sunglasses for anyone in your family or a friend!
Sign up at my other blog:
Encouragement for Homeschooling Moms & Update
I wrote the original article (featured below) several years ago. As I searched through my blog this morning, I stumbled upon it. I chuckle as I read through it.
I want to write an update for you homeschooling mamas with little ones. It can be a struggle but there IS light at the end of the tunnle!
UPDATE: My boys are almost 14 and 16 now and reading and multiplication is far behind them. I'd like to say "that is the least of my worries" but to be honest, I don't have any worries! Amen!
Espresso is 16 and has turned out to be a wonderful young man. He just built his first computer from parts that he and my dad bought. He worked for the money and purchased parts as he went along (over a period of more than a year). He even used his birthday money and other holiday moneys. That's right, he didn't blow his money on ANYTHING! Talk about driven and having a goal in mind. (...mom smiles...)
Double Espresso is almost 14 now. Reading is no longer an issue as he is reading many books on his own and he loves it! We are so proud of him as his maturity level and his Spiritual life rises. His desire for the things of God are inspiring and we can see how God has big plans for him as he matures into an adult.
All of this to "show and tell," there IS HOPE! Homeschooling parent, I want to encourage you. You ARE doing the right thing. All of your hard work, prayers, and time will pay off and probably already has even if you are not aware of it. Blessings abound! Easier days are ahead.
I'd love to encourage you! Leave me a comment or send me an email. :) Janet ♥
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

I want to write an update for you homeschooling mamas with little ones. It can be a struggle but there IS light at the end of the tunnle!
UPDATE: My boys are almost 14 and 16 now and reading and multiplication is far behind them. I'd like to say "that is the least of my worries" but to be honest, I don't have any worries! Amen!
Espresso is 16 and has turned out to be a wonderful young man. He just built his first computer from parts that he and my dad bought. He worked for the money and purchased parts as he went along (over a period of more than a year). He even used his birthday money and other holiday moneys. That's right, he didn't blow his money on ANYTHING! Talk about driven and having a goal in mind. (...mom smiles...)
Double Espresso is almost 14 now. Reading is no longer an issue as he is reading many books on his own and he loves it! We are so proud of him as his maturity level and his Spiritual life rises. His desire for the things of God are inspiring and we can see how God has big plans for him as he matures into an adult.
All of this to "show and tell," there IS HOPE! Homeschooling parent, I want to encourage you. You ARE doing the right thing. All of your hard work, prayers, and time will pay off and probably already has even if you are not aware of it. Blessings abound! Easier days are ahead.
I'd love to encourage you! Leave me a comment or send me an email. :) Janet ♥
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

At one point Espresso had trouble reading well. I started to sweat it and get worried. My husband and other homeschoolers encouraged me to just hang in there. Keep putting one foot in front of the other and hang in there he'll catch on; AND he did!!
About 2 years later Double Espresso wasn't grasping multiplication. After hanging in there with Espresso, I knew that eventually, Double Espresso would catch on. Sure enough, it was like a light switch was flipped and he caught on.
Sometimes, it is a matter of maturity. Sometimes it is a matter of learning styles. Sometimes it is a matter of giftedness. You may even want to take a break for a little while. Eventually, something will click and your child will "get it".
If your child is having trouble in a certain area, maybe we can help give you a fresh perspective!
Friday
Homeschooling High School - It's not as hard as you imagined

- Find ways that your child will learn and do that!
- Find topics that they are interested in and give them complete freedom. You will be pleasantly surprised.
- Have a full day (or more!) that they can focus solely on that subject and learn in the way that suites them best. Is that frightening? Sure!
- PRAY! Ask God to guide your young adult (you do realize that from 13 on they are young adults right?) into the areas that will guide them for the rest of their lives.
Train - Initiate, and so, educate.
The way he should go - Or, according to the tenor of his way, i. e., the path especially belonging to, especially fitted for, the individual's character. The proverb enjoins the closest possible study of each child's temperament and the adaptation of "his way of life" to that.
Thursday
Free Music Software for the Techie Homeschool
Free Music Software
By Andy Harris (Guest Post)
This
month we look over a number of wonderful free tools for creating and enjoying
music. Quite a bit of excellent free software is available.
Audio Mixing With Audacity
The most
straightforward class of audio tools involves recording and manipulating
sounds. Audacity (audacity.sourceforge.net) is a
marvelous tool for this job. Use it with a microphone to record music or
speech, import audio in wav, mp3, or ogg formats, and manipulate the sound
waves directly. Once you have recorded or imported a sound, you can tweak it in
hundreds of ways: add digital effects play it backwards, cut out parts you
don’t need, and much more.
Audacity
is a multi-track editor, which means you can record several different audio
samples and place them in layers for interaction. For example, my father was
once responsible for creating the sound effects for a community performance of Henry V. He and I spent a wonderful
afternoon gathering battle sounds for the Agincourt scene, building a marvelous
multi-layer sound effect with horses and swords. (They always cast Dad as a
king who dies in the first scene so he can run the sound effects for the rest of
the play.)
I also
frequently use Audacity in my daughter’s dance ministry, to shorten songs for
performance purposes or to pre-fade a song at the spot she needs. Audacity is perfect for mixing sounds, editing audio files, and
converting files to other formats. I use it for virtually all the sound effects
in my game development.
Tracking With SunVox
If you
really want to create digital music in a powerful way, you might want to look
into SunVox (www.warmplace.ru/soft/sunvox). It is a fascinating example of what musicians call a “tracker.” Essentially,
it allows you to create audio samples by specifying a specific wave or
importing a sound file. Each sample can be used as the foundation of an instrument
that can be used to play any note on the scale. You can then put together a
measure’s worth of notes to make patterns, and you can combine patterns to make
complete songs.
The
process can be confusing at first, but if you look at examples and view some of
the many excellent videos on YouTube, you’ll find yourself making incredible
music soon. This tool allows you to create any electronic sound you wish, as
well as import any other sounds, add drum tracks, and make complex and
incredible music. There can be a steep learning curve, but once you understand
the interface, you’ll find it to be absolutely incredible. Versions of SunVox
are available for nearly every platform. The Computer versions (Windows, Linux,
and Mac) are entirely free, but the mobile versions (IOS and Android) cost
about $5.00 each. Use a free version first to find out if you like it. If you
decide to purchase a mobile version, you’ll find that the flexible interface
works very well as a mobile music studio, especially on a tablet with a bit
more screen real estate.
Midi Editing With Aria Maestosa
The MIDI
audio format is under-appreciated by technical folks. While MIDI files
generally sound pretty bad on computers, that’s because it isn’t really a file
format at all. MIDI is really a language for describing music. MIDI sounds
pretty bad on most computers because most computers have very limited sound
cards. When played back on more sophisticated instruments, MIDI can sound
really wonderful.
MIDI does
not record music. Instead, it is a form of musical notation. MIDI tools are
really interesting because they allow you to look at the actual musical
notation of a piece at a very detailed level. For example, I loaded up a MIDI
recording of the Second Movement of Beethoven’s second symphony into a MIDI
editor. I was able to see the entire score as I listened, and I could even look
at the score for each individual instrument. (I was a bassoon player, so I
absolutely love the woodwind trio toward the middle of this piece.)
You can
also modify music, changing instruments around (What would Beethoven’s 7th have
sounded like with bagpipes playing the viola part?) by modifying volumes,
muting and isolating various instruments. I truly wish I could have had access
to this kind of music analysis tool when I was a serious classical musician.
You can find a MIDI file of nearly any classical piece you can imagine with a
quick Google search. Try www.musedata.org as a starting place for some high-quality,
open-source classical music. Of course, you can also compose music with a
high-end MIDI editor, whether you use a mouse, the computer keyboard, or
(preferably) plug in a high-end musical instrument into the computer.
I’m a big
fan of Aria Maestosa (ariamaestosa.sourceforge.net/index.html). It is available free for all main operating systems. It has
the ability to view and edit MIDI files in a number of ways, including the raw
computer notation, as well as sheet music, piano roll, and guitar tab views. It
can be a very interesting way to study music, especially if you’re comfortable
reading musical notation.
Music Animation Machine
While on
the classical bent, this is not exactly software (www.youtube.com/user/smalin), but one of the most impressive YouTube channels I have ever
seen. If you can look past all the pop trash on YouTube, every once in a while
you can find something really grand.
Stephen
Malinowski is a musician and computer programmer (it’s remarkable how often
those two skills coincide). He has written a number of programs that allow him
to visualize classical music. On YouTube, he has produced a huge number of
videos that show these remarkable visualizations. They are not only beautiful
but also are instructive. If you look at an orchestral piece, for example, you
will see a line representing each instrument in the orchestra. Malinowski has
also released the software for producing these videos for free, so you can
experiment with your own music (stephenmalinowski.com).
These
tools should give you a lot of fun composing music on your computer. Don’t
forget to use your headphones!
Blessings!
Andy Harris is a homeschool dad, father of four
great kids, and husband to the greatest homeschool teacher ever. He has taught all
ages of students, from kindergarten to university level. Andy is the author of a
number of well-known books, including HTML/XHTML/CSS: All in One for Dummies,
Game Programming—The L Line, PHP6/MySQL Programming for the
Absolute Beginner, and Beginning
Flash
Game Programming for Dummies. For more
information about his books, to
see where he is speaking next, or to just say
hi, please stop by his website:
Copyright 2012, used with permission. All rights reserved by
author. Originally appeared in the November 2012 issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, the family education magazine. Read
the magazine free at www.TOSMagazine.com or read it on the
go and download the free apps at www.TOSApps.com to read the
magazine on your mobile devices.
Tuesday
Have your children learned cursive? Updated Review ~ Penmanship
My original review is below. I wanted to update you on this wonderful resource. At our house, we have boys. They haven't been the kind of boys that LIKE to write in cursive. After I got Presidential Penmanship to review for the Old Schoolhouse Review Crew, I decided to keep going with it. It has actually been exactly 3 years since I wrote the original review and my boys are still working at it!
This is how we use it, I print up some presidential quotes, 3 whole punch them, and put them in a binder. A couple of times a week my boys (16 and 13) pull out their worksheets and practice their italics, printing, and or cursive. You would think by now they would be expert hand writers. Well, not so much... but they don't mind doing it and they do see the progress.
I STILL give this educational product a huge thumbs up! 4 stars!
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
In the year 2010, it is up for debate whether or not we should teach our children proper penmanship. In this age of technology, computers have taken over some lives. I am one of those old fashioned kind of gals that thinks it is important for even young boys to learn at least a little about good penmanship. I always tell my boys, how are you going to read your wife's love letters if you can't read cursive? (Ok, at 10 and 13, they probably don't care!)
I received Presidential Penmanship (Italic Style) from Zeezok Publishing to review as part of The Old Schoolhouse CREW. Please don't base your opinion on the title and look of this CD. When it first came in the mail, I was less than impressed. It looks old fashioned and the title makes it sound boring. Once I opened it up and saw all of the wonderful, character building quotes, I quickly formed a different opinion!
This is a complete handwriting practice CD from 1st grade up through senior high. It is FULL of quotes from past presidents like Abraham Lincoln and George Washington and also has plenty of Bible verses.
"Big jobs usually go to the men who prove their ability to outgrow small ones. ~ Theodore Roosevelt"
In the years that I have taught the boys handwriting, my belief is that if they are writing, it should count for more than just cursive. I've always had them write Bible verses so this CD comes in handy. All of the work is done for me through senior high!
This CD sells for $39.99. We will get a lot of use out of it over the next 5-7 years!
Wednesday
Free online art classes - Older kids, teens, and adults
Art is a subject that is often neglected or totally avoided in homeschools, especially once coloring books have been put away.
If your child or teen shows any interest in art, I will encourage you to explore some of the free online art lesson links that I have provided.
Even in this age of technology, art is still necessary. Commercials, graphics, signs, logos... all take an artist to make them come about. My son (16) is totally into motion graphics and adding special effects to videos, and even that takes an art mind.
Here are some helpful links for free art lessons, videos, and tutorials.
The Virtual Instructor ~ Free online art lessons
Acrylic Painting
Composition
Watercolor Painting
Creating a Focal Point
Drawing
Art Factory ~ Free online art lessons
Art Lessons
Design Lessons
Paint Basket ~ Free online art lessons videos
How to Draw and Paint Videos
photo credit: Kalexanderson via photopin cc
Tuesday
Kitchen Science
My son LOVES kitchen science!
Here are 2 great resources:
I was reading blogs today and I came upon Miazagora's Homeschool Minutes. She had a post about a piza box solar oven.
That peaked my interest so I visited the Kitchen Pantry Scientist. She has some wonderfully easy science projects on her website. These projects are great for all ages to do together.
Here are 2 great resources:
I was reading blogs today and I came upon Miazagora's Homeschool Minutes. She had a post about a piza box solar oven.
That peaked my interest so I visited the Kitchen Pantry Scientist. She has some wonderfully easy science projects on her website. These projects are great for all ages to do together.
Friday
Free eBooks ~ G A Henty ~ Wonderful Resource!
I am including links to free eBooks which, if desired, can be combined with free audio books! Believe it or not, these stories that are on audio are read quite nicely and are not boring at all. What a perfect way for boys to get some living history!
About G. A. Henty from eBooks Library:
Project Gutenberg Titles by G. A. Henty (Henty, G. A. (George Alfred), 1832-1902)
Free audio books ~ Titles by G. A. Henty
This is what a 15 year old homeschooled student has to say about G A Henty: Design Your Homeschool
About G. A. Henty from eBooks Library:
"Henty's stories almost always revolve around a fictional boy hero during interesting periods of history. His heroes are diligent, courageous, intelligent and dedicated to their country and cause in the face, at times, of great peril. His histories, particularly battle accounts, have been recognized by historian scholars for their accuracy. In fact, the only criticism Henty faced by the liberals of his day was that his heroes were "too Christian." There is nothing dry in Mr. Henty's stories and thus he removes the drudgery and laborious task often associated with the study of history."
Project Gutenberg Titles by G. A. Henty (Henty, G. A. (George Alfred), 1832-1902)
Free audio books ~ Titles by G. A. Henty
This is what a 15 year old homeschooled student has to say about G A Henty: Design Your Homeschool
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