Sometimes, all the studying gets a little too serious, so we play a few fun and silly games! Here's one we all like.
This is an excerpt from the book titled: Vacation Education destination Animal Kingdom.
TRY IT! PARTY GAME! Great for Co-op, Sunday school or youth group.
Items you will need: index cards of pieces of paper, tape or safety pins, and a pen
How to Play: Write the name of an animal that you have been studying on each card. There should be enough cards for the number of players, and each card should have a different animal name written on it. Attach an animal name card to the back of each players shirt (either with tape or with a safety pin)
VERY IMPORTANT! Everyone should be able to read the card except for the player wearing it AND the player must not see their card before having it put on. They can not know what animal name card they are wearing.
Each player moves about the room asking yes or no questions of other players trying to get clues as to the animal that they are. Players can only answer yes or no, they can not give any other clues, and they can only ask one question at a time. Once they have asked a player a question, they must find another player to ask before returning to a player.
EXAMPLE QUESTIONS:
“Am I a reptile?”
“Do I live on land?”
“Am I hatched from an egg?”
NOTE: This is a game that can be altered to fit several subjects. The name cards can be historical figures, Biblical characters or even mathematical equations.
This title is coming out in the summer of 2009!
For more information on how to get yours, visit:
www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Get kids to pick up with a scavenger hunt game.
Here is a fun game that our kids love to play. The messier the room, the better. The kids split up into teams (optional: mom & dad can be on a team also).
Each team is given a list of items to find like something I wear, something red, something fuzzy, something I played with this week, something I can read, something that's in the wrong room,etc.
Using a timer, the teams race to see who can find the most things in each category. They have to bring them to a central location - we use our dining room table.
Every item is worth one point.
Next, the teams race to see who can put each of their items into the correct place, and then return to the central location.
The fastest team get 5 bonus points.
Then, mom checks to see that everything is put away properly. Anything out of place is a deduction of one point. (If putting things in their proper place is an issue that needs to be addressed; mom and dad can up the deduction amount to a higher more motivating number).
The team with the highest score wins the round.
Go for another round, or change things up by switching around some team members.
Only have one child? You will have to be the opposing team!
The author of this blog, Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mom of six, a help meet to her husband and the author of Vacation Education Books.
Each team is given a list of items to find like something I wear, something red, something fuzzy, something I played with this week, something I can read, something that's in the wrong room,etc.
Using a timer, the teams race to see who can find the most things in each category. They have to bring them to a central location - we use our dining room table.
Every item is worth one point.
Next, the teams race to see who can put each of their items into the correct place, and then return to the central location.
The fastest team get 5 bonus points.
Then, mom checks to see that everything is put away properly. Anything out of place is a deduction of one point. (If putting things in their proper place is an issue that needs to be addressed; mom and dad can up the deduction amount to a higher more motivating number).
The team with the highest score wins the round.
Go for another round, or change things up by switching around some team members.
Only have one child? You will have to be the opposing team!
The author of this blog, Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mom of six, a help meet to her husband and the author of Vacation Education Books.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
New Ideas - I just love them!
One of the great things about conferences is the opportunity to network. We talked with another vendor who offered this tip:
Start a Yahoo! group for your customers. So, we did. Now, available to anyone who bought the books or is thinking about buying from us; is a place online where they can share ideas and ask questions. Great Idea!
Also, we were visited by an agent from 3D Travel. First thing when I get home, I will be sitting down with a web designer and trying to figure out how to set up my site so that we can offer a coupon code to their customers.
Keeping this short as we are on our way to the second day of the Indianapolis convention.
The author of this blog; Corinne Johnson, is a Christian homeschooling mom to six children, help meet to her husband, and author of Vacation Education Books.
Start a Yahoo! group for your customers. So, we did. Now, available to anyone who bought the books or is thinking about buying from us; is a place online where they can share ideas and ask questions. Great Idea!
Also, we were visited by an agent from 3D Travel. First thing when I get home, I will be sitting down with a web designer and trying to figure out how to set up my site so that we can offer a coupon code to their customers.
Keeping this short as we are on our way to the second day of the Indianapolis convention.
The author of this blog; Corinne Johnson, is a Christian homeschooling mom to six children, help meet to her husband, and author of Vacation Education Books.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
New Product New Logo
I wanted to share with everyone today as we are working on designer new product lines to go with what we are already offering. Our new product idea for this upcoming conference is the "pouch plus" organizer. It comes with a lanyard (for pin trading), and has easy convenient pockets for your activity cards, fastpasses, key cards and even includes an autograph book and pen! Everything you need to take into the park in one handy pouch - hang it on the lanyard or carry it in your pocket.
We'd love to hear comments about this new product idea. We are introducing it to the public for the first time next weekend, even though we've been working on the idea for nearly two years, to get it just right.
We've also been working on ideas for a company Logo. We would put this on our marketing materials, on our supplemental products, on t-shirts, etc. It includes our new company slogan "Whole Family Education Focused on God"
I'd love to hear what you think of it!
The author of this blog, Corinne Johnson, is a Christian homeschooling mom, help meet to her husband Don, and the author of Vacation Education Books!
www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Friday, March 27, 2009
Animal Kingdom; my favorite page so far
As I am working on the finishing touches for Vacation Education destination Animal Kingdom, I came across this page and decided that it is by far my favorite.
It is the introduction page for the section on Dinoland
There is a great controversy surrounding dinosaurs and their history. There is a theory of evolution that is commonly reported as factual.
I am not a scientist, and I can not scientifically prove or disprove the ideas that make up the theory of evolution. However, I can tell you that it is not possible to believe in the Bible and believe in evolution. They can not both be true. Here’s why.
Genesis Chapter One. On day 6, all land creatures were created, including man. This would have to include dinosaurs. According to evolution, dinosaurs were all dead before man even existed, so to believe in evolution, we would have to say that the book of Genesis is a FALSE account of history, therefore saying that God’s Word is not true. I am unwilling to do that, therefore I must say that there is a flaw in the theory of evolution. But, there’s more.
Let’s look again at Genesis Chapter One, verses 29 & 30, then Romans chapter 5, verses 12—14, and First Corinthians 15: 20-22.
What brought death to this earth? It was sin.
If sin (done by man and woman) caused death upon the earth…
This I believe is foundational to Christian faith
If the wages of sin are death, and Christ came to pay the penalty for our sins, and to defeat death, giving us the gift of everlasting life, which I can claim by Grace through faith (see Ephesians chapter two verse eight), then my salvation depends upon that being true in its entirety.
If the theory of evolution is correct and the dinosaurs were dead before man even existed, then what brought death to earth?
If death and bloodshed existed prior to man, then sin did not cause death, and Christ’s payment for my sins can not save me from death, and my eternal salvation is hanging in the balance…
So, as I said above, I can not scientifically prove the theory of evolution to be false, nor can I prove the Bible to be true; these are tasks for much more learned minds than mine. But, my faith rests in Christ, and I believe that the history of this world happened just the way that God says it did. I pray that you do too.
All of that being said, Dinosaurs are very cool and we can enjoy learning about them! So, come on with me on a Dinosaur Adventure! First, to the Boneyard...
The author of this blog, Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mom to six, help meet to her husband Don, and author of Vacation Education Books.
www.vacationeducationbooks.net
It is the introduction page for the section on Dinoland
There is a great controversy surrounding dinosaurs and their history. There is a theory of evolution that is commonly reported as factual.
I am not a scientist, and I can not scientifically prove or disprove the ideas that make up the theory of evolution. However, I can tell you that it is not possible to believe in the Bible and believe in evolution. They can not both be true. Here’s why.
Genesis Chapter One. On day 6, all land creatures were created, including man. This would have to include dinosaurs. According to evolution, dinosaurs were all dead before man even existed, so to believe in evolution, we would have to say that the book of Genesis is a FALSE account of history, therefore saying that God’s Word is not true. I am unwilling to do that, therefore I must say that there is a flaw in the theory of evolution. But, there’s more.
Let’s look again at Genesis Chapter One, verses 29 & 30, then Romans chapter 5, verses 12—14, and First Corinthians 15: 20-22.
What brought death to this earth? It was sin.
If sin (done by man and woman) caused death upon the earth…
This I believe is foundational to Christian faith
If the wages of sin are death, and Christ came to pay the penalty for our sins, and to defeat death, giving us the gift of everlasting life, which I can claim by Grace through faith (see Ephesians chapter two verse eight), then my salvation depends upon that being true in its entirety.
If the theory of evolution is correct and the dinosaurs were dead before man even existed, then what brought death to earth?
If death and bloodshed existed prior to man, then sin did not cause death, and Christ’s payment for my sins can not save me from death, and my eternal salvation is hanging in the balance…
So, as I said above, I can not scientifically prove the theory of evolution to be false, nor can I prove the Bible to be true; these are tasks for much more learned minds than mine. But, my faith rests in Christ, and I believe that the history of this world happened just the way that God says it did. I pray that you do too.
All of that being said, Dinosaurs are very cool and we can enjoy learning about them! So, come on with me on a Dinosaur Adventure! First, to the Boneyard...
The author of this blog, Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mom to six, help meet to her husband Don, and author of Vacation Education Books.
www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Words of Wisdom for parents
These are not my words, but a poem given to me. As I organize my homeschool supplies this spring, I came across this and wanted to share it with others.
If I had my child to raise over again by Diane Loomans
If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.
I'd do less correcting, and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less, and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I'd run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging, and less tugging.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd teach less about love and power, and more about the power of love.
This has been a reminder to me of the honor placed upon me by God to raise and teach these children. It can be easy to see their faults as we focus on correction and training; easy to see their faults as we focus on skills that need work; but, I sometimes need reminding that they are perfectly and wonderfully made in the image of their Creator; exactly as He intended them to be. It is my honor and privilege to spend my days with them.
Your children are a reward from your Heavenly Father; you are blessed to be with them as they grow into the men and women that God intends for them to be.
The author of this blog; Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mother of six, help meet to her husband Don, and author of Vacation Education Books.
www.vacationeducationbooks.net
If I had my child to raise over again by Diane Loomans
If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.
I'd do less correcting, and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less, and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I'd run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging, and less tugging.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd teach less about love and power, and more about the power of love.
This has been a reminder to me of the honor placed upon me by God to raise and teach these children. It can be easy to see their faults as we focus on correction and training; easy to see their faults as we focus on skills that need work; but, I sometimes need reminding that they are perfectly and wonderfully made in the image of their Creator; exactly as He intended them to be. It is my honor and privilege to spend my days with them.
Your children are a reward from your Heavenly Father; you are blessed to be with them as they grow into the men and women that God intends for them to be.
The author of this blog; Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mother of six, help meet to her husband Don, and author of Vacation Education Books.
www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Monday, March 23, 2009
seeing the Animal Kingdom up close
We were invited to the Wildlife Center at Ferris State University (about twenty minutes from our home). This is a free exhibit, and someplace near you probably has something similar (ask around).
This gave us a chance to see many animals up close. They were stuffed of course, but they were real, and we got to see them very closely. We attended a tour, presented by one of the students there. It was fun and informative.
By the grace of God, it was nearly free. Don used the day with an empty house to work on his Haggadah, and we got a free parking pass for showing up early, then after lunch, the lady at the cafeteria told us the kids were free. The whole day cost us just $2.85 (my lunch), plus the gas to get there.
Since we are the only homeschooling family in our church, the activity was attended by adults only, except for our children. When we were leaving, several of the women commented to me on how impressed they were with how much the kids knew about the animals we saw, and how well behaved they were. Because homeschooled children tend to act more mature (they are influenced more by adults than by their same age peers), I often get complimented on their behavior (they interact and converse well with adults). But, even I was impressed by how much they knew about the animals. The tour guide asked lots of questions and they knew almost every answer, which the adults didn't.
We are currently working on Vacation Education destination Animal Kingdom, and so we are learning a lot about animals for our science this year, but they knew things even I didn't know.
Proverbs 10:1 tells us "A wise son brings joy to his father..."
I was proud to come home and share with my husband (their father) the joy brought about by the wisdom of his sons (and daughters too!)
What a blessed day it has been!
The author of this blog, Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mother to six, help meet to her husband Don, and the author of Vacation Education Books
www.vacationeducationbooks.net
This gave us a chance to see many animals up close. They were stuffed of course, but they were real, and we got to see them very closely. We attended a tour, presented by one of the students there. It was fun and informative.
By the grace of God, it was nearly free. Don used the day with an empty house to work on his Haggadah, and we got a free parking pass for showing up early, then after lunch, the lady at the cafeteria told us the kids were free. The whole day cost us just $2.85 (my lunch), plus the gas to get there.
Since we are the only homeschooling family in our church, the activity was attended by adults only, except for our children. When we were leaving, several of the women commented to me on how impressed they were with how much the kids knew about the animals we saw, and how well behaved they were. Because homeschooled children tend to act more mature (they are influenced more by adults than by their same age peers), I often get complimented on their behavior (they interact and converse well with adults). But, even I was impressed by how much they knew about the animals. The tour guide asked lots of questions and they knew almost every answer, which the adults didn't.
We are currently working on Vacation Education destination Animal Kingdom, and so we are learning a lot about animals for our science this year, but they knew things even I didn't know.
Proverbs 10:1 tells us "A wise son brings joy to his father..."
I was proud to come home and share with my husband (their father) the joy brought about by the wisdom of his sons (and daughters too!)
What a blessed day it has been!
The author of this blog, Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mother to six, help meet to her husband Don, and the author of Vacation Education Books
www.vacationeducationbooks.net
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