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
Friday, March 20, 2009
We're unschooling again
Today was another one of those days when I appreciate unschooling. I had envisioned us quickly working through our textbook materials this morning and then moving onto free time (they could play, I could work). But, we are still searching for our lost digital camera - an item essential to our source of income. So, everyone worked on organizing the inventory room, in hopes that it had fallen into a box in there.
Note: it's the end of the day and we still haven't found it!
But, back to this story. We sorted, researched, priced, packaged and stacked boxes and boxes of inventory. Anyone who has ever worked for any retail business knows that this is training for real life.
Then, our midwife stopped by and invited us to a local church that was having a hymn sing and potluck dinner. Of course, we had to go. So, Caitlin learned to make cupcakes for our dish to pass, and brought her hymnal in case she got a chance to solo. Of course she did!
After dinner, we drove Tyler over to his Cub Scout Lock In. As the winner of a "What I want to be when I grow Up" contest, he was one of the boys who got to have an adult in their chosen field come and speak to the whole group. Tyler wants to be a missionary and the leader was able to get a youth pastor to come and speak about shepherding a flock for Christ. We left the church after Caitlin sang, and arrived at the Scout House just in time to hear the pastor speak.
I can't imagine what we could have possibly learned from our textbooks that would have been more beneficial to our children's futures both here on earth and in Heaven.
The author of this blog: Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mom to six children, help meet to her husband Don, and the author of Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn, unit studies for families who love to travel. Learn more at www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Note: it's the end of the day and we still haven't found it!
But, back to this story. We sorted, researched, priced, packaged and stacked boxes and boxes of inventory. Anyone who has ever worked for any retail business knows that this is training for real life.
Then, our midwife stopped by and invited us to a local church that was having a hymn sing and potluck dinner. Of course, we had to go. So, Caitlin learned to make cupcakes for our dish to pass, and brought her hymnal in case she got a chance to solo. Of course she did!
After dinner, we drove Tyler over to his Cub Scout Lock In. As the winner of a "What I want to be when I grow Up" contest, he was one of the boys who got to have an adult in their chosen field come and speak to the whole group. Tyler wants to be a missionary and the leader was able to get a youth pastor to come and speak about shepherding a flock for Christ. We left the church after Caitlin sang, and arrived at the Scout House just in time to hear the pastor speak.
I can't imagine what we could have possibly learned from our textbooks that would have been more beneficial to our children's futures both here on earth and in Heaven.
The author of this blog: Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mom to six children, help meet to her husband Don, and the author of Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn, unit studies for families who love to travel. Learn more at www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Thursday, March 19, 2009
It's all about the journey
What are we learning about this week? Trusting God!
Last weekend we attended a conference that had less people than we had hoped and we sold less than we had hoped. On the way home, the RV broke down on the side of the road about thirty minutes from home.
If we had made a bunch of money, then we would have called a tow truck, but since we didn't have any money to pay for one, we didn't call. We called on God instead. Quietly and patiently we talked about what we thought might be wrong with it, and we prayed.
As it began to get dark, we decided that we would try to reach our midwife (she had borrowed our minivan while we were away) to see about getting a ride home. We couldn't get through to her phone. So, Don called his friend Marty, who offered to call his dad and get us a ride (it would take both of them to haul all 8 of us).
Within an hour, Marty (who couldn't get through to his dad) had called a friend, who called another friend, who called another friend and soon there was a crowd around our RV. One guy showed up with a big truck and pulled us off the highway, and two other guys climbed into the engine area and began to work.
They were determined not to abandon us. It took a couple of hours, but with a wire coat hanger and a butter knife they managed to figure out the problem, rig up a temporary fix and get us home safely.
There is work to be done and parts that have to be replaced, but the RV is in our driveway and will be ready to go before our next big trip.
What are we teaching our children this week? When things don't go the way we planned them, we go to God first; not to our own earned dollars, not to the AAA service department, not to the Visa card, but to God.
The author; Corinne Johnson, is a Christian homeschooling mother of six, help meet to her husband, and author of Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn, unit studies for families who love to travel.
Last weekend we attended a conference that had less people than we had hoped and we sold less than we had hoped. On the way home, the RV broke down on the side of the road about thirty minutes from home.
If we had made a bunch of money, then we would have called a tow truck, but since we didn't have any money to pay for one, we didn't call. We called on God instead. Quietly and patiently we talked about what we thought might be wrong with it, and we prayed.
As it began to get dark, we decided that we would try to reach our midwife (she had borrowed our minivan while we were away) to see about getting a ride home. We couldn't get through to her phone. So, Don called his friend Marty, who offered to call his dad and get us a ride (it would take both of them to haul all 8 of us).
Within an hour, Marty (who couldn't get through to his dad) had called a friend, who called another friend, who called another friend and soon there was a crowd around our RV. One guy showed up with a big truck and pulled us off the highway, and two other guys climbed into the engine area and began to work.
They were determined not to abandon us. It took a couple of hours, but with a wire coat hanger and a butter knife they managed to figure out the problem, rig up a temporary fix and get us home safely.
There is work to be done and parts that have to be replaced, but the RV is in our driveway and will be ready to go before our next big trip.
What are we teaching our children this week? When things don't go the way we planned them, we go to God first; not to our own earned dollars, not to the AAA service department, not to the Visa card, but to God.
The author; Corinne Johnson, is a Christian homeschooling mother of six, help meet to her husband, and author of Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn, unit studies for families who love to travel.
Friday, March 13, 2009
First 2009 convention God's plans, not mine
Wow! What an adventure we are on! We are sitting here at the booth in Evansville; our first day of this conference. We left Thursday morning (we planned to leave at 8am, but didn't get out of the drive until 11:30). Many things did not go as planned, like the RV not starting. We just started praying, "Lord, I know your plans are greater than ours and we believe that you have the best for us in mind. But, right now, we don't understand, we don't see the plan and we are a little bit scared. So, just show us what to do and we will trust you." We gave it another try and sure enough, she turned right over. God is Great!
We were on our way. We planned to be at our first night camp site by dinner time, but didn't arrive until after 11pm, another unplanned delay. We got lost, missed a turn and drove through many downtown areas that we wouldn't have dared take the Midas into on purpose. More adventure!
I'm now convinced that we NEED a GPS!
We finally pulled into our spot for the night and Thanked God for friends like Tim and Tina who told us to take extra blankets (we couldn't figure out how to light the furnace and we really needed those extra covers).
We were up early, and on our way. We arrived at the convention center with plenty of time to spare. We unloaded, cleaned up, changed clothes, set up our booth, ate lunch, had family devotions, relaxed over a cup of coffee and were at the booth with minutes to spare before opening.
Now, we are praying for successful sales today and tomorrow.
We were pleasantly surprised to find out that we could connect here at the conference. We had planned to stop along the way at a "hot spot" and use the free internet to check emails and such, but never had time because we were so rushed. Then, we arrived and couldn't get any networks in the parking lot, but once we got inside, we logged on no problem.
Thanks God! Your ways are the BEST!
Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mom to six, help meet to her husband Don and the author or Vacation Education Books: travel guides for families who love to learn; unit studies for families who love to travel.
Learn more about their products and their conference schedule at www.vacationeducationbooks.net
We were on our way. We planned to be at our first night camp site by dinner time, but didn't arrive until after 11pm, another unplanned delay. We got lost, missed a turn and drove through many downtown areas that we wouldn't have dared take the Midas into on purpose. More adventure!
I'm now convinced that we NEED a GPS!
We finally pulled into our spot for the night and Thanked God for friends like Tim and Tina who told us to take extra blankets (we couldn't figure out how to light the furnace and we really needed those extra covers).
We were up early, and on our way. We arrived at the convention center with plenty of time to spare. We unloaded, cleaned up, changed clothes, set up our booth, ate lunch, had family devotions, relaxed over a cup of coffee and were at the booth with minutes to spare before opening.
Now, we are praying for successful sales today and tomorrow.
We were pleasantly surprised to find out that we could connect here at the conference. We had planned to stop along the way at a "hot spot" and use the free internet to check emails and such, but never had time because we were so rushed. Then, we arrived and couldn't get any networks in the parking lot, but once we got inside, we logged on no problem.
Thanks God! Your ways are the BEST!
Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mom to six, help meet to her husband Don and the author or Vacation Education Books: travel guides for families who love to learn; unit studies for families who love to travel.
Learn more about their products and their conference schedule at www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Saturday, March 7, 2009
God is growing us into something new!
We have been so blessed through the journey with this business, and the more we grow, the more we realize that God is growing us into something more than we had ever imagined.
We began with an idea for a curriculum that fit our family situation, and found that it worked for many of the homeschooling families that we met. We expanded our offerings to include music, drama, and units of subjects other than vacation destinations.
Our motto when we started was; Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn; unit studies for families who love to travel.
But, as we grow, we are realizing that our little idea has become so much more than that.
"The Gospel According to St. Olav" began as a skit to help our children retain a piece of Christian history, then it grew into an advertising campaign (just one of the many exciting ways to use our books), soon it became a ministry as we presented the Gospel message in every showing, and today we are learning how to make DVD's because we have had requests to put this presentation in a form that others can keep and share. God just keeps on growing our ministry.
Don's teaching on the Passover began as a lesson for us and our children during a Bible study on Exodus. As our children began to understand and question elements of our faith practice (like communion), we have returned time and time again to God's Word for guidance. After teaching our children how God used the Passover to point to Christ; we shared this with family and friends and last year Don taught it to a crowd of a hundred at our church. Now, he has been invited to teach fathers attending homeschool conferences how to take this information back home and teach it to their children and their churches. Again, we are learning how to make DVD's as people ask for this in a form that they can keep and share.
We have every intention of continuing to write Vacation Education Books, and to research and present materials on more destinations, but as our children grow and become more active in this business, we are giving them opportunities to use their talents to bless others.
Caitlin has been singing (check her out on YOUTUBE -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTs0qSFqlbQ&feature=related
Our name is dcscte if you want to see all of our uploaded videos
Summer is a born actress; she learns her lines as fast as I can write them, and she can learn to sign a new song for her sister just as quickly.
Our philosophy of education has not changed, but it has grown, and we find more and more that our mission is to encourage families to learn and grow together in God's Word; something that is very difficult to do in the current secular educational culture. We look forward to all that God has planned for us and feel honored that He has given us this opportunity to share our lives and faith with others.
God's blessings to you in your journey.
The author: Corinne Johnson is a homeschooling mother of six, help meet to her husband, and the author of Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn; unit studies for families who love to travel.
www.vacationeducationbooks.net
We began with an idea for a curriculum that fit our family situation, and found that it worked for many of the homeschooling families that we met. We expanded our offerings to include music, drama, and units of subjects other than vacation destinations.
Our motto when we started was; Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn; unit studies for families who love to travel.
But, as we grow, we are realizing that our little idea has become so much more than that.
"The Gospel According to St. Olav" began as a skit to help our children retain a piece of Christian history, then it grew into an advertising campaign (just one of the many exciting ways to use our books), soon it became a ministry as we presented the Gospel message in every showing, and today we are learning how to make DVD's because we have had requests to put this presentation in a form that others can keep and share. God just keeps on growing our ministry.
Don's teaching on the Passover began as a lesson for us and our children during a Bible study on Exodus. As our children began to understand and question elements of our faith practice (like communion), we have returned time and time again to God's Word for guidance. After teaching our children how God used the Passover to point to Christ; we shared this with family and friends and last year Don taught it to a crowd of a hundred at our church. Now, he has been invited to teach fathers attending homeschool conferences how to take this information back home and teach it to their children and their churches. Again, we are learning how to make DVD's as people ask for this in a form that they can keep and share.
We have every intention of continuing to write Vacation Education Books, and to research and present materials on more destinations, but as our children grow and become more active in this business, we are giving them opportunities to use their talents to bless others.
Caitlin has been singing (check her out on YOUTUBE -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTs0qSFqlbQ&feature=related
Our name is dcscte if you want to see all of our uploaded videos
Summer is a born actress; she learns her lines as fast as I can write them, and she can learn to sign a new song for her sister just as quickly.
Our philosophy of education has not changed, but it has grown, and we find more and more that our mission is to encourage families to learn and grow together in God's Word; something that is very difficult to do in the current secular educational culture. We look forward to all that God has planned for us and feel honored that He has given us this opportunity to share our lives and faith with others.
God's blessings to you in your journey.
The author: Corinne Johnson is a homeschooling mother of six, help meet to her husband, and the author of Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn; unit studies for families who love to travel.
www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Animal Kingdom Introduction
I've been busy getting things together for this years conferences, and working hard to finish up the details on our THIRD book; hoping to get it out in the next few months. Sharing here the introduction for Vacation Education destination Animal Kingdom.
The time has come again… time to plan your family vacation. Where will you go? What will you see? What will you do? How will you spend your hard earned money? Will you learn something from this trip? Will it provide memories to last a lifetime?
You are probably wondering how a book about Walt Disney World could enhance your children’s education. Every time we plan a new title, I have to ask that same question; over and over again. I also ask how does this vacation destination bring our family closer to God? Then, I set out to answer those very questions. For my family and for yours.
How much do you remember from your sixth grade textbooks? You read them, didn’t you? You were even tested on the material, right? So, what do you remember? Isn’t that what we are asking our kids to tell us on a regular basis? You read this book, why don’t you know the information that is in it? You were here when we talked about that, why don’t you remember it? If your kids are forgetting the information a few months later, or days, or sometimes even minutes… then how much of what you are devoting your time and energy to teaching them do you think they will retain into adulthood? About as much as you have.
Do you remember your family vacations, summer trips, family reunions, every detail of your grandmother’s house, your first baseball game, the first time your dad took you fishing…? How about the rules to the card game you played every time your aunt came to visit, even though you haven’t played it in over twenty years? Of course you do. And, these are the kinds of memories your kids will hold onto as well. It’s called experiential learning. We retain the things that we learn through our experiences more than any other format. The kid who can’t master his fourth grade math book, can remember the stats of every major league player for the last thirty years. The kid who can’t remember a single thing from the assigned book he just read, can recite play by play details of a video game he defeated a year ago.
Memories become ingrained when they are part of an experience. If you’ve told the kids about your plans for the next family vacation; they are probably already eager to know more about it. Eager students are a teacher’s best friend. Use that and the materials you’ll find within this book to plant seeds of learning that will stay with your children throughout their lives. Seeds that will not be easily forgotten.
If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, or if you’ve ever been to Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, then...
YOU NEED
VACATION EDUCATION
destination
ANIMAL KINGDOM
Vacation Education is exactly what the name implies, a vacation from traditional education. Every destination we explore as a family provides a platform from which to build a learning experience. It’s time to take advantage of these. It’s time to let your vacation destination provide the education. This book will give you everything you need to do just that.
The author; Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mother of six, help meet to her husband Don and the author of Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn; unit studies for families who love to travel.
The time has come again… time to plan your family vacation. Where will you go? What will you see? What will you do? How will you spend your hard earned money? Will you learn something from this trip? Will it provide memories to last a lifetime?
You are probably wondering how a book about Walt Disney World could enhance your children’s education. Every time we plan a new title, I have to ask that same question; over and over again. I also ask how does this vacation destination bring our family closer to God? Then, I set out to answer those very questions. For my family and for yours.
How much do you remember from your sixth grade textbooks? You read them, didn’t you? You were even tested on the material, right? So, what do you remember? Isn’t that what we are asking our kids to tell us on a regular basis? You read this book, why don’t you know the information that is in it? You were here when we talked about that, why don’t you remember it? If your kids are forgetting the information a few months later, or days, or sometimes even minutes… then how much of what you are devoting your time and energy to teaching them do you think they will retain into adulthood? About as much as you have.
Do you remember your family vacations, summer trips, family reunions, every detail of your grandmother’s house, your first baseball game, the first time your dad took you fishing…? How about the rules to the card game you played every time your aunt came to visit, even though you haven’t played it in over twenty years? Of course you do. And, these are the kinds of memories your kids will hold onto as well. It’s called experiential learning. We retain the things that we learn through our experiences more than any other format. The kid who can’t master his fourth grade math book, can remember the stats of every major league player for the last thirty years. The kid who can’t remember a single thing from the assigned book he just read, can recite play by play details of a video game he defeated a year ago.
Memories become ingrained when they are part of an experience. If you’ve told the kids about your plans for the next family vacation; they are probably already eager to know more about it. Eager students are a teacher’s best friend. Use that and the materials you’ll find within this book to plant seeds of learning that will stay with your children throughout their lives. Seeds that will not be easily forgotten.
If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, or if you’ve ever been to Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, then...
YOU NEED
VACATION EDUCATION
destination
ANIMAL KINGDOM
Vacation Education is exactly what the name implies, a vacation from traditional education. Every destination we explore as a family provides a platform from which to build a learning experience. It’s time to take advantage of these. It’s time to let your vacation destination provide the education. This book will give you everything you need to do just that.
The author; Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mother of six, help meet to her husband Don and the author of Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn; unit studies for families who love to travel.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Physical Fitness Curriculum
What do you use for PE?
Every academic subject has plenty of options for textbooks, workbooks, and more, but what about PE?
This past year we decided to start from a practical perspective. We asked what they might need to be physically fit for. There is the natural benefit of being healthy, but in terms of physical abilities we felt the most likely real life application would be if they ever wanted to participate in the military.
We looked up the US military minimum requirements for physical fitness, and agreed that this should also be the minimum that we require of our children.
http://www.army.com/enlist/push-ups.html
The above link will take you to a chart for push ups and from that page you can link to minimum requirements for sit ups and for running.
These are the three areas that you would be tested in to pass Basic Training. The requirements are not exactly the same for every branch of the military, but they are similar.
To use this information; we had our children test themselves, and document where they fell on the chart. Their goal was to work their way up to passing the Basic Training Test by the end of the school year. To help them, we encouraged them to work at some form of exercise on a daily basis and to retest once a week to see how much progress they had made.
While not all of my children would be able to pass the Basic Training test today, they have all made progress since the first test, and that is the real goal. We will continue to hold the military standard as our standard until all of our children are able to pass it.
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 (travel guides for families who love to learn, unit studies for families who love to travel).
www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Every academic subject has plenty of options for textbooks, workbooks, and more, but what about PE?
This past year we decided to start from a practical perspective. We asked what they might need to be physically fit for. There is the natural benefit of being healthy, but in terms of physical abilities we felt the most likely real life application would be if they ever wanted to participate in the military.
We looked up the US military minimum requirements for physical fitness, and agreed that this should also be the minimum that we require of our children.
http://www.army.com/enlist/push-ups.html
The above link will take you to a chart for push ups and from that page you can link to minimum requirements for sit ups and for running.
These are the three areas that you would be tested in to pass Basic Training. The requirements are not exactly the same for every branch of the military, but they are similar.
To use this information; we had our children test themselves, and document where they fell on the chart. Their goal was to work their way up to passing the Basic Training Test by the end of the school year. To help them, we encouraged them to work at some form of exercise on a daily basis and to retest once a week to see how much progress they had made.
While not all of my children would be able to pass the Basic Training test today, they have all made progress since the first test, and that is the real goal. We will continue to hold the military standard as our standard until all of our children are able to pass it.
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 (travel guides for families who love to learn, unit studies for families who love to travel).
www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Dinosaurs & the Bible
I have recently been researching dinosaurs as part of my work on unit studies to go along with Walt Disney's Animal Kingdom (this is our most recent title). I am trying to get this finished up so that we can distribute this book sometime this year (2009)
We discovered today an excellent resource in a website called Christiananswers.net.
Here is a link to get you started there.
http://www.christiananswers.net/dinosaurs/alaska/home.html
This particular link will take you to a story written by the leader of a group of Christian Creation scientists who journeyed to Alaska to find dinosaur bones. They were looking for bones that had been frozen in the permafrost, in hopes of finding some organic material. We found it both educational and entertaining, and especially appreciated that these men trusted the Lord in their struggles, and praised the Lord in their successes.
If you like adventure stories, you will enjoy this true story of their trek.
This blog is written by Corinne Johnson, Christian homeschooling mother of six, help meet to her husband, and author of Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn, unit studies for families who love to travel.
Learn more here:
We discovered today an excellent resource in a website called Christiananswers.net.
Here is a link to get you started there.
http://www.christiananswers.net/dinosaurs/alaska/home.html
This particular link will take you to a story written by the leader of a group of Christian Creation scientists who journeyed to Alaska to find dinosaur bones. They were looking for bones that had been frozen in the permafrost, in hopes of finding some organic material. We found it both educational and entertaining, and especially appreciated that these men trusted the Lord in their struggles, and praised the Lord in their successes.
If you like adventure stories, you will enjoy this true story of their trek.
This blog is written by Corinne Johnson, Christian homeschooling mother of six, help meet to her husband, and author of Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn, unit studies for families who love to travel.
Learn more here:
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Tyler's Engineering Project
I recently wrote about a K'NEX set that Tyler found and we used for a days worth of school (focusing on Math, Science and Engineering). Here is the final result.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Homeschooling & Socialization Antics
Every now and then, I am reminded of the social skills that my children don't get because they aren't exposed to common worldly influences; like modern slang. In our house, we generally speak proper English, and with the exception of occasional sarcasm, we tend to say what we mean. So, when my ten year old daughter asked me what it meant when she heard someone say, "Don't have a cow", I was reminded that she doesn't often hear such phrases.
I explained that it was an expression that some people used to indicate that someone was throwing a fit or having a temper tantrum. Okay.
The next day, my husband told her not to do something because Mommy wouldn't like it. She asked him, "Will she get a cow?"
Why yes dear, whenever Mommy is mad, she goes right out and gets a cow; that's why there's so much hamburger in the freezer!
I explained that it was an expression that some people used to indicate that someone was throwing a fit or having a temper tantrum. Okay.
The next day, my husband told her not to do something because Mommy wouldn't like it. She asked him, "Will she get a cow?"
Why yes dear, whenever Mommy is mad, she goes right out and gets a cow; that's why there's so much hamburger in the freezer!
Engineering K'NEX, Life = Learning
We made the rounds of the resale shops yesterday looking for treasures, and Tyler found a grocery cart full of K'NEX for $9.
We negotiated that we would purchase it but it would have to be a loan, and he would have to agree to pay us back.
1) Finance lesson - this was a very short term loan, since he had the money at home, and we expected immediate repayment.
As soon as we got home, the boys sorted out all the different pieces, and dad went online to find some instructions.
2) Math Lesson - Jacob (2yr) sorted by colors & shapes; Ethan & Tyler sorted more methodically, organizing different types of connections.
Once some designs were printed out, the boys began to figure out what they could build. Tyler has also began to imagine and hypothesize alterations he can make to the designs using different parts and to create different effects.
3) Lessons in Math/Logic/Engineering/Science
4) Lesson in patience - A 2 year old who desperately wants to help isn't always helpful, but we have to treat him with love anyway.
We are not doing school today, we are building K'NEX and we are learning a lot!
The author of this blog: Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mom of 6, help meet to her husband and author of Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn, unit studies for families who love to travel.
www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Dinosaur Troubles defeated by the Fallacy Detective
The work has been difficult this week, as I try to finish Animal Kingdom, specifically Dinoland. Almost everything available is from an evolutionary point of view, which I already expected. Answers in Genesis does provide some exceptional resources ( I highly suggest a visit to the Creation Museum in Kentucky if you get that way; and if you're not going that way, I suggest you plan a trip there).
What is distressing me is the vast amount of writing I have found that is just mean. As I search for information on dinosaurs that does not reject God, I have found many sites and sources that are anti-God, anti-Creation and anti-Christian in an extreme way. Even Q&A forums where anyone can pipe in, I have read very offensive language and a huge amount of name calling.
I am an intelligent person, and my faith is based on evidence; I would not be a believer if God had not revealed himself to me. So, when I am trying to read and understand different perspectives, I find it quite UNhelpful when the majority of the arguments begin with the premise that all Christians are stupid, and/or brain washed.
I don't believe everything my pastor says, I don't believe everything that I read, but I DO believe God. I believe that the Bible IS His Word, true when originally revealed, true for me today, and true for all generations to come. I am not opposed to hearing out those who disagree with me, but every argument that begins with emotionally charged name calling has little to offer in the way of actually being convincing, or even explaining any point.
So, if you would like to teach yourself and your children to be intelligent conversationalists who present their arguments with facts, not insults, then I suggest a book titled the Fallacy Detective. There are plenty of Logic curriculums to choose from and many of them are very good, but I like the Fallacy Detective particularly because we've been able to use it with several age levels. We also appreciate the "bite sized" presentation of material, as we (mom & dad) are learning too.
Corinne Johnson, is a Christian homeschooling mother of six, help meet to her husband, and author of Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn and unit studies for families who love to travel.
www.vacationeducationbooks.net
What is distressing me is the vast amount of writing I have found that is just mean. As I search for information on dinosaurs that does not reject God, I have found many sites and sources that are anti-God, anti-Creation and anti-Christian in an extreme way. Even Q&A forums where anyone can pipe in, I have read very offensive language and a huge amount of name calling.
I am an intelligent person, and my faith is based on evidence; I would not be a believer if God had not revealed himself to me. So, when I am trying to read and understand different perspectives, I find it quite UNhelpful when the majority of the arguments begin with the premise that all Christians are stupid, and/or brain washed.
I don't believe everything my pastor says, I don't believe everything that I read, but I DO believe God. I believe that the Bible IS His Word, true when originally revealed, true for me today, and true for all generations to come. I am not opposed to hearing out those who disagree with me, but every argument that begins with emotionally charged name calling has little to offer in the way of actually being convincing, or even explaining any point.
So, if you would like to teach yourself and your children to be intelligent conversationalists who present their arguments with facts, not insults, then I suggest a book titled the Fallacy Detective. There are plenty of Logic curriculums to choose from and many of them are very good, but I like the Fallacy Detective particularly because we've been able to use it with several age levels. We also appreciate the "bite sized" presentation of material, as we (mom & dad) are learning too.
Corinne Johnson, is a Christian homeschooling mother of six, help meet to her husband, and author of Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn and unit studies for families who love to travel.
www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Get an early start on next years Science Fair Project
The following is taken from Vacation Education destination Animal Kingdom, copyright 2009, Vacation Education Books, author: Corinne Johnson
Here's an idea for your 2010 Science fair Project:
TRY IT! Here is another nature idea for a science project you can do with your camera. Take photos of the different types of trees in your yard or neighborhood. Take the same photos again during the next season, and then next. You should have a shot of each tree at spring bloom, once at summers peak, once when the colors have changed, and again when it is winter bare. Make a display exhibiting the changing seasons in your area, explaining what happens to the different types of trees during these seasonal transitions.
Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mother of six, helpmeet to her husband Don and the author or Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families that love to learn. To find out more visit www.vacationeducationbooks.net; where you can order her books filled with educational unit studies and fun activities for your family.
Here's an idea for your 2010 Science fair Project:
TRY IT! Here is another nature idea for a science project you can do with your camera. Take photos of the different types of trees in your yard or neighborhood. Take the same photos again during the next season, and then next. You should have a shot of each tree at spring bloom, once at summers peak, once when the colors have changed, and again when it is winter bare. Make a display exhibiting the changing seasons in your area, explaining what happens to the different types of trees during these seasonal transitions.
Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mother of six, helpmeet to her husband Don and the author or Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families that love to learn. To find out more visit www.vacationeducationbooks.net; where you can order her books filled with educational unit studies and fun activities for your family.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Homeschooling many ages New Baby
One of the challenges that face many Christian homeschooling families (including mine) is How to Best Serve the Needs of Several Children?
Classroom teachers face this challenge as well, usually with a group of 20 or more. As moms & dads we typically have less children than that, but do have the added challenge of differing ages as well as different abilities and strengths among our children.
Having had a new baby arrive on Jan. 13th, this is a fresh topic on my mind. It is not the nursing newborn that disrupts our routine, however. It is the 2 1/2 year old toddler whose place on my lap has been overtaken and while he can do many things on his own, he is not yet ready to join the older children in their lessons.
Here are a few things that we have found work well for us.
1) Partnering older children with younger children. My level 5 math student can easily sit beside her level one brother and guide him through his lessons. This frees up mom and dad to help another older child.
2) Combining as many subjects as possible. We use resources like Sequential Spelling, Mystery of History, and English from the Roots up. These are easy to use as a group with everyone participating in a lesson, and then older children are assigned additional work to supplement what we've done together.
3) Giving older children independent work whenever possible. My oldest is 13, and this is the first year that she has really been able to work through almost all of her subjects on her own, coming to her father and I with questions and guidance as necessary. I no longer have to create daily lesson plans for her. We've also started using more curriculum that is user friendly and needs little in the way of "teaching" on my part. Piano for life is an example; the DVD lessons are taught by a teacher and then each student is responsible for tracking their own practice time. Right now, all five older children are watching a DVD lesson called "Teaching kids to sing". It provides warming up exercises and practice in posture and proper breathing. All the children can watch it together and glean at their own level.
4) We have a posted chart on a dry erase board. The graph (names across the top and subjects down the side) is posted in wet erase so that it stays there when the board is erased - it has to be washed off to be removed. We use dry erase markers to put a check mark into a box after a child has completed a subject. This allows my husband and I to work one on one with a child on different days throughout the week, and everyone knows what is left to do, with a quick glance at the board.
5) For my toddler, I keep a seat on the floor right next to me and set down my infant whenever he is soundly sleeping(usually when he has just finished nursing) and then invite my toddler to take my lap in an effort to give him as much snuggling time as he needs. I can do this at the table and still be available for other children who need help with their lessons.
6) Also, for my toddler; when everyone is working diligently and no one is able to entertain him; we offer "school books" and paper, pencils, crayons, markers, stickers, etc. and give him important "assignments". Today, we received a sheet of stickers in the mail as part of an advertisement. His assignment was to move the stickers from their sheet onto a piece of blank copy paper. Admittedly, this is not necessarily an 'educational' task. I could maybe claim some hand/eye coordination, but primarily it is busy work. However, he is learning that there are times when he must work at a task while he is waiting for his older siblings to play with him. He is learning that even though there are seven other people in this house who could entertain him, sometimes he will have to entertain himself, sometimes he will have to play alone.
7) Using tip#6 there are many other tasks that toddlers can do that are more productive/educational. Coloring books, puzzles, and simple games are great for including them. One of our favorites recently has been a small dry erase board, one or two markers and an eraser. He enjoys imitating mom and dad who often write memorization verses or prayer requests and other things on our big dry erase board. He can write down his ideas and erase them as often as he likes on his little board.
8) Keep things simple. We don't take off on days that the local schools do. Because we continued to work through the public school winter break, we are now able to relax about school work as we prepared for our new baby's birth and as we take time to welcome him and get to know him. If we miss a few days or lessons now, we know that it's okay.
9) Be flexible in your daily schedule. Right now, with a new baby, a toddler, and children 6, 8, 10, and 13; my ten and thirteen year old daughters are desperately needed by me for many tasks around the house. From washing dishes and preparing meals to scrubbing bathroom floors. Some things are more difficult for me to do at this time, and I need their help, but I also want to make sure that they have time to keep up with their studies as well. This means that we never follow a "school" schedule. In the mornings, the girls typically help with chores and the boys do their lessons. After lunch, small children have naps while older children work on lessons. Because our oldest has much more to do academically (7th grade is much more demanding than 3rd), she often has work still to do at the end of the day. We send children to their rooms at 8pm, little ones to sleep and older children are able to use this time for extra studying, finishing lessons or quiet time to read and listen to music. We understand that this means, mom or dad may have to be up at 10pm to answer history or science questions, but that works for our family. Our oldest is much more pleasant and motivated to work in the evenings and enjoys the quiet time after everyone else is asleep - we often allow her to sleep a little later in the mornings. A homeschool blessing! School doesn't have to begin at a certain time.
10) Be flexible in your yearly schedule. We believe that education is a constant, not something that happens during certain times of day or certain seasons of the year. We work on math skills all year, so we don't have to review in the fall what we forgot from the spring. Our science in the summer is focused on things we can explore outdoors; plants and animals, the growth and harvest of our garden, and in the winter, we do more chemistry and science that involves baking. Homeschool Blessing! We can pick and choose our lessons based on where we are and what we feel like doing. Example: Last summer was especially windy here, and we had several tornado warnings, so we studied tornadoes and other weather phenomenon for many weeks.
So, that's my top ten list! I hope you find it helpful. I would love to hear from all of you with any ideas that have worked for your family. One more thing, we regularly use unit studies as a means of studying subjects together as a family. To learn more about the some of the unit studies that we have put together for our family and for yours, please visit our website: www.vacationeducationbooks.net and check out our book series.
Classroom teachers face this challenge as well, usually with a group of 20 or more. As moms & dads we typically have less children than that, but do have the added challenge of differing ages as well as different abilities and strengths among our children.
Having had a new baby arrive on Jan. 13th, this is a fresh topic on my mind. It is not the nursing newborn that disrupts our routine, however. It is the 2 1/2 year old toddler whose place on my lap has been overtaken and while he can do many things on his own, he is not yet ready to join the older children in their lessons.
Here are a few things that we have found work well for us.
1) Partnering older children with younger children. My level 5 math student can easily sit beside her level one brother and guide him through his lessons. This frees up mom and dad to help another older child.
2) Combining as many subjects as possible. We use resources like Sequential Spelling, Mystery of History, and English from the Roots up. These are easy to use as a group with everyone participating in a lesson, and then older children are assigned additional work to supplement what we've done together.
3) Giving older children independent work whenever possible. My oldest is 13, and this is the first year that she has really been able to work through almost all of her subjects on her own, coming to her father and I with questions and guidance as necessary. I no longer have to create daily lesson plans for her. We've also started using more curriculum that is user friendly and needs little in the way of "teaching" on my part. Piano for life is an example; the DVD lessons are taught by a teacher and then each student is responsible for tracking their own practice time. Right now, all five older children are watching a DVD lesson called "Teaching kids to sing". It provides warming up exercises and practice in posture and proper breathing. All the children can watch it together and glean at their own level.
4) We have a posted chart on a dry erase board. The graph (names across the top and subjects down the side) is posted in wet erase so that it stays there when the board is erased - it has to be washed off to be removed. We use dry erase markers to put a check mark into a box after a child has completed a subject. This allows my husband and I to work one on one with a child on different days throughout the week, and everyone knows what is left to do, with a quick glance at the board.
5) For my toddler, I keep a seat on the floor right next to me and set down my infant whenever he is soundly sleeping(usually when he has just finished nursing) and then invite my toddler to take my lap in an effort to give him as much snuggling time as he needs. I can do this at the table and still be available for other children who need help with their lessons.
6) Also, for my toddler; when everyone is working diligently and no one is able to entertain him; we offer "school books" and paper, pencils, crayons, markers, stickers, etc. and give him important "assignments". Today, we received a sheet of stickers in the mail as part of an advertisement. His assignment was to move the stickers from their sheet onto a piece of blank copy paper. Admittedly, this is not necessarily an 'educational' task. I could maybe claim some hand/eye coordination, but primarily it is busy work. However, he is learning that there are times when he must work at a task while he is waiting for his older siblings to play with him. He is learning that even though there are seven other people in this house who could entertain him, sometimes he will have to entertain himself, sometimes he will have to play alone.
7) Using tip#6 there are many other tasks that toddlers can do that are more productive/educational. Coloring books, puzzles, and simple games are great for including them. One of our favorites recently has been a small dry erase board, one or two markers and an eraser. He enjoys imitating mom and dad who often write memorization verses or prayer requests and other things on our big dry erase board. He can write down his ideas and erase them as often as he likes on his little board.
8) Keep things simple. We don't take off on days that the local schools do. Because we continued to work through the public school winter break, we are now able to relax about school work as we prepared for our new baby's birth and as we take time to welcome him and get to know him. If we miss a few days or lessons now, we know that it's okay.
9) Be flexible in your daily schedule. Right now, with a new baby, a toddler, and children 6, 8, 10, and 13; my ten and thirteen year old daughters are desperately needed by me for many tasks around the house. From washing dishes and preparing meals to scrubbing bathroom floors. Some things are more difficult for me to do at this time, and I need their help, but I also want to make sure that they have time to keep up with their studies as well. This means that we never follow a "school" schedule. In the mornings, the girls typically help with chores and the boys do their lessons. After lunch, small children have naps while older children work on lessons. Because our oldest has much more to do academically (7th grade is much more demanding than 3rd), she often has work still to do at the end of the day. We send children to their rooms at 8pm, little ones to sleep and older children are able to use this time for extra studying, finishing lessons or quiet time to read and listen to music. We understand that this means, mom or dad may have to be up at 10pm to answer history or science questions, but that works for our family. Our oldest is much more pleasant and motivated to work in the evenings and enjoys the quiet time after everyone else is asleep - we often allow her to sleep a little later in the mornings. A homeschool blessing! School doesn't have to begin at a certain time.
10) Be flexible in your yearly schedule. We believe that education is a constant, not something that happens during certain times of day or certain seasons of the year. We work on math skills all year, so we don't have to review in the fall what we forgot from the spring. Our science in the summer is focused on things we can explore outdoors; plants and animals, the growth and harvest of our garden, and in the winter, we do more chemistry and science that involves baking. Homeschool Blessing! We can pick and choose our lessons based on where we are and what we feel like doing. Example: Last summer was especially windy here, and we had several tornado warnings, so we studied tornadoes and other weather phenomenon for many weeks.
So, that's my top ten list! I hope you find it helpful. I would love to hear from all of you with any ideas that have worked for your family. One more thing, we regularly use unit studies as a means of studying subjects together as a family. To learn more about the some of the unit studies that we have put together for our family and for yours, please visit our website: www.vacationeducationbooks.net and check out our book series.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Help your kids want to clean up litter
Read the creation account in Genesis with your child. Then, have them create an earth out of art. Any medium they choose; crayons and paper, a paper mache mobile, a creative sculpture. However they want to represent their idea of the earth they live on, in an art form, as creative as they are able, with time and effort put into it.
Now, ask them which would be more pleasing to them - if you dumped the kitchen garbage on top of their creation or if you put it on display and treated it as though you cared for it.
Then, ask them which they think would make God happier, dumping our trash on His Creation, or treating it like we care about it?
This is a great simple lesson that helps kids of all ages to have some empathy, and leads them to want to take care of the world in which we live.
This lesson is an excerpt from Vacation Education destination Animal Kingdom.
Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mom of five (will be six any day now), help meet to her husband Don, and author or Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn and unit studies for families who love to travel.
Learn more at www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Now, ask them which would be more pleasing to them - if you dumped the kitchen garbage on top of their creation or if you put it on display and treated it as though you cared for it.
Then, ask them which they think would make God happier, dumping our trash on His Creation, or treating it like we care about it?
This is a great simple lesson that helps kids of all ages to have some empathy, and leads them to want to take care of the world in which we live.
This lesson is an excerpt from Vacation Education destination Animal Kingdom.
Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mom of five (will be six any day now), help meet to her husband Don, and author or Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn and unit studies for families who love to travel.
Learn more at www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Monday, January 5, 2009
Nature Hike in your socks
Here's a fun activity that will certainly show up in the Animal Kingdom book.
You will need:
A nice day for taking a walk outdoors (I know, I know, it's January and many of you are buried in snow, so you'll have to save this activity for the spring).
A pair of old mismatched socks, preferably dads since they need to be big (and cotton seems to work best)
A paper bag
A book for looking up plants and seeds
A large white piece of paper or poster board to display your finds
You may also want to have:
A large planting pot
Some potting soil
Here is the first part of the activity:
You pull the socks on over your shoes and go for a nature walk
when you are done, pull off the socks and put them into the paper bag (this way all of the items that stuck to your socks while you were walking won't end up stuck to the inside of your car's upholstery)
Next, take your items home and spread them out on your white display paper.
Use your nature book to identify the plants and seeds that came home with you.
You can either spread them out on your display and label them as a science project or you can Plant Your Sock! (This part of the activity is usually most successful if done during the fall after many trees and plants have lost their leaves or in the spring when plants are letting go of their seeds into the wind).
Put some potting soil into a pot and bury the sock in the soil, keep the soil moist with water and wait to see what happens.
Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mom of five (almost six), a help meet to her husband Don, and the author of Vacation Education Books; Travel Guides for Families Who Love to Learn & Unit Studies For Families Who Love to Travel!
Learn more at www.vacationeducationbooks.net
You will need:
A nice day for taking a walk outdoors (I know, I know, it's January and many of you are buried in snow, so you'll have to save this activity for the spring).
A pair of old mismatched socks, preferably dads since they need to be big (and cotton seems to work best)
A paper bag
A book for looking up plants and seeds
A large white piece of paper or poster board to display your finds
You may also want to have:
A large planting pot
Some potting soil
Here is the first part of the activity:
You pull the socks on over your shoes and go for a nature walk
when you are done, pull off the socks and put them into the paper bag (this way all of the items that stuck to your socks while you were walking won't end up stuck to the inside of your car's upholstery)
Next, take your items home and spread them out on your white display paper.
Use your nature book to identify the plants and seeds that came home with you.
You can either spread them out on your display and label them as a science project or you can Plant Your Sock! (This part of the activity is usually most successful if done during the fall after many trees and plants have lost their leaves or in the spring when plants are letting go of their seeds into the wind).
Put some potting soil into a pot and bury the sock in the soil, keep the soil moist with water and wait to see what happens.
Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mom of five (almost six), a help meet to her husband Don, and the author of Vacation Education Books; Travel Guides for Families Who Love to Learn & Unit Studies For Families Who Love to Travel!
Learn more at www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Years Day activity; start a Christmas Jar
Are you past the stay out all night, partying stage of your life?
Does the idea of drinking until midnight make you tired just thinking about it?
If I answered yes, does that make me old?
I am 38 weeks pregnant, have five young children at home; my idea of a wonderful New Year's Eve was going to bed at 9pm (without my husband, so that my big old belly could have some extra room). I watched a few programs on the computer, worked a few Soduko puzzles, and then fell asleep (long before midnight).
But, I awoke this morning feeling a bit like I should have done something special to commemorate the incoming year. It didn't have to happen at midnight, but it's 2009 now. Perhaps we should mark it in some way to make it different, better than 2008, but how?
We started today to fill our first 'Christmas Jar'. If you are not familiar with this, neither were we until one showed up on our doorstep on Christmas Eve. There it was, a big glass jar filled with coins and a book. The book was titled "Christmas Jars." I declared that evening that we would read the book out loud as a family before we even opened the jar. So, over this past week, we read the story of Hope Jensen, an aspiring journalist whose life was changed by a mysterious anonymous jar of change that showed up at her front door. When she set out to detect the giver of the jar, she was led on an investigative journey to the start of the Christmas Jar tradition. We read about how many lives were changed over the years, not only by the jar that one family gave away each year, but by the inspiration that it provided to others to do the same, and the domino effect of this one act of kindness.
We finished reading the book yesterday evening, and opened the jar this morning. We counted the coins, not a life changing amount, but more than we would have imagined. The $ amount is irrelevant when we think of the love that went into this jar throughout the year as some family set aside their change, day by day, thinking of someone who they could bless with it.
For me, I tend to feel very alone as my pregnancy ends, and immediately after the baby is born. It is a time of extreme loneliness for me. Although surrounded by my husband and children, I do not usually feel up to visiting others and we do not have many guests. I often long for someone to share my emotions with as those around me love me and care for me, but do not have any idea what I have just went through or am currently going through. I am sad that I do not have many other new moms to chat with, or that more people don't come by to see how we are doing. Knowing that someone, somewhere saw us and our needs and thought we were worthy of their blessing is an honor. It reminds me that I am not alone, I am not invisible and someone trusts that we will make good use of this gift.
We thanked God for the people He led to bring us this gift and we asked Him to guide us in the way He would like us to use it. We then cleaned out the jar and set it on the table and put a few of our own coins in it. We are already excited as we think about spending the year watching it fill up with our spare change (it is likely that we will have less to give than what we were just given), but we now have a reason to look forward to Christmas Eve 2009 - when we will get to give away our Christmas Jar.
So, if you are looking for a meaningful way to start the new year, perhaps you will find a jar to set on your counter, where you can drop in a little spare change here and there and watch it fill, anticipating the way that you will change the life of some other in need when you give away your Christmas Jar.
Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mother of five (soon to be six - just two more weeks), a help meet to her husband in his business, and the author of Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn.
Does the idea of drinking until midnight make you tired just thinking about it?
If I answered yes, does that make me old?
I am 38 weeks pregnant, have five young children at home; my idea of a wonderful New Year's Eve was going to bed at 9pm (without my husband, so that my big old belly could have some extra room). I watched a few programs on the computer, worked a few Soduko puzzles, and then fell asleep (long before midnight).
But, I awoke this morning feeling a bit like I should have done something special to commemorate the incoming year. It didn't have to happen at midnight, but it's 2009 now. Perhaps we should mark it in some way to make it different, better than 2008, but how?
We started today to fill our first 'Christmas Jar'. If you are not familiar with this, neither were we until one showed up on our doorstep on Christmas Eve. There it was, a big glass jar filled with coins and a book. The book was titled "Christmas Jars." I declared that evening that we would read the book out loud as a family before we even opened the jar. So, over this past week, we read the story of Hope Jensen, an aspiring journalist whose life was changed by a mysterious anonymous jar of change that showed up at her front door. When she set out to detect the giver of the jar, she was led on an investigative journey to the start of the Christmas Jar tradition. We read about how many lives were changed over the years, not only by the jar that one family gave away each year, but by the inspiration that it provided to others to do the same, and the domino effect of this one act of kindness.
We finished reading the book yesterday evening, and opened the jar this morning. We counted the coins, not a life changing amount, but more than we would have imagined. The $ amount is irrelevant when we think of the love that went into this jar throughout the year as some family set aside their change, day by day, thinking of someone who they could bless with it.
For me, I tend to feel very alone as my pregnancy ends, and immediately after the baby is born. It is a time of extreme loneliness for me. Although surrounded by my husband and children, I do not usually feel up to visiting others and we do not have many guests. I often long for someone to share my emotions with as those around me love me and care for me, but do not have any idea what I have just went through or am currently going through. I am sad that I do not have many other new moms to chat with, or that more people don't come by to see how we are doing. Knowing that someone, somewhere saw us and our needs and thought we were worthy of their blessing is an honor. It reminds me that I am not alone, I am not invisible and someone trusts that we will make good use of this gift.
We thanked God for the people He led to bring us this gift and we asked Him to guide us in the way He would like us to use it. We then cleaned out the jar and set it on the table and put a few of our own coins in it. We are already excited as we think about spending the year watching it fill up with our spare change (it is likely that we will have less to give than what we were just given), but we now have a reason to look forward to Christmas Eve 2009 - when we will get to give away our Christmas Jar.
So, if you are looking for a meaningful way to start the new year, perhaps you will find a jar to set on your counter, where you can drop in a little spare change here and there and watch it fill, anticipating the way that you will change the life of some other in need when you give away your Christmas Jar.
Corinne Johnson is a Christian homeschooling mother of five (soon to be six - just two more weeks), a help meet to her husband in his business, and the author of Vacation Education Books; travel guides for families who love to learn.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)