for Grammar!

Grammar Made Easy, Writing Made Great
Faulty modern educational approach to writing is REVOLUTIONIZED by
The Writing Course-Educator’s Version created for home schoolers, high schoolers,
parents, and college students,

Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX—Did you know that you can learn to write with correct grammar and proper punctuation without learning the rules? This summer, author, pastor, and teacher Fred Lybrand introduces a radically different way of thinking—and learning—about grammar in his simple, yet revolutionary, new curriculum, The Writing Course-Educator’s Version. He straightforwardly offers twelve basic writing “secrets” that virtually anyone can master and that will transform “grammar-challenged” students, parents, and even professional adults into excellent writers. “We are losing a generation of writers to email, IM, and instruction that doesn’t show students how English really works,” says Lybrand.

The Writing Course-Educator’s Version is not only designed for those who constantly struggle with the difficulty of writing, but also for those who just want to write better. Lybrand’s proven approach to writing and grammar solves the problems of what to say, how to say it grammatically, and how to make sure the punctuation is correct. And, the course also shows the sure-cure for poor spelling!

“When a student is not worried about grammar or punctuation, he can learn to write in his own uniquely powerful and effective style; which is the current emphasis placed on writing by the recently modified TAKS test (Texas) and on the SAT college exams,” says Lybrand. “Something more is required than just throwing grammar rules at our students. Instead, our goal should be to teach our children ‘to learn how to learn for themselves.’”

While history has clearly demonstrated the value of the principles taught in The Writing Course-Educator’s Version, there is no writing course even remotely similar to what Lybrand teaches. With a methodology that teaches parents or students how to get engaged in the process of learning the elements that go into writing correctly and effectively, The Writing Course-Educator’s Version immerses students in twelve secrets all truly great writers finally discover (and sometimes aren’t aware of themselves).

“For anyone who likes (or even dislikes!) writing, this course can totally release him or her from the constraints of grammar and punctuation rules and regulations,” says Lybrand. “It also allows parents to become more involved in the schooling process of their own children, whether they attend public, private, or home school.”

Working as either a full curriculum or a supplement (kids in public or private schools can use this training after school to improve their own writing), The Writing Course-Educator’s Version comes as a combination of audio lessons, a printable workbook, and a full transcript of Lybrand’s writing seminar. In sessions of about 30 minutes each, over 21 lessons, students will experience the instruction and exercises necessary to learn the strategic principles which are the building blocks of great writing.

For more information or to order The Writing Course-Educator’s Version, please visit Advanced Writing Resources.

for birthing

One of the true blessings of living in rural area is watching Spring come to life. Troy happened upon a cow having a baby and stopped to get some pictures for the kids and I. While we have seen the babies in the fields, we have yet to see one being born. These pictures will have to do until we experience the joy for ourselves!

The calf just being born

Mama cleaning the baby

All cleaned up and resting while getting used to the new environment

for enjoying the freedom of homeschooling

The joys of homeschooling! One of the many reasons I love homeschooling is the great freedom and flexibility it affords a family.

For instance, the kids decided to have school 'across the creek' a few weeks back. So....they got out the boat and ferried themselves across, and had a nice lunch while doing a bit of school on the creek bank.





You can work alone - while reclining on the floor:



...or you can work together, even though you are in different 'grades':



You can also modify your day for drop-in guests and enjoy generational company:





And last, but not least, you can take a moment for a 'good-bye' picture. This is the motorcycle that all the kids learned to ride on. We recently sold it, so we got a picture of everyone sitting on it one last time...though I'll only share one with you now:

for Homer Price and Doughnuts

David is currently reading 'Homer Price' in Literature. Along with his comprehension questions, there are several activities to get the kids 'into' the story. One of the activities for this book was making doughnuts.

With recipe in hand, and a willing older sister - David hit the kitchen this morning and made us all doughnuts!!!

The recipe is from the Veritas Press Comprehension Guide for 'Homer Price'. It is found on page 12.

Ingredients:

4.5 cups flour
3.5 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons softened butter
3/4 cup evaporated milk

Mix flour, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon and baking powder. Beat eggs and sugar until creamy. Add vanilla, butter, milk, and dry ingredients. Make a soft dough and roll out to 1/3 inch thick. Cut with a well-floured doughnut cuttter, and drop into hot oil (375 degrees F). Roll in confectioner's sugar or fancy color sugars. Enjoy!

Rolling out the doughnuts and frying them up

mmmmm, tasty!

Testing, testing, 1-2 (3 in Victoria's case!)

Clean up! Clean up! Everybody, everywhere! No job is complete until the clean up is - completed that is!

for Hands-On Living History

This year at the local County Fair - I may have mentioned it already - one of the exhibits was Bullwhackin' Kass and her Oxen. Kass, aka Sheryl Curtis, travels around to museums, fairs, and festivals with her oxen and a living-history display. While the adults 'wow' at the size of her Brown Swiss - the kids get to go back in time and learn about life on the trail. Our kids were so impressed with her exhibit that they developed a vision.

The kids wanted to see Kass at our local town festival that is held towards the end of September. They prepared themselves with information on Kass and her oxen, spruced themselves up, and asked to go to our next Chamber of Commerce meeting.

They gave a short presentation at the chamber meeting only to be told, 'we think it would be a great addition to the fest, unfortunately we cannot help you'. Now, some would be crestfallen - but not Marlee and David. They made it their objective to bring Kass to fest.

They had me type up a short presentation and hit the pavement. They visited almost every business in our small town asking for donations to bring Kass to fest this year. They worked diligently for nearly two weeks visiting businesses, talking with managers, and answering questions.

Their hard work paid off!!! They raised enough money to bring Kass and her oxen to fest, much to the delight of the children (and adults!!). There were a few bumpy roads for them to work through - but in the end - they secured a place for Kass to 'set up camp' with donated sand (thanks Margie and Noreen!) delivered to the site (thanks to Dad and Wally, a wonderful gentleman in town who donated his time and equipment to haul the sand)and the money to bring Kass to town. Kass had worked a special discounted price for them - which they met (with a little extra). Although they did not raise enough for her regular fee, it still brought smiles all the way around.

Unfortunately, we didn't get any pictures of the kids in their 'historical garb', but we did get some of the other kids. We also took several of the kids with Kass and her oxen. Their names are Ezra and Job. Enjoy!

Kass, David, and Marlee with Job

Victoria and Ezra

Troy and Ezra

Grinding coffee...the banners hanging on the wagon list the names of the businesses that Marlee and David visited for donations - all in all their were 50 contributors!

Cleaning up the griddle while breaking camp - Kass had several 'cook spots' going throughout the weekend. The kids made eggs, pancakes, apple dumplings, pies, biscuits - I think they had a blast!!!

The (extra) good news?? Kass was such a hit that the Chamber approached her for coming next year!!! We missed the Chamber meeting following fest - but the reports were that the town was talking about this added feature and wanted to bring her back. The kids will be going to the next Chamber meeting to give their own 'exit report'.

for a HSBA Swap Buddy Gift

So, you may be asking yourself what exactly is HSBA...well, it is none other than the Homeschool Blog Awards!!

Every month (or two) they host a 'SWAP'. Now you're wondering what a swap is...right??? From their site:

Swaps are like having a secret sister that isn’t secret… and having a new secret sister each month. You fill out a questionnaire about yourself, get paired up with a secret sister, and spend about 5$ plus postage each month sending a personalized gift to your monthly swap buddy. The great thing is, you get a 5$ gift back… customized for you. Even better is the fact that you are swapping with another homeschool mom… and the thing about swapping with homeschoolers is that you are swapping with someone who knows how hard it is to have an extra hat on at home. We can get just as excited about swapping school supplies as we can about swapping other more usual things (like postcards, pretty papers, scrapbook items, personalized things, nail polish, etc.).

The good news...they have another SWAP coming up, so you don't want to miss out!!! Head on over to Homeschool Blog Awards and check out the upcoming SWAP.

Last month was my first time participating in a SWAP. My swap sister, Lisa (aka SisterLisa), from Home Spun Life sent me a fantastic tea ensemble!!

What a joy to go to the mailbox and find a box waiting with my surprise!! She blessed me with a very unique gift. You know the kind...you go to a store and think, 'Oh that is incredibly wonderful - but budget doesn't allow'...so you walk on by. Well, my swap sister came through! She sent me an adorable tea infuser, some yummy Wild Rose tea (which I had never tried before), and a cute 'drip catcher' that nestles onto the spout of your tea pot. These could not have come at a better time, either!! Marlee is already planning a 'Fall Tea' with her friends...and cold weather will be here soon, so I'm once again looking forward to my Quiet Tea Time in the morning!

Thanks, Lisa!!!!!

for Labor Day Weekend/End of Summer Bash

If you have not checked out the FREE resources at The Homeschool FREEBIE of the Day, now is the time to do it.

They are having a Labor Day Weekend/End of Summer Bash!!! They have many wonderful FREEBIES each week!! Be sure to sign up for their newsletter when you go.

We have downloaded tons of stories, songs, books, and instructional guides.

...and hey, even if you don't homeschool - there are still some great resources for everyone.

(Disclaimer - This is not a paid advertisement. Be warned that you may get so caught up in all the downloading that you'll wish it would rain for days to listen, watch, and read all that you get for free!!!)

...for Home School Conferences

Have you heard about the Ultimate Home School Expo?? It not, now is your chance to join in on the fun!! I am 'attending' this year, and the first day was a BLAST!! It is not too late to join. Head on over to Molly's Blog for a thorough explanation, and a link to join in on the fun.

Lots of goodies, great talks, fun fellowship, and all from the comfort of your own home!!!

...for crafts and learning

Marlee busily working on her diorama of Jesus and Nicodemus:



and the completed project:



The story of Nicodemus and Jesus from the Gospel of John, chapter 3:

1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, "You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." 9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?" 10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

...for magazine subscriptions and FREE gifts!

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine's Spring Promo is in full bloom.

Subscribe now to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and receive
25 BONUS gifts valued at over $550!
The Winter Promo sold out, don't miss out on the free gifts this time!

The HSB Front Porch is having a contest
and you can win a $50 gift certificate
just for blogging about the Spring Promo
before midnight April 30, 2008.
Click HERE for details.

They are also giving away a $150 gift certificate to the Schoolhouse Store. All print subscribers (new or renewing) between April 3 - 30, 2008 will be automatically entered into a drawing. No purchase neccessary to win. To enter without subscribing, please send a postcard with your name, address, telephone number, and email address to:

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Spring Promo Contest
PO BOX 8426
Gray, TN 37615

...for Lapbooking!!!

We have enjoyed lapbooking so much since first introduced to the concept. In the next couple of weeks, we will be putting together a Lapbook on Easter from In The Hands of a Child (an awesome site for all of your Lapbooking needs).

I am very excited about this lapbooking project as it will cover the true reason for our observance of Easter, the resurrection of Christ Jesus!!

The Easter Project has 15 different activities which will be included in the final project. There are timelines, vocabulary words, and a more in-depth look at the Easter Story...from Jesus' entering the city on a donkey through what happened at Pentecost. All of the templates are ready for printing, and this time around we will be trying their new 'Type It In' feature! What an awesome way to get the kids going on their keyboarding skills!! Instead of the kids having to write all the information onto their booklets, they can first type in the answer and then print it out. So many skills are covered when we do lapbooking! There are even some foreign language skills introduced. The kids will be learning the name of Passover in variety of languages! We will also be discussing the different ways other countries celebrate Easter, which leads us to the only drawback, in my opinion, of this project. The last activity deals with common Easter symbols (in America), including bunnies, baskets, and eggs. We may talk about why Easter is typically observed this way in our day, but we probably will not spend the extra time making the booklet.

In the Hands of a Child has always done a bang up job, in my humble opinion, putting their resources together. They tell you exactly what to do, give you some background information on each step, and even include links to other resources/web pages for a more thorough investigation of the topic.

...and right now, they are having a 'Buy Two Get One Free' sale over on their site!! How exciting is that?!?!?! Head on over to In the Hands of a Child, and learn more about Lap Booking. Also, if you sign up for their newsletter, they have a quarterly freebie.

Stay tuned as we post pictures going through the lapbook process...and of the final product!!! Marlee and David have really enjoyed our lapbooking times and In the Hands of a Child has made the job quite easy for me!!!