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January 5, 2008

Special Midweek Mailing

Home Schooling - Oh, and cats don't like toothpaste.

My decision to homeschool was not an easy one. I had never even considered homeschooling before this year, especially since I'm a college student myself! Taking classes again was a dream come true for me, as 10 years have passed since the last time I cracked open a college textbook.

The past five years were years of dramatic change in our family -- my husband's decision to join the military (at 34!), my decision to quit working and spend some much-needed quality time with our two children, and the ultimate goal for both of us to complete our degrees. After looking at all of the alternatives, an online college made the most sense. The idea of setting my own pace, not having to miss a class because of a sick child (or a deployed husband), and reduced tuition for military dependents was too good to pass up! I attended full-time for the first year, then my husband received orders for Korea. One year apart-it just didn't seem fair! He'd only been home a few months after returning from a 10-month tour in Kuwait, and now he was going again. That's okay, I thought, I'm in school, and the kids are in school. It won't be that bad.

Near the end of my son's 5th grade year, I began to ask about the middle school that he would be attending. Several other moms were concerned with sending their children to middle school, and I was worried, too. My son was diagnosed with ADD in 3rd grade, and over the past two years, I had come to realize that his teachers were less than enthusiastic about helping him learn how to focus. Anything that I did at home seemed to disentigrate the moment he walked into school. A dear friend of mine had been homeschooling for four years, and I was wondering if this was the solution to our concerns. After researching (and praying), we discovered a program that fit our son's needs. Beginning the program was easier than I had anticipated, and it gives my son an opportunity every day to be more responsible and more focused on his schoolwork.

Being a homeschooling mom has taught me a few life lessons, as well:

• Taking an hour to relearn math with your son that you learned 20 years ago is priceless. Exhausting, but priceless.
• It's okay if the house looks like a toy store exploded every once in a while.
• A plastic "superbouncer" ball, microwaved for 3 minutes at high, will ruin your microwave. Trust me on this one...
• It takes exactly 114 medium-sized Christmas bows to cover a 80-pound, 11-year old boy.
• Cats don't like toothpaste.
• A cheese puff is small enough to fit up the nose of a 7-year old.
• Don't let your children watch anything on television that you don't mind them telling your pastor after church.
• Cats don't like tape, either.
• The next time you feel like crying, laugh. It's good medicine.
• The greatest lesson a parent can teach is one that involves compassion, kindness and humility.
• Life is not a race; it is a dance. Take the time to hear the music, to dance with someone you love, and to enjoy the moment for all that it's worth.
• With God's help, I can accomplish anything I set my mind to!

These are some lessons that I've learned over the past few years. Through God, I have learned how to be patient and understanding. I'm still learning, and I know that I have so much more to learn. That's okay, though. I know now that some lessons have to be learned over time, that they can't be taught in a day, or a week, or a month, or even a year. Homeschooling is a lesson in life-every day I find an opportunity to teach my son a life lesson.

My only wish is that he shares these with his children one day. We'll just have to wait and see....

-T.Downey.-
 

This Week's Sponsor

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Ultimate Flying
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Can iron really catch fire? Absolutely! Your child will be amazed as they create their own little meteorites as they fly off in sparks and streaks of light. This is an actual Flint/Steel spark wheel. Aside from the science aspects, there are lots of historical perspectives from the first matches dating back to 1700BC, the Vikings, and a lesson plan on how your child would equip the Lewis and Clark expedition. Includes lesson plans to teach your child about mineral hardness, energy overwhelming iron and historical aspects of flint and steel as well as one Flying Sparks Wheel. This FunKit is FREE, just pay shipping and handling.

Reflection/Refraction Magical Coin Bank FunKit- Learn about elements of Light Reflection, Refraction and Diffraction as well as Symmetry - FREE
When I asked my kids to drop a coin into this bank, they were climbing all over me, what happened, what happened! They wanted to know how it worked! Well, it all has to do with light, reflection, refraction and symmetry -- and a little secret! Did you know that light can turn around corners? Huh? They were hooked! Includes lesson plans to teach about how light is Reflected, Refracted and Diffracted. It also teaches the difference between Symmetry and ASymmetry and also one Magical Coin Bank (with a little secret). This FunKit is FREE, just pay shipping and handling.

Aerodynamics & Airflow - Rocket Balloon FunKit - FREE
As soon as my kids saw these balloons, they knew something was different. Can I see, can I see. They could tell these were designed to FLY! Your child can learn and understand about aerodynamics and airflow first hand! This FunKit includes an experiment for 2 Rocket Balloons and one very unRocket Balloon so your child can SEE the effects of airflow and how it effects flight and movement through the air. This FunKit is FREE, just pay shipping and handling.

Amazing Crystal Growing
Tree FunKit - FREE!
This is one of the most exciting crystal growing kits I've seen! The tree isn't that tall, but boy does it create some amazing crystals. The crystals actually look like ice crystals forming. The first appear in an hour or so, and then watch out! They are so beautiful, it's worth taking a picture. Oh yeah, and there's the lesson plan! Once all the excitement dies down, we included some lesson plans to exaplain and learn what's going on. Includes lesson plans, tree, base, and crystal growing solution. This FunKit is FREE, just pay shipping and handling.

Geode Fun -FREE!
Geodes are rocks with a hollow cavity full of crystals. Each geode is unique and can only be discovered when cracked open. So now your child can experience the excitement of discovery, minerals and science. This kit includes a fresh (1-2 inch) geode waiting for you and your child to break it open and discover the crystals inside. It also includes a lesson plan on geodes and crystals to teach your child with. This FunKit is FREE, just pay shipping and handling.

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Every kid wants a superball. Especially every time you pass one in a gumball machine. What perfect way for your child to learn about stored energy than to create the stuff that's going to store the energy-- the superball! Includes everything you need to make two superballs along with a lesson plan to teach your child with! This FunKit is FREE, just pay shipping and handling.

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What better way to teach homeschool then with Homeschool pencils. These pencils say Home Schoolers Are Cooler! Plus we even included a lesson plan on how pencils are made. How do they get the graphite in there anyway? This FunKit is FREE, just pay shipping and handling.

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The Ultimate Portfolio
Homeschool Keepsake System
What better gift for your child and yourself to create a scrapbook and record of your child's learning. We are so busy as it is, and children grow so fast, you owe it to yourself and your child! There are some more practical reasons as well...

Many states require a portfolio, or some sort of records of what you taught. Some states even require your portfolio be reviewed. Check with your particular state's requirements. But whatever the need, this is the perfect way to create a portfolio and wonderful keepsake of your time together with your child!

3Moms.com offers the Curriculum-Fair In-A-Box. It's a collection of actual samples from the major curriculum publishers. Plus there is some other good stuff too!

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This is a sample issue of HomeschoolFreeStuff Newsletter. Each week it brings you tons of FREE Homeschool Curriculum, Homeschool Lesson Plans and lots, lots more! Go to HomeschoolFreeStuff.com to subscribe. Hey even subscribing is free!