This is a monthly posting of policies for the 0-homeschoolreviews list.

These policies are designed to keep the list clean, efficient, and helpful. We
really are friendly people, but try to keep our personal conversations private,
and off list. So here goes:

* We invite your contributions. When you contribute to the list, it helps if you
put your contributions into this format:
SUBJECT
Name of resource <http://www.restofURL...> review of site, including a
description of how you use/will use this resource in your own homeschool. Rating
(one to five *'s).

* When responding to a message, please do NOT repost the entire message. Delete
all the the pertinent line(s) to which you're responding.

* Thank you notes and personal notes are great...but please send them privately
to the person you're thanking. Send your thank you's and questions directly to
the person you're thanking. The moderator will not forward them to the list, and
probably won't have time to forward them privately. (We'll send thank you's to
the entire list if they're slipped into a regular contribution. Hint, hint. (See
number one, above).)

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* No commercial promotions. This list is primarily for free resources.
(Sometimes we let through a commerical product if there's a compelling reason to
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* We hold a bimonthly drawing from the names of people who have been
particularly helpful contributors. The winner of the drawing receives a
complimentary copy of the current edition of the book "Homeschool Your Child for
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* By subscribing to the list, you have agreed that 1) your contributions may be
edited as required for format, grammar, punctuation, etc., and 2) your
contributions may appear in a future edition of Homeschool Your Child for Free!

We thank you for your willingness to help your fellow homeschoolers!

--The Moderator
   LauraMaery Gold
   <mailto:lmg@...>

CIVICS
Citizenship Quiz
<http://polls.aol.com/ifs/poll/election/quiz283.adp>
Nope. It's not another election joke. Take this online quiz to see how well
you understand the US system of government. ****

--lauramaery

FYI

>Papa John Pizza is awarding $1000.00 scholarships to High School
Seniors.
>They
>are open to homeschoolers -- HOMESCHOOL STUDENTS MAY APPLY.
>Applications must be submitted by the High School  counselor--yes, they
>know that will be the homeschool parent--by January 31st.  You can  call
>1-800-865-9373 to request an application.
>
>The selection committee will consider the following:  creative ability,
>community involvement, academic achievement, quality of character,
>obstacles overcome, demonstrated leadership, life goals and interests,
>athletic achievement, meaningful objectives achieved.  None of the above
>is considered an absolute necessity and none will carry more weight
>than the others.

Karen M. Gibson
mailto:wdkmg@..., ICQ# 2152628, AIM - KadachMom
http://www.pipeline.com/~wdkmg/homeschool/unschool.htm

HELM (Home Education Learning Magazine) http://www.helmonline.com -
November/December 2000 issue includes "Gifts from the Science Santa,"
"Homeschool Civic Lessons," by Cathy Cuthbert, "The Lighthouse" Interview

of Marshall Fritz by Tammy Drennan, and "Galley" holiday recipes.

Normal is not something to aspire to, it's something to get away from.

EARTH SCIENCES
NASA's Earth Observing System
<http://eospso.gsfc.nasa.gov/eos_homepage/educationpub.html>
Dont know if this has been posted already, but it has posters, cd-rom, activity
supplement that you can have sent to you free and also has a bunch of pdf files.
Wonderful site!!!

[--surfdicted]

UNIT STUDIES
Make  A Jesse Tree
<http://www.themestream.com/articles/253705.html>
What our family is doing to celebrate the coming of Christmas. Very simple
patterns included.

Blessings
Belinda

Does anyone have any good sites on ladybugs? We opened the front door this
morning and were invaded by swarms of them. I have 4 children - a 4th grader
down to preschool. I'd like facts, so we know how to handle this invasion, and a
little fun for the little ones.

[MODERATOR: Your kids will enjoy this one:
Lady Beetles
<http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/iiin/ladybeetles.html>
Click the "Pictures of other Lady Beetles" link near the bottom for photos and
scientific names. *** -- lmg]

Thanks,
Carol in FL

Hi Chris
what is an unschooler? I am a homeschool mom of 4 kids, 2 that are school age
this year..My 7 year old has been very dramatic this year.

I want to make school fun and thought about unit studies something that the
whole family could enjoy. I just bought the book homeschool your child for
free..and cant wait to get it.

I bought abeka curriculm this last year and found that it was way to much to
do..

Thanks Rachelle
Wife of Wayne(working on 16 years)
Mom to
Lindsey(10)
Courtney(7)
Whitney(4)
and Zachary 22 months

>Can anyone help me locate Early Canadian History unit studies
>and related sites?

Dear Rene, maybe this site will help.  Linda J.R. Viderman

CANADIAN HISTORY DIRECTORY
<http://www.telusplanet.net/public/dgarneau/direct.htm>

lmg wrote:
> My young'uns write at least eight lines each day in their journals.

How old were they when they started to keep a journal?

[MODERATOR: When they were younger than writing age, I had them dictate while I
wrote. Later we graduated to a mixture of them and me, and eventually (at about
the age of 8) I handed over responsibility to them entirely. Now most of them
are teens, and older, and they continue to keep journals. My two-year-old is
still too young, but I expect I'll start with her in about six months. -- lmg]

I have a just-7 yos who needs the writing practice and needs the mental
reinforcement about what he has learned but trying to get him to write is like
trying to pull an alligator's teeth.

[MODERATOR: Read to him Harriet The Spy. It may change his life. -- lmg]

He doesn't do enough regular writing

[MODERATOR: I'm not a fan of "regular writing," and believe it's nearly always
pointless. Writing must serve a genuine purpose, and arises out of a voracious
appetite for reading. If your kid is reading 'round the clock, he will want to
write. If reading doesn't interest him, I'd put all my energy into that, help
him every night to keep a journal, and let the writing take care of itself later
on. -- lmg]

because this year is particularly hectic (our first year hsing two - k and
second grade - and a curious two year old on top of that) so I haven't made him
do much except for letter writing (about once a month ... *bracing for impact*).

[MODERATOR: Remind yourself every day that this isn't PRACTICE for life. This IS
life. Your kids are their present ages, and need to be educated NOW. Next year
they'll be different, and equally challenging, ages, and will still need
education. It doesn't get easier unless you master the challenges you have
today. -- lmg]

TIA!

Esther/MI

>ladybug information

For more diverse information try
Orkin
<http://www.orkin.com/Main_Edu.htm>.

Maybe you can use that page.

[--KDonius]

Hi,
Does anyone have suggestions for when I feel like my son isn't learning
anything??? He learns it while we are doing it and even for some time after
but 3 or 4 weeks later, you can ask him what are the vowels again or
something like that and he looks at me like he hasn't the foggiest???? Today
I feel like maybe I don't know what I am doing???  He is 7 and we chose to
homeschool mainly because he was struggling so terribly in school and having
so many behavior issues.  He is doing much better behaviorly and is doing
lots of work he is reading Dickins Christmas Carol right now but I just feel
like I am failing.

Thanks,
Carissa

> Can anyone help me locate Early Canadian History unit studies and related
> sites?

Early Canadiana History
<http://www.canadiana.org/eco>

[--sanford4]

> Does any one have sites for information about money.
> We are researching the history of money, how it is
> currently made and we want to find out the largest
> number ever printed on a bill.  Can you help?

Try
US Treasury Currency Information Page
<http://www.treas.gov/currency>

[--sanford4]

Forwarded from Marc Schindler, a friend in Canada:

It's come to Santa's attention that some American upstarts have named a
town way down south in tropical Alaska "North Pole," and are encouraging
young uns to write to me there. Well, they will forward them to me, but you
can write directly:
<http://www.canadapost.ca/CPC2/corpc/events/santa/index-e.html>

Note the postal code -- the sign of Nicolasian authenticity :-)

--lauramaery
---------
WHAT ARE WE WRITING NOW? Just out: The updated edition of JK Lasser's
Invest Online. From investing basics to securities analysis, this book will
make you -- well, if not rich, then smart! Order your copy today, from
Amazon.com
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0471391115/thelibrarofauthoA/>
---------










.

>What is unschooling?

Hi Rachelle,

Unschooling is just that,"un-schooling" It is schooling without books. Using the
whole world as your classroom. I just haven't quite figured out how to do
it either. I am homeschooling a 14yr old, a 13yr old, an 11 yr old and a 9yr
old--plus I have my nearly 3yr old grand-daughter all day.(I actually love
that part)

I try to tie everyday situations into homeschooling. Not always working for
me. I am not really happy with the outcome so far. But this is my first year
at this.

I also have the Homeschool Your Child for Free book <http://www.hsfree.com> and
I love it. There is also a book I have titled  the unschooling handbook  by Mary
Griffith.  It has been helpful to me and I am still reading it. I do recommend
it.

If you want to chat please don't hesitate to contact me at emannind53@.... I
look forward to hearing from you. Maybe we can help each other figure out how to
accomplish what we want for our kids!!

Till next time,
Chris

> Does anyone have suggestions for when I feel like my son isn't learning
> anything??? He learns it while we are doing it and even for some
> time after but 3 or 4 weeks later, you can ask him what are the
> vowels again or something like that and he looks at me like he
> hasn't the foggiest????

Dear Carissa,

Talk to your family doctor about having his hearing and vision seriously
evaluated.  I have heard of two families just recently who were experiencing
difficulties due to problems in these areas.  Therapy is expensive but it
doesn't take long and both of these moms wish they had known to look for help
earlier.  Apparently, it won't show up in your regular check ups.  You have to
explain to them the challenges you are facing and ask them to check into it. 
Lord willing, there is no problem. It's just nice to rule it out.

That said, my boys took a while for the light to come on, and stay on.  Just be
consistant, patient, and take it easy on yourself and the boy.  Read them great
books and discuss them with them.  Carry On, Mr. Bowditch was one of their
favorites at that age.  Just a chapter a day and a short chat afterwords, really
sparked an interest in them.  Also, don't be too quick to move them up in
reading levels.  Give him a chance to get really confident, before moving on. 
My second son still likes to read the level 1 books, because he can read them
all the way through in 1 sitting.  I involve all my children in reading programs
because they enjoy working toward a goal and being rewarded when they reach it. 
I'm sure your local library has them periodically throughout the year, then
there is Pizza Hut's Book It!  If you can find an Usborne dealer, they may be
willing to do a Reach For The Stars Program.  When there are no programs
available, I offer to buy them new books when they reach their goal.

Well, I hope that helps a little.  God bless you and yours!

--Suzi Q from PA
mom@...

> what is an unschooler?

Hi Rachelle,
I'm not quite clear on the differences between unschooling and homeschooling. 
VegSource has a board for both groups.  Maybe someone there could answer your
questions.

[MODERATOR: VegSource boards are here:
Homeschol Talk and Swap!
<http://www.vegsource.com/homeschool>
This is one of the most popular homeschooling sites on the Net. You'll find 16
well-populated discussion boards for every aspect of homeschooling, along with a
large number of boards for buying and selling homeschooling materials. *****
--lmg]

[--Suzanne]

U.S History
All Hands On Deck
<http://www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org/education/ahod.html>
USS Constitution is America's most treasured ship. Now, she can come to life for
your students as never before through All Hands on Deck: Learning Adventures
Aboard "Old Ironsides"! This interdisciplinary curriculum comes with an
accompanying video tape and integrates geography, math, social studies, arts &
crafts, history, science, language arts and more in 14 lessons for grades K-12

This is beautifully done. Lokks like alot of fun and is definitly worth the wait
to get it. 5 Stars*****

[--kim boswell]

CIVICS/SOCIAL STUDIES
The American Promise Teaching Guide
<http://www.americanpromise.com/ap3900.html>
The American Promise is a great way to bring democracy and government to life in
your classroom. Get the most out of this series by ordering The American Promise
teaching guide, a 170-page booklet filled with lessons, activities and projects
that you can use with your students. Just fill in the information below and
we'll mail you a teaching guide, plus videotapes of The American Promise series

5 Stars*****

Kim Boswell

i have a son in tenth grade i need to find out if there is any where
to get worksheets off line until i can get some work books for him
thank u kay

>Does anyone have suggestions for when I feel like my son
>isn't learning anything??? He learns it while we are doing
>it and even for some time after but 3 or 4 weeks later, you
>can ask him what are the vowels again or something like that
>and he looks at me like he hasn't the foggiest????

Carissa -

I would recommend having an evaluation done for learning disabilities.  My
daughter has similar issues and has been diagnosed.  From the diagnosis we
have gained the information we need to know how to best approach her
education.

Gladys Stefany
http://treefort.org/~tjk/fasjess.htm

I have friends who consider themselves unschoolers and it is not so much
no books as it is allowing the children to steer the teaching with their
interests. Yes, you use everyday life for lessons but you also notice
what interests them. One friend takes her kids on a stroll through the
library and her kids grab books on all sorts of things. Then she sees
what they have and grabs more books accordingly. She then leaves them out
and anyone who wants can read them. She reads them and her kids will join
her. She will also throw in tidbits of info as they watch TV, cook, or
other times.

I don't Homeschool. My main reason is I am in the military and I stress
over the moving and changing requirements. I hope to settle down in a few
years and if I do I plan on easing up on the structure. Not totally
unschooling but closer then I am now.

This e-group has been great to read and I love 'Homeschooling for Free'
<http://www.hsfree.com>. I have a library book now but plan on getting my own
copy in the new year.

Thanks for the great info,
Dee in MD

<< Unschooling is just that,"un-schooling" It is schooling without books >>


Not necessarily, though.  It can and usually does include books--lots of
them--but not as many textbooks unless the children are the ones to request
them.

CIVICS/SOCIAL STUDIES
The American Promise Teaching Guide
<http://www.americanpromise.com/ap3900.html>
The American Promise is a great way to bring democracy and government to life in
your classroom. Get the most out of this series by ordering The American Promise
teaching guide, a 170-page booklet filled with lessons, activities and projects
that you can use with your students. Just fill in the information below and
we'll mail you a teaching guide, plus videotapes of The American Promise series.
5 Stars*****

--Kim Boswell

AMERICAN HISTORY
The Whitehouse
<http://www.historychannel.com/classroom/whitehouse/index.html>

Save Our Ships
<http://www.historychannel.com/classroom/saveourships/index.html>

The American Presidency
<http://americanhistory.si.edu/presidency/>
To order the printed version of The American Presidency Teacher's Manual, email
your request to <mailto:savehistory@...> or call us toll-free at
1-877-87LEARN.

O.K. so I have been at it again, lol! More freebies here that look pretty
interesting. I love the "Save Our History" series from The History Channel and I
have just come across 2 more that look pretty interesting. I have also included
a link to a site called "The American Presidency" that has everything you need
on line but does offer the teacher's manual in a printed form if you e-mail
them. This looks really good too!

I haven't seen these yet but if they are anything like the past Save Our History
manuals they are sure to be rated a 5 star freebie! *****

--Kim Boswell

CURRENT EVENTS
Weekly Reader for kids
<http://www.weeklyreader.com>
This site offers fun and interesting facts for kids of all ages. You can
subscribe to receive weekly reader for your kids. My kids love it.

--Lori Sanford




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> i have a son in tenth grade i need to find out if there is any where
> to get worksheets off line until i can get some work books for him

You should be able to find everything you need at my site
Homeschooling On No Money
<http://my.treeway.com/onnomoney/>
There are free full line curriculums on the "multisubject" page.
Hope this helps,
--Kathy

Hi Kim,
Thank you very much for all your wonderful posts.  I just received the American
Promise unit.  It is GREAT.  It is amazing the vast amount of info that is
contained.  I was trying to order the into for the USS Constitution, but the
link doesn't work.  I also typed in the info on my search engine and it says
link not found.  Can you please..please..please resend the link.

[MODERATOR: Several people asked this question. Kim's link is working fine for
me.
<http://www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org/education/ahod.html>
If you have trouble, start at <http://www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org>, and follow
the links. (It's easy to miss if you're manually typing, but note that there are
FOUR s's in ussconstitutionmuseum) --lmg]

Thank you again for all your help.

--Amy in PA

> i have a son in tenth grade i need to find out if there is any where
> to get worksheets off line until i can get some work books for him

Try
Worksheets.com
<http://www.worksheets.com>
or sites for teachers.

[--Suzanne]

> I have a just-7 yos who needs the writing practice and needs the mental
> reinforcement about what he has learned but trying to get him to write is
> like trying to pull an alligator's teeth.

Hi, i have mine copy in a journal from another book or something they want to
use for penmanship practice..

Just my Thoughts

--Rachelle