| In This Issue |
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Quotable Comics
Build A Word Game
Great Web Resources
FREE Memory Trigger E-Book!
The Old Schoolhouse Special Offer
Lapbooking How-To's
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Right now, during their Fall Special, you can subscribe to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine for only $39 and get a TON of wonderful freebies, including the great bag pictured above!
For $39 you'll receive two years of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, the current Summer issue, six fabulous bonus gifts AND the first 1000 new subscribers receive the Homeschooling with Heart tote bag. (Yes, the tote bags ARE still available)
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We have added some fun new educational games to the website. Stop by and check out
Squint
Sqiunt Jr.
MyWord
Blink
Great prices - Good fun! |
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Mat Halverson has added Book 5 to his popular Scripture Sleuth series. If you haven't used these books before, they are GREAT! We now offer them individually and as a set. These make great interactive devotionals to start off a school day. |
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Are you interested in lapbooking, but just not quite sure you understand exactly what it is or how to begin? At Squidoo.com, you will see, in detail, how to plan and construct your very own lapbooks.
There is an unbelievable amount of information on this site, with hundreds of sample lapbooks to inspire you. You'll even find templates and free | |
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A Few of Our Favorite Things...
As you get this school year off to a rollicking start I thought I'd try and pack this issue with lots of helpful, homeschool resources. In that spirit, I asked each member of the Times Tales Team to share one of their favorite homeschool helps.
Jennie: My favorite resource is homeschoolreviews.com. It's a website where moms (or dads) get to put their two cents in about various homeschool products they've tried. I love hearing reviews from REAL homeschooling parents.
Marillee: One of my favorite homeschooling resources is the atlas. When I was growing up, I never learned where other countries, or even continents, were and no one seemed to care. As an adult, living in this global economy, I feel it is so important for my girls to learn where we live in relation to others in the world. When the girls read a book, discuss something in history, or a missionary tells about where they are going I say to them "Let's see where that is on a map". I can't say they always get as excited about discovering a new place as I do but they are learning. Dena: I would have to say Teaching Textbooks is my new favorite resource. This program is fun and easy to follow. My daughter used it for the first time last year and this year, both she (sixth grade) and my fourth grader are using it. I do have them each do one year higher than what they would be in school (sixth grader does level 7 and fourth grader does level 5). The program is a little spendy, but if you have kids that struggle in math at all, it's totally worth it. In fact, I think it's the one curriculum that Jennie, Marillee and I all use in our homeschools.Well...except for Times Tales, of course! Happy Homeschooling!
~Dena
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| Quotable Comics! |
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Comics are a fun and easy way to practice writing dialogue.
Keep the Sunday comics on hand and pull out your child's favorite. Explain that the words inside the bubbles are exact words or thoughts and would be in quotes if written out. Have your child cut out the strip (or a few frames) and glue them to a piece of paper. Underneath, have him write out the appropriate dialogue.
Example:
"Wow!...I guess all that hard work paid off!" exclaimed Jon. "This is the best you've ever done on a diet!"
"Thank you," thought Garfield proudly. "Only gained a pound!"
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| Build-A-Word Game |
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Here is a fun way to strengthen spelling skills and have a blast at the same time!
Materials:
To make your own Build a Word Game, all you need are index cards and multiple letters of the alphabet. For the letters of the alphabet you can use things such as Scrabble® game pieces, foam letters (that can be bought at most dollar stores) or simply cut out squares of heavy card stock paper and write the letters on yourself.
You will also need to write approximately 20 "word challenges" (see below for example) on 3x5 index cards. Now that you have your materials, let's get started!
How it works:
Lay the alphabet letters in a pile between the players. The first player picks a "word challenge" card and reads it out loud to the other players. Once he puts the card down, the race has begun! The players sift through the letters to see who can make a word that fits the challenge first.
For example, the word challenge card reads, "Something that is hot". One player may try to spell the word "stove", while another may spell the word "fire". The player that gets his word done first keeps the card. When there are no more cards left in the pile, the player holding the most wins!
Tip! Give slower spellers a small head start to build their word. For example, once the card is read, the quick spellers must count to 5 before they can start building their word.
Sample Word Challenges:
something that is hot.
an animal
something furry
a mountain
a word that starts with the letter "R".
a city
a verb
something you put on pizza.
a girl's name
a color
a tool used for building.
something that gets wet.
a toy
something green
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| Great Web Resources |
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Be sure and check out the wonderful websites below. It sometimes amazes me, the quality resources that can be accessed for free.
This site offers some really lovely watercolor illustrations from the Old and New Testaments, that would be perfect for placing on a timeline. Students could also use the pictures to illustrate reports or you could even decorate Notebooking and Copywork pages with them.
Here you'll find some neat handwriting and copywork Bible verse sheets. You can choose from Zaner-Bloser Print, Getty-Dubay Italic Print, D'Nealian Print, Zaner-Bloser Cursive, D'Nealian Cursive or Getty-Dubay Italic Cursive.
And if you're looking for writing help for the younger student this site is a must-see. You'll find free fonts to make your own worksheets, pre-made worksheets and borders, story starters, picture prompts and more. Browse through the links at the top of the page to find helps with art, phonics and many other subjects as well. I often let my children color or draw while I read our Read Alouds. Edupics is a good source for educational coloring pages neatly sorted by category. You can quickly and easily find something to go with your reading.
Working on US Geography? HERE is a free US map puzzle to download. How fast can you place the states? |
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Free Memory Trigger E-Book!! |
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Now, through Oct. 31, everyone who purchases our new Times Tales will receive our Memory Trigger E-Book download for free when they check out. Our Memory Trigger uses fun mnemonics to help children remember math terms like sum, product, factor and many more. You can read about it HERE.
If you already use Times Tales but have a friend who has been considering our system, now is the time to order. They'll not only get Times Tales, but our Memory Trigger as well. (And, if they order and put your email in the comments, we'll send you a free Memory Trigger E-Book as well!)
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We wish you the very best as you head off into an exciting new shool year!
Sincerely,
Dena, Jennie & Marillee
Trigger Memory Systems |
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