The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
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                   The Homeschool Minute
                      Hands-On Learning and Field Trips
July 3, 2013
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Mercy Every Minute   

The Wuehler Family

NOW is a great time for doing all those fun things you put off doing during the school year because: 1) you didn't have time, 2) you didn't have energy, 3) you didn't want the mess, 4) it was a bigger project than you thought, or 5) you just didn't get it done because of life events.

 

NOW is the time to make a summer list and start crossing it off. What kinds of things should go on your list besides what you missed during the year? All of our lists will be different, but here are some ideas to start with:

 

Things like playing those board games with the kids, going on a nature or creek walk or a bike ride, or maybe that trip to the local zoo or aquarium. What about that museum in your town that you keep meaning to visit or going to the farmers' markets or swap meets.

 

Things like creating that piece of artwork, or doing that cool unit study, or making those treats for the neighbors. Things like sewing and  crafting or making homemade clay or bubbles or homemade chalk. Things like going to the community pool or park and making new friends and sharing the good news.  

 

Things like setting up the tent in the back yard and camping outside. Things like gardening or getting chicks or fish or sea monkeys to raise. Things like building a fort or a tree house or a tire swing.

 

These are the fun things of summer. Not only will the kids be learning, they will be making memories to last a lifetime. When we ask our older children their favorite memories of growing up, they end up having to do with the kinds of things mentioned above.

 

But you have to do something to make something happen. Start this week by adding to your calendar at least one hands-on learning fun idea or family field trip. Yes, it will take planning and actual execution. But the reward will be a lasting happy memory of family time spent together.

 

Make it an "eternal summer" by adding more family worship together. Talk about God's creation and majesty and awesomeness every day as you are enjoying God's gifts of time and family. You are blessed!

 

~Deborah

[email protected]

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The Familyman 
 

Tomorrow might just be the single greatest day of the summer. All across America families are grilling hamburgers, having picnics, and waving flags. There's just something in the air that makes you think of freedom, apple pie, and Chevrolet. God HAS indeed blessed America and HE HAS blessed you, as well.

 

The great thing about this weekend is that it's a longggggg weekend, giving time for fireworks AND a long put-off field trip to that nearby lighthouse, petting zoo, national park, lake, or the movie Despicable ME 2. Tell your husband that you'd really like to do __________ this weekend . . . and that it will be a lot of fun.

 

The important thing is to get the kids there and then let them run around and do and learn the things that interest them. I know my kids get different things from the exact same field trip destination. We went to George Washington Carver's birth place and some of my kids enjoyed the historical significance, others liked the snake and turtle we saw along the walking path, and still others loved running and being outside.

 

Had I insisted that they do what I wanted them to do and learn, I would have frustrated some of them (if not all of them) and the "learning factor" would have been low. The beauty of field trip learning, though, is that learning takes place on individual levels and it's FUN!!!! That is the best kind of learning.

 

So soak up the sun, eat some corn on the cob, and go on a family field trip!

 

Be real,

Todd

 

PS. I'm still looking to fill my big loop speaking tour in October. If you live somewhere between Indianapolis, Indiana, and Key West, Florida, and would enjoy having me speak at your homeschool group, CLICK HERE.

 

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Literature Kits are back! Marla Schultz offers a brand new five-week unit that began Monday, which will lead your family on an adventure to Hikueru with the classic book Call It Courage. Marla will begin weekly lessons September 3, so this July/early August unit is a preview to an exciting new course.

 

Also, don't miss Everyday Explorers: USA as we explore Pennsylvania. Spend this week learning about the Battle of Gettysburg. Did you know that today, July 3, is the 150th anniversary of the third and final day of the epic Civil War battle?

  

Join today : your first month is just $3. After that, $12.95 a month serves your entire family. Or save 10% by purchasing a yearly membership: just $139.

 

Raising Real Men   
 
Hal and Melanie Young

Have you ever seen a big golden retriever with a corn chip balanced on its nose until its master gives the okay, then snap! Sure, dogs can be trained to do that, but it doesn't come naturally. It takes a lot of concentration. It's funny to watch: even a well-trained, compliant dog has to think so hard to keep from eating that chip it practically shakes with the effort, eyes crossing keeping an eye on that luscious morsel.

 

Our boys can be that way, too. After we spoke recently, a mother came up distressed that after they'd been working awhile, her son would get distracted and wiggly. When she'd say, "Come on, honey, concentrate! We just have three more subjects before lunch," he'd sigh in despair and drag his feet even more. That little guy was just like the dog with the corn chip. By the time he'd sat there that long, it was taking every bit of his mental capacity and will just to sit still--there was nothing left to learn with!

Hands on learning and field trips are great for all children. They provide the mental hooks to hang all those facts on, they drive the points you are teaching home, and they foster a lifelong love of learning.

 

For the active child, though, they are a lifeline. They provide a break from sitting still without breaking from learning. It's tempting for a mom to think, "We can't take time to go on a field trip; we're behind in math." What seems like good stewardship of your time sometimes isn't. Going ahead and taking the field trip can make your child better able to learn the rest of the week.

 

We've graduated three of our eight and have been homeschooling for close to twenty years now. We're not nearly as concerned about getting the workbooks done as we used to be. We've found that some of those "extra" things like labs, projects, activities and field trips often provide way more long term learning and influence than the actual book lessons we were so worried about.  

 

So, let your son eat the corn chip! (Wait that was the dog, right?) Go take some field trips, folks!

 

Yours in the battle,

 Hal & Melanie

 

It's not too late to hear us speak this year! Come see us at the Teach Them Diligently Marketplace events in Dallas and Colorado Springs or at HINTS in Charlotte, NC. See our itinerary here. See you there!

 

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Order your ticket today! You don't want to miss this week long EXPO EVENT . . .

Expo

 

 
 

August 19-23, 2013

1:00pm-8:00pm (Eastern) / 10:00am-5:00pm (Pacific)

 

Special Guest Speakers:
Dean Butler, Almonzo from Little House on the Prairie
Todd Wilson, The Familyman
Jessica Hulcy, KONOS
Diana Waring, History ALIVE!
Jay Wile, Author & Speaker
Hal & Melanie Young, Raising Real Men
Kim Kautzer, WriteShop
Antony Kolenc, Author, Speaker & Lawyer
Any many more!

On sale for just $19 until July 7th!
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Announcement
     
Looking for a way to cool off in the heat of summertime?
Pull out your laptop and get busy typing the inspirations that come to mind as you think happy thoughts about . . . Christmas!

Yup, Christmas is only a few months away, and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is eager to publish your inspiring, educational, and FUN articles, recipes, family traditions, and unit studies related to the upcoming holiday season, as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. What are your favorite family traditions? How does your family delve into learning about where Bethlehem is, why Joseph and Mary had to travel there, and what happened on the night when our Savior was born? What new recipes will you try for the first time during the holiday season? Could you share with our readers your secrets about buying (or making) the very best gifts for your family--and staying within the budget? What are your favorite holiday songs, and why? How do you celebrate Christmas where you live? How do you put Christmas ornaments on a . . . palm tree? How does your family honor Christ on Christmas morning?

We want to hear your ideas, ways to bless and delight the readers of our November/December 2013 issue with educational and "cool" ideas. Inspired? Then send your idea to Gena Suarez and help us celebrate in style!

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Announcement

Discover some great educational field trip destinations, all around the U.S.!
TOS Article

in the latest issue of

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.

  

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Are you a new homeschooler and aren't sure how to begin or a long-time homeschool parent looking for new, fun resources? For only $25, gain access to a library of over 175 E-Books or audio books for homeschool support and encouragement from popular  homeschool publishers and TOS.


Announcement
 
Creation Revolution

"You can learn so much in your own backyard. Grow a small garden and study the different plants as they grow, and watch the miracle of life blossom before your eyes. Watch the birds around where you live, and learn which birds are which and what calls they make."
 
Read more in the article Are Summers Just For Fun?  


Contest Corner 

For the month of July, 2013

 

 One Minute Mysteries: 65 More Short Mysteries  

You Solve With Science!

 

Science, Naturally! wants to "bridge the gap between the blackboard and the blacktop." As an independent press, they do this by publishing fun and interesting science and math resources that kids enjoy. They strive to make these topics "intriguing and accessible" to students of all ages.

 

The Crew had the opportunity to review their book, One Minute Mysteries: 65 More Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! ($9.95) It was written by the father-daughter team of Eric and Natalie Yoder, who have been featured guests on NPR. Their books have won multiple awards and accolades from the education and publishing communities.

 

Designed for kids 8-12, these fun brain teasers get kids thinking about science to solve these quick mystery stories. This is the second book in this series. They've also written a book of one-minute math mysteries, too. You can read a mystery sample here.

 

To read the Schoolhouse Review Crew reviews, click on the thumbnails on this page.

 

TO ENTER: Email Heather with your name, mailing address, and phone number for contact purposes, with the subject line, "One Minute Mysteries" for a chance to win* the book for your homeschool!

In this week's issue:

SchoolhouseTeachers.com

Read

Living History Museums- Your Secret Community Resource

in the latest issue of

The Old Schoolhouse
 Magazine.



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