Newsletter #393
10 Ways To Get the Most from Homeschool Events.  Includes list of 2014 State Conventions, dates, and links to more information.

Newsletter #398
Vocabulary / Basic Skills Series, Part 3.  25 Vocabulary-Building Activities for All Ages, plus many free online resources.

Newsletter #394
Word Analysis: Reading & Phonics, / Basic Skills Series, Part 2.  Skills to be mastered by every child and adult – whether or not they can already read.

Newsletter #392
Listening / Basic Skills Series, Part 1.  Includes: Advantages and Principles of Good Listening, plus 10 Listening Practice Activities. Applicable to both younger and older children.

Michael Farris, father of 10 homeschooled children and chairman of Home School Legal Defense Association, shares practical strategies for fathers.

Read transcripts or listen to these 2-minute radio broadcasts online.

by Michael Farris.  Read this short online article offering ways a father can by involved in his family's homeschooling.

"A homeschooling mom has two major areas of responsibility: caring for a home and teaching academics to her children.  Her husband can pick tasks from either area and make his wife equally happy!"

Here are a few ideas for your children to show their appreciation for Dad!

 •  Father's Day Fun is a free 23-page e-book with ideas for gifts, cards, and activities.

 •  Find notebooking pages in this 22-page free e-book.

 •  See Martha Stewart's website for Father's Day Gifts and Cards that you can make, as well as Father's Day Crafts for Kids with Clip Art and Templates.

 •  Send a Free e-card.

 •  Interview Dad and listen to stories from his childhood.  See A Family History Questionnaire.

 •  See our Pinterest Father's Day Page for many more ideas.

Do you like Special Offers, saving money, and learning about new and useful resources for your homeschool?

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We trust that you find this newsletter informative and encouraging.

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While studying zebras and their habitat, we discussed Africa and the six other continents. At which point my 5-year-old son asked, "Mommy, do zebras live in Africa, Asia and Indiana?"

Submitted by Rhonda H., Arkansas.

Send your humorous anecdote to publisher@teachinghome.com.

1.  God loves you.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

2.  Man is separated from God by sin.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23)  For the wages of sin is death. (Rom. 6:23)

3.  The death of Jesus Christ in our place is God's only provision for man's sin.

He (Jesus Christ) was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Romans 4:25)

4.  We must personally receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. (John 1:12)

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. (Eph. 2:8, 9)

Immerse your family in God's truth through systematic reading and study of God's Word.

Listen to the Bible Online.  Choose from six English versions (plus Spanish and other languages) at BibleGateway.com/Audio.

Listen to beautiful traditional, sacred, and inspirational conservative Christian music (commercial free!) when you tune in to these online stations:

 •  Abiding Radio.  Choose from four stations: vocal, instrumental, kids, and seasonal (Christmas). Information for listening on many different devices.

 •  Old Christian Radio

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As a mother and wife, there is much you can (and should) do to contribute to the success, fulfillment, and happiness of your husband every day.

The suggestions listed in this issue are practical ways to honor the Lord and your husband.

May the Lord richly bless your family for His glory.

 •  Willingly give up to Him all your desires, hopes, dreams, and expectations.

 •  Thankfully accept from Him your biblical roles and family relationships as well as any limitations and all circumstances of your life.

 •  Trust and obey the Lord in all things.

 •  Love him unselfishly and unconditionally.

 •  Listen to him attentively when he speaks, dropping what you are doing if possible, and establishing eye contact.  Try to understand his unspoken desires and check your understanding with gentle questions.

 •  Do your best to carry out his wishes faithfully in every area.

 •  Meet his needs for food, clothing, intimacy, companionship, and spiritual fellowship without waiting to be asked.

 •  Speak the truth in love.  Express your true thoughts and feelings as well as personal or family needs with humility and kindness, rather than suppressing them in bitterness.

 •  Speak of him respectfully and lovingly and require your children to do so as well.

 •  Represent him and his decisions in the best light.

 •  Teach your children that God leads the whole family through Father, so they can accept his direction, rules, and discipline as from the Lord.

Doorposts offers For This Is Right and Honor Your Father and Mother (for younger children).  Both books contain an evaluation of Scripture and practical applications of the Fifth Commandment, "Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee" (Exodus 20:12).  See free "Checklist for Sons and Daughters" and guidelines for parents.

 •  Organize and arrange the house, furnishings, schedule, meals, and chores so that your home life is convenient and comfortable for Dad when he is there.

 •  Supervise and discipline the children so that peace and quiet are the norm.

 •  Keep Dad informed of your children's progress in all areas, as well as any needs you observe.

 •  Encourage your children to go to Dad for comfort and to share with him their joys.

 •  Teach your children how to make a respectful appeal to their father when they want or need material things, privileges, or changes to rules or decisions.

 •  Preserve the times that are most convenient for him to lead daily Bible reading or family devotions, and prayer alone with you.  Make sure you and your children are ready and present on time every day, whether or not he is.

 •  Prepare for church (baths, clothes, meals, etc.) the day before and get everyone to bed and up again early so that peace instead of clamor characterizes your Sundays.

 •  Be ready and willing to offer hospitality to like minded Christians for spiritual fellowship and mutual encouragement.

 •  If your husband does not choose to participate in these things, be careful not to push or offend him, but continue them faithfully with his permission and make him feel welcome to join you and/or take leadership whenever he chooses.

 •  Pray for him alone, with your children, and when the whole family is together.

 •  Ask that God bless him, lead him, strengthen him, and comfort him.  (Do not use your prayer as a chance to preach at him about what he should do.)

 •  Be quick to repent and confess when you have sinned against your husband (e.g., anger, disrespect, negligence).

 •  Express sorrow and humility even if your fault seems relatively small.

 •  Ask him to forgive you and to tell you if he sees you going in that direction again.

 •  Freely admit you could be wrong when he disagrees with you or remembers things differently.

 •  Be understanding of his stress and frustration; try to alleviate these if you can.

 •  Give your hurt feelings to God; reject the temptation to be bitter.

 •  Answer softly and slowly; respond with genuine kindness to his anger.

 •  Take his concerns seriously and act on them.

 •  Write out loving and appreciative notes or encouraging (not rebuking) Scriptures and place them in lunches, on his mirror or pillow, in his pocket or wallet.

 •  Make his favorite meals or desserts often.

 •  Give him a foot or back massage when he is tired or achy.

 •  Offer to do small errands for him, in or out of the home.

 •  Watch for and buy small gifts he would appreciate throughout the year, not just for his birthday or Father's Day.

 •  Read and pass on to him articles or books in his areas of interest.

 •  Encourage your children to write thank you notes, draw pictures, and make gifts for Daddy.

 •  Make Dad's homecomings welcoming.  Smile!

 •  Say thank you often for big things like working to support the family and for little things like taking out the garbage.

 •  Tell him what you like about him; find the positive aspects of all his characteristics.

 •  Thank God for him and praise him to your children and others.