Getting Dad More Involved, Free DVD for Homeschools
By Heather Idoni
Added Thursday, December 17, 2009
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The Homeschooler's Notebook
Encouragement and Advice for Homeschool Families
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Vol. 10 No 91 December 17, 2009
ISSN: 1536-2035
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Copyright (c) 2009 - Heather Idoni, FamilyClassroom.net
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Welcome to The Homeschooler's Notebook!
If you like this newsletter, please recommend it to a friend!
And please visit our sponsors! They make it possible.
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IN THIS ISSUE:
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Notes from Heather
-- Christmas Vacation
Helpful Tip
-- Savings Site
Winning Website
-- Choose a Free DVD
Reader Question
-- Getting Dad Involved
Additional Notes
-- Newsletter Archives
-- Sponsorship Information
-- Reprint Information
-- Subscriber Information
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Notes from Heather
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For those who celebrate Christmas, may the Lord richly bless
your time with family and friends over the coming days!
Our next issue will be December 28th.
Blessings,
Heather
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Do you have comments to share? Please do!
Send your emails to: mailto:heather@familyclassroom.net
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Helpful Tip
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"Hi -- I just wanted to let you know about a website called
hip2save.com. I joined a few days ago (it's free) and I get a
daily email that shows great deals. I thought you might be
interested because I bought a Hooked on Phonics Spanish for 4-6
year olds that normally was $69.99 and I got it for $7 dollars.
There have also been a lot of Leapfrog deals. They have quite
a few educational things come up -- toys and food, too. I've
liked it so far. Today I got a great overnight bag that retails
for $30 for only $2.99 including free shipping! My 18 year old
daughter will love it. Just wanted to let you know since you
put up ads for educational things in your newsletter."
-- Kimberly W
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Do you have an idea, experience, or tip to share? Please write!
Send to: mailto:HN-ideas@familyclassroom.net
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Winning Website
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www.Izzit.org - One free DVD per year
Izzit.org is a not-for-profit that provides DVDs and learning
materials to educators, including homeschoolers. They offer a
FREE DVD once year! Go to http://www.izzit.org and login using
your email address to pick out your DVD. There is also no
shipping charge -- it will be mailed FREE. There are quite a
few interesting and educational movies to choose from!
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Last Issue's Reader Question
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"We used to have a nice routine that paralleled 'typical' public
school hours while Dad was at work. Recently my husband was
promoted to a position with second shift hours. Since Dad is
now home during our normal school hours, the kids want to spend
much of that time with him. By the time he goes off to work, no
one is looking forward to starting the school day in earnest.
(Especially me, since my best thinking/teaching time is much
earlier in the day!)
I know that one of the perks of home educating is flexibility. I
would love it if my husband would consistently take this opportunity
to lead daily morning devotions and maybe even help with schoolwork,
but I don't want to nag him about it. Can anyone provide advice on
the best way to transition into a new schedule that would include
Dad's presence? Thanks!" -- Elsie
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Our Readers' Responses
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"Elsie, this may take some creativity on your part. You could
start with a subject area that your husband enjoys or is good at.
Find a time when you have his full attention and he doesn't have
other things weighing on his mind, and then ask him to help or
take over that subject. Asking once is not nagging. He could
teach the subject only two or three days a week; he doesn't have
to commit to it every day. If he wants your help getting started,
fine; if not, stay out of his way and let him do it. He will
likely not have your teaching style; that's okay. He might want
to shop around for a different curriculum, or not use a curriculum
at all. Let him do it his way. If he isn't interested, accept
his answer and drop it. But then do your lessons while he is at
home, and make sure you're having a blast so that he'll realize
he's missing out on something, and will want to get in on the fun.
It will be great if he will be involved, because you'll be solving
both problems: you can still do your lessons in the morning, and
the children will have time with Dad." -- Mary Beth
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"I don't know if this is what you are looking for, but one of my
favorite years was when my husband was home during the days. He
didn't help with the actual teaching; I don't think he would have
if he wanted to just because he didn't know what I expected and
would have been afraid of doing it wrong.
The best thing I did was put him in charge of a weekly field trip.
He was to schedule/plan it and let me know when and where it would
be. We went to museums, support group parties, hiking, to plays,
bought zoo passes and went every month, whatever. If you keep
your eyes open there are usually many things to do wherever you
live.
On these days we either took school off or did just the basics
(math/reading). Whatever they lost in book work they made up for in
fun enjoyable learning opportunities. Our family was strengthened
and because we took lots of pictures we have many memories of this
fun time to look back on." -- Sandy
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Answer our NEW Question
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"I have a child who loves animation. He had a class in a program
called Scratch and he fell in love ever since. I was wondering if
there were any animation classes on-line or out there that anyone
could recommend. Thanks." -- Renee
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Would you like to make a suggestion for Renee?
Please send your answer to: mailto:HN-answers@familyclassroom.net
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Ask YOUR Question
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Do you have a question you would like our readers to answer?
Send it to mailto:HN-questions@familyclassroom.net and we'll see
if we can help you out in a future issue!
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Need Immediate Help?
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Visit our Homeschool Encouragement Center! This is a live 24/7
'chat' area where you can talk with our homeschool counselors
by typing in a box. When you get there, just introduce yourself
and let them know that Heather sent you!
This ultra-safe chat is supervised by experienced moms who are
there to serve and share their wisdom... or just offer a listening
ear and encouragement.
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ADDITIONAL NOTES
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REPRINT INFORMATION
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