A little fun for this “not back-to-school” time of year. I know many of you are looking for some inspiration, some fire to start off the year properly, some kind of plan to get you enthused for the year.

Emotions right now often run the gamut. Excitement, intimidation, trepidation, fear, doubt, joy. Maybe you feel excited, or maybe you wish you had more enthusiasm for the year to come.

To help us all get in the mood to not head back to school (you know, since we homeschool and aren’t going to school . . .) you can get a peak into the homes and daily organizers of some other homeschool moms over the next four weeks.

The first edition comes out this week and gives people an opportunity to share their curriculum plans for the upcoming year. If you click the icon above it will take you to the list of other blogs and curriculum sharing which start on Monday August 2. If last year is any indication, hundreds of families will participate over the next month, and they will show you many different styles, ideas, family sizes, student ages, and approaches to homeschooling.

Like I promised, here is the great deal from YourTeacher.com. The sooner you sign up, the longer you can enjoy this. It expires on August 31, so check it out soon! Of course, to take advantage of it, you do need to join the Homeschool Buyers Co-op first.

Do you want to keep your middle or high schooler engaged with math studies through the summer? The Homeschool Buyers Co-op is pleased to offer members a FREE subscription to YourTeacher.com, a leading online math curriculum for middle and high school-level math. This subscription gives you full access to ALL YourTeacher.com courses — Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry — through August 31, 2010.If you were to itemize the elements of an ideal online math program, your list might include some of the following:

• Video tutorials by an experienced math teacher
• An abundance of interactive practice exercises, with step-by-step audio explanations
• Self-tests that your student can take over and over until she develops a sense of mastery.
• Reports, so that you can keep track track of your student’s progress
• Audio, video, text, and Flash animations for students visual or auditory learning styles
• Correlations with standard math texts, so that it can be used in conjunction with your favorite math text
• Built-in SAT and ACT prep for college-bound students.
• Self-paced instruction — of course! — so that students and proceed as quickly or slowly as needed so as to not become frustrated or bored

If any of those elements are on YOUR wish list, then YourTeacher.com may be the right program for you, because all of the above are standard features of YourTeacher.com!

Acclaimed by Homeschoolers

One of the things that drew our interest in YourTeacher.com were the reviews and testimonials by homeschoolers:

• “Lessons are very thorough and offer a number of ways for students to learn and practice the material. Explanations are excellent. This is one of the most truly ‘independent-learning’; math courses available.”
  - Cathy Duffy, Author of “100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum” (Read more.)
• “YourTeacher.com excels in the comprehensiveness and clarity of the lessons, in the ease of use, and in functionality.”
  - Maria Miller, Founder of HomeschoolMath.net (Read more.)
• “”I can personally vouch for this program … awesome!” – Paula H., Co-op Member
• “WE LOVE YOUR PROGRAM” – Shawna, homeschooler
• “… perfect for homeschoolers.” – Lisa, homeschooler
• “… an absolute godsend for us.” – Linda, homeschooler
• “I love it!” – Melanie, homeschooler
• “The best website for math on the Internet.” – Shirley, homeschooler
• “I LOVE your site!!!! So do my children.” – Tamara, homeschooler
• “I love your lessons…” – Cherie, homeschooler

Available FREE, Exclusively Through the Co-op!

This offer definitely goes into our Group Buy “Hall of Fame” — up to 3 months of a leading math curriculum, absolutely FREE — a $69.50 value! But don’t delay! To take full advantage of this special offer, sign up now! Your free subscription to YourTeacher.com will expire at midnight, August 31!

To take full advantage of this special offer, place your order TODAY!

Regards,
Homeschool Buyers Co-op

I have mentioned on here before the Homeschool Buyers Co-op. This is a free website that offers great deals to homeschoolers. I finally joined (no idea why I waited so long), and I can tell you it is completely painless. And, the deals are amazing!
Membership is free and confidential, and gives you access to great discounts from over 100 educational suppliers.
They also have a “SmartPoints” program where you get points for doing things that benefit you and other homeschoolers. You can then use your SmartPoints to buy curriculum.

If you click the following link and join, I’ll get 100 SmartPoints, and you’ll get 100 SmartPoints just for joining. (Click me!)

Tune in tomorrow for a great freebie that you will need to be a member of the co-op to join. Free higher level math for the summer . . . be sure to check it out.

If you’re researching or buying homeschool curriculum, you have to check out the Vendor Hall at the Schoolhouse Expo! It’s open to everyone. Browse through companies such as Rainbow Resource, WriteShop, Apologia, Latin Road, Phonics Road, Multiplication Shake, Go Phonics, and MANY MORE!

Latin Road, Phonics Road has freebies in their booth. Rainbow Resource has a free shipping offer. Spears Art Studio has a free CD. Real Science by Gravitas has a 25% discount coupon.

There is just so much to see. Stop by and meet the virtual hostess from each company, browse their selection, and look for “conference specials”.

You don’t even need your walking shoes or suitcase to lug your purchases in! Be sure to check out the Schoolhouse Expo Vendor Hall.

The History Channel is giving away a free DVD to all schools, and they have some other web based resources that you might find useful:

The following was received from CHOICE homeschool in Wheaton. I have heard that this is a great sale for both buying and selling. Also, check out the details about their new information exchange that is new this year. Looks like a great place to gather resources!

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.   Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 C.H.O.I.C.E. 2010 Curriculum ReSale & Kids’ Sale Monday, May 10th, 2010 Sale: 4:00-7:00 p.m. College Church, Commons Hall, Wheaton, IL * * * We need 15 volunteers in order to host this event! * * * Please contact Debbie Johnson for information on selling fruitlover@gmail.com Monday, May 3, is the deadline to reserve your spots Any educational material is acceptable (curriculum, supplementary materials, books, games, etc.). Kids may sell anything (no nuts or red drinks allowed in the church). Schedule for Monday, May 10, 2010: 3:00 — 4:00 p.m. Sellers can drop off and sort their pre-tagged items. Volunteers are available to help 4:00 —7:00  p.m. SALE SHOP  buyers, bring your own bags, boxes for transporting purchased items 7:00 — 8:00 p.m. All sellers return to sort books. NEW: 2010-2011 Activity Flyers Advertise your homeschooling activity, co-op, service project, or field trip for this summer, next fall, or next winter. Create a flyer (81/2 x 11) with your ideas, dates, rules, and contact information. Contact all of the places or organizations that you participate in as a homeschooling family, and have someone create a flyer (band, math team, dance, music studios, gym classes, art classes, science co-ops, etc). Bring 50 copies! We hope this will help your planing and organization over the summer. Links: C.H.O.I.C.E. Monthly Meeting Schedule eNewsletter Submission Guidelines 09-10

For more information see the full flyer online.

If you already use the Institute for Excellence in Writing, are interested in learning more about this much sought after writing curriculum, or if you just want some general help in teaching writing to your children, there are a couple Webinars coming up that you might be interested in.

IEW has announced that they will host webinars twice each month on the 1st and 3rd Monday. You must register for these in order to participate, but they are free to registered participants.

The rest of the details came straight from IEW:

Monthly Webinars on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, 7:30-8:30 PM CST:

• Monday, March 1: Assessing Student Writing for Experienced IEW Families
  Click here to register.
  Join Andrew Pudewa as he shares some salient points on this important topic and answers your questions on writing, thinking, and speaking.
• Monday, March 15: Experience Excellence in Writing
  (Registration will open soon)
  Join Laura House as she shares on the value of incorporating IEW methods and materials into your home school

Registration for World Math Day 2010 has opened and this year is going to be bigger and better than ever. Apart from an exciting NEW format, World Math Day 2010 is registered to set a Guinness World Record.

You are invited to share with your friends and family this free and fun event. For the first time parents can also participate in World Math Day.

Register free at www.worldmathday.com

REGISTERED TO SET A GUINNESS WORLD RECORD in 2010

World Math Day is free and lots of FUN!

Join in a celebration of numbers as students from around the globe unite in their quest to set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORD – the largest online math competition in answering mental arithmetic questions. Be a part of this Guinness World Record and global education event involving more than 2.5 million students from over 200 countries.

It’s Free and Fun!

• Brand NEW format.

• World Math Day is the education event for the world!

• Your students will love it! Be part of setting a Guinness World Record

• It will create an amazing buzz around Math

• Designed for all ages and ability levels.

• Simple to register and participate. All you need is internet access.

• Great prizes

• And it’s absolutely free!!

HURRY, registration closes March 2^nd 2010

www.worldmathday.com

Information received from:

Peter Walters

CEO  – 3P Learning USA

37 West 26th Street

Suite 201

New York, NY 10010

Tel +1 866 387 9139

www.mathletics.com

www.worldmathday.com

“Freedom to Learn”

I have long had this fascination with playing guitar. In fact, for the past number of years I have owned a guitar. You can often find it under my bed, in its dust covered case.

For some reason, that image of guitar accompanied songs around the campfire has not pressed me to learn it very well. I do pull it out and sing with my kids now and then, but I wouldn’t ask for much more of an audience than that.

Regardless of my poor guitar’s neglect, I did pull it out with some gusto as a package arrived that helped me do what I really longed to do with the guitar . . . Worship!

Product: Jean Welles Worship Guitar Vol. 1
Details: A DVD and lesson book for beginner or advanced beginners. Includes introduction, 7 lessons and practice sessions, and Spanish subtitles if desired.
Price: $29.95 for DVD and book set.

What we loved . . .

• Easy to pop in and use. You can come with no knowledge, or have been playing guitar for years, like myself (ahem). This DVD gives you a basic introduction to the instrument, tuning, and how to read chord charts and then jumps right into learning some well known praise choruses.
• Jean has a wonderful presence. Calm and professional, and with a constant reminder of our goal — to worship our Creator — Jean does a wonderful job leading these lessons and keeping you in a worshipful frame of mind.
• Worship focused. She is clearly not helping you learn guitar for pure entertainment or to advance your music knowledge. The purpose of these lessons is to worship God in your quiet times or in small groups. I never thought guitar lessons could be such a spiritual experience.
• Includes various strumming patterns. I love the sound of broken chords, but had never learned how to actually do it. I could kind of figure it out on my own, but Jean walks you through it step by step.
• Slow practice sessions. In addition to the lessons on the DVD you can also go through the practice sessions that have the same songs, but redone much more slowly which is helpful when you are learning and trying to switch fingers and learn strumming at the same time.
• Help in learning to hear and sing on pitch. She didn’t spend a lot of time on this as it was obviously not the purpose of the course, but she gave me some hope for some of my “tonally challenged” children.
• Free online sample. If you want to get an idea of what the course is like, feel free to jump on their website and see for yourself what Jean Welles has to offer.

Some considerations . . .

• This is not a music class. This course was designed to teach you to play worship songs, a few basic chords, and some fingerings. It doesn’t get into pitch, identifying keys, or other techniques that might come in regular guitar lessons, or music classes.
• You won’t learn a lot of different chords. After the first volume you will not be able to just pick up any book and accompany yourself or a group in singing. You might want to jump into Volume 2, or work on learning other chords, transitions and fingerings so your new knowledge is more applicable.
• This is not for young kids. My 12 year old was able to follow along fairly well, but if you are looking for a course for younger kids, you would want to check out their course for kids 6-9.

When you compare this cost to private guitar lessons, you are obviously getting a deal. It’s still not a teacher that can look at exactly what you are doing and address your individual needs, so that’s not quite a fair comparison. However, it is still a good course to get you started. If you have a guitar just gathering dust under your bed and you would like to put it to better use, you would likely enjoy this class.

For more TOS Crew reviews on this product, check out the TOS Crew blog.

Disclaimer: This DVD and book set was provided to me free of charge from Jean Welles Worship Guitar as part of my participation in The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew. I received no additional compensation and the opinions expressed here come from my personal experiences and sincere thoughts.