HOME Where They Belong

Come over to my house and observe us "homeschooling." It might scare you.

Yes, we have our serious days with workbooks and papers/pencils flying. But you'll note that much of our learning time falls under the category of "play."

See, when kids are pursuing their own interests, it's PLAY to them. As babies, they are chewing on things, getting into cupboards, pulling over plants, stretching out the cat's tail, etc.... They are exploring, playing. As they get older, other interests come into "play" (pun intended).

My son wants to build servers and create his own marketing company someday. So how do you think he plays? He can't get enough magazines on computers (If I hear the word "Linux" one more time I will pull every last hair out of my head! Ahem.) He explores hard drives and the insides of all sorts of weird equipment, taking it apart, putting it back together again. His play is building something, though...a career. An expertise. And ask anyone who knows Paulie - he's a computer brain.

So this week as you start to get a little stressed out because your daughter is in the kitchen baking her 10th batch of "mystery cookies" instead of reading the stack of books you want to pour into her this year, RELAX. She's playing. But really, there's more happening than just that. She's homeschooling

- Gena

Homeschool Heart

Is It OK to Play?

I live in a house full of comedians. Playing comes very naturally to my family. People are always asking me if they just keep me laughing all the time. Oh yea, ALL the time.

Other times, some people seem to think that we're just not quite serious enough ~ that we play too much. It's honestly been enough to make me have to pray about it. Were we playing too much?

But the Lord led me to this verse... Psalms 139:13-14

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

I figure God knew what He was doing when He created my husband and my boys with wonderful senses of humor. Yes, there is a time and place for everything and we have to remind ourselves at times to take things down a notch, but I'm learning to just embrace the way God created them and to share that joy as well.

Remember, "A cheerful heart is good medicine!" Have some fun with your family today.

- Nancy

Homeschool Freebies!

Playing is usually NOT something we have to remind our kids to do. What we DO have to remind ourselves is to play WITH them. I think it was easier when they were younger to just sit down with the plastic animals and play zoo. Now I feel like I'm competing with their friends, computers and TV.

Well how about joining them in their online play?

I just heard about a new educational web site where children and parents can create their own comic strips and have fun together. My son Clay and I had fun checking out www.makebeliefscomix.com and making our own comic strip. You can choose from ten animal and human characters with different moods -- happy, sad, angry, worried – and write words for thought balloons to make your characters talk and think. No ideas? There are even story ideas and prompts to help you create graphic stories on themes such as: traveling to a mysterious place, finding your courage, and a new fairy tale. When you're done with your story, print it out and email it to Dad or grandma! Then you can check off creative writing for the day!

- Julie

Schoolhouse Store Spotlight

Play! What a wonderful, and effective way to learn! You can find all manner of learning games at The Schoolhouse Store. Not only that you save a bundle because we have FREE shipping! Check out our Bible ABC Memory Game, Homeschoolopoly, Life on the Farm Board Game, Party Sticks, or stretch your brain with Sudoku Beginner Puzzles Activity Pack, for starters. Logic and critical thinking are loads of fun with The Fallacy Detective and The Thinking Toolbox by Harvey & Laurie Bluedorn. For Geography games and ideas be sure and take advantage of Hands-On Geography (one of my favorites!). Believe it or not, even something as tedious as learning multiplication facts can be enjoyable with products like Times Tales Deluxe, Discovery Multiplication and a Multiplication Party Lapbook kit by Hands of a Child. And if you consider yourself a bit less-than-creative you’ll want to check out our Out-of-the-Box Education E-Book that’s chock full of fun, simple and creative ideas for every subject you can imagine!

If you’re not sure how you’re going to find time for all this fun and creativity, our Grande Cooking E-Book by Lisa Taylor could be part of your answer. I’ve read, and own, a good many Bulk Cooking books and manuals and have to say that I Lisa’s is one of the best. Not only for practical advice but for encouragement and suggestions on how to use your culinary accomplishments to bring glory to God. If you haven’t tried bulk cooking before, you’ll be amazed at what an amazing time saver it can be, especially in the spring when schedules tend to be busier than ever. Or get your kids to pitch in (and have fun!) with our Clean N’ Flip set for kids.

-Dena

Jeneric Jeneralities

This week's edition of THM is all about the importance of play. It is true that the way to make learning stick is to make it FUN! So how about putting on a play? Some of my best school lessons have been with my kids acting out the different parts of a cell, or acting out the story of the Good Samaritan (boy was that fun!).

Right now my kids are excited about participating in a film. That's right, our great friends, the fine and mighty talented Austin boys (Nobletin Productions) are learning all about film-making and have been putting together Sherlock Holmes productions -- what a good way to bring famous literature to life! Acting things out is a great way to learn. Of course having a larger family can make things easier (it would have been hard to build a cell structure with only two kids -- I needed Gena's kids to come over and help with that... come to think of it, they were also in our Good Samaritan play); however, what a great way to get to know other homeschool families. Invite some friends over. Do a study on the revolutionary war and have somebody stand on a chair and "be" Patrick Henry, "Give me licorice or give me death..." or something like that, right? Make it fun and it will stick!

– Jen Ig

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"Hi Gena,
I just finished reading your recent Homeschool Minute. You are so funny! What a beautiful gift your writing is. I imagine there are many homeschool moms (me very much included) who could use just a bit more laughter in their day!...."

~Denise, THM Reader ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I am so grateful to you for sending this Homeschool Minute...I needed it sooooooo badly...and for your realness! Thanks for reminding me of the simple things. I have sent an e-card to my dear husband, I have hugged my children and used some of the conversation starters that were appropriate with them. We just giggled and giggled. When I asked "If you had to eat one food for three days what would it be?", my daughter responded appropriately with "Pizza!". My son cracked me up with his answer..."CAKE!", I just rolled on the floor laughing so hard because that is so HIM! I found out things about them that I hadn't known until now! Thanks for this!!!!"

~Tonya in TEXAS--who is planning a MUCH NEEDED DATE NIGHT!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"How perfect! This morning during my quiet time I "let go" of the thoughts that I was holding captive since Monday... The Lord pointed out to me this morning everything that you all said in your newletter about taking time for and loving him b/c Christ first loved us! What confirmation in our Lord's perfect timing in regards to what our needs are. Thank you!"

~Kristi, TOS subscriber and THM Reader

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"I have received such encouragement and blessings from your compilation of wisdom that is The Old Schoolhouse. I'm praying that you will be renewed and uplifted as you press on. Thank you."

~Fran, TOS Subscriber"