Dear TOS-

God used you to touch my heart and encourage me this month. From Jenefer Ig (love her!) to Cindy Rushton to Rhonda Barfield (among others), I gained so much. After a summer break, I almost didn''t know where to pick back up. God used your magazine to speak to me. I am awe struck how the Creator of the world showers His grace and mercy on me a little homeschool mom! Your magazine is the only one I take; it is so far above anything else I've read. Keep up the great work! Plugging along for Jesus - S. Galloway, NC

[last issue]-I like what the mom had to say about developing relationships for an only child. I'll probably look at Wholehearted Ministries because of that article. Thanks! - Gail, Rhode Island

               As a former psychologist on mommy/home educator leave, I crave well-written, informative reading material that will provide me with ideas to help me be a successful home educator. Your magazine does just that. The wonderful articles, personal stories, and even the advertisements help me maintain my motivation and give me confidence to continue what I believe God has called me to do. Thank you for your ideas, motivation, and encouragement. I am truly grateful for your magazine. Because of Christ - Donna McCutchen, PhD, Orange Park, FL

[Letter written to Rich and Sue Gregg / SueGregg Cookbooks] Hello! I received free your Taste & Tell Recipes & CD-ROM through my subscription to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, and I wanted to say thank you! I had been discussing with God about working on a more nutritional diet for my family and me. After reviewing your recipes and website, I'm thinking "what a relief"! I recognized most of your ingredients! And I think switching to using whole grains will be do-able once I locate a local supplier and grinder. I also appreciate how you base your philosophy of cooking on God, the original creator of nutrition. I'm looking forward to slowly incorporating your recipes into our daily diet, and I think I'll start with your Blender Batter Pancakes for tomorrow's breakfast, since I have rolled oats & brown rice in my pantry shelves.

Thank you for your generosity to TOS subscribers, and thank you for pursuing what God placed in your heart, a love for nutritious cooking and sharing it with people!  God has used you in my life!

Blessings to you! - Nancy Fervida

I am new to homeschooling and like most homeschoolers we have a tight budget. I was unsure if I wanted to spend the money on a subscription when I had never seen an issue. Well, I went for it and received my first issue just a few days ago. I was thrilled! I don't think I have ever read a magazine from cover to cover, but with TOS I couldn't put it down; everything was fascinating. By the end of my first issue I was 150 percent hooked and would recommend TOS to all parents, not just homeschool parents. Thanks from Wisconsin - Crystal S.

Dear Crystal, Thank you so much for your letter, and for your very kind comments about The Old Schoolhouse Magazine! We are so glad you like it. - Nancy K. Baetz

Wow! Your magazine just gets better and better. The articles, the photography, the layout are all excellent. I love the fact that the articles that don't directly pertain to homeschooling, for example, "A Tribute to Ronald Reagan",are encouraging and intellectual. I was especially pleased to read  "Pioneering Pasco County". We just moved there in January. Thanks! - Lorie, Port Richey, FL

Dear Lorie, Thank you so much! It's always encouraging to our staff to get letters like yours. We, too, were very excited about the Reagan tributes by Nancy Baetz and Rebekah Pearl Anast. We were also stunned at TOS Senior Graphic Designer, Jodi Whisler's gorgeous photo tribute. She poured a lot of sweat, tears, and hours into that layout - while watching the Reagan funeral coverage on television as she created it. Ryan Swanson is our gifted layout guy and his wife, Shannon Pelletier Swanson, our brainy Field Trip editor. God has a way of bringing the most wonderful talent to our crew. Bless your family this new school year, and again, thank you! - Paul and Gena Suarez

            Dear TOS, Please send me a free sample issue. I am considering subscribing to your magazine. I have just recently decided to homeschool my children, 7 and 4. I truly believe God is leading me in this way. I keep telling myself, "If I can make it through graduate school, I can make it through second grade". I am in constant prayer as to whether or not this is what the Lord wants for my family. I have enjoyed your website thus far. Thank you for this resource. I am curious as to your church affiliation. I read your statement of faith. The only thing I did not see was any reference to baptism. My husband and I currently attend an nondenominational Christian Church but have been unhappy with the lack of people actually seeking the Lord. The minister has lead a prayer meeting every week to pray for the church for the last four months and my family (parents and brother also) are the only ones who have attended this consistently. This meeting is averaging six to ten people (six of which are my family). Thank you for your time - Jamie Brandon

Dear Jamie, Thank you so much for writing! We are so glad you are enjoying our website. We know you will love the magazine as well! I will get a sample issue out to you right away.

We are also delighted to hear from people like you who are beginning their homeschooling adventure. And, yes, we agree with you, that it is an adventure that we must always bathe in prayer. It is disheartening to know that many of our churches do not have a greater emphasis on prayer or that prayer meetings are so poorly attended. But our relationship with God in prayer is vital to our spiritual growth and we must keep up that conversation. Without conversation or communication, a relationship is doomed to wither. Obviously, yours is not, but is fruitful and vibrant in Him! And, because of that, we know you will be successful in your homeschooling journey. We all need to be reminded of the fact that we can do it only because He is with us!

You asked about The Old Schoolhouses' position on baptism. We believe that baptism is an act of obedience to Christ's command and should be done as soon after salvation as possible, and only after that person has full knowledge of what he or she is doing. We believe baptism is an outward sign of obedience which reveals an inward condition of salvation. Baptism is a representation of our old man dying as our sins are washed away by the blood of Christ and we rise up to become a new person alive in Him. We are to obey his command to be baptized, not out of compulsion, rather out of love for the One who loves us so much. Is baptism a condition of salvation? Not according to many, many scriptures. Just look at that old familiar verse John 3:16 and you will see that "whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." However, baptism is an essential element in a believer's life simply out of obedience to Christ's commands.

             We need to note that among our readers and even among our staff we have differing views on the issue of baptism, but what is most important is that we trust in the full work of Christ on the cross and that we are obedient to His Word as it is, not adding anything to it or taking anything away from it. Full obedience out of full hearts for what He has fully done. Not one thing we do gets us any closer to His gift of salvation. It's 100% Him.

Hope this helps, Jamie. We appreciate your questions and concerns. Let us know how we can be of further help. - Deborah Wuehler

Dear Deborah, Thank you so much for your article on spiritual depression and I thank Jesus for leading me to it. I have been both spiritually and emotionally depressed for a while now. I feel guilty for not praying enough and not reading my bible like I used to. And then, I feel even more guilt when I have to force myself to read my Bible at all. This morning I was praying for help. After my prayers and forced Bible reading and daily guilt trip, I went to my computer. For some reason, I had been wondering about the cavemen - not that I believe in evolution or anything like that but I wanted to find info about creation science and where the "cavemen" fit in.  Anyhow, during my research your site came up and I found your article. Thank you Jesus! - Mary Menzer

Dear Mary, Wow - what an incredible God we serve! How you ended up at my article after searching for cavemen had to have been divine direction! I am smiling profusely as I consider the God who knows our deepest desires and answers them in everyday "miracles" like this. By the way, Ken Ham has a good site on Creation issues at www.answersingenesis.org and you will find specifically how ape men fit in at this link: www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/Anthropology.asp. May God continue to bring about a hunger for His Word in your heart and life. - Deborah Wuehler

Hello Renee, I just moved from North Atlanta to Albany and will be homeschooling my 8^th grader this year. I have homeschooled before, but only for nine weeks. This will be the first full year. I have another child, a 6th grader, who will be attending public school. Can you recommend one a homeschool group that wouldn't look down upon our decision to use public school? I know some homeschoolers can be very adamant about homeschooling being the only choice, but we are going with what we think will work best for our family. I am not familiar with any support groups and I'd appreciate your advice. Thanks -April Chapel

Dear April, Thank you so much for taking the time to write in. As we have no Georgia coordinator right now, I will attempt to answer your questions relating to homeschooling in Georgia. 

The first thing you will need to do is familiarize yourself with Georgia's homeschooling laws by checking Home School Legal Defense Association's (HSLDA)website http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?State=GA. And, becoming a member of HSLDA is an important first step in your decision to homeschool. 

The next thing that is helpful for many families is to find a support group. Here is HSLDA's site listing of Georgia Homeschooling Organizations: http://www.hslda.org/orgs/default.asp?State=GA

As I am not familiar with the philosophy of each of these groups, I cannot tell you which ones are inclusive of your decision to put one of your children in public school. Hopefully among this list there is one that will accept you with open arms. Here at The Old Schoolhouse, we definitely welcome you with open arms and are here for you if you have any further needs. Just contact us and we will do our best. - Deborah Wuehler

Dear folks at TOS, I am busy writing thank you emails, calls, or regular-mail notes to all the vendors who sent such wonderful gifts as a result of the TOS magazine subscription order. These have been very generous gifts and my whole family has enjoyed receiving them.   

Several of the vendors I have seen for years, but have never had the chance to look at their materials and I have been so pleased that I am working up a budget to include some of their products in this year's plans.   

I have enjoyed receiving The Old Schoolhouse magazine, but I have been buying copies on the stands at Barnes & Noble for a long time (Merritt Island, FL store). I buy stand copies faithfully so that B&N will continue to stock magazines for homeschoolers. This is kind of my ministry in that the magazines are placed square in the middle of a lot of feminist parenting magazines. It is a nice treat to see TOS offering a sane and realistic response to young mothers, not to mention the sharing of the gospel as well. 

Thank you again for a wonderful and generous idea for your subscribers. We have really been blessed. Sincerely - Tamara H. Willey, happy subscriber

Dear Tamara, You have blessed us greatly here at The Old Schoolhouse. We are so pleased that you are thanking all of our wonderful vendors! Our hope is that many readers will do the same. Knowing that their free gifts have helped you plan your curriculum purchases for the future is a double blessing. Our main goals here at The Old Schoolhouse are to evangelize as well as provide helpful information for homeschooling families, and we are thankful to be able to do just that. What a great ministry to purchase the magazine from your local book store - you are incredible! Thank you for your generous words and for your more than generous actions. May God bless richly. - Deborah Wuehler

I have recently begun receiving your magazine and love it. I have a friend who homeschools but is considering sending her nine-year-old daughter back to public school because she cannot find any type of curriculum to help with her daughters dyslexia. I was hoping you could give her an idea of a course, etc., that might be very basic and helpful to work with the basic courses needed at that age. She has searched and searched but has found nothing very useful in helping teach her daughter. That is what she needs. Thanks - Angie Webb

Dear Angie, Thank you so much for writing in! It really blesses us to hear from readers who love the magazine! In reference to your friend with the dyslexic daughter, I have come up with the following resources for you:

http://www.hslda.org/hs/specialneeds/default.asp is Home School Legal Defense's webpage regarding homeschooling a special needs child. 

http://www.greenwoodinstitute.org/homeschool/virtualbro3.html is a homeschooling support program specifically for dyslexic children. 

http://eho.org/department/resource.asp?resourceid=100&deptid=24 is an article from a homeschooling mom of a dyslexic child. 

http://www.jwor.com/dyslexia.htm This is a site related to Dyslexia which offers products for children at home or school - not necessarily Christian-based. 

http://www.getbrightstar.com/at_home_jump.php is another site offering an in-home program - not necessarily Christian-based. 

Hopefully these links will help your friend. It is a joy to know that you are concerned about her and her child. It is great to see the body of Christ at work helping one another. - Deborah Wuehler

I wanted to ask a question about what curriculum families recommend (some people use Saxon for certain subjects, others Bob Jones). I wanted to read some feedback from those who have had experience in homeschooling. Thanks! - Denise Welch

Dear Denise, Thank you for writing in with your question regarding curriculum. There is as much variety in what families use for curriculum as there are homeschoolers out there! And the choices these days can be overwhelming! That is why we have a section in our printed magazine called "Show and Tell" where we focus on many different family situations and get into their lives to find out what curriculum they use, what philosophy of education they embrace and how they actually homeschool on a day to day basis. Every issue highlights new families. I will send you a couple of different issues so you can see for yourself the wonderful diversity of homeschooling methods and curriculum. And, in this issue under Readers Helping Readers, you will see the answers sent in from readers to a question very similar to yours.

Our website is also a great resource to look up products you may be considering. We have product reviewers all over the country who get down to the nuts and bolts of the product and can give you a good idea of the workability of that product in your own homeschool.  

My main advice to you would be to bathe each child and each year in much prayer so that you can hear the voice of God in your decisions. Also, get with your spouse and make sure you are both in agreement about the choices as well.  

Hope this helps, Denise. We're here for you. - Deborah Wuehler

Just wanted to let you know that my TOS arrived yesterday. I have browsed through the magazine and read the articles on Ronald Reagan. Even if I wasn't interested in anything else, those would be enough! I can't wait to read the different articles about pioneer life and Laura I. Wilder.

Thanks! - Libby

Dear Libby, You are very welcome! We are so pleased you enjoyed the Ronald Reagan feature we did in the Fall issue. We have had many positive responses to this one, and for good reason! He was a tremendous man of God. I know you will love the rest of the issue as well. We so appreciate it when readers write in with compliments; we want to give all the glory to God for His wondrous works on our behalf.  - Deborah Wuehler

Hello! I'm a new user of the K12 curriculum and have heard that your magazine has had some positive articles regarding that curriculum. I had to quit homeschooling my two younger children (now ages 12 & 16) to go to work for two years, but now I have brought my daughter back home, grade 7, and will be working part-time substitute teaching. We've decided to go with K12 and I've been looking for information from others that have used that curriculum. I was also told by other users that you are offering a free summer issue of your magazine. I haven't seen it in any stores (homeschool magazines are frequently hard to find), but if it's anything like your web site, it should be pretty good! Thank you so much! God Bless! - Becky Richmond, Spring City, PA   

Dear Becky, Thanks for writing in! I'm sorry you weren't able to find our magazine. You should be able to find our magazine at this location of Barnes & Noble or others near you:

Barnes & Noble Booksellers

301 Main Street

Exton, PA 19341

610-524-0103

Also, the magazine is carried on www.Amazon.com as well as in many homeschooling supply stores nationwide. - Deborah Wuehler

You have the most professional magazine in the business. Thank you for all the wonderful unit studies that are included in each issue. That alone makes your publication worth the price. - Catherine L., Blacksburg, VA

Very impressed with the variety & worldview of your articles. Everyone would have to benefit from at least one of the articles. - J. Hartley, AR

We love it! We also appreciate your ministry to missionaries and pastors' families. May God bless each of you! - Ken and Tara, IN

Note from Paul and Gena: It's true! Pastors and their families are entitled to FREE subscriptions, and we'll pay the shipping, too! God has blessed us at TOS and we want to give back. If you are a pastor, just request a sub!

Could your timing be any more perfect? As our family prepares to begin studying The Prairie Primer for the next school year, here comes a huge selection of Laura Ingalls Wilder articles and a segment on Little Bear Wheeler. God's timing is truly amazing! - The Rutherfords, PA

I was so excited to get the magazine and even more thrilled to see articles on Charlotte Mason and the Little House series. I really loved the picture of the Ingalls family - how cool! Thanks for such a great magazine - now the kids are helping me count apples! - Richardson Family, Dunnellon, FL

TOS is like getting a gift in the mail. And when other homeschoolers start getting their copies, I start to pay lot of attention to the mailbox! - T. Jernigan

Simply the BEST publication of all I receive. I read every article and ad. Keep up the GREAT work! - S. Shirley, AL

I am a new subscriber. I really like your magazine. The product reviews are very helpful! I really enjoy that your magazine isn't full of fluff, and if I keep them, I can use them in the future for further studies. Thanks for packing so much into it. Do you have back issues available? - M. Kovar, TX

Yes! We do have back issues for $5 each. If you call in, 530-823-0447, or email Publisher@TOSMag.com, ask for our special where you get two for the price of one  but only if you mention Teachers'Lounge at TOS. - Gena

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is one of the most informative magazines I have seen for the homeschool family. Many of your reviews have helped me to make decisions in next year's curriculum for my children. - J. Worth, VA

We sure enjoy this mag I've started subscriptions for my four married (homeschool grads) daughters and recommend it to everyone in our support group. Waltman Family, Sweet Home, OR

It takes me about ten hours to read the articles, count apples, enter contests and then check out all your advertisers' websites. It's a good thing this doesn't come out more often, or I'd get nothing done! - Kathy Grubb, mother of four

We love to read it every time. Our kids love to count the apples and attempt the Draw-Write_Now artwork inside. Thank you, thank you! Diane Pruett

For Jen

Dear Jenefer, I wanted to write and tell you how much I appreciate your article "Pass the Prozac" I wish every Christian could read it and practice the principles you write about. I suppose you'll get a bunch of complaint letters accusing you of not being sensitive to those who are on Prozac, but I think your article was very balanced and certainly Biblical. - Laurie

Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn

triviumpursuit.com

christianlogic.com

Jenefer, I am off in a few minutes to attend the funeral of a multiply-handicapped sixteen-year-old girl from our church, but wanted to drop you a quick note on your article "The Victim Makers'. Frankly, I don't spend much time reading articles from homeschool magazines, and I will even admit in a subdued whisper that I seldom finish the ones I do read. Not so with your article. Very compelling. I read every word. Would that we all had the humility to learn from our past behaviors, and the courage to share the lessons with the world as you have. Best regards - Mark L. Beuligmann, M.S.Ed., Administrative Director, Christian Liberty Academy School System
 

For Dr. Heather Allen

I would like you to pass along to Heather Allen a "HUGE" welcome! I participated in the survey (which I don't normally do) and told my husband right afterward, "Honey, I just completed a survey for TOS and it was well done! Now I just hope they don't mess up the results!". And you did not! What a pleasant surprise. I thoroughly enjoyed "meeting" Heather and I am looking forward to the "Town Square"! I have both mathematical and statistical degrees and I absolutely enjoyed ALL that she presented. Please let her know how much I appreciate her hard work and that I am looking forward to her column. Sincerely Melissa Bolen, DeFuniak Springs, FL

From South Africa

I live in South Africa where homeschooling is kind of new, but I still decided to do it: I have twins of 3 years old. I would love any ideas on teaching twins, but still treat them individually and teach them that they don't have to do everything the same. - Renate, Springs, South Africa

A Question

Someone referred me to The Old Schoolhouse website, saying that I could order report cards there. Could you please enlighten me? -Carolyn

Dear Carolyn, Many of the companies on our website in our Product Review section offer record keeping products and report cards, such as Edu-Track: www.Edu-Track.net; www.esposoft.com; Academic Advantage Educational Services: academicad@aol.com,  and others which are listed on our site at this address: http://www.theoldhomeschoolhouse.com/home_study_helps_prod_rev.htm.  Hope this helps! - Deborah Wuehler

Praise Report!

Last issue we had a letter from a reader named Cindy in need of curriculum. Another reader, "D.C." read about Cindy and the Lord prompted D.C. to respond. The two readers were then matched up and the Lord was able to provide some needed homeschool materials for Cindy. Here at The Old Schoolhouse, we jump for joy when things like this happen! It's just another example of God working through you, our readers, to bless us all! Here's what D.C. and Cindy had to say:

D.C.:  "Dear TOS, I received my summer issue this weekend and as I was reading the "thoughts from our readers" section, I saw a letter that you addressed to a lady named Cindy regarding (homeschool) material. Glory to God...I am excited to bless someone else, as He has provided so well for me with homeschool materials from others! I would be honored to bless her if she could use anything I have! Thank you for being His channel."  [Editor's Note: We put D.C. in contact with Cindy and after finding out her specific needs; D.C. rummaged through her homeschooling bookshelves and came up with many things which she shipped off to Cindy free of charge!]

Cindy: "Since we had so many financial struggles last year, we have had a difficult time getting "caught up" to purchase our curriculum for this school year. However, God provided again! I wrote to TOS, and they have been so good to us. They have given our family a year's subscription to the magazine, and sent us some other items as well. But, the most amazing thing is that TOS published my letter to them asking about the free books. Another reader saw what I wrote and asked TOS if she could help us out! This sweet, precious woman, who I have never met, emailed me, and offered me many materials for FREE! Saying that she was happy to send it to me! I am so grateful for TOS, and to this lovely woman who has such a servant's heart for our Lord! Wow! God is so amazing and good - always faithful. I am amazed and in awe, as always, at how the Lord uses others to minister to our needs. Thanks again for all you have done in the name of our Lord! God bless you!-

NEW MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY:If you would like to bless someone in need or maybe you need a blessing, we are starting a new ministry in which you can participate. We will be matching up homeschoolers who would like to donate curriculum with homeschoolers in need. We are also working with some curriculum companies in donating gift certificates for curriculum. If you would like to be a part of helping, or are in need of help, please contact Heather Peake. You can email her at Heatherpeake@tosmag.com or write to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, attn: Heather Peake, P.O. Box 185, Cool, CA 95614.

Your Guidance

This issue's question: How do other parents prepare for the homeschooling year in choosing curriculum, style, schedule, and whatever else they need to plan for the year? And then, when and how do they organize the extra "stuff" they need to gather? - Nancy

Your answers:

I keep a notebook going all year long in which I write books, programs, and curricula that I run across and might be interested in. At the end of the school year, I evaluate each child. I take note of their strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. Then I pore over all the wonderful homeschool supply catalogs and books (which I thoroughly enjoy!), and make a very comprehensive plan for what to do and buy for the next year. I pray over what I've chosen, and ask for wisdom! The next step is to go over this list and evaluate what is unnecessary or redundant. I weed all these out, and pare down my list. As for the extras, I try to limit myself to just a few. I try to make these a "treat", and not just another thing to cross off my list. I would say the single most important thing is to not forget to ask for God's help in choosing what to buy. He is the Master of Creativity, and knows exactly what will work for each child! - Amy Lockwood, Wasilla, AK

The best resource for curriculum and scheduling tips are the other homeschool mothers around you. They have "been there and done that"! After hearing the ideas of those around you, carefully consider them taking your own personality and the type of family life you have. What works for one person will not exactly match the needs of another (which is why we homeschool, right?). Your kids are young and you have a little time

to experiment with the style you want to develop. Above everything else, don't lose perspective on the little people running around your home because you are so focused on the method or curriculum you want to follow. - Tori Rollins, Brawley, CA

I am a person who likes to be organized, yet I also recognize the dangers of being "too" organized. What we generally do when we make our plans during the summer for the next school year, is first decide what subjects to study. Of course, reading, language arts (writing, spelling, and grammar), mathematics, social studies (history and geography),

and science are always included. Others are based on what we studied in school at different times and what our children want to study. Next, we peruse the catalogues and look at curriculum fairs to decide which materials we want to use to cover those subjects. After buying the items, I then go through them to figure out how to cover the material in the time that we decide our school year will be and make tentative lesson plans. Of course, all kinds of things can happen to keep us from following them and we try to be flexible, but this gives some structure to our school year to help us know where we are going! - Wayne S. Walker, Affton, MO

I read as much as I can from other sources, such as books on homeschooling techniques. I don't stick to a particular style; I am eclectic and can glean from many authors. I keep a notebook by my side and jot down notes to help me remember what I like and would like to incorporate and resources that I would like to take a look at.

I also read about a subject that I like to teach. Last year we did a unit on the Oregon Trail; I spent the summer reading everything I could about it and it seems my ideas flow out of the reading. That is not always possible with every subject. I have to take a lot of time at curriculum fairs and reading reviews before I purchase, making notes to myself all year about what I feel each needs for the next year and what worked and did not work. Then one I have made my purchases at the end of the school year I spend the summer doing the "brainwork" as I call it. I get on the floor of our school area several times through the summer and spread it all out before me and start poring over it. Through time it seems a schedule and plan form as I go along. When I have the plan together, I make notebooks and gather extra resources. Then I know that I am ready for the next year. -Carrie Merritt, St. Michaels, AZ

Readers Helping Readers

We have recently had quite a few inquiries on the subject of schooling an only child. Consequently our new question is, "How do people homeschool an only child and also meet their needs for socialization?" If you would like to answer this question for the next issue, please visit our website's "Your Voice" section at www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com or write to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, Publishers Office, Attn: Readers Helping Readers, P.O. Box 185, Cool, CA 95614