Homeschooling Hip-Hop, the story of one New York City mom

Homeschool Moms are Needed in the Schools!

I read this Seattle Times editorial by Lynne Varner entitled "Education's Missing Link: Parents" and I thought you all might find it interesting. Varner writes about the new buzz word in education - parents - and how schools are funding initiatives to get parents involved. I have to agree with Varner who essentially concludes that when it comes to accountability, parents need to be accountable too. Parents need to know what's going on in their child's academic lives.

Parent involvement has been heavily on my mind. Although, I'm not a PTA mom (right now), I consider myself highly involved at home. My nephew would probably echo that and more. Even so, self doubt does creep in and I suppose I started to wonder if I'm too involved since my nephew is in high school. But forget that, I'm staying the course at this crucial point. My last post prompted a mention about parent involvement in one of my moms groups. The other mom mentioned that she has a family member who is a second grade teacher in a Bronx classroom filled with students whose parents are uninvolved. I was thinking that the schools could really use some wonderful homeschool moms to share with school parents some resources and know-how. I'm not tooting any horns - I'm being serious. Maybe I'll try to work that out folks.

Homeschool moms rock!! (Got that from one of my myspace friends who is a homeschooling mom. I agree.)

Anyway, here's the article. Check it out.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003937556_lynne10.html

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My Top Pick for Fun In the Kitchen

I'm a city girl at heart with a pace that matches, so I have little time. But I must admit, I get a little nostalgic when I think of my mother and the time we spent together in the kitchen. I want to give my daughter those kinds of memories. HALT...reality does set in...I'm just not into baking!

BUT I can still have fun in the kitchen, teach about science and eat my yummy experiment!

This Cookie Play Dough is soooo cool and it's one of those things that makes me wonder why I didn't think of it. You get two sets of four assorted colors in 12 oz. tubs, a total of 6 lbs. of dough. Colors included are: Red All Over, Mellow Mood Yellow, Jelly Bean Green and Too Blue 4 You.

On the internet I found two science experiments that you can adapt using the Cookie Play Dough. You can have a great time in the kitchen teaching your child about the Primary and Secondary colors with the added benefit of not having to make the cookie dough from scratch. Then you can watch your kids enjoy eating their scientific conclusions.

This would make a great component of a Unit Study.

Also, a tub of David’s Sugar Cookie Dough, can be mixed with any of the colors to get pastel colors like Rose Pink, Sky Blue or Lilac. The dough should be kept frozen for up to 6 months or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

You can find more information and purchase dough by linking here:

Here are two links for the experiments I found. Comment me and let me know how this goes. Experiment 1 here: http://www.col-ed.org/cur/misc/misc39.txt

Experiment 2 here: http://www.csuchico.edu/~cguenter/FourArts/VA/VApdcolorwheel.html

Just for fun...and a lil" bit of Math

Shockwave.com has more than 400 downloadable games all for FREE...if you can deal with the ads. If you don't want to deal with the annoying ads, then click on the SHOCKWAVE UNLIMITED tab to complete a 10 day FREE TRIAL. Check it out if you need a little something just for fun for the kids...or for yourself. They have action, sports, puzzles, jigsaws and word games. Then after you play you can review the game with a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" vote. Just by looking at the votes, it would be a great lesson in converting and figuring out percentages. For example if 500 people voted with 27% giving a game a thumbs up, how many people gave the game a thumbs up?...hmmmm...This is a massive site full of fun. The 10-day free trial seems sooooo worth it to have some uninterrupted play. By the time the trial is over, the little one will have mastered those conversions. It's a great incentive.

My Top Blip on the Hollywood Radar...And Top Pick for My Girls

Remember that show "The Wonder Years"...with that dreamy looking girl with the long black hair? That actress' name is Danica McKellar and she played Winnie Cooper, but her smarts in math is no act. She was a Math major and graduated from UCLA where she shrugged off initial intentions to major in film and took math classes because they were fun. Btw, she ended up graduating Summa Cum Laude. She also wrote a math book for girls aged 9-12 in hopes that they wouldn't be afraid of math. If you're homeschooling a tween girl, you gotta pick this up. (She even has a math theorem named after her!...The Chayes-McKellar-Winn Theorem...who knew?)

My Top Shelf Item(s) for My Nephewson

Nephewson defined - a nephew who's like a son. Well, I guess that's what my nephew is to me, a nephewson. These are two items that will be top shelf for him this year, to build his reasoning and logic skills. I've read really great reviews of these books that are for ages 13 to adult. Sorry there are no pics of the books. Just link and check them out. They make a really nice addition to a homeschool Language Arts/English curriculum or unit. TRIVIA: WHAT CHARACTER COINED THE TERM NEPHEWSON ON A POPULAR UPN...OOPS...WB SHOW? LEAVE A COMMENT AND LET ME KNOW. The Thinking Toolbox: Thirty-five Lessons That Will Build Your Reasoning Skills .....and don't forget to grab..... The Fallacy detective: Thirty-six lessons on how to recognize bad reasoning

My Top Offer for Overall Achievement

You'll want to check out Knowledge Adventure for their Jump Start World. Jump Start World is a fun, interactive world that teaches critical thinking, reading and math. You can download a FREE TRIAL but, if you use my coupon code you can go ahead and get 25% off. Also, as a VERY HONORABLE MENTION for the MEE generation, Knowledge Adventure offers Books by You make-your-own-book software for only $19.99. Children can create a story and publish a real book. I love this! You can even upload your own photos to use in the story as John Lithgow guides you through the story building process. Knowledge Adventure is my top offer for overall achievement because it's so cool and your child can have a one-stop-shop for math, language arts, and art. (Btw, FREE SHIPPING.) Get 25% off. Buy JumpStart World™ now! Use Promo Code JSW25

My Top Offer for a Foreign Language Curriculum

I thought you all might like access to a deal on a Foreign Language curriculum. This is 30% off!...Don't forget to use the coupon code, NTSPEAK.

This is the sale that you’ve wanted! Alpha Omega Publications® (AOP) is slashing an incredible 30% off all Power-Glide foreign language courses! While quantities last. The audio CD and workbook format weaves an exciting adventure story through each lesson and makes learning a new language easy, fun, and exciting. Students move at their own pace with 25 types of language-learning activities!

Don't wait! Right now is the time to take advantage of this huge sale on AOP’s award-winning language curriculum! Simply say yes to this exclusive offer using coupon code NTSPEAK and order your Power-Glide curriculum today! Supplies are limited, so don’t wait. Click on the order button below and give your child the distinct advantage of speaking more than one language!

Who should use Power-Glide Spanish?

• Students who want to communicate with Spanish-speaking friends

• Students who need to complete language requirements for college

• Parents unfamiliar with speaking or writing Spanish

• Parents who desire bilingual children

Teacher’s Choice and Learning are trademarks and/or service marks of Learning Magazine.


	Power-Glide Grades K-12 Languages Spanish French German Japanese Latin English as a Second Language Power-Glide Spanish Curriculum Junior Elementary - Grades K-5 Intermediate - Grades 6-8 Ultimate High School - Year 1 Grades 9-12 Ultimate High School - Year 2 Grades 9-12 Junior Elementary Map - Grades K-5 Flashcards with Audio CD Grades K-12

My Top Pick for Planning Language Arts

This is a great tool for planning language arts lessons. Written by a former teacher who left the public schools to eventually homeschool her own children. This book includes all of the K-12 components of reading comprehension, along with definitions, explanations, and activity ideas. Comprehension is an area too easily forgotten when library books are used as the reading program.

Also, for homeschooling moms (or dads) trying to teach the little ones how to read, consider Frontline Phonics .

My Top Pick for FREE Curriculum Materials

International Paper is the company offerring this fantastic curriculum through the company's Learning Center. The curriculum is entitled "Life of the Forest" and is offered in an effort to exchange information and enthusiasm for natural resources with students and the broader community.

"Our intention is for "Life of the Forest" items to help you and many others learn about the importance of superior forest stewardship and sustainable forestland renewal. See how seeds disperse, germinate, and grow into a tree, and learn how to interpret a tree cookie!"

You can order the complete curriculum set for FREE to arrive in 2-3 weeks or you can download 10 posters and a 16 page booklet. If you download the materials, you will not have access to the teacher materials that are included in the complete set. I'm waiting for mine to arrive...so hurry up and send for yours.

http://www.internationalpaper.com/Our%20Company/Learning%20Center/Life%20Of%20The%20Forest/index.html

My Suggestions to Help You Have a Successful Year

Audiobooks are a great option to break away from the monotony of text, especially if you have a reluctant or struggling reader.

Online courses can be a great option for a high schooler who needs to develop independence. They can also supplement lackluster classes in a traditional school setting. Take Online High School Math Courses From A Leading Private School

Don't we all get a little frazzled when some help would be...well, helpful? If you can scrape up 5 bucks...yup, $5 will get you a 60 minute trial offer of tutoring.

If you need on-demand tutoring, your child can connect to a professional tutor within minutes, 7 days a week at Tutor.com. No appointments, scheduling or advanced notice needed. Core academic subjects include math, science, social studies and English. Grades 4-12 and introductory college courses. (This is worth $35, so it's definitely worth a try and it might open up your child to another approach.)

Tutor.com Direct - Instant Help from Online Tutors

If you are looking to schedule set times for tutoring sessions, then the following offer may provide you with the help you need. Class of 1 pairs students with a tutor and a schedule is set based on your needs, then your child and the tutor meet online for live tutoring between the hours of 3 p.m. and 3 a.m. EST; custom hours can be arranged, if needed. Class of 1 also has a $5 offer for 60 minutes to try the service....