homeschooling

July 7, 2012 by Tricia Goyer 1 Comment

Magic Springs Home-School Day

I’ve been blessed to get to know some of the amazing folks who run Magic Springs amusement park in Hot Spring, Arkansas. I GREATLY enjoyed the Third Day Concert (photos below), and I’m looking forward to seeing Switchfoot on July 14 and Brandon Heath on July 15!!

So . . . I was talking to my Magic Spring friends, and I told them they really needed to have a Magic Springs home-school day. They agreed! Check out this amazing deal for home-schoolers! This is a 55% discount for a one-day ticket!!! Won’t you help me spread the word?!

Magic Springs

Homeschool Day

DATES: Saturday, August 18, 2012

PARK HOURS: 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

PRICE: $19.99 plus tax for admission (Optional: additional $10.99 plus tax for catered meal)

Saturday, August 18, 2012, Magic Springs Water and Theme Park will be hosting “Home-School Day.” To mark the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year Magic Springs is providing a very special price, only $19.99 plus tax, to Home School Students from all over Arkansas; good only on August 18, 2012. It is so easy to order your tickets; just go to www.MagicSprings.com and enter “HomeSchool” in the Promo box in the upper right-hand corner of the website. Or, call the Magic Springs Group Sales department at (501) 318-5370 for details.

In addition to the special ticket price, Magic Springs is offering a delicious Picnic-in-the-Park meal for the home-school students to enjoy. It’s a great menu including:

Picnic in the Park

(One time through buffet line)

Flame Grilled Burgers and Hot Dogs

Baked Beans

Fresh Coleslaw

Includes:

Leaf Lettuce

Sliced Tomato, Onion, Pickles

Condiments

Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns

One Frozen Novelty

Pepsi Fountain Drinks

$10.99 plus tax

Contact Magic Springs Group Sales to arrange your “Picnic-in-the-Park” meal.

(No Minimum, Cut-off date for order one week in advance – August 11 last day to book meal)

See you at Home-School Day at Magic Springs!

April 24, 2012 by Tricia Goyer 1 Comment

If You Send a Homeschooling Mom to Philadelphia…

If you send a homeschooling mom to Philadelphia this is what you get…

and this…

Oh, doesn’t this look fun…

History for toddlers!

What’s your favorite resource for teaching American History?

April 13, 2012 by Tricia Goyer 1 Comment

Heart Journeys on the Titanic

April 15, 2012 marks the 100th Anniversary of the Titanic Disaster. If you’re a homeschooling parent, it’s an event in history that you don’t want to miss teaching about.

Below are a list of resources you can use to study the Titanic, but don’t stop there. It’s important to learn dates and facts, but as trainers of our children’s character and mentors in their relationship with God there is also a great opportunity to take the lessons deeper into our children’s heart.

Here are some journal questions you can use with your older children. After they write their thoughts, take time to talk over these heart-issues with your older student.

Journal Questions:

1. Many people assumed the Titanic couldn’t sink. An assumption means “something taken for granted.” Why do you think they believed that assumption? Also, what have you taken for granted in your life? Your parents? Your faith?

2. Key people didn’t heed warnings about the danger in the waters ahead of the Titanic. Wireless operators from other ships tried to get through to Captain Smith with warnings about the ice fields, but the operators on the Titanic were too busy with commercial transmissions. Why do you think the radio operators ignored the warnings? Are there warnings in your life that you’re not heeding?

3. A steward on the Titanic is quoted at saying, “Madam, God himself could not sink this ship.” A familiar saying goes, “Pride goes before the fall.” How did pride in this man-made ship lead many to loose their lives? Can you share a time when you witnesses pride bringing a person down.

4. History states that Captain Smith went down with the ship. Traditionally the Captain was the ultimate servant to the passengers on his ship. Also the crew members were expected to continued to serve passengers in the event of the ship sinking. Their job was to put the passengers needs before their own. How do you think this is similar to Jesus’ servant attitude?

Titanic Study Helps:

If you live near Branson or Pigeon Forge they have Titanic homeschooling scavenger hunts that seem worth checking out.

Titanic worksheets

Amanda Bennett’s UK Passport (which talks at the Titanic Shipyard)

Free ebooks:

The Loss of the S.S. Titanic by Lawrence Beesley (Beesley was a Titanic survivor)

Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters

The Wreck of the Titan by Morgan Robertson

Fourteen years before the RMS Titanic was built, the American Morgan Robertson wrote a novel called Futility or The Wreck of the Titan (1898) that prefigured the real ship’s destiny with remarkable precision. The Titanic and the Titan were both triple-screwed British passenger liners with a capacity of 3,000 and a top speed of 24 knots. Both were deemed unsinkable; both carried too few lifeboats.
And both sank in April in the North Atlantic after colliding with an iceberg on the forward starboard side. Robertson’s book The Wreck of the Titan was never published. Each time it was rejected by editor’s, they told him the same thing. The story was unbelievable. Surely the events he wrote of could not possibly happen to an unsinkable ship.

Titanic by Filson Young

Said to be the first book published on the great disaster. It appeared exactly 37 days after the Titanic sank, although it shows no signs of hasty writing.

The Titanic Disaster Poem by J.H. McKenzie

Titanic novels/Christian Fiction

Hearts That Survive by Yvonne Leman

Echoes of the Titanic by Mindy Starns-Clark and John Clark

By the Light of the Silver Moon by Tricia Goyer

Book trailer

Promise Me This by Cathy Gohlke

Non-fiction:

The Band Played On by Steve Turner

~~~

Want more about the Titanic? Check out my new book: By the Light of the Silvery Moon!

Amelia Gladstone’s hopes are tied up in the Titanic–hopes for a reunion with her sister and an introduction to an admirer. But when she offers a spare ticket to a down-and-out young man, her fate is about to change.

Quentin Walpole is stunned when a sweet lady secures his passage to America–and even more surprised to find his wealthy father and older brother on board the ship. Suddenly Amelia finds herself caught between the attentions of two men, but who should she entrust her heart to? As the fateful night arrives, will Amelia lose everything to the icy waters?

February 8, 2012 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Save the Date! France, France, France! Live Homeschool Chat on 2/13!

Around the World with Amanda Bennett: France – Chasing Mona Lisa

Tricia and Mike Yorkey will join homeschool maven Amanda Bennett for a night of prizes, intrigue and learning during a Live Video Chat!

On February 13 from 7-8:30 PM CST

They will share first hand observations and research about France and her history and reveal the fascinating true story behind Tricia and Mike’s new book Chasing Mona Lisa.

RSVP for the party by clicking the {HERE} button above. You will receive a reminder the day of the Live Chat.

Schedule of the evenings events:
Welcome to France.
Observations from travels there (Tricia)
Interesting facts about France and talk of the France unit study (Amanda)
Walking tour of France (Mike)
Trivia contest
Ways to take your kids around the world with unit studies (Amanda)
The story behind Chasing Mona Lisa (Mike)
Writing & homeschooling (Tricia)
Chat

*All things French! Handbag, jewelry, pillows, children’s books, and more!

October 11, 2011 by Tricia Goyer 6 Comments

What does homeschooling look like?

Good question! For every season it looks different.

Homeschooling changes as kids grow. Here is how our homeschooling world changed over time:

Elmo
Board books
Play food
Cherrios
Playdough
Magnetic Letters
Wooden Blocks
Storybooks
Crayons
Counting
Safety Scissors
Legos
Chores
Bible Stories
Nature Walks
Library Trips
Addition Flash Cards
Puzzles
Worksheets
Skits
Zoo Visits
First Readers
Blanket forts
Making Mac n Cheese
Museum Visits
Chapter Books
Science Videos
Music Lessons
Glue Sticks
Craft Foam
Crochet hooks
Unit Studies
Typing Games
Missionary Biographies
Scripture Memory
Chapter Books
C.S. Lewis
Rocket Ships
Bible Study
Paints and Paper
Volunteering
Multiplication Tables
Timelines
Science projects
Baseball
Menu Planning
Gardening
Co-Op
Babystiting
Theater
Soccer
On-line Classes
Creative Writing
Mission Trips
Sign Language
Internships
Travel
Algebra
Government Study
College Classes
Graduation

As you can see, Homeschooling has changed over time. I’ve graduated two kids from homeschool and my third is a high school Senior … but with a 1-year-old we’re starting on the same path again.

Elmo
Board books
Play food
Cherrios
Playdough
Magnetic Letters
Wooden Blocks …

You get the picture!

Went I think back over my 17 years of homeschooling joys I don’t think about my favorite curriculum or my to-do lists. I think about my children growing and changing and us enjoying learning together.

My adult kids love to learn, and I think that’s the greatest gift I gave them as a homeschooling mom.

Homeschooling isn’t about what you “do.” It’s about the path of learning to love life … and living a life that loves learning!! If you do that you can succeed as a homeschooling parent!

August 30, 2011 by Tricia Goyer 1 Comment

Baby Homeschool 101

As a mom of four children ages 22, 19, 17 and 16 months I figured out I’m going to homeschooling for 35 years! That’s a long time to be thinking about lesson plans and fun, educational learning. But this “second time around” I’ve discovered it’s never to early to start homeschooling.

The first time around, I never planned on homeschooling. I was a teen mom, and my first son was born when I was just seventeen-years-old. It was during that pregnancy that I dedicated my life to God and a lot of my priorities changed. God blessed me with an amazing husband and two more great kids (to start). And as my oldest son neared school age, God also put it on mine and my husband’s hearts to homeschool. I started off unsure but excited. Now after seeing two kids graduate and go off to college—and the third in his senior year—I’m confident in homeschooling. It’s an awesome schooling choice!

Seeing the results has made me excited about experiencing learning with our new daughter … and I’ve realized it’s never too early to start. Here are some ways I’ve already started homeschooling 16-month-old Alyssa.

Reading. I started reading to my baby girl as soon as she could hold up her head. Once she was able to hold a book in her hands she thought they made great teethers, but I was okay with that. In fact, I would often give her a board book that had foamy pages to play with and chew on. As she got “older,” I would read a few books a day. Then, something kicked in when she turned 15 months. Alyssa fell in love with books! Sitting on my lap and listening to a story is one of her favorite things. At least twenty times a day I hear “book, book” and she brings one to read. As we read I point out animals, we make the sounds, and she points out her favorite things. If any page in the book has a “birdie” (which she sometimes calls “boppi”) I hear about it.

Counting. We count Cheerios on her high chair. We count toys as we put them away. We count her socks as I put them on her feet. (That’s an easy one.) We count the boppies on a page! 🙂

Letters. I’m not into teaching my baby to read, but I did buy plastic letters for the fridge. One of Alyssa’s favorite games is moving them from the fridge, to a cookie sheet, to a tall tumbler and then back to the fridge. She says “D, O, R …” even though she doesn’t get the letters right she’s figuring out what they are!

Singing. Alyssa loves to sing! Or rather to hear me sing. Don’t worry about your voice, belt it out, Mama. One evening John and I were driving home from a day trip and Alyssa was getting fussy. We started singing Sunday School songs and nursery rhymes … an hour passed without us repeating one song! Alyssa loved it. Now singing in the car is a tradition.

Signing. We first started teaching Alyssa sign language when she was eight months old. We started with three simple words, “more, milk, and all-done.” We’re adding a few more words every month. (It helps that my college-age daughter Leslie is minoring in sign language in college!) I found some great signing DVDs and books for me to use when Leslie isn’t around.

Chores. Okay, okay at 16-months old I’m not teaching my baby to do the laundry, but there are a few things we do. She helps me carry in items to set the table such as napkins, silverware, and sometimes plastic cups. She helps me pick up toys. She also helps me sweep. I got her a little broom and she does a great job at messing up the dirt pile I’m sweeping up, but that’s okay. I want her to think chores are fun! (This pays off later, I promise!)

Those are just a few ways I’ve started “homeschooling” already. I’ve learned over years that the best thing to do about homeschooling is to make learning part of life. I’m excited to share more learning joy with my daughter as she grows. What are your favorite things to do with your little one?

Favorite books:

May 10, 2011 by Tricia Goyer 7 Comments

What is your BEST homeschooling tip?

What bit of advice, book, curriculum, field trip, resource are you fired up about? Please share it with us!

Share it as a comment in this post and you could win a subscription to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine! I’ll be giving THREE one-year subscriptions away.

Thank you, The Old Schoolhouse, for your generous gift to my blog readers!

January 22, 2009 by Tricia Goyer 4 Comments

Time Management 101, Friends and Family

I posted this series in December of 07 … for the most part I’m still practicing my own advice. What a novel concept! 🙂

I get TONS of requests on info on how I do everything, so … I’m sharing a few Time Management tips for balancing family, hubby, life, job, friends, house, etc. Basically this is how I keep my sanity!

I’ll be sharing advice from my friends and a few things I’ve done that have WORKED…like this:

I realize the “life” doesn’t begin “after this deadline” or “this book release” or “when my books sell X number.” Life is happening today. So I can either live in a mess … setting myself up for failure, or live successfully. I chose the latter. I’m striving to live a sustainable life. I don’t want to burn myself out.

I’ve given myself permission to set a schedule that works for me. I use Microsoft Outlook, and I schedule in EVERYTHING. From waking up and having morning quiet time, to straightening the house, to making dinner, to working on a book proposal—it’s all on the calendar. This works for me because it helps me to be realistic with my daily goals. In I have a day packed with other things, I can’t write 2,000 words … and I don’t stress myself out thinking I should. I also like to check things off a list.

Now for actual stuff. I’ll start with what I think is most important and work through the list from there.

1. Like many I balance writing and mothering. Actually, I homeschool, too. This is what I do:

2. I schedule quiet time, devotions with husband, church on Sundays and Wednesdays and small group at our house. The spiritual foundation comes first.

3. I hire someone to do deep cleaning four hours a week. Also, my kids have all their own chores. I’ve done this since they were small. Currently, my daughter (16) has kitchen duty. My 14-year-old son gathers/puts away laundry, sets/clears table, etc. My 19-year-old son sweeps/mops the floors and taxis his siblings around and does occasional chores for me. I spend about an hour a day “keeping everything up.”

4. I set a do-able homeschool schedule. Every Monday I co-op with my friends for about four hours, and we each teach from our strengths. I teach writing, my friends teach other subjects. I also spend only about 30 minutes a day going over my kids school work with them. They work in the same room as I write. I help in small spurts as needed.

5. I have one day a week for errands. This is also the same day I take my grandma to lunch/dinner. (She lives with us.) This is also the day for SLS … or as Mary says, “Stupid Little Stuff.” I plan that stuff on this day since I’m already out.

5. I multi-task. I read galleys or research books as I exercise on my recumbent bike. I read magazines while I blow dry my hair. I take my notebook computer into the kitchen and answer emails as I wait for the water to boil or wait for the chicken to bake.

6. I take my kids out to lunch once a month for one-on-one time. I don’t talk on the cell-phone or listen to the radio when I’m driving them around—instead I use that time to connect. We hang out nearly every night. We watch TV together, go over homework, or talk. I rarely schedule evening events beyond Wednesday church and Monday small group.

7. My husband and I go on a date once a week, and we read our Bible and pray together every morning.

8. I have lunch with friends about once a week. I just started this within the last few months, and I need it.

October 23, 2008 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

The winds swept in with some exciting experiences…

A debriefing of my fall so far and a call to enjoy your family!

As fall has brought gold and red to Montana, the winds swept in some exciting experiences. First, I hit the road for Indiana, speaking at a fundraising luncheon for Hope House … an amazing home for teen moms. That was followed by a quick trip to Chicago where I was interviewed by Today’s Christian Women for some upcoming articles (complete with photo shoot!). The day after I returned from Chicago, the wind blew in two of my dearest friends Robin Jones Gunn and Anne de Graaf.

We joined my other dear friend Joanna Weaver for some “working” girl time (i.e. we worked on our books!). What a joy to be together! The week ended with Robin, Anne, and I speaking at a women’s event at my church (www.easthaven.org). We had a blessed time! I love those women–both MY church women and MY friends!

I also can’t leave out the new experiences in my own family. Both Cory and Leslie are taking classes at Flathead Valley Community College and my youngest one, Nathan, is homeschooling high school. We’ve also enjoyed the new challenge of having our foreign exchange student, Andrea, attending Stillwater Christian School. It’s a busy house with busy kids for sure, but a house filled with love, joy, and FUN. And fun is something we should all make time for.

When the plane lands, and when my workday is done, then I get to spend time with the people that matter most in my life. In fact, I agree with Dorothy who said, “There is no place like home.” And I’ll add … and “nobody as special as my family.”

Enjoy your family today! Your friends! And all the new experiences God brings your way!

October 10, 2008 by Tricia Goyer 1 Comment

Ask Tricia–Homeschooling

This question is from Brandon:

Q: My wife and I are looking into homeschooling our daughter, I’m just trying to do my homework before I make a decision. How long have you been homeschooling?

I’ve been homeschooling for fourteen years … ever since my oldest son Cory was in preschool.

Do you like it…I’m assuming yes?I love it, and I am thankful EVERY DAY that I made this choice. I honestly don’t think my kids would be the same people they are today if I’d made a different choice.

What are the negatives that you see? Negatives? Well, some people who say they homeschool DON’T. But most of the people I know work very, very hard. One negative is that I pay for everything–school books, extra-curricular activities, sports, tutors, supplies, etc.

What is the price?
You can seriously homeschool for free … or you can spend thousands of dollars. The Internet is full of homeschooling resources and free curriculum. You can also check out books and DVDs from the library. Through out Interlibrary loan system I can get much of what I need … although I personally love books and love buying them so I can keep them.

How much time per day does your kid(s) spend working on school work?
Over the years they averaged 3-4 hours a day. When they were little I worked with them. They older they got the more independent they got. IF my kids were super motivated they could finish their work in 2 hours. Remember, they get one-on-one attention, which cuts down on time. Also, there is no shuffling between classes, taking attendance, riding the school bus, etc.

Thanks…feel free to add any more info you can or want to on this subject.

Here are some great websites:
http://www.home-school.com/Articles/
http://homeschooling.about.com/
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/gettingstarted/a/homeschool4you.htm
http://www.homeschool.com/
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/

A book I recommend:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1012601&item_no=09183

An article I wrote on volunteering:
http://www.home-school.com/Articles/phs50-triciagoyer.html

An article I’m quoted in:
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=12014

I hope this helps!

May 24, 2008 by Tricia Goyer 16 Comments

Cory is graduating today!

Today my son Cory is graduating from High School. He did it! And as a homeschooling mom … I did it!

Congratulations Cory. We love you!!!

Joshua 1:9 …Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (NIV)

To accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act.

If at first you don’t succeed, do it like your mother told you. ~Author Unknown

“Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving.” ~Oliver Wendall Holmes

“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” ~Judy Garland

“What we are, is God’s gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.” – Eleanor Powell

Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value. ~Albert Einstein

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)

Psalm 71:5 For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth. (NKJV)

1 Timothy 4:12 Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. (NLT)

Psalm 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. (NIV)

“Whatever you are, be a good one.” ~Abraham Lincoln