Charter Schools for your state

When you need help or an alternative to home schooling, the following site gives information on those states that offer virtual public schools.

http://www.uscharterschools.org/pub/uscs_docs/sp/index.htm

Another Fun Educational Site

I came across this site last night http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/ while researching for a new quilt that I want to design. I didn't find what I wanted for my quilt but found lots to aid us in our home schooling adventure.

Also I wanted to mention that IF you're interested in learning how to make a rag quilt, visit the following page for the 2008 Rag Blocks of the Month (BOM). http://sewpractical.blogspot.com/search/label/2008%20Rag%20BOMs
Rag quilting is a beautiful form of soft art. Two more blocks will follow. After completing the blocks, we'll create a mystery quilt from them in June and July.

Notification of the Next Test

I got my letter in the mail from the state DOE about our son's next testing dates. Those dates will be April 14-22, 2008. Wish us luck!

Comprehension; Memory Building

To teach your child comprehension, give him or her a picture to study for 2 minutes. Then take the picture away and ask the child questions about details in the picture. This also helps build better reading comprehension. Point out that the same thing can be accomplished by picking out main thoughts or ideas while reading to help answer those reading comprehension questions.

Language Arts Tip

To help your child remember that antonym means words that have opposite meanings, point out that both antonym and opposite begin with vowels.

To help your child remember that synonym means words that have the same meaning, point out that synonym and same both begin with an “s”.

Teaching Cultural Arts

I have found that it's easier to teach Art & Music Appreciation while my son and I are discussing cultures beginning with the past and working to the present. At the same time, you can also blend literature,theater and cuisine into the cultural theme and recognize the way that multiple cultures have a way of overlapping each other. For example, when two people from different cultures marry each other and when cultures are in close contact as they are at country borders, cultures have a tendency to blend. The U.S. has a wealth of culture, therefore many U.S. traditions are a combination of many cultures.

Awesome Craft Site for Kids

Below is another great site that I've stumbled across. Be sure to check out the rooster coloring page on the About Us page of the site. I think the daughter did a spectacular job on that. Thanks to the mom who owns the website for offering all of the wonderful crafts. There are 142 - ALL FREE BY THE WAY - kids' crafts and recipes on the site as of today, March 6, 2008.

http://www.craftynoodle.com/home

Why am I so adamant about teaching children art? Art is a way to express one's own self. Art is also a life lesson in a way that helps kids to discover that beautiful things are often created from mistakes OR to learn from those mistakes that aren't so beautiful. I believe in the "Don't be afraid to try" attitude when it comes to discovering your talents. Children need to learn early on that failure is a part of life, but just because you fail at one thing doesn't mean that you fail at all things. We are all good at something and the only way to find out what that is, is to try.