Growing Students Who Love to Learn

Sharing a passion

2012-02-11T09:21:00.001-05:00

I've just spent an amazing week with a group of ladies who all share a similar passion ... helping parents determine the best approach for home educating their children. Staying in the shadow of the beautiful Rocky Mountains, each morning we headed into Sonlight's main office to learn about this year's new products, how to best reach out to folks who come to visit us on a convention floor, and the fun, yet sometimes frustrating, ins and outs of social media.

This morning we will head our various ways, back to our own families and responsibilities, but with a new excitement for meeting moms and dads on the convention floor this spring and summer. It's my love for my own children which drives my desire to touch the lives of other parents who love theirs.

Summer Jobs

2011-05-20T13:15:00.003-04:00

Thankfully most kids aren't doing yard work with this type of mower anymore, but once upon a time we did. We *really* earned our money in those days! (Now I'm beginning to sound like my dad)

Summer jobs are another great resource for beating boredom. They are as wide and varied as your imagination. Cleaning brush, mowing lawns, weeding gardens, flipping burgers at the local hamburger joint, and the list goes on.

Summer jobs accomplish a whole list of things:

the value of scheduling (have to be to work on time)
the value of responsibility (most bosses won't step in and clean up your messes)
the value of saving money
the value of spending your money wisely
the joy of cashing your first (and subsequent) paychecks
the self-confidence related to a "good job" from your boss
the experience demonstrated on a resume

Now tell me ... what curriculum is going to accomplish all this for the price of transportation? Even if there aren't any local summer jobs to be had, find projects around home that you're willing to pay to have done. Help your kids become resourceful ... perhaps they'll want to try their hand at a home business.

You never know what opportunities will open up as the result of a summer job!

Happy hunting!
~Judy

Special Offer from Sonlight . . .

2010-08-26T21:04:00.004-04:00

Here's an opportunity to add a great worldview piece to your school year. Check out this fascinating new book that looks at the spiritual and moral themes found in Pixar movies. The Wisdom of Pixar is written by Robert Velarde, one of Sonlight's curriculum developers, a dad and a great writer. You can view his recent conversation with Sarita Holzmann as they discuss the virtues of movies like Toy Story and Cars.

Order yours by September 15, 2010 to get a copy signed by the author. Who knew that A Bug's Life portrays the virtue of justice!

I'm bored mom!!

2010-05-05T08:47:00.002-04:00

Summer is quickly approaching. I know this because my snow shovel is no longer residing by my front step and the sound of many lawn mowers is in the land. Another sound may also be heard as you finish up your school year. That is the sound of children bemoaning their lack of activity. "Moooom, there's nothing to do around here!"

I have the perfect solution! It's biblical, it looks great on a high school transcript or job resume, and it teaches character and servant hood. A very wise friend (who has been somewhat of a mentor on my homeschool journey) once recommended the age-old concept of volunteering. She shared how a volunteer position was/is a requirement for her junior high and high school children. Happy to take her up on that suggestion, we have also made volunteering a requirement for our students.

It was amazing to me the volunteer opportunities out there if you just begin looking. Our oldest child (now in college) spent some summers volunteering for an organization that runs an adaptive riding program for disabled children and adults at a local horse farm. Another child enrolled in a teen volunteer program at the nearby medical center and has had some awesome opportunities to work in the nursing home with aging adults. Our youngest began volunteering at a local Rescue Mission store not too long ago.

The cost is minimal ... transportation back and forth, schedule juggling, but the rewards are too numerous to count. So the next time you hear that familiar whine of boredom, tell your children about the perfect plan you have for their summer!

Blessings ...
~Judy

Self-Cleaning Ovens

2010-03-27T19:38:00.005-04:00

I was cleaning the oven the other day, thinking how glad I am to own a self-cleaning oven. I remember when we were first married ... spraying noxious cleaners and scrubbing cooked on food made oven cleaning a less than pleasant task. My kids laugh when I tell them how much work it was to clean up the remnants of a Thanksgiving turkey or a bubbled-over cherry pie.

Much as "oven technology" has changed through the years ... as well as computer technology, cellphone technology, entertainment technology, etc... life is advancing and moving on in our home as well. The grandparents living our home often shake their heads at all the "newfangled" technology. Our kids embrace it. Instead of sitting around after a holiday meal cross-stitching or crocheting, everyone is texting and watching the ball game in HD.

Change is never easy ... but neither does it mean that character and our core values disappear with the "old-world" technology. The constants remain constant, and there is value in engaging in our children's world. Besides ... all the cool "old people" are on Facebook.

Blessings ...
~Judy

It's spring and catalogs are in the air!

2010-03-16T19:08:00.005-04:00

I'm sure that Christmas was only just yesterday. How can it possibly be spring already? If it's spring, it must be time to begin thinking about Sonlight's newest catalog!

Snow is melting, the birds have started to sing in the trees ... and Luke has begun the annual Sonlight catalog tease. A tradition I look forward to every year which tells me the long winter is coming to a close.

Now is a good time to begin thinking about what the next school year holds. Whether it's a change from public or private school to homeschool ... a change from one homeschool curriculum to another ... or figuring out what Sonlight materials to use for next year ... this is the time to begin making plans. So here's your education "to do" list for 2010:

If you'd like a 2010 Sonlight catalog, drop me an email with your mailing address.
If you want to look at and touch some Sonlight curriculum, come visit me at one of my northeast conventions, and get a $15 coupon towards your next Sonlight order.
Check out my web page for some very practical homeschool resources.
Stay tuned for my convention specials!

Enjoy the warmer weather as you start thinking about growing students who love to learn in 2010.

Blessings ...
~Judy

Convention Season is Done!

2009-07-01T21:18:00.005-04:00

It hardly seems possible that that another year of conventions has gone by. It was great meeting all of you this year. I love meeting new folks who are interested in Sonlight for the first time ... and seeing old friends who come back each season to tell me about their school year. It's fun seeing your kids grow up!

I'm interested in hearing what nugget of encouragement you took away from the convention you visited this year. Perhaps it was a specific workshop? Or maybe a speaker who just touched your heart. Just possibly, it was simply the time spent with other homeschoolers. Many folks I talked to this year expressed how making their annual convention trip was like refueling for the coming school year.

So post a comment here sharing your most encouraging memory from this year's convention visit. On July 13th I'll do a random drawing for a Sonlight tote bag from those who commented. Just the thing to carry all those Sonlight books to the park!

Have a wonderful July 4th weekend!
~Judy

Shop Project

2009-06-18T23:02:00.003-04:00

Home Ec and other electives for girls seem to come easy for me. I love to sew, bake, cook, crochet, cross-stitch ... all activities that make for great Home Ec projects. Shop, however, is another story. As my son enters high school, I've been stumped looking for projects he and I could do together. Certainly he is learning to cook and bake, but I want him to develop other skills as well.

So last weekend we hit upon a project almost by accident! Aaron needed a new dresser ... the one he was using just wasn't meeting his needs any longer. So off he went with his dad to check out possibilities ... and back they came with a huge box full of hardware and pieces of very heavy wood! Instant "shop" project!

We sorted through pieces, read through the directions, and spent a couple of hours assembling a very nice dresser. I thoroughly enjoyed working side-by-side with my 14 year old "man" of few words. The end result was a very nice piece of furniture and the satisfaction of sharing a job well done. And the confidence that we can look for future projects to do together!

~Judy

Sharing a love for reading ...

2009-05-27T21:23:00.006-04:00

One of the most precious benefits our family has gained from homeschooling is a mutual love of good books. It's exciting to me when my kids are eager to share the newest book they are reading and are interested in having me read it as well.

I've met some new authors over the past few years as a result of my children. I had never heard of Eoin Colfer until my youngest began reading the Artemis Fowl series. It's unlikely I would have pursued a story about twelve year old millionaire and a kidnapped fairy of my own accord. But when my son began devouring the books, I couldn't resist! Brian Jacques became another family favorite when all three kids stumbled onto the Redwall series. Martin the Warrior and Cluny the one-eyed Rat became regular topics of conversation. Even dad was "sucked in" when Jacques came out with Castaways of the Flying Dutchmen.

These days Ted Dekker is the author of choice. I finished reading Kiss just recently and was on the edge of my seat until the last page. While I'm not a fan of all of his books, there are many that have become favorites and I'm sure I'll read them again.

I can't wait to see what new authors we discover this year!

~Judy

Teaching Elementary Science

2009-05-13T19:33:00.004-04:00

Science is one of those subjects that is easily slid to the back burner. In the lower grades, when phonics and fundamental math are priorities, science rarely makes it to the top of the list. Here's one approach that might move science off the back burner!

When my children were in the K-4 or 5 years, I came up with a solution to my science woes that worked out pretty well in our homeschool. Each quarter of our school year (every 9 weeks), we would take a "week off" from all other subjects (except math!) and enjoy a science week. That science week would focus on a single topic ...

As I planned my school year each summer, I would choose four science topics to enjoy for the coming year. I would then make certain to collect anything I needed for each of these weeks as they drew closer. I usually spent some time on-line during the summer, checking for special Science books or supplies that might round out our topical studies. Then a couple weeks prior to each Science week, I would visit our local library to add to our stack of books for study. Here are some possible Science topics to choose from:

Weather
Astronomy
Human Body
Electricity
Magnetism
Plant Life
Birds
Insects
Machines
Ocean Life

Once each Science week arrived, we would pull out our stacks of books and science materials, each student would grab their Science "notebook" (3-ring binder with lined and unlined paper), and we would begin our adventure. This might involve some reading about the topic on their own, some reading that I would do aloud, and any activities or experiments that might relate to the topic at hand. I usually tried to include one or two Science videos related to the topic as well. I would make sure that we wrote down any new Science "words" in their notebooks, being certain they understood what they meant. We also sketched (or you could take photos of) the experiments we tried. These all made for a wonderful Science notebook.

My primary goal was to ignite an excitement in my children for learning about Science. Since I viewed these weeks as being "discovery" oriented, I wasn't terribly concerned about mastery of the material. At a time when our major focus was on learning to read well and establishing the fundamentals of math, this approach to Science was enjoyable for all of us.

So don't obsess about Science ... feel free to move it to the back burner, with the exception of four weeks when you enjoy exploring God's creation with your children!

Our Bookcase Winner!

2009-05-13T19:10:00.002-04:00

Raising and homeschooling seven wonderful children, April's bookcase is a real winner. It loudly speaks of a love for literature! But like many homeschooler's bookshelves, April admits that this one is screaming BUILD MORE SHELVES!!

Congratulations April ... and keep on reading! Your books will soon be on their way.

Bookcases!

2009-04-06T20:08:00.008-04:00

The first of the 27 reasons why families love Sonlight is because Sonlight helps you build a library your entire family will want to read again and again. You'll pass on a love for truly great books that inspire your kids—AND you— to be life-long learners.

One of the benefits of literature-based learning is the opportunity to build an awesome library that will last long after your students are done with their learning. In fact, many students go back again and again to previous years' books to re-read favorites. And I've even heard of husbands who sneak to the bookshelves late at night to grab a good read.

When I talk with new Sonlight users about other benefits of using this curriculum, I always make sure to mention the bookcases. For every Sonlighter knows that sooner or later you have to build more bookcases. I've often thought it would be fun to collect pictures of Sonlight bookcases ... for I'm certain that every bookcase reveals a little bit about the family that builds it.

There's kid-proof bookshelves. You find these in a home where the books matter more than that which holds them.

Then there are those bookshelves which either demonstrate the artistic side of the owners, or a desperate need to find someplace to put all those books when Box Day comes quicker than planned.

Finally, there are those bookshelves that just cry out ... "build more!"

So what do your bookshelves say about you? Email me with a photo of your favorite bookshelf (no later than 4/27/09) and I'll enter you in a drawing for ... what else ... a packet of free books! Introduce a friend to Sonlight by having them email me, and you'll be entered in the drawing *FIVE* times!

Be sure to let me know if I can share your photos here on my blog for others to enjoy. What better motivation to make plans for the coming school year than a bookcase full of books!

High School Transcript

2009-03-26T18:31:00.004-04:00

In my experience, one of the things that causes the most anxiety about homeschooling through high school is the thought of creating a transcript. I must admit I shared that anxiety until I had to create one ... then I found it wasn't nearly as intimidating as I had thought!

The first step in creating a transcript is record keeping ... and it needs to begin when your student is a freshman ... not when they reach their junior year. Keep track of your student's academics, extracurricular activities, employment, volunteering, etc...

The second step is confidence ... the belief that as the homeschool parent/teacher, you are the best judge of what constitutes a credit for your student.

I found that assigning credits to Sonlight programs was fairly logical and not difficult at all. For example, the year our oldest did Core 400, here are the credits I assigned:

American Literature - 1 credit for English (the American Lit portion of Core 400)
Sophmore Composition - 1/2 credit for English (Creative writing portion of Core 400)
American History - 1 credit for History (History literature in Core 400)
Civics & Government - 1/2 credit (Government title in Core 400)

Obviously Sonlight is not an accredited agency, and thus does not assign credits to their curriculum materials. However, I as the homeschool teacher have the freedom to do just that!

If you're interested in a copy of a sample transcript, please email me and I'll be happy to send one. More on high school homeschooling to follow!

High School?!

2009-03-22T18:33:00.004-04:00

The concept of homeschooling through high school strikes fear into the hearts of many (myself included)! Five years later ... one graduated and another part-way through the high school years, I've found it's not nearly as intimidating as I thought it might be.

One of the first things that I did in preparation for homeschooling a high schooler was to read an excellent (IMHO) book recommended by a friend. The Homeschoolers' College Admissions Handbook by Cafi Cohen is a wonderful resource that covers doing high school at home, creating credits and granting a diploma, writing a transcript, application essays, and much, much more. Her book is full of wonderful testimonies and practical suggestions from other homeschool moms. I spent many hours poring over the book and highlighting sections that were especially helpful.

Another thing I would highly recommend is to find someone that has already begun, or even completed, the high school portion of their homeschool journey. There is great value in taking the time to "sit at the feet" of someone who can share first-hand what worked for them and what did not. If you lack this kind of "skin-on" resource ... find your local homeschool support group or get in touch with your state support group to find out what regulations apply for educating a student in high school.

Get your student involved! Talk with your high schooler about where their interests lay and what types of things they might wish to study. One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling a teen is the chance to provide them with opportunities to learn and grow in their area(s) of interest. Beginning with excellent curriculum material is only part of the equation ... there are all sorts of opportunities for internships, job-shadowing, field trips, and other hands-on experiences that will greatly enrich your student's high school years.

More on homeschooling through high school in another post. For now ... order the book I recommended and begin talking with your student about the possibilities of a high school career at home!

~Judy

Free Chocolate?

2009-03-21T17:30:00.006-04:00

Don't those words just bring joy to your heart?!! Every homeschool mom should make time for a chocolate break ... especially if the chocolate is free!

To celebrate the "birth" of my new recipe blog, I decided to join the Ultimate Blog Party this week and get in on some of the fun.

So set aside a few minutes of "mom time" in the next few days and check out both the Ultimate Blog Party site for some great prizes ... then pop over to my new recipe blog and find out how you can win yourself some free chocolate!

Oh ... and don't forget to bookmark this site as well ... and share it with some of your friends!

~Judy

It's in the mail!!

2009-03-17T18:58:00.004-04:00

The 2009 Sonlight catalog hit the mailstream today. As I post this, large numbers of catalogs are making their way to various impatient, waiting customers!

So how will you enjoy your catalog when it arrives? Will you hide it away and wait for a quiet moment ... late at night, when the kids are asleep? Or maybe relax in a long, hot bath with your coveted catty? Even better yet ... perhaps you'll arrange to get together with other catalog-loving friends and share your enjoyment at a local coffee shop?

Now that the catalog has begun its journey, I'm beginning to really get excited with my convention planning! Both CHAP and NYS LEAH have begun taking registrations for their 2009 conventions ... and I'm working hard on designing my booth displays to provide a unique opportunity for folks to see and experience our new product line.

If you haven't already, drop me an email and ask about an invitation to my private consultant forum. It's an excellent place to begin your convention preparation. Come tell me what you'd like to see at one of my conventions. If you won't be able to attend a convention this year ... let's chat about your curriculum plans for 2009. I'm looking forward to meeting or chatting with you!

You've never signed up for a Sonlight catalog? Feel free to head over to the Sonlight web site and ask for yours today.

Computer Education

2009-03-15T19:45:00.004-04:00

Looking for an interesting, attention-getting elective for your Jr High or High School student? Web design is a valuable skill for any student ... especially in this age of technology. Worried that you don't have the knowledge to teach this particular subject? Worry no longer ... the Professor is on the way.

Student-driven and self-paced, Professor Teaches: Web Pages & Graphics is a great way for your kids to learn the basics of web design and html.

Publisher 2007
Expression Web
FrontPage
Dreamweaver
PhotoShop
Flash

Hundreds of practical exercises will help your student build their skills quickly. It's a must-have for your homeschool and it's available from Sonlight. Head over to my landing page and enter "Professor Teaches" in the search field.

~Judy
Sonlight Consultant

Planning for 2009

2009-03-11T15:59:00.011-04:00

Catalog and convention fever has hit the Sonlight Forums! Who would imagine that a curriculum catalog would generate so much excitement?

But sometimes a new Sonlight catalog generates frustration and confusion. Why? Because it seems as though it can't possibly be time to plan for a new school year when we're not done with this year's materials yet! Planning what to purchase for the coming year can cause your head to spin at all the possibilities, especially if you're trying to plan for multiple students.

A simple tool that I've found particularly helpful over the years is a spreadsheet that allows me to do some advance planning. There are many benefits to the exercise of filling out this type of spreadsheet:

it allows me to *see* my planning all in one location (I tend to be a visual person)
it often generates planning ideas that I hadn't considered before
it prevents me from possibly "missing" doing a Core level before a student graduates
it makes it easier to see where I might combine students with one Core, or at least plan on using "complimentary" Cores.

I'm sure there are more benefits to planning ahead ... including the fact that you really can't aim well at a goal until you set it ... but these few were sufficient to motivate me to invest the time in creating the spreadsheet.

Perhaps my spreadsheet will be helpful in your planning as well! Please feel free to copy this idea and utilize it for your own homeschool. This one is a sample of our homeschool plan ... take some time to create your own! If you like what you see, feel free to email me for a blank copy of this Excel spreadsheet.

~Judy
Sonlight Consultant

COME VISIT WITH ME!

2008-12-15T17:40:00.016-05:00

COME VISIT ME AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:

NYC/LI LEAH CONVENTION

March 17, 2012

Patchogue, NY

MACHE STATE HOME SCHOOL CURRICULUM FAIR
April 27-28, 2012
Frederick, MD

CHAP CONVENTION

May 11-12, 2012

Harrisburg, PA

NYS LEAH CONFERENCE
May 31-June 2, 2012

Rochester, NY

HEAV CONVENTION
June 7-9, 2012
Richmond, VA

NORTHEAST HOMESCHOOL CONVENTION
June 14-16, 2012
Hartford, CT

JUDY'S HOMESCHOOL GARDENING TOOLS

2008-12-11T09:51:00.064-05:00

Whether you're considering homeschooling as an option, just beginning your homeschool journey,or many miles down the road, I hope you'll find something here that will help you. Homeschooling can sometimes be a trial, but the proper tools can be a big help in assisting you with growing students who love to learn. Check back often as my tool box grows and changes!

Feel free to email me with any questions.

PLANNING YOUR GARDEN:
Choosing to homeschool is a big decision. Here are some resources that may help as you weigh the pros and cons ... and look to the future.

You Can Homeschool! (article & podcast - 12:30 min)
Should I even consider homeschooling? (article & resource links)
The Cost of Homeschooling (blog post)

A mind once stretched by a new idea never regains its original dimensions.
~Anonymous

PREPARING THE SOIL:
Good soil, the right fertilizer, a good supply of tools, and a basic knowledge of gardening all go into a successful garden. The same is true for homeschooling your children.

How do I start? (article & resource links)
Creating an Educational Plan (webinar - approx 45 min.)
Sonlight's Homeschool Goals Guide (pdf download)
Homeschooling Resolutions (blog post)
Choosing Curriculum (blog post)

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.
~Mark Twain

PLANTING THE GARDEN:
Creating the perfect plan for your homeschool may seem like an insurmountable task, but not when you have a personal consultant. There is a vast array of homeschool resources out there at your disposal, but not every curriculum works for every family. Let's work together to find out if a Sonlight Curriculum package is the best fit for your homeschool.

Check out Sonlight Curriculum packages
Request a Sonlight catalog
Planning! (blog post with planning grid)
Contact me for a personal consultation

The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles;
but to irrigate deserts.
~C.S. Lewis

TENDING YOUNG PLANTS:
I don't have any formal training as a teacher ... How can I possibly teach someone to read? ... Math was my worst subject in school, there's no way I can help my child! All very real concerns, but I have the resources to address those issues!

The Early Years - Phonics (blog post)
The Stuff That Curriculum Doesn't Cover (blog post)
Teaching Elementary Science (blog post)
You Can Teach Your Children - with confidence - from your first day (article & podcast - 6 min)

The only person who is educated
is the one who has learned how to learn and change.
~Carl Rogers

WEEDING AND FERTILIZING:

Homeschooling is a long-term commitment that requires consistency, creativity and plain ole' "sticktoitiveness"! We often struggle with our homeschooling because we run out of ideas or simply need to interact with others who share our passion and understand our experiences.

Sonlight Forums - an encouraging community of close to 2500 active users
Why is Teaching Writing so Hard? (blog post)
Science Co-ops (blog post)
Computer Education (blog post)
Has Your Homeschool Experience Become a Nightmare? - excellent webinar series

A teacher is one who makes himself progressively unnecessary.
~Thomas Carruthers

HARVESTING:
The day does finally come when your students enter high school and the end is in sight. The high school years are a unique time to focus on your child's strengths and desires. Homeschooling opens doors for job shadowing, volunteering, and other opportunities that give your student an edge as he/she leaves your home. Some of the most intimidating years of homeschooling don't have to be so ...

Homeschoolers' College Admissions Handbook - a "must have" resource!
Sonlight's College and Career Planning Kit
High School?! (blog post)
High School Transcript (blog post)
You Want Me to Teach Algebra? (blog post)
How Do I Plan for High School? (blog post)
Graduated ... Now What? (blog post)

Formal education will make you a living,
self-education will make you a fortune.
~Jim Rohn

REFRESHMENT:
Homeschooling is a full-time commitment ... 24/7, 365 days a year. We tend to focus so much on the plants we're tending and nurturing, that we often forget the gardener. The energy and excitement that launched your school year may be a distant memory by the time you hit the winter months. So whether you call it a "teacher in-service" or a mental health day ... be sure to schedule some time for *you*!

Mom's Aren't Supposed to Get Sick (blog post)
How Do I Get It All Done? (blog post)
Calm My Anxious Heart (blog post)
Life Skills for Kids (teacher training resource)
Help For the Harried Homeschooler (time for a cup of tea and a comfy couch)
Why Gender Matters (continuing education)