Eclectic Homeschool Online Newsletter, December 15, 2007
BevK December 17th, 2007
The staff and writers at the Eclectic Homeschool Online wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Our prayer is that you will be blessed this Christmas season and in the year to come and that you will find the resources and strength to pursue your homeschooling dreams. God bless you and your family.
We will not be publishing a January 1 update, but we invite you to explore our site. You never know what you’ll find in areas you may not have ventured yet. Our new articles for this update also give you a little something to do if the weather keeps you indoors.
Exploring to Learn
There is so much available on line. During the Christmas break at the Eclectic Homeschool Online, we thought we’d give you some starting points for your own explorations. Some of these sites are kid ready while others provide resources that you can use to supplement your own lessons or units.
The Christmas Angel
This children’s Christmas storybook was first published in 1910. Author Abbie Farwell Brown was known for her children’s stories including The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts and In the Days of Giants: A Book of Norse Tales. The Christmas Angel tells the story of Miss Terry who has lost the Christmas spirit and become a crusty old woman. With the help of the Christmas Angel, she sees the error of her ways.
Timewasters 2008
To take you into the New Year and give you something to do when you’re snow bound (and when you’re not) we bring you are latest collection of timewasters. We have timewasters to tickle the fancy of almost anyone including budding engineers, accountants, and writers. Or if you just like the challenges of fighting animated menaces, we have something for you, too.
Focus - Follow Your Nose
Investing in Your Child’s Curiosity
One Saturday on our way to the shopping mall, my husband took a detour. Heading down a road that wound through the local university’s agricultural experiment station, all he would say was that he and the boys had a surprise for the girls. The surprise? Yellowbelly Marmots.
Opening Doors
I knew that he was going to have to go over and turn the doorknob and open that door. Max hadn’t really seen that door until another little boy had opened it and peeked out…What about spiritual doors?
Geography for the Passionate or Merely Curious
The National Geography Bee is coming in May. At least six of the 2007 state winners are homeschoolers. Geography is one of those subjects that can either be relegated to the corner or deftly integrated into nearly every other subject studied. All it takes is a mindset that the world is a fascinating place that must be explored if not in person then through books, movies, television, and hands-on activities.
Sneaking Carrots and Tofu into A Pizza and Chips World
My fledgling scientist is fascinated by all things scientific – well, almost. He wants to know how everything works, loves experiments, and is perpetually curious. His scientific ideal is probably more Dexter than Galileo, but at least he’s interested. However, his zest for science quickly turns sour at the mention of nutrition.
Gross Things Unit Study
I knew this book would be a hit with my youngest son, but I didn’t realize how big a hit. I showed it to Ian one day, but didn’t get too much of a response. A little while later he and his friend were sitting on the couch chortling with glee over the pages. What book would happily engross two young boys? Engross is the key word—Gross Anatomy: An Off-Color Coloring Book.
Resources
Nature Trail Series
This series of books offer a touch and feel, interactive, nature study treat for younger children.
Greg’s Microscope
Greg makes fascinating discoveries about things he finds at home when he looks at them through his new microscope. Let this book be the impetus to your own child’s fascination with microscopes.
The Dangerous Book for Boys
How many other books will help you thrash someone at conkers, race your own go-cart, and identify the best quotations from Shakespeare? The Dangerous Book for Boys gives you facts and figures at your fingertips – swot up on the solar system, learn about famous battles and read inspiring stories of incredible courage and bravery. Teach your old dog new tricks. Make a pinhole camera. Understand the laws of cricket. There’s a whole world out there: with this book, anyone can get out and explore it.
The Boy Mechanic: 200 Classic Things to Build
With the rawest of materials, a minimum of technology, and a maximum of ingenuity, men and boys in the early 1900s dedicated themselves to crafting wonderful items, both practical and fanciful. It was a highly valued skill that revealed the measure of a man, and Popular Mechanics honored it and led the way in instructing these handy creators. Take a look back at those simpler, good old days—and at what we may have lost in our high-tech era—through these engaging projects, all published in the magazine during the first two decades of the 20th century. The range is simply amazing, and bound to appeal to woodworkers who love classic ideas. They include tools, like T-squares and sawhorses; an animal-proof gate latch and a birdhouse made from an old straw hat; household gadgets and handcrafted furniture; camping gear (including a screen door for a tent); and toys and games. And many of these appealing trellises, decoys, puzzles, and tents are quite doable today. Inveterate do-it-yourselfers will be astonished at the resourcefulness required to build a stove for a canoe and even a houseboat.
Howtoons: The Possibilities Are Endless!
Howtoons are cartoons that teach 8– to 15–year–old readers “how to” build, create, and explore things. Combining a fun, full–color cartoon format and real life science and engineering principles, Howtoons are designed to encourage kids to become active participants in the world around them.
Science Department
Science Spot
No Peanuts for Your Peanut
Youngsters are developing peanut allergies earlier because of exposures in babyhood.
* The 10 Most Common Objections to Christianity
* 24 Puzzle Pairs: Things that Match
* 26 A to Z Puzzles
* Bang! Zoom!: The Spell and Score Card Game
* Buddy Davis Sculpt-A-Saur: Dino Sculpting Pack
* Bulfinch’s Mythology: Age of Fable, Part 1, Chapters 1-14 (audiobook)
* Easy Homeschooling Curriculum: Grade Level Guide to Literature + 16 Subject Chapters by Guest Authors
* It Happened in the White House: True Stories of the Eight Virginia Presidents and their Wives (Audiobook)
* Math: Test-Taking Strategies (DVD)
* One-Eyed Jack
* A Parents Guide to Spiritual Warfare: Equipping Your Kids to Win the Battle
* Patch Two-Sided Emergency Floor 46 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
* The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (audiobook)
* Unwrapping the Pharaohs: How Egyptian Archaeology Confirms the Biblical Timeline
* What’s Yours Like? (game)
Featured Resource December
Revolutionary Parenting: What the Research Shows Really Works
by George Barna
$12.23 – 32% Off
The Revolution is underway, but in this new era, how can parents make a lasting impact in the spiritual lives of their children? To find the answer, George Barna researched the lives of thriving adult Christians and discovered the essential steps their parents took to shape their spiritual lives in childhood. He also learned surprising truths about which popular parenting tactics just aren’t working. Revolutionary Parenting goes beyond youth group and Sunday school and shows parents how to instill in their children a vibrant commitment to Christ.
New Resources
When Homeschooling Gets Tough: Practical Advice to Stay on Course
by Diana Johnson
$9.99
Diana Johnson has more than twenty years of experience as a homeschool parent and nearly fifteen years of experience managing the homeschool department at a Christian bookstore. When Homeschooling Gets Tough is largely based on her direct interaction with a broad range of customers who were in need of support.
Many homeschoolers struggle with feelings of inadequacy and failure when their homeschool situation is not picture-perfect. In this timely book, Diana offers challenged homeschooling parents practical advice mixed with spiritual insight about (1) controlling the curriculum quest, (2) defining basic educational objectives for different age groups, (3) streamlining commitments, and (4) developing realistic goals and schedules.
Homeschooling can be tough at times, but here’s a book to help make it easier.
The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name
by Sally Lloyd-Jones
$12.71 – 15% Off
Children ages 4 to 8 have a hard time grasping the concept of God. But it can be through the person of Jesus. Told in a wonderfully inviting style, this Bible storybook shares many beloved Bible stories and reveals how the news and message of Jesus unfolds throughout Scripture, from the Old Testament all the way through the New Testament. Jesus in the Story helps readers love and appreciate Jesus and begin their own journey of faith. Beautiful 4-color artwork throughout.
The Mysterious Benedict Society
by Trenton Lee Stewart
$11.55 – 32% Off
Dozens of children respond to this peculiar ad in the newspaper and are then put through a series of mind-bending tests, which readers take along with them. Only four children-two boys and two girls-succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and inventive children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules. But what they’ll find in the hidden underground tunnels of the school is more than your average school supplies. So, if you’re gifted, creative, or happen to know Morse Code, they could probably use your help.
Imponderables(R): Science
by David Feldman
$7.95
In gathering the most fascinating questions asked about science into a handy Gem format, pop culture guru David Feldman demystifies these and much more in Imponderables®: Science. Providing you with information you can’t find in encyclopedias, dictionaries, or almanacs, Science is a fun look at the little things that make life so interesting.
Lawn Boy
by Gary Paulsen
$10.18 – 22% Off
One day I was 12 years old and broke. Then Grandma gave me Grandpa’s old riding lawnmower. I set out to mow some lawns. More people wanted me to mow their lawns. And more and more. . . . One client was Arnold the stockbroker, who offered to teach me about “the beauty of capitalism. Supply and Demand. Diversify labor. Distribute the wealth.” “Wealth?” I said. “It’s groovy, man,” said Arnold.
If I’d known what was coming, I might have climbed on my mower and putted all the way home to hide in my room. But the lawn business grew and grew. So did my profits, which Arnold invested in many things. And one of them was Joey Pow the prizefighter. That’s when my 12th summer got really interesting.
Thank you for buying your homeschool resources, curriculum, and other purchases from Amazon.com through the Eclectic Homeschool Online Resource Center. It’s still possible to order from our store and receive items in time for Christmas.
Eclectic Homeschool Resource Center Shopping Deadlines
If you want to receive items from our store before December 24th, please note these order deadlines.
Sunday, Dec. 16 Gift cards by mail
Monday, Dec. 17 Free Super Saver Shipping
Tuesday, Dec. 18 Standard shipping
Wednesday, Dec. 19 Two-day Shipping – last full day to order
Thursday, Dec. 20 Two-day Shipping – order as late as 3 p.m. PT
Friday, Dec. 21 One Day Shipping – last full day to order
Saturday, Dec. 23 One Day Shipping – order as late as 1 p.m. PT
There are some restrictions on this schedule. For more information visit: Christmas Deadlines
The earnings we receive from the sales in our store go directly to paying the bills for hosting and web services we use. By entering Amazon through our store, you make sure that all your purchases, even those not specifically listed in our store, are credited to our account. So the next time you plan to buy something big, even though it’s not homeschool related, enter through our store using our search box or any of our store links, and you’ll be blessing us and the homeschool community. What could be better? Shopping as a good deed.
Look for our Shop Amazon - Fund EHO Link posted throughout the EHO website or visit the EHO Resource Center main page at http://eclectichomeschool.org/store/
Eclectic Homeschool Resource Directory
We’ve added 4 new listings to the EHO Resource Directory. The Directory is a great place to find small companies that focus on the many aspects of homeschooling. If you’re looking for something new or a little different, try browsing our Directory. We currently have 560 listings in 88 categories.
If you’re interested in listing your business in the directory, please visit the following page to submit a commercial or non-commercial website.
The Lord bless and keep you,
Beverly Krueger
Eclectic Homeschool Online
http://eclectichomeschool.org
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