Right now if you subscribe to the print edition, you can also receive our 25 free gifts valued at over $550! But, we only have about 50 of the gift packs left, and once they're gone, they're gone.
Plus, there's more when you subscribe now...
Just as the Olympics brings together athletes from all over the world, homeschooling unites families in their quest to provide the best education for their children, and we're here to help you give it all you've got!
You can stretch your homeschool budget, enjoy our current Summer issue, and receive our bonus 48 page Around the World with TOS E-Book, just in time to help bring the countries participating in the Olympics to life for your children.
With Around the World, you'll find activities to help your child "visit" the countries and discover their unique characteristics.
We have also included sports related information, links, and activity pages, as well as how-to and teacher notes to help your family obtain the most from the activities. It has been a labor of love for our staff as they've contributed recipes from various countries, ideas for hosting your own Olympiad, information on the Special Olympics, tips for tailoring Olympics lessons to your children's age levels, and so much more.
Even if your family isn't following the Olympics, there are still plenty of ideas to help bring geography and science around the world to life for your children with fun coloring pages, worksheets, maps and more!
But it's only for TOS Subscribers so you'll want to subscribe today!
If you subscribe to the print edition of the magazine, you'll also receive a coupon to purchase the Summer 2008 digital issue for FREE! Your print subscription will begin with Fall 2008 and run through Summer 2009. So, celebrate Summer 2008 and the Olympics with a FREE Summer digital issue and our Around the World with TOS E-Book.
If you subscribe to the digital edition of the magazine, you'll receive a coupon to purchase a digital back issue of your choice! Your digital subscription will start with our Summer 2008 issue and run through the Spring 2009 issue. So, enjoy four upcoming issues and an informative back issue of your choosing. Plus, you'll receive our Around the World with TOS E-Book
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just take a look at some of the topics you'll find in our Summer issue!
10 Reasons to Homeschool Your Child With Special Needs
Homeschooling the Gifted Child
Charlotte Mason Homeschooling (including an article about using this method with autistic children)
Learning from Life on the Farm
Adoption (several articles about open adoption, domestic adoption and international adoption)
Science - Read and learn about: Intelligent Design, Theistic Evolution, a Creationist documentary about the life of Darwin, and changing history theories.
An update about the homeschool situation in California
Homeschooling Discipleship
Nature Walking
Flight and the men behind the creation of airplanes. Also learn what it's like to be a pilot!
Meet other homeschooling families and see how homeschooling works in their homes!
Learn more about Canada
Homeschooling and the Kinesthetic Child
Educational Neglect, Habitual Truancy, and Homeschooling
Help your child learn to love reading! Also, things to remember if you have a late reader.
Read an interview With Dr. Mary Hood
Great product reviews!
This is an awesome issue and it can be yours FREE with this Olympics special offer! Plus, we have more great topics coming up for Fall already. This Fall you'll learn more about China, taking the pressure off of a homeschool mom's shoulders during the high school years, CLEP exams, the impact of the family farm in a mega-sized world, the importance of homeschool fathers, and much, much more!
Just go ahead and start off your school year right with a subscription to The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine. It really is a wonderful resource that will educate, encourage, and inspire you throughout the year.
Right now if you subscribe to the print edition, you can also receive our 25 free gifts valued at over $550! But, we only have about 50 of the gift packs left, and once they're gone, they're gone. These gifts can really help you in your homeschool. You get a year of Safe Eyes parental control software, two months of WORLD Magazine, tons of lapbooking resources, three different online subscriptions, E-Books, and great lesson plans. And that's only some of it. You get a total of 25 different fun gifts for your homeschool. The companies send them directly to you - so it's like Christmas all over again! You really don't want to miss out on these fantastic gifts.
Maybe you live in another country and would prefer our digital magazine, or you've just heard how fun it is to read the magazine online and click through all the links. Subscribe to the digital magazine and get 19 free downloadable gifts.
Either way, you'll receive the Around the World E-Book, the Summer 2008 digital issue (for print subscribers) or a back issue of your choice (for digital subscribers), and our online subscriber-only Teacher's Toolbox each month complete with hands-on teaching ideas, book recommendations, field trip suggestions, and bonus download items.
We're going for the gold at TOS this monthand we want you to be a part of it.
We’re excited about our new planner and know that you will be too! We have taken ALL of your suggestions and ideas and compiled them into ONE fantastic planner, so that everything you need to plan in your life can be in one place, making your busy life as a homeschool mom just a bit simpler! In The Schoolhouse Planner, you can expect to find:
• Calendars in various forms – yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily
• Lists of holidays and places to record special days in your family
• Planners for your homeschool – in various styles to meet your individual needs
• Pages for both long-term and short-term homeschooling goals
• Curriculum planning forms
• Evaluation forms and test score recording sheets
• A through-the-Bible in a (school) year schedule
• Forms for recording Bible memory and other memory work
• Logs for recording books read, movies and documentaries viewed, etc.
• A field trip planning form and recording log
• A sample science lab sheet and nature study sheets
• A place to record extracurricular activities
• Outside classes, co-op, and support group information and recording sheets
• Household planning forms
• Daily, weekly, and monthly household schedule charts
• Grocery, menu-planning, and food logs
• Various budget and financial planning forms
• Garden planning sheets
• An appliance and electronics inventory sheet
• Vacation planning ideas
• Address and telephone records
• And much, much more!
And, if that’s not enough, we’ve also included:
• 12 “homeschool must-know” items, one for each month of the year
• 12 essays from some of our favorite authors in the homeschool community – you absolutely won’t want to miss these!
• 24 easy main-dish recipes from some top homeschoolers around the nation
• Forms that are appropriate for preschool – graduation
• A 12-year planning form, so that you can plan your child’s school career from beginning to end!
• 2-page monthly calendar with BIG blocks, providing lots of room for writing in details each day
If all of that isn’t enough to entice you, each month throughout the year, we will also be offering “planner supplements” that you and your kids will love! Our first monthly module will be available in July and will include all kinds of interesting information about popular holidays. These will not only be filled with great information that you will love including with your planner, but they will also be extremely affordable!
What do the developers of the TOS Schoolhouse Planner have to say?
Kris says: “Just this year, I had FIVE planners in my home and NONE of them had all of the forms that I needed to keep me organized for the year. When the chance came to help create a planner that would try to meet ALL of the organizing needs of ANY homeschooling parent, I jumped at the opportunity! I feel that we have created an incredible product: a planner that includes forms to help organize BOTH the "school" and "house" parts of the home. Of course, we couldn't have done this without the outpouring of ideas that came from our customers. Each email was read carefully, notes were taken and then Heidi and I spent hours and HOURS working to create over 85 forms, all available in ONE product that is easily downloadable from anywhere in the world! You can buy The Schoolhouse Planner and begin using it the same day! I hope our customers are as pleased with it as I am!”
Heidi says: “I was so thrilled when I first saw the announcement that TOS was going to create a planner. To say that I was even more thrilled when I was asked to help create this planner would be an understatement. For years, I have looked for ‘the ultimate homeschool planner’, only to be disappointed by what is available on the market. I have continually made my own planning sheets to suit my needs. Now, not only were Kris and I given the opportunity to create what WE thought was the ultimate planner, but what YOU asked for in a planner as well. I’ve seen a lot of planners, but none with this amount of content. I am passionate about E-Books, so I’m thrilled to have this planner available in E-Book format. You might choose to print the whole planner, or maybe you will just want to print certain pages; it’s totally up to you. No two people’s planners will be alike; but each one will suit its owner’s needs. It is my hope that each one that purchases The Schoolhouse Planner will be as happy with it as I am, and will recognize the hard work and the heart that went into the creation of (what I like to call) ‘the Cadillac of planners!’”
Attention MAC users: In order to utilize all of the interactive features of this PDF you will need Adobe Reader which is a free download. Click HERE for the Macintosh download area
The download size of this pdf file is 8.2 MB. If you have dial-up or a slower internet connection we have also provided the download in a zip file. Please select below which version you would like to download.
A link to download your E-Book will be available in your account upon checkout.
Manufactured by:
The Old Schoolhouse - AffiliateItem #: ebok-TOS-planner
$39.00
California--Announcing the 15th Annual
Valley Home Educators Conference
Dear HSLDA members and friends:
The 15th Annual Valley Home Educators Conference is coming to your
area July 25-26, 2008. This event will be held at the Modesto Centre
Plaza, 100 L Street, Modesto, California 95354. We encourage you to
attend and take advantage of our special offers below. Our staff would
love to meet you. We count it a privilege to serve you, and appreciate
your partnership with us to defend homeschool freedoms.
This year, we have two special offers for members:
> If you join or renew your membership at the conference for one year,
you'll receive a $10 coupon that you can use toward your membership
(at the conference only) or for purchasing our materials. Or...
> Renew or join for two years and receive either a $25 coupon that you
can use toward your membership (at the conference only) or the Drive
Thru History America DVD and student workbook, retailed at $50.00,
FREE. Please visit http://www.hslda.org/join/offers.asp for more
information. (This offer does not include the $10 gift certificate.)
If you are not yet an HSLDA member or know someone else who might be
interested in joining, these same offers are available for families
who join at the conference.
Additionally, if you bring someone to our table who joins at the
conference, we'll give you another $10 coupon for your
recommendation--which you can also apply toward membership (at the
conference only) or HSLDA products.
Please note that these offers are only valid at the conference. For
more information about the 15th Annual Valley Home Educators
Conference, please contact VHE at 209-303-3986,
leisa@valleyhomeeducators.org, or visit www.valleyhomeeducators.org .
We are keenly aware that our parental and homeschool freedoms are best
preserved when we all stand together to defend them. We look forward
to seeing you soon!
From HSLDA's California page: http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/ca/200807110.asp
Thank you for your continued prayers for the California homeschooling case, In re Rachel L. Last night, Mr. L’s attorney in the juvenile court reported to Home School Legal Defense Association that the juvenile court judge terminated jurisdiction over the two youngest L children in a hearing held on July 10, 2008. Mr. L is represented by Gary Kreep, who is the director of the California-based United States Justice Foundation, which has long been a close ally of HSLDA and homeschoolers in California.
Two years ago, the children’s court-appointed lawyers had asked that the two children be ordered to attend a school outside the home. That request became the basis for the court’s February ruling that homeschooling is illegal in California. The appellate court later vacated its own decision and set the case for rehearing. Oral argument on the rehearing was held on June 23, 2008 and a decision could be handed down at any time.
Mr. L’s appellate attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund will be making the appellate court aware of this new development immediately. They will move to dismiss the petition pending in the court of appeal on the ground that the petition is now moot. In other words, the children are no longer under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. Therefore, any decision by the appellate court based on the two-year-old petition could not be enforced against the L children.
“This is a significant favorable development toward preserving homeschooling freedom in California,” said Mike Farris, Chairman and Founder of HSLDA.
Every Christmas the Home School Foundation sends cards to those who have received assistance from the Foundation. This year HSF is hosting a special contest which gives homeschoolers (both students and teachers!) an opportunity to design the artwork for the Christmas greeting card. Entrants must choose from one of the following categories. You are limited to one entry per person; deadline is August 1.
Category 1: Christmas Memories Category 2: Seasonal Beauty of God’s Creation Category 3: Christ’s Birth—The First Christmas
Special Announcement: Liberty's Kids will air on HISTORYTM on weekday
mornings at 7am/6c!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Special Announcement: Liberty's Kids
Episodes air weekday mornings at 7am/6c!
Liberty's Kids is an animated series which offers a fresh and unique
perspective on the era of the American Revolution. Guided through the
colonies by a young British girl named Sarah, her politically engaged
friend James, a former slave named Moses, and a French boy named
Henri, viewers learn about this extraordinary era through the eyes of
these eager correspondents. Episodes in the popular cartoon series
span the years between 1773 and 1789, providing viewers with an
exciting way to travel through the Revolutionary era. Each half-hour
episode of Liberty's Kids focuses on an important chapter in the story
of the unfolding conflict between Britain and the newly-formed United
States, introducing the key events, people, and ideas that drove the
transformations of the Revolutionary years.
A lively duo of budding journalists, Sarah and James develop their own
opinions as they hear the important debates and see critical events
transpire on their journey through the streets of the revolutionary
colonies. Along the way, they learn about how and why issues with the
British crown reached a breaking point, and see how the promises of
American democracy were born. From the Boston Tea Party through the
Continental Congress and beyond, this series provides teachers and
students with an engaging window into the critical turning points of
these years. Through the commentary of Sarah, James and a host of
everyday characters and well-known leaders such as John Adams, Patrick
Henry, and Phillis Wheatley, viewers gain new insights into the chaos
and possibility in the air as the Revolution unfolded and the new
nation took shape.
Curriculum Links: Liberty's Kids would be useful building content background for social
studies, U.S. history, politics, and civics courses. Though it is
geared toward elementary and middle school viewers, high school
students and educators will also enjoy this series. Liberty's Kids
covers many of the key events and people of the American Revolutionary
era. Check your local TV listings for specific episode information.
All My Books is a wonder of wonders for the book lover. If you are like me then you have shelves and shelves, bookcases and bookcases of the written word in your home. How to keep track of all those jewels in one place? This is where All My Books fits in! It keeps track of your collection for you! Check out All My Books at http://www.bolidesoft.com/allmybooks.html for your book inventory software.
All My Books is an EASY book inventory software to use: All you have to type to get complete information about a book is to fill one of the fields - book title, author name or ISBN. Select the necessary book from the search results and all the information is before your eyes, including the book cover! This way you can add hundreds of books per hour! Then, all the advantages of the electronic book organizer become available - quick search, grouping and sorting by various fields, automatic calculation of statistical data and others.
I'm a mom of twelve and don't have a whole lot of time to keep track of my books and Audio CDs.. All My Books is about to change that. I won't rebuy the same book twice, I'll know who I lent a book to, and I can easily send my book list to a friend if needed. There is even a spot to note where your book is located. No more wondering, "Now where did I put that book?" You'll know! The possibilities are unlimited!
Easily download your book inventory software All My Books from http://www.bolidesoft.com/allmybooks.html for a free thirty day trial. If you love it like I think you will the cost is $34.95 or take advantage of their special offers!
About BOOK IT! Beginners BOOK IT! Beginners is a read-aloud program that builds reading-readiness skills and establishes an at-home reading routine by providing interactive classroom materials to teachers. These materials add an exciting, hands-on activity to read-aloud time.
A literacy activity with a strong parent component, BOOK IT! Beginners was established in 1998 and reaches over 1.7 million children.
In the Classroom
Teachers read to the children in their class at least 60 minutes a week during March and April. They write the name of each book they read – or the amount of time read – on an interactive cutout which children then place on the BOOK IT! Beginners poster. At the end of each four-week reading period, teachers present each of the children in their class with a Reading Award Certificate.
At Home
Children who are read to at home show more interest in books, have a higher vocabulary, and learn to read more easily. Teachers are encouraged to provide a supply of the cutouts for parents to use at home when they read aloud to their child to involve the family and establish an at-home reading routine that will continue into elementary school. Reading aloud cannot be done too early or too often!
At Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is proud of every BOOK IT! Beginner! The restaurant manager and team congratulate each child for listening to the teacher read and reward them with a free, one-topping Personal Pan Pizza and an “I’m a BOOK IT! Beginner” Activity Sticker Sheet on both visits.
Who is eligible for the BOOK IT! Program for homeschools?
Any student in grades K-6 (5 years old by September of current school year) that is homeschooled and does not attend any other educational facility.
What are the program dates for 2008-09?
October 1, 2008, through March 31, 2009.
When will the 2008-09 materials be shipped to enrolled homeschools?
Materials will arrive by early to mid-September.
Today my third son graduated from home schooling! For thirteen years we have "officially" been learning together. He is going to San Diego Christian College in the fall and went to their orientation today. That's three students down and nine to go.
Free Download: Marilyn's Favorite Character Qualities for Moms (See information at the end of this e-mail.) Featuring products developed by Rick & Marilyn Boyer, homeschool parents of 14.
We're making room for a ton of new products,
and we must clear some shelves!
Take advantage of incredibly low prices now
on top-quality books, toys, dolls, etc.
Only a few items are left in some categories,
and when they're gone—they're gone!
A Sampling of Clearance Items
• Mary Doll (and other Bible character dolls)
• Bug Jar Fill and Spill (and other activity books) • Children are a Gift Tote
• Chunky Construction Puzzle (and other puzzles)
• Construction Magnetic Board (and other magnetic boards)
• Growing Up a Country Boy (...Country Girl)
• Leaders in Action Series (and other biographies)
Check out the Boyer's Seminar Audios Section on our website
for Rick's and Marilyn's encouraging, practical workshops.
We are offering all remaining workshops on cassette for only $2 each,
such as these and more: • Home Education-What it's Done For our Family
• Reclaiming the American Vision • What about Socialization?
• What is an Education?
"That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, that they may arise and tell them to their children, that they should put their confidence in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments."
Psalm 78:6-7
By Marilyn Boyer
This is a list of character qualities that Marilyn has personalized to help her internalize the character qualities vital to being a good mom. If you don't understand the meaning of the character qualities, it's hard to know how to work on demonstrating it in your life. Use this list as a springboard to help you write your own to use in training your little ones to serve our wonderful Savior!
No Purchase Necessary.Order online. Use coupon code MOMS.
Thanks for all that you have done for homeschoolers over the years. Joining HSLDA each year gave me a feeling of security and support that helped me continue homeschooling for what is now my 15th year.
—Anna L., Cynthiana, KY
Looking back over the last 25 years, we are humbled by the ways God has used Home School Legal Defense Association and our member families to further homeschool freedom in this country and even around the world.
HSLDA was founded in 1983, with the goal of establishing the legal right of parents to teach their children at home. At the time, co-founders and attorneys Mike Farris and Mike Smith were homeschooling their own children and offering legal aid to homeschooling families facing stringent state laws and regulations. Some of these families were being threatened with truancy charges, arrest, and even loss of custody of their children.
Now, 25 years later, homeschooling is legal in some form in all 50 states, homeschool laws are constantly being improved, and HSLDA member families number over 80,000. By banding together, homeschoolers have made their voice heard in state and federal government.
As we celebrate 25 years of homeschoolers working together, we ask our members and friends of homeschooling to join with us in celebrating what God has done!
We invite you to participate in a year packed full of celebration: From special online contests to regional receptions that your family can attend to an open house at HSLDA’s office in northern Virginia, there’s something fun for everyone! Watch your mailbox and check back at this web page for more details coming soon.
Topic: “What is your family’s favorite or funniest homeschool moment ever?” Instructions: Describe it in 50 words or less. Winners: One winner per month of the quarter Award: $50 cash award
Today our ISP had a used curriculum sale. Sellers included moms who have students graduating, books that didn't quite work out for a family, or students that have grown older with no littles after them in the family gave many shoppers an opportunity for some great deals. I was one of the fortunate shoppers who found some great steals deals.
I shopped one ladies area who had lots and lots of A Beka books, many of them for younger and upper elementary. I stacked and stacked and asked for a total. $40 I was told. $40?!!! Are you kidding me?! I totaled up what I would have spent if I had bought them new and I would have spent $213.00. I saved $173.00.
I walked on and visited when I came to a friend I hadn't seen in a while. When you've been home schooling for nineteen years you come across ALOT of old acquaintances at these types of events.
I found a current Chalk Dust Basic Math set in Video Cassette from for $30. The textbook itself sells for $65. The solutions manual is $35.00. Then she threw in a Pre-Algebra set for free because the textbook is missing some pages. It's not current, but maybe I'll run across someone who has the book fully in tact.
My heart just couldn't take any more great deals, but I came across more. I'm teaching a Learning with Games class at our ISP next school year and my friend was selling thirteen learning games for $1.00 each. There were Bingo games of various kinds, phonics games, rhyming words games, and a puzzle of the USA.
This was only the first sale of the year. I can't imagine what other great deals I'm going to come across. Get out there and shop and visit and you'll find some great deals too!
***** ***** ***** *****
JOINT LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - January 25, 2008
From: Roy Hanson's Private and Home Educators of California and HSLDA
***** ***** ***** *****
Announcing the availability of our new paper, SB 777 - An Analysis.
This paper provides a detailed analysis of the new law that promotes
homosexuality in schools (SB 777 by State Senator Sheila Kuehl - D
Santa Monica). This analysis is available at www.pheofca.org, or www.hslda.org/hs/state/CA .
***** ***** ***** *****
On January 1, 2008, SB 777 became law in California. SB 777 deals
primarily with what constitutes discrimination against homosexuals in
schools. Many questions have been asked about the impact of SB 777,
what it has changed, and whether or not it affects private schools,
including private home schools. SB 777 changed numerous sections in
the Education Code. The most significant changes to four sections in
the Education Code are explained in a new detailed analysis, which has
been prepared by Private and Home Educators of California in
conjunction with attorneys at Home School Legal Defense Association.
This new analysis attempts to answer many of the questions that have
been asked about SB 777. We recommend that you read our paper, SB 777
- Private Schools & Private Home Schools (October 17, 2007) before
reading this new analysis.
Both our first paper, SB 777 - Private Schools & Private Home Schools,
and this new analysis, SB 777 - An Analysis, are available either at www.pheofca.org, or www.hslda.org/hs/state/CA.
***** ***** ***** *****
Permission given to reprint or forward this Newsflash unaltered to
your friends, church, school, and group.
***** ***** ***** *****
Roy Hanson's HELP Tree
Private and Home Educators of California
P.O. Box 730
Lincoln, CA 95648-0730
Fax: (916) 415-9470 helptree@sbcglobal.net
***** ***** ***** *****
The purpose of this communication is to present information and
express our position on the issues addressed. We encourage you to
research this for yourself and come to your own conclusions.
Regardless of your position, we strongly urge you to exercise your
constitutional right to express your position to your elected
representatives. We have included an example of how we have expressed
our position.
***** ***** ***** *****
DISCLAIMER: We are not responsible for the accuracy of copies printed,
forwarded, or sent by any party other than directly from Private and
Home Educators of California.
***** ***** ***** *****
======================================================================
The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of:
Home School Legal Defense Association
P.O. Box 3000
Purcellville, Virginia 20134
Phone: (540) 338-5600
Fax: (540) 338-2733
Email: info@hslda.org
Web: http://www.hslda.org
At birthdayalarm.com you can set up a free account and then send an email to your family and friends to have them add their families birthdays and anniversaries to your account! Then you will be sent email reminders of upcoming events.
Our e-Newsletters give you wonderful, informative information about homeschooling, news bits, contests and PRIZES for homeschoolers, articles to encourage you, calls for writers, free unit studies and lesson plans, and just a lot of FUN. Bring the community to your inbox – and no worries, we never sell, trade or give your email or any other information out to anyone.
Come join the homeschool party!
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