The 2009 Homeschool Planner Topic: Homeschool Product Review
Scene One - Panicky Homeschool Mom - A Month Before School Begins:
I'm homeschooling Danny this year. That makes four kids!
How am I going to keep everyone straight?
What about scheduling?
What about lesson plans?
Scene Two - Harried Homeschool Mom - Two Months Later:
Johnie, you're going to have to use the computer to find that capital. Wait a minute. Debbie's using it for her book report.
We really need a new computer but we're never able to stay on budget.
No, Danny, I don't know the name of that other library book, but you'd better find it. It's due today!
*Ring, ring* Hello. I'm sorry Honey. No I don't know what we're having for supper tonight. Could you just pick up a pizza on the way home? Yes I know that we've already had take out three times this week, but I just can't seem to get everything done. This homeschool group planning has really bogged me down. I just don't have time to plan a menu.
Scene Three - Calm, Organized Homeschool Mom - Four Months Later:
Debbie when you get done looking that up, it's Johnie's turn to use the computer. Until then, I think there's something about the presidents in our Schoolhouse Planner.
Only two more months, kids, and we should be able to buy that new laptop. I'm sure thankful for the Schoolhouse Planner's Budget Sheets.
Danny the list of your library books is posted on the refrigerator on the Schoolhouse Planner's library items list. Check it out, please, and see when they are due.
*Ring, ring* Hello. Yes Dear. I think I'm going to try that new Chicken and Rice recipe I found in the Schoolhouse Planner. What? Oh, no need to pick up anything. I used one of the grocery lists from my Schoolhouse Planner and have everything we need. I love you too Dear. Bye
*Ring, ring* Oh, hello Babs. Yes, everything is planned for the homeschool group tomorrow. I used the Co-op planning list from my Schoolhouse Planner. I wanted to ask if you got yours yet? Yes, isn't it wonderful?! Since I received mine, I have been so much calmer. Not as much stress. And the kids are calmer, too. Since using the homeschool schedulers from the Planner the day is so much easier. Oh, yes, the lapbook section was worth it all! Have you tried that July recipe...
Oh, ok, I know the above scenerio sounds like "Leave it to Beaver", but being a homeschooling mother (or father ) can be stressful. You have to make sure you have lesson plans, and a grade book, and book report forms, and a schedule, and...and...and! When I first started, I looked all over the internet and downloaded everything I could get. Then I would have to remember which file I stored it all in! Boy, I wish I would have had the Schoolhouse Planner back then. I even wish I had it before then! The Homeschool Planner was written by homeschool parents from suggestions that came from homeschool parents. It has everything you can think of whether it has to do with homeschooling or not. The table of contents(pdf) itself is six (6-SIX) pages long! And, listen to this. When I first downloaded all of those lesson plan forms, schedules, etc. I had to print them out, then fill them out, then put them in a binder, etc. With this downloaded e-book, you can fill everything out right on your computer and then print it out or save it for later! But, let me quit talking about it and show you.
There is a Calender section with timely homeschool articles, resource lists and easy recipes (yes, I said recipes) for each month.
There is a Miscellaneous Educational Information section with all kinds of helpful information from homeschoolers and non-homeschoolers alike.
There's the great, ready to type on, Homeschool Form section with 77 (Seventy Seven!) different forms. Many, like the Nature Journal and the Library Item list, can be used by non-homeschool families as well.
Perhaps the most surprising section is the Household Forms section. This one would be worth the price all by itself. There are over 40 forms in this section. Anything from household chore forms to budget forms to menu planning lists. All, of course, can be typed on straight from the computer.
I know, this sounds too good to be true, but, don't take my word for it, click here and check out the table of contents(pdf) yourself. After you check that out, you can find more information by clicking on any one of the links above or here and you will go to TOS's Homeschool Planner page.
Remember, I told you from the beginning that I would be honest with you about anything that I review here. I would not have thought about buying this until I actually was able to see one for myself. However, after seeing it, I love it and am looking forward to using it this school year. The Homeschool Planner is one of those items where you have to buy it, see it and use it before you are convinced. For some, the price of $39 might scare them away from trying something new. First of all, I can assure you that the Planner is worth it. Second of all, the planner comes with a money back guarantee. So, don't like it, you'll get your money back! If you order before July 12 you even receive all of the 2008 Planner excerpts for FREE! So, what are you waiting for? Whether you homeschool or not, TOS's Homeschool Planner can help you get organized and quit being stressed. Go over to The Old Schoolhouse's website and check it out.
Off to the Carnival Again Mood: on fire Topic: Blog Carnivals!
No, I'm not at a real carnival, but at another blog carnival. But, they are almost just as fun as the real things! This time it's the Blast from the Past carnival hosted on Debbies Digest. Please join us at the carnival and have some fun! Just click on any of the highlighted links and remember to not eat too much junk food.
I'm Going to a Carnival (In Fact I've Already Been!) Mood: happy Topic: General
When I was younger, I used to love to go to the carnival and the fair. The little village where I grew up (yes, they actually called it a village - "The Village of Glen Richey") held the Fireman's Carnival every year up at the Fire Hall. A small carnival would come and set up rides and games, plus the local volunteer fire department would have fund raising booths and games. For weeks ahead of time, you could by "strips" of tickets for the rides at the carnival. It may have only had 5 or 6 rides, but it was a big deal for us!
But, the big event in the area, was the Clearfield County Fair! It had a huge parade, fireworks, grandstand shows, harness races, and acres and acres of midway and animal barns and food stands! It was (and still is) one of the biggest county fairs in Pennsylvania. Mom used to have a Tupperware booth at the fair, so we used to get in free! It was always a great week!
Recently, I became aware of another type of carnival - a blog carnival. www.blogcarnival.com explains a blog carnival this way:
We think blog carnivals are a great way for bloggers to recognize each other's efforts, organize blog posts around important topics, and improve the overall level of conversation in the blogosphere. Carnivals come in edited "editions", just like magazines or journals. The fact that carnivals are edited (and usually annotated) collections of links lets them serve as "magazines" within the blogosphere, and carnival hosts can earn their readership by providing high quality collections.
I thought that entering one of my posts into a blog carnival might be fun, so I tried it out and...my post was accepted! It was published today in this weeks edition of "The Carnival of Homeschooling". This weeks host for the carnival is Superangel, and you can find the link here. Check it out! There are a lot of great posts on there...including mine! Let me know what you think!
Sarah is Taking the Plunge! Mood: cool Topic: Book Reviews
No, not a plunge into the pool (although swimming is one of our favorite summer pastimes). She's taking the review plunge. I found out recently that some of the ladies who are on the TOS Homeschool Crew with me not only review homeschool curriculum, but Christian books as well. I knew that I wouldn't have time to do something like that, but thought that Sarah might be interested. Sure enough, she was! So far, just to get her feet wet, she has signed up with three companies to review books. And, although she always claimed that blogging was my thing, she may even start her own blog! Right now, though, she is going to use the Families Again blog to post her reviews.
I'm really excited for her. She has always been an avid reader, and she is also an excellent writer. This way, she can utilize two of her favorite hobbies at one time! And, she will get some free books to boot!
I don't know quite how we are going to do it yet. There are so many things that I want to start including in this blog, that I may have to have some theme days. Maybe curriculum reviews on Monday, Book reviews on Tuesdays, Ministry news on Wednesdays, Family news on Thursdays, etc. We'll find some way to do it. It may not be feasable to do weekly themes, but we'll put our heads together and announce the schedule soon. Meanwhile, if you have any suggestions for some theme days, theme names or a schedule, just make a comment or drop us an email at either tink38570@yahoo.com (Tim's email) or set1993@gmail.com (Sarah's email). We're looking forward to hearing from you! Exciting things are coming. Keep checking the blog frequently.
Getting My House in Order Mood: d'oh Topic: Family
Recently I read a blog about a homeschooler who is a firm believer in "A place for everything and everything in it's place". I thought to myself, "Well, that fits me". However, it doesn't always fit me in a good way. For example, my place for my dirty clothes is, of course, behind the bedroom door. And my clean clothes? They stay in the laundry basket beside my bed. You get the picture. Unfortunately, my kids are following right in step with their dear old dad (no comments on the old part please). Their place for their dirty dishes is...right where they left them! Clean dishes? Their home is in the dishwasher until needed. As you can see, the Tinkel household is in serious need of a makeover. Makeover of the bad habits of the men that is. Sarah does the best she can do, poor thing. If it were up to her the phrase "a place for everything and everything in it's place" would become law in our home. And I'm talking in the good way, not the bad.
Unfortunately, she is going to have to have the men of the house cooperate and I am bound and determined to help her. There are too many upcoming events that require a clean and organized dwelling place. Later this month, a friend is coming to help us with our summer ministries. That requires turning our spare bedroom back into a spare bedroom and not a junk room. My upcoming commitment to the Homeschool Crew requires mega organization. Those are only two examples of things that are happening in the near future. Without these changes, we are simply not going to make it through the months ahead.
While writing this, I was reminded of how God wants a clean and organized abode as well. His home should be even more important than our home. I was reminded of three things that need to continuously be maintained in our lives.
1. God wants our minds to continuously dwell on Him. That requires cleaning out all of the bad thoughts and replacing them with His Word.
2. God wants our hearts to be His throne room. So often we allow our hearts to become cluttered with other things, until, soon, there is no more room for Him on His throne. God wants us to decorate His throne room with scripture. We are to hide His word in our hearts.
3. God is not a God of chaos, He is a God of order. He desires our lives to be orderly and not chaotic. This requires much prayer on our part. Prayer that God would teach us to prioritize His way and not our way. Prayer that God would keep our feet firmly on His path and not wander in our own direction.
Bible study, Bible memorization and prayer are the things that God demands for a clean, healthy, spiritual life. In the days, weeks and months ahead, please pray that not only will I get my physical home in order, but my spiritual one as well. That will be the only way that I can live a healthy, clean, organized and prosperous life, both inside and out.
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) can be stressful. You have to make sure you have lesson plans, and a grade book, and book report forms, and a schedule, and...and...and! When I first started, I looked all over the internet and downloaded everything I could get. Then I would have to remember which file I stored it all in! Boy, I wish I would have had the Schoolhouse Planner back then. I even wish I had it before then! The Homeschool Planner was written by homeschool parents from suggestions that came from homeschool parents. It has everything you can think of whether it has to do with homeschooling or not. The table of contents(pdf) itself is six (6-SIX) pages long! And, listen to this. When I first downloaded all of those lesson plan forms, schedules, etc. I had to print them out, then fill them out, then put them in a binder, etc. With this downloaded e-book, you can fill everything out right on your computer and then print it out or save it for later! But, let me quit talking about it and show you.
on fire
happy
cool
d'oh
