Homefires Journal

"It's time to remove the fetish that says that correct spelling is a principle mark of being educated. ...Text messaging, e-mail and Internet chat rooms are showing us the way forward for English."

• Over 37,000 words, including plurals, contractions, future and past tenses.
• 8 spelling games! Students can play games with their spelling words that are automatically generated by a program at the website.
• A REAL human voice that pronounces the spelling words and sentences making it easier to understand and learn.
• A "Teach Me" function that spells out the word using both visual and auditory input to improve retention.
• The ability for teachers and parents to enter and save their own spelling lists for their students/children.
  

• Spelling Hangman - This classic kids game helps hone spelling in a fun and engaging way.
• Word Safari Game - Practice spelling while playing a fun online video game.
• Alphabet Soup Spelling Game - Try this arcade style game that will challenge your spelling skills.
• Spelling Games - Play and learn with these games based on the Dolch Sight Words list.
• Catch the Spelling - This site was designed for ESL students, but can be used for grades Pre-K through 8 (approximately). Players use the arrows on their computer keyboard to move "the catcher" to catch falling letters in the correct order to spell out a designated word. Younger children and non-readers will need parental help.
• Scrabble, Boggle, and UpWords - These terrific board games from Hasbro improve spelling skills. Click on the link to play the games online for free.
• Funbrain: Spell Check - Need a little drill and practice work? This site offers an easy and hard spelling test. There are 20 sets of 4 words offered in each test. The Spell Check game is designed for 4th grade through Middle School. Younger children may find the Spellaroo version of the game on this site a little less difficult.
  

Getting The Most From Homeschool Park Days

Homeschool Park Days — The Answer To "What About Socialization?"

Whether you are thinking about homeschooling or plan to begin homeschooling in September, SUMMER is a great time to get connected with other homeschool families at PARK DAYS!

During the summer, most homeschool support groups continue to meet at weekly Park Days where you can get together with other homeschool families for socialization. You can ask questions about every aspect of homeschooling while your kids meet and play with some new homeschool friends - before the new school year begins!

Going to your first Park Day can be a little awkward - it's like going to a party where you don't know anyone. Some groups have designated "greeters" who will welcome you and introduce you to others, but most do not. Because parents may be preoccupied with their own kids or with talking to friends - it may feel a little "unwelcoming" at first. That means you may have to step outside your comfort zone and be assertive.

Take some friendly initiative to introduce yourself and your children and ask questions. By doing that you may meet another family or two that you "click" with - and that will open the door to all kinds of educational and social opportunities for you and your children. However, that doesn't always happen on a first visit.

My rule of thumb is this: Go to the same Park Day at least THREE TIMES before you determine whether or not it's a good fit for you and your family. That's because not all of the people who belong to the support group attend the Park Day every week. Keep going back and you will eventually meet most of the "regulars."

If you go to a Park Day at least three times and you still don't make a connection, then try another Park Day held by a different support group. You may have to travel out of your immediate area to find just the right one for your family. Be willing to make the investment of time and gas money to do so - because making connections with other homeschool families is critical to your long-term success in homeschooling.

How do you find Homeschool Park Days?

Contact your local Homeschool Support Group. The National Home Education Network provides a U.S. directory, and the A to Z Home's Cool website provides a regional and worldwide listing as well.

It will serve you well to call or email the contact person for the group before you go to the Park Day. Find out:

• The name of a parent you can ask for when you get to the park.
• Ask if there are other children that are your child's age who attend the Park Day.
• Find out if the group has specific rules for behavior or conduct. (Some do, some don't.)
• Ask if the group meets at the same park each week, on the same day and time. (Some groups change locations, or rotate from one park to another.)

Getting this information in advance will save you time and frustration.

When you go to a Park Day for the first time - try to keep your expectations in check. Just tell the kids you're going to the park and that you may or may not meet some new people there. That way, if you don't make any connections - you can still enjoy your time at a new park with your children without any disappointment about not meeting new friends.

After attending several support group Park Days at least three times you still haven't made a connection - then consider starting your own group. If you decide to do that visit homeschool mom Annette Hall's website - LocalHS.com to get some good suggestions from parents who have been there, done that. (Be sure to click on the titles of the paragraphs - they link to further resources and information.)

Do make the effort to connect with the community that already exists first. It is very likely you will be rewarded with lasting friendships that will provide the support and encouragement you need as you begin your homeschool journey.

Summer not only provides great weather for Park Days - it's a good time to explore Summer Reading Programs and have fun with Summer Science Experiments too. This issue provides resources for both! Have fun!

Keep the homefires burning,

Diane Flynn Keith
Editor of Homefires & Author of Carschooling

P.S. If you are NOT already registered for the upcoming **Homefires' Homeschool Discovery Day Seminar in California** there are ONLY 5-DAYS LEFT to take advantage of the Early Bird Discount and save fifteen dollars per person to gain all of the information that will save you time and money and give you the confidence you need to homeschool your child successfully! Get more information and grab your spot today!

Labels: network, park day socialization, summer

Free Summer Reading Programs!

Motivate Your Kids To Read!

A recent advertisement for SCORE Educational Centers proclaimed, "A study conducted by Jimmy Kim of Harvard's Center for Evaluation found that reading 4 or 5 books over the summer months had an impact on fall reading achievement comparable to attending summer school."

After reading that ad, a homeschool friend said, "Love it! My guys read that much in a single week."

Books are a homeschoolers best friend. They are windows on the world that act as springboards to real learning. I know that when my kids read a book about the solar system it led to an exploration of astronomy coupled with frequent visits to planetariums. I kept a world globe handy and made a habit of finding countries on it as we read about them in books. We made a prolonged visit to Egypt amid the book stacks at the library. That "trip" evolved into our own experiments in creating fossils, pyramids, and hieroglyphics.

While many homeschoolers are avid readers, there are those that struggle with reading or are simply not motivated to read very much. Summer reading programs sponsored by libraries and corporations not only reward eager readers, but provide incentives that encourage the reluctant to read as well. Take advantage of them - they are great tools that may enhance your homeschool experience. Here are some free Summer Reading Programs that are available to all:

• About.com's Homeschooling Summer Reading Club - Homeschooled children in grades K-12 are eligible. Read books and when the total number of pages reaches 500 - win a certificate, stickers and a prize.
• Barnes And Noble Summer Reading Club - This reading program (for students in grades 1-6) is based on books by children's author, Andrew Clements. Read any 8 books and write about your favorite part. Bring a page of what you wrote to a Barnes & Noble bookstore and choose a free book from a list of paperback titles.
• Half Price Books' Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program - Children 10 and under (with help from mom or dad) log 15 minutes a day of reading time each week and earn a $3 gift card to Half Price Books, or a free Kids Buffet at Cici's Pizza. (This can only be redeemed at a retail location for either company.)
• National Amusements Cinema: Bookworm Wednesdays - Kids get free admission to a select children's film (at theater locations throughout the U.S.) every Wednesday at 10 AM from June 25 to August 13, 2008, when they present a book report at participating theatres. Children under 6 and adults who accompany a participant receive free admission to the Bookworm Wednesdays movie.
• Pizza Hut's Brain Food Summer Reading Program - Open to all K-6 students within the U.S. Each student must read a total of 5 books between June 13 and August 15, 2008. Send entry form that includes a short paragraph listing the student's favorite book and why. Many prizes awarded including Nintendo DS Lite. This is an extension of the Pizza Hut Book It Reading Program that runs from October 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009 where reading earns kids a personal pan pizza each month. You must sign up for the Book It program by June 30, 2008.
• Pottery Barn Book Club for Kids! - This is a year-round reading program. Kids of all ages can attend a story time at Pottery Barn on Tuesdays at 10 AM. Receive a Book Club Card at the first story time. Attend 5 more story times and receive a free gift!


• Scholastic's Summer Reading Buzz! - Keep your kids turning the pages all summer long! Just choose the appropriate grade level (from pre-k through middle school), and find printable best bets for summer reading. Log the books you read at the website and access games and fun activities too. For every 4 books read, Scholastic will donate one book to those in need.
• SCORE! Educational Centers' Summer Reading Program - Over the summer, students read books (at their grade level) to earn fabulous prizes such as a free pool pass to go swimming at the YMCA, or a free game of bowling at the local alley! Only available at participating SCORE centers. For information contact: Michael Solo, Community Outreach Director, SCORE! Educational Centers, Telephone (650) 948-8118.
• Sylvan Learning's Book Adventure - This year-round reading programs encourages kids to create their own book lists from over 6,000 recommended titles. They read the books and then take multiple choice quizzes on the books they've read offline. They earn points and prizes for their literary success.

Don't' forget to check your local library for summertime reading programs too!

Labels: bookworm, motivate, reading, summer