Special Connection Homeschool

This year during the Christmas season we are trying to focus more on giving to those in need than giving and receiving presents under the tree. This video is a great example of why we are doing what we are. [AC] Promo 2011 from Advent Conspiracy on Vimeo . Here are some great places to shop and give during this holiday season. These are places that we have purchased gifts to give our loved ones this year. We were excited because it not only will give our loved ones pleasure but the purchase provides help, hope and sustainable income to those in poverty. The products are amazing and the service is incredible so give them a try! (I know it's late this season but keep these in mind throughout the year. They would be great for birthdays or any day.) Shopping WorldCrafts "WorldCrafts SM develops sustainable, fair-trade businesses among impoverished people around the world. Our vision is to offer an income with dignity and the hope of everlasting life to every person on...

For those who don't know, Pizza Hut has a Book It Reading Incentive Program that offers free pizzas to kids just for reading books. This program is available to homeschoolers as well. We are doing Book It this year and Gess is thrilled getting her pizzas! She has always enjoyed reading, but since her school year is a bit more packed I noticed she wasn't reading as much as she used to. Reminding her she will get a free pizza for reading seems to help her remember to do it. Today, during a massive amount of holiday and grocery shopping I thought it would be the perfect time to redeem that coupon from last month. Thanks Pizza hut for making our day brighter and reading lots of fun!

Gess and I have been reading through the Christmas story in the Bible during her devotional time each day. It is, of course, one that she is very familiar with. The other day, when she had some free time, I asked her to go write her own book about Christmas. I stapled some construction paper together and set her off on her own. I guess it shouldn't have surprised me that she wrote the story from the Bible. While her version of the book wasn't very "wordy" it certainly had every aspect of the story there (and with NO guidance from me). Here you can see, each page (including the cover) in order. She did a good job, don't you think? That was just something I had her do on a whim. For actual craft time I went again to Kaboose and found a Craft Stick Christmas Tree Ornament Craft to do. (It is under the Easy Christmas Ornaments craft section.) You can find the directions on their page. First you paint the craft sticks. You paint one brown for the trunk (it ...

Gess' favorite subject is Science. It just so happens that it is not mine. Granted we found some curriculum that makes it easy enough. Still, I always had trouble getting around to the experiments. I just have so much else to do and messing up my kitchen during the time I usually am about to start cleaning it isn't really motivation for me. So, we came up with a solution. We now study the material during the school week and daddy and Gess do the experiment for it on the weekend! This semester we were using the Real Science 4 Kids Pre-Level 1 Chemistry book. I had blogged previously about how we were using this but because I never got around to the experiments I gave up and went with other Science options. However, now that daddy is helping, we will have this book completed by the end of the semester! (I had also mentioned how you could purchase this product by the chapter, but they don't allow you to do that anymore.) Gess looks really forward to the experiments...

How would you like to get one of these forts for your kid for Christmas absolutely free? Well, Toydle has teamed up with the TOS Homeschool Crew to give away, not one, not two, but THREE of these forts which are valued at $240.00 each! As a member of the Crew , I am not eligible, but I would be thrilled if one of my readers won one. Visit the TOS Homeschool Blog to find out how to enter your chance to win this Toydle fort for that special child on your Christmas list. Good luck! I hope one of you wins!