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Homeschool Ideas & Tips >
Homeschool Ideas & Tips Newsletter January 2005
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*** Hello from Charmaine ***
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Dearest Reader,
I trust that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas
and that you’re off to a good start in the new year of
2005.
This month I am offering some thoughts on dealing with
daily interruptions as well as some tips on keeping the
toddlers and preschoolers occupied while teaching the
younger ones. I hope you will find these ideas helpful.
If you’re willing to help me out(and interested in winning
some fr*e coaching sessions) see the “What’s New With
Victory Coaching” section in this newsletter. I could use
your help with a new feature on my website
Blessings on your day,
Charmaine
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*** In This Issue ***
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1. Ideas: Dealing with Daily Interruptions
2. Tips: Keeping Toddlers and Preschoolers Occupied
3. What's New with Victory Coaching?
4. About Charmaine
5. Testimonial
6. Quote of the Month
7. Funny of the Month
8. The Small Print
9. In Our Next Issue
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*** Ideas ***
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Interruptions in our school day – are they simply a fact of
life that we have to put up with or are there things we can
do to control them? I believe the answer for both
questions is “yes”. In many ways, interruptions are just a
fact of life: the baby gets sick, the insurance man stops
by or glass of juice gets spilled. These kinds of
interruptions are usually unavoidable. However, there are
many interruptions in our day that can be avoided. Let’s
look at some of them as well as some possible solutions.
Perhaps one of the biggest interruptions is the telephone.
For this interruption, answering machines and Caller I.D.
can be very helpful, making it possible to only answer the
most critical calls. If it is friends or relatives
calling, explain to them that you will not be available
during certain times of the day and ask them not to call
during those times. The goal is to set appropriate limits,
not totally isolate yourself nor allow unnecessary
interruptions.
Lack of a schedule in the homeschool can also bring many
unwanted interruptions. Don’t be afraid to set goals for
the day and stick to them. In order to stay on task and
accomplish our goals for each day, I had to think of that
time in the same way I would an outside job. If I were
working an outside job, I wouldn’t be using my time at work
to talk on the phone with friends, go to non-related
meetings and appointments or do household chores or crafts.
In the same way, during the hours that I had scheduled for
school time, I did not allow for time with friends and
relatives, appointments, meetings or housework unless it
was directly related to our school goals.
Some interruptions can be used in a positive way to build
character in your children. For instance, dealing with
toddlers and preschoolers, while teaching the older ones,
will bring many character building opportunities. The
toddlers and preschoolers can learn that certain behavior
is expected at certain times and that they need to wait
their turn, not interrupt and sit or play quietly for a
period of time. Likewise, the older children can learn to
cultivate patience and the ability to stay on task even
with some interruptions. Neither of these will happen
overnight and will take training from you but they are
worth the effort. (For some great ideas for occupying
toddlers and preschoolers during school time, read on to
the “Tips” section of this newsletter.)
Let’s face it; there will be interruptions during school
days. Some you can control (the phone) and others you
can’t (a sick child). Try to look at interruptions as
opportunities to teach and model “real life” for your
children. Handling interruptions with flexibility, as well
as the ability to stay on task in spite of them, will teach
your children important lessons for their life well beyond
their school years.
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*** Tips ***
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Here are some tips for dealing with infants, toddlers and
preschoolers while you teach the older ones.
*Baby’s nap time is a good time to focus on older students.
Adjust the school schedule to take advantage of nap times.
*Set aside special “school” toys that the toddler or
preschooler is allowed to play with only during school
time.
*Try to find something similar to what the older children
are doing for the little ones to do at the same time. For
instance, if you’re doing writing, give him paper, crayons
and an “assignment”. If it’s math time, give him his own
manipulatives to sort, count and stack.
*Have older children take turns reading or playing with the
younger ones so that you can direct your attention
elsewhere for a time.
*Invest in some good audio story tapes (or get them from
your library) and use them to occupy the toddlers and
preschoolers for 15 to 30 minutes at a time.
Here are two sources on the internet where you can find
more ideas for occupying toddlers and preschoolers:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Aegean/3446/keeplittleones.html
http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/preschool_activities.htm
If the links do not work when you click on them, then copy
and paste them into your browser.
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*** What’s New with Victory Coaching? ***
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I would like to add a Frequently Asked Questions page to my
website. So, I need some frequently asked questions!
If you’d like a chance to win 3 fr*e coaching sessions,
just email me a minimum of 5 questions you have about:
- coaching in general
- my coaching practice(i.e. fees, how it works, how long
it takes etc.)
- my personal beliefs, homeschooling experience etc.
- any other questions you think others might like answered
on my website.
It may be helpful to go to my website to see what’s there
to give you some ideas for questions.
www.victorycoaching.citymax.com
Deadline for emailing your questions is January 31, 2005.
Your name will go into a drawing which will be held in the
first week of February, 2005 (for 3 fr*e coaching
sessions).
Send your questions to:
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com
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*** About Charmaine ***
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Charmaine Wistad has successfully homeschooled her two
children from pre-school through high school. Now she is
turning her attention toward helping other homeschooling
moms.
Through regularly scheduled telephone coaching sessions,
Charmaine helps homeschool moms identify and define their
ideal homeschooling lifestyle, then make a plan and set the
realistic goals to achieve it. She also provides the
accountability necessary to carry through and have true
victory. Charmaine helps homeschool moms THRIVE…not just
survive.
Be sure to visit her website:
www.victorycoaching.citymax.com and sign up for her
Free* Homeschool Ideas & Tips Newsletter.
You are also invited to try a free* no-obligation telephone
coaching session. You'll be amazed at how much can be
accomplished in just one session!
Email to request your free* sample session at:
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com.
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*** Testimonial ***
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Dear Charmaine,
Thank you for your service and work on my behalf. The Lord
is so faithful to meet us and supply our every need. He
knew I needed you and I am thankful for you and the way you
helped me find clarity in the midst of confusion.
Blessings,
Susan - a homeschool mom
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*** Quote of the Month ***
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"One person with a belief is equal to a force of
ninety-nine who have only interests."
- John Stuart Mill -
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*** Funny of the Month ***
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The following are different answers given by school-age
children to the given questions:
Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Think about it, it was the best way to get more people.
3. Mostly to clean the house.
4. To help us out of there when we were getting born.
How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. He made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just
used bigger parts.
Why did God give you your mother and not some other Mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's
moms like me.
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***The Small Print ***
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If you enjoyed this newsletter, please forward it to
everyone you know. Thanks!
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Not signed up to receive this newsletter?
Just go to www.victorycoaching.citymax.com and look for:
"Fr*ee Ideas & Tips Ezine ".
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Honoring Your Privacy:
Your privacy is completely and utterly protected.
I will not sell or give away your name or email. You have
my word on it!
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If you no longer wish to receive this Newsletter:
please send an email with the word 'unsubscribe'
in the subject line to:
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com
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I would love to hear from you! But please do not reply to
this newsletter. It is sent out automatically and I will
not receive your reply. Instead, send your comments and
ideas for future issues to:
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com
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Homeschooling Ideas and Tips Copyright 2005,
Victory Coaching
www.victorycoaching.citymax.com
All rights in all media reserved.
The content of Homeschooling Ideas and Tips
may be forwarded in full without special permission
provided it is used for nonprofit purposes and full
attribution and copyright notice are given. For other
purposes, please contact:
Charmaine Wistad
P.O. Box 343
Spooner, WI 54801
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com
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*** In Our Next Issue ***
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Ideas and Tips for Valentine’s Day
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