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Homeschool Ideas & Tips >
Homeschool Ideas & Tips Newsletter June 2003
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*** HELLO FROM CHARMAINE ***
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Dear Readers,
Hello from northern Wisconsin where spring has finally
decided it's safe to stay! We are wrapping up
our 11th year of homeschooling. I must admit that we are
all ready for a bit of a break. We have some fun family
activities planned for this summer (that are educational
too!). I'll be sure to tell you about them in future
newsletters. But for now....on with the Ideas & Tips that I
promised you.
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*** IDEA ***
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So Many Books - So Little Time
Here’s a solution!
As homeschoolers, we all know how important great
literature is to our children and our curriculum. Reading
aloud to our children is the number one recommendation for
helping our young children become reading-ready as well as
helping our older children develop a true love of great
words.
But, there’s so little time in the homeschool day! One
great solution is using audio books. Our family has
listened to many classics, biographies, plays and
non-fiction – both together and individually.
Here are some ideas for using audio books:
* Listen to a book while everyone is eating lunch.
* Take an audio book along on car trips…esp. vacation time.
* Establish a listen-before-bed-time routine.
* Have everyone work on a craft while listening to a book.
* Turn off the TV or radio and listen to a book instead.
* Hand out paper, pencils, crayons etc. Have everyone draw
while listening.
* Assign audio books to individual students and have them
listen in their room.
Not sure where to find audio books? Try these resources:
* Your local library or, if you live in a rural area, try
library interloan.
* There are several wonderful book rental programs.
Visit their websites at:
AudioQueue: www.audioqueue.com/
AudioBooks4You: www.audiobooks4you.com/
RecordedBooks.com: www.recordedbooks.com/
Blackstone Audio Books: www.blackstoneaudio.com/
If you want to purchase used audio books try:
* Your library’s used book sale
* eBay: www.ebay.com
* half.com: www.half.com
There’s a whole new world of literature just waiting to be
heard! Seek and enjoy!
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*** TIP ***
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Turn your read-aloud or audio book time into an easy
comprehension lesson by asking your children some simple
open-ended questions.
Who is your favorite character and why?
What exciting things are happening in your book?
Tell me what you like about this book (or dislike).
Would you like to read other books by this author? Why?
What makes this book 'believe-able' or not ‘believe-able’?
What was your favorite part in the book?
Did you feel sorry for any of the characters? Why/why not?
What character would you like to be like? Why?
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*** WHAT’S NEW? ***
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Wouldn’t it be great to get together with other
homeschooling moms on a regular basis to discuss
challenges and help each other make all those
hard decisions?
Well, starting in August, 2003 you can and all from the
comfort and convenience of your own home!
Watch for further information about the
Homeschool Moms Telephone Discussion Group.
This will be a fantastic way for many of us to
chat together by phone and share all the ups and downs,
ins and outs of homeschooling.
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*** ABOUT ME ***
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Charmaine Wistad has homeschooled her
own two children "since birth". Now in their 12th year
of homeschooling their 17 year old son and 15 year old
daughter, she is turning her attention to helping
other homeschool moms.
Through personal coaching, Charmaine helps
homeschooling moms create their unique style
and design routines that include
"recess time" for the teacher!
Be sure to visit www.victorycoaching.citymax.com
and sign up for her Homeschool Ideas & Tips Newsletter.
You are also invited to try a complimentary
no-obligation telephone coaching session.
You'll be amazed at how much can be accomplished
in just one session!
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*** TESTIMONY ***
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"Charmaine's skill at coaching is immediately apparent...
I can tell that she is really listening to me and that she
is skilled at prompting me to think in ways that I hadn't
previously done. Her manner is kind, gracious, and
not pushy. Most of all, I am confident that she is a
mature, vital believer. As she easily breathes Scriptural
principles into her comments, I know that she is looking at
my concerns through the grid of God's Word. Knowing that,
I have utmost confidence in listening to her wisdom."
Jan Halcomb, Mission Viejo, CA
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*** THE SMALL PRINT ***
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PLEASE forward this newsletter to
EVERYONE YOU KNOW!!! Thanks!
HONORING YOUR PRIVACY
Your privacy is completely and utterly protected.
I will never, ever rent, sell or give away your name or
email. You have my word on it!
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
Homeschooling Ideas and Tips™
Copyright 2003, 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@victorycoaching.citymax.com
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, QUESTIONS AND IDEAS FOR FUTURE ISSUES TO:
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com
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*** IN OUR NEXT ISSUE ***
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Do a little ‘summer school’ with Nature Notebooks
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