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Homeschool Ideas & Tips Newsletter - Winter 2006

Homeschool Ideas & Tips eZine - Winter 2006 
 
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*** Hello from Charmaine ***  
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Dearest Reader,  
 
Welcome to the winter edition of my Homeschool eZine. If 
you are a new subscriber, we're glad to have you on board!  
 
 
In this edition, I've decided to re-print an article that 
was very well received and appreciate several years ago. It 
seems that, by this time of year, we begin to get a 
little tired of status quo "school". If you're feeling 
like you need a bit of a break from the routine, read on 
for some great ideas for "Fun Fridays".  
 
Blessings on your day,  
Charmaine  
 
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In this issue:  
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1. Ideas: "Fun Fridays"  
2. Tips: Include the Children  
3. What's New?  
4. About Charmaine  
5. Testimonial  
6. Favorite Quotes  
7. Laugh Lines  
8. The Small Print  
 
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*** Ideas ***  
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Fun Fridays 
 
About this time of year I think most of us begin to get a  
wee bit weary of “doing school”. If that is true for your  
family, then this may be a great time to try adding a "Fun  
Friday" to your school schedule. You might like it so much  
that you decide to keep it in the schedule for next year!  
For many years now, we have tried to schedule in some fun  
things on Friday afternoons when we plan something that is 
educational, yet fun and different. This adds a much needed 
break from the regular routine. It gives all of us 
something to look forward to and helps end the week on a 
pleasant note.  
 
The easiest "Fun Friday" thing to plan is an education  
board game(or card game. Once you’ve purchased or  
borrowed several games, all you need to do is haul one out  
and start playing. We’ve had some favorites over the years  
that I’d like to share with you. Because I know how busy  
you are, I will also list a website where you can either  
purchase or read more about each game. I've grouped the 
games by subject matter to help you decide which ones are 
best suited for your family. 
 
****************** General Knowledge *******************  
 
BrainQuest Game For Grades 1 – 6 (all levels can play  
together) by University Games.  
The object is to be the first player to finish a race  
around the game board. The board is designed to mimic a 
school playground. Each player moves by correctly answering 
questions from the Brain Quest cards. Each of the 256 cards 
contains questions and answers in categories such as math, 
science, social studies, English, and grab bag (a euphemism 
for cultural literacy). Brain Quest's folded cards prevent 
the I-saw-the-answer-on-the-back problem while allowing 
even the player asking the question to guess the answer.  
 
www.brainquest.com or www.amazon.com  
 
******************* Vocabulary/Language *************** 
 
Rummy Roots (and More Rummy Roots)  
This is a go-fish type card game using Greek and Latin  
roots. The game can be played on several levels and  
provides a fun and easy way to learn 42 Greek and Latin  
roots, over 190 vocabulary words, and the ability to at  
least partially decipher over 2,000 words!  
 
www.rainbowresource.com Item # 007729  
1-888-841-3456 
 
Bethump’d With Words  
This game will challenge your knowledge of everyday words  
and test your strategic skills. It is expressly designed  
for parents and children or teachers and students to play  
together. It enables teachers to stretch brain muscles  
while stimulating a fundamental interest in words, 
language, and, ultimately, reading. Bethump’d with Words  
board game comes in two editions: Discovery Edition and  
Senior Edition. There is also a book edition available. For 
2-8 players.  
 
www.rainbowresource.com Product # 008467  
1-888-841-3456 
 
***************** Literature/Shakespeare *************  
 
The Play’s The Thing by Aristoplay.  
The game presents quotes, plots and characters from one  
Shakespeare play at a time in a fun way. (3 different plays 
included with the game but you can buy more later.) As  
players piece together sets and perform scenes, the play  
begins to make sense. Soon, players are ready to go on to  
the next Shakespeare play. And then the next. We love this 
one! 
 
www.aristoplay.com  
1-800-433-GAME 
 
*********************** Math **********************  
 
Family Math (book) Author/Editor: V. Thompson  
This is not a board game but a book that has many  
interesting math activities. Includes many games and  
reproducible charts. Comes in 3 versions: Family Math  
(grades 1-6) Family Math for Young Children PK-3, and  
Family Math: The Middle School Years Grades 5-8.  
 
www.rainbowresource.com Item # 004714  
1-888-841-3456 
 
*********************** Science **********************  
 
Somebody Game by Aristoplay  
As a puzzle activity, players draw body part cards and  
place a body part on the body board. Level 2 teaches the  
locations and functions of major body parts. Learn the  
names, functions and locations of major body parts.  
 
www.aristoplay.com  
1-800-433-GAME  
 
Inventors, Explorers, Scientists Card Games by Aristoplay  
Three different card decks present facts and achievements  
of noted figures. Instructions for a rummy game are  
included and decks can also be used for standard card  
games.  
 
www.aristoplay.com  
1-800-433-GAME  
 
*********************** Geography *********************** 
 
Where in the World by Aristoplay.  
Play as a card game to learn the countries on the  
continents. Play with the cards and boards to learn the  
location of the countries as well as the capital,  
population, flag, major religion, languages, currency,  
major imports and exports, literacy rate and seacoasts.  
 
www.aristoplay.com  
1-800-433-GAME  
 
************************ Music ************************* 
 
Musopoly.  
This fun board game for all ages turns learning music  
theory and reading into a creative, fun time together.  
Students work together, not against each other, and  
everybody wins! The game comes with answers and ideas for  
beginning through advanced play. Includes more than a 175  
cards, dictation slate & notes, dice, bright gold coins,  
and a very clear rule book. Use with 2 to 6 players, up to  
12 in a group.  
 
www.musicmotion.com Product #6130 
1-800-445-0649  
 
****************** Logic/Thinking Skills ************** 
 
Set Card Game.  
It sounds simple; players race to see which three cards (of 
the twelve showing) form a “set”. There are no turns, no  
waiting - the quickest to deduce a logical set wins the  
point. There is no age advantage; your children can beat  
you if their visual perception in sharper than yours. Even  
when played alone, the game is a mental challenge. MENSA  
chose this game as a top mind game in 1991 - chosen for  
originality, intellectual challenge, aesthetics, quality  
and longevity (you won’t quickly tire of this game!).  
Grade 1 – Adult.  
 
www.rainbowresource.com Product # 008706  
1-888-841-3456  
 
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In addition to games, you might use your "Fun  
Fridays" for any of the following:  
 
-- Movies/videos/DVDs - the ones you wish you had time to 
watch but never seem to get to.  
 
-- Field trips / nature walks  
 
-- Craft and art projects  
 
-- Music time - listening to a particular composer, playing 
music together, dancing.  
 
Whatever you choose to do on your "Fun Fridays", I’m sure  
that you will quickly learn that the time is well spent.  
Play (and learn) together whenever you can!  
 
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*** Tips ***  
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Let the children be involved with planning your "Fun  
Fridays". Take some time to brain storm with them. Come  
up with all sorts of ideas … from wacky to practical. Have  
fun with this and let the imaginations run wild (a trip to  
the moon?). Then, once you have your "Fun Friday" wish  
list, choose 4 things you can schedule into the next 4  
Fridays. Get them on the calendar and start having some  
end-of-the-school-week fun!  
 
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What's New?  
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Fr*ee Online Goal Maker 
 
I've added a helpful new feature to my website. It's an 
easy to use online tool to help you think about and set 
your goals. As you complete this 5-minute quiz, you are 
really coaching yourself. When you're done, you may choose 
to have your Goals Report emailed to you, and even request 
a burst of free cyber or phone coaching!  
 
Try it out. It's fun, helpful and fr*ee! 
 
Here's the link:  
www.victorycoaching.citymax.com/goalmaker.html 
 
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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  
 
You are invited to try a fr*ee no-obligation telephone  
coaching session. You'll be amazed at how much can be  
accomplished in just one session!  
 
Email to request your fr*ee sample session at:  
wistad@chibardun.net  
 
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*** Testimonial ***  
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"Charmaine Wistad is awesome...she has helped me get  
clarity on what the real issues are that hinder me in  
making my homeschool all God wants it to be. Her warmth,  
honesty and genuineness make me feel so encouraged and  
supported. I thank God for her presence in my life."  
 
Wanda Yeatman  
ex-harried homeschooler!!  
 
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*** Favorite Quotes ***  
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"We don't stop playing because we grow old;  
we grow old because we stop playing."  
 
--George Bernard Shaw --  
 
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*** Laugh Lines ***  
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A pastor was speaking to a group of second graders about 
the resurrection of Jesus when one student asked, "What did 
Jesus say right after He came out of the grave?" 
 
The pastor explained that the Gospels do not tell us what 
He said. 
 
The hand of one little girl shot up. "I bet I know what He 
said: He said, 'tah dah!'" 
 
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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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Homeschooling Ideas and Tips Copyright 2006,  
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  
wistad@chibardun.net