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Homeschool Ideas & Tips >
Homeschool Ideas & Tips Newsletter Sept. 2003
Homeschool Ideas & Tips Newsletter
September 2003
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*** Hello from Charmaine ***
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Dear Readers,
What a wonderfully fun summer our family has had together!
We’ve gone to music festivals, fur trade era rendezvous,
dance camp, family parties, picnics and fairs. We’ve spent
time together in our own backyard over a campfire with
friends. But, we did not do any “school” this summer! For
the first time in all the years we’ve been homeschooling,
we completely took the summer off from “school” and I am oh
so glad! The older our children get, the more we realize
how short the time is with them.
We did many fun memory-making things together this
summer. I know those are the things that will mean the most
to all of us once the kids are grown and out on their own.
All we've learned together in homeschooling these past 12
years is wonderful...but....the TIME we've spent together
is more wonderful still! I thank God for all that precious
“together” time.
Hoping that your family has had a wonderful time this
summer too.
And now....let’s all get back to “school”!
Blessings on your day,
Charmaine
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*** Idea ***
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“Hey, Mom! Let’s go on a field trip!” Those words can
either inspire us or put us into a state of complete panic.
Over the years, as I’ve spoken with many homeschooling
moms,it appears they either gravitate toward the field trip
concept and love to plan, organize and promote them OR they
dread them. If you happen to fall into the first category,
then this article will inspire you and give you some new
ideas. However, if you dread field trips yet would still
like to incorporate them into your homeschool plan, then
this article is mostly for you.
First of all, let me say that “a field trip” and “100 kids
all together doing the same activity” or NOT synonymous!
It can really put you off to think that you have to work
with a large group to have a field trip. Some of the best
field trips we’ve ever gone on have been with just one
other family or our family alone.
So, with that little misunderstanding out of the way, let’s
plan a field trip. Where do we start? There are several
things you might consider as you plan your field trip:
1. What are you currently studying that might be enhanced
by a field trip?
2. What are your children particularly interested in these
days?
3. What resources are available in your “own back yard”
but seldom used?
As you answer these questi*ns, ideas for field trips will
start to emerge.
Some ideas to get you started:
Zoo Library Dr.’s Office Dental Office Fire Dept.
Police Station Museums Bowling Miniature Golf
Petting Farm Ball Game Nature Walk Hospital Nursing
Home Grocery Store Bakery Planetarium Greenhouse
Humane Society Music Store Beauty Shop Post Office
Newspaper Office Bike Shop Swimming Pool Food Bank
Bookstore Optometrist Veterinarian Office Farm
Horse Ranch Courthouse Daycare Center
Once you’ve decided where you and the children would like
to go for a field trip, you then need to plan it out.
First, call the place and ask if they have pre-planned
tours for small groups. If they do, then most of the work
is already done for you. All you need do is get the details
and sign up. If they don’t, then you will need to make the
necessary arrangements for your group (or family) to visit.
Some things to do before, during and after your group field
trip:
Before the field trip:
1. Do a little research so that you know:
-prices/group rates
-group size limit
-ages allowed
-if there are picnic or eating facilities
2. Make the necessary arrangements for the trip:
-set date/time and a possible rain date
-request map, directions and parking info.
-request any available info. to help prepare the
students/parents
-determine how payment will be made (if necessary)
3. Get all information about the trip out to your group
well in advance.
-Remind everyone to BRING THE CAMERA!
During the field trip:
1. If you are the coordinator, plan to arrive early at the
location
2. Introduce yourself to person in charge and pay any
necessary fees
3. Once the group arrives, get them all together for
instructions in behavioral expectations, tour agenda and
any other pertinent info.
After the field trip:
1. Send at least one general thank you note and encourage
individual families to do likewise.
Want to bring the field trip to you?
If you have a space where your family and perhaps a few
others can comfortably meet (such as your church fellowship
hall) you can have the field trip come to you. Many
individuals or groups welcome the chance speak to a group
of students or families. Some ideas:
Missionaries Policemen Firemen Nurse K-9 Unit
Artist Forestry Service Sign Language Teacher
Auto Mechanic Lawyer Judge Public Health Nurse
Skin Care/hair care Animal Shelter Rep. Parents & Their
Jobs
And for those of you who simple don’t want to go out on a
field trip or even have one come to you, there’s always the
Virtual Field Trip!
Some websites to look at:
Virtual Field Trips:
http://home-educate.com/fieldtrip.shtml
About.com Field Trips Online:
http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/fieldtrips/
Homeschool With the Web: Virtual Field Trips:
http://www.homeschoolwiththeweb.com/vfieldtrips.htm
More good information on field trips:
Field Tripping:
http://www.fieldtripping.com
A Successful Field Trip is Just 4 ‘P’s” Away:
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/HEM/HEM162.99/162.99_art_ftrp.html
Field Trip Kit (including checklists for before, during &
after the trip)
http://www.geocities.com/reach_group/field_trip_kit.htm
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*** Tip ***
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Not up to planning, organizing or scheduling a field trip?
There are many ready-made field trips (already planned,
organized and scheduled by an organization) available in
most communities.
-Libraries frequently have on-going fun programs for kids.
Also, libraries frequently have strong ties with the local
historical society which is another wonderful place to look
for great ready-made field trips in their programs,
discussions, re-enactments and lectures.
-Numerous cultural groups advertise their cultural
festivals and events in the newspaper. This is a wonderful
way to introduce children to cultures of different
countries without even leaving your own home town.
-Local orchestra or theatre guilds will have ongoing
performances and other activities that children can be
involved with.
-Parks & Recreation or Fish & Game Departments often
sponsor educational activities for children.
- Don’t forget to look to your local Chamber of Commerce
for year-long activities of interest in your community.
You may also be able to sign up for a subscription to a
regional magazine through you Chamber of Commerce that will
give you many ideas for ready-made field trips.
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*** What’s New? ***
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Contest:
Have you thought that some personal coaching might be
really helpful for you but you just can’t afford it at this
time? Well, here’s your chance to wi*n 3 fr*ee coaching
sessions!
Email in 5 or more email addresses of homeschooling moms
who you think would enjoy this newsletter. I will then send
them an email invitation to sign up to this opt-in email
list. This will put your name into a drawing for 3 Fr*ee
Telephone Coaching Sessions (to be scheduled at your
convenience). Be sure to put “Contest” in the subject line
of your email. Drawing will be at the end of September and
the winners will be announced in the October Newsletter.
Send to: Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com
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*** Coming Events ***
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Telegroup:
We had such a wonderful time sharing together in the two
“Let’s Get Back to School” Telegroups that we’ve decided to
make them an ongoing event.
FREE HOMESCHOOL MOMS SUPPORT TELEGROUP:
Join us to discuss your homeschooling challenges, ask
question*s, give and get support and encouragement from
other like-minded homeschooling moms.
We will meet by telephone for a one hour session on:
THE FIRST TUESDAY NIGHT OF EVERY MONTH (starting Sept.2,)
8:00 p.m. Eastern time (7:00 p.m. CT, 6:00 p.m. MT, 5:00
p.m. PT)
If you’ve not been on a conference call, the idea may seem
a little strange and intimidating. Don’t let it scare you!
I have taken many classes and been involved in several
tele-groups and it’s actually quite easy and lots of fun
and you can even show up in your ‘jammies!’ Join us!
You must register for this fr*ee telegroup. Please email
me with your request to register at:
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com and I will then email
you back with all necessary information. The only cost to
you will be the long distance charges for the call.
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*** About Charmaine ***
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Charmaine Wistad has homeschooled her own two children
since birth. As they enter their 12th year of
homeschooling, 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!
You are invited to try a complimentary no-obligation
telephone coaching session.
You'll be pleasantly surprised at how much can be
accomplished in just one session!
Simply send an email to:
Charmaine@victorycoaching.citymax.com and ask for a
FR*EE SAMPLE COACHING SESSION.
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*** Testimony ***
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Thanks, Charmaine, for the great coaching session today. It
really helped me to focus and see that I was putting my own
road block in my way. You have a great way of asking
questi*ns to help others find their solutions. You do a
GREAT job!
Thank you
Kay Greene
Children's Safety ID Products
www.MyPreciousKid.com
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*** Quote of the Month ***
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“The great end of education is, to discipline rather than
to furnish the mind; to train it to the use of its own
powers, rather than fill it with the accumulations of
others.”
Tyron Edwards
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***The Small Print ***
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If you enjoyed this newsletter, Please Forward It To
Everyone You Know!!! Thanks!
Not signed up to receive this newsletter?
Just go to www.victorycoaching.citymax.com and look for:
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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!
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
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
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
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*** In Our Next Issue ***
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What to do when your homeschool “perfect plan” isn’t
working out so perfectly.
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