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Homeschool Ideas & Tips Newsletter March, 2004

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*** Hello from Charmaine ***
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Dearest Reader,
I love aphorisms. That's one reason that you'll find a good
quote in every issue of this newsletter.
There's just something rich and valuable in an aphorism
that captures the essence of some great truth or a simple
common sense idea. In the same way, I also appreciate quick
tips or one-liner ideas. We can get so bogged down with
"words, words, words" ( to quote Shakespeare's Hamlet) that
we miss the simple and profound truth that may be contained
within all the words.

So, in this issue of the newsletter, I offer to you 15
short but sweet homeschooling ideas and tips. My hope is
that at least one of them will be of help to you.

Blessings on your day,
Charmaine


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In this issue:
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1. 15 Quick & Easy Ideas & Tips
2. What's New?
3. About Charmaine
4. Testimonial
5. Quote of the Month
6. Funny of the Month
7. The Small Print
8. In Our Next Issue


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*** Ideas & Tips ***
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1.Read to your very young children every day. Read nursery
rhymes, stories, sing songs. All of these will increase
your child's proficiency with language and give a great
start in literacy learning.

2. Buy and give books as gifts. That way you tell the child
that books are exciting things to own.

3. Go to the library routinely. Let your child pick his or
her own books. Then read them over and over again.

4. When you reread books to your child, pause every once in
a while for your child to fill in the missing word. When
the book is a rhyming book, leave out the rhyming word and
let your child supply that word.

5. Children who are encouraged at an early age to draw and
write a story (or describe as the parent writes) will be
more likely to develop good language skills.

6. Having children use math by counting everyday objects,
measuring baking goods, etc. provides an effective basis
for
future math skills.

7. Not only reading about a subject, but also doing
something in conjunction with and about the subject will be
more beneficial as the child will have some hands-on
experience to help understand and remember the lesson.

8. If a child is interested in a subject, take the time and
make the effort to delve deeper into it for a while. A
child who is allowed to savor an interest will develop a
life-long love of learning.

9. Children love to talk about everything in detail. Spend
as much time as you can just talking with them. It will
pay off in improving their communication and reading
skills.

10. Children follow/learn by example. They absorb more than
you know by watching you throughout the day. If you want to
teach them good things, you should be aware of what you do
day by day.

11. Siblings who help one another learn are more confident
and both siblings benefit. There seems to be more harmony
between siblings who know how to help one another.

12. Remember to apply the Who, What, Where, When and How
questions to everything that you can. This encourages good
thinking skills.

13. Don't label children. It may at first seem right and
good, but it may backfire. Children should be able to think
that they can be or do anything.

14. Use an egg timer not just for "time outs", but for
anything that requires a "time's up". It works wonderfully
for bedtime, bath time, play time or sharing a toy.

15. Teach but also listen to the children. Treat them with
respect. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Bonus tip: A set mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm
clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to
sleep when you hit the snooze button. *wink*


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What's New?
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Ladies, I need your help and ideas!

I will be setting up a vendor's booth for my coaching
practice at the April, 2004 Minnesota Homeschool Conference
in Duluth, Minnesota.

Since this is the first time I have ever had a vendor's
booth at a conference, I could really use your help in
figuring out how to go about it. So, I will be sending you
a survey by a separate email and asking you some questions
and looking for your opinions and ideas.

If you would be so kind as to fill out the survey and
return it to me by email, I will offer you, in exchange for
your time and effort, 2 free telephone coaching sessions to
be scheduled at your convenience.

Watch your email inbox for this survey and if you plan to
attend the Minnesota Homeschool Conference, please stop by
and say hello!
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*** About Charmaine ***
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Charmaine Wistad has homeschooled her own two children
from birth. As they work through their 12th year of
homeschooling, Charmaine is currently turning her attention
to helping other homeschool moms.

Through personal coaching, Charmaine helps homeschooling
moms get organized and experience the
peace and pleasure of a smoothly run home.

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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*** Testimonial ***
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"What a help Charmaine was for me! I had so many scattered
ideas but was frustrated with my lack of direction and
confidence. Charmaine seemed to so easily help me sort my
ideas out and guide me to an ‘action plan’ I felt good
about."

Beth Emerson
Homeschooling mom of 4 children
Spooner, Wisconsin


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*** Quote of the Month ***
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"The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom."
- Henry Ward Beecher-


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*** Funny of the Month ***
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On their 50th wedding anniversary, a couple summed up the
reason for their long and happy marriage.

The husband said, "I have tried never to be selfish. After
all, there is no 'I' in the word 'marriage.'''

The wife said, "For my part, I have never corrected my
husband's spelling."

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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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I will not sell or give away your name or email. You have
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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 2004,
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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"Fun Fridays"...making the end of the week special.