Welcome to my Home-School-Community Blog!

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This forum is for the discussion of the following themes:

1.  Homeschooling and related educational matters with links to fantastic resources
2.  The topic of Community–what it means, what we yearn for, how to achieve it
3.  Legislation and political events that relate to home education and family life.

The goal is to discuss the topics and examine viewpoints in a manner that will be helpful and edifying to the readers, even if views may differ. This is NOT a place for blaming, flaming, defaming or name calling each other or persons discussed, and those actions will not be tolerated and will be removed.

I believe that we can learn a lot from each other, and I know that my life is enriched by hearing other points of view and how people came to their ideas.  Questions are encouraged for the purpose of understanding, with a spirit of hearing the other person’s heart.

Thanks for checking out this blog!

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To test or not to test? Reasons standardized exams may be helpful for homeschoolers

Standardized tests like the IOWA or Stanford provide homeschoolers with helpful info for planning. Photobucket/MaretaK

Homeschool testing is often a matter of great concern to homeschool parents. Exams of different sorts are used to qualify homeschoolers to continue learning at home, award scholarships, and determine college entrance status, to name a few.  Here are some responses to the most commonly asked questions about standardized testing related to the status of home educating.  College entrance tests are under a different category, and are usually required for admission.

Are Arizona homeschool students required to be tested?

• No. Students were once required to test annually with the IOWA test, and parents also had to take the Teacher Proficiency test to have the right to home educate. Arizona has gone through several changes in the public school testing laws, as they endeavored to find a test that would address the varied cultural populations and learning issues within the state. As the laws changed, and homeschoolers continued with a strong record of doing well on the assessments, our testing mandates were dropped. Many parents still do standardized testing for their own benefit, and it is offered through support groups, Covenant Home School Resource Center and private test administrators like myself. The results only go to the parents, never to any school or government officials. One terrific reason for testing is to qualify for scholarships and honor societies.

Why should I test if Arizona does not require it?

• Standardized testing can give you a benchmark on your child’s abilities and progress. Both IOWA and Stanford tests give a detailed report which can pinpoint areas of strength and difficulty for you to use in your lesson planning.
• Test taking is a skill that can be developed. It is needed for college entrance, college classes, employment applications, and professional standards for many occupations.
• The results can give you and the student “bragging rights” <grin>. Most homeschoolers score significantly higher on tests than their public school counterparts. The longer your children are homeschooled, the further ahead they tend to be.
• Although testing is not required in Arizona, it is in many states. If you move, you will have some documentation to present to state officials.
• If you plan to have your students go back into a traditional school setting, you may need test scores for proper placement, admission, or to keep the credits earned while at home.
• Students who score in the 90th percentile or above on any standardized test are eligible to join the homeschool honor society, Eta Sigma Alpha.
• For families with skeptical relatives, a standardized assessment may be one piece of the proof that you really are doing a good job.

Generally, homeschool groups that offer testing will have spring or summer sessions.  Individual administrators have more flexibility in scheduling, but the cost will be a bit more than with a group setting.

I am offering a workshop on Tuesday, February 9 to discuss the different types of tests, what they measure, when to take them, and how to prepare for them.  The workshop is free, but space is limited, so email me now if you are interested in participating.

Read more for related articles.

Here’s a great way for homeschoolers to complete college in less time and save money

College is expensive, students need all the help they can get. CollegePlus offers money saving tips. Photbucket/daughter_4god

Have you ever wondered if there is a way to turn all your homeschool experience and knowledge into college credit?  Would you like to find quicker, less expensive ways to complete your college degree?  CollegePlus! has the answer to these questions, and makes a perfect fit for the homeschooling lifestyle.  Learn how to maximize your learning, enter an essay contest, and earn some money just for participating.

Scholarship Money for Homeschoolers

As a homeschool parent you’re providing your children with a revolutionary education—one that shatters the mold of the status quo. Because you’ve given your children a revolutionary education, CollegePlus!, a leading provider of fully-accredited bachelor’s degrees for homeschool students, would like to help you expand on your educational revolution by offering a scholarship opportunity to your student who may be considering a college degree to open doors into the workforce, ministry or graduate school.  

$2699 Scholarship for Homeschool Students: 

To help assist homeschool parents with college financial aid options, CollegePlus! has launched an exciting scholarship essay contest (video or written essay) which awards $2699 college scholarships to homeschool students to help them earn the bachelor’s degree of their choice.

An Opportunity to Involve Your Whole Family:

Helping your homeschool student win the scholarship contest is something for your entire family to be a part of—mom, dad and siblings are all encouraged to participate to help your student win. This scholarship essay contest gives your student the perfect opportunity to tell the whole world how they would revolutionize higher education.

All essay contestants automatically win a $250 college scholarship just for participating in the contest, and two winners will be chosen to receive the full $2699 college scholarship. The deadline to enter is February 22, 2010 and the winners will be announced on February 24, 2010.    

Who is eligible? Students as young as 15 can enter the contest to win one of the scholarships, so even before they finish high school they can use their CollegePlus! scholarship to begin earning college credits.

Click here for essay submission instructions and complete details on the scholarship contest.

College scholarship contest info:

Eligibility: High school students, College-age students, Adults

Essay topic: “How Would You Revolutionize Higher Education?”

Deadline: Monday, February 22, 2010

Grand prizes: Two $2699 college scholarships  

Automatic scholarship: All participants receive a $250 scholarship

Click here for complete scholarship and essay contest details

Read more for related articles.

A key component of homeschooling a special needs child–advocacy skills

Advocacy is a crucial part of homeschooling a special needs child.

Hundreds of families with special needs children decide to homeschool each year.  Many of them feel unsatisfied with the services provided in the schools.  There are a lot of obstacles parents must face when they take responsibility for the child’s education, and navigating the system to get results can be a time consuming and energy draining process.  This workshop will give you tools for advocating effectively for your child.

How to advocate for your special needs child workshop

Steven Kossor is back in town, and this year he’s presenting along-side local advocates, John Dacey, Esq and Holly Reycraft.

If you have a special needs child receiving services from DDD, Medicaid, BHRS or the school district (or if you are a service provider for the special needs population), this workshop is for you! This is a rare opportunity to hear these 3 experts on a single stage.

Topics to be covered:

• Finding, Funding and Keeping the Services Your DDD/BHRS Child Needs
• EPSDT: what is it and why it means that DDD and BHRS children in Arizona can receive their medically necessary therapies at no cost to parents–even when they are initially denied
• How to Find and Work with an Attorney, and How to Advocate for Your Child without One
• Special Education: Parents as Advocates from Preschool through High School
• Find out the laws, policies and procedures of special education and learn basic advocacy techniques to address the most common problems that occur at each stage of the special education process

How to Advocate for Your Special Needs Child Three-­‐Session Workshop

Saturday, February 20, 2010
Scottsdale Bible Church
7601 E. Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION
Registered and paid by February 10, 2010
Autism Society of Greater Phoenix Member: $30; Non-members: $50

Click on the picture for more details on the speakers.

For more info:  Cynthia  480-940-1093 or email: cynthia@phxautism.org
Registration online or downloadable form

Read more for related articles.

Homeschool WAHM’s are encouraged to connect and network with CWCC

Deanna Rada is the founder of Christian Women Community Connection.

Can I still homeschool my kids if I have to work?

What a great question!  With the economic realities that we face, more and more moms are needing to keep working, and yet they long to be able to homeschool their children.  Whether they are single parents or in two-parent households, there are ways that many working mothers still juggle homeschooling with their other duties.

Wearing so many hats can be very stressful, and those who work from home while teaching their children may find themselves becoming distracted and unfocused regarding their business at times.  It is always helpful to have some others who are like-minded to help get you back on track, and keep affirming your direction.

Deanna Rada has created such a networking group.  Christian Women Community Connection is open to all women, with an emphasis on those in the workplace with businesses of their own.  The goal is to help women grow personally, relationally and in skills to enrich their business enterprises.  With a unique business model, Deanna is drawing large numbers of women who are excited about new opportunities.  See a slideshow of the January luncheon.

A West Valley group has already begun with bi-weekly coffee meetings and a monthly luncheon with a motivational or instructional speaker.  The January luncheon was held at Satara’s Thai Restaurant in Peoria, with Felicia Davis as the inspiration.  As a business and life coach who has started many enterprises from the ground up, Felicia gave us guidelines for setting top three goals, understanding our “whys” that give those goals the emotional impetus for perseverance, and uncovering blockers that hold us back.  Additionally, she gave each of the attendees a free 30 minute consultation about our own business.

Read more to find out the event schedule.

Charcoal drawing workshop for homeschoolers focuses on drawing animals

Learn to draw charcoal animal in one workshop session. Photobucket/Hawkeye_59

 Connie Youmans is a master artist who has been working specifically with the homeschool community for many years.  During this extended session, students have the opportunity to test out a new medium and work with it long enough to get comfortable.  Parents are amazed at the quality of work that students produce after one session.

   

February Art Workshop  

Drawing Animals withCharcoal
with Connie Youmans, M.A. Art EducationHave fun learning how to draw animals using charcoal. Basic shapes will be used to develop the animal’s form.Covenant Home School Resource Center
1117 E. Devonshire Ave, Phoenix, AZ  85014
5th graders and older (including adults)
Tues. 12:30-3:30; Feb. 9th
$22.00 (includes all materials)  

SonRise Community Church (North location)
29505 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ
2nd-4th graders
Thurs. 10:00-12:30; Feb. 11th
$20.00  (includes all materials) 

5th graders and older
Thurs. 11:45-2:45; Feb. 18th
$22.00  (includes all materials)To register or for more information please phone Connie at: 602/468-5792
or e-mail at: scott.youmans@cox.netPayment due at time of registration.Read more related articles.

How to choose the right homeschool curriculum from all the options

So many curriculum options? How to choose? Free workshop.

How do I know what materials to use in homeschooling?  There are so many choices, it gets confusing!  Does it make any difference which curriculum I use?

Each homeschool publisher has a certain philosophy about education, and their materials will reflect their view about the best learning methods.  The instructional styles can be broadly stated in five categories with some overlap among them.  For many homeschoolers, the way information is presented will make a huge difference in how readily they can receive and comprehend the lesson.  Parents who understand their options and their children’s strengths will be more equipped to make wise curriculum choices.

1. Traditional Textbooks:  Underlying philosophy:  Children at each age level have a certain body of knowledge to be learned to complete each grade.  The text is read and discussed, questions from the material are answered and tests are given to validate the acquisition of knowledge and passing the course.
    
2. Worktexts:  These are textbooks broken down into several workbooks.  The material is typically the same, but the books themselves are more portable and less intimidating than a large volume.  Often the units are shorter with more questions to fill in as the student goes along.
    
3. Unit Studies:  Underlying philosophy:  Learning best occurs when there is deeper involvement with a topic from multiple avenues in the brain. Several subjects are tied together in one theme so there is a more intense, holistic focus on a particular topic.  These may be pre-packaged or self-created, and may encompass  a whole year’s course or may be just a segment of the year on one small aspect of the program.  The implementation may include lots of hands-on activities or may be more literature-based.
    
4. Classical/Literature-based:  Underlying philosophy: Materials and methods from earlier cultures enrich the understanding and application of time-tested principles for modern times.  Emphasis is on Greek, Roman, and Renaissance literature and the Socratic approach to instruction. (Dialog of ideas, challenge to develop logical thinking in Language Arts and Math and Science).  Often Greek or Latin are studied with emphasis on vocabulary, word roots and meanings, and undestanding of the cultures.
    
5. Unschooling:  Underlying philosphy:  Children are created to learn, and, if given a nurturing environment, will seek out knowledge and information when they are ready for it.  Parents are available as guides in the process.  This is a less structured approach, and the heart of it is listening to the children’s comments and questions to hear their interests, and to be ready to respond with the knowledge they seek.  Often, there is a large experiential component-both in experimentation and in being atuned to life experiences.

Read more about practical applications of curriculum knowledge to meet your families needs and a free workshop on how to put it all together.

Homeschool 101 Curriculum: Five approaches to teaching and instructional materials http://ping.fm/3486p

Bargain-prices-on-homeschool-science-supplies-and-standardized-testing/ http://ping.fm/q70Vd

Bargain prices on homeschool science supplies and standardized testing

Be sure to get your science supplies from Covenant Home School Resource Center.

February is here, and for many homeschool families, the spring semester is a great time to really dig into those science classes and experiments.  I remember how much work it was to set up experiments, figure out all the supplies needed, and actually go out and purchase each little item.  (Or, if going to several stores to find them was too much of a bother, I would scrounge around my home to see if I could come up with equivalent items.  Either way, it took a lot of time and effort and could become quite expensive.)

Covenant Home School Resource Center in Phoenix has shelves full of science supplies at bargain prices, and they want to take the hassle out of science so you can enjoy it more with your kids.  Karen Borg, science teacher extraordinaire, has put numerous kits together for several different areas of exploration and experimentation.  You will find the prices are great to begin with, and this week’s sale is something that you can not miss!

February Sale reminder

Dear CHSRC Friends,  Need science supplies?

From Tuesday February 2nd through Thursday February 4th, come on down to our store to save 20% off of all science supplies.

We have many, many supplies such as magnifying lenses, geology items, seashells, feathers, goggles, glass stir rods, flasks, fun new science books, kits and more!

Have your kids enjoy science with kits such as electricity, “Power Putty Slimes” (polymers), shark teeth and fossils, “pH Power” (acids and bases) and geology (rocks).

When:   Tuesday, February 2-Thursday, February 4, 9:00 AM -4:00 PM
Where:   Covenant Home School Resource Center
                1117 E. Devonshire Ave, Phoenix, AZ  85014
                 602-942-7296
For more details:  email or call

March IOWA Testing Schedule reminder:

Tuesday March 16th and Wednesday March 17th at 1117 East Devonshire Avenue, Phoenix

The complete IOWA test for Grades 3 -12 will take place from 9 am until 1 pm

The partial IOWA test for grades K – 2nd will take place from 1:30 pm until 4:30 pm

(The complete test includes: Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Spelling, Capitalization, Punctuation, Usage and Expression,
Math Concepts and estimation, Math problem solving and data interpretation, Math Computation, Social Studies, Science, and Maps and Diagrams.)
(The partial test includes: Vocabulary, Word analysis, Listening, Language, and Math.)

Cost is $39.75 which includes a mailed practice test.

You may download the registration form from our website (www.chsrc.org) .

Space is limited. Registration deadline is February 19th.

Please mail your registration form and check to:

Covenant Home School Resource Center
1117 E Devonshire
Phoenix, AZ 85014

Option: On Tuesdays, you may register by phone. (602-277-3497) Please call between 9 am and 3:30 pm
with your credit card information and for instructions on faxing your form to us.

VISIONS LITERARY JOURNAL reminder:

Prose and/or Poetry and Art submissions are due by February 12th.

Check out our website for full details www.chsrc.org

We look forward to serving your home schooling needs.

Covenant Home School Resource Center     

Read more related articles.

Homeschool Valentine Skate Party is a sought-after annual event

Hundreds of homeschoolers will have fun and fellowship at the homeschool roller skating party.

Here is a wonderful annual event that is set up for homeschoolers and their families.  This is a great way to get to know some others, have a terrific time, and get some exercise together.  The Homeschool Valentine Skating Party is open to homeschool groups from around the metro Phoenix area.

Homeschool Groups Are Invited to a Valentine Skating Party

February 11 – Thursday

At The Great Skate in Glendale

Registration is being accepted for homeschool groups only … minimum of 5 families. Sorry, no individual families, and no paying at the door.

Each family brings a snack to share (chips, veggies, fruit, dessert, or drinks). Join us for skating to Christian music, participate in skating games, and a Valentine exchange (simply bring Valentines to hand out to other children who bring theirs – you can add stickers or candy if you like). Skating moms can push “little guys” in strollers. We are given special permission to bring food and drinks. There is also a snack bar with food and drinks for sale.

Read More for all the details.