"Better Grades and Higher Test Scores -- Guaranteed"
is the subject line of the e-mail accompanying and sponsoring this newsletter.

PreK - 12+ Educational
Books & Software
     Develop your children's critical
thinking skills for better grades and
higher test scores.  Bright Minds:
The Critical Thinking Co. ~ At Home.  http://www.brightminds.us

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Please Forward this newsletter to other home-school families or
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                 Information, Inspiration, and Encouragement
    From a Distinctively Christian Perspective of Home Education
Cindy Short and Sue Welch, Co-Editors   /   http://www.TeachingHome.com
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Table of Contents
This Issue:  Back-to-Home-School Checklist
[_]   1.  Reaffirm Your Decision To Home School.
[_]   2.  Make Legal Arrangements.
[_]   3.  Determine Yearly Goals
[_]   4.  Select and Assemble Your Curriculum.
[_]   5.  Set Up Your Class Arrangements
[_]   6.  Set Up Your Study Space.
[_]   7.  Determine Your School Year Schedule.
[_]   8.  Mark Your Master Calendar.
[_]   9.  Create Daily and Weekly Schedules.
[_] 10.  Plan To Alternate Subjects.
[_] 11.  Plan Your Study.
[_] 12.  Do Not Be Overwhelmed
Next Issue:  Lesson Planning and Orientation Week
Recommended Resources
     Michelin's 2005 Guide to America's Patriotic Places
     Jean Welles Worship Guitar Class
     AVKO: Multi-Sensory Approach to Language Arts
     Bechtel Books / Speedy Spanish
     The Teaching Home Magazine and Back Issues
     Keepers at Home Annual Calendar/Planner
Sunnyside Up: Humorous Anecdote

Greetings,

     Are you all ready for school to start?  Make sure by
reviewing our Back-to-Home-School Checklist.
     Although the steps on this checklist are vitally important,
we have simplified them to make each one attainable in just a few
hours each day.
     You might be all ready and can just breeze through this
checklist, or you might find a few things to review, rethink,
organize, and have fresh in your mind.  We have included links to
previous newsletters in our Newsletter Archives for more
information on any items that you need to work on more.
     The time spent on these foundational considerations is well
worth taking -- even if you start your studies a week or two
later than you had planned!

Please Help Us Spread the Word!
     We would appreciate help in getting the announcement below
to as many home-school families as possible.  Please forward it
by e-mail and/or print it in your home-school publication.
     We want to be sure our previous subscribers send us current
addresses, as the magazine cannot be forwarded, and we do not
want anyone to miss the first issue when we resume publication.
Thank you for your help!

     Announcement
          The Teaching Home publishers plan to resume
     the publication of their print magazine, by the grace
     of God.  For complete information see
     http://www.TeachingHome.com/custserve.

     May the Lord bless you and your family for His glory.

Cordially,
The Pat Welch Family, Publishers
Pat, Sue, Heather, Holly, and Brian
The Teaching Home is a home-school, family-run business
operated in our home since 1980.

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America's Patriotic Places:
The 50 Places
Every American Should See
Michelin Travel Publications' 2005 guide
describes 50 of the most significant, special
places that help define our country -- its
hopes and dreams, its history, and its future.
Use for instruction, vacation planning, and enjoyment. 108 Pages.
http://www.michelintravel.com/APP

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Back-to-Home-School Checklist

[_]  1.  Reaffirm Your Decision To Home School.
     Your decision to home school should be based on your
determination of God's will for your family.
     Seek the Lord through His Word and pray for His promised
wisdom, guidance, and strength.  Then agree as husband and wife
on this important decision. Consider the home-school advantages:
 •  Spiritual.  Bible training and Christian worldview for all
     subjects.
 •  Academic.  Individual tutoring, independent thinking, and
     proven results.
 •  Social.  Family unity and closeness, and guided social skills.
 •  Character Development.  Discipline, training, and good
     habits.
     http://www.teachinghome.com/newsletters/vol_2-no_122.cfm
     Remembering why you are teaching your children at home will
provide the conviction, confidence, and commitment that you will
need in order to persevere during difficult times.
     These reasons will also help you explain your home education
choice to others, including your children.

[_]  2.  Make Legal Arrangements.
     Avoid potential problems by making the following
arrangements.
 •  Know your state's law.  http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp
 •  Contact your state home-school organization to learn how to
     comply with your state's law.
     http://www.teachinghome.com/states/results.cfm?state=all.
 •  Consider Joining HSLDA.
     http://www.hslda.org/join/10reasons.asp.

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You can learn to play worship guitar like a pro in no time flat.

Guitar Lessons
from Jean Welles
Worship Guitar Class
     Video courses offer a quick
and easy way for you and your
children to play the guitar.

 •  "Play-as-you-watch process" is vivid, yet simple.
 •  Step-by-step detail.
 •  No musical background, experience or training is needed.
Ages 5-9  http://kidsguitarlessons.com/home.html
Ages 9-Adult  http://www.worshipguitarclass.com/lessons.html

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Back-to-Home-School Checklist

[_]  3.  Determine Yearly Goals
            and Objectives for Each Child.
 •  Review your long-range goals for your children's education
     and training in all areas, including spiritual, academic,
     social, physical, character, and life skills.
 •  Break down goals into objectives to be reached this year,
     quarter, month, or week, leaving details to be planned
     closer to the time for implementation.
     http://www.teachinghome.com/newsletters/vol_2-no_81.cfm

[_]  4.  Select and Assemble Your Curriculum.
 •  Consider using elements from a variety of approaches
     including traditional textbooks, worktexts, the classical
     approach, the principle approach, unit studies, books, and
     life experiences.
     http://www.teachinghome.com/newsletters/vol_2-no_82.cfm
 •  Consider using a variety of media to add interest and
     motivation for all your children and at the same time
     enhance each child's learning according to his preferred
     learning style.  Include books, printed materials, videos
     and DVDs, supervised Internet studies, computer software,
     educational games, tools and manipulatives.
 •  Order, borrow, or buy any materials needed in addition to
     what you already have.
     http://www.teachinghome.com/resources/index.cfm
 •  Collect supplemental materials for your family's reference
     library such as time lines, maps, globes, math
     manipulatives, educational games, and software.

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AVKO (Audio, Visual, Kinesthetic, and Oral) Offers
a Multi-Sensory Approach to Language Arts
through Phonics and Word Families.

 •  Individualized Keyboarding teaches reading and spelling skills
     as your child masters the keyboard.
 •  Let's Write Right teaches reading/spelling as the alphabet is learned.
 •  Sequential Spelling builds self-esteem.  To try it before you buy
     it or for information on dyslexia visit: http://www.spelling.org

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Back-to-Home-School Checklist

[_]  5.  Set Up Your Class Arrangements
            for Highest Efficiency.
     Conserve time and effort by teaching several of your
children together in one class.  For example:
 •  Do one-on-one tutoring for basic skill development such as
     beginning levels of reading, math, grammar, and penmanship.
 •  Teach several or all of your students in the same class for
     one or more subjects (e.g., history, science, Bible,
     literature, and electives) by presenting the lessons in an
     amplified manner with explanations that enable all your
     children to understand.  Children can be given different
     assignments depending on their age and skill level.
 •  If you have a large family with a wide range of ages, you may
     want to have two group classes (an older and a younger) for
     one subject area, sharing some of the supplemental activities
     such as a discussion, project, educational video, or field trip.
 •  Combine both subjects and students for integrated unit
     studies, teaching most subjects centered around a series of
     themes.

[_]  6.  Set Up Your Study Space.
     Determine what space you will use for school.  This may vary
from subject to subject or from child to child, but might
include:
 •  Kitchen table for math and writing.
 •  Couches in living room for multi-age classes or reading.
 •  Computer stations.
 •  Desk for older child's independent study.
 •  Set aside special labeled shelves and bins for schoolbooks,
     supplies, and records.
     http://organizedhome.com/content-60.html

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Speedy Spanish &
Books That Teach and Build Character
 •  Speedy Spanish Courses:  A compact,
     Christian, easy-to-use curriculum for grades 3-12.
 •  Christian Ethics for Youth: A study of wisdom
     from Proverbs for ages 13-19.
 •  School Days Devotional Praise: 36 weeks of devotionals for grades 1-8.
 •  Christian Light Education and Rod & Staff Curriculum.
 •  Plus teaching aids for pre-K through teens & devotional, missionary,
     puzzle, coloring, and story books.  http://www.Speedy-Spanish.com

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Back-to-Home-School Checklist

[_]  7.  Determine Your School Year Schedule.
     Choose the traditional nine months with 5-day weeks and
three months summer break or set up your own year-round schedule
like one of the following samples:
 •  A four-day school week with three days off.
 •  Three, four, or six weeks of school, then one week off.
 •  Eight or ten weeks of school, then two weeks off.
 •  Take into account the number of school days or hours, if any,
     that you are required to document according to your state law.

[_]  8.  Mark Your Master Calendar.
     Keep a large calendar near the phone, set rules for
accepting invitations and scheduling appointments, and mark the
following:
 •  Your home-school schedule (see above) including school days,
     test days, vacations, library days, field trips, and support
     group activities.
 •  All of your family's appointments, church and social
     activities, music lessons, etc.
 •  Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and special days.
 •  Weekly goals for a long-range project.

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     "The Teaching Home has truly been inspiring to me over the
years. I have been getting it since I started home schooling in
1987. It has been worth far more than the amount I've paid for
subscriptions. I'll always treasure my past issues."

The Teaching Home
Packed with Information,
Inspiration, and Encouragement

A Distinctively Christian Perspective of Home Education
 •  Receive Practical How-tos for Academic and Character Training.
 •  Educate Yourself and Gain Confidence with In-depth Information.
 •  Discover Fresh, Ready-to-Use Ideas for Learning Activities.
 •  Glean Inspiration and Encouragement from Our Readers' Letters.
 •  Energize Yourself for Teaching that Is Easier and More Enriching.
 •  Explore a Wide Range of Teaching Methods and Materials.

Build Your Reference Library
with Never-Out-of-Date Back Issues!
51 issues available (while supply lasts).  See a complete listing
of articles for each issue and use search feature for topics.

Easy & Secure Online Ordering
http://www.goemerchant1.com/index.cgi?ST=&Merchant=theteachinghomen

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Back-to-Home-School Checklist

[_]  9.  Create Daily and Weekly Schedules.
 •  Establish regular times for family meals, going to bed and
     getting up, chores, quiet times, schoolwork, play, family
     devotions, errands, church meetings, and family times.
 •  Allow time to move from one activity to another and some
     leeway for the unexpected.
 •  Post a copy where all can see it.

[_]  10.  Plan To Alternate Subjects.
     Instead of teaching all of your subjects every day, simplify
your preparation and gain from your students' focus by teaching
fewer, but longer, classes each day.  You can retain the same
number of hours of study each day and cover the same amount of
material during the year.  Examples:
 •  Teach language arts on two days each week and math on the
     other three days each week.
 •  Study history for half the year and science for the other half.
 •  Take a break to stretch, get a drink of water, and rest eyes
     at least once an hour.

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Organize Your New School Year
with the "Keepers at Home"
Annual Calendar/Planner
     Keep all the facets of homemaking
and homeschooling together in one place.
 •  All you need in a day planner and more.
 •  Complete school planning and lesson plans.
Two sizes (8.5 x 11; 5.5 x 8.5) fit in most binders.
More useful tools for Mothers at http://www.helpformothers.org.

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Back-to-Home-School Checklist
[_]  11.  Plan Your Study.
 •  Decide and list which topics, units, or subjects you will
     cover during which weeks or months to make an overall year's
     plan. For example, you could plan a certain number of pages
     per day in math and language, a chapter every two weeks in
     history and science, or a history chapter each week in the
     first semester and a science chapter each week in the second.
 •  Units can be shifted to coincide with related events or seasons.
 •  Make an outline of books, chapters, and projects for each
     course at the beginning of each year; then make more
     detailed plans monthly and weekly so you can incorporate
     unforeseen circumstances and new ideas or adjust the pace.
 •  Record your plans in a lesson plan book or notebook that can
     double as a record keeping system.
 •  For texts or other books, simply decide approximately how
     many pages of a textbook must be covered each day or week in
     order to finish it in the time you have allowed for it.  You
     can rough out a plan by dividing the number of pages in a
     book you want to use by the number of days or weeks you plan
     to study it (allow for vacations, tests, and catch-up days).
 •  List the dates during which certain units are to be covered
     and mark them on your calendar.
 •  Write out details of activities, assignments, or projects you
     want to include, along with the estimated time they will
     take and the dates for starting them.
 •  Compile a syllabus (course outline listing topics, materials,
     resources, major projects, etc.) for each class at the
     beginning of the year.  Add details, rearrange order, and/or
     set assignment dates monthly or weekly as you go along.
 

[_]  12.  Do Not Be Overwhelmed
       Do not become overwhelmed by the many choices available to
home educators.  Instead, approach them like a smorgasbord and
choose what looks good to you to meet the goals of your family.
     As you explore some of the above teaching options, you can
design a plan that will help you work smarter, not harder.  Your
whole family can participate together in the joy of learning.
     Rely on the Lord's promised wisdom and strength!

     "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God,
          who gives to all generously and without  reproach,
     and it will be given to him."  (James 1:5-6a)

     "Therefore let us draw near with confidence
          to the throne of grace,
     so that we may receive mercy
          and find grace to help in time of need."
     (Hebrews 4:16)

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Please Thank and Support
Our Sponsoring Advertisers!
     These free newsletters are made possible financially by the
fine suppliers who advertise in them and in the accompanying
e-mail.  Please consider those that advertised in our last issue
(below) as well as the ones in this issue.

Roots for Freedom: Constitution Day Package
     http://www.RootsOfFreedom.org. 1-877-917-1787
Michelin's 2005 Guide to America's Patriotic Places
     http://www.michelintravel.com/APP
Elegance: Classic, Feminine Clothing
     http://www.elegancenew.com
Doorposts: Character-Building Materials
     http://www.doorposts.net
Keepers at Home Annual Calendar/Planner
     http://www.helpformothers.org
Reading Made Easy by Valerie Bendt
     http://www.ValerieBendt.com

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Sunnyside Up
     Trying to encourage our 9-year-old son to say a poem in
front of a small group, I reminded him of a recent wedding we had
attended where the couple said their vows before a large group.
     "What are vows?" Josh wondered.
     "You know," 4-year-old Kent replied, "A, E, I, O, U . . ."
Submitted by Rhoda M., Pennsylvania

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God Loves You.
     Because we have been separated from God by sin, Jesus
Christ died in our place, then rose to life again.  If we trust
Him as our Savior and Lord, He will give us eternal life.
     "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of
works, that no one should boast" (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
http://www.TeachingHome.com/about/Salvation.cfm

__________________________________________________________

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