The Teaching Home E-Mail Newsletter #78
Information, Inspiration, and Encouragement

May 25, 2004  /  Cindy Short and Sue Welch, editors
You are welcome to forward this newsletter in its entirety.

TABLE  OF  CONTENTS
     Home-School Conventions
     The Power of a Letter
     The Lichtenberg Family
     Letter from a Home-School Graduate
     Memorial Day
Recommended Resources
     I Want To Be a Work at Home Mom
     Learning Through History Magazine
     Homeschool Cookbook
     Bechtel Books: Speedy Spanish
     Alpha Omega Publications: Power-Glide
Sunnyside Up: Humorous Anecdote

Greetings!

     How are you doing on "Your Last Four Assignments" from
last week's newsletter?  If  you missed it, you can see it and all
our past issues at http://www.teachinghome.com/newsletters.

     In this issue we have several features to encourage you.
You are also invited to contribute to this newsletter by submitting
a note of encouragement to your fellow home educators, teaching
tip, recommended website, family photo and brief story, or
humorous anecdote.  We will send you a back issue of your choice
of The Teaching Home magazine as a thank you for any submission
that is published.  (See the 51 back issues still available at
http://theteachinghomen.goemerchant7.com)

     Please tell a friend about this free newsletter.  They will thank
you for it.

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

Cordially,
Pat, Sue, Heather, Holly, and Brian Welch
The Teaching Home is a 23-year-old, home-school family business.

Editor's Note:  The URL in last week's accompanying and supporting
e-mail was incorrect and did not take readers to the site describing
the business opportunity in that e-mail and the ad below.  Please use the
correct URL below.  Thank you.

Do you want to be
a work at home mom?
You can start a home based business today --
selling  high quality educational and fun children's books
that are well-known and respected in the home-school community.
* Start up as low as $125.  * No sales quotas.
* Established company.  * Not a pyramid scheme.
http://www.i-want-to-be-a-work-at-home-mom.com/TeachingHomeu

Home-School Conventions
     Unique benefits await you at your local, regional, or state
home-school convention, conference, or book fair.  We urge
you to attend!
     For information about your state convention, go to The Teaching
Home's website (link below) and link directly to the state organization's
website.  http://www.teachinghome.com/states/index.cfm.  Upcoming
state conventions:

June:  CA, CO, CT, ID, IA, MO, MT, NJ, NY, OH, OK, VA
July:  AL, AZ, CA, KY, SD.
August:  NV, OR, TX
September: England.
Various Dates: TN, TX, NZ

Never Out of Date:
Teaching Home Magazine Back Issues
     Many home schoolers have found information, inspiration,
and support from the writers who have contributed to The
Teaching Home magazine over the last 23 years.  Fifty-one
back issues are offered for sale online.
     These back issues never go out of date.  They are relevant
and applicable to your needs today.
http://theteachinghomen.goemerchant7.com/
     In each issue an average of 58 home schoolers contribute
practical how-to articles, encouraging letters, and ready-to-use
teaching tips.
          "The Teaching Home has been a part of my
    continuing education since I started home schooling,
    and I have kept every issue.
         "I often go back to old issues to find creative,
    helpful hints or inspiration." Meredith C., Florida

The Power of a Letter
     Every list of effective political action includes letter
writing -- to political officials, businesses, organizations, or
the editor of your local newspaper.
     Last week an 11-year-old girl in Washington made national
news by writing to the president of a large retail store.  Her
message?  A request for more modest clothing.
     And yes, she received a promise that more modest clothing
was on the way this fall.
     (As reported online at
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38605)

The Power of Example
     Although most preachers are afraid to teach about modesty
from the pulpit, this 11 year old provides us (and our children)
with an encouraging example!
     We can have a positive influence on the culture around us.

http://stanosheck.com/Modesty.html
http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.org
http://www.heartandhomecreations.com
http://www.wholesomewear.com
http://www.commonsensepatterns.com

Editor's Note:  This new magazine is a teaching resource.
Take a tour of it online.
A World History Magazine for the Entire Family
     Learning Through History magazine has 15+ great articles,
arts and crafts, hands-on activities, literature study guides,
discussion questions, web links and even a preschool unit in
every issue - and all on one historical theme.
http://www.homeschoolingcompanion.com

The Lichtenberg Family

David, Diane, Eric, 10, Ashley, 8, Benjamin, 4, Emily, 3,
Matthew, 2, Stephanie, 9 months, and baby due in September.

Our Family
     We are the Lichtenbergs, a home-school family of eight with
another little one on the way.  Our children's ages are 10, 8, 4,
3, 2, and 9 months.  We own a hobby farm and are currently
raising two Jersey calves (one for future milking), chickens,
cats, a dog, a rabbit, and a guinea pig.  We have been home
schooling since the Lord put it on our hearts when our oldest was
4 years old.  He went to preschool for one month, but thankfully
the Lord showed us how we could remain more of a family unit each
day and learn together.

Daily Schedule
     Our schedule is as follows.  I wake the two oldest children
for their school work early in the morning while the house is
still quiet.  They work on their written work like math, grammar,
spelling, and handwriting.  This gives me a chance to explain
anything that they don't understand with few interruptions.  I
usually include a snack to make it special for them.  They work
for about 1-1/2 hours before breakfast.  Then our two older boys
go outside to do chores.  Our girls help me with the baby and
2-year-old.  (There is much learning that takes place through
helping with basic life activities!)
     Then I have our oldest two work on other subjects (science,
history, etc.) after breakfast.  At that time I do crafts and
other fun activities with our younger children.  This gives our
younger children a chance to receive my attention and to learn
various things.  Reading after lunch is a priority -- especially
Bible reading.  This is a very special activity to share as a
family.  We include scripture memory each day.  The older two
take turns picking a verse for the week to memorize.  I have
found that the Lord leads them to verses that are very
appropriate for the circumstances that we are in that week!  They
also take more ownership of the verses they pick and learn how to
use a Bible concordance.

Priorities
     One thing that I have learned in my years of home schooling
(especially with so many little ones and constant struggles with
fatigue and lack of time to get everything done) is that I must
make the Lord and His Word a priority in my daily life.  I must
also be a loving example, a light for the Lord, to our children
each day.  This must be more important than the schoolwork, the
housecleaning (which the children help with), and anything else
that Satan could use to get me frustrated (financial issues,
people issues, world issues, etc.).
     I try to hold myself accountable with an "Anger Control
Chart."  I record the times that I overreact in situations so
that I will remember that I need to be calm in all situations
(even when the toddler bites another child)!  I fail many times,
but I've noticed that I fail more frequently if I don't make the
Lord's Word and my Anger Control Chart a priority.

Difficulties
     This next school year, with a new little one being born in
September, we will have five children age 5 and under.  I know
how important it is to be organized, yet flexible.  I need to
know what activities I'm going to be doing with the younger
children after breakfast so that they don't feel neglected and
start getting into trouble (which has happened!).  I also need to
be flexible for life circumstances like a fussy baby, sickness, a
friend in need, a child who needs more attention with school
lessons or behavior issues, etc.  This, I believe, is  developed
through practice and keeping a right focus on the Lord's will,
not my agenda.  The more I  practice patience in all
circumstances and keeping the Lord's will a priority in my life,
the more I'm able to be calm in each situation that comes along.
     I can look at each difficulty as an opportunity to learn --
both for myself and for our children.

Blessings
     I also must maintain a thankful heart.  Many times I have
been re-directed from a bad attitude when I hear the school bus
drive by our house.  I remember what a privilege it is to be able
to keep our children home, spend time together, share God's Word,
and learn as a family.  When I remember what a blessing the Lord
has given me, both in our children themselves and the opportunity
to share each day with them, I am thankful.  All praise and glory
be to Him!

My Neighbors Laughed When I Said My 2 Year Old Could Cook –
Until They Tasted the Pizza!  See how moms use cooking to teach
math, chemistry, and spelling!  http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Speedy Spanish: Elementary Christian Spanish Course
Economical, fast, and fun way to learn to speak Spanish with Biblical
content. Plus other products.  http://www.speedy-spanish.com

Letter from a Home-School Graduate

Dear Home Schoolers,
     I come to you in humbleness to challenge you, one fellow
home schooler to another, to keep God at the center of your life.
     In all honesty and sincerity, I can say that God was not at
the center of my life until this past year.  It's not that I
rejected God or refused to study, not at all; in fact, I read the
Bible and hardly ever missed church. The problem is, however,
that I looked at my daily study of God's word like an extra
subject to squeeze into my already tight school schedule.
I acted like God was at the center of my life; when in actuality,
I was always trying to fit God into my own hectic agenda.
     By God's grace and faithfulness to me, the Lord used a few
people and a series of events in my life to bring me back to
Him!  Christ is the good shepherd; He put His hand on my shoulder
and guided me back to the right path.
     So here I am, Caleb Breakey, an 18 year old who wants to
challenge you in your walk with God.  My longing for you is to
study God's word for every drop of truth for as long as you live.
     The bedrock principle that needs to be engraved in your mind
is the fact that one needs to set aside quality time to ensure
quality study.
     Please pray and ask God to guide you in your walk with Him.
For the walk doesn't start when you're 18; on the contrary,
your walk begins the second you accept Jesus Christ as your
personal Lord and Savior.
     I hope that this letter has been an encouragement to you.
Always remember to run the race to win; and know that all things
are possible through Christ.
     Sincerely, Caleb Breakey

Don't miss out! Our Homeschool
Conventions are coming soon
to a city near you!
http://www.aop.com
* Spanish, * French, * German, * Japanese, * Russian, * Latin
and * ESL for Spanish speakers
     Let the adventure begin with Power-Glide, your ticket to foreign
language fluency!  This language program incorporates adventure
stories, puzzles, games and problem-solving activities designed to
energize and motivate students. With over two dozen visual, auditory,
and kinesthetic activities, Power-Glide is sure to exceed everyone's
educational expectations!  http://www.aop.com

Memorial Day
Traditional: May 30
Observed: last Monday of May

     Memorial Day is often thought of as just a long weekend in
which to enjoy time off work and take a trip or have the first
picnic of summer.
     However, Memorial Day (originally called Decoration Day
because graves were decorated with flowers) is a day of
remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.
     Visit http://www.usmemorialday.org as a one-stop website to
learn about Memorial Day, including:
* The history of Memorial Day
* Online activities
* Poetry, speeches, and essays

How To Observe Memorial Day
     How can we meaningfully and actively remember those who have
given their lives in defense of the freedoms we enjoy?  Here are
a few suggestions.
* Visit cemeteries and place flags or flowers on the graves of
   our fallen heroes.
* Visit memorials.  Find a list with links at
   http://www.usmemorialday.org/memorials.html
* Fly the US flag at half staff until noon.
* Fly the POW/MIA flag as well.  (In 1997, bills passed the House
   and Senate mandating the POW/MIA flag be flown on specific
   holidays. The 1998 Defense Authorization act noted that the flag
   must be flown on: Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, Flag Day,
   Veterans Day, Independence Day, POW/MIA Recognition Day.)  See
   http://www.usmemorialday.org/pow.html
* Participate in a "National Moment of Remembrance": at 3:00 p.m.
   to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps
   to be played.  See information about Taps at
   http://www.usmemorialday.org/taps.html
* Renew a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our
   fallen dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.  Find out if there
   are any of the above in your extended family, church,
   neighborhood, or nearby rest home.

Read More
Memorial Day articles and how to support our troops and their
     families.  http://www.family.org/topics/A0031974.cfm
Help hospitalized veterans.
     http://www.hhv.org
Internet Access to Names of Servicepersonnel.  More than 18
     million listings on servicepersonnel ranging from pre-Revolutionary
     War Service to the present.
     http://members.aol.com/veterans/names.htm

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

     I Want To Be a Work at Home Mom
          http://www.i-want-to-be-a-work-at-home-mom.com/TeachingHomeu
     Christian Liberty Academy School System (CLASS)
          http://www.homeschools.org
     The Bible In Living Sound
          http://www.BibleInLivingSound.org  E-Code: 5041

Sunnyside Up:  Sales Resistance
     One day I was working with my kindergartner on one of his
worksheets. The exercise had a picture of a baseball bat, a loaf
of beard, and a pair of shoes. The directions said to circle the
item one would buy in a shoe store. My son circled none of the
three, so I was trying to help him make a choice.
     One at a time I want through the three choices and asked him
if he would buy it at a shoe store. He answered no to all three.
Finally, I said, "Wouldn't you buy a pair of shoes at the shoe store?"
     He promptly answered, "But, Mom, I don't like those shoes!"
     Submitted by Samuel Nelson, Valparaiso, Florida

God Loves You.
     Because we were separated from God by sin, Jesus Christ died
in our place, then rose to life again.  If we trust Jesus Christ
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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