Power of Words

The following website has a powerful message about using words. Directed at kids, something everyone should read. Go to this link to learn about the power of words.

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/12/dear-kids-never-forget-the-power-of-words-what-you-need-to-know-about-duck-dynasty-justine-sacco-and-christmas-2/

Very Short Grammar Lesson

Whether to use "affect" or "effect"...now you know!

Encouraging Others and Finished Mini Mission #4

Earlier this week, we joined a Facebook group started by a family friend. She described the group this way: "This is a place where people can come if they know of someone who has a need that can be helped by showing a little kindness, perhaps sending a card to let them know someone truly cares about them. In return, they will receive "Happy Mail!", be it a card, a small gift, or a hand-written letter. So, I suppose the purpose of this group is two-fold. First, you can come here if you know of someone with a need, and secondly, if you are wanting to be that special person to someone by sending them a card or letter, etc., then this is where you can come to serve others! So, please, all members feel free to post of a need, and I have the settings set where you can add others to the group also. Just a little way to give back to the world in which we live! Thank you so much to all who participate."

The girls and I decided to join this very worthwhile ministry, and today - a rainy Halloween day - made 4 cards that we will mail to 4 complete strangers. Maddy and Kenna made a card for Austin (8 years old, has cancer), Carly (20 years old and has a severe illness - she lives in Canada), Brittany (has surgery coming up next month), and one to "Any Hero" which will go to a soldier whom doesn't receive much mail.

I am looking forward to using this simple ministry to help my children learn more about compassion and serving others. It doesn't take a lot of money to be an encouragement to someone else! Their cards will hopefully bring some sunshine into the recipients life and put a smile on their face.

The Cards Maddy & Kenna Made Today

Their project today also allowed them to finish their Mini Mission #4!

Teaching About Plagiarism

For some good ideas on how to teach your children why it is so important not to plagiarize someone else's work, go to the following websites. Teaching children that plagiarism is wrong at a young age will teach them an important lesson that will carry through into adulthood.

A lesson plan on the topic of plagiarism.

Home School World article:
http://www.home-school.com/Articles/how-to-teach-your-children-not-to-plagiarize.php

KidsHealth explains "What is Plagiarism?"

Raki's Rad Resources on "Explaining Plagiarism to Elementary Students"

Mrs. Rowe's site for kids on plagiarism

10 Words to Cut From Your Writing

Some very good advice from http://m.entrepreneur.com/article/229369 . My problem is that I am one of those people who speak from my heart and writes just like I talk. Not always a bad thing. I think when you write as you talk, it not only gives your writing a more personal touch, but also allows people to see the "real" you. Now, if you are your thesis, yes, you may decide it's best to follow this advice.

As Mark Twain famously wrote, "I didn't have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead." His point? Strong writing is lean writing.

When you want to make your writing more powerful, cut out words you don't need--such as the 10 included in this post:

1. Just: The word "just" is a filler word that weakens your writing. Removing it rarely affects meaning, but rather, the deletion tightens a sentence.

2. Really: Using the word "really" is an example of writing the way you talk. It's a verbal emphasis that doesn't translate perfectly into text. In conversation, people use the word frequently, but in written content it's unnecessary. Think about the difference between saying a rock is "hard" and "really hard," for example. What does the word add? Better to cut it out to make your message stronger.

3. Very: Everything that applies to "really" applies to "very." It's a weak word. Cut it.

4. Perhaps/maybe: Do you want your audience to think you're uncertain about what you're saying? When you use words like "maybe" and "perhaps," uncertainty is exactly what you're communicating.

5. Quite: When someone uses "quite," he or she either means "a bit" or "completely" or "almost."
Sometimes the word adds meaning; sometimes it's fluff. Learn to tell the difference--but, when in doubt, cut it out.

6. Amazing: The meaning of "amazing" is causing great wonder or surprise--but some writers use the word so often that the meaning gets lost. How can something be amazing if everything is? Ditch this diluted word.

7. Literally: When something is true in a literal sense, you don't have to add the word "literally." The only reason it makes sense to use the word is when it clarifies meaning (i.e., to explain you aren't joking when it seems you are).

8. Stuff: Unless you are aiming at informality, don't use the word "stuff." It's casual, it's generic, and it usually stands in for something better.

9. Things: Writers use the word "things" to avoid using a clearer, more specific word that would communicate more meaning. Be specific. Don't tell us about the "10 things," tell us about the "10 books" or "10 strategies." Specificity makes for better writing.

10. Got: Think of all the ways we use the vague word "got" in conversation: "I've got to go," "I got a ball," or "I got up this morning." Though it's fine for conversation, in writing, "got" misses valuable opportunities. Rather than writing a lazy word, look for clearer, more descriptive language: "I promised I'd leave by 9," "I picked up a ball," or "I woke up today," for example.

Whether you've been writing for a few days or for many years, you'll benefit from evaluating the words you use. Cut the filler to make your writing stronger.

What Books Can Be Found In Your Home?

We have books in every room. Yes, I mean EVERY room of the house! The girls have their favorites tucked away in their bedroom. Our bedroom has a few books in the headboard, too. Of course, our classroom is full of textbooks and level reading books. The living room has magazines and catalogs, what we call "coffee table" books. At any given time, there is at least one copy of The Holy Bible in at least 3 rooms of the house.

The computer room/library has one complete wall (12 shelves) covered with books: Alan's western collection, my favorites (lots of Beverly Lewis, Jeanette Oke, and some great reads from high school that I go back and read again and again), my inspirational faith-based books, a collection of "first" books (cardboard pages, vinyl pages, etc. tough enough to withstand the hands and teeth of babies), a collection of wonderful books for elementary, a collection for junior high level, and a collection of high school/adult books. Historical books. "How To" books. Homeschooling books for K - 12th grades. The Classics. Fairy tales and folklore. Lots of homesteading and farm books. A few old 4-H manuals remain. Dictionaries, thesauruses, reference books.

Our master bathroom always has at least one crossword puzzle book and pen and an occasional book I'm trying to get read. Maddy and Kenna have began the habit of taking a book to the bathroom with them, too, and so I am constantly finding books in their bathroom floor, too.

The kitchen is full of cookbooks and cooking magazines. We try a new recipe at least once week!

Even the laundry room has been hit by the book bug...gardening books can be found on the shelf there, along with Alan's leather working manual.

My personal opinion is that when there are a variety of age-appropriate books available to your children, and they are read to regularly, they will develop a natural love of reading. A love of books. Which will lead to the simple fact, that along their journey in life, they will be able to learn about/how to do anything they set their minds to by gathering the appropriate books on the subject and just digging in.

Reading opens up the whole world to a child. They can travel to faraway lands. They can travel back in time or into the future. They can become a character in any of the books they dive into. They can learn to do new things and how to improve some of the old techniques. They can learn an art form, learn a new skill, become an entrepreneur. Through books, the possibilities are endless.

Spark creativity. Ignite a passion for reading. Start a fire for learning. Keep that fire fed well. Keep your child in books.

Does your family have a room set aside as a personal library? Do you have books in just about every room of your home? Possibly both, like us?

What kinds of books can be found in your home? 

Questions to Ask Your Children Each Time You Read A Book To Them

Reading to your children is one of the most important gifts you can give them. Here are some questions to ask your children when you read to them to develop strong reading comprehension skills. As your child learns to read on their own, you could turn these questions into a way to help your children prepare book reports or do a book review.

Questions to Ask

When You Read To Your Children!

Questions to ask BEFORE you read the book:

Can you look at the pictures and predict (guess) what you think will happen in this book?

What makes you think that?

What characters do you think might be in our story?

Questions to ask DURING reading the book:

What do you think will happen next?

What can you tell me about the story so far?

Can you predict (guess) how the story will end?

How would you have felt if you were (insert name of a character from the book here)?

Questions to ask AFTER reading

Can you remember the title of the book we just read?

In your opinion, was it a good title for this book? Why or why not?

If you could change one thing in the story, what would it be?

Would you recommend this book to others?

Free Homeschooling Resource List

Here you'll find an up-to-date list of free homeschooling resources:  http://www.onlypassionatecuriosity.com/free-homeschool-list/.
 

Read this Fox News item...

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/09/19/fourth-graders-taught-about-pimps-and-mobstaz-in-louisiana/

So, what's your opinion? I personally would NOT want my children reading such things at school. Nor do I like that they are being taught that misspelled words are now acceptable.

Was Just Stubborness

Today, our first day of homeschooling for the new year, had me a little worried when it came time for writing. Kenna, who has all summer insisted she had forgotten how to write her name or any of her letters and would only scribble when pushed, today did a very neatly done assignment that included writing her name 3 times and a whole row of both upper case and lower case "A"s. I knew she could do it. Just stubborn at times. But she likes school and I guess she thought asking her during "vacation" was just asking too much.

So, the question of the day is, how do you deal with a child when their stubborn streak arises during your schooling experience?