Home School in the Woods-Colonial Life

I have to share with you how in love I am with Home School in the Woods! I recently discovered this program and when I took the time to really look at it, I couldn't believe how perfect this was for my daughter.

It's a hands on christian approach to teaching history. If you have a child that is not a text-book child and really wants to be doing craft projects and learning through more visual examples, I encourage you to take a look at this program.

We started the Colonial Life Series a few months ago and this will be one of the things we do all summer long off and on. It teaches all about the first settlers, what life was like starting out in the new world, food, shelter, clothing, farming, hobbies, animals and so much more. Each topic has 1-2 pages of literature and a list of books that you can take out at the library. Then you have two activities to go with it.

Do you have a girl that loves American Girl Dolls like I do? This would be a perfect fit!

Some of their other programs include:

• Time Travelers History Studies
• New World Explorers
• Colonial Life
• The American Revolution
• The Early 19th Century
• The Civil War NEW!
• Old Testament
• New Testament
• Artists
• Composers

Here's pictures from our first project! An archaeological dig-what can we discover from the past?

Take a 2-liter bottle, cut off the top and label the sides in one inch spaces. fill with dirt and items from the past. We hid old nails, pieces of old pottery, small spoon, horse shoe etc.

You'll need tools to dig and a log book to write down what you find!

We'll be posting our projects all summer long...so stay tuned for things you can try at home to make learning fun!

Newport Aquarium-Home School Days

The Newport Aquarium is offering a special discount for home school families on Tuesday, May 4th and Wednesday, May 5th 2010.

All tickets are just $12! The deadline to register for the 4th & 5th is Thursday, April 29th 2010...so if you are even considering it don't delay.

You can find the registration form on the Newport Aquarium Website

The next home school day is October 13th and 15th. Registration is needed by Thursday, October 7th, 2010

We're planning a family "field trip" to this event and in the meantime, I think it would be fun to teach the girls some different things about sea life-science, oceans-geography and you could even encorporate something in about how recycling plays an important part!

I'd love to hear your ideas on this and any other suggestions you may have.

"Holy Cow...Science is Fun!"

We're finishing up our second year home schooling. We've been using Abeka Science.

Now I'm by no means an expert on home schooling...but I am smart enough to know that there has to be something a little more exciting than this!

It's a basic approach to home schooling.

Read together, discuss...then the child answers a few work book questions.

Are you bored yet? I am!

I attended a workshop at the Mid-West Home School Convention on how to make Science fun. My daughter loves science, but she's always asking, "when can we do an experiment?"

I love Holy Cow Science because they are simple, inexpensive experiments that can be used for multiple children and multiple grade levels. Most "Science in a Bag" kits come with everything you will need to do the experiment. If there are things you'll need it is usually things you already have on hand like water, baking soda etc.

It is a business designed by two brilliant chemisty teachers!

Do you know how to do a science experiment correctly? Need science fair project ideas? Or just want to add a little hands on fun to your science curriculum?

We learned all about magnatisum this week through their project called "Wacky Water Tricks"

Here are some photos:

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Home School Humor

We hear it all the time, "I send my kids to school because I believe kids should be with others they're age. Home schooling children are un-socialized."

Or...

"We don't think it's right to shelter our children."

I realized over the weekend that there is a lot of humor in home schooling. I didn't know there was a market for it!

I loved this comic and the message behind it...so, so true;) I was needing a laugh today, so I went looking for more funny home school humor.

Enjoy, oh and feel free to send over your favorites and I'll add them here so we can all get a good laugh!

My Memorable Week At the Cincinnatti Home School Convention

I just got back from the Mid-West Home schooling convention in Cincinnatti Ohio and what a life changing event that was!


This was my first convention and I have to say that I went in with an "agenda."


Home schooling had become a J.O.B for me and not one that I looked forward to tackling everyday.


Between the house work, farm chores, errands, my home based business, home school committee responsibilities and kids crying that they didn't want to do school work...

it felt that I was starting the day with "loser" written on my forehead.


I should tell you that it hasn't always been like this...I blame a lot of it on myself because life got so busy and what did I do...I took the fun out of home schooling.


Does this sound like you?

So this past week, I hit a wall and I knew it was time for a major change!

I packed my bags for a fun and exciting weekend with the girls, left the kids with my hubby and headed off on a road trip to Cincinnati knowing that I was coming home with my questions answered and a game plan to change the course of our class room!

We had a hotel reserved in the heart of the city and a room waiting for us on the eleventh floor!

Parking was crazy and so were the elevator rides up and down. The oldest hotel in Cincinnati only had two working elevators and 26 floors!

I am not sure who suggested this but some of the girls wondered if it was faster to take the stairs...yes, they actually raced up 11 flights of stairs and beat the elevator! LOL


The first night of the convention was filled with excitement. If I hadn't done my research going in, I would have been totally overwhelmed!


Over 300 exhibits and 250 workshops...that is some serious home school material to go through!

We each came for different reasons, so as soon as we arrived at the convention center we all went our separate ways. Some visited the exhibits first while others dove right in to the workshops.

We met back up that night for some late night pizza, chocolate and girl time....I don't think the lights went out till after 2am officially;)

The buzz was contagious and we couldn't wait to get back in there on Friday to learn more! It was two more full days of hands on material.

If you're not a home school mom, I could see how you wouldn't understand how this could be at all fun...but imagine being in a room full of things that will make your life go more smoothly, more organized, more fun and put more smiles on the faces of everyone you love.

Okay....now we're on the same page!

I had so many "a ha" moments it wasn't even funny. I can't wait to get it all out to share with you all and more importantly implement what I learnt into my homeschooling efforts.

Stay tuned for ways to spice up your home school!

Cincinnati Home School Convention

Today I am off to the Cincinnati Home School Convention. I'm very excited because I've never been to this type of event and ofcourse I'm going with an agenda! We have a few months left before we finish school for the summer and I probably won't make any major changes until the fall, but some things I'm looking for are:

• ways to keep learning fun
• teaching multiple children of different grades
• a new science, health & history program
• christian based readers
• organizational techniques

There are about a dozen speakers to choose from every hour a long with 300+ booths of vendors. I am sure I will find what I am looking for.

I'll keep you posted;)

Are You Feelin' Lucky?

As many of you know, I've been working from home now for a little over five years. I found a simple candle business that is a good fit for me and my family.

Today in honor of St. Patrick’s Day I’m giving away a free “Green” candle!

When was the last time you looked for a four leaf clover? I remember sitting in the grass for hours just trying to find one! Now my daughter Fiona does.

So to celebrate today, I’ve hidden a four leaf clover somewhere on my personal website. www.FlaminScents.com

When you find it email me at:
Jamie@flaminscents.com and tell me the page you found it on.

All correct entries will be put in a special drawing this evening and a winner announced!

Your not only getting a “Green” colored candle, but an amazing “Green” product! See our candles are made from a natural renewable source and come with a double 100% cotton wick. This allows the candles to burn practically soot free and because they burn slower and evenly, there's little wax remaining at the bottom. It’s just one more reason why I love these candles!

Our gourmet soy cleansing bars are great for your skin. You can make your own laundry detergent, it's safe to clean your jewelry and the best shaving cream I've ever used!

So, come on over and feel like a kid again…and don’t forget to invite your friends!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
The Riley Family