Image courtesy of Donna Cosmato at Public Domain

Are you teaching life skills?  So often, we homeschoolers focus on the academic courses and miss the opportunity to include the key life skills.  We want our children prepared for college.   However, will they be prepared to live and function in the adult world on their own?

There are many times we find it easier if we just do the laundry, prepare the meals, do the grocery shopping, clean the house, perform basic home repairs, balance the checkbook, change a tire, and etcetera ourselves rather than explaining and showing how to do those tasks.  Take advantage of those opportunities and turn them into a life skills course.  It will be like a taking a dual course… learning how to function as an adult and receive school credit at the same time.

How do you teach life skills?  Keep track of all the essential tasks you do throughout the day and those that occur less often, such as basic car maintenance.  Instruct your children how to do those tasks and have your children return the demonstrations.  Be prepared to do a lot of instruction.  It takes many tries before children master cooking as well as other life skills.

Do not forget to include a course description and lesson plan in your homeschool records.

Original post by Sarah Bailey at http://growingforchrist.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/giveaway-new-leaf-publishing-act-and-college-preparation-course-for-the-christian-student/

As a parent of a high school student, it is important to stay on top of the deadlines.  Check the Financial Federal Student Aid website for the application deadlines.

• Safety goggles
• Gloves
• A saucepan for exclusive science use
• Measuring cups and spoons for exclusive science use
• Pie plate, Ziploc bags, and plastic containers for exclusive science use
• 2 L pop bottles for exclusive science use
• Funnel
• Thermometer
• Ruler, measuring tape, and tape measure
• Magnifying glass
• Balloons
• Batteries
• Salt
• Baking Soda
• Vinegar
• Sandpaper
• String
• Modeling clay
• Paper, pencil, markers, and tape
• Timer
• Cardboard, cardboard box, and shoe box
• Paperclips and rubber bands
• Glue
• Vaseline
• Paper towels
• Plaster of Paris
• Science speculation sheet

Now you are ready for the next science experiment!

Homeschooling is similar to the Super Bowl.  It takes dedication and perseverance on the mother’s part to help her children achieve success and make it to college.

Anyway, for those of you who wish to teach your children about the Super Bowl, I have listed some ideas and resources below

Super Bowl History

Education World has several lessons on math, language arts, and geography on the Super Bowl topic.

The Teacher’s Corner has several activities listed.

Let the children have their own Super Bowl party.  Have the children design Super Bowl tickets and send invitations to a few of their friends.  Serve simple snacks.  Have the children play games with a Nerf football.

Have fun!

This is another affirmation that homeschooling works.

Follow this link to read the full report.  http://www.ktvq.com/news/parents-choose-to-home-school-kids-due-to-gifted-program-cuts-no-child-left-behind/

Here is a link to learn more about Kids Inventor’s Day and access to teacher’s guides.

http://www.kidinventorsday.com/

 ”Help learning to count money and get change. My daughter is 16 and still has problems with this (special needs). With the boys, they go it easily with games and my tossing handfuls of change on the table and letting them keep as much as they can count in 60 seconds. Even untimed, since 2nd grade we have used so many games, workbooks, CDs, websites, etc with little to no success. She also have trouble telling time. Any ideas? She is going to be getting a job in the next year and I feel she must know about how much change to expect back and how much she has before using money regularly on her own. I am worried about her being taken advantage of.”

Valerie,

My daughter was the same way.  It was very frustrating when she was not able to grasp the idea of counting money and determining what time it was.  What I found was best was to use a lot of repetition in small time increments and patience.  I purchased play money and a play clock and it helped her to have a visual of what she was to learn.

Here are some online resources you might want to try:

Money Instructor

Practical Money Skills for Life

Special Needs – Money Change Software

I hope you find this helpful.  Please keep me posted.

Here is what one mom had to say:

“Quite simply, I love this ebook!  It is a concise and well-written  300+ page homeschool guide, resource and wealth of information at the convenience of your fingertips.  For myself, the sections on High School are fabulous.  This is uncharted territory for our household as our oldest will be in 9th grade next year.  I sincerely felt like the author was there holding my hand and walking me through such details as:  The Basics (including social aspects: graduation, diplomas, prom and honor societies), preparing for College (transcripts and fantastic examples on how to weigh grades), teen planners, study habits and much more.  And, in case high school is years away there’s a plethora of information to help you as well.”

Lisa Keva

Orlando, Florida

Here is  your  free sample lesson.