Q: I'm really glad I stumbled across your blog! Can you post a blog entry about first grade homeschooling websites? This is my first year of homeschooling, and I need some recommendations. Thanks.
Angel

A: Sure! Here are a few of my favorite sites that are perfect for pre-school through third grade students. Several of them have links in my favorite sites section on the right.

1. An AWESOME reading website is www.starfall.com; there's a link provided for you in my list of favorites to the right. You will find amazing interactive reading programs as well as free printables including activities and phonics readers. Quite frankly, you could use this website exclusively to teach pre-k through first grade reading with a few extra library books thrown in for good measure.

2. I love the School Bell website; there's a link provided for you in my list of favorites on the right. This is a site developed by a classroom teacher. My two favorite things about this site include the Dolch Word Kit and the Number Families Kit. The Dolch Word Kit is a comprehensive FREE reproducible program to help your child learn the most frequently used words needed for reading; it is activity based and great for all learning styles. The Number Families Kit is a complete FREE reproducible program that uses both hands-on and worksheet methods to teach children addition and subtraction facts through +/- 10.

3. Try www.childcareland.com. This is an incredible storehouse of themed activities for toddlers, pre-schoolers and early elementary students. If you need to occupy younger siblings while you attend to older home school students, this is the perfect place to find fun and meaningful activities. Prepare to replace your ink cartridge!

4. Visit www.bookadventure.com. Seriously, I thought this was too good to be true! Sylvan offers free prizes (some require shipping/handling charge) to students who read books then take comprehension quizzes from this site. You can even organize a competitive home school co-op to challenge your readers. How fun is that?? Honestly, you could use this site as your literature-based reading curriculum plan for elementary or early middle school students! Free and easy is always good. My first grade son is completely motivated to read and visit this site to earn points!

5. You'll find fun at www.funbrain.com. This site features on-line learning games for students pre-k and up. This is a fun way to reward kids when they get their work done, and won't rot their teeth like candy.

6. Resources abound at www.eichild.com. While this site is geared toward early childhood classroom teachers, you can still find some great stuff here. Take a look at the printable early childhood theme units (thematic guides) and the free printable labels for your learning environment.

7. You also might try www.ourschoolfamily.com. I discovered this site when looking for a way to label our bookshelves and help my kids return books to a place where they can find them again. I'm always up for free organizational tools that I don't have to design myself.

Happy Surfing!

Dear Home School Solutions Friends,

I wrote the article below last year, and would like to share an updated version with you again.... I like to read this poem every January! Here's to firsts and new beginnings!

There's lots of good "stuff" in the archives, so please browse when you have some time.
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God has given you a January! Hooray!

If you're in need of a little inspiration to jump start the new year, the poem below is for you. Written by the founder of the Radio Bible Class, it's one of my favorites.

I don't write resolutions, but I do make goal posters for myself. I have several writing goals for 2008, and I have typed them out by month, and posted a copy by my computer. I gain a great sense of satisfaction when I can cross out a goal I've reached on my goal poster!

I also spent time last night creating home school lesson plans for the coming weeks and months. My practice is to outline themes on an annual timeline for each subject area at the beginning of the school year, and then I revise my plans in January. It's a great system for me, and keeps me on track.

I hope you'll take a few minutes to re-think your personal and/or home school plans and write down your goals this week. I believe the adage, "Fail to plan; plan to fail." Do remember that good plans are always flexible, however, so don't let your goals become chains.

I hope you had a wonderfully merry Christmas as you celebrated the birthday of Jesus, and are looking forward to all God has planned for you in '08!

Happy Home Schooling,
Mrs. Sherry

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"Start Over"
By Woodrow Kroll

When you've trusted Jesus and walked his way
When you've felt his hand lead you day by day
But your steps now take you another way,
START OVER

When you've made your plans and they've gone awry
When you've tried your best and there's no more try
When you've failed yourself and you don't know why,
START OVER

When you've told your friends what you plan to do
When you've trusted them and they didn't come through
And now you're all alone and it's up to you,
START OVER

When you've failed your kids and they're grown and gone
When you've done your best but it's turned out wrong
And now your grandchildren have come along,
START OVER

When you've prayed to God so you'll know his will
When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still
When you want to stop cause you've had your fill,
START OVER

When you think you're finished and want to quit
When you've bottomed out in life's deepest pit
When you've tried and tried to get out of it,
START OVER

When the year has been long and successes few
When December comes and you're feeling blue
God gives a January just for you,
START OVER

Starting over means "Victories Won"
Starting over means "A Race Well Run"
Starting over means "The Lords' Will Done"
Don't just sit there.......
START OVER

Dear Home School Solutions Friends,

Well, after a long break from blogging for the holidays, I'm finally back! I trust you each had a blessed Christmas, and are refreshed as you've begun a new chapter in your school year.

We took a full two-week break from school work, and are just back at it today. The kids are in my view outside enjoying a snowy recess, so I thought I'd do a little blogging.

I'm no Opray Winfrey, and I'm sorry to say I don't have any grand give away planned, but I'd like to share with you some of my best picks for Christmas this year. Below is a list of gifts and books that our family gave or received that I consider worth the money!

If you found any good treasures this year, I'd love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Happy Home Schooling!
Mrs. Sherry

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Best Books

The ADVENTure of Christmas (Helping Children Find Jesus in our Holiday Traditions: A Mom's Guide) by Lisa Whelchel, Multnomah Books...I've been eyeing this book for a couple of years, and wouldn't buy it for my cheap self. My husband takes good notes, though, and surprised me with it this year! I was so proud that he even ordered it online (thanks to advice from our small group!). For each day of advent, a Christmas tradition or symbol is explained complete with activities and discussion questions. There are lots of recipe and craft ideas, and the book features beautiful artwork. I can't wait to use it next year for our Christmas Bible lessons!

Mortimer's Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson, McElderry Books...I've long been a big fan of Karma Wilson who writes the Bear Snores On series of books. This book is about a little mouse who displaces a Jesus statue from his manger and steals the warm bed for himself. Later, however, he hears the Christmas story and makes room for Jesus. This is a charming book with a beautiful lesson! I also received a hard cover version of Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson, since my paperback copy was falling apart. It's a great Christmas book, too!

Frog Went A-Dancing by Lissa Rovetch, available through Dicovery Toys...This is the cutest little book about a frog asking all the animals for a dancing song, then finding out that it's his mommy who knows the perfect dancing song for a frog! My dancing daughter loves it! It comes with a CD.

Build-a-Book by Discovery Toys...I bought this to keep my four year old busy while I listen to my first grader read aloud. It has baseball card-sized cards which you can sort and then place into slots by category. She seems to really like it.

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Best Games

Pet Detectives, www.morningstargames.com...My six year old is into detective and spy stuff, so we wanted to find something to suit his interest that didn't involve some kind of murder mystery. He absolutely LOVES this card game which comes in a cute tin lunch box. It's for ages 7 and up, but he plays it just fine, and learned right away to count by 20's to 100 because of the money element. He says it's his "best present" which means it beat out his Legos. That's saying a lot! It does take a long time to play, so plan accordingly.

Zingo by Think Fun (We got ours from Discovery Toys.)...This is a fun and quick playing game that is easy enough for a 3 year old to play (with a parent) and is still enjoyed by early elementary kids. Older kids can play as the "judge." It's a twist on traditional Bingo with play variations, and can be used to build vocabulary, spelling and reading skills. It's a great game to play when we need a quick break from paper work. My kids love this game!

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Best Toys

Monkey Mouth by Discovery Toys...Okay, I thought this was a goofy toy, but my daughter saw it and really wanted it. I had enough credit from a DT party I hosted to get it for free, and sure enough, both my kids LOVE it. It's just a fun toy. It comes with a mold you can use to make clay teeth for a little monkey. It also has toy dental tools. Who knows? Maybe it will inspire one of my kids to be a dentist.

Dance With Me Doll...It's a tall ballerina doll with elastic on her feet so little dancers can dance away. My budding ballerina loves her! It came in a cute ballet slipper case and was only $20 online....Sorry, but I can't remember the company. I'll see if I can find it if anyone's interested.

Diego Rescue Unit...I figured it won't be much longer that my six year old is into Diego type things, so I indulged and bought this at the LAST minute. I was glad I did, because he really enjoys playing with it. Isn't it fun to just see kids PLAY sometimes?

Little People Pink Castle by Fisher Price...also a last minute purchase, this was a big hit with both my son and daughter! You just can't go wrong with Little People. It's a classic.

Mini trampoline...used from Grandma! My kids have loved this gift, and it's a great way to earn PE points inside on a cold wintry day! It doesn't take up too much room, either.

(You probably noticed that I had several Discovery Toys on my list. I hosted a party for the first time, and earned a good amount of freebies, plus my friends who came got some good discounts, too....I'd definitely do it again!)