Homeschool Laminating

There are times when you want something to last extra long.  A chart.  Flash cards.  The cover of a folder.

Yes, you can drive to the nearest copy shop and have something laminated.  But, I usually save myself the trip and do it myself with shelf paper.  I have a roll of clear adhesive shelf paper that works perfectly fine for most applications and it has lasted me a couple of years.

Sandwich any item you need laminated between two sheets of the clear sticky paper (adhesive sides *in*) and you've got a water-repellant, wipeable, sturdy bit of paper.

history suggestions?

My 4th and 5th grade girls are reading the 4th book of Story of the World this year. I do not want to start the 4 year cycle again, so I am looking for a new history curriculum for next year. I am wanting a history curriculum that has a strong biblical worldview (which SOTW doesn't have) and goes through history chronologically. I have been looking at Tapestry of Grace but it is freaking me out a bit. I like the simplicity of Story of the World and Tapestry of Grace seems overwhelming. I'm not sure I'd actually do any of it. And it is pretty pricey. Also, Tapestry is moving away from printing teacher texts and moving toward more computer based/CD-rom text. I like a book in front of me (and don't really want to have to print out weekly plans). Do any of you use TOG and love it? Have any of you switched from SOTW to something you love? Do any of you know of or use something that teaches chronologically and from a biblical worldview? Please send me your ideas! julia.

A Homeschool Family...

By Tim Hawkins
Hilarious!! I just had to share!

does it count? (!!)

Yesterday, I took took two of my kids (one was at grandma's) with me to vote. My five year old was disappointed that he didn't get to see John McCain or Barack Obama at our polling place. Uhmm, I had apparently neglected to explain to him that there was more than one place in the country to vote! I then proceeded to share with them what our country might look like if McCain were president and what it may look like if Obama were president. I tried to sum up all of the campaign promises and political differences between the two candidates while riding in the van and eating lunch. I'll spare you all my political/moral preaching on this subject...however, my kids couldn't escape it!! I drew a map on a scrap piece of paper and tried to explain the electoral college to them. I bought 5 bottles of laundry detergent at the grocery b/c it was 1/2 off. I was super excited about the deal and went on and on about how long the detergent would last us and how much we had saved AND how I could shuffle our weekly money so that I could go buy five more before the sale ended on Thursday. I sent them all outside for the afternoon b/c it was 75 degrees and will likely be 40 degrees this weekend. So, does it count as a school day? I'm thinking YES! I snuck in government, math, gym, a biblical worldview seminar, and a little bit of fun.

And, come on...doesn't anyone else want to share about a day at your house?! julia.