Christmas Library

I love my books. Even as a teenager, my hangout was the library. In the last couple of weeks 8 Christmas idea books have arrived at my door. They are presents to me and they didn't cost any $$. I am a member of Paperbackswap.com. People all over the country post books that they are finished with and people that are looking for books get to order. It is just like ordering from, say Amazon or Barnes & Noble. You search and browse for the books you want, click a button and it is on it's way.
Don't let the name Paperback Swap mislead you. Most of the books I received are hardcover in excellent condition. There are audiobooks, too.

Besides Christmas books, I have received gardening, sewing, painting,curriculum, and cultural stories.

If you'd like to start swapping, post 10 books and you will immediately receive 2 credits to choose books. After that, for each book you mail out to another member, you receive 1 credit.

You may be thinking: "Ackkkk, shipping books sounds expensive since they weigh so much!"

Actually, the USPS has a Media Rate, so the books cost , usually, under $3 to mail. Great deal!

Check it out. Perhaps it will contribute to a New Year's Resolution to read more.

Christmas Blessings Everyone!

Standardized Testing

Home schooling families are in the thick of standardized testing right now. In Colorado, home schoolers must take a standardized test such as the California Achievement Test or the IOWA, every other year beginning in grade 3. Coloradans may opt for their children to be evaluated as an alternative to testing. FACE has offered these services since 1996 and has supplied testing services to families all over the US, Canada, and Asia. Most use the CAT as it is slick and easy and less expensive to do at home. The IOWA has the added requirement of the necessity of the test administrator having a 4 year degree or Teacher's license. Both tests use the multiple choice-fill in the oval format. Some of the subjects covered are: Reading, Vocabulary, Spelling, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies and Sources of Information; such as reading maps and using encyclopedias.
I've seen first time tester-moms get nerved out with worry over how their children will perform on these tests. One year, I felt that I had really blown it with my children as we didn't get done nearly close to what I'd hoped for the year. As it turned out they did quite well in spite of my fears.
Some families like to test their children each year, not just odd years, to see how the children are coming a long. Typically there are no surprises. You already know that your child is a math whiz and tends to have more trouble picturing spelling words. Perhaps you use the results a part of a decision to switch to another curriculum that may work better for your child's learning style.
NEXT: Cognitive Skills Tests

State of Education

Being home; caring for and nurturing my family is my bliss.

In January, it was beyond a matter of choice that I needed to supplement our family's income. I managed to be hired as a one-on-one with a boy that has Aspergers Syndrome at the high school. Aspergers is a high functioning form of autism. My main task is making sure he doesn't stare at or touch girls. He is right on target hormonally for a high school boy. Since I go class to class with him, I get a good education on the state of education in a public high school. Since it is the end of the year, it is as if the teachers have cabin fever as bad as the students. The first three periods, there was absolutely nothing planned. The students just killed time in class until the bell rang. Three solid hours of NOTHING. Not a good plan for any student but especially my student who needs to be engaged in a lesson or things can go poorly as fast as a college age snowboarder at Keystone. Oh, these kids. Do their parents know how their time is spent? Maybe. Do they care? Hopefully. Time flies by so quickly. Time is so short with our children and high schoolers are finishing up their childhood getting their minds filled up with all kinds of teacher/administrator/peer /worldly ideas and views.

Since when is funny for the math teacher to point out a cute girl's Abercrombie & Fitch shirt by calling it Abercrombie & Bitch? Since when is it ok for a teacher to tell a boy the just vocalized the "F" word to "shut the hell up; you can't say the "F" word in the classroom?" Could the teachers in my department see in my face how horrified I was to hear them tell the newly sexually active girl that she doesn't have to tell her mother; just take the bus south to the Target store and Planned Parenthood is right there. "You need to be responsible".

I had not been in public schools in many years.

Our hearts hurt when our children do something to disappoint us. We can remind them the we love them and God has a plan for their lives . We can share the Biblical truth and our faith bears witness. Home schoolers be encouraged that you are giving your children the best possible education and values in your Christ and love-filled home.