What do comic books have to do with learning? Spiders and bug spray were meant to be introduced. Don’t you think? Sure, we need spiders. Lots of them in fact. Why? Because spiders eat flies. That’s why! I hate flies almost as much as these 8 legged wonders. OK, I don’t HATE spiders. I think they are pretty amazing. I just do not want to share the same space with them. Is that too much to ask? But what do spiders have to do with anything homeschool related? My boys would roll their eyes at us and scream, “Spiderman!”. While I try to teach them the abilities of arachnids, they would be trying to invent that cool webbing stuff that comes out of Peter Parkers wrists that enables him to swing through New York above rush hour traffic. But now that I have the boys’ attention, I’m going to try to keep it. Why not find some way to science and comics? When I heard there were comic books that could help my children learn science, I was excited. My kids love comic books and the magic of Manga learning tools seem like a perfect fit! What is Manga? It’s a style of Japanese comic books and graphic novels, typically aimed at adults as well as children. Why does it matter? And what does it have to do with learning? I’ve discovered this tremendous resource for teaching kids science and all about the human body. Rather than a dry text and diagram textbook, concepts are covered in a story-based format that’s also visual, so learners of all kinds have more to glom onto, and it’s easier to recall. Sort of like our trusted and true pal Ms. Frizzle of the Magic School Bus, but for a slightly older children depending on the book. Last but certainly not least – it makes learning fun! Imagine if your child requested to re-read a science text book. That’s what these amazing books can inspire. We started on the Survive! Inside the Human Body series, and even I am learning! Topics covered in this book series about the human body: Human Body (anatomy), Digestive System, Circulatory System, Nervous System, Personal Wellness, Effects of Food on the Body, Medicine & technology, and Genetics. But there are also advanced topics in this format like the Universe, Physics, Linear Algebra, and more available from Shockingly Awesome Learning on Educents.com. See inside the books in this cute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmpxhYmBAaM (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]=’EMAIL’;ftypes[0]=’email’;fnames[1]=’FNAME’;ftypes[1]=’text’;}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true);
“What I Have Learned Teaching” Guest Author- (Me!) What if our smartest kids are lazy, egotistical, thieving brats? What if they ace the test, but bully the kids next to them? Jessica with “What I Have Learned Teaching” writes, As a teacher, we often focus on what students know, the facts, details, the content. But really, what is our goal? What counts when raising up the next generation? It’s about how our children live and learn. Can we create lifelong learners? Bekki from A Better Way to Home School is here today to help us consider our focus when teaching and homeschooling. Her broader, bigger perspective is refreshing in this world of standards, test scores, and always meeting the next tangible goal. Read how to avoid raising brilliant brats here. Preview of the Heart of Homeschooling God’s Way Master Class. We need to STOP measuring success by grades, achievements, awards, and worksheets.
Our First Day of School was a Disaster From my past… Praying I have a better first day of school this year! What I wanted to share with you was how amazing our first day of school was this year. This was especially true since I was getting ready to teach a class to homeschoolers this week about “homeschooling More than One Student”. I am supposed to know what I am doing… Dream with me… The kids get out of bed bright eyed and bushy tailed. They eat breakfast and do a few chores and meet me at the table at the pre-determined time. We work through all of our lessons and they all stay focused and work diligently… (Can you hear my bubble pop?) Nope. That was not our first day of school. … Read More »
Homeschooling with Babies and Toddlers- It Can Be Done! Let me introduce you to my greatest secret for homeschooling with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers: Scheduled Crib-time, Play-pen time, and room time. Why? Without a safe place to play, and a routine, my boys literally climb the walls… Parenting Vocabulary: Room time: a block of time ranging from 5-60 minutes built into your child’s schedule where they play alone in a safe and secure environment. Alone: child is in a safe, and confined play space just out of sight of parent. Out of sight: baby/child cannot see mom, but mom is fully aware of what child is up to. Parent: the one in control of child’s routine. Child: little person being trained for future success as a functioning adult. Parent guided: parent decides what child will do. Period. Choice: the opportunity to enjoy the activity or go without fun time. Neglect: never a part of healthy child rearing and training. Controversial: Talking about parenting techniques that put the parent in control. … Read More »
Bible Studies with Kids I love studying the Bible. God is truly amazing and wonderful. He faithfully takes whatever I am reading about on any given day and gives me very practical ways to apply what I am learning. Is anyone else with me here? I know that some of my readers are not Christians, and I respect your beliefs. Me personally, I love teaching our kids about the Lord. Funny, we have very few formal learning materials so far. We rely on the Bible itself and then life unfolds and makes it practical. I am in the process of writing and creating units to share with my children, my future grandchildren, and all the sweet faces I am blessed to teach during Sunday School. It’s a lot of fun. How do you teach your kids about the Word of God? More Bible Studies for Kids: Bible Study Printables: Romans 15:13 Days of Creation Board Game Days of Creation Printables Days of Creation Food Ideas (free) Sunday School Activities: Fruits of the Spirit Bible Study BUNDLE #1 Daniel 1: Bible Study and Children’s Ministry Activities Bible Object Lessons for Kids: Waterfalls Bible Fun for Kids: ABCs of God’s Character Advent Activities for Kids: Freebie Advent Activities for Kids- Complete Bible Study: What Can I Learn from the Camel Bible Study: Pearl of Great Price- Matthew 13:45-46 Bible Study: Transfiguration of Jesus- Matthew 17 Daniel 4: King Nebuchadnezzar’s Tree Dream Sunday School Lessons on Prayer for Preschoolers Bible Study for Kids: What Can I Learn From the Ant? Memory verse for kids: Exodus 14:14 My personal statement of faith: I believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. I believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. I believe “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and that we are saved by faith in Jesus. My favorite Bible teachers are my husband (Craig Sayler), Pastor Jon Courson, Pastor Chuck Smith, CH Spurgeon.