MLA Citation, Plagiarism, and Paraphrasing- Preparing for High School Inside: MLA citation worksheet packet (link) and a free writer’s rubric printable. I’m Preparing to Teach High School Next Year High School Scares Me. There I said it. Our older two boys both graduated high school by attending charter schools or the local community college. That was easier for me. They went to school and then I was available to coach them through syllabus organization and scheduling, editing papers, and life skill teaching. This year, I feel like I am on my own. (I’m really not, but it feels like it) We have our third son entering high school (and very quickly after are his two younger brothers). Within a few years, we will have three kids in high school! Yes. Pray for me. So I am spending the summer praying, studying and planning. … Read More »
From 8th Grader to Man: Homeschooling through High School Son #3 is currently wrapping up 8th grade. That’s right, high school is just around the summer corner. It is time to make “the list”. What list? The “Everything I want to teach you before you graduate from High School” list. … Read More »
Science: Learning About Cells-Mitosis We stumbled into a unit on cells this week. Don’t you love the freedom of homeschooling? We happened to be able to gain access to a microscope, some plant cell slides, and a science teacher all at the same time… excitement was born! While all I could say was, “That slide looks neat,” the teacher was able to share his love for cell division with the boys. In five minutes, the boys transformed from boys trying to use a microscope, to biologists trying to identify the different stages of cell division. God’s creation is truly amazing! Here’s how I helped fuel the flames of excitement: First: We watched a few videos on cell division: We loved Crash Course: Mitosis (He a fast talker, but does great overviews!) We also loved Bozeman’s “Phases of Mitosis” Although these video’s are targeting high schoolers, my boys caught the main ideas without a hitch! Then I stayed up waaay too late creating a Cell Cycle Flip Book kit for each son (for both plant and animal cells). The boys have been busy today coloring, cutting, arranging and flipping about cells. It’s been a fun and productive morning! I posted my cell flip book kit for anyone to grab a copy just a while ago. ***Be the first to comment on this post AND send me an email saying “I would love a Cell Flip Book for my Kids” and I will email you a free copy!
TEXT Wars: Teaching the Dangers of Texting and Driving by Playing a Simple Game We have five sons. Five. We are currently teaching son #2 to drive. Phew! If you want to know the condition of your heart, teach a teen to drive. Teens Know Everything. They know how to eat, sleep, hang out with friends, do their work, drive and live like they are invincible. Every teen I have ever known has had at least a mild case of “that can’t happen to me”. When I was a teen I had a terrible case. My favorite thing to do was to walk right out into the street without looking. I used to say, “The driver has to stop for pedestrians.” Yes, I was that stupid. Not sure how I survived. Today, teens have a bigger temptation to dangle in front of certain and sudden death: texting and driving. The statistics for texting and driving, or distracted driving in general, are scary. So how do you teach the dangers of texting and driving to a teen? By being sneaky. I created a Game to Trap Teach Teens About Texting and Driving. Here’s the insider’s scoop. Step One: Challenge them into a “I can text faster than you.” Their own ego traps them in this stage of the game. It’s beautiful. Step Two: Reward their accomplishment of beating you with a small treat. Step Three: Take their text times and “translate them” into driving distances. (don’t worry, The sheet and directions are in the game) Step Four: Take it outside and use dice and hazard cards to give them a proper wake-up call! Step Five: Agree to NEVER use a cell phone while driving. All drivers sign a contract. I am terrified that one or all of our boys will be tempted to text and drive or even to simply glance at their phone. The next time you are driving around town simply glance at all the drivers that pass by. Chances are, at least one will be looking at their phone. So, I created a Game. For Parents, Grandparents, Teachers, Librarians, Sunday School Teachers, Soccer Coaches, Driver’s Ed Instructors, Neighbors and Friends to play with Young Drivers… Please download your copy and play the game today. My prayer is that it will save lives…