RRCH

“Subscribing” To Our Website

2012-01-21T19:07:00.001-06:00

Did you know that you could receive any new posts & updates from our website right in your email inbox? That’s right – you do not have to visit our site directly to stay connected. Just look for this little box in our sidebar to the right & enter your email address. It is that simple! Then any new posts will be delivered to your email.

You also have the option to “subscribe” to our website. If you are a blog reader, you probably are familiar with “readers” such as “Google Reader”, to add our website to your reader follow the following steps:

You will notice this little box in the right side-bar of our website:

If you click on the posts section this window will pop up:

This gives you the option to “subscribe” to our website in any of the readers listed. Just click the reader of your choice & follow the steps to add our site to your reader. By “subscribing” any new posts to our blog will automatic be added to your reader.

Finding USED Curriculum

2012-01-21T16:45:00.002-06:00

Finding used curriculum is always the highlight of a homeschool mom’s curriculum pursuit. Where do we find the deals?
1. RRCH Yahoo! Group
Our members frequently list books & curriculum they no longer are using.
2. RRCH Buy, Sell & Trade Facebook Page
You can check out the latest add directly on our Facebook wall & scroll the albums as well for pictures & descriptions.
3. Home Educator’s Resource (in Lewisville)
This homeschool store carries new & used quality resources for your homeschool needs. They even run up to 20% off sales throughout the year. Be sure to ask for a frequent shopper card! Too far? – They have an online store + they will ship directly to you.
4. Homeschool Classifieds
5. HSLDA Curriculum Market
*You do NOT have to be a member of HSLDA, but you must create an account.
6. Online Forums & Yahoo! Groups
- Most curriculum vendors (ex. Sonlight, Winter Promise, Tapestry of Grace) have online forums or Yahoo! Groups for their users. Almost all forums/groups have or allow “Sale & Swap” boards. *Be sure to check out the “rules”.
*You will find TON’S of used curriculum on The Well-Trained Mind Forum

What is Pinterest?

2012-01-21T10:18:00.011-06:00

If you have friends who talk about Pinterest as if their life depended on it, and you don't understand the hype, we are here to help! Pinterest describes itself as a "virtual pinboard." I like to think of it as a MUCH-improved version of Favorites or Bookmarks. MUCH improved!

Go to www.pinterest.com for a little peek, and then come back here for the low-down.

See that picture above? That is a sample of my "Homeschool" Board. Each of those enticing photos is also a link. A handy-dandy link to an article, photo, recipe, or how-to.

This is a snapshot of my "Slow Cooking" Board:

Once you click on one of those pictures, you get to see it's zoomed-in version. Click on it one more time and go directly to the website featuring the idea.

Once you've set up your own Pinterest account, and created your own Boards, you'll need something to pin on those Boards.

Then you'll have a wonderland of Boards, like this:

Now, if you're still not feeling all warm and fuzzy, there's more.

At the top of each of those pictures, you'll notice there's a little "Pin It" button on my blue Windows Toolbar. This plain-looking little guy is what opens up a whole new world of bookmarking. With a quick installation of the Pin It tool, you'll be able to save anything from the WORLD WIDE WEB to your Pinterest Boards.

No more "Add to Favorites" episodes where you save something cool and then search a LONG list of saved ideas, in an unorganized picture-less fashion.

So say you've stumbled on a great site full of fantastic ideas and you want to remember them for the future. You can click on the Pin It button, add it to the appropriate Board (which is super organized!) and save it forever.

But wait! There's more...

It's also a social site. So when your friends catch the bug, you can follow their Boards and they can follow yours. How fun is that???

Now that you know all of THAT, the best part is that RRCH has its own Pinterest account. There are some wonderfully helpful categories like Toddlers, Math, School Rooms, Easy Recipes for Busy Moms, etc.

NOW are you ready to try Pinterest? The first step is to get accepted. But it's not hard. Simply send a quick note to Nicki at 400things@gmail.net or Tiffany at rockinc@ntin.net and we'll send you an official invitation. Then, click on the Big Red P here:

and follow RRCH and all of your other homeschooling friends!

Rattlers Athletic Association

2012-01-21T10:02:00.002-06:00

Over the last 20 years or so, the group known as Red River Christian Homeschoolers has changed and grown in some amazing ways! What started as a handful of families meeting for park days has grown into a group that serves over 100 families in many delightful ways! One of the most impressive aspects of our group is the Red River Rattlers athletics teams, including some very talented basketball and volleyball players! And guess what? A track team is in the works!

As the athletics portion of our program grows, we need to continue to promote the Rattlers and everything we stand for. Our coaches have worked very hard over the last eight years forming relationships with public, private and homeschool groups. They know us as the Rattlers and respect our teams. We get compliments from refs, other players, and parents of other teams about the outstanding conduct of our players, coaches and parents. To continue to grow, we need a system in place that will help us deal with concerns that parents have about coaches or situations, and organize the program so that everyone is on the same page. For example, Steve Ayers is the current athletic director for the basketball team. If anyone has a concern or complaint they can address it with him and they sit down for a discussion with the people involved.

In order to accomplish setting up such a program, I believe our approach should be to promote cooperation between players, parents, and coaches of all sports. Our foundation for our athletics program needs to be founded on Christ and our conduct should follow accordingly.

In addition, it would also be very helpful if we knew what the other coaches/sports teams are doing so that we do not overwhelm our group with fundraisers or activities. Coordination of the schedules and season would be a big help. It gets to be very difficult for players and families when they are involved in more than one sport.

Basically, the point of all of this is to conduct a meeting to discuss the formation of the Red River Rattlers Athletic Association. Many parents have expressed interest in having an athletic director over each sport. These directors would form the committee over the association. This association would help to achieve many things, such as:

• Promoting cooperation between players, coaches, and parents of all sports
• Agree on a code of conduct for our coaches, parents, and players
• Create a mission statement for the group
• Verify a list of established coaches for each team and a determination of who is on what team
• Get 503(C) non-profit status, allowing a tax deduction for donations to the teams
• Provide conflict resolution

The Rattlers currently have a website: www.RRRattlers.com. We would like to develop our web-site so that all sporting events, coach’s information, etc. could be in one place. That would make it easy for schools to contact the right person for scheduling or questions. (Dallas Thunder has a good web-site, as does CHANT).

This meeting is open to all families who are currently involved with Rattlers sports or who would like to be in the future. Please join us on Friday, January 27 at the Cooke County Library in the Meeting Room. Meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. We look forward to all the great things God has in store for our group and our teams!

Go Rattlers!

Nicki Truesdell

2011-2012 Rattlers Basketball Schedule

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The Red River Rattler Basketball Teams have kicked off their season. We would like to invite you to come and watch our games. Here is the schedule for November and December.

November:

10th Junior High Girls and Boys- ICCS, Denton 5:0010th Varsity Boys- Dixson High School, Dixson, Oklahoma 7:00

12th Junior Varsity Boys, Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys- Weatherford Express, Weatherford, TX 2:00, 3:30, and 5:00

15th Varsity Girls and Boys -Bellevue High School, Bellevue, TX 6:00

17th Junior High Girls and Varsity Girls- Texoma Christian, Sherman Time TBA

17th, 18th and 19th Varsity Boys- Prairie Valley Tournament, Prairie Valley, First game Thursday at 4:30

19th Junior High Tournament -Bellevue, TX- JHG at 8:00, JHB 9:00

21st Junior High Girls and Boys- Tioga 5:00

21st Varsity Girls and Junior Varsity Boys- Phoenix Charter, Greenville 6:00
21st Varsity Boys -St. Jo 7:00

29th ******First Home Game at Woodbine gym****** Victory Life Academy-Varsity Girls and Junior Varsity Boys- Start time 6:30

December:

1st Junior High Girls and Boys- Walnut Bend 5:00

1st Varsity Girls and Junior Varsity Boys- Grayson Christian, Sherman 4:30

1st, 2nd and 3rd Varsity Boys- Olney Tournament

6th Varsity Girls - Harvest Christian, Watoga, 6:00

6th Varsity Boys-Legacy Christian, 8:00

8th Junior Varsity Boys and Varsity Boys- Westlake Academy, Westlake 5:30 and 7:00

13th *****Home Game,Tioga gym*****Junior High Girls, Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys- CHANT 6:00 start time

15th Varsity Boys- Grace Christian, Flower Mound

15th Junior High Girls and Boys- Walnut Bend 5:00

16th Varsity Girls and Junior Varsity Boys (?) Prairie Valley

17th*****Home Game, Woodbine Gym**** Junior Varsity Boys, Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys- Denton Calvary start time TBA

19th Junior Varsity Boys and Varsity Boys- Nocona, 6:00 and 7:30

20th ******Home Game, Tioga Gym**** Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys, Dallas Thunder, 6:00

If you have questions about a start time or location, please call 903-815-0346.

Go Rattlers!

Carol of the Bells by Junior High and High School Choir

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Performance of Carol of the Bells by the Choir classes, along with flag routines by Stephanie Fink and Lydia Leach, and Irish Dancing by Aaron Dhooghe. Teachers: Laurie Hilliard and Yvonne Flowers.

Modern Dance Fall 2010

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This is the Modern Dance Class performing New York, New York for the Evening of Enrichment November 2010. Teacher: Lesa Lovejoy.

Kindergarten - 3rd grade Choir Fall 2010

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Here is a video of the K-3 Choir class performing for the Fall 2010 Evening of Enrichment. Teacher: Tess Hough.

Advanced Flags and Rifles

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Here is the Evening of Enrichment performance of the Advanced Flags and Rifles class from November 2010.

Robotics Team WINS!

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The TEACH Robotics team (consisting of David Dhooghe, Sam Hatch, Craig Bell, Peter Dhooghe, Arthur Hatch, and Liam Dhooghe) went to the DC BEST robotics contest last weekend, the twelfth year they have entered this contest. The kids competed against 13 other teams, some representing large high schools in the area. Our team was the only homeschool group present. All teams had only six weeks to build and test the robot.

And our team won the contest!

The next stop is the state contest (Texas BEST). We need people to come cheer us on! The contest starts at 8 am on Saturday, Nov. 20, and will be held at the UNT Coliseum. Admission is free, and you are welcome to come and go as you need. The day should be over around 5 pm. We can bring paper banners and posters to hang up.

Contact Diana Hatch for more information.

Homeschooling High School

2010-10-28T10:15:00.001-05:00

There just seems to be something bothering you. It has been a great day at homeschooling. Everyone is doing well. You are all enjoying being with each other and working together. What is that shadow you feel? Your oldest is in 8^th grade, he enjoys learning. He loves to explain to his younger siblings what he has learned. The dinner table is full of conversation about Egypt, current events, and how a tree grows. Isn’t this the picture of the perfect home school family? Why then do you hesitate, why do you turn to look over your shoulder as though something were coming? You actually stop one day and turn. Today you know you will look behind you and catch that shadow. You turn and you gasp. Your eyes widen in fear. There it is… you know now what has brought that feeling of dread – it stands before you huge, daunting, confusing –it is High School!

Ever felt that way? Ever looked toward teaching your children high school and panicked? Don’t. You don’t have to. You CAN home school high school! Here are a few suggestions to help you on your way.

1^st How do you know what subjects to teach in high school?

Texas has fairly broad rules governing home schools. Check out the requirements at HSLDA. As home schoolers, we do not have to use the public school’s curriculum or scope/sequence but that doesn’t mean we can’t use it to guide us or at least reassure us. The Texas Education Agency has a list of required course work to graduate . The site lists 3 graduation levels: minimum, recommended and distinguished achievement. These lists do not have to followed verbatim but they can give you the assurance that you are on the right track or answer that question you had about a certain subject.

You can also peruse websites for private Christian schools - many list their textbook requirements by grade level. Another great source are established home school curriculums such as ABeka. What are they teaching in high school? Again, let this be a guide not a mandatory list.

As home schoolers we have a great opportunity to add to the core academic curriculum. Does my son have an interest in welding? Is my daughter interested in art? (Stereotypical, I know, sorry.) We have a great opportunity to provide for our children’s growth in their area of interest.

2^nd How can I teach all these subjects?

Find the curriculum that meets your needs. Add to the curriculum with outside helps.

Look within your home school community. Is someone offering to teach algebra or economics? What can you offer to teach?

Juniors and seniors can attend college under the dual-credit system. Contact the college and find out more. Ask what the requirements are for enrollment as a dual-credit student. Don’t forget to ask about scholarships. Some students take their full academic load at the college for these years. Others supplement their home school curriculum with higher maths or sciences. Still others take opportunity of the liberal arts: choir, art, drama.

3^nd Lets make a family plan.

Begin with a 4-year plan. When will they take what subject at your Family Academy? What year will you add biology? What about SAT testing? Put it on the plan. Don’t forget Driver’s Education if you want them to have a permit at 15. Put it all on paper. Then realize you might have to change it. Remember to be flexible.

Think it through. Every child should be college ready. They may or may not choose to attend but you should prepare them to the best of their ability to be ready to attend. But let’s be realistic, some of our children will choose not to attend. What should be put in your plan to ready them for the work force, the military, or in the home?

4^th Time to document – make a high school transcript.

When you begin high school, start tracking on a ledger or computer document what your student is doing each semester, including curriculum and grades earned, extra-curricular activities, volunteer work, achievements and awards. This will make the creation of your formal transcript much simpler at the end of high school!

Google “high school transcript.” (I am sure that is a legal verb today.) You will find lots of samples. Choose one that fits your need. Colleges will want a notarized copy. This just means find a sample of a notary signature form and put at the bottom of the transcript. Again let Google do your work: “notary statement.” Make sure your transcript has a place for SAT and other test scores and total credits earned.

Don’t forget to include the extras , as well as the academics. Piano lessons, dance lessons (Cotillion), community theater, Taekwondo and other sports can all find a place on a transcript.

In addition to your formal academic transcript, it is helpful (and often required) to have a separate resume. In this you can include a small photograph, a short, general description of the student (basic personality, educational goals, etc.), and include awards and activities not necessarily suited for an academic transcript.

5^th College Bound

There are several things worth mentioning as you plan the way to college. When will you take the PSAT, SAT and/or THEA? Having your child study for these tests is worth the time. It is not necessarily a matter of studying content for the tests as learning how to take the test. The PSAT can be taken in 9th & 10th grade, but MUST be taken in fall of 11th grade to be officially counted. It is not mandatory, but high scores on the PSAT can generate a "free ride" to college, so it is worth the effort and also works as practice for other standardized tests. The SAT or ACT are the main tests used for submission to colleges and may be taken multiple times. Many scholarships are based on these scores, so many feel it highly important to prepare for these tests. (For detailed information and helpful study tips on the SAT, click HERE) The study guide "Cracking the SAT" by Princeton Review is highly recommended. Some home school students prefer the ACT test over the SAT. (Click HERE) THEA is an exam used by your local college for admission, if a student's previous SAT/ACT scores are not available or high enough to exclude taking the THEA.

Scholarships need to be checked into before the 12^th grade. The junior year is a great fact-finding year. Make a list of scholarships you plan to apply for and their due dates. What will each scholarship look at: grades, community service, a writing sample. Some scholarships will want an essay and some will want a resume. Make your plan during your junior year so you are ready as that 12th grade year rolls around.

If your student does not have a particular college selected, it is extremely helpful to make college visits. Colleges have designated high school visit days, but most will gladly accommodate you anytime. Doing this before your senior year will make life incredibly simpler!

To Sum It All Up

I know, that seems like an overwhelming amount of information. But don’t panic. You CAN home school high school! Remember, planning is important. Remember, others have gone before you. Use them to talk you through it. Ask for advice!

So lets begin with a prayer, a plan and the right attitude:

I CAN, with God’s help, home school high school!

Lovingly written & contributed by Karen Leach & Claudia Fink

Rattlers Basketball 2010-2011 Schedule

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It's finally here...the Official Rattlers Basketball Schedule! We hope you will
join us this year and CHEER for the RATTLER team.

NOVEMBER:

Tuesday, 2nd Season kick-0ff: Westlake at Westlake JV Boys 5, Varsity
Girls 6, Varsity Boys 7:30

Thursday, 4th: Bellevue- Away- Varsity Girls Only 6:30

Monday, 8th: First Home Game, Woodbine Elementary- Denton Home School Varsity
Girls 7, Varsity Boys 8:15

Saturday, 13th: Poetry-Away- JV Boys 2, Varsity Girls 3:30, Varsity Boys 5:00

Tuesday, 16th: Junior Varsity Girls-Away- Trinity Christian Paris

Tuesday, 16th: Junior Varsity Boys- Away-Texoma Christian, Sherman--- Varsity
Boys 6:00

Friday, 19th: Victory Life, Durant--Away- Varsity Girls 6, Varsity Boys 7:30

Tuesday, 23rd: Forestburg-- JV Boys 6, Varsity Boys 7:30

Tuesday, 30th: Slidell-- Away-- JV Boys 6, Varsity Boys 7:30

Tuesday, 30th: HOME--JV/Varsity Girls 6:30

DECEMBER:

Saturday, 4th: HOME--Denton Calvary- JV Girls 1, JV Boys 2, Varsity Girls 3,
Varsity Boys 4:30

Tuesday, 7th: Collinsville at Collinsville VG 6, VB 7:30

Saturday, 11th: Weatherford--Away-- 3:00 JV Boys, Varsity Girls 4, Varsity
Boys 5:30

Tuesday, 14th: Harvest Christian, Watauga--Varsity Girls 6

Tuesday, 14th: Praire Valley-Away- Varsity Boys 7

Friday, 17th: American Airlines Center! Tenative Play for the girls begins at
1 Boys to follow

Thursday, 30th: All Boys Wise County TBA

JANUARY:

Monday, 3rd: TTI, Dallas Boys Away 7:30

Thursday, 6th: HOME-- North Cities Varsity Boys 7, Denton Home School
Varsity Girls 8:30

Saturday, 8th: Paris Home School at Paris JV Boys 1, JV Girls 2, Varsity Girls
3, Varsity Boys 4:30

Monday, 10th: HOME Dallas Thunder JV Girls 6, Varsity Girls 7

Friday, 14th: Heritage Christian, Away JV Boys 4:30, Varsity Girls and
Varsity Boys

Thursday, 20th: Wise County, Boys Only TBA

Friday, 21st: Grayson at Grayson Varsity Girls 6, Varsity Boys 7:30

Monday, 24th: HOME Victory Life Varsity Girls 6, Varsity Boys 7:30

Tuesday, 25th: Greenville Christian, Greenville Varsity Girls 6, Varsity Boys
7:30

FEBRUARY

Tuesday, 1st: Nazarene Christian, Crowley Varsity Girls 6, Varsity Boys 7:30

Saturday, 5th HOME Weatherford Express JV Boys 1, Varsity Girls, Varsity
Boys

Tuesday, 8th Grayson at HOME Girls 7, Boys 8:15

Thursday, 10th TTI, Dallas Boys Only TBA

Friday, 11th Phoenix Charter, Greenville Girls Only 6

17th-19th REGIONAL Play-offs at Grayson Christian in Sherman

24th-26th STATE Play-offs in Waxahacie at SAGU

Support a Soldier!

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Joshua Zimmerer, a 2007 RRCH graduate AND a proud member of the United States Marines, is currently serving his 4th deployment overseas. He is serving on a ship in Pakistan, and is not scheduled to come home until May. He is married to Hilary Land Zimmerer, another 2007 RRCH graduate. They have one cute little boy, named after his daddy.

The Good Citizenship class at EC is collecting items for a Christmas box to send to Josh. We would love to send Christmas cards or goodies from as many members of RRCH as possible. Hilary gave us a few specific ideas for Josh:

Beef jerky
tootsie rolls
hunting magazines
western paperbacks
baby wipes
any hygiene products
canned ready-to-eat foods (like Ravioli) with pull-tab lids
other non-perishable foods and snacks

Items will be collected until Friday, November 5. Please drop your donations off at Temple Baptist Church on Fridays during Enrichment Classes or contact Nicki Truesdell for other times at nickiloves2quilt@yahoo.com.

Fire Station Field Trip

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We have the opportunity to tour the Main Fire Station in Gainesville for a field trip on Wednesday, November 3 at 9:30 a.m. This is open to all ages. The entire field trip should last an hour or less.

If you are interested, please RSVP to Nicki Truesdell (nickiloves2quilt@yahoo.com) the following information:

Family name
# of children under 9
# of children 10 and over

If we have a large group, they may split us into and older and younger group for more personalized experiences. However, splitting up is not mandatory.

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Laura Ayers's biology classes is going to the Dallas Arboretum on Wednesday, October 20th.

The cost will not be over $5 per person. They have 66 acres on White Rock Lake to explore.

The Great Pumpkin Festival and the Oktoberfest Garden is set up and on display for fall.
**Laura will collect money the for the admission tickets on October 15th.

Aviation Field Trip

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This program was set up for school students, but they are scheduling a special time for Red River Christian Homeschoolers on Friday the 8th at 3:00 p.m. You MUST R.S.V.P. if you wish to attend!
**It states that it is for ages 8 and up. No younger children will be allowed to participate.
You do not want to miss this great opportunity to learn about aviation first hand and see some really cool airplanes. There will also be an opportunity to actually participate in an actual flight. The Texas Chapter Antique Airplane Association will be holding their 48th annual “Fly-In” at the Gainesville Municipal Airport again this year on October 8-9, 2010 and YOU ARE INVITED to attend.

Field trips for Gainesville Students to attend the "Aviation Education 101" forums.

- The forums will be conducted after 2:00 PM and 3:15 PM on Friday the 8th at the airport.

- There will be space and pilot instructors for several groups of 6-8 student each.

- The forums will be limited to the first 50 students total.

Airplane rides, under the auspices of the EAA "Young Eagles" program and will be conducted from the Gainesville airport terminal building. The FLIGHTS will begin around 3:00 PM on Saturday afternoon the 9th (weather permitting). Students desiring to participate in this program must arrive in time to sign-up and attend a PRE-FLIGHT briefing (suggest by 2:30 pm). There is no charge for these flights. HOWEVER, there are a limited number of flights, so it's a first come - first serve scenario. Middle school age & older.

To R.S.V.P. call Stan Price 817-488-8623 or Stanpricetexas01@verizon.net

*When you RSVP, please tell him if you would like the 2:00 or 3:15 session, as well as how many children will be attending and their ages. They have room for 50 kids per session.

What to do if EC is cancelled

2010-08-28T11:04:00.000-05:00

Missing EC due to bad weather is such a disappointment to so many. Here are some things you can do to turn those frowns upside down!

1. Have everyone in your house wear a nametag.

2. Have school, but move to a different room of the house every 50 minutes.

3. Ring a bell when it's time to change classes.

4. Eat lunch on the floor with a blanket. Make sure at least one child cries and another spills their drink so you'll get the full effect.

5. Play "I lost my backpack."

6. At the end of the school day, stack the chairs on top of the kitchen table.

7. Mill around in the driveway talking about what you want to do "after school."

8. If the weather permits, go to Braum's or Taco Casa for a treat!

How to Get Ready for EC

2010-08-28T11:02:00.001-05:00

This is a tongue-in-cheek look at how Enrichment Class preparation can look in some households.

For homeschooling families, a day away from home at classes can be exhausting. Here are some nuggets of wisdom from a 10 year veteran of EC.

1. Wait until Monday of the first week of EC to prepare your class supplies. It's even better if you wait until the night before. This ensures that you will go to sleep seeing visions of your lesson plan and you'll be well-versed in your subject for class the next day.

2. Stay up as late as possible on Thursday night. Midnight or later is preferable. This shows true dedication.

3. Assemble various junk foods around you as you cut, glue, type, copy, stack, and pack your supplies. This will give you a quick rush of energy, and then you'll have that crash you need to fall into bed later.

4. Get up 4 hours before you're supposed to be at EC. This will come in handy when you remember a few last-minute preparations, like typing supply lists, stuffing sacks, etc., while dressing and feeding your children.

5. Don't make your bed before you leave. You'll want it nap-ready this afternoon!

6. Save make-up application for the drive to EC. You want your look to be as fresh as possible when you get there, while giving the other moms the impression that you've got it all under control.

7. Stuff various snack foods in your purse to inhale as you run down the hall to your first class.

8. Give thanks to God that you had the good sense to at least put some food in the crock pot for dinner, because, MAN you're gonna need it!

9. Make mental notes during the day of all the contacts you need to make, stuff you should've packed, and lessons to plan for next week. Promptly forget them.

10. Do it all again next week!

10 Ways to Come Up with an Class Idea for EC

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If you want to teach a class at EC next semester (and you've attended at least one semester) it's almost time to turn in your class descriptions. Some of you may have LOTS of ideas, and some of you may be drawing a blank. So here are some suggestions to get you started:

1. Pray! God may be wanting to use you in a special way through EC.

2. Ask your kids! Teaching on one of their favorite topics can be very easy; you probably have lots of resources already. (This is how I came up with my Dinosaurs class.)

2. Use a unit study. These can range anywhere from dogs to space travel to the Constitution to India. You can use a made-to-order study or design your own.

3. Ask a board member what's been popular before. Usually fun science classes, physical activities (dance, sports, etc.) and arts and crafts are popular, but there are so many options that kids have absolutely loved.

4. Teach Preschool. If you want to teach, but you don't want to do a lot of extra study, teach preschoolers. They are happy with just about ANYTHING, and their studies are so basic. Science can be about pets or trees, and math can be counting and number games.

5. Use YOUR gifts. Do you love to crochet? Teach it! Do you love poetry? Teach it! Are you knowledgeable about nutrition? Share it!

6. Expand your homeschool. If you're doing something interesting at home, turn it into an EC class. This cuts down on the extra preparation time, because you're already teaching it.

7. Pick one of your favorite books and go with it! (I love Lord of the Rings, so I taught it. It turned out to be a huge hit!)

8. Use the season, nearest holidays, or an election to work with. Christmas crafts, Pilgrims, or the political process work great in the Fall. Gardenting, or the Life of Jesus in the Spring.

9. Think of what you wish you could teach your kid at home, but honestly know it will not happen... like "kids in the kitchen" (if you are the type who cook solo) or math facts- like i really care about those??? But i know I have to teach them to my offspring, so might as well make it a party with snacks so they can count and all!

10. Think back to some of your kids' favorite classes in the past. Could YOU teach it? Probably!

Think of what you love- what are your passions. What are your gifts. Each one of us is really built/ programmed for something. Are you a server, a prayer warrior, a worker, a teacher? Of course we are all teachers, but some really have the gift - others operate in a grace gift and it is not really their love. Work to your own skills. Don't work against yourself putting yourself in a bind each and every Friday.

Never assume a class idea is not going to be popular. Throw it out there & let the board hash out the details. Show yourself ready to teach, willing to change a bit and most importantly honor the LORD!

See a board member for more info, and get the classes turned in EARLY!

Enrichment Class Board:
Kari Davidson 903-429-6215
Nicki Truesdell 940-612-1300
Karen Leach 940-612-3206
Claudia Fink 940-612-1220

Photos from Enrichment Classes

2010-08-09T17:43:00.003-05:00

Pep Rally for the Rattlers!

Music Fun

Build it Big!

Little House Sewing

Little House Sewing

Just a bunch of girls in a tree!

Dinosaurs!

Nursery

Sewing with boys

A visit from reptiles

RRCH Teen is featured writer in Gainesville Daily Register

2010-08-09T17:30:00.002-05:00

Liberty Davidson, age 17, has received the honor of being a featured writer in the Gainesville Daily Register. So far, she's been featured every other Friday! You can read a sample of her writing on the Register's website, and get a full dose on her blog, Freedom to Speak.

Congratulations to Liberty for this great position!

If you like Liberty's writing, please drop a note to the Register and tell them so!

RRCH Member receives honors in Denton County 4H

2010-08-09T17:25:00.002-05:00

"After achieving top honors at the state Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program Invitational, members of the Denton County 4-H WHEP team can now call themselves national champions.

At a contest in New Mexico in late July, the team matched wits, knowledge and wildlife skills with 16 other teams from around the country in individual and team tasks, and came out on top."

Sam Hatch is a member of this team, and also a member of the Red River Enrichment Classes. Congratulations to Sam and his whole team!

Read the rest of the article here.

Rattlers win the State Championship!

2010-08-07T10:11:00.004-05:00

In February 2010 our Rattlers Boys and Girls basketball teams traveled to the T-CAL state tournament to compete. We are so excited to announce that the

Lady Rattlers won the State Championship

in the Class A division. Congratulations, ladies, for all your hard work!

And congratulations to Tess Hough for winning MVP of the championship game!

We are also pleased to announce that our Rattlers Boy's team, in their first year at the T-CAL tournament, made it to the last round of championship games! What a feat, considering the team is so new. Congratulations, guys! We're looking forward to a State Championship in your near future!

For more information about Rattlers basketball, click here, and for info about Lady Rattlers, click here.

RRCH Yearbook

2010-08-03T05:34:00.000-05:00

COMING SOON!

RRCH Enrichment Class Ideas

2010-08-03T05:33:00.000-05:00

COMING SOON!

Red River Rattlers' Sponsors

2010-08-01T05:47:00.001-05:00

A BIG THANK YOU TO THE RED RIVER RATTLERS'

2010 SPONSORS:

Medifast Weight Control Centers
972-317-1971

Golf Cars for Fun
972-346-2064

Dry Clean Super Center
940-665-0048

Nascoga Federal Credit Union
800-303-8455

Prosperity Bank
940-668-8531

Axtell Rite-Value Pharmacy
903-564-3216

Computers Plus Unlimited
903-564-7303

Calgon, Take Me Away . . .

2010-07-19T12:38:00.002-05:00

Almost coming in first under Top Homeschool Products were: Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Dr. Pepper
Personally, when the kids are on my LAST nerve or the phone keeps ringing when I am TRYING to read a book aloud, or I just need a little pick me up, my fav is SWEET TEA. If only there was a Taco Casa in Forestburg!!! During the winter it's Starbucks apple cider. It is always a race on Friday mornings to see if I can make it to town early enough to swing through the drive thru before our enrichment classes. Sweet Tea or Apple Cider just seem to make the day better.
How 'bout you? Are you a morning coffee drinker? I know I have seen many of you in the same Starbucks line I sit in! What get's your day off to a good start? OR what helps you make it through the afternoon?
Come on . . . Spill it!! (No, pun intended!)

“Yes, sweet tea for me, too. I having with breakfast (or before) every morning. Don't like coffee, and gave up DP.”
-Nicki

“I am so blessed to be able to read the bible and drink a few cups of hot tea every morning. I couldn't manage to find the time when the kids were younger, but now, I think I can't function without that quiet time! My current tea favorites are Wisdom of the Ancients Yerba Mate Royale and Yogi Muscle Recovery Green Tea. I buy both of those from Michelle's United coop.
I also enjoy Uncle Lee's Jasmine Green Tea and Uncle Lee's White Tea (tastes just like black tea) that I purchase from Alison's Frontier coop. “
-Susan

“Venti Starbucks Iced Double Shot with White Mocha gets me through the rough days. Two of our homeschool graduates introduced me to this drink, last year when I was getting ready for Cotillion and my energy level was at zero.”
- Pennye

“Starbucks is my pick up.I drink cheap, instant decaf diluted by half with a generic brand of vanilla soy pre-warmed in a microwave. What do I know about taste? Know what I like about
Starbucks? My personal unwritten rule: No Kids Alowed. For years, I never took a day off unless it was sanctioned by their father. This was my choice, not his demand. He worked so many long, hard hours, I figured he needed his
rest. Then one day while feeling particularly murderous I realized I hadn't had a day off in 2 YEARS. Now, I strike out whenever the humor is on me.”
-Jen

“Everyone should get a break. Sometime during my 30's, while being either pregnant or lactating or both for 10 (yes, that's ten) sleep-deprived, contiguous years, I decided everybody needs some down time. That may mean going to my room for a "Mommy time-out" or talking on the phone or, rarely, it means a night out with my dh or friends. Having a break keeps me out of survival mode, that robotic, pragmatic state in which all creativity and humor is lost.
Coffee, chocolate, and tea can help. But when I have 5 minutes and am inspired to do something really invigorating for myself and my kids, I turn on the music and we all dance.”
-Dawn

Homeschool Planners, Calendars, & To Do Lists . . .

2010-07-14T13:02:00.001-05:00

According to several of the responses from last weeks "Homeschool Products You CanNOT Live Without" the number one favorite was:

A Plan. A Planner. Lesson Plans. A Schedule. A "To Do List". A Calendar.

So, what planner do you use? How or where do you keep up with your "To Do List?" What is your favorite calendar?

Tiffany says,

“I love my Well Planned Day Planner ( http://www.wellplannedday.com/ ) I use it daily. It has both a monthly section, & a weekly/daily sections as well. It also has great homeschooling articles/inspiration each month. I use this for lesson plans, field trips, weekly priorities, & dinner menus. It also includes tear outs for shopping lists, an attendance & grades section & so much more. It is kind of pricey, but it has been well worth it for me.

I use my planner for a weekly "To Do List", sheet of paper for daily household "To Do's" & my cell phone for my errands list.

I have 3 working calendars :) I use the calendars in my planner for mostly school/kid related planning, I use Google Calendar for a core calendar & photoshoot bookings (because I can pull it up on my phone when I'm away from the house). I also use a dry-erase monthly calendar in my office for a quick reference for the entire family (so no one is hounding me about when this is or what we are doing today, tomorrow, next week, etc. & they aren't diggin' through my stuff). *I color code this calendar to make it easier.”

Allison says,

I used to have a daytimer in my purse and it just wasn't useful to me, so now I have a slimline credit card holder as my wallet and a small diary type book in my purse. I have a page tabbed for monthly appts and then anything else, whether shopping list or notes to do for the current are on the next available page. I use a calender on my computer for all appts, meetings, etc. with
reminders. (yahoo or outlook work great) So things will be listed on both, but I am on the computer daily so it works. (For those of you who access more than one computer, use yahoo. There are many options for reminders and printing calendars and viewing on the screen that can be selected......) The older two have their school schedule on a small whiteboard on the wall and they have the order they like and check off when they do it. This is not the whiteboard we use for school. It is a schedule only beside the magnet calendar we have had up for years. The little ones still like that one. I keep a small one page year at a glance in the kitchen cupboard. I have found this to work for me. When I tried to use the daytimer, I either missed putting everything down and it didn't have the automatic reminder that the computer does for me. And I need that. But then again, life is always changing and I am always changing, sorting, assessing or reassessing or RE-organizing something. aren't you? :-)”

Linda says,

“I use a monthly calendar that I carry with my grocery list, etc. in a medium sized zippered portfolio book. That way I have it to reference when I'm out and about. Invariably that is when Albert calls and tells me of something I need to put on the calendar! Also, it is a good quick reference for doctor's appointments and the orthodontist (a series of never ending appointments that make your child's smile perfect and your bank account empty - but it is worth it). However, my BRAIN is a dry board calendar on the front of the fridge. Next to it is a smaller blank dry board that is for family members to write me notes and reminders - or what we need from Wal-Mart. The fridge is Mommy Central. If it doesn't make the fridge – you are taking your chances! I sync the two calendars (purse & fridge) religiously: that would be those spiritual moments in the morning when I stand there clutching my coffee mug hoping the caffeine and the information with magically merge and spring to life in my sleepy brain. If that doesn't work, I take two steps to my right - add more coffee - place it in the turbo machine (microwave) and repeat the process. I also keep a small note pad and pen in the car and the bathroom. You know...those places where you have flashes of brilliance at inopportune moments.
As you can tell, I'm over 50 and the techy stuff doesn't really get it done for me. It was a huge mistake for them to make electronics small enough to be pitched from the window of a moving vehicle...I'm just sayin'...”

Nicki says,

“Calendar, schmalendar. I keep it all in my head. I had a nifty planner from Wal Mart that I used to carry in my purse, until I changed purses. Then the calendar was too big, so I left it at home. It hasn't been filled in for months. I also used to have a big dry-erase calendar hung up in the kitchen. But when I was sick in bed for several weeks, it mysteriously came down from the wall, and it hasn't been hung back up.
So now I just use my brainpower (and during pregnancy, that's running at about 50%). So my solution is to quit doing stuff. Then I don't have anything that needs to be remembered! We go to church on Sundays, and since that's my husband's only day off, I know that if he's at home, it must be Sunday. (Postal holidays do cause some confusion.)
The only thing coming up is the Skillet/Hawk Nelson concert at Six Flags and my teenager has made sure that NONE of us forget that, with notes on the white board, post-it notes stuck to the computer screen, and verbal reminders every half hour.
Oh, there is one calendar in my house. It's a free one from Oriental Trading Company that someone hung up in an out-of-the-way place in the kitchen. And since Oriental Trading wants us to buy craft and party supplies, they've listed every holiday one could imagine on their calendar. For instance today is Cow Appreciation Day. Next Tuesday is National Lollipop Day. July 3 was Stay Out of the Sun Day (seriously? the day before July 4th???). My 9 year old keeps me apprised of these holidays.
What will I do when EC starts back, and piano lessons, and cotillion, and the baby comes, and blah, blah, blah??? Ask me later.”

Jen says,

“I am a meandering trail of sticky notes tied to calendar blips from my cell phone backed up by yahoo calendar reminders on the computer. I too have several computers but only one of them works. I have given them a home in a corner of my living room where they can watch TV in the evening with the rest of us. They're part of the family, after all. I think they are the ones responsible for the messes no one else under my roof will 'fess' up to. I have note pads in my purse, by both phones and on my desk but I think maybe I aught to put one in the bathroom. It might help me remember why I went in there.

Sara says,

“Daytimer from Walmart because it's cheap. Sometimes I get the daytimer from the NCTC Bookstore. It has the quickie math and language basics in the back of it. I use it for Craig's daily work, but also put the extracurricular on days, too. Calendar with pretty pictures of historical places on the top is placed on the wall in the kitchen. All parties, appointments, b-days, etc. go on there. If I run out of room on any particular day, I know that I wouldn't be able to do all those things anyway and either don't do that thing at all or plan it on another day. Dry erase pad on the refrigerator for grocery list and anything I'm afraid I'll forget to do written REALLY large with a circle around it. Each day of the week is written at the top with things that are pretty much consistent (i.e. AWANAS, Scouts, EC) under the right day with time next to it.
Almost any coffee in the coffee pot will work just fine because I have a microwave. There is one kind of coffee that will not work, though. When the packages at Starbucks say "mulch/garden use" on their coffee grounds
that they put in the bucket by the door, they mean it.”

Linda’s response,

“Starbucks mulch / garden use? I am fascinated and horrified all at the same time. My garden screams "coffee" but the Know Thyself Angel on my right shoulder is shaking her precious head and begging me to consider the
ramifications of getting them confused in my morning stupor. The Evil Twin Fallen Angel on my left shoulder is rolling around laughing at the thought of Albert making the same mistake.
I must get out more.”

Must Have Homeschool Products

2010-07-09T12:45:00.000-05:00

The verdict is in. Here are the RRCH Top Must Have Homeschool Products:

1. A Plan. A Planner. Lesson Plans. A Schedule. A "To Do List". A Calendar.
2. Caffeine: Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Dr. Pepper
3. Paper/Pencils/Pens/Crayons/Markers/Erasers
4. Computer/Internet/Printer
5. Dry Erase/Chalkboard
6. Favorite Curriculum
7. Timer
8. Leftovers
9. Patience
10. Sleep
11. Good Attitudes

Curriculum Show & Tell Schedule & Speakers

2010-04-21T09:30:00.001-05:00

Here is a tentative schedule for our Curriculum Show & Tell. This is a list of people that have committed to showing us some of their favorite curriculum & telling us all about it. If you are not on the list & would like to share please keep in mind you will have an opportunity to do so between the people speaking below & offer any input for a further discussion after they have offered their opinion on a particular curriculum.

We are hoping for this to be an opportunity for moms (& dads) to get together & just talk curriculum in a relaxed friendly environment. Please do not feel intimidated in offering your opinion - we'd love to hear what is working for you or hasn't worked for that matter.

For those listed below - THANK YOU!

10:00 - Welcome by Nicki & Tiffany

10:15 - Devotional by Liberty Davidson, (Homeschool High School, Junior)

10:30 – Gary & Kari Davidson: Seasons of Homeschooling

11:00 – Becky Turner: Wordly Wise & Apologia Science

11:10 – Beth Fox: Sonlight, Horizons Math, Saxon Math, Mother Goose Preschool, Story of the World, Shurley English

11:45 – Classical Conversations

12:00 – Nichole Hackney: Bob Jones, Sonlight, & Teaching Textbooks

12:15 – Nicki Truesdel: Five In A Row, Math-U-See

12:35 – Michelle Yosten: K-12

12:40 – Corrine French: Organizing your homeschool & making it work for you

12:50 – Misty Pearson: Write Shop & Apologia Science

1:00 – Alison Lewis: Abeka, Shurley Grammar, Veritas Press, & Story of the World

1:20 – Christy Lewis: Total Language Plus

1:30 – Tiffany Scott: Winter Promise, Tapestry of Grace, Sue Patrick’s Workbox System, Preschool

Curriculum Show & Tell Q & A

2010-04-20T06:55:00.000-05:00

When is the Curriculum Show & Tell?

Saturday, April 24 from 10am-2pm

Do you have to attend the entire time?

No, it is an open door policy. Come & go as you please. *Tentative schedule coming soon!

Where is it at?

Cross Timbers Church in Valley View

6134 E. FM 922

Is child care provided?

Yes, for ages 4 years old & under. A snack will be provided, but we ask that you please bring a lunch for your child.

Are children welcome?

Yes, but we ask that they stay with you at all times & are respectful of the speaker & displays.

What should I bring?

Bring any curriculum you use (even if you don’t plan on speaking on it – others may just want to look at it or ask you about it privately – you can show instead of tell).

A pen & paper/notepad for taking notes.

Any used curriculum you have for sale (marked clearly with prices) & a container to collect money.

Own a home business? Feel free to bring samples or advertise at a table.

Cash &/or check for purchasing any used curriculum or books.

A lunch if you plan on staying the entire time. *We will have snacks & little mini-sandwiches for sale.

Do I have to speak on curriculum if I come?

No. You are welcome to come & listen, browse used curriculum, & look at what everyone else is sharing.

What do I talk about if I am sharing my curriculum?

We are allotting 5-10 minutes per curriculum for speaking time. We suggest you introduce yourself & share the ages of your children, how long you have homeschooled, & how long you have used the curriculum you are sharing. You may want to give a personal testimony on the success or failure of using it or discuss the pro’s & con’s. Information on pricing & where to find it would also be helpful. Just give your opinion - what you liked, disliked, any suggestions, or ways that you tweaked.

If you have any other questions regarding the Curriculum Show & Tell please leave a comment & we will be happy to address them.

Child Care At the Curriculum S & T

2010-04-19T20:34:00.001-05:00

Child care will be provided at our Curriculum Show & Tell (on April 24 from 10-2pm) for children 4 & under ONLY. We did not require any pre-registration & are not sure how many of our guests will take advantage of this offer so we are adamant about the age range. We also ask that only parents check on children in the child care area not older siblings.

If you choose to bring older children with you we ask that you keep them with you at all times. Please do not allow them to play outside unattended either.

The cost of child care is free however, donations would be greatly appreciated. We have several homeschool girls that are donating their time & earning money for special upcoming activities – ask them about it – they’d love to share with you other fundraisers they are doing as well.

Can’t wait to see you there!

A Little Inspiration

2010-04-12T14:21:00.001-05:00

As our 1st Annual Curriculum Show & Tell quickly approaches we are coming up with all sorts of ideas to inspire you to attend.

More DOOR PRIZES!

Homeschooling is work! Hard WORK!

Often as we draw close to the end of another school year & begin to think about the next, we can quickly become overwhelmed. Sometimes we just get a little burned out & need a little “pick me up.” Or maybe you are just beginning this journey & are eager to soak up all the information you possibly can . . .

Are you tired? Plum worn out? Does your homeschool need a little pick me up? Are you eager to learn more about homeschooling?

I have just thing for you . . .

There is just one condition: You must come to our Curriculum Show & Tell.

On April 24 from 10-2pm we will be giving away 6 inspiring CD’s from prior convention speakers at our Curriculum Show & Tell:

The Power of a Focused Mother by Renee Ellison, Homeschool How-To’s
How To Avoid the Two Most Common Pitfalls in Home Education by Renee Ellison
Keepers of the Home High Call for Daughters of Destiny by Richard “Little Bear” Wheeler, Mantle Ministries
Four Faces of Mount Rushmore – Landmark Lessons for All Times by Richard “Little Bear” Wheeler
Help! What Do I Do With My Pre-Schoolers? by Lyndsay Lambert, Texas Home School Coalition
Building Character and Strong Work Ethics in Your Children by Shirley Solis, Lifetime Books & Gifts

Now hopefully this has inspired you to get a little inspiration at our 1st Annual Curriculum Show & Tell !

Great Door Prizes at the Curriculum Show and Tell!

2010-04-10T08:01:00.003-05:00

The RRCH Curriculum Show and Tell will be a great way to meet people, buy and sell used books, learn about other curriculum choices and ask questions of Moms who actually use the products.

But did you know it's also going to be a great day for door prizes?

Everyone attending will get their name put in a drawing for the following:

$25 Gift Card to Home Educator's Resource in Lewisville
Free Admission to the Home School Book Fair in May
RRCH Lanyards
Great Books

So come on out on Saturday, April 24 and join the fun!

See the full details here, and follow us on Facebook, too!

Curriculum Show & Tell

2010-03-25T23:06:00.001-05:00

How to Create a Photo Album in our Yahoo! Group

2010-02-12T20:42:00.002-06:00

Our Yahoo! Group currently has 154 members & 8 photo albums. Were you even aware our group had “photo albums”? Either you didn’t, you don’t know how to add one, or you aren’t utilizing this great tool. Well, now you know. And I am going to share with you how to create an album for you family:
Go to Yahoo! Groups & sign in.
On the left hand side of your Yahoo! Groups homepage you will see a list of your groups. Click on CCTXHomeEd.
On the top left hand side you will see a blue box. Click on Photos.
You will be directed to the Photos section of our Yahoo! Group. You will see Photo Albums by some of our members. To view theirs simply click on the album you wish to view.
To create your own album look at the top right corner of the screen & you will see Add Photo / Create Album. Click on Create Album.
Give your album a name & description & click Continue.
To upload your pictures click on the blue Select Files button.
Select your photos from the files on your computer. Once you have selected all the photos you wish to add click Upload.
Wait for your photos to upload. Once the uploading is complete you will see a check mark at the bottom that reads Upload Complete.
Click View Your Photos. The following screen will provide the options to edit, move, copy, and/or delete your photos.
Edit: This allows you to rename & add descriptions/captions to your photos. Check the photo(s) you wish to edit & click Edit. When you are done making any changes click Continue.
Move: This allows you to move a photo(s) to an existing album or create a new album. Check the photo(s) you wish to move & click Move. When you are done making any changes click Continue.
Copy: This allows you to copy a picture to an existing album or a new album. Check the photo(s) you wish to copy & click Copy. When you are done click Continue.
To cancel any of these actions & return to your photos main screen click Cancel.
You may also add or rearrange photos by clicking these options found in the lower right hand corner of your screen.
I really hope more of us utilize this tool more often. This is a great way for us to introduce ourselves to new & existing members & share a glimpse of our homeschools with each other. What a fantastic way for us to share our enrichment group activities with each other as well! So what are you waiting for? Go dig through your digital photos, find a few favorites & begin your own album.

Quilt Raffle Winner!

2010-01-04T11:21:00.002-06:00

The Red River Rattlers are proud to announce the winner of the quilt raffle . . .

Don Fox of Valley View!

Don is the father-in-law of Beth Fox, and attends Cross Timbers Church with several RRCH families. He was very excited! He informed Nicki that he makes handmade quilt racks! How great is that?!

Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets in the raffle. The Rattlers raised $489.60!

Thank you to Tiffany Palmer (sister of Rattler Katy) for making this beautiful quilt, as well!

Red River Rattlers Boy's Basketball

2009-11-20T22:08:00.003-06:00

Hey my name is Alec Hilliard I play point guard for the Red River Rattlers. September 29th of this year (Andrew and my birthday) shined a little light upon season number three for the guys with some scrimmage games in Bellevue, TX, a long way from the team that started in ’07 with about six players. We are officially a varsity team now and have played public, private, and other home-schooled teams around North Texas. This is going to be a very fun year since it is our first year in the TCAL conference and we will get to go to district and state! We have had ups and downs in our numbers, but now have a full team of 15 guys.

#1 Nick Dhooghe
#3 Andrew Flowers
#11 Kaleb Moses
#13 Sam Leach
#14 Josh Honea
#21 Timmy Teater
#22 Peter Dhooghe
#23 Trent Harvey
#24 Daniel Huffman
#32 Aaron Leach
#41 Alec Hilliard
#51 Phillip Dhooghe
#52 Dominic Dhooghe
#55 David Dhooghe
#??? Sam Fink

We are so blessed with our coach, Steve Ayers who drives us around the world to take us to our games and gives up his weekdays and Sundays to come out and shoot with us. Dale Harvey has been a big help in coaching some of the newer guys and helps us out. They both have high expectations for our team and Mr. Steve always says we work for “excellence” and out on the court our motto is “attack!” We hope to place well this year in the conference and make it to state, that is, if we can get everyone better from sickness and injuries. We love the game of basketball more than any other sport and enjoy trying to be the best we can be for the team. We have put in tons of hours over the summer with working out and improving our game. (Some players with over 375hrs.) Liberty posted a schedule so hopefully y’all can catch one of our games sometime! Our guys sure play hard!

Be blessed,
Alec H.

Red River Lady Rattlers

2009-11-19T15:21:00.003-06:00

Hi, my name is Liberty Davidson, and I’ve been on the basketball team since we were the Bulldogs (six years ago!) Fortunately we changed our name to the Rattlers, which title we have proudly held since our second year.

We’ve had our struggles and our triumphs as a team. We’ve known what it’s like to go on a seemingly never-ending losing streak, but we’ve also known the great feeling of countless victories in a row.

Three years ago, the team welcomed a new coach, Dwayne Holman, and we joined a sports league that exists exclusively for home schooled and private schooled teams. In March, we made it all the way to the State Championship and finished as runners-up!

The Lady Rattlers have consistently improved over the last several years, and the beginning of the 2009-10 season has been no different. We have been victorious in each of our first three official games!

This year our team consists of twelve talented players:

#3Tess Hough
#5 Morgan Ayers
#14 Hayli Hough
#21Victoria Blessing
#23Liberty Davidson
#33Mallory Clayton
#2 Katy Palmer
#13 Virginia Land
#15 Teresa Dhooghe
#24 Nikki Morgan
#41 Kalie Lovejoy
#45 Allison Land

We value determination, team work, good sportsmanship, and most of all, playing our best. As Coach Holman says, “If you leave it on the court, you will be victorious.”

The home schooled boys in our group have also had a team for the last three years, and they have been doing excellent!

We are really excited about the promising season ahead for both teams. What makes it even more exciting is when YOU, our fans, show up and cheer!

All our home games are held at Radware Elementary School in Woodbine. Here’s the address:
668 FM 3164GAINESVILLE, TX 76240-9082

Please feel free to call Coach Dwayne Holman for directions, 940-447-4710

To read more about the Lady Rattlers, click here.

Enrichment Classes Celebrates 10 Years!

2009-11-18T21:40:00.003-06:00

"The LORD has done great things for us and we are filled with JOY!" Psalm 126:3

The Red River Enrichment Class Program is celebrating 10 years! And we are celebrating in a BIG way!

* past yearbooks for sale - only $5
* Commemorative T-shirts and book-bags for sale at Registration December 4
* watch a slide-show at registration and see how the kids have grown!
*Memory forms to fill out at Orientation in January
* hear the story of our humble beginnings
* great prize giveaways every Friday next semester
* special visits by past members of EC
* new COLOR yearbook format
* goody bags for everyone!

And. . .

This year we are adding a FIFTH hour!

If you have never tried EC, this is a great time to join. If you've been off for a semester or two, we'd love to have you back! Join us for a GRAND celebration!

Click here for more info about Enrichment Classes.

Registration is December 4th - one day only! Space is limited. To get on the waiting list and get a copy of our awesome class schedule, email Kari Davidson at sweeteralsothanhoney@verizon.net.

There is no late registration.

Not So Typical . . .

2009-09-17T15:04:00.000-05:00

I have truly been enjoying the "Typical Homeschool Day" thread you all have been keeping alive - WOW! It is nice to see our group open up a little. FYI: I've e-mailed with Renee before & she really doesn't bite - there is no need in being afraid to post :) Anyway, I am lovin' all the posts & have added them to our blog.

I was dying to chime in this week, but in all honesty, we started school this week & it has NOT been a "typical" week. In fact, we have yet to have a typical day . . .

Cows have jumped the fence & gotten out on the road way causing me to have to stop everything & go cowgirl (yeehaw), the boys have woken up fighting each & every day with one another, 2 mischievous little boys (ahem, Tucker & Trevor, not to mention any names or anything) decided to pull every single Kleenex out of the new box (brought home especially for their little runny noses) & fill our trashcan with them, -- Oh yes, they all woke up with a small cold on the first day of school -- don't you know they were in good moods all day -- NOT!! Daddy brought home a new 4 wheeler & how could any 3rd grade boy focus on school when there is a new 4 wheeler to be ridden?
WAIT. Insert: What is homeschooling all about -- Those moments right there! Thankfully my husband reminded me of that when he all but took me hostage & took me on a 4 wheeler ride around our land with our boys. The fresh air, the cool breeze, the deer we saw, the boys' smiles as we raced around, their laughter -- "That is what it is all about!" The longer I homeschool the more I realize it is those real life moments that make all my sweat & tears worth every bit of it - not a completed math page.

So, after reading many of your typical days, I'm going to change the thread a bit & ask - what this week was "Not So Typical?"

A Typical Day By: Kari

2009-09-16T17:27:00.000-05:00

We get up about 6:30, then work out. Sometimes Liberty does not work out when I do so she is starting her chores while I go out. My work out is a mile or two walk/run and some days I add a work out video to that also. Liberty usually runs a mile and during basketball season she has additional things her coach adds to that.
Liberty gets all her basic chores done and she then starts school with Gary(Dad) about 8:00 or 8:30. If he is not quite ready then she and I will start our devotional time together. Right now we are reading Beautiful Girlhood by Mable Hale. I have a list of books we will read together for the rest of the year. The next one is The Christian Charm Course by Emily Hunter, then I have two video series by Josh McDowell on Apologetics and so on. Bible is mixed in with these.
When Gary comes in we pray and say our pledges, American flag, Texas flag and the Bible. Gary then does Algebra and History with Liberty.
While he is doing that I check my email and FB, clean up breakfast dishes and take a shower. He is usually finished with her by then and she hops in the shower while Gary and I discuss anything coming up that day or next that we need to be aware of. He leaves and I usually get a phone call or two during all this time.
By now it is about 9:30. So Liberty walks her dog one more time and we jump in to the rest of the day.
Let me say that Liberty thrives on order and structure. She likes for me to have a schedule made up and laid our for her. She likes knowing what to expect. We change the schedule up a bit every year for different reasons. We also will change it up a bit during the school year if she is having difficulty with something or we see that something is consistently not getting done. But for now this is our schedule for this year and so far we really like it. She also likes me nearby. For the most part I am usually in the school room with her while she is working, even though I may be doing my own reading, filing, grading, organizing, etc. (currently working on her transcript)
It is now close to 10:00 and she finishes up any algebra problems she has and history assignments. We then go to geography, government, then science, Spanish, literature, which we sometimes read together. Right now we are reading our book together for literature. Next is spelling, vocabulary, poetry and English.
Those things take up to around 3:00 or so. During this time whe we have had a break she likes to go outside on the porch or in her big chair in her room and she has her alone time with God and her Bible. She tries to read through the Bibe every year. The following are the rest of things on her schedule that she does on her own like writing, blogging(on her blog site liberty-freedomtospeak.blogspot.com), SAT practice, basketball practice, shoot hoops, etc., for now studying her Driver's Ed. (This has been like pulling teeth. She has no desire to drive so we have finally had to insist that she get her permit so she can start gaining experience.) Practice her piano daily and her guitar weekly, EC homework and art, which we are trying to do once a week. Liberty and I are also trying to start up an online business which we try and work on together in the evening.
She also enjoys acting and tries to audition for a Butterfield play at least once a year. This year she got to act in one and work back stage in one, which was good experience for her. She also got to work behind the scenes in a movie that is being made in McKinney right now doing little odds and ends for a few days. Her favorite part was the slamming down the Clacker. She has joined Venture Scouts this year and 4-H and so those both involve extra activities. She is active in her youth group and our church and on our church's tambourine and dance team. All of those things require extra time and energy so those are added in on top of the rest.
On normal days when we are home for most of the day, she goes to bed around 9:15 and gets up between 6 and 6:30. On nights when we are out late due to a basketball game or other late activity, which we limit as much as possible, then we sleep in till 7:00 or 7:30 and follow the same routine.
During the weeks we have Enrichment Classes, Liberty still has spelling and science on Friday afternoons and another lesson over the weekend.
On Wednesdays we cut something out so the day is a little shorter since we go to piano lesson that day and church. After piano I go to Wal-Mart to do my weekly shopping and she studies one of her lessons in the store, if she wants. She doesn't care much for shopping.
I try not to answer the phone most of the time during school unless we are on a break when it rings. School is school and the kids need to know this is just as important to you as you want it to be to them.
I love our home school and I love to home school. I love spending the hours with Liberty and imparting what I can to her. The honest truth is that I really learn a lot from her. God has blessed me with a wonderful family and I am very thankful.
Kari

Typical Day By: Susan

2009-09-14T22:40:00.000-05:00

After returning from a week spent with my dad for his 80th birthday, we will
be starting another year of "school" at the Gleaton household tomorrow.
Three of my kids have graduated from home school, and I have three to go.
My oldest graduated from UNT three weeks ago and just left this afternoon to
live in Rowlett. He starts his first full-time job with the company he did
an internship with in Richardson tomorrow. My second oldest is already
retired from the Army, and he and his wife are expecting baby #2 in just
four weeks! My third oldest is living at home and beginning her second year
at NCTC. We have homeschooled all of our kids all of the time. Although I
tearfully considered other schooling options (more than once!), I realized
that those other options came with their own set of problems and that I
would just be trading one set of problems for another. I figured out I was
better off with the set of problems I had and that, for me anyway, the grass
was not really greener on the other side. I came to the conclusion,
however, that I had to make school something that is enjoyable, doable and
attainable both for me and the kids. That took a lot of prayer and
soul-searching on my part, and thus our "school" will look quite different
from others. That's okay, and I think every family should figure out what
works best for them.

My main goals for school are for the kids to learn and to want to keep on
learning. I also want to provide a well-rounded education. I try to end a
subject just before it gets to be too much. That way, they are ready for
more the next day. We do some subjects together (history, Latin/Greek roots
and literature) and some subjects individually (math, science, government,
spelling, writing, typing, drilling, etc.) Presently the younger two are
doing science and government together also. We do the basic subjects
everyday (history, math, science) and switch off days on the other subjects.
Some are Tues/Thurs and some are Mon/Wed/Fri. The kids each have their own
checklist of which subjects to do each day so it doesn't get confusing and
all gets covered. I watch for signs of frustration or not understanding in
any area. That is where we back off, figure out what went wrong, and start
again. If a math lesson doesn't get finished because it is not understood,
that's okay. There is no point in continuing on until it is understood.
The same goes for other subjects.

What does a typical day look like? It's probably a lot different from
yours!

10:00-Everybody up, breakfast, chores, bible. (I've actually been up quite
a while, and accomplished a LOT of my day!)

11:00-Start school together. I read whatever history we are studying aloud,
then we do Latin/Greek roots or Spanish.

About 12:00-I read the science lesson aloud to the younger two, then we do
government or any other subject we might be doing together. The oldest
starts school on his own. If there is a science experiment that day, they
do that on their own.

About 1:00-Lunch. I read whatever our literature is at the time aloud.
Often the literature ties in with the history we are studying.

About 2:00-Everyone completes the rest of their subjects on their own. They
finish at variable times, but are usually done by 4-5:00.

Outside activities and dinner for the rest of the day. At dinner, I often
read missionary-related stuff while the whole family eats. We often have
dinner guests, in which case I don't read. The boys have to be in bed by
midnight. (They are 14, 15 and 17.)

This schedule is crazy late, but it works well with college kids at home.
We also have a boarder that works nights. He is often a part of the family
on his three nights a week off.

Susan

A Typical Day By: Linda

2009-09-14T22:37:00.000-05:00

We have tried it all and are now homeschooling one on a year-round plan.
This lets us do fewer subjects at a time and leaves room for enrichment
activities. It also promotes life-long learning skills. It is important to
learn to enjoy learning.

We tried public school and it was a disaster! They didn't teach the kids
squat. If you think you can't homeschool because you're not a teacher, well
that's a false illusion. If you have a pulse, care about your child's
education, their character, and can read, write and (bonus) have basic
computer skills you are highly qualified to teach your child. You will NOT
have to put up with the anti-parent poison that has infected our schools.
Nor will you have to wonder what is being taught to your child - without
your knowledge or approval - by "counselors" who have their own agendas.
Don't even get me started...

We tried private Christian school. Great teachers and staff who did their
best to promote Godly principles and high academic standards. Costs a
fortune. What we didn't expect was the secular snotty social scene with the
other kids. Nice parents - wretched kids! No thanks, I can get that for
free at public school. Narcissism isn't cute even if it is dressed up in
little plaid uniforms, but I digress...

We are back to homeschool and happy as larks. The co-ops are great sources
of information and support. The kids and families are tremendous. LOTS of
great extra-curricular opportunities and enrichment that would not be
possible in a private / public school setting. I've found that a key to
success in school (any school) is for the child to take responsibility and
accountability for their education. Do not expect a child to come to this
epiphany on their own. Expect to get static. Be a big person (who already
HAS their education) and hold the line. Bobbing, weaving and changing to
make them "happy" is a sure way to get defeated. (Been there - done that,
you've met my boys) Structure helps a lot. Discipline is a life skill
best learned young. That is where self-esteem comes from, by the way. (No,
it isn't fairy dust) I must say, Katy is doing great!

6 am out of bed
make bed, get dressed, start morning chores, get organized for the
day
7 am jog a mile (gets those brain cells snapping and keeps the hiny tiny)
7:30 breakfast, clean up after yourself (a critical life skill worth
teaching)
finish any morning chores, chat with Dad
8 am Personal Bible study
8:30 School Starts
schedule of classes varies by day but is regularly scheduled so
there is no question of what needs to be accomplished
12 n LUNCH!
ask questions, get help as needed, chill out a bit
3:30 done with classes, put on swimsuit, get a cool drink, and take reading
book to floatie chair to read in pool. Life is good.
5pm Set table for dinner
6pm Dinner
Clear table and kitchen (Home Economics 101)
7pm Enjoy evening with the family
homework if necessary
Extra curricular activities some nights

If it doesn't get done during the school day then mom needs to know why. If
there is a problem - tell me. Got a question - ask it. Otherwise, it
becomes homework. Welcome to the real world. Fits and baditudes are not
problem solving skills. If you wouldn't dream of pulling it in private
school on the teacher, don't consider trying it on me. Dad is the
principal and you don't want to get sent to his office. Personal
accountability is a big deal. Success rocks!

Katy has set a goal for herself to go to the Naval Academy - her idea, not
mine. So, if my approach to homeschool sounds a bit militaristic, well
then... OK.

Semper Fi, little sister! Your mama is your biggest fan.

Linda

A Typical Day By: Alison

2009-09-14T22:35:00.000-05:00

Ahhh? What is a typical day? Hopefully not coming home from a wonderful family reunion and mini vacation to still no internet (although it was to be fixed before we left), a washing machine that smells of an electrical fire when used and cat poop in various undesirable places throughout the house. And my plan was to start our school year the next day at 9am! Needless to say, to make sure we all started out the year with everyone having a good attitude (including Mommy) I opted to postpone starting school for a day or two (again!) This goes to show that there is no typical or ideal day at the Lewis household.

I had high ideals in my 20's before marriage and children of what my homeschool day would be. I was one of those homeschool nerds that went to seminars when I was single and no children. In retrospect, that was a blessing from the Lord since I haven't been able to attend since my oldest was born.

God is faithful and knows our strengths and weaknesses as do our children (and all too well) and I know if we lean on Him that all things will work together for good.

I have a basic plan, but with a husband who loves life and is not sure when to go to bed, a precocious toddler and a precious first grader with extra challenges our typical day varies month to month as their development changes (my two younger ones, not my husband). Fortunately, my older two are very flexible and understand. Life is too short to be too rigid (that is a real gem coming from an accountant of 20+ years!)

In a nutshell, this is what we strive for:

Breakfast
Piano
School work (with two recesses in the am- necessity with three boys with lots of energy)
older two trade off playing with younger two
Individual school time with first grader
Lunch
reading and nap time
Scouts and other projects
computer time
Dinner
time with Daddy
Bible time
Bed

Alison

Meet Maggie, A Single Parent Homeschooling Momma

2009-09-12T13:42:00.001-05:00

Hello, my name is Maggie VanDolah, I have 3 fantastic children that have been a blessing beyond what I ever imagined before having children. I have been a single mom for the past 11 years, which was not a choice I would have ever wanted or chosen but God has been so good to us in so many ways that it is hard to even consider this as anything other than an extremely blessed life. It has been a great joy for me to be able to homeschool when I thought it would be impossible. I also have worked at Sears Medical Associates for the past 9 years and have been able to have a flexible schedule which is great with homeschooling. Currently, my only hobby is doing home improvements as I have time, I have 3 storm doors and a ceiling fan that are waiting to be installed when I find a free day or two or three to get to them! My favorite meal is any meal I don’t have to cook, except fish! My dream vacation is spending time in the Colorado Rocky Mountains but I would also love to go to Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, Washington D.C., the list could go on and on.

Here is a little about my favorite subject, my children! William is 24, he lives in Ft Worth with his wife, Elizabeth, and their dog, Bella. William is a very considerate and caring son and husband. For the most part he was my most compliant child but also the most adventurous. He would get mad at himself if he was ever too afraid to try something; I learned to almost force him to do the things he seemed afraid of. One time after we were getting off a roller coaster at Six Flags, he hugged me and said, “Thanks for making me go on that ride, Mom!” Ben is 20, he currently lives at home and is attending NCTC in Gainesville. He has played the drums for over 7 years and he has always loved video games. Ben loves to tease his mom and siblings; he has always had a very quick wit, mind, and mouth! He is the one that could (and still can) outlast and outwit me, most of the time! I wouldn’t change a thing about him because he has been an exceptionally fun son to raise and has challenged me to look at many things in a different light. Molly is 14, my little girl that’s not so little anymore. She plays piano and loves to hang out with her friends. Molly is a very sweet and loving daughter, I’ve noticed as she is maturing she is developing a very level head and has quite a bit of common sense. She was only 3 when her Dad and I divorced. She recently told me she wouldn’t change her parents or life because she feels she wouldn't be the same person, she believes God will use what she has been through to help others. That was so awesome for me to hear. I have always encouraged my children to focus on all the wonderful things they have and not the few things they don't have, I have never wanted them to think of themselves as victims of divorce.

Our homeschooling adventure began twelve years ago with Ben when he was going into 3rd grade. He seemed to have trouble staying out of trouble in class because he would get bored waiting for the teacher to teach the next subject. He begged me to homeschool so I called my brother and his wife, Ray and Joyce Hall, who had homeschooled both their girls before anyone thought homeschooling was an option! They assured me that I could do it and even continued to encourage and assure me that I could still homeschool even as a single mom. We had tried public school and private school with William and he just never enjoyed school and had quite a bit of trouble learning to read but when he started school at home in 8th grade he realized he could learn so much more and he gained a confidence in himself that he hadn’t had before. He even got the opportunity to teach guitar to several other kids. Molly has been homeschooled since the beginning and she will be in 9th grade this year. I have tried several curriculum and my favorite was Sonlight, it comes with so many books and covers so much and if I had more time to spend we would still be using that. I have used Abeka with Molly for several years and she started doing the Abeka videos last year. Even though the videos are not my first choice they give a very well rounded education that my children can do without waiting for me to find the time before or after work to do school with them. I can help with anything they are having trouble grasping and they can tell me what interesting things they learned each day. The benefits to homeschool far outweigh any disadvantages. The flexibility is a huge benefit, it is so nice to be able to take vacations when everyone else is in school, to be able to see things and spend time together. For us when a hard issue would come up it was so nice to be able to talk it though and work it out as we needed to instead of waiting till they got home from school. My children have a bond with each other that they would never have had without being homeschooled. They have always had so much fun together and did so many more things together than they ever would have done had they not been homeschooled. William and Ben played in a band together and even recently have started playing golf together. All three of them loved to go on adventures together exploring anything they could find to explore.
What is it like homeschooling a teenager? Just like anything with a teenager, hard but totally awesome! When they start enjoying learning and decide they want to learn it is so very rewarding, you feel like you have given them a gift they will use and cherish for their whole life.

Are there ever bad days? No, never!! Of course there are but it’s usually the bad ones that teach you the most afterwards. You definitely figure out what not to do! When things got too bad for us, many times I would decide to take the rest of the day off of school and regroup. We might go to a movie, or just watch one of our favorite movies at home, sometimes we would just go do a little shopping, the idea was to just take a break to be able to objectively look at the situation without the emotional unrest.

One of the biggest challenges for me with homeschooling is knowing if I taught them enough and worrying that I failed them by not teaching them something they might really need. In the end though I realize that if I can teach them a thirst for knowledge they will be able to learn the things they really need to know.

I have experienced “burn out” and my advice for anyone going through it is to just step back and know that you are doing something great for your children. You may not feel like it at times and they may tell you differently at times, but be assured that your children will be given something from you that they will be able to use the rest of their lives!

My advice to any single parents thinking about or homeschooling their child is to pray often, to be patient and to talk about things with your children. Sometimes the emotional trauma of being a child of a single parent can be internalized by your children and I have found that when I can get mine to talk about what they are thinking we can work out so much and their whole outlook on life and school completely changes.

Typical Day From Corrine

2009-09-05T08:18:00.002-05:00

I am here and not sure if I want to admit how my typical day goes....

It is sooooo far from what I wanted in my perfect world. I knew that I would homeschool our kids before they were born. So, I had some really strong ideas of how my days would look.

I imagined that it would be like those old victorian prints with a mom sitting by a tree reading to her children while someone plays classical music.

Instead it is more like- someone puts in a cd of Christian ROCK or screamo and that wakes me up in the am followed by spilled milk and too much food dripping off the table onto the floor.

Then we start morning chores. Play outside, water flowers & start the next feeding session. As the little ones nap we try to start school. Sometimes we get through a whole day, sometimes we do not. That is why we schooled all year long before the older ones went to Public School. It was my mission to make sure that they finished their work before the next year began.

I liked to live each day. If that meant we played legos and rode bikes for hours, then many days we played all day. I like the freedom of schooling our children at home- our way. Mine did not play computer games all day. That time was very limited, but good clean fun was never stopped so we could school. (ALL of these freedoms were for my kids under the third grade age.) I wanted the little ones to really enjoy their childhood on our ranch. The older ones schedule was harder.

Now, my older three are in PS and my younger three are at home. If I had a full time nanny or assistant, I would still have all of them at home. But, since I have five boys in a row and my health has not been as good at times- I needed to reconsider what was more important. Their education was more important than my need to homeschool. I want them to be able to provide for their wives, so that they can homeschool as stay at home wives. In the long run, that is more important than keeping my high schooler at home. I know this option is not for everyone, but it has helped me be more sane and happy as a stay at home wife and mom. (BTW, our older three have straight A's for the most part. They have done wonderful in PS and have no major gaps in their education.)

So, the long and short of it goes like this.

I am only one woman- doing at least three full time jobs. My days are crazy, funny and most importantly at home. I love being at home. I love my house and l love having my home as a base for the many other ministries that God calls me to.

Whatever your day brings, in the long run we must bring Glory to our Lord. In the end we all will be blessed and be a blessing when we live with that in mind.

I am so thankful for this wonderful group of women that I can call friends on this loop. AND Welcome to the new families to our cyber loop of homeschool moms. Don't ever hesitate to ask for help. This group has a ton of wise ladies who are ready to offer advice & prayers!

Typical Day From Nicki

2009-09-05T08:15:00.003-05:00

When I started homeschooling, I had one daughter, and then two. Two little girls are easy. And quiet. And fairly orderly. So it was easy to keep to a schedule.

Now I've added two little boys. Schedule? What schedule?

I always have a schedule printed an on the fridge. But these days it becomes more of a checklist, since it's virtually impossible to stay right on target!

On a good day, it goes a little something like this:

6:30-7:00 Mom tries to wake up, and maybe even goes for a walk
7:15 Wake kids
7:30 Breakfast for all
8:00 Chores for big kids, clean up little kids, Mom picks up toys from the floor
8:30 Bathe little kids
9:00 School begins - in which we try to rotate kids around. You know, one big sister plays with one little brother while Mom helps other big sister with Math, then other big sister plays with little brother while Mom helps her with Math or Grammar; then one little brother takes his morning nap, other little brother watches a video or cartoon, and both big sisters do their most demanding schoolwork. After this time, Mom will have preschool with one or both little brothers while big sisters read their Bibles, literature, and do their easier subjects, and Mom picks up toys from the floor.
12:00 Lunch and clean-up
1:00 Little boys take nap, girls have free time or catch up on leftover schoolwork
3:00 Boys are up by now and ready to play some more, girls practice piano, play on computer, Mom picks up toys from the floor
5:00-ish Sometime between now and 7, Daddy comes home and we have dinner together
7:00-ish Between now and 9 is an unorganized mix of playtime, outdoor time, errands, or other activities, depending on the day
8:30-ish Family prayer time and bedtime for all kids
9:00-ish Mom and Dad talk, pray, do computer stuff, watch news, or fall asleep
Notice I said "on a good day," lest you think we are that well-run! A more regular day will look something like this:

3 year old wakes up before Mom, ready for food and fun
Mom rushes out of bed to make sure he isn't eating cookies or cutting paper
Baby wakes up before Mom was ready
Mom determines to take that walk, even if all the kids go with her
Need to start breakfast and get girls up, but they aren't as bright-eyed as their little brothers, so they need a couple reminders
Breakfast is on the table, and at least one person didn't want that
Halfway through breakfast, Mom reminds girls they have dishes and chores, just in case they forgot
An hour later, chores are mostly done, boys are mostly dressed, and Mom still wants to get that walk
Mom says, "Time for school!" The boys cheer!
Baby takes his nap, Mom reads to other boy, and girls start their lessons
Baby wakes up after only 30 minutes, other brother is bored and hungry, girls are ready for a "break" (from what?)
Kids ask to play outside "for just a few minutes" and Mom is okay with that
Mom does laundry, picks up toys, checks email, makes phone calls, and changes boys' clothes
An hour later, kids come in ready for early lunch (!)
Mom passes around apples or crackers and says "Back to school"
Mom reads to boys, supervises girls, changes Baby, and picks up toys
Mom finally makes lunch
Nap time for boys is here!
Girls catch up on schoolwork, Mom picks up toys, does more laundry, and whatever else hasn't been done yet
Mom considers a walk, but it's August in Texas, so she changes her mind
Boys wake up and everyone has free time
Around dinnertime, Daddy comes home, we eat, girls clean the kitchen, and we have family time
The family prays together and all the kids go to bed
Some of the kids try to get up and then we put them back to bed
Every day is different, but I try to keep the mood light so that little interruptions don't ruin our day. The little kids will grow up and then we will ask, "Where did the time go?" So we take each day as it comes. School is part of our day, but living life is our main goal.

Nevertheless, I keep making very nice-looking schedules that hang on the fridge to remind us of where I'd like us to be. Someday...

Typical Day From Tiffany

2009-09-05T08:00:00.001-05:00

What in tarnasions does a bunch of rootin' tootin' Outlaws do all day?

I'll tell ya, they drive their sweet, beautiful, happy all the time, never raising her voice, loving, smart, fun, momma CrAzY! Here's how . . .

On the days Big Daddy works, his alarm goes off at 5:30 am. I wish I could say I get up then, but I don't. I hit the alarm give him a shake & go right back to bed until a mischievous little blond headed outlaw or a sneaky little curly bald headed outlaw crawls into bed with me & my little buckaroo. With 4 in the bed, the mommy says, "LET ME OUT!!" I'm up, I hit the computer to check e-mails, turn some christian music on & start draggin' the bigger outlaws out of bed by their feet! Rise & Shine Sunshine!!

8:30 is our goal time for breakfast. We eat, talk about the day & go over memory work.
9ish the boys start their chores & I prepare to start our day of school.
9:30 we should be starting school: Momma's boy does his independent work (Explode the Code, Spelling & Grammar). The Mustangs get a lesson in Phonics & do their HWOT activities)
10:15 I'll probably be breaking up a fight over one of the HWOT manipulatives & sending the Mustangs to a center for a break. At which point I will give Momma's Boy a quick lesson from First Language Lessons.
10:30 I feed them a snack from their "saddle bags" & we do an art appreciation activity "Come Look With Me" series.
11:00 Momma's boy works on his math & the Mustangs & I do Little Hands to Heaven
12:00 They are already hungry again so we take a break & eat lunch & appreciate some good ol' country classical music.
12:30 We will all do science together
1:30 I'll have story time with the Mustangs while Momma's Boy does his handwriting
1:45 The Mustangs are having a much needed quiet time & watching a very educational movie. This is Momma's Boys "Mommy Time" we do reading & then at
2:30 We do our Tapestry of Grace work
3:30 They are racing outside like a bunch of WiLD MuStAnGs!!!

I let my boys play A LOT. The above is an ideal day - which is feasibly, but not always attained. I try not to stress over time (*unless we have some where to be). If they just aren't feeling it that day & need to release some boy energy I turn them loose. If I'm just not feeling it - they escape! :) My goal is not to raise the smartest Outlaws on this country hillside. I just want happy, well-rounded, God lovin', outlaws kids. Their biggest job is to be a kid - there is plenty of time to work & really, playing is their work too. I am total Type A, & I do tend to allow distractions (I might be an ADD mom too!), but we get the job done; however, All work & No Play makes mommy have a CrAzY day!! I try to meet the balance between the two & pray diligently!!

We school 4 days a week & spend the 5th day at Enrichment Class. When we are on break from EC I try to make Fridays fun. Sometimes that means field trips, outside time with me or Big Daddy just hanging out, or just a free play day. Somehow our days get filled rather quickly & we have to use Fridays as our catch up day & actually do schoolwork, but for the most part it is Friday Fun Day. We also do Spirit Days on Fridays.

Sat., Sept. 19: Botanical Gardens in Fort Worth

2009-09-05T07:31:00.003-05:00

The Gardens are open from am to dusk. I plan on arriving there b/t 11-12ish, having a picnic with the kids & exploring some of the gardens. *We will not be doing the conservatory this trip, but may return later (you are welcome to explore wherever you want - meeting us there, doesn't mean there is a planned itinerary. To learn more about the Botanical Gardens click HERE to visit their website.

Please contact Tiffany Scott if you would like to attend this field trip.

Mon., Oct. 26: Pumpkin Patch in Flower Mound

2009-09-05T06:48:00.000-05:00

The Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch is our favorite pumpkin patch! You will find many activities designed specifically for children, such as face painting, hayrides, and mazes built from hay bales.

All activities are free of charge.

You may bring lunches or purchase drinks and snacks from the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch.

Click HERE to visit their website for more information.

Henrietta Creek Orchard

2009-09-05T06:09:00.000-05:00

Henrietta Creek Orchard
September 23 at 11:30
Located near Texas Motor Speedway

The cost is $6.00 per child and parent.

The field trip will last 1.5 hours. 3 and under are free.

If you have more than one child, it is $6.00 a person that includes their own trip into the apple orchard to pick apples.

Tours have to be pre-payed this year due to some homeschool groups not showing up last year. I will need the money by Friday the 11th at Enrichment Classes. This is a wonderful opportunity to jump-start your science class or 4-H project.

*Below is information from their web site.

For more than 15 years Henrietta Creek Orchard has been and continues to be, an educational experience for preschool and school age children. The children come to the orchard and learn about, bees, pollination, honey extraction, apples, composting, earthworms, colored cotton, butterflies, insects, spiders, and herbs. The principles of agriculture, biology, history and botany are intertwined in the program. Master gardening and Junior Master gardening are also discussed. We have an observation bee hive for children to view the bees working. WE WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES.Our goal is to reach out to the community and teach them about gardening , bee keeping, composting and growing apples in Texas.

Please contact Pennye Taylor

Sat., Sept. 26: Cameron Park Zoo in Waco

2009-09-05T06:05:00.002-05:00

The Waco Zoo is open from 11 am - 5am. MapQuest shows it is a little over 2 hours from Denton. I would like to get there around 9:30-loam & stay for the day. Admission prices are as follows:
Adults(13+) - $7
Children 4-12 yrs - $5
Sr. Citizens (60+) - $6
Children 3 years old and under - free
Please visit the Cameron Park Zoo Website for more info.

Please contact Tiffany Scott if you would like to attend this field trip.

Eisenhower Birthplace

2009-09-05T06:04:00.001-05:00

Eisenhower Birthplace

Denison, TX

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Time: TBA

We will have an 1 - 1 1/2 hour tour of the grounds, including the museum, the house Eisenhower was born in, a video, and outdoor games, weather permitting.

If you are interested in this field trip please contact Nicki Truesdell.

Frontier Village at Loy Lake Park

2009-09-05T06:01:00.001-05:00

Frontier Village at Loy Lake Park

Sherman/Denison, TX

Monday, October 5, 200910:00

We will have a private group tour of Frontier Village and see many of the oldest homes in Grayson County from the pioneer era. We will also have a picnic lunch on the grounds of Loy Lake Park, weather permitting. There is a $10 fee for our entire group! Surely we can all pitch in to pay this!

Empty Nest Homeschoolers: Wanda Bernal

2009-08-22T22:03:00.005-05:00

Welcome to a new feature of the RRCH blog: Empty Nest Homeschoolers, where we will interview moms whose homeschooling journey has come to an end. They will share their advice, regrets, curriculum choices, and other thoughts to those of us still on the journey.

Wanda Bernal has 2 grown children, Dustin and Nicole, who are both attending college. We hope you will enjoy her insight!
Would I home school if I had it to do all over again?

Probably, though I often wished that we had had a charter school in the area where the kids and I could have been involved.There are no perfect parents except God and even He grieved over imperfect children in a perfect garden.

The best advice I ever received was from Joyce Hall around the second year I home schooled. She advised that we write down our reasons for home schooling and that we review those reasons often throughout our teaching years.

I had many reasons for home schooling and I did write them down, but I didn’t keep them nearby. I wish I had narrowed it down to one reason and I wish I had kept it in my Bible and prayed over it daily. In hindsight I would pick this reason or goal: To prepare my children to be missionaries. You see, that is the purpose of each of our lives. We are here to bring glory to God - - wherever we serve/work. We are to be missional at home, at work, with friends, at play, on vacation and at church. (Church is a filling station as well as a mission station.)

Our greatest problem as believers is that we are so easily distracted. Public school is a huge distraction for kids. At home we are often distracted too. Home schooling parents must avoid making their kids, their gods. Kids make crummy gods!

So, write down your reason/goal for home schooling and keep it close. You will probably fine tune it, revise it or change it. That’s okay. Just keep it in a place where you see it often.

I used one curriculum throughout my home schooling years. I have no regrets for that choice. I didn’t need to “reinvent the wheel”! I did supplement with 2-3 other curricula in the elementary years. By junior high and especially high school, I think it’s important to know what works for your children and then stick with it. Learning is cumulative and bouncing around too much can be counterproductive, in my opinion.

Initially, I was so concerned about socialization that our family involvement in extra curricular activities was over the top. I burned out. Super mom became a worn out old lady!! I finally realized that 1 or 2 activities plus church was plenty for each child. I encouraged them in the areas in which they were interested. My kids didn’t get into 4-H. I gave them and myself permission to drop 4-H. My kids loved sports/dance and enrichment. Church wasn’t negotiable. It was mandatory.

Moms need adult time. My last two years of home schooling were practically round the clock school. Nic and I chose fun classes at enrichment because we had so much academic pressure at home. We did get into BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) which was my sanity! I’m not sure how we could have done high school differently. I do know that I became more reclusive those years and I regret that. Women need other women. I am reacquainting myself with dear friends now that I am done home schooling, and it is such a blessing.

There were a lot of sacrifices in home schooling. I had to have boundaries. School wasn’t optional for my kids or for me. I lost some friendships when I stopped answering the phone during school hours. That was okay. True friends respect each other’s boundaries.

School is boring sometimes. Memorizing is exercise and exercise isn’t always fun. Coming from a very academic family myself, it didn’t hurt my heart to tell my kids that they had to do this. It didn’t turn them off to learning. They both love college. They love to learn new things. Those early years of memorizing have paid off!!

Our kids will question our values sooner or later. It breaks our hearts when that happens. There are many things my kids can do to hurt me, but I have always emphasized that lying is the worst thing of all. As long as we can talk openly with each other, we can work through our conflicts. We have had some huge disappointments and betrayals of trust, but we keep on talking (yelling at times!). Afterward, we reaffirm our love, even when we are angry, hurt or dumb-founded. Ultimately, our kids will answer to God. They are His first. We are their “house parents” for a season.

Kids will sometimes seek out other adults to complain to. As parents we need to avoid becoming defensive. In our home we have always admitted our faults to our kids. We apologize often. Pride has no place in a Christian home.

I worked with youth for many years and sometimes they would talk badly to me about their parents. I knew that I was only getting one side of the conflict. It’s important to remember that, when another person’s child is critical of his or her parents. I try to encourage kids to be loyal to their families and to talk to their parents when there is a problem. I personally have known very few parents/guardians who were not doing the best that they knew how, with the knowledge that they had at the time. We need to offer one another grace in a world which is so quick to find fault.People have a lot of opinions, especially about the way other people do things. Don’t let opinions of others rule your family life and your parenting/home schooling style. Be the best you can be. Strive for excellence and consistency. That is what your children will see and hopefully emulate.

1 Peter 4:8: Above everything else, love. Love covers a ton of mistakes - - including parenting and home schooling mistakes.

Finally, I realize that it really does take a village to raise a child. Not a government village! People need people. Children need friends. Parents need friends. In community (village) we find belonging. This makes us healthy. Healthy people use their time more wisely. We have a short time here. May we use it wisely as missionaries bringing glory to Christ.

It’s an incredible journey and soon it will be over. Enjoy the process!

Resources By Subject & Grade

2009-08-08T05:12:00.001-05:00

Preschool

Kindergarten

Bible

Math (K-12)

Language Arts

Phonics
Reading/Literature
- Beginning Readers
- Drawn Into The Heart of Reading
Handwriting
Spelling
Vocabulary
- Wordly Wise
Grammar
- Elementary
  - First Language Lessons
  - Easy Grammar
  - Shurley Grammar
  - Jr. Analytical Grammar
  - Rod & Staff
- High School
  - Analytical Grammar
Writing
- Elementary
- High School
  - IEW
  - Write Shop

History

Geography

Geography Matters
Road Trip U.S.A. (Elementary Geography & History)

Science

Elementary
Jr.High & High School
- Apologia
- Answers in Genesis

Favorite Homeschool Websites

2009-08-08T05:10:00.000-05:00

Homeschool Communities:

Tot/Preschool/PreKinder/Kindergarten
Blogs, Sites & Resources:

Homeschooling Blogs:

Mt.Hope Chronicles It’s a Boys Life

Homeschooling Sites/Resources:

Homeschool World
Learning Page
Making Learning Fun
File Folder Fun
Childcareland
DLTK
Carson Dellosa
Enchanted Learning
Highland Heritage Homeschool
Classics For Kids
Paula's Archives
Harmony Fine Arts
Homeschool Enrichment
Random House
Reading Units
Cool Math For Kids
U.S. States
Knowledge Quest Maps

Montessori Blogs & Sites:

Chasing Cheerios
Montessori For Everyone

How to Choose Literature/Reading Books and Booklists

2009-08-08T04:19:00.000-05:00

The Importance of Reading Great Books
Books on Books:

Honey For the Childs Heart
Books Children Love
Best Books for Kindergarten through High School
A Family Program for Reading Aloud
For the Love of Reading
Great Books of the Christian Tradition
Let the Author's Speak
How to Grow a Young Reader
A Landscape with Dragons
Reading Between the Lines: A Christian Guide to Literature
Tending the Heart of Virtue: How Classic Stories Awaken a Child's Moral Imagination

Websites

All-In-One Homeschool Resources

2009-08-08T03:44:00.001-05:00

About All-In-One Homeschooling

All-In-One programs look like unit studies, but often have a homeschooling style (Classical, Charlotte Mason, etc.) intigrated throughout. Like unit studies, most all-in-one programs allow you to teach all of your children together. Unlike unit studies, all-in-one programs have projects, assignments, readings, etc., for each study area outlined according to a schedule. The benefit of this approach is in the time it saves us in creating lesson plans—it is all done for us. All-In-One programs often are literature based & follow a historical timeline & combine many subjects into the theme.

All-In-One Curriculum

Eclectic Homeschooling Resources

2009-08-08T03:39:00.001-05:00

About Eclectic Homeschooling
Eclectic Curriculum

DVD or Computer/Internet Based Homeschooling Resources

2009-08-08T03:12:00.001-05:00

About DVD Homeschooling

DVD Curriculum

About Computer/Internet Based Homeschooling

Computer Based Curriculum

Internet Based Curriculum

Standard Textbook Homeschooling Resources

2009-08-08T02:51:00.001-05:00

About Standard Textbook ("School-at-Home") Homeschooling
Standard Textbook Curriculum

Unit Study Homeschooling Resources:

2009-08-07T10:59:00.003-05:00

About Unit Study Homeschooling
Unit Study Curriculum

Literature Based Unit Study Curriculum

Charlotte Mason Homeschooling Resources

2009-08-07T10:58:00.003-05:00

About Charlotte Mason Homeschooling
Charlotte Mason Homeschooling Books

Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola
Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine Levison More Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine Levison
Real Learning: Education in the Heart of the Home by Elizabeth Foss
Meet Charlotte Mason by Sandi Queen

Charlotte Mason Homeschooling Websites

Charlotte Mason Homeschooling Curriculum

Classical Homeschooling Resources

2009-08-07T10:19:00.002-05:00

About Classical Homeschooling
Classical Homeschooling Books

The Well Trained Mind by Jessie Wise & Susan Wise Bauer
Teaching the Trivium by Harvey & Laurie Bluedorn
The Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education by Leigh A. Burtins

Classical Homeschooling Websites

Classical Christain Homeschooling

Classical Homeschooling Curriculum

Classical Conversations

Classical Conversations of Denton/Sanger

Hi. I'm Tiffany.

2009-07-20T10:06:00.002-05:00

Hi. I’m Tiffany. I am one of the bloggers & the official interviewer here at RRCH blogspot. I thought I might should introduce myself (& my family) since I’m nosing into everyone else’s business.

My husband, Tim, & I have been married for almost 7 years. Together we have a very blended family: His, Mine & Ours. Altogether there are 8 of us: Tim, Tiffany, Tiya, Taylor, Tyler, Tucker, Trevor, & Truman. I am blessed to be a stay-at-home mom & have been homeschooling our children for about 4 years now. Tim is a police officer in Denton a few days a week & farming around our home in Forestburg the rest of the time. Tiya is our only child that does not live with us. She will be a freshman this year at a public school in OK, where she lives with her mom. Taylor is almost 11 & will be starting the 5th grade. Tyler is 8, starting 3rd grade. Tucker is 4, Trevor is 3 & they are PK/K4. Truman is the baby, just 2 months old.

Our family lives on about 800 acres so most of our hobbies include the outdoors (excluding the winter activities for me). We like to spend our time fishing, riding 4-wheelers, gardening, & working on projects together. Tim is the ultimate handy man, but seldom completely finishes any project. I have a very long “honey do” list for him  Taylor loves being a little momma to her brothers & fits right in with all these boys; however, she enjoys her girl time with her friends & loves to scrapbook. Tyler is our ball player – he loves baseball. Tucker is following in his big brother’s footsteps & played T-ball for the first time this year. Trevor can’t wait to “be big enough” to play next year. On my personal time (late at night) I enjoy scrapbooking, blogging, and working on school activities for our homeschool.

Something about me that most people in this group may not know is that I was a single, teenage mom until Tim & I married.

My dream vacation with kids would be Disneyland & the beach in California. WithOUT the kids I would love to go somewhere tropical, sit on a beach with my hubby & enjoy the sun.

Our homeschool . . .

Our homeschool changes from year to year. I found myself homeschooling & not even knowing I was homeschooling, to homeschooling b/c I wasn’t impressed with the PS system, to homeschooling a child that needed the extra help. All these reasons I feel have been at the hands of the Lord. I truly believe a childs classroom is their mothers heart.

We have a small schoolroom (& are getting a BIG schoolroom soon!), but for the most part we school all over the place: My room, their room, the living room, the kitchen, outside, at the park, in their tree house . . . you name it, we’ve probably done school there. My desire is not to school at home, but to homeschool. The schoolroom is more of a central location for having everything in one spot & not strung out all over the house.
Pinpointing our method to one style is difficult. All in all, it is very electic. I love Charlotte Mason ideas & look to her teachings for inspiration, but I tend to use more Classical curriculum. However, I’ve found that curriculum I love isn’t always curriculum my children love. Seasons change in homeschooling, just as they do in nature. When I see it is time for a change – we do just that – find something that will work. This year will be my first year to use a computer based program for one of my children.

Curriculum:
Tapestry of Grace
Winter Promise
Math U See
Easy Grammar/First Language Lessons
Writing with Ease
Heart of Dakota
Handwriting Without Tears
Switched on Schoolhouse

My favorite subject to teach? I love PK/K!! Just love it! History & Geography are my favorite subjects with my big kids. Which is funny b/c I did not like these subjects when I was in school.

A schedule: Oh yes! I am totally Type-A, planner, overly organized. That’s me 100%. We have a schedule(s); however, life is life & we rarely have a typical homeschool day that the schedule is actually followed. It is a great plan though. A normal school day for us is:
Breakfast
Chores
School (start by 9)
- PK/K with mom while big kids do their independent work
- PK/K with a big kid while I spend one on one with the other
- SWITCH
- Snack time: Picture study
- Free time or “center” time for PK/K guided/independent reading for big kids
- LUNCH: memory work, classical music
- PK/K quiet time, Group study & activities with big kids

School is usually done around 3-3:30

It looks so simple all typed out. This does not explain that we are a REAL family. I do clean up at least 10 spills or messes a school day. I do have to stop a lesson to deal with a character issue. We do play hookie. If grandpa shows up with a watermelon we will stop & eat it – even if it’s not “Snack time.” I do have unscheduled teacher appreciation days for days they drive me crazy! The schedule exists, is constantly changing, occassionaly is completely followed, but something I would still say is necessary.

Benefits of homeschooling? There have been many. I love being the one to share the experience of learning with my kids. It is a wonderful feeling to see them excited about a topic or finally accomplish a goal. The little things are such a blessing; however last year God showed me another side of the benefits. My mother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer & only given 3 months to live (she did just that). Once we realized how short our time was with her everything was put on hold & the kids were able to spend as much time with her during the last 3 months as they/she possibly could. The time with her homeschooling gave them was a huge benefit. After she passed away they also had plenty of time to grieve. They didn’t have to go back to the normal hustle & bustle of school life. They were able to truly mourn as much as they needed.

Keeping it Real . . .

Bad days? Yes, we have them. We even have bad weeks & bad months. We’ve had a bad year too!

How do I handle bad days?
It depends if it is me, the kids, a kid, or just life’s circumstances. If it is me – I just have the kids do their independent work & then have free time OUTSIDE. If it is the kids – I scream & pull my hair out. If it is a kid – I send them to daddy! If it is life – we stop what we are doing, accept it for what it is & return when we are refreshed & ready.

Challenges in homeschooling?
It is difficult homeschooling in a blended family. Not all the parents always see eye to eye. Being a Step mom & a teacher has its own challenges, but the good far out ways the bad.

Separating from being the mom & the teacher. I can’t; however, there are times I wish I could. How nice it would be to just send a note home. Lol It is impossible. We homeschool – mom is the teacher. There is no role playing. It is what it is.

Subjects I haven’t enjoyed teaching
I hear a lot of homeschooling mothers say they love to teach their kids to read – Not me. It tends to be a lot of pressure & I just worry so much that I’m not doing it right. Science is fun, but not really my thing, so my husband usually does life lessons in science & I throw a little curriculum in here & there.

Chores
Many. I have chores, they have chores, we all have chores & none of us get paid. We are a family, we live on a farm & we all have to pitch in to make it work. We reap what we sow.

I don’t’ know if I’ve hit the “Burned Out” time of schooling, but I have experienced the “Worn Out” times!

When times get difficult I whine. I pour out my heart & soul to the Almighty. Okay, honestly, I’m human . . . First, I try to handle it. I can fix it – I’m a mom after all – that is my job – to fix things, make them better. Then I usually make a bigger mess, realize I can’t fix it, in fact, it isn’t my battle to fight – it is God’s. He is not surprised at the situation, He makes no mistakes, & chances are He is trying to teach me something through the difficult times.

Advice for newbies. I don’t quite feel qualified in this area yet; however, I will say – don’t compare yourself, your children, or your homeschool to others. Homeschooling doesn’t mean perfect. We all have our own struggles & battles to give the Lord. Lean on God for understand & guidance – He will direct your path. While your waiting for direction – read Educating the Wholehearted Child & if you are still waiting when you are done with it then read Cathy Duffy’s Top 100 picks.

That’s all folks. If you enjoyed my interview & would like to hear more about our homeschool visit my blog Rockin' C: Teaching 2 Many Diligently

Homeschool Favorites

2009-07-07T22:51:00.004-05:00

What is Lifestyle of Learning?

In my experience it is very similar to the very popular social communities, Facebook & MySpace - only better geared for homeschoolers. It is a wonderful homeschool community with several of the same features as the other well-known communities. You have your own "profile," an option to share pictures, e-mail, instant message chatting & my favorite - join groups. The groups are mostly homeschool related & are fantastic for bouncing information, sharing ideas, or helping others with their homeschooling journey. It is great way to expand your homeschool community & gain new homeschool friends. There are so many great features to this community - you have to check it out.

Brenda Sain from The Tie That Binds Us & the creator of Lifestyle of Learning really out did herself when she add curriculum reviews to Lifestyle of Learning. She & several other homeschool mothers got together & have begun reviewing homeschool curriculum. I have really enjoyed their reviews. I've even found new curriculum to add to our collection. One bonus to these reviews is that each mother has a different homeschooling style, so there is a variety of reviews, as well as opinions. I encourage you to visit their site:

And while you are there - pick up The Homeschool Gadget Toolbar. This toolbar is awesome & the download is super fast. You have instant access to a search engine, top homeschooling blogs & sites, chatting & so much more. I LOVE IT!!

Meet Kari: Part 3

2009-07-05T10:48:00.000-05:00

What about "EC" (Enrichment Classes)?

What made you begin Enrichment classes?

When Liberty was 4 we heard about Enrichment Classes in Sherman. I had never heard of that before. We called, got in and started. We both fell in love with the classes and I with the concept. I felt like this was the thing that was missing with Jessie and Hiedi's homeschool experience. One day during orientation the EC director, Karen Tooley, announced that she would like for someone to consider starting another EC group. Their group had gotten so big, they were limited on space and their waiting list about 23 families long. She thought if another got started it would help that situation. Well, I took up the idea since I didn't like driving to Sherman each week. I thought it would be nice to start one closer to home. I talked to Karen, she helped me with all the details of setting up our own Enrichment Class and the rest is, as they say, history. The Sherman group was so organized that it made the whole process of starting up our own classes fairly easy. The Sherman group had 3 board members so I thought we should have 3 board members. The first three were Nicki Truesdell , Maggie VanDolah and myself.

What is your favorite thing about EC?

The camaraderie between all the kids. I love that they have a 'school group' that they are a part of. School is a major part of growing up and I think EC is just an added benefit that gives kids something to belong to academically. I have observed over the years that some children don't take their school work as seriously as their parents might like for them to and EC offers a little academic competition and accountability with their peers that helps them see for themselves that they need to step it up. I love my children being exposed to other adults that have something to offer my kids that I can not. I always use Dainah Blalock as an example. She is a wonderful mentor to my daughter in the area of writing. I love that there are classes offered that I just could not offer at home, like Color guard, drama, etc. There are also classes, like history or literature that we do offer at home but the added dimension of a group discussion enhances the study so much. And I can not leave out the fellowship the moms enjoy. There is so much to be gained from so many of the moms and dads that attend EC. I just love our group so much!

What have been some of the challenges with being the leader of this group?

I am sure they are the same challenges that are common to anyone in leadership. I have to continue to go to the Lord and ask Him for wisdom.

If there are any changes you could make for EC what would it be?

I would love for our program to be 5 hours instead of 4. It is not an option for us because of the availability of the church. The other change would be to build or buy our own facility suited to meet the needs of our homeschool community at large.

Kari, I have really enjoyed working on this online interview with you. Thank you so much for sharing with us. You are a wonderful Christan, mother, homeschool parent & friend. You & your family are an inspiration & our EC group is privileged to have you. THANK YOU!!

DUAL CREDIT CLASS INFORMATION

2009-06-29T10:54:00.007-05:00

If your high school student is socially & academically mature, an option you may want to consider is to supplement your homeschool curriculum with what colleges call a "dual credit class."

This process can be intimidating for homeschooling families beginning this journey. I would highly encourage you to visit NCTC's Website for accurate & up to date information on dual credit classes; however, here is some beginning information for those interested.
*Keep in mind when visiting the NCTC Website that you will need to view parent information as well as any links for COUNSELORS.

DUAL CREDIT CLASS INFORMATION:

What is a dual credit class?

A college-level class offered at community colleges in partnership with schools (for us, that would be our own home school) in which students receive both high school and college credit concurrently.
*Classes are limited to core classes that are normally required for high school graduation.

Who is eligible to participate in a dual credit class?

Students must be at least 16 yrs. old & considered a junior in high school.

How do I prepare to enroll in a dual credit class?

1. Students must take a college placement test, called the THEA ( See below for those with SAT or ACT scores in hand), and pass before enrolling in dual-credit classes.

There are 3 parts:

Math
Reading Comprehension
Essay

All 3 parts must be passed before enrolling in a dual credit college class.

These THEA tests are given throughout the year. Visit NCTC - Testing information or contact Ann Janette Martin at NCTC for Gainesville Campus or Amy Klohn at 940-498-6416 for the Corinth NCTC campus to find out what dates are available or ask any other enrollment questions. The tests are given at NCTC.

The following list details what to bring in order to take the THEA

Picture ID (they will even take your yearbook picture)
$29 in the form of check or money order
Your social security number

Five hours is given to complete the whole test. Whether the student takes all 3 parts, or just 1 or 2 parts, the fee is the same - $29. If a student fails a part, he or she must return at another date, pay another $29, but only have to retake the portion not passed. This student still has the full 5 hours to complete whatever portion he or she needs to retake.

2. A notarized high school transcript is required for admission.

(Your bank will have a notary if you don't know someone who is a notary. There is usually no charge for using a notary where you do your banking.)

*Click HERE for NCTC's COMPASS information.

The COMPASS is a test similar to the THEA test; however, it is a computerized test given at the college.

How do I enroll in a dual credit class?

Once ready to enroll as a dual credit student, only 9 college hours per semester are allowed.

*A core class is a 3-hour class. Some classes, such as choir or P.E., are only a 1-hour class, and may be taken.

To enroll:

A completed admissions application (gotten at NCTC or printable online)
completed dual-credit application (not available online)
The THEA, SAT, or ACT scores
Current notarized high school transcript.
Always bring picture ID any time the student needs to go to one of the campuses for anything.

The other campuses of NCTC besides the Gainesville campus offer services, too. If you live closer to one of those campuses, you might want to give them a call to see what their campus can provide for you so you won't have to make unnecessary trips in to Gainesville.

Credits are accepted by all Texas public universities and may be accepted by other colleges. (Each college has its own criteria, so if your student has a private college already in mind, staying in contact with that college as far as what it will accept from a community college - whether we're talking about dual-credit or regular community college classes - is a potential time and money saver.)

Virtually all 4-year degrees require one semester of college Algebra, at least one full year of Freshman English, two semesters of a P.E., and one semester of Speech. It is completely doable to get these requirements met as a high school student taking dual credit classes while still finishing up the high school years at home.

Scholarship applications are due before April 15 for the fall semester and October 15 for the spring semester. Again, each campus should have scholarship applications for the student to pick up.

The information provided in this post is just a small portion of a wealth of information for families preparing their high school students for college. The NCTC website is continually being updated & is a wonderful source of information extending way beyond just "dual credit" information. On the NCTC website you will also find information such as: dual credit, complete testing (THEA, COMPASS, ACT, & SAT), CLEP (testing out of a college level class), tuition, scholarship, and much more. The staff & counselors & NCTC are homeschool friendly, willing to answer any questions, & help you in any way they can.

PLEASE Visit The NCTC Website OFTEN!!

That's all, folks!

Meet Kari: Part 2

2009-06-24T19:15:00.008-05:00

More about Kari's Homeschool . . .

When we don't have extra activities going then a typical day starts between 8 and 9. This year we start with algebra since Gary is doing that with Liberty before he goes to work. After algebra then Liberty usually does her Bible study, shower and then we continue with the rest of her subjects. From the time I started homeschooling until this year we always started the day with prayer, pledges to the flag & Bible, then Bible study and Bible memorization. After that we start working our way through the different subjects. The order we do the subjects changes from year to year. This year we knock out the most difficult subjects or the ones Liberty is the least enthusiastic about at the beginning then go on to the rest. Of course we still start the day with prayer and our pledges. I always felt this was important because I felt like it set the time apart, made it more special. We ring a bell and then it all starts. We never ever have done school in our pajamas in the past. The kids were to wake, do their chores, eat, dress, etc. and be ready when the bell rang, which for most years was between 8:30 and 9:00. I always felt like every hour before noon was worth 2 after noon. I don't know why but it just seems that way to me. Anyway the past year or two things have been a bit different and we started sleeping in a little later and it got to where we were starting at 10:00. That was not as productive for us. So now Liberty gets up and does her running and work out & gets all her animal chores done, then we start. After Gary finishes algebra then she goes on to finish her morning routine before start ting the rest of her subjects. So, on days that she doesn't do her work out first she is still in her PJ's when they do algebra so we can say for the first time that we do some school in pajamas.
Now, when we have other activities going on, which in many cases are an extension of our school then we hit the subjects that we can and try and catch up with the rest.
I like to try and follow a schedule, even though loosely at times, is because it gives structure. It helps create self-discipline, for the student and the teacher. And it shows the kids that their school is important, a priority. When they know you believe it is important then it is easier for them to feel like it is important. I always wanted the kids to be proud of their school. And if they don't feel like they are doing as much as they should or being challenged intellectually I believe it is easy to be discouraged and lazy about their school.

I have always tried to stay on a Sept. - May schedule just because I need the time off. But this year because we had so many other things going on we got behind and so we are playing catch up with a few subjects this summer.
I have an opinion about getting too busy. I find that some homeschooling parents feel like they have to compensate in areas because maybe their children are missing out. I used to feel that way but that is a deception. Of course we want our children to have all the opportunities that we can afford them but you must be careful not to overdo it. Your kids do not have to participate in everything that comes along. I have found us so busy running from one activity to another that I hardly had time to do school. I told my husband 'this is supposed to be homeschool but we are never home'. So I found if everyone is stressed because of crazy schedules then you need to just step back and re-evaluate, prioritize. Just because something is good doesn't mean you have to do it. Find things that your child is truly interested in and develop those areas. Sometimes it takes a while to find what they love but it is better that way.
Think and pray about where you want your children to be when they are 18 and finished with school. What kind of character do you want them to have? Do they have a heart for God, do they see less fortunate people and reach out to them? Does your child seek to hear the voice of God in making daily decisions? Are they servants? Are they willing to sacrifice their own desires for the good of others, for their country, for their God? Is their faith solid? Do they really know what they believe so they can stand against all the voices in the world that will try and pull them away and not only stand against them but be influential to lead others to Christ? When you know where you want your child to be, then work backwards from that and ask yourself every year, "Am I doing things with him or her to help toward achieving these goals?" Everyone's school will look a little different because we are all unique and trying to follow the path that we believe God has for our family. That to me is the beauty of homeschooling.

Everyone has chores. I think it takes everyone pitching in to keep the home running. I also believe that having responsibilities whether it be your chores, an outside job, etc. are character building. Our job as parents is to prepare our children to live in society as productive adults. It has to start somewhere. I think it causes children to be selfish and self-centered if they are not given duties in the home. I believe it also helps build their feelings of self worth.

The cost of homeschooling depends on the curriculum you choose to use and how many you are buying for. Many families are able to use the same text books year after year for all their children so their initial expense is quite a bit higher than their continuing expense. Our current algebra curriculum runs about $250.00 a year. A friend of mine is using the same curriculum and bought it for less than half that through eBay. There are lots of websites you can go to and buy used curriculum.
No one should let the cost of homeschooling stop them from trying it. You can homeschool for very little if you put forth the effort. Between the library, internet and used books there are lots of options.
Anyone can homeschool if they really want to...and if they are willing to work hard. I don't ever let anyone think it is easy because it isn't, but the rewards more than outweigh any hardship they might encounter.

What is it like homeschooling a teenager?
I have a different answer for each of my teenagers. But the one word I could use to describe the experience with each one is HARD. It is hard to stay ahead and I'm not sure I really do in many areas. I have seen each of my children excel past me in some things. On the one hand it is wonderful seeing who your young children are becoming. On the other hand you know in the back of your mind that your time with them is growing short, which is where Gary and I are right now, and that can be a little sad.

One of my greatest rewards in homeschooling is just being such a huge part in the lives of my children & seeing things through the eyes of my children and learning all over again and again and again. I loved teaching the kids to read. That has to be my favorite. I think that is one of the most rewarding parts of homeschooling.

Do you think your children will homeschool their children?
My two grown children have homeschooled their children at different times. They are not homeschooling now and don't think they will in the future but you never know. They are both really pleased with the school in their neighborhood. They are very involved with the school and every aspect of their children's lives. My youngest daughter, Liberty, seems the most likely to homeschool her own children in the future. I will just have to wait and see.

Do you have bad days?
Yes. Some days start out hard and you just want to stop before you start. Fortunately that is the exception. I think you handle bad days like you would handle any situation in life, turn it over to God. That is, of course, after you have gone to your room and cried, wondered if you could get away with running away from home, called your husband at work pleading with him to come home NOW, screamed, thrown your book down on the table... Then you stop and think it through, remembering that you are in charge, they are just children and immature and that it is up to you to take hold of the situation, deal with it and move on. I don't separate from being the mom & the teacher. I am their mother giving them an education.

My biggest challenge...I have a few. One was overcoming a mindset of fear. That took years. I was arrested the first year I homeschooled. In the early 80's there just weren't that many families homeschooling and it was common to hear of different families battling the courts for their right to be able to homeschool their children. I used to not go out during school hours because we were always challenged and questioned. I have had people walk up to my kids and basically give them the third degree because they were not in school. One woman went up to Liberty when she was about in second grade and told her how sorry she was that she couldn't go to school. Then the woman clucked her tongue at me, shaking her head as she walked away. Fortunately, Liberty wondered what was wrong with the woman. Another challenge for me was overcoming my own feelings of inferiority. I did not finish high school and have struggled with doubts about myself being able to offer my children all they would need for their future. I do better with that now but I look forward to going to school when Liberty graduates. My other huge challenge was with Jessie and Hiedi. When they were teens they did not appreciate the homeschooling experience as much as Liberty does.

Yes, I have experienced burn out, if by burn out you mean thinking you can't do it another year or struggling with putting your 'all' into as you once did. I think when you get to that point you get help. Talk to your husband, if he is supportive, visit with a friend, go back to your reasons for homeschooling and see if any of those reasons have changed, pray for renewed strength, shake things up a bit. Do things a bit different, if possible. Just don't keep it to yourself.

I think the single most important thing to remember about homeschooling is that your child is just a child, to remember they are not finished yet. Try and be patient and see their hearts through the eyes of God.

MEET KARI: Part 1

2009-06-18T09:13:00.007-05:00

If you are a part of the Enrichment Group or new to it, you may here "ask Kari" or your e-mail inbox may have a new message from time to time from sweeteralsothanhoney. Who is Kari aka. sweeteralsothanhoney? I had the pleasure of interviewing the other Co-founder of our EC Group (who also happens to be Nicki's Aunt), Kari Davidson.

MEET KARI

My name is Kari Davidson. I am happily married to Gary. He is my partner in life and yes, even in homeschooling. We have one daughter still living at home. Her name is Liberty and she will be 16 this summer. Liberty loves the Lord, enjoys writing, acting, playing piano, basketball, her tambourine and dance team, politics, spending time with friends and serving the Lord on the mission field. She will be spending part of her summer in Guatemala doing just that. She also will be performing in "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf", as the grandmother, in June with Butterfield.
Our oldest son is Jessie. My homeschooling story starts with him, but I will tell you more about that later. Jessie is 32 years old, married to Melissa and they have three children, Shea-13, Jordan-10 and Maya-9. Jessie has his own Directional Boring company, W&W Construction. His family resides in Paloma Creek in Aubrey, Texas. His son could be his twin if they were the same age and it is fun watching him father him and his two daughters. Jessie is all about fun, excitement and living on the edge. He enjoys playing sports, coaching and watching his kids play. He also enjoys deep-sea diving, motorcycle racing with his kids and everything scary that helped turn my hair gray before it was time. Fortunately, Melissa isn't a scaredy-cat like I am and she can actually enjoy these things with him.
Our second child, actually the baby for her first 14 years, is Hiedi. Hiedi is married to Dwayne and they live in the same neighborhood as Jessie. Hiedi and Dwayne have two children, Taison - 8 and Madison - 7. Hiedi also has a step-daughter, Dynasty - 14, who doubles as Liberty's best friend. Hiedi served in the Marine Corp, which I am very proud of her for and where she also met her husband. ( She is also responsible for some of my gray - all you military moms know what I am talking about) She is now busy raising her children and going to school. She is very involved in her kids' school and has headed up committees every year and has just been voted in as a vice-president of something at her school for next year. Hiedi is one of the most practical-minded people you'll ever meet. She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go for it. She is also a great motivator and organizer. Her kids are also very involved in sports so when Dwayne and Hiedi aren't busy at their jobs or school, you'll find them at a basketball court or baseball field, along with Jessie's family. And I have to say the Lady Rattlers are very blessed to have had Hiedi's husband, Dwayne, as their coach for the past couple of years.

Hobbies:
As a homeschooling mom you don't always have a lot of time to indulge in your hobbies but what little time I have had through the years I have enjoyed sewing, playing guitar, reading a good book, and mostly just spending time with my family. When we do things together as a family it is usually outdoors things, like hiking, etc. We really enjoy learning about God's creation.

One thing people don’t know about me???
I would love to learn how to dance really well. I wish I could sing great and I really would love to act.

My favorite meal that I like is grilled salmon, squash and a huge salad. That is not a favorite for the whole family. They like lasagna, melties, my hamburgers, etc. I cook a lot. I make most things from scratch and don't like a lot of packaged food.

Our dream vacation I have always wanted to go to Prince Edward Island. I also want to go somewhere where I can see whales swimming by and just let time stand still while we take it all in. We all enjoy traveling. Liberty enjoys cruises and would also like to visit Europe and explore the castles, etc. Gary says he would love to do it all.

About Kari's Homeschool . . .

I have homeschooled my 3 children and also helped homeschool 4 others at different times. I started homeschooling in 1983. My son was in kindergarten in public school in Nocona, Texas and I was very unhappy about some things I was seeing. I was a new Christian and a single mom. My husband, Jessie and Hiedi's dad, died in July of 1979. I had never heard of homeschooling at the time. I had a business and a couple came in one day and started visiting with me and we started talking about school and they told me they homeschooled and I asked questions about it and I knew in my heart then that it was something I was going to do. As I started seeking the Lord I felt like He told me that this was the way I was to raise my kids. It was just something I knew in my heart. I got to know the couple over the next few months and they shared more with me and when Jessie started first grade, I started homeschooling. That couple was J. and Candy Gaston. They now have a daughter, Jennifer Howard, who attends Enrichment Classes with her own children. I have different reasons why I am glad I do it from year to year but the bottom line is I believe that is what God called me to.

The benefits of homeschooling are many. I am sure many of these things can be accomplished whether you homeschool or not, depending on how involved you are in your children's life. And I am sure there are many benefits that I will continue to see through the years. I think my children were never as peer dependent as many children are. I don't feel like they are cookie cutter versions of all the other children their age. I think we were able to focus on their strengths and interests and make the most of their learning experience. I love knowing that all my children have a good working knowledge of the Bible and have committed so much of it to memory over the years, which is always something that we made a part of our school at the beginning of each day. It is up to them to choose to draw from that resource through their life but at least it is there to draw from. Also, our curriculum in general is a cut above since it uses the Bible as its foundation and establishes the fact that God is the Creator of life. Since Jesus is the center of our lives and we believe all knowledge comes from Him, we teach every subject with Him as the foundation. I feel like my kids have had so many opportunities to participate in things that public schooled children might not be able to. We have had the freedom to go to places that we are studying on a regular basis and explore things more thoroughly due to the fact that we are not limited by schedules.

We have always made costumes and acted out our history studies and interest in different time periods through the years. That has always made school more fun. Eating supper by candlelight during colonial studies, gathering with other families for spelling bees, and academic competitions, traveling to revolutionary war sites and acting out battles, participating in EC., the list goes on and on. I'll never forget after reading the Little House books going to Laura and Almanzo Wilder's home in Missouri and seeing Pa's fiddle and Ma's china shepherdess. I cried. I also loved going to Helen Keller's home and putting my hand to the pump where she first was able to grasp the idea of signing. It was great going to Disneyworld with Jessie and Hiedi when they were younger, in October when there weren't crowds and getting special attention from the pilot on the flight since they were the only children on board. I don't think Jessie and Hiedi will ever forget that. We could choose when we wanted to go since we were not limited by someone else's schedule. I think if you make the most of your learning there can be many fun times in homeschooling.

I don't feel like you can teach about life and all things pertaining to it and leave out the Giver of Life. I believe the most important thing in the world is our relationship and walk with God. I never could reconcile myself to the fact of sending my kids to a place that not only would not nurture that but that would teach things completely opposed to my belief in God and where God was mocked and asked to leave. I don't think you can teach about history or even understand the history of the world and the decisions men and women have made throughout history without knowing what their faith was or wasn't and that it is the very thing that led them to make their decisions. God created language. How can we teach language without acknowledging that and helping our children understand the importance of our responsibility with using the language God has given us, whether it is through the written word, spreading the Gospel, speaking words that are meant for encouragement and edification. And science...we lose so many kids with the false teachings just regarding science and how God is not involved at all. He put the world together, created us, made the universe work so perfectly. It was all done by His Hands but most school kids are taught that that is all fable and when they sit in a classroom day after day, hour after hour hearing this some might not be able to help but be doubtful of the truth. I don't believe in dividing things by secular and spiritual. If God is true then that is to be the center of all my decisions. I do fail but I try to live by that.

Curriculum?
When the kids were young I always enjoyed A Beka for spelling, learning to read, math and science. I liked knowing all the phonics rules given and the colorful workbooks and all the activity suggestions that made learning fun for young ones. As they got older we branched out to things that were more suited to each child's learning style and strength. We have used Beautiful Feet and enjoyed that immensely but that is partly due to the fact that we enjoy reading and learning history through living books. We have tried many different curriculums for science and can't really say that we have a favorite there. For Algebra we use a DVD program called Video Text Interactive. My husband does all the algebra with Liberty and also helped with my older children. We like this program the best of any we used.

Shakespeare Club Dates - Upcomong Events

2009-06-17T14:34:00.001-05:00

June 28th is when we are planning to see Shakespeare's first folio at the Down Town Dallas Library. We are planning on meeting after church at 1:00 at the New Life Bible Church, driving down there and will most likely be back at around (give or take) 5:30.

July 7th is are next scheduled meeting, it will be from six to eight and we will be reading the first part of Hamlet and discussing details for `Taming of the Shrew', at New Life Bible Church.

July 11th is are scheduled day to see `Taming of the Shrew', time will be given at a later time, estimate around seven to eight dollars for a adult, you are allowed to bring food, recommended to bring light food, nothing that will be real messy or sticky, and bring a cooler for cold foods. Time for play is about three to four hours. It is a Saturday night.

July 14th is are following meeting, again from six to eight to read the second part of Hamlet at New Life Bible Church.

August 4th is the first reading of `Twelfth Night' and from six to eight at New Life Bible Church.

August 11th is the second reading of `Twelfth Night' and from six to eight at New Life Bible Church.

August 22nd is are scheduled date to see `Hamlet' in Oklahoma City. Unknown of times, is a Saturday night. Details will be posted and discussed on the 11th. Estimate time is three hours long

September 5th is are scheduled date to see `Twelfth Night', again in Oklahoma City. Unknown times, is a Saturday night. Details will be posted and discussed on the 11th. Estimate time is three hours long.

File Sharing in CCTX Home Educators Yahoo Group

2009-06-07T06:47:00.002-05:00

Many of us are members of the CCTX Home Educators Yahoo! Group, (If you aren't & would like more info on this please visit the CCTX Homepage); however, few of us are utilizing this group in all aspects.

First, sign in to your Yahoo! Group account.

Once signed in you will be directed to your My Groups page. This page will list all the yahoo groups you belong to. Find CCTX under Group Names on the left & click on the link. Now you should be at the CCTX Homepage.

On the left hand side of your screen there is a blue box. From this blue box you can message the group (*NOTE: At this time, the group does not accept attachment files in messages). You can also upload files for file sharing with other group members.

Click on the FILES link in the blue box. You have now arrived at our file sharing page! To view files, just click on them. To add files: Look at the top right hand side of the page & you will see "ADD FILE/CREATE TEXT FILE/ADD FOLDER." Simply click on whatever action you are wanting to execute.

What kind of files would you want to add? you ask?
Well, I took the liberty to add a few folders, now I want you to go fill them:

Subjects: Add sample lesson plan you've created for particular curriculum. Ex. "SCIENCE -- 'Apologia Botany with God's Creation lesson plans' " Show examples of projects or give outlines & directions for projects you may have done in this area. You may also consider adding book lists for in-depth or special reading time.

Co-op: Add information about classes you have taught or give a list for future class ideas. Give lesson plans for classes you've taught & would like to share for someone else to teach in the future.

Literature: Book lists, share your favorite books by themes (boys, girls, teens, special interest, subject pertaining, adult, etc.)

Notebooking, Timelines: Add pages you have created for notebooking or lapbooking. Share timeline figures you have used. Ex. "Middle Ages"

Planning, Schedules, Record Keeping: Share your schedules & any planning sheets you've created. Add helpful record keeping pages - report cards, transcripts, etc.

Now I challenge you to go add a file! Or go check out the files I've added for examples.

Cooke County, Texas -Home Educators Yahoo Group

2009-06-06T22:28:00.005-05:00

Cooke County, Texas -Home Educators

For Homeschooling families in and around Cooke County, TX(Gainesville, western Grayson County, etc..). The purpose is to provide a way to connect with each other, share ideas, discuss curriculum (or buy/sell), plan and announce field trips and just plain moral support :)

While this list is not limited to Christian home school families, I would like it also to be a means of Christian fellowship and support. Most members of this list belong to the Red River Christian Homeschool support group. There are currently no dues or official membership requirements for this group, so if you live in this area, feel free to join us for the announced field trips etc.

Click here to join CCTXHomeEd Once you are directed to the group homepage, click on JOIN THIS GROUP! on the right side.

*Your subscription to this list must be approved. We are no longer accepting subscriptions from anyone outside of our support group region.

Getting to know Nicki

2009-06-01T22:34:00.006-05:00

Hello Homeschoolers. My name is Tiffany. I will be conducting the interviews here at "RRCH." My first guest is a good friend of mine, the co-founder of EC, & the co-editor of this blog herself, Nicki. We decided this would be a good way to help everyone to get to know each other a little better. Now run along and get yourself something to drink & let's get to know Nicki a little better. And please, no talking or interrupting. Thank you.

Getting to know Nicki . . .

Me: Introduce your family please . . .

Nicki: I am Nicki, my husband is Randy & we have 4 children: Claudia, Chloe, Nicholas & Nathan. Randy is a mail carrier for the Postal Service. I am a full time mom. The kids range in age from 1-12. We live in Gainesville.

Me: What are some of your hobbies Nicki?

Nicki: Reading, crafts, & sewing

By the way, Nicki is an EXCELLENT quilter!! Click Here! to check out the blankets she made my boys. To see more of Nicki's FaBuLoUs quilts or to ask her about making you or your babes a blankie just Click Here!

Me: If one wanted to butter you up for, oh say 2 more blankets, what would be your favorite meal to seal the deal?

Nicki: Chicken fried steak with gravy, mashed potatoes and gravy, with Texas toast dipped in gravy…did I mention gravy?

Me: What is your dream vacation?

Nicki: Traveling the USA in an RV for as long as we like.

About Your Homeschool . . .

Me: When did you start homeschooling with your kids?

Nicki: I’ve been homeschooling since birth! I am a 2nd generation homeschooler, starting in my 6th grade year.

Me: What have been some benefits from homeschooling?

Nicki: Time to develop relationships with my kids, free time together, & older and younger siblings developing deeper relationships.

Me: Can you give us a few examples of some especially fun times you had as a result of homeschooling?

Nicki: I really enjoyed teaching my children to read, especially at that moment when they “get it!” Most of our fun isn’t what necessarily happens “in” school, but as a result of spending our days together, like walks in the woods, feeding ducks in a pond, etc.

Me: How many children have you homeschooled?

Nicki: 2 officially, but I have 4 children altogether.

Me: What initially caused you to decide to homeschool your children?

Nicki: My parents did the same for me, and I absolutely loved it! I enjoyed the flexibility even as a student. My days consisted of chores, school, playing outside, field trips, vacations, riding horses, playing with goats, playing in the creek, lots of time to read and read and read, exploring a subject that loved as far as I wanted to take it, gardening with my Mom, building model rockets with my Dad, being tutored in science and math by my Uncle Gary, learning to sew and cook, having the flexibility to take part time jobs, and much, much more!

Me: How would you describe your homeschooling philosophy?

Nicki: I believe that school is just one part of life. I definitely don’t want our homeschool to be an extension of public school. My children have lots of things to learn, including math, reading, spelling, writing, Scripture, character traits, practical skills like cooking and cleaning, relationships, and more. I also want to be aware of their talents and gifts so they can be encouraged and trained in those areas. It is interesting to note that throughout most of history, parents taught their children the majority of what they needed to know. Schools were few and far between, mostly for boys, and were geared for specific vocation. The writers and thinkers of history were educated with simple, straightforward methods. Public schools are a relatively new concept. I believe I am raising the next generation of Americans. What can I do to make the future better? I can raise my children to be people who are well read, can think and write coherently, carry on conversation with people of any age, think for themselves and communicate their opinions and beliefs clearly, serve others, and so much more.

Me: Which homeschooling method best describes your homeschool style?

Nicki: Definitely eclectic and relaxed! I use whatever works for our family at different times. If I see a problem with one child in a certain curriculum, I’ll change to something that works better. We normally school year round. This is the first year we are taking a real summer break. Year round school gives me the flexibility to take breaks when it’s best for us. Again, I don’t want to be an imitation of public schools. I lean toward Charlotte Mason, but not strictly.

Me: What curriculum has worked best for your children?

Nicki: We use Math-U-See for everyone old enough to do math. Other curriculum we use and like: Easy Grammar, Beautiful Feet History, The Well Trained Mind, and the library.

Me: What does a typical day for your family look like?

Nicki: A typical homeschooling day changes with our family’s needs, but for the most part, we do: chores, breakfast, school from about 9-12, lunch, and then little ones nap while older kids finish school. I like to leave afternoons free for many reasons: unstructured free time leads to creativity in many areas.

Me: Do you follow a schedule?

Nicki: Oh Yes! I love schedules. I use Managers of Their Homes by the Maxwells for inspiration.

Me: Do you have planned “school” time?

Nicki: Yes. Usually in the mornings, and maybe a little in the afternoon if necessary.

Me: Do the kids follow different schedules?

Nicki: Somewhat. I have 2 older daughters and 2 younger boys, so we alternate subjects, playtime, babysitting, etc.

Me: What is it like homeschooling a teenager?

Nicki: Just getting started with that, but I can say that it requires more time in our/her day!

Me: What has been your greatest reward in homeschooling?

Nicki: The little things, like teaching them to read, tell time, or finally get multiplication. I also enjoy sharing my favorite subject, history, with them. I like being the one to share the excitement of the American Revolution, Ancient Egypt, or Medieval Times. I like reading all the exciting books and stories from history with them.

Me: What are your favorite subjects to teach?

Nicki: All of them! I love school.

Me: What advice do you have for someone beginning their homeschool journey?

Nicki: What kind of PEOPLE do you want your kids to become? When you know that, you will have a better idea of how you want each day to look. School is just one part of the equation. Character training, God's word, and relationships: they all go together to form the whole person.

Since you are starting at the beginning, I would recommend starting out slow and easy. Some beginners want to do EVERYTHING! Start with the basics like math and language arts (spelling, reading, grammar, etc.) and slowly add in your history and science, as well as any other electives you want, as you discover your teaching preferences and your children's learning styles. It's very disappointing to purchase lots of exciting-looking curriculum only to discover it was not the right fit at all! Read to your children! My kids all love to be read to, even the 12 year old! Wear out your library card!

My last piece of advice: don't try to make your home look like a public school classroom. You are their teacher now. Design a school experience that you know will appeal to YOUR family. Imagine it's 200 years ago on the American frontier, and you are solely responsible for your children's education. You've never even HEARD of a public school. What do they need to know? How will you accomplish that? That's all you need to start with!

Keeping it Real . . .

Me: Do you have bad days?

Nicki: No, never. Of course I do! Everyone does. It usually doesn’t have to do with school; it’s a character issue that needs dealing with.

Me: How do you handle bad days?

Nicki: I’ve done several things. If the bad day is because of bad behavior, I have to deal with the behavior before we continue with the schoolwork. Character is way more important than spelling or science. If the bad day is because MOM is having a bad day, I will stop everything and try to deal with my problem. If that means no school today, then so be it. I don’t have a problem missing school to deal with life. I think that is very realistic. If I think the kids OR mom are getting burned out, we will do something fun.

Me: What has been your biggest challenge in homeschooling?

Nicki: Encouraging reading for pleasure was hard with my first child. The key was finding a subject she enjoyed AND letting her read books that would have been considered “below” her reading level. In about the 3rd grade, she picked up a book on King Arthur that was probably a 1st grade level book. She read it 2 or 3 times, asked for more and took off from there. Now she is in 8th grade, loves to read, and reads on an adult level. Challenges come anytime a concept is new and hard to grasp. You just have to find a new or interesting way to teach it until your child can get it!

Me: How do you separate from being the mom & the teacher?

Nicki: I don’t think you do. I am their mom, and I oversee their education. There is no dividing line there for me.

Me: Do you have family chores?

Nicki: Yes. Chores must be done in the morning. If they’re not done right, they will be done over. My girls wash the dishes, sweep, clean the bathroom, do their own laundry, and make all the kids’ beds. The other housework we do as a team. I do my own room. My 3 year old is just getting started with helping. He likes to set the table, and he picks up toys and books.

Me: Do you ever get “burned out”?

Nicki: Sometimes.

Me: What advice do you have for moms experiencing “burn out”?

Nicki: Take a break! If you need a day or a month off, take it. Your kids can continue learning without “school” so don’t panic if you haven’t finished a workbook by the end of May. Remember: You are not a public school. It’s YOUR homeschool. If you need a break from burnout, spend time watching good videos together, visiting museums, go to the lake, read some books that are just for fun, do bird watching, learn about wildflowers, learn to knit, take a road trip, camp out in the back yard, visit Grandma. There are lots of ways to spend quality time together. Burnout happens to everyone at some point. Just take a break, have some fun, pray, ask God for new direction, and refresh yourself!
o We also re-evaluate our schedule. Too many outside activities can wear out the whole family. This year we’ve had to decide to drop many things and spend more time at home. We will do Enrichment Classes and piano lessons. That’s it. That’s the limit for our family to keep the “home” in homeschool.
o Also, don’t feel like you’re the only one with difficulties! Ask your friends and fellow homeschoolers how they handle situations similar to yours. You’d be surprised at the families you thought had perfect school days who also deal with their own difficulties. You never know what great idea another mom has that will be the perfect solution for you!

Me: Thank you for being our first interview. I REALLY enjoyed interviewing you.

Nicki: I had fun doing it!

If you'd like to ask Nicki any questions just leave a comment & she will be happy to answer them.

To get to know Nicki better or for a closer look into her homeschooling check out her blog, 400 Things

Shakespeare Club Meeting

2009-05-20T08:45:00.001-05:00

We'll be having our first Shakespeare Club meeting:

WHO? All teens wanting to have a great time learning about, reading, and
attending Shakespeare festivals this summer.
WHEN? Thursday, May 28, at 6:30pm
WHERE? New Life Bible Church.

Mitzi Sicking, who was the guest lecturer in December 2008 for the Julius Caesar play, will be our club leader.

For information, please call or e-mail Sara Bell at: 940-668-7833 or mommers@ntin.net.

We'd like to get RSVP's for this initial meeting if possible so we'll know
how many teens plan on participating in this club.

"The ABC's of Christian Parenting" by Robert and Debra Bruce

2009-04-28T22:30:00.001-05:00

The ABC's:

A: AFFIRM your child every day as a gift from God, no matter what yesterday's problems were. (Matt. 7:11)

B: BUILD upon your child's talents, seeking to discover God's plan for him (or her!). (Matt. 25:15)

C: COMMUNICATE with your child in a way that glorifies Christ, always asking before speaking, "Would I say this to a friend?" (Luke 2:14)

D: DEDICATE yourself to the body of Christ through commitment to a congregation, regular worship attendance, Bible study, prayer and service. (I Chron. 29:20)

E: EXERCISE self control when you're angry, committing your feelings to the Lord rather than using them against your child. (Eph. 4:26)

F: FORGIVE your child's wrongdoings as the Lord forgives you, and start over together with God's grace and love. (Matt. 6:12)

G: GIVE your child everything she needs instead of everything she wants, even if you have to say "no" sometimes. (Matt. 6:8)

H: HUG your child 10 times every day, especially when he is unloveable. A warm touch can erase even the largest strain in a relationship. (Mark 10:16)

I: INCLUDE Bible study and prayer time in your daily family routine, and challenge your child to do the same. (Matt. 18:20)

J: JOIN in agreement with your spouse, and stand firm together on rules, expectations, and discipline. (Eph. 6:1)

K: KEEP commitments you make outside your home, so your child can observe as you model responsibility. (James 5:12)

L: LIVE each day to the fullest, appreciating the beauty of God's world and the hope of your faith, instead of hurrying through the day. (Phil. 4:8)

M: MANAGE aspects of your child's life that could lead to stress, such as too much activity or television or inappropriate freedoms. (I Cor. 13:11)

N: NURTURE your child lovingly so he can experience God through your example. (Psalm 133:10)

O: OPEN up doors of opportunity for your child as you encourage the development of his skills through education. (1 Tim. 4:14)

P: PATIENTLY wait upon the Lord as He answers prayers for you and your child. (Isaiah 30:18)

Q: QUESTION the reasons for your child's unacceptable behavior as you look beyond the act to its root causes. (Prov. 4:7)

R: RESPECT your child as an individual rather than as an extension of you or your spouse. (Isaiah 11:6)

S:STRIVE to create quality time with your child every day that enables you to listen to her joys, hopes, concerns and fears. (Psalm 90:12)

T:TRUST God to guide you as you prayerfully make daily parenting decisions. (Matt. 21:22)

U: ULTIMATELY, trust your child when he leaves home, knowing you have fulfilled your commitment to God as a Christian parent. (James 1:12)

V: VERBALIZE your thoughts and feelings when you're happy or sad, letting your child know you are still approachable. (Titus 2:7-8)

W: WAIT patiently for your child to pass through stages, realizing that some behaviors, while unpleasant, are quite normal. (Heb. 12:1)

X: EXPECT the best from your child at home, at school, and at play, while also extending grace for human frailty. (I Cor. 13:9-10)

Y: YIELD yourselves to the Lord's way as you seek His guidance each day. (Eph. 5:9)

Z: ZEALOUSLY start each day in prayer and praise, marveling at God's work in the life of your family. (Col. 3:23)

Boy Scout Troop 7777

2009-04-10T19:22:00.003-05:00

On My Honor, I will do my best, To do my Duty, To God and my Country

Troop 7777 meets every Monday night at 7pm at Cross Timbers Church, 6134 E FM 922 in Mountain Springs. Ray Luke is the Scoutmaster. We have 19 boys in the troop. Ages range from 11-18yrs old. Our troop has monthly campouts to practice Scout skills, cook, hike, and have fun. Boy Scouts of America encourages the boys to attend a yearly summer camp and it is a lot of fun! This year we will have two summer events - Summer Camp at Camp Hale in Oklahoma for a week and Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico for two weeks. The goal of Boy Scouts is to build character , learn leadership, and have fun in a safe environment.

We also have a Venture Crew. Venture Scouts include boys and girls age 14-21 years old. This is a great opportunity for boys and girls to participate in Scouting.

Feel free to contact me for any additional information.

Sincerely,
Troop 7777, Frontier Trails District, Longhorn Council
Randy Bell Assistant Scoutmaster
rebrn@ntin.net
940 668 7833

Planning for Graduation

2009-04-10T19:19:00.004-05:00

For those with upcoming seniors, a high school graduation ceremony needs to get going in the planning stages as soon as the senior year begins. There are only a few locations large enough in Gainesville that are also affordable. A reservation should be made as soon as possible. The end of May and beginning of June are hectic months for everyone. The locations in this town get reserved quickly for various parties, weddings, graduations, etc.

As homeschoolers, one of the hardest parts about schooling at home is realizing that we are also responsible for all extracurricular activities and planning; but this responsibility can also be one of the most exciting aspects. We get to decide the "when and where" as well as the "what color", among everything else one must decide.That said, from experience there are a couple of easy ways to get hands on graduation supplies.

NCTC, whose graduation gown color is a royal blue, will sell gowns to RRCHS and also offers a few extras that can be purchased through their supplier. While not all inclusive as to supplies, the price for the gown is completely affordable. The other option is to go outside town for a graduation supply company. One that has been used several times by Red River Christian Home School is a company that was started by a home school mom out of frustration at the lack of quality graduation caps, gowns, and supplies from one supplier. The contact information for this company is: http://www.homeschooldiploma.com/ or 1-877-466-2563

Their list of supplies includes: diplomas & covers, apparel, announcements, "honors" items, accessories, and group packages. This company is very competitive and a joy to work with.

Additionally, they offer discounts for early bird and group packages. The first deadline for getting a discount is December 1. Now you can see why you would want to have quite a bit of planning behind you in the fall.

Fort Washita and the Fur Trader's Rendezvous (Spring 2010)

2009-03-24T00:19:00.003-05:00

Check out Fort Washita in Durant, OK around April for their Fur Trader's Rendezvous. If you have never gone it is loads of fun. Here is a link if you want to see what it's all about. There is no charge. They do have food booths and lots to buy. Some families bring a picnic so they can spend money on the fun stuff.

Wear your comfy clothes and shoes, and bring your camera!

Bicycle Safety Class

2009-03-24T00:10:00.003-05:00

There will be a bicycle saftey class at the Frisco safety town May 22 at 9:30am. It is greared towards 1st thru 3rd grade. If you are interested please e-mail Denise Wilson .

Creative Writing Workshop

2009-03-21T21:18:00.003-05:00

Many children struggle with writing and often lack confidence with this essential skill. Some may also feel that writing is "boring" or a waste of time. Children, as well as many people, lack enthusiasm about writing because they may view it from a perspective that is mechanical rather than one of creativity and imagination.

This course will help children overcome the struggle of writing. The objective will be to inspire students to be creative, as well as, teach them the art of expression and communication through writing. They need to view writing as fun rather than boring. During this class we will make writing an adventure. We will NOT get hung up on mechanics, but will focus on creativity and imagination. We will learn to write with confidence, develop a sense of story, and write for a purpose. We will focus more on mechanics after we are comfortable with writing.

At the conclusion of the class, each student will create an original work and publish it in the form of a book; an achievement that will inspire and instill confidence. Students will be involved in all areas of the writing process by creating, illustrating, editing, and publishing their book. The young writers will learn in a positive classroom environment that encourages them to share their thoughts in meaningful ways with others.

Homework will be assigned during this course. Students will be expected to come ready to work and have fun. Each student will need access to a word processing program. Each student will be expected to bring notebook paper, pencils, and two art pencils. We will need one HB and one 2B art pencil for the class.. These can be found at Hobby Lobby or other craft supply stores. All other materials will be provided.

Dates:
May 4th-7th and May 11th-14th
Time: 9a.m.-12 noon
May 11th 1 p.m.- 3p.m. Individual tutoring if necessary
Ages: 10-14
Cost:$80
A $20 non-refundable deposit is due by April 17th.
Maximum class size: 10
Place: 872 West Line Rd.Whitesboro, TX 76273
For more information contact Laura Ayers at 903-815-0346 or 903-564-5915.
Email address: ayersfamilyrox24. 7@verizon. net

Laura is a certified teacher. She taught in public school for five years and has home schooled for the last five years.

And The Winner Is . . .

2009-03-21T17:13:00.002-05:00

Kari Davidson!

Congratulations Kari!

Please keep checking in on our RRCH blog - it is coninuing to grow.

Homeschool family interviews coming soon . . .

Our First Contest

2009-03-13T07:27:00.001-05:00

What if you could:

- shop for curriculum in a HUGE exhibit hall & see all the curriculum hands on?
- choose from an incredible line-up of speakers?
- speak with homeschool leaders and vendors?
- attend fabulous workshops?
- meet other homeschoolers & be encouraged?

What if you could do all this for FREE?

You can!

May 8th & 9th 2009 there will be the 25th Annual Homeschool Book Fair at the Arlington Convention Center.

For a list of all the exhibitors scheduled to be there click HERE!

To be entered into the contest simply leave a comment below between NOW & Thursday, March 19. On Friday, March 20 we will enter your post # into a random number generator & announce the winner.

Good Luck!!

Grass Fed Meat Co-op

2009-03-10T07:54:00.002-05:00

Purchases from Dominion Farms in the Pottsboro, TX area are made every other month. Delivery is in Gainesville on Tuesday or Thursday mornings. To see their selections, visit www.dfmeats.com. To be placed on the ordering list, contact Susan Gleaton at skg@gainesvilletitle.com.

Organic Produce Co-op

2009-03-10T07:54:00.001-05:00

ORGANIC PRODUCE COOP

The organic produce coop orders every other week from Albert’s Organics in Colorado. Fruit and vegetable selections are emailed out to members on the Wednesday before the Monday pick up. Albert’s delivers to New Life Bible Church on FM 678, just east of Gainesville, and the produce is ready to pick up between 5:30-6:30 PM every other Monday. There is no fee for joining the coop, and payment is made when picking up the produce. For more information or to join the coop, contact Susan Gleaton at skg@gainesvilletitle.com.

Bois D'arc the Magazine

2009-03-09T15:28:00.000-05:00

Dry old history takes a powder in Bois d’Arc, the Magazine.

Written by home school students and published by Red River Christian Home School, Bois d’Arc is a treasure trove of oral histories, feature stories, vintage photographs and recipes gathered from the senior citizens of Cooke and Grayson counties and the surrounding environs.

The 2008-09 edition of Bois d’Arc pays tribute to the warriors and war brides of World War II. Included are an oral history by Whitesboro’s Charles Baum, who survived the Bataan Death March and interment in Japanese POW camps; features with Kingsley Dowling of Gainesville, who fought in the Battle of Okinawa, and Norm Wimberley of Whitesboro, who saw action at Tarawa, Saipan and Guadal Canal; tales from the Fabulous Fabians; and interviews with war brides Betty Brooks Roane and Wilma Chapman Leach. Other highlights in this 84-page issue include tales of Spanish gold and farm life, recollections of old Whitesboro and old Valley View, a taste of Hollywood, collected old sayings and recipes, the story of the Morton Museum, and an oral history with 104-year-young Virginia Holland Melugin.

Also available is the 2007 edition of Bois d’Arc. This 76-page collection includes an oral history by Essie Sullivan Morrow, who at age 107 was the oldest living person in Cooke County at the time of her interview. Wedding stories, hunting lore, tall tales and a recipe collection also are featured in this first edition.

Virtual Lending Library

2009-03-09T14:43:00.000-05:00

The Red River Christian Homeschoolers have a Lending Library - online! It's a fun and easy way to share and borrow books (and curriculum) with your fellow homeschoolers. Simply peruse the list of available books and contact the owner for permission to borrow. You may also add any of your books to the list that you are willing to loan out temporarily. Since we don't have our own building for such things, the list is online, and all books are kept by the owners.

To join, click here.

To add items to share, please use the Database link on the toolbar. You may also use the database to look for items you are interested in. Please plan to participate in both lending and borrowing.

Some lenders may require a "refundable deposit" in case an item is lost. This deposit will enable them to replace their item. When a borrower returns the item in good condition, they will get their deposit back.

You are responsible for keeping track of what you lend and borrow; this website is just a meeting place!

May the Lord bless you in your homeschooling work!

All the believers were united and shared everything with one another. Acts 2:44

Cooke County Cotillion

2009-03-01T21:24:00.002-06:00

Cooke County Cotillion was created in 2003 by several Red River Christian Home School mothers for the purpose of giving our homeschooled teens an opportunity to learn proper table manners and conversation, ballroom dancing, and everyday etiquette from a Christian worldview. It is our desire to reinforce the parents' upbringing of their teens by giving them a place to practice these skills with each other with the knowledge that "practice makes perfect". Over these past seven years, we have had participants from not only Cooke County, but Grayson County, Montague County, Denton County, Tarrant County, and several counties in Oklahoma.

Our theme verse is I Timothy 4:12:

"Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe."

We offer four events in the fall and four in the spring. Our last cotillion for the fall is a Christmas event; the last cotillion for the spring is a formal. The spring formal gives our teens an opportunity to wear their most formal attire. Since many of our homeschoolers also enjoy attending the Dallas Home School Prom, our formal event gives them another opportunity to wear their ball gowns and dress suits.

The attire for cotillion, other than the formal, is shirt and tie for the gentlemen and Sunday dress or skirt/blouse for the ladies.

Every event is preceded with a mailed invitation to each cotillion teen. We teach, exhort, and require an RSVP to each invitation.

Dancing is taught by Dr. Wendy Guess, PhD. She is on staff at Texas Christian University and Tarrent County Community College. We are privileged to have someone of her dance expertise on our cotillion staff.

While cotillion was established with homeschoolers in mind, every year we have had several non-homeschooled teens request to be a part of cotillion. These teens have proved a blessing to our group.

We have purposely not specified exact ages for those wishing to participate in cotillion, but have only said "teen" as we feel the parents are a better judge of the maturity of their children than we are. That said, we have had 12 year olds that were absolutely a joy to have and 18 year olds that were a bad fit. Our general rule of thumb is that if your child has more fun under the table than at the table or playing with the decorations rather than admiring them and thinks members of the opposite sex have cooties, they are too young to enjoy cotillion.

Upon request and when room and girl/boy ratios allow, we permit our teens to bring a guest.

The fees for participating in cotillion are a registration fee of $30.00 per family per year and a $15.00 fee per teen for each cotillion he/she attends. We also offer parents a meal and place to have conversation with other parents for a fee of $8.00 per meal.

We hold registration for the cotillion season at the fall Enrichment Class sign-up. Those wishing to participate in cotillion but not signing up for the EC classes are welcome to come register for cotillion during the EC sign-up. We will have a registration table set up. If your schedule does not permit you to register at the EC fall sign-up, a registration form may be e-mailed to you upon request.

For further information, please feel free to contact Sara Bell at mommers@ntin.net or 940-668-7833.

Lady Rattlers Basketball

2009-03-01T21:09:00.003-06:00

In 2004, the Red River Lady Rattlers basketball team was created to provide an opportunity for home schooled girls to play basketball. The team’s motto is simple, “No Excuses, No Explanations; Leave It on The Court.” The mission of the Red River Lady Rattlers is to develop a fundamental concept of the game individually that will establish team performance in a positive and Christian atmosphere. The goal of the Red River Lady Rattlers is to enhance personal and team development daily through hard work, determination, accountability, and commitment while building self-confidence.

This fall will mark the Lady Rattlers sixth season with expectations at greater heights but achievable. The last two seasons, the Lady Rattlers achieved winning records through teamwork and growth. The team’s successes consist of:

2007 ETACC Christmas Open Invitation Champions
2008 ETACC District Runner-up
2009 T-CAL Regional Third Place
2009 T-CAL State Runner-up

Becoming a Lady Rattler means total commitment to the team throughout the season, both on and off the court; therefore, in order to maintain this level of commitment, Lady Rattlers must be academically sound, attend practices and games, and complete at home tasks. Due to the lack of practices each season, Lady Rattlers are required to complete a home-exercise program and are strongly encouraged to work on skills and fundamentals at home.

The Lady Rattlers are affiliated with the Texas Christian Association League (T-CAL). Each year, T-CAL holds Regional and State Tournaments, which are normally afar from home. So, each year, the team participates in different fundraisers to aid with the expenses. Lady Rattlers are encouraged to assistance in this initiative. Fundraisers, also, help satisfy uniforms, equipment, and referee necessities.

If you are interested in joining the Red River Lady Rattlers, contact Coach Dwayne Holman at the email provided below.

Contact information: Dwayneholman@yahoo.com

Subscribing

2009-02-28T22:19:00.000-06:00

On the left sidebar under "About Us" you will see the option to "SUBSCRIBE":
Here is quick video that explains how to subscribe to a blog. This is a fantastic way to keep up with all the updates to the blog at your own convenience.

SUBSCRIBE!

EC - Tambourine Dance Class

2009-02-28T18:24:00.000-06:00

Here is a sample of what our 4th-6th grade girls are learning in the Tambourine Dance class:

Rattlers Compete for State Championship!

2009-02-28T15:03:00.002-06:00

The Red River Rattlers Girls' basketball team were runners-up in the competition for State Champions in the Texas Christian Althletic League today! More details to come...

Homeschool Stores

2009-02-26T13:36:00.001-06:00

Home Educator's Resource in Lewisville.

Phone #: (972) 956-8320

Location: 410 E. Church Street

Directions: (from Gainesville area) Take I-35S toward Dallas. Exit Main Street in Lewisville. Turn left at the light, going over the over-pass, toward Old Town Lewisville. Turn left on Henrietta Street. The store is directly on your right, on the corner of Church & Henrietta.

Review: HER is a wonderful place to purchase your homeschool curriculum, supplies, & find great books to add to your home library. HER carries both new & used items. You can find some great deals on used curriculum & books or have somewhere to sell your used curriculum. The staff at this store are super friendly & very helpful. You will find the store to be easy to navigate & child-friendly (there is play area for your children while you shop). HER offers a frequent shopper card to earn a discount for all your purchases. The store frequently runs sales on curriculum & has always had 2 major sales (at least 20% off) each year during the summer & winter -- these are great opportunities to save money on purchasing your homeschool curriculum. HER also has a great website that you can purchase curriculum from online (the sales often apply to online orders &/or phone orders).
H.O.P.E. Academy is available through HER, which offers homeschool classes, consultations, & testing. For more information please visit their website.

Mardel in Denton or Lewisville.

Denton Phone #: 940-384-7076

Location: 1800 S. Loop 288, Ste. 210

Directions: (from Gainesville) Take I-35 S toward Dallas. Exit 463 toward TX-288-LOOP. Turn left at the light (going under the overpass) onto Lillian Miller Pkwy. Go straight passing the mall & crossing over Colorado St. Mardel will be to your left in the same shopping area as Old Navy.

Lewisville Phone #: 972-316-8444

Location: 2428-B S. Stemmons Freeway

Directions: (from Gainesville) Take I-35 S toward Dallas. Exit 3040/Round Grove Rd. Turn left at the light (going over the overpass). Take your first right into the shopping center to your right. Mardel is in the same shopping center as Toys R Us & Garden Ridge (between the two stores)

Review: Mardel is a christian & education book store that carries new homeschool curriculum. Although, the homeschool curriculum here is limited, they do carry the more popular used curriculum & have a great selection of educational materials. You will also find fabulous books, educational toys, videos, music, teaching materials/supplies, and many other christian & educational merchandise. The prices here are competitively reasonable. Mardel also offers two 20% educational sales each year (summer & winter) that can be a great savings for many homeschoolers. Recently Mardel began to offer curriculum/merchandise online, so check out their website for more information.

Recycled Books in Denton.

Phone #: (940) 566-5688

Location: 200 N.Locust

Directions: Take I-35 S toward Dallas. Exit 465B toward US-377/FT WORTH DR. Turn LEFT onto FORT WORTH DR. Turn RIGHT onto FORT WORTH DR. Turn RIGHT onto EAGLE DR. Turn LEFT onto S LOCUST ST. Recycled books is a tall purple building on the corner to your RIGHT.

Review: Recycled Books is a huge used books store. This store is not only a good place to sell your used books, but a wonderful place to find great books. Hidden within this store are the hard to find classics we all want to add to our book shelves. The selection here is incredible. Navigating the store is almost overwhelming, but the staff is very helpful. The children's section is on the lower main level to the right of the store. In this area you will also find a small homeschool specific section & an average parenting/educational guides (Ex. "The Educated Child") section. Most of the books here are in good shape & the prices are unbelievable. This store is a book lovers dream come true! You will cringe at the thought of paying full price for a book again. *This store does offer a 10% discount to homeschoolers.

Barnes & Noble Gives 20% off to homeschoolers - you must ask to sign up for the educator discount.

Evening of Enrichment

2009-02-26T00:07:00.004-06:00

The Evening of Enrichment is our end-of-semester program each Spring and Fall. Many of our classes perform something they have learned, and other classes have display tables featuring their projects. We've had dramatic plays, video slide-shows, dance performances, musical performances, foreign language recitals, and so much more. It's always different, and always fun!

The program is followed by refreshments and fellowship.

Everyone is invited!

If you've never attended EC, this is a great way to see what it's all about.

Fall 2010 date is November 12 at 7:00 p.m. at Temple Baptist Church in Gainesville.

Home School Book Fair

2009-02-25T23:57:00.003-06:00

The annual Arlington Book Fair is scheduled for May 6-7, 2011.
Pre-Register for $5 (date TBA).

This is the BIG book fair at the Arlington Convention Center. There are so many great workshops, speakers, and of course, vendors with their merchandise on display.

We usually have a large number of families attending, so watch the RRCH Yahoo group around April/May for emails about who's going and who you can share rides with.

Tips to remember:

No strollers or wheeled carts are allowed, so keep this in mind when you're planning which children to bring!
Sack lunches are not allowed in the building. You will either need to eat out at your car, or purchase a lunch in the dining hall. Eating in the dining hall allows you to sit and listen to the Home School Choir perform. They are great!
There is a nursing room provided.
If you make lots of purchases, they have a check room to hold your bags until the end of the day.

See http://www.homeschoolbookfair.org/for all the details.

Must Have Books for Beginning Homeschoolers

2009-02-25T23:38:00.002-06:00

If you are considering homeschooling or if your family in new to homeschooling two Must Have books are:

Educating the Wholehearted Child by Clay & Sally Clarkson. This book is a fantastic inspiration & explains so much about homeschooling. After reading Educating the Wholehearted Child you will have gained fabulous ideas for homeschooling, great insight on homeschooling, a wonderful list of books to start your home library, helpful information on homeschooling resources, and so much more. You will find yourself rereading this book throughout your homeschooling journey.

Here is a list from the Wholehearted website on topics covered in this book:

Why to Homeschool: Biblical and practical reasons.
Discipleship: Shaping your child's heart to live for God.
Education: Strengthening your child's mind to learn for God.
Homeschool Models: Various approaches to home education.
The Home-Centered Learning Model: Our own comprehensive, integrated model using whole books and real life, based on discipleship.
Methods: Covering over three dozen key subject areas and emphases with extensive practical input.
Learning Styles: An uncomplicated way to better understand how your children live and learn.
Organization: Insights and tips on planning and organizing at home.
Lifestyle: Wisdom and encouragement from an experienced homeschooling mother (Sally).
Resources and Support: How to get started and keep going.

Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Picks for Homeschool Curriculum is a WONDERFUL guide for picking your homeschool curriculum. This book gives a great explanation of the importance of choosing the right curriculum for your homeschool. Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Picks breaks down the process of choosing your curriculum into several helpful categories so that you may choose the curriculum that will best blend your teaching style & your child's learning style with your desired approach to homeschooling. Cathy Duffy did a fabulous job at selecting & organizing the top curriculum into several categories making your choices easier. At the back of the book you will find a detailed review for all her 100 picks - which includes prices & purchasing information. As if the book isn't a big enough help Cathy Duffy also has a website with several other reviews of great curriculum that was not listed in her book. Like Educating the Wholehearted Child, you will find yourself reading this book several times - as you find your homeschooling goals & styles changing within your family.

So You're Thinking About Homeschooling is wonderful for families to read as they are considering homeschooling. Lisa gives a true dipiction of what homeschooling entails (with all the ups & downs). Not only is Lisa honest about her own homeschooling journey, but now an updated edition includes how fifteen other families share their approach to homeschooling. This book deals with common questions of time management, teaching weaknesses, and outside responsibilities, as well as children's age variations, social and sports involvement, learning disabilities, and boredom.

Other books to consider:

Yearbook

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The Red River Christian Homeschoolers have an awesome yearbook program! Our yearbooks include all ages and all families, and feature photos from all the various groups and activities. We can't do it without your photos! Here's how you can contribute:

* Positions on the yearbook staff are open to all high school age students, whether you attend Enrichment Classes or not. However, we do offer a yearbook class every semester at Enrichment.

* Submit your photos. We are going digital this year! You may email any photos you would like to have included in the yearbook to Corinne French at corinnefrenchtx@gmail.com . We want photos of everything: families, field trips, groups, sports, and especially your kids having school at home!

Contact Corinne if you have any questions.

United / Rainbow Grocery Co-op

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Order all organic grocery items, household products and supplements from United. You pay cost + 10% and there is no fee to join! Items are ordered by the case, but you can join our Yahoo Group to split cases. Orders are delivered to New Life Bible Church in Gainesville every 4 weeks. A set of catalogs is just $5. For more info, contact Barb Tucker at super.health@hotmail.com.