The article discusses letting go of unrealistic childhood dreams and expectations as an adult. While the author dreamed of being tall, marrying a prince, and living in a castle, her reality is different - she is of average height and married with three children living in a small apartment. Homeschooling, like life, is not always fun and can be difficult, but that's okay - it's important to accept challenges and difficulties rather than constantly strive for perfection. Overall the piece encourages embracing life's realities rather than clinging to unrealistic pictures of how things were supposed to be.

1. Homeschoolers Make Your Own Memory Book!
es r n a l
n
Se ing
y l e a ci
io
St L S pe
Homeschooling
ct The Link
hoMeSchooling,
Magazine
PoP culture
anD creative Est. 1995
exPreSSion article
inDex
Mating Page 4
Without
Dating, Pt 2
WeaPonS
of MaSS
inStruction
DefenDing
teaching
StanDarDS &
correctionS

4. TT N LINK
HE
’
HE ATION S
Homeschooling Magazine In This Issue Homeschooled Entrepreneur
6 22
I Thought I’d Be Taller – Demonstrating the independent
thinking so familiar to
Letting Go of Picture-Perfect homeschoolers, Connor Bernstein,
– Ann Lloyd, Ph.D. shares her thoughts on how life –
14-year-old science whiz, has
including homeschooling -- is not what we dream as
created his own line of science kits, built from the young
children, and that adult life can be downright difficult, but that we
person’s perspective and about to be marketed nationwide!
8
can and should still dream, realizing that life can be great.
26
Mind the Gap Weapons of Mass Instruction
Veteran homeschooling mom Diane Flynn Keith, In this excerpt from his new book, John Taylor
uses the warning of London’s Subways to watch Gatto brings us more vivid information about
for the spaces between the car and the platform as a focus mass education and its shadowy agenda for
point for avoiding the “holes” in your child’s education. social control.
Homeschooling, Pop Culture
and Creative Expression
Elizabeth Michalak, a homeschooled 10 28
young woman of 21, relates her childhood unawareness of
pop culture icons and how that “shelteredness” has been a
College Experience for
Homeschoolers
Gail Lewis, of College Goals, discusses the
valuable experience of high school-age homeschoolers enrolling
boon to her creative life as a songwriter and musician. in college early, rather than wasting time with high school subjects
12
they may already be knowledgeable of.
Christian Classical Education
30
– Is It for You? Making Homeschool Work Better with Field
Marlin Detweiler, founder and president
of Veritas Press, provides an in-depth explanation and Trips
discussion of one of the most popular and effective Dawn Hauff, experienced
homeschooling styles – Classical, also known as the Trivium. homeschooling mom and field
14
tripper in Idaho offers an excellent article about
Mating Without Dating, Pt 2 planning and fulfilling field trips, including some
Moira Bell, homeschooling mom of unusual ideas for great supplemental trips.
six, continues with her own daughter’s
34
story and the experience of observations
and ideas about sidestepping the pitfalls of dating, and Lessons From the Road
actually seeking a life-mate instead. and speaking of “Field Trips”
16
Lauren Brenner Katz recounts her
Measuring Handwriting Fluency experience making a field trip out
Rand Nelson, handwriting expert and owner of a rock concert in San Francisco, demonstrating
of Peterson Directed Handwriting, provides that homeschoolers can think quickly on their feet!
40
detailed information and suggestions for aiding your child in
improving handwriting, while eliminating much of his/her
frustration and resistance to this still-important skill.
The Link Reviews
this issue we offer information on three great
18
products that every homeschooled family should
Defending Teaching Standards & Corrections consider.
Frode Jensen, grammar teacher and owner Wilder Museum 8/14/09 12:47 PM Page 1
of Jensens’s Wordsmith Publishing, provides
52
an intelligent defense of “the red pen” as Why Teach Laura Ingalls Wilder
opposed to avoiding “damaging” a child’s self-esteem by Amy Ankrum, of the Wilder Museum, presents
not correcting his errors and not making him accountable to the why’s and how-to’s of using this great set
certain standards of excellence in learning. of American “history” books to youngsters as
an entertaining supplement to regular academic study.
20 Good Beginnings to Good Endings
for Handwriting
Nan Barchowsky’s advice to effectively teach
handwriting is, “Let children play!” Her Fluent
Handwriting method begins with playful activities long before
Elementary Grammar MUSEUMIngalls CENTER
Laura
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forest of English grammar. She Toll Free (888) 528-7298 • (507) 859-2358
Enjoy learning the history of the
clarifies some of the terms and definitions Exhibits are
Ingalls & Wilder families. that
practicing letters. This almost-lost art needs to be kept alive among include: Laura owned items, TV
so daunting, but necessary in helping ourlife-size
series memorabilia, and children
homeschoolers, who someday, may be the only people in developed countries
learn not only English, but to building complex. Visit thein
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learning foreign languages as well. Museum Complex:
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Page 4 www.homeschoolnewslink.com
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Sun.12 p.m.-4 p.m.

5. Dear Readers: I was talking to a teacher the other day who made an odd remark. She
said: “There is no such thing as homeschooling in the state of California” I asked what
she meant. She said, “The state of California does not recognize ‘homeschooling’ as a
TT N LINK
legal choice.” I thought that seemed like a funny thing to say and very strange. The state
HE
does not recognize the act of keeping our children at home and raising them ourselves, as
a legal concept? I am not sure if that is true or not, but I have been thinking about it ever
since. I do not believe homeschooling needs validation from the state.
I hope that mainstream acceptance of homeschooling as a viable educational alterna-
’ HE ATION S
Homeschooling Magazine
tive does not take away from the reality that homeschooling is really more about home
than school. Learning from books and whatnot is fine, but real life is the way to actually
learn about everything. Charlotte Mason and John Holt both had this point of view – that
if a child lives a full and real life, the academic part of learning – which is a very small
part, after all -- comes right along, without a great deal of hair-pulling and anxiety by
parents.
I have known families who began homeschooling with “school at home” or working
through a public school ISP and stressed themselves out early on, trying to “keep up”
with the workload. Once they met other homeschooling families and discussed the ways
Editor-in-ChiEf: Mary Leppert
and means of child-raising-teaching our own, they quickly realized what was important mary.thelink@verizon.net
and what was not. . . life is important; family and home are important; raising a child who
lives a whole life is important. M anaging Editor: Michael Leppert
Does homeschooling need validation from the state? Do newcomers to homeschool-
link.art@verizon.net
ing need government validation to even consider it as a choice for their families? I hope
not. My hope is that new families will become more independent from all styles and P ublishErs: Modern Media
systems and enjoy the freedom that self-reliant homeschooling brings. Thank you for
“homeschooling” and thank you for reading The Link. a d dEsign: Lennon Leppert
Love,
Mary Leppert Our Mission
lennon.thelink@verizon.net
l ayout & dEsign: Lennon Leppert
The Link’s mission is to provide information and resources to anyone interested in homeschooling,
regardless of religious or non-religious beliefs, teaching philosophy or any other agenda. While we do our l ink staff WritErs:
best to scrutinize all ads and material submitted, we cannot make guarantees; therefore, we do not accept
responsibility for ad content or product quality. We reserve the right to refuse any and all advertising at Michael Leppert • Emerson Sandow • Linda Foster
our discretion. The entire contents of this publication, including artwork and all editorial, are copyright
2008 by The Link Homeschool Publications. All rights are reserved. l ink staff PhotograPhEr: Lennon Leppert
Article Index fEaturEd ColuMnists: Diane Flynn Keith, John Taylor Gatto,
W i l d i n g Wa l l b e d s - S a v i n g S p a c e Chemistry with Charisma By Terrific
Beautifully ...............................................24 Science ..................................................... 76 Ann Lloyd, Marlin Detweiler, Frode Jensen, Rand Nelson,
Drake Institute’s Home Program - Safe Homeschool Mom Turns Author By Tammy
Alternative for ADD, ADHD & More......38 Raden........................................................77
Nan Barchowsky, Connor Bernstein, Gail Lewis,
Sylva n Dell Book s - Revolut iona r y Kid Scoop cartoon By Kid Scoop .........90 Lauren Brenner Katz, Moira Bell
Fun/Learning Products...........................40 Woodshop for Kids By Jack McGee ..... 91
R o s e t t a S t o n e , I n c r e d i bl e Fo r e i g n Respecting Our Children By Lynn M. a dvErtising salEs: mary.thelink@verizon.net
La ng u age Homeschool Ve r sion By Griesemer.................................................92
Michael Leppert ...................................... 41 Freedom-Based Education By Kathy CustoMEr sErviCE:
Magnificient Monologues for Kids 2 By Richardson ...............................................94
Emerson Sandow..................................... 42 Turn Knowledge Into College Credit By Mary Leppert
S i l p a d a D e s i g n s: O p p o r t u n i t y f o r UExcel ................................................... 113
Homeschooling Moms by Sasha Rusk .. 45 Writing Strands By Writing Strands ... 114 mary.thelink@verizon.net
10 Subjects You Can Teach While Creating a Giant Campus High School: Prepping
Yearbook By Memory Book Staff ......... 59 Students for Global Econ Online By Giant Editorial & a dvErtising offiCEs:
How To E n c o u r a g e Mo t iv a t io n B y Campus .................................................. 116
M a r i a e m m a P-W i l l s & V i c t o r i a Dig It! Games’ Archeology Computer Game 587 North Ventu Park Rd. Ste. E911
K-Hodson ................................................. 62 -- Roman Town By Michael Leppert .. 118
Am I Qualified To Teach My Own? By Gary Motor & Sensor y Skills Boost Brain
Newbury Park, CA 91320
Grammar ..................................................63 Development By Cindy Roth Pahr ......124 M ain nuMbEr: 805.497-3311
Enjoying the Process By Mary Hood, PhD What Type of Learner Is Your Child? By
64 Mary & Michael Leppert .....................125 fax: 805.492-9219
Stop! In the Name of Life By Richard J. T he 5-to -7-yea r Sh if t By WEb: www.homeschoolnewslink.com
Prystowsky, Ph.D. ...................................65 Dr. Marcie Zinn .....................................126
Teton Science Schools By The Link Staff66 Music Theory Software - Ear Training -
Notes on the Charlotte Mason Method By Practice Tools By Music Goals ............129
E-Mail a ddrEssEs:
Catherine Levison ................................... 67 The Developmental Potential of Music By Editorial: mary.thelink@verizon.net
Kay’s Kareer Korner By Kay Miller .....68 Music Together ......................................130
High School Transcripts in 5 Easy Steps By The Keystone School & IQ Academy By Classifieds: classifieds@homeschoolnewslink.com
Janice Campbell ...................................... 70 Keystone School .................................... 133 subsCriPtions: subscriptions@homeschoolnewslink.com
Grammar & Creative Writing By Daniel Gram mar: The New Black Dress By
Schwabauer ..............................................72 Grammarlogues..................................... 137 a rtWork: lennon.thelink@verizon.net
Macaroni Kid - Money-Maker for Moms Betty Lukens Felt Products - Timeless
Nationwide By Macaroni Kid ............... 74 Learning Toys By Michael Leppert .... 138 gEnEral offiCE: linkadvertising@verizon.net
Connie Crawford - Fashion Design &
Sewing to Homeschooling By Michael The Link Homeschool Magazine reserves the right to refuse
Leppert ..................................................... 75 advertising space at its sole discretion.
See Our Ad Index On Page 146
www.homeschoolnewslink.com Page 5

6. Patterns in I Thought I’d be Taller...
Arithmetic Letting Go of Picture-Perfect
A series of
3 books for By Ann Lloyd, Ph.D. lege. I met my dark-haired prince endless overtime would rile any
M
home school and married him that same year. teacher’s union. Often we must
and classroom y sister is 5’ 9” – tall
Our castle, however, had a few work for days with little sleep,
teachers about and thin. My mother
problems. For starters, it closely support, or recognition. Yet, as
how to teach is 5’ 8”; my father, 5’
arithmetic resembled a two-bedroom apart- adults, we are inevitably called
11”. Unfortunately, I stopped
using an in- ment in Jersey. I had three chil- to do things that we’d rather not.
growing in 8th grade. It’s not that
quiry method. dren in four years, and wasn’t able Things that aren’t easy. Things
I’m short, it’s just, I thought I’d be
to have any more. In addi- we don’t enjoy. But the truth is,
taller. Granted, I also thought I’d
tion, my prince gave you don’t have to love
be an Olympic gymnast, but that’s
no indication that every aspect of ho-
beside the point. As a child, I’d
he wanted to
The meschooling to
planned to marry Prince Charm- truth is,
stay home to be a successful
ing and live in the castle. My
dark-haired, brown-eyed prince
raise them. homeschooling, like homeschooler.
“Unlike a lot of educational My beauti- dieting or exercising, It’s OK to get
would raise our six children (three
activities these are as much fun ful gowns frustrated. It’s
for me as for my daughter.” boys, three girls), while I worked. is not always fun.
are night- OK if you oc-
–Joyce Fetteroll, homeschool parent I would be tall, of course, and thin. In fact, it can
gowns, and casionally feel
I was to be graceful, well-educat-
(760) 728-3731 ed, and fabulously dressed at all
the ultimate be downright like giving up.
blow? I really difficult. It doesn’t mean
Pattern Press times. It goes without saying that
thought I’d be that you’re a failure.
P.O. Box 2737 Fallbrook, CA 92088 we would live happily ever after.
PatternPress@aol.com taller. It doesn’t mean that
In 1986, I graduated from col-
http://members.aol.com/patternpress/ Women don’t grow up you are a bad wife, mother, or
dreaming of housework. My Christian.
castle, in fact, was spotless. Not The truth is, homeschooling,
Bring This Incredible because I had a maid; on the like dieting or exercising, is not
Resource Into Your contrary, housework simply always fun. In fact, it can be
Child’s Learning Life! didn’t exist. Likewise, many of us downright difficult. Being re-
dream of children, but deny the sponsible for every aspect of your
reality of diapers, noise, illness, child’s care and education is a
Kid Scoop covers and insomnia. In fact, perhaps the daunting task. There will always
many subjects! hardest aspect of homeschooling, be days when nothing goes right.
or staying home with children in The days when you wake up late,
Downloadable Weekly Activity general, is letting go of what you the children are cranky, and the
Packages on a variety of thought your life would be. Not dog throws up on the rug. Clearly,
fascinating Themed Topics! that we, as women, should give the routine of a homeschooling
up our dreams. Certainly, we can mother is often a far cry from the
make them reality. But we cannot glamorous life most women envi-
Brimming with live out every childhood fantasy. sion for themselves. It is far from
illuminating puzzles There will always be housework, picture perfect.
and games on so homework and hassles. Children Too often as homeschoolers, we
many fun activities. require sacrifice. And in the pres- allow ourselves to falsely believe
ence of a screaming toddler, there that others are achieving an ideal
Kid Scoop believes learning is fun! is little room for fantasy. that we can only dream of. We
To be happy as a homeschooler, know their houses are clean; their
Created for: Kids Parents Teachers we must accept, and learn to en- children gifted and well behaved
joy, the realities of a homeschool- at all times. We look at our neigh-
Easy to use and Website: www.kidscoop.com ing life. Homeschooling is admi- bors with children in school and
reasonably priced! rable. The rewards are great. But cannot help but wonder what this
Just pay and
Telephone: 707-996-6077
the process is far from glamorous. life of leisure would be like. Even
download! E-mail: thescoop@kidscoop.com The long hours, low budgets, and continued on page 83
Page 6 www.homeschoolnewslink.com

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8. TRAVEL Mind the Gap –
buddies Watching for “Holes” in Your
Supports sleepy heads Child’s Education with “Mind the Gap” — and
on planes, trains, and
automobiles. By Diane Flynn Keith
Fun
A
snuggles
to go! few years ago my fam-
it’s not just the tourists who
ily took a field trip to
wear them. There was a movie
England. I didn’t say
made called “Mind The Gap”
“vacation.” We didn’t take a
in 2004. I’ve never seen it, but
single vacation in all the years
the Internet Movie Data Base
we homeschooled — but we
describes it this way, “Five
took lots of “educational field
seemingly unrelated people
trips.” Calling it that helped to
Little decide to take huge risks in
justify the cost.
Bag Buddies their personal lives in an ef-
pals can tag One thing my sons found
fort to find happiness.” Hey!
along on particularly amusing in Lon-
That description could apply
backpacks or suitcases! don was the sign “Mind The
to just about any group of ho-
Gap.” It is somewhat synony-
2008 Creative Child Magazine meschoolers I know.
Seal of Excellence Award! mous with “Watch Your Step”
Yet, happiness is elusive,
in the U.S. You see it most
and taking risks by reject-
often in subway stations when
Check out all of the Travel Buddies at ing conventional
noodleheadfun.com you must step
schooli ng
from the
c a n
train
onto
make
the sta-
o n e f e a r-
tion platform.
f u l. How m a ny
You have to step across
times have you heard home-
a gap or a divide, a hole or a
school parents, who have re-
space — hence, “Mind The
cently decided to step off the
Gap.” Not only is the warning
linear school train, anxiously
posted, you hear it in recorded
say with a straight face, “I
messages announced through
want to make sure there aren’t
loudspeakers inside the trains
any gaps in my child’s educa-
and the station, “Mind The
tion?”
Gap.”
National Standards
T he sloga n has i nspi red
Fear of gaps causes them to
those who see and hear it.
slavishly and unhappily adhere
Songs and video games con-
to a school model, scope-and-
tain references to “Mind the
Gap.” T-shirts are imprinted continued on page 60
Page 8 www.homeschoolnewslink.com

9. Homeschoolers Understand
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10. ERIES
Homeschooling, Pop Culture
A HOT NEW S R FOR 2010 and Creative Expression
MILLE
FROM KANE OOK EVERY MONTH
B
WITH A NEW
By Elizabeth Michalak into their own hands. They also
“C
her? Who’s that?” chose not to follow a strict cur-
I asked this un- riculum, but instead decided
fortunate question to trust their own -- and our
as a twelve-year-old spending -- natural instincts about what
Halloween with my mother’s and how we needed to learn.
This is not to say that they
!
– 12 MONTHS
family in Port Richey, Florida.
As a last-minute addition to subscribed entirely to the view
12 BOOKS my satin-and-lace Princess
costume, I had added a wig
of child-based learning; they
were very clear that certain
of long black curls that fell to subjects were not negotiable,
my waist. My uncle’s casual especially English and Math.
comparison of my appearance Their main concern was that
to the well-known pop singer the acquisition of this neces-
prompted my clueless and sary knowledge left time and
rather embarrassing question energy to explore, create and
-- a question that clearly illus- discover what we were pas-
trates my childhood insulation sionate about.
ch 2010
2010 Book 3 – Mar from pop culture. I grew up During my early childhood
Book 2 – Feb.
Book 1 – Nov
. 2009
in a home that lacked a T.V. we were blessed to be a part
iracy36 5us.com of an established homeschool
www.consp
and computer for a number of
years and that only acquired a group in Ft. Collins. Composed
high-speed Internet connection of families like ours, this group
T THESE
D CHECK OUE TITLES:
more recently than I care to offered support, information
AN RN admit. But my educational en- and plenty of “field experi-
GREAT USBO vironment was still more sig- ence” for my parents to draw
from, and for my sister and
nificant in contributing to my
social insulation -- I never saw me it created a social network
the inside of a classroom until I outside of the standard school
sat in on a few college classes system. However, the year I
as a teenager. Homeschooled turned six our family relocated
from the beginning of my edu- to Crestone, Colorado, a small
cation, I was spared the daily town offering limited social
barrage of input from so-called opportunities in general and
“popular culture”, and I believe nothing at all in the way of a
this has shaped the course of homeschool community. I was
my vocation and career choice, slightly distressed at finding
namely the development of a myself in this new environ-
personal creative voice as a ment, but in retrospect it simul-
musician and songwriter. taneously allowed and required
My experience as a young me to look to myself and not
homeschooler started in my my peers to decide what was
childhood home 17 miles out- interesting, impor tant and
side of Ft. Collins, Colorado. valuable.
Unwilling to leave my educa- As a child I wasn’t excep-
Contact your Independent Consultant today for over 1,500 tion, and that of my older sister, tionally musical, nor did I have
other fun and educational books from Usborne & Kane/Miller! Katherine, to the standard edu- a burning desire to become so.
To find a Consultant in your area call 800-611-1655. cational system, our parents In fact, as a preadolescent, my
chose instead to take things continued on page 110
Page 10 www.homeschoolnewslink.com

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12. Christian Classical Education –
Is It for You?
grammar stage and seeks to help
By Marlin Detweiler
I
the learner understand how and
’ve written and spoken fre- why they relate. Just how was the
quently on classical Christian War for Independence related to
education and I never tire of the War Between the States? Or,
doing so—it’s that important. what was the connection between
However, it’s a bit tricky to ad- Alexander and Socrates? The
dress both folks who are new to rhetoric stage builds on the factual
the idea and those who are veter- mastery of the grammar stage and
ans in the same effort. Let’s give the logical connections made in
it a try. the dialectic stage. It is character-
I was first introduced to this ized by taking this mastery and
educational model when R.C. teaching the learner to be win-
Sproul recommended I read Re- somely articulate and persuasive
covering the Lost Tools of Learn- when discussing a topic. Listeners
ing by Douglas Wilson. This book are more easily persuaded when
impresses the reader with both the material is presented to them in an
superiority of the classical model enjoyable way.
and the necessity of a Christian Classical education should also
education for children of Christian be understood to include certain
parents. It was both convicting content. Today, as was common
and motivating. in classical education of the past,
Calling something superior learning Latin is very important.
today is both bold and politically Here we must understand that we
incorrect so an explanation is in are not primarily learning Latin
order. as a foreign language instead of
The term classical when used Spanish or French. A large ma-
in education has become quite jority of our English vocabulary
popular. When an idea becomes comes from Latin. So, knowing
popular, many seek to use and Latin helps us master English
even redefine the term to vari- vocabulary. Additionally, Latin
ous ends. Consequently, defining helps master English Grammar,
the strain of classical education Latin is logical and teaches us
promoted here is necessary. The how to think, Latin is the key to
definition pertains to both method many modern languages, and,
and content in education. pragmatically speaking, Latin
Classical educational method students perform exceptionally
(pedagogy) makes use of the first well on standardized tests for col-
three of the seven liberal arts -- lege entrance. Summarily, Latin
grammar, dialectic (or logic), and is a tool of leverage for mastering
rhetoric. In times past it was un- our own language -- a key to the
derstood that the learning of every grammar stage.
discipline or subject involved first In addition to making connec-
getting the basic facts (grammar). tions, the dialectic stage should
As an example, the Who, What, include the study of logic as a sub-
Where, and When of history ject. Studying formal and informal
would be the “grammar” of his- logic results in the student’s learn-
tory. Notably absent, for now, are ing to think clearly and error-free.
the How and Why. The second You’ve no doubt heard it said, “We
stage, the dialectic stage, takes just don’t teach children to think
the mastery of the facts in the continued on page 54
Page 12 www.homeschoolnewslink.com

13. 1-870-269-4177

14. Mating Without Dating
Get Into Shape!
as seen on NBC’s
- Part Two
“Finding a Suitor to Suit Her”
By Moira Bell
“The Today Show” Warning: This article addresses an emotionally-
charged issue and is designed for those who
realize modern dating practices are a snare. It also
Rebounding Benefits the presupposes the presence of a caring father figure in
our young people’s lives. If that is not the case in your
Body in 30 Healthy Ways! family, don’t be discouraged, you and your students can
still avoid the dating trap.
T
his summer we joined 25 clear of dating before this story
teens and parents who did unfolded, I might be now, simply
a book club together on on the basis of the deep bond that
The Dating Trap by Martha Rup- resulted from our son-in-law’s
pert. The youth were surprised dating-free approach.
that every parent in the room, to From the outset, know that we
a one, did not look back fondly are not interested in arranged
on their dating years. In the same marriages, nor do we think the
way that many of us realized issue is one of dating vs. not
something was amiss in modern dating. More fundamentally, we
education and began to explore long to see young people raised
home schooling, we are finding in an atmosphere not of rules
young people and their parents (such as “against dating“), but of
across the country are seeing love, respect and acceptance, so
something is awry in modern they don’t go looking for those in
dating and wondering if there all the wrong places. Our goal is
isn’t some better path toward that they see for themselves that
marriage. dating, rather than fostering love,
My last column in The LINK promotes false fronts, broken
was entitled, “Mating without heartedness, and rejection.
Dating Part 1 - Why Dating Allow me to set the stage. At
Great for the entire family Doesn’t Take Us Where We Want
To Go.” I unmasked the dark side
age 20, Crystal had finished her
homeschool studies and gone
A fun exercise for all ages of dating (which modern media
conveniently fails to mention)
three times to Costa Rica to as-
sist a jungle doctor there. She
and explained how it can so eas- returned and worked in the home-
ily damage our hearts and work based office of a remodeling
Call Today against forming solid lifelong company. She lived at home, paid
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riage partner.
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her own bills, such as cell phone,
car insurance and wardrobe, and
a proportionate amount in “rent”
month I would share the real-life -- all part of our overall parenting
Or Order Online romance that our family watched goal -- that our children learn to
firsthand as our daughter, Crys- handle freedom well.
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moc rednuoberkadeen www
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moc...sssrednuoberkadeen...www tal, was sought for marriage,
completely without dating. If
She had evaluated the dating
scene and agreed that was not
I hadn’t been a fan of steering a promising or wise course to
Page 14 www.homeschoolnewslink.com

15. follow. Not that it was easy, but Five months after we met them,
she decided she would trust God Ian called my husband, Greg, and
and continue to grow as a person, asked to get together to discuss
waiting until the right man came his interest in Crystal. “Whoa,
into our lives. She had the chal- Nellie!” I thought, “Where did
lenge of fending off unwanted that come from?” Ian had never
machismo from some fellows divulged an interest in Crystal
while she was in Costa Rica. This around any of us (her included)
experience reinforced that requir- and we had no indications of
ing a man to go through her father something special between them. Lightning Literature and Composition
for “clearance” before landing in Perhaps his being several years
her life was a protective and intel- older than she made us assume
Guides for Grades 7-12 by Hewitt
ligent decision. It would separate there wouldn’t be any interest.
the men from the boys, the lusters Ian had carefully guarded him- The difference between the right word and the
from the lovers. self, not to awaken Crystal to his almost right word is the difference between
Our family began hosting and interest before speaking to her lightning and a lightning bug.
attending family “vintage” danc- father and receiving genuine per- —Mark Twain
es, such as those from the Civil mission to pursue her. I use the Writing is critical to so many aspects of our lives—
War era, where period clothing term genuine permission, since finding and keeping a good job, expressing our beliefs and
was worn and many types of it is so rare that a suitor humbly passions, communicating crucial information. We may not be
formal dances were enjoyed. submits himself to a father’s novelists or journalists—but most of us will write a report for
our boss, a letter to the editor, or kind words to a friend.
We wanted our children to cherish being Help your children prepare for a life of writing, to say
exactly what they mean in a way that others will note and
married, not getting married (something remember.
which greatly impacts wedding planning). He knew everything about literature except
how to enjoy it.—Joseph Heller
Do you want your children to read good literature but are
The family who came to do the scrutiny before he gets the girl’s afraid they won’t enjoy it? The Lightning Literature Guides
dance calling at our first one of emotions stirred into the mix. were written by teachers with extensive home-schooling
these events included a daughter Once a guy and gal are openly experience who love literature passionately and
and four sons, the eldest of which attracted to each other, her father communicate that passion in their prose.
was a 29-year-young man named can either rubber-stamp the deci- Literature can transform our hearts and our lives. Dig
Ian. Interest in these dances grew sion to pursue a relationship that deep into authors like Dickens, Twain, Chaucer,
quickly within our homeschool has already been made, or run the Shakespeare, Melville, Whitman, Dickinson, Austen, Kipling,
circles and we participated in risk of alienating his daughter (as Eliot, and Achebe. Your student will read full books and
about one-a-month. well as the young man) by voicing plays, not just excerpts. Learning about literary elements
Concurrently, our family began any concerns he has or trying to such as character, conflict, symbolism, tone, meter, and
theme allows students to appreciate these great works in a
seeing Ian’s family socially with put on any brakes.
more mature fashion.
no awareness of unique interests Ian’s request was to meet with
between any of the 12 young my husband and I and his folks Each guide includes brief
biographies of the authors,
people in our combined fami- at a restaurant. We agreed to do
comprehension questions and
lies. Throughout these times our so a week later. That night, when answers, literary lessons,
children were “themselves” - no asked what he was thinking, he writing exercises, weekly
one flirting or seeking to impress described Crystal in detail ac- schedules, and discussion
anyone. Dinners in each others curately and admiringly. When questions.
homes, ultimate Frisbee games, asked, “When did you first notice ➤ Reasonably Priced:
air-softing, movie nights and her?”, his startling reply was, Guides: $24.95–$35.15;
discussions - a variety of activi- “The night we met your family at Complete Book Packs with
ties amidst friends - brought us that first dance.” Guides: $41 - $85
many intersections with his fam- Having never been down such ➤ Grading Available
ily. This practice of socializing as a road before, we didn’t have any
families is a key in a dating-free map to follow, but simply began www.hewitthomeschooling.com
approach… more on that later. asking about his spiritual life, his- 1-800-348-1750
continued on page 48
www.homeschoolnewslink.com Page 15

16. Paradigm Accelerated Measuring
Curriculum (PAC)
* Perfect for Imaginative Homeschooling
* Self-Paced, SUITS EVERY STUDENT
Handwriting Fluency
* Rescues at-Risk Teens By Rand Nelson
I
learning how to control smooth
* Great for Under-Achievers s your child frustrated by movements as the rate of travel
handwritten assignments increases. We can move slowly
Email: Learn@pacworks.com
because they take too long to through the steps at first and then
phone: 325-649-0976 complete? If your answer is “Yes”, faster as rhythm is established.
your student needs to improve Children begin by drawing the
When everything else fluency, correct letter formation letter shapes they are shown using
fails, PAC WORKS! and speed. The problem is far too the visual feedback system. But,
common and yet it is rarely men- the brain guides fluent movement
Home school students are
tioned in most handwriting pro- with a different system. None of
usually college bound.
grams. Your first question should us can use this fluent movement
That is why hundreds
be, “How long does it take?” Have system until we have established
choose PAC textbooks!
you ever timed a writing activ- some movement recordings that
Please visit the PAC ity to find out? Has there been a can allow it. The challenge to
change when you measure the learn how to move fluently is
website for many FREE same activity a second time? Is the most valuable thing offered
resources, tools and there a simple way to measure and by handwriting instruction. The
purchase information: track handwriting fluency as an brain responds to the challenge by
indicator of progress? changing the way it is processing
www.PACworks.com Handwriting fluency has been the symbols. A child who can
buried in the curriculum closet write the letters with fluent move-
since the invention of the hand- ment no longer has to look at mod-
writing workbook. It is a shame, els to draw the pictures. However,
because fluency should be one of if children are never challenged to
the most important goals during use the fluent process, they may
handwriting lessons. Fluency is well continue to draw out of habit.
the forgotten link between hand- Does the child have to write very
writing and the other language carefully to create handwriting
skills that are needed for proficient that others can read?
composition and reading. Early efforts to write with
“The correlation between read- rhythmic movement often result
ing skill and fluency at printing al- in a product that is not very close
phabet letters in kindergarten and to the model provided. This tends
first-grade is readily apparent.” – to push the child back to visual
The Writing/Reading Connection guidance. However, it is true that
by Robert V. Rose, MD a letter shape can be distorted
Legibility is also a necessary considerably before legibility is
objective. It does little good to lost. This small truth is important.
write rapidly if the handwriting It means that in the beginning, we
cannot be read. The coaching can focus on good movement. The
job is a bit like a circus tightrope child is challenged to demonstrate
act when fluency is included as a several skills simultaneously.
goal. We must balance our effort How do I hold the paper and
between fluency and legibility in pencil? Which way do I move
order to make progress. That bal- across the paper? Where does the
ance is constantly challenged by letter start? Which way do I move
motor development. But fluency to form the letter on the line?
1.877.230.6853 is not only about speed. It is about
continued on page 85
Page 16 www.homeschoolnewslink.com

17. Accelerated Christian Education has a unique homeschool
curriculum specifically designed with you and your child in mind. Logos
White
Three ways you can run your homeschool:
Manage your own homeschool administration.
For more information about Accelerated Christian Education
homeschool curriculum, please visit www.aceministries.com
or call 1-800-925-7777.
Maintain records with Lighthouse Christian Academy.
Allow Lighthouse Christian Academy to work as your school
administration office. If interested in Lighthouse Christian
Academy, please visit www.lcaed.com to download an
application, or call us at 1-866-746-6534.
Meet with a local church school.
A.C.E. curriculum is being used in schools all over the world.
Many schools are equipped with homeschool outreach programs SCHOOL OF
in which your child can become involved. To locate a school in TOMORROW®
®
your area, please call 1-800-470-8991.

18. Defending Teaching
Standards & Corrections
By Frode Jensen to mark an error with a red pen,
I
t has been popular for some it is necessary to help prevent the
time to decry the use of the student from making the same
red pen on student papers. It’s mistake again. What a defense for
all about self-esteem and how the correcting mistakes. While the
children don’t need such negative student’s ego may take a bit of a
influences pressed upon their hit for the moment, if the student
tender consciences. Such poor learns from his mistake, he won’t
teacher behavior might indelibly be taking future hits in that de-
influence the child to grow up partment.
recognizing less of his full human Tammet’s statement is a ra-
potential. The educational psy- tionale for quality teaching and
chologists would have everyone clear materials. The teacher’s job
believe their pronouncements as is to teach, to put the information
truth. forward in such a fashion so as to
As a youngster, I remember the help the student learn the material,
new system of every participant to master it. After having taught
getting a ribbon. At the time it was the material, the teacher is then
called the Danish system. Every- to assign and correct the student’s
body was a winner; nobody was a work over what has been taught,
loser. Well, it all sounded good in and hopefully learned. In the
theory, and all the children were process of reviewing the student’s
supposed to be happy, but practi- work, the teacher should praise
cally speaking, the system did what can be praised and note the
not work or prove helpful in the errors that occur.
long run. When dealing with objective
The following quote is from facts, the process is straightfor-
Daniel Tammet, who is autistic. ward. In math, for instance, the
He has some handicaps, but he has student either gets the right an-
made his way in life and offers the swer or he doesn’t. Content-driven
following: “Obtaining guidance subjects lend themselves to objec-
from experts in the subject you tivity. It is the same in English to
are learning helps you to both some extent.
develop the conceptual frame- Let’s take writing as an ex-
work necessary to master a field ample. The student has read a
of study and avoid many of the piece of literature and has been
potential discouraging pitfalls that asked to write about it. Hopefully
can lead to discouragement. Get- the assignment has indicated the
ting feedback on wrong answers structure of the response, a five-
allows the brain to eliminate them paragraph essay perhaps. The as-
from its bank of possible future signment should also have given
responses. Consequently, learners direction on what the focus of the
can ignore poor choices and focus response should be. Maybe the
their attention on good ones.” (p student is to discuss the plot and
33 Embracing the Wide Sky). explain the movement of the story
He’s talking about teachers and through the problem to the resolu-
students here. He’s saying that it is tion. Perhaps the student might be
the teacher’s job to tell the student directed to describe three char-
where his mistakes are. He’s say- acters from the story, the hero,
ing that not only is it acceptable continued on page 83
Page 18 www.homeschoolnewslink.com

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20. Introducing... “Comet® GOOD BEGINNINGS to GOOD
The Fast Path To Learning”
For ages ENDINGS for HANDWRITING
An exciting game 11 - Adult
By Nan Barchowsky
D
that promotes on’t start with lowercase Their hands need to first develop
learning in a fun letters. Don’t start with the strength to hold the tools in
capitals, or even with a relaxed manner. The goal is
and engaging way! numbers. What then? Let chil- fluency. For that the hand and
dren play. What??? fingers must relax. Tense muscles
Family Game Edition Yes! Barchowsky Fluent Hand- do not move easily or effectively
writing, or BFH begins with for any task.
Build your vocabulary, aid your reading comprehension, improve
your writing skills, and promote confidence in school and work. playful activities that relate to HAND AND FINGERS
alphanumeric formations before Here are a few suggestions.
visit our website at: brought to you by the actual characters are learned, Let children make patterns in the
www.activemindsonline.com as well as while they are be- sand, or even mud. Let children
(702) 759-6138 ACTIVEMINDS® ing learned. BFH gives young help in the kitchen. They can
children the rock-solid base they knead dough, and peel potatoes
need to develop legibility and and carrots. If they grow impa-
Hewitt’s Early Elem fluency for handwriting that will tient, cover your ears and let them
Complete Curriculum serve them well throughout the bang old spoons or pans on the
� Hands-On school years, and into adulthood. floor. (That helps with rhythmic
� Based on Parent- Too often handwriting pro- movement too.)
Child Interaction grams start with the replication String beads. Children pick up
of 62 different shapes. Instruc- the beads with their forefinger
Home of Lightning Lit � Biblical Character
Building tion is visual. Some programs (call it the “writing finger”) and
introduce circles and sticks with thumb.
� Daily Lesson Plans
which to make lowercase letters. Collect small things, pebbles,
� Preschool $80
(Preschool Plus) Some use undercurves, over- pennies, etc. and put them in a
� Kindergarten $95 curves, loops and straight lines. box. Hang clothes or paper ban-
(Tell Me a Story) BFH relies on motor memory for ners with clothespins that clamp.
the natural, rhythmic movement Put a cotton ball or a tiny ball of
www.hewitths.com � First Grade $140
(A Bee Sees) of lowercase letters, those that yarn in the palm of a child’s hand.
800-890-4097 � Second Grade $120 should be taught first because The child holds the ball in place
free samples online (Across America) we need them more often than with ring and small fingers, leav-
capitals. They are designed to ing the writing finger and thumb
move easily. to hold a writing tool; the third
BFH is a well-planned program finger is a support.
taking into account that young If you have a chalkboard
minds and young hands need to or slate, this is a favorite. Cut
be prepped for the skill of writing a sponge into a small square.
•Offering courses for K-12 by hand. Help for hands is about Dampen it, and place it in the
students with an emphasis on posture and pen hold. Help for the palm of the hand with a short
Individualized Learning. mind is the development of motor piece of chalk as described
•Christian based home school memory. Activities that help with before. Then let the child draw
curriculum. both posture and motor memory or scribble. If the little artist/
•Academy enrollment Preschool should be introduced at the same writer doesn’t like the marks, the
through High School. time, but I’ll separate them for sponge is in the hand to erase for
•Accredited by the National the purpose of discussion. a new start.
Association of Private Schools. Young children are almost al- Markers, crayons, pencils
ways eager to comply with their should have the right tactile
The School for Home Schooling Families instructor, so they hold writing relationship to paper, meaning
www.american-academy.com tools in a death grip in an ef-
fort to get characters just right.
that marks are easily made, and
continued on page 73
Page 20 www.homeschoolnewslink.com

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