Wordless Wednesday ~ Best Mother-in-law Ever!

Of Earthquakes, Hurricanes & Contentment

Today, I am grateful that Hurricane Irene has passed. There seems to be no damage here or at the shore and we plan to return to our evacuated vacation as soon as the roads are passable and restrictions are lifted.

It's been a helluva week.

Beginning with a son being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, previous water damage to a side of the house still unresolved, then an earthquake that rattled us in a few ways, the hurricane evacuation from our vacation that led to a tornado threat, sending us to our basement, back at our home, (the first time the emergency broadcast system was NOT a test...)during which another son had food poisoning and vomiting....when it rains, it pours.

So much coming at us at once, to rob our peace. And yet, we know we are held in the palm of His hand. Many prayed for us and those prayers do give us a strong sense of resiliency, of faith. Thank you.

Thank you, Lord, that in Your mercy ALL of it was not worse. And today, the morning after, I received this email quoted below. Grateful as I am...still...it could be written about me.

"VERSE:
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
-- Philippians 4:12

THOUGHT:
Contentment! I find it hard to be contented about almost anything. My performance is not up to par. My weight isn't where it should be. My words were a little insensitive in the last conversation. It's even easier to slip into recognizing what we don't have. But before money, possessions, health, or any other thing can be truly enjoyed, we first have to learn that contentment is not based on our circumstances but our salvation.

PRAYER:
Almighty and generous God, you are the giver of all good gifts, I would like your help in finding the gift of contentment. Bless me as you choose, for I know deep in my heart that no blessing can compare to being your child. In Jesus' name I thank you. Amen.

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20110828"

I must lift my thoughts and be content in all the blessings, the abundant blessings that I do notice, Lord...the sun, the surf and the storms. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." ~ Romans 8:28

Wordless Wednesday ~ First Beach Days

The Ebbs & Flows - Adjusting to Diabetes

...the highs and lows.

We are now at the beach, but for days before we left we lived in the hospital. A tide in our life changed. Our dear 2nd son became sick, noticing some symptoms around the weekend of his 14th birthday.

When we received the diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes, while it was a low, it was not hard to notice too that in a children's hospital there are so many suffering families.

Our son can be treated.

Our son came home.

Here, as I watch the familiar ebb and flow of the tides at the beach, I am reminded that life has it's highs and lows as well. And Diabetes too, is about highs and lows. Over a drop of blood we plan, we worry, we sigh with relief. We try to apply science, when it really is more an art.

Like life.

We're working towards a new normal....for every day of the rest of his life. It stinks. But God has placed us here. And there is much still to be grateful for. Our son makes us so proud as he resiliently goes forward.

My son's cross to carry may make him sad or angry at times but from it will also "flow" character. For this I pray and trust. I pray that Our Lady, who watched her Son in agony will grace us with her tender intercession as we live through a modicum of discomfort. As parents we are getting by. We are sad. We worry. The emotions crash like the waves and we feel tossed and disoriented. We try to find the familiar here in our favorite place, this yearly beach vacation but it is altered.

Like a rip current keeping us from the shore....

Loving family surround us, they are our life jacket holding us up. I know we'll all adjust. But so soon in to this it's hard not to feel like it the tide will swallow us up...like when your feet just keep sinking as the waves pull over them...

Lord, help me say the right words to my son when he needs them. Help me be present to my other children. Help me add numbers correctly. Lord, thank you for all those who are helping us....the medical staff and the friends who have lived this tide of blood sugar highs and lows. Your supportive words are life blood to us.

Ipad Apps for Learning - School of the Future

Homeschool of the future, I believe, will be on the iPad or Tablet.

Books, textbooks, interactive workbooks, instructional films and online classes will all be loaded on.

To see a variety of Apps ALREADY available and recommended, go HERE.

Also of interest:

http://www.apple.com/education/ipad/

http://ipadeducators.ning.com/

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/05/education/05tablets.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

Check out Google and Youtube for more....the future is out there!

My Other Favorite Spot in the World

So, this year I fell in love with Rome. [Travelogue] It's never far from my thoughts and I yearn to return.

But there is another spot, another place in my heart. On a rainy day like today I visited there on my computer. Sighing over memories filed in photo storage, I returned to days of littler children.

Is there a place that defines you as a family? The beach is that place for us. Each of us feels strongly about it...about how it connects us, brings us to our happiest times.


Our yearnings to return there will be satisfied soon...

"My soul is full of longing

For the secret of the sea,

And the heart of the great ocean

Sends a thrilling pulse through me."

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Links of Interest to Homeschoolers

The Poll at the top of the blog asked what you request in future posts. You requested homeschooling resources and I am listening. (last update 8/12/11)

I've gone through all of my computer files to find the links I used and favorited over the last 5+ years. There are a lot of great websites for homeschoolers and I've tried to organize them below. (With so much cutting and pasting, the formatting is all off, please forgive.)

Visual learning, I have always been drawn to that modality and my children seem to be as well. I see these links and videos as another way to layer information into their minds. They enjoy the change of pace when they see I've assigned some computer time for their day. I hope you find the time to check these out. The magnitude and quality of these resources is overwhelming! Never been a better time to homeschool!

It occurs to me that a clever mom could craft a nearly free homeschool curriculum out of this list. And...it is not an exhaustive list. There's MORE out there! Did I miss one you really recommend? Put it in the comments! Let's make this list as extensive a resource as possible.

Some of the sites will be familiar to you, some new and, as noted, certainly some missing. I hope the missing ones are your well-known blogs and links,that you already have bookmarked and that here you find something new to delight and inspire you. Back to school time is approaching, may these resources encourage and invigorate you!

So, here's my opus, friends. Now I've really gotta get up and walk around a little.

*SITES THAT COVER ALL CLASS SUBJECTS*

http://learner.org/interactives/
http://www.youtube.com/user/khanacademy?blend=1&ob=4# like a YouTube school
http://www.watchknowlearn.org/Video.aspx?VideoID=22883&CategoryID=149

http://charlottemason.tripod.com/ - MacBeth's recommendations

Worksheets and more! http://www.ezschool.com/Grade2.html

Learning videos http://www.neok12.com/
More daily everything http://www.softschools.com/ (9th MODG sci)

http://www.factmonster.com/ is for everything, too!

http://www.mrdonn.org/index.html

http://www.howstuffworks.com/
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/students/index.cfm
http://www.kidsknowit.com/

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/

http://www.yourchildlearns.com/owlmouse.htm

Kids Encyclopedia - http://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Main_Page

update http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/index.html

*BLOGS & HOMESCHOOLING WEBSITES*

Update http://www.catholic-homeschooling-resources.com/

http://learnersathome.blogspot.com

http://catholichomeschool.org/blog/+website http://catholichomeschool.org/

http://www.homeedmag.com/resources/page/4/
http://www.homeschool-living.com/Homeschool-blog.html
http://jimmiescollage.com/
http://maureenwittmann.blogspot.com/ Love of Literature Author
http://www.thehomescholar.com/blog/
http://www.hsclassroom.net/
http://wildflowersandmarbles.blogspot.com/
http://AtHomeScience.blogspot.com
http://APrivateEyeNature.blogspot.com
http://ScienceOfRelations.blogspot.com
http://catholicicing.blogspot.com

http://barbarafrankonline.com/ - homeschooler of 20 years

there are many, many more....

* UPDATE * A reader named Mary alerted me to this site - http://freestuffandsamples.com/newestsamplesblog/free-homeschooling-resources/

*ONLINE CLASSES TO WATCH and/or LISTEN TO*

http://www.zaneeducation.com/Videos/Videos-Introduction.php - science and math videos

Annenberg Chemistry class http://learner.org/resources/series168.html

Annenberg Economics Class http://learner.org/resources/series159.html

Annenberg Ethics Class http://learner.org/resources/series81.html

Annenberg Art Appreciation Class http://learner.org/resources/series1.html

Online AP courses http://www.aphomeschoolers.com/

http://homeschoolconnectionsonline.com/

*MEDIA REVIEWERS*

http://catholicmediareview.blogspot.com/ and http://love2learnmovieblog.blogspot.com/

http://www.pluggedin.com/

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/

http://www.screenit.com/all_titles.html

http://www.whattheyplay.com/

*ON CHARACTER*

http://www.characterjournal.com/html/Character%20Journal%202%20-%20Obedience.htm or http://www.characterjournal.com/ for more topics
http://digital.lib.msu.edu/projects/ssb/display.cfm?TitleID=451
http://www.oldfashionededucation.com/character.htm
http://fisheaters.com/home1.html - Guide to Happiness in the Home
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14408/14408-h/14408-h.htm#GREETING Manners

*READING RECOMMENDATIONS/BOOK LISTS*

http://www.cominghomecatholic.com/Catholic%20Girl%27s%20Guide%20to%20Summer%20Reading.htm- Catholic Girls reading guide Boys to Men: The Transforming Power of Virtue Online copy By Tim Gray, Curtis Martin
http://literarycompass.blogspot.com/2007/05/literary-testosterone-30-must-read.html
http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/celoop/1000-primary.html - Good Books list
http://www.daytonhomeschool.com/resources/liturature-picks-by-maureen-wittman/

MORE from Maureen, http://maureenwittmann.com/media/LoveLiteratureIndex.pdf

http://www.keepingitcatholic.org/saintstime.html - Saints books by year
http://charlottemason.tripod.com/4real_learning_booklist.htm - Monthly Book lists by age/grade

*ON THE TOPIC OF HOMESCHOOLING*

http://thehomeschoolmom.com/teacherslounge/articles/10_secrets_successful_homeschool.php
http://americanhomeschoolassociation.org/
http://www.bachelorofscience.com/96-essential-sites-blogs-for-gifted-homeschoolers
http://catholicprayerbook.net/CQprayers/homeschoolprayer.htm
http://www.saint-mike.org/library/family_parenting/homeschooling.html
http://www.latinmassmagazine.com/articles/articles_2001_FA_Berquist.html
Free Homeschool docs https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AeyWM0yd6jpMZGhnZmIyOTVfMThkNTV2bnNkMw&hl=en&pli=1

*MATH*

http://www.algebrafree.com/

http://www.math.com/homeworkhelp/Algebra.html

http://school.familyeducation.com/multiplication/math/58885.html?mail-01-16
Math classics reading http://www.pennygardner.com/mathclassics.html

Math baseball http://www.funbrain.com/math/index.html

http://www.livingmath.net/AdditionSubtraction/tabid/316/Default.aspx - math storybooks

much Math help can be found at the general sites at top of list

*GRAMMAR-SPELLING-LANGUAGE ARTS*
Daily Grammar Lessons http://www.dailygrammar.com/archive.html and
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/601/01/
http://www.thatresourcesite.com/worksheets/copywork_worksheets_for_homeschoolers.htm Guide to Grammar and Writing http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar

For Elementary age spelling http://www.spellingcity.com/

Writing helps http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonplans/unit_exposwriting_expository_outline.pdf

Thesis Builder - http://www.ozline.com/electraguide/thesis.php

Spelling Rules http://www.dyslexia.org/spelling_rules.shtml

200 Most Commonly MisspelledWords http://grammar.about.com/od/words/a/misspelled200.htm

*MAPS/GEOGRAPHY*

http://www.audiomemory.com/ - we luv the States and Capitals DVD

Atlas of Classical History Europe map for MODG 8th http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Italian_Studies/dweb/images/maps/decworld/EuropeLateMA.gif
Ancient Persia http://members.ozemail.com.au/~ancientpersia/images/empire.gif andhttp://members.ozemail.com.au/~ancientpersia/images/persia_shepherd.gif
Ancient Greece http://www.unc.edu/awmc/awmcmap3.html andhttp://www.unc.edu/awmc/mapsforstudents.html
Map of Roman Empire http://www.unrv.com/roman-empire-map.php
Maps of Paul's Missionary Journeys http://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/CN092MAPS1.htm andhttp://gbgm-umc.org/umw/corinthians/maps.stm
Europe, maps thru the ages http://www.euratlas.net/history/europe/index.html
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/geography.htm

and map gameshttp://www.maps.com/FunFacts.aspx?nav=FF#
States & Capital Games - http://www.funbrain.com/cgi-bin/wh.cgi?1=s&A15=usa&A2=0&Submit=Show+Me+The+Maps!
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/states_experiment_drag-drop_Intermed_State15s_500.html
http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/usaquiz.html

*BOOKS TO READ ONLINE *

http://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/title/titles.html andhttp://books.google.com/books?id=lbEqAAAAYAAJ&dq=trailblazer+of+the+seas&source=gbs_navlinks_s (9th grade MODG)

http://books.google.com/books?id=3MIAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA4&output=html - Online Catholic Reader

MORE Catholic readers here, http://freehomeschoolinglibrar.blogspot.com/search/label/Catholic%20Readers

*AUDIO BOOKS*

http://www.myaudioschool.com/
https://catalog.librivox.org/people_public.php?peopleid=19
http://www.artsreformation.com/talespinners/
http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/categories/1
http://www.freeclassicaudiobooks.com/
http://www.learnoutloud.com/Free-Audio-Video/History
http://www.readingwell.com/audio.html
http://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/
http://www.naxosaudiobooks.com/juniorclassics.htm

*SCIENCE*

http://catholicscience.com/
http://hedgeschool.homestead.com/sciencereads.html - Science reading recommendations aligned with Catholicism
Astronomy picture of the day http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/
Creation vs. evolution http://www.love2learn.net/science/creation.htm

Science Songs - The Elements http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/science_songs/educational_videos_elements_song.html
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/index.html
http://www.coolscience.org/CoolScience/KidScientists/TV%20segments/TVsegments.htm
http://www.ptable.com/ - periodic table
http://edheads.org/activities/brain_stimulation/
http://www.exploratorium.edu/
http://ocw.mit.edu/high-school/introductory-mit-courses/
http://www.cellsalive.com/
http://www.innerbody.com/htm/body.html - anatomy https://www.google.com/bookmarks/l#!threadID=GS1hK7NJn0jI/BDR6uZQoQpZne-_ok Science Interactives
http://sciencehack.com/videos/index
http://www.sciencefriday.com/
http://www.periodicvideos.com/videos/003.htm BEST! Periodic Table of Videos!
http://sciencespot.net/Pages/classroom.html
http://starryskies.com/
http://www.topscience.org/ - MODG
http://www.world-science.net/
http://unityoftruth.blogspot.com/ Catholic Science & Faith Blog
Dissections http://mariemarie0000.free.fr/fichiers/images/frog.swf
http://www.practicalbiology.org/
Heart: http://www.fi.edu/learn/heart/index.html
Muscles:http://yucky.discovery.com/flash/body/pg000123.html - how muscles work
and how many the body has and what they do
Brain: http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/brain/index.html - click on
a lobe to learn about the locations, functions and parts of the brain.
http://www.hhmi.org/senses/ - for older kids who are learning about brain,
specifically geared toward the senses.
Eye: learning about how the eye works and how it can be compared to a camera
~http://www.lensshopper.com/eye-anatomy.asp
More links about the human body~
http://www.innerbody.com/ - basically for advanced science learners or
Highschool Students learning about the systems of the body.
for upper grades here is an interesting game for older students to play to put
their knowledge to use~
http://web.archive.org/web/20021216042826/http://www.medfacts.com/crdiodoc/preappnt.htm
and also this one for sports medicine and using lessons learned about the
anatomy of the body in a fun way~
http://web.archive.org/web/20021014174044/www.medfacts.com/sprtsdoc.htm
http://www.innerbody.com/ is a tour of the human body for middle school students
and up.
http://www.medtropolis.com/VBody.asp this site has been posted about before,
the Virtual Body but is a good reminder.
http://library.thinkquest.org/10348/ - this site is for exploring about the body
for ages 11 and up
All Atoms http://www.allatoms.com/
CHEM4KIDS http://www.chem4kids.com/
Chemistry: Periodic Table and More http://www.chemicool.com/
Chemmybear http://www.chemmybear.com/
CHEMTUTOR http://www.chemtutor.com/
Cool Chemistry - Science Experiments For Kids - Activity TV
http://www.activitytv.com/114-cool-chemistry
General Chemistry Online http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/index.shtml
High School Chemistry Teachers http://highschoolchemistryteachers.com/
My Chemistry Tutor http://www.mychemistrytutor.com/
Teach yourself Chemistry http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistry101/a/learnchemistry.htm
The ChemCollective http://www.chemcollective.org/
The Comic Book Periodic Table of the Elements
http://www.uky.edu/Projects/Chemcomics/index.html
Multimedia Chemistry animations
http://www.klte.hu/~lenteg/animate.html
Chemistry Comes Alive!
http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/JCESoft/CCA/pirelli/pages/cca1NaIHgCl2.html
Science READS http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/science_sleuths.htm
http://thehappyscientist.com/ - subscribe to video experiments

(Of help to Mother Of Divine Grace students)

Ocean Science (9thMODG) http://www.onr.navy.mil/focus/ocean/motion/default.htm
Geology Rocks (9th MODG) http://geology.com/rocks/ and http://geology.com/teacher/
Earth Science (9th MODG) http://www.mnh.si.edu/earth/main_frames.html
Waves http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/students/waves/index.html
foldedmountains -http://earthsci.org/education/teacher/basicgeol/deform/deform.html and
http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/10l.html
Land & Sea Breezes http://www.forestencyclopedia.net/p/p405 andhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM0d3fGew-0

Water cycle - http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=0&oq=water+cycle&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS341US341&q=water+cycle+diagram and video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWe1BQWGv18

Cloud formation - http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=2&oq=cloud+formation&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS341US341&q=cloud+formation+process

DUST - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoHCMGBgIFQ&NR=1

Sound in the Sea http://www.dosits.org/animals/importanceofsound/whyissoundimportant/

and sensory methodshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/blueplanet/infobursts/sense_methods_bg.shtml

Underwater locamotionhttp://wings.avkids.com/Book/Animals/intermediate/marine-01.htmland http://www.xray-mag.com/pdfs/articles/Science_Locomotion_23.pdf

Ocean Floor - http://www.kinderscience.com/ocean_floor_profile.htm Website -http://www.pitara.com/discover/earth/online.asp?story=126 - http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/21953-oceans-understanding-the-ocean-floor-video.htm

Ocean Currents - http://www.5min.com/Video/Learn-about-Ocean-Currents-117529352 Great slides -http://www.pass.leon.k12.fl.us/All%20Books/6a%20MS%20SB%20Unit%206%20135-146.pdf

Weathering & Erosion http://www.savevid.com/video/weathering-and-erosion-the-tag-team.html slide presentations http://www.slideshare.net/Teach5ch/crct-weathering-erosion-and-soil-presentation and http://www.authorstream.com/presentation/mwarner1968-149600-weathering-erosion-earth-science-ch-12-technology-ppt-powerpoint/

CAVE FORMATION http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/earth-the-skinny-on-cave-formations.html and http://video.yahoo.com/watch/1746006/5813008andhttp://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es1405/es1405page01.cfm?chapter_no=14

*HISTORY*

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ - found interactive Christopher Columbus learning here, but there's so much more, like http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/handsonhistory/

Here's an EnchantedLearning for instance,again Christopher Columbushttp://www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/page/c/columbus.shtml
http://www.evgschool.org/columbus%27s%20sailing%20ships.htm
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/games/interactiveadventures/john-smith/

http://www.readingyourwaythroughhistory.com/
http://www.historicalnovels.info/

http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=eggleston&book=great&story=_contents - Stories of Great Americans for little Americans
5th grade History Reading http://www.materamabilis.org/american_reading.html and workbook http://catholictextbookproject.com/purchase/Sea-to_Shining_Sea_Workbook-Chapters1-3_Sample.pdf
http://www.readingwell.com/Audio-Landmark/mp3ss25.htm - Stories your child can listen too! This one on Lewis and Clark's Expedition and there are many others!

Study Guide to Adam of the Road, to help Moms with discussionshttp://www.bookrags.com/content/studyguides/?p=short&u=adam-of-the-road

Civil War book suggestions - http://www.love2learn.net/history/civilwarus/index.html

Uncle Tom's Cabin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5gLVulWa4s&feature=player_embedded

Helps for Moms, Herodotus The Histories http://books.google.com/books?id=dFo7MPWe9V8C&pg=PA526&dq=histories+salamis&ei=THrXSru6GIWgMuj82dAF#v=onepage&q=histories%20salamis&f=false

Helps Mom discuss Door In The Wall http://www.shvoong.com/books/children-and-youth/1662772-door-wall/

Helps Mom with The Amulet http://www.bookrags.com/wiki/The_Story_of_the_Amulet

Anthony& Cleopatra Help http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/antony/
Antigione Help (10th MODG) http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=church&book=tragedians&story=antigone
Plutarch Help (10th MODG) http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=kaufman&book=plutarch&story=_contents andhttp://www.worldwideschool.org/library/books/hst/ancient/TheBoysandGirlsPlutarch/Chap1.html
Plato's Crito Help - (10th MODG) http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/crito.html

Video on the Battle of Plataea http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHcSPKupxJc

Elementary movies of Early America History http://www.earlyamerica.com/series.html
On this Day in History http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history

11th grade MODG St. Thomas More http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/16Croper-more.asp
http://www.besthistorysites.net/LessonPlans.shtml
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/
Movies and Literature related to historical timeframes http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/movies.htm
http://www.vernonjohns.org/snuffy1186/movies.html - historical movies, by year
http://www.abookintime.com/index.html
http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/diagrams/
Oregon Trail - http://www.learningthroughhistory.com/newsletter/archives/92009.php
Age of Exploration timeline http://www.travelinsurancereview.net/Travel-Facts/exploration-timeline.html (MODG 4)
Explorers Activities + Quizes http://www.mce.k12tn.net/explorers/explorers_start.htm(MODG 4)
Teach History with Movies http://www.teachwithmovies.org/world-history-3.html#46
American Revolution http://library.thinkquest.org/10966/?tqskip=1
http://www.mce.k12tn.net/history/historypages.htm
Ancient Rome activities http://www.mce.k12tn.net/ancient_rome/online_activities.htm

*LITERATURE*

http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/litlibrary/ - studying Beowulf this year? Click on B.
Help with C. S Lewis Mere Christianity -http://hope.edu/academic/english/schakel/MCstudy_files/MCstudy.htm andhttp://www.gordy-stith.com/Mere%20Christianity/mere_christianity_study_guide.htm

Shakespeare helps, No Fear Shakespeare - http://nfs.sparknotes.com/

*POETRY*

Destruction of Sennacherib http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CULX5-1GmvY&feature=related
Henry V - Speech - Eve of Saint Crispin's Day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-yZNMWFqvM
Tomorrow, MacBeth - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LDdyafsR7g and notes on ithttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YGf_goOoDk&feature=related
The Tempest act 5 scene 1-'Ye elves of hills, brooks, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXew1H3abQY
The Lake Isle of Innisfree read by Yeats http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGoaQ433wnw andhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZTZb0GNEoE&feature=related

*RELIGION*

Bible notes http://haydock1859.tripod.com/id49.html
http://www.catholiceducation.org/
http://www.fisheaters.com/forcatholics.html
Apologetics links - http://www.totustuus.com/links.htm
Catholic coloring pages http://www.sjtbre.org/main.cfm?r1=6.00&ID=22&level=1
http://www.dltk-bible.com/advent/index.htm - Advent Coloring Book
http://www.lapbooksforcatholics.com/mercy.html
http://familyfeastandferia.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/rosary-color-book-joyful-mysteries.pdf
Catholic Kids site http://cathkids.ainglkiss.com/
update http://www.amazingcatechists.com/index/great-links

*YOUNGER, ELEMENTARY RESOURCES*
Younger, for reading http://www.starfall.com/
Learning thru the days of the year http://www.universalpreschool.com/learning_calendar/august.asp
Educational games 1st grade - 3rd http://www.learningplanet.com/stu/index.asp?tab=1
Games - http://www.learninggamesforkids.com
http://www.mrcpl.org/literacy/lessons/sight/index.html
Littles, Handwriting :
http://www.atozkidsstuff.com/artrecipes.html
http://www.handwritingworksheets.com/
http://www.homeeducationresources.com/FREEhandwriting.htm
http://www.writingwizard.longcountdown.com/multi-word_handwriting_worksheet_maker.html
http://www.learningpage.com/free_pages/gallery.html
http://www.teachingheart.net/
http://www.worksheetworks.com/english/writing/handwriting/handwriting-cursive-trace.html

Vowels and Silent E's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiDMxTBYvVI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R56snVjuqHc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fb3Pdt8kxg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o84ndBQU6vQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVC9TayQIh8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsWtEYF3HCY&feature=related

*ASSESSMENTS/TESTING*

About Studying http://www.studygs.net/attmot4.htm and http://www.studygs.net/ and http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdyhlp.html and http://www.homeschool.com/articles/TimeManagement/default.asp

SAT - http://www.proprofs.com/sat/ and other testing http://www.internet4classrooms.com/assistance.htm and http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/maria_links.htm

Learning Styles test http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html and http://www.ldpride.net/learningstyles.MI.htm

Math Assessment Tests - http://mathassessments.mscenters.org/view_test.php?Mode=Add&GradeLevelID=3

Reading Assessment Tests - http://www.test4free.com/Assessfam.asp

Standardized Test Prep - http://www.mcsdk12.org/curr/standardized_test_preparation.htm and http://www.testtakingtips.com/test/index.htm and http://www.uwgb.edu/tutoring/resources/taking.asp

Grade Level Help http://www.internet4classrooms.com/grade_level_help.htm
By State By Grade Standard http://www.ixl.com/?gclid=CL-Rx8zyxaoCFdZ25QoddBlC0w
http://jeshrall.tripod.com/scopesequenceintr456.htm
Typing and keyboarding games -http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/keyboarding_games.html?utm_source=SpellingCity&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=SC%20NL%2028Sep10and http://www.freetypinggame.net/default.asp
http://speedtest.10-fast-fingers.com/
http://www.touch-typing-tutor.com/

*ART*

ART - Getty Museum games http://www.getty.edu/gettygames/

Update - Photography for homeschoolers! http://barinya.com/educational/activities/photography/index.htm

*MISC.*

Video sites for Mom to navigate http://www.tvlesson.com/ and http://search.ovguide.com/?ci=30&q=water+cycle
Homeschool Freebie of the Day http://www.homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com/
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/white-house-101/
Learn a language, FREE, online www.busuu.com

Traditional Catholic Radio - http://dc.ferrelli.cc/TCR/TCR.php
Field Trip - Vatican, http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_giovanni/vr_tour/index-en.html

Again, please add to the list in comments and I will update. I expect to make lots of updates....

Wordless Wednesday - Golden Birthday

How to Use Social Media for Learning ... and homeschooling

I just read this article that relates to the image above and wanted to capture it's message here and share it. Ever since my trip to the Vatican Bloggers Meeting, I have become more and more interested in the realm of social media and it's possibilities. There's so much to learn as the technologies and media outlets are increasing exponentially. But, I feel it is a worthwhile challenge, especially for Catholics and homeschoolers.

In spreading the Catholic faith, social media can uniquely partner with the Magisterial teaching of the Holy Roman Catholic faith. There is a right and wrong, a black and white that can be found in what the Catholic Church teaches. It's been said that it's how today's Sts. Peter and Paul would write and reach out to evangelize and find the lost sheep. It's reaching them where they are.

For homeschooling, it opens up avenues of information and resources for both the student and the parent to assess and potentially use. More and future learning will happen online and via media. Teleconferences, webinars, adobe whiteboards, DVD teachers, Skype, degrees online and learning via the iPad, these words are not so foreign anymore, they're becoming mainstream...especially with homeschool curriculum providers and parents.

See original article here --> Posted by Lockergnome on Aug 3, 2011 (My notes below on excerpts)

"Social media can be a powerful tool for learning, and even more powerful are the lasting relationships you can build while using this incredible platform. Students from virtually every corner of the globe have discovered the benefits of leveraging social media to help them learn and understand the subject they’re studying. Here are some tips on how to use social media for learning:

Seek and Join Groups That Actively Discuss the Topic You’re Studying

Where a book and a professor are good, a group of people with an understanding of a subject is great. Social media sites such as Facebook, Google+, and others allow us the ability to connect with thought leaders and other people with a wide range of knowledge.

You can find groups, made up of students or enthusiasts on the subject, that actively discuss the topic you’re studying. Becoming active in these communities can allow you to see the subject matter from a new perspective, which can help greatly when it comes time to write on the topic.

(I have found this helpful in homeschooling, as well. Joining Yahoogroups focusing on curriculum and faith have put me in touch with countless resources and "experts." I'm on MODGfamilies, DYOCCfamilies, HeartofSeton, CHCchat, CCE [CatholicClassicalEd], MaterAmabilisTTF, CatholicCMason, KeepingItCatholic, College4CathHS, and AtHomeScience. When I have a question, I know where to go for advice. Sources like these can be found on FACEBOOK as well.)

Find Others Who Are Covering the Same Material and See if You Can Arrange a Virtual Study Group

Finding a good study group doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself to students in your own class, school, or even state. You can leverage the tools available through these networks to connect with other students, regardless of their location, to study and discuss the lessons. Virtual study groups are especially important for students who take courses online where a physical campus isn’t available to you to help connect with others. (MODG does this via their LS classes, online homeschool classes. My sons have benefited from this with Latin & Classical Music classes, so far. This upcoming year my oldest will add Chemistry and History Learning Support classes to his school week.)

It’s Often Easier to Understand Material if Explained in a Different Way

It would be an understatement to say that some of the material presented in classroom settings can be difficult to grasp, especially for some who learn better in an environment that differs from the classroom. Through communicating with others, you may be able to have the material explained to you in a different way. (Brings to mind Bill Gates who shared the YouTube teaching site of Khan Academy for teaching his children math. )

New Tools for Learning Exist to Challenge Outmoded Forms of Education

Learning used to be a matter of reading a chapter in a textbook and writing information down using a pencil. This works for some students, but far more effective methods of collaboration and learning have been discovered since then. Why depend on the technology of yesterday to give you an education intended to prepare you for the world of tomorrow? (Yes!)

Powerful tools such as TypeWith.me are available that allow you to collaborate with others to create documentation to suit any number of needs. Wolfram Alpha is an incredible calculation engine available to anyone with a browser, and Google Docs can help you put all this information down (even with the help of others) in a place where you don’t have to worry about losing your data in the event of a sudden power outage or hard drive crash.

Go Directly to the Experts — They Might Have a Twitter Account, Active on Google+, Facebook, Etc.

Sometimes, the best help is only a few clicks away. In many cases, experts in various fields are very open to connecting with students learning the subjects they love. Don’t be afraid to connect with someone if you feel their insight might be of help to you. The most they could do is ignore you or tell you they’re too busy.

Being able to take an active role in discovering the information that you’re studying makes a big difference in how your thesis, term paper, or report is received by your professor.

Coordinate a Hangouts on Google+ for Small, Virtual Classes

Google+ has an excellent collaboration tool available in hangouts. With it, you can meet face-to-face with other people around the world and create a virtual classroom from the comfort of your home or dorm room. These over-the-Web meetings can enhance the learning experience and better equip each member with the understanding they need of the subject matter.

For learning institutions, this can enable teachers to conduct smaller and more personal classes with students. In cases where some students need a little extra explanation, this is an extremely viable solution. (An incredible resource for this is the Catholic http://homeschoolconnectionsonline.com/)

Follow Specific Hashtags on Twitter for Mining Knowledge

Hashtags are fascinating. They allow you to tag your tweets and other social messages in a way that enables other users to find them with a simple search. Searching for specific hashtags can help you find others who are speaking about the same subject and connect with them through the network. Using programs such as TweetDeck, you can choose to follow specific hashtags and keep updated as to any conversation taking place about the topic. ( I follow #homeschool and #catholichomeschool, I imagine you could hashtag grades and subject too.)

Cruise Through YouTube for New Voices, Perspectives, and Teachers on a Topic

YouTube is a great place to find and share information. Some YouTube users have filled their channels with helpful tutorials and lessons that you can readily find and explore. If you’re stuck on a specific type of problem, seeing someone work through it on YouTube can help you make the connection and better retain the information. By replacing an hour of television viewing with a cruise through YouTube for more educational material, you can discover new voices and perspectives. (In homeschooling, I use YouTube for science videos, especially 9th grade MODG and later biology dissections, for history- Mussilini comes alive when you see and hear him speak - and for poetry... Shakespeare is easier to recite when you hear famed actor, Ian McKellen do it! Phonics videos on YouTube helped my youngest student learn to read, too. The folks at Netflix reminded me that TeacherTube is a great resource as well.)

Look to Others’ Experiences as Learning Tools, Wherever They May Be Posted

Don’t limit your search for knowledge to the news stream on your Facebook account. Take time to check the blogs and various other online postings by thought leaders. Often, leaders in a specific industry will share bits and pieces of their wisdom freely through articles (like this one) in hopes that someone may gain some level of understanding on the subject(s) to which they’ve become a trusted voice. Subscribe to newsletters and participate in their communities. This is a great way to gain wisdom from the experiences of others, even outside the classroom. (This has been invaluable for me in blogging. I have learned so much about my faith and homeschooling and blogging from reading other blogs. In commenting, I have encouraged relationships and brought readers to my blog...same with participating in the yahoogroups, FACEBOOK, G+ and TWITTER.)

If Nothing Else, Simple Observation is an Amazing Teaching Tool

Sometimes, it pays to just sit back and enjoy all the information floating around you in cyberspace. (Well, I've always been a student of that, a watcher. I learn that way, visually.) You don’t have to be an active student in school or university to understand the fundamental advantages the wisdom of the crowd can give you. Every day you spend free time actively seeking out information online is one less day you are spending watching mindless programs that do little to improve your outlook on life. Knowledge is a gift, and one freely available to anyone with an Internet connection and the drive to seek it out." (Learning is about connecting...and there are many news ways to connect today!)

Wordless Wednesday ~ Suave Sixteen

Teaching Tuesday - Catholic Audio Catechisms

Earlier in the summer, at the IHM conference, I purchased two CDs from a new-to-me vendor.

Holy Family Studios

The lovely lady behind the table explained that the CDs were dramatized stories, each CD on a different theme. As we frequently drive 45 minutes to my parent's house to swim, I knew these could entertain our travels. Last summer the kids loved listening to a dramatic reading of Narnia during car rides.

I purchased Under Mary's Mantle which has"some of the most incredible historical accounts of the power and love of our Blessed Mother." There were stories about the scapular, the rosary and Our Lady that truly engaged us all. In fact, my soon to be 7 and 10 year old continue to request them. Listened to more than once was Robes of Glory, in which children see the effects of rushed rosaries prayed inattentively and without love. Motivates even the oldest of listeners....this one.....

Although I was told they are working on one about Guardian Angels, which I will purchase upon release, their newest offering is one that I also couldn't resist, Our Hidden God. It is a compilation of true stories of Eucharistic miracles, like Lanciano, revealing the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Consider this one as a Holy Communion gift! I wish it was required listening for all Catholics as belief in and reverence towards the Real Presence is sorely lacking! The Eucharist IS what makes us Catholic and these stories are the source and summit of our faith!

The dramatized production of these recordings really engaged us all, captured our attention and I truly hope that the company continues making more CDs. I'd like to see multiple ones of Saint stories. After all, there are so many saints and their lives are an endless source of inspiration!

So, there's my Teaching Tuesday, Catholic homeschooling recommendation...hope you'll check it out because I think you will enjoy these! Perhaps you'll also join me in looking into their other offerings at Holy Family Press ?

I am not affiliated with this company.I paid for these CDs and want to share a good thing.