Giveaway Winner!

And the winner is...



 

Theresa commented, "Dori, what a neat idea! It’s great when we can support the efforts of those around us. Thanks for taking the time to do the blog and for the opportunity to win the card."

Thank YOU Theresa!

I was honestly overwhelmed with all your wonderful comments - thank you to everyone who took the time to comment,  "like" the Facebook page and subscribe to the site. I can't tell you how happy I am that you are all out there reading and finding support and encouragement here at Cleveland Homeschooler.

And don't worry - this will definitely not be the last giveaway!

~ Dori

Giveaway Day!

This giveaway is now closed - thanks again to everyone who entered!

It's the moment you've all been waiting for...



Today I'm giving one lucky reader an Amazon Gift Card! I think it's safe to say that most homeschoolers have a bit of a book addiction.

No? Just me?

Anyway.  I've added my own Amazon store to the site, hoping some of you may find it a convenient way to feed your addiction shop for books and educational games.  Amazon is the site I go to first when searching for a book, game or toy. They almost always have the best price, it's pretty easy to qualify for free shipping (usually $25) and most books and other things have reviews. Yes, I like to know what people think about any little thing before I buy it. It's a sickness. It's also been my experience that items ordered on Amazon arrive quickly, in case you have a tendency to put things off until the last minute.

I, of course, have no idea what that feels like, since I am super organized and purchase gifts and things well in advance of when I'll need them.

But...why would I shop in your Amazon store, instead of just going to the Amazon website?

The items in my store currently fall into the categories of Homeschooling Books, Children's Books, Educational Games and Toys and Kindle. I thought that these would be the things that people who visit this site would be the most interested in. Think of it as a condensed, Homeschooling specific version of the mega Amazon site. BUT - you are actually making your purchase through Amazon.  After you add items to your cart and are ready to check out you'll complete your transaction through Amazon, the way you normally would. The difference is that Cleveland Homeschooler will receive a small (emphasis on SMALL) percentage of the total amount of your purchase. So if you enjoy this site, it's one way you can help support it. More importantly, I hope it will be a convenient way for you to find books, games, etc... that your  family will enjoy.

Sure, sure. But what about that giveaway you mentioned?!

I'd like to thank you, my readers, by giving away a $25 Amazon gift card!  And all you have to do for a chance to win is leave a comment on this post. It's quick, painless and free!

Here are the rules:

1. Leave a comment.  Just click on "leave comment" at the bottom of this post.  And remember that it may take a little while for your comment to show up.


2. For an additional entry you can subscribe to the site either by Email, RSS Feed or "liking" the Facebook Page.  Just click on which one you prefer in the top right corner of this page.


3. If you already subscribe to the site or "like" the Facebook page then you are already entered to win - thank you! But leave a comment and you get a second entry.

You have until midnight on Sunday to enter. I'll choose a winner at random (using random.org) and notify them by email. Then, with their permission, I'll announce the winner here on Monday.

That's it. You're a comment away from maybe having $25 to spend on Amazon.

Good luck and enjoy your weekend!

~ Dori

 

 

 

 

More On Driving Yourself Crazy…

Um. We don’t really need to hear more about driving ourselves crazy, we already spend all day with our kids?!

Last week I wrote about one (of several!) ways you can drive yourself crazy as a homeschooler – by comparing yourself to other homeschooling families. Whether you homeschool or not, it’s probably a trap you’ve also fallen into. But what do you do about it? Obviously, the answer to that will be different for everyone, but I thought I’d share what sometimes works for me.

Focus on Yourself.  Whenever a conversation or something I’ve read has tempted me to compare myself to others, I’ve found that taking time to really focus on my own family helps. Instead of seeing everything that other families have and do I try and take inventory of everything my own family has accomplished.  I continuously struggle with a “grass is greener” attitude and find that I need to periodically take the time to focus on the many gifts that surround me in order to combat this.

Do More. Comparing myself to other homeschoolers sometimes leaves me with a feeling that I need to be doing more. In reality, this may or may not be true. But I try and take the opportunity to really look at where we are in our own homeschooling journey. It helps me to look back at what we have accomplished – it’s always more than I realize! It also helps me to look forward toward the goals we have for our homeschooling.  After spending some time (a few days? weeks?) really focusing on our work without too many outside distractions,  I always feel rejuvenated. I’m far less tempted to compare myself to other homeschoolers when I’m confident that our own schooling is on the right track.

These are a couple of ways that I’ve been moderately successful in dealing with comparing myself to others. I say “moderately successful” because it’s not something that I think can be completely avoided.  I’ve also come to realize that it’s not necessarily a bad thing to look at how you compare to others. It forces me to take stock of our own homeschooling and see what things we’re doing well and what things we can improve. I think the key is to try and learn what we can from other homeschooling families, rather than letting feelings of doubt and insecurity drive us crazy.

After all, we already spend all day with our kids. There are plenty of OTHER things to drive us crazy.

What are some ways that you deal with comparing yourself to other homeschoolers? Or are you just a far more confident person than I am?

Thursday is Giveaway Day! So be sure to check back or subscribe so that you don’t miss out.

I hope your week is off to a great start!

~ Dori

Dr. Ray Guarendi - FREE Event!

I had an entirely different post planned for today, but then a friend of mine called me last night with a wonderful opportunity for families in the Cleveland area.  So that's what I'm sharing with you today!

So...who is this guy anyway?

Dr. Guarendi is the father of ten (TEN!) adopted kids, a clinical psychologist, author, public speaker and national radio host. And he's here in Cleveland!

How to Drive Yourself Crazy as a Homeschooler

It happens innocently enough. I'm talking with other homeschoolers or perhaps reading about another homeschooling family. At first I may smile and nod in agreement with whatever is being discussed.  Later the doubt and insecurity sets in.

That mom spends all day, every day doing school work with her children and still cooks dinner from scratch every night while maintaining an immaculate home?!


That family spent their entire summer on an educational road trip across the United States?!

Her kid is two grade levels ahead for his age and learning Latin this year. Latin?!

If you want to drive yourself crazy as a homeschooler, then you should take every opportunity to compare yourself to other homeschooling families.

Weekend Links

If you haven't checked it out recently, I've updated the calendar with some new events happening in October.  I'll be adding things to November soon, too! Just as soon as  I come to terms with it being almost November.

Be sure to skim through the list of classes, too, since there are some new sessions starting next week. If there's a class that interests you, but it's already started it's still worth looking into. Most classes welcome newcomers anytime.

 

Here are some links to interesting things on the web:

My Lovely Laminator by The Pioneer Woman - I think I need a laminator.  I'm still considering getting the $25 one that was mentioned in the comments to her post. Anyone have one? Do you find it indispensable to your homeschooling?

75 Recipes That Taste Like Fall from Eat At Home - Some good ideas beyond the basic pumpkin bread and crockpot chili. Mmmmm.....pumpkin bread....

31 Days of Lovely Limitations Day 3: Found Drawers by The Nester - This series goes along with her philosophy that "it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful" and how a little creativity can go a long way when it comes to decorating your home without breaking the bank.

Games of the Portable Variety by Amy at Angry Chicken - Some good ideas for games to take on the go.

 

Have a great weekend and I'll see you next week!

~ Dori

Discounts for Homeschoolers

Did you know that as a homeschooler you can get the educator discount that many stores offer to teachers?

Oh, you did?

Then nevermind.

Many moms keep a copy of their letter from the school district in their purse at all times. If you're the type of person who is organized then you probably already do this. Since my bag is a bottomless pit of things like diapers, receipts and legos, I'm pretty sure another paper would easily just get swallowed up never to be seen again. BUT that shouldn't stop you from implementing such a good idea.

Weekend Activities - Beautiful Fall Weather Edition

It's going to be a beautiful weekend - so here's to getting out and enjoying it while it lasts! Once again, here's a list of things happening in the Cleveland area.

Half Price Books Educator Appreciation Weekend - October 6th-1oth
Discount of 20% this weekend! You'll hear me sing the praises of Half Price Books many, many, times - I love this store. Bring a copy of your letter from the school district you submitted your annual notification to and the store will issue you a discount card that's good for one year. This card gets you a 10% discount anytime as well as the 20% discount that's offered periodically (such as this weekend). Visit their website for more information and to find a store.

Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor Odyssey - Saturday, October 8th
Noon - 4:00pm Kids can pick up a "passport" and travel recreation discoveries at this free, annual event at the Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation in Cuyahoga Heights. Young visitors can experience the great outdoors with a variety of fun activities, including fishing, golf putting and chipping, outdoor skills demonstrations, nature crafts and more. For more information call 216-206-1000.

Goblins in the Garden at The Holden Arboretum - October 8th and 9th
11:00-4:30 at the Corning Visitor Center. Celebrate Halloween at The Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, OH. Bring your costumed children and trick-or-treat during the daylight hours in our decorated garden setting. Other activities include: wagon rides, leaf trail, cornstalk maze, straw pyramid climb, face and hand painting, live entertainment, and free apples and cider! Dogs on leashes and in costume are welcome as well. Rain or shine event. For more information visit their website.

Autumn Hayrides Cleveland Metroparks North Chagrin Reservation - Saturday 1-5
In the Strawberry Picnic Area parking lot - take a 30 minute tractor-pulled ride through the forest for $3. For more information call 440-473-3370.

Three Acre Corn Maze - Lake Metroparks Farmpark Kirtland, OH
11-4 daily - have fun navigating the twists and turns of the corn maze. $6 adults and $4 kids ages 2-11pm.

Simply A Maizing
Located in Andover, OH features corn mazes, petting zoo, hay ride and pumpkin patch. Open on the weekends you can find more information at their website.

Hayride and Corn Maze at Pickering Hill Farms Avon, OH
The family-owned farm is celebrating the arrival of fall on their 2-acre pumpkin patch and 1-acre corn maze all month! From noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, you can catch a free hayride out to the patch. The whole festival is free, except a $1 charge per person for the corn maze.

Farm Days at Crocker Park Market Westlake, OH - Saturday, October 8th 9-3
At 11 a.m., the special programs start with wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, pony rides, chalk art, face-painting, antique tractors and live music.

39th Annual Woolybear Festival - Sunday, October 9th Vermillion, OH
Head down to Vermillion for one of the biggest parades in the state - 15 marching bands, floats, animals, clowns, vintage cars and local radio and TV personalities, the parade is expected to be two hours long, starting at 1:30 p.m. Sunday on Liberty Avenue.

Cleveland Lakefront State Park Fall Festival - October 15th-16th
1 PM at Euclid Beach • Kids' activities, hayrides, games & crafts • For more information call 216-881-8141 ext 3001 or visit the website.

Have a Great Weekend!

~ Dori

 

Review of Write Shop

Today's post is about the Write Shop writing curriculum.  I first heard about this program from Colleen Crowley and she sounded so excited about it that I asked her to share her experience here on Cleveland Homeschooler.  Colleen has been a homeschooling mom for eight years and is the founder of the TripleCHomeschoolers group, which you can find out more about on the groups page. 

 

 

Writing paragraphs or papers was agony for me in school and I was concerned about how I was going to help my children become good writers when I had no idea what I was doing. We use Abeka for most subjects and love it, but I didn't feel their way of teaching how to write papers and such were very user friendly at all.  In fact I couldn't find any program that seemed parent friendly until "Write Shop." This program breaks it down, step by step, has checklists for both the child and the parent, so both know what is expected. There is an abundance of word lists in the back, directions in great detail per step, pages of advice and explanations, just so much help. There is so much help and information it was a bit overwhelming at first to figure it all out!

It has 3 tracts to pick from, you can complete it in a year, two years, or 3 years, it's up to you.   And normally the child only spends about 15 minutes a day on the lesson, so they don't feel overwhelmed.

For the first time since I started homeschooling 8 years ago, I feel with this program that I'll be able to help my children learn to write efficiently, clearly, creatively and effectively. I think it's the most parent and child friendly writing program out there.

I wish I had been taught this way! I can't rave enough about this program and I can see how far it will be taking us once we've completed the program. My son's papers have been written beautifully. I was amazed at the talent my son seems to have found due to this program.  We're doing the 3 year tract and we've completed the first year.  We started in 8th grade, and by the time he finishes the program, he'll be writing college level papers.  My younger son has seen how much the older one has enjoyed the program and is looking forward to starting with the program when he reaches 8th grade.

They do offer an elementary program, but I haven't used it so can't comment, except that I'm sure it's wonderful as well.

Colleen was even kind enough to share a sample of her son's writing - the assignment was to describe a season:

Time to Fall

    As I swing open my front door, fall overcomes me and my senses.  Sweet and fragrant, the aroma of autumn hung in the air.  Red, brown, orange, yellow, and gray leaves all gently fell to the ground, slightly crunching as people stepped upon them.  Children jumped into the leaf piles that the adults had raked, frustrating the adults.  Birds chirped as they rested on the barren branches to prepare for the flight south as winter was well on its way.  The evergreens forced themselves to be seen through the rainbow colored trees, just as much as a tired and weary child does to those around him.  The sweet cool air brushed up against my face revealing the sight of my warm breath as I exhaled, reminding me of the season coming ahead; the joy of it all!

 

Thank you Colleen! For more information click here to go to the Write Shop website. Has anyone else used this program? Is there another program that's worked well for you?

~ Dori