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~ December 2010 ~
Dear Readers,
Happy December! It’s been such a warm autumn here in the desert that I wasn’t expecting it to get so cold all of a sudden. After all, the first week of November was nearly 90°, and then it was in the 70’s while almost reaching 80° the week before Thanksgiving. So the day before Thanksgiving I was surprised to find ice in the bird bath! After that, the nighttime temperature got down to 26 degrees and a leaky pool pipe produced a foot-long icicle. Brrr! This will be the second year that we won’t have any heat inside our house. I put the oven on first thing in the morning to take the chill off the air, and the kids keep their rooms warm by leaving their computers run all night with their doors closed. I have my favorite sunny spot in front of the south-facing window where I curl up and read. ;) But no matter what the temperature is, at this time of year the warm spirit of the season fills the air. Blessings to you and your family this Christmas!
Featured Article
Christmas Gifts for Homeschoolers
Are you looking for some educational and fun presents to give to family and friends? Avoid the traffic, long lines, and stress this year. I’ve put together a page of hand-picked gifts that I especially recommend for homeschoolers! These are items that our family already owns and enjoys, or that I've researched and would consider getting for the kids.
Click here to see my 2010 Homeschool Gift Guide. See also the previous years’ suggestions, all of which are still good!
2009 Best Christmas Gifts for Homeschoolers
2008 Best Christmas Gifts for Homeschoolers
2007 Best Christmas Gifts for Homeschoolers
If you need more ideas, you may also be interested in the following:
Homemade Gifts from the Heart
Educational Toys
Smart Software
Favorite Computer Games
Computer Game Reviews
Book of the Month
Easy Homeschooling Series
This wonderful set of books by a veteran homeschool mom will provide refreshing encouragement and practical motivation through the year!
3 Books for $30 - plus FREE shipping!
1. Easy Homeschooling Techniques
2. Easy Homeschooling Curriculum
3. Easy Homeschooling Companion
Click here for detailed book descriptions!
Get ALL 3 BOOKS (valued at $57) for ONLY $30!*
OR purchase one or more individual titles - also on sale!
*And don't forget the FREE SHIPPING!
E-Books of the Month
Gifts for All Occasions is jam-packed with a wide variety of ideas for gift exchanges, hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, gift baskets, homemade gifts, gifts for the whole family, gifts for babies, gifts for him, gifts for her, gifts for children, gifts for teens, gifts for grandparents, gifts for hospital patients and nursing home residents, gifts for the person who has everything, sentimental gifts for loved ones, and more! 22 pages of gift ideas! Only $4.95!
Easy Money Gifts features more than 50 easy, unique, and fun ways of giving money that will surprise and delight the recipient – while saving you time and money! This 40-page e-book also contains money facts, quotes, verses, and other monetary information of interest to homeschoolers. Only $4.95!
The Nativity Story: with Nativity Activities An original 10-page rendition of The Nativity Story, KJV Scriptures from the Old and New Testaments, questions for personal study and family discussion, and a condensed version of The Nativity Story for use in Christmas cards or as handouts. Nativity Activities include: Nativity Quiz, Projects & Crafts, Nativity Vocabulary, Nativity Traditions, Host a Nativity Party, Nativity Music, Movies & Multimedia, Nativity Poetry, Nativity Word Search, Nativity Art, Nativity Word Scramble, Christmas Word Find, and more. Over 60 pages, only $4.95!
Famous Homeschoolers
Susan Wise Bauer
Dr. Susan Wise Bauer is the best-selling author of The Story of the World, The Well-Educated Mind, The History of the Ancient World, The History of the Medieval World, The Complete Writer series, and co-author of The Well-Trained Mind. She is a professor at The College of William & Mary in Virginia, where she teaches writing and literature at the same institution from which she received her Ph.D. Dr. Bauer is also a homeschool mom and she was homeschooled herself through high school.
Read about her life and accomplishments here.
(Each month I will highlight another famous homeschooler.)
Reading Between the Lines
Usborne Books Make Great Gifts!
Homeschoolers like gifts that are both enjoyable and educational. This means books are the perfect presents! Usborne publishes high quality award-winning children’s books that make reading and learning fun. So instead of giving a plastic toy that’s eventually going to break, give the gift of knowledge that will last a lifetime! Usborne has baby board books, preschool books, puzzle and activity books, art and craft books, classic tales, read-alouds, internet-linked reference books, and many more – with over 1,500 titles to choose from, they have something for everyone! The only problem is deciding which ones to get! To make it easier for you, I've made a page of favorite Usborne books. These are books that any child will be happy to find under the Christmas tree, and which will keep them busy for hours.
Click here for recommended titles, or go straight to my Usborne affiliate site.
* * * Click here for a chance to win $50 in free books! * * *
Learning Links
Freebie(s) of the Month
MY gifts to YOU!
The Candy Cane
Print this page, cut it in half, roll each half into a scroll, and attach to a large candy cane using a pretty ribbon. Makes a great stocking stuffer or Christmas party favor.
The Nativity Story
Print this page (double-sided) and make copies for inserting in Christmas cards, or give as handouts. This is an abridged version of my original 10-page story.
(Requires Adobe Reader: click here for free download.)
Quote of the Month
“Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.” ~Oren Arnold
A Note From Teri...
As you look forward to Christmas and the New Year, I encourage you to plan on taking a break sometime during the busy holiday season to have the whole family spend some quality time together discussing goals, dreams, and the purpose of life. While you’re at it, why not write a homeschool mission statement! I created an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide that explains how. If you are a new homeschooler, the reasons for homeschooling your children are probably still fresh in your mind. This e-book will help you clarify those reasons and put your educational plan in writing to ensure that your homeschool starts out on a strong foundation and continues to function well into the future. If you have been homeschooling for a while, you may have noticed that the busyness of daily life seems to distract you from the principles that matter most. Your family can get back on track by preparing a homeschool mission statement to assist in guiding you from this day forward. "How to Write a Homeschool Mission Statement" is only $4.95 for 36 pages! View the contents and download your copy here: www.knowledgehouse.info/hsmission.html
Happy Homeschooling!
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