Homeschooling ABC’s – Monday Review

Posted on February 9, 2009 by Kelly

Those homeschool parents who are new to the art of home education often wonder how to get it all done. Starting anything new can be frustrating, and undertaking our children’s academics is huge. To help, Terri Johnson from Knowledge Quest Maps has put together a twenty-six lesson course on the basics, and not-so-basics, of homeschooling.

Here is some info on this class:

One email weekly, covering the A-Z of homeschooling how-tos, for twenty-six weeks
Awesome curricula and other freebies included in many of those weeks
Cost is ten dollars monthly for the duration of the six month course
Bonus gifts just for signing up
Only 500 homeschooling families can sign up
All done electronically, so no waiting for delivery in the mail for either the course or the bonuses and other freebies

There are two different kinds of homeschoolers: those who are 2nd-, 3rd-, and so on, generation homeschoolers, and those who are doing this on their own with no prior experience or exposure. While this course is beneficial for either group, those who feel as if they are floating around with no paddles will find Homeschooling A-B-C’s exceptionally useful.

One of my favorite lessons was Lesson L: Living and Learning at Home (Keeping Up With Life!). My readers know I am a very busy mama of four young kidlets, and throw education into that mix, and the situation can become unorganized chaos very quickly. Mrs. Johnson helps put fresh perspective on how to run a household and homeschool without losing your mind.

What are you learning, Kelly girl?

Posted on February 6, 2009 by Kelly

I think it was my grandpa who used to call me that. Kelly girl.

That girl is learning a lot.

Since January 1 of this year, our family has been on a journey towards healthier living. We started out with the just the plan of eating in a manner the provides us the best health, but have moved on towards improving all aspects of our living. Towards that end, I purchased Sloan Barnett’s Green Goes With Everything. What an eye opener.

One thing this book has brought to my attention is this: chemicals are everywhere, y’all. When I read: “the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that levels of organic pollutants are two to five times higher inside our homes than outside,” you can be sure it makes me think. And think hard. Everything I have been using in our family’s everyday living has been laden with chemicals. And for a family where 4 out of the 6 of us are asthmatics, that is just not a good thing.

Nope.

I am loving this book big time, so expect a review on it in the near future.

Changing gears here, did my awesome bloggy readers here this about this bit of loveliness?

Report: High Fructose Corn Syrup Contaminated With Mercury

Two new papers look at the presence of mercury in high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). An article in Environmental Health finds mercury in commercial HFCS. An IATP study finds mercury in common foods and beverages.

That just ain’t cool, y’all. You can read the rest of the findings here.

What say you?

Doctors Over-Diagnosing Food Allergies

Posted on February 3, 2009 by Kelly

Due to our four year old daughter’s severe eczema and serious food allergies (right now we only have it pinpointed to lentils) we are going to be doing the elimination and challenge diet with her. Has anyone done this? If so, I would love for you to leave me a comment or email me at wisdombegun at gmail dot com . I need some info and advice.

Anyways, this article in the New York Times from yesterday was especially helpful in affirming our decision to do the elimination and challenge diet, rather than the testing. I hope some of you who find yourselves in the difficult and sometimes scary position of being the parent to a child with food allergies or sensitivites will find it helpful.