Friends who have been watching the events of the past few years unfold have commented they feel God is preparing us for something in the future. None of these friends know each other, so we feel this may be God showing us how to pray for our family. Please keep us in prayer that if God does indeed have something He desires us to do in the future that it will be readily apparent to us it is from Him and that we will go unhesitatingly forward.
Spring's teasing dance has me frustrated. I enjoy time spent outdoors. I have fences to repair, new fences to put up and things to plant, but they will have to wait until warmer weather.
There are new pictures of the children up at http://www.contentmentacres.com/march2006.htm Some links will not work as we are in stages of moving the site.
Homeschooling Links:
Reward Board http://www.myrewardboard.com/ free trial of their reward system "The ability to set and meet goals is key for your child's success in school, career, and life. Each met goal builds self-esteem, confidence, and pride. My Reward Board's Goal Gizmo gives you and your child the tool you need to define goals and monitor progress toward their completion."
Teacher Created Resources Free Stuff http://www.teachercreated.com/free/ offers free monthly activities, free lesson plans and activities, and free brain teasers.
Book Adventure http://www.bookadventure.com/ "is a FREE reading motivation program for children in grades K-8. Children create their own book lists from over 7,000 recommended titles, take multiple choice quizzes on the books they've read, and earn points and prizes for their literary successes. Book Adventure was created by and is maintained by Sylvan Learning."
RHL School http://www.rhlschool.com/ "Your place to get free ready to use quality worksheets for teaching, reinforcement, and review. Worksheets that are truly unique! Many of these worksheets can serve as the basis for lessons."
Tux Paint http://www.newbreedsoftware.com/tuxpaint/ "is a free drawing program designed for young children (kids ages 3 and up). It has a simple, easy-to-use interface, fun sound effects, and an encouraging cartoon mascot who helps guide children as they use the program. It provides a blank canvas and a variety of drawing tools to help your child be creative." Be sure to also download the optional stamps.
Marco Polo http://www.marcopolo-education.org/home.aspx "Seven content Web sites with lesson plans, student interactive content, downloadable worksheets, links to panel-reviewed Web sites and additional resources created by the nation's leading education organizations."
Virginia's Virtual Art Room http://www.vmfa.state.va.us/gmuvava/index.html Contains images of artifacts, lesson plans, a quiz, vocabulary, maps, etc on Ancient Egypt, but also contains references to gods and goddesses that may be offensive to some. Our children used it in conjunction with a visit to Virginia's Fine Arts Museum in Richmond. For our Virginia friends, the
Virginia Fine Arts Museum http://www.vmfa.state.va.us/ (free admission) is a wonderful way to expand your homeschooling experience. They do ask for a donation but it is not required.
Freebies:
Start Sampling is a good way to try new products through free samples. You can also get magazine free trials (no bills) or entire subscriptions. We have received cereal, cookies, chocolate, candy, dog food, cat food, ziploc bags, laundry detergent, fabric softeners, trashbags, pens, perfume, lotion, makeup, supplements, medicine, coffee, books, coupons, diapers, music, baby items, etc. We get a sample of something in the mail nearly every day.
Dove http://www.dove.us/ offers free samples of their products quite often. Amanda and I enjoy trying them and have a few favorites.
A Sunday school teacher asked, "Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark?" "No," replied Johnny. "How could he, with just two worms."
