My girls and I are SO excited about bringing this fantastic learning event to your attention; and we look forward to sharing this experience with as many happy homeschoolers as possible!

I just got off the phone with the organizers, and (as usual) I asked dozens of questions to make sure the registration, preparation, and organization of this day goes as smoothly as possible. After all, we want to make sure everyone gets the most out of this day. So, please read this detailed article slowly and pay attention to all its highlighted notes, so you don’t miss out on all the fun.

If you’ve never been  to Quassy before, check out all their rides and attractions here. Those of you who have been there (like us), you’ll know that you have to pay extra for parking (which was an unpleasant surprise for us last year),  Saturation Station (water park and Quassy beach), and of course the food…BUT, Everything I just mentioned  with all the Extra Programs listed below is included in the one Discounted rate for the entire day!

And, YES, all rides, the water park and beach will be open for service from 10 am – 4pm, regardless if you participate in any of the homeschool events or not. What a deal!

Homeschool Day Program

10 a.m. – Arrive and redeem tickets

10:15 a.m. – Design Your Own Amusement Ride Model Contest (To be set up for judging). Models must be built prior to the event. Middle and high school ages must have working models based on imagination and basic principles of physics. Elementary students can enter working model or drawings. Names, grade levels must be attached to all entries. Maximum base 24 by 24 inches.

10:30 a.m. – ‘Wacky Science’ stage presentation for all age groups

11 a.m. to noon – Enjoy the rides and water park

Noon to 1 p.m. – Lunch! (Note: If more than 50 total persons are registered for the day, lunch will be a one-hour service of unlimited hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries and soft drinks. If fewer than 50 people are registered for the day, participants will receive a lunch ticket valid for a hamburger and hot dog (or two of the same sandwich), french fries and a small soft drink.

Comment below and  help spread the word! The more–the merrier…with fuller tummies too.

1 to 2 p.m. – Enjoy the rides.

1 p.m. – Judging for Amusement Ride Model Contest. Students will demonstrate and explain their entries to the judges. Winners announced at 3 p.m. *Register on or before Thursday, June 10, 2010 for this first-come first-served program.

2 p.m. – Journalism Workshop for high school students. (Registration required when making your reservation; bring pencils and paper!) *Register on or before Thursday, June 10, 2010 for this first-come first-served program.

2 p.m. - Scavenger Hunts for elementary and middle school-aged students. *Register on or before Thursday, June 10, 2010 for this first-come first-served program.

“Fun With Physics,” Quassy’s new physics program, is available to all age groups. The 38-page booklet is pasted below in our doc-sharing program. You can view it directly in this article, or download it for easier access! You get to select the projects for students to work on.

4 p.m. – Day concludes.

Quassy Amusement Park Homeschool Day

When: Monday, June 14, 2010 10 am -4pm

What: The program will include numerous educational programs and interactive activities for all ages.

Where: Quassy Amusement Park Lake Quassapaug, Rt. 64 (2132 Middlebury Road) – Middlebury, CT 06762 – P.O. Box 887 Phone: 1-800-FOR-PARK or 203-758-2913 Directions available here.

How Much: The price of the event includes all rides *even Saturation Station (water park)*, lunch and parking ($17.50 for students, $7.50 for chaperones). Everyone attending must have a pre-paid ticket. Babies or other individuals who will not ride, eat or participate in any of the programs are free of charge.

• If we get 50+ registrants, unlimited hamburgers, hotdogs, fries and drinks will be available during the lunch hour. So, comment below & help spread the word.
  

How to Attend: Reservations and tickets are available by calling the park office at 203-758-2913 ext. 105.

1. Comment below with the number of registrants attending.
2. When you call and register your family, please tell them you heard about this program from “Ponn Sabra” of AmericanMuslimMom.com. By giving credit where it’s due, I can continue to bring exclusive programs and news to you!
   

• All major credit cards are accepted.
• If reservations are placed on or before Friday, June 4th, tickets will be postal mailed to you, otherwise tickets will be held at the desk.
• Money order or checks are accepted ONLY if they are received on or before Friday, June 4, 2010. Therefore, you must call and send the payment today or tomorrow.

Quassy’s New “Fun with Physics” Program

Designed for children (and adults) or all ages, you can view or download the below booklet to work on any or all the Physics projects you want to prepare your kids for the fabulous fun learning event!

Fun Physics At Quassy Amusement Park – Elementary to High School

AmericanMuslimMom.com Get-Together

If you participated in any of the past programs I helped promotesuch as, Old State House, Chelsea Piers, Climate Quilt, you’ll know that my girls and I love to meet, greet and enjoy the day together with you! So, if you decide to attend, please comment below which events you’ll be attending so we can try to get together. We’re definitely designing a ride, and participating in the Scavenger Hunt. And, we’re going to fit in some time to sit down at the beach to relax a bit from all the rides and water park.

After-Program Feedback

Since this is Quassy’s first Homeschool Day, I’m sure to follow-up with them after the event to share our comments, concerns and recommendations. So, stay posted as the day approaches…and, after it ends!

Disclosure: Depending on the number of referred registrants, AmericanMuslimMom.com may be compensated with discounted registration fees.

We apologize for the late notice. All families who registered via phone and email during the fall 2009 with me are all registered. This post is made as a courtesy by opening it up to all members of the many CT homeschool groups we belong too, as well as any CT homeschooler who follows American Muslim Mom.

/sixflagsread

2009-2010 Read to Succeed and Six Flags Six Hour Reading Club program

How it works:

Free admissions tickers are given to all children in Grades K – 6 who complete six hours of reading since the inception of the program this past fall. Each participating Teacher/Parent will also receive one free admission ticket.

Tickets are valid at participating Six Flags theme parks from June 14 through August 8, 2010 only. (Note: Valid dates for The Great Escape ONLY: June 28 through August 15, 2010.) Lost, stolen, or damaged tickets cannot be replaced.

What To Do:

Parent Educators must fill our the following form completely by 7:00pm EST tomorrow, March 8, 2010.*

• Parent Educator Form

Additional downloads:

• Parent’s letter
• Reading Log
• Certificate

If you have any questions or concerns, comment below or email contact<at>americanmuslimmom.com

I am enjoying every bit of homeschooling, including the preschooler’s “drama”, the Kindergartener’s whining and the first grader’s “all-of-a sudden” independence. Besides, I am learning a lot! I never took Geography in Nigeria, never!

I had the option of choosing Geography or English Literature. I chose the latter without qualms. And I enjoyed every bit of Literature.

But it is now, in my old age, that I am beginning to appreciate the beauty in Geography, through reading and activities in my first grader’s books. Subhanallaah.

Through educating my kids at home, I have discovered that I am also re-educating myself and gaining cultural competency about other countries in our world.

Last December, my kids and I attended a kids’ pre-exhibition on Timbuktu in Mali. The pre-exhibition took place at one of the ten public libraries in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was an eye opener not only for my kids but for me.

I knew from the on start that Mali is a Muslim country. But one thing I was ignorant about was the fact that Mali is one of the countries on earth that has a wealth of Islamic scholarship in terms of education and life enriching experiences. Besides their local languages, they also speak French, which is one of my favorite languages. Just in a day, my knowledge about Geography increased and my horizons were definitely expanded.

In life, there are challenges here and there. We cannot hide from there.

It is not the challenge that actually matters though. It is how we see it and tackle it that matters most.

Yes, homeschooling can pose its own challenges, upon the challenges of motherhood and parenthood. However, it can be very successful, refreshing, and enjoyable when it is not seen as a strenuous daily chore but as a privilege and gift that Allah has blessed us with.

What keeps me going is the flexibility in our home, the joy I see in my kids’ eyes, the ability for me and my hubby to do this homeschooling, and most importantly, the legacy my late parents laid down for me and my siblings. The legacy is nothing but education.

So, keep up the good work and stay refreshed.

Past articles by Maryam include:

• Siwak/Miswak: The Natural Mouth Freshener
• Community Service in the Life of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq

Maryam Funmilayo is a homeschool mum of four (ages 7, 5, 2.5 years old and an 8 months old), pursuing a Master of Science degree in Nutrition. An accomplished freelance writer, Maryam particularly enjoys writing on-assignment because she loves the challenge of impressing her clients for repeat business. Please comment below to share your views on today’s post, or email her directly at mfunmilayo<at>yahoo.com

“Muslims turning to home schooling in increasing numbers” by Tara Bahrampour was published on Sunday’s Washington Post with a nice photo gallery for one homeschool mom of six. I agree with their observation that the delay in Muslims homeschooling may be due to the fact that many Muslim immigrants are unaware and/or not confident to explore this righteous option. But, by helping two immigrant Muslim families towards the happy and healthy lifestyle of homeschooling, I agree the number will very soon increase, inshaAllah (God willing).

Having said that, I have found that most of the Muslim homeschoolers I know are American reverts, like myself. We have first hand experience of the many vices of the American schooling system, as previously explained in my “Creating the Ideal Islamic Educational System in America” series with the following articles:

4. What are Personalized Learning Centers?

3.We don’t need School Reform we need an Overhaul
2. Education of Muslim Children – Challenges and Opportunities (Problems with Islamic Schools)
1. Failures of Modern Schooling – Islamic Perspective

While started in 2008, I never finished the series by stating that

“Homeschooling is the most ideal Islamic educational system in America, with a healthy mix of coops, classes, field trips, group projects and academic-themed events (such as Spelling and Geography bees, Art galas, Science Fairs, Invention Convention, etc.) and of course, domestic and international travel”.

As for Meena the 15 year old who said she missed the “Harry Potter club” in this article, subhanallah, Glory be to God, her parents took her out of such an impressionable environment before it was too late. For example, when my daughters (younger than her) read her statement, they immediately winced at the thought of her liking, reading and participating in a club for a series of books not acceptable in Islam.

As always, we welcome your views and thoughts in the comments below.

This is our first attempt to have a group homeschool project online for our kids, in which we’d like to showcase our kid’s work on one particular topic at a time. This group homeschool project topic is “Figurative Language”. Figurative Language is different sayings that do not express its literal meaning.

Below are some types of figurative language, definitions, examples, websites and pictures we drew to help learn about this topic. We’d like to welcome other children to draw funny figurative languages examples, you can scan and email the picture to us, or post them on your blog and trackback to this original post or comment below.

• Funny Idioms by Kids

An idiom is is a combination of words that sound idiotic, but the meanings are typically popular and well-known by native speakers. Non-native speakers (foreigners) find them very difficult to understand.

Online Idiom game.

Examples include: icing on the cake, is there a frog in your throat, dead meat.

• Complete List of Oxymoron

An oxymoron is a phrase in which two words that typically contradicts themselves (good & bad, ugly & pretty) are used together to stress the point of the speaker.

Examples include: all alone, wise fool, awfully nice, legal murder.

• Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is a word used to make a “sound”.

Examples include: meow, woof, bang, tick-tock.

• Simile

Simile is comparing two things using the words “like” or “as”.

Examples include: his nose is as cold as ice, the girl ran like a cheetah.

• Metaphor

Metaphor is a comparison between two things using descriptive or symbolic words without using the words “like” or “as”.

Examples include: My bike is my magical carpet, Juliet (from “Romeo & Juliet”) is the sun.

• Hyperbole

A Hyperbole is a deliberate and obvious exaggeration to stress your point.

Examples include: The oven must be set at 1000 degrees! I could eat a 100, or 1,000,000 of these!

• Personification

Personification is giving life-like qualities to non-living things; making a something ‘like’ a person.

Examples include: The teapot sang & whistled, the printer ate my paper!

We had a ton of fun working on this project one evening. Please join the fun! Grab your crayons, markers and pencils and send your drawing to us via email, or post on your blog & comment below with the link!

Learn about the Presidents at the CT Old State House

Dates: Monday, February 15, 2010 & Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Time: 10 AM- 12 Noon

Cost per child: $5 per program

Limit of participants: 15

Recommended age group: Youth grades 3-6

Learn about President Washington and the Revolutionary War

February 15, 2010

Come learn about the President George Washington with hands-on history activities that let kids explore the Old State House from top to bottom, interview a CT Governor from 1796-1809, try on Revolutionary War uniforms AND record the experience with flip videos!

Rather than write all your answers as your explore the State House in a scavenger hurt, children will be given Flip cameras to video tape their findings and experiences.

Now, that’s scavenger hunting the cool & advanced 21st century way–or the lazy way in some eyes

Each activity will reveal fascinating information about George Washington, his contributions to our nation and his Connecticut connections. Participants will take what they learn about our first president, form teams and use all kinds of wild and crazy art supplies to create their own version of a Washington monument.

Flip video creations can be emailed home and the monuments will be on display in the Old State House during President’s Winter Break Week.

We’ll be posting as many of these video creations on our Fan Page too.

Learn about President Lincoln and the Civil War

February 17, 2010

Continue to learn about our country’s past Presidents with a special Civil War program at the Old State House!

Kids explore Connecticut’s role during the conflict and the state’s close ties to President Lincoln through a series of hands-on history activities. Participants learn about Lincoln’s visit to Hartford; “meet” a Union soldier; “interview” wartime governor, William Buckingham; try on uniforms and clothing; and record their experiences using a flip video.

Using their new knowledge, kids use period appropriate materials to write letters describing their experiences and create their very own corps badge.

Flip videos can be emailed home and participants take home their crafts. Yes, we’re going to share these cool videos on our Fan Page too, as well as any photos made available.

So, are you ready to learn some U.S. History during these hands-on, interactive, and real cool programs!?

How to Register:

To register, keep reading the details below; but, hurry–we’re taking 3 of the 15 slots on both days

To speed up the process, click the CT_Old_State_House_February_2010_Event Registration Form here, and call Rebecca to reserve your child/ren’s spots today! Then, don’t forget to comment and let us know you’re going so we can keep an eye for you.

Rebecca Taber-Conover
Connecticut’s Old State House
Programming and Curriculum Manager
800 Main Street
Hartford, CT 06103
860-522-6766, ext. 11

*Disclaimer: We are not “celebrating” President’s Day, since we do not celebrate any holidays in Islam except our prescribed feasts. We endorse this program as an interactive, hands-on learning lesson about American History, subjects our children must study in Grades 3-6.

Where: Levi E. Coe Library at 414 Main Street in Middlefield, CT.

When: February 20, 2010 from 5:00 -8:00pm.

Homeschool Art Gala Mission

To provide homeschooled children the opportunity

1. to present their art work to the community;
2. to learn to critique their own work by determining the worth of their art work within the given parameters; and
3. to give back to the community through the donation of art work to benefit a local non-profit organization.

Who may participate

• We are looking for interested young artists to donate their art work to be sold for a small fee or those who wish to display art can pay a small fee. Our youngest participant has been 18 months and our oldest has been 17. Art work has been of every description and medium imaginable. We only ask that the art work be appropriate for a family venue.

What to do

• Each artist prices their work for $1, $2, $3, $4 or $5. If they are donating it, the piece will be on display in the upper level of the library for the public to purchase for the donation price. If being pre-bought & only to be displayed for viewing pleasure then it will be placed downstairs in the Children’s Room & must be pre-bought by a parent. Some artists are reluctant to part with their artwork so parents have opted to pre-buy artwork for a dollar or two per piece. Pre-bought work is designed for budding artist to display their prized creations while having their parents/guardians support the cause monetarily.

The money raised allows the Levi Coe Library to purchase additional materials for The Children’s Room & Young Adult Department of the library.

• Each piece of artwork needs an artist information card which has the child’s name (first & last), age, Title of the artwork, price & if it is pre-bought or not. The cards are available at the Levi E. Coe Library (available at time of drop-off) or from Regenia Allen or Candy Hayden (Mueller).

• The artwork can be of any medium which you can conceive. If your child can imagine it and make it happen then we can find a place to display it. We have had sculptures, etchings, drawings, paintings, cards, sculpey creations, quilts & other fiber arts, recycled art and so many more submitted in years past. We do ask you group small items together, ie a set of 2 or 3 mini light bulbs.

• Drawings, paintings, etc. need to be framed or suitable for hanging. Some people buy frames from the Dollar store & others opt to back with poster board or foam board. Since the organizers try to hang as much of the artwork as is possible, it is important is be in hangable condition when we receive it.

How to make this a successful event

• We need at least 300 pieces of art work to make this a successful event. Each participant is asked to donate/show at least 4 pieces and can donate/show up to 15 pieces. We are beginning to collect art pieces now and will be accepting donations until February 15th. You can call Regenia Allan at (860)349-1577 or drop off donations at the Levi E. Coe library during their business hours M-Th 10am-7pm & Sat. 10am-1pm.

Parental obligations

• Pre-Gala Meeting: We will have a meeting on Feb 19, 2010 @ 3pm to go over the expectations for the the night of the Gala & to familiarize everyone with the library and where everything will be found and to answer any questions.
• Mandatory refreshments: On the night of the Gala, we ask families with participating artists to bring 2 clear drinks (water, 7up, white grape juice) and a plate of finger foods.

How to sign up

If you are interested in signing up your child(ren), you can do so when you drop off your artwork at Levi E. Coe or you can email me with their name(s), age(s), parents name, email address & phone number. If you attend GreenSchool, you can also find Regenia or Candy and sign up, get artist information card & drop off art work for the Gala.

Organizer’s Contact information:

Regenia Allan (860)349-1577

Candy Hayden (Mueller) at themueller<at> mac.com.

Newcomer Tips:

• Created some practical art pieces. Since I did not know what to expect the first year and was very nervous that no one would buy their art pieces–or worse, I’d be stuck buying all their pieces, while this art gala is my attempt to clean out my house filled with art pieces in the first place…I decided to direct them towards so practical, usable, creative pieces, such as motivational bookmarks, very creative pencil holders, and fancy decorative jewelry. A number of my girls’ work were purchased by people we didn’t know. So, the intrigue and excited that my girls felt, knowing that “someone else” “really interested” in purchasing their work did!
• Display the art pieces “for sale”. Our oldest daughter, then 7 yo, created quite the ‘talk’ that evening, when we arrived and Papa tried to purchase his favorite piece she painted. Only to find out that it was already sold and he was the fourth person to ‘try’ and buy it. While it was a beautiful piece, it was one of her quickest paintings, but with the help of the organizers, because we found a gorgeous dollar store frame that fit it perfectly, it looked very professional.
• Price the art work based on time spent, ability, and saleability. We priced our daughter’s painting based on time for $3, but we didn’t take into account that it was very professionally displayed and truly worthy of being hung on someone’s wall. Do not underestimate your child/ren’s ability. I learned the hard way..because…next tip:
• Have your kids look forward to being designated as an “Artist” for the night. Since our daughter had her name tag prominently pinned, one of the four people wanting to purchase her painting, “commissioned” her to paint one for her, and offered to pay her more than $3 as long as she used the colors she requested. All her friends were so proud and excited for our daughter. Since I lost her contact information, and we agreed to have her pay only when my daughter completed the painting, I let this great opportunity slip. Rest assured, my daughter is going to make it again, and create similar appealing pieces this year.
• Expect an enchanted, elegant, fun, educational evening for the entire extended family and friends. While people dressed from jeans to black-ties since some of our daughters’ girl-friends were even getting their hair done, my girls decked out in their formal Eid gowns. My parents joined my entire family, and we had such a great time, that it was SO hard to drag them away early–since me and one of our daughter’s was nursing the end of a flu. The ambiance, entertainment, organization and lay-out of this evening has caused this night to never be erased from our memories. Since grandma, may God have mercy with her, won’t be joining us, we’re working hard to have my sister come all the way from NJ this month.
• Designate a fair “allowance” for each child to spend & set some rules. The night is a great math and economics lesson too. Kids walk around and weigh her needs and desires along with new-found or old homeschool buddies. Our rule was, don’t spend so quickly–take your time, and they were not allowed to purchase their own or their sisters’ work
• If you’re not sure if you want to participate–at least attend! This is the one most unusual experience in my 10 years of homeschooling, that I’ve ever witnessed homeschool kids and families, babies to grandparents, sipping drinks elegantly, kids walking confidently and proudly eager to satisfy their friends and guests, lessons in all subjects like art, math, and networking among all ages with no havoc or chaos. It’s truly a night to remember a time to mark on your calendar to attend!

Image, thanks to Metro Seniors

Please welcome Todd Johnson, the college admissions counselor for College Admissions Partners .After 20 years of being a successful trial lawyer, Todd left it all because he “has always had a personal interest in college admissions and was often frustrated watching students choose a college without understanding whether the college was a match for that student. He also observed in talking to parents that they did not understand the basics of college financial aid and as a result were often spending more money to send their children to college than necessary.” To read more about Todd click here.

We are particularly pleased with Todd’s new column on American Muslim Mom because “Although Todd has worked with students who have gained admission to Ivy League Universities and highly selective colleges, his focus is not on finding the highest rated college for his students. He does not believe that the best college is the highest ranked or the college that has the lowest admission rate. Rather it means the college that is the best fit for the needs of that particular student.”

Todd looks forward to writing a monthly column on American Muslim Mom, in which he’ll share helpful tips and articles to help prepare our home schooled children to enter college. If there are particular topics that you would like to see covered, please contact us, or email him directly at todd@collegeadmissionspartners.com

As his opening piece, Todd will address the latest news of a 13 year old Muslim girl who will attend college this fall.

MashaAllah, Allah willed, my dear friend Anna’s eldest daughter to register for classes at the University of New Haven on a full scholarship this fall. In addition to Maida’s front page coverage of the New Haven Register’s Sunday, May 31, 2009 edition, Fox 61 News also featured her as well

MashaAllah, there are many supporters and other families with similar experiences as noted in this blog’s comments. But, some share their worries and/or concerns to assure that this young child does not have undue pressure as noted in these comments here. [Knowing Anna, her and her husband assure that Maida IS a child first, alhumdulilah. Watch her maturity & humility here.]

Regardless what your views are, Todd shares his 2-cents having assisted hundreds of students secure admittance to, and financing for one’s ideal college or university.

When should students consider going to college?

The answer to the question may seem obvious; after they finish high school. And for most students that answer makes sense. But for students who are home schooled, the answer becomes somewhat less clear.

As a basic I always recommend that the ideal curriculum for a student to follow in high school is 4 years of English, 4 years of math, 4 years of science, 4 years of social studies and 4 years of a single foreign language. Not all colleges will require this type of program but if you meet this scope of study, you will be in good shape to apply to any college. So, if your plan is to home school your child, that type of rigorous academic program, or as close as you can make it, is your best approach.

If you don’t feel comfortable teaching certain subjects, such as foreign languages, you might have your child attend the local public school just for that one subject. The other option is to have your child attend a local college to study that one subject. However, college classes tend to be much more difficult than high school classes so be very careful before sending your child to a college for a class.

The other major factor to consider when evaluating when it might be appropriate for a child to go to college is the maturity of the child. Some students are still fairly immature at age 18 and it might be wise to consider putting college off for a year or two for that student. This is known as a gap year and is getting more common every year. In fact, Princeton University last year started suggesting that incoming freshman consider taking a gap year.

The advantages of a gap year are not only additional time to allow a student to mature, but in the case of home schooled students, it can provide additional time to establish your child’s academic qualifications. Colleges often have problems evaluating home schooled students because the grades are difficult to consider against other students. Therefore, colleges need to rely more on standardized test results to evaluate home schooled students. By taking a year off, students can participate in college classes near their home to show a college that they are capable of handling such work. Students can also get more involved in activities outside the class that might show case their true abilities.

For other students, starting college before the traditional age of 18 may make sense. If you have a particularly bright child with high levels of maturity, starting college early may be necessarily to keep the student from becoming bored. I don’t normally recommend college for students less than 16 year old except in extraordinary circumstances.

Besides the level of maturity and the academic accomplishments of the student, you should also consider the time that is required to properly prepare for the college admissions process. I recommend that most students start preparing for the college process about one and half years before the time they would actually start college, regardless of age. This gives them adequate time to take the necessary standardized tests, evaluate their needs from a college, find a college to meet those needs and get the applications submitted to the colleges.

[Ponn Sabra] The majority of homeschool families I know start by adding community college credits to their high school portfolio of experience. This allows children to obtain transferable college credits; and in cases of unschooling families, it exposes them to the formalized setting of traditional college classes.

We look forward to your thoughts and concerns on this topic, so please begin a dialogue with us below.

I actually had to search our own archives to find some past programs we participated in

Listed below are the Free 2009 Summer Reading Program we started this week:

• Read with Kids Challenge 2009 – Ends June 30, 2009. Monthly and daily prizes given by logging in the number of minutes the parent reads with his/her child(ren). Grand Prize: Disney Vacation!

• 11th Annual Homeschooling Summer Reading Club provided by About Homeschooling Guide- Your child/ren must read 500 pages by August 31 2009.

• The Old Schoolhouse 2nd Annual Summer Reading Splash – Set attainable book reading goals with your child/ren, then keep a reading log for 10-weeks. They have a kick-off coloring contest, due June 16, 2009. They are also hosting a weekly Scavenger Hunt for us to enjoy.

• 2009 Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program – Read any 8 books, fill out the one-page reading journal, and pick one of the available age-appropriate books for free. You can participate twice before September 7, 2009.

• National Amusement Bookworm Wednesday – Fill out the official book report entry form for free admissions to a movie each Wednesday, July 8 – August 12, at 10am. This form includes a parent/guardian as well

• 24/Moms wrote a comprehensive list of additional programs. Unfortunately, we do not have any locations within 50-mile radius for all the ones she has listed that I haven’t listed above, except one; which is not Free:

• Border’s Summer Reading Challenge – Read 8 books, and pick select titles for $4.99, which is at least 50% off its original market price.

• TD Bank Summer Reading (thanks to Freebies4Mom) – Read 10 books, fill out this form, and get $10 deposited into your new or existing Young Savers account.

Summer Reading Tips & Resources for Kids and Parents

• RIF Reading Planet
  
• Reading Rockets
• Sample Reading Activity Calendar: June 2009
• 10 Weeks of Summer Reading Adventures for You and Your Kiids

If you know other programs that are available, please comment below and I’ll update this list.

A sister just tipped reminded me of this site…which my girls and I have been members for years, but forgot about (since there’s just TOO many to keep track of):CurrClick.

In search for my password, by opening my dozen+ emailboxes, and noticed I’m on their weekly newsletter.

Which, I highly recommend you get on, because they always give away a FREE downloadable eBook each week.

We’ve gotten some neat lapbooks, short stories…and I’m SO psyched about this week’s find:

SKIP COUNTING Drill Sheets.

You can even get an RSS Feed of the Current Top 10 Hottest Selling Items, click here.

Let us know what you think! What goodies have you grabbed up that we’ve missed?

• Homeschool curriculum – Time4Learning Review Part 3: 7.5 yo interview & review

• Homeschool curriculum: Time4Learning Review: Part 2: 6.5 yo interview & review
• Homeschool curriculum: Time4Learning Review: Part 1: 4.5 yo interview & review

Time4Learning is a great interactive, online, homeschool curriculum for all core subjects of Language Arts (Reading, Phonics, Spelling), Math, Science and Social Studies, with additional Language Arts Extensions — “extra LAs” the girls call it.

Some quick Pros:

• The lessons are self-explanatory, self-directing for even our youngest soon-to-be 5 year-old this month.

• The activities are “assessed” or “graded” and the children don’t even notice.

• The tests and quizzes are interspersed enough that doesn’t bombard my girls too often–especially since we’ve never been a “testing” homeschool family-type prior to Time4Learning.

• The playground is a perfect timed incentive that motivates my girls to work towards a ‘reward’ after a fun-workload, which is usually 20-minutes of laughter, many Ah-Hah’s, and “mama, mama, come see!”

And, this is how it all began: 5 weeks ago, our life was totally different…

One of the homeschool groups or possibly a blog introduced: “Welcome to Homeschooling – A guide for families” free downloadable PDF.

Now, I’m usually skeptical of ‘lil homeschool guides, because we’ve been homeschooling now for 8 years; but I quickly perused this one that brought me directly to the homepage.

The girls and I watched the demos, I got lost in the Site Map of all the different scope & sequence, lesson plans, etc.

While everyone recommended the Parent Forums…but, that didn’t interest me because I was just interested in the facts. But, I was happy to know that their was a community to turn to if I ran into any problems ; but with my schedule I don’t have time to socialize.

I particularly found the 2-week risk-free trail every appealing especially because it was highly-affordable compared to the K12 program of $100s to $1000s if there’s no Virtual Academy available in your state; and CT doesn’t have one…nor will they after detailed conversations with the CT Dept. of Ed, Charter School Division.

Now, as a net-savvy internet marketer that I am…I found the Write a Review and Refer a Friend even more appealing; because we know I always give an unbiased, detailed, critique of anything that comes my way.

So, with a quick phone-call, an agreement for one-month free in exchange for our honest review…here we are a couple days away from enrolling all 3 daughters into this incredibly awesome life-saving nationally-approved, state-approved curriculum.

1. Now, I couldn’t give all full review without interviewing the very children who are gaining the most from it, so please read each of the 3 interviews here:
2. • Homeschool curriculum – Time4Learning Review Part 3: 7.5 yo interview & review
   • Homeschool curriculum: Time4Learning Review: Part 2: 6.5 yo interview & review
   • Homeschool curriculum: Time4Learning Review: Part 1: 4.5 yo interview & review

1. I love that we have access to 3 different grades per subject per child. Therefore, each child is working at her own level in each subject.
2. Pre-Schooler: Our 4.5 year old (Pre-K) is doing LA-K, Math-K, Sci- Gr. 1 and SS- Gr. 2. The others have varied grade levels too. I didn’t want her to play with anything except the PlayBox (Pre-K) work…as I believe heavily in having fun…but, she’s having TOO much fun, and breezing through the lessons with over 90+ average…that I just can’t stop her. I actually sit down with her now with all her Science and SS because she doesn’t like when things are too hard that she doesn’t do well, so I usually just guide her, and stop her when I think things are too difficult so she doesn’t get disappointed. I always want her to LOVE learning…so, grades and time spent is not an issue for me; although it is for her.
3. My girls follow arrow by arrow (meaning Lesson-By-Lesson)! It took some getting used to for this eclectic homeschooling mama because I just want them to have fun with the themes they choice, or the “lessons” they’re in the mood for. But, each and every single one of them wanted the process, wanted to see the progression, and wanted the ORDER that Time4Learning allow See, I’m learning a lot too
4. We tried each daughter at-traditional-grade level and moved up and down individually per-subject for the first 3-days. By the forth, we figured out where they all belonged, then I made an “official” request of grade-levels per-subject, per-child…and I really appreciate this kind of control and adjust ability!
5. We love the Reports it generates.
6. We love the ability for our girls to retain exciting new facts in all their core subjects. They compete for our attention at the dinner table. “Baba, I learned ABC…Well, Mama, I learned XYZ…No, 123 was better and More Fun Mama!”
7. I LOVE that I actually have more time having fun with their learning…rather than making up 3 different curriculum for 3 different learners of 3 different ages, styles and personalities!
8. I LOVE having more time for the things I do better: planning the next field trip, organizing our next art project, cleaning up the house when there’s a sense of calm with everyone at a desk, on the floor, or on computer doing their work. We spend much less time arguing and debating now! Alhumdulilah.
   
9. I love that they all compete for the computers. We have 4 in our house, but because 1.5 (because I need it too) are slotted for them during the days. So, their patience it tested each day. But, we worked it out, that the one who finishes their “other school work” i.e., workbooks, worksheets, projects, experiments, etc. then she goes on the PC first. But, Phew! We just got the girls their 1st laptop today, so insha’Allah, that’ll work out nicely. Which, I know we’ll have to reward time for the laptop as the biggest reward now, insha’Allah.

• I’ve read reviews that a TOTALLY different than anything my family and I experienced, for example:
• We’ve Never been kicked off of any lessons,
• We Never had problems trying to figure out how or when to fit Time4Learning into our schedules.
• We Never had technological problems.
• We Never (not one-month later) had any anything preventing us from loving this program!
• We feel blessed to have such a great experience and because its such a normal thing in our home now…we can only Thank God, Alhumdulilah, that this worked out for our family so perfectly. Subhannallah.

CONS:

• We need to have one laptop/computer for each child so they can learn and play at-will.
• We are moving WAY too fast through the grades…Is this really how far back traditional core curriculum is, or are all my girls gifted?! I’d like to believe both, but really think its the first. Sad, as it may be (traditional schooling, that is)…but for my girls, the excitement in learning & progression in their ability to retain new material is ALL education should be based on
• Science and Social Studies do not have as many lessons in the beginning grades, up to Grade 3. I defended myself in my 7 year old’s interview, but she just brought it up again saying “Mama, we would, and will do all the science experiment and projects you (and we) want to do…BUT, it would be nice if we had more lessons in those subjects to learn even more”. Hmm…I agree. I would make sure that the lessons are age-appropriate, meaning reading-level appropriate too. I understand that Pre-schoolers don’t need to learn those subjects, but if they want to learn it…why stop them. I tried with all 3 of mine…but, their sponges right now, and I have NO right to stop their researching, inquisitive, eager minds!
• I tried adjusting the playground timer, but when I did, it adjusted the lessons timer. So, I haven’t figured out this 1 complaint from them all.
• Oh, they all complained on numerous occasions, the inability to “fast-forward” within a lesson. For example, they give the instructions and my child knows how to do it…but, the character walks, talks, shows each and every step. Because my girls always sigh, huff, or puff, I sat down with them to “see” how bad it was, and it was only a few seconds (literally at most a minute-long); so I defended how short and fun it was “acted” out. Each time, each daughter insisted that it’s not worth the time. I assume they feel its too elementary to them, or that even possibly its like an “arrogant” teacher talking down to them, not paying attention to their particular needs and just goes along with his/her own agenda. I really hope my assumption is wrong. But, it Time4Learning can do anything about adding a “fast-forward” option through the lessons, please try. [There ARE options to fast-forward elsewhere, but I'm talking specifically about the dry-instructional-showing-parts].

Yay, our negatives are really not bad at all!

And, most Time4Learning can’t help out (like giving away laptops ) so, overall we are entirely pleased and will heavily promote this curriculum to any homeschool family and or any family looking for online educational fun alternative.

Now, I can NOT attest that this is the “perfect” homeschool curriculum for your family, but what’s there to lose!?

Not a homeschooler?

One of my devoted readers who wants your child to advance in one or more of their core subjects, or want some “interact fun educational” program for after school of this summer…its highly-affordable and well-worth your time to give it a try! 2-weeks trial for free.

And, if you try it; kindly tell them I referred you. Jazaka Allahu Khayrun.

I’m eager for families to share their experiences good, bad or indifferent below!

ur most thorough interviewee: our eldest daughter.

This interview is So detailed that I had to edit it, because I couldn’t write fast enough to keep up with her excitement, and well…she even knew that I couldn’t possibly write everything that she had to share

What do you like most about Time4Learning? When we’re learning it feels like we’re just playing on the computer — not doing homework.

Did I ever give yo homework before? No, hee hee I mean it doesn’t feel like we’re doing “work”.

What do you like most about Time4Learning? I like the playground because its something to look forward too…just like what you (mama) do. We work, then we play.

What do you like most about the lessons?

In Language Arts, we get to read the stories, and it tells us about parts of the story or its main characters, it teaches us something about what we just read.

What do you mean?

Well, whenever I read a story online, and I really liked the story…it just stops at the end of the story. If I wanted to learn more about the story, the subject…whatever, I had to do it. But in Language Arts, they add all the fun inside the story.

Can you give me an example?

Yes. For example, after you learn something about animals, they (T4L) ask you something about the animals. Such as, pick the right animal that…So, it quizzes you without you know. It keeps me interested. For example, they give you a hint about a certain animal and you have to figure out which one is right.

I’m sorry, I don’t get it. Remember, you have to describe something as if the other person has never seen, read, or tried Time4Learning before.

Okay. here:

- This animal jumps on a. top of water, b….

- You pick the right answer it says “Good job”.

- You pick the wrong one, it says “Try again”.

If I learned about crocodiles, birds, lagoon. And, then there are 2 boxes (she’s drawing as I’m writing notes), one of a frog and one of an insect running on top of water. If you click on “frog” it’ll say “try again”. If you click the “insect” it’ll say “Good job”.

So, what you’re saying is “in the lessons, they’re asking you questions within the “stories”, as you go along?

Yes! It’s not like a quiz or test because it’s fun-learning! You don’t think it’s a quiz or test, you’re just thinking and learning. What’s so cool is that if you like animals or insects you get to learn more about them.

But, if you’re like me, who didn’t like insects at all–this fun activity could help you and me like it! They showed me more about insects, by making it cartooning and fun. For example…

Now, she’s drawing birds, a lagoon, nest…pacing back and forth from the desk to the different colored markers to make her point. Talk about retention!

Okay, okay…I think I got it now. Anything else?

Social Studies was great! She finished all of 2nd grades lessons in less than 10-days. But, we knew she was very advanced in that subject. Her complaint:

The only thing is…it was great! Grade 2 was fun, and easy (at her level), then, I was done. Then, once I started Gr. 3 Social Studies is was much harder in the very 1st lesson!

So, the transition wasn’t smooth, huh?

No, so I’m going slower in that subject now.

But, Math! She’s drawing again, very excited that I really can’t keep up with all the facts she’s rattling off right now. Here’s just some of things I could note down:

• She’s screaming out number placements, adding more and more zeros,
• Problem solving tips…blah, blah, obviously the lessons are interactive because she has retained and more importantly, is exciting about the subject.

so, I change the subject…

Obviously, you’ve shared a lot about the lessons, let’s talk about your favorite characters.

I have 3: Cow Girl, Space Man & Suba Driver Man. They’re all the same but different people.

What!?

Cow girl gets cows by using her rope. Space Man flies out to get the meteorites, and Scuba Man swims out to get the blowfish.

What don’t you like?

Oh wait. I have another favorite thing: Story-Creator!

You pick your own colors, designs, using their story characters, settings and everything. But yo get to make up the title, change the sizes of people big or small, make them invisbilt, blend colors, red and blue make pink–not purple.

My least favorite thing…ummm….hmmm…she’s pacing and thinking.

That they cut you off in the playground, but not in your schoolwork. So, if you’re in the playground, you can be in the middle of a game (I’m always in the middle of a good game), and it just shuts off, which is not really fair. It’s not like parents will give us too much playground time…yet, the lessons, you can go on and on…we always finish, but it never cuts off.

Here’s an example. Remember Mama you gave me some time before we had to go somewhere. Well, I did many more lessons than I needed too…but, I really wanted to play in the playground. Since, we can’t get on the playground without a lesson, I just kept doing the lessons. I didn’t pay attention to the time, and when we had to leave…I never got to play in the playground.

Yes, I do remember this time…actually it happened a few times. The lessons are so much fun that they lose track of time, but like you said, you had you’re determined to play in the playground, and yet “our own time” ran out. I guess I have to try playing around with the timer then, huh?

This brings up a very important point. Have you EVER been cut off in your lessons?

No Never! I know…none of us have. (All 3 chime in).

Interesting…I read it all the time that people complain that Time4Learning shuts down, cuts people off…but it has never happened to us 1-month later.

What’s your favorite subject?

Language Arts. The birds and small birds say “good bye” and sing, “The more you read the more you know, the more you learn and grow”. The is always at the end.

And, at the beginning, the birds “1, 2, 3, 4 book — the cover song”.

Now, I/we (Baba & I) have high cut-offs (only because she is more than capable of obtaining these scores). In your Lessons you can’t get anything lower than 80%, and quizzes and tests, ideally no lower than 85-88%. Do you have a problem with repeating any lesson?

No. I like this, its fine because I like what I’m learning and I want to make sure I know most of it right. I’ve only repeated things 5-6 times in this first month. So, its not annoying at all.

Wants and needs, animals….they were things I didn’t understand completely. It’s better that I re-do it to make sure I pass and actually do my very best for the next lesson, grade…whatever.

Mama, there’s really one thing that I don’t like…I started talking about it before. In Social Studies and Science in Grade 2 there’s only ~ 16 lessons. There’s not enough work at that level.

Well, remember we talked about this before. Both subjects are hands-on subjects, and we do tons of experiments and projects on the side which makes more than a year’s work.

Yay, I know. But, I love their lessons so much…and now, Grade 3’s lessons are harder.

hmm…we both sigh.

I think you shared more than enough. Any last thoughts?

Yay. It’s the best online program we’ve ever used!

Really!? Can you compare it to others we’ve used?

• Internet4Classrooms – since its a combo of many sites, and not updated. sites our outdated, no longer in use, there’s no set “curriculum”…order in which to do anything. The “Themes” are good…but many of the sites you can’t open them!
• Starfall - not a “learning” site. Just for reading and playing. Very young…I don’t use it anymore, just watch my sisters.
• PBSKids – learning games, but no order how to progress…some fun stuff I still use
• CBCKids – younger kid stuff, just like PBSKids
• BBC – lots of stuff, we (my sisters and I) Love the typing program. It’s kindof like Time4Learning…but, not. it’s very good…actually really good stuff, but it’s based on UK. Time4Learning is a lot more fun!
• SpellingCity – Love it! Time4Learning’s owner owns this too! Which we didn’t know til just last week.
• LearningGamesForKids.com – Sweet–we had no idea, T4L owned this too!

Jazaka Allahu Khayrun habiti (sweetheart), this was an awesome first interview.

Allah yi ticki afia (May Allah give you rest, prosperity, for all your hard work).

What do you like the most aboutTime4Learning?

I like playing at the Playground.

Do you use the playground after every lesson?

Yes.

What do you like the most about the Time4Learning Lessons?

I don’t know.

What can you say good about Time4Learning?

….

Who’s your favorite character?

EdMouse.

Which character do you like that most who teaches you something?

The one in Letter Stadium.

Why?

Because he’s like “Gimme an A”…”Gimme an N” “Put them together and that makes AN”.

Which character don’t you like?

I like them all.

What’s your favorite subject?

Math.

Why?

I like how they teach us. I like “take-aways” and “equals”. And, “put together”…oh, “adding” as she drew the plus-sign.

Do you like Time4Learning better than doing workbooks?

Yes.

Why?

Because Time4Learning is playing. And, I’m having much more fun than workbooks. Workbooks hurt my hands while writing. It’s just much more fun using a computer.

Did you ever write so much that your hand hurt?!

Yes.

When?

Whenever I use my hands too much they hurt.

But, you’re using your hands for the computer?

Yay, but its fun using them on the computer. I don’t get tired. I don’t have to take a break.

Who makes you take a break?

Me…I needed to take breaks with other work becuase my hands hurt.

It sounds more like you just like using the computer more, and it has nothing to do with your hands hurting.

She sighed and said “That’s true”.

So, what’s different between Time4Learning and all the other online programs, CDs or DVDs we used for home school?

It’s just that its fun.

It’s more fun than everything!!! She’s getting defensive now.

Can you explain anything in more detail for people who have never seen or used Time4Learning before?

No.

Why would you want (her best-friend’s name) to use Time4Learning?

Because its fun.

is there anything you don’t like about Time4Learning?

Yes. When they cut us off on the Playground, but not cut us off in the Lessons.

And, I know why they cut us off. Because when they do the lessons, if we’re cut off, in the Backpack (portfolio) it’ll show we’re half-way done only…and in the playground it doesn’t show anything so it just cuts us off.

Oh…

Now, can I go?

Yes, anything else you want to say?

No.

So please bare with us; as I know we cover much more than what I’ve seen in any review of this spectacular homeschool curriculum to date (since I reviewed a bunch when I was considering trying this program).

Homeschool curriculum: Time4Learning Review: Part 1: 4.5 yo interview & review

Our youngest will be 5 at the end of the month…but she’s adamant that she’s only 4.5 years old

Please keep in mind her age, as you see her un-editted answers below

Our shortest T4L family interview:

What do you like Time4Learning most? Games and playground.

What do you like the most about the Time4Learning Lessons? So much stuff that’s fun.

Who’s your favorite character? EdMouse

Which character do you like that most who teaches you something? The Hippo.

Which character don’t you like? The pig is annoying!

Why? Because I don’t like pigs.

What’s your favorite subject? Math, because it has fun stuff.

Anything too hard or too easy? I have nothing else to say.

Like they say, “From the mouth of babes”. Well, she’s our youngest babe alright!

Please read our full family review here for details of my (Mama’s) assessment how awesome Time4Learning is for this “quiet” 4.5 year old interviewee

Basically, a Personalized Learning Center is institutionalizing “home school”…availing homeschool families more opportunities for them at the convenience of one area location.

And, more information is available at the Association for Personalized Learning Schools & Services, founded and directed by Jeff Rice. A-PLUS for short.

• What is Personalized Learning?

Personalized Learning is a unique, blended classroom and nonclassroom-based public educational model that is tailored to the needs and interests of each individual student. Personalized Learning is a 21st century, “on the leading edge” approach to public education that honors and recognizes the unique gifts, skills, passions, and attributes of each child. Personalized Learning is dedicated to developing individualized learning programs for each child whose intent is to engage each child in the learning process in the most productive and meaningful way to optimize each child’s learning potential and success.

The key attributes that comprise the Personalized Learning model are based upon a solid foundation of the latest educational research findings as to how students learn most successfully, including a strong emphasis on parental involvement, smaller class sizes, more one-on-one teacher and student interaction, attention to differences in learning styles, student-driven participation in developing the learning process, technology access, varied learning environments, teacher and parent development programs, and choices in curriculum programs. No other educational model offered in today’s public education system has integrated these proven educational research results in such an in-depth and comprehensive manner to serve the diverse needs of today’s public education students.

Of the 46 PLCs in California right now, many have multiple options:
For example, full-time enrollment (academics & extra curricular), or part-time enrollment (extra curriculars and specialized classes).

As a homeschool family,

• If I had access to a gym–sign us up!
• Week-days Arabic or Qur’an classes…I’m in line!
• An organization that sets up all the field trips, and all I have to do is attend…where’s the registration form!?
• After-school programs with Muslims and non-Muslims kids? Yeehah! Right now…it’s an either-or population in CT. Like, wassup with that!?

The only problems with PLCs!?!?

• These are ALL charter schools ONLY in the state of California!
• Charter public schools can NOT be affiliated with any religion.

Insha’Allah, someone will step up to the plate. But, here’s the catch! It’s hard to turn-over an already corrupt school to a Personalized Learning Center.

Like they say “it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks”.

We need forward-thinkers, risk-takers, though-leaders…Entrepreneurs!

We need parents that demand the VERY best for their children. We need volunteers, community leaders, Action-minded professionals!

Can we achieve this as an ummah!? Insha’Allah, we must! Insha’Allah, I believe our time is coming very soon….

What do you think!? Please comment below.

or at least skim and read the proposed solutions of the last chapter of The Underground History of American Education (A Schoolteacher’s Intimate Investigation Into the Prison of Modern Schooling)

and I’m reading through this one, that I just got yesterday:

WOW! Basically, government should give us homeschoolers the $! As we create an educational system (not a “school”) that economical and effective.

Otherwise, another alternative that I’ll share in great detail, insha’Allah: The Development of Personalized Learning Centers!

46 public charter PLCs Only exist in the state of California and public and private schools, especially Islamic schools, NEED to follow-suit.

The principals follow our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH…our children deserve to develop a pure love & passion to learn (which should be our only jobs as parents during their infant-young years, birth to 7 years of age)!

Sorry for the delay in posts, but I’ve been conducting a great deal of research, in support of the deteriation of modern schooling here in America and the Western world–and Islamic private schools are FAR from immune of the problems! In some cases, they make even worse problems. {Details to follow in my upcoming series, insha’Allah}.

Rather than hash out all the details, I feel it’s a disservice not to share the wealth of valuable articles and resources I find during my research, and share some significant quotes.

I’ve read every single one of these articles pasted below and highly recommend you take the time for the peace, happiness and strength (more like their mind, bodies & soulds) of your little ones, insha’Allah.

As always, please share your thoughts in the comments area below.

Education for Decolonization and Rejuvenation 2002 live dialogue

Decolonizing Contemporary Education 2004

The Failures and Limitations of Modern Schooling 3/05

Preparing Parents as Educators ~ The Role of Learning Gatherings 6/05

The Westernization of Islamic Education 5/05

Education of Muslim Children – Challenges and Opportunities Dr. Ibrahim B. Syed, Ph.D analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of Public, Parochial, Private non-parochial, Islamic, Virtual Islamic, or Home Schools in the United States.

Hence, Home Schooling #1 Option:

Homeschooling our Children is an Act of Obedience to Allah

You do not have to be a teacher or have a university degree to teach your
children at home. Studies have proven that homeschooled children are
approximately five years ahead of children that attend public school, regardless
of their parent’s level of education. More and more Imams are encouraging
homeschooling and some are stating it is a requirement, allhumdulilah.

Returning Children to an Allah Centred Environment

The public school is now used as a laboratory for social and educational
experimentation. These theories by in large have shown to be dismal failures in
educating children. Even so these models are not removed, changed or replaced.
One of these new theories is called “Outcome Based Education”. In this system
students are taught and graded as a group. If only one child of the group works
hard and completes the assignment, while the rest do nothing but sign their
name, all will profit from the work of the one. The student who did all the work
on project becomes disheartened and in future will do less work. Those who
depended on the hard work an effort of the responsible student have no sense of
accomplishment or their own worth. The system rewards sloth.

Another
educational theory is called Whole Language. In this learning technique instead
of teaching reading, spelling and the rules of writing, children are read to.
Eventually, it is hoped that they will learn to read and write well through
osmosis. Parental concerns are considered unimportant, as the Professionals
“know better”. Old techniques that have actually taught children reading,
writing and Arithmetic, are not revived.

A school administrator in California told the interviewer from 20/20
that the old techniques that focus on rote memorization and drill, stifle
creativity and should not be returned to. To counter this idea others have
suggested the creativity is actually enhance and increased when matters of rules
and form are already learned. Students are not bogged down with questions of
spelling, looking up every word to come up with a readable sentence. The purpose
of writing is to transmit thoughts and ideas to another person. That process is
thwarted when much of the sentence is not spelled correctly with no phonetically
base. Children with this knowledge start a step or two ahead.

School, local and state officials are often very much against home
schooling.. When a parents chooses to home school and removes a child from the
classroom many districts loose money. The federal government gives schools money
based on head count, by removing their children, a parent lowers the amount of
money a school system will receive.

Choosing to home school also means rejecting the idea of centralized
state schools and authority. Many teachers and administrators believe that they
are the only persons qualified to teach children Homeschoolers challenge this
notion and actively fight any proposal that they be required to take
certification programs or tests. Finally, choosing to home schooling might
simply be saying to the teacher, principal, administrator that the schools
aren’t good enough or that they are doing a lousy job at educating. School,
local and state officials often count on families not knowing their rights, when
they bully and intimidate. It is for this reason and the bigotry that Muslims in
the United States face that Muslim Home School Network and Resource encourages
Muslim home schooler’s to secure legal representation before beginning to home
school.

Reasons to Homeschool Your Children (Insha’Allah)

The first and foremost reason to educate our children in the home is to ensure
that they are being educated according to the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the
Prophet (saws).
By ensuring the quality of our children’s education we may be
able to help save our children from the hellfire insha’Allah.
We as parents
cannot take lightly the responsibility that Allah has given to us. Nor can we
delegate this responsibility to others.
For surely we will all stand before
Allah one day and answer to him as to the children He placed in our care, and
how we motivated them in their pursuing the akhirah (hereafter) our real home,
and not this world a place of examination.

The Advantages of Homeschooling for Muslim Children Eleven Reasons To Home School Your Children Keeping the Faith: More and More American Muslims are Choosing to Home School By Ephrat Livni – ABCNews.com

While there are many approaches to home schooling, most of these approaches seem
to view education as an interconnected array of subjects related to daily life
(Sheehan, 2002). One method in particular, called creative home schooling, tends
to align its thinking with that of an MI enhancing environment. “Creative home
schooling is based on principles and an understanding of creative learning,
divergent thinking, immersion learning, and self-directed learning” (Rivero,
2002, p. 199). Creative home schooling offers parents a way to integrate the
best of several home schooling approaches that meet their individual child’s
needs. The focus of learning in a creative home school is to allow the child to
fulfill his or her human potential rather than to educate for the next purely
academic milestone (Rivero, 2002). “Creative home schooling offers parents a
chance to create a truly individualized education based on a firm theoretical
foundation unique to their child’s needs” (Rivero, 2002, p. 200). By using the
creative home schooling approach, a parent can then develop a curriculum built
on the needs of his or her child, and involves an integration of an MI program.

Undoubtedly, homeschooling takes patience and stamia…but I hold true that not everyone can be a teacher (certified professional), but just-about ALL parents CAN be homeschool parents…after all, who taught them to smile, hug, love, talk, walk, say “Allah” SWT?!?!?!

Wa salam my dear sister

Educating Your Child in Modern Times : Raising an Intelligent, Sovereign, & Ethical Human Being

A must-read…easy-read! A very short 3-part phamplet-like book.

Recommendations include: homeschooling, breaking out of the failures of “modern schooling” and the Trivium, which Alhumdulilah is the only way to teach the Qur’an:

1. Memorization while a baby, toddler, very young. Like memorizing nursery rhymes.
2. Understanding what you’ve memorized ~ 7 -10 years old. Start teaching the meanings, giving stories, building appreciation & love.
3. Application of what was memorized and appreciated/understood through our daily lives with confidence, strength and educated reason. ~11 yrs. old, ideally 14 – 18 yrs. old throughout our lives.

We tried a few other fun programs years ago (can’t find them now), but none had a “curriculum” like this website! Our 7-year old went through the entire 1st lesson, Home Run, laughing and cheering herself on with her progression…she got carried away on her first day, she mastered all of Lesson 1 and on Lesson 2, Unit 2.

She typed out her first article the past 2 days, and we thought it’s a perfect time to take her typing lessons seriously. Subhanallah (God is Perfect), it is synchronizing perfectly with the completion of her 2nd piano lesson by classical, sight-reading without looking at the keyboard.

This fun online typing course designed specifically for children actually teaches our young to type without looking at the keyboard at all! It’s all geared towards viewing the screen and working with the positions of all 10 figures! It’s truly amazing!

Please give this typing course a try, and report back your experiences below!

TIP: Here’s an online typing test to see how fast and accurate you are typing now. Insha’allah, God willing, we will all get faster and more accurate in due time.

Pre-K to Grade 8.

National Council
of Teachers of Mathematics have identified the most important mathematical
topics for lasting learning at each grade level. They are called “Curriculum Focal
Points.” You may read more information and read about the particulars by
grade.

Please note: I have not researched every single site, so proceed with caution.

Download Free Posters from Virtual Gettysburg
http://www.virtualgettysburg.com/sup…cation/poster/

Free Water Education Posters
http://water.usgs.gov/outreach/OutReach.html

Free Braille Alphabet Card
http://www.afb.org/braillebug/Braille.asp

Free Colgate Teachers Kit
http://www.colgatebsbf.com/teachers/tch_kits.asp

Free Educational Publications from the Federal Reserve
http://app.ny.frb.org/publications/result.cfm?comics=1

Free Second Hand Smoke Posters
http://www.epa.gov/smokefree/publications.html

Free Game printables (some are for sale, but the ones
on this page
are free)
http://www.gigglygames.net/freebies.htm

Mom’s Minivan Travel Games and Activities
http://www.momsminivan.com/

Building Blocks for a Healthy Future storybook,
coloring book, and
more
http://store.health.org/buildingblocks/default.aspx

Free things from Congress.
http://www.yourcongress.com/quickfree.asp

Register for periodic freebies from Crayola
http://www.crayola.com/registration/

2 Free books (fossils & dinosaurs)
http://geology.er.usgs.gov/eastern/fossils.html

Royal & Langnickel art samples for Educators
http://www.royalbrush.com/ver3/student/question.htm

Free music cds from our military bands
http://bandtek.com/free-cds/

Free Posters: Explore the facets of the Earth
http://eospso.gsfc.nasa.gov/

TONS of free printables for Teachers and Parents
www.thevirtualvine.

Learn to Write…Free Tracing Paper
http://www.mymoondrops.com/spelling.html

Free Sample Issue of HSE Magazine!
http://homeschoolenrichment.com/

Free Natural Gas Materials
http://www.nef1.org/order_new.html

Free Fire Safety Posters, Reports and Publications
from the USFA
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/applications/publications/

Free Educational printables about Peanuts
http://aboutpeanuts.com/educ.html

A Free Hazardous Waste Cleanup and Prevention Poster!
http://www.epa.gov/superfund/kids/poster.htm

Free Poster – The poster features lists of Summertime
Favorites, 300
classic books for young readers, and the We the People
Bookshelf
on “Freedom,” 15 books selected by NEH that explore
the idea
of “freedom.”
http://www.neh.gov/posterrequest.asp

Free Potato Educational Materials
http://potatoes.com/educational-hardcopy.cfm

Free PCs in Space CD-ROM for teachers or students.
This is a great
program! It has games and my kids absolutely love
playing them and
learning their planets and how to use the computer
also!
http://pcsinspace.hst.nasa.gov/freecd.htm

Free board game for parents and educators.
Part of the Too Smart to Start program, this colorful
board game was
developed to help parents and young people aged 9 to
13 talk about
underage alcohol use, why it’s not smart, and how to
prevent it.
Goals for the game include increasing the number of
conversations
about the harm of underage alcohol use and increasing
the percentage
of children and adults who view underage alcohol use
as harmful. The
game can be played with two to six players, but works
best when both
youth and adults play.
http://store.health.org/catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=16691

Free recess kits
This site is having a rescue recess campaign(rescue
recess week is
Sept.18-22nd) and they will send out recess kits that
include posters
and jump ropes and a playground ball and whistle and
more at
http://www.cartoonrecessweek.com/

Reading club that gives Pizza Hut coupons as rewards.
For schools or
home schoolers
http://www.bookitprogram.com/default.asp

Kids Earn Prizes for Reading. For teachers and
students.
http://bookadventure.com/

Free Book “Chicken Soup For The Preteen Soul”
http://www.chickensoup.com/Pre-Teen/order_form2.html

Free George Washington kit for teachers
http://www.georgewashington.si.edu/k…cherguide.html

The History Channel *Save our History* free manuals
http://www.historychannel.com/classroom/flag_form.html

FREE Earth/Mars Comparison poster / teachers &
homeschoolers
http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/classroom/earthMarsForm.html

Free Dole 5 A Day Educational for Teachers/Schools CD
Roms/Cassettes/Cookbooks
http://www.dole5aday.com/Teachers/Cl…ials.jsp#cdrom

FREE Life in the Forest Educational Material
http://www.internationalpaper.com/Ou…est/index.html

Free coloring books, pamplets etc about Inuit
community
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ks/12050_e.html

Free “Science & Our Food Supply” kit – teachers
(Middle- High School)
http://www.nsta.org/fdacurriculum

Free Stuff for Educators
http://www.kalama.com/~zimba/freeforteachers.htm

Educational Online Activities and Printables for
teachers, parents
and students.

1. Printable Tracer Pages. Type in the words/phrases
you like and
this program turns the words into dashed lines for
kids to trace
over.
http://www.kidzone.ws/tracers/ocean/tracer-form.asp
2. Kidzone.com printable pages. Pre-K thru 6th grade.
http://www.kidzone.ws/
3. Make your own Word Search puzzles. Just delete
their word list and
add your own! We survived on this during the summer!
http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/words/search/
4. Other vocabulary games.
http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/words/
5. The best kids educational printables site. (Home
Page)
http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/
6. Great Kid’s Printable Craft site. When you need
ideas…this is
the place to go!
http://www.dltk-kids.com/
7. Kid’s Click. A great web search for kid’s.
http://www.kidsclick.org/
8. Puzzlemaker web site for Parents/Teachers.
http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com/
9. Enchanted Learning. You can get lost on this site
for days! Very
cool. (They have a place to donate money to their
site, but it’s
totally free)
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html
10. Free Smokey the Bear Stuff for kids. (Free
printables.)
Click on the bottom that says resources. Items it
includes are:
Smokey Bear Teacher’s Guide
Smokey Bear Activity Book
Smokey Bear Kid’s Poster
Wildland Communicator’s Guide
Smokey Bear Style Guide
Logo’s with Smokey the Bear.
http://www.smokeybear.com/

Online Study Guides:

http://www.sparknotes.com/
Free study guides in a wide range of subjects. Also
includes a
valuable Test Prep section.

http://www.bookrags.com/
Free study guides in many subjects, specializing in
Science,
Literature, and History. BookRags features an online
essay editing
service (fee required) and free articles on better
essay writing.

http://www.studygs.net/
Free study guides and general learning tips available
in multiple
languages.

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/index2.asp
Literary study guides. Note: About half of these are
completely free,
while others are only available for purchase from
their online store.
It is difficult to tell which is which until you try
to access it.

Test Prep:

http://quizhub.com/quiz/quizhub.cfm Free online
quizzes in many
categories and subjects.

http://www.testprepreview.com/ Free practice tests
(SAT, ACT, LSAT,
etc.) as well as free articles and tips on test
preparation and
taking.

Free Rocketry CD for Teachers
http://nar.org/teachercd.html

Lysol kids activity book
http://www.lysol.com/topic_fun.shtml

Free kit for teachers to teach students about how the
post office
works. From the USPS.
The direct number to order WEE Deliver is
1-888-332-0317. The kit
includes an instruction video, mail satchel, cardboard
sorter, and
other misc. supplies.

Free Share The World Kit & Video For
Teachers.http://www.sharetheworld.com/

Diabetic Eye Disease: An Educator’s Guide
http://catalog.nei.nih.gov/productcart/pc/mainIndex.asp

Olympic-themed lesson plans
http://www2.edgate.com/summergames/

Free Arbor Day Video and Teacher Materials
http://www.arborday.org/kids/

Teachers: Free Hands on Plastics™ (HOP) science
education
investigation kits
http://www.teachingplastics.org/

It’s O.K. to Spray! – education about aerosol cans
(teacher/home
schooler kit)
http://www.nocfcs.org/scc/kitrequest.asp

For several years now, I have been using a
great resource for literture called Cyberguides. They
are done by the San Diego County Office of Education. Teachers have developed
these lesson plans for K-12 that utilize internet-based activities that related
to several popular pieces of children’s literature. They are divided by age
level and they are great. I love them and my kids love them. Check them
out.

Hi Everyone! Thought I’d share this list
of virtual field trips….I have many others but these are some of our
favorites.

Enjoy!

http://www.thinkport.org/Classroom/trips.tp a listing of virtual field trips

http://www.bearcountryusa.com/tour.asp Drive thru animal park

http://bouldericecream.com/tour.htm Tour of a small ice cream factory

http://www.ecoed.org/index.cfm Tour of wild animals in Ontario Canada

http://jellybelly.com/Cultures/en-US/Fun/Tours/Virtual+Tour.htm a tour of the Jelly Belly jelly bean factory

http://website1.com/odyssey/ Odyssey in Egypt field trip

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pyramid/explore/khufuenter.html Pyramids field trip

http://www.tomsofmaine.com/about/tour_factory.asp Toothpaste factory tour

http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/whtour/index.html Tour the White House

http://www.theconstitutional.com/tour.php Take the Constitutional Woalking Tour of Philedelphia

http://geology.wr.usgs.gov/docs/parks/mojave/mojaveft.html Tour of the Mojave

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/tour/index.htm Ellis Island tour from Scholastic

http://www.hersheys.com/discover/tour_video.asp Hershey’s making chocolate tour

http://www.thebeijingguide.com/badaling/index.html Great Wall of China tour

http://www.mda.state.mi.us/kids/pictures/rachel.html Dairy Farm

http://explorer.monticello.org/index.html Tour Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson

http://www.mountvernon.org/virtual/index.cfm/ss/29//cfid/5816670/cftoken/78983216 Mount Vernon, home of George Washington

http://www.plimoth.org/OLC/index_js2.html# Visit The first Thanksgiving