Scripture Memory Online

It seems I've been writing a lot lately on memorization. In case you've missed them, I did one about singing as a memory aid and using chants, poems, and cheers.


I found out about two Scripture memory programs online that I thought I'd share.
Scripture Typer is also also available as an iPhone app. MemVerse is developing an app. The whole app thing doesn't really affect me, since I don't have a "fancy" phone.


With both programs, you can sign in and it will keep track of what you're memorizing. Memorizing using programs like these is the fact that you're not only learning visually but also kinesthetically because you type in the verses. Say the verses out loud and you add auditory!


MemVerse has opportunities to win "badges" for memorization and is 100% online. Scripture Typer is also online, but gives you the opportunity to print memory cards. 


I haven't played around enough with either site to determine which I like the best.  Have you used them? Do you have a preference? I'd love to know what you think.

I'm really bothered about something.

This is not going to be one of my usual posts. I'm just thinking while typing here and hoping that maybe you can give me some insight. Please. And this topic definitely doesn't lend it's self to my usual humor. 

Suicide.


About a month ago, we attended the funeral of a young man (young to us) who committed suicide. He was in his early 30's and left behind his wife and three children. I'd known him for over 20 years and my husband had known him longer although we hadn't been in close contact for quite awhile. Rumor is  unemployment and some marriage issues pushed him over the edge. What's also troubling in this case, was this guy was a man of God. He knew God. He served God. He tried to lead his family to God. Yet, when push came to shove, he chose ending it all over continuing to serve God here. 


In addition, within the last few weeks I've had two young family members mention they were thinking about killing themselves. They were only 10 and 14!! One is being raised in a godly, Christian home that where I have even entrusted mija from time to time. I know this child knows and loves the Lord. She even writes worship songs! The other young family member is from only a nominative Christian home, but he has godly relatives that are actively involved in his life.


I know there has always been suicide. But for some reason, there just seems to be a culture of death among the young even those raised in a Christian home. 



Eph. 2:12-13  ...remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. [emphasis mine]


Why are Christians and our children living without hope if we have no God? Why are youth being attacked this way? What can we do to train our children to not even consider this as an option? How can we put a hedge of protection around them concerning this matter?


Seriously. I really would like your thoughts on this matter. Please reply.

Friday Funny--Homeschool Graduation

Wanting some ideas for a homeschool graduation (if you haven't already done it)?  This was a nice article of 2 different types of graduations in the same family.

A Recipe from me! Cornbread Pie

I haven't shared many recipes, but I thought I'd share this one since it's a big hit in my family.


Here's my warning, however. I'm going to give you the basic idea, but I don't measure or necessarily use the same ingredients each time! To me, that makes a recipe more useful because I can use what's on hand instead of shopping for missing ingredients.


I'm going to share with you how I did it yesterday then mention how I made it last time, so you can get ideas how to modify it for your own use.

First, I make two boxes of corn muffin mix according to package directions. (I do add a little sugar because we like sweet cornbread.) I make it first, so it can set and get "puffier." I set the oven to 400 degrees.

Next, I throw all the ingredients into the pan. In this pan, I have:

• Leftover Salsa Chicken (another one of my recipes)
• a can of corn, drained
• a can of chili beans, drained
• left over beans
• a package of taco seasoning

I mix it all up together and warm it on the stove top. Because my pan is oven-proof, I just leave it in the pan. If you don't have an oven-proof pan, you can put it in a casserole dish. The size would depend on how much "stuff" you through together. I probably would put this in a 13x9 pan. As it is, I don't "grease" the pan, but I might do a few sprays if I put it in a different dish.

See, the cornbread batter much "puffier."  I pour this directly over the stuff in the pan and spread it around to make a smooth even layer. 

Check the the cornbread mix box. I start checking time according to the time on the box. For instance, the box said 15-20 minutes, so I started checking then, but I kept checking back until it was the golden brown I wanted. This was 30 minutes in the oven.

This is what it looks like after your husband takes the first piece! It is a little juicy because I included the juice from my salsa chicken to add taste. Not a big deal. 

The last time I made it, I used ground turkey, chili beans, corn, green peppers, and taco seasoning. Leftover chili would work. Taco meat. Stew. Make your own cornbread recipe. Basically, any leftovers or ingredients you think would taste good with cornbread are what you use!

You could make a smaller one by using less stuff and only one box of cornbread. We like leftovers, however!

So, what would you use in your cornbread pie?  I'd love more ideas!

Quote-Dr. Ravi Zacharias

"It is a mindless philosophy that assumes that one's private beliefs have nothing to do with public office. Does it make sense to entrust those who are immoral in private with the power to determine the nation's moral issues and, indeed, its destiny? .... The duplicitous soul of a leader can only make a nation more sophisticated in evil." -- Dr. Ravi Zacharias

Using the Chore Bundle to Bring Family Harmony {Giveaway}

Don't tell anyone this, okay?


Recently, my mom and one of my sisters got into a BIG argument. Like most arguments that culminate with two adults yelling at each other on the front lawn with neighbors watching, the disagreement was in part about differences in housekeeping. 

What? Your family doesn't argue about cleaning houses?

You see, both mom and I were raised by my grandparents. They were both perfectionists. My grandmother was great at keeping the house clean before her health deteriorated, so my mom and I were never expected to do much, because, after all, if we did it, my grandmother would "just have to do it again." As such, we're not overly picky housekeepers. We both appreciate a lived in look and are not traumatized if the sofa is covered with papers and needs to be cleared off or there's a basket of clean clothes that haven't been put away. Mom, however, has a tiny-touch of hoarding mixed in. You have to understand, she was raised by parents who had just survived the Great Depression. You save anything you might have to use for later.

My sisters, on the other hand, grew up with mom. I think her little-bit of pack-rat along with lack of major housekeeping concerns made them swing the pendulum clear back the other way. Both of their homes are immaculate. If there is the slightest bit of clutter or dust....{shiver}...it's a catastrophe.

So, the two generations collided at mom's house the other day. 

I sit here typing this at a kitchen table is covered with several notebooks, a brush, a broken frisbee, books, magazines, a dirty coffee cup, dry erase board, sunglasses...I think you get the picture. I haven't given up attempting to grow and change my housekeeping ways, however. As long as I have breath, I can work on having a cleaner house and teaching my daughter the benefit of diligence and duty.

That's why when I had the chance, I chose Chores: Many Hands Make Light the Work from Eternal Encouragement. This bundle includes 6 e-books and 4 MP3 that you can listen to online or download.

Now, I've reviewed a bundle by Mrs. Lorrie Flem before and it was a blessing. The format has changed, however, and it's sooo convenient now. Instead of getting a bunch of separate documents, you now get one document with everything in it. You get all the e-books and articles back-to-back in one PDF which also includes the links to listen or download the audios. It's so easy to use and pretty. 

The contents are equally easy to use and, well, if not pretty, they will at least make your home look pretty. Keep in mind the title mentions many hands, so there are many ideas on how to teach and include your children into the cleaning process. I appreciate that help since I work at including my daughter so she isn't clueless when she grows up AND child labor is free! It's a win-win!

One thing Lorrie mentioned was the steps in teaching your child how to clean something.

1. I do, you watch.
2. I do, you help.
3. You do, I help.
4. You do, I watch.
5. You do, I inspect.
Isn't that great? You don't just assume they know or assume they get it the first time. Also, you can start at a fairly early age with this process, so by the time you watch or just inspect, you will see things actually being accomplished.

While there is a lot about children, the principles and practices still apply to cleaning as a whole. For instance, I'm more than willing to reward myself with a package of M&Ms as I sort through my magazine and paper basket!

I appreciate how practical and detailed the ideas are, but along with that, Lorrie shares the fact that how she does it may not be the way I do it. Each of us are at different places in our lives. My home with one 7-year-old will look different than Lorrie's home with 7 kids still at home. She encourages you to take her ideas and modify them for your own use.

There's a lot more I could share, but you need to get the bundle yourself to truly benefit. Here's a treat! You can actually enter to win your own bundle! First you go HERE. Second, you mention that you found out about it here on Mrs. Price is Right about Homeschooling. Lastly, you provide your name and mailing address. That's it.
Make sure to enter THE GIVEAWAY!

I am reviewing Encouraging Moments as an official member of The Gabby Moms blogging program for Eternal Encouragement magazine.  I did not receive compensation for this post and all opinions are solely my own.

Graphic Organizers 101--posted at Home Educating Family Blog

Today my article is posted over at Home Educating Family Blog! I even included links to various kinds of graphic organizers along with ways to use them. Check it out.

15 Tips on Blogging from John Newton

by Tony Reinke | May 3, 2012

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John Newton, the slave-trade ship captain turned pastor and hymn-writer, wasn't exactly a blogger. Many of his writings, however, fit in the category of we today would call blogging. He wrote mostly letters — small, topically oriented and experience-based pieces — and he became increasingly aware those letters would be published for a wider audience. When you pick up a copy of his published letters and begin reading, they remind today’s reader of the blog style many Christians find edifying.

Here are 15 lessons from John Newton on letter-writing that will serve blog writers (all quotes taken from The Works of John Newton, 6-volumes).

Great ideas even for non-bloggers. Read the 15 tips HERE at Desiring God.

Friday Funny--Spelling Bee 2.0

FYI--The real Scripps National Spelling Bee will be May 30-31.

Solar Eclipse on Sunday, May 20--Info. and Ideas

It will be Sunday afternoon/early evening. It will be partial for most of the U.S. and not at all for the East Coast.  Eastern Asia and the West Coast will be prime. Every since we read Every Soul a Star in the National Homeschool Book Award Club, we have really been interested in solar eclipses.


Space.com has a lot of great articles about it. Here are a few:
Sunday's Solar Eclipse: Where and How to See It
'Ring of Fire' Solar Eclipse on May 20
Annular Solar Eclipse Photo guide


Here's some sources of information about eclipes:
Solar Eclipse Primer


Source SPACE.com: All about our solar system, outer space and exploration


Here are some ways you can safely view the eclipse:
How to View an Eclipse
How to Watch a Partial Solar Eclipse Safely
How to Safely View the Upcoming Solar Eclipse


Want some solar eclipse worksheets or crafts or activities?
Label the Solar Eclipse
Crayon Resist
Do-It-Yourself Solar Eclipse
Sun Facts, Printables, and Activities for Kids

Sunday Coupon Preview AND chance to win a year's worth of coupons!

Click the link above not only to check out what inserts there will be, but for a chance to win a year's worth of Sunday newspaper coupons!

Memorization using Chants, Cheers and Poems

Last week, I shared about using songs and singing as a way of helping memorization.
This week, I'm going to mention using chants and poems. Of course, there a a lot of already written. 
I typed in "poem colors of the rainbow for kids" and found this within seconds.

Rainbow Colors by Sharon MacDonald

A rainbow of colors,
In the light, after rain.
There are seven of them,
And, each one has a name.

Red is the first
Rainbow color in the sky.
Orange is next
Like jack-o-lantern pie.

Yellow is the third,
Lemons come to mind.
Color four is green,
Think of grassy hills to climb

Blue is color five,
Like the water in a lake
The sixth is indigo
Blue-gray blends that you can make.

Violet is the color
Of the last rainbow band.
Violet is flowery;
Like the pedals in your hand.

So, wave your arms above you
Cast your colors high
And, try to make a rainbow
Across a cloudy sky

Cute poem. Puts the colors in the right order, so it would be appropriate to tie into science which is what I would do.

I, however, have to make things difficult more challenging and come up with things on my own.

When we were learning when to read a soft "c" and a hard "c". I came up with a cheer, and yes, we did it like a cheer with pompoms and everything.

"C" says |s| before i and e.

"C" says |k| before the other three:

A! O! U!

We recently finished the Explorers chapter in Story of the World Vol. 2. (Yes, I know I'm running behind, thank you). I wanted to come up with something to help her remember the four explorers mentioned in the chapter. So, I adapted the well-known stanza about Columbus and added one of my own.

Columbus sailed the ocean blue

in 14 hundred and 92.

Amerigo Vespucci knew

He discovered a continent that's new.

Once mija got the concept, she helped me finish our composition! Here's the whole poem.

Columbus sailed the ocean blue

in 14 hundred and 92.

Amerigo Vespucci knew

He discovered a continent that's new.

Da Gama sailed to India.

He sailed around "dark" Africa.

Magellan found a stormy strait

and found a calm sea.

He named it the Pacific,

and around the world went he.

(FYI: He actually didn't make it all around since he died, but his ship did.)

She loves it and has gone around the house repeating it all the time. I think the fact that she partly composed it makes a difference. She has an investment in it. It also made a special memory with us working on it together besides being school work!

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Vistaprint - Mommy Must Haves

Mother’s day may be over, but wouldn't it be to be spoiled year round! Treat yourself at a low cost this week because six essential premium Vistaprint products are now $3 or less each. Shipping is around $5-7.50. These deals are good until May 31.

Always be just a phone call away with Mommy Contact Cards. At just $2 for 25, you can share important information about your children with teachers, babysitters and everyone on the playground.  I think these would also be handy for co-ops, conventions, etc.!! Also, you can get 100 for only $7.49 and the same amount of shipping as 25!

Show off your kids in style with a personalized a photo book for $3. You can add all your favorite snapshots and customize a theme.

Treat yourself to some personalized stationery with note cards at $2 and return address labels at $2, too. You can find a matching set or pick from over 1,000 fun and trendy designs. 

Stamps are perfect for staying organized with mail, packing or storage. Customize one to fit your needs for $2. 

And who doesn’t want a personalized coffee mug with a smiley photo of your child? Get one for just $3! Plus, enjoy FREE uploads! Father's Day is coming up! This could be a great and inexpensive gift!

Easy Peasy Art Lesson Website

I just found out about The Artist's Toolkit. It's an easy to navigate website that teaches art elements and principles like line, symmetry, tint and shade, etc. 
Each lesson has three sections:

Watch an animated demonstration

Find examples of the concept in works of art from museums

Create your own composition

There are also a few videos of artists in action and an encyclopedia which illustrates the explanations using paintings. I really like how they incorporate actual art into the lessons.
For instance, we did the lesson about cool and warm. One of the paintings they used to teach about the concept was:

Van Gogh--Olive Tree

I would recommend for younger children, you watch with them. Mija really enjoyed it, but it helped that I was there to bring to mind the principle we were learning. That's all I did; the website did the rest!

Happy Mother's Day to my super friends!

Friday Funny--Camping

Received this funny from 

The loaded mini-van pulled in to the only remaining campsite. Four children leaped from the vehicle and began feverishly unloading gear and setting up the tent. The boys rushed to gather firewood, while the girls and their mother set up the camp stove and cooking utensils. 

A nearby camper marveled to the youngsters' father, "That, sir, is some display of teamwork." 

The father replied, "I have a system: no one goes to the bathroom until the camp is set up."

Sunday Coupon Preview

Make a joyful noise--Singing Scripture and other Subjects

A few weeks ago, I posted about my church's ladies' retreat. One of the things that was discussed was Scripture memorization. 
It was reassuring to hear John Piper share that we'll forget 90% of what we memorize, but then we can just memorize it again!

We had a guest speaker, Karen Eppler, share about the Bible memory program she uses for children that involves singing. She even has a cool rebus for each verse. What a way to engage not only auditory but visual learners, as well. You can get her rebuses, tunes, and verses HERE.


Many studies have shown that setting things you want to memorize to music is a great way to help memorize it and retain it. This article mentions that fact as well as giving some ideas like using sign language or movement which would also encourage kinesthetic learners.


One of the easier ways is to bring a tune to Scripture or anything else you want to memorize is to set it to a tune you already know. That's called a "piggy-back" song. I LOVE PIGGY-BACK SONGS!! I'm not creative enough to come up with a new melody AND already knowing the tune means I don't have to memorize that  part.


For instance, my friend Susan (of Susan's Book Group) taught mija and me I Corinthians 13:4-8a ESV by singing it to "Silent Night". I taught my daughter the whole list of prepositions by singing them to the theme from the Micky Mouse Club. I got that here.


There are sooooo many sources of memory songs for both Bible and other subjects. I find a lot on YouTube.com. Sometimes I write them myself. If you're a little uncertain about doing it yourself HERE was a nice article with some suggestions on how to do it.


Just to show what can be done, here's mija singing the first part of the Declaration of Independence which I set to the tune of "This Old Man".  She was 4 at the time.

New Coupons: Yoplait, Purex, Welch's, Ensure & MORE

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Follow Me on Pinterest

Pinterest can be quite addicting. It can also be a great resource. I've shared previously things I have done from Pinterest. Well, I just wanted to let you know that I've been organizing my boards to make them more useful to you should you follow me. I've separated all my "education" boards according to subject or theme.  So feel free, to "follow me" on Pinterest as I pin somethings that I might not post here on my blog or my FB page.
So...

Oh, and don't forget ny page above for Helpful Homeschool Websites. I'm constantly adding sites there, too.

Mother's Day at Currclick----now through May 15th

Eternal Encouragement Facebook Party--Monday, May 14

By now you know Eternal Encouragement blesses my socks off. On Mother's Day Monday, May 14, Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement will be hosting a Facebook party so you can get your socks blessed, too. It will be 3-5 PM EST which will be 2-4 PM CST which is my time. You don't have to stay the whole time; you can come and go as you please. Some stop by the Eternal Encouragement Facebook page for the party!

New Coupons--Kashi, Hot Pockets, Keebler & More

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Summer Reading Programs & Book Report printable

I really enjoy summer reading programs and so does mija. 
She especially like the extra activities and prizes. In fact, the only time we go to see the Kansas City Royals play is when we get free tickets through a local library's summer reading program! 
I like it because it's a great to get rewarded for something you'd do anyway. Also, in a state that counts hours for homeschooling, it's a fun way to catch up on hours for this school year or get ahead on hours for next school year!
And yes, usually you can count the books you read for more than one program which makes it convenient. Read each program to find out any specific details.


First of all, check you local libraries for their programs. Here are links for the summer reading programs of some of the libraries in the Kansas City Metro area. (The rest of you can skip ahead!)
Mid-Continent Public Library
Kansas City Public
Johnson County Library
(If you know the links to any of the others, feel free to leave them in the comments or on my FB page.


Don't limit summer reading to only libraries, however.  Here are some other ones to consider. (Thanks, Kansas City Mamas)

Book Adventure – Sylvan offers this FREE online reading incentive program. After your child reads a book, they take a simple comprehension quiz to make sure they understood what they read. (Similar to AR tests.)

There are hundreds of books to choose from in all reading levels. These are common books that can be found at your local library. Once they have earned enough points they can trade them in for some really neat prizes.

Half Price Books – They are offering kids ages 14 and under a chance to earn a $5 Gift Card for reading just 15 each day throughout the summer.

PBS Kids Summer Reading Challenge – This challenge kicks off on June 6th and includes a FREE six week reading program and the chance for your kids to win daily prizes for their participation.

Barnes & Noble Imagination Destination – This summer reading program through Barnes & Noble gives your child the ability to earn a FREE book after reading 8 books and keeping track of them in a reading log. (Find your local Kick Off Parties.)

Chuck E. Cheese – Earn 10 FREE tokens every time your child reads for 2 weeks in a row. Just fill out the form and bring it in to claim your free token.

Scholastic Summer Challenge - Log in your reading minutes to the Scholastic site and your child will be able to participate in a World Record challenge as well as earn digital prizes.

To make it easier for me to keep track of what books mija will be reading, I developed a small book report form that you are more than welcome to use as well. Here's what it looks like:

Even before the summer starts, it's time to sign up for the Pizza Hut Book It Program for next school year. Locally, we have a group of homeschoolers who meet at Pizza Hut once a month to use their certificates and fulfill the much touted socialization quotient!




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Free Prilosec Sample

$2.00 for a Jamba Juice--Yummy for your tummy and your wallet!

We don't have a Jamba Juice near us, but I know some of you do.  $2.00 seems like a good deal to me!!