The Working Parent's Guide to Homeschooling

One-room schoolhouse, Calico Ghost Town, Yermo, CA

I am so excited.  My first book is almost complete and I just can't wait.  So I am going to serialize it, one chapter at a time.  Not only that, I am going to give away the download of each chapter for FREE for the first week!  

Now, I am still polishing up that first chapter, because I want it to be perfect for you.  So let me tell you about the book.

"The Working Mom's Parent's Guide to Homeschooling" is for anyone who's ever wanted to homeschool, but thought they couldn't unless they stayed home full time.  I've been there.  I've made mistakes, and had lots of success and I want to share what I've learned, to make it easier for you to jump in and make an incredible new life for you and your children.

In "The Working Mom's Parent's Guide to Homeschooling", I address perplexing issues, such as Scheduling (Chapter 2), Who Watches the Kids? (Chapter 3), and locating and obtaining affordable curriculum (Chapters 4, 6, 7 and 8).  

I share my thoughts on record keeping, and understanding your state's homeschooling laws (Chapter 10) and I wrap everything up with a chapter on nine different styles of homeschooling, their definitions, and where to find resources for each different style.

In these days of ereaders, social networking and high speed internet, homeschooling is possible like never before.  In "The Working Mom's Parent's Guide to Homeschooling", I hope to encourage you to commit yourself to taking charge of your children's education.  I want to give you ideas and starting points for your journey.  Most of all, I want to convince you that this is doable, regardless of your particular situation.  That with creative thinking, determination and support, you and your children can start experiencing the joys of homeschooling today!

So keep your eyes here on "Around The Homestead", for your first FREE download of "The Working Mom's Parent's Guide to Homeschooling".

Tiny Planets - Science and Space Exploration

Tiny Planets websites are a complete learning tool for 3-5 year olds and an exciting enrichment experience for older children.  Co-created by Sesame Workshops, the producers of Sesame Street, and endorsed by Montessori Centre International, Tiny Planets uses games and safe social interaction to provide an engaging science and space exploration experience. 

Tiny Planets encourages stewardship of the earth as children adopt and care for their own planet, rid the universe of trash and go on space missions with their alien friends Bing and Bong.

After I set up my Parent Account, which manages all child accounts and purchases, we began to explore the websites.  The Tiny Planets Books and TV shows offer preschoolers gentle lessons in social and emotional development, such as fear of the dark.  Other episodes treat weather cycles, patterns, music and shapes. The companion books are designed to be read online by parents and early readers.  Lesson Plans on Tiny Planets Learning tie TV and Books together along with critical thinking exercises, games and art and craft projects.  It also includes printable worksheets for letter and number recognition, as well as online puzzles and printable craft project directions.  

My seven year old son went straight to My Tiny Planets to begin his missions, get his own spaceship and adopt a planet to design and care for.  He can name his planet, grow oxygen-releasing plants to keep it healthy and choose landscapes, buildings and scenery to make it attractive.  More games are available on Tiny Planets Labs, where new content is created and tested.  Tiny Planets Fun has puzzle games, coloring books and comics for all ages to enjoy.

I enjoyed the Tiny Planets Blog, where more detailed postings cover such subjects as the planet Jupiter, Mirrors and Math, and making a Winter Scene under a clear plastic drinking cup.  I also like that Tiny Planets is designed to be a "safe" online experience for children.  There are no ads to distract from the desired content and "accidentally" click on.  All "chats" are through pre-set blurbs, programmed into the games.  Most of the content is free, although with the purchase of "keys", 10 for $1.95, parents can allow children to "buy" extra television episodes of Bing and Bong, as well as extra features for their games.

See what other Homeschool Crew members are saying about Tiny Planets:  Homeschool Crew

No compensation was received for this review.