AS WE continue celebrating National Poetry Month, I’d like to share a few more great (and free) online resources with you.

Poetry Links

Poetry-Writing Workshop with Karla Kuskin – Children’s poet Karla Kuskin helps children turn their words and ideas into descriptive and powerful poems.

Ms. Kuskin includes writing tips that she uses when she writes her own poems, as well as ideas children can use to revise their work.

10 Compelling Reasons to Memorize Poetry – Memorizing a poem can be one of the most fulfilling and fun ways to explore poetry.

10 Classic Poems - Some of the world’s most popular classic poems

Poetry Foundation – Browse for poems by title, poet, or subject matter such as ”Animals” or “Stars, Planets, Heavens” (both found in the Nature category).

Poetry in Homeschool - Need help incorporating poetry into your homeschooling? Jimmie of Jimmie’s Collage shares ideas, resources, and links.

Poetry-writing Tips for Children (or anyone!) – Plus a bonus list of 20 poetry anthologies to browse

Interactive Word Mover - Using this online too that’s similar to magnetic words, children can move individual words around to create original poems.

Poetry + Letter Writing = Fun

Not only is April National Poetry Month, it’s aslo National Card and Letter-Writing Month! Here are two ideas for incorporating poetry and letter writing.

Write a Letter to a Poet - Let the poets who you are reading know that you appreciate their work by sending them a letter.

Put a Poem in a Letter – Next time you send a letter or holiday hello, treat the addressee to a poem as well. You can put a poem directly into the text of your letter or include a typed or handwritten copy in the envelope.

Your Turn

Have you ever memorized a poem? What is one of your favorites?

If you homeschool in Southern California, you know that the CHEA Convention is one of the highlights of the year! With a great lineup of speakers and all sorts of curriculum exhibitors, you won’t want to miss this extra-special 28th annual event July 14-16.

This year, the CHEA Convention will again be held at the beautiful Pasadena Convention Center. Visit www.cheaofca.org for information, convention schedule, and downloadable workshop syllabus pages.

Vendor Booth

As you begin looking toward the next school year, it’s also the perfect time to stop by our booth to ask questions, see what’s new, or browse through WriteShop books in person. Find us in Booth #329.

At the convention you can:

• See our full line of WriteShop products
• Purchase the newest WriteShop Primary books.
• Preview the up-and-coming WriteShop Junior materials.
• Learn how you can teach a WriteShop co-op class in your area.
• Receive much-needed encouragement about teaching writing.
• Attend my workshop “Ten Stumbling Blocks to Writing” at 12:40 on Friday.

Visit the CHEA website for more information. Hope to see you there!

~Kim

Two of the largest homeschool conventions in the country take place this coming weekend, May 26-28, 2011. It’s the perfect opportunity to refresh and recharge, learn from great speakers, and browse through curriculum. Look for the WriteShop booth at both the FPEA and NCHE exhibit halls.

FPEA

If you live in the Orlando area, run—don’t walk—to this year’s outstanding Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA) Convention at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center. On Friday, May 26, Kim Kautzer will be speaking on “Teaching Writing: The Big Picture,” giving an overview of what to teach and when—and sharing loads of ideas!

• FPEA: WriteShop booth #329

NCHE

And if you homeschool in North Carolina, don’t miss out on the annual North Carolina Home Educators’ Convention (NCHE) in Winston-Salem.

• NCHE: WriteShop booth #41

At the conventions you can:

• See our full line of WriteShop products
• Purchase the newest WriteShop Primary books.
• Take a sneak peek at the exciting new WriteShop Junior series (coming soon)!
• Learn how you can teach a WriteShop co-op class in your area.
• Receive much-needed encouragement about teaching writing.

Whichever conference you attend, it will be a great time to stop by our booth to ask questions, see what’s new, or browse through WriteShop books in person. Visit the convention sites for workshop schedule, exhibit hall hours, and directions to the conventions. See you there!

And if you live on the West Coast, make sure to check WriteShop’s convention schedule to see where we’ll be next!

. . . . .

To learn more about WriteShop, visit our website at www.writeshop.com.

May is here . . . which means it’s time once again for the annual Schoolhouse Expo, May 16-20, 2011. The fun and festivities start TODAY! Celebrating its first anniversary, the Schoolhouse Expo is a fantastic opportunity for you to hear homeschooling experts share on all sorts of topics near and dear to your heart. The 2011 Expo theme is “Homeschooling with Heart.”

New High School Track

In addition to regular sessions of general interest, there’s also a High School Track this year.

The high school track offers practical and informative sessions by speakers whose expertise lies in the area of higher education. Encourage your high school student to join in—the Expo has some great things in store! If you currently are teaching a middle school student, this track will also help prepare you to successfully homeschool through the high school years.

Kim Kautzer on Timed Essays

I’m looking forward to sharing a session called “Teaching the Timed Essay,” which will be of interest to both parents and high schoolers.

Invite your teen to sit in on the session as I give tips and suggestions for approaching this often-overwhelming side of high school writing.

How to Participate

If you have already purchased a ticket to the live event, you can join in on the workshop “Teaching the Timed Essay” Thursday, May 19 at 1 p.m. EDT/noon CDT/10 a.m. PDT.

Live tickets are sold out, but don’t despair if you missed out. You can buy an Expo to Go ticket, which gives you access to every workshop presentation—including accompanying PowerPoint slide shows—via MP3 download. You can hear each session at your convenience—over and over, if you like.

Expo to Go tickets are available here: www.schoolhouseexpo.com/?page_id=14

Visit the WriteShop Virtual Vendor Booth for some special offers and freebies: www.schoolhouseexpo.com/?page_id=4823

See you there!
~Kim

“Summertime … and the livin’ is easy.”

When George Gershwin penned those memorable lyrics, he pictured warm, languid days, fish jumping so high they fairly begged to be caught, and plump bolls of cotton bursting like popcorn in rich brown fields.

He never gave a thought to the homeschooling mother of five whose 2-year-old keeps standing in the toilet and whose dog just plowed through the newly repaired screen door. The only thing jumping at her house is the frog the 8-year-old let loose in his bedroom. There’s a month of schoolwork left but only a week in which to do it, because Mom has finally announced, “I don’t care what the teacher’s guide says—on June 14, we’re DONE.” She’s looking for a break, and summertime shimmers on the horizon like an alluring mirage.

Even if you homeschool year-round, everybody’s happy when Mom declares time off. Whether just for a week or till the September leaves start turning, a well-deserved vacation gives everyone a chance to regroup, at least for a little while.

As you cut up the first ripe watermelon of summer and look forward to a bit of a breather, do enjoy that juicy— albeit temporary—slice of paradise. It won’t be long before the chanting of the summer mantra begins: “Mom, there’s nothing to do!” So when boredom rears its lazy head and tempers rise along with the thermometer, it’s wise to have a strategy to keep the kids happy and maintain harmony in your home.

Mom Time

It’s easy to plan away the summer, filling the days with activities for your restless kids. Just remember: If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. Grammar issues aside, there’s a mountain of truth in those seven words. Refill your own empty cup so you have plenty to pour over your family when school starts up again.

Read a book. Who has time to read for pleasure during the year? Don’t let summer slip away without a satisfying novel under your belt. Stretch a hammock between two shady trees some lazy afternoon and indulge in a selection from your “I’ll read it someday” list. And just in case it should cross your mind, curriculum does not count!

Ask your husband or a trusted friend to occupy the children so you can go for a walk, work uninterrupted on a project, or take a needed nap. Or get away for a little while. Don’t even think about getting the dog groomed or dropping off the dry cleaning. I’m talking about refreshment! Bible in tow, enjoy a quiet time at the park. Browse a nearby book or fabric store. Window shop. Meet your sister for coffee.

For many women, a 30-minute retreat to the tub can multiply into hours of patient parenting later on. Grab a bath pillow, some fragrant salts, a glass of iced tea, and a favorite magazine or devotional and get lost among the bubbles. Whatever you do, don’t forget to post a “Do Not Disturb Under Penalty of Death” sign.

Ignore the notes the kids slip under the door.

And those little peanut butter- covered fingers wiggling under the crack? Ignore them too.

Outings and Activities

Why not turn your house into a cool refuge by playing board games or listening to books on tape as you sprawl out on the living room floor with the fan blowing? Set aside Wednesday afternoons for renting videos and whipping up chocolate milkshakes. Chairs, card tables, and sheets make a great fort. Build your fortress and enjoy a picnic under the dining room table.

Exercise is another great way to fill time productively. Kick a soccer ball around the yard, or hop on bikes or roller blades. Sign everyone up for a sports workshop or swimming lessons. Explore a nearby creek or hiking trail or simply traipse around the neighborhood.

Homeschool moms are pros at sniffing out good field trips … but why limit them to the school year? Fit in some outings to the zoo, beach, or city. Take in a children’s museum or look into special summer programs at other venues, such as a farm, botanical garden, or space center. Contact your fire or police department to arrange a tour. Don’t plan to go out every day, but do budget time for occasional treks to the library, movies, community pool, or pizza place.

Keeping Cool

How do you maintain your cool when the temperature takes an upswing? At home, pull out the hose and beat the heat by dousing your brood with a surprise squirt. Keep in mind that kids have long memories, so you probably shouldn’t turn your back on them anytime soon, if you get my drift.

You can bring a bit of winter to a sweltering summer day by visiting an indoor ice rink. For a cheaper chill-and-thrill, buy a couple of ten-pound blocks of ice and head to a grassy slope for some “ice blocking.” Simply set a towel atop the ice block, hop on, and whoosh! Off you go—sledding in summer!

And when you’re melting in the shade, there’s nothing like a frosty refresher to soothe irritable dispositions. Stir up a chilled pitcher of fresh-squeezed lemonade or treat everyone to frozen delights from the ice cream man. Even better, make smoothies, homemade ice cream, or floats. 

(Next week, I’ll post Part 2 of this article, Summertime: No Excuse for Chaos, which will include some fun summer writing activities.)

Copyright  © 2006 Kim Kautzer
Originally appeared in The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, Summer 2006. Used with permission.

Today I feel like sharing the love. And may I just say that I love The Old Schoolhouse? This company does so much for the homeschool community. I want to let you know about some of their great free resources as well as a few other special offers and opportunities. Take advantage while they last!

FREE Resources to Download Now

Right now, TOS is offering two excellent—and free—digital resources!

The Old Schoolhouse Guide to Examining Curriculum will help you better discern how to find your way through the maze of homeschooling products. Includes helpful articles, tips, and suggestions for understanding book reviews and shopping for curriculum. Also includes a number of product reviews.

Homeschool 101 is the perfect place to get a broad overview of homeschooling in general, or enjoy reading up-to-date articles from some of the best authors and homeschool companies. With almost 200 pages full of articles and resources, you won’t want to miss this . . . and you don’t have to—it’s totally FREE!

More TOS Opportunities

The Schoolhouse Expo virtual homeschool conference was a rousing success. Did you miss it? That’s OK. Expo To Go! will provide you with all the sessions from the Schoolhouse Expo—you can listen to the MP3s of 36 different sessions.

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Vote now and be heard with the TOS 2010 Excellence in Education Awards. Take this brief survey to vote for your favorite homeschooling products. The results will be featured in the Spring 2011 issue. At the end of the survey, you will be redirected to a page where you can download two free gifts just for taking the time to vote!

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For a limited time, TOS is giving away this great tote with a subscription to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. You get 9 issues for the price of 8, the Homeschooling with Heart tote bag, E-Book: Dreams and Designs–Homemade Supplies to Complement Your Homeschool, and the July through December 2009 Schoolhouse Planner modules. It’s a $146.65 value for only $39.

Molly Fox at HomeschoolWriters.com is sponsoring a unique competition to determine the Homeschool Writer of the Year! 

Fallacy Detective Giveaway!

Tell your friends about the Homeschool Writer of the Year Competition and you will be entered into a drawing for a copy of The Fallacy Detective by Hans and Nathaniel Bluedorn. 

Click here for giveaway details

What is the Homeschool Writer of the Year Competition?

This competition is not skill-based. The homeschool student who enters the most (not wins the most) writing contests in 2010 will be named Homeschool Writer of the Year and will receive his or her choice of an Elsie Dinsmore doll or William Wallace sword. What a wonderful motivation—and challenge!—for your children.

Click here for contest details

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It’s 2010!

And now that your Christmas decorations have (we hope) come down, it’s time to shake off the winter blues and get your homeschool into gear again. Does that excite you, or does it make you want to dive under the covers?

The January Blahs 

Sometimes, it can be tough for homeschooling families to get back into gear in January. Mom feels burned out. The kids lack motivation. Foul weather doesn’t help much either and can often lead to cabin fever and a general sense of “blah.”
 
As a veteran homeschooler myself, I really want you to succeed—and not just to survive, but to thrive—which is why I love passing on great resources as they cross my path. My friend Terri Johnson of Knowledge Quest offers two fantastic homeschool classes—Homeschooling ABCs and Upper Level Homeschool—which are sure to jumpstart your homeschooling endeavors in the new year.

Signing up for either course means lots of free bonus gifts valued at up to $275, including a January-only BOGO (buy one, get one) so you and a friend can take the class together! Here’s a brief look at each class:

Class #1: Homeschooling ABCs

Homeschooling from A to Z. Whether you’re brand-new to homeschooling or have been at it for a dozen years, this excellent 26-week class will encourage you along the journey of teaching your children. If you feel overwhelmed, unmotivated, or discouraged, this class will provide focus, direction, and encouragement,.

This is absolutely a MUST TAKE class for all homeschoolers – new or seasoned! I cannot recommend it enough! I have been homeschooling for a decade, and last year lost all enthusiasm for homeschooling. I was prepared “to ship them all off to school!” Your class has helped me to refocus my goals, remember why I wanted to homeschool, and get out of the rut we were plodding through!  –LeeAnn, homeschooling mom

It’s only $10 a month for 6 months—an amazing value! To sign up or learn more about the course, check out Homeschooling ABCs.

Class #2: Upper Level Homeschool

Homeschooling Your High Schooler. Are you daunted by the idea of homeschooling through high school? Upper Level Homeschool is an online course specifically designed for homeschooling parents of middle- and high-school students. Don’t let self-doubt or lack of knowledge rob you and your teen of these very exciting years! All you need are a few basic “how-to’s” and your high schooler can be well on his way to academic success and a very bright future.

Writing is one of those areas that can intimidate the bravest of parents, so Terri invited me to contribute the course material for Tackling the Timed Essay. Drawing from the timed-essay lesson in WriteShop II and my workshop, “Teaching the Timed Essay,” I’ve put together a syllabus for you that’s jam-packed with tips for teaching timed writing, including preparing for the essay portion of the SAT college entrance exam.

And there’s so much more to this excellent 13-week course! To sign up for the class or learn more about it, check out Upper Level Homeschool. At just $15 per month for 3 months, it’s the best money you can spend to gain peace of mind about teaching your kids through high school.

Don’t forget that each of these great courses comes with fabulous bonus gifts such as forms, checklists, maps, lesson planners, and more! Check out each class to see the different bonus gifts offered.

Book B

WriteShop Primary Book B is coming!

It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted any WriteShop Primary news. (Actually, I’m embarrassed to say it’s been over a month since I posted just about anything. Read on and you’ll soon see why!)

We’re getting ready to begin an official countdown on the release of WriteShop Primary Book B, and we’re quite excited around here!

First, we’ve had an amazing group of homeschoolers beta testing the Book B lessons for us. We wrapped up the test period last month. Here’s what these moms are saying about the lessons:

“[My daughter] went from painfully writing 3-5 sentences to writing whole stories complete with beginning, middle, and ending. It even helped me not to be scared of writing.” –Andrea, CA

“Spelling improved. CONFIDENCE was a huge improvement. I had been dealing with the dreaded ‘I can’t’ and this program has helped them see ‘I CAN’! …A fantastic experience! –Cheryl, ON

“The difference in the length and complexity of [my son's] stories was astounding.” –Rebecca, CA 

Last-minute frenzy!

Right now we’re in the final editing and revising stage as we work with our dear editor friend, Sallie Borrink. As we polish up each lesson, we whisk it off to Sallie’s husband David, who did an absolutely fabulous job with the layout of WriteShop Primary Book A. He’s got a few new tricks up his sleeve for Book B, which has a few surprise components.

Meanwhile, it’s back to the drawing board for Deborah Thomson, our talented illustrator, as she turns our worksheet concepts into adorable, kid-friendly activity pages.

If all goes well and we don’t have too many wrenches tossed into the mix, we should be able to go to press by the first of June. Do I hear an amen?

What can you look forward to?

Here are some of the lessons you’ll enjoy with your first and second graders in Book B (though many of our test moms loved using the lessons with their reluctant older ones as well):

• Writing a Friendly Letter
• Standard Spelling
• Acrostics
• Poems and Nursery Rhymes
• Fairy Tales and Predictable Stories
• In the News
• Writing with Humor
• Problem and Solution
• Character and Setting
• Story Organizers

Keep watching for more info to come. Book B is just around the corner! In the meantime, visit our website for more about WriteShop Primary.

Homeschoolers in central California are looking forward to the Valley Home Educators’ 15th Annual Home Education Convention! With a great lineup of speakers and all sorts of curriculum exhibitors, you won’t want to miss this year’s conference.

This is a perfect time to stop by our booth to ask questions, see what’s new, or browse through WriteShop books in person.

At the convention you can:

• See our full line of WriteShop products
• Purchase WriteShop Primary Book A!
• Learn how you can teach a WriteShop co-op class in your area.
• Find out more about online tutoring with WriteShop.
• Receive much-needed encouragement about teaching writing.
• Attend our exhibitor workshop Teaching Writing: The Big Picture Saturday at 11:00 to learn what to teach and when!

Visit www.valleyhomeeducators.org for convention schedule, speaker line-up, and more.

At WriteShop, we’re wrapping up our 2008 convention schedule. Next weekend (August 1-3) we’ll be in Ontario, CA for the California Homeschool Network Family Expo, our final conference of the year.