Great Christian Homeschooler Christmas Gift Ideas & Giveaway

Great Christian Homeschooler Christmas Gift Ideas & Giveaway

At this time of year, I wish I were Oprah and could afford to give all my readers my favorite things for Christmas. While I can’t do that, I’m thrilled that I’ve been given some amazing gifts to pass on, many of them from 2 to 1 Conference Sponsors. If you’re a homeschooler involved in social media, I hope you’ll join me at 2 to 1 in October, 2016!

I am also purchasing a few of these gifts to bless a couple of my readers. I encourage you to enter for a chance to win the gifts in both giveaways, but to purchase them as well. If you win, some of your Christmas shopping is done! Would you like to hear more about these great gifts? Scroll down to see the Periscope video where I share more.

 

Great Christmas Gift Ideas for Christian Homeschoolers & Giveaway

Great Gifts for Homeschoolers

 

Ultimate Homeschool Planner

The Ultimate Homeschool Planner

I am all about sanity for homeschoolers and there’s nothing like a planner to organize you and give you peace of mind. This comprehensive planner by Debra Bell is flexible enough to be used with any kind of homeschooling approach for up to six kids. My favorite aspect of the planner is that you’re encouraged to plan spiritually and to reflect on God’s grace to you throughout the week. Another huge plus is space to record the little victories! The planner was a gift from Apologia. I know you’ll love it! But if you want to make this an even better gift for yourself, ask for a night away to do some planning for the new year.

Exploring Creation Field Trip Journal

The Exploring Creation Field Trip Journal

You can make any field trip you take this year that much more educational with this journal. Your kids will write about the story of their day and what they want to remember. But there are also spaces for specific field trips like state and seasonal trips. You don’t have to use Apologia Science to enjoy this journal.  You could add a certificate to this promising a fun field trip. We have used a Groupon for rock climbing as a gift–a big hit! The journal is also a gift from Apologia.
DIY Homeschool Reading Curriculum

Kids’ Reading Journal

Speaking of journals, if you’d like your kids to document their reading and learn more about literature at the same time, you’ll love the Kids’ Reading Journal. It’s so cute that once again, I want to write in it! Even better, it doesn’t bore kids by requiring the same journaling every day and it uses short entries that don’t overwhelm kids. Add a set of great books as a gift for young readers. The journal is a gift from Kim Sorgius of NotConsumed.com.

 

 

20th Century Music Appreciation curriculum
21 Lessons in 20th Century American Music Appreciation Black Friday/ Cyber Monday $10 off sale

21 Lessons in 21st Century Music Appreciation

I’ve raved about this curriculum before. The truth is that I don’t care as much about my kids learning about 21st Century music as I do about learning it myself! The lessons are short and fun — perfect for a unit study, co-op, or just to use when you need a break from your regular curriculum, like now!  Add a musical instrument that your child would like to try as a gift, like this beginner’s guitar. This curriculum is a gift from Gena Mayo of IChooseJoy.org.

Yancy and Friends Praise Party

Yancy & Friends Little Praise Party DVD

Maybe you have little ones who aren’t old enough to truly appreciate 21st Century music. They’ll love this DVD music video that includes Christmas and Easter praise songs. This would make a great stocking stuffer. A portable DVD player with headphones would be extra fun. It’s a gift from YancyMinistries.com.

 

If I Were a Puzzle by Kenneth Good

What would a homeschool gift package be without a book? This picture book by a pastor teaches character and would be a great gift (along with a puzzle like this underwater scene floor puzzle) for your preschooler. It’s a gift from Kenneth Good.

Enter the giveaway below and then scroll down to check out the gifts exclusively for you.

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Great Gifts for Christian Homeschool Moms

Well Planned Day On the Go Planner The Well Planned Day, On the Go Planner  You have your Ultimate Homeschool Planner, but what about the rest of your life? The pretty Well Planned Day Planner tucks in your purse keeping your appointments and to-do’s organized with place for meal planning as well. Keep up with your goal to read through the Bible this year with the reading plan. Make this an extra-special gift for you or a friend by adding a set of my favorite erasable pens. The planner is a gift from HEDUA.   That I May Know Him Bible Study  The Christmas season is a perfect time for you to delve into a Bible study specifically about knowing the Lord better. It’s a short study, making it perfect for the busy holiday season. A new Bible with study notes would make this an even better gift.  This is a gift from Homeworks By Precept. The Renewing Your Mind Project  This book by Barb Raveling, a Bible study author who homeschooled her children, has changed my life. Next to the Bible, it is my #1 resource for managing emotions, changing habits, and meeting goals. I love it so much that the Kindle version is a gift from me to you. Add an “I Can Do Everything Through Him” journal to make this an especially generous gift for you or a friend. Moodstruck 3D Lashes Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes+ Mascara from Younique  Not long after I started using Periscope, I saw a broadcast by Kristin Blackwell who demonstrated this mascara. It doesn’t just coat the lashes with liquid, but with fibers that make the lashes appear thicker–much thicker. I ordered it immediately and love it. The mascara is a gift from Kristin Blackwell. Add an eyelash curler as an extra gift. Norwex Window/Polishing Cloth  One thing that drives me crazy as a homemaker with many kids is keeping my windows clean. Why do kids feel the need to touch windows constantly? Cleaning them in the typical way involves lots of cleaner and paper towels that invariably leave residue on the windows. When I tried a Norwex cloth with plain water, I was astounded. It leaves my windows cleaner than any other method I’ve tried. My daughter helped me demonstrate in this Periscope broadcast. The Norwex cloth is a gift from me. Add a water mister bottle and you’re all set. Revlon ColorStay Overtime Lipstick  I am usually too busy and lazy to reapply lipstick. When it’s gone, it’s gone. When I learned that there was a lipstick that I could apply once and have it last all day, I ordered it right away. And it works! It lasts so long that the only way to get it off completely is to wash it off. I use a makeup-removing toilette. It can make your lips feel a little drier than with no lipstick on at all. I like to reapply the gloss at those times and I wear Carmex to bed at night to keep my lips moist all day. The lipstick is a gift from me. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Are you looking for more gift ideas? Check out 60 of the Best Christmas Gifts for Kids.

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Why We Need a Sabbath Rest

Why We Need a Sabbath Rest

It was Daylight Saving Time and my husband tried to change the time on our oven. He told me had had some trouble with it and I wasn’t worried. I’d changed it many times before. But when I tried to change the time, I noticed that I couldn’t do anything with the oven. It wasn’t working. There was some kind of strange error code. I tried flipping the breaker, but to no avail. It was time to call appliance repair.

Why We Need a Sabbath Rest

The repairman arrived and glanced at the error code. “Oh, it’s in Sabbath mode,” he said.

“Sabbath mode?”

“Yup. You just need to look up how to get it out of that mode in your manual.”

I couldn’t find the manual quickly, so Google explained that I just had to hold the clock button down to change it.

“That’ll be $75,” the repairman said. OK, so he wasn’t that rude, but that’s what it cost us to fix our oven. Ugh.

Why Do You Need a Sabbath Mode?

My husband kept thinking about the $75 bill, but I kept thinking about an oven mode that kept you from using the oven. Why would one need that?

I know that Jewish people observing the Sabbath aren’t allowed to cook. But why would you need to disable your oven? Couldn’t you just not bake?

A few weeks have passed since I asked myself these questions–a few weeks full of stress and busyness and what one of my Periscope viewers (catch the replay below) called “the creep.” In that time, I have felt exhausted, sick, and discouraged. Guess why.

  • I had been ignoring my rule about not working past 8 p.m.
  • I had been ignoring my rule about not working on Sundays
  • I had been ignoring my rule about not working through lunch

The short answer to why I was starting to fall apart is that I hadn’t used my Sabbath mode.

We need a Sabbath mode so we can be strong physically.

Lack of sleep and unscheduled time can lead to illness and exhaustion that can sideline us for weeks or months. Our bodies weren’t created for continuous operation. In Mark 2:27, Jesus says: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” God asked His people to rest, not because He needed them to, but because they needed to.

We need a Sabbath mode so we can be strong emotionally.

I don’t know about you, but the most exhausting parts of my life are emotional, not physical strain. If I don’t have down time to process it, pray about, and talk about it, I will get testy. If it goes on long enough, I will get depressed. I love what Psalm 127:2 says about rest: “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” Rest is God’s gift to us.

We need a Sabbath mode so we can be strong spiritually.

Exodus 20:11 says: “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day.” When we work seven days a week, we can begin to believe that we are even more important than God. Even though I use my oven A LOT, life in our home wasn’t much different. We got to go out and I made meals that didn’t have to be baked. If you take a Sabbath rest, your family will survive, too.

When Are You Going to Go Into Sabbath Mode?

I determined that I need to turn my Sabbath mode on again at lunch time, after 8 p.m., and on Sundays. I asked not to be scheduled for tennis matches on Sundays unless I am really needed. I am going to tell my family to object if I try to keep working after 8 p.m.

Decide when your Sabbath will be and how you will keep your buttons from being pushed to keep working.

Need more? Catch the video where I discuss needing Sabbath and consider reading

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FREE Funny Winter Writing Prompts

FREE Funny Winter Writing Prompts

Humor is a great way to motivate kids to write. When we give kids freedom to write what they think is funny (as long as it isn’t hurtful or offensive), they can discover the joy in writing. While some of these writing prompts aren’t funny in and of themselves, they open the door for your student’s comedic genius.

Free Funny Winter Writing Prompts

 

Get the Printable Prompts HereSubscribers will find the printables in the folder linked at the bottom of your email.   Just like the funny fall writing prompts I created, these writing prompts are appropriate for all ages. Younger kids can dictate their writing to you. These are the kinds of cute papers that will be keepsakes! New writers will appreciate the printables I’ve created for subscribers with colorful pictures and handwriting lines. Older writers can use their own paper or type their responses.

These winter writing prompts include Christmas and Valentine’s Day topics

 

    • Five things that wouldn’t make good Christmas gifts are:

 

  • Make up a recipe for fruitcake that explains why few people like it.

 

 

  • Write about who the Gingerbread Man would run into in your neighborhood and who would end up eating him.

 

 

  • Write your ideal Christmas Day schedule

 

 

  • Write a nice thank you note for an ugly Christmas sweater

 

 

  • Write a letter from a snowman to a weather forecaster complaining about the warm temperatures

 

 

  • If snowflakes could talk, they would say…

 

 

  • If you had the power to freeze things like Elsa from the movie Frozen, how would you use your power?

 

 

  • Describe a sled ride down a hill from a dog’s perspective

 

 

  • Write lyrics for the song a love-sick cat would sing

 

 

  • Create the perfect candy for Valentine’s Day, listing ingredients and directions

 

 

  • Describe a cold to someone who’s never had one before

 

 

  •  

    Click the Graphic Below to Access the Printables

    You’ll also receive tips for teaching kids to write funny. (You know what I mean.) Or get the printables here.

    If your child writes something really funny, share it with me at psychowith6 at gmail dot com and I may share it on the blog.

 

 

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How to Use Video to Enhance Any Homeschool Curriculum

How to Use Video to Enhance Any Homeschool Curriculum

How to use video to enhance any curriculum

I received free access to a video streaming service and was compensated for my time. All opinions are my own.

Video has long gotten a bad rap. We’ve heard that watching TV in particular has a negative impact on achievement. But did you know that this negative association with video is for very young children or for entertainment viewing and NOT for educational viewing? Quality educational videos can help our kids learn. If you’ve used videos in your homeschool, you already know this to be true.

How Video Can Help You Go Deeper with Any Subject

While my kids and I prefer to learn from books, we all appreciate the addition of video. Here’s why:

  1. Video can help students make emotional connections to dry material. Can I just be real and say that not everything we study is fascinating? But video is attention-grabbing. A child who is getting drowsy while you are reading is suddenly alert when you play a video. I’ve heard some parents say how sad this is. I think it’s wonderful! We have another option for capturing the imaginations of our kids. When my children seem bored, I love to show them something gross. Whether it’s an ugly animal, a surgery, or a description of medieval weapons, gross videos make facts memorable.
  2. Video can explain challenging concepts, especially for visual learners. The creativity and special effects characteristic of today’s videos can simplify material your child is struggling with, whether it’s math, language arts, or a science experiment. The added bonus is that video can explain higher-level concepts to younger students. If older brother is watching a history video, chances are good that younger sister will want to watch too. If it’s appropriate, you can let her, knowing that she is learning.
  3. Video is an amazing medium for review. My kids love to read for our history curriculum. But honestly, it’s a lot to remember! Video is an enjoyable way to review for the whole family. My husband is working when we are reading, but he loves to learn with us by watching videos on the same subject in the evening.

How to Find Video to Enhance Your Homeschool Curriculum

There are a number of places I have found videos that will help you enjoy the above benefits. I have used:

  • the library.  This is more time-consuming, so not my favorite.
  • Subscription video service. Many of the educational videos I want are DVD only. Sometimes when they arrive, they are unplayable.
  • YouTube. I love the range of videos, but hate the commercials.

Because I was dissatisfied with at least one aspect of other places to find videos, I was eager to try CuriosityStream.

CuriosityStream

It’s the world’s first ad-free, on-demand streaming service for quality programs that educate, inspire and entertain. CuriosityStream delivers over 1,000 titles of high-quality documentaries and series created by the most accomplished producers from around the world, whenever and wherever you want to watch.

 

CuriosityStream is on-demand, so I don’t have to spend time driving to the library. There are no unplayable DVDs and no commercials! You can bookmark videos that will enhance what you’re studying. We’ve been studying Shakespeare for history, so I am looking forward to watching a documentary about him. The kids wanted to learn about T-Rex, so I indulged them.

Watching CuriosityStream curiositystream3

I promised an honest review, so I have to say that I’m not that interested in T-Rex. In fact, I’d prefer to keep this service a secret from the kids so I can watch all the amazing documentaries I’m interested in!

As with any video service, you will have to screen the content for what is appropriate for your family.

How to Enjoy CuriosityStream Now

You can get a free 30-day trial at CuriosityStream by clicking the Start Your Free Month button. You can also get a 15% discount for two additional months (through 11-1-15) with the code homeschool.

  1. Standard Definition (regularly $2.99) will be reduced to $2.50 each month for two months after the free trial month (total charge $5).
  2. High Definition (regularly $5.99) will be reduced to $5.09 each month for two months after the free trial month (total charge $10.18).

CuriosityStream is a great option for families who don’t get educational programming through cable. Be sure to follow CuriosityStream for updates on:

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a Miracles of Nature documentary to watch!

 

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6 of the Best Short Workouts You Can Do at Home

6 of the Best Short Workouts You Can Do at Home

6 of the Best Short Workouts You Can Do at Home

Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health. We know that, but it can be tough to do long workouts with our busy schedules. As a homeschooling mom, writer, and speaker, I know all about being time pinched. That’s why I love short workouts. If you choose the right workouts, they can be just as effective in helping you get fit and reduce stress as longer workouts. Here are my top six picks for short workouts you can do at home.

Scroll down to watch the Periscope broadcast of this post.

#1 Bill Phillips’ 20-minute HIIT

Ever since I completed the 12-week Body for Life challenge, I have continued to enjoy the high-intensity interval training that is part of the program. Each interval is one minute long. Your intensity is rated on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being no difficulty and 10 being as hard as you can work. You do two minutes at a 5 intensity to warm up. You then do a 6-7-8-9 intensity rotation four times. You end with a 10 intensity and a 5 to cool down. I usually take longer to cool down.

Why I’m Crazy About It:

This workout can be done with almost any form of cardio you enjoy. It automatically adjusts for days when your energy is low. You can buy Body for Life or you can just follow the instructions above for free.

21 Day Fit

#2 Shawn Phillips’ 21-Day Fit

There is no question that the 45-minute weight training plan espoused in Body for Life is effective, but I wanted something quicker. When I learned about his brother Shawn’s plan, I knew it was perfect. You lift a challenging weight for a 30-second interval followed by a 30-second rest. You will need some dumbbells, but that’s all. You can sign up to get the exercise list at 21 Day Fit for free (Link is no longer active). I have used this workout for years and love it. I listen to music on my phone and use the Interval app so I know when to start and stop. I set the app up to change songs as well.

Why I’m Crazy About It:

It’s short, free, and provides the weight training that is critical to fitness and weight management. I also love that I can listen to my own music while I do it.

#3 Jillian Michaels’s 30 Day Shred

This video uses Jillian’s hallmark rotation of cardio, strength training, and abs. It’s challenging, but she provides modifications and reminds viewers that she has 400-pound people doing these exercises. There are three levels of difficulty.  It’s 20 minutes plus a short warm-up and cool down.

Why I’m Crazy About It:

I love the rotations and Jillian’s motivational style. It’s short, intense, and effective. This workout succeeded in eliminating the back pain my friend had suffered with for years. It retails for under $7. You can’t beat that!

Daily Burn 15

#4 Daily Burn 15

These subscription online workouts are really just 15 minutes long. But don’t be fooled. They’re challenging! There are a number of 15-minute workouts to choose from. I watched them from an older Mac, but you could watch by attaching a computer to a bigger screen. Daily Burn offers a free trial to see if it’s for you.

Why I’m Crazy About It

I love that it truly is just 15 minutes long and that there are a variety of instructors to choose from. It’s cool that you can chat with instructors on Facebook via the website, too.

20 Minute Winter Workout for Kids printable

#5 Marie Claire’s 20-Minute Workout

I wrote about how great this workout can be for kids, but it’s great for anyone who wants a short workout. It requires no equipment except for a time keeper.

Why I’m Crazy About It

It’s a great workout to do when you travel because you do stairs. It’s also easy to make it a ten-minute workout by doing just one round.

Chalene Johnson's Turbo Fire

#6 Chalene Johnson’s Turbo Fire

The complete set of DVDs in Turbo Fire includes 15-, 20-, and 25-minute high-intensity interval workouts. You’ll get your heart rate up and can get on with your day. This is the most expensive option I’ve listed at about $70 at the time of this writing. BeachBody does have sales, however.

Why I’m Crazy About It

Chalene has a way of making you feel like exercise is great fun. She’s the most energetic fitness instructor out there.

Choose one of these workouts to start with OR simply modify a tougher workout. Just because a workout runs for an hour, you’re not required to do it all. I often do just 15-20 minutes of a longer workout. Right now I am doing that with the excellent workouts from Roca Body Fitness.

Want more fitness inspiration? Follow my board on Pinterest.
Follow Dr. Melanie Wilson @psychowith6’s board Fitness Inspiration on Pinterest.

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6 Lies That Keep Us From Praying

6 Lies That Keep Us From Praying

6 Lies That Keep Us From Praying & the Truth That Will Get Us Into Our War Rooms

If you haven’t seen the movie, War Room, I highly recommend it. It’s about the victory we can have through prayer. Sadly, too many of us don’t pray regularly. I think that’s because we have believed the enemy’s lies about it.

Want to watch the video of this post instead? Scroll down.

#1 We don’t have time to pray.

This is a big lie! We imagine that we have to devote an hour of uninterrupted time to pray or we can’t pray at all.

The truth is that, unlike many other activities, we can multitask when we pray. We can pray while we drive, exercise, and do laundry.

We don’t have to set aside a specific time to pray (although that is an excellent practice). We are to be praying all through the day.

TRUTH: We have time to pray.

Rejoice always, pray continually… 1 Thessalonians 5:16

#2 We are too emotional to pray.

When we are angry, crying in despair, or even celebrating a blessing, we may believe we aren’t in the right emotional state to pray. Yet the Bible is full of prayers written by people who are very emotional.

Our emotions should prompt us to pray! God is not put off by our emotions. Yesterday I was angry and was tempted not to pray. I resisted the temptation and took my upset to the Lord in prayer. Within minutes, the anger was gone.

In the middle of an emotional state, we may not know what to pray. At those times, we can simply say His name.

TRUTH: Emotional times are the best times to pray.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:26

#3 We are too imperfect to pray.

The enemy reminds us of our sin and taunts, “You are the last person who should expect help from God.” He may even twist Scriptures like Proverbs 15:29. The LORD is far from the wicked: but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

The enemy knows that if he can get us believing that we have to be good enough to have our prayers answered, that we will never pray. Who can be good enough? Thanks be to God that this isn’t His standard for answering prayer. Instead, He asks that we come to Him in truth. The Lord loves the confessing tax collector and is put off by the prideful Pharisee.

TRUTH: God wants imperfect sinners to pray.

The LORD is near to all them that call on him, to all that call on him in truth. Proverbs 15:29

#4 There is only one way to pray.

Human nature resists rules. If there is only one prayer to pray, one place to pray, or one prayer posture, we won’t want to pray.

While there are beautiful prayers like the Lord’s prayer that are scripted, all prayer is beautiful to God. Prayer is simply conversation with our Creator. Having a prayer room would be lovely, but as I mentioned in lie #1, prayer is to be happening continually. We do not have to have a prayer room. Praying on our knees or on our face before God can be a powerful part of emotional prayer, but I spend my devotional time in a recliner! I want my time devoted to prayer to be my favorite part of my day and it is.

Determine what could make prayer time your favorite time and do it. Grab your favorite beverage, a favorite spot, and your favorite tools and pray.

TRUTH: Prayer can be any words, anywhere, any way.

I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1 Timothy 2:8

#5 Our request is too small.

If you’re at church or in a Bible study and other people ask for prayer for someone with cancer or for someone who lost a job, you can feel like your request isn’t important enough to mention. We can take that attitude home with us.

The enemy knows that if he can convince us that our prayer request doesn’t compare to others’ needs, he can keep us from praying and trusting God. I wrote a post called Permission to Pray Little Prayers about this lie of the enemy. God wants us to pray about everything so we will not believe another pervasive lie: God helps those who help themselves. This is not found in Scripture. The enemy wants us to figure things out on our own. If you’d like a reminder as to why this is, reread the book of Genesis! Yes, God wants us to work for Him, but only after we have prayed.

TRUTH: God wants us to pray about everything.

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

#6 Prayer makes no difference.

This is the biggest lie about prayer. The enemy reminds us continually of our unanswered prayers–the prayers where it seems the enemy is enjoying victory. He wants us to ask, “What’s the point of prayer?”

This lie is based on Satan’s very first lie: God isn’t good. If he can get us to doubt God’s goodness, he can get us to stop praying. Many teachers today try to answer this lie by suggesting that God will always answer our prayers the way we want if we just have enough faith. But that answer suggests that God is only good if He does things our way. God is good even when our prayers aren’t answered in the way we hope.

Like a good parent, God doesn’t ask us to perform for Him in order to be loved. While we don’t know His purposes in unanswered prayer, we can know that God is good and that He loves us.

TRUTH: Prayer is powerful because God is a loving, powerful God.

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 7:11

I’m praying for you right now. Father, give this child of yours a heart to pray in spite of the enemy’s lies. Amen.

New to Periscope? Check out the page and join us at PeriSistersinChrist.com.

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