Giveaway Winner & Some Housekeeping Updates

Giveaway Winner & Some Housekeeping Updates is a post from Joyful Socks Mom from the Mac RAK blog.  Thanks for stopping by!  If you haven't already Subscribe to The Mac Rak: Life Beyond Me, Myself & I by Email, take a moment to do so & be entered into our monthly $20 gift drawing!  Pop on over and follow on Facebook and Twitter - chat with you soon!

Summer.  Hotter, longer, lazier days.  Right?  Not in this house, sister!  As most of my readers know, I am anti-lazy summer approach.  I am much more an advocate for summer learning and keeping "mushy-brained" children disease at bay.  Perhaps I'm all for ridding the world of "mushy-brained" children altogether.  Do you think I have my work cut out for me?


Well, we have been hard at work, here at Mac Homeschool.  The kids and I have taken a week break (organizing our notebooks and finalizing lesson plans . . . perhaps some fun too) and now back to the books!  I have some great summer schooling plans that I am excited to share with you all.  We have decided to roll these plans and posts into a couple of blogging series that you will be able to enjoy throughout the course of the summer.

What does this me for you, my beloved reader?  Summer Schooling fun and a place to share what you are schooling too (or not schooling).  
I just wanted you to know we have had to reschedule a couple of items.  Posts coming in June that should have come in May:

• Family Math Night
• Camp Handicraft - 10 Days of fun and purposeful crafting with your children at home.

I will be rolling these 2 posts into a larger series called Summer Schooling!  This series will spotlight activities that we are partaking in at home, along with freebies for our readers, giveaways and a weekly link-up for you to post your summer schooling plans, too.  

*Twitter users: I have a new #hashtag to tweet your summer fun #summerschoolin - Use this to tweet about your fun summer or share resources!*

Next, we will be posting one Summer Handicraft tutorial each day, Monday through Friday, for 10 Days the last week of JUNE.  We have christened this series: Camp How-We-Love-To-Craft-a, and I am hoping is will be a new yearly event from the Mac Rak family.  Join us to learn and DIY your way to purposeful handicrafts during the summer days ahead.

Here is what you will learn during our 10 Days of Summer Handicrafts and we invite you to join us:

• Macrame
• Newspaper Basket Weaving
• Paper Plate Loom Weaving
• Spool Knitting
• Book Making
• Nature Notebooks
• Simple Sewing
• Sculpting
• Doll Making
• Paper Crafting

I have also planned for a 6 Day series on Teaching Biblical Character in the home.  Be sure to tune in for that.

I hope you will join us for all the upcoming summer fun, activities and sharing!

* Winner of the Designing Your Language Arts Curriculum? *

Judy of Contented at Home

Congratulations Judy!  Our winner has already been notified by email.

This post is part of the upcoming Camp How-We-Love-To-Craft-a & the continued Summer Schooling series.  Be sure to tune in to our blog via email so you won't miss any family summer fun!

• Be on the look-out for my new eBook!  Coming July 2012 - Generational Handicrafts: Real Crafts with Kids

Photo Credits: Camp How-We-Love-To-Craft-a Button Remixed

From clockwise - via Flicker: Hoopla-IMG_8504 By thombrooks, row boat at sundown By independentman, Play-Doh on a Picnic Table By Samuel Stroube, Trailblazers, Assemble By thombrooks

5 Ways to Teach Patriotic Remembrance & a Spirit of Thanksgiving in Children

"People one by one, rising from their seat to say a grateful thank you to a few soldiers waiting to go home, all from the example of a little boy with a patriotic heart."

{The kids are pictured here in front of the Field of Flags in our little home town.}

Memorial Day is a moment of mixed emotions for myself.  I'm not quite sure how exactly my parents did it, but I have long remembered the swellings of pride during our national anthem.  I vividly remember tears over flags on Independence Day, the heartfelt hope of hearing a soldier speak or giving a sharp salute.  I am a patriot, have been from the start.  It is also a fervent wish to raise my own children to be patriots of this great nation of ours.

How do we instill this in our children?

1.  Communicate Purpose - Let your children learn and grow in understanding about the purpose of God in establishing and blessing the United States and the men who founded it.  DO NOT allow your children (or yourself for that matter) to dwell on the negatives, of which there will always be many, because we are human, and so were the founding fathers.  There is much more to gain from recognizing God's Providence in this country's heritage and being thankful for His hand.

{This is my 2nd Grade class presenting their Live! American Revolutionary Timeline - Photo Credit: Mrs. Brodnan}

2.  Pause to Remember - BBQ's, festivals and fellowship is all good and beautiful.  Stop your day, whether it is Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, Patriot's Day or Independence Day.  Stop and teach your children to remember to bring into their hearts and minds all that has been sacrificed for them to enjoy the very day that they are in.

3.  Show Respect Everyday - Teaching your children respect for those that serve us everyday is a blessing that never stops giving.  I remember a moment that is exceedingly dear to me as a mother.  The Scout was 11, and we were waiting at the airport.  There was a small group of soldiers sitting in our terminal area (it was very near the holiday season).  The Scout kept glancing their direction and finally chimed in, "Mom, could I please go give those soldiers my thanks."  I replied with, "Of course".  Tears swell in my eyes even as I write this moment.  He walked toward them and sharply saluted them and exclaimed, loudly for the entire terminal to hear, "Thank you for your service!"  They each beamed with pride and individually thanked him. This started a chain reaction in the terminal.  People one by one, rising from their seat to say a grateful thank you to a few soldiers waiting to go home, all from the example of a little boy with a patriotic heart.

4.  Give Thanksgiving - Remind your children of the great blessings we have as free citizens of this nation.  When you start giving thanks, it will bring in to remembrance all there is to be thankful for . . . trust me, there is a lot!  Make a list of all of these blessings and lift them up in prayer to God!

5.  There is Power in Prayer for Our Nation - At the beginning of each school year, I take the time to teach our children the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance.  We take time to discuss the meaning and the right we have as a people to serve our God and to pray.  I share this video with them and we discuss the meaning, purpose and blessings of being a citizen of this nation.  Then, we pray.

HERE IS A MEMORIAL DAY FREEBIE FOR YOU!

Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance Copywork

- - - - > Download this document HERE from my FREE documents page

Thank you for your selfless service to our country.  Thanks will never be enough!


God Bless the United States of America!

The Joyful Socks Mom  

Be sure to follow all the Summer Schooling fun on Twitter #summerschoolin

Thank you for supporting this site:

• FACEBOOK PARTY!  Mom Only Boot Camp fun, coming Friday, June 1st, 2012 - Giveaways, Prizes and lots of pre-conference fellowship!
• MOM ONLY! Boot Camp - Best little Homeschool Conference.  Having a Generational Heart in your homeschool. *** Registration open - Tickets limited to 100 attendees - Register Today! ***
• Subscribe via email and be entered EACH MONTH to win a $20 Gift Giveaway - beginning June!  $20 Olive Garden Gift Card

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Summer Reading to Inspire Fun and Learning

I know as home educators it is easy to get caught up in summer "extras" - summer camps, family visits, day camps, vacation bible school, etc.  These are all fun and valuable summer happenings, but let us not get so busy that we neglect the most valuable summer pastime . . . READING!  Of course, in a home with no television, my kids have learned to love reading in all seasons, out of sheer necessity.  ;)

{The Scout displaying his "secret" super power - READING!}

There are plethora of choices in reading materials, but my philosophy would denote that not ALL are worthy of reading.  I love the classics and living books, and lovingly attempt to steer my kids in these directions.  However, all my picky-ness is thrown to the wind when summer reading arrives.  Typically I only allow the kids to choose books based on whether a book is "nutritional" or not.  Nutritional: A book that is good for the mind, as foods should be good for the body.  During the summer, I do allow the kids to choose one "junk food" book per library visit.  Exception: If the book is detrimental to the child's mind, body or spirit the answer is "No!" . . . otherwise, it is summer, live a little!

Summer and reading go hand and hand, but sometimes we all need a little motivation and encouragement.  Here are a few fun activities, tips and ideas for keeping the Reading-train rolling down the track this summer:

• READING REWARDS:  Check-out your local library for Reading Programs, Pizza Hut Book-it, Half-Priced Books: Feed Your Brain, Barnes & Noble Summer Reading, H-E-B Buddy, PBS Kids: Soar with Reading, Book Adventure Reading Program (awesome!), Chuck E. Cheese, Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge (Click on any of the above programs and it should take you to their site)
• BOOK REPORTS WITH PIZZAZZ!: Encourage your kids to complete book reports on their favorite books, AND trash the old "fill-in-the-blanks" Book Report form!  Here are a few ideas for Book Report Fun that won't fail:

Making Book Report Dioramas 

Here is a report completed recently by the Bug, who is going into 3rd Grade.

Yes, that is Jack and Annie from the Magic Tree house series, depicted here in Buffalo Before Breakfast and using toilet paper rolls.  She was so proud of her work she gave it to the librarian, since it was a book she checked-out.

Main Character Sculptures

Here the Squeaker had only just begun her book.  She completed a characterization and narration of the main characters in the first five chapters of Dragonspell.  Then she used clay to sculpt out what she thought they looked like.

Lego Book Report

The Scout, 12 years old and ALL boy, used his Legos to depict his reading (plus some fiber filling material for smoke).  He just finished the classic The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  He also completed a book report using descriptive writing methods.

• MAKE IT A FAMILY THING: When completing books, make it a reason to celebrate and share.  We usually have presentations after supper, so the kids can share what they have completed with the entire family.  They are usually excited about sharing these with Dad, so it gives them the opportunity to try public speaking and includes daddy in our summer schooling fun.

Don't forget to pick-up a fun book for yourself mom!

Happy Summer Schooling!

The Joyful Socks Mom  

Be sure to follow all the Summer Schooling fun on Twitter #summerschoolin

Thank you for supporting this site:

• FACEBOOK PARTY!  Mom Only Boot Camp fun, coming Friday, June 1st, 2012 - Giveaways, Prizes and lots of pre-conference fellowship!
• MOM ONLY! Boot Camp - Best little Homeschool Conference.  Having a Generational Heart in your homeschool. *** Registration open - Tickets limited to 100 attendees - Register Today! ***
• Subscribe via email and be entered EACH MONTH to win a $20 Gift Giveaway - beginning June!  $20 Olive Garden Gift Card

Enter your email address:


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This post contains affiliate links.  The blog owner receives a small  portion of sales generated from these links.  This blog writer does not receive compensation for thoughts or opinions expressed on this blog.  Thank you for your kind consideration.

8 Reasons Not to Miss Smockity Frocks: #MOBC2012

MOM ONLY! Boot Camp attendees will have a pint-sized, yet super-charged blessing in our fantastic Keynote Speaker: Connie Hughes from Smockity Frocks fame.

Not that I need to tell you why you should come to conference (because you already know you should), but I thought you might like to add to your growing anticipation, waiting for MOM ONLY! Boot Camp.  You will have your socks blessed right off, I'll hang on to mine . . . and here are a few more reasons why you DO NOT want to miss Smockity at conference.

1.  Smockity sightings are rare and unique and a sweet treat for any homeschool mother seeking a little joy, encouragement and tips on achieving parenting bliss.  Really, she has lots of super kiddos to taxi around, she doesn't always stop quick enough to "spot" her on the run.


2.  When you think you have it tough, stop, and remember Smockity . . . your life really couldn't be as crazy her's . . . really!  and she looks so fabulous doing it . . . come and learn her secrets.


3.  Yes, there ARE stories you have not heard on the Smockity Frocks' blog.  Why?  Because they are happening everyday . . . You never know what may happen at the Smockity house before she arrives to conference. : )  If you show up, you'll be there first to hear it!


4.  The truth shall set you free!  Smockity will tell you the truth, period, which is truly comforting in this ever-changing, morally-compromising kind-of-world.


5.  Sleeping in is for suckers!  Rise-n-Shine on this early Saturday morning and come and commune with your homeschooling sisters and Smockity will be there, bright eyed and bushy tailed.


6.  It is seriously just fun to think about your family at home, wondering . . . "Hey, she really DID leave!  When is she coming back?  I can't find anything!" They are probably saying the same thing at the Smockity's house too.


7.  When it comes to emergency rooms, chicken gravy and sheer will-power every homeschool mom should learn from the best.  TRUST ME, Smockity is the best at all the above.


8.  If the joy of the Lord were an art form, Smockity would be Michelangelo.  Connie will encourage you to see the joy in each and every parenting moment.  Come and fellowship with Connie and your fellow home educating sisters and reveling again in the "art of joy".


Don't forget to pick-up Connie's eBook to get a little glimpse of the parenting and homeschooling wisdom that awaits you at MOM ONLY! Boot Camp. 

See you at Conference!

The Joyful Socks Mom

BIG THINGS HAPPENING IN "MAC"ville!:

• FACEBOOK PARTY!  Mom Only Boot Camp fun, coming Friday, June 1st, 2012 - Giveaways, Prizes and lots of pre-conference fellowship!
• MOM ONLY! Boot Camp - Best little Homeschool Conference.  Having a Generational Heart in your homeschool. *** Registration open - Tickets limited to 100 attendees - Register Today! ***
• Subscribe via email and be entered EACH MONTH to win a $20 Gift Giveaway - beginning June!  $20 Olive Garden Gift Card

Enter your email address:


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Nature Study: Take a Hike! with Poetry & Scriptures

The signs and beauty of spring have now come and gone.  Symbolizing the motion of the ever changing seasons and life that moves right along with them.  We were able to savor some of these budding spring moments back in April on a short hike through our city park area.  


We have found our Nature Study time is a great time to study poetry, scripture and hymns.  I typically ask the kids to copy a poem in their Nature Study Notebook, or give them a copy of a poem to read under a tree, or simply sing praise songs together while hiking.  When we are sketching and observing God's creation, it just seems like the time to reflect, praise and pray.  Poems, hymns and scripture have continually helped us remained focused during our Nature Study.  Focused on the One who made it all.


Below I have included some poetry selections, scriptures and hymns that would work great alongside your planned Nature Study.

Scripture:
Psalm 100:3
"Know ye that the LORD He is God: It is He that made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture." (NKJV)


Poem:

The Road Not Taken

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, 

And sorry I could not travel both 

And be one traveler, long I stood 

And looked down one as far as I could 

To where it bent in the undergrowth; 

Then took the other, as just as fair, 

And having perhaps the better claim, 

Because it was grassy and wanted wear; 

Though as for that the passing there 

Had worn them really about the same, 

And both that morning equally lay 

In leaves no step had trodden black. 

Oh, I kept the first for another day! 

Yet knowing how way leads on to way, 

I doubted if I should ever come back. 

I shall be telling this with a sigh 

Somewhere ages and ages hence: 

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— 

I took the one less traveled by, 

And that has made all the difference."

~ Robert Frost

Scripture:
Isaiah 44:24 
"Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and He that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadth aboard the earth by Myself;" (NKJV)

Scripture:

Revelation 4:11

"You are worthy, O LORD, our God, to receive glory and honor and power.  For You created everything, and it is for Your pleasure that they exist and were created." (NLT)

Poem:

"My KING is strong and mighty,

Ever faithful and true.

The world will not shake me,

For He is always there for me and you."

~ Joyful Socks Mom

Nature Study Resources:

• The Handbook of Nature Study blog and Outdoor Hour Challenge + FOLLOW Barb's Pin Board because she is rockin' the nature study, as usual! 
• Great Nature Study Post and lovely photography at Spell Out Loud + Maureen's Nature Learning Pin Board
• Ultimate Nature Study Homeschool Cooperative Pin Board by @JimmiesCollage
• Don't forget to come follow my little ole' Nature Study Pin Board

Many blessings for a safe, fun and healthy summer break!

Happy Homeschooling!

The Joyful Socks Mom

BIG THINGS HAPPENING IN "MAC"ville!:

• FACEBOOK PARTY!  Mom Only Boot Camp fun, coming Friday, June 1st, 2012 - Giveaways, Prizes and lots of pre-conference fellowship!
• MOM ONLY! Boot Camp - Best little Homeschool Conference.  Having a Generational Heart in your homeschool. *** Registration open - Tickets limited to 100 attendees - Register Today! ***
• Subscribe via email and be entered EACH MONTH to win a $20 Gift Giveaway - beginning June!  $20 Olive Garden Gift Card

Enter your email address:


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