The first lessons in homeschool are about getting along with others, not bugging them, and obeying your teacher, right? Here's the perfect book to get you going on those important lessons!
Each rule is presented in a full-page cartoon picture for young children to color as you teach each rule. Easy teaching instructions are included too. Each rule in this book is also included as a tear-out poster so you can study and master them one by one. We put ours in a binder in plastic page protectors as we learned them, then we can easily review them often. Some of the rules are "We obey our Lord Jesus Christ," "We tell the truth," "When we make a mess, we clean it up," and "We do not create unnecessary work for others" (I like that one!). The book ends with a master list of the 21 Rules ready to post as a good reminder.
I have focused on one rule a week, introducing it with an impromptu story that I concoct to go along with the picture. My children listen attentively and are ready for the punchline, which is always "the rule." Then we memorize the rule. We review these each morning as school begins and remember to put the new rule into practice throughout the day.
It sure helps to have a rule to fall back on when correcting children, rather than just saying "We don't do that." When a certain little boy in my home laughed to see his sister cry, I could remind him of one of our rules: "When someone is sad, we comfort him." Don't miss this book!
How do you drill a 5-year-old? Fun is the only thing that seems to work happily in my homeschool. This clever game will have your children eagerly doing their math addition and subtraction facts. The game board looks like a swamp with alligators swimming nearby. Players move around the board by doing simple math problems to find out the number of spaces to move ahead. Named as one of the best educational games of the year because it is easy to play and it holds a child's attention well. The game includes a dash of luck, so children can actually beat Mom and Dad. For ages 5 and up, two to four players.
Who's got mail? You do with this fun and sturdy miniature mailbox, complete with flag. If you have a reluctant writer, watch enthusiasm grow when there's mail to read and return! Write each child's name on a mailbox and let them enjoy exchanging notes. Great handwriting motivation! Dimensions: 5" long by 3 1/2" tall.
Why read cereal boxes?. . . when you could be learning the planets, the periodic table, the systems of the human body or the states and their capitals? These colorful, wipe-off placemats are a favorite. Since it seems that my children spend most of their time eating, perhaps this is the right place for study! Standard placemat size: 12" x 18". Placemats feature full color front; the reverse side is the same picture outlined in black and white so your child can color or write in the information on the write-on, wipe-off surface.
Twenty art lessons—just enough to teach the basic principles of art. All your student will need is a pencil, crayons, and hands-on pages of this handy draw-in book to self-teach important concepts in art. I like to teach the concept before passing out the books so the children understand well before attempting the artwork. Covers these concepts: primary and secondary colors, mixing colors, warm and cool colors, line, texture, shape, form, space, values, proportions, balance, faces, grids, crosshatching, shading, and overlapping. Buy a book for each student. Spiralbound, for grades 4-7.
Blunders—we all make them! Teach your children the social skills that will help them for a lifetime with this clever new game that makes learning manners and good social skills fun! Through funny and blundering adventures, you'll learn table manners, dining etiquette, confident introductions, host and guest skills, telephone manners, how to show respect and kindness, how to avoid gossiping, bullying, and teasing. 2009 Game of the Year Award. For ages 5 to 10 years, 2-8 players.
Kids' Translations of American Founding Documents Buy 4 books and get the 5th FREE
Are unalienable rights from outer space? How long is four score and seven years? When a flag is spangled is that good or bad? These wonderful books make important historical documents meaningful. Each book translates the work of a primary source into a language kids (and myself) can understand. Each book details what the primary source says in easier language, what it means, and the background story with lots of photo illustrations and interesting facts. The "Why Do I Care?" section condenses all the important points of the document into good reasons that we have it! Also includes a timeline, vocabulary words, a glossary, related internet sites, other children's books on the topic, and more. 32 pages, paperback. Vital information for young and old!
No one can leave this pleasing little harp alone! Follow-the-dot song sheets ingeniously slip underneath the strings to provide instant success in playing and learning. The lap harp makes a wonderful introductory instrument because of the ease of playing and sweet, clear sound. Comes complete with 12 sheets of music, tuning key, pick, and replacement string. Old World quality hardwood craftsmanship, lifetime string guarantee. Children (5 years and up) and adults alike enjoy it!
Songs include: Blue Tail Fly, Buffalo Gals, Clementine, Cripple Creek, Down In The Valley, Drinto To Me, Only With Thine Eyes, I've Been Working On The Railroad, Little Brown Jug, Meet Me In St. Louis, While Strolling Through The Park, Turkey In The Straw, and You Are My Sunshine.
More songs to play on your Melody Harp! These song packets will add to the enjoyment of owning a Melody Harp. Music is printed on durable and easy-to-keep-clean glossy catalog stock. And it's so easy to play, you don't even have to read music. Their special "dot system" is easy for any age to understand. Simply connect the dots with your pick. And what's more fun than just strummin' strings? Singing along with the music! So they've printed the words right on each music sheet... music and words together... nothing to lose! Songs include: Auld Lang Syne, Blow The Man Down, Good Night Ladies, Happy Days Are Here Again, Home On The Range, I Wish I Was Single Again, She'll Be Coming Around The Mountain, Shenandoah, Shoo Fly, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, That Old Gang Of Mine, When All The Works Done This Fall.
Songs include: A Hunting We Will Go, A Tisket A Tasket, Are You Sleeping?, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Froggie Went A Courtin', Hickory Dickory Dock, I'm A Little Teapot, Mary Had A Little Lamb, Polly Wolly Doodle, Pop Goes The Weasel, The Old Grey Mare, and Where O Where Has My Little Dog Gone?
12 more songs include: Camptown Races, Dinah, Eensy Weensy Spider, It's Raining, It's Pouring, Jack and Jill, Mary, Mary Quite Contrary, Mulberry Bush, Row, Row, Row Your Boat, Skip To My Lou, Sweet Betsy From Pike, Ten Little Indians, and Three Blind Mice.
When trying to learn to write brought her little boy to tears, Jan Olsen found a remedy. She shares her creative suggestions and learning tips in this excellent "how-to" book which helps you determine if your child is ready to start handwriting. If not, no problem—there are plenty of hands-on readiness activities such as using "letter manipulatives" (pattern and instructions provided).
This program includes unique ideas for helping children learn to write their letters and numbers without frustration, tips for the left-handed child, discussion on why it is important to teach capitals first and why standard handwriting paper just confuses children. The author even has remedies for the common mistakes children make, such as letter reversals, floating letters, etc.
I used this program with my son Ammon, and he basically taught himself cursive using the workbooks. One drawback is that the final cursive writing does not have the lovely slant and pretty loops. It's very legible and easy to write, however.
The order of the program is as follows:
Pre-K: My First School Book
Kindergarten: Letters and Numbers for Me
1st Grade: My Printing Book
2nd Grade: Printing Power
3rd Grade: Cursive Handwriting
4th Grade: Cursive Success
Math-smart kids—that's what you will have if you use Singapore math! Asian students are famous for their mathematical prowess, and these are the books that they use to gain those skills. If you want your child to learn to think mathematically, not just be able to solve math problems, you will be pleased and surprised with how well your student progresses. The textbooks teach the concepts and the workbooks are designed to be done independently by your student, and are paperback, with happy, color illustrations—very kid friendly and activity based. We offer the U.S. edition (which has been minimally modified to teach American money and U.S. spellings). Test scores conclusively and repeatedly put Singapore Primary Mathematics in top rank in international tests! Singapore's genius is in a unique pattern of moving from hands-on demonstrations, to picture drawings (concrete examples with pictures) to the abstract (numbers and symbols) in a natural, easy-to-understand progression. This works! Students go right from Singapore level 6 into Saxon Algebra 1 with ease.
At the elementary grade level, Singapore Math includes two semesters of instruction per year, with a paperback textbook (non-consumable) plus a write-in workbook per semester. You may buy extra write-in workbooks for additional students, and share the textbook.
Placement Tests are available online to print at no charge here.
Each Primary Level Kit includes Textbook and Workbook A and B for that specific grade level.
Have 2 children working on Singapore Level 1? Save money by buying a 2nd Student Kit, which contains the consumable workbooks. These kits include only the workbooks A and B for any given level.
Complete Level Kits include textbook, workbook, and home instructor's guide A and B for that specific level, PLUS the corresponding answer key (except for level one, for which there is no Home Instructor's Guide). For example, the complete level 1 kit includes textbook, workbook, and home instructor's guide 1A, textbook, workbook, and home instructor's guide 1B, and the answer key for levels 1-3.
For more information, click on the textbook titles below.
Singapore Earlybird Kindergarten Curriculum
Earlybird Kindergarten-Singapore Math (Standards Edition)
It is hard for me to call these "textbooks" because they are workbooks full of fun pictures and activities! Detailed teaching notes at the bottom of the pages will give you instructions for the page, plus activities to do to reinforce the concepts. Test scores conclusively and repeatedly put Singapore Primary Mathematics in top rank in international tests!
For questions and answers, and more information, click here, or on the textbook titles below.
When my son Ammon was a very bright, wiggly and energetic 5-year-old, he couldn't seem to get interested in workbooks or sit still for lessons. The only way I could get his attention long enough to teach him to read was to play games with him. Over the years, these games have evolved into an easy, happy way to teach children to read, from the very first step (learning the ABC song) through advanced phonics and spelling.
Simple, yet entertaining and educational, these phonics games are printed on colorful, sturdy cardstock ready to cut out. Included is a mother-friendly guidebook which contains the details on how I teach phonics and reading, how to pronounce and teach the phonics sounds, how to make your own simple beginning readers, and step-by-step teaching info for each phonics sound.
Happy Phonics covers beginning to advanced phonics and is the sum total of my experience. My children enjoy the games and never really realize that they are drilling phonics sounds! Enjoy learning games, little books, and activities as well as a 76-page beginning reader, My Big Book. Use with the Explode the Code Primers for a complete manuscript handwriting and phonics course.
I think you will be very pleased with the pain-free, rapid reading results! I guarantee you will love it and your child will learn to read, or I'll send your money right back—happily!
I am excited and surprised to report that Happy Phonics was selected for the prestigious "Cathy Duffy's Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum" award!
Hear what others say: Games! What a brilliant way to teach a child to read. My kids absolutely love and beg for "phonics time" at our house!
—Regina
"My daughter was a little annoyed when I got out the Muffin Match game since she says she "already knows the letters", but after a few different activities, any time I tell her it is time to work on phonics, she excitedly yells "Let's do the Muffin Match game!" Thanks for helping make homeschool so fun!"
—C.D.
"I just wanted to tell you how much we are all enjoying our new Happy Phonics program! My 4-year-old walks around singing "happy phonics, happy phonics," my 6-year-old is enjoying the little books and my creative 8-year-old is starting to read! Hallelujah! I am just loving to teach them and they are truly loving to learn. I love everything that we bought! I am so thankful for you providing these products!"
—Christina
Includes Happy Phonics, and Explode the Code Primers (Get Ready for the Code Primer A, Get Set for the Code Primer B, Go for the Code Primer C) and Instructors Guide for Primers A, B, C.
Here is my favorite resource for teaching your young child the sounds the letters make, and how to write them! Begin with 3 primer workbooks that open horizontally to a clean, bright format with simple line drawings done by children. This set of Explode the Code Primers (A, B, C) teaches all the consonant letters thoroughly with a whopping 12 pages of fun activities for each letter. The most fun is the riddle page. Mom reads the riddles (found in the Teacher's Manual, or create your own) while the child follows instructions carefully. For example, after learning the letter "f" (how to write it, its sound, and its capital letter) the first riddle says: "I am thinking of something that is often made of wood. It keeps animals in a yard or field. What is it?" Now the child looks at all the drawings on his page and finds the fence. "What sound does fence begin with? ("ffff"). Color the fence green." Each object that the child finds to answer the riddle has a different direction with it, such as put an X on it, or color it red and yellow, etc.
Move on to more challenges: Book 1 teaches short vowel sounds Book 2 teaches consonant blends Book 3 teaches the phonic units sh, th, wh, ch, ng, ck, tch, ee, ea, ai, ay, oa, and ow. Book 4 covers compound words, suffixes, syllable division rules, and 3-syllable words. Book 5 teaches the sound families: all, alk, old, olt, oll, ild, ind, thr, shr, scr, str, spr, spl, qu, -ey words, and the sounds of ed. Book 6 contains ar, or, er, ir, ur, wor, war, ea, ie, igh, oo, oi, oy, ou, ow, au, aw, ew, ui, ue, ou. Book 7 covers soft c and g, silent letters, ear, ph, ei, eigh. Book 8 teaches suffixes and endings.
If you feel your child needs a little more practice at a certain level, each level has a "1/2" book: 1 1/2, 2 1/2, etc. that provides more practice on the same concepts as the book before it So, if your child finishes Book 2 and isn't really confident with the concepts, let him do Book 2 1/2 and he'll be ready for Book 3.
I would recommend moving forward just as quickly as your child can handle it. (It never hurts to tape a dollar bill inside the cover as a motivation!) As soon as your child has gone through the primer books, and done a few pages in Book 1, he will be able to read a beginning phonetic book, like Decodable Little Books. Paperback, 78 pages per book. You'll love these!
Ta-dah! Here is the BEST thing ever invented for learning math facts! Instead of teaching your child to memorize math facts, teach him how to figure them out and he will never "forget"! For example: learning the "9 times" is easy when you realize that every answer is two digits that add up to 9: 4 x 9 = 36. The digits 3 + 6 = 9. The first digit of the answer (3) is easy to figure out because it is just a count back one (from 4 to 3). Games include Add-it, Double-it, Half-it and Times-it, plus a teacher-friendly, illustrated manual. I don't know how any teacher gets along without it. (Take my advice and laminate the game boards and cards before you wear them out like I did.) Highly recommended!
Louisa used to hate math. Then we discovered The Life of Fred and now she LOVES math! I was highly suspicious as I listened to Louisa laugh through her math lessons and totally enjoy doing them. I was stunned to watch her go straight for math when she started her homeschool work each morning. I picked up the book and read an outlandish story about a miniature boy named Fred and all his adventures. I couldn't imagine she was really learning math, so I asked her to tell me what she had learned so far in the 16 lessons she had completed. She quickly jotted down this list for me:
infinite sets
natural numbers
integers
set notation
ratios
coefficients . . . (need I go on?)
I was impressed to say the least! How could a girl who hates math actually be enjoying Algebra and really learning the terminology as well as how to do the operations? I contacted Stan Schmidt, the author of the Life of Fred, and a retired college math professor of 28 years whose self-proclaimed mission is to help kids love math. I asked him, "How do I know a student who does Life of Fred will retain it?," to which he replied, "How much of your school algebra did you retain?" Ouch!
The idea behind Life of Fred is that if students have an enjoyable experience and have fun doing their math, they will remember it and use it and have a good taste in their math about the whole subject. The sub-title on each of his math books is "As Serious As it Needs to Be". And that is just the point: math doesn't need to be horrid and dry. This is math—just as serious as it needs to be—and I can tell you from Louisa's smiles and chuckles, that's not very serious at all!
As a bonus, these books are very low priced compared to any other math books on the market. (Compare to Saxon at $50-70)
If you have a creative child who is languishing on traditional math programs, try Life of Fred!
Math, As Serious As it Needs to Be!
If you know your math facts (addition and multiplication) and you can read well, then the next step is to get to know Fred!
Beware: This is not a traditional math book. This is a child-directed course. The student reads the adventure story, does the math problems that occur as a natural part of the story, and checks their answers (the solutions are right there for the looking.) And learns to love math in the process! You will not get the detailed formula explanations that you get in a traditional math book. I am still amazed that kids can read the story and learn the concepts, but they do!
Diane Hopkins has been reviewing and testing homeschool products for 23 years and you can benefit from her experience. Arranged by grade, from preschool to high school, you will find a listing of best books and materials for teaching each grade plus instructions on just how to to use these resources and run the school day. Set up your school schedule, learn how to get your kids to take charge of getting their schoolwork done, and get tips on how to make your homeschool fun and meaningful. Also includes articles of encouragement, and details on how to plan out an exciting school year full of progress for your students. Reproducible forms are included.
Large, spiral-bound book introduces you to the 7 Hopkins children, and shows you how Diane taught and raised them homeschooling: the mistakes she made along with the successes. Full of family photos, personal stories, and wisdom—this volume will give you the help you need to get enthused, get organized and get going. Enjoy the delightful journey of learning together!
An excellent pencil grip makes a world of difference in teaching your young writer to hold his pencil correctly, in helping an older child overcome a bad habit, or to prevent writer's cramp. This squishy, soft gripper works with the body's natural physiology to gently place fingers in the proper position for writing. I've tried lots of them, an d this is by far the best!
This is one sturdy, kid-adored bouncing ball, with a textured handle for hanging on tight and a textured bottom for added durability inside or outdoors. Comes in two sizes: 15" for the little ones and 18" for kids 4 to 8 years! Inflates easily with a bike pump. Great fun, better than a jump rope, and lasts for years. This is the sturdiest one we have found on the market. Bounce away! Fun for indoor or outdoor play. The small 15" size fits a 3 yr old perfectly (not the girl in the photo!)
What to Do So Your Children Don't Jump Ship to the World When They Get Older
There is a troubling trend in Christian families today: older children become discontent and rebellious, jumping ship as soon as they can survive without the family, some as young as 16 years old. Parents are crying, "Where did we go wrong? What can we do to prevent this from happening to the rest of our children?" They re-evaluate and "clamp down" on the remaining children, making life twice as unpleasant for them as it was for their jumped-ship older sibling.
As parents, we are "marketing" a Christian (+ homeschooling) lifestyle to our children in a world that has unleashed evil to win their attention! We are yearning for them to accept the values and family culture that we believe will bring the greatest joy to them in their life, even after we are no longer around to help them. This books helps parents step back and take an objective look—how full of happiness and fulfillment does your lifestyle look to your emerging teens? Do they have hope and the promise of joy if they live like you do, or does your faith look like a bunch of Pharisee's rules and regulations? Is your Christianity and your homeschool lifestyle something that would inspire a 16-year-old?
I wish, wish, wish that every parent would read this book and apply it (including myself). I know it would make a huge difference to their children, and in their family life. I believe that the advice in this book would help children stay true to their parents' faith!
One reader writes: Just one reading made a change overnight, and continued with daily changes that we could hardly have imagined. Our leaning-toward-rebellion teen suddenly folded my laundry, and cleaned the kitchen completely on her own, just being nice! Her heart is changing too, she talks to us differently, shares things she has clammed up for months... Parenting became a joy again, and we could not believe how blind we had been. Furthermore, applying what the author suggests is even fun and may bring joy and enthusiasm back into your life that you forgot you had lost long ago. . . .this book gives so much hope!
If you are a parent who is wondering if you are doing everything "right" to help your teens grow up faithful and happy, please stop wondering and get some real help and practical advice and the wisdom of one older and wiser.
Oh my—this is great! A full unabridged audio compilation of American songs, poems, stories, speeches, and other source documents tell the story of America and the story of freedom! Many of the recordings are the original recording of the the author himself, such as Robert Frost, John F. Kennedy, Neil Armstrong, Ronald Reagan and others! Listen to Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, followed by Ronald Reagan's "Farewell Address," and the letters between John and Abigail Adams. A fabulous audio-sourcebook for students of American history of all ages. Includes 3 audio CDs for a total of three and a half hours of listening and learning. There is an introduction by Caroline Kennedy, but that is her only contribution. Whether you agree with her or not, I know you'll agree this unique collection is a treasure. A great bargain!
I Love America Part 1: Book + Activity CD + Music CD
New revised edition! A favorite with homeschool families! I love this fun introduction to American History for young ones. It takes so little preparation on my part and the kids thoroughly enjoy the lessons.
I Love America contains a monthly theme lesson: Columbus and the Discovery of America, Why I Like Being an American, Washington and Valley Forge, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Pocahontas, etc., complete with illustrated stories, art activities, songs, poems, and more. We especially enjoyed learning the Preamble to the Constitution in sign language. There is also a coloring page for each of the 50 states that teaches the state's bird, flower, tree, chief product, and other information. 300 pages, spiral bound, for ages 4 to 10 years. Comes with 2 CDs: Activity and Music. Activity CD has games, activities, and sheet music of songs which are on the Music CD. Music CD has songs that correspond to I Love America Book 1 and 2.
These volumes are favorites with homeschool families! I use them because it takes so little preparation on my part to pull together a good unit on patriotism, American history or government.
I Love America Part 2 has stories, songs, poems, projects, and games about American history and patriotism geared toward children 10 and up. Contains sections on the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Star-Spangled Banner, the First Amendment, the beginning of the Revolutionary War, the Statue of Liberty, the Plymouth Colony and Mayflower Compact, Elections, and the Free Enterprise System. 300 pages, 3-hole punched.
. . . but should have! If you could judge a book by its cover, you'd be right this time! This original 1889 school textbook was discovered in a rare book sale, and the reader was so touched by the patriotic spirit represented that he determined to reprint it. The stories are captivating enough to entice my teenagers, but I love to read them aloud to the whole family. Stories include: "Daughters of Liberty," "Boston Tea Party," "Paul Revere's Ride," "Origin of Yankee Doodle," "History of Our Flag", "Lydia Darrah Saves General Washington," "Benjamin Franklin," and many more. Illustrated with original lovely black-and white-drawings and photographs. Paperback, 150 pages.
This patriotic schoolbook was originally printed in 1890 to teach children about their tremendous American heritage. Contained within are the beautiful accounts of the men, women and children who sacrificed everything to build this nation. It is a book of hope and freedom, a book that will make you proud to be an American. This new volume begins where American History Stories You Never Read in School (above) leaves off. Having successfully beaten the greatest Empire of his time, General George Washington is elected the first President of the new United States. Here we are given a rare glimpse into his noble character as President. We learn of the administration of the great Thomas Jefferson; his wise expansion of our borders and his love for his countrymen and his fiddle. We learn more of what the British were up to after the Revolution and how we had to fight, and beat them a second time in the War of 1812. Paperback, illustrated, 158 pages.
Re-enact history with this hand-carved goose quill pen. Includes brochure on heavy parchment paper and a packet of powdered ink, just like Lewis and Clark carried with them on their cross-country trek to the Pacific Ocean.Just add water to make ink. This is the real thing, the same kind of pen used to sign the Declaration of Independence and other historic documents, and it will make a great hands-on history lesson that your children won't forget!
The industrial revolution thrust mankind ahead 5,000 years! For most of the earth's history, man has lived basically under the same primitive conditions. Suddenly, in an element of free enterprise, advancements were made that drastically changed man from the farmer to the space explorer. But there was hardly a single idea that the American Founding Fathers put into their plan that hadn't been thought of before. When the Constitution was being written, none of those ideas were really being practiced anywhere in the world. It was in America that true freedom was born, based on 28 principles endorsed by the Founding Fathers. These principles and their influence on the world caused a great forward leap in technology. These were ideas such as 1) the proper role of government is to protect equal rights, not to provide equal things and 2) a free people will not survive unless they stay strong. This inspiring book contains a chapter discussion on each of the 28 principles of freedom. Paperback, 337 pages. Black-and-white illustrations.
Audiobook MP3: This is an audio CD in MP3 format. Listen to this fascinating book on your CD player (must be MP3 compatible) or computer.
This is an audio download in MP3 format. Once you submit your order and we approve it (during business hours), you will get an email with a download link for your audio download.
