Transcript DVD Bootcamp by Inge Cannon

I recently attended a Transcript DVD Boot Camp presented by Inge Cannon. I was so impressed with the content, and I was very glad I had chosen to attend at this point in my homeschooling journey.

My oldest child is entering 7th grade, and this discussion came at the perfect time. I don't have to act on anything I learned immediately. This year, I will reflect and decide how best to implement Inge Cannon's suggestions in our homeschool. Beginning in the 8th grade year, I plan to use the CreditPro card system and the TranscriptPro software sold by Inge Cannon's company.

During the DVD seminar, I learned how to define a "unit" of high school work. Inge Cannon introduced a simple card system for tracking and crediting work within a given subject area. In addition, she gave numerous tips on techniques, resources, and specific curriculum that are helpful during the high school years.

I can enthusiastically recommend the Transcript DVD Boot Camp for parents of children entering 7th and 8th grades. Even if your child is already in high school, you will certainly learn a great deal that will help you pull together an accurate and useful transcript.

Video Shows How to Prune Tomato Plants

Take a look at this great video from Fine Gardening. It is about 5 minutes long and shows how to prune tomato plants. Very well done.

Save Money on Kids' Bikes

NEVER, NEVER, EVER buy a new kids' bike. Kids' bikes are ubiquitous at garage sales. Since kids grow out of a bike so fast, they are usually in good condition. If you are patient, you can even be choosy. Look for a good brand in good shape (not perfect, but nice). My most recent buy was a Huffy for $5. Both tires were flat, but all they needed was a little air.

If your kids ride a lot, they may wear through a tire. In that case, it is probably cheaper (and more exciting) to get another garage sale bike than to replace the tire.

If the price is a little high, offer the owner less. Dad will probably be thrilled just to have the bike out of his garage. I would pay up to $20 for a great bike.

To Do or Not To Do: Sonlight Core 5 Eastern Hemisphere

As I have noted, we use some materials from Sonlight Curriculum in our homeschool. Our family likes to read, so it has been a great fit for us.

For quite some time, I have been maintaining a spreadsheet mapping out what Sonlight materials ("Cores") each of my children would use for several years into the future. In order to get everybody matched up and studying the same period of history, I had planned to skip Sonlight's Core 5 which focuses on the Eastern Hemisphere. To be honest, I figured it wouldn't be much of a loss because the subject matter really didn't sound very interesting to me.

As I was preparing my Sonlight order last summer, I suddenly reversed my decision. I realized that my youngest still needed a little time to mature in order to get the most out of her Sonlight materials. So, I reworked my spreadsheet and rearranged everything. All of a sudden, I had a hole right where Sonlight Core 5 would fit. After consulting the principal (my husband), I took a deep breath and ordered Sonlight Core 5 and Sonlight Science 5.

Let me share with you that I have been so pleased with my decision! Both Core 5 and Science 5 have presented us with fascinating studies this year. The quality of the read-alouds has been outstanding; the Eastern Hemisphere Explorer has given us a needed, tiny push towards independent research; and the human body studies in Science 5 have covered ground that has been interesting and valuable for my students.

I give Sonlight Core 5 and Science 5 a thumbs up!

What To Do With Those Old Apples in the Fridge: Baked Apple Slices

If you've got a handful of apples in the fruit drawer that are starting to look a little shriveled, don't toss them out! Make a tasty dish of baked apple slices out of them. Here is how I made mine today (all amounts are approximate, I was just throwing it together):

The CommonSenseMom's Baked Apple Slices

8 old apples (peeled, cored, sliced)
1/3 c. flour
1/3 c. brown sugar
2/3 c. Splenda (optional...reduce or omit if you like it less sweet)
2 t. cinnamon
dash salt
butter or margarine

Mix all ingredients together except the butter. Spread in greased baking dish. Dot with butter. Cover with foil or lid. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Serve with a dollop of CoolWhip or some ice cream.

I used a 9X13 glass baking dish because I was concerned the juice might overflow, but it would've been fine in an 11X7 dish.

The CommonSenseMom's Secret to a Great Marriage

Drumroll, please....

BE NICE TO EACH OTHER!! Really, really, really nice.

Yes, it really is that simple. I know because I learned it from my husband.

An Electric Pencil Sharpener in the Schoolroom

If you are a homeschooling mom, do yourself a favor and get an electric pencil sharpener for your homeschool room. Ours has sharpened thousands of pencils already. My kids have always enjoyed using colored pencils, so the electric pencil sharpener has been such a blessing.

Originally, I purchased a model made by Boston because it had a lower price. After a year or two, I just couldn't tolerate the fact that it sharpened the pencils off-center. I had used a Panasonic model at church, so I went and bought the Panasonic KP-310 to replace the inferior Boston.

The Panasonic KP-310 has been a workhorse in our classroom. I see on Amazon that the KP-310 is no longer available. The one pictured here gets excellent reviews.