The CommonSenseMom

Transcript DVD Bootcamp by Inge Cannon

2009-06-25T22:12:00.002-05:00

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

2009-06-22T14:22:00.002-05:00

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

2009-06-08T07:13:00.002-05:00

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

2009-01-29T19:29:00.003-06:00

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

2009-01-28T18:33:00.002-06:00

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

2009-01-26T19:09:00.002-06:00

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

2009-01-26T18:35:00.003-06:00

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.

Dread

2009-01-14T21:07:00.001-06:00

I read one time that it is pointless to dread that which you know you must and will do. Makes sense.

Abraham Lincoln Teaching Packet Available to Homeschoolers in Illinois

2009-01-12T20:44:00.000-06:00

The Illinois Secretary of State's office is making a teaching packet about Abraham Lincoln available to schools in Illinois. It is available to homeschoolers. I called yesterday and received my packet today. The phone number is 217-782-2226. The person that answered the phone took care of my request. It was very simple!

Health as Virtue

2009-01-10T09:17:00.002-06:00

I've been turning this quote by Yuval Levin over in my mind since I read it the other day:
"health has usurped the place of virtue" in our society.

If many of us were honest with ourselves, we might admit that it is more important to us to be thought of as healthy, youthful, and vigorous than it is to be thought honest, trustworthy, and hardworking.

Product Review: True North Pecan Almond Peanut Clusters

2009-01-09T14:04:00.005-06:00

Product Review
True North Pecan Almond Peanut Clusters

I first tried this tasty snack while spending a weekend with friends in Kentucky last year. They were so good, that I immediately added them to my grocery list upon my arrival back home.

I usually have a few in the morning to add a little protein to my breakfast. They have a light sweetener that sticks the nut pieces together. The mix of nuts is very balanced, creating a nice blend of flavors.

The downside is that they are a little pricey. And, when I finish a package, there is an unreasonable amount of tiny nut pieces and dust. For the price of these snacks, the packaging should keep them together better during shipping. I redeem this wasted product by saving it to put in my homemade granola. And, finally, the self sealing top (zip top) is faulty on about half the bags I purchase.

I have found the small (5.5 oz.) bags at several local grocery stores including WalMart. Sam's Club and Amazon.com both have the large (24 oz.) bags.

All-in-all they have been a tasty addition to my mornings.

Idiots vs. Maniacs

2009-01-09T13:48:00.003-06:00

Here is an interesting way to analyze the way you view the folks around you.

I was in Driver's Ed summer school class many moons ago. My teacher, who somewhat resembled George Carlin in appearance, showed a portion of a videotaped George Carlin stand-up comedy routine in class. (That's public schooling for you -- even back then there was much to roll your eyes about). Anyway, most of that video is lost in my memory bank somewhere, but one tiny portion stands out:

"Did you ever notice how everyone who drives slower than you is an Idiot, and everyone who drives faster than you is a Maniac?"

You can see this is true, no? Now apply the concept to things other than driving. Parenting. Most people think we are Idiot Parents, but a few consider us to be Maniac Parents. Now try diet. Religion. Finances. See how it describes your view of those around you? (And their view of you.) Interesting, huh?

Discipline vs. Regret

2009-01-09T13:45:00.003-06:00

I heard a quote the other day that I think is worth sharing:

"The pain of Regret is worse than the pain of Discipline."

In how many areas of life could we avoid the pain of Regret if only we submitted to the pain of Discipline? It reminds me of another quote I heard many years ago from an elderly friend:

"Do what you need to today so that you can live with yourself tomorrow."

Wise words.

Improving CommonSenseMom.net

2008-12-20T08:20:00.005-06:00

I've been learning all about DNS on the internet, and I've made some improvements to CommonSenseMom.net.

To see the main website, go to http://www.commonsensemom.net/.

To see this blog, go to blog.commonsensemom.net.

To see my items available on ebay, go to auctions.commonsensemom.net.

To see items (mostly books) recommended by the CommonSenseMom, visit my amazon.com store at, amzstore.commonsensemom.net.

To see the CommonSenseMom's Store, go to store.commonsensemom.net.

My kids have a blog you can see at kids.commonsensemom.net.

My Ebay Auctions

2008-12-07T16:14:00.002-06:00

My current items for sale on ebay are now viewable at:

auctions.commonsensemom.net

Calendar Trivia

2008-09-19T14:27:00.004-05:00

I can't believe I've gone through so many years of life without knowing this. The following bit of calendar trivia has recently come to my attention.

In any calendar year, certain months are "partners" and begin on the same day of the week. Hence, all the days in those two months fall on the same days of the week. Pull out a calendar and take a look at the following:

April & July
September & December
March & November

None of these are affected by leap year, so they will always be true! Of course, in non-leap years, February also matches March & November.

Tips for Introducing Structure to Your Family

2008-09-17T13:23:00.003-05:00

Structure and discipline are two essential ingredients to successful homeschooling. With that in mind, I offer some tips for introducing structure to you homeschooling household:

1. Start school at the same time each morning.
2. Establish for firm bedtime for the children.
3. Limit computer/video game/TV time. Try one hour per day for starters.

When these three habits are well-ingrained into your family life, try a couple more:

4. Require children's household chores to be done before school time (beds made, breakfast cleaned up, house straightened).
5. Reduce the limit for computer/video game/TV time. Shoot for 30 minutes a day on average.

Banned Words and Phrases Poster for Writing

2008-09-16T07:07:00.004-05:00

Banned Words and Phrases Poster - Upload a Document to Scribd

I use materials from Andrew Pudewa's Institute for Excellence in Writing in our homeschool. I've been thrilled with the results. To encourage stronger writing, Pudewa introduces the idea that certain words or phrases are "banned" from writing to be replaced by more descriptive words. This poster helps the kids remember what to avoid while they are writing.

For more about classroom posters, see my earlier post.

How to Cut-In While Painting a High Stairwell

2008-09-15T05:00:00.001-05:00

From BlogPhotos

Here's my super-genius husband's solution to the problem. He put a paintbrush in the end of a PVC pipe and stuffed some bits of pool noodle foam in there to hold it in place. Worked like a charm.

English Parts of Speech Poster

2008-09-14T15:46:00.004-05:00

Parts of Speech Poster - Upload a Document to Scribd

If you'd like to see the English parts of speech poster that I alluded to in my earlier post, you can see it and print it above.

Help Them Learn with Colorful Posters in Your Homeschool Room

2008-09-12T07:47:00.005-05:00

From Andrew Pudewa, I learned that keeping visuals on the walls helps kids to learn. Not just any visuals, but small posters with the information they need to know and use. The information is in front of them day after day, and they absorb it.

For instance, I have posted a list of vowels for the little ones. I also have posted lists of odd numbers and even numbers (0-10). For the older ones, I have an English parts of speech poster as well as a couple that are specific to their writing program.

From Dianne Craft, I learned that color helps the brain store information. So, when you create your posters, make them colorful. Your posters don't need to be large, but color is a wonderful addition. Incidentally, if you make your own flashcards, you can make them colorful as well.

Video Review: A League of Their Own

2008-09-07T18:52:00.003-05:00

Tom Hanks utters the immortal words with perfect inflection in A League of Their Own, "We're gonna win!"

A League of Their Own is one of my favorite movies. Not a family movie, but still one of my favorites. That's partly influenced by the fact that the story is partially set in my hometown of Rockford.

Check it out sometime.

A Cabin in the Woods

2008-08-28T13:24:00.003-05:00

I never really considered the possibility of renting a cabin in the northwoods of Wisconsin to vacation. When I was growing up, we camped everywhere we went. Now my husband and I camp with our kids. If I want to be in the woods, camping seems like the natural way to do it.

A couple of years ago, we had a chance to spend some time with family at a cabin on a lake near St. Germain, WI. We had a great time! Since then, it's become an annual trip for us, and I just got back...fresh and relaxed.

Staying in a cabin is kind of like camping only you have some creature comforts...like a bed and a refrigerator. However, in a cabin, you don't get away from the TV. And, it is definitely more expensive than camping.

Let's just say that each has its own charms. While I still love camping, I also really enjoy the cabin experience.

Product Review: Cascade 2-in-1 Action Pacs With Bleach Dishwasher Detergent

2008-08-20T13:36:00.002-05:00

Several years ago I learned from Consumer Reports that powdered dishwasher detergent cleans better than liquid because it contains enzymes. After testing it by switching to powder detergent, I was pleased to find their claim true.

For quite some time I used Electrasol dishwashing tablets because they ranked high on Consumer Reports ratings and because they were inexpensive. For a while, I also used WalMart's brand of dishwashing tablets. The performance of both was far superior to the liquid dishwasher detergents I had previously used. I also liked that the amount of detergent was pre-measured and I didn't have to guess how much I should be putting in. The only negative was unwrapping the little package every time I put one into the dishwasher. I know it is a little thing, but it was a pain.

Then one day at WalMart, these Cascade 2-in-1 Action Pacs were cheaper than either the Electrasol or WalMart brand. So, I tried them out, and I was hooked (although they are no longer the cheaper alternative). I love that I don't have to unwrap the package. The powder is encased in some sort of dissolvable packaging. I (or one of the kids) can just pop it in the compartment, close the flap, and turn on the dishwasher.

There are several varieties of these Cascade Action Pacs. I always like to think I am killing extra germs, so I choose the one that includes bleach.

For what it is worth, I think powdered laundry detergent works better than liquid for the same reason.