Cooking With Kids Tips

What a Child Can Learn From One Experience

2006-09-06T07:02:00.000-08:00

I found it under my door this morning.

You see, I decided to start poetry this year and we've been memorizing "The Village Blacksmith" or something like that. I was surprised that after a few readings, he seemed to enjoy it.

Anyway, I got up early to work this morning before the kids got up, and found this under my door:

"My Hamster"
I have a hamster
He is black and white
Running in his hamster wheel
He keeps me up all night.
He runs around in his cage
And will not let me measure his height.

When I try to grab him
He will have a fit
And when I catch him
My thumb he bit
If he does that one more time
His thumb I will hit.

I have a yellow fluffing
He puts it in his house.
He stuffs it all in there
As if he was a mouse.
And when I clean his cage
It stink up my house.

He has a hamster ball
He likes to run in it
But when I take him out
He has another fit
And when I finally get him in
His appetite is a bottomless pit.

All over again
Just like feeding him
I do not know if it is a male
All that I know is he's ben through
THE DUCT SYSTEM!

I hope you enjoyed that! To be honest, without having been told about meter or anything, he didn't do too bad - but then, I'm his mom :-).

Hope this brought a little sunshine to your homeschool day! If you'd like to have a little sunshine cooking with your kids, skip on over to
http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Have a great one!

Laura

P.S. Your child's learning comes at the most surprising times -and with such humor. Read the poem above, then skip over to http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com to see what your child comes up with!
Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

Homeschool Q&A #082706

2006-08-27T11:33:00.000-08:00

Let's start off today with a comment from someone I received last week from an article a looong time ago. If you'd like to read the article, click here

Anyway, here's the email

I have been teaching for 6 years with a degree, 5 as a substitute, 3 years without a degree. All books leave things out because of our rapidly growing science and technology world, Abeka cannot continue every year to output a new book. There fore we as the teacher need to understand that when we run across something as you did, you just explain, things have changed since this book was made, science constantly changes, give example of nintendo vs x box, big change. And tell them now they know how to make bread without yeast, because some people were allergic to yeast scientist had to come up with a way to make this kind of bread. Therefore the scientist have completed that since this book was made. Simple. You add to what is in the book until the book is updated. Sam Condo

L.B. : This is almost laughable. Touting all the degree and expereince, yet somehow missing the point and the fact that bread wihtout yeast has existed for thousands of years. But, maybe he's never heard of unleavened bread. :-)

Hi Laura, My son is 10 years old and he wants to learn to draw, do you know of any sites that may have something on that he could use? He also likes to trace pictures. Thank you. Patty

L.B.: Patty, I also have a ten year old very gifted at art. We work from a book and I take him to art lessons. Since I don't have time to research sources for you on the internet, maybe someone can post a comment for you on the blog. Click Here to view or add any informaiton for Patty.

Could you tell me what age level this is geared for. I have older boys: 16, 14, 11 but would like make sure they know how to cook. They have done some cooking with me. I’m looking for something that will teach all the terms of cooking and get them comfortable in the kitchen. Would this work for me or is it geared for younger children and would be to simple for my age of kids. Thanks. Miriam

L.B.:I have used and made Homeschool Cooking System in a Box with my kids when they were 3, 7, and 9. I would think that it would be too simple for your kids. However, our sister website, Kids Recipe Clubhas more advanced recipes that cover all ages and skill levels. Hope that helps! Thanks for your inquiry

If you have any questions, please feel free to submit them!

Happy Homeschooling!

Laura

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

Help with Focusing for Reading

2006-08-26T10:02:00.000-08:00

I'm constantly amazed at how different my kids are!

I have one that can concentrate through an earthquake, and one who's distracted by a bird flying by.

Yes, I'm exaggerating a tiny bit...but Ryan is truly distracted by anything that happens. His brain wants to focus on everything at one time.

Do you have a child like this?

If you do, then you know how difficult reading can be. Looking at, and sounding out words, and remembering what you just read is a lot to do at once; and becomes nearly impossible if your brain is distracted by all the environmental noise that the brain normally categorizes as "back ground" noise and ingnores. Not to mention all the other letters and pictures on the page that are screaming for attention.

However, there are ways that can help a child focus.

One way, is by using a simple item - an index card.

Light blue is the best color to use. Just cut a box in the middle of it - so that you have a small window.

Your child will then use the index card while reading so that the window is over just one word. Only one word is exposed, and the index card helps the brain to "zero in" on that one word.
Try it and see how it works for you!

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

Tired of Making Breakfast?

2006-05-04T12:50:00.000-08:00

Ever have a morning list this?

You've had a late night and you're dog tired. Your alarm goes off and you look at the clock and wish you could reverse time and get a few more hours of sleep.

But unfortunately, being a Mom means you have responsibilities. Kids to feed and get dressed. Whatever.

But what if this morming, you didn't have to get up? What if the kids could make breakfast themselves once in awhile?

That would be totally decadent!

Even if your kids can't cook, you still can enjoy this luxury:

1. Put the cereal, milk, and bowls in a kid friendly location and they can get their own cereal.

2. Next time you make pancakes, make up extra ones and freeze them. The kids simply pop them in the toaster the next morning for a quick breakfast.

There's other things that you can do too that give yourself a much needed break and give your kids skills and confidence to function on their own.

And when they know how to cook - you'd be amazed at the time savings, help, and entertainment they'll get when you let them help with lunches and stuff.

Now's the time to make sure your kids cook and have fun! Laura Bankston P.S. If you'd like your kids to practice reading and other skills while learning to cook - then they need the Homeschool Cooking With Kids System in a Box. Learning the natural way, through experience and natural curiosity. Click Here Now

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

2006-05-03T16:02:00.000-08:00

This afternoon the kids and I are here at the office working. I'm just sitting up here at my desk, and not really paying much attention to what they kids are doing - other than that they are in the downstairs bay area playing nicely.

So, Nathan hollers up to me and tells me what's going on:

"Hey, Mom", he yells.

"Yep?" I answer.

"You know what we are doing? We are playing store. I'm making books and Maegan is coming to buy them with the play money."

"Oh." I said, it sounded like fun.

"well" he continues, "She told me that she wanted a book and I made it for her for $10. Then she told me she wanted it striaght. So, I told her it'd be another $10 for that."

I'm thinking to myself that the pricing is rather odd, but whatever.

Then, he proudly adds, "And she paid it! It's fun to be the boss!"

I'm glad that they can have fun with something that's practical and educational like buying and selling - plus getting a little bit of business skills too :-) .

It's nice that kids can play games and have fun to learn practical skills. I hope your kids get plenty of opportunities to do that too!

Happy Homeschooling!

Laura Bankston

P.S. If your kids need some fun and practical experience in the area of cooking, hop on over to homeschoolcookbook.com and let them get in on that fun too!

Hey, they can even play store with what they make!

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit homeschoolcookbook

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

Homeschool Q&A #100305

2005-10-04T10:29:00.000-08:00

Hi! I hope your first few weeks of homeschool have been going great! As we've gotten back into ours, I've jotted down some info that I'd like to share with your over the next few weeks - tips to keep your sanity and help save you time!

This year has been a new adjustment for me, because my 4 year old daughter, Maegan, just will not take 'no' for an answer to school. Now it's really showing how much more quickly girls mature emotionally than boys. She's already writing letters, etc. and I'm going to have to be sure her mind gets what it craves, and let my mind keep it's sanity too!

So, let's start off with some Q&A:

"Dear Ms. Bankston; I read your article (ABEKA Text False Information) with great interest. In it, you mention the inaccuracy of the text in Abeka's Science. I became increasingly concerned as I read it, because last year, I came across an Abeka textbook that had an error in it that referred to the story of Adam and Eve! The problem is, now that I have a name to write to (LuWanda Bowman), I cannot remember the textbook! It was a Bible story that referred to how Eve took the forbidden fruit and gave it to Adam. I was outraged to read that they (the writers of the text) ignored the blatant fact that Adam was right there and was enticed along with her, and instead, insinuated that Eve went to find him or something to that effect. I do not remember the exact wording of the text but I recognized the fact that it did not go along with the scripture. The problem was, I didn't know what to do about it and now I cannot find this particular text. If I could find it, I would report it to Ms. Bowman, and would encourage her to think of it, not as a suggestion, but as a sincere effort to correct an inaccuracy. I guess I'm writing to see if you have ever come across this particular text. Thanks for the article and for listening! Mrs. Donna Blanchard"

L.B.: Donna, No problem, Donna. I don’t know which text that would be as I don’t use any of their Bible curriculum. I purchased one set and then never used it because we had so much to cover with Sunday school and Awana and Keys for Kids that it was just a waste of money. I hope you find it!! And, I’m glad that you too pay attention!!

"Hi Laura! How about teenagers boys? This is my first year homeschooling. My boys are 14 and 12. Thanks for every day e-mail. God bless, Regina"

L.B.: Hey, Regina. To be honest, my kids haven't hit the teens yet! My oldest is 10, but I've homeschooled him from the beginning. And so far, the principles, tips, and tricks havent' changed for me yet. And, if I were to start right now, I think that I'd get started the same way as before. Get your state requirements and forms, plan, and dive in. If you need some planning forms, you can get them at my library website . If you need step by step help with resoures, tips, tricks, and forms on disk, then I recommend you get 'How to Survive Your Frist 2 Years of Homeschool Knowledge System' that is also on the home page. Good luck!!

"Can you please tell me were I can get a 6 grade kit for homeschooling my child? I need a kit for w.v. kanawha county schooling. I need the teacher and student package. thank you. Someone told me to order from ABEKA will this kit work for my child? Kim Wilson"
L.B.: Kim, each child is different; and only you will be able to decide which one is right for your child. You can get some info on kits/choices available and comments from users at Homeschool Curriculum Reviews . If I were you, I would not start out with a complete kit. They are expensive, contain things you'll find you don't need, and may not fit the learning style of your child. First, sample some products and see how they work. I use different curriculum for each of my children as I have an auditory learner, a hand's on learner, and I'm still learning how my 4 year old Maegan learns best.

And now, some comments from the recent article 'Why Public School is Better Than Homeschooling'.

'i do not feel that public school is better than homeschooling. in fact i think you and your educated idiots should worry about what kind of children you are turning out. you make up all kinds of lables for children that are nothing more than ill mannered lazy brats. IEP for the children that you cant tesach but hey its not your fault there must be some thing wrong with the child lets givr him a lable so that the teacher and parent do not have to feel responsible. Lady i was in education and i got to see first had what your educated fool do to children and no thank you. Take God out of school and this is what you are left with the libral pain in the necks that will bring this country to its knees. Nothing is your fault everyone should help you. God help thoses that help themseves. I clould go on for a long time but i am sure you will not get a word of this . Do not send me anything further.'

'Amen Laura! Thanks for the encouragement. Love, Lyria'

'That is completely ridiculous. I am shocked that people believe this. My mother is one, her biggest complaint was lack of socialization. My daughter gets homeschool band and chorus, church chorus and athletics that we have her involved in. Their isn't any sheltering in that area with homeschoolers.'

Have a super week!

Laura Bankston

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

Why Public School is Better Than Homeschool

2005-09-16T10:11:00.000-08:00

10. Most parents were educated in the underfunded public school system, and so are not smart enough to homeschool their own children.

9. Children who receive one-on-one homeschooling will learn more than others, giving them an unfair advantage in the marketplace. This is undemocratic.

8. How can children learn to defend themselves unless they have to fight off bullies on a daily basis?

7. Ridicule from other children is important to the socialization process.

6. Children in public schools can get more practice 'Just Saying No' to drugs, cigarettes and alcohol.

5. Fluorescent lighting may have significant health benefits.

4. Publicly asking permission to go to the bathroom teaches young people their place in society.

3. The fashion industry depends upon the peer pressure that only public schools can generate.

2. Public schools foster cultural literacy, passing on important traditions like the singing of 'Jingle Bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg...'

1. Homeschooled children may not learn important office career skills, like how to sit still for six hours straight.

Isn't that hilarious? I got this and just had to share it with you too.

But, really. The scarey thing is that people really believe it!

I've had people tell me that kids learn how to deal with people from the teasing and bullying they get in school.

Uh-huh. Right. If you believe that, then you might as well let your child run out in the street to get hit by a car so he will know how to deal with pain.

Laura Bankston

P.S. Don't worry about the selfish foolishness of people who criticize your choice to homeschool. Continue to love your children, teach them, spend time with them, cook with them - it's just the right thing to do.

Laura Bankston is author of Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking with Kids System in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

Homeschool Q&A #051905

2005-05-19T12:14:00.000-08:00

Q&A #051905

Man, today is such a beautiful day, it’s hard to concentrate inside!

Last night, on the way home from church, Maegan was wanting to know what we were going to do when we got home.

“It’s already almost 9:00 – it’s past bedtime, so we’re getting a snack and then you’re going to bed.”

“But, Mommy!” she exclaimed, totally shocked, “it’s still morning time!”

Poor Maegan. Now that sunset isn’t till around 12:30 a.m., she is just seeing daylight all the time and thinking I’m making her go to bed in the morning! Being almost four now, this is the first summer that she’s really noticed the summer daylight.

Well, let’s dive into this weeks Q&A:

“respected madam, i came to know about the coloring contest today & i felt very bad that i missed that, my kid, 3yrs old loves doing coloring & she does it very well.i felt sorry for her that i came to know about that very late. so if you have some more of those competitions coming up please let me know, my kid will surely participate.
thanking you,
madhavi"

L.B.: Madhavi, thanks for your email. After this contest has been judged and prizes sent, the next one will start, so just check back at Coloring Contest Page and get in on the next one. We always get great enjoyment from all the coloring and drawing sent in!

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"I love the concept of your cooking program but I was wondering if this would work with older children or if you have a program for older children. I have 6 children ages 12, 9, 8, 6,5,1. Any help would be greatly appreciated…Thank you, Joy Hamm"

L.B.: Hi Joy - you must be a busy Mom :-).

My son who is 9 enjoys the cookbook when he reads it and does it himself, but it is really simpler recipes for that age and younger.

If you want something printed out and all ready to go, then you’ll want the Homeschool Cooing With Kids System in a Box. With it, you’ll get your first 2 months of the kids recipe club for free, which has a slew of recipes for ages 2-12.

Or, you could go just with the Kids Recipe Club. It is $29.95 to sign up and then $9.95/month for as long as you want to stay on. It has all the recipes of the Homeschool Cooking With Kids System in a Box, plus 4 new ones each month. That's at www.kidsrecipeclub.com .

Let me know if you need any more info - hope to have you part of our cooking family!

“We have just recently gotten back to Christ. My son accepted the Lord in his soul last night. We have talked obout homeschooling in the past, but I'm unsure of my ability to teach. Our preacher and a member of our church homeschools The kids seem to get a lot out of it. I was taught at home for two years and loved it, until I went back to public school. Thought you might be able to send me some insight. We live in Wirt Co. Thank you.”

L.B.: Well, welcome back! Isn’t it great to have unconditional forgiveness and acceptance! You know, if you are doing younger elementary ages, it is so easy. Even if you don’t think you know the stuff that’s taught for that age, you’re working right along with your child and can learn it too. You can do from making up and planning everything yourself to buying kits that spell everything out – including what to say! Much luck to you!

(If you or anyone else needs help, the “How to Survive Your First Two Years of Homeschool Knowledge System” is a great resource. click here)

“Hi!I was wondering if the parent can buy and test their own child as an alternative? Would the fact that a parent has a degree help, or does it not matter. Thanks!Heidi Shapiro”

L.B.: Hi heidi – what state are you in? In some states a college degree does matter when homeschooling and testing depends on your states laws. Here in Alaska, we don’t have to test at all, but there are many places online where you can order tests if you feel like you need it.

Comments from members:

“Thanks so much, I can't wait to try these out, and I'm sooo with you on NOT having math competitions. I was really awful in math, and really didn't catch on until I got up in years in public school and Junior College where I excelled in math.
I especially can't wait to try the stuff that involves cooking. I hate cooking but my daughters love it.
Thanks again!
Shanon”

“THANK GOD HE BLESSED YOU JUST REMEMBER ITS NOT OUR TIME ITS HIS TIME
I LIVE IN SOUTH CAROLINA I HAVE THREE KIDS AND THEY TOLD ME I WOULD NEVER HAVE KIDS SO GOD IS SO SO GOOD AND I LOVE THEM SO SO MUCH AND THE REASON I HOMESCHOOL THEM THESE SCHOOL ARE NO GOOD BUT THATS NOT WHY IM HERE GOD BROUGHT US HERE LOT OF PEOPLE DONT BELEAVE THAT BUT ITS TRUE MY HUSBEND AND I HAVE A YOUTH GROUP AT RED DAM BAPTIST CHURCH AND I LOVE IT IM FROM JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA , COMEING TO S/C ITS LIKE GOING THOUGH A TIME ZONE THEY ARE REAL KICK BACK BOT ANY WAYS HAPPY MOTHER DAY TO YOU”

“Dear Laura,

I know what you mean about Mother's Day. I'm so grateful that we have our little Ariel, now 5. But, still on Mother's Day, I miss my own mom, who passed away 7 years ago.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Love and light,
Barbara”

Well, that's it for today! Have a great one!!

Laura Bankston

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

Should we do away with Mother's Day?

2005-05-07T15:12:00.000-08:00

Mother's Day used to be one of the saddest days of the year for me - at least in church. I enjoyed celebrating and honoring my wonderful mother...but I wanted to be one too.

I can remember sitting in church, hearing for over an hour all the wonderful sentimental things about being a mother. Songs about mother's. Awards to the oldest mother. Adwards to the mothers with the most kids. Awards to the newest mother. Flowers on the way out for all the mothers.....

Well, you know what? Not everyone that wants to be a mother is one. That's why I think that church should do away with a total "Mother" focus on Mother's Day. A Godly woman focus would be much more appropriate and not further break the hearts that are already broken.

Back then, it was all I could do to keep from crying each Mother's Day service.

So, each Mother's Day has a new outlook for me.

First, total and complete thankfullness for the three children God finally did give to me. I may be 53 when my daughter finishes high school; but I'll be the proudest 53 year old Mom around.

Secondly, my heart still aches - aches for those out there who still would give up anything just to hold a baby in their arms that is their very own.

So, no, I don't think we should do away with Mother's Day; but I do think that we should still be aware and sensitive towards those who are not blessed like we are!

Laura Bankston

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

Fun with Chips (Cont.)

2005-05-06T15:10:00.000-08:00

Okay, this one is gonna be quick.

My daughter just climbed up on my lap and asked me to spend the day with her. Yesterday, I did spend all day in my office, working, trying to get caught up on everything that piles up so quickly - you know how it is.

So, I can't refuse her!! :-)

Anyway, back to the chip story. For those of you who missed the first part yesterday, you can read it here:http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com/2005/05/fun-with-chips.html

So, we were laughting and giggling and having a big time. Then the game took a silly twist.

Ryan, my middle one, is dyslexic and if you know how they think, then you know they can blow your mind away with what they can see that others can't. So, he had this chip that was almost a perfect curve and he was holding it up and we were all trying to guess what it was...

A tunnel??? no....

A cave??? no....

A tent!!! I practically screamed, but no....

Can you guess what it was?

We guessed and guessed and guessed - all to no avail. Finally, we all gave up.

'You give up?' he asked, just grinning proudly.

'Yep' we all answered.

'It's an eyebrow!'

An eyebrow??? All of us were confused. Then he held up the chip again and showed us that if you looked just at the edge of it, it was arched like an eyebrow.

Now, who woulda seen that???? Only my Ryan.

But that revealed to us a new level of creativity and imagination for playing and guessing the game.

Hey, you learn something new everyday - I just didn't expect it to come from a chip!

Have a great one!

Laura
P.S. Read above to find out how I learned from a chip!
P.P.S. If you haven't gotten your Mother's Day craft, then what are you waiting for? There's only 2 days left, and if you want to get it done, you need to get it NOW:http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/netcart.asp?MerchantID=42184&offerID=11930
(If the whole url is not highlighted in your email, then copy and paste it into your web browser.)

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

Fun with Chips

2005-05-05T11:13:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we had so much fun at lunch that I just had to share it with you.

You know, sometimes by lunch time, I'm just so exhausted that I'd just like to shove some lunch at the kids and take a nap. You ever feel that way?

Well, I sure have - and on this day no less.

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So, I made myself sit there with the kids and chat with them. When suddenly, I took a bit of my Tostito chip, and looked at it. It looked just like an elephant!

I said, 'Hey, what does this look like?'

The kids were immediately interested and started guessing all kinds of things. I was surprised by their choices - and so began a game of 'guess what this is'.

We were laughing and giggling so hard that I forgot how tired I was. The game got silly...I'll have to tell you about the twist it took tomorrow!

Have a great one!

Laura

P.S. Don't spend hours searching for the perfect craft for your kids to do for Mother's Day (and help your husband out with what to do!!!) Get your Mother's Day Bouqet Instant Download now!

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

7 Tips for teaching Multiplication

2005-05-04T15:10:00.000-08:00

I can still feel the excitement.

I can remember being in class, and it was time to play "Around the World" with multiplication. I was super great at that game, loved it, and dominated the classroom.

My competitive side was very evident at a young age - but you don't get that competition in the homeschool arena.

That's good, and it's bad.

It's good that we don't have that competition in homeschool because it's not healthy for Math. Let's face it. There are few jobs in the world now adays that even require you to know math - just using a calculator. And those that do require math (like piloting as my brother does on levels beyond my comprehension!), will get the speed with time and maturity.

So, what I'm saying is this: competition is great and is important for kids to learn and handle. But not with Math. Why should a child feel discouraged or let down by something most don't really like anyway?

Now, here's how I think that math competion IS important in homeschool. Competition against oneself. To teach your child how to do better than the time before, to practice in areas that are lacking, and for motivation to make something fun.

Here's some ways that we make Math competitive and fun for Nathan who is homeschooled for third grade this year:

Timed Worksheets: I don't make Nathan do a lot of repetive practice because he just doesn't need it. However, he does get some review practice every once and a while; and he gets so bored with adding some colums of numbers, dividing, or multiplying. But, he does love to race. So, if I time him to see how fast he goes - or if I give him a certain amount of time to get it done, he's rarin' to go. However, if your child makes too many mistakes or is too pressured by the timer, then this option is NOT for you!
Individual Multiplication Races: Every child has those few times tables that are more difficult, and I think we'll all agree on the importance of knowing the multiplication tables and the advantage of having them memorized. So, I make a list of 15 or so multiplication problems - a couple that Nathan has difficulty remembering, some that takes a little longer to get (because I can tell he's just adding in his head!), and some that are so easy they don't require thought. Then I tell him how much time he has and start the countdown. I say "7x5" and he has to say "35" or "pass" to get to the next one. If he gets them all done (including going back to the ones that he said "pass"), then he gets a reward. It's usually something simple like a small cup of apple juice or a peice of gum, etc.
Flash Card Races: this can be done in the manner I just descirbed, or you can do it the "Bankston" way. I mark places on the floor (with a peice of paper or tape, etc.). Then I show the flash cards. As he calls out each answer, he moves to the next space. If he gets around all the spaces before time runs out, he gets a small prize.
Altering Recipes: Double of half a recipe for great fraction practice. You can also use simple recipes with all whole numbers so that it's easier for the young children. Get multiplication practice by asking your child to take a recipe that feeds 4 and make it into a recipe that will feed 24.
Multiplication Songs: Nathan is an auditory learner, so the multiplication songs CD is a fun, easy reinforcement for him. We don't do it everyday - just in rotation with all these other things
Math board games: This is a great option to join in as a parent or for just the kids. We have a game now that has four different levels. That way, when the math gets too easy, we can advance to a new game and not lose interest. Nathan has mastered this game, but when he plays with his younger brother, he has to do his own math and check his brother's too.
Online games or software: If your kids are like mine, they enjoy playing games and they enjoy being online. There are math games available from software companies like "Knowledge Adventure" that makes the "JumpStart" products (which we have used and loved) and free online games.

Don't forget: For the races, allow plenty of time so your child has a chance. Give them just a little less time than they normally need so that they just have to improve a tiny bit in order to win. Success breeds more success - and fun improves learning.

If you'd like more information on helping your child with Math, here's some resources for you:

Math Homework Help at the Homeschooling Library
Multiplication Songs at the Homeschooling Library
Math in cooking: Cooking with Kids System in a Box or www.kidsrecipeclub.com
Multiplication board games: visit your local school supply store
Online multiplication practice: www.multiplication.com

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

Homeschool Q&A #050305

2005-05-03T15:08:00.000-08:00

Hope you are having a great week! Weather here in Alaska has been stupendous - we've even been setting record breakers. We are all very happy to be warm outside and see the trees starting to bud and the flowers starting to bloom!

Let's get right into today's Q&A:

"...I felt I was letting my child fall by the wayside in public school. I want only the best for all my childred [sic]. I just don't know what is enough and how long he should be working?" Shelby Bartram

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L.B.: Shelby, that is always a concern when beginning to homeschool, so you're not alone out there! New homeschool moms often feel like they are not devoting enough "time". But, let me assure you that the public school system is filled with wasted time. And, that time also tends to be convenient for working parents.

At the beginning of the year, determine what your goals are. Decide how you are going to accomplish that goal. And then do as much or as little time as your child needs. Just don't be too rigid - be flexible and sensitive. Your not wanting to copy the public schools structure or time - don't be afraid to relax and have fun!

If you need more help with getting started, click here.

"HI LAURA, I RECENTLY BEGAN WORKING WITH 18 MONTH TO 3 YEAR OLDS I AM TRYING TO COME UP WITH A CLASS INVOLVING COOKING TO INTEREST THIS WIDE AGE RANGE CAN YOU GIVE ME ANY IDEAS? ARE 18 MONTH OLDS TO YOUNG TO BEGIN BASIC COOKING? THANK YOU" MACKENZIE

L.B.: Hi Mackenzie (I like how your name is spelled!). As I'm sure you've already discovered, those bright minds are ready for challenges; and their bodies need activities to develop their preschool motor skills.

Cooking is PERFECT for that age range-I've had my kids on the counter helping me since they were old enough to sit up. Your situation will need to be a little more controlled and planned; and the recipes you choose should be carefully chosen to fit the number of children that you have. Flour can start flying faster than you can blink! :-)

If you want easy recipes planned out for you with all supplies and ingredients done for you, visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Good luck and have fun!

"Good morning. My name is Lori Smith and I work with mentally challenged adults who are mostly living independently. My plans are to start a 13 week course of cooking skills and am looking for lesson plans that would be at their level. Could you send me or fax me a copy of the syllabus you use or the table of contents to see if this would be a tool I could use."
L.B. Lori, I don't think that my cooking with kids system would work for your needs. This system is designed for homeschool families to allow children to make things on their own to stimulate creativity and get practical experience in reading and following directions. I think what you're doing is great. I visited the Shepherd home in Wisconsin a couple of times and had time to get a tour and volunteer a little. They weren't living independently, but they did most of the jobs and were always so happy doing it! I was greatly touched by their outlook on life.
Well, that's enough for today - have more homeschool to do myself!!!
Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

Teaching Your Child To Lift a Car

2005-03-03T15:01:00.000-09:00

Teaching Your Child To Lift A Car

Yesterday my husband Wade took the day off (that’s one of the really cool things about having your own business!). The only bad thing about yesterday is that two of the kids are still sick—they have that cold with the horrible cough and congestion.

So, needless to say, I’ve been going a little stir crazy and was so happy for the extra help.

The kids were excited too. They love spending time with their Dad.

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In fact, on days he does work, there’s a terrible commotion when he comes home. As soon as the van pulls in the driveway, the kids run to the window and start yelling, “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy” in that familiar, excited child chant. Next, as Wade comes up the sidewalk, they all scramble to get to the front door—usually getting in trouble for pushing to see who gets to stand right at the opening. Finally, the front door opens, and everyone cries, “Daddy, you’re home!” They jump up and down while they wait for their turn to be picked up and hug.

There’s nothing my kids like more than spending time with their Dad, and I hope the same is true for you too!

So, on Wade’s day home yesterday, he decided that he needed to get the garage organized. Of course, everyone wanted to go out and help; and I was just to eager to get some breathing space. Since the garage is heated, they could have a little fun without it slowing down their immune system.

They were probably out there for three hours, but it seemed like only three minutes before they were back inside and desperate for something to eat.

As I fixed them something, I listened to stories from the garage. One that nine-year-old Nathan told me really caught my attention.

Wade prefaced the story with the fact that he’s teaching Nathan to be a problem solver. While they had been working, he told Nathan about a problem and how it was solved.

Afterward, Wade had asked Nathan, “Do you see how you can solve any problem when you want to?”

“Yeah,” Nathan had answered, “well, yeah, except I know I can’t lift a car…”

How like Nathan. He is so exact and tries to immediately think about any exception that may exist to any statement or principle.

But now Nathan picked up telling the story, “Yeah,” he laughed, “I told Daddy there was no way I could lift a car!”

I was all ears.

“So, Daddy said I could do anything I wanted and took me over to the car and I lifted the car.”

What! Nathan lifted a car? Did Wade tap into some type of mental super-strength for my child to lift the front of a car?

“So,” I asked, wide-eyed, “how exactly did you lift the car?” I wasn’t really sure I was prepared for the answer!

“It was easy,” Nathan said with sparkling eyes, “I put a jack under it and pumped it up.”

“That’s wonderful!” I exclaimed, amazed at my husbands lesson. It was actually two lessons: 1. You can solve any problem, and 2. Think beyond the obvious.

I needed that lesson. When I was thinking about lifting a car, the only thing in my mind was someone putting their two hands under the bumper and lifting it up. But in actuality, using your mind to come up with a solution is more powerful.

That’s the type of thinking that allowed a man to invent the steam engine. That’s the kind of thinking that allows us to drive 70 miles an hour in vehicles of total luxury. That’s the kind of thinking that got a man on the moon.

The lesson to use your mind to find solutions for the “impossible” is more valuable than I can describe. Take a moment today to reveal to your children the awesome power they possess!
Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

Teaching Preschool Color and Shapes with Family Games

2005-03-01T16:42:00.000-09:00

My kids just can't get enough of playing games with Mom and Dad--can yours?

Sometimes we all take a break in the middle of the day and play a game together. Most of the time, I just make sure we play games so that we all have fun together. I can get so caught up in things that I'll go from one task to the next and forget to have a little fun.

Today, after several pleas from my kids, I got out the Uno cards. Today I would be playing with six-year-old Ryan and three-year-old Maegan. In the past, Maegan would sit on my lap and help me with my cards; but today, she wanted to be her "own team".

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"Yep," she answered and put down a yellow card on top of the pile.

Round and round we went, with Maegan putting down the correct color on her turn all by herself. Then finally a turn came that she didn't have the right color.

"Do you have a card," I asked, pointing to the large symbol in the middle of the card, "that has a circle like this one?"

While I still had my finger next to the symbol, she went through each card, one a time. She carefully checked to see if she had a "match" - and when she found one, she put it down on top of the pile.

The game was a great success--especially since she won the first round!

"That's one point for the team 'My Little Pony' (as she had named her team)," I congratulated her. She beamed with pride. She had won and she had done it all by herself.

As I sat there admiring her accomplishment, I realized how easy it is to miss opportunities like this that are educational in nature. This game taught her taking turns, sorting, colors, and shapes.

It's always a great asset as a home school parent to have one more way to help our kids learn and practice what they've been learning. So, "Uno away"!!

Laura Bankston

P.S. Don't forget how well games can teach our children basic things such as shapes and colors. And, don't underestimate your child's ability to participate. Uno can be an appropriate game for family play - even for a preschooler.

P.P.S. Know someone considering home school or getting ready to home school for their first year? Then, help them be successful - without stress - by skipping all the mistakes new home school Moms make. Get the click here) of article name and reprint location link.

A Can of Green Beans to Make Your Child Feel Important

2005-02-28T15:04:00.000-09:00

It never ceases to amaze me...children.

They are such little miracles, and at times I'm just overwhelmed with the responsibility of them.

Tonight as I watched my daughter, Maegan, I was amazed at how excited she was, how important that she felt - all because of a can of green beans.
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That's right, a can of green beans.

Today was an extremely busy day, so when we got home at 4:45; the kids were hungry and I was tired. So, I decided to warm a frozen lasagne and have that and green beans.

Three-year-old Maegan wanted to help, and tonight was the perfect night since dinner was going to be so simple.

So first, I put the lasagne in the microwave to cook, set the timer, and let Maegan press the 'start' button. That's great excitement to her, you know. I'm sure you've seen the same thing with your toddlers.

Then we put the lasagne in the oven together to brown. She knows where the light button is on the oven, and she loves to be able to check on her food cooking all by herself.

Just before the lasagne was done, I opened the cans of green beans. I gave her a container and the opened cans. She was so excited to pour the green beans into the dish (and that's also good motor development work). She concentrated so hard to make sure all the beans went into the dish. But, the green beans were in a pile, so she asked for a spoon to 'spread out 'her' green beans.' I let her do that, and then we put them in the microwave - with her pressing the start button of course.

Then she went at sat at the table and beamed. I told her thank you for being such a big help to Mom.

She said, 'I love to be a helper, Mom.'

My heart melted. She was so happy and proud to have made dinner. She was so pleased to play such an important role in making dinner.

And, once again, I was reminded how vital it is to make our kids feel important. It's just as necessary for the development of their self-worth as the activities we are so careful to include to progress their motor development.

It's more than just a can of green beans - it was playing the important role.

P.S. Cooking with preschoolers is good for their motor development and for develolping their independence, self-worth, and confidence. To learn how you can cook with all your kids, from preschool through 3rd grade, visit Homeschool Cookbook

P.P.S. Help your child feel important by allowing them to help with an easy dinner. Read above to learn a fast, simple way to do that.

Feel free to forward this email to any family and friends that might be helped with this story.

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit her website .

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

What Somebody Said About Mothers

2005-02-04T19:30:00.000-09:00

My mother-in-law forwarded this to me, and I just thought it was great and wanted to share it with you!!!

Somebody said that a child is carried in its mother's womb for nine months.
Somebody does not know that a child is carried in its mother's heart forever.

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby. Somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, normal is history.

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct.
Somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.

Somebody said being a mother is boring.
Somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.

Somebody said if you're a "good" mother, your child will "turn out good."
Somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

Somebody said "good" mothers never raise their voices.
Somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window.

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.
Somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.

Somebody said you can't love the fifth child as much as you love the first.
Somebody doesn't have five children.

Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books. Somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery.
Somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten.

Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back. Somebody never organized seven giggling Brownies to sell cookies.

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married.
Somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heart strings.

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home.
Somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.
Somebody isn't a mother.

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

Kraft and Nabisco Label for Special Diets

2005-02-02T11:06:00.000-09:00

For those of you on special diets, you know the value of great ingredient labeling! I did hear on the radio that all food companies will be required to list things like gluten, but those regulations will not be totally in effect until 2008!!! Now, how could it possibly take three years to change a label? I don't know, but in the meantime, I've been making a lot of phone calls to manufacturers.

Anyway, I can't have yeast, so I've been using Baking Powder. And, when I was reviewing my list of no-no's, I read that baking powder can have wheat in it! Yikes. I can't have wheat or gluten either.

So, I placed a call to Kraft to make sure there was no gluten.

I must say, they were very helpful.

All Kraft and Nabisco products have accurate labeling. If there is a questionable ingredient, they break it down in parenthesis afterward so that you don't have to worry about "hidden ingredients". And, they informed me that all ingredients listed as natural flavors, food starch, and modified food starch are only from corn, rice, or tapioca.

So, maybe you "seasoned" - pardon the pun :-) - gluten-free individuals already know this, but hopefully it will be helpful to those newbies like myself.

And, hey, even if you don't have special dietary requirements, it's nice to know that Kraft and Nabisco products are so accurate in labeling. And, if you don't normally check ingredient lists, I encourage you to do so. I've been amazed at how the "same" products have different lists!

For example, I was buying some baking chocolate squares to use; and I just assumed they were all the same and picked a box and took it home. Then, when I went to use it, I read the ingredients and found it had milk in it! And, it wasn't even titled milk chocolate like the others that contained milk. So, back to the store. The other baking chocolate was indeed pure, dark chocolate.

Anyway, label checking can be very enlightening as to what you're putting in your body. I can't describe how much my health has improved since going "natural" and "organic" and "soy". It definitely costs more at the grocery store; but hey, who can add up the cost of a Mom fatiqued, irritable, and constantly catching every illness within a two mile radius? I think everyone will agree that a higher grocery bill is well worth it.

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

Indoor Winter Activities

2005-02-02T10:19:00.000-09:00

Last night when my husband got home from work, he told me the temperature was already -12 degrees F. Brrrrr. Today is still super cold, so I think we'll spend the day indoors. Which, of course, means to pull from my repertoire of indoor activities.

So, while I'm thinking what we'll do today to keep the munchkins busy after we do school, I thought I might as well share it with you too!

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So, here's our plan today:

Some Cooking: Start a pot of stew! That way, by this evening, we'll have a nice, comforting meal ready and waiting. My favorite stew recipe is Five Hour Beef Stew found at the Kids Recipe Club . There are also a few other stew recipes. If you have a favorite stew recipe that you'd like to share with the Recipe Club, please do so. Just click "submit your recipe" in the "Kids Recipes" menu box. While we cook, I think today we'll talk about the different nutrients in the vegetables we will be using and why they are important to our diets.
Some Homeschool - we took a day off yesterday because the kids weren't feeling too well, but today is a definite. We will need to burn a little brain power to help deal with cabin fever and built up energy. Don't forget about the Free Math Worksheet (Decoding Fun) and Free Coloring Pages .
Some Lunch - today we will be having sandwiches and home made hot chocolate. I like to do sandwiches with the kids as another way to help develop hand muscles. Slicing (when age appropriate, of course!) and spreading require use of gross and fine motor skills. The homemade hot chocolate creates camaraderie, encourages logical thinking, and is just downright enjoyable on a cold day! Here's where we'll select our beverage recipe .
Some Energy burning - yes, I realize that the hot chocolate sugar is going to escalate things :-), so we'll immeadiately do something very taxing! We'll start with some jumping jacks. The kids love them and that helps with coordination too. Then we'll do a "bear hunt" and walk around the house doing movements for marching, swimming, climbing - hey, we'll probably go up and down the stairs a few times too. That'll give me a nice workout too! And then, to cool down, we'll play a little tug of war with our puppy.
Some quite time - after our physical activity, we'll all sit down on the sofa and I'll read to them. Right now, we are reading two books. And, the one I'm pretty sure they'll want to hear today is some more of Where the Red Fern Grows. I'm just dreading getting to the end!!!
Some cooperative working together - it'll be getting close to dinner time by now. So, as a family, we'll set the table and get everything ready to enjoy our heart-warming stew!

So, if you want, you can follow our plan - or maybe it will spur some ideas of your own "shut-in" day.

Free Math Worksheet

2005-01-26T15:37:00.000-09:00

Hi - I hope that all went well today with your homeschooling!

As I sit here on the sofa, I look out my window and see the sunshine reflecting off the snow and watch smoke curling out of a fireplace chimney. It is just happy and cheerful out today.

Well, maybe it's just me feeling happy and cheerful today!

Anyway, Nathan and Ryan have been into "codes" lately. And we've been passing back and forth papers with messages and a code to crack. We do give a hint as to the pattern of the coding, but you still have to think about it.

When sharing one with their Dad, Wade said, "You know, when we were in highschool, your Mom would write me notes in code that I had to figure out."

I had completely forgotten about that! Poor Wade...he must have really liked me to spend hours trying to figure out the code and the letter I had written! I didn't even give him a clue as to the pattern of the code.

Do your kids like codes? Well, today I created a simple one that just takes addition and subtraction knowledge to cover a range of elementary ages and have posted it on the Homeschool Cookbook home page for anyone to use:
http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

So, if you have little de-coders running around your house, print this sheet and let them have some fun, practice math, and end up with a Scripture to memorize or just talk about.

Sincerely,Laura Bankston

P.S. Get your instant math de-coding activity when you visit Homeschool Cookbook at http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com (Don't delay...I won't be leaving this up forever :-) )
P.P.S. If you know of any other homeschoolers, forward this to them - or the link - so they can print their de-coding worksheet too.

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

Roe vs. Wade 32nd Anniversary

2005-01-25T15:34:00.000-09:00

This weekend we had a rather somber church service. A service remembering the anniversay of the Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade.

And, of course, an occasion like that gets me thinking. Thinking about all the statistics of what has happened in America since that decision. And the importance of teaching our children the value of life.

For those of you with older children, here are the links to information I've used this week:

http://www.roevwade.org/rvw1.html - yearly abortion statistics. The number of abortions has increased so much that there is one every 24 seconds.

http://www.nrlc.org/abortion/index.html - info on abortion techniques

http://www.standupgirl.com/inside/index.html - the most amazing COLOR photos of early fetal development

http://www.standupgirl.com/inside/embryoscopy/index.html

http://www.3d-us.org/eng/nomedic.htm - photos and scroll down to the bottom for MOVIE of 15 week old baby and a 32 week old baby - 3D no less! Oh, and video of a YAWNING baby.

http://www.abortionfacts.com/literature/literature_921ms.asp - developmental facts of fetus by days and weeks

http://www.nrlc.org/abortion/facts/abortionresponses.html - debating right to life
'In 2000, more children died from abortion than Americans died in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Korean, Vietnam and Gulf Wars combined'

http://www.nrlc.org/abortion/facts/abortionstats.html

Today, I hug my children. I thank God for them. Today I pray for those pregnant teens and other women who are in emotional distress, for comfort for them, and for guidance to lead them in the way of adoption. Today, I pray for our country and for the oportunity we have to reverse Roe vs. Please take a moment right now to do the same. Thank God for the people who fight for the rights of these unborn infants just as we would fight for justice if someone took the life of our born children.

Sincerely,
Laura Bankston

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

Time Consumed with Arguing

2005-01-20T14:46:00.000-09:00

No matter where you go in America...

No matter how good people have it....

No matter what thought or philiosphy someone is trying to convery....

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Some people just love to argue!

Just think about it. What are some of America's top radio broadcasts? Rush Limbaugh, Dr. Laura, etc.

People just love to get riled up about stuff, blow it out of porportion, act like victims, and miss the whole point of everything.

They call in just to argue - with points that don't follow any logic - some truth, but a lot of stuff that everyone can see doesn't make any sense except for the people flappin their jaws.

However, fortunately, there are some poeple who aren't like that. People who like controversial issues brought up. People who like to have facts pointed out that they may have not considered before.

People who know that there are additional things to learn in life.

People who know that the only way things are going to be improved and changed in this life is if people take a stand and unite and use a collective voice to make themselves heard.

So for those of you out there - and you know who you are - who daily improve thier lives with information. You are the ones that make the world better. The ones that make your life better - and better for those you live with.

Everyone else....you can try to do the same. But if you decide to just keep on arguing, that's okay too. It provides entertainment for the rest of us!

Sincerely,
Laura Bankston

P.S. In life, you can sit and watch things go by; attack everything that goes by; or evaluate, expereince, and learn from what goes by. Which are you?

P.P.S. If you're the type of person that likes to experience, grow, and learn, then share that expereince with your kids right now! http://www.kidsrecipeclub.com

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

Indoor Sidewalk Chalk Fun

2005-01-17T22:53:00.000-09:00

Need some winter (or maybe rainy day) indoor fun?

My kids love to do sidewalk chalk; and since Maegan turned three this summer, it was really the first summer that she got into it too.

Everyday she was asking to go out and 'do chalk', so this winter has been particularly hard for her.

She keeps going to the drawer with the buckets of sidewalk chalk, asking to 'do chalk'.

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2. Savory Pumpkin Custard in the Microwave - with an optional homeschool homework assignment to earn a cooking certificate

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So, a couple of days ago, one of our art acitivies was to draw a snow scene with white chalk on dark blue construction paper.

As you can imagine, Maegan was tickled pink to see the sidewalk chalk come out.

But bless her heart, if she didn't give me a great idea when she put her construction paper on the floor to color - make our our indoor sidewalk to color with chalk.

It's very easy to do.

Just tape together some squares of white or colored construction paper to make your own 'indoor sidewalk'. then let the kids have at it.

The downside? It's a little messy. But, after being cooped in for a long time and having tons of energy, you may be willing to trade a little mess for some sanity :-).

Sincerely,
Laura Bankston

P.S. Have friends or family with home school children cooped inside? Send them this fun indoor sidewalk idea and have them sign up for their own daily tips at http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

P.P.S. Give your kids an 'after the holidays' surprise gift. Neverending cooking fun with an ongoing supply of brand new recipes to download. http://www.kidsrecipeclub.com/

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

ABEKA Science Text Contains False Information

2005-01-17T14:41:00.000-09:00

I think Nathan's favorite subject right now is Science. He always has been fascinated with how things work and what makes things happen. And I like Science because it provides such a perfect opportunity to incorporate Biblical truth.

And, in my endeavor to have every subject surrounded and encompassed with God and Scripture, I use many of ABEKA's textbooks. And, as you may have already guessed, one of them is Science.

So, this year we are going through Exploring God's World 3 and having a great time doing it.

However, this week, in our study of plant life, I was reading to Nathan from the lesson on seeds and spores. As I do sometimes, I was reading and kinda thinking about other things, so I wasn't really paying attention to the words as much as I should have been. And I read a small paragraph without really comprehending what I was reading until that last sentence, "

"...yeast spores make our bread rise. Without them, we would not have bread for toast and sandwiches.”

I stopped.

"That's not true!" I exclaimed in disbelief. How could they make such a blatantly false statement?

Sure, most of the bread that is available for purchase - and even home made bread for that matter - is made with yeast.

But that doesn't change the fast - YOU CAN MAKE BREAD WITHOUT USING YEAST!

Now, you may not have even thought about it before, but trust me, I live it. And so do probably hundreds of thousands of other Americans who, like myself, are allergic or intolerant to yeast.

And, we still have bread - without yeast.

In fact, the bread that I eat can't have wheat, yeast, gluten, or egg white. But, even without those, I still have bread. And I can even purchase mixes to make bread without any of those ingredients.

My point?

It's not so much the issue about the bread. It's the issue of accurate information.

Our children have little sponges for minds. They accept and believe everything that they are told. They accept and believe everything from books too. I mean, really. How many of you have had to deal with the issue of "reality" when watching T.V.? They believe everything on T.V. is true too!

So, it's important to teach our children that things in books are not necessarily true. People write books and people make mistakes - and some people try to deceive you and get you to believe things that you shouldn't.

That day, Nathan and I had a large discussion about this matter of a book having information that is not true.

And, what else might not be true? You better believe that you won't catch me again reading to my son and not paying attention!

But the other issue on my mind? Getting the text book corrected. How long has that false statement been in the science text? How many kids have been reading the material on their own and think that you have to have yeast to make bread? Has anyone even caught this inaccuracy and addressed the issue?

And since I'm not one to let things go, I sent the following e-mail to ABEKA customer service:

"Who would I need to contact about erroneous information in the 3rd grade science text?
Thanks so much. Laura Bankston

Page 41-Exploring God’s World 3-“yeast spores make our bread rise. Without them, we would not have bread for toast and sandwiches.” This is not correct information. I’m allergic to yeast and have yeast free breads all the time. This information should be corrected to, “Without them, we would not have ….(something that has to be made with yeast, or the same tasting bread that is commonly bought in stores). Most states have laws that textbooks must contain accurate information"

Yes, most states have laws that text books must contain accurate information. This is usually a state law that applies to even public school texts. So, as a parent, you have a right to address the false information presented in public school texts (such as the appendix being a "vestigial organ". Science has already proven that the appendix has a purpose and is important).

So, I sent my email, wondering if I would get a response. And today, I got one. But, it wasn't what I was expecting....

"Dear Mrs. Bankston,

Thank you for your suggestion regarding the science text. We will keep this information on file for our next reprint.
We appreciate your interest and prayers as we attempt to provide quality in textbooks for Christian schools and home schoolers."

Sincerely,
LuWanda Bowman
Education Consultant

Thanks for my suggestion????

Since when is correcting an error just a "suggestion'??? There should be someone admitting that it is an ERROR and can MISLEAD children and that it will be presented for REVISION. And, in the meantime, each text should have an INSERT or a STICKER of the ERROR.

If you are a user of ABEKA and are concerned about this complacency regarding an ERROR in a science text not only used by many homeschoolers - but is being read to students in Christian schools across this nation, then please contact ABEKA with me and let them know that FALSE information, no matter how "minor" is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Period.

ABEKA Contact information:

LuWanda Bowman, Education Consultant - bowman@abeka.com

ABEKA Fax
U.S and Canada 1-800-874-3590
Write:
A Beka Book, Inc.P.O. Box 19100Pensacola, FL 32523-9100, U.S.A.

And, may I encourage you to pay attention to the curriculum that you use. Make sure that it is accurate and truthful. And, by all means, don't accept anything less than that!

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.

The Elusive Tyco RC Terrain Twister

2004-12-15T13:00:00.000-09:00

As of Monday evening, I had all my Christmas shopping done except for one child - my eldest Nathan.

Now, he is NOT a hard kid to buy for....he always has a stack of toy magazine pages - just waiting for you to ask, "What do you want for..." so he can hand them over to you.

In fact, I had already picked out a telescope for him. He has been wanting one for a long time; and since we are going to my brother's cabin for Christmas, I figured it would be totally perfect.

But, my husband didn't agree.

You see, Nathan has been saving for one, and he thinks Nathan will be disappointed to get a different one than the one he is saving for.

He's probably right - well, okay, i KNOW he's right! But, it's so hard not to get my baby (even though he's 9) something that he wants when he's really deserving of it.

So, there I was without a gift for Nathan (we do just one special gift from us instead of a bunch of small junk that's discarded in two hours).

---------------------------------------
7 TIPS FOR MAKING PERFECT CHRISTMAS COOKIES:

1. Measure your flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt very accurately.
2. Mix the dry ingredients separately and then combine with the wet to avoid "soda lumps"
3. Don't over mix your dough - over mixing causes them to be tough
4. Use fresh, light-colored, heavy gauge baking sheets. Old, dark sheets can make the bottoms brown too quickly
5. Non-stick cookie sheets make cleaning easier but usually make thicker cookies
6. For rolled dough cookies, make sure you use chilled dough in small portions. This will make crispier cookies.
7. Use a cookie scoop to help make consistent sizes in drop cookies
-----------------------------------------

So, I decided to ask Nathan that one question he's dying to be asked, "What do you want for Christmas?" I asked.

"I want a remote control car," he started. I cringed. I hate remote control vehicles. They require a lot of room, are not great indoor toys, can only be played by one at a time, and don't really inspire creativity.

"I saw it on T.V.," he continued, "it can go in snow or water or anything."

Now he had my attention. Snow? That would be perfect for our long winters to encourage outdoor play - and even to play with at the cabin over Christmas.

"What's it called," I asked.

"I don't know...." he explained, "I just saw the commercial once. I think it's Tygo RC something or other."

Well, that wasn't a lot of information, but I can pretty much find anything that I want online. It took me about 3 hours, but I finally found that the toy he wanted was Tyco's RC Terrain Twister.

Ahhhh....you may be thinking if you know anything about this season's toys.

Well, I didn't - I had never heard of it - so I started to look for places to buy it.

Did you know that the dog-gone toy is sold out? It's like the present day Tickle-me-Elmo. I mean, I searched everywhere - including Canada, Germany, and France - and it is not to be had.

So, I had to break the news to Nathan. He was sad to hear it was sold out, but he accepted it and went back to playing.

I, on the other hand, was not giving up yet.

First of all, I'm a VERY determined person. Secondly, I am very good at researching. Thirdly, I really don't like to be told that I can't do something. That just usually makes me try harder.
So, I picked up the challenge and ran with it.

And, I got lucky!

I ended up finding one on eBay, won the auction; and it will be here in time for me to wrap and take to the cabin for Christmas. Nathan is just gonna flat out die when he opens it.

However, I have to admit that I did pay more that it sold for in Wal-Mart - about 20% more plus express shipping - but in this case, it will be worth it.

But would you like to see something totally UNBELIEVABLE? Go to eBay today, do a search for "Tyco RC Terrain Twister"...and you will see how they are now going for DOUBLE or TRIPLE what they sold for in Wal-Mart.

AND, I'm also not going to criticize those parents this year for spending double or triple on a toy (like I did when people were going bananas over Tickle-Me-Elmo). Because, a 7-10 year old is capable of earning, appreciating, and deserving something extra special - when they've appreciated and enjoyed things that don't cost a lot of money.

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning Publications. All Rights Reserved.

Reprint Permission Requirements: Intact bio, Active hyper-link, and notifiication (click here) of article name and reprint location link.