Author Archives: Betty Jo

About Betty Jo

I'm Betty Jo, a wife to my knight in (not so) shinning armor for nearly 22 years. We have 5 kids and another one that currently lives with us. We have been Christian home educators for 18 years with 8 more (at least) to go.

Constitution Week Resources

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September 17th (1787) is the anniversary of the United States Constitution and the start of Constitution Week. So often we hear or read about “Constitutional Rights” and freedoms being debated, taken away, or altered in various ways.

This week my kids will be reviewing, researching, and notebooking all things constitutional so it will be clear to them just what our constitutional rights are.

Below are some of the resources we will be incorporating into our Constitution Week homeschool studies.

Constitution Day History and Quizzes http://www.ducksters.com/holidays/constitution_day.php

Read the Constitution and explore the resources from The National Constitutional Center http://constitutioncenter.org/

US Government Learning Adventures, Glossary, and Games for all ages and levels https://bensguide.gpo.gov/

Constitutional Convention Video Playlist : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLkEA8hf_nThc3xwl5EF09aGYFS3PEqIQ

Liberty’s Kids #40- We the People
Three Branches Rap
Constitution Style (Gangnam Style parody)
The Great Compromise Explained in 5 Minutes
The Great Compromise Song
All 27 Amendments (in four minutes)
Bill of Rights (Shake It Off parody)

This song is from my childhood (from Saturday morning cartoons) and it is how I’ve always remembered the preamble to the constitution. This is also how my older kids have learned it. Now it’s time to pass it down to the youngest two. School House Rock – The Constitution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EfnNUt_nwY&list=PLKt00sUUapAJAcxUs2rp75ymjPMki6noW

Learn and Remember the Bill Of Rights with these Hand Signals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgD1E3gBTWU

Mini posters of how a bill becomes a law, the Bill of Rights, and branches of government (you will need an account to get the downloads, but it isn’t complicated and it’s free) http://www.kidsdiscover.com/celebrate-constitution-day/

Copywork and Trivia Printables http://www.homeschoolcreations.net/2013/09/constitution-day-printables/

US Constitution & Bill of Rights Resource Page https://franw.com/2019/03/21/the-united-states-constitution-bill-of-rights-resource-page/

Constitution lesson plans, including debate excercises http://constitutioncenter.org/learn/educational-resources/lesson-plans/to-sign-or-not-to-sign-the-ultimate-constitution-day-lesson-plan

Calligraphy and Making Quill and Ink Resources http://www.franw.com/2015/08/calligraphy-resources.html

betty jo

Mondays Homeschool Humor

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Here’s some clever funnies to start off the week!

Last but not least, A Homeschool Fam-i-ly (snap, snap) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM6uqj0_jQc

Enjoy your week! And God bless.

betty jo

Teaching Resource Links for Fall

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Fall will be starting in just ten more days! It is my favorite season. Also, autumn makes for some great learning opportunities. Below are some fall themed teaching resources I have had saved in my resource files. I hope you will find these helpful as you plan your fall themed lessons.

Very nice assortment of seasonal and holiday notebooking pages http://www.teacherfiles.com/resources_bp_holidays.htm

Interactive fall themed games http://funschool.kaboose.com/fun-blaster/fall/index.html

Printable poetry, writing prompts, and boarder paper http://www.storyit.com/Seasonal/autumn.htm

Unit studies and lapbooking resources http://www.homeschoolshare.com/connections__fall.php

Printable word puzzles http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/autumn-puzzles

Time lapse videos of pumpkins growing http://www.squidoo.com/pumpkin-time-lapse-videos

Fall themed math lessons http://www.mathwire.com/seasonal/fall06.html#activities

Teaching Resources for Patriot Day

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I doubt that anyone needs a special day calendar reminder that September 11, 2001 is the anniversary of a major historic event. As homeschoolers, we learn about important events. Usually it’s not stressful to teach history, even though some of the world’s past is tragic, we still learn about those times. But, teaching the history of 9-11 is the most difficult subject that I’ve ever attempted to teach. It was such a horrible and painful day and that horror and pain is still fresh for so many.

Home educating parents are asking, ” How much are we supposed to expose our children to about the events and aftermath of this day?” I’m asking that myself. Even the minimal historic account is overwhelming. However, I don’t think we should just continue with school as usual.

My older kids remember vividly watching the news and seeing the devastation. They have had this topic come up in their current event studies dozens of times throughout the years. However, that won’t make reviewing this day any easier for them. My J isn’t going to be able handle much of this topic, just the bare minimum facts and a coloring sheet. Z, at 8 years old is going to have questions that I don’t have answers to. And this time there is no link to follow for answers.

As I’ve researched for 9-11 study helps, I’ve found these links. I’ve reviewed them, and parts may be helpful, I’m not in complete agreement with any of them. I will not be recommending these or perhaps even using them in our 9-11 studies, but thought I’d share what I found. I do stress that as a parent you pre-view before just pressing the play button and leaving your kids to watch.

An animated documentary explaining the timeline of 9-11 events

Lesson plans including community helpers and art galleries suitable for all ages http://www.uen.org/core/socialstudies/patriotday/

Regardless of what I decide to use for the studies, I will be having the kids journal as part of the day’s assignments. I am pleased with the free printables from here. http://www.notebookingnook.com/freebie-911-never-forget-notebooking-pages/

Also, this link will take you to some basic facts, free printables, reading list, and poetry. http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/911/

A resource collection geared toward mature tweens and teens (adults, too) https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/09/11/911-remembrance/

betty jo

Mondays Homeschool Humor

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Below are some educational funnies. I hope these will brighten your Monday morning and start your homeschooling week off with a smile.

I hope you have a wonderful and productive week. And, keep smiling!

betty jo

Teaching Resource Finds of the Week

Monday’s Homeschooling Humor

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Here’s a couple of funnies to start your homeschooling week off with a smile!

More homeschool humor posts https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/08/05/2349/ and https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/08/26/coffee-with-giggles/

Happy Monday!

betty jo

Special Days in September

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Click here for Special Days in September updated for 2019!

Our Homeschooling Week Ending 8/30

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This was not such a great week. Car troubles, a broken faucet in the kitchen sink, a broken drain pipe in the bathroom sink, hurt bodies, snotty noses, sore throats, upset tummies, blown out tennis shoes, and heat index temperatures over 100 degrees. Gee, I’m glad the week is over.

This was one of those weeks when I was happy to have some flexibility with our schedule. E, B, and I decided it would benefit us if we switched to economics instead of algebra (for this week only). Algebra is challenging enough without stuffy heads. We only took notes instead of writing essays and watched extra educational tv in place of reading. And, of course, added some extra health lessons as we’ve sought natural remedies, disinfected our germ areas, and changed up our diet while fighting our summer colds.

The highlights of the week were again from our pirate unit study. This week we learned about ships and sailing, and added a bit more to our lapbook board.

And the chalkboard wall mural is probably finished. We are still kicking around a couple of ideas to improve it, but for now this is what has been done.

I hope you and your family had a nice week!

betty jo

“I Have a Dream”

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According to my special days calendar, August 28th marks the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s speech “I Have A Dream” at the 1963 March On Washington.

Below are some wonderful free resources I found to create a one day mini unit study. These resources will cover the subjects of language arts, art, music, and history.

This link will take you to a biography with photos, coloring page, test, word puzzles, and more! http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdking.htm

This link takes you to more printables as well as art, poetry, music resources! http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/mlk-day

This link takes you to printable notebooking pages and lapbook materials http://homeschoolhelperonline.com/?s=martin+luther+king+jr

For quotes click here! http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr.html

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I have that same dream for my five (not so) little children.

betty jo