Sign-ups begin JANUARY 21, 2012 and  END on January 31, 2012.

As always, we will be placing families into three different categories:  (Group 1) Families with 2 or less children (Group 2) Families with 3 up to 5 children, and (Group 3) Families with 6 or more children. This will help in the cost of mailing for everyone.  Each list will contain no more than 10 children and/or 10 separate addresses.

If you are planning on participating in our annual Valentine Exchange, you must know that final list of participants and their addresses will not be individually sent out to parents until February 1st ~ but there are a few ways you can begin to prepare for the event:

FOLLOW DIRECTIONS EXACTLY as to WHEN and HOW to sign-up for the exchange within the dates above.

ALL Valentines must be HOMEMADE (no Valentine character cards will be allowed unless you cut, glue, and decorate them individually)

Candy, and special treats, are optional for sending; however, all edible treats must be sealed, unopened, and uncrushable.

Mailing dates for the event will be during the week of February 5th – February 12th

This is a HUGE group activity – so, if you do not plan to FOLLOW THROUGH or follow directions, please do not sign-up.

Smaller Families (groups 1 and 2):  Please count on sending at least 10 or less valentines in separate envelopes.

Large Families (group 3):  Please count on sending valentines to 10 or less separate addresses.

How To Participate: Send your name, as parent, to weblinkeducation@gmail.com.   In the subject line of your e-mail, please write:  “Valentine Exchange” ~ A confirmation E-mail will be sent to you via the e-mail address you provide within 24 hours. Please DO NOT send any information about your family UNTIL you receive a confirmation e-mail from Weblink Education’s Moderator, Valerie Watne.   For safety measures, the confirmation e-mail will include the directions for sending in your family’s information for the Valentine Exchange.  Any information received AFTER the 31st of January, will not be considered to participate.

ANY QUESTIONS??? Be sure to contact me via this page comment section, or on Facebook (weblinkEducation).  DO NOT POST ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION IN COMMENT SECTION OR FACEBOOK.

Every Wednesday, we host Weblink Education.

Weblink Education is a group participating homeschool families around the world. Families post their favorite educational website on blogs, facebook sites, and/or through personal e-mail.   From there, we post them HERE under the title “Weblink Education” at the top of this page.  Be sure to check it out regularly.  This is the way this website was created!  People sharing.

This month, we transferred our “findings” and posted them under Spelling. You’ll want to check this page out because there are FULL spelling workbooks available at NO charge.

Enjoy!

Congratulations to all our winners!!! 

Prize:  Parent Training ‘A la cart’ course –and/or- “Setting The Record Straight”    by Lee Binz, the HomeSch0lar)

• Tammy
• Teach_me06

Prize:  Wonder Maps –and/or-  Literature or Bible Study Guide by Maggie Hogan, Bright Ideas Press

• JaNell
• Barb
• Nellie
• Deem417
• Cnbn3
• April
• Ellen
• Haily
• Sara
• Teresa
• Heather
• Kathleen

Prize:  A ticket to the Ultimate Homeschool Expo 2011 – by Felice Gerwitz

• Rebecca

Prize:  Paperback book, “Encouragement Along The Way” – by Bobbie Howard

• Karen
• Hallie
• Rebecca

Prize:  A quick reference guide, “Top 10 Tips for a Successful Homeschooling Day.“ – by Sally Dinius and/or E-book, “Learning Curve” -or- “Homeschooling With Encouragement” -  by Valerie Watne

• Elizabeth
• Patricia
• Nikki
• Sara
• Hailey
• Kim
• Muley10
• Ellen
• Decedra
• Katrina
• Jamie
• Michelle
• Rebecca
• Teresa
• April
• Stacy
• Christina
• Heather

Prize:  One girl handcrafted crocheted Beanie and one boy handcrafted crocheted Beanie – by Greater Love Crochet

• Nikki
• Teresa

Today, I want to share a few special weblinks.  In exchange I hope to have you submit your favorite weblinks added via comment section below.  So, how about I share some fantastic homeschool blog weblinks that will help inspire you during your homeschool journey – and in return, you can share fantastic educational weblinks here in the comment section.  I will later designated their proper resource page on this site.   Weblink Education prides itself on “Mom Tested, Mom Approved” weblinks for the homeschool family – so, let’s get some more weblinks.

Homeschool Blogs:

Homeschool Blogger – A full blogging resource for the homeschool family.

Between the Worlds
living as a homeschooler in a charter-school community, a christian in an un-churched area, and looking towards my eternal home.

Bunny Trails
The meanderings of a homeschool mom of two boys who often finds herself on life’s bunny trails

Cricket’s Corner 2
A journey through  life and homeschooling

Eclectic Education
A blog that follows our homeschool and daily happenings.

A Pajama Mama
This blog is a place where I chronicle our day to day happenings at home together, funny things the kids say and do, the journey our Father is taking us on and a little about my soaping hobby.

HomePlate Fun
Sharing our homeschooling days and sometimes more.

Homeschool Ducks
Our adventures homeschooling.

Encouraged By Faith
Our adventures homeschooling and how the Lord strengthens us.

Homeschool His Way
An ecclectic homeschool blog sharing some of our work, ideas, great sites, and homeschooling helps I find along the way.

MamaArcher’s Blog
Be encouraged as you journey through homeschooling with a heart for Jesus.

MomUnscripted
Ad Libbing through Life

Musings from a SAHM
My life as a SAHM with 2 kids, 2 dogs, & my hubby

My Father’s World
Psalm 9:1; my photo blog

Newgent Family
the thoughts of a homeschool mom

Our Piece Of Time Here
Family Blog

Peace Creek On The Prairie
A Christian farmwife’s homeschool journey.

Courtney Six Homeschool Blog
A family homeschool blog

The Homespun Life
Homeschool and other daily tid bits- Sisterlisa

In order to have a successful homeschool experience, you need resources to pull from.  In fact, you can say that you need to pack your homeschool “tool belt” with the right tools in order to build something great.  After all,  there are many different family styles that make up the homeschool community.  So, whatever your style, philosophy, and/or system of building your homeschool experience, you need tools to build with.  Therefore, I have dedicated this page to resourceful weblinks  with a brief description of each.  I hope you book mark many of them for use later.  If you also know of a resource weblink that is not listed and might be helpful to other homeschool families, please share it in a comment below or by private e-mail (weblinkeducation@gmail.com)

Bookmark Resources – A Parents Best Guide

Internet Public Library –  A directory of authoritative websites; links to online texts, newspapers, and magazines; and much more.

Britannica – Explore the updated online encyclopedia from Encyclopaedia Britannica with hundreds of thousands of articles, biographies, videos, images, and web sites.

Homeschool Launch – A networking and file sharing website. This is a resource sharing platform for home educators. You’ll find a ton of great files created by homeschool moms like YOU.

Help Me To Teach - Over 2000 Safe, Educational Links for Home Educators and children. Updated Daily. Use as a Complete Curriculum or to find Supplemental Material

Donna Young Forms and Much More – Find teacher planners, notebooking tips, notebooking pages, printables all free of cost.

SiteForTeachers –  Great resource links for every subject. Lots of printables and graphics for worksheets.

Discovery Education – Teacher lesson planner and much more for each are of study.

Christian Homeschoolers Taking a Stand -Homeschool tips, reviews and other homeschool related content.  We also have a forum to open up opportunities for more intense discussions.

Head of the Class - TheHeadoftheClass.com provides supplemental learning, online, for preschool through eighth grade. Head of the Class makes learning fun!

Join me as I encourage you to conquer your fears with practical tools that every homeschool family needs.  Today, I will host a 15 minute program via BlogTalkRadio to help families recognize they are not alone in their fears nor are they the only ones who struggle.  I will discuss the tools you’ll need to make life a little easier and help you keep on track with your school year; as well as offer ways to stay connected with others who share the same goals.

For your convenience, you may listen to the recorded version of today’s broadcast by clicking this link: Conquer Your Fears

Word for the Day: When you are struggling and find yourself stressing during the day, take a break.  You wont fall behind or ruin your children’s education – Sometimes taking the day off from studies is all you (everyone) need.  Breathe some fresh air – stretch your legs…  and clear your mind.  Yes, being organized and clutter free will help you handle the daily needs of routine, but at times we simply need a break.  I encourage you to find some personal time to rest and rejuvenate your mind.  I have listed below some great weblinks that offer support in that way via Internet.  Some are Christian devotional weblinks and others are simply support and encouragement.  Thumb through them all and see which ones fit your individual needs.

Homeschool Support Weblinks:

The Christian Housewife – Daily devotions on marriage, family and life experience

Family Education–Select an age group and get parenting advice, child development, and family resources.

MommyLinks - Weblinks to a number of different devotions and websites for mom’s of all ages.
Information On Homeschooling:

All Pro Dad – A dedicated site for dad’s of all children (homeschooled or not). Great ideas of how to strengthen your relationship with one another through “play of the day” e-mail devotions.

iMom – (No Membership Required) Get the support you need through daily e-mails or monthly newsletters. Learn what makes your child tick and how to coach them through life.

MomSense – Family devotions for every day use.

HomeWord – Devotions and articles to help you understand your teenager.

Join me as I put to ease the ‘first time jitters‘ most new homeschooling families experience.  Today, I will host a 15 minute program via BlogTalkRadio to help families entering homeschooling for the first time.  I will discuss the tools you’ll need in planning your up coming school year; as well as how to  utilize your new school material efficiently. I’ll also coach you through ways to calculate your school day and give you the best tips to succeed the whole year long.

For your convenience, you may listen to the recorded version of today’s broadcast by clicking this link: Homeschooling With Encouragement

Word For The Day:

The most important advice I can give a new homeschool family is support.  Whether you live in the city or in a rural country house, there IS support available. Of course, the obvious groups consist of libraries and church groups, but now parents are finding it easy using the Internet to connect with others via Facebook, Yahoo, and Google – children can also become each others support through snail-mail penpal clubs, Internet chat classes, and local area play groups.  Please seek out a group to belong to.  Step out and make friends.  Sometimes a little encouragement is all you need to get through those rough days.

Homeschool Supportive Weblinks:

The Old School House

The Homeschool Post

The Heart of the Matter

Guilt Free Homeschooling

Christian Mommies

Please post any other support weblinks that you feel would be helpful to homeschool families.

(Taken from my book, “Homeschooling With Encouragement”)

At the end (or beginning) of each school year, use this checklist (or make your own) to evaluate what went well and what you would like to improve for the next year.   Remember, we all have different styles in teaching and this may not apply to some families. However, this is a great way to get an overall view of how you think you did and how your students feel they did. This is best to do at the end of the year while things are fresh in your mind. You might want to discuss these items as a family and/or do a private interview with each member to get a complete picture.

Be sure to include your husband and each child for their individual perspectives. You will need to adapt the questions for each one (e.g., Dad: Do you know what our children learned this year?   What would you have liked them to learn that they did not learn?).  Please do not let this evaluation discourage you!  Rejoice and thank the Lord for what went well and learn from weak areas so that you do even better next year.

——————— Evaluation Checklist ——————–

General (students)

[  ]  What did you like best about our homeschool this year?

[  ]  What did you like least about our homeschool this year?

[  ]  What did you learn?

[  ]  What did you not learn that you would have liked to?

 Academics

[  ]  Were basic foundation skills of reading, language, and math improved, mastered, reviewed and practiced enough?

[  ]  Were specific facts connected to the big picture of overall knowledge through the use of a globe, maps, timelines, charts, and related information?

[  ]  Did we use a variety of teaching methods and materials, (e.g., textbooks, workbooks, unit studies, hands-on activities, library or Internet research, reports)?

[  ]  Were thinking skills taught and encouraged by the types of discussions we had (e.g., comprehension, knowledge, analysis, synthesis, application, and evaluation)?

[_]  Was there enough good supplemental reading done as a family or independently?
[_]  Was there time, resources, and encouragement available to pursue individual interests

Spiritual

[_]  Did your family read God’s Word and pray together daily?

[_]  Was Bible knowledge and Bible study skills increased?

[_]  Were Bible reading and memorization given as much importance as academics?

[_]  Were subjects taught from a Christian worldview?

Character Development (parent/teacher)

[_]  Was character development an important part of our school (e.g., honor and   obedience to mother as the teacher and parent; kindness to siblings; diligence; truthfulness; and attention to details in studies)?

[_]  Was child discipline maintained in a simple, straightforward, and kind manner?

[_]  Were the rules and consequences clear and consistently carried out?

[_]  Were there enough positive motivations and negative consequences?

 Life Skills

[_]  Were life skills included in your training and related to academic subjects (budgeting, cooking, shopping, driving, cleaning, organizing, scheduling, repairing, maintaining a house, yard, and car, voting, supervised Internet use)?

 Logistics (parent/teacher)

[_]  Was the schedule realistic and easy to keep?   Too strict or too lax?   Was doing     schoolwork a regular, daily habit (along with chores and personal grooming)?

[_]  Did we have a good balance between group and independent study?

[_]  Were the classes we did as a group interesting, and did they allow each student to learn?
[_]  Was mother available for help when needed?   Was there a need for alternative activities or procedures when she was unavailable?
[_]  Did we care for our toddlers and babies in the best way for them and for our studies?
[_]  Were the settings for our studies appropriate and conducive to learning (e.g., dining room table, couch, individual desks)?
[_]  Did we have enough, not enough, or too much independent study?  Was there enough time, space, supervision, and help available for these studies?
[_]  What got bogged down that could have gone more quickly?

[_]  Was there enough organization and planning for space, materials, schedule, and chores?

[_]  Were there enough varied experiences or too many outside activities?   Were our supplemental and outside activities worth the time and effort?
[_]  Was the atmosphere of our home warm, loving, and supportive?

 Bottom Line (parent/teacher, student)

[_]  What do you want to do the same or differently next year?

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Save this evaluation and use it for next year and the year after. It will help build your confidence by showing you how far you have come in your homeschooling journey.

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