Homeschooling-ideas.com Newsletter - Fuel the Fire Issue #88 - January 2017
Print this Newsletter
Hi!
Welcome to the seventy-seventh issue of Fuel the Fire.
If you like this newsletter, please forward the link to share it with your friends.
If you received this issue from a friend, please subscribe so you won't miss out on all the fun ideas coming in future issues.
Thanks for joining me today, and enjoy this issue!
In this Issue
Happy New YearThe Three R's - Resources, Read-Alouds and Recommendations.
Fuel the Fire Ideas.
Please note that some of the links in this newsletter are affiliate links, which means if you buy I get a (very) small percentage of the sale. If you would prefer not to support this site in that way, just go to Google and search for the product mentioned yourself.
Happy New Year
Before we start the newsletter this month, I want to say a special thank you to all of you who have been buying my books! It really does help to keep this site going. Thank you - I really appreciate it :)
I love the new year, don't you? It is a chance to wipe the slate clean and start afresh - and I love dreaming and planning about all the new things I want to try out :) I have an ideas book where I keep track of everything - as well as using my planners for homeschooling. How do you keep track?
Resources, Read-Alouds, and Recommendations
In this section of my newsletter, I want to bring you great recommendations that I think you will enjoy in your homeschooling.I thought this month I would share with you a couple of the books I got for Christmas :) I absolutely love books so I hope you will for give me for the 'un-homeschooling-ness' of them. I just thought they might inspire you too!
This is by the same author as the best-selling ''The 52 Lists Project'. It has weekly journal prompts (and space to write the answers) around the subject of what makes you happy - and how to be happier. I am looking forward to filling it in over the year.
I loved this book when I saw it in a Carla Sonheim video. Its really simple - 365 almost blank pages with a number on each page.
My friend and I both have one and we are going to try to be creative and fill out a page a day. Wish us luck :)
It could be used for journaling or as a 'commonplace' book. Lots of uses for this one.
Fuel the Fire in January
Theme for the year
Every year we set a theme word to guide us during the year. Choosing a theme helps us get clear about what we want from the year and the direction we want it to take.
This year is a big year for us. Both children will be taking exams, and my daughter is planning on going to University! This year we have chosen 'Shine' as our theme as we all want to do well with our chosen projects.
In previous years we have had 'Year of Adventure', 'Mastery' and 'Out and About' and 'New Beginnings' as themes.
A lot of people tell me that this year they will be 'Organized'. By the way, if that is your theme too I totally recommend Home Storage Solutions 101. She has a fabulous 52 week challenge.
Or if you think you need to eat clean this year do take a look at my friend Gabbi's website LeanJumpStart and pick up a free 52 week plan.
How about you?
New Year Challenges
Looking for a challenge?
There are all types of weekly and monthly challenges available in different subjects - and I have collected together a selection you could try in your homeschool.
Following a challenge is a great way to try something new and stretch yourself a little.
Check out these kids challenges here.
And if you know of any others, please let me know.
Journal Quilts
Looking for a unique craft challenge this year? How about a monthly journal quilt challengeJournal quilts are an easy and fun way to introduce your children to working with fabrics. They are very inspiring to make - and can be used for all sorts of projects. They really help you to be more creative and get comfortable with colors.
Intrigued? Find out more about Journal quilts and how to make them on my new crafts page.
Klockwerks
I love sharing with you unusual and quirky sites that I hope will inspire you in some way.This month I found Klockwerks - handmade, one of a kind, whimsical timepieces by Roger Wood.
I thought Roger's clocks were very inspiring. Almost like a cabinet of curiosities rolled into a clock.
What you could make from an old clock and a box of craft items? If you are doing a project on time or mechanisms this year, then this would be a great thing to try.
I would love to see what you come up with!
Writing Resources
After the success of writing a novel with NanoWriMo, my daughter is an avid writer!If your children need a little more encouragement, then I thought I would share some of the writing resources available on homeschooling-ideas!
- I have pulled together a whole list of kids writing resources and activities, including contests, magazines and free writing programs (courses).
The resources are mostly for older children. If you have younger ones, don't forget about Tikatok as a nice place for kids to write their own book.
- Journaling is a great thing to do as part of your homeschooling. I have a page with ideas about it here. Or make it more of a diary instead.
- Need some writing prompts? Try this page.
- Try a scavenger hunt writing activity.
- This is a fun writing idea - choose your favorite fictional character and write about their animal counterpart!
- More Creative writing activities for kids to inspire you.
I hope you find these useful, and they help you in your homeschool writing!
And here is an idea for teens!
If they have a favorite magazine why not see if they need a junior editor.
My daughter acted as the junior editor for a National Orienteering magazine for about three years . It was a great experience - she has had to contact other juniors to ask for write ups or articles, she writes articles herself and of course she has got very good at meeting deadlines.
I would think many of the smaller 'niche' magazines would welcome a junior contributor. Why not get in touch and ask them.
Season Tree
This is a fun activity that we did for years and years when the children were younger.
It is a lovely way to teach them about the seasons.
We brought a large branch inside, and decorated it each season in an appropriate way.
You can find out more (and see some examples) on this page.
Jigsaw Puzzles
There were lots of Jigsaw puzzles on the go here, over Christmas. So I got to thinking how educational they were.
And before too long I had compiled a list :)
Check out my jigsaw blog post here to read about the benefits of making puzzles with your children - and 50+ of my favorite educational jigsaws.
Lego on Pinterest
I have been collecting a lot of Lego activities on my board! Worth checking out if you are looking for some lego inspiration.
Homeschooling with Lego on PinterestBoredom Buster Kids
Now is a great time to make up a few Boredom Buster kits. They are fantastic to bring out when you need a quick homeschool fix :)
- They make for great educational rainy day activities.
- Use for an easy homeschool lesson.
- Use them as a 'get better bag' to entertain sick children.
- Leave out for some fun strewing.
- Take one out with you for boring waits in queues, at restaurants, doctors surgeries - or train journeys.
- Perfect for a quick fix to cries of "I'm bored!".
Need some ideas? Here are 8 easy kits you can make.
Games to Play
Hand selected for your enjoyment!- Factory Balls. You have to work out how to make the blank ball look like the ball on the box - and of course, it gets harder!
- Fantastic Contraptions A fun, online physics game.
- Ramps. Build the ramps to get the balls into the box.
- Bloxorz. Toggle the cube to get it into the hole.
- Small Fry. A lemmings type game where you have to get the Small Fry to safety.
Thanks so much for joining me for this issue of "Fuel the Fire".
Be sure to look out for the next issue on 6th February 2017. If you can't wait, then you can find a more regular injection of ideas on:
If you have any comments or suggestions to help me improve this newsletter, I would love to hear from you!
Go to Homeschooling-Ideas Home Page