Today’s issue has a link to a really interesting article about how perserverance (grit) is much more important than I.Q. for determining success in life. Also — find out how you can get access to thousands of dollars worth of computer programs for engineering, architecture and even animation! All in our Homeschooler’s Notebook ezine. 
Overheard on our Gifted Group –
“My mother-in-law used to keep a note from my husband’s second grade teacher taped to his PhD thesis. The note read, ‘Please talk to William. He just sits and stares’.” — Debra
got boys?
Come enjoy our “all boy” issue of The Homeschooler’s Notebook for January 25th!
Today’s issue is a doozy.
With 25+ replies from our readers, we answer M’s question:
“We have FINALLY decided to homeschool my son. He will be 5 in May and we will start Kindergarten at home. We, of course, keep hearing from everyone that we should reconsider, that homeschooled kids are ‘odd’, and a guy that my husband works with has even gone so far as to say that I’m just wanting to continue to be a stay-at-home mom for longer and that’s why I want to homeschool!
How do we respond to these people?
Also, I feel funny saying that we just don’t like the public school system when I’m talking to a mom that sends her kids there! Thanks!!” — M.
Thus begins a really great article by Barbara Frank. Check out our FIRST ISSUE OF 2010 for expert advice on getting organized, as well as insightful reader input for “Distressed in Florida” with the dilly-dallying 10 year old son. Ever had one of those? I sure have!
Well, I procrastinated… and didn’t get this issue done until New Year’s Eve!
It is fitting that I bring you an article from Wendy Lindsey on ‘Making New Year’s Resolutions with Your Children’. (Ann Zeise had a good article in 2007 to help organize your goals for the New Year as well.) In addition to the great article, we also have a cool link to simulating a solar system of your own design as well as some good resources for software programs to learn animation and modeling. Enjoy — and have a great New Year! Next issue is REALLY January 4th. I have sponsors for that one, so I can’t procrastinate. 
Notice I didn’t mention anything about MY resolutions? I’m old enough to know it is too late to teach this old dog new tricks. LOL
“Dad’s home during the day now… how can we get him more involved?”
That is the question asked by one of our readers. Read the answers in this issue of The Homeschooler’s Notebook! Also — find out about a great website that offers one FREE DVD each year to educators, including homeschoolers. They have some great selections to choose from and the shipping is free, too! Happy holidays to all — our next issue is 12/28. That is usually the issue where I ask our readers to send in their New Year’s resolutions. This year I think I’ll ask about resolutions particularly in regard to homeschooling.
My great-grandfather’s grandmother was Sarah Wright Harris. She was the only sister to Orville and Wilbur Wright’s father, Milton. My great-great grandmother was Laura Harris, Sarah’s daughter — a first cousin to Wilbur and Orville. That makes me a first cousin four times removed! In our special High School Edition #16, I share some encouragement from the Wright brothers, an apprenticeship opportunity and our readers answer the question on helping a 14 year old boy work more independently. Enjoy!
Today’s issue features a great article by Barbara Frank on dealing with the distractions before the holidays, handmade “handprint” craft gift ideas for Christmas, a great site with free videos to teach Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and more — and answers to a question about teaching a younger child with ADHD. Click here for today’s Homeschooler’s Notebook!
This issue features some great advice from both Lee Binz and Barbara Frank on not overdoing your academics as well as tailoring the time you have together to best meet your child’s interests and needs. It is really worth reading the excellent advice from these homeschooling veteran moms! In addition, we have pinned down a homeschool-friendly foreign exchange student program. Read our latest homeschooling high school newsletter for more!
In TODAY’S ISSUE of our Homeschooler’s Notebook ezine you will find links to Thankgiving themed activities, reader advice on spelling resources and a great article about writing prompts! Our next issue for Monday, 11/30, will be one of only 2 special homeschooling high school issues left for the year… so don’t miss out!
heatheridoni