Dr. Joyce Herzog is an author of many educational products and a gifted teacher. She taught for over 25 years in classrooms of learning disabled students and has been working with homeschooling families for over 20 years. She is a sought after speaker, author, and consultant conducting workshops all across the United States and Canada.

Besides counseling, Dr. Joyce Herzog has developed a variety of learning products. These products are designed to provide a unique and appropriate education focusing on the talents and skills of each individual.  Her products fit well with most homeschooling approaches including: Charlotte Mason, relaxed homeschooling, the “real book” method and more. Those families with special needs will find that her philosophy and materials serve them well.

The Schoolhouse Review Crew Reviewed twelve different products from Joyce Herzog.

Scaredy Cat Reading System Levels 1 ($75), 2 ($75), & 3  ($100) and Scaredy Cat Reading System Express ($30).  This is a mastery based phonics reading system. This system teaches students to think and works where others fail. This system works with normal, gifted, learning disabled and dyslexic learners of all ages. Spelling is also taught as a part of this program. The Reading Express system consists of teacher training with activities and suggestions as well as board games, all the stories, all the word lists and sentence lists for Levels 1, 2, & 3.

Learning in Spite of Labels ($15) This is a book about practical teaching tips and a Christian perspective of education.In 22 chapters this book looks at various teaching strategies for all sorts of learners. The book is full of tips and strategies for working with all types of learning disabled learners.

Timeless Teaching Tips ($15)  This book is the culmination of Joyce Herzog’s decades of learning through teaching. It shows how to interject fun and personality into your teaching.

Choosing and Using Curriculum Set ($15)  (one physical book, one e-book)  This book and resource e-book is a home educators guide to choosing curriculum. Curriculum types are discussed as well as homeschool styles, avoiding over-spending, grade levels, your child’s progress and much more.

Luke’s Life List ($30) and Luke’s School List ($30)  Based upon Luke 2:22 Luke’s Life List is a list of Christian Knowledge and skills in Early Childhood, Wisdom, Structure, Favor with God, Favor with man and Adult life skills. We should never get so “busy” covering curriculum that we forget important lessons needed for living a Christian life. Luke’s School List is a K-8 checklist of school skills. Use this book to decide what needs to be learned and what is not important.

Stepping Stones to Praise and Worship ($15) and Stepping Stones to Bigger Faith for Little People Book and Audio ($12)  These two books are devotions based on Scripture. The Praise and Worship book has 52 devotions written at a 4th grade reading level. This devotion book is designed to minister to all ages in a family. The Little People Book and Audio is 37 devotions based on Scripture. These are written at a 2nd grade reading level, but designed to appeal to all ages.

Budding Authors ($10-$15) (five book set) and  6 Weeks to Understanding Grammar ($12)  Help your budding author discover his /her talent. This series develops writing skill step by step from simple sentences to research. The Grammar book teaches parts of speech, kinds of words and sentences, verbs and a variety of other grammatical terms.

Bible Quotes ($12) These are Bible verses that go along with each rule in the Scaredy Cat Reading System. This book gives practice with reading, spelling, handwriting and works with any phonics program.

Educational Dice Bag ($23) This is three different bags of dice and one Math Operations die. One bag is an Alphabet Dice Delight which includes an alphabet die, a vowel die and instructions. One bag is a Rolling Dice Games which includes one number word die, one numeral die and two colored dot dice. The third bag is Deca Dice Fun. This includes one deca numeral die, one deca number word die, one deca dotted die, and one double deca die.

Can you homeschool and homestead all at the same time?  Are there enough hours in the day to fit everything in?  Not only is it possible, but both will benefit.  We have been living this homeschooling/homesteading lifestyle ever since we raised our first chicks when our oldest daughter was 2 1/2 years old.

There is nothing like seeing lifecycles in plants and animals all around you throughout the year.  It does not compare to reading about it in a textbook or watching a video clip.  These things that are experienced will stick with your children much better than any other learning method – no matter the type of learner.

Over the years of our homesteading, we have added animals and projects.  When we didn’t know how to do something, we learned.  Our children learned right alongside us – and learned how to learn.  We have also learned by doing.  When it didn’t work as we expected, we learned why.  Sounds like science experiments doesn’t it?

Planning the garden – when to plant, how much to plant, how many seeds or seedlings to order?  All of these questions lead to excellent living math lessons.  Most children balk at doing math because it doesn’t seem relevant.  What is more relevant than using math to plan for garden harvests?

Walking the fence line, you hear a bird’s song.  Everyone pauses and listens.  Someone locates the bird and recognizes it.  Now we can match the call to the bird.  Another child picks some wildflowers, while their sibling names them.  This is nature study at its best.  A natural, easy part of your routine.  Sure, we still do planned nature walks bringing along the field guides and sketchbooks and camera.  These “caught in the moment” times are often those remembered best.

That is exactly the point.  The lines are often blurred between what is homeschooling and what is homesteading.  When both are taken together as part of your lifestyle it makes things easier – and more full.  It’s not hard when the Lord leads your day rather than you trying to fit everything into a neat and tidy time slot.

Nothing throws that carefully planned schedule out the window faster than animals loose and wreaking havoc.  Chasing and herding them back into their space adds in P.E. and/or recess.  Now when you get back inside to read some history aloud, everyone’s minds will be sharper thanks to the exercise.

The flexibility of homeschooling accommodates the seasons of homesteading well.  Remember reading in Little House on the Prairie about the “big boys” not even being school during the fall term due to their help needed on their farmsteads?  Adopt the same philosophy.  Around here that time of year is often busy with harvesting and canning or butchering.  We don’t crack many books unless it is a family read aloud.  Many times, we use audiobooks so our hands can keep working while our minds and ears listen.

This is the time of year when many of us in the northern hemisphere are starting our gardens.  Even if your garden is a few plants in pots on the balcony it will be a great learning experience for all of you.  Don’t try to segregate your time into school time and chore time.  Let the two naturally flow together.  Your family will be happier.

Since we began our homesteading adventures, I have found more understanding when we read Scriptures.  With our new experiences, passages of Scripture come aliveI find I am praying more often – for homesteading needs (last summer we frequently prayed for rain) as well the typical prayers of a wife and mother.  I think our children are seeing our reliance on Him more due to our lifestyle as well.

Blending our homeschooling and homesteading has brought us closer to the Lord and closer to the land.  We have also grown closer to each other and closer to the library.  Who can complain about that?

Hillary blogs at Our Homeschool Studio.  She shares thoughts on homeschooling, homesteading, recipes and more.  She is a wife and mother of six children.

Science, Naturally! wants to “bridge the gap between the blackboard and the blacktop.”  As an independent press, they do this by publishing fun and interesting science and math resources that kids enjoy.  They strive to make these topics “intriguing and accessible” to students of all ages.

The Crew had the opportunity to review their book  One Minute Mysteries: 65 More Short Mysteries You Solve With Science!  ($9.95)  It was written by the father-daughter team of Eric and Natalie Yoder, who have been featured guests on NPR.  Their books have won multiple awards and accolades from the education and publishing communities.

 

Designed for kids 8-12, these fun brain teasers get kids thinking about science to solve these quick mystery stories.  This is the second book in this series.  They’ve also written a book of one-minute math mysteries, too.  You can read a mystery sample here.

For parents and students who have questions about how to prepare for college, High School Prep Genius provides information, explanations, and guidance packed into eighteen chapters in a high quality glossy trade paperback.

Published by College Prep Genius, this 440-page book introduces how to use the book with instructions for creating a college and career notebook following student timelines from 9th to 12th grades. Then it outlines Foundations For Personal Success that include guidance for personal development, being physically healthy, building a support system, and encouraging financial independence.

The section titled Foundation For Academic Success has chapters on academic development, effective studying, taking tests, being organized, and going beyond the basics.

Chapters under Foundation For Future Success cover future development, choosing a school, preparing for standardized tests, completing college applications, paying for school, and college essentials.

Supplemental information includes building a homeschool transcript, tips about talent searches, recommended high school reading, how to relax and reduce test anxiety, and definitions of common terms used in college admissions.

A valuable resource for homeschoolers who want the inside scoop on how to navigate from high school to college and beyond, High School Prep Genius is available for $29.95.

Not even knowing who they were, I loved them fiercely.  In November 2009, I laid eyes on their sweet faces.  For four months, I memorized every detail of their photographs and poured over every word of our periodic updates.  Then, finally, February 15, 2010, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, I was able to meet two of my beautiful children for the first time.  My longing arms were filled!

These precious little ones had lost more in their 3 and 5 years than anyone ever should, so the number one priority upon bringing them home was bonding and building healthy attachments.  I loved them with every ounce of my being, but I didn’t “know” them.  I couldn’t tell you their likes, dislikes, fears, favorites, etc.  So from February through the summer months, we spent time getting acquainted, building trust, and making memories.  It was imperative that Jeremiah and Rachel know that we loved them unconditionally and that we were a forever family.

During this assimilation to all things new:  sights, sounds, tastes, smells, underwear, seatbelts, electronics, etc., language acquisition was also a focus.  The children came home speaking no English, but within 2 weeks, Jeremiah was speaking 45 words and understood even more.  Rachel had a more difficult time catching on largely due to age and the fact that she never acquired either of her first two languages.   To increase vocabulary and understanding, I narrated every minute detail of the day.  “We’re eating chicken nuggets for lunch today.  There are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 chicken nuggets on your round, blue plate.  Chickens say, “Bock, Bock, Bock!”  Chickens are birds.”  Yes, it was more torturous than Barney, Teletubbies, Wiggles, and Dora’s absentmindedness regarding the whereabouts of her map.  Nevertheless, it worked.  The kiddos had fabulous conversational English. I was so blown away by the progress made that I was convinced that this homeschooling gig would be easy.

I purchased a well-known, literature-rich, boxed curriculum from one of the homeschool classified sites, and I was so excited to begin in the fall.  I envisioned zipping through phonics and math lessons in the mornings and our afternoons cuddled on the couch reading classics.  Apparently, I was delusional, because our days appeared nothing of the sort.  We (yes, that includes me) were often crying after phonics, too weary to do math, and in way over our heads with the reading.  My son Caleb was loving all of the fantasy-based books, but Jeremiah and Rachel were baffled by fairytales.  My literal realists were not believers in the ridiculous and outlandish.  Puns, metaphors, colloquialisms, hyperbole all were completely lost on them.

Obviously, my preconceived homeschooling notions came to a screeching halt, and a new plan had to be made.  I’d like to say 3 years in that we have it all figured out, but we are still dealing with learning glitches and have more days with tears than I’d like.  However, I think I’ve gained a bit of understanding and a few tips and tricks along the way that may be helpful for those homeschooling English Language Learners.

1.  Directions/Instructions Must Be Taught

An ELL student completely masters conversational English in 2 years, but it can take up to 5 years to fully comprehend academic/cognitive language.  This makes perfect sense (after the fact).  How often do we use words such as:  explain, describe, compare, contrast, list, trace, etc. in our daily conversations?  Rarely!  I found that many times it wasn’t the content that was creating the problems and frustrations for my kiddos.  It was what I was asking them to do with it.  I believe, a lot of time spent early on ensuring children understand the definitions of academic language will eliminate unnecessary struggles throughout homeschooling.

2.  Read Non-fiction

I suggest casting the fairytales and fables aside for a time.  Grab books about animals, weather, people, places, and seasons.  Read and make real-life connections.  Photographs opposed to illustrations are also helpful in the early stages.  A good children’s picture dictionary or the various first thousand words books are great tools as well.  Look at and discuss a few pages each day.

3.  I Do, We Do, You Do

In all subjects, model, model, model!  After you demonstrate, complete the work together.  Once there is a level of understanding, transition the child to working independently.

4.  Have Fun, Show What You Know, & Celebrate

If learning is a game, a craft, a field trip, or something else enjoyable, often the fear of failure is eliminated.  When that is missing, children’s minds are primed and eager to take in new information.  Then, give them the opportunity to “show off” what they know.  A little praise and congratulations from Dad, family, and friends goes a long way.  Remember to celebrate even the smallest learning victories!

5.  Take Breaks Often

When you hit walls and frustrations are growing, put the books, papers, and projects away.  When the tears are flowing and you hit shut down, no learning is taking place.  Damage is being done.  Relationships are always more important!  You will be Mom a lot longer than you will be struggling with phonics and fluency or administering math tests.  Children need to know that their value and worth and your love for them is not based upon academic performance.

Angela Wells blogs at The Wellspring of Life. She is fearfully and wonderfully made by the ONE true God. She is His adopted child and seeks to follow and serve Him daily. Angela is the wife to her wonderful hubby, Jon, and is blessed to be called Momma by Jeremiah, Caleb, Rachel, and Eden. She is a homeschooler and adoption/orphan care advocacy is her great passion.

The most effective way to learn a foreign language is to actually use that language in day-to-day life. Most of us can’t just pick up our families and move to another country for language immersion, so products that help you replicate that environment into your home are extremely helpful to homeschoolers. Spanish for You! was created especially for mixed-age groups in the 3rd-8th grade range. Students learn to write, read, and speak Spanish through materials appropriate for their age, while providing plenty of opportunity for practice communicating.

Two full-year programs centered around topic areas, Fiestas (Celebrations) and Estaciones (Seasons), are currently available. Reviewers have been using Spanish for You! with their families, and are ready to share their experiences. Spanish for You! is centered around themes, rather than levels, allowing parents to choose packages based on interest, rather than level of experience. A third theme, Viajes (Travels), is available right now as a short trial program; the complete package will debut in June 2013.

Each Spanish for You! package has been tested by the author, over a full school year, in a teaching environment. This has allowed her to check for consistent quality and usability. Spanish for You! incorporates a variety of learning styles, with workbook pages, audio files, and s

uggestions for interactive learning and communication.

All Spanish for You! programs include a soft-cover textbook, plus multiple downloads that include:Lesson Guides include plans for 4-days per week, but it’s flexible enough that more or less material may be covered, so long as the lessons are worked through in order.

• a 24-to-30 week lesson guide in PDF format (grades 3-4 is 30 weeks; grades 5-6 and 7-8 are 24 weeks) – Sample lesson guide
• self-checking worksheets for grades 3-4, 5-6, or 7-8 in PDF format – Sample worksheets
• MP3 files of the entire book to use as the lesson guide instructs
• bonus MP3 files of a native Spanish speaker reading the entire book
• pictures for creating flashcards and other activities in PDF format

Spanish for You! has free mini lessons and free worksheets so that you can preview their style and approach. Also provided for free are many activity and game suggestions for practicing Spanish.

Spanish for You! allows you to purchase the configuration most appropriate for your family. A theme set that includes materials for all grade levels is $64.95. A package that contains just the file needed for a specific level – 3rd-4th, 5th-6th, or 7th-8th – is $39.95. Extra volumes of the textbook are $12.95 each. (The same text is used for all three levels.) Optional teacher lesson plans, only needed if you plan to use Spanish for You! in a classroom setting, are $12.95.

Marcy C. @ Ben and Me — Frugal Family Spring Unit Studies

Two things I love most in homeschooling — unit studies and free. Add gorgeous spring weather to the mix, and I just couldn’t be happier.

 

Leah C. @ As We Walk Along the Road — The Frugal Homeschool

I will admit that I don’t always take the cheapest route when it comes to buying curricula. But sometimes I can make up for it by saving money elsewhere. So, here are some ways to save (especially if you’ve gone a little over budget with curricula!).

 

Rebekah T. @ There Will Be a $5 Charge for Whining — Thrift Store Homeschooling

As Frugal Mamas, we all know the benefits of shopping for clothing and books at Thrift Stores. But how can the Thrift Store help us in our Homeschooling? I am going to give you my very favorites ideas for how to take Thrift Store Finds and use them in creative ways for a Homeschool.

 

Kym T. @ Homeschool Coffee Break — Making Homeschooling More Affordable

One of my favorite words to describe homeschool curricula or resources is: Non-Consumable. That means I can use it for more than one kid, for more than one school year, and when we do finish with it I can pass it along to someone else.

 

Sarah J. @ Delivering Grace — Keeping the Cost of Living Down

Most home educating families are also single income families. The greatest cost is often the loss of income rather than home educating materials.

 

Kim M. @ Homestead Acres — Homeschooling Without Breaking the Bank

One of the lessons I’ve learned is it’s not always the curriculum you buy but HOW you use it that is important. Constantly switching curriculum’s to find just the right one isn’t always the answer, try changing how your using it. Don’t be afraid to take control of your curriculum instead of it controlling you!

 

Jenny M. @ Good Work Academy — Things to Learn About — May Edition

Lots of fun & interesting things to learn about in May . . .

 

Brittney R. @ Mom’s Heart — I Don’t Budget for My Homeschool

I have a confession. I don’t budget for my homeschool purchases. Yeah, I know. I bet you don’t hear that from many homeschoolers, do you?

 

Brandy B. @ Kingdom Academy — Tips for Frugal Homeschooling

In today’s economic times, money is tight for almost everyone. Homeschooling moms and dads need to be creative in finding ways to save pennies while still offering their children a quality education.

 

Heather A. @ Only Passionate Curiosity — How to Homeschool Art Without Breaking the Bank

You don’t need a pricy curriculum to teach art in your Homeschool. Let me show you how to create an art lesson easily and inexpensively!

 

Laura L. @ Loving and Learning on the High Plains — Homeschooling Cheap

Homeschooling is something we feel that God has called us to do, but it does mean that we have to make it go on one income while I teach the children. As a result, our educational dollars have to stretch! Here are a few of the ways we have done that. I pray this would be encouragement to anyone who is planning to homeschool: that this is not about the money, but the effort!

 

Maureen B. @ Adoptive Mom Homeschooling and Only Child — Homeschool for Free? It’s possible, come and see.

Homeschooling from your bookshelves? It’s possible come and see.

 

Nikki F. @ Blessings from Homeschooling — Pinching Pennies

Over the years I have become more and more resourceful! Looking back I laugh at myself and cry over the amount of money I have thrown away. In my defense I can only say that I didn’t know!!!

 

Kemi Q. @ Homeschooling Organized Blog — My Mother’s Goldmine

My mother, being a retired school teacher, has always collected educational material and for very cheap!

 

Kristi K. @ The Potter’s Hand Academy — The Rise of El Cheapo

Whoever told me that homeschooling was cheaper than private school–LIED. OK, maybe in the long run it’s cheaper, but really, I spend a LOT on my kids’ curriculum each year. So, to save our retirement funds, I’ve come up with some ways to take the bite out of the budget, so to speak.

 

Meg F. @ Adventures with Jude — When the library isn’t practical . . . 

Exploring the value of e-books when going to the library isn’t an option.

 

Kayla @ The Arrowood Zoo — Ideas to Save Money

Over the 7 years I have homeschooled I have learned a lot about saving money. I want to share several with you. Hopefully it will give you some ideas.

 

Angie M. @ H.O.P.E. Homeschool Consulting Blog — Ways to Save Money Before You Buy Homeschool Curriculum

Homeschooling your children does not require purchasing hundreds of dollars worth of school materials. There are ways to save money before you buy homeschool curriculum.

 

Erin S. @ For Him and My Family — How “F” Stands for Frugal and not Failure in Our School

Receiving a grade of F is not a bad thing in our school but stands for Frugal or frugality. With 8 soon to be 9 kids we make it a game to find ways to be frugal in our school, read on for a few of our tricks!

 

Crystal H. @ Crystal Starr Blog — 6 Tips and LOTS of Resources for Frugal Homeschooling

I have to tell you, if I wanted to we could actually spend absolutely nothing on homeschooling. Zero, zip, zilch, nadda. Here the six things you have to remember… COMBINE, REUSE, SELL IT OFF, USE THE LIBRARY, BUY USED and ONLINE FREEBIES!

 

Kerry H. @ Old Fashioned Girls — Homemade and Frugal Foodie

So, I decided to share a day at the table in our home!  These recipes are quick and easy…you could say “Homemade Fast Food!”

 

Lexi @ Lextin Academy — Frugal with My Time 

So, when I think of frugal homeschooling resources, I don’t think about finding the least expensive resources – I’d rather be frugal with my time than with my pocket book. My time with my family is most valuable to me.

 

Dawn W. @ Guiding Light Homeschool — Homeschooling on a Budget