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I'm a free-spirited, knowledge-seeking woman that loves just about everything homeschooling and homemaking (minus the cleaning part - I can say that, right?! ha). I love being wife, mommy, aunt, sister, and friend. I welcome ideas, comments, and a chance to learn from others, too. Thank you for stopping by. Please email me with questions, ideas, or just to say hi!
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SpellQuizzer Review and Giveaway!
My greatest joy in life are my children. To be blessed with them after years of "no", and now, to watch them grow, learn, and enjoy their childhood is an invaluable treasure! Oh, how much they have taught me!
Before I my children "entered" school, I researched homeschooling methods and supplies. Because of my early research, I felt better about tackling the challenge of educating my children at home. Although, I truly believe every parent educated their child at home, directly or indirectly. And whether we school at home or choose the public or private school route, parents are in charge of their children's education.
However, I'm not naive enough or crazy enough (lol) to think its solely the teacher's responsibility! Even with eager learners, slumps of frustration due to monotony and the urge to do anything--like uncontrollable urge stare out the window--can delay progress. Students need help and so do the teachers! And, that's okay!
Even with all my enthusiasm and my endless search, I know there are products out, that are new to me! Little gems, just waiting to be discovered and shared!
Much to my complete excitement, Dan of SpellQuizzer introduced me to his learning software. After trying it out, I must say, it rocks!
After a few steps; purchase, download, type in the word and record your voice saying the word, all your student needs to do, is choose a word list and begin! SpellQuizzer is that simple!
Pros:
1. The directions are easy to follow; to set and to quiz!
2. It allows the child to be a self-directed learner! (A trait that insures a lifetime of learning)
3. Words are can be deemed as "case sensitive". For example, Monday must be entered with a capital letter.
4. Word lists can be downloaded from the SpellQuizzer site.
5. With its easy export and import abilities, SpellQuizzer users can easily share their word lists with fellow students in person, or through the newly added community area on the site.
6. Spelling words can be from any curriculum, so its very flexible.
7. SpellQuizzer's built-in spellchecker recognizes both US and UK English spellings.
8. This product doesn't have to be just for children! Anyone learning new words, like a medical transcription student, can benefit from the program.
9. The learning software can be used as long as the student wants to learn! It's clear, concise methodology appeals to learners of all ages.
10. I can make dinner (without spilling ingredients on the spelling lists!!) and my children can practice and take pride in their independence!
11. The words can be entered into the program by using a playful character voice, to enhance the fun of learning. As my husband recorded his voice for play back, I realized how wonderful it will be for my children to have Daddy help--even when he's actually at work--his voice being comforting and encouraging--knowing Daddy is a teacher, too. (that's my favorite part!!)
Cons:
You may need to purchase a microphone for your computer. Many new models come with one. Thankfully, purchasing a microphone is easy and inexpensive--they can be found in most 'big box marts'.
Simply put, SpellQuizzer helps children learn their spelling and vocabulary words!
Dan is generously offering a Giveaway of SpellQuizzer! If you are a student or know a student (or you need practice) please, enter the SpellQuizzer Giveaway, by leaving a comment! On Tuesday, March 23, 2010, I will select a winner by using an automated number generator!
For an even closer look:
http://www.SpellQuizzer.com
http://www.spellquizzer.com/Spelling-Software-For-Homeschoolers.htm
http://www.spellquizzer.com/Spelling-Lists.htm
http://www.spellquizzer.com/MicrophoneBoost.htm
Don't forget-- leave a comment, so you have a chance to WIN SpellQuizzer!!! We're using ours daily, 'cause we LOVE it and more importantly my son is learning!
GOOD LUCK and happy learning!
Melinda
P.S. I like the learning tips, too. Very helpful!
My techy hubby loves it, too--The ease of the software is impressive!!
I need to use SpellQuizzer. I need practice, too. honestly, I rocked spelling tests as a kid, because I studied. I'm simply not a natural speller. As an adult, I rather practice on my own, too, than have my hubby call out words to me! lol
Shhhhhh!
I've got a little secret. Its very, un-school-ly. Very anti-learn. Very uncool, for a homeschooling Mama!
As a kid, I HATED going to the library! HATED!!!
It may be difficult to believe, considering I have books in nearly every room of our home. Not to mention, how many times have I droned on about "READ! READ! READ" ? lol
I remember tutoring a young boy years ago. His mother wanted to help him, but really didn't feel as if she could. My answer? Read to him, everyday. Let him see the words as you read, whether its from a magazine, a comic book, store sign. Read to him, read with him, and let him read to you!
Wow, another tangent. How, very Melinda of me!
As I was saying, as a child, I hated going to the library. Shhhh! (Don't tell my Mom, I think her heart would break!) Its not the books fault. I like that part. I knew getting books meant we were going to read, and that was cool. It was the quiet part. Typically, it wasn't too difficult for me to honor the "SHHHHH" policy, my parents stressed the respect of others and cause and effect, too. So, I got it.
However, I did get thrown out of libraries twice. (i actually think it may have been three times, but since i don't readily remember why, it must have been so horrible that i had to block it out.) The first time, I was 6. I ran into my friend. He just happened to notice those brightly colored wedge foam blocks resembled a slide, if propped up. I tried to discourage him, after all, we were in a library. So, Shhhhhhh!
Well, he was far too convincing, and I was far too weak, to pass up an opportunity to play on a makeshift jungle gym! It didn't take too long, before I was being ushered out. Yikes. (he didn't! He was Not goofing off the precise moment I got busted!) That was embarrassing. Yeah, I was little, but I also KNEW better. My Mom wasn't too thrilled, either. Which I can't blame her. She was mad, too. In fact, I don't really recall seeing her face that shade of red, until then!
The second time, I was much older. In all fairness, I don't think I deserved that booting. If you put a large number of middle schoolers in a library, meant to work together and do research, noise will happen. I got sent back to my classroom, with classmates shocked that Miss Quiet (aka Goody Two Shoes), got booted. Yaknow, that librarian scared me.
Because of the quiet credo, libraries stressed me out. Sad, I know. The thing is, I'm the gal that knocks over displays and bumps into things that are seemingly nowhere near me. "I can't take you anywhere" phrase was written about me, donchaknow.
I'm not sure when I started to love libraries. But, I do. A building full of thinkers! Plum full of info and inspiration. Homeschooling doesn't have to cost a cent, if one fully utilizes the library. Which, not surprisingly, are the same reasons I love the internet!
In early elementary, my school had the best librarian ever. She was helpful, kind, and respectful. She could read anything and make it sound beautiful. She introduced me to Shel Silverstein, whom I love. (although I must say the poem "Melinda Mae" is gross. I know I'm stubborn, but I would never eat an entire whale! hmmf!)
Ms.C would usher us IN and read to us. She was everyone's Grandma--old and quiet, with a scent of medicine and cookies radiating from her polyester-coated self. She was Extra old, really. Which probably meant she was 30. (funny, the older I get, the younger she seemed!) Ms. C read like my Mom did, with feeling and proper pauses. Just a bunched up ball of goodness, that made the pressure of silence, rather welcoming.
Dang, I totally lost my point. That happens to me frequently. This time, I'm blaming it on having to stop and go--laundry, lunch, dishes, homeschool direction, email catch-up. Yaknow, the usual. One day, I will video the day and watch it in fast-forward. I imagine its rather funny looking. Or, I could record each step, as I step, but that would add another step. I dunno, if I'm stepping THAT much, I should be learning a new dance! Right?
So, my library experiences weren't all bad.
Truly, they're really ALL GOOD! I'm not nervous about being Shhh-ed into silence jail. Now, I'm nervous about my kids being Shh-ed! lol. A whole new type of torture! However, the joy I feel bringing my kids to libraries completely outweighs my silly concerns!
My children are eager to read, and be read to, to learn and to be entertained. I love it! They love it! Our librarians rock! Our late fees do not--but what better way to raise money for FREE resources! lol
Have you hugged your librarian, today? Don't know if ya should, really. Although I do recommend a hearty "Thank YOU!!!"
Melinda
P.S. My girl has been very sick, recently. She is showing signs of improvement today, thank God
! Now, I have a lot of catching up to do! ...did ya miss me? i missed you!! ;o)
"Mama said there'll be days like this."
Not pictured: the laptop. Thats right folks, the laptop. (I just bowed. did you see it?)
"There'll be days like this," my mama said.
Melinda
P.S. song by The Shirelles. Eventually, I may reference a song from this decade. Maybe. Right after I focus on "Chicago"
http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/?p=982
Kiss MY Boo-Boo
When my girl was younger-- walking, climbing, and just finding her words--she fell off the chair, head first. I was sitting next to her, coffee in my right hand, her near my left. In one swift moment, as her sweet chubby-cheeked face plummeted, I caught her. Me, the bump-into-things-that-are-nowhere-near-me, woman, prevented her from banging her head, by grabbing her ankle and stopping her descent--her little nose two inches from the floor. If my husband hadn't gasped and congratulated me on my "good save", I may not have believed it! Either way, I was relieved to have caught her, mid-air. And, can you believe it, I didn't spill a drop of coffee!
Well, today, things didn't work out quite as nicely. My son and daughter were sitting in the recliner, my boy reading a book to us. Just as I turned from my paper, I saw Sophia leaning over the arm of the chair. Too far over! I said, "SOPHIA!" and reached to grab her. My wheeled office chair slid out from under my booty, and Sophia continued to fall, as I fell out of my chair, too.
My girl landed partially on her noggin'. Thanks to my effort, she didn't suffer a full impact. My toe did. Its kinda blue, now. But, hey, at least I broke her fall!
Here's the bad part. I lost it. A bit. You see, I spend a large portion of every day, telling her to sit down, and properly, in her chair. I realized today, that I've been an awful example! I sit crossed-legged or with one leg tucked under my other, nearly every time I sit. Even when I wear ball gowns. (k, thats not true. I dream of pretty dresses.) However, if she DID sit like me, it would be an improvement. She typically prefers to sit half on-half off.
I suppose, considering her sit habits, she's lucky to not repeat this scenario daily. But, yaknowhowitis, any injury is too much! Hmmff!
The thing is, I got mad. Moreover, its a RULE in my home to NOT get mad over accidents. Because, DUH, they're accidents. I scolded her, as I held her and checked her for bumps. And I teared up, too. I just couldn't help myself--she had scared me sillier and my foot and toe were hurting, too.
I calmed down and regained my Mommy senses. And cuddled her. And asked my daughter, "Do you know why Mommy got upset?"
"Because, I'm your best girl and you don't want me to get hurt." she answered.
Well, she's right. I reaffirmed that I wasn't mad at her accident, but that she MUST listen to safety rules!
She understood. And I understood. But, uggh, daggit, I hate it when My girl gets hurt.
And, now, I have a numbing toe, reminding to be calm, always help, always forgive, and always learn. Mommy makes mistakes, too. Thankfully, snuggles and apologies, help make Boo-boos better!
I love being a Mommy. But, wow, can it hurt!
Melinda
p.s. Oh great, Pretty Poison's "Catch Me, I'm Falling" taken over my Green Day lovin' self. Help!!
I Chipped A Tooth Poppin' A Wheelie
So, I can't say too much, when my kids push their limits. Well, okay, I did try to bubble wrap them, but I kept getting distracted by the intense urge to snap-squish the air out of the plastic. (Come on, admit it, have you passed up an opportunity to Pop those bubbles? I think not!)
My girl said, "Look!" Lucky for her, I was already looking. I have a habit of doing that when I see my daughter take a running leap towards the not-bolted-to-the-ground slide!
Naturally, my boy had to join in the fun.
Kinda makes me wonder, what do they try when I'm NOT looking?
I'm not sure I want to know!
Here's hoping you have a great week, with fun! And, please, pop some bubbles, or wheelies, for me!
Melinda
Pet Store Explore
Yaknow, I love Saturdays. For many reasons, one of which involves extra sleep. Can you believe it, after my husband works all week and more, so I may be a Stay at Home Mommy, he lets ME sleep in on Saturdays?! In all fairness, I let him sleep-in on Sundays, but still. Mommy getting real SLEEP is invaluable, allowing me to refuel for the days to follow. Although, if I didn't stay up past a reasonable person's bed time, I may not need to sleep-in. I dunno. It works, one way or the other.
However, sometimes I wake up to my children telling me all about the cool things they did with Daddy, while I was asleep. Then, I feel pouty, knowing I missed out. Thankfully, that emotion doesn't last long, because its replaced with the giddy excitement of my children's retelling of their morning.
Last weekend, my hubby took the kids to a pet store. It may seem rather blasé, but my children love animals so much, they may as well been in Disney World. Its so cute. I love animals, too. (Exactly, why we can't have a giraffe in the backyard, I don't know. Seems like a perfectly reasonable request to me!) One day, if my children bring home a stray cat without asking first, I can't get too mad, because I did the same thing to my folks! But, I digress, again.
Thankfully, Hubby took some pictures to share. He and I are camera nuts. Or, we're just nuts. Wait, its probably both. anywho.
Miss S giggled a long time over the Kissing Fish, sweet talkin' its reflection.
Is it just me, or do these fish look as though they're trying to make themselves look like a larger fish? And if so, does this mean the Fish were scared of the ooooo-ing excitement of my babies? Or, are they being bullies?
Hey, where's Nemo? (love that movie!!)
Its so ugly, its cute!!! I want a lizard!! uh, just not THAT one. Sorry, Mr. Iguana.
I'm hiring these watery friends to do my windows. 
(see the watermark? Hubby just taught me how...I like it. Mostly. Its visually distracting, so I may just brave the open seas of the internet, without copy protection. verdict, out)
Now, I'm not a fan of rats and mice, but his woeful pleading, makes me want to snuggle him. Its wrong. My cat would, uh, decide he's been rewarded. Sorry, buddy, you're safer hanging over the edge.
"Love me, love me, pretend that you love me" lyrics are floating in my noggin, now.
Much like my kids, I do want one of each critter. And a monkey, to keep them all in order, 'cause goodness knows, I don't have time to keep them ALL in line! lol So, why not settle on a puppy, right? Ooo, and a bird. A small bird. Big birds, make me nervous, unless he's buddies with Elmo.
Yeah, I may have missed the magic of my children's thrill, but at least I have the photos to encourage me not to sleep my Saturday morning away..
I hope you're enjoying your day!
Melinda
P.S. Lyrics from the Cardigans' song "Love Fool". It will be in my head all day, no doubt!
On Your Mark, Get Set, ADD!
Out of utter desperation to revive the derailed school day, I searched my memories and google. I remembered one of my amazing, super duper, fantastic, all-educators-should-be-like-her teachers. Yeah, she was THAT good. Although I was in 3rd grade, I knew whether a teacher cared for her students. And in this case, I don't mean, she just cared for the well-being of her students, she actually sincerely, wanted us to learn! Seriously, when students are shown the "can do" spirit, most will rise to the occasion. Right? M'kay, that was a departure from my original point. But, since when does THAT stop me from writing a post? lol.
Any.who.
I heard a rather disappointing amount of sighs and whines and general complaints of school sorrow, yesterday. As I sat, daydreaming of my beloved 3rd Grade Teacher, I remembered her math drills! She created a game of multiplication facts. To progress to the next challenge, each student had to answer all math problems correctly, with only a minute to complete the quiz. I tell ya, the whole class gobbled it up.
So, needing to refresh my son and still review math, I started writing out addition problems. Example: 0 +1 = ____ , up to 0 + 12 = ____. Yup, little e is way past the Zero Plus, but I wanted to use that as a spring board. I made more quiz sheets, 1's, 2's, 3's, etc...Once all addition problems are passed correctly and, at or under a minute, I will introduce Subtraction, followed by Multiplication, and ending with Division.
The important key to this exercise is a stopwatch, for easy time recording. I pouted a bit, because I remembered the one we have, no longer works. (We still have the watch, so it can be taken apart, for curiosity's sake) Not wanting to give up on the idea altogether, I searched online and found a free online stopwatch! How cool is that?
The stopwatch drills were the only highlight of the school day, because Ethan LOVED it!
Hey, look at it this way, if I hadn't been subjected to the painful Ugghs, I wouldn't have recalled Mrs. Duncan (its not libel, when its positive, right? lol) and her snazzy teaching, which led to the start of our own math drills!
There is ALWAYS a bright side. Even if it lasts twenty minutes, its worth it!
Please, have a lovely weekend. Because. I. Said. So. And, I'm feeling bossy.
Melinda
P.S. i still love you, Mrs. Duncan, where ever you are!!!
P.S.S. she was so cool, when she went to Hawaii on vacation, she sent all of her students a postcard! We felt so special!
http://www.online-stopwatch.com/full-screen-stopwatch/
(i may introduce this in another way..."Kids, how fast can you clean up your toys? Wanna find out?" ooo, i'm evil.)
Homeschool Check List, Beep, Beep, Beep
Alert! Alert! System DOWN! Holy moly its been difficult to get BOTH of my kids to focus today! I got up this morning, made breakfast, packed my Hubby's lunch (yes, I do it. because, I like to) and sat down, writing out the day's To-Do's for my son and daughter. I was on hyper-drive.
Notice, I said 'WAS". 'Cause, UGGH, where did my children's motivation go? Phooey! Some days are just out of sync, I suppose. It doesn't mean, however, that I have tossed up my hands (even though I really felt like it) and wrote it off as a "teacher work day". Oh no, buddy. I'm sticking it out. Yup--how disappointing for my kids, huh? lol
Seriously, I did the run laps thing, the recess thing, the deep breathe thing. And, well, they're still plugging reluctantly away, as I am typing this. Huh.
Sure, I do sometimes cut my losses and rearrange a day here and there, but I think its a dangerous habit. For me anyway. I don't want to have school on holidays. yaknow? lol
Anywho. just had to vent a bit. Ever have a day like that?
On a positive note, completely unrelated to homeschool, I have discovered the broken thingyamagig on the coffee maker (that I've been fighting with all week) is completely irrelevant. This morning as I wrote out my goals, I sipped coffee. And for that moment, all was right in the world.
Hope you're day has been a lovely warm-fuzzy one!
Melinda
Panini Shamnini
In my home, we like our sandwiches toasted. Not with lots of butter or olive oil, a smidge on occasion, but mainly dry, high heat. To get a faster, crisp sandwich, similar to a panini press, I layer my cast iron pans. Once the sandwich is prepared, I put it on the stove top, in a large cast iron skillet, place a piece of aluminum foil on top of the sandwiches and then place a small cast iron skillet directly on top of the foil. The weight of the cast iron does the pressing, although pressing down, for a thick sandwich does speed up the process.
This works beautifully with heartier breads, as well as the typical loaf of sliced sandwich bread. Although, with the thinner slices, the sandwich will be quite squished--which is great if you're trying to hide the contents from a picky eater. (sneaky Momma, huh?)
Thanks for swinging by,
Melinda
http://www.tammysrecipes.com/node/3764 for more tips. and some adorable baby pictures!!
))