<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Zach Smith | Our Homeschool Forum</title> <atom:link href="https://ourhomeschoolforum.com/author/zach_smith/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://ourhomeschoolforum.com</link> <description>The ultimate resource for homeschoolers!</description> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 09 Jun 2016 17:55:15 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1</generator> <item> <title>Dad Saves the Day?</title> <link>https://ourhomeschoolforum.com/blog/glimpses-of-life/dad-saves-day/</link> <comments>https://ourhomeschoolforum.com/blog/glimpses-of-life/dad-saves-day/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Zach Smith]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jun 2016 11:04:01 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Glimpses of Life]]></category> <category><![CDATA[dad]]></category> <category><![CDATA[homeschool dads]]></category> <category><![CDATA[homeschooling]]></category> <category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://ourhomeschoolforum.com/?p=5488</guid> <description><![CDATA[<img width="627" height="376" src="https://ourhomeschoolforum.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dad-saves-the-day-627x376.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://ourhomeschoolforum.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dad-saves-the-day-627x376.jpg 627w, https://ourhomeschoolforum.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dad-saves-the-day-440x264.jpg 440w" sizes="(max-width: 627px) 100vw, 627px" />If I were to conduct a survey, asking my early elementary-aged kids to rate “school time with daddy” on a typical scale – with #1 being a kick-each-other-under-the-table-for-something-(anything)-to-do-to-escape-the-boredom and #10 being a call to arms to oust the current homeschool dictator (mom) in favor of a fresh, if virtually untested, educatorship – where would I fall?]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="627" height="376" src="https://ourhomeschoolforum.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dad-saves-the-day-627x376.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" srcset="https://ourhomeschoolforum.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dad-saves-the-day-627x376.jpg 627w, https://ourhomeschoolforum.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dad-saves-the-day-440x264.jpg 440w" sizes="(max-width: 627px) 100vw, 627px" /><div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_0 et_section_regular" > <div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_0"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_0 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_0 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p>If I were to conduct a survey, asking my early elementary-aged kids to rate “school time with daddy” on a typical scale – with #1 being a kick-each-other-under-the-table-for-something-(anything)-to-do-to-escape-the-boredom and #10 being a call to arms to oust the current homeschool dictator (mom) in favor of a fresh, if virtually untested, educatorship – where would I fall? How do I rate as a homeschool dad?</p> <p>I feel like there are a lot of positive memories from the days I have stepped in to fill the role of schoolteacher. I’ve wowed the kids with the classic vinegar and baking soda volcano experiment. We’ve read about the Pilgrims and explored life on board old sailing ships through models, pictures and videos. We play logic games together to hone those critical thinking skills. We make up goofy songs to sing about each other—a really fun way to enhance our rhyming vocabularies. Sometimes, if the subjects they are supposed to be doing aren’t going so well, I switch gears completely. Like the time we all just tumbled on the couch with a human body textbook that was grades beyond them and had a lively, two-hour discussion about the circulatory system (helped along by one of my daughters who, we discovered as we compared arms and foreheads, would make a great vein model). We even did math problems with Cheerios. OK, they <em>may</em> have been M&M’s…and a lot of those M&M’s may have been consumed during the lesson – but it was a lot of tasty fun!</p> <p>I realize I probably shouldn’t start on the victory lap just yet. My intermittent days at the helm of this educational vessel haven’t all been smooth sailing. What about my experiment to show the kids how a sand and rock filter can clear a lot of junk out of dirty water? Failed! I didn’t end up with clear water, just dirty water that was now also full of sand. (Saved by YouTube). Do you know how embarrassing it is when your 8 year old needs help with math and you confidently lean over her shoulder – only to discover it has been somewhere between 15 and 20 years since you have even thought about long division by hand (and your brain refuses to give up “that” memory without a fight? (Saved by Google). Oh, and that time our volcano experiment was going so well? My 8 and 6 year-olds begged me to repeat it (again) when the younger kids woke up from naps. There was a lot of shrieking as the experiment got underway, but the tears were real and I was soon deserted by my youngest students as they ran crying to wherever their mother was – terrified by the overflowing mass of bubbles. (Saved by a handful of M&M’s.) I’ve been corrected by my 4 year old because I can’t draw a tiger. (Saved by. . . Nothing can save my art skills.) And then there’s “Dad, how do you spell___?” Having grown up using British spelling rules, I have to endeavor to keep the kids on the right continent with my carefully considered answer.</p> <p>Now, while I haven’t officially polled my children yet, I get the feeling they won’t be unfurling the revolutionary banner in my honor any time soon. But it also seems they have no desire to give me the boot – which means <em>something</em> must be going right! And I’m positive that <em>something</em> is time. You know what I mean, dads. Whether it’s a typical school day, a field trip day, one of those “life lesson” days (where you teach them about something like changing oil and checking fluids) or even a day where it seems like everything is just half a step from being in rhythm, you have spent <em>time</em> with your kids – who love knowing that you make them a priority. Giving your kids your time is possibly one of the greatest gifts you can give them. It’s an investment that has a proven, positive outcome on your children’s educational success, personal confidence and deeply held beliefs.</p> <p>But…I’m sure you are well aware of this already. After all – you decided to homeschool! And I’m guessing your kids don’t need to be polled for you to know how much they enjoy spending time with you. So, enjoy the day and enjoy those children! Happy Father’s Day!</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://ourhomeschoolforum.com/blog/glimpses-of-life/dad-saves-day/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Wordup! The Vocab Show Volume 1 DVD</title> <link>https://ourhomeschoolforum.com/reviews/spelling-vocabulary/wordup-the-vocab-show-volume-1-dvd/</link> <comments>https://ourhomeschoolforum.com/reviews/spelling-vocabulary/wordup-the-vocab-show-volume-1-dvd/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Zach Smith]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jan 2016 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Spelling & Vocabulary]]></category> <category><![CDATA[dvd]]></category> <category><![CDATA[grade 10]]></category> <category><![CDATA[grade 11]]></category> <category><![CDATA[grade 12]]></category> <category><![CDATA[grade 5]]></category> <category><![CDATA[grade 6]]></category> <category><![CDATA[grade 7]]></category> <category><![CDATA[grade 8]]></category> <category><![CDATA[grade 9]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vocabulary]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false"></guid> <description><![CDATA[<img width="627" height="261" src="https://ourhomeschoolforum.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/48e356cffadcfae02e8c0dc7e82338a0.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" />So, you could pick up a deck of cards or start through an endless series of workbooks in your quest to become educated about Greek and Latin roots. Or, you could...]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="627" height="261" src="https://ourhomeschoolforum.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/48e356cffadcfae02e8c0dc7e82338a0.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" /><div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_1 et_section_regular" > <div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_1"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_1 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_1 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p>So, you <em>could</em> pick up a deck of cards or start through an endless series of workbooks in your quest to become educated about Greek and Latin roots. Alternatively, you could thoroughly enjoy an entertaining DVD backed by online access to flashcards, quizzes and games that test your abilities to retain, recognize, match, listen, spell, and type word roots!</p> <p>Dwane Thomas (Visual Latin) hosts this engaging DVD series, each of which includes 10 lessons (15-18 minutes in length) that explore a total of 20 Latin and Greek roots. 10 or so English words derived from each root means over 200 English words are explained. Honestly, this doesn’t even feel like learning! The lessons are to the point – and fun to watch. And the additional activities and games online can quickly become competitive – child vs. child or child vs. parent (don’t be too sure of yourself mom or dad: you may think you’re out of the age bracket for this course, but I guarantee a challenge!).</p> <p>The online component is very easy to use (I was able to start working on the lesson 1 quiz and games within seconds of going to the website). You can even create an account (or multiple accounts) and then your game scores are ranked against other Wordup! users. Simple, effective and a great value.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/061294" target="_blank" onclick="trackOutboundLink('http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/061294'); return false;">Check out <em>Wordup!</em></a></h2></div> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_video et_pb_video_0"> <div class="et_pb_video_box"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Wordup!" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/133475890?dnt=1&app_id=122963" width="1080" height="608" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media"></iframe></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://ourhomeschoolforum.com/reviews/spelling-vocabulary/wordup-the-vocab-show-volume-1-dvd/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Stack the Deck Writing Program</title> <link>https://ourhomeschoolforum.com/reviews/english-writing/stack-the-deck-writing-program/</link> <comments>https://ourhomeschoolforum.com/reviews/english-writing/stack-the-deck-writing-program/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Zach Smith]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 09 Dec 2013 16:41:40 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[English & Writing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[composition]]></category> <category><![CDATA[creative writing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[stack the deck]]></category> <category><![CDATA[writing]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false"></guid> <description><![CDATA[<img width="627" height="314" src="https://ourhomeschoolforum.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/fb5c27012bf7bd2b528a5fe03304bd91.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />To “stack the deck” is to arrange the deck of cards in your favor prior to the beginning of play – making it much easier to win the game. Translate that into a series of composition textbooks, and you can see the advantage of having someone “stack the deck” of English writing and composition skills in the student’s favor.]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="627" height="314" src="https://ourhomeschoolforum.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/fb5c27012bf7bd2b528a5fe03304bd91.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" /><p><a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?subject=7&category=1562" target="_blank" onclick="trackOutboundLink('http://www.rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?subject=7&category=1562'); return false;"><img decoding="async" itemprop="image" src="http://www.rainbowresource.com/products/041015.jpg" alt="Stack the Deck" width="100px" id="main-thumbnail" style="padding:8px" align="left" /></a> If you spend any time playing cards, you may already be familiar with the meaning of the term “stack the deck.” To “stack the deck” is to arrange the deck of cards in your favor prior to the beginning of play – making it much easier to win the game. Translate that into a series of composition textbooks, and you can see the advantage of having someone “stack the deck” of English writing and composition skills in the student’s favor.</p> <p>Accomplished through an engaging and encouraging text, which is also structured and well-organized as it flows from the easy to the complex, this series has been called “unpretentious,” “organized,” “systematic,” and “fun” by teachers who have used it. Each level has both a teacher and a student book. Student books are written to the student, who can either work through them independently or with other children or the teacher. The text is conversational and interspersed with plenty of exercises, activities, and assignments. The books have space enough to be considered consumable, or students could use a separate notebook to record answers/writings if more than one student will use the program.</p> <p>Teacher guides give background information on the teaching process and skills focused on in the corresponding student book, as well as practical, research-based strategies for teaching the student text. Some of the labor and time saving tools utilized in the course include : scoring rubrics (which will help students know what is expected of them), think sheets (to help in the brainstorming phase), SOS sheets (a communication device that helps teachers point out weaknesses and offer helpful suggestions), and checklist sheets (so students can make sure they have fulfilled what was expected).</p> <p>This series is truly worth considering as you investigate the writing programs available to the homeschool market.</p> <p> — Zach </p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?subject=7&category=1562" target="_blank" onclick="trackOutboundLink('http://www.rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?subject=7&category=1562'); return false;">Take a look at Stack the Deck Writing Program</a></h2> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://ourhomeschoolforum.com/reviews/english-writing/stack-the-deck-writing-program/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> </channel> </rss> <!-- Performance optimized by W3 Total Cache. 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