Years of international in-depth research show clearly that children are more likely to succeed in learning when their families actively support them. When you and other family members read with or to your children, help them with homework or educational activities, talk with their educators or co-homeschoolers, and participate in school, homeschool or other learning activities, you give your children a tremendous advantage and a firm foundation and basis for learning.
Other than helping your child or children to grow up healthy and happy, the most important thing that you can do for them is to help them develop their reading and writing skills. It is no exaggeration to say that how well children learn to read affects directly not only how successful they are in their educational activities, but how well they do throughout their lives. When children learn to read, they have the key that opens the door to all the knowledge of the world. Without this key, many children are left behind. The foundation for learning to read is in place long before children enter the formal school arena and begin formal reading instruction.
You, as a parent, together with your family, help to create this foundation by talking, listening, and reading to your children every day and by showing them that you value, use, and enjoy reading in your lives. Participating in family-oriented activities and conversations subtly reinforces this foundation.
Most of the activities that make learning experiences out of the everyday routines in which you participate with your children use materials that are found in your home or that can be had free-of-charge from the local library. You design the activities to be fun for both you and your children as you help them to gain the skills they need to become readers and develop into independent little people. These activities often find their way into a child’s journal, either by way of scribbles, writing or pasting or drawing pictures.
I have designed a journal with my own children in mind, knowing that in time with continued journal use, they will begin to plan their activities, vent their feeling and frustrations, note their own achievements, and diarise their happiness, hopes and dreams.
It is vitally important to stress that a journal is your child’s personal and private document and should be treated as such. It should be a place where your child can just “be”. A child should not be forced to show or display his or her journal. If he or she chooses to display her “work” that is entirely up to the child, but at all times he or she must be absolutely confident that this is his or her “space”. There is a level of “trust” between a person and their journal, even amongst adults. This trust should never be compromised or broken.
At the end of the journal or school year, whichever applies to you or your family, if your child chooses to display the journal, you will without a doubt immediately glean information regarding their interests, concerns, abilities, identify possibly areas of conflict. Most of all you will see how your precious child has developed as an individual in their thoughts, actions, reading and writing.
The journals, which I have made for boys and girls (imagine your son's face when he gets a journal with flowers and fairies yeeeuuuckkk!) will be uploaded in the first week of the New Year. I will post the links shortly.
This article is (c) Donnette E Davis 2007 and awaiting live publication. Please do not copy. Thank you.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Description & Guidelines (?) of Homeschooling in South Africa
Our site has been added to Homeschoolmedia and while setting up my profile I came across a brilliant concept of creating a Wiki South Africa on Homeschooling. This is for homeschoolers written by homeschoolers and no entry had been made for South Africa. I searched St Aiden's for information that I provide to my visitors on the so-called requirements and guidelines of homeschooling in South Africa and based my Wiki entry on that information.
Description of Homeschooling in South Africa (Adapted from the Education Department)
Home schooling is a programme of education that a parent may provide to his or her child at home.
It is prescribed that a parent of a learner who is of compulsory school-going age should apply to the Head of the Department of Education of the province involved to register the learner for receiving education at home. This is in fact not the case. The Constitution of South Africa allows for homeschooling without registering with the Education Department. There are steps in place to try and amend this, but no new laws have been promulgated as yet. The following are compulsory phases of education:
The foundation phase (grades 1 - 3)
The intermediate phase (grades 4 - 6)
The senior phase (grades 7 - 9)
A parent of a learner who is no longer of compulsory school-going age or grade need not apply for registration for home schooling.
It is prescribed by the Education Department that after the learner has been registered for home schooling, the parent must do the following:
Keep a record of attendance.
Keep a portfolio of the learner's work.
Maintain up-to-date records of the learner's progress.
Keep a portfolio of the educational support given to the learner.
Keep evidence of the continuous assessment of the learner's work.
Keep evidence of the assessment and or examinations at the end of each year.
Keep evidence at the end of Grades 3, 6 and 9 that shows whether the learner has achieved the outcomes for these grades.
Steps to follow
It is suggested that a parent must: apply to the head of the Department of Education of the province where they live to register a child (learner) for home schooling;
submit the application form with a copy of the learner’s birth certificate;
supply documentation that outlines the unit standards the parent will facilitate (teach).
The application forms can be obtained from any provincial Department of Education.
The majority of homeschoolers in South Africa have elected not to register with the Department of Education but choose instead to register with a homeschooling defensor organisation that protects their constitutional rights.
There are a number of curricula available for purchase in South Africa, covering a variety of homeschooling methods. Some families choose the unschooling or eclectic approach.
Whichever method is decided upon by the homeschooling family, the important aspects are that the child or children get a one-on-one interaction with their educator/parent in a loving, safe and secure environment and the child is allowed and in fact encouraged to develop at his or her own pace.
Contrary to popular belief amongst professional educators in South Africa, a lack of socialisation is rarely a factor when considering homeschooling your children as they have constant interaction with the family, and very often close support groups are formed within communities enabling the child or children to interact with individuals of all ages, thus developing their own social skills whilst allowing them to actually enjoy their learning experience.
Description of Homeschooling in South Africa (Adapted from the Education Department)
Home schooling is a programme of education that a parent may provide to his or her child at home.
It is prescribed that a parent of a learner who is of compulsory school-going age should apply to the Head of the Department of Education of the province involved to register the learner for receiving education at home. This is in fact not the case. The Constitution of South Africa allows for homeschooling without registering with the Education Department. There are steps in place to try and amend this, but no new laws have been promulgated as yet. The following are compulsory phases of education:
The foundation phase (grades 1 - 3)
The intermediate phase (grades 4 - 6)
The senior phase (grades 7 - 9)
A parent of a learner who is no longer of compulsory school-going age or grade need not apply for registration for home schooling.
It is prescribed by the Education Department that after the learner has been registered for home schooling, the parent must do the following:
Keep a record of attendance.
Keep a portfolio of the learner's work.
Maintain up-to-date records of the learner's progress.
Keep a portfolio of the educational support given to the learner.
Keep evidence of the continuous assessment of the learner's work.
Keep evidence of the assessment and or examinations at the end of each year.
Keep evidence at the end of Grades 3, 6 and 9 that shows whether the learner has achieved the outcomes for these grades.
Steps to follow
It is suggested that a parent must: apply to the head of the Department of Education of the province where they live to register a child (learner) for home schooling;
submit the application form with a copy of the learner’s birth certificate;
supply documentation that outlines the unit standards the parent will facilitate (teach).
The application forms can be obtained from any provincial Department of Education.
The majority of homeschoolers in South Africa have elected not to register with the Department of Education but choose instead to register with a homeschooling defensor organisation that protects their constitutional rights.
There are a number of curricula available for purchase in South Africa, covering a variety of homeschooling methods. Some families choose the unschooling or eclectic approach.
Whichever method is decided upon by the homeschooling family, the important aspects are that the child or children get a one-on-one interaction with their educator/parent in a loving, safe and secure environment and the child is allowed and in fact encouraged to develop at his or her own pace.
Contrary to popular belief amongst professional educators in South Africa, a lack of socialisation is rarely a factor when considering homeschooling your children as they have constant interaction with the family, and very often close support groups are formed within communities enabling the child or children to interact with individuals of all ages, thus developing their own social skills whilst allowing them to actually enjoy their learning experience.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Christmas Day 2007 ~ St Aiden's Homeschool
Entry for 25 December 2007
Hello Everyone
It's a bright sunny (and rain-free) morning (not going to stay that way sadly) here in Pietermaritzburg. Sav and River are spending some time with their father and his mother in Gauteng and so the house has been quiet for the last 3 days, and will be still they return home later this week.
This is not a website update as such, just a Christmas message full of good wishes and blessings for each of you. I am not usually stuck for words and normally get straight in and the fingers do the walking.
But today I have received a mail from an internet colleague with something that I am happy that I read. When starting to read it I thought "Good grief, this is shocking!" until I got half way through and realised the true meaning of the message it was sending through. I will CCP it here:
'Twas the Night Before Christmas
An Internet Marketer's Adaptation for 2007 (with apologies to Clement C. Moore)
'Twas the night before Christmas and all cross the 'net
Marketers were hoping that clickthroughs, they'd get.
The products were finished and ready to go
outsourced and prepared by those "in the know"
"The customer first!" is the mantra we say
so our software and services will help them today.
The squeeze page, the copy, the ecommerce cart
the site was all ready, now we'd done our part.
Affiliates were lined up now it was their turn
They hoped that commissions, yes BIG ones, they'd earn!
On Morin, On Silver, On Fallon and Dale.
Your emails are bringing big sale after sale!
On Brunson, on Filsaime, On Ambrose and Reese...
Conversions are crazy, promote again please?
Jackpot! A huge launch! filled with riches galore, but in the midst of it all
I wondered, "could there by more?"
And that's when it hit me, a truth so supreme,
that money and sales didn't mean anything.
A chance to give back because Christmas is giving,
a way we can honor the Christ that is living.
'Cause that is what Christmas is really about.
God gave His Son and now there's no doubt...
On the night before Christmas it could be the start
when you find God's love for you there in your heart."
May you know the joy and reality of Christmas today, and every day.
I feel blessed that I have had the opportunity (though unfortunate circumstances sent me in this direction) to have been able to have been a part of your lives in one small way or another. I also feel truly blessed that I have been able to create and provide content & resources for our HS families to use, and when I read my incoming mail, very often a tear comes to my eye when the writer explains just how in some small way we have made a difference to their homeschooling and very often family life.
St Aiden's has become a popular homeschooling resource on the internet, and I have you to thank for your comments, thoughts, encouragement and yes, even criticisms. We are here to provide what YOU need so that you can be in the position to give your children the best gift possible - that of yourself. I thank everyone deeply and sincerely for your support through the year, and look forward to a new year of new content, new ideas and a great and fun learning experience for educators and chldren alike.
St Aiden's has recently been listed at http://www.hslaunch.com/ as one of the top educational Homeschooling sites. Again, thank you.
Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, I wish you a happy season and a prosperous new year!
As always you are welcome to leave your comments on my yahoo blog or this HS blog.
Have a safe and blessed Christmas!
Blessings
Donnette
PS - To everyone who sent links through - thank you. I finally did manage to obtain the license for 12 Days of Christmas Graphics and the files are uploaded at http://www.staidenshomeschool.com/activities/christmas/12_days_xmas.html
Educational of course, but you can grab the sheet music and midi file as well...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/staidenshomeschooling http://www.staidenshomeschool.com
Man must search for what is right, and let happiness come on its own. Johann Pestalozzi
Hello Everyone
It's a bright sunny (and rain-free) morning (not going to stay that way sadly) here in Pietermaritzburg. Sav and River are spending some time with their father and his mother in Gauteng and so the house has been quiet for the last 3 days, and will be still they return home later this week.
This is not a website update as such, just a Christmas message full of good wishes and blessings for each of you. I am not usually stuck for words and normally get straight in and the fingers do the walking.
But today I have received a mail from an internet colleague with something that I am happy that I read. When starting to read it I thought "Good grief, this is shocking!" until I got half way through and realised the true meaning of the message it was sending through. I will CCP it here:
'Twas the Night Before Christmas
An Internet Marketer's Adaptation for 2007 (with apologies to Clement C. Moore)
'Twas the night before Christmas and all cross the 'net
Marketers were hoping that clickthroughs, they'd get.
The products were finished and ready to go
outsourced and prepared by those "in the know"
"The customer first!" is the mantra we say
so our software and services will help them today.
The squeeze page, the copy, the ecommerce cart
the site was all ready, now we'd done our part.
Affiliates were lined up now it was their turn
They hoped that commissions, yes BIG ones, they'd earn!
On Morin, On Silver, On Fallon and Dale.
Your emails are bringing big sale after sale!
On Brunson, on Filsaime, On Ambrose and Reese...
Conversions are crazy, promote again please?
Jackpot! A huge launch! filled with riches galore, but in the midst of it all
I wondered, "could there by more?"
And that's when it hit me, a truth so supreme,
that money and sales didn't mean anything.
A chance to give back because Christmas is giving,
a way we can honor the Christ that is living.
'Cause that is what Christmas is really about.
God gave His Son and now there's no doubt...
On the night before Christmas it could be the start
when you find God's love for you there in your heart."
May you know the joy and reality of Christmas today, and every day.
I feel blessed that I have had the opportunity (though unfortunate circumstances sent me in this direction) to have been able to have been a part of your lives in one small way or another. I also feel truly blessed that I have been able to create and provide content & resources for our HS families to use, and when I read my incoming mail, very often a tear comes to my eye when the writer explains just how in some small way we have made a difference to their homeschooling and very often family life.
St Aiden's has become a popular homeschooling resource on the internet, and I have you to thank for your comments, thoughts, encouragement and yes, even criticisms. We are here to provide what YOU need so that you can be in the position to give your children the best gift possible - that of yourself. I thank everyone deeply and sincerely for your support through the year, and look forward to a new year of new content, new ideas and a great and fun learning experience for educators and chldren alike.
St Aiden's has recently been listed at http://www.hslaunch.com/ as one of the top educational Homeschooling sites. Again, thank you.
Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, I wish you a happy season and a prosperous new year!
As always you are welcome to leave your comments on my yahoo blog or this HS blog.
Have a safe and blessed Christmas!
Blessings
Donnette
PS - To everyone who sent links through - thank you. I finally did manage to obtain the license for 12 Days of Christmas Graphics and the files are uploaded at http://www.staidenshomeschool.com/activities/christmas/12_days_xmas.html
Educational of course, but you can grab the sheet music and midi file as well...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/staidenshomeschooling http://www.staidenshomeschool.com
Man must search for what is right, and let happiness come on its own. Johann Pestalozzi
Thursday, December 20, 2007
New FREE Parenting and Family (Legal) eBooks
The following ebooks have been added to St Aiden's Homeschool:
10 Things Divorced Parents Should Do
17 Reasons to Homeschool Your Kids
3 Key Ways for Child Support to Continue
Addressing Domestic Violence in South Africa
ADHD - Helping Your Child Cope
Adoption - Making Sure You Are Ready
Adult ADD - Myths & Legends
Allergies May Run in Families
An Insight on When to Homeschool Your Children
Baby Lullaby
Baby Sleep Tips
Birth Disorder - How to Cope
Celebrating Fathers
Chasing After Child Support
Child Custody - Dallas
Child Custody - Indiana
Child Custody - New Hampshire
Child Custody - New York
Child Custody - Utah
Child Custody - Washington
Child Custody - Chicago
Child Safety Tips
Child Sleep Disorder
Children with a Learning Disability
Children are People, Not Machines
Children with High Autism
DNA Test - How to Get One
Coping With Birth Disorder
Dealing With Childhood Obesity
Decorating a Kids Room
Depression in Children
Developing Parenting Skills
Divorce - Contested and Uncontested
Divorce & Alienation
Divorce : Parenting Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Educational Toys For Toddlers
Family Motivation - The Glue That Holds Families Together
First Time Parenting - Your Toddler
Gender Roles & Homeschooling
Goals of Natural Parenting
Good Parenting - Providing Benefits for Life
Guiding Behaviour for Peaceful Parenting
Homeschooling and Your Special Child
Homeschooling Info That Every HS Family Should Know
Homeschooling Your Child
Homeschooling
Homeschooling - How to Make it Fun
How to Recognise an Abused Child
How to Successfully Homeschool Your Child
Marriages May End, Families Are Forever
Mommy & Baby - Styles of Parenting
Monitoring Your Child's Computer - For Their Safety
Parenting Agreement
Parenting Predicaments
Parenting Teenagers
Parenting Tips
Paternity Testing
Positive Discipline Techniques
Positive Parenting
Potty Training Resistance
Safe From Strangers
South Africa - Protecting the Children
South Africa - A Child's Right to Maintenance & Support
Simple Ways to Teach Colours
Simple Ways to Teach Shapes
Single Parenting - Keeping the Stress Out
Surviving as a Single Parent
Taking Care of Your Baby
Teenager Parenting
The 3 R's - How to Handle a Tantrum
Therapeutic Parenting Approach
Time Off
Tips for Successful Parenting
Tips for Coping with ADHD
Top Tips for Potty Training Accidents
Toughest Parenting - The Toddler Years
Understanding Why Your Child Has Been Recommended for Testin
When Parents Disagree
10 Things Divorced Parents Should Do
17 Reasons to Homeschool Your Kids
3 Key Ways for Child Support to Continue
Addressing Domestic Violence in South Africa
ADHD - Helping Your Child Cope
Adoption - Making Sure You Are Ready
Adult ADD - Myths & Legends
Allergies May Run in Families
An Insight on When to Homeschool Your Children
Baby Lullaby
Baby Sleep Tips
Birth Disorder - How to Cope
Celebrating Fathers
Chasing After Child Support
Child Custody - Dallas
Child Custody - Indiana
Child Custody - New Hampshire
Child Custody - New York
Child Custody - Utah
Child Custody - Washington
Child Custody - Chicago
Child Safety Tips
Child Sleep Disorder
Children with a Learning Disability
Children are People, Not Machines
Children with High Autism
DNA Test - How to Get One
Coping With Birth Disorder
Dealing With Childhood Obesity
Decorating a Kids Room
Depression in Children
Developing Parenting Skills
Divorce - Contested and Uncontested
Divorce & Alienation
Divorce : Parenting Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Educational Toys For Toddlers
Family Motivation - The Glue That Holds Families Together
First Time Parenting - Your Toddler
Gender Roles & Homeschooling
Goals of Natural Parenting
Good Parenting - Providing Benefits for Life
Guiding Behaviour for Peaceful Parenting
Homeschooling and Your Special Child
Homeschooling Info That Every HS Family Should Know
Homeschooling Your Child
Homeschooling
Homeschooling - How to Make it Fun
How to Recognise an Abused Child
How to Successfully Homeschool Your Child
Marriages May End, Families Are Forever
Mommy & Baby - Styles of Parenting
Monitoring Your Child's Computer - For Their Safety
Parenting Agreement
Parenting Predicaments
Parenting Teenagers
Parenting Tips
Paternity Testing
Positive Discipline Techniques
Positive Parenting
Potty Training Resistance
Safe From Strangers
South Africa - Protecting the Children
South Africa - A Child's Right to Maintenance & Support
Simple Ways to Teach Colours
Simple Ways to Teach Shapes
Single Parenting - Keeping the Stress Out
Surviving as a Single Parent
Taking Care of Your Baby
Teenager Parenting
The 3 R's - How to Handle a Tantrum
Therapeutic Parenting Approach
Time Off
Tips for Successful Parenting
Tips for Coping with ADHD
Top Tips for Potty Training Accidents
Toughest Parenting - The Toddler Years
Understanding Why Your Child Has Been Recommended for Testin
When Parents Disagree
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Over 30 Free Christmas Ebooks
Hundreds of free Christmas Downloads, includingover 30 Christmas books, Kids Activity & Colouring Books, Christmas Recipe Books, Christmas Classic Stories, Decorating Ideas, Arts, Crafts, Christmas Games, Family Christmas Gift Ideas and more...
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
Free Christmas Goodies, eBooks and More
Hello Everyone!
Please bear with me if I send out a few more mails than usual this week. I think it makes more sense to send through updates as they are done for the next week or two rather than try and cram it all into one very long mail.
The following eBooks are available for download at http://www.staidenshomeschool.com/activities/christmas/ebooks.html
50 Great Decorating Ideas on a Tight Budget
Celebrating the Season with Christmas Party Ideas
Craft Projects Made Out Of Christmas Cards
Edible Christmas Ornaments
Fun Christmas Activities to do with Kids
Great but Cheap Christmas Ideas
New Ways to Use Old Christmas Cards
Holiday eBook
Old Fashioned Christmas
Outdoor Christmas Decorations
Recapture the Magic of Christmas
Sharing the Christmas Story with Kids in 4 Easy Steps
Victorian Christmas Decorations
Wind Chimes for Christmas
Christmas Decoration Ideas for Kids
Christmas Party Games for Kids
The Caroler
Free Christmas Carol Electronic eBook
There are an additional 20 or so books on this page - too long for one mail.
I do hope you enjoy them. I will send out another update mail shortly with some really great free stuff.
Hope you all had a fantastic weekend, and wishing everyone a safe and blessed week ahead.
Blessings
Donnette
Please bear with me if I send out a few more mails than usual this week. I think it makes more sense to send through updates as they are done for the next week or two rather than try and cram it all into one very long mail.
The following eBooks are available for download at http://www.staidenshomeschool.com/activities/christmas/ebooks.html
50 Great Decorating Ideas on a Tight Budget
Celebrating the Season with Christmas Party Ideas
Craft Projects Made Out Of Christmas Cards
Edible Christmas Ornaments
Fun Christmas Activities to do with Kids
Great but Cheap Christmas Ideas
New Ways to Use Old Christmas Cards
Holiday eBook
Old Fashioned Christmas
Outdoor Christmas Decorations
Recapture the Magic of Christmas
Sharing the Christmas Story with Kids in 4 Easy Steps
Victorian Christmas Decorations
Wind Chimes for Christmas
Christmas Decoration Ideas for Kids
Christmas Party Games for Kids
The Caroler
Free Christmas Carol Electronic eBook
There are an additional 20 or so books on this page - too long for one mail.
I do hope you enjoy them. I will send out another update mail shortly with some really great free stuff.
Hope you all had a fantastic weekend, and wishing everyone a safe and blessed week ahead.
Blessings
Donnette
Thursday, December 6, 2007
St Aidens ~ Chritstmas Updates
St Aidens ~ Merry Christmas
The days are flying past and there are only 19 days left to Christmas. In keeping with our Christmas learning experience, I have continued to upload and resource Christmas-themed educational resources, and some really exceptional downloads for mums. There have been way too many additions to the website in the past week for me to mention them all, but if you visit the URL's below you will be directed to the new additions.
Christmas Activity Books - 3 New additions at the time of sending this mail are the Santa Activity Pack, Snowman Activity Pack and Christmas Alphabet Activity Pack. They can be found at http://www.staidenshomeschool.com/activities/printables/activitybooks/christmas.html
Going Green for Christmas - A new selection of Environmental PDF eBooks that you can download for free. You can find 3 new eBooks at http://www.staidenshomeschool.com/global_warming/globalwarming.html
Printable Christmas Stories and Poems:
http://www.staidenshomeschool.com/activities/christmas/christmas_stories_poems_printable.html
3 really full pages of Scrapbooking Accessories:
http://www.staidenshomeschool.com/activities/christmas/scrapbooking.html
Printable Christmas Puzzles for Little Kids:
http://www.staidenshomeschool.com/activities/christmas/puzzles.html
Free Interactive Christmas Jigsaw Puzzle, Elf Colouring Book, and a few new Christian Christmas Story Collections are at
http://www.staidenshomeschool.com/activities/christmas/christmas_ebooks.html
Josie Whitehead, well-known UK Poet and Author of Children's literature, wrote a mini-book of poems specifically for our website. You can access this PDF file and a host of others at
http://www.staidenshomeschool.com/activities/christmas/christmas.html
Let me not forget to mention the Christmas Midi-Files you can download for your own use or use them on your website. They are at:
http://www.staidenshomeschool.com/activities/christmas/christmas_midi_files.html
I have managed to get back to reviewing exceptional sites that are definitely worth bookmarking. Today I have to share a site I came across quite by accident, and feel truly honoured that the webmistress knew of my work before I had even made contact with her. Minette will be your very accomplished hostess at AnyFreebies. This is a description of her site:
Freebies up for Grabs! http://anyfreebies.blogspot.com - A blog that provides all kinds of freebies: Free ebooks, Free recipes, free images, free headers, free activity books, free ringtones, freeware and many more. Take advantage of great freebies by visiting anyfreebies.blogspot.com
I hasten to add that after a delightful interaction with Minette and browsing her site, I established that not only does she source free quality educational resources, but she personally assesses the product and the site beforehand. This is especially comforting to me being a little over-the-top about my kids at times :) A site worth visiting, and while you are there, subscribe to the regular updates.
Right, that's it for me this week. I will be in touch again next week with more exceptional free downloads for you and another great site I have reviewed. As always I welcome input and suggestions.
Please take care, and be safe
Blessings
Donnette
http://www.staidenshomeschool.com
email: info@staidenshomeschool.com
PS If the links above are not live in your mail please copy and paste into your browser.
The days are flying past and there are only 19 days left to Christmas. In keeping with our Christmas learning experience, I have continued to upload and resource Christmas-themed educational resources, and some really exceptional downloads for mums. There have been way too many additions to the website in the past week for me to mention them all, but if you visit the URL's below you will be directed to the new additions.
Christmas Activity Books - 3 New additions at the time of sending this mail are the Santa Activity Pack, Snowman Activity Pack and Christmas Alphabet Activity Pack. They can be found at http://www.staidenshomeschool.com/activities/printables/activitybooks/christmas.html
Going Green for Christmas - A new selection of Environmental PDF eBooks that you can download for free. You can find 3 new eBooks at http://www.staidenshomeschool.com/global_warming/globalwarming.html
Printable Christmas Stories and Poems:
http://www.staidenshomeschool.com/activities/christmas/christmas_stories_poems_printable.html
3 really full pages of Scrapbooking Accessories:
http://www.staidenshomeschool.com/activities/christmas/scrapbooking.html
Printable Christmas Puzzles for Little Kids:
http://www.staidenshomeschool.com/activities/christmas/puzzles.html
Free Interactive Christmas Jigsaw Puzzle, Elf Colouring Book, and a few new Christian Christmas Story Collections are at
http://www.staidenshomeschool.com/activities/christmas/christmas_ebooks.html
Josie Whitehead, well-known UK Poet and Author of Children's literature, wrote a mini-book of poems specifically for our website. You can access this PDF file and a host of others at
http://www.staidenshomeschool.com/activities/christmas/christmas.html
Let me not forget to mention the Christmas Midi-Files you can download for your own use or use them on your website. They are at:
http://www.staidenshomeschool.com/activities/christmas/christmas_midi_files.html
I have managed to get back to reviewing exceptional sites that are definitely worth bookmarking. Today I have to share a site I came across quite by accident, and feel truly honoured that the webmistress knew of my work before I had even made contact with her. Minette will be your very accomplished hostess at AnyFreebies. This is a description of her site:
Freebies up for Grabs! http://anyfreebies.blogspot.com - A blog that provides all kinds of freebies: Free ebooks, Free recipes, free images, free headers, free activity books, free ringtones, freeware and many more. Take advantage of great freebies by visiting anyfreebies.blogspot.com
I hasten to add that after a delightful interaction with Minette and browsing her site, I established that not only does she source free quality educational resources, but she personally assesses the product and the site beforehand. This is especially comforting to me being a little over-the-top about my kids at times :) A site worth visiting, and while you are there, subscribe to the regular updates.
Right, that's it for me this week. I will be in touch again next week with more exceptional free downloads for you and another great site I have reviewed. As always I welcome input and suggestions.
Please take care, and be safe
Blessings
Donnette
http://www.staidenshomeschool.com
email: info@staidenshomeschool.com
PS If the links above are not live in your mail please copy and paste into your browser.
Christmas Mega Activity Book - Lulu.com - Independent Review
Highly Recommended Educational Book- 5 Dec 2007 by Minette R This ebook contains great information that can be used by teachers and parents while teaching basic skills (such as reading and writing skills) to kids. This is a compilation of all her great activity books just in time for the Christmas Season!
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Mark Feehily - O Holy Night [2001]
Took me 3 months to download this from Kazaa back in the day lol... Oh, my great love Mark...
Mark Feehily - O Holy Night [2001]
Took me 3 months to download this from Kazaa back in the day lol... Oh, my great love Mark...
Thank God It's Christmas
Searched for 10 years for this on CD or DVD - no luck in S Africa. Awesome!
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Ultimate Autumn Package - Lulu.com
849 pages of exceptional Autumn/Fall/Halloween crafts, recipes and activities for kids (and families) authored by a fellow homeschooling WAHM. This item can be previewed at this link. Ideal for the homeschooling family. Exceptional value for the valuable (and voluminous) educational resources you will get.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Internet Safety ForKids
Articles Category: Kids - ArticlesUp.com
The internet is a great place for finding out information, emailing friends, and meeting and chatting to new friends. The majority of the internet and its users are harmless, but you need to be aware that not everyone who is they always seem to be.
Unfortunately some people abuse the internet and their usage in an attempt to mislead other people. This can vary from simple small fibs or exaggerations to full on lies which are completely untrue and are meant to mislead you and other people. Therefore, although the majority of your internet usage is safe, you should still take steps to ensure your safety when on the internet.
Chatrooms and messageboards are common places for meeting new people with similar interests and require particular attention when speaking and messaging people away from the safety of these confines.
By following some basic safety tips you can ensure your own safe use of the internet and at the same time give your parents piece of mind so that they can trust you to carry on using the internet without too many restrictions.
- Never give anyone your address, telephone number, school name or location or any other personal information, even if its someone you think you can trust
- Never tell anyone things about people you know, especially things like the names, addresses, emails and telephone numbers of your friends, where your parents work, credit card numbers or anything else that is private
- Do not respond to a message that makes you feel uncomfortable. Always tell your parents, or another adult you can trust straightway, and remember, it's not your fault if you receive a message like that
- Never send anyone a picture of yourself over the internet without checking first with your parents
- Do not give out your internet password to anyone (even your best friends) except your parents
- Never agree to meet up with someone you have met online without first discussing it with your parents
- If your parents agree to the meeting taking place, make sure they go with you and always meet people in a public place
- Help your parents set up rules for when and how long you can be online, and then don't break the rules without their permission
- Be open with your parents about your internet usage. The more honest you are with them will help them to worry less and develop trust which will hopefully allow you more freedom in your internet usage
- Do not visit sites or sign up to websites or mailing lists without knowing what they are or what they are for
- Do not download or install programmes without first asking the permission of the owner of the computer
- Don't be rude or say bad things to people online
- And most of all, try to enjoy what the world wide web has to offer
Article Source: http://www.articlesup.com
Self Safe discusses personal and online safety issues for you and your family. Find out more about how to keep yourself and your family safe by visiting www.self-safe.com.
The internet is a great place for finding out information, emailing friends, and meeting and chatting to new friends. The majority of the internet and its users are harmless, but you need to be aware that not everyone who is they always seem to be.
Unfortunately some people abuse the internet and their usage in an attempt to mislead other people. This can vary from simple small fibs or exaggerations to full on lies which are completely untrue and are meant to mislead you and other people. Therefore, although the majority of your internet usage is safe, you should still take steps to ensure your safety when on the internet.
Chatrooms and messageboards are common places for meeting new people with similar interests and require particular attention when speaking and messaging people away from the safety of these confines.
By following some basic safety tips you can ensure your own safe use of the internet and at the same time give your parents piece of mind so that they can trust you to carry on using the internet without too many restrictions.
- Never give anyone your address, telephone number, school name or location or any other personal information, even if its someone you think you can trust
- Never tell anyone things about people you know, especially things like the names, addresses, emails and telephone numbers of your friends, where your parents work, credit card numbers or anything else that is private
- Do not respond to a message that makes you feel uncomfortable. Always tell your parents, or another adult you can trust straightway, and remember, it's not your fault if you receive a message like that
- Never send anyone a picture of yourself over the internet without checking first with your parents
- Do not give out your internet password to anyone (even your best friends) except your parents
- Never agree to meet up with someone you have met online without first discussing it with your parents
- If your parents agree to the meeting taking place, make sure they go with you and always meet people in a public place
- Help your parents set up rules for when and how long you can be online, and then don't break the rules without their permission
- Be open with your parents about your internet usage. The more honest you are with them will help them to worry less and develop trust which will hopefully allow you more freedom in your internet usage
- Do not visit sites or sign up to websites or mailing lists without knowing what they are or what they are for
- Do not download or install programmes without first asking the permission of the owner of the computer
- Don't be rude or say bad things to people online
- And most of all, try to enjoy what the world wide web has to offer
Article Source: http://www.articlesup.com
Self Safe discusses personal and online safety issues for you and your family. Find out more about how to keep yourself and your family safe by visiting www.self-safe.com.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
Origami Zebra by Joost Langeveld
Folding an origami zebra. Intro-music from: www.freeplaymusic.com. This amazing man makes paper-crafting and origami look like child's play :) I have embedded his African Animal videos into my website and look forward to his camel and elephant, due shortly. This zebra is so cute though! A must-see for paper crafters.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Your Guardian Angel - The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Your Guardian Angel by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.Starring Alex Ford, Caroline Ford(9), and Andrew Ford(7) Ford.Filmed and Edited by Alex. Great quality! Makes me woozy :o)(I KNOW THAT I AM PLAYING AN ELECTRIC GUITAR INSTEAD OF AN ACOUSTIC. DON'T TELL ME, I ALREADY KNOW.)
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Our Vanishing Wildlife - Hornaday 1937
Excellent addition to any wildlife lover's collection, free Gutenberg eBook to download in your preferred format, even audio. 80 years ago there were huge concerns raised about animals and wildlife worldwide. Seems little heed was paid.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Gorillas in Rwanda, Africa 2006
Trekking to see a family of Mountain Gorillas (including one huge Silverback) in Parc National de Volcans, Rwanda, Africa in July 2006. One the greastest experiences of my life!
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Animals of Africa, African Gorilla *Critically Endangered* : Donnette Davis
An illustrated mini factual and activity ebook highlighting the characteristics and plight of the African Gorilla, and the threats facing it today. Specific focus on conservation. Suitable for primary school learners. Useful teacher/parent resource. From www.staidenshomeschool.com/animals/gorilla.html
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
WAHM - A FREE income producing website worth $1097
An opportunity for the Work-At-Home-Mum to explore business opportunities on the Internet. This promises to earn an income for even the most inexperienced webbie. Does it work? I don't know, but the website is really user friendly and you have different options of where you would like to focus your attention. Back up support is phenomenal.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Free Website for WAHM worth $1097
donnettedavis
"Tired of business opportunities that do not deliver what they promise? We have reviewed the top selling programs on the Internet today. Below you will find reviews of the top 3 opportunities that actually work. The key to making money online is knowing how and where to start. Without the right starting point you will waste precious time and a ton of money. The following products guarantee your online success, all you have to do is read them and follow their expert advice!"
Does this work? I ean can anyone actually make an income from this? I don't know, but I am happy with the new website :)
"Tired of business opportunities that do not deliver what they promise? We have reviewed the top selling programs on the Internet today. Below you will find reviews of the top 3 opportunities that actually work. The key to making money online is knowing how and where to start. Without the right starting point you will waste precious time and a ton of money. The following products guarantee your online success, all you have to do is read them and follow their expert advice!"
Does this work? I ean can anyone actually make an income from this? I don't know, but I am happy with the new website :)
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Westlife - Home (New Single)
Westlife's new single, cover of "Home" originally by Michael Buble - the actual clip hasn't been released yet. The single is to be released for sale on October 29th; the release date of their album is November 12th. "Home" is currently available to listen to on their website and MySpace.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Monday, October 8, 2007
Homeschooling eStore Index - Resources for the WAHM and HS family
Web Development Products for the Work at Home Mum, just starting out or wanting to create a web-based business. Also great resources for homeschooling families. Many free products such as software and eBooks relating to earning a web-based income , developing your website, seasonal ebooks and software and great resources and links to other sites.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Home Schooling, St Aiden's - Interview with Jeremy Gislason of Surefirewealth.com
Home Schooling, St Aiden's
Website Overview
Back to Niche Websites Read Reviews Write a Review Search Niche Websites
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home schooling educational site, phonics, English language, languages, literature arts, eBooks, math, online educational games and software, worksheets and workbooks, arts, crafts and activities. Free teacher and student resources. Updated daily.
Site Owner: Donnette E Davis
Contact Email: donnette@telkomsa.net
Website Home Page: http://www.staidenshomeschool.com
Location: South Africa
Month/Year Website Launched: February, 2007
Initial Start Up Costs: $200
Time Invested Before Launch: 2400 hours
Programming and Technical Work Done By Owner or Hired Out: web design, content,layout, marketing
Time Invested Each Week Running Website: 70 hours
Niche Market Target: family & education
Products And Services Offered: Educational products, eBooks, software, online games, marketing
Average Number of Monthly Visitors: 2000
Number of Newsletter Subscribers or Members: 100
Estimated Monthly Expenses: $$200
Interview By: Jeremy Gislason
Interview Date: 26-Sep-07
Q. Please tell us a little about your background.
I am a WAHM, single, with 6 children, 5 of whom are still at home. Due to personal reasons and the shocking state of this once-well-loved country I elected to homeschool my three younger children. Home education and my websites take up a lot of my time, and although my income-producing profession is in the legal field I do a lot less now than I did beore I started my website.
Q. What made you decide to start a website in the field?
There is a lack of information and resources that are pimarily South African based. What is available is shockingly expensive and out of the reach of the average South African HS family. Initially I started purchasing material to educate my children from the USA and UK. Having had to adapt this, especially the USA material due to language and grammatical differences, I found I was producing workbooks for my children that would benefit other homeschooling families in South Africa, and other African and Euopean countries. I decided to start the website to make this available to other families for free and now write educational eBooks as a way of subsidising the webhosting costs which are sold part from the website
Q. What kind of research went into this niche area before building your website?
Many hundreds of manhours on the internet and human interviews. Research into the availability and costs of existing resources took up most of the time.
Q. How did you design and build your website?
I purchased and registered a domain through my webhosting company and with the domain came a Sitebuilder which I still use, although my site has now outgrown the Sitebuilder which is intended for smaller sites.
Q. What software do you use to run your business?
I use various software. I have a mailing list from one supplier. I have web rings and site rings from another. I have a link exchange from another. My workbooks are created in Microsoft, and I use wordsearch, crossword, template software from yet more developers. I also make use of web widgets and have recently started designing my own.
Q. How does your website generate income?
It is a donation site. I am affiliated with Amazon, Offer Forge ZA, Peppor.com and Google Adsense. My eBooks that are written for resale are sold on Lulu, through Payloadz and Paypal.
Q. How do you collect payments for your products or services?
Via Paypal.
Q. What promotion methods do you use?
I make use of social networking, link exchanges, providing free web content.
Q. Which method has proven to give you the best sales results?
Sales through Lulu.
Q. Which method of traffic generation has proven to be the best for you?
Google search engine.
Q. What is your biggest challenge each month?
To complete and upload new projects.
Q. What's the biggest mistake you've made since starting your business?
Not completing certain focus areas before commencing on the next one. This has proven to be a problem in that I have had to go back and re-do a lot of the website pages since the site grew very big in a very short space of time. In fact the whole website has just undergone a major facelift which is almost finished.
Q. How has your lifestyle changed since you started your online business?
My lifestyle has not changed. I still spend my days in my office researching for educating my children and creating my projects.
Q. How has your SureFireWealth.com membership helped you with your online business?
Only just joined.
Q. What would you say to someone looking to start a website in the same niche as you?
Be prepared for a lot of hard work. Don't expect results in 6 months.
...................................
Thank You
Jeremy Gislason
Webmaster
SureFireWealth.com
Website Overview
Back to Niche Websites Read Reviews Write a Review Search Niche Websites
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home schooling educational site, phonics, English language, languages, literature arts, eBooks, math, online educational games and software, worksheets and workbooks, arts, crafts and activities. Free teacher and student resources. Updated daily.
Site Owner: Donnette E Davis
Contact Email: donnette@telkomsa.net
Website Home Page: http://www.staidenshomeschool.com
Location: South Africa
Month/Year Website Launched: February, 2007
Initial Start Up Costs: $200
Time Invested Before Launch: 2400 hours
Programming and Technical Work Done By Owner or Hired Out: web design, content,layout, marketing
Time Invested Each Week Running Website: 70 hours
Niche Market Target: family & education
Products And Services Offered: Educational products, eBooks, software, online games, marketing
Average Number of Monthly Visitors: 2000
Number of Newsletter Subscribers or Members: 100
Estimated Monthly Expenses: $$200
Interview By: Jeremy Gislason
Interview Date: 26-Sep-07
Q. Please tell us a little about your background.
I am a WAHM, single, with 6 children, 5 of whom are still at home. Due to personal reasons and the shocking state of this once-well-loved country I elected to homeschool my three younger children. Home education and my websites take up a lot of my time, and although my income-producing profession is in the legal field I do a lot less now than I did beore I started my website.
Q. What made you decide to start a website in the field?
There is a lack of information and resources that are pimarily South African based. What is available is shockingly expensive and out of the reach of the average South African HS family. Initially I started purchasing material to educate my children from the USA and UK. Having had to adapt this, especially the USA material due to language and grammatical differences, I found I was producing workbooks for my children that would benefit other homeschooling families in South Africa, and other African and Euopean countries. I decided to start the website to make this available to other families for free and now write educational eBooks as a way of subsidising the webhosting costs which are sold part from the website
Q. What kind of research went into this niche area before building your website?
Many hundreds of manhours on the internet and human interviews. Research into the availability and costs of existing resources took up most of the time.
Q. How did you design and build your website?
I purchased and registered a domain through my webhosting company and with the domain came a Sitebuilder which I still use, although my site has now outgrown the Sitebuilder which is intended for smaller sites.
Q. What software do you use to run your business?
I use various software. I have a mailing list from one supplier. I have web rings and site rings from another. I have a link exchange from another. My workbooks are created in Microsoft, and I use wordsearch, crossword, template software from yet more developers. I also make use of web widgets and have recently started designing my own.
Q. How does your website generate income?
It is a donation site. I am affiliated with Amazon, Offer Forge ZA, Peppor.com and Google Adsense. My eBooks that are written for resale are sold on Lulu, through Payloadz and Paypal.
Q. How do you collect payments for your products or services?
Via Paypal.
Q. What promotion methods do you use?
I make use of social networking, link exchanges, providing free web content.
Q. Which method has proven to give you the best sales results?
Sales through Lulu.
Q. Which method of traffic generation has proven to be the best for you?
Google search engine.
Q. What is your biggest challenge each month?
To complete and upload new projects.
Q. What's the biggest mistake you've made since starting your business?
Not completing certain focus areas before commencing on the next one. This has proven to be a problem in that I have had to go back and re-do a lot of the website pages since the site grew very big in a very short space of time. In fact the whole website has just undergone a major facelift which is almost finished.
Q. How has your lifestyle changed since you started your online business?
My lifestyle has not changed. I still spend my days in my office researching for educating my children and creating my projects.
Q. How has your SureFireWealth.com membership helped you with your online business?
Only just joined.
Q. What would you say to someone looking to start a website in the same niche as you?
Be prepared for a lot of hard work. Don't expect results in 6 months.
...................................
Thank You
Jeremy Gislason
Webmaster
SureFireWealth.com
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
Halloween Activity Mega-Book by Donnette E Davis (Book) in Children
Halloween Activity Mega-Book by Donnette E Davis (Book) in Children
104 page activity book, including lacing, (fine motorskills) colouring, Halloween Phonics, (early learning) story starters (elementary), Halloween themed stationery, gift boxes 'n bags, tags, labels, bookmarks, envelopes, frames, Halloween stickers. (Great craft project for the whole family) Lined notebooking pages, including training lines. Bookmarks, fingerplays and Halloween poems & party invitations are also included in this unit. A fantastic fun - and educational :) - scrapbooking craft project for kids. As a result of the various graphics sizes in this unit, some units will have to be cropped to the required size.
104 page activity book, including lacing, (fine motorskills) colouring, Halloween Phonics, (early learning) story starters (elementary), Halloween themed stationery, gift boxes 'n bags, tags, labels, bookmarks, envelopes, frames, Halloween stickers. (Great craft project for the whole family) Lined notebooking pages, including training lines. Bookmarks, fingerplays and Halloween poems & party invitations are also included in this unit. A fantastic fun - and educational :) - scrapbooking craft project for kids. As a result of the various graphics sizes in this unit, some units will have to be cropped to the required size.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Readers Digest Photo Shoot
Reader’s Digest Photo Shoot
Managed to get an early start this a.m. - it would have been nice if pool man had done the swamp ermmm pool yesterday, aaah it will be done today - however only AFTER the photo shoot, which will HAVE to be held inside the house as the green water in the hole that doubles as a pool won't look terribly inviting. Hopefully Master A will stay off pc's, dining room table & telephones long enough to allow this to happen.
About the photo shoot... Reader's Digest SA has done an article on HS in SA,the why's and wherefore's and the pro's and con's. Article to be published in November. Of course I was delighted at having been invited to have my say!! I think being a single working mum with loads of offspring & homeschooling some of said offspring, & just generally attempting to survive in this country has some attraction for the media. Photoshoot of myself & the kids to be done today... drat, I wish the pool was blue :)
I wish... I wish....
Managed to get an early start this a.m. - it would have been nice if pool man had done the swamp ermmm pool yesterday, aaah it will be done today - however only AFTER the photo shoot, which will HAVE to be held inside the house as the green water in the hole that doubles as a pool won't look terribly inviting. Hopefully Master A will stay off pc's, dining room table & telephones long enough to allow this to happen.
About the photo shoot... Reader's Digest SA has done an article on HS in SA,the why's and wherefore's and the pro's and con's. Article to be published in November. Of course I was delighted at having been invited to have my say!! I think being a single working mum with loads of offspring & homeschooling some of said offspring, & just generally attempting to survive in this country has some attraction for the media. Photoshoot of myself & the kids to be done today... drat, I wish the pool was blue :)
I wish... I wish....
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Friday, September 7, 2007
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Loraine's Blog - Review of my eBooks
Loraine's Blog - Bravenet Blog
Tuesday, August 28th 2007
7:52 AM
Exciting books
Donnette Davis, webmistress of http://www.staidenshomeschool.com has a passion for childrens education. She puts her heart and soul into eveything she does and her books are no exception. It is important to keep traditional folk lore alive in this fast moving throw away society and Donnette does this in an exciting way.
Her books can be found on http://www.lulu.com/donnette and http://store.payloadz.com/results/results.asp?m=57525
Go check them out they are very reasonable priced.
Tuesday, August 28th 2007
7:52 AM
Exciting books
Donnette Davis, webmistress of http://www.staidenshomeschool.com has a passion for childrens education. She puts her heart and soul into eveything she does and her books are no exception. It is important to keep traditional folk lore alive in this fast moving throw away society and Donnette does this in an exciting way.
Her books can be found on http://www.lulu.com/donnette and http://store.payloadz.com/results/results.asp?m=57525
Go check them out they are very reasonable priced.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Donnette's eBook Storefront - Lulu.com
Donnette's eBook Storefront - Lulu.com
After setting up storefront on a few websites, I have found a publisher for my educational eBooks that is really awesome! I get the impression I lose ownership in part of my work - guess who's been learning about royalties... :)
After setting up storefront on a few websites, I have found a publisher for my educational eBooks that is really awesome! I get the impression I lose ownership in part of my work - guess who's been learning about royalties... :)
Friday, August 24, 2007
St Aidens Home School - Kruger National Park
St Aidens Home School - Kruger National Park
Video of "attack at Kruger" - struggle between lion, buffalo and crocodile
Also other awesome African Wild Life Videos
Video of "attack at Kruger" - struggle between lion, buffalo and crocodile
Also other awesome African Wild Life Videos
Monday, August 20, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
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