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LIGHTLAB is celebrating the success of a recent online workshop on Color Theory.  The main goal of the workshop was to answer a common question: “Why are the artist’s color schemes based on RBY, while the primary colors of light are actually RGB?” We also learned about the scientist James Clark Maxwell, who said, “I have looked into most philosophical systems and I have seen that none will work without God.” Thank you, Homeschool New York members, for your participation!   In gratitude, we are offering: One free book for every book purchased online from the bookstore of your choice. This special lasts until January 31,2022. To redeem your gift, send Lightlabetc@gmail.com a photo of the receipt. Make sure you ask us to include a free pair of 3D firework eyeglasses for each book, and inquire about our free Teacher Workshops and Student Forums.   Lightlab is a book for children between ages 8 and 12 that teaches about the nature of light and Jesus as the light of the world. It consists of twelve lessons on the nature of light, with engaging hands-on activities and Bible studies. For more information, check out https://lightlabetc.com  

Singing His Promises Becky Cooke and Diane Kummer, HSLDA High School Consultants When we reflect back on our personal homeschooling days, we remember the “thrill of victory and the agony of defeat!” Can anyone relate? We enjoy traveling to homeschool conferences and meeting many of you. Some of you share with us, “You two are so real—you’re just like us.” It’s true, we are. That’s how we know that you may need an encouraging word. More than likely, there will be days during the school year when you feel discouraged, weary, fearful, or depressed. When you do (notice we didn’t say “if you do”—are we pessimists or realists?), we hope you keep in mind some basic truths that will reorient you and keep you going. The following thoughts are based on familiar hymns and choruses. In His Time Beginning the school day by lifting your voices in prayer and praise will definitely cause your family to rejoice in the One who lays out your paths. In all of your circumstances, the Lord will lead you according to His timing. Usually, stress increases when we run ahead of the Lord’s timing and fall headlong into the worries of the future, but peace and joy reign when we cry out: “In His time, In His time, He makes all things beautiful in His time. Lord, please show me every day, As You’re teaching me Your way, That You do just what you say, In Your time.” How Firm a Foundation When something […]

Villa Maria is hosting its Spring Open House on Saturday, April 2 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM! You can visit campus to learn about our 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, 18+ degree programs, unmatched level of student support and growing athletics teams. While you’re here, get a taste of what it’s like to be a student at Villa. Start with your program of study: animation, community health, computer software development, digital filmmaking, game design, motion design, music industry, PTA and more. Chat with your future professors – people who have worked in their field for years and are dedicated to helping you succeed. And meet current students who can fill you in on the projects they’ve loved working on so far, and how they’re succeeding in their areas of study. Whatever program you choose, you’ll be supported by a robust network of student services focused on helping you succeed, which is why you should make your next stop to our Student Success Center. Here, you can meet your future academic advisor and the rest of the team that will help you meet your academic, social and professional goals. Swing by the dining hall, which will be completely renovated this summer to better meet our student needs! This is where you’ll spend campus hours enjoying student life events that feature giveaways, social activities and much more. This spot also doubles as a great place for clubs to meet, students to socialize and the entire College community to grab a bite to eat […]

Click here to download the handout for Steve Demme’s livestream event, “How to Get Started Having Regular Times of Family Worship.” Family Worship Handout

Author: Kevin Swanson Published in: CHEC Homeschool Update (reposted with permission) Published on: Jan. 1, 2005 Reversing Rousseau On one chilly winter’s day in 1746, a child was born to a couple in Paris. The father took the child from the arms of his wife, and against her protestations, delivered the baby to the steps of an orphanage. Without even taking the time to note the child’s gender, he abandoned the child to what would have been almost certain death. Subsequently, his wife had four more children, each of whom received the same treatment. Incredibly, this man went on to unprecedented fame, becoming the most influential philosopher of modern times, the thinker behind all modern revolutions. His name was Jean Jacques Rousseau. What makes this story so poignant, and yet so sad, is that it exactly captures the spirit of our times. Fifteen years after abandoning his first child, Rousseau began writing on the subject over which he would have the most profound influence of all – education. His famous book, Emile, was entirely devoted to the subject of educating a child. In his book, Rousseau and Revolution, the famous historian Durant summarizes the philosopher’s thoughts on education: “Rousseau wanted a system of public instruction by the state. He prescribed many years with an unmarried tutor who would withdraw the child as much as possible from parents and relatives.” According to my Encyclopedia Americana (1958 edition), Rousseau’s work was precedent-setting. “Highly debatable though these propositions [in Emile] are, they have had […]

Authors: Susan Stewart and Susan Beatty Homeschooling is a new idea, and you may be getting overwhelmed. You’re trying to make sense of all the information and are wondering if attending a convention would be a good idea or if would it just be too overwhelming. Why should you go to the expense and bother of attending a convention? It’s easy to think that you can just buy recordings of workshop sessions or look at a curriculum product online. Before you succumb to the idea that everything available at a convention is available on the internet, think about what you can’t get online. QUESTIONS ASKED AND ANSWERED.  Speakers who may not be able to come to your local area are often at larger conventions. Many speakers make themselves available during breaks or at their exhibit booth to chat. Attendees get an opportunity to ask detailed questions about the subject. NETWORKING. Maybe trite, but it’s true. God created us as social creatures. We need to be around others. REFRESHMENT. If you are discouraged or overwhelmed with all of the new information, going to a convention may be what you need to clarify your vision and path. Chatting with like-minded people is uplifting. ENCOURAGEMENT. It’s nice to hear that you can do this new thing called homeschooling (or if you are already homeschooling, that you are doing o.k.). IDEAS. At a convention, you can explore new teaching methods by not only looking at materials in the exhibit hall, but by attending seminars about particular […]

Happy New Year!  I pray everyone wrapped up 2021 with family, friends, and joyful hearts and that you’re looking forward to what 2022 has in store for you and your families. I will be quite honest: I wrapped up 2021 with an understanding family as I juggled our traditions against the new responsibilities of a thriving business with grateful customers that blessed me with high reviews and new partnerships with local businesses. My thankfulness is abundantly full, and yet it still is overflowing, as I have spent the last week celebrating life with my family: playing games, watching movies, and bringing in the New Year healthy, full of laughter and love. As I work at keeping my family connected with each other, there are also new hopes for Tis the Season that I pray will be forthcoming sooner than later. Therefore, I hope you will consider following me on Facebook, Instagram, or at best, check in at my website, TisTheSeasonNY.com, to stay informed on upcoming products and changes. In the meantime, celebrate with me for the blessings already received and those still to come with Promo Code:  REJOICE and receive half off shipping ($4.00 value) until January 31, 2022 as my thanks to you for your encouragement, prayers, and your business. Please do not forget to add your free Scripture bracelet(s) to your orders.

Have you ever noticed how quickly your home fills up with “stuff”? Most moms I know are busy.  When you’re busy, it can be challenging to keep up with all the stuff that creeps into the car and house. I’d like to tell you I know how all our stuff gets into our house, but honestly, I don’t. I just know that if I don’t keep on top of it, before long, I’m surrounded by clutter and overwhelmed at the thought of what to do with it all.  Can you relate? Clutter creates stress. It’s difficult to create a successful rhythm to your day if you are surrounded by the not-so-wonderful set of twins that I like to call Chaos and Clutter. Left unmanaged, these two will drain you of your time and energy. They are the nemesis of every busy homeschool mom. Along with their cousin, Excess, they are the enemy of a peaceful, organized home. We tend to think of our things in terms of the money we spend on them. Did you know there is an emotional cost to the things that you own? Clutter takes up more than physical space. It costs emotionally as well as financially. Here’s what I mean: clutter and disorganization in our homes can rob us of peace and restfulness, leading to feelings of frustration and anxiety. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all the piles of clutter at home, then you know what I’m talking about. It’s easy to see how […]

Hey Dad, How is your Christmas journey going? Have you ever noticed how kids always want to involve us in their fun? They want us to play the board game, watch the Christmas video, decorate the tree, and do other inconvenient stuff with them. I guess some things are just more fun with Dad involved. I was reminded of this the other day as we were driving along a snowy stretch of Indiana road. It was the kind of winter day I like—cold and blustery. It was really our first good snow of the season, and I was basking in the holiday feeling of crunching snow, bitterly cold, clean air, and the thought of a hot, chocolaty-warm house. The kids were enchanted (you gotta like that word) by the swirling snow, and I knew they were hoping it would never stop…EVER! That is when Ike’s loud, squeaky voice came like a slick patch of ice, slamming my winter thoughts into a cold snow \bank, “Hey, maybe when we get home, DAD can have a snow fight with us!” Warm fuzzies, gone. “Why does this have to involve me?” I thought disgustedly. Fortunately, they forgot about the snow fight, and I was off the hook. Score one for Dad. But even as I record my victory…I feel like I lost. It could have been fun. They would have laughed and loved it. I would have been miserably cold, probably injured, and gotten angry…but I would have loved it as well. But, […]