In the News « NutBugs

HSLDA sponsoring One Nation Under God event

By KristinN, on October 19th, 2011

Our nation was founded on Biblical principles, but we have lost sight of this in today�s culture. That is why we are calling all Christians to join together on November 12, 2011 to host the One Nation Under God Event in homes and churches across America.

HSLDA sponsoring One Nation Under God event

Homeschooling: All Things

How to Keep a Strong Voice for Homeschooling in Sacramento

By KristinN, on October 14th, 2011

Most of you are probably saying where is NutBugs Heart of Dakota Weekly Update this week. Well, Our schedule is that we school for 5 weeks on and then we take a week off. This allows us MANY breaks through

Continue reading How to Keep a Strong Voice for Homeschooling in Sacramento

Homeschooling: All Things

California Homeschoolers

By KristinN, on October 6th, 2011

I am not sure if all of you have seen this from HSLDA or not, so I thought I would re-post it here. This is from the President HSLDA, Michael Smith.

____________________________

Great News In California!

AB 717 is a huge step toward restoring constitutional principles.

From: Family Protection Ministries and HSLDA

Bill AB 717: Child Abuse

Continue reading California Homeschoolers

Homeschooling: All Things

Affidavit Time

By KristinN, on October 4th, 2011

It's time once again to file the Private School Affidavit (PSA) online between October 1-15 for us California Homeschoolers. The private school affidavit is now

Continue reading Affidavit Time

Cheap Theater Tickets

By KristinN, on October 2nd, 2011

Ok, so how many of you like to go see a musical or a play or some sort of concert, raise your hand. Yea, me too. But how many of you do not go at all or as often as you like because of the price? My hand is up too!

I was told about this

Continue reading Cheap Theater Tickets

Educating Children with Dyslexia

By KristinN, on October 1st, 2011

I know a lot of my readers have struggling children with Dyslexia. I have a friend who just found out why she has been struggling with her child in homeschooling him. She is currently struggling in this area too with her son. As most of you know I am fond of most of Rod

Continue reading Educating Children with Dyslexia

Homeschooling: All Things

Response to Alarming Recommendations by Miami-Dade County Grand Jury

By KristinN, on August 10th, 2011

I just received an email from HSLDA in regards to this. I know that this does not affect me now, but in the future this could affect thosse of us in California too. And to my friends and readers who live in Florida, I am sure you are well aware of what is going on.

Continue reading Response to Alarming Recommendations by Miami-Dade County Grand Jury

Dream-Driven Kids…Why They Succeed

By KristinN, on July 5th, 2011

When you were young, did you tell your parents (or anyone) your dreams?

Maybe you yearned to be the fastest runner in the world? Or write books? Be a rock star? An artist? Olympic skater? A mom?

We tend to protect our dreams, so we don't always say them out loud. We don't want our dreams trampled

Continue reading Dream-Driven Kids…Why They Succeed

Homeschooling: All Things

Who Is Your Child?

By KristinN, on June 7th, 2011

By Virginia Vagt

Children are all so different. We're with our children a lot. So we think we know them. And we do know a lot about them.

But the pace of our lives takes time away from our ability to make observations and reflect on the patterns we see. Don't we often make quick judgments about

Continue reading Who Is Your Child?

Gleaning Opportunity

By KristinN, on May 27th, 2011

Ok, so if you all live in the Orange County area of Southern California, then I have an opportunity for you and your family. Tanka Farms, down here by me, is making available gleaning opportunities for you and your family. This is a great way to teach our kids about doing for others as well

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Right to Reasonably Resist Unlawful Police Entry Struck Down

By KristinN, on May 25th, 2011

For those of you who do not have HSLDA, I had to re-post this article from HSLDA. This is the big "WHY" if you have not spent the $100 a year for this wonderful service this is the why you need to beg or borrow the $100 to get it. By the way, they are

Continue reading Right to Reasonably Resist Unlawful Police Entry Struck Down

HSLDA Information Regarding the Election

By KristinN, on March 27th, 2011

Co-hosted by CHEA of California and HSLDA
In cooperation with the Nevada Homeschool Network and Oregon Christian Home Education Association Network

Santa Clara, California
April 7–9, 2011
Thursday through Saturday

Presidential forum and straw poll at the Pacific Homeschool SuperConference!

Dear Friends:

Would you like to impact the 2012 United States presidential election?

Come to the Pacific Homeschool SuperConference,

Continue reading HSLDA Information Regarding the Election

Project Play

By KristinN, on March 16th, 2011

Did you know?

Since 1980, the childhood obesity rate has more than doubled for children ages 2 – 5 and more than tripled for children ages 6 – 11.
Between 1981 and 1997, free playtime among 6 to 8 year olds dropped 25% and homework more than doubled.
Since

Continue reading Project Play

Homeschooling: All Things

The Race

By KristinN, on March 11th, 2011

I didn’t have to go. He had already caught a ride with friends early in the morning while we slept. But I didn’t want my first-born child to think his mother never came to anything because she had so many little ones to tow along with her. So I loaded the car with his five

Continue reading The Race

6-Year-Old Hauled to Psych Ward Despite Parent’s Wishes

By KristinN, on February 22nd, 2011

Stock Photo
According to this article at Today.com last week,

Continue reading 6-Year-Old Hauled to Psych Ward Despite Parent’s Wishes

Celebrate Cerebrodiversity!

By KristinN, on January 7th, 2011

Men are from _______ , Women are from _______ . That boy just can't sit _______. Are you _______ to me? Keep your _______ on the board, young lady.

Venus, Mars, still, listening, eyes. Each of these phrases represents a concept in education and brain research called cerebrodiversity. It's the recognition that each of our brains is

Continue reading Celebrate Cerebrodiversity!

Smart Kids Who Hate to Write

By KristinN, on December 2nd, 2010

My son absolutely HATES to write. I am an eclectic Charlotte Masoner, but all the writing that she has a child do just does not sit well with my son. You see he can re-tell a story almost word for word and he can make up a great 4+ sentence story too. BUT ask him

Continue reading Smart Kids Who Hate to Write

Give While You Shop: Clicks for Homeschooling

By KristinN, on November 26th, 2010

Here’s a great way to help homeschoolers any time you shop online: purchase materials from a company that gives to the Home School Foundation. All you have to do is go to Clicks for Homeschooling and click on the link

Continue reading Give While You Shop: Clicks for Homeschooling

Colleges Now Required to Determine “Validity” of High School Diplomas

By KristinN, on November 2nd, 2010

Colleges Now Required to Determine “Validity” of High School Diplomas

FAFSA Form: Which Box to Check?

In the past, some parents were advised to choose “high school

Continue reading Colleges Now Required to Determine “Validity” of High School Diplomas

Halloween Origins: What Are The Different Names?

By KristinN, on October 27th, 2010

Although Halloween origins began with the Celtic druids over 2,000 years ago, the seasonal practices are observed in many countries. Halloween falls within the Fall Equinox that starts from September 23 through November 4 approximately. This time period is celebrated in all cultures and is also known as:

Alban Elfed
Autumn Equinox
Fall Solstice
Cornucopia
Feast of Avalon
Festival of Dionysus
Harvest

Continue reading Halloween Origins: What Are The Different Names?

What is the History of Halloween: A Christian Perspective?

By KristinN, on October 21st, 2010

When we consider the history of Halloween (a Christian perspective), it may seem as if the modern holiday has gotten out of hand. After all, doesn’t Halloween glorify evil? Is it right to send our children out as devils

Continue reading What is the History of Halloween: A Christian Perspective?

National Housewife Day

By KristinN, on October 19th, 2010

When is this wonderful holiday. Well it is always on November 3rd.

Housewife Day recognizes the importance of stay at home wives and moms. Also referred to as "Retro" Housewife Day. These wonderful, caring creatures, build and enrich strong family environments. They help to instill family values and good character.

Housewife is an old term. It hails back

Continue reading National Housewife Day

We Did it…Christmas is Back

By KristinN, on October 6th, 2010

You did it! There's no question that your taking time to get involved has influenced Dominion Services and Richmond, Virginia, parade organizers to reverse an earlier decision to replace "Christmas" with "holiday."

Late yesterday afternoon, after thousands of emails and hundreds of phone calls to Dominion, parade organizers posted a statement on their website stating, "In

Continue reading We Did it…Christmas is Back

City bans ‘Christmas’ in favor of ‘holiday’ parade – War against Christmas starting already

By KristinN, on October 4th, 2010

The city of Richmond, Virginia, has turned coward because the new sponsor of its annual parade wants to ban the word "Christmas."

When Dominion, an energy company, took over sponsorship of the parade, it told the city it no longer wanted to use "Christmas" as part of the parade name. Instead, Dominion said it will be

Continue reading City bans ‘Christmas’ in favor of ‘holiday’ parade – War against Christmas starting already

Questions on God?????

By KristinN, on October 3rd, 2010

I found a great web site that has been such a wonderful source of information I had to share it with all my readers. It is called "All About God" and they deal with some real simple questions all the way down to some extremely tough ones too. Sexuality, Showing How God Is Real Scientifically,

Continue reading Questions on God?????

Surprising Changes in DMV Policy

By KristinN, on June 24th, 2010

In the state of California, parents have not been authorized to teach driver education and driver training. Any parent wanting their child to obtain a driving permit needed to have him or her complete a driver education/driver training course through a public or private Surprising Changes in DMV Policy

Planners

By KristinN, on June 17th, 2010

Planner, Planners everywhere…for Free!

One of the best known sites with a huge variety is DonnaYoung.org . You can find just about every form imaginable for homeschoolers and the site is extremely easy to navigate through. There you will find some handwriting sheets, nature study forms, planning sheets, journal sheets, household forms, calendars, timeline forms, schedules for science and

Continue reading Planners, Planners and Even More Planners

Homeschooling Breeds Precocious Cats

By KristinN, on June 15th, 2010

I absolutly loved this article from Heart of the matter.

When my oldest daughter, Meghan, was four years old, we discovered that she was allergic to cats (and grass and dust). Uh oh. We were very attached to our feline lap warmer and just couldn’t see giving him up. We

Continue reading Homeschooling Breeds Precocious Cats

NERTZ! A Fun Family Game

By KristinN, on June 12th, 2010

Ok, I got this article form heart of the Matter and it is all about games. I found this game to be very interesting and thought I would post if for those who do not get their newsletter. i plan on trying this game myself. have any of you ever played

Continue reading NERTZ! A Fun Family Game

Visit HSLDA

By KristinN, on June 10th, 2010

Visit HSLDA at the 27th Annual Christian Home Educators of California Convention

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:

The 27th Annual Christian Home Educators of California Convention is coming to your area July 16–18. This event will be held at the Pasadena Convention Center, 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101.

HSLDA will host a drawing for a $100

Continue reading Visit HSLDA

To Grade or Not to Grade

By KristinN, on June 4th, 2010

That is the question. Do you give grades in your home school? There are pros and cons. Not giving grades supports a more natural approach to learning. Is your child engaged, involved and learning? If you choose to assess

Continue reading To Grade or Not to Grade

Ohio Superintendent Makes Up Law

By KristinN, on June 2nd, 2010

Superintendent Makes Up Law

Homeschool families in the Shelby County school district recently received a letter from the local superintendent’s office reminding them of Ohio’s legal requirements for homeschooling, which included a copy of the district’s notice of intent form. In

Continue reading Ohio Superintendent Makes Up Law

California Surprising Changes in DMV Policy

By KristinN, on June 1st, 2010

Surprising Changes in DMV Policy

In the state of California, parents have not been authorized to teach driver education and driver training. Any parent wanting their child to obtain a driving permit needed to have him or her complete a driver education/driver training course through a public or private California Surprising Changes in DMV Policy

This Interview Brought to You by…

By KristinN, on May 31st, 2010

I love to ask my kids questions. You can learn a lot that way! Yes, I ask the traditional, "How was your day?" when an older child comes home from work, or from community college, or from a visit. But I

Continue reading This Interview Brought to You by…

Parental Rights.com

By KristinN, on May 17th, 2010

As ParentalRights.com announced last week, Senator Jim DeMint on Tuesday introduced S.R. 519, a resolution urging the President not to deliver the Convention on the Rights of the Child to the Senate for its advice and consent. Now it is time to make phone calls. We need 34 co-sponsors of S.R. 519 in

Continue reading Parental Rights.com

New Protocol for UN Children's Treaty

By KristinN, on April 7th, 2010

I recieved this email from Mike Farris from ParentalRights.org and thought that it was worthy enough to repost here on my blog. Please read through it and discuss it within your own homeschool groups and see

Continue reading New Protocol for UN Children’s Treaty

Focus/Attention Processing Dysfunction Characteristics

By KristinN, on March 8th, 2010

Because I deal with an ADD child on a daily basis and an ADD husband I figured there had to be many more people out there that read my blog that might be interested in Continue reading Focus/Attention Processing Dysfunction Characteristics

What’s That Noise? TV and Sex

By KristinN, on February 26th, 2010

We have a TV in our house. Our rabbit ears pull in ABC and PBS only. That's enough for me to watch "Antiques Roadshow" and local news. We do not watch other programs on ABC, which I fondly refer to as "the sleaze channel."

How would I know ABC is so much sleaze? Because when I'm

Continue reading What’s That Noise? TV and Sex

Online Learning – Yes or No?

By KristinN, on February 10th, 2010

Online education resources can play an important primary or secondary role in your children's education. They may be a great choice if you'd like to spend less time planning or have specific learning goals that you'd like to achieve. Points to consider when choosing a course:

1. Where do the courses come from? Is it a reliable source?

2. Is

Continue reading Online Learning – Yes or No?

The Harms of Homeschooling? Where Are the Premises?

By KristinN, on February 2nd, 2010

Before you read this article I have to put my two cents in about this. I think no matter what side you are on, it does not matter whether you agree or disagree

Continue reading The Harms of Homeschooling? Where Are the Premises?

Praying and Learning about Haiti

By KristinN, on January 30th, 2010

The horrific news from Haiti has filled your living room. News reports a unimaginable death toll between 100,000 to 200,000 people. 3 million people were affected. Nearly the entire capital city of Port-au-Prince is devastated and covered in rubble. Is it too late to help? The initial media-enthusiasm is waning, yet millions of people in

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What is metamorphosis?

By KristinN, on January 30th, 2010

Most all of us learned that extremely long word in or around the 4th grade, long before it could roll off our tongues easily and certainly before we could understand the complexity of what it is that we call metamorphosis.

In fact, it is my belief, no not my belief, I am assured

Continue reading What is metamorphosis?

Homeschooling Report Dispels Many Education Myths

By KristinN, on September 4th, 2009

I read this article from the Dakota Voiceyesterday. It was all about the superior academic performance of homeschooled students. People are always concerned that homeschooled kids can be out of touch and not socialized and

Continue reading Homeschooling Report Dispels Many Education Myths

Court Ordering a 10-year Old Girl From Homeschooling Into a Public School.

By KristinN, on September 3rd, 2009

Yea, you read the title correctly. Judge Orders Homeschooler into Public School for Being Too Religious. Now wait till you Continue reading Court Ordering a 10-year Old Girl From Homeschooling Into a Public School.

Do parents have right to educate?

By KristinN, on July 30th, 2009

Here was a good article that I came across the other day By Heather Duncan, community@knoxnews.com. I think it will get all homeschoolers as well as parents in general to rethink about parental rights.

A crucial question will soon face parents if present United Nations initiatives gain acceptance in the United States: Who inherently

Continue reading Do parents have right to educate?

State to State Compliance Information

By KristinN, on July 29th, 2009

I know here in California homeschooling is really easy to do without a lot of hoops to jump through for the government. But in some state there are many more compliance issues to deal with. I found this site called HomeSchoolLegal.com that answers most if not all your compliance issues for each state.

Continue reading State to State Compliance Information

Homeschooling: An Alternative to Private School

By KristinN, on July 22nd, 2009

The July 4th-10th, 2009 edition of The Economist has two articles about public vs. private schools and entrance into top universities in America and Britain (Learning lessons from private schools and Staying on board). According to The Economist, “even in the recession, (private schools) are proving surprisingly resilient.”

Apparently, only

Continue reading Homeschooling: An Alternative to Private School

A Teacher Learns the Truth About Education

By KristinN, on June 7th, 2009

A Teacher Learns the Truth About Education

by Lauren Bleser

I was given this article to read and I found it absolutly wonderful so I had to share it with my readers. Thank you to Lauren Bleser who

Continue reading A Teacher Learns the Truth About Education

A Parent’s Right To Raise Their Children

By KristinN, on June 2nd, 2009

A parent’s right to raise their children as they see fit is a time-honored American tradition, but today it is being threatened. The Supreme Court’s Troxel v. Granville decision in 2000 undermined a 75-year heritage of Constitutionally-protected, fundamental parental rights, which 8 of the 9 justices abandoned. At the same time, a growing body of

Continue reading A Parent’s Right To Raise Their Children

Do Not Be Ashamed

By KristinN, on May 31st, 2009

I find it interesting that a high school principal can see the problem, but not our society.

This is a statement that was Do Not Be Ashamed

The Push to Make Our Children Read

By KristinN, on May 27th, 2009

I just loved this short little article I read this morning and had to share it with all my friends….

A Late Bloomer Blossoms Into Something BigFamilies today feel a lot of pressure to have their children

Continue reading The Push to Make Our Children Read

Homeschool Fair in the Newspaper

By KristinN, on May 25th, 2009

I thought this was a great way to finish off our day at the homeschool fair. I found this article written about the fair. Hey if you don;t mind if I can brag for a moment, My kids did great at the science and art fair. Six 1st place ribbons as well as two best

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Two Sides to Every Coin

By KristinN, on April 12th, 2009

Home educating is not without challenges. Let’s face it, there are days when it can just wear us down. How many times have you thought: Homeschooling is tough because……

“There’s so much to do!”The flip side: Homeschooling is great, because while our children are still at home, we get to re-prioritize our lives and let go

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Choosing Your School Year Schedule

By KristinN, on March 1st, 2009

One of the most difficult tasks to accomplish with homeschooling is planning your schedule. We sit down a month or so before we are ready to begin school and we outline everything we want to accomplish. Then we plan out

Continue reading Choosing Your School Year Schedule

The Jonas Brothers band

By KristinN, on February 28th, 2009

The Jonas Brothers band is an incredibly popular trio of three homeschooled brothers: Paul (Kevin) Jonas, 21, Joseph (Joe) Jonas, 19, and Nicholas (Nick) Jonas, 16. The Jonas Brothers grew up in a home where music was a large part of everyday life.

Their father, Rev. Kevin Jonas, is co-founder of Christ for the Nations Music

Continue reading The Jonas Brothers band

To Grade Or Not To Grade: That Is the Question

By KristinN, on February 26th, 2009

I used to be a firm believer in not issuing grades and not “testing” my children. Sure, I drilled them regularly but I never gave them written or oral tests because I wanted their education to be full of encouragement and mastery. I believed that receiving a “C” or or an “80%” on a test

Continue reading To Grade Or Not To Grade: That Is the Question

Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act

By KristinN, on January 8th, 2009

Just a few minutes ago I was on my review teams blog and I read about this new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. This act was signed into law in August but will not take effect

Continue reading Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act

Gay Pledge Cards in Calif. Schools

By KristinN, on November 10th, 2008

Now I know allot of my friends are saying…Oh I am not worried about this homosexual thing coming to my school. I have Christian teachers. Or worst yet they are putting on the rose colored glasses and thinking it will

Continue reading Gay Pledge Cards in Calif. Schools

Another Reason To Homeschool Our Kids

By KristinN, on November 10th, 2008

I suppose this sort of thing shouldn’t be shocking. You have to go to the original site that wrote the article and see the video. Pretty bad!!!! This Article is by Charlie Sykes

This is a video of Diantha Harris, a lifelong democrat and avid Barack Obama supporter. She is also a lousy schoolteacher, as

Continue reading Another Reason To Homeschool Our Kids

Please Don’t Jump into Homeschooling Blindly

By KristinN, on November 6th, 2008

by Andrea Hermitt, Education Examiner

When I started homeschooling my children over five years ago, I noticed that the vast majority of people had little understanding of what homeschooling meant. People would approach

Continue reading Please Don’t Jump into Homeschooling Blindly

The Socialism of Public Schooling

By KristinN, on November 4th, 2008

The Socialism of Public SchoolingBy Jacob G. Hornberger

While the nation is on the subject of socialism, we really ought to talk about public schooling. With the possible exception of the military, it’s the best example of a socialist institution one could ever find. It’s not a coincidence that public schooling is one of Fidel Castro’s

Continue reading The Socialism of Public Schooling

The Best Place To Teach Children Is In The HOME

By KristinN, on September 21st, 2008

I found the greatest article on homeschooling. It sums it all up in a very brief article!!!!!

The FamilymanTodd Wilson, Familyman Ministries

After a quick Google search, I found that the term Home Economics was coined in 1899. I’m guessing that some pubic The Best Place To Teach Children Is In The HOME

Extra Activities, Helping or Hindering?

By KristinN, on September 12th, 2008

You know Heart of the Matter asked a very good question. Do all the extra activities WE have our children do help or hinder our family time. I am going to make it real sweet and simple. Hinder.

I know some mothers who have their child in a cooking class, (like she can’t teach her child

Continue reading Extra Activities, Helping or Hindering?

Homeschoolers Threaten Our Cultural Comfort

By KristinN, on July 24th, 2008

You see them at the grocery, or in a discount store.It’s a big family by today’s standards – “just like stair steps,” as the old folks say. Freshly scrubbed boys with neatly trimmed hair and girls with braids, in clean but unfashionable clothes follow mom through the store as she fills her no-frills shopping list.There’s

Continue reading Homeschoolers Threaten Our Cultural Comfort