It's a rainy day in Copper Center, and I'm cleaning my storeroom down in the basement.  It's a huge task, but filled with reminiscing of homeschooling in days gone by.  I came across some writing instruction materials I used for my son, Mark, a few years ago, using the 'Six-Trait' model.  Actually, it's now called '6+1 Trait'.  I recommend this model as a thorough way to guide your children in learning how to write effectively.  By the way, the traits are: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and now they've included 'presentation'.  Here are a couple of sources for learning about this model, that is widely used across the country for students of all ages. 
Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory has lots of materials:
http://educationnorthwest.org/resources/topic/229

Evan Moor publications has some great 6-Trait books - one for each elementary grade - that give a short bit of instruction each day, Monday through Friday.  I saw these books at Chickabiddy in Anchorage, and was impressed with how easy they were to use - parent friendly!  Here's the 1st grade book: http://www.timberdoodle.com/Daily_6_Trait_Writing_Grade_1_p/215-311.htm

Here's a source for how to assess your child's writing, using the 6-trait assessment rubrics (scoring guides):
http://educationnorthwest.org/resource/464

I know teaching writing sounds difficult, but understanding this method should be helpful as you embark on that task.

Giant Campus Academy offers online courses for high school that emphasize technology skills.  I attended a short webinar this past spring and was impressed with the way the program is organized and with the variety of classes they offer.

Giant Campus Academy’s rigorous full-time and part-time school programs combine the required core classes with concentrations in Digital Arts, Computer Science, and Business & Innovation.  Upstream Learning students might consider taking one single course in conjunction with their  other homeschool courses.  Their course selection is varied and includes the following for this coming school year:

- 3D Animation
- 3D Modeling
- Web Design
- Game Design
- Marketing
- Programming
- Entrepreneurship
- Computer Aided Design
- Audio Engineering
- Flash Animation
- Online Game Design
- Digital Arts
- Biology
- Chemistry
- AP Statistics
- American Government
- American History
- English
- Calculus
- AND MUCH MORE!!!!

Several of you have asked me about possible art programs or curriculums.  Here is one that can be used for any age student.  The website shares that "The ARTistic Pursuits approach to teaching art is a welcome departure from typical art instruction books.  This award winning homeschool art program meets the specific needs of homeschoolers at home. A variety of fun applications teach both the expressive and technical aspects of art while allowing children to make choices about what and how they will draw, paint, and sculpt.  Assignments work within the stages of artistic development of children and  guide them to mature artistic expression in the visual arts."

The program is divided into age levels, ranging from pre-school to senior high.  The books are reasonably priced, and the company also sells complete art supply packages to accompany the various levels of the program.  Artistic Pursuits comes highly recommended by one of our families who used it last year.

I met with several families on Thursday to discuss ILP's for the coming school year.  I was so encouraged by the variety and quality of programs Moms were planning on using.  I'd like to share a few of these with you over the next few days, so that we can benefit from hearing about some of these great programs.  The Academy of Science for Kids produces Little Professor Science Kits, a science program for elementary students.  (A subscription to Discovery Education Science is a part of the enrollment benefits - if you're familiar with that program, you know this is a terrific side-benefit.)  I'll let them describe their product and you can read about it further:

Good teachers will tell you that kids learn best when they are having fun. Little Professor Science Kits™ are just plain FUN! Each kit comes with proven lesson plans with real instruments and cool experiments developed to peak your students’ excitement for science. Our program however, is so much more than science kits – it is a complete science curriculum. Each kit includes:
• Fun for all children ages 5-15
• Quality Laboratory Equipment
• 12 complete experiments
• Journal plus Science Fair display board
• Code for our exclusive online test • Opportunities to earn credits and prizes
• The ability to earn up to 20 different degrees
• Parents' Corner with lesson objectives and test answers
• Exclusive website access
• Absolutely everything included - all you add is water!

Here is an opportunity that is not only useful, but free!  HomeschoolBlogger.com is offering several free classes for homeschool teachers!  Here's what they have to say about them:

"Are you in need of inspiration, encouragement, and support in your homeschool journey? Is your time precious, your money tight, and your desire to improve your homeschool on your to-do list? All of us at The Old Schoolhouse® and HomeschoolBlogger.com are very pleased to announce an inspiring, new opportunity: HomeschoolBlogger.com’s FREE Classes!

We have a vibrant lineup of topics already scheduled for mid-July and August and more are being scheduled each day for this summer and fall—just in time for back-to-school planning and preparation!"

There are several classes this week, including one tomorrow on teaching math.  I'll let you go to the website yourself to find out the specific topics.  If you attend one of the webinars, please let me know if it was helpful for you.  Enjoy!

One of our new parents shared a great resource for "Alaska Studies" with me this afternoon.  It's a large, spiral-bound curriculum that covers Alaskan topics with a comprehensive study for each letter of the alphabet.  That curriculum is called 'Alaska Alphabet Stories and Activities' by Marilyn Morgan.  I googled the book and found it on the Alaska Studies Center website.  If you're looking for curriculum on Alaska, this is a great place to start your search!  They carry a lot of materials and have them well organized by grade and by subject area on their site.  Check it out!

I want to recommend a great place to research various homeschool programs.  It's a company called 'Rainbow Resource Center'.  Some of you are familiar with their HUGE catalog - it's the size of a New York City phone book!  Checking out products online circumvents that intimidating catalog and lets you check out product details according to subject areas.  They give thorough reviews of a myriad of programs, so if you've heard of it, they likely have it in their online catalog.  Check them out at www.rainbowresource.

I came across a website this morning called "Free Kids Music".  That caught my attention, as I am a music lover, and music was very much a part of our own homeschool experience.  You might want to check it out.  Here's what they say about themselves . . .

"WELCOME...we're glad YOU'RE HERE! So what's the dilly-o? In a nutshell, we believe that music can play a special role in our lives...and this is especially true for children. Parents seem to intuitively know this...and for this reason you'll find them encouraging their kids to learn music...not only through teaching them singalong songs when they are young, but encouraging them to take music lessons on an instrument, or by joining a school or church choir. And, of course...one of the things that inspires children to learn music is for them to fall in love with great music...even at an early age."  There's more, but I'll let you go straight to the site, if you're interested.

By the way, I had considered offering Simply Music piano lessons this spring through Upstream Learning, but have decided to start in the fall instead.  There are too many things on my plate right now, so I think fall will be a better plan.  I'll let you know the details during the summer, so you can plan accordingly.  In the meantime, you can go to the Simply Music website to read about this unique way of learning to play the piano!