E-Book Management Software Calibre is Like iTunes for You Kindle, Kobo and other e-readers
By Lisa - Homeschooling Mom | January 28, 2012
I have mentioned before that I have terrible vision that cannot be corrected with glasses. When i take out my contacts at night it is impossible to read a regular book with regular font so I have to leave my beloved books behind and use e-reader- a Kindle
I tried Kobo ( wi-fi version) and HATED it. I have not had any experience with the new touch and color version . People do get on my back for using e-reader with comments like I prefer a REAL book.. and I totally get it and miss my books but I am not in position to read them anymore and e-readers have been a god send to me.
There are many plus sides- like you can carry around literally hundreds of books in your purse or beach bag. Downside- I really dont want to carry my 200.00Kindle to the beach and get it wrecked by sand and salty ocean air. ( use my Kobo for that.. lol).. Kindles
have come way down in price- you can pick up one for under 80.00 dollars.
I ditched my Kobo after a month and forked out bog buck for a Kindle- and so far worth every penny. I have Kindle 3- one with keyboard. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. The battery last forever and compared to my Kobo its issue free.
There is a FREE software that is a must have in my opinion if you use an e-reader. Calibre.
You can download Calibre on their website, http://calibre-ebook.com/ . No charge not advertising no nothing. I keep thinking they are going to start charging! The software is that good.
You can take pretty much any format you find on the web- text files, pdf files, html .mobi. epub , etc and convert and sent them to pretty much any e-reader.
It also lets you organize you books and see whats on there.. remove books from your Kindle or ereader with click of your mouse.
There are some neat features that I keep discovering an will post here on my blog .
If you have an e-reader and not using Calibre- I encourage you to give it a try!
Topics: General Homeschooling and Unschooling | No Comments »
Ten Reason To Homeschool Your Kids
By Lisa - Homeschooling Mom | January 23, 2012
There are MANY reasons to homeschool and all of them are valid. I thought I would make a list of ten of the reason why I homeschool my kids.
Please feel free to comment and add your reasons!
1. Family is the Centre of You Family Life- not school.
This is a biggie for me- on e of the biggest reason we chose to homeschool was we wanted our family life to be the focus and not school. We did not want school or school schedules to dictate our daily life. We can travel, visit family, experience life, etc in a way that does not revolve around a schools schedule.
Needs of the family come first- not the school.
2. Deeper Bond between Siblings
I can say without any hesitation that the bond my daughter has with her brother is richer an deeper because she spent so much of her daily life with him. No just at meals, weekends and Summer vacation. You don’t become closer to some one by spending less time with them. I have discussed with many homeschoolin friends and we all agree this has been the case in our families.
3. Time to Follow Your Passions
You have more time for kids to follow the passions and not be exhausted by heavy school workload. My daughter was able to devote alot of time to her passions- dance and music. If she were in school there is no way we could have kept up the pace of her lessons and maintained our sanity.
I have good friend who has her children really involved with hockey- a brutal schedule that leave me wondering how other kids and their parents survive.
4. Connection to Your Children and Family
Because you are with your kids most hours of the day- you have a feel for where they are at. You can tell if some one is getting sick, a bit off, depressed or struggling with something. Now parenting a teen- being “connected” to your kids becomes critical when they hit years than can be hard for most.
5. Simpler Life
Life can be simpler. There is not the rush of getting everyone ready for school, packing lunches, etc. There is time to read to each other and time to make real food.
6. Expose Your Kids to Things They Might Not Learn is School
We spent alot of time last year really delving into Greek and Roman Mythology, Lizz, my eldest daughter ( now in highschool) stunned her English teacher with her knowledge of Mythology and a smattering of Latin. We were also able to learn about World Religion- something I feel is important i terms of tolerance and community.
My eight year old is trying to figure out how to make Ipad apps! We have the time to pursue this.
7. Freedom of Movement
There is no way any one can convince me it is “normal” or natural for our youth to be sitting in a room for HOURS. I am all for learning and not as against the school system as I may seem however a roomful of young boys in girls being penalized for wanting to move around- can’t buy it. Should be 1 hours learning and 5 hours of movement as far as I’m concerned.
8. You help create Independent Thinkers..
Not kids who can memorize and recite and regurgitate. There are exceptions but for the most part homeschooled kids I meet are very independent and can THINK FPOR THEMSELVES.
9. Less Peer Pressure
Some will filter in- however homeschool kids are less aware of the latest trends in pop culture and tend not to care about “name brand” clothes or get trapped in commercialism.
10. Less Bullying and Age Bias
One thing I have liked most about homeschooling- there seems to be less bullying and more tolerance. Kids who are different levels of reading for example are not teased. My son is as likely to play a video game with a 14 year as an 8 year old. Divisions by age are not common- the kids have not learned that it “uncool” to hang out with their younger brother or the group of younger kids that want to join in.
Would love to hear your reasons for homeschooling!
Topics: General Homeschooling and Unschooling | No Comments »
Saving on Electric/ Hydro Bill with Kids – Painless Ways to Save Electricity
By Lisa - Homeschooling Mom | January 16, 2012
My hydro bill was out of control last month. I live in a modest sized home and last month our hydro bill was 200.00!!!! It should be closer to about 125.00.
Now, we are home all day and “Living” in our home 24 hours a day- its not like we all leave and go to work/school. I work at home and my son is homeschooled and we are pretty active. I do a lot of cooking and baking so oven is on a lot.
I am trying to get the kids more involved in helping with the hydro bill- not only from an economical stand point but also in terms of being conscientious of our resources and the environment. I tried this method a few years ago with pretty good results.
Instead of nagging at my kids to shut off lights and computers, etc not in use to save on hydro ( In Ontario we call electricity bill “Hydro” most people get their electricity produced by water i.e.e Niagara Falls , I am trying a more positive approach and rewarding ourselves for less electrical use.
If I can bring down bill by 10 % this month- which I THINK is do-able we will go out to the movies – something we rarely do because of cost. As a starting point tn I would rather give money to our family than electric company.
For each family the “reward” might be different. I think it has to be a goal that is attainable and that the whole family will enjoy. I could easily have made it a night our for dinner or a new video game.
Ways to save on our Hydro bill:
Most obvious is shutting off lights/TVs / PlayStation off when not in use. Newer LCD TV’s use WAY more electricity than older tube ones.
I have also been really working at timing dishwasher, dryer and washing machine for use in off peak hours when electricity is cheaper.
We have alot of computers going on in our house. Kids lap tops, my work computer, etc. I have changed on the power settings on them- to power off and hibermate disk AND monitor, This was an easy and painless one to do. Just go into control panel of your computer ( Windows) and look for “Power Options”
Any other ideas???????
Topics: General Homeschooling and Unschooling | No Comments »
Good Old fashion Board Game Fun with “Pandemic”
By Lisa - Homeschooling Mom | January 7, 2012
This week I have really been enjoying having my oldest DD home. She is on break from school and has been such a joy to have around for a whole two weeks!
Not having to run around and chauffeur kids all over the city has been SOOO relaxing and I was able to get a shocking amount of work done.
DD has had one of her friends here last few days and last night I could hear them laughing and giggling. Was so pleased when I went upstairs and found out they had pulled out Pandemic and played for several hours… and again today.
I hate to say it but I haven’t had my kids spontaneously play a board game for a while. I will almost always initiate.
The two girls were hamming it up for the camera but I grabbed a quick shot- if only to remind myself that teens can have pockets of ease and enjoy simple fun.
Topics: Board Games-Board Game Reviews and Recommendations | 1 Comment »
New Version of Bookworm Adventures- Bookworm Adventures 2
By Lisa - Homeschooling Mom | January 5, 2012
Was really really thrilled to discover the was a new version of my all time favorite Pc game, Bookworm Adventures
The first one, Bookworm Adventures
I stated playing the new one, Bookworm Adventures 2 and although it is same game play- exactly the same actually- the creatures and monsters you battle are from nursery rhymes. Mother Goose, Old woman who lived a shoes, etc. While I am enjoying the game it feels to “young” for me to be playing.
My son, 8 has been playing the older Greek myth version and loves it- he tried new version and wasn’t as thrilled.
I am about 1/4 way through and still enjoying and would absolutely recommend ESPECIALLY for homeschoolers.
Has anyone else tried the new Bookworm Adventures
Topics: Video Games | No Comments »