To celebrate our soon-to-be-released eBook Why Should I Learn This, we are giving away a free Kindle Fire.
Why Should I Learn This is a 2-year project in the making. A $9.95 value, the eBook will initially be offered for free.
The sample chapter is Why Should I Learn Punctuation and Grammar by Erin Brown Conroy, MA, MFA. It is a terrific chapter to read whether you have grade school or high school children.
Why Should I Learn This is a compilation of essays written by over 30 authors including Joseph Pearce, Michele Quigley, Mike Aquilina, Professor Carol, and more.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I have skipped art and music. While I love music, I do not have any ability to teach it to my children, and as far as art goes, I cannot draw a straight line with a ruler. We have looked at some beautiful paintings, but that is about as far as it goes.
ReplyDeleteMy 8th grade daughter enjoyed taking Erin's 6 week class on Homeschool Connections at the beginning of this school year. We hope to take more of the courses from your awesome selection! Thanks for providing quality homeschool resources.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time getting to science and art. Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI hope there's a chapter about why they should learn algebra. That's where our biggest fights are. Thanks for all your hard work!
ReplyDeleteI am so looking forward to this new book! Thank you for making the sample chapter available early.
ReplyDeleteMichele, there is a chapter on Why Should I Learn Algebra! That's one of the biggest questions I get from teens, so I made sure to include it. ~Maureen
ReplyDeleteI struggle with literature and literary analysis.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with literature too. I enjoy it and know that it's important, but it's so hard to do that with the older kids while also homeschooling the younger ones!
ReplyDeleteI often let the memorization get lost in the shuffle!
ReplyDeleteI think communication is a very important thing and gets left behind in our text-y culture. I was glad to see the sample chapter address the importance of punctuation and grammar.
ReplyDeleteI would like to be better at motivating my children whether that is in math, writing, or reading.
ReplyDeleteI try to do nature study and drawing with my youngest as he seems to have the same talents as his older sister who is now studying graphic design. Using Charlotte Mason methods this year and enjoying it!
ReplyDeleteOver my years of homeschooling the one thing I often skip is grading writing assignments. I don't really skip it but I usually pay for a service or provider to do that for me. I find it difficult to know if what they are worrying is age appropriate or if I'm being to hard on them.
ReplyDelete**writing...not worrying**
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the book. I wish there had been something like that for college students, when I was teaching.
ReplyDeleteThe book looks wonderful! Looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDeleteWow,this could bring me into the 21st century.
ReplyDeleteSpanish. So guilty of letting it slide until high school - and I was a bilingual ed teacher! The programs we did in elementary/middle school weren't the most effective to move them forward. We are using your recorded Spanish classes now :).
ReplyDeleteI shared on facebook for the Bring your friends entries but the rafflecopter wouldn't show that entry. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMusic! I know music is so important and I should have motivated my kids in a more positive way. They don't have a natural desire to learn or practice; or to sing.
ReplyDeleteDear Bamboo,
ReplyDeleteWhen you share on Facebook, Twitter, and email, you will be credited with an entry once one of your friends responds. You can get up to 10 entries when friends enter the raffle.
Blessings,
Maureen
Thanks so much for clarifying. That makes sense :).
ReplyDeleteHow to fit it all in? With 6 kids and various ages and needs, I am often reduced to English and Math. I long to spend more time on History, Literature, Latin, art and music. They need physical exercise too!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the eBook! Would love to see more on philosophy/theology. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI love science but I struggle to teach it. Labs and experiments are hard for me, because we never have the "common household items" that most people have. And, I think becuase I find science easy, it is hard for me to explain it to my children. I would love to see more science classes for middle-schoolers offered.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with math and also with the why's of learning history. This book looks great. Thanks for hosting the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteRobyn Collyer said....
ReplyDeleteWe struggle with writing with my 7 year old son. He just does not like to do it, and his handwriting is not great because he is trying to sandbag all the writing assignments.
Why learning to write is important. I have very resistant (boy) writers!
ReplyDeleteI struggle most with literature and literary analysis, can't keep up with all the reading.
ReplyDeleteCharacter Training & Math. thanks for letting me to enter this giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI haven't done much for Art because it's not my strong subject, and I don't feel like I have a lot of art talent. :)
ReplyDeleteI read an interesting article in The Washington Post (8/8/14) on teaching Latin as a spoken language and I'd like to try this with my kids.
ReplyDelete-Maureen
I have not been able to get to teaching art. I love art and wish I could make the time for it, but I simply run out of steam.
ReplyDeleteArt projects that involve lots of materials and time get skipped around here.
ReplyDeleteI keep meaning to teach my kids a second language, but haven't gotten there yet!
ReplyDeleteArt appreciation and labs for sciences at the high school level. Thanks. I am looking forward to the ebook.
ReplyDeleteWe're enjoying your History courses.
ReplyDeleteLooks great and thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI agree with some others regarding learning math and would love to know the best way to learn math!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see art and/ or music appreciation classes for younger kids. (Maybe 3rd through 8th grade.) A course without much homework where the kids see and listen to works of art or music and learn about various artists and composers with discussion time in class. Thank you for the free book chapter!
ReplyDeleteArt? Music? Science? How do I fit in ALL the subjects or know on which I can skimp? Always a struggle...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the book with great topics and authors!
Teaching multiple kids with different learning styles can be challenging...especially when you're trying to give each one a robust, classical education, with plenty of Charlotte Masony time for nature study, literature, and not be over-stressed about deadlines, activities, and other outside-pressures. I struggle with giving my learning-challenged child the attention he needs, while balancing that with my senior in high school, straight-A child who needs me to follow-up with her work and be there to encourage and challenge her as well. Yes, there are some subjects that get skipped from year to year, but we try to make them up in following years.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had more direction with art. I truly believe that I should teach the "true, the good, and the beautiful", however, I was not taught this way, and I oftentimes do not know which direction to take.
ReplyDeleteI think I've struggled with teaching every subject at some point in our homeschool life. Right now I would really like to teach Latin, but it is a struggle!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading this! Thanks so much!!
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait to read this! I think (at least I hope) I have taught my kids that school is just more than info to spit back. I try to make sure we have basics of not just the 3 R's but also life skills. I think Life Skills needs to be part of education. I have my kids helping with household things early and by the time they are 12 they can do a meal by themselves. I am not great at the home repair but we all learn then!
ReplyDeleteBiggest challenge: getting it all done with a wide range of ages and abilities. Some years we end up skipping some subjects like history, in order to complete other subjects. We try to make it up the following year.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHaving adopted 3 older chidren with special needs, all subjects are challenging. Overall character formation and the challenges of teaching special needs children would be great topics.
ReplyDeleteI struggle to maintain consistent effort in one on one time with each kid daily.........
ReplyDeleteI am a high school student and have never skipped a subject. However I think it's important to share that the reason is because of my own parents and grandparents. From a young age I was always taught that a general education in all fields broadens your personal experiences and creates a well-rounded mindset. I can use my own short time as a high school as an example of how such advice is true.
ReplyDeleteI encourage other students (as well as their parents/teachers) to not limit their education. You never know what you'll find in those subject that seem "too difficult" or just plain "unimportant".
I love History: The Glory of Ancient Greece with Philip Campbell. Great course guys! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for the eBook to come!
I feel I haven't taught enough Science, especially chemistry. We cover the basics so they can graduate, but there's so much more they could be learning about it. I just don't have the resources available to me--like lab space, equipment and supplies, chemicals (esp with safety concerns), etc--and the cost, even for just something like a decent microscope, can be prohibitive, as well.
ReplyDeleteWith children with different learning styles as well as some learning disabilities, I struggle to teach them "patience"! I know, not a real "subject", but one I wish I could teach them better across the board. Thanks for letting me share and for the contest.
ReplyDeleteWe sometimes didn't get as in-depth with science as I wanted, but the "real books" we used apparently gave my kids a better understanding than I thought.
ReplyDeleteWould love to teach a foreign language but don't know one myself. Also the program would neetooo be engaging to keep my children's attention.
ReplyDeleteWe often skip art because we run out of time. We have a large family and getting the major subjects finished is always a challenge!
ReplyDeletelooking forward to the book! Thanks for the giveway!!
ReplyDeleteI am so looking forward to reading the new book! Bravo! Math is always a biggie for this literature bent family....oh math....your beauty is something to behold, if we could just unlock it painlessly. ;)
ReplyDeleteWe never get around to science and history in a concrete way, though they are sometimes covered at co-ops and often comes up in conversation.
ReplyDeleteWe have been doing much better this year and finally found a grove. But my hardest subjects to teach might be math.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with teaching writing or more of checking writing.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely art appreciation. I know how fulfilling this can be and to show art is to show the beauty that God gives us. I just don't plan for it or do it as I should.
ReplyDeleteI would love to teach art and religion in a more structured, productive way.
ReplyDeleteWe signed up for some classes this summer through Homeschool Connections and they were so great! Would love for my son to take more. He only takes them during the summer because he goes to public school during the year.
I would love a course on just literary elements.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of a subject that I struggle to teach; however, I do need help answering the question, "Why do I need to learn this?"
ReplyDeleteHomeschool Connections is a great resource for online Catholic learning! We are looking into the Aquinas Writing Program for extra help with teaching writing. Would also love to see a Catholic teen book club forum!
ReplyDeleteI'm in highschool and I hope there's something in the book about how to study and stay positive on certain subjects such as math.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! Looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteDear Anon, this is more of a "why" than a "how" book. Hopefully, reading the whys will help you stay positive! We do offer a terrific course on study skills called How to Be an Excellent Student. Maybe that would be helpful to you. If you want to know more, email me at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com. Blessings, Mrs. Wittmann
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for this giveaway! HSC has been an answer to prayers. We just wanted a Catholic environment with great people... That's exactly what we got! The teachers are very smart and kind. I would like to specifically shout out to Alison Stanley.
ReplyDeleteLike others, I find science and art are the most difficult to get in!
ReplyDeleteWe struggle with math. Some of my children have a difficult time understanding certain concepts and we can't seem to get past that.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway chance! My son is a severe dyslexic so we struggle with just about everything!! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, I am looking forward to learning about "why art" - I have some non-lovers and wish I had started earlier with them. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI don't like to teach art because it is messy :) Art appreciation, well, I got a C in that in college because my professor asked my what I thought paintings meant and I told her.
ReplyDeleteHi Thanks for the contest! I can't wait to read the ebook!
ReplyDeleteI struggle with teaching math, and with how to explain it to my kids in a way that doesn't make them want to throw a book across the room. :-)
ReplyDeleteIn our second year of homeschooling and still struggling. I loved math but it was a LONG time ago! motivation is my biggest challenge right now.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are young and just starting homeschooling, but the subject I'd like the most help with is math, which I've never really "got" -- but I can tell they are interested and I don't want to put out that flame! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteMy kids are young and just starting homeschooling, but the subject I'd like the most help with is math, which I've never really "got" -- but I can tell they are interested and I don't want to put out that flame! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteAmy, may I suggest introducing some living literature into your homeschool on the subject of math? Fun math books such as the Sir Cumference books? I have a book called For the Love of Literature with suggestions, but you can also find free book lists online, for example: http://livingmath.net/.
ReplyDeleteTerri, I'm in the midst of scheduling a summer course with Professor Pearce on literary analysis.
Everyone, I want you all to know how much I appreciate all of the comments. It's so good for all of us in the homeschooling community to read through these and see where our fellow homeschoolers need assistance.
I hope the new book will address some of these concerns. I promise to work on the areas where it does not.
Advent Blessings!
Maureen
My biggest struggle has been including any of the arts in our learning.
ReplyDeleteHistory is challenging for me to keep it fun and engaging.
ReplyDeleteGrammar is our difficult subject. I'm looking forward to reading the sample chapter!
ReplyDeleteLiterature is the toughest to keep up with for me!
ReplyDeleteWe usually skip art and music. It seems like its hard to ind time, and I don't really know anything about music myself!
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling I'll be using this book a lot with my littles. Just what we're needing. Thanks!
ReplyDelete