Lisa Ehrman

Lisa has been blogging since 2013, and loves sharing resources and ideas for living a simple life. To get free printables, bonus words, and more - sign up for the newsletter.

Why I Pushed My Kids To Succeed In Homeschool

by
Award

A book could be written on this topic.  My first clarification is that my children were five years apart in age and above-average in intelligence.  Wait, I don’t say this to boast.  I believe that every child can succeed to the best of their ability.  Because of poor health and miscarriages, I couldn’t have my children close in age.  So, I wasn’t able to teach them all together.  Each child needed their own books and separate plan.  Though there were bumps along the way, I can’t complain about any learning disabilities.  I’m very thankful to God for my children.  God knew that my health was going to be bad, and that would be enough stress. My husband and I are both teachers and we wanted our kids to attend college, so we planned to have them prepared as much as possible.  Although I’m not able to teach math or science classes at the high-school level, I found ways to help the kids learn these subjects.  I’m really terrible at math, and knew that I couldn’t give them any help.  When they reached pre-algebra we always used a DVD Math program and a tutor.  Sometimes the tutor was 2-3 times per week.  This really paid off, because our youngest is a math major in college and doing well. Our older two have done or are doing graduate school.  My main objective with homeschooling was to have them prepared for anything God might call them to do in their adult life.  I didn’t want them to be held back by a second-rate education.  So, we tried to make sure they took all the courses (as much as we could). Extra-curricular activities were also available.  They could only choose one thing at a time.  This was fun, because they tried a lot of things: many different sports, musical instruments, voice, ballet, theater, and more.  Nothing really made them want to become a professional in any of these areas, (and they weren’t that talented).  But, it’s great fun, helped them make friends, wonderful exercise and they learned skills they can always enjoy! Because we’re a Christian family, we studied the Bible.  Our kids memorized Bible verses and went on Mission trips and Youth retreats.  They earned trophies for their years of Bible memorization. We participated in standardized testing each year, which made college entrance exams much less frightening.  Putting high standards in front of your kids is good for them.  How will they know how far they can go if we don’t expect a lot from them?  Of course, I would never expect more than they could do.  I’m always pleased with kids when they do their best.@2016, copyright Lisa Ehrman

Homeschooling And Dual-Enrollment

by

Homeschooling and dual enrollment: it seems to be all the rage now. We’ve tried it in our homeschool in the past. It was successful as far as the grades went. Our student received all A’s in their classes. But, I don’t recommend it to anyone else. Here are my thoughts on the subject. And, yours may be totally different. Dual enrollment can help your student take a high school course and earn college credit at the same time. This occurs when the student signs up for a college course in a general studies course, such as English 101. Now, if I use this class for an example, here’s my problem. If Johnny is a high-school senior he would normally take English 4.  For my student, in English 4, he studied Grammar and Composition 4, as well as Literature 4. This was a very rigorous course, that prepared him well for College classes (not just English, but for all of his writing assignments in other courses). So, he is better off with a tougher class in High School (IMHO). Dual enrollment also takes your student out of the high school environment a year or two early and places them with college-aged students. Your homeschool student may appear mature (you’ve raised them right), but they are not as mature as the 19-22 year-olds on the college campus. My choice is to give them all the time possible before they’re plopped down into a campus with thousands of students who’ve just left mom and dad! It’s not about trust, but it’s a totally different atmosphere. 16-17 year olds aren’t ready for college. Are they ready at 16 to face professors who may want to subtly change their worldview?  You may think that three to four years won’t change them.  But, what if you’re wrong?  These are just things to consider.  We decided to let our children grow up a little longer and live with us during those questioning years.  I would rather them be at home when they have questions.  We’ve had some very interesting family talks, and I bet you have, too.   Why rush them? They have their whole life ahead of them. Those advanced courses in high school are more important than taking English 101 or College Algebra for Sr year. Let them take the highest math and science courses or more electives, instead. You may disagree with me, and that’s fine. After graduating my three children, this is just my opinion. And, it’s certainly shown true in their SAT scores. How about you? @2015, copyright Lisa Ehrman

Viva Labs Ground Flaxseed Review

by
flax

Disclosure: Affiliate link included. Product received in order to review. If you’re going to add Flaxseeds to your diet, you’ll want to make sure that they are certified organic and non-GMO.  The best reasons to add Flaxseeds to your diet are to provide the following health benefits: ·       Flaxseeds can help to protect your heart.  Flaxseeds contain phenols, that have clinically been shown to boost your heart’s health and promote good cholesterol levels.  ·       Flaxseeds can help to improve your digestive health. I was offered a bag of Viva Labs Ground Flaxseeds to review.  Their crops are grown in Canada and are certified organic and non-GMO.  Their crops are not heated at all.  This is to preserve the omega-3. In order to review the product, I decided to use the Flaxseed in a couple of recipes and see how it tastes.  Here are the recipes that I used. West Coast Trail Cookies from Allrecipes.com You can use the recipe online, but I changed it quite a lot.  Here is my version. 1 1/2 Cup organic flour 1/3 Cup Viva Labs Ground Flaxseeds 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1/4 teaspoons salt 1 Cup, softened Soy-free Earth Balance 1/2 Cup brown sugar 1 Cup organic Coconut Palm sugar 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract  2 Cups oats 1 Cup chocolate chips 3/4 Cup shredded coconut 1/2 Cup chopped walnuts Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease 2 cookie sheets.  You’ll want to start each batch on a cool pan. Whisk together flour, flax seed, soda, and salt in a bowl. Beat together Earth Balance, brown sugar, palm sugar in a bowl and then stir in eggs and vanilla.  Now, add flour mixture to that until just combined.  Fold oats, chocolate chips, coconut and nuts into dough just until evenly combined.   Drop by tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheets about 2 inches apart.  Bake about 8-10 min.  Transfer onto a wire rack to cool. These are absolutely delicious!!!! Another wonderful recipe: Oatmeal Bars Mr Food.com Here’s my version: 3/4 Cup Earth Balance Soy-free 1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup 1 teaspoon Baking soda 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla 2 Cup Oats 1 Cup Organic flour 1 Cup organic Coconut Palm Sugar  1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Use Earth Balance to coat a 13x 9 inch baking dish.   Melt 3/4 C Earth Balance and syrup over low heat or in microwave. In a large bowl, stir together the Earth Balance mixture, baking soda and vanilla. Mix well. Add oats, flour, sugar, and chocolate chips.  Mix well.  Press all into the 13 x 9 pan.  Bake 12-18 minutes.  Cool.  Then, cut into bars. Oh, so yummy!!!! I look forward to adding Viva Labs Ground Flaxseed to many more recipes, such as breads and other baked goods.  The Flaxseeds were provided to me at no cost.  I was not compensated for my opinion, and my opinion in this review is 100% my own.  I highly recommend Viva Labs Ground Flaxseed, based on my enjoyment of eating it. @2016, copyright Lisa Ehrman

Homeschool Moms Read, Too

by

I’ve written about how summer is such a wonderful time for kids to read fun books.  It’s also a perfect time for moms to catch up on all those books that can never get read during the homeschool year.  As I’ve said before, I love research and curriculum planning.  Reading about learning styles, curriculum development and educational studies are great to me.  This encouraged me later to earn my master’s degree in education. You could find me in a big chair or on the deck with a big cup of coffee reading most anytime.  Most of these books are a quick read, but I would often take notes.  Since my kids were all so different, I looked for ways to make their education customized.  Everything that I could learn from books and online schooling programs, made their education easier for me to present to them.  Here are a few of the books I read.  I’m not recommending all of them to you.  I have been a very eclectic homeschooler.  My recommendation to homeschoolers is to use whatever curriculum works for your worldview and your individual children’s needs. Summer became a time when I sought out all kinds of books to read that would help me develop my homeschool vision.  This vision certainly evolved throughout all the years that I homeschooled.  It evolved based on my experiences teaching my children, speakers that I listened to, and the books that I read.  Every summer, piles of books would be brought home from the library.  I would also get some from the conventions and order used books online.  Sometimes a new book would even be purchased if necessary. You could find me in a big chair or on the deck with a big cup of coffee reading most anytime.  Most of these books are a quick read, but I would often take notes.  Since my kids were all so different, I looked for ways to make their education customized.  Everything that I could learn, made their education easier for me to present to them.  Here are a few of the books I read.  I’m not recommending all of them to you.  I have been a very eclectic homeschooler.  My recommendation to homeschoolers is to use whatever curriculum works for your worldview and your individual children’s needs. The Well Trained Mind Susan Wise Bauer Charlotte Masons Original Homeschooling #1-6 Charlotte Mason Educating the Wholehearted Child Clay Clarkson A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning   Karen Andreola Teaching the Trivium: Christian Homeschooling in a Classical Style -Harvey Bluedorn More Charlotte Mason Education: A Home Schooling How-To Manual by Catherine Levison Homeschooling for Excellence by David Colfax Pocketful Of Pinecones: Nature Study With The Gentle Art Of Learning: A Story For Mother Culture by Karen Andreola The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook by Raymond S. Moore The Unschooled Mind: How Children Think And How Schools Should Teach by Howard Gardner Writing Road to Reading: The Spalding Method for Teaching Speech, Spelling, Writing, and Reading by Romalda Bishop Spalding Home Schooling Children with Special Needs (3rd Edition) by Sharon Hensley Multiple Intelligences: In Theory And Practice Howard Gardner

Valentia: Even Glow Serum Review

by

Disclosure: Product was provided for review.  Opinion is 100% my own. Valentia This is absolutely the most excited that I’ve been about any review that Ive written so far on my blog!  When I was provided with my bottle of Even Glow Serum,  I was determined to use the entire bottle before I wrote my review.  Ive used every drop, and I can sayI Am Impressed!  I will be ordering a bottle to use for myself.  This product is really great and has really made a delightful improvement in my skin.  I’ll be glad to pay for it  I was provided one bottle of this terrific serum about three weeks ago, and loved the citrus scent when I first opened it.  The 20% Vitamin C ingredient was a great thing that I noticed.  Since I have a collagen disorder, I knew this might really be helpful for me.  It has been.  My skin just soaked it up, but it was never greasy.  It went on my face beautifully, too.  I use it before applying make-up in the morning, and after washing my face at night.  All day my face feels remarkably soft!  My pores are smaller, too. Ive also noticed that dry skin patches are softer on my elbows.  I really Love this product! Vitamin C Serum for  Face You’ll notice, that the ingredients include: *Vitamin C- which is important for the production of collagen *Organic Rosehip Oil and Organic Buckthorn Oil-when combined with Vit. C, help to combat    free radicals.  This helps promote hydration. *Resistem-Plant stem cells help with stress related aging *Hyaluronic Acid-(Botanical) Allows skin to retain more moisture *Green Tea Extract is an anti-inflammatory antioxidant Natural ingredients, Made in US, Smells wonderful! You’ll Love It

×