It’s a .pdf file, so you’ll need the Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to access it.

Wilderness Survival Kits Kids Can Make
Emergency Survival Kits Kids can use in Camping and Outdoor Survival. These personal survival kits can be used to teach basic first aid and wilderness skills to kids in a home or class setting.

Campfire Safety for Children

Teaching Campfire Safety for Kids. Fire safety education keeps kids safe on a trip. Teaching a few fire safety lessons that teach kids fire safety precautions help everyone enjoy time at the camp fire.

National Novel Writing Month provides free work books and lesson plans to teach creative writing skills to elementary, middle school and high school age students.

Read more at Suite101: Free On-Line Writing Curriculum for Homeschool: Using National Novel Writing Month to Teach Writing

The Internet has made it possible for anyone with a passion and web design skills to create a website, and homeschoolers love to share. Consequently, there are several resources online for Christian homeschoolers, including free curriculum at every grade level and other websites for homeschool families.

Ambleside Online Free Online Christian Homeschool Curriculum

By far, the most popular free online homeschooling curriculum for Christians is Ambleside Online. This curriculum has several downloadable resources (mostly classical literature) as well as email discussion forums for its members. Parents use the email and message board as a support forum. Lists of materials are laid out for easy planning and lessons are divided down for every grade level and every day of the year.

Ambleside is modeled after the Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling and users are urged to learn about her work and philosophies. The curriculum spans Kindergarten through 12th grade and has deviations for all types of learners.

The Puritan Network Free Homeschool Curriculum

The Puritan Network in conjunction with the Westminster Covenant Academy has released a free curriculum for Christian homeschoolers, called Puritan Home School Curriculum. Several courses are listed with free downloadable ebooks for both students and teachers. Free textbooks for download are written specifically for this curriculum. Students are also provided with links to other important free online courses, especially at the high school level, where they’re urged to master Advanced Placement (AP) courses, in preparation for college.

The Puritan Home School Curriculum begins at a kindergarten level, with the memorization of Bible…

Read more at Suite101: Free Online Christian Homeschool Curriculum: Find Free Internet Homeschool Programs for Christians Online

Learn about Christian homeschooling resources. Find Christian curriculum reviews and buy Christian homeschool curriculum online and compare homeschool programs

In the early days of homeschooling, the majority of homeschool curriculum vendors were Christian families selling Christian homeschool resources. Today, however, there are Catholic, Mormon, secular and even Atheist homeschooling websites and curriculum vendors.

Where does a Christian family go when it is looking for curriculum reviews and advice from other Christians? When shopping for Christian homeschool science curriculum especially, the academic value diminishes greatly in the eyes of a Christian when the evolution is introduced or assumed.

Curriculum Reviews

Homeschool reviews can be found at the Choosy Homeschooler website, and whenever you find something you like, you can cross-reference the reviewer’s profile to be sure he’s reviewing from a Christian perspective. For example, if an atheist or agnostic were to say “I like how this program handled the difference between intelligent design and evolution” a Christian would know to keep looking

Read more at Suite101: Christian Homeschool Curriculum: Homeschool Resources and Curriculum Reviews for Christian Families

Exciting, fun, and educational may not be the words you would use to describe your past experiences with science fairs! Yet, it can be a wonderful experience for your children.
Understanding a few simple organizational techniques as well as getting a handle on the rules can go a long way to making the event satisfying for all involved.

Science fair projects, when done correctly, can stimulate interest in science topics, mathematics and engineering. They provide students with educational opportunities to experience scientific research. It affords the student with an opportunity for public recognition once the project is brought to completion. And, perhaps most importantly, it allows the student to share the information they have learned with other students, teachers, and members of the community.

Where do you begin? The first place is by understanding the rules. If your students are lower elementary aged, K-5 the competitions stop there. You may have a class or school wide competition. For grades 6 and older, it is a different story. These grades are eligible for class, school-wide, and regional competitions. There are state and international competitions for older students as well.

The lower elementary grades need not be concerned with the international rules, but for the upper grades this understanding is imperative. If you learn nothing else from this newsletter know that you should have a copy of the international rules and you can download one for free at www.sciserv.org. This official website of the International Science and Engineering Fair consists of useful information to get even the most reluctant student (or teacher) started and well armed with up-to-date information.

Here is a synopsis of helpful hints to make your science fair experience is a happy one!

1. Begin planning early.
a. Attend informational workshops for teachers (held by the local school board or other organizations in your area.)
b. Notify students and parents as soon as you have a science fair date
c. Explain the science fair process to participants. If you plan on having students enter a regional competition make sure you understand the rules associated with paper work and the signatures required, prior to beginning the project.
d. Research! Give students an outline of acceptable project topics
e. Encourage time to brainstorm for ideas and plan library or internet time for research

2. Explain judging and evaluation criteria to students.
a. Prepare a flow chart for students and parents. Have student/parent meetings. (A flow chart is contained in my book on Science Fairs.)
b. If your students are upper level (grades 6 and older) make sure the project topics are approved and all the necessary paper work is prepared correctly.
c. Older students submit research plan
d. Authorized scientists sign all the paper work
e. Teacher checks the paper work to make sure it is correct.

3. Students begin researching, experimenting, recording their observations, writing a project report, etc.
a. Care is taken to record all research and information pertaining to the project. This will come in handy when it is time to write the report.
b. The experiment is executed.
c. The information is recorded and analyzed. The results are compared to the hypothesis and the original question. Did you answer the question? If not, should you do additional research? Can you explain why your project didn’t work out the way you planned?
d. Use your evidence to write your report. Your report format should be professional yet conversational and follow the scientific method. Write the abstract. This is a 250 word synopsis of your project.
e. Students complete their projects and prepare their display boards.
f. Prepare a brief presentation highlighting major points of the project.
g. Practice this presentation.
h. You are finished!

Of course younger students will concentrate on the basic ideas of a science project and complete their display boards with the help of parents or another adult. Even on a primary level science fair projects can be done correctly and with little fanfare. Understanding the idea behind a science project, asking a question and searching for an answer is grasped by most children.

Scientific Method

The scientific method can be broken out in the following way:

1. Purpose:
The question to be answered

2. Research
The question is researched to be better understood so a statement and plan can be made in relation to this purpose.

3. Hypothesis
An educated “guess” based on research, investigation, discussion, or an observation.

4. Procedure
A plan to carry out the project which consists of research, asking questions of others more knowledgeable, gathering information from observations, experimentation (which will include trial and error), and using every source available. An understanding of the variables that may occur during experimentation is necessary and should be explained to the student. The experiment should be preformed several times to work out any bugs or fine tune the process.

5. Observation:
A gathering of data from experimentation and research which involves may skills such as mathematics, filling out charts and graphs, writing and recording, etc. Recording the observations such as in note taking, drawing or photographing the results may prove useful. Careful thought should be given to areas where error might have occurred.

6. Conclusion
When all of the data is collected and studied the hypothesis is analyzed to see whether it has been proven true or false. The student may find the hypothesis is false which does not mean the experiment is a failure, especially if the student can explain what the experiment found and why.

Finally for the older students, grades six and above, an understanding of writing an abstract is imperative. This single piece of information when done properly with a well thought out and executed experiment can be the winning edge. An abstract is a brief, clear, concise, 250-word (maximum) summary of your project’s purpose, procedure and data, and a short synopsis of your conclusions. Once again, this important aspect of an upper level project can make or break the competition.

A winning science fair project is not necessarily one with the most ribbons attached. Winning projects are those that are done correctly and have satisfying conclusions. They give the student a sense of contentment for a job well done, and it is the parent’s responsibility to make each child, who has completed a project, feel that all projects are worthy of praise!

Felice Gerwitz has lectured extensively on the topic of science fairs. She is an award winning author and her book “An Insider’s Guide to Successful Science Fair Projects” was chosen book of the month by God’s World Publishing.

Perhaps you have never given much thought to the topic of Creation, the effect it has on people’s lives, or how much it shapes one’s belief system. I know that for years I fell into this category. When faced with evolutionary claims I ignored most, considering them false. While I believed the Bible, considered it to contain the truth of how the world began, believed it was the inspired Word of God and infallible, I had no idea how to respond to those who didn’t. I began to seriously study the topic when I became a homeschool parent and “happened” to meet Jill Whitlock who had once been an agnostic and now was a Christian and Creation Scientist. She showed me many evidences for Creation and thus my fascination with the topic began.

Recently, I was lamenting to the Lord. (I do this from time to time!) I knew I must have misunderstood His call to write and teach others about this topic of Creation. You see it was the Christmas season and I was caught up with the duties of wife, mother and homeschool parent. I was also trying to get the third novel in the mystery series (TruthSeekersMysterySeries.com) my daughter and I had co-authored to print. Even after having it professionally edited every time I read the document I found more and more typos. I was dismayed. The deadline for the first week of December had passed. Therefore, my lament to the Lord!

Yet, God in his infinite wisdom and mercy indeed showed me His will. Of all places it was while shopping at a local membership only store. Here, I noticed a nativity I wished to purchase. Being a bit pricey I wanted to consult my husband. Later, when returning to buy it, I offered to take my newly married nephew and his wife to shop at the store. All these things were in God’s perfect plan. The nativity was encased in glass, and there, perched on the shepherd’s shoulder, was an expensive linen calling card. I would never have plucked it off, but my nephew had no qualms about sticking his hand into the scene, pulling it away, and handing it to me. There was my answer.

As I read the front of the card tears stung my eyes. I could barely open the card to see whose signature it contained… I wanted to write to this person and let them know how much I disagreed! I wanted to tell the person there was hope! There is a God and He is Love! Imagine my surprise when I saw the signature was the Darwinian evolutionary fish! I was stunned. Later, as I read the card I realized the Lord had allowed me to see it. It was as if He was saying, “You see, Felice? When people embrace a belief in evolution that does not include me they are left to their own devices.” Indeed they are. Christians are not fools as this card extols. Christians have it right! This topic is very relevant and important. It should be at the forefront of your education and taught to children of all ages.

But, where do you begin? First, become armed with information. Just believing the Scriptures tell the truth, while commendable is only the beginning. You must understand that is a volatile topic. Unfortunately, the topic of Creation vs. evolution is not only controversial but it is difficult to discuss. Tempers at times flare and the conversation can get out of control. Regrettably this is a way to insure the doors will remain closed instead of open. The fear of those who believe evolution is real. Their fear stems from the following fact: if evolution is discredited, the entire humanistic worldview would go up in smoke!

Do you realize that not one of Darwin’s theories some 144+ years after they were first proposed has ever been proven? The theory of evolution has exerted influence over our world and culture. Humanists believe man is a “natural phenomenon” just like plants and animals. They believe the mind and soul just happened and they were not supernaturally created.

But how do we arm ourselves and our children to logically discuss the topic? Remember, before every discussion pray for the right words and trust in the Lord. He makes crooked paths straight!

Felice Gerwitz has lectured extensively on the topic of science fairs. She is an award winning author and her book “An Insider’s Guide to Successful Science Fair Projects” was chosen book of the month by God’s World Publishing.

When we study science, with a keen eye we see nuances that we may have otherwise missed. Nature sciences lend themselves to this type of process.

Recently we saw wood peckers on a tree. Woodpeckers in Florida are hard to miss. They are large, really large! Most woodpeckers grow to be no larger than 19 inches tall. It wasn’t that I heard the pecking sound; rather I saw the red, bobbing head. It caught my eye and when I looked, it was gone. I continued looking at the pine tree, asking my children if they saw anything unusual. After several minutes we were rewarded by seeing the large board searching for bugs in the bark of the dead tree. Science teaches patience. We had to wait and look, silently, in order to see the marvelous work of God.
The woodpecker is an example of how evolution can not work. Woodpeckers have adapted over time, just as many other creatures have. The most famous of the adaptation for woodpeckers is their tongues. In the bird, the tongue loops into the throat, under and around the back of the skull, beneath the skin, over the top of the skull between the eyes, and finishes right below the eye socket. One would think though that the tongue goes to the back of the throat, which is not the case with the woodpecker.

The tongue is long and slim and can project a great distance. The tip of the tongue is pointed and is covered with a secretion so that bugs and insects can stick to the tongue.

Also, when a woodpecker builds its nest, he pecks downward at an angle for about 5 to 6 inches and then pecks directly down for about another 10 inches. While he does this, the woodpecker will scatter the wood chips from the tree so other animals will not know exactly where the nest is being built. The next generation of woodpeckers will also do this, so it is evident that woodpeckers were made to dig their nests in trees – there is clear evidence that their beaks were designed for an intended purpose.

Other marvels of nature took place long ago. By this I mean thousands not millions of years ago. A jeweler, here in Fort Myers has an amazing array of fossilized minerals and artifacts for sale. None of them are in our price range, but they are interesting nonetheless! He had samples of quartz crystals, amethyst, and more. We walked around the store admiring the array. On the outside of the mammoth amethyst sample (around 2 feet wide and 3 feet long) the rock was ugly. My nine year old son commented on this phenomenon. Inside the crystal formation was beautiful with various shades of purple, both light and dark and everything in-between. How often we judge others by what we see on the outside without knowing what is within. Another life lesson to be learned!

We can turn daily outing into wondrous examples of God’s love and the life lessons we learn will be real to our children. They see in example, in work and in deed what is in store for them. Patience is rewarded by seeing things that might easily escape their eyes. Ugliness can not be judged because of what might be hidden inside. These are the things that make parenthood and those “educational-moments” more satisfying than anything the world might offer. Look around, and I’m sure you’ll find moments such as these.

Felice Gerwitz has lectured extensively on the topic of science fairs. She is an award winning author and her book “An Insider’s Guide to Successful Science Fair Projects” was chosen book of the month by God’s World Publishing.

Well, we thought we had escaped the wrath of hurricane season, here in Southwest, Florida. That is until Monday October 24th when Hurricane Wilma blasted its way through our yard, and those of thousands of others. (Update: 2008. Since then we have had Charlie, Gustav, Fay (outer bands), Hannah, and Ike is looming offshore.) Thankfully, while we sustained much damage to our yard—in downed trees, no power, and no internet (gasp!), we are safe. Our home lost a few shingles and most of our screens from our porch enclosure are gone, but we survived. We have generator power so our food did not perish and we can run either our electricity—or our water (but not both at the same time). Yes, these are inconveniences and we’ve learned to adapt.

I tend to look at life and try to learn lessons in everything that happens. This can be a daunting task. Some look at hurricanes as a punishment from God. He obviously knew it was coming and could have stopped it, if He chose to do so. Yet, He didn’t and it happened. I don’t want to get into the debate, “Is it punishment against an evil society, or isn’t it?” We definitely deserve to be punished. The only one perfect is Christ. I would rather focus on what we teach our children; we turn to God for everything and thank Him—even for hurricanes. I read recently that the one thing we should never loose is hope!

I have learned so many things through this event. I know more (than I ever wanted to know) about wind speed and velocity, eye-of-the-storm, categories (as in strength) 1 through 5, storm surge, etc. Each of these terms means life or death for residents of the impacted area, so we must become aware and take heed. We listen to weather updates on television, log onto websites and talk to neighbors and friends about their take on whether (no pun intended) or not the storm is coming our way. We have many choices we can make. Do we stay, or do we pack up whatever we deem our most important belongings and leave? We are fortunate we can make these decisions.

We can even laugh. I received an email from Jill (my co-author in the Creation Science Series) with a whirling hurricane and the head of Wilma (of the Flintstones fame) in the middle. The email read “Wilma is coming”.

I have found at times such as these to focus on the positive and be prepared. We talk to our children about these times lightly. I don’t believe children should be scared or worried. We pray and stock our shelves with water, canned goods and other non-perishable foods. We praise God that we have a generator and money to buy gas to power it. We thank God for the ability to get into our cars and leave, if we so choose. We thank the Lord that when we have problems in our life we can turn to Him for strength. And, we can learn.

We can learn about the historic path hurricanes have taken, learn about latitude and longitude, and map where the hurricane currently resides. We learn about the seas, how the hurricane can cause flooding, and the precautions people should take. We learn about evacuation routes, abiding by local laws and listening, attentively to the news. We also learn how the oceans and weather are not independent of each other. The temperature of the ocean effects the strength of a hurricane, and the jet stream (upper air currents), regulate the direction a hurricane may take. (We laugh as a family when we hear the term “cone of uncertainty”. Weather forecasters use this term for the cone, or path the hurricane may or may not take. How is that for definite?) Someday, when Jill finishes all her research on weather and oceans we will have a study guide for you to use with your children!

Remember to focus on the immediate, with an eye to the future. What are your concerns for your family today and what do we need to do to prepare? These life lessons are invaluable and can go beyond the threat of the storm today, to be useful to our children later in life. I am certain that after the fall of Adam and Eve there were storms that effected the population. How they weathered them without up to date “Doppler radar” or other modern conveniences, I just don’t know!

Here are some guidelines you may use which apply to any life crisis… use them, tweak them, and add some more of your own:

1. Pray, ask God for mercy, wisdom, and strength.
2. Focus on immediate concerns. What needs to be done today?
3. Make a list
4. Tweak your list. Put the items listed in order of importance.
5. Make a plan. Know what you and each member of your family is going to do to prepare.
6. Pray. Ask the Lord to bring to mind things you may have forgotten.
7. Look at your list and pick several things you can accomplish, now. There is no time like the present!
8. Add or subtract from your list, and get busy. Keeping active helps in time of crisis.
9. Make phone calls to reassure friends in need.
10. Pray. Ask the Lord for the ability to stay calm and at peace and know that He is Lord.

Felice Gerwitz has lectured extensively on the topic of science fairs. She is an award winning author and her book “An Insider’s Guide to Successful Science Fair Projects” was chosen book of the month by God’s World Publishing.