This section on "Other Resources" provides some information about Home School Book Fairs in the local D/FW area, homeschool curricula (NOT a comprehensive list), and local homeschool friendly educational businesses.
Home
School Book Fairs
Home School Book Fairs are an excellent way to see different
types of curricula, hear speakers on many different topics,
attend workshops on areas of interest, pick up books, check
out science materials, and just be exposed to all the vast selection
we enjoy as homeschoolers! The Dallas / Fort Worth area
has a good number of local homeschool book fairs.
- www.HomeSchoolBookFair.org:
Shop for books! Attend Workshops! Meet Home Schoolers!
Be Encouraged! The Home School Book Fair was begun in
1985 by Kirk and Beverly McCord and operates under the umbrella
of Hearth & Home Ministries Inc, the McCords' ministry to
Texas home schoolers. It is held every May in Arlington
at the Arlington Convention Center.
- www.THSC.org/convention:
This is the annual THSC State Convention and Family Conference.
It is held every August and generally has been located in The
Woodlands, Texas. You get the bonus of a family conference,
a book fair, workshops, and inspiring speakers all for a very
reasonable price!
Home
School Curricula
These sites sell curricula but have also been chosen because they
have good articles and information, how to sections, encouragement,
and the like.
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Elijah Company:
Also called the Home School Market Place, this website provides
FAQ's on various curricula and homeschooling philosophies, homeschooling
resources, parenting books, and a link to Homeschool World (Practical
HS Magazine).
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Konos:
The "Grand-daddy of Unit Studies", established by
veteran homeschoolers, Jessica Hulcy and Carole Thaxton, who
live locally in the north Dallas area. We have been blessed
to have Jessica Hulcy as a PEACH speaker in the past.
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Cornerstone Curriculum:
Cornestone Curriculum was established by David and Shirley Quine,
veteran homeschoolers who live locally, to achieve three primary
goals for homeschooling their children:
- To know,
love, and serve the Lord;
- To stand against the ideas of the secular culture;
- To be able to reason from the Biblical world view.
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No Greater Joy:
Books about parenting, homeschooling, and encouragement.
- Smoothing the Way:
Smoothing
the Way is a support group dedicated to serving first-year
homeschooling mothers. Each month a topic of specific interest to the new homeschooler
is offered. Veteran homeschooling moms and guest speakers
are available to inform and encourage those who have decided to
take on the exciting, yet sometimes daunting, task of educating
their own children. If you are homeschooling children ages
two through five, "Starting the Way" seminars can encourage
you and address learning which teaching methods and materials
work best for this special age group. Learn how to use these
important years to build a love of learning.
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Well Trained Mind:
newsletter, list of resources, their books, link to Peach Hill
Press, etc.
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Whole Heart: The mission of Whole Heart Ministries is "to encourage
and equip Christian parents to build a biblical home and a godly
heritage by nurturing, disciplining and educating their children
at home." Whole Heart Ministries strives to serve Christian
parents and their children worldwide through ministries of speaking,
teaching, training, writing and publishing that focus on the
biblical and practical aspects of home nurture, home discipleship,
and home education. Our ultimate objective is to come
alongside Christian parents to help them prepare their children
to become Christian leaders in the next generation.
College Preparatory Classes (SAT / PSAT / NMSQT)
The sites listed below are resources to help homeschool high schoolers prepare for college.
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Jean Burk is the author
of College Prep Genius and has written numerous articles about the SAT
and PSAT tests, College Prep, and How to Get Free College. She has been
featured as an SAT expert on Fox 4 (Good Day Dallas), CBS(Primetime
News) and KXAS 5 (NBC Today), TXA21 and The Homeschool Channel. She
homeschooled both her children and they each received incredible
scholarships because of their PSAT and SAT scores. Some of the benefits
included full tuition, room and board, unlimited laundry and lunchroom passes, study abroad stipends, etc.
She currently travels and
speaks about the importance of college preparation at conventions, book
fairs, schools, libraries, etc. She has taught her “Master the SAT”
Prep Class all over the United States. Her company has a new book series
called VocabCafé that will help teenagers and younger children increase
their knowledge of SAT level vocabulary words through fun and wholesome
books. Her teaching DVD was released in the Summer of 2008.
Standarized Testing
Homeschoolers interesting in
having their children tested with the Iowa Test of Basic Skills,
Stanford Achievement Test, etc. can investigate the following websites
for such opportunities.
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THEO Co-op
THEO offers the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, and the
Stanford Achievement Test. Contact them directly to determine dates for
tests and fees.
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McKinney Christian Academy (MCA)
McKinney Christian Academy has opened their doors to homeschoolers
who would like to take the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT), and PSAT.
Please contact MCA directly to determine dates for testing and
fees or to obtain additional information or for a registration form.
BJU Press Testing & Evaluation Service offers reliable,
nationally recognized tests. They offer resources for the Stanford and
Iowa Tests, along with learning ability tests such as the OLSAT and
CogAt. They also have information regarding Career Direction and
Personality Profiles. BJU Press is also an excellent resource for
college preparatory materials.
Home
School Friendly Educational Stores
Did you know you can use your PEACH ID Card
to save money at local retail establishments that offer educator
discounts? We can't guarantee it, but many retail establishments will
accept your PEACH ID as proof of educator status. Check out the Plano Area Retailers for a list of retail establishments offering educator discounts.
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Mardel Book Store
Your homeschool headquarters. Mardel carries products from the following
vendors: BJU Press, Saxon Publishers, Alpha and Omega Publications,
Common Sense Press, Shurley English Instructional Materials, ISHA
Easy Grammar Systems, Apologia Educational Ministries, Common Sense
Press, Five in a Row, Handwriting without Tears, plus many more! The Mardel Store is located at:
5222 Preston Rd. | Frisco , TX 75075
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Christian Educators Resource Bookstore
The center is dedicated to support and encouraging the
home education community in North East Texas. They provide direction
for new homeschooling families, testing services, resources for special
needs, and communication between local support groups. Check their web
site for the updated calendar of events and forums on relevant and
current topics. They provide a bookstore with new and used curriculum,
classrooms for various classes, and teacher talks.
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Home Educators Resource Bookstore
Thousands of new and used
home school materials! They also buy used curriculum, materials and
books. Home Educators Resource is your one stop shop for all your home
school needs. Whether you come in to our retail store or shop our secure
online catalog, you will find everything you need to help you be the
best teacher you can be. Two locations, Lewisville and Duncanville.
Home School Financial Assistance
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The Home School Foundation
The Home School Foundation is the charitable arm of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) and is dedicated to bringing hope and tangible help to homeschoolers in need. It has a variety funds which provided nearly 1 million dollars in assistance and related expenses to homeschooling
families last year. To best serve the home school community families
must be aware about the foundation and its funds, so that those who have
been blessed are able to bless others. Click the link above for
additional information.
Avoiding Homeschool Burnout
Gail Felker, in Homeschooling Today
magazine, says homeschool burnout is a condition in which "the teaching
parent is anxious, depressed, discouraged, overwhelmed, and ready to
quit. Burnout is not uncommon. Special-needs schools, churches, and
nursing homes, for example, have a large employee turnover due to
burnout. Demanding, people-oriented professions are most at risk. For
the home-schooler, it often results in sending the children back to
public school."
If you have ever been at this point, then the following set of
articles might be helpful!! Read what Ellyn Davis, previously of "The
Elijah Company" and now of "The Home School Marketplace", has to say
about burnout and ways to avoid it and get out of it.
Homeschooling Grows Up
"Homeschooling Grows Up" is the largest research survey to date of
adults who were home educated. Over the last decade, researchers,
professionals, parents, the media, and many others have asked
repeatedly: How do homeschooled students turn out? Can a homeschool
graduate get into college or get a job? How do they fit into society?
Are they good citizens? Are they happy?
In 2003, the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) commissioned
Dr. Brian D. Ray, president of the National Home Education Research
Institute, to conduct a study to answer these questions. The results of
his research demonstrate that homeschoolers are succeeding. Go to the
HSLDA website and view this report online, download it in PDF form, or
order your free brochure from the HSLDA online bookstore!
Information
and links on the PEACH web site does not necessarily indicate endorsement
by PEACH. Information is provided to PEACH members to assist
in home schooling their children. PEACH members are expected
to verify information and investigate for themselves whether information
from these links would be appropriate for their particular family
situation.