Welcome to this week’s Memo Monday. I hope you will spend a few moments and look at the things going on around the blogworld.  As always if you anything you’d like to add to Memo Monday, you’re welcome to email!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

>>> The Duggar Family is Expecting #18 Have you heard of The Duggar Family of Arkansas? Check out the The Duggar Family Website.

>>> This week The 50th Homesteading Carnival was hosted at Quiverfull Family! Don’t forget to add your THC Icon to your sidebar!

>>> The 125th COH will be held this week at Po Moyemu–In My Opinion! Please make sure to stop by and check it out for great homeschooling ideas and experiences from other homeschoolers.

>>> Homeschool Blog Awards is getting ready to open up the May & June 2008 Swap! This is something fun for older homeschoolers and moms to do. You have a swap sister who you send a $5 gift package to and they’ll do the same. A great way to get to know new people online and makes some friends!

>>> Stop over at Homespun Life to view the Share Your Faith Carnival. Please join us by sending in the following information to me through the Blog Carnival Site at our very own Share Your Faith Carnival page.

>>> Watch out for the contest Amanda @ The Daily Planet is having, where you could win a Senior ‘08 tshirt from the Homeschool Boutique.

>>> Sisterlisa was honored to be able to have an over-the-phone interview with Kirk Cameron’s Leading Lady, Erin Bethea, from Fireproof today! Go on over to Apples of Gold, and read about the conversation she had with her this morning.

CONTESTS & GIVEAWAYS:

HOST: {Me and Mine}

CONTEST LINK: Win $200 and more this August!

PRIZE: 1st prize: $100 in cash through Paypal

2nd prize: $40 in cash through Paypal

3rd prize: $30 in cash through Paypal

4th prize: $20 in cash through Paypal

5th prize: $10 in cash through Paypal

HOW TO ENTER: see contest link (there is 10 hoops to enter, but you don’t have to do all 10)

DEADLINE TO ENTER: .August 31, 2008

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HOST: nofullstop.com

CONTEST LINK: Contest Kickoff: It’s Raining $1600. Are You Participating?

Open for all to participate.

PRIZE: Prizes worth $1600.

HOW TO ENTER: Subscribe to email feeds plus other ways too.

DEADLINE TO ENTER: .30th May.

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HOST: Lipstick, Powder ‘n Paint

CONTEST LINK: Biotherm Giveaway

PRIZE: RIDES REPAIR - wrinkle repair Day cream for Dry Skin

RIDES REPAIR SERUM - Ultra-smoothing serum

RIDES REPAIR EYE - Eye contour smoothing

HOW TO ENTER: fill out the contest form

DEADLINE TO ENTER: .May 31st, 2008
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HOST: Heavenly Hold

CONTEST LINK: Win a Baby Carrier worth up to $100

Open to US residents only

PRIZE: Baby Carrier worth up to $100

HOW TO ENTER: Enter a maximum of twice between May 1-31.

Email amber (at) heavenlyhold (dot) com with CONTEST in the subject line. Include your top three carrier choices from Heavenly Hold. For a second entry, sign up for our newsletter, or blog about the contest and email Amber again with the blog link.

DEADLINE TO ENTER: .May 31st, 2008

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HOST: Boston Mamas

CONTEST LINK: Enter Win!

US and Canada entrants welcome.

PRIZE: a Diplomat Convertible Car Seat in the style of the winner’s choice. This car seat retails at $259.99

HOW TO ENTER: Fill in the form

DEADLINE TO ENTER: .midnight, EST June 6, 2008.
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HOST: My Wooden Spoon

CONTEST LINK: New Giveaway! KitchenAid Stand Mixer

PRIZE: KitchenAid Stand Mixer

HOW TO ENTER: see contest link for entry details

DEADLINE TO ENTER: .JUNE 17TH, 2008 AT ABOUT 10:00PM CST

******************************************DEADLINE TO ENTER: .December 20, 2008HOST: Cackle Hatchery

CONTEST LINK: Cackle Hatchery Poultry Photo- Contest

PRIZE: $100.00 cash prize for (Best of Breed) photo. (Photo that best shows the pure breed)

$100.00 cash prize for (Funniest Chicken) photo. (funny, cute, originality or artistic).

$100.00 cash prize for (Poultry show prize or ribbon) photo, (photo of bird with ribbon or prize in the photo and may or may not include persons). Also name of show, date and what awarded won on the entry form.

HOW TO ENTER: see link

Photos judged by Cackle Hatchery Staff. Prize money awarded January 15^th of 2009.

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HOST: Adamwhiles.com

CONTEST LINK: Contest: Coolest PC - Win $25 Tiger Direct Gift Card!

PRIZE: $25 Tiger Direct Gift Card 0r $25 to your paypal email

HOW TO ENTER: submit photo per requirements

DEADLINE TO ENTER: .June 30th, 2008

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HOST: Classy Mommy

CONTEST LINK: Giveaways

PRIZE: NATIONAL TREASURE 2: BOOK OF SECRETS on DVD - 3 winners

HOW TO ENTER: sign up for the newsletter by entering your email in the box

DEADLINE TO ENTER: .May 20th, 2008

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HOST: Classy Mommy

CONTEST LINK: Giveaways

PRIZE: NATIONAL TREASURE 2: BOOK OF SECRETS on DVD - 3 winners

HOW TO ENTER: sign up for the newsletter by entering your email in the box

DEADLINE TO ENTER: .May 20th, 2008

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

“When life doesn’t seem like a bed of roses remember who wore the thorns.”
— Unknown

NOAH WEBSTER DICTIONARY 1828

BOOK, n. [Like the Latin liber, book signifies primarily bark and beech, the tree being probably named from its bark.]

A general name of every literary composition which is printed; but appropriately, a printed composition bound; a volume. The name is given also to any number of written sheets when bound or sewed together, and to a volume of blank paper, intended for any species of writing, as for memorandums, for accounts, or receipts.

1. A particular part of a literary composition; a division of a subject in the same volume.

2. A volume or collection of sheets in which accounts are kept; a register of debts and credits, receipts and expenditures, &c.In books, in kind remembrance; in favor.

It’s May, and it’s the time of year when the weather is finally getting warmer to stay, many of us are planting our gardens, and our children are finishing up another official year of homeschool. Time for us to go through our old papers and plans and put time and energy into planning for the next year. For some of us that means unit studies to plan through the summer or vacations, anything to learn! The carnivals will also continue through the summer, so take a look at what other homeschool families will be doing as the year winds down.

Leave me a comment and tell me your homeschool plans for summer. If you’ve posted about it already, leave your link in the comments so we can visit it!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Carnivals

I am a bit partial to this first carnival. First of all, because Amanda and Jocelyn created it and run it, and second of all, because Amanda is such a sweetie! She is hosting The Homesteading Carnival #49: My Mama Edition. You have to see it. I am blessed to have such wonderful children who are also my friends.

Henry Cate, of WhyHomeschool, has announced the Winners of the Carnival of Homeschooling images contest. Frankly, I am partial to this one on the left, because Jocelyn designed it. Henry posted the codes for the winning icons, so go grab one if you like!

Other carnivals of interest are:

The next edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling will be at Mom is Teaching.

Last week’s Carnival of Homeschooling is at Melissa’s Idea Garden.

The current issue, from April 28, of the Charlotte Mason Carnival is up at The Family Zoo. The next issue, May 13, will be at The Heart of Harmony.

The 3rd edition of the Canadian Canadian Home Educators Blog Carnival is up.

The Carnival of Education, the current issue, from May 07 is up at Bellringers. The next issue, on May 14, will be up at Instructify.

The Carnival of Mathematics, May 02 issue, is up at Teaching College Math Technology Blog.

The Carnival of Learning in The Great Outdoors, May 05 edition, is up at 10,000 Birds.

The Active Learning Carnival, Apr 07, is up at Active Learning Blog Carnival. The next issue will be Jun 14, at Active Learning Blog Carnival.

Thank you for joining me for Memo Monday! Have a super week!!

There are almost 6000 Yahoo Groups under the Homeschooling category. You will find groups for all different formats, ages and sects of homeschooling. Some require membership to view posts and participate, and some are public forums. Once you sign up for membership, you can read through posts, post questions and meet other members who homeschool the same method or age of children you do.

I do not belong to each of these groups so I cannot personally endorse them. These are examples of some that you may be interested in. You can search for a group in your own interests by typing search words into the box on this page.

You will also find a host of blog carnivals listed below.

Some that I found in HOMESCHOOLING are:

bookroom

1182 Members, Archives: Membership required

The Bookroom is for homeschooling families using “living books,” the very best children’s books both in-print and out-of-print. We typically keep textbooks and “junk” reading to a minimum, encouraging our children to choose books that engage their minds, inspire their imaginations, and thrill their hearts! Book reviews, notices of helpful web sites, reviews of curriculum guides, and any other discussion directly related to a living books education are welcome! All homeschooling families are …(more)

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Homeschool_SpecialNeedsKidz

1526 Members, Archives: Membership required

THERE IS HOPE! This is a support group for those who live mainly in the USA who are homeschooling a “special needs” child, ages preschool to 19. Whether your child has ADHD, a learning disability (LD), dyslexia, emotional or neurological disorder, bipolar,tourette syndrome,deafness,autism,anxiety disorder, oppositonal defiance disorder, blindness,any type of emotional or physical handicap,etc, then this group is for you. We all have our own individual needs and problems, yet we all do share a …(more)

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homeschoolingboys

2927 Members, Archives: Public

BOYS… whether you have one, two, three or more — this is the spot to discuss their special needs. You know, like LEGOS! Click HERE for our website! (www.homeschoolingBOYS.com) To join our group you should be PERSONALLY homeschooling 1 or more boys (parent, grandparent or legal guardian), seriously considering home education, or intending to begin soon. Parents of pre-school children who intend to KEEP homeschooling are, of course, welcome. And you need to be able to identify what phrases …(more)

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BasicallyBeechick

1617 Members, Archives: Membership required

Homeschooling…Ruth Beechick Style! Ruth Beechick Style Homeschooling is an Eclectic approach which focuses on natural learning through Real Books and Real Life. BasicallyBeechick is a Christian homeschool support group to discuss the methods and ideas of Dr. Ruth Beechick. Other authors whose ideas mesh well with Beechick’s will be discussed as well. These authors include (but are not limited to) Susan C. Anthony, Rebecca Rupp, Jean Soyke, E.D. Hirsch, Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer, Harvey …(more)

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FreeHomeschoolTools

1527 Members, Archives: Membership required

This list was designed with Freecycle rules in mind. We are not associated with Freecycle-we abide by the same type of rules, which means if you can’t do it there, you can’t do it here! All offers of any kind of Homeschooling materials should be FREE with the exception of *actual* postage/handling. Most items on this list can be sent Media Mail. If you have a need for any kind of homeschooling materials, do not hesitate to ask. Members are welcome to go to the “Links” section and add any FREE …(more)

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SecularCM

264 Members, Archives: Membership required

Have you been looking for a group of like-minded home schooling parents using Charlotte Mason’s home schooling philosophy in a secular manner? Welcome. This list is is for those of us who would like to discuss and share ideas for using Charlotte Mason’s ideas secularly, whether or not our home schooling is faith-based. Topics might include adapting the information found on the Ambleside Online website, finding “living books” on particular subjects, or including some aspects of the Charlotte …(more)

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AmblesideOnline

3902 Members, Archives: Membership required

Ambleside Online is a support group for families using the Ambleside Online Curriculum, which is designed to be as close as possible to the curriculum that Charlotte Mason used in her own PNEU schools. This list is exclusively for homeschool parents to discuss the implementing of this curriculum. You may not join this list to sell your product or advertise your business. THIS IS NOT A GENERAL CM LIST, nor a general homeschool list . Posts must be restricted to focus on AO’s specialized purpose. …(more)

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CMcurricula

1067 Members, Archives: Membership required

WELCOME! This list is for the buying and selling of resources (biographies, poetry and art books, teacher resources, etc.) that are in conformity with the Charlotte Mason “twaddle-free” philosophy. All transactions are between the buyers and sellers personally–the owner assumes no responsiblity and/or liability for any sale transactions. Please limit posts to 3 per day. **** PLEASE: Note posting of links to ebay auctions, or other groups and websites (even in signature lines) is prohibited! …(more)

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RobinsonUsers4Christ

2291 Members, Archives: Membership required

This group is for Bible and Trinity-believing, God-fearing, “Jesus-Plus-Nothing-Else” Christian families using or investigating the Robinson Curriculum. All homeschooling families using or investigating the Robinson Curriculum are welcome to join , with notice that the group is first and foremost a Christian group. Single parents and large families are encouraged to investigate this curriculum. We share ideas and provide support. We discuss day-to-day issues faced by homeschooling families, and …(more)

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College4CathHS

210 Members, Archives: Membership required

We Catholic homeschooling parents need to help our children navigate the college selection/application/preparation process. We’ll discuss colleges, Catholic and secular, and keep in mind all kinds of majors. We’ll share what we know of a college’s environment in terms of morals (e.g., dorm life), spirituality (e.g., Masses, confessions, devotions), classroom environment (i.e., tolerance for truth vs. politically correct discussions). We’ll also discuss how to prepare our homeschoolers for …(more)

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unschoolingcheap

559 Members, Archives: Membership required

Unschooling ? Homeschooling in a more relaxed way? Want to discuss ways to do it and not have to hock the family farm? If your looking for a list that will help you find cheap and free homeschool resources, but arnt interested in more worksheets, quiz makers,or textbook swaps, then this is the list for you!!! Everyone is welcome, so please be respectful of others. We all do things in ways that suit our beliefs and fit in with out lives, so remember whats right for someone else might not be right …(more)

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hstlessons

928 Members, Archives: Membership required

This group is designed to be a place to store NON-Copywrited lesson plans for homeschooling use. These are files that can only be opened using Homeschool Tracker PLUS. This program can be purchased at www.homeschooltracker.com PLEASE remember to not save any copywrited information as this will get deleted. KT has given us some guidelines on what is acceptable. “Mostly - you want to avoid plans like Sonlight where the resources are readily available from the library, but the way in which they go …(more)

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AbekaHomeschool

44 Members, Archives: Membership required

Welcome to Abeka Homeschool! Abeka Homeschool is an email support list for those Christian homeschoolers who are using either part or all of Abeka curriculum in order to home educate their blessings. This list has been created for support, fellowship, encouragement, prayer and general advise in using the curriculum. Our email list participates in a Topic of the Week, Member of the Week (to pray for) and a bi-yearly Book Discussion! You are also welcome to post Abeka ONLY items for sale or trade, …(more)

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RodandStaffHomeschool

30 Members, Archives: Membership required

Welcome to Rod and Staff Homeschool! Rod and Staff Homeschool is a Christian email support list for those homeschoolers who are using either part or all of Rod and Staff Curriculum in their homeschool. This list has been created for support, fellowship, encouragement, prayer and general advise in using the curriculum. Our email list participates in a Topic of the Week, Member of the Week and a bi-yearly Book Discussion! You are also welcome to post Rod and Staff ONLY items for sale or trade, at …(more)

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Teachers_Editions

422 Members, Archives: Membership required

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU FOUND US!! This is a discussion group for those of us who BUY AND SELL textbooks and *gasp* Teacher’s Editions. Come here to discuss your ideas without the PINKS (eBay spies) listening in. Regular, polite netiquette will be observed. ****IMPORTANT**** In order to have your membership approved, YOU MUST INCLUDE YOUR EBAY ID OR WEBSITE URL IN THE COMMENTS SECTION WHEN YOU APPLY TO JOIN THE GROUP. Your user ID is NOT used for any purpose other than to verify that you buy and …(more)

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HomefiresJournal

2166 Members, Archives: Membership required

DO YOU WANT HELP HOMESCHOOLING? Our friendly, all-inclusive, non-sectarian community provides free curriculum ideas, activities, resources, humor, support and thought-provoking discussion in a forum that welcomes and respects you no matter what method you choose. We especially recognize the importance of providing encouragement to families who homeschool independently (without government assistance) - beginners and veterans alike! This List is owned by veteran homeschool mom, writer, and …(more)

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moms_homeschool_friends

223 Members, Archives: Membership required

Salutations, homeschooling moms… Grab a cup of coffee and jump in the conversation! We’re here to support your homeschooling endeavors and to converse about anything (homeschooling or not) that comes up. WARNING: While homeschooling is a topic we are always happy to discuss, often conversations here stray from that discussion. This list is, for many of our members, one of the few “adult socialization” opportunities that they have in their busy days of educating children. If you are seeking a …(more)

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If you would like to check out some interesting homeschool blogs, here are some carnival links for this month:

Carnival of Homeschooling

April 15 - Nerd Family
April 22 - Principled Discovery
April 29 - HomeSchoolBuzz.com

The Charlotte Mason Carnival

March 31  One Child Policy Homeschool
April 15   In the Sparrow’s Nest

Carnival of Education

April 9    The Elementary Educator
April 16  The CEA Blog

The Homesteading Carnival

April 14   Diary Of One
April 21   Seeking Rest in the Ancient Paths
April 28   The HomeSpun Life

Carnival of Family Life

April 7     My Two Boys
April 14   On the Horizon

A Teacher’s Life Blog Carnival

April 1   Lesson Plans And Other Resources For Teachers And Homeschooling!
May 1    Lesson Plans And Other Resources For Teachers And Homeschooling!

Learning in the Great Outdoors

April 1   The Heart of Harmony
May 5   10,000 Birds

Carnival of Notebooking

April 22  Notebook Learning

Thank you for joining me for Memo Monday! Have a super week!!