Gifts For Homeschooling Families

Do you need some holiday gift ideas for a homeschooling family you love? Are people close to you stumped about what you might like to have? Here is a list of suggestions which would make wonderful presents for anyone who is homeschooling.

1) Memberships

Does this family live near a great zoo? A children's museum? How about a YMCA with free family activities and classes? A year-long membership to these types of local attractions will be used and appreciated year-round.

2) Lessons

This is one of the best gifts our family has ever received. Our children were given 'gift certificates' from my parents for any lessons they would like to try. It was a wonderful adventure just seeking out the different types available: ballroom dancing, water polo, piano, guitar, rock climbing, martial arts, gymnastics, ballet and horseback riding were a few that were seriously considered. One of my children is, three years later, still participating in the original activity he chose.

3) Books

Homeschool families love all things literature. Just make sure you are considering the ages of the children when you make your purchase. Most sites online will have recommendations by age. Nonfiction is going to be preferable - you can even ask the families what they have been studying recently. They will appreciate your interest as well as your investment in and support of the lifestyle they have chosen.

4) Outings

Homeschool families LOVE a good field trip. Is there a fantastic place they would love to go? An air and space museum? A mine of some sort? An historical marker with attractions? Find a way to help them go, whether it is passes to the location itself, a place to stay while there, or a gift certificate to a nearby restaurant.

5) Magazine Subscriptions

There are mountains of wonderful publications in circulation for all age groups of children. You will want to be sure you dig a bit before you subscribe - often the most popular magazines are not the meatiest. Homeschool families are going to prefer very high-quality content, and they will thank you for it every time it arrives in their mailbox.

What is the best gift you have given or received that pertains to homeschooling?

Christmas Across the Curriculum

Looking for a way to include the Christmas season into your homeschool lesson plans? 
Perhaps a few of these simple ideas will help...

Literature and Writing
a character study of Scrooge from A Christmas Carol offers a dramatic example of change
ask the children to write a family newsletter, or articles for one

Math
devise a simple Christmas budget including gifts, decorations, and food
use sale advertisements to determine the best prices (find actual cost of individual products and compare)

History
interview older relatives, asking them about specific holiday traditions of their childhood and local areas
research Christmas traditions of the historical time period you are currently studying

Geography
explore another culture and learn how they celebrate Christmas
study time zones to find out who in the world celebrates Christmas morning first

Science
observe various pine trees or learn about the animals in the stable of first Christmas
make cinnamon and applesauce ornaments, as they dry learn about evaporation

Music
research composers of your favorite Christmas carols
watch a performance of The Nutcracker

Art
do a picture study of paintings like Christmas Homecoming by Norman Rockwell
     or Christmas at Home, by Grandma Moses
find out what is meant by "a Norman Rockwell Christmas"

Poetry
memorize and recite a poem like "The Gift" by Christina G. Rossetti

The Gift by, Christina G. Rossetti What can I give Him, Poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would give Him a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part. But what can I give Him? Give Him my heart.

These are only a few ways to incorporate Christmas.  Please feel free to include more ideas in the comments.  I look forward to reading them, and possibly using them in our homeschool days as well.

Homeschool Laws?

I live in Central New Jersey.

New Jersey has no law on the books regarding Homeschooling.  There is no call to register, no portfolio to prepare, no medical exams to prove.

When we first starting researching homeschooling, I was a little taken aback by the lack of legislation for families in NJ who homeschool.  I work best with a plan, so being given a clean slate was very scary to me.

After reading other state requirements and listening to some parents trying to get everything ready to prove what they did in school, I was pretty excited that NJ is a little more laid back.

A few months ago, a child in foster care who was being homeschooled was tragically killed, and the foster parents charged with neglect. I'm not going into the entire sad story, but this case has catapulted homeschoolers onto the NJ legislature, with new laws being proposed to protect children from being homeschooled.  The case is pitting DYFS against homeschoolers.

I'm not sure how I feel about the proposed laws. I can see the validity of having some guidelines, but at the same time, the wording in the proposed bill scares me.

Do you live in a state that is rigidly controlled? What are your thoughts?