Survey: Your Input on Catholic College Information

I need your input. Remember a few days ago I mentioned Catholic College Month? Well, the response has been terrific. I've been notified by a large number of good Catholic colleges and universities over the past few days who would like to participate.

Here's how you can help: I need to know what topics and what colleges you want to hear about. Please take a couple of minutes to complete this survey: Catholic College Webinars. There are only four questions to complete, but I can't tell you how much that would help everyone involved in this ever growing project. Please tell all your friends!

Thank you!

PSN5: The Rosary

When I received this little book in the mail I thought to myself, "Sigh. Yet another book on the rosary." I know that sounds terrible, but in my defense I do have a whole shelf full of rosary books. However, it was written by fellow blogger Karen Edmisten, and being a fan I gave it a read. And I'm glad I did. It was fresh and I loved it.

Not only did I love it, but my teen daughter loved it. During a long drive one afternoon, just the two of us with her driving, she asked me to read it aloud to her. As side note I have to interject here that I love homeschooling. I don't know many, if any, non-homeschooled students who would ask their mom to please, please read a book on the rosary to them.

Anyway, back to my mini review, Karen not only taught my daughter and me about the history and the beauty of the rosary but she touched our emotion. I found myself at moments, when Karen talks of her fallen past, with tears welling up in my eyes. Being a recovering heathen myself, I was quite moved by Karen's discovery of the Church and the rosary after years of atheism.

So, with all that said, I've decided to recommend Karen's book on the Pope St. Nicholas V list. I think it belongs not only on your bookshelf but on the library's shelf as well. It is a short easy read yet packed full of vital information -- perfect for today's reader.

To read past library recommendations, or to join the email list, visit: Pope Saint Nicholas V.

Check to see if this title is already in your library's catalog. If it is, put a hold on it and check it out. If not, fill out a patron request form right away. This can usually be done online at your library's website.

Title: The Rosary: Keeping Company With Jesus and Mary
Author: Karen Edmisten
Publisher: Saint Anthony Messenger Press
Date Published: May 2009
ISBN-10: 0867168757
ISBN-14: 978-0867168754
Price: 8.99, softcover

Reviews:
Conversion Diary
Danielle Bean
Nancy Carpentier Brown
Links to many, many more positive reviews can be found at Karen's blog.

Relevant Interview

I have an interview later today on Relevant Radio to talk homeschooling and to take questions. They're giving me a whole hour from 2:00 to 3:00 PM Eastern. I hope you all will tune in and maybe even call in with a question or two.

If Relevant Radio isn't in your town, you can listen online.

Catholic College Month Coming Up In October

One of the things I'm working on at Homeschool Connections (and keeping me from blogging) has been Catholic College Month. We're going to dedicate the month of October to free webinars to help Catholic parents and students with that ever scary topic of college. Well, scary for me at least. But I'm sure I'll be comfortable with it by the time I get to child five or six. Or, perhaps, after I attend all these wonderful free webinars!

I'm really excited to tell you that the very first college to sign up is Franciscan University in Steubenville. As you all know, I'm a bit partial to Steuby since my oldest son is an FUS student (Studying in Austria this year).

We also have Katherine O'Brien scheduled to give a webinar on navigating the financial waters. Now, this is THE scary topic for me but after talking to Katherine I understand the process better and am relieved to know there are people out there like her to help me. If you don't know Katherine, she owns a company called Celtic College Consultants in addition to being a Catholic homeschool mom. Very cool!

We have a number of Catholic colleges lining up to participate in Catholic College Month but we don't have dates set in stone yet. Until then, here are links and information on the FUS and Katherine webinars:

How to Pay for College Without Going Broke
http://tinyurl.com/affordcollege
Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, 8:30 PM Eastern
Presented by: Katherine O'Brien of Celtic College Consultants
http://www.celticcollegeconsultants.com/


Franciscan University of Steubenville Catholic? Absolutely! Typical? Not Even Close!
http://tinyurl.com/meetfus
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, 3:00 PM Eastern
Presented by Margaret Weber and Joel Recznik of the Admissions Dept.
http://franciscan.edu/

What's the Best Preschool or Kindergarten Curriculum

"I need your help. I'm at my wits end looking for just the right curriculum for my girls!"

"How old are they?"

"3 and 5."

I can't tell you how many times I've had this discussion with new homeschoolers. The best homeschool wisdom I ever heard was from my friend Becky when she told me 15 or so years ago, "I don't do kindergarten."

Since those early years, I've grown more and more fond of the Better Late than Early philosophy. As a homeschooler, I do not strive to imitate school. Instead I strive to instill a love of learning in my children that will live well into their adult years.

With that in mind, I try to keep learning as natural as possible in those early years. My experience has been that putting a 3 or 4 year old down at a table with formal lessons backfires in the long run. Oh, they may learn to read at an early age but are you killing their natural desire to explore and learn on their own? I think so.

It's been a lot of years since I read the Moores' book on this subject but, if I recall correctly, studies show that early learning does not translate into academic success later on. They maintain that it is better to wait until 8 or even 10 to begin formal studies. It is enough that they are in a loving and supportive home.

That doesn't mean that you chuck education and watch TV all day. Instead, I think, it means creating an educational yet inviting environment in your home. In those preschool and kindergarten years we just play and explore leaving formal schooling for later. We focus on the joy of discovery.

For example, instead of formal reading lessons I might naturally introduce letter sounds when sitting on the floor building blocks with my littles. "Oh, look! An "M" that says mmm like Mommy." Or we might count/add/subtract blocks in place of a math book. Instead of a science program, walks in the woods or park and observing animal and plant life.

I read aloud a lot so that when we do get around to formal phonics lessons, they are so in love with the written word that they are excited about reading lessons so they can read their own books. Think Charlotte Mason and living books.

I try to make learning an enjoyable and natural process. For preschool that means lots of play at our house. And kids do learn a lot at play. They learn to share, follow rules, logic, small & large motor skills and more.

Does it work? There have been times over the years when I've wondered whether my pedagogical approach was too off the wall. But now that I have adult children, I doubt it far less. Look at my oldest son. I didn't begin formal science lessons with him until high school. Up until then science was real books, exploring, nature studies, etc. Yet, he scored a perfect ACT score in science. A 36 out of 36. He is definitely an example of a Better Late than Early child. He did not take off reading until he was 10. And yet again he did great on his ACT -- a 35 out of 36 in reading.

So, if you're totally stressing over just the right curriculum for your 6-year old, take a deep breath, grab a ball and head out to the park to play with her.

Prayer Request

Please pray for Kelly's son Fulton:

We received some bad news recently when our youngest son Fulton was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. The last couple months have been filled with doctor visits, home visits, etc. Plus, I've been trying to keep up with all the normal summer activities for the rest of the kids so 'being busy' is an understatement. If you can, please say a prayer (especially for the intercession of Arch. Fulton Sheen) for our son. While there is much research going on with SMA, I have more faith in a miracle than in medicine in curing him at this point.

Wouldn't it be swell to see Fulton the little boy cured and Fulton the archbishop attain sainthood? So, let's all pray together!

Prayer Update from Mary Ellen

Here is an email from Mary Ellen. For those who are not aware, Ryan had seizure disorder. This is what may have caused his death. Please continue to pray for the Barrett family as well as all the families in their local homeschool group, the rescue workers, the media, and all those touched by this beautiful boy.

Ryan was a light in our lives and now that he is forever at the feet
of Christ his light will shine even brighter for us.

I know it?s been difficult for everyone, getting information
piecemeal. Here are some details, please feel free to share them or
any part of this email.

Ryan was playing in a little stream a few yard from the campsite.
His father and the others knew where he was and he was in view.
Other kids were near him but after a bit they spread out. They were
all very excited to be in the campsite, they had only just arrived.
When they called the kids for prayers Ryan didn?t come and after a
very short time the rangers were called and then the state police
and fire marshals. They searched with dogs (my poor Ryan so
terrified of them). Dave called me at 11:30pm and then every hour
until our dear friend, who was scheduled to go up there Sat with his
four boys, drove me up at 4:30am. I arrived there at about 8:00 and
they were searching with a helicopter and infrared radar as well as
divers. He was found at about 10:30. In the five minutes between
the other kids being there and his being called Ryan had a grand mal
seizure and slipped into the stream, his body was found a few feet
away in a drain in a culvert. It is believed the seizure is what
killed him although we don?t have confirmation of that yet. When
Dave and I saw him, he looked very peaceful and that was of great
comfort to us.

Ryan received last rites at the campsite, two priests against all
odds showed up in the middle of the woods at exactly the right time
to administer the sacrament. Only Ryan could have arranged that.

It was reported that Ryan wandered off and some reports were quite
cruel in their tone. It just is not true. We did a brief interview
with Newsday to try to correct that and have since had my brother
dealing with turning away all of the news agencies. They have been
like barbarians at the gate.

In the last 48 hours we have been so blessed by all of the prayers
and love that we have received. My friend Chris has completely taken
over and has made it possible for us to not have to think. The
Knights of Columbus and Squires have also been incredible. I know
all of the people on IHM and MO have been contacting Chris and
lining up to help and we are just so grateful.

The pain that David and I are in is too unbearable to speak about. I
ask for your prayers for us and our children. Katie and Erin in
particular are old enough to understand and are completely
devastated. Every time I look at them my heart breaks all over
again. The little ones are sad and confused, not really understanding.

We are very mindful of how sad this is going to be for all off
Ryan?s friends in IHM. For many it will be there first experience
with losing a friend and Dave and I are offering up some of our
sorrow for their comfort. They have lost a dear friend but gained a
mighty intercessor.

In the coming weeks we will read all of the emails and posts and do
our best to respond to everyone, in the meantime please be assured
of our gratitude and love for you all.

Love,
Mary Ellen

Addendum: Here is the Newsday article. Please read it -- Ryan evangelizes the world through his life's desire through a reporter's pen. Beautiful.

URGENT Prayer Request

Please, please pray for our dear Mary Ellen Barrett and her family. Her son Ryan is missing. Check Mary Ellen's blog for details and updates.

Addendum
From Alice:

Dear friends,

I am heartbroken to tell you that Ryan Barrett drowned.

I am so very, very sorry to give the worst possible news.

With all my love and prayers,
Alice

For those of you who do not know Mary Ellen, Ryan was 14-years old. ME often wrote about him and his autism.

Please continue to storm the heavens with prayer for this family.

Catholic Planners for the School Year

Have you ordered your 2009/2010 planners yet? August is here and so I'm breaking mine in right now. Personally, I love Michele Quigley's Catholic planners for moms, dads, and students at Family Centered Press. I order one for each family member old enough to organize their own schedule. If you're in need of a planner yet for this school year, make sure to order one right away as they're pretty popular and Michele runs out pretty quickly.

Also from Michele:
Family Centered Life (blog)
Time Management for Moms (free recorded webinar)
Mater Amabilis (free CM curriculum)

If you prefer a planner for the calendar year, Michele will have those available next month.

Tonsils and Failure to Thrive

I have now dealt with failure to thrive issues with two children and the solutions to each of them have been completely different.

Sparky, now 11, was diagnosed with celiac disease at 19 months. Once we put him on a gluten-free diet he put on weight. However, he did not get any taller. Some months later we learned that he had pituitarian dwarfism. I know it sounds awful, but it's easily treatable -- he gets a growth hormone shot each night.

Fast forward a good number of years and I now have a 7-year old who has dropped from the 50% for height to the 5% over the past four years. He doesn't have celiac and he doesn't have hormone issues. What he has is great big, gigantic tonsils. Yep, humongus tonsils can keep your kid from growing.

His tonsils are so big they cause him to snore like a big grizzly bear. Ever since he was a little baby. I'd mention it to the doctor but he never thought much about it. At least until the kid started dropping off the growth chart.

Anyway, the snoring keeps him from sleeping and if you don't get enough REM sleep then you don't grow. It can also cause learning delays which may explain why the child struggles with his phonics lessons. Also, I'm told it may solve his picky eating problem. Whoda ever thunk? Apparently, it's uncomfortable to eat with tonsils that almost touch each other. We're even told that his voice will change and he'll probably lose his baby voice.

Gosh, it almost seems that removing tonsils can solve anything and everything. I wonder if it'll solve the bickering-with-his-brothers problem. Hey, I can hope!

Free NASA Goodies for Homeschoolers

Last week Domenico Ruggiero gave an awesome webinar on his work at NASA. It was a wonderful learning experience for my family. The great news is that the webinar was recorded and you can watch it yourself at: One Small Step for Parents, One Giant Leap for Homeschool Kids: Insights from a NASA Engineer.

If you have a child with the least bit interest in aerospace, astronomy or engineering, you absolutely should not miss this one.

PLUS, Domenico arranged with NASA to give away all kinds of neat NASA goodies -- posters, decals, rulers, and more. To receive these giveaways drop Domenico an email. He'll email back a form so you can choose what you would like to receive. But don't wait! The deadline is August 19, 2009.

PSN5: In His Image

To read past library recommendations, or to join the email list, visit: Pope Saint Nicholas V.

Check to see if this title is already in your library's catalog. If it is, put a hold on it and check it out. If not, fill out a patron request form right away. This can usually be done online at your library's website.

Title: In His Image: Nurturing Creativity in the Heart of Your Home
Author: Mary Gildersleeve
Publisher: Hillside Education
Date Published: June 2009
ISBN-10: 0979846986
ISBN-14: 978-0979846984
Price: 14.99 paperback

Elizabeth Foss's Foreword

Product Description:
Nurturing creativity in our children and in ourselves is a critical need today. We all know that research has shown that art and music are good for fostering healthy brain development, but they are good for our souls, too. Through creativity, we imitate the Divine Creator and practice the skills needed to battle the despair produced by a pre-made, manufactured, cookie-cutter world. Made in the image of God, there is a creative desire placed in all of us. Nurturing this desire in our children is not only thoroughly satisfying, but an essential part of our parenting duty. By instilling in our children a love for the good, the true, and the beautiful, we can help to reshape our world for the good of all.

About the Author:
Mary C. Gildersleeve, a lifelong crafter, nurtures creativity in everyone she meets. She and her husband Rick home educate their youngest three children. A hand-knits designer, she has written two books on knitting, Glory of America Knits (Ecce Homo Press) and Great Yarns for the Close-Knit Family: Over two-dozen original hand-knit designs inspired by one dozen fantastic family read-alouds (Hillside Education). She also writes the Handcrafts in the Homeschool column for the Catholic homeschool quarterly, mater et magistra.

Where in the World is Maureen?

I got a concerned voice mail from my sister in California. She's worried about me. I haven't written in my blog forever. Am I okay? Are the kids okay? How is she supposed to keep up with my life if I'm not updating the blog everyday?

Well, I'm okay and the kids are okay. Life is just insanely busy right now. And that's not an exaggeration. There is the Homeschool Connections business, the kids' shooting sports events, 4-H Fair, summer school, and getting my oldest ready for his semester in Austria. All on top of the everyday mom duties of laundry, cooking, and reading aloud.

So, if you've been wondering where I am too, please be assured I'm still here albeit a bit frazzled. I'll do my best to get back on the blogging track but I can't make any promises.

Need Advice for a Mom Pulling Kids Out of School

Dear Readers,

I received this email today:

I've been following some leads and landed on your blog, looking for an article or two with advice for new homeschoolers. A woman pulling her children out of school with 7th and 4th grades is in need of something to read...but doesn't have time to read books on the subject. She needs something condensed.
Do you have a talk script that she could read?

Thanks for the help!
God bless,
Kathy

What advice would you offer?

PSN5: Olivia and the Little Way

To read past library recommendations, or to join the email list, visit: Pope Saint Nicholas V.

Check to see if this title is already in your library's catalog. If it is, put a hold on it and check it out. If not, fill out a patron request form right away. This can usually be done online at your library's website.

Title: Olivia and the Little Way
Author: Nancy Carabio Belanger
Illustrator: Sandra Casali LewAllen
Publisher: Harvey House
Date Published: October 2008
ISBN-10: 0923568921
ISBN-13: 978-0923568924
Price: 10.95

Reviews:
Catholic Exchange

Radio Interview

The EWTN interview will run at 7:15 AM Eastern on Monday. It's only 10 minutes so don't blink!

Vegetarian Grilling

I got a gas grill. That's big news around here. I've been without a grill for eons which is a long time when you love cooking outside. Every birthday, Mother's Day and Christmas, a new gas grill has been at the top of my wish list. My husband hesitated to make the purchase because, well, because he's a vegetarian.

Yep, the veggie guy was worried that the carnivores who also live here would take over all the meals if we got a new grill. He saw the grill as nothing more than a vessel for delivering slabs of meat to the masses.

I assured him, over and over again, that the grill can also be a vessel for delicious, yumcious vegetarian cooking. He didn't believe me but he finally got the grill for me anyway. And, being the great husband he is, he didn't go out and buy some junky grill from the local Wal-Mart, he special ordered a well made grill sure to last a lifetime. In return, I set out to prove his meat thesis wrong.

The grill was delivered 2 weeks ago and I've used it 12 out of the past 14 days. Sunday brunch even found it's way off the grill.

I had some old standby recipes but I decided to take things up a notch. I searched the internet and found loads of great veggie recipes for the grill. Rob has been more than happy to be proved wrong. Every night has been a treat for him and he couldn't be more thrilled.

Oh, it hasn't been complete vegetarian heaven here as hot dogs, hamburgers, and steaks have been grilled too but they stay on the left side of the grill and the vegetables and fish stay on the right side. (Lucky for me Rob isn't a vegan -- he eats fish which is great on the grill.)

So, if you would like to liven up your grill and add some vegetarian recipes to your cookbook here are a few to try:

• Pizza. Yep, pizza! Grilled pizza has been easily the biggest hit with the kids. Just roll out the dough nice and thin. Brush olive oil all over your preheated grill. Lay the dough on the grill for a few minutes and flip over with 2 spatulas. Then add your sauce and toppings. Close the lid to help the cheese melt.
• Sweet potatoes. This was a big hit with Rob. I peeled the sweet potatoes and then sliced them long ways in 1/4 inch slices. I marinated them in real maple syrup and a smidge of cinnamon in the fridge a few hours. Then I placed the sweet potatoes and sauce in aluminum foil with a little dab of butter on top. I wrapped up the whole thing and poked with fork so steam could escape. I put on the grill until the sweet potatoes were a little soft. Then I put them directly on the grill for just a minute or so to give them a nice crisp outside and those lovely grill marks. Totally delish!
• Portabella mushrooms. Cover in olive oil and grill. Then put them on buns and serve with the same condiments as you use on hamburgers. Rob doesn't mind the fake hamburgers, but I do. No, I'm not a vegetarian, but it seems to me that if you're not going to eat meat then you shouldn't eat fake meat either. It just doesn't seem right to me.
• Onions. These are favorites of mine. You can serve them on the grilled portebellas, fake burgers, or best of all imo real burgers (organic, free range of course). I slice them really thick and grill like burgers. There is an art to flipping them without them falling apart. If you're not adventurous enough to give it a try, that's okay. Just slice them how you like, mix them with a little olive oil and fold them up in aluminum foil.
• Pineapple. My kids look at me like I was off my rocker when they saw me bringing a pineapple out to the deck. But they soon learned I was crazy like a fox. I sprinkled cinnamon sugar all over nice thick slices and grilled away. These are Rob's second new favorite grilling dish. You gotta give this a try if you haven't already. They're good enough for dessert.
• Salmon. Rob eats fish but he finds salmon to be too heavy and too much like meat so he wasn't as excited about this dish, but it was a hit with the kids who tried it. I marinated it in soy sauce, olive oil, lime juice, white wine, garlic and pepper before grilling.
• Potatoes. This was one of our brunch dishes. I quartered the potatoes, onions, and red pepper. I tossed with fresh herbs and olive oil. I put it all in a veggie basket and grilled away. Another huge hit. Yes, you could recreate this in your oven under the broiler but that isn't nearly as fun as cooking and eating outside on the back deck on nice cool summer morning.
• Veggies and pasta. I simply sliced some zuchini, yellow squash, and sweet peppers in half, olied them, and grilled until just soft. I then sliced them and served them atop Fetticini Alfredo.
• Corn on the cob. Okay, I know. Everyone already does this. But I had never grilled corn on the cob before. I never had enough room for corn and other dishes so I always boiled the corn in the house. Now that I've grilled it, I'll never go back. I left the husks on and soaked the ears in water for an hour or so. I pulled off the access silk from the ends so they wouldn't burn. Then I just made sure to turn the ears often.

This is just a sampling of what we've been enjoying here at Chez Wittmann. I hope that even if you don't have a vegetarian husband, the next time you fire up the barbecue pit or gas grill you give veggies a special place on your grill.

Exciting Stuff at Homeschool Connections

Walter and I have been busy, busy. Walter got the brand new Homeschool Connections website up and running yesterday. It's still under construction but go check it out anyway and let me know what you think about the design. I'd love to hear your feedback. It looks a little bit like my Catholic Treasury website. Walter will have all the content loaded up within the week so you'll want to check back to see all the neat stuff Homeschool Connections has to offer, from free webinars to online classes.

Until then, I'd like to share the 2009 fall classes with you:

• Theology: Moral Theology with Monica Ashour
• Theology: Christian Anthropology with Monica Ashour
• Literature: Gawain and the Green Knight -- Chivalry, Courtesy and Chastity with Henry Russell, Ph.D.
• Literature: Christ and King Arthur -- Heroism and Holiness with Henry Russell, Ph.D.
• Literature: The Orthodox Canterbury Tales of Geoffrey Chaucer -- Trust God and Tradition with Henry Russell, Ph.D.
• Science: Blood in Sickness and In Health with Kris Corriera
• Philosophy: What Do Philosophers Do and How Do They Do It with Jean Rioux, Ph.D.
• US Constitution: Democracy, Government, and Citizenship with Ed Rivet
• Economics: Principles of Economics and Catholic Perspectives with David Harris, Ph.D.
• Literature: Tolkien & Fairy Stories
• Theology: The Mass Explained
• Theology/Literature: Catholic Spiritual Writers

These are all high school classes. We have enlisted a middle school teacher who will offer classes for us in the spring and possibly late fall.

If you'd like to get on our newsletter instead of checking the website regularly, there is a sign up box in the top right hand corner of this blog. That will keep you up to date on free webinars, courses, and money-saving coupons. Between now and September, newsletters will go be going out every Monday. However, that will lighten up greatly once the fall semester starts.

EWTN Radio and Kids at Mass

I had an interview this morning with Brian Patrick on EWTN Radio. It was live in Cincinnati and recorded for the global audience later. I don't know yet when it will run, but I'll post it here when I find out.

The interview was based on an article I wrote for Catholic Exchange: Mass Control. It's a Top-10 list of ways to keep the kids not only under control during church time but helping them to learn to love the beauty of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

I originally wrote the article a good number of years ago and CE decided to rerun it this week. It's kind of funny for me to go back and read it as my family is at such a different stage now. I no longer have wee children. My youngest is 7, so visits to the cry room are no longer a necessity. In fact, it was really good for me to reread that article because I can now see the fruits of putting those 10 tips into practice over the past 2 decades. I can honestly say that I have children who are reverent at Mass and understand the liturgy. Though, trust me, there have been times when I wondered if this day would ever come.

How to Keep Homeschool Kids from Getting Overwhelmed

I received an email from a mom looking for help in inspiring her children and would like to share it with you here. I answered her email with my own ideas for help, but I'd love for some of my blog readers to jump in with advice.

Here is the email:

My husband and I have been homeschooling for a year now. We are really starting to see all the benefits in our children. The only thing we are having a little trouble with is deciding how much time on each subject. Our son is 12 and daughter is 9. They both do really well, but I see that a lot of times they see all the work they need to get accomplished and get overwhelmed and basically get in a bad mood or frankly they just sit there. Eventually they do it, but I know there has to be an easier way. Is it better to give them a subject and say,"I don't care how long this takes just get it done by the end of the day." Or is it better to set time aside for each subject and say, "Get as much as you can done"? I would really appreciate your help and guidance. Thank you for your time.

So, what is your advice? What is your experience? Please tell us in the comments.