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        The Teaching Home E-Mail Newsletter #69
        Information, Inspiration, and Encouragement

        March 23, 2004  /  Cindy Short and Sue Welch, editors

Table of Contents
Answers to Our "Question of the Week"
     How has your family participated in political action?
Presidential Election Internet-Based Unit Study - Part 1
     Spiritual / General Research / Reading, Literature, and Poetry
     History: Our Government and Past Presidents
     Art and Music / Field Trips and Videos
Recommended Resources
     Foundation for American Christian Education
     Laurelwood Publications: New and Used Curriculum
     Structured Writing: New Writing Method
     The Times and the Scriptures: Integrated Curriculum
     Little Cottage Home School Books: Big Savings Online
Sunnyside Up: Humorous Anecdote

Greetings,

     Whew!  We finally finished it -- our Presidential Election
Internet-Based Unit Study!  It got so long that we are sending it
to you in two separate newsletters this week.
     Why Internet-based?  Because there is such a wealth of
searchable information at the click of your mouse.  Of course we
recommend that you use a filtering service and be in the room
with your children whenever they are on the Internet.
     You might want to use this unit study as a supplement or as
enrichment activities along with your own Christian curriculum or
with another unit study such as Konos "Electing America's
Leaders" (for only $15; see accompanying e-mail or
http://www.konos.com/highschool/leaders.htm).
     You could also use this unit study as a stand-alone unit for
1-3 weeks during your regular school year, during your spring or
summer break, as an end-of-the-week special study on Fridays,
or for co-op activities.
     Or you could assign this unit study as independent study
for your older students, or have them conduct it on their own for
their younger siblings.
     You might want to arrange to do some projects with a group --
your family or other home-school students.
     Whatever you do, pick and choose the activities that fit
your own family's interests and ages, and enjoy learning together!
     When you've completed your study, we would like you to send
us (by e-mail) a photo of a project or a report written by someone
in your family to be posted in a new unit study area on our
website.
     We would like to send you a back issue of The Teaching Home
magazine of your choice (see http://theteachinghomen.goemerchant7.com)
when you submit a note of encouragement, teaching tip, family photo
and brief story, or humorous anecdote that we use in this newsletter.
We want to hear from you!

Cordially,
Pat, Sue, Heather, Holly, and Brian Welch
The Teaching Home is a 23-year-old, home-school family business.

Foundation for American Christian Education
Your Premier Source for Christian
Educational and Homeschool Resources
     We publish the Principle Approach, a complete educational
curriculum which  instills Christian Character and develops
Biblical worldview through reasoning and critical thinking.
     The Principle Approach uses the Noah Plan curriculum to
place God's Word at the heart of your teaching and learning!
800-352-3223  http:/www.face.net

Answers to Our "Question of the Week"
How has your family participated in political action?

     During the elections of 2000, my 10-year-old daughter and I
assisted our local Republicans by phoning registered Republicans
to remind them to vote.  My husband and I were local delegates to
our state caucuses.  I plan to attend my caucus tonight.
Speaking out! -- Kim Cooper

     Political action starts by discussing issues with our family
and voting. We have volunteered at campaign headquarters, put up
signs, and stuffed envelopes. During the presidential election we
called those who hadn't voted yet to remind them. When Bush won,
the children felt they had really helped him. -- Julie Beth Lamb

     Our family's journey into grassroots political action began
when my husband and I started Camp American.  Since the summer
of 2000 our family has worked tirelessly to introduce hundreds of
teens from around the country to our nation's Christian heritage
and the proper role and principles of good government. -- Noelle
Dielman

     When our state (Michigan) government was reviewing the
current law regarding non-public schools, I attended various
meetings at the Capitol, representing my support group.  At a
meeting with the State House Subcommittee on Education, I was
able to express my support for the new subsection being
considered, which gave us more legal freedom.
     We met now-President Bush's train when he was campaigning
along with many other area Republicans, and he stopped and gave
a short speech. Our whole family enjoyed seeing the future
president and vice president in person.
     Currently, our 16-year-old daughter is volunteering for our
local Republican mayor's campaign to run for the House
Representative seat being vacated this year. -- Michael Miller

     We pray for our government each Wednesday. -- Janet Stabler

Gospel Tracts for Easter and To Answer
Questions Raised by "The Passion of Christ"
     Neither of these tracts show scenes from the movie, but
answer the question, "Why did Jesus Christ suffer and die?"
http://www.fbfitract.org
http://www.kids4truth.com/book_store.htm

Call to Prayer on March 24 as the U.S. Supreme Court
Considers "under God" in the Pledge
     Wednesday, March 24, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral
arguments in the Pledge of Allegiance case. Essentially, this is
the final chapter in this national debate to keep the phrase
"under God" in the Pledge.
     Given recent actions of the Supreme Court, it is quite
possible that the Court will use this case to strip away all
public acknowledgment of God.
     Please pray and encourage your friends to pray for the
Supreme Court.
     Thousands are expected at prayer vigils to be held during
oral argument at the US Supreme Court Tuesday evening and
Wednesday morning, sponsored by Faith and Action and the
Christian Defense Coalition.
     For the latest updates see
http://www.family.org/cforum/fnif/news/a0029761.cfm
http://www.faithandaction.org
http://www.reclaimamerica.org
http://mercurynews.notlong.com

   Visit The Teaching Home's Website
   * Buy Back Issues of The Teaching Home Magazine
      Search for specific topics in 51 printed magazine back issues
      for sale online.  http://theteachinghomen.goemerchant7.com/
   * Find Quality Home-School Curriculum and Supplies
      Link to 182 home-school suppliers; view or order their products.
      http://www.teachinghome.com/resources/index.cfm
   * Connect with Your State Home-School Organization
      Link to their website.  Plan to attend your state convention!
      http://www.teachinghome.com/states/index.cfm

Presidential Election Internet-Based Unit Study

Part 1: This Issue
     Spiritual / General Research / Reading, Literature, and Poetry
     History: Our Government and Past Presidents
     Art and Music / Field Trips and Videos

Part 2: Next Issue
     Government and The Presidential Election Process
     Written and Oral Reports / Writing Activities
     Debate and Speech / Geography
     Vocabulary, Spelling, Penmanship, and Typing
     Additional Lesson Plans / Join the Political Process and Voting
     Conclusion: Election-Night Party

     This unit study is the conclusion of a 4-part series on government
and features the office of the president, including past presidents,
and the presidential election process, including the Electoral Collage.

__ Keep a Notebook or Scrapbook.
* Include items and projects from your unit study.
* Take photos of items that are too large to put in your book.
* Include memorabilia such as bumper stickers and buttons.
* Keep newspaper clippings from turning yellow and disintegrating
   by copying on acid-free paper or treat with a special recipe.
   Read more at http://GenealogyForumClip.notlong.com
 

Spiritual

__ Bible Study
     Find out what God says about government by using your
concordance and/or the verses and principles in newsletters #66
and #68.  (Psalm 22:28, Romans 13:1-7, I Peter 2:13-14, Daniel
4:17, Proverbs 21:1, Daniel 2:21, I Timothy 2:1-4, 2 Chronicles
7:14, Matthew 22:17- 21, Acts 5:29.
* The biblical basis for human government.
   http://www.teachinghome.com/newsletters/vol_2-no_66.cfm
* The spiritual aspect of political action and our Christian
   heritage.
   http://www.teachinghome.com/newsletters/vol_2-no_67.cfm

__ Memory Verse(s)
     Select a passage to memorize from those you study above.

__ Prayer for Our Leaders, Elections, and Issues
     Make a special prayer calendar to use until the election or
add these items to your weekly prayer list (see newsletter #68).
* Pray that godly men will be elected in all levels of government.
* Pray for President Bush that he will:
   Seek, know, and follow the Lord's will in leading our nation.
   Be protected, and be strong physically and spiritually.
* Pray for members of the Bush administration and his family.
* Pray that Christians would register and vote according to the
   Lord's will.
* Pray that Christians will be effective in witnessing to the
   unsaved.

__ Find More Information.
     Detailed and current prayer requests, our Christian heritage,
and materials to promote prayer for our nation in your church.
   http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org
   http://www.ifa-usapray.org

__ Read and discuss biblical articles on government and politics.
   http://www.christiananswers.net/menu-ag1.html

     Laurelwood Publications
     New and Used Homeschool Curriculum!
          We sell, rent, (and yes) buy books.  We'll answer
     your questions too!  Limited Special:  Out-of-print
     Troll biographies, Indian legends and famous Americans.
     Call for titles!  540-554-2670, M-F, 1-5.
     Laurelwoodbooks@earthlink.net
     http://www.laurelwoodbooks.com

General Research

__ Research the office of the president.

__ Read all about the president. http://www.whitehouse.gov
* Seven Roles of Our President. http://7Roles.notlong.com

__ Learn the Duties and Qualifications of the President.
* The Constitution of the United States, Article II.
   http://www.congresslink.org/artcl2.html
* Amendments 20, 22, and 25 to the U.S. Constitution.
   http://Amendments.notlong.com

__ Read "Does character matter in political leaders?"
   http://www.christiananswers.net/q-wall/wal-g008.html
   "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
   But when a wicked man rules, the people groan"
   (Proverbs 29:2).

__ Learn about the Executive Departments and Agencies.
   http://ExecutiveBranch.notlong.com

__ Study presidential powers and responsibilities.
   http://Powers.notlong.com
 

Reading, Literature, and Poetry
     Since this unit study is primarily Internet based, check
your public library for historically correct fiction and good
literature related to the topic.
* Read a good book aloud, and discuss it together as a family.
* Assign book reports appropriate for each age-level.

__ Study "O Captain, My Captain."
     This poem was written by Walt Whitman about the assassination
of President Lincoln.
* Memorize the poem.
* Recite or read the poem with appropriate expression.
* Study the meaning of the poem.  See poem and link to "poem
   explanation" at http://Captain.notlong.com.

__ Write a poem.
     Use as a subject a president, why people should vote, the
character qualities of a good and godly leader, or another topic
studied.

     New Writing Method.
     Color-Coded Formulas. Outstanding Results.
          "Structured Writing: Writing Formulas for Private
     Schools" is a color-coded, step-by-step, proven curriculum
     for teaching academic writing to grades 6-12.  Structured
     Writing was developed by a homeschool mom while teaching
     homeschool students.  http://www.structuredwriting.com

History: Our Government and Past Presidents

__ Study the Forms of Government.
   http://www.teachinghome.com/newsletters/vol_2-no_66.cfm

__ Study the United States Government.
     (Republic, the Constitution, three branches of government, checks
and balances, distribution of power, how a bill becomes a law, and
our heritage of freedom.)
   http://www.teachinghome.com/newsletters/vol_2-no_67.cfm

__ Memorize the names of the 43 presidents.
     Also study their major contributions, and learn to recognize their
portraits.

__ Research the presidents of the United States.
     The link below includes background information, election results,
cabinet members, notable events, and points of interest for each
of the presidents. You will find links to biographies, homes, monuments,
documents, audio and video files, and other sites.
http://www.ipl.org/div/potus/.

__ See a biographical sketch and portrait of each president.
   http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents
   http://www.whitehouse.gov/kids/presidents/index.html

__ See speeches and documents of all the presidents.
   http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/P/

__ Find lots of interesting information about our presidents.
   http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0777337.html

__ Read the Christian testimony of Washington and Lincoln.
   http://www.christiananswers.net/q-wall/wal-g011.html
   http://www.crministries.org/TTT/010219.htm

__ Listen to the voices of 22 American presidents.
   http://PresidentsVoices.notlong.com

__ Study evaluations of past presidents.
     This survey of presidential leadership evaluates each
president on persuasion, crisis leadership, economic management,
moral authority, international relations, administrative skills,
relations with Congress, vision, etc.
* Do you agree with the survey?  Why or why not?
* How would each be evaluated as to Christian principles?
   http://PresidentsSurvey.notlong.com

__ Make a presidential timeline. (1789 to the present)
* Alternate red, white, and blue strips of paper; each the length
   of a President's term (i.e., 1/2 inch per year = 9 ft. total).
* Label your timeline with dates and presidents' names.
* Add a small portrait (printed off the Internet or drawn) of
   each president. (See link above.)
* Add major events in U.S. history.
   http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0902416.html

__ Find examples of the ways we honor former presidents.
     (For example, picture on money, birthdays, restoring homes,
naming things after them).
* See their monuments. http://Monuments.notlong.com

__ See a brief history of presidential campaigns.
   http://www.newseum.org/everyfouryears/index.htm

"The Times
and the Scriptures"
New Curriculum Integrates
American History, Government,
Current Events and Bible
     * Weekly Current Events e-mail update.
     * Cutting-edge cultural and political news.
     * Scripture-related discussion questions.
     * Vocabulary development, writing topics.
     * Unique curriculum for teens.
     * Request Free current lesson packet at:
     http://www.timesandscriptures.com

Art and Music

__ Draw or paint a portrait gallery of our past presidents
or some of the ones that you admire most.
* See portraits at http://www.ipl.org/div/potus

__ Make a drawing.
* Use pencil, charcoal, colored pencils, pastels, paints, or chalk.
* Draw or paint the White House, Air Force One, or a political
   party's symbol.

__ Design and/or create campaign materials for a real or
ideal candidate.
* Include banners, slogans, brochure, poster, lawn sign, bumper
   sticker, ads for radio, television, and newspapers.
* Include reasons to vote for him.

__ Make a chart or poster visualizing each of the following:
* Three branches of government.
   http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/government/branches.html
* Distribution of power. (See issue #67.)
* How a bill becomes law.
   http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/lawmaking/example.html

__ Draw the presidential seal.
   http://americanhistory.si.edu/presidency/5a2a.html
   http://www.snopes.com/history/american/turnhead.htm

__ Design a monument for the president of your choice.
* Draw it on paper and/or make one out of any medium.
* Write a dedication speech telling why you chose the president
   and what character quality or action  you want to honor.

__ Color portraits of the presidents.
* Use crayons or colored pencils.  See a page for each at
   http://coloring.notlong.com.
* See many coloring techniques with crayons, markers, colored
   pencils, and paints at
   http://www.crayola.com/educators/techniques/index.cfm.

__ Study political cartoons.
* Collect political cartoons.  Write a couple of sentences under
   each explaining the point of the cartoon, why it was
   effectively presented, and if you think it is valid.
* Try your hand at drawing your own political cartoon.
* How To Draw an Editorial Cartoon.
   http://EditorialCartoon.notlong.com
* How to Draw Caricatures.
   http://www.learn-to-draw.com/caricature

__ Write new words to a familiar song (such as Yankee
Doodle) that talk about the election process or that can be used
as a campaign song or a song to encourage voting.

__ Listen to, learn to play, or sing "Hail to the Chief."
   http://www.lowrey.com/Free_Stuff/Hail.pdf
   http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/symbols/hail_words.html

     Buy the Finest Home-School Books Online --
     at Big Savings!
          Little Cottage Home School Books carries a large
     selection including favorite Christian publishers.
     * 10-20% off on New Books -- Everyday!
     * Save up to 50% on Recycled Books.
     * Your One-Stop Shopping Center on the Internet.
     http://www.littlecottagehomeschoolbooks.com

Field Trips and Videos

__ Observe government at work. (See issue #66.)

__ Visit Washington, D.C., or the White House
in person or online.
   http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/life
* Tours and activities for younger and older children.
   http://www.whitehouse.gov/kids/whlife/index.html
* White House and Washington, D.C. information and activities.
   http://WhiteHouseWashingtonDC.notlong.com
* Tour of Washington, D.C.
   http://birdseye.octo.dc.gov

__ Check your local library or video store for videos on the
White House (by A&E) or travel videos on Washington, D.C.

__ Watch and discuss a video concerning America's history
or politics.
* From Wallbuilders: Spiritual Heritage of the United States
   Capitol, America's Godly Heritage, Spirit of the American
   Revolution, Keys to Good Government, Education and the
   Founding Fathers, Foundations of American Government, Role
   of Pastors and Christians in Civil Government.
   http://Wallbuilders.notlong.com
* A Nation Adrift. From Christopher Columbus to the present,
   showing God's sovereign hand behind the history of our nation.
   http://www.shopnetdaily.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=925
* Mr. Smith Goes to Washington starring James Stewart. 1939.
   See related lesson plan on how a bill becomes law.
   http://www.congresslink.org/lessonplans/HCSmith.htm

     Please Thank and Support Our Sponsoring Advertisers!
          These free newsletters are made possible financially
     by the fine suppliers who advertise in them.
          Please remember those that have advertised in our
     last issue (below) as well as the ones in this issue.

     Home School Legal Defense Association
          "Want your kids to help change America?"
          http://www.generationjoshua.org/dnn/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=85
     Homeschool Diploma: Graduation Supplies
          http://www.HomeschoolDiploma.com
     Pilgrim Institute: Providential History Series
          http://www.pilgriminstitute.org/elementaryhistory.html
     Foundation for American Christian Education
          http:/www.face.net
     "The Times and the Scriptures" Integrated Curriculum
          http://www.timesandscriptures.com

Sunnyside Up
Things you will only hear in a home-school household:
     "Mom! Doing the laundry every day does not count as home ec
class."
     "Does anybody know how to get a snake out from behind the
baseboard?"
     "Is this old leftovers, or someone's science experiment?"
    "If we figure out how fast that baseball was going as it went
through the window, does that count as our math for the day?"
     "No officer, the kids aren't truants, we're at the grocery
store for a field trip, really."
     Submitted by Susan Scott
     Can you add to this list?  Send us your suggestions by return
e-mail.

God Loves You.
     Because we were separated from God by sin, Jesus Christ died
in our place, then rose to life again.  If we trust Jesus Christ
as our Savior and Lord, He will give us eternal life.
     "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of
works, that no one should boast" (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
     http://www.TeachingHome.com/about/salvation.cfm

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