American Sign Language is gaining acceptance as a foreign language and a cultural experience. With over 160,000 deaf and hard-of-hearing people in Arizona, and a few million across the United States, the population group represents five to seven percent of the population. Some homeschool students take sign language in junior high or high school to fulfill the foreign language requirement for college admissions, instead of French or German or…

American Sign Language is gaining acceptance as a foreign language and a cultural experience. With over 160,000 deaf and hard-of-hearing people in Arizona, and a few million across the United States, the population group represents five to seven percent of the population. Some homeschool students take sign language in junior high or high school to fulfill the foreign language requirement for college admissions, instead of French or German or…

In reference to the article on homeschool coursework needed for graduation and college entrance, a reader asked this question:

If I went to public school in California and now am homeschooling in Arizona, how do I compare the high school credits to know if I am on track for…

Beginning with the class of 2012, or those who began high school in the fall of 2008, Arizona's minimum high school graduation requirements have been increased.  For the class of 2013 (those who began 9th grade in the fall of 2009), the requirements are going up even more.

Current credits needed for graduation up to the end of 2011:

• English: 4 credits
• Mathematics: 2 credits
• Science: 2 credits
• Social Studies/History: 2.5…

The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Science in the garden

Eric Carle’s book The Very Hungry Caterpillar and our summer gardens can be a learning opportunity that our young learners will never forget.  The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a beautifully illustrated book in which Mr. Carle has the reader follow the life cycle of a very hungry caterpillar, who is…

After  many years of stay-at-home duty, I've acquired all sorts of skills I never previously thought about nor imagined I'd ever possess. I've put together a swing set for the kids, learned to be a pretty darned cook, I know a lot more about household cleaners than I ever thought possible, etc...

But today I'm going to focus on 5 things I've tried to master, but really have made no progress at in nearly 7 years or in some cases, many more years than…

If I read the comments section from the last blog, apparently everyone wants me to learn how to fold a fitted sheet (and also apparently skipped over the part where I said, "Do I care that I can't do this? No.").  But you guys win and doubly so.

Well technically I'm still not going to do it, but what I am going to do is show you how I fold it and then have a mysterious celebrity guest show you how to do it the proper way.  And today, for my lovely readers, we actually…

So the Griswalds / ButterBottom's / Monroe's are heading for another big vacation.  11 hours in the car, up the coast to Rhode Island, should be fun, please pray for no major or minor injuries this trip.

Although vacations are great, everyone knows they are stressful - I'm still waiting to write my 5 part series on our trip to Disney last December.  But the day or two leading up to vacation can be even more stressful. Not sure how it shakes out in other houses, but as…

Review and Giveaway: Totally Together by Stephanie O'Dea Ends 8/6 US/CAN

A practical, how-to guide in a weekly calendar format to make home organization and time management a snap.…

Posted by John Garcia on July 30, 2011.

We've all seen the P90X workout infomercials, loaded with impossibly fit folks singing the praises of the program. The before-and-after shots are crazy inspiring -- but come on. It's an ad. And one more Ding Dong isn't going to kill you, right?

 …

Visalus Sciences is helping countless individuals drop the pounds with the Body By Vi Challenge but how does it compare to Weight Watchers?

 This article will address the 5 reasons why Visalus Sciences Body By Vi is superior to Weight Watchers.

Before we continue you should know that the vi-shake is backed with medical and scientific research.  It also tastes like cake mix. Learn more and learn more about visalus at…

** Kids pick the most awesomely inopportune times to take a dump.

** Summer = an impromptu game of kick-the-can on a random Monday night.

** Goatdog is about to become a street dog.

** I wouldn't do well in that Little House on the Prairie.

** If Tuesday and Wednesday had a Facebook page, I would NOT…