Homeschool Encouragement for the New (or Weary) Mom

Whether you're new to homeschooling or about to graduate another child, there will come a time this year when you need to hear words of encouragement.  Here are some of our favorite encouraging books...just for you!

	The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie If you think you should only read aloud to your children until they can read on their own, then this book will convince you otherwise! Sarah does a great job of laying out the benefits of reading aloud as a family even as your children grow into middle and high school. Perfect for: Charlotte Mason, Unit Studies, Unschooling, and anyone who loves snuggle time!
	Homeschooling 101 by Erica Arndt Homeschooling 101 is a great book if you are just embarking on your homeschooling journey or if you need a little pick-me-up. Erica walks you through steps like choosing a curriculum, planning lessons, organizing your day, and staying on schedule.  Perfect for:  New homeschoolers and those looking to make some changes
	How to Get Your Child off the Refrigerator and on to Learning by Carol Barnier Your child doesn’t have to have ADHD in order for you to benefit from this book. Carol started researching ways to help her son, who does have ADHD, but I don’t know a parent who doesn’t have a child at some point is just plain fidgety. This book gives great tips on getting them focused on learning at different stages.  She's also an entertaining convention speaker! Perfect for:  Moms who are ready to pull their hair out...
	The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by Debra Bell At over 500 pages, this is a huge resource! Debra not only gives tons of resource suggestions like curriculum suggestions, homeschool supplies, and parent-tested ideas and solutions, but she also provides guidance on making homeschooling more enjoyable and effective for everyone involved. Perfect for:  New homeschoolers and those transitioning (such as to high school)
	Know and Tell by Karen Glass I didn’t realize how narration builds into so many skills later in life until I read Know & Tell. Better late than never! Karen does a great job in this book of talking about what narration is, why it’s so important in your child’s education, and also how to help your child improve their narration. Perfect for: Unschooling, Unit Studies, Classical, and pretty much anyone who talks with their kids
	12 Homeschool Myths Debunked by Kent Larson If you have a family member who is skeptical of your decision to homeschool your children or if you are just starting out and have some doubts about whether you can do it, this is a great book to pick up. Kent was a skeptical homeschool spouse himself, but when he started researching homeschooling statistics about academic success and socialization….he turned into a huge proponent of homeschooling! Perfect for:  Those with 'well-meaning' friends and family
	How Children Learn by John Holt John Holt explains that “learning is as natural as breathing” for young children. In this book, he explains how children learn best and how we, as parents can encourage this learning. This is a great read for parents if you are feeling the pressure to have school look like a classroom. Perfect for:  New homeschooling parents and anyone who is interested in multiple intelligences
	How We Teach by Jimmie Lanley A bunch of homeschool moms share what homeschool in their house really looks like. It is more like a reference book on homeschooling methods than a “cover to cover” read. You will see what Charlotte Mason looks like or maybe classical education in the high school years. Does unschooling interest you? Unschooling moms describe their days, too. The book is divided by age groups, so you can skip to see whatever interests you most.  Perfect for:  New homeschoolers or those needing a change
	Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt Providing your children with good books is a fantastic way to encourage a love of reading in them from an early age. Gladys discusses how to give your child a broad world view and to spark their imaginations with books. The book starts by discussing what is a good book and how to choose one, then the book lists are broken down by age group, making it very easy to find what you are looking for. Perfect for:  Moms who want to incorporate more reading books into their school day
	The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart If you want your child to have an “exciting, even enchanting experience” in homeschooling, then you should read this book. Julie gives inspiration and advice from her experience homeschooling her five children (now all grown). This book will inspire you to model life long learning for your children. Perfect for:  Parents of younger homeschoolers
	Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie Could you use a little more peace in your homeschool? Teaching from Rest is a great read for the type-A mom who needs a reminder that she is not in charge, God is. Sarah’s book is such a great reminder about what is important and how to ‘teach from a position of rest’ that we all need in our hectic homeschool lives.  Perfect for:  All moms at least once a year
	Free Range Learning by Laura Grace Weldon This book is a must read for every parent and teacher. If you are considering taking a more relaxed approach to your homeschool of if you feel like it needs to be very structured and look like a regular classroom, please read this book. Laura does a fantastic job of making the case for a slower-paced, more relaxed learning environment for children.  Perfect for:  Unschoolers and those who want to step off the gas for a bit
	10 Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child by Anthony Esolen Just the title makes me feel like I need to read this. Ugh, isn’t this one of the biggest worries a mother has…am I doing what’s best for my child in the long run? Esolen  gives suggestions on how to encourage imagination in your child, too. Don’t worry, he builds you up after he tears you down! Perfect for: Any parent who wants reassurance that they're doing the right thing
	The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise Susan Wise Bauer and her daughter do an amazing job of laying out the concept of a classical education in The Well-Trained Mind. This was one of the first homeschooling books I read and it took away a lot of the “I don’t know what to teach” anxiety. Perfect for:  Classical and new homeschoolers
	Relaxed Homeschooling by Christine Owens Relaxed Homeschooling is a “step-by-step guide that will teach you how to inspire learning at home”. I mean, what homeschool mom doesn’t want that?! The table of contents includes candy floss, the hidden secret of books, how to pick an awesome book, to watch or not to watch, and what toys are worth it. Perfect for: New homeschoolers and those with young children Which books have spoken to you in your time of weariness?

Hidden Gifts of Homeschooling

• Living Life Together
  • Traditional schooling usually means an early morning wake-up call, followed by a mad dash to get to school dressed and fed, a full day in a classroom, an afternoon of extracurriculars, an evening of homework, and bedtime.  Rinse and repeat.  The family becomes more like a group of people who share the same dorm!  Switching from traditional school to public school can be daunting for some parents because suddenly they are together all. of. the. time.  And it's a transition.  However, once you get through that (usually short) transition, there's nothing like it!  You are there when the concepts click.  You get to see the milestone successes.  You get to snuggle as you learn to read together.  You get to play with the manipulatives right beside them during basic math.  You are the educational light, mama!
• Getting Social
  • But what about socialization?  That's a question homeschoolers often hear.  What folks don't stop to consider is that true socialization doesn't look like a group of 100+ peers, all the same age, sitting in a tin can classroom.  That's a petri dish.  Socialization is a mix of ages, races, and cultures interacting in real time out in the real world.  I would argue that homeschoolers can be better socialized than their traditional school peers!
• Siblings as Friends
  • Having a close sibling relationship doesn't mean that there aren't squabbles...like an old married couple, any time you have people who spend that much time together, there are bound to be ticks.  Getting to spend this much time together, rather than separated by different grades in school and mounds of homework in the evening, is a beautiful benefit that your kids won't recognize until they are older.  They are working together, growing together, and helping each other develop.  On those days when you want to beat them with a broom - from the personality conflicts - remember that they are smoothing each other's edges!
• Not 8-Going-On-21
  • How often have you seen a seven year old girl who is dressed and acts as though she's going on twenty?  One beautiful aspect of homeschooling is that our children have the opportunity to really BE children.  They don't have to pretend to act grown up, or grow up too fast, in a worldly environment.  That doesn't mean that we're sheltering them, but rather that we keep things age-appropriate...allowing time for reading, exploration, free play, and boredom (one of the best gifts of childhood!) well past kindergarten. 
• Child-Led Learning
  • Unlike Common Core, and even schools who don't abide by that, homeschoolers have the opportunity to jump down bunny trails!  What do I mean by bunny trails?  When your child develops a sudden interest in space, you can study the history of space, the science of microgravity, etc etc etc...your whole school day can revolve around the topic of space, OR you can simply take a day off of school for in-depth research, following a trail of topics as the child explores his interest.  No matter the age of the child, this is a valuable asset to your homeschool!
• Parent Influences
  • Everybody's got an opinion...but as homeschooling parents, we have the option of introducing sensitive topics, often at the time we see fit, and discussing them with our children.  That's not to say that we don't discuss different worldviews, but we're able to be the first opinion they hear, to help guide them through difficult issues with our morals.
• Flexible Time
  • While there are still appointments, co-ops, and other time commitments, as homeschooling parents we have the flexibility to plan our own schedules.  The school year (9 month or year-round?), the school week (4-day or 5-day?), and the school day itself (start at 8?  start at noon?  take a 2 hour siesta?) are all places where we can tweak the schedule to suit our families' current needs.  It also allows us the opportunity to build in times of rest, which is so important for both physical and mental health!

If you're new to homeschooling, and need a bit of time to get your feet under you, come by the Homeschool House and chat with us!  You can also check out SchoolhouseTeachers, which has tons of full courses that are taught by experienced teachers.  (We wouldn't recommend it if we hadn't used it ourselves quite a bit!)

Early Spring on the Farm

Our son, Xander, loves the farm life!  I'm sure you'll see him many times over the course of our journey here at Homeschool On the Range.  If you love his work, click on the Xander tag at the bottom of this post to find more!

Hi again, this is Xander...

This video shows that I bought some more chicks!  Before that, though, we had to make a chick brooder.  We used the tractor to pull an old  hog pen out of the woods and turned it into a brooder that we can pull inside and out so they can get sun on nice days and stay warm on cold days.

In the video, the chicks are l hour old and are very small.  I also bought 2 turkeys, and built a chick pen for them.  I keep them about 90 degrees farenheit. They need lots of food and water. I got 50 meat chicks and they eat and drink a lot. That's it for now...bye.

In the winter time, before we plant the garden, we go outside and give it a boost.  My mom is throwing out all of the ashes we collected from the fireplace.  She says it puts nitrogen into the dirt.  It is very dirty work!

She tried to carry the big 55 gallon barrel back to the house, but it was too heavy, so she had to play kick the can!

This is what our garden will look like in a couple of months....maybe around May.

These are herbs in the tiny garden.                   This is our little garden....it is not ready yet. 

 

 This is the planted garden - these are beans.

Sometimes there are ghosts in the garden !!!!

Family Road Trip 101

Now that covid is on the wane - or maybe people are just tired of being at home - travel is starting to pick up again.  Maybe your family has spent the last year planning out a dream trip?  We want to set you up for your best family road trip ever!

Once upon a time, our family lived on the road.  We traveled to as many at thirty-five states each year, while hubby performed contract jobs and the boys and I explored everything this amazing country has to offer!  

We drove EVERYWHERE!  I think the only place we actually flew to was Cabo San Lucas, and that wasn't even for work...but for family vacation.  Along the way, as we drove back and forth across our nations highways and byways, we learned quite a bit about minimalistic travel and what we really needed to bring and do...especially for long travel days.

Before you hit the road...

Clean Out the Car	It may seem counterintuitive to do a deep clean BEFORE the road trip, but this will give you a clean slate and make your ride more comfortable.  Clean out doors, any trash or food, and vacuum the inside of the car.  Wash the windows, and make sure you can see well.  Headlights will emphasize anything that is obstructing your view, no matter how small!  And above all, make sure the car isn't smelly....
Research	Check the weather reports for your trip -- this may be the weekend, the ten-day, or the extended forecast for the area.  If you know what to expect, you can pack appropriately (rather than bringing a lot of unnecessary clothing).  It's also a good idea to research your route ahead of time.
Pack Early	To the newbie, it might seem odd to pack up the entire car a few days early, but seasoned travelers know this will give you a day or two to fix any minor issues...forgotten items, last-minute errands, etc...without stressing.
Pack with a Plan	Using your information, pack according to weather, but minimally.  Unless you're headed to the big city or a family event, you probably won't need dress clothes.  Your overnight bag should be toward the back of the car, and your cooler and snacks should be accessible from the seats (if possible).
Stow an Overnight Kit	Multi-day trips mean hotel stops.  If it's just a one-night stop, and not your destination, you don't want to be pulling everything out of the car for that overnight!  Back your car into the hotel spot, against the building, for a bit of added security, and leave everything in the car except for an overnight bag.  This should have a change of clothes and your toiletry kit...the rest can wait until you get where you're going!

You may also like....

Don't forget to pack these must-have items!

	Paper / Offline Maps Sure...you've got your GPS and your phone, and you might think that's enough...but it's not.  Signals can drop or (in rural areas) disappear completely.  You need a paper map, even if it's a rudimentary one, with directions.  Remember MapQuesting for directions?  At the very least, do that and write down some basics.  We like to keep a road atlas in the car...if nothing else, when the kids get bored, they explore.  Geography lesson!
	Road Snacks Fast-food take-out and gas station gourmet won't get you very far on the road (unless you were heading toward digestive distress...in which case, eat away)!  A good stash of chopped veggies, fresh fruit, and protein snacks - such as trail mix - will keep your family nourished and at their best.  Keep them handy, because you never know when road construction will pop up, leaving you with a lunch from your snack bag!
	Power Converter No one plays the license plate game anymore...they all want tablets and digital goodies.  And mom needs to get some work done on the laptop while dad drives.  It's a brave new world of family travel...one that requires more power than when we were kids.  Having a power converter that will charge multiple devices at once can be a blessing...
	Cooler By far our favorite cooler - and well worth the space it takes up in the car - is this electric one.  It plugs into your car to keep items cool, and then you can take it into the hotel and plug it in at night, too.  The money you'll save in food costs - by being able to save leftovers from takeout and from shopping at grocery stores - more than makes up for the space used!
	Roadside Emergency Kit Expect the unexpected.  Whether it's a flat tire, a loose belt, or weather disaster, you want to be prepared!  This AAA one contains a snow shovel, flash lamp, a reflective warning triangle, jumper cable, strong tow ropes, a safety hammer and seat belt cutter, adhesive tape, a rain coat, a compass and more!
	Travel Pillow Have you ever watched kids sleep on an airplane or road trip?  It's excruciating!  And as an adult, falling asleep in that position is no picnic either...takes us a bit longer to recover.  This small travel pillow will help you keep from waking up in pain with a crick on your neck...which just ruins everyone's day.
	Drinking Water I know...you don't like plastic bottles, and you want to bring your reusable cup.  That's great!  I encourage you to do so, and refill it as often as possible.  How-ev-er.  You don't know what lies down the road, or how long it might be before you get another refill.  We like these bottles, in particular, because they're squarish and easier to pack.  As an added bonus, once they're empty, they can double for a water refill....or other purposes.
	Headphones The kids want to watch a movie or play their music.  You and your spouse want to listen to an audiobook or the radio as you head down the road.  While family time (that's when we listen to an audiobook together, or just chat) is wonderful, alone time is necessary, too, on long travel days.  A good set of headphones will provide some separation and peace at this time...
	All-in-One Tool Really....if you don't already have a multi-tool in your car, now is the time to stick one in the glove compartment.  These things come in handy for all sorts of sticky situations! We like this one, but if you're heading to a really rural location, this one might be a better option....you never know what might crop up.
	Spare Tire and Tools Each car has its own set of spare tire and tool kit, so you'll need to find the one that works with your car.  If you've never changed a tire before, too, it might be a good idea to practice ahead of time...just in case!  And, it's always a good idea to pack Fix-a-Flat in your emergency kit. You can find Spare Tire Kits here. Want to teach your children how to change a tire and other life skills?  Check out Skill Trek.

Using SchoolhouseTeachers with BlueTooth - Teaching Family Style!

SchoolhouseTeachers has a vast array of classes that covers just about every subject and teaches to every modality.  In the past, we've talked about how to convert text-based assignments into Google Classroom for your students, but what about image or video-based courses?

You can teach family-style easily by using bluetooth!  With multiple ages, you can still teach science, geography, history, foreign language, and electives as a family, leaving math and language arts (which require building blocks to be done in a certain order) for individual work.

If needed, you can print the questions and worksheets to accompany videos, and give each student their own slim notebook.  Then, connect your computer to the television using bluetooth so that it projects the image and audio onto the larger screen.  This gives everyone a better view of the video, image, or demonstration.

See also: How to Use Google Classroom with Schoolhouse Teachers

Connection Options

Smart TV

Not nearly as expensive as a few years ago, the Smart TV is now an affordable option for many families.  It allows you to stream from a variety of websites, including streaming services, but also lets you access the internet browser.  You can log into your SchoolhouseTeachers account, access bookmarked classes, and then stream from there.  Also, if you'd rather, you can simply mirror your computer or tablet on the smart tv.

We started with the Smart TV because it's one of the best options, especially if you're already in the market for a new tv.  It allows you to either stream or cast; you can make a YouTube playlist and access it right there on the screen; and you can browse the internet right from the same device.  There is a lot of flexibility in use here, and the prices have come down considerably in the past few years.

Amazon Fire Stick

The Fire Stick allows you to plug into an HDMI port on your television, and then access a menu that lets you connect to your streaming channels.  This is not a good option for streaming directly from SchoolhouseTeachers, as it doesn't work that well with visiting websites, but it is good for streaming video from YouTube, Amazon Prime, or other educational video channels.

HDMI cable

If you don't have the ability to bluetooth, you can still connect via an HDMI cable, by connecting one end of the cable to your PC and one end to your TV.  This allows the TV to display as a computer monitor. It’s pretty fail safe since equipment is hard-wired, but since it's hard-wired in, you’ll need to have your computer right next to the TV.

You can also use bluetooth to stream audiobooks for the entire family when car-schooling!

Classic Wireless Speaker

This JAM speaker is tiny, so it won't be the focal point of your living room, plus it produces a great-quality sound.  You will need to be within 30 feet of the speaker, but that should be more than enough for most homes.  This is a good option for audio-only material.

How to Use Audible:

You can easily buy audiobooks through Audible on your Amazon account (no, you don't have to sign up for the subscription). When you buy an audiobook, it will appear in your 'library.' To listen, you just need to download the FREE Audible app to your chosen device. Tap to download the book, so that you can take it anywhere, even offline.

Finding Audible books:

Though not as easy as finding FREE Kindle Books, it is possible to find Audible deals, particularly if you are interested in classic literature.  You can try a subscription for thirty days, absolutely free, and get two free titles to keep (even if you cancel your subscription).  Some of my kids' favorites include The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and the Rick Riordan series.

Connecting your computer to a television is not that complicated, but it can be intimidating to the new user.  No matter what device you choose, it should include instructions and tutorials to walk you through the setup process.  And if it doesn't, you can almost always find a tutorial on YouTube.  😏 You've got this, mama!!

High School Chemistry - Apologia vs. Berean Builders

Choosing a high school chemistry course was one of the most important decisions we made for our juniors.  One of them knew he wanted to go into a scientific field....and we knew that we (the parents) were not chemistry-minded!  The other one just wanted to get through the required course.  After talking to parents, poking through curriculum at conventions, and trying out a few, we finally settled on these two.  We're usually all about saving money....so why would we spend money on two different curricula?

About the Courses

Apologia - Exploring Creation with ChemistryThis college-prep course is designed to give your student an excellent foundation. The accompanying high-quality spiral-bound notebook is essential for successful independent study. A daily schedule is included in the student workbook to keep students on track. Additionally, lab report pages enable students to document their lab work in a manner that prepares them for college labs.
Includes:Textbook & Solutions ManualStudent NotebookInstructional DVD (optional)Audiobook (optional)
Berean Builders - Discovering Design with ChemistryThis independent-study, college-prep course covers fundamental aspects of chemistry. Weaving together concepts and their mathematical applications, the course teaches students how to think as a chemist so they can analyze the major changes that occur in matter.  The accompanying student workbook helps students document their studies.
Includes:TextbookStudent WorkbookDigital Labs (optional)Audiobook (optional)

Comparing the Courses

• Berean Builders has comprehension questions built right into the text, so that the student can easily reference the region of the chapter if they have difficulty.  These answers can be found at the end of each chapter.
• Apologia has two full pages of comprehension questions at the end of each chapter, along with the answers (not on the same page).  This makes it more difficult to find the answer if there is a struggle.

• Berean Builders has a student notebook with comprehension questions.  This is a new addition to the course, and we have been using a separate notebook for taking notes, doing lab reports, and answering questions.
• Apologia has a student notebook with a course schedule, comprehension questions, two sets of practice problems, note-taking pages, and lab pages for every experiment from the text.

• Berean Builders is considerably more visual when it comes to illustrating concepts.  If you have a visual learner, this is a huge factor to consider.
• Apologia has a lot of text and more text description of concepts, but is not nearly as visual.

• Berean Builders has recorded instruction overview and labs that are available to stream with vimeo.
• Apologia has a DVD of instruction that covers exactly what is in the text and the experiments.

• Berean Builders has the tests built into the test book (you can make a copy of them for your student), along with review solutions and test solutions.
• Apologia  has a separate test booklet for students, with practice problem and test solutions in the answer key.

• Berean Builders is done at a slightly slower pace, and the concepts are broken down more.  It is still rigorous and college-prep, but could be a better fit for the student that needs more explanation or struggles with math.
• Apologia is very fast-paced and math-based, plus it includes more stoichiometry.

• Both courses should be completed once the student has completed Algebra I.
• Both require an additional lab kit to perform experiments.
• Both have extra 'helps' on their respective publisher websites.

Peek Inside & Conclusion

Apologia

Berean Builders

Either of these chemistry courses will prepare your student to upper level studies, but which one works best is going to depend on your child's learning style and strengths.  If you have a visual learner or one that needs more assistance, Berean Builders is probably a better fit.  If you have one that loves math and learns through text, Apologia is probably a better fit.  We have one child that falls into each category, and for this particular course - though it is highly unusual for us! - we sprung for different course materials for this reason.

**We didn't receive any compensation for this post.  It just took us forever to find a good fit and we're hoping to help other families do it in a fraction of the time!**

Enroll your student in the teacher-led co-op class, using Berean Builders Chemistry, through Sparks Academy!  (There is also a self-paced option.)

This one year course will introduce students to the concepts of chemistry. This is a high school chemistry course designed for students who have completed Algebra I. This independent-study, college-preparatory course covers fundamental aspects of chemistry such as the classification of matter, atomic structure, spectroscopy, chemical bonding, molecular geometry, physical change, chemical change, stoichiometry, solutions, ideal gases, acid/base chemistry, reduction/oxidation reactions, thermochemistry, thermodynamics, kinetics, and chemical equilibrium. Weaving together concepts and their mathematical applications, the course teaches students how to think as a chemist so they can analyze the major changes that occur in matter.

Classes will include teacher-led instruction, facilitated discussions, demonstrated labs, and an overview of the coming week’s lessons.  Students will also have the opportunity to bounce ideas off each other, discuss the class material, and ask questions.  Additional activities may be suggested to help reinforce the learning, but are not required.  Course lessons are pre-recorded, with weekly, facilitated interaction occurring through a private discussion feed.  Students will be able to digitally show off lab results as well.

Sparks Academy does provide an official grade for students.  This covers feedback on discussions, the lab report, and online unit quizzes. You may enroll up to two kids from the same household in same class at same time.  The second student is deeply discounted through the Second Student option.

You can learn more about how the course will work, and other available courses, at Sparks Academy.

REGISTER FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR HERE!

The History Behind Valentine's Day Traditions

Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. Who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? 

Who is St. Valentine?

The history of Valentine’s Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred – none of whom were associated with roses OR chocolate.

Most scholars believe that the St. Valentine of the holiday was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. During this time, around 270 A.D., emperor Claudius ll prohibited marriages for young men, claiming that bachelors made better soldiers. Valentine continued to secretly perform marriage ceremonies but was eventually apprehended by the Romans and ordered by Claudius to be put to death. But his courageous blessing of the bonds of love may have earned him a notable place in history.

Another legend has it that Valentine, imprisoned by Claudius; fell in love with the daughter of his jailer who visited him during confinement. Before he was executed, he allegedly sent her a letter signed “from your Valentine” an expression that is still used today. We could say this marked the very first Valentine’s Day.

Possibly the most plausible story surrounding St. Valentine and his day is one not focused on Eros(passionate love) but on agape (Christian love): he was martyred for refusing to renounce his religion. Subsequently, his love for his god may have gone down in history.

Our final possibility for the origins our our holiday: It could be that we celebrate Valentines Day on the 14th because this is the day that St. Valentine died. However, some believe that the celebration of Valentines Day was an attempt by the Church to civilize the celebration of the pagan Lupercalia festival – held on the 15th of February. Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine’s Day around 498 A.D. The Lupercalia festival was deemed un-Christian and outlawed.

Valentine’s Greetings

The oldest known valentine gift still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. The greeting, written in 1415, is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England. According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.) 

By the seventeenth century, handmade cards were oversized and elaborate, while store-bought ones were smaller and costly. In 1797, a British publisher issued ‘The Young Man’s Valentine Writer’, which contained scores of suggested sentimental verses for the young lover unable to compose his own.

Printers had already begun producing a limited number of cards with verses and sketches, called “mechanical valentines,” and a reduction in postal rates in the next century ushered in the less personal but easier practice of mailing valentines. That, in turn, made it possible for the first time to exchange cards anonymously, which is taken as the reason for the sudden appearance of racy verse in an era otherwise prudishly Victorian.

The burgeoning number of obscene valentines caused several countries to ban the practice of exchanging cards. In Chicago, for instance, late in the nineteenth century, the post office rejected some twenty-five thousand cards on the ground that they were not fit to be carried through the U.S. mail.

The first American publisher of valentines was printer and artist Esther Howland. Her elaborate lace cards of the 1870s cost from five to ten dollars, with some selling for as much as thirty-five dollars. Since that time, the valentine card business has flourished. With the exception of Christmas, Americans exchange more cards on Valentine’s Day than at any other time of the year. Just thinking about it brings memories of red construction paper, and little boxes of heart candies that say ‘Be Mine’!

And Who is this Cupid?

Another valentine icon you may be wondering about is Cupid (from Latin cupido, “desire”). In Roman mythology Cupid is the son of Venus, goddess of love. His counterpart in Greek mythology is Eros, god of love. Cupid is often said to be a mischievous boy who goes around wounding both gods and humans with his arrows, causing them to fall in love. The Romans believed white roses grew where the tears of Venus fell, as she mourned the loss of her beloved Adonis. Her son Cupid, while being stung by a bee, shot arrows in the rose garden; the sting of the arrows became thorns. Venus pricked her foot on a thorn, and the droplets of blood dyed the roses red.

Sending Roses on Valentine’s Day

Why should you send roses to your loved one this Valentine’s Holiday? The rose is the symbol of love, of magic, of hope, and of passion….perfect to let your loved one know how you feel about him/her! The rose represents ultimate beauty and perfection. It is the messenger of Romance!

A dozen red roses remains the classic Valentine’s Day favorite (ok, it’s a toss up between roses and chocolate). However, many women report that they adore roses in other colors just as much. There are hundreds of colors to choose from. The choices are endless and it’s easier than ever to select a rose that is as unique as your sweetheart.

Read

• Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Valentine's Day
• A Year With You

Watch

• My Smurfy Valentine
• Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown

Make / Do

• Whip up some homemade chocolates!
• Learn how chocolate is made in this roadschool adventure
• Study math with Chocolate Economics
• Visit the Valentine Corner for more hands-on fun!
• SchoolhouseTeachers has a collection of activities, worksheets, videos, and more for nearly every holiday -- major and minor ones -- in their Holiday Corner!
• Pick up the complete History Behind Our Holidays collection for year-round fun!

Pick up the entire History Behind Our Holidays unit study bundle!

Includes eight American holidays. Each unit has introductory text, which will give the student the holiday’s history and customs.

•  Introduction
•  Valentine’s Day
•  St. Patrick’s Day
•  Easter
•  Mother’s Day
•  Father’s Day
•  Halloween
•  Thanksgiving
•  Christmas

In addition to text, there are featured videos, which augment the background information and help make the topic more accessible for more visual students. You will also find a short list of reading books and fun hands-on activities!

Product Samples:   Valentine's Day & Christmas Traditions