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Election Consequences

Tomorrow is Election Day, and as is the case with every election, this one will have consequences for our state and our nation. This particular one may have more consequences than others in the past, as the choice of leadership at the national level could have grave consequences.

However, as Christians we should be aware that we serve a mighty God who is in control and I am reminded of the Apostle Paul's exhortation that we have not been given a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and a sound mind.

One of my favorite commentators posted an article that I thought was most appropriate for Christians as we face this election, and I encourage you to read it, 50,000 Feet Looking Down (located in the Feature section of this e-Newsletter).

Read the rest of Tim's blog.

Now you can receive Tim Lambert's blog, Right In Texas, via RSS feed or email.

Recreational Reading Earns Free Six Flag Tickets

Six Flags has a Home School Read to Succeed program

It is a free educational program sponsored by Six Flags theme parks. The program encourages students in grades K through 6 to engage in recreational reading. Students who complete six hours of recreational, non-school-related reading are eligible to earn a free admission ticket to a participating Six Flags theme park.

Only students and teachers in home schools that are registered are eligible to participate. All schools must be within a 250-mile radius of one of the participating Six Flags theme parks in order to be eligible for this program.

Registration is easy! Visit sixflags.com/read. You can start by clicking on "register for a new account" and follow the easy step-by-step process.

Sign up now, but all reading must be logged by March 1, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. Central Standard.

Around the Web

Thanksgiving for Kids

Reading Bear

26 Free Scarf Knitting Patterns

Meet a THSC Volunteer

Brian Shepherd has been writing for THSC since November 2010. He teaches science in his home school, and he and his wife have been home schooling since pre-pre-K.

Brian has worked as a Certified Financial Planner for Edward Jones Investments in Garland since 1995.

Brian volunteered to write for THSC on a whim, not thinking that he had a particularly "special" talent for writing at the time. However, several friends had been encouraging and commending him on his writing skills and creativity over the years, and he eventually came to think that maybe God could use him in some small way in the area of writing. As a result, he has been working to make himself useful in that area. He finished a non-fiction work this year on the topic of the age of the earth and hopes to have it published sometime next year.

Brian lives with his wife, Phyllis, and two children, Adrian (14), and Hannah (13), in Garland.

Check out Volunteer Opportunities at THSC.

What Will Your Children Believe?

Every song, movie, book, and TV show is full of ideas about God, people, beauty, and right and wrong. Not all of these are true. Help children discern the truth through God's Word with the What We Believe Biblical Worldview Series.

"A fantastic and much-needed resource. I'm looking forward to taking my own kids through these valuable lessons." - Sean McDowell

Click here for information, including 90+ peer reviews.

Sponsored

50,000 Feet Looking Down

~ Erick Erickson

I believe Mitt Romney will win on election day. I'm somewhat stunned to be writing that as I never really thought he could win until about the moment Clint Eastwood trotted out on stage at the Republican National Convention with that empty chair.

Even now I waver by the hour, but if forced to predict, I think Romney wins Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Colorado, Wisconsin, and even Ohio. I put the Electoral College at 285 to 253. Ask me tomorrow, though, and I could decide otherwise. I cast my absentee ballot last week and voted for Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.

I write the rest of this now because if Romney loses, it will be viewed as "Erickson is trying to talk them off the ledge" and if Romney wins it will be viewed as "Erickson is rubbing salt in wounds." Neither is true, which is why this must come before the election and not after.

I get the enormity of what is at stake in the election. I get it. I really do. I get the passion. I get the excitement. But, and maybe I'm just too worn out, I don't get the anger, worry, and dread on either side.

Keep reading.

The Franklin Effect

~ Gregg Harris THSC Review © November 2012

In his autobiography, Benjamin Franklin recounts the following snapshot of his father's strategic hospitality.

"At his table [my father] liked to have, as often as he could, some sensible friend or neighbor to converse with, and always took care to start some ingenious or useful topic for discourse, which might tend to improve the minds of his children. By this means he turned our attention to what was good, just, and prudent in the conduct of life; and little or no notice was ever taken of what related to the victuals on the table."

Many have tried to sound the depths of Ben Franklin's soul to find some key that will explain how such an illustrious example of academic excellence could have been produced in the backwaters of our early American colonies.

Read the rest of the article.

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THSC Resources

REVIEW Magazine
Check out the electronic version of the THSC REVIEW Magazine.
Sign up for our free print edition of the THSC REVIEW.

This magazine has encouraging articles written by those who have been there/done that to help you in this great adventure of home schooling!

Handbook for Texas
Home Schoolers

This handbook features articles about the history of home schooling in Texas, how to deal with the school district, articles on getting started, graduation, and beyond, along with many other helpful articles and information.

Order your copy today.

A Merry Heart Doeth Good

Do you have a funny, home-school related anecdote you'd like to share? We'd love to publish it
(limit 750 characters)! Please include your name and where you live, then mail it to THSC.

Teaching Good Citizenship

The election news, information, and debate during the election season often brings up questions like "How do I teach my children what it means to be a good citizen?" and "What is the political process?"

THSC Association created an 80-page unit study for home schoolers that fulfills the state's requirement for teaching a course in "good citizenship."

This study was created to be used with elementary- through high school-age students and will give students a more complete understanding of government and the Texas legislature through activities, projects, and reading assignments.

Order your copy today while the election is still fresh in your mind.

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The articles in this newsletter reflect the freedom of home educators in Texas to choose from a wide variety of home school philosophies and teaching methods. Opinions and attitudes expressed in articles do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of the Texas Home School Coalition. THSC does not endorse or advocate any one method or philosophy. The board encourages each home educator to seek God's will in determining what is best for him, his school, and his students.

Publication of advertisements does not signify endorsement of items or services offered.