Ideas for Using New AI Tools in Canva

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November 29, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Ideas for Using New AI Tools in Canva

252: Ideas for Using New AI Tools in Canva

Rebecca Brinkman from Rose and Bird unpacks some of the new AI tools in Canva. Rebecca was the guest on episode 210 – Taking Holiday Photos with Storytelling in Mind and 227 – Why all teens should learn Canva

All the tools available in Magic Studio and what they do

● Magic Edit (free) – Use the brush to select part of a photo and then use text to describe
what you want to regenerate to take that objects place
● Magic Design (free) – Generates images, clip art and videos (using Runway but only 5
credits available). Access in the Elements panel where it says “AI Image Generator.”
● Magic Write (available in free version but requires the use of a credit each time you use
it) – Text generation similar to ChatGPT.
● Magic Animate – applies different combinations of text and object animations to a design
or template with choices for different options.
● Magic Switch – similar to a tool Pro Canva has had for a while where you can resize from
one format – like a square Instagram post – to another size like for a Facebook post. The
resize part of it has expanded into all of the media forms and sizes they have available.
They have also added other tools inside this that will translate your text to another
language, convert your design to a doc for a summary, blog post and even song lyrics.
● Magic Morph – use this to convert text into dynamic shapes and forms.
● Magic Media – text to image and text to video generator similar to Midjourney.
● Magic Grab – makes it possible to select one element in a photo and move it to another
spot in the image or remove it altogether.
● Magic Expand – using generative AI to expand your image on one side.

Rebecca goes into detail on how to use the two free AI tools.

Where to find Rebecca online:

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Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

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Ideas for Using New AI Tools in Canva

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Treat the Symptoms in Homeopathy, Not the Disease

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November 29, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Treat the Symptoms in Homeopathy, Not the DiseaseOne of the most common questions I get is whether one should need a diagnosis to use homeopathy when they have symptoms. My advice? 

This is the beauty of homeopathy. It doesn’t just treat diseases; it treats symptoms. It follows the principle of “like cures like,” a concept discovered by Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy. This principle, beautifully explained in Luc De Schepper‘s book “Hahnemann Revisited,” suggests that a substance causing certain symptoms in healthy individuals can cure the same symptoms in the sick.

To truly understand homeopathy, one must delve into materia medica – books that list homeopathic remedies and their symptoms. I recommend becoming familiar with the keynotes of popular remedies. These keynotes provide a good understanding of each remedy’s unique characteristics.

Take Bryonia, for example. This remedy is often used when someone feels worse for motion, has swollen joints, or is dehydrated. By learning the key points and keywords of each remedy, you can grasp the uniqueness of each remedy’s message, making the overall picture clearer.

When I first started studying homeopathy, I felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information. But I urge you to keep reading and trust that it will eventually sink in.

When choosing a remedy, it’s crucial to look for the area of pain, the sensation of the pain, and any mind symptoms. For instance, patients might describe feeling stuck or unable to progress. It’s fascinating that homeopathic remedies can mirror these exact experiences.

Having a well-stocked pharmacy of homeopathic remedies is essential. Keep your remedies in a safe and dry place, preferably in glass vials, and avoid exposure to strong odors or high temperatures. With proper care, these remedies can be passed down for generations.

In conclusion, I encourage you to treat symptoms, change remedies if necessary, and have your own supply of remedies on hand. Remember, homeopathy treats symptoms, not diseases. So, focus on the symptoms and let the healing begin. 

–

The content of the Homeopathy for Mommies Radio post or page, including text, graphics, images, or information contained in text or audio, or other content, is offered on an informational basis only. No content is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice and guidance of a qualified health professional before: Changing or making any adjustment to any medication or treatment protocol you are currently using.

  • Stopping any medication or treatment protocol you are currently using.
  • Starting any new medication or treatment protocol, whether or not it was discussed on the Homeopathy For Mommies Radio show, page or post on this website.
  • Information on this site is informational and not as specifically applicable to any individual’s medical problem(s), concerns and/or needs.
  • These products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to treat or prevent disease.

In each audio remedies are recommended. We are not claiming that the product will cure any of these problems or disorders. We are merely reporting that people have used the product to aid these conditions.

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What I Think Your Preschooler Really Needs for Christmas

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November 28, 2023 by Leave a Comment

What I Think Your Preschooler Really Needs for ChristmasOn today’s show I talked about Christmas presents for young learners. Well-meaning adults often focus on the amount of presents under the tree, but this year I want to encourage them (and you) to focus on quality toys and presents instead.

  • Quality Wooden Blocks – I mention Constructive Playthings on the show and they have great products. Honestly, my favorite are Community Playthings and their website is www.communityplaythings.com Sooo worth the money!
  • Books – Good books are a must! For little ones, focus on board books with beautiful (real, when possible) pictures. Rhyming books, silly books, read –alouds are great for children, as they get a little older. Check out this link…http://time.com/100-best-childrens-books/
  • Kits – Create different kits for a great present that will keep your kids engaged. You can decorate plastic containers with lids for easy storage and cute presentation.

Exploration Kit- Nature journal (blank notebook), bird / flower books, pencils, magnifying glass, collection containers, tweezers for collecting bugs and such.

Art Kit- Check out www.discountschoolsupply.com and www.lakeshore.com for quality art products for kids. Paper (large and small sizes), blank canvas’, pencils, paint, brushes, stickers, collage materials, and glue are all great in an art kit.

Bath Kit- Shaving cream, brushes, scrubbers, soaps, squirt toys, and even a new tootbrush.

Baby Doll Kit – baby dolls, blankets, small bucket for bathing, baby wash cloths, baby soap, bottles.

Sensory Kit- slime materials (glue and liquid starch, waterbeads, play-doh ingredients, textured items)

  • Grocery Store and such  – www.ana-white.com has a great plan for a grocery store/flower shop/post office/puppet stage… If you are not a woodworker, fill a small grocery cart with a cash register, a receipt pad, and some empty food boxes. My kids loved this cash register and it can be found from a variety of retailers.

  • Tent / Space for One – Creating a cozy space for one in your home is of benefit to you and your child. Many retailers have tents that can be purchased. Also include some cozy pillows, a few books, and maybe a small container of manipulatives or even a simple memory game.
  • Playhouse – Try and find something general enough that children can pretend with people or animals. Check out this treehouse dollhouse from www.landofnod.com.

Also, we’ve been having fun playing but I want to do more read alouds. The only thing is that my youngest is just too noisy. Is that something about discipline or just age? Should I do read alouds when he’s asleep?

  1. Amanda asked, “ Do you, and if so HOW do you find time for yourself to avoid burnout? I feel like I can keep it together for a couple of weeks – getting up early to get a jump on the day, spending much needed time with the Lord, being patient and sweet with the kids (LOL!), saying yes and playing skillfully, keeping up with laundry and cleanup, cooking meals… by 3rd week I start feeling spent and the laundry starts slipping, I’m inclined to order dinner out every night and my best-laid school plans fall behind. Do you have a strategy for self-refreshment?

I loved answering all of these questions on the show. If you have questions for me, submit them via FB or instagram (The Real Kathy Lee) or message me through the website.

Find a way to #sayyes today.

 

Enjoy this podcast? Check out these podcasts on preschoolers!

Top Ten Things Your Preschooler Wants You to Know | Replay

Preschool Essentials

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The Meaning of Christmas

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
November 28, 2023 by Leave a Comment

True North Homeschool Academy Director is joined by her husband, Dr. David Nehring as they talk about the meaning and importance of Christmas!True North Homeschool Academy Director is joined by her husband, Dr. David Nehring as they talk about the meaning and importance of Christmas!

Christmas is the season of Light in the Darkness, as we celebrate the coming of Christ!

Being born into this world is a death sentence; nobody gets out alive! Which is why we are all in need of a Savior!

The Book of Joshua reminds us to be Strong and of Good Courage, but also to remember!

Join us this spring for classes that will encourage, delight and challenge k-12th grade students! Our Old Testament: Adam to Nehemiah class and New Testament Overview take students on an entire journey of Biblical Discovery!

We love coming alongside fellow homeschoolers to ensure your academic and future success at True North Homeschool Academy! Sign up for our weekly email for support, class and clubs sales and specials and encouragement on your homeschooling journey!

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Special Replay: How To Have A Saner Christmas This Year

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
November 28, 2023 by Leave a Comment

How to have a saner Christmas this year #homeschoolHey, homeschoolers!

I don’t know anyone who wants to have a crazy Christmas–the kind that leads to exhaustion, sickness, and dread of the new year. Instead, every homeschooler I know wants to have a meaningful, peaceful, and joyful Christmas. Of course, we can’t control every part of our Christmas holiday. But I believe there are things we can do to make a saner Christmas more likely. We’ll chat about that in just a minute. But first, I’d like to thank our sponsor for this episode, Kiwi Company.

Have you ever been stuck on how to bring your lessons to life?  My kids have enjoyed Kiwi’s monthly subscriptions of hands-on projects that make learning fun. Their core offering is projects that make learning about STEAM — science, technology, engineering, art, and math — accessible and they are designed to spark creativity, tinkering, and learning. Some recent favorite crates are the Slime Lab, Physics Carnival, and Paper Circuits. Kiwi Crate was founded by engineer and mom of three, Sandra Oh Lin. She created these kits out of her deep desire to raise kids with the creative confidence needed to become the next generation of problem-solvers and critical thinkers.  I couldn’t agree more with their mission and am excited to be able to offer you the chance to try them for FREE. To learn more about their projects for kids ages 2 to 16 AND to redeem this exclusive offer, visit www.kiwico.com/homeschool to get your first month free today (just pay $4.95 for shipping). These kits make amazing gifts! Join me on Facebook on December 5th at 4E/3C/2M/1P for an inside look at one of the crates that my son can’t wait to get his hands on.

Links

Read the blog post

Christmas in the White House

an online study from Techie Homeschool Mom

declutter your home in a weekend

The Organized Homeschool Life

give them away or arrange to sell them– homeschool used curriculum

Do some research of other curriculum you would like to use next year.

Reverse Charades links on HomeschoolSanity.com

White Elephant Game

[READ GOLD, FRANKINCENSE, AND MYRRH GIFT IDEAS]

Here are some resources for your devotional time.

12 ways children can give this Christmas.

Which of these tips will help you the most? Let me know in the comments.

Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor, Kiwi Crate!

 

We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, Kiwi Crate!

KiwiCo has monthly subscriptions of hands-on projects that make learning fun! Their core offering is projects that make learning about STEAM — science, technology, engineering, art, and math — accessible and are designed to spark creativity, tinkering, and learning. Some recent favorite crates are the Slime Lab, Physics Carnival, and Paper Circuits.

Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network is excited to be able to offer you the chance to try them for FREE. To learn more about their projects for kids ages 2 to 16 AND to redeem this exclusive offer, click here to get your first month free today (just pay $4.95 for shipping)

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College-Prep Writing for Homeschoolers, Interview with Cheryl Carter

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November 28, 2023 by Leave a Comment

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: College-Prep Writing for Homeschoolers, Interview with Cheryl Carter.

College Prep Writing for Homeschoolers, Interview with Cheryl Carter

College-Prep Writing for Homeschoolers, Interview with Cheryl Carter

If you have a homeschooler who is headed for college, the topic of college-prep writing for homeschoolers is valuable. We are joined today by Cherly Carter is the founder of Collegiate Learning (recently rebranded as The Capable Scholar). Her homeschool curriculum and online courses company is popular with all kinds of  homeschool students. However, she has plenty to say about college preparation.

We are glad to spend time with Cheryl as she shares her insights on the power of college- prep writing.  She also talks about the process on how to put it all together so that your high schooler can become a confident writer and excel in college.

Meet Cheryl Carter

Cheryl Carter is not only an experienced homeschooling mom of five but also teaches college and is the founder of Collegiate Learning/The Capable Scholar. She started the organization as a ministry to provide unique resources and courses for homeschoolers. The courses aligned nicely with her passion to help struggling writers, reluctant writers, and special needs writers succeed in their college level writing skills.

Because writing is such a crucial skill for college-bound students, Cheryl emphasizes: writing is simply thinking on paper. 

Cheryl encourages young people that everyone has the ability to think, and therefore, everyone can write. She encourages parents to validate their teens’ opinions and thoughts, fostering an environment where writing becomes an expression of their ideas.

Writing is simply thinking on paper. Cheryl Carter

Building Strong Writing Skills

Cheryl believes in empowering students to believe in themselves as writers. She teaches them two essential aspects of college-prep writing: 

  1. developing a strong thesis
  2. creating a compelling theme. 

A thesis serves as the guiding force behind an essay, while a theme focuses on what the writer wants the audience to think, know, and feel. By mastering these elements, students can craft well-structured and impactful pieces of writing.

There is a uniqueness to each student’s writing style, just as the Bible’s authors had distinct voices. Students should feel free to express their thoughts and perspectives authentically by focusing on their strengths and honing in on areas for improvement, giving them growth in their writing requirements.

And that’s just it: Writing should be a lifelong journey of growth and self-expression.

Validating students’ opinions and thoughts and helping them overcome self-doubt is an important part of writing. By providing constructive feedback and focusing on specific areas for improvement, you can help your teen build confidence and become a strong writer. (These are skills that are built at Collegiate Learning/The Capable Scholar in Cheryl’s college- prep writing course.)

Preparing For College…And Making A Difference

For homeschoolers planning to attend college, Cheryl can help you with that! She advises students to explore classes related to their intended majors and interests, even before entering college. By delving into subjects that align with their passions, they can gain a head start and demonstrate their commitment to their chosen fields. 

At Collegiate Learning/The Capable Scholar, Cheryl has been teaching classes to foster growth of college level writing skills and providing support to homeschoolers who are preparing for college admissions. She firmly believes that taking the time to prepare for admission tests and essays can make a huge difference in a student’s acceptance rate. 

She also works one-on-one with her students to develop strong academic writing skills which will be essential in any college setting. By helping her students hone their writing skills, Cheryl is ultimately helping them make an impact in the world!  

According to Cheryl, homeschooled students have the potential to be change agents in society. In her classes, she encourages students to pursue their dreams and aspirations, even if they face doubts or skepticism from others. 

And several of Cheryl’s students that she has mentored have gone on to achieve remarkable accomplishments and make a positive impact in various fields.

College-Prep Writing

Cheryl’s passion for empowering homeschooled students as writers shines through each time she discusses the importance of writing, building strong writing skills, and overcoming writing challenges. Her insights and resources provide invaluable support for homeschoolers preparing for college, such as with her homeschool curriculum company, Collegiate Learning/The Capable Scholar.

Writing is a journey of self-expression and growth. With the right guidance and belief in their abilities, homeschooled students can become confident writers, ready to tackle the challenges of college and make a difference in the world.

If you are interested in learning more about Cheryl Carter’s resources and classes, visit her website, thecapablescholar.com. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to unlock your child’s writing potential and set them on the path to success.

For more on the kinds of writing college-bound teens should do, check out this post. Also, for tips on goals and grading writing assignments, check out this episode of Homeschool Highschool Podcast.

Thank you to Richie Soares with Homeschool and Humor for writing this blog post!

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Top Ten Movies For Christmas

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November 27, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Top Ten Movies For Christmas | What movies make it to your top ten movies for Christmas? I wonder if our lists are similar. In this podcast, I will share my favorite movies and how I use them to teach deeper truths. As my children say, "Mom can make anything into school! | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #Blessingsfromheaven #LastMinutePlanningForTheHolidays #TopTenMoviesForChristmas #TopTen #MoviesForChristmas #TopTenMoviesTop Ten Movies For Christmas ~ Episode 509

What movies make it to your top ten movies for Christmas? I wonder if our lists are similar. In this podcast, I will share my favorite movies and how I use them to teach deeper truths. As my children say, “Mom can make anything into school!”

Hurry, our offer won’t last. Get our Advent Calendar, with Scripture verses and suggestions for notes from Mom and Dad all 24 days leading up to Christmas.

When you think of movies, you may have a particular type, mainly as Hallmark has monopolized the Christmas movie theme over the years. They have Christmas in July, Christmas countdown, and Christmas movies all day. But my list only contains two Hallmark movies, both oldies. There are different reasons we think of movies as favorites. One of them is while entertaining, they contain an element of truth.

You may enjoy these podcasts:

Christmas Final Touches

Last Minute Christmas Gifts

Characterization and acting are other important factors. As my children grew older, our movie list changed. When my first two children were little the staples were limited to It’s a Wonderful Life, the Charlie Brown Christmas, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and Frosty the Snowman. Only one of those movies now makes it to my top ten.

Christmas Movie Personal Preference

If you asked my kids, they’d add Home Alone to the list. As a mom, I can not watch that movie. All I could focus on was that they left their kid behind. I panicked with the mom frantically trying to get home and irritated with the uncle who wanted to stay and enjoy Paris! My favorite part was the great scene at the end when the mom and son are reunited, and then everyone comes home. Also, Die Hard is not a Christmas movie for all teens and young adults, contrary to making it on many top ten lists!

So, what makes it to my top ten list?

  1. It must have a heartfelt message.
  2. The spirit of Christmas, or the true meaning of Christmas (which, as Christians, we know is Jesus Christ) permeates the film.
  3. Family is essential, if not a central theme.
  4. Giving of self for others.
  5. Entertaining

As I share my top ten movies for Christmas, let me first share ones that did not make the list but are family favorites:

A Boyfriend for Christmas. We enjoy it for entertainment’s sake, but I am not a big fan of Santa Claus as “real” in any form…I know, don’t hate me. But we find it funny, so it is on our top watch list. It also has family as a central focus and good characterization.

I’ll Be Home For Christmas — sappy but funny. The kids see the problems cheaters get into, and the consequences, while funny, are serious for this young man. As the movie progresses, he changes for the better, and the children can see the growth.

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer — yes, another Santa movie, but who doesn’t love that the misfit toys get a home? The old movies focused on helping all those less fortunate without turning it into something ugly or politically correct. This movie shows that it can be done in a way we all embrace.

 

Top Ten Movies For Christmas Countdown:

10. Miracle of 34th Street  – yes, Santa is depicted as “real”, but I love the idea of family here, and the spirit of Christmas, love, and joy (which comes from Christ permeates this film.) I spoke to my children about the parallel of believing and the importance of prayer. The blessing, something the child wished for, is translated into prayers and perseverance.

9. The Christmas Card — okay, bear with me. This was before my son joined the Army, and still, our hearts went out to the soldier who was lost, craved a family, and found his dream come true in a card a random stranger sent. This has a happily-ever-after ending, and my children still quote parts of the movie. Here the emphasis is on the importance of spending time, even for strangers, and the benefits it brings to those in service.

8. The Bells of Saint Mary’s– a black-and-white film about the true meaning of Christmas and accepting God’s will in our lives.

7. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is classic CS Lewis and has an underlying theme of good vs. evil and the importance of wisdom and faith.

6. Holiday Inn  – a true old-time classic with singing and dancing. I grew up with a family that loved these movies.

5. White Christmas is another old movie about the strength of friendship and the deeper truth of the meaning of the season, especially as Christmas songs were sung and remain classics today.

4. Christmas Carol — I’m sure most of you have this on your list. The haves and have-nots are classic, but the brokenness and loneliness of many at this time of the year are portrayed well. The important lesson of being joyful even where there does not appear to be a reason for joy is shared well.

3. The Star — this movie was one of our network sponsors when it first came out, and while a cartoon and silly in many instances, this still shows the Holy Family’s trials and the animals’ heroic efforts in saving them. Surely it is a stretch of the Bible narrative, but it is well received by children with many lessons of good vs. evil.

2. The Fourth Wise Man – you may not have heard of this movie, but it is a tear-jerker. This is a fictional account of the magi who didn’t make it with the other three, yet the Lord used him in a mighty and powerful way. It culminates at the time of the crucifixion, yet I still consider this a Christmas movie for the older kids. Watch it first before showing it to younger children, although this movie should be on everyone’s list with the stuff they watch these days. It shows the extreme sacrifice does not go unrewarded.

1. The Nativity is my all-time favorite. So many scenes here bring to light the reality of what the Holy Family must have endured. You see the selflessness of Joseph, the trials of Mary, and the steadfast love of family. My favorite scene is an encounter with a poor shepherd on the way to Nazareth.

Ready to fire up the popcorn? One thing we did recently, thank you, son-in-law, Bill, for telling me about it. We took our extensive DVD collection and ripped them onto a Plex system. We can now stream our movies through our TV.  We place movies we have purchased, and so many DVDs now come with streaming. I’d rather have my collection in one place than use streaming services, and I can organize them on my computer by category.

I pray you have a blessed Christmas, and beginning with this collection and adding your own, I’m sure your focus will remain on the reason for the season! If I didn’t mention a favorite of yours please post your suggestions below.

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Filed Under: Vintage Homeschool Moms

Replay: 10 Websites You Will Be Thankful I Told You About

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
November 22, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Useful Websites for Homeschoolers

This is a replay of episode 159 – you can find the original show notes here.

Useful Websites for Homeschoolers

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Filed Under: Homeschooling with Technology

Helping Our Daughters Develop Style Confidence

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November 21, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Hey, homeschoolers! Many of you know that fashion is a hobby of mine. I’ve stopped and started a fashion Instagram account numerous times. In the past year I’ve been listening to the Everyday Style School podcast with Jennifer Mackey-Mary and loving it. She talked about how she deals with the topic of fashion with her daughters and I thought you would love to hear more. If you don’t have daughters but would like to improve your own fashion confidence, you’ll want to listen to the first part of this episode for sure. As Jennifer is not a homeschooling mom, I wanted to share a couple quick thoughts after the interview. Here’s Jennifer.

Watch on YouTube

Introduction

    • Jennifer introduces herself as a personal stylist and shares her journey into the world of fashion.
    • The conversation touches on the challenges women face when it comes to style and dressing.
    • Jennifer emphasizes the importance of aligning your personal style with your lifestyle and values.
    • The discussion includes insights on the role of mindset in developing a positive relationship with one’s appearance.

Helping Daughters Develop Style Confidence

    • The conversation delves into the dynamics of mothers guiding their daughters in matters of style, especially during the crucial middle school and high school years.
    • Jennifer shares her experiences as a mother and stylist, highlighting the balance between allowing personal expression and maintaining family values.
    • Both hosts discuss the significance of proportion in outfits and how allowing kids to figure out their style can lead to valuable insights.
    • The importance of avoiding criticism of trends and staying open to communication with teenage daughters is stressed.

Debunking Style Myths

    • Jennifer challenges the idea that style has to conform to a specific minimalist or neutral capsule wardrobe, advocating for more creativity and fun in fashion.
    • The conversation touches on the Style Circle, Jennifer’s membership program, which offers a holistic approach to style, covering body shape, wardrobe selection, and personal style.
    • Jennifer discusses the Everyday Style School podcast, aiming to debunk myths around style and empower women with the tools to make getting dressed easy.
    • The interview concludes with Jennifer expressing her mission to inspire women to love the way they look and make the process of getting dressed enjoyable.
    • Throughout the interview, Jennifer emphasizes the individuality of style, the importance of practicality, and the joy that can be found in expressing oneself through clothing.

Conclusion

I know Jennifer has seen mothers try to overpower their daughter’s style and understandably, she wants to guard against that. I do think we want to avoid saying, “You’re X body type” to our daughters because even grown women can struggle with the labels. However, I think fashion is something you can enjoyably explore with your daughter just as you would explore art or music.

One of my friends has read books on fashion with her daughters and the girls have developed great confidence in their unique style. It’s been so much fun to see their choices. My daughter has always seemed confident in her style. She changed outfits multiple times a day before the age of 2! I started off shopping with her when she was little by giving her a few options to choose from. As she matured, she chose the options to try on herself. We haven’t had any disagreements about her choices. If you do have disagreements, consider asking someone you both respect to weigh in. I was called upon to help mediate a fashion disagreement once and a compromise was made.

One thing my daughter and I did that was so much fun is she picked out an outfit for me to try on and I did the same for her. I think we both thought the outfits were hideous on us, but we shared a lot of laughs over it.

I highly recommend Jennifer’s style membership for us as homeschool moms. The included classes are excellent and the capsule wardrobes have everything from athleisure to church-appropriate looks. Be sure to check out her Black Friday sale!

Have a happy homeschool week!

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Filed Under: The Homeschool Sanity Show

How to Ask for College Recommendation Letters- Special Replay

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
November 20, 2023 by Leave a Comment

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: How to Ask for College Recommendation Letters- Special Replay.

How to Ask for College Recommendation Letters

How to Ask for College Recommendation Letters

7Sisters’ Vicki spent eighteen years as an academic advisor to the local homeschool juniors and seniors. Over time, she wrote many, many college recommendation letters for her college-bound seniors. She also has talked with advisors and teachers who have written these important letters.

SO, even if you do not have a homeschooler senior who is headed for college OR your teen is not a senior yet, listen in on this episode. They will be facing the college application process eventually. Vicki shares from her experience and the experiences of her friends over a couple of decades of writing hundreds of college-recommendation letters (and other favors for folks).

Step 1: Ask.

Do not command: “I need you to do something.”

Vicki and her teacher/advisor friends have had many experiences with teens politely asking for recommendation letters. They have also had experiences where teens literally say, “I need you to write me a college recommendation”. SOOOO:

Instead ask: “Could you do me a favor?” OR “Could I impose on you for a favor?” Then add: “Please”.

A polite request will usually earn a letter that is happily written with lots of good detail. A command will get the minimal effort required for the task- just sayin’.

Step 2: Make it easy for the recommender to write the letter.

Give the recommender a write-up of your accomplishments or special memories you have together that will make a good recommendation story. Great recommendation stories are based on narratives, not just statements like: Sally is a great student.

A good list of accomplishments or a paragraph about special memories together will help the recommender write a great story about you. This will give the recommendation letter sparkle. (Also, the write-up will help jog their memories- sometimes it’s hard to remember everything when one is put on the spot.)

Step 3: Provide the resources for sending that information.

If the recommendation is supposed to be a mailed letter, give a self-address, stamped envelope to the recommender. If it is an online recommendation, make sure they have any digital information they need such as:

  • what institution will send emails requesting information
  • whether they are will be considered a recommender, teacher or advisor

Most colleges these days want digital recommendation letters. It helps if you clearly explain which format their recommendation letter will need to be.

Step 4: Do not be a cranky nag.

If the person is running late, ask if there is anything you need to do to help. However, do NOT nag. That just makes things worse. If you need to get a backup recommender, do that. However, most recommenders get the job done quickly.

Step 5: After the favor is done, say “thank you”.

You never know if you will ever need another favor, so leave a feeling of gratitude…do not burn bridges. Remember, you may need a second favor. If you have been pushy or rude, your recommender may not be happy about helping out again.

Besides, showing gratitude is always the right thing to do.

Step 6: Return the favor.

This is not the same as buying a favor. It is a way to show appreciation. For instance: Make the “thank you” a written thank you note. Snail mailed. It is a powerful way to show appreciation.

If you had asked a big favor (such as making your request at the last minute) bring some cookies or some other show of appreciation.

Other notes:

  • Be sure to ask for the favor with plenty of time.
  • Be sure to ask in private (not in front of a bunch of people).

Join Vicki for a quick discussion on asking for college recommendation letters. You’ll enjoy this episode with more information on preparing for college. Also, enjoy this post!

12 Steps to Choosing a College Major

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How to Ask for College Recommendation Letters

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