Here's a more detailed list of April Holidays and Events with homeschool worksheets, coloring pages and activities to provide teachable moments for April 4th:

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Assassinated - What was the famous speech delivered at the 1963 March on Washington?
• Flag Act of 1818 - How many stars and stripes are on the U.S. flag?
• President William Harrison Dies in Office - How long was President Harrison in office?
• Gold Announced in Yukon - What sparked the Klondike Gold Rush?

April is Autism Awareness Month. Yesterday, on World Autism Day which is held on April 2nd each year, I attended the TACA & Volcom Community Day. It was a fun-filled day with skate lessons provided by OC Skateboarding School. There were bounce-houses for the little ones, Skee-ball, free custom screen printed hats and plenty of GFCF snacks. The skateboarding was held indoors making it too dark to get good pictures, but the Volcom staff did a wonderful job working with the kids.

Parents helping parents... Do you homeschool your child with autism? Sharing your story can be encouraging to other parents that are homeschooling their autistic child or are considering it. Do you have a "golden nugget" to share or maybe an encouraging word? What advice would you give to someone considering homeschooling their autistic child? What methods have worked for you? What has been your biggest obstacle?

More about Autism:

• Autism Awareness Printable Worksheets
• Autism Homeschooling Resources
• Discovering Nathan - Autism Awareness Month daily post

I don't know if you've named your homeschool yet, but I love to read about how the names come about and other creative ways families make their homeschools unique. The latest response to the question, How do you establish a school identity? came from Crystal. Read about their school name, the alligator as a mascot and why they chose gold and green as school colors. Then share your story.

One of the legends of St. Patrick is that he drove all the snakes out of Ireland. Learn more about St. Patrick's Day with these fun St. Patrick's Day Printables - worksheets, coloring pages, wordsearch and theme paper.

For more St. Patrick's Day fun:

• St. Patrick's Day Poetry
• St. Patrick's Day Fun
• St. Patrick's Day Quiz
• St. Patrick's Day Activity Books and Stickers

A forum member needs help keeping it all together.

"My Husband is in the military and is currently deployed for 6 months. I love my children more than anything...but lets face it..sometimes they can drive me crazy! So, when you are with them all day everyday, how do you find time to decompress, unwind, recharge, relax, get away, have "me" time no matter how short and not go totally crazy? There will be times when I am doing this totally alone. How do you cope? Thanks for any advice you can give!" ~Cristina

Balancing everyday duties and homeschooling can be quite challenging at times, especially if you have to go it alone for long periods of time. How do you deal with it? How do you find time to decompress, unwind, recharge, relax, get away, have 'me' time no matter how short and not go totally crazy?
Let's offer a helping hand...

An 8.9 earthquake hit Japan Friday afternoon at 2:46 P.M. local time, followed by a tsunami that washed away cars, boats and buildings. This is reportedly the largest recorded earthquake to hit Japan. I've lived in earthquake country all my life and still can't imagine an earthquake of this magnitude. My sincere thoughts and prayers go out to the people affected by this catastrophe.

• Earthquake Printable Pages - Learn all about earthquakes with these printable pages and make sure your family is ready.
• Earthquake Unit
• Japan Printables

A forum member and new homeschooler needs tips on relaxing the "typical school routine and schedule" and making homeschooling more fun and enjoyable. Let's offer a helping hand...

"I just started homeschooling my 7 year old 2 weeks ago and she is already complaining that it is not much fun. OK...so I realize I am a newbie and still feel the pressure of keeping up an academic schedule. I go from bible study to math, phonics, reading, writing.... I feel like we are just checking off our lessons on a list. I know (I hope!) I will ease up with time...I have one foot "out of the box"...I am just still a little anxious and nervous about doing this "right". So what can I do to make this more "fun" for her? She told me that "they always use to color and cut things in school and do fun stuff like that". She is at the end of 1st grade..any advice?" ~USAFfamily

Did you experience the same thing? How did you overcome the "school at home" mentality? What do you do to make your school time more fun and enjoyable?
Let's offer a helping hand...

Here's a more detailed list of March Holidays and Events with homeschool worksheets, coloring pages and activities to provide teachable moments for March 2nd:

• Theodor Seuss Geisel's Birthday - What is his famous nickname?
• Wilt Chamberlain Scores 100 Points - Who is Wilt Chamberlain?
• Mount Rainier National Park Established - Where is this park located?
• National Banana Cream Pie Day

Homeschoolers are notorious for supporting each other and helping each other succeed. Enjoy these reader interaction links, then share your stories and tips too!

• Why Homeschool: Frustrated with lack of challenge
• Socialization: Proper socializing
• Homeschool Dads: Dads helping out homeschooling
• Organization Tips: Color Code
• Sound of Homeschooling: The Sound of Learning
• Counting the Hours: Home school hours
• Elementary books: The 39 Clues

President's Day is observed on the third Monday of February, honoring all past United States Presidents. Here are printable worksheets, activity pages and coloring pages for George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Until 1971, we celebrated the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln on February 12 and George Washington on February 22. In 1971, President Nixon proclaimed President's Day as the federal holiday to honor these two presidents as well as all the presidents.

Before my husband and I were married, we talked about teaching our kids at home. The plan was for me to get a teaching credential to make it possible. It sounded like a fairy tale to me because I had never heard of anyone teaching their kids at home...and back then (1974) homeschooling was truly very scarce...

After reading my story, share your story with us.

Here's a more detailed list of February Holidays and Events with homeschool worksheets, coloring pages and activities to provide teachable moments for February 16th:

• Studebaker Company Founded - Before automobiles, what did the Studebaker brothers manufacture?
• First 911 Call - Who placed the first 911 call?
• King Tut's Burial Chamber Unsealed - Who opened the chamber?
• 1st Commercial Helicopter Flew - What type of helicopter was it?

Happy Valentine's Day! Here's a more detailed list of February Holidays and Events with homeschool worksheets, coloring pages and activities to provide teachable moments for February 14th:

• Valentine's Day - Who is your Valentine?
• Arizona Admission Day - What is the capital of Arizona?
• Oregon Admission Day - What is Oregon's largest city?
• First Presidential Photograph - Who was the photographer?
• Ferris Wheel Day - Who invented the Ferris Wheel?

Here's a more detailed list of February Holidays and Events with homeschool worksheets, coloring pages and activities to provide teachable moments for February 12th:

• Abraham Lincoln's Birthday - What was the famous speech he gave in 1863?
• Louisa Adams' Birthday - Where was Louisa Adams born?
• Savannah Founded - Who founded Savannah?

Here's a more detailed list of February Holidays and Events with homeschool worksheets, coloring pages and activities to provide teachable moments for February 11th:

• Thomas Edison's Birthday - What was Thomas Edison called a wizard of?
• National Inventor's Day - Who is your favorite inventor?
• Japan: Foundation Day - What does Foundation Day celebrate?
• Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day - What is the theme of this day?

Here's a more detailed list of February Holidays and Events with homeschool worksheets, coloring pages and activities to provide teachable moments for February 10th:

• Umbrella Day - Who invented the umbrella?
• Fire Extinguisher Patented - What acronym is used to remember how to use the fire extinguisher?
• Mark Spitz' Birthday How many gold medals did Mark Spitz win in the 1972 Olympics?

Here's a more detailed list of February Holidays and Events with homeschool worksheets, coloring pages and activities to provide teachable moments for February 9th:

• William Harrison's Birthday - Why was President Harrison only in office for one month?
• Hershey Chocolate Company Founded - Where is the Hershey company located?
• Toothache Day - Why should children learn good oral hygiene?
• The Beatles first live TV Appearance - What show did The Beatles appear on?

The theme for the 2011 Doodle 4 Google Contest is "What I'd like to do someday..." Homeschooled students are invited to participate in the competition to create a new design for the Google homepage logo centered around this year's theme.

The doodles will be judged on artistic merit, creativity, representation of the theme, and other criteria.

Homeschooler Vance Viggiano of Heritage Home School Academy in Long Valley, New Jersey, won the Grades 7-9 division in the 2010 contest with his "The Love of Art" entry.

Remember...If you don't enter, you can't win!

Here's a more detailed list of February Holidays and Events with homeschool worksheets, coloring pages and activities to provide teachable moments for February 8th:

• Boy Scouts Coloring Page - What was the goal of the Boys Scouts?
• Radio Installed in White House - Who had the radio installed in the White House?
• Kite Flying Day - When was the last time you flew a kite?

Here's a more detailed list of February Holidays and Events with homeschool worksheets, coloring pages and activities to provide teachable moments for February 7th:

• The Beatles Tour America - Where were The Beatles from?
• John Deere's Birthday - What problem did a polished steel plow solve for farmers?
• First Untethered Spacewalk - What are MMUs?

Here's a more detailed list of February Holidays and Events with homeschool worksheets, coloring pages and activities to provide teachable moments for February 6th:

• Ronald Reagan's Centennial Birthday - Ronald Reagan was not only the 33rd President of the United States, he was an actor and governor to what state?
• Massachusetts Day - What is the capital city of Massachusetts?
• Babe Ruth's Birthday - What team did Babe Ruth play on for most of his career?

Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004) was the 40th President of the United States and the 33^rd Governor of California and an actor appearing in over 50 movies. Ronald Reagan was the oldest president ever elected. Ronald Reagan was shot by an assassin on March 30, 1981, but recovered quickly. Ronald Reagan was president during the longest period of peacetime prosperity without recession or depression. He renewed self-confidence, stimulated economic growth, curbed inflation, increased employment and national defense.

Here's a more detailed list of February Holidays and Events with homeschool worksheets, coloring pages and activities to provide teachable moments for February 5th:

• National Weatherperson's Day - Have you considered a career in weather forecasting?
• Mexico: Constitution Day - During what major event was the constitution approved?
• Family and Medical Leave Act - Which president signed this bill?
• Hank Aaron's Birthday - Who is Hank Aaron?

Here's a more detailed list of February Holidays and Events with homeschool worksheets, coloring pages and activities to provide teachable moments for February 4th:

• Charles Lindbergh's Birthday - What was Lindbergh's nickname?
• First U.S. President Elected - Who unanimously chose the president?
• Rubber Galoshes Introduced - Who invented rubber galoshes?
• National Stuffed Mushroom Day - Have you tried stuffed mushrooms?

Here's a more detailed list of February Holidays and Events with homeschool worksheets, coloring pages and activities to provide teachable moments for February 3rd:

• Chinese New Year - When does Chinese New Year fall?
• 15th Amendment Ratified - What right does the 15th amendment give American citizens?
• Income Tax Birthday - What is the deadline for filing and paying your taxes?
• National Carrot Cake Day - What type of frosting is usually on carrot cake?