Ok, so I was a bit confused about the title in the last assignment. LOL! I thought it was the 100th assignment!
This weeks assignment...
This would be a good week to tell about your worst struggles with a lifestyle of homeschooling. Tell about something you’ve struggled with and how God’s mercies gave us the strength to get past it. Also, share any curriculum/homeschool methods that have been a relief to you, i.e., a particular Teacher’s Manual or Homeschooling method that’s been easier for your family. Talk about how you felt when the burden was lifted and Oh, What a Relief it is!
I touched a little about my changing methods in the previous assignmen. I try my best to follow a charlotte mason type of method, but I don't have it down completely. I like to read good quality living books to my children, and I do copywork with them. I was asked what I do for ancient history. I haven't done ancient history with my kids yet. I have used alot of books from Ambleside Online, as well as Old fashioned education. They are filled with books that are in the public domain. When it comes time to read about ancient history and midevil times, I'll probably get a book from one of their sites to read out loud. With all of our history, we notebook. We make notebooking pages for each person we learn about, and put it in our book of centuries. We have been filling it for a couple of years now, and it's getting quite full. I really need to buy a new binder. :)
One of my struggles that has always been prevelent in our homeschool, is my lack of organization. There are a lot of times when I look at all of the books I have collected and think...What am I doing? Where do I start? Then I become overwhelmed and end up just sitting and staring at my pile of books. I have been very concerned that my lack of organization will lead to a poor homeschool, which would lead to bad standardized test scores, thus making my efforts to homeschool a failure. I was pleasantly surprised and relieved, when my oldest scored in the 75th percentile this last year. My organization MAY be terrible, and I may not be the most diligent teacher, but my kids are learning just fine! WHEW! But my struggle remains...I am not an organized person. It try, but fail in that area.
Another relief (which Nancy reminded me of..) was something that happened with our math this last year. My daughter finished her math books (we use saxon for the math part. I know....it's not real charlotte mason like, but it works). At the time, I didn't have the funds to buy her the next set of books. I wasn't sure what I was going to do for math while waiting to buy the next grade level. The Lord once again showed me that He is in control of our homeschool! I got an email from Kumon publishers, asking if I would like to try and review some of their workbooks. He told me to just tell him what I needed. whoohoo!!! I told him I needed 2nd and 3rd grade math books. Within the month, my daughter had new math workbooks. When God provides, OH what a relief it is!!
Thinking about God's provision, and how much I need to remember to lean on Him, seek Him first, and trust Him in leading our homeschool, I think of the verses in Matthew 6.
Matthew 6: 31-33
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
YOU DID IT!!! You did finish on time the last time and this time...you weren't late the last time. I so so understand your troubles with organization! Fortunately it hasn't proven to fall on my Kelsey...thank God for my husband who has tremendous organizational skills and it has rubbed off on DD. For me, when I get overwhelmed and cannot think past the mess...I usually start to cry and plead with hubby to HELP ME!!! I wasn't always this way, I get overwhelmed easily since starting menopause, so maybe when you start you'll be organized! LOL Isn't that something to look forward to! Nice post, but I'm sure you're doing great with your kids!
We all have different strengths and weaknesses. God always provides us with what we need. Love the math book inspiration.
http://tonsofsons.wordpress.com/
isn't my strong point either. Its more like chaos at times. I get things under control then it all goes all over the place again....lol. That's great that math was provided when you thought you wouldn't be able to have any!
I felt like you last year, which led me to change many things this year. This year I bought a whole curriculum, my DH helped me make a school planner the way I wanted it. Then I changed and planned our school area(kitchen table) I am much happier this year. But with all that said. I did still teach her to read last year with my brain all over the place.... :-)
God Bless
I just love the way God provided the math workbooks. How cool is that?? By the way, I'm extremely organized, and I often see that as a fault. I have often tried to be more relaxed. I'm thinking - be ourselves, use our talents, trust God. Ironically, I used the same passage this week from Matthew 6. :-)
Karen (www.homeschoolblogger.com/justKaren)
For some reason, I couldn't login to post this comment.
It's wonderful to see so many charlotte mason homeschoolers! Simplycharlottemason.com is putting on a blog carnival on the topic of "narration". Even if you don't contribute, you can look at other's ideas and experiences with narration if you needed new ideas or help in that area. I know I am looking forward to it!
I lack organization too and like you, I cannot get enough books! I always get stock piles of books and don't know where to start on reading them. Many of them get returned to the library untouched. But, we do read and do learn, so that's all that matters, right? It's scary how many hs'ers I can relate to in their struggles. Yikes! I think many of us have the same struggles, they are just on different levels of intensity for each of us. I hope to stay in touch so we can be an encouragement to one another. I will add you to my friends. Right now it's not letting me sign in but here is my link:
www.homeschoolblogger.com/christin
Thanks for sharing your struggles. It always encourages my heart to know that I am not alone.
We use Ambleside Online as well. And, like you, we add our own non-CMish subjects and programs. Mostly because they fit or are supplied at little or no cost.
Hi! Ali,
I struggle with the same thing. I like the Charlotte Mason style and we use Saxon also. I like to get alot of living books but sometimes I struggle with disorganization.
Blessings,
Ruth
I posted before, but I wanted to come back and congratulate you on being awarded one of this week's Featured Friend's.
Congratulations, well done my friend.
Michelle
Thank you for this post! I enjoyed reading it and I look forward to getting to know you better throughout the next year.
Blessings,
JADsMama
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brookwoodbeavers
How wonderful is the Lord's providence! What a blessing to your family to have your need met so clearly. Your story was a great encouragement and blessing to me read today.
Praying for a blessed schoolyear for you and yours!
www.5andgrowing.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing about how God supplied your need for math curriculum. It is always encouraging to hear how He knows exactly what we need and is faithful to provide.
I noticed your book shelf in your sidebar. That is really neat... I might get one of those if I get around to it.
Sometimes I think being American can actually be a bad thing. We get so much stuff that it makes it hard to school because we don't know where to start, we don't take care of our clothing because what is a stain if we have a whole dresser full and it can take longer to cook because we can't find our stuff in our overstocked cupboards and pantries. Good luck getting organized.
I think we all worry about if we are schooling our kids well enough. That is how I can tell you care - you are thinking about the best for your kids!
Thanks for posting. I'm trying to get a handle on what people do for a Charlotte Mason style learning when they have young kids. I appreciate you telling us what you are doing.
That is wonderful how God provided math curriculum for you. Very cool.
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