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Finally, we are getting some winter weather around here! We had about 5 inches of snow on Saturday (not nearly as much as NY City!) I am content with what we got, thanks! It was enough to be pretty, the kids managed to built snow forts and snow men....and today it is gone.
Last night, I was getting stressed out because I hadn't done the weekly lesson plans...so, I decided it was about time for a "resource week". So, no formal lessons this week....just trips to the library, educational videos and board games, shooting hoops at the gym, art class and maybe a take in a museum on Friday while we are downtown at a dr's appt. It is still very hard for me to relax when it comes to "We have to get these lessons done!!!!" but when I relax a bit, we are all much happier. After all, isn't that what home schooling is all about? Toodles~D
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Well, it's 11:26. . It's been a pretty good day. The boys got their lessons done by 10:30--either they don't have enough work to do, or something is definitely up. Most days, depending on the mood swings, we are just getting finished around 1pm. I think that the incentive to go to the gym and shoot hoops may have been the motivation....we usually get there before public school lets out so that they have the whole place to themselves. The Chrisian school in town gets out early and they enjoy playing w/some of the boys.
I realized this afternoon that I forgot to set the timer on my HomeSat system and I have missed 4 blockfeeds of their classes. That is the real thorn about this set up with Bob Jones. I then had to go in and rearrange all the timers to make sure that I got the 2nd feeds without overlaps. For the money, it is still the best bet, but is very aggravating at times.
My oldest son got his passport today....he is now legal to travel overseas on our trip in April. I am looking forward to it, but a bit anxious about the travel. 26+hours on international flights is not exactly my favorite thing, either going or coming. I barely remember the trip back last time....exhaustion and jet lag won out! But at least I gained 12 hours coming back!
Well, I am reading a new book called "When You Rise Up" by RC Sproul, Jr. It is a Covenental approach to homeschooling and I highly recommend it to anyone who currently is on this journey or is thinking about it. I am only in chapter 2 and have been re-introduced to the reasons why God holds us accountable, and equips us to educate our kids. Character is often more important than academics, and who is doing this training in public schools???? It's a scary thought, and even scarier for our youth.
How do you present this option to a mom who feels totally inadequate to homeschool and is scared that she won't do a good job? I have been at this for a few years and still have those feelings, almost every day. (It also doesn't help when you have others instilling doubt!) But, God is faithful and will complete the work He started. He trusted us (blessed us) with our boys to raise to know HIM and they will not acquire this knowledge in public school, this much is sure. I want to impress upon moms who ask that it's not a good job that I do, it is only through the Lord that we are successful, and it is a daily equipping of the Holy Spirit. I fall way short of being a good example, or even knowing how to tell someone that it works....with God, it does and that is all that I can express. There's nothing like the security and the peace of knowing that when I am called to account for my boys, I am hopeful that I can look at the Lord without reservation and say that I did my best to protect their spirit and innocence, and to teach them about HIM. (advanced math won't really matter to the Lord) Blessings till next time, and sweet dreams! |
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Well, this is pretty pathetic, but I stayed home today (instead of going to the basketball games w/the boys and hubby)....just to be able to mop the floors and clean house! I guess it must be the spring-like weather that has me in a cleaning mood.
I even made a big pot of soup and will make bread (in the breadmaker of course!) for dinner by the time they get back from the game. Since we moved to the country...I really love staying home and cooking in my country kitchen.
This morning, there were 9 deer in the field in front of the house. You could barely see them through the misty rain. Yesterday when I went walking, I almost got mowed over by a big one...scared me half to death!! They know that hunting season is over, and I am glad too. I really like to see the wildlife, although not in my flowerbed!
The daffodil bulbs are coming up...60-70 degree weather in February, there's just a little something wierd about it! Although, being very cold natured, I am grateful! It's hard to stay inside and do lesson plans and taxes in nice weather like this...but, no rest for the weary! Till next time~
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Now, I won't say that homeschooling is always a JOY. Whenever you have more than one person in the house 24/7, there will be conflict (especially with a pre-menopausal mom and a 14yo hormonal young man). Every day is a new "adventure" and really there is no way to know if it will be a good one or a turbulent one. (Hats off to those homeschooling moms who have 3 or more kids--you are an inspiration to me!)
This is just a general entry for a daily look into our day:
Today has been a fairly good day. Dylan and I kind of slept in a bit, one definite advantage to not having to conform to a school bus schedule! Dylan (10yo) watched PBS this morning, Reading Rainbow is one of his favorites--they had a special Titanic theme today, which of course led me to drag out all of the books that I have on the Titanic.
Tim, (14y.o) had already completed 2 of his lessons by the time I awoke--he is a morning person like his dad. We did our morning kitchen duty (dishes) while listening to the Chronicles of Narnia on CD audiobook. Some books are much more entertaining this way, and also allows all of us to do chores while we are listening! We also checked out the books, to read along with the CD. Surprisingly, this actually works.....the boys are very reluctant readers, and I don't enjoy reading aloud a whole lot.
Dylan then goes to his room to watch Magic Schoolbus, Inside the Human Body--while Timmy goes to his room to continue to listen to the audiobook w/his headphones. During this time, I check my email and throw a load of laundry in--it's a beautiful day and I am looking forward to hanging out the clothes.
The history lesson today is on "communication". We watched a video on Alexander Graham Bell yesterday (courtesy of the local library)....and, I found a great little telegraph kit for our chapter on Morse today! Hopefully, it won't be too complicated to put together!
As you can see, my boys are very much visual/auditory and hands on learners. I am a visual/auditory learner also....it took us awhile to get "in sync" and it is still rough sometimes....I want things done a certain way within a certain time--falling back into that nagging phase--not good--everyone is so much more productive and happy when we relax and enjoy the lessons.
At lunchtime, Dylan decides he wants a "big sandwich"--I fry up some turkey bacon (we are trying to be healthy!) and he makes all of us a club sandwich w/all the fixins'. We continue the audiobook during lunchtime- well, it's time to put the telegraph together and I am looking forward to learning w/the boys! Until next time!
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Hi! My name is Dawn. My husband, David and I are the parents of two boys, ages 10 and 14. I am new to the "blogosphere" and am learning the in's and out's right now (in my spare time
First, let me give glory to God for blessing us in our homeschooling. I can't see how anyone is truly successful without His direction. This is truly, for me, a daily reliance on Him for patience and encouragement/affirmation. From one who never thought, or even knew of homeschooling 6 years ago, we have really come a long way!
We have one regret---we wish we had started sooner!
We have homeschooled for about 4 years, now--it's hard to believe that time has gone by so quickly. Public school really did "it's number" on our boys, and thankfully we were able to reverse the damage. We have found that this homeschooling season has been the most challenging thing we have ever undertaken. However, having them home is a lot better than wondering what they were doing in public school, and wondering what was going into their minds.
In these past few years, we have come to realize that there is, indeed, an agenda against the family unit and it starts in elementary school!!!!
The teachers, most of them, are great....but they have no control over what/how they can teach. They are trapped, just like the kids. God is totally omitted from all curriculum and children are in a Godless atmosphere for 180 days of the year.
Socialization??? Well, it's only our opinion, but the socialization we have witnessed in public school is not beneficial for any family. Every day on the news there are reports of drugs, guns and crimes against children in our local public school system!!! One would wonder if there are any background checks, with this many predators walking the halls! Talk about affirmation for homeschooling!
Anytime I have a day where I wonder "why am I doing this????" , all I have to do is turn on the local news and be reaffirmed that what we are doing is right. I know where my kids are, and who they are with. For us, academics is a second thought, compared to the spiritual and physical wellbeing of our kids. Sheltering? Yes, by all means! Controlling? Absolutely!
We believe that "true" socialization is being able to relate to anyone, anywhere, anytime....not just your age group at recess. Only by experiencing life on a daily basis, can a child truly realize compassion for others outside of his little circle. (we could only hope to be a better example to our kids than their would-be peers in public school!!
Curriculum: We have used a variety of curriculums in the past two years. We currently enjoy Bob Jones' curriculum on HomeSat. We supplement, largely with videos and books from the local libraries and resources from other homeschooling families. All three of us have different leaning styles, which makes it interesting! I am re-learning from a Christian world-view--now everything makes sense!
My oldest son was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome (mild) with resultant ADHD/OCD. So, it took awhile for us to find things that worked for him. We brought him "home" first, figuring that we would only have to homeschool for awhile in order to "get him back on track" with others his age, (at the time, he was being promoted to 5th grade and couldn't do math on a 3rd grade level). We spent the first 6 months deprogramming him to the point where he would even sit and do a worksheet! During this time, we took a lot of field trips and in general, just got to know each other again. At the end of the first year, he was ahead of his peers academically and appeared to be recoverring his trampled self esteem. Having seen a great improvement, we decided against sending him back into the school system.
In the middle of our second year of homeschooling, our youngest started having issues (3rd grade). The last straw was when his teacher told me he was reading at a "primer" level and that she thought he should be tested for Learning Disabilities. Of course, her attitude toward him and spirit of discouragement went a long way in destroying any willingness for him to contribute in class. So, we promptly removed him and he has been doing above grade level work ever since!
Recently, we have moved to a rural location. It has been difficult, trying to find other homeschoolers and they are very spread out! The ones that God has brought into our path have been wonderful. We also are getting ready to initiate a small group at our church....hopefully to encourage other families to realize that they can accomplish homeschooling successfully.....with God's help. Remember, "spirit first, academics second". "Seek Ye first the Kingdom....and all these things shall be added unto you..."
My oldest son and I will be traveling to the Philippines on a mission trip in the spring. We are looking forward to what God has planned for us on this trip (it is a return trip for me). We are currently studying sign language in hopes of being able to communicate to the deaf while we are there.
Well, that is enough about us for now..... |
) haha
(Believing in evolution will make a monkey out of you!)
duh!
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