I'm finding out that when you have a side job that consists of a lot of writing, you don't have much time to write the things you really want to write about—I miss that part of my life!

I haven't written here in so long I feel the urge to just put down a little something so here goes:

Anyway, we've started a brand new school year here, with the last two boys in homeschool high school. I love the beginning of the year and the goal planning stage. The boys have written their goals and I've been working on mine and things are going well. I REALLY want to encourage as much independence as possible with our studies and assist the boys in meeting their goals. I'm open to "What do you want to study for history or science?" as well as "What are your personal goals?

One of Jeremiah's goals is learning how to speak, read and write French. He got interested in this over the summer when he met some French speaking Canadians. I'm thrilled!

I'm utilizing some DVDs this year and we're enjoying one called "How to Be a Super Star Student". Sounds kind of corny, I know, but there's some good stuff in it—and stuff to make you think seriously about study habits and your future. Math DVDs and Language/Composition are on the agenda as well. Standard Deviants has some fun stuff—and you know—we're learning too! Have you guessed I have an auditory learner? I should have been using more DVDs and audios all along!

I look forward to the coming year in a big way. I'm filled with expectations as I always am, but each year that I get closer to the idea of the empty nest, I just want to cherish the days as long as they are there. Sometimes I reminisce about the olden homeschooling years but they are gone. It's a different homeschooling scene here now. But you know, it's just as good!

I hope you have some worthy goals lined up for yourself and family and enjoy the year to the fullest!

I came across this one day after I had a wonderful conversation with a close friend about some of these very things. I just had to share it here:

Letting Go

author unknown

To Let Go does not mean to stop caring,
     it means I can't do it for someone else.

To Let Go is not to cut myself off,
     it is the realization I can't control another.

To Let Go is not to enable,
     but to allow learning from natural consequences.

To Let Go is to admit powerlessness,
     which means the outcome is not in my hands.

To Let Go is not to try to change or blame another,
     it is to make the most of myself.

To Let Go is not to care for,
     but to care about.

To Let Go is not to fix,
     but to be supportive.

To Let Go is not to judge,
     but to allow another to be a human being.

To Let Go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes,
     but to allow others to affect their destinies.

To Let Go is not to be protective,
     it is to permit another to face reality.

To Let Go is not to deny,
     but to accept.

To Let Go is not to nag, scold, or argue,
     but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.

To Let Go is not to adjust everything to my desires,
     but to take each day as it comes, and cherish myself in it.

To Let Go is not to criticize and regulate anybody,
     but to try to become what I dream I can be.

To Let Go is not to regret the past,
     but to grow and live for the future.

To Let Go is to fear less,
     and love more.

Homeschooling is a way of life for us and has been from the beginning. We are the Kingdom Covenant Academy, a family of six, living in the beautiful Ozarks of Arkansas. I am Kathy, a stay-at-home mom whose main passions are homeschooling and writing. I help my husband, Mark, with a home business, as do our four sons: Josiah 22, Gideon 20, Benjamin 17, and Jeremiah 14. I’d call us eclectic/relaxed homeschoolers if I had to give it a name.

Besides our learning to trust God on this amazing journey, one of the many important lessons we’ve experienced is that the attainment of knowledge is best gained by a self motivated and delight directed path by each individual. We love learning. My job is really assisting my sons how to learn on their own and helping them develop necessary life skills. We adjust to personalities, learning styles, and individual needs, enjoying flexibility, and creativity. I also consider my needs—yes, me the teacher/motivator!  Learning can be fun, and hands-on methods are particularly useful. Here’s a favorite math program we all enjoyed—Hands-on Equations. It's worth every penny, and fun too. Presently, The Algebra Survival Guide makes the task of learning algebra delightful and understandable (we’ve attempted several other programs in the past, knowing each child is different).

 Learning to read well is high up on our priority list, but learning to be a man of honor and high integrity rates way up there. How delightful it is to know that we have young men in our household that exhibit strong moral character. How did this happen? With lots of time, energy, discussion and example—a family bound together by love. Our sons see through the choices we make that character is important and that our relationship to our Creator, and study of His Instruction Manual is a priority.

We joyfully discovered children's classic books, advancing to some of the great classics. Real, fascinating books, with a special liking of those based on truth and real history, highlight our home education. (You can view a huge list of past books we've read further back on this blog.) With the younger two sons, our studies are based around great, living books (yes we still read aloud together too) using a unit study method. Presently, we are enjoying The Story of the World and using it as a kick-off point and supplementing with other books. In the past I have composed my own unit studies, but for several years I found Learning Adventures to be an excellent, exciting program that I could alter to meet our needs. (I customize everything!) A favorite resource of mine­—Ignite the Fire helped me learn how to do a terrific book study. We also discovered Apologia Science, finding its text very engaging. As I think back, every year has been different. I kind of like it that way.

I am a writer and it’s an important skill I want my sons to have. I must own at least half of all homeschool writing programs in existence, but I really think any good library book on writing would really suffice. But then, The Writer’s Jungle is a fabulous resource! I have taught the boys grammar along with their writing through the years but a good deal (for less than a buck) at the library sale table helps us out—The Least You Should Know About English. Benjamin uses an online GED/College Prep program to supplement his highschool studies, which is great because he can do this independently.

Along with “real” books, we get involved in real life experiences. When the boys were much younger and doing a unit on books, authors, and writing, they made their own hardbound, handmade, illustrated books using Making Books With Children. When Josiah was nine, a computer entered our lives, which led to the production of the Homeschool Gazette, a newsletter and online site, featuring our boys’ writings and drawings, designed to encourage them as well as their friends and neighbors around the world. (Homeschool Gazette) Josiah developed his first computer software about age 14: the Color Selector. His high school years allowed for self directed studies in computer science and programming, and he’s since come a long way.

Gideon studied photography, computer graphics and art on his own. He loved drama in college, and his portrayal as the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland inspired the younger two boys to take drama workshops. Jeremiah landed the role of the Grinch in Seusical the Musical, appearing at our community theater, and is making plans to audition for another play next month. Jeremiah’s other interests are photography, raising guinea pigs and learning to play the electric guitar.

Benjamin recently accompanied Josiah, traveling by car all the way to Seattle, Washington, and enjoyed some interesting sites and museums, as well as visit some old friends. Plays, concerts and church activities too, all count as homeschool! Last year’s involvement in a homeschoolers’ Keeper’s of the Faith Club, history club, and art classes, kept us hopping. This year’s pace is much slower.

Our physical education program consisted of each of the boys receiving black belts in martial arts along with Dad, working out at the gym, and Benjamin shares his dad’s love of bike riding. All assist and learn from their Dad-of-all-trades, things like: painting the house, building additions, remodeling, tiling the bathroom floor, plumbing, and car/home repairs. One of the best ideas I had a year ago, was when Benjamin took over the family’s laundry!

I’ve thought, if I could go back and change things, what would I have altered? I could have been more consistent and organized, seized a few more opportunities (my oldest would have loved Boy Scouts), been more persistent with our learning musical instruments (we are presently working on that again), and maybe had more families over to dinner (I just made that phone call).  But I must say, in looking back, we had a bountiful, homeschool harvest. I know because of who my sons are—delightful, intelligent, young men, who love God, know how to think and learn for themselves, and of whom we are very proud.

One of the perks with my job at the Old Schoolhouse Magazine is getting to read a lot of the new E-Books that they are producing- most all homeschool related of course.

I am so a lover of hard copy books, but hey, I'm getting used to sitting at the computer and doing some reading there and then a little work too. I've read some fantastic and motivating E-Books in the past two months:  Living on One Income-How 12 Families Make it Work; HomeWork (homeschooling and home business); What About Socialization?;  Molly's Money-Saving Digest; Turning Points in Homeschooling (I absolutely LOVED this one!); and Creative Nature Study to name a few. All are recommended, by the way, and available now or in the future through the Schoolhouse Store. Perhaps I'm getting hooked on E-Books! I didn't think that was possible.

I enjoyed reading about remarkable families from all walks and backgrounds making homeschooling a success and loving it, with God's guidance through many ups and downs. I'm just really amazed and uplifted and motivated and blessed to be homeschooling and interacting with my family the way we do. I'm also re-evaluating  where we're headed in our journey.

I'm going to be project managing a new E-Book (what an opportunity!) on College Prep for Homeschoolers too, so my mind is focusing also, on my own highschooler (though two have since graduated) and my soon to be highschooler, and the path we are taking. Exciting times for sure, when everything you've done and said and tried to do will be put to the test as you watch your children venture out into the scary and awesome world of independence and great responsibility. I think we've done a good job, and I sometimes think of the what ifs, but I can't go back and change anything, and I don't really think I want to. Life's a dance, you learn as you go (hey, I think that's a song!) and anyway we've sure learned a lot and had a bunch of fun on our journey and it's not over yet! So many good things have transpired, but our relationships with each other and with God are still the main priorities.

I was talking with my son, Gideon, 20, today, and you know he just really inspired me and made my heart leap and jump. I am so proud of him, to see the transformation that God has done in him, in the last few years. I can say at one time I was worried about him and his attitude, but miracles happen. If you take a good look at yourself and don't like what you see, make a change. Do something! Make those little steps and more steps and more until they lead to progress and marked change. Anyway, Gideon is like the motivational speaker, pep talk rally coach kind of guy now and inspires everyone around him. I know he'll do great in life. The right attitude goes a longgggggg way!

Well my original thought was that hey, we did great in homeschool highschool because he knows how to learn whatever he wants or needs to, he has a love of learning, he has the skills necessary to learn and do well, and a heart for God and what is good and right. How much more do you really need?

With God's continual hand of guidance on our lives we can't go wrong. It's just amazing when you can simply TRUST God to continue what you have started and KNOW that even though it's not all smooth sailing, there's a good outcome. He's teaching us all manner of worthwhile stuff on this journey.

I love homeschooling! Oh, and I love books, and E-Books too!

 

Meet us in Bliss Hollow where your child can escape for a visit with Splish the frog, his endearing family and homeschooling animal friends. Mama Frog shares her son's frustrations with wisdom and reassurance as she patiently guides Splish along a pathway of understanding and character building with a delightful, heartwarming story, where he finally learns that Mama was right-everyone learns and grows at his own pace—it takes time.

 

Any beginning reader or struggling-to-read child will relate to Splish, with all of his discouragements, frustrations, trial-and-errors and not trusting Mama that some day he will read. 

 

One of a mother’s treasured gifts to her child—

helping him learn to read.

 

Learning to read is one of the most important parts of your young child’s home education. He has cuddled up on your lap and heard you read such lively stories to him over and over again. Together, you experience the world of imagination, information and exploration of God’s creation, through living books.

The late reading child wants so badly to decipher those magic, elusive letters on the page, and feels frustrated and discouraged because so many his age and younger can read and he can’t (often within the family). Many parents are tripping through this stressful situation looking for that hopeful day when everything will click. Be assured, it usually will—when they are ready.   It is important to remember that they are all on a unique schedule when it comes to reading: God’s schedule. 

 

Where was this book when my two middle boys were learning to read and on a very late schedule? It could have helped make an easier transition for them, that when they were ready it would happen. Of course they heard that from me, but this charming soft cover book encourages so sweetly. I think there are a lot of discouraged, late-reading kids out there that would love to hear this story.

 

And Then Mama Said . . .it Takes TIme to Learn to Read by Gena Suarez, is a brand new book available from The Old Schoolhouse Store. It comes with a free companion activity book too.

My life has been a whirlwind of activity the past month and it  looks like its not going to slow down much, if at all!

 

It's so interesting and faith building to look back and see the hand of God in the circumstances surrounding your life. I have felt Him nudging me to write more and more and knew that He was going to use me somewhere down the line in that capacity. One thing has led to another and another and I found myself accepted into a special Marketing Class being offered by TOS (The Old Schoolhouse Magazine) of which I had recently begun a subscription. I was one of 30, chosen out of 125 for this amazing, educational, one month class.

 

Why was I interested in marketing, of all things? Well, we are a home business family that produces a bimonthly magazine where advertising is involved, and we are looking for new ways to promote ourselves. We also have web sites, my sons are interested in small business ventures, and hey, it's just become an interest so I thought, I can learn something worthwhile here. I was right.

 

I have been telling myself more and more, that when opportunity comes knocking, if you can, take advantage of it. I didn't want to miss out on this opportunity involving my favorite homeschool magazine with these 30+ friendly, awesome ladies from TOS and elsewhere. AND at the end of the class they  offered several staff positions to ladies that had done especially well and successfully completed the class.

 

Guess what? I was one of those offered a position. Wow, I was almost in shock, but I knew God had called me into this and I shouldn't be surprised at what He can do through me. My new part time position is E-book Production Assistant, and I will work with the production of E-books that TOS produces, writing ads (sell sheets) and managing the E-books and I'm even contributing a chapter in their soon to be released new book To Market, To Market. (The publisher really liked my last written assignment and asked if I'd expand it for the book.) Getting compensated for writing is a dream come true. I pray that I can be a great team member and be used in a significant way in this new endeavor, and continue to be an encouragement to homeschoolers through TOS.

 

One of the best unit studies we ever did resulted in a wonderful way of sharing what we were learning and writing with other homeschoolers around the world. This is taken from our web site Homeschool Gazette. We no longer accept submissions there, nor do we have a newsletter, but you'll find some creative ideas and encouraging information. ~Kathy

 

Since age seven, Josiah took off with reading. He loved 3-2-1 Contact, Ranger Rick, and Highlights magazines. His favorite was Reader's Digest, in which I had to rip out any unwanted articles that I preferred to hide from him. I so enjoyed seeing him curled up with a book, and hear him chuckle at something funny he had read.

 

Writing was a different story. He had a vivid imagination and could sometimes narrate his ideas, but he seemed to balk at attempts to write on his own, outside of simple thank you notes and short letters to grandma. I felt he needed a reason to write.

 

An inexpensive work book caught my attention in a homeschool catalog - Newspaper Reporters (an introduction to newspaper writing), published by Teacher Created Materials. At age nine, Josiah, and Gideon, seven, began a unit study on "Newspapers and Reporters". My idea was to study various aspects of good writing related to newspaper and magazine type articles, try writing their own similar articles using our word processor, culminating the study with a newsletter filled with their writings to share with family and friends. The boys thought it sounded like fun. It worked out to be one of the best ideas I've ever had!

 

Grandma sent a Sunday paper from Ocala, Florida. We lived in Washington state at the time and I wanted a different perspective on the news to study from. We used the workbook but only as a guide to meet our own desires and needs, feeling free to skip parts that we had no interest in (like writing sports stories) or that were redundant, unnecessary, or unappealing to the boys. It had some great ideas though that we had fun using.

 

Before long, the boys compiled articles, poems, ads, puzzles, cartoons, and a contest. Josiah wrote a humorous piece after reading the Dave Barry columns. He wrote a feature article on traveling through New York state, requiring research. Gideon dictated an intriguing work of prose about springtime. We studied layout, headlines, art, advertising, weather, proofreading, interviews, and editorials. Some of Josiah's work was half narrated, which helped ease his way into writing on his own.

 

At the time we were ready to embark on our own newsletter compilation, a real live computer had just arrived in our living room! The timing was perfect. Our study turned to computers and learning how to set up our newsletter using Publisher software. We turned out our first Homeschool Gazette soon afterward. The computer became an instant love, and Josiah absorbed knowledge incredibly, as if by osmosis. The newsletter turned out so nice, we all had the idea to continue it, making it a publication that our friends (most all homeschoolers) could participate in. [We published it faithfully for close to five years. Josiah designed and maintains this web site, and other homeschoolers from around the world are welcome to participate.] But best of all, Josiah is a writer, and an editor. When he gets an idea, he can whip out an article on the computer and he enjoys it.

 

During this particular time of study, we concentrated on writing and language arts. Only a smattering of math was accomplished apart from facts review. We read a lot together, and discussed what we liked about the articles we read and what we didn't like. I also participated by writing some of my own articles to share with the boys. It was a very enjoyable time for all of us. As a side note, I have heard home school moms say to me, "But you are so creative. I could never do what you do!" Perhaps they are afraid to try. We are ALL creative, and just need to act on our ideas. Relax, and let your God inspired creative ideas go wild...

 

P.S. Our boys are presently 22, 19, 16, & 13.

I want to share this poem because it has touched me so. 

By Jen Abbas,  an18-year-old child of divorce:

  The Eruption

  Divorce is like a trembling earthquake,
  The world shakes, rumbling with rage,
  And all the anger, guilt, and frustrations
  That have been festering for so long
        below the surface
  Suddenly spew upward in an inferno of hate
        or apathy.
  At times the earth calms and you think the
      turmoil is over,
  Settled, stable, but then the cycle begins again,
  Repeating, repeating, repeating.
  You are weary, you want to rest,
  And that is when you realize the shaking has
        stopped,
  But there is an eerie feeling lurking in the air.
  You are hesitant to believe anything anymore,
  You are so tired after struggling for so long,
  And so you rest on the one solid patch of land,
  Only to watch it split in two,
  Two separate, distinct parts that will never
        come together again.
  Each new patch supports part of you,
  And as you watch, they pull away.

"It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things." ~ Leonardo Da Vinci

From the category of famous people, the young man I am tutoring chose to compile a notebook on Leonardo Da Vinci . Good choice! We've studied him before, but can you ever stop studying Leonardo? I had never heard of Leonardo's horse ordeal until recent weeks. How did I miss that before? The Creative Thinker of All Time boasts of amazing accomplishments. He was an artist, architect, sculptor, inventor, engineer, and scientist. He was also an entertainer, musician, production designer and manager, writer, naturalist, scholar and philosopher. Has his understanding of the world opened doors of knowledge for us? From his exemplary life, we can see that Leonardo surely went out and happened to things!

Curiosita - An insatiably curious approach to life and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning, is the first of the seven Da Vincian Principles expounded upon in the book How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci by Michael J. Gelb. As a mother, I can visualize the natural curiosity and desires of my little boys to explore, taste and experience the fascinating world around them, and as a homeschooling mom, I'd never want to see this innate lust for learning end.

I have been researching Leonardo in my own curiosity quest. I've always liked to draw and I admire beautiful paintings and the artistic talents of others. I am a fan of museums and have seen many famous paintings in my lifetime. I'd like to think like Leonardo, and learn seven steps to genius every day as the title suggests (I'd like to try writing backwards, though I'll leave out dissecting bodies, thank you).

Mr. Gelb believes that our learning power can improve with age (I'd like to believe that). Couldn't I use this knowledge to pattern our own education? I wonder how far we are from Leonardo's methods? The Curiosita Self-Assessment checklist the book provides claims that your answers tell how well you are already using it and where to improve. Here's the list:

• I keep a journal or notebook to record my insights and questions.
• I take adequate time for contemplation and reflection.
• I am always learning something new.
• When I am faced with and important decision, I actively seek out different perspectives.
• I am a voracious reader.
• I learn from little children.
• I am skilled at identifying and solving problems.
• My friends would describe me as open-minded and curious.
• When I hear or read a new word or phrase, I look it up and make a note of it.
• I know a lot about other cultures and am always learning more.
• I know or am involved in learning a language other than my native one.
• I solicit feedback from my friends, relations, and colleagues.
• I love learning.

I can check yes by a number of these, but also would need much discipline in others. In light of the above and what I know about Leonardo, I see a correlation with Charlotte Mason's educational philosophy. Ms. Mason wrote "Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life," and the CM school motto is "I Am, I Can, I Ought, I Will." She also said: "We trust much to good books - Once more, we know that there is a storehouse of thought wherein we may find all the great ideas that have moved the world." She encouraged keeping journals from an early age and the study of languages. Children were to be free in their play, letting them use their imaginations and providing time for their many self motivated projects, but parents were always present guiding lights. History (chronologically) and nature study were emphasized. Both Charlotte and Leonardo were advocates of virtue, including truth and beauty. Relating more specifically to children and curiosita Charlotte shares this:

"The idea that vivifies teaching. . . is that 'Education is a Science of Relations; by which phrase we mean that children come into the world with a natural [appetite] for, and affinity with, all the material of knowledge; for interest in the heroic past and in the age of myths; for a desire to know about everything that moves and lives; about strange places and strange peoples; for a wish to handle material and to make; a desire to run and ride and row and do whatever the law of gravitation permits. Therefore. . . we endeavor that he shall have relations of pleasure and intimacy established with as many possible of the interests proper to him; not learning a slight or incomplete smattering about this or that subject, but plunging into vital knowledge, with a great field before him which in all his life he will not be able to explore. In this conception we get that 'touch of emotion' which vivifies knowledge, for it is probably that we feel only as we are brought into our proper vital relations." ~ Charlotte Mason

Wow! Doesn't that sum it up? Curiosita is just the first of the Da Vincian Principles and is demonstrated by a continuous quest for learning . In that chapter the author lists a number of exercises one can do to improve your skills and apply this concept. He asks the question "What would you learn if you could learn anything at all?" Most of the people he asks answer with things that express an ideal or dream hobby, something they always wanted to do but never did, and I'm thinking to myself, I have a lot of those. Some I have touched on in the past but just failed to continue to make time for them. Mr. Gelb finds that people who pursue those hobbies passionately live richer, more fulfilling lives. And Charlotte Mason would agree. There are many hobby-like activities I'd love to pursue further, and I'd like for the boys to find new ways to enjoy life too. As a people, we have all kinds of excuses for not doing those things (I'm guilty), but as Leonardo would answer, "You can have no dominion greater or less than that over yourself." It's never too late!

Some other insights I found in these interesting exercises included the free writing technique that we have been employing at home (I've mentioned this in an earlier post). He calls it stream of consciousness writing but it's the same thing, where you write continuously, always keeping your pen moving, paying no attention to grammar or spelling etc. I liked this metaphor of the poet's motto: "Write drunk, revise sober." I'll have to remember it.

Leonardo kept a notebook with him wherever he went. I bought a nice leather journal for that purpose in the last few years, and though I did that for several months, I didn't continue to lug it around, but wrote in it at home. He used his notebooks (seven thousand pages still exist but authorities estimate it was twice as many) without organization, mixing all kinds of thoughts, letters, doodles and drawings, new vocabulary, plans, scientific treatises, questions and even copy work!

The Great Problem Solver was a man who asked many questions. He felt this was much more important than giving right answers. Quite the opposite of today's educational institutions. Finding and asking the right questions will lead you to the solutions. I think I need to re-emphasize this approach to our learning at home.

Leonardo taught himself Latin at age 42. Babies learn languages easily, but at any age this is a fun hobby and you can actually learn faster than a baby. We've dabbled in German in past years when one son had an interest and recently Jeremiah developed an interest in French. I picked up a freebie - a set of learning cassettes that we still have to delve into. I love language; the etymology of our own English leaves much to discover. Leonardo defined over nine thousand words in his journals.

Charlotte Mason had much to say about developing good habits. Leonardo was keen on observational and emotional intelligence, studying people and their habits, much as he also studied nature and animals. He majored in getting along with others! A required book for graduating in our homeschool is the favorite classic How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.

I'm only in the beginning chapters of How to Think Like Leonardo but let me share briefly, the remaining seven principles:

Dimostrazione - A commitment to test knowledge through experience, persistence, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. Sensazione - The continual refinement of the senses, especially sight, as the means to enliven experience. Sfumato - A willingness to embrace ambiguity, paradox, and uncertainty. Arte/Scienza - The devepment of the balance between science and art, logic and imagination. "Whole-brain" thinking. Corporalita - The cultivation of grace, ambidexterity, fitness, and poise. Connessione - A recognition of and appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things and phenomena. Systems thinking.

I'm looking forward to learning more from Master Da Vinci in these next chapters and modeling the Da Vinci lifestyle and information I am learning to my boys, applying more to our home schooling. To start, I have a nature watercolor painting and colored pencil drawing I could complete and possibly submit to the Boone County Fair this week. I'm also going to get out those French tapes. Having had Charlotte Mason as a mentor gently leads the way. Au revoir, or as Leonardo would say buona notte.

Featured Drawings: Leonardo's Christ Figure 1490 and Study of a Womb 1489 from his journals

 

I retrieved a few old pals from last year and mixed in a few curious new friends from my overcrowded bookshelves, prioritized which subjects to study, thoughtfully listed some favorite want-to-read-alouds, bought some colorful notebooks and pens, found my surprise box of zoology microscope slides that I saved, and I'm rarin' to begin our adventure. I'm excited! Today was our first day to ease back into a homeschool schedule.

I say schedule even though we tend to be very flexible and relaxed. Everyone needs an agenda and I'd be lost without my weekly plan book where I write down every thing we do and plan future projects. I have a well intentioned but forgetful mind so I have to include safeguards here and there that help snap me back where I knew I wanted to be.

I love learning with the boys. It's a favorite activity! If you read this blog long enough you'll find me repeating those statements again and again. Is there anything better than relating to your child about something wonderful that God had made or revealed to you? This is what we deal with every day in our unique learning environment.

I'd love to say that my younger two boys are so independent in their learning, but they are probably pretty typical guys. They like critters, computer games, movies, playing chess, telling jokes and arm wrestling. They do each have their different interests, but they can use a good nudging and a lot of inspiration at times, and I do see time wasters flashing their lights in my direction a bit too often. We haven't "enjoyed" regular TV or even cable for twenty years, but the VCR and computer came into our lives early on. I can't go back and change those things but I feel happiest when schooling is in session.

Jeremiah, 13, also likes photography and I'm very impressed that he has pursued this interest somewhat this summer (the photos are his). I'm trying to figure out a way to have this be a part of his studies also, doing an insect/creature book or writing descriptions with scrapbook pages and to learn more about design and composition.

Benjamin, 16, has been working part time and that is a BIG change in his life where he is learning all manner of responsibility and work ethics. I am impressed with him also. A devotional book I plan to use is Bob Shultz's Created For WORK - Practical Insights for Young Men, and I'm sure Benjamin will have some first hand experiences to share with us. He's a wonderful reader with an auditory learning style and real living books continue to be the gist of our eclectic education. We don't typically use a formal subject textbook, but have found the Apologia sciences quite interesting. Ben will be doing the Exploring Creation with Biology and possibly getting together with a few other students for the experiment labs. I hope it works out.

Every year (for last 17 years) we've been doing things just a tad different. The boys change and I change. Subjects that do bear repeating can be done with a new twist to keep it interesting. I switched Jeremiah to a new math program just this morning. Book collecting has been a long term hobby which I love but I have found that having too many choices can make me crazy. It's better for me to select fewer options to focus on, but it's always nice to know my friends will be there for me.

I have many writing programs and seem to always be looking for the BEST. Probably any that I use would be fine. I am putting an emphasis on creative writing this year because it's a special interest of my own, I've been reading a lot and writing more myself, and think we need to share our loves & interests with our children. And I know that they have so much inside just waiting to be expressed in a creative writing sort of way. I continue to delight in seeing their written expressions (selves) come to life!

Recently on an email list the members were asked, "What books have most influenced your thinking with homeschooling?" I thought I would share my list here with some highlights I've uncovered that have helped me along our journey.

• The Relaxed Homeschool and The Joyful Homeschooler by Mary Hood, Ph.D.: So many new homeschoolers think their child has to cover every subject, complete every page in the book, and pass every test with A's - and they attempt to imitate with their children the education that they endured as a child. I found good, practical advice, tips for relaxing and trusting God, and following His individual plan for our family. Reading these were very encouraging to me that it was OK to be my flexible, creative self and apply it to my homeschool. It's also OK to follow a different format based on your child's individuality and needs. The multiplication tables don't have to be taught in third grade and there are going to be gaps in your students' education. I don't have to cover everything. Textbooks that try to cram so much in a small book don't do justice to the topics it shares. Reading a real book on a certain subject allows the child to really grasp a subject and internalize it for later use. I started thinking more along the lines of “What is God wanting us to learn and do?” and listening closely for His guidance.                                                                                 
  

• Dumbing Us Down by John Taylor Gatto: This past New York State Teacher of the Year showed me why typical, compulsory education is really anti-child education. He confirmed to me what I had already believed, though it was inspiring to hear it from a public educator who dared to radicalize the system and re-engage his students toward natural curiosity, independence, love of learning and community involvement. Each year I reassess if home schooling is the right choice for us at this time and in the back of my mind there is Mr. Gatto shaking his head at me and saying, "Your boys deserve the best you can give them. A collective institution that is designed to produce obediently functioning, intellectually dependent cogs, is contrary to the spirited, individualized expressions of learning that you can provide them at home in your care." I realized that imitating the public school system was out of the question and I appreciated the strong language, openness and kick in the head where I needed it.  
  

                                                                                                   

• The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook by Dr. Raymond Moore: Pushing children (especially boys) too hard, too soon into formal learning is a “don't do”! They need those early years for exploration, play and natural growth to maturity. Since my two middle sons were very late readers I identified with this good wisdom. It didn't inhibit them in any way and in their own God given time frame, they caught up and advanced quickly. Homeschooling is more like a stress free family adventure built around your child's needs and interests. There are plenty of worthwhile creative endeavors like games, projects, crafts and work that young children should be involved in. There's a bounty of fabulous ideas, encouraging personal stories and support for everyone that loves the idea of family oriented education.

• The Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola: I own quite a number of books on the Charlotte Mason style of learning and I love them all. This is the one I refer back to the most, however. Ms. Mason's ideas for narration, copywork and dictation stood out for me to include in our education which I have delighted in and continue to use. Having the teacher mind that I do, I used to write up many of my own lessons similar to the ones in the Learning Language Arts Through Literature curriculum. This one book (along with use of a library) is the best and only book someone needs to have to homeschool effectively. Easy read, easy implementation and great results!

• Teach Your Own by John Holt: Here was an early private school educator and granddaddy homeschool guru who knows all about education and children. His friendly wisdom can persuade like no one else I've read. It's all packed in here. The chapter on dyslexia was an eye opener for me, and taught me that children with labels are smart indeed! Every parent is a facilitator and capable of teaching their own children and "watching the miracle of natural human development take off on its own." (quote from a fan)

 
This is strawberry season, so delight your taste buds with this all raw strawberry pie. This was one of many delicious recipes we made in a "Cookin" in the Raw class I took at the college taught by my friend, Lynne (a local Hallelujah Health Minister).

Why raw? Our bodies need it for optimal survival and healing. You ingest living enzymes needed for digestion, most easily assimilated by the body, and packed with more nutrients in their purest state, closer to the way God made them. I never knew you could do so many things with raw veggies, fruits and nuts until this past year; in fact, I'm looking forward to attending a raw food workshop this weekend along with Lynne.

Strawberry Pie:

2 pints of strawberries
16 dates, pitted (medjool are popular and moist)
4 tsp psyllium powder

Process 1/2 pint of strawberries with dates and psyllium powder until quite smooth. Chop rest of strawberries (resereving a few for top decoration) and combine with strawberry/date mixture. Pour into prepared crust. Refrigerate until firm.

OR instead of the above, substitute this binder added to the 2 pints of quartered strawberries:

7 or 8 large ripe strawberries
5 soft dates, pitted
2 ripe bananas
1 Tbs. lemon juice

Almond Date Pie Crust:

1 1/2 cups almonds that have been soaked 8-12 hours (can substitute 1/2 cup pre-soaked pecans or walnuts)
16 dates, pitted (soaked if not moist)
pinch of sea salt

Process in Food Processor until finely chopped and holds together when pinched. A small amount of honey can be added if it isn't holding together well enough. Enjoy!

www.hacres.com
www.simplynaturalhealth.com

These are some ideas from the top of my head and from resource books that I have, to give you an offshoot of which to create something that'll work for you. Here is Benjamin at a Keeper's Club scrapbooking workshop. Have fun!

1. While reading a book (biographies are great) jot down notes of the important aspects after the reading of each chapter, then rewrite the story in your own words.

2. Write a children's book utilizing information that you are learning and studying about. Illustrate it. Or make a poster.

3. Teach the younger children something. Write an evaluation.

4. Make a detailed (to scale) floor plan of your room or house. Or make one of an imaginary house.

5. Create a card game to play with your family, utilizing facts or information you are learning.

6. Start an anonymous letter writing ministry to encourage others.

7. Make a scrapbook page using photos or newspaper/magazine clippings or drawings.

8. Start a collection of favorite scriptures and quotes. Find a new one each day.

9. Keep a "book of the centuries" timeline.

10. Do research on the Internet about a famous person you are reading about. Write a short essay and share with the family.

11. Make up a true/false questionnaire using the material you are studying and have family members participate.

12. Interview relatives and start a family memories album. Could also ask relatives to write their own stories to include in your album. Could also write a family newsletter to share with others.

13. Do map work of one continent at a time, learning all of the country names and their positions on the map. (Make an outline map and fill in as you go.)

14. Plan and cook all meals for family for an entire day.

15. Write up an exercise plan for the week and stick to it.

16. Make a list of all of the things you would like to do someday (be creative too) then start doing them, crossing off one at a time.

17. Keep a spiritual journal.

18. Memorize (and/or act out) a favorite poem.

19. Rewrite a poem, scripture, or paragraph by changing many of the existing words to a word meaning the same or similar (synonym) and see how it changes.

20. Do a character study (choose a person and study their life, actions, character traits, mission, message, etc).

21.Write for a young ladies magazine (get subscription to one). May also critique or review articles.

22. Write a book review for Amazon.com or local newspaper.

23.Listen to "Weird Al" or Mark Lowry (Christian comedian) parody songs. Write one of your own.

24.Do a nature study project. Keep nature journal including drawings.

25. Write a monologue and perform it for others. (choose a character that is much different from your own.)

26. Make up an ad or commercial for a make believe product.

27. Choose a famous painting you like and describe it. Convey the mood you feel. Try to capture the essence on your own similar painting or drawing.

28. Do crafts and or experiments with younger siblings.

29. Make up a healthy, nutritious, weekly menu for the family. Find out what vitamins/minerals are necessary for optimum health.

30. Research and practice herbal remedies.

31.Study the night sky and constellations.

32. Attend a play or concert and write a review or evaluation.

33. Gardening

34. Keep a collection of some sort.

35. Make calligraphy of favorite quote or scripture.

36.Listen to classical music and write about the feeling or imaginations you feel while listening to it.

37. Study the life of a favorite author.

38. Write a biography of a bible character, filling in from your imagination the details not provided in scripture.

39. Outline a book of the bible.

40. Write a historical record of something that happened as if you had been there.

41.Take notes on a video or cassette lesson.

42. Keep a record of all finances for your family for a month. Include all expenses, food, rent, payments, items purchased, bills, etc.

43. Make a graph utilizing information gained by a topic you studied.

44. Make a pie graph to compare the populations of each European nation as a percentage of the population of the whole continent.

45. Research and compile info on an exotic place you'd like to visit.

46. Visit a museum (the one at College of the Ozarks is incredible)

47. Practice an art program of your choice.

48. Do a mural project with younger siblings in time-line fashion.

49. Make a paper construction 3D model of something, (or just a creative original design.)

50. Make a pop-up 3D card for someone special.

51. Plan a surprise party for dad for no special reason.

52. After watching a TV program or movie, analyze it in light of Phil. 4:8.

53. Write a short story or dialog of a famous person set in a specific historical period.