After completing my first reading of Teaching the Trivium, I'm certain that God brought this book to us for such a time as this.  The ideas concerning what to do before the age of ten, have my brain in overdrive and I'm eager to make the necessary changes in our family and school time to better achieve the "desired results"--love for the Lord and His Word, a love of learning, well-disciplined (self-governed), and a strong foundation in language. 

After much prayer and discussion with the husband, there are a few areas we are bringing to the forefront and a few major changes in activities:

1. The first thing is we are further limiting TV and computer time.  Both children will be limited to 1 time per week on the computer (1 hr for son 7, and 1/2 hr for daughter 3--she begs for it more than her brother!).  TV will be limited to family movie night and the occassional school subject related program. 

2. Since son's Bible just arrived (his ESV Children's Bible--which is NOT a "children's" version, but the full adult version in larger print with pictures), he will now be able to do his reading out loud during our Bible/Worship time.  He will also be reading daily to his sister, starting with whatever Arch book follows along with our lesson (I just picked up 50 at the library sale for .25/ea!). 

3. We are expanding and concentrating more on our memorization, and are actually setting aside time to work on just that.  We will be adding to his current weekly Bible memorization, poetry, and other worthwhile things.  Included in this will be the Greek and Hebrew alphabets, when my Bluedorn books arrive.  The husband has been studying the Greek and Hebrew this year in his own Bible study time and we are thus inspired!  It is nice to see the best application possible for such studies--learning and understanding God's Word!  (If you have ideas for memorization that are appropriate for a 7 year old, and maybe a 3 year old, please let me know!)

4. We have one chapter left in our Astronomy book, and though we have absolutely loved it, once we have completed it, we will be putting further in-depth science studies on hold for a wee bit.  This goes for Geography as well.

5. Art!  Well, I've tried a couple of art programs to no avail (Teaching Children to Draw--hahahahaha!!! and a couple of others with art appreciation as the emphasis.)  Teaching the Trivium recomments How Great Thou Art.  I know I've seen it at the conventions and never thought much of it, but I liked the samples on their website, so we're giving it a try.  Plus, both children can enjoy it--two different books, however.  This are has been a sore spot with me.  I love it, appreciate it, value it highly, but am CLUELESS as to how to approach it.  I hold out hope!

6. That goes for music, too.  I figure I cannot teach my children discipline, if I cannot even be disciplined enough to stick with their piano lessons.  Much prayer will be behind this one!

7. Till now, we've read mostly throughout our subjects.  Our night-time reading has all but ceased, simply because that has turned into Daddy time.  We've decided to have a "reading" time as part of our daily routine, which will include expanded history reading (some of the selections are much too long for one or two days) and "literature", or good quality family reading selections.

I love how the Bluedorns explain "fast-food books" and how such selections have no value in a time when everything they do should be of value!  We will be extra careful with what we are reading.  No more Magic Tree House and Hardy Boys can wait till he's much older--if he even wants to read them then! 

8. I'm convinced and convicted that we need to do more in the area of field trips.  I've stayed within my comfort zone on this topic, and am willing to start by scheduling regular trips and branching out more.

9. We are praying about the area of service and seeking a direction in this area, which is also sadly lacking, but, we agree, valuable.

10. The biggest area we will be concentrating on, is discipline.  We now have goals.  First time response is the biggest.  Showing respect (son's been sassy, rolling those eyes lately), treatment of baby sister, and also idleness (thank you, Belinda!).  It feels great to be able to have these goals before us to continue with better purpose and direction!

I feel a real peace about these obectives and goals and the Lord's blessings upon them.  We'll be praying for His constant presence and direction as we grow and change (daily!) and seek Him.