Jul. 2, 2009
New School Year Questions
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I changed my page template to reflect how I have been feeling about life lately. This nifty green mug can be filled with my favorite drink of chocolate milk as I consider where to go in the upcoming year. As we near the new school year, I have been evaluating our methods and looking for the most efficient way to meet the educational needs of my kids because methods change as kids change. One necessary change that I see: I have been reading to both Bethany and Andrew for history, science, literature, and Bible. I think Bethany at 6th grade needs to start taking in a higher level of content than her brother, grade 3. I am questioning whether I should continue with the living books and just find different books for each child or if I need to consider accepting help from a prewritten curriculum. I have been very overwhelmed lately even without school. I am very apprehensive not only of doing school but also coming up with all of my own materials as I have done in the past. I love guiding their education, but am I taking on too much? I also have to remember my two little ones. At 6 and 4 they don't do formal school with us yet (I don't start them till they are 7... aside from learning to read). They have spent many days playing in the bedrooms or watching videos while I spent most of the day in school and then keeping up the house. I believe they deserve more of my attention. I have been following a Literature based/Ruth Beechick style for a few years. I own a variety of books and prewritten curriculums including Switched on Schoolhouse, The Weaver, and random math, history, and science books. I need a clear focus and confidence that I am doing what the Lord wants me to do with my family. If you have experience with any of these curriculums or any ideas for me, I am sitting here, with my chocolate milk, ready to listen! |
Jun. 15, 2009
Science
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I have looked and looked for a science curriculum that I feel like God wants me to use this year. I wanted to have something easy to use that did not feed information to the kids but encouraged them to investigate on their own. After several months of looking, I have decided to simply choose a topic every week or two and let the kids get library books on that topic and display their knowledge in some way. Maybe they will do notebooks or lapbooks. Maybe they will build something out of Legos. Maybe they will give a speech. I don't know yet, but I am excited by the possibilities. I am one step closer to being prepared for the upcoming school year. More than that, I am looking forward to the discoveries my kids will make this year. By the way, do you know how many topics are covered by the Magic School House books? My library has 48 of them listed! So many possibilities... so I guess I am off to starting a list of topics we want to study this year! |
Jun. 8, 2009
Spelling and Geography Bees
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We are on summer break, enjoying swimming lessons, VBS, evening family bike rides, and more. It is a fairly fast paced summer. I am still deciding what I want to do with the kids for school time in the fall. We are doing the library's summer reading program too, which means reading, reading, reading. Magic School bus is a favorite. We are also reading Wrinkle in Time together. What a neat book! I can't believe I never read this book growing up. I couldn't help myself and read ahead to finish the book. I really enjoyed it. I am loving watching them play. Their game of choice recently has been Spelling Bee. Now my kids are definitely not natural spellers, but they play with the CLUE board game player pieces or the GUESS WHO players, and ask me to whisper the answers to them. I am so amused that they like this game, but who am I to say they cannot practice spelling? On that note, I have recently heard of geography bees. Have any of you tried them? I bet they would make learning geography more fun. |
Jun. 8, 2009
Friends
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I am amazed by the friends I have made from blogging here. Ladies have encouraged me, taught me, befriended me. What a blessing it has been. Thank you to all who see this site as a ministry to others. I hope I am doing the same for others here. |
Jun. 3, 2009
Discouraged
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This has been one of those weeks when I question whether I am doing the right thing by homeschooling. My daughter is constantly lonely. My preschoolers make school difficult to accomplish. I don't want to jump through hoops to make them interested. I am tired of looking at the mess that never ends when there are 4 kids playing at home all day, everyday. When I consider the alternative of sending them to school, it hurts my heart. I don't want them there. I need a heart refreshing. I know there will be better days. |
May. 18, 2009
Delegating responsibilities
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One home responsibility that I really don't care for is cooking meals. I always feel like I fall short in making nice meals for my family. There are just so many other things I prefer to do. I have been praying for wisdom in training my children in life skills. Last night I thought of an idea. I assigned each of my kids a job for the week that I know they already enjoy doing. My oldest daughter is 11. Every meal to her is special. She always wants to decorate the table and put colorful stuff on the food for visual appeal. So I gave her the job of planning the meals for the week, writing out the grocery list and preparing suppers. She has already cooks for the kids often, so this should not be too hard for her. Of course I will be there for the parts she needs help with. She is so excited about the job. She pulled out index cards for each day of the week and started planning the menus. She is taking it so very seriously. Maybe this will be a help in our family. She loves cooking and presenting good foods. I will let you know how it goes. One week later:
The week is done, and the kids made it the whole week with their delegated responsibilities. They really took ownership. I was so proud of them! Today I passed out new jobs. Bethany (11) gets bathrooms. I hope she decorates some while she has them. She is our decorator. Andrew (7) is delighted that he gets to plan the menu this week. I cannot think of a new job for my 4 and 5 year olds. Maybe they can keep helping me with washing the clothes. Oh, and I am going to try to make my own laundry detergent this week. It looks simple enough. I hope it works! |
May. 16, 2009
Two weeks later
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Two weeks later: The kids and I are so refreshed. We have smiled more, laughed more, worked together more. My 11 year old daughter took responsibility for planning, preparing, and serving meals for the family. She worked with pride, knowing she was doing an important job. She has also done plenty of her art lessons. My 7 year old drew pictures and wrote out signs. This is big for him since he really struggles to write. My 5 year old insisted on reading her bedtime stories to us the best she could. I know at some point, probably in July, we will go back to our core studies, but it has been a nice break. For the rest of May I think I will work on building good habits some more. June will be filled with swimming lessons for three weeks, Vacation Bible School for a week, and Music camp for a week. |
May. 5, 2009
Live, Learn, Love
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This week I am studying my kids. I am taking a break from formal school and watching my kids. I think a good way to teach them is to watch and know what they need to be taught. It is fun to watch them pretend together. They are superheroes with super powers. They are moms and dads and kids. They are doctors, pet store owners, and more. Childhood is a wonderful time. I really should not make them get so serious about life yet. Maybe I should not be so serious about life. Having fun is a good thing that I often forget about. I am thankful for my kids being able to remind me of it. Live together, Learn together, Love together. |
Apr. 22, 2009
Flexibility
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This morning we decided that we just had to have donuts for breakfast. We all got dressed and left for the grocery store, picked up a few days worth of groceries and of course some donuts. When we got home, the kids jumped onto the computer to play "Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego?". According to the normal schedule, we should be doing our book work. Am I being irresponsible? Or just flexible? I am convinced that they are learning just as much from the game as they would be from their books. I love the freedom in homeschooling. |
Mar. 26, 2009
Sweet days
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Today was library day, and with every library day the same thing unfolds... We scrap "school work" for the day and head out across town to the library. After spending an hour or two choosing books, we must leave what has become my favorite place to visit. Our bags are filled to the rim with great stories. On the way home each child is fully engrossed in a book of their choosing. When we return home, we have lunch, some relaxing time, maybe a family bike ride, and dinner. Toward bedtime, we break out the stories, one for each child to enjoy with dad. Each book is read and reread, completely savored. Over the next few days, the books, all 35 of them (between 4 kids), will be read at least once. Peter Pan, William Tell, Shakespeare, Dr. Seuss, Magic School Bus... the list goes on. And I think as I am evaluating the use of our time that THIS is real learning, better than any curriculum I can put in front of them. Then I wonder why I must spend so much time in "school". Why can't I just let them learn from their books? I don't really have an answer to that question, but it is such a sweet feeling watching them delight in all these great books! These days remind me of the simple life I long to live. |
Jan. 25, 2009
People are more important than things.
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In addition to the instructions to live by in my last post, I thought of another one that has stuck deep in my heart since I was a teenager. It was quoted by a man named Guy Doud. He was voted national teacher of the year in 1986. He is now a motivational speaker. I have never forgotten this statement, and I use it often in my house. I hope I can say that I have lived up to it as well. People are more important than things. |
Jan. 1, 2009
Instructions to Live By
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A few statements commonly heard around my house: Freely Given, Freely Shared. Do unto others what you would have them do unto you. If you don't have anything nice to say, Don't say anything at all. Do not let any unwholesome words come from you mouth, but only those that are helpful to others. Use your manners....I expect your best behavior.... Because I'm the Boss! |
Dec. 29, 2008
Jesus Loves Me
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I love my kids. I love them when they're good; I love them when they're not. I love them because they are part of me, I do not like it when they fight or disobey or throw fits. As I write this, I am reminded of how God feels toward me. He loves me when I'm good and when I am not. I am His, made in His image. I am sorry for the times I fight, disobey, and throw fits. Jesus loves me this I know, For the Bible tells me so. Little Ones to Him belong. They are weak, but He is strong... Jesus loves me when I'm good, when I do the things I should. Jesus loves me when I'm bad, even though it makes him sad. Yes Jesus Loves me, Yes Jesus Loves me, Yes Jesus Loves me, The Bible Tells me so.... |
Nov. 25, 2008
Christmas Lesson Plans
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Since it is so hard to accomplish academics during this time of year with the busyiness and excitement of Christmas approaching, I will be doing some different lessons for a while. Here's a taste of what I want to start with: 1. Bible Stories chronologically beginning with Genesis... because I realize we are not spending enough time learning about our Bibles 2. Missionary Stories with the Millers... This book will help us be aware of what life as a missionary might be like. It will help us with some geography and also some world cultures. 3. Music: Learn some Christmas songs concerning the Biblical story of Christmas. Begin music lessons for the kids. 4. Art: Decorate house with Christmas theme. Make homemade gifts for family. 5. Social Studies: Christmas around the world 6. Read lots of books, write letters, Use math skills in shopping and budgeting. Sounds like fun to me! I hope it all works out! |
Nov. 13, 2008
Back to Basics
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We're focusing only on basic academics *again* -- Math, Reading, and Writing. That seems like what I have to do to keep things smooth. I just know though that at some point, science and social studies, etc will be important. For now, I am pushing very little book work and more time spent doing activities with the kids. We are reading library books handpicked with good stuff in them. We are designing our next swing set. We're gearing up for Thanksgiving and Christmas and trying to instill Godly viewpoints in the kids. I find that the more we travel, the more time I have to teach a child a lesson about life, or even math, while on the road. I suppose this has always been the best way to teach... the essence of homeschooling, learning through life... So why have I become so stressed over school? I guess I am letting the fear of higher grade level demands get to me... I don't yet know how to balance those demands with my style of teaching. I'm praying for answers. If you have ideas, please let me know!! Thanks! |
Oct. 16, 2008
Grace
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I saw this YouTube video called "Cardboard Testimony" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ) Through this video and other conversations I'd had recently, I began to realize that I had forgotten where it was that I had come from. I was once lost, hopeless. Daily I performed in school and gymnastics for acceptance, knowing each day I'd have to repeat for that day's acceptance. I never really felt like I had attained it, but I continually tried. Then I met Jesus. The truth now is that I don't have to perform to be accepted and loved by Jesus. I'm not good enough. But God's Grace is... If I were to write my Cardboard Testimony, I think it might be: Judged by the world -------------- Loved by God This really brought me to a crisis of belief... If I really believe that God loves me by His grace, then I must live and love others this way. I tend to be a rule follower, and hard on my kids and others when they falter. But I should, I must, treat them with grace and love. This is how I can let Jesus live through me. And really that is what the Christian life is all about... Letting Jesus live in us so that others will see Him.
Wow....... |
Sep. 26, 2008
This is Emily and Andy with "Sugar". We were just visiting. Seeing the horses is a treat for us!
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Sep. 26, 2008
Here's most of my kids: Lily, Andy, and Bethany, and my awesome husband.
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Sep. 26, 2008
This is me!
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Sep. 12, 2008
He changed our plans
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For several months my oldest daughter was to go to Chicago for 10 days at the end of August. My intention was to take the time to minimize and clean up inside and out of my house. We were to spend quality time with the younger 3 kids while we had the break. There would be no school that week. Bethany left as planned on a Friday morning, but instead of following through with our plans, We realized Hurricane Gustav was heading our way(and indeed the eye wall crossed right over us), so we prepared and left town. We didn't know where to go, and reluctantly drove out to my mom's house. That should have been a 5 hour drive, but became an 18 hour drive in evacuation traffic. God's Appointment #1: My brother is having a hard time these days, so he's staying with my mom. We got 4 days to visit him, love him, and hopefully minister to him. It had been far too long since he and I had had a good visit.. God's Appointment #2: We needed to get closer to home to assess the damage. My cousin agreed to let us stay with him for a few days until we got power again. Again, I had really lost contact with him too. We enjoyed another 4 days visiting him and his family while taking trips 1 1/2 hours away to clean up our yard and such. Finally after 12 days, we finally got power back at our house and moved home yesterday. It never felt so good to clean my house as it did yesterday and today! I have been refreshed! I think I still had some great quality time with my kids as we spent 12 days together in the minivan or in a one room family space. Formal school has not happened for 2 weeks now, but we should be able to get going again Monday or Tuesday. Hurricane Ike is presently approaching Galveston, TX. As it glides along just below us, we're "enjoying" some really intense wind and rain. It's a little scary at times as it blows around the pieces of my house that are still hanging loose from Gustav. "At least we're all safe; that is all that really matters," say my kids. They are so right, aren't they??? While I don't wish big hurricanes on anyone, it is so awesome to see God work in the midst of them! |