Counting my Blessings
• Jan. 29, 2010 - Finding What Works
| After much struggling to get my son, 8, to write anything, I gave in and set up the Switched on Schoolhouse curriculum that we bought a few years ago. I have been amazed as he has really taken to it. His attitude about school has significantly improved, and I am a happy mom. Now, I don't necessarily love traditional textbooks (SOS is basically one on the computer screen), but for now it is really working for him. We all love to read living books for school, and I am afraid that using the SOS lessons has really limited our time in the living books. So today we are going to set SOS aside and read together, practice a little handwriting, and play some learning games. It will be a nice Friday after working so hard all week. My goal overall is to instill a love for learning in each of the kids. That means finding what works for them so that they will have the right attitude about learning. |
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• Jan. 8, 2010 - Missing the Mark
Why is it that I can wake up every morning and know that I am the boss and my kids are not, yet by evening nearly every day I seriously doubt that I really am in control here?
Each day I get up and put for my very best effort to set the stage for success. I am cheerful, but firm. I try to balance love and snuggles with authority. By mid-day the kids are unmotivated to finish school work or chores, and I am doubting myself but trying to regroup. By bedtime I feel like I have lost everything I have worked for that day. The bedrooms, along with the rest of the house, are a disaster. The kids are tuning me out. I am losing my patience. I am tired and ready to rest, just when they need me most.
The bottom line is that I am missing the mark... every day. I am letting myself get in the way of Jesus shining through me. I don't see everything through God's eyes.
We all miss the mark. That is what sin means. Instead of beating myself up over it, I need to confess it to Jesus, accept his forgiveness, and then move on... even it it is many times a day.
I am thankful for His mercy. May I show the same mercy to my children instead of losing my temper with them. |
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• Dec. 13, 2009 - Merry Christmas!
Most years as the cold weather sets in and the busyness of the holidays commences I go into survival mode. I absolutely do not like cold. I definitely don't like the commercial holiday that Christmas has become. This year seems different, though I cannot explain it. I have truly enjoyed focusing on the simple life this year. My family dropped all extracurricular activities as of May 2009. We have been refreshed. Sometimes we miss the activities we were doing like Awanas and gymnastics. There has been talk of going back on a limited scale. But for now, I am so happy to have my family home. I am looking forward to a simple Christmas. I am looking for ways to spend Christmas Day that are not focused on gift giving. Any ideas??
This week I celebrated my birthday. Next week is my 13th wedding anniversary, and of course a few days later Christmas. It is a time for family and celebration (done simply of course).
This week we are reading books about the Amish, Jewish holidays, and of course the meaning of Christmas. For fun we are reading stories from our Hans Christian Anderson books, Skylark (sequel to Sarah, Plain and Tall), and perhaps we will begin Prince Caspian this week. The older kids are continuing in their math lessons and copywork/dictation. We may read our next Magic School Bus book (about whales) for Science.
On my own, I am reading The Mislabeled Child. I am learning so much from this book.
I really, really, really need to start an exercise program both for toning muscles and cardio health. I am learning that it is very hard for me to work out when it is not a scheduled activity, and, let's face it, homeschooling moms don't have much time leftover to schedule for ourselves.
I am so proud of my husband for conquering some big goals. For National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) he wrote a book, a REAL book. Okay, it isn't quite finished, but it is nearly 60,000 words long and sounds very interesting. I am waiting for it to be finished so that I can read it. He has also recorded some of his saxophone music onto a cd. He is a talented musician and has finally agreed to record some of his music per my begging. He is inspiring me to reach out and do something I always wanted to do... if I can figure out what that something is!
I pray that your Christmas season is wonderful this year, that you seek Jesus every day, that you find His Joy all around you.
Merry Christmas! |
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• Dec. 3, 2009 - Holiday lessons
For the 3 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas we decided to make a bit of a change in what we were learning. Typically we focus strongly on basics but miss art and history. Kids have been doing lots of Christmas art projects, and we have been focusing on family, biblical, and US History. The kids really enjoyed the family history projects as they got to send homework to their grandparents. For Biblical history we focused on putting several important stories in timeline order. We are currently working on US history. It has been interesting to me that both of my older kids know about the same stuff. It is evident that we have learned together. Tomorrow we will be going to the library for more books. I love what we learn through stories.
I am sure the librarian cringes when we get to the checkout desk with 30 or 40 books every two weeks, but reading those books is such an important part of our routine. It is so neat to see my kids love reading.
One of our bedtime stories tonight was D.W.'s Guide to Perfect Manners. I am not particularly fond of D.W. in the Arthur series, but this book was a good behavior reminder. Kids were quick to point out what they were doing well on and what they struggled with. I may have to have them memorize the book. |
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• Nov. 19, 2009 - Mid Year
As we have approached the middle of our "school year", it is time to evaluate what we are doing, what is working, what is not. My first instinct is to panic as we are halfway through but have not learned nearly enough! But then I remind myself that learning continues whether the calendar says we are in school or not. Technically there is no real end to our learning. As long as progress is being made, then we are successful.
Now for the details:
Bethany (12)
I have seen great improvement in Bethany's work ethic this year. She knows what is expected and gets most of her assignments done on her own. She has become more responsible with her cleaning and pet care chores. She has also become a big helper in caring for her sisters.
Academically, she is flying through 7th grade math, a grade level ahead. She has spent many hours reading and researching information on small animals. While there has been significant improvement in her spelling, we could definitely focus on getting it even better. She still needs to learn to spell many of her sight words.
Andrew (8)
Andrew has shown a softened spirit this year as he has begun to understand how his actions affect those around him. He is adjusting this year to being "in school" while the younger kids play. He is an avid reader, so for Science we have been reading Magic School Bus books. This is a double bonus as we get to snuggle up with some great books AND we are learning some great science. He has been slow to write and still has plenty work to do, but has shown some improvement. I will start teaching him to type and practice his letters and numbers with free printable Kindergarten handwriting sheets I found online. Shhh... he doesn't have to know that. It is all about progress, not grade levels.
Emily (6)
I did not start formal lessons so early with Andrew, but she is ready. She showed no interest in learning to read early in the year but would follow along in our hymnal at church each Sunday. Now she is reading everything she sees except for books not written by Dr. Seuss. Emily is my child that will do it when she sees fit to do it. She has taken a liking to clipboards, so I am able to put a couple worksheets with writing or math on one and she works diligently. I think it makes her feel important! One thing I need to work on with Emily is her independence. She still wants me to do absolutely everything for her, and nobody else's help with do.
Lily (4)
Lily has been the easiest preschooler I have had. She has always been very good about entertaining herself or lying down across my lap and falling asleep during our school time. She is only four, but has recently decided she wants to do "her school". She doesn't come every day, but when she does, she joins in, does her worksheets that I give her, and proudly displays her work afterward. She is beginning to read letter sounds and put together matching words. Lily is the opposite of Emily in that she wants to do EVERYTHING by herself and adamantly refuses any help. This makes for lots of messes, but she is making the effort to grow up.
That wraps up my mid year evaluation. Surely it is easier to guide their learning after looking at where they have come from, what they have accomplished, and where they need to go. It is time to press forward and let the learning continue! |
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• Nov. 9, 2009 - Aspects of writing
November is NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). The goal is 50,000 words. My husband will probably meet this goal. I will probably write about 2,000 words. I am okay with this. To me, it is just motivation to put my ideas to paper. I don't have much time to work with, but am enjoying the process anyway.
My 12 year old daughter, Bethany, has always been a terrible speller. A year ago her spelling was consistent with dyslexia. She has made much progress. We did a year of Sequential Spelling and now use prepared dictation. Her spelling is sill not good but at least it is starting to make sense now. Progress is a good thing. I see her really trying to spell phonetically now. Her phonics based reading is starting to show flaws as she reads harder material, so that is something we are working on this year.
My 8 year old son, Andy, really resists writing all together. At best I get him to write one sentence a day, and that takes a good 30 minutes between the whining and the actual writing. His copywork is done with light strokes, and his letters, though legible, are typically formed in reverse (example: lower case a is drawn from bottom of stick to top and then clockwise around the circle). I have tried correcting his handwriting technique, but this only frustrates him. His free hand writing is somewhat shakey, hard pressing on the page, all capital letters, and seldom a finger space. He completely shuts down if I ask him to write a sentence without telling him exactly what to write. He has never liked coloring, and just this year started drawing a little bit. He does not like cutting with scissors. He complains that it is hard. He gets silly during the assignment time. He loves the computer and does not mind typing in small quantities. He loves reading, science, math (only if it is done orally), building with k-nex. I really don't know what to do. I need to know if he is resisting because it is truly hard or because he just rathers do something else. I need to know how far to push him and when or if to make accomodations. Any ideas?? |
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• Nov. 3, 2009 - Chasing Rabbits
| Sometimes chasing rabbits makes for the best learning. Last week we finished the first Narnia book, The Magician's Nephew and then watched the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe movie. The opening scene of the movie takes place in London during World War II. My kids asked questions about what was happening as the children were being evacuated. This week we are exploring some of life during WWII. We are reading Anne Frank, Attack on Pearl Harbor-an Interactive History Adventure (the kind of book where you choose what action to take and turn to the designated page), Growing up in World War II. |
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• Oct. 29, 2009 -
| I know it is merely a cycle, one that I go through a few times a year, but I am again lonely and bored at home. While I enjoy my kids, they are not my friends. I rarely talk to adults anymore. My husband is my best friend, but with the stress of work, he is not always available to be my company. Times like these I think about going back to work. Times like these I don't feel valued, needed or even noticed at home. Homeschooling is a wonderful blessing, but often a lonely road. Do you find yourself lonely at times? What do you do about it? How do you make sure you are getting adult fellowship regularly? These are things I need to work on. I know deep down that God is sufficient; May this truth sink in and be real to me. |
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• Oct. 25, 2009 -
I have not been in a blogging sort of mood lately, but I have decided that I NEED to exercise the mental disciple of writing more often. Once our school day is over I guess I am mentally tired. It has been a welcomed change to be home all day this year instead of rushing off to gymnastics every afternoon after school. I think it has been good for the whole family being home and together more often. It is definitely less stressful. The financial crunch of not having the extra spending money from my part time work at the gym has gotten to us a bit. It is hard to not be able to go out and do things. But I know that my God provides and am resting in that truth.
We joined a homeschool group for the first time. The kids have already made some friends and are loving the free / almost free activities.
We started our school year July 13th and are in our 14th week of school. The year has been pretty smooth so far.This week I will be testing reading and math levels. Testing week makes me nervous. It is like MY report card. A couple weeks ago we moved our school day to fit in between lunch and dinner. It seems to be working well. The kids are more alert. I am not trying to get chores and school done at the same time, since I can easily get all of my chores done in the morning hours. Everyone has a few chores and then free time to follow their desires in the morning. I am seeing improvements in the weak subjects of each of the children. We are currently reading: Bible stories, King Arthur, The Magician's Nephew (Chronicles of Narnia), Folktales like Paul Bunyan, Magic School Bus Goes Upstream, and various library books for bedtime. The kids are narrating back to me for most of these books. For some of them I am asking for written summaries or the like. I have really been impressed by the retention and understanding that the kids are displaying.
I personally am reading The Edison Trait, The Gift of Dyslexia, and together with my husband Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makover and Financial Peace.
Enough randomness for tonight. Maybe this will get me to start writing again.
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• Sep. 6, 2009 -
Okay, having babies before my friends didn't bother me so much, but having a preteen first is a bit trickier. Things are changing, and I am learning as I go. I am sure I am making lots of mistakes along the way. How I am to really reach this girl that is growing up before me is not so easy. She mostly wants to hang out in her own room alone by day, yet at night she wants to sleep on my floor because she is afraid to be alone. This I don't really understand, but I remember having the same fears when I was around her age. I am trying to motivate her to really live life, but she currently is unmotivated. I know this is a time of transition for her as well. Oh how I wish this part of life came with a manual!
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• Aug. 28, 2009 - Reminder to Self:
Many times when I am frustrated with homeschooling I wish I were back in a classroom teaching.... Teaching kids that will sit and listen while I stand and the front of the class and teach.
But I am learning something here. Classrooms are typically teacher centered out of necessity. Homeschools can be, and in my opinion, should be child centered. Am I saying that children should run the home or the school? No. I am saying that it is my job now to set up learning experiences for them and then watch them learn. Active learning is real learning. I still plan their lessons, but once they are planned I must step back and let them learn. I closely oversee the basics: math, reading, writing. I carefully plan these lessons to be as efficient as possible in order to make time for them to follow their own interests. My son is a born scientist. I don't plan science lessons for him (yet) because he is always learning science on his own. My daughter is crazy about animals. I don't plan lessons for her to learn about animals. She does that on her own time reading book after book and spending time with her animals. I believe the best thing I can do for my kids' education (aside from the basics) is to study them, see what makes them tick, enable them to follow those passions, and fill in the gaps that are left. This is real education.
I write this as I see the school bus driving down my street at 3:30 in the afternoon. I am so thankful that my children have the time and opportunities that homeschooling provides. |
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• Aug. 26, 2009 - Handicraft Day
• Aug. 26, 2009 - Handicraft Day
• Aug. 26, 2009 - Handicraft Day
• Aug. 26, 2009 - Handicraft Day
• Aug. 24, 2009 -
"Be the thermostat, not the thermometer."
If I am to be a Christlike example for my children, this is what I must do.
This year we are trying a new schedule where we are concentrating our studies for 6 weeks and then taking a week off. We have just completed the first 6 weeks and are starting our week off. I love weeks off. It is not because there are no lessons to complete, because I absolutely love teaching. It is instead because it never fails that most of my kids learn more during these off weeks discovering life on their own than when I teach. I am going to be looking for the things they are learning and hopefully record them in our school records. I am not counting these days as official school days, but essentially they still are very much so learning days... of the best kind. Hope your week is a wonderful one! |
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• Aug. 8, 2009 - In need of God's mercy
Father God,
I have had a really tough day. I was angry and frustrated. I yelled and treated my kids poorly. I feel really unworthy now. You gave me the gift of these children, and I did not behave as so. Forgive me. I need your mercy and forgiveness. I need wisdom to raise my kids properly.
Amen
Three Rules I would like to work on:
1. Obey right away.
2. Pick up your messes.
3. Be kind to others.
Right now getting everyone to follow these three rules seems like climbing a huge mountain. One step at a time we MUST get better at them. I love my kids. I want to like them too. Lately this has become a real challenge for me. Prayer would be appreciated. Thanks. |
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• Jul. 20, 2009 - Lemonade
Saturday I got to go to see some of my family that I hadn't seen in a long time. I so enjoyed the visit that I beamed over it for the entire weekend. Though we are tired now from the weekend, it was completely worth it.
I am still enjoying using unit studies with the kids. However, today's lessons didn't seem to flow. Maybe it is because of my not sleeping much last night. Maybe my kids were tired from a long weekend of activities. We struggled through some lessons until lunch time and called it a day. The kids went swimming while I chatted with a friend that plans to homeschool in the fall.
We put some new rules into place about the toys that have been left out many times a day for the "secret servant mom" to pick up. The plan is for toys left out to disappear unless they want to buy them back from me with their allowance money. I am not sure it will work, but time will tell. If you have other ideas about toy pick up, please share. I know there is a better way than me picking up after them all of the time.
I made a new batch of laundry detergent today. It has to sit for 24 hours, so I will test it out tomorrow. I am still experimenting some with the recipe. I love the kitchen chemistry involved in making it. 
Tonight some of the kids are going to Backyard Bible Club at church. They are meeting on Monday nights in July. I am really glad they are enjoying it. While they are out I will be cutting grass at home. I love cutting the grass. It is a great time to block out everything else and get some good thinking time.
All in all, a day that started out rough has turned out not so bad. I guess you could say it is lemons from lemonade! |
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• Jul. 13, 2009 - God Moments
Have you experienced a time when you go to church and God speaks to you and you realize that the message preached had nothing to do with what you heard from God?
I had that happen to me yesterday and confirmed today. The preached messaged was based on tithing and offering our money, our time, our whole selves. I felt God pointing out some areas in my life in which I was not trusting him fully. One area was the gymnastics coaching job that I just resigned from and have continued to doubt my decision. I need to trust that He led me to resign for good reason, and I need to leave the details to him. Another area is schooling. I have struggled all summer to plan out what to do for school and have not had any peace about it. I put together some lessons, knowing that we were going to to be starting back today for the new year. Last night I pulled out my old Weaver curriculum, looking for something fun to do with my littles. I have pulled that binder out many times over the past few years and never felt it was the right thing to use. I even considered selling it a few times. But last night for some reason it just felt right. So with at deep breath and a prayer I called the kids to the table for school. I was surely met with resistance since they still wanted to play, but after about 15 minutes Andy, 8, began to get excited over the drawing activity and it was somewhat contageous. Then after listening to her brother narrate his story for me to write in his notebook, Lily, 4, couldn't wait to have her turn to tell a story for her notebook. Even Bethany, 11, who is my most resistent child, seemed to enjoy her activities and helping Lily with hers. Before we knew it, we had completed a full day's worth of lessons when I had only expected to get through math and reading. How is that for God's confirmation?! I just needed to trust Him more. |
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• Jul. 2, 2009 - New School Year Questions
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! |
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Lily painted some pictures. She, like her brother, will be slow to write. I was very impressed today at how well she painted in the lines of the picture.
Andy chose to build cars with Knex and later designed something with Pearler beads that he explained to be an electrical circuit with lights telling when the room was occupied. Yep, He is a science fanatic!
