Posted in Learning on the Narrow Path
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August 1-5, 2006 Blair hasn’t joined us for school just yet. She’s been writing a 15,000 word novel this summer which was due August 1. She’s going to take a week off before jumping in. She still came with us on our field trips and had a ball. School started off well, but shaky. John just doesn’t want to submit to authority at all and becomes very rebellious and angry when required to. I wanted to threaten him with public school if he doesn’t straighten up, but that would bear worse fruit still. Resorting to government ed would be a perceived victory for him, but in the long term, I sincerely believe, would damage the relationship we’ve worked so hard to encourage with his sisters and us. He also needs near constant supervision until his inward character is more developed, something I know to be lacking in gov’t schools. Basically, every assignment I gave him (two, count ‘em, two) was disputed. At one point he declared I didn’t have the authority to assign him anything, as he was in high school now and self-taught. That was the heart of the matter right there. His library books are ordered for his American Lit course (the most rigorous and hated of his work) and he will be focusing on that, Biology, and Bible for the time being. Later in the year, we’ll add more as he becomes accustomed to the hard work of learning. Kate started off great guns, finishing almost everything assigned to her for five days’ work despite taking two days off completely for back to school shopping and a fun field trip. She completed Investigation 1, and lessons 11-13 in Saxon 65; pages 113-119 in her English Lessons with the Bible course; a name acrostic poem; her first science lesson in mammals and a lot of supplemental reading on the mammals she has chosen to research; she read two books about the state of Tennessee and is compiling a list of things she’s like to know about our state; walked one mile and stretched for 30 minutes twice (plus loads of physical activity on those field trips); practiced her fiddle four times for more than 30 minutes; did four lessons in her Old Testament overview course and shopped for her Maple Crunch Muffins she’ll make for breakfast next week. Christy completed three lessons in her Bible course, and two math lessons. She also got 100% on her speed drill for the week. She did the name acrostic, but had a hard time with the concept of describing herself without praising herself. She kept wanting to say negative things about herself. She chose which mammals she wanted to study, completed the first science lesson with us and picked her library research books. She stretched for a cumulative hour, jumped for 30 minutes on the trampoline (no small feat in the hot humidity we’ve had) and walked a mile. I knew she’d love the art course I picked out for her, but had no idea she’d take off as she has. Not only did she complete the first four lessons, she spent nearly every unplanned waking hour practicing and teaching others her new skill of drawing 3-D basic shapes like cubes and cones. Rose’s school time is short each day, as is Christy’s. If it is to be done, it must be done before lunch. After lunch is nap, which runs 90 minutes, then snack, then everyone is ready for a break. She still managed to complete 6 pages in her Bible course and two devotions on kindness; read 8 pages in her American History book and walk two miles. She also did the first lesson in Biology with the younger set, working at her own pace. She found some great library books on her chosen mammals and read them as well as participated in the field trip. Field Trips and Extracurricular Activities this week included a full day shopping for school materials and clothes on our state’s tax-exempt day. It certainly was a challenge to find appropriate, modest clothing for the girls. I wish they would wear dresses more often, but they claim jeans are more comfortable. Picking out new notebooks, pens and pencils is just as fun now as it was 40 years ago! It’s true, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” but not for Staples’ reason! On 8/2, Hubby’s office presented next year’s VBS program to the children of the employees. It had a sports theme, and was a big hit despite the early reluctance of our young man. Blair immediately made friends with all the children sitting within several rows of her, and the little ones just loved singing and signing the songs. We hit the outdoor obstacle course early as it was expected to be a very hot day. John chose to be photographer instead of participate, and we got some wonderful photos of various activities. We saw a “sports news” program put on by a couple kids which outlined the topics covered in the course of the VBS week. The craft room was lots of fun, everyone made a zipper-pull with baseball, basketball, soccer, football and hockey puck beads, then had a temporary tattoo put on their hands. There was more to do, but lunchtime wasn’t far off and we had one more “room” to visit. So, off to the best part of the day – the game room! Shooting hoops with a huge, inflated basketball was challenging and the indoor obstacle course was fun, but once the girls found the kneeball game, (like volleyball, but you have to kneel, no standing allowed!) John joined in and it quickly escalated into a boys vs. girls match. We had to tear them away for lunch (this is my crew, begging for more time and saying they aren’t hungry?) in the company cafeteria. We didn’t want to miss the door prizes have to eat cold pizza. Christy won a huge Velcro ball and mitt set and Rose won a set of sports-themed adventure books. They all slept very well that night! I am glad the year has started so well. My fears for anything are always in advance. Once the event actually begins, I manage to buckle down and really enjoy myself. I think that transfers to the children, who see Mom having fun and figure, “why not have fun, too!?” Prayer points for this year will include: That Blair find her work rewarding and give her a sense of a future. That John will learn the joy of obedience and the protection of submission quickly. That Kate will continue her search for friends and not be discouraged by early rejections. That Christy will begin to see herself through the Lord’s eyes and realize the great gift she is to the world. That Rose will filter her thoughts and words through the Word, not just spouting out and dwelling on what she feels. That the Lord will continue to enable me to teach, strengthen me to parent, love me to love and move me to encourage. That Dearest Beloved will be protected in work and continue to make his family a priority. |
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