I think that home-based education already has the potential of being automatically greener than travelling to school elsewhere: we don't need to drive to school, small 'human' scale operations tend to be less wasteful than big 'corporations', for example.
But here's a place to share and think about ways to become greener in our homeschooling.
Here are my preliminary ideas:
- Use both sides of paper, including using the other side of printed papers (recycle your unwanted post this way)
- Avoid consumables where possible (do your writing on whiteboards or chalk boards or maybe, if you're technologically up-to-date, on interactive whiteboards!) and / or get your children to give their answers orally rather than writing them down in consumable books - that way they can be used again.
- Sell, 'freecycle' (give away) or exchange any unwanted materials http://www.freecycle.org/
- Use second-hand books and materials where possible
- Use online materials that don't need to be printed where possible
- Use recycled materials for your arts projects, or non-recyclable materials that would otherwise end up in the trash (but better still, try to purchase less non-recyclable items)
- Go on nature walks (instilling a love of the natural world in your children is probably the best 'green' thing you can teach them!)
- Get involved with a conservation trust as part of your homeschool activities
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You'll notice on the sidebar, that there is a link to another Raising Arrows Blog. For those of you new to this blog, I thought I would clarify the difference between the two blogs and what you can find here as opposed to what you will find on the other one.
Oringinally, this was the only blog I had. I started this blog as a place to write and nothing more. I never intended it to be widely read. I love to write. I love the way words sound and feel in my mouth. I like knowing the etymology of words. I like how they look on the page. I like the pictures they create in the mind. This was a place for me to think through things and then write them out.
As more and more people began reading the blog, I felt I needed things to look nicer here...better presentation would maybe be the correct term. However, all I know of HTML, I taught myself, and honestly, I know very little. I decided to leave Homeschoolblogger and move to eBlogger where the templates were a little easier to work with and my limited knowledge of HTML was enough to create a blog that felt more like me. And then, Emily died.
I knew the blogging community here would have no way of knowing if I didn't post. After all the love and support through her hospital stays, I could not just ignore my homeschoolblogger readers. However, eventually I was no longer able to keep up with both blogs and I decided to let this blog go.
God had other plans.
About a month after announcing I was leaving this blog behind, I began to realize that God was placing a distinct desire within me to step outside my grief and begin thinking and talking about other things. That was a hard thought for me to grasp and accept. Wouldn't I be dishonoring my daughter by not grieving for her every second of the day? However, what I realized was that I was actually honoring her memory by stepping back into life, caring for her siblings, and doing many of the things God had called me to...even if they were on a much smaller scale. So, I stepped back into this blog with this post: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Raisingarrows/508195/
From there, this blog became a strictly homeschooling blog. I had already established a "life" at eBlogger. My deepest, darkest moments as a grieving mother were happening there. So, I separated the two as best I could; although, you really cannot completely separate the grief side of me from the homeschooling mom side of me...they are one in the same and both shine through in nearly every conversation I have. But, I wanted this blog to be a place where I talked more homeschooling than anything. And with that, my other blog naturally became a place where I talked more about every other aspect of my life (because believe it or not, I do like to write about things other than homeschooling on occasion )
So, here, you will hopefully find encouragement and a place to flesh out new homeschooling ideas while gaining a few giggles and the knowledge that someone else is in the trenches with you.
The Raising Arrows site on eBlogger is more about the rest of who I am. There, you will find more of my family, more of my grief, more of my other passions, with only a smattering of homeschooling mixed in (because once again, you just can't separate the two worlds).
So, please, nose around here all you want and come visit the other site as well. And...
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.
As of today - Thursday here in IN - you have only two days left to vote for your favorite blogs in the Homeschool Blogs Awards!
If you have not been able to do so yet, can I ask for your vote? I won't promise you any big promises that won't be kept, or any small ones either. There are a few blogs I have a personal interest in, and if you see fit to, could you vote for them?
Each family is allowed a max. of 5 votes, 1 for each person old enough to use a computer (up to 5, of course).
I have linked the categories so that you may go directly to the page to vote. If you are not familiar with my choices, their blogs are linked on the voting pages.
My Picks
City on A Hill is our very own Rachel from Rachel's Reasoning. She blogs sweet little stories, great recipes, chicken and goat updates, and she is just a super blog-friend!
On the Road To Manhood is Eric's blog. He is just beginning to blog, and we use it as a part of his school writing. He is tickled to have been nominated, and I have enjoyed him watching as the few votes he has gotten has gone up.
Resting in the Arms of Grace is Miss Hannah's pretty blog that Jocelyn designed. Jocelyn cannot be in the awards, as she is a writer and author on the Homeschool Blog Awards site, but we are thrilled that this pretty frivolous blog design she created is!
Growing in Grace Magazine is a personal preference of ours. We have 5 in our family who write for this online blog-magazine to encourage moms and young ladies of all ages. It is published almost daily, with a special magazine issue each month. The graphics change each month also, and we are reaching into girls' lives and having a positive influence!
Feelin’ Feminine is a group blog borne from Jocelyn's heart to see women know that being feminine and lovely is a good and desirable thing. It is not just something that silly, mindless lazy women do, but a lovely way to live!
Never A Dull Moment is a NEW Mom blogger I just met IRL! She is such a wise and sweet woman. I know you will love her if you get to go over and check out her blog for yourself!!
Growing in Grace Magazine is counting down to the final results of the Homeschool Blog Awards and we want YOUR vote! You only have til Friday!
We have a special treat for you! If you vote for GGM at HSBAPost's Awards Page for Best Family/Group Blogand promote the vote to your friends we'll enter you in for a chance to win a $20 Toys R Us Gift Certificate to use for the holidays and a CD of the PDF versions of all our issues from 2008! **When we win, you win!
We all start this homeschool journey with preconceived ideas and expectations of how it should go or what we ‘have’ to do to teach our children. We enter into homeschooling, knowing it will set us and our children free from the perils of the public school system, but sometimes those ideas and expectations are like shackles that keep us from teaching and loving our children the way we really want to. It is as if the method is more important than the goal. Which it is not. I have met a lot of new homeschool moms recently through Jocelyn’s meme on the HSBA Post: Homeschool Memoirs Meme and through Cindy Rushton’sTalk-a-Latte I have attended. I remember being a new homeschool mom.
Fifteen years ago, there were not so many resources out there that could be easily found, and considering I did not have the internet or even a computer, I had little in the way of outside encouragement. Add to that the fact that I was a 3yo baby Christian, just learning how to train my children at all. I feel for these new moms who are searching for the ‘best way’ to homeschool their children. I remember being a new homeschool mom.
Looking back to when I was a new homeschool mom, there are a few small things I can think of that would have made such a difference in my homeschooling had I only been told. I think I would have wanted someone to tell me we did NOT have to go into debt buying every complete set of each grade. I would have wished they had introduced me to a Bible-based homeschool method like HOW - Heart of Wisdom. I needed to know that God MUST come first. The WORD truly is our life, and outside of that, there is no wisdom.
Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Isaiah 33:6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.
We get so caught up in what we learned in the government schools, and some of us just aren’t the ‘break the mold’ type of people. We were bound by society, and we have yet to break free. God is the one who can set our hearts and expectations free so that He is the Leader in our homeschools. If we bring all things through Him, we will not fail. It was He who told us to walk with our children and talk with our children to teach them His ways.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
6And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
As society continues to move towards socialism, it is imperative that we stand firm in teaching our children as they need to learn. They are not cookie-cutter children. They each have their own strengths that we need to recognize and allow them to learn in, according to their bent (training up a child in the way they should go - according to their bent).
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
This is a freedom that will stop the tears and frustration. Some children just won’t read until they are nine. Period. Two of mine didn’t. They are voracious readers now.
When we listen to God and see the hearts of our children, recognizing their purpose and needs and walking in that with them, there is a freedom that will take us places that far exceed our original little expectations!
Please support The Homesteading Carnival by checking out the links at Y2-K Hippie. You can also participate in the Homesteading Carnival each week by sending your submission. The THC was created to bring together homesteaders from all over the world, each week, and share things from their homesteads. Not just about gardening and barn-animals, but about life on the homestead in every aspect.
Rachel is giving away two nice prizes - well, three, actually.
Creativity Express - This is a program that lets kids explore the world of art, digitally. It ‘guides you through creativity building projects… right on your computer! With your own art materials right there!” This is a great beginners art program, for those who want to do computer and blog graphics.
My Book Of Colouring At The Zoo- This is a book from Kumon. If you have a child, or a younger sibling who enjoys playing and drawing with crayons, then this book will help to encourage that. It’s for ages 3 & 4. This book could also be used as a part of schooling, helping to remember colours and mazes.
Be sure to send in your submissions to the next Carnival of Homeschooling. It will be hosted at Tami’s Blog on November 18. Submissions are due in by 9pm EST on Monday.
• Monday, November 17, 2008 - Things for Thanksgiving...
Posted By Amy Verlennich
Just wanted to share the following links if you're looking for some ideas for Thanksgiving... (I've looked over these links, but haven't thoroughly searched through each one, so please share if you use any, what you liked or didn't like. An * is by those that I've used and enjoyed.)
*THE GLORIOUS COMING (To begin the 30th of November, but I wanted to mention it because it's wonderful and we took the pictures and put contact paper on the front and magnets on the back to put on our fridge... so this could be something that you do so you're ready for it.)
THANKSGIVING TREE (which could also be used with a branch and tie leaves cut from construction paper with each thankful thing put on them)
THANKSGIVING TABLECLOTH (I think this would serve as a great reminder throughout the year, or to add more things each month or so with a "praise God" special dinner! This would also make a great addition to reading the THANKSGIVING BOUQUET and then writing the "thorns" you've been thankful for over the year writing dates so you don't forget.)
In the 6 years I've been homeschooling and the 3 different areas of the state I have homeschooled in, I have found that no two homeschooling groups are alike. However, each one I have been a part of has served a purpose in my life and the lives of my children at that particular time.
If you are in a large city, your choices may be so numerous you find yourself overwhelmed. Likewise, you may be in such a rural area that your choices are limited at best and quite possibly non-existant.
So, what's a homeschool mom to do when it comes to discerning which homeschool group is right for her and her family or if she decides to venture out and start one of her own?
First of all, pray about it. Specifically, pray as to how God would have you order your homeschooling life. Ask Him to reveal to you what is truly important THIS homeschooling year and during this SEASON. When we first moved here, I prayed for guidance and direction. What specifically did God have in store for us? While He did not reveal all that would happen to us in the year that followed (the death of a child and the impending birth of another, a job promotion for my husband and several freelance writing opportunities for myself), I did find that the path He was clearly leading us to was one that involved a VISION. I knew the Lord wanted me in a serious homeschool group that was less about academics and more about a long-term goal. Isn't it wonderful the Lord knows exactly what is in store for you and knows exactly what you need when!
Secondly, you need to ask yourself some serious (and tough) questions pertaining to what kind of group the Lord would have you be a part of.
Are you looking for support for yourself? Does that mean regular Mom's Only nights or does it mean something more along the lines of mentoring? Will you be edified during these times and come back refreshed or will you need more "support" than these groups can offer. Are you suffering from Me-Time mania?
Are you looking for a playgroup atmosphere for your children? If so, is it truly a healthy atmosphere or will you find yourself buying into the whole "socialism" thing that seems so prevalent these days in order to stick with a playgroup that is eating into your time and not offering positive influences?
Are you looking for a group that offers classes/tutoring, etc? Are you unable to teach certain subjects? Are they truly important? Are you feeling inadequate and need to deal with that feeling?
Are you looking for all of these rolled up into one group? If so, how much time are you willing to commit to these outside-the-home activities? How can you refrain from spending all day every day away from home in order to be involved in every single activity the group offers? Do you know the art of saying, "NO"?
Next, I would encourage you to take these questions and your thoughts about these questions (and others) to your husband. I suggest bringing them to your husband at this stage in the game rather than earlier because oftentimes we as homeschool moms unintentionally clutter our lives and thoughts. If we work toward clearing some of that clutter ahead of time and then presenting our thoughts to our husbands, he won't have to wade through all that clutter to get to the meat of the matter. Spare the guy...he has enough to worry about.
When you go to your husband, be prepared for him to suggest a completely different direction. Be open to his leading. Men are often very good at seeing the big picture while we women dwell on the little things that make up the big picture. Remember, he is the head of your household and may have definite ideas about the direction he would like for the family to head. The two of you can brainstorm from there. A common goal is a wonderful thing. Make sure you and your husband share a common goal in homeschooling...they are his children too!
NOW, research your options. It is very difficult to change gears when you already have your heart set on a certain thing. Narrow your homeschooling vision and THEN look for a homeschooling group that works to further this vision. Does the type of homeschooling group you believe the Lord would have you be a part of not exist? Consider the possibility that He is leading you to start a group that serves that purpose. That is exactly how the homeschooling group I am a part of started. One woman who caught a vision, prayed about it, brainstormed with her husband about it and eventually compiled an awesome amount of material to share with other moms. I come away from each monthly meeting refreshed and rejuvenated!
One quick word of caution...do not lock yourself into a particular group until you have been a few times and are sure this is where the Lord would have you. No group should require immediate upfront committment. You should "try before you buy."
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for all the miracles You have done in my life... there have been so many in the past, but even more since we've been following You on this path toward planting a church... even before we knew that's what we would be doing. We've continually been amazed by Your goodness and provision to us... and even when times have been tough, You have shown Yourself in the most amazing ways: a gallon of milk on our doorstep after we prayed for some the night before... $400 worth of Cub food gift certificates sent in the mail with no return address and signed "from the Lord"... some of our curriculum bought for us... a car that a family is loaning us for the year Mike needs to drive 30 miles to work... the monthly financial commitments for the next three years for our future church plant... food that people have blessed us with... and most recently, money for snow tires so Mike didn't have to sell his guitar.
Lord, You have been so good to us. I'm so sorry for the times when I have doubted... I'm sorry for the times when I have worried. You have proven Yourself somanytimes. You are in control even in the midst of my chaos and turmoil, and Your miracles are amazing to behold. Thank You for showing us Your greatness and surprising us in ways we could never expect.
• Saturday, November 15, 2008 - "The 12 Days of Christmas" is less than a month away!
Posted By Amy Verlennich
Well ladies, we're less than one month away from THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS... SHMILY STYLE!
Now, for those of you who may be unfamiliar with this SHMILY Time tradition, The "Twelve Days of Christmas" isn't talkin' about "A Partridge in a Pear Tree. It's a twist that I'm sure your husband will enjoy!
It all started because my husband and I would wind up arguing during the holidays EVERY YEAR because it was so stressful. Spending time and money on friends and family seemed to get out of control no matter how much we tried to "get better" each year and would result in some sort of argument, so A few years ago, I decided I would something different... Twelve days before Christmas just happens to be my husband's birthday, so I surprised him each day, and got us all the way to Christmas day without an argument! I found it really hard to get angry with someone that I was so focused on loving and praying for!
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS... SHMILY STYLE revolves around the act of love and anything leading up to it. Now, I know this "strikes a chord" with some of you and I know that sex is not the only thing that makes a marriage good... so please don't send me emails or leave comments telling me this. (In fact, if sex is the only thing good in a marriage that's not healthy either.) What I've found to be true however, is how "taboo" sex is in Christian marriages. We don't talk about it or even acknowledge it's importance in our marriages, when the fact is... God created it... and it was His intention that it is good. I understand that we, as a society have ruined that in so many ways, on so many levels... but THAT is not God's fault, nor does it change what He intended for beautiful and fulfilling and to make a husband and wife as one. Because of what sex has become because of premarital sex, pornography, adultry and the like, we have somehow become "scared" to talk about sex in a Christian marriage as if it's "dirty".
Unfortunately, sex is also one of the first things we "take away" or avoid when things get rough in our marriage as well. Let's face it, when you're arguing with your spouse, do you feel like making love?... probably not... and when that happens, the enemy begins his work at destroying our marriage... Think back to when you were falling in love with your spouse... at some point in time, there was a physical attraction... and chances are good it was pretty "intense". Just because you may have been married for awhile, that does not mean that your love making should get boring, or non-existent. It doesn't matter what stage (or state) your marriage is in right now bring the spark back to your marriage, and start withTHE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!
Note: If you are in a process of healing in your marriage, or there is a hurt that hasn't been dealth with or forgiven, then please take a moment to pray the SHMILY PRAYER. I realize that some hurts and problems need more time to heal, and so this year may not be the time for THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS... instead, you may want to tuck this idea away and continue to pray for God to restore your marriage, including the act of love making. (The Power of a Praying Wife is also an excellent book to begin praying every day for your husband.)
With ALL that being said, THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS involves some planning, so take some time to be thinking about what you can do to begin a year that will hopefully start a life long tradition!
It begins on December 14th (12 days before Christmas)... and is for 12 DAYS... 12 consecutive days (or nights)! This is especially fun because most people's traveling and visiting relatives is during these days (keeping in mind that this would be especially fun while visiting relatives because only you and husband will know what's going on...)
This involves an investment in your "drawer of many blessings" drawer as well... and yes, you SHOULD have one of these drawers, so make room (throw out some clothes if you have to... your hubby would rather see you in these anyway!) Start saving money and get your drawer stocked up! You'll be able to "recycle" here so the money you spend here is worth it in the end. You're investing in your marriage and thatis never money wasted. (Your size is NOT an excuse either! Please read, "He loves you... quit hiding!" if you're struggling with your outer appearance. Have all your "little blessings" bought by 14th and plan for each day's surprise, along with any evening you might be able to get a sitter and go out (with your "little blessing" on to tell him about over dinner), or a friend to watch the kids so you can stay in (and put your "gift" to use)!
Make or get a card to give to your husband on the 13th. An idea would be:
"To celebrate the next twelve days of Christmas I have planned a special "gift" for you each day with only you in mind! Anticipate what each will bring as we celebrate the next twelve days of Christmas... twelve you're sure not to forget!" (Don't forget to sign it, SHMILY!)
So with all that being said, get to work ladies! This is going to be a year your hubby won't soon forget! Don't forget to remain especially prayerful as you plan and prepare for these wonderful days. The enemy loves to seek and destroy marriages, and he will do what he can to ruin this by getting to you and your attitude. Pray for the Lord to help you be loving toward your husband (even when the kids have been arguing all day, the laundry tub overflows, the bills are adding up, or... whatever). As women, we have a tendency to be more emotional, which certainly can backfire when things go wrong (or not according to our plans!) Stay focused on the wonderful and endearing qualities you love in your husband (just in case he upsets you... tee hee) and the wonderful gift the Lord gave you in your husband. Be determined to succeed in this wonderful "gift" to your husband and when things get tough, fight back with the strength of the Lord!
For some ideas, on what you can do for your Beloved, check out the SHMILY Time blog and please feel free to email me with more of your ideas to share with others (include your name and/or your blog address if you're willing to share that too!) AND you can sign up to join the SHMILY Time group on facebook too!
Put the spark back into your marriage and tell others about THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS by posting the blinkie on your blog/website! Be sure to sign up on the "Mr. Linky" below! May the Lord be glorified as we seek new ways to put the spark back into our marriage!
• Thursday, November 13, 2008 - Writing it on our arms... and hearts...
Posted By Amy Verlennich
Today, I talked with my kids about something I pray they never know anything about personally...
We are praying for everyone single person feeling unloved and unlovable... they are every where... they are closer than you might think... and the Lord weeps as His creations are killing themselves...
Lord, touch these people... reach them through us... may we find them as they hide in the shadows... and bring them Your hope...
) 
