*Please read the article "A Few Interesting Definitions" before you read these meeting notes.

We listened to the song "First Song That I Sing" by Sara Groves (All Right Here CD). 

Then, we enjoyed a demonstration based on the web article, "Prioritizing Your Rocks" by Dr. Stephen R. Covey.  http://www.homeschooloasis.com/art_prioritizing_rocks.htm

"Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  Proverbs 22:6 TAB (the Amplified Bible)

No matter what each person's gift or bent happens to be, we all move through knowledge to understanding to wisdom.  As members of families, we do this in our homes (everyone, not just homeschoolers).  Our homes actually "grow" in knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.  (TRIVIUM) 

In keeping with the priorities demonstration, we found out what the word home means (in other words, we talked about the knowledge level of 'home').  First things first.

home-4a.  An environment offering security and happiness.  b.  a valued place regarded as a refuge or place of origin.  7.  The place where something is discovered, founded, developed, or promoted; adv. at, to or toward the direction of home.  to the point at which something is directed.  (->"home in" on something) to the center or heart of something; deeply.  (comments-get to the "heart" of the matter).  to move or lead toward a goal (to the truth).  "at home" comfortable and relaxed; at ease "home free" free of tension or stress, usually after expending considerable effort.

Charlotte Mason said,"Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life."

Our homes are an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life.  But, what kind of atmosphere?  discipline?  life? 

(A great book on making the home a wonderful atmosphere, discipline, and life is For the Family's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay).

ATMOSPHERE=KNOWLEDGE level of HOME

atmosphere-environment or surroundings regarded as having a psychological, physical, or other influence.

During our organization meeting in July, we were reminded that "God is not a God of confusion but of peace..."  I Corinthians 14:33a

We discussed in March's meeting that we need to establish the habit of attention (self-discipline) in ourselves in order to help develop it in our children.

Philippians 4:9 "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you."

We need to make sure that what our children are learning, receiving, hearing, and seeing are things we want them to practice.

In For the Children's Sake (page 10), Susan Schaeffer Macaulay says "one of the greatest powers for good is a family whose members respect each other and who have learned to function, however poorly, with the rich concepts the Word of God gives us as human beings.  It is almost incredible to think of the stabilizing effect ordinary families can have:  not only for themselves, but as a light in a troubled generation."

DISCIPLINE=UNDERSTANDING level of HOME

Here's where we move into the discipline area.  We learned a lot about discipleship in the August "Mothering by Heart" meeting.  Guess what?  By cultivating the fruit of the Spirit in ourselves, we cultivate it in our children.  Powerful training!  It covers all kinds of character training.  Suggestions for character training curricula included various studies from Doorposts.

cultivator-1. one that cultivates.  2.  an implement or machine for loosening the earth and destroying weeds around growing plants.

We're improving and preparing, growing and tending, promoting, nurturing, fostering, forming, refining, and polishing our children.

REMEMBER!  Consistency is key to discipleship!

There are various "discipline" books, but we're going to discuss it a bit differently.

disciple-one who subscribes to the teachings of a master and assists in spreading them.  An active adherent, as of a movement or philosophy.

discipline-1.  Training that is expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.  7.  a branch of knowledge or of teaching.

Here's where we get back to our original verse-Prov. 22:6TAB

In order to find out what our children's gifts/bents are we have to think about priorities again.

From Teaching the Trivium (by the Bluedorns's):  On page 103, the Bluedorn's offer some helpful hints for us to remediate ourselves/our children in the area of time and training.

1.  Kick the entertainment habit!

2.  Start reading!

3.  Ask the Lord to give you an inquiring mind.  (Not like the National Enquirer).

4.  Build vocabulary.

5.  Have discussions with your children.

6.  Make sure your children obey you.

7.  Establish family worship.

That's a lot to swallow!  It's kind of like reading Proverbs 31, eh?

Remember the Charlotte Mason motto:  "I am!  I can!  I ought!  I will!  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!"  Phil. 4:13

Once we decide to get serious about the time that is required to discover what each child needs we may feel overwhelmed.  But, AGAIN, REMEMBER THE CM MOTTO and Phil. 4:13!

I highly recommend Discover Your Children's Gifts:  A Parent's Handbook to Recognize and Develop Your Children's God-given Gifts by Don & Katie Fortune!

The Fortunes point out the need to understand our children's gifts and bents because this understanding is what will ultimately aid us in creating a loving atmosphere, a tailored discipline, and a wonderful life in our homes!!!

Not only does this book look at giftedness, if you let it, it can help you realize how learning styles and personalities all make for very interesting dynamics.  Difficult if we don't understand which direction God has each person pointed in.....so, "HOME IN!" 

Finding out what makes each family member tick will help our families become a light in the darkness; an example of God's love in action! 

Christian Liberty Press' Nature Readers have wonderful stories that demonstrate "gifts/bents" of animals and insects that might inspire some children to develop their own. 

Home Grown Kids by the Moore's shares some things to teach in discipline, especially in the area of forgiveness.  Blocks and "physics" on the trampoline can be ways to develop gifts and enhance learning through play.

LIFE=WISDOM level of HOME

life-4.  The physical, mental, and spiritual experiences that constitute a person's existence.  10a.  a manner of living.

Throughout life we are always learning.  Our learning consists of three things:  worship, service, and gaining wisdom.  In July, we talked about "brain triggers" for studying God's Works (subjects).

In order to study His Words as a way of life, Cross-Over suggests: 

1.  a wash of Scripture

2.  memorization

3,  doctrine

4.  character qualities (biographies and read aloud time)

5.  prayer

6.  hymnology

These things are the BIG rocks!  These are the things that prioritze our days.

Be cultivators!  Let's create an atmosphere of love and respect.  These things are conducive to learning.  Let's disciple our children and each other in the way each should go, consistently.  Let's live wisely demonstrating all the things that will foster a healthy fear of the Lord!

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."  Proverbs 9:10

Conversation, prayer, nature study, are simple ways to begin training.  After all, we want to teach healthy habits of attention.  We can start with the simple lesson of the toothbrush which will lead to a healthy dose of wisdom. 

We closed the meeting by listening to Nichole Nordeman's "Home". 

Titles used for this topic:

The Amplified Bible

New American Standard Master Study Bible

The American Heritage Dictionary

For the Family's Sake:  The Value of Home in Everyone's Life by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

For the Children's Sake:  Foundations of Education for Home and School by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

Teaching the Trivium:  Christian Homeschooling in a Classical Style by Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn http://www.triviumpursuit.com

Discover Your Children's Gifts:  A Parent's Handbook to Recognize and Develop Your Children's God-given Gifts by Don and Katie Fortune http://www.heart2heart.org

A Child's Book of Character Building books 1&2 by Ron and Rebekah Coriell

Christian Liberty Nature Readers http://clpress.hpwebhost.com

Home Grown Kids:  A Practical Handbook for Teaching Your Children at Home by Raymond and Dorothy Moore, forword by Dr. James C. Dobson http://www.moorefoundation.com

"12 Ways to Trigger the Brain...with Any Subject Matter!  (Tips for Mastering New Information Fast and Effortlessly)" by Renee Ellison http://crossover.ellison.net