Berger Blessings

Oct. 9, 2006

Today I spent a good portion of it trying to decide what I'm going to bring to PA, when we go visit my mother in law, for Joey for homeschooling.  You see, we use primarily Switched on Schoolhouse, computer program.  We found that worked best for Joey because of his ADHD, he likes computer work so much better than book work.  Book work gets him frustrated in two seconds, where as the same info on the computer is no problem.  I guess it's because he's a multi-sensory type child.  He likes auditory as well as visual, color better than black and white, and typing better than handwriting.  I decided on bringing his math, which is Sinapore Math, he finds that math more interesting than the S.O.S.; math flash card review for multipication and division; many books to read, he loves reading; his Quiet Time (for Bible), and cursive handwriting workbooks.  I know I'll have a challenge with the cursive, we barely touched on it last year, he is so resistant to it.  Some people are appauled that he hasn't started cursive writing yet and he's in fourth grade, others tell me, it's no big deal, he'll get to it when he's ready.  Well, he does really well in everything else, except spelling, so I guess I'm not too worried about it, but I feel we should give it a very strong try while we don't have too much else to do.  So, that's what I decided for the next 10 days, bible, math, reading and handwriting.  We plan on doing three field trips (at least) while we are gone.  We have a membership to the Rochester Museum and Science Center, it entitles us to free admission to many museums around the country, so we have decided to go to The Academy of Natural Science and the Franklin Institute while we are in Philadelphia.  They have special classes for homeschoolers two days while we are there, so we plan on signing Joey up for those and doing our own touring the rest of those two days when he's done with class.  On our way down to PA we are planning on going to the Corning Museum of Glass, that isn't a free admission, but we mention it every time we drive by it, yet never have done it, so we are planning it for this trip.  I really think Joey will be so excited by all of these fieldtrips, we aren't telling him, it will be a surprise.  I just feel so blessed, not only to have him as my child, but to be able to homeschool him.  We can go down to visit family without any concern related to it coinciding with school breaks or vacations, we just make a few adjustments and plans and we're on our way!  I really wish more people would consider homeschooling, there are so many advantages to it, more than I ever dreamt of.  I know it isn't feasible for everyone, but for those that can, I really feel we not only are doing what God has called us to do, we are getting to know our children so much better by dealing with every aspect of their lives, as well as learning a bit about ourselves and what we are capable of.  That's my thoughts for the day, or at least a portion of them, I may change my mind by the end of the week, but as it stands, that's my plans for now. 

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2:57 PM, Oct. 10, 2006 .. Posted by mlpinky

Hey!! I do birthdays like that as well. The kids (and hubby) get to choose their birthday meal and what kind of dessert they want. Then the album gets pulled out and we look at their baby pictures. They love it!!

CEF stands for Child Evangelism Fellowship. It is an interdenominational evangelical organization in over 100 countries. It's main office is in Missouri. My father in law has been a missionary in Ontario Canada for over 30 years. We were missionaries here for 3 years. It is still very close to our hearts and love the mission. You can look it up at www.cefonline.com and canadian website is www.cefcanada.org

Blessings, Mlpinky

Ah, Good News Club

3:12 PM, Oct. 10, 2006 .. Posted by junebuga

I'm familiar with the Good News Club, they come and teach our children in the evenings, for a week, while we are at our ECC Camp Meeting in Herndon PA each summer. The older children teach our younger children and they always do such a wonderful job. Did you run a Good News Club in your area? Is that what your father in law does, or does he have a differnet position there?

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9:00 AM, Oct. 11, 2006 .. Posted by Mikimtty

Hey Junebuga. If it's any consolation, My son is a 6th grader and is still not writing cursive. He had some fine motor skill issues that made learning handwriting difficult. We're still trying to get him to print legibly. LOL! Don't let anyone pressure you or your son.
God bless your day!