I just have too many blogs to keep track of. I do like to keep this HSB one though, because I have lots of friends who blog here.

The last time I blogged here, I was having a rough day. I truly was ready to quit homeschooling. I wanted peace, quiet and clean. Dh called me that afternoon to see how my day was going. I started crying and told him I wanted to send the boys to school. After 30 seconds of silence, he said, "I support homeschooling, I could not support a decision to send them to school." So, I cried more.

The next day, I packed up my Bible, notebook, lake chair and boys and went down the road to the lake (living here is awesome sometimes.) I can hear clearly when I'm sitting there in the breeze and sunshine. Even before I opened my notebook to begin journaling, I could hear God reminding me why He started this journey to begin with.

So, in case you're wondering, I'm still home with the boys. And I am renewed and ready to allow God to finish the process He started.

If you're interested in reading my thoughts more regularly, here's the blog I update more often than every three months.

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately. About worldviews and the Kingdom of God.

One of the reasons we homeschool is because we want to be the primary source of influence on our children's hearts and minds regarding how they view the world.

The Bible. We believe it is the Word of God. That it reveals His plan for mankind.
Jesus. Not a way, THE WAY.
Creation by YHWH. Fact, not fiction.
Truth is true, no matter what you believe.
Evolution, a theory, according to the scientific method, created by fallible men.
Tolerance is not anything goes. It is the capacity of enduring.
Jesus, others, yourself is the order of important relationships.

It is my solid belief that only through homeschooling can I impress these things on my children's minds. I believe that like the parable of the mustard seed, each of these tiny truths grows into huge trees, thus establishing Kingdom rule in them.

Math reveals the order of God.
Science reveals the creation of God.
History reveals Gods interaction with man.
Language Arts develop the ability to communicate the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Right?

OK, all cards on the table. Today has been one of those days. I've been doing this for 8 years. I'm tired. I'm tired of bad attitudes. I'm tired of laziness. I'm tired of nagging, cajoling, crying and fit throwing. Today, I want more than anything to get rest. To send them off to be someone else's responsibility. I want peace and quiet. I want clean. I don't feel like I can take a break. I feel like we are so far behind, we'll never catch up. According to whose standards? I don't know. I'm really tired of this battle going on in my head.

I have had our "school name" Shalom School chosen for a while. The boys don't like it, so it needs to be changed. Of course their suggestions are things like Paintball Academy and The Zoo. I would like something a little more serious than that.

One of the reasons I chose Shalom School was because my verse for homeschooling is Isaiah 54:13. And all your children will be taught of the Lord and great shall be the peace of your children. It is my goal to teach them of the Lord, first and foremost. Peace with and through the Lord is the most important thing in life.

The point is that I'm changing the name of this blog for a little while, until the Lord reveals the name of our school to us.

I cannot believe it has been over three months since I posted on this blog! I visit HSB pretty regulaly. I feel like I should contribute something.

I have been creating some planner pages. They can be downloaded from 4shared.com.
Dialectic Weekly Planner page
TOG Weekly Planner page one
TOG planner page two
planner page
Year goals
Quarter grades

I recommend printing out enough planner pages for a year, a goals page for each child and quarter grades (if you keep them.) Take them to your local office store, ask for spiral binding and a sturdy vinyl and cardboard cover. No more ripped out, lost planner pages.

Each one of my children has his own planner. And I have a TOG planner to gather things together. The idea is to sit down with each of them before the school week begins and go over what needs to be accomplished that week.

I find our school runs much more smoothly when I have a plan.

Now that I have MY planner I feel like I have TOG a little more under control. Here's a step-by-step of what I did this week. It may require tweaking over the next few weeks. So stay tuned...

Friday Morning:

1. 1. Go online and reserve books for two weeks ahead (15 mins.)
2. Put next week's pages in 1" binder.
3. Look at craft or office supplies that may be needed.
   

Friday Afternoon:

1. Go to library(ies) to pick up reserved books
2. Buy any supplies (craft, office, etc.) for next week.

Friday Evening:

1. Put last week's pages back in Unit binder.
2. Begin reading Teacher's notes, jot down notes in planner (30 mins.)

Sunday Afternoon:
Finish reading Teacher's notes, look over all other pages. (45 mins.)


Sunday Evening:

1. Copy, or print maps, SAPs, quizzes, timeline figures, notebooking/lapbook components. (20 mins.)
   
2. Locate websites. (20 mins.)
3. Gather craft supplies.(10 mins.)
4. Sit down with each child and fill out their planner for next week. (15-30 mins. each)

Total amount of time= 2 hours, 20 minutes, over 2 days. That is conservative. It took me a little more time locating the yahoo group that I remembered seeing notebooking pages and quizzes that I wanted.

As for other subjects. I already have how many pages of math, science, Greek, etc. that I want done a day planned out. So by the time we sit down with their planners. I just say, "This week you need to do lesson such and such on Monday, and such and such on Tuesday...etc."

Proofreading

Let me say that I don't proofread the paper, I have the writer proofread his own paper. NumberOne (12) can get through this without much trouble.

#2 (9) gets frustrated. I think it's probably a learning stage thing. He's also a perfectionist, so he gets upset when he finds mistakes. You know what? This is just character training presenting itself. Keep at it, slowly, and next year may be different;)

An idea is that students could proofread each other's writing. We are not at that stage, but by next year, maybe #'s 2 & 3 could proof read each other's? (Just thinking out loud.)

First I have them proof for capitalization, spelling and punctuation.

After those corrections, I have them read it out loud. If it doesn't "sound right, " then change it by adding transition word and/or rearranging sentences.

Now comes the second draft. This is where you may lose them...they don't generally "want" to pick the pencil up again and write it AGAIN.
I'm being honest, here.

I have my boys take the notes from their graphic organizers and transfer them to an outline. It really helps to put all the bits of information in a usable order.

Step two of the writing process is the rough draft.
I have NumberOne take each point on his outline and write a sentence.

I think we make the process a bit more complicated and step-y than normal, but with my boys it helps. It's like when I have a short list of things I want them to do. "Carry your socks and shoes to your room, bring back the trash from the bathroom and unload the dishwasher." If I give them the list all at once, here's what usually happens. They carry one sock and shoe into the bathroom and put the trash can in the middle of the kitchen, then forget the dishes altogether. So I have to tell them one thing at a time. "Take your shoes and socks to your room. "Once they are down the hall, "Bring the bathroom trash to the kitchen and dump it." Once in the kitchen, "While you're in there unload the dishwasher for me."

The point is that the sentences at this point may not appear to "go together." That's OK. The next step is proofreading for capitalization, spelling and punctuation.

#1 Teach that writing is a process.
First there is pre-writing. "Yes, boys, pre-writing does involve using a pencil."

Pre-writing is note-taking, using graphic organizers and outlining.
I wish I'd known about graphic organizers when NumberOne started writing. Praise the Lord for TOG. They have you teach about them.
Here are a few examples of how we've used them, so far:

1. We used the senses chart when he imagined he was Lewis or Clark and discovered a prairie dog.
   
2. The Venn diagram to compare and contrast animals.
3. For Fulton's steamboat we used the describing wheel.
4. The cluster chart/web we used for a Thomas Jefferson biography.
   

(note: they did not write a paragraph or anything larger for most of these, they were just pre-writing exercises.)

Yesterday we learned about formal outlining and I had NumberOne write ONE paragraph using notes from the sensing chart to write a journal entry as Lewis or Clark. It helped SOOOOO much. To the point that he said, "(and this is NO exaggeration) This is fun, can we write like this all the time?" I tell you, I almost cried.

The way I explained outlining was by example on our white board. I walked him through each Roman Numeral, Capital letter, numeral and lower case letter. If you are weak in this area, here are some sites that can help.
Educator's desk reference.
The Learning Center Exchange

Every homeschooler that I know in real life has problems with their sons and writing. It's frustrating. It's the thing that can send everyone into tears and make you question if you should really be doing this.

Here's hope! Teach the process one - step - at - a - time. Take a week to teach a step. Start with pre-writing. Let them choose the topic. Most of NumberOne's writing assignments are dictated by TOG, but he loves history, so it's no big deal. But you can have your sons (or daughters) write about video games, airplanes, trains, whatever they are passionate about.

Part two will be about the rough, or first draft.

Everyone is probably familiar with the King James version of this verse;
You may know that I prefer the New American Standard Bible, it is a word for word translation. It reads like this;

As I have been making the planners, this verse has been repeated over and over in my mind. We can make plans for our homeschools all day long, but unless we acknowledge the Lord, they are in vain (another verse-Psalm 127:1). This verse promises that when you acknowledge Him in all things, he makes the way straight. That's good news we all can use. This homeschool thing is a journey. There are choices at every turn. Acknowledge him and you'll be set on the correct path for your family.

Proverbs 22:6 "Train up your child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

This word, way, in the original Hebrew is "derech." Literally it means the "trodden road" and used figuratively is the "course of life."

So, when I read this verse, I am not thinking the traditional (and misleading) teaching, that it refers to salvation. It could refer to living a Christian life. But I believe it is talking about more than that.

The Kingdom of God requires us to view all of life as sanctified. That is, set apart for the Lord's service. Does that mean that all must be in "professional" ministry? NO! It means that whatever you do, do it to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31).

Have you ever taken one of those spiritual gifting tests? I have, several. I always score very high under teacher, followed by "perceiving". Does God mean for us to use these spiritual gifts only at church? Are they things that are deposited only after we are filled with the Holy Spirit? Or does God know everyone from the moment of conception. Did He create the inward parts from the very beginning? How many non-Christians do you know about whom you say to your self, "If only they were a Christian, what good they could do for the Kingdom with that drive, that passion, etc."?

I believe that God has gifted every single person in the world. And that once filled with His Spirit, those giftings become supernaturally charged to do great things. That is the Greek (NT) definition of grace (empowered), by the way.

Finding out your own giftings is fun, helpful even. But if you are a parent, it is your duty to find out the giftings of your children. Only then, can you truly carry out the proverb to "train up your child."

Several years ago, I looked at Tapestry of Grace. I remember thinking, "When all the boys can read, I'll try it."

This year, #3 can read. In the fall we did the three week Egypt sample. We had so much fun with it. I loved the integration of the Biblical Worldview and God's hand in history.

Problem was, I couldn't buy it until income tax return time. So I did what any, normal homeschool mom does. I visited the site every day. Read through the forum and printed every printable piece of paper I could.

We are working on week 8, now. We are far enough in that I can tell you what I truly love. By the way, we are using Year Three (The 1800's).

Here's what I love about it:

1. All the subjects are included except science and math. The focus is on history. I believe the study of history is one of the most important disciplines. The first lesson actually has some discussion points on this.
2. Integrated writing lessons! For years I struggled with how to teach writing. Copywork was not working for my son. I bought a writing curriculum, but he was spending most of his time reading about one thing and then a little time writing about another thing. And the writing program is very good. My younger boys are doing great! And my oldest son is improving every week. Writing is communication. If you can't write clearly, you can't communicate.
3. Kindergarten to Mom education. I am learning as much, if not more, than the kids.
4. Everyone is working on the same topic, at the same time.
   

 

 

This is my introdcutory "who we are" post.

We are a central Texas homeschool family with three boys (12, 9 &7), one labrador, one bearded dragon, one turtle, one beta fish, two hermit crabs and two parakeets. We are busy and the majority of our budget goes toward feeding the 12 year old and all the pets.

When the oldest (#1) was three and I was pregnant with #2, we decided to homeschool. As we lived in laid back South Austin, unschooling seemed the way to go, at the time. Over the last seven years we have used Charlotte Mason and Ruth Beechick methods, workbooks and textbooks, and we recently started Tapestry of Grace. The next post will be a gushing review about TOG. 

My intention is to move some of these to my sidebar. But in the meantime, enjoy as you click through this post:

Homeschooling Radio Show, Texas Homeschool family Leleand and Kathy Fleming do a daily radio show with different guests and topics every day. They also send out an e-newletter.

A magazine that I subscribe to is The Old SchoolHouse. You can virtually flip through the pages of the most current magazine from the home page.

Every Tuesday, the Carnival of Homeschooling comes out. A blog Carnival is a wonderful waste of time.

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. (KJV)

The points I want to bring out of this are:
1) the Lord said He knew Abraham. That is relationship. At this time in history, no other man could say that.
2) one of the things God knew about Abraham, was that he would be faithful to teach the Lord's ways to his children and his household. Passing on the heritage of faith is so important. God doesn't have grandchildren, only children.
3) that the Lord's ways are to do justice and judgment. (remembering the the Lord's ways are not our ways [Is. 55:8])
4) The Lord had promised Abraham land and that he would be father of nations. This verse points out that teaching/commanding the Lord's ways would be the way in which the Lord would bring this about.

Faith is certainly more caught than taught. If I just say with my mouth that I love the Lord, but do not act in a way that is consistent with my words, I'll never show my children the way to Christ. Faith is lost in only one generation if it is not passed on. But it carries on for many generations when it is passed on.

Am I saying a person must come from a Christian home in order to be saved? Not at all! The Lord's mercies are new every morning and He desires that all should be saved.

What I am saying is that it is incumbent on Christian parents to teach the ways of the Lord to their children.

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. (KJV)

The points I want to bring out of this are:
1) the Lord said He knew Abraham. That is relationship. At this time in history, no other man could say that.
2) one of the things God knew about Abraham, was that he would be faithful to teach the Lord's ways to his children and his household. Passing on the heritage of faith is so important. God doesn't have grandchildren, only children.
3) that the Lord's ways are to do justice and judgment. (remembering the the Lord's ways are not our ways [Is. 55:8])
4) The Lord had promised Abraham land and that he would be father of nations. This verse points out that teaching/commanding the Lord's ways would be the way in which the Lord would bring this about.

Faith is certainly more caught than taught. If I just say with my mouth that I love the Lord, but do not act in a way that is consistent with my words, I'll never show my children the way to Christ. Faith is lost in only one generation if it is not passed on. But it carries on for many generations when it is passed on.

Am I saying a person must come from a Christian home in order to be saved? Not at all! The Lord's mercies are new every morning and He desires that all should be saved.

What I am saying is that it is incumbent on Christian parents to teach the ways of the Lord to their children.

And it shall be, when your children say to you, 'What do you mean by this service? (NKJV)

This verse refers to the Passover ceremony that the Israelites should conduct every year at the same time. The first ceremony was to mark their doors to avoid death by the angel. After that, the ceremony would be to memorialize that time.

The Lord knew that children would ask. This was a hands-on way for the parents to teach the children about what the Lord had done for them. Children get bored with lectures and preaching, they need hands-on activities to create muscle memory.

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

That word diligently, in the Hebrew is shanan. It means to point, to pierce, to inculcate. Inculcate means teach and impress repeatedly. One time, ain't gonna do it. Repetition.

And everywhere...at home, on the way somewhere, going to bed, getting up.

To me, there is no better way of fulfilling this command, than to home educate.

Many community colleges offer "further education." These are classes offered in addition to a degree program. You can take basket weaving, pottery, etc. You get the idea. That's not what this is about; unless you want to go learn basket weaving...

I am in favor of further (f.a.) education for homeschool moms and dads. One place to obtain f.a. would be an annual conference. Many of them happen during the summer months. Our local one is in June. And THSC has one in August. These are great places to learn about a particular method or how to use a particular curriculum. Some of the speakers are very inspirational.

Another form of further education would be to get acquainted with the education section at your local library. That's the 370's in the Dewey decimal classification system. Some good ones to look at are books on learning styles, tutoring methods, scope and sequences. This is where you will find books on homeschooling.
A sidenote: home education is entirely different from classroom based education. The dynamics are different; less children, your children. I have lots of friends who went to college and earned degrees in education. They will tell you that nothing they learned in college has given them an advantage over the rest of us. In fact, many of them will tell you that they have had to unlearn a few things.

And then, there are your student's materials. I am learning so much reading through my TOG teachers notes. Most homeschool specific curriculum are written by homeschoolers. You get the wealth of their knowledge and experience. Some people will tell you that you can't teach a course by just reading the teacher's manual. I beg to differ. In addition, many homeschool curriculum are written to be read by the student to teach himself.

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (NASB)

Is your child doing his/her school work to the glory of God? Or is he/she grumbly or stubborn? Are you, homeschool mom or dad, administering your homeschool to the glory of God? Are you grumbly or stubborn? A bad attitude kept Moses out of the Promised Land. Wrong motives will bear bad fruit.

Whatever you, or your children, do needs to be done with a willing, cheerful heart. The condition of the heart is paramount to God. Believe it or not, stopping, in the moment, and praying with your child over his heart condition really works. Stopping and praying works for you too, stressed out mom ;)


*This verse is used in many different applications. The context is whether or not to eat meat that has been used in idol worship. In the classical Greek world, people generally could not afford meat. They only time they partook was when it had been first given to a god or goddess. It was then offered to the masses during that god or goddesses feast day.

I know you are wondering how my Thanksgiving with 6 public school teachers went. Well, I'll tell ya...One of the best in our family Thanksgiving history. My homeschooling sister did manage to offend my favorite ps teaching aunt and her ps teaching husband, though . I guess that's not bad considering there were 39 people other people there to offend.

I read an article on last week's Carnival of Homeschooling that talked about how we, as homeschoolers are being watched. The writer was referring to people who want to homeschool. I would like to go further and say that we are being watched by everyone. When I was a little girl, my Grandma used to say that your best witness is your life. That's how I feel about homeschooling. I need to homeschool with integrity, because people are watching. Another thing my Grandma used to tell me is that I can't get away with anything because Jesus is always watching me. Same thing with homeschooling. I was given a ministry to the children that God placed in my care for the next 18, or so years to teach and train them in the ways of the Lord. He has revealed to me that academics are really about Him. Therefore, I and my husband are the best suited to teach and train in academics, as well as "religious" stuff.

What kinds of things do I need to do in order to homeschool with integrity?
1. Pray. Every year around September, I begin to feel inadequate. Every year, without fail, the One Who is Faithhful has given me a message about vision. He reminds me that I am inadequate, but that He is fully able.
2. Organize. Some people are natuarals at this, others, like me, aspire to be, and others are, well...aren't. The internet is full of awesome free reaources to help the homeschool mom get organized. This includes your house, your time -hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and yearly.
3. Get rid of time wasters. This is the hardest for me. I love information. But the Bible says knowledge puffs up. I know my rear has certainly puffed up, sitting at the computer. Some time wasters may even be good things, serving at church for instance. We have to pray and examine our lives. Am I doing what God has asked me to do, or what man (including myself) has asked me to do? We may have to let go of hobbies, or even friendships.
(originally posted on my HSB blog 11-28-06)