Christian Home Learning - Homeschool Blogger

Almost there...

Sat, 2 Sep 2006 07:27:00 -0500

Just a few more days and we're back to the books.

My husband and I decided this school year, that it might be beneficial and encouraging for the kids to have a great big progress chart - posted in the school room for all to see.

I had actually posted it here, but it broke up the formatting so badly I've removed it.

In any event, it should be a very interesting school year with 1 highschool aged student, 3 kids doing a combined 1st/2nd/3rd grade level work, and 1 pre-k student.

I'm looking forward to it!

The Alice Cooper Classical Approach to Homeschooling

Tue, 16 May 2006 07:59:00 -0500

Early summer, 1972.

My sister, who is 5 years my senior, had just bought a brand new album and playing it our shared bedroom, seemed non-stop. I was much more interested in the album cover than I was the music.

This was an album cover that was an actual shot of a school desk, that even unfolded like a real desk, with another shot of the inside of a school desk. It was quite likely one of the coolest ideas I'd ever seen at that ripe old age of 8.5.

Yep, I was 8 years old and suddenly became an Alice Cooper fan, without even realizing it. Granted, I was more of a fan of the album cover artwork than anything, but the band's song "School's Out" quickly shot up the charts and became "one of those songs" that you just don't forget. (No matter how much you try!)

Fast forward 32 years later, and the song still pops up in my memory this time of year - and can still be heard on any classic rock station in North America. I wont bother pasting in the lyrics to this song. Besides, now that I've mentioned it, many of you have the song going through your heads anyway (deny it all you want, you know it's there!). :o)

Isn't it weird how music has such an influence on people?

At any rate, this is the time of year I do all our big-time, in-depth evaluations. One kid at a time, I go over every book they're in, and figure out our fall plans:

1. Where they will be in this book by the end of this school year (which ends in 4 weeks).

2. Approximately what time (in the fall) they'll need a new book in this subject.

Sounds relatively easy, right?

WRONG!

This is where the real work for homeschooling moms comes in. It may not be this way with every HS mom, but it sure is with me.

Five kids, from 3 to 16, in working in roughly 8-10 different grade levels, depending on the subject.

For example, Samuel our 5 year old son's grade levels for the fall:

Bible 3, Math 2, Phonics 2, Spelling 2, Science 3, History 3, Handwriting 2

Jordan and Rachel will be in mostly 3rd grade level in all subjects. Then Jessica does a combination of 3 grade levels. Ruth is easy, she's doing pre-kindergarten stuff and I have all I need for her.

So, it gets complicated. Each subject has it's own workbook, and unlike some HS'ers, the kids really like having their own workbooks for each subject.

Let me just say I am MOST grateful for CBD, where we can get all the workbooks we need from Christian Liberty Press for a low price, excellent shipping rates, and FAST delivery. I might add in that, the dollar store where we can get paper, pencils, folders, binders, scissors, crayons, glue, chalk and literally just about everything else we need, for a fraction of the cost we'd pay anywhere else for all that stuff.

Thankfully, my kids don't know the Alice Cooper song (except maybe for Jessica - she's a fan of the retro-rock stuff and often surprises me with what songs she knows!), and school being over for the year for them means something a little different than it does for public schooled kids.

When school is over here, it just means "formal" lessons are done for the summer. Summer is the time for the big projects, hands-on learning stuff. Yard work, clearing the spot for the pool, tackling the cleaning of the garage, getting out the badminton net, pitching the tents in the yard & camp outs (complete with stories of packs of wild coyotes!).

"School" may be out in 4 weeks, but the learning never stops.

Has it really been 2 months?

Thu, 12 Jan 2006 12:02:00 -0600

Wow, my last post here was at the end of November. You'd have thought I dropped off the planet or something, eh? Well, I haven't, I've just been busy, and when I do post the day to day things, I post those here at my main blog.

It's been FAR too long since I've done a HS update, so I hope to get one of those done soon. There have been a lot of changes in our routines this year, as well as changes with some things we were previously involved with.

I don't even know if anyone's still reading here, but if you are, drop me a howdy and let me know?

SDG...

Carla

New & VERY Cool

Wed, 23 Nov 2005 06:57:00 -0600

I'm pleased to announce something new & something very cool, from my Scripscenes store...

BASIC BLACK

We have 12 different designs in all, with 5 BRAND NEW graphics, and a few re-jazzed graphics, just for the black tees. We think they ROCK, and we thing you'll agree!

Here's a sneak peek at just some of the designs:

Free Grace Black T
FEAR thou NOT Black T
TULIP Black T
5 Solas Black T
Isaiah 40:31 Black T

Product info: Our durable, high-quality, pre-shrunk 100% heavy cotton Black T is made by Fruit of the Loom. It's what to wear when you want to go comfortably casual. Preshrunk, durable and guaranteed.
AVAILABILITY: Dark Apparel will ship in a minimum of 5 business days
$24.99
� 5.6 oz. 100% cotton � Standard fit

Come check out the new shop, and DON'T FORGET to enter the drawing for a Scripscenes Holiday Giveaway!!

Online Dispute Resolution 101

Sun, 20 Nov 2005 19:12:00 -0600

(Another crosspost)

First, I want to apologize in advance for the length of this entry. It has to be as long as it is, to address the topic. I have however, stayed as close to point as possible. This is something that affects every single Christian on the internet, so I thought it was important, to be thorough.

When I named this blog what I did, I did that in part, because we ('net users) are in fact, a reflection of the times. The very fact that you're reading these very words, proves that you are reflecting the times we live in. The fact that I'm writing these words, not with a pen, but a keyboard, and not on parchment, but into a blog editor, also proves that I am as well, reflecting the times.

In many ways, modern technology allowing us to communicate this way, is really no issue at all. In many ways it's actually a benefit, and even makes our lives a little easier. (consider the quick action that took place as a result of electronic communication, after Katrina). In some ways however, the lines have been blurred, and many of us have bought into an idea that is simply not supported anywhere, in Scripture.

What idea is this? The idea that the community of believers online, is somehow "church". The idea that the internet can actually replace the local church, your pastor's authority, and face to face fellowship, worship, and study. In part, I believe this idea stems from those who are in rebellion in some degree, and choose the 'net over face to face fellowship & submission to a local church assembly. I know that sounds harsh, but in my almost 13 years of being involved in online communications, I've watched this trend, and watched it grow. Not only grow, but gain more and more acceptance by even those who have what most of us would consider solid theology. In the vast majority of situations, the people behind the idea that the 'net either is church, or can be church, are people that have major issues with submission, and have a mile long list of excuses as to why they are not in a local church, themselves.

They seek to defend their position, and they seek support and validation for it. And they're finding it, in some of the most unlikely places.

One of the places they find it, is with those who promote the idea of a universal, invisible church. Now please read this carefully, I don't want to mislead anyone by what I'm saying here. While I do agree that the family of God can be found in every far flung corner of the earth (various denoms, villages, communities, tribes and tongues), and while I do understand that the word "church" used to describe us, simply means "the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth", I can't agree that we are an "invisible" church. It doesn't make sense to me, and as much as I've studied it, it still doesn't make sense to me, especially considering the 115 uses of the word ekklesia in the NT, almost exhaustively refer to a local, physical gathering of believers.

That's really a side issue, however. I don't pretend to be an expert on the teaching of ekklesia, but I certainly do see how this teaching (in part) has contributed to the idea that certain passages and verses of Scripture, are taken out of context in an effort to apply to our "online conduct".

One of the places it's often used, is in the area of women in leadership, or authority, online. There are many who will use the instruction in 1Timothy, as a battering ram when a woman is a moderator in a chat room, or an admin at a forum. Or, a blogger. It's the same thing every time... "how dare you teach/delete/ban/suspend me, you're a woman, and the Bible says you cannot have authority over me!". Being online for the last 13 years, I've seen this more times than I can count. I've gone into this in more detail in Women of Faith Online.

Another passage of Scripture that is also taken out of context, is the "dispute" passage of Matthew 18:15-17. Being a moderator/admin in many different online theology chat formats over the years, I've seen my share of disputes, arguments, slander, malice, and all those other fun things that make "Christian chat" so obnoxious, at times. If you've ever ventured into a Christian chat room, you've likely seen exactly what I just referred to.

While the application of the Matthew passage certainly appears as if it would "work" online, it actually doesn't. Nor can it, because of the very nature of the internet, coupled with the intended application of the passage itself.

In the atmosphere of the internet, you have all sorts of people, who may or may not be, or may or may not truly believe, what they put forth. You might have an online fellowship with someone who appears to be a young woman believer, who is in reality, an old man (or a young man) who is disturbed, unstable, with serious psychological disorders just looking for a cheap thrill. Sound extreme? Believe me, it's not - it happens far more often than people realize. While not desiring to sound paranoid, the fact is, you really do not know (like you would face to face) who you're dealing with, online. One friend of mine suggested that Christian chats & Christian communities online, actually attract people like this, because they are likely looking for acceptance, and/or validation. Another friend once asked "why is it that people with bi-polar, who refuse to take their meds, are ALWAYS in Christian circles, online?". It's very, very common.

Some years ago I did some work with those behind the drafting of the long forgotten (or never heard of) "Communications Decency Act". This legislation went through many revisions, and alterations before new federal laws were put into place, as a result of online communications. Many of those involved in that piece of legislation (at the time I worked with them, between 1993 and 1996) were believers, who struggled with these very issues of conduct, online. These were believers in various levels of law enforcement (state, local and federal), various political persuasions and public office, and even a few federal judges, and prosecutors. All of us, working in whatever capacity we were able to at the time, were concerned not only with conduct from the criminal element that this legislation was originally drafted to address, but also conduct of believers, seeking the refuge of the anonymous nature of the internet. Because there were so many believers working on this, this issue came up time and time again, and was discussed from a wide variety of angles. Matthew 18 was in fact, discussed repeatedly.

Technology, and our laws pertaining to it, have changed drastically since then. People, on the other hand, have not.

Recently when my friend Vivian visited me, I jokingly put together a series of pics from our visit, that portrayed a mock-up from a movie called The Chatters of the Corn. I did that, to poke fun at the idea that "everyone you meet on the internet is a potential axe murderer!". Vivian and I first met online in a Christian community, and only recently had the pleasure of meeting face to face. I can assure you, neither one of us, is an exe murderer.

The point is, the internet actually feeds anonymity, and deception. If you're a person that struggles with being honest, the 'net is the perfect place for you to "hide".

Now please understand this: I certainly don't believe that the majority of people online are like this, obviously, but the fact is, many of them are - and you cannot possibly know which ones. You can't see them, you don't fellowship with them face to face, you never speak to them (audibly) you know virtually nothing about their lives (except for what they tell you), and they are, for all intents and purposes, strangers to you. You likely don't even know where they live, where they go to church, IF they go to church, or what kind of home environment they have. Or... if any of what you think you know about them, is actually true, or something they've made up. That's the reality of the 'net.

So with all that said, let's look at the 'dispute' passage of Matthew 18 to see why it doesn't work, online.

First, context. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, CONTEXT IS CRITICAL, and should never be overlooked. Look at verses 1 and 2:

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them

I've highlighted the key phrases that point out the context: face to face. Jesus was physically present with the disciples, teaching them. They were physically present, learning. This is important to the whole application of the rest of the chapter. While I do agree that many passages and verses can have varied application, sometimes they simply cannot, and I do believe this is one of those cases.

In verses 3 through 14 Jesus teaches about offenses toward "the little ones" (He uses a child as the example of a converted believer, v. 3, and how we ought to never conduct ourselves in a way that would be offensive (entice them to sin) to them, or cause them to stumble in their faith, or fall away from truth. Dire warning is given here about how important this is: "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea" (v.6)

Starting in verse 15 He turns it around, "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother."

Let's look at what Jesus just said there. If a fellow believer sins against you, go and tell him privately. If he considers and receives what you're saying, you've won him over to a right fellowship with Christ, and with you.

The question is, can this be done, online? The answer is, yes and no. While you can certainly make the effort to go to your brother, and discuss this issue with him, in private, it may not be as private as you thought. Your "brother" may have an agenda that you have no knowledge of, and may use your words against you. It happens. You also do not know (because of the nature of the 'net) if you're really speaking with him privately, or not. This is where the context of this verse is so important. Jesus was talking about literally, and physically, getting up off your chair, or couch, or horse, and going face to face to your brother, just the 2 of you, alone, and discussing the issue between you, in an effort to resolve it and restore your fellowship with one another, and the offender's right fellowship with the Lord.

While this doesn't necessarily give you liberty to NOT make the attempt to discuss matters in private, it does throw a monkey wrench into the mix, since electronic communication is not exactly private, nor is it face to face discussion. Much is lost, in text only. Your brother cannot see your face, he cannot know how he's hurt you, or the eagerness in your tone of voice, to reconcile the matter. Likewise, you cannot see his face, or hear his voice, or reach out to him if he expresses his repentance, and sorrow, and wants to shake your hand, or embrace you, or pray together over the matter. So much is lost, in simple text, when it comes to a matter like this. This first instruction in the "dispute" passage was clearly meant to be face to face contact, in an effort to resolve a rift between brothers in the faith.

Moving on to the next verse: "But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established" v.16

Jesus says if your brother refuses to hear you, refusing to receive what you have to say, and acknowledge his sin against you, then you go back with witnesses, and try again. Both of you, laying your cards on the table in the presence (physical) of witnesses that know what has happened, in an effort to reconcile the sin your brother has perpetrated against you.

Again, how does this work, online? In my experience, it's VERY rare that it ever does, when attempted. Why? First of all, lines are drawn in the sand, and if your brother knows (or suspects) you're including others in your communication to him, he'll include others in his defense of himself. He said, she said, taking sides and digging in heels - usually via cc's and bcc's in email, or on forums, chat rooms and even blogs. Then before you know it, the whole mess becomes the controversy of the week, and all sorts of people are drawn in, on one side or the other. And the ever popular defense from both sides is repeated continuously "yes, but remember there are always two sides to a story!".

This instruction was never meant, to take place via fiber optics. It was meant to transpire face to face, where resolution was the goal. Again, the problem with communication online is what is lost, as I mentioned in the first verse. None of those things are present or accounted for, with online communication. It's almost like talking to only a part of a person, since so much of what makes up a good, and fruitful conversation, is missing from this kind of interaction.

Verse 17. This is where it all falls apart, online.

"And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."

Jesus is quite clear here, what the next step is. If you've already tried one on one, face to face, and that didn't resolve anything, take witnesses and make another effort at resolving the issue. If you've done that too, and it didn't work, the next step is to go to the church, and explain the whole thing to them. Let's stop here and see what Jesus meant by "the church".

The word ekklesia is used here, and I believe Jesus was referring to those who have the responsibility over you, in your local physical assembly. The elders, and your pastor. (Heb 13:7, 1Th 5:12, for a couple of quick references).

It is not expressly stated, but it's at least inferred, that the brother that has sinned against you is also under the authority of the same pastor and elders, considering the way the verse is worded "but if he neglect to hear the church" (referring to the same church you've gone to, your own). Even if Jesus was not referring to your own pastor and elders (as having authority over the sinning brother), He was indeed saying that once you've gone to them "but if he neglect to hear the church" and that still doesn't work, then the final step is to consider him in your thoughts as a heathen, and a publican.

This is extreme, since a heathen is ethnikos... "alien to the worship of the true God" and a publican is a tax collector, reviled by believer and unbeliever alike, due to their harsh ways, fraud, greed, and deceptive practices that they employed to do their job.

In other words, if you've made every effort according to this passage to reconcile your brother to you, and he resists all efforts, by you, your witnesses, your church... you are to no longer consider him a brother, but as an alien to the faith.

Now with that established, how does this work, online?

In a nutshell, it does not work. It's not even possible, for it to work. Picture this conversation with your pastor:

You: pastor, billy3toes sinned against me, can you email him for me, I've already tried talking to him privately, even took witnesses, but all he did was throw up a blog to slander me

Your pastor: what? Billy who? why is Billy vomiting blogs? has he seen a medical professional, this sounds serious...

Joking aside, how do you explain something like this to your pastor, especially if your pastor does not use the 'net and has very little knowledge of how it all works? And once you do explain it, what is he supposed to do, gather the elders and send a joint email to the offending brother, requesting that he see things from your perspective, and repent?

Just how realistic is this? In truth, it's not a realistic scenario at all. In many cases, the offending brother has already dug in, and if contacted by your pastor at all, likely won't even believe the email IS from your pastor, and even if he does, certainly doesn't submit himself to the authority OF your pastor, and heed his direction and instruction.

The instruction given in Matthew 18:17 was in reference to an in person situation, a face to face, sit down, confrontation of the issue at hand, not an email, not a chat room, or a voice conference online.

Now I suspect someone out there, has an example in real life, of the instruction given in Matthew 18, and having used it ONLINE, and it working. That's great, if the example actually exists, but it would certainly be the exception to the rule, and not at all common. I'ver tried hard to remember back over the last 13 years of any example of this instruction followed, and it working in a positive way, and I cannot think of 1 incident.

The primary reason this doesn't apply, and doesn't and can't work as intended in this passage, is because it was meant to be employed face to face, within your local, physical environment, and then within your local, physical church. Without that in the equation - it's missing a primary element that is critical in human contact, critical for it to be fruitful and effective: the physical!

With all that said, I certainly do advocate making every effort to reconcile differences between believers, online. There's no excuse not to, if at all possible. But to make the statement that Matthew 18 can be used online, is to be neglectful of the whole context of the passage itself.

There are ways to achieve reconciliation with fellow believers online, however. Going to them one on one, privately, in email or private messaging, is one way. Apologizing if you need to, forigivng when you need to, and/or being very particular in your message if it is them, who has offended you. If they do receive what you have to say, then praise God for the resolution. Unfortunately, it's not always that easy, and it doesn't always work out this way. This is the nature of online communication, unfortunately. Sometimes, you just have to be content with the effort you have made, then let it go, and leave it with the Lord.

I certainly don't pretend to be an authority on these matters, I can only share what I have learned myself, and remain open to correction, and further learning. I realize that subjective experience like what I've just shared, is not "authoritative", but in many ways these kind of experiences only confirm what the text of Scripture already states.

In the past 13 years of being online, I have repeatedly seen folks try to use Matthew 18 to resolve issues, and not once, in all those years, have I ever heard of it being followed to the letter, and it working, as hoped. Like I said, it doesn't work in this medium because it wasn't taught to be employed, in this medium.

Scripture does address our conduct, and the standard we are to strive for. This addresses any situtation, online, offline, with friends, family, the lost, the household of faith, etc. Being a believer, means the Holy Spirit is the guide of our conscience, and He will convict us if we step to the left, or to the right, and deviate from the conduct that Christ has called us to. However, we need to be very careful when we take a verse of passage of text out of context, and make an effort to apply it to a situation where it was never meant, to apply.

I decided to write about this today, since someone suggested to me in the comments of another thread, that Matthew 18 is the route for online disputes. When I disagreed, they wanted to know why. I hope this helps folks understand why I disagree that this is a viable course of action, in matters of "online disputes among believers".

SDG,
Carla

Thoughts on Thanksgiving

Sun, 20 Nov 2005 19:08:00 -0600

This is a crosspost from my main blog:

First of all, I'm thankful right this minute for an email I received earlier. It was another e-mail from the same nice lady that sent me the one about my grammar. I likely sounded rather flippant about the whole thing when I mentioned it prior, but I assure you I was not being flippant about it. I was and am, quite grateful for someone willing to come to me and tell me what she did. I haven't had an opportunity today to really read the second email in depth, so I'll be doing that later on.

Today was very busy, just like it always is on family birthdays or holidays. Everyone was here by about 2pm, and the ham was carved & on the table by 3. All the little kids were well behaved (even us bigger kids minded our manners!), and it was just a very good day.

Every year on Thanksgiving, people gather 'round all over the US and talk about what they're thankful for. It's a good thing to do I suppose, but it seems somehow misplaced to be mindful of your blessings but one day a year. When I was growing up, my mom had a saying that rings in my ears to this very day. "Be thankful for what you do have, and don't worry about what you don't have." Mom was a single parent working full time, raising 3 kids in the 60's and 70's. It wasn't easy for her to give her kids all the "wants" but we always had all the "needs". I'm so grateful for mom teaching me that attitude.

Rebecca made a wise move this month and chose to make her theme for November, a month of being thankful. She's been encouraging readers all month long, to share what they are thankful for on their own blogs, or by leaving a comment on hers. If you haven't been reading the comments or the updates, you really should be. They will bless you. Rebecca's blog will bless you. I'm thankful for her, and even wrote once in one of my very first entries on this blog, that when I grow up and become a real blogger, I want to be Rebecca.

As I watched my family today, I had an overwhelming grateful feeling that they were all here. All of them healthy, all of them beautiful people in their own right, and all of them healthy. Not everyone can make that claim about their family at a holiday gathering, and I realize just how blessed I am.

I have struggled almost my entire life, with "not having". When I was a kid, we had the necessities and once in a while, something a little extra. After I grew up, the "not haves" just followed me into adulthood and it's been a struggle financially almost my entire adult life. It would be VERY easy to wallow in self-pity but it would be a complete waste of time. I know, I've done it more than a few times and it never accomplishes much of anything, except to make me feel like an ungrateful brat.

I'm quite thankful I have fellow believers in my life that encourage me (sometimes daily) to remain in the proper attitude and remain thankful, grateful, and keep praising God no matter what comes. There are no words to describe the blessing of a changed attitude, when you simply sit in awe of Him, knowing that "in Him we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:28). He provides the very air we breathe. He alone keeps our hearts beating. It's very difficult to dwell in self-pity when you can't provide something "extra" for your kids, knowing full well that all we have comes from Him anyway.

Every night when I go to bed, I reflect back over my day and make an effort to recall things that I can be thankful for. It's usually not much of an effort to do that, considering I'm thankful for even the smallest things. Not having a headache that day, Jordan getting 9 out of 20 spelling words correct, Kevin getting home from work safely or Jessica cleaning the upstairs bathroom. It's something different each day, but our days in this house are filled with things we can be thankful for. I strongly believe in thanking Him each day, for every one of them. I even thank Him for the gift of sleep. A much needed asset, for a mom with 5 kids at home.

As I looked over the pictures I took of Kev's birthday today, I can't help but simply be thankful for each of these kids. Some days they drive me flat out nutty. Other days (like Friday) they all do super in school, and are just so well behaved I almost can't contain my joy that "these are MY kids!". That's the same feeling I have tonight, as I reflect back over today.

I could sit here and list so many more things I am thankful for. It's easy for me to focus on the "haves" and not dwell on the "have nots" because of the way my mom raised me. I'm thankful for that, and only hope I can pass the same wisdom on to my own kids.

SDG,
Carla

This is just a test :-)

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 16:24:00 -0500

Please ignore this, it's just a test to see if blogger's backlinks code actually works, or if hitting send will cause something to crash.

The only part of this post that is worth your while to actually read, is the post here on memorizing the word.

Fall Updates

Sun, 9 Oct 2005 06:37:00 -0500

Well it seems like it's been forever since I updated the blog here. Life, as life does, took a turn for the hyper-busy, and updating here took a backseat.

Everyone seems to be settling in to being back at the books, and I'm beginning to easily see where each of them are doing their best, and doing their worst, in each subject.

Jordan (8) really struggles with mathematical concepts, so I've taken to setting her up at the Listening Station, once a day. Simple concept really, pop the headphones on and listen to side A and side B of the addition math facts sing along tape. They're such catchy little songs, even Kev and I have been singing along with them. We've just started this, this past week, so I don't have any kind of a feel on whether or not it's working for her. I can only hope it does.

When I was a junior in highschool, for part of my course requirement, I tutored kids at the elementary school across the street for one hour a day. One of the things I helped the kids with, was math flashcards each day, and setting them up at the Listening Station. While the math facts tape played, they could color or draw. It made a big difference with those kids, (it was a mixed class of first and second graders) so I'm really hoping it will help with Jordan.

Spelling is another area both Jordan and Rachel struggle with. I've taken to adding our spelling words as flashcards also, before each daily spelling lesson. Spell the word outloud, then say the word. We've only done that for a week now, so we'll see how that works out.

In phonics and reading, they're both doing great - no issues there at all! And Samuel... well my word, he doesn't struggle with anything, and just last Friday he got 20/20 on his spelling test! Go Sam!!

Jessica is doing well so far - still struggling horrible with English, and still loving History and Science.

The real struggle is having Ruth in the schoolroom while we do our lessons. Oh boy howdy, she is a handful and a half. She has the attention span of a shoelace, and when Ruth doesn't get her way, people in Zimbabwe hear about it, she fusses so loud.

So, it's going to be a challenging year, and by His grace, a wonderful year.

I've been busy myself - doing a lot of writing, and working on new graphics for my store.

I finally got my faerie garden book published, and I'm currently editing the manuscript for a second book - unrelated to faeries. :-) This book is a collection of stories, studies, devotionals and inspirations, written by Kev and myself, over the last few years. I hope to have this book ready for the publishers in the couple of weeks.

As you can see by the new header pic, it's FALL! I love this time of year, and wish it would stay longer. I took that pic yesterday afternoon from the deck.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in Canada, but our family meal is today - with our own family and 5 extra guests coming. We're staying home from church today (like many others) to prepare the meal and welcome guests - to give thanks to our Heavenly Father for such wonderful blessings.

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

Carla

Today on the chalkboard...

Tue, 13 Sep 2005 06:59:00 -0500

Yesterday, for some reason, was "let's challenge mom at every turn" day, with all 4 of the youngest kids, during school.

During Bible, they all did well, and it was a good lesson. After that, it was me repeating myself numerous times, with each direction, with each kid, in math, spelling & phonics. During science and reading, it did go well, however.

By the time lessons were over at 12:15, I was more than ready for lessons to be over. It was just one of "those" days.

We have a chalkboard in the schoolroom, and each night after the kids go to bed I erase the date, and write in tomorrow's date. Each morning I have one of the kids read the board outloud to me. For example, today it says:

Today is Tuesday, September 13, 2005. It sounds so... so... not that big of a deal, but it sure is. I did this all through the summer, and just by doing this 1 little thing each night, Samuel has begun to get a grasp of yesterday/tomorrow. By reading the board every morning, the kids have all really made progress on getting a better perspective of time. So it's helped quite a bit.

When Kev came home last night, he asked how the day went. I told him. He looked sort of bummed out, and had a talk with the kids about staying focused during school and listening to directions the first time.

When I got up this morning, I found this message on the chalkboard.

"Papa says: kids, pay attention to your teacher!"

Kev's at work today, so this was nice of him to leave for the kids, and also an encouragment for me.

I just cannot stress enough how important it is, if you're going to make the decision to homeschool your children, that it ought to be a joint decision between both parents. Both supporting each other, teaching, encouraging, and presenting a united front, for the children. It's been my own personal experience, and also in observation, that even though it's generally the mother who does the bulk of the teaching (and planning), that the father in the home that supports homeschooling - sure makes it alot easier on days like yesterday.

Kev's work schedule, combined with us only having 1 vehicle, makes for a situation that allows me only twice a week to get out and run errands. On those days, I go over the lesson plan for the day with him, then I'm outta here, and he's Mr. Teacher. He has his own teaching style - and his own strong suits in certain subjects, just as I have mine. I've privately told him, if he were my substitute teacher when I was a kid, he'd be the guy getting paper airplanes thrown at his back when he was at the chalkboard. :-) (we dont allow paper airplanes in our class though)

I know there are alot of homeschooling moms that don't have this kind of support. I also know there are alot of dads that wish their wives would be open to it - but they're not, and this creates a tension in families that just should not be there. With 5 kids still at home, and Ruth (2) being in the classroom this year, we have plenty of tension around here, I'm just grateful that this kind of conflict about homeschooling is not one of those things that cause it.

SDG,
me

I'm so not ready...

Fri, 26 Aug 2005 06:26:00 -0500

I haven't posted here in 2 weeks - and I suppose I could list all the reasons, but it probably doesn't matter much to anyone but me.

We start school in 12 days and I'm not ready. I've had a lame arm (calcium deposits, ouch) for 2 weeks and that's messed everything up (projects to finish, lessons to plan, etc.)

I hope to be ready by September 7th, but I seriously doubt it. I'm looking forward to all of us getting back into a strict routine, and I'm very much looking forward to Ruth being part of our class this year.

She continually amazes me with the things she picks up on. Yesterday while waiting for her lunch, she sang:

Dwinkoh Dwinkoh liddoh dows

ow I wundoo what you owe

double u x, y and x

up above the wood so high

How did she know Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and the ABC song, are the same song? When did she learn the ABC song? When did she learn Twinkle Twinkle? I certainly never taught her any of this, and there it is, all the same. And she just turned 2, last month.

As not ready as I am, I'm sure looking forward to school again.

I hope you have a super-duper fantastical friday.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Carla