Just my thoughts from my corner of the world in Southwest Louisiana... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Sun, 15 Apr 2007 15:04:00 -0500 Sun, 15 Apr 2007 15:04:00 -0500 My daughter is a member of Ad Deum II, the trainee division of a Christian contemporary dance company. She will be participating in Project Dance in New York next weekend. (http://www.projectdance.com) We covet your prayers for good weather, effective ministry and encouragement for the dancers. How do you feel about using dance as worship and ministry? We have come across many Christians, including those in our own church, who equate dance with sin. I don't believe that this is a Biblical view of dance. The times that dance is mentioned in the Bible it describes times of praise for things that God has done. God says in Ecclesiastes "there is a time to dance." Many Christians today do not believe that there is ever a time to dance. My daughter finds it very discouraging in trying to use her gifts and talents as God has equipped her and be condemned by her fellow Christians. I have encouraged her to use her talents for the Lord, as I do with my pottery. It seems to be such a difficult road to be different from those around us, both believers and unbelievers! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/314770/ Sun, 15 Apr 2007 15:04:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/314770/ My 10 yo son has been using Time4Learning online curriculum for the past month. He struggles with reading and writing and I have had a difficult time motivating him to do schoolwork. He was willing to try this curriculum for a month. He loves doing all his work on the computer! It was initially set up for him to do 4th grade language arts and math, but after a few weeks he was motiviated to tackle the 5th grade material. He has made friends with "Peedy", a parrot who reads the text to him if he needs help reading. I have spent very little time helping him read. The lessons are engaging and entertaining. He seems to be retaining much of the information that he is learning in Science and Social Studies. These are subjects that I never have been able to find the time to study much with him. I would recommend this curriculum to anyone looking for an online curriculum. The reports are great for tracking time spent in each subject and for grades. The student can complete much of the work independently, but the reports let the teacher know what was completed. There is much flexibility in choosing activities to be completed. If he already knows the information, I let him complete the quiz and go on to the next lesson. Check it out for yourself! http://www.time4learning.com/homeschool-curriculum.htm http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/285623/ Wed, 14 Feb 2007 21:53:01 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/285623/ Although they have not been formally tested, I think that two of my children have dyslexia. I've been reading lots of books on the subject lately and wonder what others are doing for children with this problem, learning style or gift? I'll write  more of my thoughts as I read, but would love to get a dialog going with a kindred spirit. Do you have a child with dyslexia, what are you doing to teach them fluency and comprehension? My children are already reading, but very slowly, labored and with little comprehension. Any suggestions are welcome!   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/192324/ Tue, 29 Aug 2006 10:29:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/192324/   I recently finished my e-book, Trust the Process; He is the Potter! This book is a compilation of the Bible studies that I teach while I demonstrate on the potter's wheel.   You can download it by grace from my website. http://www.thepottershouseschool.com   Let me know how God moves you through this book! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/180370/ Tue, 8 Aug 2006 14:20:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/180370/ I have never been a morning person. I always scheduled college classes and work so that I could be there at 9:00 am or later. Well, our "school" has always been the same way. We never start really moving before 9:00. Some people have warned me that my children will not be able to get to work on time, because of our relaxed morning schedule...   My 18 yo dd has been working for Target and has been scheduled to work at 8:00 am for the past few weeks. It is a 45 minute drive from our house. She has been getting up by herself and before any of the rest of the family is up and getting to work on time. The store managers have recommended her for a position in the cash office, because she gets to work on time and doesn't call in sick very often!   So much for our relaxed homeschool ruining my children's lives! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/119387/ Mon, 17 Apr 2006 12:51:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/119387/ I got my copies of the Spring issue of TOS magazine today. The Potter's House School has an ad on page 192! This is the first time I've ever advertised my ministry...I wrote a chapter on Language Arts in High School for the new Homeschooling High School book that TOS is publishing and they paid me with an ad.   I have a potter's wheel that fits into a suitcase and I love to travel! I would love to come to your group to do a pottery demonstration/Bible study. Groups of all ages are captivated by the work on the wheel as well as the messages that God has to teach us with illustrations of pottery. I have spoken for homeschooling groups, children's and teen's ministries, ladies fellowship dinners & retreats, senior citizen luncheons. Keep me in mind for your next group occasion. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/116197/ Tue, 11 Apr 2006 11:16:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/116197/ I'm sewing 19 ballet skirts for my daughter's ballet company this month, so my pottery studio has been transformed into a sewing room. I really don't like to sew, so this is a real act of the will to complete. I would much rather be muddy! Please pray that I am able to complete all of these skirts before recital without too many late nights! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/115172/ Sun, 9 Apr 2006 18:41:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/115172/ What a joyous time of fellowship with sisters in Christ! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/103535/ Tue, 21 Mar 2006 00:04:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/103535/ I just returned from providing a pottery ministry for a ladies retreat for 1000 Hills Cowboy Church of Kerrville, TX. God did an awesome work this weekend. One woman was saved and many others were ministered to. It always amazes and blesses me to watch God work at these retreats! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/103533/ Mon, 20 Mar 2006 23:26:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/103533/ I'm home from church today with residuals from the flu...probably a sinus infection...life seems to be so difficult these days, much to think and pray about...my girls are growing up too fast and they aren't close friends like they used to be. I pray that they will restore their friendship soon, as this time hurts my heart! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/90667/ Sun, 26 Feb 2006 11:34:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/louisianapotter/90667/