Welcome to the ramblings of TeaLady as we learn about CM methods. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:22:00 -0500 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:22:00 -0500 During a quiet moment this morning, I found this poem: Watch Your Tone  by Ada Wine There's more to speech than the words you say: Your tone will also a thought convey. For words may be warm -- or icy cold; Be touched by love or a hatred bold; Be bright like sunshine, dispelling fears, Or stinging -- peppery -- causing tears. A tone that is sharp will cut and tear, And say to others, "Look out! Beware!" But words that are gentle, soft, and kind Bring healing balm and sweet peace of mind. Be blessed. -- the TeaLady http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/739649/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:22:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/739649/ "Too busy." "Can you wait a minute?" "Maybe another time." These sentences are powerful.  They are pregnant with meaning which cuts straight to the heart.  The question is... to whom am I speaking?  If I speak these words to my husband or my children, then I really need to examine myself and re-arrange my priorities.  If I speak these words to God, I must repent!  If I speak these words to someone else, then there are two options.  Either I am unwilling to be a servant, or I am putting my God and my family first.    Every day, I must discipline myself to guard my heart and let the Lord set my priorities.  Every day, I must use self-discipline to see that those priorities are kept with love. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/720590/ Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:27:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/720590/ I have had opportunity recently to spend time with several homeschool moms and dads as well as a couple considering virtual charter school (though muddying the definition with homeschool).  As I pondered these various discussions and intermingling my thoughts with a lot of prayer, I've come back to the two basic thoughts that I've had since being a mom: 1 - Where is the JOY? 2 - What are my reasons & priorities for what I do? I want to focus on #2, because if #2 is straight and in order, #1 will follow.  Many parents have many reasons for homeschooling.  However, often they confuse the many positive results with reasons.  For example, "I want my children to be very well educated, therefore, I home educate."  That is a result.  If that is the reason, then priorities need to be checked against the Word of God!  Our reason to homeschool must square with the Bible, that is, we homeschool out of obedience to our Savior!  Having well educated children does follow, but it is not the foundation. Today, as I thought on these things, I came across the following article.  It is well worth the read: http://christianworldview.net/blog/index.php/archives/50 - the TeaLady http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/708314/ Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:35:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/708314/ This past weekend was our annual regional homeschool conference & book fair.  I've gone with my fellow homeschool moms for the past several years.  We get up early, pack our lunches & go the the conference for 2 days, coming home at night.  The first day, we find a babysitter, the second day, the dads watch the children.  We enjoy the convention, the speakers, the booths & some mom time out. This year was different.  This year, my husband came with me.   Strangly, the ladies with whom I normally attend, bowed out, and it was just my dear husband and myself the first day.  The second day, we took our eldest daughter with us.  It was such a wonderful experience!  The thing that struck me most was seeing what it is that is important to my husband for our children to learn.    He chose a science curriculum that I never would have stopped to look at.  He was completely fascinated by it.  By the end of the second day, we had totally switched gears on our science plan & have a whole new (and exciting) direction for learning science in our home.  I can't wait for it to arrive in the mail & get started!  [Though we do need to finish what we started first as I had integrated it with our history for this semester & the children are very interested in the current topic.] Some things, which I would have bypassed due to cost, he saw as very valuable for our children's education.  He is right. Although he can't be involved in all of the day to day lessons & learning in our home, he has an impact -- a big one!  -the TeaLady http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/701315/ Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:05:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/701315/ From Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary: INDIVID'UALIZE, v.t. To distinguish; to select or mark as an individual, or to distinguish the peculiar properties of a person from others. There are so very many aspects of homeschooling which benefit the child, but today, I want to ponder the point of the individual.  In a large family, it is sometimes easier to work as a group than to do a multitude of separate one-on-one lessons.  There is a time and a place for both.  We do our history, Bible, and science studies together as a family, as well as literature read-alouds.  But, math, phonics, and most language arts, are highly individualized. This year, I was planning to use CQLA for both of my older daughters (ages 9 & 7); and streamline things a bit.  After looking it over, CQLA is a perfect fit for my 9yo, but not so much for the 7yo.  So, I'll be doing Writing Tales with her.  It was not a deficiency in the curriculum, nor in the child, but rather, like a puzzle piece, it fits.  Similarly, I ended up changing up the math program that I have really enjoyed for the past few years.  It worked great for the oldest one, but I found something that fits the next two children better (and it is an e-book, so, if it fits the two after that, I won't have to keep buying consumable workbooks!) The more I have thought on these changes, and how unique each child is, I've thought about the significance of an individual before Christ.  It is alone that we are convicted & repent, and are forgiven.  The sense of being an individual, and that He cares for me, as well as the whole (family, body of Christ), is present in Scripture.  That same sense of individual / part of the family can, by atmosphere alone, be an example to our children. -the TeaLady http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/698416/ Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:18:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/698416/ I confess.  I have a hard time sticking to one curriculum for more than one year.  So, this year, I'm changing it up, again.  But, that's okay.  It helps us to keep from being in a rut or getting bored.  We are going to change our physical organization to the workbox method!  I can't wait!  I pray it works well for us.   Though, it will take some space & diligence (on my part), I'm hoping that it will help us to keep things interesting and use some of those educational games & activities that I have laying around unused. We're also changing our LA to something less hodge-podge and more comprehensive, for the two older children.  The younger ones will continue with FIAR (one program which which we NEVER get bored!) There are so very many things that I want to do with my children!  But, most important, to help them see Jesus in every day and in every circumstance.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/696138/ Fri, 5 Jun 2009 08:42:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/696138/ Ah, spring!  Soon all of the homeschool conventions, traditional and virtual will be upon us.   And the planning season begins while we are still wrapping up this year.  (We actually homeschool year round, but the time between the official end of our 180 reporting days until we begin again with day 1 according to the state are different & when we whole heartedly pursue our delight directed studies.) I began researching the various methods of homeschooling while pregnant with our first child!  Although my leanings are strongly toward CM, I must confess to be eclectic on the whole.  There are times and subjects where I use (gasp) workbooks & textbooks.  But, we try to keep the lessons short, get outside, appreciate art, music, language, literature, and nature.  So, the planning continues.  Planning for the week, for the summer & for next year.  This year wraps up our first official year that we must report to the state with an evaluation, exam, & portfolio.  In all of this, I must remember, that God is in control!  I lean on Him in our planning & I trust Him during this hectic time of review.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/671431/ Sun, 22 Mar 2009 17:56:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/671431/ Here is just a short list of some of my favorite books for moms on homeschooling -- just because: The Holy Bible - especially Proverbs re parenting & homeschooling A Charlotte Mason Companion - Karen Andreola A Biblical Home Education - Ruth Beechick A Charlotte Mason Education - Catherine Levison A Pocketful of Pinecones - Karen Andreola Educating the Wholehearted Child - Clay & Sally Clarkson Beyond Survival - Diana Waring Actually, just about anything by any of the above authors falls into my 'favorites'.  I especially enjoy Sally Clarkson & Karen Andreola.  Pocketful of Pincones is one that I read every year when we go camping in the spring.  It is such a refreshing read & so very enjoyable with a cup of tea and some fresh air! -the TeaLady http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/664655/ Tue, 3 Mar 2009 11:03:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/664655/ Moms have a hard job.  It is hard to get up 4 times a night with a baby.   It is hard to tend to the colds & flus and such.  It is hard to make sure that multiple children finish their various school assignments, and in a CM homeschool, Mom is a very active part of that learning.  It is hard to keep the house reasonably clean, and to put healthy meals & snacks on the table.  It is a lot of work, often hard work.  But, there is much joy.  James is my favorite book of the Bible.  Sometimes all of those little, repetitive things that we moms do every day can feel like a trial, and in a way, they are.... the trial is this... can I keep doing this every day AND remain joyful?  Choosing the best for our families, for our husbands & children requires hard work, but it also  much blessed by our Lord.  So, even in doing the 5th load of laundry for the day, I encourage you to be JOYFUL and with James, to 'count it all joy'. -the TeaLady http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/655275/ Fri, 6 Feb 2009 12:01:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/655275/ So, here we are - January 20, 2008.  I awoke in prayer for our family & our nation.  My mind kept going to Daniel: Daniel 2:20-23 (King James Version)  20Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:  21And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:  22He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.  23I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter. I had noticed the other day, that the children had certainly "caught" the opinions regarding politics in our family, and had taken it to the child-like end (perhaps childish too).  My eyes flashed and I said "Wait!  We will *respect* our President, whomever he is!"  My husband was within inches of me at the time, and he stepped in backed me up.  So, last night, I found some materials for notebooking about the inauguration and some Scripture regarding God's appointment of rulers. May I always be mindful of my attitude, and that opinion must be given in the context of respect. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/647698/ Tue, 20 Jan 2009 07:54:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tealadycm/647698/