(taken from Daily Focus -- a devotional for homeschoolers by homeschoolers)

Totally Lost
Tuesday / October 06, 2009


Some days, even the best homeschool teacher has trouble communicating a lesson. Whether you're teaching equations in algebra or diagramming sentences in grammar, a change begins to occur in your child when he does not comprehend the information you are covering. You've seen the look — a blank stare, a squint, eyebrows up in the form of a question mark. The body begins to fidget and unintelligible utterances come from his mouth. He doesn't have a clue what you are talking about and is totally lost. What are you going to do?

When I was new to homeschooling, I walked away in frustration or assumed my child was not paying attention. I tried repeating the same information or using a louder voice. With infinite variations, the battle went on until I realized the problem was not with my child; it was with me. I was the teacher, and I had failed to teach. I needed to try again and approach the information from a different angle — a new learning style or additional visual aids.

Thankfully, God doesn't lose His temper or walk away from us when teaching life's lessons. When we begin our fussing routine or get that lost look, He gently wraps His arms around us and takes us back to where we last understood. Lovingly, He leads us to godly counsel from Christian friends or words of wisdom from the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit customizes each particular lesson until we grow "in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

I received this timely devotional this afternoon.  It just so happens that this very thing happened to me today.  And although I'm not new to homeschooling, as we were trying to solve for an unknown with the attitive inverse in pre-algebra today, I assumed Morgan was not paying attention as I tried to repeat the information for her over and over again -- eventually in a louder and louder voice.  Finally I did walk away in frustration and ended pre-algebra for the day, deciding to just try again tomorrow.  Yes, I failed her today.   In the end I let my temper get the best of me, not seeing that I wasn't getting the information across to her in a way she could understand it.  I'm sorry, Morgan!  Tomorrow I will try it again, but this time I will remember to gently wrap my arms around her and take her back to where she last understood, just as the Lord has done with me many times in the past and continues to do so every day.  Even though I know it to be true, I am always in awe by the fact that God knows and gives us exactly what we need at the exact time we need it.  Thank you Lord!

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“You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.”  ~Clay P. Bedford 

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I came across this the other day and thought about how true it is for me.  I am so thankful that I can stay at home and teach my children.  When I was their age I could've cared less about what I was learning about in school.  At the time it just wasn't interesting to me -- maybe it was the way the material was presented or just the public school environment overall, I don't know.  But, all of my children love to learn and I love to learn right along with them. 

Homeschooling is for Parents--

How many of us went through school without learning anything in general, or remembering anything in particular? We were neither interested nor motivated. We were simply serving our 12 year sentence. We now have another opportunity to learn these things as we teach them to our children. We have the opportunity to learn:

• The math we never understood.
• The science from a Christian instead of from a naturalistic perspective.
• The history they never taught us.
• The classical language they never offered us.
• The logic they never allowed us to use.

We never learn anything so well as when we ourselves have to teach it. What a blessing it is to have children to teach. And there are many things only a parent can teach his child.

Homeschooling is saving two generations: first us, then our children. We all must go on to earn our Ph.D. — Doctor of Parenthood.

Taken from "Seven Undeniable Truths of Homeschooling" (Number Seven) --- by Harvey Bluedorn (www.triviumpursuit.com)

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I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen:  not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.

C.S. Lewis

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 In art class yesterday  the kids' assignment was to sketch their own hand in a curled position.  Their works of art are below:

 Andrew

Morgan

David

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Jeff and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary on Monday, September 14th.  Just because I asked him to, he took a day off work so that we could spend the whole day together.  I also asked that he choose what we would do that day.  He chose to head out of town with no particular destination in mind.  So, we went exploring the countryside.  Our first stop was at the Medora Covered Bridge, also known as the Dark Bridge.  It was built in 1875 and is the longest covered bridge still standing in the United States.  It was a little scary walking across all 458 feet of it --- for me anyway.  I can see why it was called the Dark Bridge.  After leaving the bridge we headed to the village of Nashville and walked around the shops there for a while.  We usually don't exchange gifts on our anniversary, but we couldn't resist buying ourselves a pair of handmade mugs made by a local couple.   We had a great time and the drive there was worth the trip by itself. 

And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help mate for him.  And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her to the man.  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh:  she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife:  and they shall be one flesh.     

Genesis 2:18, 21-24

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"To be Queen Elizabeth within a definite area, deciding sales, banquets, labours and holidays; to be Whiteley within a certain area, providing toys, boots, sheets, cakes and books; to be Aristotle within a certain area, teaching morals, manners, theology, and hygiene; I can understand how this might exhaust the mind, but I cannot imagine how it could narrow it. How can it be a large career to tell other people’s children about the Rule of Three, and a small career to tell one’s own children about the universe? How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone, and narrow to be everything to someone? No; a woman’s function is laborious, but because it is gigantic, not because it is minute. I will pity Mrs. Jones for the hugeness of her task; I will never pity her for its smallness."

~ G.K. Chesterton.

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For Today...

Outside my window... the sun  is starting to set, the chickens and guineas are still running around the yard, and Andrew is finishing up mowing the grass.

I am thinking... about how my children are growing up so fast.  Lauren will be eighteen soon!  I am so glad the Lord led us to homeschool them.  We would be missing out on so much of their lives if they were still in public school.  But, He knew what was best for us when he put homeschooling on our hearts.

From the learning room... everyone is trying to get done early this week for a visit from my mom and Jeff's mom later this week.  We're trying our best to squeeze five days of school into three.  If we keep getting an early start like we did today we should be able to pull it off.  That is if no one runs into any stumbling blocks along the way. 

I am thankful for... my husband --- he brought me a Dr. Pepper home today and I didn't even ask for it ... thank you Lord!

From the kitchen... Italian chicken pasta with garlic bread

I am wearing... black pants and a brown tee shirt

I am reading... Pat of Silver Bush and Christmas with Anne, both by L. M. Montgomery.  I've been on a L. M. Montgomery kick here lately, plus I'm anxious for the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons to start. 

I am hoping... to have a good visit with my mom and mother-in-law.  It's been four months since we've seen them.

I am creating... a grocery list and menu for the next two weeks and lesson plans for next week

I am hearing... the lawnmower and Lauren smacking her Starburst candy.

Around the house... we're cleaning up and getting everything ready for Maw Maw and Mammie's visit

One of my favorite things... autumn, I love it and it's almost here!

A few plans for the rest of the week... house cleaning, school work, the boys have a dentist appointment, Bible study (CBS), grocery shopping, and maybe if I can get around to it I'll make some more apple butter

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

These are some antique books that Jeff found on his "route" a few months back.  The oldest one, on the far right, was published in 1899.  I think they are beautiful --- though I hate that I probably won't be able to actually read them, they are far too fragile. 

To learn more about the Simple Woman's Daybook go to:  http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com

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We had our first CBS (Community Bible Study) class this week.  This year we're studying the Gospel of Luke.  The class will last for 30 weeks with the lessons being done at home and then meeting once a week for our core group sessions and lecture time.  Last year was our first year to attend and we loved it.  Morgan has moved up to the teen group this year --- she's thrilled about that.  They offered to let David move up too, but he wasn't ready yet and wanted to stay in the junior class.  I feel sorry for Andrew though --- he is the only boy in the teen group. 

After CBS, lunch, and some shopping we took Lauren to take the written exam for her learner's permit.  She was so nervous!  She passed though --- only missing 2 out of 50 questions.  Now comes the fun part -- the driving.  I think I'll let her dad handle most of the teaching on this one.  She's written an entry about it on her blog.  To read it just click on this link:  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/borncountry/719201/

From Larissa's Desk

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