Evan's first year of High School! We started school this year in the summer to get a jump on things before we took a trip back east. If you'd like to see pictures of our summer trips just leave a comment asking to see Evan's blog. (It's password protected, but we'll share with you if you ask.) He took most of the pictures, and has done a great job blogging about it all.
I on the other hand, have been reading and reading some more about high school! Here's the line up.
Bible: Long Story Short with the girls and working on memorizing Philippians. Evan also has 5 books to read and write about, roughly 1 per quarter. Right now he's reading Practical Happiness by Bob Shultz. The others on his list are What He Must Be if He Wants to Marry My Daughter by Voddie Baucham, Humility by C.J. Mahaney, Knowing God by J.I. Packer, and a biography of someone from church history.
Evan is also doing a study of great books that corresponds to the time period of history he's studying. We're back at the beginning with ancient history, and of course the Bible is the great, Great Book. He's starting off the year reading Genesis through Job as his first "Great Book".
Math: Evan really likes Teaching Textbooks. This year he will be studying Algebra I.
English:
-Spelling: Spelling Power is proving to be a great fit for our family. I bought it with Evan in mind, since spelling is a weakness for him (like me). But everyone is doing well with it and liking it.
-Grammar: Evan is finishing up Easy Grammar Plus. It seems we have a tendency to not finish grammar books around here! I also have him doing a short lesson a day out of Easy Grammar Ultimate Series 9th grade. It's a one page summary of grammar rules to practice.
-Great Books: I'm planning on having Evan read through 10 great books. We're starting with the Bible (Gen-Job), then the Epic of Gilgamesh. I know Evan is looking forward to reading the Iliad and the Oddessy, but other than that there is some flexibility within a longer list based on what he's interested in and what's available.
-Writing: Each of the Great Books will have a paper due at the end. This along with the papers from his Bible class, and the numerous notes and outlines he'll be taking in History and Science should be enough writing for this year.
-Other books: Since I'm not following a curriculum per say with English, I'm having Evan read a couple of other books for reference and guidance: How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler, Elements of Style by William Strunk and E. B. White, Study is Hard Work by William Armstrong,
and sections of The Well Educated Mind:A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had by Susan Wise Bauer
History: He's reading The History of the Ancient World by Susan Wise Bauer. After reading each chapter he takes notes on the events and dates. He'll use the Timetables of History by Burnard Grun and The Annals of the World by James Ussher for context and reference when writing papers.
Science: Evan is doing a class with friends also. They are using the Apologia Biology book. He is also taking a class on anatomy and physiology through our school called Body of Evidence by Answers in Genesis. The Apologia biology book doesn't go into human biology much, so I was glad that our school was offering the class.
Foreign Language: If we can get our Rosetta Stone program to work again, he'll continue on with Spanish. I think we're just having some technical difficulties.
Art and Music Appreciation: We spend a couple of hours each week looking a different composer and listening to his music while doing some art. I'm hoping to focus on painting this year.
Electives:
-Logic: We're going through the Fallacy Detectives by the Bludorn brothers. At church, the youth group is doing a study of logic and how it applies to us a Christians.
-Eagle Scout Project: Evan is on track to finish up his work to earn the Eagle Scout rank this year. Our school requires two semesters of community service. His project will count as one full semester.
P.E.: One of Evan's boy scout merit badges is Personal Fitness. He has to make a 12 week exercise plan and evaluate his conditioning before and after he initiates his plan. That along with the hiking, jogging, backpacking, walking, tree chopping, fence building, and tree climbing he does with his friends and family are his P.E. plan so far.
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Friday, September 23, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Amy's 7th Grade Year
Amy is starting her first year in Junior High. Seeing that my kids can hardly remember what grade they really are in, I suppose it doesn't matter that much, but it seems a big milestone non-the-less. She, of course, would rather be outside than in, but this year has really taken off with her reading. She started "War Horse" this morning and finished it just before dinner. She has a tendency to not ask questions if she doesn't understand something so this year we will work more at vocabulary and dictionary skills. Here's her curriculum line up for the year.
Bible: We will be going through the book, "Long Story Short" as a family and memorizing the book of Philippians. I will also have time for Amy to read her Bible in the morning on her own.
Math: Amy really likes the Abeka Math series, and we will be continuing with Math 7 this year.
Language Arts:
-Spelling: I was going to have Amy do level B of the Phonetic Zoo since we own it and she liked level A. However, when she saw me reading the Spelling Power book, she was really interested in it and asked if we could do that instead.
-Grammar: Last year we started Rod and Staff's 6th grade spelling program but only got half way through it, so we'll just pick up where we left off and keep going. It's very through so it does take her a long time, but I'd like her to finish.
-Handwriting: We started with Italic, but Amy wanted to learn "real" cursive. So I started her on a book that teaches traditional cursive and we'll keep going with that then move on to Classically Cursive.
-Reading: I plan on getting library books that pertain to the period of history that we will be studying. I also like looking at the reading lists from Veritas Press and Sonlight to pick up a few extra literature books that are at her reading level. If they have horses or heroines all the better!
-Writing: I'm going to have Amy start doing more writing with her history curriculum, but we will also use the book from the Institute for Excellence in Writing that goes along with Ancient History.
-Vocabulary: We'll be working through Word Roots with Evan as a supplement. Last time I tried it with her it was over her head. But I think she can do it now.
History: We'll read Story of the World together with Emily (and who am I kidding, Evan will probably stick around too!). Then, I'll have her look up the pages in the Kingfisher History of the World Book, write dates in a timeline, and do some map work in the Geography Coloring Book that I brought for her.
Science: Amy and her friend are going to study Biology with their sisters. They will use the Christian Kids Explore Biology curriculum. Since Evan is doing Biology too, I'll try to work it out so they can watch the movies that the big kids see and observe some of the dissections and microscope work.
Logic: When Sean is at work, we're going to read a chapter of the Fallacy Detective. Evan worked through The Thinking Tool Box a few years ago and loved it. He's been wanting to go through the Fallacy Detective ever since. Coincidentally, our youth pastor is doing a study of logic at church as well. Hopefully this will be a good introduction for her.
Fine Arts: Amy loves being in the local children's choir and will continue that this year. We will also keep reading "The Gift of Music" together as a family and listening to classical music. For Art this year, I'm thinking we'll work on painting. I sure wish the kids art teacher still taught classes! This is one area that I really don't know that much about.
Home Economics: Last year Amy went through a formal Home Ec class with a friend and just loved it. This year, I'm planning on reading through "The Hidden Art of Homemaking" with her and maybe doing some projects that relate to each chapter.
P.E.: Amy will continue with her horseback riding lessons. If she took her horse out every day, I suppose that could count for all her PE, but since that doesn't happen, we'll be trying to get in some walks. I'm also trying to find a used rebounder for her to use when the weather is bad.
She has been a big help with all the chores too. We are working on a solid morning routine and working quicker so the jobs are done before school starts.
Bible: We will be going through the book, "Long Story Short" as a family and memorizing the book of Philippians. I will also have time for Amy to read her Bible in the morning on her own.
Math: Amy really likes the Abeka Math series, and we will be continuing with Math 7 this year.
Language Arts:
-Spelling: I was going to have Amy do level B of the Phonetic Zoo since we own it and she liked level A. However, when she saw me reading the Spelling Power book, she was really interested in it and asked if we could do that instead.
-Grammar: Last year we started Rod and Staff's 6th grade spelling program but only got half way through it, so we'll just pick up where we left off and keep going. It's very through so it does take her a long time, but I'd like her to finish.
-Handwriting: We started with Italic, but Amy wanted to learn "real" cursive. So I started her on a book that teaches traditional cursive and we'll keep going with that then move on to Classically Cursive.
-Reading: I plan on getting library books that pertain to the period of history that we will be studying. I also like looking at the reading lists from Veritas Press and Sonlight to pick up a few extra literature books that are at her reading level. If they have horses or heroines all the better!
-Writing: I'm going to have Amy start doing more writing with her history curriculum, but we will also use the book from the Institute for Excellence in Writing that goes along with Ancient History.
-Vocabulary: We'll be working through Word Roots with Evan as a supplement. Last time I tried it with her it was over her head. But I think she can do it now.
History: We'll read Story of the World together with Emily (and who am I kidding, Evan will probably stick around too!). Then, I'll have her look up the pages in the Kingfisher History of the World Book, write dates in a timeline, and do some map work in the Geography Coloring Book that I brought for her.
Science: Amy and her friend are going to study Biology with their sisters. They will use the Christian Kids Explore Biology curriculum. Since Evan is doing Biology too, I'll try to work it out so they can watch the movies that the big kids see and observe some of the dissections and microscope work.
Logic: When Sean is at work, we're going to read a chapter of the Fallacy Detective. Evan worked through The Thinking Tool Box a few years ago and loved it. He's been wanting to go through the Fallacy Detective ever since. Coincidentally, our youth pastor is doing a study of logic at church as well. Hopefully this will be a good introduction for her.
Fine Arts: Amy loves being in the local children's choir and will continue that this year. We will also keep reading "The Gift of Music" together as a family and listening to classical music. For Art this year, I'm thinking we'll work on painting. I sure wish the kids art teacher still taught classes! This is one area that I really don't know that much about.
Home Economics: Last year Amy went through a formal Home Ec class with a friend and just loved it. This year, I'm planning on reading through "The Hidden Art of Homemaking" with her and maybe doing some projects that relate to each chapter.
P.E.: Amy will continue with her horseback riding lessons. If she took her horse out every day, I suppose that could count for all her PE, but since that doesn't happen, we'll be trying to get in some walks. I'm also trying to find a used rebounder for her to use when the weather is bad.
She has been a big help with all the chores too. We are working on a solid morning routine and working quicker so the jobs are done before school starts.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Emily's First Grade Year
We'll be starting up school soon. This year, I have one in High School, one in Junior High, and Emily just starting out. She is so different from my other two. She loves workbooks and is one of those kids who makes the mental leap from basic phonics to reading. I honestly don't know how she did it, but she'll take on any picture book we have and start reading getting it mostly right! She also doesn't like to play by herself much, so being with us and having more school work to do will probably be a good thing. Here's what we're hoping to study this year.
Bible: Long Story Short by Marty Machowski - We'll go through this as a family and work on memorizing the book of Philippians. Then while I work with Evan on some English, Amy will read to Emily some of the great Bible devotion books we have for little ones starting with God's Mighty Acts in Creation.
Math: Saxon 1- I love Saxon for grades 1-3, we already have the teacher's book and all the manipulatives, so this was a no brainer choice for me. Emily loves the Kumon books though, and we have several on math subjects, so we'll probably supplement with them as well.
Language Arts:
-Phonics: She finished up Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons last year and just loved it. I'm going to follow it up this year with Phonics Pathways just to make sure she doesn't have any gaps in the phonics and to help her with the more complex words.
-Grammar: We love First Language Lessons. Evan can still chant the list of helping verbs and linking verbs that he learned from this book.
-Handwriting: We'll continue with the Italic series.
-Writing: We're going to try Peace Hill Press's Writing With Ease book 1. I like having a lesson all scripted out for English so I bought the workbook as well.
Spelling: I bought Spelling Power for Evan then realized that it would be perfect for Emily too! She has been asking how to spell out words, so I think she's ready to start a spelling program.
That looks like a lot of language arts for a 6 year old! But most of the lessons are super short and we'll just keep working a little at a time. That's the plan anyway. If God has a different one, we'll change it up.
Science: Amy is studying Biology with friends using Christian Kid's Explore Biology. I'm going to have her follow along and do the coloring pages and experiments with Amy and her friends. If I was just homeschooling Emily, I'd go back to the section in the Well Trained Mind for first year Biology. I loved looking up a different animal each week, studying and reading about them. But I don't thing with everything else going on, that I'll really have time to do that. Plus we already own the CKEB book.
History: We'll be going back to The Story of the World. I loved going through it with Evan and Amy when they were little. Amy was so little that I doubt she remembers much. She'll sit in on it too, and then do some additional work that's more challenging. But I'm hoping that Evan and Amy will sit down with her and read library books about the ancient world.
Fine Arts: She'll be going back to choir and piano lessons. She loved both of them this past year. And we'll keep reading through The Gift Of Music and listening to Classical music. I'd like to have the kids do some painting this year. Since I have no training in that area, I'm not sure yet what book to use. Emily I'm sure would be happy just to paint wooden boxes! She loves to get out the paints.
Bible: Long Story Short by Marty Machowski - We'll go through this as a family and work on memorizing the book of Philippians. Then while I work with Evan on some English, Amy will read to Emily some of the great Bible devotion books we have for little ones starting with God's Mighty Acts in Creation.
Math: Saxon 1- I love Saxon for grades 1-3, we already have the teacher's book and all the manipulatives, so this was a no brainer choice for me. Emily loves the Kumon books though, and we have several on math subjects, so we'll probably supplement with them as well.
Language Arts:
-Phonics: She finished up Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons last year and just loved it. I'm going to follow it up this year with Phonics Pathways just to make sure she doesn't have any gaps in the phonics and to help her with the more complex words.
-Grammar: We love First Language Lessons. Evan can still chant the list of helping verbs and linking verbs that he learned from this book.
-Handwriting: We'll continue with the Italic series.
-Writing: We're going to try Peace Hill Press's Writing With Ease book 1. I like having a lesson all scripted out for English so I bought the workbook as well.
Spelling: I bought Spelling Power for Evan then realized that it would be perfect for Emily too! She has been asking how to spell out words, so I think she's ready to start a spelling program.
That looks like a lot of language arts for a 6 year old! But most of the lessons are super short and we'll just keep working a little at a time. That's the plan anyway. If God has a different one, we'll change it up.
Science: Amy is studying Biology with friends using Christian Kid's Explore Biology. I'm going to have her follow along and do the coloring pages and experiments with Amy and her friends. If I was just homeschooling Emily, I'd go back to the section in the Well Trained Mind for first year Biology. I loved looking up a different animal each week, studying and reading about them. But I don't thing with everything else going on, that I'll really have time to do that. Plus we already own the CKEB book.
History: We'll be going back to The Story of the World. I loved going through it with Evan and Amy when they were little. Amy was so little that I doubt she remembers much. She'll sit in on it too, and then do some additional work that's more challenging. But I'm hoping that Evan and Amy will sit down with her and read library books about the ancient world.
Fine Arts: She'll be going back to choir and piano lessons. She loved both of them this past year. And we'll keep reading through The Gift Of Music and listening to Classical music. I'd like to have the kids do some painting this year. Since I have no training in that area, I'm not sure yet what book to use. Emily I'm sure would be happy just to paint wooden boxes! She loves to get out the paints.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Emily's Music
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Last week Emily started Piano Lessons and this week she started Choir! She's going to have a musical year.
We are also reading together as a family, "The Gift Of Music: Great Composers and Their Influence." Each chapter is on the life of a composer, his story and influence during his lifetime and afterward. The author gives suggestions for pieces to listen too. I've been able to get some CDs from the library that correlate with each lesson. Every Tuesday after lunch we read a chapter and listen to some samples of the composer's music. I let the CD run while we do our art class. I just love this book, written by Jane Stuart Smith and Betty Carlson. Ms. Smith had been an opera singer before she got saved and moved to L'Abri in Switzerland. While not a complete overview of music, the stories are interesting and give a good glimpse at the composers lives. This is my favorite quote. "The more we acquaint ourselves with that which is truly great and beautiful, the more we will dislike and turn away from that which is shallow and ugly." Listening to classical music in this way helped our day be more cheerful. And when Emily noticed the bust of Mozart on Jenn's piano and found out who it was, she was so excited that she knew him and had heard his music. She especially loves "The Magic Flute" and the Queen of the Night.
Friday, September 03, 2010
Unexpected Fun
We used to take out the stress by building forts! Fall of '05.We've been hittin' the books for a solid month now and the strain shows. The house is a mess, kids are not so excited about my less creative meal plans, and I had three days in a row where I pretty much was on the verge of tears the entire day.
While I am learning to depend on God for each day, being faithful to do the job He's given me to do, He gave me some unexpected surprises this week. In the rush of life, I don't want to forget them. I need to remind myself again of God's faithfulness. I too easily forget.
During one of the tearful days, I mentioned to a friend that my neck and back were hurting again because I took on too much housework when Sean and Evan were gone . We have a wood ceiling that collects dust and cobwebs that I was trying to tackle. I only got half way through before I knew I had overdone it. She sent me a text the next day asking if she could come over and help me get the rest of those cobwebs. I was so surprised! It was such a blessing to not only have help, but to know that God has given me real friends who love me, cobwebs and all!
Not only was I blessed with friendship this week, but we got to know our neighbors a bit better too. One neighbor offered to let us use her pool. We took her up on the offer yesterday. It was so hot! Later that day, a car drove down our drive with another neighbor who just came over to introduce themselves. They are believers and have kids our kids ages! I have been wanting to get to know some of the neighbors more and just praying for God's timing.
Then to end the week on a great note, we were invited to go play wiffle ball with some friends tonight. Now, I don't really care for sports. I think the only time I ever really played any kind of ball game was in 7th grade PE. But my kids really wanted to go, and I really wanted the fellowship. We had a blast. Emily had her first experience hitting a ball and she scored 2 runs for her team. As I was rounding second base, I realized that I was truly having fun, unexpected fun!
Friday, August 27, 2010
The Week In a Nutshell
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Last weekend Sean and Evan went on a backpacking trip to Yosemite. They came home sweaty and tired, but they had a great time! I gave Evan a day off school to recover, then we were back full time to school. Here are a few highlights.
The week was full of art and writing. We normally do an art class on Tuesdays, but this week, the kids didn't seem to want to stop drawing. I think the colored pencils were out all week. I found an interesting website that teaches drawing portraits. I almost have all the supplies so we can get started. The first videos came this week and while I know we won't be able to draw quite as well as the instructor, I'm going to try and keep it fun so the kids can learn some more techniques.
We started The Institute for Excellence in Writing's Continuation Course this year. The first assignment was to write a story based off pictures. The kids were working late last night trying to get it done. They were laughing at each others stories and frustrated at all the details of the assignment at the same time. Writing has been particularly hard for Evan. Sean and I were proud of him for sticking it out and learning that it can get easier with practice.
Emily will be taking beginning piano with our friend Jenn this fall. She came up to me at church and exclaimed, "Guess what, mom?! I'm taking piano with Jenn, and Riley is taking piano with Jenn, and Maggie is taking piano WITH JENN!!!" She is so very excited to be taking piano with Jenn, whom she loves. It's even more fun for her knowing that some of her friends are doing the same thing as well. Jenn and I agreed that their recital will be a hoot!
Friday, August 06, 2010
First Week of School
"For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice, and He preserves the way of His godly ones. Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course. For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul." Proverbs 2:6-10
After taking a short summer break, the kids were a bit hesitant to start up again so soon, and I wasn't sure I would be ready in time. But, God is good! We had a great week. Despite the fact that I didn't have all my curriculum ordered yet, I was not stressed out. And after the first round of protests the previous week, the kids dove right into school and everyone proclaimed that it had been a great week. Here are a few highlights.
Emily is now an official kindergartner. She begged to do Math each day. I'm using Saxon K with her and she loves it. Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is living up to it's title. She is loving that too. We're on lesson 37 since we began a few months ago and already she's starting to sound out words as she sees them around her. I'll follow up with Phonics Pathways. She loves to color and do "workbooks" unlike my older two. So far she's tracking with us as we read through Bible, History, and Pilgrim's Progress (in old English no less!).
Amy seems to have made the jump to being an independent learner much the same as Evan did at this age. I got a planner type book at Target for a dollar to write out her assignments for the week. She eagerly checked off boxes as she did her work. It was so exciting! She said her favorite part of school this week was reading a biography on Helen Keller.
Evan said it was all good. He had a lot of fun doing his science experiment in Exploring Creation with Physical Science (Apologia). I changed the way I scheduled things this year. All of the subjects that I read aloud to the kids or need to direct, I assigned a specific class time. The other subjects that Evan and Amy can pretty much do on their own with a bit of coaching, I left flexible for them to learn how to organize their time best. This has helped me to stay on track and make sure that I'm giving the spelling quiz each day. But isn't so rigid that we're run by the clock every 15 minutes. So far, it seems to be working out well.
Since I knew I was going to be busier this week teaching and organizing school, I tried something new and baked up a weeks worth of muffins and cookies on Saturday. I wrapped them up in groups for each day and put them in the freezer. When the kids needed a snack, I just pulled it out with no mess, clean up or baking required. With leftovers for lunch and cookies already made up, lunch was quick and easy too. If I can, I'll try and do this again. It made time in the kitchen more streamlined, and the kids loved having homemade goodies all week long.
We are starting early this year so we can end early. We're planning on taking the kids on a tour of the country next spring. We'll be driving up to Zion, over to Niagara Falls, down through Washington DC and then south to home. It seems far off in the distant future, but it takes a lot of preparation to make a trip like this a reality. My part so far has been to get school up and running. I'm thankful for the knowledge and understanding He gave us this week as we got started.
This is the verse we started with on Monday. It was very fitting! I'm reading a Proverb or Psalm each day to the kids and then we are working through Big Truths for Young Hearts by Bruce Ware. I'm really enjoying this time teaching them. I love the questions they come up with and I especially love seeing truths of God's Word come alive as we study together.
After taking a short summer break, the kids were a bit hesitant to start up again so soon, and I wasn't sure I would be ready in time. But, God is good! We had a great week. Despite the fact that I didn't have all my curriculum ordered yet, I was not stressed out. And after the first round of protests the previous week, the kids dove right into school and everyone proclaimed that it had been a great week. Here are a few highlights.
Emily is now an official kindergartner. She begged to do Math each day. I'm using Saxon K with her and she loves it. Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is living up to it's title. She is loving that too. We're on lesson 37 since we began a few months ago and already she's starting to sound out words as she sees them around her. I'll follow up with Phonics Pathways. She loves to color and do "workbooks" unlike my older two. So far she's tracking with us as we read through Bible, History, and Pilgrim's Progress (in old English no less!).
Amy seems to have made the jump to being an independent learner much the same as Evan did at this age. I got a planner type book at Target for a dollar to write out her assignments for the week. She eagerly checked off boxes as she did her work. It was so exciting! She said her favorite part of school this week was reading a biography on Helen Keller.
Evan said it was all good. He had a lot of fun doing his science experiment in Exploring Creation with Physical Science (Apologia). I changed the way I scheduled things this year. All of the subjects that I read aloud to the kids or need to direct, I assigned a specific class time. The other subjects that Evan and Amy can pretty much do on their own with a bit of coaching, I left flexible for them to learn how to organize their time best. This has helped me to stay on track and make sure that I'm giving the spelling quiz each day. But isn't so rigid that we're run by the clock every 15 minutes. So far, it seems to be working out well.
Since I knew I was going to be busier this week teaching and organizing school, I tried something new and baked up a weeks worth of muffins and cookies on Saturday. I wrapped them up in groups for each day and put them in the freezer. When the kids needed a snack, I just pulled it out with no mess, clean up or baking required. With leftovers for lunch and cookies already made up, lunch was quick and easy too. If I can, I'll try and do this again. It made time in the kitchen more streamlined, and the kids loved having homemade goodies all week long.
We are starting early this year so we can end early. We're planning on taking the kids on a tour of the country next spring. We'll be driving up to Zion, over to Niagara Falls, down through Washington DC and then south to home. It seems far off in the distant future, but it takes a lot of preparation to make a trip like this a reality. My part so far has been to get school up and running. I'm thankful for the knowledge and understanding He gave us this week as we got started.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
10 Essentials Before We Start School
1. Buy a good pair of shoes. This week my fourth pair of shoes broke. The 4th (yes, really 4 pairs down in one month!) came completely unglued while I was at church, during the second song. Fortunately, Evan now wears the same size as me, and he had an extra pair in the car. So if you saw me with a cute pair of black heels before church, then some camo color Tevas after, now you know why. But I really do need to get a pair of shoes for the start of school. Evan needs his Teva's back.
2. Figure out Emily's Allergies. OK, I really doubt that we'll have this all figured out before school starts. But, it would help my energy level immensely if she didn't wake up in the middle of the night crying because she itched so bad. I've had her off wheat for the past week. I think it might be part of the problem.
3. Get rid of the stink. Yea! Sean accomplished this last week. Ever since we moved into this house, the basement, where all our school supplies are stored, has stunk like dog urine. After removing the bottom layer of drywall, a pile of dead mice, and some old shelving, the stink is gone!
4 Organize meals and grocery shopping. We've been following Fishmama's advice and having a rotational breakfast menu this summer. It has been so helpful! I'd like to get lunch ideas and some regular dinner ideas written down so we know what's on the menu for the week. Allergies make it a little more tricky. And I seem to never have time to go to the grocery store. If I could order it all online, I would. And no, the regular stores don't offer in our area, I've checked. So I'm pretty much ordering as much as I can through Azure Standard.
5 Finish unpacking all our books. I feel like this unpacking will never end! I think I still have half a dozen boxes of books to unpack.
6 Develop routines for animal care. We went from one very independent cat that we didn't even have to feed, to caring for 3 horses and 3 kittens. Oh, it's so much fun! But it does take much more time than I thought. And I was imagining that the girls would be able to take care of the animals by themselves. But we're not quite there yet. Not if we want children and animals to be safe and healthy. Evan is waiting for the dog we hope to get.
7 Buy a few books. Usually that's the focus of getting ready for school: supplies and books. But last year, I did all the coupon deals for back to school supplies. I still have enough from last summer that I don't need to buy any supplies. But I do need to buy Amy a math book.
8,9, 10 Pray, pray and pray some more! Each year, I feel more inadequate in my own abilities as a teacher, and yet more confident that God is using me and making me adequate, to train them. I guess the more I see of my faults, the more it makes me dependent on Him.
During past years, I've had a more conventional approach to the start of the school year. The planning has looked different too. Every year is so different! What a fun adventure this year is shaping up to be.
2. Figure out Emily's Allergies. OK, I really doubt that we'll have this all figured out before school starts. But, it would help my energy level immensely if she didn't wake up in the middle of the night crying because she itched so bad. I've had her off wheat for the past week. I think it might be part of the problem.
3. Get rid of the stink. Yea! Sean accomplished this last week. Ever since we moved into this house, the basement, where all our school supplies are stored, has stunk like dog urine. After removing the bottom layer of drywall, a pile of dead mice, and some old shelving, the stink is gone!
4 Organize meals and grocery shopping. We've been following Fishmama's advice and having a rotational breakfast menu this summer. It has been so helpful! I'd like to get lunch ideas and some regular dinner ideas written down so we know what's on the menu for the week. Allergies make it a little more tricky. And I seem to never have time to go to the grocery store. If I could order it all online, I would. And no, the regular stores don't offer in our area, I've checked. So I'm pretty much ordering as much as I can through Azure Standard.
5 Finish unpacking all our books. I feel like this unpacking will never end! I think I still have half a dozen boxes of books to unpack.
6 Develop routines for animal care. We went from one very independent cat that we didn't even have to feed, to caring for 3 horses and 3 kittens. Oh, it's so much fun! But it does take much more time than I thought. And I was imagining that the girls would be able to take care of the animals by themselves. But we're not quite there yet. Not if we want children and animals to be safe and healthy. Evan is waiting for the dog we hope to get.
7 Buy a few books. Usually that's the focus of getting ready for school: supplies and books. But last year, I did all the coupon deals for back to school supplies. I still have enough from last summer that I don't need to buy any supplies. But I do need to buy Amy a math book.
8,9, 10 Pray, pray and pray some more! Each year, I feel more inadequate in my own abilities as a teacher, and yet more confident that God is using me and making me adequate, to train them. I guess the more I see of my faults, the more it makes me dependent on Him.
During past years, I've had a more conventional approach to the start of the school year. The planning has looked different too. Every year is so different! What a fun adventure this year is shaping up to be.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
French Cooking
The kids want to learn about French cooking this year. So after perusing through a few cookbooks, here is the list of what we'll make this year, Lord willing.
Jan - Soups
Feb - Baguette
March - Chicken
April - Eggs
May - Fish
June - Cake
July - Cherry Clafoutis
Aug - Ratatouille
Sept - Croissants
Oct - Crepes
Nov - Cheese (not to make, but to try)
December - Buche De Noel
I've put these down more for myself than anything else. It seems this blog is a great way to store information like this! But, if you have any recipes that fit these categories and are French in origin, I'd love to see them.
Jan - Soups
Feb - Baguette
March - Chicken
April - Eggs
May - Fish
June - Cake
July - Cherry Clafoutis
Aug - Ratatouille
Sept - Croissants
Oct - Crepes
Nov - Cheese (not to make, but to try)
December - Buche De Noel
I've put these down more for myself than anything else. It seems this blog is a great way to store information like this! But, if you have any recipes that fit these categories and are French in origin, I'd love to see them.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Quality Adjectives
Today as I was helping Amy work on a writing project, we were talking about the use of "quality adjectives". She was fighting the improving of her vocabulary, so I left her with a cheat sheet of "quality adjectives" and instructions on which words she may not use. (This is a tool that the Institute for Excellence in Writing promotes.) She finished a sentence or two then slipped me this note.
"This is RUTHLESS. May I please have a break. I am tired!"
Evan and I thought her use of "quality adjectives" was so funny!
"This is RUTHLESS. May I please have a break. I am tired!"
Evan and I thought her use of "quality adjectives" was so funny!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Homeschool Review
Kim over at Mercy Days is doing a homeschool review. If you've posted a review of your homeschool year, go on over and link up. Or you can see what she did and read what others have as well.
Here's what our year looked like.
Bible: We went through Nancy Ganz's book "Genesis" from her Herein is Love series. We started out the year having Emily listen in too, but it proved to be more a time for training to sit still and quietly than a time to learn about God's word. So we changed things around and now read "Genesis" during nap time and read a smaller more little kid friendly book with Emily. Some of our favorites with her are "The Big Picture Story Bible" and "Leading Little Ones to God". The big kids and I love Nancy Ganz's series and will be going on to "Exodus" in the next week.
Math: We stuck with Saxon this year. Amy is just about finished with book 3. Evan is close to finishing book 6/5. I think I've gotten too lax on the drills and this has made math quite a bit harder for both of them. We never really got into a good pattern for when to do math. Last year Emily was still taking a morning nap and that was math time. This year, we tried having math during her afternoon nap, but the kids were too tired out. So we switched it to the morning, but it was harder to balance all three kid's needs. So we ended up dropping some of the drill work that we've done in the past. Oh, well.
Next year, Evan is going to try Teaching Textbooks for math. He is just having too hard of a time with Saxon. I'm hoping to do some flashcard drills this summer to brush up on the speed factor. I think Amy will stick with Saxon because we already own it and Teaching Textbooks doesn't start until the 5th grade. If it goes well for Evan we'll order it for her as well.
Grammar: Evan finished up the grammar book we bought last year from Rod and Staff called Building Diligently. It was a very through grammar and writing book so rather than rush him last year, we took it a bit slower, and finished it up this year. Next year we're going to try Easy Grammar on Fishmama's suggestion.
By far, my favorite grammar book has been the First Language Lessons series by Jessie Wise. Evan still chants all the helping verbs. I didn't know that they had more than just the first book at the beginning of the year, so Amy went through English for the Thoughtful Child. I had bought it the first year we homeschooled for Evan do in first grade. It wasn't right for him, but I saved it and Amy really enjoyed it. Not as through as the First Language series, but a nice book to practice writing and grammar as well as penmanship.
But I was so excited to see that Jessie Wise is continuing the FLL series! So we ordered the 3rd grade book and Amy is working through it now. We'll probably do a bit in the summer so she doesn't lose ground, and then just keep with it next year and move on to the 4th grade book when she finishes.
Spelling: After doing 2 years of the Phonetic Zoo and still not finishing! I decided to move to a different program for Evan. He worked through a little book called Apples to Apples. It's just one page a day to reinforce spelling rules. He likes it, it only takes about 10 - 15 minutes a day so we're happy. The fact that he still is a horrible speller has more to do with my genetics than any homeschool curriculum. I was in honors English all the way through, yet only learned to spell after I started teaching my kids phonics. Praise the Lord for spell check!
Amy started going through the Phonetic Zoo after finishing up her Modern Curriculum Press book. She is flying through. She learned one lesson in 3 days! For more of a review of what this program is, click here.
Literature: We have always tied reading and literature with History and Science. I don't really have a formal approach to this. I just borrow a ton of books from the library on whatever subject we're on (Ancient Greece and biographies of Famous Botanists being the most current). Or if I can find them cheap at a book sale, I buy them. Then we try to work in 30 min to an hour of reading time a day. Some days there isn't time for any reading, and other days, when Emily is sick, we have 2-3 hours of reading time. Now that both older kids are reading well, this has been easy. I just have to remember to have them read to me once in a while to check on words they are missing and just guessing on!
Writing: We started this year using Ancient History - based Writing Lessons. It's a great curriculum, one I'd definitely recommend to go with Ancient History. But we didn't get very far with it. Hmm. Not sure what happened.
History: After going through all 4 Story of the World books, this was our first year branching out into something new. We used The Mystery of History. And for the first time SEAN taught history. I had asked him to teach a subject and he graciously agreed. He loves history so that helped. While he is extremely knowledgeable about current history, ancient history isn't something he's very familiar with. So I think he enjoyed it as much or more than the kids. The Mystery of History's first volume is also very heavily weighted with Bible history. Most of the prophets as well as the main Old Testament characters are talked about in their proper time frame. This is what drew me to the curriculum and I think Sean (and the kids) are learning quite a bit. Because of Sean's crazy schedule, we went a couple of months without history (scary for me, but good to give up control!) so we'll be having history lessons in the summer.
Science: This year we went back to studying Biology. For the first part of the year we used The Body Book. It was so much fun! Evan used his "body" as part of his science fair project talking about human anatomy and many of the different systems. We also used various book from the library and The Human Body - God's Design for Life series as supplements.
Instead of using a book on zoology (studying animals) , we started using a basic biology book called Christian Kids Explore Biology. There are lots of great activities to go with the lessons. We're going through it a bit fast, but it would be a great spine to work off of and take a bit more time with.
For botany, in addition to what is covered in Christian Kids Explore Biology, we, of course, are growing a garden. Last week we dissected flowers. Great fun!
Latin: We're a classical homeschool so we study Latin. However, we're a flexible homeschool family. So when crisis arises, Latin is one of the first to make the cut. We only got half way through Latina Christiana 1 this year. Evan seemed to really get it this year. All the grammar that was introduced he really took to, but Amy was lost. I think she would have done much better with Prima Latina, but I just couldn't teach two Latin classes! So I'm not sure what to do about this one. Sean has never really understood the need to teach Latin. And the kids are begging me to take Spanish. Begging. So this will need to be a matter of prayer over the summer.
Logic: This year Evan started doing some Logic studies. I ordered A Case of Red Herrings, Equilibrio, and Mind Benders. They are really, really, fun! The kids both get them out to "play" with quite a bit.
At the beginning of the year, a man from our homeschool group offered to teach a logic class using The Thinking Toolbox. Evan absolutely loved it and did well considering it was a class for junior high students, primarily.
Out side Classes: For PE our kids have been doing Karate for several years now. I really like the Shotokan style. It is very traditional. But really the strength of a dojo lies in the Sensei. We feel very blessed that the school we go to has not one, but 5 outstanding teachers.
We also take Art class. Miss Brenda now, Mrs. Brenda is wonderful!
Amy finished up her second year with the CC Children's Choir. Being involved with a children's choir has been a great way for Amy to learn music and develop her voice.
Preschool: Emily has loved the Kumon preschool books! She has developed her fine motor skills working on cutting and tracing. I picked up a bunch of preschool "workbooks" at the garage sale yesterday. My goal for next year is to train her to work quietly for at least a little bit, while we work on something else.
Here's what our year looked like.
Bible: We went through Nancy Ganz's book "Genesis" from her Herein is Love series. We started out the year having Emily listen in too, but it proved to be more a time for training to sit still and quietly than a time to learn about God's word. So we changed things around and now read "Genesis" during nap time and read a smaller more little kid friendly book with Emily. Some of our favorites with her are "The Big Picture Story Bible" and "Leading Little Ones to God". The big kids and I love Nancy Ganz's series and will be going on to "Exodus" in the next week.
Math: We stuck with Saxon this year. Amy is just about finished with book 3. Evan is close to finishing book 6/5. I think I've gotten too lax on the drills and this has made math quite a bit harder for both of them. We never really got into a good pattern for when to do math. Last year Emily was still taking a morning nap and that was math time. This year, we tried having math during her afternoon nap, but the kids were too tired out. So we switched it to the morning, but it was harder to balance all three kid's needs. So we ended up dropping some of the drill work that we've done in the past. Oh, well.
Next year, Evan is going to try Teaching Textbooks for math. He is just having too hard of a time with Saxon. I'm hoping to do some flashcard drills this summer to brush up on the speed factor. I think Amy will stick with Saxon because we already own it and Teaching Textbooks doesn't start until the 5th grade. If it goes well for Evan we'll order it for her as well.
Grammar: Evan finished up the grammar book we bought last year from Rod and Staff called Building Diligently. It was a very through grammar and writing book so rather than rush him last year, we took it a bit slower, and finished it up this year. Next year we're going to try Easy Grammar on Fishmama's suggestion.
By far, my favorite grammar book has been the First Language Lessons series by Jessie Wise. Evan still chants all the helping verbs. I didn't know that they had more than just the first book at the beginning of the year, so Amy went through English for the Thoughtful Child. I had bought it the first year we homeschooled for Evan do in first grade. It wasn't right for him, but I saved it and Amy really enjoyed it. Not as through as the First Language series, but a nice book to practice writing and grammar as well as penmanship.
But I was so excited to see that Jessie Wise is continuing the FLL series! So we ordered the 3rd grade book and Amy is working through it now. We'll probably do a bit in the summer so she doesn't lose ground, and then just keep with it next year and move on to the 4th grade book when she finishes.
Spelling: After doing 2 years of the Phonetic Zoo and still not finishing! I decided to move to a different program for Evan. He worked through a little book called Apples to Apples. It's just one page a day to reinforce spelling rules. He likes it, it only takes about 10 - 15 minutes a day so we're happy. The fact that he still is a horrible speller has more to do with my genetics than any homeschool curriculum. I was in honors English all the way through, yet only learned to spell after I started teaching my kids phonics. Praise the Lord for spell check!
Amy started going through the Phonetic Zoo after finishing up her Modern Curriculum Press book. She is flying through. She learned one lesson in 3 days! For more of a review of what this program is, click here.
Literature: We have always tied reading and literature with History and Science. I don't really have a formal approach to this. I just borrow a ton of books from the library on whatever subject we're on (Ancient Greece and biographies of Famous Botanists being the most current). Or if I can find them cheap at a book sale, I buy them. Then we try to work in 30 min to an hour of reading time a day. Some days there isn't time for any reading, and other days, when Emily is sick, we have 2-3 hours of reading time. Now that both older kids are reading well, this has been easy. I just have to remember to have them read to me once in a while to check on words they are missing and just guessing on!
Writing: We started this year using Ancient History - based Writing Lessons. It's a great curriculum, one I'd definitely recommend to go with Ancient History. But we didn't get very far with it. Hmm. Not sure what happened.
History: After going through all 4 Story of the World books, this was our first year branching out into something new. We used The Mystery of History. And for the first time SEAN taught history. I had asked him to teach a subject and he graciously agreed. He loves history so that helped. While he is extremely knowledgeable about current history, ancient history isn't something he's very familiar with. So I think he enjoyed it as much or more than the kids. The Mystery of History's first volume is also very heavily weighted with Bible history. Most of the prophets as well as the main Old Testament characters are talked about in their proper time frame. This is what drew me to the curriculum and I think Sean (and the kids) are learning quite a bit. Because of Sean's crazy schedule, we went a couple of months without history (scary for me, but good to give up control!) so we'll be having history lessons in the summer.
Science: This year we went back to studying Biology. For the first part of the year we used The Body Book. It was so much fun! Evan used his "body" as part of his science fair project talking about human anatomy and many of the different systems. We also used various book from the library and The Human Body - God's Design for Life series as supplements.
Instead of using a book on zoology (studying animals) , we started using a basic biology book called Christian Kids Explore Biology. There are lots of great activities to go with the lessons. We're going through it a bit fast, but it would be a great spine to work off of and take a bit more time with.
For botany, in addition to what is covered in Christian Kids Explore Biology, we, of course, are growing a garden. Last week we dissected flowers. Great fun!
Latin: We're a classical homeschool so we study Latin. However, we're a flexible homeschool family. So when crisis arises, Latin is one of the first to make the cut. We only got half way through Latina Christiana 1 this year. Evan seemed to really get it this year. All the grammar that was introduced he really took to, but Amy was lost. I think she would have done much better with Prima Latina, but I just couldn't teach two Latin classes! So I'm not sure what to do about this one. Sean has never really understood the need to teach Latin. And the kids are begging me to take Spanish. Begging. So this will need to be a matter of prayer over the summer.
Logic: This year Evan started doing some Logic studies. I ordered A Case of Red Herrings, Equilibrio, and Mind Benders. They are really, really, fun! The kids both get them out to "play" with quite a bit.
At the beginning of the year, a man from our homeschool group offered to teach a logic class using The Thinking Toolbox. Evan absolutely loved it and did well considering it was a class for junior high students, primarily.
Out side Classes: For PE our kids have been doing Karate for several years now. I really like the Shotokan style. It is very traditional. But really the strength of a dojo lies in the Sensei. We feel very blessed that the school we go to has not one, but 5 outstanding teachers.
We also take Art class. Miss Brenda now, Mrs. Brenda is wonderful!
Amy finished up her second year with the CC Children's Choir. Being involved with a children's choir has been a great way for Amy to learn music and develop her voice.
Preschool: Emily has loved the Kumon preschool books! She has developed her fine motor skills working on cutting and tracing. I picked up a bunch of preschool "workbooks" at the garage sale yesterday. My goal for next year is to train her to work quietly for at least a little bit, while we work on something else.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Flower Arranging Class - Week 3
This week I'm going to teach the kids how to use wet floral foam. It's sometimes called Oasis. If you put it in a bowl of water and let it sink for a few minutes, it absorbs water and you can make an arrangement in any container. We're going to use baskets that I found at the dollar store. I lined them with ziplocks because they are not water proof. (On the right are what the daffodils look like when you buy them at Trader Joes. They open up two days later.)The procedure is basically the same as last week. I made the top flower a bit shorter so that the overall arrangement would be more compact. Since we're not filling in with any filler, the flowers needed to be tight and not have much space.
Daffodil stems are a bit fragile, so I used a pencil to push a hole in the foam first, then put the flower in place.
After placing the top flower, I put some on either side at an angle, slightly shorter. Then I came down to the bottom and filled in the bottom row.
After that I just went around, placing the flowers at an angle to make a round dome of flowers. Here's the end result before I finished off.
To finish, I just stuffed a bit of moss around the edges securing with an "S" pin where necessary.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Flower Arranging Class- Week 2
This week for Amy's Keepers of the Faith class, we did a silk flower arrangement. I went to Walmart and bought bunches of roses, irises, daffodils and daisies. I also bought some flowers at the dollar store.
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For the girls we started with a terra cotta pot. (I ran out, so I used a cute pail I had on hand for the sample above.) The green stuff you see inside is called floral foam. There are two types. One type called Oasis, you get wet and use with fresh flowers. The other is made specifically for silk and dried flowers. I used half a block. After cutting off the corners with a sharp knife, I wedged the foam into the pot. If you use a container that is slightly bigger than the foam, just hot glue it to the bottom so it doesn't move.
Next, put a little moss around the edges to cover up the foam and use "S" pins to hold it in place. This also allows you to have the foam be a bit taller than your container if you want to have flowers spill over the side. .jpg)
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Next, using wire clippers, cut the silk flowers. Starting with the flower that will go in the middle, the tallest flower will give you an idea of how big your arrangement will be. We made round arrangements so that it could be viewed from all sides and placed in the middle of the table.
Then you place flowers at angles around the pot coming down to the front and sides. If leaves were cut off when you cut your flowers, add them back in with a fake stem made of wire or parts of the silk flower stem that you didn't use.
After filling in with the larger flowers, we used one other accent flower or berry. These were different texture and many of them were tall and kind of spiky or very airy to contrast with the bigger, fuller flowers. Most of the girls chose a contrasting color to work with too. A lot of the girls who chose roses also chose some white berry looking things that I had. It gave a very classic look. One girl chose bright pink Gerber daisies with blue little spray flowers. I wasn't sure how that would turn out, but it came out looking very Hawaiian, and very beautiful! (The girl is Hawaiian too.) Everyone's project turned out really well and I think the moms were surprised that the girls finished and had made such pretty arrangements.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Wreaths
Well, the first class went well. The girls seemed to enjoy the project and they turned out great. One of the girls said to me, "I didn't think I'd like flower arranging, but this is really fun."
Today, all my kids wanted to do more. Emily picked up a couple of silk flower bunches (for next weeks class), stuck them in a french flower bucket and said, "Look what I made!) She was so proud of herself. It was really cute.
Evan and Amy clipped some rosemary and bay leaves and made some wreaths today too. They used the same methods with the wire. Because the pieces are bigger, they didn't need to wrap bunches up first. You just put a piece in place, wrap, add another piece, wrap and so on.
Evan's is on our front door now and here's a picture of Amy with hers.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Grammar Question
Amy just finished up "English for the Thoughtful Child" and now is ready for a new Grammar curriculum. Evan has been using Rod and Staff this past year, which I like, but don't love. Our favorite was First Language Lessons by Jessie Wise (for 1st and 2nd grade).
Does anyone have a recommendation for 3rd (4th) grade Grammar? We're doing some review right now, but for the first time I'm kind of stumped about where to go next. I would appreciate any help you can give! Thanks!
Does anyone have a recommendation for 3rd (4th) grade Grammar? We're doing some review right now, but for the first time I'm kind of stumped about where to go next. I would appreciate any help you can give! Thanks!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
"Home School Family"
This is absolutely hilarious! If you homeschool or know someone who does, you'll get a good laugh out of this short video. Watch it here.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
The Gift of Contentment
This article came today in my email box. It didn't have it's own web page (that I could find) so I just copied it here for you. I sooo needed to hear this today. We have been struggling with school this fall. Or rather I should say my idea of what school should look like. Sean's job, my health, and a two year old among other things, have really thrown me for a loop. I have several times felt like I could not do this job anymore. But the reality is I just don't WANT to sometimes. I have wanted to teach on my terms and my life is not cooperating! I'm grateful that God directed me to this article to encourage me and help me to see my sin.
The Gift of Contentment
I believe one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the gift of being a contented mother and wife. Contentment can be an area we struggle with as Christian women. This is evident in the e-mails I receive from moms, and I recognize it in my life. While we should be the most contented women on the face of the earth, we may live our lives dissatisfied and striving for something different. Here is a request that was recently sent in as a Mom's Corner topic. First the mom shared a specific situation with me, which isn't included here, and then she moved on to her question.
Is my dissatisfaction evidence of God leading us to further changes or just my own flesh lacking contentment? I also don't want to throw my family into upheaval when it's just me struggling with the transition of homeschooling. It is my personal tendency to look for greener grass on the other side of the fence. When is it appropriate to press God for change, and when is it best to put your head down and press faithfully on with what you've already been given?
My husband and I continue to discuss it at length. We are not at odds. I am not nagging him. We just continue to discuss topics as they come up, remaining open to the other's heart on this subject.A Questioning Mom
Scripture has some specific verses for us when we begin to think about contentment. Let's start with them as a basis for our discussion.
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:11-13).
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content" (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5).
When I am asking myself the questions this mom is asking—is my dissatisfaction an indication of God's leading or my own flesh lacking contentment?—I usually become aware that the answers involve my selfish heart. I am not choosing obedience to what the Lord Jesus has told me in these verses that have to do with contentment. Being dissatisfied is a symptom of that disobedience. If I am not being obedient, would He use my disobedience as a vehicle to prompt change? I don't believe He will. Instead, I am to learn to be content, to rest in the Lord Jesus and where He has me at the moment. Then if there is to be change, He will orchestrate it.
My first goal is to repent of the lack of contentment. Paul said in Philippians 4:11 that he learned contentment. It wasn't a state of mind that came naturally for him. It was a process that involved times of both hardship and bounty. Contentment with plenty was obviously not as difficult as contentment with hunger or need, but he said he had to learn it in both states. With God's strength Paul chose to take his thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and be content. That is exactly what I need to do as well.
My experience has been that God brings change as a result of my contentment, not my discontentment. For example, for the past two years we have had no place to practice our family music except our living room. This means we always have instruments out in the living room. For a month or so before a trip, we also have our sound equipment out for practice sessions. The open area of our living room becomes filled with microphone stands and cables snaking everywhere. While I don't prefer the instruments and sound equipment to be out, I have been content with it. Last year, it became evident that our Titus2 ministry had outgrown our present home. We are now building another house that will accommodate the book storage needs, and it will also allow us an upstairs room where we can practice our music.
Discontentment seems to breed murmuring and complaining—a negative attitude toward the problem or situation. However, Scripture tells us to "Do all things without murmurings and disputings" (Philippians 2:14). Whatever we are discontent about becomes our focus and the topic of our regular complaints. Therefore, it also easily leads us to being a contentious woman—certainly a bad example for our children: "A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike" (Proverbs 27:15).
Sometimes there is a problem or need in our school or with the children. As I pray about it and take it to Steve, it isn't discontentment on my part that brings the solution. Rather, it is my accepting the situation and waiting on the Lord for His direction if there is to be a change of any kind. If I am not content and willing to wait on the Lord and my husband, then I become that contentious woman—nagging—a continual dripping to him.
I want my children to be content. Not only do I want them to be content, but I want them to be grateful as well. That begins in my heart and with my attitude. I can't expect from them what I don't have victory over in my own life. They will be aware of my discontent because they will hear my murmuring words and sense my negative heart.
Contentment is not complacency. If my house is a mess, I am not to be complacent by choosing not to clean it while saying I am content with the state of my house. However, if I am sick and can't clean the house as I normally would, then I need to be content to wait on the work until I am well.
I would encourage the mom who wrote to me to work on learning to be content in the area in which she is dissatisfied. Then as she rests in the Lord, she will observe what He will do with the situation. Perhaps He will leave it as it is. Perhaps He will change it the way she is wanting it to be. "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass" (Psalms 37:4-5). Perhaps it will take a turn she couldn't even envision at this point. It all starts with a focus on the questions: What is my delight? Is it in me and what I want, or is it in my Lord Jesus? May I encourage each of us to be known as women of contentment.
Written by Teri Maxwell, co-author of Managers of Their Homes, Managers of Their Chores, Keeping Our Children's Hearts, Just Around the Corner (Vols. 1 & 2), and author of Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit.
The Gift of Contentment
I believe one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the gift of being a contented mother and wife. Contentment can be an area we struggle with as Christian women. This is evident in the e-mails I receive from moms, and I recognize it in my life. While we should be the most contented women on the face of the earth, we may live our lives dissatisfied and striving for something different. Here is a request that was recently sent in as a Mom's Corner topic. First the mom shared a specific situation with me, which isn't included here, and then she moved on to her question.
Is my dissatisfaction evidence of God leading us to further changes or just my own flesh lacking contentment? I also don't want to throw my family into upheaval when it's just me struggling with the transition of homeschooling. It is my personal tendency to look for greener grass on the other side of the fence. When is it appropriate to press God for change, and when is it best to put your head down and press faithfully on with what you've already been given?
My husband and I continue to discuss it at length. We are not at odds. I am not nagging him. We just continue to discuss topics as they come up, remaining open to the other's heart on this subject.A Questioning Mom
Scripture has some specific verses for us when we begin to think about contentment. Let's start with them as a basis for our discussion.
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:11-13).
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content" (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5).
When I am asking myself the questions this mom is asking—is my dissatisfaction an indication of God's leading or my own flesh lacking contentment?—I usually become aware that the answers involve my selfish heart. I am not choosing obedience to what the Lord Jesus has told me in these verses that have to do with contentment. Being dissatisfied is a symptom of that disobedience. If I am not being obedient, would He use my disobedience as a vehicle to prompt change? I don't believe He will. Instead, I am to learn to be content, to rest in the Lord Jesus and where He has me at the moment. Then if there is to be change, He will orchestrate it.
My first goal is to repent of the lack of contentment. Paul said in Philippians 4:11 that he learned contentment. It wasn't a state of mind that came naturally for him. It was a process that involved times of both hardship and bounty. Contentment with plenty was obviously not as difficult as contentment with hunger or need, but he said he had to learn it in both states. With God's strength Paul chose to take his thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and be content. That is exactly what I need to do as well.
My experience has been that God brings change as a result of my contentment, not my discontentment. For example, for the past two years we have had no place to practice our family music except our living room. This means we always have instruments out in the living room. For a month or so before a trip, we also have our sound equipment out for practice sessions. The open area of our living room becomes filled with microphone stands and cables snaking everywhere. While I don't prefer the instruments and sound equipment to be out, I have been content with it. Last year, it became evident that our Titus2 ministry had outgrown our present home. We are now building another house that will accommodate the book storage needs, and it will also allow us an upstairs room where we can practice our music.
Discontentment seems to breed murmuring and complaining—a negative attitude toward the problem or situation. However, Scripture tells us to "Do all things without murmurings and disputings" (Philippians 2:14). Whatever we are discontent about becomes our focus and the topic of our regular complaints. Therefore, it also easily leads us to being a contentious woman—certainly a bad example for our children: "A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike" (Proverbs 27:15).
Sometimes there is a problem or need in our school or with the children. As I pray about it and take it to Steve, it isn't discontentment on my part that brings the solution. Rather, it is my accepting the situation and waiting on the Lord for His direction if there is to be a change of any kind. If I am not content and willing to wait on the Lord and my husband, then I become that contentious woman—nagging—a continual dripping to him.
I want my children to be content. Not only do I want them to be content, but I want them to be grateful as well. That begins in my heart and with my attitude. I can't expect from them what I don't have victory over in my own life. They will be aware of my discontent because they will hear my murmuring words and sense my negative heart.
Contentment is not complacency. If my house is a mess, I am not to be complacent by choosing not to clean it while saying I am content with the state of my house. However, if I am sick and can't clean the house as I normally would, then I need to be content to wait on the work until I am well.
I would encourage the mom who wrote to me to work on learning to be content in the area in which she is dissatisfied. Then as she rests in the Lord, she will observe what He will do with the situation. Perhaps He will leave it as it is. Perhaps He will change it the way she is wanting it to be. "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass" (Psalms 37:4-5). Perhaps it will take a turn she couldn't even envision at this point. It all starts with a focus on the questions: What is my delight? Is it in me and what I want, or is it in my Lord Jesus? May I encourage each of us to be known as women of contentment.
Written by Teri Maxwell, co-author of Managers of Their Homes, Managers of Their Chores, Keeping Our Children's Hearts, Just Around the Corner (Vols. 1 & 2), and author of Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Art Class
My parents came to visit for Thanksgiving and got to come to our weekly Art Class. My dad brought his camera and took some great pictures.
The kids have been working with clay quite a bit lately.
But Emily would rather be painting...
Or drawing...
Actually, she's pretty happy at art class.
Outside, our teacher has a wonderful garden that Emily plays in when she's "done" with art. She has a couple of persimmon trees that we had fun picking.
My mom.
Our lovely art teacher!
The kids have been working with clay quite a bit lately.
But Emily would rather be painting...
Or drawing...
Actually, she's pretty happy at art class.
Outside, our teacher has a wonderful garden that Emily plays in when she's "done" with art. She has a couple of persimmon trees that we had fun picking.
My mom.
Our lovely art teacher!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Weekly Report
Here is just a little highlight of school this week.
Amy has started her new spelling program and is loving it! Unlike her mother, she is a natural when it comes to spelling. She whipped through the first lesson and was so eager to start the second that she brought it in the car! The curriculum involves listening to a CD and writing out the spelling words. I had to draw the line though and told her she couldn't bring her clipboard, headphones, CD player and pencil into J.C. Penny's yesterday morning. Apparently, she planned to do her spelling in the shoe department while I tried on a pair of boots!
Evan had a hard week. When his Tourette's Syndrome flares up, school is more difficult. And almost always he wants to do school in a fort. So much of this week our living room looked like this!
Math in a fort, spelling in the car and bugle on the couch. We do have these cute desks and a great school room that we sometimes use! My kids would hate public school!
During our preschool time this week, I read the story, The Story of the Incredible Orchestra. Emily was especially intrigued by the horns. Evan brought down his bugle and she had a ball playing it!
Amy has started her new spelling program and is loving it! Unlike her mother, she is a natural when it comes to spelling. She whipped through the first lesson and was so eager to start the second that she brought it in the car! The curriculum involves listening to a CD and writing out the spelling words. I had to draw the line though and told her she couldn't bring her clipboard, headphones, CD player and pencil into J.C. Penny's yesterday morning. Apparently, she planned to do her spelling in the shoe department while I tried on a pair of boots!
Evan had a hard week. When his Tourette's Syndrome flares up, school is more difficult. And almost always he wants to do school in a fort. So much of this week our living room looked like this!
Math in a fort, spelling in the car and bugle on the couch. We do have these cute desks and a great school room that we sometimes use! My kids would hate public school!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Weekly Report x 2 Plus Pictures
Emily all ready to go to our homeschool group's class day.The past two weeks have been a bit different from the usual routine. Sometimes this really stresses me out, but this time, God gave me the ability to just go with it and have fun.
We usually drive to "town" (about 30 min.) once a week for Amy's choir rehearsal. Last week we made the drive 4 times!
Last Monday we went to a great musical called "Seussical" based on the books by Dr. Seuss. Emily loved it! She keeps asking if we can go back to the show. The big kids liked it too. But then getting to go to a performance and not having to do math is a good deal any day in their minds.
The kids waiting outside the theater.
The stage before the show. We weren't allowed to take pictures during the performance. These are special matinee performances for school age kids at a very reduced price.
Amy and Emily waiting some more for the show to start.Tuesday is Amy's usual day for choir. She has been involved in a children's choir for a couple of years now. She has grown so much in her ability and confidence in singing since joining this choir. We have been very pleased with what she is learning.
Thursday, I had to go and get my permanent crown put on. The dental staff and my kids are on a first name basis now.
Saturday, Amy had a special rehearsal with her choir. Evan and Emily and I went to a wonderful little farm and bought 35 lbs. of apples. Then we went to the beach and played for a bit until Amy was done. Needless to say, we've been making apple pies and apple sauce this week too!
This Monday, Sean finally had a day off! So I asked him if he'd take the kids back to the beach and let me have a morning to get house things back in order! The kids had a great time. Emily keeps telling me that Daddy took her to the beach, and Daddy took her to go and get hamburgers and french fries, and Daddy took her..... You get the idea. Mommy takes her to the grocery store and the dentist. Daddy is much cooler!
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we had the opportunity to have friends over. We usually don't invite people over during school hours (8:30-3:30). But I strongly felt that God was leading us to be hospitable this week and we were so blessed!
Emily and our friend Zeb enjoying some play time.
Emily and our friend Zeb enjoying some play time.We did do some "regular" school too. I took some pictures of what we have been working on in Science this year. It comes from a book called "The Body Book". Evan has loved making these paper models of the human body.
Mr. and Mrs. Bones. Evan is a little further along than Amy.
Evan's latest "Junk-Bot" creation.
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