Showing posts with label Homeschooling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Homeschooling. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Cozy, Rainy Night
After a sunny morning and afternoon, we are now enjoying an evening of rain and thunder. Hey, it's okay by me. My yard needed the refreshment and now I won't have to run my sprinkler system! Thank you Lord for watering my lawn for me and saving me a few dollars on my water bill!
School went slowly today. Shane did make it to the park for P.E. with his dad. I usually go, but thanks to a new ecliptical exercise machine, I am so sore! Plus, I messed up yesterday and spent a little too long on the tennis courts withoug SUNBLOCK!! That's a big no no for several reasons. Let's see, its bad for the skin, possible skin cancer. I'm on medications that plainly state that I should limit my time in the sun! Even the RA istself has reasons attached which make too much sun exposure a poor choice for me. So--I've been naughty but I am paying the price with a pretty bright sunburn! *hangs head in shame*
After the guys return, we ate a lunch of spaghetti (wheat pasta), garlic toast, and salad. After showers and clean up, school commenced much later than normal. Shane did well with his Bible assignment and Spelling activities. Math was a real stinker though! We started so much later than normal. Shane is now taking a break, playing the Lego Star Wars video game with a little friend from next door. As soon as Ricardo returns home, we will have a History lesson.
Because hubby is working the late shift at the restaurant tonight, he won't be home until around midnight. I plan on having a cozy, relaxing night at home which includes a bubble bath, lit candle, and a good book.
I trust your week has gone well and that you are gearing up for a wonderful weekend and a time of worshipping and glorifying our Lord. Blessings!
School went slowly today. Shane did make it to the park for P.E. with his dad. I usually go, but thanks to a new ecliptical exercise machine, I am so sore! Plus, I messed up yesterday and spent a little too long on the tennis courts withoug SUNBLOCK!! That's a big no no for several reasons. Let's see, its bad for the skin, possible skin cancer. I'm on medications that plainly state that I should limit my time in the sun! Even the RA istself has reasons attached which make too much sun exposure a poor choice for me. So--I've been naughty but I am paying the price with a pretty bright sunburn! *hangs head in shame*
After the guys return, we ate a lunch of spaghetti (wheat pasta), garlic toast, and salad. After showers and clean up, school commenced much later than normal. Shane did well with his Bible assignment and Spelling activities. Math was a real stinker though! We started so much later than normal. Shane is now taking a break, playing the Lego Star Wars video game with a little friend from next door. As soon as Ricardo returns home, we will have a History lesson.
Because hubby is working the late shift at the restaurant tonight, he won't be home until around midnight. I plan on having a cozy, relaxing night at home which includes a bubble bath, lit candle, and a good book.
I trust your week has gone well and that you are gearing up for a wonderful weekend and a time of worshipping and glorifying our Lord. Blessings!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Confessions of a Home-Schooling Mom
“But a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.” (Proverbs 10:1b)
We experienced a problem in our homeschooling today (Tuesday) as it seemed I was the only one who showed up for classes! Oh, Shane was with me in body, but not in mind or attitude. He is usually a great little student, but I've seen some bad habits sneaking into our days. Things one could label as "foolishness". Things that caused this mother's heart to weigh heavy. I was so determined that after Christmas and all the hubub, our school year was going to be better during 2008. Today, however, as my cute and lovable child seemed to be so very UNmotivated and intent on making foolish choices, I must admit it folks, I lost my temper. I was angry at him for acting foolish; but when all was said and done, I was the foolish one. Losing my temper and raising my voice wasn't really what he needed. I'm sure that looking at my distorted face, as I let him have it verbally, wasn't all too healthy for him either. I was the adult here and supposedly the mature one, but in actuality, I was the biggest fool of the day. I had to ask my son for forgiveness but first I went to my Heavenly Father and asked for HIS sweet forgiveness; then the day got better! And yeah, I know all the "rules" for moms, etc. I know I slipped and acted ugly. Let me say it right out, I was foolish and I SINNED!!! Thank God for 1 John 1:9!!!! I like to refer to that Scripture as the Christian's bar of soap! *smiles*
I don't recall any reference in God’s Word that sheds a positive light on fools or foolishness. Proverbs verifies the claim that one should strive to put away foolishness. My moments of foolishness today brought to mind the story in Acts. A devotional I read recently spoke about how apparently, the new believers in Christ had been fellowshipping and sharing their belongings (Acts 4:32). Barnabas (one of the believers) decided to sell a portion of his land to help the group and gave the money to the apostles. Two other believers, Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, did the same thing; but for whatever reason, they decided to keep a portion of the money for themselves (Acts 5:1-10). Ananias and Sapphira attempted to fool the apostles by declaring that they had given the total amount. God’s response to this deception was quick and severe – within three hours, both Ananias and Sapphira fell over dead for trying to fool the Holy Spirit. They acted foolishly and were struck dead within hours! Boy, am I glad I found MERCY GRACE in the eyes of the Lord today!
What about your homeschooling family? Have you noticed any foolishness creeping into your children’s actions? Here is yet a better question: Have you noticed any foolishness creeping into your own life? Be careful; foolishness left unchecked has the potential to destroy your child’s life. Although the world may celebrate a day when people deceive and pull embarrassing practical jokes, God’s Word says something entirely different about foolishness – “The thought of foolishness is sin.” (Proverbs 24:9a)
As we beseech the Lord for guidance, let's not forget to ask Him to show us how to discipline our precious children when they start to act foolishly. Ask for the wisdom to train their immaturity into responsible ations that will glorify the Lord. I always try to remember and ask the Lord to convict me of any foolishness in my life as well.
We experienced a problem in our homeschooling today (Tuesday) as it seemed I was the only one who showed up for classes! Oh, Shane was with me in body, but not in mind or attitude. He is usually a great little student, but I've seen some bad habits sneaking into our days. Things one could label as "foolishness". Things that caused this mother's heart to weigh heavy. I was so determined that after Christmas and all the hubub, our school year was going to be better during 2008. Today, however, as my cute and lovable child seemed to be so very UNmotivated and intent on making foolish choices, I must admit it folks, I lost my temper. I was angry at him for acting foolish; but when all was said and done, I was the foolish one. Losing my temper and raising my voice wasn't really what he needed. I'm sure that looking at my distorted face, as I let him have it verbally, wasn't all too healthy for him either. I was the adult here and supposedly the mature one, but in actuality, I was the biggest fool of the day. I had to ask my son for forgiveness but first I went to my Heavenly Father and asked for HIS sweet forgiveness; then the day got better! And yeah, I know all the "rules" for moms, etc. I know I slipped and acted ugly. Let me say it right out, I was foolish and I SINNED!!! Thank God for 1 John 1:9!!!! I like to refer to that Scripture as the Christian's bar of soap! *smiles*
I don't recall any reference in God’s Word that sheds a positive light on fools or foolishness. Proverbs verifies the claim that one should strive to put away foolishness. My moments of foolishness today brought to mind the story in Acts. A devotional I read recently spoke about how apparently, the new believers in Christ had been fellowshipping and sharing their belongings (Acts 4:32). Barnabas (one of the believers) decided to sell a portion of his land to help the group and gave the money to the apostles. Two other believers, Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, did the same thing; but for whatever reason, they decided to keep a portion of the money for themselves (Acts 5:1-10). Ananias and Sapphira attempted to fool the apostles by declaring that they had given the total amount. God’s response to this deception was quick and severe – within three hours, both Ananias and Sapphira fell over dead for trying to fool the Holy Spirit. They acted foolishly and were struck dead within hours! Boy, am I glad I found MERCY GRACE in the eyes of the Lord today!
What about your homeschooling family? Have you noticed any foolishness creeping into your children’s actions? Here is yet a better question: Have you noticed any foolishness creeping into your own life? Be careful; foolishness left unchecked has the potential to destroy your child’s life. Although the world may celebrate a day when people deceive and pull embarrassing practical jokes, God’s Word says something entirely different about foolishness – “The thought of foolishness is sin.” (Proverbs 24:9a)
As we beseech the Lord for guidance, let's not forget to ask Him to show us how to discipline our precious children when they start to act foolishly. Ask for the wisdom to train their immaturity into responsible ations that will glorify the Lord. I always try to remember and ask the Lord to convict me of any foolishness in my life as well.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
A Productive Day
What a productive day we had at the Rios home! We picked school back up like a charm! Our Bible time consisted of reading about two very different Kings of Judah, Wicked Ahaz and his good son Hezekiah. New spelling words were introduced, which Shane seems to have already mastered, so Friday's test will be a breeze. We'll go ahead and do the vocabulary and punctuation exercises for the week and review some past spelling words. Math was mostly review today of multiplication facts and story problems, and so on and so on. Even though we didn't quite get a full day's agenda in, I felt as though our return to our routine was quite flawless.
The entire house got vacuumed.
Master bath received good cleaning!
Three loads of laundry washed, dried, folded, put away.
Spent around 45 minutes on the phone with my health counselor. This is a new service our insurance company is offering as a benefit. Today was my 2nd phone session. The nurse assigned to me is so sweet and easy to talk with. I'm so thankful for this! When I agreed to sign up for the sessions, I was a little concerned about what type of person I would get! We discussed my medications, dosage, weight, uhhum! and many other things. She will call me again in 6 wks. to see if I've succeeded in reaching my goal which is to have lost 5 more lbs. by then. Oh, did I tell y'all that as of Nov. I had lost 25 lbs.!! Yea Me! OF COURSE, THAT WAS BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS!
A little organizing went on in our garage!
A delicious supper cooked by MOI!
Dishes washed and put away. I don't mind doing our dishes by hand since it's just the three of us living here. I seem to only use my dishwasher if we have company or a party, or if a cold bug is going around.
Hubby helped me arrange some antique pitchers and crocks on our plant shelf. I didn't want to return them to top my kitchen cabinets where they had been before Christmas decorations replaced them. I have a different plan for my cabinet tops.
Bills got paid!
Caught up with my emails, ALMOST!
Thanked God several times for my new laptop!
Stopped and praised my Father many times today as I remembered how much pain I was experiencing this same time last year. I'm so happy to have been able to do what I did today!
Now I'm off to kiss my "gummy bear" Shane one last time before crawling into my big, comfy bed!
The entire house got vacuumed.
Master bath received good cleaning!
Three loads of laundry washed, dried, folded, put away.
Spent around 45 minutes on the phone with my health counselor. This is a new service our insurance company is offering as a benefit. Today was my 2nd phone session. The nurse assigned to me is so sweet and easy to talk with. I'm so thankful for this! When I agreed to sign up for the sessions, I was a little concerned about what type of person I would get! We discussed my medications, dosage, weight, uhhum! and many other things. She will call me again in 6 wks. to see if I've succeeded in reaching my goal which is to have lost 5 more lbs. by then. Oh, did I tell y'all that as of Nov. I had lost 25 lbs.!! Yea Me! OF COURSE, THAT WAS BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS!
A little organizing went on in our garage!
A delicious supper cooked by MOI!
Dishes washed and put away. I don't mind doing our dishes by hand since it's just the three of us living here. I seem to only use my dishwasher if we have company or a party, or if a cold bug is going around.
Hubby helped me arrange some antique pitchers and crocks on our plant shelf. I didn't want to return them to top my kitchen cabinets where they had been before Christmas decorations replaced them. I have a different plan for my cabinet tops.
Bills got paid!
Caught up with my emails, ALMOST!
Thanked God several times for my new laptop!
Stopped and praised my Father many times today as I remembered how much pain I was experiencing this same time last year. I'm so happy to have been able to do what I did today!
Now I'm off to kiss my "gummy bear" Shane one last time before crawling into my big, comfy bed!
Monday, September 17, 2007
For my Josh,Jackie and Jayde! Jewel is in a class of her own!
I read the following article at Crosswalk-Home School Life. It is copied from their August 28, 2007 issue. I can relate so well to the examples the author gives and I KNOW I have a son and two nieces who also can relate to Miss Jone's stories! For that reason, I dedicated this post to them! LOL
Applied Mathematics
by Sara Jones
If I'm ever at a loss for what to write, I draw on the author's great resource: suffering. And nothing makes me suffer more than math. My family isn't a math-minded family. Now, I usually don't like statements like that. People tend to use them as excuses. "I just couldn't stay home all the time with my family. I'm a people-person, you know?" (Congratulations - and your family is made up of nonpeople?) "I just can't get that class. I'm a hands-on kind of learner." (Congratulations - as soon as you develop a hands-on course for diagramming sentences, let me know.)
So I try to be careful when I explain to people my weaker areas; I try not to make lame excuses. It is after years of observation and consideration that I conclude: My family isn't a math-minded family. It's true that two of my brothers are computer nerds. They like to talk about megabytes and Pentium chips and read Dilbert. And my older sister can tally up a Scrabble score at a glance. But by and large, textbook math is not our strongest point. I might even say that, on a scale of one to ten, our math abilities rank somewhere around ... um ... ten minus eight ... wait, is it plus four? ... anyway, it's not our strongest point.
I think it's because we look beyond the surface problem. For instance, just the other day I came across a basic math problem. "Town A's population is 6,800. Town B's population is 4,200. If Town A's population is decreasing by 120 every year, and Town B's population is increasing by 80 every year, in how many years will their populations be equal?" I instantly comprehended the first step to solving the problem: Find out why so many people were leaving Town A every year. Maybe they were going to Town B. And all I could concentrate on was creating tourist billings for Town A to help salvage the population.
And then there are the ones about the area of triangles and "how many boxes measuring 6 cubic inches could fit into a shed 45 feet by 2 feet?" My interest tapers off into the negatives. It makes no sense to me to work such a problem, because, obviously, you aren't going to cram that many boxes into a shed; you've got to have some way to open the door. That, I suppose, is my major hang-up when it comes to math. Most of it just doesn't seem to apply to my daily life. (I'm ignoring remarks about how my daily life would require some unorthodox formulas.)
I've considered compiling a math textbook specifically for myself and my family. A typical problem in my Family Arithmetic Book would run something like this: Three sisters, L., S., and R., all get up at the same time on Sunday morning to go to their church's 8:30 service. They wear the same amount of makeup and same number of clothing articles. If each one gets up at 7:45, how long does it take each one of them to get ready? The formula for solving this problem is complex. First, you must divide the three girls between two bathrooms, only one of which has the makeup and toothbrushes in it. You also have to take into account the position and diameter of the hole in the ankle of S.'s white stockings and the accuracy of her mother's eye in catching it before they leave the house. Don't forget to calculate the probability of finding the right pair of white shoes among twenty-three pairs of shoes in the closet (most of which are L.'s). Subtract R.'s favorite barrette from the bathroom. The real problem is not how long it takes them to get ready, but whether they can make it to church in any sort of spirit of Christian charity. (To their credit, they usually do.)
The Family Arithmetic Book would include other areas of math, including: Force and Mass Calculations: A family is having an Easter-egg hunt. If a pink Easter egg is placed on a concrete block, and N. drops a block weighing 10 pounds on top of the egg, what will be left? (The answer, of course, is an enduring family memory of one of the best hiding places that we've discovered yet for Easter eggs.)
Time and Distance: L., proving an experiment she learned in a physics class, demonstrated that a person can squeeze an egg lengthwise in the hand without breaking the shell. If L. then says, "Look, you can even do it with both hands," how long will it take her to clean up the egg yolk all over herself and the kitchen, and how far down the family line will this story travel? Yes, I've concluded, if only math were designed to reflect and apply to daily life, it would pose no obstacle to my family.
Addition: how many spoonfuls of water-and-confectioner's-sugar icing does it take to make Lauren and Jamie sick? (Answer: They don't like to talk about it). Subtraction: if Neil, Matt, Jamie, Lauren, and Sara get off the bus together, how many walk down the driveway together? (Answer: Four, since one of the older ones will say something to make Sara mad, just to see her go into dramatics and run down the driveway).
Multiplication, division ... the possibilities are like numbers themselves - infinite. The Family Arithmetic Book would have a much more important use than just education. (I'm ignoring inquiries as to where I detect any educational use in the book in the first place.) Like all families, mine has difficulties now and then; but in compiling material for my book, I realized that it's because of my family that I have the blessing of knowing the answer to a problem like the following: A mother with five children marries a man with one son. Eventually, each son marries a wife. Each of these couples has at least one child. How many families are represented in all?
Answer: One.
(copied)
Applied Mathematics
by Sara Jones
If I'm ever at a loss for what to write, I draw on the author's great resource: suffering. And nothing makes me suffer more than math. My family isn't a math-minded family. Now, I usually don't like statements like that. People tend to use them as excuses. "I just couldn't stay home all the time with my family. I'm a people-person, you know?" (Congratulations - and your family is made up of nonpeople?) "I just can't get that class. I'm a hands-on kind of learner." (Congratulations - as soon as you develop a hands-on course for diagramming sentences, let me know.)
So I try to be careful when I explain to people my weaker areas; I try not to make lame excuses. It is after years of observation and consideration that I conclude: My family isn't a math-minded family. It's true that two of my brothers are computer nerds. They like to talk about megabytes and Pentium chips and read Dilbert. And my older sister can tally up a Scrabble score at a glance. But by and large, textbook math is not our strongest point. I might even say that, on a scale of one to ten, our math abilities rank somewhere around ... um ... ten minus eight ... wait, is it plus four? ... anyway, it's not our strongest point.
I think it's because we look beyond the surface problem. For instance, just the other day I came across a basic math problem. "Town A's population is 6,800. Town B's population is 4,200. If Town A's population is decreasing by 120 every year, and Town B's population is increasing by 80 every year, in how many years will their populations be equal?" I instantly comprehended the first step to solving the problem: Find out why so many people were leaving Town A every year. Maybe they were going to Town B. And all I could concentrate on was creating tourist billings for Town A to help salvage the population.
And then there are the ones about the area of triangles and "how many boxes measuring 6 cubic inches could fit into a shed 45 feet by 2 feet?" My interest tapers off into the negatives. It makes no sense to me to work such a problem, because, obviously, you aren't going to cram that many boxes into a shed; you've got to have some way to open the door. That, I suppose, is my major hang-up when it comes to math. Most of it just doesn't seem to apply to my daily life. (I'm ignoring remarks about how my daily life would require some unorthodox formulas.)
I've considered compiling a math textbook specifically for myself and my family. A typical problem in my Family Arithmetic Book would run something like this: Three sisters, L., S., and R., all get up at the same time on Sunday morning to go to their church's 8:30 service. They wear the same amount of makeup and same number of clothing articles. If each one gets up at 7:45, how long does it take each one of them to get ready? The formula for solving this problem is complex. First, you must divide the three girls between two bathrooms, only one of which has the makeup and toothbrushes in it. You also have to take into account the position and diameter of the hole in the ankle of S.'s white stockings and the accuracy of her mother's eye in catching it before they leave the house. Don't forget to calculate the probability of finding the right pair of white shoes among twenty-three pairs of shoes in the closet (most of which are L.'s). Subtract R.'s favorite barrette from the bathroom. The real problem is not how long it takes them to get ready, but whether they can make it to church in any sort of spirit of Christian charity. (To their credit, they usually do.)
The Family Arithmetic Book would include other areas of math, including: Force and Mass Calculations: A family is having an Easter-egg hunt. If a pink Easter egg is placed on a concrete block, and N. drops a block weighing 10 pounds on top of the egg, what will be left? (The answer, of course, is an enduring family memory of one of the best hiding places that we've discovered yet for Easter eggs.)
Time and Distance: L., proving an experiment she learned in a physics class, demonstrated that a person can squeeze an egg lengthwise in the hand without breaking the shell. If L. then says, "Look, you can even do it with both hands," how long will it take her to clean up the egg yolk all over herself and the kitchen, and how far down the family line will this story travel? Yes, I've concluded, if only math were designed to reflect and apply to daily life, it would pose no obstacle to my family.
Addition: how many spoonfuls of water-and-confectioner's-sugar icing does it take to make Lauren and Jamie sick? (Answer: They don't like to talk about it). Subtraction: if Neil, Matt, Jamie, Lauren, and Sara get off the bus together, how many walk down the driveway together? (Answer: Four, since one of the older ones will say something to make Sara mad, just to see her go into dramatics and run down the driveway).
Multiplication, division ... the possibilities are like numbers themselves - infinite. The Family Arithmetic Book would have a much more important use than just education. (I'm ignoring inquiries as to where I detect any educational use in the book in the first place.) Like all families, mine has difficulties now and then; but in compiling material for my book, I realized that it's because of my family that I have the blessing of knowing the answer to a problem like the following: A mother with five children marries a man with one son. Eventually, each son marries a wife. Each of these couples has at least one child. How many families are represented in all?
Answer: One.
(copied)
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Enter Me Please!
Look below at all the goodies you can win if you'll simply click here to visit Christina's blog and leave a comment for her, asking to be entered in for the drawing.
Don't you just love the motto on the bumper sticker which will be included in the givaway? I once ordered some t-shirts for my son with the same motto on them.Tuesday, July 17, 2007
LEARNING PERSONALITY STYLES
I just read a great article which gives you a brief overview of recognizing your children's different personalities and learning styles in a fresh new way.
It was posted on Sunday, July 1, 2007 by Just Call Me Jamin! She is one of my favorite homeschool mom bloggers. Click here to read the entire article and see her photos!
(FOLLOWING ARTICLE POSTED BY: Just Call Me Jamin!)
This weekend I was blessed to hear a really awesome speaker on the topic of Learning/Personality Styles. Although I have read a bit on this topic before this info was presented in a new way I had not yet come across. Here is a little of what I learned....
There are 4 basic personality styles. Here is a brief overview of each style.
2 are outgoing:
1. My Way...This is the dominate group. These folks want to know what we are doing? They want change... They are direct, demanding, decisive, determined, doers, independent & competitive. (This group needs to work on knowing others can be right.)
2 The Fun Way!..This is the inspirational group. These folks want to know who's doing it. They need no details. They are friendly, compassionate, carefree, talkative, outgoing, personable, and enthusiastic. (This group needs to work on listening!) (Huh, I wonder what group I am in! LOL)
2 are reserved:
3. The Easy Way...This is the steady group. These folks want to know if it really has to be done! They want no change. They are calm, dependable, easy going, trustworthy, efficient, practical, and steadfast. (This group needs to work on saying no.)
4. The Right Way...This is the cautious group. These folks want to know how it is gong to be done. They want all the details. They are analytical, sensitive, perfectionists, idealistic, loyal, orderly & ask a lot of questions. (This group needs to work on knowing others can be right too.)
Now the interesting thing about this lecture was that the speaker had us all get up and sit together in a group with the style we felt we best fit in. It was soooo interesting to see people immediately know which group they belonged in! Of course we folks in the fun group had the most FUN!
The point is it can be very helpful to know our personality style as well as our kids. One thing that occurred to me is that as fun as I can be...I actually can get on my kids nerves sometimes! Don't get me wrong for the most part they love their kooky Mom. However, there are times, especially with my 2 boys (Who have some "My Way" tendencies with strong "Fun Way" overtones.) that they just wish Mom would get to the point and stop singing and acting crazy! LOL I think it will be very helpful for me to think about their personality styles more and then I can focus a little more on the 7 intelligences to customize their learning to them.
What are the 7 Intelligences you ask?
1. Verbal Linguistic - How we communicate with others.
2. Logical Mathematical - math and logic skills
3. Visual Spatial - How we see things. (Can your child tell when it is safe to cross the street or will they stop if there is a car 5 blocks away?)
4. Body Kinisetic - Movers and shakers! Those who learn by moving!!!
5. Music/Rhythmic - The musically inclined.
6. Interpersonal - How we relate to someone else.
7. Intrapersonal - How we feel about ourselves. (This is the one we have some control over as parents. So praise, praise , praise!)
As I look at these 7 things I can immediately see strengths and weaknesses for each of my children. Knowing what the learning styles are allows me to try and teach to my children’s natural intelligences.
On top of all this there are 4 basic senses used in learning...
1. Visual
2. Auditory
3. Kinesetic (Big motions!)
4. Tactile (Fine motor skills.)
Traditional classrooms teaching styles favor auditory. (I will tell it to you and you will learn it.) However the beauty of homeschooling is we can teach to ALL styles! Not only that, since we generally have a small number of students we can customize our teaching style to fit our children’s learning style!
This was exciting to hear! It gave me a lot to think about! One thing it reminded me of is that there is NOT a right and a wrong way to learn. There is also not a right and wrong way to teach! The key is to find the right teaching style for the right learning style. We need to allow our students to learn the way they need to! Our job as teachers are to figure out the way they learn and then customize our teaching to their style. WOW!
BTW, this lecture was given by Dan Sinclair, President of Math-U-See California and Regional Representative of Math-U-See and JoyceHerzog.com, Inc.
Here are the resources for further reading Mr. Sinclair recommended:
Learning In Spite of Labels, Choosing and Using Curriculum, Timeless Teaching Tips & Luke's Lists - Joyce Herzog
Get Ready - Robert Rohm PhD
Why Gender Matters - Dr. Leonard Sax
These are all going on my reading wish list!
Just Call Me Jamin!
A personal note from Pam:
I'm a Right Way, Interpersonal, Visual learner!!!
It was posted on Sunday, July 1, 2007 by Just Call Me Jamin! She is one of my favorite homeschool mom bloggers. Click here to read the entire article and see her photos!
(FOLLOWING ARTICLE POSTED BY: Just Call Me Jamin!)
This weekend I was blessed to hear a really awesome speaker on the topic of Learning/Personality Styles. Although I have read a bit on this topic before this info was presented in a new way I had not yet come across. Here is a little of what I learned....
There are 4 basic personality styles. Here is a brief overview of each style.
2 are outgoing:
1. My Way...This is the dominate group. These folks want to know what we are doing? They want change... They are direct, demanding, decisive, determined, doers, independent & competitive. (This group needs to work on knowing others can be right.)
2 The Fun Way!..This is the inspirational group. These folks want to know who's doing it. They need no details. They are friendly, compassionate, carefree, talkative, outgoing, personable, and enthusiastic. (This group needs to work on listening!) (Huh, I wonder what group I am in! LOL)
2 are reserved:
3. The Easy Way...This is the steady group. These folks want to know if it really has to be done! They want no change. They are calm, dependable, easy going, trustworthy, efficient, practical, and steadfast. (This group needs to work on saying no.)
4. The Right Way...This is the cautious group. These folks want to know how it is gong to be done. They want all the details. They are analytical, sensitive, perfectionists, idealistic, loyal, orderly & ask a lot of questions. (This group needs to work on knowing others can be right too.)
Now the interesting thing about this lecture was that the speaker had us all get up and sit together in a group with the style we felt we best fit in. It was soooo interesting to see people immediately know which group they belonged in! Of course we folks in the fun group had the most FUN!
The point is it can be very helpful to know our personality style as well as our kids. One thing that occurred to me is that as fun as I can be...I actually can get on my kids nerves sometimes! Don't get me wrong for the most part they love their kooky Mom. However, there are times, especially with my 2 boys (Who have some "My Way" tendencies with strong "Fun Way" overtones.) that they just wish Mom would get to the point and stop singing and acting crazy! LOL I think it will be very helpful for me to think about their personality styles more and then I can focus a little more on the 7 intelligences to customize their learning to them.
What are the 7 Intelligences you ask?
1. Verbal Linguistic - How we communicate with others.
2. Logical Mathematical - math and logic skills
3. Visual Spatial - How we see things. (Can your child tell when it is safe to cross the street or will they stop if there is a car 5 blocks away?)
4. Body Kinisetic - Movers and shakers! Those who learn by moving!!!
5. Music/Rhythmic - The musically inclined.
6. Interpersonal - How we relate to someone else.
7. Intrapersonal - How we feel about ourselves. (This is the one we have some control over as parents. So praise, praise , praise!)
As I look at these 7 things I can immediately see strengths and weaknesses for each of my children. Knowing what the learning styles are allows me to try and teach to my children’s natural intelligences.
On top of all this there are 4 basic senses used in learning...
1. Visual
2. Auditory
3. Kinesetic (Big motions!)
4. Tactile (Fine motor skills.)
Traditional classrooms teaching styles favor auditory. (I will tell it to you and you will learn it.) However the beauty of homeschooling is we can teach to ALL styles! Not only that, since we generally have a small number of students we can customize our teaching style to fit our children’s learning style!
This was exciting to hear! It gave me a lot to think about! One thing it reminded me of is that there is NOT a right and a wrong way to learn. There is also not a right and wrong way to teach! The key is to find the right teaching style for the right learning style. We need to allow our students to learn the way they need to! Our job as teachers are to figure out the way they learn and then customize our teaching to their style. WOW!
BTW, this lecture was given by Dan Sinclair, President of Math-U-See California and Regional Representative of Math-U-See and JoyceHerzog.com, Inc.
Here are the resources for further reading Mr. Sinclair recommended:
Learning In Spite of Labels, Choosing and Using Curriculum, Timeless Teaching Tips & Luke's Lists - Joyce Herzog
Get Ready - Robert Rohm PhD
Why Gender Matters - Dr. Leonard Sax
These are all going on my reading wish list!
Just Call Me Jamin!
A personal note from Pam:
I'm a Right Way, Interpersonal, Visual learner!!!
Monday, June 18, 2007
FIVE TYPICAL REASONS WHY KIDS DON'T WANT TO WRITE
1. Perfectionism.
Symptom: Student thinks all writing is supposed to be flawless on the first try.
Suggestion: Assure the student that a first draft is just that, a FIRST draft, a first attempt to get something down on paper. The first draft is the unrefined ore from the mine. It has to come out, and nobody expects it to be much good until it is improved. Fresh notebook pages can be intimidating; try scratch paper
2. Assignments too broad or too vague.
Symptom: Student freezes up, stares at the paper or computer screen and doesn’t know where to start.
Suggestion: Narrow down the assignment to make it as specific as possible. “Write about our trip to the Grand Canyon” floods the student’s mind with so many impressions that there’s no definite place to start. “Tell how the rock colors changed as the sun went down” is an assignment with a sharper focus.
3. Embarrassment.
Symptom: Student is ashamed of being a bad writer and doesn’t want to display it.
Suggestion: Try for one small improvement at a time, maybe a few more definite words, or one or two more lively actions in one scene of a story, or varying the sentence lengths in one paragraph. Count every improvement as a success!
4. Resignation.
Symptom: Student thinks “I can’t write” and that it’s no use to try.
Suggestion: Search for a different focus for writing besides “learning to write.” What is the student’s own best reason to write? To explain himself, to teach a skill, to enlist others in an unusual hobby, to save a memory, to right a wrong? Start there. Or use the flying-start approach with existing published writing. Take a familiar story and ask “How could it end differently? Start differently?”
5. Mechanical difficulties.
Symptom: Student has trouble managing the pen or pencil or keyboard.
Suggestion: Experiment with what works best at this stage of the student’s physical development. Typing is not sacred if the student does better with a pencil, and vice versa. Work in spurts; take frequent breaks. Maybe take time to just practice handwriting or keyboarding, then tackle writing when the student is six months older.
Symptom: Student thinks all writing is supposed to be flawless on the first try.
Suggestion: Assure the student that a first draft is just that, a FIRST draft, a first attempt to get something down on paper. The first draft is the unrefined ore from the mine. It has to come out, and nobody expects it to be much good until it is improved. Fresh notebook pages can be intimidating; try scratch paper
2. Assignments too broad or too vague.
Symptom: Student freezes up, stares at the paper or computer screen and doesn’t know where to start.
Suggestion: Narrow down the assignment to make it as specific as possible. “Write about our trip to the Grand Canyon” floods the student’s mind with so many impressions that there’s no definite place to start. “Tell how the rock colors changed as the sun went down” is an assignment with a sharper focus.
3. Embarrassment.
Symptom: Student is ashamed of being a bad writer and doesn’t want to display it.
Suggestion: Try for one small improvement at a time, maybe a few more definite words, or one or two more lively actions in one scene of a story, or varying the sentence lengths in one paragraph. Count every improvement as a success!
4. Resignation.
Symptom: Student thinks “I can’t write” and that it’s no use to try.
Suggestion: Search for a different focus for writing besides “learning to write.” What is the student’s own best reason to write? To explain himself, to teach a skill, to enlist others in an unusual hobby, to save a memory, to right a wrong? Start there. Or use the flying-start approach with existing published writing. Take a familiar story and ask “How could it end differently? Start differently?”
5. Mechanical difficulties.
Symptom: Student has trouble managing the pen or pencil or keyboard.
Suggestion: Experiment with what works best at this stage of the student’s physical development. Typing is not sacred if the student does better with a pencil, and vice versa. Work in spurts; take frequent breaks. Maybe take time to just practice handwriting or keyboarding, then tackle writing when the student is six months older.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Make Your Own Detangler Spray!
Did you know you can make your own detangler spray? Jamin over at Just Call Me Jamin, says:
"I found out about this a year ago and we have been doing it ever since. All you do is put about an inch of your favorite conditioner in the bottom of a 9 ounce spray bottle. (I use an old detangler bottle we already had.) Then fill the rest up with warm water and shake. Viola! Hair detangler! This has worked great for us and is MUCH cheaper than buying it pre-made. I also like this because I really like to use organic shampoos, soaps and conditioners and organic detangler is hard to find and expensive if you do find it."
This super homeschooling mom has won some awards for her blog! When you visit her and see her creativity, you will understand why! I'm sure she wouldn't mind at all if you paid her a visit! She always has such wonderful ideas for homeschoolers. A couple of weeks ago she shared how her kids mummified barbies and GI Joes for their unit study on Egypt! Then a few days later, they made paper. She always includes photos of their projects. I'm sure you could find these fun posts easily.
Another great place to visit when you have the time is A Biblical Home. Her post for today was very hepful.
"I found out about this a year ago and we have been doing it ever since. All you do is put about an inch of your favorite conditioner in the bottom of a 9 ounce spray bottle. (I use an old detangler bottle we already had.) Then fill the rest up with warm water and shake. Viola! Hair detangler! This has worked great for us and is MUCH cheaper than buying it pre-made. I also like this because I really like to use organic shampoos, soaps and conditioners and organic detangler is hard to find and expensive if you do find it."
This super homeschooling mom has won some awards for her blog! When you visit her and see her creativity, you will understand why! I'm sure she wouldn't mind at all if you paid her a visit! She always has such wonderful ideas for homeschoolers. A couple of weeks ago she shared how her kids mummified barbies and GI Joes for their unit study on Egypt! Then a few days later, they made paper. She always includes photos of their projects. I'm sure you could find these fun posts easily.
Another great place to visit when you have the time is A Biblical Home. Her post for today was very hepful.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Congratulations Jen!
I'm so excited for our bloggity pal, Jen, from www.penofjen.blogspot.com. She and her husband just pulled off a very successful Homeschool Field Day! They were interviewed by their local paper. Head on over to her Home School Blog to see what a great day it was. Just click on the link here:
http://mcbenningschool.blogspot.com/2007/04/local-paper-spotlights-field-day.html
http://mcbenningschool.blogspot.com/2007/04/local-paper-spotlights-field-day.html
Monday, April 30, 2007
A Walk Down Memory Lane
I realize not every one should home school. I also realize it is the best option for my family and goes hand in hand with my convictions about numerous things. I believe most problems in public school could be banished if we would use God's Word as our standard and authority. When will Americans learn that just throwing money into the system doesn't fix it! Also, if all parents could get on board 100% and be "hands-on" with their own children, what a difference we could see!
I have aunts, uncles, cousins who teach in public school and do phenomenal jobs! They have all my respect! I know they truly care for their students and become heartbroken over certain cases. I realize their jobs are not easy and have gotten more complicated over the years due to bureaucracies and political correctness.
I also attended public school Kindergarten through 5th grade. I remember with fondness certain teachers who were very kind and encouraging, but I also have many negative memories! I can remember crying for certain children who were labeled and picked on. I also remember feeling so lost at times. I happened to be a well behaved child (believe it or not!) and many times I seemed to have been looked over or neglected. I can remember days of craving a kind word or a moment of time, just an ounce of encouragement from my very busy teacher.
Something in my last post and in the comments left for me caused me to take a walk down memory lane. Let's see if I can name my teachers!
Kindergarten, Mrs. Hiss (I remember she had a fairy's wand that was all sparkly,which she would use to tap us after nap time, thus giving us permission to get up and put away our blankets.)
First Grade, Mrs. Groble (I remember making hand prints out or plaster of paris in her class.)
Second Grade, Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Bradfield (I started the year at Toddy Thomas Elementary school with Mrs. Moore as my teacher. I can't really remember her since I don't have a class photo. After first quarter, we moved and I was required to change schools. I started attending South Fortuna Elementary. I don't remember who my teacher was there the first few days, but that she fell ill and Mrs. Bradfield took her place and made a lasting impression on me.)
Third Grade, Mrs. Potter, (I remember her reading "Charlotte's Web" to us. Oh how I loved it!)
Fourth Grade, Mrs. Harrell, (I don't have good vibes here! I think possibly because this was the year we moved from a small town in California, to a good sized city in South Carolina. My grades went down hill this year! Everything in my life had been turned topsy turvey and I was afraid of the big city school. Unfortunately, I never felt like this teacher tried to get to know me.)
Fifth Grade, ??? (I'm clueless here! I think we still lived in Greenville, S.C. I don't have anything about this teacher or year in my scrapbook!)
Sixth Grade, Mr. Young - homeroom and Bible teacher (He was also the youth director at my church, Faith Baptist.) I began attending Boulevard Christian School in Greenville, S.C. I remember loving the small classes and we all felt like family.
Seventh -Eighth Grades, various teachers, (continued at Boulevard Christian School.)
Ninth Grade, various teachers, (my favorite this year had to be my Bible History teacher, Mr. Hughes.)
Tenth Grade, various teachers, (We had moved from S.C. to Florida. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Carter were two of my faves as I attended, for the first time in years, a public school, DeSoto County High School, Arcadia, FL. We were in a small town with no Christian school within reasonable driving distance. Home schooling was unheard of, unless you were a missionary on a foreign field!)
Eleventh & Twelfth Grades, Mrs. Beeson, Pastor Shook, Pleasant View Welcome Christian School in Travelers Rest, S. C. We had moved once again. (This is normal when your parents are in full time ministry!) I was so happy to be in a Christian environment daily and a small family style school!
But my all time favorite teacher was Mrs. Bradfield-2nd grade. I had started the year at Toddy Thomas Elementary, but we moved and as I said, I was required to change schools. I don't recall who my teacher was the first week or so at my new school, as she became ill right after my arrival. (HMM, now that is food for thought! LOL) Her replacement was Mrs. Bradfield. I seem to remember more about her than I do any of my other elementary teachers. I remember Mrs. Bradfield's kindness in helping me assimilate to a new school. She seemed to spend extra time with me and even now after all these years, I remember her kind words to me and the many smiles and pats on my shoulder. I remember looking forward to seeing her each day! Perhaps she was so in tune with me due to her own mis-givings of being thrust into a new classroom full of tiny strangers! I do remember hearing the news that my original teacher couldn't return to teach due to illness, and I HATED it. My security at the new school seemed to be slipping away, but Mrs. Bradfield helped me get over that feeling in short order!
Looking back on all of our moves, I realize that home schooling would have been so much better for me! I wouldn't have had to adjust to new teachers and their styles or a new curricula at every turn. My "teachers and curriculum" would have moved right along with us. I know my parents did the best they could. The years we were able to be enrolled in Christian schools were only possible because my dear Mom would work in those schools! Most years, she drove one of the school buses and worked in the library between morning and afternoon routes. She was willing to fill in wherever needed, the school office or day care. Sometimes, I would get a warm surprise when I would go through the cafeteria line and there would be my mom, filling my plate while substituting for a sick employee!
Many thanks for taking this walk with me down memory lane!
I have aunts, uncles, cousins who teach in public school and do phenomenal jobs! They have all my respect! I know they truly care for their students and become heartbroken over certain cases. I realize their jobs are not easy and have gotten more complicated over the years due to bureaucracies and political correctness.
I also attended public school Kindergarten through 5th grade. I remember with fondness certain teachers who were very kind and encouraging, but I also have many negative memories! I can remember crying for certain children who were labeled and picked on. I also remember feeling so lost at times. I happened to be a well behaved child (believe it or not!) and many times I seemed to have been looked over or neglected. I can remember days of craving a kind word or a moment of time, just an ounce of encouragement from my very busy teacher.
Something in my last post and in the comments left for me caused me to take a walk down memory lane. Let's see if I can name my teachers!
Kindergarten, Mrs. Hiss (I remember she had a fairy's wand that was all sparkly,which she would use to tap us after nap time, thus giving us permission to get up and put away our blankets.)
First Grade, Mrs. Groble (I remember making hand prints out or plaster of paris in her class.)
Second Grade, Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Bradfield (I started the year at Toddy Thomas Elementary school with Mrs. Moore as my teacher. I can't really remember her since I don't have a class photo. After first quarter, we moved and I was required to change schools. I started attending South Fortuna Elementary. I don't remember who my teacher was there the first few days, but that she fell ill and Mrs. Bradfield took her place and made a lasting impression on me.)
Third Grade, Mrs. Potter, (I remember her reading "Charlotte's Web" to us. Oh how I loved it!)
Fourth Grade, Mrs. Harrell, (I don't have good vibes here! I think possibly because this was the year we moved from a small town in California, to a good sized city in South Carolina. My grades went down hill this year! Everything in my life had been turned topsy turvey and I was afraid of the big city school. Unfortunately, I never felt like this teacher tried to get to know me.)
Fifth Grade, ??? (I'm clueless here! I think we still lived in Greenville, S.C. I don't have anything about this teacher or year in my scrapbook!)
Sixth Grade, Mr. Young - homeroom and Bible teacher (He was also the youth director at my church, Faith Baptist.) I began attending Boulevard Christian School in Greenville, S.C. I remember loving the small classes and we all felt like family.
Seventh -Eighth Grades, various teachers, (continued at Boulevard Christian School.)
Ninth Grade, various teachers, (my favorite this year had to be my Bible History teacher, Mr. Hughes.)
Tenth Grade, various teachers, (We had moved from S.C. to Florida. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Carter were two of my faves as I attended, for the first time in years, a public school, DeSoto County High School, Arcadia, FL. We were in a small town with no Christian school within reasonable driving distance. Home schooling was unheard of, unless you were a missionary on a foreign field!)
Eleventh & Twelfth Grades, Mrs. Beeson, Pastor Shook, Pleasant View Welcome Christian School in Travelers Rest, S. C. We had moved once again. (This is normal when your parents are in full time ministry!) I was so happy to be in a Christian environment daily and a small family style school!
But my all time favorite teacher was Mrs. Bradfield-2nd grade. I had started the year at Toddy Thomas Elementary, but we moved and as I said, I was required to change schools. I don't recall who my teacher was the first week or so at my new school, as she became ill right after my arrival. (HMM, now that is food for thought! LOL) Her replacement was Mrs. Bradfield. I seem to remember more about her than I do any of my other elementary teachers. I remember Mrs. Bradfield's kindness in helping me assimilate to a new school. She seemed to spend extra time with me and even now after all these years, I remember her kind words to me and the many smiles and pats on my shoulder. I remember looking forward to seeing her each day! Perhaps she was so in tune with me due to her own mis-givings of being thrust into a new classroom full of tiny strangers! I do remember hearing the news that my original teacher couldn't return to teach due to illness, and I HATED it. My security at the new school seemed to be slipping away, but Mrs. Bradfield helped me get over that feeling in short order!
Looking back on all of our moves, I realize that home schooling would have been so much better for me! I wouldn't have had to adjust to new teachers and their styles or a new curricula at every turn. My "teachers and curriculum" would have moved right along with us. I know my parents did the best they could. The years we were able to be enrolled in Christian schools were only possible because my dear Mom would work in those schools! Most years, she drove one of the school buses and worked in the library between morning and afternoon routes. She was willing to fill in wherever needed, the school office or day care. Sometimes, I would get a warm surprise when I would go through the cafeteria line and there would be my mom, filling my plate while substituting for a sick employee!
Many thanks for taking this walk with me down memory lane!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Who Do You Believe In?
I trust you are having a wonderful Sunday!
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” (John 14:12)
When someone attains a measure of success in the public spotlight, what words do you normally hear them say when they are interviewed? That person usually says, “Because my ______________(fill in the blank – grandmother, mother, father, sister, friend, whoever) believed in me, I was able to accomplish what I’ve done.” Amazingly, one person’s faith in another person’s ability inspires great achievement.
Christ demonstrated this fact when He chose Peter as a disciple. Recognizing his potential (Matthew 16:16-20), Jesus challenged Peter to follow Him. After Christ’s death and resurrection, the Lord’s words about Peter were fulfilled when the Holy Spirit transformed his life at the day of Pentecost. Even though Peter was uneducated and untrained, his confidence and willingness to die for the sake of the Gospel amazed the elders, rulers, and scribes. (Acts 4:13-14) Because Christ patiently loved and encouraged Peter, he was able to perform miracles and change the world with the message of Jesus’ love and forgiveness.
Does this same underlying principal lie at the root of every homeschooler’s success? What else could account for the incredible results in academic success in homeschooled children when most homeschooling parents only have a high school education or less? Apparently, learning is only part of the equation in a child’s ability to achieve great things; the other part lies within a loving parent’s heart. When you see God’s potential within your child and then encourage him while he reaches out to obtain it, you’ll be amazed at what your child achieves too.
Lord,
Forgive me for limiting my child because of my unbelief in his abilities. Help me inspire him to greatness by believing in who and what You’ve created him to be.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” (John 14:12)
When someone attains a measure of success in the public spotlight, what words do you normally hear them say when they are interviewed? That person usually says, “Because my ______________(fill in the blank – grandmother, mother, father, sister, friend, whoever) believed in me, I was able to accomplish what I’ve done.” Amazingly, one person’s faith in another person’s ability inspires great achievement.
Christ demonstrated this fact when He chose Peter as a disciple. Recognizing his potential (Matthew 16:16-20), Jesus challenged Peter to follow Him. After Christ’s death and resurrection, the Lord’s words about Peter were fulfilled when the Holy Spirit transformed his life at the day of Pentecost. Even though Peter was uneducated and untrained, his confidence and willingness to die for the sake of the Gospel amazed the elders, rulers, and scribes. (Acts 4:13-14) Because Christ patiently loved and encouraged Peter, he was able to perform miracles and change the world with the message of Jesus’ love and forgiveness.
Does this same underlying principal lie at the root of every homeschooler’s success? What else could account for the incredible results in academic success in homeschooled children when most homeschooling parents only have a high school education or less? Apparently, learning is only part of the equation in a child’s ability to achieve great things; the other part lies within a loving parent’s heart. When you see God’s potential within your child and then encourage him while he reaches out to obtain it, you’ll be amazed at what your child achieves too.
Lord,
Forgive me for limiting my child because of my unbelief in his abilities. Help me inspire him to greatness by believing in who and what You’ve created him to be.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
Belated, but Great Florida Homeschool News!
March 30, 2007Florida:
Governor Issues Homeschool Proclamation!
Dear HSLDA Members and Friends,
Good news! Governor Charlie Crist has issued a proclamation to celebrate the contribution of homeschooling in Florida. To our knowledge, there has never been a proclamation by a governor in Florida celebrating homeschooling. Regina Hicks of FPEA worked with HSLDA to draft the proclamation for the governor. Regina then contacted the governor's office to secure this proclamation. We urge all homeschoolers in Florida to widely distribute this proclamation and celebrate homeschooling during the designated week, April 1-7, 2007. To review or print the proclamation go to http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/fl/Florida_proclamation.pdfSincerely,
Christopher J. Klicka
HSLDA Senior Counsel
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To read Governor Crist's biography, go here:http://www.flgov.com/gov_biography
Monday, April 02, 2007
WOW! Here is someone who really understands Homeschool Moms!
Home School Mothers: the Beatrice Brigade
John Mark ReynoldsEducation, Politics03.29.2007
Hilary Clinton is running for President and using her gender to raise money at every turn.
Recently, Geraldine Ferraro was brought back from the Land of Misfit Political Candidates to raise money for Hilary (!) by reminding us all that she was the first woman to run on a major party slate . . . if the Mondale candidacy sweeping its way through D.C. and Minnesota counts as major.
Hilary (!) is earnest as a tooth ache and determined to show all those smug boys from the fifties that she can win. She probably cannot, but it is depressing to watch her try. You have to pity Hilary (!) married to Bill and trying to look like she doesn’t mind . . . any of it. She wants to be a feminist icon, but if she gets some power in exchange for standing by her man she will be a story as old as Cleopatra.
When the women in the news are Anna Nicole Smith and Hilary (!) a traditional Christian can feel glum about the state of our culture. Both women have been exploited and both have tried to turn that exploitation to their own advantage. Both were obviously unhappy and now one is gone too soon . . . and the other has lonely eyes in a face with a jaw that seems hinged to pour forth platitudes like some sad muppet forced to repeat lines written by a handler.
Whenever I feel very bad, I make sure to speak to home school mothers. These women represent something new. They are not feminists, a phrase they most often reject with scorn. Most live in very traditional households where the husband is the head of the family. However, they are certainly not Donna Reed door mats waiting at home in pearls and high heels for their lord and master to arrive home. They are very strong and fiercely opinionated. They are incredibly well read, devouring more books a year, than most U.C. students read in four years. Book a talk with Plato scholar to hear about big ideas and they show up.
So what are they? They remind me most of the strong women of my great-grandmother’s generation in West Virginia, who could run a farm, fix the roof, write hymns for the church, and who had never heard of bulimia. They did not worry about their body image, because they were secure in the love of their strong men, none of whom would have been allowed a metrosexual makeover if they had wanted it. Those strong women could never have burned a bra, because they never bothered trying to wear pin up girl underwear. Ask those women what they thought and you heard more than you wanted to hear. I knew a few of these women, the last of the old pioneer stock, but only when they were old and tired.
The home school mothers of California are not old. Sometimes their brutal schedules may make them tired, but they are up for more in the morning. When I talk to them I quickly realize, they care more about idea than rhetoric. These women solve problems every day. They educated their children in highly creative ways, inventing curriculum, programs, and social events out of nothing but their talent. They are neither dowdy nor fashion conscience. Their dress is most often sensible, but feminine. They innovate, but within the bounds of tradition. What are they? God bless us, they are ladies, a group many thought had gone extinct around the time of the sinking of Titanic.
In one sense, their lives are a bloodless martyrdom. The media mostly forgets them except for the occasional condescending piece in the Times. They fit no stereotypes, being too numerous and too interesting, so they are ignored. They sacrifice for the well fare of their children.
Talents that could vitalize a corporate board room are turned to teaching children to read. Their children, of course, take such sacrifice for granted. Their mothers make it safe for them to be blissfully unaware of their blessings. So these strong women sacrifice everything our culture deems important. They have no resume inflating career. Yet they give new life and meaning to all the Victorian platitudes lodged, because they are true, in the back of all our minds. “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.”
These are kitchen table Socrates. They don’t trust the government schools that spend billions to produce cookie cutter children. These women use cookie cutters on cookies not children. Like Socrates, they despise uniformity in education and people who teach for money and not love of students . There children are producing reems of stories, hours of music, original plays, and a whole new civilization. If our boys are overseas defending the West, these women are home renewing it.
Home school mothers are the heart of a traditionalist revolution that is driving life back into the homes. To these women, and the men blessed to be married to them, homes are no longer assets or places to share a microwave dinner at the end of an exhausting day of separation. Spreading like some beneficial virus, men and women are returning basic educational, economic, and social functions to home where they have always belonged.
A great poet was brought to see God through the example of one godly woman. Dante had his Beatrice and it was enough. It is harder for men in our materialistic age, so God has raised up thousands of such women. It is time to take a good hard look at what these heroes without epic poets are doing in quiet. I put very little trust in princes, whether elected or not. Rather, if the oldest stories are true the fate of the Republic rests more with these home school mothers.
There are now millions of these strong, independent, God fearing women in the United States. They ask nothing of government, but to be left alone.
These women are not impressed with stardom and glamor, many do not even own televisions. Their men work long hours in their own, often not very glamorous, businesses so that their wives can save the West. The men they admire get things done with decency and honor. They are often quiet men, but as sound as the state credit used to be. Their wives chose them for their virtues, not their muscles. Home school mothers are fiercely liberated and proudly traditional.
Seeing God in Beatrice allowed Dante to find his way back from darkness. Seeing God in these home school mothers could show any man the way back to decency and honor. I know, because I am married to a home school mother and she fires my imagination, gives me hope, and is educating the future of our line.
Mayhaps the West is in for difficult days . . . I could be wrong and Hilary (!) might win, but I would still bet the children of the Beatrice Brigade will prevail in the end. The sacrifice of such matrons cannot be for nothing . . . and there is more real life in one of their questions than I have ever heard in a Hilary (!) listening tour.
Take heart gentleman. They are out there, our Beatrice Brigade, doing the work of civilizing the next generation of culture warriors. My wife, I realized one day, was to me the Fairest Flower in all of Christendom . . . and so she is and so every Beatrice is to the one who sees her well. The land, every corner of it, are filled with such gentle souls . . fair flowers of Christ’s kingdom doing God’s work for God’s pay.
Thank you.
(Modified from an earlier piece.)
John Mark ReynoldsEducation, Politics03.29.2007
Hilary Clinton is running for President and using her gender to raise money at every turn.
Recently, Geraldine Ferraro was brought back from the Land of Misfit Political Candidates to raise money for Hilary (!) by reminding us all that she was the first woman to run on a major party slate . . . if the Mondale candidacy sweeping its way through D.C. and Minnesota counts as major.
Hilary (!) is earnest as a tooth ache and determined to show all those smug boys from the fifties that she can win. She probably cannot, but it is depressing to watch her try. You have to pity Hilary (!) married to Bill and trying to look like she doesn’t mind . . . any of it. She wants to be a feminist icon, but if she gets some power in exchange for standing by her man she will be a story as old as Cleopatra.
When the women in the news are Anna Nicole Smith and Hilary (!) a traditional Christian can feel glum about the state of our culture. Both women have been exploited and both have tried to turn that exploitation to their own advantage. Both were obviously unhappy and now one is gone too soon . . . and the other has lonely eyes in a face with a jaw that seems hinged to pour forth platitudes like some sad muppet forced to repeat lines written by a handler.
Whenever I feel very bad, I make sure to speak to home school mothers. These women represent something new. They are not feminists, a phrase they most often reject with scorn. Most live in very traditional households where the husband is the head of the family. However, they are certainly not Donna Reed door mats waiting at home in pearls and high heels for their lord and master to arrive home. They are very strong and fiercely opinionated. They are incredibly well read, devouring more books a year, than most U.C. students read in four years. Book a talk with Plato scholar to hear about big ideas and they show up.
So what are they? They remind me most of the strong women of my great-grandmother’s generation in West Virginia, who could run a farm, fix the roof, write hymns for the church, and who had never heard of bulimia. They did not worry about their body image, because they were secure in the love of their strong men, none of whom would have been allowed a metrosexual makeover if they had wanted it. Those strong women could never have burned a bra, because they never bothered trying to wear pin up girl underwear. Ask those women what they thought and you heard more than you wanted to hear. I knew a few of these women, the last of the old pioneer stock, but only when they were old and tired.
The home school mothers of California are not old. Sometimes their brutal schedules may make them tired, but they are up for more in the morning. When I talk to them I quickly realize, they care more about idea than rhetoric. These women solve problems every day. They educated their children in highly creative ways, inventing curriculum, programs, and social events out of nothing but their talent. They are neither dowdy nor fashion conscience. Their dress is most often sensible, but feminine. They innovate, but within the bounds of tradition. What are they? God bless us, they are ladies, a group many thought had gone extinct around the time of the sinking of Titanic.
In one sense, their lives are a bloodless martyrdom. The media mostly forgets them except for the occasional condescending piece in the Times. They fit no stereotypes, being too numerous and too interesting, so they are ignored. They sacrifice for the well fare of their children.
Talents that could vitalize a corporate board room are turned to teaching children to read. Their children, of course, take such sacrifice for granted. Their mothers make it safe for them to be blissfully unaware of their blessings. So these strong women sacrifice everything our culture deems important. They have no resume inflating career. Yet they give new life and meaning to all the Victorian platitudes lodged, because they are true, in the back of all our minds. “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.”
These are kitchen table Socrates. They don’t trust the government schools that spend billions to produce cookie cutter children. These women use cookie cutters on cookies not children. Like Socrates, they despise uniformity in education and people who teach for money and not love of students . There children are producing reems of stories, hours of music, original plays, and a whole new civilization. If our boys are overseas defending the West, these women are home renewing it.
Home school mothers are the heart of a traditionalist revolution that is driving life back into the homes. To these women, and the men blessed to be married to them, homes are no longer assets or places to share a microwave dinner at the end of an exhausting day of separation. Spreading like some beneficial virus, men and women are returning basic educational, economic, and social functions to home where they have always belonged.
A great poet was brought to see God through the example of one godly woman. Dante had his Beatrice and it was enough. It is harder for men in our materialistic age, so God has raised up thousands of such women. It is time to take a good hard look at what these heroes without epic poets are doing in quiet. I put very little trust in princes, whether elected or not. Rather, if the oldest stories are true the fate of the Republic rests more with these home school mothers.
There are now millions of these strong, independent, God fearing women in the United States. They ask nothing of government, but to be left alone.
These women are not impressed with stardom and glamor, many do not even own televisions. Their men work long hours in their own, often not very glamorous, businesses so that their wives can save the West. The men they admire get things done with decency and honor. They are often quiet men, but as sound as the state credit used to be. Their wives chose them for their virtues, not their muscles. Home school mothers are fiercely liberated and proudly traditional.
Seeing God in Beatrice allowed Dante to find his way back from darkness. Seeing God in these home school mothers could show any man the way back to decency and honor. I know, because I am married to a home school mother and she fires my imagination, gives me hope, and is educating the future of our line.
Mayhaps the West is in for difficult days . . . I could be wrong and Hilary (!) might win, but I would still bet the children of the Beatrice Brigade will prevail in the end. The sacrifice of such matrons cannot be for nothing . . . and there is more real life in one of their questions than I have ever heard in a Hilary (!) listening tour.
Take heart gentleman. They are out there, our Beatrice Brigade, doing the work of civilizing the next generation of culture warriors. My wife, I realized one day, was to me the Fairest Flower in all of Christendom . . . and so she is and so every Beatrice is to the one who sees her well. The land, every corner of it, are filled with such gentle souls . . fair flowers of Christ’s kingdom doing God’s work for God’s pay.
Thank you.
(Modified from an earlier piece.)
Monday, March 12, 2007
Unfair Labels
Below is an article I received today in "Daily Focus" from Alpha-Omega Publications.
I know some of you who visit my blog homeschool as I do. I found this to be a word of encouragement! Hope you do too!
Unfair Labels
Monday / March 12, 2007
What labels have been placed on your children because they homeschool? During our years of homeschooling, my children faced innuendos that ranged from mental retardation to religious fanatic. Today, the media still portrays homeschoolers as naive, unfashionably-dressed nerds. Even though studies prove the contrary, public educators also insist that homeschoolers are deprived of proper socialization. Why does the phrase “homeschooling” bring out such nastiness in people?
Unfair labels are nothing new. When Christ lived on earth, He suffered with being misunderstood by the multitudes, Jewish leaders, and even His friends and family. Unfair labels of trouble maker, demon-possessed, and foolish fanatic were placed on Him as He told the world about the Kingdom of God and His love. Although the label placed above Christ’s head on the cross was intended to mock Him more, it was the one label that the world got right when it read, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (Luke 23:38b)
So how do you live in a negative, anti-homeschooling world and not become negative yourself? As Christian homeschoolers, it seems we receive a double whammy from the world – unfair labels for our faith and unfair labels for our homeschooling. As hurtful as these labels can be, Christ can help us forgive and move beyond the painful remarks when they come. Jesus’ example of love on the cross shows us the way when He said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:24)
Lord,
Strengthen me to stand against the world’s opinion of homeschoolers and teach me to love as You loved when You died on the cross. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I know some of you who visit my blog homeschool as I do. I found this to be a word of encouragement! Hope you do too!
Unfair Labels
Monday / March 12, 2007
What labels have been placed on your children because they homeschool? During our years of homeschooling, my children faced innuendos that ranged from mental retardation to religious fanatic. Today, the media still portrays homeschoolers as naive, unfashionably-dressed nerds. Even though studies prove the contrary, public educators also insist that homeschoolers are deprived of proper socialization. Why does the phrase “homeschooling” bring out such nastiness in people?
Unfair labels are nothing new. When Christ lived on earth, He suffered with being misunderstood by the multitudes, Jewish leaders, and even His friends and family. Unfair labels of trouble maker, demon-possessed, and foolish fanatic were placed on Him as He told the world about the Kingdom of God and His love. Although the label placed above Christ’s head on the cross was intended to mock Him more, it was the one label that the world got right when it read, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (Luke 23:38b)
So how do you live in a negative, anti-homeschooling world and not become negative yourself? As Christian homeschoolers, it seems we receive a double whammy from the world – unfair labels for our faith and unfair labels for our homeschooling. As hurtful as these labels can be, Christ can help us forgive and move beyond the painful remarks when they come. Jesus’ example of love on the cross shows us the way when He said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:24)
Lord,
Strengthen me to stand against the world’s opinion of homeschoolers and teach me to love as You loved when You died on the cross. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Peaceful Sleep
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:7)
Have you ever wondered about the human body's need for sleep? It has always amazed me when I think how God has designed us to literally “turn off” like a machine for eight hours each night. Sleep is something our bodies need to do; it is not an option. Many of the body's major organs and regulatory systems continue to work during sleep. Some parts of the brain actually increase their activity dramatically, and the body produces more of certain hormones.
Unfortunately, this precious, needed sleep is robbed many times by the uncertainties of homeschooling, illness, life in general. Anxious thoughts like “Will my children turn out OK if I homeschool?”, “How can I teach a subject I don’t even know?”, or “How will we pay the bills if I homeschool?” can torment us and keep us awake. Add household chores and responsibilities to this list of worries, and it’s no wonder we stay up late at night trying to do it all. I used to scrub floors at at all hours of the night! Those of you who know me now, understand that I am up at many strange hours of the night due to pain and restlessness, not trying to "do it all"! *smile*
Homeschooling mom, if you are struggling with these worries and working until you are exhausted, allow me to introduce to you a special verse - a wonderful promise of God.
Psalms 127:2 – “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.” Isn't that precious to you? We don't need to worry and eat the bread of sorrows! God only has so much for you to do each day, and what is left undone is not important! To accomplish His perfect will for each day, we need to pray for wisdom. This is all that He asks of me and you! His provision to meet our unfinished tasks may come by sending extra help, inspiring us to organize a different way, or miraculously providing to meet whatever need we have. This verse and realization of it can change your life! Won't it be nice to lay your head on the pillow each night and not worry about the basket of laundry waiting to be folded or the lesson plans for tomorrow’s schoolwork?
When was the last time you had a good night’s sleep? (This question doesn't apply to me right now or anyone else reading this who experiences chronic pain! *giggle,giggle*) I remember as a young homeschooling mom, struggling with trying to do more than God intended. I would also lend myself to worry. God desires us to rest in Him and find the peaceful sleep of trusting Him. “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.” (Matthew 6:34a)
Dear Heavenly Father,
Forgive me for not getting the rest I need. Help me to trust You with my priorities. Also, as I homeschool my child(ren), let me trust in You, that I may accomplish what You intend for me to do each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have you ever wondered about the human body's need for sleep? It has always amazed me when I think how God has designed us to literally “turn off” like a machine for eight hours each night. Sleep is something our bodies need to do; it is not an option. Many of the body's major organs and regulatory systems continue to work during sleep. Some parts of the brain actually increase their activity dramatically, and the body produces more of certain hormones.
Unfortunately, this precious, needed sleep is robbed many times by the uncertainties of homeschooling, illness, life in general. Anxious thoughts like “Will my children turn out OK if I homeschool?”, “How can I teach a subject I don’t even know?”, or “How will we pay the bills if I homeschool?” can torment us and keep us awake. Add household chores and responsibilities to this list of worries, and it’s no wonder we stay up late at night trying to do it all. I used to scrub floors at at all hours of the night! Those of you who know me now, understand that I am up at many strange hours of the night due to pain and restlessness, not trying to "do it all"! *smile*
Homeschooling mom, if you are struggling with these worries and working until you are exhausted, allow me to introduce to you a special verse - a wonderful promise of God.
Psalms 127:2 – “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.” Isn't that precious to you? We don't need to worry and eat the bread of sorrows! God only has so much for you to do each day, and what is left undone is not important! To accomplish His perfect will for each day, we need to pray for wisdom. This is all that He asks of me and you! His provision to meet our unfinished tasks may come by sending extra help, inspiring us to organize a different way, or miraculously providing to meet whatever need we have. This verse and realization of it can change your life! Won't it be nice to lay your head on the pillow each night and not worry about the basket of laundry waiting to be folded or the lesson plans for tomorrow’s schoolwork?
When was the last time you had a good night’s sleep? (This question doesn't apply to me right now or anyone else reading this who experiences chronic pain! *giggle,giggle*) I remember as a young homeschooling mom, struggling with trying to do more than God intended. I would also lend myself to worry. God desires us to rest in Him and find the peaceful sleep of trusting Him. “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.” (Matthew 6:34a)
Dear Heavenly Father,
Forgive me for not getting the rest I need. Help me to trust You with my priorities. Also, as I homeschool my child(ren), let me trust in You, that I may accomplish what You intend for me to do each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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