Homeschool Family Circus

Homemade "Silly Putty"

2012-02-06T10:59:00.000-08:00

Make Your Own Silly Putty

1/4 C liquid laundry starch
1/4 C Elmer's glue

Place in a plastic bag and mix together.
Store in the refrigerator.

Waffles Anyone?

2012-01-19T07:38:00.000-08:00

When we first started homeschooling in 1992, all the popular homeschool magazine articles about homeschools families made a HUGE deal about them getting up at 5AM, having chores and breakfast, including feeding chickens, milking cows by hand etc, all done by 7AM, and in school by 7:15 or so. Then noonish, one o'clockish, they were done with bookwork and had time for fun and naps.

New homeschool moms can read stuff like that and think that is how it is supposed to be. ( I did) When they find they can't get everyone moving before 8AM, and just feeding children and getting out of pjs takes utnil 10AM, with the arrival of new babies (which all homeschoolers are supposed to pop out annually-I say that with a touch of sarcasm and wishful thinking), these moms feel like they can't do it. They see themselves as failures. They think they are messing up their children for life, that they'd all be better off sending their children to school-often the only alternative being public school, and that they need to get a job to help with expenses since there is no "need" for them to be home.

It would be great for magazines to publish the reality of homeschooling, and not just someone's schedule, which for many folks is just out of reach.They intend to be encouraging, but in the long run, those type of articles can have negative consequences. Especially for those who, like many folks we know, are homeschooling, but they are just going through the motions, and/or have a take-it or leave-it view--they are not homeschooling because they believe God led them to do it. Which is really the crux of it, ya know?

It doesn't matter what good endeavors we do as Christians, it might be pastoring, being a missionary, or the church janitor, if God didn't/doesn't lead us to do it, not doing it is not such a big deal. We can move on to the next thing in life without a second thought if it seems reasonable to us.

From talking to many homeschoolers and Christians, especially since our family went online, well-intentioned friends, family, teachers, preachers, etc. often, (unwittingly?) put pressure on others to conform to a certain "image". They usually have scriptural principles to back up their ideas, but in their teaching, preaching and talking about it, they forget to advise people to seek God's face on the matter before committing to it. They fail to remind women to be sure their husband doesn't grunt "I don't see it that way, but you can do it if you want to", but that he agrees with, or is agreeable to any changes they are going to enact PRIOR TO enacting them.

During the election when....the "waffler" was running for president, people didn't like that. His flip-flopping went against the character and qualities people seek in electing a good president.

In the body of Christ, there are alot of wafflers. People will accuse them of them being compromisers or legalistic, or extreme or liberal...etc. I've seen this up close with people I love and care about, friends who one day bring up a topic they know we disagree on but never fight over, and suddenly they are defending their stance to me in an aggressive manner. A couple weeks later, they have moved to a conservative or liberal viewpoint, which they aggressively seek to conform me to as well. As time passes their stance on standards, and issues, and doctrines, flip-flop from extreme to extreme, and to onlookers they appear to be "compromisers". I've heard this said to folks, and about folks. Personally, I think their intention is to be right with God, and whatever church or circle they are in, they conform to the standards and practices of that group. When they move on, they might conform to the new groups ideas, or revert to the ones they started with. In reality, it isn't that they compromised at all, but rather that they conformed to a standard that wasn't a conviction to them. The true compromise was in their conformity. At times conformity is done out of respect, and at other times conformity occurs due to verbal and non-verbal peer pressure so they fit in. My hope is that when I speak of matters on which people have strong beliefs, that if my teaching/speaking/convictions/beliefs differs from their own, that they will not feel the need to copy me to be my friend, or fit into my circle.

It helps me to remember that the same Holy Spirit that lives inside me as a Believer, also resides in other Believers. It's His job to convict a person to change, or not. It is only my duty to make sure He is leading me to speak/teach etc, and leave the results to Him. Each one of us will stand and give an account at the judgment seat.

Terry at home in PA

Boaz Baptist Church

A Plan

2011-10-31T12:26:00.001-07:00

A plan is always a good place to start with any endeavor, which is why someone coined the expressions about failing to plan being a plan to fail.

Quick update: merging posts, links, etc from my scattered blogs, and websites, into one space-here at blogger.

No promises of how soon I'll manage this, but at least I have a plan, right?

It's my hope and prayer to help and encourage homeschool moms, and moms who wish to homeschool but for some reason are unable to do so.

If you want to keep up with updates, please "follow me", or subscribe.

Thanks.

Career to Retirement

2011-08-02T15:21:00.000-07:00

Each school year begins with a sense of anticipation, and hopefulness, which is often whisked away by the struggles of daily living, failing to comprehend new concepts, being unable to keep the pace desired, and just plain old tiredness of school.

This particular year is a milestone for our family because we will once again have a high school graduation. Spring 2012, should the LORD tarry, our 4th son will be graduating. It will be a momentous occasion marked with tears of joy, and sorrow, especially for me. You see, each graduation is the end of an era signifying the close of my homeschooling career. In five short years I will be forced into "retirement". In the meantime, I am seeking to enjoy each day with my children, to make memories that will cheer me on lonely days, or comfort me when I yearn for the "good old days".

I assure you that even though I am lamenting, to a degree, the end of homeschooling my children, my sense of purpose in life is not wavering at all. There are numerous projects and endeavors which I set aside that I think I will finally have the free time and freedom to pursue. There are plenty of things to do to fill my days, and God willing, that will include many visits with my grown children, their spouses, and OODLES of grandchildren. Plus having more time to run to the aid of my husband freely when he had need of me, or just to get a hug or kiss.

Free Dress Shirt Ministry

2011-08-02T14:43:00.000-07:00

Lenni-Lenape, Delaware Tribes

2011-08-02T14:13:00.000-07:00

Lenni-Lenape tribe, also known as the Delaware tribe. The following link is a PDF file with Elementary and Secondary lessons, activity sheets, tests... It's a PDF.

http://www.bcps.org/offices/oea/pdf/cultural_heritage/Native-American-and-Alaska-Native-Heritage-Resource-Packet.pdf

This one focuses on OHIO. There are many activities, includes, tests and video links.
http://www.pbs4549.org/onestate/images/onestate.pdf

Expansion

2009-09-18T13:20:00.001-07:00

the posts from BOAZ BAPTIST ACADEMY
blog to my this blog.

New School Year 2009-2010

2009-09-18T13:09:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe that we are already into our school year. I am glad that during the months of summer I kept a running log of educational stuff we did. However, I am sorry that we took a break. It has put us behind academically. But this is our year to catch up. That is the big goal...bring math and english up to par, or close to it, without driving us all nutty.

Our first unit on lightning bugs was a success. Very interesting yet mysterious creatures, that you gotta love!

Tomorrow, yes school on a Saturday, we wrap up our brief dragonfly unit.

For history we jumped into the Constitution. You could easily spend the entire school year on it. Lest I bore my children with it, we are devoting just a few weeks to it. They will have, at the very least, an understanding of what it is, and why it is so important to us, to our country.

All summer we explored math curriculum and so far we are still undecided. Though I wish it wasn't, money is a factor. Plus we don't want to end up in the same spot next year--starting new math curriculi. We've looked into Math U See
Singapore Math, and The Teaching Textbooks . This in addition to considering A.C.E , Alpha Omega, and Landmark (which we have been using, but unhappy with the methodology used). I've learned we need something that is mastery based rather than circular. Suggestions for or against any of the above will be taken under advicement. On the math u see site, they have a helpful drill page. They like doing the work on the computer. I've also wondered if Quarter Mile Math would be a good choice, at least to get everyone up to speed.

Anticipation or Dread?

2009-08-12T07:35:00.000-07:00

Are you looking forward to the new school year? There is a comical ad on television for "back to school". Which features a father with two children,in the background you hear "It's the most wonderful time of the year" being sung. The children are just pouty faced and the dad...well..he is full of glee...he pushes the cart kicking up his heels, with a big grin on his face. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9ZgH4AtdUY Get the picture...most parents simply cannot wait for school to begin after summer break. Their children get on their nerves, the children are bored, the children.... notice it is all about the children. (But that is for another post)

My question is, do you share the "staples dad's glee?" Let me rephrase that, are you full of glee at the start of a new school year because you can get your rugrat kids out of your hair, or is it the thought of a fresh start that brings a smile to your face?

Are you dreading the new school year because of past struggles, problems, or you hate homeschooling your children but are too ashamed or embarrassed to admit it to anyone? Maybe you can't even admit it to yourself.

To be perfectly honest, I have had years that I dreaded a new school DAY, forget the whole cotton-picking year! One day at a time was too much for me. I share your pain.

I dreaded school days, months, and yes, even years, because I KNEW everyday was going to be a battle. A battle to get up, to finish chores, to fix, eat and clean up a simple breakfast, to settle into our lessons, to quietly .... Do you get the idea? I KNOW the struggles. Like I said, I have been homeschooling a LONG time...we began in 1990...19 yrs ago....makes me sound and feel quite old...but I have the experience. Did I mention that I dreaded the paperwork, planning, and pretending it was all joy?

Yes dear homeschool moms and dads, I know the pain of beginning a new homeschool year.

You can't count on all your fingers and toes the times I wanted to quit...and that is just in a weeks time! Ok, maybe that is an exageration, but it is not easy, and I did want to give up.

Notice I said I. What held me back? It wasn't what, it was Who? The LORD held me back. He reminded me that He was the One who led us to homeschool, and that anything short of that would be living in disobedience to Him. Talk about a nudge! I've seen alot of folks choose disobedience, and the result is not pretty. Enough fear of God and His chastening had been instilled in me that I didn't have the guts to risk quitting.

The change for me, from dread to anticipation, came gradually. As we continued to battle out everyday and I wanted to pull my hair out, and scream, and cry, and feel like a failure, and fret that my children would hate me, and ... I started to cry out to God for help. I'd reached the end of my rope.

Another big prod from God: my friend and I have sons nearly the same age, both struggling academically, and one week she threw her hands up, literally, and told me she'd given up on J. Now I wonder what sort of expression met her eyes when she looked at me again. In my heart, I just felt so bad for her son. The LORD brought to mind all the times I wanted to quit and hadn't, not outwardly anyway, with my oldest son in particular. That day was a turning point for our homeschool, for me as a mother. I repented before the LORD, but spoke not a word to anyone else. The transformation in my son, and his attitude towards school, gradually changed for the better. It was amazing, and reminded me of how many articles I'd read when my children were infants stating that a moms emotional state could affect her baby. I believe our attitude affects our children. They feel our disappointmet, frustration...even if we are hiding it, or think we are. This is evident by the turn about in my son.

Graduation was another poke. It reminded me, clearly, that homeschooling is only a season of my life. One day, if the LORD tarries, my last child will graduate, and homeschooling will be done, forever. (Unless my children make good on their promise to bring my grands home for me to school) God was saying to me WAKE UP..ok He was shouting at me. W A K E U P!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reality hit me....life is fleeting! My days having my children at home are numbered.

This ended up making me sad, and I sat around crying about the fact that I only had this many years of homeschooling left. Really. It almost crippled me, thinking about what it will be like to wake up and not have my children here, and to not have to homeschool.

Exactly when I stopped dreading school and began to anticipate it with happy thoughts, is unclear. I can't point to the calendar and say on this day, month and year, it all changed. It was a process. It required me to forget the day before if it was a rough one, and rejoice that God's tender mercies are new every morning. And if His could be new everyday, then surely I could start each school day fresh. We could begin again. Believe me we had to BEGIN AGAIN lots of times.

My children still have times when they make me want to pull my hair out, or scream, or quit...but OVERALL, those times are fewer and farther between as the weeks turn into months.

Though I don't look forward to the time when homeschooling ends for us, forever, I anticipate each day and each school year as a new start, as a chance for us to redo our mistakes and move forward.

I want my children to look back and Praise God for being homeschooled, and have happy memories of many hours spent with their mother, who lovingly, and joyfully schooled them.

My answer to the title "Anticipation or Dread?" is Anticipation.

What is yours?

2008-12-08T16:26:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the Family Homeschool Circus!

Looking back on our 14+years of homeschooling, I realize much of it was/is spent trying to meet expectations that were unrealistic.

When we started homeschooling in the early 1990's we subscribed to the top homeschool magazines of the day "Teaching Home" and "Practical Homeschooling". Also, looking for support as a SAHM we got others that viewed our choices a "the best" and most Godly. In all these magazines, a "day in our life" was a regular feature. EAch issue was a diary-like article of a homeschool family's daily life. The feature family had it all together...schedule, curriculum, church, family, etc. In their homes, they did more before noon than most people do in 3 days. The picture painted by these SUPER families came across to the average reader as THE GOAL, something to reach for, to strive towards. Let's face it, when you have no idea what you are doing, or what to expect, you look to the experience and expertise of those who have gone before. The same was true for us with homeschooling.

In brief the feature family was: large-least 4 children; baked their own bread, raised livestock for milk, eggs, and meat unless they were vegetarian which meant they ate only organic stuff; ran a business from home where all the children old enough to have a "job" helped out; housework and the like were all divvied out and done properly without complaint on the part of the "doer"; and the biggie....all the children were at LEAST 3 grade levels above the average, gladly, and managed to maintain this pace in only a 3-4 hr. slot of time each day.

There is a saying about if you tell people something is so enough times they'll believe it...well...I swallowed this all....hook....line...and sinker.... I set my standards so high that failure was not just probable it was sure.

At 2-3 we started drilling phonics, planning on the children (3 of them at the time) to be reading well about grade level by kindergarten. Imagine how shocked I was when they failed. At times I was mad at THEM for failing.

Then there was math....simple right??? Wrong!!!! No math geniuses here either.

On every subject they were failing, WE were failing. We knew they were not imbeciles (no offense intended) so what WAS the problem. I've always believe if you don't set a goal you'll hit it everytime.

Each year we'd strive for success (like the magazine families) and each year ended with us failing to meet the mark. This went on for years before I realized that the "feature family" in hte magazine must be the unusual one, not us. As I began to meet REAL people who homeschooled I learned that they were struggling iwth the same things we did. There was nothing wrong with us, we just need to reasses our goals, and make them more attainable. Essentially, we needed to set goals that were realistic for who we are, and for our lifestyle. (I forgot to mention the battles over vegan foods, and organic stuff and wanting to homestead-mind you at the time we lived in Queens NYC with not even a balcony-where were we supposed to do that stuff!)

Another eyeopener was taking the classroom school mentality out and replacing it with a tutorial style school. A.C.E. in my opinion is excellent in assisting you to do this. Their curriculum may not be as advanced or full or challenging as others BUT give them credit for creating something that is easy to use and student oriented rather than teacher orientated.

Understanding that children learn different ways, even in the same family, relieved much stress as well.

The biggest thing I learned was "LOok not on the things of others" and it is not wise to compare ourselves among ourselves.

Each family is a unique creation of God. He knows what our family needs, what it is capable of in the realm of spiritually, physically, (I forgot that the feature families were all musical family's who traveled singing and playing for Jesus sake.)emotionally and mentally. Some families can "do it all" and nothing suffers for it. For other families the slightest variant in their routine gets them off track for weeks.

Would I like to be among those feature families who have it all together? In some ways yes-but that is pride speaking. In some ways no-failing along the way would hinder others. So, as difficult as some days, weeks, months and years, have been, are or will be, I have accepted that this is who we are. We are ourselves. We can look to ans aspire to grow and expand and strive to go further, but ultimately, we will only go as far as God allows us anyway.

My wishes and dreams were alway very simple....raise children who love God and desire His will FIRST, and who upon graduation can read, write and do arithmetic SECOND. Would it be nice to have a few excell academically? Honestly? Yes! BUT only if they are doing it because God wills it and they will use that ability and talent for Jesus sake.

The show must go on!

Goals

2008-12-08T16:25:00.001-08:00

Goals! Goals! Goals! That is a catchword in the homeschool circus isn't it? THere are times when I wonder if we will ever achieve ANY of our goals beyond the "3 r's".

It seems like we never get to the extra's that are fun for us. For instance...candlemaking, soapmaking, papermaking, chocolate, coal, etc....because we are forever pressing forward to meet the laws requirements. It is so easy to get caught in the trap of fulfilling the legal stuff that people, OUR children, their hearts and spirits get lost in hte scuffle of it all. That is what I struggle with. I don't want them to grow up and resent being homeschooled or missing out on fun stuff that other people had time for and we didn't.

Schedules never work for us. We have tried over and over again to plan all this out and for whatever reason it never happens....I feel like the ringmaster of a circus, and that is NOT what I thought I signed up for when I became a homeschooling mom.

Perhaps it is simply pride that stresses me. Or comparing ourselves with others. Each family has to find it's own niche and pitch their tent where it fits for them.

Discontentment and frustration are born from coveting the life and things of others. Our pride is hurt when we fail. Even though God hates even a proud look, we still have that in us.

Each school day has to be approached as a fresh start, and given to God to orchestrate the events of the day. Not that we shouldn't plan things, but we need to be sensitive to God's leading and trust Him that when little Sam cuts his finger God allowed it for a reason, and when math takes 2 hrs. when we think it should only take 20 min. God knows that too. Maybe it was just to keep us a parents humble.

Homeschoolers tend to come off to other Christians, and the world as proud of what they do. Sometimes we wear our homeschooling like a merit badge on our puffed out chest. We forget that God led us to homeschool, and enables us to do it. Our haughty spirit is just what the enemy will use to discourage families who God is convicting about homeschooling. They might just be "turned off" by our attitude and refuse to obey God. They will give an account yes, and they will be sorrowful and wrong, but so will we.

Let's be sure to give honor to the LORD for His part in schooling our children at home.

Remember, Pride cometh before a fall..

This is not what I signed up for

2008-12-08T16:21:00.001-08:00

This was written several yrs ago during a bad time of schooling....

Sometimes motherhood is not what it seems like it was supposed to be. Have you ever sat down and wondered when the JOY will come?
When that little baby is first placed in your arms joy just overwhelms you. For many months, years after it is the same things. But somewhere it begins to wane. And Motherhood is less joyful. The days are filled with school, chores, discipline, refereeing, etc.
You wonder if something is wrong with you. You think, It must be me! You feel horrible, but don't know what to do about it, or who to turn to.
You try to seek the LORD and plead for divine intervention, you pray for peace of mind, and wisdom and it all seems vain.
Once again our school year has lacked to fun and joy I thought homeschooling would be. All the neat stuff we plan seems to be pushed aside to get to the 3 r's. Not much else besides life at home, church, and school is done. No clubs or extras happen and it is driving us nuts.
I think this is called BURN OUT! My life seems consumed not with simply being a wife and mother, which is enough by itself.
Oh no! Homeschooling consumes me.
It seems like my days consists of getting everyone to their lessons, asking repeatedly did you finish math? Are you done your Science?
If I don't check up on them at regular intevals some of them would skip math or spelling totally.
Then there is the noise level. It seems like they have to shout all day and to get their attention to be quiet I have to be louder.
Plus, all I feel like I do is sit and wait around day after day for lessons to be done. It doesn't bother them to listen to mouth noises from their brother or sister, but the moment I type a word or take up my crochet hook, it is just too distracting and they will sit and do nothing but watch me work.
I've been schooling now for over 15 yrs. My goals have always been to raise children who can manage a check book, write a decent letter, read fairly well, but supremely Love the LORD first.
That alone is asking alot. So I suppose if we ONLY accomplish those things, we will have succeeded and JOY will be mine, after it is all said and done.
Thanks for visiting. Til Next time, bye

Dreams, Drudgery, Dread

2008-12-08T16:20:00.000-08:00

When did homeschooling go from a dreamy idea to drudgery?

In the beginning of homeschool, my aspirations were high. With all my heart I believed that homeschooling was a dream come true for us, that it would bear fruit of love for learning and school. Pictures of us laughing and joking, and trying to do fun projects filled my head. My dream was for it to be a delightful time of creating memories we'd all treasure for our entire lives.If only my children cooperated my vision might have been a reality. Then of course there is the law and the fear that comes from hearing "its the law". My lofty dreams started to crack, the crevices grew and grew, until all my dreams were shattered.

Dreams turned to drudgery. School became an unpleasant task that was required by law. We worked to fulfill the legal requirements, no more fun and games. There was no time for projects, and no money for field trips or extra curriucular activities or classes. Bear in mind that this all took place gradually over several years.

About 3 years ago it got worse. We all openly admitted that we DREADED each morning because it meant..you guessed it...another day of school. Making matters worse was that due to many long distance moves and unplanned renovations in our home, academically we slipped behind, slowly. Little by little, year by year, until our present situation, where we are grade level wise almost 2 yrs. in arears.

Can we turn to tide? Will we ever delight in schooling? Knowing it is God's Will for our family doesn't make us enjoy it. Maybe it should, but we can't seem to muster that up yet. It is one of the new goals though...to turn dread to delight....but we need Divine Wisdom from the LORD to do it. He has promised it to us.... "If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that fiveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not: and it shall be given him." James 1:5

If your homeschool has become a slough of despond and dreaded drudgery, join us in praying for God to turn it around for us, and let us delight in HIS will, in this no matter how difficult the path may be.

2008-12-08T16:19:00.001-08:00

Things have been so hectic here that I barely have time to breathe.

Since I'm not busy enough already, we started school on July 17th. We eased into it by doing only a few subjects for the first 2-3 days. This week is our first week of complete school days-meaning doing all the main subjects.

Over the years we have used many methods and curriculums-A.C.E, Christian Light (Mennonite), ABEKA, Alpha-Omega; plus piecemeal of misc. textbooks from secular and christian publishers. This is our 3rd year using LANDMARK FREEDOM Baptist curriculum http://www.landmarkbaptistchurch.org/modules/lfbc/htmls/

The price is comparable to ACE and A/O. It is self-instructional as well. Each subject is divided into weekly lessons which a clearly noted, and there are weekly and quarterly tests. My children feel very happy when they do 2 days lessons in one. But the big benefit for anyone with children of differing ages and grade levels is there is no lesson planning for Mom or Dad to do. It is all there for you. Of course you can skip or modify as you like, we do.

SPANISH-LANDMARK has an excellent spanish course which is different from others we looked at. The goal of theirs is to teach you to WITNESS-PRESENT THE GOSPEL in spanish. The first lesson begins with learning verses in Romans in spanish. I'd recommend this to adults living in areas with many spanish speaking people. There is no better way to get someone's attention than to speak to them in their native tongue when they don't expect it.

Sometimes we've bought or sold books on the biggie auction empire site, but with recent changes in policies, again, more and more we have looked for an alternative. This is when I found www.homeschoolbid.com (Please tell them that Bobsruby20 sent you.)

Home-school bid allows you to sell teachers editions/keys, plus the texts. They also allow the sale of other items, non-school things. Check them out if you are looking for a specific item. It's anotherchoice at least in the auction site scene.

In the future I hope to clear my shelves of books we don't need/use. Not sure if I'll do that here or on an auction or what.

Oh, as for the LANDMARK, this yr. we are using the books with the younger ones, but doing 3-4 weeks in the books, and 1-2 Unit studies to break up the monotony.

That is a big problem for me last yr. We tried so hard to "FINISH the book" that that became our focus instead of truly learning the material and enjoying the journey-like when you travel and have to be there by _____________ time, and you didn't really allow enough time in the first place. You get so caught up in speeding to your destination you miss the scenery and majestic beauty along the way.

Our children grow so quickly. And I am learnign the hardway that I have already missed alot, and I dont' want to miss too much more. So if I am absent from posting here, that is why. I'm slowing down and enjoying the trip, taking in the scenery, and enjoying the photo-ops.

Please don't miss the golden opportunities set before you each day.

Find YOUR OWN way

2008-12-08T16:18:00.000-08:00

When we started homeschooling in 1990, I had very few ideas of what to do. Wasn't homeschooling simply doing school at home? With that definition in mind, that is what we did, did school at home, in school-like fashion.

This was a recipe for disaster, only I didn't know that then. School is very restricted and set up to deal with multiple children in the same grade at one time. Much time is wasted on busy work, boring students who know the material at hand, and stressing those who don't get it.

What a shock it was when we could whiz through all the subjects and extras like music and art in a few hrs-like 3-4; not 6-7.

The bigger problem wasn't getting it done, it was getting it done and being happy afterwards. Force-fed learning doesn't work. That is what schools do.

In my naive brain I believed if I just told the children what to do, they would obey and do it. Was I ever wrong! They can't be trusted, even now, at 17, they need to be checked up on, so just imagine what they didn't do when they were 7!

When the traditional ways and means didn't work for us, I started to look for what did. My guinea pigs, ooo, I mean children, were in for trial runs of programs, methods, etc.

Gradually we found that %%%% was great for Math, but **** was better for english. For Science we managed unit studies nicely, but not as well for history.

Schedule was another flaw for us. Even though we are organized down to cans in a line with the labels all facing front in store-like fashion, for school, we are not that way at all. Trying to mimic those magazine families who by Noon are finished all the housework, yardwork, school, cooking and sewed a dozen dresses for good measure led us on a trip to discouragement. For us it was and still is unrealistic to be in school by 9am. We are just getting to breakfast most days.

This is what I mean by finding YOUR OWN way. If your family can follow a strict schedule or is more regimented in routines that is wonderful. I admire you and wish we could dothat. BUT the most IMPORTANT thing is for EACH family to find what works for them.
If your husband works nights, it might better to get the whole family on his schedule, and school at night.

My husband is a night-owl. He is almost never asleep before Midnight. Consequently our family is on a different cycle. Even the younger children don't hit the hay until 9:30pm or later. Usually we don't rise until at least 8-8:30am.

Instead of a schedule we have a routine. This works well, for us and we fall into a loose schedule that is flexible for us.

What works for one homeschool family may not work for you. Find what works for you and stick to it. You'll be more relaxed and happier.

2008-12-08T16:15:00.002-08:00

This week we completed our 45th day
This is a milestone for us. Usually we are lagging behind something terrible
This year, so far, has not been without it challenges. Usually I try to do some writing at the computer while my children do their bookwork.
Well, this is a huge mistake in our house. They children will actually sit and stare at the computer screen watching me type. TYPE!!!! Not play computer games.
Not watch movies, or even listen to music. But simply typing in WORD.

It is very suffocating in the sense that I literally sit and do nothing while they work.

But I think I've come up with a viable solution. LONGHAND! Yep! Writing with a real pen on...hold on...paper! Yes, they do still make that stuff. This way I can get something done in between checking
math lessons and giving spelling tests.

Another problem has been consuming me is free time. It seems like my days are all school, and cooking.
Yesterday was the last straw. I was ready to check tests and edit logs when it dawned on me that school for the day was done. That is where I was making a huge mistake
The children would finish and I didn't. Now I will do all checking and recording during the time the children do their lessons and when they are through for the day, so am I.
At least that is the plan, for now. I am just so tired of eating, sleeping, and breathing school, school SCHOOL!!!!!!
Am I alone in this? I don't think so. Many of us won't admit our true feeling about hs. We know God wants us to do it, and that makes it a "non-complainable topic"
Yeah, we'll gripe about the childrens attitudes, dawdling, and carelessness, but our own attitude is locked behind a closed door never to be acknowledged. We act as like if we ignore it , it doesn't exist or it will simply go away.
Many moms are burnt toast. We have just been at it so long, doing the same lessons, repeating all the drills and phonics and fractions and ..... We need a change from the rut we are in academically, but our children aren't up to it.
What IS a mom to do???? We need to set aside a wee bit of time for NONschool thinking, reading writing and talking.
We tend to get into this habit of making everything we do eachday count as school. We don't just go and bake cookies, it has to be a math lesson with some science thrown in for good measure.
A trip to the zoo or park arent' just a nice day out of the house to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine and bask in the delight our children see and feel. OH NO! We spend the entire trip trying to figure out how to count it for school and all the joy goes out of the day.
Yes, we have to keep records, and log our lessons, and such, BUT there are times when we need to, WE MUST stop being a "homeschool mom" and just be "Mommy" to our children. We have to lay aside our chalk and eraser, the books and pens and paper and enjoy.
If there is one thing you get out of this today it is that you ENJOY you CHILDREN and ENJOY being a MOTHER.
Ask yourself this: why did/do I homeschool?
Was it to be closer to your children and to spend time with them because you know 18 yrs will just slide by and before you know it they will be married and on their own?
Was it to excell academically or spiritually or both?
Was it to avoid the trouble the traditional schools have, and did you begin on this journey with the best interest of you child at heart?
If you answer yes to these, even just one, but you still feel weary when the alarm rings and you realize it is another school day, can you answer this? What happened?
What REALLY sapped you of your joy? What has sidetracked you?
For myself, it has been a combination of things. Mostly trying to fulfill the laws of our state and always feeling that extra pressure for them to do well so no-one can ever mock them for being homeschooled.
When hs Moms get burnt out we sometimes resent our children for taking so much of our time. We don't mean to, but it happens. If that is the case with you, confess it and forsake it. Then make plans to prevent it from happening again.
That might mean writing, or reading, or sewing or cooking, taking classes or .....you fill in hte blank. Do something that is personal to you and alleviate the burnt toast syndrome that plagues many hs moms.
To quote an old ad that will date me....."Calgon take me away" should be a weekly experience for you.
It doesn't need to be a bubble bath, but that might be just what is needed.
Moms need to take care of ourselves bcz our children need us. They need us to be in good spirits. Bad attitudes are contagious. So be a carrier of joy and happiness, and transform you days.

2008-12-08T16:15:00.001-08:00

Reference Desk www.refdesk.com dictionaries, encyclopedias etc
Almanac web site for children

2008-12-08T16:14:00.001-08:00

Fact monster www.factmonster.com k-12

2008-12-08T16:13:00.002-08:00

Learn french online at www.parlez-vous.org

2008-12-08T16:13:00.001-08:00

User friendly library online www.libraryspot.com

2008-12-08T16:12:00.001-08:00

Mythology, folklore and legends www.pantheon.org

2008-12-08T16:11:00.001-08:00

Learning Spanish? Check this out www.espanole.org

2008-12-08T16:08:00.000-08:00

The blue grammar Book http://www.blogger.com/www.grammarbook.com

2008-12-08T16:07:00.001-08:00

The Write Site lang. arts and journalism http://www.blogger.com/www.writesite.org

2008-12-08T16:06:00.001-08:00

General Chemistry Online http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101

2008-12-08T16:04:00.000-08:00

General Chemistry Online http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101

2008-12-08T15:25:00.000-08:00

Detailed Biology studies http://www.blogger.com/www.biology-arizona.edu

2008-12-08T15:23:00.000-08:00

Physics interactive tour http://www.blogger.com/www.colorado.edu/physics/2000

Geography Help

2008-12-08T15:20:00.000-08:00

Geography help online at http://www.blogger.com/www.geographia.com

Fizzics Fizz;e

2008-12-08T15:17:00.000-08:00

Fizzics Fizzle! Put the sizzle in physics http://library.thinkquest.org/16600/

Singing Science Songs and Help

2008-12-08T15:12:00.000-08:00

Science Learning Network

www.sln.org

Singing Science Records, Old Fashioned melodies and music

US History Buggs

2008-12-08T15:11:00.001-08:00

U.S. History buggs all grade levels www.ushistory.org

2008-12-08T15:08:00.000-08:00

Fifty States lessons http://www.blogger.com/www.50states.com

Educational Links

2008-12-08T14:57:00.000-08:00

Free Online Thesaurus www.thesaurus.com

Over 3000 free lesson pages http://www.lessonplanspage.com/
Free worksheets and printable units at www.schoolexpress.com

Guides to keyboarding or for us old fogies...TYPING http://jeffcoweb.jeffco.k12.co.us/isu/itech/keybo/keydx.htm

Need tutorial help?? http://journals.aol.com/_do/www.tutorialfind.com

Snowy Saturday Update from early 2008

2008-12-08T14:41:00.001-08:00

Quick Update on Snowy Cold Saturday
Well, we are definately headed for the deep freeze.
It is good for homeschooling bcz what else can you do?
We are up to day 120. This is really early for us. Usually we are scurrying at the last second to squeeze days in.
Aside from some subtle sneakiness from one child, they are all doing well.
Above said child has tremendously improved from last year at this time, so what's to complain about.
Thanks for stopping by. :-X

Water Cycle Video by NASA

2008-12-08T14:37:00.000-08:00

check out this water cycle video from nasa.... very cute JPL.NASA.GOV: Multimedia
Enjoy the video and hopefully your children will get the info.

Ring! Ring-ring! Ring ring ring

2008-12-08T14:35:00.000-08:00

Does the ringing of bells at regular intervals take you back in time? Does the hollow sound of metal slamming bring back memories of rushing to class? There is always the aroma of chalk dust, chicken soup at 9am coming from the cafeteria-it was always fish or pizza on Friday, right? to whisk you to an earlier time (of your life).

So many sights, sounds, and scents are associated with the
180 days a year
average 6 hrs. a day
12 yrs. not counting kindergarten

nearly 13,000 hours, or 2,160 days, ALMOST SIX years, spent within the confines of the traditional school setting. Is it any wonder why so many of our habits, ideas, quirks, pet-peeves, fears, and irrational thougths and ideas are connected to school daze? I do mean DAZE.

Attending the traditional school, especially any public funded school, is a whirl of activity, a see-saw balance of good, needful educational stuff, and the politically correct-anti-God anti-authority garbage, that does nothing but confuse the heart, and take the mind off what needs to be learned. 'Nough said.

The joy of what our family, and maybe yours, is doing with homeschooling, is we can by-pass all the garbage, and worthless stuff we were forced to endure, and focus on what is important to us.
We have the hope of instilling in our children the 3 R's with the Biblical/religious beliefs and political slant that we believe in.

Homeschooling gives us an irreplacible gift, one that is stolen away by the traditional school. That gift is T-I-M-E. Think back to all those hours YOU spent in school. Do you think your life today, your goals, your ideas, but MUCH MORE importantly, do you believe your RELATIONSHIP(S) would be better, if you had the opportunity to learn people skills at home?
This might not apply to those who come from broken or dysfunctional homes, but then again what is a dysfunctional family? All families have their faults, and dysfunctions somewhere.

Time is a precious commodity that once lost can never be regained. Homeschooling gives us time with our children, and in return, our children gain time with their parents. Instead of the teacher getting the pleasure of hearing a child read their first word, the homeschool mom or dad has another "first" to record, lovingly in his/her book of memories.

Overview of Learning styles

2008-09-22T11:57:00.000-07:00

Overview of Learning Styles

Many people recognize that each person prefers different learning styles and techniques. Learning styles group common ways that people learn. Everyone has a mix of learning styles. Some people may find that they have a dominant style of learning, with far less use of the other styles. Others may find that they use different styles in different circumstances. There is no right mix. Nor are your styles fixed. You can develop ability in less dominant styles, as well as further develop styles that you already use well.
Using multiple learning styles and “multiple intelligences” for learning is a relatively new approach. This approach is one that educators have only recently started to recognize. Traditional schooling used (and continues to use) mainly linguistic and logical teaching methods. It also uses a limited range of learning and teaching techniques. Many schools still rely on classroom and book-based teaching, much repetition, and pressured exams for reinforcement and review. A result is that we often label those who use these learning styles and techniques as “bright.” Those who use less favored learning styles often find themselves in lower classes, with various not-so-complimentary labels and sometimes lower quality teaching. This can create positive and negative spirals that reinforce the belief that one is “smart” or “dumb.”
By recognizing and understanding your own learning styles, you can use techniques better suited to you. This improves the speed and quality of your learning.
The learning styles are:
Visual (spatial). You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding.
Aural (auditory-musical). You prefer using sound and music.
Verbal (linguistic). You prefer using words, both in speech and writing.
Physical (kinesthetic). You prefer using your body, hands and sense of touch.
Logical (mathematical). You prefer using logic, reasoning and systems.
Social (interpersonal). You prefer to learn in groups or with other people.
Solitary (intrapersonal). You prefer to work alone and use self-study.
Why Learning Styles? Understand the basis of learning styles.
Your learning styles have more influence than you may realize. Your preferred styles guide the way you learn. They also change the way you internally represent experiences, the way you recall information, and even the words you choose. We explore more of these features in this chapter.
Research shows us that each learning style uses different parts of the brain. By involving more of the brain during learning, we remember more of what we learn. Researchers using brain-imaging technologies have been able to find out the key areas of the brain responsible for each learning style. For example:
Visual. The occipital lobes at the back of the brain manage the visual sense. Both the occipital and parietal lobes manage spatial orientation.
Aural. The temporal lobes handle aural content. The right temporal lobe is especially important for music.
Verbal. The temporal and frontal lobes, especially two specialized areas called Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas (in the left hemisphere of these two lobes).
Physical. The cerebellum and the motor cortex (at the back of the frontal lobe) handle much of our physical movement.
Logical. The parietal lobes, especially the left side, drive our logical thinking.
Social. The frontal and temporal lobes handle much of our social activities. The limbic system (not shown apart from the hippocampus) also influences both the social and solitary styles. The limbic system has a lot to do with emotions, moods and aggression.
Solitary. The frontal and parietal lobes, and the limbic system, are also active with this style.

2008-08-27T16:51:00.001-07:00

http://www.xanga.com/Titus2Mentor/671967873/the-heart-of-the-matter-place-mats.html

We are going to do these tomorrow.

School days, school days grand old golden rule days......

2008-08-26T17:12:00.001-07:00

Does anyone ever sing that anymore??? Maybe it is because we are all programmed to see rules as restrictions instead of guidelines for life.

Just look at society in general, there are NO real rules. Drive by a funeral home and check out how the mourners and those who are coming to pay their "respects" are dressed. I almost pointed my fingers at some "mourners" on more than one occassion, different people to be sure, because they emerged wearing jeans with the inseam at their knees, athletic style tank tops, cut off shorts...and the girls...oh dear! Even a MINI DRESS would have been more proper.

Watch the guests leaving a wedding and you'll see the same casual attire. No one wants to dress, really. It is commonplace in our area to go to the mall and see girls in pajama bottoms, tank tops (at least 2 sizes too small), uncombed hair, and fuzzy slippers on their feet. The new one was seeing the plus size, over 50, mama strut into the mall weaing shorts with the waistband tucked under here sagging belly, and her top baring her navel. HELLO!!! Hasn't anyone ever heard of a MIRROR!!!!!

Is it any wonder students fail, can't concentrate etc with all the crazy styles they wear these days. And just think, if they are dressing as I described for a solemn event, what do they wear for school???? Guys can't help but think the way they do, and the girls want the attention.

Golden rules no longer apply to schools, or anything else. A friend showed us a video clip from high school, public school. The children had their desks facing each other, were talking, and horsing around, oblivious to others in the room. I thought this was BEFORE class. Total shock: this was IN CLASS. Hmmmmm

Rules are not to inhibit us. They help us respect other people. They make us more pleasant to be around. They give us a framework of right and wrong. Even if you don't agree with a rule, it shouldn't be done away with. Most people don't want to go the speed limit, even with soaring gas prices, but we obey the law bcz there are consequences if we don't. And it isn't just getting a ticket, how 'bout accidents, how 'bout death...not just your own, but maybe your passengers, or a pedestrian, or someone in the car you plow into at 80MPH.

The saddest part is that we also do not dress up for church anymore. I'm not advocating donning wedding attendant level clothing, but khaki and denim skirts, t shirts, polo shirts, are pushing the envelope the other way. We need to dress as daughters of the king. If you were invited to meet a Queen or King, or the President, in person, would you throw on your everyday outfits--hoping no-one will notice the pills, stains, etc OR would you buy a new dress, sew a new one, or peruse the local thrift store for something special???? If you'd go to alot of trouble, so to speak, to meet another man/woman, why wouldn't you do the same to honor the LORD? SUNDAY BEST was a "rule" for reason. When you look better, dress your best, it is reflected in your smile, your eyes shine, and you might even have a little spring in your step because you don't have to think about the stains, or fuzzy pills, dressing up takes your focus off thinking about what people are thinking about you, in a bad way. (I realize this can go the other extreme w/young girls/teens especially, but the practical mammas among us need to take stock of how we look and how we make our HUSBANDS look.) A married woman who can afford better and chooses to wear shabby/shoddy, ugly, drab, worn,....first of all makes her husband look like he doesn't manage the family finances well and therefore is unable to provide for her and any children, and second your husband should keep his eyes on YOU, so your task is to dress in manner that keeps his eyes and thoughts on your, that he can't keep his eyes off you. Forget your figure flaws, and dress in colors your man likes, put on some pretty prints, or bright colors. All those drab colors, keep them for gardening, scrubbing floors, etc, but put on your lovely clothes, BUY or MAKE some if need be. The grand old days of women dressing feminine is gone, and we need to revive it in the body of Christ. ,

Lapbook by Joy

2008-07-27T18:03:00.001-07:00

Lapbooks and Notebooking

2008-07-23T17:20:00.000-07:00

Recently I posted about how we are implementing more of Charlotte Mason's methods for school. I was quite pleased earlier today to find a www.currclick.com This is a wonderful site. Not only do they sell books and products to help make notebooking and lapbooking much easier, they have FREE downloadable files. This is such a blessing.

Last year when we discovered lapbooks, it renewed joy in our school. It allows the children to learn and study while creating something that will be treasured for years to come. They will be able to show it off to visitors in our home, and share it with their own children, if the LORD tarries. Besides increasing their memory and retention of information, it pushes their curiosity button, and stimulates their creative natures. My children are extremely artistic. I am constantly amazed at the interesting things they make, the pictures they paint or draw, and more recently their writing has taken on a new depth. It's a blessing.

We are looking forward to having fun doing more lapbooks or notebooks over this school year.

Even if you don't think you can do this, I assure you you can. If you NEED to stick to the lesson plans or a text book to keep your sanity and keep your children from getting off track, let me encourage you to take even a week to do a short study and make a lapbook. It only took us making one and we were hooked. My chidlren were so excited when I showed them some examples online that they made some on their own!!!!

Archaeology "Dig" and Nature Study

2008-07-19T16:34:00.001-07:00

Archaeology "Dig" and Nature Study

2008-07-19T16:32:00.001-07:00

Rock Collecting-Edible Rocks

2008-07-09T12:06:00.000-07:00

Science Fun:
Edible "Rocks"It's official... I've heard of almost everything now! Here's a great way for teaching about three different kinds of rocks ... and making a unique snack at the same time.

Please note: take note of the ingredients listed and be aware of possible food sensitivities and allergies of the children involved.

Edible Rock Recipes:
Igneous Rocks
1 can evaporated milk (6 oz.)1 1/2 cups sugar1/4 teaspoon salt1/2 cup chopped nuts1 1/4 cups tiny marshmallows1 1/2 cups chocolate chips1 teaspoon vanilla
Grease an 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 inch pan. Combine evaporated milk with sugar and salt in a saucepan. Bring to aboil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring for 5 - 9 minutes. Remove from heat. Add remaining ingredients and stir gently. Pour into prepared pan. Let cool. (Refrigerate) 1 pan (8 x 8) makes 30 1 inch squares.

Metamorphic Rocks
1/2 cup shortening or margarine1 cup brown sugar1/2 teaspoon vanilla1/2 cup chopped nuts1/2 cup well-drained crushed pineapple1 egg, beaten1 cup whole wheat flour1 cup flour1 teaspoon soda1 teaspoon salt
Cream the shortening and the sugar. Add the beaten egg and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and mix. Stir in the fruit and the nuts. Drop by teaspoonful onto cookie sheet. Bake for 7 minutes at 375 degrees. Note: Chocolate chips, coconut, wheat germ, etc. can also be added.

Sedimentary Rocks
1 1/4 cups crushed flake cereal1 1/2 tablespoons sugar1/2 cup margarine
Melt the margarine. Mix with the cereal and the sugar. Press into an 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 pan.
1 cup chocolate or butterscotch chips 1 1/4 cups coconut 1 cup chopped nuts 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz.)
Sprinkle the chips over cereal layer. Sprinkle the coconut over chips. Sprinkle the nuts over coconut. Pour condensed milk over the layers. Bake for 25 minutes at 325 degrees. ------- Edible Rock Recipes by Cindy Downes. For more recipes and other "fun stuff", check out her website at http://www.oklahomahomeschool.com/funstuff.html

www.easyfunschool.com/

Guinea Pigs or Homeschool Method Trials

2008-07-09T11:41:00.001-07:00

I am not an expert of homeschool methods. Have read books on how children learn and I have a basic understanding of the differences. But my poor children have been guinea pigs because during the course of our continuing adventure of schooling at home, we have tried many, many things. What affect this has had on our childrens academic successes and failures is unknown. By pain and pleasure, and $$$$ and cents, we decided what to keep or continue, and when to cut our losses and try something else. My vision for homeschool was a fun adventure of loving, living and learning. That's what all the books and magazines told me. And I believed them! The first days of official schooling, when we had to begin reporting to the board of education in New York City-Queens, were joyful, thrilling, and the first of many hours, days, weeks, years, of time and memories, happiness, and expectancy. Within a short time I lost sight of our goals-rearing our children to be Godly men and women who desire to serve the LORD with all their hearts, and could can read, write, and balance a checkbook, Curriculum tends to take control. Spontaneous learning left the building! Much to my dismay, my smart children turned into idiots overnight. It was like school, in and of itself, sapped them of their ability to think, understand, obey. My dream of smiling children skipping, laughing, and learning became a nightmare of tears, and dread. I questioned my own sanity. What had I gotten us into? How would this EVER work? That's why we experimented so much with methods. I wanted my children to LOVE school. You have no idea how many times I wished that I could have been homeschooled. My parents, and I had never heard of such a thing (1970-1980). Everyone had to go to school somewhere, right?

When we started on this journey, the only curriculum companies I'd heard of, for Christian materials, were ABEKA, BJU, and ACE. ACE was our top choice because I was familiar with it from my 4 years of high school. I had the added benefit-privilege of monitor training when I was in school, so I knew the "how tos" and had practiced as well. To this day ACE is my favorite curriculum. Some will point to it and say ...... but I stand by my choice. Unfortunately, between our children being miserable doing it, and the expense for 3 children (and we wanted a dozen or more) we realized it was above our means. Somewhere the homeschool magazines came into my hands and WOW what a shock to know how many companies, methods, ideas, etc were out there. This was the mid-1990's, before most people had home computers or internet. Now you can obtain almost anything you like, for your preferred method, for the cost of a printer, paper, ink, and a good internet connection. The hardest part is deciding what to print!

As I started to explore other methods, we adopted copywork. The idea of learning grammar, punctuation etc. by copying anothers writing appealed to me for two reasons: one, it was written perfectly, and two, this was a simple way to expose them to cultural writing that many of us never read.

We also did nature journals/diaries, and journaled often for language arts. One year we did narratives of every book I read aloud for Science and History.

Each of our children have struggled with learning addition and subtraction facts, multiplication tables, and other important mathmatical information. It never occurred to me to implement copywork into our math studies. A few weeks ago I stumbled upon a blog singing praises to Charlotte Masons methods, and this Mom asked the question: If we use copywork for other subjects, why not math? She pointed out that drill sheets and flash cards reinforce errors because the child has to come up with the answer, therefore each time he/she writes or says the wrong answer, the error is cemented in his/her mind, even though the child is told the correct answer immediately afterwards. This got me thinking too. So today I searched for, and found, very nice multiplication table which are easy to read and copy. I printed out one copy each for my 3 students, on their favorite color paper, and placed in 3 prong folders. They've been cautioned not to let anything happen to their new books.

I hope this is helpful to other homeschool moms and students who are ready to scream and shout, or pull their hair out or quit. I've been there numerous times, I had entire school years that I wanted to give up...but I am here to say, inspite of all the trials, struggles, fights, tears, anger, frustration etc IT IS WORTH IT!

Help Me Clear My Shelves

2008-05-03T17:51:00.001-07:00

2008-04-23T17:17:00.000-07:00

A nurse on the pediatric ward, before listening to the little ones chests, would plug the stethoscope into their ears and let them listen to their own hearts. Their eyes would always light up with awe, but she never got a response equal to four-year old David's comment.

Gently she tucked the stethoscope into his ears and placed the disk over his heart.
'Listen', she said...........'What do you suppose that is?'

He drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled line and looked up as if lost in the mystery of the strange tap - tap - tapping deep in his chest.

Then his face broke out in a wondrous grin and he asked, 'Is that Jesus knocking?'