BACK TO SCHOOL {re-post}

  

Hello friends!  This post is one is from the archives.  It was originally posted in 2012 (has it been four years already?), but I love a good homeschool post, so I thought I'd mix it up with a few oldies and a few new posts to get those homeschool juices flowing!   

Love sharing the journey with you!

_ _ _ _ _

August 28, 2012

There's no doubt about it.  If you're a mom and you homeschool, you are one of the busiest people around!

I've been asked to share what has changed over the years in our homeschooling as well as how we juggle school with our wide age range while keeping our sanity.  Well, I've heard that sanity is a relative term (ha!), but here's what we are up to at this stage of the game!  The fact that we no longer have tiny toddlers certainly makes a difference!  Which brings me to what is most important:

There is no such thing as "one size fits all" when it comes to homeschooling.  Or families.  Or what it looks like to follow Jesus.  So whenever you read anything here take what works, leave what doesn't and enjoy the peace of Christ.  He is our biggest help.  

1.  WE TRY TO COMBINE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.  

Over the years I have had a mind shift in this area.  At one time I would have wanted separate books for every subject at every grade level- History, Social Studies etc. and then I'd just pull my hair out to trying to figure out how to squeeze it all in.  Now I have a different approach.  I try to include as many people in as many subjects as I can.  While we have separate Math and Language Arts we find that we can exercise together, study the Bible and worldview together, memorize Scripture together, study History, Geography and Science together and so on.  It not only builds family unity but keeps school time truly simple and enjoyable. 

 

2.  SOMETIMES IT MAKES SENSE TO JUST BUY THE BOOK.    

In the past I've spent a lot of time creating homemade unit studies, figuring out lesson plans and doing research online.  That can be fun if you don't need sleep... This year I am using pre-made materials and just tweaking them rather than creating them from scratch.  I finally bought the My Father's World package and I love it!    

English from the Roots Up

3.  TAKE INFORMATION IN SMALL DOSES.    

I am not sure why I sometimes try to give my kids a drink of water from a fire hose.  It's not really the best way to teach.  Charlotte Mason recommended taking school subjects in small doses and I think she is dead on.  Keeping lessons short and sweet works much better for us.  Reading 1-2 pages of Anatomy and having the kids label a part or two works.  You can come back to it the next day!    

History board

4.  CREATE A PORTABLE CLASSROOM.    

Here's another one of those keeping our sanity topics for me.  I love homeschooling but I just don't want to live in a classroom.  Well, I can't believe how long it took me to figure this out, but why not just make movable walls using tri-fold presentation boards?  I use a different one for just about everything- calendar, phonograms, history (with a world map on the back) and so on.  It's a portable classroom.  Easy. 

As we introduce new phonograms, they are added to this board for a visual.

 

Now playing at the /er/ theater, Zuma and the Secret of Peru

This board serves as our timeline.  I draw a simple illustration for each 
Mystery of History lesson that the girls color. 

Well, that's what is working for us!  Hope it blesses you.

By His Grace.

SALTY LANGUAGE

 

 

 

 

SHOULD WE TEACH CHILDREN TO SWEAR?


Recently I was sent a copy of a post by a professing Christian mom who was encouraging parents to teach their children what she called "salty" language. 

As I continued to read, I quickly realized that by "salty" language this author meant that we should teach our children to swear (use curse words) in order to better express their feelings to a listening world.  That if a topic is serious, then it requires serious words-- including the cuss words most Christians generally view as off limits.

Is this modern call to create a cussing Christian really "salty" language or would it be better characterized as "salt that has lost it's flavor" language?



WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?


Some might argue that it is meaningless to worry about words.  I mean, why are some words "bad" and others "good."  Isn't it all just cultural anyway? 

We see movies and TV shows that model cursing as a "norm" and call the language "adult" rather than defiled.  And maybe in that is the heart of the problem.  If our minds are not continually renewed by the Word of God, it can be easy to be swept away by the world's way of thinking and talking. 

If we consider the swear words in our culture, it is easy to see that many of the words either coarsely describe areas of the body meant to be covered; the elimination of waste or sexuality.  Even if we don't take God's name in vain, do we gain the impression from Scripture that Believers should really be coarsely talking about such things?

"What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them,

but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them...

Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes

into the stomach and then out of the body? 

But the things that come out of a person’s mouth

come from the heart, and these defile them." 

~Matthew 15:11, 17-18

But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice,

blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the

old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man,

which is renewed in knowledge after the image

of him that created him.

~Colossians 3:8-10

WHAT WE WILL ENCOURAGE OUR GIRLS


1.  Take your lead from the Word.  Either because of poor example, or the desire to prove that we are cool with Jesus but not legalistic, more and more professing Christians seem to be confused about this issue.  Maybe it would help us to remember that Moses was not commanded to curse in order for Pharaoh to hear the seriousness of God's demands, nor did Christ curse in order to prove the seriousness of His message.  If God's ambassadors, in more trying times than ours, have not taken up coarse talk in order to make themselves heard, I feel confident it is not necessary in our time. 

"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,

who put darkness for light and light for darkness,

who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" 

~Isaiah 5:20

"Set an example for the believers in speech,

in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."

~1 Timothy 4:12

 

2.  Sound teaching will always produce godliness in our lives.  While some modern teachers have embraced cussing let godliness, rather than edginess, be the test of sound teaching.  If a teaching does not produce godliness, but instead derails us into vain speculations and time consuming distraction, it is probably not sound.  Love is the goal of sound teaching, not powerful words.
 

"Command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer...

Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing

God’s work—which is by faith.  The goal of this command is love,

which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."

~1 Timothy 1:3-4 

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always

be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you

to give the reason for the hope that you have.

But do this with gentleness and respect."

~1 Peter 3:15

3.  Our speech reflects what is in the heart and is for the purpose of building up the church. 

"A good man brings good things out of the good

stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil

things out of the evil stored up in him."
~Matthew 12:25

 

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,

but only what is helpful for building others up

according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

~Ephesians 4:29

Yes, we should teach our children salty language, but salty according to Scripture.  And we should stand against those who would sneak in and seek to change the definitions of scriptural words and imagery to paint a picture that is not true to the context of the whole of Scripture. 

We have been bought with a price.  May we teach our little ones to honor Christ with their bodies in every way.

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least

commandments, and shall teach men so,

he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven:

but whosoever shall do and teach them,

the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
~Matthew 5:19

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness,
how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything,
except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."

~Matthew 5:13
 

Blessings friends,

HOMESCHOOLING FIVE GRADE LEVELS WITHOUT GETTING AN ULCER

Kinder central.  Where we work on our reading lesson.



Jamie writes:

"Would you share what your family is using curriculum-wise this year, and how you're able to keep up with all of it.  I'm having a hard time staying on top of everything...our six kiddos range in age from 1.5 to 14.  How do you keep everything running smoothly?  How do you intertwine school with the rest of life?"  And "how do you keep the joy while doing all that you do"



Hello Jamie!


Thank you so much for your fantastic questions.  If you had the chance to read the first part of my response in this previous post, you already know how I stay refueled and joyful while not keeping up with everything.  :)

I said that I would also share how I am currently tackling the education of a wide age range of kiddos.  Or, in other words, how I homeschool five grade levels without getting an ulcer.  Smile.

You certainly hit on a hot spot.  One so many moms ask about.  How can school be intertwined with the real life of moving, having babies and getting groceries?!  It's one I have had to wrestle with myself.  You see, in the past nine years (what I would consider pretty critical homeschooling years) we've moved twice; lived in a camper for eighteen months; cleared land; built a house ourselves; attempted to tame ten acres (that part is still in process).  Had babies; bottle fed goats and worked more than once to start our own business.  In that time, I've tried five plus spelling curriculums and schooled in various ways- everything from writing my own unit studies to buying a full curriculum. 

There have certainly been times that things have not run smoothly.  Even times when I wondered if this whole homeschooling thing was really being pulled off at all (maybe my family was wondering the same thing!)  Only to see God at work, reminding me that He's got this.  

He really does. 

Daily chores are assigned to all the children.  Littles get a star when they have completed a task.

 

 

 

 

While we work hard to balance God's sovereignty with man's responsibility in the area of homeschooling, we must remember that it is GOD who gives our young people knowledge, skill and wisdom.  It is from Him.  We can jump through all the right curriculum hoops, but that does not guarantee academic success.  

 

We're told in Daniel 1:17:

 

 

As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.


 

Some people will read this and think I am saying as parents we should sit back and not work at academics; not try to find the things that will help equip our children into adulthood.  I am not saying that.  Daniel and his companions worked at academics.  I am saying that we work, but we do not work alone.  We will tempted to fear there are "holes" or we're "behind," whatever that means.  But God. 

We can trust God with our "five little loaves and two little fish" effort.  He is the God who is able to do great things with what we consider to be meager starts. 

 

This year our oldest took the PSAT and honestly, I was blown away to see how well she did when competing with the college bound children her age.  That was not me.  That was God. 

 

 

 

 

We love Christian Liberty Nature Readers.  They are God honoring books that
used to be public school texts.

 

 

 

 

So, let's talk nitty-gritty.  I hope I don't lose you in the details.  This is pretty long, but I know you wanted the full scoop!

 

 

 

 

1.  We Make Bible and Scripture Memory Number One.  Memorizing Scripture and learning to apply God's Word are the most important things we teach.  Period.  I am not super worried that my kiddos have not memorized every capitol or the dates of all the pharaohs.  I am concerned that they know God's Word and have wisdom to navigate an unknown future.  I am concerned that they are becoming people of character.  I am going to put in daily effort here. 

 

 

2.  We use My Father's World.  It's a Christian curriculum that was created for homeschooling families and helps us to teach to a wide age range.  I tweak things, but at least I'm not reinventing the wheel.  I don't do the separate High School package.  I want to keep our High Schoolers with us as we study Latin and Greek root words; read ancient history etc.  They also have their own independent path to meet their broader needs.  Note:  I have other friends who do Classical Conversations, Robinson Curriculum, Charlotte Mason and others with perfect success.  So often, a curriculum needs to match the teacher as well as the students and it can take time to find the right fit.   

 

 

 

 

My Father's World sample schedule.  It divides subjects into small, daily chunks. 
Great for multiple grade levels.

 

 

 

 3.  We Create an Independent Work Path for Each of Our Children.  I have been working toward a system that frees the kids up to work through their daily work more independently.  That way, I am not keeping one student from working as I meet the needs of someone else.  And, when "real life" hits and I need to focus on something unexpected, they are able to complete a full load without being derailed.  

 

 Each student has a list they work through each day (posted on the wall).  The list is numbered and corresponds either a numbered file in their locker box (older students) or a drawer (younger students).

 

Each student has a binder (stored with their school things) to file completed work that they want me to check.  Of course, if they have a question, they come to me right away.

 

 

 

 

Lists to let our students know what they need to be working on.

 

 

Older students have files and books stored in their locker boxes and a binder to file completed work.

 

 

Our younger two children have drawers.  Note: In homes with toddlers,
drawers can be turned around to keep little hands from accessing them.

 

 

 

I try to set up the activities for the youngers so they both don't need help at the same time.  In other words, when Hailey has her reading lesson and needs me (her drawer 1), Lydia is doing math which she does well on her own most of the time.   

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

So let's run through what the lists include. 

 

 

Hailey, Grade K

 

1.  Reading Lesson (with Mama)

2.  Make new magnet words (Based on reading lesson)

3.  Color Letter of the Day (Rod and Staff Coloring book pulled apart)

4.  School game- Bambino LUK (Self correcting puzzles!)

5.  Mathematics (A simple math workbook)

6.  Surprise- Check the drawer (may be a matching game to play with Mama; lacing cards; a simple craft or a worksheet)

7.  Reading Log (Each student has a reading log to fill each month; I often read aloud to Hailey and Lydia to fill theirs)

 

 

 

Lydia, Grade 3

 

1.   Mathematics (Saxon)

2.  Language Lesson (Premade Charlotte Mason style lessons by Queen Homeschool)

3.  School game- Mini LUK (Self correcting puzzles!)

4.  Spelling- Sequential Spelling DVD-Rom/ Other lesson

5.  Science (Christian Liberty Nature Reader and homemade worksheet to draw and write about what was read)

6.  Math Center (something from Evan-Moor right now)

7.  Reading Log (Each student has a reading log to fill each month; I often read aloud to Hailey and Lydia to fill theirs)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah, Grade 7

 

1.   Mathematics

2.  Language Lesson (Premade Charlotte Mason style lessons by Queen Homeschool)

3.  See Folder  (This is where I slip in something I'd like to cover.  Right now, we are copying and analyzing some of George Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior.  Sometimes it's a skill sharpening form like something from Mathdrills.com)

4.  Science (Christian Liberty Nature Reader and homemade worksheet to draw and write about what was read)

5.  Spelling and Grammar (This varies right now, but includes Sequential Spelling)

6. Reading Log (Each student has a reading log to fill each month)

 

 

 

She uses Christian Liberty Nature Readers as well.  This is the simple form I created
to turn it into a bit more involved than just reading a chapter.

 

 

We are stuck in ancient history right now, but that doesn't mean I don't want the kids
to have a general knowledge about other things.  So, when I find book like these at
the thrift store, I buy them and assign them as their daily reading for their reading log.

 

 

Free worksheets are great for skill sharpening.

 

 

 

 

 

Michaela, Grade 9

1.   Mathematics

2.  Language Lesson (Premade Charlotte Mason style lessons by Queen Homeschool)
3.  See Folder  (This is where I slip in something I'd like to cover.  Right now, we are copying and analyzing some of George Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior.  Sometimes it's a skill sharpening form like something from Mathdrills.com)
4.  Science (Answers in Genesis)
5.  Spelling and Grammar  (This varies right now, but includes Sequential Spelling)
6.  Reading Log (Each student has a reading log to fill each month)
7.  Violin Practice

 

 

 

 

 

We use Answers in Genesis Science.  I will at times create custom questions,
but they do provide pre-made questions at the end of the chapter.

 

George Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior.  This says, "Reprehend
not the imperfections of others for that belongs to parents, masters and superiors." 

 

 

 

 

Faith, Grade 11

1.   Projects (She had a lot of projects this year- a movie; the PSAT and some other things that are in the works)

2.  Mathematics (Teaching Textbooks)
3.  Chemistry (Answers in Genesis)
4.  Current Events (We use World Mag for the latest news from a Christian perspective- see below)
5.  Worldview/ See Folder (Assigned Reading- She just read War of the Worldviews and is now reading a book on film production)
6.  Reading Log (Each student has a reading log to fill each month)

 

 

 

World has been great for High School current events.  I just print articles I
want read and reported on.

 

The news report cover sheets are something I made.  They ask the student to
summarize the article; Give their thoughts with Scripture to back them and
discuss if there is a biblical call to action.

  

See all those fractions and x's?  Me too.  That's why we use Teaching
Textbooks now.  :)

Whew!  I hope that wasn't too much information, Jamie!  I know that it looks like a ton of work, but it really isn't.  Often the kiddos are working through a book and the files only may need to be updated once a quarter (or when I get the bug to add something new!).  It's pretty static. 

In the end, the important thing to remember is that whatever curriculum or method we chose, these are just tools to glorify God.  As we seek Him, He will direct our paths.  Don't grow weary in well doing, dear one!

May you be blessed.

Love, 

 

 

 

 

P.S.  Several of you have emailed asking about what we are doing for spelling and how the Sound City I have created works.  I have not forgotten you!  I should have an exciting update for you soon.  :)

 

__________________________

Miscellaneous FREE Resources:  Printable Reading Logs; My Current Event; Book Report (for use with Christian Liberty Nature Reader) and Sample of Art, Tact and Social Grace Forms at MediaFire; The cute sight word caterpillar is from Confessions.  A great site for inspiration.

 

 

 

HOW TO FIND JOY IN A LESS THAN PINTEREST PERFECT WORLD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love getting your letters.  Recently I received a fantastic one from a reader in Montana.  She has six children and wanted to talk about how to keep up with everything and have joy in all that we do. 

 

Those are certainly relatable questions for moms who have been in the trenches for a few years, right?  And while I plan to do another nitty-gritty what is working for us for curriculum and independent work post, I want to talk a little about joy.  Or finding joy when life is less than "Pinterest Perfect" which is just about always.  :)

 

Let's face it, tears over math, crumbs on the floor and a pile of laundry may not be exactly what we pictured when we signed up for the job of homeschool mom, but they are things that every homeschool mom tackles.  And real life can wear on us.  It can be hard.     

 

I wish I could tell you that things are just sunnier over here in CA and we don't deal with those types of problems, but-- Spoiler Alert-- I get it and I don't keep up on everything. 

 

In fact, just over Christmas break- when we were not even doing school work- we spent an entire day cleaning, cooking and doing laundry.  As we sat down to eat, I told my husband that I dream of a day when the entire house would be clean all at the same time.  His response?

 

He laughed. 

 

He knows that it's a silly dream right now.  The old "shoveling the walk while it is still snowing" scenario.  And while the day will likely come for that dream to be a reality, the truth is it will be a sad day when it does.  It will mean no more silly giggles as children run through the family room being chased by their daddy.  No more little ones running up just to get a hug that I didn't know I needed too.  No more forts in the family room that use up every single chair or shampoo shortages in the bathroom because someone was doing a science experiment in the shower before me.  Yes.  The house will be clean one day.  And orderly.  But for some reason the older I get, the less in a rush I am for that day...  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'll be the first to tell you that I do NOT keep up on everything.  But it's ok.  We can have joy in spite of not having things perfect.  How?   

 

 

1.  Focus on goals that last.  Clean floors are marvelous (maybe miraculous?), but unfortunately they just don't last.  A strong school day is wonderful, but without a focus on Christ and growth in grace, it is worse than meaningless.  The single most helpful thing I have done for myself is to frame our family goals and hang them on the wall.  They help me both to navigate and to be satisfied on a daily basis in a less than "Pinterest Perfect" world.  These are the goals I keep before me:

 

 

That each member would have a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

That we would teach God's commands diligently to our children.

 

That we would love the Lord and love others.

 

That we would be kind.

 

That we would be obedient.

 

That we would work hard.

 

That we would be self-disciplined.

 

That we would pursue holiness and cast off sin.

 

That we would remain physically and emotionally pure.

 

That we would seek wisdom.

 



 

 

 

 

 

REAL LIFE:  What does it look like to apply this principle in real life?  My posted goals might remind me one day to ignore a load of clean laundry on the couch in order to read a character building story to my little ones (I love books like Happy Hearts by Christian Light).  Or they might cause me to halt the morning chore time that seems to be taking forever to move forward with Bible and Scripture memory first.  It may impact our movie and book choices, reminding us to chose something that champions biblical principles over something that is more popular.  It may cause us to decline an outside invitation (even for something really, really good) to focus on something far more important like loving and serving one another.  Yes, it is up to the Lord to work in the hearts of our children, but these eternal goals remind me to do my diligence not to get in the way.  I try to make sure that nothing trumps these goals.  And even when other things are not Pinterest perfect, I can feel really good about that.   

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

2.  Refuel yourself.  We are a model of how we want our children to behave when they are adults.  Are we teaching them to refuel themselves so they have the longevity to love and serve others?  I often hear people speak poorly of "me time."  Of course, they mean being only self focused and ignoring the needs of our families.  That is not what I am saying here.  But in the same way we'd never think it was selfish of a car to need gas, it is not selfish for us to refuel either!

 

 

REAL LIFE:  What does it look like to apply this principle in real life?  For me, it means that I try to exercise (even if it is only 15 minutes) daily.  I take time to be in the Word.  One day a week I throw something in the crockpot and go to Weight Watchers (alone).  I allow myself to do what I love.  I take photos.  I decorate.  I enjoy my friendships.  This isn't selfish.  It is showing our children how to have balance and puts a fresh joy into all you do.  We give so much as moms, that it is easy to forget to fuel back up.  What fuels you?  Are you an introvert and need a little alone time to recharge?  Do you love to journal or scrapbook?  Maybe it is time to do that again.  Does music move you?  Buy a new CD and play it!  Are you an extrovert and need a monthly coffee date with a girlfriend?  Do it!  Do you love to pour over lovely magazines and read encouraging books?  It's worth the time.  Maybe you need a good laugh.  Why not find a Christian comedian (I love Tim Hawkins) and crack up!  These things are not just ok to do, they are necessary.  They are fuel and help us to serve long term.  

 

 

 

2.  Recruit help.  Don't try to do everything yourself.  Some moms I know hire in a teen from church temporarily to help with cooking and cleaning during especially difficult family times so they can remain focused on their children.  I recruit help too, only I use my in house team.  Yes, in the form of my own children.  I figure I do them no favors to act like their maid, so if I am getting stressed about the mess, I recruit them to help!

REAL LIFE:  What does it look like to apply this principle in real life?  When things are fraying, I may cut the school day short, grab the whiteboard and list out all the jobs we need to knock out together.  People can volunteer for the jobs they want, then we'll just turn on the tunes (my kids love Carman) or a Lamplighter audio book and we get moving together.  I really need them and they feel good about that.  And they have learned to work hard (which is on my list of goals) so I can feel good about that too.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life is just not going to be "Pinterest Perfect,"  but if we focus on the goals that last; refuel ourselves and recruit help we can have joy in the journey.

 

 

 

With love,

__________