Free "Life During WWII" Lesson Plans/Science, Social Studies/Gardening
THE VICTORY GARDEN PROJECT
(from the National WWII Museum)
"In order to make The Classroom Victory Garden Project accessible to all teachers, it has been broken down into different time-frames. If you would just like to spend a class period introducing your students to life during WWII, you can use our “one class period” lesson plan. If you have more time to devote to gardening and community during crises, there are many lesson plans provided. From science to social studies, gardening and learning about the war years opens up all sorts of ways for your students to learn many subjects."
http://www.classroomvictorygarden.org/classroom-curriculum.html
Homemade toothpastes
BASIC TOOTHPASTE
1/4 tsp peppermint oil
1/4 tsp spearmint
1/4 cup arrowroot
1/4 cup powdered orrisroot
1/4 cup water
1 tsp ground sage
Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl. Add water until paste is desired thickness / consistency. Store at room temperature in a tightly covered jar.
Substitute 1/2 tsp each of oil of cinnamon and oil of cloves for peppermint/spearmint if desired.
BEN FRANKLIN'S TOOTHPASTE
Honey
Ground charcoal
Mix into a paste and rub on teeth for whiteness.
(I can't imagine using this one myself!)
SIMPLE TOOTHPASTE MIXTURE
Bicarbonate of soda
Salt
Water
Glycerine
Peppermint oil
Mix 3 parts bicarbonate of soda with one part salt. Add 3 tsp of glycerin for every 1/4 cup of this mixture, then add enough water to make a thick paste. Add a few drops of peppermint oil for better taste.
Want to print these recipes? Go HERE to print them.
Dealing With Anger
"Emotional explosiveness can be a major problem in family life.
In fact, even a very tranquil parent can feel overwhelmed with anger when a child gets angry. One of the most important things you can do if you’re trying to help your child deal with anger is to remain calm yourself. You want to keep the problem the child’s problem. When you get angry with the child then you need a whole different solution – a class on conflict management – because now you have two angry people frustrated with each other. Instead, you want to keep the problem the child’s problem. You do this by remaining calm but firm.
Anger is a heart issue. You won’t get as far by just focusing on behavior. What you don’t want is a child who looks good on the outside but has unresolved anger in the heart. You may want to read the book Parenting is Heart Work as you work on this problem. You’ll learn more about what the heart is and how to deal with underlying issues. Rarely is anger the primary issue. Usually children have other heart issues that, when dealt with, relieve the anger.
We've also written an article about helping kids with anger. (http://www.biblicalparenting.org/pr-tip1.asp)
One of the important anger management tools you’ll want to develop and practice is what we call a Break. You might want to read an article about the Break or listen to a podcast about the Break. The Break is further developed in the book Home Improvement, The Parenting Book You Can Read To Your Kids. Most children who struggle with anger resist the Break because it requires that they pull back instead of push forward. Because anger produces energy, most children want to push forward when they’re angry and they do that with violent words or actions. One of the primary skills that a child needs is to pull back when upset. You’ll want to explain the Break to your child. It’s not a punishment, but a tool for settling down. You’ll also want to be prepared if your child refuses to go to the Break or has a tantrum when in the Break. All of these questions are addressed in chapter three of the Home Improvement book. Chapter five gives you a hands-on plan for helping children deal with anger.
In order for children to pull back instead of push forward they have to see their anger coming on. The Bible says in James 1:19, “…be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” One of the ways to help children “be slow to become angry” is to teach them to recognize early warning signs of their anger. Another way to help children slow down the anger in their own hearts is to do some teaching about what anger is. Both of these things are taught on the CD Helping Children Deal with Anger. Although the live session by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN is before an audience of parents, you can actually listen to that CD with children ages six and up. Listening together helps you maintain a coaching attitude with your child. The anger is the child’s problem, but you want to communicate your desire to help equip your child with the necessary tools to manage life.
Most of the time, when working on anger management with children we find that the underlying issues involve an unwillingness to follow instructions, an inability to transition from one thing to another, a lack of understanding about the value of correction, or some bad attitude issues that transfer from one situation to another. If you suspect those kinds of problems are the real issue, then we wouldn’t suggest that you work directly on anger at first. Instead work on those underlying issues by focusing more on following instructions, correction, attitude, and accepting no as an answer. The Heart Work Training Manuals and CDs go into depth about these issues and help you know how to build successful routines to force children out of their angry ways of thinking.
Be careful that you don’t cater to a child who uses anger to manipulate the situation or who uses tantrums to avoid confrontation. Don’t be afraid of a child’s anger, but don’t jump in and join the battle either. Sometimes it’s best to confront a child a couple hours after the angry episode when the emotions have settled. You’ll also want to transfer the responsibility for anger management to the child. After all, this is his or her problem and if not addressed will become a major life issue. If you’re not seeing progress, don’t assume the problem will get better. Get additional help. Having a child meet with a person from church or a counselor to talk about anger can often help process emotion in a more helpful way. To help you get started or to develop a plan you might want to set up a phone coaching session with Dr. Scott Turansky or you could discuss your particular issues in an online parenting support group.
Be sure to pray for your child regularly. Also, pray for yourself so that you are spiritually ready to address the challenges of the day. Often children ride the emotional waves of the parents so your calmness will likely produce more peace in family life in general.
If you sense that your own anger needs some work you might want to read the book Good and Angry, Exchanging Frustration for Character in You and Your Kids. This book addresses parental anger and helps you know how to better respond to your own frustrations and even use them wisely to point out problems that need to be addressed in your children. You might also want to read about resources in the section entitled Parental Anger, Yelling, and Nagging.
Remember that some anger is caused by hurt such as a divorce, physical pain, or the loss of a loved one. That kind of anger needs a different approach. The CD Helping Children Deal with Anger goes into hurt anger more in depth so if you suspect that there are underlying hurt issues, you might want to listen to that talk by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.
Of all the problems that happen in parenting, a child’s anger can be the most disruptive, so stay on it, continue to look for new approaches and solutions and ask God to guide you to strategic heart moments with your child. We believe that children who get angry a lot or feel their anger intensely have a gift, it just needs to be trained and managed. People who experience intense emotions also have the ability to understand the emotions of others and even connect with people on an emotional level. Your child may end up being a counselor someday. Now’s the time to teach important skills of anger management. "
http://www.biblicalparenting.org/pr-anger.asp
In fact, even a very tranquil parent can feel overwhelmed with anger when a child gets angry. One of the most important things you can do if you’re trying to help your child deal with anger is to remain calm yourself. You want to keep the problem the child’s problem. When you get angry with the child then you need a whole different solution – a class on conflict management – because now you have two angry people frustrated with each other. Instead, you want to keep the problem the child’s problem. You do this by remaining calm but firm.
Anger is a heart issue. You won’t get as far by just focusing on behavior. What you don’t want is a child who looks good on the outside but has unresolved anger in the heart. You may want to read the book Parenting is Heart Work as you work on this problem. You’ll learn more about what the heart is and how to deal with underlying issues. Rarely is anger the primary issue. Usually children have other heart issues that, when dealt with, relieve the anger.
We've also written an article about helping kids with anger. (http://www.biblicalparenting.org/pr-tip1.asp)
One of the important anger management tools you’ll want to develop and practice is what we call a Break. You might want to read an article about the Break or listen to a podcast about the Break. The Break is further developed in the book Home Improvement, The Parenting Book You Can Read To Your Kids. Most children who struggle with anger resist the Break because it requires that they pull back instead of push forward. Because anger produces energy, most children want to push forward when they’re angry and they do that with violent words or actions. One of the primary skills that a child needs is to pull back when upset. You’ll want to explain the Break to your child. It’s not a punishment, but a tool for settling down. You’ll also want to be prepared if your child refuses to go to the Break or has a tantrum when in the Break. All of these questions are addressed in chapter three of the Home Improvement book. Chapter five gives you a hands-on plan for helping children deal with anger.
In order for children to pull back instead of push forward they have to see their anger coming on. The Bible says in James 1:19, “…be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” One of the ways to help children “be slow to become angry” is to teach them to recognize early warning signs of their anger. Another way to help children slow down the anger in their own hearts is to do some teaching about what anger is. Both of these things are taught on the CD Helping Children Deal with Anger. Although the live session by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN is before an audience of parents, you can actually listen to that CD with children ages six and up. Listening together helps you maintain a coaching attitude with your child. The anger is the child’s problem, but you want to communicate your desire to help equip your child with the necessary tools to manage life.
Most of the time, when working on anger management with children we find that the underlying issues involve an unwillingness to follow instructions, an inability to transition from one thing to another, a lack of understanding about the value of correction, or some bad attitude issues that transfer from one situation to another. If you suspect those kinds of problems are the real issue, then we wouldn’t suggest that you work directly on anger at first. Instead work on those underlying issues by focusing more on following instructions, correction, attitude, and accepting no as an answer. The Heart Work Training Manuals and CDs go into depth about these issues and help you know how to build successful routines to force children out of their angry ways of thinking.
Be careful that you don’t cater to a child who uses anger to manipulate the situation or who uses tantrums to avoid confrontation. Don’t be afraid of a child’s anger, but don’t jump in and join the battle either. Sometimes it’s best to confront a child a couple hours after the angry episode when the emotions have settled. You’ll also want to transfer the responsibility for anger management to the child. After all, this is his or her problem and if not addressed will become a major life issue. If you’re not seeing progress, don’t assume the problem will get better. Get additional help. Having a child meet with a person from church or a counselor to talk about anger can often help process emotion in a more helpful way. To help you get started or to develop a plan you might want to set up a phone coaching session with Dr. Scott Turansky or you could discuss your particular issues in an online parenting support group.
Be sure to pray for your child regularly. Also, pray for yourself so that you are spiritually ready to address the challenges of the day. Often children ride the emotional waves of the parents so your calmness will likely produce more peace in family life in general.
If you sense that your own anger needs some work you might want to read the book Good and Angry, Exchanging Frustration for Character in You and Your Kids. This book addresses parental anger and helps you know how to better respond to your own frustrations and even use them wisely to point out problems that need to be addressed in your children. You might also want to read about resources in the section entitled Parental Anger, Yelling, and Nagging.
Remember that some anger is caused by hurt such as a divorce, physical pain, or the loss of a loved one. That kind of anger needs a different approach. The CD Helping Children Deal with Anger goes into hurt anger more in depth so if you suspect that there are underlying hurt issues, you might want to listen to that talk by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.
Of all the problems that happen in parenting, a child’s anger can be the most disruptive, so stay on it, continue to look for new approaches and solutions and ask God to guide you to strategic heart moments with your child. We believe that children who get angry a lot or feel their anger intensely have a gift, it just needs to be trained and managed. People who experience intense emotions also have the ability to understand the emotions of others and even connect with people on an emotional level. Your child may end up being a counselor someday. Now’s the time to teach important skills of anger management. "
http://www.biblicalparenting.org/pr-anger.asp
Charter schools
Is There a Downside to Charter Schools?
Despite the arguments of its proponents, the charter school movement is not a panacea for the ills of the public school system. Studies on whether charter schools heighten academic performance are inconclusive; however, critics point out that accurate comparisons between charter and traditional public schools are difficult to make.9 Many virtual charters specifically contract with for-profit companies. Some critics also point out that charter schools accept government and tax payer dollars without promising adequate accountability.
In addition to the above concerns, many homeschoolers have an even broader slate of worries. Virtual charter schools have been aggressive in targeting homeschoolers, sending multiple mailings and marketing materials to persuade them that this form of public education qualifies as “homeschooling.” In reality, virtual charter school administrators are competing with traditional public schools for the thousands of dollars per student in state funds that they receive if they bring more homeschoolers into the public school system. Some new homeschoolers may lack the confidence to educate their children without professional supervision or government money, and the virtual charter school programs seem like a dream come true. However, children who are enrolled in virtual charter schools must follow all of the program’s policies and procedures, which include restrictions such as exclusion of religious educational materials as part of the formal curriculum. Parents who choose these programs must realize that in accepting virtual public schools into their homes, they are also accepting the bureaucracy and government supervision that is linked to accepting tax dollars.
What is HSLDA’s Position on Charter Schools?
HSLDA believes that a distinction between virtual charter schools and homeschooling is vital. While charter schools provide parents with another choice, we emphasize that they are still public schools in every sense of the word.
HSLDA also strongly cautions homeschoolers against enrolling in virtual charter schools. Many homeschoolers are seduced by attractive marketing and forget that virtual charter schools are actually controlled by the public school system. HSLDA does not represent students enrolled in full-time charter school programs.
HSLDA is also concerned that virtual charter schools will negatively impact the public and American lawmakers’ understanding of what it means to homeschool. For nearly three decades, we have worked to define homeschooling as privately led and parent-directed education within the home. If virtual charter schools are accepted as “homeschools,” it will be much more difficult for traditional homeschoolers to separate the two in the minds of lawmakers and to obtain legal protections for their “class” of homeschooling. We thus advocate strict adherence to a narrow definition of the word “homeschooling.”
In addition, virtual charter schools still suffer from multiple accountability challenges. Having that group of schools lumped with homeschools can lower the homeschool “average” academic scores and undo much of our effort to demonstrate homeschoolers’ academic excellence.
Finally, we caution homeschoolers that participation in virtual charter schools counts as participation in public schools, and invites increased government regulation over the inner workings of their homes.
FOR ENTIRE ARTICLE: click here
Despite the arguments of its proponents, the charter school movement is not a panacea for the ills of the public school system. Studies on whether charter schools heighten academic performance are inconclusive; however, critics point out that accurate comparisons between charter and traditional public schools are difficult to make.9 Many virtual charters specifically contract with for-profit companies. Some critics also point out that charter schools accept government and tax payer dollars without promising adequate accountability.
In addition to the above concerns, many homeschoolers have an even broader slate of worries. Virtual charter schools have been aggressive in targeting homeschoolers, sending multiple mailings and marketing materials to persuade them that this form of public education qualifies as “homeschooling.” In reality, virtual charter school administrators are competing with traditional public schools for the thousands of dollars per student in state funds that they receive if they bring more homeschoolers into the public school system. Some new homeschoolers may lack the confidence to educate their children without professional supervision or government money, and the virtual charter school programs seem like a dream come true. However, children who are enrolled in virtual charter schools must follow all of the program’s policies and procedures, which include restrictions such as exclusion of religious educational materials as part of the formal curriculum. Parents who choose these programs must realize that in accepting virtual public schools into their homes, they are also accepting the bureaucracy and government supervision that is linked to accepting tax dollars.
What is HSLDA’s Position on Charter Schools?
HSLDA believes that a distinction between virtual charter schools and homeschooling is vital. While charter schools provide parents with another choice, we emphasize that they are still public schools in every sense of the word.
HSLDA also strongly cautions homeschoolers against enrolling in virtual charter schools. Many homeschoolers are seduced by attractive marketing and forget that virtual charter schools are actually controlled by the public school system. HSLDA does not represent students enrolled in full-time charter school programs.
HSLDA is also concerned that virtual charter schools will negatively impact the public and American lawmakers’ understanding of what it means to homeschool. For nearly three decades, we have worked to define homeschooling as privately led and parent-directed education within the home. If virtual charter schools are accepted as “homeschools,” it will be much more difficult for traditional homeschoolers to separate the two in the minds of lawmakers and to obtain legal protections for their “class” of homeschooling. We thus advocate strict adherence to a narrow definition of the word “homeschooling.”
In addition, virtual charter schools still suffer from multiple accountability challenges. Having that group of schools lumped with homeschools can lower the homeschool “average” academic scores and undo much of our effort to demonstrate homeschoolers’ academic excellence.
Finally, we caution homeschoolers that participation in virtual charter schools counts as participation in public schools, and invites increased government regulation over the inner workings of their homes.
FOR ENTIRE ARTICLE: click here
Still working out the kinks
HSB (HomeschoolBlogger) deleted all my html code for my blogs there and left no way for me to put things back the way they were. Disappointing.
I was forced to move my blog and learn some CSS code in order to bring all my kitschy vintage 50's housewife stuff with me.
Not everything is in place yet, but I am workin on it. Please be patient while it is being fixed, restored and reworked.
Thanks!
I was forced to move my blog and learn some CSS code in order to bring all my kitschy vintage 50's housewife stuff with me.
Not everything is in place yet, but I am workin on it. Please be patient while it is being fixed, restored and reworked.
Thanks!
Planning Curriculum- Praying, Researching, Choosing
I start looking and researching in February for my children's curricula, usually. Praying all year round on and off. I had a real wake up call on what my 10 year old son needs for education when I went to the last support group meeting and heard about right brain-left brain learning (Diane Craft was the speaker). I was pretty skeptical and did not plan on really listening, know what I mean? However, after 10 minutes or so there was this little part that grabbed my attention and I was amazed and I wished I had been really listening the whole entire time. I went home and read the handouts and KNEW the Lord was trying to show me a key. I have been praying for years for my son. It is a struggle. He is not learning disabled. He is left brained and my oldest & I are right brained learners and thinkers. My whole method MUST change if I want my son to succeed. Which, of course, I do!!! This is a major breakthrough for us.
That brings me to say, that my son will begin using more textbook style education now. This is a method I do -not- like and have done my best to stay away from... because - I - am right brained. And my preference works great for my 15 year old, so it is hard to see that all my efforts to research the coolest subjects and materials has been somewhat in vain in regard to my son. He likes them, they just aren't the best fit, you know? I am so glad to find this out now instead of when we are beginning highschool with him. (And to add to that, last week we planned out for him through high school to graduate at a certain level of math and science instead of going the traditional plan.)
Then with my highschooler, she is 15, that is another blog post altogether, because praying, planning, researching and choosing for highschool is very specific and involved.
It's all a process. Hopefully, as parents, we are teachable and will bend an ear toward what the Lord wants for our children, which is more important than what we want for them. He loves them even more than we do and knows the plans He has for them!
Winter Scene Shoebox Craft and writer's workshop
Winter Scene Shoebox Craft and writer's workshop
Students will love creating their own winter scenes and stories.
First, they make a winter scene in a shoebox. Then, they can use the free templates (under “To Create a Book”) for a story web, draft, and finished book explaining their winter scene.
Winter Scene Shoebox Craft & writer's workshop
God created families, not schools
"It is really just a mindset. It’s the idea that you are a family, not a school. You’re a mom, not a teacher. You don’t have a classroom. You have individual relationships with your children. Your husband isn’t a principal, because there isn’t really a school. He is the head of your household, a dad, and your number one supporter. God didn’t create schools. He created families, because that was his plan for the training and nurture of children."
Dr. Mary Hood
Just call me June Cleaver
My day begins at exactly 5am each day.
I wake already wearing a smile and ready to face my day! My hair is perfect with no gray stragglers in sight and I barely need to run a brush through it before I splash a little water on my wrinkle free face. No make up needed, of course.
After I iron a blouse and skirt to wear, I put on nylons and heels and make my way to my Bible and read uninterrupted for at least 30 minutes.
I go downstairs at 6am to find my joyful children up, dressed and reading the Bibles or praying. We exchange good morning kisses and I go to get the little ones up and change diapers. I throw a load of laundry in and starch my husband's shirt before packing his lunch.
My cheerful husband enters the kitchen as I am just finishing cooking him a heart healthy and tasty breakfast. He sits at the table with the children discussing today's Proverb and asking about yesterday's history lessons. After breakfast, everyone waits at the door with Daddy's coat and briefcase to kiss him before he leaves for work.
The rest of us gather our school books promptly and sit at the table to pray before beginning our homeschool portion of the day, which is sure to be peaceful, godly, interesting, motivating and memorable.
Yeah right. :)
We are far from anything like that!
Everything's right in the world.... finally ;)
Hold onto your socks!
Now Spam fans can get their fix in single serve 3oz packets in Classic or Lite versions! (LOL!)
The package of Spam Single Classic reads along the tear-to-open-here line: "This dotted line is like a freeway, the freeway to a delicious explosion in your mouth."
Spam Lite Single packet: "It's time to enjoy. Take another bite and throw your head back and think wonderful thoughts of faraway places while you chew. Like a magical Spam Lite castle in the sky ..."
What more do we need? Toss away those Twinkies and Easy Cheeses. Now your world is complete. Order has been restored to the universe!
David Burn answers the questions that are first and foremost on everyone's mind that is giddy with delight and quivering with excitement...
Q. Where can I keep my SPAM Singles when I'm not eating them?
A. There is no right answer here. SPAM Singles are like snowflakes, and each will have it's own special place in our hearts. Try a bookshelf, or in your pocket, or behind the TV, or even under your pillow. If you are not sure, stare intently at your SPAM Single. Eventually, through positive mind actualization properties, you will know where to put it.
Q. I didn't know that SPAM came in single slices. What should I do now?
A. Remain calm. That's the most important thing. Secondly, use the power of your brain and imagine how your life will be changed. Go easy at first, because this is a delicate matter that could easily blow your mind. If you need to relax, make a sandwich. A SPAM sandwich!
Making traditions
It seems that everyone loves this time of year. The songs, the decorations, the food, the fellowship. I always imagine a family around a fireplace next to a decorated tree when I think of Christmas time. In our household, the whole time from Thanksgiving to the end of December is a wonderful period of celebration of Jesus and focus on family. A joyful time, where we enjoy the company of each other a bit more and our family traditions. Traditions, in moderation, can be a joy to look forward to each year and treasured for years to come as we look back at days gone by. A tradition can be as simple as decorating your tree the second Saturday of every December or as elaborate as an entire succession of events. Whatever you decide is right for your family will be perfect.
Every year, I try to do some baking with my children. I will make one or two of my husband’s childhood favorites and then some others. These recipes are the same ones I use every year. It has become a tradition and my children associate these treats with Christmas. When they grow and leave home some day, these treats will be etched in their memories. Here is a recipe that I bake every year for my family.
Christmas Streusel Bars
Crumb Mixture:
2 c Flour
1 c Sugar
¾ c Pecans (coarsely chopped)
1 c (two sticks) butter or margarine softened
1 egg
Filling:
1 jar (10 oz) apricot or currant preserves
Instructions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 F. For crumb mixture, in large bowl combine all crumb mixture ingredients. Beat at low speed scraping bowl often, 2-3 minutes or until mixture is crumbly. Reserve 1 c of crumb mixture. Press remaining crumb mixture into bottom of greased 9 in square baking pan. For filling, spread preserves to within half inch of edge. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over preserves. Bake 42-50 min or until lightly browned. Cool Completely. Cut into bars.
FREE lapbook - Books Of The Bible
Caramel without the mess
Homemade Caramel without the mess
Lightly boil an unopened can of sweetened condensed milk for 3 hours, then chill. When you open it, it is supposed to be like caramel. You may have to add water to the pot when boiling to make sure the pot does not go dry or your can could blow. The longer it boils the thicker the caramels.
Good for a lonnng time in the pantry!
ABCs of menu planning
Another good post from Flylady.
~ ~
Dear Friends,
Sometimes there is a learning curve [on learning a new habit] and it doesn't just snap into place. Even more so with menu planning, sometimes your Plan A menu plan hits the skids for whatever reason and now you're in a bind. What to do?
Plan B. And Plan C even. Don't get trapped in perfectionism and believe that you can never ever deviate from the menu plan! Stuff happens, we are all susceptible. So when that stuff is hitting the fan, you need the insurance protection of Plan B and Plan C. Here's what that looks like.
...
Plan B - I think everyone should have a stash of frozen meals in their freezer. We've even got frozen crockpot meals it's by far the easiest, cinchy-iest way to dinner and great in a pinch!
Plan C is what I call an emergency meal. This is where your well-stocked pantry saves your biscuitsâwhat you need to make a quick and dirty dinner is right there, in the pantry and you can get it cooked and on the table as quick as lightning because you have to. I've got a recipe here for you to try the next time you're slammed busy and suddenly don't have the time you need to make it.
The goal of course is Plan A. But be ready just in case for Plan B and even Plan C scenarios. That's just the way life is sometimes!
Here's that recipe I told you about. Get your pantry stocked with these ingredients this week! You'll be glad you did!
The Original 911 Emergency Dinner
Serves 4
3 cups instant brown rice, cooked
2 (15 ounce) cans of black beans, not drained
Jarred salsa (your favorite)
CONDIMENTS
Shredded Cheddar cheese
Sour cream
Tortillas
In a saucepan, heat the beans till nice and hot. In a bowl, place your cooked rice, top with beans and salsa.
Add the condiments of your choice to the top and heat the tortillas to be used as either a bread-type side dish or to allow your family to make soft tacos from their meal.
Sometimes there is a learning curve [on learning a new habit] and it doesn't just snap into place. Even more so with menu planning, sometimes your Plan A menu plan hits the skids for whatever reason and now you're in a bind. What to do?
Plan B. And Plan C even. Don't get trapped in perfectionism and believe that you can never ever deviate from the menu plan! Stuff happens, we are all susceptible. So when that stuff is hitting the fan, you need the insurance protection of Plan B and Plan C. Here's what that looks like.
...
Plan B - I think everyone should have a stash of frozen meals in their freezer. We've even got frozen crockpot meals it's by far the easiest, cinchy-iest way to dinner and great in a pinch!
Plan C is what I call an emergency meal. This is where your well-stocked pantry saves your biscuitsâwhat you need to make a quick and dirty dinner is right there, in the pantry and you can get it cooked and on the table as quick as lightning because you have to. I've got a recipe here for you to try the next time you're slammed busy and suddenly don't have the time you need to make it.
The goal of course is Plan A. But be ready just in case for Plan B and even Plan C scenarios. That's just the way life is sometimes!
Here's that recipe I told you about. Get your pantry stocked with these ingredients this week! You'll be glad you did!
The Original 911 Emergency Dinner
Serves 4
3 cups instant brown rice, cooked
2 (15 ounce) cans of black beans, not drained
Jarred salsa (your favorite)
CONDIMENTS
Shredded Cheddar cheese
Sour cream
Tortillas
In a saucepan, heat the beans till nice and hot. In a bowl, place your cooked rice, top with beans and salsa.
Add the condiments of your choice to the top and heat the tortillas to be used as either a bread-type side dish or to allow your family to make soft tacos from their meal.
Cool way to wrap gifts - el cheapo!
I got this in an email from Flylady (a cleaning help enewsletter) and I thought it was pretty neat.
~ ~
Dear Friends,
You know who you are! Many of us are Fabric hoarders! Here is a great idea that was posted on our BigTent message page. All you have to do is click the link at the bottom.
Here is the message that was posted.
About 2 years ago we joined the "Go Green" bandwagon. My mom made simple cloth bags in various sizes for wrapping presents. Now we have no paper to worry about buying, tossing and buying again. I think I may make some to give as gifts this year for all occasions...
*********
FlyLady here again
Any kind of fabric will work for these gift bags. I did a Google search and here is what I came up with.
http://www.craftandfabriclinks.com/ezgiftbags/easy_giftbag_pattern.html
Not only can you use your Fabric stash but you can use those old clothes you can't get rid of! Maybe even some of those goofy holiday sweaters that MissusSmartyPants has been ragging us about!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PFJkzcLTlI
Have fun but don't get sidetracked! Do your routine first! Get dressed to lace up shoes and then take a few minutes to have some fun being creative. I want to see pictures. Don't pull out more than you can put back in an hour and pick up after yourself!
We may never have to buy gift wrap again. LOL I can see it now! Everyone giving gift bags as presents and have Gift Bag Making Parties and Gift Bag Swaps like cookie swaps!
You know who you are! Many of us are Fabric hoarders! Here is a great idea that was posted on our BigTent message page. All you have to do is click the link at the bottom.
Here is the message that was posted.
About 2 years ago we joined the "Go Green" bandwagon. My mom made simple cloth bags in various sizes for wrapping presents. Now we have no paper to worry about buying, tossing and buying again. I think I may make some to give as gifts this year for all occasions...
*********
FlyLady here again
Any kind of fabric will work for these gift bags. I did a Google search and here is what I came up with.
http://www.craftandfabriclinks.com/ezgiftbags/easy_giftbag_pattern.html
Not only can you use your Fabric stash but you can use those old clothes you can't get rid of! Maybe even some of those goofy holiday sweaters that MissusSmartyPants has been ragging us about!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PFJkzcLTlI
Have fun but don't get sidetracked! Do your routine first! Get dressed to lace up shoes and then take a few minutes to have some fun being creative. I want to see pictures. Don't pull out more than you can put back in an hour and pick up after yourself!
We may never have to buy gift wrap again. LOL I can see it now! Everyone giving gift bags as presents and have Gift Bag Making Parties and Gift Bag Swaps like cookie swaps!
Copywork
http://www.amblesideonline.org/Copywork.shtml
http://home.att.net/~bandcparker/copywork.html
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73442
http://www.guesthollow.com/homeschool/printables/printablescopywork_bible.html
http://www.guesthollow.com/homeschool/printables/printablescopywork.html
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/RollsLife/414090/
http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/free-print-and-cursive-copywork-worksheets
http://www.4shared.com/file/123462028/32663c3e/copyworkprint1st1.html
Spelling - Excellent program for 10 cents!
SPELLING
Pick up a simple spiral notebook in late August during the school supply sales. Usually you can get one for 10/$1.00! This will be your student’s spelling notebook.
You can choose to use this as the place to keep/record the spelling lists or to also complete spelling practice in. If you choose to do the spelling practice in another spiral notebook, try to pick one that is the same color as the first.
Open the spiral notebook and on the first page, or inside the cover, write the basic instructions down for your student.
Your student will be forming a list of words that they misspell throughout the week or over a specified period of time, say two weeks. These words will be recorded in list form on this spelling practice list’s page. Continue until you have 10 or 20 words – depending on the age and ability of the child- then stop the list. You may choose to carry over words that did not make the list because of quantity and any words that were incorrect on their test from last week. If you have trouble coming up with 10 words, choose words that are from lists you can find online or in books of most misspelled words. (200 Most Misspelled Words, AskOxford, Etme, 3 more links here) To buy something, you can get 1001 Most Misspelled Words at a thrift store or new for $10.
Have the student turn to the next page or work in the second spiral notebook to practice spelling each word 20 times. It also works to only spell 10 times and then require a sentence be made for each word. This is also good penmanship and grammar practice.
A test must be given by another student or yourself. If you required sentences to be written, you may decide to say the word and then say the sentence that they wrote for it. It is association and cements the learning process! Any words missed should be recycled onto next weeks list. Be careful to praise the words all spelled correctly. Remember, these are all words that were difficult to that person. These are not the spelling lists we were given as students and we knew how to spell most of them already. Try not to focus on errors made on the test and give plenty of praise where praise is due! So, there you go- an extremely effective spelling program that is tailored to the specific needs of your student and only cost you 10 cents.
Timelines for history
One of the coolest things you can take advantage of as a homeschooler is using timeline. It can be added to every year or a fresh one made. If you add to it every year, it becomes this wonderful living history project that will both cement learning and inspire learning. Discoveries/landmarks in science and family history are great additions to any time line.
Each student could have their own timeline or the whole family might share one. The benefit of each student having one is that your children may be studying different time periods and if they are making their own timeline figures it will be entirely their own creation, instead of a shared project. Each student's timeline would be a cool keepsake, too.
The whole family may decide to have one! It is possible to have a family time line and each student to have their own. What ever your family decides, it will be a project you all will benefit from and enjoy.
Styles of timelines can be mounted to the wall like a hallway, a folding accordian style, or as pages in a binder that you flip through. The binder style is more difficult to grasp the layout as it is not laid out in a linear fashion. If you want to use butcher paper, keep in mind that it may roll up on the edges. There is always the option to laminate it before you add the time line figures and that may help with the rolling edges. Another option is to tape pages together end to end on the back (with strong tape such as packing tape). You may opt for cardstock for a more sturdy project, which I recommend. The heavier, the better. The benefits of this page to page style is that it can be added to if need be on the end, can be folded, can be mounted on the wall, and is small enough to go into a folder or on a shelf.
Your student may create their own artwork for timeline figures, do no art and just write what happened when or use premade artwork for it. Many families enjoy the Homeschool In The Woods products for premade figures and you can reproduce them to save big money. Then all your figures "match" if that is important or you have a child who is not comfortable with their craft skills. I have included some links for free or nearly free timeline figures here below.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ClassicalEducation4Me/9726/
http://www.squidoo.com/homeschooltimelines
http://www.abookintime.com/timelines.html
http://isaiah5413.blogspot.com/2007/01/free-or-almost-free-time-line-figures.html
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?p=296481
(A topic thread here, at the link just above, gives an address to a yahoogroup with 850+ members that share timeline help. I am a member myself.)
http://www.angelfire.com/or/mtdewbydo/timelines.html
http://www.biblioplan.net/timeline.htm
http://www.phillipmartin.info/clipart/socialsciences_ancientcivilizations.htm
Tired of art messes?
Does a big mess keep you from doing art projects? Here is an idea I came up with recently as I am beginning to implement the "Workbox System" into my home.
You can make up a workbox (plastic tote) for a particular kind of craft or art method.
Like watercolor painting, coloring in colorbooks, stencils, scrapbooking, lapbooking, etc.
One craft per workbox.
If you do this then all the supplies needed for that activity are there. Make sure the scissors, glue sticks, colored pencils or whatever are all in there- whatever is required to that art activity! The child just goes to retrieve the workbox and will not need to search for this and that! The bonus is that it makes it really easy to clean up and put away too!
Teaching using a BOOK AS A SPINE
This is a subject I have taught workshops on to help the homeschool community home educate for free.
In this post I have some "overviews" that can be used as a guide for you to use to teach from. Like a spine. These are just guides, as all curricula and teacher manuals are only a tool for us to use.(See my other post on this subject.)
The one from Heart Of Wisdom is very good. I say that especially because it also incorporates science. A nice blessing!
All overviews and especially chronological teaching should, in my opinion, use a timeline. Some families will post one along their hallway or make a big long fold up one (accordian style).
These are mostly based on a four year rotation, as is popular in current education.
* * * * If you like these kinds of posts, please check out my other blog that focuses just on homeschooling on a dime:
Inspired To Learn
Edited to add: I get a ton of "hits" on this post. An unbelievable amount! But no comments?
In this post I have some "overviews" that can be used as a guide for you to use to teach from. Like a spine. These are just guides, as all curricula and teacher manuals are only a tool for us to use.(See my other post on this subject.)
The one from Heart Of Wisdom is very good. I say that especially because it also incorporates science. A nice blessing!
All overviews and especially chronological teaching should, in my opinion, use a timeline. Some families will post one along their hallway or make a big long fold up one (accordian style).
These are mostly based on a four year rotation, as is popular in current education.
Four Year plan
Four Year plan
Four year plan
Four Year plan for high school
Four Year living book list sequence
Overview plan
Overview plan
Overview plan
Overview plan year by year
Overview
Overview – editable
Edited to add: I get a ton of "hits" on this post. An unbelievable amount! But no comments?
Homeschooling Tips For Your Heart
Homeschooling Tips For Your Heart
by Susan Kemmerer
-Start your homeschool close to the same time each
day. Your kids will get used to the routine and know what to expect.
-Don’t make any phone calls before school starts. Phone calls are, for me, the
biggest derailer of my day. I get caught up too easily in the conversation!
-Have your kids do their work in a “public” room (kitchen, living room) rather
than a bedroom. Even though they say they need the peace and quiet, often it’s
an excuse to do sub-standard work. Kids need our oversight and training. God
made them that way. And you are the teacher.
-Dole out lots of physical affection, even with your big, goofy teens. They need
to know that you’re on their side, and that you’re rooting for them. Hugs,
kisses, smiles, or a pat on the back go far in creating a pleasant environment
for learning.
-Make sure your homeschool is a safe place to make mistakes. Never belittle a
child for wrong answers, academic struggles, or shoddy work. Even if the child
has willfully chosen to mess up, don’t belittle him. It accomplishes nothing.
Instead, apply patience to true academic struggles, and apply gentle wisdom and
correction to sins of laziness and willful disobedience. Remember, with sin
issues you are trying to reach their hearts, and you’ll never reach their hearts
if your homeschool isn’t a safe place to make mistakes.
-Exhibit lots of patience. Yes, I know Bobby should be able to handle this
without you constantly cracking the whip. But the reality is that you are the
mom, and your job is to train your children. If he isn’t trained yet (even at
age 16 or 18), don’t throw up your hands and say, “I shouldn’t have to tell
you...” This may be the ten-thousandth time you told him, but if he needs to be
told again, then do so with patience and grace. I even asked one of my sons if
he wanted to assume a particular responsibility himself, or if he wanted me to
continue to “nag” him. I explained to him that I really didn’t want to be a nag,
but if it helped him to be reminded of his responsibility, I would be glad to do
so. He was grateful for my thoughful question and asked me to continue to remind
him. I don’t resent that I’m still training this child. After all, he still
lives under my roof, and is still under our authority. Praise God we still have
the opportunity to train! It is a privilege
to train our children and to equip them for life.
-Recognize growth in character, no matter how small. Often growth in character
feels like a 2-steps-forward, one-step-back affair. Learn not to to focus on how
far they have to grow. Instead focus on God’s gace in how far they’ve come. My
own life is like that. There are certain areas that I’ve struggled in all my
life - and I’m 43! How slow my progress must seem in my Father’s eyes. But He
just patiently continues to whittle away at those areas, and I am growing
ever-so-slowly. I must extend the same grace to my kids.
-Don’t be afraid to switch curriculum if something isn’t working for you. Though
I’ll often try to finish out a year before switching to save money, there have
been occasions when we’ve switched mid-year. A poorly written or poorly planned
curriculum can make both you and your kids miserable. There’s always someone out
there who thinks the curriculum you hate is the best one on the market, and
would be willing to buy yours at yard sale prices.
-Don’t resent your husband’s lack of participation in your homeschool. The
reality is that he works a full time job already, and can’t be involved much.
Accept the fact that as a mother, your God-ordained calling is that of teacher
as well. You can’t biblically separate the two. Your relationship with your
husband also teaches your children eternal lessons. Do you respect his
authority? Do you honor him with your words and actions? Do you love him
passionately? If you don’t, you’ll be teaching your students that respecting
authority, honoring your spouse, and loving others are optional. My husband pays
my homeschool bills, attends homeschool conferences with me sometimes, and
listens to my homeschool woes. He takes me out on a “date night” about once a
month to support and encourage me. He intervenes in our homeschool only if I’m
unable to handle a situation. My role is to handle the homeschool. Dale has
clearly delegated the role to me, and I embrace it with all my heart.
My kids know that even though it looks like homeschool is 99% mine, it’s
because Dad “ordained” it. My delegated job (being under Dale’s authority) is to
make our homeschool a success. No whining allowed.
-Educate yourself constantly. Never assume you know everything there is to know
about homeschooling and parenting. Be teachable yourself. Attend conferences
with an open, teachable spirit, and allow the Holy Spirit to continually
strengthen and equip you. Read books on the subjects of parenting and
homeschooling. Get plugged in to a solid church and make yourself accountable to
others.
-Be humble. Ask forgiveness from your children when you’re impatient. Listen
with an open heart to their struggles. Don’t condemn them.
-Pray. God is more than willing to meet us with His grace!
Used with permission.
By Susan Kemmerer
(c) Schoolhouse Publishing
www.shpublishing.com
Highschool home education
We sat our oldest down at the beginning of last year and discussed with her four plans of action for her highschool career.
1. Prepare for ivy league school
2. Prepare for college/university
3. Prepare for vocational school
4. Prepare for no additional education
A "light" highschool plan was not offered to her and we explained that we will not permit that option.
With option 4, we stressed to her that she may choose to do this, but we will strive to make her home-education very strong-- in light of the fact that it will, in theory, be the last formal education she has.
All these avenues require a certain perspective to travel on.
Just food for thought.
Or an intro class is a good idea. Whatever route we as home educating families choose to go, I think that at the very least a sober discussion on their options and a general layout of classes or credits or something should be presented. The student should know what to expect and be an active part of the planning and goal setting.
Take to heart
"There comes a time in the affairs of men when they must prepare to defend, not their homes alone, but the tenets of faith and humanity on which their churches, their governments, and their very civilization are founded."
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Streamlining for depth
A Mile Wide … An Inch Deep
Written by Christine Field
Have you ever heard someone say, “He runs a mile wide, but only an inch deep”? I’ve heard it used in a few contexts, but the basic reference is to shallowness. A shallow person intellectually, or a shallow person spiritually. We want to be neither.
We want our children to run deep as well. Is it too much to ask to be a mile wide and a mile deep?
You can do neither if you are too scattered. We were often guilty of spreading ourselves too thin. You can’t go deep into God’s Word or anything else if your time and energy are stretched too thin. Are you reviewing the school year or planning ahead for the new? Trying to jam too much in will guarantee a light coating. Focusing on fewer, more meaningful studies and activities will allow greater depth.
How are you streamlining for greater depth?
Christine Field is moderator of the LifeWay Homeschool Community, and the author of several books, including Homeschooling the Challenging Child and Homeschooling 101..
Can Your Children Explain Why They Homeschool?
Can Your Children Explain Why They Homeschool?
My children grew up with television cameras in the living room and school room. We began homeschooling in 1984, and it was a controversial decision to say the least. As we marched through the process as a family of lobbying for homeschooling legislation, my children were asked a thousand questions:
What about socialization?
Do you like homeschooling?
Do you have any friends?
Do you feel like you are missing anything?
Why does your family homeschool?
Can you play sports?
Will you ever be able to go to a prom?
Where do you want to go to college … do you think you will be able to get in?
Are you learning anything?
I will never forget the first time the camera crew came to our home. The boys were seven and five. They were well-prepared to meet the crew, socially. They interacted well and were not intimidated, even at such a young age. And then the official interview began. I had not prepped them for it, because I wanted their answers to be sincere, spontaneous, and genuine. The reporter asked my totally endearing five-year-old, “So, tell me, son, why do you like homeschooling?” He looked the reporter straight in the eye and said, “Because I can get a snack and go to the bathroom anytime I want to.”
I cringed. From my son’s perspective his answer was absolutely true and important to him. He had been in preschool before we started homeschooling where he couldn’t do those things when he wanted to. But that’s not what I wanted being discussed on the nightly news.
It was my fault. I failed to realize that lawyers prepare their witnesses to be interrogated. It doesn’t mean the answers aren’t sincere and genuine, but they are thought-through as opposed to spontaneous. Sometimes spontaneity isn’t all it’s cracked up to be! Adults prepare for job interviews, so they are able to put their best-foot forward for the potential employer.
If adults need to prepare for interviews and interrogations in the real world, how much more does a child need to prepare and rehearse? I set to work and from that point on my children gave thought-out answers to the list of questions I thought they might be asked in an interview situation. And no age is too young for preparation!
All of life is an interview.
Every child is asked a thousand questions in his growing-up years. If that child happens to be homeschooled the tally rises to a million fairly quickly! You know how it is--you can't go through the check-out line in the grocery store without you and your children being riddled with questions. Homeschooled children are questioned by friends, by relatives, by people at church, by strangers, and occasionally by a TV reporter or a legislator. And sometimes well-meaning friends and relatives can't wait to get your children alone so they can find out what they really think and feel.
You will be doing your children and yourself a great service if you teach them how to handle questions in a graceful, confident, knowledgeable way.
The process of preparing children for interviews-
1. Brainstorming. We had a white board at the time. I began by drawing a line down the middle. I then asked questions like the ones at the beginning of the article. Each child would give his response. If the response was appropriate for the interview, I wrote it down on the right side of the board. If it were appropriate for private conversation but not necessarily an interview situation, I put it on the left side of the board.
2. Tweaking and polishing. At the end of that exercise, we then looked at the answers on the right side of the board and we began to tweak and polish them a bit.
3. Role playing. Then we role played. I would be the reporter, and I would ask the boys questions. Then we would switch roles and they would ask the questions and I would answer. It gave them a chance to hear my responses. We would continue until they were too tired to be productive, or we had an answer relatively down pat.
4. Practicing. Once we had gone through the role playing, we would practice—sometimes formally, sometimes informally. If we were in the car, I would throw out one question and have them answer it. Sometimes we would go back to the white board and have a more formal training session. If a new question arose, we would go through the process again of brainstorming, tweaking and polishing, and role playing again.
A great resource
The Little Book of Big Reasons to Homeschool is a 70-page little book written by my friends David and Kim d’Escoto. Because it is a quick and easy read (and is only $7.99), it makes a great book to keep on hand to give those who are interested in homeschooling.
But I have also discovered another great use for this book. Have your children read it—or read it out loud together as a family. (And count it as part of your school day.) This book gives a little history on homeschooling and then has sections on the benefits of homeschooling to the mind, to the body, and to the soul.
This is a perfect forum for beginning to teach your children how to answer the countless questions they will encounter about homeschooling. Go back to your white board at home. Divide it into three sections—mind, body, and soul—and list the benefits of homeschooling provided in this book. It will be a great springboard for discussion. You will have reasons to add in addition to those listed by the author. Some reasons will be more important to you than others—or more important to your children.
The point is this: begin the discussion. Prepare your children well to answer the questions that will arise almost daily in their lives concerning homeschooling. They are truly some of the greatest ambassadors homeschooling has.
You can transfer this process to other areas.
Your children will be questioned about their Christianity as they grow up seeking the Lord. Use this same process to teach them how to answer questions about their faith.
As they prepare for job and/or college interviews, they will benefit greatly from these same interview skills you have instilled in them as children.
And through this process of questioning and answering you are helping them develop powerful critical thinking skills.
Real coupons for everything
I got hooked up with this website recently and it is not hokey or some scam. You get free coupons for your groceries or whatever (and even for free stuff) from a community of people just like us. The people are soooo nice and helpful! I am so impressed with it all.
My husband lost his job over three months ago and I need the help. Even if he still worked, a single income family needs to do what it can to save money.
Anyway, take a second to go check it out, you will be glad you did!
Click here: A FULL CUP
Review of My Father's World curriculum
We did MFW Adventures a couple years ago. I even had my then 6th grader do it with my son (then 7yrs old). Consequently, she was doing two separate history 'classes', but she loved it.
We did not do any baking, but some of the recipes were pretty cool and we have plans to make those ones.
The state coloring we did was fun. Instead of using the Dover book they use (with special copying allowance given by Dover) we used United States Coloring Book by Rod & Staff. We did have the Dover book in our currculum kit, however, I liked the idea of both my children having their own book to color in and not photocopies. This ended up being cheaper for us than copying that many pages... at only $3 for each book, too. (http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/item/2932/)
I felt the science was a little "young". Maybe my children were just more advanced in science-y things. (Not trying to sound like my kids are geniuses! They just read a LOT of science books on the free time.) Because I felt that MFW science was light, we kind of winged science for the year. I would pick a subject like space and then we would learn about it by checking out library books and such.
We had a great time. There is a yahoogroup for mfw, MFWfamilies. Even one specifically for Adventures! I recommend you sign up there. Also there is a forum that is the best curriculum specific one I ever saw at the mfwbooks.com site. (http://board.mfwbooks.com/)
It is a great program. We did not do any years after that as I did not like the emphasis on greek philosophies that were in Creation To The Greeks.
But, I do like ECC (Exploring Countries & Cultures) and bought it to use this last year- however, with potty training and a newborn... the thought of doing most any mom-involved-education was not realistic for me and I still have ECC sitting here unused. Sigh...
One of the best things I learned from My Father's World?
The book basket!
Wow! Every book written for the "new homeschooler" & every website catering to new homeschoolers, should tell people about this concept. I had not heard about it the whole time I had been homeschooling, although I did do a version of it myself before. MFW has a homerun here!
I do not agree with the statement that "MFW Adventures is full of busywork" that I heard someone make some time ago. Personally, I hate busywork and do not assign it.
If you do go with My Father's World, any "year" unit study, make sure you make the student copies all at the beginning of the year like they say to do in the teacher instructions at the beginning of your manual.
Our year with MFW Adventures was our most fun year homeschooling so far. But highly educational at the same time. How cool can it get?
Homeschoolers get blamed again
HSLDA article
"Homeschoolers Get Blamed, Again"
On January 22, a committee of the Rapid City School Board implied that homeschoolers were to blame for the school system losing thousands of dollars in funding. Just six days later, the Clear Lake Courier blamed homeschoolers for the loss of $41,000 in school funding.
When homeschoolers are wrongly accused of creating financial problems for public school systems, it’s time to respond. HSLDA attorney Scott A. Woodruff sent the following letter to the editor to the Clear Lake Courier:
Dear Editor:
By leaving the blame for the school system losing $41,981 at the door of area homeschoolers, your recent article, “Students and aid lost from open enrollment,” encourages your readership to think that homeschoolers are the problem.
But it’s perfectly logical to reduce a school’s funding when it serves fewer students. If there are fewer students, the school needs less money.
The question that then remains is: “Since the opportunity to serve someone is a privilege, not an entitlement, what does the school plan to change to reduce the erosion of confidence among area families?” That’s the $41,000 question that went unasked and therefore unanswered in your article.
Next time the Clear Lake Courier talks about schools “losing” money because of homeschoolers, please mention how much homeschoolers save the taxpayer by educating their children at their own expense—not the taxpayers’. Homeschoolers are some of the best friends the taxpayer has.Sincerely,
Scott A. Woodruff, Esq.
Math making us mental
A friend of mine was thinking the other day that maybe for those kids who are not "math minded" maybe the program should not be over explained. Maybe they do best with straight forward ..with a lot of review. The program she switched over to explains much more the why.. almost to the point of making it too abstract, in her opinion. She was thinking maybe not all people need to know the inner workings...just how to do it and get there.
In a lot of ways, I agree.
With my 9yr old son, I have had him working on memorizing his multiplication facts. My husband likes to help him by saying things like "If you know 9x10 is 90, then you know that 9x9 is 9 less than 90 and then you just subtract 9 from 90 in your head to get the answer." (Coming from a math lover, of course!) However, it makes my son not memorize and sit there trying to figure out some rabbit trail kind of thought process to get to an answer. Finally I had to say something about not worrying about all the "whys" and just memorize them so you know them.
Brainless memorization has its merits in many cases.
My 14yr old daughter is using Teaching Textbooks for the second year. We started with PreAlgebra and now we are in Algebra 1. In my opinion, they give you enough explanation to a non-mathy person and don't overdo it. I certainly pay big money for this program, but I can rest knowing it is being taught right and it works for her.
Revolve
The Revolve Tour: All Access
Have you ever felt you were on the outside looking in? Wishing you could have an All Access pass and see what’s going on behind the scenes? Wondering what others ‘get’ that you’re missing?
When it comes to a relationship with God, you have All Access. And at the Revolve All Access event, you’re welcome to just come as you are and be ready for an experience you will never forget. You’ll get a glimpse of what it’s like to have All Access to the love of God.
All Access is a Friday night – Saturday event designed for 6th through 12th grade girls. (But girls who are a little younger or older come, too . . . and we hear they enjoy it!)
All Access uses music, drama, personal stories, videos and other creative avenues to address issues relevant to teenage girls today, including relationships with friends and family, body image and self esteem, relationships with guys, and faith in God.
Cliff diving without a net
"Did you hear from God?" or "I need a sign to confirm this."
I think this can be a crutch we lean on.
Waiting and waiting to hear from God. Or all the other things we use as some form of a "fleece". It is often our flesh trying to find a back door out of something. Kind of an escape clause.
I hate to use the term "err on the side of caution" because we should not be operating in fear, but that is what comes to mind when I think about this sort of thing. If God says to do something we often just stand there and wait for more confirmation. We should be moving instead.
Often I hear from people "I don't want to go if God isn't going, just like Moses said!" It can be good to do this, but often it is a cop out.
Like if you always wanted to heal people and are praying for the gift, you should be praying healing over people at every opportunity- not waiting for some bolt of glory to come out of the sky and the Lord's loud voice saying "My child go and heal My people and I will give you favor wherever you go!" Or the Lord may be waiting to open up that job wherever or put you in that ministry thing you desire, but He is waiting for –you- to start the thing in some way. It often takes our step of faith first. Are we ashamed to be loopy for Jesus?
Why don't we just do it?
I am guilty, too. I find myself waiting for God sometimes when I already know.
Fact is, He has usually already given the green light and the ways & means.
Adopted into a forever family
We've been looking at adopting again. We keep being drawn to it. What is the Lord up to with that? The strange thing is, because we now have four children, many countries exclude us. And, if you want to adopt here, most birth mamas want to give to childless couples. I can understand that, I suppose, but we are really dedicated to our children and love them to pieces. We love children so much, we want more! The notion tht you only have a measure of love to give is a complete myth- this is a truth that a teen mother cannot understand. Anyway, I keep looking. One option is african-american babies. Less red tape, faster turn around time, younger children. I will keep you all updated on this journey.
Tale of two women
After yesterday's confession of my day working with my son and his "training", my good friend emailed me this story and I was so encouraged. I hope you will be too.
A Tale of Two Women by Kevin Swanson
I must tell you the tale of two women. There was the first woman who was very neatly put together. She had inherited three generations of faith. Her great grandmother, her grandmother, and her mother were Christians.
She had a very neat life. The furniture was covered. And she hardly ever sinned. The children were placed in boarding schools and she never yelled at them, even once. The pastor never had to deal with her problems. In fact, once or twice he commended her from the pulpit.
But let me tell you about another woman -- she had no godly mother or grandmother. Her father was an alcoholic, and, to tell you the truth, she was not so neatly put together.
One day, she brought her children home from school and engaged in a real relationship with them, and let me tell you, it was messy. She yelled at her children, too much. She was afraid they would be permanently damaged by her yelling. At times, she thought maybe they were a little too close to observe her ways.
Her house was often disorganized but the stacks were neat. But she engaged in hospitality anyway. She had never done it before, but her husband thought it would be a good idea. Loving strangers? It was hard enough loving her own children! But she did anyway, and she did it badly.
Her children gave her their hearts and they did observe her ways. They observed her yelling, her tears of repentance. Yes. They observed her fears that they might pick up her sinful habits. They observed her struggles to overcome her anger, the time she ran into the [bedroom because she was afraid she might say something ugly. They saw it all. They saw it all. And, trust me folks, it was a big mess.
The pastor was not very happy with this woman and her family. They seemed to require more prayer and counsel than anybody else in the church. "VDP's" he called them. "Very Demanding People."
She would bring the big mess to church with her and fall on her face and say, "God have mercy on me, a sinner." But, let me tell you, that woman went home justified!
The moral of the story is simple. God is good. He does really well with big messes, but he doesn't do as much with those who are so neatly put together.
As Jesus taught us in his parable, it is not how many talents you start with that matters. It is what you do with the 0.2 talents you had at the beginning. What really matters is the risk you take, the sacrifice, the heart molding, and the willingness to uncover the mess and to remove the layers of plastic, sterile, institutionalized, white-coated plaster. If you would try risking your furniture, your relationships, and your otherwise neat life for Jesus, and bring the whole mess to the cross, you will find great blessing indeed.
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