Month: July 2006

Out and About..

We didn’t make it to church yesterday. DH still needs a bit of help in the morning after his recent shoulder reconstruction…and with another teen in the house (daughter’s friend) we just didn’t make it out the door by 8.45am.

So, we decided to go out for a few hours. We drove north heading toward Caloundra…on the way we stopped and walked up Wildhorse Mountain to the scenic lookout where we stayed for awhile (until we got our breathe back) and surveyed the beautiful Glasshouse Mountains.

As we were expecting initially to go to church and not sight-seeing, we didn’t take the good camera with us but ‘Master C’ , who has been showing a lot of interest in photography lately, had taken his little cheap digital camera with him. It’s not a flash camera but I thought I’d upload the photos anyway.

We went further along until we actually arrived in Caloundra where we walked through the street markets (which is always fun eh?!) and then we went to the golden arches as John needed a drink to take his tablets. We then ventured onto the most delightful beach where we had chicken and chips for lunch. After this, we walked along the beach a little, finding a few hermit crabs along the way when we looked up to see some sky divers coming down to land on the beach. Ah, it certainly took John back a few years…to the times where he had racked up over 300 jumps.

The children were fairly quiet on the way home. I think they were a bit tired from walking up the hill…and the walk on the beach!

I took ‘Miss A’ , ‘Miss R’ and ‘Miss R”s friend to church at 6pm and then spent some time with John playing with our latest toy – Dragon Naturally Speaking before going to pick the girls up from church.

We cannot believe the weather here. It is the middle of winter and we’re going to the beach???!!! The coldest day has been about 12 degrees whereas that would be the warmest day in winter in Canberra. No wonder I had trouble adjusting to ACT weather. It’s just not right!!!

Our Sabbath Season…six months on…

Here we are midway through the year and it’s time to look back, to assess and take stock of how things are going.

In January of this year, I decided to have a Sabbath period.? I called it a Sabbath year but later changed it to a ‘Sabbath Season‘…I was content to take up to a year but didn’t want to be bound by that.

The point of this Sabbath Season was to not strive. Not to plan. Not to be so consumed by homeschooling. Not to feel so driven most of the time but to relax in Him. To focus on relationships. I knew that this should/could be the way of learning-at-home but it wasn’t reality for me. Not really.

So, where are we now six months later? What have we been doing? Surely we haven’t just been sleeping in late each day and doing nothing? No. As I had posted? we really have been focusing on the 3 R’s – Rest, Relationship and Refreshment.

Yes we?ve been moving interstate, having visitors stay with us and going away for softball trips but we’ve also been doing some things that could/should/would be classified as lessons.

How is this different to what we were doing last year when I thought that God was directing our home? Well, it’s the same but different. The change is in *me*. I didn’t realize exactly how many layers of self I had wrapped up in homeschooling- but there’s a few. A few years ago, I thought I had given it all over to God…that He could do what He wanted with me and that I had died to self and let go of my ideals. And I did do that. However, I believe that there were still parts of it, my goals that had to be given over to God. I’m learning at a deeper level what He means when He says to commit our ways to Him.

So far this year, we have read history, science, done math’s and English, watched many movies and had great discussions on the nature of man, practiced real life skills, trained our physical bodies, and implemented new chores and routines. But more than that, we have spent more time in God’s word- reading, studying…immersing ourselves in Him.

It’s not that we have stopped learning how to write or spell or do math’s…rather that I don’t plan. We simply pick up the lesson where we left off and if this means that we don’t do math’s for 2 or 3 weeks then so be it!? It isn’t going anywhere and we’ll get back to it one day. Meanwhile, there are other things for us to learn or do.

I have been pleasantly surprised at how much my children have been able to achieve independently WHEN THEY ARE READY. Oh, I used to try and have them read this and that…to do this report and that essay…but it was a bit of a slog. Now I see that as they are ready, (and I’m watching all the time to see when the time is right) they are able to go through 3 -4 times the amount of work that I could have ‘taught’ them. But the added bonus is that they have done it themselves and so they taste success in doing something themselves.

So where to from here? I’ve often said that learning-at-home is a marathon, not a sprint. Maybe if I only had the one or two children at home I could do it with 100% focus but I don’t- I have four beautiful children. This means that it is truly a marathon…the long haul. It has to be a lifestyle for it to be sustainable (for us). This means that I approach the educating of our children a little differently to someone who is homeschooling for a year or so or until high school. This is our 9th year…and I have approximately another 7-8 years before my youngest son finishes yr 12. It isn’t about ‘resting’ and not planning for another 8 years. It’s about not being consumed by that planning. It’s about truly trusting in Him and commiting my way to Him.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.? Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.? For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I’ve come to learn that this Sabbath Season isn’t meant to be just for a month or so, for me. Rather it is to be the way we live for now, until the Lord directs us differently. This will come too, I think as there is a time for work and a time for rest. But on a much smaller scale, I’m even finding this to be true WITHIN our Sabbath Season. There is a time to focus on spelling, on math’s, on history…but I don’t need to focus on them every day, every week, every month. Seasons – what a gift from God!

When I wake in the morning are my thoughts about curricula, lessons or history or are they on the Lord and how I can best serve Him this day?

Oh, I think that others such as Marilyn Howshall and Robin Sampson say all this much more eloquently and concisely than I do…but I have to speak from my own experience.

How to Schedule with Heart of Wisdom

Following my review of the Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach, a reader, Jamie asked me the following question, and so I will write my response here as she doesn’t seem to be a HSB member and might not find her way back to read my comment.

Question:
I’m so glad I found your blog! I have never used HOW before, but have looked longingly at it for the last year. I have three teens (8th/9th grade equivalent, and one in 10th and 11th this fall) and am wondering if HOW would be something I could implement with some measure of success for the remainder of my eldests homeschooling? Since it is a four year program (and cycling at that) what could you suggest for me?

Hi Jamie,
Thanks for your comment on my blog! I too, looked longingly at HoW for years before taking the plunge and buying the book and a unit study. Yet, I don’t know why I took so long. I always knew that one day I would use HoW, but the timing just didn’t seem right. I think it is because God knows all and He knew that I still had things that I had to get out of my system and let go of before wholeheartedly accepting something new (new to me- or different to my worldly goals).

What many people don’t realise is that HOWTA is not just a curriculum, it is an entire method- a way of doing things that lines up with a Biblical worldview. It isn’t just a curriculum with some Bible study tacked on for good measure…it is basically Bible study!

I think that at the ages of your children, you may not want to completely change everything and offer them a whole new scope and sequence of study. Section Three of HOWTA tells us how we can change methods and use different ones that encompass a Biblical worldview.If I were to undertake this with my older students, this is what I would do. It isn’t so much about book A or book c as much as the WHY we study certain subjects and how we learn about them.

I would suggest that pick up in the history rotation right where you are now! What era are you about to start on this new year? (It is a new school year for you shortly, isn’t it? I’m Australian and our school year runs differently) Incorporate a Bible-First educational philosophy into your home and work…even consider having your older students read through selected chapters of HOWTA for themselves!

I think that a HOWTA is suitable for anyone and everyone…but I’m biased because HOWTA espouses a Bible-First education and that is my passion. Not only did it put forth a Bible-First education but it gave me some tools to achieve that and put it nto practice.

So, in a nutshell I would suggest that you purchase the Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach book and then commit your home and coming year to God, seeking Him for direction, for each child. If God directs you to use a HOW unit study then you can purchase one but if He directs you to devise your own curriculum, with a Bible-First education then you can do that. Either way, I don’t think your money would be wasted in the HOW Teaching Approach.

The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach

Click here to learn more or purchase

Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach

written by Robin Sampson

The Heart of Wisdom Publishing Company is a family owned and operated business that publishes a variety of homeschool resources useful for Christian families in the training of their children. This approach uses the Bible as the centre of all education. Those who are interested in a Bible based, Delight-Directed, Note-Booking, or Charlotte Mason approaches may like these products as the author has taken the best from each approach and blended them to make the Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach.

I have used some of the Heart of Wisdom units for a few years now but I have been most influenced by Robin’s book, ‘The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach‘. I have learnt that the Bible outlines how we should teach our children and that study is a form of worship. The goal of this approach is to train children to read, to study, to understand, to love to learn and, most importantly, to desire and seek true wisdom. A benefit to this approach is multi-level teaching and can be used by a mother with children of all ages. I loved ‘Educating the WholeHearted Child’ by Clay and Sally Clarkson and it provided a vision but, for me, it left out many practical how-to’s. The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach fully provides this yet with the expectation that each parent is to do what is right for their family.

Click here to learn more or purchase

Section One

The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach is divided into several sections. Section 1 tells of the Sampson family journey from school to homeschool- various approaches and methods. The author doesn’t tell the reader how they should approach education based upon her experience, rather she sends the reader to the Scriptures to find the answers.

Section Two

Section 2 is important as it looks at the foundation of Christian education, by exploring the roots of educational methods from the past until modern times. The book also looks at the difference between Christian, Hebraic, Greek and secular worldviews and how this impacts the methods used in modern education. Great reading for new homeschoolers or veterans.

Section Three

Now knowing about why there is a need for change in the way we view education, Section 3 tells us how we can change and use different methods that encompass a Biblical worldview. Learning styles and the Four-Step approach to a lesson plan as well as talking about Charlotte Mason, Unit Studies, Delight-Directed studies and Critical Thinking and Logic are included.

Section Four

Section 4 is a large chapter, full of meaty ideas that will challenge each reader’s thinking and method. A four-year plan that can be rotated to provide a full 12 years worth of study, based upon God’s Word and World is suggested. Scrapbooking or Notebooking is encouraged – assisting children in their learning as they plan, develop, classify, categorise, construct, and organise their work. History is taught chronologically while science is taught in the order of Creation. English skills are integrated into all studies. Scheduling, planning and much more is addressed in this chapter.

Section Five

Once the educational philosophy has been addressed, a change in resources may be required. Robin doesn’t leave us floundering. In Section 5, she writes about using the HOW unit studies or devising your own and where to get the various resources from for years K-12. Science, History, Literature and Life Skill resources can be purchased from the Heart of Wisdom online Store or from your local Christian bookshop.

Click here to learn more or purchase

Not only was I encouraged by this book but informed, refreshed and motivated to run the race. This book, this approach, is like a breath of fresh air. The book is available through a variety of means: electronic download, or bound editions. Regardless of the format, the content is excellent and I wholeheartedly recommend it for any parent, homeschool or otherwise.

Disclosure: I am compensated for purchases made via the referral links in this post.

Stop the world, I wanna get off…

Just when I thought life was going to settle down into a nice, steady routine – WHAMMO!!!!!! No way, it isn’t.

John is scheduled for surgery on Monday. The bone in his shoulder has to be scraped and chiseled in order for the repaired tendon to fit into place. Then, they have to drill a few little holes through the bone so that the tendon sits properly. We don’t know how long he’ll be in the hospital nor how long his recovery will be or what he’ll be capable of. He will likely be home between 6 – 8 weeks. (Those who know me and my hubby will know why this is a mixed blessing) So for now, we wait. But this comes on the heel of a horror week.

After ‘Miss A’ and I got home from Sydney, we had to rush around and buy a new (new to us but second hand) van as our Tarago van died. We bought one, went to get it registered only to find that it hadn’t had a safety certificate for a few years so we had to book in somewhere and get that done. Then, we thought we should change our license’s over to QLD which went smoothly for me but not so for DH who, unbeknownst to us, had been suspended! What? Why? How? When? Where? We asked. Turns out that two and a half years ago, we got a speeding ticket.Okay. I paid it. However, I must have paid it late, after some fees had gone on so it turns out that we still owed $30 in fees which had suspended his license. But they never let us know about it. After a great many of phone calls and frustration, we got it sorted out. We returned home from fixing all that up to find that the front tyre was flat. No worries- John taught 12yods to change the tyre which he did a great job with. John couldn’t do it with his arm in the sling. Bravo Rambo!

Then we had my Dad and his friend visit, which I found incredibly emotional and draining. It was lovely to see him again and to meet his ‘friend’ but very draining.

As you might remember from some photo’s of our new place, we don’t have much of a yard. Still, boys will be boys and ‘Rambo’ (12yods) had taken to kicking the soccer ball lightly against OUR house wall. It really wasn’t very much but it gave him something to do. Well, our neighbour came running out, yelling at him to ?Go inside. I’m sick of hearing that Bang!Bang! Bang! That’s all I hear all day is bang! Bang! Bang! And I’m sick of it. If you want to kick a ball you should go down to the park. Now go inside where you belong!

The neighbour is of Maltese descent, and her shrilly voice fairly scared the boys, while I got angry. I’m all for being neighbourly and that but goodness, can’t my boys do anything in their own backyard? They didn’t do it again for a few days, even though I told them they could so long as they ensured me that they would only do it on the house wall or other fence. Well, a few days later ‘Rambo’ went outside to practice his kicking and within a few minutes, the shrieking was heard again and ‘Rambo’ came inside pretty quickly. John was home (shoulder injury) so he went across to see what the problem is. Turns out that the neighbour was very apologetic but his wife has suffered a nervous breakdown a few months ago and is trying to recover. Gee, did I feel like a nasty pasty or what! However, I still feel for my boys. My heart breaks for them. No yard, no park close by…what ARE they supposed to do to burn off some energy?

Things were looking up for ‘R’ as she was excited to be going to her friends house for awhile. This would mean a plane trip to Canberra, which is all rather exciting. So, we awoke this morning at 4am in order to shower and leave for the airport, not realizing how much traffic would be on the road at 5.15am!Upon arrival at the airport, I went straight to the teller and stood in the short line when an orderly came up and asked me if I had already used the computer to retrieve the e-baggage ticket. No, I hadn’t I told him as I found it quicker and easier to use the teller. This was based on my experience only one week ago in the Sydney airport. Well, it doesn’t work that way here (with Qantas) I HAD to get my eticket first! I ran to the eticket machine, punch in ‘R’s name while the machine tells me that it is sorry but I am 2 minutes late for booking luggage! 2 min late? The time I was waiting in line for the teller! I was told to go to the ticket area and that ‘R’ would have to take the next flight! No way! So, John stayed in the line with the suitcase trying to arrange it to go at a later time while ‘R’ and I sprint for the plane. Nope! Luggage can’t be sent separately as it is a security issue. So, John met us in the boarding area while we explained to the flight crew what had happened. They informed us to simply go to the security luggage area which was only 15 metres away and they would handle the suitcase. Sounds easy eh? Ha! The fellow there said that if we had missed the luggage then all we could do was to take the next flight which left in 2 hours. Cool eh? Except it stopped over in Sydney and there was no way that I was going to allow my daughter to stop over! Then he said we could wait for 2 and a half hours for another direct flight, for the same price. It was at this point (6am) that I became a sobbing, blubbering mess. I couldn’t help it. I explained that this wouldn’t work either as the people who were responsible for picking ‘R’ up reside 2 hours out of ACT and they had already left to head into town to get her! At seeing me in such a mess he practically snatched the suitcase from me and stormed off with it, saying all the while that by doing this he was compromising the security of his personal life (whatever that meant). He tagged it and it was to be stowed away in the captain’s cabin. The lovely attendants listened to my blubbering and assured me that they’d keep an eye on ‘R’. A quick kiss and hug and ‘R’ was off! Yes, she landed safely. All is well. Friends picked her up and she’s as happy as Larry. Most surprising though was that through all this, not once did ‘R’ have to offer any identification- photo or otherwise! All this concern with security yet she boarded the plane having displayed NO identification!

I don’t know what else can go wrong but amidst it all I know that I’m alive to breathe praise for another day…to the God of all creation. I don’t know why things happen or how this is meant to ‘grow me’. All I know is that I get up in the morning, put one foot in front of the other, utter words of praise and get about the day, thankful that I am surrounded by people who love me and whom I love. Thank you Lord.