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Month: September 2007

Parent to Parent Chat on ADHD ebook

I’ve just had the opportunity to read an ebook A Parent to Parent Chat on ADHD – The Book I Wish I Had by: Theresa Lode

Theresa (an online friend of mine and real funny lady) shares a little of their own personal journey as well as gives some down to earth and practical tips that she has learned along the way. This book is not for those wanting an official report on ADD or ADHD. Rather it is for the parent who wants to understand the condition a little more and gain real life ways to help the family flourish.

Theresa is a home educating mother but her ebook will not heap condemnation upon you if you don’t homeschool. Theresa writes in her humorous, bright and sparky way that will give you a chuckle as well as give you information and creative ideas.

The chapters are: The Gift that is ADHD, Getting a Diagnosis, Picking Your Health Care Team, The Heredity Link, Co-Morbid Conditions, Sensory Inte-WHAT?, To Medicate ? or Not, What We Decided to Do,
Diets and Supplements, Neurofeedback, Lifestyle, Dealing with Behaviors, Learning Styles, The Brilliance of ADHD, Education Options, What is Education Anyway?, Parent Stress, and You are the Expert.

For the low price of $24.95US this 26 page, honest and real look at parenting a child with ADHD can be delivered straight to your computer!

Visit the website today to look at a sample chapter and see what others are saying.
http://www.theartofaccounting.com/motherlodepublishing/

You might also like to visit Theresa’s blog at: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Theresa/

Cleaning Up My Internet Habits

Moreover, as they go about from house to house, they learn to be idlers, and not only idlers, but gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not say and talking of things they should not mention.
1 Timothy 5:13

Many years ago, I read an article that convicted me of the sin of ‘needing to know‘. But you know what? Just because God taught me some things about that then, does not mean that I now have all my ducks in a row and that I don’t struggle in this area anymore. I do.

And something happened this week to show me how things get mucked up when I try to operate in my own strength and do things on my own.

I have a confession to make. I have been lurking around places, (read: forums, blogs, etc) simply to know what is going on. I have not been contributing to them, I just want to know. I have again been convicted that this isn’t any better than the woman that Paul describes as wandering about the neighbourhood, dropping in to say hello and finding out the latest goss. [ouch]

Its time for a cleanup- of my heart, mind and websites I am on. If I am not involved in some way with a person or site or blog (by praying for them or commenting them) or if I’m not serving them by responding to queries then maybe I ought not be there. I need to ask myself: Why am I here visiting this site? Is it to serve, to be edified, informed, to pray? If not, then I need not be there.

Lord, I am sorry. Teach me to keep myself busy with my tasks here at home instead of wandering ‘around’ getting into everyone else’s business. Forgive me for straying from your ways and set my feet upon the right path again Lord. Help me to guard my heart and mind, that in all things I give glory to You.

Nurturing Ourselves is Vital

It’s about that time of the year when the pages of the calendar are flipping over quickly which, for the homeschool mother, often means praying, thinking, stressing, researching and considering options for the upcoming year. Many people start planning for Christmas or vacation trips or entertaining plans and somewhere in it all, a mother’s heart can start to feel overwhelmed or even dry up.

Sometimes as mothers, we can feel like we’re pulled and pushed in every direction…others feel like butter that’s been spread over too much toast. Sometimes it is just all part of life so we soldier on, but if this happens to often then it can lead into being part of a negative or destructive cycle.

If you are in the homeschooling journey for the long haul- if this is a marathon and not a sprint, you will need to find ways to feed your own heart and mind. By feeding our heart and mind I’m talking about continuing to learn, to be stimulated, to serve, to be nourished in body, mind and soul. Bible reading and resting in God is a must! Our cup can overflow with the abundant love and grace of God, but we still need to exercise our physical body occasionally. So, we need to consider ways to cultivate our souls.

“Mothers should cultivate their souls, that in turn they may cultivate the souls of their children.”

~Billy Graham

The things I’m talking about need not be expensive- expensive doesn’t mean better! The key is however, finding some things that make you feel energetic…things that put a spring in your step…put a smile on your dial…something that makes you want to get up in the morning…something that stimulates your mind or body… For some it is volunteer work, a craft hobby like scapbooking or quilting, others find that gardening or cooking invigorates them. Some ladies love to decorate and paint stencils along their walls while others might like to pop out into the shed and build something for the home. There isn’t one right thing that suits everyone. But, the difficulty that a lot of homeschoolers mother face is how and when to fit it into their already busy or harried schedule. Please share how you fit your ‘Sanity Saver’ time into your family routine.

I used to love playing and coaching softball. I couldn’t wait for trainings. I also love entertaining and having visitors. I love watching good movies. I like watching Sci Fi with my hubby (sci-Fi can be intellectually stimulating) I like taking the children to the pool- they swim; I read a good book. I like to write. I may not be very good at it but there really is something to be said for the processing that goes on when one attempts to convey their thoughts, dreams and ideas via the written word. I like to serving others and help them. I find this invigorates me. I just have to share what I did that has truly nurtured my heart. I bought myself the Paul Potts CD. I have never been a real fan of opera but honestly, this talented fellow is making me do a complete turn around in my attitude. I bought the cd, popped it into my computer and just soaked it up- I was so refreshed and moved by it. Opera and jazz are not amongst my favourites genres of music and if anyone else feels similar or is wondering how to introduce opera to the children, pop out and buy the Paul Potts CD, called One Chance. You can hear some samples here, but they don’t do the CD, or his voice, justice.

  • Cindy Rushton has a lit of ideas on her site that you must check out!

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28 -30

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me?watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Let’s encourage each other and share ways to cultivate our souls and nourish our hearts, bodies and minds while serving our families. I’d love to hear from you!

Super Simple Spiritual Sunday

?Super

Yes, it’s Super Simple Spiritual Sunday again. I love this meme as I get to share the blogs that have spiritually blessed, informed or edified me this past week.

1. Cindy Rushton writes on Battling the Big D: Depression.
2. Not My List, But Yours Be Done
3. A Proverbs 31 Woman is what Robin shares on HOW.
4. Nancy Wilson shares some wisdom on Idle Chatter
5. Voice of Vision writes on how the gospel affects all of our life in “Let’s Do Lunch”
6. A timely article worth reading right to the end, including the comments is Experience/Relationship or Academic? at Catch the Fire ministries. Timely, as Australians are bombarded with propaganda as we are propelled toward an election. (not saying I agree with everything it presents but it is good food for thought)
7. Perspective: The Invisible Woman – As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we’re doing it right. Go read this- it’s good.

Identity Directed Approach

homeschool

After viewing my profile, a reader sent me an email with the question, “What is an Identity Directed Approach” so I thought it was about time I tried to put my scattered thoughts into a more coherent form.

Identity Directed home-based learning goes hand in hand with a Bible Based, Christ Centred approach. It simply means to teach the child with a view to his/her God given strengths, weaknesses, interest, passions, and talents… their natural bents.

Recognise God’s Call

Firstly, it’s important to recognise that God has put you, the parent, as the responsible authority in the lives of your children. Remember also that when God calls, He also enables! If God has a plan and a purpose for you as well as your child (and He does!), the best way to find out about that plan is to learn more about Him and His ways. Look at Isaiah 55:8-11

Prayer

Pray! It almost goes without saying yet it’s often the most neglected facet of homeschooling. Acknowledge your weakness and lean on His strength and His ways. Yes, it is a walk of faith. For great information on homeschooling in faith I recommend Robin’s article at Heart of Wisdom. As I have looked to God, more and more He has taken care of all our homeschool needs. In other words, the less I have planned and struggled, the more He has been in control and provided for us.

Resting in Him

Listening is so important. We need to listen more to God. Once we’ve asked for His help and direction, we need to stop and listen so that we may hear.

Recognising and Identifying

We need to watch and observe. We will often sense the prompting of the Holy Spirit (and gain help and direction) just by watching and observing our children. But one caution; recognising the individual make-up of each child and who he/she was created to be is an ongoing process. We need to understand that we will become students; students who study our children!

It’s important to spend time identifying the following in each child:

  • Strengths and natural ability and aptitude, also called talents
  • Weaknesses
  • Interests; what sparks their curiosity or desire to know more
  • Their passions (things they would do if left to their own devices)

Once these things have been identified, pray and ask God to help you as you devise a plan to develop their strengths and to build up their weaknesses.

Balanced education

Identity Directed education is not child-led. It does not mean that the whim and fancy of each child is indulged. It doesn’t mean only doing what the child is good at and ignoring everything else. While it is part of Delight Directed education, it isn’t only about following delights. An athlete must train the whole body. It would be detrimental to their being to only train the areas of the body that they use most in their sport. A softball pitcher must have strong core muscles, upper body and leg muscles but they risk severe injury if these are the only areas they develop. They must also develop agility and speed, combined with power and explosiveness. They are required to use the muscle which allows them to pitch underarm yet if they don’t develop the muscles that allow them to throw over arm, they risk injury. Athletes use their whole body in a natural way and they never isolate a single muscle group or joint in the competition. In training yes, in order to develop the area but, only with an aim of building a strong whole body, fit for competition. Training with balance in strengths and weaknesses is the key! Just as an athlete has a training routine, so must the education of a child have structure and routine. These things are [natural, God ordained] biblical principles just as day turns to night and autumn comes after summer.

An individual’s strengths and weaknesses and interests are part of their God given make up! By identifying and encouraging their natural bents you will be launching them toward their purpose. Most of all, train in the ways of God and in wisdom!

Wisdom’s way of learning is about seeking God for His plan for our family.

Starting Out

Well, after you have recognised your God given responsibility, and prayed for wisdom, guidance and direction you will have been observing your children closely while leaning on God. So what comes next?

Mapping out a plan – start with the end in mind.

  • What are some skills that you want your strong, capable child to be have as an adult?
  • What are the attitudes, character traits and information/knowledge that you want your children to have as adults?
  • What are your educational, moral, spiritual personal, ethical, goals for my family?
  • What direction has God shown you regarding you and your family’s ministry in His Kingdom?
  • Do your aims line up with the Bible?

Each response to these points should look different based upon the personal convictions, values and calling of each family. (However, all should line up with #5 Do your aims line up with the Bible?)

Many people realise the immense benefit of home education but sometimes it isn’t until later on that parents come to see that homeschooling is more than academics… that it is a natural extension of God’s purpose for the family. This brings us to another set of points worth pondering:

  • What is ‘family’?
  • What things are important to us, as a family?
  • What abilities and interests and concerns has the Lord given to us, as a family?

The response to these points will also vary greatly. This is an interesting exercise to do with your spouse as it can help you identify your family’s unique purpose.

After identifying your family’s goals and purpose you should be able to see what is most important and worth your time. Is it academics? Skills? Information or knowledge? Or relationships? Our family has a priority list of relationships (with God, others and self) first, then skills and then knowledge. One of our highest priority areas is to grow in wisdom, which only comes from God and falls under the category of ‘relationships’.

“Academic education, as we know, should not be life’s goal for the Christian, rather, the goal should be discipleship to Jesus Christ.”

Marilyn Howshall ‘Wisdom’s Way of Learning

I’d like to encourage you to recognise God’s call, seek Him for direction, rest in Him yet all the while listening and observing. Put fine, rich books and ideas before your children. Watch for a spark and allow them to dig further. You will see the learning.

If you have any questions or would like me to clarify anything, please leave a comment or send an email.

Some recommended reading if this topic is of interest:

Addendum to Diary Day

After my past Diary Day post, Leonie commented that I seemed to do a lot of reading aloud. Yes, I did…On That Day! 😀

Monday’s are usually my heaviest read aloud day…but I’d like to share what happened yesterday, just in case anyone was under the false impression that I have everything all together.

After getting John off to work, I immediately jumped into the car to take ‘Miss A’ to work for a 7.30am start. I came home, supervised a few chores, cleaned the bathrooms and jumped in the car to take ‘Miss R’ to school. Home by 8.45am and at 9.30am a tradesman arrived to install blinds in the bathrooms, toilet, laundry, kitchen and dining rooms. Yay, we finally have some privacy. He ended up being here for 2 1/2 hours!!! During this time, I have to be available as he might need to ask a question plus he he roaming around my house. The boys went on with all their individual lessons.

We popped out to the shops, before picking Rebakh up from school. I was at the checkout, having put all the groceries through when I realised that I didn’t have my keycard. ‘Miss A’ had it from the night before!!! So, I ask the shop to hold my goods in the fridge. We run to the car and pick ‘Miss R’ up. We get home, she gets changed and we’re back into the car to take her to work. Thank the Lord that both girls work at the same place! ‘Miss R’ and ‘Miss A’ swap shifts and I get my card back. We zoom back to the shop, which is 10kms away, passing John (DH) along the way. We pick up the groceries and head home where I have 15min to catch up with my husband before ‘Miss A’ and I head out the door again to go to softball. Ugh, traffic was shocking. Took us 15min just to get over the Gateway Bridge. The traffic report said traffic was slowed to 60kmp/h on the bridge but we were only inching our way over it. John had to pick ‘Miss R’ up at 6pm.

Whew, we’re at training and I sat in the car and read and spend some much needed time with the Lord. We amble home to find that everyone has had CatchWhatYaCan for tea. Ugh, this means they tend to catch what they can but not clean up after themselves. Oh well, I’ll face the mess in the morning.

How much reading aloud did I do yesterday? NONE!!!!!

So if anyone got the guilts after reading my Diary Day post, I hope you feel better now. 😀 Each family is different and has their own uniqueness. Praise God!

Charlotte Mason 1

There are now countless websites and blogs devoted to the teaching and philosophy of Charlotte Mason. Back in 200, when this article was first written, I intended for this to be brief. Considering the amount of information now available, this is now ridiculously brief. Rather than attempt to rewrite the article I’ll simply post some links to good websites.

So Can We Sum Up The Methods Briefly?

We are leading the children to self-education. The reading of the best books facilitates this. Instead of comprehension questions and workbooks, narration is used. Narration is a natural yet extremely powerful tool that we can use in all areas of learning. Very simply, it is the telling back of what they have read or of what has been a read-aloud. Through narration, we can also see what the child does know, not what the child does not know. Whilst narration can be easy, natural and free it is also a complex process of which is very valuable and important in later years.

There is a strong emphasis on “living books“. (A living book is the opposite of a textbook and workbook) Texts and encyclopedias are good and contain much valuable information, however they are only facts. Dry facts. Living books allow the readers to become a part of the book, enabling them to understand the story, time custom etc. more clearly. They are well written and what Charlotte Mason would say are “clothed in literary language“. Living books do not talk down to a child’s level or leave out odd and interesting vocabulary.

Short lessons, which take place in the morning, keep children stimulated and focussed.

Copywork begins with careful penmanship, learning to make the letters and numbers correctly, producing a few perfect examples rather than a page of work that becomes sloppy. Once the letters are learned, then simple words, then sentences, paragraphs, and so on can be done, according to the age and ability of the student.

Charlotte Mason strongly emphasised the formation of Habits. She wrote, “the habits of the child produce the character of the man . . .every day, every hour, the parents are either passively or actively forming those habits in their children upon which, more than upon anything else, future character and conduct depend.” Many, who have read Charlotte Mason’s Six Volume Series agree that one of her favorite analogies with regard to habits is that they are similar to tracks for a train. The same way that it is easier for the train to stay on the tracks than to leave them, so it is for the child to follow lines of habit carefully laid down than to run off these lines. Because habits are so powerful, she tried to emphasize to parents that it is our responsibility to lay down these tracks. Charlotte Mason considered habit a delight in itself, and the training in habits becomes a habit for the mother. The choice is ours, as Charlotte put it, “The mother who takes pains to endow her children with good habits secures for herself smooth and easy days; while she who lets their habits take care of themselves has a weary life of endless friction with the children.”

I hope I have assisted you in becoming more familiar with the woman, Charlotte Mason and the methods that she espoused.

Recommended reading
“For The Children’s Sake” by Susan Schaeffer Mcaulay
“A Charlotte Mason Education” A how-to manual. By Catherine Levinson
“A Charlotte Mason Companion” by Karen Andreola
“Charlotte Mason Study Guide ” by Penny Gardner
“Charlotte Mason’s Original Homeschooling Series” by Charlotte Mason (six volume series)

Charlotte Mason series:
Part One: the woman and the philosophy,
Part Two (methods in brief),
Part Three (subject covered)

Charlotte Mason 2

WHAT SUBJECTS ARE COVERED USING THIS METHOD?

Primary Curriculum

Bible, Literature, History, Science, Language, Spelling, Independent Reading, Composition, Poetry, Handwriting, Math, Foreign Language, Art Appreciation, Music Appreciation, Geography, and Handicrafts.

High School Curriculum

Add to the Primary curriculum:
Geometry Science Botany, Entomology, Geology, Physiology, Languages, Morals & Ethics, Astronomy, Algebra & Economics.

Add to that those everyday lessons that homeschoolers teach and you have a full inexpensive curriculum of which every member of the family can benefit and learn from.

Charlotte Mason series:
Part One: the woman and the philosophy,
Part Two (methods in brief),
Part Three (subject covered)

Charlotte Mason 3

Charlotte Mason Methods

originally written in 2000

Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of education is becoming more popular as people realize what a simple, yet profound, method it is. Still, many home educators have never been introduced to Charlotte Mason’s ideas.

Who was Charlotte Mason? When did she live?
masonCharlotte Mason was born in England in 1842. Her parents mainly educated her while at home. She was orphaned at the age of sixteen. Miss Mason was an innovative educator who developed a unique approach to education. She believed that all children should have access to a broad, liberal education and to be allowed to reach their full potential. She started a teacher’s training college and many parents who educated their children at home flocked to her ideas. During her life she taught school, was a lecturer at a Teacher Training College, wrote many books and pamphlets, started a training school for governess’ which became Charlotte Mason College, became a popular public lecturer, established the Parents National Education Union (PNEU), and was Editor of it’s magazine, “Parent’s Review”. Charlotte Mason also taught parents, held retreats and classes on building the family. Charlotte Mason believed that all would benefit from a rich education and life. Her philosophy of education is designed for homes, private schools, and homeschools. Charlotte Mason had never claimed to have invented the methods that she put forth, rather she modified and combined them in a practical and intelligent way. Her methods include Narration and copywork, Nature Notebooks, Fine Arts, Languages, a Literature based curriculum instead of textbooks, and real-life applications. Charlotte Mason passed away in 1923 and was and is admired by many people. She was a Christian woman who dearly loved children and education.

What are the benefits of using her approach?
This is true learning. Children’s listening, attention, comprehension, retention, speaking, and writing skills all improve from using narration as a major part of education. It has been called a literature based approach and whilst this is an important aspect of the methods, it is definitely not limited. Most people find that they enjoy their homeschooling so much more since using Charlotte Mason’s methods. It can be inexpensive to use this method of schooling.

All one really needs to purchase is a language/phonics program and a Math book. Most that use this method buy lots of good literature, and in fact, have been known to be avid book collectors. But, you can get all resources from your local library. We enjoy the short lessons, which helps cut down on dawdling. The utilisation of “short lessons” helps prevent dawdling and encourages the student to have a focused attention span and sets good study habits. Families enjoy learning about real people in real places instead of dry, hard, cold facts. Science is a hands-on approach with lots of nature study. Fine literature, good art and music also are studied and enjoyed in this approach.

Another benefit is that each child is free to work at their own pace while still having a sense of achievement. No push to reach a particular *grade* or level. So this approach may be used with intermediate or advance learners or with slow or special needs children.

Charlotte Mason series:
Part One: the woman and the philosophy,
Part Two (methods in brief),
Part Three (subject covered)

Share Your Life With Your Children

Driving in the car…washing dishes…sweeping the floor, preparing a meal…reading a good book…visiting the new neighbour…running errands and paying bills.What do these have in common? These are a few things that I have had opportunity to do this week…to do with my children. And it is through these tasks and delights that I have opportunity to share the good news of God with them.

One of my favourite verses in God’s word is Deuteronomy, chapter 6. I particularly like Chapter 6: but that’s only because of the surrounding verses. The writer of these verses is Moses.

Moses went to Egypt and led the Israelites out of Egypt. They wandered around in the wilderness for 40 years. So close yet so far away from the Promised Land. During all this time the people of Israel had fallen away form the Lord and the teachings of Moses. Moses goes to Mt. Sinai and receives the Commandments from God. I often need to remember why the Law was given. It was given to reveal divine holiness!It showed who God is… His standards of righteousness. When I look at the commandments I can see how far short I have fallen…and how I can never attain adherence to them of myself.

I was intrigued to learn that it took the Israelites about 40 hours to get out of Egypt but it took 40 years for the Israelites to find the promised land- or as I’ve heard is said somewhere before, “It took 40 years to get Egypt out of Israel.” However, the other interesting point is that Moses didn’t get to enter the promised land. Only two of the Israelites who were taken out of Egypt got to enter it and they were Joshua and ‘Master C’ . Al the others had died and there was a new generation.

Just before his death, before the entrance to the promised land, Moses gave a final word of admonition and exhortation or additional instruction. (Interestingly, Jesus also quotes this verse) Moses was their leader. He helped them to live godly lives amongst heathen nations. As THE Word was taught to us, so we must teach it to our children.
God knows that our teachings, lives and beliefs can influence future generations. He wants us to think this way. How many generations can you see in the verses? Three! That means me, my children and my grandchildren!

I’ve heard many people say that they wish there was a handbook or guidebook for this whole parenting caper. But there is!!!!! It is the Bible!

So, what are we to pass down to the generations- to our children. Head knowledge? Well, I believe it can start there but it must be more than that. It must be in our lives. The word must change us. Along with a knowledge of God we must also have a fear of the lord – a love. Otherwise, all we have is religion. I wasn’t raised a Christian although my mother converted before I came to know the Lord so I say that my mother is the first generation Christian. It began with her 🙂 She started to live out her life in God in front of me…and I picked up on that passion. I think that a possible danger for me is that I may become complacent in the living out of my faith and thus my children will become that way or even acknowledge God’s commands but not live in the fear or love of the Lord. Oh Lord, create in me a clean heart…keep my heart drawn to you.

I often ask myself if I am really excited about what God is doing in my life or has done for me? Do I share my walk with them? How are they to ‘catch’ my passion if I don’t share it with them?

Living, loving and learning together…that’s our family!

Structure or Routine?

And everything, whatever ye may do in word or in deed, do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by him.
Col 3:17

There are scheduled times that I clean the house, mop and vacuum the floors and other jobs that need doing on a regular basis. However, if these were to be the only times that I cleaned or tidied, my house would be near uninhabitable! I’ve learned that while it is good and necessary to have these cleaning times, if I don’t tidy or pick things up at other times the scheduled cleaning time is staring at me like Mt. Kosciusko!

We’ve developed a motto from a book that I read, of which I cannot remember the title or author. This motto is something that I repeat several times a week, in a sweet voice and slowly, the children are beginning to get the idea.

“Always try to leave a room in a better way than you found it.”

It might be that I rearrange the pillows in the lounge-room or put the TV guide back where it belongs. It might be cleaning the kitchen cupboard door fronts while I have the sponge in my hand, rather than wait until Monday- my cleaning day. Whatever it is that I do, it all makes tackling Mt. Kosciusko on the cleaning days that little bit more achievable and less daunting.

My homeschooling efforts used to be a little the same: I felt like the task was of mammoth proportion! To only fit all of ones academia into certain hours is daunting! But since I’ve come to see that academics and education is much like my housecleaning routine it is so much more achievable. Here a little, there a little… Sure, we have set scheduled times where we focus on an area (like we do with housework) but it was when I saw that it is more about cultivating a lifestyle that more learning could actually take place! Here a little, there a little…

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatever ye do, do all things to God’s glory.
1Cor 10:31

The other thing I have noticed about myself is motivation. I enjoy having visitors as it requires me to do a certain amount of cleaning. Years ago, I used to use visitors as a motivation for cleaning the house! I don’t need that anymore, thankfully. It’s good to not be motivated by fear. However, I wondered about my motivation for my children’s education: why did I want them to read this book and that book? Why was it important to me that they have done this, that and the other? Was it again, similar to my housework in that a fear of some kind was my motivation? As I was able to release these concerns and fears to God, I started to live in freedom. Which I then took, as one often does when on a learning curve, to the extreme. Over time and circumstance, God brought me to a place of healing and restoration in the area of “education”, I can now set about my day and goal with a clearer motivation…one that is not based on fear.

~ What if my child doesn’t know everything he/she needs to?
~ What about the other children his/her age? They can all spell,write, do trigonometry, etc.
~ What will my neighbour/friend/Ed.Dept. think about my child not learning a foreign language?
~ Accck, do they need a foreign language?

Sure, all these things are concerns and ones that may need to be considered but the point isn’t the concerns themselves rather the motivation behind them.

Lord, help me to truly understand my imperfection and to know that I have not attained nor will not attain here on earth the state of perfection that I so often seem to desire. If the apostle Paul had not attained perfection on earth, then I know that I won’t either. Help me Lord to press on, toward the goal, to actively pursue your grace through Christ- not in and of myself – but knowing that Jesus has taken hold of me. Help me to keep my eyes upon heaven and your kingdom… that everything I do be for your glory.

but one thing–forgetting the things behind, and stretching out to the things before, I pursue, looking towards the goal, for the prize of the calling on high of God in Christ Jesus.
Phillipians 3:13-14

Living, loving and learning together…that’s our family!

Lifestyle of Learning

rp_john_caleb.jpg

One of the first and most profound statements that I had ever read was the one by William Butler Yeats, “Education is not the filling of pail, rather the lighting of a fire.”This has been a cornerstone of our home and family along with the Scripture of Duet 6: 4-9.

I guess if I had to label the how of our home/family, I would say it is loosely based on a ‘discipleship method’ or a “Bible-Centred, Eclectic, Discipleship Based, Spirit-Led, Identity-Directed, Relational, Literature Based Learners-at-home” approach. This approach (for want of a better term) can look a lot like natural learning but in our home, has a few differences. It isn’t focused upon academics- it is spiritual and real life based; and after that comes academics. It is only after sitting with John and praying and talking about our goals or aims for our children that we have come back to this. I believe that if we have a goal then this goal will influence the how and what we do with our children. Our aim is to have children who love and reverence the Lord and abide in Him. We believe that knowledge just for the sake of knowledge puffs up and fills us with pride if not done/learned with humility and a goal of serving the Lord. The main way we try to achieve this is not on content or *what-to-teach-when* rather a focus is relationships- relationships with parents, siblings, others and God.

To me, this approach is a lot larger than simply not using workbooks or a scope and sequence. It is looking at the child’s uniqueness- his gifts and interests and trying to develop other skills from this- or using this interest as central to his development. This doesn’t mean that my children just run amok each day but it does mean that no two days look the same (although at this stage the boys do look similar).

I’m still trying to find a balance between exposing the children to things that they don’t have a natural bent for without overloading myself or tying myself to a schedule of MUST DO THIS or MUST DO THAT . Eg: Fine Arts is not something that ‘Miss A’ takes a lot of delight in but I still try to encourage an appreciation for this in her life. Listening to different forms of music, view different works of art, etc can all be used to gently enhance my family and my home but do I need to turn it into a lesson? A subject? Maybe for one child that is appropriate because of her interests and gifts (be it even wooden watches) but does the other NEED to study that? These are things that John and I have worked through and are now happy to be at a place where we can answer these questions for our own family.

This approach, for us, also means that I strive to *keep their hearts* turned toward John and I and the family. This takes time and work. I also believe that true natural learning takes a lot of work by the parents. It isn’t just a matter of letting the kids run amok and see what they learn- it is more about putting things before the children and also praying for wisdom in discovering their interests and then developing their basic skills in and around those interests.
This form of learning allows the children to pursue their own (God given) interests with my support and guidance *and* I can be included with them in this! My children are surrounded by books (lots of ’em), good TV programs and other learning resources but mainly, (and I think this is a big key) and hopefully they will see my example of loving to learn, to study. This fits in with our goal of keeping the children’s hearts as I am actively involved in their course of learning. Another benefit is that their learning isn’t as ‘artificial’ as it has been. It hasn’t necessarily been spoon-fed to them- they have dug a lot of information out for themselves.

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An example of modeling learning – this is part of the naturalness of learning at home. Our children can memorise Scripture and colour in Bible pictures galore but if they don’t see us living and breathing that Truth, then what do they really learn? This doesn’t mean that we don’t use workbooks but that within the use of books, our focus is now different. Our focus is not upon WHAT we want to achieve or how much we want to read but that we view our more formal learning times as training- training the hearts of the children amidst some English, history or science lessons. (The real interesting thing is that we have shared this with the children and they understand this. Now, instead of just trying to plow through the work or books, they recognize the need for me to stop and address an attitude or behaviour. ) Anyway, it wasn’t until I could let go of ‘my‘ ideas of what we should cover and when (otherwise called a scope and sequence) that I was able to look at other ways. I never used anyone else’s S&S but nevertheless there was one: it was my own rigid but ‘original’ plan of what I wanted to do. I wasn’t homeschooling in liberty or freedom but I was in bondage- to my own plans! Rewinding my thoughts back to 6 years ago, I now see again that the ‘process of learning‘ is more important than the ‘what’ or ‘how much’ we are learning. How much of this learning is force-fed? Artificial? How much am I simply trying to fill the bucket? Is my child remotely interested in this subject or am I forcing her to do it? I think that there is a difference between becoming literate and loving to learn.

I’ve also learned (and am still learning) that this type of learning is more natural… (naturally) 😉 – we see it all the time. Students in school take the morning off to have a visit to the Fire Dept and learn about firemen and our students and learn this in the course of a trip to the supermarket when they see a fire truck on its way to a fire and we have a discussion about it. This is natural and we can accept this but we tend to draw the line with other areas. Why? I’m not saying we should or shouldn’t draw the line but it’s a good thing to ask ourselves eh? Why do we draw this line? Is it based on fear? Or a desire for academic excellence? What motivates us or drives us to feel the way we do?

When we understand that no one else will teach our children the wonderful things in the world, we realise that we have to make the most of our time. This is often best achieved as things arise naturally. When you are out in the garden and your little boy asks a zillion questions about a spider that has piqued his interest, you don’t say, “Oh, not now honey…that will come up in your science book so don’t worry about it for now.” Rather we seize the opportunity and make the most of it, explaining (or trying to) the answers to his questions. Maybe you don’t know the answer. That’s okay too especially if you answer with, “Hey honey, I’m not too sure on that one myself. What a great question. But let’s look that up in a book when we go back in the house, okay?” Through this you are modeling a lifestyle of learning…you are showing your child that even adults like to learn.

I believe that this natural approach to learning is good but I also don’t think that it is a formula. Well maybe it is touted as such but I don’t think that it should be. As homeschoolers, we are prone to latching on to formulas hoping that it will give us success. (In whatever we deem as successful). Combining the principles of natural learning and the discipleship approach (Deut 6) can be purposeful, beneficial and have its own structure or routine of learning. It need not be the random, haphazard look that often scares people away.

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I too, sometimes use labels and like many, recognize the small scope that labels allow for. I think that sometimes natural learning is almost a dirty word in some circles and I think this is a shame. It’s hard not to use labels when trying to communicate to a wide variety of people, especially when one is trying to get a whole viewpoint across in as few words as possible-and to an extent labels can help us achieve that.

Living, loving and learning together…that’s our family!

Super Simple Spiritual Sunday

I have not been one to get overly involved with many online meme’s but I’m really enjoying Robin’s Super Simple Spiritual Sunday meme. Tehee, it’s a chance for me to rave on about all the truth-filled, beautiful, inspiring and informing posts I’ve read during the week. 😀

Last week I included two links that posted about blogging addiction and blogging motivation that I thought were good. If you read them, you’ll also want to read Robin’s post which I’ll link below.

(By the way, all outside links will open in a new tab. Links within my own site will open in this tab. Of course, this only applies with FireFox, SeaMonkey or Opera. Who knows what will happen in IE. 😉 )
1. Robin from Heart of Wisdom posted her thoughts on Blogging Addictions? Blogging Balance?
2. Sally Clarkson wrote on Cultivating Civility
3. Sherri writes on getting back into the home.
4. Fish and Cans writes a thoughtful post on ‘Purge the evil person from among you‘
5. Robin at HOW writes about a Classical Education.
6. Marianne Miles writes a truthful post that we can all learn from with When Christians Abandon Their Own
7. Dana writes on Beautiful without makeup!

And a few more because I didn’t blog last Sunday:

Bible Study Scope and Sequence

HomeGrownKids Scope & Sequence
Our scope and sequence is a similar pattern to what we follow for history. (internal blog link) It is closely linked with my understanding of the Stages of Learning, which you can view here.

Birth to age 9 ( birth -G4)
>> If you have older children that are following the same sequence, it is easy to add simple but beautiful picture books into the junior schedule. Even better if the older children read it and discuss it with the youngers!>> Songs and memory work are of great benefit during this stage. (Colin Buchanan is a classic!!) We also go through the book, Training Hearts Teaching Minds: Family Devotions Based on the Shorter Catechism by Starr Meade.>> We go through the Old Testament – using a children’s Bible such as:

  • Day by Day Kids Bible.
  • Beginner’s Bible-NIrV ISBN: 0310926378
  • Family-Time Bible ISBN: 0842365761
  • Egermeier’s Bible Story Book ISBN: 0871622297
  • The Childs Story Bible by C. Voss

Devotional type of reading: Books like;

  • Little Visits with Jesus ISBN: 0570058074 might come in handy.
  • Little Visits with God ISBN: 0570058090

A few links(more to come)
http://gardenofpraise.com/bibleles.htm
Age 10-13 or (G5 – G8)
>> Review the same chronological cycle, if desired, but in greater depth. Pay attention to biographical stories and Christian fiction.
>> This is the time to develop or use a Bible timeline.
>> Songs and memory work are of great benefit during this stage. We also go through the book, Training Hearts Teaching Minds: Family Devotions Based on the Shorter Catechism by Starr Meade.

Bible reading:

    • Archeological Study Bible
    • Greenleaf Guide to the Old Testament

Studies:

    • How the Bible Came to Us by Meryle Dooney
    • Genesis, Finding Our Roots by Ruth Beechick

Books:

  • Ben Hur
  • The Bronze Bow
  • Adam and His Kin: The Lost History of Their Lives and Times
  • Discover Jesus in Genesis: An Illustrated Biblical Theology for All Ages
  • God King – A Story in the Days of King Hezekiah by Joanne Williamson Timeline: 700 B.C., Egypt/Judea
  • Hittite Warrior by Joanne Williamson Timeline: 1200 B.C., Judea
  • Victory on the Walls- A Story of Nehemiah by Frieda Clark Hyman Timeline: 445 B.C., Israel
  • Jotham’s Journey A Storybook for Advent By Arnold Ytreeide as well as Tabitha’s Travels and Bartholemew’s Passage
  • The Great Dinosaur Mystery and the Bible
  • Life in the Great Ice Age and others like this
  • Twice Freed by Patricia St John
  • Runaway and others by Patricia St John
  • Lots of Bethlehem books

Age 14 through 17-18 or (G9 – 12)
>> Time to tie things all together using a chronological and narrative approach.
>> Doing a survey of the Old and New Testaments is good, as is doing a study on the Life of the Messiah.
>> Consider biographies, historical fiction and unabridged Bible readings.
>> Pay particular attention to discussing thoughts and ideas, updating the time-line or Book of Centuries.
>> Tie all studies in with a Book of Centuries (Timeline), good living books, and a Bible Encyclopedia and other study tools.
>> You may also consider learning a little about Church history as the students get older. Biographies are great for this, and there are too many good books for me to even begin to mention.

Bibles:

  • Narrated Bible in Chronological Order – Chronological accuracy, easy-to-read format. Includes: Moses’ laws by subject; Proverbs presented topically; Psalms arranged by sentiment; Paul’s teachings integrated into Acts.
  • Archeological Study Bible
  • Serendipity Bible for Study Groups

Studies:

  • How to Read the Bible for All its Worth
  • Wisdom Unit Study
  • Messiah Unit
  • Learn the Bible in 24 Hours by Chuck Missler (Literary narrative style. Great read aloud for older students)
  • 30 Days to Understanding the Bible by Max Anders (this is more visual than the one by Chuck Missler)
  • For the Layman- Survey of the Old Testament by Kenneth Levy. This survey is a non-denominational, historical overview filled with foundational information every student of the Bible should have. Using a workbook, Ken Levy guides students on a chronological tour through every book of the Old Testament. Students study how the Old Testament was put together, its major divisions, and what makes it unique using the workbook and cassette tapes.
  • For the Layman- Survey of the New Testament by Kenneth Levy. Life and ministry of Jesus, the growth of the early church, the letters of Paul, and more in this workbook with cassette tapes.
  • 100 Most Important Events in Christian History

Tools:

  • Proverbial Wisdom and Common Sense
  • Evidence That Demands a Verdict
  • The Complete Book of Who’s Who in the Bible – provides readers with a complete listing of people in the Bible with descriptions of their lives and accomplishments.
  • Manners and Customs in the Bible.
  • Student Bible Atlas (Here is a great study guide to go with the Holman Bible Atlas.)
  • The Kregel Pictorial Guide to Bible History (and others) ISBN: 0825424623
  • Victor Journey Through the Bible is our favourite
  • The Case for Christ and Case for Easter by Lee Strobel

Books:

  • The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson
  • A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers (good series)
  • Listen to Her Voice: Women of the Hebrew Bible by Miki Raver
  • Vinegar Boy by Alberta Hawse. This is the gripping story of a boy’s dramatic encounter with Christ on the Cross.
  • Lots of Bethlehem books
  • The Priest, The Warrior, and The Prince. Novella’s by Francine Rivers.

Church History resources

Bible Study Guides Bible Study Guide for all ages
Family Bible study!Positive Actions
Teaching a child’s heart and his head. Kindy, Junior High and High School. Teacher Manual and Student Book including memory verses and worksheets. Able to be used twice a week or 4-5 times a week.

Explorer’s Bible Study
Daily lessons from Preschool to Adult level, including activities, questions and maps. Apparently families are able to study the Bible together but using the different books for each level.

Deeper Roots
Has studies from grade 7-12. Inductive study.

Firm Foundations – From Creation to Christ
This curriculum is set up to chronologically teach through the Bible, from Creation to Christ! Extremely thorough.

My students will be completing a Survey of the Old and New Testaments and a great resource is the For the Layman series.

For the Layman: A Survey of the Old Testament and
For the Layman: A Survey of the New Testament
by Ken Levy
These are a set of cassette’s and a workbook where Ken Levy takes you through the Bible. Full of information and ties events and people together!

An excellent study! Study guide for the Holman Bible Atlas! This is a 69-page pdf download file.

Prayer

The Five Finger Prayer

1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C.S. Lewis once said, a “sweet duty”.

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God’s guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all. Which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, “the least shall be the greatest among you.” Your pinky should remind you to pray for yourself.

By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

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ACTS ? Prayer

A is for Adoration.

“Dear Jesus/God, you are so _____”

C is for confession.

Of our sins, wrong thoughts, anger etc

T is for Thanksgiving

For all the things we have- family and needs.

S is for Supplication.

For others – “Help so and so get well,” or Bless Poppy in his bus,”

For yourself – ask for wisdom, good dreams, protection in certain situations.

HOW Bible Lessons with Little Ones

Families who have an older child using a HoW approach seem to find it easier to know what to do with the younger siblings. A few people seem to need further help with instituting a HoW approach with a young family. I wonder if this confusion arises because people are trying to use a HoW unit study without understanding the thoughts that make up the approach. A few other methods have a similar difficulty in that they are foremost a method or an approach. AmblesideOnline is one that I have seen other people struggle with until they understand the *why* of it. Without understanding the principles behind the approach, AO is just another booklist; dry and long. But, when that booklist is combined with the methods espoused by Charlotte Mason, the booklist becomes so much more. It is the method or the principles that are the binding glue. So it is with HoW. The units are great! But, they are only a small part of the greater work. The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach is an approach that is based upon biblical principles- it isn’t simply sprinkling a few key Scriptures throughout the pages of a book nor is it reading only Christian books with no regard to methods used in teaching. It is an entire method or approach that can be used from birth through to adulthood. In my own life, I use a HoW approach!


So, onto the daily practicality of using HoW with a young family. What could such a day look like? Firstly, a principle of the HoW approach is Bible First- regardless of the ages or number of children in the family. You will study the Bible and use Bible study tools relevant to your children?s ages and development level. Then, you can study thematic unit studies, using living books and the Internet. Through this study is where you will develop the little ones language skills and start to focus on building good habits essential for further study: habits like attentiveness and producing one’s best effort, and the art of narration. You’ll need to do some phonics instruction and maths with your child.

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Bible Study using Heart of Wisdom

HOW has been a great launching pad for our family and has put some wonderful ideas before myself and the children. Here I’ll share how we use the unit studies.

 

 

For a few weeks before we start, I look at the books in my shelf and get the appropriate ones out. I put some of the commonly used resources out on the table or desk. In fact, they are always within easy reach and readily available for perusing. eg; ‘Amazing Expedition Bible‘ and ‘Who’s Who in the Bible‘ and a ‘Bible Encyclopedia‘.

Firstly I look at the objectives of each lesson on pages which is in the front of the unit study and I briefly tell the children what we will be focusing on that day. If we don’t do a lesson a day (and we often take more than one day) I use these objectives to go over what we did do the day before ? sort of a revision.

So, I’ll describe lesson one for you;

I will tell the children some things that I’d like them to focus on…to listen for…to consider…In this, I would say something like,
?After this lesson I’d like John and ‘Master C’ to tell me the Creation story. I’d like ‘Miss A’ and ‘Miss R’ to know two Hebrew names for God. I’d like you to think about why God created us or to think about how Creation reveals God. So, you guys think you can do that?”

We start by reading the ‘excite passage‘ or a CMish way of putting it is to Prepare the Lesson. Sometimes I will be organised and have the timeline figures ready, other times I won’t and will just quickly do it on pieces of paper. So, after we muck around a bit we will arrange the cards into chronological order.

Then, after we’ve done this, which doesn’t take long, we move on to the next step which is titled ‘Examine‘. I will read straight from the HOW lesson (page 25). I will ask the children if any of them would like to make a mind-map of what I just read. We may or may not read the first 11 chapters of Genesis as we have done this numerous times.

Then, I’ll grab some of the books from the shelf that we have ? Amazing Expedition Bible and Who’s Who in the Bible, the Victor Journey through the Bible and a Bible Encyclopedia. We might look over the relevant pages all together although sometimes I’ll give ‘Miss A’ a book and tell her to look at it for herself. Often, we will look at the Internet links that HoW provides and they can be very good. Many times, while doing this part in HoW, I will pair the children up: ‘Miss A’ will work with ‘Master C’ and ‘Miss R’ will work with John.

Then, I tell the children that I want them to do something with this information. I give them all of the choices in Step 3 (Expand). My artistic child will often go for a hands-on project and in this lesson she chose the mind-mapping activity whereas my dd who likes to write might choose activity 2 ? writing summaries. They will refer to the books we have, although I usually like to find the internet sites for ‘Miss A’ , as she is older and likes to research on the PC.

Now, this is most often where we get stuck or stop! Everyone goes off and does their own thing and it’s hard to get them back. Sometimes, we can move on that very day, but other times it has to wait until the next day when we will move to the next step, (Excel) where I wrap it up. We will review a little by putting our figures or pieces of paper into chronological order or in our timeline book. We aren’t very diligent with our timeline book though.

We often show Dad everything that we’ve done that night or the next night. There is always some time when we get to share or to show what we have been learning.

The thing is we could easily make one lesson spread out for one whole week! But, then I fear, we’d never get out of Genesis. So, I try to move them on a bit- in my own mind allowing 2 days per lesson but I’d like to make it one lesson per day.

We do things a bit different in that we have a separate English program and vocabulary program so while I make mention of new vocabulary words we don’t keep the notebooks like HoW suggests. We ‘ll also have our current read aloud that ties in with the unit. It might be ‘Adam and His Kin‘ by R.Beechick or “The God King” by Joanne Williamson or one of the new books like ‘The Priest‘ by F. Rivers for the older girls.

The thing that I really appreciate is that the objectives are laid out and this enables me to quickly see the point of the lesson, which is especially good if I want to move on at a moderate pace. If I’m happy to go at a snail’s pace and chase bunny trails, then I ignore the objectives. However, the other thing is that it teaches how to Prepare the Lesson. So often I think, this is ignored. Charlotte Mason expected her teachers to Prepare the Lesson yet often in CM circles we aren’t told that, let alone shown how to do it.

The HoW unit studies and teaching approach Prepares the Lesson, Gives the Lesson, Asks for a Response to the lesson and then gets student to Relate that knowledge. How cool is that?

I hope that gives you a little insight into how we use HoW. I also like the philosophy of HoW and the methods of excite, examine, expand and excel. Even when we don’t use HoW units, we use this 4 step method because it is easy for me to remember and to work with. Hebrew roots is also a personal and individual study that I have taken on…not always for my children. The Hebraic roots of our Christian faith is a constant interest of mine – one that I pursue for myself.

Family Worship

“Hear, Yisra’el: the LORD is our God; the LORD is one: and you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.
These words, which I command you this day, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.
You shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be for symbols between your eyes.
You shall write them on the door-posts of your house, and on your gates.”

Deuteronomy 6: 4-9

From this, it is my understanding that we, as parents are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…and then to teach and lead our children in that too.

The Hebrews didn’t separate knowledge into divisions of spiritual and then secular. Rather, they saw that the main aim of education was to train the whole person for service unto God. It is because of this that our family has the aims that it does- that we use the methods that we do.

We aim to do a few things each day. The most important one is to read God’s Word. And to pray- to talk and listen with God. Ultimately, to become hearers AND doers of the Word.

Along with this, we have some other goals for our family although we recognise that these don’t need to be accomplished in one year!

    • Read through the Bible twice.
    • To learn how how to use resource tools-to use study materials such as, concordances, lexicons, and dictionaries.
    • To learn the flow of biblical history and geography.
    • Learn of Proverbs and practical wisdom
    • Learn about the life of Christ and develop a relationship with Him.
    • To learn about the story of God’s kingdom on earth- the history of the church.
    • To learn correct doctrine (teachings).
    • Become hears and doers of the Word!
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Cold Brew Coffee, Butter Blend, Bliss Balls

Cold Brew Coffee. Sounds gross eh? We’re talking about it over on HOMEschool Fellowship and one of the ladies posted a link so I thought I’d try it. Here’s what I did:

Cold Brew Coffee

Coarsely grind about 1/3 cup organic coffee beans and put it in a jar with about 1.5 cups of water

Stir and cap and leave for about 12 hours or so. This makes a concentrate, and from here you can make coffee milkshakes, cappuccino and other things. We’ve just had some, and it is nice! It isn’t bitter or acidic.

No matter what kind of coffee you prefer, the perfect cup of premium coffee starts with innovative brewing equipment. Make use of service from Corporate Coffee Systems, if you would like to have the best coffee machine in your office.

Butter Blend

And I’ve been whipping butter. We use real butter (500grams) and I let it get to room temperature. I put it in the blender along with 4 tablespoons of olive oil and 4 tablespoons of either flaxseed oil or coconut oil. Then, I blend it and put it in a container, ready for use. Not only is this healthy, but it seems to stretch the butter out and make it last longer!

Favourite Fruit Brekky

1 Banana (sliced)
1 Gala Apple (Diced)
2 tablespoons Organic Oats
2 tablespoons Organic Raisins
2 tablespoons pecans OR walnuts
1 teaspoon Organic Honey
Mix above ingredients together and drizzle honey on top. ENJOY!

Banana Pecan Bread

1 1/2 C. bread or plain flour
2/3 C. Sugar
1 t. Baking Powder
1/2 t. Salt
1/3 C. Olive oil or pure butter
2 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 C. dairy sour cream
1 t. Vanilla

When beep sounds, add:

2/3 C. Mashed ripe banana
1/3 C. finely chopped pecans or walnuts

Put everything in pan except bananas & nuts. Use “cake” setting. When machine beeps after about 5 minutes, add banana and nuts. Press “start” again. The “complete” light will flash when bread is done. (check on it often after it bakes for 40 minutes.)

Garden Salad

1/2 head red leaf lettuce, torn
1/2 head Romaine lettuce, torn
1/8 cucumber, thinly sliced
1/2 carrot, thinly sliced
1/2 zucchini, thinly sliced
1/2avocado, thinly sliced
1 Roma tomato, in wedges
2 tsp lemon juice
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Toss all ingredients. Serve immediately. Makes 1 serving

Bliss Balls

1 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup almonds
1/3 cup dates
3-5 tbs. carob powder/pure cocoa
Pinch of nutmeg and/or cinnamon
Small pinch of sea salt

Put the sunflower seeds and almonds in the vitamix to make them into a flour or powder. Then, mix them with the rest of the ingredients.
Get about 1-2 tbs. of the mixture and shape it into a nice round ball. At this point you may roll it in sesame seeds, coconut flakes, or carob powder. Continue this process until all of the mixture is gone. Put the bliss balls into the freezer until ready to eat. Source of protein and keep hungry little bellies happy.

Dehydrator

This is the dehydrator that my husband made for me. It cost approximately $60 and this was only because he used brand new racks and had to buy a light switch and light batons.

I use the dehyrator to make all sorts of things including yoghurt and proving bread.

FAITH ~ Forsaking All, I Take Him ~

My Health Philosophy

Health is an ongoing interest of mine. There are so many areas that affect our health from the air that we breathe, the water we wash in and the food that we eat. I have immersed myself in learning more about food and other choices- they really do make a difference!

It is important for me to keep our family as healthy as possible so that we can do the work that God has planned for us to do. It is my aim to provide a diet and lifestyle that fights disease, promotes health and vitality. At present, I'm focussing on a diet primarily of proteins, whole-grains, fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds.

I really like the principles outlined by Rex Russell, author of "What the Bible Says about Healthy Living"

1) Eat only substances created for food

2) Eat foods as they were created (or as close to as possible)

3) Don't let any food or drink become your God.

As I have been learning and practising  'health', the children have been motivated toward caring for their own bodies too! My girls have been very enthusiastic about learning to cook with new and different ingredients. This is all a part of their home-based-learning adventure, as they are learning many life skills in the process.

I generally cook a hot breakfast for my husband and sometimes the children join him. The other children usually have cereal or fruit. By cereal I mean, Puffed Millet or Rice, Bran Flakes, Porridge, Eggs, Toast, Pancakes or a Smoothie.

Sometimes, we have our main meal at lunch-time and have a smaller meal at tea-time. Usually, I just prepare a large salad and everyone can take from that along with a slice of bread.

I have been making small but gradual changes to our evening meal:  more salads and grains and a little less meat. We eat kangaroo meat as I think it would have less chemicals, hormones and other substances and we use a chemical-free chicken from La-ionica.

My children have very hungry bellies and like to snack a little throughout the day. Some of our snacks include; fruit, dried fruit snacks (prepared in the dehydrator that John made for me!) or bread snacks. I try to include lots of protein as well.

Spiritual Health

However, there is much more to healthy living than diet! Firstly, and most importantly is Spiritual Health. My spiritual state greatly influences my physical and emotional state. The Bible, Devotional books, and other good writings, along with fellowship with others helps to keep me spiritually fit. But none of these things can keep me in a spiritually fit state: it is only having a relationship with Jesus Christ that can do that. He is the only one that can give me peace.

Emotional health

... is also important. One of the definitions in Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines 'emotion' as:

" Literally, a moving of the mind or soul; hence,any agitation of mind or excitement of sensibility."

When I am angry or sad or happy and joyful my body is affected in that I am not overflowing with vitality or energy. In fact, I feel drained. And so, it is to God's word that I run to, seeking comfort and strength.

Physical health!

There's so much confusion around today. Don't eat fats- do eat fats. Don't eat this or that...this list goes on forever and honestly, it is exhausting and draining! It can all be so hard and we want the children to try and be involved too! Whew! I try to keep things as simple as possible by remembering to try to eat foods in their natural state as much as is possible.

We have also invested in a relatively cheap and small water purifier. Chlorine and flouride have been added to the water but I also wonder about the possibility of lead leaching from the pipes. There are other nasties in tap water but the levels of these may vary depending on where you live. The problem with these nasties is that they are carcinogenic.

We try to avoid preservatives, food colourings and other additives as much as possible. Much of the fruit and vegetables we buy has been sprayed with pesticides and fertiliser. These were not designed for our systems! I wash all of our fruit 'n' veg in the sink with cold water and vinegar.

We try to clean our home with basics, such as bicarb of soda and vinegar or other products that can be found at your supermarket- brands similar to Earthcare.

Edited: It is now 2017 and I looked over this old post and was amazed at how well we ate and yet I marvel at how much better we eat even now. Feel free to look over the posts in my kitchen/health and recipes category.

Terrestria Chronicles

Here are the thoughts of my 12yods. He hasn’t done any formal writing so bear that in mind when reading his thoughts about the series, Terrestria Chronicles by Ed Dunlop.

Book: Terrestria Chronicles series

by Ed Dunlop


Name: John
Date: 2007

This book is an allegory, written by Ed Dunlop. It was written in 2006. It is set in medieval or castle-times. Mr. Dunlop writes the book from one person’s perspective: an omniscient perspective.

The basic plot about this story is good vs. evil, right vs. wrong, like many books. The main characters in this book are Josiah and Selwyn. Josiah is a slave boy to Argamor, an evil blacksmith. After making an attempt to escape with the help of a stolen file, he is caught and tied to a tree, where a flogging would take place. After being tied to the tree, the King arrives and frees Josiah of his Chain of Iniquity and his Weight of Guilt. The King then adopts Josiah into the Royal family, and Josiah is taken to the Castle of Faith.

The spiritual value of this book is pretty good, being an allegory. I think that other boys, and girls would enjoy this book. I would like my Mum to read it aloud to us, but we are still reading the Kingdom Series.

More information can be found at the Dunlop Ministries website.

Catching up…

Whew, what a weekend! It all started on Friday when we had to go across town to take ‘Miss A’ to a softball tournament. That in itself is not hard. Crossing the Gateway Bridge is not my favourite thing to do. Not necessarily because the bridge is high (it looks worse than it is) but once you go through the toll, it is like a drag race as about 10 lanes merge into 3 or 4 lanes! The whole drive is about 50 minutes. On Friday, I did this twice.

Saturday and Sunday was also spent with me trooping out to softball, which I probably make sound like a chore but the truth is that I love it! A day in the sun, watching my daughter, play my favourite sport, cappacino, chocolate and a new book! What’s wrong with that?

‘Miss A’ was hit with a pitched ball on Sunday. So off we went to the nearest hospital for an x-ray. Four hours later, we returned to the softball grounds, said goodbye and drove home, with ‘Miss A’ hobbling along on crutches. Apparently she only has soft tissue damage with extensive bruising, but time will tell more. We’re hoping it is only that as she hopes to be back on the diamond on Sunday. ‘Miss A’ wasn’t able to go to work on Monday or Tuesday which suited me just fine! I loved having her home with me again…I’ll have her for a whole week.
Saturday night was a bit disappointing. Being avid Crows Fans (AFL), John taped the match of the final and we sat together and watched the poor Crows claw their way to a devastating loss. There was much mourning in this home, for the next few days.

‘Miss R’ secured herself a part time job, at the same place as ‘Miss A’ ! Im very thankful to the boss at this patiserrie, for giving the girls such opportunities. ‘Miss R’ did an extra shift on Monday, to help cover for ‘Miss A’ ‘s absence.

Tonight we’re off to the school Music Night where ‘Miss R’ is going to be singing, in front of a live audience for the first time ever. To say she is nervous is an understatement. She has sung in the school choir before, but this is just her and one other girl.

Life is busy and full at the moment, and I haven’t had much time for writing or reading which doesn’t necessarily make for the most interesting blog, considering the caution I use when choosing to share a little of our life. 😉

Bless you,

Daily Rhythms : Blocks Schedule

We don’t have a set daily schedule. We don’t eat meals at specified times or have a daily to-do list. Instead we tend to work in blocks of time. In the morning, we discuss briefly what blocks of time we are doing that day and this way the children know what to expect.

(Times given are approximate and are determined by the day’s activities)

Breakfast and Responsibility Time

(2hrs)

  • Personal Bible reading and prayer time.
  • Tidy room and make bed.
  • Personal hygiene.
  • Breakfast and put on bread machine
  • General cleaning and management of the day to day clutter.
  • Discuss the day and things to do.

Table Time (3 hours)

  • Bible
  • English
  • Maths
  • Science
  • History

Family Activity Time

  • Meals
  • Watching movies
  • Softball
  • Bike riding
  • Photography or computer with Dad
  • Board games

Household Responsibility Time

  • Car cleaning
  • Yard cleaning
  • Major housecleaning jobs (Bathroom, windows)

Family Reading-Time

  • Purposed Reading as a family
  • Other subjects such as history, science, literature, art, music etc.

Productive Planned Activity

(2 hours)

  • Bible reading and word study
  • Scrapbook or other self directed project
  • Home or Life Skills… Sewing, cooking
  • Foreign language
  • Computer Skills (not Internet or games)
  • Construction Projects–Legos, Carpentry
  • Piano
  • Read books

Productive Free-Activity

(2 hours)

  • Bible reading and word study
  • Scrapbook or other self directed project.
  • Home or Life Skills – Sewing, cooking,
  • Foreign language
  • Computer Skills (not Internet or games)
  • Construction Projects–Legos, Carpentry
  • Piano
  • Calligraphy or drawing
  • Craft box
  • Letter writing (Make a card for someone)
  • Jigsaw puzzles
  • Write a story
  • Board games
  • Listen to music and dance
  • Do a nature hunt
  • Trampoline
  • Clean backyard
  • Iron clothes
  • Bake a cake
  • Make popcorn and then make jewelry
  • Have a bath and play in it
  • Chess
  • Do a word search
  • Leaf or tree rubbings
  • Make paper or soap (paper kit)
  • Rehearse a play and put on show
  • Write book review
  • Science experiment
  • Hide and Seek
  • Create cubby house
  • Make paper airplanes / dolls
  • Garden
  • Have a ‘drinking water contest’
  • Do a crossword
  • Look at photo albums or scrapbook
  • Play dough
  • Coin collections
  • Stamp albums
  • Press flowers

Veg Out Time

  • Unstructured rest and relaxation time

Quiet Time

  • Sleeping, praying, reading, playing quietly in room.

 

 

 

 

Diary Day Monday

I awoke at 6am and jumped in the shower while John watched the morning news in bed. He actually pretends to watch the news but I think he really snoozes! He showers and gets ready for work as I head to the kitchen to make grilled muffins with eggs for breakfast. ‘Miss A’ awakes and the three of us have breakfast together before John heads off to work at 7am. He has a long day today and won’t be home until about 10.30pm.

‘Miss A’ and I jump in the car as I drive her to work. Upon returning home, I remind ‘Miss R’ that it is time to get up. I open the boys blinds and let the sunshine stream into their bedrooms as I greet them with a hug and kiss and a loud ‘good morning!’ John and ‘Master C’ take quite a few minutes to wake up so they follow me into the kitchen and watch me as I prepare their muffins for breakfast. I steal a few minutes to clean my bathroom and put on a load of laundry. Over breakfast, I ask John to unstack the dishwasher and drainer board from last night. ‘Master C’ ‘s chore is to re-stack the dishwasher while I take ‘Miss R’ to school. Upon my return, the boys have nearly finished their chore. John then gets the vacuum cleaner out and vacuums the entire house, while ‘Master C’ cleans all the mirrors and a few windows and screens in the house. They have done all their chores without grumbling and complaining and I tell them how proud I am of their choices and attitudes. I have a 30min break on the computer to quickly check boards and emails while the boys finish building their current lego construction.

At 10am, we sit down to start our more formal part or ‘Table Time’ of learning. Today I read from the gospel of Matthew where Jesus feeds Five Thousand and we talk about how Jesus is able to meet all our needs. We discuss how Jesus thought of other’s needs more than His own…we want to be more like Jesus, considering the needs of other’s before we consider our own needs. We discuss what it means to have a giving heart as compared to a selfish heart. We give thanks to God for His word, that we are able to learn more about Him and we ask that He do a work in us…that we may consider others more highly than ourselves. The boys and I take turns in reading from the Scriptures in their own Bibles. I love seeing them become familiar with learning the books of the Bible and seeing them thumb through God’s word to find the relevant book, chapter and verse. 🙂 We also read and discuss another chapter in our catechism: Training Heart, Training Minds.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Philippians 2:3

Then I read from Herein is Love: Genesis. We’re only up to chapter 12. But we’re getting there…slowly. It is now nearly Elevenses, time for Second Breakfast. The boys prepare pikelets with jam while I read another chapter from Boyhood and Beyond. This chapter is about Justice. Then we head into the lounge room for a snuggle while I read a few chapters from our current read aloud book, Kingdom’s Call by Chuck Black. Midway through the chapter, ‘Miss A’ calls from work to say *hi*. 😀 After read aloud, of which the boys do not want to stop, it is time for a little independant work. John starts a lesson of Math-U-See while ‘Master C’ completes a page in each workbook. He has a book on Building Your Thinking Skills and Writing & Comprehension Skills. He also does copy work and then goes outside for a bounce and thinking time on the trampoline. 🙂 Meanwhile, I sit at the computer, do a quick round of the forums and email and start to compose this post. Ooh, ‘Miss R’ emails me from school, during her English class, so I respond to her and give her my perspective on her upcoming debating topic. (yes, the homeschool mama never stops homeschooling, even when they go to school!)

The phone rings. Usually I screen calls when I am busy but not when I know it is my lovely family…and it is! ‘Miss A’ calls me to remind me about softball training tonight. Then John calls me from out whoop whoop somewhere so I really want to take that call. I call him back and we chat for a few minutes. He reminds me of a few phone chores I must tend to. I don’t like being on the phone a lot- although I can laugh at the irony of that statement. 😀 Meanwhile the phone is beeping at me with call waiting, which I despise but can’t be bothered to turn it off; I just don’t use it. It is my Dad so I have to call him back. Meanwhile the boys are making themselves their lunch. I’m not phased by this as I made them a good breakfast and had some quality time with them.

Another quick check of email and answered a few posts and paid for some curriculum. Maybe I’ll have some lunch now too. Nope, took a business call which lasted 15 minutes and then I run like a mad woman to the car to pick ‘Miss R’ up from school. We stop off to get petrol and I give her a lesson on how to fuel up the car. We drive home (yabba yabba yabba all the way home) and we sit in the car for about 10 minutes as she tells me of her day.

We’ve only got a few minutes before we go out again to pick ‘Miss A’ up so we all sit on our computer’s for a spell. ‘Miss R’ is checking a few sites for a homework assignment while the boys play a PC game and I check Aussie Homeschool Ads and continue this post. 😉

Out the door to get ‘Miss A’ and home again…but not for long! We spend 40 minutes catching up and then we head out the door again to drop her at training. After having a few healthy meals lately, tonight is CatchWhatYaCan for tea. ‘Miss R’ and I spend a bit of time on the Internet designing her new blog. It’s clean up time and then shower time before we head out to pick ‘Miss A’ up from training. She fixes something for tea and then we settle down to watch a show on television.

John arrived home at 9.30pm as I was on my way to bed. ‘Miss A’ had gone to bed, as had the boys although they were still awake reading (John is hooked on the Terrestria Chronicles and ‘Master C’ was engrossed in his Bible). John and I had a few minutes of catching up and then ‘Miss R’ sat with him for while and they talked before she went to bed.

Whew, that was my day. It wasn’t terribly exciting but it has changed in appearance and structure over the last few months and years. I’m not longer in the world of toddlers but my children are growing and emerging and developing. I do a fair bit of driving around on some days but not all days are that hectic with me out of the home.

I did want to blog about my thoughts on the purpose of the law but it seems that I won’t get to it for another few days. Oh well, it will happen.

Anyone care to share a day from their week? If so, please leave a comment or trackback so I can read your post!

Sad but True – Copyright Issue

To the person who is visiting this site and using the information and ideas contained therein, to promote their own website or forum without giving due credit I would ask again that you stop it. You know who you are. My site stats know who you are too. You can see that I write not for my own glory but for the encouragement of others. You can see that after the most recent activity of plagiarism I wrote a new copyright page and have joined copyscape. I see that you have indeed taken these same ideas and put them on to your own forum. I have always tried to acknowledge those who have helped or inspired or ministered to me in some way. Anyone who visits this blog would know that I have been deeply inspired by the writings of Robin Sampson and Sally Clarkson- I don’t try to hide that in any way. I believe that imitation is a form of flattery so I am slightly flattered that you choose to draw inspiration from my site, but it would be nice to treat others in the same way you would like to be treated. If you have put up a copyscape icon it means that you’d like others to treat your writings and content with respect. I would like to think that you would do likewise with my content.

To those who have no idea what I am raving on about, please ignore this post and I’ll get back to regular blogging soon. 😉

Do We Do Bible Study Every Day?

Do we do Bible Study every day?

I think we have tried every approach that is bantered about in homeschooling and family circles. We have tried starting our day with Bible study. We have tried doing Bible study after lunch when the main academics are finished. We have done Bible study every day. We have done it three or four times a week. I’ve had issues or problems with them all!

So how often do we do Bible study? That might be so much easier to answer if we had a regular lifestyle with no interruptions. But we have many interruptions. Just a few weeks back, I had a particularly harrowing day and I took 16 phone calls. Now some would say that I shouldn’t answer the phone. But you know what? I was screening the calls. Those 16 calls were all from my family: my father, my husband, ‘Miss A’ or ‘Miss R’. Now how’s a gal supposed to fit in meal preparation, laundry, lessons, Bible study and stay sane? The only way that I know how to do all those things and stay sane is to not stress over the minor things…to understand that every day brings its own opportunities to minister, to serve, to love, to read and to pray.

 read more...

Super Simple Spiritual Sunday

Super Simple Spiritual Sunday Meme is simply a list of encouraging links I have enjoyed this week.
1) If you read my post about Teenage Rebellion, then you will want to read Sally Clarkson‘s post, ‘Suggestions for preventing and helping prodigals‘.
2) Those Sneaky Idols over at As The Lord Works
3) Blogging: What’s your motivation
4) Leonie on ‘Being a Parent of Older Kids‘
5) An slpime alipcatoin of a wrod tcrik to rdeanig bliabcl nratveirs
Reading the Scriptures with a view toward the whole story is a post written by Says Simpleton: the sojourn of a simpleton searching for ways to bridge the gap between understanding and articulation.
6) Phyllis Sather recommends Adobe? Digital Editions as an engaging new way to read and manage eBooks and other digital publications in this post.
7) Are you, or your teen, suffering from Teenage Affluenza? This is a great satirical video that reminds us we lead such lucky lives.

Cyber flowers for commenters and fellow bloggers!

Cyber flowers for commenters and fellow bloggers! Hmmm while looking over my blog for the last month I saw that there are a few people who read it. And there are a few comments. Wow, firstly I am delighted that you do. 🙂 I also realised that I like to receive comments. Ah! is this because I need the affirmation or is it because I love interaction with people? (Inquiring minds need to know!) I believe it is the latter. 😉

Amanda, you are like a breathe of fresh air. I can’t wait until you have your own blog so I can leave you comments. 😉

Leonie, I am constantly amazed, informed and encouraged by your posts on your blog. You seem to have such an amount of energy that I dream about. Thanks for being such an inspiration to me, and to many others.

Margaret, mum of the 2kidschoolhouse: Thanks for stopping by and commenting! I think you already know how much I enjoy your insight and humour.

Jacqui, thanks for your comments, your openness and your honesty. You must be a blessing to those you know in real life because you are a blessing over the Internet. Your humour also cracks me up. I wish I had a sense of humour like some of you ladies…while I don’t, I love being around you, if only in cyber-land. 🙂

Jocelyn, your blog and knowing you both in real life and over the Internet has enriched my life in more ways than one. You are such a calming influence, often seeming to sit back, take your time and then come out with profound wisdom.

Chrissy, lovely to meet another Heart of Wisdom user. I check your blog regularly now. I also love your theme and colours. 🙂

Lisa, you crack me up! But I also appreciate your insight as a fellow homeschooler with teens.
Shelso, your determination and perseverance are inspirational!

Well, that’s my roundup for this month! I am inspired by you ladies and while I don’t blog for you, (I blog because I like to) commenting on each other’s blogs is fun, enjoyable and enriching.

Bless you!