Mom... why do we homeschool?

Thankfully, this question comes on a good day, at a good time. Not perfect, of course, but good.

Right now I am able to reason that children will be curious, just like adults, about what they don't have. And, while the kids seem "content" right now, I know that their curiosity often spurs them to ponder things. In addition, I think it is important that I give them a good answer so that at the most I will be meeting one of their love languages. That is the language of meaningful conversation.

After I answered their question in as upbeat, concise, yet stimulating kind of way as I had in me at the moment; they jumped up cheerfully and scooted off to play. Saying, "okay, mom!"

And yet here I... ponder and am eager to jot down my response with hopes to reinforce and elaborate upon, as necessary-in the future, when they return with more questions or as I seek to retrieve their wandering hearts.

For three reasons, I began.
First, dad and I want to give you a "Christian" education. I want to show you, God, throughout your academia. In all your lessons, God is there, and I want to help you to discover and experience what that means. Of course dad and I are not perfect, but we know that if we submit each day to the Lord then we will all grow closer to Him. And, my hope that you will see dad and I become more like Jesus the longer you know us.

Second, dad and I want to give you an education that is reinforced, understood, and grounded in the skill of discourse. Such academia would be rooted in and woven between the study of Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, and History. And, even though we are still mastering, polishing, and discovering, we, both, enjoy learning and we want to share that pursuit with you.

Third we believe that many of the school systems in our country are bogged down with peer issues that impact a child's opportunities to learn in a safe and fun environment. Children can not relax and learn. By relaxing, I mean they are constantly monitoring their identity, acceptance, and security against what their peers think. Many systems have a high tolerance for children who struggle with being a bully. And, while you will still wrestle with these same areas as a result of being in the world; my goal is, with God's help, to provide you a healthy, growing, and stimulating world.

God may lead us back into the school system in the future but for now I am at peace that this is where we have been planted for this season. To Him be the glory!















5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Week # 2, Day 5 out 180

Okay, I am counting... but really we are having fun. In fact, the "exercise" of counting down the days is perspective building. School days can sometimes seem tricky (to say it mildly.) But the reality is that the years sift through our fingers like sand on the beach.

I am sobered most perhaps because here I am beginning the fifth year with my son (including kindergarten.) Where did those years go? I am voraciously tilling in the garden of the mind to lift out any weeds that could be lingering from the experience of the early years of education. And... passionately seeking God's hand of grace and redemption. There were blooms that emerged but no doubt motherhood and childhood education regularly grapple with the demand of cultivating and removing the weeds of our own sinful flesh.

In the mean time, a record of my second "period" follows. Last week, I referred to our first period of each day. Second period is the Math hour. Both my fourth grade son and my first grade daughter are having same subjects at same time. The first 15 minutes includes a Fact test for each at their own level. His first 15 minutes involves taking, grading, & recording the test. He is executing all three tasks.

Her first 15 minutes, this week, is aiming for completing each line within 3 minutes so that all five lines are completed within 15 min. The analogy we are using is that of a swimmer... diving into a lane (each line) and reaching the end of the line within three minutes. After reaching the goal (end of the line,) we come up for a breath before we dive in and swim down another lane. Prior to each line we take a moment of review simply pointing out i.e. -0's, -1's, -2's, a number - itself, doubles - its half; and then a "strategy" for figuring out each. When we come up for a breath, she is offered the opportunity to stand and stretch. As long as she is not overly wiggly then she can keep going. Otherwise, I explain that she is developing her ability to focus so it is wise to take a pause, a deep breath, a stretch, a "diversion" so that can we dive again with stamina or energy and swim to our next goal.

Our second 15 minutes of Math includes ds completing his independent mixed practice in the "study nook" (a desk outside of the schoolroom) while I meet with dd on her reinforcements and new concept.

Our third 15 minutes is where I meet with ds on his mental math and a lesson while dd has "center" time.

Finally, he grades, corrects, and records his mixed practice from the previous day while I direct her mixed practice.

The actual period takes about 75 minutes to allow for transitions and/or diversions.

Wow, when I write it out it seems so tranquil, peaceful. Don't let me fool you! :-)

First Day Commences...

"First Period" includes Literature(Chronicles of Narnia) with ds, now 9 years old while dd, almost 6 years old, walked the dog in the backyard. Breakfast & Bible Reading, independent devotions, piano, and literature (Farmer Boy) with dd. Each segment is 15 minutes, and this "period" actually equals 90 minutes in order to include transitions. While one practices piano, the other does their own devotion. A "map" (A,B,C) is jotted down for dd's piano time so that she knows what needs to occur within piano segment. DS accesses his own plan based on assignment from his teacher and then updates me on results.

Three more periods to go by 2:30 p.m. :-)

New Academic Year comes with a New Torch

A New Academic Year will come with a New Torch or at least a slightly different model. My prayer is that it will be carried full of grace and mercy showered upon these beautiful children with whom we've been blessed. With my daughter starting first grade, thus a "full" load; my son starting his second-half of grammar school (4th grade); my desire to write and run; and a continued commitment to the Body of Christ and our community; I am even more motivated to organize life in such a way that hopefully empowers more of the Fruit of His Spirit. Hmm! Faithfulness, Gentleness, Goodness, Joy, Love, Kindness, Patience, Peace, and Self-control. That wraps it nicely into a complete package on how I should respond to life... though when giving each one of these gifts separately to my children and praying without ceasing that I would live them out, I am stretched. :-) More to come on what this year's scope and sequence will actually look like. In the meantime...

James 1:2-5 Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you experience trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously without finding fault, and it shall be given to him.

Come Monday

Come Monday, summer school lessons will be in session. These lessons are different from our Fall-Spring session. At this point, we are bringing any final lessons in for a landing. The schedule will include the following for ds: literature & piano; independent & group Bible; Math & History. And for dd: piano & literature; independent & group Bible; Math & Phonics. Though the piano will be review & literature will be worked in throughout the day, based on time.

With the good weather and friends coming to play in the afternoon, perhaps a little swim time is in order, a fairly assertive morning will be needed. So... here I am pondering the latest topics and concepts. In Math, our little "kindergartener" will be discovering the fun in adding ten to a number and our energetic 3rd grader will be also, in renaming fractions. In Phonics, we will be discovering the WH sound and in History we will travel back to when the Slave trade ended and the Trouble in Africa. We shall dive in by 9 a.m. and should finish about noon.

"Scrapping School"

We are currently on summer break, though over these next final weeks of July we will bring our lessons for academic year 08-09 to completion. DS will be completing his third year of grammar school and DD will be "graduating" from kindergarten. I have been deliberating on how to approach her next year since she doesn't actually turn six until October. Our compulsory attendance laws are six years old by September but I plan on providing for her a full first grade curriculum. I am not sure if the state allows a child to report early or if I should give myself another year before I officially begin reporting.

In the meantime, we are looking forward to completing his final lessons of Math and History; her Math and Phonics; my 09-10 lesson planning; and my newest addition to record keeping will be in the form of "record journaling." We will continue to keep everything in notebook format, but I will begin a daily journaling activity. It will definitely be an experiment but I look forward to the method since it will serve as an outlet for my writing and as a scrapbook keepsake perhaps we could call it "scrapping school." Hmm! A little out of the box for our traditional little homeschool. :-)