Revamping and Remodeling~Methods and House

It was failing to work.  Really.  In fact, it was becoming more and more work, and I was beginning to wonder IF we were gonna make it.  Seriously wonder IF my kids were going to graduate high school b/c they were struggling, and so was I.  But WHAT to do?  Quit?  Take time off?  Go at it harder? CHANGE?  Revamp?  Options loomed in my head for days, weeks...and all the while I was hearing that inner voice say that I have to act and do something BIG.  I'm not one for change, much.  Sister really doesn't like that word because it usually puts me in a mindset if not in a complete state of being uncomfortable for a while, at least...BUT change that will come as a matter of revamping is perhaps just what we need~NEED.  I do not believe this coming change is a WANT, but a true and definite need.

Worry can take on a life of it's own that can reek havoc with the mind, body and spirit.  Oh this is no fun! I just had to make some decisions NOW before it was 'too late!' Sooo I began some research.  I began with TRUTH~I knew that our current methods of homeschooling were taking us down a path that was at the very least, stressful.  STRESS-FILLED would be a better word~so in looking for truth, again I needed to HEAR my children.  What were their long-term goals and dreams? Where are THEY PLANNING to go in life?  These are no longer 'little people' who Mama has to guide, protect and shield~They're like race horses chomping at the gate of life and AM I THE GATE holding them in?  Some self examination reveals that I am fearful for them~like most any Mom is this day and time, but I am even more willing to be there for them as they navigate new and strange waters~and why not NOW? Navigating newness while they have support is much better than when they are out on their own with so much to push through and adapt to~

Sooo in that research, I came to believe that because my daughter particularly is so worried and consumed, really with negative thoughts concerning being homeschooled, I needed to look deeper. I WELL remember the age of 16 and how actually MATURE this age is above the other stages in growth~so I want to listen closely and HEAR just what she is saying to me.  Do I stop homeschooling altogether and put them in public or private school or what?  HOW can I help her with her nagging fears of inadequacy?  Her particular goals are VERY high, so I want to make sure they are a place we can head in the next phase, that we adequately planned and plodded to accomplish what we need to now, so that those dreams of a bright future are a reality...but how?

SisterT is working on some dual/virtual schooling for them~that will ultimately provide high school diplomas just as real as if they attended a public or private school FOR THEM~in fact, I can deny it all day long, but unless they go right into university or community college after homeschooling, their homeschool diploma that I might issue may not be as credible (in some circles) as one that is 'recognized.' Jobs are hard to get right now in our economy, and I know that no employer with a choice over so many is going to necessarily look at all the pluses in a  kiddo who well~call it a nagging fear, but I believe I am hearing the voice of the Lord~yeah, it's radical.  AND in the past, I was well satisfied that I am doing what is needful~but WHY do I have this nagging voice? Is it evil or the Lord?  Well, in restructuring some of what we are doing, it will provide for all the goals and dreams~AND satisfies the recurring voice, but MOST IMPORTANT~my child will find herself...himself...in this experience?  I hope so~I'm still HERE~we're still homeschooling, but it is taking on a new dimension~we are going to operate more like a traditional classroom so that there is some confidence built~

I have really worried that somehow these changes were not going to be all positive~but I am giving them to the Lord as we believe we are following His will for our lives~it's a learning curve for sure!

In this new adventure, we needed desktop space~hence a room redo~oh my! It's not that the room didn't need this done, but just a matter of timing~oh that precious element in life~TIME!

Here are some pics of what we began with and where we're going~oh it's been a nasty mess...but remember we live in a repo'd ole house that was inhabitable that we're rehabing~HOPING to paint by next wkend~
The first four are befores and the rest are the process~

Sooo, HOW are you doing this cold blustery January? Hanging? Revampn'??

FREE: American History FUN Site~Organized by Topic Using Film

This is exactly WHAT I've been looking for this year to complement our history education. I'd like to find this kind of thing for world history, and so far I've not done it~do you know of one?  In the mean time,
Have Fun With History looks wonderful, and I will be enjoying this one in my spare time! It's right up my alley, and since I don't watch television unless it's web based online, I am looking forward to digging in here!  Thanks Homeschool Buyers Co-Op and Homefires.com (Clickschooling eZine) for sharing this resource! whoohoo!

Review: Around the World With a Unit Study, The Old Schoolhouse Planner Module: Tavel the World

The Old Schoolhouse Planner Module: Travel the World

Digital download/58 pages
Ages:K-HS
Price: $7.95

Get it HERE: The Old Schoolhouse Store
My Take: Multi-age and good value!

The Crew's Take: HERE!  

I received The Old Schoolhouse Planner module for June 2010, Travel the World  without monetary compensation in return for my opinions regarding this unit study.

Having teenagers is a challenge in more than one way, and finding curriculum that they don't see as childish is crucial!  Travel the World is a download module that comes with high school extensions and many of the resources you will need. The details of this world geography study are amazing!  I have learned so much, myself and I recommend that you will find good use and appreciation for Travel the World.

You will find:

study guide

quizzes

activity pages

coloring pages 

copywork 

lapbooking 

high school extensions

links for a fun internet geography study

and more!!

The planner modules stand alone as unit study options for your child's learning experience.  You can add this study as part of a world history course for older kids like mine (9th & 10th grades) or introduce world geography to younger children with coloring and lapbooking options. This is a versatile product for multiple ages!

Are you concerned about using digital products with your children or in your homeschool? Are you concerned IF you are tech-savvy enough? Oh! I have to share!  After my download I was going through my product to realize that my computer which is literally dying did not download this entire eBook.  I was able to contact The Old Schoolhouse and redo the download which I am thankful!!  So don't worry! IF I can do it, like the old saying goes, YOU can do it!  TOS is great to work with. They have great support and store assistance! It's going to be FINE!

Think about it this way~consider the costs of ink, storage and using pre-printed materials.  I am using an 8GB jump drive to store my digital products this year.Jump drives are cost effective because if and when my hard drive crashes all will not be lost~ my little jump drive that fits on my key chain will have all my goodies stored safely for my use~I can take it to the library and print or use it straight on the screen, and I can also take anything I want printed to a print shop for some inexpensive copies!  I am a curriculum junkie, and the challenge of book shelf space looms large at my house, and digital is a great solution!

Don't let digital products slow you down~ you will want to print some of these beautifully made worksheets for your child. Just print what you are going to use! This is what I did!!  Of course if you want Travel the World in book form, you can do this as well using a three ring binder or have it bound for a book if you prefer! My friend takes her stuff to a print shop~you KNOW what I do! ;-))Versatility is HUGE with Travel the World~print what you use, and it's multi age and stage! If you have a large family it will work well in your home too! The colorful illustrations can be printed in gray scale for a cost/ink savings!  You decide for yourself WHAT works best with Travel the World~another key to its versatility!! 

It's ALL good, but I am most excited about the high school extensions! A product that reaches all our children in their ages/stages is awesome!! It just makes sense in this economy to have a product that will expand this way!  I find that things I can go back to or use over time makes good CENT$ (pun intended!!) to me!! I am keeping it so being able to use it again later is smart!  

You will need:

computer 

print capabilities 

internet 

printer paper 

coloring pencils, marker or crayons 

pencils 

scissors 

glue stick 

file folder (per child for lapbook) 

optional Items: cardstock, globe, maps

Age/Grades:  If you have a young child who is not a strong reader, you will want to work with him to make sure he navigates the links and finds all the great online resources listed.  If your child is older, you may want to monitor so that he won't get into something that you prefer he not as the internet changes all the time!  The high school extensions can be modified for a younger child, and I find that the worksheets can be used for olders. I happen to like coloring, but my kids don't. If your older child needs penmanship practice they can do the copywork OR if not they can type the copywork for a keyboarding extension!  This really is a versatile product!

MY KIDS:  I used Travel the World with them in our world history studies using particularly the maps and geography definitions. We reviewed the continents and oceans.  They liked the online games, and I had them do the worksheets both youngers and h.s. extensions. 

Remember GEOGRAPHY studies for your children this year:  Travel the World  is great!

Spot Light: TOS CrewMate, Kimberly Williams

Congrats to Kimberly Williams who has a neat article in HSE Magazine this time about motherly socialization and how important it is for us to nurture ourselves.  There is an opportunity to get a FREE sample and other free items from their website. 

Go check out HSE~very very nice magazine!!

HSE Magazine

GiveAway: Ukele For Kids

Flowers 'N' Plaid is hosting a giveAway for a ukelele.  (Ends 7/10)

Thursday Talkn' About Teens~New Computers

I have two excited teenagers!! We were able to get them both their own laptops recently, and they are having a GREAT time loading their own wallpapers, and programs.  Of course these will help them with their school work, but just as important is their ability to learn and work with their creative juices.

I got ticked with my son when tonight at Bible study he said, "let me go get my computer so we can look that up," meaning a word in the Bible we didn't know the definition.  Ha~guess the processor can translate Greek and Hebrew now??? LOL

Teenagers~gotta love 'em!

Blog Walk Week 3

Have you gotten around to visiting my Crew Mates yet? Each is unique and offers their brand of blogging~

Growing Fruit  

Learning to Teach

Codex Young Author's Program

Stairsteps Homeschool Acad

Kingdom Academy

Living Sola Gratia

Wynfield Christian Academy

The Cow Queen

Peace Creek on the Prairie

Survey: Lapbooking~

Do you lapbook? Is it a method you like to use? Here's a survey hosted by Scrap and Lapbooks. 
 Thanks for participating! ;-))

HOW Did We Get Here and NOW WHAT?

Homeschooling is one of the journeys a family undertakes in life that has many dips and bends in the road.  I KNOW this.  I know it in my head and heart, but sometimes it's good to take a good hard look and make some evaluations about where we are, where we've been and most importantly WHERE we are going. 

I have had three conversations, yeah, I do get to talk to adults ;-)) this week where the discussion has been homeschooling our kids and our paths we are on.  I have some wonderful friends who like me have felt the call from God to train their own children in the Lord and home educate.  Could it be this time of year that has us ALL looking at what's working and what isn't in our lives? Is there something about November that causes self introspection and examination of a sorts to bring homeschooling moms into a thinking process about directions?  I suppose that Thanksgiving and the season of looking at our blessings could have an impact, but more importantly it could be that we all have our finger on the heartbeat of our homes and our children...

I discussed one of our kids with hubby today.  The child who I struggle most to educate.  The summation of the discussion is this: HE WILL MAKE IT! This is such a relief to me...oh what a burden I bare when thinking of his future and the path of educating him~the trials and victories we have shared-both child and I.  Along with this same vein came the discussion with my friend who is struggling with her much younger son in areas we have and continue to struggle.  NOT that I am happy she is struggling, but in the sharing, I can see that our problems are not all that unique. WE ARE NOT ALONE in them either. . .someone else is in this trench! I praise God for knowing of His presence and that I have a friend who understands too~even if it's both of us struggling~we can encourage each other! She said, "God knew we could handle it!" Love you, sister in the Lord for such ample encouragment.  I will engrave this on my heart for the moment of despair when the war is raging!

Then the phone rang with the call from a mother whose child is yet so young whose heart is called to train in the ways of the Lord.  Oh what a joy to find a "like-minded" soul who is praying and preparing now for her later homeschool journey. 

My girlfriend who I've known forever is also in a place of self acessment.  She is looking at what is working and what isn't in her homeschooling and life right now too! Plans are being made and formulated for changes.  You know, homeschooling is a fluid thing, right? We can make adjustments as needed. We should make adjustments as needed! WE MUST make adjustments as needed! 

When looking at my own home and family, hubby and I had some disussion.  It's important to know how we got where we are first.  Sometimes it's hard figuring this out.  Asking ourselves some questions can help though.  We are looking deep into our minds, hearts and circumstances to acess our path in our journey with God and homeschooling.  Hmmm....

AND in this process of looking at the HOW~we are looking for the WHAT NEXT? Where and WHAT does God want from us as a couple and family. 

Thanksgiving is a time of assessment with each of us with our finger on the heartbeat of our family's hearts.  Being thankful makes what we have enough! This is the quote off my girlfriend's email signature, AND it's oh soo true! Thankful first in the journey as we move onward and upward...

So I ask you, how did you get here, and where are you headed? NOW WHAT?
In Thanksgiving,

Twas the Month Before Christmas~Decorating!

Ever notice that the stores are already stocked and chocked full of Christmas already? I've written

http://sistertipster.blogspot.com/2009/11/christmas-is-soo-near.html about getting ready with gift giving~man o man, this is something we really need to do all year long~but that's a whole nuther post lol!

Decor is huge for this season for many people! What do you like to see at Christmas that without, it would not be Christmas? Is it the tree all decked out? The stockings hung? The mistletoe? What about the manger? Is this symbolic for you and your family? I've docorated big and small homes.  As a pastor family we have moved a few times and the style and size of our homes have varied.  Of course I have a certain "flavor" to my docorating.  It's pretty ecclectic.  I like lots of different stuff.  STUFF might be the operative here! But I want to suggest something I am going to do this year, just like I did last...less is more!

So I like to put out nativity scenes.  I have a confession: My house right now isn't really set up for a spare spot for one~not a surface clean enough without stacks of stuff or books...but I am working on it...and GUESS WHAT? I have my favorite nativity this year for our home.  It's one my mother hand painted in china paints in the 1970's that has been around most of my life...it's gorgeous. The camels have jewels, there is a stable and star...she did such a nice job...I will have to take a pic for you to see~I like to decorate with fresh fruit and evergreens too...something about that smell...

CRAFT IDEAS:

Applesauce Cinnamon Ornaments

 http://www.handmadecountry.com/ezine/cinnamon.html
NOW here's my addition to what they've said:
I use puff paints to decorate them...use a straw to put a hole in the top for a hanger too before it dries...these will last and smell good for several seasons!  Any of the recipes there will work..I use the applesauce and just cinnamon one...but you pick...I like the heavy smell of cinnamon...I've hung these on the tree and in windows so the sun will heat them to make them smell divine!

Also another homemade neat ornament I love:

Orange and Clove Pomander

• Take an orange

• fork

• whole cloves

Punch holes in an orderly manner to cover the entire orange with the fork.
Stick in the clove end all over the orange.
Tie with a ribbon or enclose in tulle with ribbons to hang, or you can just set in a pretty dish on a table or counter top~oh the wonderful aroma!

I also like pine cones for decorating:
I like to put them in baskets and set them around~beside the hearth or on a table.
I have soaked them in oil essence for aroma plus the pine smell...I have tipped them with glitter and hung them too...

 Evergreens and Fresh Fruit

When I had fireplace mantles, I would use evergreens (O the wonderful smell) and then I used fresh grapefruit, oranges and apples to set with white taper candles in holders throughout.  This was very Williamsburgish and smelled sooo good!

This year, I already have my basket of Buckeye nuts setting out...my pine cones are coming...you can use magnolia cones too...

So how are you decorating for the season? NOW is the time...Christmas will be upon us and if we do this now, we can be free to enjoy our families and friends!
God bless,

Excellent Literature for Children~QUALITY!

There's a HUGE SALE going on HERE!

You won't go wrong introducing your children to literature, well written books from the late 19th and early 20th centuries! There are several great collections: The Emma Leslie Early Church History sets along with others~these books are awesome! We read Glaucia the Greek last year and loved it as part of our history studies.  You can read my review HERE!

There are great discounts AND FREE shipping in November!
Also for the NEXT 4 DAYS~buy 3 get one FREE! 

You can't beat this in wonderful children's literature!

Winng the Battles and Losing the WAR

Winning in skirmishes with our children as they age may actually position us to a place of losing the war in the end of the engagement.  As a mom, I can't have a win at all costs attitude with my children who are now of the ages that they are thinking and well able to express their positions to me.  I once held this belief of their absolute obedience with the idea that obedience would be crucial in their development of character and goodness.  and while it's important, it's over rated for the child well into adolescence.  An older child needs to have a safe haven, I think to express their ills into without mom coming unglued...and let me tell you, I have wanted to become unglued! I think my children are testing my love and willingness to accept them, love them, guide them without fear of revenge or anger.  I know this may seem like an odd description when children are to be obedient and respectful, but the safety they sometimes NEED to feel when their world is upside down and they need to just be "ill" is more important than that they stuff up their feelings for the behaviors that while wonderful will create more stress and strain...Oh I'm definitely not advocating a raging child and accepting this as good in the home! Not in the least, but if a child needs to express, if I can listen even when it's NOT in a way I would desire, and somehow detatch myself from the pain and anger welling up inside myself, for "how dare he or she treat ME~wonderful mother that I am, in such a manner as. _ _ _ _" to a place of calmness and hearing my child and really KNOWING and SEEING what is going on.

One such "face off" has recently occurred.  I am not sure I passed this "test," but I held my cool and ground...stayed firm and loving and waited until a cooler head on both our parts was present in order to tackle the issues.

Maybe you aren't struggling like this at your house.  Sometimes totalitarianism just breeds more rebellion~what is it a kid "wants" anyway when they act up? Love and attention! Not punishment, guilt and shame for their feelings and actions.

I am praying that God will show me how to lovingly, but firmly "finish nesting" my two hatchlings so they can eventually fly with wings of the eagle and with the spirit represented by the dove!  By using patience, love, understanding, faith, peace, hope, joy, goodness, meakness, temperance, bond, family ties...these are working us towards this goal for my family along with a strong sense of our faith in our Heavenly Father who guides our hearts and minds.

I wanted to share just in case you too are in the trenches with your child~here's to true victory where EVERYBODY wins!
Building Confidence
10 Things Teens Want to Hear

Math~Fun For the Littles

I found a way to make math fun for my littles.  Here's some ideas for items to teach grouping, counting, sorting, adding, subtracting, fractions, telling time, measurements:

Sorting:

Silverware~I dumped all mine on the kitchen table (no sharps) for my child to sort into "kinds."
Leggos~Have  your child sort into colors.
Small blocks~Sort into colors or shapes.
Cowboys and Indians~sort into people groups or even into poses.
Beans~sort out and count beans. Make piles of 10 or 5 or 2...count as you go...
Rocks~count and sort according to color or shape. SMALL rocks lol!

Fractions:

Paper plates: One whole place uncut~represents ONE.
                      One plate divided into two halfs.  I put the number 1/2 on each side.
                      One plate divided in four quarters. I put the number 1/4 on each part.
                      One plate divided in 3 thirds. I put the number 1/3 on each part.
I worked to each that the two 1/2's together being 1/2 plus 1/2 = 2/2 =1  I showed this! I did this will all the "fractions" (paper plates). We kept these in a zipperbag to bring out...
We made sets of larger numbers of items.  I took 10 beans.  I separated out 2 away.  This made "2 out of ten" or 2/10ths.  This is a concrete way to teach fractions on a very simple level.

Telling Time and Clock Face 

I used a paper plate again to make a clock face with 12:00 and 6:00 in correct position.  I put the 3:00 and 9:00 in place also.  I used a brad and a construction paper arrows (one short and one long for the minute hand).  I put the corresponding numbers, 1,2,4,5,7,8,10.11 where they belonged..and we counted each number by fives... We played ALOT with our clock... Make up simple word problems:
"Johnny needs to go to bed because it's 2:00.  Show 2:00 on the clock face." AND teach how to write time correctly too...

I also eventually put the minute dashes around the clock between the numbers! We got THAT specific after the "skip counting" of fives was accomplished and understanding that a WHOLE hour is 60 minutes...

Addition Fun:

Add 3 forks to five spoons.  They equal___________.  We played and played.
Subtraction fun the same way:
Four pencils take away one equals _________.

You can make up your own games and have fun "playing with Math!"

Measurements~Linear
I gave my children ALL kinds of rulers, yardsticks, measuring tapes! Some were collapsable, some fabric, some wood, plastic...anykind I could find to make measuring fun! AND then we measured anything and everything we could find. I sent my kids to measure things and even gave them lists.  Whenever I needed something measured, it was a child who did it ;-)) it was fun! Today, they both know all about measurements~linear ones...but not only these!

Measurements~Liquid

When my son was young and also when I was teaching liquid measures...I went into the kitchen. I got out the measuring cups, spoons, canning jars~pints, quarts, 1/2, and gallon sized ones...cups, bowls... I got water and said, measure away! It was amazing how much fun it was to figure out that 2 cups =1 pint, and that 2 pints=1quart and so on...3tp=1tbs and 2 tbs-1oz...I was also able to teach metrics this way too... 1oz=30cc. 240cc-8 oz. 500cc=1pint 1,000cc=1qt or 1 liter...  2 liters =2 qts...whoohoo! SEE how easy math is one it's touchable!

I hope this is helpful...with your very young child, sorting by kinds and counting will be most helpful at first...then teaching addition first...then subtraction.  I used Abeka curriculum when they were K and first grades as well as these methods. As a matter of fact, we used Abeka in math until they were in 7th grade math.  It was awesome along with all of our games.  I also used a singing skip counting CD...that was Bible based. You can find it HERE !

Have fun with math~with your little and on up!

What To Do With Littles~

Love 'em!
That should be our number one! After that, it will depend upon circumstances and your child.  Years ago we were foster parents and I had four children in our home to school.  Now I don't want to give you the wrong impression that we were homeschooling, officially, the oldest child was in school and the other three littles: One was in kindergarten and the other two were littles for sure! But it was after our foster son went to public school that I found out what a challenge it can be to teach with littles around~and the multi age range teaching.  Our older foster son was third grade and needed my help to learn his math facts: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.  My kindergartner was active and played hard having spent his day in public school as well...then there were the two preschoolers.  What I did was worked with our older boy one on one and let the littles play quietly with "quiet" toys.  Quiet toys are ones without bells/whistles/ noise boxes/lights and sounds. 

Here are some ideas:
1. Puzzles (age appropriate~I used to collect these up so I had a lot and when I got them out it kept them very busy!)
2. Coloring sheets/books
3. Leggos
4. blocks
5. Lincoln Logs
6. Matchbox or Hot Wheels cars
7. dolls
8. dress up clothes (costumes and larger "play" clothes for pretending)
9. writing paper and pencil
10. books (I would put books and say, "Let's read." and encourage looking at pictures.)
11. Audio volume controlled headphones with stories on cassette, Mp3, or dvd.  I don't suggest movies as much, but maybe on occasion.  The audio story will build listening skills.

Very young children will need loads of patience while schooling older siblings.  If you have several older children, you could have one look after the youngers while you work with an older.  Of course, do what will fit your family.  One thing for sure, if a preschooler isn't kept busy with something they will be "into" the schooling of the older child or children.  Busyness is just in their little natures and curiosity is in their hearts! Love 'em by keeping them busy with age appropriate activities while you work away with your older child.

We made it working with all the ages.  Everyone was learning, even our littles who were learning the wonderful skills of imagination, ingenuity, coordination, and more!

Don't be afraid of working away while littles are around. Love 'em and keep them learning too!

 

How I Got Started Homeschooling

It all began with a preacher's wife, Miss Pat.  Miss Pat is my friend who homeschools her grandchildren, and all these years ago encouraged me to do that same. "God gave you those babies, and you need to raise them," she said to me one day as we were discussing her educating her two grandchildren.  It weighed heavy upon me.  The thought of taking FULL responsibility for two humans in such an important aspect as their education was frightening! I had thoughts of inadequacy, self doubt, worries, and fear.  How would I do this? How would I afford it? Who could help me? Where would my children find a friend? Questions and more questions clouded my mind.

For our family, the decision was couched in a desire to continue to bond, be a family and raise them as good citizens giving them a distinctly Christian worldview.  I knew none of this would happen if they were public school educated, and likely not if in private or even Christian school.  I had graduated from a private Christian school, and I knew the pitfalls of it.  While Christian schooling is not bad, strong factors were that the nearest was an hour away and the costs.  It also would not strengthen family ties.  Perhaps this last reason at the time was the strongest for me.  I wanted to really know my children as they grew and developed, and their being gone six-plus hours a day was not going to accomplish this!

Miss Pat loaned me some of her Abeka curriculum that was so costly~I bought the rest I needed~the consumables.  Off I began. I think Abeka Book is a fine Christian curriculum.  In fact, I know that it's well tested throughout many years, because I was taught by it in my Christian school experience.  It really provided a solid foundation in so many areas for my children.  Math is an area that was really strong as well as reading, spelling and language arts.  We memorized poetry, Bible verses and read wonderful readers.  It was great!

Then we made a move out of state, and I continued with Abeka until I was introduced to the classical/eclectic style of homeschooling.  I am not sure that there is actually a definition that will fit what I was introduced to, but you could say that it's a mix of the classical education along with a "pick and choose" mentality.  Classical meaning attention is given to the roots of language, writing and history is emphasized along with logic and reason.  The eclectic is that while we did so much of this, we also picked our sources discriminately.  I am still burdened to this day by the task of finding good, well fitting sources to use for my children.  It really just comes down to using what is solid material that will educate them to excellence!
 


I still have many of the feelings of inadequacy that plagued me in the early days, but having accomplished nine years together, I can see the fruit of our labors, and this gives me much more confidence than I would otherwise have had.  I can see that we have made progress.  I can see their strengths and weaknesses, and I am able today to plan for the weaknesses to strengthen them.  Oh...but friends, I only have a few more years left with them! This is a thought that while I am excited, I also take in my heart with zeal to accomplish much!

We have a list of sources that I compiled for this year, if you want to know what we are using.

The Plan 09-10 Please remember that our in our history studies is a listing of Ancient Literature, geography and essay writing with quizzes, tests and other projects.  I have quite a few resources that "flesh out" the short narrative writings on each subject in this text, Mystery of History I.  (This is our second use of it. We used it five years ago when my children were elementary ages.  We are in a second rotation of our world history studies: creation to the present.)

One word of caution for those starting out that I wish I would have realized:

Don't over-school your child!

They learn all the time~allow him to be a child and learn in his own way!

You might like to read this entry I wrote about Natural Learning is Here!

I hope you will find encouragement in my story, and know I am walking along side you to accomplish the task of training our children, but more importantly, the Lord is guiding you in His ways.  Ask for wisdom from above and He guides and is light for our directions!

Homeschool FREEbies~Check This Out!

If you are like me and love the FREE stuff, then you will understand why I have placed a FREE EDUCATIONAL LINKS area on here for everyone to enjoy! Come back often, even if you don't homeschool to see what resides in this "place of honor" since the resources are HUGE for anyone who is looking to find some good info on the web.  Of course, much is education geared, but even SisterT is constantly learning; I know you are too! Sooo Come On Back~sign on up and CHECK OUT THOSE FREEbies!
blessings,

Is It Easy to Homeschool?

This question, asked by the Trivium Pursuit FaceBook Fan Page FREEBIE  was answered by several homeschooling moms, but I know Julieanne who is a fellow blogger and a sweet gal I worked with on the maiden voyage of The Old Schoolhouse Crew doing product reviews.  Julieanne gave a comprehensive answer to this question I think, and I couldn't agree with her more. With her permission, I want to share her remarks with you. Oh, read on, there's some real wisdom here and honest evaluation of the task~not so much mushy gooshy stuff, but some of the real nuts and bolts of the task!

Thanks Julieanne!
Go visit her blog http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/iLoveHomeschooling/

Sometimes, homeschooling is very hard, even when done in the Lord's strength. I love teaching my children at home, and I haven't found it all that hard because they are bright, and they are also eager learners. But, some people would say what I do is very hard, because we are very careful with our $$ spending, our personal free time is much more ... Read sic (Way) more limited as adults, our extra room is full of books, supplies, and materials instead of a craft room or study. Things are just different! But not hard for me. It takes up most of my personal time, and since I love what I'm doing with my children, it's fine with me. But for moms who have children with learning disabilities, or they are used to having extra money to do whatever they want, or they are used to having a lot of free time to explore their hobbies and interests, or socialize with their friends all the time, then homeschooling may be very, very hard for them.

It's the best "job" (aka "ministry") that I've ever had, and I wouldn't trade it for anything! But a lot of moms I know who don't homeschool would think it would be too hard because they don't want to learn patience, they don't want to give up their finances, and their free time, and some aren't willing to work hard with children who have learning disabilities. Those moms would find homeschooling extremely hard!

I couldn't agree with her more! Homeschooling isn't easy.  It comes with the everyday struggles/sacrifices of learning to live within a family, navigating the world around us and teaching as we go our children. Do-able? Yes, for those who are God called.  I don't believe everyone should homeschool, but probably not for the reasons you might think...this will be another post I think ;-)) I also don't think public school is so great either.  You can read about my experiences HERE.

Julieanne, Thank you for allowing me to share your insights into homeschooling!

If you are thinking about homeschooling, then just know there will be tough times and sacrifices, but the rewards are out of this world!
blessings,