Category: Children

Student Planners

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Moms, how are you coming on your organizational skills this year? 

I’m going to admit right now that I have not always been the most organized person.  But over the years and with much prodding from my dear husband, I have become much more organized in all that I do (from running the house, to my writing, to teaching the children and everything in between).

So this year I started off with great expectations.  At the beginning of the school year I had everything scheduled and organized.  Of course, I must give credit where credit is due and The 2010 Schoolhouse Planner sure has helped in this area.  So I’m off to a good start.  Now comes the challenge of imparting to my children the same organizational skills.  After all, it is important for children to be structured.  It’s important for them to have order.  And as they get older it is even more important that they learn the self discipline it takes to keep them organized.

There are two things I have learned to help my own children with these skills.  First, I have to emulate the behavior for them.  After all, when it comes to children, more is caught than taught.   Secondly, I must provide for them good resources and tools to use.  For example, if I want to teach my children to be early risers then I myself must be an early riser.  Secondly, I should invest in an alarm clock for them (giving them the proper tool). 

To teach my children to be organized I first must be.  Then I need to give them the proper tools or resources.  This is where the Schoolhouse Student Planner comes in.  I received the Middle School (7-8 grade) planner from TOS in exchange for an honest review.  It is 278 pages of informative articles, helpful calendars, valuable forms, and so much more.  In fact, there really is too much to list but below are a few examples.

  • To-do lists (today, tomorrow, next week . . .)
  • Audio/Visual log
  • Log sheet
  • Marking period planners
  • Wish list (stuff to buy later)
  • Science lab sheets (use to gather all the supplies and record the experiment too)
  • General book reports
  • Early elementary book reports (with room for pictures!)
  • Chore charts (includes tasks and pictures for primary and secondary grades)
  • Loaned and borrowed lists (no more lost books, CDs, DVDs . . .)
  • Important phone numbers and contacts (never forget a phone number again)
  • Address book (from A–Z)
  • Family tree
  • Community service record (college and scholarship applications may require this information)
  • Dates to remember (birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, important events)
  • Website login/password reference (handy!)

In addition, there are those much-needed, must-know lists for those hard to remember facts and figures:

  • Thirteen colonies
  • Multiplication table
  • Branches of government
  • Planets
  • Measurement conversions
  • Elements
  • Capitals of states or countries
  • Timelines
  • Kitchen and measurement conversions
  • And more!

The student planners complement the Schoolhouse Planners in a very nice way but can also stand alone.   At just $19 they are affordable as well.   I must say that our family is well on our way to having a smooth, well-run household and a very productive year!   Visit the store to learn more information.

Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. (Psa 25:4)

 

Teaching the Word of God

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Nothing is more calming to my soul than picking up God’s Word and reading from the Psalms.  Perhaps it is because there is such transparency with the Psalmists.  As we read, we get a glimpse of heartache, troubles, sorrows, fear, worry and doubt.  But, in contrast we also see complete faith, hope, love, joy, and delight.  My heart is pointed to my Creator, Rock, Salvation, Strong Tower, Deliverer, Refuge, Preserver, Shield and Strength every time I read the Word of God.  My mind is transformed by the power of His Words, and I am strengthened through them.

I believe that giving my children a love for the Word of God is one of the most wonderful gifts I could ever give them.  We encourage Bible memorization within the family, their father and I read the Bible to them and we persuade each of them to read on their own as well.  Dana is currently teaching Bible Catechisms each morning after breakfast to the children. 

We use the Bible in all of their studies.  It is the most precious book we have.  It is the inerrant (incapable of mistakes), inspired (God breathed), all sufficient (completely adequate), Word of God.  In other words, the Bible is all we need and we cannot know it or study it enough.

Recently I was given a pre-inductive study of the Psalms, Young Hearts Longing For God, from Soli Deo Gloria Resources.  It is a 30 lesson workbook geared for children in 4th through 8th grade.  Each lesson takes the student through one Psalm per week.  It encourages daily reading of the Psalm creating repetition (which helps in memorization).  The student is given questions to answer as well as thoughts and prompts for journal writing.  The workbook is $16.00 or you can download immediately an ebook for $14.50 from their website.  (When you go to the site be sure and check out the free resources available.)

Abigail, my 6th grade daughter has been going through the study and has enjoyed it very much.  The only fault I found was that it was only available in NIV.  Since we are a KJV only family I had to print off the psalms myself in King James.  This was not too much of a problem in that I simply put the KJV pages in her notebook.

Soli Deo Gloria (Latin for To God Alone the Glory) has many resources and their goal is to assist the parents in teaching for God’s glory alone.  Below is an excerpt from their website.

 Why do we educate our children?

  • If we educate our children so that they will be intelligent and successful – we may be seeking THEIR glory.
  • If we educate our children so that they will impress our family, friends and neighbors – we may be seeing OUR OWN glory.
  • If we educate our children so that they can pour forth facts and figures accurately – we may be seeking the glory of KNOWLEDGE (and knowledge puffs up).
  • But if we educate our children so that they have a big view of God, are aware of their individuals giftings and seek to use them for the advancement of God’s Kingdom around the world and in eternity – then we are seeking GOD’S glory.

                                            

I must say that is a wonderful reason to educate our children!   Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth. (Psa 57:11)

To learn what others are saying about Young Hearts Longing for God click here.

 

Disclaimer:  As a member of The Old Schoolhouse 2010-2011 Crew, I received Young Hearts Longing for God free of charge in exchange for an honest product review.   I do not receive any other form of compensation for the reviews posted on this blog.

Field Trips

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I love taking my children on field trips.  Whether we are going with a homeschool group or just as a family, this is something that has added to our educational experience over the years.  To name a few, we have been up mountains, to zoos, museums, corn patches, and river boat rides.  We have been to chicken farms in rural Arkansas, an alligator hatchery in southern Louisiana, Dr. Pepper plant in Waco, Texas, a power plant (two days before a hurricane was coming in) on the Gulf Coast, and just last week we went to the WDAM TV studio, Way Down Around Moselle, Mississippi.

These are just a few field trips we’ve taken over the years.  More recently we have been to the wetlands in Canada, to a dessert in the southwest United States, and to a rainforest in Belize, Central America.  While I would like to say that we hopped on a plane or took an excursion to these places we did not.   After all, the world is full of many amazing places to visit and the average family can only go to so many of them.  Therefore, these field trips were taken in our home, around the kitchen table.   I am referring to The Digital Field Trip Series by Digital Frog International. 

You may wonder like I did.  Just who is Digital Frog International? 

They are passionate creators of natural science software.  Digital Frog is probably most known for their virtual frog dissection software but they offer more, including the Digital Field Trip Series to the Wetlands, Dessert, and Rainforest.

When we loaded the DVD into our computer we first choose to visit the Blue Creek Rainforest Reserve in Belize.  We took a tour and explored 360-degree panoramas using QuickTime Virtual Reality.  We viewed stunning photographs and interesting videos of the rainforest.  We spent an hour just looking at all of the information and will go back to learn much more.  During this study you can learn of the types of rainforest of the world, the difference between temperate and tropical forest, about endangered forest, global benefits, human impact, and statistics.  You can study the mechanisms of the rainforest, the animal and plant characteristics, and the dependency web.  You can take a quiz or play a game.  And that is just a few of the attributes to one field trip.  Don’t forget there are two more.

When I first received this product to review I was somewhat apprehensive.  To be honest I thought the price of $125 for a computer DVD was a little too steep.  We live on a budget and I know most other homeschool families do as well; therefore, I am very careful about the curriculum we choose.  However, after spending some time investigating this product my concerns were calmed.  There is a wealth of information on each trip.  This software can be used to support learning K-12. In addition to the field trip, each trip folder comes with full student and teacher workbook material that are located on the disc.  The rainforest workbook alone is 65 pages.  We could not even begin to cover all of the information in these few weeks.  So, I have planned to extend our study into several months over this next year.   I also see us using this in the years to come as well.

To learn more about Digital Frog Internationals or to see what others are saying about the product you can click here.

 

Disclaimer:  As a member of The Old Schoolhouse 2010-2011 Crew, I received The Digital Field Trip Series free of charge in exchange for an honest product review.   I do not receive any other form of compensation for the reviews posted on this blog.

A Must Read…

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We are a family of readers.  From the youngest to oldest, we all enjoy good quality books.  Books are like everything else, there are very good ones and very bad ones.  And there are many in between.  Therefore, you cannot be too careful when choosing books.  As believers in Christ, my husband and I try to be diligent in searching out the best things to put into our minds.  It is because we believe that what goes into the mind also goes into the heart. We are told in God’s Word to “keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life”, Proverbs 4:23.

 While we love reading, and I encourage my children to do it often, it needs to be more than just entertainment.  I want them learning.  I want them to be inspired.  I want them to meet men and women in the books they read, of the highest character.  I desire for my boys to be motivated to be brave and strong.  I want them stirred up for greatness, not for self glory but because they are children of the King.  I want my daughter to read of noble ladies of utmost disposition.  I want her to be encouraged in her faith.  And I always desire for our family to be pointed to God in everything we do.  Sometimes it is hard finding such commendable literature.  But sometimes, God just brings it to your door.  That was the case with our family’s newest delight, Foundlings, Book One of The Peleg Chronicles.  It was written by Matthew Christian Harding. 

 In our family, we save the best books to read together.  Dana usually reads one chapter each night before bed.  From the first page our family was captured.

It began:

 “There be dragons.  There be giants.  And God: our maker, our help, and our righteous judge…It was in the days of Peleg, when the world was divided.  After the flood of Noah, after the tower of Babel and the dispersion, when men wondered where they were upon the earth…when beast were more numerous than men – predators in the woods, in the water, and in the air.  But men struggled and fought, carving their place…”

 This book was an absolute pleasure.  After reading to the children five chapters the first night, Dana read ahead and finished Foundlings the following day.  We have already purchased the second book, Paladins, to read to the children.

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 There are too many heroes in this book to count.  But in my opinion the biggest is the author.  He is committed to produce the highest quality of Christian fiction without evolution or humanism. There is no magic and no compromise.  Matthew Christian Harding is dedicated to the Word of God and has even enclosing the Gospel at the end of his book.  More than an entertainer, Harding is a servant of the God of Noah and has been given a great ministry. 

Foundlings can be purchased from Zoe and Sozo Publishers for $11.95.  To see what others are saying click here.

Disclaimer:  As a member of The Old Schoolhouse 2010-2011 Crew, I received Foundlings free of charge in exchange for an honest product review.   I do not receive any other form of compensation for the reviews posted on this blog. 

Let’s Play!

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Having imaginative children, I often get a glimpse into the life of cowboys lassoing wild pinto stallions.  I get to witness brave knights saving princesses from evil men.  On some days my children travel back into the times before Noah and walk with dinosaurs.  Other days they are zoo keepers tending to animals or missionaries in Africa fighting terrifying lions.  It is good for children to play.  It is good for children to be creative.  I often tell my children to “stop watching everyone live life on the television – go out, get up, dream about life, and live your own.”

Not only is it good to encourage your children to play but it’s also good to give them resources.  When our family got a box of Schleich animal figures to review for The Old Schoolhouse we were thrilled!  It was mostly because we were familiar with Schleich figurines.  My boys love to play with their knights and horses.  When we go into a toy store they always make a stop at the Schleich display.

Here is Andrew playing with his new Schleich figurines: Przewalskis Horse, SwabianHall Piglet Eating, Donkey, Dartmoor Pony, Asian Elephant Calf, Okapi, Gnu, and Gnu Calf.

Friedrich Schleich founded Schleich GmbH  in 1935.  They are the leading manufacturer of animal figurines and imaginative playworlds.  The figures are very realistic, definitely a true reflection of nature.  They are simply on a smaller scale.  One thing that I love about the toys is that they are simple and very durable.  They will not tear up.  They do not need instructions.  They do not need batteries.  They spark creativity.  And they will last for years.  My children love them.  Therefore, this mom loves them!

Schleich has over 500 items available.  Visit their site to see the collection.  And go here to see what others are saying.

Disclaimer:  As a member of The Old Schoolhouse 2010-2011 Crew, I received the above animal figures free of charge in exchange for an honest product review.   I do not receive any other form of compensation for the reviews posted on this blog.

Entrusted With Arrows

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“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them.”  Psalm 127:3-5a

 Movie Makers has just released a new documentary which I recently had the privilege to review.  Entrusted with Arrows: Entrepreneurial Homeschool Fathers, is an hour long documentary challenging ordinary men to be extraordinary fathers.  Statistics show that the average father spends less than seven minutes of quality time with their children each week.  Perhaps just as alarming, statistics also show that children in Christian homes are being raised without a biblical worldview.  These children in turn reject the faith of their parents when they reach adulthood.  The film highlights fathers who have rejected the world’s standards.  They have embraced a more biblical model because they understand that they are called to disciple their children.   

 We get a glimpse into the lives of average men who have chosen to not just educate their children at home, but have chosen to come home and lead in the discipleship of their children.  The common denominator in all these families is their faith in God.  We see God open doors as they start home businesses.  They stay with their children on a regular basis and follow the commands of God to teach, train, and disciple.  As they follow in obedience, we see God bless these families.  This film is encouraging and uplifting, pointing us to God and His will for Christian homes.  It is a must see for those whose hearts desire is to follow God in every area of their life.

 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deu 6:6-7)

Sowing & Reaping

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Autumn is a wonderful time to be reminded of the sowing and reaping principle found in God’s Word. It works every time. You will reap what you sow. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7

God’s principle works in every area of life. What you sow into your marriage you will reap. What you sow into your children you will reap. It also works in our spiritual life. “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:8

It also works in conjunction with our tithes and offerings; “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6.

And it works hand in hand with the preaching of God’s Word; “And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow..” Matthew 13:3

My latest article in Home School Enrichment deals with Sowing and Reaping in our children. In it I mention my dear grandfather, who has been with the Lord for many years now, which makes it even more special to me. The article is available for free online. You can find it here in the Sept/Oct 2010 Issue. I hope you will read it and take the time to sow into your life principles from God’s Word so you can reap a little encouragement for your day!

Homeschooling – A Labor of LOVE

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I love homeschooling my children.  I consider it a wonderful blessing.  It is also a huge responsibility.  God will hold my husband and I accountable for the teaching and training of the precious children He gave us.  In addition to being a blessing and responsibility it is a lot of work – what I like to call a labor of love.

 

Yes, homeschooling is a labor of love. 

No, you do not have to labor alone! 

Through the years I have gotten encourgement, tips, expert knowledge, and advice from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.  If you are familar with the magazine you know what I mean.  That’s why I wanted to share with you the “Labor of Love” subscription sale going on right now.

The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine is extending an extraordinary
subscription offer to homeschool families. Receive a one-year print
subscription for just $7.95 or a one-year plus current issue
subscription for $12.95. One-year subscriptions start with the winter
issue. The one-year plus current issue starts with the fall issue.
Only 5000 of these special subscriptions are available from August 31
through midnight on September 15. Once the 5000 are gone, they”re gone!
Hurry and grab this crazy price today!

How to Enjoy Life (and have a clean kitchen!)

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Each week the children rotate chores between lunch duty/dinner duty/kid’s bathroom. This is Andrew’s week to clean the kitchen after lunch. He is required to put everything up, load the dishwasher, and wipe the counters. Since he is only 7 I usually do the sweeping and mopping. However, since starting school this week I’ve been a little behind. So, I thought I would have Andrew do the mopping for me. His little mind is rather creative so why not turn the chore of mopping into a slip-n-slide?

What was I thinking….right?

So there I was, reviewing latitude and longitude with Abigail and I look into the kitchen to see Andrew in his swimsuit “cleaning the floor.”

This is where every mother stands at the crossroad of two decisions. I could reprimand him for acting out, stress out from the extra water and soap on the floor, and take over the job adding to my already full load. Or…….. I could smile, grab the camera, remind him to wipe up the water when he’s through, and remember what blessings children are.

I choose the latter.

By the way, the floor and Andrew ended up rather clean. Talk about multitasking!

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Our First Day of “school”

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Day one is over. School is officially in session. That means in our home that pencils and minds alike are sharp and ready to be used. The computers and text books are out. Our goals are listed along with a long list of books to read this year. With day one behind us I’m looking forward to a great year with my children.

Actually, to tell the truth, we’ve “done school” all summer. What I mean is that part of my goal in teaching my children at home is that I create in them a love for learning along with a mindset that we always pursue knowledge. I don’t want my children to think that “school” takes place from 8 to 3 or from Monday to Friday or from August to May or from Kindergarten to 12th grade. The word school really is unsuitable. I prefer education. I want my children to learn every day. I want those who love them best to be their teachers. I want the world to be their schoolroom. I want life to be their homework. I want the Bible to be the preeminent textbook. I want their classmates to be from babies to adults. I don’t want to fill their minds with useless information. I want to create in them a desire to learn all they can for God’s glory. I want them to excel in reading classics, to chase after truth in science, to discover the world through history (His – God’s Story), to read and follow after great men and women. I want them to use their writing skills to change the world. I think Williams Butler Yeats said it best when he said, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” That is what I want to do – light a fire that burns their entire life. My prayer is that their education never ceases but that they continue throughout all their lives on this pursuit of truth and knowledge.

Lofty goal?  Yes.  Is it worth it?  Absolutely!