Rachel's Reasoning

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Homeschooling thru the years...

I realized today I have not blogged much about homeschooling. Our family began homeschooling years and years ago, when my oldest child ( 15 yrs old now) at the time was getting ready for kindergarten. I remember reading everything I could about home education and then taking the "plunge"! Of course back then I had just a few little ones to school, and now there are 8 children being homeschooled at home!

Homeschooling does pose it's challenges -- but overall I have been really pleased with the results. I can't even imagine putting my kids in the public school system. I know there are many wonderful & gifted teachers teaching in the schoools, and I am sure many kids are receiving a good education. The decision to homeschool is much more than "academics" to me. It's more about "relationship" with my kids then academics. Oh sure, we do have our texts and our projects we are working on, but the focus has never been on the "books" but on character development and relationships. My greatest desire is to keep my kid's hearts and to really lead them to a personal walk with the Lord. I want our schooling time and our books we use to glorify God and to teach truth not relativism or humanism.

So we continue to homeschool. Some days I am tired. Like many of you I deal with the yearly "burn out" syndrome, and the days do come where I ask myself "why am I doing this to myself"! But when I stop to really think about things and look into my kid's faces and eyes..... there is NO way I could put them in the local school. I just can't.

Does that mean homeschooling is a "perfect" fit? No! I am sure that there are many things I could be doing better as their teacher and there are hard days when I am struggling along with a child and something they are trying to understand or learn. But overall, homeschooling is so much more than academics. ... it's a way of life...... our life does not revolve around "school" ........ we do have a time set aside each day for doing the math, the grammar, the spelling, etc. But we have learned to be flexible and to keep the "big picture" in mind.

Recently I found out a good friend of mine has quit homeschooling her kids after years of doing so. It just broke my heart. She has beautiful children and for the life of me I don't understand why she would make that choice. But regardless of how I feel about homeschooling, I know it's not for everyone.

One of the things I really love about homeschooling is the ability it gives me to really *know* my kids.... there is no "guessing" what is going on in their minds...... everything is revealed and there is nothing hidden....if there is a problem, it's evident..... if there is an attitude that needs to be adjusted that is known too...... it's all up front and open....... no hiding anything... that can be tough, especially when mom's flaws are "open" too! So I openly admit, homeschooling is a "stretch" for mom, and it certainly does keep me on my toes! ( no hiding my sins behind closed doors around here!!)

I wanted to share one aspect of homeschooling that I really, really love and that is the opporotunity that homeschooling can give to really develop a love of learning in our children . By that I do not mean learning their math facts or spelling words -- what I mean is loving to learn about something for the sake of loving to learn! Each month my kids choose a topic that they wish to study and dwelve into.... it can be anything........ and believe me we have had some interesting topics thru the years. :) After their assigned subjects are completed they can spend as long as they wish studying their "topic of choice". At the end of the month we have a "report night" where each child writes up a report on their topic, presents an oral report ( they hand in a typed report for me to file) and can also share a display board with drawings or print outs. The kids really look forward to this night! They enjoy sharing their knowledge with the rest of the family. It gives them a sense of accomplishment. My husband & I also enjoy hearing about what they are learning and what they have gleaned from their in depth study.

Here are some snapshots of our report night we held a few nights back. As always the reports were interesting and varied. :)

This past month we had:

Sarah studied about the Pilgrims. Big sister Hannah, helped her put a display board together. :) She loves to give these reports, even though she is just 6 yrs old and needs help reading her report a loud. :)

Paul learned about Abraham Lincoln . The twins are getting much better with their reading and didn't need much help giving their reports!

Peter gave a wonderful report on Martin Luther King Jr.

Rebekah studied about Anne Frank.....

Samuel gave a wonderful report on William Penn -- the founder of Pennsylvania ....I learned a ton just by listening to his report!

Rachel enjoyed learning about the "maide of Louraine"....Joan of Arc.......

Hannah studied up on Mary Queen of Scotts......... what a sad and interesting life she led.....Hannah loves to study about famous women in history....... she's a lot like her mom. :) I too love studying the lives of famous women -- right now I am reading about the life of Susanna Wesley the mother of Charles & John Wesley.

Last but not least, Jacob gave us a very detailed report on the Vietnam War.......he loves to study wars, and he really learned a lot. This month he has chosen to study the Korean War, so he really is into this "war" studies lately! He loves history and mostly chooses historical topics of interest.

This coming month the kids have chosen the following topics to study:

Jacob: Korean War, Hannah : Christopher Columbus, Rachel: Eleanor Roosevelt, Samuel: Lightening, Rebekah: Horses, Peter: George Washington ( again!), Paul: Trains, Sarah : Dogs

I hope my kids can look back upon their years homeschooling with fondness. :) I know I will have many many memories to look back upon. No regrets here, even though there are the the "days" I wonder what on earth I have done to myself!

~ gloria ~

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2009-Jan-7

The Homestead Carnival!

Posted in Homestead Happenings

The Homestead Carnival #77, The New Years' Resolution Edition, has been posted!

I'm going to be hosting The Homestead Carnival at my ElCloud Homeschool Blog on Monday January 12. If you have anything you want to enter in the next Homestead Carnival, please enter it HERE.

Trusting in Him,
April

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Wed-7-Jan-2009

Thoughts on children and life

Posted in From my soapbox . . . .

I’m getting lots done around here.

I made some diaper rash ointment for the boys yesterday in my baby crock-pot. I don’t remember who gave it to us when we married, but it’s the perfect size for my herbs and salves and tinctures. The four of us have pretty much out-grown it, though, and it never EVER was big enough to hold a whole roast. Back in my more primitive days, I once sawed a roast in half to wedge it in there.

That’s okay, though. In a step of faith that our family size will one day be worthy, I now own a 22-quart roaster. Did you know these work as mini ovens? You can even make bread in them. And they can also serve as a really large crock-pot for big families? One of these days, I’ll have three teenagers (or possibly even more!!!), Lord willing, and I have a feeling that the capability of making three gallons of chili at a time might come in handy! lol

I’m getting so much de-cluttered that it’s wonderful! I might actually get to some deep cleaning soon. Or even surface cleaning. I don’t like clutter, so cleaning is what gets pushed to the back burner around here. Who cares what the mirrors look like if I can’t walk for toys?

When I first came off of bedrest, it really seemed to stress my body to “do stuff”. Several times I had contractions 5 minutes apart for hours. At this point, things have calmed down to the point that “Hey, you want to work hard? Go for it!” and I might get them 15 minutes apart.

So, yes. It feels as if I could be pregnant forever. But, also, it’s lovely to get caught up and reign as Queen of My Own House again.

Last I knew, about a week ago, the baby was only a -3. I must carry my babies really high, or at least this one; because the little feet haven’t been under my ribs for a while now. It was kinda a neat feeling – and it was unique to this pregnancy. I miss it. I almost wonder if the baby is a -2 now, but I’m too nervous to hope. I go back to see my midwife tomorrow – I’m sure she thought I’d have this baby by now, but like I said, my body seems to have adjusted to the strain of going from comatose to active. It’s been the calmest week ever! *sigh*

Still, I trust God’s timing. And I’m willing to wait for it, really. That actually has something to do with why I’m due with another munchkin when my sweet Elijah just turned 15mo yesterday. His spacing, not mine. I do happen to think it’s delightful to be expecting a baby just when my last baby is suddenly becoming very Mommy-independent! Would I be as happy if I thought their spacing was just a fluke? Maybe, maybe not.

Of course, there are those that would say that he’s becoming independent because suddenly I’m not going to have the time for him like I used to; bosh! I’m with my babies 24/7. I do all the clothing, feeding, kissing boo-boo’s and wiping noses, singing, reading, counting, laughing, scolding, praising . . . they get a whole lot more of me than they would if I were working!

So, soon there will be three of them sharing me. Oh, the horror! But how many share one teacher in school? How many children share one day-care worker? Honestly, is a one-to-three ratio that dreadful?

Maybe it’s the close spacing that’s bad. Who can cope with three little ones pulling in different directions? But it’s closer to the spacing which is “ideal”, which is all the 5yo together, all the 6yo together, etc. It means they have very similar interests. Surely it’s somewhat easier to have one almost 3yo, one 15mo, and one newborn rather than 3 newborns, or three 15-month olds, or three 3yo?

Yes, no? These are just thoughts I ponder occasionally. Where do we get the idea that a young mother of three little ones is a stressed out mess (not to say I’m sometimes not) but that a child-care specialist with 8 of the same age is somehow more capable?

Here is an excellent blog that puts so much more into perspective than I can. From a mom of fourteen:

“. . . you may have gotten the impression that I think that having a large family has been the driving force in my life. This is so far from the truth.

The message, if any, that should be drawn from the testimony of who I am is this: She trusted God and surrendered, and it was good.”

Amen. That’s what it is all about . . . . it isn't about hitting a certain number of children. It's about letting go of my ideas and plans. Finding joy in God's design - surrender. Trust. Faith. Hope. The whole article is so good. You should really take the time to read it. I want to be like her when I grow up! *smile*

~Ashley~

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Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Evaluating Books from a Biblical Perspective

Posted in Home Education and Discipleship

I recently run across a question on one of my lists... and thought this might be something to share further...

Let the Author's Speak, A Guide to Worthy Books Based on Historical Setting by Carolyn Hatcher I use this one a lot. It is a really easy quick reference guide, catagorizing by author, century/location, or title. She notes books reviewed in Books Children Love by Elizabeth Wilson, listed in the bibliography of Honey for a Child's Heart and reviewed in Read for Your Life both by Gladys Hunt, and the reading list for Westside Prep School in Marva Colin's Way by M. Collins & C. Tamarkin. She also notes Newbery Medal and Pulitzer Prize Winners. It's all in columns with abreviations to note whether the books are biography, autobiography, history, essay, science, allegory, fable.... and lots more...

Another source I've used is the Keepers of the Faith web site. He is very strict in his evaluations and reveiws and judges the authors by thier lives as well as other of thier writings, not just by book. We have still chosen to read some of the books that he says christians should never read, but it was nice to have the history and to know some specific areas of certain books to talk with the children about, (or just skip over if I'm the one reading). Like some of Louisa Mae Alcott. Her writings are so full of great examples of children learning specific character qualities... I just printed out his article and folded it into great-grandma's copy of Little Women, for future posterity... ;'>

Abundant Blessings,
Dawnita

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Jan. 7, 2009

Make your own butter

Posted in Homestead Kitchen

One day last week I remembered that I had bought some heavy cream over the holidays for Moma's Favorite Cookie, which I am GOING to post the recipe for! REALLY! :) Well, I thought with this much cream, it would be a good time to show the children how to make butter... well the easy way to make butter.
We pulled out the ole food processor.
Poured in all that cream and turned it on...
There were a few different stages that I told them we would see...
First of all we saw it just as a liquid, as it is as cream.
We would start seeing the cream slowly becoming thicker, until we had it at the whipped cream stage.
They all tried it at this point and sneered... sadly they thought it would taste like cool whip. Pitiful, huh? I told them at the enormous amounts of 'stuff' added to cool whip and this was so much better, and that we could add a little sweetner if we wanted whipped cream, but we want butter!
Keep it moving, keep it moving...
FINALLY!
BUTTER! :) HURRAH!
Please forgive the skunk stripes down my child's hair... our New Years Party got a bit crazy! :) haha
Mmm... this butter is good, Mom!
We even took the buttermilk and put it in a jar to use later and washed the curds with ice water to help get all the milk off so the butter would last longer.
Now a solid. How crazy are we? Doing school when we are supposed to be on holiday? haha... so is the life of a homeschooler.
I hope you have a great day friends.
From My Homestead to Yours,
~Chas~
Chasity L. Burrell
Heritage Acres Farm

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Wednesday, January 7, 2009

little catch up

Well things have been busy around here. We have had 8 baby goats born in 2 days. On Saturday the 3rd twins were born, then on Monday the 5th 6 babies were born. We had 4 males and 4 females, one died male last night. I will get some pictures of the goat kids up soon.

Here are some pictures around the homestead to update a little of what we have been doing...or buying.

Here is the turkey shelter.

Here is a different view with the chicken coop in the background and the barn/tack room (white metal building). The horse corrals are next to the barn and you can kinda make out one of the horses with its coat on.

The turkeys are getting big. We will be hatching more in the spring. I think we have at least 20 turkeys. We have eaten a couple over the holidays. The chickens and the ducks are lounging around enjoying the warm days between the freezing ones.

This is our new stud horse. He is a buckskin, quarter horse. He is a sweet horse. He sure has things exciting around here with our mares. They are all sassy now that he is here. Isn't he a cutie? He is 19 months old.

My youngest son turns 7 today. I can't believe how fast the time has gone by. I will upload those pictures later. Have a warm, productive day. Blessings, Brenda

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Wednesday, January 7, 2009

We made butter

Posted in Home Sweet Homeschool

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January 6, 2009

Homeschool Record Keeping

Posted in My Life

I have been at this 10 years now? And each year or every 6 months or so, I find something new to keep my progress recorded. I do really REALLY love Homeschool Tracker, as I've stated on my homeschool blog, but in the current arrangement in the house, my computer is upstairs and we do most of our school downstairs. I went back to paper record keeping. I will use my Homeschool Tracker by recording our grades in that, so I can make up a transcript, quick and easy like, when the time comes.

I was trying to find the perfect tool to record and to plan and I realized that what worked for some, didn't work for all classes. I also had two notebooks and two children with two notebooks and it was getting to be a handful to carry around all these books. I tried combining my record keeping with my home management binder, but I found I didn't use it at all because it was HUGE and cumbersome! However, today, I decided just to put our study courses in a 3 ring binder. I have dividers separating the different courses, and I made copies of one simple master sheet that works well. The sheet is simple enough that I can modify it for both kids if they are studying the same material. I can also add a column for listing grades on some assignments, when necessary.

I like pretty. I like unique and creative forms. But when it really comes right down to it... I SOOOO love simple! Simple works. Simple can be easily modified and still look uncluttered. I've realized that I don't need fancy record keeping books. But I do need to have records. So, simple just seems to work all around.

My plans are usually made on loose leaf paper, so sliding that in the appropriate course worked really well. I've tried other planners, I actually like the CLASS record planner book and I like Rod and Staff's simple record keeping book, but with both books, I tend to get ahead in a subject or two and pretty soon I am flipping pages trying to keep track of a full day's work. I've also tried a ring bound notebook or a ring bound project notebook. Those work better, but when we change directions, it is hard to reorganize a ring bound plan. I realized I needed a different system that worked with our style of learning.

I like several things about the new record keeping book. I have both students in ONE book. Everything is clean, simple and clutter free; I have what I need and nothing more. It is only the study subjects, so once books are put away, I put the record book away and it slides away in a drawer. It is a small handy binder, only 1/2 inch wide. I can see it will make school so much easier. AND, I even allowed for some creativity. I used a 1/2 inch 3 ring binder with the clear plastic pockets on the outside, so I can decorate and redecorate as I desire.

I used it the first time today and my oh my did things run smoother and better. I wasn't fumbling for a different book for a different subject. When the girls asked a question, the book was handy for both of them. If I was working on one subject and another came in to ask a question about another subject... I had the information right there...(each divider has the needed sheets filed with finished items filed to the back... so no flipping through all the pages to find the information I needed)... SOOOO NICE!

I know it is hard to believe that I may have stumbled upon something that works, finally, especially since I've only used it one day. But I have a hope and a peace about this that is different than other tries before. Before I wanted something pretty, or something educational looking, something that was like what everyone else was using, or something that made me look intelligent if someone happened to snoop upon it. LOL. All the other ideas were motivated by selfish thoughts in some way or another. I realized that isn't what I needed. I simply needed a way to record our happenings that had some ability to shift and change when I did. I was excited this morning to discover that something so simple can work.

Now parts of my book are parts of systems that I have used in the past... the ones I tend to fall back on when I LOSE my book and when life is busy and I don't have time to fill in all the blank spots in the other planners and record keeping books. That is likely the key to finding success in my record keeping system. They are tools I have used before, but ones I kept running away from because something new caught my eye! When time was scrunched these simple pages worked. When I misplaced my book, or my kids misplaced my book, I could grab a sheet and still work on some planning and add it to the notebook another time. No more running to and fro looking for something better... may my heart be satisfied with simple!

I'd post a picture, but thought that perhaps that wasn't best, afterall, what worked for me was finding those things that I needed to use for my specific area, for my specific family. If you are searching for that perfect tool, consider the fact that perhaps, just perhaps you already have the materials to make your own simple record/planner book. I just used the word processor on my computer to create a simple table that I could print out. It included the items that I needed, period. I placed it into a 3 ring binder, which worked best for me... what I discovered was that the size really made a difference. I've used 1 inch, 1.5 inches, 2 inches, and even a 3 inch binder... but wow a small 1/2 inch binder feels JUST right for me! May you find what works just right for YOU!

Warmly, ~Melissa

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