Be Ye Separate

Still Homeskililng and Still Loving It:)

Blessings!

   I thought I would do another installment of our Homeskilling 101:)

   As I said before, everyone decides what works best for their families as far as home educating goes. Nothing I am sharing is a judgment of those who don't do it my way. My way is right for us and is only a reflection of our own choices here in our home. If you or anyone you know chooses to home educate with strict structure and schedules, please to not take offense as we are not saying you are doing it wrong. We are simply sharing our way and what has worked for us as a family and the results:) (This is my disclaimer):)

   Onward!

   We do use a mathbook to reinforce what we teach in mathematics. We have used several different curriculum for this but have found that Saxon (the original not the new) has worked best for us. This allows the children to learn forumulas, showing their written work and lets us know that they understand how they came up with the answers and gives them something to look back on and reference from time to time. The seatwork is done twice a week. However, the mathematics is encourged all day, every day:)

ARITHMATIC

   For instance, mathematics yesterday was balancing the budget for the animal feed and reworking the budget for the upcoming winter supplies. It was working out the portions and times the animals will be fed for winter scheduling and making sure all the numbers line up and everything is ready for breeding on time come November.

   We also did our baking for the week, did our regular cooking and food prep for the day and figured out our costs on soap making and egg production vs. our income from these:)

GEOGRAPHY

   We did our baking for the week.:) How is this geography? Well, we spend time discussing, while we are working, the origin of our ingredients, and final products. We try to include at least one meal a week with a geographical origin not of this country. From couscous and rice a beans to stews and soups.

   We also use TOG which helps us to focus on certain places and find foods to prepare that are similar. We do lots of oratory teaching/learning here:)

   The girls were discussing unleavened breads. Their biblical significance and physical origin. So, we made some pita for a meal later this week:) The girls will make a meal of Falafel, pita and a soup to go with it. They are working on an oratory to share with the rest of the family when it is served. I must say I am looking forward to is as I love Falafel:)

HISTORY

   Need I say more? Our history lessons are derived from not only the cooking and baking we do but from the types of animals we keep. The girls are often with their heads in their books trying to reproduce a way of doing things historically. This was originally how we came to grind our own grains. All the children learned to grind in many different fashions, from stone grinding like the indians, to mortar and pestil, to hand cranking hoppers.

   We decided to take a trip to a reenactment a few years ago where the children we able to participate for a few days as reenactors. One of the things they were able to do was to grind flour for the group by walking a large stone wheel for several hours. It was hard work and with the help of the docent who was in charge of it, they recieved quite the education in who, what, why, where and how:)

SCIENCE

   Again, the cooking and baking is a tremendous help in this. As well as our gardening:) The children have learned and continue to learn about the science of these and how it supports creation vs. other beliefs.

   They have learned, first hand, how a plant germinates, how it grows and is fed by photosynthesis. What the different parts of the plants are and their importance in how God created them.

   Our most favorite chemistry lessons are done while cooking:) Especially stews and all those wonderful smelling herbs we add in. They have learned how to tell if a spice/herb is going to go with what they are cooking/baking by smelling it. How it IS possible to mix the wrong herbs/spices together and create something that is edible but tastes horrendous!:P They have also learned how these are meant to compliment each other and to choose carefully what they want to add:)

   We also have fun types of sciences that aren't cooking or baking (sort of:P). We made mystery putty a few times. Now that they are all older they enjoy doing it when we have younger children visiting. It's fun to see their faces when they make it themselves in just minutes and can take it home!:)

   During Christmas we make dough creations too. It fun, and artistic too!:) We make ornaments, gifts and other fun things out of it. It's a fun time of year to also make the gingerbread items too for hanging on the tree and giving away as gifts. And of course, they are fun to eat:)

SOCIAL STUDIES

   Contrary to a popularly held misconception, Social Studies is NOT History. It is the study of cultures and their place in societies. This is accomplished with cooking, baking, sewing, gardening, canning, even playing games!:) We always try to learn a new game once a month. We might never play it again but we do have a tremendous time learning about it:)

   Games in particular are a wealth of information in Social Studies. Games are played in every town, city, village and on every continent in the world. It is a form of entertainment and often education at the same time. From jumping rope to throwing jacks. From checkers to eight-men-down to hide the thimble:) We all enjoy learning of how other cultures used these games in their society.

   We have come to find that some of the "games" that we play today were, in fact, games of gambling, passing the time, challenging and competing for honor and even to the death! Things that we take for granted and think are fun, sometimes were used to decide types and times of executions. Leading right to the cross, in fact. Casting lots was a lot like playing Yahtzee. It was a form of gambling to divvy up the Lords clothing.

   Do we stop playing these games once we know their origin and use? No. But the fascinating history of these games are something that shouldn't be forgotten.

   Some games were simply just that...simple games:) It has taught us all to find something fun to do without needing to be entertained. When we go camping we make it a point to include other folks in our games to teach them about these games too. Perpetuating their history so it doesn't get lost.

   I'm going to leave it here for now. I haven't been well today and I need to lay back down for awhile yet. I just really had all these things on my heart and mind and prayerfully wanted to begin sharing them with you.

   I will get into ideas and such for the homeskilling family in the next few days or so, as time and health permits:)

God be with thee!

Sister Lori

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{ 17:55, Tuesday, September 18, 2007 } { Posted by meme21713 }

Sorry to hear that you are not feeling well..May the good Lord send better health to you soon....Debbie


~~~I am feeling better this evening. Still on the mend but better:) Thank you for the well wishes:)
God be with thee~!
Sister Lori

Edited by SisterLori on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 22:46

Thank you and get well soon!

{ 20:53, Tuesday, September 18, 2007 } { Posted by Sara }

I have so been enjoying these posts! As a mother just venturing out into the world of home education, I also desire more for my children than the cut and dry education style of public schools. I want them to learn more about life. I am looking forward to your next entry.

May God bless you and keep you,
Sara

~~~That was very important to us as well. It's good to have be literate and able to do the basics but it was more important to us that our children learn how to live life responsibly, accountably and faithfully.
No matter what life has to throw at them, they will all be able to provide for themselves and their familes in one way or another. From growing and raising their own foods to working hard at any job they are offered.
I know it doesn't sound like much but our son (19) began working a full time job with McDonalds at the age of 16. At he age of 18 he was a store manager for McDonald's. Just this past couple weeks he began a job with an automotive/tire company that pays more and is helping him to get his certifications for a higher payscale. And he STILL does his job at McDonald's. (Although now he's stepped down as manager and is working in the office doing the work schedules for the employees and training new crew members a few evenings a week.
He is a good worker and not afraid to apply himself and get dirty now and then:P
I am glad you are enjoying the series. I pray it will be a blessing to you and your family.
God be with thee!
Sister Lori

Edited by SisterLori on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 22:51

Thank you

{ 23:38, Friday, September 21, 2007 } { Posted by smmagers }

I hope you are feeling better. You post's on homeskilling are great! I do not feel as bad as I did on the days we do not do work books. Some days we just go outside and enjoy Gods work, other days we just spend mom and daughter time together. Some times our church home school group puts way to much into doing all book work, not life work. Thank you God Bless, mj