Our Homeschooling Expedition

This is a question I have been pondering and praying about for several months. I have found myself doing things simple because it pleased other people or it was what is expected of me. I do not feel I have been on the path God would have me follow. It has been a long soul-searching, prayerful journey. I have had to make some hard decisions. A lot of which have made other people unhappy with me. My ultimate goal is to live a life that pleases God. To become so spirit-filled that anyone who comes in contact with me will know that God is central in my life.

I need to spend more time and energy refocusing myself on that which is ultimately important. I know many that are affected by these choices don’t understand them. I’m not even sure it would be fruitful to try and explain them all to them. When subjects have been broached before they become defensive and don’t really listen anyway. They only want to see their side of it, which is totally human. I find that same trait in myself sometimes, but occasionally you have to just listen to someone and digest what their saying. When they do talk to you and you come off as hostile (even if it is only slightly) they are not going to continue to exchange with you. I know I don’t I just stop really answering and give very short answers. What’s the point in talking to someone who is just wanting to justify their feelings by invalidating yours.

I need to have my home life and church life mesh. They shouldn’t be two separate entities. They should be cohesive. I shouldn’t feel like I’m being a liar or hypocrite by being who I am at this point in my life. I shouldn’t have to conform to some image that I don’t have a conviction about. Something that is not clearly written in the Bible.

I thought I’d share some of the bulletin boards I’ve made for the Christian school.  I helped the English teacher out with his at the beginning of the year.  After all you can’t have bare bulletin boards in a classroom.

Here’s the one’s for the English class  * Yes I Know Grammar is misspelled unfortunately I can not time-travel and change this board.

There was a word written on each flashlight.  The beams of the flashlight had synonyms written on them.  I tried to pick words kids tend to overuse.  I also had attached a sheet in the corner that explained what a thesaurus was and a synonym.  I must have took this picture before I put that up.

Here’s the one I made for the Algebra class.  It’s an interactive one.  Each student had a ship and had to sail to Genius Island.  There was a set of cards with math problems on them for each island.  They would pick which island they wanted to start on and then answer the questions for that island.  If they got 9 out of 10 right they could advance to the next island.  When they reached Genius Island and answered the questions for that one I had a small treat bag for them.  It contained some tootsie rolls, starburst, a little debbie snack, and gel pen.

I was going to post about the one I have up right now but apparently I haven’t taken a picture of it yet.  Because I can’t find it anywhere on my computer.  I guess you’ll have to wait for that one.

If you remember me telling you about a site I was creating, well I think I’ve got a pretty good start on it.  So I’m going to go ahead and release it.  It’s still a work in progress and will be changing as I get the time.  It is basically a consolidation of my blogs and group.  I think it will be easier for everyone to find things.

Nearly Free Homeschooling

Here is a multiplication lapbook I created for my kids and thought you all may enjoy it.

www.mediafire.com/

Boy it’s been awhile since I posted!  It’s been super busy around here.  My oldest on the highschool soccer team.  The team is starting to look pretty good.  Next year should be great!  Most of the guys had never played before so you can imagine how the team is doing. LOL  I will say though the last game I watched they really are looking like a team finally.  They only lost by one point.  Some of the girls in my math classes are on the girls volleyball team and had been asking me to come watch.  So I made it to a few games this last week to cheer them on.  I use to play volleyball in highschool so it was fun watching and the girls seem to appreciate it.

Boy scouts has started and Peewee is participating this year instead of playing soccer.  We also joined a homeschool group that meets for field trips and just socializing.  I also have a friend who is homeschooling her son and we are going to do some field trips with them.  Just as soon as I plan some that is. LOL  It has kind of been on the back burner lately but I need to get busy on that.

Master clubs has started and this year all 3 of my younger kids are in it.  Oh and I’m the director this year.  By the way that title really makes me feel uncomfortable.  I think of myself as more of just organizing it.  I find it kind of funny that I keep getting put into these leader type positions when I’m much more content being the wall flower.  I tell if it wasn’t for God I could never do any of this.  Just thinking about getting in front of all those kids and adult helpers makes me want to vomit.  Amazingly though when I’m up there talking to and leading the kids, it just melts away.  After the first night the pastor told me I would have never thought you were so outgoing when I first met you.  I just laughed and said I’m not.  And honestly I’m not.  It is totally God’s doing.  He’s the outgoing one.  I’m just blessed that He has chosen to use me and give me the ability to do it.  He really does work miracles when we submit to His will!  I did tell the pastor that he was stuck with me until God said otherwise. LOL  Please pray for the children’s Master Clubs ministry.  That God uses it to help bring these kids and families to the Lord.  My heart’s desire is for these kids to see Jesus and His love for them through me and the other adults.

The math classes have been moving along well.  We’ve had a few bumps that have caused me to put on the mean teacher hat.  Which I absolutely hate doing.  See I have a few students who don’t seem to think its necessary to do their homework, so I had to get stern.  Monday when I asked for their homework from Friday and they told me it wasn’t done, I made them sit at their desk in complete silence and write "I will do my math homework" 200 times.  I then told them that each time they didn’t do their homework I would double the amount of times they wrote it.  Today they had all their undone homework done and ready to turn in.   Word seem to get around about the punishment too.  I don’t think I’ll be having that problem much anymore. LOL  See I’m pretty lax in my class.  I let them chat some as long as the work is getting done and their not talking when I’m talking.  I also let them help each other when I’m busy with another student.  Overall the kids have been doing great, but I guess you’ll always have a few that try and push the limits.  I also set up a rewards system for them, where they can earn a giant Hersey bar.  Everyday they do their homework, participate in class, have a positive attitude, pass a test, or help a fellow student, they earn an uno card (for each they do).  Each card is worth a certain amount of points.  When they reach 200 points they get the candy bar.  Of course if they do the opposite of these they loose a card.  Oh and if anyone dares utters the words "I can’t" or "I’m stupid" they loose 2 cards.  This is a huge pet peeve of mine. LOL

I also have an interactive bulletin board for them to do.  I call it the "Equation Odyssey" There is a series of islands with different math terms as the names and the final island "Genius Island".  Each island has a stack of 6 math cards with problems on them for them to do.  They have to work the problems and get at least 5 right before they can move to the next island.  Oh and they each have a ship to sail.   When they reach "Genius Island" I have a prize bag for them.  The hitch is they can only play the game if they have their work done for the day.  This way they are getting extra practice over the concepts were learning.  Each class has a set of cards appropriate for what they are learning to make it fair.  I’ll have to take a picture so you can all see it. 

Well I have to get grading a stack of papers, so I’ll talk to you all later.