Working on Scripture Goals

October 13, 2009 in Homeschooling by Schoolin' Mama | Permalink


I wanted to update on our goals from my school planning post regarding what I’ve done for our family scripture verses.  The kids and I sat down and talked about “things” we struggle with.  For the younger kids, I asked them if there’s a time they get upset, or mad.  From there we chose our scriptures.  We are going to write (or type) them on templates and post them around the house and on front of school binders.

 

For me as the teacher, I wanted us all to have a reason for what we do and why we do it, so our family/school verse for this year is 1 Peter 3:15.

 

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect.

 

One of the kids mentioned having trouble with doing what needs to be done.  I think everyone in our house (me, too!) struggles with this.  Call it laziness, complaining, or not thinking of others first, I think the following verse has it covered – plus, it mentions serving!

 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  Colossians 3:23-24

 

As mentioned in my original planning post, I specifically felt dd4 needed to work on not complaining.  She can be a fabulous helper if Dad or Mom is with her, but she has begun to complain when doing a task with a sibling or by herself.  So she gets Philippians 2:14-15; she says she wants to shine like a star ;-)

 

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of god without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like starts in the universe…

 

And finally, one of the other kids mentioned 1 Corinthians 13, so we’re “doing” verse 5 and 7 from there, in the Amplified version.

 

Love is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); It is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly.  Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, or it is not self-seeking; It is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

 

Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

 


I feel a great sense of accomplishment at working on my goals.  And especially encouraged after going over these scriptures and how I can apply them to me!  Be blessed!

 

Danielle

Considering Blogging?

October 10, 2009 in Giveaways, Contests and Such by Schoolin' Mama | 3 comments


I remember when my oldest son and I were going over an essay he had written, and I was asking him for a clearer explanation in his writing because the average reader wouldn’t understand what he was saying.  His response was that no one else was going to read it any way!  Now I know that writing for your own blog would certainly be a cure for that! And I have great guidelines for how to help our children begin a blog, a 45-page e-book, Prelude to a Blog.

 

I have been so blessed to read Prelude to a Blog by Sisterlisa.  This isn’t a technical “how-to create a blog” e-book, but a consideration of why begin a blog, cautions and experienced advice.  As parents, we are encouraged to be the authority, along with Christ, over our children and what they share.  This isn’t a simple school project, but a commitment that deserves prayer.

 

I know I’ve personally fumbled around on my blog.  I’ve been appropriately “accused” of having a blog, not actually blogging!  Will the blog be a journal?  Will your child post school assignments?  Will your child share his or her faith?  Having a reason for your child to blog is a great place to start, and the “ins and outs” of why, where and how are discussed.

 

I especially appreciated the good advice about safe sites to begin blogging for kids and etiquette.  I remember the first e-mailing etiquette I learned was not to type in all capital letters; all caps means you’re yelling.  I think Sisterlisa equips us well in this e-book with safety precautions and cyberspace manners.

 

I think this e-book fills the gap of what to consider before beginning the physical blog.  Blogging could be a great creative outlet or just the motivation your child needs, and you’ll feel confident after reading this e-book.  And Prelude to a Blog isn’t just for our students but for adult bloggers, too.  I think it’s a great tutorial, or prelude, for anyone considering blogging!

 

Would you like to win a copy?!  Please leave a comment for me if you’d like to be entered to win.  Also, linking to this post on a social media network (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) will earn you an extra entry.  Come back and let me know that you did that, also!

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Danielle

 

 

November Edition – Molly's Money-Saving Digest

October 3, 2009 in Product Reviews for Homeschooling by Schoolin' Mama | Permalink


Molly’s Digest for November is full of smiles and photography tips.  This edition doesn’t just focus on frugal homekeeping but branches out to photo-related hobbies, including scrapbooking and frugal framing ideas, along with digital photography tips.

 

Molly gives some great advice on saving money while saving family memories when scrapbooking, along with pointers on digital photography.  We purchased our first digital camera this year and have yet to print any photos, so I really needed some pointers!  This newsletter has invaluable information about online sites that provide photo editing and digital photo storage!  Who knew?!  I have a friend who lost over a years’ worth of photos that were stored on an external hard drive, and my sister-in-law may have lost their vacation pictures when their computer was hit by lightning (yes, they had a surge protector).  I am so glad to have learned of other means to save your photos.

The final article in a 3-part series by Amy Howard on couponing gives many sources of where to find coupons, including links to websites.  Coupons aren’t only in the Sunday paper – I guess I’d better go get the last two Digests to see what I missed!

 

I also learned you can have more variety in your crock pot than I knew existed!  There’s a great slow cooker recipe section with 14 recipes, including desserts!  I will definitely be trying some of these out!  I’ve never wanted to purchase a slow cooker cookbook, so this is a great way to get a few new ideas!

I always enjoy the special dates and events section, and I did not know there was a “Clean Out the Refrigerator Day!” I’m gonna’ mark that one on my calendar ;-)

 

The Parenting that Pays article is by Todd Wilson of Familyman Ministries.  If you receive TOS e-newsletters, you know he’s great at getting serious points across to us homeschoolers in a humorous manner!  He understands that life happens, so don’t be so tough on yourself – or your kids.  Just enjoy life and smile!

 

As always, I appreciate the links to the various contributors’ websites and/or personal blogs.  There were links to scrapbooking supply companies that offer good prices or good sales, plus the links to various digital picture editing and storage.

 

Another jam-packed edition of Molly’s Digest.  I can’t say this issue focused as much on the money-saving part, and I loved it!  There were frugal ideas, don’t get me wrong, but the gem I came away with was remember to smile and makes memories.  The memories behind taking the pictures ourselves are worth more than having the “perfect pose” for our family Christmas picture that had everyone stressed out.  All in all, I found this edition to be very encouraging!

 

Have a blessed holiday,

Danielle

 

Our Plan to Teach, Learn, and Encourage 2009-2010

August 20, 2009 in Homeschooling by Schoolin' Mama | 2 comments



I finally got around to joining The Homeschool Lounge!  They are having a Homeschool Open House, which motivated me to blog about our plan for the new school year:

This year we’ll have a busy time as we teach, learn with and encourage our children who are 11, 9, 7, 4 and 18 months.  We have an 18-year-old, too, but there isn’t any planning in this post for him ;-)

Planning:  I love to plan.  I love to scour websites and booklists.  Then I realize I can’t buy it all or do it all this year, so I narrow it down to a realistic size and use planning forms from Cindy Rushton.  I have a household/kitchen plan in a binder and forms for our school plan in my school binder.

Goals:  Thanks to Cindy Rushton, I’ve learned I need to “write it down!”  So, I write out personal, spiritual  and educational goals for the kids and myself.  This year we’ll have a scripture for each child, such as "Do everything without complaining so that you may shine like stars in the universe” for a certain 4-year-old ;-)   I have an UPDATE with more specifics of what we’ve done!  Reaching those goals!

Curriculum:  I must confess that I am a curriculum junkie.  It was such a blessing to be a part of TOS Crew last year, but it only spurred me on to new (more) curriculum. 

 

Devotions & Character training:  We’ve begun reading and focusing our devotions around Hinds’ Feet on High Places; then we’ll advance to a Pilgrims’ Progress reader, then listen to the audio CD from Answers in Genesis while the older children read along.  Hopefully, we can end with the newer movie version!

 

We will be creating a few lapbooks on Character Qualities, beginning with an Honesty lapbook from Hands of a Child (HOAC).


Math:  I have three different math curriculum in our home!  We previously did Miquon, then reviewed three levels of Math Mammoth last year, and have now purchased 3 used, older levels of Math-U-See.  I guess we’ll see where each child is at and go from there.  The older versions of MUS cover more than one year of math.  Several local friends can’t say enough about MUS – highly recommended!

 

History:  I use history as our springboard for our unit studies, so this covers our Language Arts.  I have fallen in love with history since my oldest son (now 18) and I began using Diana Waring and historical fiction for our history studies.  This year we are using TruthQuest History and HS in the Woods & Amy Pak, and supplementing with Diana Waring.  I have some Tapestry of Grace, but needed help narrowing down to study just US History and covering my age range of kids, with the 7-year-old not reading yet.  Art history is included here.  And handwriting:  we’re using A Reason for Handwriting, Draw Write Now and a freebie from Homeschool Freebie of the Day (Check them out!)

 


Science:  Nature study and Apologia Flying Creatures and the lapbook from Knowledge Box Central. 

 

Fun stuff:  I’ve purchased a lapbook for DD11 for Susan K. Marlow’s book Andrea Carter and the Family Secret from A Journey through Lapbooking.  For DS9 a unit study from Amanda Bennett on racing.  And DD7 is an amazing artist, so she’ll be happy with a great supply of paper and markers, crayons, and colored pencils.

 

Did I mention enough Homeschooling companies?!  There are so many great people who are available to help us out.  They share freebies and give seminars, so make sure you support those companies who’ve helped you out with information and freebies in the past!  And tell your friends!

 

I think that about covers it!  If not, let me know ;-)

 

Be blessed,

Danielle

 

 

Molly's Money-Saving Digest for July 2009

June 26, 2009 in Product Reviews for Homeschooling by Schoolin' Mama | Permalink



Any time I see an article on saving money I just have to check it out.  I know we live frugally, so I need to see if these articles have anything new for me.  They often don’t.  But Molly’s done it again!  These digests always have information that’s new to me and practical!  I really can put Molly’s ideas to good use!

 

This month, Molly talks about giving of our time and money and our attitudes that motivate us.  After she’s given us, as adults, some food for thought, she continues on topic in “Parenting that Pays.” 

 

Molly gets to the heart issue of thankfulness in us and our children.  I know sometimes we get concerned with how are children act and we miss the point of them making “it” their own.  That is, learning the concept in their mind, accepting it in their heart, then to continue the character on their own, into adulthood.  Molly shows us practical ways to teach our children graciousness!

 

I don’t remember there being links in the other digests.  Maybe there were links but not this many.  I love links.  There are several links to contributors blogs, plus links to a pattern company for the sewing article.  And now there is a directory of links at the end, especially for those who print out the digests!

 

There were a couple of great articles about sewing this time around.  I must say that sewing is not going to become my next hobby, though the article “A Mama Who Sews” did tug at my heartstrings!  Sewing seems more of a chore to me.  Is this terrible?  I have six children, and I send most of my mending to my mother!  When my oldest daughter was 7 or 8, she lost a button from her dress.  Her response was that we’d have to get it to Grandma.  I told her that it was “just” a button, and I could sew it on, and I could even show her how.  Her reply was an awestruck “You can sew?!”  LOL!

 

The great article on Frugal Fashion reminded me to not shop for an outfit, but look at what clothes I have and what I need to fill in.  I was motivated to go out and get some great buys like the author did at garage sales and thrift stores!  Could I get better deals than she did?!  She even welcomes stories at her blog about our great finds. 

 

This was the best digest yet for “Readers Write In” and followed the frugal fashion theme.  Readers shared how they save money on their kids clothes, and I learned a few new ideas!  Plus, it reminded me that I need to update my list of my kids’ sizes in my purse.

 

I encourage you to check out the July issue of Molly’s Money-Saving Digest.  You can even look at the back issues to find a topic you need help with.  Without a doubt, I know you’ll get some great ideas on saving money!  Molly’s blog, Econobusters, has great deals and ideas, too!

 

Be blessed,

 

Danielle

 

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