This past year we have traded out all our old movies for only Godly and biblical valued based ones. I have purchased a collection of bible story cartoons- that really aren’t so bad- seem to be pretty accurate with ok production and graphics as well.
Eden’s favorite ones are Samson and Delilah, and David and Goliath. She often plays pretend about these two. The other day, when I had told her something to do that she didn’t want to do, and then had to scold her, she wrinkled up her nose, narrowed her eyes, and snarled at me in her most fierce manner, and whispered, ”You Philistine!” Later, when she was upset with a few of her siblings, she waved her arm at them and said, “You’re all Philistines!”
Last week, we went to the PX and bought Dad a basket ball goal for Father’S Day and had to have an employee load it out in the car for us. This employee’s name happened to be David. All that day, Eden kept asking about David, where’s David? And on and on. I thought it a little odd and strange that she would have this strange fascination for the PX employee, but didn’t make the connection until the next day when she was pretending to be Princess Michal (pronounced "McCow") and declared that she was gonna marry David at the PX! (Strangely, the young man there at the PX does look a lot like the cartoon character on the DVD.)
Just a little proof of how media influences kids!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
"Go With the Flow"
Well, It has been awhile, while we have been evaluating and reevaluating, and praying....
We started to see some downsliding in basics (like math) that the kids had learned, as well as the problem of less and less inspired and spontaneous learning, so we invested in some new tools(curriculum) to urge them on through. We are trying the math-u-see manipulative/workbook program and it seems to be working out well (when it is worked)
I also bought some McGuffy reading and writing workbooks for Jacob and Hannah, which they loved at first, but now have proven a drudgery; boring, redundant, or worded/ explained so strangely that even I have a hard time wrapping my mind around it. They have some great points though and are very thorough (maybe too much so). I just don't have peace anymore sitting down with them - and Hannah seems to have blocked her mind on them now... sigh...
I still want to keep their lessons and subjects that we actually need to do. A little book work to keep moving foward (like math and basic grammar rules). Very short and simple to allow them still plenty of time to learn naturally whatever they are interested in at the time, and to pursue other activities. Some days when I see that they are inspired and motivated I will let them have all the time, if it is required.
Honestly, most of our learning lately takes place at night from reading the Little House on the Prairie series (we are on the second to last book now). It has spawned more curiosity, conversations, and rabbit trails than anything else and is something that we have all continued to enjoy with real interest and learning. One night last week we held discussions on taxes and government and we calculated how much the gov. might make from one store in one week, month, year if 100 people bought $100 worth of groceries a day. (That kind of spontaneous life math is rare, hence the Math-U- See program.) The spelling bee they just read about inspired both of them to start spontaneously spelling everything and wanting me to organize a spelling bee- something they have NEVER been interested in before. Of course anything competitive appeals to Jacob. I'd better strike while that iron is hot! These are truely rich learning books.
I found a wonderful resouce of literature on the Keepers of the Faith website- and we have been thoroughly enjoying their books, projects, and building kits as well.
Micah feels so inclined for a college education, that we enrolled him in a distance Chirstian Highschool where he is taking a full load- including Bible. He mails in tests and gets transcripts and diplomas and support and all. Only around $400/year and that includes all materials (most of which we get to choose the courses and material composed from the leading homeschool curriculum). I must say he thrives in this element of structure and heavy workload and has aced his tests thus far. I have mostly been impressed with his self motivation. He plans and structures his assignments, and sticks pretty close to it, when life doesn't interfere and needs very little goading. I have been impressed and slightly surprised at his perserverance and work output and although he may not start anything till noon, he will stay at it for hours in his cave of a bedroom and surface for meals occassionally. When I think to check on his progress I find that he has done all subjects, and good quality too! I shouldn't be surprised, but I am still used to the old Micah with bad, slovenly habits. He even keeps his room clean without being told. We are most pleased with his progress, maturity and growth in many areas.
Over-all what we have learned (I hope-finally) from going from one extreme to another with everything in between, is to let the Spirit guide us. Sometimes structure works, sometimes inspired curriculum with some structure works, and sometimes no structure works and sometimes none of them work for very long, but that doesn't mean failure- it doesn't have to be one or the other or "finally! the right way!" They all have their season when God is in it. Just like religion becomes dead once man tries to contain it and own it- institutionalize and doctinize it and God has already moved on. This has been the best lesson and most freeing I might add in all my years of homeschooling. Although at first, I admit, I was desperate and condemned myself a complete failure and was so disillusioned, I gave up on this blog and started to swing back to the other extreme. So, I guess our method of schooling would be "Go With the Flow (of the Spirit, that is)."
We started to see some downsliding in basics (like math) that the kids had learned, as well as the problem of less and less inspired and spontaneous learning, so we invested in some new tools(curriculum) to urge them on through. We are trying the math-u-see manipulative/workbook program and it seems to be working out well (when it is worked)
I also bought some McGuffy reading and writing workbooks for Jacob and Hannah, which they loved at first, but now have proven a drudgery; boring, redundant, or worded/ explained so strangely that even I have a hard time wrapping my mind around it. They have some great points though and are very thorough (maybe too much so). I just don't have peace anymore sitting down with them - and Hannah seems to have blocked her mind on them now... sigh...
I still want to keep their lessons and subjects that we actually need to do. A little book work to keep moving foward (like math and basic grammar rules). Very short and simple to allow them still plenty of time to learn naturally whatever they are interested in at the time, and to pursue other activities. Some days when I see that they are inspired and motivated I will let them have all the time, if it is required.
Honestly, most of our learning lately takes place at night from reading the Little House on the Prairie series (we are on the second to last book now). It has spawned more curiosity, conversations, and rabbit trails than anything else and is something that we have all continued to enjoy with real interest and learning. One night last week we held discussions on taxes and government and we calculated how much the gov. might make from one store in one week, month, year if 100 people bought $100 worth of groceries a day. (That kind of spontaneous life math is rare, hence the Math-U- See program.) The spelling bee they just read about inspired both of them to start spontaneously spelling everything and wanting me to organize a spelling bee- something they have NEVER been interested in before. Of course anything competitive appeals to Jacob. I'd better strike while that iron is hot! These are truely rich learning books.
I found a wonderful resouce of literature on the Keepers of the Faith website- and we have been thoroughly enjoying their books, projects, and building kits as well.
Micah feels so inclined for a college education, that we enrolled him in a distance Chirstian Highschool where he is taking a full load- including Bible. He mails in tests and gets transcripts and diplomas and support and all. Only around $400/year and that includes all materials (most of which we get to choose the courses and material composed from the leading homeschool curriculum). I must say he thrives in this element of structure and heavy workload and has aced his tests thus far. I have mostly been impressed with his self motivation. He plans and structures his assignments, and sticks pretty close to it, when life doesn't interfere and needs very little goading. I have been impressed and slightly surprised at his perserverance and work output and although he may not start anything till noon, he will stay at it for hours in his cave of a bedroom and surface for meals occassionally. When I think to check on his progress I find that he has done all subjects, and good quality too! I shouldn't be surprised, but I am still used to the old Micah with bad, slovenly habits. He even keeps his room clean without being told. We are most pleased with his progress, maturity and growth in many areas.
Over-all what we have learned (I hope-finally) from going from one extreme to another with everything in between, is to let the Spirit guide us. Sometimes structure works, sometimes inspired curriculum with some structure works, and sometimes no structure works and sometimes none of them work for very long, but that doesn't mean failure- it doesn't have to be one or the other or "finally! the right way!" They all have their season when God is in it. Just like religion becomes dead once man tries to contain it and own it- institutionalize and doctinize it and God has already moved on. This has been the best lesson and most freeing I might add in all my years of homeschooling. Although at first, I admit, I was desperate and condemned myself a complete failure and was so disillusioned, I gave up on this blog and started to swing back to the other extreme. So, I guess our method of schooling would be "Go With the Flow (of the Spirit, that is)."
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Co-op
Well, It is co-op time again. The kids and I are really enjoying it each Wednesday. I am teaching in the preschool with Nathan and Eden. Micah is taking Science and Creative writing-with homework! Jacob has PE and science, and Hannah has Crocheting and PE. She has been working on a pink baby blanket this past week.
Afterward all the homeschoolers go to the bowling alley for a lesson from the manager and a few games(for only a $1.00, free shoes)They all have too much junk food and soda on Wednesday and we feel pretty yucky on Thursday. We'll have to get better about that!
Afterward all the homeschoolers go to the bowling alley for a lesson from the manager and a few games(for only a $1.00, free shoes)They all have too much junk food and soda on Wednesday and we feel pretty yucky on Thursday. We'll have to get better about that!
Latest and Greatest
Lately we have been enjoying the new educational material that we have been ordering. It seems every other day, a new package is coming in the mail- very exciting for the kiddos.
Probably the biggest hit has been the math software games (I felt they needed a little boost in that area). It takes them through places in a town where they have to help the clerks in stores and markets. Many real-life everyday concepts are used that show the kids how prevalent and needful math is in real life. The concepts covered involve, reading maps and graphs, geometry, problem solving/critical thinking, all types of weights and measurements, probability, reading bus and train schedules, money, plus all the basic operations. They earn money each time to buy an arcade for the town and gradually as they earn more, get to put new games in their arcade and then manage it. They often have to make repairs on the games, and chart their net and gross income as well. These Atari style games are simple but fun to be sure, and I like that they don’t have a lot of fast flashy color or noise, killing or racing, but involve more problem solving and critical thinking skills. We still have to limit their time on it of course. The two we bought covers K- 5th grade levels.
Nathan got his own software called Charlie the Church Mouse and it covers all K-2 skills. There are 6 different bible story adventures. You start out hearing part of the bible story, then have to do an activity, such as helping David with his sling shot practice. Problems pop up on the screen and you have to click on the right answer and he slings a stone at it. Then after that set of problems, you hear more of the story , then more activities. It is really well done and true to the bible. Eden got a ABC bible verses cd which she enjoys listening to constantly and is always going around singing them. All the rest of us have not been able to help but memorize these simple verses with references too( In KJV). It has been a great tool for all of us. It is also very soothing music and children’s voices , and sets and very peaceful atmosphere in the house, to be always hearing God’s word.
WE haven’t finished Gladys Aylward yet, mostly because the around the world adventure/ missionary book set we ordered came in. 10 titles , such as Amazon, Rainforest, The Outback, Coral reef, Wild West, The Himalayas, Kiwi Islands, etc. These are not only very informative about the whole region, history, flora and fauna, but also glorifying to God as missionaries relate their adventures and spiritual analogies with nature and events. Eden got up very early with me one morning (5:00am) and wanted me to “read” them all. There are simple black and white drawings on every other page that I would skim and tell her about. I think we went through about 7 of them. Her favorites were always the ones with water and fish. She also particularly likes me to “read “ her the Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day. Her mind is like a sponge- I’m constantly amazed that her interest level in older topics is so high at age two.
The kids enjoyed reading the Max Axiom science graphic novel about the digestive system. Which is kinda like MacGyver meets Mrs. Frizzle on the magic school bus. We got one to try instead of the whole set and found out sadly, that it is secular like the magic school bus with occasional references to evolution and inaccurate teaching like that. I also bought a 4d puzzle of the digestive system that they really enjoyed putting together. It held Eden’s interest for days until I finally had to put it away as she always wanted to walk around with it and dropping it.
Micah has been using his new prisma coloring pencils extensively as well as doing a few lessons of geometry here and there. He has also been listening to a lot of preaching cds in on Romans, Becoming a Man, and other teachings by Pastor Michael Pearl. And of course enjoying the math software and it’s arcade. It is under his level , but he said it was a good review.
The plastic tubes that their smencils came in soon became test tubes for experiments involving food coloring ( Eden’s legs are still red!) So Jacob and Hannah bought some plastic worm making science kit at the store. Unfortunately they didn’t turn out right because the chemicals were old. But for $2.00 It was still worth the learning experience for them to read and follow directions, mixing the chemicals and observing- then cleaning up there mess ( except for the red food coloring that got left out). I see a chemistry set looming in the future of our ordering.
A friend of ours loaned us the “Sugar Creek Gang” cd set, and we have really been enjoying listening to these Godly stories.
Well that is the latest and greatest!
Probably the biggest hit has been the math software games (I felt they needed a little boost in that area). It takes them through places in a town where they have to help the clerks in stores and markets. Many real-life everyday concepts are used that show the kids how prevalent and needful math is in real life. The concepts covered involve, reading maps and graphs, geometry, problem solving/critical thinking, all types of weights and measurements, probability, reading bus and train schedules, money, plus all the basic operations. They earn money each time to buy an arcade for the town and gradually as they earn more, get to put new games in their arcade and then manage it. They often have to make repairs on the games, and chart their net and gross income as well. These Atari style games are simple but fun to be sure, and I like that they don’t have a lot of fast flashy color or noise, killing or racing, but involve more problem solving and critical thinking skills. We still have to limit their time on it of course. The two we bought covers K- 5th grade levels.
Nathan got his own software called Charlie the Church Mouse and it covers all K-2 skills. There are 6 different bible story adventures. You start out hearing part of the bible story, then have to do an activity, such as helping David with his sling shot practice. Problems pop up on the screen and you have to click on the right answer and he slings a stone at it. Then after that set of problems, you hear more of the story , then more activities. It is really well done and true to the bible. Eden got a ABC bible verses cd which she enjoys listening to constantly and is always going around singing them. All the rest of us have not been able to help but memorize these simple verses with references too( In KJV). It has been a great tool for all of us. It is also very soothing music and children’s voices , and sets and very peaceful atmosphere in the house, to be always hearing God’s word.
WE haven’t finished Gladys Aylward yet, mostly because the around the world adventure/ missionary book set we ordered came in. 10 titles , such as Amazon, Rainforest, The Outback, Coral reef, Wild West, The Himalayas, Kiwi Islands, etc. These are not only very informative about the whole region, history, flora and fauna, but also glorifying to God as missionaries relate their adventures and spiritual analogies with nature and events. Eden got up very early with me one morning (5:00am) and wanted me to “read” them all. There are simple black and white drawings on every other page that I would skim and tell her about. I think we went through about 7 of them. Her favorites were always the ones with water and fish. She also particularly likes me to “read “ her the Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day. Her mind is like a sponge- I’m constantly amazed that her interest level in older topics is so high at age two.
The kids enjoyed reading the Max Axiom science graphic novel about the digestive system. Which is kinda like MacGyver meets Mrs. Frizzle on the magic school bus. We got one to try instead of the whole set and found out sadly, that it is secular like the magic school bus with occasional references to evolution and inaccurate teaching like that. I also bought a 4d puzzle of the digestive system that they really enjoyed putting together. It held Eden’s interest for days until I finally had to put it away as she always wanted to walk around with it and dropping it.
Micah has been using his new prisma coloring pencils extensively as well as doing a few lessons of geometry here and there. He has also been listening to a lot of preaching cds in on Romans, Becoming a Man, and other teachings by Pastor Michael Pearl. And of course enjoying the math software and it’s arcade. It is under his level , but he said it was a good review.
The plastic tubes that their smencils came in soon became test tubes for experiments involving food coloring ( Eden’s legs are still red!) So Jacob and Hannah bought some plastic worm making science kit at the store. Unfortunately they didn’t turn out right because the chemicals were old. But for $2.00 It was still worth the learning experience for them to read and follow directions, mixing the chemicals and observing- then cleaning up there mess ( except for the red food coloring that got left out). I see a chemistry set looming in the future of our ordering.
A friend of ours loaned us the “Sugar Creek Gang” cd set, and we have really been enjoying listening to these Godly stories.
Well that is the latest and greatest!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Winter Blahs
Well, almost two months have gone by since my last update. Partly due to morning sickness, partly due to the holiday season, and partly the winter blahs- which make for a massive procrastination attack!
We have enjoyed having Dad home a lot, and are now trying to get back more into the swing of things; our regular schedule and chores and such.
So I’ll try to summarize a few of the goings on and what the kiddos have been learning and up to.
There have been several different phases of music, art, and magic, lasting about a week or so each. But mostly survival skills and knife throwing have occupied the boys for quite a while. ( I now have a total of two knives in the house- 1 steak, and one large bread knife) Time to buy those throwing knives! We should have purchased these along with the knife and tomahawk throwing dvd.
Dad took the boys camping one weekend ( with their new survival packs and gear) in snow and freezing temps. Would have been a great success if they had been able to find enough dry wood. But they made it through and came back only a little early. It was still a good father/ son time and I’m sure they learned a lot. Dad also spent a couple of days with them building an igloo- big enough for several people to lay down and sit up inside.
We also purchased sleds for them all and took them to a large sledding hill nearby-I even loved it!
We bought Nathan and Eden a magnetic pattern shape learning toy that has different cards of designs. they have enjoyed it. I caught the bigger boys playing around on it making their own elaborate designs, such as mushroom clouds from atomic bombs.( BOYS!)
We ordered and received also The Journeys of Paul Missionary board game, but have not had the opportunity to play it yet.
We ordered them a collection of Adventures in Oddessy dvds, and Eden, a God Made Music dvd but they are not here yet.
The biggest hit has been a typing game for kids that we bought. Even Hannah is learning to type correctly-They are very competitive and fussed over whose turn it was for the first week or so.
We also purchased the Homesteading for Beginners , vol. 2 dvd. And Hannah and the youngers have enjoyed making some of the things they show you on that.
We have received the packets for the kids in India that each of us sponser and our kids have written their first letter to them, while learning a lot more about India.
Some friends of ours sent us a cartoon dvd series of missionary biographies that are amazing and we are really enjoying. We save them for movie night on Wednesdays. We have Gladys Alyward, Amy Charmichael, Eric Liddil, Perpetua, Jim Elliot, William Tyndale, John Bunyan, and Richard Wurmbrand. The series is called Torchlighters put out by Voice of the Martyrs and I recommend them to everyone!
This has started us reading the Gladys Alyward biography together. I read it while having an atlas near to show them any countries or places mentioned. A little mini geography lesson. I stop and explain many new vocabulary words and questions the kids have , or have them repeat back to me what is going on. They seem to be enjoying it so far. We usually only can cover one chapter per sitting due to all the discussion.
James read to them a book on Leif Erikson the other evening and it has sparked an interest in the Vickings, Norway, Greenland, and Newfoundland( where the Puffin birds are- mentioned by Leif in his writings) More geography and history.
Hannah just learned all the months of the year in order in one sitting using some Montessorii style cards. I plan to get a color printer to print out more of this kind of thing and file folder games of course. We have made several lately; the kids having to color them first . Easy way to earn a buck .
Micah is using the new Geometry Teaching Textbook with dvds. He has done several lessons every day for the past week , and loves regaling us with what he is learning. Who says you have to have Algebra first? He is also into b boxing and mixing on the computer with some music software.
This is all I can remember right now, besides all the teachable moments of everyday learning. For example, while driving, Hannah wanted to know how the GPS knows where we are. Great discussion on maps, longitude, latitude, satellites, etc.
We have instituted a new chore system with different zones and set times to helo clear up the chaos and clutter a little. It seems to be going well so far. Now that mom is feeling a little better and more motivated and inspired- more learning is starting to transpire again-Thank the Lord!
We have enjoyed having Dad home a lot, and are now trying to get back more into the swing of things; our regular schedule and chores and such.
So I’ll try to summarize a few of the goings on and what the kiddos have been learning and up to.
There have been several different phases of music, art, and magic, lasting about a week or so each. But mostly survival skills and knife throwing have occupied the boys for quite a while. ( I now have a total of two knives in the house- 1 steak, and one large bread knife) Time to buy those throwing knives! We should have purchased these along with the knife and tomahawk throwing dvd.
Dad took the boys camping one weekend ( with their new survival packs and gear) in snow and freezing temps. Would have been a great success if they had been able to find enough dry wood. But they made it through and came back only a little early. It was still a good father/ son time and I’m sure they learned a lot. Dad also spent a couple of days with them building an igloo- big enough for several people to lay down and sit up inside.
We also purchased sleds for them all and took them to a large sledding hill nearby-I even loved it!
We bought Nathan and Eden a magnetic pattern shape learning toy that has different cards of designs. they have enjoyed it. I caught the bigger boys playing around on it making their own elaborate designs, such as mushroom clouds from atomic bombs.( BOYS!)
We ordered and received also The Journeys of Paul Missionary board game, but have not had the opportunity to play it yet.
We ordered them a collection of Adventures in Oddessy dvds, and Eden, a God Made Music dvd but they are not here yet.
The biggest hit has been a typing game for kids that we bought. Even Hannah is learning to type correctly-They are very competitive and fussed over whose turn it was for the first week or so.
We also purchased the Homesteading for Beginners , vol. 2 dvd. And Hannah and the youngers have enjoyed making some of the things they show you on that.
We have received the packets for the kids in India that each of us sponser and our kids have written their first letter to them, while learning a lot more about India.
Some friends of ours sent us a cartoon dvd series of missionary biographies that are amazing and we are really enjoying. We save them for movie night on Wednesdays. We have Gladys Alyward, Amy Charmichael, Eric Liddil, Perpetua, Jim Elliot, William Tyndale, John Bunyan, and Richard Wurmbrand. The series is called Torchlighters put out by Voice of the Martyrs and I recommend them to everyone!
This has started us reading the Gladys Alyward biography together. I read it while having an atlas near to show them any countries or places mentioned. A little mini geography lesson. I stop and explain many new vocabulary words and questions the kids have , or have them repeat back to me what is going on. They seem to be enjoying it so far. We usually only can cover one chapter per sitting due to all the discussion.
James read to them a book on Leif Erikson the other evening and it has sparked an interest in the Vickings, Norway, Greenland, and Newfoundland( where the Puffin birds are- mentioned by Leif in his writings) More geography and history.
Hannah just learned all the months of the year in order in one sitting using some Montessorii style cards. I plan to get a color printer to print out more of this kind of thing and file folder games of course. We have made several lately; the kids having to color them first . Easy way to earn a buck .
Micah is using the new Geometry Teaching Textbook with dvds. He has done several lessons every day for the past week , and loves regaling us with what he is learning. Who says you have to have Algebra first? He is also into b boxing and mixing on the computer with some music software.
This is all I can remember right now, besides all the teachable moments of everyday learning. For example, while driving, Hannah wanted to know how the GPS knows where we are. Great discussion on maps, longitude, latitude, satellites, etc.
We have instituted a new chore system with different zones and set times to helo clear up the chaos and clutter a little. It seems to be going well so far. Now that mom is feeling a little better and more motivated and inspired- more learning is starting to transpire again-Thank the Lord!
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