Autumn Leaves

Fall is definitely my favorite season. I love the color changes and the crisp smell in the air.







These pics were taken in my own backyard...the leaves are from our large, silver maple tree. :)

Home School Journal

Two nights ago I went searching on the web for a "form" type of journaling page for me as a homeschooling parent to record our days. I couldn't find anything. Maybe there's one out there that I just couldn't pinpoint, but I decided to just create my own. I actually didn't think I'd be creative enough to think of the things I needed on my own, but God worked through all that. (For those of you who think you have NO creativity...think again. I am constantly learning that God holds the key to that! Just ask Him each time you need it!)

So without further ado, here is the form I came up with. I am simply writing this in a spiral notebook. Nothing fancy. Just functional.

Today (date)

Testimonies (praise reports)

Trials (challenges)

Thoughts (observations)

Time in Prayer (pray for...)

To Work Towards (goals)

So yesterday, this is how I filled in my journal, and I didn't feel that it was too formed. It was open enough to get my needs down. And if, in the future, I need to add something, I can do it easily. :)

Today: 10-19-09

Testimonies: Gabriella's attitude was not bad today. She gave me a little pout when I first told her it was time for lessons. I gave her a quick reprimand & she snapped out of it.

Trials: Today my biggest challenge was probably trying to find some quiet moments to finish up some reading and dictation. Dictation was never accomplished.

Thoughts: Ben (4) learned how to use a manual pencil sharpener. He is also learning to use a ruler to draw straight lines.
Gabriella has been making things out of paper these last few days. Things like ice cream cones and castles.

Time in Prayer: Perseverance for Gabriella and I. Patience as I handle screaming outbursts of children trying to deal with their emotions (namely a toddler).

To Work Towards: Completion of work, patience with children and with myself

_______________________________________
I will be the first to admit: I am a journal junkie. I love journals of all types, but they have to serve me, not the other way around.

I created this journal for reflection purposes. Days come and go so fast and life just gets lost in each one. As mothers, our memory just isn't what it used to be -- no matter how much we want it to be!

• I can use this journal to look through my weeks to see what is working for us and what is not.
• I can see what is an ongoing challenge as well as what accomplishments we've made (which can be REAL encouraging on those hard days!)
• I can see what specific areas each of my children are having trouble in so that it can be addressed.

I can't tell you how many times I've forgotten information simply because life happens.
________________________________________

Do you keep a journal?

For further reading check out: Anecdotal Records in Home School @ The Home School Classroom

Deciding

I'm still trying to decide whether or not to continue blogging here. It really is inspiring to write HERE on homeschooling endeavors, rather than at Journey to a Gracious Woman, simply because JtaGW is not set up for homeschooling thoughts. It's meant for my journey towards a gracious woman, lol Simple enough, right?

But, I've also been advised against running two blogs. *sigh* I understand the dilemma, yet at the same time, it seems more practical for me. I'm not trying to run a business or anything. In addition, my audiences are completely different. Journey to a Gracious Woman doesn't carry readers who only home school. It attracts women who need encouragement to serve God and their families better. I don't write about homeschooling but scarcely, mostly because I just don't have that compelling urge to write about it there, when I look at it. It's set up for something other than homeschooling, beside my one page that carries vague information on bits and pieces that help make up our home school.

What do you think? Should I keep a separate home school blog? I'll tell you what - if I don't write about homeschooling here, my chances of writing it there are very small.
Thanks for your input! :)

Learn.....to Teach

I recently learned something brilliant: to teach to the eldest student in my home first. Who's the eldest student in my home? I am. By learning the material ahead of my children (who are still quite young yet), I will more thoroughly be able to teach the material to them...whether now or later.

Since we use Tapestry of Grace, I can just do the reading assignments for the Rhetoric (or high school) level. This will prepare me in later years to not only teach my children, but experience the love of learning right along with them!

Homeschooling isn't just about teaching academics. It is so much more than that. It's a lifestyle; a life long endeavor. It's everyday living, and extraordinary giving [from everyone involved]. It's sacrificial and rewarding. It's challenging and exciting! It's a journey of everyday steps.

The verse that is the foundation of our home school is

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge...Proverbs 1:7

Homeschooling is much more than academics. If I learn self-control, my children will learn merely by observing. The old saying is true:

Things are better caught then taught.

Demonstration is the greatest enforcement.

Even in the way of academics, learning even some of what my children are learning will allow me to dive deeper into teaching them and reaching them. Imagine the wonderful discussions that will arise from sharing the same experiences with them!

I don't merely want to teach my children, I want to reach my children.

Curriculum

Ahhh....curriculum. Probably the most difficult and time consuming task is trying to find the perfect home school curriculum. What worked for one or two years may not work the third year, or for the next child. The beauty of homeschooling! Choices. Endless choices. This is not a time for indecisiveness!

After 2, almost 3, years of working with one curriculum, my [now] 7-year old daughter has grown out of it. Time to move on to something more challenging and exciting for her. Each child is different, so one size does not always fit all.

We are using Tapestry of Grace. At first glance, this can be an overwhelming curriculum. But for us, it's brilliant. It doesn't include every subject, but it goes much in depth with what it does include--which is: History, Literature, Writing, Geography, Reading (but not phonics), and plenty of activities. Which leaves me to supplement with: Grammar, Math, Phonics (if needed), Science, and any other extras I would like included.

So what supplements did I choose?

For my daughter, age 7:

Grammar:
English for the Thoughtful Child vol. 1
English for the Thoughtful Child vol. 2

Math:
LIFEPAC Grade 2
Horizons Grade 2
*why two math curriculums? I'm in the process of switching to something more workable for my daughter.

Science/Nature Study:
Handbook of Nature Study
The Burgess Animal Book for Children
The Burgess Bird Book for Children

Enrichment:
Drawing
Drawing with Children by Mona Brookes


Phonics for my preschooler, age 4:
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
Alpha Phonics


Well, I think that covers everything! I may add to or change things later and I will post a link on my sidebar for future reference. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Journaling

As a child I began to enjoy journaling in about 5th grade. I really enjoyed having this place to release my thoughts.

Today I am still avid at journaling. I've kept prayer journals in the past. I've packed at least 5 full of lengthy prayers. Today I'm doing things a bit differently, thanks to some wonderful inspiration.

My daughter, 7, has followed suit. She enjoys writing as well and some of our best times are spent together at the kitchen table penning our thoughts on paper.

I just want to encourage others out there to consider journaling and teach your children. It is a wonderful way [but not the only way] to talk to and hear from Jesus. Obviously, this is a great habit of writers or those who love to write. But even if your child doesn't have a love for writing, they can draw pictures or tear pictures from magazines to put on paper the passing days.

I love what Ann Voskamp says here:

It's what journaling is: catching the light. Catching God flitering through your moments...so your sould can grow.

It's a way of shining a beam into the dark and figuring out what's going on in there, in the shadow's of a soul, what's happening on the day's I'm overcast. I write because our words, like His, can be a lamp unto our paths.

Just a page, a place to place a day, so it won't get lost in the dark.

She has inspired me in so many ways over the last 8+ weeks. Words could not express my thanks to God for using her.

I believe this a great habit and treasure for our children to create now to reflect later. Their thoughts and grasp on life will be very different from ours, but not less important.

Other Journaling Inspiration:

Summer Journals
How to Use Journals

Summer School Say "Bye Bye!"

I went into the summer with high hopes to continue schooling through it. I believe it's safe to say this is just not for us---at least not at this time. The only thing we can and will continue to work on is math, writing and independent [pleasure] reading.

You see, I have come to find out a few things about the summer. This particular summer has been BEAUTIFUL! Not too hot -- in fact, rather mild in comparison to past years. It is perfect weather for being outdoors!

Also, I have found this to be a great opportunity to step back and evaluate my home and family life. I can reflect on what is working and what isn't. I can double check the direction we are headed in and be sure it lines up with what God has for us. Not just for homeschooling, but for life. It gives me plenty of prayer time for the upcoming year - direction, wisdom, etc.

Finally, this is an awesome time to get some purging, organizing, and cleaning done in my house. As all homeschoolers know, cleaning becomes second (or third) to schooling and training our children. Often, this leaves for many things left undone and many opportunities for creating new pile-ups throughout the year. The summer months free me up and give me the opportunity to take care of this problem so we can start fresh in the fall.

This set up is rather liberating for me. It frees me up for a time of much needed refreshing. A time to get my home in order when I cannot otherwise spend much time on that.

I would much rather be schooling through the months when it is too cold and dreary to go out and play.

Again, we are still going to be working on the 3-R's through the summer, but this is about 60 minutes worth of work a day, in addition to whatever free reading that goes on. :)