As I reflect on the past year it is easy to see the multiple ways in which the Lord has provided for my family, even in times of desperation when hope seemed far away. God never leaves us, even when we may think He has.
So many changes in such a short time and adjustments are still being made to those changes as they are of such consequence that the transformation shall take quite a while to become accustomed to.
I try to remind myself that the Lord chastises and disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6), and I have confidence in His consistent, constant care of all of us (even if in the darker moments I occasionally falter in my consistency of belief in that and so I take comfort in reminding myself that I’m not the first to say, “Lord, I believe, please forgive my unbelief!”).
As current circumstances often give me pause for reflection, and everything I thought I knew to be true isn’t… I thank God for showing me His love through friends and family and their wonderful, thoughtful notes, gifts and prayers. All of that is so appreciated! I also appreciate that they allow me to wallow a little bit in my own thoughts and habits of seclusion and yet also push me not to remain there.
Meanwhile, we wait, like Zechariah, to hear the Word of the Lord.
December 4, 2009
July 25, 2009
Teaching History in Our Homeschool
Another offering from Facebook that I thought might be a good transfer to this venue. This one is about teaching history in a homeschool environment. Since our family is so politically involved, and we've run a few history/political co-ops, I get asked about how I teach history a lot from homeschoolers we run into. One of the things I stress is that these things have worked *for us* and what works for others may be different. I'm happy to answer questions about any of the books/games we've used.
What Do We Use to Teach History in our Homeschool
Sunday, May 3, 2009 at 11:00pm
Recently a question popped up on our local homeschool group's yahoo group that asked about teaching history. I get asked this question all the time. So I thought I'd post it here in case it might help anyone.
We teach history with minimal textbooks, preferring to read "real" books and good historical fiction instead. Warning, mommy brag coming up: Seems to have worked well as I am constantly amazed at how much my older girls have retained that comes out in obscure conversations.
This is a list of those resources and books we've found helpful. Keep in mind we'ved gathered these resources over 16 years homeschooling and didn't acquire them all at once.
The text books that I do like are by Edward Eggleston such as _A History of the United States and Its People_ and _A First Book in American History_ (no teacher text required, and great questions at the end of each chapter).
I also like the very affordable texts put out by Christian Liberty Press .
For your benefit you may want to obtain the two book series _Streams of Civilization_ (sold by CLP and others) but definitely a high school text as they are good basic and thorough books to have around for reference.
We use lots of Landmark Books and there are some teacher's aides available for them, but you don't really need that. Just read them.
Cornerstones of Freedom are also good books we've used.
Veritas Press has some neat resources such as these 5 homeschool kits (activity book, flashcards and tapes/cds now), where we've been able to suit the needs of all our different learning styles (visual, auditory and kinesthetic). The Old Schoolhouse magazine has a review of them here. They are expensive, so if you know your child's learning style you may want to focus on that portion of the kit as they are sold separately.
Genevieve Foster has some great read alouds. Her books are listed here. Beautiful Feet has some interesting kits for historical study.
Then there's Charles Coffin, his books are great read-alouds, too. Little Bear Wheeler carries some of them here.
Diana Waring is an exciting speaker and she'll [was] at the conference this year! Yea! She has a unit study approach, but just listening to her tapes/cds will encourage you and equip you to make history learning fun and exciting even if you don't do unit studies.
Our most used resource is Christine Miller's _All Through the Ages_. When she first put this resource out it was found by rubber band and hole punched for you to put [into a notebook. Updated and now bound, this dog-earred thing has accompanied us to the library countless times and also to many a used book sale. You can find it here
FYI: Christine Miller was the original publisher/owner/writer of Homeschooling Today before she sold it to the McDonalds. It is a very different magazine today. When Christine was publishing it, it was my favorite homeschooling magazine.
All Through the Ages is a resource that has compiled booklists from 26 sources such as Answers in Genesis, Beautiful Feet, and Sonlight. The lists are separated chronologically (as well as by subject) according to historical date and then further separated into appropriate levels of age/grade level and even further separated into overview of the era, specific events of the era, biographies, historical fiction, literature and culture. This updated version has timelines, and some historical backgrounds and information. If you could only buy one resource to do history, this would be my suggestion since it contains so much useful information.
Lastly, these games have been fun for learning history: Bethump'd With History , The All American Trivia Board Game and there is a junior level at the same site, Oval Office, the Race to be President (looks like they discontinued making it but I think it's available in a computer version now).
What Do We Use to Teach History in our Homeschool
Sunday, May 3, 2009 at 11:00pm
Recently a question popped up on our local homeschool group's yahoo group that asked about teaching history. I get asked this question all the time. So I thought I'd post it here in case it might help anyone.
We teach history with minimal textbooks, preferring to read "real" books and good historical fiction instead. Warning, mommy brag coming up: Seems to have worked well as I am constantly amazed at how much my older girls have retained that comes out in obscure conversations.
This is a list of those resources and books we've found helpful. Keep in mind we'ved gathered these resources over 16 years homeschooling and didn't acquire them all at once.
The text books that I do like are by Edward Eggleston such as _A History of the United States and Its People_ and _A First Book in American History_ (no teacher text required, and great questions at the end of each chapter).
I also like the very affordable texts put out by Christian Liberty Press .
For your benefit you may want to obtain the two book series _Streams of Civilization_ (sold by CLP and others) but definitely a high school text as they are good basic and thorough books to have around for reference.
We use lots of Landmark Books and there are some teacher's aides available for them, but you don't really need that. Just read them.
Cornerstones of Freedom are also good books we've used.
Veritas Press has some neat resources such as these 5 homeschool kits (activity book, flashcards and tapes/cds now), where we've been able to suit the needs of all our different learning styles (visual, auditory and kinesthetic). The Old Schoolhouse magazine has a review of them here. They are expensive, so if you know your child's learning style you may want to focus on that portion of the kit as they are sold separately.
Genevieve Foster has some great read alouds. Her books are listed here. Beautiful Feet has some interesting kits for historical study.
Then there's Charles Coffin, his books are great read-alouds, too. Little Bear Wheeler carries some of them here.
Diana Waring is an exciting speaker and she'll [was] at the conference this year! Yea! She has a unit study approach, but just listening to her tapes/cds will encourage you and equip you to make history learning fun and exciting even if you don't do unit studies.
Our most used resource is Christine Miller's _All Through the Ages_. When she first put this resource out it was found by rubber band and hole punched for you to put [into a notebook. Updated and now bound, this dog-earred thing has accompanied us to the library countless times and also to many a used book sale. You can find it here
FYI: Christine Miller was the original publisher/owner/writer of Homeschooling Today before she sold it to the McDonalds. It is a very different magazine today. When Christine was publishing it, it was my favorite homeschooling magazine.
All Through the Ages is a resource that has compiled booklists from 26 sources such as Answers in Genesis, Beautiful Feet, and Sonlight. The lists are separated chronologically (as well as by subject) according to historical date and then further separated into appropriate levels of age/grade level and even further separated into overview of the era, specific events of the era, biographies, historical fiction, literature and culture. This updated version has timelines, and some historical backgrounds and information. If you could only buy one resource to do history, this would be my suggestion since it contains so much useful information.
Lastly, these games have been fun for learning history: Bethump'd With History , The All American Trivia Board Game and there is a junior level at the same site, Oval Office, the Race to be President (looks like they discontinued making it but I think it's available in a computer version now).
Homeschooling Quiz
I've been spending more time on Facebook these days rather than on this blog. I enjoy the social aspects of Facebook, whereas this blog has very low interaction. In fact, I don't even know if people are reading it. Anyway... I thought this particular quiz about homeschooling was worth sharing in this venue as well as on Facebook. I will be sharing other things from Facebook here as well.
Questionnaire about Homeschooling (used to be What type of homeschooler are you?)Share
Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at 12:19pm
Copy the questions, delete my answers, fill in your answers and post as a note. Don't forget to tag me back!
1. What time do you get up? 6:30 am. I fail to see how this questoin relates to the type of homeschooler I am. I suspect this is a question meant to see if we're sleeping in late. The more pertinent question would be what time of day do we do the majority of our homeschooling and why? It used to be in the mornings as the afternoons were reserved for piano lessons and practice, playing, napping and hikes and such. But since God has seen fit to bless me with employment at a doctor's office 4 mornings a week, and the two remaining children are night owls, we do the majority of our schooling in the afternoons now and their temperments are better suited to learning. You see, one of the marvelous things about homeschooling is doing it in a way that suits and benefits your family.
2. What do your children wear to school? Well they do wear something. Usually we begin in jammies, and then as showers occur, we apply regular clothing. Although we have been known to stay in jammies all day, regardless of showers/baths, etc.
3. What curriculum have you tried and hated? I haven't really hated any curriculum. My children might reply differently. We have tried things that haven't worked for us and so we've been fortunate to gift that to others or to relieve ourselves of it at a used book fair.
4. Who is your most inspirational homeschooling role model? Don't know that I have one. I am a gleaner, so I take parts from lots of folks that will benefit our family, whether I agree with their overall philosophy of education (and religion sometimes) or not. I have been impressed with and inspired by Treon Goossen's complete devotion to preserving the Colorado Homeschool Law for over 20 years since she helped to broker it and co-wrote it back in the 1980's.
5. Abeka, Charlotte Mason, unschooling or Classical? We are classically relaxed schoolers. I do plan in general, broad strokes, and then we go where our whims and interests take us. However, math and catechism lessons are much more formal.
6. Favorite response to “what about socialization?” Depends on whom I am speaking to. With strangers I am more general and ask questions of them to determine where they are coming from and if they have an open mindset. I won't waste my time speaking with someone who only asked the questions to impart their opinion rather to truly find an answer. For those whom I am more familiar with, I am much more specific about our ideas about what and how socialization is and how it influences us for the better and usually for the worse in an environment where we become peer dependent. I emphasis that we aren't in this quest to please our neighbors but to raise children who are in the world and not of it.
7. Favorite subject? American History, hands down and without even a forethought!
8. Favorite field trip ever? Our trip back East in the fall of 1999 where we visited Revolutionary War and American Civil War sites. My favorite tours were Gettysburg and Valley Forge. The highlight, though, was when Kaitlyn answered a question of a docent at Monticello, "Lafayette! It was Lafayette!" She awed those adults who had studied Jefferson and could not answer the question. (Of course, she awed her parents and sister too, and made us proud that she had not only been listening but absorbing her history lessons.)
9. Best thing about homeschooling? The liberty to raise our children and instruct them as we see fit. The government's only concern should be that it is being done, as I know that an educated citizenry is important. I believe the government fears the true education of its citizens, however.
10. Sports, music, or art? As it applies, and as it seems fit to each individual child and their giftings.
11. Priority for 9-year old: beautiful script handwriting, or lightening fast accurate typing? I won't subscribe to a priority for a 9-year old in general such as this. Depends on the child. However, I deem it important to have readable handwriting and to be able to type as computers and the like are such a part of our life these days and I suspect that will continue.
12. Best one stop shopping for school books? Used to be Billions of Books in Colorado Springs before it went under. I still enjoy perusing used book stores and since we're rather eclectic, I don't think there is a best ONE stop place to buy school books. It's not like there's a Wal-Mart type place to do this in my opinion. The CHEC Conference brings together multiple resources/vendors and so that's beneficial, but we're usually in search of very few things to buy there. I prefer dusty tomes found in dark corners on shelves in book stores where the proprietors really love reading and are willing to talk about books and authors.
13. One subject you didn’t get to this week: Grammar.
14. What will you do when you run out of kids to teach? We'll see what the Lord has in store for us then. For now, we need not face that question for another 9 years.
15. Ever give school books as Christmas or Birthday gifts? Not school books, per se, but biographies or series that are enjoyable to the child and could be counted as reading time.
16. Better late or early (delay formal education at home, or start as young as possible?) Most assuredly late. To foist education upon the young is a disservice to their youth. Better to wait for their cognitive development and sometimes their emotional development to achieve a firm foundation in education and establish a life-long love for learning
Well that's it!
If you care to answer the same quetions, please leave me a message in the comments and direct me to your blog so I can read and learn from your answers!
Questionnaire about Homeschooling (used to be What type of homeschooler are you?)Share
Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at 12:19pm
Copy the questions, delete my answers, fill in your answers and post as a note. Don't forget to tag me back!
1. What time do you get up? 6:30 am. I fail to see how this questoin relates to the type of homeschooler I am. I suspect this is a question meant to see if we're sleeping in late. The more pertinent question would be what time of day do we do the majority of our homeschooling and why? It used to be in the mornings as the afternoons were reserved for piano lessons and practice, playing, napping and hikes and such. But since God has seen fit to bless me with employment at a doctor's office 4 mornings a week, and the two remaining children are night owls, we do the majority of our schooling in the afternoons now and their temperments are better suited to learning. You see, one of the marvelous things about homeschooling is doing it in a way that suits and benefits your family.
2. What do your children wear to school? Well they do wear something. Usually we begin in jammies, and then as showers occur, we apply regular clothing. Although we have been known to stay in jammies all day, regardless of showers/baths, etc.
3. What curriculum have you tried and hated? I haven't really hated any curriculum. My children might reply differently. We have tried things that haven't worked for us and so we've been fortunate to gift that to others or to relieve ourselves of it at a used book fair.
4. Who is your most inspirational homeschooling role model? Don't know that I have one. I am a gleaner, so I take parts from lots of folks that will benefit our family, whether I agree with their overall philosophy of education (and religion sometimes) or not. I have been impressed with and inspired by Treon Goossen's complete devotion to preserving the Colorado Homeschool Law for over 20 years since she helped to broker it and co-wrote it back in the 1980's.
5. Abeka, Charlotte Mason, unschooling or Classical? We are classically relaxed schoolers. I do plan in general, broad strokes, and then we go where our whims and interests take us. However, math and catechism lessons are much more formal.
6. Favorite response to “what about socialization?” Depends on whom I am speaking to. With strangers I am more general and ask questions of them to determine where they are coming from and if they have an open mindset. I won't waste my time speaking with someone who only asked the questions to impart their opinion rather to truly find an answer. For those whom I am more familiar with, I am much more specific about our ideas about what and how socialization is and how it influences us for the better and usually for the worse in an environment where we become peer dependent. I emphasis that we aren't in this quest to please our neighbors but to raise children who are in the world and not of it.
7. Favorite subject? American History, hands down and without even a forethought!
8. Favorite field trip ever? Our trip back East in the fall of 1999 where we visited Revolutionary War and American Civil War sites. My favorite tours were Gettysburg and Valley Forge. The highlight, though, was when Kaitlyn answered a question of a docent at Monticello, "Lafayette! It was Lafayette!" She awed those adults who had studied Jefferson and could not answer the question. (Of course, she awed her parents and sister too, and made us proud that she had not only been listening but absorbing her history lessons.)
9. Best thing about homeschooling? The liberty to raise our children and instruct them as we see fit. The government's only concern should be that it is being done, as I know that an educated citizenry is important. I believe the government fears the true education of its citizens, however.
10. Sports, music, or art? As it applies, and as it seems fit to each individual child and their giftings.
11. Priority for 9-year old: beautiful script handwriting, or lightening fast accurate typing? I won't subscribe to a priority for a 9-year old in general such as this. Depends on the child. However, I deem it important to have readable handwriting and to be able to type as computers and the like are such a part of our life these days and I suspect that will continue.
12. Best one stop shopping for school books? Used to be Billions of Books in Colorado Springs before it went under. I still enjoy perusing used book stores and since we're rather eclectic, I don't think there is a best ONE stop place to buy school books. It's not like there's a Wal-Mart type place to do this in my opinion. The CHEC Conference brings together multiple resources/vendors and so that's beneficial, but we're usually in search of very few things to buy there. I prefer dusty tomes found in dark corners on shelves in book stores where the proprietors really love reading and are willing to talk about books and authors.
13. One subject you didn’t get to this week: Grammar.
14. What will you do when you run out of kids to teach? We'll see what the Lord has in store for us then. For now, we need not face that question for another 9 years.
15. Ever give school books as Christmas or Birthday gifts? Not school books, per se, but biographies or series that are enjoyable to the child and could be counted as reading time.
16. Better late or early (delay formal education at home, or start as young as possible?) Most assuredly late. To foist education upon the young is a disservice to their youth. Better to wait for their cognitive development and sometimes their emotional development to achieve a firm foundation in education and establish a life-long love for learning
Well that's it!
If you care to answer the same quetions, please leave me a message in the comments and direct me to your blog so I can read and learn from your answers!
July 7, 2009
Sanctification Musings
The heart we are told in God’s Word is devious (Jeremiah 17:9). And yet it’s to the heart that we must look when considering actions of others and ourselves.
I struggle with Christian piety when it’s on display for others to comment on and appreciate. My faith teaches me that Christian piety is a response to my faith, a working of the Holy Spirit within me to help me be grateful for and in response to my faith which, again, is not of my own doing, but is of the Lord.
Another way to look at this is via our vocations. God grants us each different talents as we are made in His image. And yet, what He gave for me to do is not what He gave for you to do. As we go about our days, doing the tasks He has set before us in whatever our vocation is, it is natural for us to seek recognition and appreciation for what we’ve done. This is our human nature. But, this should not be the reason we do things. (James 2). It is the Lord’s approval that matters, not man’s. (Luke 16:15)
I think what I am struggling with is the idea of sanctification as it is viewed differently among Christians. When we think that we somehow have a part in our sanctification (like when we claim we have a part in our salvation by making a decision for Christ) then we’ve lost focus of what and who and how we are sanctified. And it is not of our own doing or our own works, Scripture tells us.
So when we deem to take the credit for it, it isn’t out of humility that we do so, it is out of our pride and preening and need to be recognized and to be appreciated. (Luke 16:15 and Hebrews 3:10)
And I cannot condemn others for this if I am not willing to take a somber look at my own complicity with this idea, for I do crave to be noticed and appreciated too.
Still, it bothers me. When folks tout their own works I want to correct them. (Colossians 2:1-5). UGH!
So this is my earnest prayer: … the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
I struggle with Christian piety when it’s on display for others to comment on and appreciate. My faith teaches me that Christian piety is a response to my faith, a working of the Holy Spirit within me to help me be grateful for and in response to my faith which, again, is not of my own doing, but is of the Lord.
Another way to look at this is via our vocations. God grants us each different talents as we are made in His image. And yet, what He gave for me to do is not what He gave for you to do. As we go about our days, doing the tasks He has set before us in whatever our vocation is, it is natural for us to seek recognition and appreciation for what we’ve done. This is our human nature. But, this should not be the reason we do things. (James 2). It is the Lord’s approval that matters, not man’s. (Luke 16:15)
I think what I am struggling with is the idea of sanctification as it is viewed differently among Christians. When we think that we somehow have a part in our sanctification (like when we claim we have a part in our salvation by making a decision for Christ) then we’ve lost focus of what and who and how we are sanctified. And it is not of our own doing or our own works, Scripture tells us.
So when we deem to take the credit for it, it isn’t out of humility that we do so, it is out of our pride and preening and need to be recognized and to be appreciated. (Luke 16:15 and Hebrews 3:10)
And I cannot condemn others for this if I am not willing to take a somber look at my own complicity with this idea, for I do crave to be noticed and appreciated too.
Still, it bothers me. When folks tout their own works I want to correct them. (Colossians 2:1-5). UGH!
So this is my earnest prayer: … the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
June 25, 2009
Faith of our Fathers
Faith of our fathers living still
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword
O, how our hearts beat high with joy
When‘ere we hear that glorious word
Faith of our Fathers, holy faith!
We would be true to Thee ‘til death.
I grew up singing this song in the Methodist church I was brought up in. It was one of my favorites. As an adult I’ve converted to Lutheranism, and have had the joy of deepening my understanding of my faith through the richness of God’s Word which is the substance of the liturgy and the hymns we sing in church.
The history of this song can be found here. I think it’s rather interesting considering how prevalent this particular hymn is in the mainline protestant denominations.
And speaking of protestant denominations, today marks the 479th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession, which was authored by Philip Melanchthon, and read in German to Emperor Charles V and his princes and other court authorities and church officials on June 25, 1530, eleven years after the beginning of the Reformation. The document is the primary confession of the Lutheran Church and in its unaltered state relates what is believed, taught and confessed in Lutheran Churches the world over. The courageous men who stood before the Emperor and the Roman Church were literally putting their faith and confession before their lives as to do so might have cost them their lives and the lives of their families and states. (Psalm 119:46 I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame.) Although we do not sing that particular hymn in the Lutheran Church, when’ere I hear it, I think of these brave men who put their faith and confession before their lives, just as those men did who the above hymn was written about.
I also think of a more modern tune called “For Future Generations.” I was introduced to that song via the group 4Him after my mother died in November 2000. Someone gave me their CD entitled Hymns which contained many songs that my mother had taught me at home and that we have sung in church. It was a great comfort to me. I then got ahold of the 4Him CD "The Ride" which had “For Future Generations” on it. I don’t normally dabble in praise songs, but these two CDs by 4Him are ones I enjoy. The lyrics of “For Future Generations” remind me that we ALL must be faithful to our confession of faith.
I am grateful to my parents who brought me up in a Christian home and encouraged me to learn about my faith and to live my confession as a response to the working of the Holy Spirit within me who increases and directs my faith.
Ephesians 1:13-17 (New King James Version)
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him…
Here's a good blog about how the Augsburg Confession applies to us today.
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword
O, how our hearts beat high with joy
When‘ere we hear that glorious word
Faith of our Fathers, holy faith!
We would be true to Thee ‘til death.
I grew up singing this song in the Methodist church I was brought up in. It was one of my favorites. As an adult I’ve converted to Lutheranism, and have had the joy of deepening my understanding of my faith through the richness of God’s Word which is the substance of the liturgy and the hymns we sing in church.
The history of this song can be found here. I think it’s rather interesting considering how prevalent this particular hymn is in the mainline protestant denominations.
And speaking of protestant denominations, today marks the 479th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession, which was authored by Philip Melanchthon, and read in German to Emperor Charles V and his princes and other court authorities and church officials on June 25, 1530, eleven years after the beginning of the Reformation. The document is the primary confession of the Lutheran Church and in its unaltered state relates what is believed, taught and confessed in Lutheran Churches the world over. The courageous men who stood before the Emperor and the Roman Church were literally putting their faith and confession before their lives as to do so might have cost them their lives and the lives of their families and states. (Psalm 119:46 I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame.) Although we do not sing that particular hymn in the Lutheran Church, when’ere I hear it, I think of these brave men who put their faith and confession before their lives, just as those men did who the above hymn was written about.
I also think of a more modern tune called “For Future Generations.” I was introduced to that song via the group 4Him after my mother died in November 2000. Someone gave me their CD entitled Hymns which contained many songs that my mother had taught me at home and that we have sung in church. It was a great comfort to me. I then got ahold of the 4Him CD "The Ride" which had “For Future Generations” on it. I don’t normally dabble in praise songs, but these two CDs by 4Him are ones I enjoy. The lyrics of “For Future Generations” remind me that we ALL must be faithful to our confession of faith.
I am grateful to my parents who brought me up in a Christian home and encouraged me to learn about my faith and to live my confession as a response to the working of the Holy Spirit within me who increases and directs my faith.
Ephesians 1:13-17 (New King James Version)
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him…
Here's a good blog about how the Augsburg Confession applies to us today.
June 2, 2009
John Adams
It’s been interesting watching the recent HBO film biography series on John Adams with parts of my family. One daughter is being introduced to the revolutionary times and birth of our nation, and another is finishing her studies in it as a high schooler.
What has been intriguing to observe is the Federalist’s position which this film places firmly in the hands and on the shoulders of Alexander Hamilton. At the birth of our nation, when the first administration of George Washington was establishing our government and its policies, the discussions about nationalism and the power of it and the forming of the National Bank have serious repercussions in today’s economy and the power our government is displaying in private sectors (cars, healthcare, etc.)
We have found the Adams of this film series to be an ambitious and querulous fellow and the sacrifice of his family on the altar of serving his country is profoundly distressing and well portrayed here.
What has been intriguing to observe is the Federalist’s position which this film places firmly in the hands and on the shoulders of Alexander Hamilton. At the birth of our nation, when the first administration of George Washington was establishing our government and its policies, the discussions about nationalism and the power of it and the forming of the National Bank have serious repercussions in today’s economy and the power our government is displaying in private sectors (cars, healthcare, etc.)
We have found the Adams of this film series to be an ambitious and querulous fellow and the sacrifice of his family on the altar of serving his country is profoundly distressing and well portrayed here.
May 20, 2009
More on Obama at Notre Dame
I cannot for the life of me imagine what could possibly have compelled the officials at Notre Dame to invite a President, sitting or not, to speak at their commencement who has a record so heinous as Obama does on life issues. This is really disgusting. Terribly disturbing.
Here's a good article about it.
Here's a good article about it.
Ambiguity
It really upsets me when folks who claim to be Christians reject universal truth. We can know -- without proof -- truth as God proclaims it in His Word. Not a hard concept. When you look for proof to define truth you are left with an empty faith that clings to its own reason and justifications. Bleh!
This blog entry about doubt, as discussed in the movie of the same name and by Prez Obama at Notre Dame's graduation on Sunday is very interesting.
This blog entry about doubt, as discussed in the movie of the same name and by Prez Obama at Notre Dame's graduation on Sunday is very interesting.
May 9, 2009
Happy Birthday, Mom!
Since my mom's birthday is so close to Mother's Day I end up missing her something fierce this time of year! Here's some photos of her. This first one was taken on New Year's Day 1966 and is my favorite photo of her and I.
This next one is the only one I have of her as a baby. I think the expression on her face is saying, "What am I supposed to do with this ball?"
The last one is from her high school graduation. She looks so happy there.
Rest in peace, Momma.
May 3, 2009
What We Use to teach History in Our Homeschool
Recently a question popped up on our local homeschool group's yahoo group that asked about teaching history. I get asked this question all the time. So I thought I'd post it here in case it might help anyone.
We teach history with minimal textbooks, preferring to read "real" books and good historical fiction instead. Warning, mommy brag coming up: Seems to have worked well as I am constantly amazed at how much my older girls have retained that comes out in obscure conversations.
This is a list of those resources and books we've found helpful. Keep in mind we'ved gathered these resources over 16 years homeschooling and didn't acquire them all at once.
The text books that I do like are by Edward Eggleston such as _A History of the United States and Its People_ and _A First Book in American History_ (no teacher text required, and great questions at the end of each chapter).
I also like the very affordable texts put out by Christian Liberty Press (http://ebiz.netopia.com/clpress/).
For your benefit you may want to obtain the two book series _Streams of Civilization_ (sold by CLP and others) but definitely a high school text as they are good basic and thorough books to have around for reference.
We use lots of Landmark Books (http://www.readingwell.com/landmark.html) and there are some teacher's aides available for them, but you don't really need that. Just read them.
Cornerstones of Freedom are also good books we've used. Here's a list of them http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/COF.htm.
Veritas Press has some neat resources such as these 5 homeschool kits (activity book, flashcards and tapes/cds now), where we've been able to suit the needs of all our different learning styles (visual, auditory and kinesthetic). http://www.design-your-homeschool.com/Home-School-Curriculum-Veritas-Press.html The Old Schoolhouse magazine has a review of them here http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/Homeschool_Reviews/reviews.php?rid=936. They are expensive, so if you know your child's learning style you may want to focus on that portion of the kit as they are sold separately.
Genevieve Foster has some great read alouds. Her books are listed here http://www.bfbooks.com/s.nl/it.A/id.431/.f?sc=2&category=4. Beautiful Feet has some interesting kits for historical study.
Then there's Charles Coffin, his books are great read-alouds, too. Little Bear Wheeler carries some of them here http://mantleministries.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=MM&Category_Code=CC
Diana Waring is an exciting speaker and she'll be at the conference this year! Yea! http://www.dianawaring.com/ She has a unit study approach, but just listening to her tapes/cds will encourage you and equip you to make history learning fun and exciting even if you don't do unit studies.
Our most used resource is Christine Miller's _All Through the Ages_. When she first put this resource out it was found by rubber band and hole punched for you to put into a notebook. Updated and now bound, this dog-earred thing has accompanied us to the library countless times and also to many a used book sale. You can find it here http://www.nothingnewpress.com/index.shtml
FYI: Christine Miller was the original publisher/owner/writer of Homeschooling Today before she sold it to the McDonalds. It is a very different magazine today. When Christine was publishing it, it was my favorite homeschooling magazine.
All Through the Ages is a resource that has compiled booklists from 26 sources such as Answers in Genesis, Beautiful Feet, and Sonlight. The lists are separated chronologically (as well as by subject) according to historical date and then further separated into appropriate levels of age/grade level and even further separated into overview of the era, specific events of the era, biographies, historical fiction, literature and culture. This updated version has timelines, and some historical backgrounds and information. If you could only buy one resource to do history, this would be my suggestion since it contains so much useful information.
Lastly, these games have been fun for learning history: Bethump'd With History (http://eclectichomeschool.org/store/store_review.asp?revid=621), The All American Trivia Board Game (http://www.outsetmedia.com/uswebpages/usgamespages/usamericantrivia.htm) and there is a junior level at the same site, Oval Office, the Race to be President (http://www.educationallearninggames.com/oval-office-board-game.asp -- looks like they discontinued making it but I think it's available in a computer version now).
Enjoy learning right along with your children.
We teach history with minimal textbooks, preferring to read "real" books and good historical fiction instead. Warning, mommy brag coming up: Seems to have worked well as I am constantly amazed at how much my older girls have retained that comes out in obscure conversations.
This is a list of those resources and books we've found helpful. Keep in mind we'ved gathered these resources over 16 years homeschooling and didn't acquire them all at once.
The text books that I do like are by Edward Eggleston such as _A History of the United States and Its People_ and _A First Book in American History_ (no teacher text required, and great questions at the end of each chapter).
I also like the very affordable texts put out by Christian Liberty Press (http://ebiz.netopia.com/clpress/).
For your benefit you may want to obtain the two book series _Streams of Civilization_ (sold by CLP and others) but definitely a high school text as they are good basic and thorough books to have around for reference.
We use lots of Landmark Books (http://www.readingwell.com/landmark.html) and there are some teacher's aides available for them, but you don't really need that. Just read them.
Cornerstones of Freedom are also good books we've used. Here's a list of them http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/COF.htm.
Veritas Press has some neat resources such as these 5 homeschool kits (activity book, flashcards and tapes/cds now), where we've been able to suit the needs of all our different learning styles (visual, auditory and kinesthetic). http://www.design-your-homeschool.com/Home-School-Curriculum-Veritas-Press.html The Old Schoolhouse magazine has a review of them here http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/Homeschool_Reviews/reviews.php?rid=936. They are expensive, so if you know your child's learning style you may want to focus on that portion of the kit as they are sold separately.
Genevieve Foster has some great read alouds. Her books are listed here http://www.bfbooks.com/s.nl/it.A/id.431/.f?sc=2&category=4. Beautiful Feet has some interesting kits for historical study.
Then there's Charles Coffin, his books are great read-alouds, too. Little Bear Wheeler carries some of them here http://mantleministries.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=MM&Category_Code=CC
Diana Waring is an exciting speaker and she'll be at the conference this year! Yea! http://www.dianawaring.com/ She has a unit study approach, but just listening to her tapes/cds will encourage you and equip you to make history learning fun and exciting even if you don't do unit studies.
Our most used resource is Christine Miller's _All Through the Ages_. When she first put this resource out it was found by rubber band and hole punched for you to put into a notebook. Updated and now bound, this dog-earred thing has accompanied us to the library countless times and also to many a used book sale. You can find it here http://www.nothingnewpress.com/index.shtml
FYI: Christine Miller was the original publisher/owner/writer of Homeschooling Today before she sold it to the McDonalds. It is a very different magazine today. When Christine was publishing it, it was my favorite homeschooling magazine.
All Through the Ages is a resource that has compiled booklists from 26 sources such as Answers in Genesis, Beautiful Feet, and Sonlight. The lists are separated chronologically (as well as by subject) according to historical date and then further separated into appropriate levels of age/grade level and even further separated into overview of the era, specific events of the era, biographies, historical fiction, literature and culture. This updated version has timelines, and some historical backgrounds and information. If you could only buy one resource to do history, this would be my suggestion since it contains so much useful information.
Lastly, these games have been fun for learning history: Bethump'd With History (http://eclectichomeschool.org/store/store_review.asp?revid=621), The All American Trivia Board Game (http://www.outsetmedia.com/uswebpages/usgamespages/usamericantrivia.htm) and there is a junior level at the same site, Oval Office, the Race to be President (http://www.educationallearninggames.com/oval-office-board-game.asp -- looks like they discontinued making it but I think it's available in a computer version now).
Enjoy learning right along with your children.
May 2, 2009
Beneficium accipere libertatem esy vendere
To receive a favor is to sell your liberty.
I've been thinking about this Latin quip lately as it relates to our current economic situation.
When listening to our President it is astounding how fundamentally different he thinks about the role of government in America. I wonder how so many people can be so completely entranced by his socialist ideals and not become alarmed for the future of our country and the effect it will have on all of us.
An American Spectator article puts it this way:
"This massive increase in federal welfare spending is an abuse of the public and American taxpayers, who are looking to Obama and Congress to restore economic growth. Instead, Obama and the Congressional Democrat majorities are using the excuse of the economic downturn to take advantage of taxpayers and provide for an explosion in welfare spending to serve left-wing extremist ideological goals. The economy does not grow based on increased welfare, trillion dollar plus deficits, and multitrillion dollar increases in national debt. It grows based on incentives for savings, investment, starting or expanding businesses, job creation, entrepreneurship, and work. But there is nothing in all of Obama's runaway spending increases that does anything like that."
I've been thinking about this Latin quip lately as it relates to our current economic situation.
When listening to our President it is astounding how fundamentally different he thinks about the role of government in America. I wonder how so many people can be so completely entranced by his socialist ideals and not become alarmed for the future of our country and the effect it will have on all of us.
An American Spectator article puts it this way:
"This massive increase in federal welfare spending is an abuse of the public and American taxpayers, who are looking to Obama and Congress to restore economic growth. Instead, Obama and the Congressional Democrat majorities are using the excuse of the economic downturn to take advantage of taxpayers and provide for an explosion in welfare spending to serve left-wing extremist ideological goals. The economy does not grow based on increased welfare, trillion dollar plus deficits, and multitrillion dollar increases in national debt. It grows based on incentives for savings, investment, starting or expanding businesses, job creation, entrepreneurship, and work. But there is nothing in all of Obama's runaway spending increases that does anything like that."
April 2, 2009
Wowsers!
Hey folks. For all two of you who still stop by to read this blog...
The last few weeks have been quite interesting.
I got bifocals. My only comfort with this sign of aging is that my husband got them last year! :-) But I do really like my new glasses!
There are other signs of female aging present as well. What fun!
I found out I have diabetes.
And hyperthroidism. Yes folks, it is hyper not hypo.
And possibly Hepatitis C.
I slept at least 14 hours a day for 3 weeks, but am back to a semi-normal routine now, so the Hep C is probably finished it's course and the party in my liver should be done. We'll confirm this with blood tests.
My hubby got laid off, he's currently looking for a job! Wonder how easy that will be in this economic environment?
So I've been hanging out on Facebook more than here. Less pressure to come up with something interesting to say, although I enjoy reading other folks' blogs.
The last few weeks have been quite interesting.
I got bifocals. My only comfort with this sign of aging is that my husband got them last year! :-) But I do really like my new glasses!
There are other signs of female aging present as well. What fun!
I found out I have diabetes.
And hyperthroidism. Yes folks, it is hyper not hypo.
And possibly Hepatitis C.
I slept at least 14 hours a day for 3 weeks, but am back to a semi-normal routine now, so the Hep C is probably finished it's course and the party in my liver should be done. We'll confirm this with blood tests.
My hubby got laid off, he's currently looking for a job! Wonder how easy that will be in this economic environment?
So I've been hanging out on Facebook more than here. Less pressure to come up with something interesting to say, although I enjoy reading other folks' blogs.
February 18, 2009
Remembering Dad
Today is the day my Dad was born 80 years ago. I've had a flood of memories about him today. He had a difficult life, especially those first years as a depression era baby and the circumstances under which he was born and then had to live.
This first picture is from 1949. Isn't he handsome? Dad was a medic in the Air Force.
The next picture is my favorite one of my Dad and Mom. It was taken in Great Falls, Montana, circa 1964-66.
The last one is from circa 1970-72 at the top of Wilkerson Pass, Colorado, around the 4th of July. The snow was unexpected, and I had on shorts, so Dad carted me on his back to the outhouse.
Rest in peace, Daddy! I love you!
February 5, 2009
Yodaspeak
For another grammatical term I went looking, and this funny exchange instead found.
Look here to turn your speech into a Yoda sounding sentence.
Who knew there was even such a thing as Yodaspeak?
Look here to turn your speech into a Yoda sounding sentence.
Who knew there was even such a thing as Yodaspeak?
January 31, 2009
End of January Musings
Yes, yes -- there's been a name change of my blog. It's now called Segue. I think it more accurately reflects how this blog has evolved in my usage of it.
Reflective thoughts...
Reflective thoughts...
It is amazing to me how quickly things can spin out of control when we give the littlest bit of attention to it and allow our sin nature to rule our words, thoughts and actions.
As homeschool parents, I think we’ve stepped out of the cultural norm and in so doing we either engage others in defending our actions as we encounter folks don’t understand (or want to understand), or we simply ignore them and allow our silence to separate us.
I know that this little dichotomy has also led me into situations that I otherwise might have avoided. There are times when, even with the best of intentions, I’ve stuck my nose into an area that it didn’t belong simply because I desire for there to be a good relationship, even if there isn’t agreement in all things.
Occasionally, that intrusion on my part into an area where I might have a strong opinion and desire to bring about understanding results in causing more damage than I could have foreseen, and surely didn’t intend.
So, how to go about curbing that instinct? That’s what I’ve been working on these last few weeks. Suggestions are welcome.
On a completely different note…
I’ve not been able to blog as much as I used to. Life is busy now and I need to focus my time on teaching my girls when I'm not working.
Besides struggling with the above uncomplimentary character trait, I’ve been dealing with unpleasant issues dealing with grief. Once someone is gone there simply isn’t any opportunity to repair a relationship. And that grieves me deeply. This has left me rather, uncharacteristically, not chatty.
So my writing here and commenting on other blogs has been severely curtailed. I still am subscribed to all the blogs listed here so I know what’s going on with the people I’ve come to care about via this medium or know in real life.
Peace and blessings to all!
January 17, 2009
Constitutional Musings
As a military brat I'm increasingly concerned for the forthcoming change in command that will occur Tuesday. Too many of my military buds are alarmed at what they hear is going to happen under new leadership.
As an American, I am glad for the peaceful exchange of power as proscribed in our Constitution.As someone whose read and studied the Constitution, I am alarmed that we *might* be thumbing our noses at it by installing a president who doesn't fulfill the Constitutional requirement for a president in being a natural born citizen.
As a military brat I was born overseas on a US protectorate military base to two American citizens. I can produce for you not only my US Citizenship papers, but also my birth certificate within minutes. They are in a secured, fireproof location. I have always been impressed with the special significance these documents hold because they prove my American citizenship. And I am just an ordinary person.
So I am curious about a public offical who has trouble producing these types of documents. It really should not be that hard. And .... this is the key thing here ... it would stop the critics and the curious in their tracks.
Why is this sector of the American community, who cares so deeply for the document that has been the rule of law of our country since 1787, being ignored and pushed aside? I know that political figures cannot answer all their critics. To do so would be to take away valuable time from governing.
But there's this pesky little fly buzzing around that's annoying to all. It should be taken care of with the most effective swat so that it is eliminated.Mr. President-Elect, on your whistle-stop tour so reminiscent of FDR, (I'm not even going to go into the socialistic aura the two share now), could you not take time to defeat this notion that you are being installed against the Constitutional requirement for citizenship for a president.
I've listened to your remarks. You've called for the citizens to hold the government accountable.
Well ... we're waiting.
January 11, 2009
Somebody stole my donut at church!
Pastor's sermon today was about what God has to do to get our attention.
He likened it to a turtle on a fencepost (something he'd heard on a Rush Limbaugh show). The turtle had help getting on the fencepost. He didn't get there independently. What are you going to do? You've been baptized. Now what? Lean on Christ through it all, but push forward, even when it seems like all you're doing is sitting on a fencepost.
After church it was my turn along with my partner's to count the funds contributed. My oldest daughter, dear sweet, serving soul that she is... got me coffee, juice and a donut like she usually does when I count. She brought it down, but Frieda and I were not downstairs yet. So she left i on the table outside the counter's room. When we arrived, there were a few crumbs and a coffee and a juice on the table. I didn't know if she had brought the donut as usual or not. We recorded items and made our deposit as usual and my daughter was in the parking lot waiting for me as Bible class was over. I got in the car and thanked her for the coffee and juice. She said she had brought a donut over as well. I told her it wasn't there when we got downstairs.
So that means someone stole my donut at church!!!
I think we have finally finished our recent round of the flu which has made its way through our house, hitting two of the people here twice, since the Monday before Christmas. Both our dogs had it too! Thankfully, only one of us had it at a time so there were many hands on deck to see to the needs of the one feeling ill at the time.
I pray you all had pleasant New Year's celebrations! What did you do?
He likened it to a turtle on a fencepost (something he'd heard on a Rush Limbaugh show). The turtle had help getting on the fencepost. He didn't get there independently. What are you going to do? You've been baptized. Now what? Lean on Christ through it all, but push forward, even when it seems like all you're doing is sitting on a fencepost.
After church it was my turn along with my partner's to count the funds contributed. My oldest daughter, dear sweet, serving soul that she is... got me coffee, juice and a donut like she usually does when I count. She brought it down, but Frieda and I were not downstairs yet. So she left i on the table outside the counter's room. When we arrived, there were a few crumbs and a coffee and a juice on the table. I didn't know if she had brought the donut as usual or not. We recorded items and made our deposit as usual and my daughter was in the parking lot waiting for me as Bible class was over. I got in the car and thanked her for the coffee and juice. She said she had brought a donut over as well. I told her it wasn't there when we got downstairs.
So that means someone stole my donut at church!!!
I think we have finally finished our recent round of the flu which has made its way through our house, hitting two of the people here twice, since the Monday before Christmas. Both our dogs had it too! Thankfully, only one of us had it at a time so there were many hands on deck to see to the needs of the one feeling ill at the time.
I pray you all had pleasant New Year's celebrations! What did you do?
January 8, 2009
Memories
As time progresses and we lose more of the previous generation, our sweet memories become more dear.
I wonder what a 72-year old Elvis would look like and sound like?
And, I couldn't let the day pass without wishing my favorite nephew-in-law a blessed birthday! I admire Fil's character more and more as I grow to know him more through the years.
I wonder what a 72-year old Elvis would look like and sound like?
And, I couldn't let the day pass without wishing my favorite nephew-in-law a blessed birthday! I admire Fil's character more and more as I grow to know him more through the years.
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