HMJ: The Short and Sweet Version

It's been a crazy week.  I was working to get the newsletter done by deadline (made it with room to spare!) AND do this crazy homeschool high school thing at the same time.  A feat which would have been much easier if I had stayed on task throughout the month!  Lessons learned... pun intended?!

It all started when my husband's outdoor cat mysteriously passed away Friday evening.  He was positively inconsolable over it... a real shocker considering he is not a man of much emotion.  I felt helpless, he had never lost a living thing close to him before.  When his mom lost her favorite cat, he bought her a new one... so I decided to go in search of the same!

Meet D.C... named because hubby loves D.C. (the kids are Marvel fans though! ha)  His full name is actually Dusty Cat because he is orange on tan and, when we first brought him home from a foster family who rescued him, he was quite scruffy!  We call him "Dusty" for short and he sure has healed hubby's heart fast!

I told the family that having a blogging mama is like being a pastor's family... they are always going to get used for embarrassing object lessons and picture ops!!

Dusty has been a bit of a distraction in school.

But we are all adjusting.  We have three (yes, 3) indoor cats who are still adjusting as well!

This week was also made busy by fall decor time.  The cozy colors and scents and tastes of autumn are among my favorites and I look forward to the decor switch up each year.  My step-dad got a new phone and was texting me panoramic pictures of his house so I was inspired to do the same...

... you can see all the "fall" sprinkled around the house!  You can also see Dusty helping Brooke with homework if you look real close!!

Study hang-outs with friends is going great.  It really does seem to help Brooke's ambition and outlook with this being her first homeschool year all by herself.  She hasn't mentioned anymore about joining the public/private school ranks... but she has gloated about some of the additional perks of being homeschooled she is noticing since we made our pros and cons list a few weeks ago!

Hopefully this weekend can launch a better next week!  I have some tests and study pages to write up, a Make-it Break to attend with Brooke at Michael's, and some re-assessing of our chore system because this last week has set neon lights around the need to do so!  By the way, Monday kicks off a blog series here on Quick, Low Mess, Homemade Meals with Easy Clean-up!  Be sure to check back in for that!

On that note, I have grocery shopping, kids to chaperone and pizza to devour!  Have a marvelous weekend... I hope you get a chance to check out the Autumn in your area!

Blessings,

You can click here to see some of the great blogs I am linking up today ...

By the way.....

*Are you subscribed to my newsletter?  You might want to be.  Why?  Well, the newsletter contains bonus material you won't find on the website... not to mention, in those busy months when I can't get regular blog articles up, you can count on this periodical popping up in your email in-box each last Thursday with all new content!  What exactly does the newsletter contain?

• Encouraging articles on Faith, Home(making), and Homeschool
• Free printables under different themes each month
• Insider info on the latest goings-ons with all things on my blog and writing related

You won't find all this great bonus material on the blog so be sure to sign up so you don't miss out!  It's Ok, hop over real quick, right there to your right, see it on my sidebar where it says, "Subscribe to my Newsletter" with a  picture of the "Faith and Home Times" logo above it?  Ok, now enter your email in the box labeled "email address" then click "Subscribe"....(don't worry, it doesn't hurt and I promise not to spam you!). You should receive a confirmation email from me.  

Also, with your new subscription, you will be entered into my latest drawing AND I will send you a Bible Study I put together for October's edition! 

HMJ: Homeschool Mornings plus Why We Test and Grade

How has your homeschool week been?  Mine... we've still been ironing out a few wrinkles here and there.  I think, if we can get a regular rhythm going by the beginning of October, I will be a happy mama!   Other than wrinkle ironing, this week's theme has been mornings...

Fruit and yogurt pancakes Thursday morning while grading Composition homework

Tuesday morning we headed over to the College Fair to check out options.

Mornings are for Math!  Brooke is usually finishing up her breakfast as we dive into Geometry.

All-in-all though, we are moving (mostly) steadily along.  Grades are stacking and looking good, new test dates are inching closer, and I'm encouraging her regularly to develop good review and study skills as I know they will help her in college.

I hear a lot of debate on whether or not to test and grade in homeschool.  I can understand the hesitancy in the lower grades and, honestly, I rarely ever issued anything beyond a spelling test in the elementary years.  I didn't start administering tests until later into Middle School and grade tracking didn't become a factor until high school.  I've taught different learning styles and varied personalities and there has been one unifying point as to why I ultimately decided to test and grade:

They asked for it!

Believe it or not, ALL of my kids reached an age where they asked me for grades and tests!  They wanted to know how they were doing (measurably) and if they were progressing in certain areas.  Up until they asked, as mom, I would make note of their progress measured against where they were and how they were coming along in various subjects and benchmarks.  At one time I even worried I would betray the freedom and ease of homeschooling if I tested and graded!  However, I rose to their requests and, as I did so, I realized another benefit:

It challenged them!

I think challenging my kids was another element I was afraid of.  I didn't want them to be stressed-out over-achievers nor did I want them to be bums.  I didn't know how to approach this aspect and worried of breaking their spirit when I did.  However, once I started issuing tests and grades, I noticed them working harder and challenging themselves more.  Not in the "over-achiever" sense, rather, in the realization that they had schooling super-powers they could tap into and they wanted to be homeschooling superheros!  They looked forward to proudly sharing good grades with their dad when he got home or discussing progress if they were working to bring a lower grade up.  Then I saw something more happen:

They learned the value of hard academic work!

I am blessed by 4 hard working kids.  If a chore or task needs doing, they all clamour to complete it well.  But schoolwork was often another story.  To them, I believe, it was a necessary distraction in a day when they had 'better' plans they hoped to get to.  Yet, once we started issuing grades, they seemed to take their schoolwork more seriously.  Yes, there were some pep-talks woven into our early days of testing and grading, but those were merely to facilitate encouragement in the "You can do this" thread.

I've always wanted to teach with a purpose to light a fire for a lifetime love of learning and I often veered away from testing and grading because I worried it would damper that fire.  However, the opposite seemed to happen.  I saw them digging deeper and searching farther in all their school work and as a result, they grew more excited about what they were learning.  Where schoolwork had been a necessity, it now became a vehicle.  And where grades and tests were looming, the process actually sparked deeper curiosity and appreciation for the material being learned!  All of this opened the door for a final and crucial growth point:

Retention. 

Before we began regular testing and grading, I felt their retention rate of the material they were learning was minimal.  But once digging, homeworking, and studying all saturated their minds with the information necessary to make the grades and pass the tests, I saw them remembering, long term, all they had learned.  And while testing was often unconventional such as Jeopardy style reviews and oral quizzes with a periodic traditional test thrown in, the entire process met with a wonderful end.  Regardless of the style we used to grade and test, all of it taught them to really know what they were learning instead of being a passive observer of the material.  The result?

Comprehensive discussions which started as teens and carried on!

I love the thoughtful conversations we get to enjoy as a family because they have worked hard and retained what they have learned.  My 15 year old is able to enjoy the same depth of conversation my adult children have.  Whether we are sitting around the dinner table, driving in the car, or hanging out with others; I see them having thoughtful deductive discussions.

When I started homeschcooling, I didn't think I could light a fire for the love of learning if I graded and tested.  Yet, when I took the plunge into this common academic pool, I found it fueled the very things I was hoping for in my kids!

Grading and testing may not be for everyone.  Some grade from the very beginning, while others may have never factored a single grading ratio! Perhaps, like me, you fall in the middle of the spectrum.  The most important thing is to do what you feel is best for you and your homeschool.  Just don't be afraid to challenge your kiddos!  They won't admit it, and they may fight it at first, but truthfully: they like it!  Challenging them shows them how much more they really are capable of becoming!

Blessings,

You can click here to see some of the great blogs I am linking up today ...

By the way.....

*Are you subscribed to my newsletter?  You might want to be.  Why?  Well, the newsletter contains bonus material you won't find on the website... not to mention, in those busy months when I can't get regular blog articles up, you can count on this periodical popping up in your email in-box each last Thursday with all new content!  What exactly does the newsletter contain?

• Encouraging articles on Faith, Home(making), and Homeschool
• Free printables under different themes each month
• Early Childhood Education bonus-packet with activities and articles on teaching littles at home
• Insider info on the latest goings-ons with all things on my blog and writing related

You won't find all this great bonus material on the blog so be sure to sign up so you don't miss out!  It's Ok, hop over real quick, right there to your right, see it on my sidebar where it says, "Subscribe to my Newsletter" with a  picture of the "Faith and Home Times" logo above it?  Ok, now enter your email in the box labeled "email address" then click "Subscribe"....(don't worry, it doesn't hurt and I promise not to spam you!). You should receive a confirmation email from me.  

Also, with your new subscription, you will be entered into my latest drawing!  I'm still working on the details for the new one, but I'm certain you will like whatever I concoct this time!!  

Journey vs. Destination

I am often asked "how", most moms are.  "How do you do this?" or "How do you complete that?"  It is a good question we should all ask each other at times... one which inspires us to grow and learn and help one-another.

One of these "how" questions I get periodically requires a deeper answer than the question would indicate:  "How do you delegate screen time?  How do you inspire your kids to read?"

I am of the mindset that children should do because they are intrinsically motivated to.  But one factor in intrinsic motivation that is often overlooked is the push that is required to set a thing in motion.

I struggled with rewarding my children for their work.  We can not afford allowance (a missionary's budget requires lessons in 'making due' not 'do we make it').  I have tried to set goals like outings but the weather would fall through or the outing would require finances we didn't acquire... it was all so frustrating.  I needed consistency and I needed my children to learn the value of dedication without only seeking a reward as a result.

Then God reminded me that HE rewards those who are faithful... those, who (as Paul would say) run the race:

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 

- James 1:12

Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.  

-2 Timothy 4:8

Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 

- Revelation 2:10b

And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 

-1 Peter 5:4

You get the idea.  There are many more crowns that God promises us as the result of our devotion and steadfastness to His glory, His kingdom here.  But it is a balance.  It isn't "working" for work's sake because we expect something.  It is working for the Kingdom come only expecting HIS glory and HIS honor, not our own.  Knowing, as a result, that we grow in faith, knowledge and understanding of our Lord through our obedience and doing what is right.  Knowing that He does reward us here with blessings of all kinds, but striving regardless because we seek the blessing of peace and hope and renewal.

I could teach my children this same concept.  To encourage them to renew their minds through reading good books.  To show them that a goal sought after and reached comes with reward and good tidings not just physically but also spiritually.  Yet, more than anything, to hope and pray as I set our goals that through the process they might find it isn't the goal that rewards them most but the journey they make to get there.

God has been faithful.

It started like this:

We use to track minute-for-minute the time my children read and rewarded it with "screen time"; gaming system or computer as well as movies that were not shared as a family.

But we quickly exhausted of this and had greater headaches then rewards.  The children would read just enough to get by in order to do just what they wanted to do and no more.

Failed.

We tried a similar concept daily.

Failed

Finally, after much deliberation and prayer we went with a weekly system.

From Monday morning through Friday around 3:30 pm the children each have a reading goal based on their abilities.  There is NO screen time during the week which is non-school related.  This rule provides ample time for reading, playing and generally using their minds and bodies for things other than vegging.

What counts?

• Reading assignments in their school work
• All extra, self-initiated reading (i.e. books and magazines)
• Bible reading (though my youngest son opts not to count this and we accommodated him on that)

Again, you get the idea!

They get a slip of paper or cheep bookmark each week to keep track of their time on. (I get a package of them at the dollar store and it will lat us a year).  On Friday we take everyone's minutes and tally up.  To keep it fair, since they each have different requirements, we subtract out their personal goals to see how much they have gone over (rarely do they not go over!)

The "winner" gets first dibs on the computer or other opted screen.  And play proceeds from there.  They get 1-2 hours per day from Friday-Sunday depending on weather and schedule of other events.

We have used this system all year long and the only adjustment has been to the time required for each of my children in their daily reading.

The biggest rewards?

• My youngest daughter opts out of her computer time in order to spend more time reading because...
• they all have discovered the sheer joy of a good book and search after it more than ever before...
• they are growing in knowledge and understanding of all things, creating that intrinsic aspect I so desired from the beginning.

Proof that God rewards us here.  And I am eternally grateful of this display.

To reward or not to reward, that is up to you.  As for me and my household.... we aren't working for crowns but we certainly feel blessed by His presence... enjoying the journey while looking forward to the destination... and I pray you may know the same.

Deepest blessings,

God Brought Us To It

Four years ago she complained when reading picture books and dug her heals in at the shear mention of a chapter book.

But on Friday she was finishing book 2 in the Narnia series she has determined to read.  She just began with The Magicians Nephew last month... and here she is on the final pages of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.  How did we get here?

God brought us to it.

My patience with her was not always what I would have liked.  But when God intervened, and I bent my knees and heart in prayer for her... everything changed.

Her reading progress went from prayer into submission... my submission.  She had to learn how to read and become educated through ADHD.  And I had to learn to teach through ADHD.  And letting go was a vital step.

Back then...

I let go...

... of all books having to be READ by her and allowed her to listen to some audio books while 'reading' along.  I also continued to read chapter books, voices and animation included, at bedtime.  My hopes were to spark an interest in literature... to see stories as an adventure she might want to take on her own sometime
... of expecting her to read on-and-on-and-on for 15 minutes straight all by herself and we would read together, trading off on pages (in picture books) or paragraphs (in chapter books).
... of expecting her to read every chapter in a chapter book as I transitioned her from picture books to chapter books.  Instead I rewarded every chapter she read by reading a chapter to her (essentially taking turns on chapters)

I started...

... rewarding her reading time with computer time.
... renting movies which were based on books she had read.
... taking her on field trips that helped her actually see and touch similar settings from the books she was reading.
... encouraging plays and crafts inspired by the books she was reading.

Exploring and drawing at a not-so-"Secret Garden"

Puppet Show from The Magic Tree House's "Sunset of the Sabertooth"

She...

... got tiered of the audio books... she wanted to know what the non-audio books said.
... got tiered of waiting for me to get done with my turn reading and told me she didn't need my help anymore!
... didn't want me to read chapter books to her anymore, I think it interfered with her own private interaction with the text... and she wanted to develop her own thoughts on accents and voices and images!
... doesn't care as much about the computer time as she does about finishing a story to see what happens.
... looks forward to the movies to compliment her reading and often fills everyone in on the details the movie is missing! (Living book report!)
... sketches pictures from stories and has found a love for art and an opportunity to put on paper that which her imagination is enjoying
... has discovered that reading is and adventure and she is an adventurous individual!

... and now!

After four years of submission to prayer, trusting God, letting go, and encouraging (instead of complaining and riding)... she prefers chapter books with NO pictures ('I like to paint my own picture in my mind' she says!), she gobbles them up one-after-another, and I can't do anything except sit back, watch her read, and feel the joy that comes with obedience to homeschooling God's way instead of my way!

If you have a challenged reader in your homeschool, I encourage you to pray, submit, and let God lead and work in your teaching and their learning... and watch miracles happen.  

May God Bless your homeschool,

Linking up with Sue today at:

A Break-Through to Self Starting

I am so excited... on October 11th I blogged about trying to get my children to be better self-starters.  After all, that is a trait most college professors like about homeschoolers (or so I hear!)  We had break through this week!

It started with my 10 year old son suggesting that they do their homework in my bedroom on Tuesday so I could work on their costumes (my sewing area is in my bedroom and I was making costumes for 'dress as your favorite Bible character' night at AWANAS).  He was so proud of himself for this suggestion I couldn't resist.  After all, not going with his idea would have meant a late night sewing!

As soon as we were ready to head to my room, kids quickly rounded up their to-do folders, packed their backpacks, and ran to call 'dibs' on their favorite spots on and around my bed!  (They even helped make it!!)

They all worked hard with little help from me because they were determined to NOT interrupt... they really  wanted to try on those costumes fresh off the machine!

Today, we were heading into town (a serious trip in rural Montana!).  First, to visit their grandma and go to AWANAS but then because my husband became very ill and we had a doctor's appointment in the afternoon.  I told the kids they could not play on grandma's computer or watch her t.v. (a luxury they don't have at home!) unless ALL the work AND their chores were done first!

I was blown away by their diligence.  My 12 year old even did her language arts HERSELF, reading the directions and using the examples to deduct how to complete the work!  I didn't tell her she had to do it that way... she CHOOSE to do it that way!

I am so proud of them, which is why I share it here, next week we may be back to the usual nagging, but this week... this week is good!

I also share here because I realized something today.  When I sit next to my kids in every part of their homework, they lean on me.  I am a crutch for a good leg.  They often don't need me to hold them up but they rely on me to do so because I always have.  It almost seems prudent to strategically plan to leave the room now and then... they actually accomplish more and ask less about things they already know. 

I would like to reiterate, Yes, I like being the school marm and I welcome the moments huddled close to my sweet darlings, working out a math problem or breaking down a hard word.  But I want them to learn how to learn.  I want them to have a desire that comes from within to do better, be better, and know more... no matter where I am in proximity!

With that... here is the finished product of Tuesday's bedroom/sewing school day!

A Goliath Era David and a young Mary!

play vs. schoolwork

What do you do when your kids won't do schoolwork?  Everyone handles this their own way.  I respect that... completely!  What do you do when they don't want to homeschool because (there perception) you are interrupting their play?!

A child's play at a young age is so important.  But as they grow older and enter elementary schoolwork, it really is time to lay aside the cars and dolls for a few hours each day to pursue some training in phonics or work in math facts.  This can be devastating for some children.

I know parents whose children fight them on the play vs. schoolwork issue.  I, personally, have a few children who don't 'fight' me on the issue but they are very distracted by thinking about play instead of their schoolwork.  They sometimes result to complaining, "We aren't done yet?" because they want to get back to their "game" (a.k.a playing pretend!).

"Blueberry" isn't really a distraction... unless she is feeling mischievous!

Our love-hate relationship with Legos!!

Last year, I decided to approach this from a few different angles:
1)  What does the Bible say?  The Bible tells us "Wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding" Proverbs 10:23.  A simple search reveals a plethora of verses and stories in Scripture that leave no question to the value of education and wisdom.  Sharing God's desires for our lives with our children can never start too early. The last two school years have started with this instruction!
2)  While play is necessary for children, it can quickly become a privilege and not a given when it overtakes their schoolwork.  If the kids don't want to set aside their play things for learning time they jeopardize loosing a given toy (even if only temporarily).
3)  Dad is principle.  I had a hard time with this at first.  Before we went into missions work, my husband would be gone all day at work.  The last thing I wanted to do was "tattle" on my kids and cause my husband further stress.  But God revealed to me the importance of the parent team.  I didn't run to my husband with EVERYTHING... that would have been overwhelming!  But issues that were not able to be resolved with my management and/or required reinforcement were brought to him.  And just like a public school.... you don't want to be in the principles office!  He is always quicker to withhold privileges than teacher mom!  But this works both ways.  Principle Dad also likes to hear about (and reward) achievements... and kids always want to strive for those achievements in lieu of the reprimands.

Every day of homeschool may not (and will not) be "perfect".  But every day is an opportunity to grow both as students and parents.  I pray you grow through your homeschool today!

Knowledge IS (divine) Power

We get a really great Christian radio station in our area (KALS 97.1 F.M.) and when I can, I like to listen to their broadcast of teachings from Insight for Living with Chuck Swindoll. Chuck just has a great way of tackling issues and truths in this world of ours. I am always inspired when I listen. Yesterday I decided to sign up for e-devotionals and newsletters at his website. Go ahead... check it out, I'll wait.

[You can also pipe into KALS's live broadcast and hear about our neck of the woods first hand! Lots of great music too :-) ]

So I got my first devotional today. It happened to be part 2 in his study of The Legacy of Learning. Ironically, this topic has been weighing heavy on my heart. Especially after I walked in to see my 10 year old/5th grader doing kindergarten level math yesterday for her slotted math time (seriously, it was 5+0 and the like!!) I have been trying to impress upon my children the importance of learning and the gravity of knowledge. I have tried to help them understand the need to challenge themselves and the disadvantages of stagnation in education.

I went to Insight for Living's website and looked up Part One. I printed both off and grabbed our study Bible.

Overall I truly feel that some sturdy groundwork was laid. We talked about the scriptures Chuck reads from. We discussed what knowledge and ignorance are. We talk about other examples in the Bible where knowledge is important. I have even revisited our morning discussion throughout the day. When my 10 year old seemed to teeter on melt down over skip counting with 7's this afternoon, I reiterated our study. I pointed out that we need to start with what we do know to find what we don't know. It helped. I also quoted Edison in the form of, "I haven't failed, I have found 10,000 ways that did not work"!

Knowledge is so important. Those without it are easily duped, mislead, and simply made fools of. Is this, perhaps, a keynote of the alleged "dumbing down" in our public schools? My (public schooled) oldest son's 8th grade English teacher told her class the Swastika was the Jewish sign for good luck! Is this a way to keep them a step behind so they will fall for anything? I do NOT want that for my homeschooled children. That is why I am so animate in encouraging thought and the active pursuit of knowledge!

It is inspiring to find truth and support in God's Word (and handy quotes). I am uplifted and hopeful, though I know many 'reminders' will be needed to impress these points. I am thankful that I now have a foundation to build on and that the kids are already responding more to that than to my nagging. Praise God for His Holy Word!