Daily School Schedule . . . still tweaking
September 3, 2008
Since my last post about homeschooling, our agenda has changed a bit. Some curricula have been finished, and others taken their place. Here is our daily schedule, which we are still tweaking to get all the bugs out.
AM:
7:00-8:00 : Showers
8:00-9:00 : Bible | Breakfast | PolishedCornerstones
9:00-10:15 : CopyCan | DayBook | Vocabulary | Geometry | SATQ
10:15-11:00 : OneYearAdventureNovel
11:00-11:50 : BiologyNOON:
11:50-1:15 : Lunch | CleanUpPM:
1:15-2:30 : History
2:30-evening : GraphicDesign | Photography | Music | Literature | Health
For the weekly schedule, we are using the Daily Docket (from simplemom.net). This form has a great layout and is nicely organized. If you are wondering what curricula we are using for these subjects, they should be listed in my post about our agenda.
For this coming year, I pray that it will be God glorifying, and His name praised in all that we do.
new school year
August 9, 2008
On July 28, we started the new school year. I knew I missed it, but didn’t realize how much until we started. The schedule is working pretty well. Here are the subjects that I’m studying this year:
• Polished Cornerstones
Right now we’re studying A Self-Disciplined Woman (Pro. 31:17; 1 Cor. 9:25-27; James 1:19-20).
• Geometry (Math-U-See)
This curriculum explains each lesson to where it is easily understood and enjoyed.
• Essay Intensive (Institute for Excellence in Writing)
Learning how to write an impressive essay from Andrew Pudewa.
• Biology (Apologia)
I’m hoping to get this finished by the end of the school year.
• History (Tapestry of Grace)
We are finishing up Year 4 of Tapestry and then we are going to study Year 1. It is a very thorough curriculum that covers world history, church history, literature, geography, and several other subjects.
• Health
Leftover from last year, and I should be able to finish it in a few weeks.
• HTML
Right now working on our church’s website in Dreamweaver.
• Graphic Design
Using Adobe programs: Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Violin
I’m hoping to get a new teacher this year.
• Literature
We use the list from Tapestry of Grace, the books are usually written by someone living at the time or are about the time we’re studying.
“I will meditate on Your precepts
And regard Your ways.
I shall delight in Your statutes;
I shall not forget Your word.” – Psalm 119:15-16
We have now been homeschooling for 11 years. I am so very thankful to God for calling us to homeschool, it was never in our plan, but the Lord has seen fit to teach us through it and bring us closer as a family.
IAHE Convention
April 25, 2008
On the 18th & 19th of this month, my family attended the Indiana Association of Home Educators (IAHE) Convention. We arrived around 8:10am (they opened the doors at 8am). That was the earliest we’ve ever been there before (we go every year), and it wasn’t crowded yet so it was quite peaceful.
At the convention, there are two general sessions on each day. One is in the morning and the other in the afternoon or evening. The general session is the time where all (well, most) of the convention attendees come together and listen to one of the main speakers. Below is a list and summary of the sessions I went to.
-
Friday, April 18th
- AM GENERAL SESSION
The History of Homeschoolers’ Struggle to be Free
Presented by Mike Smith, President of HSLDA
In this session, Mike Smith told stories of past homeschoolers when it was illegal to homeschool in America. He also explained some of the struggles that many went through to make homeschooling legal.
- WORKSHOP I
Why Students Walk Away from Their Faith
Presented by John Stonestreet, Executive Director of Summit Ministries
When you don’t believe in truth, you can believe in anything. Many students once they hit the college years are walking away from the faith. John Stonestreet gave several reasons why this is happening. Students don’t know who to trust, how to think, who they are, and don’t “get” Christianity. What needs to be done? Parents need to teach their children how to see the world from a Biblical world view.
- PM GENERAL SESSION
Revival in America: Building a Godly Legacy for Generations
Presented by Norm Wakefield, Founder of The Spirit of Elijah Ministries
In this session, Norm Wakefield talked about America and how greatly it needs a revival. We cannot build a godly legacy for generations without a personal revival, so he gave several points on the mindset of personal revival. We must have a humble heart and follow God and His way. Our children need to see God’s strength in us at all times. Have faith in God. God will not disappoint you.
- WORKSHOP II (we decided to shop in the vendor hall – so we didn’t go to any of the workshops)
- WORKSHOP III
Living Happily Ever After . . . A Modern Day Love Story
Presented by Woody & Gina Robertson
This newlywed couple, shared about their courtship and what God did in their lives to prepare for it. Lordship is what they call courtship, because they kept the Lord and His will as the focus of their lives. In their single years they sought God and His will for their lives. A couple of questions that they asked themselves was “Who is God wanting me to serve?” and “What’s my message?”
-
Saturday, April 19th
- AM GENERAL SESSION
Anchored in Christ: Building a Firm Foundation for Generations
Presented by Norm Wakefield, Founder of The Spirit of Elijah Ministries
Norm Wakefield spoke about our goals and what our ultimate goals should be. We must live and teach the Gospel with power, and prepare our children for life and eternity. Our problem is that we drift and we need to watch out for our unbelief. When we find that we’ve had unbelieving thoughts and actions, we need to repent of it and go to God and ask forgiveness, give Him the glory, say and believe that it all belongs to Him, and thank Him. Give thanks to God! Display Christ – it will draw others to Him!
- WORKSHOP I
The Brave New World of Biotechnology
Presented by John Stonestreet, Executive Director of Summit Ministries
Biotechnology : : the industrial use of living organisms, or the application of technique of living organisms. Bioethics : : right conduct in the area of biotechnology. You can defend your faith in anything and in any topic. Our moral questioning doesn’t seem to be around when it comes to biotechnology – God’s Word is authority! John Stonestreet spoke on all the different things that are going on in biotechnology (I will leave them unmentioned), and shared about the challenges that we have as Christians. Biotechnology is being done in the context of a false (and dangerous) cultural world view. Only the church has hope and we need to go to our Biblical foundations and send strong Christians to the “mission field” of biotechnology.
- WORKSHOP II
Training Young Ladies to be Bright Lights for the Lord
Presented by Tomorrow’s Forefathers
In this session, four young ladies spoke to parents about how they can train their daughters to be Bright Lights for the Lord. Some of the points were to give training in godliness, lay a solid foundation of Scripture, see the need for continual protection, give a vision for the future, and being committed to prayer. They shared a little about the Bright Lights groups that were started by Sarah Mally. Bright Lights was set up for girls to pursue godliness, to have positive peer-pressure, and to minister to others. Grace, Sarah’s younger sister, was one of the young ladies who spoke during this session.
- WORKSHOP III (we decided to shop in the vendor hall – so we didn’t go to any of the workshops)
- PM GENERAL SESSION
The Greatest Threat Homeschool Movement Freedoms – The Future of Homeschooling
Presented by Mike Smith, President of HSLDA
There are people out there who do not think that parents are qualified or capable of teaching their own children. Statistics show that the parents’ education had no effect on their children’s test scores. Some people think that the government should have full responsibility of educating our children. We can’t take for granted the freedoms that we have to home educate our children. We have to continue to fight for these rights, otherwise they will be taken from us.
-
This year the Home School Legal Defense Association is celebrating their 25 years of service to the homeschooling community. In honor of that, they held a little reception, and Mike Smith spoke about what they’ve done over the years, and what they are planning on doing in the future. During this talk, Breezy drew Mr. Smith, so afterwards she went up with daddy to meet him to get his signature by the drawing. Of course, Mom and I followed. We had a nice chat with him, he’s a very sweet, down-to-earth, grandfatherly figure.
This conference is about being encouraged in the Lord and in our homeschooling journey – and it truly was!
Tid-Bits and Prayer Request
April 1, 2008
Last night it rained quite a bit, and we woke this morning to green grass. Oh, it’s just down-right refreshing! I never realized how much I enjoy grass – especially when it’s green. Today has been rather cloudy. But one day it will be warm and the sun will shine! I love being around people, and the past couple weeks have been quite busy with “people gatherings.”
Mom and I have created a blog all about homeschooling in Indiana. Mom sends out an email for the hoemschoolers in our area, and sometimes the links and such can be quite overwhelming. So in setting up this site, we have lots of links on the sidebars. We decided to name it “Right Here In Indiana” after much thought and many suggestions. We didn’t get too creative with the title, but it’s kinda cute. We will post different articles about homeschooling, and now and then have a guest writer. We’ve been working on it for a couple weeks now, and we’ve finally got it all set up. The template has been quite a bit of fun designing. We are keeping the graphics at a minimum, so that viewers with dial-up won’t have any trouble in loading the page. We’d like to know what you think, and maybe even a few suggestions on different post topics or links that should be on the sidebar. You can visit the new blog here.
What do you think of my new signature? I had quite a bit of fun designing it. First I wrote my name on a piece of paper, scanned the paper, and then put that image in Adobe Illustrator, and drew it. Then I changed the color, drug it over to Adobe Photoshop, and saved it as a png, deleting the white background. They’re quite fun to design.
My uncle Chris is in need of your prayers. On Easter he noticed that his leg was beginning to swell around his knee. He went to the doctor last Tuesday and the doctor wanted him to go to the hospital, but Chris convinced him to just prescribe him some medication. The swelling went down just a tad, he went to his second appointment, and the doctor told him that he needed to be admitted into the hospital. Since Thursday Chris has been in the hospital. The swelling in his leg grew to about 2 times larger than normal, and spread into his upper thigh. They did surgery on his leg on Saturday to see if there was a foreign object causing the problem, but all that was found was a lot of infection. They want to perform another surgery on his leg tomorrow. Please pray that God would give the doctors wisdom, and that He would heal Chris’s leg. Maggie will probably continue to update you all on about Chris. Thank you so much for the prayers!
Blessings!
Homemaker in Training Thursday #3
February 7, 2008
“Sewing is a creative mess, and is better than tidy idleness.”
When Breezy and I were young, Momma always made sure we had something to do with our hands, whether it be embroidery, sewing, crocheting, knitting, or drawing. She has taught us how to make creative handiwork projects. I’ve been greatly blessed with a mother who teaches me valuable things that I will be able to use in the present and in the future.
I‘ve formed habits that when ever Mom’s reading aloud, I’m listening to an audio book, or even having a conversation with guests, I feel like I need to be doing something productive with my hands (even though I don’t always work with my hands during these times, I still feel like I ought to).
Momma is raising us to be productive with our time. Because of that (and the grace God has given me to see them through!), I have been able to complete large projects that I wouldn’t have been able to do without using my every spare minute. A couple of these are my yoyo coverlet and the cross-stitch of the USA.
By trying to use my time productively, I will be able to create things for my future home, whether they be decorations or useful items. One day I hope to adorn my own home with the items I have created with my own hands.
“She stretches out her hand to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.” – Proverbs 31:20
For other’s Homemaker in Training posts, please visit Eyebright’s blog.
Wrapping my brain . . .
January 10, 2008
. . . before long it’s going to get twisted beyond repair.
This afternoon I had an art lesson from a dear friend. We went over perspective, and I believe I actually have my brain wrapped around the subject . . . most of it. Breezy took lessons from her on drawing and watercolor painting. I am now taking classes from her on perspective and color theory, so that I can apply what I learn to my graphic designing.
I had my first piano lesson after a five year break. I have taken piano lessons from three other ladies, but I never wrapped my brain around the theory part (they actually didn’t even teach theory). I had taken a break from it, because I had some bad experiences, and then I began violin lessons. My violin teacher was the best that ever lived, but sadly she moved away. So now I’m back to piano . . . to learn more theory. Then I hope to start the oboe, and continue on my own with violin and piano.
Algebra. So many thoughts pop into my head when I think about this word. I like algebra — quite a bit actually. I’ve always enjoyed math. Of course there have been those day where my brain just isn’t working properly and I don’t get it, or I just can’t seem to focus. Lately I’ve been doing the word problems, with the four analysis questions that make the problems so much simpler. But I sometimes have trouble remembering what to do once I’ve come up with my open sentences. Today I worked with motion problems, and I think it’s pretty neat how you can figure out the distance from the rate times the time, and all that good stuff.
I‘ve been studying in health about keeping a sound mind. One of the things the chapter touched on was the ear. It is so intricately designed (by God!), I can’t believe that anyone could think we evolved from random chance! When Breezy and I were 5 and 7 we studied the ear, and did a three-dimensional model of it. Here’s a photo of us and the model (Bre-right, me-left). It doesn’t exactly look like one, but it is.
Bre and I have been going through Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem with the Rebelution Forum. I have really enjoy the study, and learned a good deal about the Cannon of Scripture, God’s Attributes, the Trinity, the Inerrancy of Scripture, etc. Mr. Grudem explains the subjectss quite clearly, there will be upcoming posts about some of these topics. We were inspired to read Systematic Theology when we were at the Rebelution Conference, and I’m extremely glad we’ve gotten in on the study.
I shall leave you with a passage that has encouraged me. God’s forgiveness is so amazing! God is SO good!
“If You, Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with You,
That You may be feared.” – Psalm 130:3-4
You know you’re having a bad day when . . .
October 18, 2007
(to get the full effect, you need to say the mom’s lines with a low growl)
If you notice, all the pencils in the mom’s hand are Ticonderogas.
It was funnier in person.
For more posts on pencils go to the HSB Community Blog.
School Days
August 6, 2007
A week ago today was monumental for me.
The first day of school.
Oh, it has been simply wonderful. I had missed it so badly and I didn’t even know it.
Schedules help so dearly, I wouldn’t get anything done if we did not have one.
Mom, Bre, and I do a Bible study in the mornings after our quiet time. We use the books from Doorposts, we’ve been going through Polished Cornerstones, but right now we are taking a break and doing Beauty and the Pig. These studies have helped in strengthening our walks with Christ. I have been extremely encouraged and blessed through these studies.
If writing were a sandwich I’d eat it. Okay, so I was using one of the things I learned today in writing (experimenting with sentence opening). In writing we are using Student Writing Intensive Group C from The Institute for Excellence. Mom, Bre, and I have learned a lot already. The teacher, Andrew Pudewa, is simply hilarious, we’ve cracked up quite a lot while watching the lessons.
In Algebra, we are using Video Text. In my world: The best ever math program. Algebra is such fun!
For History, Geography, Literature, and everything else that can be tied in, we use Tapestry of Grace. The author, Mrs. Somerville, is amazing, she ties everything into one. It’s like relish to my day. I highly recommend it!
Within the sphere of science, we use the textbooks from Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc.
While living the life my Lord has blessed me with, I am at home with my family enjoying being a daughter, homemaker and artist. My highest goal is to give glory to God and enjoy Him forever. It is He that has saved me with His amazing grace and is continually molding me; to Him I owe everything. Read more . . .
