"Word of the Day", in pirate hat
We've done a lot of different things during Circle Time over the years. Last spring we went through the book of Acts together, notebooking each chapter. There were four of us who could read, so we divvied up the verses each day and shared the reading of the chapter. After the reading, we each drew a picture of an event or two that occurred in that particular chapter that day, and then the pictures were compiled into each child's binder. This worked beautifully; the oldest participant (me) could draw at my level and the youngest (5) could draw at hers. At the end of every day, each child was eager to show Dad their work, and so reinforcement was happening naturally, as well.
We've read books, celebrated Advent with a Jesse Tree, written letters to friends abroad, sung everyone's favorite praise song, prayed for friends in crisis, and laughed a lot. We've encouraged each other, built one another up, and discussed the things we're working on.
And yet. I lost steam. Maybe it was the unexpected pregnancy this past fall? Circle Time had become really, really predictable. And I admit I wasn't giving it much effort.
Dana challenged me a few weeks ago to once again take hold of our Circle Time and really make something of it. What we're doing now is a mix of her ideas and our established habits. And it's going very, very well.
Circle Time -- Spring 2008
- prayer
- Scripture memory, currently corresponding with what we're doing together at church:
Colossians 3:12-17
Ephesians 1:3-14
Ephesians 2:10
Romans 5:12-21
Romans 8:1-10
Matthew 5:1-19
Isaiah 53:1-12
- Word of the Day - Each child copies the word onto a piece of paper. The older ones must define it, write an original sentence using the word, and illustrate it while the younger ones simply illustrate it. HT: Dana
- Ruth Heller grammar books. We read the day's grammar snippet and then the children copy the concept (ie, "verb of being"). The older ones write a sentence illustrating the concept while the youngers simply draw a picture to describe the idea. HT: Dana
-Draw to Learn the Book of Proverbs. Thanks to my friend Liz for this one. See Liz? You newbies can teach us oldies some new tricks!
- A Child's Geography: Explore the Holy Land. It's Ann Voskamp-- need I say more?
There is a lot I could write about Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn, but suffice it to say that I just have a lot of respect for both of them. Years ago we heard them speak on classical education and were a little taken aback by their laid back approach to the early years of homeschooling. But the proof is in the pudding, folks, and what their children went on to study makes my paltry 13 years of public education look like child's play.
Often, however, we tend to have a starry-eyed view of those we've never met. If we finally do meet them, we find that they are human like us. Last spring on a whim, two friends and I were in Chicago during our annual get-together, and one of us said to the other two, "Wanna drive out to the Bluedorn's tomorrow? I'll call Laurie and see if we can come." She did, we did, and what a fun time it was.
I loved seeing their home, filled with the obvious signs of years of home education. Beautiful artwork rendered by their children lined the walls. Books, books, books, which of course prompted us to ask which were their favorites. Johanna showed us her latest painting, there on its easel in her bedroom. There were cookies to share, and afterwards, someone in that home had to wash the plates, just like in our homes. See? They're normal.
I asked Laurie to contribute something for my readers here, and this is what she sent. But don't cast it aside if you only have little ones. I think these are excellent things to keep in mind as our children are growing, particularly as we mother boys. They need us to respect them, and finding the balance between homeschooling/mothering and respecting them can be tricky.
I thought I would share with you a few of the things I've learned over the past several years. This is addressed to parents of adult children, but parents of young children could perhaps benefit, since, in no time at all, you will all be parents of adult children.
How to treat your adult children:
1. The majority of the time that you are talking with your adult child, you should be doing the listening, not the talking. Real and attentive listening. Respectful listening -- not appearing to be listening or thinking about what you need to be doing next or what you want to say next, but real listening.
2. Talk to your adult children in the same way which you would talk to any of your peers. Your body language, tone of voice, facial expressions, language, and level of respect should be the same as what you use with your peers.
3. There must be trust. The members of a family must trust each other. Without mutual trust there can be no family peace, order, fellowship, respect, or communion.
4. Address the concerns of your adult children in a timely manner. Don't continue to put off resolving issues or acting on matters, but have enough respect for your adult children to move forward, making decisions promptly on issues which are important to them. Don't be eternally saying, "Well, I'm praying about it."
5. Avoid exaggeration -- it undermines trust and respect. Exaggeration is a learned behavior and your children will most certainly adopt the behavior if they see it in you.
6. If children are exposed to a steady stream of negativity and criticism, leveled against them or against others, it will undermine their trust and confidence in you, and it will interfere with their ability to respect you. When the parent is negative and critical, his intended result is that the child will become more discerning and careful. But in actuality, the effect of steady negativity and criticism is usually the opposite -- it serves to pull down and inhibit growth, and causes the child to not take the parent seriously.
7. It is most likely that at some time in his life and in some area of his life, your adult child will disagree with your views on different issues, be it politics, nutrition, music, dress, courtship, or (gasp!!) theology. Have enough respect for your adult child to discuss these differences in the same way that you discuss differences with your peers.
Good stuff, isn't it? Come back tomorrow and enter to win some beautiful prizes that Laurie has graciously donated, just for Preschoolers and Peace!
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As I wrote before, I am not an artist. I can do plenty of other things, but art-- oy! I really stink! Once I drew a picture of a monkey on our white board and it sent my kids into such a fit of giggles we had to stop school. To this day they jokingly remind me of the funny "blob with a tail" I drew.
So as I was thinking through the 2007/2008 school year last summer, I was a little stumped in the art department. Timberdoodle, one of my favorite homeschooling resource providers, recommended a computer-based art program called Gee Art, and after viewing the sample on their website, I took the plunge and ordered it.
Super. Really, really super! I learned so much just sitting by the kids as they explored its many levels with all kinds of art history facts, artist profiles, masterpieces, and even hands-on projects that allow the student to explore concepts of color, spacial relationships, and other art concepts that are a bit beyond me to pull off. The animation is excellent, done by former Disney animators.
Just one problem: Gee Art was a subscription-based, online program that required internet access to use it. Since our schoolroom computers don't have internet access, that meant the kids were always needing to use my laptop in order to utilize Gee Art. No problem unless I also needed to be using my computer, too. But guess what? The creators of Gee Art have now redesigned the program to be accessed on a CD, at a very reasonable price. They also renamed it "Creativity Express".
Creativity Express includes a year's worth of art instruction that meets National and State Standards for Art Education established by the Consortium of National Arts Education Associations, and also meets the guidelines outlined in the National Technology Plan.
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I've seen a lot of curriculum come on the market in the past eleven years of homeschooling. One of the first things I purchased was Art With a Purpose, and it has served us well with each child. I didn't realize until I was looking for the above link that the individual Art Pacs were so reasonably priced. Here I've been using the same one for every child, but at $8 per pac, each child really could have their own.
I'm not an artist and I struggle to come up with projects for the little ones. Art With a Purpose Art Pacs have given me projects that are quick to pull together and not a big deal to produce. Certainly there are flashier art products on the market, but for the price and the simplicity, Art With a Purpose is a good bet.
Yesterday our six-year-old spent a happy 15 minutes waiting for everyone else to be done with their school work. Here's what she accomplished:
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Happy girl, happy mom, cute Mrs. Snowman.
Next time I'll write about a fabulous art program we've loved that is geared more toward the 6 and up crowd.Anyone who has known me for the past five years knows what a The Mystery of History zealot I am! Linda Hobar's excellent history curriculum has touched the lives of our family in many ways, and we are happy to be back in Volume I this year.
I loved reading Linda's answers and I hope you will, too. And of course, be sure to comment (don't forget to leave your name and contact info!) and you'll be entered into a drawing for either The Mystery of History, Volume I, Volume II, or the recording Linda has done of Volume I. We are using that this year and are loving it, too.
Contest ends Friday, October 26th 2007, at midnight.
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1.Tell us about your family.
This is a dangerous question! There is so much I could say. My family is the most endearing part of my life. But I’m preaching to the choir here as most of you feel the same about your little ones. So, let me give some basics so you can meet my sordid crew.
Ron – hubby. He is a strange mix of fun and overachievement – I fell in love with him upon our first meeting. I married him 6 months later. It was a landslide experience from which I’ve not yet recovered. Ron and I are a high maintenance couple – we require a lot of TLC to keep ourselves on track with one another. We’re both very obsessive compulsive, driven, and manic. We’re a perfect match! Our favorite past time together is kayaking. We make it a regular date for relaxation from our extremism. Ron works for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as director of youth baseball. We are trying to relocate to Memphis, TN for greater opportunity in his field.
Heather – she is our lovely college graduate and much like her dad. Heather beat us all with brains, after 11 years of homeschool, she soared through college with a degree in communications from Dallas Baptist University. Presently, she is employed at Starbuck’s – loves the company and hopes to get into management. She is also working for me doing all of my shipping, which is a growing job requiring good management. I love having her as part of my business. It bridges our worlds. She aspires to write historical fiction for children. You can only imagine my delight. She has a special young man in her life who we hope to see her marry about a year from now. In the meantime she is living at home to save money. We love having her back around.
Kyle – my only son, with eyes to die for. After 9 years of homeschool, he is a freshman at Greenville College in Illinois. To his father’s delight, he is playing baseball. To my delight he’s making great grades. He is to biology what I am to history. It is his passion and he aspires to join the medical field in some capacity. He was articulate by age 4 and I think he could be a great writer. He makes me laugh and loves a good back scratch.
Ashley – if any of my children are me, it’s Ashley. Looks and personality – I can not deny she is mine. Ashley is currently in 9th grade, homeschooling after a break of a few years. She is enrolled in Veritas Academy as we are leaning more toward classical education than in the past. I’m very proud of her self- determination and well roundedness. She is a friend to all; bright and cheerful. Presently, she likes math, hates economics, and hopes to be a news anchor one day.
2. What prompted you to write The Mystery of History?
The Lord – through my kids. I used to stay up at night trying to mesh Bible and world history. I had limited resources and said, kiddingly, one day I’ll write my own curriculum. I knew exactly what I wanted – it was in my mind, but not on paper. Then one day, while cooking dinner, I felt as if the Lord gave me the title of the series. I recognized it right away and believe it was a calling of sorts. I went downstairs right then and there and wrote a dedication page to my kids. It remains as is in Vol I. That was the beginning. The Lord provided for the rest. When I heard The Mystery of History, I believed right then and there that I was to communicate the Gospel, the mystery, through my love of history. I wasn’t seeking a career – but am happy now to have one. By being such a leaky vessel, I know it is God’s grace that allows me to write. He has used my quirks, my passion, and my obsessive-ness to further His name. He seems to delight in showing up in such unlikely candidates.
3. How do you think moms can light a fire of enthusiasm for history in their
children?
Read it yourself and find a time period that excites you. Not all will, but those that do will be contagious. Well, not always. None of my children are as enthusiastic as I am about history, but how could they be? It is my calling, not theirs. I think sometimes they humor me when I ooze my history stories over dinner. At the same time, they are very proud, and they do know their history. I think it influences and strengthens our faith as a family as we cannot deny the truth of the gospel. That is one of my points of teaching it all- it is to see God. My kids may never love the stories of history like I do, but I think they’ve caught my love for the Lord. They of course have some growing and testing yet to go through as they are just starting their young lives. But I see them, praise the Lord, on the right track. Their world view is secure – I trust the Lord for the rest to follow as they hit those inevitable bumps and bruises of life.
So, to answer your question. Read with them, show your own oohs and ahhs while learning or relearning the parts of history that got past you the first time. Most of us, 30-40 year olds, had terrible world history growing up. We are playing catch up! Be transparent about that with them and learn with them. It makes for a great growing time together. My kids realize I’m still learning a lot as I go – and I think they admire my passion and will apply it to their loves.
4. Your connections between Biblical history and world history have been
fascinating to our family. We have also learned about so many bold
Christians who went before us. What do you hope to impress upon the young
(and old) minds who are using The Mystery of History as their core history
curriculum?
I think I just answered that question above. I hope to inspire a love for God in it all. History is sometimes just history. Sometimes it is a compilation of facts that don’t move us. But other times, it is so real I can touch it. I feel it. I breathe it because it is God’s hand I see in other’s lives who lived long before I did. The common experience of man with the Lord does more for my faith than I can express. When I turn to the Word and it speaks to me, that is life changing. When I read of someone else having that same experience a thousand years ago – I feel part of something so much bigger than me, bigger than this world. It’s inspiring and prompts me to want to “do” my part well. I’ve got one chance at this life. How will I live it? What damage or contribution have others made and where will I fall on that spectrum? I hope others think about these things when reading The Mystery of History. What would their biography look like stacked up against Cleopatra, Jean d’Albret, Oliver Cromwell, or Leonardo da Vinci? (Just to name a few famous faces.)
5. What are the most important things new homeschooling moms should know?
Relax, breathe, and keep good records. Others are watching, but don’t perform for them. Lay it before the Lord. Pray and ask, “Dear Lord, what would you have our family school look like?” It might surprise you. If we all prayed that, we might chuck a ton of our books and be out serving more. Pure religion is caring for widows and orphans but some days its easier to read. Keep a blend of real life with academics. That’s what our kids are desperate for – keep it real. Meals, helps, scripture, service, modeling the Christian life - and then some math and English. That’s teaching.
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Sherry Early writes a literary blog called Semicolon, and it is there where I first discovered her Picture Book Preschool, which accompanies me every time I reserve books from the library online.
Sherry Early
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 4
1. Tell us about your family:
My family consists of Engineer Husband, who works at NASA, and me, a former librarian and teacher, now homeschool teacher and mother. We have eight urchins: Eldest Daughter is 22 years old, graduated from our homeschool and from college and looking at graduate schools. Computer Guru Son is 20 years old. He's taking a year off from college after completing his freshman year so that he can work, earn some money, and decide what he wants to do next. Dancer Daughter is almost 18, and she's also working this year to earn some money for college since she completed all her high school work a year early. Elven Daughter is 16, and she's a sophomore in high school. She spends a lot of time on the computer, Brown Bear Daughter is 12 going on 20. She dances, plays the flute, and reads her favorite books over and over again. Karate Kid, age 10, has moved from karate to drama and canoeing this year, but I still like to call him Karate Kid because it fits his all-boy personality. Bethy-Bee is 8 years old, and she's the quiet, gentle, delicate child of the house---except when her stubborn streak is aroused. Sh likes to arrange and decorate and draw and write. Z-Baby is just 6, and she's still learning to read. So I still have one child to whom I can read picture books. All the others listen, too, though, even when they are pretending to be too old for picture books.
2. How (or why) did you develop Picture Book Preschool?
I started putting together the lists in my book Picture Book Preschool when Eldest Daughter was a preschooler. I liked having themes for the week or for the month, reading lots of books about the same subject, and so I began to write down the titles of the ones that I knew of or that I borrowed from the library that were the best. Then, I kept notes about the simple activities that we tried out to go along with the books. And then I thought, "These lists, with a little work, could be a book." And with a lot of work, they did make a book.
3. What advice can you give a mom who is struggling with a child who doesn’t like reading?
A child who doesn't like reading? Some kids never will be readers in the same sense that I am a reader. I read all the time, always have. Eldest Daughter is the same way I am. My other urchins enjoy reading, but are bit more moderate about it. I am convinced that all of us need and crave stories. If children don't get their stories from TV and movies, they'll be more inclined to read. If they don't read for some reason, maybe a physical or mental problem, they still need stories, and parents can provide those stories by reading aloud and by telling stories about their own childhood and family. Bottom line: reading is great, and most kids who are read to and who see their parents reading will become readers sooner or later. But sometimes God just hasn't wired them to be voracious readers, and that's O.K. He made them, and there is no verse in the Bible that indicates that it's a sin not to read.
4. Besides reading aloud, what do you feel are other necessary components of a preschooler’s day?
I adapted and expanded Melissa WIley's Rule of SIx to fit our homeschool and came up with the following ten things that I would like to include in every day at our house. I don't always do all of these, but it's a goal:
1. Meaningful work
2. Meals
3. Prayer and Bible reading.
4. Poetry
5. Good books
6. Mathematics
7. Beautiful art and music
8. Play or work outdoors
9. Imaginative play
10. Adventure
Here's my post from August about this list.
5. What are the most important things new homeschooling moms should know?
New homeschooling moms should . . . take it easy. Enjoy your children. If you surround them with books and nature and art and music and mathematics, they will learn. You don't have to buy expensive curricula (even though it's fun for mom). Try to relax and don't over-schedule. Pick a few things (math, reading, nature study) and do them consistently, daily if possible. Don't let anyone steal your joy.
And that's good advice for me, too. I have to remind myself frequently that joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit and that I need to demonstrate the joy of the Lord to my urchins.
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Thank you, Sherry. Hey everyone- don't forget to leave a comment to be entered into the drawing for a copy of Sherry's book, Picture Book Preschool! We'll close the drawing on Sunday, October 14th at midnight.
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