Today

Science lessons lay scattered across the kitchen table.

Gilgamesh sat unopened on the bed.

Library books rested neatly on the desk.

And math problems remained unsolved on the chalkboard.

Cause when the sun shines brightly in October,

the outdoor thermometer tops out at 73 degrees (yet again!),

and rain rests squarely in tomorrow's forecast...

what's a gal to do??

Scrap the schoolwork (for the time being, at least :) and head outdoors!

It seemed to be a popular choice :)

Homeschooling benefit #103

Art "class" can happen any time...

and sometimes there aren't even any rules :)

Everything I need to know I learned in kindergarten

This past week... something new.

Here's the sketch: Fridays= co-op days. This year, Big Man is a part of the kindergarten class-- nine 4 and 5-year olds, all energetic, enthusiastic, and excited about learning and playing and exploring. Led by a fabulous team of women, these children will surely thrive! So needless to say, Big Man adores this time. And every single week we count down the days until we get to go back. Of course when we have a week off from co-op, near tragedy strikes. But that's a whole other story~

Back to Friday. I was able to sit in on the beginning of the kindergarten class before I had to leave to teach my own, and while there, I was able to observe their regular morning routine. Circle time, Bible time, poem time-- this go round a sweet little one about manners.

We say "thank you"

We say "please"

And "excuse me" when we sneeze.

That's the way we do

what's right

We have manners

We're polite!

Well, before reviewing the poem, Mrs. D. asked the kiddos if they could remember any of the manners they had discussed the week before. Of course, little hands flew up and immediately a whole plethera of manners were discussed and demonstrated and discussed once again... until an eager little beaver raised her hand and shared this one... a "manner" I've never ever heard before., but one I will surely never forget. In her squeaky little voice she emphatically stated:

NEVER sneak out the window!

Hmmm... I never realized window-sneaking was such a problem in the kindergarten co-op arena. But now I know, and now a whole classroom full of kindergarten blessings knows that they are NOT to go there either.

Surely this new-found knowledge will come in handy in the days and weeks to come... after all, I DID learn it in kindergarten.

Not Back to School Blog Hop: Student Photo Week

During the month of August, Heart of the Matter has been hosting a Not Back to School blog hop, and boy oh boy, there's been lots of good stuff to read! Unfortunately, I came in a bit late on the whole thing and missed posting our curriculum plans for week 1, and then, since I don't have a designated school space in our home, I decided not to participate in the hop for week 2. Now, however, that it's the middle of the month, and now that week 3 is upon us, I get to finally chime in because I DO have students... and they're the best part of it all!

As I searched for a few recent pics of my crew to share in this post, I automatically looked for a few nice, traditional poses... but after pausing for a moment (and after uploading a few recent shots from the backyard), I opted for a few slightly less traditional ones. So with that in mind, here's my crew... my favorite little people in all the world... AND my curriculum plans for next year (I had to get them posted some way or other!)

Bub (11): my rising 6th grader

my swimmer extraordinaire... my compassionate & thoughtful, honest & loyal,

happy-go-lucky, always-loves-the-limelight boy

Math:: Singapore Primary & Intensive Practice 6 A & B; Challenging Word Problems 5

Life of Fred Decimals & Percents (my son BEGS to do more LoF~

I cannot recommend it enough!)

Writing:: Institute for Excellence in Writing. We took a break from IEW this past year; I'm very glad to be returning this fall.

Latin:: finish First Form Latin; start Second Form thereafter

Word Roots A1

Grammar:: Rod & Staff 6

Daily Paragraph Editing 6 (an excellent 3-minute-ish drill each day...

very, very worthwhile)

History/Geography/Literature/Church History:: Tapestry of Grace Year 4

(Love, love, love Tapestry-- definitely the highlight of our last school year!)

Science:: Rainbow Science (biology) through co-op

Bible/Devotions:: still deciding on Bible.

Definitely Scripture Memory and Character Building for Families vol. 1

Logic:: Mindbenders, Perplexors, and 5-Minute Mysteries

Art & Public Speaking:: through co-op

Noh-man (9) on the left: my rising 4th grader

my second swimmer extraordinaire... my tender-hearted, adventure-seeking,

determinedly hardworking, book-loving boy

Math:: Singapore Primary & Intensive Practice 4 A & B; Challenging Word Problems 3

Writing:: Institute for Excellence in Writing

Latin:: finish Lively Latin 1; start Lively Latin 2

Grammar:: Rod & Staff 4 and Daily Paragraph Editing 4

History/Geography/Literature/Church History:: Tapestry of Grace Year 4

Science:: Christian Kids Explore Biology through co-op

Bible/Devotions:: with Bub

Fine Arts:: (to coordinate with the Tapestry curriculum) through co-op

Big Man (5): my rising kindergartner

yet my third swimmer extraordinaire... my belly-flopping, cannonball-diving,

fearless-flopping, gymnast of a guy~ funny and wild and bright

Reading: finish First Reader by Phyllis Schlafly

Nora Gaydos Readers, Pathway readers

Explode the Code 2/3/4

Writing:: A Reason for Handwriting A

copywork, Scripture & poetry in particular

Arithmetic:: finish Horizons K; start Horizons 1

Bible/Devotions:: with his brothers plus AWANA

Literature and activities:: Five in a Row at co-op and at home

Lollipop (2): my ever-present companion... with her bathing suit on backwards.

But she didn't mind-- she put it on all by herself :)

She's my little tiny guppy, my favorite candy on the shelf

(as my sister-in-love likes to call her)...

my pretty-in-pink-and-loving-every-second-of-it gal

The plans for her year~ play, play, play

And that wraps it up here.

Be sure to hop on over to Heart of the Matter for inspiration and encouragement,

and of course... for a peek at all the other students who will surely

be heading back to school in the next few weeks...

ready or not :)

Education is not filling a pail but the lighting of a fire.

~William Butler Yeats

Drive Thru History: America

Just a quick recommendation for anyone looking to reinforce their American history studies before school starts back up in the fall...

Drive Thru History-- Foundations of Character

= a wonderful DVD that teaches the history of our nation from a Christian worldview

as it highlights 8 of the men & women who were instrumental in its founding...

George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Quincy Adams, Abigail Adams,

Benjamin Banneker, Dr. Benjamin Rush, Haym Salomon, and Noah Webster.

(There's also a study guide, but it's designed for middle school & up)

"Discover the character, faith, and experiences of America's founders as they developed this great country where we can worship,

work, travel, and live in freedom!"

The boys have enjoyed it tremendously and look forward to watching

the Drive Thru History: American history series next;

it's at the top of my shopping list :)

And just in case you're new to these resources, their other DVDs are lots of fun, too,

and most are available at your local library. Enjoy!

1000 Gifts: On the farm

The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty,

let all the earth rejoice,

all the earth rejoice...

--Chris Tomlin

Amazed by His grace and overwhelmed by His goodness, I give thanks.

0598

tree-lined drives and deer-filled fields

0599

bright blue skies and split rail fences

0600

the arrival of summer

0601

and the Creator's generosity

0602

a slower pace, a quiet life

0603

simplicity

0604

a fieldtrip with friends, an opportunity to explore

0605

and like-minded families who share, encourage, teach, inspire

0606

loving arms-- never too tired to hold

0607

and a loving heart-- never too full to give more

0608

success!

0609

patience and persistance

0610

and the opportunity to help another

0611

a home

0612

bottle-fed babies

0613
and very best friends

0614

chickens to chase

and the thrill of the catch

0615

childhood delights

"O, LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is Thy name in all the earth!"

Psalm 8:9

and the list goes on...

The C & O Canal

President John Quincy Adams broke ground for the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal

way back in 1828, and due to one complication after another,

the manmade waterway never opened for business until 1850.

It stayed in operation for 74 years, and then in 1971,

concerned citizens successfully convinced Congress to rescue it from ruin

and establish the 184.5 mile-long canal as a National Historical Park.

Open now to the public for "a refuge, a place of retreat, a long stretch of quiet

and peace (Justice William O. Douglas, 1954)," the canal is a delightful setting

for an afternoon get-away... and a fantastic place to experience our nation's history-- alive!

Lil, our ever-gracious hostess (think: mule-power, if you will)

actually pulled us along the water (attached by rope) as she ambled down the towpath,

just like back in olden times,

and one of the locks (think: water elevator)-- it still works!

And let me just tell you... in case you didn't already know

(because it amazed me as much as it did my children)...

to study a lock is one thing; but to experience one, well... that's a whole other matter!

Yep, the C & O Canal--

lovely in every way... and the perfect complement to anyone's history studies!

My educational goals

Last fall, Heidi wrote an excellent post regarding educational goals...

her educational goals.

Goals that have nothing to do with standardized bubble tests,

achievement rates, and assembly line education...

but everything to do with raising truly "human beings."

I was very impressed by her list and have thought of it often,

especially over these past few weeks as I've been elbow-deep in catalogs and books and plans

for our next academic year.

What qualities do I want to see in my children... right now and 10 years from now?

What traits do I want to instill in them?

What do I want for them... in the long run?

When all's said and done, what is the end goal of their education?

For them to be loving, capable, and content? Yes.

But even more-so... for them to be God-honoring, God-following,

God-adoring, God-praising beings... all of their days...

who seek to glorify Him in all they say and do.

So, inspired by Heidi's list and excited by the possibilities,

I decided to write one of my own...

modeled after hers, of course, because she's a creative genius, and me...

well, not so much.

Here's my list:

What I want for my children,

that they might live a rich life:

Love God,

glorify Him, and

hide His Word in your heart.

Serve others.

Give thanks.

Stand for truth & settle for nothing less.

Run with perseverance and

never. give. up.

Learn something new every day.

Ask questions and search for answers.

Read. Read. Read.

And then read some more.

Explore. Investigate. Observe. Discover.

Examine. Inquire. Think.

Play hard and sleep well.

Count your blessings and

laugh. every. single. day.

Learn to be content in all things, and

never forget that character counts.

Smile!

Plant a garden and watch it grow.

Bask in the sunshine and jump in the puddles.

Manage your time and your resources well.

Dream big!

Encourage one another,

and build each other up.

Practice hospitality.

Think, discuss, and share ideas.

Accept new challenges.

Listen before you speak.

Be kind and honor others.

Defend freedom and

protect the innocent.

Be strong & courageous.

Forgive.

Dwell on the lovely, the pure, and the noble,

and ponder His goodness, every single day.

Seek wisdom.

Show compassion.

Sing!

Cherish relationships.

Pray without ceasing.

Care for the needy.

Rejoice!

And always remember: you are loved.

Homeschooling benefit #102

The dog is invited to "P.E. class,"

the catcher is allowed to "take out" the batter,

and the outfielder is allowed (& able) to wreak absolute havoc on the game at any point in time.

And the teacher-- instead of dragging said offenders down the hall to the principal's office

for some obligatory disiplinary measure--

is permitted to simply sit back and laugh. And smile. And delight.

Because this is her family, her time, her love....

God's grace.

Strawberries!

Another fieldtrip... this time to Hollins Farm in Delaplane, VA to pick "boo-eys"

(as Lollipop likes to call them)....

because fieldtrips are fun. And educational. And in this case, so very tasty too...

and because learning really DOES happen there.

Without a textbook, without a workbook, and without a single argument

re: that itsy-bitsy Ticonderoga pencil that really oughta belong to me by now. Sigh.

I think Lolli ate her weight in berries before we left that day...

but I'm sure she wasn't the only one :)

In July we'll head back for peaches.

But in the meantime, we'll enjoy some berries... fresh from the patch...

and a jar or two of homemade strawberry preserves.

Oh, the abundant & wonderfully delicious tastes of summer!

Thank you, Father, for these gifts of your hand~

How do you zoo?

A few days ago we drove into Washington D.C. with some very good friends

(we just love our springtime fieldtrips!) and had a ball at the National Zoo.

We've been there many times before, but this go round we enjoyed an extra exhibit--

one created just for kids... one aptly named...

How do you zoo?

== a hands-on discovery room for curious kiddos ages 5-10

(though the older ones enjoyed it quite a bit, too),

outfitted with 4 different activity stations...

each one well equipped with all the things a zoo worker, a doctor, or a commissary steward

might need to complete his job on any given day.

Manned by a lovely (& enthusiastic!) volunteer, it truly was a

top-notch learning experience from top to bottom.

The kiddos examined x-rays, and they "prepared" meals for the animals

(simple recipes were provided along with lots of plastic food... enough to give them the idea :)

They helped the sick,

and they helped a bit with the "data entry"

(that was Lolli's favorite part... b/c anything with buttons is always a hit!).

And by the time the session ended (it was only 45 minutes long),

they had all learned a few new facts...

they had all learned how you DO zoo,

and they had all earned the right to be honorary zoo keepers for the day...

at least in my mind they did!

So if you're ever in the area, check it out! Your kids will love it, I promise :)

Homeschooling benefit #101

My children actually like each other.

I mean, yes... they DO have those days... you know, the ones marked by

I'm-gonna-throw-you-under-the-bus-as-soon-as-I'm-able kind of moments.

But those are not a constant; they are not the everyday.

And when they do inevitably make an unwanted and unexpected appearance,

we have the perfect opportunity for working them through,

for talking them through,

and for restoring peace to our family & home.

And what a privilege it is to witness... every single day...

their All for one, and one for all mentality.

Though nine years separate my oldest from my youngest...

though three are male and one is most definitely NOT...

though battles come and battles go...

they ENJOY one another's company.

They enjoy one another's companionship.

They enjoy one another's camaraderie.

They enjoy one another.

So much so that this little nugget... all pink and girlie...

wants to be just like them.

Water pistols and all.

I think I'll take it :)

On the path

Recently I've been convicted--

convicted that, while academic learning is vitally important to my children's growth and development,

it's certainly NOT everything.

There's so much more to these childhood years... to this time they spend in our nest.

There's so much more to do and share and discover and experience... apart from the books...

as we interact with one another and with those around us,

as we explore and examine and unearth the world around us,

as we watch the flowers bloom and the tree leaves unfurl,

as we step away from the confines of our home and head OUTSIDE

to feast on the glory of His creation.

So the other day we set the schoolbooks aside and took a walk... through the "wilderness"...

and we marveled at the hand of our Creator,

at the mystery of His design, and at the splendor of His kingdom.

The giant oaks, the babbling brook, the little discoveries along the way--

like the deer that scampered across our path... the tiny frogs that hopped along the water's edge... the baby "gooslings," or is it "geeslings?"... nay, goslings, Bub recalled, that journeyed in a row, one right behind the other as mama & daddy book-ended the bunch.

The kooky-looking bugs that sat atop the tall "prairie" grasses...

the magnificent butterflies, adorned in black and white...

the hollow logs, the hiding places, the fortresses for critters both large and small...

all these are part of His world,

and all deserve a moment or two of our appreciation and attention.

********************

So we walked. And we talked. And we climbed. And we laughed.

And then I felt guilty.

Because my focus is not always the best.

Because sometimes I get distracted and lose sight of the end goal.

Because sometimes I forget why we're really here.

But then God, in His mercy, reminded me--

yes, Chris and I will make mistakes along way,

yes, we'll blow it sometimes,

and yes, we'll mourn our sinful choices.

But, He, abounding in ever-lasting love,

will be faithful to fill in the gaps,

compensate for our shortcomings,

and pour grace over our errors...

as He leads them in His way.

And then I smiled.

And I thanked Him for His goodness.

And I walked on.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5-6

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the LORD,

"My refuge and my fortress,

My God,

in whom I trust!"

Psalm 91:1-2

"How blessed is the man

who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stand in the path of sinners,

nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and in His law he meditates day and night.

And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither;

and in whatever he does, he prospers."

Psalm 1:1-3

Wishing you the happiest of days as you walk along His path~