In May, I admit, I needed a break. Then the summer got crazy and I longed for us to be back in school with predictable days, a schedule, time alone with my girls. We had August 29th on the calendar to begin again, but now this week has many interruptions. So I decided to start slow before we get up to full speed. A week of history and science only. Now that sounds like fun.
Over the weekend I had a list of questions to discuss with the girls: What is their favorite part of school; what do they dislike? How can I make learning easier for them? What would they like to do more of, less of? (No, we can't give up math.) What field trips would they like us to pursue? (Liana wants to visit a fashion design studio and explore caves. Arielle wants to see many things in Washington, D.C.) So those things will take a little more planning than, for example, a day at our local zoo.
One thing that came out of our discussion is that Arielle does not want to learn science or history together with Liana. She said the books are below her level and she would like more challenging work. She also said she does not like the creative projects that Liana enjoys so much and prefers worksheets and written work. Okay...what to do now since I had the whole year planned?
I did some research on-line, reading reviews, and exploring new history texts. I already have a hefty science book for her. I came up with The Mystery of History. It is not a high school book, but it appears to be sufficient for now. It also got rave reviews from homeschool moms. What I like about it is that not only will we learn world history, but also the history of the church. I admit I am ignorant when it comes to that. I ordered Volume 3 for Arielle. It picks up where we left off last time.
On vacation this summer the girls did some gem mining and Liana renewed her interest in rocks. All weekend after we got home she organized and studied her rocks, searching websites for more information. I had her science all lined up for the fall, but this is what is wonderful about homeschooling. I asked her if she would like to begin science this year with geology. She was all for it, and I ordered several books from the library. Our first day, waiting for the books, we read about rocks in all the books we already have.
We don't have Arielle's history book yet, but Christian Book Distributors allowed us to download the first four chapters. So she was able to start her work too. At least three times during the day she said to me, "I really like this book." I can honestly say I never said that about any history book I ever had in school.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Gearing Up
The summer went by much too quickly. It isn't over yet, but the next couple of weeks are busy and I know they will rush by in a flash.
Arielle shares my love of school supplies and we've enjoyed shopping for them. We've picked up a few items. Our favorite pens and pencils, some folders. We don't need much. All around us are moms with lists from various schools, trying to find each item required. I feel so free from all those trappings.
We also renovated our school room! We reorganized and moved furniture and sorted through books. Fred even painted. How nice to have a clean, fresh look for our first day.
Even more importantly, we need to prepare spiritually. Years ago while studying the book of Nehemiah I saw so many parallels to Nehemiah building the wall and us educating our children at home. (I believe the complete study I created is contained in this blog in previous posts.) I was reminded of it again when Nehemiah 4 popped up in my e-mail since I subscribe to daily Bible readings. In this short chapter were several important messages.
The taunters ask, what are these feeble moms doing? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish? Despite what others say, we build the wall, "for the people had a mind to work." Yes, it's hard work. Let's get to it.
Comments and attitudes around us can cause confusion and we forget our purpose. These verses remind us to pray and set a guard day and night. By ourselves we can't make the wall strong and lasting. But we "remember the Lord, who is great and awesome." Sometimes we labor with one hand and hold our weapon in the other, ready to defend the cause God has called us to finish. I am thinking I need to enlist the help of my husband to wield the sword in prayer while I do the teaching. It is a spiritual battle for the hearts of our children. We also need to remember that "the work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another." We need to ask for help when we need it, and listen for the sound of the trumpet and rally to support other moms when they are discouraged.
"So we labored at the work from the break of dawn until the stars came out." Nehemiah finished the wall. Will we?
Arielle shares my love of school supplies and we've enjoyed shopping for them. We've picked up a few items. Our favorite pens and pencils, some folders. We don't need much. All around us are moms with lists from various schools, trying to find each item required. I feel so free from all those trappings.
We also renovated our school room! We reorganized and moved furniture and sorted through books. Fred even painted. How nice to have a clean, fresh look for our first day.
Even more importantly, we need to prepare spiritually. Years ago while studying the book of Nehemiah I saw so many parallels to Nehemiah building the wall and us educating our children at home. (I believe the complete study I created is contained in this blog in previous posts.) I was reminded of it again when Nehemiah 4 popped up in my e-mail since I subscribe to daily Bible readings. In this short chapter were several important messages.
The taunters ask, what are these feeble moms doing? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish? Despite what others say, we build the wall, "for the people had a mind to work." Yes, it's hard work. Let's get to it.
Comments and attitudes around us can cause confusion and we forget our purpose. These verses remind us to pray and set a guard day and night. By ourselves we can't make the wall strong and lasting. But we "remember the Lord, who is great and awesome." Sometimes we labor with one hand and hold our weapon in the other, ready to defend the cause God has called us to finish. I am thinking I need to enlist the help of my husband to wield the sword in prayer while I do the teaching. It is a spiritual battle for the hearts of our children. We also need to remember that "the work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another." We need to ask for help when we need it, and listen for the sound of the trumpet and rally to support other moms when they are discouraged.
"So we labored at the work from the break of dawn until the stars came out." Nehemiah finished the wall. Will we?
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