Planning's over, let's get to work!

Another year of homeschooling has officially begun. All the books came out, along with the new schedule I drew up, and we were putting it all to the test.

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised at how well the day ran, and how well the children took to the idea of running to a schedule. We still had some adhoc things happening in the day, such as giving the dog a good grooming, some shopping during our lunch break, and a phone call from Papa to share notes about how he was going on his First Aid course. 


Our morning started with the usually routine and chores. Mariposa was then keen to get the maths done, but I suggested we try with the Spelling and Language Arts today to see how it would work. Maestro ended up needing some help tuning a new melodic minor scale during his violin practice, so I had to help him out with that on the piano, leaving Mariposa to finish off for herself.

Then we came to Maestro's Sonlight Read-aloud. We're reading "A Single Shard", and Mariposa wanted to hear the story also. This meant her computer time got bumped to later on.

A break (where Mariposa decided Midgy, the dog, should have his grooming done), and a cup of tea for me.

Then back again with Maestro reading his science (Apologia General .. still finishing last few modules before starting Apologia Physical), and Mariposa did her maths.

Maestro then took up his Wordly Wise whilst Mariposa and I read another chapter of "The Apprentice".

Checking back with Maestro, I looked over the history reading he needed to do for Sonlight, as well as his reader, and checked he could go ahead. He spent this time reading a number of chapters from Story of the World. Mariposa then took up her Science; we're still finishing using the NOEO Chemistry I. Today was all about experiments related to states of matter.

NOEO Science - comes with experiment packages

collecting gas from bi-carb and vinegar

gas created as tablet reacts with water

liquid and solid: cornflour mixed with water
getting the 'punch test'

With her science completed, she then did her computer time. This was a program from EdAlive that is to build word skills. I bought these discs many years ago, but they weren't being used. Mariposa also doesn't have the natural attraction to the computer that Maestro has, so this helping her develop some more of those skills.  I also have Times Alive ready for her to use, received from a TOS Review last year, and Typing Tournament which she tried out last week.

Lunch time .. and a quick shopping trip for me. Thankfully the store is only 5mins up the road. I really need to do another stocktake of our fridge and pantry, but that'll have to be later. At least I have enough to make a few day's worth of meals.

After lunch, Maestro took up his Maths. We'd started to try out Math-U-See's Pre-Algebra, so he continued with that today. He's grasping these lessons pretty quickly, so it won't be long until he's completed this and then I hope to take him back to the Singapore Maths (NSM level 1).

Watching Mr Demi explain how to convert
Celsius to Fahrenheit.

More reading for Maestro (Sonlight reader to be read: The Samurai's Tale) and Australian history for Mariposa (learning about Abel Tasman).

We decided to take 10 mins for another breather, then sat down to learn about some Composers. I know I said we'd start with Bach, but the book I had ordered from Christianbooks had arrived: A Young Scholar's Guide to Composers. I read the first chapter on early music, which lead us to Gregorian Chants. I've requested some cds from the library to use as samples, and I'll check for a few other resources online during the week.

Yes, a VERY full day ... but we did it! We had from 3pm to 6pm free from bookwork (and I then did some household chores). Maestro's ballet started at 6:15pm, which was the only other activity this afternoon.

Trying to adhere to this schedule has meant:

* I didn't spend more than 15mins on the computer myself this morning.

* I actually managed to get more housework done than anticipated.

* Both children got through their work quickly and really looked forward to that free time that was coming up at 3pm.

* Tonight, we're all suitably tired, but satisfied that we'd all done a good job.  Now that this has been posted, I'm curling up in bed with a good read myself. :)

Thank you for dropping by!

A Psalms Study from Soli Deo Gloria - TOS Review

We often sing hymns made from the Psalms, so the words are in our heads, but do we reflect often on their meaning? One thing I really enjoy about teaching our Children's Choir is that we'll talk about what the Psalm is about and try to gain understanding before working on it musically for presentation.

I have another resource available to me now, thank you to a fellow homeschooler named Kim Kargbo. The Kargbo family have created some homeschooling resources through their site Soli Deo Gloria, one of which is "A Pre-Inductive Study of the Psalms" in her booklet titled
"Young Hearts Longing for God".

We've been able to use this workbook for a few weeks, which covers 30 of the Psalms. Each week we chose a Psalm on which to focus, using the workbook questions. I wrote the Psalm up on my whiteboard, so it was right there, in nice big writing, for us all to see all week. Where the workbooks asked the children to use coloured pencils, they used colour whiteboard markers. A journal is also recommended for use. Our children have their church note book journals, so we used these throughout the week for them to make their notes.

This workbook is aimed at grades 4-8. My children happen to be in that age range, but if I had younger children I'd have them get involved too. We'd read this aloud each day, focusing on a new question or two a day (there are between 7 - 11 questions per Psalm). The questions are really springboards to other discussion, we found. There may be other aspects of the Psalm that you would like to discuss also. This makes the job of the parent/teacher to be more of a facilitator rather than just expecting quick right answers.

To view a sample, you can visit the Soli Deo Gloria website, or go HERE to look at the first week's lesson. It is available as a printed workbook for $16US (plus postage) or a 36 page pdf ebook for $14.50US.

NB - I received this product from TOS for the purpose of review. There is no other compensation and the opinions are my own. Thank you to TOS and Kim Kargbo for the use of this product. If you'd like to read further reviews on this product, please click HERE.

Events on our calendar

Lots of socialising and focusing on special events has made this week a lot of fun, but appropriately meaningful also.

Two of my sisters have travelled a long way interstate to visit the family for a few weeks. One of them is now a proud new mum, so I got to meet and have a cuddle with my newest nephew who is all but 4 months old now. We enjoyed a family gathering at my aunt's house with my Nana also, so she could enjoy her newest great-grandchild.  This is number 14!

On Sunday night, we observed the footwashing service and Passover, with the Passover meal/Night of Vigils (Exo 12:37-51) on Monday night. Tuesday was the first day of Unleavened Bread where we gathered with friends to share another meal and service. I've enjoyed the questions the children have been asking as we observe this annually, noticing they're also growing with understanding each year. As this is the first festival of the biblical calendar, it's very much a kind of landmark to see how much has happened during the year and a time to reflect on lessons learnt.

So, a peaceful couple of days up to the weekend, where hubby will have Friday through to Monday at home with us.  We'll gather again with the family on Saturday evening, to visit my brother.  Then a dinner planned at a friend's house again, leading into the last day of Unleavened Bread and a service on Monday.

A very nourishing week, with learning, reflections, inspirations, company and wonderful meals.

Another festival season

It's very interesting to note that the festivals held earlier in the year are fairly well known, but the latter are not so much. We did a study with the children mapping out God's festivals as listed in Leviticus 23. I realised that Mariposa, needing pictorial explanations, could benefit from a list of these days and we'll put it up on the wall near our calendar.

Passover, the Days of Unleavened Bread and then Pentecost in our Autumn (but Jerusalem's Spring), then Yom Teruah, Yom Kippurim and the Feast of Booths are in our Spring (but Jerusalem's Autumn). I drew up a page similar to this one, except we wrote in the days we're to count on God's calendar. Eg: we noted the 1st Abib, then Passover also had written in 14th Abib, and so on. I also coloured the days God tells us are set aside as Sabbaths (eg: the first and last days of Unleavened Bread). I don't know why I hadn't thought to do this sooner. It certainly makes it so much easier for the children to follow.

Yesterday (Monday) we observed Yom Kippurim, or the Day of Purgations/Cleansings, also known as the Day of Atonement. On Friday we're leaving to observe the Feast of Booths (or Tabernacles) beginning that evening, then ending on Sunday Oct 10th, so I won't be posting during that period. I'll try to get a few more posts up before we leave, but I won't make a promise unless I can't keep it! :)

"No excuses! No excuses!"

There's a very interesting article in The Age today. It tells of an inspiring speech Barack Obama gave at the NAACP. Yes, it was directed at coloured people in America, but there are words which apply to EVERYONE!

There is discrimation for many things, and sometimes people who feel they've been dealt a difficult hand have the best excuse for giving in, or doing a mediocre job and not trying harder. Use what is at hand to better yourself. Seek it out. The difference is all in our choice.

"Your destiny is in your hands and don't you forget that. That's what we have to teach all of our children! No excuses! No excuses!"

The emphasis was all on personal responsibility, and it's all very true!

How are we teaching our children that all that they can pursue any noble goal? It won't matter how long it takes them to achieve the end result, but if it's a goal worth aspiring for, then you most certainly CAN work toward it! We must pass on the skills of being diligent and having responsibility. Watch for all the lessons which can be learnt by interacting with others, reading and responding appropriately to all the visual and verbal cues; pay attention!! Seek out GOOD information to feed our minds wholesome food. Help our children to verbalise their feelings so they can keep check on how they process information. Be aware ... and use all that you learn to grow.

I know ... what a huge ask!! Most adults struggle to deal with their daily feelings and thoughts, let alone help a child to process theirs. But, as a parent, it is my responsibility too. Deut 4: 9-10 tells me that! So I pray for the wisdom for me to learn these skills myself, and that I can teach them to my children through words and examples.

You can view Obama's entire speech here:

or read the transcript as prepared for delivery here.

Pentecost - the first harvest

I know all of God's Holy days are very special and are part of a wonderful picture of his plan, but Pentecost (or Yom Bikurim) has always kept lovely pictures in my mind.

A time when God's Spirit is outpoured, like rain in the desert, bringing life and much growth. (Joel 2:23-24)

We've observed this day, counting 50 days from the Sabbath during Unleavened Bread (see Ex 34:22; Lev. 23:15), yesterday. This is the time of the gathering of the firstfruits, with Christ as the first of the firstfruits (1Cor 15:20-23) and everything in order.

Picture free from here.

When you try to live a simple life

When do you say 'enough!' when it comes to keeping up with the Jones'? When is the line drawn in the sand? Something is always pulling us toward advancement in some fashion, so how do you determine when to say 'STOP' so you can preserve family values and not encourage unwanted aires?

I've had a curiosity for the Amish way of life and their determination to preserve simplicity, wondering what lessons could be learnt and applied to our family life. The other night, my husband and I watched a documentary called The AMISH - A People of Preservation. It was most interesting and we really want to share it with friends to further discussion on certain values and ideas.

The Amish customs revolve around a rural lifestyle, without electricity and as little machinery as possible. Children work very closely with their parents; there is a special bonding in sharing all chores and a respect for work. They are also very aware of pride and look to teach and live with humility. If there was one thing which stood out above anything else, in respect to values we wish to encourage in our family, it's the relationship between children and parents. It, of course, is the result of the many working factors of the Amish culture.

So many things to question! Do we have too many distractions in our own home, pulling us apart?

I think there are times when we must simplify in order to come back together and share the time which binds us closely. So, less television and computer time. More time in the garden, reading, walking, and working together. Don't be afraid to give responsibilities and expect them to be done correctly. The days go by quickly enough, so childhood will soon be gone and whatever is planted now as our family foundations has certainly been magnified in importance yet again.

Into the bookwork

Monday was such a great day out ~ what a hoot! We all slept well and rose to a mild day and overnight drizzle. All of us felt much more enthused and we started our lessons most successfully.

The first thing I'm trying to incorporate is a more 'hands on' type of method with our Bible study. I've seen various programs, but ... well, let's just say that there's been something that's made me resist purchasing any of them. So, today I started something new. We've already read through all of Genesis and Exodus, so I thought I'd start to 'recap', but having the children and myself taking some notes along the way. As usual, what I intended didn't fully eventuate, because as we went along I realised that there were a few 'holes' needing repairing. Mariposa is still learning to become a fluent reader, so I concentrated on just writing simple sentences on the days of creation. For Maestro, I quizzed him on what words meant, remembering the order of events, actually 'looking up' scriptures and asking if he can recall any others which may come to mind when he drew conclusions (as in, recalling the words, not the references). I was really pleased at how it all went, and I'm writing notes as we go.

I plan to do follow-up activities of sorts, especially for Mariposa, as more reinforcement. The first activity is to do a 'Creation Wheel' - something I did with them a few years ago but they've forgotten. I had found the idea on another homeschooling site, but do you think I can find it now? If I ever do, I'll post the link.

We then moved onto Spelling, then Mariposa worked through her English book. I'm having Maestro complete the Newsademic Free Cover Stories I receive via email every fortnight. This week was about Obama's inaugeration. After reading the 2 page article, he then filled in the free comprehension / activity pages.

As my impromptu Bible Study became extended, I decided to leave Maths until tomorrow, so we then focused on Music. Both children are now learning violin, Mariposa having had her very first lesson last week, so both did their practice. We covered some theory also.

All this, with our breaks for morning tea play and lunch (and me on the phone with an unexpected long phonecall!), lead us to 3pm. The day just flew!! Maestro had his dance lesson for 90mins, then we were off for violin lessons. Doing well. :) This is probably what this whole week will be like, but if we're happy we wouldn't have it any other way.