Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends

With an emphasis on the word “making.”

We read through this book once already and are on our second reead through.  It didn’t take the first time…

The book is written by three Christian, homeschooled siblings and each chapter has a section by each of them.  The kids love it because it’s funny and has silly quizzes at the end of each chapter.  Oh, and cartoons, too.  Anything with a cartoon in it gets elevated to a special status.  I love it because it really gets to the heart of relationships and causes us to sit back and think and talk about what God’s purpose is for us. 

Why did he place us in this family?  What can I do to bless the sibling who is getting frustrated?  How can we serve each other more?  How can I inspire my younger siblings in their walk with God?  How am I living out the love of Christ? 

Since we’re doing this for the second time I thought we’d add in some daily reminders of what we’re learning so that (hopefully) we can get past the theory and actually apply more.  Last week I started a group sticker chart that emphasized servanthood.

In addition to a verse reminding them that it’s really the Lord we’re serving when we serve others I also had a nice blank area for stickers.  I didn’t want to end up with a competition, so instead the rules were that you could put a sticker on when you noticed someone else being a servant.  The person serving could not jump up and down and loudly proclaim their own servanthood, no.  I wanted it this way so that the kids would notice others and so that they would be reminded to serve.

And it worked.  There was a lot of cooperation and a lot of offers to help.  There wasn’t any “I helped you, now you need to help me” or “I’ve helped people six times and you’ve only served three times.”  Instead there was quiet servanthood and I would see the kids go to the chart and place another star without any fuss.  At the end of the week I brought them a donut breakfast to celebrate.

And this week, even though there are no donuts forthcoming, I still see little people placing stars when they notice a sibling serving someone else.

A New Plan

Having TOG in my hands inspired a flurry of new plans.  It also gave me a neat and tidy structure to work within.  TOG consists of four units which are each 9 weeks long.  So, I’ve decided to do my planning in 9 week chunks. 

My challenge in the past has been in being “ready” for the coming week.  My solution is to plan the full 9 weeks out and have everything inn a “pick up and go” format.  That way I’ll really reduce the amount of time I need to spend each week in preparation. 

I decided to creat folders.  9 of them for each child.  In these folders will be all of the paperwork they’ll need for the week.

So far I’m just working on our TOG papers, weekly planning sheets, and science sheets.  Here’s what I have for my eldestwho wil be doing Rhetoric level in TOG:

Her TOG Student Activity pages are on the upper left, her directions for science (to go along with her United Streaming video) are on the right.  Her TOG Planning is on the bottom left and her  Weekly Check-list (for all subjects) is on the bottom right.

I’ll add other subject areas in the next couple of weeks.  I’m planning on printing off everything I’ll need for each week and I’m really looking forward to having Right Start math sheets ready to go, maps printed out and ready to use, and templates for notebooking waiting for us. 

Sigh.  Doesn’t that look lovely?  It’s kind of like a work of art.  Once I have all of those folders planned out I’ll be able to sit back and look at nine complete weeks of planned school.  It’s a beautiful thing.

My Tapestry of Grace is here!

I was so excited this morning to have the Canada Post lady show up at my door and hand me a box of TOG.  Tapestry of Grace is one of my favourite parts of homeschooling.  It outlines a course of study through history, literature, geography, philosophy, church history and art – all from a Biblical perspective and it also tackles worldview.

I love how TOG guides us to learn through the light of the truth.  Here’s just a glimpse of how they approach literary analysis:

“A Christian literary analyst’s first duty is to do his work in such a way as to glorify and enjoy God.  This means that the Christian literary analyst should consider what he finds in literature in light of a biblical worldview and seek to understand and appreciate God’s nature and works better, praise Him for them more deeply, and enjoy Him more thoroughly, as a result of his exploration of literature.”

Doing literature with any other focus lacks purpose and sense.

And here is a quote from the introduction to week 1 of Year 4 (we’re looking at Modern History this year):

“You can expect to be sobered and awed by two things in your studies this year: the depths of sin in mankind and the heights of God’s wisdom, mercy, justice, kindness, and grace towards undeserving people.  So be encouraged that God is sovereign over all of history – even the twentieth century.  Together, let’s dive into this study, looking once again for His loving, gracious hand that is ever weaving His tapestry of time.”

That makes me want to jump right in and start now.  It also makes me incredibly grateful for our opportunity to homeschool.  I couldn’t imagine having my kids learn about history any other way.  History doesn’t make any sense when you remove God from it and the future doesn’t hold a lot of hope without God’s grace.

I’m really looking forward to starting TOG year 4 in September.

Summer School

I really enjoy schooling year round.  There’s sommething very freeing in knowing that we can take a week off whenever we need it without having to worry about falling “behind”.  I also like schooling year round because there is something inspiring about the different seasons.  Fall is a time to concentrate on a wide range of academics, winter is great for projects and a focus on Christmas, January and February are perfect for taking off a week here and a week there so that I don’t end up sending the kids to boarding school, and spring finds us finishing up our “regular” work.  Summer is the time for something different.

That usually means that we get a good dose of science during the summer.  I don’t get a lot of science done with the kids during the regular year but when things begin to thaw out I get a little bit inspired.  Summer is also a great time for resources that don’t fit into our regular program but are too good to miss out on.  That’s what I have Abbie doing this summer.  Here’s her list:

Windows to the World - a literary analysis published by The Institute for Excellence in Writing.  Here’s a quick overview from the book, “Windows to the World is an introduction to literary analysis for secondary students.  It teaches students to read, infer, analyze, and write about literature.  Additionally, it recognizes the power of literature to influence readers for good or for ill, and consequently seeks to teach students to recognize an author’s worldview and exercise discernment when reading.”

I love the first chapter – it’s on how to annotate.  Abbie has always dug her heels in when it comes to annotating and now I have an excuse to mark her on it   We’re only going to get through about six sections in this book before we move on to Tapestry of Grace in the fall, but I think even the sections we do will be a great preparation for what she’s facing in TOG.

Traditional Logic - I’m not sure why we can’t fit logic into our regular school year…  Thankfully, we have the summer. 

Math – I’m back in the driver’s seat!  My inclination towards total control freak was incredibly hard to supress all year.  II would sometimes “suggest” extra study time or an additional resource and Abbie would say, “Mom, I think Chelsea has this under control.”  Then I would smile, painfully, and try again another day.  Having Abbie work with Chelsea (a fantastic math teacher) this year worked really well.  But, now the school year is over and I’m taking back math.  Abbie’s going to finish the sections of NEM 2 that she didn’t need to do for her exam and she’s going to work on some problemsolving as well.

Science – We’re using a couple of DVDs from Answers in Genesis along with the public school science text (blech).  She’s working through just the first unit of science 9.

History – There are just a couple of holes to fill before starting TOG 4 in the fall.  It shouldn’t take her very long and then she can cross history off of her summer school list.

The Easy Frenchy 2A - She’s working through the second semester of this course and I don’t want her to lose momentum (or forget a conjugation) over the summer. 

Henle Latin – just plugging along slowly and surely, following Memoria Press’ guide.

Elementary Greek - I know, I know.  But it’s fun!  And it was her idea.  I bought myself a workbook as well so that I can learn along with the kids.  Jacob is doing it with us and at first he was dragging his heels but now he’s really into it.

A Young Woman After God’s Own Heart - this is what we’re using as our Bible study/devotional.  We both like having something to work through together and this one is particularly good at pointing us back to the Word and applying truth to our lives.

And that is the end of Summer School 2009 – at least for Abbie.  I’ve got to sit down and make a plan for the boys now.

Today we officially become the Best Parents in the World

This morning Abbie writes her Math 10 Provincial exam. We have decided to reward her hard work with an iPhone. She’s wanted to have her own phone for quite some time now. There hasn’t ever been a need for this. I mean really, she’s 13. Either she’s at home, at church, at Taekwon-do or at a friend’s house – and, incidentally, I’m friends with all of her friends’ moms.

Next year this won’t be the case and even I want her to have a cell phone. So here we are now, about to hand over an iPhone with much pomp and ceremony. She doesn’t know yet…and DH has been tormenting her with his new iPhone. I’m looking forward to receiving my new title, Best Mom Ever.

I may reach 52 yet…

It seemed like a great idea, in January, to commit to reading 52 books in 2009.  Unfortunately, I have lagged behind since almost the first week.  And then convention hit and I didn’t have time for any reading.  But, now it’s summer and I feel like maybe, just maybe, I can catch up.  So far I’ve read 15 and I think it’s week 24 – there is hope.

Contemporary Literature:

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver – we were learning about colonial Africa and I ended up reading a few book that addressed the topic.  The Poisonwood Bible gave a very vivid picture of what life was like in the Congo when it achieved independence.

Snow by Orhan Pamuk – my sister bought me this for Christmas and I couldn’t put it down.  I’m not sure why I’m drawn to reading about life under a tyrannical government…

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski – my sister bought me this one as well, but I won’t blame her.  I had it on my list of “must reads” so I would have read it even if it hadn’t ended up under the Christmas tree.  Do not read this book.  The writing is engaging, the characters are written vividly and there is hope of some sort of epiphany at the end but then, no.  The ending crashes down all around you.  I can’t remember ever being as disappointed in an ending as I was with this book. 

Non-Fiction:

The Art of the Public Grovel: Sexual Sin and Public Confession in America by Susan Wise Bauer – Ok, so I admit that I wouldn’t have chosen this book if it hadn’t been written by SWB but it ended up being a fascinating read.  Now I’ll look at public confessions in an entirely new light.

The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer – this is the 10th Anniversary Edition.  TWTM is what we base our homeschooling on.  If you’re interested in education then this is worth a read.

Down the Volga: A Journey though Mother Russia in a Time of Troubles by Marq De Villiers – I really enjoyed this glimpse into daily life in modern Russia. 

Blood River: A Journey to Africa’s Broken Heart by Tim Butcher – I’m not normally a travel book reader, but this was another one that I couldn’t put down.  Tim went where no one goes – straight through the heart of the Congo.  His journey was remarkable as was his glimpse into life and living conditions in the Congo.

Christian:

A Life that Says Welcome: Simple Ways to Open Your Heart and Home to Others by Karen Ehman – I’m working on hospitality this year…

Faith Begins at Home: The Family Makeover with Christ at the Center by Mark Holman – I could write a few posts about the content of this book.  I’ll just say that this is one that every Christian parent should read.

Classic Literature:

Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka – whoa.  I need a book group to discuss this one.  This is on Abbie’s list for the coming year, so it as a pre-read for me.  I’m looking forward to discussing iit with herr.

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn – this is one of my favourites but I reread it because it’s another one that is on Abbie’s list for the coming year.

Fluff:

The Ambler Report by Robert Ludlum

The Good Guy by Dean Koontz

Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz

The Husband by Dean Koontz

Wordless Wednesday

The Writing Box works!

Writing is not something that comes joyfully to any of my kids.  I thought it would be effortless – I like to write; therefore, they should all like to write.  Not so. 

My goal this year is to turn that attitude around.  I want them to enjoy writing, to write for fun, and to write a lot.  It’s possible. 

My first step in the right direction was purchasing Writing Tales.  I’m a big believer in Classical Writing and it actually pained me to place Writing Tales down on the counter to pay for it.  But, it’s also a program that takes a classical approach to writing and the boys will  be able to go straight from Writing Tales 2 into CW Homer. 

We’re on week two now of WT and both boys are enjoying it much more than I expected.  And they’re writing.  Fun.

I also put together a Writing Box.  This is to encourage writing through postcards and letters. 

The writing box is filled with everything they need to write letters, cards, and post cards to family.  There are post cards from places we’ve been as well as from where we live, note cards with envelopes, fun stationary, stickers, and postage stamps.  I also tucked an address book into the box with the addresses of some of our family members in it. 

The boys were immediately enthralled with the awesome power before them.  They loved the idea of being able to write a letter whenever they wanted, address it, stamp it, and send it off – all without any help from Mom. 

And the best part is, it’s got them enjoying writing a little more and putting pen to paper a little more often.  I may end up with some writers yet.

Struggling against being busy

I’m tired of being busy.  Or maybe being busy just makes me tired…  Either way, I’m serious about cutting down our outside activities this year.  Sure, I say that every year and yes, I am saying this while still recovering from our crazy spring, but I *really* mean it this time!

I have this ideal picture of what an evening should be.  The kids are quietly playing a board game or doing a puzzle at the table while I make dinner.  Dh shows up from work and everyone goes running to greet him.  We all enjoy dinner together while talking about our days.  Then, everyone helps me clean the kitchen and the kids get ready for bed.  For the rest of the evening we sit down on the big couch together as a family and read the Bible, do our family devotions, and then maybe watch an episode of The Waltons or read a chapter of Little House on the Prairie.  Sigh.

Instead, we have nights where the kids and I eat peanut butter and jam sandwiches in the car as we race from one activity to the other.  The boys are incredibly adept at changing out of their clothes and into their Taekw0n-do outfits (what *are* those things called, anyway?) while I yell at them to get their seatbelts back on.  By the time we get home it’s too late to do anything together so dh prays with them and we get them into bed as quickly as possible.

We’ve averaged two days out of the week where we’re not home having dinner as a family and I’m all done with it.  This year was supposed to be a sane year – no co-op, no weird activities.  Just one instrument and one physical activity per child.  But then music kind of exploded and Abbie began seriously training for her Black belt.  All “good”, but not “best”.  Next year I’m going to be ruthless so the kids better not even think about coming crying to me about basket-ball teams, drama lessons or homeschool PE cause it’s not happening.  My goal is to have dinner as a family every night and have some relaxing and energizing family time together after dinner.  I think in the end this will be more beneficial than all the fun activities we could sign up for.

The Bird Watching Basket

In our last home we had a bay window with a window seat.  It was a great place for bird watching.  I arranged all of our books and other nature-ish things there and the kids would sit in the window and watch the birds at the feeder outside.

We moved over a year ago and it’s taken me this long to realize that we don’t need a window seat in order to watch the birds. 

I decided to put together a Bird Watching Basket.  It’s portable – so if a child decides to pick it up and take it outside, or downstairs, or to the front window it can easily be picked up and carried.  It’s also easy to use.  Everything we need is inside it.

There are some reference books including an Eyewitness Birds book, a couple of books on how to bird watch, a field guide, nature journals, pencil crayons, binoculars (to watch the bald eagles), and a couple of stories that have birds in them.  This should give them lots of handy tools to make bird watching more meaningful.  We’ve already gone through the bird section of Exploring Creation with Zoology, but I thought I might copy some of the notebooking pages from Jeannie’s site and put them in the basket as well. 

I tucked the basket in the corner of our living room and strategically placed a couple of the books on the coffee table.  I also hung up three different bird feeders outside the window of this room so hopefully we’ll get some action out there soon and that should help spark some motivation to learn more about birds.  Happy bird watching – no window seat required!