Since I've had so much time to rest with this pregnancy, I found that crocheting was the perfect way to not feel like such a bump on a log. These hats turned out pretty good, my oldest daughter even made one. It was pretty fun!!
Here's the link!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
A great website for young Mormon pianists
I just found this website looking for a simplified version of Once Within a Lowly Stable for my daughter to play on the piano, and wow, they have a lot of the Primary songs in a simplified version ready to download pdf style as well as some original music and other stuff. Just thought I'd share!!
http://www.smurthwaitesong.com/index.php
http://www.smurthwaitesong.com/index.php
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Make your own lalundry detergent
We had been using products from this website Cal Ben soap products which I do like, but we ran out of laundry soap so I just started using Arm and Hammer and then Sun. Meanwhile, my skin was so itchy and I had a bit of a rash on my back, I thought it was hormones, but then my lower arms started itching too when I wore a long sleeve top and I started to notice that some of my kids were itchy too, so I realized it must have been the detergent. So I did a little research and found this great site on making your own and it is cheap and easy. So far, so good for us. I feel a lot better and my skin is healing although I still itch sometimes.
Here's the site I used from tip nut, but it looked like most the recipes are pretty similar.
This is what I did:
I bought a bar of Fels-Naptha soap and washing soda from Arm and Hammer both found in the detergent aisle.
I grated half of the bar of soap and boiled it in water until it dissolved, then I poured that mixture along with 1/2 c. of the washing soda into a cleaned out honey bucket and added a few drops of tea tree oil and a gallon of hot tap water. I mixed it all together and started using it!! It geled and it was kind of fun. The kids grated the soap and thought it was pretty fun. I'm going to try Ivory soap next time. Pretty cool!!
Here's the site I used from tip nut, but it looked like most the recipes are pretty similar.
This is what I did:
I bought a bar of Fels-Naptha soap and washing soda from Arm and Hammer both found in the detergent aisle.
I grated half of the bar of soap and boiled it in water until it dissolved, then I poured that mixture along with 1/2 c. of the washing soda into a cleaned out honey bucket and added a few drops of tea tree oil and a gallon of hot tap water. I mixed it all together and started using it!! It geled and it was kind of fun. The kids grated the soap and thought it was pretty fun. I'm going to try Ivory soap next time. Pretty cool!!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Lots of time and work Learning Good Stuff-- Our Schedule
Wow!! Now that my kids are "older", we have really been working hard. Homeschooling is a lot more time and work than I anticipated, but I still enjoy it, and I think it will be worth all the hard work. I made up a chart for each kid, so they know exactly what they are supposed to do each day, and they can check it off as they do it each day. When I added up the time I estimated each subject to take, it came out to about 5 hours a day for the 10 and now 9 yr olds, 4 days a week and that didn't include the enrichment of story-time or singing time or art. I limited the 10 yr old to 2 hours a day of math so that she would have time to work on other subjects. She is doing better, and understands the concepts, but we are now working on speed and accuracy. I hope she can move on to 4B soon. Her 9 yr.old sister is just about done with 4A and will probably pass the test and move on to 4B in a couple weeks. That is a little frustrating to the older sister, but that's just how it goes. Maybe the younger one will be able to explain things to the older one or at least motivate her to really focus and concentrate. It doesn't come easy to her, but she still has to and can learn it. It will take a lot more practice for her than it will for the other children.
The great thing now is that the girls are getting up, cleaning their room, getting dressed and ready for the day and starting their schoolwork on their own around 9 a.m. It is so nice!! They are able to do so much on their own and are really learning and doing well. They are realizing that starting earlier means finishing earlier, and I think they are leaning to appreciate the fun of working hard and succeeding at difficult tasks. I am really quite proud of them. They are actually growing up.
The little boys are easy to teach now that I've been through the girls and found the best curricula for everything. They also love computer games and when they finish their schoolwork and their chores, they get 15 min. each on the computer. That has been awesome motivation for them finish and learn. I'm really proud of them too. They are finally getting those simple addition and subtraction facts down and are understanding the concepts. My reluctant reader who is now 7 is really close to reading the Treehouse books on his own.
So the schedule that seems to work best at this point is for me to get up around 6-6:30 a.m., make breakfast, exercise and get ready for the day. Have the kids start their chores, eat breakfast and get ready for the day around 8 a.m. The girls can then get started on their schoolwork with the stuff they don't need me to help them with around 9 a.m. Depending on what kind of house stuff I need to do and what kind of mood the little ones are in, I can read little kid books to the little kids at 9 or let them play a little. I then help them get all their work done by 11-11:30 and they can all take a break and go play outside for a bit. Then we can eat lunch, clean up and have singing time and story time which includes scripture and poem recitations, Spanish practice, Science and some history as well as learning new songs and reading interesting stories mostly from Yesterday's Classics.
After that the younger kids are pretty much free to do anything constructive or fun while I help the older kids with Spelling, Greek, Science and Math. It is fluid from day to day, but that is the goal. We try hard to be done by 5, but with activities scheduled during the week, we usually have to finish up in the evening. I try to leave the required reading and instrument practice for the evening and have them do those last. For a couple weeks, I wondered if I was pushing them too hard. But we seem to get done a little earlier each week as they get better at focusing and realizing that they have to finish even if it's late. So I think it is paying off.
I am finding that consistency is very important. We seem to be making great progress because we have been consistent. Doing a little bit each day seems to be better than cramming a bunch of info in a short period of time. It has been very rewarding to see my children work hard and grow and learn so much. Not that I am never frustrated and wonder how many times I will have to explain estimating and rounding. But overall, I'm feeling good about our academic homeschool. There is always room for improvement, but I think we are on the right track. Here is the chart for the oldest. The numbers are the estimated time for each activity, mostly 4 days per week. We are now doing spelling each day and the emphasis is more on goals accomplished rather than time spent. The time spent thing doesn't work well for us, because I have some kids who are masters at sitting at their desk and accomplishing nothing, but it is helpful for them to know about how much time each subject should take.
(Sorry the chart isn't more legible, but I don't want to take the time to fix it. You can still get the idea!!)
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Clean room
Get Dressed
Eat
Brush teeth
15 min. Clean
Scripture 10 10 10 10
Journal 10 10 10 10
Grammar Practice 5 5
Word Study 5 5
Sentences 5 5
Spelling 15 15 test
Poem 10 10 10 10
History Report 30
Composition 30
Book Report 30
Math 120 120 120 120 120
Science 15 15 15 15
Greek 5 sec. 20 20 20 20
Spanish 10 10 10 10
Music 15
Drawing 60
Piano 30 30 30 Lesson 30 30
Violin Lesson 20 20 20 20 20
Required Reading 30 30 30 30
History Reading 15 15 15 15
The great thing now is that the girls are getting up, cleaning their room, getting dressed and ready for the day and starting their schoolwork on their own around 9 a.m. It is so nice!! They are able to do so much on their own and are really learning and doing well. They are realizing that starting earlier means finishing earlier, and I think they are leaning to appreciate the fun of working hard and succeeding at difficult tasks. I am really quite proud of them. They are actually growing up.
The little boys are easy to teach now that I've been through the girls and found the best curricula for everything. They also love computer games and when they finish their schoolwork and their chores, they get 15 min. each on the computer. That has been awesome motivation for them finish and learn. I'm really proud of them too. They are finally getting those simple addition and subtraction facts down and are understanding the concepts. My reluctant reader who is now 7 is really close to reading the Treehouse books on his own.
So the schedule that seems to work best at this point is for me to get up around 6-6:30 a.m., make breakfast, exercise and get ready for the day. Have the kids start their chores, eat breakfast and get ready for the day around 8 a.m. The girls can then get started on their schoolwork with the stuff they don't need me to help them with around 9 a.m. Depending on what kind of house stuff I need to do and what kind of mood the little ones are in, I can read little kid books to the little kids at 9 or let them play a little. I then help them get all their work done by 11-11:30 and they can all take a break and go play outside for a bit. Then we can eat lunch, clean up and have singing time and story time which includes scripture and poem recitations, Spanish practice, Science and some history as well as learning new songs and reading interesting stories mostly from Yesterday's Classics.
After that the younger kids are pretty much free to do anything constructive or fun while I help the older kids with Spelling, Greek, Science and Math. It is fluid from day to day, but that is the goal. We try hard to be done by 5, but with activities scheduled during the week, we usually have to finish up in the evening. I try to leave the required reading and instrument practice for the evening and have them do those last. For a couple weeks, I wondered if I was pushing them too hard. But we seem to get done a little earlier each week as they get better at focusing and realizing that they have to finish even if it's late. So I think it is paying off.
I am finding that consistency is very important. We seem to be making great progress because we have been consistent. Doing a little bit each day seems to be better than cramming a bunch of info in a short period of time. It has been very rewarding to see my children work hard and grow and learn so much. Not that I am never frustrated and wonder how many times I will have to explain estimating and rounding. But overall, I'm feeling good about our academic homeschool. There is always room for improvement, but I think we are on the right track. Here is the chart for the oldest. The numbers are the estimated time for each activity, mostly 4 days per week. We are now doing spelling each day and the emphasis is more on goals accomplished rather than time spent. The time spent thing doesn't work well for us, because I have some kids who are masters at sitting at their desk and accomplishing nothing, but it is helpful for them to know about how much time each subject should take.
(Sorry the chart isn't more legible, but I don't want to take the time to fix it. You can still get the idea!!)
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Clean room
Get Dressed
Eat
Brush teeth
15 min. Clean
Scripture 10 10 10 10
Journal 10 10 10 10
Grammar Practice 5 5
Word Study 5 5
Sentences 5 5
Spelling 15 15 test
Poem 10 10 10 10
History Report 30
Composition 30
Book Report 30
Math 120 120 120 120 120
Science 15 15 15 15
Greek 5 sec. 20 20 20 20
Spanish 10 10 10 10
Music 15
Drawing 60
Piano 30 30 30 Lesson 30 30
Violin Lesson 20 20 20 20 20
Required Reading 30 30 30 30
History Reading 15 15 15 15
Monday, November 2, 2009
What to do with Halloween Candy?
We have a bucket where the kids can put candy and treats throughout the year and when it's full, we leave it outside for the "Toothless Fairy" who takes the candy and leaves books, toys or movies in its place. We usually let the kids have one small piece of whatever they got and put the rest in the bucket. That way we don't have to make anyone feel bad for giving us candy, we just say thank- you and then put it in the bucket when we get home. We always leave the bucket out on Halloween and this year the fairy left a coupon to go to the skating rink and to the children's museum. I felt guilty throwing the candy away because there were some whole candy bars in there, but I think I will donate it to the food bank or a Christmas stocking project this year. I know some people who can't have any candy at all will have their own party or go out to dinner or to a movie to avoid the whole trick or treat thing. Around here it is a neighborhood thing and lots of people wanted us to be sure to come to their house, and it is fun for the kids, so I'm glad to have a plan of goodwill for the candy. Some houses gave out toys or pretzels instead of candy. I think most parents don't like all the candy. It's just too much for anybody especially our little kids. There also seem to be more and more diabetics and allergies and autism, that maybe eventually the candy will be replaced by something healthier!! Maybe it is wishful thinking!!!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Mosiah 3:19
We just finished memorizing and using this scripture for copy work. It is a pretty deep scripture and longer than most of the ones we've done in the past, so I let the younger boys just trace half of it each day instead of the whole thing, that made it a little more doable for them. The older girls pretty much have it memorized, the boys don't really, but at least it is familiar to them now and maybe they will understand it as they mature. They do like the part about how we need to be like a little child. Here's a link to the whole chapter online and here it is:
19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Terrible side effect from the flu shot
This is really really sad. A Washington Redskins cheerleader had a sever reacction to the flu shot and now has some strange neurological disorder. I think I'll risk being sick for a week rather than play Russian roulette with some vaccine. Very,very sad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4MIm1mB7GM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4MIm1mB7GM
Thursday, October 15, 2009
A Little Poem
I got an awesome book from Yesterday's Classics , actually I got a bunch of cool books that I'll write about as we read them, but this one is called Poems Every Child should Know by Mary E. Burt. It is a great collection of nice poems and it is divided up starting with shorter and easier for younger kids and then moves into longer and harder poems for older kids. My 7 and 5 yr old, actually all the children are memorizing this one:
Little Things
Ebenezer Copham Brewer
Little drops of water,
Little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean
And the pleasant land.
Thus the little minutes
Humble though they be,
Make the Mighty ages
Of Eternity
Isn't that so true? What a great way to internalize the message!
Little Things
Ebenezer Copham Brewer
Little drops of water,
Little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean
And the pleasant land.
Thus the little minutes
Humble though they be,
Make the Mighty ages
Of Eternity
Isn't that so true? What a great way to internalize the message!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Teaching Math at Home, can be frustrating
Math does not come easy to my oldest child. She is amazing at music and art and loves to write and make up stories, but when it comes to being exact and focusing, it is really hard for her. We have been using Singapore Math and I let her fall behind a bit because I didn't want to push her too hard, but I had an awakening when she turned 10, that she needed to be farther along in all our subjects. As a 10 year old I felt that she was old enough to learn to focus and really train that brain, so it was time to play catch up. Not that she is behind her peers, just that she was behind where I want her to be and if we're going to homeschool, we'd better be at least a year ahead.
So instead of doing 2 pages of Singapore Math a day, the requirement was 5 pages a day which turned into 10 pages a day. I would explain the new concepts and she would go to work, but when she finished the book and I went to correct it, I found that she had been mostly guessing and really didn't understand much of what she had done. So we had to go back through the book with me watching over her train of thought and teaching her to be exact. That took forever, but we did finish 3B. Then we pretty much took the summer off and started 4A the first part of September.
This time however, I kept up on checking as she went along and caught the mistakes early, but it took FOREVER. The first 2 weeks of school Math was pretty much all we did. I hoped that she would eventually be able to focus without me right there over her shoulder, but since she is not math minded, it never happened. After 2 weeks of spending pretty much 2-3hrs. with just her on math a day, I decided that I couldn't neglect the other kids or subjects any longer so we worked on math at the end of the day if we had time, and her dad could help her when he got home. We thought that once we got through fractions and onto measurements, it would be easier-- no such luck. However, she really worked and tried her best and finally finished 4A -- we finished the corrections on Thurs. It took about 5 hours. While I was frustrated at times during the correcting phase, at the end of the day, I felt fulfilled and like we had actually accomplished something. She realizes that she has to do math even though it's not her favorite. She understands that it is important and that it will leave so many doors open for her in her future. She feels good about sticking with something she doesn't really like and that is hard for her, but overcoming it and making it a strength. I don't think she is ready for the test, so this week we will be doing review problems out of the textbook until she is solid on the concepts and does everything in the proper order and writes everything down and can check it and find her little errors on her own. Then hopefully she can take the test on Thurs. and move on to 4B.
The goal is for her to start Algebra next September-- she'll be in 6th grade and on that track she can take Calculus as a sophomore and be done with Math forever if she wants. It is hard playing catch-up and being the guinea pig, but I think she will be able to do it although it does take a lot of time and concentration. I am becoming extremely patient.
The difference between her and her sister just younger in math is amazing. The younger one loves math and is a year ahead, just finished 3B and passed the test and started 4A. I only have to explain things once and she gets it right. It is such a breath of fresh air for me teaching it to her. The boys so far seem pretty math minded too and after that first daughter I am just happy they can make jumps in their heads so easily without having to go through every little step. Math always came fairly easy to me and I loved it especially though high school, but now I understand those who don't like math after going through it with my daughter, because if it doesn't come easy, then it can be torture!!!!
So instead of doing 2 pages of Singapore Math a day, the requirement was 5 pages a day which turned into 10 pages a day. I would explain the new concepts and she would go to work, but when she finished the book and I went to correct it, I found that she had been mostly guessing and really didn't understand much of what she had done. So we had to go back through the book with me watching over her train of thought and teaching her to be exact. That took forever, but we did finish 3B. Then we pretty much took the summer off and started 4A the first part of September.
This time however, I kept up on checking as she went along and caught the mistakes early, but it took FOREVER. The first 2 weeks of school Math was pretty much all we did. I hoped that she would eventually be able to focus without me right there over her shoulder, but since she is not math minded, it never happened. After 2 weeks of spending pretty much 2-3hrs. with just her on math a day, I decided that I couldn't neglect the other kids or subjects any longer so we worked on math at the end of the day if we had time, and her dad could help her when he got home. We thought that once we got through fractions and onto measurements, it would be easier-- no such luck. However, she really worked and tried her best and finally finished 4A -- we finished the corrections on Thurs. It took about 5 hours. While I was frustrated at times during the correcting phase, at the end of the day, I felt fulfilled and like we had actually accomplished something. She realizes that she has to do math even though it's not her favorite. She understands that it is important and that it will leave so many doors open for her in her future. She feels good about sticking with something she doesn't really like and that is hard for her, but overcoming it and making it a strength. I don't think she is ready for the test, so this week we will be doing review problems out of the textbook until she is solid on the concepts and does everything in the proper order and writes everything down and can check it and find her little errors on her own. Then hopefully she can take the test on Thurs. and move on to 4B.
The goal is for her to start Algebra next September-- she'll be in 6th grade and on that track she can take Calculus as a sophomore and be done with Math forever if she wants. It is hard playing catch-up and being the guinea pig, but I think she will be able to do it although it does take a lot of time and concentration. I am becoming extremely patient.
The difference between her and her sister just younger in math is amazing. The younger one loves math and is a year ahead, just finished 3B and passed the test and started 4A. I only have to explain things once and she gets it right. It is such a breath of fresh air for me teaching it to her. The boys so far seem pretty math minded too and after that first daughter I am just happy they can make jumps in their heads so easily without having to go through every little step. Math always came fairly easy to me and I loved it especially though high school, but now I understand those who don't like math after going through it with my daughter, because if it doesn't come easy, then it can be torture!!!!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Book List for 9-12 year olds
My 10 yr. old needed a little more structure in her choice of literature, and while Nancy Drew is fun, we wanted to make sure she has some familiarity with other genres and literature. So my husband who is really behind most of the curriculum choices we make did some research mainly on amazon.com reading the reviews both good and bad for these books and came up with the following list. Neither of us have read all of these books although we have read some of them, so if any of you think any of them may be inappropriate for this age group, let me know. We bought most of them and I'm going to try to keep up with my kids' reading. It looks like a lot of fun. We want our kids to read at least one of the books listed in each genre.
| Genre |
|
| Science Fiction |
|
|
| The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet |
|
| Ender's Game |
|
| The City of Ember |
|
| Journey Between Worlds |
|
| Enchantress from the Stars |
| History |
|
|
| Number the Stars |
|
| The Bronze Bow |
|
| The Witch of Blackbird Pond |
|
| Sounder |
|
| Johnny Tremain |
|
| My Brother Sam is Dead |
|
| Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry |
|
| The Matchlock Gun |
|
| The Golden Goblet |
|
| Hittite Warrior |
| Biography |
|
|
| Archimedes and the Door of Science |
|
| Augustus Caesar's World |
|
| The World of Columbus and Sons |
|
| George Washington's World |
|
| The World of Captain John Smith |
|
| Poor Richard |
|
| The World of William Penn |
|
| The Diary of Anne Frank |
| Mystery |
|
|
| The Mysterious Benedict Society |
|
| The Treasure of Alphaeus Winterborn |
|
| The Westing Game |
|
| The Ides of April |
| Fantasy |
|
|
| A Wrinkle in Time |
|
| The Hobbit |
|
| The Book of Three |
|
| Eragon |
|
| Alice in Wonderland |
|
| The Wizard of Oz |
| Adventure |
|
|
| Call It Courage |
|
| Island of the Blue Dolphins |
|
| Treasure Island |
|
| The Sign of the Beaver |
|
| The Great Brain |
|
| The Secret Garden |
|
| Anne of Green Gables |
|
| Tom Sawyer |
| Plays |
|
|
| Theatre for Young Audiences: 20 Great Plays for Children |
| Tragedy |
|
|
| The Bridge to Terabithia |
|
| Where the Red Fern Grows |
| Poetry |
|
|
| The Random House Book of Poetry for Children |
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Genesis and The Pearl of Great Price
The story of the creation through Noah and then to Abraham through Isaac and Jacob and Joseph is fascinating. It has been awhile since I've read it and it is so interesting. The Pearl of Great Price really adds a lot of insight into the days of Noah, and I didn't realize that there is almost no mention of Enoch in the book of Genesis. It is also amazing how long Adam and the people lived before the flood. Very interesting read. They were actual people with thoughts and feelings. I think the love story of Abraham and Sarah is sweet as well as Isaac and Rebekah, I haven't gotten to the others yet.
Wish I had more interesting things to blog about, but I don't!! That's all!!
Wish I had more interesting things to blog about, but I don't!! That's all!!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Unanswered questions about 9/11/2001
There seem to be a lot of unanswered questions surrounding 9/11. The most blaring I think is why did Building 7 collapse when it wasn't even hit by a plane? Another is why did the twin towers collapse so suddenly demolition style after being hit by airplanes? Can jet fuel really cause that kind of damage, that quickly and cleanly? No other skyscraper has collapsed because of fire. Where is the plane that hit the Pentagon and the plane that made the hole in Pennsylvania? How did all the seats, luggage and passengers disintegrate, but paper passports were found in tact?
Why did it take so long to start an official investigation of the events? Why are there still so many unanswered questions?
Why did it take so long to start an official investigation of the events? Why are there still so many unanswered questions?
Friday, September 4, 2009
Our First Week of Homeschool for the New Year!!
We officially started school this year last Friday for our first Friday Fun Day. The plan is to cover all the core subjects (Reading, Writing, Math, Greek, Science, History, Literature, Spelling) from Monday to Thursday. Then Friday will be an enrichment day where we'll study art, artists, music, composers and play games and do activities. Friday turned out great. The kids loved it, (except for the 1st grader for the first part --he didn't want to play the recorder, but did later after being in time-out for awhile). We set up the desks like a real school and basically played school. We also learned a song in Spanish and a song in French. I decided to go ahead and do both languages this year. The Europeans learn a bunch of languages, so why can't we? We'll see how it goes.
Unfortunately, the rest of the week didn't go so smoothly, starting with Monday. We ended up getting new carpet that day and having a mold clean-up crew come on Tuesday and Wednesday because of a leak in the shower we didn't know about. We were without air conditioning on Thursday, and it was hot, but at least we could use the bathrooms. Also, my kids are so out of the habit of doing anything difficult because of my laxness this summer, that it was a real struggle to actually do any work at all. The 5th and 3rd grade girls basically just did math, a little bit of journaling and one composition this week. The preschooler and 1st grader fulfilled their requirements of handwriting, math and reading each day, because it doesn't take them long at all. But I really missed doing the fun part of homeschool which is reading stories and great literature to the kids, learning history and science, singing songs together, memorizing scriptures and learning languages and grammar. That's the fun part we missed this first week.
The girls took an average of 2 hours working on their math assignments because they are so out of the habit of concentrating. I've decided though, that that math has to be done first thing when their little brains are the most fresh, and we'll keep the fun and interesting stuff for after lunch. Had I had my house together and not under construction, I think we would have done better, but overall I think it was pretty good given the circumstances. I really hope the girls will move along better in math next week, so that we can do the fun stuff, but it may take them another week to acclimate to that math concentrating part of their brains. I just about have to sit with each of them individually to remind them to look at their book and write down the answers to the problems. They have gotten a little better each day though, and it is very rewarding to see the sense of satisfaction they feel when they are finally done!!
I can't wait to get my house and life back together. I feel like we went on another long vacation. Hopefully I can get a lot done this weekend so that we can do all the things I hope to do this week!! By the way, the twins are boys and look good so far-- that will be 5 boys in a row-- I'm a little nervous. I am really going to have to find ways to keep them out of trouble!! My 3 boys seem to get wilder everyday, they really need the fun stuff. They love listening to stories and learning songs. Once we get the house organized, I hope they will calm down a little bit. At least I can send them outside!!!
Unfortunately, the rest of the week didn't go so smoothly, starting with Monday. We ended up getting new carpet that day and having a mold clean-up crew come on Tuesday and Wednesday because of a leak in the shower we didn't know about. We were without air conditioning on Thursday, and it was hot, but at least we could use the bathrooms. Also, my kids are so out of the habit of doing anything difficult because of my laxness this summer, that it was a real struggle to actually do any work at all. The 5th and 3rd grade girls basically just did math, a little bit of journaling and one composition this week. The preschooler and 1st grader fulfilled their requirements of handwriting, math and reading each day, because it doesn't take them long at all. But I really missed doing the fun part of homeschool which is reading stories and great literature to the kids, learning history and science, singing songs together, memorizing scriptures and learning languages and grammar. That's the fun part we missed this first week.
The girls took an average of 2 hours working on their math assignments because they are so out of the habit of concentrating. I've decided though, that that math has to be done first thing when their little brains are the most fresh, and we'll keep the fun and interesting stuff for after lunch. Had I had my house together and not under construction, I think we would have done better, but overall I think it was pretty good given the circumstances. I really hope the girls will move along better in math next week, so that we can do the fun stuff, but it may take them another week to acclimate to that math concentrating part of their brains. I just about have to sit with each of them individually to remind them to look at their book and write down the answers to the problems. They have gotten a little better each day though, and it is very rewarding to see the sense of satisfaction they feel when they are finally done!!
I can't wait to get my house and life back together. I feel like we went on another long vacation. Hopefully I can get a lot done this weekend so that we can do all the things I hope to do this week!! By the way, the twins are boys and look good so far-- that will be 5 boys in a row-- I'm a little nervous. I am really going to have to find ways to keep them out of trouble!! My 3 boys seem to get wilder everyday, they really need the fun stuff. They love listening to stories and learning songs. Once we get the house organized, I hope they will calm down a little bit. At least I can send them outside!!!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis
This book is basically about Lewis' lifelong search for what he termed "joy" and how he finally found it where he least expected.
He had a somewhat sad childhood although an amazing education despite his poor boarding school experiences which were downright awful. Anyway, his parents were readers and his mother started teaching him Latin at a very young age, but his childhood sorrow began with the death of his mother. He was very close to his brother and they read a lot and made up ongoing play stories together which seemed similar to what Lewis wrote in his chronicles of Narnia. His brother was sent off to boarding school, and soon after, Lewis followed. it really was a terrible place, they didn't get enough to eat, the school master really probably had sever mental problems by the way he ran the school and treated everybody and the school was soon after closed down. It was a waste of time academically for Lewis, and he never felt comfortable with mathmatics and my guess is that he never had a chance to learn it well. Anyway, his next boarding school was quite good and he had some good teachers who introduced some good subjects for him and he was able to learn some things, but he was only there about a year and then was off to Wyvern which was horrid. The upper class men were allowed and even encouraged to haze the lower classmen. There was a ton of emphasis placed on some type of games like rugby and others which Lewis hated because he was no good at them and he'd rather be in the library. He actually thought he was the strange one for enjoying literature. Anyway, he was finally able to talk his father into finding him another mode of educational training and started his true formal training under the one on one mentorship of "The Great Knock", and finally on to Oxford.
It was very interesting to read about all the books Lewis felt were important to his development. Honestly it made me realize again how lacking my own education has been. I also enjoyed reading how he and "The Great Knock" read Homer in the original Greek and other texts in their original languages. Over the course of Lewis' young life, he became an atheist although he continually sought after "joy" which he seemed to find mostly in Norse mythology. A lot of his reasoning and the way he thought about life and he world were foreign to me, because I think that deep down I have always known there is a God. I had to take some time to let some of his ideas make sense to me, because they weere so different from anything I had thought before.
It was really nice to get to the final 2 chapters, because the rest of the book especially the chapter called "The Bloods" was downright sad and depressing. In the final 2 chapters he talks about how although he didn't want to believe in God, he was finally forced in a sense to acknowledge the logic and light of the truth. One of the first ideas he let go of was that just because a time such as the dark ages has past and we are so much "more advanced" now doesn't necessarily mean that we can't learn from past ages and that maybe they had some wisdom we could learn from now. That seems to be a common belief of atheists and "progressives", that modernity is better and the past is archaic and unuseful to the present. This combined with Lewis' thirst for knowledge understanding and "joy" led him to continue to learn and read. He found less and less "joy" and satisfaction in his mythology, and much to his unexpected expectations, the Christian writers seemed to be the ones that made the most sense.
This caused him to reevaluate over time and at last accept Jesus as the Christ and Savior of the world. He had at last found "Joy", and that is where the book ends. This is probably my least favorite of all the Lewis books I've read. He said that knowing about a person doesn't necessarily give one more insight into the things they write about and I would have to agree. I had a hard time relating with his atheistic ideas of youth, but I suppose it does give me a greater understanding and appreciation of those who think that way. I have enjoyed his other works much more although this book does let me see why and how Lewis can express himself so well in his other works. Overall, I do recommend this book. Enjoy!!!
He had a somewhat sad childhood although an amazing education despite his poor boarding school experiences which were downright awful. Anyway, his parents were readers and his mother started teaching him Latin at a very young age, but his childhood sorrow began with the death of his mother. He was very close to his brother and they read a lot and made up ongoing play stories together which seemed similar to what Lewis wrote in his chronicles of Narnia. His brother was sent off to boarding school, and soon after, Lewis followed. it really was a terrible place, they didn't get enough to eat, the school master really probably had sever mental problems by the way he ran the school and treated everybody and the school was soon after closed down. It was a waste of time academically for Lewis, and he never felt comfortable with mathmatics and my guess is that he never had a chance to learn it well. Anyway, his next boarding school was quite good and he had some good teachers who introduced some good subjects for him and he was able to learn some things, but he was only there about a year and then was off to Wyvern which was horrid. The upper class men were allowed and even encouraged to haze the lower classmen. There was a ton of emphasis placed on some type of games like rugby and others which Lewis hated because he was no good at them and he'd rather be in the library. He actually thought he was the strange one for enjoying literature. Anyway, he was finally able to talk his father into finding him another mode of educational training and started his true formal training under the one on one mentorship of "The Great Knock", and finally on to Oxford.
It was very interesting to read about all the books Lewis felt were important to his development. Honestly it made me realize again how lacking my own education has been. I also enjoyed reading how he and "The Great Knock" read Homer in the original Greek and other texts in their original languages. Over the course of Lewis' young life, he became an atheist although he continually sought after "joy" which he seemed to find mostly in Norse mythology. A lot of his reasoning and the way he thought about life and he world were foreign to me, because I think that deep down I have always known there is a God. I had to take some time to let some of his ideas make sense to me, because they weere so different from anything I had thought before.
It was really nice to get to the final 2 chapters, because the rest of the book especially the chapter called "The Bloods" was downright sad and depressing. In the final 2 chapters he talks about how although he didn't want to believe in God, he was finally forced in a sense to acknowledge the logic and light of the truth. One of the first ideas he let go of was that just because a time such as the dark ages has past and we are so much "more advanced" now doesn't necessarily mean that we can't learn from past ages and that maybe they had some wisdom we could learn from now. That seems to be a common belief of atheists and "progressives", that modernity is better and the past is archaic and unuseful to the present. This combined with Lewis' thirst for knowledge understanding and "joy" led him to continue to learn and read. He found less and less "joy" and satisfaction in his mythology, and much to his unexpected expectations, the Christian writers seemed to be the ones that made the most sense.
This caused him to reevaluate over time and at last accept Jesus as the Christ and Savior of the world. He had at last found "Joy", and that is where the book ends. This is probably my least favorite of all the Lewis books I've read. He said that knowing about a person doesn't necessarily give one more insight into the things they write about and I would have to agree. I had a hard time relating with his atheistic ideas of youth, but I suppose it does give me a greater understanding and appreciation of those who think that way. I have enjoyed his other works much more although this book does let me see why and how Lewis can express himself so well in his other works. Overall, I do recommend this book. Enjoy!!!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Stay AWAY from Vegas!!!!
I have relatives and I know people who take their kids and spend a few days in Vegas for fun. I remember stopping there as a kid and seeing the cool hotels although I always hated the smoky casinos, the pools were always nice. It was never my idea of a great vacation, but it seemed harmless enough, and some people seem to really like it.
Weeeeeeellllll, not me!!! We had the unfortunate experience this weekend of getting stuck there on our way to a family event in San Diego. I was recovering from a severe migraine and still had a headache in no condition to drive safely for 6 more hours and my husband had a pinched nerve in his shoulder that got so bad he could no longer move his entire arm also in no condition to drive safely. Then my mom worried us that if it was his left shoulder we'd better get it checked out to make sure it wasn't a heart attack. The pain culminated right outside Vegas while we were looking for a Subway. Anyway, we decided to call it quits, find a hotel and an after hours clinic and at least let the kids swim even though they were so looking forward to the beach. It was sad.
Anyway, we were stuck in Vegas and if I had to do it over again, I would turn around and go to the first non-casino hotel I could find on my way back to Utah. We called my uncle to get some recomendations for places to stay in Vegas and he thought Excaliber had rooms for $33/night, so we drove down the strip in pain trying to find it. There are so many billboards and ads for a "good time" that include a ton of soft porn, it is sickening to even drive down the strip. Then as if that weren't enough, we got to follow a billboard truck advertising some whores/ "babes" "who want to meet you" for at least 20 min. I'm glad my children weren't any older. Definitely keep your teenage sons away from this trash town. So we finally found Excaliber and it was $100/ night, but we took it anyway. Then we walked our sweet little children through the casino which smells of cigarettes all the way across to the elevator to get to our rooms. The only appropriate thing we could find on T.V. was baseball, and we had to make sure to turn the complimentary magazines over. What a rotten place.
Since my muscular man was out of comission, I rounded up some dinner and brought up a few things from the car which meant I had the "privilege" of walking through the casino several times. Most everybody was wearing the trashiest cut off shorts and tank tops, there was a really bad Kareoke room, some sports rooms and bars, and a pole dancer. I just kept my eyes off her as much as possible, but I don't think she was even very pretty. I did observe the people watching her though. There was a group of guys which I can understand, but there was also a group of women and there was a couple--which I don't understand as well. There were also a ton of tatoos. It is just one messed up debauched place. I wanted out of there as soon as possible. I suppose that if you planned ahead and knew your way around a little bit, you would know where to avoid. If there was a show you really wanted to see, you would go, watch and leave. But to me, it's just not worth it to see all the ads and other depravity going on there.
The pool ended up being O.K. although it didn't open 'til 9 a.m. so we let the kids swim for a little more than an hour, and then we were out of there!!! I don't think I've ever been so happy to be back in my little sheltered land of Utah. I didn't realize how much I like it here until I've been away. There were a ton of booze shops and gentlemen club billboards and ads in the Chicago area a few weeks ago when we went. I like Utah. So far, I don't see things I don't want to see driving down the road. We count the temples as we go down the freeway. There are families with children in the restaurants. I lived all over the place as a kid and I didn't think I was partial, but I am now. I'm glad to be in Utah!! I hope it stays innocent for a long long time!!
One thing is sure--STAY AWAY FROM VEGAS!!!
Weeeeeeellllll, not me!!! We had the unfortunate experience this weekend of getting stuck there on our way to a family event in San Diego. I was recovering from a severe migraine and still had a headache in no condition to drive safely for 6 more hours and my husband had a pinched nerve in his shoulder that got so bad he could no longer move his entire arm also in no condition to drive safely. Then my mom worried us that if it was his left shoulder we'd better get it checked out to make sure it wasn't a heart attack. The pain culminated right outside Vegas while we were looking for a Subway. Anyway, we decided to call it quits, find a hotel and an after hours clinic and at least let the kids swim even though they were so looking forward to the beach. It was sad.
Anyway, we were stuck in Vegas and if I had to do it over again, I would turn around and go to the first non-casino hotel I could find on my way back to Utah. We called my uncle to get some recomendations for places to stay in Vegas and he thought Excaliber had rooms for $33/night, so we drove down the strip in pain trying to find it. There are so many billboards and ads for a "good time" that include a ton of soft porn, it is sickening to even drive down the strip. Then as if that weren't enough, we got to follow a billboard truck advertising some whores/ "babes" "who want to meet you" for at least 20 min. I'm glad my children weren't any older. Definitely keep your teenage sons away from this trash town. So we finally found Excaliber and it was $100/ night, but we took it anyway. Then we walked our sweet little children through the casino which smells of cigarettes all the way across to the elevator to get to our rooms. The only appropriate thing we could find on T.V. was baseball, and we had to make sure to turn the complimentary magazines over. What a rotten place.
Since my muscular man was out of comission, I rounded up some dinner and brought up a few things from the car which meant I had the "privilege" of walking through the casino several times. Most everybody was wearing the trashiest cut off shorts and tank tops, there was a really bad Kareoke room, some sports rooms and bars, and a pole dancer. I just kept my eyes off her as much as possible, but I don't think she was even very pretty. I did observe the people watching her though. There was a group of guys which I can understand, but there was also a group of women and there was a couple--which I don't understand as well. There were also a ton of tatoos. It is just one messed up debauched place. I wanted out of there as soon as possible. I suppose that if you planned ahead and knew your way around a little bit, you would know where to avoid. If there was a show you really wanted to see, you would go, watch and leave. But to me, it's just not worth it to see all the ads and other depravity going on there.
The pool ended up being O.K. although it didn't open 'til 9 a.m. so we let the kids swim for a little more than an hour, and then we were out of there!!! I don't think I've ever been so happy to be back in my little sheltered land of Utah. I didn't realize how much I like it here until I've been away. There were a ton of booze shops and gentlemen club billboards and ads in the Chicago area a few weeks ago when we went. I like Utah. So far, I don't see things I don't want to see driving down the road. We count the temples as we go down the freeway. There are families with children in the restaurants. I lived all over the place as a kid and I didn't think I was partial, but I am now. I'm glad to be in Utah!! I hope it stays innocent for a long long time!!
One thing is sure--STAY AWAY FROM VEGAS!!!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Signing Time Videos
My husband bought the first Signing Time video for the kids to learn some sign language this past year and the kids loved it. Then a week or so ago, my 4 yr. old wanted to watch it over and over again and everybody watched along with him and learned all kinds of signs and really enjoyed it. So we decided to get the whole set of 13 DVD's for the kids especially because we are going on 2 long trips this summer in the car, and this way we figure they can not only watch movies, but learn something useful along the way. The kids really like watching Alex and Leah on the show with the animation. All 5 of my kids sit and watch and enjoy the show. There's lots of music and practice using the signs. Even the 2 yr. old knows some signs. It has given me a little relief to be able to clean and rest when needed, because I know they are learning something useful even though I am not right there to guide them through it. I'm glad my kids are learning sign language. I hope we can meet someone we can talk to with it sometime. It has been a lot of fun!!
Their official website is www.signingtime.com
Their official website is www.signingtime.com
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
TJED/A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille -- A Rotten Educational Philosophy!!
A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille, sounds interesting and rigorous, right? Thomas Jefferson was a smart guy, he wrote the Declaration of Independence after all and he was the 3 rd president of the USA, so A Thomas Jefferson Education also known as TJED or a Leadership Education should be a pretty good thing, right?
You would think so, but unfortunately, A Thomas Jefferson Education is anything but the kind of education Thomas Jefferson actually had. It's more of a modern educational philosophy disguised under a name that describes something totally different. It got big here in Utah, and I really hope it dies out, because it can't work. Here are the 7 Keys of Great Teaching:
Classics, not Textbooks -- Learn math by reading Archimedes instead of filling out mindless workbooks --- Excuse me, my goal is to learn and if that is best done through a textbook and so called busywork, then so be it!!!
Mentors, not Professors -- I don't think mentors are a bad thing, but I think they need to give advice and guidance which is not encouraged by DeMille, he says they should stay back and allow the student to figure things out on their own. Hello!!! Teach me what you know, then I can add to that, don't make me reinvent the wheel!!
Inspire, not Require -- This is one of the WORST keys in the philosophy!! Don't require your child to read, do homework, or chores, instead, trick them into doing it through whatever passive aggressive tactics you can get to make them do what you want them to without them realizing your manipulation call it inspiration!! Please!!!!!!
Structure Time, not Content -- Isn't this one of the problems we face in the public schools? The kids are doing their time for example in math, just waiting to get through to the next grade and the next teacher. Content is by far more important, some things will take longer than others, the important thing is that the content is mastered!!!
Quality, not Conformity -- I'm not sure what this one means. Quality is a good thing, and conformity is not always a bad thing.
Simplicity, not Complexity -- When you put many simple things together such as notes on a piano in a certain sequence, doesn't it often come out sounding very complex?
You, not Them -- This is the one that makes me the most upset!!! The "mentor" or homeschool parent is supposed to concentrate on themselves and then the students will follow their example and be just as educated as the parent even though they haven't been required to do anything. This is an excuse for parents to ignore or neglect their child's education and pursue their own goals and ambitions. Here is my response: It is all about the child, the parent's turn or chance is past.
Now there is a new key in addition to these original 7:
Secure, not Stressed -- why did DeMille have to add this one? Because the other keys don't work and they cause the parent stress, but now with this new key, you can ignore your stress and promptings that TJED doesn't work and keep doing it anyway!!!
My thoughts on TJED? Run away, run far far away!!! It is a very bad educational and parenting philosophy. I think we will see a great many disappointed future leaders and parents of future leaders who have given their all to TJED. These keys I have listed are just a small part of the philosophy. They've got books and seminars and classes and groups. I could go on and on, but I think that is enough to see that the philosophy is erroneous. There are a couple blogs that already go into more detail if you search.
TJED reflects very poorly on the homeschool community and I try to distance myself as much as possible from these people. If I were given the choice between TJED and public school, I would choose public school hands down. I am very disappointed in the people who have embraced TJED and I hope I can distance myself from them as much as possible as an academic homeschooler. There are some very nice people who have gotten caught up in it, and I feel sorry for them. I hope they don't really do all the things DeMille recommends and don't feel like failures. I think the nicest ones are the ones who feel failure because they can't do everything DeMille says, but in reality they will be much better off. That's all I'm going to say on the subject for now. I feel better getting that off my chest. I want to spend my energy finding the best ways to teach my kids the things I want them to know and focusing on the positive. But sometimes, I have to point out the bad. Glad that's over!!!
You would think so, but unfortunately, A Thomas Jefferson Education is anything but the kind of education Thomas Jefferson actually had. It's more of a modern educational philosophy disguised under a name that describes something totally different. It got big here in Utah, and I really hope it dies out, because it can't work. Here are the 7 Keys of Great Teaching:
Classics, not Textbooks -- Learn math by reading Archimedes instead of filling out mindless workbooks --- Excuse me, my goal is to learn and if that is best done through a textbook and so called busywork, then so be it!!!
Mentors, not Professors -- I don't think mentors are a bad thing, but I think they need to give advice and guidance which is not encouraged by DeMille, he says they should stay back and allow the student to figure things out on their own. Hello!!! Teach me what you know, then I can add to that, don't make me reinvent the wheel!!
Inspire, not Require -- This is one of the WORST keys in the philosophy!! Don't require your child to read, do homework, or chores, instead, trick them into doing it through whatever passive aggressive tactics you can get to make them do what you want them to without them realizing your manipulation call it inspiration!! Please!!!!!!
Structure Time, not Content -- Isn't this one of the problems we face in the public schools? The kids are doing their time for example in math, just waiting to get through to the next grade and the next teacher. Content is by far more important, some things will take longer than others, the important thing is that the content is mastered!!!
Quality, not Conformity -- I'm not sure what this one means. Quality is a good thing, and conformity is not always a bad thing.
Simplicity, not Complexity -- When you put many simple things together such as notes on a piano in a certain sequence, doesn't it often come out sounding very complex?
You, not Them -- This is the one that makes me the most upset!!! The "mentor" or homeschool parent is supposed to concentrate on themselves and then the students will follow their example and be just as educated as the parent even though they haven't been required to do anything. This is an excuse for parents to ignore or neglect their child's education and pursue their own goals and ambitions. Here is my response: It is all about the child, the parent's turn or chance is past.
Now there is a new key in addition to these original 7:
Secure, not Stressed -- why did DeMille have to add this one? Because the other keys don't work and they cause the parent stress, but now with this new key, you can ignore your stress and promptings that TJED doesn't work and keep doing it anyway!!!
My thoughts on TJED? Run away, run far far away!!! It is a very bad educational and parenting philosophy. I think we will see a great many disappointed future leaders and parents of future leaders who have given their all to TJED. These keys I have listed are just a small part of the philosophy. They've got books and seminars and classes and groups. I could go on and on, but I think that is enough to see that the philosophy is erroneous. There are a couple blogs that already go into more detail if you search.
TJED reflects very poorly on the homeschool community and I try to distance myself as much as possible from these people. If I were given the choice between TJED and public school, I would choose public school hands down. I am very disappointed in the people who have embraced TJED and I hope I can distance myself from them as much as possible as an academic homeschooler. There are some very nice people who have gotten caught up in it, and I feel sorry for them. I hope they don't really do all the things DeMille recommends and don't feel like failures. I think the nicest ones are the ones who feel failure because they can't do everything DeMille says, but in reality they will be much better off. That's all I'm going to say on the subject for now. I feel better getting that off my chest. I want to spend my energy finding the best ways to teach my kids the things I want them to know and focusing on the positive. But sometimes, I have to point out the bad. Glad that's over!!!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Out of the Mouth of Babes -- Alma 32:23
This is a lovely scripture from The Book of Mormon, you can read the whole chapter here, this chapter is mostly known for its beautiful explanation of faith being like a little seed, but verse 23 is the one I want to share today:
23 And now, he imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, anot only men but women also. Now this is not all; little bchildren do have words given unto them many times, which cconfound the wise and the learned.
I had the privilege of experiencing words of truth from my little 4 yr. old boy. He is so sweet, I think all 4 yr. olds are. Anyway, we had just found out that I was pregnant with baby #6 (yes it was planned), but we hadn't told the kids yet. I was in the kitchen and my little boy came up to me out of the blue and said,"Mommy, there's 2 babies in your tummy." I was a little surprised, but it got me wondering and thinking about the possibility. I didn't want to get too excited, but I was anxious to get that first ultra-sound nevertheless, and sure enough -- we're having TWINS!!
We are very happy and excited about it. Our families are excited, and our ward is excited. I'm so grateful to have so many people who care about us and support us. I am also grateful for this privilege. I feel so blessed. I don't think I will even mind being cooped up for a few months while we wait for the cold season to pass after they're born. Anyway, it has also caused me to sit and think about how precious our little ones really are, and what do they remember and know and see about heavenly things that we have grown out of. Truly we must "become as a little child to enter the kingdom of heaven" (3 Nephi 11:37-38).
23 And now, he imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, anot only men but women also. Now this is not all; little bchildren do have words given unto them many times, which cconfound the wise and the learned.
I had the privilege of experiencing words of truth from my little 4 yr. old boy. He is so sweet, I think all 4 yr. olds are. Anyway, we had just found out that I was pregnant with baby #6 (yes it was planned), but we hadn't told the kids yet. I was in the kitchen and my little boy came up to me out of the blue and said,"Mommy, there's 2 babies in your tummy." I was a little surprised, but it got me wondering and thinking about the possibility. I didn't want to get too excited, but I was anxious to get that first ultra-sound nevertheless, and sure enough -- we're having TWINS!!
We are very happy and excited about it. Our families are excited, and our ward is excited. I'm so grateful to have so many people who care about us and support us. I am also grateful for this privilege. I feel so blessed. I don't think I will even mind being cooped up for a few months while we wait for the cold season to pass after they're born. Anyway, it has also caused me to sit and think about how precious our little ones really are, and what do they remember and know and see about heavenly things that we have grown out of. Truly we must "become as a little child to enter the kingdom of heaven" (3 Nephi 11:37-38).
Friday, July 10, 2009
Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold by C.S. Lewis
This was quite an uplifting although rather strange book. I am currently reading Lewis's autobiography "Surprised By Joy" which I will comment on when I finish, but it has helped me understand Lewis' lifelong fascination with mythology of all types, and maybe why he says the story leapt out at him. It is the retelling of the story of Psyche and Cupid from the point of view of Psyche's much older, almost like a mother, half sister, Orual. Orual is an ugly girl, but very smart and really quite a good person. Her mother the queen died when she and Redival, her full sister, were children. Their father, the king, soon remarried, and this second wife died giving birth to the the beautiful Ilistra, also known as Psyche.
The king had assigned a Greek slave to teach his daughters. Orual was loved the Fox as he was called and loved the learning. Redival was not nearly as interested, and as time went on, Psyche also enjoyed the time spent with the Fox and Orual. The three of them formed a very strong bond. So it was especially devastating to Orual when the gods demanded a sacrifice of Psyche. She was devastated to have this beautiful sister taken away so cruelly. Once the sacrifice was performed, really Psyche was left chained at the top of the mountain, not actually killed, Orual went to bury her bones that she may rest and found instead that Psyche was alive and well and married to the God of the mountain. Instead of being relieved and happy for her sister, Orual was angry that she had been taken from her. She convinces Psyche to break a promise she made to her husband which results in great sorrow for her. Orual is haunted by what has happened to Psyche because of her, but will not admit to herself that she was in fact to blame.
Orual and Psyche no longer see each other, and Orual eventually becomes a good and just queen. Finally at the end of her life, she realizes her true face and all she has suffered because of her sin and ill-intent despite all the justifying she did in her mind over the years. The sisters are at last reconciled, although it is not completely clear, but it does lead one to that direction.
This brief synopsis hardly does the book justice. I could hardly put it down, and it brought me up to a much nicer state of mind than I was in when I started the book. There is so much to be observed and learned about human behaviour and how we try to convince ourselves that we are doing the right thing when deep down we know it's wrong. Orual really was not evil. She did a ton of good for her people, but all that good couldn't make up for the nagging she suffered about the bad turn she had given her sister. It was very nice in the end when Orual admitted her fault to her own heart and could see who she really was, and then the reconciliation was able to take place. Until we admit our wrongs, we cannot progress. We have to see ourselves for who we really are, then if there is something we don't like, then we can change it, and really be true to ourselves. I highly recommend this book. It is an easy read, easy to understand and there is so much to learn from it- lots of good quotes and words of wisdom also. Enjoy!!!
The king had assigned a Greek slave to teach his daughters. Orual was loved the Fox as he was called and loved the learning. Redival was not nearly as interested, and as time went on, Psyche also enjoyed the time spent with the Fox and Orual. The three of them formed a very strong bond. So it was especially devastating to Orual when the gods demanded a sacrifice of Psyche. She was devastated to have this beautiful sister taken away so cruelly. Once the sacrifice was performed, really Psyche was left chained at the top of the mountain, not actually killed, Orual went to bury her bones that she may rest and found instead that Psyche was alive and well and married to the God of the mountain. Instead of being relieved and happy for her sister, Orual was angry that she had been taken from her. She convinces Psyche to break a promise she made to her husband which results in great sorrow for her. Orual is haunted by what has happened to Psyche because of her, but will not admit to herself that she was in fact to blame.
Orual and Psyche no longer see each other, and Orual eventually becomes a good and just queen. Finally at the end of her life, she realizes her true face and all she has suffered because of her sin and ill-intent despite all the justifying she did in her mind over the years. The sisters are at last reconciled, although it is not completely clear, but it does lead one to that direction.
This brief synopsis hardly does the book justice. I could hardly put it down, and it brought me up to a much nicer state of mind than I was in when I started the book. There is so much to be observed and learned about human behaviour and how we try to convince ourselves that we are doing the right thing when deep down we know it's wrong. Orual really was not evil. She did a ton of good for her people, but all that good couldn't make up for the nagging she suffered about the bad turn she had given her sister. It was very nice in the end when Orual admitted her fault to her own heart and could see who she really was, and then the reconciliation was able to take place. Until we admit our wrongs, we cannot progress. We have to see ourselves for who we really are, then if there is something we don't like, then we can change it, and really be true to ourselves. I highly recommend this book. It is an easy read, easy to understand and there is so much to learn from it- lots of good quotes and words of wisdom also. Enjoy!!!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The Good Earth by Pearl Buck
I read this book a couple months ago, but it is still fresh in my mind and I loved it. It basically follows the life of a poor farmer, Wang Lung, from his wedding day to his death as a very rich man in China. It gave me a greater appreciation for my Western American culture and educated me on the customs and culture of China. I was amazed at the way women were treated, either as workers or for sex. When Wang Lung picked up his wife, O-Lan at the great house of Hwang, she walked behind him, and although he was curious about her throughout their life together, he felt it was beneath him to talk to her as he would to a man. O-Lan is definitely the heroine of this novel, she worked endlessly even while pregnant in the fields and in the house and because of her economy, Wang Lung was able to purchase land from the house of Hwang. A terrible famine hit the land and they were forced to the city where they lived in a tent along the wall of a palace and ate rice at a place for the poor each day. When revolution took over, Wang Lung, was fortunate to obtain some money from a rich man to save his life and O-Lan looted some precious jewels. They were ecstatic to be able to return to their land and bought the rest of the land from the house of Hwang.
Wang Lung was now the rich and respected man of their city, but instead of acknowledging O-Lan for the part she played in this fortune, he acted the way he thought a rich man should. His sons were not taught to work the land and grew up to bicker and would eventually although it doesn't chronicle it specifically in the book, they would lose the land the same way the great house of Hwang had lost it. Wang Lung took on a concubine and hated O-Lan the more because she was not beautiful. He even took away the 2 small pearls she wished to keep from the jewels she had looted and gave them his concubine. O-Lan eventually died soon after the marriage of her first son. She had done so much and complained hardly at all, Wang Lung did seem to actually mourn a little her at her deathbed. But it seems the customs of his culture were too much for him to really acknowledge her goodness and usefulness even after she was gone.
It seems from this book at least, that although the rich chinese put down and live off of the poor ones, the poor are really no better than the rich because they wish they were the ones who could put people down. Wang Lung showed how it would be if their places were reversed and it was no different. The whole Chinese honor and respect for elders and men is messed up. I'm sure there are some good things about it and there are probably cases of families who are kind and respectful to their women, but it seems the overall prevailing culture is one of pride and appearance and authority being more important than sincerity and humility. Buck also wrote East Wind West Wind which is also set in China and is a sweet story of a Chinese woman fulling expecting to be a slave to her husband and mother-in-law, but instead finds that her Western educated husband treats her totally differently than expected and it is a lovely surprise.
Good stuff. Another excellent true story about China is Wild Swans. It is one of my very favorite books. It is written by the daughter of a man who was part of the communist movement in China and chronicles the life of the daughter, her mother and her grandmother, so it gives a good picture of life in China through some different time periods.
Wang Lung was now the rich and respected man of their city, but instead of acknowledging O-Lan for the part she played in this fortune, he acted the way he thought a rich man should. His sons were not taught to work the land and grew up to bicker and would eventually although it doesn't chronicle it specifically in the book, they would lose the land the same way the great house of Hwang had lost it. Wang Lung took on a concubine and hated O-Lan the more because she was not beautiful. He even took away the 2 small pearls she wished to keep from the jewels she had looted and gave them his concubine. O-Lan eventually died soon after the marriage of her first son. She had done so much and complained hardly at all, Wang Lung did seem to actually mourn a little her at her deathbed. But it seems the customs of his culture were too much for him to really acknowledge her goodness and usefulness even after she was gone.
It seems from this book at least, that although the rich chinese put down and live off of the poor ones, the poor are really no better than the rich because they wish they were the ones who could put people down. Wang Lung showed how it would be if their places were reversed and it was no different. The whole Chinese honor and respect for elders and men is messed up. I'm sure there are some good things about it and there are probably cases of families who are kind and respectful to their women, but it seems the overall prevailing culture is one of pride and appearance and authority being more important than sincerity and humility. Buck also wrote East Wind West Wind which is also set in China and is a sweet story of a Chinese woman fulling expecting to be a slave to her husband and mother-in-law, but instead finds that her Western educated husband treats her totally differently than expected and it is a lovely surprise.
Good stuff. Another excellent true story about China is Wild Swans. It is one of my very favorite books. It is written by the daughter of a man who was part of the communist movement in China and chronicles the life of the daughter, her mother and her grandmother, so it gives a good picture of life in China through some different time periods.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Simple Baked Lentils -- and Gardening
In an oven safe pot or casserole dish that you can cover well combine:
2 1/2 c. lentils
4-5 1/2 cups of water
1 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes
3 chopped carrots
2 onions
5 cloves of garlic
1 t. Real salt
1/2 t. black pepper
2 bay leaves
about a half cups worth of fresh sage, oregano and thyme mixed and chopped
Cover the dish and put it in the oven at 375 F for about 1 1/2 hours or until the lentils are soft and cooked through. Take out the bay leaves before serving. That's it!! Even my picky eaters ate it. It had such a good flavor, it's kind of like a stew.
I got the fresh herbs from my garden and believe me, if I can grow herbs, you can too, it's totally worth it. Herbs are so incredibly forgiving and easy to grow. I have killed everything else imaginable and grown really sad tomato plants that produce like one tomato and I have even ruined zucchini, but my herbs are wonderful, so that tells you how easy herbs must be to grow. They don't need much room or sun or even water. Of course, if you actually take care of them they'll grow better, but you don't need that much of them to make a big difference in your cooking. So I just thought I send that tip.
By the way, I'm hoping for a decent garden this year, I'm being more proactive than I've ever been with it and I am being a conscientious waterer which I think will help. The sad thing is that I love plants and nature and I even have a degree in horticulture, but I have had the worst time growing vegetables, but I will not give up. I love vegetables, and I will learn how to grow them well. My garden is looking O.K. now, and now that the sun is finally coming out, we'll see!! Any advice is appreciated!! I hope to have a good report at the end of the summer!!
2 1/2 c. lentils
4-5 1/2 cups of water
1 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes
3 chopped carrots
2 onions
5 cloves of garlic
1 t. Real salt
1/2 t. black pepper
2 bay leaves
about a half cups worth of fresh sage, oregano and thyme mixed and chopped
Cover the dish and put it in the oven at 375 F for about 1 1/2 hours or until the lentils are soft and cooked through. Take out the bay leaves before serving. That's it!! Even my picky eaters ate it. It had such a good flavor, it's kind of like a stew.
I got the fresh herbs from my garden and believe me, if I can grow herbs, you can too, it's totally worth it. Herbs are so incredibly forgiving and easy to grow. I have killed everything else imaginable and grown really sad tomato plants that produce like one tomato and I have even ruined zucchini, but my herbs are wonderful, so that tells you how easy herbs must be to grow. They don't need much room or sun or even water. Of course, if you actually take care of them they'll grow better, but you don't need that much of them to make a big difference in your cooking. So I just thought I send that tip.
By the way, I'm hoping for a decent garden this year, I'm being more proactive than I've ever been with it and I am being a conscientious waterer which I think will help. The sad thing is that I love plants and nature and I even have a degree in horticulture, but I have had the worst time growing vegetables, but I will not give up. I love vegetables, and I will learn how to grow them well. My garden is looking O.K. now, and now that the sun is finally coming out, we'll see!! Any advice is appreciated!! I hope to have a good report at the end of the summer!!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Utah Homeschool Education Association Convention 2009
Susan Wise Bauer was the keynote speaker and made the whole convention completely worth it. Her keynote speech was very similar to the one she gave at the conference 5 years ago, and I realized that I have incorporated a lot of her suggestions into my homeschool without really realizing where they came from. Here are some of my notes:
Things her mother did right in homeschooling her:
1-Make learning a regular part of life instead of something to be gotten over in order to do something fun. Learning is fun.
2-Make books central to your homeschool-- give them as gifts to show that they are something to be valued.
3-Get control of the screens in your house -- T.V., computer, video games, etc.
4-Set times where you are off duty-- her mother was off-duty before 8 a.m., between 1-3 p.m. (they spent it quietly, alone in their rooms, so they could all have a break from each other) and after 8-9 p.m.
5- Cover the basics-- and then allow the kids focus in on what is exciting and interesting to them. This way they learned how to learn and when they realized they had never studied goegraphy, it was O.K. because Susan knew how to find and gain that info. There is no way to learn everything, so cover the basics and then follow your interests.
6-Don't be afraid to be hard-hearted about a social life. They lived on a farm and would have to drive for social activities, so they were very limited and as a teenager, Susan felt deprived. But her mother would tell her she would make friends in college, and she did and married and has a nice family of her own even without a teenage social life.
7-When a child has an emotional meltdown -- first offer them a sandwich, if that doesn't work, then a shower and if that doesn't work, then a nap. Most of the emotions are physical changes and happenings going on. Don't take it personal, they just may be hungry.
8-Don't encourage your child to go to an expensive college and get wrapped up with debt. There are plenty of affordable colleges that will give them a comprable education without debt.
The Things she would Change:
1-Don't worry so much, try to have an outside family member or friend let you know your kids really are doing fine so that worry can be eased. Smile!
2- Be careful about joining Co-ops, your time may be better spent using that time on your own kids.
3-Praise the kids
4-If you have family difficulties, get professional help and learn what your responsibilities are and are not.
5-Don't ignore your gut instincts or rely on your child to tell you if something is wrong. If something doesn't sit right with you, trust that and find out what is going on.
6-College at age 16 is too early, cannot rush emotional maturity
7-Sing more around the house, singing seems to indicate that everything is O.K.
The things I have found to be the most helpful for me is to tell my kids they have to get their own of whatever it is before 8 a.m. or go back to bed. We have pretty good control of the screens, my kids love listening to music. Covering the basics and not worrying so much about everything else has been good too. Also, using and enjoying a wide variety of books and thinking of library fines as a contribution to the arts has been beneficial to us as well. I hope I'll never need counseling, but I guess you never know what may come!!
I taught Elementary Academics twice at the conference. I was disappointed in the number of people in the first set, but had a decent number of people in the last class. I think it was helpful and informative, and I'm glad it's over!! There were 1 or 2 other classes I would have liked to have attended, but for the most part, I had already attended many of them in past conferences. I missed Deborah Recksiek this year, her classes were always awesome and she has been an inspiration in homeschooling to me ( she has raised and homeschooled 7 successful kids of her own and is now finishing raising 8 lovely adopted children). I really like hearing from people who have done it successfully. I hope she'll present next year. There were a few others I missed who have presented at past conferences, but that's just how it goes I guess. Susan Wise Bauer really made the whole thing worthwhile this year.
Thanks to all the UHEA people for putting it together. It was a huge ordeal.
sidenote: I saw Tony Robbins in person on stage at the Salt Palace on my way to my car to get the materials for my presentation!! He was presenting for some company called zrii. It made having to walk the length of the Salt Palace not so bad!!!
Things her mother did right in homeschooling her:
1-Make learning a regular part of life instead of something to be gotten over in order to do something fun. Learning is fun.
2-Make books central to your homeschool-- give them as gifts to show that they are something to be valued.
3-Get control of the screens in your house -- T.V., computer, video games, etc.
4-Set times where you are off duty-- her mother was off-duty before 8 a.m., between 1-3 p.m. (they spent it quietly, alone in their rooms, so they could all have a break from each other) and after 8-9 p.m.
5- Cover the basics-- and then allow the kids focus in on what is exciting and interesting to them. This way they learned how to learn and when they realized they had never studied goegraphy, it was O.K. because Susan knew how to find and gain that info. There is no way to learn everything, so cover the basics and then follow your interests.
6-Don't be afraid to be hard-hearted about a social life. They lived on a farm and would have to drive for social activities, so they were very limited and as a teenager, Susan felt deprived. But her mother would tell her she would make friends in college, and she did and married and has a nice family of her own even without a teenage social life.
7-When a child has an emotional meltdown -- first offer them a sandwich, if that doesn't work, then a shower and if that doesn't work, then a nap. Most of the emotions are physical changes and happenings going on. Don't take it personal, they just may be hungry.
8-Don't encourage your child to go to an expensive college and get wrapped up with debt. There are plenty of affordable colleges that will give them a comprable education without debt.
The Things she would Change:
1-Don't worry so much, try to have an outside family member or friend let you know your kids really are doing fine so that worry can be eased. Smile!
2- Be careful about joining Co-ops, your time may be better spent using that time on your own kids.
3-Praise the kids
4-If you have family difficulties, get professional help and learn what your responsibilities are and are not.
5-Don't ignore your gut instincts or rely on your child to tell you if something is wrong. If something doesn't sit right with you, trust that and find out what is going on.
6-College at age 16 is too early, cannot rush emotional maturity
7-Sing more around the house, singing seems to indicate that everything is O.K.
The things I have found to be the most helpful for me is to tell my kids they have to get their own of whatever it is before 8 a.m. or go back to bed. We have pretty good control of the screens, my kids love listening to music. Covering the basics and not worrying so much about everything else has been good too. Also, using and enjoying a wide variety of books and thinking of library fines as a contribution to the arts has been beneficial to us as well. I hope I'll never need counseling, but I guess you never know what may come!!
I taught Elementary Academics twice at the conference. I was disappointed in the number of people in the first set, but had a decent number of people in the last class. I think it was helpful and informative, and I'm glad it's over!! There were 1 or 2 other classes I would have liked to have attended, but for the most part, I had already attended many of them in past conferences. I missed Deborah Recksiek this year, her classes were always awesome and she has been an inspiration in homeschooling to me ( she has raised and homeschooled 7 successful kids of her own and is now finishing raising 8 lovely adopted children). I really like hearing from people who have done it successfully. I hope she'll present next year. There were a few others I missed who have presented at past conferences, but that's just how it goes I guess. Susan Wise Bauer really made the whole thing worthwhile this year.
Thanks to all the UHEA people for putting it together. It was a huge ordeal.
sidenote: I saw Tony Robbins in person on stage at the Salt Palace on my way to my car to get the materials for my presentation!! He was presenting for some company called zrii. It made having to walk the length of the Salt Palace not so bad!!!
Friday, June 5, 2009
A Great Speech from BYU
This is kind of long, but well worth the read. He describes the kind of home and order and refinement my family and I are working towards. It makes me want to be better and continue to work harder. It is very edifying. I may have to post some of his remarks on my fridge to remember. Thanks, Dana for the link, I haven't read my Ensign yet.
Here is the link to the whole article.
"Refinement in speech is reflected not only in our choice of words but also in the things we talk about. There are those who always speak of themselves; they are either insecure or proud. There are those who always speak of others; they are usually boring. There are those who speak of stirring ideas, compelling books, and inspiring doctrine; these are the few who make their mark in this world. The subjects discussed in heaven are not trifling or mundane; they are sublime beyond our most extended imagination. We will feel at home there if we are rehearsed on this earth in conversing about the refined and noble, clothing our expressions in well-measured words."
President McKay noted: “As with companions so with books. We may choose those which will make us better, more intelligent, more appreciative of the good and the beautiful in the world, or we may choose the trashy, the vulgar, the obscene, which will make us feel as though we’ve been ‘wallowing in the mire.’”5
Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “We … live in a world that is too prone to the tasteless and we need to provide an opportunity to cultivate a taste for the finest music. And likewise, we’re in a world that’s so attuned to the now. We need to permit people to be more attuned to the best music of all the ages.”6
Here is the link to the whole article.
Douglas L. Callister, “Our Refined Heavenly Home,” Ensign, Jun 2009, 54–58
From a devotional address given at Brigham Young University on September 19, 2006. For the full text in English, visit
"Refinement in speech is reflected not only in our choice of words but also in the things we talk about. There are those who always speak of themselves; they are either insecure or proud. There are those who always speak of others; they are usually boring. There are those who speak of stirring ideas, compelling books, and inspiring doctrine; these are the few who make their mark in this world. The subjects discussed in heaven are not trifling or mundane; they are sublime beyond our most extended imagination. We will feel at home there if we are rehearsed on this earth in conversing about the refined and noble, clothing our expressions in well-measured words."
President McKay noted: “As with companions so with books. We may choose those which will make us better, more intelligent, more appreciative of the good and the beautiful in the world, or we may choose the trashy, the vulgar, the obscene, which will make us feel as though we’ve been ‘wallowing in the mire.’”5
Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “We … live in a world that is too prone to the tasteless and we need to provide an opportunity to cultivate a taste for the finest music. And likewise, we’re in a world that’s so attuned to the now. We need to permit people to be more attuned to the best music of all the ages.”6
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Easy Vegan Tofu Lasagne
This is a family favorite. It is pretty rich and filling. It is a good transitional recipe for those trying to cut down on meat and dairy. Be sure to eat lots of salad along with it!!
Spaghetti sauce:
2 28 oz cans of diced tomatoes
1 6 oz. can of tomato paste
garlic powder, onion powder and italian seasoning to taste
Mix all ingredients together with a whisk, warm if desired. This is the first layer.
Tofu Ricotta:
1 1/2 cartons of organic tofu
2 t. dried basil
2 t. dried oregano
1 T. mixed Italian seasoning
1/2 t. Real salt or to taste
1 t. freshly ground black pepper
Mix and smash all together or process in the food processor. This is the 2nd layer.
Whole Wheat Tortillas:
5 C. whole wheat flour
1/2 t. Real salt
garlic powder, onion powder and herbs to taste
1 1/2 C water
2 t. olive oil
Mix all ingredients together by hand or in the food processor ( which is very easy) until it forms a ball of dough. Flour a smooth surface and roll them out with a rolling pin whichever size you want. Then cook on ungreased griddle or pan at around heat #6 on the stovetop. Flip over when they start to bubble, then cook on the other side 'til done. This is layer # 3. I can roll out a whole batch in about 15 min. and then I cook them while I chop my salad and get other things for the lasagna ready.
If you do everything from scratch, start with tortillas. Make your spaghetti sauce next, then the tofu ricotta. To make it even more convenient, use premade sauce and tortillas, then all you have to make is the tofu Ricotta. Layer your favorite spaghetti sauce first, then whole wheat tortillas to cover the bottom of the pan and spread the tofu ricotta cheese over that and repeat the layers as many times as you like, ending with sauce on the top. Bake at 375 F for 20- 40 min. It just needs to heat up since the ingredients are all thoroughly cooked. I will sometimes sneak extra veggies in too, but my family prefers it plain. I usually double the recipe because my family eats a lot and I always hope for leftovers. Serve with corn and salad. Enjoy!!
Spaghetti sauce:
2 28 oz cans of diced tomatoes
1 6 oz. can of tomato paste
garlic powder, onion powder and italian seasoning to taste
Mix all ingredients together with a whisk, warm if desired. This is the first layer.
Tofu Ricotta:
1 1/2 cartons of organic tofu
2 t. dried basil
2 t. dried oregano
1 T. mixed Italian seasoning
1/2 t. Real salt or to taste
1 t. freshly ground black pepper
Mix and smash all together or process in the food processor. This is the 2nd layer.
Whole Wheat Tortillas:
5 C. whole wheat flour
1/2 t. Real salt
garlic powder, onion powder and herbs to taste
1 1/2 C water
2 t. olive oil
Mix all ingredients together by hand or in the food processor ( which is very easy) until it forms a ball of dough. Flour a smooth surface and roll them out with a rolling pin whichever size you want. Then cook on ungreased griddle or pan at around heat #6 on the stovetop. Flip over when they start to bubble, then cook on the other side 'til done. This is layer # 3. I can roll out a whole batch in about 15 min. and then I cook them while I chop my salad and get other things for the lasagna ready.
If you do everything from scratch, start with tortillas. Make your spaghetti sauce next, then the tofu ricotta. To make it even more convenient, use premade sauce and tortillas, then all you have to make is the tofu Ricotta. Layer your favorite spaghetti sauce first, then whole wheat tortillas to cover the bottom of the pan and spread the tofu ricotta cheese over that and repeat the layers as many times as you like, ending with sauce on the top. Bake at 375 F for 20- 40 min. It just needs to heat up since the ingredients are all thoroughly cooked. I will sometimes sneak extra veggies in too, but my family prefers it plain. I usually double the recipe because my family eats a lot and I always hope for leftovers. Serve with corn and salad. Enjoy!!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
My Life Progression -- Marriage, Homemaking, Health
Life has been very interesting to me. Some things in my life have turned out way better than I could have ever imagined and some things have not turned out how I thought they would at all. I turned 34 years old last Monday, so I'll try not to make this a memoir since I hope I won't be dying anytime soon. But I do want to recognize how far I've come in my life and how grateful I am for progression and learning and improvement, and especially for the love and mercy of God in being patient with me and blessing me tremendously and many times through other people.
Marriage
My most treasured blessing is my darling family, my husband and children. I had some attitudes as a teenager that could have easily interfered this blessing that I now treasure and enjoy so much. There was a lot I had to overcome personally in order to be ready to receive this blessing. Getting married was probably the hardest thing I have ever done. I had zero desire to marry after watching the sad problems of my parents who divorced a year after I married. But I will be eternally grateful to my Father in Heaven for guiding me and placing me with people and in situations that would help me change my attitude and perspective on marriage. The bottom line when I met my husband though, was that there was no other way to be with him than to marry him, so although I didn't like the idea of being married, I really liked the idea of being with him now and forever. This blessing is the one that has turned out to be way better than anything I could have imagined on my own. I thank the Lord everyday, because I know how close I was to missing it. And I know how sad and lonely it is to not have confidence in your family. I will post more on this subject in the future for the few out there who may be a little like I was. Getting married to the right person at the right time in the right place is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo worth it!!
Homemaking
The reason I originally started writing this post was for the cleaning part, but I had to put that plug in for marriage first -- so anyway--- .. My life has been a huge progression. I have learned a ton every year. Most recently, I have rediscovered FLYLADY. She has taught me how to get control of my house and my life and be able to accomplish all my lofty goals.
I started in January after my homeschooling sister-in-law raved over what a difference it was making for them. I had read the FLYLADY stuff before, but didn't follow it to the letter, just took the things I thought applied to me and left the rest like dress to your shoes every morning. Now though, I was desperate and in serious need of some help if I was going to be able to eat healthy, grow a garden, homeschool 5 kids and clean the house. I had pretty much given up the idea of ever having a clean house, but I decided to follow everything she said to the letter, and she was right--- I CAN do it!!! She is so encouraging too which was so helpful to me so that I wouldn't give up when I couldn't do everything. It took me a while to get the daily routines down, but over time I got them and was then able to add more. One little Babystep at a time as she calls it. My house looks and feels so much better. It's amazing what getting ready in the morning will do for a person. It's amazing how much better the kitchen looks when I close all the cupboards and take 2 minutes to clear out the hotspots around the house. I feel so much better. I can do a lot of things, but I was definitely failing in this area. I grew up with a maid and I get sidetracked very easily and I was not born organized. It has never seemed appealing to me. But I am overcoming, thanks to Fly Lady and her clear explanations and lists of what to do. To a person who this does not come naturally to, lists are very important even including things like fix your hair, put on your make-up, figure out what you are going to make for dinner, etc. I have a ways to go, but I think I am on the right track. I just love it. Thank you Fly Lady.
Progression
Speaking of tracks, I think that is the important part of life. It's not where you are that is important so much as which direction you are headed. For example, someone could know and be doing a lot more than I am at this time, but if they are letting things slip or not improving and moving forward, then they are not headed in the right direction and eventually things will start to fall apart. My house may not look ordered and cared for, but if I am on the right track and improving each day, then eventually things will all come together and stay that way as I continue to improve and move forward. Maybe that's a little of what we're witnessing in our country today. We have been the greatest country, but we have not been on the right track that made us great, and now we are finally reaping the consequence of not being on the right track. I hope that makes sense, just let me know if you are totally confused.
Health
Lastly I wanted to talk about cleansing the body. For me, changing my diet has been life-saving. Basically what I do is focus on eating lots of dark green leafy salads, at least 2 a day and a green smoothie in the morning especially for the kids, and cutting out most dairy, meat and chemical laden products. I pretty much have to make everything, but it is easy now and we enjoy our meals. I could tell that my body was run down and not functioning properly. So this has been the other blessing I am truly thankful for. My body is not perfect still, but I am so much better off than I was. And I am on the right track. It was an extremely difficult transition and especially hard on extended family who show their love by sharing their food. Unfortunately it was that kind of food that was preventing me from accomplishing my goals and desires because of the undercover damage it caused. I've gone pretty slow, and I had to remember that although I wasn't perfect, I was a lot better than I had been the month before, and I was on the right track. So although it was a tough transition, now that I am benefiting so much from the results, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I'll post more on that also sometime. I have a couple recipes on www.greattimetolive.com which I'll try to update and organize a little better. this also deserves a much longer explanation and post, but that will be for another day.
Thank you to all the all the people who have helped me so much in so many areas. I hope I can reciprocate by sharing and helping others.
DAG!!! (That means hello, good-bye, greetings, in Dutch)
Marriage
My most treasured blessing is my darling family, my husband and children. I had some attitudes as a teenager that could have easily interfered this blessing that I now treasure and enjoy so much. There was a lot I had to overcome personally in order to be ready to receive this blessing. Getting married was probably the hardest thing I have ever done. I had zero desire to marry after watching the sad problems of my parents who divorced a year after I married. But I will be eternally grateful to my Father in Heaven for guiding me and placing me with people and in situations that would help me change my attitude and perspective on marriage. The bottom line when I met my husband though, was that there was no other way to be with him than to marry him, so although I didn't like the idea of being married, I really liked the idea of being with him now and forever. This blessing is the one that has turned out to be way better than anything I could have imagined on my own. I thank the Lord everyday, because I know how close I was to missing it. And I know how sad and lonely it is to not have confidence in your family. I will post more on this subject in the future for the few out there who may be a little like I was. Getting married to the right person at the right time in the right place is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo worth it!!
Homemaking
The reason I originally started writing this post was for the cleaning part, but I had to put that plug in for marriage first -- so anyway--- .. My life has been a huge progression. I have learned a ton every year. Most recently, I have rediscovered FLYLADY. She has taught me how to get control of my house and my life and be able to accomplish all my lofty goals.
I started in January after my homeschooling sister-in-law raved over what a difference it was making for them. I had read the FLYLADY stuff before, but didn't follow it to the letter, just took the things I thought applied to me and left the rest like dress to your shoes every morning. Now though, I was desperate and in serious need of some help if I was going to be able to eat healthy, grow a garden, homeschool 5 kids and clean the house. I had pretty much given up the idea of ever having a clean house, but I decided to follow everything she said to the letter, and she was right--- I CAN do it!!! She is so encouraging too which was so helpful to me so that I wouldn't give up when I couldn't do everything. It took me a while to get the daily routines down, but over time I got them and was then able to add more. One little Babystep at a time as she calls it. My house looks and feels so much better. It's amazing what getting ready in the morning will do for a person. It's amazing how much better the kitchen looks when I close all the cupboards and take 2 minutes to clear out the hotspots around the house. I feel so much better. I can do a lot of things, but I was definitely failing in this area. I grew up with a maid and I get sidetracked very easily and I was not born organized. It has never seemed appealing to me. But I am overcoming, thanks to Fly Lady and her clear explanations and lists of what to do. To a person who this does not come naturally to, lists are very important even including things like fix your hair, put on your make-up, figure out what you are going to make for dinner, etc. I have a ways to go, but I think I am on the right track. I just love it. Thank you Fly Lady.
Progression
Speaking of tracks, I think that is the important part of life. It's not where you are that is important so much as which direction you are headed. For example, someone could know and be doing a lot more than I am at this time, but if they are letting things slip or not improving and moving forward, then they are not headed in the right direction and eventually things will start to fall apart. My house may not look ordered and cared for, but if I am on the right track and improving each day, then eventually things will all come together and stay that way as I continue to improve and move forward. Maybe that's a little of what we're witnessing in our country today. We have been the greatest country, but we have not been on the right track that made us great, and now we are finally reaping the consequence of not being on the right track. I hope that makes sense, just let me know if you are totally confused.
Health
Lastly I wanted to talk about cleansing the body. For me, changing my diet has been life-saving. Basically what I do is focus on eating lots of dark green leafy salads, at least 2 a day and a green smoothie in the morning especially for the kids, and cutting out most dairy, meat and chemical laden products. I pretty much have to make everything, but it is easy now and we enjoy our meals. I could tell that my body was run down and not functioning properly. So this has been the other blessing I am truly thankful for. My body is not perfect still, but I am so much better off than I was. And I am on the right track. It was an extremely difficult transition and especially hard on extended family who show their love by sharing their food. Unfortunately it was that kind of food that was preventing me from accomplishing my goals and desires because of the undercover damage it caused. I've gone pretty slow, and I had to remember that although I wasn't perfect, I was a lot better than I had been the month before, and I was on the right track. So although it was a tough transition, now that I am benefiting so much from the results, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I'll post more on that also sometime. I have a couple recipes on www.greattimetolive.com which I'll try to update and organize a little better. this also deserves a much longer explanation and post, but that will be for another day.
Thank you to all the all the people who have helped me so much in so many areas. I hope I can reciprocate by sharing and helping others.
DAG!!! (That means hello, good-bye, greetings, in Dutch)
Monday, May 11, 2009
Feminism and Motherhood
My husband shared this article with me and I wanted to share it with you. It is written by the daughter of a prominent feminist. It really sheds some light on the whole movement and makes some points about how we have all been affected by it whether we realize it or not. I love the last sentence, "I am my own woman and I have discovered what really matters - a happy family". Something I've picked up over time is that if an idea or ideology is hard to grasp or seems mysterious or of a higher order, then it is probably not what the proponents make it out to be. It is definitely true of feminism. Feminism was touted to be the higher order of human existence and the liberation of women from the drudgeries of life, instead it has left millions confused and unhappy. "Small and simple things" is definitely the way to go if you want true happiness-- a happy family! Here's the article:
How my mother's fanatical views tore us apart
How my mother's fanatical views tore us apart
By Rebecca Walker
Last updated at 1:18 PM on 23rd May 2008
She's revered as a trail-blazing feminist and author Alice Walker touched the lives of a generation of women. A champion of women's rights, she has always argued that motherhood is a form of servitude. But one woman didn't buy in to Alice's beliefs - her daughter, Rebecca, 38.
Here the writer describes what it was like to grow up as the daughter of a cultural icon, and why she feels so blessed to be the sort of woman 64-year-old Alice despises - a mother.
The other day I was vacuuming when my son came bounding into the room. 'Mummy, Mummy, let me help,' he cried. His little hands were grabbing me around the knees and his huge brown eyes were looking up at me. I was overwhelmed by a huge surge of happiness.
I love the way his head nestles in the crook of my neck. I love the way his face falls into a mask of eager concentration when I help him learn the alphabet. But most of all, I simply love hearing his little voice calling: 'Mummy, Mummy.'
It reminds me of just how blessed I am. The truth is that I very nearly missed out on becoming a mother - thanks to being brought up by a rabid feminist who thought motherhood was about the worst thing that could happen to a woman.
You see, my mum taught me that children enslave women. I grew up believing that children are millstones around your neck, and the idea that motherhood can make you blissfully happy is a complete fairytale.
In fact, having a child has been the most rewarding experience of my life. Far from 'enslaving' me, three-and-a-half-year-old Tenzin has opened my world. My only regret is that I discovered the joys of motherhood so late - I have been trying for a second child for two years, but so far with no luck.
I was raised to believe that women need men like a fish needs a bicycle. But I strongly feel children need two parents and the thought of raising Tenzin without my partner, Glen, 52, would be terrifying.
As the child of divorced parents, I know only too well the painful consequences of being brought up in those circumstances. Feminism has much to answer for denigrating men and encouraging women to seek independence whatever the cost to their families.
My mother's feminist principles coloured every aspect of my life. As a little girl, I wasn't even allowed to play with dolls or stuffed toys in case they brought out a maternal instinct. It was drummed into me that being a mother, raising children and running a home were a form of slavery. Having a career, travelling the world and being independent were what really mattered according to her.
I love my mother very much, but I haven't seen her or spoken to her since I became pregnant. She has never seen my son - her only grandchild. My crime? Daring to question her ideology.
Well, so be it. My mother may be revered by women around the world - goodness knows, many even have shrines to her. But I honestly believe it's time to puncture the myth and to reveal what life was really like to grow up as a child of the feminist revolution.
My parents met and fell in love in Mississippi during the civil rights movement. Dad [Mel Leventhal], was the brilliant lawyer son of a Jewish family who had fled the Holocaust. Mum was the impoverished eighth child of sharecroppers from Georgia. When they married in 1967, inter-racial weddings were still illegal in some states.
My early childhood was very happy although my parents were terribly busy, encouraging me to grow up fast. I was only one when I was sent off to nursery school. I'm told they even made me walk down the street to the school.
Alice Walker believed so strongly that children enslaved their mothers she disowned her own daughter
When I was eight, my parents divorced. From then on I was shuttled between two worlds - my father's very conservative, traditional, wealthy, white suburban community in New York, and my mother's avant garde multi-racial community in California. I spent two years with each parent - a bizarre way of doing things.
Ironically, my mother regards herself as a hugely maternal woman. Believing that women are suppressed, she has campaigned for their rights around the world and set up organisations to aid women abandoned in Africa - offering herself up as a mother figure.
But, while she has taken care of daughters all over the world and is hugely revered for her public work and service, my childhood tells a very different story. I came very low down in her priorities - after work, political integrity, self-fulfilment, friendships, spiritual life, fame and travel.
My mother would always do what she wanted - for example taking off to Greece for two months in the summer, leaving me with relatives when I was a teenager. Is that independent, or just plain selfish?
I was 16 when I found a now-famous poem she wrote comparing me to various calamities that struck and impeded the lives of other women writers. Virginia Woolf was mentally ill and the Brontes died prematurely. My mother had me - a 'delightful distraction', but a calamity nevertheless. I found that a huge shock and very upsetting.
According to the strident feminist ideology of the Seventies, women were sisters first, and my mother chose to see me as a sister rather than a daughter. From the age of 13, I spent days at a time alone while my mother retreated to her writing studio - some 100 miles away. I was left with money to buy my own meals and lived on a diet of fast food.
Sisters together
A neighbour, not much older than me, was deputised to look after me. I never complained. I saw it as my job to protect my mother and never distract her from her writing. It never crossed my mind to say that I needed some time and attention from her.
When I was beaten up at school - accused of being a snob because I had lighter skin than my black classmates - I always told my mother that everything was fine, that I had won the fight. I didn't want to worry her.
But the truth was I was very lonely and, with my mother's knowledge, started having sex at 13. I guess it was a relief for my mother as it meant I was less demanding. And she felt that being sexually active was empowering for me because it meant I was in control of my body.
Now I simply cannot understand how she could have been so permissive. I barely want my son to leave the house on a play-date, let alone start sleeping around while barely out of junior school.
A good mother is attentive, sets boundaries and makes the world safe for her child. But my mother did none of those things.
Although I was on the Pill - something I had arranged at 13, visiting the doctor with my best friend - I fell pregnant at 14. I organised an abortion myself. Now I shudder at the memory. I was only a little girl. I don't remember my mother being shocked or upset. She tried to be supportive, accompanying me with her boyfriend.
Although I believe that an abortion was the right decision for me then, the aftermath haunted me for decades. It ate away at my self-confidence and, until I had Tenzin, I was terrified that I'd never be able to have a baby because of what I had done to the child I had destroyed. For feminists to say that abortion carries no consequences is simply wrong.
As a child, I was terribly confused, because while I was being fed a strong feminist message, I actually yearned for a traditional mother. My father's second wife, Judy, was a loving, maternal homemaker with five children she doted on.
There was always food in the fridge and she did all the things my mother didn't, such as attending their school events, taking endless photos and telling her children at every opportunity how wonderful they were.
My mother was the polar opposite. She never came to a single school event, she didn't buy me any clothes, she didn't even help me buy my first bra - a friend was paid to go shopping with me. If I needed help with homework I asked my boyfriend's mother.
Moving between the two homes was terrible. At my father's home I felt much more taken care of. But, if I told my mother that I'd had a good time with Judy, she'd look bereft - making me feel I was choosing this white, privileged woman above her. I was made to feel that I had to choose one set of ideals above the other.
When I hit my 20s and first felt a longing to be a mother, I was totally confused. I could feel my biological clock ticking, but I felt if I listened to it, I would be betraying my mother and all she had taught me.
I tried to push it to the back of my mind, but over the next ten years the longing became more intense, and when I met Glen, a teacher, at a seminar five years ago, I knew I had found the man I wanted to have a baby with. Gentle, kind and hugely supportive, he is, as I knew he would be, the most wonderful father.
Although I knew what my mother felt about babies, I still hoped that when I told her I was pregnant, she would be excited for me.
'Mum, I'm pregnant'
Instead, when I called her one morning in the spring of 2004, while I was at one of her homes housesitting, and told her my news and that I'd never been happier, she went very quiet. All she could say was that she was shocked. Then she asked if I could check on her garden. I put the phone down and sobbed - she had deliberately withheld her approval with the intention of hurting me. What loving mother would do that?
Worse was to follow. My mother took umbrage at an interview in which I'd mentioned that my parents didn't protect or look out for me. She sent me an e-mail, threatening to undermine my reputation as a writer. I couldn't believe she could be so hurtful - particularly when I was pregnant.
Devastated, I asked her to apologise and acknowledge how much she'd hurt me over the years with neglect, withholding affection and resenting me for things I had no control over - the fact that I am mixed-race, that I have a wealthy, white, professional father and that I was born at all.
But she wouldn't back down. Instead, she wrote me a letter saying that our relationship had been inconsequential for years and that she was no longer interested in being my mother. She even signed the letter with her first name, rather than 'Mom'.
That was a month before Tenzin's birth in December 2004, and I have had no contact with my mother since. She didn't even get in touch when he was rushed into the special care baby unit after he was born suffering breathing difficulties.
And I have since heard that my mother has cut me out of her will in favour of one of my cousins. I feel terribly sad - my mother is missing such a great opportunity to be close to her family. But I'm also relieved. Unlike most mothers, mine has never taken any pride in my achievements. She has always had a strange competitiveness that led her to undermine me at almost every turn.
When I got into Yale - a huge achievement - she asked why on earth I wanted to be educated at such a male bastion. Whenever I published anything, she wanted to write her version - trying to eclipse mine. When I wrote my memoir, Black, White And Jewish, my mother insisted on publishing her version. She finds it impossible to step out of the limelight, which is extremely ironic in light of her view that all women are sisters and should support one another.
It's been almost four years since I have had any contact with my mother, but it's for the best - not only for my self-protection but for my son's well-being. I've done all I can to be a loyal, loving daughter, but I can no longer have this poisonous relationship destroy my life.
I know many women are shocked by my views. They expect the daughter of Alice Walker to deliver a very different message. Yes, feminism has undoubtedly given women opportunities. It's helped open the doors for us at schools, universities and in the workplace. But what about the problems it's caused for my contemporaries?
What about the children?
The ease with which people can get divorced these days doesn't take into account the toll on children. That's all part of the unfinished business of feminism.
Then there is the issue of not having children. Even now, I meet women in their 30s who are ambivalent about having a family. They say things like: 'I'd like a child. If it happens, it happens.' I tell them: 'Go home and get on with it because your window of opportunity is very small.' As I know only too well.
Then I meet women in their 40s who are devastated because they spent two decades working on a PhD or becoming a partner in a law firm, and they missed out on having a family. Thanks to the feminist movement, they discounted their biological clocks. They've missed the opportunity and they're bereft.
Feminism has betrayed an entire generation of women into childlessness. It is devastating.
But far from taking responsibility for any of this, the leaders of the women's movement close ranks against anyone who dares to question them - as I have learned to my cost. I don't want to hurt my mother, but I cannot stay silent. I believe feminism is an experiment, and all experiments need to be assessed on their results. Then, when you see huge mistakes have been paid, you need to make alterations.
I hope that my mother and I will be reconciled one day. Tenzin deserves to have a grandmother. But I am just so relieved that my viewpoint is no longer so utterly coloured by my mother's.
I am my own woman and I have discovered what really matters - a happy family.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Elementary Academics
I applied to teach a class on homeschooling at the UHEA conference this year. They accepted my proposal and I just sent in my Handout last night. I thought some of you might be interested, so here it is:
Elementary Academics
Philosophy of Education-- My overall philosophy of education is that children need to learn and do stuff. How they do it is less important than what they do. So the most important thing for the parent to figure out is what they think their child needs to learn. The end goal will help you get them there.
So for me in the area of academics my husband and I have mapped out where we would like our children to be with each subject. These are some of the things we want them to know, master and be familiar with:
For Mathematics -- Calculus.
For Logic and Grammar -- Latin
For History -- A good working and in depth knowledge
For Music -- Play an instrument and understand music theory
For Art-- Know the great artists and be able to draw well
For Science -- Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy
For Economics -- Markets, Business, Government
Literature and Philosophy -- Great Books of the Western World
Home Skills, Cooking, Gardening, Life Skills
Love of Learning and Reading
Religion -- Know our Faith and Scriptures and love and obey God
Your list may be very similar or different or both.
So now that I’ve established where I want to go I can figure out how to get there.
First Skills -- They must be able to read and write and do arithmetic.
So we start as soon as the kids are ready usually around age 4 especially for the younger ones who are watching the older ones.
For Reading I like to use several resources.
First to learn the letters I recommend “The Letter Factory” by Leap Frog. Now they know the letters and their sounds.
The next step is to start putting the sounds together to make new sounds and then words. So to do this, practice saying words slow and then fast and letting the new reader guess which word it is. Then they are ready to start ready easy books like Bob books or other reading curriculums. My favorite is the Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Reading by Jessie Wise. My first daughter learned to read on McGuffy and Bob Books. The second daughter memorized those easy words quickly and never learned to sound them out so That book solved that issue. I also love Diane Hopkins “Phonics Games” from www.ldfr.com . That really helped her learn all the different phonetic combinations, and my boys have enjoyed it also. It just takes practice, practice, practice. If it is too hard or frustrating, find something easier for them to read, and pretty soon they will take off.
For writing I like to teach my kids cursive first because it teaches them that there are spaces between the words and they can’t write it backwards. I print off the scripture of the week in grey or another light color and school script dashed font because it’s free and they trace as much as I tell them given their ability. Eventually they are able to copy and write on their own.
For Math-- I love Singapore Math. I like their approach and their format and I like that they have the results to match-- #1 in math in the world. The kindergarten books get them so ready for level 1 and they are fun and colorful and make sense. When we need extra help, then we go to the textbook but otherwise we just work through the workbooks. Keep up on checking to make sure they are doing it right, and again go back to easier problems if they get too frustrated so they get the concept and then they will be able to continue on through their book.
If they keep up with Singapore Math they will be ready for Algebra in 6th or 7th grade which will get them to calculus their sophomore or junior year.
Then to get them used to beautiful language and language usage and to love learning and books, we have story time. We have little kids story time first with the picture books and nursery rhymes and scripture stories. Then we move on to reading directly from the scriptures to other stories and longer poems turning it into big kids story time which consists of an interesting chapter book, a longer poem, a history chapter, a Greek lesson and memory verses ending with Science. I love the stories and resources at www.mainlesson.com . We love story time. The older girls color, draw or crochet while I read to the younger kids, and the younger kids play with toys while I am doing the older kids stuff. If they get too fussy then we eat lunch and put them down for a nap.
For music I like to play a lot of classical music. It seems to make the house calmer and happier and it really helps them with music later because they are familiar with so many tunes even if they don’t know the names. We also like to sing together. We sing all sorts of songs and make sure to include lots of fun little kids ones like popcorn, wheels on the bus, Fun To Do, pioneer songs, etc.
For religion we read scripture stories during story time and memorize a scripture a week and a religious song. Obviously, we try to be good examples and attend our church meetings.
So that for me covers the basic foundational skills that will be needed for the younger children. So far this is what has worked . On to the next level:
After the Basics
Once they are able to read and write fairly well, they can start Greek. Our goal is to get good at Latin and Greek is a good fun stepping stone in that direction. Greek has 4 declensions instead of 5 and they can learn all the grammar and concepts with the easier Greek and then Latin will be a little less challenging. Plus I love the Greek curriculum we are using. It is found at www.opentexture.com and is called Elementary Greek. Our pick for Latin is to start them around age 11or 12 on Henle Latin. So they should have very good mastery of the subject and be able to read many of the Great Books in the original Latin by high school age.
For writing and English Studies I like Singapore’s program Sentences to Paragraphs and Word Study. They are workbooks that are fun to fill in and cover things that the kids pick up just from reading but may not realize there are rules governing punctuation, capitalization, grammar, etc.
Also for writing, I require some sort of journaling whether a traditional journal or a story journal, it is up to the child. Out of there I find spelling words for them to practice writing. I also have some writing cards which I got at one of these conferences that give some fun ideas to write about. I also have them write up a summary of something they’ve read for me once a week. I also ask them about what we’ve read after we read and have them summarize the story for me during story time.
But the main focus in these elementary years is for them to be able to write well and quickly and to be able write down what they are thinking in their head. Then when they are age 10-11 they can learn to outline and other rules of good writing, and then to be able to express themselves fully with reports and journals and other compositions. Maybe they’ll write short stories or novels or screenplays. Once they can read and write and think, they can grab a book and figure it out.
For Science I again really like Sinagapore‘s program, My Pals are Here Science. They were ranked #2 in the world in science, and we love the pictures, the explanations and the activities.
For History we really like Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer. When they are older I will also have them read biographies and other historical books. We read many historical stories during story time and movies can be a valuable resource.
For piano, I like Music masters and Edna Mae Burnam piano course as well as music theory books. My kids have also had fun playing the recorders from West Music.
We continue with the stuff mentioned above as needed for the older children and add things like reading time on their own and reading the scriptures on their own always with the end goals in mind.
Schedules-- Now that we know what we want to do, how are we going to do it?
Organize and schedule
1-- Your house needs to be orderly and dinner needs to be planned
www.flylady.net has worked wonders for me to run my household smoothly and efficiently-- follow her plan to the letter, there are letters from other home schooling moms that are very helpful. Babysteps- alittle at a time
www.childrensmiraclemusic.com will help your children pace themselves and be ready to go in the morning.
We have to start by 9 a.m. or we will not accomplish our tasks for the day. Clean up after yourself and require the children to help clean and pick up after themselves including meals!!
2-- Make a school schedule that your kids can mark off and so that they know exactly what is required of them. My kids also like to use timers to see how long it takes. Figure out how to make this worthwhile for them-- a trip to the park or library when they’re done, a special treat, free time, etc.
Other considerations
Co-Op -- Think about what you would like for your family and then figure out how to get it. We organized a girls club when my girls were younger and this past year we joined a larger co-op. This coming year we’re organizing a Greek club and doing some smaller co-ops. Just be specific and find or make something that will work for you and your kids.
Enjoy your kids-- Do School when it’s time to do school and be home and enjoy your sweet family the rest of the time. If it gets to be too much, take a break and then start over. Keep up with Math and Piano as those are skills that are harder to make up later. Don’t push too hard while they are little. Enjoy your freer time as things seem to get more time consuming and demanding the older they get. Just love them and encourage and require and they will do their best.
Health -- Take care of yourself, exercise, eat dark green leafy salads and raw foods. Soaked almonds are great. Cut back on meat and dairy products and all processed foods. You will feel better and be able to accomplish and enjoy more.
Elementary Academics
Philosophy of Education-- My overall philosophy of education is that children need to learn and do stuff. How they do it is less important than what they do. So the most important thing for the parent to figure out is what they think their child needs to learn. The end goal will help you get them there.
So for me in the area of academics my husband and I have mapped out where we would like our children to be with each subject. These are some of the things we want them to know, master and be familiar with:
For Mathematics -- Calculus.
For Logic and Grammar -- Latin
For History -- A good working and in depth knowledge
For Music -- Play an instrument and understand music theory
For Art-- Know the great artists and be able to draw well
For Science -- Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy
For Economics -- Markets, Business, Government
Literature and Philosophy -- Great Books of the Western World
Home Skills, Cooking, Gardening, Life Skills
Love of Learning and Reading
Religion -- Know our Faith and Scriptures and love and obey God
Your list may be very similar or different or both.
So now that I’ve established where I want to go I can figure out how to get there.
First Skills -- They must be able to read and write and do arithmetic.
So we start as soon as the kids are ready usually around age 4 especially for the younger ones who are watching the older ones.
For Reading I like to use several resources.
First to learn the letters I recommend “The Letter Factory” by Leap Frog. Now they know the letters and their sounds.
The next step is to start putting the sounds together to make new sounds and then words. So to do this, practice saying words slow and then fast and letting the new reader guess which word it is. Then they are ready to start ready easy books like Bob books or other reading curriculums. My favorite is the Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Reading by Jessie Wise. My first daughter learned to read on McGuffy and Bob Books. The second daughter memorized those easy words quickly and never learned to sound them out so That book solved that issue. I also love Diane Hopkins “Phonics Games” from www.ldfr.com . That really helped her learn all the different phonetic combinations, and my boys have enjoyed it also. It just takes practice, practice, practice. If it is too hard or frustrating, find something easier for them to read, and pretty soon they will take off.
For writing I like to teach my kids cursive first because it teaches them that there are spaces between the words and they can’t write it backwards. I print off the scripture of the week in grey or another light color and school script dashed font because it’s free and they trace as much as I tell them given their ability. Eventually they are able to copy and write on their own.
For Math-- I love Singapore Math. I like their approach and their format and I like that they have the results to match-- #1 in math in the world. The kindergarten books get them so ready for level 1 and they are fun and colorful and make sense. When we need extra help, then we go to the textbook but otherwise we just work through the workbooks. Keep up on checking to make sure they are doing it right, and again go back to easier problems if they get too frustrated so they get the concept and then they will be able to continue on through their book.
If they keep up with Singapore Math they will be ready for Algebra in 6th or 7th grade which will get them to calculus their sophomore or junior year.
Then to get them used to beautiful language and language usage and to love learning and books, we have story time. We have little kids story time first with the picture books and nursery rhymes and scripture stories. Then we move on to reading directly from the scriptures to other stories and longer poems turning it into big kids story time which consists of an interesting chapter book, a longer poem, a history chapter, a Greek lesson and memory verses ending with Science. I love the stories and resources at www.mainlesson.com . We love story time. The older girls color, draw or crochet while I read to the younger kids, and the younger kids play with toys while I am doing the older kids stuff. If they get too fussy then we eat lunch and put them down for a nap.
For music I like to play a lot of classical music. It seems to make the house calmer and happier and it really helps them with music later because they are familiar with so many tunes even if they don’t know the names. We also like to sing together. We sing all sorts of songs and make sure to include lots of fun little kids ones like popcorn, wheels on the bus, Fun To Do, pioneer songs, etc.
For religion we read scripture stories during story time and memorize a scripture a week and a religious song. Obviously, we try to be good examples and attend our church meetings.
So that for me covers the basic foundational skills that will be needed for the younger children. So far this is what has worked . On to the next level:
After the Basics
Once they are able to read and write fairly well, they can start Greek. Our goal is to get good at Latin and Greek is a good fun stepping stone in that direction. Greek has 4 declensions instead of 5 and they can learn all the grammar and concepts with the easier Greek and then Latin will be a little less challenging. Plus I love the Greek curriculum we are using. It is found at www.opentexture.com and is called Elementary Greek. Our pick for Latin is to start them around age 11or 12 on Henle Latin. So they should have very good mastery of the subject and be able to read many of the Great Books in the original Latin by high school age.
For writing and English Studies I like Singapore’s program Sentences to Paragraphs and Word Study. They are workbooks that are fun to fill in and cover things that the kids pick up just from reading but may not realize there are rules governing punctuation, capitalization, grammar, etc.
Also for writing, I require some sort of journaling whether a traditional journal or a story journal, it is up to the child. Out of there I find spelling words for them to practice writing. I also have some writing cards which I got at one of these conferences that give some fun ideas to write about. I also have them write up a summary of something they’ve read for me once a week. I also ask them about what we’ve read after we read and have them summarize the story for me during story time.
But the main focus in these elementary years is for them to be able to write well and quickly and to be able write down what they are thinking in their head. Then when they are age 10-11 they can learn to outline and other rules of good writing, and then to be able to express themselves fully with reports and journals and other compositions. Maybe they’ll write short stories or novels or screenplays. Once they can read and write and think, they can grab a book and figure it out.
For Science I again really like Sinagapore‘s program, My Pals are Here Science. They were ranked #2 in the world in science, and we love the pictures, the explanations and the activities.
For History we really like Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer. When they are older I will also have them read biographies and other historical books. We read many historical stories during story time and movies can be a valuable resource.
For piano, I like Music masters and Edna Mae Burnam piano course as well as music theory books. My kids have also had fun playing the recorders from West Music.
We continue with the stuff mentioned above as needed for the older children and add things like reading time on their own and reading the scriptures on their own always with the end goals in mind.
Schedules-- Now that we know what we want to do, how are we going to do it?
Organize and schedule
1-- Your house needs to be orderly and dinner needs to be planned
www.flylady.net has worked wonders for me to run my household smoothly and efficiently-- follow her plan to the letter, there are letters from other home schooling moms that are very helpful. Babysteps- alittle at a time
www.childrensmiraclemusic.com will help your children pace themselves and be ready to go in the morning.
We have to start by 9 a.m. or we will not accomplish our tasks for the day. Clean up after yourself and require the children to help clean and pick up after themselves including meals!!
2-- Make a school schedule that your kids can mark off and so that they know exactly what is required of them. My kids also like to use timers to see how long it takes. Figure out how to make this worthwhile for them-- a trip to the park or library when they’re done, a special treat, free time, etc.
Other considerations
Co-Op -- Think about what you would like for your family and then figure out how to get it. We organized a girls club when my girls were younger and this past year we joined a larger co-op. This coming year we’re organizing a Greek club and doing some smaller co-ops. Just be specific and find or make something that will work for you and your kids.
Enjoy your kids-- Do School when it’s time to do school and be home and enjoy your sweet family the rest of the time. If it gets to be too much, take a break and then start over. Keep up with Math and Piano as those are skills that are harder to make up later. Don’t push too hard while they are little. Enjoy your freer time as things seem to get more time consuming and demanding the older they get. Just love them and encourage and require and they will do their best.
Health -- Take care of yourself, exercise, eat dark green leafy salads and raw foods. Soaked almonds are great. Cut back on meat and dairy products and all processed foods. You will feel better and be able to accomplish and enjoy more.
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