Top 10 Ways to Salvage an Interrupted Day

Got this from "Guit Free Homeschooling" website and I thought I should share it


You had finally found your homeschooling "groove." Lessons were zipping along, your students were working like well-oiled machines, and then it happened: something came along that broke that wonderful, systematic rhythm. You may have known it was on the calendar, but that still didn't prevent it from upsetting your entire homeschooling apple cart. Now you feel as though your students may never regain their previous momentum.

Rather than taking an entire day off, you may be able to salvage the remaining portion of an interrupted day and manage to keep enough of the energy that the interruption is merely an insignificant blip on your radar. Here are several ways to complete "school" when the normal routine has been interrupted by doctor's appointments, a minor family crisis, a field trip or co-op class, a funeral, or any number of other inconvenient breaks. These measures may also help you get through a bad weather day, a not-feeling-so-well day, or a we-really-overdid-it-yesterday day. (Tip: In the case of a minor family crisis that lands you and your loved ones in the local Emergency Room, try to redeem the experience as an impromptu field trip: encourage observational skills and appropriately timed Q & A sessions about what the medical professionals are doing, so that your students gain knowledge about other career fields along with the immediate medical attention. Plus, it can also help focus children's minds away from pain, suffering, and generally frightening situations.)

1. Half-Lessons--Scheduled interruptions (such as dentist appointments or well-child check-ups with the doctor) can allow you to plan ahead for a half-day of lessons. Shorten each subject's work load to a portion of its regular size and zip through your schedule in record time. Your students will know they have covered the usual subjects, and the results of the faster pace can spur your students into working more quickly on "normal" days, too.

2. Consumer Math--Shopping is necessary for every household, so incorporate it into your curriculum by posing price comparisons to your students. Show them how to read the labels for ingredients, size of contents, or any other vital statistics, and then help them compare brands and sizes to determine the best value for your family's needs. Yes, this can make shopping take longer, so I do not recommend doing this with every item when you are already pressed for time or when you are restocking a nearly bare pantry.

3. Life Skills--Sewing on buttons, hemming a skirt, ironing shirts, following a recipe for cooking or baking, washing windows, folding the laundry, cleaning out a closet, organizing the kitchen "junk" drawer, or sweeping out the garage--all are vital skills for life that can redeem the productivity of an interrupted school day.

4. Phys-Ed--Let 'em run. Dust off the bicycles, roller blades, baseballs, or jumpropes. Everyone needs a physical break now and then, and younger children need them even more often. The physical exercise relaxes their tired muscles and gives their brains "processing" time. You may be surprised at the creative ideas that are hatched during this "down" time.

5. Snuggle Up & Read Day--Grab your favorite books and head for the sofa. Read to each other or just let each person read his own book, side by side. Snuggle up with warm blankets and thick, warm socks. I love soaking in the warmth from a sunny window when the winter weather is too cold to enjoy venturing outdoors.

6. Craft Day--There is something infinitely satisfying and therapeutic about creating things with your own hands. Whether you make silly masks with paper plates and colored markers or intricately detailed ornaments for your next Christmas tree, the time spent with your children provides an opportunity to talk together, create together, and giggle and laugh together. Check hobby stores for ready-made craft kits if you need help getting started.

7. Cooking or Baking Day--Make an extra-large batch of cookies or soup and freeze the extra for use on your next too-rushed-to-cook day. Dicing onions, celery, or carrots to freeze for future use in soups or casseroles is a time-saver as well as an opportunity to work and talk together with your children.

8. Game Day--Play your favorite board games. Combine the pieces from several games and invent a new game. Don't keep score, but focus on the aspects of strategy and sportsmanship, instead of on winning and losing. Show lesser-skilled students how to plan ahead and think through their moves to help them strengthen their abilities for next time.

9. Nature Study--Take a walk. Sit under a tree. Watch and listen to the birds. Weed the flower bed. When the disruptions of life have intruded upon the security of your routine, regain control by surrounding yourselves with the peace and solitude of God's handiwork. It can be even more refreshing than a nap!

10. Video Day--Watch a favorite movie. Watch a new movie. Watch an old movie. Use technology to your advantage and pause the movie at strategic moments to discuss why the characters act the way they do or discuss how the plot would have changed if a key character had chosen another option at a crucial point.

Life Happens. I repeat that often to explain what has disrupted my formerly-planned day. When Life happens to your schedule, use it to your advantage to teach valuable life lessons. And remind yourself that children sitting in orderly rows in a sterile classroom are missing out on the inevitable spontaneity that is Life.



God Bless,
Elizabeth

Top 10 Things I Did Not Need for Homeschooling

I got this from "Guitl-Free Homeschooling" website and I thought I should share it. This is really great!


Homeschooling requires a minimal amount of preparation: it can be started with a few books to read, some paper and pencils, and a few broken crayons as basic art supplies. Institutional schools receiving government funding would lead us to believe that much, much more is needed for adequately educating students. I quickly discovered that certain institutional necessities were, in fact, completely unnecessary in our homeschool setting. And so, here, without further ado, are the Top Ten Things I Did NOT Need for Homeschooling.

10. Attendance Charts, Seating Charts, Hall Passes, or Restroom Passes -- We relaxed and made ourselves at home... because we were at home.

9. Lunch Punch Cards -- Our lunches were all paid for before we took the groceries home from the store.

8. Hall Monitors -- I could hear trouble from anywhere in the house.

7. Playground Monitors -- Unless you want to count the dog.

6. Harassment Policy or That Desk Facing the Wall in the Back of the Room for the Disruptive Kid -- "Don't hit your sister," "Don't hit your brother," and "Go to your room" covered it all for us.

5. Parent/Teacher Conferences -- Unless you want to count talking to myself.

4. AIDS Awareness; Diversity Day; or G*y, L*sbian, Transg*nder, & Bis*xual Day -- We were too busy with learning the more important aspects of education... such as how to read, write, and calculate.

3. Police Officers, Metal Detectors, or Pepper Spray -- I even encouraged my students to use and carry pocket knives.

2. Zero Tolerance Policies -- I possess critical thinking skills and know how to use them to analyze problems on a case by case basis.

And finally, the Number One Thing that I did not need for homeschooling my own children...

1. RITALIN! or any other mind-numbing drugs to control active children -- Physical exercise was much more effective for getting the wiggles out and preparing my students to learn.


*[Unfortunately, the spelling of certain words must be altered to reduce unwanted search engine hits. I apologize for any confusion.]


God Bless
Elizabeth

Top 10 Benefits of Homeschooling With Grace

I got this from a website called "Guilt-Free Homeschooling". I love that! I thought I should share this because if you are like me, you get stressed out at the end of each school year wondering where the time went and if you have covered everything well enough. But relax, remember, you are a homeschooling mom, there is always time to cover what you need to do.


10. You can provide your students with as much time as they need to truly understand a concept, and you can allow your students to skip redundant portions of lessons they have already learned. [Grace is patient, but Grace also recognizes achievement.]

9. You meet other homeschooling families who do things differently than you do, and you smile, knowing that all homeschoolers are unique. [Grace appreciates the differences in life.]

8. Every member of the family relaxes, knowing that Grace bestows forgiveness, second (and third and fourth) chances, and hugs when you need them. [Grace understands, and Grace loves anyway.]

7. You give up "flying under the radar" to avoid attracting attention as a homeschooling family and boldly traipse through parks, stores, and other public areas between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., knowing that anyone foolish enough to inquire why your children are not "in school" will have to endure a barrage of giggles, several quippy answers from each child, and at least 3 recitations from recent history and science lessons. [Grace accepts Life as a good teacher.]

6. You redefine a "clean" house to mean one that looks lived in but can still be occupied without fear of actually contracting any truly scary diseases. [Grace knows that perfection is unattainable on this side of Heaven.]

5. You no longer cringe at the thought of friends dropping by unannounced, realizing that they are more interested in sharing 5 minutes of conversation with another grown-up than in performing a white-glove inspection of your bookshelves. [Grace prefers people to things.]

4. You realize that no one who really loves you will care if the breakfast dishes are still in the sink when you start supper. Or that once in a while last night's pizza boxes can be found on the coffee table. At least the leftovers are all gone... thanks to the family dog. [Grace knows when you need a break.]

3. The thought of seeing your family pictured on the cover of a homeschooling magazine would mean that chore-boot footprints and mud stains are being featured in that issue's Art Corner. [Grace knows that Life is not tidy.]

2. You lower your expectations of homeschooling to include only those things your students might actually be able to accomplish in this lifetime. [Grace does not expect the impossible.]

And finally, the Number One Benefit of Homeschooling with Grace is:

1. Grace. Just when you think you've messed up everything beyond all hope of repair, God gives you the Grace to start fresh and try again. [His mercies are new every morning--Lamentations 3:22-23]


God Bless You all

Elizabeth

Colleges Are Courting Homeschoolers

This article from CBS news a year ago is worth sharing. I loved this quote

........Home-schooled students _ whose numbers in this country range from an estimated 1.1 million to as high as 2 million _ often come to college equipped with the skills necessary to succeed in higher education, said Regina Morin, admissions director of Columbia College.Such assets include intellectual curiosity, independent study habits and critical thinking skills,she said.



God Bless

Elizabeth

Coming Back!

I did not realize how long I have been away from this blog. I am glad to be coming back to blogging which I really love. I believe I have some how found my "groove" with home schooling, small business and home making, but we'll see.

At this time, I am trying to put together a book club. we should be starting soon God willing.

Giving Thanks

As we celebrate thanksgiving 2006, take time to thank the Lord for :


Your life - When there is life there is hope

Your spouse

Your Kids

The opportunity to homeschool your kids

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross (where will we be without Him)

Just take the time to thank the Lord for who He is!

He is the King of Kings

He is the Lord Of Lords

He is the wonderful counsellor

The mighty God

The everlasting father

The Prince of Peace

The I AM that I AM

The ancient of Days

The Lion of the tribe of Judah

The rose of Sharon

The lilly of the valley

The bright and morning Star

He is:

Jehovah Jireh

Jehovah Nissi

Jehovah Shalom

Jehovah Elohim

Jehovah Rafa

Thank Him because

No one can bless like Him

No one can forgive like Him

Just take the time to give God thanks! HALLELUYAH!

Outward Appearance

Today's Scripture: ISam.16:6-7

So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before Him!”
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees;[a] for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

As a homeschooling mom, how do you measure your children's success? What does success mean to you? How can you tell if your kids are learning anything? Do you measure their homeschooling success by the number of books they read in a month, or how well they have memorized their multiplication table or how good they are in science and history?

There is nothing wrong with all the things mentioned above, infact I know that 90% of the time, homeschooling does help kids excel more than their peers in academics, however as a Christian if we measure educational success only by what we can see outwardly, then we have missed the point.

We see from our scripture reading today that the Lord sent Samuel to annoint a king over His people. When Samuel saw Eliab he thought for sure this was the one because Eliab "looked" like kingly material, however Eliab was not God's choice. Infact God had been preparing someone after His own heart out in the field with the Sheep.

My husband and I decided to homeschool not just for academics, but because we wanted to raise kids with a Biblical worldview, we wanted to raise godly kids. This does not mean that we do not care about their academics, infact my 8 year old is alreading learning math at the 5th grade level and reads on an 8th grade level this is all well and good, but it does not tell us how well they are learning. What we try to do is measure their homeschooling success by their character and understanding of scripture according to their level. How they treat others and those who are not as privileged as they and also how they show respect to us as well to the other grown ups / authority in their lives.

David said in Psaml 84:10

For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

As a Christian parent, it is more important to raise a godly child that exhibits godly character and has a heart that seeks after God than to have an Einstein who has no fear of God or worse, has a form of godliness, but denys the power.

Just like David, I would rather they are doorkeepers in the house of the Lord, than to be kings in the house of wickedness.

Have a blessed day.