Wycliffe Bible

People often ask me HOW we manage things around our house. So I thought that I would share with you a few things that have worked well in our large family homeschooling situation. Hopefully, they will be beneficial to you. Even if it is not something that you can incorporate, it is always fun to see how others organize their homeschool. Hopefully some of our ideas can be of help in the upcoming school year!


1.Get an early start. This is a very difficult one for me but it makes such a big difference. I am not a morning person and am often up several times a night with little ones but I have found that if we get an earlier start we accomplish so much more. Things tend to run more smoothly for us as well. We try to be up, dressed, fed, and ready for school by 8 am. I will readily admit that it is a rare morning that this actually happens. We shoot for this never the less and it is becoming a more frequent occurrence. It seems if we start school work any time after 9 am then we most likely will not finish our work and we are going all day long. If we start at 8 am we are almost done by lunch and are finished by 2pm. I do not know why it works this way other than we are more energetic and motivated to make the most of the day when the day is still fresh.

2. Keep a stash of pencils, pens, staples, glue sticks, and any other necessary items. Find an easy place to store them. I have a basket thing that I keep ours in. It sits atop the book shelves listed in #2 above. It is on the end that is next to the stairs so even the shorter children can climb a few stairs and be able to reach what they need without any difficulty.

3. Organization is key. Her are a few more ways we organize our things.

Our Bookshelves
The Children's Material Buckets

4. Take advantage of nap time! Nap time is when you can accomplish a lot! You can finish lessons with the older children or correct papers without the little ones making noise or trying to take pencils. You can have chore time and do a quick pick up to straighten the house, or you can take a short refreshing nap to help fuel you for the rest of the day. You can have your Bible readings or other reading. You can use this time as I am now, blogging. Take advantage of this time.

Labels: Homeschooling, organization

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Sonny Scott wrote an article on 6/8/2008 for the Daily Journal. This article is entitled: Home-schoolers Threaten our Cultural Comfort. It is worth the read. Here are a few short excerpts.

Indications are that home schooling is working well for the kids, and the parents are pleased with their choice, but the practice is coming under increasing suspicion, and even official attack, as in California.

Why do we hate (or at least distrust) these people so much?

Methinks American middle-class people are uncomfortable around the home schooled for the same reason the alcoholic is uneasy around the teetotaler.

Their very existence represents a rejection of our values, and an indictment of our lifestyles. Those families are willing to render unto Caesar the things that Caesar’s be, but they draw the line at their children. Those of us who have put our trust in the secular state (and effectively surrendered our children to it) recognize this act of defiance as a rejection of our values, and we reject them in return.

Another portion....

Deep down, however, we know that our generation has eaten its seed corn. We lack the discipline and the vision to deny ourselves in the hope of something enduring and worthy for our posterity. We are tired from working extra jobs, and the looming depression threatens our 401k’s. Credit cards are nearly maxed, and it costs a $100 to fuel the Suburban. Now the kid is raising hell again, demanding the latest Play Station as his price for doing his school work … and there goes that modest young woman in the home-made dress with her four bright-eyed, well-behaved home-schooled children in tow. Wouldn’t you just love to wipe that serene look right off her smug face?

Take a brief moment and read the article in its entirety then come back and share with me your thoughts on the matter.

Labels: Conservative, Conviction, Homeschooling, News

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Thanks be to God: the Gospel does not allow us to live divided lives. Our education, our careers, our relationships, and our worship are all bound up together in our calling to submit to the Lordship of Christ—that is, our calling to live as Christians. These six talks by Pastor Wilson encourage us to strive after a Gospel-filled life, always seeking to embody the doctrines and beliefs we confess.

This set includes:

- Education that's Christian All the Way Down
- God and Everything Else
- What Is a Christian Worldview?
- Christ and Your Calling
- The Integrated Life
- What Worship Is; What Worship Does

For your free MP3 downloads visit Canon Press. I do not know how long these will be available so hurry!

Labels: Christianity, Conservative, Encouragement, Family, Homeschooling, worship

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Do you ever feel discouraged? How about questions of where you fit in with the homeschool world? Do you know how to plan a school day? This book can help you.

My dear friend, Valerie, has come out with NEW book entitled "Homeschooling With Encouragement".

This little 36 page e-book ( 64 page printed book) is packed full of encouragement, but kept simple while covering the topics that seem to overwhelm us during those first three years of homeschooling. Valerie wanted to give this book the feeling that she was having a personal conversation with you, walking you through the "bumps in the road" every homeschool mom comes across. Here are the points covered in the book.

1. What is a Homeschool Approach (traditional, eclectic, hebraic, classical, etc)
   
2. How to Create a School Schedule (180 school year schedule)
   
3. How to Constructing a School Day (sorting through curriculum)
   
4. Fighting the Social Stigma
5. How to Evaluate Your Progress as a Homeschool Family
   
6. A Plan to Action for the New Year
   
7. How to Avoid Homeschool Burnout
8. How to Jump Start Your Homeschool Routine

Valerie's heart is to encourage the homeschool family and I think she does just that through this book.

This book is soon to be released in stores online so if you want a discounted copy you better hurry! Visit Weblink Education to get your copy now!

Labels: Encouragement, Homeschooling

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  posted at 7:03 PM  
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This months edition of The Heart of the Matter Magazine has been published.

My article is here: Teaching to the Heart

Other articles in this month's issue:

Why Homeschool?
What's in Your Beach Bag?
Density, Buoyancy, Viscosity, Oh My!
How Does Homeschooling Benefit Society?
Planning our Preschool
When Friends Stop Homeschooling
Creating a Mission Statement
Money Management for Children
How To Tell WHY Your Child is Struggling
So We've Chosen to Shelter Our Children
Teaching our Children is More Than "Doing School"
Making The School Year Easier On The Teacher
Teaching to the Heart
Why Charlotte Mason?
Rejoicing in Weakness
End of Year Organization

Labels: Heart of the Matter, Homeschooling, Train Up a Child

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  posted at 8:59 PM  
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As mothers there is so much that we do. Often times when we allow ourselves to become discouraged we wonder if anyone notices or if we are making a difference. I would like to encourage you to continue on and refocus during those times when you might feel invisible or unappreciated.

Labels: Christianity, Encouragement, Homeschooling, Train Up a Child, Videos

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There you have it! My confession! At heart I am a curricula junkie! I love homeschool materials! We have tried numerous programs, curricula, subjects, and approaches to homeschooling over the years. As of now we are finishing up what has been my 12th year of homeschooling. I think I am considered a veteran homeschooler by now. About 6 years into our homeschool journey I ran across a curriculum that I absolutely feel in love with and we have used it ever since. We, of course, have made a few adjustments but have stuck with the same program. It works well for us!

Then I run across another curriculum that looks to be wonderful! I think to myself maybe I should try it out but then I remember that every time I try something new I always come back to what I am using now. Sometimes I will add something and then I frustrate myself because I have to much to try and accomplish! I keep reminding myself that sometimes less is more. So what is the cure? Please someone tell me!

There is one idea that has been floating in my head for several years. I often kick this idea around and have even discussed it with my husband. Maybe just maybe I should just write my own, perfectly suited, everything I desire incorporated curriculum! It would be complete with day to day instructions, necessary resources (real books & supplies), planners and scheduling tips, Biblically sound and deep, totally comprehensive, more and more! Maybe I would entitle it Classical Christian Schooling for the Large Family. It is a grand idea and one that is probably biting off much more than I could ever chew. Then once I get excited and worked up and am ready to plunge in, the realization of the time and effort that would go into such a feat overwhelms me! Then the idea diminishes into a dream way back in the corner of my mind until I see another new curricula out there I want to try.

I am hopeless! Or am I? What do you think???

ADDED: Everyone keeps asking what we use that we love...it is updated in the comment section! So now, if you use something you love share with me too!

Labels: Curriculum, Homeschooling, Train Up a Child

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  posted at 12:30 PM  
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The May edition of The Heart of the Matter homeschool magazine has been published! You can catch me over there today! Stop by, read, and leave some comments! Have a terrific Thursday.

Main Page

Direct Link to my article on schedules.

Labels: Family, Heart of the Matter, Homeschooling, organization

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Wow, can you believe it? After several weeks I finally have a new link to share! Two actually!

We are preparing to study World War II and the Holocaust so I did a search. I came across this site: Cybrary of the Holocaust. They have an education page with links and lesson plans, HERE.

Next, I did a search for a study on Corrie Ten Boom and stumbled upon a free cliff note resource. They have a search engine you can use or you can just look through the alphabetical listing. The site is called Best Notes and the direct link for Corrie Ten Boom's Hiding Place is HERE.

For more Weblink Wednesday visit my friend Valerie.

Labels: Curriculum, Homeschooling, Links, Weblink Wednesday

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Today I was sitting and talking with my 6 year old and 4 year old. I was explaining how the baby in my tummy gets food, drink, and breathes. I continued to tell them how we need plants to live, you know the oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange. I continued by asking them, "Isn't it amazing how God made everything to work?" My 4 year old, shown in the photo, piped up and matter of factly said, "It's for God's honor!"

This is just a glimpse that the love of the Lord is growing within her and our teachings are being rooted in her heart. Even at 4 years old, she knows the chief end of man and of all creation; to glorify God!!

Thank you Lord for such a rich blessing!!

Labels: children, Christianity, Encouragement, Give Thanks, Homeschooling, Preschoolers, Train Up a Child

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  posted at 12:14 AM  
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My good friend Valerie has launched a NEW homeschool resource website.

No more guessing if a site is for teachers only,
No more wondering what a particular website offers,
No more guessing if the material you're viewing is free or not,
And no more jumping around from site to site to find something you need...

It's All Done For YOU
All Weblinks are Mom tested and Mom approved!

• Educational Links
• Parent/Teacher Resource Lists
• Unit Study Help
• Homeschooling State Law Information
• Family Support
• Top Homeschooling Curriculum Choice Information
• Homeschooling Help Through High School
• Homeschooling with Special Needs
• ...and Much More!
  

Take some time and check out the new site. It is sure to be one resource you will want to utilize again and again. Either click on the image or follow this link: Weblink Education.

Labels: Curriculum, Homeschooling, Learning Disabilities, Weblink Wednesday

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This week Miss Valerie asked for some special needs resources so that is what I have listed. I hope they are useful to you. Check out more of the links at Weblink Wednesday.

NATHHAN National Challenged Homeschoolers Associated Network
Christian Families Homeschooling Special Needs Children

What is ADHD . . . of the Christian Kind?

The Institute for Multi-Sensory Education - ideal for dyslexia.

AVKO Educational Resource....ideal for learning disabilities.

Labels: Curriculum, Homeschooling, Learning Disabilities, Weblink Wednesday

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  posted at 8:22 AM  
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We had a lot of entries for this giveaway. Thank you to everyone who posted and entered! It is now time to announce the winner! I am so sorry I did not get it up earlier today but it has been a very full day!

The winner is Michelle from Precious Peas! Congratulations Michelle!
Please email me your address and I will get this in the mail to you.

For those who did not win, check back soon. I have another great giveaway I will be posting.

Labels: Curriculum, Giveaways, Homeschooling

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  posted at 7:11 PM  
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Today I am posting on two other sites. Stop by and check them out. Leave me a comment so I know you were there; it is always great when others add to the discussion!

The Heart of the Matter Homeschool Magazine March issue is up and running. There are a lot of wonderful homeschooling articles. This month in my column Ducks in a Row, I write about five ways to make school run more smoothly.

Come on by and see how we organize our homeschool....HERE...






Over at The Well Drained Mind I write about struggling with the "perfect homeschooler syndrome" and how the Lord gives us little glimpses to encourage us as we teach our children.

Head on over and read about my Boggle Blessing.

Labels: Blogging, Encouragement, Heart of the Matter, Homeschooling, Learning Disabilities, Well Drained Mind

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  posted at 12:12 AM  
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The links for this week are for handwriting.


Handwriting for Kids
School Express
The Amazing Incredible Handwriting Worksheet Maker


For more great links visit Weblink Wednesday hosted by SoCalVal.

Labels: Curriculum, Homeschooling, Weblink Wednesday

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  posted at 7:12 AM  
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Here are today's homeschooling links.

Music Forms

Art Forms
Bible Forms
Award & Certificate Forms


To find some more great homeschooling resources just follow the geese by clicking on the graphic.

Labels: Curriculum, Homeschooling, Train Up a Child, Weblink Wednesday

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  posted at 7:32 AM  
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Organizing the materials and books for each child is also important. I had a friend introduce me to this particular idea and it has made a big difference in organizing our materials. Each child receives their very own plastic bucket. They are similar to milk crates in size. Each child places their folders, math books, readers, journals, paper, container of pencils, and anything else that is specific to their course of study in these containers. They have a designated place for their buckets and are required to pull them out before school and to return them after school.

Visit CanadaGirl for more Show and Tell.

Labels: Curriculum, Homeschooling, organization, Show and Tell

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Today's link is for free art lessons from Visual Manna. Visual Manna is an awesome art curriculum and well worth the money spent. They have also offered a few free lessons. They have a link for a past newsletter which has several lesson included in it and a way to sign up for future newsletters. I am headed back there to sign up! I hope you enjoy the free art lessons.

VISUAL MANNA FREE ART LESSONS

For more Weblink Wednesday Homeschooling links visit SoCalVal.

Labels: Curriculum, Homeschooling, Weblink Wednesday

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  posted at 7:55 AM  
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These are “singing science texts”. The complete program includes the text, tape or CD, and reproducible workbook. Each chapter in the text begins with a song. Memorization of scientific terms and concepts should be fairly painless as students sing such memorable lyrics.

Setting important science concepts with old, familiar tunes, they have created 18 songs teaching earth science concepts including topics such as plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, minerals, types of rocks, weathering, erosion, glaciers, groundwater, soil, and topographical maps. Melodies used include Handel’s Water Music, My Grandfather’s Clock, Shendandoah, Souza’s Washington Post March, The Boll Weevil, Wabash Cannonball, and others.

The reproducible workbook has exercises to reinforce the lyrics and textual information and ensure comprehension of the material. The first exercise in each chapter set has students fill in missing keywords from the lyrics. The second quizzes on information from the chapter. This exercise varies somewhat in format. The third exercise is in short answer/essay format and concludes with some “Digging Deeper” questions which require some critical thinking. A complete answer key is provided at the back of the workbook.

DETAILS FOR THE GIVEAWAY:

1. Included is the complete kit plus an extra workbook.
2. The final day for entries is March 15.
3. Please place a post about the giveaway on your blog.
4. Return here and leave a comment with the URL of your blog post.
5. This post will remain listed in the sticky link above the daily postings for easy access.

Labels: Curriculum, Giveaways, Homeschooling

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  posted at 9:04 AM  
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For Show and Tell I thought I would share how I organize my teacher materials and resources. I have a specific place for things and they are easily accessible, not only to me but also to the children who will need them. This makes things flow pretty smoothly during school. I have two bookshelves located in the hallway about ten steps from where we have school. It is easy for me to pull things out and to replace them. I typically pull out everything I will need that day and replace it as I finish with it. This gives me a visible and tangible way to tell what I have accomplished and what is still left to be done. The children can go and get their resource books and replace them as needed. Below is a photo of our two bookshelves piled with 95% of our schooling curriculum. Even if it is not a grade we are utilizing this year, it is still on the shelves. Next week I will share how we organize the individual children's books and supplies. If you click on the image it should open larger in another window if you want to see what is on those shelves.

For more Show & Tell Visit
Mary aka Canada Girl
Click on the image below.

Labels: Curriculum, Homeschooling, organization, Show and Tell

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  posted at 7:36 AM  
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