Ready...Set...Go!

..well almost.

We are still several days away from our actual first day of school but I am so excited about the new course of study for the year I had a 'practice' run.  I'm going to do a few more of these and try a few different presentations in order to be sure we are maximizing instruction time.  Our school time runs parallel to hours of operation at our little scrapbook store.  To avoid frustrating my little student (or being unavailable for classes and customers) a well choreographed plan needs to be chosen.  Switching curriculum often causes me a bit of concern as I work out my own management bumps.  I will need to stay on top of this course better than the ones of previous years that have had the benefit of work sheet pages for fill in time.  Besides my curriculum change, we added piano lessons in this summer and will continue to do so during the school year.  (I guess momma better get up earlier!).  I'm confident a pattern of ease will soon settle the unsteady feet that waits to begin another year of school.

As I do so, I reflect upon an article I read many years ago (reference/link pending) which set in me an even greater resolve to never shirk, neglect or take for granted the truth that God implanted deep into my soul a desire protect the childhood, youth (and education) of the children placed in my care.   This article wrote of the days in the early Church and the efforts the Brethern took to see that LDS schools were established.  Obviously they did not survive and I believe the children of the church today suffer the consequences of the choices of the saints at that time.  While I do not judge them, for surely their path was a difficult one.  One, I have great respect and gratitude for.  Yet, I wonder how would the lives of our children been different had there always been schools that were primarily for those who were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Oliver DeMille said, ""Education can’t be fixed as long as we believe this basic myth. The myth is that it is possible for one human being to educate another. The fact is that the only person who can fix education is the student."  This ideaology has been the basis for my home instruction since the genesis of our home school days.  My objective is to try to instill a love of learning in spite of multiplication, fractions, essays and sentence diagrams.  I know even in the frustration of the task a sense of  value can be felt.  I know the more the child believes in what they are doing the more likely they will find desire to learn.   The easier it will be for them to accept the bumps on the road to acquiring an education and the less they will personalize the crack or crevice they might encounter along the way.  All of this will add up to them teaching themselves and this is where true learning happens.

Each year, my journey in education also continues.  A side benefit of being a home school mom is a constant opportunity to channel my purpose with my methods and strive for a result that draws us closer as a family, closer to the Savior and more learned.  This year I am particularly grateful for this blessing.  As I read about the goings-on in the world around me and realize how serious the attack on the family is becomming I am feeling more concern for my children's children.  As secret combinations rally to take the rights of parents away and to compel public education to lesson the indoctrination of parents to children I am even more keenly aware of the intent of the Adversary.  Nevertheless, aware I am and as often as prudence warrents I teach, warn, and caution my children.  As I present the reasons and purpose for us to be peculiar ('of our own) and to protect our rights to be so I testify that if they are true and faithful to who they are as home schooled children and why they are such, it will arise in them in time the desire, the intent and the ability they will need to defend and protect their rights as parents.

Methodology Implementation

This is the year I typically begin to implement my preferred methodology of 4r'ing (research, reason, relate,record) into my children's home school program.  By 4th grade they can usually compose well-crafted thought and enjoy reading enough to engage in it.  Here is where learning becomes more fun and less about getting the foundation established.

In the beginning I start with Abeka, not because it is the best -- but because it works.  I've used it in a variety of classroom and home settings enough to know.  I've used it with very bright children and those who struggle.  It still works.  Every year when I purchase their curriculum I wonder if I'm stuck in a rut and missing something else that could be of great value.  I usually know when I'm ready to move on.  This year was no exception.  I do not like 'fill-in-the-blank' education and this is a lot what you get from Abeka, however, the phonics program works.  So now that we are reading well, on our own and aggressively.  Now that there is a good grammer/language foundation.  We are ready to progress.

This year we will move completely away from workbook language and grammer.  I've gone to my stash of books and pulled out a couple that I think we can easily develop a good grammer core with.  Well begin with parts of speech and move in to sentences, punctuating, agreements, clauses, etc.  I will begin the little basic drills in Daily Grams.  Its a good language starter.  They are short lessons and give structure.  I can have the student start on this while I get a lesson set up.  It is incremental and doesn't interfere with more invovled lessons I will be doing in the basic year's course.

Our history will change significantly this year too.  In fact, this is a new book that I haven't used, but have spent a lot of time reviewing.  The basic text:  A Child's History of the World.   I like the basic structure of this book.  I think the author's feeling that there is a need to super simplify is not as crucial as he believes.  Some of his tone seem's a little too immature for the age level.  I'll work with that as well as the Christian concepts that are not in keeping with the restored doctrins of the LDS faith. 

I'm still searching for someting that will work for me for science.  This would be  my difficult area.  With only having one day at home, Monday.  This is our 'weekend.'  We homeschool on Saturday because we are at our shop that day.  I need a curriculum that isn't too lab-driven.  This is a bit difficult considering the subject itself.  I will continue to pray and search.  It will work out.

Math: Math-U-See Gamma.  Yes!  On to multiplication!  My kids have loved the change to this curriculum and while I am sur there are others out there that work and maybe even better.  This one does too.  So why rock the boat.  We enjoy the DVD classes with Mr. Demme too.

We have a solid piano course working for us now that I am excited about.  Music is a very important part of education and I can already tell this is helping tremendously

Art was successfully implemented via classes at my store.  Corrinne has done well there.  I'm going to look for some of my drawing programs I have in my supply area to add to this year's course of study.  It might work well for days when she needs a de-stressor or I'm a little of course for whatever reason.  They do happen and its good to have something light - but productive.

Now I am on to find me a good reading list for the year.

Blog Moving - School Starting - Random Musings

I'm supposed to be in the final stages of curriculum planning right now, but I seem to be more involved in blog hopping than anything.  (I'm fascinated with a few cooking blogs  and anything cupcake).  In one of my blog surfing moments I  ran across something that caught my full attention;  A discusson regarding the power of duplication as it is related to training children.

The concept speaks truth to me as a parent.  As a young mom (and even in my pre-mom stage) I spent a lot of time thinking about what to do and not to do once I became a parent.  It isn't too difficult when your children are infants, but as they begin to move the task becomes more difficult  and dauting.  This continues to increase as the child's skills increase.  The more independent thought and action the child possesses the more will be required of you.  Because children imitate what they see, you and your parenting skills are on the constant scope.  Everything you do and say, everything you don't do or say sends a message.  The particular blog relates that all you have to do is 'watch your behavior.'   Have you ever listened a young child at play and overheard something you wish you hadn't?  Confirmation!  Imitation is not always going to flatter us as parents.  If I want my child to grow up well, I have to behave well.  I will continue to ponder this truth.

This takes me to another blog that left me with a point to ponder on. 
These teachings, from Luke 6:45
" A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."

I love the principle here of  'treasuring in our heart.'  I desire a heart that brings for that which is good.  In order to obtain this worthy desire  I need to control the thoughts and feelings that govern what is in my heart.  Charity comes to mind quickly as a corrective tool.  When thoughts and feelings become uncharitable often the heart will become the receptical of 'evil treasures.'  The term charity has been my mantra for a good long while in my home, but as I ponder these principles and connect them I see a clear path to how to be that charitable person I desire to be.   Often as I struggle to become what I know I need to become I find that the concept is clear while the execution is what elludes me.  The more I study the principle and find ways to develop them, the less ellusive they are for me.  A mighty change of heart is a daily project.  Not that I'm of a mean nature in any way.  I am a mom trying to run a home and bring up chldren righteously before the Lord in these last days.  It makes sense that in order for that to happen, I have to be righteous before Him as well.

More musings later.....
   I've got to get back to refining curriculum for the new school year and finish setting up this blog so that I can record a bit more of my journey with homeschooling.