Copywork

Okay, so I have another resource for you (I seem to be on some kind of resource kick).

Bogart Family Resources is offering a free download of their e-book Copying the Hymns: All Things Bright and Beautiful. If you like that one, you can also get a free copy of their e-book Copying the Poems: The Voice of Spring (you don‘t have to sign up for the newsletter to get the poem e-book simply follow this link).

I found out about these freebies from Books on a Budget so be sure to click on over there as well for lots of other wonderful free home school helps.

Also, free copywork and notebook pages can always be found at NotebookingPages.com and at one of my favorite places, Simply Charlotte Mason.

Q. What is Copywork?

A. Short answer - copying great works of literature in order to improve handwriting, grammar, and spelling. It also has the added benefit of easily implanting those great works (or anything else you want your child to learn) into the child’s memory bank.

For a more comprehensive definition check out NotebookingPages.com.

From personal experience Spelling Wisdom is a great copywork (and dictation) resource. But, of course, the Bible is the best copywork resource of all.

Have to Share

Sometimes I can’t help myself and I just have to share a good “resource”.

Here is the story.

A few days ago I was at Sam’s. I was there to spend the inordinate amount of money it costs us to stock up our pantry with basic supplies that will last all of a week. (I’m only half way joking.) I was also there to see if I could still find a little cookbook I’d seen a few weeks before called $5 Meals. When I was at Sam's the last time I’d looked through the book ($5 Meals) and decided that I already had most of the recipes in it and that I didn’t need it, (read that - I didn’t want to waste money on it) but as often happens to me over the course of a few days/weeks (and several meal plan headaches later) I decided that maybe I really did need that little cookbook. Also, it is important to note that I’ve been forcing myself to be more frugal so…$5 Meals seemed just the thing to help me out. Anyway, as often happens at Sam’s, if you don’t buy immediately, you are sometimes out of luck (did I mention that I also looked for the book at Target and Barnes and Noble with no success). But, there was another little cookbook with the intriguing title of “The Pioneer Woman Cooks”. Now, if you’ve been following along with me for any length of time, you know that my secret desire (read - I really, really want this) is to move to the country and disappear so that my kids can climb trees, wade in cold creeks and build forts made out of sticks and I can sit back in a rocking chair on the porch and watch the sunset - and so that Sundays become a day of rest and not of work (read that - no church committee meetings, deacon meetings or any of the other “meetings” that take up our whole Sunday and take it from a day of rest and worship to a day of work). So if you know this, you will know that opening this little book (with such a cute red headed lady on the cover) was something I couldn’t resist.

Well, long story short, the cookbook came home with me ($17 price tag and all - I do not spend $17 on a book without a lot of teeth grinding - and especially not a cookbook) and later that evening as I was waiting in the van for Mark to get off of work (we had to pick him up because in order to go to Sam‘s I had to drop him off at work) I read through the whole thing - all 237 plus pages (I waited a long time) and enjoyed every single minute. It is an odd thing to say that a cookbook was a “joy”. But, honestly it was. The author Ree Drummond was kind enough to include little stories and pictures about how she became “the pioneer woman” and about her cowboy husband, her children, her animals (cows, horses, and dogs), her friends and extended family, life on the ranch, and of course the food that she cooks. Did I mention that she is an awesome photographer. The pictures in the book are reason enough to buy it. She makes being a cowboy look like fun. And as an added bonus she has step by step pictures of how to make each dish - simple, wonderful dishes. No tofu or vegetables with weird names here. Just simple, easy, everyday food. Wonderful. The kind a girl can actually cook and her family will actually eat. Did I mention that the in the first couple of pages the recipes are for Pico de Gallo and Guacamole! I’ve decided that she must really be a Texan at heart. Btw, if you weren’t hooked by that, the first recipe is for BBQ Jalapeno Poppers. (This recipe is very similar. Yum, yum, yum!)

Anyway, that is not all. The cookbook came about as a result of her blog - ThePioneerWoman.com. I couldn’t resist checking it out - right now she has a recipe for Apple Fritters up that makes me want to put on my apron and pull out my pans. So if you are wondering what to cook for dinner tonight...this!

But, again that is not all. Guess what? (I’d already wondered about this before I checked her out.) Yes! She home schools. Make sure you read her post about how that came about. It will have you laughing. Did I mention that she has a great sense of humor.

Side Note #1: I don’t usually like to post about things I haven’t actually tried so I am breaking my own rule in posting this - I haven’t actually made any of the recipes in The Pioneer Woman Cooks yet, but having cooked for many years now, I can usually look at a recipe and know whether not it will “work” (read that - taste good or not) and I think these are keepers. Although, in a pinch I might simplify them a little - as I usually buy chicken breasts instead of fryer chickens. But, maybe I’ll reform.

Side Note #2: For those of you who already live on a farm and have chickens, etc. or desire to do so...I thought I’d pass on another bit of info. - while I was at Sam’s I also perused the magazine racks and came across a little magazine called GRIT. It is all about life in the country. There were two issues on the stand and one was all about raising chickens. I didn’t buy that issue, but the one I did buy is about gardening and other things (it has cookie recipes in it and is the one pictured in the link). Very interesting and helpful - even for this city girl.

So that's it. Just thought I'd share.

Here is something fun for you and your little ones.

Jan Brett (Coloring pages, calendars, and lots of other fun stuff - the A,B,C book is really cute.)

If you haven’t shared any Jan Brett books with your little one, you should. They are delightful

A Free Gift from TOS

A little something to “jump-start” your holidays



and a new and intriguing Charlotte Mason curriculum provider that I just discovered but haven't decided what to do with ( if anything).

Epi Kardia

Happy Reformation Day!

Ben's 18m Routine

I mentioned in one of my previous posts that I’ve been “pondering” (and putting into practice) the difference between a schedule and a routine. Right now I’m still not ready to share my final thoughts on what I believe the difference to be but since I was typing out Ben’s Daily Routine for myself I thought I’d go ahead and share it.

Ben’s Daily Routine – 18 months

Morning

Rise and Shine
Read with Mom
Breakfast
Free play or assigned activity with Aaron
Play yard
Snack
Video in chair
Lunch
Nap

Afternoon

Read with Mom
Snack
Free play or assigned activity with Bethany
Play yard
*Free play with Bess/time with Mom
*Video in chair
Dinner
Bath

Evening

Free play with Caleb (or assigned activity)
Play yard
**Free time with Family
Snack/dinner with Family
Free time with family
**Chair
Bedtime

You probably noticed that all the activities repeat. That is because it is easy for me and creates a sense of routine -constancy - for Ben. In other words, he knows what to expect when. In my mind consistency, order and routine = peace of mind for both of us. First we do this, then this, then this and it repeats three times a day. The actual time of day (as in the hour) does not matter as much as that things are relatively the same most days.

Now you are wondering about the older children’s assigned activities and what they are? The activities vary depending on the child, but basically each child (Aaron, Bethany, Caleb) is required to read to Ben (2 books a day) and to do a specific activity with him each day – play catch, stickers, blocks, coloring, puzzles, etc. The activity varies and is assigned weekly. They do the same activity with Ben each day all week although they are free to be creative (within reason). They are also assigned words to teach him. For example if their activity is to play ball with him, then their word for the week is “ball”.

Ben “talks” a lot and in what sounds like complete sentences, but none of his “talking” until this week has made any sense. This week he said his first real word, “uh-oh!” He says something like “mumm, mummm” for mom or sometimes "maaa, maaa, maaa". He does not say "da,da". Yesterday he spoke to me for a full minute - a long string of sounds but none of it made any sense. He was looking at me and pointing at something as well, but...it is almost as if he has created his own language. His brothers and sisters all talked -at least one or two words- and signed by 15 months. Ben knows a few signs as well. But, he doesn't use them consistently - which is more my fault than his.

A Few Final Thoughts and Notes:

I do have a few "almost" non-negotiable times that I follow - nap is at 11:30 am and bedtime is 8:00 pm. (Ben's naptime will change as he gets older. Right now he is still transitioning from two naps to one so an earlier nap works best. Eventually his nap will start around 12:00 or 1:00 pm. Naps usually last for 2-3 hours.) The "almost" refers to life happening. I no longer worry about my babies missing a nap because we are out or at church or because we had lunch later than normal. I just go with the flow and the baby naps as soon as we get back from wherever we went or finish whatever we were doing. I've also come to believe that it is important for children to learn to sleep in different locals - other than their crib. This makes trips and times when the child needs to nap away from home a much more pleasant experience.)

*These two activities might switch depending on the day and how busy I am.
** As time allows or as needed to calm down and get ready for bed.

Check These Out

Tot School
Little Bits

If you are looking for activities to do with your older toddler or preschooler, you will want to check out Tot School. This sweet lady has done some serious work and it is amazing. (I think I will use some of the Tot books with Bess as she will absolutely love them.) Tot School also has a wonderful list of resources .

While you are checking out Tot School you will want to follow the link to Little Bits. These products are just too cute! If you like artsy diaper bags, girly girl bags, and blankets this is your place. Can I say, “Hello, Christmas!!!” Talk about creative. The Little Bits products are just too cute.

Garden of Praise

Today I stumbled upon a very cute and useful website. I would like to encourage you to visit it but first a word of caution...it isn’t particularly beautiful, hip or modern so be prepared. Please don’t look at it and think it old or ugly and hit the back button on your browser before you've had a chance to "look around"…stay awhile and check it out. I don't think you will be disappointed.

A few things to look at /read while you are there…

1. Keys to a Successful Marriage – point #2 made me laugh out loud (although maybe it really isn’t funny). I honestly believe that if we would only follow the wise advice that the author gives, we would all be married for a lifetime. Especially if we would take point #1 to heart.

2. Pioneer Life – if you like biographies don’t pass these up. They are a delight (there are a few more under the Inspiration section). I simply couldn’t stop reading them. If you read nothing else on this site you MUST, MUST read through these stories. They are so neat.

3. The Bible Songs – I found this site searching for grammar songs and found something even better in the 10 Commandments song (we are learning these this year). Why we sing “touch your head, touch your nose, and touch your ears…” in Sunday school preschool instead of songs that actually teach God’s Word is beyond my understanding. Something has been lost.

4. And for you recipe lovers – there are recipes too…although I haven’t tried any of them and only glanced briefly at this section.

5. And of course there are lots and lots of school helps – and they are wonderful! I hope you enjoy yourself as much as I did. Be sure not to pass up the Famous Painting section it is great.

And that is just the start. Enjoy.

School - What Works 1

Preschoolers and Peace is one of my favorite blogs. Kendra Fletcher has so much wisdom and practical knowledge to share. If you haven’t visited with her in awhile, you might want to head over there. She has a post up about school planning. If you are anything like me, then this is where your thoughts are turning as we wind down our school year and begin to look forward to the year ahead.

More later.

His Hands; His Feet

Here is the story I promised you yesterday. It’s a beautiful illustration of why we should pray and how God uses His people to meet the needs of others. You might want to grab a box of tissues.

Oranges for Christmas by Deborah Wuehler

It was Christmas, 1975, and I was in the sixth grade. Two of my very favorite childhood things were Christmas and oranges! What do oranges and Christmas have in common? To this young girl, they spoke of a faithful and loving God who answered prayer. Let me tell you my favorite true Christmas story.

Our family was very poor; 1975 was the worst year we had ever had. We were selling everything out of our garage; living from day to day.

On Sundays we attended church at the Rescue Mission and served food to the homeless. We also ate our meal there. We especially liked the stale and sticky, day-old donuts. They were delicious to those of us who had to eat turnip soup regularly.

At Thanksgiving, we helped serve the meal at the mission as usual, but my Mom began to pray and ask God if He would allow us to have Christmas dinner in our own home. A financial impossibility, but she had great faith, until Christmas Eve.

That night, Mom went into her bedroom and prayed while we watched football. She wondered how she could make the macaroni and cheese and hot dogs special, but to no avail. Hot dogs were hot dogs, and this was Christmas!

Not much was under our artificial tree except a few small trinkets Dad and Mom found at the thrift store. I can still remember the little box that opened with a snap and held a little Indian and his maiden dressed in leather and beads. But, I can't remember which football team was winning when the doorbell rang.

Standing at the door was a timid man and his wife, "Does Suzanne live here?" Dad answered in the affirmative as Mom came out. "We found you!" They said they had no idea where we lived, but they prayed and were directed to our house. They were as amazed as we were that they had found us.

Then it happened. . .in came boxes of food. There was the biggest turkey you ever saw, ham, candy, nuts, fruit and all the trimmings for the finest Christmas meal! Dad was laughing, Mom was crying, and my sisters and I were smiling from ear to ear. God had not forgotten us, but had found a family that would be His hands that Christmas Eve and bring a meal in His Name.

What spoke of God's love for that sixth grade, red-haired, little girl, and what I remember most in all those boxes, were the biggest, brightest oranges I had ever seen! I knew that those oranges were a gift straight from God to me, and ever since then I have been a firm believer that God answered mother's prayers and that He loves His red-haired little girl.

This was originally posted in the December 24, 08 issue of The Homeschool Minute . I highly recommend subscribing to the Homeschool Minute it will bless you.

Vision Forum Sale

Don't miss this...Vision Forum is having a fabulous sale. Buy any two items and receive the third item FREE!

The offer is unlimited so for every two items you buy you get one additonal item (of equal or lesser value) for FREE! The offer ends midnight on Saturday November 29 so check it out today.

Should we (home schoolers) be afraid?

This is a bit long, but it is worth the read.

I don't know about you, but this is an issue that I am really, really concerned about. I have a real sense of dread in my heart that a lot of the freedoms that have been gained by and for home schoolers in previous years will be lost in the years to come. (Mark and I have even joked about what country we are going to move to when home schooling becomes illegal. Pray it doesn't come to that.)

What Can We Expect Under an Obama Administration?
by Michael Farris, President Home School Legal Defense Association

Since the election of Barack Obama as U.S. president, HSLDA has received more than a few calls from both members and nonmembers. Some are quite concerned about the future of homeschooling under an Obama presidency.

First of all, let us always remember that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). He also instructs us to be wise, plan, and be prepared in everything we do.

Despite HSLDA’s efforts prior to the election to get an official statement from the Obama campaign regarding their position on homeschooling, we received no response.

So where does that leave us?

We do know that the Democratic Party has an official position of supporting public education. The National Education Association (NEA), which is the national teachers union, is a major supporter of the Democratic Party. We know that the NEA’s position is that every child should be either taught by a certified teacher or supervised by one.

Additionally, their position is that the curriculum used by all homeschoolers should be approved by the state, and children should only be able to continue to be homeschooled based upon systematic evaluation by the state.

It is important to remember that under the United States Constitution, the federal government has no authority over private and home education. This is not to say that they will not attempt to exercise authority in these areas. And whenever private educators accept grants and benefits, there are conditions to receiving those benefits, including being subject to regulation.

Just because the federal government has no constitutional authority over home education, however, doesn’t mean that federal bureaucrats or legislators might not attempt to impose some form of regulation over private and home education. We saw this back in 1994, when the reauthorization of the Secondary and Elementary Act (H.R. 6) contained an amendment which would have conditioned funding to the states for public education to require that all teachers be certified in every subject area they teach.

The homeschool community rose up; over a million phone calls were made to the U.S. Congress, and the amendment was defeated. During that process, Representative Dick Armey from Texas introduced an amendment which stated that the federal government and Congress have no authority over private and home education. This protective language was passed by the House of Representatives.

With your help and the help of homeschoolers all across America, we will vigorously resist any effort on the part of the federal government to regulate home education. Obviously, this will take resources—which come from our membership—and we would encourage our current members to continue standing with us, and encourage others to join us.

An immediate concern to watch is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Although we do not know what Barack Obama’s specific position on the treaty is, we know that future Vice President Joe Biden has publicly indicated that this UN Convention should be ratified by the United States.

It does appear that we will soon have the challenge of keeping the UN Convention from being ratified by the U.S. Senate, ratification requiring a two-thirds majority to pass.Should the UN Convention be ratified, it would impose the United Nation’s view of children’s rights on America. Under the U.S. Constitution, treaties become the Supreme Law of the land, taking precedent over state laws and state supreme court decisions.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is not in the best interest of parents or children, as it would undermine the parental authority that our laws currently recognize. For further information on the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child visit ParentalRights. org.

To summarize, homeschoolers should not live in fear, but we do need to be wise, and we will need to be vigilant to protect parental rights and homeschooling freedoms in the future. We stand prepared, with your help, to do that as we’ve done for 25 years.

So what can we do? First - follow Michael Farris' advice and trust in God; Second - Pray; Third - join the HSLDA and/or your local homeschool legal defense association. Btw, if you live in Texas and you homeschool, do yourself a favor and subscribe to the THSC newsletter. It will keep you up to date on all the political (and other) issues that are important to you as a home schooler.

You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock. -Isaiah 26:3-4