Mummibears

Daycare and Parenting.

2012-02-08T08:34:00.003+13:00

I guess I needed something like this to shake me out of my silence, an I don't normally use the blog to share opinions but this article finally gave me the impetus. Finally someone trying to turn the tide in this article...Yes. maybe a start to the discussion that is long overdue.

I've watched my country push mum's into the workforce with lovely looking incentives to encourage "good childcare for all" but underneath has been a message that stay at home - really isn't quite as good. To guild laden parents trying to do the right thing it sounded good. To stressed parents trying to make ends in a tight world it sounded good. And I get the guilt.

I used to work in the corporate world, employing a team of 6 staff, working alongside lots of other professional women. I think between three of them I saw every mail option. clearly some worked better than others.

Dad's taking their turn so the family could make thinks work, and Nana helping out when needed. (I loved this idea and we used it for a time)
The mum in tears begging for time off because her child was sick...and worrying,
A businesswoman back in the workforce within days of giving birth, because she was bored and well her replacement hadn't sorted it out did she ever build a relationship with her child?

I also ended my career listening to those who started the creche movement in NZ speaking on how they wanted choice, choice for those who really truly felt the need to follow their careers, not slavery to the workforce for all. Lamenting that over the years professional women and now nearly all women were faced again with guilt because they had no choice but to go back into the workforce.

It's nice to hear that stay at home mum's services is valuable, a realistic and good choice. And while I'm biased, I don't want to pass judgement on those who truly desire a career and a family - most of them will make it work. I just want freedom for the guilt ridden mums who no longer have a choice to realize that home-based early childhood is valuable, good and can be even more productive than daycare - after all their child gets to be taught by someone who truly wants to do so!

Distractions

2011-12-15T08:28:00.000+13:00

We've had the kittens home for nearly two weeks now, and after thier initial this is big, and new, and scary ...they started to make themselves very much at home.

They discovered beds were good for sleeping in ( and wrestling on)

They found the toys, and people to play with them

And when they were too tired to lift a paw in play, lots of sunny places to crash out and sleep again.

A Patchwork of Days

2011-12-12T08:11:00.000+13:00

Outside my window...

Green, everything is growing and flourishing, except the roses which having given their first blooms are waiting for me to dead-head them.

I am listening to...

Silence, almost silence, my youngest if curled up on the couch talking to the kittens, who are pondering whether they are sleepy or ready to play. Somehow these two little bundles of fur manage to sound like a herd of elephants when they start racing after each other.

I am thankful for...

A newly turned 15 yr old and an opportunity to go out for dinner in celebration of our 18th wedding anniversary. Life is good.

From the learning rooms...

We're still working on Roland and enjoying reading a Midsummer-night's dream as a family. After months of half days and tiredness were finally starting to pick up Latin and Greek again..not such good timing but its nice to feel positive about school. the pieces are falling into place for a very different summer.

From the kitchen...

Not much happening. I should be making rose-petal jam fudge and a Christmas cake, and in reality they will happen somewhere in between the ballet rehearsals and the schoolwork.

I am reading..

Roland and a Midsummer-nights dream. Its been fun to get back into reading Shakespeare together, and with the business of this season its good if we have to keep going to be able to drop the after school reading prep, watch a movie with hubby and read together as a family.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

The last busy week for the year. Ballet, ballet and more ballet. The Christmas shopping is almost done, the box for Christchurch family wrapped, time for some baking, some sitting back and watching kittens, board-games unless the weather clears, and some learning. It should be a very good week.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Dress Rehearsals the girls in my daughters class. These are the Chinese costumes that we spent our spring break making. I'm looking forward to seeing how beautiful they all look on the night.

A Patchwork of Days

2011-11-24T07:37:00.016+13:00

Outside my window...

Cloudy and overcast - spring rain, ouch. Tony's was away overnight with his class on a outdoors education weekend. I hope they didn't get the rain as last night they were sleeping out in the bush under tarpaulins.... will have to spoil him when he gets back tonight.

I am listening to...

Rain, birdsong, natural quite, everyone else is sleeping in.

I am thankful for...

Roses, Irises, a garden in full bloom, a tidy desk, space to relax and rest...hope of the kittens coming soon, family

From the learning rooms...

New rhythms are growing, which is good, school these days is a lot more relaxed, not schedule driven but next thing driven. Its nice not to always feel pressured to keep them moving forward. Its nice to be able to admit when we need a break and take time to rest.

From the kitchen...

Not much, its time to spring clean the freezer and use up the frozen leftovers...so last night we had Beef Casserole turned into a pie with a short wholemeal crust..yum.

I am reading..

It's been a while as a family we just finished the Lord of the Rings... its been great having Tony read it with all the voices and well I miss looking forward to our chapter at the end of the day. At least the Gollum voices are still with us.

Alongside that this week we've had Beowulf and Robin Hood. I've enjoyed Beowulf especially with the Veritas motes and questions alongside. Having these books in context to read through makes them a richer than when we have read them as stand alone titles.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Its a busy week ahead... and yet the calm before the storm.

We'll put up the Christmas tree early this year.Each year we add one decoration for the year that has been, and well this year we need to remember Zeke, so it would be good to do that before the kittens arrive. Wonder how they will like the tree... kitten fence needed?

We have government elections on Saturday, that instead of being simple, straightforward they were this time last week have become uncertain and muddy, unfortunately we may live to regret this weekend. God is in control right?

On top of that Christmas shopping for the wider family, and the unceasing round of pre recital ballet.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Pippin - 8 weeks

We got photos from the breeder last week, the first time we've seen them at play and Pippin gained himself the nickname of "Possum" not sure the breeder would be impressed, our kiwi possums are imports who have made themselves unwanted guests...but this one is a keeper!

Merry and Pippin

2011-11-18T15:10:00.001+13:00

Realizing we now had a very real gap in our family and no comforting fur to cheer us up ...

We've been waiting for these two lads to grow up and come and join us. Naming them Merry (the red one) and Pippin (the chocolate) since they seemed to fit.

We've watched them grow from newborns just opening their eyes to...

Thankfully the breeder has been really nice in sending us photos of them growing up.

And soon, just two weeks we get to go and bring them home!

Enjoying Spring

2011-11-14T06:58:00.000+13:00

This year I certainly needed a spring full of promise, and it blossomed with hope out my window.

Making sourdough

2011-11-10T15:28:00.013+13:00

I've wanted to make my own sourdough for ages, but well it hasn't quite happened.

Then the family pizza maker managed to drop half of his dough in the sink and well half a dough isn't enough to feed us but it gave me the nudge I needed to start a local sourdough.

I found a sourdough recipe over here and we have been enjoying our own brand of sourdough all winter.

It works well with a crock-pot soup, keeps well and everyone loves it with butter and golden syrup just as it comes out of the oven.

Good-Bye Zeke

2011-10-28T23:33:00.003+13:00

There has been a lot of sorrow in the family... our 10 year old Burmese vanished in the middle of Sept. The cat who always waited for me when we went out, sitting at the front of the drive, waited, slid silver round
the trees that mark our drive and disappeared.

Its been a long few weeks getting used to the silence and adjusting to the realization that he wasn't coming back.The question of what happened, the fears, and slowly saying goodbye.

He left a gap, a huge gap in the family. OK we realize that he was an incurable chicken bone thief, and well umm other dainties on the kitchen bench that tempted him, but in his eyes, and to an extent we appreciated him for it, he as our protector, and encourager. He tried his best to keep the neighborhood toms out, and yet let the local family pets come and drink from his pond.

He knew whenever anyone was sick, curling up on their bed while they slept or simply cuddled him. He found our laps for nearly every story-time, and discussion, complained that he wanted in or out throughout the school day, sat on the table while we worked, or on the keyboard, or curled up in his basket with our other cat - his "girlfriend."

We miss him, soft gentle, loving, ok sometimes downright annoying, but very much and always a member of the family. We miss you Zeke, and seriously pray that heaven lets in cats...because we all want to see you again.

Catching up again.

2011-10-28T22:44:00.001+13:00

Its been a while since I wrote, trying to keep up with school-work and following kids skewed the priorities, or maybe overtook them. Its been good over the last few months to dust off my old spinning wheel, making tme to enjoy the snow, get pulled int sewing costumes for my daughter's ballet recital and enjoying spending time in the kitchen and the garden again. Not so much time spent blogging and recording it all. Lots to catch up on.

The post I really needed to write.

2011-09-26T07:06:00.000+13:00

I need to say goodbye to our beloved, annoying pussycat. I've tried to write this too many times and stopped, but I think I needed to take time to write it.

I don't think that there have been many moments in the last 10 years when we haven't been aware of his presence.

When we haven't known that somewhere in the neighboring sections he was looking out for us,
keeping watch over us,
waiting for us,

or that on one of our beds,
or beside the fireplace there was a silvery gray figure curled up, half awake, half waiting for someone to give him a cuddle, go for a wander or do something interesting.

I didn't think I ever saw you lift a claw in anger or defense against a person, and yes you should know that at the end of the ten years the baby whose cot you slept in, whose bed you snuck into finally decided that having you there was good.

Annoying,

Well you always knew what he wanted, normally because he spent half of the school days and almost every evening trying to get our attention off the books and onto him.

You could remove him on his desk and have him jump up, back before you re focused on what you were doing.
Often what he wanted was to go outside after hours, stalemate....two strong willed creatures meand him refusing to give way - ok at 3 am sometimes we would give in to the incessant crys, when it was quiet out there and there were no cars of the road. Road sense never was your strong point.

Truly you were always in the middle of things, comforting my daughter when she was sick, putting up with the boys attempts to box you or cage you - umm why were they so slow to realize you would stay put for hours if someone would just scratch behind your ears.

We will miss you Zeke

And then there was a snowboarder

2011-09-03T07:11:00.000+12:00

Every year since my youngest was 5 we've been able to head up the mountain for a few days of skiing, thanks to an amazing package that they put together for the local school kids. I think the highlight of my winter is to enjoy a beautiful blue-sky day on the mountain, and the co-0rdinator of the group is good at waiting for those blue-sky days.

Over time we left the beginner slopes behind and found that we could enjoy racing each other through the snow. Well, they can enjoy, I can hope to catch up with them at the bottom.

But along the way one child has consistently wanted to add snowboarding to his options. To board rather than glide down the mountain. So this year we left him behind in the beginner slopes, and with a little bit of help and a few lessons...

He made it top to bottom of the mountain. Not fast, and totally exhausted each day, but he made it.

Snow in the Backyard

2011-08-19T06:48:00.000+12:00

Normally snow doesn't fall here. An hour south can be blanketed, half an hour to the east and the roads close on cold winter nights but here snow was unheard of until Monday morning. But this time we had one really really cold snap, and for the first hour of the day enjoyed snow in the backyard...

We got to make a snowman on the drive ..even if it is only 12 inches high!

So why has Gollum taken up residence here?

2011-07-19T07:47:00.013+12:00

I've enjoyed working through the Lord of the Rings both as a read aloud and as a Omnibus book this year. My sensitive kids who at 9-13 weren't sure when we started that this series was a safe read ...but as "What hasss he gotss in his pocketssees" took over we've been fine..now thanks to Dad's read aloud voices,... we have "niccee fissshheesss, niceee Hobbitssess" , now the only pause in how to finish the Two Towers is to see what Gollum gems will bet us past the spider...umm no so easy when some family members still do roof patrols in their room each night trying to rid ~~the world~~ the house of all daddy longlegs...

A Long Journey

2011-07-17T07:47:00.000+12:00

Its been a long journey to find out how to work this home-school thing. Lots of false starts, lots of work, lots of things I wish I had known at the start. But this year slowly order seems to be growing.

Its not that we have it perfect, its not that I have the right planning system, because I now only seem to use a spreadsheet, and largely wing it.

Its not that we've cracked the secret of homeschooling three kids by lunchtime, and have done lots of cool stuff after-wards. We do get rewarded with dessert if we make it through the days school though.

Nor is it that we have found the ~~perfect~~ most amazing curriculum out, but now I can see how what we have been led to use fits together and its been good, yes in its own way fun and rewarding, but it has been a long road to see how all the pieces that used to seem so competitive for our time interweave.

Slowly I'm starting to drop the pressure and work towards a simple " We will do the work today that God wills." I'm not good at it, but I can see that its a lot better than trying to plan and make that planning happen. Especially for someone with a track record for being way to stressed out about it all.

Haiku fun

2011-07-16T11:58:00.001+12:00

Teaching my youngest Haiku last term, this is my example, courtesy of a persistent cat.

Zeke's, gray, snakelike tail

Lying across my blank page

Begs my attention.

Please don't take out the trash....

2011-06-09T09:24:00.001+12:00

because we love our Zeke

I guess it was really too cold to sleep on the floor in front of the heater this morning.

Swimming

2011-06-09T09:23:00.000+12:00

It might be crazy, but having finally got order in our home-school days for the first time in months ... we have two weeks of swimming. I see Chaos looming, although this time at least we are prepared,

Routine sorted,
Marking pile up to date
Muffins baked,
Togs in the dryer...

Ready for the week...

Breathing Space

2011-06-07T08:17:00.000+12:00

It's been a while since I've been here. Summer has gone, the Autumn leaves have turned golden and dropped, they've even been picked up, the winter vegetable garden is in, soccer started, and well maybe we are starting to get a handle on how this year will work.

So hopefully I'm back to the blog again.

From My Artist's Pen

2011-03-23T18:09:00.000+13:00

“Augustus was savior of Rome, and Jesus the Son of God is Savior of the world”

The saying is actually made up of two saying, one by Publius Nigidius Figulus, “The ruler of the world is now born” concerning Augustus, and the other was said by Mark, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”. Mark was one of the apostles of Jesus, and he later wrote a book about the life of Jesus. He went out to preach the gospel but was killed for his faith. Publius was part of the senate when Augustus came to be Caesar of Rome. He wrote many books and supported Caesar

Another way to put the saying is: “Augustus saved Rome from collapsing, making way for Jesus, Son of God who was later killed on a cross to save the whole world from death.”

Mark was trying to spread the Gospel to the world. We are not told who in particular he was writing to, but being one of the first gospels, he could have been writing to everyone. At one point he was Peter’s scribe and Peter restored him to faith in Jesus. Publius and his friends were trying to find safe rules so that men and gods could talk to each other. He was also trying to support Augustus.

If Augustus had not saved Rome, then Rome could have been turned upside down before Jesus even got there. And if Rome was in turmoil then it would not have been worrying about Jesus and may not have killed him of the cross. If Jesus did not die on the cross then the world would not be saved from death, because sin leads to death and through the death of Jesus, we have life.

It is like a test. To understand the test you have to study and lay the foundations of what you are studying. It was the same idea when Augustus took hold of the throne of Rome. As you continue to study for your test you build on what you already know. In the same way Augustus built Rome up, he cleaned up the streets and kept the peace. As the time of the test gets nearer and nearer, new ideas and thoughts go through you head. Jesus son of God turns up as a common Nazerite, grows up, lives a perfect life and begins his ministry. Then the test come at last and you pass never having to look back but go on into some new subject. So Jesus took the test, died on the cross and saved us from our sins never having to go through death again.

In the end Augustus and Jesus proved the saying true. Augustus saved Rome in the Civil Wars and he closed the gates that could only be closed in a time of peace three times. He took good care of Rome, and sort of prepared it for the coming of Jesus. Then Jesus came into earth, and lived a perfect life. The Jews with the help of Rome killed Jesus on the cross. But on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead and through his death saved the world, giving us life and freeing us from our sins.

Remember Daniel and his visions. One of those visions was about a statue of Nebuchadnezzar, with a gold head and stone feet. Well, in Daniel’s dream the statue crumbled down to nothing. Rome is like the statue and in the end Jesus is what brought it crashing down. He brought it down, through his good works and the works of the apostles.

The saying was “Augustus was savior of Rome, and Jesus the Son of God is Savior of the world.” Augustus saved Rome and brought peace so that Jesus could come and save the world from sin and death. The saying is actually two sayings one by Publius, who was part of the senate and the other was said by the apostle Mark, who was one of the twelve that followed Jesus. Publius supported Augustus. The saying also shows us how God used Augustus reign to bring salvation to the world. Daniel’s dream also proved the wisdom of the saying true. Therefore the saying is a wise saying.

A Broken Arm and A Broken City

2011-03-06T09:08:00.004+13:00

I haven't posted for a while, not since my boy broke his arm messing around on roller-blades in the carport, waiting for lunch guests. That made for an interesting meal - was it broken or not? Unfortunately 4 1/2 weeks of cast latter it was.

Disruption that snowballed, a Tuesday afternoon - cast repairs at A & E, a 1-2 hour power cut, and a phone-call, have you heard from...in Christchurch. Are they ok.... panic, read the news, see emails of concern from across the States - urgent phone calls -YES they are safe, unharmed, or at least as good as it gets when danger lurks close.

Its been hard to write since. Hard to put words to paper - we are unaffected and life goes on, yet in our country life remains at a standstill, people lost, homes, destroyed, the place we used to live reduced to a war zone. There but by the grace of God ....

There we watch and wait,

Hearing of the quiet thoughts that stopped people from being in the wrong place and the wrong time and give thanks.

There we rejoice where damage is less than feared, lives not lost.

There we mourn for unknown people who lost their lives, people who lost their homes, people who lost the ability to pour a drink of water.

Please pray for those that mourn, for those who have lost memories, possessions, that those who wonder what happens next will discover the Savior from whom the city takes its name... that lives will be rebuilt on the solid foundation of Jesus.

Rediscovering routines

2011-02-09T07:54:00.013+13:00

Since we started back into the formal learning side of the year we've been working on a few new routines and more importantly re-instituted some old ones.

We've picked up a good book for story time - well some of us are enjoying it - we started on the Lord of the Rings - unfortunately it is a little on the scary side for my youngest. I want to read it aloud before my oldest gets to it in Omnibus. While the choice of book might be causing problems, getting away from the TV and back into a good story has been good.

We have a new learning time routine - instead of trying to juggle each child individually we are running blocks of maths, Greek, Latin etc. I sit with the kids and work alongside in Latin and Greek, hand-hold everyone in maths, and mark/discuss when they head into their omnibus/science/ history type subjects.

I've turned morning tea into a mini circle time and brought back those CM things that I miss from our Ambleside days - artist, poetry and music studies, as well as a slot to work through the fallacy detective - which really is too much fun to do alone
.
The last change is more practical that fun - we dropped writing out of the daily plan and have consolidated it into our Fridays art and writing day. So far the fun projects have been put aside in order to do Classical writing. this is the change that still needs work. I love what classical writing covers, but I also enjoyed having a more fun project day. Omnibus almost gives us the Omnibus but not quite. Doing both is an overkill and yet I haven't managed to find the balance yet.

A New Year

2011-02-08T08:07:00.010+13:00

New Year's Sunrise - East Cape

I like the beginning of the year - time to get away from the routine, unwind and rest. Each new year seems clean and fresh when you simply sit and watch the sun rise on it. This year we got to enjoy one of hte first sunrises in the world - and fortunately it was clear enough to be able to enjoy it.

Coming back refreshed, time to think and plan, time to relax and enjoy. We school better when I'm relaxed. Much better - new year resolution Even Mum needs to take weekends off!

Medeival Madness

2011-02-07T08:40:00.005+13:00

Note to self - don't plan to cook a medieval meal in the heat of summer. When everything is slow long cook - it gets really hot in the kitchen.

With my youngest being in the Feudal card of the Veritas Middle Ages History program I though it would be fun to turn our Sat Evening meal into a school celebration. But the we didn't have a starter or dessert - which well Sat night really ought to have. So we went looking and found a wonderful site with lots of recipes.We had fun planning and discovering. A Hot afternoon of cooking - not so fun and I hope a fun evening. Next time we'll save the Medieval meal until the weather is cooler.

The photos are from the local Medieval tournament a few years back - it was fun. We didn't make it this This year which was a good thing they got washed out - and the camp had to be evacuated - all in mid summer.

Summer Wanderings

2011-02-06T08:33:00.001+13:00

We've been back for a while but the holiday rest and relaxation have continued as far as the blog was concerned... while we kept getting caught up with less than ideal weather the Summer break was just what we needed to set up the new year.

We wandered around the East Cape of the North Island. We found long beaches - we really should have camped at this one!

We Explored rock pools - lots of rock pools!

We walked and discovered.

Occasionally the weather allowed us to enjoy the surf...I did say occasionally?

Enjoyed the sunsets.

We Camped,

And finally we gave into the elements and headed for home - looking forward to returning later in the year for more fun.

Spring Bounty

2010-12-09T21:10:00.001+13:00

Our cherry tree produced its first bowlful of cherries - since we have never grown our own cherries before this was exciting ... now just hoping the ripen up. And since fresh cherries are normally too expensive to buy we're looking forward to enjoying these.

Definitely feels like a Kiwi Christmas

The end of a long day

2010-12-04T11:31:00.001+13:00

Last week, at the end of a very long day of tired kids, slow schoolwork, and wondering if I had the energy to see out the term. I curled up with my youngest and noticed the twilight.

Sometimes God uses something so simple to reset our priorities.

November gifts from the garden

2010-11-23T13:37:00.001+13:00

My favorite thing about November has to be that my rose garden starts to bloom, and forth next few months I can enjoy fresh roses in a huge variety of shades on my table.

A Patchwork of Days - Daybook

2010-11-21T13:52:00.018+13:00

Outside my window...

The sky is clearing after one of the few spring showers that we have had this season. I've been watering the garden for some weeks, its nice to have rain. Its also nice to look out while it clears.

I am listening to...

The sound of kids talking as they clear last nights dishes. Its a nice happy sound for all of us. Sometimes parenting is easy.

I am thankful for...

Lots of little things - this week has made me aware of the effects of being grateful...

for eggplants on sale and moussaka for Sat night dinner,
rose syrup that makes great rose flavoring for Mediterranean desserts,
hubby moving my desk back over to the window so I have better light for reading,
the gift of a second hand laptop for the kids...
extra space because we moved out the old school computer.

It is good to look at the world through gratitude.

From the learning rooms...

Busy! My daughter has had the hard word that she needs to finish her work for the term by Christmas. She's been working at half pace all year, and objecting to speeding up. Since I don't handle conflict well I've tried to jolly her along, and focus on what is good. Now we've had to address this head on. It will be a busy few weeks.

From the kitchen...

On Thursday I put together the first batch of Rose-petal Jelly...I was a bit timid and its a good Rose Syrup...great for baklava and other Middle Eastern deserts so I'm looking forward to enjoying them but it looks like after we do the monthly shopping I will be making another batch or two.

I am reading...

I'm hoping to get time in our omnibus schedule and read the next installment of Norse Myths for my youngest son's studies. I've enjoyed seeing the background of the other major influence in English literature - especially Tolkien even if sometimes these stories seem very depressing and wild.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

A much quieter week ahead - almost normal before ballet practices and year end activities start to effect us. This is good. I like quiet.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Art - Artistic Pursuits

2010-11-18T09:40:00.002+13:00

Art has always been a welcome relief here. Nature Journals and drawing made school a lot better for my girl and for me. I've enjoyed learning to draw - art in school was fun and that's about all. When we started homeschooling I had to get my head around art being not just fun but also having things to learn. Scary.

We started out with how to teach art to young people by Evan Moore. Lots of fun projects looking at each of the elements of art. That was fun while it lasted although for many of those sessions there was more theory than fun.

About that time we also added in Drawing iwth Children. I learn heaps. We even had some fun, But for 5 and 7 yr old's it was just too complicated. We really didn't have the fine motor skills to do anything like this.

Then someone suggested Artistic Pursuits. We worked through the books sometimes slowly, sometimes seriously. Generally steadily. I've enjoyed the mix of art appreciation. ( It makes up for my Charlotte Mason failings) serious technique and fun.

Stopping ans starting isn't so good. We've worked through all of the K-34 materials they are fun, and can be enjoyed at a much higher level than the suggested K-3 we've all learnt from these.

The composition and drawing books are great. There is enough of a balance to develop even my youngest who decided early on that he wasn't any good at art becasue he couldn't draw like his siblings. I'm hping so we make it inot the colour books... but this is what we have acheived.

Drawing Animals - the Naturalist age 10

An artist in the family

2010-11-16T07:54:00.013+13:00

When we went up for our ballet exam the teacher pointed out a picture of ballet shoes on a music background that she had thought about buying for the studio. Looking at its simple construction I figured that Beth would be able to put that together... mostly it was simple, the main drawing part was a pair of ballet shoes and on the original there were simple line drawings on fabric.

My artist was a little less confident. The canvas was big and well it was for someone else. It had to be good. We did a trial run and made the project even more complicated. It it needed to be a painting not a sketch. She's good at sketching, adding paint is another matter.

Two weeks ago she finished it, and on Thursday she handed it over...

The Iris border

2010-11-15T10:10:00.002+13:00

Nearly 5 years ago we moved into what we thought was a temporary rental while we looked for a new home in town.

The house had been owned by a retired couple who filled their days creating a show level garden. They had planted nearly every inch in flowers creating a beautiful enclosed cottage garden.

Times changed and they were unable to maintain the section. It was sold ...first to a member of our church who let us among others use if for a transition between homes. Then by God's grace we became the caretakers of the garden. Lots has changed to give the children some grass adn to allow me to grwo some veges... but much of the garden is still as it was planted. In late spring it comes into its own as a wonderland of color.

A Patchwork of Days - Daybook

2010-11-14T10:15:00.002+13:00

Outside my window...
A blaze of purple, pale blue, cream, burgundy and green the Iris are in full flower. Behind them roses are opening. Definitely time to sit outside and enjoy the view

I am listening to...
Our last book order from Amazon for next year arrives - and with it my Christmas CD for this year - Chris Tomlin's Glory in the Highest. Its a little bit early but we couldn't resist playing it for the first time.

I am thankful for...
At the dress rehearsal yesterday I was once again grateful for the roles that my daughter has had over the years and the current choreography put together by their dance teacher. The studio is doing Tinkerbell.. and the junior grades are a mix of small creatures and fairies... the older Jazz grades are toned down this year - but the adult themes in the music isn't quite what I would want to hear every week. for my girl...they have been given the Call from Prince Caspian, and Maze of Grace. Both fun, refreshing and our girls get to be young ladies. Yes I'm grateful.

From the learning rooms...
Celebrations - my middle child who has the reputation for not enjoying languages is consistently getting 90% in his weekly tests. The move to Henle this year, and a gain in confidence have made a huge difference.

From the kitchen...
More thoughts in how I structure our purchases, and keeping order in the kitchen. I spent part of yesterday morning working through a list of the the preserves that I will make this season - fruit crops allowing and what I want to pick up in terms of meat when the price drops in Autumn. I think I have a plan.

I am reading...
The pile by my desk is growing, but this has been a week to relax and enjoy CS Lewis, Narnia style.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
I would like to say that the peaceful routine of life returns but it looks like another fun and busy week. We have a Water Safety Day at our local pools, which if it is like the one they had last year will be a lot of fun. I also have a Friend coming over for coffee.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Fresh Eggs and Spring Gardens

2010-11-13T10:36:00.017+13:00

In late summer I finally managed to find the cash to buy a portable chicken coop and bring some hens back into our lives. the kids had enjoyed having the girls around when we had lived semi-rurally for a couple of years. They wanted the girls back. Its been an adventure.

Keeping chickens in a town section is different no large run. but these girls are friendlier than our other hens ever were - young pullets that follow the kids when they go down to feed them. Hens that dig through my rose garden and the vege patch. Hens that get banished in spring because the lawn has to grow, or the new beans are coming up. Fortunately we can start letting them out again when we are gardening.

In the mean time these girls are giving me enough eggs for one or two egg meals a week, sometimes even breakfast. Its been good to enjoy fresh home grown produce again.

The History Delima

2010-11-11T11:09:00.000+13:00

As I said I love Veritas's history and the Christian emphasis that is incorporated into the work. I like having a solid base if Christian thinking in the middle ages and the reformation. When it hits the Explorers and American History we become unstuck. It's here that the resources get expensive and well as a Kiwi it doesn't really fit our needs. But it does provide a good launching pad into Omnibus.

Hence the Delima.

For my oldest we simply jumped around so much that we never got to this period of time. Ok we came unstuck here and I wasn't sure what was happening. But now my middle child is struggling with not having a spine to read from, and I'm struggling with being pulled away from the narrate and then have some fun pattern that we all are familiar with.

Hopefully this will make history both more meaningful and increase his confidence in what he is doing. It does mean that we will hit Omnibus a little later - 2nd or third term of next year. But it seems worth it and in truth I can se that we really aren't all that ready for Omnibus year 1 yet.

For now its back to the Story of the World with Veritas added in for projects when we get to it.

More pictures from Mt Bruce

2010-11-11T09:12:00.000+13:00

And then there were these guys almost/probably on the endangered list, but we have seen one or two as we've walked in the bush ....they are the North Island cousin of the Kea. (Kea's aren't endangered and are probably one of the best known parrots in NZ. They are the bane of car-owning skiers and trampers because they love the rubber on windscreens and windscreen wipers...but they are also the clowns in every camp ground, car park and picnic spot around the southern alps. )

This northern cousin though the Kaka is ...he's browner, shyer maybe only a little bit...and a bush not an alpine parrot. At the Santuary they feed them to keep an eye on the birds that have been released back into the wild, andto stop them starving over winter.

Ahh that could be why they are endangered.

2010-11-09T09:09:00.026+13:00

While we were away we went to the Mt Bruce bird Sanctuary. Its a trip that meant a major detour on our way home from my Mum's place but it was worth it. Nature study for us has meant a fascination with the birds of NZ, and from our bush walks and living out in the country we had lots of feathered visitors. But a number of our native birds are on the endangered list. Breeding programs like the one at Mt Bruce do thier part to turn things around....

And so I finally got to see the Kokako....its last remaining natural habitat isn't that far from where we live...about an hours drive, and we have enjoyed several walks there, but never have we seen one of these in the forest. I figured they were shy and hid high up in the canopy...

Until we met this one... when it decided we were friends it came up to the wire....it repeated what we said..and a number of other parrot like sayings. We were warned not to hand feed her after all they do want to breed and release... but she was so friendly, and fun, but it wasn't easy to resist....a truly blessed day.

Kokako Mt Bruce

A Patchwork of Days - Daybook

2010-11-07T16:29:00.000+13:00

Outside my window...

Spring, a mass of green a border of Iris in nearly full bloom, Self sown Grannies Bonnets amongst the Iris, Roses about to open, oh yes and well weeds

I am listening to...

The family is relaxing in from of Ratatouille after a late Saturday night of Guy Fawkes fireworks. When the movie is quiet there is silence.

I am thankful for...

The teaching series we have been listening to from Mars Hill. Learning to be teachable with lots of opportunities to practice this arising in our daily lives.

From the learning rooms...

I really need to catch up on my Latin studies so that my daughter has work for tomorrow. I was meant to work in Sat instead we went on a family trip to buy a trailer. Um Latin after supper. I'm enjoying the Aeneid and Luke, have avoided looking ahead to far into next week.

From the kitchen...

Re-organizing my routines back to our monthly shopping and dinners from the pantry again. Somehow over the past few years one good idea after another has turned simple and fun upside down. Money saving ideas seem to have added to my budget in ways that I still don't understand. How is it that money saving good ideas can end up making the food bill just so much bigger? Its nice to return to normal, and re-discover a our version of simple and easy.

I am reading...

Seasons of a Mothers heart and a couple of other good devotional books found their way into my bookshelf this week. I'm hoping to enjoy some encouraging reading.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

This week looks like being simply normal. I need to plant some tomatoes, my seed raised ones haven't quite survived transplanting and so I need to buy some. I'm also hoping to tidy up the section ans sweep the spring snow off the pathways. Saturday is the dress rehearsal for my daughter's end of year production.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Appreciating the Patchwork

2010-11-07T10:16:00.001+13:00

Our homeschooling journey could easily have been described as a pull between two poles. I love the Omnibus from Veritas in truth I love their whole history and bible program. But I also love the idea of a freer CM style learning, based on good books, nature study, relaxed learning and quiet peaceful days.

In the past we have swung between the two and our own blend of block studies. Each has its advantages, each has its downfalls especially when I add in the quirks of my kids and myself. Often I've felt like a failure from jumping between the two and a whole lot of variations in between. But along the way we have learned, and I think that I'm finally coming to a balance between the two styles.

For the younger ones living books and narrations largely replace the cards and worksheets. I still use the worksheets where they take what we are learning a little deeper but often its reading, narration and any interesting activities. I know we overdo the formal stuff - written narrations are way to common, but they work, yes I agree ex-auditors really shouldn't be left to home-school alone.

With the Omnibus this term we have taken the selections for about nine weeks, and stretched them so that we start the introductions to most of the books in week 1 ...and finish most of the books in week 10. Slow reading, time to sit with a book. No more hard weeks of reading that is pulling us down. ( OK in truth that's only the Histories ...but that was a long time of not wanting to read.)

We still have our writing project and art project Fridays. Hopefully next week I'll mark them in time for evening presentations. For this week its a Monday presentation. They are great fun, and yep I get to see what really had made a difference for the younger ones. With Omnibus this is the time to play with the writing questions and essays. the also give me a day to catch up, and a day we can bump if there is a home-school group activity, skiing or a long weekend. No more inflexible Monday to Friday schedule with these interruptions sending me into stress mode.

I still have three kids in different places in History, Bible and Literature .. it really is a patchwork, but its working out. They have something that is theirs and that is good. But now we are far enough in to have conversations at dinner and discuss Homer and Virgil. Just because someone asked a question, and we are all far enough along in the journey to have it start to come together. It wasn't in depth, but to see the various personalities interacting was worth the struggles, and is also worth the patience of going at their own pace.

A Simple Daybook

2010-10-24T16:52:00.001+13:00

FOR TODAY
Outside my window,
Green and pink everywhere. Spring has come into our garden and the first pink cherry blossoms have given way to green. Soon the blue and yellow of Iris will grace our garden.

I am listening to...
My daughter sewing, finishing off a yellow summer dress.

I am thankful for...
My kids, we are in the middle of birthday season, and it is good to single each one out for a time and enjoy their gifts and uniqueness.

From the learning rooms...
We've returned to Friday's being project day. Its nice for me to be able to tidy up the loose ends and relax at the end of the week. It is also good to see the fruit of our learning at the end of the week.

From the kitchen..
Its Sunday afternoon and all of us are looking forward to hour weekly home-made pizza. It's a nice simple way to end the day, especially as now the kids help to prepare it. Meringues are on the menu as well, using up the egg whites from last nights desert.

I am reading...
I'm looking forward to enjoying the early Rome selections from Omnibus, the Aeneid and The Early History of Rome, as well as starting Kreeft's the Best Things in Life.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Schools out for Monday - Labour weekend, for the rest of the week, I'm hoping to plant out some of the seedlings we have been growing.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

In the tradition of the Simple Womans Daybook

A Long Absence

2010-10-21T14:55:00.000+13:00

It has been a while since I have posted. I would like to say a lot has happened, I've been busy and life has certainly felt like it the truth is it has been good to hide away and let the world pass by my computer screen. Sometimes it is necessary to just be.

Ballet exams have come and gone, we passed with Merit, I'm pleased and my daughter enjoyed the chocolate.

Spring has come and my garden is turning green and lush again. Weeds are growing and being pulled, seeds planted, the fishpond is even starting to look like a pond again.

But the good things of winter, the fire, the skiing remained just a little longer this year we got to enjoy the warmth of spring and the fun of winter. Sometimes it isn't hard to see that life is good.

Hopefully this sees me blogging again...

Exam's pending

2010-08-21T17:06:00.004+12:00

Amongst the nerves and negotiations. My girl really wants a distinction, she hasn't gotten there since here first exam, but each year she tries, this year she's worked really hard ...the negotiation, I get a block of chocolate if she gets her distinction, if she doesn't one mini bar for each mark under..I think she still wants a good mark.

Truth, Beauty, Virtue

2010-08-12T07:23:00.000+12:00

Yesterday we left the house just as dawn rose and headed for the mountains....Petra's "War and Remembrance" on the tape deck for a day of refreshment.

Drinking deeply,

trusting, laughing, flying...

Heading home as the clouds came in

Enjoying what fills our souls and refreshes

Settling an out of control year

2010-08-07T16:04:00.000+12:00

This morning I woke up, still chewing over the stress that has crept into our home school and a steady stream of posts like this one that has me revisiting the idea that our home school is not meant to be a stressful race to finish each lesson. I've been tossing around all week what to do.

Do we combine back to our routine of one humanities subject a week, essay and art project at the end...freedom, or do we race to get through what we have been struggling to achieve...a full Veritas humanities program.

Do I combine kids who, well truly are benefiting from separate courses, especially the youngest who is a visual learner and loves his independence and isn't ready at all for omnibus related conversations. Or the oldest who has tried to step up to the mark but missed out from art and writing sliding off the desk because we aren't finished the week yet.

Ahaa... instead of combining, but still taking back control of our curriculum, I'm going to drop back to one humanities subject a week, just one focus for our learning, one book or idea to play with. Yes. I'm actually staarating to enjoy my weekend and look forward to next week.

Running in circles

2010-08-06T19:03:00.001+12:00

For most of this year, my blog has been quiet, my garden empty and my desk a mess of busyness. Its been a year of transition, transitioning from elementary to junior high, or rather primary intermediate to college in NZ terms. From short stories, narrations and hands on projects to longer works and a new, uncomfortable way of doing things too busy. Willa hit it on the nail over here and here. School has overstepped it bounds and become heavy - very heavy.

Once again I am torn by doing what is best for each of my children individually ( according to the curriculum providers,) or of joining then together into a one room home again... and simplifying. Or is is simply that I need to take back control and prayerfully run things...Much to pray about. Largely because to put everyone together is to undo a lot that is working and to move into waters that become very slow moving. The third option is simply to slow down, take one day and at a time, renew our strength and get rid of the clutter. And to go skiing.... nothing clears you head of business like a day on the mountain. For the moment I'll take the third option and see where we get to.

Watered Down Orange Juice or Orange Juice in the Water...

2010-07-18T17:34:00.001+12:00

About a year ago, maybe two age sat in church listening to a sermon on how we needed to be getting the real juice, making sure that what we were learning wasn't watered down, but that it was the real thing.

The sermon illustration was in terms of watered down fruit juice vs the real thing. The sermon bugged me, not least because in this church the Gospel and Scripture had taken second place. I left the sermon with the distinct feeling the problem wasn't that we were watering down the truth, the problem was we distrusted the "living water" and saw it as corrupting the truth. Yes I pushed the metaphor further than was ever intended. With the Woman in Samaria, Jesus presents himself as the living water, that which quenches all our thirsts.

Last week listening to the podcast series on doctrine from Mars Hill (Mark Driscoll) he made comment on psychology as a distortion of how we see the world. Mmm. Lots to think about.

Yes I still work on forgiveness, but I also work on being careful with my I statements, providing rewards for good behavior, withdrawing privileges when the kids are disobedient..etc Just below the surface are lots of psychology based ideas. I'm still working through this but I can see that psychology and its roots in humanism and self, are never going to answer the problems of a fallen human being living in a sinful world. I need to look at the depth to which I relate to the world from a Christian worldview, compared to a humanistic worldview with Christian covering.

Initially this compassionate and caring mum is at least starting to unpack some of the guilt of trying to discipline her children, and being afraid of doing lasting damage...and the frustration of not being able to motivate (should that read manipulate them into doing what I want them to do.) and the confusion of living life in a world of grey, especially where love, authority, grace, and forgiveness get mixed up with preserving self confidence, rewards, roomtimes, family conferences, consequences and punishments.Too much of our days are spent working through the negotiations and explanations that try to create ownership in the kids about what they need to do, and the kids second guessing what we need to say, so that we can do what were were always going to do without mum realizing for at least a while longer. .

Sometimes it really would be a heap easier if I only had to work with the simple right and wrong, a yes is yes, a no is no, a maybe means I'll think about it carefully and an assignment just needs to be done the way mum asked for it. Maybe it really is just that simple, maybe or is that hopefully the reason why I find myself head to head with strong willed children. Something to work on, something to work through.

Pondering the Homeschool

2010-07-13T09:06:00.001+12:00

After twenty plus weeks of running a school year of busy-ness and newness we are all a little jaded. Its been a big step up. for some of my children a struggle to focus on learning not playing at learning. We dived into the Veritas Press history and bible curriculum, and I have to say that in so many ways I love the ideas that this curiculum pulls together. I love the cross over in thoughts and ideas, the reformed basis to the questions. The pondering.

But its busy. Our days struggle to find a balance of learning and growing. The space to stop and think and enjoy is lost in acquiring facts, getting it write, finding the next part of the equation. The worksheets give nuances at times that the kids miss on their own. So do the discussions in omnibus. But in the business there isn't room to grow together and enjoy the beauty.

I've enjoyed this morning looking at this post and seeing the possibilities..journaling reflecting processing. When we went through Bible college the information in its own was good but there was always a sense of so what, what does this mean in our lives, what are we really learning. In other words we were encouraged to grow from what we were learning, not just gather information.

Classical education has always been about the idea of seeking truth, beauty and virtue. Its there in all the curriculum that we use, and yet its hidden by the business. When we combined everyone's studies that was what we were focusing on, the reflection, the beauty the good in what we were learning. I could listen and interact with my children and see all of that journey. as we have separated them out and leaned more heavily on curriculum it is harder and harder to have that sense of what are we learning as opposed to what information are we collecting. Maybe we need both. I really don't want to add in extra to our already burdened lives.

I want to being in more freedom and peace. Its a case now of pondering how.

That was encouraging

2010-05-16T09:13:00.004+12:00

This morning amidst the chaps of hyper kids and boys wrestling on the couch... do I get to admit that in homeschool cyber pace, I had a wonderful discussion with Hubby about our curriculum choices. My husband teaches science for a living at the local Chrsitian/ACE school. While he's always been supportive and trusted me, the whole classical thing is something that I've grown in independently of him. Our paths of research have always been separate.

In the last year, amidst all the doubts and all the challenges of three homeschooled kids who still think the emphasis should be on home and not on school, my husband has been looking at my curriculum choices and seeing the possibilities. I'm finally seeing not just the good idea but the fruit of how Latin and Greek, Grammar and Progym, Maths and Logic, Art, Narration and discussion, all fit together into a unified whole and it is good. This morning he looked into the book I've struggled with the most. Veritas' Omnibus. It is good to have his seal of approval and to know that the toil is worth while.

You Homeschool, Wow I really couldn't do that !

2010-05-09T14:32:00.003+12:00

I think this is the most common response a Mum gets when she admits to homeschooling her children.

Polite, politically correct and its a lot nicer than the alternative responses from non-homeschoolers. For a long time I came to appreciate it, not realizing how it seemed to still eat away at my joy in the journey.

I've never worked out why there is a divide. Maybe it is simply that Homeschooling is still the alternative to a tried and true norm. Maybe its the growing unrest to be a mum and a career girl and do everything else well... maybe its the guilt of knowing that in the pressurized world we just can't be both mum and what society expects from us. Maybe its just the self centeredness of the who we are as human beings and where we meet those needs.

So in response I have to admit that there is a self-fulfilling side of homeschooling that meets my needs if not my kids. Things that I am grateful for....

I get to learn, and enjoy it. Truly in the last 8 years as a home-school mum I've learned more about English and writing than I ever did before I dropped English as a subject. Slowly I'm starting to understand how language works and I'm sure one day it will show up in my writing.
I get to know my kids really really well, I think this is a blessing - of course some days I'm not so sure but others it is. There is something egocentric in knowing what they will do in a situation just because you spend all day with them.
I finally ended up with the courage to read and therefore understand history, and even more how all those important by way too hard books fit into our culture. OK we are only just starting to read the real thing, but at least it makes sense how we got here.
I have a job that means I hardly have to leave the house and yes while that might be a problem for some I really do feel more comfy at home with a fire and a good book.
I get real morning tea with cakes or biscuits each morning - yes I have the extra kilos to show for it! But its still very nice.
I get flexi-hours, my friends don't quite believe this since we're fairly routine people but its true and I have heaps of fun when we do cut school for the afternoon and smell the roses.
I get to meet loads of lovely intelligent thoughtful women, from all around the world, simply because we are all trying to figure out just how kids learn, how to make this work and well because we have this one thing in common.
And of course this seem a lot more satisfying than auditing a companies accounts by 5pm Friday so they can be sent half way round the world for a deadline, when we all know know one really ever reads financial statements.. they just take our word for it that its truthful.

Have a neat day and enjoy your week..

The soccer teams are up.

2010-04-26T12:30:00.000+12:00

Each year the kids look forward to playing another season of soccer. We've had our ups and downs. Last year hubby coached my eldest son's team. It was meant to be good and it meant my daughter could also play. But the team we had was definitely made up of more parents than kids - parents with very strong views about well everything. It was a rough year for all of us.

This year the teams have been split so that the 12 and 13 year olds can play a combined grade. Yes. The longstanding friends are still in the team, but there are lots of other experienced players as well. Lots of scope for a fun year, and best of all we just have to turn up, watch and support! Doesn't that sound like fun.

Home Church

2010-04-25T12:09:00.003+12:00

Since the start of the year my husband and I have been spending time listening to sermons from Mars Hill Seattle. Its been good to drink deep of a gospel based, reformed position. Coming from a small town our church choices are very limited, and currently there isn't an exegetical preacher in town. At least I've not heard of any through the grapevine... so its been good to sit and let God's word minister to us, let the gospel renew us and enjoy the teaching.

Its been fun, encouraging, and neat to hear children who really couldn't remember what they had been taught in Sunday school discussion an idea or illustration form a sermon. Yes! I'm definitely excited at this move, even if I also realize that it isn't the best long term solution it is certainly a good for now one.

My biggest question is about having the opportunity to met other people, build friendships and have fun with others in the context of faith. My prayer is definitely that one day that will happen again. I'm sure it will. In the meantime I will have to work just a little harder on building up those connections I the place where we are.

"When Children Love to Learn" editied by Elaine Cooper

2010-04-18T17:24:00.009+12:00

I first had this recommended on a email group last year.. Is sounded good but well never made it into my final Amazon order. After all I was sure I didn't need to go back down the Ambleside route. I really didn't need another major change in the content of how we home-school.

Last term was good. We made lots of progress, my Engineer finally started to find school enjoyable. The kids grew in confidence and learning was consistently happening. Only I was exhausted. It was easier to curl up at my desk and potter than connect with anyone. In the middle of it a copy of this book came up on the second hand list and I brought it. So it arrived I looked at it and put it on the bedside feeling like this wasn't something I wanted to read yet.

As it dawned on me that I needed a break, time to relax, time off coffee, time to laugh I took some days off with hubby and the kids and chilled. Hubby cooked, I rested, we walked, shopped, visited the farmers markets, soaked in the thermal hot pools, a relaxed.

I picked up the book.
Good choice...lots of ahah moments.
CM didn't need to be Ambleside,
Maybe it didn't need to be bouncing through more subjects in a day than my brain could cope with.
Maybe there was a little freedom here to enjoy what we were doing right, and freedom to let everything else happen without the stress that dominated last term.

Umm...

So now we have a book basket of the books we need to read over the next few weeks. Now there is a little more freedom to add back some read-alouds and not worry about the boys listening in, maybe there is room for some group discussions. Hopefully this is just a fine tuning of the balance... a return to more us without loosing the independent learning paths that seem to be working.

I need to keep reading but hopefully "everything will stay the same, but something will change so that the connectedness returns to our school days.

My Space

2010-04-14T10:24:00.003+12:00

Hubby brought me some flowers to encourage me at the end of the term. They make my autumn desk space really pretty.

Autumn Break

2010-04-14T06:42:00.005+12:00

Its kinda a break, I think both hubby and I are enjoying the change of pace from teaching to planning, although life is short and it seems that school needs at present, both where he teaches and the home-school could easily become overwhelming.

I will be happy when we finally settle in some of the big changes that we have made this year in the home-school. I'm happy with getting back to my roots with Veritas, even if I am a very eclectic user of the program. Veritas with a hint of Charlotte Mason in the background seems to suit us, although I am hoping that in the next few weeks we can get the balance right between mum teaching and independent work. In General our days look like this

Maths

Singapore "My Pals are Here" level 5 nearly 6. It isn't the perfect program, My youngest thrives, but there are always those word problems that get just a tad obscure. Some days I do wish we had an answer book just so that I could understand what they were wanting in terms of an answer.
Following Singapore we're using Jacobs Algebra. I like it, but it has taken a while for my daughter and I to find a pattern where she is confident in maths, so for the last we while this has been a 12 hour a day joint exercise. Its getting better. The boys will have a much better time of it when they get there simply because I now understand the book so much better.

Latin

Henle book one for the boys - my youngest wanted something he though was more straight forward than Wheelocks. I much prefer Wheelocks.
For my daughter and I Wheelocks. Yes, I didn't think I would say that but it is a much nicer program than Henle.

Greek

Yes two ancient languages is madness, but it happened and now two of the kids don't want to let go of it. We're using Elementary Greek. Nice program, but lots of errata to wade through.

Writing

After a love hate relationship we are firmly back with Classical Writing. My youngest is flying through Aesop, the middle one in Homer A and my daughter in Homer B. Its challenging enough although I wish I could speed my daughter up a little. She's a good writer, handles it well, but we haven't done the grammar like we should...

Spelling and Copywork

A dictation bases spelling program Simply Spelling rounds out our language arts, copywork, for reflection more than anything else finishes off this section.

Science

Apologia, General Science and Elementary Science Botany cover the bases here. Its a bit sad because my husband has put together a great hands on Science program at the level of Apologia General and Physical Science but for now it is so much easier to run with the text book than set up equipment for a lab based course. I truly wish I had the time to convert it from the classroom to the home because I like it much better.

History and Bible

Veritas for the boys, CM style, I use their time-line, readings and their projects, but we generally work on a read, narrate and then think deeper or play approach than the worksheet and test model.
Omnibus 1 for my oldest. Its a fairly good program, but very very busy. This is the one I am still customizing for our needs. How much do I keep how much to I make ours. I suspect it will take a while more before we own it like we need to but I like it as a base for the areas I don't know, and because it stretches me in the areas where I have studied before.

Literature

Simply read and narrate unless some project jumps out from what we are reading. I've enjoyed having a softer program here.

In all that's us busy but seeing the benefit of what we are doing.

With Grace

2010-03-23T06:57:00.004+13:00

Today was one of those days,

tired,

confused,

I can seek to unravel, let the introvert dig deep into self and inspect the faults, the things not done, the judgments others make against me for being different.

Or with God's grace I can walk forward, head up, as far as the east is from the west so far have I removed your sins from you...

I've pushed, strived, analyzed and pondered what I need to do to be a better person, a better mum a better teacher. It didn't help. Instead it undermined the good that was there.

God's grace is sufficient...for today. God's grace has undone a lot of the damage, made a new place a good place for us to grow in. God's grace is enough, even if today ends where I wish it wasn't. This blog greeted me this morning... this too is grace.

A Patchwork of Days - Daybook

2010-03-22T07:35:00.009+13:00

FOR TODAY

Outside my window,

Grey and overcast - Yes, another autumn morning without a frost and another day for my tomatoes and peppers, and zucchinis to ripen.

I am listening to...
Silence, it won't last for long but there is quiet in the rush of chores and hubby getting ready to leave for work.

I am thankful for...
Fresh eggs and veges from the garden.

From the learning rooms...
Slowly settling, every-time I think that we are there it seems to fall apart, but slowly my middle son is learning how to work, and there are less distraction in our day. We seem to have build up a habit that every-time their was sibling rivalry the day feel apart to it. With three string willed kids, to leader wannabes and a relatively high level of emotional empathy that can be very good or very destructive. Slowly we are working thorugh it and building a firm foundation.

From the kitchen...
Corn and Zucchini fritters, pasta with tomatoes and zucchinis and onions, roast chicken with home grown potatoes, parsnips and leeks. I've been enjoying having the garden dictate my choices.

I am wearing...
A Denim skirt and soft floral top, its still warm enough for summer clothes but not for much longer.

I am reading...
Till we have faces, I really didn't know what to expect, but I have really enjoyed what this book has taught us as a family.

An encouraging word
Yesterday my husband was speaking of how our curriculum choices and the e-groups I'd joined had become a source of Christian input both for me the kids and for him. It made my day to be encouraged in this way.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Keeping up to date and enjoying school, we have bible week this week, which means less reading for mum, phew, I'm exhausted as we head to the holidays.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

In the tradition of the Simple Womans Daybook

Missing in Action

2010-03-21T07:04:00.004+13:00

In the last few months the blog has sat idle,
School has restarted, shared its good and bad days,
We've made jumps, three children on separate strands,
that in itself could explain the absence,
A house freshly painted,
A vegetable garden enjoyed and preparing itself for autumn,
Jam made and stored,
Chickens and a chicken pen established in the heart of suburbia,
A daughter making her first dress,
Decisions on church home pondered, and unanswered,
Its been the most stressful start to a school year that I can remember,
but in one sense the first on that seems to have a real sense of "yes" we can do it.

I'm hoping to be back to posting.

We found this lovely little walk yesterday...

2010-01-18T23:04:00.000+13:00

Outdoor heating

Amazing colours

Wonderful textures

Unexpected Visitors

2010-01-11T20:34:00.002+13:00

We had a fun, unexpected change to our weekend. My sister rang on Friday night looking to crash on our floor with two international students she was hosting. It was fun. My trio enjoyed showing off, we got to learn a little about other ways of life, and I got to catch up on what has been happening in my family.

It would be good if 2010 had more of these fun surprises.

Beauty

2010-01-07T15:16:00.003+13:00

I've succumbed to the word craze of picking a word to describe where the next year is heading to. In reality it seems that the word has brought itself to my notice as a good mascot for what I want to achieve this year.

"Beauty" sums up so much of what I want to work on this year. Fostering beauty in relationships - being gentler with the kids and Tony, and myself. Not stressing over the small stuff. Last year I wasn't always gentle in what I said, this year I want to work on it.

I want our home to have an atmosphere of beauty to it. Much is already in place and yet it would be good to keep a better routine of order and peace.

Yes I have personal beauty goals as well. At the start of the year I started sewing with my girl, and it was fun. She's rapidly becoming a young lady and I would like to be a better role model of feminine, modest beauty than I currently am.

Beyond it all I want to see the beauty of laughter, and joy in our home, and overflowing it.

So my word for this year, my mascot is looking to find beauty.

My Daybook

2010-01-06T07:00:00.002+13:00

FOR TODAY
Outside my window,

Sunshine, beans flowering in the garden, stillness and morning quiet.

I am listening to...

The fish tank bubbling and the computer fan, the birds on the roof, morning noises before everyone emerges to start the day.

I am thankful for...

I'm thankful for holidays, grace, time to rest and restore the balance again.
From the learning rooms...

I still have planning to do for when we start back, thinking about how to achieve that and the endless frustration of not having a simple system to translate what we want to achieve into achievable chunks in a planner on my desk. Something easy to prepare, detailed enough to keep me in touch with what we need to focus on, and streamline enough that its just in one place. Unfortunately I just don't write in small enough lines to do that on a double page spread, and over two pages it just gets overwhelming... the quarterly juggling act in its reality.

From the kitchen...

Not much, over the holidays everyone is pitching in and doing dinner in turns.

I am wearing...

Long soft summer skirts and floppy white tops.

I am reading...

Stowaway be Karen Hesse, I love being able to get ahead of the pre-reading over summer and throw a few books the kids way that get them feeling excited to read.

I am praying for...

Refreshment and joy in our family, its been a long time since we have playes and laughed and embraced life together.

On of my favorite things...

Long restful walks in the bush, reading by the beach, simple easy meals, Christmas cake and coffee.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

This week we are hoping to go raspberry picking, enjoy the beach, and alow the kids and
Tony to spoil me for my birthday.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

The spot where we crashed and watched the kids swim after a walk on Monday.

In the tradition of the Simple Womans Daybook

Breathing Green...

2010-01-04T20:53:00.006+13:00

This has got to be the most refreshing way I know of to recharge my batteries...
This is why I love living here so much!

Welcoming the New Year

2010-01-01T11:05:00.005+13:00

Its been a relaxed and enjoyable start to the year. Usually we rise early on New Years day and watch the sunrise. This year we did something different. We let the kids stay up last night for the first time that we have ever seen the new year in at midnight as a family. And yes we need some really good New Year's traditions to make it more meaningful than "hey we stayed up really late". This morning hubby cooked Eggs Benedict for breakfast, and the sun has come out calling us to the beach later on. So far this year is clean, bright, full of promise.

I need the freshness, the clean start, the hope of a year without all the stress of the last one. I long to be free from the frustrations of the year, to find again the joy of just being alive. Our pray this year is to rediscover the joy of living life with God. OK it is much the same as last years goal, last year it seemed like we knew that was the goal, and yet we seemed to go from issue to issue. So while I fear it is a little like asking God for patience I am hopeful that this year we are a little more practiced.

Embracing Summer

2009-12-08T07:06:00.006+13:00

It's been a long year, lots of change, lots of growth, lots of good. Its also been a year or many ups and downs.

Challenges to our faith from the politics of our local church. Politics that dropped the Word in favor of many words. That put individual agendas on top of God's agenda, but politics that forced us to dig deeper into God, learning growing and trusting.

Challenges at my husbands workplace with difficult co-workers, and seeing a world or options in the wider organization. Alongside it good busyness developing an out-door recreation program for PE, us teaching ballroom dancing, finishing off the second year of a creation based, hands on, web based learning science curriculum for his students all this and teaching a full courseload.

Overcoming the challenges and frustrations of the ways we don't work well together as a homeschool and working towards a more positive home-school attitude. Along the way working through the issues that leave us feeling stressed and doubtful.

A string of financial hiccups - not the painful problem of job loss, but a year of niggles, and unexpected bills that have left us stretched and unsure.

Yesterday was the day to call summer school. Optimistically to say that for the next month or two we'll work on some school, rest, play , love laugh. Hubby has another 7 days before he is free to join us.

I'm looking forward to changing gears, tidying up the garden from the rain of the last two weeks of early summer, enjoying nature and focusing on God. Hopefully along the way we can see a complete change in how we school from the structure we have needed on the past to a freer, more encouraging focus of enjoying what we do. If so our early end to the school year will be well rewarded.

What a difference a day makes.

2009-11-17T20:02:00.003+13:00

Today was one of the first days in weeks where school got happy again. I have no idea why our learning times turned upside down. Was it looking at what others were doing and trying to do thier thing. Maybe, was it change that just didn't quite bring the kids along with it. Maybe. Just a bad run of not quite knowing what I was ding, maybe. It could have been as simple as having changed enough that my homeschool planner couldn't cope. That could be it in a nutshell.

Through the process I have learned that my esteem is inexplicably tied into the quality of our learning times. Whether its respect issues, joy, laughter or unity it has a huge effect. A good friend has suggested that I address this ... food for thought.

But it was good to have us working together, to have the freedom to learn and enjoy, and to not have the pressure to rush. Even with one child needing to work in thier own space, one heading down with chickenpox and only one settling down to work it was good to enjoy doing what we do. It's been a long time. Hopefully we are in a better place and can enjoy going forward.

Snowed under

2009-11-15T14:59:00.003+13:00

Figuratively that is.

Over the last few weeks life has become incredibly complex and busy. Yesterday is the first time I managed in months to clear my desk and feel ready and awake for the new week. The kids dutifully took the bait of extra computer time to help out and finish off their school work for Friday.

Yes a clean slate for the week ahead.

The week has also been one of blessings, good friendships and the ability to sort out the misunderstandings off life, and yes there were misunderstandings.

Deep feelings that reminded me of all the stuff you work at forgiving and move on from , which just maybe hasn't been completely forgiven.

And stirring up the depths - the looming possibility of a church split ... the stuff you hope isn't real, that you really don't want to deal with. That you hope you can cope with as message after message is more about how we can do what we feel is right than about seeking truth.

Right now my clean slate isn't all that clean. Home church sounds so good. Not having to wade through controversy after every Sunday, not feeling like each week you are being forced to take a position that you don't agree with. Not being manipulated.

God is good, he is in control, and we can trust him. Just now I wish that I knew where the next few weeks were leading.

Learning at the Dining Room Table

2009-10-14T21:38:00.006+13:00

Sometime in the last few months, we seem to have made a transition. Somehow I'm less tossed by the fear of what we should be doing in our home-school. More sure about the choices that we have made, more content to let things take their right path.

We have made some interesting changes to the way we do school. Changes that wouldn't be standard opinion, but changes that work for my trio. The biggest change has come from running as one class in everything but Maths. This means we are all starting at the working at the same place in Latin, Greek, Writing, Grammar and on the same topic for History, Bible, Science and Literature. It wasn't an easy choice. Lots of prayer, some occasional panic, but a sure feeling that this is what we need to do for us.

At the heart of the change is the pull between actively teaching and independent learning.

Independent learning is great, its how my 10 yr old has taught himself to draw/design engines, planes, anything that challenges his engineering brain. Its how my daughter has learned to sew.

But when its a subject that they are told they need to learn it seems to be more of an issue of struggling through what they hope is right. For two of my kids, if not all three, independent learning is a case of trial and error that slowly has sapped their love of learning, their confidence and their achievements. Independent learning here seems to be a case of working through the book, hoping that we get it, panicking that we missed something, never really being sure of ourselves, and sadly not realizing that help is just a question away.

Slowly over the year subjects have been combined, often so that we are all in the same place, learning together, sometimes slowly, sometimes faster, but happier, stronger and with far fewer corrections and re-works. Sometimes it gives out some strange results - like my 9 yr old getting logic faster than the 7th grader, sometimes we learn to wait for someone, sometimes its way to loud, sometimes quiet and steady. Slowly each day our confidence is growing.

Eventually I will have to work on a balance between the two, but for now this is good, this is encouraging, and this is teaching us how to learn from each other.

We are pottering

2009-09-27T20:50:00.003+13:00

Yesterday was a mix of trying to decide if we had energy to do something or not ...I was very in favour of enjoying a quiet day just pottering. After all three boys (hubby included) had asked several times what we were doing my daughter wrote this on the school whiteboard ....

WE ARE POTTERING.
So find a pot (in finding a pot do not pull out Mum's flowers) and start "ering" it for an hour. You must do it outside or you will have to clean up the mess.

Its still written there and still leaves me smiling.

Facing the Giants

2009-09-18T13:24:00.005+12:00

For a long time we have been trying to find the balance between our kids wills and trying to keep a tidy home and a regular homeschool program.

We all love homeschooling, its just that for Mum and Dad - learning featured much higher in that than for the kids.

Trying to find the balance has been a journey, one that has needed much prayer and thought. Its had some ups and some downs...ok lots of downs. Not because homeschooling is hard, just well three strong willed kids and a determined mum can give some interesting results. I've learned a lot about my kids, education, sibling rivalry and life along the way.

This year has seen a lot of change in how we home school and how we react to each other. I've had to work out what my motivation is - to prove that homeschooling works, to have really smart kids, or because we love God and each other and believe that this is the best option for our families education.

Last Monday we showed the kids a film that is having huge results in how we talk about school and how we respond to each other. The film "Facing the Giants" comes from the same people who produced "Fireproof" and while blatantly Christian it has an equally good message - Give God your Best and leave the rest - good or bad, win or loose up to him. He can do the impossible - or not... our job it to give him our best and give him glory. The kids watched the film with us and they are thinking. Thinking and acting on what we saw - and that's good.

Watoto

2009-09-18T12:27:00.002+12:00

Last night we were privileged to have one of the teams from Watoto in Uganda visit our church. Not only visit but host overnight two of the kids and their caregiver.

On stage they are great, full of energy and praise, and beautiful voices. The sound system lost them a bit loosing the voices to the backing tracks. When they sang grace unaccompanied they were amazing.

Neat to see my Artist in the thick of conversation with the older girls - trying to find out who was coming to stay that night. Learning and listening. We could see the conversation from the back of the room. The boys worked out that my son was ticklish .. and well.. he may never let on to that again. Fun, joy and praise. Polite kids. Polished, poised and hopeful.

It was good, challenging leaving me with much to think about as we go about our lives - could we simplify.

Here's their website they are well worth seeing and supporting. Valda

I didn't see that coming

2009-09-03T21:48:00.003+12:00

Change hit our home-school this week. I didn't realize we were heading for change... or that we needed it. Or even that it is real. I've been settled with my weekly blocks of learning. Having just one or two things to think about and plan made life easy and comfortable.

Last weekend I looked over the subject list and while they were all good things to study none felt right for this week. Nothing made sense in terms of what we were studying although by Monday morning I had a plan of sorts.

Across the week hiccup after hiccup disrupted the plan. Along the way a new plan evolved. Firstly a recognition that nature study was important. Then a realization that those subjects that incorporate beauty (poetry, music and art works) were missing.

Slowly its began to dawn that interspersing out days with reading and discussion doesn't need to be stressful. We can simply keep a pile of books and read the portions that we need to do throughout the day. With weekly writing projects we don't need written narrations, crafts or experiments on every subject. Where we do we can slot them in as required without having a big block for afternoon studies. I didn't have to be tied to a schedule. If we lose a day to skiing, the pools, sickness or just needed to get on top of life it was OK. My biggest challenge in homeschooling has always been dealing with the challenge of having an afternoon disrupted and wondering what to do about it. Many weeks have been lost simply on the realization that by Tuesday we weren't going to be able to finish the plan - and then what did I do.

The realization that we could use our existing program CM style without taking on board the whole plan of Ambleside is appealing. For some reason I've always felt I had to do all of Ambleside using all their selections. When we got to the stage of having alternative preferences it came apart.

Now I'm feeling content with our curriculum choices but seeing the option for a stress free implementation. No detailed plans. No schedules that we have to meet, no deadlines. No more subjects than we are happy learning from. It sounds refreshing and good, the kids are keen... and so we head forward.

I wonder where this journey leads.

Atmosphere

2009-09-01T16:15:00.000+12:00

For the last week I've been once again pondering how we develop an atmosphere of learning. As I have done so I have pondered the inherent disciplines and characteristics that certain studies give to our days.

Latin and Greek to me seem to be very calming, focused activities that build order and routine into our days. I'm not sure I'm expressing that right but they seem to give us a peace from having to focus so carefully on our work.

Nature study not only opens our eyes to what is happening around us, but leads to a questioning and appreciative spirit. What is that? Isn't that amazing! Isn't that cool! There is an excitement at the never ending change that occurs around us as each season brings its own special surprises.

I love our in-depth bible times and the study that we do about people in other times and places. The growing understanding of why the world is like it is and how it is that way. These topics also bring an element of working together and thinking through. Talking and taking our questions just a little bit further. We never quite know where we are going to end up in our discussions. Whether we will learn about the topic in hand or a rabbit trail of to one side.

The thoughts that this have had me wondering if it was time to change direction and move from my weekly blocks to a more flexible mixed up week. My old decision of a Veritas style Omnibus or Ambleside type multi-book lessons. Umm.

I think that we will stick with what we're doing and simply make the add one, poetry, artist, composer and nature study.

At the heart to go either way is not a big deal. It is purely a question of flexibility rather than content or what we truly do with each day.

A Simple Daybook

2009-09-01T09:32:00.001+12:00

FOR TODAY
Outside my window,
Lots of blossom buds just a day or two from opening

I am listening to...
The heater fan whirring, quiet pencil noises, peace.

I am thankful for...
A calm Friday, in the midst of ballet exam nerves and in-laws visiting

From the learning rooms...
Poetry and growth. I think that we took a huge step forward this week in terms of the kids settling into school work and the growing realization that its 100% about attitude and atmosphere.

From the kitchen...
Umm..taking the plunge and making a real carrot cake for the kids, comfort food or sfish pie, homemade hamburgers, and fun....

I am wearing...
Jeans and a soft cream jersey. finally finding an old pair of jeans that fit - how did i manage to buy two pairs of jeans last season that were simply a size to big...ugg!

I am reading...
Notes on Exodus... when I can my reading has fallen victum to trying to keep up with my kids Latin and Greek...slowly slowly

I am praying for...
Peace in this family, and our wider family, peace at my husbands work...

On of my favourite things...
Sitting with a cup of tea looking out over the garden and just enjoying the moment. (Why don't I do that more often. )

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Ballet exams, and soccer, a slower week, making use of the pool pass before it expires, and afternoons in... exodus or geology still praying still deciding, maybe we should finish of swimming creatures instead.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

In the tradition of the Simple Womans Daybook

Homeschool Classical Education in a box

2009-08-18T07:48:00.004+12:00

Over the weekend my favorite email group looked like having a renaissance. The idea excites me.

Many of the original group members are of the generation when Classical education was first being brought to light. The old text books had been reprinted but that was all they had. How often they wished for a boxed classical education.

Now as my kids approach the NZ college age (US High School) I find myself with a wealth of options - Classical homeschool in a box is a reality. OK I have to put it together from a couple of suppliers but its all there.

Along with it is a slowly dawning reality that Classical Education is not a one size fits all. Its not a simple case of taking a of living text books, a progym based writing program, grammar reinforced with Latin study, solid maths and logic texts and putting them together.

Classical Education, the trivium and the whole idea of mastery learning is something very different. At some point the aim is not just ticking the box and completing the exercise hoping that somewhere sometime it will all click together. It is a means of raising of a person to worship God, recognize what is truly good, true, and beautiful. To see God's footprints not just on a heart level but a full person. To honour God with our self control, ability to think, ability to hear and our growing knowledge about and of Him who we serve.

These beautiful new curriculum choices help heaps they really do. I have much more guidance than was available before, especially for my very unsteady writing skills. Sometimes though they leave me feeling unnecessarily stressed.

I am increasingly aware of how much I need to work through the issues of how to teach my trio, their strengths and weaknesses, their characters. I still need to nut through making the available resources fit us. I need to know when to use a text and when to write my own. Maybe I need to juggle three or four texts because some confuse us more than help us.

I hope the discussions, that I peeked at when my kids were small, that inspired me to walk down the classical path, can be revisited for a new generation of Mums. I also hope to enjoy the journey myself.

Just one thing

2009-08-16T17:22:00.003+12:00

I think its from my Charlotte Mason reading, the idea of correcting just one behavior issue in your children at a time. One focus, to remind them about. I think though that the idea has cropped up in other places. Each time I've either fought against it, or wanted to include everything in that one thing. Around here its time to revisit the concept - from a sane perspective.

So what is the one thing that would make the biggest difference. Currently its being nice when asked to do something. Having a good attitude whether being asked to do school, correct something, or do chores. OK its a very broad idea, and it could easily be undermined by other things, but at the heart of whether we have a good or a bad day around here is our attitudes, yes mum's included.

I've done a bit to work on mine in the last few months. Cutting out caffeine and getting some sleep has done heaps. So now its time to work on the children's responses to "Please can you...."

So for the next six weeks we'll be working on responding to requests with a smile.

Grateful

2009-08-10T11:00:00.004+12:00

We are fortunate to live close enough to the ski-fields that we can enjoy the mountain without the cost of accommodation.Yet even more importantly the mountain we live by has a policy of encouraging the local schools with cheap passes and hire. (About the cost of an adult movie pass.) and so we are blessed by the place where God has planted us.

Our journey here wasn't an easy one, sometimes it felt like we were simply running from one situation to another, looking for an elusive job opportunity, but in the end we have found ourselves in a place where we can enjoy the outdoors, tramp, swim, be filled by the beauty of Gods creation, and enjoy being the people that we are. In winter the climax of this are the three trips to the mountain that we loosely classify as PE. We ski as a family only by God's grace, as hubby and I are often in different school groups for our days on the mountain, but at least one day a year we seem to end up on the mountain together.

Our first trip of the year threatened that. Our ski area is a volcano, a sleepy one normally, closely monitored, carefully watched, and it's been quiet for the last year or so, a good year. Unfortunately we hit a lahar drill, we never have before and it took all the confidence my daughter had away. For me I would have been happy not to go back, and we have changed which runs we ski. But the drill was on the easier ski run the one that was meant to give them confidence.

When we went up on Friday we had a great day. Blue skis, beautiful white snow, lovely scenery, and with some adjustment to skis we were able to have a great day skiing. My middle boy managed to convince me to take them down a run that was long and fun with some tricky bits in the middle and soon it was my daughters favorite run. Whats more is she was keeping up with her brothers. I even got to ski behind not just follow and make sure they were all OK.

It was a great day, and as we drove there and home the sunrise and sunset filled our souls with the wonder of God's creation. It made me very aware of God's grace, that while we don't have what some of our friends, or co-workers have, we have been blessed with what will fill our souls and encourage us in God.

It was a lovely day on the mountain. (Unfortunately I left the camera in the car ..so these are older photos)

For Encouragement

2009-07-30T06:49:00.005+12:00

When I went to the heart conference the weekend was a mix of laughter and encouragement. Time to laugh at the funny side of homeschooling and a time to be lifted up and remember the point of it all. Rosie Boom, who has been listed on my sidebar ever since is a wonderful lady. Both her and her twin sister ministered to my heart all weekend encouraging and strengthening us with their very different but very Christ centered journeys.

Rosie posted three songs that she performed at the retreat on her blog yesterday - hope you enjoy them as much as I did. Homeschooling blues As the Twig is Bent and the Shepherds Call

Should I be worried....

2009-07-27T20:44:00.004+12:00

Its started off as a fairly strange week...

Sunday morning at Church we had the 6 monthly fire drill...a bit of a nuisance but its a fire drill, we all presume they aren't real and obediently head outside.

This afternoon in a picture postcard day on the mountain. blue sky, lots of snow, no wind, great skiing, a mum, three kids one of which has just panicked at the new slope ... and a volcanic lahar warning, sirens, instructions, very helpful mountain medics... a lahar drill.

When we got home we had an answer phone message that we have an appointment at the kids dental clinic..for tomorrow... should I be worried at what she will find,

Or is their some other more serious drill for planned for tomorrow. After all this is some coincidence.

Maybe I should spend more time this week drilling the kids Latin, or math or spelling words.

Planning for sanity.

2009-07-26T07:24:00.007+12:00

This topic came up on one of my email groups. I've been thinking that having found something that works for me it was time to post it... so here's another post on planning for the northern summer planning frenzy.

Up until the current year, OK the current five months, I've carefully planned out chapter and amount for every one of my kids school work on an excel spreadsheet, included an overview of activities etc, put in break weeks to allow catch up on the things that we would fall behind in or just life happening.

Unfortunately my kids have never appreciated the wisdom of keeping to the plan... NEVER! And after years of struggling with the multiple weeks of being behind, the grumpiness of re-hashing the plans fortnightly, and the weeks when it just doesn't work I've finally accepted that this isn't what its meant to look like for us. It simply isn't what God wants me or my family to do.

Fortunately there are a lot of ladies with blogs and in email groups that have encouraged me to trust God, listen to God and move forward. Slowly I am.

So for the last 5 months we have been moving to a far simpler plan. I still divide up the course work for Latin, Math and Greek into weekly chunks. Or rather I work out how many lessons, or how much a week we need to cover so I can let the kids know when we are done, or when we are crawling...or recognize when someone is staring at the same maths problem or Latin translation for over a week.

For Language Arts and Humanities. I prepared a list of 40 weeks of topics. Normally determined by whatever we are using as a spine. Then each week I grab the next topic - or the next appropriate topic and plan out what we are doing while curled up at my daughters ballet lesson. Simple. Because I've enjoyed the format, the big chunks get planned out on a blog and a copy pasted in my planning book. That way its flexible, it sits pretty on my computer inviting me to come, think, plan. The kids tend to like these all together subjects so there isn't normally a problem on doing them, and if we don;t get through the terms chunk we can roll it into the next session.

I plan in one week blocks - one week of Poetry, one week of grammar, one week of history ... week long blocks that might break all the conventional wisdom of how to educate, but which simplify out how much we have to think about. We nicknamed the language art topics as our toolbox, the humanities subjects notebook studies . I can see it being renamed in the next wee while. In that week we dig deep, review heaps, have fun. We have time to play games with grammar (diagramming counts as games doesn't it) practice skills, work together. The plans take into account how we are feeling, what worked last time, what we remembered, what we still need to work on.

We work on one area or skill for 4 days of 1 -2 hour blocks. We're fairly flexible with what we do, if the kids have an idea for an assignment, or something jumps out of the text as useful to do we follow that, otherwise we follow whatever spine or activity book I have on hand. On the last day of the week the kids have a simple but lengthy assignment to integrate what we have learned. They have to produce on piece of writing - essay, narration, description or poetry. One peice of Art work. The content comes from our humanities studies, the tools from our ongoing toolbox studies.

I don't always grab the next thing - like this week I've taken the softest options I can - after a day's skiing coming off the mountain and getting back into school is hard, the disruption of not getting back into school is probably worse - so we'll grab the next literature book and enjoy, pick up art and have fun. Hopefully by lunchtime feel ready to cope with something meatier. OK its not as easy as having ready made plans that you pull of the shelf. But I can plan around things that are happening at dad's school, tiredness, ballet exams, skiing..etc. When the standard week changes I'm not scrambling to pick up the pieces.

It lets us have a flexible schedule - we have always kept to the school terms .. hubby is a teacher so it seemed right. Now realizing that hubby as a teacher gets excluded from our days because of it, and well he spends most of the holidays planning, we're getting more flexible mainly not being held to ten weeks on two off gives me a chance to stop when life gets busy rather than press on and get stressed.

Each day I remember that God has a plan, a good plan, with just enough for each day, time for all the aspects of our life, time to be.

__

A Patchwork of Days

2009-07-20T11:02:00.009+12:00

FOR TODAY
Outside my window,
Lovely snow covered mountains waiting to call us to find ski gear and enjoy.

I am listening to...
The voices of my children discussing the meter of Ben Franklin at the kitchen table behind me.

I am thankful for...
Christian writers and blogs that provide support and encouragement in God's word to counter the effects of the ideas of the emergent church.

From the learning rooms...
A fun week, looking at the cultures of Ancient India, China and Africa...

From the kitchen...
Excuses to experiment with different foods in the kitchen. Our Sat cleebration dinner this week will have African flavours...should be fun.

I am wearing...
Jeans and a lilac jersey, comfy and casual.

I am reading...
Seed Catalogs and gardening books...looking forward to planting our vege garden.

I am praying for...
A renewed sense of the Gospel in our local church and christian community.

On of my favourite things...
Watching a fantail play among the trees of our garden.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
A slow relaxed re-entry back into school routines for everyone.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

In the tradition of the Simple Womans Daybook

Where is the Joy?

2009-07-12T16:06:00.004+12:00

I found this quote from J I Packer,

"If anyone asks us how men may know God, we can at once produce the right formula - that we come to know God through Jesus Christ the Lord, in virtue of His cross and mediation, on the basis of His word of promise, but the power of the Holy Spirit, via a personal exercise of faith. Yet the gaiety, goodness, and unfetteredness of spirit which are the marks of those who know God are rare among us - rarer perhaps than they are in some other Christian circles where, by comparison evangelical truth is less clearly and fully known."

Yes - to drink of the joy of celebrating our salvation, of celebrating His love for us, of knowing that the God of the Universe is concerned with my daily life.

From Psalm 42:5 NRSV

Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my helpand my God.

With Grace to guide us and the evidence of his handiwork around us I haven't got any excuse to not delight in the work of God's hands.

Knowing God - Packer

2009-07-12T15:50:00.004+12:00

In the last few weeks I've given up on hearing a biblical sermon at our local church. I'd love to move churches, but so far we haven't had much success in finding the right place.

The emergent church philosophy seems to have taken most of our churches by storm, or well the old liberalism is still got enough of a grip that we're picking up the pieces after the sermon... at least where we are the kids ministry is solid, encouraging and the kids and I have friends there.

So until God says move, we'll be hanging in the background, and strengthening our devotional life at home.

My Bible reading is becoming more encouraging and we've a settled pattern of devotions which I am enjoying.. But I need to re ground myself in what is true..It has been a long time since solid teaching has made its way to my ears. So its time to raid the bookshelves and spend Sunday's curled up with a good book. The first one - "Knowing God" by J I Packer....

Small Successes

2009-07-12T15:25:00.007+12:00

Its been a great week for achieving those things I normally brush aside. With hubby home for the mid-winter school break, and the kids in light school, we've spent the last two weeks semi crashed out studying swimming creatures, I've managed the following....

My marking pile is cleared, off my desk and apart from some tardy corrections...we are up to date...YES!
We used the lighter week to sort out my artists room. She loves people, keeps every gift, and hates tidying up. The last couple of clean ups have been find a box and store it to sort later - well latter came this week. We now have several semi-sorted boxes, but at least she can find the things she is looking for.
We planted the last of our fruit trees, a nectarine and grapes. Sorted the space for the vegetable garden - or rather hubby did and planted strawberries. I'm looking forward to spring.

More importantly the changes in the last few weeks have given me a feeling of being back in control, able to chill when needed with the kids and now a feeling like I'm not snowed under with good things people are waiting for me to do.

Thanks to the ladies who thought up this neat post idea - the original idea is here . To participate, just write up a list of 3 of your recent Small Successes and post it on your blog along with the Small Successes button (go here to get the code). You are not required to use the button, but please do link back to the main post here.

Back From Heart

2009-06-29T11:57:00.003+12:00

Heart was good - very good.

To be surrounded by christian women.

To see the beauty of women that were happy to be themselves not conformed to the latest fashion magazine.

To enjoy company that can laugh at the chaos that homeschooling brings to our daily life and see the good that we are achieving in our hidden insignificant corners.

To realize that I am not alone, not one of a crazy few, but one of many, loving, beautiful women.

To rest in a consistent message "Trust God".

To realize the cost of trying to live up to others expectations, rather than to simply do what God has given to do. I cannot achieve what God has given, Jane and Jenny and Martha and... to do I can only do what he has given me to do. And I can rejoice in the things that we are doing well rather than take them for granted to push on and do even better.

To realize it is not too late to undo the damage of striving to be accepted, successful, good enough.

I've come home to the peace of being able to take time to clear my desk, relax in a unit study, a very off the cuff, meandering study that will give us focus not chaos, connection not argument, but give me time to catch my breath.

I'm looking forward to rebuilding our confidence, and I'm enjoying being alive, being mum, learning and living.

I'm looking forward to seeing God as in control, real, involved rather than something lost in a maze of good ideas, self help books and being sucessful.

I'm looking forward to a journey that probably won't end up where i intended but will end up somewhere good.

Lots to process lots to write about... sots of need to rest and think and sleep and love.

Valda

Small Successes

2009-06-18T18:46:00.007+12:00

This has been a good week. My successes are both in the small things of each day, but also unexpected journeys that homeschooling has given me.

We managed to settle back into studies after swimming with a reasonable atmosphere in the house. We are happy, hopefully an improved level of learning has occurred, even if measurable output isn't quite where I would like it.
We survived a week at the pools, with lunches and dry togs each day. It was fun and exhausting! but along the way I've gotten much better at preparing picnic lunches.
I managed to swim 23 meters - almost the length of the 2 meter pool. For someone that has never been able to swim freestyle with breathing, and who took on teaching a small homeschool class a couple of years ago, terrified of deep water this has been a neat surprise in the journey.

To get to the home of the Small Success posts head here To participate, just write up a list of 3 of your recent Small Successes and post it on your blog along with the Small Successes button (go here to get the code). You are not required to use the button, but please do link back to the main post here.

Mummibear at home

2009-06-14T07:37:00.005+12:00

When we first joined the internet communities and homeschooling my children were young, and from a family tradition about Gummibears, I became the Mummibear of the family. For many years this was my internet name - Mummibear. My daughter recently reminded me that it made her feel safe and protected. A good name.

Over the years depression and burnout took their toll. Trying to be good enough for family and in-laws to accept our homeschooling, rebuilding everything after relocating back to my husband's family town, picking up the pieces after a series of incidents that firmly closed the door on dreams of moving into pastoral ministry. and then moving elsewhere to begin a life of our own where we could hopefully start fresh.

As burnout hit the Mummibear seemed more of a grumpy, rough bear than a loving protective mum, and with all the good intentions or trying to fix it all I changed my online name... Recently I've come slowly to understand a little more about what has caused, feed and trapped me in this state. Some days the sun rises in a clear blue sky with joy and happiness, sometimes it doesn't. God has been good. Not everything has been fixed, but at least now the feelings have a name and each reaction is not so much a situation that is new and needs to be fixed, but a symptom of long standing disillusionment.

I've also come to realize that for us as a family medication isn't necessarily the answer, partly because my husband dislikes the idea and partly because its side effects on me almost out weigh the healing opportunities it provides. Counseling is another side that has been tried and well counseling was what started the journey back to my husband's hometown. (We're now a little nervous of heading down this path. Mainly because I believe that the quality of counseling depends very much on the experience and character of the counselor, and I have yet to be inspired enough to pay the funds we don't have in order to risk what progress we have gained. )

This is a journey of understanding and discovery that God has the keys to, even if I don't at this stage understand it. It is a journey that has effected every member of my immediate family. I wish it was otherwise. In many cases has been exasperated by others. Yet is something that we alone can find the keys too and healing from, with the help of those who have also gone ahead of us on the journey.

Yes I am still grasping at good days and good things trying to build them into my life. Yes there is fallout as I recognize the bad, and don't yet have the skills to set comfortable boundaries. Life goes on and what seems good as an idea becomes full of difficulties. Yes we have around us a number of people that mimic those who initially caused the depression in the first place. Some weeks are hard full of discovery, some days are beautiful and full of hope. This week has had all of the above.

In this journey though is a wonderful understanding of the joy of family, love, good friends, the beauty that is available to all of us in nature and relationships and the discovery of the love that God has for each of his children despite their mistakes and faults.

It is good to type and think out loud - even if I don't always have a good understanding of public and private. Then again - with only one or two close friends and family a long way off sometimes the gaps between what seems perfect on the outside and the reality of true normal living leave us constantly feeling like we fall far shorter than the mark than the reality is.

A Perfect Sunday

2009-06-07T18:54:00.002+12:00

After Church today we wandered through my favorite local piece of bush - we saw Silvereyes. white heads, a falcon? and a New Zealand Robin having a bath in a small spring. Two of these are rare which is why this is my favorite place.

A perfect view of snow covered mountains on the way home.

After our walk - did I mention that the ground was frozen under sunny blue skies, we headed home via the local hot pools. A 41 oC pool was welcoming and warming. There have to be some benefits of living in a thermal area. Home to a lazy afternoon, hubby cooking a light meal and rest.

All in all a fairly perfect day.

Love is Patient ...

2009-06-01T17:01:00.004+12:00

I've had a couple of situations where this verse has been to the front this week.

Its had a major effect on how I discipline my middle child, to often we go head to head, mum gets upset and well he gets off, with a sorry thrown in for good measure. While no one liked the situations we were getting ourselves in, he couldn't connect his behavior and my reaction. For me it was complicated by an underlying feeling that good mum's don't get angry.

For the last couple of weeks their has been progress and boundaries. Failure to be part of the family activities has left him in an extended room-time, meals are served, visitors are allowed, hugs are given, doors are open. But in his room he has been requested to remain. He will stay there, with appropriate time off for good behavior until he complies with the request that he does his chores, tidies up and gives his school work an honest effort. I have no idea why he complies with this request and not the actual please do maths. Slowly we are making progress - not just in the urgent issues but in consequences for actions. He values his time with the family, he's sorry for what he's been doing, he sees change as possible and good and he knows he's loved. No one is getting angry - no one is getting hurt, change is happening. Good change.

The other situation is harder. Although maybe the solution is the same. It's an ongoing discussion on relationship and respect. The person concerned is sure they have done nothing wrong, and that tolerance is the way to go. I'm not sure what tolerance means - I suspect that it is somewhat short of love and respect, missing on understanding and relationship. It isn't agreeing that we are in relationship and accepting we see the world differently. I suspect it is more you are stuck with being nice to us and we will do what we want and you will smile sweetly while we push you around. Umm... Love has been patient for a long time. In truth love has also given way to that which is unlovely but I'm working on that. Relationship has made it painful. Maybe the time has come for boundaries here also so that we can respectfully require tolerance to be limited by respect. Love hopes for relationship, understanding, and an acceptance that realizes give and take is necessary, disagreements are possible but that rudeness is not. Love realizes that those who God gave us to love are not always those we would choose.

Across the board love is what encourages us to grow, to learn, to get back up and keep trying. Love is what reminds us that we are made in God's image, in his likeness. It is the measure of our surrender to him and his ways. As this year unfolds I am glad that God's love keeps trying, forgiving and calling me to do the same. I'm grateful that rather than leaving us locked in the patterns of the past - God turns the key and lets us discover the freedom of being able to do things differently next time.

Planning Blog

2009-06-01T13:16:00.004+12:00

I realize that as nice as it is for me to have a clean slate to work though our weeks plans that might now work for anyone else reading it. So I've re-instated a second planning blog for this purpose. That way I can enjoy having space to write and space to plan. So if you are interested the planning blog is Swatches and Threads. My weekly toolbox and afternoon studies plans will end up there instead of here from now on.

Small Successes

2009-05-27T11:30:00.002+12:00

I found this in my blogging travels and while I realize that this has been around for ages, I also see it as something I need to do to deal with the increasing frustrations of "A long journey in the same direction."

My three small success achievements for this week

Working on loving my engineer without stressing over his inability to follow directions. We've managed to get through a week without going head to head - which is a big change. (This is a bit more than a small success - but its happening in small quiet ways so I'm hoping it counts.)
I've managed to work my pantry down to manageable levels - for a while there we were constantly over-supplied with some things and yep really low on others. No rhyme or reason - now we are heading back into a pattern.
I managed a really relaxed Sunday, no stress lots of fun, at least until the phone rang that evening, but that's a different story.

A Simple Patchwork Daybook

2009-05-25T16:00:00.003+12:00

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...
Its a cool clear post storm day.

I am listening to...
Chris Rice "Clumsy" I'd forgotten how uplifting good Christian music can be.

I am thinking...
How much I am looking forward to heading away for my first Christian homeschooler's retreat next month...

I am thankful for...
A husband who has learned to understand me and love me.

From the learning rooms...
Umm... I'm writing this in avoidance of getting my planning sorted for tomorrow - we're playing catch up on a day that went south.

From the kitchen...
Smells of a Winter casserole - the kids helped clean out my vege bin, peeling carrots chopping leeks. Healing fun!

I am wearing...
A Denim skirt and soft, lilac, wool jersey - crash clothes, comfy and casual.

I am reading...
Composition in the Classical Tradition - in an effort to give some structure to our writing lessons. As much as I love Classical Writing and the progym I need a more relaxed expression of it if its going to work in our home-school.

I am praying for ...
Reconciliation in a difficult relationship, and being spared the storm that is probably coming in it.

I am hearing...
My oldest and youngest laughing over strategy in a game of chess.

Around the house...
The clutter of a day that God sidetracked in the middle.

One of my favorite things...
Watching a fantail play among the trees of our garden.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
I am looking forward to coffee with the girls tommorrow and a peaceful lazy long weekend ahead with no early morning soccer games - soccer is fun, but then an old fashhioned lazy Saturday is luxury

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

In the tradition of the Simple Womans Daybook

The Shack

2009-05-18T13:13:00.001+12:00

I think this is one of the most controversial books I have read in a while - most of my email groups have an opinion - usually on the lines of proceed with great caution and only if you have to read it. The introduction I have from a friend - it has a bit of an unusual take on the trinity but its really good for getting you to think. (This same friend passed me "So you don't want to Go to Church Anymore" a while back and I valued its timely reminder that Jesus is not the church, and its him not the church that we as Christians are here to serve.)

Halfway through and I'm enjoying it. It challenged my reality of unconditional love - I knew I didn't live in that reality, I just needed a challenge to show me how far from that reality I am. My head speaks of God's unconditional love, my reality is a life trying to keep everyone around me happy, to meet expectations and to try and make the grade. Hubby was already half way through the book before I picked it up had said it would do me good. On this one issue alone it was worth wading through the icky introduction to the story.

I've found it affirming, God all powerful all knowing all loving - yet honest and respectful in relationship with us. God - who is who he is, not needing or desiring the human hierarchies that in my experience often do more harm than good. (I have to go a long way back in my walk with God to find a church that trusted God, affirmed his word and lived what they read in his word.
Church politics definitely sets of warning bells around here.)

God who sits at that point, often just out of my comprehension where his sovereignty, and our free will can co-exist and yet not diminish the reality of either. Where sin is always wrong and evil, and yet can be redeemed and transformed beyond our understanding to bring out what is truly good. Redemption that occurs with relationship, understanding and God's forgiveness nad mercy. God who understand that our lives are messy, our images warped, and our relationship with him full of presuppositions that come from our families our world, our churches. Maybe I have yet to get to the controversial stuff, or maybe the writer assumes we have already grounded ourselves in the head knowledge of our faith and simply need a shake up to engage our hearts. After all relationship isn't a purely intellectual exercise.

I'm looking forward to wresting it off hubby and finishing my read ... in truth I'm playing of Blogger simply to avoid taking the book away from him.

Writing Project - Narnia

2009-05-17T13:01:00.000+12:00

Its taken me a while to work out how to post from word, but here is my Artist's writing project from our Narnia studies. I think she did well for a twelve year old.

Comparing the Creation of Narnia to the Creation of Earth

C. S. Lewis was a Christian writer whose children’s books often make us think about events in the Bible. Was C.S. Lewis trying to rewrite the Bible? Was he trying to put wrong under right? Was he trying to create a book like the beginning of the Bible in a new world to reach those who will not read the Bible?

The creation of Narnia all started with a singer and his song. Two children: Digory and Polly, a witch named Jadis, Uncle Andrew, a cabby, and his horse got into Narnia while Aslan was creating it. It is all dark, and there is nothing when they get there. Then they heard a song. Stars suddenly appeared and the moon shone. Morning came, and Digory watched the young sun rise. They found themselves in a valley surrounded by mountains. Then they saw Aslan, the Lion who was singing. Plants were growing in seconds. The witch did not like the Lion, so she threw the lamp-post bar, which happened to be in her hand, at Aslan. She wanted to rule over this new world, so she ran because Aslan was still walking towards them. Aslan was not hurt and the bar grew into a lamp-post. Uncle Andrew thought he could make a fortune out of Narnia. He was scared of Aslan, so he tried to run, tripped on a tree root, and fell in a stream. He had hardened his heart to Aslan, so he could no longer hear what Aslan said. The ground bubbled up, and animals came out of those bubbles. Aslan called the River Gods and Dwarfs. He picked some of the animals and made it so that they could speak. To all the talking things he gave Narnia, warning them not to become like the other animals again. The cabby’s horse got picked, and became special like the other talking animals. Aslan was still the lord of Narnia and all of his creation was under him. Narnia was made in five hours.

The biblical account of creation starts with nothing but God. On the first day, God created the body of the world. He made light and dark, and made them day and night. On the second day, God created the sky, or dome, and created air. On the third day, God created dry land and plants of every seed grew on the dry land. On the forth day God created the Sun and the stars and he placed them in the sky. On the fifth day, God created the fish and placed them in the sea, and the birds in the air. On the sixth day, God created mammals or animals of every species. He made man and then woman out of man He said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:28) On the seventh day God rested and made it a Holy day of rest. But one of the angels, God had created turned against God. He rebelled and bought evil and with him. He took many other angels. He is now known as Satan.

Both worlds in their creation have the same point. That is Evolution sucks, and is a lie. They were both created out from nothing. Both were created by their own creator. And when their creator said it and it was done. The creators saw their work was good and were pleased. The creators gave their world to its inhabitants. In both cases evil appears independently from their creator. Both worlds were made with almost the same plan and order.

But they did have differences. Narnia had gods and dwarfs that were placed under it’s creator. There is nothing of the sort on earth. Narnia was made in 5 hours, earth was made in 6 days, and the 7^th day was made Holy. In Narnia evil was already in the world before Narnia was created. But on Earth God made angels and then evil entered Earth. Earth is real but Narnia is a story.

The creation of Earth and the story of Narnia kick Evolution in the face. But the question is “Was C.S. Lewis trying to rewrite the Bible?” We can see he is not trying to rewrite the Bible because if he was he would firstly be more accurate with the differences, and secondly, he would have not stopped were he did, and thirdly C. S. Lewis is a Christian. “Was he trying to put wrong and evil under the right and what is good?” Yes, I think he was, cause when he calls the gods and dwarfs to rule, Aslan is still the creator, in control. He never stops Aslan from being the Lord of the land. “Or was he trying to create a book like the beginning of the Bible in a new world to reach those who will not read the Bible?” Yes and No. No he does not want to replace the Bible. So what is he doing? He is trying to make us think about what is good. Like when the horse, Fledge asks the children, “I think He likes to be asked?” Which means God likes to be asked. So he is trying to make you think about God. Yes he is trying to make those who don’t believe to think about God, and to get others to read the Bible.

7 May 2009

2009-05-17T12:16:00.005+12:00

Writing Assignment

With the topic for the week being the history of Science I'm not sure how to include a writing project. It doesn't quite lend itself to the use of Theon's six in the CW Homer type way.

1. Investigate one of the scientists or one of the discoveries that we have read about in our brief overview of science. Give lots of description about the person or the action, cause or manner of the discover in order to make your work more interesting.

Art Assignment

2009-05-17T12:15:00.000+12:00

So for our History of Science week..this week seems set up to work on our Nature Journals, to take some time and enjoy nature. It also gives the kids a tangible opportunity to work with color and texture.

So for this week their assignment is to observe nature, and using the skills we have been working on to prepare a page for their nature journals.

Writing & Art Assignments

2009-05-17T12:07:00.002+12:00

For the last couple of weeks our Writing and Art projects have been a combination of the kids choice and a brainstorming session each Friday. I wanted them to have a choice and work on something that they wanted to write about.

Last week it became obvious that we aren't quite ready for the choice - we like having ideas for projects presented, and maybe we need some advance warning about what we might be writing about.

I'll add samples of their art projects as they complete them. I'd like to add in copies of thier writing but so far Word 2007 doesn't like talking to blogger and I don't quite know why.

Afternoon Topics - Science

2009-05-16T13:48:00.004+12:00

We're working through the first chapters of Apologia as an introduction to real science, or at least the definitions. As a family we love science discussions - my engineer would glean from my science teacher husband all day if he could. We've been known to discuss atoms and the periodic table over lunch. OK mum's knowledge is very rusty! Apologia is proving hard going for all of us - I presumed that it would offer a solid Christian perspective, but the text really seems anti science. Maybe it will get better. The elementary science texts were so positive.

Apologia General Science works through a time-line of key scientists in the development of Science as a discipline. I've looked at a couple of ways of dealing with this material, being organized is always a blessing, but I can see that their is enough of a mixture of stuff we kinda know and new stuff to give us lots of sidelines to explore. My intention this week is to work through the book discussing the time-line as we go and building a time-line in our science books. It would be good to get through the rest of the chapter we still have 40 pages to go so I need to look at covering around 10 pages an afternoon. Its starting to feel like a marathon so I'm definitely playing this one by ear.

Toolbox - Diagraming skills

2009-05-16T13:47:00.007+12:00

We've had a mixed exposure to diagramming and grammar over the last few years as I've tried to find a curriculum that gave me enough hand holding, was available and fitted in with my classical dreams. So this week is a bit of a catch up and try and get everyone one the same place. My trio enjoy diagramming. The thought of sentences turning into huge trees intrigues them although our skills really aren't up to that yet.

What we have gotten a handle on is subject, predicates, adjectives, and direct objects. So using Mary Daly's Elementary Diagramming Worktext the plan is

Review, Working from page 21 on conjunctions, conjunctions for two subjects, two predicates and two adjectives joined by conjunctions. Work through the Elephant's child selections on the whiteboard.

Using ideas from classical Writing Homer select one or two sentences and work through the 6 sentence shuffle.

Diagram
Synonym Substitution
Grammar Change
Condense by Subtraction
Expand by addition
Use diagram with a new invented sentence.
Looking at how words can be nouns. adjectives or verbs depending on usage. Elementary Diagramming pg 24-25. For more practice and longer sentences we could look at the examples on pg 29. Spend the last part of the session doing the six sentence shuffle with one of those sentences.
Looking at linking verbs. Mary Daly covers lots of examples, and it would be good to simply play with these at this stage and talk about them as we do so.
Adverbs, Using the diagramming book I want to bring in some adverbs into our work. To start we will work with the sentences in Mary Daly's book. If time allows we will work through the adverbs section of Harvey's Elementary Grammar. (It occurred to me that working through Harvey's and diagramming as we go is possibly a satisfying approach to grammer for my trio.

Change for the better

2009-05-14T13:43:00.004+12:00

Its three weeks since we embarked on our block learning experiment. Its been an interesting three weeks, mainly because we realized in the process just how burned out we were with trying to keep all the plates spinning of our classical education. It simply wasn't working. The consensus is that combined history and toolbox studies is a keeper.

Certainly our language arts is a lot more fun that it was. If nothing else we are happy to play and learn rather than to stress and struggle with an overloaded curriculum. Its only as we've dumped the formal routine of classical writing that we have been able to enjoy the components. Interestingly in a discussion situation its much more fun, easier to understand and a lot less scary. Do you get the feeling I have a real love hate relationship with this curriculum.

For the last two weeks we've played with Theon's six. I think we have analyzed over 8 stories or passages, discussed the authors emphasis, and looked at whether we wanted to try a different emphasis to achieve the same point as the story or whether we need to keep the same emphasis. In the last week we imitated 4 Aesop fables, I've never seen the kids have so much fun writing. Lots of practice, some editing - but mainly as they read thier stories out loud lots of fun.

Our Art unit was much the same, fun energy and practice. this could be a solution for a travel worn classical home-school mum who isn't quite ready to give up the ideal, but knows that the treadmill of school at home really really isn't working.

I don't know if its the mists of grammar or homeschooling that makes me feel like this picture is appropriate here - or maybe I just like the mists.

How do you do double sidebars?

2009-05-12T08:01:00.002+12:00

Hi

This is a question not a post that I'm hoping someone can help me with. I would really like to have sidebars on each side of this blog - simply so that I can keep the things that I want to be reminded of in front of me when I am planning. Can anyone tell me how to do this or where to find the code that allows double sidebars?

Thanks Valda

Floods and Towers

2009-05-10T13:15:00.004+12:00

This week our notebook studies centered around the Flood and the Tower of Babel.

We had some fun reading through the relevant chapters of Adam and his Kin by Ruth Beechick alongside our bible readings. I think this was one of the units I would have dumped in the early stages it if very familiar ground for us and I really didn't want to find us bored this early in our new structure. But with the addition of Adam and His kin we ended up with good discussion times and a greater tie in to our history studies than we have seen before.

I still don't know how I feel about Adam and his Kin as a read aloud for this unit. On one hand it gives a very plausible connection between biblical studies and history. On the other hand the natue of this read-aloud leaves me feeling that we are setting in concrete musings around the biblical narratives that are inherently researched fiction.

Playing with texture and paint;
By the Artist

by the Engineer

by the Naturalist