Showing posts with label Encouragement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Encouragement. Show all posts
Each year it seems that God lays something on my heart to focus on with my children-- my homeschool goal for that year. One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling is the refining it is for me! 

 This year my homeschool goal is simple: Engage. 

                                           
One simple word, but yet full of meaning and conviction. 

 From Dictionary.com:

en·gage  

/enˈgāj/
Verb
  1. Occupy, attract, or involve (someone's interest or attention).
  2. Cause someone to become involved in (a conversation or discussion).



So, let's break it down.

Attract

Have you ever been so excited about a topic or a curriculum only to be met with your child's glazed over eyes? Shocking right??? How on earth can they not be excited about Shakespeare or Martin Luther?!?!

Well, something along the line drew us into the topics and subjects we are excited about. Something ENGAGED us. Our ears perk up when we hear those topics and we seek them out. 

A love of the Rennaisance or the Reformation is not innate. It must be cultivated. I must demonstrate my love and passion, and then BE PATIENT with them as they develop their own loves and passions.

To attract my kids I need to be patient--they are turned off by my frustration. Yeah. duh. I know. 

Not everything is going to be fun and exciting...but I definitely need to make MY attitude attractive. 


Involve

Include Their Preferences

I don't always involve or include my children in WHAT we are studying. And I don't necessarily think that is wrong. We have to study Bible, math, grammar, spelling, writing, reading, science, history, etc. There are subjects I have deemed important for whatever reason. But I can involve them in HOW we study these subjects. My kids are crafty. I am doing what I can to give them every opportunity to color, cut, and paste to their hearts content. If it involved glue and scissors they are engaged! I involve their preferences when possible. It is amazing how art paper and colored markers will engage my daughter in writing spelling words. Or placing a mini chocolate chip at the end of each section of my sons reading page. Often, it is the simple things.

                                              


Discuss

I also need to involve them in the learning process. It's not just about "teaching" them or teaching "at them" or "to them." To engage them, I must elicit response and discussion. Engage the material. Talk about it, dialog, narrate. Make retellings and narrations a part of the learning process and not just a task to be checked off. My kids remember much more of what we discuss than just what we read. 

Narrower and Deeper

It is because of this fact that we shifted our history and science focus this year. Instead of a mile wide and and inch deep, we are going for a narrower and deeper scope. I would rather cover less, and have them ENGAGED. I am fully prepared to cross weeks off of our history plans because maybe the Pilgrims and Squanto caught their interest and we camped out there. I want them to be excited about what we are studying...in order to do that I need to allow them a higher level of involvement. 

Seize Learning Opportunities

I am a planner. I love plans, lists, charts...but the best homeschool plans are plans that can be changed. When we read The Red Sales to Capri, my kids were enthralled as we researched the Blue Grotto in Italy. It was so much fun. Mr. Popper's Penguins gave my kids a great interest in Antarctica and penguins. They may never be that interested in that topic ever again-- seize the opportunity-- take time to deviate and actually learn! 

Slow Down.

Engaging doesn't happen when you are box checking. I like to "complete" things. I hate skipping anything so I get how hard it can be. But in order to engage...a lot of the time less is more. Not less time invested, not less time learning...just less time doing that which is not sticking and more time engaging in that which is being embedded in their hearts and minds. 


Teach

I know this seems silly. (and yes, I know this wasn't in the definition!) So, duh, of course we are going to teach, we are homeschooling! What does teaching have to do with engaging? Well, maybe I am the only one to experience this but... You just deliver this wonderful math lesson (it's fully scripted so of course it was awesome!) only to present the worksheet to your child and then see their glazed over eyes staring at it like it is written in Greek.

ok, so of course you sweetly smile at your eager little learner and reteach the lesson in your most gentle and patient voice. 

No?

Yeah, not so much here either...All to often, I get FRUSTRATED when my darling little learners don't get it the first time. We know how to do it, I just explained it-- why don't they get it?!?!? This attitude is ridiculous--I know that. They are LITTLE and chances are this is NEW. 

Reality Flash: They may not get it the first time. (Why is that so hard for me to remember!?!?!)

Sigh. 

You mean we actually have to TEACH? Not just read the script and expect immediate retention? So, you can see why the whole "teach" thing is not such a given for me! ;) This year, I want to teach...not read scripts or lessons, but engage my learner until they...get this... learn. 


Enage. It seemed so simple right? I guess it is. It just takes time, patience, and flexibility. All things homeschool moms have an abundance of right!?!?! ;) 
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That sounds so discouraging. So defeating. We live in a society that wants the easiest...the simplest, the shortcut, and the pleasurable. If it's not easy...it's not happening.

All too often, this is how we homeschool.

Often when looking for curriculum we look for the easiest to use, that which takes the least amount of work on our part...

OK. Depressed yet? ;)

I'm not saying simple isn't good. I am not saying open and go is wrong. I am not even saying easy to use is wrong. What am I saying?

We are asking the wrong questions.

Maybe when it's all said and done, you will end up with an open and go easy to use curriculum because that is what is best for your family at that time. But maybe you won't. We shouldn't be asking what is the least we can do...but what can we do to fulfill God's purpose?

When moms considering homeschooling come to me asking for help, I am so torn. On one hand--I LOVE homeschooling. I am passionate about it and think it is an amazing journey. But...it's not always easy. I always hesitate sharing the tough parts-- people already think we are crazy for homeschooling as it is! But, in the end it's not my job to convince or not convince someone to homeschool-- it's my job to share truth, and point them to seek God's will for them. Because homeschooling is a calling...a wonderful, amazing, mostly joyous calling...that is hard. 

Choosing the best isn't easy. Getting up every day and dealing with complaints, tantrums, and whining--not easy. Begging kids to just finish the dang math problem they have been staring at for 30 minutes...not easy. What? This doesn't happen at your house?

Oh, there are wonderful days. Most days even have wonderful components to it. I love my kids. I love teaching them, investing in them, helping to shape who they are becoming, filling their hearts with God's Word-- all wonderful, yet, not easy.

But, I'm not in it for the easy, I'm in it for the investment. I want to pick resources that take us towards the goal we have for our kids-- Biblically sound, Gospel proclaiming, righteousness seeking servants and warriors for the Kingdom of God. That's a lofty goal. I think it's biblical...but I don't think it's easy. 

I am not saying we should over-complicate it. I am not saying we should fill our days with useless busy work. I am saying that we should be ready and willing to work at this. We should be intentional, and ready to INVEST....to recognize that teaching our children is a high calling. The public school system is NOT our standard. Excellence in heart, mind, and soul is our standard -- being made complete in Christ is our standard.

That is a seriously tall order-- a daunting task. But don't be discouraged. Take Heart! Aren't you glad we aren't alone? Without the help of the Holy Spirit-- this whole thing is futile, but with Him? We can't lose. When things get tough, and you can be found on the bathroom floor in tears (ok, maybe that's just me?), seek His help, His comfort, His power, and His Spirit to complete the task ...the calling, He has given. You have been called, and by His power, you will complete it!

It's not about the end result--it's about our journey for God's Glory.

Homeschooling isn't Easy...

by on 8:54 PM
That sounds so discouraging. So defeating. We live in a society that wants the easiest...the simplest, the shortcut, and the pleasurable. If...
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We have had a crazy summer around here, and I cannot believe it is time to start school! I have missed all of you in blogland and am looking forward to getting back! I hope your summer was wonderful, and everything is getting ready for your new school year. I wanted to share this little poem, and hope it makes you smile! :) Happy Planning and Not Back to School time everyone!!

Summer is over...

 Summer is over and all through the house 
Not a mama was sleeping not even an ounce.
Curriculum was organized in shelves with care,
In hopes that the bank account would soon be repaired.

 The children were resting all sweet in their beds,
While visions of new read alouds danced in their heads.
And mama at the laptop, the printer going strong,
Had her coffee and planner working all the night long.

 When all of a sudden, she jumped with a start,
Surely something is missing, I have forgotten some part!
Away to her lists and her charts she flew,
Reviewing the details and checklists to do.

 But alas all was right in her crazy little world,
Ideas and excitement around her now swirled.
Curriculum ordered, all printed and bound,
She was ready, the children she would soon astound.

 All the hard work and planning of the months past,
Would too soon be changed and she'd have to think fast.
For no matter how hard you plan and prepare,
The children never fit your plan, so not fair. 

 So weeks and months down the road, don't despair.
Your children won't remember your plans, but your care.
So sleep homeschool mommy, rest indeed.
For free you shall be to enjoy them, take heed.

 Love those little faces and smile at things gone awry.
Read stories, and cuddle, build tents and lie.
For the memories made and the love shared,
Will last forever, but precious time is rare.
T
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I heard a great message this weekend aimed at children’s ministry workers. The speaker encouraged us to never think that we are “justa” Sunday school teacher or “justa” nursery worker…that we are called by God for His purpose.

I know I have been there. Someone you just meet asks you what you do. A laundry list of thoughts run through my mind before I say, “I stay home with my kids” or “I homeschool my three littles.”

I KNOW the truth. That being a stay at home mom is the highest calling I could fathom, and the most difficult. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be with my children every day and guide them in the building of their character and academic education. I DO believe it is an amazingblessing. I believe that not one of those college and seminary classes was wasted. I KNOW that. And most of the time I feel that. But, sometimes? Sometimes I give in to the thought that I am “justa” homeschool mom.


It’s in those times, when I question and wonder, and even doubt, I must remind myself of God’s calling.

Hear, O Israel:The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on yourgates. Deut 6:5-9

I am NOT “JUSTA” homeschool mom. I am called out by God for a specific purpose. That purpose right now is primarily fulfilled by glorifying God in raising my children in godliness and homeschooling them to rise up and impact the kingdom of God. I get the blessing of teaching them as we rise up and as we lie down. I am called just as Moses was called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. I am called just as Joshua was called to lead the Israelites into the promise land. I am called just as Rahab was called to hide the spies. And Jonah was called to warn the Ninevites. I am called for His purpose not mine.

Ten years ago this was not my dream. I had a completely different plan for my life. However, so much of that is just geography.

The heart of my calling is the same. To live passionately for His glory, leading others to the Father. And it starts in my home. I am thankful to look at those called before me—Moses, Rahab, Joshua, Jonah…. Moses was “Justa” whiner with a stutter. Joshua was “justa” youth. Rahab was “justa” prostitute. And Jonah was “justa” coward. I am happy to join the ranks of the “justa’s” that have been called by God to do great things in His strength. Thankfully, just like those “Justa’s” before us, God constantly refines us into the person He wants us to be. No longer a “justa,” but a child of His called according to His purpose.

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in
You will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" ~Phil. 1:6

"Justa" Homeschool Mom

by on 5:46 PM
I heard a great message this weekend aimed at children’s ministry workers. The speaker encouraged us to never think that we are “justa” Sun...
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Do you ever feel overwhelmed? The task of educating your children too daunting a thought? Concerned about teaching character more than academics, yet somehow trying not to sacrifice said academics? Questioning curriculum choices, methodologies, and educational philosophies? Feel like you are on a tight rope, never sure if you are doing the right thing?


I have realized lately that I am impossible to please. Over Christmas break I began to question if I was doing "enough" in our homeschool. Sometimes those sparkly catalogs, websites, and forums get me thinking just a little too much.

The day after thinking I might not be doing enough I read a few threads on a forum I frequent about being relaxed in the early homeschool years, and visions of cuddling with my precious cuties on the couch reading read alouds for hours danced in my head.

Then Monday came. Our first day back to school after Christmas break. We started school at 9:30 and ended at 4:00 just in time to get E to the gym. I began to question my approach. 6.5 hours of school is absurd for a seven year old. (So much for my fears of not being rigorous enough!)

Tuesday. hmmm today was too easy. Perhaps we should do more...

Sound familiar? Ok, I will be honest. Usually the pendulum swings of emotions and self doubt don't swing so closely together, but I do feel like a yo-yo sometimes. Are we doing too much? Are we not doing enough? Should we be doing more writing? Adding in Latin? Not do writing or grammar formally? You get the idea. I could mentally decimate myself daily over stressing about my children's education.  The responsibility weighs so heavy sometimes...

The pressures of life expand to so many other areas-- friendships, family, ministry. What to do, when to help, when not to. Facing life threatening illnesses and life changing decisions of those you love. Challenges like these and the salvation of those you love-- way beyond the scope of our control. Sometimes the weight  can just seem impossible.

Reading in my devotional today, I had one of those moments. You know the ones where you have read that verse over and over but all of a sudden you see something you have never seen before?


Mark 10:27 "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God." 

"It is impossible" Not it may be impossible or it may seem impossible. No. It IS impossible. In a strange but comforting way, I take heart. I can't do it...no matter how hard I try. My strength is not enough. My abilities and efforts will not turn my children into mighty servants and warriors for Christ. My pleadings and less than eloquent attempts of sharing the Gospel will save not even one. My heartfelt help to others does nothing.

Despairing news? Not at all! "But not with God. For all things are possible with God." Apart from the sovereign grace and work of Christ, ALL is futile. But with it? ALL is possible.

What a great reminder to spend less time fretting and more time praying. As I have been studying the book of James in the last few weeks, I am constantly aware of my need for faith and works to go hand in hand. However, stressing over those works will get me nowhere. However, resting in His grace as the faith He has implanted in my heart blooms into works around me-- in my marriage, my children, my family, friends and the world-- that allows me to breathe.

With Man it is impossible...

by on 5:37 PM
Do you ever feel overwhelmed? The task of educating your children too daunting a thought? Concerned about teaching character more than acade...
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