Saturday, December 20, 2014

Ah, Jane Austen + Daddy Long Legs

Back in September we went on vacation to Maine, which included a very long drive up and a long drive back.  Along the way, I read an ebook titled Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay.  One would assume that this book is going to be another modern retelling of Emma (in which Mr. Knightley is a character.  Not so.  This story is the retelling of Daddy Long Legs with a conspicuous name borrowed from Austen's novel from long ago.

Last year, I bought a copy of the classic, Daddy Long Legs.  I remembered enjoying it, so I wanted to see if I would share it with my girls.  After reading it, I shelved the book and actually donated it back to the library book sale.  I didn't like the moral tone of the book.  Sad to say, it's been a while so I can't remember what my specific concerns were, but I had enough concerns to realize that my girls wouldn't enjoy reading it and I wasn't going to force it upon them.

I do like the premise of Daddy Long Legs, though, and it is a fun tale of rescuing a lost girl and giving her hope and a future via the contributions of an anonymous donor.

Ms. Reay follows this formula in a modern setting of Chicago.  I liked the characters for the most part, and followed the story easily.  But, I was disappointed in the ending.  I find that often authors just suddenly wrap things up and they're done.  I wanted more.  I wanted more development to the ending.  That was my source of disappointment in this story.  Other than that, it was fine.  The heroine is not always likeable and had a lot of rough edges to her, but when you can get past these and sympathize, your heart can follow the story.

Please note that I received a complimentary ecopy of this book for review from Thomas Nelson.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Another Regency Period Novel...

This week I read a fun novel called The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen.  I've read a
few other novels by Ms. Klassen, so I was looking forward to this one.

The story follows Abigail Foster, who unfortunately, is to blame for the loss of her family's fortune.  Her family must find a new, much more affordable home.  An offer comes in the form of Pembrooke Park, where they will be able to live for a very reasonable rent.  Abigail and her foster accept on behalf of their family and so begins the adventure.  Pembrooke Park has several secrets it's hiding.

The characters of the story are fun to get to know.  There were a couple that annoyed me (as any good antagonist should).  But, I particularly enjoyed the main character of Abigail and her relationships to the other characters.

The plot moves along at a steady pace and you do get to know the characters as Ms. Klassen tells the story.  I do enjoy Ms. Klassen's writing more than others and I enjoyed the added mystery in this book.

There is one thing I do want to mention, though.  This is one area where I find many readers disagree with me, but it's something that I notice as I read, nonetheless.  It is how the physical attraction (and its development) between the characters who become romantically involved is described and detailed in the story.  At times, I didn't feel comfortable with how Ms. Klassen described these attractions.  I didn't feel she crossed the line in the sand, but she got close to it, in my opinion.  Thankfully, these scenes and descriptions were typically short and I could move on past them in the story pretty quickly.  Even so, I wasn't keen on their presence.  I can't remember feeling this way about previous books that I've read by Ms. Klassen, but it's been a while since I've read one.

All in all, I did enjoy the book.  I am glad I had the chance to read it and simply enjoy a good story!

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Bethany House Publishers.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Sometimes the internet is helpful...

My 6th grade daughter is tackling subtracting negative numbers, which can be a tricky thing to explain ;)  I found a great page with explanations though, so I thought I'd share it in case it might be helpful to anyone...



Thursday, November 20, 2014

Christmas books and movies

I look forward to November and December when it is fashionable to read Christmas stories and watch Christmas movies.  I have to be honest and admit, though, that I read and watch them throughout the year.  The characters in such stories are portrayed with more hope and there is a coming together, a reunion, of family and friends that isn't present at other times in the year as often (in books and movies).

Melody Carlson publishes a Christmas novel every year and almost every year for the past five years I've had a chance to review them.  This year's novel is The Christmas Cat.  The story is about
Garrison who inherits his grandmother's house--and her cats--after she passes away.  His grandmother was his only family and he feels lost without her.  He's struggling to recover from Malaria that he caught while working in Africa and is trying to get a job.  So, his trip home to take care of his grandmother's estate occupies his heart and mind.  The story follows his trials as he finds particular homes for each of the six cats left behind.  The end is like that of other Christmas stories.  It will make you smile and feel like you drank a cup of hot tea with a cinnamon stick in it.

The writing makes this story flow quickly and easy.  I didn't notice any major bumps in my reading.  I enjoyed it and quickly followed Garrison as he found his way in the story.

If you enjoy made for tv Christmas movies (which I have to admit that I do), you'll probably enjoy this story as well.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Revell Books.

Monday, November 17, 2014

Next Installment

It's interesting to grow up with my kids.  When they were younger, we read many Bible storybooks to them.  But now, they are all old enough to read the Bible themselves!  I have realized the same thing is happening with the books they read.  We are moving into a new era or phase.

Magic Treehouse and Imagination Station have had their time in my girls' minds and on their shelves. But, it's time for these to be passed on to their little brother.  I think he'll probably be ready for them by the end of the year.

The Imagination Station is a fun and easy to read early chapter book series.  It's basically a Christian Magic Treehouse series.  I've written a few reviews about it before.  I remember loving the first few books of the series.  I was struck by how the young boy and girl treated each other and the people they came across on their adventures.  I was pleased by the series.  But, as the series has gone on, the writing hasn't seemed to flow as well as it did in the early books.  I'm not sure exactly why I feel this way.

The latest installment of this series, Surprise at Yorktown, is like the others.  As I read it, the story seemed to make bigger jumps than I remembered in previous stories.  The language is very readable for a second grader or first grader with a high reading level.  I appreciate the bits of history that are woven into each adventure the kids go on.  My kids were glad to read it, but their excitement waned as they began reading the first chapter or two.  Both girls finished it, but quickly moved on after they were done.  Usually, when my girls enjoy a book, they immediately start rereading it.  They didn't do that with this one.

For kids older than third grade, I wouldn't recommend this book.  For kids younger than that, they'll enjoy it.  The language is very simple and it won't challenge them or expand their vocabulary.  Kids in third grade and beyond need more meat.  Box Car Children, Encyclopedia Brown, A to Z mysteries...

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Tyndale Publishing.

Friday, October 10, 2014

What we say

This week I had the chance to see a gift that someone has.  That is the gift of not being bothered by others' opinions of them.  I've seen people before not care about others opinions.  I can't say that I've understood.  I'm sure different people have different reasons.

I think some people tell themselves they don't care, but really do.  Some people stop caring and become numb to others' feelings.  Some people retreat away from people so they can't hurt them anymore.  But, then other people naturally have a peace that helps them not to worry or care about others opinions of them.

I saw one of these people in action this week.  After the summer I've had and what I've walked through, I recognize the gift this person has.  Of course it has its consequences, but one of the positive consequences is that this person is more easily able to show grace to people in her life that say things that are off the mark.  One of the other consequences is that she isn't always aware of how what she does affects other people.

I think that is the way it is with any gift that the Lord gives us.  There are strengths and weaknesses of what He gives us.  He knows what we need.

I can see what He's given this person in my life.  I think I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum.  I care too much.  I love too much and hurt too much.  They're two sides of the same coin.  But, seeing how God has made this friend makes me smile.  And it makes me think.

Is it okay to not care what other people think of me?  Yes.  I can see that this friend cares about the Lord and about glorifying Him in her life.  But she's free to just love people and see past the things they say.

We are all called to different things.  I was reminded on Friday that I am called to care and connect.  I talked with a young mom and her two little ones. I encouraged her and she shared with me that it had meant a lot to her husband when I genuinely asked after her a few months ago and how they were doing.

I've seen a lot of older women become wounded birds.  I want to learn to care, but be able to look past the things people say that are off the mark.

Smile

On vacation, Autumn got a Life is Good tshirt that says, "Smile... It's free."  I love it.  I wish I could have one, too.

I've let my kids sleep in this morning and I need to go wake them up.  It's been a busy past two weeks for them.  They're troopers and I love them.  I wanted to write down the things popping into my head at the moment.

1.  Smile.  A lot.  Every chance you get.  Smiling makes you feel good and makes others people feel good.  It breaks the silence.  It breaks up the pain.  It breaks up the hurt.  It reminds you of God's beauty, His comfort, and that He's in control.  We can trust Him.

2.  Smile.  Tell my kids I love them.  A lot.  Even though they've heard it before.

3.  Snuggle with my kids.  Read together.  Break out of the cycle of being driven by the idea that I have to get so much done.  Take a 30 minute reading break in the living room.  Don't feel guilty.  It's impossible to get everything done every day.

4.  Don't compare.  Don't compare my children to one another.  They are all different and I love them all.  Emphasize and remind them of their strengths and that God made them the way they are.  Don't directly or indirectly compare.  Teach them that everyone has their own strengths.

5.  Let go.  Let go of the past and cope with the present.  Don't let the past put a noose around my neck.


Thursday, October 2, 2014

Learn to Type Software?

For the past year, my kids have been learning to type using the BBC's free internet site: Dance Mat Typing.  I like it a lot.  It covers the basics at a speed that's very appropriate for grade K-5.  It includes practice and fun songs that engage the kids.  All three of my kids have enjoyed it.

I felt like it wasn't quite enough, though.  I wanted them to get more practice and be able to increase their speed.  So, I started looking for a program to use.  I asked around and the recommendations all pointed to Mavis Beacon and Typing Instructor.

In the end, I purchased Typing Instructor for Kids.  It takes a bit to navigate the program honestly.  I had to sit down with it first and understand what my kids needed to do.  My first daughter went through the first level and completed it, but the program wouldn't let her move on.  She didn't understand why.  So, I went through the level and it passed me.  I am assuming that the program set a goal for her that she didn't pass.  Typing Instructor does let kids backspace and correct when they've pressed a wrong key, but I don't know if it takes off for this.  The levels take about 17 minutes for them to complete.  Or at least the first one did.

I didn't encounter any major glitches.  My kids enjoy it.  I like the games that come after the lesson. They're fun and purposeful.  Creative practice.

I'm also glad that I paid for the program.  There are lots of typing games online that are free, but the screen shows up small and there's tons of advertising which is very distracting and undependable.  Sometimes I'm very surprised at the ads that show up on various websites.  I know they can't control it once they agree to the ads, but it shapes my decisions about which websites I let my kids go to regularly.

What I noticed though is that Dance Mat Typing goes slower than Typing Instructor (and it has no ads--Yippee!).   So, I'm glad my kids completed Dance Mat Typing first.  I think Typing Instructor for Kids is going to be a good fit for us.

I did also have the chance to try out Mavis Beacon--Personal Edition, using UltraKey.  The program is the same cost as the other (about $15), but it's a bare bones program.  No games.  None.  This edition is for adults and it goes through things pretty fast.  But, if you are an adult and need to learn how to type quickly, this is a good option.  I did encounter a glitch in the first lesson and the challenge level they set based on my pretest was almost impossible to reach and pass on the first lesson.  Mavis Beacon also won't let you backspace and correct, so all typing has to be correct the first time in order to pass on the challenges and skill tests.  You can retake the skill tests, though, without redoing the lesson--which is what I did.  Honestly, I'm glad I spent the money on Typing Instructor for Kids instead of Mavis Beacon.  If I were purchasing a program for an adult or teenager, I'd probably choose Typing Instructor (adult version) instead of the Mavis Beacon program.

I'm surprised that the programs didn't address some things that were reinforced in my typing class in high school.
1.  You can't look at your fingers!
2.  Your index fingers sit on the home row keys that have bumps.  Every typewriter and keyboard I've ever used have a bump on the f and j keys.  The ten-key number pad also always has a bump on the 5 key.  These bumps help you keep your place.  They're very important so that you can always find your way back to where your fingers should rest.
3.  You can put a napkin or other light covering over your child's hands if they have a hard time not looking down.  If you're using a desktop computer and keyboard, you can make a cover using wood or cardboard that you can set over the keyboard so kids can't see the keys.  The point of learning to type is to be able to do it without looking at the keys.  This drastically increases one's typing speed when it is mastered.

My kids are enjoying getting back on the computer again.  I'm glad for it to be productive time.

Friday, September 26, 2014

Thought this was a good reminder...

I just read this article on Christianity Today and thought it was a good reminder about our internet clicking...
http://www.christianitytoday.com/women/2014/september/careful-what-you-click-for.html

Walking Forward

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine was sharing with me about how she keeps waiting for that time when she'll be able to breathe and catch up.  Refuel.

I thought for a moment about what she said.  My kids are several years older than hers, but this past year I've really been waiting for that time that she was talking about.  It has never come.  It feels like there's been one thing after another.  I get very tired at times.

I have come to the conclusion that there might not be that lull in life that I long for.  But, instead, there are moments.  And it is the moments that sustain us and refuel us.

The moment in the car on the long vacation ride when Sami asks how much longer and Autumn tells her to call her.  Then Sami pretends to call Autumn on an imaginary phone and Autumn answers, "Hello.  This is the Estimation Station.  How can we help you?"  Sami then asks, "How much longer till we get there?"  Autumn responds, "Let me ask our Estimator, Eli."  Eli then gives his answer, "Ten hours." (It was only about 2 or 3 more at that point.)  My husband then calls in and asks, "How long will I live?"  The estimation station attendant:  "Let me consult the estimator."  The estimator:  "One hundred and forty years."

Laughter filled the car.

I'm starting to thing there aren't weeks or even days that will come that I will get to step back and refuel.  There are simply moments.

Last night, my middle daughter snuggled into my arms and I hugged her in the evening.

The librarian complimented my oldest daughter when she went to volunteer.  She makes me smile.  She's thoughtful and thought filled.

And my son, well, he gives me a hug every morning.

This is my time to love my kids.


Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Social Studies for 6th grade... on and on we go...

I'm working on my daughter's social studies for this year.  I've found several resources on the way.  I often ask myself, "Why am I doing this?  Why am I not buying a premade curriculum?"  I've read several books about homeschooling on a shoestring and lots of blog posts about it and realize that the money you save by not buying books, you spend in time.  So, there has to be some other reason...

I've come to the conclusion that I enjoy the search.  I enjoy thinking through a topic and getting on top of it before my children study it.  I enjoy developing a big picture of the topic.

Last year, Autumn studied the 1700s of American History.  This year, my goal is to cover the 1800s and 1900s.  So far, I have compiled up to 1850 and am working on the Civil War.  Here's a list of free resources I've found that I've liked.  I'm using a very brief book titled Kids' Guide to American History to give my daughter a brief (very brief) idea of the outline of American History and then we're going to dig into more specific events.

Oregon Trail Unit
http://www.blm.gov/or/oregontrail/files/TBKS_opt.pdf
Oregon Trail Game
http://dynamic2moms.webs.com/West%20Ward%20Ho%20Page/Oregon%20Trail_game.pdf

Civil War Unit
http://www.civilwar.org/education/teachers/curriculum/
I'm using pages from the middle school curriculum.  I don't have Microsoft Office anymore so I can't view the powerpoint presentations, but I still found some great activities and worksheets to use.
These are the pages I printed from the middle school curriculum:
9-18,23-26,46-48,52-55,57,62-68,71-77,96-88,90,92,94-97,102-111,113-115,121-130,136-145,147-151,165-169,171-178
from the elementary curriculum: 22-23,96-98

Additional Civil War Resources I'm using:
Slang of the Civil War: http://www.citrus.k12.fl.us/staffdev/social%20studies/PDF/Slang%20of%20the%20American%20Civil%20War.pdf
People: http://mrnussbaum.com/civil-war/people

For Reconstruction and Industrial Revolution, I'm using a book titled Everyday Life: Reconstruction to 1900 by Walter Hazen.
Plus:
Bio of Jane Addams: http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=4948
I'm asking my daughter to write an outline and one paragraph summary including birthdate/death, significant life events and significant achievements of Jane Addams.


Women's Rights Unit:
I like this unit because it uses primary sources.
http://www.humanities.uci.edu/history/ucihp/resources/11th%20grade%20for%20website/11.5%20and%2011.10%20HOT%20Equal_Rights.pdf
Printed Letter from Phyllis Shafly: http://www.eagleforum.org/era/pdf/ERA-Letter.pdf
Pro-ERA Points:
http://www.equalrightsamendment.org/misc/why_ERA_needed.pdf
To end this unit, I am going to ask my daughter to write her own persuasive paper either pro or con-the ERA.

World War I
http://www.easyfunschool.com has a list of activities for WWI.

The Great Depression
http://www.easyfunschool.com/article1984.html
http://www.instructorweb.com/docs/pdf/greatdeplesson.pdf

World War II
http://www.easyfunschool.com/article1855.html
http://allinonehomeschool.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/world-war-two-worksheets.pdf
Great Readings on World War II!: http://www.ducksters.com/history/world_war_ii/

Civil Rights
www.ducksters.com has some great readings.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4xMsNe4G32CZmt6eFlTQzZYZU0/edit
Civil Rights Unit from the Homeschool Den.  There are several different and great packets on this site for elementary age.

John F Kennedy
http://gardenofpraise.com/pdf/textb44.pdf

Cold War
Types of Government: http://mms.springbranchisd.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=rVj9HkM6QjM=
Good selection of readings on www.ducksters.com

20th Century Summaries
http://www.eduplace.com/ss/socsci/md/books/bke2/ilessons/index.html   I like these because they use key terms in short and easy to read summaries. They covered a lot of topics I wanted to address, but couldn't find printable readings on the web for.

Some Useful Maps
http://www.macmillanhighered.com/Catalog/static/bsm/mapcentral/om/om.html

Great Timeline Worksheets
Scholastic has one online, but I like the ones on this page better: http://timvandevall.com/printable-history-timeline-worksheets-for-classrooms-social-studies/

Great Timeline Site
http://www.animatedatlas.com/timeline.html

Stamp Activity
http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/educators/Design_It_Full_Curriculum.pdf
I printed pages 8 and 32 and some of the information from the first few pages to explain why we use stamps.  Then, I looked up and printed page 1 from here: http://www.mrbrandl.com/downloads/stampsubjects.pdf
I am going to ask my daughter to circle which of the twelve guidelines she thinks she should follow in completing this assignment and then discuss it with me prior to designing a stamp for each decade from 1800-Present (the period she's going to be studying this year).  There's a lot of information on the art of design in this packet and it would be a great cross-curriculum art lesson from the postal museum!
I used this worksheet: http://www.bellesprintables.com/FreeTemplates/PostageStampTemplate_Belle.jpg, cut out two of the strips, made a new copy of this page on my printer, and then wrote the number above for each decade from our history we're covering.

Assessment Ideas
http://www.eduplace.com/activity/  In putting together my materials, I found myself at a loss for some fun assessments and activities.  The lessons on this page gave me some great ideas that I could modify.




Monday, August 25, 2014

Starting School

New routines... New books...

The End of Summer.

I am actually thankful for this summer to end.  We frequent the community pool and I have so many different conversations over the course of the summer with many moms.  I've often heard as the summer comes to a close that the moms are ready for their kids to go back to school.  I never thought I'd say this, but I am saying it this summer...

This summer, I've heard it from myself and a few other homeschool moms.  We've shared with each other about how too much free time leads to bickering and less enjoyed play time for their kids.  The structure of the homeschool day can be a good thing.  There is a satisfaction for adults and children alike of having gotten something done.

But, is that all?  Not in my case.

Why am I glad?  Honestly, I had a horrible summer.  It was a very difficult one emotionally.  Grappling with my mom's illness and its impact on her, my family, and me became the catalyst for a very difficult time.  She's still adjusting and so are we.

I painted 4 closets (3 large, 1 small), 2 bedrooms (1 large, 1 medium), and my kitchen ceiling.  I injured my right arm which drew out the painting process.  I still have 1 coat left to do on my kitchen ceiling and the girls' room ceiling.

I started off the summer with several play dates on the calendar, but lost steam as the summer wore on.

And then...the bickering.  I watched as my kids bickered more than they do during the school year because they had more idle time.  The words "There's nothing to do and There's nothing I want to do." entered our home in a way they had never before.  It is my goal to banish these words from our family's vocabulary this school year!

What I learned in the process...

1.  When you enter a conversation with anyone that portends to be a difficult one, think ahead about (if possible) what your goal is.  Realize that the other person may or may not come to see your point of view.  Be ready for the best and worst case scenarios.  Be willing to walk away if the conversation is not a wise one to have.

2.  Realize that when stressful events are going on, SIMPLIFY!  Don't complicate.  I was sharing with my friend's mother on Saturday that when military families are getting ready for a deployment, stress is high in families.  They know to expect this.  So, many wives and husbands try to simplify those days and make sure to make phone calls to extended family several days before rather than the night before.  One friend shared with me how upsetting to me the phone calls her husband was required to make to his family the night prior to one of his deployments were.  She had no time with him.  

I have found that a similar sensitivity is needed with medical procedures.  It is wise to allow extra time and not squeeze things in the days and hours before unless they are needed.

3.  Do not expect people to be understanding of the stress in your life.  Do not expect grace.  It is a wonderful thing to receive, but often people are unable to give it because they are focused on their own perspective and unable to see what you are going through or how what they have done affects you.

4.  Keeping my kids busy is a good, GOOD thing!  I have given them many more chores this summer than I have in the past.  I have worked, but so have they!  Summer is a good time for me to teach them things like changing batteries and more cooking.  I have more time and patience than I often do during the school year.

5.  Be realistic with myself.  Next summer, I'm going to plan on piano lessons every other week.  To aim for every week is simply unrealistic.  We don't get enough practice in weekly to justify weekly lessons during the summer.

6.  Get outside whenever possible.

7.  Make adjustments.  Look to others and consider what their needs may be.  The phyical changes for my mom have required big adjustments for her.  My girls are now rotating every other week cleaning her apartment because it is difficult for her.  It is good for them to help and it is good for my mom because it helps her.

Well, it is 7:30 am and that means it is time to get all my children up and going!

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Unit Study Database Website

My big project that needs to be done this week is to compile the worksheets for Autumn's American History this year.  I've found several great sites along the way and today I found this one:

http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/unit-study-database.html#C

It's a database of lots of unit studies on the web. Yay!  I love anything that makes my searching simpler.  Some of the links aren't active, but many are.  1 of the 3 I tried didn't work.  But, it is a place to start!

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Scientific Method Worksheets

I was very excited to find these tonight!

I am compiling my 6th grade daughter's chemistry curriculum.  I couldn't bring myself to spend $140 on Noeo's Chemistry 2 curriculum, so I'm compiling my own.  (The books I bought cost $39 altogether.)  It's a little bit of work to plan it out, but I'm enjoying the research as I discover what makes up the study of chemistry.

Last year, I tried to use Christian Kids Explore Earth and Space with my children, but they disliked it.  I found myself filling in the blanks and the big jumps the authors made between topics.  I have struggled with science for several years.

As a Christian, I feel that I need to help my kids develop a Christian worldview of creation and science.  But, the curriculum I've loved most is HSP Science from Harcourt.  My eldest daughter did Singapore's kindergarten science, then HSP science for 1st-3rd, Considering God's Creation for 4th and then HSP science for 5th.  My second daughter did HSP science for 1st and 3rd.  She is going to use HSP science for 4th and 5th grades.  At this point, my plan is for my son is going to do HSP science for 1st -5th grades.  I've looked at many other curriculums, but I like it.  In Middle School, I want to bring in a Christian perspective in a much more deliberate way on science and I have been pondering what that is going to look like this next year with my oldest daughter.

I am concerned that I have tried to cover too much content and have sacrificed the enjoyment of studying science.  So, I am hoping to do more of that will all of my children this year.  I'm adjusting my expectations of how much to cover so that we will have the wiggle room and space that we need to do experiments.  I haven't liked the lab sheets from the workbook, so instead I am excited to have found some great worksheets here: http://www.thecraftyclassroom.com/HomeschoolPrintablesScientificMethod.html
There's one worksheet that has all the steps of the scientific method on it and there's another set of sheets with one sheet for each step.  I'm going to laminate the main sheet with all the steps together and post it on the wall.

These are the books that I'm pulling from for Autumn's science:
1.  Christian Kids Explore Chemistry:
This will give the big umbrella that I'll branch off from.
2.  Super Science Concoctions (a Williamson Kids Can Book)
Experiments with stuff already in my house that Sami and Eli can observe and join in with.
3.  Fizz, Bubble, & Flash! Element Explorations & Atom Adventures (a Williamson Kids Can Book)
I will focus on the elements for one quarter.
4.  Chemistry for Every Kid by Janice Van Cleave
5.  Teaching the Fun of Science by Janice Van Cleave

I like Janice Van Cleave's books and the Williamson Kids Can books because they use materials that are around the house already.  This makes the experiments in these books much more affordable.  Last year, I read from the CKE book I used.  This year I am going to have Autumn read from it and record her answers to the questions in a notebook.  We will highlight the main points in the passage together and then I will teach her to write down the key vocabulary in her notebook from the text.  The problem with CKE is that it is a teacher text, but I think it will work well as a student text for 6th grade instead.  I just ordered the CKE book tonight and will get it in a week or so.  When it arrives, I'm going to sit down and evaluate how much we can really tackle from the book and how many experiments I can pull in from book #2, #4, and #5.  By no means do I plan to do all of the experiments in all of the books! ;)

So, that's my plan.  It's a work in progress right now...

Friday, August 8, 2014

Handling Tough Questions

My kids started soccer practice this week.  It has been interesting in so many ways.  I have been reminded to be thankful that I have the opportunity to homeschool.  One mom explained to me that two parents have to work today unless one parent makes an insane amount of money.  I could tell how much she loves her kids and cherishes her time with them.  

I watched another set of parents juggle their kids and split duties as they adjust to changes in their family.  I saw this last year, too, when two parents had separated and had to juggle work and their kids' practices.  

I walk around and meet all the parents.  I ask lots of questions and get to know them.  Last year, I was the new parent to soccer.  My older daughter's team had all played together for several years and then my middle daughter's team was over half returning kids who knew each other.  This year my daughters' team is half returning, half new.  My son's team is almost entirely new.  

Last night one of the few returning kids came for the first time to practice and started messing with my son.  I called my son on his behavior and we talked.  I came home and realized how thankful I am to be homeschooling my son.  I've always been thankful that my girls were homeschooled for their first school years because they didn't get picked on for being small and bullied.  Now they are older and stronger...and able to stand up for themselves without being scarred by the other kids.  Last night I realized that my son has growing to do before he will be strong enough to stand consistently against peer pressure and behave when the kids around him aren't.  

This week what Walt Wangerin Jr. said about kids has been ever present on my mind--that as parents we are to protect our children and prepare them for the future.  Part of preparing them is helping them learn how to act and behave and cope with all the different social situations they will face in life.  Some of those situations will be knowing how to deal with bullies.  Other situations will involve knowing how to tackle the pain of life and the sin they will encounter.

I think that we as adults can struggle with processing the pain as much as our kids do.  How do we think about and understand death?  Natural disasters?  Satan?  Divorce?  Adultery? But beyond that, how do we talk with our children about these things and explain to them why things happen?  I talk with my husband and friends.  I pray and read the Bible.  These topics are tough to tackle.  

I did come across a book recently that was sent to me for review that tackles a few of these questions.  The book is titled Answering Your Kids' Toughest Questions: Helping Them Understand Loss, Sin, Tragedies, and Other
Hard Topics
by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson (Elyse's daughter).  This book tackles the questions I mention in the previous chapter.  This book is not a how to filled with scripts of what to say to your children.  It includes short essays or paragraphs on the topics so that parents can have ideas of verses to share from the Word and ideas of how and what to explain.

My children learned what divorce was a few years ago, but I didn't explain to them the "why" at the time.  This past spring I explained to them the "why" when the parents of a friend of theirs got divorced.  They're older now and we felt they needed to know.  I did explain that divorce comes because of sin--either on one person's part or both in the marriage.  

I read what this book said on several topics.  On the topic of homosexuality, the authors break it down between preschool, ages 5-10 and 11 and up.  I appreciated what the authors said for the oldest and youngest groups, but felt a little different about the 5-10 group.  The authors didn't explicitly say it is a sin and honestly, this is the age when kids are in school and they are being told today that it is right and even good by our culture and their school lessons.  My husband pointed out to me that it's important to us the word sin so that our kids understand what's a sin.

I once talked with our kids about selfishness, but didn't directly call it a sin at first.  I softened it.  I wanted to make it easier somehow for them.  But, I realized that I shouldn't.  That's where I think this book can be helpful.  The first topic is "What is Sin?"  I do like how the authors tackle this and discuss it.  It's good food for thought.  That's the thing about this book. I realize that I don't have to say or agree with everything in this book or how the authors would address a topic.  It's a book of ideas.  A place to start.

There has been a difficult topic on my mind this week and I am troubled about how I will explain it to my children when they become aware of a particular situation.  It has deeply troubled my own heart.  I am going to pray about it and ask God to give me wisdom to know what to say when my children bring it up or when I feel Him impress upon my heart that I need to talk with them about it.  As their parent, it is my job to protect them and prepare them for the future.  Parenting babies and toddlers is tough.  Parenting children as they grow up is tough, too--in a very different way...

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Bethany House Publishing.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

The Series Continues On...

A few years ago, my girls came upon Adventures in Odyssey's Imagination Station series of books.  This series is similar to the Magic Treehouse Books.   I haven't read one in quite some time.  A month or two ago, the most recent addition to the series arrived, Captured on the High Seas.  My girls quickly read it and seemed to enjoy it.

Amidst the busyness, I did not get a review posted of this book.  Now that the kids' bedrooms are painted I realize that the time has come to catch up!  So, I'm starting with this book.

The Imagination Station series focuses on cousins Patrick and Beth.  Captured on the High Seas is the second of a 3 adventure series set in the American Revolutionary War.  The first book, The Red Coats are Coming, found them at the battle of Concord.  This book finds Patrick and Beth on an American Ship that is captured by the British.  They become friends with a boy named James.  He helps them and they help him.  It is very dangerous for him to be on the British ship because he will likely be sold as a slave.  The story is all about their attempt to escape.

On the positive side, there's nothing to be concerned about in this book.  It's wholesome and safe.  On the other hand, it's written, well...  As adults we often read books that we can blaze through and are easy to read.  There is no challenge in them or complex description.  These are the books that I describe as "made for tv movies".  That would be a good description for this book.  It is a "made for tv cartoon".  There's simple sentence structure and description.  As I was reading, I often felt like there were jumps that the readers have to make as they read in this book.  

After reading this book, I went to my girls' bedroom and picked up a Magic Treehouse book, a book by Dick King-Smith, and A Capital Mystery by Ron Roy.  I have to admit that of this group of books, the one by Dick King-Smith stands heads above the rest.  As I read excerpts from each of them, I was glad that there are ten Dick King-Smith books on their bookshelves.  I was glad that there are so many good classics on their shelves.  I'm okay with my kids reading the books in their series, but I wouldn't want this series or the Magic Treehouse Books or Ron Roy's books to be all their literary diet consisted of.  It would be like only drinking chocolate milk for food all day.  They need some meat so they can grow strong.  

If your kids have been reading this series of books, I'm sure they'll enjoy this one as they did the others.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Tyndale Publishing.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Printing Off Web Resources

I am in the process of putting together my children's curriculum lists for the fall.  I went to the post I wrote about reading comprehension units.  When I clicked on a few links for the leaping into 5th grade website, I discovered that the author has taken them down.  If I were a betting person (which I'm not), the author has probably taken down her units and placed them on a site like Teachers Pay Teachers and is likely selling them for a fee now.  I realize that many teachers have done this.

But, this is the reason that when I put together my reading comprehension plan, I printed off the units I wanted for the future.  When you find something on the web, there's no guarantee it is still going to be there tomorrow!

Monday, July 21, 2014

Christian Romance Series

A while ago, I read the first book in Jen Turano's Christian fiction series that began with A Change of Fortune.  I enjoyed it.  It just fun to be lost in a book for a little while.  I don't usually follow a series, but I did end up reading each of the books in this series.  It was just light Christian romance fiction.  Last week, I finished reading the last one, A Match of Wits.  


This story centers on Agatha Watson and Zayne Beckett.  Many books within a series are written as stand alone novels.  Others need to be read within the series in order for the reader to understand and know the characters.  That is the case with this book.  Read the books before it first.  Each one adds details that you'll need to know in order to understand the interactions and dynamics of the relationships between the characters.  Agatha is a spitfire and Zayne is the recovering scorned former beau of another.  Agatha gets herself in messes that come as a result of good intentions.  From the outset, you know that people are after her and are threatening her life, so she is on the run in the west.  Zayne runs into her and she foils his plans to run away from home any longer.  

Family and friends enter the picture who are all described well in the course of the other books.  This book is light on the description.  If you only read this book, you'd likely see Zayne as a wimp and the relationship between Agatha and Zayne as completely unfathomable.  But, if you read the other books, you'll get a very different picture of Zayne.  That was my one frustration with this book.  Zayne was almost a different person than he was in the other books.  Of course, his heart had been broken between this book and the last one so that has wrought some change in him.  But, it seemed weird to me how he is in this book.

Would I recommend this book?  Maybe.  But, it wasn't one of my favorites.  I'd recommend the others in the series first.  

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Bethany House publishing.  

Sitting

You might have heard this... I know it's going around.  My husband said this to me as we walked outside to throw a ball around with our kids...

Sitting is the new smoking.

Yes, I think it is.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Lightly Heavy Romantic Fiction

This morning I finished another romantic Christian fiction novel.  One might wonder why I read so many of these given that my reviews are often what might be considered 3 star reviews.  Well, my mom loves them and so I search for good ones to pass on to her.  

Ann Gabhart is one of the authors I have enjoyed more than others.  Her latest, Love Comes Home is very
clearly a romance.  It's funny to me that it's labeled "Historical Fiction".  It should really just be labeled "Christian Romance" in my opinion.

This latest novel by Ms. Gabhart is about a family of sisters after World War II finding their way to love.  There's pain and suffering in the novel.  The recovery of the men from the war is only touched upon and not delved into.  The story focuses more on the role of love in each of the sisters' lives and their trials, travails, healing, and blessings.  

Picture four sisters ranging in age from 14 to 25 years old (I think).  One wonders about the family who left her amidst the Great Depression.  One adjusts to pregnancy and her husband, a rescued POW, returning from the war.  Another grieves the loss of her husband to the war and processes how to heal and continue living with her toddler daughter.  The last, who saw herself as the strong one, copes with her husband returning from the war who she loves but doesn't know that well.  The story follows these four sisters and their stories.

I'm just going to consider this in terms of being a romance.  If you enjoy Christian romance and want a book that isn't going to put things into your mind that you don't want there, this book will fit the bill.  It does idealize love a little bit and make it seem as the be and end all of life, but don't most romance books do that?  I appreciated the way the sisters bore with each other amidst different personalities, gave each other space when they needed it, but put each other first, too.  It is a good, solid book about family and what it means to love one's family.  The story is set in a time when families lived in closer proximity than they do today.  Our culture has changed.  But, the ideas of loving one's siblings and bearing with irritations are the same things that happen in families even from a distance when siblings communicate regularly and have relationships with one another.

If you enjoy Christian fiction set around the time of WWII and romances, you'll probably enjoy this one.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Revell Publishing.

Friday, July 4, 2014

Out of the way Read...

I hate writing reviews before I've finished the book.  But, this time, well...I'm running out of time.  So, I'm writing this book review with the caveat that I haven't finished it yet.

I've shared before that sometimes I pick up books and think they'll be interesting, but then just can't seem to get motivated to read them.  That's the case with this book.  It sat on my desk for several weeks without me opening it.  My daughter happened to pick it up, though, which started an interesting conversation...

Mommy, what's Anorexia?
Hmm... Hmmm!  Well, sweetie, that's when people choose not to eat.
Why?  Do they not have food to eat?
No.  They have food.
You mean--they diet?
Yes, they diet.  But, they choose not to eat.
They starve themselves?
Yes, they do, sweetie.
The conversation went a little longer as I tried to explain in 10 year old terms why.

My daughter, my sweet daughter who talks to me about everything, was connecting the dots in her head between the Dr.Oz tv show we saw that was discussing ways to diet when she got stitches on her toe at Urgent Care 6 weeks ago and the idea of anorexia.

Ironically, the woman who's memoir I was reading began starving herself when she was 9 years old.  She was younger than my oldest daughter when she began choosing not to eat.

The book I'm reading is titled Atlas Girl: Finding Home in the Last Place I Thought to Look by Emily T. Wiernega.  This book is Ms. Wiernega's memoir about her struggle to find love and accept that love.  It
tells the story of her relationship with her parents, husband, and family.  I'm about 3/4 through the book.  Interspersed throughout the book, I've found thought provoking nuggets that have made me think.  I am curious about how the author will draw the book together.  The story is supposed to be about the author finding her home and love, but it is a very complicated memoir with many themes.

I have to admit that this book has been quite difficult for me to read at times.  My mom is sick and the author of this story goes back and for between different times in her life and her time caring for her mom as the brain cancer overtook her body.  At other times, the story has simply touched my heart.  There's one story she shares of the conversation she has with her mother in which her mom shares that she's been praying for her.  She felt and understood the depth of God's love for her through her mother's love.  This encouraged me.  I love my kids so deeply and I want them to always know that through the good and the bad times--through the things I say right and the things I say wrong.

What is this book?  A Christian memoir?  No, not really.  A secular memoir?  Again, not really, but closer.  Because of some of the scenes the author shares, I wouldn't call this a "Christian" memoir in the way many people think.  Instead, I'd call it a secular memoir written by a Christian.  Does the author talk about God?  Yes.  But, the tone and subject matter often crosses lines that I think many conservative Christians would be uncomfortable with.  One example is that she describes her wedding night with her husband.  In terms of her journey through anorexia, this is significant.  But, it's almost too much information.

This book isn't one of those that you'll agree with all of the author's opinions, but I suspect that it may cause you to reflect.  Reading about someone else's life can often help us grapple with our own (according to Leland Ryken).  I agree with that.  I think this is the book I've been supposed to read right now and I keep pressing on.

If you enjoyed Resurrection in May by Lisa Samson, or Notes from a Tilt a Whirl by ND Wilson, or Secrets of an Unlikely Convert... then you would like this one, I think.  This book doesn't fit a mold.  I'm glad it doesn't.

If you're looking for some unusual summer reading, I'd read the preview of this one on Amazon (HERE) and see if you think you'd enjoy reading it.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Revell Books.

Monday, June 30, 2014

Thoughts on Education

This morning I read this article HERE about a battle in education in Maryland.  In response, I wrote the following letter to the writer of the article that I thought I'd share here...

Hello,

I just read your article from Sunday's Sun about “A New Battle in Maryland Education”.

I wanted to share a few things that might be interesting to include in future articles on the subject of testing and teacher evaluation. But, before I begin, I should explain who I am so you can understand the background I am speaking from. I earned my MA Ed in curriculum and instruction thirteen years ago. I taught middle school in Colorado and Texas. Then, I taught remedial math in a community college GED prep program in Georgia. I also taught math part-time in a private school in Georgia for one term. Since moving to Maryland eight years ago, I have been homeschooling my three children. I have seen all three modes of schooling (public, private, and homeschooling) and do not feel that there is one right answer for all children. For some children, homeschooling is the best option. For others, private, and for others it is public schooling. As a former public school teacher and as a community parent, I care deeply about what happens in the schools. I have many friends who work in the school districts here and I talk to people wherever I go about our state's education system, because I care.

When I first moved here, I was floored to learn that the school boards were not entirely elected. I grew up in Southern California where the boards were wholely elected. As I researched the state board, I learned that the board was not representative of our state's varied counties, but focused in on two or three counties. I was shocked to read the biographies of the board members and additionally learn that seven of the twelve have not been educators. This last piece of information is a very influential one. Teachers who have not been parents often think they know how to parent because they can manage a classroom. But, on the flip side, parents often do not understand the challenges and skills a teacher needs to have and use constantly in the classroom if they have not been teachers themselves.

In the same way, policy makers who have not been teachers often place unreasonable expectations on teachers. The SLOs are an example of this. I have assumed that teachers were involved in the invention of these plans which are basically “classroom IEPs” but I have not researched the matter in depth. Most of the teachers I have spoken with in the counties surrounding the area where I lived still didn't know how to write one of these mid-year of this school year even though they were supposed to be implementing one this school year. Maryland is micro-managing the implementation of the common core standards by dictating lesson plans and adding on the additional burden of the SLOs to teachers' plates. My understanding from your article is that the state is requiring teachers to be accountable to these SLOs (which many teachers have received very little instruction about) but not the test scores from the common core for two years? Is this true?

To connect test scores to teacher evaluation is extremely unfair in my opinion. I recently had a friend call me from Nevada and ask me about the schools in Maryland. He had a friend who was offered a job in this state and was considering the position, but wanted more information about whether the schools would be good for his child. He quoted the national ranking of his state (49th) and asked about Maryland. In reply, I told him that as an educator I don't pay any attention to those statistics. There are many important factors that statistics cannot take into account. The first is the socioeconomics of a community. The more resources—intellectual and physical—that a community has, the more successful the schools in that community are. Here are three articles that I found quickly on the web that mention its importance:
This article explains SES and mentions in its conclusion that although SES is often mentioned in the introduction of research, it is not factored into the measurement of outcomes... as it is not factored into test scores.
A quick and easy article to read which summarizes the relationship between SES and education outcomes.
A third, easy to read article about the relationship between SES and educational outcomes.

The second factor I mentioned to my friend about why I don't pay attention to test scores is student transience.
This article makes some wonderful points about the impacts of transience on students. Students who move a lot are typically below grade level. They do not have the academic and emotional stability to rebound quickly from a move.
This is an excerpt from a book that states that the number of moves a child makes is connected to lower test scores.
This third article is a dissertation focused on a particular school district in Tennessee. Its implications are limited in my mind, but it made the point that most of the transiency was interdistrict and when standard programs (ie. Curriculum) were implemented there was less variance. The problem with taking that and applying it to a nation like the Common Core does is that children across the nation have such widely different sets of background knowledge and experiences. A child from an urban, inner city area will not understand the same stories that someone from a rural area in Iowa would. I would daresay that the academic needs of the communities are different. So, when the focus of classroom education is required to focus on taking a test, teachers are not able to build the knowledge children need to understand the world they live in. There simply isn't time. Within our own state, we have urban and rural areas. The state policy makers on the board of education all come from urban areas. Hmm.
To judge a teacher on test scores when 50% of her students are not the ones she began the school year with, is extremely unfair. Transience is not factored into test scores to my knowledge in any way.

Lastly, the encouragement I gave to my friend was that the greatest predictor of how a child will do in schools is the parents. I live in an area of our county that many people look down upon and people often ask me about the schools. This is what I tell them in reply. How your child does depends on you. Get involved in their schools. Communicate with their teachers. Ask about their days. Our county uses a math program that most parents struggle to help with at home (and which causes issues for most students I hear about). Parents need to be able to help their children with their homework. It is not a school's job to parent children. They are to educate students. Teachers and Parents need to become teams again—working towards the same goal.

Unfortunately, our system currently seems to constantly pit parents and teachers against each other. Teachers are defensive because they are judged by test scores, yet there are so many factors that they have no control of. Those factors multiplied this school year when districts micromanaged classrooms by dictating lesson plans to teachers and how the common core should be implemented. Teachers are not supposed to be robots. They, like me, were trained modify curriculum and teach to the needs of their students. Back up, go a little slower, reteach, move ahead. Teachers have been trained. We need to let them do their jobs and what they were trained to do.


Obviously, my opinion is that test scores are a very poor way to measure how teachers are doing. We live in a world now that doesn't believe in teachers and doesn't believe they can do their jobs. Why do we have so many teachers on instructional plans in Maryland schools? Why don't we have administrators that are backing their teachers and believing in them? I've heard of a few. I've heard of many that aren't. My heart grieves for the state of education in our state. I may homeschool my children, but I still care. I do not homeschool because I don't think teachers can't do their jobs. I homeschool because I love teaching my children and I am able to modify their education plans in a way that public schools cannot do. It is the best option for my family. I am a better teacher after homeschooling for the past seven years. I have learned a lot. It has also prompted much reflection in me about my time in public schools. My conviction that teachers need to be allowed to teach and do their jobs has never wavered. I someday hope that we will let them do their jobs again and believe in them.   

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Awesome Story Starters!

Yesterday, I was at a friend's house and saw this great little book of McDonald Story Starters.  Unfortunately, when I looked online at Amazon, I couldn't find an inexpensive used copy, so I started searching the web for story starter websites.

I came across this awesome one from Scholastic HERE!  The teacher's guide on Scholastic (a short set of lesson plan ideas on how to use the story starter tool).


Monday, June 23, 2014

Stretching, Pulling, Hurting...

Parenting.

It's stretching.  My heart feels often like it's being pulled.  Honestly, my sanity is being pulled!  And then there's the hurting...  Hurting when another child says something mean to your child...or when an adult says something hurting to your child... or they are slighted or mistreated... or when one of your children says something about another that hurts.  I think they all hurt horribly.  And when our children get off track, we hurt.

So, what do you do with that hurt?  I look to my friends.  I ask questions like I did last Sunday of my friend Jenny.  I asked if she had ever encountered what I was trying to tackle with my kiddos last Saturday.  We talked and it helped.  It gave me food for thought.  I do this a lot.  I talk to my friends who have children just a few steps ahead of mine or at the same place/age as mine.  It helps give me perspective that I'm not alone, reminds me to hope, and helps me see outside of the moment.

I know that a lot of folks read books about parenting for encouragement and help.  I have too.  I haven't read one in a while, though, until recently.  The book I picked up was Kathi Lipp's new book "i need some help here!"  Yes, that really is the title.  The subtitle is "HOPE for when your kids don't go according to plan".

Before reading this book, I hadn't heard of Kathi Lipp.  I read online that she's written several books.
This one is about how to cope with the troubles that we may face as parents.  There's no guarantee with parenting children.  Older and wiser friends have told me this multiple times.  There's no parenting approach that can guarantee our children will turn out a certain way and stay on a certain, particular path.  But, neither can anyone guarantee that our children will fall into a particular hole.

A few years ago, a woman I know shared with me that her daughter was just like my oldest when she was her age.  Now her daughter won't have anything to do with her and has walked away from the Lord.  I can't remember what the woman said after that, but it felt like I'd been kicked in my stomach.  That kick still lingers and I have to turn it over to the Lord when my mind wanders.

I began reading Ms. Lipp's books not knowing anything about it.  I liked the first chapter, quite a lot, actually.  The second chapter was very good as well.  There was some very wise encouragement to Moms to be authentic with others, to find a few friends they can confide in and have discernment about what to say and when, and to remember that everything comes down to God (not us).  But, then the book began to weigh on me.  After reading a few more chapters, I realized that this is a book to keep on your shelf for when you need it.  But, DON'T read it all the way through as I did.  I'll get back to this opinion of mine in a minute...  Ms. Lipp addresses topics like what to do when your child is troubled, sick, making poor choices, running from God, and a few others.  I appreciated the stories and insights that other parents shared.

The tone of this book is very different from another book I read recently that I was concerned about.  This author speaks from experience and shares both her pitfalls and successes.  She speaks from the humility of knowing that no parent is perfect.  The prayers and scriptures at the end of each chapter were encouraging and helpful, I think.

But...don't read this book front to back.  Read the first three chapters and then skip to the chapter that applies to you.  What I realized as I continued reading is that parenting started to seem rather hopeless.  I couldn't find the sentence that said these things happen to everyone, but I remember one.  I think it's important to be honest that parenting is tough and usually tougher than people think it will be, but it's not hopeless and we aren't helpless!  Yes, my kids are only in elementary school, although my oldest embarks upon middle school next year.  But, I look at my husband and me and I know that how our parents parented us affected us both for better and for worse. How our parents parented did matter.  And if you read The Journey of A Strong Willed Child, you'll be encouraged with hope that how we parent matters.

I don't think the author of this book would say that how we parent doesn't matter or that we can't help our children gain strength of character and a strong work ethic.  But, it's simply the nature of this book and reading all about the serious pitfalls kids can fall into.

So, instead, if you're in a pickle and feel at a loss, and you're looking for some encouragement, then this may be an encouraging book to you.  I was talking with a friend yesterday and she shared how the parenting books they read when their oldest was a year old greatly harmed them.  This is why I take reviewing books seriously and I consider how a book can impact.  In this family's case, it was a specific book that advocated some parenting methods that I would liken to a wolf in sheep's clothing that had an impact on them.

One more catch.

I just figured out what I was looking for in this book and what I'd encourage any reader to keep in mind.
As parents, the Bible gives us a responsibility to love and teach our children.  Proverbs 6:20-23 talks of how this teaching will guide, protect, and speak to them.  This is Hope to me.  Hope that I can help my children.

The approach of this book is a reactive one, rather than a proactive approach.  It is comfort for hurting parents.  It is reminders to pray and examples of how one can pray.  It is comfort for parents to remind them they are not alone.  Their are coping strategies that are included for the reader and child.

But, here's something to consider.  How would God have us be towards others?

After the chapter on how your child is different, what about a chapter on who your child is.  Exhortation on how you can encourage your child to understand who God made them to be and why they are valuable the way they are.

After the chapter on what to do when your child is overwhelmed, a chapter of suggestions or talking points of how to help your child grasp what the peace is that God gives--that only He gives.

After the chapter on what to do when your child is troubled, a chapter about how to help your child understand suffering--from a biblical perspective...how to help them cope with suffering.

After a chapter on when my child is left out, a chapter on helping your child learn how to be a friend and include others.

As parents, I think we assume that children learn how to be a friend and many of their social skills naturally.  I have come to believe that yes, children do learn from each other, but that these skills are often more harmful than helpful to them.  We are to teach our children the way of God (Deuteronomy 6:6-9).  That includes talking to them about how to be a friend, how to love others (who aren't your friends and may be unkind to you), how to include others that they may or may not want to.  We are all called to these things as the body of Christ and our children are called to these things as well.  We both model (implicit) indirectly and teach (explilcit) our children directly about the matters of the heart and friendship.

I'll close with this...
I'll never forget when Autumn was 6 months old and I took her to a friend's egg hunt.  One mom sat down with me and explained that sharing is one of the hardest things to teach children.  I listened and pondered.  Why is this?  I came to conclude that it is because human beings are all selfish in nature and our culture values competition.  What does this equal?  Lots of "Me first"ers and "Mine"s.  Sinners who think of themselves first.  I have seen this in myself and repent to the Lord when I see it in my heart.  But, I have to admit that my children struggle with this same thing.  We're all human and though we've been saved, we are still sinners.  This is why I think sharing is hard.  We want what we want when we want it.  Our children do too.  Wouldn't it be better to teach them what the Lord wants for them? how he wants them to love others and think of them first?  to teach them why they are valuable?  I come back to the introduction of Walt Wangerin's book Little Lamb, who Loves Thee? and what he said about giving our children a solid foundation so that they will be able to weather the storms of suffering that they will face as they grow up and become adults.

Let's make our children sea worthy vessels that can go out into the world instead of forts that defend where they are and stay put.

This book, "i need some help here!" has some good food for thought.  I just wouldn't read it all the way straight through if I had it to do over again.  And I'd spend some time reflecting on the opposite of each chapter and how I can strengthen my skills to live a life glorifying to God and tackle the challenges they, like each one of us, face as we walk through this life.

I'm afraid this has been quite the book review of rabbit trails, but it has helped me process and remember what I am called to do with my children.  Speaking of which, they are my priority and I need to go make sure that they know that ;)

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell books for review.

Friday, June 6, 2014

Our Favorite Games

At swim class a few weeks ago, my girls' friends with brought Uno with them.  Every week since, my girls have tried to take a game with them.  My kids love games and they've had a few favorites along the way.  I thought I'd share a short list of them.  

Ages 5 and under
* Zingo (4 and 5)
Tumbling Towers
* Hullabaloo by Cranium
Cranium Cariboo (only found at garage sales now)
Any Bingo game
Hi-ho Cherry-O
Candyland

Ages 5-7
* Life (the old version, not the new one is my preference)
* Zooreka by Cranium
Sherluck
What Time is It? by Eeboo (called Eeboo time telling game on Amazon)
* Wig Out
* Battle Ship
* Blokus (square edition)
* Uno
* Connect 4
Sum Swamp (good for practicing kindergarten level addition and subtraction) by Learning Resources
* Sequence for Kids (may be better under 8 and up though)

Ages 8 and up
* Catan (basic edition)
* Risk (classic edition)
* Make it and Break It (this was such a hit because both adults and kids could enjoy it--just caution the adults to not be too competitive--I watched as some guys played it and totally missed how the kids felt left out)
Life
* Sherluck
Quelf Jr
War, Steal the Old Man's Bundle, and Old Maid (the old card games)
Blokus Trigon and * Blokus (original square edition)
Rush Hour by ThinkFun--there's a junior edition, but my son who's 5 loves the easier cards from the harder version
* Hoppers by ThinkFun (good logic building game)
Qwirkle (just found this one at a garage sale and like it)
Rory's story cubes
* Phase 10
* Apples to Apples Jr (Autumn declares that this one is her favorite)
Mancala
Checkers and Chess
Learning Resources Money Bags Game (it used to be called Money! Money!), I bought an older version at a garage sale.  This one helps kids learn their coins.
Mexican Train Dominoes


Ages 10 and Up
* Rummykub
* Bananagrams
* Boggle (there's also a 5x5 square that's made)

On my wish list...
Tenzi (but I'm thinking about just getting generic dice to play the Tenzi variations with).  This is a great one for ages 5 and up.
Catan Jr.  (the kids need us to play the grown up version with them, but a friend has this version and said her sons love it)

Some we weren't so crazy about...
Boggle Jr.
Chutes and Ladders
Clue Jr.
Don't Rock the Boat (the boat didn't balance very well even without any pirates on it)
Tetris Jenga
Hedbandz (the kids version)
Charades for Kids (they play this without the cards because they felt like the cards just made a mess--a good intention, but Autumn says that brains are better.)  I like the cards, but they're the ones playing ;)
Word Pirates

Somes of these games we bought new.  Some at garage sales.  At garage sales, I will usually pay $1-$2 for a game.  Games have gone up a lot in price in the stores.  Catan new runs $35-$40.  Ugh.  I did buy it on sale last Christmas for $30 which saved a few dollars.  I placed a star by the ones I would be willing to buy new if I didn't have them.  Some of them we did buy new and I'm very glad we did.  Some of them were treasures I found at yard sales that I'm even more thankful for.  When I found Blokus and Blokus trigon at a yard sale three weeks ago for $1 each, I was so excited!  My kids have already played Blokus several times. 

One thing tripped me up with games, though.  I put them out of the way and made room for their cars and Barbies on the lower shelves.  This has meant that my kids always have had to ask me to get them down.  This is good if one doesn't want a mess of pieces.  But, it's not good if you want your kids to play--which I do!  So, I'm working on finding space for their favorite games on the lower shelves along their walls...
 



Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Finding Time: Free Inventions Unit

I think that I, like many homeschool moms have the best of intentions sometimes.  We plan on bringing together curriculum from multiple sources and then getting it all together.  One of the tricky parts of this method is finding the time!

A few years ago, I wrote a third grade inventions unit while I was getting my master's degree.  It has been sitting on my desk for a month... waiting for me to pull lesson plans from it for my children's invention unit.  When I pulled it out this morning and sat down with it, I realized I didn't have the time to make additional worksheets and bring it all together.  So, I started a quick search on the web and came across this first grade blog... http://firstgradewow.blogspot.com/2014/01/historical-figures-mlk-and-inventors.html

The blogger has posted a free inventors unit.  Yes, it is for first grade and yes, I will be using it with my older children.  But, honestly, the difference between first and third grade is complete sentences and spelling ;) With my fifth grade daughter, she's going to focus her energy on her invention at the end of the unit...

What I often find is that I can adapt materials up a grade (or a few grades in this case) simply by changing the expectations of my children's work and what I require of them...

Kitchen Counters

In the morning, I wake up and switch the laundry.  Then, I make my way to my kitchen and begin the coffee, empty the dishwasher, and clean up the counters.  Once that's done, I start on my husband's breakfast and lunch.  When he leaves for work, I sit down, read a few minutes, and try to get my mind around the day ahead.

I have to start my day by getting my counters clean.  If I don't, I feel frazzled inside.  I feel like I'm behind the 8 ball before I even start my day.  I have to admit, though, that I hate wasting time drying dishes.  So, I have a drying mat that all my hand washed dishes dry on in the morning.  The dirty pile of dishes becomes a clean pile that will dry over the next few hours.  

Sometimes it feels like these piles won't ever get taken care of.  Yet, somehow, they always do.  I just keep pressing on.  Some days I have one load of laundry and some I have three!  

The past few weeks have pressed in on me.  A bit like the walls of the garbage compactor in the first Star Wars movie.  It all started slowly, imperceptibly.  Then, it moved a little faster.  Something braced it, but the walls moved again after a moment.  

Then, the reprieve comes and the brave and valiant heroes escape.  And they continue on their journey, which encounters joys, triumphs, and trials.  

Life is like that.  Life presses in.  Then, there is a reprieve or a triumph.  Later, more trials and challenges are encountered.

My children tell me at times that they wish I didn't have to work so hard.  My oldest daughter has often told me that she doesn't want to have kids or get married.  To this, I respond by telling her that she, her sister, and brother bring me my greatest joys.  I try to explain that life involves work and it often isn't easy.  

The sadnesses of life can compound the stress of the work, though.  That is what I am walking through.  You see, my mom is sick.  She has been sick for two months.  We don't know what it is yet.  She's having tests done and taking care of herself.  I'm watching out for her and doing my best to love her well.  It's hard.  Really hard.  She had a blood transfusion two weeks ago and that has bought her some more time as we wait for appointments and tests.  

When someone asks me how I'm doing, I often answer these days, "Putting one foot in front of the other."  Or "Well, I'm standing.  And that's good."  I don't take the strength to stand (emotionally and physically) for granted.  Some days are better than others.  In my mind, having the strength to stand and bear up comes from the Lord.  That's a given in my mind.  I wouldn't have the peace that I do without him.  I try not to dwell on what could be.  I try to trust and simply consider today.  

Last week, someone commented on a book review I'd posted on Amazon.  I always go back and read what I've written before to see if I still agree with what I once said.  I was glad I did.  This is the review of the Money Smart Family System.  Then, I read the comments again to the review.  Only 3 of 28 people on Amazon who have read my review have found it to be helpful.  It is a book about family finances from a Christian publisher.  All of the negative comments basically intimated that our finances don't need to be about God and that I was presumptive in making such an assertion.
In the review, I say this about the book:
"This book is not what I'd recommend to a Christian family. God isn't a part of the picture this book presents. Is it a book I'd recommend to a family that wants to live a moral life, but doesn't believe in God? Yes. That's who this book is for. Is there a danger to a Christian family following this model? I think so. I think one of the greatest pitfalls for our children to believing in God is the strong American value that we can do it ourselves. We don't need help or need anyone else. We are always hearing "Believe in yourself" . We need to be careful to teach our children, I believe, that everything we have comes from the Lord and we are to be good stewards of it."

One of the comments particularly struck me...
The writer said basically that it's my job to raise my kids and that not everything needs to revolve around Christ.  The author stated that money is money and that it's my prerogative about how I teach my children.  It's my job to teach my children but that I shouldn't fault the authors for leaving God out of the picture in the book.  Finally the writer asks what business it is of mine anyways.  (I've paraphrased the comment to make it more mild, but also so that I can't be sued or some such for quoting someone who doesn't desire to be quoted.  It does cross my mind that someone might do something like that someday, because people can be quite unkind in their comments on Amazon.)

To which I responded with this comment:
"First of all, I disagree with you. I'm not being rude. This what reviews are for--to provide different points of view. I often read views that differ from my own opinions as a tool to help me figure out what I think. The greatest commandment in the Bible is to love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. That means with my finances, too. I am not telling you how to raise your children. I am sharing my opinions in my reviews. It is very ironic to read your comment this morning. My husband and I have been discussing how much we need to trust God with our finances. It's easy in the process of penny pinching and being frugal for us to become very focused on every penny we spend and put our focus there instead of simply being frugal and trusting God to provide. I was just reading Mark 4:40 this morning and it talks about trusting God amidst the storms. Family finances can be some of those storms. I have written this review for parents who want God to be part of the picture in how they teach their children about finances. It sounds like this book is what you're looking for, but it wasn't for me and my family. That is okay.

I went back and read Mark 4:40.  It was just what I needed to hear.  It was my way out of the garbage compactor I found my heart in.  The storm is going to continue.  It is going to be hard.  But, I can trust that God will see me through it.  I don't say this in a morose tone, but in one of persistence.  I know I am going to press on.  Sometimes my heart is going to falter.  But, God isn't going to let me down.  

I will continue to stand.  I will continue to clean my counters in the mornings and prepare for the day ahead.  Speaking of which, I need to skedaddle right now!