Proverbs 22 Homeschool

FREE Spider Chart

2011-10-19T17:53:00.001-04:00

Go here to request your Spider Chart.

Back to School!

2011-09-06T11:09:00.002-04:00

Well, being the day after Labor Day, today is our official 1st day of school...hard to believe!! We're looking forward to another great year. I've got one son who is a sophomore and one son who is in the 4th grade this year. My two other children are in college. So, it's a little different for me just teaching two. Pray for us as I will be praying for ALL of you!!

Would love to hear from you!

Are You Ready for Some Home Schooling???

2011-07-27T16:08:00.005-04:00

Can you believe we are looking at August next week....where did the summer go?? It's been a great, relaxing time, but it's now time time start thinking about school. Sorry to break the news to you!! I received my notification form from my superintendent the other day...not the highlight of my day. Anyway, I'm ready to notify and get some great deals on supplies. To see the current deals, check out this post.
As for curriculum, CBD is running Winston Grammar at 20% off thru 8/1/11,

Finishing Strong

2011-04-25T18:12:00.002-04:00

Wow, I can't believe that we only have 1 month of school left this year.
Though we got a lot of schooling done, it seems to have gone so quickly.
We have finished our testing and are awaiting the results.
In the meantime, we are finishing strong until the end.
Our school year runs from Labor Day - Memorial Day. So, although the local
schools here are out on May 18, we will be going until the end of May.
How's your year gone??

Quiet...testing in process!

2011-03-30T21:41:00.002-04:00

Oh, yes, it's that time of year again. We are in the middle of proficiency tests. It's probably my least favorite week of the school year, but it's important.
Anyway, we a cruising thru the week. My two boys are taking the California Achievement Tests. It's a personal preference on my part. If you need a place to order from, I highly recommend Thurber's Educational Resources. I've used them for years, and I have never had ANY problems.

The Duggars..Quite an Inspiration!!

2011-03-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

A GREAT Devotional for Home School Moms!

2011-03-08T17:26:00.001-05:00

What a Time!

2011-03-05T18:45:00.003-05:00

You know, I can get a little overwhelmed this time of year.
We are starting to look to the arrival of warmer weather. I'm
thinking about the achievement tests are quickly approaching and
the end of the school year is ONLY 3 months away. I need to remind myself at times, this is a great time in my life. I'm having an impact on my childrens' lives that will last forever. After this year, I'll only have two (of my four) children left to homeschooling. It's hard to believe that
the two oldest are in college. Thank God today, in the midst of the hectic schedules and demands, that God has blessed you with your children. You ARE making a difference!

My Help is in the Lord!

2010-11-22T21:04:00.003-05:00

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth." Psalm 121
I love this verse. Two things that come to mind when I read it:
1. It reminds me where my help will truly come from. Yes, we need each other. We should love one another. But, ultimately, my help comes from the Lord. He will NEVER disappoint me, will never leave me, and always has the answer! He is my help!
2. It also reminds me to keep my eyes on the Lord. It's easy to become so temporarily minded, that we loose sight of what's truly important. I have a heavenly home to look forward to, and all the battles & trials will be worth it ALL when I see Jesus, my Savior.
So, remember Who to look to...and Who to keep your eyes on. Keep your focus on eternity...it's what I'm living for!!

The First Week is Behind Us!

2010-09-10T19:05:00.002-04:00

I don't know about you, but I always like to get that first week of school behind us. It seems to be a very chaotic week, trying to get back into a good schedule. Also, making lesson plans and ensuring that everyone has their necessary books & supplies...whew!! I've got a senior and freshman in high school and a third grader this year. So, it's pretty well spread out. And, everyone can read well, so that's a great blessing! Anyway, looking forward to enjoying the weekend (aside from making lesson plans) and starting anew Monday!

It's Almost That Time Again!

2010-08-11T14:52:00.002-04:00

Can you believe it...school is just around the corner.
I just mailed in my home school notification to the local superintendant, along
w/ test results, list of textbooks, etc.. I should get my approval letter w/in a week. I've also got all my books and supplies purchased.
The local schools start here next week, but we start the day after Labor Day each year. How about you...are you getting ready for another year??
When's your start date??

25% off Sale

2010-06-09T14:32:00.005-04:00

Through the month of June,Christian Book Distributors has Easy Grammar and The Shurley Grammar curriculums 25 % off. Go here to get yours. In addition, Saxon is at 35% off!!

Winding Down!

2010-05-19T15:03:00.002-04:00

Oh, it's that time again when we are winding down the school year. It feels good to have another year behind us and know that we had a great year. I had planned to take a day or two off to plant our garden, thereby ending next week. But, the weather here in Cincinnati has been so rainy that we still haven't been able to plant. So, we have just pressed thru w/the studies and are planning on this week finishing up. Just in time too...the forecast shows sunny and 80 for next week!! And that means a time of learning will occur while putting seeds and plants into the soil! Hope you have had a great year as well.

Testing is Done!

2010-05-05T09:39:00.002-04:00

Oh, how it is a relief every year to finish our yearly achievement tests!
Even though we are NOT done w/school (contrary to what my boys would like), to have the testing done and mailed back for grading is always a big accomplishment. Now, we can finish the year at our pace and look forward to a nice summer break. It is a little hard for all of us to stay focused, as the weather is getting nicer and there are a lot of outdoor projects to do. But, with the Lord's help, we will finish strong!

Help Me to Finish!

2010-03-17T09:51:00.002-04:00

Philippians 1:6 "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"
This verse reminds me of how important it is that we finish...and finish strong. God calls us to obedience. I don't believe if the Lord has you to homeschool, that He won't enable you to complete the work. It is through His help that we can press through, even when the long days of winter come upon us. Know that Spring in near! I want to be found faithful, not only in my walk with Jesus, but in all things! I want to hear those words from my Lord, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!"
So, I encourage you to keep pressing on, and with His help, finish the race!

God's Promises Are True!

2010-01-29T09:51:00.002-05:00

Deuteronomy 5:33 "Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess."
I love this verse in Deuteronomy, because it contains another of God's wonderful promises to me. God expects obedience...to His Word. Not only does He expect obedience, He commands it. And, if I walk in obedience to God, He promises "it may be well with you." God is faithful. He will ALWAYS do His part.
What does God have for me to do today? Be faithful to Him. Follow Him. Obey Him. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Walk in victory and holiness. And it may be well w/me and I shall prolong my days.

Let the Lord Fight!

2010-01-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

Exodus 14:14 "The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."

This too is another of my favorites! I can't tell you how many times in my life I have had to quote this verse to remind myself of Who is in charge in the battle. I've learned I don't have to justify or defend myself. Let others say what they might against me...the Lord will fight for me!
We all face battles and trials in our life. If you're not facing one right now, thank God! But, also prepare for the battle! Stay in the Word and in prayer. Get equipped...put on the armor.
Jesus told us that, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) It is through Him, that we win!

Let Your Light Shine for Jesus!

2010-01-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

I believe this is a key verse for all Christians. No matter where we are or what we're doing, we should let our lights shine. Whether you're home schooling your children or out shopping, let others see the love of Christ in you. How? By your attitude, actions and responses to others!
For example, I was in the grocery store the other day. As you may know, I use a lot of coupons when I shop (hence, my other blog). Well, the lady behind me got so impatient that she threw her groceries back in her cart and huffed off!
Now, I could have reacted to this. Quickly, as I asked the Lord for wisdom, I knew that a reaction was NOT a good idea. I had the cashier, the lady next in line, and my daughter watching to see what was going to happen. So, I just laughed it off and didn't allow someone else's impatience pull me down. I give the Lord all the glory as He blesses my efforts to coupon and save money (as well as many other ways) !
It's in the small ways that we can allow Christ to be seen!

I CAN!

2010-01-18T14:47:00.002-05:00

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. When I tell somebody that I homeschool, usually their first response is: "I could never do that!". Well, you know what? Without the Lord's help I can't do it either. O, sure I can try and do it all by myself. The Lord will allow me to. And, I can try and try and get tired and frustrated and burnt out! But, it's then that I realize all my knowledge, all my organizing, and all my planning are really of no avail. Without His help, I can't. But, when I look to Him, He helps, guides, lead, and provides ALL that I need to homeschool my children.
So, don't allow others to tell you that you can't homeschool (or do anything else for that matter)! Claim God's promises as yours and believe that in Christ, you CAN do all things!

God's Blessing

2010-01-04T09:00:00.000-05:00

Psalm 3:8, "Salvation belongs to the Lord. Your blessing is upon Your people."
O, how blessed we are to be the children of God. There is no salvation in any other but in Jesus Christ. And as a child of God, we receive God's blessings...both here and for eternity. Are you enjoying His blessings?? Take time to thank God for the blessings in your life.

A Shield!

2010-01-02T09:00:00.001-05:00

Psalm 3:3 "But You, O Lord, are a shield for me. My glory and the One who lifts up my head."
Are you ever afraid? As a child of God, we have no reason to be afraid. I am so thankful that the Lord is a shield...He is my protection. I am glad that He protects me both when I am aware of it and when I'm not. I know that as His child, His promises are true! He will NEVER leave me nor forsake me...O, there is NO peace like the peace in knowing Jesus!

A New Year!

2010-01-01T14:10:00.002-05:00

I love the verse in 2Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

As we look forward to this new year, I remember the newness that only Jesus can give. My past is cleansed by the blood of Jesus, and in Him, I am a new creation. I am thankful that for the last 21 years I have known Christ as my Lord and Savior.
He makes all things new!!

May you have a blessed new year!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2009-11-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

1Thessalonian 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

May the Lord bless you and your families today as you celebrate Thanksgiving. We have SO much to thank God for!!

How's the Year Going?

2009-11-25T17:55:00.001-05:00

It's hard to believe December is just around the corner!! How's your school year going?
I just spent a day tracking where we are and where we need to be...thankfully, we are on schedule. Every day is a blessing in homeschooling.

A Time for You!

2009-09-28T20:01:00.002-04:00

Romans 12:1-2 says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God"
To me these verses emphasize the need for me to renew my mind. How?? In His Word, in His presence, in quietness and stillness. It is so important for daily quiet time with the Lord. For me, early in the morning is best. It is a time to enjoy God's presence and peace. A time to study His Word. A time of praise and thanksgiving. A time of renewal and refreshing. I encourage you to put priority on this time...don't neglect YOUR spiritual life as you are training your children. It's absolutely essential!

FREE E-Book

2009-09-15T19:16:00.001-04:00

Go here to get your FREE copy of The New School Year.
Get ready to plan a year of enthusiastic homeschool learning with consistent input from the Lord! Take the guesswork out of your planning, systematically organizing your homeschool this year with the E-Book:
The New School Year: Planning Your Course and Letting the Lord Determine Your Steps

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine offers The New School Year . . . FREE!

And What Shall We Teach?

2009-09-07T10:02:00.002-04:00

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates."

These are some of my favorite verses in the Bible, in that they clearly tell us as parents what we are to teach our children...God's Word. In the day in which we live, it is SO important that we teach our children the Bible. It is God's will for all of us. It is what God expects from us. It will give them direction and instruction in the days to come. It believe that if we teach them now, they "will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6) when they are old.
The Bible is our sword...our weapon in times of battle. If we are ever in a time of spiritual warfare, it is now! Teach your children to use God's Word as a weapon. It will prevail EVERY time!

Need Help Organizing?

2009-08-27T10:20:00.001-04:00

Organization is our theme for August at The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. Learn how to organize a dozen different aspects of your life and home. From cleaning closets and sorting school papers to making meal planning a breeze, your home will soon be running more smoothly.

Are You Getting Ready?

2009-08-17T08:38:00.002-04:00

I'm in the process of filling out the requirements for home schooling for Ohio:
a copy of the CAT test for each child
a list of textbooks for each child
the scope and sequence for their textbooks
and my home school notification paper sent by the superintendant of schools.

Do you have to do a lot to home school where you live?? Would love to hear about it!!

A New Year!!

2009-08-02T16:05:00.003-04:00

Are you gearing up for back-to-school?? It's that time again. Want to know where the best deals on school supplies are? Katie at Cincinnati Cents is posting all the best deals from local stores. There are various area bloggers participating in this forum and it's a great way to find the best prices in town!!

2009-06-26T21:12:00.001-04:00

Psalm 89:1 "I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations."
Do we sing enough of the mercies of the Lord...can we ever?? My prayer is that my life will bring Him glory and I will sing and tell others how faithful God is!!

2009-06-02T14:01:00.002-04:00

Click here to see great deals that Christian Book Distributors offers on all your home schooling needs. I have personally ordered from them numerous times. They are a great company!

2009-05-18T11:42:00.002-04:00

This is an awesome website. My daughter used it to help her understand Shakespeare and it really worked! You can use it for Math, Science, Literature, and much more.
Hope this helps you!

Plugged In Online

2009-05-11T20:28:00.004-04:00

This is a wonderful website from Focus on the Family to get Christian reviews on movies, dvds, television shows, music, & games. It is important as parents to be careful with what kind of things your children watch and listen to. In 1 Timothy 5:22, it says to "...keep yourself pure." That means that what we watch, what we listen to on the radio or on cd, and what we let our kids play on XBox or Playstation should be pure. Hope that this website is helpful in making the right choices. The link is here.

FREEBIE of the Day

2009-05-08T14:37:00.001-04:00

Go here to get your "Videos from the Christian Filmmakers.org 36 Hour Competition" for FREE.

CurrClick Sale!

2009-05-01T13:20:00.003-04:00

You can't afford to miss CurrClick's
Spring Back from the Recession Sale!

Now - May 15th
Discounts up to 75% OFF!
40 participating publishers

Click here for a list of fantastic, recession-busting spring discounts on hundreds of great homeschool books and resources:

CurrClick recognizes that times are difficult for a lot of people. Homeschool families, often on a single income, are especially vulnerable during this time. That's why this spring, together with our publishers, we have done our very best to bring you some of the biggest sales and discounts we have ever been able to offer. Because many of our publishers are homeschool families themselves, we sincerely hope that this sale will be a mutual blessing for customers and publishers alike.

Why?

2009-04-29T09:00:00.001-04:00

As I sit every morning in our living room enjoying my quiet time w/ the Lord, I hear the school bus rumble by. It makes me think about what we are doing and why? I mean, who of us home schooling moms wouldn't admit that there are "those days" when it just would have been easier to put the children on those buses??
But, then I thought of how important it is what I am doing. I am not just teaching my children the basics...reading, writing & arithmetic. I am training them up in the way of the Lord. What an awesome responsibility and privelege God has bestowed upon me!! Let me never take it lightly or think that I can do it alone. I KNOW that I need the Lord's help each and every day, and He is always faithful to provide!

Homeschool FREEBIE

2009-04-28T16:32:00.003-04:00

Click here to get a FREE Home Management Nuts & Bolts: Schedules and Budgets (video) from Values Driven Family.

Great for Home Schoolers!!

2009-04-21T12:50:00.001-04:00

Do you have used books that you don't read anymore? Well, there's a great way to sell them and make some extra money! It's so easy and fast to set up an account and start selling...or buying!

FREEBIE of the Day

2009-04-15T14:54:00.002-04:00

This book The House You Live In is the freebie of the day from Homeschool Freebie. It is full of objects lessons on the human body appropriate for grades 1-3. To download a FREE copy of this book, go here.

Thanks to Once Upon a Qpon for this deal!

Why Did Jesus Fold the Napkin?

2009-04-12T20:50:00.001-04:00

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I never
noticed this....
The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over
the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.
The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly
folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.
Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the
tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the
entrance.
She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus
loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the
tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!'
Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple
outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in
and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.
Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen
wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head
was folded up and lying to the side.
Was that important? Absolutely!
Is it really significant? Yes!
In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to
understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day.
The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every
Jewish boy knew this tradition.
When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that
it was exactly the way the master wanted it.
The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just
out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the
servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.
Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe
his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that
napkin and toss it onto the table..
The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the
wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'.
But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid
it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table,
because..........
The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!'
He is Coming Back!!

Are We a Christian Nation?

2009-04-08T22:24:00.003-04:00

After I heard yesterday that our President stated that we are not a Christian nation, I was greatly bothered. Just a few thoughts that I have had:
1) "One nation under God"...does that not mean anything anymore?
2) This nation was founded by God-fearing, God-worshipping men using Biblical principles. Just go to Washington, DC, and see all the Scripture quotes on and around the various monuments and buildings.
3) If we are not a Christian nation, then why all the hype and promotion for this coming Sunday? What are we celebrating, I ask? It's Easter...it's Resurrection Day! It's the day we celebrate Jesus rising up from the dead. It's not about a bunny or eggs. It's about a Savior!!

An Area of Concentration

2009-03-31T12:17:00.002-04:00

It seems that as I daily go about home schooling my four children, there are times when we focus on a particular area. Now, that's not to say that we don't do our other work. It's just that my teaching time and efforts are geared more toward a particular topic.
Lately, our focus here has been on punctuation and all that it entails...it's a lot! You know, the comma rules, semi-colon vs. colon, underlining vs. apostrophe, and on and on. But, as in other areas, it's good to refresh my memory as I instruct my children. Sometimes it amazes me at how quickly we can forget these basics.
Are you concentrating on an area? I'd love to hear about it!!

Back to Schedule!!

2009-03-23T16:04:00.002-04:00

After a week of emergencies and busyness, it's nice to get back on our usual schedule. Thankfully, my father-in-law is doing well and was released from the hospital today. All praise to Jesus! Looking forward to a "normal" week of school, chores and ministry. Hope your week is going great so far.

Sorry for my absence

2009-03-20T15:18:00.001-04:00

I know that I have not blogged here in a week.
We have had a very busy week with my father-in-law having a heart attack and surgery.
I have been gone a lot. But, hopefully, things will settle down a little and we can get back to a routine.

A Bundle of INFO!!

2009-03-11T09:00:00.003-04:00

Have you checked out Homeschool.com
It is so packed full of information and helps for beginners and for seasoned veterans.
Just a few highlights...
Their free home school tip of the week
The free online magazine
And all the great home schooling articles written on various topics...they are very insightful.

Unfeigned Faith

2009-03-10T09:00:00.001-04:00

I love the following verse found in 2 Timothy 1:5: "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also." It speaks of how faith can be passed down from generation to generation. I may not be able to leave my children a lot of material possessions. But, the most important "thing" I can pass on to them is my faith. I pray that my children see my faith in the Lord Jesus every day that I live.

What Questions Do You Have?

2009-03-09T19:32:00.002-04:00

As I am getting this blog up and running, my question to my readers is,
"What kind of information are you looking for?"
"How can this blog be most useful?"
"What are you struggling with?"
"What would you like to see covered or discussed?"

I want this blog to first glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. Next, my goal is to help home school moms, offer tips, and just encourage as I know there are THOSE days!!
Would love your feedback!

Another Favorite

2009-03-09T08:22:00.000-04:00

Another of my favorite teaching sites is Sites for Teachers.
It is a great index of favorite teaching sites...what an awesome resource for home schooling moms!

Nurture and Admonition

2009-03-07T08:16:00.002-05:00

Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

I believe this verse also applies to us mothers! As Christian parents, we are to bring up our children to love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Our kids should love God and put Him first. But, they should also fear the Lord. Now this is not a scared fear. But, more a reverential fear. God is all powerful. He is in control. He deserves our respect and awe!!
This training is our responsibility as parents. We are not to put it on anyone else. It must come from us!

Purity

2009-03-04T12:03:00.002-05:00

In the world that we live in the word "purity" is scarcely heard and observed less. But, regardless, I still believe in "keep thyself pure", as the Bible says. To me this incorporates a lot. Because purity begins in the heart and mind, it is important what we allow in.
As followers of the Lord Jesus, we are to be careful what we fill our minds with. We teach our children, here, by the example that we set. This includes the television shows that we watch, the music we listen to, the books we read, and access to the world wide web. (Note: parental controls work great!)
The Bible tells us in 1John 3:3 "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." God is pure and holy. Jesus is pure and holy. If we want to be like Him, purity and holiness is NOT an option.

A Must-See Movie

2009-02-27T14:24:00.001-05:00

This movie is certainly a must-see for all married couples. The message that is brought forth is so powerful and relevant in today's world. It will "fireproof" your marriage. www.walmart.com sells this for $17.32. www.familychristian.com sells the Special Collector's Edition for $19.99. You may want to buy a box of Kleenex tissues with it!

Freebie Friday

2009-02-27T13:22:00.002-05:00

The Old Schoolhouse runs FREE deals on Fridays.
Click on the above to check out what they're offering today!

Back to the Basics

2009-02-26T22:07:00.002-05:00

What a relief...I mailed back the CAT tests today. The feeling is a great one. To know that we have that behind us for another year is great.
And now, it's back to the basics. The rest of our school year (the next 3 months) the focus will be on reading, writing and arithmetic. Well, add in science, history, and spelling and we've got lots left to do. But knowing that testing is done, we can get back to our schedule and focus on finishing the year strong.
We do NOT have snow days to make up...so I'll be finishing the end of May. That gives us three months to settle in and get some good learning in!
May the Lord bless you as you do the same.

Oldies but Goodies!

2009-02-25T07:41:00.003-05:00

Pictured are some of my favorite readers that we have used in home schooling. Except for a few, they are the old Ginn readers. One dates back to 1948! But they have become my favorites! As I have watched my four children learn to read using these books, I have come to love them. This year I even found a workbook to go with "The Little White House". It brings back memories of when I was in grade school, working on similar material. Now, I'm not that old, but I do remember using "Dick and Jane"!
It's funny to see how the characters of Tom, Betty, and Susan are always clad in "dress clothes". The times have definitely changed, but these books are classics.
As my youngest works his way through these, it kinda saddens me to think we are done with them. Perhaps, I can pass them on to someone else who will cherish them as I have. Maybe thru Amazon? We'll see.

Testing Review

2009-02-24T16:40:00.002-05:00

Something I forgot to mention when I posted about testing using the California Achievement Test. I ordered the 10th, 7th, and 1st grade tests for my boys. A note to those who will be ordering the 1st grade test: You need to specify whether you want the non-reader or the reader test. As I said before, I use Thurbers Educational Assessments and Mrs. Thurber had to call me to clarify which test I wanted. I opted for the reader since my son is doing well with that (thank the Lord!). Anyway, just wanted to pass that information along.

A Big Sigh of Relief!!

2009-02-24T09:44:00.003-05:00

What a week!! We finally finished our testing...it's going in the mail as soon as I can copy the answer forms. It took us longer than usual. In the midst of testing, some unexpected distractions occurred and we just did what we could each day.
It's such a relief to have it behind us. Now, I focus on finishing the year strong. I look at there's just 3 full months left of this school year. We still have material to cover. And, God is faithful. May He guide us and lead us and bless us as we finish.

Philippians 3:13 -14 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Let's press on!

Free Trial Gardening Magazine

2009-02-23T14:42:00.002-05:00

Click here to receive a free Gardening How To magazine, featuring in-depth articles and step-by-step instructions to help you create the garden you’ve always wanted.

Testing Week!!

2009-02-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

We received our tests from Thurber's and will begin testing on Tuesday.
Yes, we ARE taking President's Day off...my kids are amazed too!
I pray that the Lord would bless this week as my boys each take their California Achievement Tests!

Another Favorite

2009-02-14T14:59:00.002-05:00

Another of the sites I frequent is abc.teach. They have so many printables. This is the place for kids, parents, student teachers, and teachers. Free Printables: 5000+ free printable pages and worksheets.

To visit go to http://www.abcteach.com/.

The Proper Perspective

2009-02-09T20:16:00.003-05:00

"One life to live t’will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”

As I thought about this saying, I thought of all the "things" I do as a pastor's wife and home school mom. I mean, there's the laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc.. But, one thing about these is that you do them today, and tomorrow they need to be done again. They are temporal. And then I thought about the ministry, teaching Sunday School, and of course, teaching my children at home. These are the things that have eternal consequences...they last forever.
Now, of course, I must do the temporal things and do them well. But, I cannot allow these temporal duties to distract me from what's truly important...from the things done for Christ.

One of My Favorites

2009-02-06T10:44:00.002-05:00

This is one of my favorite sites for free printable worksheets. I go there often for my first grader's math, especially. They have phonics worksheets as well.

What's Important

2009-02-06T09:37:00.002-05:00

Titus 2:3 - 7 "the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things-- that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded,in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,"

These are some of my favorite verses in that the Bible clearly shows us what we are to teach. And what better atmosphere than in the home!!
Teach your daughters to be reverent, not slanderers, to love their husbands and be keepers at home. And the best way I know to teach them is by EXAMPLE!

What Curriculum Do You Use?

2009-02-03T12:21:00.002-05:00

That is the most frequently asked question I receive when someone finds out I home school my children. And my reply..."Various!"
When I first started, I used Bob Jones exclusively. I guess that's because my mentor, Paula, used it and so I followed. Then, a few years later, I was introduced to Abeka. Since then, I have used a combo of these two wonderful, Christian curriculums for all subjects except math.
When my daughter reached middle school, I starting using Saxon Math , simply because it worked for us. Now, as two of my children are in high school, we use Math-U-See for all the math subjects. They like being able to "watch" their math, and I like someone more knowledgeable than me explaining the basics of Algebra & Geometry!!
This is by no means the only curriculums available; there are some other wonderful ones. It's good to do your research, ask other home schoolers their various opinions, and then make your decision based on what's best for YOU.

The Extra Benefits

2009-02-02T20:24:00.002-05:00

I have recently heard various mothers so ready to send their kids back to school. (Schools in our area were basically cancelled last week due to the snow/ice). It made me think that I desire to keep my kids close for as long as I can. Believe me, this year is going to be hard with my daughter graduating and pondering college. I am so thankful for the 12 years I have had to educate her...yes, in grammar, reading, math,etc.. But, more importantly, in the ways of the Lord. I feel that we know our kids..better than anyone else does. And I see that aspect as an extra benefit to home schooling our children.

My Least Favorite

2009-01-29T21:48:00.003-05:00

Yes, it's that time again for us...standardized testing. I dread it more than the kids...well, maybe. Anyway, I learned through the years that it is better for us to test when the weather is bad. I used to wait until the very end of the school year in late May. But, as the weather get nicer here near Cincinnati, we want to be outside more!! The garden starts beckoning us..as well as the nearest fishing hole.

So, it works well for us to test in February or early March. It's my least favorite week of school...but we are always glad to get it behind us.

So, you may wonder, what test do we use, where do we get it from, and all those immportant questions. Well, for the last 6 years or so, I have ordered the California Achievement Test from a wonderful family in North Carolina. I can tell you, in all honesty, I have always been overly satisfied with their services. I always get my tests early, they explain everything step-by-step, and include everything you will need. I highly recommend Thurbers education assessments.

Make sure you check with your state's requirements before administering any tests!

Power is Back!!

2009-01-28T14:02:00.003-05:00

Well, we didn't have school today after all!!
Our power went out this morning, and it just came back on.
No power, no school for us. It's enough work to stay warm, cook meals, and go into the "Little House on the Prairie" mentality!!
So, Lord willing, it will be back to the books Thursday.

Snow Day

2009-01-27T19:28:00.002-05:00

I am sitting here looking at a beautiful covering of 4" of snow.
No school bus went by this morning...in fact, very few cars were on the roads.
And, so what did we do today? SCHOOL!! I know, it may sound rough that we do not observe snow days. But the way I figure is, I'm not going anywhere in this weather.
We might as well do school today.
I have to say, my kids are not always as up for this as I am. BUT, I know that when we get a nice 70 degree day this spring and we decide to take our "snow day", they will think it was a good trade!!
With the snow expected to pile up even more overnight, it looks like we may be the only ones in school again tomorrow!!

Phonics, Anyone??

2009-01-26T19:06:00.004-05:00

As a veteran (does 12 years qualify me for that?) home school mom, I think perhaps the most difficult challenge was teaching my children to read. You may have had other more challenging tasks, but for me, this was the big one. Perhaps, it was because I have always believed it is the most important. What I mean by this is that once your child can read, they can 'read' their science, history, etc...
Anyway, there are different approaches to teaching someone to read. The two most prevalent are phonics and sight reading. Now, my purpose here is not to discount sight reading by any means. Of course, there are those words that just don't make sense phonetically. But phonics, to me, just makes more sense in the whole scheme of things.
I have always felt that if a child is taught sounds, then it becomes easier when they come across a word that they do not know. They apply the sounds that they do know and "sound it out". As with most things, it does take some practice. But, I think in the long run, phonics enables a soon-to-be reader to put sounds together, at least come close to the word, and then recognize what word it is they are trying to read.
To someone who may just beginning the home school process with your child who can't read, it's important to take it slow and step-by-step. First, teach your child the letters and their sounds. That's critical!! I suggest starting with the short vowels. Then, it's a progression of putting the letters together with vowels to make simple words like 'at' and 'bat'. It just keeps building from there...

I would love to hear your feedback on this...and welcome comments always!!

Saturday..a day off??

2009-01-24T11:28:00.003-05:00

As a home school mom, Saturday is considered a day off...well, I think it is!
But as I look at it, there are really NO days off from being a wife, a mom, a teacher, and an example. And, I love it!! God has blessed me with a wonderful husband and family. I am to be a helpmate to my husband EVERY day. I am to teach my children the ways of the Lord EVERY day.
Now, there is no book work, no math, no spelling tests, etc.. But, truly, teaching my children occurs every day in the every day routine of life. That's the beauty of it all. I can teach my children no matter where we are or what we are doing. I humbly ask the Lord that I will be that godly example to them at ALL times.
Does it sound overwhelming...too big a task?? It is, if I try to do it in my strength and abilities. But, if I look to God for strength and help..

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Thank God for this day...it's a daily walk and dependence on Him!

Teach them what?

2009-01-23T09:42:00.002-05:00

In addition to Proverbs 22:6, the other verse in the Bible that is near and dear to my heart as a mother is:

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

What are we commanded to teach? The Word of God.
Now, don't misunderstand me. Math, Reading, Science...all that is important and we should be teaching our children these things.
But, first and foremost, we need to teach them the Bible. And, like everything else, we cannot teach what we do not know. I encourage you to put priority on God's Word. Read it. Memorize it. Quote it. Stand upon it. And...teach it to your children.

My Contact Information

2009-01-22T20:45:00.003-05:00

If you would like to contact me, my email address is:
jkbeck7@juno.com.

My Purpose

2009-01-22T15:56:00.000-05:00

As I have had it on my heart to begin this new blog, I knew that a name for it was critical. A name tells a person a lot about who is writing, what they are writing, and what they hope to accomplish through their writing.

As I thought about why do I home school, I concluded that the basis for our homeschooling our four children centers on the verse:

Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

It is a verse, among many, that I stand upon, believing that God's Word is Truth and that He will never fail!!
So, as I begin this journey, join with me. I pray that I may somehow be an encouragement to someone who is homeschooling or is thinking of homeschooling.

In Christ, Julie