homeschool - Gospel Homemaking

May
24

Summer is Here (Sort of)

We are ready for summer to be here.

The end-of-year-rush is driving us slightly crazy.

Clearly.

Of course, some of us are a little sad to see the school year come to an end.

But probably not him.

Probably just me.

He is way too cool to be sad.

We have a little bit of homeschool work to finish up today and maybe on Saturday (Oh, the horror!). My older son is finished already, and is now officially a senior (Oh, the horror, again!). And my poor daughter had another week to go (Yes, more horrors!).

But I suppose that it's beginning to feel like summer is here, even though we have a few loose ends to tie up.

We're all getting excited about going to the pool, taking a trip to the zoo, and watching some professional baseball games.

And I'm excited to have some extra time for reading the books that have been calling my name.

Here are a few from my list...

(Disclosure: If you make a purchase using a link on this page, I may earn a commission to help support this site...for which I am incredibly grateful.)

I am in mad love with Intentional Blogger. I've already read this once, but I'm anxious for the time to go back through it slowly and apply the wealth of knowledge it holds. This book rocks!

I've started reading Because He Loves Me by Elyse Fitzpatrick, and I want to dig deeper. Just reading the introduction has spoken to my heart! I know God is going to use this book to change me. He has already.

I keep meaning to pop open 20-Minute Meals when I make my menu plan, but I'm always in such a rush to run out the door to the grocery store that I just haven't had the time. Well, we stay so busy in the summer evenings with baseball games nearly every night, so I need to use this book. Summer is the perfect time to break out some new recipes.

I've been wanting to read The No Brainer Wardrobe ever since I heard about it. But, even though it's about creating a no-brainer wardrobe, I figure it probably takes a little bit of brain to read it. You think? I am seriously hoping that I retrieve a few brain cells this summer.

I would like to read about eighty other books this summer, too, but I think that might be too lofty of a goal. If I can mark off these few book, I'll give myself permission to move onto more....like Pinteresting, Embracing Beauty, and Hula Hoop Girl, just to name a few!

What do you hope to do this summer?

BEGINNING AGAIN

My oldest son started back to school a couple of weeks ago, and we began our new year of homeschooling last week. Whether we are jumping in after a long summer vacation or a short Christmas break, starting back is always a little difficult. Always. This year is no exception.

Here's some things I tried to keep in mind (so I wouldn't lose my mind) last week:

--Don't try to do too much. I usually like to jump into the school year with a full lesson plan and my red pens blazing. Not this time. For our first week of homeschooling, we only did a few subjects, and we didn't do work on our Dad's day off. We mostly just reviewed things from last year and got started on a couple new things the kids were excited about. I enjoyed the slow start so much that I'm planning on doing the same thing next year.

--Don't be surprised by struggles. I expected some frustrations. It's hard for kids (and us grown-ups) to get back into the discipline and routine that school requires. Even with our easy-going start, there were still a few complaints and difficult attitudes.

--Don't push too hard. I tried to evaluate the issues that were important to me and be a little lenient about the ones that weren't. I was strict about things that might set a bad precedence (like not writing in complete sentences), but let some other things slide if I didn't think they would cause a problem in the future.

--Don't expect to get much done besides managing school. My To Do List looks pretty much the same this week as it did last week. Somehow, even simple things like throwing in a load of laundry were almost too much for me. I just didn't have extra time or energy.

--Don't forget to smile. I handed out stickers, gave fun snacks, and went on a walk. I tried to set things up for a good year instead of sending the message that I'm planning on being a drill sargent or that schoolwork can't be fun.

We are doing full-scale school this week, so I'm following these tips for a few more days (at least). I'm trying to be patient and loving in spite of the inevitable trials that pop up during a transition (and boy, they sure do pop up!). I'm also finding that I need to cling to God's Word and pray for His grace to make it through. Always.

Have you started back to school (whether traditional or homeschool)? Leave a comment to tell us how it went!

This post is linked to Raising Homemakers.

My Lovely (Messy) Life

I think I must have blinked. Just yesterday I was anticipating the beginning of August, and today I'm trying to figure out how the first week and a half of September disappeared.

I'm not sure where the time has gone, but I'm pretty certain I didn't waste it sleeping. I'm much too exhausted for that. I'm also sure I didn't spend it cleaning. Feel free to take a look around my house if you have any doubts.

I have simply been busy. That's just how the beginning of school is around here. It's the same thing every year. I work hard all day long, yet I feel like I have nothing to show for it.

But I do have something to show for it. I have spelling tests, history projects, and countless hours of enjoying my kiddos. I have stacks of books, piles of papers, and more smiles than a mama should be permitted.

So, for a couple of weeks, I decided not to worry that the kids can do their handwriting in the layer of dust coating the furniture. I ignored the fact that we can practice our times tables with the socks (cleverly called "math manipulatives") that seem to multiply daily on the living room floor. And I didn't even bat an eye when I had to throw out several "science experiments" from the back of the fridge last week.

But, alas, all good things must come to an end. Well, I don't know if I would call a pile of dust and a trash can full of spoiled food a good thing, but you get the point. It's time for me to shake off the beginning-of-the-school-year cobwebs. Literally. I need to get this place whipped back into shape. I have to stop making excuses (even really good ones) and use my time wisely.

And I need to smile while I'm doing it. Not always easy.

This situation calls for some balance. I want to have fun with my kids, enjoy educating them, and also create the home environment we crave.

This week I hope to maintain a (little) higher level of cleanliness and work on following my morning routine. I also intend to tie up any loose ends floating around my lesson plans or homeschool shelves and notebooks. With some work and conscious effort, I just might be able to walk through the house without being zapped by guilt and have fun watching my kids learn and grow. All at the same time. Imagine that.

How is your home holding up under the pressure of a new school year? Have you found the balance yet?

Liberty’s Kids

When I think of the Fourth of July, many things come to mind: cooking out, watching fireworks, the blessings of freedom, the many lives sacrificed to preserve our nation.

Another thing that immediately pops into my head is Liberty's Kids. It is just too good to forget. In case you've never seen the show, it was a television series produced by PBS. And it rocks. Seriously.

The Liberty's Kids series is a cartoon that walks chronologically through the Revolutionary War period. It follows three kids who are reporting on the events surrounding that time, often getting themselves into the middle of the action. They meet every historical figure you can think of, and likely many you've barely heard of. They tell the stories of the heroes, both famous and obscure, who shaped their future and our present.

And the stories are masterfully woven together in a way that feels natural. They're exciting adventures. In other words, it doesn't feel like the plot lines are just a cheap way to teach a history lesson. Kids see right through that.

I've also been impressed with how the Liberty's Kids series handles some of the issues that other children's programs would like to minimize. People die, slaves are oppressed, religion is a way of life. It is not overtly Christian, but doesn't ignore the fact that faith was instrumental in the lives of many who shaped our nation. The characters talk about Providence and don't hide all religious notions. Impressive for PBS.

My kids have watched the entire series through twice over the course of the past year or so. They know more about the Founding Fathers and the first patriots than most adults do. And, after watching the show with them (or listening in from the kitchen while making dinner), I know more about the Revolutionary War than I ever learned in school.

Whether you homeschool or not, Liberty's Kids is the best tool I've found for teaching that all-important era of history. Watching it would be a great way to spend summer afternoons when you drag in from the pool or when the kids want an escape from the heat. It's educational entertainment worth investing in. I can't say that about many things out there.

This post is linked to Raising Homemakers.

Note: Please see my disclosure statement to learn more about affiliate links used here.

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Jun
02

Peanut Butter Playdough

With summer coming, we'll all be looking for some fun activities for the kiddos. Well, this is one of those things that's great to pull out on a hot afternoon when the little ones need to "chill out" in the air conditioning. You'll want to throw down a sheet or old towel under their chairs to protect the carpet, then relax (or make dinner!) while the kids sculpt, roll, and cut out "cookies" they can actually eat. It's totally cool - especially since there's no heating up the oven to bake them!

Peanut Butter Playdough

1 part peanut butter
1 part powdered milk
1 Tbsp. honey per cup, optional

Mix together. Knead and mix the dough until it has a stiff, dough-like consistency. Then, turn the kids loose and let them play and eat until their little hearts are content (no baking, please). Store, covered, in fridge.

(Note: One cup each makes a nice amount for one child.)

For more great recipe ideas, head on over to Life as Mom.

Photo credit: michelle@TNS

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Jun
02

Homeschool 101: Read a Book

When someone finds out that I homeschool, they usually ask three questions.

-What about socialization?
-Do your kids have to be tested, or does someone have to approve your curriculum?
-Why did you decide to homeschool?

Over the course of these ongoing HOMESCHOOL 101 posts, I'll likely get to all of these questions. But for starters, I thought I'd begin with that last question. It's too big to answer it completely right now, so I'm going to give you one of the most important reasons to me, the mom: I want my kids to like reading good books.

When my oldest son was a preschooler he loved books. I would check-out stacks of books on a variety of subject and just have them around. It warmed my heart to see him there, propped up on his elbows, looking at books on the planets, airplanes, Alexander the Great. He learned to read very early, and he enjoyed the world it opened up for him....until he went to school.

Then, reading was something you did for school. Reading for fun was no longer fun. It broke my heart. When we decided after his first grade year to make the leap into homeschooling, restoring his love for books was one of my top priorities. I'm happy to report that I've been successful. Christopher, and all of my kids, love books (again). We usually have more than one hundred library books on our shelves at a time. My kiddos regularly beg me to take them to the library, which I would gladly to do every day if they didn't want to spend hours there each time!

Whether you already homeschool, are thinking about homeschooling, or think I must be crazy to even bring up the subject, you most likely want your kids to read. This summer is the perfect time to start encouraging your kids to pick up some good books. Not only will it help beat the "summer's getting boring blues", but it can open up a world of information and adventure.

Here's some pointers to encourage your children's love of books:

-Go to the library a lot, and check-out lots (and lots) of books. It doesn't matter if people look at you like you're strange. It doesn't matter if it takes you five trips to get all of those bags of books to the car. It's worth it. Trust me.

-Encourage your kids to find out about what interests them through books. My kids regularly check out books on pirates and knights, baseball cards and basketball teams, ballet and drawing, guinea pigs and horses. You name it, they've read a book about it. Or they at least know they can, if they want to. When my kids come to me with a "why is the sky blue" or "what do tree frogs eat" kind of question, my first answer is always, "I don't know, but we can get a book about it from the library." Over their young lives, that simple reply has led them to books on many different subjects, and to many answers for their many questions.

-Get a variety of books. Non-fiction books, full of pictures, are a great way for them to enjoy science and history. Let them get books that are over their heads. It's alright. Sometimes, a photograph of an ancient pyramid really is worth a thousand words. Picture books, chapter books, books to read by themselves, and books for you to read to them. Load 'em up!

-Don't treat all books equally. Some books aren't worth the paper they're written on. I call these "junk food" books. They're no better than watching TV. Actually, I think they're worse. Our kids do not need books that are simple and dumbed down. When in doubt, stick to classics. "Honey for a Child's Heart" by Gladys Hunt is an invaluable resource for finding good books. My oldest son knows the value of a good book, and he's passing this lesson onto his younger siblings. One day, on the way to the library, Mackenzie was talking to Christopher about looking for some books to read. He told her that she should probably stick to books that were written in the 1960's and earlier. He said that "books written after that just aren't as well-written". Now, I know that isn't always the case, but he's learned the value of classic literature. Yea!

-Sign up for your library's summer reading program. Whether your kids are toddlers or teenagers, they can likely sign up for a fun and motivating reading program. The kiddos get prizes for the time they spend reading books themselves or being read to. My kids enjoy filling up their charts with the many hours they spend with their books.

-Look for books on CD (at the library, of course). We listened to the "Chronicles of Narnia" books this way. We still need to finish the last couple of books, and this summer will be the perfect time. Since my husband is often at work during dinner time, I'll put on a CD while we eat. It can continue to play while I'm washing the dishes and cleaning up the kitchen. It makes for a relaxing and enjoyable experience for us all. This is also a good way to tame dinner-time trouble. Who wants to complain, act silly, or fight when Aslan is walking off into the woods with the White Witch? Not me!

I hope these ideas will get you started this summer. And I hope you'll continue to join me in the homeschooling discussions. As my summer break starts soon, I'll hopefully write more about why we do it, how we do it, and where to start if you want to do it, too.

Find more helpful summer ideas over on Works for Me Wednesday.

Photo credit: Daniel Hurst

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