There is no greater joy than spending 24/7 with your child...yes, I am being a bit facetious. I love her so much and enjoy every day with her. But I am also learning to enjoy the brief respites I have when she wanders off to her brothers or golfs with her dad. She is an active child and I never know what path she is going to lead me down each day. Especially now that the weather is warming, so is her love for outside. Which is great. I love to be outside as well, puttering around the yard. But when I'm with her then I find myself sprinting up and down our sloped yard chasing a black and white ball (soccer). Or, 2 square, hopscotch, jump rope - to the point I want to yell, "stop, I'm old!." But I'm not and it's great fun, I love girl games. But I do have to accomplish different things throughout the day. Unfortunately, her being the last one at home and the youngest, it sorta makes me the official "entertainer". But, it's a blessing. This creates between us an unusual bond that will strengthen through the years, not diminish. I refuse to believe or give into the popular world opinion of "teenagers" or "that's what happens now" or "don't expect too much from them at this age". That's all just junk for us to be lazy parents and not own up to our responsibility of still plugging into our kids and making sure they know and do what is right.
Laziness is talked about a lot in the Bible. And, while we can beat ourselves up about this and think we need to work harder, I don't think it is all about working. It applies to parenting. It's easier to allow our teenager to sleep in so we don't have to deal with the attitude. It's easier to stick our kids in every activity imaginable so that all we have to do is drive and sit on a bleacher. It's easier to just give them a car so we don't have to worry about the mess they'll make in ours. It's easier to give them 20 bucks rather than make them earn their own money, after all, they're so busy from all the activities we made sure they joined. Yes, I have been guilty of most all of these and there were times it was easier than actually dealing with them on a minute to minute basis. But it would have been better to look them in the eye more, smile more, laugh more and eat a real meal more. When you're on the go, go, go you grab junk for food to fill the void. But it's more than just the void in the stomach you are filling. It's the void in your relationship with your kids.
I'm not saying that you shouldn't do activities that your kids enjoy. But I do think it should be limited to one per season. It shouldn't take precedence over teaching them and showing them and living out a relationship with Jesus Christ. It should be a side dish to the full platter of life. One they really like (dripping with butter & salt) but still, just a side dish. Make it a biscuit if you want, pour some honey on it too. The mashed potatoes should be us, the parents. A prominent fixture on the plate that is satisfying and comforting to see. The gravy or butter is all the love, hugs, kisses, attention, laughter that we as parents need to apply. That other side dish - the brussel sprouts/broccoli/cauliflower/lima bean mixture is the discipline, teaching of manners and telling them no dish. It's essential for proper growth, brain function and the like. However, a little goes a long way. No kid wants to see a plateful of icky stuff, but if done in small doses on a regular basis, it will do more good than anticipated. But the meat is God. Are you making it a hot dog thrown in the microwave and doing a super sonic speed time alone with God moment or is it more of a marinating that steak and preparing it for the grill, cooking it to perfection? Do you take the time to carefully cut it into small bite size mouthwatering pieces so you get the most out of your time with Him? I think I'll go make supper now...
Why Martha Chose to Home School
3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Martha's O.A.S.I.S. -
Organization - Activities -Systems - Implements - Subjects
Organization: I believe in simple. The simpler it is, the more likely you can maintain the system. My main organization for home school is one shelf designated for all the books necessary for the entire fourth grade curriculum. The shelf of books is found in the closet of our classroom/guest room. So, every book that is school related should be quickly and easily put there when the work is completed. I do not make it complicated by alphabetizing, putting in subject order or even grouping multiple books together. Even I pick my battles! I also have 3 ring 1/2" binders for the different subjects of completed work. After it is graded, I punch it and file it away for record keeping. Many of the subjects I have combined - such as Math with Spelling. I did this because there will not be that many math papers (since the majority of her work is done in a workbook) - so I combined it with a busier subject. Since missions and geography are closely related in the curriculum, I have them together in a binder. Breaking the subjects down even after they work is completed, helps me to review what has been taught and what hasn't to make sure all the bases have been covered.
Activities: As you may have read on some of the Martha blogs, I am realizing that the activities are as important as the curriculum. Most people and especially kids learn from hands on experience. Think about it, that's how we learned as babies. Craft books are organized with the school books on the same shelf. This way, I don't forget about them. Above that, on a separate shelf is the paint, glitter, glue, felt and pretty much every item a girl needs to complete a craft. Arts and crafts can be a learning experience on their own. Our curriculum came with a Global Art book, so when we are studying different countries and regions in geography we can also incorporate crafts that are done in that area as well.
Systems: I briefly described the sliding drawer system that I implemented with her in a post entitled "Stop and Smell the Roses!". Basically, each drawer has a subject. I like to move them around, keep it a little unpredictable (completely against my Martha-nature). But each drawer includes almost everything they will need to complete the necessary assignment. Including the notebook, pencil and book with a little note on what's to be done. This eliminates wasted time "looking" or "sharpening" or all the other excuses that can be dreamed of. I do not include, if it's a craft, the glue stick, markers or extras - because they already have a specific spot in the classroom/guest bedroom. It also helps give her a visual of what's left to be done. If there is a new concept, say in math, that will have to be taught before she can do the work - then I stick a note in there that says, "work with mom". I suppose if you had more than one child learning new concepts - you could stagger their drawers, so that ideally it would give you a chance to mentally switch gears before you help the next child.
Implements: This is the noun and not the verb. These are the tools that I use to enhance our school year. With my daughter, I use a typing game called "Garfield's Typing Pals" - I actually purchased this about 2 years ago, but recently it has all started to make sense with her. It is a fun & enjoyable game. Other really great and fun computer programs are the entire Jumpstart collection. This especially includes the preschool one. I have such fond memories of her being 2 1/2 and dancing to the songs they sung, not to mention the other fun on the CD. As she's grown, she has also really enjoyed Zoo Tycoon and Roller Coaster Tycoon. Though, I'm not sure she quite grasps the strategy concept of it, she loves taking care of the animals. You can visit amazon.com through our search bar at the bottom of our page for limitless options.
My daughter's violin is also an important implement for her education. This makes sure that aside from singing along to praise & worship music my daughter gets to experience recitals, solos and the like - much like public school children do.
I have also turned to Netflix for help in the science department as well. Disney Nature has produced some spectacular visual documentaries on the ocean, the flamingo and another one about 2 rival cat families in Africa that will be released in theatres on Earth Day...I think I feel a field trip coming on! And, even though they have some comments about "billions of years" and the "Nature's creation" - there isn't too much of it and I see it as an opportunity to mention that is not what the Bible says and we know God is the Creator. I see it as a chance to re-affirm, not be a detriment.
Another tool I hope to incorporate is a foreign language. Hopefully, this will happen next school year, but I'll keep you updated on that decision and the progress.
Subjects: The subjects that we are doing for fourth grade are: Bible devotions, Scripture memorization, knowledge on missionaries, spelling, science, geography, math, writing, English, music, art, photography, literature. Those are what I consider the basics - the other things that I work hard to incorporate into the day (but not every day) are: embroidery, crochet, cooking, chores and even couponing. Some of these may seem a bit old-fashioned or far-fetched, but here are my reasons. Embroidery will teach her patience and allow her to make home made gifts to friends and family. Crochet can make blankets to send to orphanages, along with another ability to make gifts. Cooking and chores are just part of living. I think it is extremely important for kids growing up to know how to live. It is so much more than books and right answers. Couponing can be lumped here as well. Coupons help me grocery shop within a budget. Living with a budget help our family to tithe, save and pay all of our bills on time. These are probably the most important skills people should learn, especially in today's "credit history" minded world.
