What are we doing???

I am very excited about this year. Anson is officially in a "home study program" and I'm thankful that God has made things clear to us and we'll start this year with some ease. I'd like to share a little bit of what we're using and why in the hopes that it will help someone else as much as other people have helped me.

Anson is beginning the first grade. Many of these selections are higher or lower than that, but that is one thing I love about this homeschooling gig! You can do what you want! So, here it is:

Language:
First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind, the Second Grade section
I love this because I feel as though it covers all the basics in a no-nonsense matter. I can add to it if I want to make it fluffy (which I usually don't). It's cost effective. I paid $19.95 for a hard bound copy which includes First and Second Grade. It is non consumable which means for all 3 kids it's able to be used. We did the First Grade section last year. It is scripted, which I like because I want to make sure I teach the kids all they need to know in this area.

Spelling:
We have been using Sequential Spelling and where I'm not crazy about it, it's getting the job done. I don't give Anson all 25 words a day, we'll probably work up to that, but I like how it builds on words that the child has learned. If he misspells a word, he rewrites it correctly and we move on to the next word. Again, pretty no-nonsense. We did use Spelling Workout at the beginning of last year, but I didn't love it...at all.

Math:
Several years ago I read a review on Miquon Math and thought, "That's what I think is best for us." I never changed my mind. We started with Cuisenairre Rods and a super Idea Book last year, and it flowed right into Miquon Math. I lack confidence in the math department, so my husband was invited to help out here and he added Singapore Math. I think we'll be ahead right now, but we're still going to do the easy stuff to be sure that a smooth transition is made and when Miquon is finished (it only goes to the third grade, to my knowledge) we'll have a math program we are used to.

For art, history, science and music we'll be using the materials from our Co-op. This is our first year for a Co-op, but I heard of this one several years ago, and never wanted to look any further. It's academic and LOTS OF FUN!!! The resources are easy to use and everyone has been enjoying the memory CD. Ella's favorite part is chanting the Latin declensions! Seriously! Pretty simple, I think. It leaves plenty of time for making beds, cleaning bathrooms, dress-up, playgroups, parks and of course...LEGOS!!!

So, many people ask me, "What do you do with the girls while you are schooling Anson?" Simple...school them, too! We don't call it "school" we call it "table time." Everyone bellies up to the table and everyone has something to do. Julia is currently learning how to read using the same book I used with Anson. While Julia is reading, Anson is working on his copywork. (I guess I forgot that. For handwriting he is copying hymns. Just a few lines a day.) Ella is playing with magnets or felt, or whatever I have put in the "table time" basket for her to choose from. When Julia is finished usually the girls may be excused and they play while we're at the table. Some days they'll sit at the table the entire time. If they get crazy, they come back to the table. Ella and I play games and read books. Table time, on average, takes about 1.5 hours.

We're always reading a book. We've been spending time on the prairie with Laura and Mary Ingalls and we LOVE them! I have also been introduced to Little Britches written by Ralph Moody. We'll start that series when we are finished with the Little House Series. I also try to include a biography for the kids to get fired up about missions. We've read David Livingstone and Mike is reading John C. Paton who was a missionary in the South Seas. I have to remember to read books on Ella's level too, that would be easier if I didn't carry a fine at the library!

I think that's it. We are pretty intense about a few things so that our days are not consumed. I know that in time our days will be much longer, and when those days come I know I'll be thankful that I didn't rush them!

This year we may work on a few lapbooks. I've been very interested in them for a while and may get one or two from In the Hands of a Child for the girls to work on throughout the year.

Last year I had the privilege of listening to Leigh Bortins speak and asked her what advice she would give to a new mom. Her response, "The words of C.S. Lewis, ' Teach less, more thoroughly.' " I think it's fantastic advice! I'll try to keep everyone posted!!!

Mike's Garden

I still get nervous being passionate about homeschooling. I know that God has not called everyone to it, but He has called me and I know that if I'm not passionate, I'll never last. I want to share what we're doing this year, our curriculum and schedule, but first I want to share a quick story.

Mike has a garden. He has loved this garden well. At the beginning I got nervous because I thought I was going to have to be responsible for the garden and everything else...not so. It is Mike's garden. He has done a great job. He has learned a ton and we've enjoyed some fresh veggies in the process. One of the main things he has learned about are squash vine borers. These nasty little worms are the larva (or does that need an "e"? larvae) of a moth that lays it's eggs on the vines and when they hatch they bore their way into the vines and eat it. You can't see them. Mike has to look for their "signs." I know when he's about to do "surgery" because he puts his gloves on and then asks when dinner will be ready...he knows he'll be a while.

Alright...for the middle two weeks of July we were out of town and we had our neighbors taking care of our garden. Our neighbors have had their own gardens before and are extremely kind and we knew that they would take good care of the garden. We came home after 2 weeks and everything was still alive and we even had a pumpkin! To the naked eye, all was well. After we unpacked, Mike headed out during the remaining minutes of daylight to inspect his mistress (that's what I call it because when he's not with me, he's with her). There wasn't time to do surgery until the next day, but he knew surgery would be imperative. The vine borers were having Thanksgiving dinner!

The next day, sure as the world, he was with her and digging out so many of these little pests that he says he lost count. I thought, "That is why we homeschool." We entrusted our garden with a very kind man who knew about gardens, but he doesn't love our garden like Mike does. He wasn't going to spend hours carefully removing worms from the inside of the vines. We didn't expect him to, either. That was our job.

I told Mike, we homeschool because our kids have vine borers. There is crud in their heart that is naked to most. We love them and have a vision for their lives that God doesn't just give out to anyone. He gave it to us. We are the ones that are responsible for carefully inspecting their hearts being careful that the sin that can so easily entangle does not have time to eat them from the inside out. We are not crazy. We know there is sin there. We are not keeping them from school to keep them away from sin...if that were the case, we'd have to kick them out of our house cause' it's here too! We are all too aware of their sin and desire to check on them daily. We don't just want them to be alive, we want them to be alive with the ability to produce fruit(or veggies in this case).

So, with that picture before me, we start our year. I'll do that separate...

It's Just Too Short...that's why.

So, tonight I had the privilege of being included in a Graduation Celebration. A little boy (now young man...adult)that I nannied for many moons ago finished high school and will be moving on to college. I started keeping Aaron and his sister, Andrea, when they were 4 and 6. I didn't keep them for years or anything, but the time that I did spend with them was sweet, and created a lasting friendship. As I looked at his little pictures and watched him grow through the years I was that much more convinced of what I'm doing.

It was only 13 very short years ago that I spent a few days with them at the beach. It was only 13 short years ago that we pretended my Geo Metro was a racecar and sang Sugar Beats at the top of our lungs. Now, he's finished. Graduated.

My children sat there eating cake and taking bags full of candy from Aaron's grandmother and I just thought...they are next. As we put them to bed I wasn't as irritated with all of the clutter. The baby dolls, the clothes, the Little People, books, socks, random shoes...it won't be here for long. Anni's bookshelves no longer hold the books and toys that they held when I was there. They hold picture frames and beautiful shells. There are no Lego pieces littering her living room. No pictures of stick figures with "Julia" written all over them. It's all tidy. All clean. All finished. Anni is an INCREDIBLE mother and is in no way "finished" with her parenting. I have learned a tremendous amount from her and will continue to, I'm sure. This summer she is meeting Andrea in Paris while Andrea finishes her study abroad, Anni will meet her there and they'll explore together. She is in a new phase.

I just think of when my house will stay clean. No crumbs on the floor. No trips to the potty whenever we are in a new place. I'm sure it will be a sweet place. A sweet phase of life, but so is this.

When people confess that they couldn't spend all day with their kids, my heart breaks. I don't want to spend my days with anyone else. I want to wring this time out. I want to laugh and cry and sing and dance...with them. Then, when we have a party to celebrate their graduation, I'll be ready for the next stage. I'll be excited. I'll be thankful that I enjoyed it all.

Homeschooling will provide my children with a better education. (Yea, I said it.) They will have amazing opportunities. They will, I pray, graduate with passion and purpose. Those are all great things, but above all of these is Love. I pray that they will love one another. Love Mike and myself, but most importantly Love Christ the Giver of all good gifts. He gave me 3 good gifts (4 if you count their Dad) and I'm homeschooling them because life is simply too short.

Expert...what expert?

So, my grandiose ideas for this blog have been humbled. I have not posted since February 2nd because, well, um...I HAVEN'T BEEN SCHOOLING!!! Now, please understand that we haven't "reported" to the state yet, this was a dry run. I'm not neglecting anyone at all. (Please don't make me brag on how amazinginly ahead my brilliant children are anyway!!!) I have just had to take a breather.

January 19th we had our first day with our godson, Falon. To say that it was a difficult transition would be a gross understatement. I couldn't figure out why I was so in knots everyday and why I just wanted the day to end before my feet even hit the floor. Wanna know why? I had taken on too much! I asked the Lord (FINALLY) what I was doing wrong and He made it clear that I could stop "formally" homeschooling until the summer. What a difference that made. Do you know what we did instead?

We started our days with devotions. Mostly. We read books. We've worked puzzles. We've memorized passages. We've struggled to love well. Adjusting to another person that hasn't grown up with us has not been easy. Are there ever times when you think since it's hard you must have made a mistake? The last several months have been like that. However, the Lord reminds me that He is working out our salvation. He is concerned not only with the condition of my heart, but my children as well. They needed to be stretched beyond themselves. They needed to share their stuff. They needed to share their life. Most importantly, they needed to like it. I told the children we were going to finish this well. We were going to love as Christ would have us to, with His power, and in the end we'll be more like Him. I guess that's some pretty great stuff. Some pretty good schooling, from the school of hard knocks. Learning how to love those that you wouldn't ordinarily love. I guess that's more than Language Lessons could accomplish. I suppose that's character training...more like life training.

So, as I arrogantly consider what a "Classical" education is and why we have chosen to use that method I am reminded of the real reason we are doing this. Aside from God himself making it clear, it is my heart's desire to disciple my very own children. I want to invest in them, share my life with them, the good, the bad and the crazy(there is alot of crazy!). Whatever method we choose, the goal is the same. So, for any of you who happen upon this and you are kicking the tires, please know that the "how" is important, but it's not everything. God is going to accomplish great things if we simply obey(whether we follow our "method" to the T or crash and burn). That's what we are doing. Obeying. I haven't loved every minute of it...but I love what it's doing in me.

Until next time...

A Reason...An Idea

Today was fun. We did the grocery store, Jump City and Chick-fil-A...all four kids...and our super friends the Graham Fam! Julia and Haviland worked out a plan that they could play at Haviland's house, even if all they were doing was folding clothes. As we were leaving Julia says, across the restaurant, "Bye Ella, I'll miss you!" I'm sure that they could have close relationships if they weren't together all day, but I love, love, LOVE to see the relationships among my children grow into such sweet blessings. So, that's one reason why I love homeschooling...relationships.

The next funny thought I had was this; I could totally teach from the J. Peterman catalog! If you have never read it, or think it is a fictional catalog from Seinfeld, you are in for a treat! Here is a little sample. I love the description and the imagery...taken from the Carnival 2009
" Vittorio saunters out into the warm spring day and heads for the office, an outdoor cafe near the Piazza Signoria. Wraparound Fendi sunglasses. Copy of Corriere della Sera. This jacket.

He pauses at the corner to purchase a rose from the ancient gypsy woman, a notorious former pickpocket, inserts it into the buttonhole of his lapel. 'Grazie, signore.' Once he is seated at his usual curbside table, he will pretend to read the paper all afternoon, pausing only to listen silently when an occasional Vespa driver pauses to say a few words to him.

It has been suggested that he communicates back by his eyebrow gestures and the number of cuff buttons he leaves undone."

It might just be me...but I love reading this catalog. It may not make it into the "Great Conversation" but I think it sure makes for great conversation! Not too much meat today, just a picture of what goes on in my head! Anyone know of a co-op looking for an "out of the box" writing program? HA!

P.S.
If you want to sport Vittorio's jacket, it will only put you out $229.00

Honestly...

Honestly, yesterday, I would have rather read a book on homeschooling than to actually do it! I don't know if it's the weather, a new scenario in our home (I just started keeping another child) or what...but I just wanted to do something else! This brings me to the name of our school...

Harvest. Classical. Academy. The Classical and Academy just state what we do. We learn classically, but the Harvest part. That is what we are hoping for. There are two passages of scripture that we pull this from. I'll share them with you and explain a little bit about our desires.

The first verse is found in Galatians. It reads, "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest of righteousness if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9 This is hard work. When I realize that this is it...we are in this for the next several years, some days I could cry. Other days I can't imagine doing anything but pouring my life into my three little gifts. My hope is that in time, there will be a reward. The reward will be that we have trained our children to know, love, and serve our God...and see them do it on their own. I can imagine no greater "graduation present" than to see our kids fired up about giving their lives away to further the Kingdom.

The next passage is found in 3 of the gospels, we'll look at Matthew 9:36-38, "When he saw the crowds he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'" There is a need for godly men and women to be launched into the harvest field. I think homeschoolers get the, "Don't you want them to be witnesses?" To which I think most of us reply, "YES and AMEN!" We are not trying to shelter our kids, we are trying to prepare them.

So, that's what we're about. Training our children to know, love, and serve God so that in time they will be the laborers that Christ asked us to pray for.

A few weeks ago we heard a sermon on the passage in Matthew, and on the way home I said, "Mike, I think those points are our mission statement!" When Jesus saw the crowds his heart was moved with compassion and he then asked for hands that could go and work the harvest fields. I haven't talked to the speaker yet, I'm sure he won't mind if I borrow his material...here's our mission statement:
Harvest Classical Academy
Asking God to give us eyes to see, hearts to feel and hands to work.

Or something close to that! So, that's it for now. I'm reading a super book by Leigh Bortins and I'll explain that "Classical" part soon!

Thanks for stopping by!

The Journey Begins

"Babe, read this! This makes so much sense. It's just teaching kids the way they naturally learn. Listen to this..." I went on to explain the Trivium. This was roughly, gosh, 8 years ago. We were members of a small PCA church in Valdosta and one of the members was wanting to start a Classical School. Knowing that I was an educator, she handed me the information and asked me to read it and tell her what I thought. I was astounded! My mind was a flurry with all of the information. The words were all new to me and I wanted to learn more. That was the beginning of the journey.

Fast forward a few short years to 2002 and I am now a Children's Ministry Director and the proud mother of one smart baby! The Lord began to refine and define the roles that I would play in my home and I ended up quitting as the Children's Director to be a full-time wife and mother. I knew I wanted to give my life away to my children and my husband. I knew that we would be homeschooling...now to figure out what that meant!

Having had the information still floating around in my head, I began to do a bit of investigating. I spoke with other women who were homeschooling, asked what method they used and when they did laundry and grocery shopping...just sort of probed around. I knew we had some time before school would be required, so I settled on the decison to homeschool and enjoyed Anson.

As Anson got older and we got to have more children I needed to figure out what direction we were headed. If you are new to the homeschooling scene, the amount of information can be absolutely overwhelming. There are words and acronyms that you don't know. People throw around names that you've never heard and usually the names are the names of dead people who wrote articles that are published in books that you've never heard of!

One mother knew I was pretty set on following a Classical model and recommended a book called The Well-Trained Mind written by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer. I borrowed it from the library and devoured it...well, all of the parts that pertained to me...it's a pretty big book! The explanations were clear, the schedules were helpful, I was sold. Classical it was.

Something began to nag me a little, though. How was I to infuse Christ into all of this. The goal in educating my children was so that they would learn everything as it pertained to Christ. Our desire is that our children would have a Christian Worldview. So, big book number two showed up on our doorstep. Teaching the Trivium by Lauri and Harvey Bluedorn was what I needed. They are a little more extreme in some areas, but their expository on Deuteronomy was compelling and they gave the Biblical Perspective that I needed. So, I landed in a gray area. Jessie Wise is a professing Christian, her book is written for everyone. It's nuts and bolts...what I need! The Bluedorn's have an article on their website titled "Ten Things to Do With Your Child Before Age Ten." It took me a while to work through it, but I found it to be quite liberating. I didn't want to start "teaching" necessarily. This gave me somewhat of a guideline to follow.

So, last year was our first homeschool conference and Anson is in kindergarten, but not really! I took this year as sort of a "test run". This year was more about me learning the balance than it was about my children learning anything. They all have late birthdays, so we sort of get an extra year before they are required to be reported as "in school."

This is a long post, I think the first few will be. I would like to break down what a "Classical Model" is for those that are curious...on the next post. I want to share the story of our name and what our curriculum choices are. I want this to be a place where I can ask questions and be asked questions. I want my friends who are curious to be able to read and not think that I think they want to homeschool...but you can check out what I do. I would also like to help those who are new and fear failing...relax! I heard a seasoned homeschool mom say the other night, "Don't be afraid of failing...you already have! That's what Christ is for!!!" I also want our family to be able to check in on us and feel like they are informed and involved in what we are doing. I have asked Mike to contribute every now and then for the Dad's and I think a "What do you do? Wednesday" would be a fun way to share little secrets and tips that work for us and may help others. I just want to share and feel like I'm giving and not just taking, cause there is a lot out there that I've taken from!!! I'm going to challenge myself to figure out sidebars and favorite links and pictures of books and all sorts of stuff...all this while still priortizing my family...God help me!!!

So, you know how we got here, next I'll tell you where here is and what happens next! I look forward to sharing this journey and meeting new families that we can meet and encourage along the way.

Thanks for reading this...I write how I talk...until next time