WhO SaiD LeaRniNg CaN't Be FuN??

Summertime Musings & Pennsylvania History? No Problem!

lifesclassroom — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 08:52:21 +0000

Happy summertime to you! Our family has been happily busy this season. Summertime for me is a time to reflect on the past year and plan for the next. Taking the time to rest and be re-filled by the Lord is very important to me. One of my goals for making our backyard sparkle is the thought of curling up on the porch swing that is situated on the lower deck under the white birch tree. I have memories each year of sitting there swinging and leafing through homeschooling catalogs with hopeful enthusiasm for the year to come. One subject I’ve not found very often in those catalogs are individual state history books.

Credit: Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee/Photo by Hunt Commercial Photography

Violet Oakley interpreted William Penn’s vision in this mural that decorates the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building in Harrisburg.

PA history in the Nagle homeschool has often included lots of field trips and state information packets courtesy of our local representative in addition to non-fiction books about key state founders but I am always on the lookout for more specific information about the great Keystone state and I was thrilled to find a site that not only contains a wealth of information about the state of Pennsylvania but audios and visuals to boot!

The site is ExplorePAHistory.com and it’s a site that you need to visit for yourself. There is so much information there that I’m not sure where to begin in providing descriptions for you! Enjoy the summer and these special years with your children. Don’t forget to take time to rest and pray and hear the Lord for YOUR homeschool!

Mini Vacation – Outdoor Science School

lifesclassroom — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 08:51:31 +0000

We have been exceptionally busy this past month. The highlight was our trip to the Poconos at an outdoor retreat called Spuce Lake Science Camp. We have oodles of pictures that Annette will be sharing on her blog but for now I’m going to post 2 pictures. We spent 3 days and 2 nights and each day was filled with nature learning. Every lesson ended with scriptures and how to apply each lesson to our Christian walks. I will be sharing those lessons here on this blog so that I will not forget them. Annette is getting ready to repel a cliff in the following picture. The lesson is designed to help the student take a step of faith out of their comfort zone.

Animal School..This is Good!

lifesclassroom — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 08:50:54 +0000

I received this information from an email list that I am on. Please take the time to view it, it is worth the look!Below is the link to a slideshow style presentation that is an excellent illustration of the different ways children’s personalities affect their learning styles… and how institutional schooling fails so many children.It has a lot to say to homeschooling parents, too. We can so easily fall into the trap of allowing certain “schoolish” expectations to cause stress and anguish in our kids.If you can view “flash”, use this link — it is the best way to view it:Raising Small Souls If you need to view the “text only” version, it is here:Raising Small Souls Text Only

Preschool Damages Children……………Part 2

lifesclassroom — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 08:50:02 +0000

The Considering Homeschooling Ministry is planning to launch a television campaign with the hopes of educating parents to the damaging effects of sending children off to preschool. You can read more on this at the Christian News Wire website. In my last post you may have read about the recent research that was conducted that have shown the negative consequences that are reaped from placing children in institutional preschool programs.

“As the universal preschool lobby makes political inroads in states across the union and as parents are inundated with the message to separate from their babies and young children, Considering Homeschooling is attempting to counter this attack on the biblical family.” “The growing debate, initiatives, and legislation concerning preschool are all based on the faulty presupposition that preschool is beneficial to children,” said Charles B. Lowers, Executive Director of Considering Homeschooling. “Studies have shown negative consequences from placing children in institutional preschool programs. This makes sense because God created the ideal place for children to thrive, learn, and grow — right in their mom’s loving arms.

Since, in our society we are literally *glued* to the television set, I can’t think of a better way to reach these parents. Hats off to CHM for doing something like this to help curb this ugly tide in our midst. Please keep this issue in your prayers and don’t forget to visit the CHM website for updates and also at this link: (Unintended Consequences of Preschool).

Preschool? Keep them Home………

lifesclassroom — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 08:49:21 +0000

In these times we live, it is not uncommon within the average family to find both mom and dad are part of the workforce. If these families have children to provide for, I am sure that their intentions are very good but sadly their priorities are way out of line. Sure we all need food and clothes but sadly these parents have forgotten the importance of spending precious time with their children. A recent study on the effects of preschool on children conducted by Berkeley research shares their finds. The study found that children who attended preschool at least 15 hours a week displayed more negative social behaviors when compared with their stay-at-home peers.

“The biggest eye-opener is that the suppression of social and emotional development, stemming from long hours in preschool, is felt most strongly by children from better-off families,” said UC Berkeley sociologist and study co-author Bruce Fuller.”

Growing up in my own life, I was blessed with the presence of my parents. I can’t imagine what it would’ve been like to spend a major portion of my day away from them at a very tender age. If you would like to read a short editorial on the report, you can do so here; Study: Preschool harms children’s development

Rekindling The Passion For Writing A Nudge From Cindy Rushton

lifesclassroom — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 08:48:46 +0000

As homeschoolers, from time to time we all go through the *Dole Drums* and *Dry Spells*. The past couple of weeks had been a bit desert like for me in a couple of areas. We engage in some wonderful learning in the area of science, history and are very excited about our new approach to math, but I had a nagging sense that we were leaving a few gaps in the Language Arts dept. So off I go on a trip to our library wall or book shelf area in our home to look for some curriculum or textbooks to help ease my mind. (The Lord had already given us the necessary tools to make the study of language arts painless and real to life), I forgot. I found some curriculum that we were already well acquainted with. As dd began to complete the worksheet style assignments with quite a bit of ease, my imagined learning gap would soon be filled, or would it?

Something was missing. Although a brush up of the mechanics of Language Arts had been occurring, the dryness remained! The *life spark and learning excitement*, where were they? I decided to pray about the issue and pull a few more books off of the shelf. DD is a budding writer, words seem to flow from her being. I recognized the need to continue to encourage this wonderful gift that the Lord has been developing in her. One of the books that I began reading is written by Cindy Rushton, *Homemade Books, Yes! You Can Be A Writer Too!* Once again, the Lord placed the answer right in the palm of my hands! I couldn’t put the book down as EVERYTHING that I read left a positive check in my spirit! I was immediately filled with so many wonderful ideas that I needed to quick jot them down on my post-it notes and affix them to the pages so I wouldn’t forget.

There are checklists for writing that I intend to make copies of, oodles of topics listed as ideas for writers block. Some of the main points from the beginning of the book, I made note of;

Dedicate all of your writing power to the glory of God.
Write what God leads you to write.
Write about what you love, what you know, or what you want to know.
Keep an idea book to brainstorm. Journaling helps the writer continue thinking so that great thoughts can develop.
What to compose; letters, articles, research notebooks, stories, how to booklets, books, tip sheets, etc.

These are just the tip of the iceberg! I sense that this nudge from the Lord through Cindy is going to launch me into writing as well. As we write, journal or engage in copywork, we become familiar with the parts of speech, grammar, punctuation, proper sentence structure and word definitions. We have quite a few grammar reference books and dictionaries that get and will continue to be used frequently. Reading is key to developing a writer at ANY age. Encourage reading on your own and reading out loud together. I am so excited about how quickly the Lord answered my prayer! When we look to Him for vision, guidance and direction, you can be sure He will meet us right where we are at! Our purpose in understanding and studying Language Arts has been restored. Writing and journaling is also good for you! Remember, (Use It or Lose It!) Our love of writing is well on the way to a fresh spark! If you would like to check out some of Cindy’s books, check out her blog here on HSB @ CindyRushton or visit her webite: www.cindyrushton.com There are two super sales going on (I’m on my way there now) One is called the Notebooking Super Sale and the 2nd is the *Organized Mom Superset*. Organization is another area I’m working on with God’s help, but we’ll save that topic for another day!
Have a Happy Day of Learning this Day!

Picture of Cindy above is from www.cindyrushton.com website

The 21st Carnival of Homeschooling is Up!

lifesclassroom — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 08:48:09 +0000

The 21st Carnival of Homeschooling cordially invites you to a Progressive Dinner Party hosted at Principled Discovery. Dress is casual. Invite a friend and enjoy the food, travel and conversation as we get to know each other a little better.

Happy Sabbath Day!

lifesclassroom — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 08:46:44 +0000

I just thought I’d post a greeting this morning. We are in Maryland staying at a resort “Liberty Resort”, and there’s highspeed internet access so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to say hello! We’ve been asked to participate in a special service at an historical church in Emmitsburg (Elias Lutheran Church). I will post some pictures when we are back home but in the mean while, many blessings to all!

Thurday’s Notes

lifesclassroom — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 08:45:54 +0000

Next week, Dana at Principled Discovery will be hosting the next carnival of homeschooling. She is accepting submissions and if you’re not sure how to do that, Details on how to submit are HERE.
Christina at Quietcajun shared the results of this quiz on her site and I thought is was so nifty that I would share it here on my blog as well! Mothering Style Quiz According to the quiz: my type is The Tuned In Mother Inside our children, I believe, is a truth that tells them what’s best for them. I am always listening for that truth.

Aware, astute, and understanding, the INFP mother is sensitive to her child�s needs, feelings, and perceptions. By observing and listening to the cues of the whole child, she is �tuned in� and naturally develops an intuitive feel for what he or she needs. Responsive and helpful as well, she tends patiently to those needs as they arise.
The INFP mother is comfortable letting her children follow their own course of development and make their own choices. She offers encouragement and uses her insights to head off trouble and difficult issues.
The INFP mother takes vicarious pleasure giving her children good experiences and watching them enjoy childhood. She�s happiest creating pleasant, memorable times for the whole family.

Random Thoughts

lifesclassroom — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 08:45:07 +0000

Have you ever had one or maybe two of those days when you can feel a cold or a virus trying to invade your system, it has begun to cause *some* nose stuffiness but not too much? Our cockatiel insists upon whistling to me until I give him a whisle back but my nose feels funny and my ears are very sensitive due to the invading virus. Someday I’ll record his whistles to play for you and it will serve two purpses; first you can hear what he sounds like and second, he will hear himself and will have a good ole time at that! LOL
I have been tagged by Becky LaMereAcademy and I am to post 6 random things about myself and then tag 6 others……………okay, here goes…………..

Random things:

#1. I love to read books and read articles online and I almost need to pull the reigns in at times, it gets hard on the eyes.

#2. I like to crochet and sew when I have the time.

#3. I find birds whistling when you are trying to compile a post or write anything is distracting and can become a hindrance to the writing process!!!!

#4. I’m not crazy about traveling but I try to find ways to use car time in productive ways when we are called out of town.#5. We have a cat that I am allergic to: (found out AFTER we made her a part of our family) #6. Despite my rants in this post, I do love animals and enjoy the immense variety that the Lord created!