Ho'ona'auao'ia i kauhale

Favorite Verse

2012-01-25T18:58:00.000-08:00

I've been battling some health issues that have been unresolved for several years now. I've been just barely hanging on to the basics in life, so this blog has been neglected. However I did want to post here something I saw today which is helping to bring new life and passion to my faith, which has been suffering along with my health.

I have been saying for years that Jeremiah 29:11 was my favorite verse. Years ago that verse used to be my comfort and my inspiration, but in recent years it has not given that same comfort. Then I saw this verse and it brought back those feelings of comfort, joy, and faith that I've been longing for. It actually excites me when I read it!

"The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”

- Zephaniah 3:17

Thank you, God. I needed that today!

Homeschoolers and Socialization

2010-10-01T08:20:00.000-07:00

My 15-year-old had three varsity volleyball games this week. Last night's game was against another homeschool team, held at a church gym nearby.

So, how was it attending a game with a gym full of "weird, unsocialized homeschoolers" and their families?

I suppose many people would think it would be awkward, quiet - filled with conservative family members wearing headdresses and other ultra modest clothing, clapping politely for both teams.

But you would be oh, so wrong.

Both stands were filled with people of all ages, cheering, yelling, and stomping on the bleachers for their respective teams. The gym was filled with laughter and excitement. Older children and parents were watching over the younger children, entertaining them during breaks in the games and helping them to stay off the court during the games. Parents of the "home" team were walking the stands during the breaks, hawking pizza by the slice to benefit a senior trip. Parents and siblings were loudly cheering on the girls by name. Groups of parents sitting together were catching up on each others' lives, sometimes watching the games and sometimes not.

What topped the cake was two teenage boys who took it upon themselves during the breaks to "work the crowd." They ran up and down the bleacher sections, encouraging everyone to do "the wave" and to cheer - for both teams! They were a riot.

Oh, yes. What a completely unsocialized group we homeschoolers are.

Homeschooling Article

2010-03-03T08:45:00.001-08:00

Well, this rather slapped-together article has begun to spark some serious discussion in homeschooling.

College Students Fail Civics Test

2010-03-03T05:58:00.000-08:00

This article points out some serious flaws in our best colleges.

If you go to the site referenced in this article, it's even worse to see how poorly elected officials did on this quiz.

My highest level of education is some college, with no degree; I scored 81.85%.

Next year my oldest will begin a 3-year in-depth study of government. I hope at the end she will score even better.

Tapestry of Grace, the curriculum I use, is one of the few I've seen that includes governmental studies as a key component.

Homeschooling from a Teacher's Viewpoint

2010-02-27T05:36:00.000-08:00

It's nice to see a teacher fighting for homeschoolers' rights.

Article here.

Life Happens

2010-02-22T16:31:00.000-08:00

The last three days have been a lesson to me in flexibility, patience, and honoring God's commandments.

A young couple in our church had a family member in California die. I could see she really wanted to be there, but with three young children on a 3rd class petty officer's salary, it was not likely to happen. I encouraged her to look into Space A MAC flights, and also offered to watch her kids if she wanted to go. Friday morning, her husband called mine and asked if we could take all three kids until Tuesday. He told us that we were the only ones they felt they could trust with their precious children - what a blessing to hear that!

Years ago *we* were blessed with wonderful people who would watch our young children on a moment's notice. This is certainly a blessing to a young military family far from home. These people have become our forever friends whom we will never forget.

All through Scripture God calls us to show our love for our neighbors in practical ways. Sometimes this isn't convenient or easy. I learned long ago that it is more important to be available for the new homeschool mom who needs to vent than to finish the lesson plan for the day. My kids have learned to be flexible, and to understand that people are more valuable than books. This is one of those life lessons they wouldn't have learned in school.

In this particular instance, it hasn't been at all easy to serve. I haven't watched a two-year-old for more than a few hours in a long, long time. In addition, he has a medical issue which requires me to watch everything he touches and puts in his mouth. Doable, but challenging.

To add to the challenge, we just got a new puppy whom we are working on housetraining. I haven't been able to keep as close an eye on him as I would like, so we've had lots of accidents. Plus, I've been so busy caring for two young ones, a puppy, and a house, that I didn't have time to put together lesson plans for homeschool today.

No worries, right? Well, I got up early after a sleepless night to get things going, only to find that my two youngest both have fevers. I've struggled all day to keep on top of things, but all my plans have gone awry.

Still, there have been moments of joy. There was genuine laughter from sharing old jokes with new kids. The two-year-old has entertained us hourly with his antics and impish smile. With two of my kids down, the oldest from both families stepped up to the plate with chores. The new puppy is too adorable for words. My dear husband has been home the whole time and is a great help. Still, I'll be glad when mommy and daddy come home tomorrow.

And if they asked me again tomorrow, I would would smile a sincerely genuine smile and say, from my heart, "Absolutely."

Cons of Homeschooling

2010-02-01T12:20:00.000-08:00

Every once in awhile I'll come across an article or blog about the "cons of homeschooling." Unfortunately most of the time they aren't really cons but veiled digs at non homeschoolers.

That's why this article is so refreshing. These are thoughtful, real reasons why homeschooling is hard.

But, I still think it's worth it.

Egg Experiment for Biology

2010-01-31T15:43:00.001-08:00

My oldest is studying Apologia's Exploring Creation With Biology this year. Many of the experiments so far have been microscopic, hence no photos. I didn't realize this experiment was on a macro level, so I only got a picture of the last step.

Anyway, the first step of this experiment consisted of soaking a raw egg in vinegar. This dissolves the shell while leaving the semipermeable membrane intact. Osmosis allowed water from the vinegar solution to pass through, swelling the egg.

In the next step, the egg is now soaked in corn syrup. Now, osmosis causes water from the egg to move out of the membrane, which causes the egg to shrink and dimple.

In the final step, the egg in soaked in distilled water. Once again, the water passes into the egg through the membrane, causing the egg to again swell.

At this stage, the egg looked and felt like a bouncy ball, and the yolk was barely visible. The membrane was tougher than at the beginning of the experiment, but was still breakable.

There was another experiment on diffusion, so we could see the difference between osmosis and diffusion. We didn't get any pictures of the other experiment.

Water Bears

2010-01-23T07:37:00.001-08:00

My two youngest have been studying science using Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day for the past two years. Last week we studied a very unique microscopic creature - tardigrades, otherwise known as Water Bears. Today I came across a video of them:

Aren't they cute?

To Grade or Not to Grade?

2010-01-14T08:16:00.000-08:00

That is the question over at Turned Loose.

Rebecca asks:

My fellow homeschooling moms, what do you do? Grade everything? Assess based on effort? Other?

That is an excellent question. Of course when you have a high schooler (my oldest is in 9th grade this year), you need to come up with a grading scheme for your transcript. This is pretty simple with some subjects - our math and Spanish programs grade automatically. But, with many other subjects, its not so easy. How much do you weight tests vs. worksheets? How do you grade oral discussions? What percentage do you give to writing assignments?

This is one of the reasons I really love Tapestry of Grace. They have come up with some very excellent grading rubrics that help you grade all those intangibles like participation in discussions. This is an excellent way to assess comprehension of the more complicated subjects.

For students in the lower grades, I actually do not grade. I don't believe that grading work is useful other than to puff up or pull down a young spirit. It doesn't teach anything.

Instead, I sit down with my children and review the work with them. When they've made a mistake, I work over the problem with them orally, trying to lead them to the correct answer. We then correct the work together (always with the homeschool mom's trusty red pen!) and end with both of us having a greater understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. Eventually they learn to review their work more critically, to double check their answers, and to ask questions more readily.

I believe this results in a much better outcome for both of us than simply handing them back a graded paper.

What do you do?

Unit 1 Art

2009-11-14T19:15:00.000-08:00

We finished Unit 1 of Year 2 of our curriculum, Tapestry of Grace, a couple of weeks ago. We are too busy right now to have a Unit Celebration, so we weren't able to show off the kids' work. I need to clear out their projects to make room for their Unit 2 work, so as always I needed to take pictures and document their work for posterity before it gets circular filed. This unit covers the Middle Ages, from the end of the Roman Empire until the Renaissance.

My girls were very interested in crests. They both researched the meanings behind the colors and the designs, and chose the ones they felt best represented them.

My son, as usual, is not as interested in crafts - unless it involves building something. This is his Viking ship paper craft. His favorite part was making up designs for each of the shields along the sides.

My youngest had fun making this stained glass window. She picked out the colors and came up with the design all on her own.

My oldest is an artist and really enjoyed drawing this Viking ship with colored pencils.

My youngest again - she didn't finish the fourth element of this craft, which is supposed to represent the Four Alls of medieval life - the peasant, the knights, the king, and the church. Can you tell which three she finished?

Can't wait to see what creative ventures they delve into in Unit 2 - I heard my son and husband mention a trebuchet....

Proud Mama

2009-11-01T13:10:00.000-08:00

I am one proud mama today.

I love to write, but until now I haven't given them much of a formal writing curriculum. I wanted them to develop their natural writing abilities before putting strictures and conditions on them.

My oldest is now officially in high school, so last week she was assigned her first analytical essay. It took me a while to explain the concept of a thesis statement, but we took our time and worked on it together.

However, once we finished working on her topic sentences, she asked to finish the rest on her own. Here is the finished result:

God's Hand in Medieval Europe
by
C. P.

Famine, plague, and war were God’s tools to rebuild European society by building faith, reducing overpopulation, and giving men ability to create inventions for future prosperity. Famine is a very tough time when many people die because there is no food, or they are left with the scars of hunger. Plagues are even worse. Consider the ten plagues of Egypt, for instance. And wars are probably the worst of all. So much death and destruction are laid to the land. But God’s tools for all this are laid out in three simple responses; for our knowledge is no knowledge compared to God.

The first response we have come up with is building faith. God used suffering, death, and destruction as a renewal for our faith. As we suffer, we find that we are all alone. That is when God makes Himself known. Through death, he creates new life. And during destruction we know that He will rebuild.

The second response is reducing overpopulation. By doing this, He destroys the wicked, gives people a new start in life, and gives all life more land to thrive. Destroying the wicked leaves more and more righteousness in the world, and also protects His children by reducing the numbers of the wicked. God destroys all distraction that turn people in the wrong direction, therefore giving them a second chance to do the right thing. In order to survive, all life needs land. By destroying overpopulation God gives life the land they need.

The last response is giving men ability to create inventions for future prosperity. It resulted in a bettered society by inventing new weapons, medicines, and a better means for defense. Although weapons are sometimes created for murder, God used it to keep some peace between enemies. God gave us the knowledge for creating new medicines to keep His people healthier and giving them a better chance for survival. And last, but not least, a new way of defense for His people.

In conclusion, not only were God’s tools of famine, war, and plague an opportunity to start anew and discover new things, but for us to go Home. God wants to be with us, and He wants to bring us home with Him. Until the day comes when all of His people will go to His house, He needs some company. But while he is waiting, He will try to make more invitations to His home by building faith, reducing overpopulation, and giving men ability to create inventions for future prosperity.

Homeschool Days at Colonial Williamsburg

2009-10-23T19:56:00.000-07:00

I'm embarrassed to say that this event happened over a month ago - health issues have kept me from getting much done lately. However I finally found a few moments today and wanted to post about this fun day.

A couple of TOG moms also came that day, so we had a small "GeTOGether." This was my first time meeting Tammy and Laurie. Their families are awesome! So glad we had a chance to meet! Laurie comes to Williamsburg often so I'm sure we'll meet again.

The last time we came to Colonial Williamsburg, in March, my son was disappointed not to see the musket shooting, even though we were there for three days. Fortunately this day we just happened to be walking by when this young person was getting a lesson in musket loading and firing.

Laurie's family comes often enough that many of the interpreters know them and will stop and gladly tell great stories.

The new Revolutionary City programs are awesome! This is Benedict Arnold when he marched British troops into Williamsburg and seized the town for the British. The crowd got into it as well. What fun!

Of course the fife and drum corps are always great. We followed them down Duke of Gloucester Street to the parade grounds to see a reinactment of the gathering of the American troops for the march on Yorktown.

We can't wait to go again the next homeschool days!

Science Experiment on Pressure

2009-10-20T17:39:00.000-07:00

I am continuing to work through Exploring Creation With Zoology 2: Swimming Creatures of the 5th Day with my two youngest - my oldest has moved on to high school biology. They are really enjoying this book, especially the hands-on activities like this fun experiment.

It's nice when you can entertain your kids and educate them at the same time! ;-)

Homeschool Volleyball

2009-09-21T11:55:00.001-07:00

One benefit of living in an area with a greater concentration of homeschoolers - high school level sports! Caty is playing junior varsity volleyball for the BEACH Breakers. Here are a couple of fun pics of her:

A new school year begins

2009-09-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

After 3 months in this house, we're finally getting settled. School started 5 weeks ago and is going very well. Here is a picture of our schoolroom:

We've been homeschooling for over 14 years now, and although having a dedicated schoolroom is a blessing, it is definitely not a necessity. It was only in our last place in Hawaii and in this home that we've actually had a separate room to dedicate to school and school supplies.

This room is still not complete - note the piles and boxes against the fireplace wall. I'm still working to get everything put away and organized, but it is very workable as is for school. I prefer the school table to individual desks - it's easier to teach all three and work with them this way. Before the schoolroom this always took place around the dining room table. That worked just fine for us for many years, we just needed to be organized enough to put things away for meals.

Obviously with the fireplace this room was intended to be a family room, but our living room/dining room combination was much more spacious for living, and holds much more people for our weekly home fellowship group. I only wish that room had a fireplace as well.

I have big plans for the school room - I would love to replace the mismatched bookcases and furniture with built-in shelving and desk space. I would love two big comfy chairs on either side of the fireplace for reading and lounging around the fire at night. I am going for the look of a traditional library. Unfortunately that will have to wait as this house has more pressing needs.

I can only dream!

Quote of the Day

2009-06-25T20:40:00.000-07:00

From Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham:

Modern American dating is no more than glorified divorce practice. Young people are learning how to give themselves away in exclusive, romantic, highly committed (at times sexual) relationships, only to break up and do it all over again. God never intended for His kids to live like this. And instead of stepping in and doing something, many Christian parents simply view these types of relationships as a normal and necessary part of growing up. Unless your child is wiser than Solomon, stronger than Samson, and more godly than David (all of whom sinned sexually), they are susceptible to sexual sin, and these premature relationships serve as open invitations.

Animation

2009-06-22T11:04:00.000-07:00

We recently attended the state homeschool convention - wow, so much larger than Hawaii's. I was even able to take the kids with me, and they all had a good time.

One of the exhibitors was a company that makes stop motion animation software and cameras. They were so excited! I just had to get it for them. This is their first movie short, they made especially for dad on Father's Day.

Been Busy

2009-06-22T10:51:00.000-07:00

So sorry for the long absence - we've been incredibly busy! We finally ended up in a home of our own, but it was a foreclosure and needs so much work. Every time we turn around it seems as if something new gets added to our list. But, it will be a great house in time so we are happy.

Here are some photos of our house:

Once it's been completed I'll post new pics.

Norfolk Zoo

2009-04-20T21:01:00.000-07:00

The kids had been asking for several months to check out the local zoo. Funny, after years in San Diego, with yearly passes to their world-famous zoo and wild animal park, you would think these smaller zoos would be a disappointment - but not my kiddos. They love any zoo, no matter how small. The Honolulu Zoo was a fun place for them, and the Norfolk Zoo is no different.

the Norfolk Zoo's famous lion twins, born right here

This gazelle was just looking for a fight with this giraffe!

How fun - you can get right in the middle of this prairie dog town!

Nauticus

2009-04-13T18:56:00.000-07:00

Back in January we joined Homeschool Day at Nauticus, a Naval museum in Norfolk. We had never been to this museum before, and we sure enjoyed it!

The boy is fascinated with anything mechanical.

They got to touch a shark! How cool is that?

Look out! There's a great white shark behind you!

Ministry Project

2009-04-12T16:42:00.000-07:00

I've always taken the kids along whenever we've been involved in ministry work, even as babies. They've grown up knowing all about working with the elderly, poor, and homeless. They've all had stages where they've protested, and even now they often groan when we announce a project, because they'd rather be playing games or watching a movie. But, when they actually get to a place where we're doing ministry, they always pitch in and help with little to no complaining.

Our church recently went through the 40 Days of Community program from Pastor Rick Warren, and they asked the home groups to pick a project to work with. Our group chose People in Need, a homeless ministry. They need help keeping their clothing and other supplies organized and ready for distribution, and we were glad to help. We brought the kids along, hoping they could find something useful to do.

Well, they managed to outdo the adults in our group! While we were sorting clothes and labeling bins, they quickly sorted six large cases of toiletry kits, stacked and boxed the items, then moved on to sort and stack several large boxes of hotel soaps and shampoos. What a team!

Aloha

2009-04-04T21:05:00.001-07:00

I'm moving from my old blog site, Classical Education in Paradise, to fit in with all the changes going on in my life. With our recent move from Hawai'i to Virginia, my health battles (which finally seem to be over, praise God), and our fruitless home search, it seemed time to start anew. And what better time than spring!

So, welcome. I hope you enjoy our school posts, laughter, politics, and general life events. Please, comment away!