Unit 1 Art

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!