Teaching with Purpose

Our not so perfect devotional time

2009-02-12T18:03:00.000-08:00

I wanted to write about our family devotional time. First, I wanted to give you a glimpse at how it goes for us. It will be reassuring to hear- I hope. We have a real family. Not a perfect family. Here goes the dialogue...

Mike: Kids come to the table! It’s time for our family devotional.

Mitzi: Ethan take the Lego’s off the table.

Rebecca: I want to sit by mommy.

Mitzi: It’s ok just sit across from me this morning.

Mike: (Opens our verse box) Alright, who remembers our verse for this week? (He looks around. No one is jumping to say it).

Anderson: No one can serve two masters. (He always knows the verse. He has an amazing memory)

Mike: You’re right Anderson.

Sarah: Where is our bubble maker?

Mitzi: Sweetie, We’ll talk about that later.

Mike: Can anyone remember our question this week?

No response.

Mike: Who can tell me why we have the Holy Spirit? (This is one of the questions from the catechism we use)

Ethan: To Help us.

Mitzi: Yes, he helps us throughout our lives.

Rebecca: Sam is biting my feet.

Mitzi: Take her to my room. Sarah sit up.

We wait until Rebecca comes back to the table.

Mike: Shares some more thoughts on the Holy Spirit.

Sarah: Can we sing a song?

Mike: Yeah, what do you want to sing?

Sarah: Deep and Wide

Mike: Go ahead Sarah and start us.

All: We all break out singing Deep and Wide.

Mike: Ok. Who do we want to pray for today? (Mike suggest s a family in our church)

Rebecca: I don’t want to go first.

Ethan: Anderson, go ahead?

Eventually, we all pray for some family friends.

Distractions are a part of the devotional time but we don’t let them stop us. This is a typical day and these are real responses and questions. Some days are smooth and other days…not so much.

When I was in public school...

2009-01-29T11:58:00.000-08:00

When I was in public school I really didn’t like it ~especially high school. I had plenty of friends and I didn’t feel out of place. I didn’t like sitting in a classroom all day. Now, that I am homeschooling I have looked back on my experience and thought through a few things.

First, I love to learn. As an adult I have a love of reading that I never had growing up. So, I asked myself, “What changed?”

Through my children I have learned that I wanted to learn as a child but I didn’t want to learn in the school environment I was in and I didn’t want to learn certain things. I also didn’t really see a real purpoe in learning what I was being taught.

So, as I home school I recognize that my own child have a desire to learn and they want to learn in certain ways. I say that knowing that there are times when my kids have to be put in situations that are not so comfortable so they learn patience and also learn about each other. Testing in those ways are worthwhile.

I encourage you to look at some resources on what type of learner you are and also how your child learns best. Be diligent in recognizing your kid’s talents and gifts. You will be challenged and your child’s purpose for learning will be amazing. Also, pray!

There are too many resources to name but do a Google search on types of learners and lots will pop up.

Mindset

2009-01-20T17:54:00.000-08:00

By definition MINDSET is 1. an attitude, disposition or mood. 2. an intention or inclination.

Homeschooling is so much about “mindset”. The reading, writing, schedules and plans are a part of homeschooling but without the right mindset it is of no value. We can have a mindset that is all about how we feel on any given day.

Mindset is first about intention. It is a choice. We make choices in our homeschooling and a lot of times they are not intentional but simply going through the motions. Trust me I have been there done that….still doing it. As moms we get tired and the constant demands we have can be overwhelming. We get caught up in the day to day movement of life.

At times, our mindset is about our natural inclination. Some days we just want things to happen without much thought at all- I just want to turn my brain off.

We must make the intentional choice to start our day with Christ. We will perceive the daily activities of life through His eyes. When our days are met with challenges we can hopefully see how Christ is growing us instead of thinking, “Why does this always happen to me?”
Let’s change our mindset!

I Corinthians 2:16"For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?"] But we have the mind of Christ.

My Plan, or His?

2009-01-09T19:15:00.000-08:00

Just recently I have been receiving a home school magazine in the mail (Homeschool Enrichment). I am not sure how I am getting it for free but I am grateful. I decided to get on their website and discovered a really good article. It is called My Plan, or His? I pray it will be an encouragement to you as well.

Reassurance

2009-01-05T15:00:00.000-08:00

Recently I have been given the opportunity to share with other moms seeking to take their kids out of school my passion for homeschooling my kids. The moms I talk to are discontent with the public school system as a whole and also specifically concerning their own children. I have talked to followers of Christ as well as unbelievers. I find it interesting that there is an overall frustration with their experience no matter the belief system they come from.
One statement that I hear a lot from moms seeking another opportunity to educate their children is, “I just don’t know if I can do it.” I earnestly try to reassure them they can. I share with them my own experience entering the home school lifestyle/world. I was overwhelmed and doubtful with myself. I just have one thing I cling to and that is God has called us to do this. I have had the opportunity to share that with the unbelievers too.
I can say without hesitation I would have given up long ago if I did not have Christ to talk to, lean on and trust in. I don’t see how anyone can do it for long without Him.
Don’t get me wrong- There are still days when I question this decision (in the flesh). I also make sure I let everyone in my house know that I am questioning the decision. It is not pretty.
I just keep talking, trusting & leaning on the One who called us to this life journey. God never said it was about comfort and ease. His word is clear that everything is about glorifying Him …Even teaching your child multiplication, ancient history & character. Homeschooling with Christ has stretched me and caused a growth that I never dreamed was possible. I cling to what He can do in me and my kids.

A Little About Our School Time

2009-01-01T15:26:00.000-08:00

First, I have to say, this year has been our best year of homeschooling. Main reason it has been our best is because we have changed our perspective on what homeschooling is all about. The second reason is because I made some practical changes through prayer -seeking solutions to issues we faced.

In September 2007, I had already felt frustrated because I just couldn’t be hands on with the 3 younger ones like I wanted to be. I was rushing through the schoolwork just to get to the next kid. I decided to do something about it…PRAY!

Honestly, as quickly as I prayed God gave me a plan of action (That is not always how it happens). First, I threw out the ridiculous schedule I had set up. It was causing more frustration than anything else. Second, a new system was established. I have partnered the kids. Each day the kids are put together with either a brother or sister. It changes each day.
Example: Monday- Ethan and Rebecca / Sarah and Anderson
Ethan and Rebecca do school time together. Sarah and Anderson do activities together. We do 20-25 minutes each and then rotate. I set a timer. We rotate back and forth until the schoolwork is complete.
They each have a checklist to check off the schoolwork when it is completed. We do Science and History all together and then I add age appropriate activities for each child. Before “school time” starts each morning Mike(my husband) leads us in a family devotional time. We have a weekly memory and a catechism we go through with one question a week. We absolutely try not to miss this time together. There are times we miss it because of sick kids/parents, appointments etc. There are more specifics to our school days and I will post more about it in the coming weeks.

The Top Priority

2008-12-07T18:18:00.001-08:00

I desire to make every day about teaching my kids to Love God and Serve Others. I even want that when I teach them academics. I think it completely changes the outlook for them and also for me. Academics are important but not in and of themselves. If as Christians we say, “Oh yes, this life is all about Christ.” yet we don’t live that through our “school time” it can be overwhelming and frustrating.
Let’s make our school days about Loving God and Serving Others. There will be more entries about how we can live this out.