January Brings Reflection

January, the month we tend to make resolutions and change. Saying goodbye to a previous year and saying hello to a new one. It is a time of new beginnings and for some of us challenges.

The New Year holds something different for us all. January is just a hard month sometimes. Some are tired and can’t imagine 5 ½ - 6 months more of school. Some are still longing for break and wishing it was a little longer; others can jump right back in and not think twice. It can depend on seasons and events. We are all in different places and season in life with our home schooling and families.

Over the last 13 years I think I have experienced a little of all the above. Each year has proven to be different with different seasons and challenges. This year is no exception. It has been different because of a few online friends I have made over the last 6 months. They posted something I have never thought about before. The 3 of them chose 1 word to focus on over the year. What a novel idea huh? Its simple enough! I can focus on one word. The thing is, each word they shared was something I felt I needed to focus on.

The 3 words were intentional, gratitude and knowledge.

Keep reading you’ll understand…..

If January holds true to be an overwhelming month for you, and you have a hard time getting in the swing of things, or even if you have jumped right back in, think about these words this coming year. Let me share.

The definition of intentional is: done with intention or on purpose.

This can be in relation to our relationship to God, home schooling…. anything in life that is worth being done with intent or purpose. Isn’t that cool? Feeling pressure? Take it to the Lord, ask Him to help you to do the task at hand, go to Him intentionally and with purpose. No matter what it is.

The next word,

Gratitude: the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful

Now when things are rough, kids are crying, fighting, maybe not sharing, they are lolly gagging around and not doing their school work…. Think about gratitude. I know, I know, easier said than done…. But try! I promise, if we take these new words to the Lord and ask Him to work them out in our heart, He is faithful.

I love this scripture verse, and thought it was perfect...

Listen,

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Yes! Can I get an Amen!?

Last word….

Knowledge: acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation.

The best thing I can share and encourage you with is take time for yourself with the Lord, daily and read His word. I know in my own life I have neglected my own time because I was spending bible study time with my girls. I still need my “own” time with the Lord.

Proverbs 2:4-6
...and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 3:5-7
Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him; And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

Beloved, if you are a weary one right now... take courage... if you are jazzed for the new semester, new season in life.... then tuck these words away.... you never know when you might need them. We can all learn something from these 3 simple words. I hope they bless you through out this year, as they already have blessed me.

The words were contributed by http://smoothstonesacademy.blogspot.com/2007/12/happy-new-year.html, http://my5wolfcubs.blogspot.com/and http://triviumacademy.blogspot.com/

Friday Meme - Homeschooling Tips & Tricks

Welcome to the Heart of the Matter Online meme. Every Friday we will feature a different topic for our meme. Mr. Linky is set up below so please share with us Tips and Tricks used by your homeschooling family.

Please link directly to your "Tips & Tricks" post. Failure to leave a direct link will result in the removal of your name from Mr. Linky.

The schedule for the theme of the homeschool meme is located in the right column under "Blog With Us". Please check it out to view upcoming themes.




Be sure to check out the posts below for more great things this fabulous Friday!

Unit Studies

U can see, we need your help!
it's Unit Study Time!

Every month Heart of the Matter will host a Unit Study segment that will include links and submissions from home schoolers from all over the world. In the middle of each month I will begin taking submissions for the Unit Study topic of the month. I will combine them into one FABULOUS post and publish it on the first Friday of each month.

It's time for our first Unit Study topic...
February's topic will be

~THE HUMAN BODY~

Please send links to articles, web sites, printables, books or anything else that you think will help us put together a great resource for home schoolers. Send your submissions to my personal email slmdhmac@yahoo.com

I can't wait to see what you dig up!!

The Winner of the Homeschool Care Package Is...

Cindy from High Hopes Academy! Congratulations Cindy!

Stay tuned next week for another fantastic giveaway!

Renewing the Vision

Where there is no vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18

Everyone experiences burn-out, and homeschoolers are no exception. That unsettling feeling that there is no point to what you do each and every day is all too common simply because we are human. Worksheets, spelling tests, and science projects all have a way of becoming a burden if you lose the vision of why you homeschool your children.

September is easy. New notebooks and freshly sharpened pencils spell new beginnings - not to mention the fact that schoolwork will keep the kids busy after all of those long, hot summer afternoons.

December, January, and February? Well, those months wear on me as we slowly crawl over the halfway mark of our school-year, all while the cold, busy days keep us stuck in the house for too many days of the week.

This is when I start praying for a refreshed vision. Why do I do this? What is the point? Beyond accomplishing the day-to-day tasks involved with staying home and homeschooling my children, is there any significance to what I do? Will my efforts really make a difference?

The older my children get, the more readily I can answer this question with a confident “Yes!” Watching as my oldest daughter matures and stretches her wings towards a life all her own, I am aware that the hours, days and years invested have been of great value.

Her ability to make good choices, be herself, and seek what God desires for her life, is from wisdom beyond her years. The armloads of memories I have collected in my years of homeschooling are amazing extras that God is so good to give me.

He reminds me that the homeschooling journey is one of many small investments. Day-by-day I add a little bit to the account that I started years ago. At the times when I most need it, He allows me to reap a sliver of what I have sown. The big payoff comes later, not in one lump sum, but in payments made over a lifetime.

If the load feels too heavy, maybe you have forgotten why you carry it. When the vision fades, it is time to ask for some refreshment and renewed purpose. Knowing why you travel this long road helps you to slow down and enjoy the ride. The years slip away too quickly to make the mistake of missing the beauty of the scenery because you are too busy and exhausted to notice what this journey brings!

Time To Take Five

All too often as a homeschooling mom, I am rushing about trying to get school done. Likewise, it seems that some days my boys are not rushing about with their work, but trying to get school completely undone! I know y'all can relate-- even you mommy's of girls!

I'm ashamed to admit it, but this is what is heard a little too often from the mouth of yours truly:

-Hurry up!
-Come on, FOCUS!
-Okay, now do this and as soon as you are finished, move on to the next assignment.
-Quickly!
-Quit dawdling! You are wasting time.
-That is a time waster. Why are you just sitting there? Get a move on! Your math is not sitting outside the window!

Yup, I'm a regular cheerleader. The leader of the pep squad.

I don't know about y'all, but if someone were telling me that all day long, it wouldn't exactly be the magical words that suddenly made me more productive or quicker or joyful!

One day I was talking to my friend who teaches at a small private school. We were discussing schedules and the inevitable dawdling that occurs with some children. Okay, all children! What stuck out to me the most in our discussion was the large number of breaks that the students were allowed to take.

It never occurred to me that my kids might need a break (even a small one) after doing one measly little page of addition. Or doing one page of handwriting. After all, we just started and *I'm* not tired or bored yet.

Sure they didn't need a break after only 30 minutes of staying on task, but there sure are perks to giving them one anyway-- namely, better attitudes, less dawdling and staying more focused in the post-break period!

My favorite is the 5-minute break. It is juuusst right-- not too long and not too short. Let me list for you some of the beauteous benefits of the aforementioned 5 minute break:

- Kids of the wiggly variety can go potty and do 20 jumping jacks and stand on one leg while trying to count to 30-- preferably not at the exact same time. (And you thought multi-tasking was just for mom's!)
- I can get a refill on my coffee, which requires both sugar and creamer, thankyouverymuch.
- Five minutes is enough to check e-mail or maybe fold some laundry.

- It is enough time for someone (else) to go check the mail, take out the trash or pick up the blocks/puzzle pieces/bzillion cars on the floor.
- Apparently, it is also enough time to brush your teeth when you should've brushed them 2 hours ago!

One of my very dear and very precious children who shall remain nameless is my constant dawdler. It is something he struggles with on a daily basis. This break of cinco minutes has been a fabulous tool to help keep him focused. If he completes his task in a timely manner, he is rewarded with a break. If he does not complete the assignment because he is simply not staying on task, then this much anticipated break is taken away. I'm sorry, but you took so long to do this that you ended up working right through your break! OR No time for a break right now, but you can take one as soon as you are finished with this page.

Now, these breaks are not set on paper because honestly, that would just be another thing to get OFF schedule with... Rather, they are usually tossed about at my discretion-- as a reward, as an incentive or just because *I* need a few minutes to get something done.

I'm telling y'all, this has completely saved me from a breakdown some days. A breakdown that not even the grande-est white chocolate mocha could've saved me from! And lest I forget my dear boys, it has saved them from a non-stop morning of drudgery schoolwork with no end in sight... at least in their minds.

So, dear friends, you are now allowed to move freely about the school day and throw out those 5-minute breaks willy-nilly. Like a lemonade stand in the heat of summer, a break (even if it is really short) can hit the spot for both you and your kids!

Homeschool E-Store's Mock Primary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/15/08

HOMESCHOOLERS INVITED TO VOTE IN THIR VERY OWN MOCK PRIMARY ELECTION. THE POLLS ARE OPEN NOW!

For the first time ever, Homeschoolers are invited to make their voices heard and take part in HomeschoolEstore's Non-Partisan Mock Primary Presidential Election!

Homeschoolers ages 7-17, who are United States residents, will learn about the election process and the 2008 presidential candidates when they cast their vote, anytime between now and February 4th. Results of the election and exit polling results will be available, real-time. Final results will be posted on Monday, February 4th, the day before Super Tuesday. You must have a free HomeschoolEstore account in order to participate. Click here to make your voice heard!

http://www.homeschoolestore.com/catalog/hses_mock_primary.php

Don't miss this opportunity to choose from great discounts on political and patriotic curriculum now at HomeschoolEstore. Discounts up to 50% off, now through February 4th.

http://www.homeschoolestore.com/catalog/election_sale.php

Homeschoolestore is the only retailer of homeschool notebooking pages, unit studies, work books, testing material, mp3 audio and more, all in immediately downloadable, digital format, and all up to 30% below retail prices! Thousands of great titles to choose from, all from the most popular publishers. Plus, a new FREE title, every week!

http://www.homeschoolestore.com//

Do You Ever Feel Like This?

I know I do. Somewhere midpoint through our school year I begin to feel overwhelmed, overburdened and overtired. I have been homeschooling for 5 years and have been both an enrolled and registered home learner. I have tried a variety of curriculum and homeschool approaches. I have gone to homeschool conferences, seminars and meetings. I attend a monthly homeschool support group and have many homeschool friends who have also chosen similar paths - and still, at some point I end up feeling like this guy here. I find I end up saying to myself "Just why am I doing this?"

I found myself saying this very thing one day to a good friend of mine who had the wisdom to tell me, "Yes, why are you doing this? Don't you remember?" I'll never forget that conversation, because whenever I find myself repeating those words, I can hear her reply. Her reply changed my thinking. She reminded me of all the good reasons to homeschool and most importantly she reminded me of He who led me here.

Homeschooling came as an interruption to me. I never dreamed I would homeschool, I never gave it a second thought. I was on my way to become an interior designer and was already apprenticing. My plan was, when my daughters would turn school age, I would design full time. I still remember where I was. I was sitting on the computer (of all things) looking for recipes when the thought came into my head,

Maybe you should homeschool.

"What?" I said aloud. Where did that thought come from?

Maybe you should homeschool.

There it was again. Am I really thinking that? I wondered. Could I really do this?

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding Proverbs 3:5

That was His message to me five years ago, and that is still His message to me today. Of course it wasn't long before I started asking myself the incredibly stupid question: What will people think? Of course it wasn't long before I was met with:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8

So when I find myself feeling like the poor guy at the beginning of this post I remember these things - I remember how I got here, and I remember the One who led me here:

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. John 15:16

May You find comfort in Him and may God bless you all in your homeschool journeys.

Scheduling Woes

With the New Year comes the revision of many things, in our home that includes the revision of our homeschool schedule. With our baby no longer needing an hour and a half morning nap we have been thrown for a loop around here.

Is there one best way to schedule and or plan out your homeschool day? I don’t think so, but I do believe we should have some kind of direction, plan and or schedule laid out for the days activities.

“He who every morning plans the transaction of the day and follows out that plan carries a thread that will guide him through the labyrinth of the most busy life... But where no plan is laid... chaos will soon reign.” Victor Hugo

The days where I have not taken the time to set out a plan or use our schedule quickly become chaotic, stressful and unproductive! A well-ordered homeschool day (even loosely ordered) brings peace and a sense of accomplishment.

My first attempt at scheduling (a few years back) started out with a 15 to 30 minute interval scheduling plan, by the end of the week I was ready to pull all the hair out of my head and throw “scheduling” out the door for good! My scheduling woes were not for a lack of trying but more so for a lack of “fit”. The scheduling plan I was using was not the right fit for my family for the time and season of our lives. I felt as though I was constantly rushing and as if I were punching a clock.

I may revisit that form of scheduling in years to come but for now I am using a very simple block schedule. Block scheduling is very conducive to a home with lots of littles, which means lots of little interruptions! Block scheduling has allowed us to have a calm, unhurried homeschool day, one where we really can enjoy the journey and not get stressed by time-lines that are not being met.

We simply break our day down into 2 to 3 hour blocks, Block 1 starts at 7am, Block 2 starts at 10am, Block 3 at 1pm and so on…

Our schedule is the map for our day but as with any map there is more then one way to get to our destination, we can always take a surprise turn and or veer off the road for unexpected detours. We do attempt to stick to the schedule as often as possible and our boys know the schedule, so there is no squabbling or whining about what to do when.

A few helpful tips for successful scheduling…

There are many reasons why our schedules fail us… lack of discipline, disorganization, procrastination, laziness, over scheduling, under scheduling, and or no motivation. Unfortunately, I have learned this through my own personal struggles.

I believe many fail to plan primarily due to pure frustration and the feeling of defeat from previous attempts.

Be sure to work some flexibility into your schedule. Be flexible!
Don’t set yourself up for failure with unrealistic expectations.
Examine your day and seek the Lord for direction, allow him to order your days.

“Let all things be done decently and in order”. 1 Corinthians 14:40

If you are new to homeschooling and and trying to find a plan or schedule that works for your family, don't give up! Achieving some order during your homeschool day is a very real possibility with a little prayer, perseverance and planning.

This one last tip I would like to share, is one that helps me accomplish a great deal throughout the days many stumbling blocks… keep moving!!! Make your schedule work for you by going about your day with a skip in your step and joy in your heart! When I start to slack, feel lazy and or loose motivation I think of this poem…

From an old English parsonage, down by the sea
There came in the twilight a message to me;
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven
Hath, as it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.
And on through the hours the quiet words ring
Like a low inspiration – "DO THE NEXT THING."

Many a question, many of fear,
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from
Heaven, Time, opportunity, guidance, are given.
Fear not tomorrows, Child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus, "DO THE NEXT THING.

Do it immediately; do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence, tracing His Hand
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe 'neath His wing,
Leave all resultings, "DO THE NEXT THING."

Looking to Jesus, ever serener,

(Working or suffering) be thy demeanor,
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance be thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing,
Then, as He beckons thee, "DO THE NEXT THING."
(Author unknown)

If you're planning on revamping your schedule here at the half way point of the year, I pray the Lord will give you the wisdom and direction to fulfill his perfect plan for your family!

Homeschooler of the Week: Trish

Let's all welcome this week's Homeschooler of the Week: Trish from A Joyful Heart!








Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm quite honored ~ and thoroughly humbled. I believe on your blog you wrote something to the effect of "I'm just little ol' me" ~ I feel that way so often! I learn something new about homeschooling almost every single day ~ you'd think after 13 years of homeschooling I'd have it all together and all figured out. Nothing could be further from the truth.

I live in a home full of males, which probably explains a LOT about me! I married my high school sweetheart ~ we have been married for over 18 years. We have 2 teenage sons and a 5-year-old black Lab. I grew up in Montana, and to date I have lived in 9 different states. I've been all over the US and Canada, including the Alaska Highway (also known as the Al-Can Highway). A few of my pastimes are knitting, crochet, papercrafts, reading and photography. I love dark chocolate and the smell of pumpkin spice candles.

When and how did you start blogging?
I started blogging about a year and a half ago. It all started because of a dare from my sons. I heard them talking about a friend's blog one day, and I made the comment that blogging would be a great way for us to keep in touch with our friends and family who are spread out all over the world. The boys laughed at me, told me I was "too old to understand blogging" and then they dared to me try blogging for a month. Of course I accepted their dare, and began my first blog on TypePad. Within a week I had figured out how to put graphics, blinkies, links, photos and all manner of doodads and goodies on my blog, and had written several posts. I've stuck with it, and recently moved my blog from TypePad to Blogger. Guess I showed them, huh? LOL ~ call me too old; I don't think so! ;)

How long have you been homeschooling?
We began homeschooling when our oldest son started kindergarten ~ this is our 13th school year of homeschooling.

Our older son, Patrick, is currently enrolled in a small (about 250 students) high school for academically advanced students. By the time he was in 10th grade I couldn't keep up with him. The high school he attends offers classes like quantum mechanics, vector mathematics and oracle database (I don't even know what "oracle databse" means!). It's the perfect environment for him.

Our younger son, Sawyer, is homeschooling 9th grade this year, and so far I'm managing to keep up with him. Having him home with lots of time for one on one teaching and attention has been an unexpected blessing of the older son being "in school". Sawyer and I love to challenge each other. I think there are days when I learn far more from him than he learns from me.

Tell us a little about your children.
I have 2 boys who are both teenagers and complete joys to be with; Patrick is 17 and Sawyer is 15. Patrick is very much a first child ~ he is confident, a leader-type of young man, artistic, loves to sing, and is teaching himself to play the guitar. Sawyer is our jokester. He loves to push his brother's buttons, and he knows exactly which buttons to push and how! He's very active in our church's youth ministry, youth choir, and homeschool co-op. Sawyer plays the French horn and has his father's math brain.

Have either of your boys picked up your love for blogging?
Each of my boys started a blog, but neither of them has stuck with it.

Where do you do most of your homeschooling?
Pretty much wherever we feel like it! Mostly in our home ~ in the living room or at the dining room table. Sawyer prefers to do the majority of his work in his bedroom at his desk. We attend a homeschool co-op once a week, and we also join some friends at their house twice a week for chemistry class.

What is the hardest thing about homeschooling?
For me it's planning. I'm not a planner ~ I'm more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants type of girl. I have found there are certain curricula that have very good teacher's manuals, and they are a definite blessing.

I noticed y'all are a reading family. Do you have any favorite read-alouds from over the years?
We used Sonlight for years, and of course there are lots and lots of read-aloud books with that curriculum. We do love to read. I think the books we have enjoyed the most though are 2 books we started reading out loud when the boys were very little ~ Horton Hatches the Egg and Tales from the Thicket. They're fun books to read, especially if you enjoy giving each character their own voice as you read aloud, which I do. It's probably a little silly, but I still read those books out loud a couple of times a year, just for fun.

What do you love most about homeschooling?
I love that I have been able to spend so much of my boys' childhood and teenage years with them. I love the freedom homeschooling gives us ~ it's really quite portable, you know? We have been able to take trips and see things we would have otherwise missed. I love that my husband and I know exactly what it is that our kids are learning. Homeschooling has been the most amazing adventure for us ~ I wouldn't trade the years we've homeschooled for anything in this world.

What is the strangest or funniest thing someone has said to you about homeschooling?
Well, there are the usual questions that I'm sure every homeschooler has faced: what about socialization? aren't you afraid of sheltering your kids too much? Etc., etc. I guess the strangest questions have been, "Aren't you afraid your kids will turn out to be geeks, or weird or something?" "Don't you think you should leave the job of educating to the experts? I mean, what makes you think you're qualified to teach your children? " Wow ~ that opened up a really big can of worms!

Another time a friend said to me, "Trish, homeschooling is calling. My phone has NOT rung!"

Where do you usually buy your curriculum and other items?
We have bought curriculum from so many different places and companies I don't think I can even remember them all! I guess our main curriculum in the past has been Sonlight ~ we're huge readers. But we've never limited ourselves to just one publisher, curriculum or company. This year we're using Beautiful Feet Books History Guides, Teaching Textbooks (math), and Apologia Science as our main texts. We have other curricula thrown in there as well. We like to buy our curriculum from small, family-owned book companies or from the publisher ~ we'll buy from the big guys (CBD, Amazon, etc.) if we have to.

What is your favorite piece of advice for a new homeschooler?
I think the most important thing a new homeschooler should know is that there's no such thing as "the perfect homeschooler". There are just homeschoolers, and we're all different from each other. I agree with my friend about homeschooling being a calling. If God leads you to homeschool, consider it your call and your phone is ringing! Pray, pray, pray ~ about everything. Find a homeschooling mentor, read, research, learn what you need to learn in order to be somewhat knowledgeable, then pray, pray, pray again. It will be tough at times, especially at the beginning, but it will also be one of the most amazing journeys of your life.