January 09 Edition | Heart of the Matter

January 7, 2009 By The Amies 4 Comment

We are very excited to announce that you can now view our magazine in THREE ways:

Click here to be taken to the flipbook version, where you can click and turn the pages as you would a print magazine. Be sure to turn your sound on.
Click here to download the magazine in pdf format.
Click here and scroll down to view the articles in blog format.

Heart of the Matter celebrates our first birthday today. Has it been a year already? Wow! It most certainly has. We’ve come a long way and have so much yet to look forward to. Thank you for being a part of it.

One year ago I could not have imagined the outcome of this little “project.” We just wanted to help homeschooling parents to have access to as much as we could provide without having a price tag attached. After all, we are parents too and we know how far a dollar and a little bit of encouragement goes. Through the transitions and phases we have seen the ever present hand of God moving and gently crafting together His vision right before our eyes. We are simply funnels that He chose alongside a team of the most talented and gifted writers and speakers in the homeschool community. It is truly an awesome adventure that I am thrilled to be able to be a part of.

I remember watching my children grow in the womb and thinking day after day, “God when will this baby be born?” Yet, I’d treasure every day that I had him to myself. I knew that once he was born I’d have to share him but I was also anxious to meet him face to face and have all my questions about who he was answered. Then after he was born I looked forward to each milestone, each step, each experience, and each day with gladness and anticipation. I don’t yet know the man he will grow up to be but I just trust God each and every day to guide me as to how to train him, mold him, and care for him. It is a lot like how Amy and I view Heart of the Matter. A precious gift that causes us to trust God so that we can nurture, care for, mold and shape according to His will. We pray that it will always remain about Him and His people and never about any of us. Please join us in prayer for that.

Our ongoing prayer to God is that you would all develop the kind of relationship with your family that God intended. May you and your family be richly and wonderfully blessed in 2009!

In This Issue:
A Day in the Life of Homeschooling Boys by Darcy (Life With My 3 Boybarians)
A Glimpse into My Homeschool Life by The Nester
An Unplanned Delight-Directed Homeschool Day by Robin Sampson
Common Sense Solutions: Stress Free Writing by Dr. Ruth Beechick and Debbie Strayer
Family Traditions by Karin Katherine
Fun with Photography Featuring Lightroom 2 by Dawn
Homeschool Burnout – Rising from the Ashes by Dawn and Sprittibee
Incentives for Physical Fitness by Sallie Anderson
Letting Go of Teaching by Lee Binz
Love Hate Relationship with Physical Education by Carletta Sanders
Narration: Simple, Easy, and Exciting by Leslie Valeska
On the Rocks? by Jamie Worley
Raise Your Hands! by Lori MacMath
They Learn From You First by Belinda Bullard
To Love, Honor, and Vacuum: It’s the Little Things by Sheila Wray Gregoire
To Please My Husband by Dana Hanley
Wait! Before you Stop the Car and Get Out… 10 Burnout Busters that Can Help! by Debra Anderson
What a Day, What a Day! by Lisa Smith (Stretchmark Mama)

Upcoming Events:
1/9 Meme: Keeping Your New Year Commitments
1/10 Bible Study: Walking Among Them
1/11 Featured Homeschooler
1/12 Homeschool Twitter Chat
1/16 Video Meme: Thoughts on Inauguration Day & President
1/17 Book Club: What Happens…
1/18 Around the Web
1/23 Unit Study: Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday
1/24 Bible Study – part 2
1/25 Featured Homeschooler
1/30 Meme: Goofiest Response Ever..
2/6 Meme: Beating Those Winter Blues
2/7 How To Tutorial
2/8 Featured Homeschooler
2/9 Homeschool Twitter Chat
2/13 Video Meme: Why I Love My Spouse
2/14 Bible Study part 3
2/15 Around the Web
2/20 Unit Study: Black History Month
2/21 Book Club: Making Children…
2/22 Featured Homeschooler
2/27 Meme: Real Life Subjects
2/28 Bible Study part 4
3/6 Meme: Sharing the Resources
3/7 How To Tutorial
3/8 Featured Homeschooler
3/9 Homeschool Twitter Chat
3/13 Video Meme: Family Heritage
3/14 Bible Study part 5
3/15 Around the Web
3/20 Meme: Indoor Gardening
3/22 Featured Homeschooler
3/21 Book Club: Organizing For Life
3/27 Meme: Person of the Past
3/28 Bible Study part 6
4/4 How To Tutorial
4/8 Heart of the Matter Magazine Spring Edition

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January 7, 2009 By Sheila 4 Comment

One of the most intriguing movies I have seen is Gwyneth Paltrow’s Sliding Doors. The movie follows a woman’s life in two possible scenarios, based on whether or not she missed a subway or caught it at just the right time. We often think that the pivotal moments in our lives are the big ones: when we propose, when we recite our vows, when we accept a job, have a child, or purchase a house. But I’m starting to think the really pivotal moments are far smaller — so small we may not recognize they are pivotal. They’re the ones where God really tests our mettle and finds out if we truly walk in His steps.

Like Sliding Doors, one little decision that we make can launch a chain reaction in our lives. Take a marriage, for instance. People don’t just divorce because one Sunday afternoon it occurs to them that this person they married is a stranger. It happens gradually, by the little decisions that we make together. And it’s easier to be tempted in the little things that wreck relationships, than in the big things. But those little things can lead to big changes, even when we don’t see it coming.

He decides to start working harder to get that promotion, and it becomes easier to just grab dinner on the run. She becomes wrapped up in the kids’ lives, and when he does make it home, she’s busy with them. He forges some great friendships at work, where he spends most of his time, and shares with them about his career goals. She falls in bed exhausted one night, and they don’t pray together. And soon the relationship has faded. And yet it wasn’t due to any one thing; it was a series of small decisions.

As depressing as that scenario may be, though, the opposite is also true. When she decides to kiss him when he comes in the door (or when she comes in the door), even if she’s grumpy from the day, she builds goodwill. When he wants to watch a game, but he puts that aside because she obviously needs to talk, he builds goodwill. When she makes a point of ensuring the kids make Father’s Day cards, or when he helps the kids make breakfast in bed for her, they share God’s love and acceptance. When he takes her hand to pray after a particularly grueling day, even though they’d both rather sleep, they bind their spirits together.

It works in other important relationships, too. When we don’t erupt in anger because our teen’s hair resembles a sheepdog, but take him out for ice cream even if he won’t talk, we build goodwill. When we don’t insult a child’s friends, but instead invite them over to hang out and start talking to them, we build goodwill. When we don’t react sarcastically to a teen’s monosyllabic conversation, but give her a hug regardless, we show her God’s love.

Doing this alone, though, seems almost impossible. Quite often, when two people grow apart, the blame does lie more heavily with one than the other. But sometimes all it takes for reconciliation is for one person to decide to get the relationship back on track. And if you don’t think you have the strength to do that, remember that you probably don’t. But God does. And He doesn’t ask you to do anything that He hasn’t already done Himself. And that’s why He can help you forgive, help you love, and help you move forward.

Two people do not become strangers overnight. Likewise, true oneness isn’t built overnight. Through the little choices that we make, we can gradually choose to be on the wrong road, and the gulf can get wider and wider, or we can choose to be on the road that builds relationship. One is a wide road; it’s the one many follow, and it’s the one that leads to broken relationships, broken dreams, and a broken spirit. And one is a narrow road; it’s rockier and more difficult, but it leads to reconciliation and joy. In the little things, which road will you choose?

Check out my article on page 12 of the new flipbook edition of Heart of the Matter Magazine.

Sheila Wray Gregoire is a popular homeschool speaker and the author of four books, including To Love, Honor and Vacuum: When you feel more like a maid than a wife and a mother. If she’s not homeschooling her two daughters and her nephew, she’s probably knitting. Even in line at the grocery store. You can read her blog at tolovehonorandvacuum.blogspot.com, and find her at www.sheilawraygregoire.com.

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January 7, 2009 By Dawn 6 Comment

Burnout. The sound of the word itself reminds me of spent canons, smoking guns, or smoldering embers where once there was a passion and a fire. In the words of Sam Keen, “Burnout is nature’s way of telling you, you’ve been going through the motions. Your soul has departed; you’re a zombie, a member of the walking dead, a sleepwalker.” No wonder homeschool mothers dread it. Many a homeschool mom has succumbed to burnout and sadly mistaken it for a sign that she is incapable of teaching her children or that her kids would be better off in public school. That is why it is so important for us to take a spiritual and physical inventory on a regular basis as the providers of our children’s education. You can’t give anything that you yourself don’t have. We must first take care of the mama so mama can nurture and bless her babies.

Are You Burned Out?
How do you know if you are nearing a period of burnout or already in one? See if any of these symptoms describe how you feel:

Inability to cope
Feeling overwhelmed
Depression
Lack of patience
Lack of enthusiasm
Lack of motivation
Fatigue – mental or physical
Zoning out
“I don’t care” attitude
Hopelessness
Under or overeating
No sense of priority
Crying easily
Grumpiness
Inability to manage time well
Wanting to hide or get away without your family

Those types of feelings are typical to all of us at one time or another, and having a little of some may be healthy from time to time – because life is not always easy. However, if you find yourself struggling with these on a weekly or daily basis and become increasingly aware that they are not going away, maybe it is time to seek out some godly counsel. Talking with someone who is not biased towards the situation may bring new light on the roots of your problem – so you can see clearly to untangle yourself. Maybe you have a loving parent who has your best interest in mind and is not afraid to tell you when you need a change. Maybe you have a long-time homeschooling friend who has been a mentor to you in the past. In a time when you are depressed and overwhelmed, two heads are definitely better than one clouded mind.

Getting to the Root of the Problem
I’m sure you have heard that the first step to healing is admitting there’s a problem. The same rings true with homeschool burnout. We are creatures of habit. We are also prone to continue in those habits even if they are unproductive and damaging – leading us further and further away from our goals. It is amazing how one can be frustrated by what they do, and yet continue to do it. This is the human way. Creatures of flesh often need to be reminded that their way is NOT the best way. Sometimes God allows our ‘brick walls’ to bring us back to reality – that He is the Way and He requires our willingness to be teachable, to change, and to seek Him above all else.
Recognizing the cause of your burnout is the first step in breaking free and setting yourself back on a path of success. The obvious causes of burnout are the same as the obvious causes of depression: pregnancy, birth of a new child, illness, moving, job changes or loss, or death of a loved one. These are life changes that you can not escape.

Each of us faces these in our due time and thankfully, they are only temporary. Those that tend to be at the root of the problem more often, however, are the habits we neglect to change and the negative attitudes we allow to settle. Fears, unrealistic expectations (it isn’t realistic to expect success when we take on so many outside activities that our academics suffer), comparing ourselves to other homeschoolers, or not maintaining consistent discipline will all undermine your attempt to maintain order in the home. Prayerlessness can also be a cause of burnout. If we neglect to abide in the Giver of our strength, it is likely we won’t have any to stay the course. Homeschooling is not easy. But if you understand WHY you homeschool and have a firm resolve to finish the race, there is hope that you won’t be disappointed even when the road gets difficult.

First Step to Healing the Home-teacher’s Heart
Christian homeschoolers have a decided advantage when it comes to burnout. We have access to supernatural strength reserves. Even though burnout is inevitable, it will pass after it comes. Our job is to help it pass quickly and not allow it to settle in and stick around. Refuse to have a pity party or sulk by yourself. Refuse the temptation to take out your frustration on the ones you love the most. Instead, seek the Lord’s wisdom and refreshing – He gives generously to all who ask.

Proverbs 2:6 – For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Prayer is the homeschool mom’s best defense against the onslaught of burnout. Prayer is an act of dedication. It is admitting your need for God. The bible says that we can do nothing without Him. Why, then, do we think we can homeschool affectively if we don’t abide in Him daily? You can know what burnout is, have all the how-to books on the market about beating it, understand ways to overcome it, and still be living in a state of defeat if you aren’t abiding in the Lord. With God’s indispensable help, you CAN get your joy back. Joy is absolutely essential in learning. Try teaching a child in tears and you will know exactly how important a cheerful disposition truly is. Learning is a natural drive that sparks the heart to find purpose. Homeschooling in a rut is no way to inspire the children to learn.

God speaks through our prayers to bring about a changed in attitude that is desperately needed. Prayer is our means of supplication (asking for what we need) – in fact, James 4:2 says “You have not because you ask not.” Not only can He provide the power we need, but He can right our mindset. Praying shows that we admit we are powerless and He is able. It gets us back on God’s program when we need divine intervention in our programming; and thus begin the praises, the thankfulness… which in turn softens our hearts and brings us back to our senses. Often times when we feel the least like praying is when we need to be doing it the most!

S.O.S. (Scheduling, Organization, Support)
Take proactive measures to help prevent burnout. Schedule your time realistically. If you are not an early riser by nature, don’t set your school day to begin at 6:30 a.m. It might work for a few days, but it probably won’t last and then you’ll end up feeling like you’ve failed. Outside activities are great, but you’ll quickly burnout if you’re constantly running from one place to another. Schedule your outside time wisely. It’s called homeschooling for a reason.

Organizing your homeschool is a both a timesaver and a stress buster. If you live in a state that requires you to submit monthly attendance, layout your yearly calendar and then fill out and print your monthly reports at the beginning of the school year. File them in stamped and addressed envelopes so they’re ready to mail at the beginning of each month. Extra desk-work in the beginning of the school year can keep you smooth sailing when the busy autumn and winter months are beating down your door.

Lost books can be a huge source of frustration. Inexpensive plastic baskets can be used to hold each child’s books, and these can be lined up on a bookshelf. Simplify your school space. Remove distractions and put things you need in the right areas so you don’t have to go find them. Create a daily lunch schedule and keep the necessary items on hand. If they’re old enough, train your kids to prepare their own lunch. Often homeschool moms forget to employ the free labor of a willing teacher’s pet! Your children will learn valuable organizational and life skills if you allow them to have some responsibilities.

Create a spreadsheet with subjects and curriculum for each child. Break down your lesson plan into segments: by year, semester, quarter, and week. Delegate authority – give your children responsibility for chores and school assignments. Create a school planner, even if it’s a simple store-bought weekly/monthly calendar. If you are able, use a digital system to keep your school records and cut your paper trail. Search features in software will save you a ton of searching time if you grade your children’s papers. You can also enlist your kids in helping to create their own portfolios – having them sort through each week’s papers to purge and keep their best work.

Join a support group or co-op to connect with other homeschooling moms. You and your children can both benefit from the support and socialization. Just be sure you don’t sign up for every activity available or you’ll eventually become overwhelmed. It can’t be said enough: sometimes it’s best to “just say NO” to outside activities, even if they’re good ones.

Other ways to prevent or deal with burnout include:

Find a “kids eat free” special at a local restaurant and give yourself a cooking-free night each week (or let your older kids cook a meal without your supervision one night a week).
Plan a mom’s night out with other homeschooling moms to discuss burnout and how to deal with it. You are not alone!
Take a trip by yourself to a book store, library, or favorite spot for quiet planning or “mama time.”
Break the routine and go on a field trip.
Join a co-op or find an outside class or tutor for subjects that you find difficult to teach.

Ask for your husband’s help and share your feelings with him – you need moral support! Sign him up for the Familyman Ministries newsletter by Todd Wilson (http://www.familymanweb.com), and buy him a copy of Todd’s book: Help! I’m Married to a Homeschooling Mom. For yourself, get a copy of Todd’s Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe, which addresses such fallacies as “everyone else’s kids are better than yours” and “every other mom loves homeschooling her kids.”

Above all, show grace. Your kids are fallible and so are you; don’t demand perfection of either. Cover your family and your homeschool in prayer, and ask others to do the same. Burnout may not be avoidable, but understanding its symptoms, causes, and methods to prevent and deal with it can help you find peace while schooling at home.

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Check out our article on page 24 of the new flipbook edition of Heart of the Matter Magazine.

Sprittibee (Heather)has been homeschooling for 6 years and has one crazy husband, 2 crazy kids (ages 9 and 11) and 2 crazy cats. When she isn’t making Tex-Mex, learning web design, teaching the kids, or rubbing her face on the cat’s belly, she loves to blog. Heather reminds us to stop and smell the proverbial flowers on this journey we call homeschooling. Not every day will be a great one. She admonishes us to learn to focus on the beauty of the moments God has blessed us with – for better or for worse – because our hearts are shaped by the memories we are making. Visit her blog at Sprittibee.

Dawn has been homeschooling her eight children–ages pre-K to college–since 1993. Her interests include photography, and both graphic and web design. She is the owner of Barefoot Blog Designs, and also blogs at My Home Sweet Home, her photoblog and The Homeschool Post.

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January 7, 2009 By Leslie 2 Comment

If you follow a Charlotte Mason approach to homeschooling, you already know what narration is. If you don’t, in a brief summary narration is the retelling of a story, event, or lesson to help “seal” the knowledge learned. What makes narration a great part of all school experiences is that it can be done at ALL levels (even pre-school) through graduation. Who needs boring old book reports when you can use creative narration?

A creative idea for incorporating narration into your schooling is with the use of dioramas. Many of us have made at least one diorama during our school years. Most commonly narration is either a written or oral retelling of a part of a story or an analysis of sorts for older students. This is a wonderful and useful method, but as with any type of lesson, an element of fun and a method that can be re-created over and over in a unique way and gets your student excited with each project is often an option that parents may want to consider incorporating in their lessons. Dioramas offer a much wider scope of narration with benefits that will create lasting lessons with any subject!

Firstly, the basic “stage” for dioramas is shoe boxes. If you are like me, you may not keep shoe boxes around; but don’t despair. Next time you are out on errand day, stop at a shoe store and ask if they have any extra empty shoe boxes. Take only as many as you need since you likely don’t have room to store them in your home. I have never gone to a shoe store and not been able to get shoe boxes! While shoe boxes are the most common “stage” for dioramas other options can really spark creativity in your child’s mind. Consider other types of boxes such as larger boxes from warehouse clubs. These boxes are often more sturdy as well and offer flaps that can be used for doors or extra wings. Smaller or narrow boxes such as cereal or tissue boxes will also offer a different setting that will offer a setting that challenges your child’s mind. Try thinking outside the box all together and use bottles or buckets. When acquiring shoe boxes don’t specify size and you will be given a variety of box sizes all the time. This creates a new dynamic in the construction of dioramas.

Dioramas can be used to retell what a child has learned in ANY subject with little instruction from Mom. This is the best way for Mom to assess what her child has learned. Simply instruct your child on what you want them to use the diorama for, i.e. telling time, a recitation, story, science lesson, vocabulary, historic period or event, life skill, spelling, geography study, etc. Ask them a few key questions about what they know, then guide them (don’t give specific instructions) as to what steps to use in constructing the diorama. Try giving your child a short checklist of concepts or ideas you want them to demonstrate. This will assure that your child covers the matter you want to assess and give your child the freedom to demonstrate that knowledge in a way that best suits their personality and learning style. Have the craft supplies you are willing to allow them to use on hand and let them go. If you have a child who does not have an artistic bent, consider offering a different set of art and crafting supplies for each diorama. Before long you will see your child using their creative side in amazing ways!

One of the most important aspects (and often one of the most difficult for Mom) of using dioramas is that these can be almost completely constructed without the help of Mom; giving a true assessment of your child’s learning. These don’t have to be perfect moms! You want your children to retell what they have learned in a way that is meaningful to them. It also doesn’t have to look like a picture perfect project fit for a photo shoot. If you have ever been to science fair, you can tell the projects that have been completely constructed by children and those that have had adult hands on help.

This is their project and their chance to show what they have learned. I have found that the repetition of dioramas for narration offers a wonderful opportunity to document progress in from a much broader scope than typically used with testing or written and oral narration. The reason for this is that your child will be using all parts of their brain to construct the project, which other methods of narration do not. Once a diorama is complete allow the child a few minutes in front of the family or guests to orally retell what the diorama is all about. This will further help reinforce the lessons they have learned and give them an opportunity to speak in front of a group in a non-threatening way. You will truly be amazed by the creativity of your children and how much the lesson has been cemented by using this idea.

This is an especially great method for children who are hands-on learners, but can also assist those who are auditory learners to hone their hands on abilities. Since it can be used for any subject and lesson the idea is perfect for any schooling approach, be it classical, Charlotte Mason, un-schooling, unit study, eclectic, relaxed, etc it is a terrific way for children to demonstrate what they have learned. For record keeping purposes, you can simply take a picture of each diorama and ask your child to with dictate or write a short summary.

Check out my article on page 34 of the new flipbook edition of Heart of the Matter Magazine.

Leslie Valeska is the wife of Thomas and homeschooling mother of four children who reside in SW Florida. Her family operates Fresh Gear Solutions, LLC and enjoys RVing. She is the founder and director of Simple Journey Ministries which was established to encourage, inspire, and support women on their journey to Godly womanhood. Leslie is also employed as a vintage seamstress by Vintage Vixen.

Diorama photo courtesy Benny Mazur, Flickr

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January 7, 2009 By Guest 1 Comment

I know what you’re thinking. The title is an oxymoron because writing is a source of great stress among homeschoolers today. Here are some ideas to improve your child’s writing without adding stress.

Begin with thinking. When your child thinks about a topic, he is going through the beginning steps of composition. So help him to read about and listen to the topic. Discuss it with him. Through these activities, he is taking in information, translating it into his own words and putting it in order in his mind. It is easy to tell when a child has skipped this thinking part. The writing is not in the child’s own word’s. And it does not show the natural organization that pre-thinking would produce.

This thinking is an easy step to include in your writing lessons. When you are learning about any topic in history or Bible or whatever, take the time to ask your child what he thinks about it. Listen and paraphrase his words back to him. Say, “What I hear you saying is….Is that right?” This gives him a chance to either agree or disagree. And this helps him organize in his mind.

Move to the writing. You began with some of the thinking steps above. Now help the child use that thinking. Help him see that writing is just telling what he thinks. Start by asking questions on a topic you are sure he knows, and ask him to write his answers down. Don’t worry if the answer begins with “Because” or is a sentence fragment. Remedy that later. For now the important thing is to get his words on paper. This way he gains confidence and sees himself as a writer. Too much fussing over the format and structure at this fragile time can stunt his growth for quite a while.

Make the amount of writing you ask for at this step in the process small enough for the child’s handwriting stamina. If he is a perfectionist and doesn’t want to write anything that may be misspelled, then get out a pack of sticky notes and write any words he needs on a note. Stick it next to the child so he can closely copy the word and doesn’t have to rely on hearing you spell it. This contributes to his visual memory of the words. It is not cheating to tell your child the spelling. This enables him to focus on the task of writing and not be distracted with dictionary skills.

Use these writing steps thoroughly with beginning and reluctant writers. Continue until the child is able to write down his thinking without too much difficulty. Confident writers may need less help turning their original thinking steps into writing.

An audience. When your child first begins to write down his thoughts, his audience is himself and maybe you. Ask him to read his ideas to himself, and then maybe to you. Many children read back what they thought they wrote, rather than what they really wrote. Don’t be upset by this. I often find in my adult writing that I left out a word, or put in a different word. Usually just discovering the difference is instruction enough for the child. He does not have to correct every error in writing at this time. Your child may stay at this stage for quite a while. Don’t rush him to move on. Confidence increases by becoming very fluent at this stage.

Later you can teach that further step of accuracy. When he writes for an out of home audience, the child should aim for accuracy. So if he discovers mistakes and is ready to make a correction, offer him a sticky note. Revising and correcting can be very discouraging, so make it as easy as you can.

Begin with the thinking, then slowly move to the writing, then finally edit and work for accuracy. This does not happen all at once. When a child grows through these steps, then he can communicate with his audiences. Step by stress-free step you have helped your child begin to see himself as a writer.

Check out our article on page 16 of the new flipbook edition of Heart of the Matter Magazine.

Debbie Strayer is a veteran educator, speaker, author and home educator. She enjoys spending time with her husband of thirty years and her grown children.

Dr. Ruth Beechick, too, has spent many years teaching and writing on education. She specializes in curriculum and in how children learn. She is mother of two and grandmother of four and loves working together with Debbie because they think alike on education matters. For more books and articles, see debbiestrayer.com.

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January 7, 2009 By Lee 6 Comment

“I always thought the idea of teaching was highly overrated. I was more interested that my kids learned. ”
~Lee Binz

Stop Teaching and Start Learning
Do you sometimes long for an “escape from teaching?” I sure did, especially as my kids got a little older. The good news is that your days playing the “teacher” role will someday come to an end. Instead your role will evolve to that of a “learning facilitator.”

It’s true: there comes a point in most homeschools where you must let go of the idea of “teaching” everything. Usually, this comes in high school, with calculus, physics, and foreign language. Depending on how passionate your student is on a particular subject, this time can come much earlier. Sometimes that will mean you find self-teaching curriculum and allow them to learn without your help. But sometimes “not teaching” really means just letting go!

If your child loves something, and you see that it is your child’s area of specialization, then you don’t need to have control over it. Kids truly enjoy learning about their interests. You don’t have to test them, or make them write papers. You don’t have to outline a course or develop a learning plan. You don’t have to give quizzes or have oral presentations. Just let them experience it!

Here are two key strategies that will encourage a passion in your children without turning it into a school subject:

Find a Mentor
Encourage them in their interests by finding mentors through clubs and colleges. Ask yourself, if you had that interest as an adult, how would YOU find a way to meet like-minded people? If your child loves birds, you may need to Google “ornithology clubs” to find a group, but I know there are many. You can find mentors by contacting small, friendly colleges to find a helpful professor. Ask around at church and other community groups to see if you can find an adult with the same interests. It took a LONG time before we found suitable mentors in economics for Alex. The first two mentors we tried weren’t a perfect fit, but they were still helpful, because they eventually led to the two great mentors. Dr. Doug Downing (left), Seattle Pacific University Economics professor and author of “Algebra the Easy Way,” encouraged Alex (right) to present his research at an international economics conference. Dr. Jay Richards, co-author of “The Privileged Planet” (center), allowed Alex to collaborate with him on his upcoming book.

Of course, following their interests also means that you have to go with your child, drive them, wait for them, and all the other inconvenient things that happen to parents who encourage their child’s interests. Sorry about that! On the bright side, after spending so many hours waiting for my son at various coffee shops, I became friends with my barista!

If you hit a stagnant period, there are things you can do to spur on your child in their pursuits. You can search curriculum catalogs, and see what books and curriculum your child seems to love. My son actually ASKED for Sonlight American Government when he was young, just because he was interested. Accidentally leave various curriculum catalogs scattered about the house. See what the pick up and start reading. Pick up interesting videos from the library or from The Teaching Company. Watch videos on the subject they are passionate about and listen for clues about how to get involved while your child is just enjoying the content. You could search for scholarships in their area of interest, and see if they can apply for scholarships within that specialization.

Eleven year old Courtney became a Vet Assistant by following her dreams. How daunting that must have been for her mother! But if she can do it, then we can find a way of encouraging passion in our children, too! Here is the link to Courtney.

Don’t Work Ahead – Follow Behind Instead!
Don’t work ahead of them by writing tests or worksheets. Relax! You don’t have to assess them with tests, just look at what they are doing and saying. Allow them to write school papers on the topic of their choice. Then if they produce some high school writing on the subject they love, then you can include that in their documentation of the class. I tried OFTEN to give them the choice of writing topics. Toward the end of the year, however, I would have to say, “Ok, but this time NOTHING on economics or American history!”

As they are enjoying their interests, follow along behind them and try to shovel up what you can for class documentation. It will help in the long run if you keep some high school records. When they produce something on their own, make sure you save it in your file. Perhaps they will make a short video, perform with their violin, or teach a homeschool class. That’s how you know they are learning – you don’t have to give a test! Save the item, rejoice that they are learning for fun, and don’t stress about it! As they are learning naturally, think about what they are reading, using, or doing – and keep track of it. It may be book titles you can save, but not always. It may be plays they attended, computer tutorials they viewed, or instruction manuals they read. Later on, you can group those things together, and write a posthumous course description. It still doesn’t mean you have to control what they do when they are learning. You’re just writing down what they did while they were learning on their own.

Writings, drawings, work experiences, record of group meetings, etc. Just grab samples of what they do for fun, without making them do anything. When the year is done, you can group those experiences together and use it as a course description of what was done.

Resources
Take a look over my “Homeschooling College” Dig Deeper page, and see if you get some ideas from there. I have a page on “Homeschooling Gifted Teens.” I got a lot of support from Hoagies Gifted Education. It has a “Gifted 101″ page that may help you think through the issues and talk to your family.

On my website, you can read about my Sample Comprehensive Record, you can see an example of how we did “Self Directed Courses” (see links on this page.) Critical Thinking, Public Speaking, Occupational Education, and Russian History were on Kevin’s record. My other son had self-directed courses in Economics, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Business Law, Psychology, Principles of Marketing, etc. It’s possible for kids to learn things JUST because they love it. And parents can pick up the mess they leave behind and turn it into a wonderful course description for what the kid has done!

God put these passions in your children. He has also given them to you to love, encourage, and grow. It’s very challenging to have “passionate” kids, and each one is unique. It helps to remember that you are the best person for the job (in God’s opinion, anyway!)

Links:
The Teaching Company: http://www.teach12.com/teach12.aspx?ai=16281
Courtney’s Critters: http://courtneyscritters.googlepages.com/
Homeschooling College: http://www.squidoo.com/How_2_Homeschool_College
Homeschooling Gifted Teens: http://www.squidoo.com/homeschooling_gifted_teens
Hoagies Gifted Education: http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/
Gifted 101: http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/gifted_101.htm
Self Directed Courses: http://www.thehomescholar.com/products_samplerecord.php

Check out my article on page 30 of the new flipbook edition of Heart of the Matter Magazine.

Lee Binz is a veteran homeschooling mom of two and the owner of The HomeScholar, “Helping parents homeschool through high school.” She has a new free minicourse called “The 5 Biggest Mistakes Parents Make When Homeschooling High School”. You can sign up for her free email newsletter The HomeScholar Record and get your daily dose of wisdom via e-mail from The HomeScholar Blog.

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January 7, 2009 By Guest 1 Comment

Those of us who went to traditional schools tend to have a love/hate relationship with physical education. If you were naturally athletic, looked great in gym shorts and adept at dodging dodge balls, you probably loved P.E. If you were uncoordinated, too skinny, too chubby or always the last one picked for the team, you were likely on the hate end of the equation.

No matter what type of experience we had when we were in school, we can make P.E. an enjoyable part of our children’s education. P.E. encourages children to live active lifestyles, and helps them build healthy habits that they will carry with them into adulthood.

Physical activity is also a great way to help children burn off their seemingly endless supply of energy. This is especially important for kinesthetic learners who need to move in order to learn. Some parents have found it helpful to begin their school day by letting their children run a few laps around the block.

A solid P.E. program should focus on helping children develop strong muscles, cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility. Most experts recommend at least 1 to 3 hours of moderate to vigorous activity per day for school age children. This activity can be completed in one or two large chunks of time, or broken up into small increments throughout the day. Here are some simple, inexpensive ways to add physical education to your homeschool routine.

Stock your home with inexpensive athletic equipment like balls, jump ropes, hula hoops, and Frisbees. Allow your children to explore this equipment on their own, then show your children different ways of using the materials and introduce simple skill building activities.

Walking is suitable for children of all ages and fitness levels, and best of all – it’s free! Start with a short walk around the block, a trip to the local corner store, or even window shopping at a local mall. Gradually increase your pace and distance, and keep your walks interesting by varying route and location. If there is a lake or nature preserve nearby, combine science and P.E. by taking your kids on a nature hike.

Skateboarding, roller-skating, rollerblading, and bike riding are fun activities that can really get the heart pumping. Make sure your children wear helmets, elbow pads and knee pads, and follow other safety precautions when using wheeled equipment.

Parks provide readymade cardiovascular and strength building opportunities for students of all ages. Ladders, slides, swings, and monkey bars promote gross motor development. If your children aren’t moving fast enough to get their hearts pumping, challenge them to a game of hide and seek or freeze tag.

Physical activity is still important when it is cold or rainy outside. Dance, play a workout video, or jump on a mini trampoline indoors. Drive to a local indoor gym to shoot hoops, play volleyball, climb a rock wall, or just run around.

If you have an indoor pool within driving distance, swimming can also be a great year round activity. My family likes to take advantage of the pool during cooler months when it’s too cold for outside activity and most kids are in school.

Delegate your coaching duties and follow your children’s interests by signing them up for dance, gymnastics, karate, swimming, or other private lessons. Reduce expenses by taking homeschool classes or bartering with other homeschool parents.

In addition to fulfilling the recommended P.E. requirements, sports are great character development activities. You can find sports programs at recreation centers, YMCAs, homeschool sports leagues, and churches. If you don’t want to commit to an entire season of games and practices, sign your children up for a week long sports camp.

Some recreation centers, YMCAs, private gyms, and homeschool support groups offer P.E. classes where homeschooled children can participate in traditional group activities. If there is not a program available in your area, grab a few friends and start one.

If you have forgotten all of the rules to your favorite P.E. games, see if your library has a copy of The Ultimate Home School Physical Education Game Book by Guy Bailey. This book has suggestions for physical activities that are tailored for smaller groups of 2-4.

When adding P.E. to your home school program, start small and slowly build up to your full routine. Create a lifestyle of fitness by replacing 30 minutes of sedentary activity with a walk or bike ride. Do a few sit ups, pushups or jumping jacks in between academic subjects. Instead of lounging around after dinner, go out in the back yard and play catch or a game of tag.

Begin with activities that are suited to your child’s strengths, then gradually add variety to your routine and increase the level of difficulty. Help your children set goals for distance, endurance, or skill development that are slightly challenging, but not overwhelming. Reward your children for reaching those goals.

Most importantly, don’t be a bystander. Get on your feet and lead by example with an attitude of enthusiasm. Put away your whistle, and create a supportive, encouraging atmosphere. Make P.E. a subject that every member of your family enjoys.

Check out my article on page 18 of the new flipbook edition of Heart of the Matter Magazine.

Carletta Sanders is the devoted wife to her best friend, James, and homeschool mom to Andrew, Jasmine, and Isaiah. Her goal is to be a godly wife and mother, and to one day hear the Lord say, “Well done!” Carletta runs the popular website, www.successful-homeschooling.com, which contains over 300 pages of free information for each stage of your homeschool journey.

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January 7, 2009 By Lori 1 Comment

Happy New Year! The gifts have all been given and received and as the New Year begins, it’s the gifts that dwell within each of us, those often left unopened or only “peeked at” that deserve a fresh look as our New Year begins.

Resolutions will be made and broken. We’ve all been there and done that, but perhaps it’s in focusing on the Spiritual Gifts that we each possess, that have been given to us in grace, that can guide us into the New Year with a new and refreshed purpose.

In a 2004 Discipleship Journal article, Paul Thigpen discusses the Ancient Christians who wandered and lived in the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East and how they, “learned over a lifetime of focusing on God that spiritual strength, growth, and stamina – like physical strength, growth and stamina follow certain rules or principles arising from the way that God has made us.” The original article is tattered and yet it is a reminder to me, years later, that I must understand that being “spiritually disciplined” is not a burden, but a new way of looking at the gifts that I’ve been given.

In order to USE these gifts, we have to identify what they are, and then prayerfully look deep within ourselves to discover which we’ve been blessed with. If we begin the New Year having identified our Spiritual Gifts and then commit to USE them to serve those around us, then our New Year holds such promises. It’s in Paul’s books of Romans, Corinthians, and Ephesians where we can glean an understanding of what exactly these Spiritual Gifts are. We’re going to take a look at the gifts listed in Romans 12:4-.

Romans 12:4-8 reads, “ Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same functions, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging (exhorting), let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others (giving), let him give generously; if it is leadership (organizing), let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” (NIV)

I can’t help but think that those of us who have been called into homeschooling our children have been gifted in the area of teaching, but have we forgotten the other gifts? It’s only through meditation and prayer that we can look inside ourselves and see the gifts that God has so generously given to us to use for Him. It’s often in our busyness that we overlook them. It’s a new year! It’s a new beginning! Let’s commit this year not to a resolution, but to celebrating our Spiritual Gifts and sharing them with the world around us. To do so, we’ll need a closer look at those gifts mentioned in Romans.

Prophecy
Are you the gal who wants the world to know the “truth?” The woman who has the Spiritual Gift of prophecy proclaims the truth of Christ at all costs. She’s likely to be decisive and firm and extremely passionate! This gal has a deep sense of virtue and justice (seeing sinful ways and helping others find the truth). If this is your gift, perhaps you can look at a ministry in your church or homeschool group where you can spread the “truth.” A wonderful verse for a woman with gift of prophecy is Ephesians 4:15, “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” (NIV)

Service
Are you one of the ladies who identifies with Martha? Do you always “see” what needs to be done and want to make others comfortable? Do you find yourself drawn to Galatians 5:13, “…rather, serve one another in love.” If service is your Spiritual Gift, pray and ask God to reveal areas that you can serve others. Also ask Him to help you not to become frustrated as servers often do, ask Him rather to give you a servant’s heart like Christ.

Teaching
We are all called to be teachers. As homeschoolers, we’ve heard the call on our hearts. If the beginning of the New Year finds you weary in this endeavor, then pray that God gently guides your heart and renews your soul. If you are energized, pray unceasingly for that fire to never extinguish! Some of us have been given gifts of teaching that extend beyond our own children. If you feel that teaching is your gift, then pray for God to reveal ways in which you can begin to teach beyond your own children and bless those around you. 2 Timothy 2:5, “They can teach younger women to be wise and pure….” Perhaps there are gifts of teaching that you’ve left unopened, ask God to reveal those.

Exhorting
Are you the encourager? Are you the one always cheering others on to live the life of Christ? The encouragers are the ones that we look to for passionate enthusiasm when it comes to doing the Lord’s work. I have a dear friend who has opened her Spiritual Gift box of “encouraging and exhorting” and blesses those around her, spreading the “fire” within her to those she meets! It’s a joy to be around a woman who has the Spiritual Gift of exhortation and has discovered and opened it for the world to see. “But encourage one another daily….” Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)

Giving
Givers are those who are so aware of the needs of everyone around them. They are sensitive and they delight in giving of themselves to others in the name of Christ. Givers are investors and they enjoy giving. They are the women who see the need and ACT on those needs accordingly. The giver is the woman who puts the note in the mail or arrives with a timely giftProverbs 3:27 guides her, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.”

Organizing
The woman blessed with the Spiritual Gift of organizing is efficient. She knows how to get the job done and always has a well thought out plan. If after praying about your gifts, you come to understand that organizing is your gift, and then ask God to reveal to you a worthwhile project that you can offer your services to, for His glory. There are BIG things to be done and it’s the organizer who can use her gifts to inspire those around her into action. 1 Corinthians 14:40 is a perfect verse for the organizer to cling to, “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” (NIV)

Lastly, we’ll look at Mercy
Are you the one who wants to take away everyone’s pain? Are you the compassionate friend who follows her feelings rather than reason? Mercy girls, pray and ask God to reveal those around you who need a woman like you in their lives. Ask Him to show you where your gift of Mercy is needed. There are so many hurting people and God needs those blessed with the gift of Mercy to walk among us and show compassion when others may look away. 1 Peter 3:8 is a wonderful verse to meditate on if Mercy is your Spiritual Gift; “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.”

Ancient Christians would often commit a year to focus on a particular discipline. The word discipline is rooted in the word askesis, which means practice. That is what we are called to do with our own spiritual gifts – put them into practice. A gift is of no value until it’s given away.

You will likely see yourself in more than one of these gifts. That’s how giving our God is! In the upcoming year, I encourage you to prayerfully search the gifts and choose one to focus on. Could there be a better way to celebrate a new year? Find out how God wants to use you to bless others and Him by putting your spiritual gift into practice.

Check out my article on page 20 of the new flipbook edition of Heart of the Matter Magazine.

Lori MacMath is a 5-year homeschool mom to three. Lori insists that when she was wrestling with the decision to homeschool, a gentle voice guided her with the words, “You know what you should do.” She never looked back, accepting the challenges and rewards, while constantly clinging to The Rock. Lori co-owns the Internet Cafe, a daily devotional site for Christian women and she can also be found at her personal blog, All You Have to Give.

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January 7, 2009 By Sallie 1 Comment

Physical Fitness is important to having a healthy lifestyle. We all know that diet and exercise together is vital for a healthy life, but exercise is what tones and shapes your body and is vital for not only the outer appearance of your body, but the inner health of your organs and muscles as well. We all need exercise! Many times, however, this is an area where homeschoolers fall off the wagon. Now, I know you are probably thinking ‘My child plays all the time,’ and I’m sure they do. I know how much time my own children play! But playing and working out in an exercise routine are very different. If we start now while our homeschooled children are young with an exercise routine, then we will be giving them a blessing that will benefit them their entire lives.

One easy way to create an exercise regimen is to start simple. The President’s Challenge Fitness (www.presidentschallenge.org) program is easy and offers you a variety of ways to create a program that best fits you. The best thing about it? The kids get awards — certificates, patches, medals — and what kid doesn’t like a prize?! You may choose to compete under the educators’ area as a homeschool with your co-op, with a local school system, or you may even qualify to head up a program on your own once you’ve volunteered and assisted with an authorized group. Another option you have is to track the progress of your children and/or teens under those sections of The President’s Challenge website.

If you choose the educators option, your child will be eligible for three separate patches determined by their scores in 5 areas. Those areas are: curl-ups (what us older folks used to call sit ups), shuttle run, endurance run/walk, pull-ups (or push-ups or flexed-arm hang), and V-sit reach (or sit and reach). Each student will be given points and awards determined by their age. There is no limit to the number of tries students have on each event so if they don’t do ok the first time, that’s fine. They can continue to practice and try until they are able to reach their goal!

Under this option, your child may compete for three awards. The first is The Presidential Physical Fitness Award and is given to students who achieve an outstanding level of physical fitness. These students range in the 85th percentile on all five events. How is the 85th percentile determined? This score is based on the 1985 School Population Fitness Survey. So, for instance, a 9 year old boy would have to complete 41 curl-ups, finish his shuttle run in 10.9 seconds, finish 31 sit and reaches, run a one-minute mile in 8:31, and do 5 pulls ups. A 9 year old girl would have to complete 39 curl ups, run the shuttle in less than 11.1 seconds, do 33 sit and reaches, run a mile in 9:30, and do 2 pull ups.

The second award the child is eligible for is The National Physical Fitness Award. Students who score in the 50th percentile may receive this award because they have demonstrated a basic, yet challenging level of physical fitness. The exercises are the same for this award as well but the scores are slightly different. A 9 year old boy would have to complete 32 curl-ups, finish his shuttle run in 11.9 seconds, finish 25 sit and reaches, run a one-minute mile in 10:30, and do 2 pulls ups. A 9 year old girl would have to complete 30 curl ups, run the shuttle in less than 12.5 seconds, do 28 sit and reaches, run a mile in 11:52, and do 1 pull up.

If your child falls below the 50th percentile based on the 1985 School Population Fitness Survey, they will still receive The Participant Physical Fitness Award. The child can continue to try and reach his/her goal throughout the year. To be honest, though, not all children will win the top award and just participating, especially with special needs children, helps them build a healthy routine as well. My oldest son has never won The Presidential Physical Fitness Award but both his younger brothershave. That hasn’t stopped him from trying and he is my child who needs to develop the healthy habit of exercise now while he is still younger, because I know when he is older he will happily live inside a good book as much as possible. He needs to develop this healthy habit now!

If you do not wish to compete as a school, or part of an educator option team, then you might want to consider The Presidential Champions program. This program allows you to keep an activity log, based on a variety of activities — well over 100 — and the guidelines are so simple. First, you choose an activity. Second, you get active and earn no more than 750 points per day. Third, you track your activity in a personal log. Even a 5 minute walk counts! Fourth, you order your award! How simple is that?! You can earn four awards through this program.

The first award is The Presidential Active Lifestyle Award and this is awarded to anyone who meets their DAILY activity goal 5 days a week, for 6 weeks. This award is a patch and comes with a certificate and 5 stars. Each time you repeat the 5 day, 6 week goal, you can add another sticker to your certificate!

The second award is The Presidential Champions Bronze Award and this is a medal awarded to anyone who earns 20,000 points in the Presidential Champions Program.

The third award is The Presidential Champions Silver Award and this is a medal awarded to anyone who earns at least 45,000 points in the Presidential Champions Program.

The last award is The Presidential Champions Gold Award and this is a medal awarded to anyone who earns at least 80,000 points in the Presidential Champions Program.

If you find that you are exceeding your point goals with the Champion program, you might want to look at the Advanced Performance Presidential Program. The limits and points are higher with that program but Champion is a great place to start for beginners. Don’t let yourself, or your child be intimidated by the points. Just 60 minutes a day (for youth under 18, or 30 minutes for adults) will easily help you reach your goal. Mix activities up. Chores even count too! And, it doesn’t all have to be done at one time each day. You can block off five or ten minute activity sessions and track them at the end of the day. The goal is just get active. Just do something. Just be healthy! And one of the best parts, its free! So, get out there, and take a walk… ride a bike… stop reading this article. Go on, get out of here!

Check out my article on page 29 of the new flipbook edition of Heart of the Matter Magazine.

Sallie Anderson is an off-again, on-again homeschooling mom to her 4 children, ranging from elementary to high school. In her writings, she discusses the challenges of homeschooling a child with disabilities and offers insight to those who sometimes feel all alone, like a square in a round world. Please visit her at Seaside Tales.

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January 7, 2009 By Guest Leave a Comment

Me, I start out with too much of this.

And not enough of this.

nester1

Usually, an empty this.

And, lots of this.

I’m loving that!

This is too good!

Sometimes we create.

And I love that we get to do this.

We appreciate things like this.

And play with this.

Add a dash of that.

And tons and tons of this (my personal favorite).

A little bit of this.

And a little bit of that.

Check out my article on page 36 of the new flipbook edition of Heart of the Matter Magazine.

Michaelyn Smith, aka The Nester, is a home stager and redesigner who firmly believes that when it comes to home design, it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. She offers fun, easy and inexpensive projects for the lazy perfectionist on her blog Nesting Place. When she’s not rearranging her furniture or making tassels, she and her husband stay busy homeshooling their three boys.

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