It is our business to…spend a part of our lives in increasing our knowledge of nature and art, of literature and man, of the past and present. This is one way in which we become greater persons, and the more a person is, the better he will do whatever piece of special work falls to his share.

If Rip Van Winkle was homeschooled before his infamous slumber, he might have awakened surprised at the number of tools to educate a child. The newest wares at any curriculum fair make a traditional book look outdated. Regardless of whether a child is homeschooled or not, education has definitely embraced technology. From sleek educational toys that constantly morph themselves via the Internet, to virtual learning, all of the focus on new and improved can find a parent in a quandary about the value of the seemingly old and antiquated. Yet, I would argue with anyone that the mainstay of any well-designed homeschool is a library of good, living books. There are experiences that take place over quality literature that will transform a homeschool environment.

I have never been the master of creativity. When it comes to thinking out-of-the-box, it is sad to say my mind does acrobatic tricks to avoid some of my own mis-education via the public school system. However, the time together over a good book has tremendously altered what might be an otherwise boring education for our children. As one of many examples, it was not too long ago that the kids and I completed Traitor: The Case of Benedict Arnold.

From the kids’ perspective, the front of the book started out decently, the middle was slow, and the end was the “good” part. Personally, I became fascinated with Arnold’s character. I had always gathered from the little I had seen in textbooks that he was some clod in the midst of a genius like George Washington, but he was actually a brilliant military strategist. Also, his earliest experiences with failure and rejection (being ridiculed as the son of the town drunk) led him to an almost obsession with being successful in the eyes of others.

This same obsession, unfortunately, was also the source of his destruction: he was driven toward power and money, and even at the height of his undoing, couldn’t see that he had done anything other than get an early jump on what had to be the logical ending of the Revolution (i.e., America’s losing and return to British control). From such a vivid portrayal of the good and bad of this historical character, the kids and I have had wonderful dialogue regarding places where we get in our own way. I draw repeatedly upon Arnold’s valuable character traits taken to an extreme to point out how even the best things about us can be exploited to a fault. Not only did this study lead help us to progress; it led us to pray.

Though I am constantly inspired, but challenged, by a total Charlotte Mason educational approach, I am understanding more every day the importance of an atmosphere that fosters learning, rather than just a table of textbooks and workbooks. Author Yoshika Lowe said it best:

‘…although it is not intuitively obvious, less is more in homeschooling, and more is just more for the sake of doing more. It may make you feel better about the volume of work your child has sifted through, but it does not mean they have a better education. You are not homeschooling so that you can mimic the public school. It does not work for them, so it definitely will not be productive for you and your children.’

After homeschooling for several years now, the “homeschooling honeymoon” is over, and the thrill of wearing pajamas while learning has lost its excitement. Yet, the experiences over a good book live on. Once my husband and I were watching a television show in which there was a reference to a character as an “Uncle Tom.” Our oldest asked what an Uncle Tom was. Not having shared Harriett Beecher Stowe’s work with her, I tried to explain it as best I could. My daughter’s response was, “Oh, like that character Nancy in I Thought My Soul would Rise and Fly.” She was remembering a book that we read three years ago!

As homeschoolers, we come from a long line of self-educated people who have had a great impact on our society. I recently read of former President Harry Truman’s love for history, and how it helped him make decisions in one of our nation’s most turbulent times. One of his favorite reads was Plutarch’s Lives. He was also a lover of biographies. A library rich in quality literature brings forth greatness in all of us; the words, internalized, almost demand that we be our very best selves, just as hanging out in a crowd of achievers inspires each individual to be more, to do more.

Even in today’s pop culture, media still points a well-educated mind back to the past for true knowledge. In the movie Akeelah and the Bee, the lead character learns certain words by reading W.E.B. DuBois’ writings in the The Crisis. When she questioned her coach and mentor as to why she could not simply memorize lists, his response was that the best way to internalize the spelling of a word was through a relationship with it. She would increase her vocabulary best by understanding the power of words and phrases; she had to become a lover of books.

I continue to cherish our reading time, and I am sure that these are the memories that will last in my mind’s eye when I reflect on our days of homeschooling. Why, our foray into non-traditional education (not that anyone would mistakenly call us eclectic) began when I began reading to the kids from Laura Ingalls Wilder, a childhood favorite of mine. I was sold on the value of a living books approach when the kids would beg me to read more of the stories after school each day. I also remember perusing through The Chronicles of Narnia on hot, summer evenings. Even our then two-year-old would ask us about Digory (from The Magician’s Nephew) or question when we would get to Prince Caspian.

I once heard a homeschool conference speaker say that all you need to educate your children is a Bible (the best work of literature and then some), a math book, and a library card. Though I possess an engineering degree, I am increasingly convinced that the moments that formed my own love for learning had less to do with equations and logic, and more to do with no electrical plugs, a cup of tea, and what Mortimer J. Adler (author of How to Read a Book) refers to as ‘the absent teacher’—a great book.

Check out my article on page 10 of the funky flipbook edition of Heart of the Matter Magazine.

Belinda Bullard is a wife and homeschooling mother of three, Belinda is an author and the owner of A Blessed Heritage Educational Resources, a literature-based history curriculum featuring African-American presence in history, as well as the contributions of other races to American history. A chemical engineer by formal education, she also serves as adjunct faculty for college distance learning programs.

Tags: Akeelah and the Bee, atmosphere of learning, Charlotte Mason, fostering a love of learning, good books, homeschool library, literature rich education, living books, lover of books, quality literature, Traitor: The Case of Benedict Arnold, Yoshika Lowe

Related posts:

1. How to Homeschool the Charlotte Mason Way Charlotte Mason was a British educator in the 1800’s who dedicated her life to the...
2. Learning Environment: Ten Tips That Helped Our Homeschool In my home the difference between successful mathematics learning and distracted fidgeting is appropriate lighting...
3. Relaxed Homeschooling: Taking Advantage of Environment My kids get bored easily. Do yours? A week of work pages, reading and recitation...

Yet while these activities may sound typical, I don’t think they necessarily are anymore. Today’s children have far less freedom to play outdoors than children from eras past, and many simply don’t go through these rites of passage we would normally associate with this season.

I think that’s a pity, because feeling a connection with nature should be an intrinsic part of growing up. Those lazy days where you do nothing but explore do mean something. You’re learning about life. You’re becoming independent. You’re understanding more of the world.

Today we let our kids understand the world not by experiencing it but by watching it. They play video games or they watch television, but rarely do they discover anything by themselves. Rural kids probably have the most freedom, and thus the most adventure. They have a lot of land to explore, and not as many obvious dangers. Kids in smaller cities may at least get outdoors, but it’s often because they’re playing on a soccer team, or frolicking in a park with parents watching on. Maybe they play in the sprinkler in the backyard, or climb a tree, or hang out at somebody’s pool. It’s not exactly adventure. And in the big cities where one can grow up without ever riding a bike or seeing a cow it’s even worse.

A new study in Britain has found that children’s territories are shrinking. The amount of area that kids know well is becoming much smaller because kids are no longer allowed to explore. I don’t mean to belittle our worries about children coming to harm; little wakes me up in the middle of night more often than a nightmare that something has happened to my kids. But the most likely danger is not that someone will steal our kids but that our kids will lose out on what it means to be a child. When kids don’t explore, they lose opportunities to take risks or act independently. Instead, they grow more and more obese as they enjoy childhood from their backyards or their couches. And we have a responsibility from God to help them grow into healthy, independent adults.

Every summer our family takes several camping trips, and one episode in particular stands out in my mind. My daughters and their friends asked if they could take nets and look for minnows in the inlet, and I consented, grateful for the time to pull out my paperback. As they splashed in the water, they looked up to see a group of about fifty children sporting identical “day camp” T-shirts, who had been bused up for the day. These children were all sitting in a circle munching a snack, while their leaders arranged for a twenty minute canoe ride. Here they were, in the great outdoors, and they could only enjoy it by permission.

This isn’t the leaders’ fault. Supervising fifty kids is no easy task. But it begs the question, what kind of children are we creating if most lose out on those days of adventure? We’re certainly not raising any Huck Finns or Tom Sawyers or even Anne Shirleys anymore.

As homeschoolers, we’ve always tried to let our children have more freedom. They’re less likely to be forced to sit passively in a big group, ignoring the wonders of nature that await them. But we shouldn’t get lackadaisical and assume that just because they’re homeschooled our children will explore. After all, the computer and the TV lure our kids in, too, if we’re not careful.

God created a beautiful, big, wide world for us to enjoy, and in these few months where the weather is actually decent, our kids need to explore it. I’m not sure how to balance that with concerns for their safety, but we have to at least try. So take them camping. Go for a long bike ride and let them play by the stream. Visit a farm. Hike in the woods. Build sandcastles. Skip stones. That’s real summer. Don’t let them miss it.

Check out my article on page 21 of the funky flipbook edition of Heart of the Matter Magazine.

Sheila blogs daily at To Love, Honor and Vacuum. And you won’t want to miss her podcasts! She homeschools her two daughters, writes, speaks, and knits. Preferably all at the same time.

Tags: being a child, camping, childhood, obesity, outdoor exploration, Summer, summer vacation

Related posts:

1. To school or not to school? That is the question. Summer is approaching. The leaves are finally green and our yard is sprouting vegetation. It’s...
2. Intentional Summer: A Lesson Plan for YOU I have always held that summer is a great time for learning and while we...
3. Fostering Friendships Well, summer is finally here. Here in the Pacific Northwest summer arrives bluntly, and unannounced....

I grew up going to summer camp every year- a three-week camp at that. I looked eagerly forward each year to my time there, for it was at camp where I learned to water ski, map the night sky, and climb Yosemite’s Half Dome.

Summer camp was a formidable aspect of my experiences while growing up, and I know my brothers would say the same. Two of us went on to work at the camp we attended as campers for so many years, and all three of us have a place in our hearts for that very special property nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas.

In all those years growing up, I’m sure I assumed my children would attend the same camp my brothers and I did. It just didn’t occur to me that my husband and I might make different choices for our children.

There are several things that factor into our ultimate decision not to send our children to summer camp. First of all, that camp I attended from the time I was eight until I was seventeen? It now costs $2500 for a two-week session.  Nope, you didn’t read that wrong. As a child envisioning my future children attending summer camp, it never occurred to me that I would actually go on to have eight children, making a summer’s worth of camp for everyone come to a grand total of $20,000. Yeah, not exactly in the budget.

Secondly, nestled amongst the very good memories are the very bad memories. Romances begun entirely too young, and with no parental involvement. Some sketchy theology and a few college-aged camp counselors imparting their limited “wisdom”, and with no parental involvement. Midnight discussions of topics we ten-year-olds were in no way ready to discuss, and, again, with no parental involvement.

Let’s face it; a cabin-full of kiddos having a sleepover breeds childish/foolish behavior which is the antithesis of what we are trying to develop within the lives of our children. I don’t care how well we know the children, several hours of unsupervised conversation and behavior leads to foolishness (even with our own kids). If your kids share a room, you know what I mean. How often do you find yourself going in past bedtime to stop your kids from staying up too late and reasoning through Scripture together? Typically we are correcting disruptive childish behavior or unacceptable foolish behavior – not Godly behavior. Multiply those nightly episodes times the nights during summer camp and you have a recipe for a whole lot of stuff I never should have been exposed to or discussing without parental involvement.

Still, there are the many, many good memories of summer camp that both my husband and I have, and we did desire to give our children the best of a summer camp environment. So in the summer of 2004, our best friends and we decided it was high time we put on a summer camp for our own kids, right in our own backyard.

We wanted to include the best things about camp, and we did. “Cabin” inspection (their kids had to tidy the room they’d slept in together while our kids had to tidy their own rooms), a pancake breakfast on the back porch, morning devotions and rowdy camp songs, a scavenger hunt, crafts, swimming and diving contests, an obstacle course, hobo dinners cooked over the fire, flag making, s’mores, a moonlight movie on the lawn (this has become a much-loved slide show of past camp summers), skits, midnight spy games for the teenagers, and a camp store with items bought by fake money earned by doing extra chores in the weeks before camp.

We named our camp after the indians who lived in our area, and we even had t-shirts made. One year we had lunch pails with the camp logo and kids’ names on them, and this year we’re planning for water bottles to be part of the “camp package”. We figure with all the money we save not sending our kids to “real” camp, we can afford to do something a little extra special each year.

Summer camp will be a fond memory for our kids, too, but we hope that it gives them the good memories without the compromise in character that we parents experienced in our childhoods. Even the best of Christian camps (I’d consider my childhood camp to be squarely in that category) leaves lots of unsupervised time for kids to learn some things that perhaps we as parents don’t think they’re ready to tackle.

And yes, I know that kids are saved as a result of good Christian camps run by godly people. I don’t doubt that one bit. We’re still not willing to put our young kids in the position of playing missionary to kids coming out of homes where there may even be antagonism toward the God of the Bible. If you are wishing to give your kids a camp experience without the unwholesomeness that inevitably accompanies the best aspects of Christian camping, we’d be the first to say, “Go for it!” Grab another family or two and plan a summer camp adventure for your kids this year. Our camp motto is, after all, “Where you don’t need strangers to fill your cabin!”

Check out my article on page 22 of the funky flipbook edition of Heart of the Matter Magazine.

Kendra Fletcher is the homeschooling mother of eight, ages 16 down to one year. She has never known what it means to homeschool without the presence of preschoolers, and loves to encourage other moms beginning their homeschool journeys with little ones underfoot. Her website and blog can be found at www.preschoolersandpeace.com

Tags: christian living, creating a Christian camp environment, hosting your own summer camp, Sierra Nevadas, summer camp, Yosemite’s Half Dome

Related posts:

1. Intentional Summer: A Lesson Plan for YOU I have always held that summer is a great time for learning and while we...
2. Ways To Make Money Over The Summer! It’s summertime! Well, almost (I’m trying to think ahead more). The majority of schools are...
3. Summer Scheduling for a Fabulous Fall The key to a smooth start of the school year is to begin planning early....

Many of us commit to other activities outside of teaching our children, and that is a good thing. It helps to keep our lives balanced and allows our children to see us in another light- that of a “person” with interests that involve others. While it’s a wonderful thing to have those outside interests, for many it becomes a trap.

Many of us strive to be the one who is dependable, the one that others can count on, and, frankly, we enjoy serving others. I once read that if we burn the candles at both ends, soon the wax will run out. The only way we can honestly assess if we are taking on too much, is to truly STOP. This exercise in stopping needs to happen over the course of a few days or even weeks.

STOP

Spend time in prayer and spend time making a list of what YOU do on a regular basis. Writing it down allows us to visualize just how much we are responsible for. Include everything:

Homeschooling, household duties, commitments and ministries at church, outside part time jobs, and ANY other commitments that you regularly schedule into your week. For many this will include online commitments, blogging and social networking.

A wonderful way to really see what goes on in your life is to refer back to a calendar or day planner; the results may likely surprise many of us. Don’t forget to include the transporting of your children to and from activities. Spend time in the STOP phase to spend some time in Luke reading Martha and Mary’s story. Meditate on the words that Jesus uses when he addresses them.

“You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am.”Psalm 139:3 (TLB)

LOOK

Once you’ve created the list of your weekly “to-do’s” it’s time to move into the LOOK phase of our summertime assignment. In this phase an honest heart is necessary. Take each of those items on your STOP list and have a good, long prayerful look. Prioritize them. Honestly prioritize and take inventory of your list, remembering it’s YOUR list, unique to you and that is important to remember. This summer exercise is not about someone else’s list, but yours. It’s in this phase that some soul searching may occur. Each of these activities on your list has to be placed into a how important or significant they are in this season of your life.

For some, the part time job is necessary to supplement income in tough economic times, and for others certain activities will rise to the surface as things that may need to be let go of in this season of life. Many of us wake daily with a prayer that God use us, and in the same breath we leap out of bed without focus. We can’t possibly allow God to use us when we ourselves aren’t focused and running a thousand miles an hour. It’s time to have a look at how we can focus energy and time that we have and begin to use the gifts that God has given each one of us uniquely.

Several years ago, in her book, Ingrid Trobisch, the author of Keeper of the Springs, wrote that women often have difficulty embracing the “little” things in their lives. As women we tend to want to make “One Grand Sacrifice,” when the reality is that depending on the season we are in, there may be nothing “GRAND” about it. It may be a series of lessons, meals and laundry intermingled with taxiing children, refereeing disputes and unloading the dishwasher. It’s about embracing the season and taking a good, long look at what is filling our days and learning to live as God designed us to. It’s about looking at the gifts that we possess and being willing to USE them for God’s glory.

LISTEN

The final phase of this summer priority ride is to LISTEN.

“Seek first the kingdom of God and HIS righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

This may in fact be the most challenging part for many women, especially those who classify themselves as the “do-ers.” In order to truly enact change, tuning into God is where we have to begin. We’ve stopped, looked and now it’s time to prayerfully listen to what God whispers and reveals. It’s allowing God to show us how HE sees us that we can begin to make changes that will have us moving into a new school year with a renewed sense of purpose and hope. Finding contentment and peace has never been easy, but it is achievable. If allowed, God will reveal what items on the STOP list need to be there, which ones may need to be set aside for a season and ones that are currently not on the list and need to be added at HIS urging.

It’s rejuvenating, it’s exhilarating and it’s freeing. The demands of daily life are just that, they are demands of daily life, but if we are willing to Stop, Look and Listen the Lord will graciously and willing guide our hearts and order the steps that HE would have us take. It’s in this listening that we’ll be able to come to a place where we can go before the Lord with our plans for the upcoming week and ASK HIM to lead us into what HE wishes for us.

God has plans not just for your life, but for your day- each one of them- as numbered by HIM. He wants to see you on a long and winding road where the journey is enjoyed and savored, not on a superhighway where it all just “whizzes” by without any clarity. By taking time this summer to reflect on your priorities and activities, a bit of Stopping, Looking, Listening and Yielding to the author of it all, could make this summer one of the most invigorating and life changing summers of your life!

“Those who wait on the Lord will find their strength. They will fly high on the wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)

Click here for a PDF to help on this Stop, Look and Listen! It’s your very own copy of a SUMMER Reprioritization Guide to help you on this RIDE of a lifetime. Included are Scripture and journaling sections to help you make this summer the most productive ever!

Check out my article on page 16 of the funky flipbook edition of Heart of the Matter Magazine.

Lori is a 5 year homeschool mom to 3. Currently a 8th grader, a 6th grader and a 4th grader. Lori insists that when she was wrestling with the decision to home school, a gentle voice guided her with the words, “you know what you should do.” Never looking back, accepting the challenges and rewards and CONSTANTLY clinging to THE ROCK…”No Storm can shake my inmost calm when to this ROCK I’m clinging.” Lori hopes to impart peace and inspiration amidst the daily chaos. Be sure to visit her blog at All You Have to Give.

Tags: christian living, daily devotional tips for moms, free copy of SUMMER Reprioritization Guide, free e-book, Ingrid Trobisch, Keeper of the Springs, prioritizing your weekly schedule, Scripture, spending time in prayer, taking time to refocus on your family life

Related posts:

1. Wait! Before you Stop the Car and Get Out… 10 Burnout Busters that Can Help! My husband and I have been involved in church ministry for the full 14 years...
2. Summer – The Learning Doesn’t Stop Summer It’s the season I looked forward to the most as a child, not because...
3. Don’t Be Afraid to . . . STOP! Don’t Be Afraid to . . . STOP! Psychologists and Psychiatrists alike have spent...

This first co-op began with a fairly large group of families. It was a pretty exciting opportunity and I was ready to jump in and help out. However, when the co-op actually began the adults felt coldly distant from one another and the leadership was difficult for me to communicate with. It felt a lot like my first day in middle school when all the students who had merged together from different elementary schools were simply scared to know one another.

These mothers were actually afraid to start conversations with each other. Why? What made these homeschoolers shut down? What made us isolate ourselves even when we were surrounded by families who understood our choice to homeschool? Even with vastly different motivations for choosing this path certainly we should have been able to find ways to connect and care for one another. After a year and a half, I learned that this disconnect was probably a combination of many things.

First, it is easy for us to judge people whom we simply don’t know. There were some beautiful people in that group, though they looked, dressed, parented, and schooled differently from me. The ones I had opportunity to know taught me many things and turned me on to new ideas. It’s frightening to think of how quickly I jumped to judgment.

Secondly, I began to fear what they would think of the real me: a non-conservative homeschooler who struggled with certain aspects of parenting and served in an unconventional church. My fear, as fear always does, led me to keep everyone at arm’s distance. This was not the way to build a community. If I wanted to be known, I had to make an effort to know others. Getting past the fear of being vulnerable was the first step and I think I skipped it.

Thirdly, many of us probably began the co-op centered on ourselves. I wanted to have everything this co-op promised to “do for me.” And so I went to consume the goods and services that would be provided. What I ended up with was a shallow, program-oriented experience. The key word in co-op is cooperation and cooperation is a group practice in associating for a common benefit, not the benefit of an individual. As a homeschooler, who makes strong efforts to buck the system, I often stumble over being an individual versus living in community with others. It’s an easy trap to fall into.

I was very glad to find a second co-op was going to open closer to our home. We began it quickly out of necessity with about 30 families. This time we simply had to communicate because every adult was needed in order to make the co-op work. It turned into a beautiful experience of shared vision and cooperation.

This group of homeschoolers took care of one another, sat and ate together, and followed a prayerful, humble leader who was friendly and open to suggestions. My kids and I found this to be a fun and loving experience that became rich in friendships. I felt supported and I found it easy to support others.

The difference in these two co-op communities was night and day. What was different about the second one that made it so successful? Again, I think there were several things to note.

First, instead of standing back and waiting to see what this co-op would do for me, I jumped in with a willing heart ready to be used in any way possible. I offered to teach but what they really needed was someone to assist in the Kindergarten class. I did that with joy and put myself under the tutelage of the mother teaching that class. She was organized, gentle, and creative. I learned a lot and gained a friend.

Second, building my community was no one’s responsibility but my own. I knew that I could not go in and expect to have my needs met because nobody knew what my needs were. I had to be vulnerable and make my needs known appropriately. But that was only half of the community-building process. The other half was meeting the needs of those around me. Rather than consume all the support, I offered support back by listening to the stories of others and asking questions rather than giving answers.

Thirdly, it was possible to show care and concern for others regardless of our differences in homeschooling philosophy. No matter what method we use to school our kids at home, we can all struggle with the application of that method and with children who are less than appreciative of our efforts. My second co-op was not only made up of a variety of children with unusual needs, but families who used packaged programs, utilized workbook methods, attempted Charlotte Mason, unschooled and even utilized charter schools. Though our paths were different we showed grace during those precious weekly times walking side-by-side and left with confidence to walk the rest of the week on our own.

Finally, humble leadership made a significant difference. It took someone organized to begin our co-op and keep it running, but that organization didn’t dominate to the extent that the program became more important than the people involved. It took humility to know when people weren’t feeling heard and to know when her ideas were not working for the good of the group. If you’re considering being in leadership you may want to consider how much of yourself you can bear to set aside before you sign on.

If you are considering venturing into a co-op you’ll find many wonderful benefits: friendships, support, learning opportunities, networking, help, and group opportunities. But don’t plan to just dip your toe in and hope to acquire the full benefit of the experience. It takes holistic commitment to reap the real rewards of finding a supportive and satisfying community that needs you as much as you need them.

Check out my article on page 26 of the funky flipbook edition of Heart of the Matter Magazine.

Debra Anderson has been married to her true companion for 14 years and has three sons under age10. Debra’s passions are education, art, her husband, church ministry and missional living — not in that order. She has served as her co-op’s coordinator in Portland, Oregon and loves connecting homeschoolers in relationship to one another. Debra has her seminary Masters degree in Christian Education and has always home educated their boys — even on the hard days. She maintains a blog at www.emergent-homeschool.blogspot.com.

Tags: building homeschool friendships, Encouragement, encouraging one another, encouraging other homeschoolers, homeschool co-ops, homeschool cooperatives

Related posts:

1. Homeschool Community and Fellowship When I first began home schooling, I didn’t really know anyone who home schooled...
2. Home Schooling and Community Service I am the daughter of a home health nurse who worked in one of...
3. Building a Foundation for Bilingual Learners Being bilingual is a special gift, but it’s not a rarity. Did you know that...

A few times a week, I have them work on some of their weaker skills for a short period (say, half an hour to an hour). We do math speed drills, typing games, and reading comprehension exercises. Of course, you can choose whatever skills your children need to work on. I let the kids do more of their drilling on the computer and try to incorporate more fun learning games as well.

Early in the summer, I make summer reading lists. I base the lists on my kids’ current reading levels, books that go along with the past or coming year’s history, and recommended books from a variety of sources. My favorite lists this year came from Veritas Press. Every time we make a trip to the library, the kids must choose several books off my list (and read them first) and then they are free to choose several fun books. I generally don’t require formal book reports of the books off the reading list (it is, after all, summertime); however, I do ask a few general questions to check their comprehension level.

Field trips are cleverly disguised as vacations. Last summer, we went to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and spent most of our time playing in the ocean and sunning ourselves on the beach. Doesn’t sound very educational, does it? But, do you know the composition of sand? Do you know why there are tides? Neither did we, until we visited the Cape Hatteras National Park and attended one of their free ranger talks right on the beach. What a great summer science lesson! Everyone has heard of the famous pirate named Blackbeard, but did you know that there were also some women who were pirates? Again, neither did we, until we sat through an interesting ranger talk. Oh, there’s a history lesson! My youngest daughter earned a Junior Park Ranger badge by completing an educational packet.

Overseas mission trips provide a plethora of geography, cultural, and historical lessons, as well as character development. Other post-vacation activity possibilities include writing short essays (disguised as letters to the grandparents or entries for a local newsletter), making photo scrapbooks with journaling, drawing pictures with captions, or making lap books to show what we learned. Of course, I don’t breathe a word about “school” while we’re on vacation, but that doesn’t mean that learning didn’t happen or that it can’t be recorded. And that is the beauty of homeschooling.

Summer school also includes library programs, crafts, and learning other life skills that we somehow don’t have time for during the school year. It’s a great time to pull out the sewing machine and teach your daughter how to sew by making her first apron. It’s also a great time to work on the family (or individual) scrapbooks. Science lessons can include fireflies and fireworks. Homeschooling isn’t just about workbooks—it’s about a lifestyle of learning.

See, that’s not so bad! I don’t label what we do summer school, but just call it sharpening our skills. You can call it whatever you want, but the purpose is the same: to keep kids in the learning mindset while still enjoying a rejuvenating break from the routine of the school year.

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

Bethany S. LeBedz has been married for over fifteen years and is the homeschooling mother to two delightful girls, ages thirteen and eleven. She lives in North Carolina. In addition to homeschooling, she is also a freelance editor and writer. She posts homeschool organization tips and educational reviews to her blog momishome2. In her (very limited) free time, she enjoys reading, participating in Daughters of the American Revolution and Children of the American Revolution, and performing in musical events.

Tags: Blackbeard, Cape Hatteras National Park, composition of sand, field trips, keeping up with what you've learned, math speed drills, summer reading list, Summer School

Related posts:

1. Summer school isn’t so bad School is out for summer!  At least it is for the local schools and the majority...
2. To school or not to school? That is the question. Summer is approaching. The leaves are finally green and our yard is sprouting vegetation. It’s...
3. Summer Reading Programs June is the time of year when many local libraries and other bookstores offer...

Here are a few idea’s to jump start the fun for your back-to-school crew. Tweak these as necessary to best work with your family.

• In general, start the first day off lighter than usual. Ease back into learning/teaching.
• Take your “yearbook” picture.
• Read some “First Day of School” books like: The Berenstain Bears Go to School -Jan and Stan Berenstain, The First Day of School -P.K. Hallinan, Curious George Goes to School -Margaret and H.A. Reys.
• Give a small gift to each child such as a pencil, a special folder, or notebook with their name on it. They’ll enjoy having something all their own & it will teach them the responsibility of keeping up with something themselves.



• Make a list of “Firsts”. It can be common things like “first foods” or “first friends”. Or it can even be more along the lines of educational things like “first leaders” or “first cities”, etc.
• Have a “Back to School Scavenger Hunt”. Make a list of common school items such as paperclips, chalk, etc & hide them beforehand. Print up sheets with “clues” to each item and/or it’s location. Have fun!
• Start learning a Word-A-Day. Include the part of speech, pronunciation & even example sentences. Introduce your new word at the beginning of the school day & see how many times you can use your new word that day. You can use these words for dictionary & grammar work. At the end of each week, you can even have the children put the words in alphabetical order.



• Ask your children what they want to learn about on the first day. You might be surprised at their answers!
• Suggest that you start a family newsletter. This can be whatever time frame you want, weekly monthly etc. Inquire on what each child would like to contribute to the newsletter. Let them show you what they know! If their strong suit is art, let them draw the highlight of your week (or month). If their strong suit is reading, have them list the books or other articles that were read during the week (or month). Taylor the newsletter to your family’s learning & make it personal. It’d be a great addition for your homeschool yearbook!
• Have a “Back to School” party! Invite family and/or friends. This is a great opportunity to promote homeschooling and share your resources with those who might have doubts. Have gifts if you’d like (educational of course) & party decorations. Don’t forget the cake!

Check out my article on page 28 of the funky flipbook edition of Heart of the Matter Magazine.

Nikowa is a 2nd year homeschooling mom to two boys. With her “learning never ends” philosophy, they have an eclectic year-round approach to learning. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys photography, organizing, cooking, and reading. She is a #1 LOST fan and watches UGA football too! (Go Dawgs!) You can visit Nikowa at Knowledge House Academy.

Tags: back to school, early elementary, end of schoolyear, homeschool, new schoolyear ideas, Summer, yearbook

Related posts:

1. 12 Essential Back-To-School Ideas For Mom 1. Take inventory of your supplies This is a two part process. First, you must...
2. Summer School No, I’m not talking about schooling year-round. I realize that some families find schooling year-round...
3. Summer school isn’t so bad School is out for summer!  At least it is for the local schools and the majority...

I have a really bad habit of not checking the settings when I start shooting, which means my white balance, ISO, etc. are usually all wrong on the first pictures I take.

Unfortunately, sometimes I don’t notice until I download the photos and discover they’re all bad! The good news is that my camera and Lightroom are much smarter than I am, and between the two of them I’ve been able to save a lot of images that would have otherwise been deleted.

We took a field trip to a historic gold rush museum this fall. Amazingly enough, we arrived early and had fun walking around the town square. The kids sat on a rock wall to wait, and I took their picture. As usual, my settings were all wrong on the first two shots. When I looked at the display, they looked completely black.

After downloading to my computer, they didnt look much better. The thing is, I know my camera is smarter than I am. This photo was taken in the morning, not the middle of the night, so the camera would have captured something in spite of my ineptitude.

Now let’s move into Lightroom, which can reveal underexposed photos like mine. To edit you will need to be in Develop (on my Mac, typing “D” takes me to the Develop module).

We’re going to look particularly at the “Tone” section on the right.

See those sliders? If you drag the Exposure slider to the right, it will increase the exposure of your photo; go to the left and you’ll decrease it. My photo needed increased exposure. I also increased brightness and then bumped the contrast slightly. [We'll talk about those lovely Recovery, Fill Light, and Blacks sliders later, some of the most-used Lightroom tricks up my sleeve.] Here’s how the slider looked when I finished.

My photo wasn’t frame-on-the-wall worthy, but at least I had the satisfaction of actually seeing it. This isn’t going to work if your photo was actually taken in the dark, because your camera probably didn’t capture anything. If you’re like me, though, you may have some salvageable photos just waiting to be revealed.

Questions? Comments? Feedback? Suggestions for future columns? Email me at dawn@heartofthemattermagazine.com

Recommended Resources:
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby
(http://www.kelbytraining.com/product/adobe-photoshop-lightroom-20-book-fordigital-
photographers.html)

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

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.

Tags: Adobe, Adobe Lightroom 2, fixing underexposed photos, ISO, photography, salvaging photos

Related posts:

1. Fun with Photography Featuring Lightroom 2: Easy Editing with Presets Okay, so how many of you read last issue’s column and either purchased Lightroom or...
2. Fun with Photography Featuring Lightroom 2 Fun with Photography Featuring Lightroom 2: Adjustment Brushes and Basic Sliders [Refer to this...
3. Fun with Photography Featuring Lightroom 2 In my opinion, there should be two additional chapters in books written for expectant mothers:...

Magic Kingdom

1. As you enter the park on Main Street U.S.A., note the forced perspective of the buildings. This makes for an interesting art lesson once you return home.
2. Don’t miss the literature tie-ins found in Peter Pan’s Flight, the Swiss Family Treehouse and Tom Sawyer Island.
3. For older children, a kinesthetic supplement to a unit on force and motion wouldn’t be complete without touring the mountains of the Magic Kingdom: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain and Space Mountain.
4. The Hall of Presidents is currently being updated to add President Barack Obama. The attraction includes a film on American history and audio-animatronic figures of each U.S. president.
5. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress originally opened at the 1964 World’s Fair. The show uses a catchy tune and audio-animatronics to illustrate the use of technology throughout the 20th Century and beyond. It is open seasonally.

Epcot

1. Epcot was originally conceived as Walt Disney’s vision of the future – an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. While almost every attraction includes an educational component, some are easily incorporated into lessons from science to language studies.
2. Spaceship Earth, the giant geodesic sphere near the entrance, traces the history of communication. Watch papyrus being formed, the launch of the Gutenberg printing press and Michelangelo’s painting of the Sistine Chapel. The attraction has been updated recently to include an interactive touch-screen activity.
3. Living with the Land includes a tour through hyrdoponic greenhouses, an aquaculture center and more. A separate walking tour, “Behind the Seeds,” is available for an additional charge.
4. At the Seas with Nemo and Friends, don’t miss the observation deck where you can learn about manatees and other sea creatures.
5. Innoventions includes many interactive stations and hands-on activities. Guests can ride a Segway, learn fire safety, play a game to learn about recycling, find out how Underwriters Laboratories tests products for safety, and more.
6. At World Showcase, experience the culture, food, art and entertainment of 11 countries. Take the time to interact with cast members (Disney employees) from each country and don’t miss the free Kidcot Funstops where children can create a souvenir.

Animal Kingdom

1. Experience Kilimanjaro Safaris, a ride through Florida’s version of the African savanna. Animals are everywhere – keep an eye out for elephants and lions. A giraffe or rhino may even cross your path. As they enter the attraction, children can learn the Swahili names for the animals they are about to see.
2. Get close to a wide variety of animals through the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, the stops on Rafiki’s Planet Watch and along the Maharajah Jungle Trek. Lessons on conservation and ecosystems form great science supplements.
3. The Festival of the Lion King is a true theatre experience for all ages. For show times, check the board near the park’s entrance or pick up a times guide where park maps are distributed.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

1. Young animators and movie makers will enjoy The Magic of Disney Animation, the Studio Backlot Tour, and a variety of other opportunities to learn how Hollywood magic is created.
2. Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show also peels away the layers of a movie production and provides a window into the physics of real movie stunts.

Disney’s Homeschool Days

Disney’s Homeschool Days give homeschoolers a chance to participate in Disney YES (Youth Education Series) programs.

“Education was one of the most important things to Walt Disney,” Christine DeMichael, Marketing Manager for Disney Youth Programs, said.

DeMichael said that message is reflected throughout the parks – in the founding of our country illustrated at the Magic Kingdom, with studies of animals, conservation, ecology, veterinary science, Asia and Africa at Animal Kingdom; movie making and animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios; and in Innoventions and the World Showcase at Epcot.

“There is educational value in all of our theme parks,” she said.

During the next Homeschool Days, Sept. 21 – 22 at Epcot, DeMichael said students have a variety of opportunities available.

“It has a cultural theme this time,” she said “Homeschoolers will hear about our international programs and how our guests interact with natives from each country. They are not only standing in Germany, they are talking to someone from Germany.”

Other programs include Ocean Discoveries, a study of ocean ecology and how different cultures view saving the oceans; American Story, a chance to learn about America using Liberty Square as the foundation; Millennium Cultures, a study of how technology and communication have shaped cultures; and Leadership Excellence for late middle school to high school students.

“It helps them learn from a Disney professional what it takes to lead in our company,” DeMichael said.

Park admission is offered at a significant discount during Homeschool Days, which are typically held twice each year. For homeschool families and co-ops visiting the parks at other times, DeMichael said YES programs can be scheduled for groups of 10 or more students. For details, visit www.disneyhomeschooldays.com.

Find great WDW planning tips online

• www.waltdisneyworld.com: The official site for Walt Disney World. Order a free planning DVD and learn about the current promotion offering free park admission on your birthday.
• www.mousesavers.com: Lists a variety of discounts.
• www.allearsnet.com: The definitive site for menus at the parks and WDW resorts, as well as information for special needs visitors.
• For even more details, visit www.wdwinfo.com, www.intercot.com or www.passporter.com/wdw.

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

Chris Worthy is mom to Caroline (15) and Nolan (10) and will soon celebrate 20 years of marriage to her favorite person, John. Chris practiced law before becoming a writer and stay-at-home mother more than 10 years ago. She enjoys cooking, crafting, spoiling dogs, green living and rummaging though old books. Follow along at www.chrisworthy.com

Tags: Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Homeschool Days, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, using Disney World as a teaching tool, Walt Disney World lesson plan

Related posts:

1. Homeschooling Perk #10 Wow, it’s hard to believe that October is already here. Fall has arrived here on...
2. Homeschooling an Only Child *Please note I refer to all children as “he” in this article. My stat counter...
3. Old Fashioned Homeschooling I’ve been schooling long enough to have observed trends and cycles in the movement. In...

Every year of homeschooling for our family began with our annual back to school planning breakfast. We waited until the day that public school went back into session (we couldn’t resist the symbolic celebration) and off we went to tackle the details of our new year.

Everyone had to come prepared with several things:

• what you liked that we did the year before,
• what you didn’t like that we did the year before,
• and what you wanted to see more of during our new school year (that answer was always the same – more field trips!).

I could generally predict what the children’s answers were going to be, but it was empowering for them to say these things themselves. They were self-evaluating; an important and often over-looked skill needed in real life. Of course, this segment of our “meeting” never failed to produce several lively retellings (and maybe a few re-enactments) of funny events that were delightful.

Next came the hard part, or so I always thought. Each of us (including mom) shared the areas where we felt like we had improved and the areas that still needed work. When we first began our back to school meetings, I thought that my children would have difficulty being open about these issues. Boy, was I wrong! I would come with my list of things they needed to improve in, and they always beat me to the punch. How encouraging, I would think. They really do get what we are saying! Their openness was actually a challenge to me to do the same. I have to say that these meetings encouraged openness on all our parts and formed a supportive bond that exists to this day. When we treated each other with the trust and respect of an important teammate, everyone’s attitude improved, even mine!

Not only did our annual meeting provide the opportunity to review our greatest hits from the year before, it also gave the children a voice. When they saw that I took their input seriously, they began to give input that was more serious. In the rush and busyness of life, it is easy to overlook listening to our children. If we quit listening for long enough, they will simply stop sharing, or find someone else who will give them the time and attention. As they grew older, listening at the meeting took on greater and greater importance, as we mapped out things like commitments to co-ops, sports and ultimately the planning out of high school.

It is not exaggerating to say that this time and planning would not have been so treasured if we had just been sitting around the table at home. The time and money I expended on them made a point, and their participation in the planning was important to me – as important as going to a convention, workshop, or mom’s meeting. In the end, it was much more important than any of those other things. There I would learn what was in other people’s hearts; here I learned what was in my children’s hearts. What greater way is there to begin a year of learning and growing together?

Check out my article on page 6 of the funky 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.

Tags: back to school, Common Sense Solutions, Debbie Strayer, Dr. Ruth Beechick, family meetings, homeschool planning, homeschooling teenagers, improvement, learning together, planning breakfast, planning your year

Related posts:

1. Common Sense Solutions: How Young Children Think The terms we use for describing children’s thinking come from Jean Piaget, a Swiss scientist...
2. Common Sense Solutions: Apprentice Spellers When children begin to write, they are apprentice spellers. They are beyond the scribbling stage...
3. Common Sense Solutions: Stress Free Writing I know what you’re thinking. The title is an oxymoron because writing is a source...