Comments for Heart of the Matter Online - bridging the gap between child and parent

Comment on 15 Homemade Math Manipulatives by Karen

Karen — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:26:04 +0000

OKAY! Hear goes I had bought a gallon jar full of buttons, thought I would use for a craft idea and scrapbooking ideas. Well that never happened, I have a aspergers grandson I homeschool. We needed math helpers, my grandson was so interested in the shapes and sizes in the jar of buttons. We have sorted them into sizes, shapes you name it we have done it. We have counted them, used them for fractions by putting so many in a pile then seperating them into thirds,ect. It just so happenes there was buttons in the jar that were like coins and we had used them for counting change. Then all I did was copied the paper bills.

I have used sand art to teach measuring, we had used measuring cups and measured the sand then poured it into the little sand art bottles fun and he didn’t even know he was learning. We had planted seeds for a garden into starter boxes I used the flats from bottled water bottles for the starter box and potting soil. We measured the potting soil as we put it into the box we counted the seeds as we put them into the box. Dividing the box into sections and planting different seeds in each section. We had to go to the store and read on the packages to figure out which seeds would grow in like conditions. So in the long run in this one project we had math, science, reading,and a whole lot of fun and the mess was outside.

Karen

Comment on Reading Aloud to Boys by Tina @ Ride On Toys

Tina @ Ride On Toys — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:44:37 +0000

I’ve always read aloud to my kids and have found it so enjoyable. There’s nothing better than to see kids grab a book and sit down in anticipation of a great read. One of my favorites is The Magic Tree House series.
Tina @ Ride On Toys´s last blog ..The Power Wheels Motorcycle – The Thrill Of Speed

Comment on Living with Less so Your Family Has More (Giveaway) by Julie

Julie — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 03:58:46 +0000

What a fantastic resource, I can’t wait to read it!

Comment on Press the Pause Button by Dana♥

Dana♥ — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 03:29:01 +0000

Yep… I have been there and visit there regularly. I too have to give myself permission to take a break. Why do we do these crazy things? I can so relate!
Dana♥´s last blog ..Putting Together Our Nature Backpacks

Comment on Living with Less so Your Family Has More (Giveaway) by Carolyn

Carolyn — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:48:52 +0000

This sounds like a wonderful book! I’m sure it would be a blessing for any family searching for the best use of time and finances. Would love to win a copy!

Comment on Ready – Set – Go by David@ellenwhitestudybible

David@ellenwhitestudybible — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:37:50 +0000

we have a church school thats extremely small, but it doesnt start until 1st grade and my first son is four now. I really like some of your ideas here and plan on implementing them. This was extremely insightful thank you very much for posting. I especially like your ideas with art!
David@ellenwhitestudybible´s last blog ..NKJV Study Bible

Comment on From Worry to Worship in Six Steps by Bethany L.

Bethany L. — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:36:59 +0000

Thanks for commenting. Indeed, what is the point if we do not have Jesus?
Bethany L.´s last blog ..Classical Education Curricula

Comment on From Worry to Worship in Six Steps by David@ellenwhitestudybible

David@ellenwhitestudybible — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:34:48 +0000

I thought your most important point was 5. If we do not have Jesus in our heart what is the point! I love that text from Romans 12:1-2. This is what its really all about in 1 John 1:9 I love the promise of Jesus is faithful to forgive and cleanse! Confession indeed I do worry but now that I have these texts down I know what will keep my mind on worship!

Thanks alot

Comment on Spelling Letters by Tammy

Tammy — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:55:51 +0000

I wish I would have heard of the ball passing idea a long time ago because that would have worked wonderfully with one of my boys!

Thanks for sharing, Lisa!

Blessings,
Tammy ~@~
Tammy´s last blog ..looking across at the shoreline

Comment on Ready – Set – Go by Misty (elvisgirl)

Misty (elvisgirl) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:26:23 +0000

You have some great ideas! I would say, don’t forget to involve all the children in learning Life Skills (like the dishwashing) and the perfect opportunity to teach them is when they really want to learn with you (like the 4 year old). I missed out on some of that because I was in a hurry to get stuff done. Now they have chore boards and we get so much more accomplished!

We have a classroom, but we wind up doing school all over the house. Like you, we do read alouds and such in a comfy area. Spelling and writing is usually in the classroom at desks, and math games or workbooks at a kitchen table. You never know where Science will happen! Art happens where ever depending on the degree of mess making involved.

I didn’t see Bible mentioned, but that has been a great thing in our school. We use actual Bible reading for History. Bible lessons or devotionals are for Bible. I know that CC History uses Bible flashcards. There are so many opportunities to help our children grow with God. The results are positively awesome. This year, we’ve been working on giving our school to God.

Do you guys volunteer anywhere? That has been a great way to both be an example to my kids and to see the good fruit that God is helping us to produce. When we volunteer with our church, they like to help an older lady who organizes the group from our church. The adults are always amazed at what hard workers they are at age 9 and 7.

Another thing is to pray for your kids and with your kids. Really get to know them. Spend time with them doing things they like to do. Let them know that you really like them as a person.

I really feel that having a basic schedule and sticking to it helps keep things rolling smoothly. Although we have had a terrible time sticking to our schedule lately. So, deep breaths and knowing we have the whole day to get things done (and the rest of the year, since we school year round) has been really helpful for me. Bible memory helps, too; when I have scripture repeating in my head, I handle things a lot better! The kids joined AWANA (a Bible memory club) this year and we also discovered God Rocks (Bibletoons). Quizzing the kids for AWANA has been helpful in my own scripture memory. God Rocks is scripture set to 50’s and 60’s style music and the music really keeps the scripture in my head.

What I have been reminded of this year is that I need to make sure my eye is on the goal and my focus in on God. That is how I need to be “set and ready” for homeschooling. Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”
Misty (elvisgirl)´s last blog ..New Year Goals