Home homeschooling How Our Family Homeschools

How Our Family Homeschools

by Kelly Crawford

I have had several requests lately to give a general picture of what it looks like to homeschool in our family where there are several different age levels as well as small children.  An overview of my basic homeschool philosophy is detailed in my ebook “Think Outside the Classroom” if you’re interested in reading more.

As far as how that philosophy translates to real life, I’ll give it my best shot!

First, we are relaxed.  Some days I think it would be easier to be less relaxed, on other days I’m glad we’re more flexible and not haunted by deadlines.

I do not “teach for a test”.  That is, while we’re concerned that our children learn much of the same basic information taught in school, we are not concerned as much with when they learn it or whether they perform well while testing.  This makes a huge difference in how children are educated.

Our “skeleton” schedule—if nothing else gets done–is this:

The three oldest have a math and English curriculum that they work on independently with my help if needed.  We use different curriculum from year to year, but right now everyone is using Rod and Staff. They also do copy work, usually from the Bible.

The oldest has a pretty large reading assignment of an assortment of books and subjects (Apologetics, Government and right now she’s studying events of the 20th century–specifically, the Holocaust.)  She will write an essay on one of these books every few weeks and I will grade it and go over grammar, spelling and usage errors.  (If you feel inadequate to do this, perhaps you could solicit the help of a friend or relative.)

History

The younger children do daily reading assignments from a Science book and History book (right now it’s Apologia Science and A Child’s Story of History).  In addition, they must “leisure read” from another book of their choice, approved by one of us.

Update: Our three oldest children (now 13, 15, 17) are doing American History from Compass Classroom and we are absolutely loving it! It’s a short video each day, a full year’s curriculum over 26 weeks, and it’s from a Christian perspective, told by a passionate teacher and I feel confident in his accuracy. Click HERE if you want to read more.

I usually read aloud to all the children at some point during the day from a biography or “living book.” The little ones can play in the floor during this time, but everyone has to be quiet.

Reading/Phonics

For the little ones, it’s pretty spontaneous.  I encourage them to play a lot, and as they show interest in learning the sounds of letters I sit down with them just a few minutes a day and go over that.  If they don’t show interest, I require them to sit with me and practice letter sounds at around age 6.  I’m currently teaching the 5th one to read and I have never used a curriculum or program to do it. Just sounds of letters, then sounds of blends (consonant and vowel), then putting words together and helping with sight words.  It’s worked every time!  I don’t get real antsy about their reading at a certain age because they eventually learn to read well, even if they don’t start early.

Variety

For variety, I try to switch things up sometimes.  For example, today I officially gave them “‘math and English off” until Christmas, but my 9 and 11 year old have to play a math game with each other each day and they each have to read a section from “Explore & Learn” to a younger sibling.  Bria is delighted to just have more time for reading, and she also actually enjoys reading from learning books with the younger ones.  We also incorporate educational videos and documentaries.

My husband tries to ask them at dinner to talk about something they learned that day.  This helps them solidify their knowledge and keeps him more involved as well.

Their Dad usually reads from some book at night besides the Bible.  Right now we’re alternating between “Life of Washington” and “They Signed for Us.”

As I emphasize in the ebook, I think a parent cannot underestimate the power of simple conversation in a child’s education.  I believe this is possibly where they learn the most.

My husband and I usually reevaluate everything at the first of the year and make necessary adjustments.  Little things like not forgetting to have the age-appropriate ones learn to type, or discussing whether a certain curriculum is a good match for each child.

We personally feel that “education” is best summed up by “being literate and well-read, developing critical thinking skills (done best through conversation), being numerate and maintaining a thirst for learning”.  Above all this though, as Christians, we desire that our children develop a fear of the Lord which is the beginning of knowledge.

I’ve probably left out lots of questions, so feel free to ask and I’ll try to explain 😉  I do not think our way of schooling is superior, at all, it’s just what works for us in this season.

Addendum: (I thought of something else ;-))

A common fear about homeschooling is “what if I can’t teach them everything?”  Good news is, you don’t have to, nor CAN you.  The “system” makes us think that one needs to be under the constant tutelage of an expert to learn what we need to learn.  I submit that far more important is the skill of “learning how to learn”.  A simple illustration is the age-old proverb about how it’s far better to teach a man how to plant a garden rather than planting a garden for a man.  (Is that a proverb?  I have no idea.)  Anyway, maybe you get my point.

I don’t have to teach my child every subject; in fact, no institution is capable of covering everything.  I didn’t learn any Chemistry in school, but I excelled in that subject in college.  It’s a fallacy for someone to say, “but you need a professional to teach ______. Perhaps, but if and when that time comes, if your child has a foundational understanding of how to learn, it will not be a problem. (By the way, I can’t think of a single instance where I’ve ever needed Chemistry.) To clarify, as a commenter pointed out, I’m not discounting the enormous presence and importance of Chemistry in our everyday life; I’m pointing out that Chemistry isn’t even a required subject in high school, and I don’t feel handicapped for not having had it in high school nor do I feel disqualified to teach my children based on my not being an expert in Chemistry.

We need to rely much heavier on the instincts that God gave us for learning what is needed at the time it is needed, instead of getting worried about fulfilling a checklist of subjects, most of which will likely be forgotten after the test.

Think Outside the Classroom

Think Outside the Classroom

Think Outside the Classroom

$4.97  Add to Cart

Are you a homeschooling mother who worries that you aren’t “doing enough”? Are you thinking of homeschooling but feel afraid that you aren’t qualified? If so, read more…

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118 comments

Sheila, Mama to Six December 14, 2010 - 11:59 pm

But, how are they socialized?

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Word Warrior December 15, 2010 - 10:10 am

Ha! Funny lady you are.

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Sarah Lownsbery December 15, 2010 - 1:20 pm

Haha that is funny 🙂

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Carmen December 16, 2010 - 5:15 pm

Well… How are they socialized? (tongue totally in cheek!) 😉

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Jennifer December 15, 2010 - 1:33 am

LOL!

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Jennifer December 15, 2010 - 1:34 am

In all seriousness, that’s awesome, Kelly! Sounds like a whole lot of fun.

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Angela Anderson December 15, 2010 - 1:53 am

My daughter is 6months old and I am already researching how I am going to homeschool her..lol!
People think I am crazy but I just want to be well prepared. I am new to the whole homeschooling idea and I’ve already found that trying to find a curriculum can be very overwhelming. I am very eager to read about CM and her philosophy.
I am in my late twenties and I only know one mom who homeschools her children. I wish I knew more moms in my area…sometimes I wish I had a mentor to walk me through this confusing world of homeschooling curriculum. 🙂
Thank you for your posts. I am going to go back and read all your homeschooling posts!
Amen to you sister!
Many blessings!

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Beth West December 15, 2010 - 8:57 am

Yay for your little one, Angela! If you lived in Maine, I’d be happy to spend time with you chatting about curriculum and education. My oldest DD has a 3 yo, 2 yo and a baby, and she just got her first curriculum choices in and is doing preschool with the 2 & 3 year olds. They are having so much fun and this Grandma loves to hear and talk about it with her, especially as I have a 2 and 4 yo myself who are doing early learning activities.

There is so much good material available out there. I just love Karen Andreola’s book, A Charlotte Mason Companion. I wish I had had it when I began homeschooling my children 19 years ago. Better late than never though.

Have fun with your research.

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Word Warrior December 15, 2010 - 10:12 am

I second the CM Companion recommendation.

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Sarah December 15, 2010 - 7:44 am

Enjoyed this. We like Apologia science too. It is difficult to be relaxed-we are in our second year of home ed and it is hard not to worry about whether the child, that we took out of school, would be further ahead if he were still there.
My current concerns are getting enough exercise and languages-any advice?
Thank you.

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the cottage child December 15, 2010 - 9:06 am

Hi, Sarah, we’re in our second full year also, and as huge a home school advocate as I am I worry about the same thing. I finally started investigating grade-level bench marks from what I considered “good” schools (and you can find them on the internet, too), and was pleased to discover that even our relaxed approach has our delightfully average children performing at well beyond what would be expected in school.

Are you referring to physical exercise? If you are, my best suggestion is a morning walk – we head out on a deliberate, fast walk several times a week, and often do our nature study/observation on the way back. We’re in the coastal south and it doesn’t get too cold to walk, so we’re lucky – I imagine it would be harder if you’re snow-bound much of the winter. Anyway, the walk seems to get everyone fully awake and the fidgets settled out (including mine).

Sending encouragement your way…

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Savannah December 15, 2010 - 11:49 am

I’d love to know where you found your “benchmarks”. Hubby and I were looking for something like that this year.

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Kim M December 15, 2010 - 12:12 pm

I recommend a mini trampoline and a punching bag!!! Super fun and good exercise!

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I Live in an Antbed December 15, 2010 - 3:21 pm

I have used a mini trampoline, too. I would set a timer and tell the one with the wiggles to jump until it beeped (between 2 and 5 minutes). Works very well.

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Kim M December 15, 2010 - 10:21 pm

Great idea! I just love my kitchen timer!

I made the boys’ punching bag out of a pair of stuffed blue jeans that belonged to my husband. I hang it from a hook in the door frame and they go nuts on it.

R. F. December 15, 2010 - 11:31 am

We are in the snow bound north, but we always find ways to keep physically active indoors. We recieved a tumbling mat from a neighbor years ago while she was cleaning out her basement. It fold up nicely and slides under the bunk bed in our boys room. Every day we take it out and do summersaults, headstands, jumping jacks, marching in place to fun music. The kids enjoy it and I get a little exercise as well. My children are all under the age of 6 so it is a little easier. Older children can easily do indoor activities as well though. Maybe set up a daily workout of pushups, marching in place, jumping jacks, situps, and stretching. You don’t need much really. Cleaning can also be a great workout!

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Elizabeth December 15, 2010 - 11:39 am

When you say getting enough language, I’m assuming you mean foreign language. I think I can put your mind at ease. My oldest daughter is 17 and I did French with her mainly because it was the language I studied in school. We mainly used Rosetta Stone, and I have to admit did not really focus on it. She is now in her last year of high school and is currently taking a French 1 class at the college where my husband teaches. She has never been in a classroom setting before and is doing quite well. She mentioned to me the other day that there are a lot of people in her class who took four years of French during high school and she doesn’t see herself as being behind or knowing less than they do after completing her first semester. She wondered out loud what on earth they did for those four years because she doesn’t see that it made any difference.

Kelly, it sounds as though we have a very similar homeschool philosophy. I enjoyed reading about your school day.

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anon December 15, 2010 - 2:14 pm

Sarah,
We have been using a Latin program from Memoria Press: http://www.memoriapress.com/.
It is designed so that you can start at an early age (if you desire). I was surprised that when my older child started my 3 yr old was walking around reciting her Latin prayers. The nice thing is if you are not language oriented you can purchase the instructional DVDs- a latin teacher teaches the class for you. They also offer some history books that you can integrate into the Latin program (all done for you).
Memoria Press also offers a very nice French program.

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Samantha December 15, 2010 - 9:10 am

I am TRYING to get more relaxed. This is year 2 for us, with 3 of our 6 having first gone to ps. Our oldest is in 8th this year. It is very hard to deprogram that mindset!

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Heidi December 15, 2010 - 9:20 am

kind of the way we do it especially teaching to read…Its a great accomplishment in our family when the next child learns to read the whole family a book..:)

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Deanna December 15, 2010 - 9:52 am

We are relaxed too!

Math, language arts and reading everyday! Easy to incorporate other subjects like history and science with reading assignments and writing!

I am in my 16th year homeschooling, and I have 12 more years to go!

Bless all of you just starting out. Seek the Lord with your fears – don’t listen to what “they” say a child should know when….

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Word Warrior December 15, 2010 - 10:21 am

*Like*

One of things I talk about in the ebook is the importance of defining “education”. We ARE programmed to think a certain way (a child has to learn abc by a certain age, etc.) but if we can clear our minds, remember that WE are given these children to educate and we don’t have to answer to anyone else, we can see more clearly what our goals and methods are.

An example I’ve given before:

Many parents with young children really stress over curriculum and getting a head start, etc. First, research proves that a “head start” is only temporary; that is, a child who starts an early, rigorous academic program may appear ahead for a few years, but will even out with his counterparts by around age 9.

We are programmed to think that our children will be behind if we don’t get this jump start, when in reality, there is a ton of evidence of the importance of creative play in the foundational development of a child’s brain. In other words, relax 😉

Also, many of the pre-school curricula focus on basic concepts like “up and down”, “left and right”, “big, bigger, biggest” and without trying to sound derogatory, these concepts are just a natural part of life that all children learn if they live in a family where there is normal communication and interaction.

What I’m saying is that children are like sponges and they learn SO MUCH naturally, without formal curriculum or “school time”…it is my opinion that children will thrive more if we don’t strive so hard to create a classroom at home, especially not in the formative years.

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R. F. December 15, 2010 - 11:49 am

Right now we are doing virtual school. It’s a combination of ps and homeschool. The curriculum is set by a teacher (that we communicate with over the internet) and I do the actual lessons and teaching at home. Some assignments are to be sent to the teacher. My husband wasn’t sure about the homeschooling idea, he felt better knowing the was a “teacher” monitoring their progress. Now that I’ve done it this way for two years, I would like to go out on our own. I hate the feeling of being “behind” because we didn’t finish all the lessons planned for the day. I keep telling myself it doesn’t really matter whether they are “behind” or not, they are at home with me, hearing my views on everything. To be fair to their “teacher” she also does not worry about getting everything done on time, as long as everything is completed by the end of the year.

Anyway, that is the background. What I wanted to say is some of the tings the children are learning are not necessary if you interact with them at all. I remember laughing and skipping right through the lessons on “over-under, forward-back, up-down, etc.” To me it is a waste of time. Also social studies work on communities I find laughable. We skipped through it as well. My 6 year old knows that a city is different than the country. He knows about post offices, grocery stores, gas stations and police officers. He is living right here seeing it, why do we need to waste time “studying” it?

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Taryn December 15, 2010 - 11:24 am

We have been home educating since 1985-this is our last year. We just recently heard good reports of Rod and Staff math and english-we’ve been ordering from their catalog for years(PO Box 3, 14193 Hwy. 172, Crockett, KY 41413- (606) 522-4348). Covenant Home curriculum(Reformed) has a physical education program in their catalog-it is simple and uncluttered. We didn’t like Alpha Omega Publications P.E. book but we haven’t liked any of their products. In New York we are required to have P.E., art(Abeka), music(Abeka) -and one year of a foreign language in high school(Abeka) in addition to core subjects(math-Christian Liberty Press,english/composition(Abeka), history/geography(Abeka) and science/health(Abeka). We also used Abeka for spelling/vocabulary. We used Christian Light Education(readers,history,english) and keepersofthefaith.com products too. We used Bible(KJV) as an elective in high school. We liked CLP’s biographies of Jedidiah Smith and George Washington plus their Robinson Crusoe Reader. For phonics/early reading we liked Abeka(Handbook for Reading) and CLE. We stayed away from Disney/ New Age/evolution type books where they went overboard on the personalizing of animals. We liked Abeka’s health books. We started out with many catalogs but stayed with about 6 of them.

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Word Warrior December 15, 2010 - 11:46 am

FYI, I just added an addendum to the post you may find encouraging.

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anon December 15, 2010 - 2:06 pm

Kelly, I think the proverb you may be referring to is:’Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime’ I.e. It is better to know how to help yourself than to always beg from others.
I think this proverb may illustrate your point very well:
“Give a man a match, he shall be warm for a moment. Light a man on fire and he shall be warm for the rest of his life.” i.e. ignite the life long passion of learning in them and they’ll never ever stop!

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Word Warrior December 15, 2010 - 3:15 pm

Ha! Thank you…I knew I totally had the wrong proverb 😉

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Taryn December 15, 2010 - 12:09 pm

In New York State we are required to have a State Notebook(Abeka-4th grade) and a planning book for recordkeeping(I use Christian Liberty Press’s(Reformed)). We used Abeka for penmanship. The state requires 4 years of history and 4 years of english for high school. Two years of science(physical science,biology) and two years of math(algebra,geometry) are required in high school. I enjoyed Alexandra Swann’s book- No Regrets-about how her mother taught her and her 9 siblings at home. They used American School Correspondence for high school and took 2 years of math/ 2 years of science(if I remember correctly). Then they homeschooled for college.

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Kim M December 15, 2010 - 12:36 pm

I love it when you and the other readers post personal things about home-schooling because it is so encouraging to me!
We do Bible memory, Bible stories, character stories, science, history, and even phonics review all together and then my children do workbooks for math and language arts independently. They type spelling and vocabulary lists on the computer to get their typing skills and I work individually with my youngest. I am working through Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy lessons, except we do half a lesson a day instead of a whole lesson. Also, I am going through Row Peterson Arithmetic 2 with him also (I love the story form). He loves using dried beans to learn his math and has picked it up quickly.
Thanks again!

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Joyfull December 16, 2010 - 2:28 pm

For spelling we use the Dolch Sight Word list (google it – it is the 200 most frequently used words in the English language.) I just keep going down the list, and she spells out loud. Once we have found three or four she doesn’t spell correctly, she works on those for the day. We also discuss phonics rules at this time.

Do lots of reading, and very few if any worksheets or workbooks. Starfall.com is a free phonics / early reader site which they enjoy playing.

Science and history, just use good books. Math is the only subject where you may need curriculum, but even there, discussing numbers in daily life, practice and memorization of the basics, and some free math games on the internet can also work.

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Sarah Lownsbery December 15, 2010 - 1:30 pm

Hi Ladies!
I have been reading through the comments and have gained so much wisdom! We are due to be stationed stateside next year and I am really wanting to homeschool. I have three kids my oldest two are in first and kinder and they go to the DODEA school here in Italy (the school on base). I am really nervous about the transition, but we have a good start with moving during the summer. Any advice for a first time homeschooling mama?! My main concern is the cost of some of these cirriculums. I will have two kids to buy school stuff for. How do those of you with bigger families afford it?
Thanks in advance for any advice 🙂
Sarah Lownsbery
If you have a lot of advice you can email me at sarah_lownsbery(at)yahoo(dot)com

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Word Warrior December 15, 2010 - 2:15 pm

Sarah,

It is so easy to homeschool and spend very little money…the library, thrift stores, Ebay–all of these are great places to find books, curricula and supplies.

Keep in mind that small children can be taught with a pencil and piece of paper! (Or chalkboard, etc.) They really need some good books, you to sit beside them and help them learn the sounds of letters, and then a basic understanding of numbers, which can be found in all sorts of daily activities.

Learning should not be equated with “sitting down and doing textbook work”. Learning is constant with a little attention given to what’s around you.

For the record, we have spent very little $$$ in our 9 years of homeschooling.

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anon December 15, 2010 - 2:45 pm

Kelly, You echoed my thoughts! Good books! Good books! and more Godd Books! While I love to look at certain Homeschool magazines, the price tags!!!! When there is a need we purchase from places like CBD.com. I would say good books are the one essential thing to have on hand! And don’t under estimate the power of picture books- so much knowledge packed into one package! A ready made curriculum can be helpful if you are not the organized, do-it- yourself kinda gal, BUT they can stress you out if you can’t keep up with the schedule and get the whole thing done. Our children don’t come from the same cookie mold so the pre-fab may just not fit!
The first place to start, Sarah, is with being familiar with your state laws. Some states require heavy regulation, like New York, while in others there may be none. Homeschool Legal Defense Association (http://www.hslda.org/) will answer any questions you have(like how/when to file, what/how long to teach,test requirements, etc) and then you can move on from there.
A book I keep on the shelf for yearly review is The Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer. It’s serves as a nice guide for each year. Someone else also recommended A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola, another favorite, which is an excellent new to home ed introduction!
Above all, don’t stress, and don’t be nervous! It is such a joy!

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the cottage child December 15, 2010 - 3:59 pm

anon, I have a home schooling acquaintance who spends next to nothing on curricula and materials. She uses the Bible, primarily, as an outline for everything – copy work, geography and maps, language,ancient history, and of course, religious studies, except more recent history and math. That with Ambleside Online (Charlotte Mason), borrows books from the library, Google books, etc, and receives them as gifts. I wholeheartedly concur with the ladies who have recommended Charlotte Mason (and I recommend reading her home school series, you can find it online via Ambleside Online – it’s several volumes, and explores her philosophy of education from a paradigm most of us raised in classroom schools would find startling…first and foremost that a child’s relationship with his Creator is paramount in his learning life, second that his mother is perfectly equipped and the natural choice to guide him through the process). That and good books upon good books upon good books.

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the cottage child December 15, 2010 - 4:01 pm

Sorry, Anon, I addressed you when I was trying to agree with you in reply to Sarah Lownsbury. sorry for the confusion….

Taryn December 15, 2010 - 2:11 pm

Christian Liberty Press sells many Abeka books and you don’t have to pay state tax like you would if you ordered directly from them. We have ordered from the Rod and Staff catalog:the Amish Pathway Readers(6th-8th), the storybooks(preschool-adult),King James Bibles, and the Art with a Purpose((1st-8th),etc. Christian Light Ed. sells that art, also. keepersofthefaith.com sells the Rod and Staff hardcover science textbooks. The Rod and Staff wall timeline looks good. It’s easy to design your own Physical Education program for your family/student. We use papers in folders(one for each subject) with our workbooks/textbooks so the books get passed down to the younger children. My oldest son(36)(he homeschooled 6th-8th) went to a Christian high school that used Abeka(we do 80% of the books) and my youngest son(of the 6) asked the other day-“Did Bobby use this book?” They like that idea. We use Seton Testing Service(by mail) every May.

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Carolina Jackson December 15, 2010 - 2:44 pm

And what about memorizing? do you do it regularly?

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Word Warrior December 15, 2010 - 3:13 pm

I’m a huge fan of memorizing, but will admit that we do it rather sporadically. Several thoughts on that…

After reading Ten Peas in a Pod I was astounded that several of his children memorized almost the entire Bible with little effort. How? Their father simply read it to them so much and so often that when they sat down to memorize it, they were half way there just from hearing it! So we try to read the Bible a lot.

Secondly, I did put 9 passages of Scripture to music which I sell here on the website 😉By Heart Scripture Songs and it makes memorizing Scripture pretty much effortless. (Most of them are long passages, some are whole chapters.)

From time to time we focus on a poem. Of course the key is just daily repetition.

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Jennifer December 15, 2010 - 5:02 pm

You’ve got that right about repetition. When I was in public school, I’d sometimes suffer during free time if I had no book to read. In order to pass the time, I’d start writing a list (four or five pages worth) of the books I love! Titles and authors. I’d started back when I just had thirty books, and back then I’d have to recheck the authors’ names. By highschool, though, I had more than 100 and re-listed them all by memory! Can you tell I’m taken with books? 🙂

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I Live in an Antbed December 15, 2010 - 3:29 pm

We actually schedule memory work into our daily routine. The kids memorize entire chapters of Scripture, as well as the poetry curriculum from the Institute for Excellence in Writing , Greek and Latin Roots, Geography songs, and Math Fact songs, plus the Westminster Catechism songs from Veritas Press. It is amazing how the discipline of memorization bears fruit in their hearts and their minds.

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Taryn December 15, 2010 - 3:23 pm

My third son, Jonathan(30), learned to read mostly with the picture book- The Ox-cart Man.

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Charity December 15, 2010 - 3:33 pm

Wow! The whole thought of homeschooling makes me feel overwhelmed, even though this is what we have chosen for our family. I do not know anyone who homeschools or is even somewhat supportive of the idea, so I feel a bit in the dark when it comes down to the legistics of it all. The thing that makes me nervous is having to abide by state laws and such (and having relatives that threaten to have us locked up for not sending our children to school…is that even possible??) and being approved by the state to be able to homeschool and have to have them check up on us. Our oldest child isn’t even school age yet, so I am nervous and unsure of what I have to do this coming fall when she will fall into that age bracket. I know we have to go before the school board and be approved, I just don’t understand why and how all of that works. I don’t understand why I can’t just teach them at home and be left alone. If there is anyone who can offer any advice, I would be so appreciative.

Our children are 4 1/2yrs, 3 yrs, 1 1/2yrs (and one in utero 😉 ).I have never read any homeschooling books, I have never done worsheets with them, I’ve never had “school time” with them. I spend all day, every day with them, talking to them, answering their (many) questions and enjoying them. They play lots, and the oldest two help alot around the house. I want to foster a dersire for learning in them, but really haven’t thought too much about it because they are so eager to learn anything you are willing to show them. My oldest has been writing her name since before she was 3yrs old, she knows the alphabet and (most) of the sounds for the letters and can spell and read some simple words. She has picked up on most of that from us reading together. She loves to draw and color and during that time I have shown her to write letters and her name and such. She has always been fascinated my clocks, so we bought her a watch for her 3rd birthday. She can tell time like a pro now, and she learned numbers that way. I’ve never really sat down with her to teach her anything though. Her favorite things are helping me with the laundry, cooking, and she loves to watch me sew. My 3yr old little girl could care less about drawing, writing her name, letters, and has just recently taken an interest in coloring. She knows her numbers, but mostly because our oldest child counts with her when we play hide and seek. She would blow your mind telling you all the different birds that visit our feeders each morning. She has always loved to watch them from our windows since before she was old enough to walk. A few months back I took her to the library and we got a book on birds because she wanted to know their names. She can sign nearly anything to you (I have taught them all sign language. I have always loved signing and used to sign for church services when I was in college) and is eager to learn signing for any song we sing together.

Sometimes I fear I won’t be very good at this homeschooling thing, but then my husband reminds me that I teach them countless things each day without really even trying. I feel like when we start “legally” homeschooling that I will always be having to look over my shoulder like I’m being watched by the state. I just want to be the one who teaches them and learns with them every day. I almost don’t like the word “homeschool” because I feel like I have to wear ankle length denim jumpers with rulers and apples embroidered on them, wear my hair in a bun secured by a few of my red pens (from my vast collection to be used for all that grading), re-arrange some room in our house, with flags in front corners (American AND Christian), chalkbaord centered in the front and little desks in a row, call my husband “the principle”, collect stickers that say things like “super”, “great job”, “way to go” and the like….and I just start feeling like I need to run away! *big sigh*

Any advice or book suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Sometimes I fear I may be too relaxed.

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anon December 15, 2010 - 3:47 pm

Charity,
You do not have to be “approved” by anyone to homeschool your children. You may, depending on your state, be required to NOTIFY the school board but no one will be ‘checking up on you’! Go to HSLDA’s website for all the answers you need (www.hslda.org). If you have relatives that could cause you trouble, join HSLDA. They are a christian organization that offers free, excellent legal care for members with circumstances like your own( the member fees are fairly inexpensive). Please check out the site and call them- I think you will find a huge burden lifted when all those doubts are cleared! You CAN teach and be left alone!

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Charity December 15, 2010 - 4:10 pm

I’ve looked on HSLDA, and did again just now. When I read the laws for my state on their site it says… “Parents “may teach their children at home if the instruction is approved by the district board of trustees.” And then gives a list of things I have to do to be approved.

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anon December 15, 2010 - 4:27 pm

Understood. I think it is the wording that is scaring you. My guess is that you live in a state when there is more regulation and this requirements. But understand that the district has to “approve” you. That’s part of HSLDA’s mission- to expel those myths that “you can’t so it, you’ll be constantly watched, etc… Like I said, give them a call. Just curious what state you live in?

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Kelly L December 15, 2010 - 5:27 pm

Charity, I live in Las Vegas and our code says basically the same thing. You know what that entailed? Me writing out the curriculum I THOUGHT I was going to be using that year. Also, as a cheat, World Book has an online printout (or did years ago) that I printed out as to what my expectations for that grade were. It was a general what a 1st grader should know thing. That was it. At least for Vegas it sounded scarier than it turned out to be. You will have so much fun, this planning will be worth it!

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Charity December 15, 2010 - 7:35 pm

Thank you Kelly L. All the “laws” do sound scary, but hopefully it won’t be like I’m imagining. Is there a state with no laws? Perhaps we will move there 😉

Lori December 15, 2010 - 10:18 pm

Texas (she says fondly)

Charity December 15, 2010 - 10:28 pm

For real? Ever since we met, my husband and I have had this ongoing joke of living in Texas. Hmmm, I’ll have to tell him about this 😉

Kim M December 15, 2010 - 10:37 pm

Indiana is an awesome place to homeschool. All we are required to do is to take attendance and do 180 days.

the cottage child December 15, 2010 - 10:55 pm

I second Lori – Texas! It’s not just that school at home isn’t regulated, it’s that school at home is recognized as private schooling, meaning there aren’t any whims of regulation that can occur without some pretty significant legislative changes. Not that they wouldn’t do it….it’s interesting how many districts take it “personally” that some folks choose home school. Such is the way with ISD’s.

Charity December 16, 2010 - 3:45 pm

Wow! That is so awesome! Texas is sounding better all the time 🙂 I am seriously going to check out some other states laws. Homeschooling is important enough to us that if we had to move to make it possible then we would. Thank you everyone for your advice/encouragement/help.

Amanda December 18, 2010 - 12:14 pm

Indiana’s the same – although colder. 🙂 I also believe Michigan to be the same and I know some other states are too, just not sure which ones.

By the way, for a mother who’s had “late” bloomers, your description of your children’s abilities at such a young age are mind boggling.

anon December 15, 2010 - 6:08 pm

P.S. I should have also added that it sounds like you are already an amazing momma/teacher! And many don’t like the term ‘homeschool’… perhaps home studies?

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Charity December 15, 2010 - 7:40 pm

Thank you for your help. I will call HSLDA and hopefully gain a better understanding of SC’s laws. It just seems a little silly to me that there are laws at all. How come no laws about how and at what age I can teach my children to talk/walk/eat with a spoon? Oh well 😉

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Jordin December 16, 2010 - 9:19 am

Charity–we are in the same boat (an almost 3 year old and an almost 2 year old), and we live in SC, too. I’ve contacted a local home school support group, and the lady in charge there really calmed our fears about “the state.” 🙂 It helped us to look forward to homeschooling in SC as opposed to fearing it. Maybe you could do the same!

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Taryn December 15, 2010 - 3:43 pm

I should explain that we don’t do 100% of the content of each book. Our favorite homeschool word is-Omit. New York State law says that we only have to do 80% of each book. Every several pages my child sees that I have written the word-Omit. We bought new editions for the last two children. kingdombaptist.org-Pastor Faust recently explained on their videos(click articles) and audio sermons how they use the King James Bible often for homeschooling- copywork,vocabulary,etc. We started homeschooling in Florida- there we didn’t have to mail in quarterly reports(report cards) to the school district. I don’t remember if we had to mail in a list of books at the beginning of each school year as we do in NY.

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Taryn December 15, 2010 - 4:07 pm

I liked Home Educating with Confidence by Rick and Marilyn Boyer(thelearningparent.com). I recommend joining Home School Legal Defense Association. I don’t like stickers. We just send in a letter of intent to home educate to our school district by every July 1st every school year with our child’s date of birth. Then by August 1st we send in a list of books. The Swann family(book-No Regrets) home educated every day 8:30-11:30. We do what the Swann’s did and homeschool at the table. We don’t use many videos. I read the book-Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman about being a word-based/image-based culture and listened to a tape about our children’s brain space.

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Taryn December 15, 2010 - 4:48 pm

I just went to hslda.org and it says that in New York State- curriculum,etc. has to be “approved”. We just send a letter and I say that I, the mother will establish a home education program and be the instructor of my child/children with their date of births. We mail it certified. The school district/superintendent representative sends us a letter saying that they received/approved it. I don’t know of anyone that has had a problem. We copy everything that we mail.

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Word Warrior December 15, 2010 - 5:47 pm

(Please pardon the interruption:)

I have a VERY annoying commenter whose comments automatically go to my spam folder. Janine (or “J”, or “yongxiu” or whomever you are today), you don’t realize this, but I usually dump my spam folder without reading the scads of spam, including yours. I just happened on your comments today, and though I know you are not interested in real answers, only attacking me, still, there may be someone else with a sincere curiosity about the question you asked.

SO, I’ll post your question and answer it for them:

“Yes, but “nuclear fusion”, “hydrogen” “algebra” and “conjunctions” are not part of ordinary conversation. How do you teach things that don’t come up in conversation? Deciding they are not important is one way, but please discuss this, and state that is what you have decided to do….that may be fine if you stay at home and make soap…”

First, may I remind you that the post about our homeschool day reads, “Our “skeleton” schedule—if nothing else gets done–is this:”

The list of things on this post is not exhaustive or comprehensive of our educational endeavors. You seem to have skipped over that.

Secondly, may I ask you to expound on what you remember from school about “nuclear fusion”? I thought so.

Doesn’t come up in conversation? With the scope of books we read and discuss, you wouldn’t believe what comes up in conversation.

Algebra? Conjunctions? Did you not catch that our children do a formal math and English curriculum?

Your concern is that I’m preventing my children from having real, professional options besides being homemakers. I have several thoughts about that:

For our girls, yes, we are training them for the most elite profession given to women–whether you agree or not that it requires “training”. I find it interesting that no one is concerned if a 15 year-old can’t cook a meal (and that is pretty standard), but heaven forbid if she doesn’t understand nuclear fusion.

We follow Scriptural mandates, not cultural norms. We firmly believe in a thorough education for this profession for our girls, though it doesn’t require them to have a full grasp of “nuclear fusion”, just like very few real people do. We want them to be able to discuss matters of intelligence, to teach their own children, to contribute to family industry, to run a home business or whatever else the Lord has for them. A higher education is not limited to a government program. If anything, a government program is limited in its higher education 😉

If I have a child with a particular bent in a direction, I can see it clearly because I am his mother and spend lots of time with him. If he shows potential towards engineering, a medical profession, etc., we will certainly tailor his education in that direction. (We’ve already done that with our art guy.) That doesn’t negate these basic, foundational principles we use for home educating.

We hold entrepreneurial endeavors in high regard, and thus, our children do too. (My son claims this about himself and he truly is bent in that direction.) For this reason, a wide, broad scope of education is necessary and that’s what we feel like we are giving them–ultimately, the ability to learn whatever they need to learn for their profession. They do a lot of other hands-on tasks with my husband and father to broaden their experience.

Your comment is very “in the box” and we believe there is much more to life than narrowing down their scope of profession to “teacher, doctor fireman”, not that I don’t highly respect those professions.

But taking all things into consideration, your question is very narrow-minded. I would encourage you to think outside the classroom.

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Taryn December 15, 2010 - 9:40 pm

I just went to the Christian Liberty Press catalog and added up an order- 5th grade:(No teacher’s manuals)- Modern Curriculum Press math-$19.97, Abeka science-16.75, Abeka grammar/composition- 14.00, Abeka Reader-14.oo, and the Jed Smith biography- 7.99. With shipping that totals $83.62. Then I would go to the Abeka catalog and order spelling/vocabulary-$7.75,penmanship-10.25, health-11.25, history/geography-19.25,and art-10.25. The Abeka order woud be $58.75 not including tax/shipping. That’s $142.37 without the Abeka shipping.

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Diana January 5, 2011 - 2:21 am

We used to do the CLA CLASS program but after 5 yrs we went on our own so we could have more flexibility, go at our own pace and save money. We still buy from Christian Liberty Press because they are the most affordable and are Reformed. But what I do each year is look to see what I want from them and from Answers in Genesis etc. Then I go to ebay and look for those books. I end up saving tons of money. I might get a $40 book for $5 etc. Then what I still need I can buy new but it is still not that much left. And you dont need every book. I buy a lot of their biographies and their phonics especially. We have 5 kids and have always homeschooled and right now as my oldest is 17 we are really enjoying the fact that we buy almost nothing because we pass the books down and are very relaxed..especially for the younger kids.

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Steph December 15, 2010 - 9:49 pm

All these comments are wonderful and encouraging. I home educate our 6 children and have for about 10 years. One thing that I’m finding is that as the children get older, I have a hard time finding good books for them to read. My two oldest children, 12 and 14 are boys and they love to read. The problem is they fly through the books and are looking for more. Their default is to re-read books over and over again. I must admit-I’m not a reader, so I don’t have a long list of books in my head. I can’t read everything they read, so how do I steer them towards good books? Also, our library is so small that we don’t have a lot of choices. Plus, I’m not very comfortable letting the kids loose in the library, mainly the older ones, because I never know if the books they pick out are safe-even if they are history books. Any thoughts and ideas would be appreciated. Thanks. 🙂

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Carolina Jackson December 15, 2010 - 10:30 pm

Does your church have a library?

IN case of doubt, stay by the classics, like Little Women, Little House, Ann of gree gables.

This book could also help you:

http://www.triviumpursuit.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16144&cat=251&page=1

It contains a list -with reviews- of 400 good books for children younger and older.

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Kim M December 15, 2010 - 10:35 pm

Steph,

Catalogs…. lots of them from Christian homeschool vendors! 🙂 Go to their websites and request a free catalog.

Off the top of my head: CBD, Vision Forum, Veritas Press, ABeka, Bob Jones, Rod and Staff,

Most of these vendors offer excellent reading material. I am sure others here know of some great resources too.

If you can’t afford to buy this material, you can always try to get your library to order it. Our library will borrow from other libraries if they don’t have the book on site.

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Elizabeth December 16, 2010 - 2:04 pm

My 2 cents, and I’m positive not everyone is going to agree with me. I have children who are voracious readers and I do let them loose in the library. Especially as they get to older ages, I want them to become discerning about what they read… both in what they choose to read and in evaluating what they are reading. The world is not safe and I would rather my children learn how to live in that world and not be surprised by it when I’m not around to help them navigate it. Think of it as an inoculation. I want to be clear that for me, this is a gradual and age appropriate process. I don’t suggest that any child, at any age, read anything they want. Much depends on the spiritual maturity of my children. It is not a free-for-all.

I do spot check what my older children are reading and do extensive discussion about content and world view of the things they read. There have been many times that my two oldest will stop reading a book because it was not what they expected and they have determined that it is not appropriate for them. I guess my whole point is that I want the process of choosing good from evil to come from within them and them not to get used to me doing it all for them. In order for this to happen, they need to be allowed to have the experience of choosing, even if it means they are sometimes exposed to things that are not great. When this happens, we talk about it and I help them process through it. And there is a whole lot of praying on my part going on in the background.

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Carolina Jackson December 15, 2010 - 10:26 pm

I would highly recommend the ideas of the following link to everybody who homeschools young children:

http://www.triviumpursuit.com/articles/ten_to_do_before_ten.php

This is, right now, the bulk of our homeschooling.

And also this book: https://www.triviumpursuit.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16133&cat=248&page=1

(This would be my “Bible” for homeschooling, but of course I am flexible and do not follow everything 100%.

Kelly, are you doing any foreing languages?
What about sport?

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Word Warrior December 15, 2010 - 10:55 pm

No, we aren’t doing foreign languages (except Latin) right now. Partly because I took a lot of foreign language, and other than helping with the English language, unless you are forced to speak it, it doesn’t really stick.

We have done, and plan to continue to do Latin because of the tremendous help it provides in English. Not an intense study, just learning root meanings, etc.

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the cottage child December 15, 2010 - 11:04 pm

May I add that if you’re considering a foreign language, and you live in the southern half of the US, you consider Spanish? It is amazing to me that because of the Mexican influence (and I’m in Texas, so it’s part of the culture, not just an influence) you might be surprised that a lot of the conversational element is hidden in your subconscious. It is coming very naturally to all three of our elementary aged kids (and us), and while I didn’t intend to pursue anything other than Latin and Greek, for the reasons you mentioned, I figure using a valuable tool that has made itself known to us is nice bonus. We get our materials for that from the library, FWIW.

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adminnv December 15, 2010 - 11:10 pm

That was my thinking when I took 2 semesters of Spanish in college. Problem is, even though it’s becoming increasingly needful, I still don’t use Spanish–ever. It seems like almost a waste, although I know all languages lend better understanding to your native one.

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the cottage child December 16, 2010 - 9:04 am

You know, I think here we will actually use it, my husband is conversationally fluent and uses it regularly – and I’m looking at it as a facilitation for ministry, as well, as we contemplate a couple of opportunities for trips (not that someone can’t be well served by someone who never speaks at all).

Diana January 5, 2011 - 2:31 am

I took a couple of years of Spanish in school but didnt remember much.
We live near Salem, Oregon and there are a lot of hispanics and bilingual things around. We bought Rosetta Stone Homeschool Edition and do it as a family..each at their own pace but still we all do it. The kids especially are really plowing along and they love to use what they learn as they go. They chatter at eachother in spanish all day long and look things up as they want to know something they havent been told yet. They love to look at bilingual books and go to walmart (bilingual isle/shelf labeling). We also love to eavesdrop on the Hispanics at the stores …pretend we are looking at products, haha. Then when they leave we run to eachother to see if we gleaned any words 🙂 Also, many videos are in both languages so we often will watch something in spanish to see if we can hear more. We increase what we can ‘hear’ over time but the kids jabbering to eachother all day is what really helps us all. It is like immersion. and the words are now flying off their tongues easily. It wouldnt be the same if only one was doing it. We have 17yr, 15yr, 12yr, as well as adults doing it and the 5 yr is learning from us talking to him. My oldest even talks to the 1yr old in Spanish and sings thigns like La cucaracha and heads,shoulders,knees, toes etc. haha. We are learning way more than I ever did in spanish ‘class’.

Joyfull December 16, 2010 - 3:23 pm

My husband wants ours to learn Spanish fluently before they graduate because in our area, being bilingual is more important for getting a job than having a college degree. Mine are still little (the oldest is 6) so the only thing I am doing with language is letting them watch Spanish PBS kid shows a couple times a week and learning a few words here and there. I think hearing the sound of the language at this age is enough.

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Taryn December 15, 2010 - 11:15 pm

My sons liked the Veritas Press catalog-especially their Robinson Crusoe. We watched the B&W movie. Abeka has Booker T. Washington’s autobiography and an Horatio Alger book-On His Own. Christian Liberty Press has the Jed Smith biography, Moby-Dick(BW movie)and Great Expectations(BW movie)(British Literature). Veritas Press also has Sergeant York’s book(WWI). There is a black and white movie for that, as well. Christian Light Publications has good books(Mennonite like Rod and Staff). keepersofthefaith.com has good books- I liked their William Wilberforce bio. The Abeka health books helped with our P.E. program.

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Cathy December 15, 2010 - 11:54 pm

I don’t want to disparage your post, but, really, are you kidding about the crack about chemistry? I ran that by my husband, an AP and Honors Chem teacher, and he said, “Chemistry is life.” In other words, the air you breathe is part of chemistry. I don’t want to be pedantic, but it sounds like an argument a kid in high school would make as to why they shouldn’t be taking algebra. Certainly, you could say the same thing, i.e., that you don’t necessarily use it in real life, about all almost coursework taken in school. My daughter is fluent in Spanish, after having taken it for six years in school. If she never spoke Spanish again a day in her life, I’m/she’s still glad that she knows Spanish.

Does one necessarily sit and work chemistry equations during the course of a day? Of course not, but it teaches analysis, and reasoning, and you can get a greater awareness of God as you study it. My husband has often talked about “seeing” God in the great expanse, and while that is majestic, and awesome, he is also in awe of things like covalent bonds, and how scientists don’t know what holds them together…it helps my husband to appreciate God even more.

I have homeschooled all ten of my kids, but w/the exception of my oldest, they all eventually went to traditional school (either public or private), so I am familiar w/all of them. There are different methods of learning, and one size does not, from my perspective, fit all.

I read nearly all the comments, but haven’t had a chance to read the ones that I missed, so forgive me if I’m being redundant.

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the cottage child December 16, 2010 - 12:33 am

Hi, Cathy – I have a new relationship with chemistry – I’ve heard it described as the only true “hard” science. I appreciate that so much – it’s why yeast makes bread rise and why we get tears in our eyes. I don’t know much about it, but I’m so intrigued because it is so everyday useful. I think exploring relationships (understanding our surroundings) is what compels critical thinking, so bring on the chemistry (ex. it’s fun to study the chemical composition of Michelangelo’s paint, and why baking soda and vinegar clean so well).

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adminnv December 16, 2010 - 9:35 am

Cathy,

Of course I agree with you, and explain to my children constantly that subjects are tied together and we can see God’s intricate design in everything from the way water freezes to the way babies are made. In that sense–life sense–we use chemistry every day.

I was referring specifically to the pressure a parent may feel to teach their children Chemistry, specifically when public school doesn’t even require it–they give a choice between chemistry and physics (at least when I was in school that was my choice). And again, my point was that I didn’t take any Chemistry in school but don’t feel I suffered for it.

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Teri Miller December 16, 2010 - 12:20 am

Love that you strike such a balance between curriculum and LIFE LEARNING! And the wisdom of letting kids learn to read at their own pace. Had one that didn’t get interested till age 7 (now she’s an avid reader), and now have one who is scarfing up phonics at age 4. Best part of home schooling is how they GET SOCIALIZED with one another… =)

Oh – and we’re joyfully recovering from the stomach flu too (whew!):

http://freeagentmommy.typepad.com/blog/2010/12/praying-for-some-silent-nights.html

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Taryn December 16, 2010 - 8:52 am

I think what Kelly is saying is that you don’t have to go out and buy expensive lab equipment for chemistry. My daughter-in-law made ice cream in public high school(kitchen science). My daughter observed a lab experiment with her class-behind glass(that was the only experiment). There have been many accidents in chemistry classes. For insurance reasons the schools are being careful. Three of my 4 sons also went to high school and did simple experiments. You can do non-lab physical science(9th grade) and biology(10th grade) but you must do some type of lab with chemistry. I only know about the 3 high schools my children attended here on Long Island.

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Taryn December 16, 2010 - 9:14 am

My sons also enjoyed the George Washington bio. that Christian Liberty Press sells. CLP has Abeka Literature(7th-9th grades). Christian Light Education has good readers/literature books. I like “living books” but I also like readers/literature books.

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Taryn December 16, 2010 - 9:51 am

I recently learned that The Wedding March comes from a morbid opera of Wagner’s-source: kingdombaptist.org. My point here is that when we teach classical music we should also teach the lives of the composers. I read a book about- the spiritual lives of the composers- that may have been the title. Baroque classical is “safest” in that regard- Bach and Handel. Pastor Faust said that some German Lutheran churches refused/refuse to play the wedding march. He said that Wagner wondered why it was adapted to weddings. The composers’ personal lives and faith come through in their music. I discussed this with our church’s organ player’s wife to verify the info and they are looking into it. I like Abeka’s hymn books and we must research those composers as we do the authors of books.

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Carolina Jackson December 16, 2010 - 10:52 am

I just wanted to share with you a very simple and natural way of learning world geography: praying for different countries and locating them in the map.
We only do it couple times a week -I wish we did it more often-. Sometimes I let my children choose a country from the globus or atlas, tell them the basic facts, then they repeat aloud the name and the capital, put their finger on the country and then we pray for the children and missionaries there.
Or we use a prayer guide.
I would recommned the book You can change the world, by Jill Johnstone: it takes different countries of the world and includes 7 prayers for each one. the book, illustrated, explain about life and faith in those countries.
By the way, Kelly, you can practise your spanish with me if you want, ’cause i come from… Spain!

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adminnv December 16, 2010 - 2:43 pm

Carolina,

I absolutely LOVE your geography idea!!! There are so many creative ways to spark a child’s imagination and love for the Lord and others!

Eres una mujer inteligente 😉

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Amy B. December 19, 2010 - 12:18 am

I love that you mention this method…I hadn’t thought to count that as Geography. We love that book, and we also use a calendar that has a different missionary to pray for everyday from HeartCry Missionary Society. Also, we LOVE to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters from around the world and make use of Voice of the Martyrs and Open Doors to keep us up to date with prayer requests. We have used Voice of the Martyrs free cirriculum for children called Bold Believers in China, A Kids of Courage Activity Book. That has really helped to connect my children’s hearts to the believers we pray for in China, because of the personal stories shared. There are other countries available as well, and we hope to do another soon.

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Amy B. December 19, 2010 - 12:22 am

Oh, and I meant to mention that I have a big ‘wish’ for a huge wall map that we can place photos of all the missionaries and persectued believers that we pray for on their part of the map. Also, sponsoring Compassion children has allowed us to learn about their countries in a very ‘heart connected’ way. My 12 yo son keeps the local time for our Compassion children as well as ours. 🙂

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Bethany December 16, 2010 - 12:32 pm

I have so enjoyed reading this article and all the comments! I’m a mom of three, 6, 20 months and 10 weeks, and we are in our second year of homeshooling. I was homeschooled and am so enjoying giving my kids an education that is centered around the Bible! With two very young ones, I am always looking for new ideas and encouragement. =) Right now my 10 week old is either napping or sits in his swing during school and my 20 month old is required to sit still during Bible (great training for church!) and during math she plays with dry beans. Its such fun to see her put them all in the jar, dump them back out and start all over again. =) Today I gave her a pot and spoon so she could “cook” them. =) While the 6 year old is doing school work that doesn’t require me sitting right there with her, the 20 month old is allowed to play or tag along with me while I do some housework. So far its working pretty well, but I know that she is going to go through a mental growth spurt soon and I’ll have to find something else for her to do. Its always a challenge, but so rewarding!

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Taryn December 16, 2010 - 2:46 pm

Christian Light Publications has a book($2.25)- The Christian View of Competitive Sports(Mennonite point of view) that I think is worth reading even if you disagree. They have A.W. Tozer’s books that are interesting- a biography about him(like everyone he wasn’t perfect)is worth reading(library?).-It’s American history.

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Taryn December 16, 2010 - 3:05 pm

My children liked the Spectrum Test Prep workbooks(grades 1-8) we ordered every year from timberdoodle.com.

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Cathy December 16, 2010 - 6:30 pm

Taryn,

I do not want to be disrespectful, but for you to write that “there have been many accidents in chemistry classes” sounds like a straw man argument. Are you actually aware of the “many accidents” that you cite? I would think that if there that many, we would have heard about them since we’re deluged w/a 24-hour news loop. Please, I don’t want to be argumentative, but the idea that this is just routine in chemistry classes across the country sounds pretty erroneous.

My husband has been teaching many years, and you are just flat-out mistaken about the insurance making demos prohibitive. I live in the Bay Area of No CA, and it is a tough state to live in right now, what with the budget cuts in school (and in everything else), and the high cost of living. So you would think that the budget cuts would make experiments/demos prohibitive. BUT, my husband does lots and lots of demos throughout the year. In fact, at the end of the year, after the AP exam takes place, his students put on a “magic show” for elementary school-aged kids. He wants to develop a love of science in future generations, and he wants his students to practice what they’ve learned throughout the year. Not once, praise the Lord, have there been any accidents. He uses fire, he does an “exploding” paint can, etc. So, your assessment is simply not true. I understand that you were merely speaking for the schools about which you know, but I highly doubt that you can point to the “many accidents” about which you wrote.

Furthermore, he has used some of those same demos to illustrate biblical truths. Every year, he does a science show for the Christian school my youngest attended (they’re now in high school), and explains that God made science, and ALWAYS points them to the greatness of God. He uses the “elephant toothpaste” demo to show how, when sick goes unchecked, it can create havoc in our lives. He pours in a container of “sin,” then more “sin,” etc., and it comes bubbling to the surface and makes an absolute mess. I asked him to come to my 1st grade SS class last Sunday to finish out the year. He did three demos: the one that I just mentioned, one that illustrated the “light that came into the world,” and one that illustrated that our speech should be apples of gold in silver linings by using pennies that he turned to “gold” and “silver.” There is no end to what you can do w/Chemistry.

To claim that you can do more at home in terms of chemistry is a curious notion, given that many of the chemicals cannot even be bought by the general public, and given that schools are equipped to handle those kinds of demos/experiments (think fire extinguishers, hoods, goggles for everyone, aprons, etc.). Regardless of your persuasion, public schools, for all of their faults (and there are many), have a lot of dedicated teachers–both unbelieving and believing. While I am adamantly opposed to the curriculum that is anti-God, pro environmental (as believers, we should be the best “environmentalists”–taking care of God’s creation, but understanding that it’s temporal), militantly pro gay, etc., that doesn’t mean that everything that is done on a school campus lends to godlessness.

There are lots of Christians who love Christ, love His word and love His people who send/have sent their kids to Christian and public schools. (I am one of those people.) So, to paint all schools (other than home schools) w/such a broad brush strikes me a messy paint job.

Proceed how the Spirit leads you. But, also give room for the Spirit of God to lead others–even if you disagree w/them–because, they like you, only want to live out their lives in a way that is pleasing to God.

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Taryn December 17, 2010 - 9:32 am

I do not think that we can do more at home in terms of chemistry(unless we buy the expensive lab equipment through Christian Light Education,etc.). I explain to my children the difference between kitchen science and lab science in regards to chemistry. The late Pastor Dave Meyer(lasttrumpetministries) taught chemistry to homeschoolers in a similar fashion as your husband. We need Christian chemistry teachers. My oldest son went to a Christian high school and then 3 of my children attended government high schools. We lived on the same street as one of them. I pray for the Christians in the public schools and for conversions when I drive by them. That was my question when there was a burn victim on tv and a report-why doesn’t the public know the history- but because of this history chemistry classes are safer or they do kitchen science. My youngest son was given the option to do kitchen science or no chemistry. He was also given the choice to go to a high school. He chose to homschool without chemistry(like his siblings took in the high schools). He did read a chemistry book but it will not be on the transcript the school district will send us. Chemistry is not required for NYS homeschoolers or the local community college. Chemistry etc. should not discourage people to homeschool for high school as it did me previously.

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Taryn December 17, 2010 - 10:09 am

I want to add that we have done and enjoyed kitchen science in homeschooling(K-10). Christian Light Education’s chemistry is not kitchen science and that was the chemistry we would have chosen for 11th grade. All 6 of our children were home educated in their years before high school. Abeka’s 9th grade science textbook has sections on chemistry and physics as explained in their catalog. We recommend this book- our oldest, fourth and youngest children used it.

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Taryn December 17, 2010 - 11:00 am

Christian Liberty Press sells the Abeka 9th grade science text for slightly less money than Abeka explaining that the text has sections on chemistry and physics. Mary Pride’s book-Volume 3(Junior high through college) of The Big Book of Home Learning has an interesting chemistry section. CLP sells BJUP Chemistry text which is highly recommended br Mary Pride.

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Taryn December 17, 2010 - 12:54 pm

Speaking of chemistry- our local abc network did a report on a Consumer Reports investigation concerning exploding pyrex and anchor hocking glassware. It seems the old glass is better than the new glass. I hope there aren’t any typos in this comment- I’m watching my granddaughter(19m.).

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Taryn December 17, 2010 - 2:01 pm

Cathy- I wonder how you feel about evolution. Pastor Dave Meyer never would have called anything a “magic show”.” Magician(s)” is not a good word in the King James Bible- the Bible we prefer. I even took a permanent marker and crossed out the word-magic- on a Magic Chef kitchen appliance that was in our house when we moved here and plan on replacing anyway. We are Creationists and hope to visit the Ceation Museum in Kentucky soon. Magicians is in the same catagory as astrologers in the KJV Bible. Magic and astrology are in the same catagory.

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Cathy December 18, 2010 - 10:04 am

Taryn,

I wrote a lengthy reply to your comment, but neglected to hit “reply,” so it is at the bottom of the comments. Sorry ’bout that.

Cathy

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Taryn December 17, 2010 - 3:21 pm

Abeka’s 8th grade science text has a chapter- Science vs. Evolution. Christian Liberty Press sells it($17.50), also.

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Taryn December 18, 2010 - 9:26 am

For lab equipment- homesciencetools.com.

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Taryn December 18, 2010 - 9:56 am

In NY(Long Island) we are required to home educate for 5 hours daily. We do math our first hour-for about an hour. Our first three hours-before lunch- are at the dining room table. Our kitchen table sometimes has recycling on it(Abeka’s Genesis First Things 11/12 has a long quote on recycling by Thomas Sowell(p.53,54)-although we do disagree with something on p.97-as explained in Cathy Burns’ book-Nephilim…). The Sowell quote is taken from- “Recycling Is a Waste of Time and Money”. Anything Thomas Sowell is worth reading.

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Cathy December 18, 2010 - 9:59 am

Taryn,

How do I feel about evolution? Really? This should sum it up: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

The word “magic” is a word. In this case, it is used as sort of an ironic term, since there is nothing “magical” about chemistry. God created it, and there are reactions that accompany every chemical demo. In other words 1+1=2. Nothing can change that. Now, chemistry demos may go awry, but the causation is usually human error. But, be that as it may, the idea that a word can have power over the believer is giving too much credence to an inanimate object. We are empowered by the Spirit of God, therefore, we don’t fear what man can do to us. We don’t fear mere words. There are “magic” markers that are simply pens. Should I be frightened of a pen? When I state that the love I have for my g’kids is “magical,” does that somehow bring the works of Satan to mind? (BTW, I use the word “magical” playfully, because it is amazing how you can love your g’kids instantly–as much as you love your kids.)

This is not intended to mock of denigrate you, Taryn, but it is an attempt to point out the error of thinking that if I use a word like “magic,” that, somehow, my walk w/God is affected adversely. If that is true, then I am attributing more power to a word than I am to God.

You often mention the KJV in your comments, as though the KJV is the only Bible believers can use. I would submit that once again, you’re pointing to an external thing as though, somehow, using the KJV makes one a better Christian. Nothing could be further from the truth, and I think that these extraneous things are a distraction that Satan can use to get our eyes off the reason that we exist, i.e., what the Westminster Catechism states, “…to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” I’m not intimating that there aren’t heretical versions of the Bible out there, but God isn’t threatened if His people use the KJV, the NIV or the ESV. He sees the heart. Using a Bible in the king’s language (of the day) no more makes me a stronger believer than if I use the Catholic version of the Bible. God–alone–penetrates the heart, and He isn’t confined to the boxes in which we confine Him. If the KJV Bible is the only Bible that believers should use, then what do you do w/an organization like Wycliffe who translates the Bible into the native tongue of the people to whom they’re ministering?

I am finishing reading a book “Poking Holes in the Darkness” (to my two high school kids) written by a missionary who went to the Numba Village of Papua New Guinea to bring the Gospel. Her husband and a native translated the New Testament into the people’s language. There was no word for “the way (John 14:6),” so it was translated as “the road.” Is that heresy? Absolutely not. They translated
I Peter 5:8, in which Satan is referred to as a “roaring lion,” to “wild pig” because the people in that part of the world didn’t use “lion” in their vocabulary, and didn’t even know what one was/is (this book is many years old, so things may have changed since that time).

The Numba people were steeped in ancestral spirit worship. They were entrenched in fear. The very mention of a name of a dead relative brought terror to their hearts. As believers, we look at that and shake our heads, and feel compassion for them, knowing that if they knew the true God, they would know peace, and not fear. But, what is the difference, then, w/what you believe, Taryn? If the word “magic” can be your undoing, what does that say about your walk w/Jesus?

Paul admonished the believers who were stronger in the faith to consider those who were weaker w/regard to eating meat offered to idols. In admonishing them, he stated, “…”an idol has no real existence…” These are matters of conscience, Taryn. If you believe that the Spirit of God has led you to use the KJV only, or not to use the word “magic,” OK. But, you cannot foist your belief system on other believers who don’t believe the same way.

There is NOTHING about a word like “magic” that can damage a believer. If, however, you hear the word “magic” and you ALLOW it to affect you, then that is an entirely different matter.

Could it be, Taryn, that you have allowed these things to bind you, and that it is you who is in bondage to regulations and laws? Paul exhorted the believers in Colossians 2 not to be “taken captive
by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition” and not to allow anyone to “pass judgement on you in questions of food and drink.” You are adhering to a set of man-made rules and regulations. When that happens, there is no freedom in the Spirit.

I submit that taking a permanent marker to the word “magic” on an appliance indicates how much you’ve allowed rules and regulations to cloud your thinking. Be reasonable and thoughtful, Taryn. What hold does the word “magic” have on you? If you’re in Christ, it has NO hold on you.

I say these things thoughtfully, prayerfully and in love. I exhort you to remember who you are in Christ, and that He has delivered us from the bondage of sin. I am not in bondage to rules, requirements and human tradition. I can worship God out of a pure heart because of what Christ did for me on the cross. Following a rule, or crossing out the word “magic” does zero for my walk w/God. But, following Him out of a heart of love and gratitude will draw me into a closer, more intimate walk w/Jesus, and when I do that, old affections for the world fall off, and I can relish and delight in the goodness and love of God which He has “bestowed/lavished” on me (I John 3:1).

I will leave you w/a verse from Colossians 3:

“These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.”

Paul was making the point that this “self-made religion” that was being practiced was doing NOTHING to stop the flesh, because sins taints us from the cradle to the grace.

May we find freedom in the finished work on the cross. May the glorious message of the incarnate Christ fill our hearts and minds as we celebrate Christ this Christmas season–and always.

Thanks for the question, Taryn. It helps me to rethink what I believe, and to appreciate God even more as I ponder what He has done for me. To Him–alone–be the honor and glory.

Cathy

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Cathy December 18, 2010 - 10:00 am

Kelly,

My last epistle was in reply to Taryn asking me about evolution, but I neglected to hit “reply.” I don’t know if it can be moved or not.

Thanks,

Cathy

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Taryn December 18, 2010 - 12:00 pm

I am not KJV Bible-only but do prefer it. I do prefer many of the words-(devil(self-defining) not demon, hell not hades, fornication not immorality,etc. That is my preference. We do not use the NIV because it has homosexual “editors”-Virginia Mollencott,etc. Our Baptist church uses the KJV and the NASV. I remember seeing on tv a Chrisian who called himself -an illusionist-because he didn’t like the word -magic. Some words do have negative connotations. We prefer not to use them. I do not foist my belief system on others. I do prefer the KJV Bible curriculums- Abeka, Rod and Staff-and keepersofthefaith.com,etc. Vision Forum has a book-Little Daisy and the Swearing Class($7) I recommend. Matthew 12:36(KJV)-“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account…” -I am not fearful but faithful-and aware of words like preferring “children” not “kids” after hearing Nancy Campbell(Above Rubies magazine) speak on this.-Humbly and Respectfully

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Cathy December 18, 2010 - 12:39 pm

Taryn,

I don’t want to hijack Kelly’s blog, nor go too far afield w/regard to her original post. Let me respond to a few things you wrote:

Your emphasis on words is curious. I have never heard of Nancy Campbell, but since when has referring to your children as “kids” become a pejorative?

Furthermore, when you mentioned crossing out “magic” on your appliance originally, you made it part of your argument for being against using that word. If I’d known that you were kidding, then I probably would have retorted differently to that part of your missive.

While you say that you don’t “foist” your belief system on others, I submit that you do it indirectly. To make the leap between my husband using the WORD “magic” for a chemistry show that he and his students put on for elementary students at year’s end, and whether or not I believe in evolution is one example. How does using “magic” make it a possibility that I might be an evolutionist?

And, why is it that you insist on using some of the words that do, e.g., “homosexual” instead of “gay?” Does calling someone “gay” diminish the sinfulness of the lifestyle? Does it mean that we’re more holy because we use “fornication” rather than “immorality?”

The KJV is just one translation of many. It is NOT error-free. We don’t have the original manuscripts, and the fact that a “homosexual” was an “editor (you used quotes for some reason)” for the NIV means nothing. Do you know anything about the lifestyles of the editors of the KJV, or the ESV, or the NASV? You do not. The NIV, BTW, is a paraphrase, not a translation. But, does having an “editor” who is homosexual mean something? Did that same editor change Romans 1 in any way?

I have a friend whose daughter is a dwarf. In the “little people” culture, the word “midget” is a demeaning and disrespectful word. So, while I find it kind of silly, it doesn’t require any more energy to used “dwarf” rather than “midget.” It doesn’t change the fact that the daughter is still short. The same can be said for using “homosexual” instead of “gay.” If you don’t like the word “magic,” fine. Don’t use it.

I think I’m beating a dead horse, so unless something else necessitates a response, I’ll shut up.

Cathy

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Taryn December 18, 2010 - 12:15 pm

Christian-that was a typo. Watching my granddaughter is joyfully a reason for many typos. With 4 sons we have a sense of humor in this house. When I crossed out the word-magic-on the stove/oven I called the family together-and we were laughing.

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Taryn December 18, 2010 - 12:25 pm

Are you one who believes in a 6-day creation or just Intelligent Design? What do you think of the Creation Museum? I am interested because I recently watched Ben Stein’s documentary-Expelled.

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Cathy December 18, 2010 - 12:50 pm

I must depart after I respond to your last question. You’re curious about me–why? I believe in the Biblical account of creation. I have no opinion about the Creation Museum. I’ve never been, and I have no inclination to go because I haven’t been to KY in years, and I won’t get there anytime soon. Anything that promotes Biblical creationism is a good thing. However, make no mistake about it: unless the Holy Spirit is working in a person’s heart and that person recognizes his need for Christ, it doesn’t matter whether they believe in Creationism or the Tooth Fairy. They are still lost in their sins.

I saw “Expelled” when it came out, and I enjoyed it immensely. I also like Ben Stein.

I don’t get it, Taryn. Why do you ask these odd questions of me? I tell you that I believe Genesis 1:1, and then you ask if I’m “one who believes in a 6-day creation”? HUH? Why is this pertinent? YES, I believe in the entirety of Scripture, including a 6-day creation. Geepers.

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Taryn December 18, 2010 - 3:30 pm

I think the word they used was “stylist”- I couldn’t remember the word so I used “editor”. I use to use the word-gay-then I read the book-The Marketing of Evil(Worldnetdaily). The KJV uses the words-sodomite(O.T.) and effeminate(N.T.). Fornication means sex before marriage-immorality isn’t that specific.. I think the paraphrase(that’s another reason our Pastor discourages using) NIV may use that word. Nancy Campell has a book in Vision Fotum catalog.

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Amy B. December 19, 2010 - 12:41 am

Kelly, About your ebook…I can’t tell you the amazing peace God filled my soul with after reading it, voraciously! We had been in a place of constant transition for several years and had moved a ton. I felt like a complete failure in the education of my children. After reading your book I realized that we had been doing a lot more ‘school’ than I gave us credit for. I still do that, very hard on myself. Furthermore, you really validated a lot of the intuition that I was already having in the methods of educating my children, but had zero real life examples of, and tons of pressure from my parents about what the cousins were ‘already doing.’ I really relaxed and God providentially gave me the encouragement, confidence, and strength I needed to keep at it through a few more years of transition. I am curious though, I got your book when it was titled ‘Relaxed HOmeschooling’. I assume it’s the same thing. Has there been any changes that would make getting a copy of the revised version worth it?

Hope you and that little bambino are doing well! Praying still!

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adminnv December 19, 2010 - 2:03 pm

Amy,

It’s the same book. I changed the title because I didn’t want there to be any question of infringing on Mary Hood’s rights to the term “relaxed homeschooler”. I’m so glad you loved the book…it was my deepest hope when I wrote it that it would provide freedom and a peace of mind to those who read it–your testimonial will go on my sales page!

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Amy B. December 19, 2010 - 10:22 pm

Cool, thanks! You got me on a roll…I just purchased 2 more of your ebooks and then drooled over your Nurtured by Nature products. To my delight, I received a discount from my ebook purchase. I will be using it on some of that Shea Butter for all of my exzema peeps when you begin taking orders again. Thanks for that, it is a sweet little gift to receive!

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Jennifer December 19, 2010 - 2:27 am

What e-book? Kelly has an e-book? Where? I am nosy.

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Charity December 19, 2010 - 12:25 pm

She linked to it in this post. Re-read the first paragraph.

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adminnv December 19, 2010 - 2:03 pm

Jennifer,

You can see all the ebooks under the “products” tab at the top of this page.

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Kimberly December 31, 2010 - 4:40 pm

Apologia science is wonderful. (http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?event=EBRN&category=Homeschool&N=1030477+5401&Ne=1000000&Nso=1&Nu=product.endeca_rollup&format=1014667&Ns=product.number_sold). I wish I had their chemistry book when I was in high school. It make chemistry so easy to understand.

We also like Teaching Textbooks (http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?action=Search&Ntk=multiple.series&Nso=1&Ns=product.published_date&Ntt=Teaching%20Textbooks) for math. Self taught.

Congratulations on the upcoming birth of your son.

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