The Accomplishments of Term One

A slideshow representing student accomplishments during the first term, showcasing parents enduring commitment and students diligent work.

Much strength and blessings during term two.  ~ Jessica

{My apologies that not all students' work is included in the slideshow. If portfolio samples were submitted electronically in a format other than a jpeg file, then the student's work was not able to be represented.  I hope that you will still enjoy the work of others.}

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Simply CHRISTmas

Here in the great, big city where everything seems larger than life, where glitz and glamour is just around the corner, we're keeping it simple this year.

The Legend of the Candy Cane ~ Lori Walburg

Simple Homemade Christmas Cards ~ The children paint the art and then Mama gets it coloured photocopied for a refined finish. Always special.

Our Jesse Tree ornaments this year. A tradition started last year.

Our gift for Jesus this year. The children earn money towards Jesus' gift by showing a "servant heart" during the weeks leading up to Christmas. Our gift will be given to Imara and Uwizeymana {the oldest girls' Compassion sister-friends} and to the dear lady who sleeps on the street down from our home.

And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ ~ Matthew 25:40

Good old-fashioned popcorn and cranberry garland to hang along the window with gingerbread.

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey ~ Susan Wojciechowski

Words to remind us ~ Love, Joy and Peace.

Warm sips of eggnog.

For unto us a Child is born, 

Unto us a Son is given; 

And the government will be upon His shoulder. 

And His name will be called 

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, 

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

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May your home be filled with blessed traditions and warm memories this year! 

Love, Jessica and family 

PS  ~ A couple of wonderful reads for December:
Treasuring God in Our Traditions
No Holly for Miss Quinn ~ A Novel by Miss Read

You may have seen this article before - it's been linked around the Christian homeschooling blogosphere a fair bit recently. In case you haven't, it's worth the read.

It's long. You may need time to pause and ponder throughout.

Maybe early in the morning before little feet scamper, or later in the quiet of the evening after babes' eyelids rest, pour a cup of tea, invest a few moments, and glean some wisdom from someone who has gone before us.

Exposing Major Blind Spots of Homeschoolers by Reb Bradley

In the last couple of years, I have heard from multitudes of troubled homeschool parents around the country, a good many of whom were leaders. These parents have graduated their first batch of kids, only to discover that their children didn't turn out the way they thought they would. Many of these children were model homeschoolers while growing up, but sometime after their 18th birthday they began to reveal that they didn't hold to their parents' values. {Read more here: Homeschool Blindspots}

Teaching Tip Tuesday ~ Physical Learning for the Heart and Mind

While upholding biblical standards, the student is expected to identify the characteristics of athletes and physically active people they admire. {Grade 3 Physical Education Learning Outcome}

As parents desiring to instruct our children with thoughts, ideas, and stories that will nurture their hearts and minds, we want to grab hold of "heroes" who are men and women who have influenced the world with biblical truths.  The "heroes" of this world are easily accessible through the vast media that bombards us every day, but too often these "heroes" are not the role models that we want to be sharing with our children, so we need to search further.

YWAM Publishing is an excellent resource with which to start familiarizing yourself.  The books and study guides presented by this company share the stories of men and women who have lived godly lives of integrity,  keeping their eyes on the eternal goal.

Eric Liddell: Running for a Higher Prize is an excellent book to share with your child about an athlete who used his skills and talents to run races for the glory of God. His biography comes in a "Young Reader" rhyming version and in a chapter book version.  As well, the movie, Chariots of Fire, is based on the story of Eric Liddell and may be a great addition to a family video library.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race 

marked out for us. ~ Hebrews 12:1,2a

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{Please take note of the Term 2 PE Learning Question at the bottom of your Term 2 PE Log.  The Learning Question is also posted at the top of this blog during the duration of Term 2.}  

Storytime with Mrs. Holder ~ A New Coat for Anna ~ Harriet Ziefert

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Social Studies Topics to Consider:

Trading Versus Selling and Buying ~ Due to the struggles associated with WWII, Anna and her mother have very little money.  In order to get Anna a new coat, Anna's mother decides to trade some of her "nice" things {Grandfather's gold watch, a lamp, a garnet necklace, and a pretty teapot} for the services and materials needed to make a coat.  Discuss the concept of trading with your child, pointing out that the worth of the materials and services being traded need to carry a certain value for each person within the trade. Consider setting up a trading scenario with your child using materials or services that are meaningful to him/her.

Natural Resources ~ Parts of Anna's new coat come from resources found in the natural world.  The wool that makes the yarn comes from sheep, and the dye for the yarn comes from freshly picked lingonberries.

Here is a video describing the traditional way of processing wool:


If your child is interested in the concept of how cloth is made from various natural resources, consider sharing a couple of these videos:
Cotton Picking Time Down South
Eagle Cotton Gin at Work
Making Linen from Flax

Community Workers ~ If you have an ongoing "Community Helpers/Workers" list to add to, make sure to add to it "sheep farmer", "spinner", "weaver" and "tailor".  Although the spinner and weaver are no longer very prominent community workers, still include them, and mark them with a special symbol to indicate that they are from "Days Gone By" or "Days Long Ago".  Your child may also enjoy acting out this story as you read it, or illustrating the various community helpers described.

Be a Blessing!
Just as Anna and her mother demonstrated beautiful hospitality to those who had helped them make Anna's coat during the past year, consider planning a special tea and Christmas cake celebration to help your child practice the skill of hospitality. Bless someone who has been a blessing to your family during this past year.

Bedtime Can Wait When Hearts are Changing

{A little sharing from my personal blog writings...}


She finds me at the top of the stairs, tidying up forgotten board books and stuffed puppies, hoping to draw this day to a close. She shows me the picture in the magazine. The one that daddy showed the night before when complaints about dinner arose. A classroom of school children sitting in desks with eyes forlorn and arms of skin and bones. She asks me to tell her about it again. I sit on the bottom step and she sits next to me, eager to hear about the starving souls and starving bodies in a far away place called North Korea. I ask her, "Can you imagine?", she shakes her head, "No". Sister comes and sits next to her to listen too.

My words sound inadequate to me as they stutter, sharing frightful realities to child ears. I ask them, "Why did God allow you to be born here in this country?" The younger answers, "Because He knew that you and daddy could handle it."  I smile and prod deeper, "Yes, but why were you not born to a mama and daddy who didn't have money to feed you, like so many other children are?" I can see their eyes fill with deep thinking.  They're beginning to see. They're catching a glimpse of the haves and the have nots, realizing that they are the privileged, not understanding the whys, but recognizing what is. 

I think about when we pray the words, "Thank you for this food", and say them with haphazard care, not thinking about gratefulness at all, but rather of almost anything else. Can we practice speaking "thank you" with desperate humility?

Thank. You. For. This. Food.

Thank. You. For. This. Food.

I prod further, rhetorically, not expecting a response, "Are you ever uncomfortable? Are you ever without?" They shake their heads, both knowing. "What is your responsibility?" 


"Mama's been thinking about this too ... What is our responsibility since we have so much and others have so little?... Just think about it ..."

Pajamas are slipped on and oldest slips downstairs. I know she has a mission. I finish the hair braids and teeth brushing, gifting the mission hearted one with time to act and do. With enough moments passed, I slowly round the bottom of the staircase and see the work done. A paper card with a paper pocket filled with coins and labelled "money". A rainbow bright on the facing side with a sunshine smiling down. She says it's for Uwizeymana, her Compassion sister friend in Rwanda. I nod with understanding. She's learning and figuring this out, and acting as her heart leads.

Can I learn from her? And act a little more, do a little more? Can I see my responsibility and act upon it too?

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. ~ Ephesians 2:10

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Did you know that Anchor Academy works closely with Relief and Support Services Canada to minister and serve our neighbours in Kenya?  Did you know that they have a child sponsorship program that could begin a new friendship for your child and a needy one in Kenya?  For my children, having their own sponsor child, or sister-friend, has been a beautiful way for them to connect with the needs of dear children from other parts of the world.  Perhaps this would be a consideration for your family, as a way to give, during this upcoming season. 



Related post:
Making a World of Difference

Storytime with Mrs. Holder ~ The Little House ~ Virginia Lee Burton

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"Change Over Time" is the main theme of this story and can be explored at a variety of levels.

For the younger student, discuss how the environment around the "little house" changes throughout the story. You may want to draw two scenes with your child - one that represents the country and one that represents the city.  While drawing together, discuss the changes that take place.  As a follow-up, discuss changes that have taken place in your child's own life.  An interesting project would be to create a linear timeline or a booklet of each year of your child's life.  Include the child's age, a photo, abilities, and interests for each year represented.

A couple of years ago, I designed a unit study to go along with The Little House. For the older student, you may like to complete some of the activities presented in this unit study. The activities mainly address learning outcomes for grades 2 and 3.

Related Links:

An interesting interpretation of The Little House using the illustrations and music.

A complete unit study at Homeschool Share.

Another complete unit study to coincide with The Little House

Be a Blessing

During this story, the "little house" changes from being immaculately cared for, to being neglected, to being cared for again. There is also a sense of appreciation for the beauty of creation. Consider blessing those in your community by "making it more beautiful" in some way. Picking up litter is an easy way to help make your community more beautiful, but for the more adventurous, consider requesting permission to paint an old park bench or fire hydrant, or possibly spread wildflower seeds in a weedy ditch. 

Teaching Tip Tuesday ~ Work Folders ~ Encouraging Independent Learning

Most of our day is not filled with independent learning, but somewhere between story time and lunch, I pull out the work folders.  The girls know what to do. They know to ask for help if needed. And they know that all of the assigned work needs to be done by Friday.

Each girl has three folders, each folder has two pockets.  Inside each pocket an activity waits that doesn't require a formal lesson, or is review of something already learned; activities such as: an Explode the Code workbook, a Memoria Press Copywork book,  a thankful journal, some alphabet or spelling practice, and some math review and drill practice.

In the first pocket of the first folder, a chart of the week's assignments is provided.  The girls check off completed tasks and give themselves smiley faces for a job well done.  Mama places smelly stickers on the front covers at the end of the week, and then sits at the computer to prepare the next week's tasks.

Some days the girls work little, and other days they work hard, but always their tasks are completed by the end of Friday.

Storytime with Mrs. Holder ~ Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel ~ Pictures and Story by Virginia Lee Burton

{Dear Parents: In the illustration on the last page of this story, the character Mike Mulligan is smoking a pipe. There is mention of smoking a pipe in the text, but I skipped that line in my reading. This is just a little "heads-up" for those parents who may not want to share this story with their child due to this feature.}

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Social Studies Topics:

Technology Related Activities:

List Making and Sorting ~ Make a list of the types of technology described and/or shown throughout the pages of this story. {Your list may include: steam shovel, ship, sailboat, train, pick-up truck, bus, automobile, delivery truck, airplane, dump truck, bulldozer, cart, lawnmower, etc.} Cut your list apart and sort the types of technology into groups using headings such as: Technology Used in the Past, Technology Used by Me Today, Technology that Needs Fuel, Technology that Has Wheels, Technology that is Used for Transportation.

If your child is interested in the idea of the use of steam to power machinery, you may consider viewing this website:
How Steam Engines Work


Community Helpers Related Activities:

List Making ~ List making is a great way to record information. If your child is in kindergarten or grade one, then I encourage you to use a file folder (or something else that is permanent), entitle it "Community Helpers", and begin to record community helpers that your come across in literature, through discussion or in real life experiences. This list is an ongoing project that can be added to throughout the year. For this story, your list may include community helpers such as: constable, selectmen {similar to city council}, postman, telegraph boy, doctor, farmer, fireman, teacher, etc.

Other related links:
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel ~ Publisher's Website ~ Read more about Virginia Lee Burton, as well as find some printable activities to coincide with Mike Mulligan.

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel - video - part 1
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel - video - part 2
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel - video - part 3


Be a Blessing
Discuss with your child how the encouragement of the crowd helped Mike and MaryAnne work faster and better.  Encourage your child to be an encouragement to others by cheering them on.  Try to think of specific examples when your child could cheer someone else on {i.e. when a younger sibling is drawing a picture or building something with blocks}.

Consider blessing some constructions workers in your neighbourhood.  How about taking them some coffee on a cool day? Maybe some muffins too?

Sometimes when surrounded by the walls of our homes, and up to our knees in laundry, with dishes from breakfast still sitting in the sink at noon, we can feel a bit overwhelmed - a little alone.  Thoughts of inadequacy and insecurity can invade our minds, convincing us that the homeschooling mom down the road has it all together, with children who are eager to learn and home routines that transpire like clock-work. 

It is on days like these when we need to allow ourselves to Stop.    Rest.     Reflect.

Sometimes a phone call to a fellow homeschooling mom, or an email to a godly mentor, can help put our anxieties into perspective.   Other times, an intentional appointment with Him over a cup of tea and His scripture can help to soothe the spirit.

I've found for myself, reading insights from veteran homeschooling moms has always been an encouragement.  

May I share a collection of insights with you here?:  Encouraging Articles by Jeannie Fulbright . 

A couple of personal favourite are:
How Long Should a Homeschool Day Be?
Quiet Time 101
Who's Character is Being Shaped Anyways?
Feeling Weak and Weary

May you be refreshed this week as you find rest in Him.

 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake. 

Psalm 23: 2, 3  

Storytime with Mrs. Holder ~ A Chair for My Mother ~ Vera B. Williams

{Dear Families:  I would like your feed back on the quality of sound for the story reading.  Is it understandable, or is it too distorted for your child to enjoy the story?  If you have an extra moment, please send me a little email to let me know.  Thanks so much!}  

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Activities:

Fire Safety: The reference to the house fire within the story provides an excellent launching point to discuss fire safety with your child. Here are a few helpful links:

Fire Safety Archived Post
Burn Awareness ~ Some printable activities and videos to teach both burn awareness and fire safety.

Unit Study: A few years ago, I put together a unit study to correspond with A Chair for My Mother. The activities within the unit study address a variety of social studies learning outcomes. If desired, browse through and pick and choose activities that are of interest to you and your child. Here's the link: A Chair for My Mother Unit Study

Be a Blessing:

The family in this story consists of a little girl, her single mother and her grandmother.  When they face a hardship (a house fire), it seems that the entire community surrounds them with love. Can you and your child think of someone in your community that could use a little love surrounding? A mother with a new baby, a newly moved-in family, a lonely neighbour, an unloved one on the street? Can you think of a way to bless them?

The greatest gift of all is to become the blessing. ~ Ann Voskamp

Teaching Tip Tuesday ~ Helping the Children to Learn About Him

I figured out that snack time and mealtime is the best time to eat.  We fill our growling tummies, and then we feed our hungry souls.

 After swallowing down our daily bread, I pull down the reading from the shelf  and the children listen and nibble on pieces of the Bread of Life. 

Sometimes it's easy to let the Bible reading sift through the moments of the day. I would never forget to feed them a meal. How can I miss feeding them His Word? Wouldn't I be starving their little souls?

Oftentimes, I have been asked for suggestions for a Bible devotional to share with children.  Through my own readings and searching, here are three that have been working for our family.

The Child's Story Bible by Catherine Vos is a 378 page book retelling the stories with in depth detail and accuracy. The actual scriptural reference is written at the beginning of each story passage which encourages reading directly from the Bible as well. My oldest daughter often asks me "to keep reading" when sharing from this book.

Leading Little Ones to God is an excellent resource to explain to your children some of the theological aspects of the Christian faith. Each devotion includes questions for discussion, a suggested scripture reading, lyrics from a related hymn and a prayer.

Our 24 Family Ways is a devotional written by Clay Clarkson outlining twenty-four biblical values and character traits to instill within the hearts of both children and parents. Each "family way" has a week of devotionals available to use, as well as a colouring page for the kids to enjoy. It is a very flexible resource with "no right way" to use format. To give an idea of the content of the "family ways", the first one is, "We love and obey our Lord, Jesus Christ, with wholehearted devotion", while the last is "We always tell the truth and do not practice deceitfulness of any kind".

Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalm 1:1-3

Storytime with Mrs. Holder ~ When I Was Young in the Mountains - by Cynthia Rylant

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Social Studies Topic: Family

The concept of family is strongly presented throughout this story.   However there is never any mention of a mother or a father, as it seems that the grandparents are the primary caregivers for the children.  Discuss the roles and responsibilities of each family member as presented throughout the story. 

Some activity ideas:

Venn Diagram:

Use a Venn diagram to compare the student’s family with the family in the story.  A Venn diagram consists of two circles interlinking.  Similarities between the two families are  recorded in the middle section where the circles interlink.  Differences are recorded in the outside areas. 

To access a printable Venn Diagram, click here: Venn Diagram

Flap Book:

Create a flap book by folding a piece of paper “hotdog” style (lengthwise).  Then cut up to the folded line on one side of the paper 3 times to create 4 flaps.  Label the top of each flap with the name or title of a family member from the story (i.e. grandfather, grandmother, granddaughter, brother/grandson).  Use the space under the flap to write information about and/or draw a picture of the family member.  This activity can be done for the student's own family as well.   

List Making:

Ask your child what the theme in the story is .  Although there are some themes like “Living in the olden days” or “Life in the mountains”, the underlying theme is “contentment”.  This is evidenced by the last line of the story, “And that was always enough.”  Enjoy studying the illustrations and notice the content expressions on the characters faces.   Make a list of things that make the family in the story content.  Then make a list of things that make your family content.  Circle the items that are similar in both lists.  

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” ~ 1 Timothy 6:6

Be a Blessing:

Encourage your child to bless his/her grandparents by writing them a letter telling them "thank you" for spending some special time with them.  At the end of the letter, your child may want to ask for the grandparent to write back with a story about the "olden days".  

We've had our moments, her and I. The oldest, who is the lover of life with a slight streak of naughtiness running through her veins. She knows how to stretch the limits, and she know where my red button is. It took me almost seven years to finally realize that my reactions to her actions were much more important than her actions themselves. His word had already told me that, but sometimes it's easier to read His words,than to put them into practical usage.



In the Summer 2011 edition of the The Old Schoolhouse magazine, Catherine Levison writes an article called, "How Do You Want to Be Remembered?". Part of her article shares this:

Thirty-one years ago, while holding my first baby in my arms, an older man said to me, "Do not scream and yell at your child." (Let me reassure you, I was not yelling nor in any way angry at my little newborn.) He went on to say, "She will only remember the strong emotions you displayed, not the reason you were yelling and raging." I appreciate being warned of the potential harm of angry screaming. I have never forgotten his words. ...

Charlotte Mason mentions gentleness in regard to parenting, and I believe in this wholeheartedly. She cites one of my favourite verses: "A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all." (2 Timothy 2:24) I love that verse and I find it to be very practical. Do you apply that verse with your children? Charlotte Mason writes that this verse is not restricted to certain people but that it is the "secret to strength" for every parent who is guiding young ones in her home. Discipline can be firm and yet not frightening harsh.

As this new learning year begins, may we choose to speak life giving words to our children. May our tone of voice be sweet like honeycomb and may our homes be filled with voices of praise, encouragement and wise instruction. 



Related Links:

Speak Gently ~ Poem by David Bates

Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild

Gentleness Journal Writing Ideas

These resources are worth considering ...

*** Click on the bold title of each resource to link to it's corresponding website.

Delightful Reading ~ A learning-to-read program that uses the natural and gentle approach of Charlotte Mason.

Picture Study Portfolios ~ Another resource using the Charlotte Mason approach. Study one artist each term with as little as 15 minutes per week. Art samples are included to allow your child to view real, beautiful art.

Drawing With Children ~ Mona Brookes ~ An excellent resource for teaching children the techniques of drawing. Many easy to implement drawing exercises, as well as tips on how to help your child draw with joy and satisfaction.

A Little Book of Manners for Girls or A Little Book of Manners for Boys
~ written by Emilie Barnes ~ These sweet books are perfect for reading aloud and discussing with your child manners and appropriate social behaviours for a wide variety of situations. Absolutely lovely!

A Book I'm Reading This Summer ...

In my wandering days when beginning to consider learning from home, I randomly selected books from the library and found the first edition of Educating a WholeHearted Child in my hands.

It was a gift.

How excited I was to see the third edition of this book of much homeschooling wisdom come out this summer.

Read some excerpts from Educating the WholeHearted Child along with some of Sally and Clay's thoughts at: I Take Joy

Books, Books Everywhere ~ The Foundation to Learning to Love to Learn

If You Give a Man a Fish, He'll Eat for a Day

Learning ~ Naturally

Here's the link at Amazon: Educating the WholeHearted Child -3rd Edition

Learning Moments Shared from Our Home to Yours

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Teaching Tip Tuesday ~ Learning Straight Through the Summer - Top 10 Things to Do

They sit there giggling as they share their summer aspirations. Thoughts of star gazing and mud squelching make smiles spread. And so the lists are made, numbered with ice cream expeditions, circuses and parades.

Mama makes one too:

1. Nourish the soul ~ begin memorizing Genesis chapter 1.

2. Nourish the mind ~ hide away the portable DVD player, keep the computer turned off, read about Laura and Almanzo on picnic blankets, and visit the library often.

3. Nourish the body ~ make a smoothie recipe book.

4. Nourish the heart ~ spend more time painting toe nails, and visiting farmers markets, and making sand castles, and swinging high.

5. Nourish the senses ~ write in our gratitude journals for rainbows seen, and campfires smelled, and homemade popsicles tasted, and sprinklers felt, and doorbells ringing with friends eager to play.

6. Nourish the passing moments ~ choose a gem out of the jar to focus our attentions on.

7. Nourish the neighbours ~ take raspberry muffins and notes to make their day.

8. Nourish our delight in creation ~ plan ahead to explore and discover more on our little nature outings.

9. Nourish our family ~ send card creations and fanciful letters to cousins and aunties and uncles and grandparents and sweet distant friends...

10. Nourish our joy ~ celebrate the first day of summer and the days when growing girls were born, and the fact that the sun is shining. Rejoice in the new day and in the breath that we have to celebrate.

Words penned by Debbie Strayer ~ The Homeschool Minute ~ May 25, 2011

Home education is the education that comes with being a part of your home. Some years are much more about life and its adjustments than about what comes from books. You may want to broaden your view when you think about how things have gone.

When you review your year, make sure you look for all the types of growth that have taken place, for both you and the children. Ask yourself these questions: What challenges did we face as a family this year? (Finances, family illness, new babies, toddlers or teens, moves, stresses, etc.) What adjustments have we made this year? (What did we do to continue in spite of our challenges?) What growth have I seen? (In attitudes, actions, service, etc.)

Once you have considered these questions, take these next steps:

~ Give your year to the Lord. Scripture is clear. God is near to those who come to Him humbly.

~ Get some rest. Take time to seek the Lord for the lessons of this year and His plan for the next. Give yourself and the children a break of whatever length you feel is best. It may be a day, a week, a month, or a summer. Pray and listen to the voice of the Lord, wise counselors, and your husband.

~ Look forward to His grace and direction for the future. He is faithful to provide for those He calls, and homeschooling is a calling (I Thessalonians 5:24.) It is on His shoulders, not yours, to get this done.

From many years in the classroom, I know there were children who were there in body while their hearts were elsewhere. I don't think those days of school amounted to much for them. From many years of homeschooling, I know that there were days when my children were there in their hearts while their minds may have been elsewhere. With my eyes fixed on Jesus and His plan, those days at home were never losses.

More encouraging words from both Debbie Strayer and Ruth Beechick can be found here: Articles to Inspire

Teaching Tip Tuesday ~ Creating a Home for Learning

The phone rings.  The toddler cries.  Someone is hungry and the postman is at the door.

The breakfast dishes huddle in and around the sink and it is 10:13 AM.  Morning work folders have not yet begun.  With no thankful journals written, phonics practice completed, or precision copywork penned, the morning seems a complete learning failure.

I push down the stress by remembering thankfulness, forcing a smile, and speaking honeycomb words.

I pause to look around at the wee ones.  The five year old is at the wooden table set creating a surprise work of art for daddy.  She's using the new felt pens and forming words and images and colourful patterns to show her love with art.

The seven year old is curled up in the arm chair listening to  "Charlotte's Web" audio book, delighted by Wilbur and Charlotte and smiling slightly as each page turns. 

The three year old has pulled out the wooden house puzzle and pieces it together again and again, cheering each time a new piece fits.  The five year old, done with her art, joins the cheering preschooler and starts on the bear puzzle and the fish puzzle and the cat puzzle.

Without one formal lesson taught, somehow the children are still learning, experiencing and building relationships.  I see them creating, problem solving, exploring and comprehending all within the comforts of their home. 

I ask myself, "Is it possible to fill a home with spaces of learning so that the mind is continually being filled with beautiful words and experiences simply because we are alive, embracing the gifts that sit on the shelves and hang on the walls and sound through the air around us?"

Is it possible to learn rich by simply living full in a home filled with growing relationships, excellent things (books, music, art, nature) and a presence of Him?


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Following is a less than extensive list of suggestions to encourage rich learning within your home.  Some suggestions are linked to a corresponding resource of my own personal preference:

Books ~ Bible stories, missionary stories, autobiographies of historical figures, poetry, classic literature, science books, audio books

Music ~ listening exposure ~ instrumental, classical, hymns, worship; musical instruments, singing, dancing

Art ~  "How-to" books, posters, post cards, art prints

Maps ~ world maps, Canada map, Bible maps, historical maps, globes

Games ~ geography, math, strategy, reading, drawing

Scripture/ Devotionals ~ scripture calligraphy, scripture posted on fridge, scripture memorized over lunch, devotional read after dinner

Videos ~ classic stories, Bible stories, nature exploration

Creative Materials ~ paper, felt pens, crayons, watercolour paint pad, rubber stamps, pipecleaners, felt, feathers, googly eyes

Life Journaling

Journal Entry #12:

Marking the moments of childhood with prints of hands and feet.

Praying blessings upon tiny hands for all that they will do, and hold, and carry.

Gathering hopes for the feet that will go, and stand, and run the race.

Etching syllables that are spoken from their mouths, a reflection of them at this time.

A copy of the "I Am Poem" can be printed here: I Am Poem