Is it True, Kind, Necessary?

~ An article by Erica Foss describing how the words we speak within our home can "contribute to the holiness and happiness" of our community.

Came across these words in my inbox recently:

When we ask ourselves, “Is my child learning enough?,” Charlotte would gently remind us that we are asking the wrong question.

“The question is not,”how much does the youth know? when he has finished his education” but how much does he care? and about how many orders of things does he care? In fact, how large is the room in which he finds his feet set? and, therefore, how full is the life he has before him?” (Vol. 3, pp. 170, 171).

And the interesting part of this process is that as our children form those personal relations and begin to care about a variety of interests, they will learn the facts about those interests along the way. But the facts are not the focus.

Read more about these thoughts here: Is My Child Learning Enough?

Teaching Tip Tuesday ~ Spelling List of Resources

Spelling Programs recommended in Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Curriculum Picks:

Building Spelling Skills ~ An inexpensive spelling program with Christian content.

Spelling Power ~ Individualizes spelling lists so that students focus on trouble words.  Includes a CD and DVD.

Spelling Workout ~ A spelling program that students can learn to complete independently.

All About Spelling ~ A spelling program recommended for younger students, and for those students who need more explicit spelling instruction.  ~ This spelling curriculum  recommendation is made by Sarah Bennett, the developer of HCOS curriculum packages.

Recently, I came across an interesting resource that begins at the grade 3 level and uses the process of prepared dictation to reinforce spelling skills:  Spelling Wisdom.

To practice spelling online, you may like using: Spelling Time and/or Spelling City

Finally, are you frustrated with spelling lists that take up too much learning time without long-lasting results?  Ruth Beechick has written a couple of interesting articles that cast a different perspective on spelling lists and language arts programs in general.  Very interesting reading.

How Not to Teach Writing ~ a lengthier article focusing mainly on spelling

Simplify the Curriculum  ~ refers a bit to spelling, but more to the Language program as a whole

Life Journaling

Journal Entry #9

Topic: My Valentine's Card List

Suggested Scripture: Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God. ~ 1 John 4:7a

Wee hands creating heart smothered cards to share with family and friends is a small way to express sweet love. But first, an all encompassing friends and family list must be written. We wrote ours in our journals...