"Supernatural" Worship

This morning as my girls and I worshiped together, I couldn't help but to be overwhelmed with the preciousness of the moment.


There I was, sitting my four of my daughters, listening to them worship and worshiping with them. It was beautiful and weighty all at the same time.

Now as a mom, I have my moments...moments that, at the end of the day, I look back on and mourn. Do you have those...or is this just me?

I regret saying something. I wish I hadn't given so-and-so that disappointed look when they had an honest accident. I wish I had laughed more and criticized less.

The list of my failings as mom can, in my very realistic opinion, go on and on. to the point that I sometimes wonder if homeschooling them is the best option simply because I'm their primary, adult influence... 24-7. *insert panic*

Because quite honestly, there are times where I feel anything but adequate.

But moments like these...they are ones that I want to remember. to hold in my heart. and to highlight for my girls. Because they'll be... *poof*... gone before I know it.

So out came my camera, as I tried to be as discrete as possible while taking pictures. You know, being that worship + cameras make it hard to truly worship.

One of the reasons I reallllly love homeschooling my daughters is that I get ample time to teach them about real life.

The kind of life that has lasting meaning. a powerful, positive impact. and a true, deep understanding about who they have been called to be.

Real life => Learning how to honestly walk with Jesus on a daily basis.

Because let's face it...our children NEED to know how to handle the power of God with confidence and humility. especially in the world today where new counterfeits are being offered at every corner:

• fascination with vampires.
• wicc*an.
• drugs.
• casual s*ex.

All things the world is feverishly pushing as "powerful"

As Christians, I believe we need to be intentional about teaching our children to worship. Because worship, according to the Word, is the avenue that is used to enter into His throne room.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalms 100:4

not through prayer. not through being good. but through true worship of the Father do we gain intimate access to him.

In our house, worship is really important. It's always been a key element to both Jet's and my relationships with the Lord. If you're ever at my church and you see some lady flanked by many daughters...chances are, if that lady is grooving, that it's me. *laughing*

I simply can't stand still when music is on. especially if it's worship. :)

That said, our girls have inherited our love of music, the Lord, worship, and dance. Even Alana, from the time she was around 10 months, would go around the house singing "Ho-ee! Ho-ee!" over and over. (translation "holy")

So for Valentine's Day, we got the girls another Hillsong Children's DVD: Supernatural.

Love. It.

All the girls love it!

Even Lani...she was dancing and raising her hands and singing. but this is all I could get, being that she was on the move.


She's her momma's daughter! ;)

It's 45 minutes of solid worship (12 songs)...with teachings and testimonies scattered in between songs should you choose to have them added (on the main menu).


I love watching young people lead young people into the Throne Room. I think there's such power when the older ones of a generation take the time to train the younger ones.

Not to mention my girls realllllly love that there are passionate believers that are THEIR AGE! Young children wholeheartedly worshipping in all different ways: dance, raising of hands, shouting, instruments, rap...

Selah was like, "Look at ALL those kids!" when she first saw it. (It's an amphitheatre of over 3,000 kids worshipping). And they are begging to go to one of their kid's conferences!

Each song presents a new concept (everything is new when you're young, right?) So it's an opportunity to go more in-depth with them. talking to them about the words that they're singing, so they actually have meaning when they're singing them and not just doing it in rote.




Today we discussed what it means to be "supernatural"...

Having a DVD like this presents an open door that I wouldn't have had otherwise, you know? I mean, sure I can sit them down and say, "Okay today we're going to talk about the word supernatural." and then proceed to talk to their brain.

But when they've been worshipping (dancing, singing, smiling, turning their thoughts to God) with songs that include that word, then the new-found meaning speaks to every angle of their understanding.

It's like they can use their 5 senses to get up close and personal with the understanding of it.


I'm excited for when we go into detail about what the song about the armor of God! I have visions of getting out their play armor and really making it into something 3 dimensional. ;)

"On The March" (the one that talks about the armor of God)...






While we were worshipping, I felt certain things rise up in me...certain visions, different aspects of ministry I believe I'll be involved in, etc...Worship has always been a time when the Lord will speak to me, planting things in my heart.

So I told my girls that. explaining to them what the Lord was doing, how he tends to fill me with hope and expectation for the future, giving me a vision of what He has called me to.

And Charis looked at me, on the point of tears (because remember, she's the one that wants to "do it right") and said, "But he doesn't do that with me."

Perfect opportunity to explain to her that her relationship with God won't look like mine. And that, in fact, her relationship with God will even change as she gets older....

After all was said and done, she smiled again and turned back to worship, completely content that she had a freedom to have a different experience. :)

.....
Once when the girls were lifting their hands, Selah instructed Raegan to put her hands up "so God can fill them with oil."




I know most wouldn't have a clue what they're talking about...and may even question what in the world we're teaching them...but to me, this made me smile.

Because they know (Selah has seen firsthand) that God has done that with me (especially my hands) during worship on countless occasions. So for them, to expect God to do it, is nothing out of the ordinary.

After all, we do sing "Fill me, Lord." my girls just truly expect Him to. With oil. ;D

....
Selah is always on the move. Dancing as a form of worship is perfect for her. When she was about 2 months old, both my pastor and I saw a vision of her dancing all different varieties of dance. Well...that's definitely proving true of who she is. She loves ALLLL things Dance.

This video is a perfect glimpse into how not sedated our worship is. :) I wish I could get some of the other videos to upload, but they just won't? (I'll probably go back and try and add some later...when Techy Hub is home)





Now to give you a complete view of our crazy worship...I have to say, it IS crazy. I mean, after all our oldest is only 7. So while it is a time where they are really trying to focus in on Jesus, there are also...

• Moments of Fighting over a toy...
  

Raegan was really upset that Alana was playing with something that she apparently "wanted". Hence the throwing herself in the floor.


Ah, the powerful atmosphere of worship. :)

• Periods of Distraction...

After the aforementioned fight, Raegan decided she had better protect her territory and focus her attentions on the toys.

• Total indifference instead preferring to Sit back and watch...

All of which I have to say is totally fine. If you want to try incorporating something like this in your child's day, expect it not to go "perfectly".

Because when all is said and done, that's life. And we need to learn to worship him in the midst of it. not apart from it, right?

Meat Fat. It's what's for ...homeschooling.

This winter, with all the sickness junk going around, we've really been trying to remain healthy.

SOOOO

Sometime in early October (right after three family birthdays), we drastically cut back on sugar. You know, being that sugar realllllly depletes your immune system. as well as having a TON of other effects.

I didn't want my girls...who were coming off of a Birthday Sugar-Induced-High...to just think that I was donning the Mean Mommy Hat, mercilessly stripping them of all taste bud fun.

So I was very upfront with them about the reasons behind the new change.

We'd all talk about it, straight up, around the dinner table: telling them statistics. explaining the effects of sugar on their bodies. talking to them like adults and allowing them to honestly process it all out loud. So that it became a decision that they owned themselves.

Instead of something that was being forced upon them.

The one thing that I was ruh-eallllly careful about was to NOT make the diet change about weight. or being fat. or a.n.y.t.h.i.n.g. to do with outward appearance.

We use the word "Healthy" around here. Nothing more. Because with little girls running around, I'm well aware that you have to be careful with how you approach topics like food and healthy eating and being in shape and the whole myriad of body topics.

Healthy is our family's byword. I can't stress that enough because I refuse to play into the "a skinny girl is a happy girl" mantra.

Now even my two year-old knows (and initiates conversations about) when something is "healthy for me" and when "it's bad for my body". Just because it's become part of her natural thinking when approaching food. Blows me away!

Does that mean that we never let them have any sweets? Good grief, NO!!! I think going to that extreme can be almost as mentally detrimental as making eating about the "f" word (yeah...that'd'be "fat").

So we talk about eating smart. for the sheer purpose of being kind to the body God has given us. using food to protect and heal our insides.

Which has broadened our "Sugar Talk" to defining the benefits and/or concerns of eating proteins, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, vegetables, fruits....

And fats.

It's funny because the time I spend making dinner usually brings up more questions and not because I'm trying to make it happen!! Remember: I kind of like to not have children underfoot when in the throes of evening meal prep.

But THEY bring it up. partially because I think they are truly interested in all this nutrition information. and partially because they like being treated like adults, entrusted with conversations that do not revolve around pretend play or non-important issues.

So as I was making meatloaf last night, the girls were right there. very interested in getting a good look at the hunk of protein...whether it was the best kind of meat...etc etc.

Now, we bought a 1/2 cow from a friend who raised it themselves. So it's very lean meat, but obviously there's still fat that cooked off and settled into the pan. sort of sloshing around as I got into the second phase of prepping the loaf.

Soooo in a rare moment of third-trimester inspiration, I took the opportunity to give them a hands-on experience with exactly what we've been discussing these past few months.

FAT and what it does to your body.

Exhibit A:

The liquid version of fat. heated up. runny. able to be easily dumped out of the bowl. and therefore able to pass through a straw without problem.


Exhibit B.

Because we're dealing with kids here, I opted to not go the "let-it-sit-over-night-and-congeal route"...so we put it in the frig for a whopping 15 minutes (if that...since they kept asking to see the hardened fat). *laughing*


Not the best picture. But definitely hardened. immobile. goopy (they stuck their fingers in it). and totally clogging up the straw making it impossible for water to pass through.

We talked about fat in the arteries. what impact that has. diseases that can come about from an over-abundance of fat in your system.


They were REALLY interested. I mean, like, FOR REAL interested. :D Score one for mentally-exhausted, homeschooling, 37-week pregnant momma. *Cha-ching*

(doesn't that description sound so pathetic? haha!)

Honestly this is why I love homeschooling the girls during this stage in their lives. Because I get the opportunity to talk extensively with them about topics that may not normally be broached. because of lack of time in their day-to-day schedules.

I get the amazing chance to impact the way they view life. the way they treat their bodies and their hearts...both in the physically realm and in the emotional one. (We just finished reading The Princess and the Kiss this morning. *so sweet*).

I love this time I get to spend with my sweet girls, learning about things outside the realm of reading, writing, and arithmetic. watching their understanding of the world and their relationship to it come alive.

Ah, there's nothing like bonding with those you love over the grease of your partially cooked meat.

Digging wells...not streams

Last week after finishing our 8th week of school, I had an Ah-ha! moment in the world of "What the heck am I doing being your teacher??"...

Homeschooling, I'm thinking it's the great equalizer: No one feels completely adequate teaching our own kids. even when we...do. ?

Yeah, I know. That doesn't really make sense. But trust me, it's as confusing of a feeling as it is a concept to try and explain out loud. *wry grin*



The weeks are flying by, as are the pages of Charis's curriculum books. She's learning things left and right. Concepts that I didn't even realize were being taught this early on.

Let's take Math for instance, shall we?

We've done (per her 2nd grade math book) fractions, measurements, congruent shapes, parallel line segments, intersecting, expanded notation, vertices and angles, estimating, parallelograms, probability, isosceles, ...Um? I'm sorry. DO WHAT???

Honestly, I've been thinking What the Heck? for a while now, even though she's been excelling at it all. I reeeeaally don't remember studying this stuff when I was 6 and 7. AT ALL.

The whole point of homeschooling is NOT to have a 12 year old college grad, right? Doogie Houser never really impressed me anyhow. ;)

I don't want a child who whipped through grade levels at a rapid rate just to get through it, you know? Because really, is that more for the child's benefit or the parent's pride?

Charis doing her school work. Such intensity, eh?

So why do I homeschool at this point in time? I'm so glad you asked.

• I want my girls to LOOOVVVVEEE learning.

• to know who they are before I send them to a place where others will tell them who they are.

• to have a really solid educational foundation that doesn't revolve around going at the pace for the "average" kid in the class.

Yeah, there are more reasons. But the thing that really struck me last week was "HELLO, Christin! You CAN tailor her education to fit us, as a family...to fit her, as an individual.

going as slow (or fast) as I want. or as they need.

I grew up in the public school system, in classrooms that were dictated by bells and tests and schedules and the graded curve. So it's been a bit hard to shake free from certain mindsets of classroom learning.

Especially since I happen to like "to do lists" and plans and going with those amazing workbooks that math professors, who are obviously much more knowledgeable than little ol' me, put together for 2nd graders everywhere.

*rolling my eyes at myself*

So when we were getting ready to study polygons (something I'm pretty sure I studied in high school! Maybe what was considered Advanced back-in-the-day is now though to be Remedial???) I experienced a mental breakdown breakthrough.

Causing me to come to my senses, taking control out of those invisible math profs' hands and putting them back into the realm of Reality.

No more geometry. calculus. and whatever else they're throwing at my new 2nd grader.

For the next month, I'll be focusing our math studies on drilling Charis (and Selah by "default") in addition and subtraction, to the point that they don't hesitate when it comes to answering those types of equations. So that those math problems...the ones they'll be using for the rest of forever... become etched into their natural way of thinking.

I want to give them ample time to become strong in the basics before moving up the other "rungs of the math ladder." Makes sense to me. *shrug* But what do I know? I possess no Math PhD. ;)

Then a couple of weeks from now, we'll be starting multiplication. And remaining there for at least a month or two. with no other focus.

Again, to become *proficient* in something that she'll be using for the rest of her life.

As homeschooling parents, we have so much thrown at us. Myriads of options, opportunities, and opinions. And at times, it gets a bit overwhelming to try and wade through it all.

*insert wild woman pulling out her hair and screaming, sending children everywhere running in terrified zig-zag directions*

There are moments when we, as the Teacher, just need to come back to the basics ourselves. Stepping away from the Mainstream Homeschooling Movement to focus on the the real reasons why we started homeschooling in the first place.

And this is where I find myself as I place her Math textbook back on the shelf to collect some dust for a while.

I'm reacquainting myself with Common Sense and slowing down. I may have to do this in other arenas? I don't know yet.

But it all comes down to this concept: I want to create DEEP wells of understanding and wisdom in the lives of my daughters. Not shallow waters that run from one pole to the other.

Because honestly? I know the WAY I teach them is as important as WHAT I teach them. that they'll come to understand how to dig into the depths of Life... as I teach them how to dig into the depths of learning/school.

I see no way around that. at least from where I'm standing.

And so I retire my piddly shovel. making use of the backhoe that's been waiting for me on the sidelines.



God help me to dig deeper wells (starting immediately with school). because I've become rather accustomed to my shovel. sadly, in more arenas than not.

Three weeks into homeschooling and Tragedy has occurred.

A couple of years ago, we were first introduced to the life cycle of a cicada. Finding a few in our yard, we were able to watch them hatch. going from ugly creature to ugly creature... with wings.

It was glorious.

So when we finally found another larva this week, the girls were Thu-rilled!

We put him in a little container. And the girls immediately ran around and found food for him, got him a climbing stick, and promptly removed him from the care of their little sister, Raegan (aka Pet Killer...as she squashed Charis's caterpillar between her curious little fingers last week).

You would have thought we just spent the big bucks on an exotic animal. Seriously, you should have seen it. They went into warp-speed veterinarian mode. And I was getting play-by-play accounts, keeping me up-to-date on the status of the little bugger.

"The shell !! It has a crack in it....I can see it cracking!"

This is where you hear the pitter-patter of multiple sets of little feet as they all run back to the front living room to lovingly watch their new pet.

"...Now we're seeing a little orange!! I see color!! It's coming! It's coming!!"

Running. Happy Screams. Running.

"Yes! We're sure of it! He's coming! Get the camera!! Can you see it? He's coming out!!"

But that, sadly enough, is where it all stopped.


Apparently the cicada was a little overwhelmed with all the attention? 'cause it died. Mid new-life-emerging stage thingy.

And can I just say that the girls acted as if I was Evil itself because I voiced the simple suggestion that perhaps the little guy had passed on?

To see their facial expression and watch their body language, you would have thought I had just said "You know what? I'm thinking of ripping his head off, mkay?"

Yep. I went from Most Loved One for finding him to Hateful Mean Mommy for suggesting he was no longer with us. especially when I finally had to say, "Look, I'm sorry, but he really IS dead. Raegan's hitting him with a stick and he's not even moving. I'm taking him outside."

Oh, the looks of horror.

I'm sorry, little guy. R.I.P.

And uh, Lord? If you would happen to hand-deliver another cicada, I'd be most appreciative. Better yet. We're studying aquatic animals this year. Wanna hook me up with some sea life?

Just make sure it's healthy, kay? Or at least fit to eat. *wink*

Our bird

This unfortunate young bird made its debut into our lives with a loud *bang*...when he flew straight into our front bay window. hard enough to render him useless for a while.



At least as far as all things birds consider useful. like the ability to fly away from a houseful of girls who want to examine him.


Jet, with his gentle gloved hand, took the shocked bird and placed him up in our front tree. low enough for the girls to see him. high enough to give him the illusion (albeit dazed-and-confused) of beingl safe.


The bird didn't perk up until Brilliant One (tha'da'be Jet) went inside and got a child's medicine despenser to act as a bottle.


Doesn't Jet look like he knows what he's doing? I guess it was all those years of raising sheep and...all the other animals he had growing up.


The girls loved being able to see a bird up close and personal. Of course, Raegan wasn't satisfied just looking. ;)

And what was Lani doing while the Big Girls were getting a firsthand lesson on birds, you ask?

Chillin' on the sidewalk....


...watching the girls say goodbye to the bird that suddenly got the strength (and wisdom) to fly away.


I love it when God provides little learning opportunities. even if it was at the bird's expense :)

*Addendum: Since our little visitor, Charis has decided that she wants to be a birdwatcher when she grows up. AND that she wants to save up for a pet canary...or parakeet. depending on which is cheaper.

Math links for homeschooling

These pictures have nothing to do with homeschooling. With the exception of this little girl is present during our homeschooling day. Social services demand that I keep in her around even when it's not convenient. ;)


Lani @ 7 months

When Lani (pronouced "Lah-nee") was born in September, it put a little kink in anything resembling structured school. In fact, if I remember correctly it shot the whole "school" concept to... *ahem*... pieces.

So I had to depend on some little help from the computer to drive home concepts for Charis. and to help me maintain a position of sanity during my next-to-no-sleep lifestyle.



Thankfully, as an added bonus, my girls think it's Way Cool to be allowed to use the computer. They lived for time they got to spend on the computer, regardless of the fact that it was school stuff they were doing.

My only advice? Don't let the kids get on the computer and do frivilous stuff. Because then the whole Educational Computer Time loses its appeal.



Honestly, I'd go over and over a math concept with Charis only to have her give me that glazed-over "Are we done?" look.

But 10-15 minutes on certain math games, and she'd have the concept nailed!!

That said, here are some Math Sites that I've found helpful in driving a lesson home.


A Money Game... click here.

Another Money Game... click here.

Telling time game...click here.

Adding game...click here.


And here's a blog dedicated to Math. She gives ideas on how to teach things as well as links to other sites that you may find helpful. While I haven't had the time to really puruse her site, I wanted to add it in here...just in case you find it helpful.




I know that we used some other sites as well. But for whatever reason I can't find them right now. But what can I say? It's Summer vacation. My brain is taking a much-needed break.

Hopefully soon, I'll be able to post some more sites we used for other subjects as well.

Homeschool Curriculum, 2009-2010

Mail time at our house usually consists of Selah or Charis running to get whatever envelopes were stuffed in our box. The whole trip can be a little anti-climatic if you ask me. Yet, they still look forward to their turn, running the, maybe, 20 yards to get whatever Mr. Postman delivered that day.

(Uh, I'm thinking we need to get out more? spice things up a bit. Live on the wild side and...I don't know...throw caution to the wind and maybe walk around the block or something. :) My girls wouldn't know what hit them. heh heh)

So when there's something *bulky* to carry in, courtesy of the USPS, it's an Event.

Because really, who doesn't love getting a big ol' package in the mail? especially when it's for you!

This week we received another part of our homeschool curriculum for next year. Just in time for me to rearrange my bookshelf for the twentieth time since we've lived here. *insert a roll of the eyes*

I must be crossing over into the "Family of Die-hard Homeschoolers" Arena. (um...should this make me happy? or officially in need of professional counseling? *grin*)

Because my main bookshelf has now officially become The Homeschool Shelf. housing our growing piles of educational stuff.

I hate what my camera does to the color of the above picture. Everything looks so monotone. and blech. I really do have color on my walls. Honest!

The box on the chair is not an everyday accessory. It's full of adult books...like Dobson and Peretti and Janette Oke and... that I threw off the shelves to pack away.

Tis sad to see MY stuff being stored away in lu of kid's Atlases. and History books. and Spanish lessons. But *shrug* it's all about making the kids' books accessible now.

Because shockingly, if the girls can reach it, they'll actually use it!

I know. the genius in me is overwhelming at times.

After researching and scouring the Internet for ideas, I'm REALLY excited about what I finally decided on for Charis's 2nd grade year:


1. The Story of the World Volume 1: Ancient Times

(still waiting for the activity book to arrive. apparently it's on a HUGE backorder as they just sent me an email saying it may not be ready until June. We ordered April 10!)

For the past few years, I've been reading a family blog of a homeschooling momma with 13 kiddos. She has always spoken highly of SOTW and raves about her children love all the activities.

I don't adhere to being a Classical Homeschooler. The whole teaching Latin (hello, a dead language!?) baffles me. But I do love this Classical approach to History by Susan Wise Bauer

Want to read an excerpt? go here.



2. Apologia's Exploring Creation with Zoology 2. Swimming Creatures of the 5th day

It's science from a Christian perspective. One of my closest friends happened to have this book for me to borrow. Thus, the reason why we skipped Zoology 1.

But Apologia's sites say that they recommend doing the first one first because they review Classification of Animals. while the 2nd book just assumes you know the information.

I figure, I'll just do a quick review of it with the girls myself. Hopefully, that'll be sufficient because I couldn't pass up saving money by skipping ahead and borrowing Crystal's book.

to read a summary of this book go here.


3. The Critical Thinking Company has been a huge discovery for me this year!!!

I've been perusing a great used homeschool curriculum site for a while now...and came across a woman who had written out a want list. She had some of the same things that I knew I already liked, so I went ahead and wrote down the rest of her list. determined to check them out.

Thank goodness I did! because this curriculum was among the short list...and I love them!

-Developing Critical Thinking through Science (book 1)
-Language Smarts, level C
-Mathematical reasoning, level C
-Building Thinking Skills, level 1


There is so much I could say about this company...and that's having only looked at the material and let Charis piddle here and there with some of the stuff.

But here is what their site has to say:

We design critical thinking into reading, writing, math, science and history lessons so students carefully analyze what they are learning. Deeper analysis produces deeper understanding, which results in better grades and higher test scores. Over time, students who practice critical thinking learn to apply it throughout their education and life.

We do not teach through drill and memorization or teach to the tests—we empower the mind! Our goals are higher grades, top test scores, and problem solving skills to meet all of life’s challenges. The Critical Thinking Company is recommended by Mensa, Learning Magazine, The Well Trained Mind, Dr. Toy, Creative Child Magazine, and used by Sylvan Learning Centers, Club Z In-Home Tutoring, leading U.S. public schools, and gifted & talented programs in 57 countries throughout the world. We guarantee better grades and higher test scores—or your money back.

Can you even believe that? a money back guarantee?! They had me at Hello.

The same blog that talked about The Story of the World also recommended GeoPuzzles.

and being that we'll be studying "Ancient times" in History this year, I went ahead and bought Asia and Europe (or should I say my Nana bought it... for Raegan's birthday. What?! She'll use it. Three or four years from now. *wink* Poor abused Raegan.)

I still have a USA puzzle like this from when I was little. I lovvvveed it. and can tell my girls are already feeling the same way about these. With the puzzle pieces being the same shape of the country, it's a great way to cement the country's look and location in their young minds.

and I can already tell it's going to be an educational experience for ME. (I totally stink when it comes to geography)

As far as other curriculum, I'm pretty laid back.


just making sure that they have plenty of hands-on type learning activities


and lots and lots of quality books.

You know, books that do not always include a princess and some prince who saves her. *wry grin*

I'm one who doesn't mind investing money in quality educational things. Subjects where they need to be challenged. Topics and lessons that are fairly concrete and don't have a lot of give in the text (like math. 2+5 will always equal 7)

But when it comes to things like Art and Bible, I don't really find it necessary, in this stage of the game, to spend money for "formal curriculum".

In my opinion, kids are wired to create. they don't need someone to tell them how to do Art right. Not yet, anyway.

So for Art, I just provide markers and glue and piles of papers and whatever else I can think of to ensure that they have enough to let their little minds imagine.

And though I love some of the curriculum I've seen for studying the bible, I think this year we're going to just READ it. Novel concept, huh?


After all, we have at least nine kid's Bibles.

I want to encourage them to read it. to think about what they just read. processing it enough to apply it to their own lives. instead of just reading a story and answering someone else's prefabricated questions.

The Word is Living. I want to teach them to experience it. to interact with it...as God designed their individual minds.

and I'm really excited about this little $0.25 yardsale find.


...being that we have four little women-in-training running around here. I can already tell it's going to be a favorite. In fact, it's all I can do to keep Charis from devouring this book of Bible stories in one sitting. :)

Pencils, pencils everywhere!

We're at the end of Charis's first grade math book when suddenly it starts to introduce "borrowing while subtracting".

While I've touched on the concept a little here and there, she's never solved an entire page of subtraction problems where you have to borrow.

Like: 26-18= ?

Just looking at the filled page of subtraction problems (that had a new twist) was overwhelming to her.

Understandably so, since I was a bit overwhelmed trying to figure out how to help her press through her "I can't do this" mentality.

When I was in second grade, I remember my teacher telling us a little story to help with the process (let's use the below math problem for the story).

26
-18

"Eight went to Six to ask for some apples. But Six didn't have enough. So Six had to walk next door to see if her neighbor, Two, had any extra.

(teacher walked her fingers next door...across the blackboard... and made a knocking sound. I remember thinking that was soooo cool!)

"Can I borrow some apples please? I don't have enough for my friend, Eight."

So Two gave up some apples and became a 1, making the 6 a 16. Allowing Sixteen to give Eight some apples."

I know, it sounds so silly. but for some reason, this acting out of the whole process stuck with me.
To the degree that for years afterwards, whenever I would have to borrow during subtraction, I would mentally do this story in my head.

And even though I told this story to Charis and she "got it"...she still didn't understand why the 4 just didn't become a 5....instead of a 14.

So I had to get creative.

See these pencils? They represent the number 26.

The groups of pencils are two groups of ten. They can not be separated. Thus, when "Two" gives up one...she's really giving up one group of ten.

Get it? ;)

Well, Hallelujah, Charis did!!

And she was able to finish, for the first time, an entire page of subtraction problems where borrowing came into play. Getting only two wrong.

I'm definitely seeing that she does better when she can see the "why" behind the concept...in a concrete way.

"Children aged 5 through 7 usually need concrete objects; children aged 8 through 10 shift into 'mental image' mode."

Excerpt from 'The Well-Trained Mind' by Susan Wise Bauer

Place value

Charis has been struggling to understand the concept of place value.

• How to add the number in your head, if you only add 10 to 970.
• How to read the number 9,327.
• How to look at a large number and point out which one holds the ones place, the tens place, etc.

Being that she's only in first grade, I know she learns better if she can use her hands (work with manipulatives) while learning. So this morning, I made these cards:



I used my scrapbooking cutter to cut out cards. Nine of each size. The largest size has 1,000 up through 9,000. and so on.

She could go through the cards and name out each individual one. "This is seven thousand." "That one is a nine-hundred."

But was surprised to know...


...that when the cards stacked on top of each other to make a new number, it still reads the same. Seven thousand, nine hundred, seventy-six.


Then, the girls went on to make their own numbers. Just to see what they'd come up with. And though it sounds a little boring (at least it does to me), they really liked it.

To stretch their brains a little more, I asked them to do certain tasks. Like create the highest four digit number possible (9,999). Or the lowest (1,000).

Or what you get when you take 8,453 and add 10. or 100.

It was no big deal for her to do because the cards easily interchange. Plus, there was no writing required on her part.

which is something that I'm finding gets old for her rather quickly. After all, you can only do so much book-work before your attention level goes ka-put!



For the first time, I think she actually enjoyed working with place values. Which is huge since I believe you can't truly commit something to long-term memory unless you

1. get a chance to work with the new concept and in some way apply it to your life, and/or
2. actually enjoy what you're dealing with.


Even Selah (4) got to learn a new concept. simply because she saw Charis having so much fun.

More than meets the eye

Yesterday I mentioned the Dolch Sight Word cards we made...

Now I realize this method may seem boring to some. But I'm all about simple, inexpensive, and acting rowdy. So there is much *Hoorah* when Selah gets a word right.

And really, how can a preschooler get bored with Mom acting like a monkey on crack?

But today we've discovered some other ways to use the cards.

So just in case there is one lone person out there in blogdom who actually went and made their own cards, here are some additional things we've been doing (or are planning to do) with them.

1. Charis will take turns helping Selah read the words. This way the words are reinforced to Charis, being that those words are on her Spelling List. Plus, having Charis and Selah learn to work together in this way is always a bonus!

2. Put the words in alphabetical order, reinforcing their ability to master the dictionary.

3. Have them make sentences out of the words.

4. Give them a few cards and have them create a story from the specified words. reinforcing handwriting, sentence structure, and creativity.

5. Have them separate out the words by categories: verbs, nouns, etc.

6. Have them pick different words (from books or wherever) and make the Sight Reading Cards themselves. Some people learn better by writing it out...being that I'm yet to figure out their learning styles, this can't hurt.

7. Have a word that we discuss over dinner time. This word may be a little more advanced than the Dolch Sight Word list. Maybe something designed to help them expand their speaking vocabulary? but learning to spell the word at the same time is always good!


There are hundreds, if not thousands, of things you can buy as a homeschooling parent of elementary school children. Material all designed to help you teach your child the Three R's (reading, writing, 'rithmetic).

So when I find something that works for me during this season of "two under two"...that cost *zilch*... I'm all over it.

Dolch Sight Words

When Charis started to read, she and I would just pick up a book and go at it. Apparently this method worked for her, as she's reading grade levels above 1st grade.

This is great for Charis's self-esteem...but not so much for Selah's.

I'm thinking that Selah (4 1/2 yrs) may be a little intimidated by her older sister's reading abilities. Because whenever Selah and I pick up a book to practice, she gets all kinds of frustrated and declares, "I can't!"

So I've had to approach it from a different angle.

Which, by the way, is fast becoming my new mom-motto being that I have four little ones. ALL of whom are very different and ALL who happen to be of the gender that errs on the side of self-comparison.

That said, I tried something out this week that is working like a charm!

Have you ever heard of the Dolch Sight words? They're the list of commonly used English words originally published by Edward William Dolch, PhD in his book "Problems in Reading" (1948).

Many of the words on the list cannot be sounded out. Therefore, they must be learned by sight. Words like "said" and "could" and "two".

*This is me smacking my forehead*

Remember this post about the perils of teaching children to read in a language that houses all sorts of exceptions to grammatical rules? *groan* Yeah well, I so wish someone had told me about this guy!!

I believe there are kits you can buy that come with laminated word cards. But really, why bother?

You can find the list of words here.

And I can attest that in the two days that Selah and I have worked on them, her confidence has sky-rocketed, as she is quickly becoming able to read, upon sight, a growing list of words.

All it takes are some note cards, a marker, and some snuggle time on the couch. Keep your $19.95 for something else.