PrincipledMom™

This was an unusual week because of Princess G's birthday and because we had to take her to the doctor. She has eczema from head to toe at this time in her young life. We try our best to keep on top of it but this time it really got away from us. She had infection from her hips to her little piggies. It was the worst it has been, and it's been pretty bad. Ouch! So we had to get a round of oral steroids and antibiotics. Needless to say, she is on the mend, feeling great and looking much better. I hate to take this route, but sometimes I really have no choice.

So because we are able to educate at home, we were able to continue our lessons and that was not difficult, except that she had to stand up at the table to work a lot because the back of her upper thighs were so raw. Here's what we did this week:

Bible
Principle: Christian Principle of Self-Government (1 Samuel
We discussed the Children of Israel rejecting God and choosing a man to lead tham. We reasoned that this is the same as when we choose our own way instead of choosing Christian self-governemtn. We choose our own government rather than God's. We made a chart that a mom at our bibleprinciples group shared with us. We will definitely use more of these charts. They really make the lesson come alive for us and help us to apply what we are studying.

English
spelling lists from McGuffey
Grammar: Harvey's and Daily Grams
Penmanship: Spencerian book 1 (new last week)

Math
Principle: Division reveals God's nature (3 in 1)
Continuing in Ray's with this

Literature
finishing Alice in Wonderland. She asked to read it so we just did so. We didn't do much in the way of notebooking, we just enjoyed the silly happenings and discussed "character issues" as we saw them.

Botany (Dr. Hooker's book)
Principle: nature teaches us about God
This is her favorite subject. She begs to do it every day. We studied about leaves. They have four main purposes: add moisture to the air, shade, beauty and to keep the plant alive (respiration and photosynthesis). We also read the chapter on the leaves in autumn. I really enjoy his manner of writing and his appreciation for God's creativity.

Art
Principle: God's Principle of Individuality
We learned that a line is a moving point in space. We discussed how lines are defined: by position, thickness, shape and relation to other lines. She reasoned what we use lines for--communication, separation, inclusion, judgement--and how lines demonstrate the principle above. We did some simple projects that she really enjoyed and we looked for lines in art and around the house. (For art we are using this book and this book.)

The weather is so nice that we have been spending time out of doors, getting our "sunshine vitamins". Happy spring!! (insert Snoopy dance here)

Click here to download a blank lesson plan worksheet to print to your heart's content.

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I cannot believe that my oldest is now 8 years old! Where does the time go??

Five things I love about her:

1. She is an absolute joy to me.
2. Her sweet attitude, even in the face of physical challenges
3. Her ability to see solutions to problems she finds
4. Her appreciation for true beauty
5. Her tender heart toward the Lord

I am so glad she is in our family. And I count it an honor to be her mom. Happy birthday Princess G!

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In all my planning sometimes I have to remind myself of the important things. While the math and the grammar are important, they are not the end, but a means to an end. I made this list so I can always remember that these things are what really matter.

1. Love of God and His Word
2. Their reason for being here
3. Reasoning from God's Word and its application to everyday life
4. The pleasure of independent study
5. The power of self-government
6. Care and compassion for God's creation
7. Life skills
8. That life is precious
9. The value of the past
10. Love of learning

If I can provide the enviroment where they can absorb all of these, then I think my job will have been a resounding success.

The way I study and educate my children is the root from which these 10 things spring. The fruit comes when they incorporate these things into their lives. And what sweet fruit that is!

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in Truth. 3 John 4

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My family is benefitting from the changes I've implemented from Managers of Their Homes (MOTH). One change is that we have added a "training" time. This is a small block of time where I can teach stuff they need to learn, like the proper way to wash your hands, shake out a rug or sweep a floor. This has been a great time for us together.

We were folding laundry this week and I was demonstrating the way we fold towels and clothes. I discussed why we fold things the way we do but that other people have their own way too. So we moved on to shirts. I was showing 7dd and 5dd how to fold a shirt. My 5dd said, "So you just hold it to your heart like this." She stretched out the shirt against her body, with her little arms stretched wide. I asked what she meant. "Like this mom, with the neck against your heart." Well, it's not exactly the way I showed them, but I thought it was really profound. Laundry is a loving task that should have "heart" in it.

When I do laundry and other "mundane" tasks, I am blessing my family. I am touching their clothes, holding them close to me and carefully folding them so they will have clean clothes to wear. I am smoothing their sheets so they will have a warm bed to sleep in. I chop vegetables and meat so they will have healthy bodies. I scrub their little heads so their hair will be clean. Each task is a labor of love, coming from my mother's heart through my hands. I hope they know that somehow.

So yes, I do hold the clothes close to my heart. And try not to think about the day when they won't need me to fold their clothes anymore. Then they will fold the clothes of someone they love and hold them close. And maybe I'll bring my laundry over to their house for a change!

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places God's Word at the center of all subjects. We do not tack some scriptures on to a canned curriculum, but we discover the principles from which the subject is derived and teach those. I love using the Word of God as the foundation for all subjects. I enjoy it for many reasons.

First, it keeps me in the Word more than any other type of education would. My philosophy of education requires me to study and prepare my own heart before passing principles on to my children. Like a momma bird, I am breaking down the meat of the Word into something their little tummies can digest. This preparation keeps my mind on God's Word and meditating on Him.

Second, I see the Bible through a series of lenses, or filters, if you will. I view the Bible in different ways for different subjects. In JBC we are looking governmentally at God's Word. It is also our mathematics primer--we can see that math comes out of God's nature. The Bible is the highest form of literature, so we view all other written text compared to it. It is also a science text, even allowing us to be present at creation to see how God put the Earth and its inhabitants together. I also see its excellent grammar and manner of expression, which elevates our standard of grammar and sentence structure. And it is a big, beautiful window to His Story. We can see providential history played out over thousands of years.

Third, because it is God's written instructions, I can find everything I need there. Trouble with a child? Look for the answers there. Struggling to grasp a subject? I just check my concordance and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the wisdom I need. I never need to be stressed or concerned, for His Word has the comfort and encouragement I need to make it through. I know what my duties are as a parent, and my children know theirs also. This structure is very reassuring to me. His will is not mysterious or unattainable. God makes it all plain for me in His Word. His Word says

2 Making your ear attentive to skillful and godly Wisdom and inclining and directing your heart and mind to understanding [applying all your powers to the quest for it]:
3 Yes, if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
4 If you seek [Wisdom] as for silver and search for skillful and godly Wisdom as for hidden treasures,
5 Then you will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of [our omniscient God].
6 For the Lord gives skillful and godly Wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He hides away sound and godly Wisdom and stores it for the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with Him); He is a shield to those that walk uprightly and in integrity,
8 That He may guard the paths of justice; yes, He preserves the
way of His saints. Prov. 2: 2-8 AMP

 

This is my scripture for my own home education. It is comforting to know that
as I teach my children to seek skillful and godly wisdom that we will not be
disappointed. All this hard work has eternal rewards. As we pursue these
subjects using biblical principles, I am not just teaching science or grammar,
but God is revealing "skillful and godly wisdom" to them. Hallelujah! That's all
I want for them: to know the Wisdom that comes from above. All the rest is
gravy.

Together, the school subjects give me comprehensive view of God's Word that I would never experience otherwise. I can see the "whole counsel of God," enjoying His wisdom and insight on matters like economics, interpersonal relations, education and home and family life. It is an understatement to say that there is no better manual for education and living than the Bible. If you never taught from another book you would get an excellent education.

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