Back in the Swing of Things

We have been back in our daily grind for about 8 weeks and loving it. 

This year I have one core phaser, two love of learners and one transitional scholar.  One thing I really wanted to maintain through the different phases is togetherness.  In order to keep this going I have put together a schedule of seasons for group learning.  Right now we are in the season of History and working through our second Story of the World book.

The kids love this curriculum because it is stories and activities.  They love that when they have something to ask or say they can blurt it out at a sentence pause.  This is not always convenient as it takes longer to get through it but it provides for great conversation and funny one liners.  

I came up with the idea for seasons of group learning at the homeschool convention this summer.  Other seasons we are looking forward to are; Living Math, Music, Art and Science.  I was so excited to come across this idea, last year I just gave up and stopped group learning because I wasn't accomplishing what I wanted to.  I had different days for different subjects and never enough time.  Now I know from Aug to Oct we are doing history.  Sometimes we get wrapped up and complete 4 or more chapters other days we squeeze one in.  On our favorite days we just do activities!

Here are the kids with their rice crispy Norman Castles.

Book Shelf

Every time we move we take down and refill our bookshelf (some how new books keep popping up).  I have to admit in the past this practice has brought guilt... I haven't read hardly any of the Scholar Phase books.  However, this time it was more like read it, read it, read it, need to read it and so on and so forth.  I had a great Scholar Phase summer.  Lots of reading and writing and pondering on some really great books. 

My Antonia is a great book, an absolute favorite of mine and I loved writing about it and hope to be able to share my thoughts on this book soon.  I have to type it.

Amazing book!  Lost Island gives you that same kind of feeling that the Disney Nature Movies do, "What have we done?" Is it to late?

This is the third Steinbeck book I have read, very interesting writer.  Last year I went to a leadership class and the leader talked about writing style, I decided that was something I wanted to learn more about.  I want to read all of Steinbeck's popular titles and write a paper on his writing style. 

Right now I am reading; The Awakening and trying my hardest to finish Anna Karenina before the movie comes out.  Also, I joined a book club here and our first book discussion in on, Uncle Tom's Cabin.  I have read the book but funny thing, I have been hesitant to write a paper because of the direction my brain is going, "Is it ok to kill in situations such as Uncle Toms?"  Heaven knows he had ample opportunity and reason to do so.  I will share if I ever get around to straightening out my crooked mind.



Homeschooling on the MOVE

This past year our family has moved twice and lived in a temporary residence for a month once.  So how do you homeschool and move at the same time?  I can't tell you from a professional spectrum but I can tell you from experience how we made it through.

I am indeed thankful that we learned about Leadership education and the power of reading and discussing the classics.  It was a turning point for our family where academics turned from being all about "SMARTS" and became more about "Virtue and Integrity".  Sure I want my kids to be intelligent men and women but I also want them to have the personal and public virtue they need to use their intelligence to protect their freedoms and "BECOME" leaders.  Leaders in their homes, communities, work, church services and any other endeavor they choose. 

A classic is easy, it can go with you anywhere and everywhere.  Often times we will have one playing in the car and one that we read at home or at the park.  The most important part is the discussing and that we do as we read.  It's not math (sometimes it is) and it's not rocket science but it is, literature, writing, reading, vocabulary, spelling, history and so much more.  The kids also kept two other things available during our move; their current biography and their own literature book.  We read a lot! 

My favorite part of leadership education is teaching the kids to work, how truly important it is for future leaders to know and have good work ethic.  It is hard in these modern times to teach kids "real" work.  MOVING IS REAL WORK!  It turns out that all of our little chores that we do around the house everyday were teaching them how to be hard workers because they certainly kept up with all of the moving.  They were a tremendous help!

In a nut shell; moving slowed us down but never stopped us.  If you have a move coming up the best advice I can give you is this....

Don't set aside learning, instead do this.....

Classics, Not Text Books
Structure Time, Not Content
Simplicity, Not Complexity

Book Report

If there is one thing we love more than anything else it is BOOKS.  We can never get enough, together we listen in the car, mom reads in the house, separate we all have our books (fiction and nonfiction).  Recently, we finished three books together and loved all of them.  So many things to learn from books if you allow them to help you become.  Yes, three is an exciting number but just listening/reading three books is only an achievement.  Discussing them, absorbing them, and learning from them helps us to become kinder, smarter, more sensitive and prepared for life's challenges.

Milkweed is a 2003 young adult historical fiction novel by American author Jerry Spinelli. The book is about a boy in Warsaw, Poland in the years of World War II during the Holocaust. Over time he is taken in by a Jewish group of orphans and he must avoid the German troops (or "Jackboots") while living off the streets with other orphans. The story narrator is the boy in the future living in America recalling his past experiences 

We loved, Stop Thief, Stupid, Jew, Filthy Son of Abraham, Misha and finally Papi Noodle.  This orphan boy had many names that he answered to and went from a naive young boy to an elderly man that had experienced a life that taught him things about human kind that the kids and I are convinced he really would have rather never known. 

This book above all things learned, taught us about true heroes and knowing all you can about the people and things you look up to before you profess your legions and desire to become.  Misha, was ignorant and picked up everything from parades of Jack Boots and the excitement that followed to observing his friends putting others first.  Both things intrigued him, he wanted to become a Jack Boot and now gave a portion of his stolen items to those in need.  By the end of the story the truth of both showed themselves, the Jack Boots were not men to look up to and Misha despised them and their treatment of his Jewish friends.  Giving and serving others became who Misha was, to the orphans, to his new family, to his street friends, Misha built lasting friendships with those he served. 

GREAT BOOK, we highly recommend it.

The last thing Harry ?Dit? Sims expects when Emma Walker comes to town is to become friends. Proper -talking, brainy Emma doesn't play baseball or fish too well, but she sure makes Dit think, especially about the differences between black and white. But soon Dit is thinking about a whole lot more when the town barber, who is black, is put on trial for a terrible crime. Together Dit and Emma come up with a daring plan to save him from the unthinkable.

Set in 1917 and inspired by the author's true family history, this is the poignant story of a remarkable friendship and the perils of small-town justice

Wow, there is nothing like putting yourself in the year of 1917 and being part of a black girl and white boys growing friendship.  This is history that you hope will never repeat itself, in our lives from reading we have put racism into our junk pile and do all we can to except love and make friends with all of God's children.  This books helped us to become more courageous despite our age or abilities, anything is possible when your heart and mind is set on it.  Whatever little or big contribution that we can give to the bettering of our society will make a difference if only within our own circle of acquaintances. 

We listened to this one in the car and despite gas prices we would take turns coming up with places to go just so we could listen.  Every once in awhile someone would say, I feel like driving to the library, the far one.  We would all agree, quit what we were doing and jump in the car. 

Our brainy friend Emma (from the book above), told us about Treasure Island, The Secret Garden and Tarzan.  OK, she may have been telling Dit but we grew to love her and her stories about the books she has read.  We decided to add these books to our list.  We have already read Treasure Island and some of us finished listening to Tarzan in the car, the rest of us fell asleep.  Not because the book wasn't exciting we were just dead tired from vacationing.

Treasure Island: Dad listened to this book with us and it was fun having him in on our discussions.  I had no idea there were so many good Classics for boys in the process of growing into youth.  It has helped us to understand that our children need to experience as much as possible to help them become the people God attended them to be.  I am a firm believer that many of these things can be learned through books.  Discussing this book and seeing how Jim Hawkins changed and found strength within helps us to know that when needed our courage is there, dig deep and be confident in yourself.

Matthew and his dad finished listening to this book and both were a little disappointed with the ending.  Makes me nervous to finish it, I love a good ending.  This is a Core Phase book....

• right and wrong
• good and bad
• true and false
• relationships
• family values
• learning accountability
• the value and love of work

We can't wait to read more books in the series.

Next on our list....

We hope that you love reading as much as we do.  The TJED key to Leadership Education, Classics not Textbooks has changed not only our educational goals but our pattern of living.  Happy Reading!!
SEVEN KEYS, CHECK IT OUT http://www.tjed.org/about-tjed/7-keys/

Life of a Core Phaser

Meet my "Core Phaser"

She is so delightful and spends every day learning and growing. She is working to become a positive member of our family, good friend, hard worker, understanding good/bad and right/wrong and the role of play in learning.

The Core Phase is one of the three phases introduced in a Thomas Jefferson Education, check it out here
http://www.tjed.org/2011/05/homeschooling-excellence-core-phase/ .

I thought it would be fun to run you through a day in the life of this amazing girl.

Her older sister had a special blue card for the day that told her that she would be spending time on a Kendal lesson. Maggie read her books and did some counting on the "TRAMPOLINE".

She loves to feed her dog Mugs his letter sounds.

She is a genius with the dry erase board.

She loves to bake, lucky for her big brother was working on some French Cuisine. Together they made some amazing Creme Brulee, to die for.

Everyone loves to read to the Princess, she helps us bring our stories to life with questions, concerns and alternate endings (What if?).

Did I mention how absolutely helpful she is around the house? Together her and I conquer four chores a day, she loves to use Clorox wipe. This day she was extra helpful. When mommy sews she pushes the pedal; stop, slow down, speed up and go.

Her favorite special blue card for this day was Computer Learning.

She is also taking piano lessons from her siblings. Not all at once, thank goodness. They have each taught her a little something to give her the confidence to sit down and play.

Those aren't the only things she likes to play and do all day she also likes; play dough, water color paints, puzzles, Lincoln logs, dolls, barbies and she loves playing outdoors with her dog.

Did you have a Core Phase? Sadly I think that Kendal is my first child to receive a true Core Phase. Every once in awhile we will take a day off to be Core Phasers (these days carry many great memories). I hope you take the time to read about the Core Phase on the TJED website, it is so important that we all continue to seek out the Core needs for a great education no matter how old we are.

right and wrong

good and bad

true and false

relationships

family values

family routines and responsibilities

learning accountability

the value and love of work

From the TJED website; http://www.tjed.org/2011/05/homeschooling-excellence-core-phase/

An Explication on Power and Influence

Power, Influence and Happily Ever After

If I were given the gift of power how would I use it? What an interesting question to ponder, there are some areas of my life that I have been given power over. My education, my choices and my actions are all things that I am governor of. In a recent Relief Society lesson given we learned about a General Relief Society President that was struggling with decisions that were made by the First Presidency of the church, she believed them to be wrong and desired for them to conform to her. She took her feelings to a fellow sister in the Gospel who in her wisdom asked her, “If you were given the choice between two gifts, power or the gift of mighty influence which would you choose?” She gave this very little thought for she knew the value of influence. The Lord has given all women the gift of mighty influence, to the other, man he gives the gift of power.

In the book Mary Martha and Me by Camille Fronk Olson, we learn of two very important influences that women can make in the lives of others, both being important parts. First, we learn to be charitable, attending, loving and always looking for ways to reach out to others. Martha knew that the Lord must eat, she recognized the duties of a host and she performed them diligently. Only when her feelings of power overcame her influence did she falter. “Lord dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.” To which the Lord introduces us to the second way women can influence others, “Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Mary who was at her Saviors feet enthralled with his words and teaching was doing the one thing that was needful. She was learning the Gospel and understanding Christ so that she could pattern her life unto his. As we search diligently and sit enthralled reading the scriptures we are filling our minds, hearts and souls with the one needful thing that will guide us in being righteous influences.

I am obtaining knowledge, I am charitable and serving others, I am happily engaged in the Lords labor and I am sharing my influence with others. Only when I begin to complain, blame and find fault in others does my positives influence turn into a need for power over others. Not only did Martha criticize Mary but she accused the Lord of not being considerate or acknowledging the work she has performed. Mary was interrogative about the Lords power. My way is more efficient, exact and the most needful. Our gift from the Lord as women is the gift of influence, when we misapply this gift and yearn for power we are not choosing the better part we are taking away from God’s gift to man.

For some it is a hard notion to swallow, man having power above women. For others there is a sense of peace that charges their family with shelter and solace from the storms. The difference is God, when a man is one with God and guiding his family with righteous dominion it conveys harmony. Our Father in Heaven recognizes and appreciates the role of men, in The Family Proclamation to the World it states; “By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families”. What a profound responsibility that man has been given. As women we need to practice being influential to men and not robbing them of their God given power.

Recently my family delighted in watching a movie together at the theatre, Mirror Mirror, a version of Snow White. The story reflects this lesson to be learned. The wicked step mother takes control over her King, wanting for worldly happiness, while Snow White her step daughter is forced to stay in her room. At age eighteen, Snow White is encouraged by one of her servants to go to the village and see how poorly the people live, this she did in an effort to find a purpose in becoming stronger and more influential to relieve the people of poverty. As the story unfolds and she desires to aid the people her step mother endeavors to kill her. Through this challenge Snow White finds friends that help strengthen her, all of these friends being men, the Seven Dwarfs and the Prince. The final battle with her step mother becomes a point of judgment for Snow White. Does she look to her friends and Prince for strength? Snow White’s judgment leads her final decision; “Every story ever told the Prince saves the Princess, today I choose to rewrite that story”. She then proceeds to lock the Prince and dwarfs in their home and goes to battle counting on her own power to succeed. I cringed at the thought, every girl dreams of being saved and taken care of by Prince Charming, now my girls see that the story is rewritten. They can take over the responsibility of power from their Prince. This was not the Lords plan; the Prince through righteous living and his relationship with God, saves his Princess and together with her influence and his God given power they stand guard over their family. Now that is a happily ever after worth striving for.

Remember when

A couple of days ago I received a fantastic reminder of how far I have traveled in my quest to home educate my children. I love reminders like this,the type that if you weren't alert and ready for it would pass you right by.

We had a piano tuner come to our home, a very nice older gentlemen. He was excited to hear that we homeschool and explained that his wife homeschools their grandchildren. This was very exciting for me and right away I wanted to meet her. A part of my twenty year vision is to help and support my children with the education of my grandchildren. He then began to talk about how he wanted to take his grandson on as an apprentice to his piano tuning business. Fantastic, what great ideals, I could picture my husband teaching his grandchildren how to build with wood.

After a few minutes of discussion he asked me what I did when my kids complained about school. He said leaving his house this morning was difficult because of the groans and moans of his grandchildren, "Why do we have to do school?" "I don't want to do school!" "I hate school, can't we just play?" These were the words coming from a 7 year old and 5 year old. He said he was so tired of it he told them, "This isn't your life!" He then went on to tell me how he yelled at them until they quietly got to their studies and began working.

MEMORIES IN THE CORNER OF MY MIND.....
Oh, how I remember these days of requiring. Constant battles and endless complaining. Guess what, now school is fun, the kids look forward to the day. They are always telling their friends how much fun school is. One boy asked Spencer, "Do you have Spring Break?" Spencer replied, "No, but everyday is fun in our school." What a huge achievement for me!

Since we have been doing TJED the kids have taken over the responsibility of their own educations and are self driven. Mom is no longer the driving force, no more tears, whines, complaining and all of that other jazz. It is a wonderful thing!

I explained this method of Leadership Education to the piano tuner and he was very skeptical. He nodded, gave a lot of what abouts and went on with his work. He left my home 1 1/2 hours later and was astonished with the goings on of our home. He said that he thought I might be on to something. I couldn't take credit and guided him to a place that he could learn everything he needed to know to bring our spirit of learning into his home. I wish the same for you! Take this journey with me, find out how to guide your children in learning to self educate and become leaders in training.

TJED ONLINE

Becoming Scholars?

What an extremely profound word, become. I have never looked at it quite like I do now, with desire, nobility, intelligence and gratitude. I look back at my life and I can see the things that I have become, some good and others not so good. I can also look back in my life and see my many achievements, some self degrading while others have had a hand in molding my good character.

I am on a quest to raise scholars and become a scholar. Isn't it interesting how important it is to understand what something isn't to truly understand what it is. A scholar isn't someone who lives their life with the desire to achieve; good grades, degrees, diplomas, certificates of achievement, promotions, money and the list goes on. A scholar is someone that lives their life to "become" a person of value and virtue during their journey of achievement. Do you see what I mean about how profound the word become is?

I spent my weekend at an amazing seminar that taught me wonderful truths and how to apply them to change my character and become those truths. That is what a scholar is. A person that has desires to achieve and through proper learning, discussion, application and desire to change becomes a better person. Notice that I didn't say anything about becoming rich, well known, top of the class, the boss, a faster runner, thinner or well read. Achieving is not what a scholar is.

Knowing what a scholar is doesn't only guide me in my future quest but has helped me see how far I have already come. I don't have a college degree, I stay at home with my children so I am not making money or getting promoted, I am not attending a college of any type right now and I am not and have never been an intellectual giant. However, I am a good person, I have good values, I read good books, I study daily and I have made many positive changes in my life based on truths that I have encountered along the way.

Here is an example of the difference between achieving and becoming.

Do you have a book list? A list of books that you want to read? How good does it feel to check that book off your list? To finally finish a book feels so good! You have achieved!

Are the books you're reading teaching truths? Are you discussing your books or writing down the truths that you have learned? Are you taking these truths, learning how to apply them and using them to change your character?

When we read books to just check them off of a list or for pure entertainment we are achieving. When we read books to learn truths, apply truths and change our character we are becoming.

I am not a book prude, there are truths and lessons to be learned in every book that you read. That is why we have book clubs and book discussions.

Example: The Hunger Games, this book is so filled full of truths and lessons and it was one of the most entertaining books I have ever read. Only when I sat down with my son to discuss them did I truly grasp the meaning and lessons of each truth. My favorite truth was that of family, the love that Katniss had for her mother and sister, she would give her life for them. Families find strength in adversity. Now take this truth figure out the application of the truth and choose to change your character.

This is just one LONG example of the difference between achieving and becoming. I hope it helps you to get the idea. Writing it out has helped me to better understand the truth of becoming and the application, now I need to change my character and do all I can to "become" as I take my everyday strolls and constant struggles to achieve.

Seminar given by: Aneladee Milne