A Time to Discuss- Amos Fortune

We have been having a great year becoming Scholars!  There have been too many wonderful things that have slipped through my fingers that I should have been recording in this blog.  It's never to late to begin!

Towards the end of the year and coming into the summer I am reminded of how important it is to not only read a good book but to discuss, learn and grow from it.  Each summer we offer our children a penny for every page that they read, this is a huge motivation to put down the controllers and pick up a book.  In the past this was a necessity to getting through the summer, however as our homeschooling goes on and the kids begin to take their education into their own hands and realize the importance of it, they have become eager readers.  I rarely ever see them without a book and instead of begging for game time they beg for library time.  I am so proud of their efforts and desires.

As their educational mentor I have spent many hours listening to them tell me all about their books; funny parts, scary parts and annoying parts.  I also have been reading my own books and sharing them with the children.  And together we have read many books and discussed them over the dinner table.  So why was I getting that gnawing feeling that it was time to change things up and unite our minds on a one on one level?  The kids LOVE one on one time or even Boy time Girl time.  I knew that it was time to connect individually with my children in a literary sense. 

Matthew and I just finished reading and discussing Amos Fortune by Elizabeth Yates.  It was a great experience and allowed us both the opportunity to mentor one another.  As part of our discussion we both agreed to write a paper about the book.  Since Matthew is doing a unit of poetry right now he decided to write a poem.

A Fortune-ate Man

By Matthew Mecham

A tribal chieftain, princely in stature,

White men came, and executed capture.

Thrown into pits, and left to rot,

Till’ the white men came and got.

 

On the block sold as a slave,

Worried that he would be worked to the grave.

Sold to a man, known as a Quaker,

Learned by the Bible, introduced to his maker.

 

He would be sold once more, now to a tanner,

Who taught him the trade in an excellent manner.

Being paid as a tanner, he worked until he,

Had enough money to set himself free.

 

Now he was free, at age 65,

Now he finally felt really alive.

He felt that his life, had begun anew,

His life was filled with fortune and virtue

               Based on the book: Amos Fortune

                                                By: Elizabeth Yates

 

And I wrote an essay....

Free From Bondage

A Book Review Written By Christy Mecham

Amos Fortune

Author:  Elizabeth Yates

“Ah, but until they are given their freedom they count no more than cattle”, these are the words of one of the owners of Amos the king of the African Atmunshi tribe.  Taken from his tribe along with many other tribal members to live a life of American slavery, Amos would soon gain the name he would long live by; Amos Fortune.  How could a man stolen by wealth driven men come by a nickname that’s meaning implies chance or luck?  Amos’s pursuits were never selfish and his sympathy was never for himself, he was born a King of his African tribe and died as a free reputable citizen of Jaffrey, New Hampshire.

“Friend, will thee take 30 and do no bidding on this man?” are the words of the Quaker man that came about a young Amos on the auction block.  This would be a fortunate turn of events for an African slave on his way to a life of hard work and for most on that auction block a life of abuse, fear and heartache.  Amos began his life of slavery in a good Christian home where he learned to read from the bible and was always treated kindly and promised his freedom.   A freedom that would not come because of the untimely death of Mr. Copeland, the owner he loved so dearly.  Tears filled the eyes of Mrs. Copeland and her lovely daughter as Amos was once again sold into slavery, “But there were debts to be paid and Amos had comforted them with his assurance of a right outcome for them all.”

Mr. Fortunatus was the name that all of Amos’s friends had given him on the account that he was always being treated well.  Amos was sold to Mr. Ichabod Richardson a Tanner from Woburn, a good man with a philosophy on owning slaves that would once again bring fortune to an African slave.  “Teach them a trade throughout the week, make Christians of them on Sunday, pay them less than a white man but enough, and give them their freedom before they are too old to enjoy it.”  This is exactly how it worked out for Amos Fortune; he learned to be a tanner by trade and soon bought his own freedom from Mr. Richardson and set out to begin his life at the age of sixty five.

Throughout Amos’s time as a slave he was always driven by the hopes that he would find his sister and one day buy her out of slavery and set her free.  This hope of Amos’s never came to fruition, however his desire to find a loved one to set free remained steadfast in him.  Amos paid for and set free four African women, two of which died shortly after they were set free to which Amos said, “He was happy in the confidence that they had gone forward as free women.”  The third women and her daughter became his family.  Together they built a homestead in Jaffrey, New Hampshire where he became known as the best Tanner for miles to come.   He became a well-known and important citizen of their community; making head way for other blacks to come.  His role in the community was one of respect, concern and love for all of those that inhabited the area, black and white alike.

Living a full life and feeling the Lords hand in all he did at the age of ninety one he knelt down in prayer, “You can come any time now, for I am ready.”   He left his family a beautiful homestead and a bright future.  To the community he departed his fortune among the church and school in hopes for equal treatment among Gods children.  “Sacred to the memory of Amos Fortune who was born free in Africa a slave in America he purchased liberty professed Christianity lived reputably and died hopefully”.  Born into a life that by all means has provided me fortune beyond my dreams I pray that I will be able to see myself as Amos Fortune, a slave, saw his; full of potential, compassion and with the ability to free others from bondage.

My next discussion will be with Spencer and we are reading;  Mr. Lincoln's Drummer by: G. Clifton Wisler.

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.