Thoughts re: homeschooling after 15 years in the field...

I've come to realize you can not think too highly nor too lowly of yourself as a homeschool mom.  Some kids, because of their own natural curiosity and good humor, will suck up every last crumb of your teaching and others vomit most of it out.  The difference is about 200 points on the PSAT as far as my kids are concerned.  

It is frustratingly hard to tell if you are doing a good job homeschooling.  We labor with no pay and no clear results for years.  We try to evaluate based on the child's response or his scores, but the cause/effect relationship is murky.

I can not take credit for a hungry learner nor for the one who "hates this book".  Neither are poor comments, "This is stupid!" my fault nor is the 99% reading and writing percentage on their PSAT my win.  So much depends on the child.  I have not necessarily taught badly, uninterestingly or un-intuitively.  Maybe I have, maybe I haven't.  They may be influenced positively or negatively by my personality, style, methods, curriculum, but at end of the day, their internal disposition weighs heavy on their education.  

I believe that a negative disposition reveals something about their gift mix.  My children have a strong bent towards learning a certain way and along certain lines.  Though no one has loved Algebra, they all have loved something.  Abi loves cosmetology, Thomas loves build to learn, Aziza loves chatting with people, and Bethan loves Most Things.  This means they may hate things that they need to learn--that they need to know to develop good judgement as humans.  This means they will fight me to stay ignorant on the things that don't interest them.  I stay in tension with them on these topics fighting to find the way to their heart, to their reason.  Like feeding peas to threes.  

At the end of the day, you graduate your child and have no idea what just happened.  You don't know what went in, what will be forgotten carelessly or intentionally.  You threw the seeds at the dirt, nurtured some plants and hope to God the weeds will die and the plants will take strong root in good ground.  This is tough work.  You can't take credit for it, yet you have given everything for it.  You don't get a paycheck to prove you did something worthwhile, but you cling to the hope of the Word of God and the vision of your future generations, "Your children will be taught of the Lord and great will be your children's peace." (Isaiah 54)

Thankful for:

 A Season of Study.

I realized this morning that homeschooling my children has caused me to be in constant study for the last 13 years.  One day I might break out of the books, but not anytime soon!  Here are a sampling of Bethan's Charlotte Mason Amblesideonline Y10 books.  I try to read ahead or preread as much as I can:

Most Inspiring/Powerful:  Thomas Sowell's Vision of the Annointed
Best Christian:  Shonda Parker's Naturally Healthy Woman
Best Written: On Writing Well
Most surprising: Walden (What a rebel!)
Grossest: Wicked Bugs (Although Frankenstein might be next, click the link for B's poetic narration of it)

She has many other readings online such as speeches, documents, and Missionary Nursing books.  We also regularly consult our nature guides especially our bird guides.

Her biggest surprise today was discovering as she read Causes for Secession, that the idea that the South did not withdraw because of slavery, was wrong!  Every point made involved slavery from the Southern states own admission.

The Workshop

It has been a place of creativity, study, and learning for Tom in a big way lately.  He's constructing non stop between his Charlotte Mason school reading and writing.

His biggest influence and chosen teacher: Jorge Sprave

Friends

I really enjoyed getting together on New Year's Eve with co op friends for a game night.  These kids really get along great with each other, and I love that.  I was really blessed that Abi's friend Becka drove up to visit her for a few days.  She was so happy.

 Kitchen Addition

I am also thankful for a much needed addition to the kitchen, the island!  I debated for years, but finally went for it and LOVE its helpfulness and practicality.

Well as you can see, we are still looking for our counter top stools to match, IKEA doesn't carry the brown anymore :-( so we'll see what we can do.  Maybe white ones?  What do you think?

Tanner: Christian African American Painter

This short vid represents how christian art class can build a child's sense of beauty while affirming their faith.  Tanner stands out as the first African American artist accepted into the Paris Academy.  Modern culture still appreciates this turn of the century artist: Touchstone magazine featured "Flight to Egypt" in their December 2019 issue. 

Plutarch's Lives

Why do we read Plutarch's Lives in Charlotte Mason education?  Studying greek leadership, the rise and fall of leaders, their choices and consequences is valuable for developing children's idea of what makes a good citizen, good country and good government.  They learn leadership principles.  What is fascinating to me beyond that is how studying Plutarch was important to many great leaders of history including:

George Washington
Ben Franklin
Thomas More
Montaigne: Creator of the Essay
Dietrich Bonhoeffer took three books to prison: Plutarch's Lives, Goethe and the Bible.

I plan to add to this list I created from memory as I continue to study and learn.  I keep finding more and more leaders of the past who studied Plutarch's Lives.

Field Trip: Saganacky Slough and a forgotten treasure, Historic Riverside

So thankful for today.  I had been feeling it was time for a field trip but its cold in Chicago!  AHHH!   We triumphed over Winter and her 27 degree temps, but our souls cried out for NATURE!  How beautiful was the dam at the slough that pours out and underground (I think) into Sag Canal.  We walked along its southern border with views of slough and canal on either side.  Bethan exclaimed, "This is the best nature hike in Chicago!" 

I was excited to see a stork tower, (Or maybe for Bald Eagle?) in the distance.  I had seen these first hand in Diesen, Germany and enjoyed a delighful kids story about them called, "The Wheel on the School."

 This rather straight looking path deceives you, you are entering a very hilly and rocky, somewhat dangerous for bikes walking lane.  Tom enjoyed the adventure with his mountain bike, but could only go 1 mile in before he stashed it for the safer method of  hiking.

Lunch Overlooked a beautiful view of the Slough

Rest after a 1 1/2 mile rocky hilly shoreside hike

On our way home, we spontaneously stopped by Historic Riverside, the first suburb of Chicago build around 1879.  I read an intriguing book called, "The Geography of Nowhere" about urban sprawl and the New Urbanization.  I learned the history of our American cities and why the look as hideous as they often do.  It was all started with good intentions, people wanting to escape the dirt and noise of cities for country life.  Here we see the water tower which lies directly across from the first train stop from downtown Chicago.  This suburb was a planned suburb, and the detail and beauty of the original buildings shows the care of the original designers.  Contrast this with "modern" design" and your local big box store--and you'll understand why I made this one of our field trip stops!

Riverside Water Tower

Making Memories with Teens

 The lower corner shows a drive parallel to the river.  So beautiful to see all those houses looking out to trees and water.  A beautiful place to live, I think, though now the old Victorians are interspersed with Craftsmans (Frank Lloyd Wright?) and other more modern homes.

Typical original mansion...

Beautiful walking bridge

 We headed home soon after our little tour, but with interest to come back on a Saturday someday to see the little museum beside the water tower and maybe get a cup of coffee and look our over the river.  Thank you Lord for these good gifts of beauty today. 

The problem with teen christians not dating....

 So the social media may have changed in the last few years, but the phenomena has not:

"There are many people that have kissed....dating goodbye, but are still looking for a romantic fling.  Enter FLIRTSHIP, the popular new alternative to dating and courtship, its like dating but you don't go out, you use email, chat, texting and phone or just pair off whenever your are in the same vicinity either way you are definitely though not officially boyfriend and girlfriend."  from Boys: Its Not That Complicated.


What a great book for Christian families!  The authors see through parental fog to get to the heart of truly godly relationships between young people.  If you were not raised in a Christian family, your child dating another christian may seem like a good option.  As long as they are not sleeping together, you may not be concerned about their relationships with the opposite sex.  Or, maybe you see that dating has some pitfalls and your teen is not ready.  You aren't comfortable with his/her dating til they're ready for marriage.  They will still face many obstacles living out a godly relationship with the opposite sex.  Boys: It's Not That Complicated breaks down problems christian teens who are "not allowed to date" face in living a holy life.  We have chosen to use this book as our family devotional and its has provoked some great discussion.  The topic is already on the kids' minds and they enjoy laughing and discussing the crazy dynamics that go on between christian boys and girls.

After mentoring many couples, Chad and I are very familiar with the high speed train of emotional attachments.  We are more concerned that our kids understand what gets the train going more than the technical status of the relationship.

Christmas adventures....

 This year we ended the Christmas season in a wave of activity.  It filled me with such joy.   Goldenrod organized two carol sings at senior centers nearby.  They were nervous but prepared to sing their 5-6 songs.  Happily, one guy recognized the song from KLUV, "Nobody," which seem to really hit home with the older folk.  The girls got blessed with a free lunch!  One lady send their carols to her family in Mexico!  They were so kind to the girls.

Girls sing for Senior Center on Kedzie

We joined 4 pastors in a joyful posada on 47th St. passing out candy and invites--latino style...check out that portable speaker!!

This MC was out of this world, an inspirational motivational speaker, he pumped up everyone in the room!

Who has matching head bands?  These ladies encouraged our girls so much!!

The "Mother" of the Englewood Senior Center, at 94 she loves people tangibly.  She shared with me the book she's reading on prayer.  LOVE that.

At home we continued our Snip Snap Dragon tradition of eating flaming raisins.

Visit with Precious CC--she's trying to gurgle some words now!

Give Thanks to the Lord~Ps 136

Pastor Jason encouraged us this morning to personalize our story in light of Psalm 136.  Here you go!

Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is good.

His love endures forever.

Give Thanks to the God of gods

His love endures forever.

Give Thanks to the Lord of lords

His love endures forever.

He brought me forth unplanned yet planned

His love endures forever.

He set me in a family turning to Himself

His love endures forever.

He called me in the living room to follow Him

His love endures forever.

He gave my Father care and foresight for my soul

His love endures forever.

He put me in a youth group with a zealous pastor

His love endures forever.

He fell gently completely wooing my 12 year old soul

His love endures forever

He showed me His incomparable beauty

His love endures forever

Shielded by His love, he covered, protected, and preserved me

His love endures forever

Launched to the nations, he sent me

His love endures forever

Compelled by their suffering, he drew me

His love endures forever

His vision imparted to me

His love endures forever.

Clinging to Him, he united me

His love endures forever

A Christian husband he gave me

His love endures forever

With children he blessed me

His love endures forever

His heart bleeds before me

His love endures forever

His call in me

His love endures forever

Trials swirled around me

His love endures forever

Twice near death, he saved me

His love endures forever

His pressure squeezed me

His love endures forever

Fruit he brought forth through me

His love endures forever.

Unplanned yet Planned

My Creator's everyday Glory & Beauty given to me

Neighbor I love wee Cece, our foster child.   Family is serving her as she recovers from drug induced trama from her birth mom.

 

my shoots Field Trip to Indiana with friends to hike and observe the birds

Neighbors I love

Ways Christian kids fall into temptation and sin with phones, tablets and the internet-a plea to young parents

Worm found on dill exits from the cucoon.

 

When a young Christian parent imagines the future of their child, they don't usually imagine them having struggles with sin, and some rather serious.  Sin struggles happen for every child.  But, some may be avoided by providing a more protective environment for them.  Parents often feel protection is over the top, restrictive, unfun, too hard, unnecessary...until something like this happens:

Secret relationships with boys
Undo obsession with appearing "cool" on instagram--going to events only to have the instagram photo.
Revealing their nakedness through snapchats with boys who ask for such things
Finding porn and looking at it for long periods in the bathroom
Inability to find life outside of video games: obsession with video gaming--have to do it everyday... up to 14 hours a week.

Now how do children develop these tendencies?

This is what I have seen:

Small children develop the expectation that they can play with a phone by themselves ...their mom gives them a phone and does not supervise its use.  With a small child, moms think there is no harm in it. What difference does a cartoon before bed make?  Its helps them calm down, they reason.  Let them play a game at the grocery store, it keeps them quiet, and let them play in the living room while I make dinner.  Yet the expectation grows.

 

Butterfly makes its first flight onto her colorful shirt.  Maybe this is a flower?

As they age, parents continue to leave children unsupervised with the internet on tablets, computers or phones, they are allowed to have them in private situations like their bedroom or bathroom.  They have had this right and privelege since they were babies.  But a pubescent child has curiousity that is natural towards sexual things--and a private phone provides an opportunity to explore to his harm.  Yet, he believes by this time it is his right to take the phone to his bed at bedtime, not just because it has always been, but all his friends are doing it!

Children are allowed too much access to social media without supervision.  Teens are naturally interested in their social circle.  They have been allowed private time with the internet on their phone, their friends are communicating, why shouldn't they?  Social media is a private conversation.  Parents know this, so they allow the private conversation and check periodically--thinking its enough--but they are not a part of Every Conversation.  Children find ways to delete conversations they don't want parents to hear. And pictures.  Of themselves. 

Parents introduce games to toddlers when they need them to be occupied. Parents use games to control bad behavior.  Games are played with no consciousness of the amount of time spent because mom is occupied with other things.  Games are the school age child's pacifier. This habit is introduced and encouraged by the parents, which becomes in adolescence--a full blown addiction for some children.  You find many teens today that can  not relate unless its through a video game.  They can not pull themselves away to enjoy normal enriching conversation or interactive sport games because it is not stimulating or exciting enough.  I've heard this in Michigan.  I've seen it in Chicago.  Unbelievers are mystified.  They have to have the game.  It is enticing to all races and it seems especially boys.

These issues do not just pop up out of nowhere, they are not inevitable for teens, they can be prevented by so careful, self sacrificial parenting beginning in the beginning.   Parents need to consider the end of their parenting.  What is your parenting going to produce in your child?  What habits are you creating now?  What expectations are you setting up now?

Our children will not escape temptation every time.  They will sin.  But let us "hinder not".  Let us as parents remove the stumbling blocks from their path.

Children enthralled with the first flight of a Swallowtail Butterfly

Fun February Blizzard!

Sometimes Winter snow in the Midwest is SCARY like when my family drove to Michigan in a whiteout and narrowly avoided a fatal 12 car pileup.  But other times if feels so cozy.  Praise God I did my grocery shopping yesterday before the 12 hour snowfall that's left us snowed in.  The pork roast is in the oven, the coffee is hot and schoolwork finished, so the kids are out building a giant fort in the backyard.  That is except for the one with the twisted ankle.  She is watching from the window.  The snow bright light is  shining in the newly cleaned kitchen and I feel very content!

Homeschool highlights February 2018

We have been tunneled in because of the cold and snow, but these changing seasons open up new possibilities and inspirations.  We get crafty, we want to bake and to explore in books.  We have been fascinated with the winter skies this year since our beginning serious nature study.  For want of plant life we looked up and have been amazed.

 

We have been studying Constable's paintings, the marvelous sky painter.  He was the first to study meteorology and paint skies as they actually were, not copies of Italian skies, or simple backdrops for subjects but the sky in its natural awe inspiring state.  We are using it as a unit study to explore painting clouds in perspective, how light affects the color of blue in the sky, storm predicting etc... I teach Nature Study at Chicago Charlotte Mason Scholars, our co op.  I love learning with my kids and have been so into the science and art of the skies.

 

Bethan and I have finally launched a successful microscope study.   It has only taken me 10 years to figure out how to do this with my kids.   But I collected the supplies--thanks to Amazon Prime and Bethan's urge to check Craigslist and finding the perfect scope! We are using Richard Headstrom's "Adventures with a Microscope" which is old but simple and easy to use.  Each exploration is 2-3 pages.  She journals her findings and usually wants to keep going when her time is up!

 Dad rescued this old toy from the attic amid dirt and squirrel poo.  It still works and Z scored 100% on the countries of Europe.  Old toys like this keep kids from accidently clicking on crap when using computers, provides 3D learning--a nice change from pen and paper, and contains buttons--what kid hates buttons?  So thankful.

Christmas 2017

We enjoyed hosting my parents and brother's family this white Christmas.  We love having a little one bobbling around our home.  Time with immediate family comes like snow on Dec. 25 and so we savor it.  This year we got to enjoy church on Christmas Eve and followed it up with our own mini Polish Christmas Eve dinner with Polish imported pierogis and sauerkraut.  In the evening we played our new discovery, "Snapdragon," a Victorian Parlor game that is very exciting.  Only a few fingers lost their hairs in the cries and screams which followed ingesting flaming blue raisins.  The family spent the night and we could wake up to Christmas in pjs together.  Fun!  Gifts revealed the advancing of time and interests of the children.  A lockpick kit, mp3 headphones, and flat iron replaced the dolls and cars of yesteryears....   For some reason, I had trouble packing up Christmas the year, maybe it was that we had such a pretty tree (and that wasn't because of decorations.  This was the first year that the actual Tree was super green and held up really well) maybe because its so cold and the colored lights make it so cozy in Winter; but we did anyways and today we remember Ethiopian Christmas....our very last celebration and mark the beginning of our church's fasting season.