February 29th, 2008 at 1:00 am (Accolades, Carnivals, Blogging)
Last month, Rain blessed me with this purposeful award. I’ve been searching for a new dress for the special occasion, but it’s too much pressure. So, please, excuse my jeans, black t-shirt, and slippers, they suit my comfy, loving purpose better than [insert famous designer name here]. Now, that’s out of the way…
Thank you for this blog badge.
Now, the privilege is mine to pass this emblem to other bloggers worthy of this special prize. Envelope, please.
Jennifer gave me this sweet award for Valentine’s Day. It fits my style perfectly. Daffodils are my favorite flower.
This token of appreciation is for you! Yes, you! Thank you for reading. I am honored that you spend a few moments of your time at my internet home.
Because of their kind comments, I’m mentioning these friendly bloggers: Emily’s 5 Blessings, Remodeling This Life, All Things Hold Together, Untraditional Home, At Shore’s End, and Under His Construction. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I always enjoy the discussion.
For more great blogs, visit the carnivals.
Carnival of Homeschooling is at The Daily Planet.
The Charlotte Mason Carnival is at Simply Charlotte Mason.
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February 27th, 2008 at 12:43 am (Journal)
A gorgeous, spring-like day evokes the desire to fly kites. Our single kite has yet to be unearthed from rubble in the garage, so we created our own kites, or wind bags, depending who you ask. Simply, tie a piece of yarn around the handles of a plastic bag for one hour of backyard entertainment.
Wordless Wednesday
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February 26th, 2008 at 12:22 am (Mathematics, Principle Approach)
In past weeks, we discussed a few reasons to study math. If you remember, Reason, Dominion, and Justice are a few of the principles we can use to inspire our children. My hope is that by shining meaning and purpose on the subject the weighty work will be transformed into joy. This quote from Alfred Whitehead found in Mathematics, Is God Silent resonates;
There is a widely-spread sense of boredom with the very idea of learning. I attribute this to the fact that they [the students] have been taught too many things merely in the air…The whole apparatus of learning appears to them as nonsense.
Moonbeams by Jessie Wilcox Smith
Telling children they have to learn something to get a college degree, or a good job may motivate some, but the abstract noose of the future strips away meaning and leaves a dead shell. The study of mathematics is meant to be so much more. It is the study of life. It is the language of nature. Most importantly, it reveals the glory of the Creator.
Music. Shape. Form. Sequence. All the beauty of nature is written with mathematics from the symmetrical petals on the tiniest flower to the spiral galaxies in an unfathomable universe. The laws of nature are the fingerprints of a wise, faithful, infinite Creator who teaches us that 2 plus 2 always equals 4. The fundamentals of math do not change. They exist in the nature of an unchanging God.
True motivation and inspiration for mathematics lies in the observance of God’s created order…There is a treasure to be found in the mathematical structure of God’s creation. We only need to learn how to find it…Keep your eyes open for mathematical insights in newspapers and magazines. Get out into God’s creation and investigate. Take pictures and collect flowers, pine cones, shells… ibid. p. 109
I am ready to find the treasures. Will you join me?
For more insight into mathematical principles, consider these helpful books listed in my perceived order of importance:
And visit these websites of moms who have done the research, too:
Previous posts in this series:
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February 19th, 2008 at 11:29 pm (Journal)
Yes, it’s Sunshine again. She fell off her bike. Ouch!
Thankfully, lips heal quickly.
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February 19th, 2008 at 11:27 pm (Carnivals, Blogging)
Carnival of Homeschooling: Old Schoolhouse Edition
This week’s Carnival of Homeschooling is being held in the schoolhouse. Homeschool Blog Awards has polished the desks and displayed the best articles about homeschooling in anticipation of your arrival.
The Homeschool Lounge
The Homeschool Lounge is open and hopping. It is a big party for homeschool moms! Make your own page, similar to Facebook or MySpace. Ask questions in the forums. Participate in groups from adoption to writing. Join a chat. Most importantly, find encouragement.
If you stop by, please look for me. I joined as Renae. I always enjoy visiting with you!
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February 18th, 2008 at 10:37 pm (Principle Approach)
El announced to the bibleprinciples group that Ms. Dang has a new website. While there, I discovered she has a blog! Today I skimmed an article that nourished my soul with the sweet waters of truth.
Biblical education by definition is easy and light. Scripture tells us how children are taught: ‘For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.’ Isaiah 28:10
This gentle instruction reminds me to sprinkle principles like dew on budding flowers allowing time for the life to soak in. My tendency is to pour bucketfuls of fertilizer-saturated water over the tender shoots in my children’s hearts. However, my students have unique ways of letting me know they’ve had enough. The little plants float to the surface, stretch for the sun, and flutter in the breeze. Children grow little by little, inch by inch. They should be taught the same way.
For more of Ms. Dang’s biblical wisdom, visit Philomath Foundation. There does not appear to be a subscription option, but you can access it anytime from the Principle Approach blogs listed in my sidebar. You’ll have to scroll a bit. Philomath is the last link.
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February 18th, 2008 at 1:49 am (Homeschool, Journal)
Chatting with a neighbor befuddled me. As our children climbed on the swing set, this capable lady remarked,
“I don’t have the patience to homeschool.”
I whispered, “I don’t either.”
She chuckled, “Really? Well, I think you are Supermom.“
Thoughts crashed in my head. How should I respond to such a statement? I know that Supermom doesn’t exist. She is an imaginary hero, an idol contrived in our own mind. This idol was discussed at Principled Discovery, and I’ve written about it, too. Dana confessed a desire to expose all her shortcomings to combat the lie. I relate. I wanted to reveal my faults one by one.
I am not perfect because I homeschool. Rather, being surrounded by constant commotion and disaster sometimes awakens the Mommy Monster in me. We try to laugh her away, but when green eyes flare, I long for Supermom to swoop down with scissors, glue, and confetti for a crafting extravaganza melting bad attitudes with a flash of wit. Supermom has yet to appear. External weapons will not conquer Mommy Monster anyway. She is an internal beast who can only be won by sharp stabs of truth.
The truth is there is no Supermom; just me praying for wisdom, hoping for a good day.
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