Author: ~Melissa

Homeschooling mom of 5 girls (2 married) and Mimi (Grandma) to 4, by God's grace in northern Iowa. Life is always changing...ever seeking God's will in each new day.

Beyond School-In-A-Box

~MelissaLeave a comment

When a family decides that True Education is their goal, they have chosen to move beyond a “school-in-a- box” approach to homeschooling. True Education is not just a stack of books and lesson plans to complete, it is a complete life focus, not just for the children, but the entire household.

The scope of True Education is much broader and deeper than any publisher’s curriculum outline. True Education is not just about conquering the multiplication table or learning a set of spelling rules. With True Education, there is not just a mind to fill, but also a character to shape, and a body to train for work and service for God- a complete education of the whole person.

Let’s not limit ourselves to what the table of contents in a textbook says we should know. True Education challenges us to strive for more than a perfect score on the SAT. It “embraces more than merely having a knowledge of books. It takes in everything that is good, virtuous, righteous, and holy. It comprehends the practice of temperance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love to God and to one another.” {CG 297}

Want to know learn more about True Education? Read the chapter 50 of Child Guidance, entitled, “What Comprises True Education”. You can read online at  E.G. White Writings.

Beyond School-In-A-Box

~MelissaLeave a comment

When a family decides that True Education is their goal, they have chosen to move beyond a “school-in-a- box” approach to homeschooling. True Education is not just a stack of books and lesson plans to complete, it is a complete life focus, not just for the children, but the entire household.

The scope of True Education is much broader and deeper than any publisher’s curriculum outline. True Education is not just about conquering the multiplication table or learning a set of spelling rules. With True Education, there is not just a mind to fill, but also a character to shape, and a body to train for work and service for God- a complete education of the whole person.

Let’s not limit ourselves to what the table of contents in a textbook says we should know. True Education challenges us to strive for more than a perfect score on the SAT. It “embraces more than merely having a knowledge of books. It takes in everything that is good, virtuous, righteous, and holy. It comprehends the practice of temperance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love to God and to one another.” {CG 297}

Want to know learn more about True Education? Read the chapter 50 of Child Guidance, entitled, “What Comprises True Education”. You can read online at  E.G. White Writings.

Pre-Reading as a Study Skill – Free Printables Included

~MelissaLeave a comment

As your student moves into his late-elementary and middle school years, you may find that your student is beginning to use  textbooks for independent study.  Give your student a strong start in independent study by teaching them the habit of “pre-reading”.

Teaching your student to pre-read his textbooks and other non-fiction text is a valuable reading comprehension and study skill. Many students make the mistake of just opening their textbook and starting to read the assigned chapter “cold” without any prior preparation for reading.

Taking time to learn how the reading assignment is structured, and what will be taught helps your student organize his thinking before beginning to read.   Learning the habit of  pre-reading or previewing a chapter before actual study will improve comprehension  and retention of material.

Here is a helpful organizer chart to help you and your student practice the skill of  pre-reading.

Click on the links below to print a copy of the organizer sheet and instructions.

 Pre-Reader Organizer Instructions

Pre-Reading Organizer





Pre-Reading as a Study Skill – Free Printables Included

~MelissaLeave a comment

As your student moves into his late-elementary and middle school years, you may find that your student is beginning to use  textbooks for independent study.  Give your student a strong start in independent study by teaching them the habit of “pre-reading”.

Teaching your student to pre-read his textbooks and other non-fiction text is a valuable reading comprehension and study skill. Many students make the mistake of just opening their textbook and starting to read the assigned chapter “cold” without any prior preparation for reading.

Taking time to learn how the reading assignment is structured, and what will be taught helps your student organize his thinking before beginning to read.   Learning the habit of  pre-reading or previewing a chapter before actual study will improve comprehension  and retention of material.

Here is a helpful organizer chart to help you and your student practice the skill of  pre-reading.

Click on the links below to print a copy of the organizer sheet and instructions.

 Pre-Reader Organizer Instructions

Pre-Reading Organizer





Dealing With Negative Reactions

~MelissaLeave a comment

 

We are a homeschooling family. That statement will evoke a variety of responses from family, friends and even strangers. Many people will be happy and supportive of your choice, but others will immediately respond with criticism and negative comments. How do you deal with the negative reactions and comments? Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind.

Keep it Simple. You do not have to give a detailed summary of how you came to choose homeschooling. You do not have to support your decision with the latest research or long quotes. The choice to homeschool is private family business and it is not rude to keep it as such. A simple “After much thought and prayer, we are homeschooling our children.” is a perfectly sufficient response. Do not feel obligated to share more if you don’t want to do so. 

Keep Motives in Mind. It is helpful to consider why the person is being negative. Is the person doubting your ability to homeschool? Are they concerned about the financial impact of one parent staying home? Is it jealousy or plain curiosity? Is the family member concerned about what others will think? Does the person just want to understand homeschooling more clearly? When you consider the motivation behind negative comments, it helps not take them so personally.

Remain Positive. You are happy with your choice, and leave it at that. Don’t make negative comments about the local church school or public school. That invites negativity towards your choice. It also invites the temptation to gossip or spread rumors. It is better to leave the local church school or public school out of your response. How can you expect to gain support of a public school parent if you are denigrating their choice?

Agree to Disagree. You may come across someone who is set in his/her mind against homeschooling and has no intention of changing his/her opinion. That person may even share the latest homeschooling horror story that’s in the news to bolster his/her opinion. That’s okay. Breathe deeply, send up a quick prayer, smile and let those comments float away. Don’t engage in debates or arguments because there will be no winners. You have more to lose than to gain by letting a conversation become heated. Diffuse a potential argument by stating that you agree to disagree. Then change the subject or leave the conversation completely.

Let time bear witness to your prayerful efforts of homeschooling your children. As you strive to follow the True Education principles laid out in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy, the blessings of your work will become evident to all. God will honor your efforts to be a homeschooling household of faith for Him.

Dealing With Negative Reactions

~MelissaLeave a comment

 

We are a homeschooling family. That statement will evoke a variety of responses from family, friends and even strangers. Many people will be happy and supportive of your choice, but others will immediately respond with criticism and negative comments. How do you deal with the negative reactions and comments? Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind.

Keep it Simple. You do not have to give a detailed summary of how you came to choose homeschooling. You do not have to support your decision with the latest research or long quotes. The choice to homeschool is private family business and it is not rude to keep it as such. A simple “After much thought and prayer, we are homeschooling our children.” is a perfectly sufficient response. Do not feel obligated to share more if you don’t want to do so. 

Keep Motives in Mind. It is helpful to consider why the person is being negative. Is the person doubting your ability to homeschool? Are they concerned about the financial impact of one parent staying home? Is it jealousy or plain curiosity? Is the family member concerned about what others will think? Does the person just want to understand homeschooling more clearly? When you consider the motivation behind negative comments, it helps not take them so personally.

Remain Positive. You are happy with your choice, and leave it at that. Don’t make negative comments about the local church school or public school. That invites negativity towards your choice. It also invites the temptation to gossip or spread rumors. It is better to leave the local church school or public school out of your response. How can you expect to gain support of a public school parent if you are denigrating their choice?

Agree to Disagree. You may come across someone who is set in his/her mind against homeschooling and has no intention of changing his/her opinion. That person may even share the latest homeschooling horror story that’s in the news to bolster his/her opinion. That’s okay. Breathe deeply, send up a quick prayer, smile and let those comments float away. Don’t engage in debates or arguments because there will be no winners. You have more to lose than to gain by letting a conversation become heated. Diffuse a potential argument by stating that you agree to disagree. Then change the subject or leave the conversation completely.

Let time bear witness to your prayerful efforts of homeschooling your children. As you strive to follow the True Education principles laid out in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy, the blessings of your work will become evident to all. God will honor your efforts to be a homeschooling household of faith for Him.

Motivation Monday

~MelissaLeave a comment

“Christian parents, will you not for Christ’s sake examine your desires, your aims for your children, and see if they will bear the test of God’s law? The most essential education is that which will teach them the love and the fear of God.”

Child Guidance, 298