Blog

Beyond Your Four Walls: Ideas to Expand Learning Opportunities for your Children

AnnLeave a comment

Looking to move beyond worksheets at your kitchen table? Perhaps there is no homeschool co-op in your area or the co-op does not meet your needs. On the hunt for interesting and different learning opportunities for your children but can’t think of anything? Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Use this list to help you search for what is available in your local area.

Zoos/Animal Preserves
-Zoology classes/tours
-Day/Summer camps
-Volunteer opportunities/Internships

Cultural Associations
-Language/culture classes
– Cooking lessons/demonstrations

Sewing/Crafting classes
– Sewing /quilting stores
– Craft stores

Orchestras/Symphonies/Music Associations
-Music lessons
-Mentoring
-Job Shadowing/Internships

Construction
-Building supply stores
-Building trade association internships/shadowing

Jr. Master Gardener classes
-Community gardens
-Botany classes
-Beekeeping classes
-Wild edible plant classes

Jr. Master Naturalist classes
-Nature preservation projects
-Hiking clubs

National or State Parks/ Nature Preserves
-Outdoor skills
-Lecture series
-Canoeing/Boating tours/courses
-Bird watching trips
-Jr. Ranger program

4-H Club
-Everything from sewing to livestock showing to Lego robotics

Interest Club Activities
-Astronomy club sky watching outings
-Science shows/demonstrations
-Kite flying outings
-Photography groups
-Blacksmithing lessons
-Engineering clubs
-Running/5K clubs

Living History
-Reenactment groups
-Living history days at museums/historic sites

Science or Art Museums
-Day camps
-Internships
-STEM classes
-Maker spaces

Local Libraries
-Craft days
-Book/Author talks
-Volunteer opportunities

Local Trade Associations
-Job Shadowing
-Internships

Community/Jr. Colleges
-Dual enrollment
-Certificate courses
-Summer day camps
-Exercise classes/Open Swim
-Language classes
-Cooking classes
-Music or Art classes

Hospitals/Medical Centers
-Volunteer opportunities
-Job Shadowing
-Internships
-Training courses

Motivation Monday

AnnLeave a comment

Portrait of FamilyThe father and the mother are to place themselves decidedly on the Lord’s side. It is their privilege to bring light and joy and peace into the home circle. They are to exert an influence which shows that they are guided and controlled by the principles of heaven. They are to draw in even cords. Their every act is to be in harmony with heaven.

Pacific Union Recorder – August 18, 1910

Sabbath Playlist: “It is Well with My Soul” ~ A Hymn Study

Ann1 Comment

Learning more about this beautiful hymn will enhance your family’s appreciation of the lyrics.  Why not spend a bit of time on a hymn study of It is Well with My Soul?  Here are two resources to get you started.

*Sheet music, background information and mp3 hymn lessons are available HERE. (NOTE: some information may need to be edited for Sunday references.)

*A nice notebooking  page that could be used to write down scriptures or devotional thoughts can be found HERE.

Want to Learn More about SonLight Education Ministry?

EditorLeave a comment

 

 

 

SonLight Education Ministry sent out a newsletter today.  Did it pique your interest?  Are you curious to learn more about these free-to-download Christian homeschooling curriculum?  Curious on how to get started?

These SonLight Education Ministry website will give you the information you need to get started.  Start first with the FAQ section to learn about the available curriculum materials. The  website also has the links to the Google Drive with the free currently released curriculum downloads.   Contact information for guidance in implementing the curriculum in your home is also on the website.

There are several social media resources available for those using the SonLight Education Ministry materials.     There is a SonLight Education Ministry Facebook PAGE to keep you updated on curriculum releases and other relevant news.  There is also an active  SonLight Education Ministry Facebook GROUP that will connect you with parents from around the world who are currently using the curriculum materials.

 

 

Monday Bible Promise

Ann1 Comment

 

treeFor I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Isaiah 41:13

The Pleasant Sunshine of Kind Words

EditorLeave a comment

sunny-dayAdminister the rules of the home in wisdom and love, not with a rod of iron. Children will respond with willing obedience to the rule of love. Commend your children whenever you can. Make their lives as happy as possible…. Keep the soil of the heart mellow by the manifestation of love and affection, thus preparing it for the seed of truth. Remember that the Lord gives the earth not only clouds and rain, but the beautiful, smiling sunshine, causing the seed to germinate and the blossom to appear. Remember that children need not only reproof and correction, but encouragement and commendation, the pleasant sunshine of kind words.”

Counsels to Teachers, Parents and Students  p 114

Motivation Monday

EditorLeave a comment

The youth may receive grace from Christ daily, and find their light growing brighter and brighter as they follow in the path of holiness. The psalmist says, “The path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”

Growth in grace will not lead you to be proud, self-confident, and boastful, but will make you more conscious of your own nothingness, of your entire dependence upon the Lord. He who is growing in grace will be ever reaching heavenward, obtaining clearer views of the fullness of the provisions of the gospel.

The youth may be free in Christ; they may be the children of light, and not of darkness. God calls upon every young man and young woman to renounce every evil habit, to be diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Jesus will help you, so that you need not remain in indolence, making no effort to correct your wrongs or improve your conduct. The sincerity of your prayers will be proved by the vigor of the effort you make to obey all of God’s commandments. You may move intelligently, and at every step renounce evil habits and associations, believing that the Lord will renovate your heart by the power of his Spirit.

excerpt from The Youth’s Instructor,  Aug. 11, 1892