“I had a lovely conversation with her {daughter} about cultivating her soul and me wanting always to be cultivating the garden of my own soul–what I would plant there, and what I needed to pluck out, (sin, bad attitudes) in order to be sure that my heart was always growing more into the person I wanted to be – when I grow up into His likeness.” -Sally Clarkson

Yet another year to start fresh, to begin again the work of cultivating the garden of my children’s souls.

Oh yes, I am always trying to imprint their souls with life, love, grace, and the facets of the world around them and how/why it works. But I still love the idea of a starting line; the “ready – set – go!” of a new season of intentional learning. There is something about “a new day” that breathes life into the ordinariness of life. I think that’s why I love that “school” starts in the fall. Fall is like a new day for me, fresh and crisp, and ready for me to take in all of the gloriousness that the season holds. I am motivated and I feel most alive in the fall.

As we begin a new day, a new season of taking in the wonders of God’s world, the people and places, and the magical mysteries of earth, ocean, space, and time, we will learn gently.

Gently, for me, is by being free to work at the pace of my children, not at the pace of a curriculum. My husband and I have made the decision this year to just write down the things we want our children to know, to take in and remember, and to focus on teaching those things (our children are six, four, and two years old). The reason we are teaching at home (aside from the fact that we believe God has asked us to) is so we can nurture their personalities and bents, focus on the areas God has gifted them, disciple them in life, and continue to cultivate the garden of their souls…which is quite a bit of work (especially because mine needs a lot of cultivating itself!).

Side note: teaching little children does not come naturally to me. It takes a ton of work, prayer, and grace to keep me going. Please be under no pretense that I am always cheery and our days are like rainbows. Quite the contrary. Coffee, Jesus, and vision are what get me through.

The biggest goals I have for my children are that they know God, love Him, and love others. I want to teach them about the world around us so that they can reach out to the world…and love well. I suppose if I didn’t accomplish anything else, I’d be most satisfied if my children knew and loved God, gave Him their hearts, and loved people well.

I think this year I am the most excited about homeschooling because I don’t feel terribly overwhelmed (mainly because of the more natural approach our family has chosen to take this year). I’m also taking the advice of my friend Sally who says, “the most important things you can do for homeschool is to read lot’s of books together, have a math program, and be around adults. If you do these things, your children will be brilliant.” :)

So this, our year, will consist of reading lot’s of books together (on various subjects I want my children to understand), doing a math program, and spending time with other families.

We’ll also be trying out this U.S. geography program in addition to snatching little gems from Queen Homeschool Supply – particularly their copywork books and nature books.

And of course, my number one resource for homeschooling: Educating the WholeHearted Child

Your Turn!

I’m opening up comments today because I’d love to hear what you’re doing with your babes, any great links you have to homeschool goodies, and any wonderful other bits of brilliance you have to pass on to a mama of a first-grader, kindergartner, and spunky two year old.

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Photo Credit: keep your face to the sunshine

The CHAP Conference!

(A.K.A Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania)

I’m hanging out at the CHAP convention today perusing all the wondrous curriculum and listening to inspiring speakers.

In my stead, I shall leave you with information on my new found homeschool resource: workboxes (thanks Renee!)

Working the Workboxes

Homeschool Boxes (also titled “Stop Asking Me For Snacks”)

Workbox System Set-up

Workboxes in Our House (1+1+1=1)

What to Put in Your Workboxes

New Workbox System

Have a beautiful Saturday!  :)

“Don’t pattern your life after someone else’s. While you can glean some nifty ideas from what others are doing, don’t forget that your home and your life are totally unique, and that only the Holy Spirit has the right balance and plan for you and your family.” -Sherry Hayes, Large Family Mothering

I’m already starting to plan for our next school year, our Kindergarten/First grade year (because we also “school” in the summer). In the process of planning, I always start to get all fearful and depressed and excited all at the same time. “Can I really do this homeschool thing well?” I have these fears because I am not a natural at the teaching thing (mainly because it involves massive organizational skills and mad planning. And coherent mornings.). Nope, not.at.all. But then I go and search the internet for help, and what do you know, I find it! Then of course, I pass it along to you. :)

Homeschool Links to Encourage and Help You in Your Homeschooling Journey:

The New School Year Ebook – “As homeschoolers, it’s vitally important that we know how to plan our school year out in such a way that the Lord can have consistent input in our classroom.”

Homeschooling – Less is More Links & Lists – From an experienced homeschool mama of 15 children: “I paused to think—if I were to start today, from scratch, which items would mean the most to me? What did I buy back in the early days that I still value and use…”

What to Do With Preschoolers

Inexpensive Unit Studies and LapBooks – Amanda Bennett and Hands of a Child

The Art Zone – In my search for non-cartoony computer games, I found the Art Zone. Your babes can learn about art, create it, and get their grey matter moving with this fantastic interactive art website. Our favorite is Faces & Places (fine art!).

Worksheet Maker - Customized handwriting worksheets = Love.

DonnaYoung.org – About a gazillion free homeschool printables

What are your favorite homeschool links and helps?

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This morning I had a glorious two hours to myself, in my home, while Grandmom watched the babes.

Do you know what I did when I walked in my house and shut the front door behind me? I squealed. Really loudly. And not because I just wanted to be without my kiddos. I actually wanted a solid two hours to be able to clean my house without any distraction. Now normally I would have turned on some Pandora and danced around while cleaning, but not today, today I opted to listen to the Family Strategies messages (affiliate link) I got a few weeks ago (and had yet to listen to a one!). I perused the available messages and landed on this one: How to Prepare for a Year of Home Education (I picked this one because I’ve been feeling a wee bit discouraged about homeschooling). Friends, it was SO good! I not only cleaned my bedroom, but I did so while my whole house reverberated with hope! I needed a good dose of hope, and I got it.

Some of the information presented was so practical that I thought I would share some of it with you.

First of all, did you know that the word Curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course? Neither did I! Isn’t that cool? Yes, a race, that is what this homeschooling journey and all we teach is about, and I need to pace myself. Love it.

The other thing the speakers (a husband and wife) talked about was the importance of looking at your previous homeschooling year (if you had one) and evaluating what went well and not so well. Know your families strengths and weaknesses and plan/change accordingly. The whole idea of evaluating, while nothing new, was so very encouraging to me because here is what I do, “Sarah, why can’t you be like so and so who is such a great homeschooling mama?! Come on! Do everything she does.” Silliness (and harmful)! Comparing is no good; rather taking a look at our unique family and adjusting as needed is a wise and practical application that I intend on putting more energy into.

Another piece of advice was to take a whole month planning for the next year, and then cast a vision for it. The particular family speaking talked about how they picked one theme for the whole year and then just adjusted the learning levels for each child. Talk about practical! They even took the time to figure out what field trips they wanted to take based on the theme, books to read, movies to watch, etc. The goal was to weave in the whole family together. Fabulous. Side Note: Tapestry of Grace is a curriculum that uses the whole family approach to learning – everyone is learning the same thing at different levels (we haven’t committed to this curriculum yet, but we’re considering it).

The last thing I’ll share is the most important: that learning is life. Learning is not something we do between the hours of 8am and 3pm; it begins when we wake and ends when we fall into bed at night. Yes, this, all is learning.

Well, there is so, so much more to share, but I would probably be infringing on some copyrights if I tell you all of the goodness I gleaned from the message! If you can swing it, I think it’s worth getting a hold of The Family Strategies messages (I’ve only listened to two so far, but they were outstanding and super encouraging). If you can’t afford them now, I would sign up for the Vision Forum newsletter because they are always offering discounts.

Okay homeschool veterans (A.K.A. any of you who have homeschooled for at least one full year), can you share your best tips for homeschooling? What did you learn that has impacted you the most in how you school your babes?

As with any teaching, pick the bones and keep the good. Stay before the Lord and in His Word so you can be discerning.

‎”The only way to make in this homeschooling life is to reach for God instead of reaching for happiness.” Sally Clarkson, Seasons of A Mother’s Heart

It finally hit me: just because I want to do something doesn’t make it easy.

Duh, right?

Well, it was a news flash for me. I figured that if I loved [the idea] of something enough, it would just work itself out with rainbows and butterflies. Yes, I drank the Kool-Aid.

Just like I finally gave in and was honest with myself about motherhood – the fact that is so stinkin’ hard to raise up and train kiddos even though I always wanted to do it – I am finally coming to grips with the reality that homeschooling is going to be a significant amount of HARD. Work. Sacrifice. And discipline.

What was I expecting, anyway? Oh yea, rainbows and butterflies.

However, my hopes are not dashed because even though my ideals are laughing at me right now, my goal isn’t about making myself happy (although at times that sure is nice), it’s about reaching my children’s heart for God. My husband and I believe that God has called *our* family to reach our children’s hearts by homeschooling…so we’re rollin’ with it.  Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Okay, that’s not entirely true. I’d love to have a substitute once a week for about three hours so I could hang out at Starbucks.

Oh, and before you pray that I would have joy in my struggles (no wait, do pray for that, PLEASE), I think I need to make it clear that I do enjoy being with my babes. They are hysterical. And beautiful. And completely interesting. I also think it’s pretty cool to be the one teaching them.

Do you ever have homeschool hyperventilation? (Before you even begin first-grade?!)

Homeschool Resources I Love:

Educating the WholeHearted Child, by Clay and Sally Clarkson

Heartfelt Discipline, by Clay Clarkson (my number one recommended resource for discipline – yes, it’s out of print, but keep looking. I scored a copy for $20)

This summer we will be enjoying the intertwining of reading and art by using the Veritas Press Phonics Museum, which is up for grabs for free today over at Raising Homemakers.

*This giveaway is now closed.*

“Every negative character trait our children exhibit is just a positive character quality misused.” Marilyn Boyer

I’ve had some wise women tell me that the most important thing to focus on right now with my babes is teaching them character.

I wanted to hear these women and heed their advice, so the search began for some good character training materials.  As if falling from the sky into my lap, Character Concepts for Preschoolers was brought to my attention by my friend Laura (she mentioned it on her blog). I looked it up, contacted the publishers, and asked if they would send me the curriculum for me to review (hey look, there’s the disclosure!). They said yes. :)

I’ve now been using Character Concepts for Preschoolers for the past couple months with my babes (preschool and kindergarten ages) and let me tell you, I think it is fantastic.

The curriculum goes through 12 units of character study (you spend everyday for three weeks on each, 36 lessons total):

Obedience

Patience

Honesty

Gratefulness

Respectfulness

Responsibility

Initiative

Diligence

Kindness

Self-control

Deference

For each character trait, you read a story from Crossroads for Character (a book that comes with the curriculum), read a bible story related to the concept, listen to a story on CD that takes an event in history that reflects the trait, and memorize definitions of the trait and scripture about the trait (by way of flashcards). In addition to laying the foundation of the character trait through the stories and definitions, the curriculum comes with a book, Hands-on-Character, that gives you practical ideas for how to apply and/or practice the trait.

Here’s the great thing, this curriculum is not just for preschoolers.

Yes, it comes with some ABC flashcards, and the stories, crafts, and application ideas are geared towards preschoolers, but you can use this study for multiple ages (I’m learning so much!). The definitions, scripture memory, family fun trip ideas, and the history lessons are applicable to everyone in the family.

For younger ones, stick to the curriculum, and for older ones, just adjust by adding in more advanced reading, writing, math, etc. I have found it works wonderfully for both my babes.

Oh, and as a side note, you don’t have to be a homeschooling parent to use this curriculum. If you’re looking for something to guide you in teaching character, this is a good fit all around.

Now for the happy…

One of you will win this curriculum!!!

To enter, just leave a comment.

If you would like extra entries, go for it – Twitter, Facebook, write a post, etc. Just leave a comment for each thing you do.

Make sure to visit The Learning Parent website where you can see the Character Concepts for Preschoolers curriculum, along with many of other valuable resources.

You can “Like” The Learning Parent on Facebook here (great discounts are announced here!).

Good “luck!”

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Why am I having a giveaway week? Read this.

Subscribe to Like a Warm Cup of Coffee here.

I’m over at Heart of the Matter Online today talking to homeschool mama’s of little ones!  Drop by and say “hi?” :)

If you are visiting from Heart of the Matter, Hi! Welcome…you are probably most interested in this category!  If you like what you read, you can subscribe to Like a Warm Cup of Coffee here! Thanks for stopping by!

I do not say what I’m about to say in any derogative tone, so don’t think that!  Ready, here it is…

I am so thankful to be able to be able to homeschool my children.

After reading chapter six of The Mission of Motherhood, I am even more convinced (if that is even possible) that homeschooling is the very best way that I can impart to my children a godly, life foundation. There is so much to be taught, lived out, and impressed upon our children’s hearts and minds, that even though I cannot determine the outcome (Thank God! I would totally fail!), I know I have the opportunity of a lifetime to teach and train my children for the glory of God and to prepare them to go out in to the world knowing God, loving Him, and loving others.

Since there is so much goodness packed into this chapter, you are just going to have to read it yourself (get the book if you haven’t already!).  I want to highlight what stood out to me and what I want to start focusing on (more so) in our family. This quote spurred me on:

“Our task is to train ourselves and our children to think clearly, truthfully, and biblically about Jesus and the world.”

Yes and amen!

Okay, so here is what Sally and her husband came up with in how they wanted to train their children’s minds (5 major areas):

-Biblical literacy – You must know the bible if you want to think biblically, and if we want to teach our children biblically, we must be in the Word ourselves.

“The sum of Thy word is truth, and every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting.”  Psalm 119:160

-Morality and Laws - Teaching Right and Wrong – “Before they can ever make right decisions, they need to understand what the Bible says about right and wrong…As we teach our children these concrete principles, we have opportunities morning, noon, and evening to help them understand how to apply them…the biblical  concepts of right and wrong are rapidly being replaced by what is usually referred to as “tolerance.”  But that perfectly good word for patience and forbearance has been turned into a buzzword for moral relativity…ignores the reality of sin and denies that there is any right or wrong.”

“Right is always right even if no one is doing it!  Wrong is always wrong even if everyone is doing it.”

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the spirit reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8

-Theology – Teaching the Knowledge of God – understanding of who God is and what he is like.

-Wisdom – Teaching God’s point of view – “In the biblical sense, being wise means understanding God’s point of view about daily life and the whole scope of the universe and learning to live and act according to his perspective.”

“How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.  For its profit is better than the profit of silver, and its gain than fine gold.  She {wisdom} is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.  Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.  She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.”  Proverbs 3:13-18

-Faith – Teaching Trust in God’s Reality and Reliability – “When we know God’s moral laws, understand basic biblical theology, and have a grasp of the wisdom principles of Scripture, then we have a foundational basis upon which to act in faith.  Faith is not a matter of mindlessly believing in God. It is believing him because of the soundness of the foundation he provides for our lives.”

What a privilege, honor and responsibility it is to raise up our children! How grateful I am to women like Sally Clarkson who have gone before me and are generously giving their time to teach the younger women.  Thank you Sally (and to all of you who pour out your lives for us!).

So, if you’re reading along, what stood out to you?  If you’re not reading along but have read through this post, what are your thoughts?

In other news, I realize the picture at the top has nothing to do with the post, but it was so darn cute I had to put it in!

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Enter The Boy Who Changed the World giveaway here – three copies – everyone from anywhere welcome to enter!

Oh wait, that’s our living room.

Yep, we do much of our home educating on those comfy couches!  We may move to the dining room table for some writing and crafts, but the living room is the center of it all. I realize there are no pictures on our walls, we’re working on that! We just painted and have yet to fill those blank canvases with life!

We do actually have another school room…our back yard. There’s a lot of learning that goes on there, you know, like cooking mud pies in our mud pie kitchen…

Scrumptious! (Idea found here)

I admit it.  I would love to have an official homeschool room, but you know what, this is where we are and what we have…and I’d say we are pretty blessed just to have the opportunity to teach our children as I stay home.  We have so much to be thankful for.

Okay, now make me covet (kidding!), do you have a homeschool room?

Related: Our Family and Home Education

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What do you think? This would be a fine addition to any school room, wouldn’t you say? ;)