#11-7: Back to School Encouragement
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The Hope Chest with Virginia Knowles
#11-7: Back to School Encouragement
August 7, 2008
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Dear Hope Chest friends,
As often happens, a new Hope Chest issue idea ambushes me when I least expect it. I had intended to do an issue on early colonial America later this month, but I’m feeling a strong nudge to do one on back-to-school encouragement right now instead. I trust there is a reason for this! Maybe one of the web links or other features of today’s e-magazine will be just the thing you need. At least that’s what I hope!
My daughter Rachel, who is 17, has been loudly singing the song “NYC” from the musical Annie today. Mary, my married daughter, has been interning at the Wall Street Journal this summer and now she’s ready to come home. Rachel is flying up with Mary’s husband Ryan this evening. They’re all going to hit “the Big Apple” tomorrow (maybe even see a Broadway show if they can get student tickets), and then drive back to Orlando this weekend. Rachel is pretty psyched, and Joanna and Lydia are jealous! Julia, who is 19, is planning to take four of our younger kids to a softball game tonight. It seems like just yesterday that Mary was in kindergarten, Julia was a spunky three year old old, Rachel was a mischievous toddler, Joanna was a cooing baby and our six other kiddos were twinkles in our eyes… Oh, how time flies! Enjoy your little and not-so-little ones while you can, because * BLINK * and they’ll be gone!
In the meantime, in this issue you will find:
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Back to School Encouragement
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The Home School Mom’s Alphabet
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Review of Ryann Watters and the King’s Sword (Book by Eric Reinhold, Review by Andrew Knowles)
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My Favorite Resources for the Early Grades with Links to Christian Book Distributors
Blessings,
Virginia Knowles
http://www.VirginiaKnowles.com and http://www.VirginiaKnowles.blogspot.com
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BACK TO SCHOOL ENCOURAGEMENT
by Virginia Knowles
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Our home school co-op starts classes this Monday, so we’ve been in a flurry to order curriculum, buy supplies, plan lessons, make copies, and gear up for the new school year. In addition, we registered Rachel for dual enrollment classes at the local community college. Some of my kids want to get a jump on things and have already started their assignments. I read Joanna's high school spelling words to her yesterday morning, and Melody was mimicking the words as I said them. This was especially funny since some of the words had five syllables, and she is only three and just learned to talk! Then I remember that Joanna herself did not speak very intelligibly until after her third birthday – but she learned to read fluently when she was four. Home schooling is full of those sorts of surprises. Sometimes they are happy ones, and sometimes they aren’t. Sometimes we must just learn to endure and be patient a while longer – hopefully with a smile! I guess that’s part of what I was thinking about when I wrote the poem A Mother’s Seeds. We don’t always see the results we want right away, but we keep going and going and going!
Are you penny pinching this year? I have bought a lot of sale school supplies at Staples (like free two pocket folders, graph paper books for 50 cents, etc.), but I get most of my stuff at Wal-Mart because of the consistently lower prices. At Sam’s Club, I buy 8 packs of 1” white notebooks (with a clear insert cover) for about $10, which is so much cheaper than anywhere else I’ve seen. We go through a lot of printer ink in our house, so I’ve set the default to “fast draft” mode which conserves ink and prints much faster. We don’t notice the difference in quality much. If we do want something in a higher quality, we just change it for that one document when we print. We also bring our empty ink cartridges back to Staples, since they give a $3 refund through their reward program. Check it out! Also, if you like to order from companies on-line, you can find discounts and promotional coupon codes at http://www.RetailMeNot.com.
Overwhelmed? I know so many of you are starting to feel spazzed about starting school, especially if it is your first year. Take a deep breath now. Try to think clearly. Keep it simple, sweetie! The early years do not have to be complicated. Why not just a little math, a little phonics and handwriting, a few fun science experiments, and a whole bunch of cuddling up on the couch to read aloud about life in different times and places? You can do it! Ask a friend for help or accountability if you need it. Don’t be shy about this! We mothers need to mother one another! If you want to see some of my favorite curriculum options for the early grades, I have included a list later in this issue. You can also read an excerpt about learning to read from my book Common Sense Excellence at: Learning to Read.
Here's a quote that I am using for copy work for my 7th/8th grade co-op English class this next week. I want to get them used to the idea of working hard, because that is just what they are going to do in my class this year! This quote is a wonderful reminder for moms, too. I found it in Cindy Prechtel's book Character Building Copywork which I plan to assign often for handwriting practice -- as well as for character building!
“Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do which must be done, whether you like it or not. Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you temperance, self-control, diligence, strength of will, contentment, and a hundred other virtues which the idle never know.” Charles Kingsley
Don’t overlook your husband as a valuable source of support when you are feeling inadequate for your tasks. I am a free spirited mom, usually flying by the seat of my pants. My husband is very logical and meticulous, so over the years, he has been faithful to come alongside me and provide accountability and structure to what we are doing. I really couldn’t manage without him! Thanks, honey! (You can read more about Thad on my blog post “Two Dozen Years and Counting” and more about working together in a Real Life Home School Mom book excerpt called “Cherishing Your Marriage” which is on my web site.)
Talk to your kids, too! Ask them for their feedback on home schooling – what they liked, what they didn’t, what frustrates or confuses or bores them, what excites them, what new interest they want to learn about. They will know that you care when you listen to them and follow through on at least some of it! Do this continually, not just at the beginning of the school year. It will pay off!
You and I each know moms who need a bit of extra encouragement just about now, so I have a little assignment for those who are feeling a bit more confident than you were in your rookie years. Think of a home school mom (or two) who might be struggling. This might be because she is new at it, or she has a special needs child, or there has been a crisis in the family, or she has just moved to a new town, or whatever. Then pray about meeting some of her needs in simple ways. (If you don’t know what she needs, ask her!) You could offer a word of encouragement, answer some questions, take her to a support group and introduce her to your friends, lend her one of your favorite books or magazines, look up a resource on the Internet, watch her kids for a few hours so she can go out on a date with her husband, or bring the family a meal, or some other small thing that might make a world of difference to her. Even knowing that someone cares enough to notice and do something can have a huge impact on a mom. I am so thankful to the other moms who have reached out to me over the years, even after I had become a “home school veteran.” Even after home schooling for nearly two decades, I still get confused about things, too! I’m glad I have faithful friends whose brains I can pick. This has been one wonderful benefit of being in a co-op. It’s not just for the kids. It’s for the moms as well! You can find out more about making the most of “Your Support Network” in my book The Real Life Home School Mom.
Here are a few web resources that might be particularly good for you and your friends:
Jeannie Fulbright has an extremely encouraging and friendly web site for home school families. You will find plenty of wonderful articles and resources at http://www.JeannieFulbright.com.
Jill Novak of The Gift of Family Writing mentioned that she’s speaking at Cindy Rushton’s on-line “Back to School Blast” conference this weekend -- starting tomorrow (Friday, August 8). You can participate from the comfort of your own home, and it’s free, too! Check it out at http://www.backtoschoolblast.com/. My friend Maridel Willer is another one of the great speakers. They will have MP3 audios of the sessions available later.
If you know someone who has a special needs child, please refer them to National Challenged Homeschoolers Associated Network web site at http://www.nathhan.com/ They have myriad helpful articles and resources, as well as a support forum.
Along these lines of meeting the needs of others, I urge you to think of ways that your family can serve the poor or struggling, either around the globe or down the street. Consider it a very crucial part of your child’s education. Academics are important, but compassion is indispensable! Of course this starts in the home, pouring juice for a little sister or helping with a chore when Mom is tired. I wrote in The Real Life Home School Mom about how when we think of how to alleviate the troubles of others, our own challenges in life seem to fade in comparison. I thought about this as Andrew and I did the dishes by hand today. Our dishwasher is broken and won’t be fixed until next week. For the past decade, I’ve had a little poem posted on the kitchen cabinet:
Thank God for dirty dishes
They have a story to tell
And by the stack we have
It seems we’re living very well.
While people of other countries are starving
I haven’t the heart to fuss
For by this stack of evidence
God’s awfully good to us.
And finally, I think that some of us somehow got the idea that we “arrived” just because we home school our kids. I have certainly gone through my obnoxious, self-righteous seasons of life. Maybe I’m still there and don’t know it. (Lord, have mercy!) I plead with you to lay aside any “homier than thou” pride that might be harbored in your heart. It will rise up and bite you if you don’t watch out, and it certainly doesn’t bless those around you. It’s quite easy to raise a brood of little Pharisees in a home where Mom or Dad look down on others who don’t make the same choices in life. In real estate, the formula for success may be location, location, and location – but in home schooling it is humility, humility, and more humility! OK, I know there is more to it than that, but start there anyway. I wrote the following Home School Mom’s Alphabet many years ago, and it’s been a favorite of my readers ever since. I’ve since changed the title since it’s not just about home schooling! (Just remember: humility!)
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The Mom’s Alphabet
by Virginia Knowles
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Accept, admire, affirm, and appreciate your family.
Boldly believe our big God for beautiful, bountiful blessings.
Calm courtesy communicates care and combats chaos.
Diligence and delegation dutifully do daily deeds.
Encourage by enthusiastic example.
Face, fix, forgive, and forget foolish faults.
Grace is given where grace is needed. Glory to God!
Have a happy, humorous, harmonious, hope-filled home.
Include imagination, inspiration, and interesting information.
Juggle your jobs judiciously and joyfully.
Kiss your kids!
Listen, then lovingly lead.
Meet many marvelous mothers.
Notice new needs.
Overcome obnoxious offenses with optimism.
Pray, prioritize, plan, and prepare for productivity and problem prevention.
Quick and quiet, not dawdling or riot.
Rules without relationships reap rebellion.
Serve sacrificially.
Take time to teach and train truthfulness and thankfulness.
Understand until united.
Virtuosity is victorious.
Wise words will win.
Xpect excellence.
Yackety yack, no talking back.
Zippety doo-dah, zippety ay, my oh my what a wonderful day!
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Ryann Watters and the King’s Sword
Book by Eric Reinhold
Review by Andrew Knowles
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Virginia’s note: One of the perks of publishing an e-magazine is that folks send me a lot of books to review! A local author named Eric Reinhold sent me Ryann Watters and the King’s Sword, a Christian fantasy reminiscent of the Narnia books. It is set in quaint Mount Dora, Florida, and the main characters are middle school students (as well as a few talking animals). My 11 year old son Andrew loved the book and asked if he could write the review for me. I was most happy to oblige because it’s good writing practice! For the record, I liked the book, too! You can find out more at http://www.RyannWatters.com. Here’s Andrew’s review…
First of all I find it interesting that in the book God chooses ordinary boys to do things that will build up their confidence, and fight evil. It reminds me of a series of books called Passage, by Paul McCusker (who also wrote Adventures in Odyssey).
The angel Gabriel comes to Ryann’s room to declare that he would be going on that certain mission for God, saying, “Thou must search out and put on the full armor of God so that you can take a stand against the devil’s schemes. For your struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ryann then asks what he, a kid, could possibly have to do with all of this. Then Gabriel answers, “There are no mistakes with God,” and uses an example from the Bible to apply to that mission. He uses the example of David, asking, “Thou have heard of David? He was also a boy chosen by God to accomplish great things. God chooses to show his power by the powerless.” Ryann wonders if Gabriel could ask someone else, but Gabriel answers, “Only you have been given this trial, Ryann, yet you shall not be alone.”
Meanwhile one of his classmates named Drake Dunfellow has a visitation also, but this is by Lord Ekron, one of the stars that fell from heaven, which would be an angel like Lucifer (Satan) who fell from heaven because he rebelled against God. Drake asks what he wants him to do and Lord Ekron answers, “The one who seeks to bind me must be stopped.”
The rest of the book is about how Ryann use his gifts (a staff, horn and ring) to fight evil and find the King’s sword in the land of Aeliana.
I recommend this book for everyone and can’t wait for the second book, the Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith.
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MY FAVORITE RESOURCES FOR THE EARLY GRADES
by Virginia Knowles
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If you click these links, they will take you to descriptions at the Christian Book Distributors web site. We love CBD. The selection is unbeatable, the service is fast and friendly, and the prices are cheap!
TEACHER HELPS
By Rick Boyer / The Learning Parent / If you prefer a traditional text book approach, this book is for you. The Boyers have a very large family and over two decades experience in home education.
LANGUAGE ARTS AND LITERATURE
Phonics, Grammar, and Other Early Language Skills
Language and Thinking for Young Children by Dr. Ruth Beechick is just such a common sense approach to easy activities for memorization, poetry, phone skills, story telling, and much more. Use it for the early elementary years as a great foundation for later learning.
Alpha-Phonics: A Primer for Beginning Readers by Samuel L. Blumenfeld / We used this with our older girls when they were small – very simple format with no visual distractions.
Dr. Maggie’s Phonics Readers Variety Pack 24 books – We have used these with a few of our kids, though we didn’t buy the whole set. We bought ours at a Lakeshore Learning Store.
Storybook Treasury of Dick and Jane and Friends – We use this one, too! What a sense of accomplishment when a child can read a simple story!
First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind (spiral-bound) by Jessie Wise / Our co-op uses this for 1st/2nd grade
Picture Books
My First Little House series – 12 books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. This is the easy introduction, for ages 3 to 8, for our favorite childhood pioneer classics!
Janette Oke's Animal Friends, Volumes 1-6 Boxed Set and Janette Oke's Animal Friends, Volumes 7-12 Boxed Set Corral your early readers for adorable animal stories! Delightful color illustrations enhance Oke's text, conveying valuable life lessons in obedience, self-acceptance, humility, and more. Ages 6 to 10. Softcovers from Bethany.
Five in a Row literature study guides
This program uses favorite picture books. You read the same book five days in a row, and focus on different aspects of it each day. There will be geography, math, art, history, science, and other activities. This is great for co-ops, too!
Five in a Row, Volume 1 and Five in a Row Volume 2 and Five in a Row Volume 3 for 4-8 year olds, using picture books
Five in a Row: Christian Character and Bible Study Supplement
Before Five in a Row for preschoolers
Beyond Five in a Row Volume 1 and Beyond Five in a Row Volume 2 for ages 8-12, using chapter books
Beyond Five in a Row Christian Character and Bible
Literature Anthologies
I guess you know by now how much I love poetry!
Favorite Poems, Old and New / 598 pages hardcover
The Book of Virtues by William J. Bennett / 830 pages, hardcover
The Children's Book of Virtues by William J. Bennett / 112 pages, hardcover from Simon & Schuster.
Everyday Graces: A Child's Book of Good Manners Edited by Karen Santorum
Typing and Handwriting
Typing Instructor for Kids on CD-ROM (We love this!)
We have used Italic handwriting for years. I taught myself when my oldest was learning. The transition from manuscript to cursive is very natural. Italic is beautiful!
Italic Handwriting: Book A (kindergarten)
Italic Handwriting: The Instruction Manual
This is another great handwriting program, and it uses Scripture for copywork to create pages to give away to family and friends.
A Reason For Handwriting: Kindergarten--Student Worktext
A Reason For Handwriting: Manuscript A--Student Worktext, Grade 1
A Reason For Handwriting: Manuscript B--Student Worktext, Grade 2
A Reason For Handwriting: Transition--Student Worktext, Grades 2-3
A Reason For Handwriting: Cursive C--Student Worktext, Grade 3
A Reason For Handwriting: Cursive D--Student Worktext, Grade 4
A Reason For Handwriting: Cursive E--Student Worktext, Grade 5
A Reason For Handwriting: Cursive F--Student Worktext, Grade 6
A Reason for Handwriting: A Homeschool Guidebook for All Ages (revised)
MATH
Math Manipulatives
Wooden Pattern Blocks, set of 250 -- We've had our set for about 17 years, and it gets constant use! I love pattern blocks!
Pattern Animals workbook -- Fill in fun animal patterns with your pattern blocks -- great for preschool and primary grades
Horizons Math for the Elementary Grades
Since 1996 we have used mainly Horizons Math workbooks for the elementary grades. though our co-op now uses A Beka. For each grade level there is a teacher manual and two workbooks. We mainly use the teacher manuals for easier grading, but they also provide teaching tips, hands-on activities, supplemental worksheets, and instructions. I’m not sure I would bother buying the teacher manuals for K – 2nd grades since you can pretty much eyeball the answers. Starting in the 4th grade, there is more direct teaching to the student in the workbook, with less oral instruction by the parent. Horizons workbooks are colorful and provide a sensible amount of review. You can click on the titles for more detailed products descriptions at the CBD web site.
Horizons Math, Grade K, Complete Set (includes teacher manual and two workbooks)
Horizons Math, Grade K, Student Workbook 1
Horizons Math, Grade K, Student Workbook 2
Horizons Math, Grade 1, Complete Set (includes teacher manual and two workbooks)
Horizons Math, Grade 1, Student Workbook 1
Horizons Math, Grade 1, Student Workbook 2
Horizons Math, Grade 2, Complete Set (includes teacher manual and two workbooks)
Horizons Math, Grade 2, Student Workbook 1
Horizons Math, Grade 2, Student Workbook 2
Horizons Math, Grade 3, Complete Set (includes teacher manual and two workbooks)
Horizons Math, Grade 3, Student Workbook 1
Horizons Math, Grade 3, Student Workbook 2
Horizons Math, Grade 4, Complete Set (includes teacher manual and two workbooks)
Horizons Math, Grade 4, Student Workbook 1
Horizons Math, Grade 4, Student Workbook 2
Horizons Math, Grade 5, Complete Set (includes teacher manual and two workbooks)
Horizons Math, Grade 5, Student Workbook 1
Horizons Math, Grade 5, Student Workbook 2
SOCIAL STUDIES
WORLD GEOGRAPHY
Galloping the Globe: The Geography Unit Study for Young Learners, Grades K-4 By Loree Pettit & Dari Mullins / Incorporating the student notebook approach, word searches, mazes, maps, puzzles, and other reproducible activities take your young travelers to every continent on the planet, where they'll learn about geography, literature, vocabulary, history, science, the Bible, arts, and Internet resources. I have enjoyed using this book at home and at our co-op.
AMERICAN HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY
Celebrate America Book with CD – all of the patriotic songs you love – and now you can teach them to your kids, too!
American Pioneers and Patriots, Hardcover by Caroline D. Emerson / Christian Liberty Press – for younger elementary students, engaging stories about ordinary children throughout American history / 165 pages, hardcover
Draw Write Now, Book 5: The United States, From Sea To Sea, Moving Forward By Marie Hablitzel / Colorful easy to follow drawing lessons; text for practicing handwriting; theme related questions; answers and booklists; a child friendly format and countless ideas to spark children's imagination and creativity! 64 pages
History For Little Pilgrims By Christian Liberty Press
Designed to give children a providential view of history, this colorful and engaging book covers world history in an age appropriate manner, always careful to point out how God was at work during each age. This book and the accompanying coloring book (below) are for around 1st to 3rd grades, in my opinion. Our co-op used them for a social studies class, along with other materials, such as the History for Little Pilgrims Coloring Book and History for Little Pilgrims Teacher's Manual.
Apologia Science for K-6th Grades
We love Jeannie Fulbright's elementary Apologia science texts! We use them in our home school co-op classes, too. You will find a strong Charlotte Mason / notebooking /outdoor nature study emphasis in this curriculum. You can stretch these books to a year if you want a relaxed pace, but you could fit in one per semester, in my opinion. I would recommend these mainly for 3rd-6th grade, though you can include younger siblings.
Exploring Creation with Botany
Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day
Exploring Creation with Zoology 2: Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day
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Thanks for reading this!
For those who were praying for my Grandma Hess, she is recovering from Monday's hip surgery and will soon be transferred to a nursing home for a few weeks of rehab. My sister Barb's worked ONSTIM implant surgery for migraines was also successful last month -- hallelujah!
That's all for now, ladies! Let me know what has been helpful to you!
Blessings,
Virginia
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