Quote from Forum Archives on June 20, 2003, 2:13 pm

Posted by: homenews <homenews@...>

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THE HOPE CHEST HOME SCHOOL NEWS:
Issue #57, part 2: Power for Home Schooling
June 20, 2003
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HOPE CHEST CONTACT INFORMATION
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Part 2

• Review of First Language Lessons by Jessie Wise
• Review of Wisdom’s Way of Learning by Marilyn Howshall
• In the Kitchen: TVP
• What’s New at the Knowles House?
• Resource Ordering Information

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Review of
First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind by Jessie Wise
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I found First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind at Faithful
Bookshop, a home school bookstore here in Orlando, and was instantly
impressed. I usually don’t use formal grammar and writing texts for the
primary grades (K-3), but this one is an exception. Classical education
fans will recognize Jessie Wise as the co-author, with her daughter Susan
Wise Bauer, of The Well-Trained Mind. I know that classical education has
a reputation for being difficult to implement, which is why I have been
avoiding it, but this book totally takes away the complication. There are
200 lessons provided, half for first grade and half for second. They are
designed around four crucial language arts strands: memorization,
copywork/dictation, narration and grammar. Topics include poetry, short
stories, picture study, parts of speech, capitilization, punctuation,
sentence formation, days of the week, months of the year, titles of
respect, family members, and much more.

For example, lesson 58 reviews the definitions of nouns and pronouns,
introduces the definition of verbs, and has the student identify action
verbs in the poem "Dancing" by Eleanor Farjeon as it is read aloud by the
parent. (As a bonus, this lesson even tells how to pronounce the poet’s
last name -- FARjun. I’ve been mispronouncing it for years!) The child is
encouraged to copy and/or illustrate a few lines of the poem as he is
able.

I have been using this book with Andrew, who is starting first grade
work, and Lydia, who is starting third grade. (She has not had any formal
grammar training, so I think this will be helpful even though she is past
the recommended grade.) Both of them have enjoyed their lessons and are
eager to do more. The lessons are scripted, which means that they tell
the parent what to say. I usually don’t prefer a scripted format, but
these are presented as very natural suggestions, and don’t come across as
being artificial. As a result, the parent and child can enjoy some cozy
conversational time on the couch. There is some writing involved,
especially in the second grade, but no fill-in-the-blanks stuff. I also
appreciate Mrs. Wise’s wise comments on not making young children work
simultaneously on creative writing and mechanics. I made the same point
in my own book, Common Sense Excellence!

Here is an excerpt from the introduction:

~*~*~

 

General Thoughts on Teaching Language

Learning rules without practical application is a sterile activity.
Absorbing grammar incidentally without the guidance of rules is
inefficient. By combining simple rules with continued "real life" use of
those rules in language, the teacher lays the foundation for a child’s
application of appropriate rules to his own work in the future.
Children are natural imitators. This book provides you with examples of
correctly spoken and written English in order to train the child’s ear
and hand. Then his original ideas can have form and beauty when they are
expressed.

Every time a child speaks or writes correctly, that pattern is imprinted
on his mind; the same is true for patterns that are incorrectly
practiced. It is better to do less work, and do it correctly, than to
practice errors. Then the child doesn’t have to spend time unlearning and
relearning.

So don’t hurry through these lessons just to finish. Take the time to
have the child answer in complete sentences. Take the time to frequently
repeat rules until the child knows them. Take the time to have the child
write correctly. Take the time to allow the child to make corrections
immediately. If you require him to correct his mistakes, you will not
damage his self-esteem. Compliment the correction and you will build his
confidence.

Do not wait until a child is reading to expose him to good literature.
Likewise, do not wait until a child is writing to expose him to the
proper use of our language. This is why I encourage the use of oral
exercises while the child is young. Speech patterns are developed early.
The longer a child uses incorrect language, the harder it will be to
teach him correct speech and writing.

This early exposure is the purpose of my introducing young children to
what some may consider advanced material. But this early introduction is
not intended to result in mastery; mastery comes later.

I suggest you file the child’s work in a notebook. This will serve as a
way to organize all of his language work -- narrations that you write for
him, his copy work and dictations, his exercises, and copies of the
letters he writes to real people.

~*~*~

 

The book costs around $18 for a paper back and $25 for hard back. If you
live in the Orlando area and want to see it before buying it, you can get
it at Faithful Bookshop. Otherwise, you can get it from the publisher at:

 

Peace Hill Press
18101 The Glebe Lane
Charles City, VA 23030
Web: www.peacehillpress.com

 

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Review of
Wisdom’s Way of Learning by Marilyn Howshall
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I’ve wanted to read the Wisdom’s Way of Learning series for many years,
but it never seemed to make it to my final "Books to Buy" list.  However, my
friend Julie offered to lend me to the first two booklets, The Science,
Art, and Tools of Learning and The Unit-of-Life Learning Model, for my
reading pleasure.

I appreciated the counsel in these books to make learning a
Christ-centered, Spirit-led adventure that flows from a child’s personal
interest and motivation in a subject. Her instructions on developing
topical notebooks and independent projects are particularly helpful.

However, I am more than a trifle disappointed in the condescending tone
toward traditional text books and work books. I admit that I started out
home schooling with very little respect for more formal, traditional
materials. I now see their worth in various situations, and I wouldn’t
wish for parents or students who use them to feel like they are
inadequate or misguided. Do what works for you! I just wish that the
author would not present her ideas as "the" way to home school, even
though she does incorporate many different approaches.

If you can get past this one objection and "take it with a grain of
salt," these books will be helpful to you! They will stretch your
thinking about why you do what you do, and offer some natural,
interest-building alternatives. I most appreciate Mrs. Howshall’s
encouragement to rely on God to show the way to raise godly children
through home education.

We’ve actually been using many of these concepts for years. In fact, my
oldest daughter Mary, who is turning 16, was sharing with me how she
intends to do her school work next year, with major research projects on
two or three topics. She will integrate almost all of her reading and
writing around these. There’s a girl after Marilyn Howshall’s own heart!
I thought she had been reading Wisdom’s Way of Learning, but she hadn’t,
so I recommended to she do so before she starts her school year.
Here is an excerpt:

~*~

 

"A parallel example can be seen in how some people approach their
Christian walk. By extracting principles from the Word of God to create
legalistic, lifeless systems of do’s and don’ts, reduces Christianity to
a mere science -- a lifeless procedure of steps or a system of
"have-to’s." They might have some knowledge of principles and may even be
trying to live them, but without the Holy Spirit breathing life into
those truths, are they really true? Without the art, the science is dead.
"for the letter (science) kills but the Spirit (art) gives life." II
Corinthians 3:6. When the approach is mechanical and functional, a
Christian-Student will not enjoy his walk with God. Nor does his
Father-Teacher appreciate mechanical efforts, for "...without faith it is
impossible to please Him." (Hebrews 11:6) Following a lifeless procedure
of methodical steps, adhering to all the do’s and don’ts does not require
a scrap of faith. It is all very secure, but when it does not work, the
system becomes the scapegoat when instead the individual was at fault for
not listening to God in the first place! God talks to real human beings
-- not robots. God calls us to "be still and know that I am God."

~*~

Contact information:
Howshall Home Publications
PO Box 1750, Eatonville, WA 98328
(360)832-8845

A Lifestyle of Learning newsletter is also available for free from the
above address.

You can also order these books from The Elijah Company at
www.elijahco.com. The set of four books costs around $25. (Be sure to ask
for the wonderful Elijah Company catalog!)

 

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IN THE KITCHEN: TVP
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When I went to Economy Health Food a while back to get some organic whole
wheat bread flour, I wandered through the aisles looking at all of the
other products. Zip lock bags of TVP caught my eye. I’ve heard about this
stuff for a long time, but had it confused with tofu, which is less
appealing to me.

What is TVP? It is texturized vegetable protein -- a dry, shelf-stable
soy product that can be used as a meat replacement. It is very high in
protein and vitamins, with no fat or cholesterol. Good stuff! Some of the
varieties are much less expensive than meat. I bought unflavored tan
shreds, and only paid about $1.36 per pound. The darker brown stuff cost
a little bit more. You can also get it flavored or in chunks.
How easily can it be incorporated into the menus of families who don’t
get into "weird health foods"? Easier than I thought! Here is what I’ve
been doing. I prepare the casserole, spaghetti, chili, or soup as I
normally would, including the usual chicken or ground turkey. Then I add
in a cup or so of reconstituted TVP. (That part is easy -- just pour 7/8
cup boiling water over 1 cup TVP and let sit for 5 minutes.) The TVP
blends in easily with the textures and flavors of the recipes, and
everyone eats their food happily. I have even put some in my bread mix!
In the mid-July mini-issue, I’ll tell you how to make up big batches of
bread mix in gallon size bags! (I’m not supposed to confess that I also
put some in my peanut butter cake, but I did... Yum!)

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WHAT’S NEW AT THE KNOWLES HOUSE?
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I’ll try to keep this brief! Since this is a mini-issue, I’m only going
to feature part of the family this time, and the rest in later issues.
Right now, we have four cases of strep throat in the family, so life is
an adventure!

My dear husband Thad is still in career transition.  It is amazing how God

has continued to provide for our family of eleven even though he hasn’t

worked full-time since last October. We do get some income for the work

he does for his mother in caring for her business investments. Meanwhile,

he has been applying for jobs in the Facility Management field, but to no

avail so far. He had planned to take an 8 day class in Real Estate Appraisal

next week, but had to postpone it due to his mother’s health. I think he will
be very good at appraising, given his superb attention to detail!

In a quest to eliminate boredom, Mary (16) has been busy sewing clothes!
First, she made denim skirts for three of her younger sisters, and then
she designed and made a dress, matching hat and shorts for herself. She’s got
class! She has decided to do a research project on the history of
clothing design, just for fun. I love to see the girls learn for the sake
of learning, and not just for credit!

Rachel (12) set some high goals for advancing in math over the summer,
and has been working diligently. She thought she would never get the hang
of writing out all the steps of her work, but she triumphed even through
that! Like I always say, math is like crusty french bread. It’s crunchy
on the outside and soft on the inside. Once you "get inside" a new
concept, it becomes easy!

Micah (almost 4) is my constant source of amusement. (He was the one who
wanted to know if llamas had ear wax.) He wanted to weigh himself at the
grocery store the other day, and took off his shoes before he stepped on
the scale. (He’s been watching me do this in a vain attempt to weigh as
little as possible.) Micah, not quite getting this concept, held his
little blue sandals in his hands when he got on the scale! Oh, he is 36
pounds of pure cute! (Well, maybe about 8 ounces of that was shoe!)

 

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RESOURCE ORDERING INFORMATION
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Resource ordering web page:
www.hopechest.homestead.com/resourceorders.html
Since this is a mini-issue, I am not including full descriptions of any
of the resources. You can click on their individual web pages, or e-mail
and ask for more information. If you want to order, e-mail me and I will
give you instructions, information on quantity discounts, and shipping
and sales tax charges.
Common Sense Excellence: Faith-Filled Home Education for Preschool to 5th
Grade $20 www.hopechest.homestead.com/cse.html

The Real Life Home School Mom: A Book of Help and Hope $14 (discount
price) www.hopechest.homestead.com/reallife.html

The Learner’s Journal -- lesson planner and resource log $10
www.hopechest.homestead.com/learnersjournal.html

 

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REPRINT PERMISSION
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You may freely copy material from this newsletter in other non-profit
publications (unless otherwise marked in the article), but you MUST
include the author’s name (not necessarily mine) and this entire notice:
Reprinted with permission of Virginia Knowles from the Hope Chest Home
School News. For a free subscription, send an e-mail message to
[email protected] or visit
http://www.hopechest.homestead.com/welcome.html

Please send me a copy of the publication which includes the material.

Virginia Knowles
1925 Blossom Lane
Maitland, FL 32751