Sunday evening and a little procrastination has set in - or is it relaxation? I forget which is which.
Our teen choir sang at church today. In some churches 12 - 15 teens in a choir would be a joy, but at my 'mega' church it makes the choir stand look empty. Now the kids did a great job singing, but it's still tough to pull off. Add to that an embarassing showing at a church on Wednesday - one that has brought very public criticism - and that demon of doubt and discouragement has been creeping into my thought process. It isn't that I feel God has deserted me, ala Mother Teresa, but it is a questioning of whether I'm correctly identifying His purposes for me. But a time of prayer and reflection has reminded me that I am able to handle this challenge because I've been given the tools, through previous struggles, to overcome it.
It's funny how issues in one area make you worry about others that are not really a problem. Just getting a spelling book seemed to revitalize our homeschool lessons, but now I find myself wondering if we will make real progress or if the kids are (dare I say it?) "falling behind". We've done pretty well with 4 day week lessons, but I'm tempted to add an assignment on Mondays to even out the weeks activities. However, I'm pretty sure once I get our Weaver curriculum (I've been disputing with my Ebay seller for two weeks now!) I'll be much more comfortable. Fridays at our enrichment class have been a great success (if not a little expensive) and we're about ready to start podcasting again. I just have to carve out the time and prioritize the creative types of activities. Oh yes, and also find the time to, um, relax.
Looking unto the hills,
acp
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
Spending Time...
Once again I have to report a pretty basic day... no lessons as I've flipped my workday to Monday to allow for enrichment classes on Fridays. I haven't really investigated the benefits of a four day school week, but it's worked for us. I think the grind of the busy days we do have lessons makes up for the days like today. We still have piano lessons on Mondays so we have some activity.
But I know it's important that I keep at least some regular hours at our church. It's tough to balance the two. At the beginning of the day, it looked like our friend wasn't going to be able to watch them - boy, were they bummed out. Spending all day in Dad's office is not their idea of fun. But she picked them up and all was right with the world again - and I suppose I was relieved too. I don't pretend I don't need the break myself. I haven't yet got the hang of teaching and working at the same time.
Our Weaver curriculum came through, so hopefully we can report on how that goes in the next few weeks.
I'm thinking of starting a music blog to help me express the other side of my life - although it might work out in this blog as well - I'll make an announcement if I do. Also, check out The Daddycast and Kidswifeworklife.com I found both of these very well done podcasts. You can find them on Itunes.
Looking unto the hills,
acp
Friday, September 21, 2007
Just the facts...
A long day and a busy one - I was called in to a manager's meeting at church when I was expecting to be at home, so the kids had to spend some time in my office and we missed our chance to update our podcast. The kids are looking forward to it still, however. We made a quick run to the library where we were able to play some checkers, find Naomi's book on Double Dutch (she's reading it for the second time) and also get Marcus a book on the history of football. That little breather made the interruption a little easier to take.
I was disappointed because I lost the eBay auction I was in for the fraction sheets for Math-u-See. The economics of homeschooling have been bearing on us a bit - I've become a big user of eBay for books and materials that aren't at the library. Hopefully we'll be able to get all the things we need without breaking the bank...we spent more money this year on enrichment classes, but so far it seems like it was worth it because the kids really look forward to them.
Not much else to say tonight, just trying to encourage myself as things aren't great - but we give thanks in all things.
Looking unto the hills,
acp
I was disappointed because I lost the eBay auction I was in for the fraction sheets for Math-u-See. The economics of homeschooling have been bearing on us a bit - I've become a big user of eBay for books and materials that aren't at the library. Hopefully we'll be able to get all the things we need without breaking the bank...we spent more money this year on enrichment classes, but so far it seems like it was worth it because the kids really look forward to them.
Not much else to say tonight, just trying to encourage myself as things aren't great - but we give thanks in all things.
Looking unto the hills,
acp
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
The unschooling, schooling homeschooler
Tonight I guess I'm looking for deep thoughts and finding none. Often I've written on the dichotomy of living life and reflecting on life, but now I think I'm too weary for the latter, and too busy with the former. The children had a nice day - lots of reading for Marcus, who's finishing up A Series of Unfortunate Events for the second time. Naomi seems content with snailing through her multiplication tables - I'm watching closely to see if she is actually struggling, but she seems to enjoy making people think she's helpless, only to burst through with big eureka moments of realizations. I guess she enjoys the extra bit of accomplishment she gives herself. At any rate I constantly remind myself that it's the rare 30 year old that doesn't know 4 X 8.
Sometimes I wonder if I'm a true unschooler. I've shunned curricula since starting to homeschool, yet I'm constantly searching for new series and methods of teaching that basically subscribe to the page a day format. 'Eclectic' may be a better term, but that seems like the 'general studies' moniker for a college student. The term is not important, it's the philosophy behind it that I want to be consistent about, if only to make sure I don't become what I say I'm not. I want to remain a proponent of interest based learning, even if I bend and shift with my child's needs. I want to stand for the meaning of education as a means to accomplish God's purposes for our maturation and not a method to achieve man's approval. It seems to be bearing out in my children's diverse interests, but I guess every parent has to wait til they are grown to know that you truly placed certain ideas within them.
I just found the Weaver curricula on eBay and we are going to try out a few unit studies to see if it helps organize our thinking and lessons for each week - something that will help me to maintain our pace of learning, even if we do decide to break now and again. I hope I won't let this new method change me into the wicked school teacher with the pointy nose and the ruler for slapping disobedient children on the wrist - probably not, but at least I'm honest with my fears. I don't think I could ever be a school - at - home dad, repeating the life I lived as a public school teacher for so long. But to indulge in little structure to complement my rebellious academic stance? As long as I hear comments like I did this morning, from Marcus, I think we'll be OK -
"My goodness, I loved the way this morning looked!"
Looking unto the hills,
acp
Late night thougts on writing....
Whoever sang the song "The Nighttime is the Right Time" did not have children and a 9 o'clock lesson.
Today was full of activity as usual, but good news all around - my first time teaching teen bible study was a success - in that I left with half a voice remaining, teens that were not asleep or pulling each other's hair out, and with a growing feeling that I gave them an honest and forthcoming look at my topic, which was praise and worship. I must admit I fell victim to the hyperfocusing tendencies of a ADHD writer - the inability to summarize and make concise points was obvious in that 90% of what I wrote was not read aloud. The stream of thoughts that come when I'm writing is similar to that when I perform musically - only in the rear view mirror of playback or review does my work seem excessive. At the time of creation it feels natural, almost effortless. Of course, the writer's craft is to take that stream and force it into a canal of constrained logic, while the musician's craft is to make the music seem to be as wild and free as possible while maintaining underneath the foundation of harmony and melodic sense.
For my children, the tendency to overstate is all too common. Marcus hates to summarize. His American Revolution project last year, supposedly a synopsis of the major battles, became a 20 page paraphrase of the book he was reading. I tried to impress upon him the need for information to be pared down and analyzed for major themes, but in his head everything is major. Again, the double edged sword - I certainly wouldn't accuse an American History Major of being too detailed, and who knows if he may be headed in that direction? In my older son, the need to include everything did lead at times to problems with finishing work - public school, of course, is nothing if not ruthless with the deadline - and he also had to learn to sometimes do what was easiest until he had the freedom to do what was best.
I hope it does not seem like I am dismissing the idea of editing and structuring the written word, but I am saying that the desire to express everything you know about a subject shouldn't be ignored or dismissed. Most children, like my daughter, are hard pressed to do more than the minimum. So when an interest pops up in a long, drawn out report, I try not to look at the lack of main points and instead at the obvious level of intensity my child put into detailing each fact. When he is writing for some newspaper at 3AM one day, I'm sure the urge to overspill his verbs and nouns will be dampened somewhat.
We are trying to get Naomi into completing multiplication and both kids are starting to plan their next podcast. The links below should include the page now. I'm also getting ready to try the Weaver curriculum from Alpha Omega, so if anybody reading this has tips, I've love to hear from you.
Looking unto the hills,
AP
Today was full of activity as usual, but good news all around - my first time teaching teen bible study was a success - in that I left with half a voice remaining, teens that were not asleep or pulling each other's hair out, and with a growing feeling that I gave them an honest and forthcoming look at my topic, which was praise and worship. I must admit I fell victim to the hyperfocusing tendencies of a ADHD writer - the inability to summarize and make concise points was obvious in that 90% of what I wrote was not read aloud. The stream of thoughts that come when I'm writing is similar to that when I perform musically - only in the rear view mirror of playback or review does my work seem excessive. At the time of creation it feels natural, almost effortless. Of course, the writer's craft is to take that stream and force it into a canal of constrained logic, while the musician's craft is to make the music seem to be as wild and free as possible while maintaining underneath the foundation of harmony and melodic sense.
For my children, the tendency to overstate is all too common. Marcus hates to summarize. His American Revolution project last year, supposedly a synopsis of the major battles, became a 20 page paraphrase of the book he was reading. I tried to impress upon him the need for information to be pared down and analyzed for major themes, but in his head everything is major. Again, the double edged sword - I certainly wouldn't accuse an American History Major of being too detailed, and who knows if he may be headed in that direction? In my older son, the need to include everything did lead at times to problems with finishing work - public school, of course, is nothing if not ruthless with the deadline - and he also had to learn to sometimes do what was easiest until he had the freedom to do what was best.
I hope it does not seem like I am dismissing the idea of editing and structuring the written word, but I am saying that the desire to express everything you know about a subject shouldn't be ignored or dismissed. Most children, like my daughter, are hard pressed to do more than the minimum. So when an interest pops up in a long, drawn out report, I try not to look at the lack of main points and instead at the obvious level of intensity my child put into detailing each fact. When he is writing for some newspaper at 3AM one day, I'm sure the urge to overspill his verbs and nouns will be dampened somewhat.
We are trying to get Naomi into completing multiplication and both kids are starting to plan their next podcast. The links below should include the page now. I'm also getting ready to try the Weaver curriculum from Alpha Omega, so if anybody reading this has tips, I've love to hear from you.
Looking unto the hills,
AP
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Thankfulness
This month began our new school year - both public and homeschool. The opening schedule made me feel so behind, as I again tried to balance full-time ministry with full-time parenting. But right in the middle of beginning my own pity party about how busy and tired I am, I am reminded, as many of us are, by tragedy that I really am blessed. On Wednesday my church will bury a 4 year old drowning victim. The mother is only 19 herself. Add to that the fatal police shootings this week in Miami, and it seems that God is again allowing the world to wake us up. I kissed my daughter a couple more times this evening, and I gave my son the benefit of the doubt with his homework so he could enjoy a relaxed evening with his brother and sister.
It again reminds me that the main reason I educate at home and make such an effort to be involved in my older son's life. It can never become trite that we spend time with our loved ones. It's not the amount of homework, or the chores that are checked off, it's the love that is shared between parent and child that is the foundation of everything else they will become.
One other incident that gave me pause happened on Friday. I took my kids to a Christian homeschool co-op with classes from pottery to cheerleading. The kids loved it, of course, but I do have to volunteer for one hour each week. There were many other dads around, but mostly in support or visiting their spouses and kids. In my class, one mother saw me and related how she knew another "Mr. Mom", but that he was disabled so that was a natural way for him to help out. It made me think of how strange it is now for fathers to be considered the main educator of the family, while the Bible basically places almost all the responsibility for the child's education on the father. Proverbs is nothing if not a instruction manual from a father to a son. Moses said over and over to the fathers of the Israelites that they were to impart the wisdom of following the Lord to their children. For men to truly be complete in our God given role, I feel we must again take our role as leaders, not just of finances or home projects, but of the worldview and faith-walk of our families. I'm not saying it's easy, I just know that it is worth it to continue to take the lead in my children's learning and spiritual growth. That's my goal for 2007-08, to make sure my children have the best I can give them as a father in every way - spiritually, emotionally, and educationally. I pray for anyone else that is joining me in this effort to make the next generation even better than the last.
Looking unto the hills,
AP
It again reminds me that the main reason I educate at home and make such an effort to be involved in my older son's life. It can never become trite that we spend time with our loved ones. It's not the amount of homework, or the chores that are checked off, it's the love that is shared between parent and child that is the foundation of everything else they will become.
One other incident that gave me pause happened on Friday. I took my kids to a Christian homeschool co-op with classes from pottery to cheerleading. The kids loved it, of course, but I do have to volunteer for one hour each week. There were many other dads around, but mostly in support or visiting their spouses and kids. In my class, one mother saw me and related how she knew another "Mr. Mom", but that he was disabled so that was a natural way for him to help out. It made me think of how strange it is now for fathers to be considered the main educator of the family, while the Bible basically places almost all the responsibility for the child's education on the father. Proverbs is nothing if not a instruction manual from a father to a son. Moses said over and over to the fathers of the Israelites that they were to impart the wisdom of following the Lord to their children. For men to truly be complete in our God given role, I feel we must again take our role as leaders, not just of finances or home projects, but of the worldview and faith-walk of our families. I'm not saying it's easy, I just know that it is worth it to continue to take the lead in my children's learning and spiritual growth. That's my goal for 2007-08, to make sure my children have the best I can give them as a father in every way - spiritually, emotionally, and educationally. I pray for anyone else that is joining me in this effort to make the next generation even better than the last.
Looking unto the hills,
AP
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