Homeschooling 2008-2009

Yeah we had “white box” day at our home a few days ago.  That is when the new Sonlight books for the year come in the mail (always in a white box).  We are very excited!  The kids couldn’t put the books down.

We have decided to do Sonlight 4/5 with Gracelyn and Isaac.  We are going to school them together and I feel Gracelyn is more than ready even though she is 3 years.  The books look great and I think they are going to love doing school time.

For math we will continue with Math u See and Isaac will finish the Primer book before Christmas and then start Alpahand Grace will then start the Primer book then.  This is a GREAT program and I can not believe how much Isaac has learned from it.  He did 1/2 the book last year and he learned place value, counting, geometry and addition.  It is an amazing system.

For reading we are continueing with Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.  Isaac will finish that book up by Christmas as well we hope.  He is doing such a great job with reading, he just isn’t very excited about it.  Grace can’t wait for her turn to start with it!  They are such different kids.

For handwriting both the kids will be doing Handwriting Without Tears K.  The system looks just perfect for my kids.  They are both hands on learners and do well getting to learn things with different approaches.

My new favorite book that I think all moms should get is the Manager of Their Homes, by Maxwell.   I got the honor of reading part of the book while home in Michigan for vacation and can not wait for my set to come any day!!!!  It is an amazing system to get your family all on a schedule and get tons of stuff done everyday.  This is what I needed this year….when the woman said “Do you ever feel like you clean one room while your children destroy the other room?”  I was on board and ready to hear what this homeschooling mom of 9 ( I believe that is right) had to say.

Teaching Doctrine to children

Teaching biblical doctrine to children can seem overwhelming and scary. Maybe because we feel we don’t know enough or are “good enough”.  It doesn’t matter why we don’t feel we can do it, we are commanded by God’s word to be teaching our chidren of His ways…. “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”  Deuteronomy 29:29

You are teaching your child doctrine all the time everyday! Sometimes it maybe doctrine we don’t want to teach! Remember that when you are in the store and someone takes too long in line and we lose our temper or whisper under our breath….we are teaching self-centerness and anger instead of teaching love and kindness. When my husband comes home late from work and I complain out his job or him, I am teaching them to not take others feelings into consideration and that the world revolves around me. Doctrine doc•trine something that is taught; teachings collectively:

I often think about what I am teaching my kids that I don’t really want them to learn….let me tell you the list is longer than I would like to admit. This is something that has been heavy on my heart lately. I truly want my kids to know Christ and see Him in my life everyday, not all this other junk I struggle with. So in my pursuit to teach them BIBLICAL DOCTRINE not BECKY’S SINFUL DOCTRINE I found this book Old Paths for Little Feet, by Carol Brandt.  This book gives many helpful examples of how to teach Biblical doctrine.

Here is a review from Mary Mohler (wife of Dr. Albert Mohler, Southern Seminary, Lou, KY)

Old Paths for Little Feet is a much needed workd for our children.  The poignant quotes from voices of the past coupled with Carol’s insightful applications make a powerful combination.  Christian mothers who are serious about imparting truth to their children on a daily basis will greatly value this practical work.