We made it to February!
Are you still feeling that beginning of the calendar year slump?
If you ask my 15-year-old, he will tell you he has A LOT of schoolwork, basketball season is almost over, and he is trying to complete all of his TeenPact homework! I know he is overwhelmed, and to be honest, so am I.
One thing I have learned, however, is that all things are temporary, and pushing through during these months of struggle produces great fruit. And, because we are homeschoolers, we always have the opportunity to STOP what we are doing or to adjust our schedules if we need a break.
We came across this quote in a book we’re reading aloud right now; I found it so appropriate to how we’re feeling.
Sometimes, to become an expert we have to be faithful in the small things - being faithful in the small things requires steady, focused effort. We don’t see the rewards right away, but eventually, the hard work will pay off. This is an important lesson for our children and one I am thankful we can learn through homeschooling.
My son is working on expertise in languages (he studies Latin & Spanish), piano, and basketball.
If we “consign ourselves to a life of mediocrity”, how can we affect change in our world?
(stepping off my soapbox now to bring you the weekly good things…)
Five Good Homeschool Things:
Kindred Homeschool Conference
Registration is now open for the Kindred Homeschool Conference! This one-day (Feb. 22), online conference is full of encouragement and practicality. The speakers are four homeschool moms who are right in the trenches with you - with children of ALL ages. I wish we would have had conferences like this when I was a young homeschool mom!
Inventor & Invention Themed Morning Basket
February 11th is National Inventors’ Day, and I love this themed morning basket that Jessica, from the Waldock Way, has put together. It is just these types of resources that will add variety and inspiration for your children. While you’re looking at this basket, check out the other morning time baskets Jessica has put together!
How To Remember More of What You Read
“The ultimate goal of reading shouldn’t just be memorization, but reflection and insight.”
Right? But sometimes it seems that my high schooler (and if I’m being honest - me, too!) doesn’t remember a lot of what he has read. This article contains good strategies. I agree 100% that more ACTIVE reading (taking notes, discussing what you read, marking up the text) helps tremendously with memory.
Watergate Salad
My son and I finished reading Born Again, by Chuck Colson. There have been many discussions about Watergate and the Nixon era in our home.
When the kids were little I would try to incorporate food from our studies into our meals. Maybe it’s a stretch, but I made Watergate Salad as part of our dinner last night. Actually, I served it in a vintage Corning Ware bowl that was my mother’s, and we learned that the recipe came from the Watergate Hotel and was very popular in the Midwest because of the popularity of JellO.
The Dearly Beloved
This book wrecked me - in a very good way. It has come so highly recommended, and now I understand why. I don’t want to give too much away, but it is a moving read for mothers (especially mothers of special needs children), wives, friends, and people who have experienced doubt at any in their walk with God.
If you don’t have much time to read, I would put this one at the top of your list this year - it is well worth your time.