Living the Country Life

OH MY WORD!! I just read one of the best blog posts on the trap of Virtual/Charter schools that I've read in a long time (and didn't write myself! HAHA!!). This came from http://ladyofvirtue.blogspot.com. She is the mother of 14 w/#15 on the way and has homeschooled them all. I HIGHLY recommend her blog - full of wisdom and grace. I'm posting her entry about Virtual/Charter schools below and request that not only YOU read it, but link it to your own blog, or copy/paste it onto your own blog (and give her the credit, of course) and tell everyone you can to read this. It's excellent!

I live in a largely blue-collar town. There are no mansions or super affluent people that make up our community. The families that choose to be "traditional", with the daddy as the breadwinner, struggle. Lots of homeschooling families that I know here have had trouble even affording a computer.

In a community like ours, virtual schooling where the government sends a family a computer, pays for internet use, and supplies all sorts of glossy, colorful curricula and even science and craft supplies, is just too much of a temptation.

When our state first began to offer such programs, I can remember the glowing reports of all of the "goodies" that were sent--it was like Christmas! Everything needed was provided, including scissors and craft paper, and seeds for growing things. Mothers who before had been wringing their hands wondering how they were going to afford the Saxon Math series were now almost care-free.

But there was a catch.

Someone has said that nothing in life is truly "free". With all of the goodies and the ease of knowing someone else was in charge came a large price. Instead of worries over buying supplies and curricula, now the mothers had a heavy burden placed on them every day. They had to coerce and nag and bite their fingernails over getting the work done that was required--a whole boat-load of extra fact-cramming and busy-work that made it almost impossible for anyone to have a good life, especially for the mother who had even 3-4 children on different levels. Instead of having their lives simplified, they were complicated beyond comprehension, and their children were being harmed in the process and turned into drones who hated anything to do with "learning".

The most unfortunate thing of all was that most mothers were convinced that this sort of government-sponsored slavery was what homeschooling was all about! Many who were already feeling overwhelmed about teaching their own children became convinced, after allowing the state to muck with things, that homeschooling was impossible and horrid. So, they gave up.

But learning is not a super-complicated thing that only professionals know how to do!

Our children were born to us completely helpless--they could not even hold their own heads up! Somehow, with our encouragement, they learned to walk and talk and feed themselves. Children, even in some of the most impoverished conditions, learn to do these things, unless they are ill or haven't any food to eat.

Why do children learn these things? Is it because they are constantly nagged, or they have been through the right "programs"? No. Children learn these things because they want to and they need to. The parents are there to facilitate and encourage.

Now here is the secret that those who run teaching colleges and publish curricula and make their living on the supposition of universal idiocy do not want you to know:

TEACHING CHILDREN IS NOT DFFICULT--THEY ALREADY WANT TO LEARN!

I once checked out a magazine published for teachers from the library, thinking I could glean something of value for my own family. An article was written therein about teaching composition to middle-school students. I could not believe the amount of verbage it took--paragraph upon paragraph of evidence and studies and then the methodology that took pages to explain. What a waste!

Writing is just an extension of language, another form of communication. When it is taught in this context, it no longer seems mystical or complex. Good writing is learned by reading the good writing of others--with reading aloud, discussion, and application.

The same goes for the other subjects. Math is a sort of communication, it is the communication of the Creator to His creation--that there is order and care. Science is best described as the "thinking of God's thoughts after Him". The wonder of this planet and the universe is the only catalyst needed. Once the appetite has been whetted, a parent need only to watch a child take off like a rocket-ship (and be willing to enjoy the adventure).

Of course, you can't enjoy the wonderful adventure of discovery with your child if every day is prescribed and written down. The time and energy you would normally have to explore and discover is all taken up by the reading of droll, dumbed-down texts, numerous questions to be answered by rote understanding, canned experiments and the like.

Yes, there are times when a little rote learning can be valuable, but not as an all-encompassing program. The teaching of facts should be likened to handing out tools that a skilled craftsman, the child, can use to create and discover further. Rote learning should never become the end, but the means. We should not be so much concerned with turning out children who can win at Trivial Pursuit as much as we should be concerned with raising children who can take the information in any situation, analyze it, and come up with wise conclusions and solutions.

I do not write theory here; I myself have seen the proven examples, and not just among my own children.

But the public schooling industry, and it is a great part of our economy, does not want you and I to know just how simple teaching and learning really is. Just think of how many meetings and conferences would have to be canceled. Whole political commmitees would have to be disbanded. We would see a lot of educational phd's flipping burgers, and whole educational supply industries woud go belly-up.

Besides all of this, those who desire power over our population would be the saddest of all, because people of America would once again, as in the crazy times of our inception, realize just how many choices they have, and would develop the intestinal fortitude to pursue those choices. I personally believe that it would allow Chrisitanity to return once again as the underlying foundation of our Republic, as parents would be allowed to pass on their Judeo-Christain values in a personal way to the next generation.

But you won't read this in the leaflets sent out to entice you. They will act as your friend, and say how they understand that you feel unsure and intimidated. But they are not friendly. They only wish to use your own fears to convince you that you can not do it on your own.

But, with God's grace and help,

YOU CAN!!!!!!

I was out lurking around for a doll pattern and I came across this blog.. She has a lot of crafts things listed. When you have time check her out.. @

Yes, today was quiet. I didn't feel good so that worked out well.;) I did manage to workout and dust. I even got a shower!LOL But about lunchtime, I started going downhill. NOt sure what it was, but I"m sick of these GI issues. I was pretty sure that vomiting was inevitable,b ut I didn't. Mat made me a grilled cheese and I drank a few ounces of Coke. I felt a bit better (I read a book) and figured that I should sort, wash, peel and dice the potatoes while I had the energy. I tossed in 2 carrots for good measure. I found the last package of green onion cheese and knew that there was a package of cooked bacon in the freezer. So if I could just deal w/the potatoes, I'd be good. It was VERY good soup! DH was completely unenthused about the lack of meat, but he didn't say a word. He knows there is probably a very good reason why we're eating potatoes constantly!LOL

I also managed to print off December's calendar--which gives me a sense of knowing. And I entered Mat's school thru 1/7/09. That's a good feeling.

I'm looking for used ma&pa kettle movies used..Does anybody out there have any they would like to sell?

Sky Watch

The planets and the Moon are putting on a show! For a few nights, brilliant Venus, bright Jupiter, and the crescent Moon blaze in a striking conjunction. They first formed their brilliant triangle last night, 15 degrees high, in the southwestern sky. The three celestial objectives will continue to stay close together as seen from Earth even though the planets are millions of miles away.
Read more Sky Watch! We provide the current and upcoming months free for our Almanac.com readers.

A couple of days ago, I was made aware of the passing of the son of a friend of mine from years ago. I remember this child when he was a little boy. I remember his mom always being an upbeat, happy person. My husband found out that this lady has a blog and so I went to her blog and checked it out. This morning, I read the most touching, emotion-filled post. She talked about the time right before her son's passing and even the moments of his passing and afterwards. Tears filled my eyes as I read her words and even now as I write this post. Her son had battled cancer for several years and passed away at the age 13. As she talked about her family, I recalled faces of some of their children and recalled names mentioned.

This family is filled with hope and faith. Hope and faith just exude off the page of her words in that post. I am reminded that God tells us He will never leave us nor forsake us. He is always with us and I know His presence is strong with this family right now. As she shared precious moments her family spent together with this child, I am reminded that God is the maker of EVERY moment. He made everything. He's the creator of this child and this child has gone to meet his Creator. As I was sitting at the desk this morning preparing for school and listening to some praise music, the song Adonai came on. As the singer sang the words, I joined in. God is our Adonai. He is THE Creator of ALL things.

Tim and Tammy, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I am posting this video for you. God is your Adonai - the Father of your hope and freedom. He's right there with you listening to your cries and comforting your hearts and souls. This video is also for all of you out there that need to know or be reminded that God is the Maker of every moment and He hears our cries. May you be encouraged.

Today promises to be a very full day. I take one of my boys to the dentist this morning and then off to the store for a few basic necessities. When I return home we will begin some school work. I dont like morning appointments but it seems the only time to get in at our dentist. He saves the afternoon for extensive work. It is nice however that I can now leave my other boys with my daughter. Its always such a hassle to take everyone with me to doctor appointments.

Last night while hubby was studying, I watched To Kill A Mocking Bird. I suppose I had never seen this movie before. But what a moving movie it was. I really love the classic movies, and this one had such life lessons that withstand time. This will definitely be one I try to find to buy to have at home. Im really enjoying having netflix. Its great to be able to watch a movie at relatively low price without feeling you've wasted your money if you get a dud.

For dinner tonight I plan to have Grilled Pork Chops, Au Gratin potatoes, and salad. This should be relatively simple. I still have a ton of laundry to do to catch up from the holidays. Hopefully I can get a lot of this done today.

Living the Country Life

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Home Made Energy Resources

2008-Dec-3

The Trap of Virtual/Charter Schools

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

crafts

2008-Dec-2

quiet.........

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Looking for?

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Good Info for all Ladies

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Two Choices

2008-Dec-2

Attention Stargazers!!

Sky Watch

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Holding on to Hope and Faith

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Today's Happenings

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