Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Fruit of the Spirit
There's a new link at the top of this page ... Look up ... Now over to the right a little bit ... That's it ... See where it says Fruit of the Spirit ... Check it out!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Back ~ To ~ School
I started a new bible study this morning ((Thank you sweet Amy!!!)) & since then, this entire post has changed. Last night, the post was basically, "Yay for a new school year ~ Everything is prepared ~ Look at what God is working for you!" Then the bible study introduction happened & I was broken to my knees.
You are homeschooling for a reason!
Reread that & soak it in: YOU ARE HOMESCHOOLING FOR. A. REASON! Somewhere between the reason & today though, has it been watered down? Out of your obedience to His plan, will HIS blessings flow.
Deuteronomy 28:1-14 speaks to the blessings of our obedience. In major contrast, v. 15-68 (yea, that's over TRIPLE the amount of warning he gives!) tells us what we can expect our consequences to be if we choose to disobey. Allow me to succinctly phrase what He says: Obey me & follow my commands & I've got things in store for you which you cannot imagine! But if you disobey me, you will be cursed.
(L O N G pause of silence ..... look around ..... make sure no one saw you cringe!)
God hasn't brought you here for you to say to Him, "Thank you, God, for getting me to this point. I got it from here!" Quite the contrary. The things you teach this year are crucial & only when we are listening to Him lead us, will we see the blessings of His guidance. Jesus talks a lot about our hearts bearing witness as we act & speak. In Matthew 12 He says, "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."
How can you teach your sweet cherubs about salvation, forgiveness, obedience, taming your tongue, kindness, being faithful, honesty, ....If you aren't IN God's Word learning more about these things? If you aren't hiding His truth in your heart so that from your mouth pours the love of Christ, why do you expect your children will be any different? If your focus is always "getting through the lessons of the day" & you aren't seeking what God has intended for you & your child, why would you think your child would search for God's hand in the day-to-day activities of life?
Are you silent again? I was. I sat there for about 15 minutes nearly in tears as I thought of the things to which I am obedient & disobedient. God isn't to be used today for one purpose but discarded the next as things get rolling along. Yes, each day is filled with ever-fresh & radiant possibilities & every moment can be transformed into something new but out of my obedience can come many blessings & from my disobedience can come numerous curses. I'd like to be the obedient one.
Can I encourage you to read Deuteronomy 28 today & ask God to show you where you are being obedient & disobedient? Can I also suggest this not only applies to home schooling but to our every day life? Our friendships ~ Our marriage ~ Our relationship with our parents and/or in-laws ~ Our life's example to our neighbors or doctor's office. It might make you cringe ... but remembering our purpose is to serve Him, honor Him, & glorify Him, all through obeying Him, will make it all worth your while.
Shannan
You are homeschooling for a reason!
Reread that & soak it in: YOU ARE HOMESCHOOLING FOR. A. REASON! Somewhere between the reason & today though, has it been watered down? Out of your obedience to His plan, will HIS blessings flow.
Deuteronomy 28:1-14 speaks to the blessings of our obedience. In major contrast, v. 15-68 (yea, that's over TRIPLE the amount of warning he gives!) tells us what we can expect our consequences to be if we choose to disobey. Allow me to succinctly phrase what He says: Obey me & follow my commands & I've got things in store for you which you cannot imagine! But if you disobey me, you will be cursed.
(L O N G pause of silence ..... look around ..... make sure no one saw you cringe!)
God hasn't brought you here for you to say to Him, "Thank you, God, for getting me to this point. I got it from here!" Quite the contrary. The things you teach this year are crucial & only when we are listening to Him lead us, will we see the blessings of His guidance. Jesus talks a lot about our hearts bearing witness as we act & speak. In Matthew 12 He says, "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."
How can you teach your sweet cherubs about salvation, forgiveness, obedience, taming your tongue, kindness, being faithful, honesty, ....If you aren't IN God's Word learning more about these things? If you aren't hiding His truth in your heart so that from your mouth pours the love of Christ, why do you expect your children will be any different? If your focus is always "getting through the lessons of the day" & you aren't seeking what God has intended for you & your child, why would you think your child would search for God's hand in the day-to-day activities of life?
Are you silent again? I was. I sat there for about 15 minutes nearly in tears as I thought of the things to which I am obedient & disobedient. God isn't to be used today for one purpose but discarded the next as things get rolling along. Yes, each day is filled with ever-fresh & radiant possibilities & every moment can be transformed into something new but out of my obedience can come many blessings & from my disobedience can come numerous curses. I'd like to be the obedient one.
Can I encourage you to read Deuteronomy 28 today & ask God to show you where you are being obedient & disobedient? Can I also suggest this not only applies to home schooling but to our every day life? Our friendships ~ Our marriage ~ Our relationship with our parents and/or in-laws ~ Our life's example to our neighbors or doctor's office. It might make you cringe ... but remembering our purpose is to serve Him, honor Him, & glorify Him, all through obeying Him, will make it all worth your while.
Shannan
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Promoting Good Instruction
While there are many ways to say, "Great job" or "Well done" and even more ways to correct, I thought we could all use some fresh phrases to praise our children, even when correcting, especially in these first few weeks of getting back into the routine of school.
~ You did a lot of work today!
~ You really outdid yourself!
~ That's a neat idea!
~ You're really getting the hang of it now!
~ Wow, that's incredible!
~ You make it look so easy!
~ You're improving every day!
~ Nothing can stop you NOW!
~ You are doing a terrific job trying ~ Keep it up!
~ I'm proud of the way you worked so hard today.
~ You're really learning a lot.
~ Quite the improvement, sir or ma'am!
~ You have made my day!
~ You've got your brain in high gear today!
~ I see such an improvement in your work.
~ Tremendous job!
~ I couldn't have done it better myself!
~ You make teaching such a pleasure!
~ That was first-class!
~ You're getting better each & every day.
~ Super, groovy, hard work, my love!
~ God knew just what He was doing when he made you my son (or daughter).
Proverbs 16:21, "The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction."
Promoting Good Instruction alongside you ~
Shannan
~ You did a lot of work today!
~ You really outdid yourself!
~ That's a neat idea!
~ You're really getting the hang of it now!
~ Wow, that's incredible!
~ You make it look so easy!
~ You're improving every day!
~ Nothing can stop you NOW!
~ You are doing a terrific job trying ~ Keep it up!
~ I'm proud of the way you worked so hard today.
~ You're really learning a lot.
~ Quite the improvement, sir or ma'am!
~ You have made my day!
~ You've got your brain in high gear today!
~ I see such an improvement in your work.
~ Tremendous job!
~ I couldn't have done it better myself!
~ You make teaching such a pleasure!
~ That was first-class!
~ You're getting better each & every day.
~ Super, groovy, hard work, my love!
~ God knew just what He was doing when he made you my son (or daughter).
Proverbs 16:21, "The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction."
Promoting Good Instruction alongside you ~
Shannan
Friday, August 6, 2010
Words Are Everywhere
I start out each school year reading 2 books. One: Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor. Clearly, this book (as well as the others in the "series") is chocked full of new words. The other: Donavan's Word Jar by MonaLisa DeGross.
Both encourage new vocabulary. Fancy Nancy finds words she likes that "sound" fancy. For example, her favorite color is fuchsia...which is a fancy way of saying purple. And Bonjour! is a fancy way to say hello. Donavan wakes up one morning and notices a word on a cereal box. It fascinates him and so he sets out to find all kinds of new words. He writes them down and...you guessed it...puts them in a collection jar!
I first read the Fancy Nancy book and my kids spend the entire day putting into practice some of her helpful suggestions. Then, I read the first two chapters of Donavan's Word Jar to my students and we start in on making our very own word jars (although, in classrooms, we usually do envelopes...sadly...not jars, due to lack of space). We cut strips of fancy papers and we start adding words!
Giggle. (You know you want to now!)
Bizarre. (It's way more fun to say than 'weird')
Quizzical. (Just makes me feel smart.)
Zany. (It's one of Fancy Nancy's favorite words, too!)
The words my kids come up with which fascinate them are hysterical. I always enjoy reading through them after a tough week. It helps me realize that they, in fact, weren't making paper fortune tellers, they were writing down new words. Phew! At times I wondered!
I've been thinking of the words we say to our children for a while now. I knew basically we should think carefully about them but did you know that He references either our spoken words or His words over 400 times in the bible? Our tongue is referenced another 130+ times. They must be important if He gave us such wisdom!
The scripture that echoed in my mind as I drove today: "Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who builds his house on the sand." Matthew 7:26.
What if you encouraged your children to put specific words into their vocabulary to build their small houses ... exchanging them for words you do not want in their house?
Forgiveness. Instead of bitterness.
Gladness. Instead of happiness.
Self-control. Instead of self-indulgence.
Obedience. Instead of rules.
The words we speak, He says, will either bring forth life or death. Walking out our faith in front of our children, is beyond important! They listen to everything we say...and don't. In 1 Corinthians, we are instructed to take every thought captive and in Matthew 12, we look at the things which bring forth good and those which do not. We should think first...not react...because ... "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
You are a success.
You are beautiful.
You are intelligent.
You are valuable.
You can make good choices.
So grab the old spaghetti jar or pickle jar or purchase a plastic jar from a craft store and start decorating! Teach your children the words you want written on their hearts.
Because in them, is life.
"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads." Deut. 11:18.
Shannan
Both encourage new vocabulary. Fancy Nancy finds words she likes that "sound" fancy. For example, her favorite color is fuchsia...which is a fancy way of saying purple. And Bonjour! is a fancy way to say hello. Donavan wakes up one morning and notices a word on a cereal box. It fascinates him and so he sets out to find all kinds of new words. He writes them down and...you guessed it...puts them in a collection jar!
I first read the Fancy Nancy book and my kids spend the entire day putting into practice some of her helpful suggestions. Then, I read the first two chapters of Donavan's Word Jar to my students and we start in on making our very own word jars (although, in classrooms, we usually do envelopes...sadly...not jars, due to lack of space). We cut strips of fancy papers and we start adding words!
Giggle. (You know you want to now!)
Bizarre. (It's way more fun to say than 'weird')
Quizzical. (Just makes me feel smart.)
Zany. (It's one of Fancy Nancy's favorite words, too!)
The words my kids come up with which fascinate them are hysterical. I always enjoy reading through them after a tough week. It helps me realize that they, in fact, weren't making paper fortune tellers, they were writing down new words. Phew! At times I wondered!
I've been thinking of the words we say to our children for a while now. I knew basically we should think carefully about them but did you know that He references either our spoken words or His words over 400 times in the bible? Our tongue is referenced another 130+ times. They must be important if He gave us such wisdom!
The scripture that echoed in my mind as I drove today: "Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who builds his house on the sand." Matthew 7:26.
What if you encouraged your children to put specific words into their vocabulary to build their small houses ... exchanging them for words you do not want in their house?
Forgiveness. Instead of bitterness.
Gladness. Instead of happiness.
Self-control. Instead of self-indulgence.
Obedience. Instead of rules.
The words we speak, He says, will either bring forth life or death. Walking out our faith in front of our children, is beyond important! They listen to everything we say...and don't. In 1 Corinthians, we are instructed to take every thought captive and in Matthew 12, we look at the things which bring forth good and those which do not. We should think first...not react...because ... "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
You are a success.
You are beautiful.
You are intelligent.
You are valuable.
You can make good choices.
So grab the old spaghetti jar or pickle jar or purchase a plastic jar from a craft store and start decorating! Teach your children the words you want written on their hearts.
Because in them, is life.
"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads." Deut. 11:18.
Shannan
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Approaching a New Year
The month of August is upon us & I can hardly believe it! I thought yesterday was May...I vaguely remember June & quite honestly, I don't know where July went! Are you thinking what I'm thinking??? School will soon begin! So... How is your planning for next year going!?
Are you ready for your new school year? Do you have everything planned or are you scrambling to put together your lesson plans? Are you using the same curriculum as last year or is it new? Perhaps you're adding a child to the mix this year & you're not sure how it's all going to work.
What about your kiddos? Have they done some summer prep work to keep their minds fresh? Have you found any interesting books for them to read lately? Are there any holes you left from last year's curriculum which you said you would finish up this summer? What about their weakest subject ~ Have they done some practice work to try & "patch up" their understanding?
There are many reasons why we plan ... A wedding ... A special event ... A baby ... A trip ... A party ... An outdoor barbecue ... School ...and so much more! But do you make sure you ask that the Lord lead you through these steps? Remembering that the Word of God is as sharp as a double-edged sword and will judge both the attitudes and thoughts of your heart, what occupies your mind as you plan?
Are you thinking about the ways in which God can use you as you plan and prepare for your business trip? ...Or are you thinking that the company sure should have sent someone else because you have too many other things going on right now!
Do you ask the Lord to tame your tongue & allow His Words to flow forth when in conversation with your neighbor at the backyard barbecue? ...Or do you decide not to stand up for what you believe in because you "don't want to turn them away from Jesus by being zealous? and you gossip about the other neighbors"
What about the attitudes we get when planning? And no, it doesn't have to be an attitude that anyone can see.
Are you grumbling in your head as you purchase that gift for a sweet friend's wedding shower? ...Or are you still asking God why SHE gets to get married and not YOU?
Do you roll your eyes (publicly or privately) when you find out that "so-and-so" is going to be at the social tomorrow? ...Or do you continue to pray God heals this relationship in order to bring Him glory?
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Please don't think I don't stand here (okay, I'm sitting...) saying that I haven't done each and every one of those examples above...I HAVE! Maybe not the exact words, or the exact situation, but definitely the same attitude or thought. My dearest friend challenges me in such tremendous ways that I cannot thank God enough for her. During one of our most recent bible chats, we both resolved to continue pressing forward with the scripture which I will end with in mind.
There is no sin in preparing. We are charged with using our time wisely. I would be honored if you needed some assistance and called upon me to help. This is why God led me to begin this journey. I enjoy delving into curriculum and planning to make sure your home school year is successful! Please know I am here to help you prepare. Whether you call upon me for assistance or not, as you begin to prepare for next year, please continue to pray for God to lead you. Pray that God will guide you through your planning and selection of curriculum; Pray for God to order your thoughts concerning all matters regarding your choice to home school; Pray for the meditations of your heart and the words of your mouth and the attitudes you both portray and hide; Pray that in all you do and all you say and all you think, HE is at the forefront of your mind and heart and that bringing Him glory through all He has purposed for you is not only your heart's desire, but that it brings forth fruit through your actions.
"In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9.
Praying and Planning ...
Shannan
Are you ready for your new school year? Do you have everything planned or are you scrambling to put together your lesson plans? Are you using the same curriculum as last year or is it new? Perhaps you're adding a child to the mix this year & you're not sure how it's all going to work.
What about your kiddos? Have they done some summer prep work to keep their minds fresh? Have you found any interesting books for them to read lately? Are there any holes you left from last year's curriculum which you said you would finish up this summer? What about their weakest subject ~ Have they done some practice work to try & "patch up" their understanding?
There are many reasons why we plan ... A wedding ... A special event ... A baby ... A trip ... A party ... An outdoor barbecue ... School ...and so much more! But do you make sure you ask that the Lord lead you through these steps? Remembering that the Word of God is as sharp as a double-edged sword and will judge both the attitudes and thoughts of your heart, what occupies your mind as you plan?
Are you thinking about the ways in which God can use you as you plan and prepare for your business trip? ...Or are you thinking that the company sure should have sent someone else because you have too many other things going on right now!
Do you ask the Lord to tame your tongue & allow His Words to flow forth when in conversation with your neighbor at the backyard barbecue? ...Or do you decide not to stand up for what you believe in because you "don't want to turn them away from Jesus by being zealous? and you gossip about the other neighbors"
What about the attitudes we get when planning? And no, it doesn't have to be an attitude that anyone can see.
Are you grumbling in your head as you purchase that gift for a sweet friend's wedding shower? ...Or are you still asking God why SHE gets to get married and not YOU?
Do you roll your eyes (publicly or privately) when you find out that "so-and-so" is going to be at the social tomorrow? ...Or do you continue to pray God heals this relationship in order to bring Him glory?
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Please don't think I don't stand here (okay, I'm sitting...) saying that I haven't done each and every one of those examples above...I HAVE! Maybe not the exact words, or the exact situation, but definitely the same attitude or thought. My dearest friend challenges me in such tremendous ways that I cannot thank God enough for her. During one of our most recent bible chats, we both resolved to continue pressing forward with the scripture which I will end with in mind.
There is no sin in preparing. We are charged with using our time wisely. I would be honored if you needed some assistance and called upon me to help. This is why God led me to begin this journey. I enjoy delving into curriculum and planning to make sure your home school year is successful! Please know I am here to help you prepare. Whether you call upon me for assistance or not, as you begin to prepare for next year, please continue to pray for God to lead you. Pray that God will guide you through your planning and selection of curriculum; Pray for God to order your thoughts concerning all matters regarding your choice to home school; Pray for the meditations of your heart and the words of your mouth and the attitudes you both portray and hide; Pray that in all you do and all you say and all you think, HE is at the forefront of your mind and heart and that bringing Him glory through all He has purposed for you is not only your heart's desire, but that it brings forth fruit through your actions.
"In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9.
Praying and Planning ...
Shannan
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Joy comes in the morning...
This is long ... So I'm sorry ... But I kinda am not ... it's been on my heart. Will you take 5 minutes though and humor me? ;o) Thank you~
We all grieve. Each in our own ways & in our own time & each through various difficulties...but we all do it. As adults, we know the "stages" & can work through it in our minds over time. But as children, the effects of a loss can be very confusing.
My parents sheltered me from a lot & I'm grateful for that. They also let me see things that were a part of God's master plan, even when they hurt. Every time we moved, I suffered a loss. I remember my mother's sister dying & while I was too young to really understand it all, I knew she was gone & I saw the pain surrounding me. We had to give my dog away before we moved once. My dad's best friend suddenly passed away. One of my surrogate grandparents passed away. I got my first D. My best friend no longer wanted to be my best friend. They were all gut-wrenching to me...at that time...at that point in my life.
So how do you as a parent help your child as they grieve? ...Well, that's kind-of a tricky subject. And honestly, everyone has their own opinions. And, rightfully so! I like to copy my dearest friend's statement of "Everyone gets their own child to screw up in their own way" because in this profession, I get asked ~ "What's your opinion of...." a lot. So, "To each his own" I say.
Can I offer up a suggestion though? Don't hide them from the tragedy of life. The scriptures tell us that, "In this life, you will have struggles. But take heart, I have overcome the world!" Letting your child know that life is a battle but there IS a greater hope reaches far into the depth of their soul & lasts far longer than you might imagine. With even one scripture, you can talk for hours about how it relates to their personal life & what they are going through at any given moment. Some of my favorites which have spoken to me through many trials & tribulations are below...They also have some topics which you might choose to discuss with your sweet cherub.
"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all of our days." Ps. 90:14 Perhaps your child struggles with bullying. Don't you want them to know God loves them with an UNFAILING love? What about the child who has just been rejected from a team sport? Or the one who sits & waits on a phone call from the "friend" who said they'd call. His love NEVER fails. Lamentations 3:22-23 is also a great reference for these topics. His mercies are new EVERY morning. ... EVERY morning!
"I love you O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my Rock, my fortress and deliverer. My God is my rock in whom I take refuge." Ps. 18:1-2. Does your child have nightmares? Do they become fearful before they take a test? Does he/she come to you with questions about what to do when they can't shake the fears of tomorrow because of what "that girl" or "that boy" might say? Verse 3 says, "I call to the Lord who is worthy to be praised and I am saved from my enemies." I mean, go ahead God...set the record straight why don't you?!!!!! ;)
"Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn." Rom. 12:15. What about when your child says they "just don't know what to say" when someone is hurting? Or, have they ever been so excited for someone & want to do something for this person out of excitement? A hand-written note of encouragement ~ whether it is of congratulations or sorrow ~ is always nice to receive. As a body of believers, we are called to minister to one another & when someone is overjoyed, be overjoyed with them! On the flip side, when someone is weeping ~ even in their heart ~ we not only grieve with them (in a sense) but we should encourage them to persevere. Sometimes that might be with a cupcake in hand...I'm jus' sayin!
Do you ever think of how the disciples & other believers felt the day our Lord was crucified? Scripture tells us they didn't really understand all of the implications dealing with His death. They didn't understand when He said, "In a little while you will see me no more & then after a little while you will see me again." He also said, "I tell you the truth that you will weep & mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy." Could you imagine how their understanding changed on the 3rd day when they finally understood the LIVING JOY?!!!
(((((Is ANYONE standing up shouting at this point????? Just askin'!)))))
Your child will go through many ups & downs during grieving periods. I sit here practically pleading with you to open up God's Word & allow His Word to spread through them at these points. A sweet friend read something to me today referencing all of the many "boxes" we put God into...Yet never really let Him spread through us like wild fire, trusting Him to be our J O Y! Will you not only let Him be your joy...but will you share this joy with your precious child?
This posting is in memory of my sweet niece, Sydney Caroline Murphy. She lived only a mere 61 minutes but forever changed our hearts & lives. We pray fervently that she continues to shape lives for the cause of Christ. ...For this I know..."For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel & with the trumpet call of God, & the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive & are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air & so we will be with the Lord forever." ...I shall meet her One Day...& what a glorious day it shall be! I love you sweet Princess...Enjoy spending today at the feet of our King! Happy Birthday!
Aunt ShaSha
We all grieve. Each in our own ways & in our own time & each through various difficulties...but we all do it. As adults, we know the "stages" & can work through it in our minds over time. But as children, the effects of a loss can be very confusing.
My parents sheltered me from a lot & I'm grateful for that. They also let me see things that were a part of God's master plan, even when they hurt. Every time we moved, I suffered a loss. I remember my mother's sister dying & while I was too young to really understand it all, I knew she was gone & I saw the pain surrounding me. We had to give my dog away before we moved once. My dad's best friend suddenly passed away. One of my surrogate grandparents passed away. I got my first D. My best friend no longer wanted to be my best friend. They were all gut-wrenching to me...at that time...at that point in my life.
So how do you as a parent help your child as they grieve? ...Well, that's kind-of a tricky subject. And honestly, everyone has their own opinions. And, rightfully so! I like to copy my dearest friend's statement of "Everyone gets their own child to screw up in their own way" because in this profession, I get asked ~ "What's your opinion of...." a lot. So, "To each his own" I say.
Can I offer up a suggestion though? Don't hide them from the tragedy of life. The scriptures tell us that, "In this life, you will have struggles. But take heart, I have overcome the world!" Letting your child know that life is a battle but there IS a greater hope reaches far into the depth of their soul & lasts far longer than you might imagine. With even one scripture, you can talk for hours about how it relates to their personal life & what they are going through at any given moment. Some of my favorites which have spoken to me through many trials & tribulations are below...They also have some topics which you might choose to discuss with your sweet cherub.
"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all of our days." Ps. 90:14 Perhaps your child struggles with bullying. Don't you want them to know God loves them with an UNFAILING love? What about the child who has just been rejected from a team sport? Or the one who sits & waits on a phone call from the "friend" who said they'd call. His love NEVER fails. Lamentations 3:22-23 is also a great reference for these topics. His mercies are new EVERY morning. ... EVERY morning!
"I love you O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my Rock, my fortress and deliverer. My God is my rock in whom I take refuge." Ps. 18:1-2. Does your child have nightmares? Do they become fearful before they take a test? Does he/she come to you with questions about what to do when they can't shake the fears of tomorrow because of what "that girl" or "that boy" might say? Verse 3 says, "I call to the Lord who is worthy to be praised and I am saved from my enemies." I mean, go ahead God...set the record straight why don't you?!!!!! ;)
"Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn." Rom. 12:15. What about when your child says they "just don't know what to say" when someone is hurting? Or, have they ever been so excited for someone & want to do something for this person out of excitement? A hand-written note of encouragement ~ whether it is of congratulations or sorrow ~ is always nice to receive. As a body of believers, we are called to minister to one another & when someone is overjoyed, be overjoyed with them! On the flip side, when someone is weeping ~ even in their heart ~ we not only grieve with them (in a sense) but we should encourage them to persevere. Sometimes that might be with a cupcake in hand...I'm jus' sayin!
Do you ever think of how the disciples & other believers felt the day our Lord was crucified? Scripture tells us they didn't really understand all of the implications dealing with His death. They didn't understand when He said, "In a little while you will see me no more & then after a little while you will see me again." He also said, "I tell you the truth that you will weep & mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy." Could you imagine how their understanding changed on the 3rd day when they finally understood the LIVING JOY?!!!
(((((Is ANYONE standing up shouting at this point????? Just askin'!)))))
Your child will go through many ups & downs during grieving periods. I sit here practically pleading with you to open up God's Word & allow His Word to spread through them at these points. A sweet friend read something to me today referencing all of the many "boxes" we put God into...Yet never really let Him spread through us like wild fire, trusting Him to be our J O Y! Will you not only let Him be your joy...but will you share this joy with your precious child?
This posting is in memory of my sweet niece, Sydney Caroline Murphy. She lived only a mere 61 minutes but forever changed our hearts & lives. We pray fervently that she continues to shape lives for the cause of Christ. ...For this I know..."For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel & with the trumpet call of God, & the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive & are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air & so we will be with the Lord forever." ...I shall meet her One Day...& what a glorious day it shall be! I love you sweet Princess...Enjoy spending today at the feet of our King! Happy Birthday!
Aunt ShaSha
Friday, June 4, 2010
Too Many Choices???
I remember finally realizing that everyone learns differently one year as I was teaching a mini-lesson in 2nd grade...
One boy was listening & answering questions while break-dancing in the back of the room. One girl would not so much as even move her finger while I was speaking.
Every time one boy answered & I asked him to connect the answer to his life, it always related to a song. I had one little girl who brought her composition book with her to the carpet every time we read a book & discussed it just so she could take notes. I had one little love bug who had to tap something when he listened to a story...Thankfully I convinced him that tapping his fingers together was movement enough but didn't make noise & interrupt others' learning!
Scripture tells us in Romans 12 we each have different gifts, given to us for a specific purpose. Jeremiah says we are created for His purposes which He intends for good. What comfort I find in knowing He created me to be JUST. LIKE. THIS!!!
Research tells us that children learn best when individual differences are taken into account and learning styles are acknowledged as an important, contributing factor of learning. We also know that providing interesting activities which make children feel valued, accepted, and challenged increase their long-term memory. Establishing rules and boundaries are also key in a child's early education.
So how do you select the right curriculum for your child? By taking into account the kind of learner you're teaching! Even the most hands-on, tactile learner can be taught to understand the importance of memorizing multiplication facts. A child who likes everything neat, organized, and perfected can also become a very talented artist. Finding out what style of learning your child best relates to, gives you an edge on those who think the child in the back of the room break-dancing is not paying attention. (((Just a side note on this young man...He scored a perfect score on the FCAT! ...I'm sure it was all due to his 2nd grade teacher...HeeHeeHeee!!!)))
Right now, I am offering a learning styles assessment to all of my homeschoolers ~ current and new ~ for a discounted price during the months of June and July. A 1-hour session is normally $40 for the evaluation and for this limited time, I have reduced the price to $20. This will give you valuable information and insights into your child's world of learning. In this short, 1-hour session, I sit down with your child, one-on-one, for about 30 minutes and ask him/her a few questions. I will then spend the remaining 30 minutes talking with you and not only give you a written explanation of how he/she learns best but also offer some suggestions as to how you can engage him/her more during the school day. Taking these steps will probably validate some of what you already know ... But more importantly, it will allow you to consider changing a few things about your homeschooling day in order to best serve your child. We can do this at your home, my home, or an outside location. My suggestion is your home because children feel most comfortable in their own surroundings.
These factors are important to consider as you begin your selection of curriculum for next year. "I've already ordered it!" you say. No worries! Remember, this will give you valuable information as to how your child learns BEST. So regardless of what is in the textbook you've chosen, you can begin to come up with very creative ways to teach your child, according to his/her own personality!
If you aren't interested in this service but would like more information regarding assistance in the selection of curriculum for next year, I would love the opportunity to assist your family. Call me today at 962-9596 or email me at scritzer711@gmail.com to schedule your appointment!
Happy Learning ~
Shannan
One boy was listening & answering questions while break-dancing in the back of the room. One girl would not so much as even move her finger while I was speaking.
Every time one boy answered & I asked him to connect the answer to his life, it always related to a song. I had one little girl who brought her composition book with her to the carpet every time we read a book & discussed it just so she could take notes. I had one little love bug who had to tap something when he listened to a story...Thankfully I convinced him that tapping his fingers together was movement enough but didn't make noise & interrupt others' learning!
Scripture tells us in Romans 12 we each have different gifts, given to us for a specific purpose. Jeremiah says we are created for His purposes which He intends for good. What comfort I find in knowing He created me to be JUST. LIKE. THIS!!!
Research tells us that children learn best when individual differences are taken into account and learning styles are acknowledged as an important, contributing factor of learning. We also know that providing interesting activities which make children feel valued, accepted, and challenged increase their long-term memory. Establishing rules and boundaries are also key in a child's early education.
So how do you select the right curriculum for your child? By taking into account the kind of learner you're teaching! Even the most hands-on, tactile learner can be taught to understand the importance of memorizing multiplication facts. A child who likes everything neat, organized, and perfected can also become a very talented artist. Finding out what style of learning your child best relates to, gives you an edge on those who think the child in the back of the room break-dancing is not paying attention. (((Just a side note on this young man...He scored a perfect score on the FCAT! ...I'm sure it was all due to his 2nd grade teacher...HeeHeeHeee!!!)))
Right now, I am offering a learning styles assessment to all of my homeschoolers ~ current and new ~ for a discounted price during the months of June and July. A 1-hour session is normally $40 for the evaluation and for this limited time, I have reduced the price to $20. This will give you valuable information and insights into your child's world of learning. In this short, 1-hour session, I sit down with your child, one-on-one, for about 30 minutes and ask him/her a few questions. I will then spend the remaining 30 minutes talking with you and not only give you a written explanation of how he/she learns best but also offer some suggestions as to how you can engage him/her more during the school day. Taking these steps will probably validate some of what you already know ... But more importantly, it will allow you to consider changing a few things about your homeschooling day in order to best serve your child. We can do this at your home, my home, or an outside location. My suggestion is your home because children feel most comfortable in their own surroundings.
These factors are important to consider as you begin your selection of curriculum for next year. "I've already ordered it!" you say. No worries! Remember, this will give you valuable information as to how your child learns BEST. So regardless of what is in the textbook you've chosen, you can begin to come up with very creative ways to teach your child, according to his/her own personality!
If you aren't interested in this service but would like more information regarding assistance in the selection of curriculum for next year, I would love the opportunity to assist your family. Call me today at 962-9596 or email me at scritzer711@gmail.com to schedule your appointment!
Happy Learning ~
Shannan
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