On Teaching Reading

A friend asked me how it went .....

My answer:

Honestly, I started with letter recognition in the bath tub with foam letters, then the letter sounds using the Talking Letter Factory DVD from Leap Frog, kids pick up on those in about a week sometimes. Then we started with simple words on flash cards and books you get from Walmart, etc. then when she was 4 or 5 I ordered TATRAS (Teach America to Read and Spell).



I loved TATRAS. From there she just took off. We listened to some audio books that we got with kids meals from ChickFilA (or maybe it was Wendy's) and as she became interested in the story, I bought the real books for that story and since she knew the characters (it was The Magic Treehouse Series) she was eager to read the words from the story she had already listened to over and over and over.

One of the biggest keys is reading lots of stories to the children aloud (pointing to the words) from time to time. Reading will do an EXCELLENT job of building her vocabulary which is one of the number one indicators of intelligence anyway (not math, science, etc.) I could go on and on you know!

Patience to home school. Of course you would not have it LOL. I don't either, it's all through the strength of the Lord! I have to apologize to them for losing it. On the flip side they could be with someone else who loses it and does not apologize and ask for forgiveness. My mistakes i front of them, I believe, are lessons in godliness and humility, .... and dependence on the Lord to do anything that we do in life.

I stopped working 2 years ago (almost exactly 2 years ago). When we finally made the decision after going back and forth and waiting until we were financially ready, we just jumped in and did it. We still weren't ready (financially) but the Lord made up the slack and increased my husband's income! I don't think we would have ever been "ready" by our own standards.

Don't get me started.......

New Additions to our school year: Classical Conversations

There are new exciting additions to our home school this year. The Robinson Curriculum (self-teaching program) and Classical Conversations (a leader in training parents to educate their children with tools to learn and master any subject)!

Classical Conversations is an exciting program which is not new but new to our family. I am incredibly eager about starting this year because this is going to be such a support and source of education for me, as well as the children.

I first learned of Classical Conversations (CC) over a year ago and the program was not offered in my area. At that time, I also had a newborn and it was just not the right time for us to participate. Since then, I have been continually researching the program, and it goes right along with our original schooling method which I've spoken of here on this blog before. A few months ago, as I pondered the coming school year, I resumed my research of CC and I became more and more convinced that it was time for us to take the plunge into it. At that time, the Lord also began speaking to me about becoming a Director with the program and inspiring other parents in their educational journey.

This Fall, the new Classical Conversations Community will be opening and I will have the opportunity to partner with other mothers in educating our children.

In the program, we will be leading and training the students, and parents, in science experiments, art projects, oral presentations, and hundreds of facts (math tables and formulas, English grammar, Latin, history time line events, history sentences, and science).

To learn more about Classical Conversations and our particular community here in Texas, visit the CC Waxahachie Blog.

Find more information about what other home schoolers are doing, check out Tami's Carnival of Homeschooling, here:

How Long Do We Continue "Going on" About a Person After They've Died?

Some people are thinking, "enough with this MJ stuff, let it rest"... Do we need to say that when you die? And a week has passed? Shall we say, okay enough talk about him/her, they're gone. Let's move on with our lives? Quit talking about him? Stop showing me her pictures? ...(I'm just saying)

(I copied this from FB so the home page of my friends is not inundated with my (our) musings and also because I'm going back to FB status hiatus soon.)

Comments from FB:

Comment 1: If there was a love button I would have cicked it instead of "like"... wonderfully said!

Comment 2: Les...I think you are grieving (smile)...WELL. SAID!!!

Comment 3: I think people are often rushed to get over their grieving. As we support people in grief, we should allow them as much times as it takes for them to grieve.

Comment 4: People are cruel! I have a friend talking that mess on FB two days after-- He said am I insensitive- bout seven ppl responded saying no. I told him yes he was- let the man be grieved and remembered!!! I am NOT convinced he was a pedophile! The media lies!!! I am a living testimonybto that- I have experienced it first hand. They are into what sales, and unfortunately people don't want to buy the truth!

From me: lol, you know I hadn't been postin' in a while so words have been trapped inside me waiting to get out!

Comment 5: it is a fallen society that God has rejected that elevates a sinful, self centered person and holds them up for praise and adulation. Living or Dead. Why do we have ANYTHING good to say about a person (living or dead) who rejects the Lord who created him or her, who practices self centered, narcissistic greed, who encouraged a whole generation of people to fill their minds with useless, unGodly, irrelevant, Twaddle (at best)? Morning my friend or loved one and wanting to talk about them is different than standing by and listing to people praise someone that most of us didn't know personally who demonstrated hate for my very best friend. Sorry Leslie. This is my only post to this thread!

Comment 6: I guess it would be different if you actually knew me. Most people have no clue who Michael is.

From me: i'm going to with hold further comment for now :)

Comment 7: I am just saying, if you go laid off, your spouse died, your kids were sick, you couldn't pay your bills, you were sick, you just got promoted, found out you were pregnant, or something else that is to be mourned or celebrated Michael would care less. Not to mentioned if you died he wouldn't be doing a memorial for you. So there is a huge difference when there is a relationship. Whats your thoughts?

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I'm responding to comments here that were somewhat different than my understanding. I'm saying these things because I like to be rhetorical. I like to share, and don't mind being challenged.

My response to Comment 5:

1. Sinful?

Who is sinful? What makes one no longer sinful? It is the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, not anything human other than accepting him and allowing him to change us as we continually surrender.

2. Anything good to say? I'd rather say something good, than bad. What about choosing to think on and share about things that are praise worthy, of good report, noble, and good?

3. Someoe who "rejects the Lord who created him?" Who did that? Do we know that MJ or any other person did that?

4. Self-centered? My initial post was not just about MJ but speaking of MJ, if I could share some observations, I saw many self-less acts that he did. From calling and visiting people who were sick and grieving (those whom he knew and many he did not know at all, and many who have thanked him for taking the time out to do for them and give money to them, so much so that he ended up giving more than he spent on himself.

I must reiterate that my comments here are not justifying anything the man did wrong but saying it's okay to be thankful and acknowledge acts that one has done in their life.

5. "Praise someone that most of us didn't know personally" Bringing it down to scale, with our much smaller sphere of influence, we don't only touch the lives of people we meet personally. If you touched someone's life and they never met you personally, should they not share what your words or deeds meant to them, how you may have inspired you because they heard you on a radio program or read a article you wrote? We should think about things we say about societal issues and bring them home to our own lives and see if we apply the same rules.

6. "Demonstrated hate for my very best friend" Do we know this? If it's true was it not possible for him to have repented. If he did repent does Jesus love him less than he loves you because you had your act together during your life here on earth?


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Response to Comment 7 (way above):

"If (something happened to me) that is to be mourned or celebrated Michael would care less."

May be true regarding me, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate what he did for others whom he didn't know. What have you done for someone you didn't know? Would it be wrong for that to be mentioned after you die? If I read a story of some misfortune you have experienced and I chose to reach out and do something nice, would you not be thankful? I think your parents, children, etc. would love to know nice things you've done for others, since it is the Lord who demonstrated to us that we are to be good Samaritans, give to others, find opportunities to give to those who are hurting or have other needs.

"If you died he wouldn't be doing a memorial for you" Does that matter? I don't do unto others as they have done or would do unto me. When you're gone, I'd like to remember you for good the Lord has done through you. He can use anyone or anything to give to someone in need.

"There is a huge difference when there is relationship"

There definitely is a huge difference, but it doesn't mean that comments and remembrance should be non-existent just because someone didn't know you personally. I'm sure you have readers who have read what you've written and may share how it has blessed them, after you're long gone. I know it's not your purpose for doing it, but if people want to share what your life meant, there should be nothing wrong with that.

Regarding the extravagance and the way the media has mishandled things, the way fans have taken things out of hand, sure... they'll always do that, they're people.

Reminder: my initial subject was -
How Long Do We Continue "Going on" About a Person After They've Died?

Remember the sins or the life?

I don't know all of Michael Jackson's sins, I don't know all of yours, you don't know all of mine.

People say how can we forget all the "bad Michael did?" and just look at his great career?

I ask them (you), do you want us to remember and focus on all the bad YOU did, after you're gone from this world?

I think I would love for you to celebrate my life, and allow the Lord to deal with my sins. He does that best.


(I copied this from FB so the home page of my friends is not inundated with my (our) musings and also because I'm going back to FB status hiatus soon)

Below are the Comments I received from FB:

Comment 1 "Deep. So true."

Comment 2 "Say it again!"

Comment 3 "yes, but calling Michael Jackson an "icon," and luading him as a great man (as the media does) is not just either. If we judge a man by his fruits (as we are to do), then we must mourn his passing for, unless he repented before he died, he most surely is suffering right now."

Comment 4 "You took the words right outta my mouth! ;)"

From me, re: Comment 3 "I wasn't going there at all, my statement was simple and clear. Please re-read it. It was my only point. I can "go there" and respond to what you're saying but that was clearly not the intent of this status. I hope that's not the discussion going on for you or any others of us when we leave this earth. We are not the judge. Our purpose as lovers of God, and followers of Christ is to share His love and help others come into the saving and cleansing relationship that he promises. Anything other than that, is surely not the ideal method for sharing the gospel with a lost or suffering soul."

Comment 5 "Hi Leslie, maybe this is part of an earlier discussion and I am jumping in the middle! It seems you are saying we shouldn't say anything negative about MJ because it's not Christian to do so. My contention is that it is not wrong to point to the sin in his life and remark that people who follow in MJ's footsteps must invariably suffer the consequences of sin just as he did and is perhaps now doing. The gospel is not "good news" unless people first understand the "bad news" that we are ALL sinners and the only thing that is different between me and MJ is that the Lord was gracious enough to show me my sin (in part) and convict me of my utter lostness. The bible is full of negative examples that we are called to learn from. Just like life is full of negative examples that we can draw on to exhort ourselves and others. I'm not saying that MJ was a wicked, evil person. But I can say that, according to scripture, he lived the life of a fool. I'm saddened by his passing."

Comment 6 "My point was about what we do at one's passing, regardless of who they are. If I believe, according to scripture, that from what I know of person A, person A has lived the life of a fool, should I not celebrate the good of person A's life at her passing? I've heard people say that people should not remember the man's fun nature, contributions, talent, positive personal relationships,etc. because of the weirdness and sin that also existed. I'm just saying that if I look at that in black and white and compare it to another's life after they're gone, .....are we wrong in posting memorial tributes to the great memories of their life, and let the Lord deal with their sin? Got sin? Yes I do! What fruit am I producing if I focus on the sin, other than to help the next person know the loving savior who can wash them from theirs? What glory does the Lord receive in all the other finger pointing? That's all I'm saying. Thank God for the life and the relationship and the gifts God gives."

Comment 7 "I agree to a point...but I don't like the way the world has made Michael Jackson an "Idol"....saying how he has made such an impact and left such a legacy. Yes, he has left a legacy of good music, and some other bad stuff....but not a lasting legacy for God's Kingdom. It is sad on this day. That all the worldly wealth, prestige, power, talent, is all ashes in the end without the hope of Jesus. Sad for his kids."

Comment 8 "My comment was in response to ur original post. Wow...this opened a big ole can of worms! I totally agree...not our job to judge!"

From me "Agreed. I do wish there were more glory given to the Lord, in his passing. We don't know, however, if he had the hope of Jesus. We can, however, bring God glory in how we respond to all of this."

2009-2010 Homeschool Planning

Here's a quick summary of what our school year will look like, at least for starters.

2nd Grade (Kitty)

Classical Conversations (Once each week)

• Math facts and formulas memorization
• English grammar rules memorization
• History timeline memorization
• History stories (Old World) memorization
• Geography map memorization
• Science facts memorization
• Latin nouns, verbs memorization
• Art projects
• Music projects, including composers and learning the tin whistle
• Oral Presentations

Co-op (Drama, P.E., Story of the World, Storytime)

Robinson Curriculum: Starting with Heidi, Alice in Wonderland, Pinnochio, Bible

Saxon Math 5/4 (Self-Directed Math Studies)

Kindergarten (Pupster)

Classical Conversations (Once each week)

• Math facts memorization
• English grammar rules memorization
• History timeline memorization
• History stories (Old World) memorization
• Geography maps memorization
• Science facts memorization
• Latin nouns, verbs memorization
• Art projects
• Music projects, including composers and learning the tin whistle
• Oral Presentations

Co-op (P.E., Storytime)

Robinson Curriculum: Begin with McGuffy Books, continue reading Sing, Spell, Read and Write books

PreK3 (Lamby)

Co-op (Music Makers, P.E., Storytime)

Continue with phonics, T.A.T.R.A.S., Begin Bob Books

She will listen in on stories read aloud to the older kids and build vocabulary and proper grammar, naturally

Toddler

He will listen in on stories read aloud to the older kids and build vocabulary and proper grammar, naturally

K.I.S.S. - Keep it Simple Sweetheart

For years I have had discussions with my husband regarding certain points of stress that come up such as, organizing laundry, finding shoes and clothes for the day, planning meals, the list goes on. I have times when I am on top of these things, and they're working like clockwork but other times they most certainly are not.

One thing he has told me during some of these times is "do less". I don't comprehend that well because I am a go-getter. I like to plan things, see them happen, and before it's done, see the next vision of what could be done and how the current thing can be done better next time.

Although I don't always listen quickly to my husband, especially when it's a sensitive topic and I so want to be right, I have been pondering these words of his.

I am seeing the value of doing less, during this summer break from school. Each week my calendar is full of potential play dates, free movies, library crafts and clowns, and each week lately I have been crossing half of it out.

As a surprise to myself, it has felt really good! The end of my day is much more peaceful and I am much more intimately acquainted with my kitchen! The closer I am in relationship with that place, the more I want to keep it clean. Consequently, that sink I thought could never shine each night has actually been shining because I am in there much longer after a meal. In the months immediately prior, we would eat a meal and be out the door speedier than Mr. Gonzalez. Upon returning home, everyone would be yelling for food so I didn't have time to clean from the last meal before everyone was piled in the kitchen and pantry begging for food and I frantically prepared it.

I've even saved lots of money, as I've kept it simple, because we haven't taken a trip in the car in 2 days!

Now that I'm seeing the beauty of this, I pray I can keep it up, or at least some very close resemblance of it. The school year is fast approaching, so as I make my schedule I pray I will stick with this success story and make it work to our advantage! Reminds me of this other good day.