Four Home Schoolers

2009-06-14T19:57:00.002-05:00

Dear All Readers,

We have been talking a lot recently about the purpose of our blog. We have decided to change many things on our blog, including the content, design, post frequency, and even authors. This is all very big, so we have decided to temporarily close 4 Homeschoolers. During this time we plan to begin implementing these changes. We plan to be reopening sometime near the end of the Summer/beginning of Fall, and we will post on our blogs when we open again.

Until then,

Caleb, Allison, Kristen, and Katie

Reminder to say "thank you"

2009-06-02T16:08:00.001-05:00

School is nearing completion or is done for most of you I imagine (unless you’re one of the homeschoolers that schools through the summer!). Most of the time when the last tests are done, everyone congratulates the students for finishing another year of school. Perhaps in your family or homeschool group you even celebrate with an end of the year party. You begin to look forward to a relaxing summer, or at least a break from school..... But wait, you forgot something!

Who’s the person who taught you diligently this school year, who sacrificed much of her time to plan lessons, teach, and help you?

Your mother!

Have you given your mother a heartfelt “thank you” for all she has done for you this year? Can I encourage you to take the time to write a card or letter thanking your mom for all that she’s sacrificed for you? As a homeschooler, you would not have finished this year without her! Perhaps you would like to go even further and come up with more creative ways to show your gratefulness for all that she’s done for you. But don’t sit by and not praise and thank her for her diligent efforts!

(If your father has helped you much this year, be sure to do the same for him!)

Competing at State!

2009-05-19T22:09:00.002-05:00

Last weekend my brother and I had the opportunity to compete at a state piano competition. Read more about the experience here!

Thomas Paine

2009-05-15T07:28:00.004-05:00

I enjoy studying American history. It’s amazing to see God’s hand through the harsh first winter the Pilgrims endured to the miraculous victory of the Revolutionary War. It’s encouraging to discover and study the godly men and women that lived during the birth of our nation, to read about the Great Awakenings, to hear how God blessed our nation as we followed Him. But even though our nation was developed on Christian principles, everyone was not a Christian. Some were influenced by worldly philosophies.

This year in World Views of the Western World, my brother and I listened to a variety of tapes about the American Revolution and the French Revolution. It was interesting to learn about the underlying ideologies and foundations of the contrasting revolutions, as well as the worldviews of the people who influenced or were a part of these radically opposing ideologies.

One person we studied was Thomas Paine. Thomas Paine is generally remembered as the author of Common Sense. As an American who lived in the late 1700s, it was fascinating to learn what he really believed. Paine was the author of Rights of Man. In our tape by Knowledge Products, they conveyed that, “Paine believed the French Revolution was based on the same principles as the American Revolution: natural rights, an implied ‘social contract’, and the right of revolution against oppressive governments. Paine…sees the government as the primary threat to social order. He has little regard for traditional institutions, if those institutions are oppressive and unjust.” This statement already should give you some clear ideas of what Paine believed. To claim the French Revolution was based on the same principles of the American Revolution is ludicrous. The humanistic concepts and ideals of French Revolution are a direct contrast from the biblical principles of the American Revolution. While the French Revolution built their ideas on the prior Enlightenment, the men of the American Revolution formed their beliefs upon the Reformation.

Because we know that Paine claimed the American and French Revolutions to be similar, we can already tell that his understanding of their principles is off, so we can rightfully assume we will find other flaws in his thinking. And thus is true, for Paine asserted that man will always pursue peace, whether there is government or not. This assertion reveals his belief that man is naturally good. Because if he truly believed man was evil, he would understand that there is nothing inside us that would pursue peace on our own. We are selfish. We want what’s best for us. If there was no government, there would be complete chaos as people would do what they considered best and good. Because of his presupposition of the goodness of man, he believed that revolutions were good. In his understanding, social order improves in revolutions when the government is destroyed. Chaos? Not according to Paine! People will be doing good and that leads to a “great” society. Because Paine did not grasp the importance of law or government, he believed that it is also wise to reject the past laws and bindings of the last generations, and instead to come up with new ideas. Forget the older, the wiser, the law—let’s come up with new things for our present generation! This is dangerous, and yet our culture has sadly imitated these same ideals by finding the wisdom in the youth.

I hope you were encouraged and inspired to truly study history from a biblical perspective. It’s so much more interesting that way! :) It’s so important to be able to discern and recognize faulty thinkers, philosophers and anyone else who is influencing others. We must take the ideas from any person to Scripture and make sure they are lining up with what God’s Word teaches.

Is failure bad?

2009-04-27T22:10:00.001-05:00

All of us experience failure at times in our lives. It’s not easy. But if God has a plan for each and every circumstance that happens to us, then what does God want to teach us through failure? What do we do when we fail?

As I’ve mentioned before, my brother Luke and I are taking advantage of CLEP testing and testing out of college classes alongside our high school work. I passed my first 6 CLEP tests. My seventh test was College Algebra, a subject I’ve not enjoyed, although my dad believes I’m better at it than I think I am. I studied and attempted the test…and failed. At the time I was more disappointed that I would have to re-study and re-test than the fact that I failed. But the morning before I tested I purposed to praise the Lord whether I passed or failed. Wow, that was tough! To praise the Lord for allowing me to fail and trust that His ways are better than mine, when it seems that finishing quickly and having it done is much better? It’s not something that you naturally want to do—especially on your least favorite subject. So I asked God to give me a good attitude about restudying math and asked that He would show me what He wants to teach me through this. Then I moved on to study for my next test—U.S. History I. I mostly enjoyed studying for that test because I enjoy history, especially U.S. History. I prepared, read, memorized, and went to take the test. Thinking I knew enough to pass, I was shocked when many strange questions came up—things I hadn’t studied or didn’t know well at all. I struggled and prayed a lot throughout the test, asking God to give me the wisdom to pass. After submitting my test, I looked at the score…and sighed. A 49. I needed a 50, and I received a 49. “Lord, not another test to repeat!” I thought. I was prompted again to praise Him, despite my feelings that conflicted. Despite the hardships, failings and troubles that may arise, it’s comforting to know that God knows best and that His ways work together for good for those that love Him (Rom. 8:28). And as I learned from a recent church memory verse we are to rejoice in suffering because suffering produces endurance and endurance character (Rom. 5:3-4). I’m also reminded of the words from the hymn It Is Well with My Soul that tell us “Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul!”

In the midst of failure, we need to pray and ask the Lord to reveal to us what He is trying to teach us.
If you’ve failed at something recently, do you feel that God is asking you to:

Work harder?
Depend more on Him?
Realize that you were too proud in that area?
Humbly recognize that you can’t do things on your own?
Submit your will to Him, trusting that whatever He allows is best?
Persevere and try again?

Brett Harris says: “Failure is never wasted if we learn to do the following: (1) turn to God and become more reliant on Him, (2) learn from our mistakes, and (3) get back up and try again.” Even if you fail, you are not hopeless and the experience does not have to be wasted! Wait on the Lord and seek His face, trusting and looking to see what He will do through your circumstances! :)

"when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me." Micah 7:8

English Lit CLEP study...

2009-03-05T22:04:00.004-06:00

Included the following books. My brother Luke and I studied for this test for a few weeks then took it in early February.

To prepare for this CLEP, my brother Luke and I analyzed some English Literature, took the CLEP official test and the AP tests, read Barron's 101 EZ Keys and answered the questions in the REA Analyzing Lit book that pertained to English authors.
We read summaries and children's versions of Shakespeare's plays (looking for plots and main characters) and stuff like that. I made a list of many English authors and their major works and we memorized some vocabulary. It wasn't too difficult to study for, and the test obviously wasn't too bad, because Luke and I both passed! Yay! 6 more credits!

New Poll!

2009-02-03T19:41:00.001-06:00

Please do us a huge favor by answering the new poll on the sidebar.
If you have any other thoughts, questions, or responses regarding it, you may comment here!
Looking forward to the answers... :)

Cleave Then Leave

2008-12-08T21:16:00.000-06:00

Divorces occur so often the word itself has become commonplace in our society. Couples renounce their sacred marriage vows and discard their wedding rings without scruple. Many who talk of divorce blame it on their spouse’s faults or failures in fulfilling the duties of marriage. In addition, people divorce to find happiness elsewhere when not achieved in a current marriage. However, the final product of divorce frequently introduces serious issues. Illuminating the true motives of a couple, divorce brings detrimental baggage as its end result.

Culminating in blaming discourse, people often justify their reasons for divorce by complaining about certain situations. Many times tensions develop when a parent does not spend time with the family. Without teamwork a spouse could become exasperated when the family’s burdens fall on his or her shoulders. Also, problems can surface when a crisis occurs within the family. Instances of debt, sickness, or death can permanently fracture a marriage. When tough circumstances threaten unity and happiness in a marriage, one encounters the temptation and desire for divorce in order to get a fresh start.

In many instances divorce flows from a discontent heart. Married life may have lacked the charm one had envisioned. When people notice and dwell on the flaws of their husband or wife, they never find satisfaction. They may only make things worse when attempting to straighten things out. However, in this struggle many often forget the fact that no man or woman can ever achieve perfection. At the same time, some may try to amend the shortcomings of a husband or wife and yet overlook their own faults contributing to a shaky relationship. Considering themselves undeserving of conflicts within a marriage, many see divorce as the solution to finding and pursuing happiness.

As a whole, divorce arises from a lack of true devotion from the beginning. In case of divorce some make prenuptial agreements specifically naming their rightful property before marriage. This escape hatch gives a smooth slide from a marriage if unsuccessful. However, if a husband and wife reject their vows when things do not go their way, they most likely did not take them seriously. Instead, most divorces unveil marriages as momentary emotions easily shattered during the toughest of times. Divorce ensues due to a lack of commitment to stand beside one’s husband or wife even when he or she does not act faithfully. Broken marriages frequently take place due to a deficiency of true love—unconditional love—for a spouse even in the worst circumstances.

In summary, one can blame many scenarios as reasons for divorce; however, in the end divorce only produces new issues to hash through. Divorce splits a family and fosters a plaguing heart of bitterness difficult to leave behind. Furthermore, the separation of a father and mother can shipwreck a child and damage the family. Children deprived of a parent lose an important factor in their growth to adolescence. Both contribute in unique ways to a child’s development through their styles of parenting. Without a father or mother children also lose an influential role-model to shape their lives. Not only does the process of divorce inflict permanent wounds on the family, but it also has spiritual consequences as well. Dishonoring to God, divorce throws away the distinct, holy relationship God has designed in marriage as a symbol of Christ’s love for the Church. According to the Bible, God hates divorce and prohibits divorced men from holding positions as leaders in the Church. Because of their unstable example to others, those who divorce limit their opportunities to minister and deride their own reputation and testimony as followers of Christ. Although some may adamantly contest for divorce, it ultimately carries long-lasting and hurtful outcomes most neglect to consider at the time.

Shaping Service

2008-11-30T04:45:00.000-06:00

Last April my dad, brother, and I had the privilege of going on a medical mission trip to the Yucatan Peninsula. An eight-day trip, our team traveled to small villages (“pueblos”) around the city of Valladolid, Mexico. We spent each day from Monday through Friday in a different village, opening medical and dental clinics to minister to the needs of people in the area. Local pastors and missionaries used this opportunity to share the gospel with those who came for treatment. It gave my heart joy to hear of the Holy Spirit’s work in lives as a result of the trip.

For those considering short-term missions, know how worthwhile the effort is. Not only does it bless others, but God can use the experience to strengthen one's faith and relationship with Him. The Lord used our trip to Mexico in an instrumental way both in my life and my brother’s life. Not only were we exposed to a challenging environment, we also learned more about what it means to serve and cultivate a servant’s heart. Having studied Spanish two years, we found it encouraging to apply and practice what we had learned. It meant so much to communicate with the people even at a limited degree. We found that cultural immersion is absolutely crucial when learning a language. By the end of the trip, our Spanish speaking skills and accent had really improved.

Overall, the Lord has worked in the past missions opportunity to kindle an interest and reveal a purpose in learning the Spanish language. My brother Steven and I occasionally visit a Spanish-speaking church service nearby to exercise our Spanish and at the same time receive nourishment from the Word. How wonderful to observe the fervent love for Christ in other believers and feel the presence of God–a bond which ties us together as the Body of Christ–even when worshipping in a different language! In addition, we have just been accepted to go on a medical missions trip to Lima, Peru which will take place at the end of February, Lord willing. I find it encouraging that God has placed this opportunity in our pathway and hope that He will continue to use these missions experiences to shape our lives.

Encouragement

2008-11-05T19:27:00.001-06:00

Some encouragement in these times...

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
-Romans 13:1-8

To listen to the entire chapter, click here.

Perennial Pond Pleasures

2008-10-30T20:52:00.000-05:00

Whether during the hot days of summer or the arctic cold of winter, a backyard pond has multiple uses. Its shimmering glass-like surface reflects the surrounding trees, rippling with each raindrop and the splash of a lively bluegill. Not only does its beauty lie in the scenic serenity it symbolizes, but a pond also offers many opportunities for fun. Many do not realize the countless activities a small body of water provides. During the summer our pond serves as a swimming hole and a fisherman’s delight. Bitter winter temperatures quickly transform its surface into a skating rink. As a whole, a pond facilitates activities which produce pleasant memories among family and friends.

Throughout the summer a pond brings the thrills of the fishing season. Many of my family members rise at the crack of dawn to grab their poles and get an early start. One could easily spend the whole day relaxing in a lawn chair on the perimeter of our lawn gazing at a bobber. What the fish consume provides even more entertainment. In desperation for bait some have fished with marshmallows, corn, and hot dog buns. Many times just a plain hook works, but this shows someone has slacked in completing his chore of giving the daily fish food ration. When reeling fish in by the minute, who needs patience? This fishing spot, just a few steps from the back porch, provides an ideal place for any aspiring fisherman.

When July’s blistering heat prevails, one feels a strong urge to take a running leap into a pond’s cool, calm waters. In fact, our family makes these type of days into a special celebration. We invite several families to join us for an afternoon “pond party” to swim and relax. Coordinating games for these events has caused us to realize the variety of interesting relay races a pond can host. Last year we put our heads together and came up with a inner-tube race with a picnic twist. Rafting across the pond, the team and its vessel of inner-tubes had to safely transport a cooler of sodas to the opposite shore. After disembarking from the craft, the team members had to spread out a checkered blanket on the lawn and guzzle down a soda from their cooler before loading up and returning back to the starting line. Also, in the past friends have enjoyed water balloon fights on our water trampoline and canoe tug-of-war. Everyone looks forward to this exciting event of fun and fellowship each year. Having a pond makes these types of gatherings possible.

However, the end of the summer season only makes one look forward to the next. Our anticipation increases when we first notice a thin sheet of ice skimming the pond’s surface on a cold morning. At our home the skating season officially begins once the ice has reached a thickness of two-and-a-half inches. But maintaining a pond in the winter requires much more diligence. To keep a smooth skating rink, one must venture into the cold after each snowfall to complete the task of clearing masses of snow from the pond’s surface. In addition, our “pond maintenance crew” has found strategies for overcoming bumpy ice without professional machinery. Dire circumstances have forced us to thaw frozen backyard hoses with hairdryers in order to pump water out to the pond. After several hours of dragging the hose back and forth over the ice, one can produce a thin layer of smooth, glassy paradise. Ultimately, we learn to work together through these labors.

Such diligent upkeep enables one to enjoy a pond to the fullest. Our friends jump at any opportunity to ice skate. This sport makes the long winter days pass by quickly. Everyone comes ready for fun and filled with enthusiasm. Scarves trailing behind, skaters flash across the pond as delicate snowflakes float to the ground. Snowballs fly through the air in attempt to successfully hit a swift skater. Children young and old participate in games of tag. With boots and sleds as make-shift goal markers, hockey brings the adrenaline to a climax. Lit up with Christmas lights along its perimeter, the pond provides an inviting atmosphere on a clear, starry night. After working so hard, one can smile with satisfaction when sensing the happiness encased in such a beautiful scene.

In summary, having a pond adds to the joy of each season. Through summer and winter a pond’s versatility creates endless opportunities for entertainment. Such diverse activities from fishing to skating bring many occasions to draw friends and family close together. Many of my fondest memories include time spent in this way. Some may see a pond as unimportant, but in my eyes it provides an avenue of fun for all ages and a means for families to gather together as friends.

A Meaningful Journey

2008-09-25T19:35:00.004-05:00

(The following essay was written as a part of my advanced composition class):

Last June a portion of my family embarked on a trip of a lifetime. My dad, older brother, and I traveled to Sweden with my grandparents. Planning to trod the ground of my great-grandparents' homeland, we looked forward to getting a visual account of our family's background. Our schedule overflowed with ambition as we tried to pack as much as possible into short trip. We enjoyed exploring the past together as a family, digging deep into history, and learning more about the lives of our predecessors. God brought our family close together as we spent time with each other and contemplated his sovereign work in our history.

While traveling and sharing the experience together, I noticed our hearts bond in a unique way. Watching my grandmother converse fluently with family members and other Swedish people gave me a new respect for her. Her crucial role in translation helped us immensely, building a bridge between us and those who could not speak English. As we visited numerous family farms and churches, my grandparents joyfully shared facts and information with us. They related interesting stories about our forefathers and pointed out many landmark locations while we caravanned from place to place. I knew those walkie-talkies we packed would come in handy! Such quality time -- a total of almost two weeks -- gave us a deeper relationship with our grandparents as we listened to them share their heart. How meaningful for them to come alongside us to pass on such rich legacy!

Our tour of Sweden also brought a realization of the Lord's blessing on us. God directed my great-grandparents to America and gave them a solid faith. In America they could grow in the discipleship of a strong evangelical environment. Despite leaving their families behind, they gained something far more valuable: a deep love for Christ. As believers, they passed the torch of faith to the next generation. However, through our interaction with relatives and cousins in Sweden, we observed that those who remained had not handed down their faith to their children. Out of all of the relatives we met, not one of them demonstrated a relationship with the Lord. We grieved over their blindness. This instance highlighted God's mercy towards our family, a fact which humbled us and kindled an attitude of gratefulness.

In closing, our journey provided the means to visit and enjoy our heritage as a family. It served as an opportunity for my grandparents to share and expound on the depth of the legacy we will continue. That we could reflect on our family’s history together made this trip especially meaningful. We found a new appreciation for the lives of our ancestors but more importantly saw how God used their lives to affect us down the road. As a whole, the experiences we had during our trip to Sweden illuminated God’s hand in our history and knitted our hearts together in thankfulness for the grace he has shown toward us.

*Click HERE for pictures of our Sweden Trip

Antarctic Krill

2008-09-06T11:40:00.003-05:00

The other day my English teacher on our Bob Jones Tapes told me to write a paragraph using the skills she has taught us so far this year. She said we could write on whatever we wanted, so I looked up Antarctica on Wikipedia and clicked a link to some of the animals that live there, and the most intriguing was the Antarctic Krill. I took a page and a half of notes and crammed it all into one paragraph. :)

The Antarctic Krill is one of the most fascinating creatures on planet earth. Living in swarms that can reach densities of ten-thousand to thirty-thousand krill per cubic meter in the Arctic Ocean, this relative of the shrimp survives on mainly phytoplankton, copepods, amphipods, and zooplankton. If they reach their maximum growth, they may get up to 2.4 inches long, and weigh up to 0.07 ounces; they can even live up to six years! Antarctic Krill are often referred to as 'light shrimp' because they periodically emit a yellow-green light for 2-3 seconds from their bioluminescent internal organs. They use 12 broom like legs attached to their thorax to sweep algae off the bottom of pack ice in a zig-zag pattern into their 1 μ mouth. Flipping their tail to swim backwards at speeds up to 60 cm. per second is their effective strategy for evading their predators. 334,102,635,200 to 690,046,873,800 pounds of krill are consumed by animals each year, and they are also eaten by people in Japan and Poland. When an Antarctic Krill molts, it can shrink its body if there is not enough food nearby, and this results in the creature using less energy and requiring less food. What is so shocking about this process is not the fact that krill can shrink, but is that every part of the body shrinks except for the eyes, and the outcome is a creature with one of the most advanced vision structure on the planet. Certainly, a creature as small as an Antarctic Krill has so many amazing features and designs that it can easily be called an extraordinary animal.

Lapbooks!

2008-09-01T12:59:00.004-05:00

Lapbooks are a wonderful way to store your schoolwork. My family has chosen to use them for history, but you can find other subjects to use them for! Never heard of a lapbook? Here’s what they typically look like…

They are simple file folders folded with construction paper flaps on the inside and whatever you want to glue! I have made them in the past to store my history writing, maps, and other work. They are much more enjoyable to look at and read, rather than reading old essays and writings compiled in a notebook. Depending on the time period and what we have to put in one, the content will vary. Almost always we make sure they contain the following though: map(s), famous people, a “scrapbook” of that period, key events or important dates, and writing we have done.

Here is one of the lapbooks I did a few years ago on the Revolutionary war...

Reformation's Role in the Founding of America essay and handwritten Preamble to the Constitution

Inside - Presidents Adams and Washington's fact sheets, key events...

Our list of key events

Famous people of the American Revolution

Paragraphs on miscellaneous topics of that period, Bill of Rights

Guide to Officers, paper on Christianity and the American Revolution

Also, here’s one site that gives you some ideas on the many different ways you can make folds for a lapbook!
http://www.notebookingpages.com/index.php?page=Free-Lapbooking-Templates-Mini-books-Cutouts

Now mine haven't always turned out very creative, but you could certainly add more decorative stuff on the inside, especially if a younger child is doing one and wants to add pictures. We've used coloring book pictures and pictures out of history books to add in.

On my next post I'll give some more examples from my a few of my other lapbooks...

My Historical Atlas!

2008-08-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

As part of my history study, I have compiled a geography notebook to file all of my map work for the year. Each geography assignment pertains to the location of the events focused on during the week. Placing an overhead transparent sheet over a paper base map, I shade in important areas, mark cities, label rivers, major water bodies, and landforms with permanent markers. The effect is most impressive when several of these transparent sheets accumulate over one base map, producing a layered progression of historical events. I am beginning my third year of compiling my own “atlases” in this way and think it is a great idea!

Here is last week's assignment displaying Napoleonic Europe:

Major battles carried out by Napoleon

A second transparency sheet layer shows the extent of French territory during Napoleon's rule.

Back to School! Or Almost . . .

2008-08-13T09:00:00.004-05:00

This week has begun my first taste of school for the year. Although I have not cracked open the books in every subject yet, I am starting Tapestry of Grace* (Year 3), which serves as our core curriculum for homeschool. This week has been nice to ease into things slowly. With a bit of an early start, when my other subjects begin after Labor Day, I will have a good foothold to dive into academics without feeling overwhelmed!

*Tapestry of Grace is a Christian, classical curriculum with a Reformed approach. Broken up into four years, it gives an in-depth, chronological study of history beginning with Creation and ending at the present. In addition, Tapestry of Grace incorporates worldview, literature, government, and geography into its rich program.

School starts soon!

2008-08-10T17:59:00.001-05:00

Katie and I start school the 18th.
Hopefully once school starts the 4homeschoolers will get some good posts regarding our school work and what we do during the school year!

When do you start?

The Potter's School: A Helpful Resource for Home Schooling High Schoolers

2008-07-11T12:11:00.007-05:00

Recently, my family came across an excellent resource which we now use as part of our home school curriculum. This coming school year, my older brother and I will begin our third year of using The Potter's School , Christian organization providing on-line high school classes (and some junior high courses) especially for missionary families and home educators.

I think one of the reasons parents become reluctant to home educate high schoolers is because they feel they do not know how to teach them. In courses such as math or language for example, parents may wonder how in the world they can remember concepts they learned in high school decades ago--let alone have the ability to teach and answer questions their children may have. Some parents, for this or many other reasons, choose to send their children into the public school setting during their high school years. But, know that there are resources out there that can aid in successfully home schooling through high school!

How do on-line classes with The Potter's School work? Each class section meets once a week using a program called Gather Place. With Internet connection, the program provides an on-line "class room." The sessions are live, but no web cams are used. When a student enters the class room, his or her name appears on the Participant List on the program's sidebar. A chat box included in the sidebar provides general communication throughout the class which students can use to respond to the teacher and overall class discussion. The instructor can pull up a PowerPoint program or whiteboard on the screen to use while teaching. Gather Place enables the students to see the PowerPoint too--even showing the teacher's cursor movements as well as anything they may point out, draw, or highlight on the screen while lecturing. One requirement is that the student uses a headset complete with a working microphone. The teacher has the ability to mute or un-mute students' microphones to call on them during class. This comes in very handy, especially in language courses, because the teacher can hear his/her pupil speak in order to correct any flaws in pronunciation or grammar.

Done with the nitty-gritty details! Now, let me share with you why my family has enjoyed this resource. As my brother and I have transitioned into high school and more advanced subjects, it has been helpful to have an avenue whereby we can learn under the tutelage of someone who has studied and taught a certain subject for many years. My parents have enrolled us mainly in math, language (Spanish), and advanced composition courses from The Potter's School. Apart from class once a week, we also complete assigned homework throughout the school week. If a question arises, we can always ask our teachers via e-mail and get a prompt response. Another benefit, we receive critique and evaluation from different sources, which aids in constructing a more appealing college transcript and helps my parents find out what our strengths and weaknesses are academically. Through these on-line classes, my brother and I have developed more accountability as we have learned to budget our time in order to conform to strict deadlines when completing assignments--a standard not always conformed to in a home school environment. Overall, this experience has and continues to prepare us to jump into the caliber of college courses with ease--if that is the road the Lord wishes for us to take.

Do Hard Things... By Allison!

2008-07-05T23:13:00.002-05:00

Since Allison is taking a break from computer, I want to send you to something she scheduled to be posted on her blog, Letter From Christ. Allison's Thoughts.

The Rebelution Conference 2008

2008-07-02T15:16:00.000-05:00

One-hundred years ago, there were no teenagers. That obviously doesn't mean that there weren't fifteen-year-olds, but it means that youths were not considered adolescents.

What do you think of when you hear the word, "Teenager?" Most people think of rule-breaking youngsters who have no respect for anyone and are rebellious in many matters. The word "Teenager" actually came around about 69 years ago in The Reader's Digest. Before, there was a fine line between child and adult. "When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways." -1 Corinthians 13:11. Did he say, "When I was a child I acted like a child. When I was a teenager I acted like a teenager. When I became a man, I gave up teenager ways." NO! The myth of adolescence has overtaken our culture and it has set the bar of expectations entirely too low! It is shocking the difference between teens' expectations today, and teens' expectations one-hundred years ago.

Last Weekend, I along with Allison, Katie, and some other friends from church, attended The Rebelution conference in Dallas discussing Alex and Brett Harris' book titled, "Do Hard Things." I had a great time with my friends, and the conference had some really good discussions. I enjoyed it and learned from it, and I found a lot of encouragement in many areas.

They showed us reasons why procrastination is not something to make a habit of, for it has consequences. They showed us how small hard things such as dishes, chores, brotherly love, and humility all have great rewards, either in this life, or the next. Many things were shared, and they were all inspiring.

Not only was the conference great, but who could forget the fun we had in the cars and out! Friday night when we arrived, we had 3 or 4 hours before we were planning on going to bed. So we rounded up our people and headed for a bowling alley. On the way, we had to stop by a CVS Pharmacy to get socks for the girls. Of course, we didn't realize that they would cost $4 a pair. Haha! So we searched and searched: no Wal-Mart. But we did find a Super Target, and once we got what we needed, to the bowling alley we went.

Walking in, we hear loud rock music, and see huge screens of, unfortunately, inappropriate and crude music videos. For that reason we headed to another bowling alley; but the same thing occurred. So, to my great joy, we decided to go somewhere else. We would have a late night snack and what better to have than a couple(or more) Krispy Kreme Doughnuts!? We down here in Houston do not have any Krispy Kreme shops, so what a treat that was! I still have a Krispy Kreme hat as my souvenir. HAHA!

Out of cyberspace...

2008-06-30T18:29:00.004-05:00

This month, my siblings and I are taking a sabbatical from computer. Similar to the Technology Free week we've done in the past, we are going to spend the last whole month of summer "vacation" finding more productive things to do. The last week we will be at our Granny's, so although we may possibly be on the computer (it's our vacation, after all) most likely we will not go online. During this month, I hope to read much more than I have been, before school starts back again!
The reason we are not breaking from all electronics is because we've found computer to be the most tempting one. We rarely watch T.V. or DVDs, we don't talk much on the phone rather than answering it, we don't listen to i-Pods much or play video games ever. Yet we will not use our "no-computer time" as an excuse to spend on other electronics. We are planning on finding productive and hard things to do. :) If you are interested in taking a week off or more from computer and/or other electronics, feel free to join us! This was a last minute decision (made late last night) so this post is late. Sorry about that.

For the next month, you will not see posts from Katie or myself. I have a scheduled post about ideas for summer productivity that you can check out next week on my blog Letter from Christ.

Have a blessed and productive month! :D

Do Hard Things

2008-06-20T21:33:00.003-05:00

That's right, you heard me! Do Hard Things!

Alex and Brett Harris are the two teens who wrote the book, "Do Hard Things." This book was written to inspire teens to go above and beyond, and to break America's idea of what a teenager is. Alex and Brett have inspired many teenagers worldwide to expect more from their lives than what the world tells us to expect. I highly encourage you to purchase it and read it. Amazon currently has a deal on the book here. You can purchase it for $11.55.

I am halfway through the book and it is obviously a God-inspired book. I am going to try to get a review up sometime this July.

Do Hard Things truly is a teenage rebellion against low expectations.

The Importance of a Summer Schedule

2008-06-20T21:09:00.005-05:00

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when I say “summer”? I imagine it’s probably not the words “work” or “schedule”. Why? Because we tend to think of summer as free time—“me time”, time for fun. If this is your idea of summer, then you’re about to make a 360 degree turn in your thinking—if you choose to do so. :) Why is it important to stick to a summer schedule? Isn’t summer a time for relaxing and vacation, for T.V., swimming, and fun stuff? And aren’t schedules for school? I believe that many of us (including me) have had a wrong view of summer. When we have wrong thinking for a long time, it negatively affects us and is difficult to change. Trust me. It’s not easy to turn and say, “I’m not going to waste my summer away. I’m going to find productive things to do.” But it is essential, for spiritual growth and discipline, and development of character. We have to learn to take initiative to do hard things, learn new things, and spend time on productive things. If we choose to do nothing this summer, what will we have to say we gained or learned?

So, I’ve conveyed the importance of not wasting our summer, but instead finding productive things to do. Where does the schedule fit in? Can’t I do productive things without a schedule telling me what to do? You may be surprised to find the answer is yes. You can make good use of your summer without a summer schedule dictating your assignments. The only problem is this—you have most likely had a difficult time getting motivated to do difficult and productive things in previous summers. How will this one be any different? I find it much harder to stick to my original ideas and plans if I do not have a schedule. Your schedule may be as simple as a few hour time-frames that say, “do SOMETHING productive”, and you have a list of ideas of things that you could do during that time. I encourage you to at least have some sort of schedule, and if you stick to it, you will find yourself doing many more things that have future and eternal benefit. Now I’m not saying that this summer you may not touch a computer, watch T.V., or have any fun. I’m simply challenging you to try finding some more productive things to fill at least part of your time. You will find them to be much more rewarding and fulfilling!

If you want to be encouraged, challenged, and inspired, I encourage you to start by reading Do Hard Things, by Alex and Brett Harris. Here are two quotes from their book:

“We do what comes easily; we certainly don’t do hard things. The consequence? We waste some of the best years of our lives and never reach our full God-given potential. We never attempt things that would stretch, grow, and strengthen us. We end up weak and unprepared for the amazing future that could have been. We like the freedom low expectations give us, but we’re really being robbed.”

“Where expectations are high, we tend to rise to meet them. Where expectations are low, we tend to drop to meet them.”

P.S. I also posted this on Letter from Christ. :)

The Wisdom and Freedom of Courtship vs. Dating

2008-06-17T09:38:00.004-05:00

THE WISDOM AND FREEDOM OF COURTSHIP VS. DATING
By Bill Gothard

Definition of Dating:Singling out one person of the opposite gender and cultivating interest through thoughts, looks, notes, talks, or events.

Definition of Courtship: Two fathers agreeing to work with a qualified young man to win the daughter for marriage.

Why Dating Causes Conflicts:

The motive is wrong—getting vs. giving
The goal is wrong—pleasure vs. commitment
The idea is wrong—human nature vs. limitations
The results are wrong—hurts vs. edification

The Rewards of Courtship:

Gives new freedom in friendships
Avoids envy and jealousy
Promotes self-control and moral purity
Eliminates defrauding and bitterness
Allows dedication to please the Lord (dating violates 1 Cor. 7:31-34)
Bases marriage on God’s will
Honors father’s authority

Requirements of Courtship:

A life purpose bigger than marriage

A “one-man, one-woman” commitment

A restraint of affection

A loyalty to parents

An ability to deal with infatuations

A readiness for marriage responsibilities

Sudoku Crazy!

2008-05-23T21:58:00.004-05:00

Recently, I have been having some fun learning to play a game called Sudoku(pronounced Soo-Dough-Koo). It looks challenging, and sounds challenging, and it is challenging. :) The object of the game is to fill the board with numbers. Now you cannot fill the board with random numbers, you have to fill it all out with the numbers 1-9. Sounds easy, huh? WRONG!

You must fit the numbers 1-9 in every column without repeating any numbers in that column. That makes it a little more difficult. But you havent heard the end of it yet! You must also put the num,bers 1-9 in every row without repeating. That sounds pretty hard, doesn't it?

Well, if you study a Sudoku puzzle board, then you will notice that there are rows of nine, columns of nine, and then there are boxes of nine. Yes, that's right, boxes. If you are thinking what I think your thinking, then I don't have to tell you that you also have to fit 1-9 in every box without repeating as well!

It might make more sense if you study a solved one.

Click Here for Enlarged Picture

So as you can see it can get pretty complicated. The game is mainly a process of ellimination. First you would look at the row and see, "Is there a 1?" and if there isn't you would find all the possible places in the row to put the 1, and mark it as optional. As you sontinue and find more areas where other 1's can be, you will eliminate more and more, and therefore leave only one left. Here are a few more puzzles that we have completed.

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Now that you have seen it, why go to the stores for a book? Play it online free here! If you need some better instructions for playing, and some hints as well for how to solve, simply go to http://www.sudoku.net/ and explore around!

Have fun!