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| Date: From: Subject: | 4/15/2010 2:32:50 PM Home School Legal Defense Association HSLDA's Homeschooling Thru the Early Years Newsletter--April 2010 |
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- HSLDA's Homeschooling Thru the Early Years Newsletter -- April 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---[ Say Goodbye to Reading Struggles! ]------------------------------ Stop the reading struggle once and for all! Discover the breakthrough home study program that has an astounding 95% success rate in helping young students eliminate all reading difficulties, build confidence and self-esteem, and excel to the head of the class in school...all in as little as 30 days! http://www.hslda.org/alink.asp?ID=219 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Deliberate Devotions In a Christian homeschool family, God's Word is the foundation of all other study, so our biblical worldview impacts all learning in subtle ways. But there are also times we want that impact to be more deliberate. How can a busy homeschool family incorporate Bible study, everyday-life application of Biblical principles, and prayer in their day? Some fathers' work schedules allow them to open the day in prayer or Bible reading with their families. If not, dad may encourage mom to begin with a godly focus later in the morning, and he may lead family worship or study at another time. In our household, Dad had weekly, interactive, devotional lessons springboarding from the "Heritage Builders Family Tool Chest" series http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8048 . No time to prepare, or fresh out of ideas? Phil Downer's "One-Inch Bible Study" http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8049 is a guide for impromptu, quick, and relevant lessons. To begin our school day, I would put on some music that would help us focus on the Lord, and the children would either sing along or listen quietly (and hopefully reverently!). Then we would have a brief devotional lesson, followed by a short time of prayer. This 15 minutes gave us a deliberate start to our day and helped us to begin with cheerful hearts. Your time can be as simple as reading a Bible passage and praying together. Some parents find it helpful to use a book such as "Little Visits with God," which gives a short faith- and character-based story, a Bible verse to look up, a "moral of the story," and a sample prayer. When the older girls were more "school age," we used guides like "Bible Study for All Ages" or "Greenleaf Guide to Old Testament History" for age-integrated chronological studies of scripture, while resources such as "Character Building for Families" helped us focus on specific spiritual issues within our family. Our children learned some practical applications of prayer along with the fictional Ryan as we read the chapter book, Adventure at Hidden Haven Ranch, http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8050 . By upper elementary or early middle school, they were ready for basic, individual, inductive Bible studies. Church-based programs such as AWANA, Missionettes, or Royal Rangers include substantial Bible memorization and catechism as well as hands-on application in service projects. Even clubs such as Keepers of the Faith http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8051 and Kids with a Purpose http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8052 incorporate a biblical worldview into everyday service. During quiet times, play times, or in the car, the Bible (or a children's Bible storybook http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8053 ) on CD can be used to help children hide God's Word in their hearts. (By the way: Even the most well-meaning children have trouble sitting still sometimes; a coloring page or a squeeze ball can help them focus their energy quietly and still absorb the lesson. Adapt to their learning styles as needed!) For some of you, incorporating these ideas can feel overwhelming. If you wonder how you can fit even a brief moment of quiet time or prayer into your day, I hope you will be encouraged and inspired by the insights shared by another time-challenged homeschool mom: ------------------------------ Practical Prayer by Tricia Hodges (from Habits for a Happy Home http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8054 ; used with permission) The community helpers puzzle. Its pieces dumped in the floor, again. I find myself frustrated, again. Frustrated to pick up the pieces and frustrated we were all sick. Frustrated we couldn't get out and help the victims of recent flooding. But the Lord calmly gave me an answer, in His patient way. As I was picking up each puzzle piece, He said, "Pray." The ambulance piece--pray for ambulance workers. The police car--pray for our police force rescuing flood victims. The tow truck--wow. I hadn't even thought about all those cars needing to be towed away. And look, the school bus. I adore practical answers. As a young mother, I thought I was supposed to get off in my little corner and have my quiet time. More and more that became a hard thing to do. I didn't quite understand how I was supposed to pray without ceasing. I imagined myself, face down, in the middle of the floor trying to pray and acting oblivious to children running all around me, hollering, "Mama!" "Mama!" Me, answering, "Quiet now children; I'm praying." The Lord has gently taught me that prayer should be the foundation of our day. Not a separate practice, always apart from the children. Though there certainly is a time for formal prayer, the praying habit is to be passed on. It's a way of life. I once heard prayer compared to breathing. Breathe out... send a prayer up... Breathe in...soak up His wisdom, give thanks. It's a conversation. It's easy. Something you don't even have to put effort into. Pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17). Guess what? I've found freedom in praying out loud while driving my homeschool bus to activities. "Lord, help us to be safe. Help children to obey. Help us to be polite and have a good time." Yes, I enjoy quiet time before the children wake. But the children should also catch me with my Bible when they come down the steps, all sleepy-eyed, in the morning. "Here, child, bring that warm blanket and snuggle with me. Let's have some quiet time with Jesus." Other practical prayers as you go about your day: When you hear a siren, stop and pray with the children. Pray not only for those that might be hurting but also for those that are responding to the emergency. Pray for healing. Siren prayers usually prompt us to pray for others we know with urgent needs. When that airplane flies overhead, pray: "God, please bless the people in the airplane." My mother taught us this simple prayer. The youngest girl thought an airplane's name was "bless" for the longest time. Can't find something? Pray. The simple act of stopping and praying for wisdom helps calm everybody down. "Mama, shouldn't we pray?" the seven-year-old reminds. We do. And then I find my keys. Simple, anytime prayers: "Help!" "Please give me wisdom!" "Allow me to show love." And finally, I pause at my kitchen sink often to reread the quote I printed out from Everyday Homemaking: http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8055 "You can't change what you have or haven't done over the past year. Just start where you are, ask the Lord to make you a "joyful mother of children," pray for grace and wisdom (and strength and patience), and move forward." Just pray. All day. ------------------------------ Praying for you today, Vicki Bentley HSLDA Early Years coordinator More Bible curriculum and character training resources: Bible Study Guide for All Ages--Age-integrated study for families or small groups http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8056 Book by Book from Walk thru the Bible Ministries--Multi-sensory approach to teaching the major themes of all 66 books of the Bible http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8057 Celebrating Biblical Feasts by Martha Zimmermam--Hands-on study of the Jewish feasts, from a Christian perspective http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8058 Character Building for Families (Volumes I and II) by Lee Ann Rubsam--Age-integrated, interactive, scriptural studies of character qualities/spiritual fruit http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8059 Character Sketches from the Pages of Scripture, Illustrated in the World of Nature, Vol I, II, and III (Institute for Basic Youth Conflicts) http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8060 Children's Inductive Bible Studies "Know and Grow" series--Inductive Bible studies for children who can read on their own; primary through middle school http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8061 Deeper Roots Publications Bible curriculum: Firm Foundations (elementary), Discovering ... series (junior high),. God's Got Stuff to Do...series for K-5th with a missions focus http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8062 Discover 4 Yourself series--Inductive Bible studies for elementary through junior high; from Precept Ministries http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8063 Doorposts--Bible study and character training/devotional materials for all ages, including Polished Cornerstones (for girls) and Plants Grown Up (for boys) http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8064 Explorers Bible Studies--Inductive studies for preschool through adult http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8065 A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays by Robin Sampson--Comprehensive guide to Jewish holidays for Christian families http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8066 Family Tool Chest series from Heritage Builders--Hands-on, active devotional guide for all ages http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8067 Fun Projects for Hands-On Character Building by Marilyn Boyer--Practical ideas to immerse your child in a biblical worldview and character training through his physical environment. http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8068 Grapevine studies--Old Testament and New Testament overviews utilizing stick-figure drawing; for kindergarten through high school (child should be able to control a pencil) http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8069 Greenleaf Guide to Old Testament History--Age-integrated study for all ages http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8070 Leading Little Ones to God by Marian Schoolland--Classic devotional guide to teaching young children about God; conversational style http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8071 Memlok / PC Memlok Bible Memory System--Uses word pictures on cards or the computer to help memorize scripture; available in several translations. http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8072 Memory Books from Scripture Memory Fellowship--Scripture songs (including reference), picture books; for preschool through adult http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8073 The Narrow Way Character Curriculum--Bible study and character training curriculum for the whole family; 150 daily lessons http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8074 Our 24 Family Ways by Clay and Sally Clarkson--Devotional guide for families. http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8075 Training Hearts, Teaching Minds: Family Devotions Based on the Shorter Catechism by Starr Meade--Devotions based on the Westminster Shorter Catechism. http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8076 A month of prayers for your children (and yourself!)--A 31-day chart of character-focused prayers based on scripture (free download). Great to print out for the refrigerator door. http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8077 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> How many of your friends would pay your legal fees? As a member of HSLDA, you have 80,000 families standing with you to protect and advance homeschool freedoms in the United States and foreign countries. More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1106 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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