School is Back in Session!

Today was the first day of school at Front Porch Academy!
And though i had hoped to have pictures to share and despite the fact that we got off to a later start than anticipated it was still a successful beginning.
This year we will be working through "Rome to the Reformation" from My Father's World. Though today was a "light" day, intended to ease us into the school year we still learned quite a bit.
First, we went through the Roman numerals-both the characters and names for numbers 1-10, 20-100 and 1,000. Then we learned the legend of Romulus and Remus along with some other Roman history.
Tomorrow will be a little more involved as we continue to gradually beef up our schedule. On the agenda are: "How the Bible Came to us"(Bible History), Roman Lands Today(map) and "Inside the Human Body(science). I will also be reading to them about the Roman Republic and we can not forget math and writing!
Whew! It really looks to be an exciting year already.
My prayer is that even as our enthusiasm ebbs and flows we will continue to put our best foot forward.
With that thought in mind i am going over our material for tomorrow and thanking God that i am able to teach my children at home.

No T.V.? Read a Book

Since turning the satelite off over a month ago evenings at our house have been a bit quieter. Instead of fighting over the remote and arguing over what television show to watch we now have read aloud time. This week as part of our schooling we have started reading about Cameron Townsend. Until recieving the book with "My Father's World-Exploring Countries and Cultures" last month i had never heard of Cameron Townsend and had no idea who he was. So it has been a real treat to learn about the man who started Wycliffe Bible Translators. We are only three chapters into the book-reading the fourth tonight-but the children and i look forward to this time now. The question is no longer, "Can we watch Disney Channel?" but, "When are you going to read to us?". They are learning far more from this man who died in 1982 than they ever learned watching "Hannah Montana". Last night we read how Cameron Townsend started his mission work in Guatemala. When i finished the chapter, Rachel wanted to find Guatemala on the world map so we enjoyed gathering around and testing our map finding skills which we have been honing in our Geography lessons. In the 4+ years i have been homeschooling i do not remember a time when the children have been more enthusiastic about their studies. I don't remember a time that i have been more excited myself. By the way, it has dawned on me that i have not shared the title of the book we are reading. My apologies. The title is, "Cameron Townsend: Good News in Every Language" by Janet & Jeff Benge. It is just one in a series of "Christian Heroes: Then & Now". In the coming months we will be reading about others in this series. With names like Amy Carmichael, George Muller, Nate Saint, Gladys Aylward and David Livingstone i am sure they will all be good. Television? Don't miss it. Besides, we do still have the Wii. We haven't gone cold turkey just yet.

Homeschooling: The Thrill is Back!

This image of children having fun learning and enjoying the great outdoors is brought to you compliments of "My Father's World-Exploring Countries and Cultures". Since our first day of school last Monday(8-11) some interesting things have been taking place. The children and i are thoroughly enjoying homeschooling again! We try to start school every day at 8:00. No problem. They are ready and ASKING to start school at 7:30! Brogan and Reece were actually disappointed when we didn't have school over the weekend. Rachel enjoys reading and would rather help me with her brothers who are in Kindergarten and working through "My Father's World From A to Z"than play the Wii. She now says she wants to be a teacher. The little ones are so excited to be learning the days of creation,numbers and the alphabet. The older two are fascinated by geography,science and learning about different countries and cultures. I am feeling much smarter myself! As their teacher i am relearning so much of what i have forgotten over the years. "My Father's World" has also sparked everyone's creativity, including my own. We have music and art three days a week because creativity is very much encouraged in this curriculum. Every Wednesday we enjoy a Nature Walk and that is what we are doing in this picture. This was our first one, we are eagerly awaiting tomorrow's walk when we will start our leaf and bark collection. To say that i am thoroughy impressed with MFW would be an undersatement. This is the curriculum i have so desperately seeking since we started homeschooling 4 years ago. I am so grateful a friend told me about "My Father's World" and thank God for this wonderful opportunity to teach my children in what is turning out be a great adventure! Stay tuned readers, there will be more to share in the days and weeks ahead...

Why i Journal

Though i have always loved to write it has only been in the last four years that i have journaled consistently. During this time i have filled three journals and i am presently working on my fourth. I have also started a seperate journal for my family's homeschooling journey. The reasons i enjoy journaling are numerous but i will share a few with you. One reason is because i write much better than i speak. I may not always be able to orally express what i am feeling but give me a pen and paper and i can tell you in writing. Even if i am not so sure of how i am feeling or why i feel the way i do if i try to write it seems to make more sense and usually by the time i am done i do feel better. When i have trouble praying vocally i start writing my prayers. It helps me to focus. Another neat thing about journaling is that it usually ends in praise and thanksgiving! That is why i often refer to my journals as "my psalms". Journaling gets my creative juices flowing as well. Sometimes i even draw in my journal. It was through journaling that i was inspired to start blogging. One more reason i love to journal is because i am leaving a legacy for my children. It is my hope that when they read my writings someday they may learn more about me and maybe even learn from my experiences. Rachel has already started writing on her own and it makes me glad that she is realizing at her young age the importance and joy of journaling.