Educators At Home

Years ago my husband and I were entrusted with an antique lap desk that my sister bought at an auction. While the desk was in our possession we discovered inside a stack of handwritten pre-civil war correspondence between a man and his girlfriend. Each evening when my husband returned from work we would read over these intriguing love letters written in very lovely delicate script. We were trying to figure out why this couple could not be together and why they did not simply get married. We discovered that the lady was caring for her parents and the gentleman worked for the railroads. It was such a treat for us to read about them and it felt as though we were time travelers getting a glimpse at life for two ordinary people so long ago.

I was disturbed when I heard that cursive writing had been dropped from the common core state standards in over 40 states here in America. Children in school today may not be able to enjoy reading some of the old original correspondence, documents, last will and testaments, sermons, etc. that were hand written in lovely penmanship.  Sadly, they will not know how to read our original founding documents like the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.  Although some folks think that handwriting is unnecessary, to me, it is quite perplexing to know that cursive writing is actually going extinct and future generations will not even be able to read our Constitution without it being translated for them. Folks will not be able to read an old fashioned handwritten letter or a letter from an ancestor. They will not be able to study genealogy or read many of the original historical documents that are preserved in museums and archives. Perhaps they will not be able to correspond with pen and paper at all…maybe they will not even know how to sign their name!!  Read more...

The years have flown. It seems like only yesterday we set up our homeschool classroom complete with the Pledge of Allegiance adorned on our wall, desks full of new school supplies, and brand- new shiny workbooks and readers. I was so excited to begin teaching my children but had no idea what this homeschool journey would actually look like….I didn’t know how marvelous and fulfilling it would be or how much it would change our family. As an idealistic and very eager homeschool mom, I did not envision or understand that in addition to my children learning, I would also experience growth and change. The focus was on my children, but now I understand that biblical homeschooling requires the whole family to transform and learn together. In those early days , I heard someone describe homeschooling as a “lifestyle”. I was somewhat puzzled by this description, but now I understand completely.

Undoubtedly, I would be teaching my children reading, writing and arithmetic, but I also would spend a great deal of time praying for patience…. for wisdom and working on character issues…with my children…. and myself. In order to homeschool independently and biblically, the emphasis would have to be on training and discipleship because the Bible is clear on this calling for parents. If our dear children did not obey, how could we ever hope to teach them? We had to choose curriculum carefully making sure it reflected a biblical worldview, and my husband soon became a prayer partner and homeschool advocate as well. Even our dear Grandma joined in to help with some subjects.  Read more...

This short clip  about Family Man Ministries reminds us what is really most important during these homeschooling years.  Even though I agree with what Todd Wilson and his wife are saying,  for homeschool moms like me this is a very difficult thing to understand and apply.  What do you think about this clip?

O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.  I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden from of old-things we have heard and known, things our fathers have told us.  We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.  He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.  Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.  Psalm 78:1-7

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, and when you lie down and when you get up.  Deuteronomy 11:18,19

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip for your heart as long as you live.  Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Deuteronomy 4:9

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn form it.  Proverbs 22:6  Read more...

I found this timeline of education in America from a very helpful book ; The How and Why of Home Schooling by Ray E. Ballman. Dr. Ballmann, homeschooling father of six, makes a careful and convincing case for homeschooling. This list alone is enough to convince me to avoid the government schools.

1620-Christian education.  Schools taught the Bible and Colleges like Harvard, Princeton, and Yale were founded so train young men to preach the gospel.

1837-Public education begins.  The first public school was established.  Horace Mann, a Unitarian, worked for a state-controlled educational system.  The Bible was still taught in the public schools.

1905-Progressive education.  John Dewey, the father of progressive education, introduced Socialistic, anti-Christian philosophy in the schools.  The Bible was separated from academic studies.

1925-Supreme Court rules on home schooling.  In Pierce v. Society of Sisters it says Oregon parents can’t be denied their own schools. noting, “The child is not the mere creature of the state.”

1933-Humanistic education.  The Humanist Manifesto, written by John Dewey and thirty-three other signers enunciates the doctrines of secular humanism.  God and the supernatural are rejected and replaced with man’s reason and science.

1963-Anti-Christian education.  Bible reading in public schools is declared unconstitutional.  The vacuum is quickly filled with curriculum materials that promote immorality, rebellion against parents, the occult, and other teachings contrary to Scripture.

1960s-Rise of Christian education.  There are now over ten thousand Christian schools to combat the destructive education of religious humanism.  A Christian school is started every seven hours.  Read more...

Although Socrates admonished  that “The unexamined life is not worth living,” in some ways it seems self-indulgent …..always questioning…..always examining  our own lives and activities.  Still, in our family, since we’ve begun this homeschool journey, evaluating our curriculum, our methods, our goals, our daily activities,  and even our attitudes is par for the course.  This time set aside for reflection and examination helps  to refocus and set goals.  It renews our vision and sets straight our path once again.  One of the benefits of this close  evaluation is that we remember the big picture and the real reason we  homeschool. 

What are we hoping to accomplish and why have we chosen this homeschooling lifestyle?   Academic excellence is not our main destination and some subjects may not  impress. We realize and remember that “there are no guarantees in this life,” yet  we press on because we must do what God commands;  teach and train our own children.  To tell them the stories of God’s faithfulness in our own lives and the lives of those who came before us.  To speak of this often…when we arise, during the day and when we retire at the end of our day.  Trusting in God to fill in the gaps when we fall short, we are doing our best at:

training future leaders and……looking generations ahead.

We are leading by inspiration……and  by example

We are teaching repentance and……preserving traditions and customs.

We are training our future grandchildren and…….maintaining close family ties.  Read more...

A builder builded a temple.
He wrought it with grace and skill;
Pillars and groins and arches
All fashioned to work his will.
Men said, as they saw its beauty,
‘It shall never know decay.
Great is thy skill, O Builder!
Thy fame shall endure for aye.’

A teacher builded a temple
With loving and infinite care,
Planning each arch with patience,
Laying each stone with prayer.
None praised her unceasing efforts.
None knew of her wondrous plan,
For the temple the teacher builded
Was unseen by the eyes of man.

Gone is the builder’s temple,         
Crumbled into the dust.
Low lies each stately pillar,
Food for consuming rust.
But the temple the teacher builded
Will last while the ages roll,
For that beautiful unseen temple
Was a child’s immortal soul.

Author unknown

This poem by Edgar Guest, I dedicate to my husband who is the story teller in our family.  I’m  blessed to have a man  who is devoted to making memories with his boys; jealously guarding his evening  time of praying and reading with them.  Even now that they are growing into young men, he spends this time, laughing, reading, praying and roughhousing with them  each night. Often times I’m the “grown-up” who  reminds them that its time to sleep….because they are having too much fun to watch the clock.  Yes, this poem definitely  describes my honey.  ~Happy Father’s Day

Most every night when they’re in bed,
And both their little prayers have said,
They shout for me to come upstairs
And tell them tales of gypsies bold,
And eagles with the claws that hold
A baby’s weight, and fairy sprites
That roam the woods on starry nights.

And I must illustrate these tales,
Must imitate the northern gales
That toss the native man’s canoe,
And show the way he paddles, too.
If in the story comes a bear,
I have to pause and sniff the air
And show the way he climbs the trees
To steal the honey from the bees.

And then I buzz like angry bees
And sting him on his nose and knees
And howl in pain, till mother cries:
“That pair will never shut their eyes,
While all that noise up there you make;
You’re simply keeping them awake.”
And then they whisper: “Just one more,”
And once again I’m forced to roar.  Read more...

There is, I should say, a very serious error involved in a Christian parent’s committing the training of his children to unconverted persons, or even to those whose hearts are not one with him as to separation from the world. It is natural that a child should look up to, and follow, the example of, one who has the training and management of him. Now, what can a teacher make of a child, save what he is himself? What principles can he instill, save those which govern his own mind, and form the basis of his own character? The same principle applies to the reading of books. A book is decidedly a silent teacher and former of the mind and character; if I am called to look well to the character and the principles of the living teacher, I am equally so to look to those of the silent teacher. I am quite convinced that in reference both to books and teachers we need to have our consciences stirred and instructed. —C. H. Mackintosh (1820-1896)

Although our family has chosen not to participate in Awana programs, we managed to memorize some verses and chapters over the years.  I’m realizing now that we have not memorized nearly enough because I have not made this a priority in our homeschooling.  I guess I did not understand how very important it is to walking with Christ. Somehow I was put off by the competitive nature of the various programs like Awana in addition to the behavior of some participants.  I’ve known of children who have memorized huge portions of scripture and have completed all of the paces in the Awana program but exhibited very little fruit from this.  Sadly, I’m afraid I may have thrown “the baby out with the bath water.”

John Piper has listed some reasons why he believes memorizing is so valuable.  I’d add one more reason on the end.  Memorizing scripture is important because one day our Bible (which many consider a book of hate speech) may be taken from us. I’m inspired to work harder at this and memorize more myself.  A helpful website for memorizing scripture is:   www.memverse.com/

youtu.be/-2ph6zKxJDk

Memorizing Scripture:

Makes meditation possible when you cannot read the Bible…allows for deeper understanding.

Strengthens my faith (faith comes by hearing the word).

Shapes the way I view the world by conforming my mind to God’s viewpoint.

Helps us overcome temptation to sin.

 It guards my mind and allows me to detect error.  Read more...

I found this inspiring poem in a book titled Poems for Memorization by Rod and Staff Publishers.  This book has poems chosen for each grade level.  This particular selection is suggested for ninth grade.

 

“My Book! My Book! My grand old Book!”

By inspiration given!

Thy every page, from age to age,

Reveals the path to heav’n;

My Lamp of light! In nature’s night

Thy unbeclouded ray

Has turned the gloom of death’s cold tomb

To everlasting day.

 

“My Chart! My Chart! My changeless Chart!”

By thee I guide my bark,

A simple child on ocean wild,

O’er mountain billows dark;

By thee I steer my safe career,

With canvas all unfurled,

And onward sail before the gale,

To yonder blissful world.

 

My Staff! My Staff! My trusty Staff!”

I’ll grasp thee in my hand,

As faint and weak on Pisgah’s peak,

I view the promised land;

Not sadly told, as one of old,

To see—but not explore,

My hold I’ll keep through Jordan’s deep

Till safe on Canaan’s shore.

 

My Sword! My Sword! My two edged Sword!”

By thy unerring might,

I deal my foe the deadly blow,

In faith’s unequal fight;

Thy tempered blade, that lent me aid

In every conflict past,  Read more...

Thomas Sowell, one of the most brilliant conservative intellectuals in America today shares some of his thoughts on our educational system. I appreciate when he remarked that the experiences of life can help people outgrow whatever they have been indoctrinated into.  This is so true!  Everything from earning a paycheck to having your first child often makes you see the world differently.  Many of my child development classes went out the window when I realized that what the experts had to say not only did not work, but were in direct contrast to Biblical teachings and the wisdom of my dear Mother.  Turns out the the old paths that have been tested over and over again, confirmed by scripture were the right paths after all.  ~Anne

People are all born ignorant but they are not born stupid.  Much of the stupidity we see today is induced by our educational system, from the elementary schools to the universities.  In a high-tech age that has seen the creation of artificial intelligence by computers, we are all seeing the creation of artificial stupidity by people who call themselves educators.

Educational institutions created to pass on to the next generation the knowledge, experience and culture of the generations that went before them have instead been turned into indoctrination centers to promote whatever notions, fashions or ideologies happen to be in vogue among today’s intelligentsia.  Read more...

I always enjoy and appreciate the good old common sense of Dennis Pager.  We are blessed to have access to his Prager University video’s which allow us to partake and learn from his words of wisdom.  His ideas are so basic and make such perfect sense that they should be obvious to us. Yet,  we often need reminders of even the most obvious thoughts and ideas. This particular video on “Happiness” spoke to my heart and yet, I would add one more thought to it.  An image we need to remember about ourselves is that we are wretched sinners, and Christ in His love and mercy  is working to form us into His own image if we submit to Him.  I hope you enjoy this video.  ~Anne

youtu.be/bYvmjdqpT7Y

This poem by Edgar Guest is convicting to me. May the Lord in his mercy continue the work He has begun. ~Anne

“I’d rather see a sermon
than hear one any day;
I’d rather one should walk with me
than merely tell the way.
The eye’s a better pupil
and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing,
but example’s always clear;
And the best of all preachers
are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action
is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it
if you’ll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action,
but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver
may be very wise and true,
But I’d rather get my lessons
by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you
and the high advice you give,
But there’s no misunderstanding
how you act and how you live.”

Edgar Guest

What a sobering thought…and so unbelievable these stories of history.  If we do not  understand and acknowledge our history we are destined to repeat it.  I’m amazed at the faith and courage of Lady Jane Grey.  This is the prayer she prayed in her prison cell before she was beheaded in 1554.

‘I think that at the supper I neither receive flesh nor blood, but bread and wine; which bread when it is broken, and the wine when it is drunken, put me in remembrance how that for my sins the body of Christ was broken, and his blood shed on the cross. …I ground my faith upon God’s word, and not upon the church… The faith of the church must be tried by God’s word, and not God’s word by the church; neither yet my faith.’ Jane Grey to John Feckenham, 1554

O merciful god, be Thou unto me
A strong Tower of defence,
I humbly entreat Thee.
Give me grace to await thy leisure,
And patiently to bear
What Thou doest unto me;
Nothing doubting or mistrusting
Thy goodness towards me;
For Thou knowest what is good for me
Better than I do.
Therefore do with me in all things
What Thou wilt;
Only arm me, I beseech Thee,
With Thine armor,
That I may stand fast;
Above all things taking to me
The shield of faith;
Praying always that I may
Refer myself wholly to Thy will,
Abiding Thy pleasure, and comforting myself
In those troubles which it shall pleased Thee
To send me, seeing such troubles are
Profitable for me; and I am
Assuredly persuaded that all Thou doest
Cannot but be well; and unto Thee
Be all honor and glory. Amen.  Read more...