G.K. Chesterton, the great Christian writer of the early 20th century, said, “anything worth doing is worth doing poorly.” This statement is the antidote for so much of what ails our culture, and specifically our home schooling. Reluctant to start until we are well prepared, and reluctant to stop until we are absolutely finished, we can find ourselves controlled by inertia.
Inertia: the property of matter by which it retains its state of rest or its velocity.... Inertia is that force that causes us to stay put, to avoid getting up in the morning, or filing our income tax, or cleaning the bathroom. Inertia also is the force that keeps us going once we have begun.
Let’s look at the inertia that keeps us going once we have begun.
Have you considered what a wonderful resource we have in the growing number of graduates who have been home schooled right through high school? I hadn't until I found myself in a position of great need.
I found that my involvement in the administration of WISDOM, the farm, and my commitments to my church community; not to mention the education and formation of my children, kept me rather busy. Praying for discernment, and wrestling with what I must let go; I found the answer was not to let go of anything more at this time, but to find assistance. The most logical solution in my mind was to find help with running my home; so began the search for a part-time housekeeper. I was insistent that I find someone who would fit into our home as an extension of our family unit - someone with integrity who shared our values. I never did find her....
Are you beating your head against a wall? Is your thirteen year old impossible to teach? Is the curriculum that has worked so well in the past suddenly "boring?"
I recently spoke with a mother of many who, after completing an enjoyable unit study of reading and discussion on Holland, decided her fourteen year old son should follow-up this project with something concrete. She asked him to write an essay on the history of the development of the tulip industry - a topic they had all found to be interesting. As days of reluctance dragged into weeks of resistance, a normally affable mother-son relationship became outright antagonistic....
It seems to me that home schooling is a lot like swimming across a lake.
When you are out in the middle, the lake sometimes seems to be a lot bigger than it looked when you jumped in, and unlike a swimming pool, it has no lines painted on the bottom to keep you swimming in a straight line. When you are fighting to make it through the waves without inhaling too much water, pushing yourself to keep going stroke after stroke when you are exhausted, and blinking to see in spite of the water stinging your eyes, it is possible to lose perspective.
Here is a summary of information that should be helpful to those who want to participate in the WISDOM Homeschooling Science and Technology events:
The event is NOT a competition. There will be no ‘judges’ and there are no prizes. Rather, this is an opportunity for a student or family to summarize their course of study in an area of science and/or technology. No one should feel as though someone else has a ‘better’ topic. Rather, this is an opportunity to share YOUR learning with others. Thereby, everyone can benefit by being exposed to a greater variety of topics that might not be achievable on one’s own.
Observations of a Large Adoptive Family
In May 2005, having an approved international home assessment in hand and seeking God about international adoption, we connected with a relief organization (WACSN: West African Children Support Network) working in Liberia, West Africa. Their work involves, among other things, finding homes and processing adoptions for abandoned/orphaned children living at the WACSN orphanage in Monrovia.
I would venture to say that most people have enough interest in robots that they would give a few moments of their time to allow themselves the amusement of watching robots in action. Beyond this, I have observed that fewer people actually have enough interest in robots to wrestle with how they work and to learn what their abilities and their limitations are. I think that there also exists a middle-ground camp of those who imagine that they might have an interest in robots but they are just not sure of ‘where to start’.
Summer is a wonderful time for getting out to play and to explore the wonderful handiwork of God’s creation. Even though many of you suspend your formal homeschool studies during this time, I encourage you to use the summer for building greater momentum in your science program.
There exists constant pressure in our society to adapt to a way of thinking. Webster’s dictionary defines ‘adapt’ as “to modify (oneself) to conform to a circumstance or environment” or alternatively “to become adjusted to a circumstance or environment.” When studying and researching in the sciences, the student will eventually (if not immediately) encounter the evolution perspective. Whether it is biology, geology or astronomy, the processes of evolution will be applied to living and non-living objects. When something evolves, it is believed to have changed from a less complex form to a higher order of complexity. Ignoring this perspective will not make it disappear. But remember… it is only a perspective.Webster’s dictionary describes evolution as a doctrine. Yes, a doctrine!
2014 High School and Beyond Conference
"Forward Confidently"
Was held November 15, 2014
Want your own copy?
If you would like to purchase your own copy of the talks, please let our office know. For $5, we will send you the full collection of talks on your choice of USB key or on CD.
Email orders@wisdomhomeschooling.com
Are you Here to Give or Get?
Kenneth Noster
Matching career to calling is far more rewarding than making decisions based upon income, prestige, or other incentives pushed by our society. Considering your experiences, abilities, and interests, what is being asked of you? What is God designing you for?
Home School Grad Panel
Evan & Natalie Muller, Katheryn Ahlf, Blair Bishop, Nathaniel King
A panel of home schooled graduates discuss a variety of methods by which they effectively, and not so effectively, applied their high school years. Ask them questions that pertain to your own life and aspirations. The variety of approaches and outcomes demonstrate that every home school path is somewhat unique.
A Look Back at High School Through College
Brianne Adrian, B.Ed
Looking back at decisions made during home schooling and since, Brianne is able to offer solid advice to home school youth. Find out how home schooling has provided the keys to her success in study, work, and life.
Its Time to Get Serious
Paul & Mark
A father and youth argue over the benefits of self-discipline and daily purpose, compared to living in the moment and enjoying life. How do you make the most of life and the daily gifts you are being given?
A Variety of Approaches to High School at Home
Patty Marler, Kelvin & Dorothea Presakerchuk, Jeff & Lisa Bekolay
Continually reminding themselves that curriculum is much more than the resources being used, parents reflect on how they needed to adjust their approach and learning materials in order to achieve their goals and those of their children.
Be Confident, Thou Shall Prosper
Tim Hoven
A dynamic speaker, a home schooling father and owner and operator of Hoven Farms, a certified organic, multi-generational farm, Tim demonstrates how it is not only socially responsible to plan for success in our lives, but how the Bible strongly affirms the value of this striving. Tim’s presentation will stimulate discussion on the merits of good business sense, the joy of serving others, and the importance of friendship in our lives.