LEWIS AND CLARK

Elka, determined to read in excess these days, ended up reading about Lewis and Clark...which led to further discussion and breaking out that game I've saved all this time for just this sort of thing. As she navigated the explorers' journey through the quiz cards in the game, the content she'd been reading about leaped off the page and into her mind with excitement.

And this is how and why we homeschool...to allow children the time to learn and investigate and connect dots in interesting ways that sink deep into their learning banks, to invest in relationships and have the time on our hands to wander down rabbit trails, to cultivate the soil of these growing-up-way-too-fast hearts that are still right here in my nest. Yep, this is why we homeschool and especially so through the high school years whilst I watch my little ones become young adults full of potential and honing their skills for the future. I wouldn't trade these special years for any other way! Thank you, Lord, for the gift of time.

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."

Ephesians 5:15-16

KEYS

It's amazing how many educational games can spring forth from something as simple as...keys.

"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,

and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Matthew 16:19

CUISENAIRE RODS & PATTERN BLOCKS

Simply laminating the pages of these old school workbooks has breathed new life into our faithful staples.

It's always fun to create "stations" and then swap groups.

Seeds Family Worship plays in the background so we can double task hiding God's Word in our hearts, memorizing Scripture.

Gotta love Cuisenaire Rods and Pattern Blocks.

Gotta love homeschool.

"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

Psalm 119:11

ALGEBRA

{taught by the coolest math teacher in town}

I'm so thankful they get to learn from him...together.

"Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight."

Proverbs 4:1

NUMBERS

These 2...

Since they stopped napping, they're always doing something quiet together during our midday rest time.

Today, it was numbers.

I love to see children love learning.

"Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching."

Proverbs 4:1-2

ARMOR OF GOD

Been studying the Armor of God lately.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."

Ephesians 6:10-18

T - IS FOR TENNESSE (& THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE)

This week as our loved ones have been in Tennessee, I took the opportunity to discuss some US geography with the little ones...which led to a conversation about the Pledge of Allegiance among other things.

Brodie was my big helper as they cut out their Ts and drew things that start with T on them.

There's nothing like scissors and construction paper to get my little homeschoolers excited!!

It was a blessed time to discuss our nation and it's roots and to remember what a privilege it is that we live "under God" as Christians with religious freedom here. Thank you, Lord, for our country and we pray that you will be honored in this land!

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,

then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14

D - IS FOR DINOSAUR

Playing off what they enjoy...This is how we homeschool.

"Its tail sways like a cedar."

Job 40:17

CATCH OF THE DAY - TIGER SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY

For Christmas this year, we got Brodie and the little boys butterfly nets and a butterfly identification book because they were very interested in catching and studying the many butterflies that enjoy our property as much as we do! As spring has arrived, it's brought with it a bit of wildlife thus far such that boys can't get enough of (like lizards and critters and soon enough snakes) and yesterday Brodie finally had his first exciting butterfly catch - a beautiful yellow and black striped Tiger Swallowtail.

He proudly appeared, butterfly in jar, book in hand, ready to research his acquisition...and this is why we homeschool.

I love the curiosity of childhood and allowing the time for things like science to take place naturally here at home.

Although he had mid-winter visions of carefully mounting his springtime trophies and had done all the necessary research to do so properly, let it be known that Brodie is in fact a softie...especially when it comes to his little sisters. {Insert mama-smile here.} Poor Nova couldn't bear to see the captive specimen enclosed in the jar, let alone imagine it dying and thus, she somehow managed to convince her kindhearted big brother to release his long sought after first capture.

(Another endearing reason why we homeschool.)

And so it goes...springtime curiosity in full effect...I wonder what we'll be catching around here next??

"The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof."

Psalm 24:1

LETTERS IN THE DIRT

We were just going for a walk down our usual path...

I spotted something in the dirt and had to stop and smile upon closer inspection.

"Who did this?" I asked, looking for the little one responsible for such sensibility.

Ah, great job, Noble! That's my kind of letter practice, naturally.

"Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life."

Proverbs 10:17