[Do you celebrate at midnight?]

No. I'm a night owl, so I'm up at midnight most nights. My husband and kids will be asleep.

[Are you a better homeschool teacher than when you started?]

Every stage is like teaching a new kid for me, and so it looks so different. Early elementary? Middle school? High school (gulp)? What the child needs and what is expected generally is different yet again each time. I bring a more mature and experienced but still with a similar underlying strength/weakness set me.

 

So I do my best knowing it won't be the ideal I wish it could be. I think that's the biggest way I've changed, though. Truly accepting that you work with what you have--in child and in teacher--and that means X and Y may not be realistic or best for child B and teacher me. So I guess a mindset of flexibility and grace?

 

If I had a big age gap in kids, though, maybe I would feel different? I think I could do each stage better if I had a re-do. But then every child is so different from the last. So, maybe not.

[CLE LA - How long?]

It takes through 8th grade to cover all of the grammar sequence, if that's important to you. I think it's some of the verbals, maybe infinitives?, that are introduced in 8th. You could look at the scope/sequence to see what you think.

[Mac and Cheese - I need a good "recipe."]

Do you have an Instant Pot? I don’t like Mac and Cheese, but my kids do. I found a recipe online for from scratch Mac and cheese that takes 20 minutes in the Pot from start to finish. It’s so quick that I sometimes make it in the morning to put in my kids lunchboxes for school.

 

 

Recipe please  :drool5:  ???

 

I agree with mlktwins, I'd love to have your recipe.

[S/O--Do you close your kids' bedroom doors at night?]

My kids have closed doors and always have. This was for fire safety primarily, but also because still awake people are less likely to disturb a sleeping person with a door closed. I have always slept with ours open since we had kids, though, so I could hear if they call out in the night. I always figure a child needing me is less likely than a fire.

[poverty and protective services]

Given some volunteering I do, I come into close contact with women whose children have been removed from the home by protective services. In our area of the US, most children are removed due to drug use in the home. And in my volunteer work, these are the families I see almost exclusively.

 

I just finished reading the Glass Castle. And the thing is children are generally removed when mom has contact with authorities due to drug use. However, often these women have other issues that become apparent after removal--mental health, domestic abuse history, and often generational poverty.

 

Many of them that I work with have homes that DCS won't return a child to even if the drug use is handled. We try to find alternate housing, and sometimes this is hard due to drug convictions and just generally how the system works here. And the patterns that come from this life that make it hard to maintain housing--pay rent/utilities--even if programs or protective services steps in to try to help and we get placement. Often these women have housing without electricity or water, for example, and other issues with cleanliness and major disrepair. Some are living in vehicles. The descriptions in that book---I've seen similar. All of it due to poverty, and the long standing mindset and lifestyle patterns that can bring even outside the addictions.

 

But I struggle. What should happen with a child whose parent can't maintain housing for whatever reason? Here it's neglect....it's poverty though! Most of these moms want to give their kids the world. I'm struggling. (my volunteer work has nothing to do with deciding what kids are removed or returned...but I think about these kids a lot, and their moms. All of it is traumatic and sad for everyone).

 

Thoughts? I'm sort of a muddle. I found that book hard to read, given the families I see.

 

[Grammar for 8th Grade]

CLE's grammar is definitely more thorough than most schools. Their 8th grade will cover all grammar I think. So it doesn't surprise me at all that your kids are struggling. I would stop the program while you decide. Tell them they are placed incorrectly, and these light units are meant to be levels more than grades. Do the online placement test and decide whether you want to start the kids at whatever levels they place. If you want in depth grammar, select this or Rod and Staff or Analytical Grammar or similar. If you don't want this level of depth, there are other options.

[House not selling - should we give up?]

 I use a light box. and recommend that. Get a good one. Sunbox is a good brand, if pricey.

 

We sold mid-winter. I would get a new agent, make absolutely certain I'm really priced correctly, and keep it listed past what you think of as "buying season" if the listing/showing itself isn't terribly stressful.

 

 

[Carpenter ants?]

We had them right after we moved in. They literally ate their way in through the wall. I really felt it was overnight--a hole in the wall and ants.

 

We talked to an extension agent for ID and he recommended two different poisons--one was sweet and the other savory maybe--and both for Carpenter. I don't know. But they eat different things depending on their life stage. They ate all of one and disappeared. They came back about a month later, ate some more, and I guess died.

[Christian Homeschoolers and Science]

I feel a bit hesitant to post this. I hope it doesn't come across that I think all Christians need to hold a certain scientific belief. There are sincere Christ followers in all the camps--young earth, old earth, evolutionary creation. I'm good with all my fellow Christians who are holding different beliefs and teaching those to their kids.

 

I fall into the evolutionary creation understanding of this. I put my answers in red, but hope anyone threatened by evolution won't read my replies below.

 

I'm thinking of writing some stuff on Christian homeschoolers and science. I want to mine the hive to make sure my perceptions are accurate.

 

Assume all of these statements are about high school aged kids.

 

I'll start with this analogy:

 

Suppose you're a homeschool mom looking for high school science textbooks. You have two options: A well written, high quality text that references evolution as a valid scientific theory or a lesser quality Christian text. What do you choose?

 

I would chose the quality text.

 

Do you perceive Christian homeschoolers to be more intimidated by science than other subjects? Why?

Most people here, who lean heavily young earth, use Apologia and similar programs without stress. I see more stress with higher level math.

 

Is evolutionary content a big issue for you in teaching science? Why?

No. I see evolution as science and Christianity as faith. Basically, by faith I believe that God created and sustains the world. Science, rightly interpreted, can show us how that creation occurred. The bible, rightly interpreted, doesn't contradict evolution.

 

Do you feel that many Christians feel threatened by evolutionary content? Why?

 

I certainly see that in most of my social contacts--though I think it is more confident in their understanding of science disproving evolution than feeling threatened. I was there in the past. My thoughts come from my own experience, recognizing I don't speak for all. For me, when I was there in the past, it was because I felt that evolution, if true, somehow disproved the bible, making it fallible, and therefore called God into question. I think we misunderstand scripture--I know I did--and it can cause a lot of unnecessary issues. It did for me. 

 

More broadly, I think it might be because I thought my belief saved me, and so right beliefs were vitally important. I think, now, there's some idolatry in the way I used to think about these things. But then letting go of those beliefs was really threatening and hard for me. It was a painful loss even though, in the end, I have so much more gain spiritually speaking. I'm glad I'm way on the other side of it.

 

What are the results of Christians homeschooled kids not being exposed to evolutionary content in high school?

 

For my own kids, I would be concerned that being faced with the science behind it in college or beyond would call their faith into question. It did for me, and I was an adult at the time with decades of following Christ to sustain me as I began to investigate. What if I had come to that at 18, 19, 20? Would I have made it through spiritually speaking? Surely God would shepherd me through then as he did when I went through it as an adult, but it was painful and so unnecessary. I don't want that for my kids. Beyond that, I think misunderstanding of evolution would limit some science education and foundation that might limit a person looking into that area for a career. That said, I know a lot of the high school geared young earth creation materials take pains to try to prevent evolutionary teaching from causing kids to stumble spiritually.

 

Any other thoughts on this concept?

 

I'll share my thoughts in a bit but I'd love to give some time for discussion to start/.

 

 

[Language Arts - is this enough?]

I would just focus on learning to read well and lots of enjoying read aloud books together. What you have sounds fine. I don't even think you need AAS if reading isn't solid yet.

[Accounting class]

Thank you--looks like a great resource!

[Hints from the Trenches of Scholarship Essay Judging]

I had a similar experience judging essays for a scholarship. I often wondered how kids with such weak writing skills would make it in college. That was in my pre-homeschooling years.

 

I'm curious about what formulaic writing program you're talking about--if indeed you have a specific one in mind.

I just got done being part of a scholarship essay judging committee.  As I was reading some of the essays I frequently thought, "I hope this isn't from my people (you guys)"   Although none of the ones I read mentioned homeschooling.   But, I thought I'd pass onto you guys what I wish I could have passed onto the parents of the entrants.  

 

1. Have someone new read the essay after you have used spell check.   I'd guess 10% of the essays had a word spell-corrected to the wrong word.  Like "Defiantly" where "Definitely" should be.  There was one child of a physician that thinks the U.S. should provide Medicare to the world.   If the committee discusses what the writer had meant, you won't get a score to pass the first round of judging.  
2. Read the instructions and follow them.  About a third of the essays I read weren't bad, but they still scored low.  These essays had to state the child's goal with supporting statements.  One third never stated a goal.  I suspect that they were generic scholarship essays.   But, with minor tweaking, like inserting a sentence, "My goal is ..."  they would have been fine.  The rest of the essay could have been supporting statements.
3. Have someone with a grasp of grammar proofread the essay.  Grammar is a huge weakness of mine, and if I spot a grammar problem, then it must be bad.  About 10% had that problem.  Remember I rarely spot grammar problems.  
4. If you as a parent are requiring a certain number of scholarship entries, then you need to make reading over the application/essay as part of the requirement.  About 20% were very obviously "My parent / counselor / authority figure is making me submit this."  They didn't even try.   Like two sentence "essays".  

 

My personal resolution is that when DD gets to that age, she will use that writing program criticized for being formulaic.  90% of the kids could have benefited from a formulaic writing program.  

 

It wasn't all bad though.   I've done this for several years and I've never given a perfect score before and this year about 5% got a perfect score from me.   

 

[Improving Keyboarding after learning]

Is there a good, and maybe even enjoyable, way to work on keyboarding skill (speed, accuracy) after a child has learned the basics.

 

He can touch type to the point that he doesn't even want to look at his hands when keyboarding for papers and such, but I'd like him to be faster.

[How to prepare middle schooler for PSAT/SAT/ACT?]

My middle schooler hasn't done any standardized testing. When should I start preparing for the PSAT (or SAT) and ACT?

 

Are there good ways to do this in middle school?

[Is this too much for 9th grade?]

For typing, once he learns the basic hand position, you can just get him the game, "epistory".

 

http://store.steampowered.com/app/398850/

 

Unless you start grade 9 soon, he has time to master typing before it starts. 

 

This looks great!

[Grammar suggestions for a 3rd grader]

I was going to recommend FLL--having that memory stuff in the head comes in handy later.

But sentence family is very cute--I hope he likes it!

[If you are a Universalist, but also a Christian]

Can you tell me why you think this?  Scriptural references?  Theological discussions?

 

I am genuinely interested.  This is more is line with my reasoning, but I have never heard it preached or taught.

 

I've been forming those thoughts over many years. So that is my “now†after lots of reading and reflection and prayer. I can list authors I read over the years. But some of my theology comes outside of Universalism, including what it means to be a Christian and atonement theory generally.

 

Most begin understanding hell by studying the etymology of words translated in scripture. There are words that have different connotations in the English translation than the Greek words had when written. And, unfortunately, some biblical translators let their extra-biblical theology and understandings inform their interpretations. Two of those words are hell and eternal, but there are other issues, even words added that aren't in the original Greek!

 

You can find extensive study on those words in the original Greek in online and book sources. I believe the two sites I linked in my first post will get into that. The Yale theologian one I linked is quite good, though more involved than the second. You can also get bibles which have more direct and accurate translation from Greek including the Concordant New Testament, which is the one I am most familiar with. I need scripture to support universal reconciliation to accept it. I need no scripture to oppose it to accept it. I needed that intellectually. And, properly translated, it's there. It's there anyway actually. But even clearer when you know Greek or at least you have an accurate translation of Greek.

 

Beyond that, there is early church history and a long line of Christians post early church who have held to this belief—it's orthodox. I can link some website with that information if it's important to you. Here is one for example that kind of hits the high points of how hell was taught throughout church history: http://www.tentmaker.org/articles/how_hell_became_eternal_vincent.htm.

 

There are scriptures which talk about refining that we will all go through and of course judgment. I can find sites with that information and teaching about the purpose of judgment, and it's in many books on the subject, but I'm having trouble finding it done succinctly online right now. It also comes down to correct translation in an intellectual sense. For me it also pulls into the character of God as shown in Christ. I can continue to look if you would like. Here is a bit from William Barclay: “The word for punishment is kolasis. The word was originally a gardening word, and its original meaning was pruning trees. In Greek there are two words for punishment, timoria and kolasis, and there is a quite definite distinction between them. (at this point he sites sources to support—I included just a couple here) Clement of Alexandria (Stromateis 4.24; 7.16) defines kolasis as pure discipline, and timoria as the return of evil for evil. Aulus Gellius says that kolasis is given that a man may be corrected; timoria is given that dignity and authority may be vindicated (The Attic Nights7.14). The difference is quite clear in Greek and it is always observed. Timoria is retributive punishment. Kolasis is always given to amend and to cure.†it looks like there is a more full quote and teaching on this site: http://www.epochalypsis.org/pruning-and-kolasis/

 

The links I put in my first post and this one talk about the word eternal and the word hell.

 

There are lots of scriptures I could go into, but the Yale theologian in the link in my first post http://campuspress.yale.edu/keithderose/1129-2/ uses some of them and explains them pretty logically and relatively succinctly. He mirrors a lot of my rational thought on it, and I shared a bit of that above. I started this journey of exploring universal reconciliation because I could no longer understand God as good if he was who was as I was taught he was. This is a view of a good God who is going to heal humanity and make all things new and right—for he saw the results and the end and decided to create humans anyway and to come and die to heal us from the consequences of our sin. And it's biblical, while I no longer believe the eternal conscious torment is at all. It actually grieves me that so many see God through that lens; I think it's damaging to the cause of Christ.

 

My answer to your question, then, is this has been a long process with a long list of resources, not all universalism based. It's hard to put all that out in succinct form. Those two links I posted in my first post, while I actually found them just as I was posting to you, lay some of the theology and scripture out. But if you are interested, there are so many other resources online and in print. There are also forums where you can ask questions—including about specific scriptures that seem to be against it. http://evangelicaluniversalist.com/forum/index.php and https://tentmaker.org/forum/ I'm not really sure which is better—it's been a long time since I've looked at either. I've kind of settled this thought in my mind and am exploring atonement and similar things right now.

 

Oh, my church denomination doesn't teach this stuff unfortunately.

 

 

[If you are a Universalist, but also a Christian]

First, I think the bible teaches universal reconciliation, and I needed to explore the biblical support and examine the verses that seemed to teach there was an eternal hell. I came to the conclusion through study that this hope is intellectually and spiritually sound. http://campuspress.yale.edu/keithderose/1129-2/

http://www.frimmin.com/faith/godislove.php

 

 Would anyone, if they could really clearly see truth and the love of God reject that to choose destruction. Or are we blinded, all to different extents, by our humanity and sin? And does God who wanted to welcome us all really get his plan ultimately thwarted by our humanity and sin? If narrow is the way that leads to life....most are on the way to destruction. Of course a loving God doesn't want that, but he's limited by us and the finite lifetime we have? Is it possible instead that eventually we will all see clearly? We will all repent and come to God through Christ? He will make all things good--reconciling the victim with the now repentant victimizer, bringing healing and health?

 

I believe in a hell--an age of time--where all of us will be purified. Some will have started that purification on earth and will have already begun selecting life over death by following Christ--living out his love in this new kingdom his death and resurrection ushered in and walking in that light. So I think there will be a judgment--but it will be restorative, not punitive in nature.

[The ____________ shall lie with the lamb.]

Lion

[do you use makeup everyday?]

I don't wear make-up around the house/around family. I do wear it when I'm going out and about though, even routine errands. I feel more confident and pretty with it. My biggest issue is under-eye circles, and I look a lot better covering those. But the rest of it makes me feel more put together too.

[Dr. Hive: Lowering iron levels]

There are meds to chelate iron, or phlebotomy if health allows. Has her doctor recommended treatment?

Did she have transfusions/do they know why her iron is high?

[math is a mess]

If I have to scaffold the Singapore word problems, I do them on a white board. Then I have the child re-do it--either when the book is done (works well for FAN math) or as we go (works better for the longer Singapore workbooks). You will cover less ground, but I think the retention is better.

 

The other thing is that you are doing so much extra. Especially given the little time, why so much? I'll give an example from my experience. If he's needing scaffold for the Singapore books, I would pick the best of the bunch (I favor FAN math over CWP for example), and make sure it's truly mastered.

 

If MM is a slog, you might think about Math in Focus (Singapore) as your spine instead. It's still conceptual. You could add c-rods easily along with a book or two of the Singapore supplementary stuff if you needed it.

 

[Do you wear a bra to sleep in?]

I do not wear a bra unless I am going out in public. I don't wear a bra when sleeping.

 

I'd be really upset and confused that the teens latched onto that. I don't understand the mentality of the pastor who shared that information with your husband. How strange.

 

 

[Multiple Math Curriculum Users]

I have always had one program as a spine completed entirely--meaning I assumed that the child benefited from a full program's scope and sequence.

 

I always tend to add materials on top of the base program. Some programs are better fits for supplementary work than others. So some were more like complete programs on top of a complete program.

 

My instinct is that taking a section from this and another from that without using one program as a spine might lead to gaps. On the other hand, adding x, y, and z to a full program can lead to math overload--either in terms of time spent or in terms of burn out perhaps.