Piney Woods Homeschool

In preparing for this carnival, we were exploring the ideas encompassed in Charlotte Mason's principles #2, 3, and 4 : 2. They [children] are not born either good or bad, but with possibilities for either good or evil. 3. The principles of authority on the one hand and obedience on the other, are natural, necessary and fundamental; but 4. These principles are limited by the respect due to the personality of children, which must not be encroached upon, whether by fear or love, suggestion or influence, or undue play upon any one natural desire. The assigned reading was the text of Volume 2 .  Volume 2 applies to children of all ages (some of the other volumes are more age-specific).  This volume lays out principles for parents rather than instructors.  Should you want to discuss this volume with a group online, check out the Ambleside Year 0 Yahoo group , where it is not currently being read but often rotates with Volume 1 .  (The CM Series list may read it...

Recently I visited a local health food store, seeking out a particular employee for advice on choosing a pro-biotic for my youngest child.  A friend recommended this employee for two reasons, both because she is knowledgeable about these products and because she "talks to Papa."  I waited quite awhile to speak with her as she was in conference with other customers, but when I had my turn she listened attentively as I described our issues and what I hoped the pro-biotic could help us avoid.  She asked some questions, spoke to the boys with interest (only the boys were with me), and took us to find an appropriate pro-biotic.  Her advice, however, was not what I expected. "Here is a pro-biotic, and here are digestive enzymes.  These may help for a time, while you wait.  But I can't tell you what to do.  You will have to ask the Holy Spirit what you need to do.  It may be inconvenient, what He tells you, and it may be very difficult, but that isn't ...

I did not write this post; it is not about my own family.  I thought this might inspire some of you, so I requested permission to reprint this since the author did not at the time have a blog of her own. This post is reprinted with permission from a Year 0 post by Sarah in AR.  One day, I was referring to a parenting book for advice b/c I'd been noticing my children's behaviour and obedience weren't what I thought they should be. As I was reading, they included the scripture Prov 29:15, "a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame." Somehow, that verse pricked my heart, as I realized how often I was telling my kids "Just go play while I get my housework done," and then feeling guilty b/c there never seemed enough time left over to work on forming habits or teaching them how to do helpful things around the house..... Well, here was the answer! I was "leaving them to themselves" too often, while *I* tried to do everything myse...

Bible 1. In your own words, tell about one of the days of creation. Also, explain why the activity on this day is important. 2. In your own words, explain why Matthew included the genealogy at the beginning of his book and why this is important. Writing Write 4 lines of a poem that you memorized this term. (Type this here.) Dictation The boy was very ill, he said, and weak from the loss of blood; but his mind was so troubled with anxiety to disclose something, that he deemed it better to give him the opportunity, than to insist upon his remaining quiet until next morning: which he should otherwise have done. (Study this, then come to me for dictation.) Composition 1. Describe your favorite scene or character from the Shakespeare play you read this term. 2. Name any of Oliver Twist’s "friends" and tell how their actions effect Oliver’s situation for good or bad. OR tell the story of Antigone or Aristaeus the Bee-keeper U.S. History 1. What do you know about ...

Bible 1. In your own words, tell what it means to be made in the image of God. 2. In your own words, tell about the Magi and why it is significant that God sent the star for them. Shakespeare Describe your favorite scene or character from the Shakespeare play you read this term (All’s Well that Ends Well). Pilgrim’s Progress 1. Tell me about an obstacle Christian faced and how he got past it. 2. Tell me about some help Christian received—who helped him and how? Little Duke What was your favorite part of Little Duke? How did the Little Duke change during the book? Wind in the Willows Which character was your favorite? Why? Did Toad change during the story? How did he change or why did he not change? Seabird What kind of ship has Seabird been on so far? Tell me a little bit about what that kind of ship does. Parables from Nature Tell me about one of the parables you’ve read this term. “The Circle of Blessing”, “Active and Passive”, “Not Lost, but Gone Before” ...

"Strong willed" is probably a misleading description.  One thing that drew me to Charlotte Mason immediately was her insistence that the child wasn't strong willed--the child had a weak or untrained will . Better than the term "strong willed" I think is the term "spirited," because that gets more to the heart of the matter.  Spirited kids are intense, in many different ways, and their intense tenacity is what gets them the label "strong willed."  But just trying to bend their will to yours does not help them to manage their intensity--that intensity is given to them by God and can be an asset, but not until it has been brought under management by their wills.  Perhaps they have those intense wills because they will need them to manage their other intensity! "Raising Your Spirited Child" by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka provides the best insights I have seen into the spirited child.  She helps you know whether you have one, what ...

How do we teach our children to use money wisely, to make it their servant and not their master?  Should we give a regular allowance, or perhaps pay for chores performed?  Should we let children spend their money as they like or require them to spend it under our direction? Some popular financial advisors and authors of books on parenting advise not to give an allowance but rather to pay for chores performed.  One argument in favor of this approach says that this method prepares children for the working world by teaching them that money must be earned. No work, no money.  Less work, less money.  More work, more money. But although some people still receive their pay strictly based on the work they do (ie: I do a job for you, you pay me a certain amount), many of us receive salaries.  If I am paid a salary and I do not do some of my assigned work, I am not typically docked pay.  Typically I am reprimanded.  If my work does not improve, I lose m...