New Table! (Well, Almost)

I have been meaning to do this for about 2 years now....paint my table and china cabinet! I was given this table (a Freebie Fairy gift) about 9 years ago. It had an ugly honey-yellow stained top and yellow-white painted bottom. I refinished the table top with a colonial country stain and re-painted the bottom white when we got it. Too bad I don't have old photos to show how much better it looks than when we got it.

Getting Ready to Paint!

I have only completed one part...the table...but doesn't it look awesome!

I Love it!

Mike is at Scout Camp with Chris. Marly and I are not strong enough to take the china hutch apart, so we have to wait for our strong men to come back home to help us with that one. I had hoped to have it all done before they get home **sigh**. I took the leaf back out. We only use it for when we have company.

I should have done this 2 years ago

The Beauty of Core Phase

I did not learn about Leadership Education (TJED) until my children were 13, 10, and 8 respectively. It took me another 2 years to fully get "off the conveyor belt" and begin getting myself in the right mindset to make sure we all had a solid Core Phase. I knew my youngest needed Core Phase for sure, and my other children had things to improve as well. The most difficult realization I came to was that I needed Core Phase work as well, yet I wanted a Scholar Phase. Now!

The Phases are Like A Planet
We often think of the phases of learning in a linear fashion. Our linear thinking would place the phases like this:

Core Phase ---> Love of Learning--> Scholar Phase-->Depth Phase--->Mission Phase--->Impact Phase

Phases of Learning like Earth

It looks as though you complete one phase and then move on to another. This model, however, is not correct. A more correct model is to think in a more "whole picture" fashion. I like to think of the phases as the planet Earth. In the center is the Core, then we add a layer of Love of Learning, then Scholar Phase, then Depth Phase, etc. The Core is still there. The Love of Learning is still there. We are just building upon prior knowledge and skills, adding each new layer to fulfill our creation as an educated person.

Without a strong Core, our planet-self would be hollow, or maybe only have half a core. If we continue our planet model, we know that Earth needs a strong core in order to have gravity work. It also needs the core in order to cycle around the Sun. With an out-of-balance or partially formed core, our Earth would wobble and make a very unstable effort to cycle around the Sun.

My Adult Core Phase (Work and Play)
I needed to correct some "damage" from my past, you know, the things we often call "baggage". Yes, I had some, most of us do. I heard a fantastic speaker, Julie Early, who talked about Adults in Core. I found that her talk was very correct in that I handled my Core Phase in much the same way as she describes it. I focused on figuring out what I needed to repair from the lessons of Core Phase in "Right and Wrong", "Good and Bad", "True and False". I read a few self-help books and applied them in my life (this was work). I put my focus more towards my family in organizing our home life (this was work). I tried to create wholesome family time to nurture relationships (this was play). I studied my central canon and applied the principles of my faith in my life (this was work and play).

The result: a happier life! 

Core Phase - Going Back or Moving Forward?

As my children were already "past" Core Phase ages, I would often refer to "going back to Core Phase" for them, when really we were working on both Core Phase and Love of Learning at the same time. You see, our linear model would make it seem as though only one phase can take place at any given time. This is a fallacy in our conveyor belt thinking. If we embrace the "whole picture" model, we realize that we are always working on the various phases, only adding new layers as we become more mature and ready for the next one. As infants we start out as small planets with only the need to build a strong core, then we add the following layers as our planet grows and matures.

If we are adults and just now learning about the four phases of learning, we have some of those layers already, but we can go inside and fill those layers with the right knowledge and skills while still building our Scholar and Depth phases. At some time we may have lost our Love of Learning, yet we can regain it! We gained some knowledge from our conveyor belt education, but we can round out our Scholar Phase and build upon what we retained by adding more of the classics.

The Beauty Revealed
Being an Adult working on Core Phase is nothing to feel ashamed about. Having youth in Core Phase is nothing to hide or worry about. It is part of the normal progression of life. Leadership Education is not about making sure you are in the "right phase" at the "right age". That is conveyor belt thinking! Rather, we only need to look at the "whole picture", making our main priority to fulfill the measure of our creation.

Cross-posted from In the TJED Trenches.

Blogging for 3 Years and Counting!

I started this blog on July 5, 2007! It is hard to believe that I have been recording my deep dark secrets, reporting my mistakes for the whole world to read, and making a fool of myself at times over silly things. But, I have enjoyed the technology and the opportunity to write. Who knows, maybe someday I'll get around to finishing that novel I've always wanted to write.

We've had a lot of changes...moved twice (Flagstaff and Missouri), had foster children, Sam moved out and then graduated (isn't it supposed to go the other way around?), lost a job, and I've had a couple different jobs along the way, not to mention the all encompassing Educational Life we lead. I love my life and wouldn't change it for the world!

Thank you for reading!

Chris' Binder - Practice Scholar

Chris has been Transitioning to Scholar Phase the past 6 months or so. It has been an exciting thing to see as he begins to value studying more and he has asked me to oversee his work more - a sure sign of him turning himself over to a mentor! (See Leadership Education pages 193-211.)

Chris studies the following subjects:

• Fractions (Math-U-See)
• Literature - American frontier stories and settling of the West, mythology, and some science fiction.
• Grammar - Winston Grammar for review to help him in his writing.
• History - The Middle Ages - He is learning about the Anglo-Saxons and the various wars and turnovers of leadership.
• Science - Chemistry from a Creationist point of view.
• Physical Education - Chris is studying various sports and how to train to be an athlete.

Books on his "To Read" List Include:

• Finish the Ender's Game series - Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, and Children of the Mind.
• Louis L'Amour's Sackett series - Sackett's Land  and Too the Far Blue Mountain 

I encouraged each of my children to "own" their binders this year and organize them as it suits them best. 

Chris's Binder Tabs:

1. Compass - His personal plan for the next 6 months.
2. Weekly Planner - This is the first year that Chris is keeping his own weekly planner. When my kids are in Love of Learning, I typically keep their records for them. His planner includes - yearly calendar with vacation dates marked, weekly schedule of subjects and the materials available for those subjects, daily record keeping planner for recording each day's work by subject.
3. Book lists and records of the books he has read and when.
4. English - Winston Grammar practice and vocabulary notes.
5. Handwriting - He is improving his cursive writing.
6. Scouts - He keeps all his Merit Badge worksheets here.
7. Mentor Log - This is a weekly meeting log where we can each write what about how the week went and if there are any improvements that need to be made. It is a quick way for him to look back over his progress and for me to remember what each meeting is about.

Marly's Binder - Self-Directed Scholar

During the Scholar Phase, I have noticed that my youth really do naturally follow the progression through the different levels as Oliver and Rachel DeMille describe in Leadership Education pages 193-211. I believe that Marly has been in Self-Directed Scholar Level for the past few months. She initiates almost all of her own learning.

She studies the following subjects:

• Latin (First Form Latin) - Covers Latin as well as the English language and grammar for both languages.
• Pre-Algebra (Math-U-See)
• Literature - Science fiction, fantasy, mythology, and American literature are her focus right now.
• History - Early Modern Times - She is beginning the Agricultural Revolution and the Colonial War.
• Science - Chemistry from a Creationist point of view.
• Music - Piano and homeschool choir.
• Sign Language

Books on her "To Read" List Include:

• The 5,000 Year Leap (second half)
• The Fourth Turning
• Joan of Arc
• and to work on the TJED for Teens classics list.

I encouraged each of my children to "own" their binders this year and organize them as it suits them best.

Marly's Binder Tabs:

1. Compass - Her personal plan for the next 6 months.
2. Book lists and records of the books she has read and when.
3. Weekly Planner - She records all of her own work every day for record keeping - yearly calendar with vacation dates marked, weekly schedule of subjects and the materials available for those subjects, daily record keeping planner for recording each day's work by subject.
4. Cursive writing pages - One of the areas she wants to improve.
5. Latin - All her notes on vocabulary and grammar.
6. Mentor Log - This is a weekly meeting log where we can each write what about how the week went and if there are any improvements that need to be made. It is a quick way for her to look back over her progress and for me to remember what each meeting is about.
7. Classes - She has her notes from the various classes, seminars, and conferences we go to.
8. Projects - A place to hold her current project notes, plans, and results.

Football Camp

Chris has never been super sporty, but he has played baseball and soccer several seasons. Recently his interest in football began building and he asked if he could go to football camp this year. To my surprise, there was a football camp offered at our local middle school for $30 for the week long camp. I guess for that price we can try it out! (Chris is sitting on the far right of this picture in the olive green shirt.)

Needless to say, Chris is loving it! He is taking it well that the other boys have played before, some for several years, and has taken their encouragement and suggestions without offense. I have to say that people are much nicer here in general. We have been impressed that most people here are slow to criticize and very positive. I can learn a lot from the people here and hope that I do not come across too negatively.


Getting adjusted to the humidity with his asthma is his greatest challenge. He needs his inhaler if he is going to be active, especially with the humidity, something he is not used to. In Arizona, he only needed his inhaler once in awhile, usually if he was sick with something else.

The homeschool laws here state that homeschool students can play with the school district in which they live. My biggest dilemma is that I will be working some days and will not be here to get him to practice. So, there still may be a hindrance to him playing.

I also found a couple of homeschool sports leagues. We will be going to a meeting about their teams next week. I'm hoping that their practice times will be manageable with my new job. Mike works way too many hours to be of any help chauffeuring kids around and we have not found any other homeschoolers with boys close by.

Mission: Organization

I know a lot of you already think I'm organized. This is a learned talent that Mike has helped me to learn over the years. He is a highly organized person - "Everything has a place and it belongs in it's place any time it is not in use." I truly appreciate his dedication to cleanliness and order even if it is a step above my comfort zone sometimes. I was able to unpack a few more boxes of books that were sitting in the garage with no place to go, utilizing our new Freebie Fairy gifts. This smaller bookshelf now houses all our church oriented books, both fiction and non-fiction, plus a few small photo albums (not pictured).

My bedroom has been were I pile all the things that need to be filed, worked on, organized, stored, looked at again, etc. Mike hates these piles. I do not love them either, but I see them as a necessary evil since I do not have a desk anymore. This tall shelving unit from the Freebie Fairy is making my honey very happy as my mess turns to organized chaos.

You may be wondering why I have a computer by bed. That is a Linux Server that Chris and I are working on. We are currently stumped about getting it to work right. Everything is installed, but not everything has the right settings yet.

Tomorrow --- Dining Room and Desk Mess!

"Freebie Fairy" Comes to Visit!

When we moved to Missouri, we could only afford to bring one truck. So we had to reduce our belongings and only take what meant the most to us. Everyone was willing to sacrifice and so we were able to do it without much trouble. I did get rid of a few things that I now wish I had, but nothing of any great value. My biggest disappointment in moving is the things that got damaged this time. Other than replacing all my Pampered Chef pans and cookie sheets, the damage was manageable. I have not been able to replace my Pampered Chef stuff yet. :-(

However, the Lord has blessed us with a community that gives a lot of things away. We also gave away a great deal of our belongings when we moved, so we are happy that we can partake on the receiving end once in a while, as well as the giving end. We have been given 2 book cases, 1 shelf unit, 1 closet organizer, 3 chairs, and a piano! (so far). I am so happy about the book cases since I had two boxes of books that I could not unpack. Yeah!

I feel a little weird posting about our freebie stuff. But, I also feel that in this economy, we need to all help each other out if we can. We received these items from a neighbor who can't take everything with them. We gave away tons of stuff when we moved. "Pay it forward", right? I also believe that Heavenly Father wants us to be wise stewards over what he has given us. Thank you neighbors! Sorry to see you go.

The piano has not arrived yet, we need some help getting it moved. It needs some TLC, but plays beautifully! Marly is so happy to have a real piano! I'll post some picks of our piano once I get it refinished. Thank you Thom-Ann for the piano!

Blog Award - The Versatile Blogger

I received an award!

Step 1 You have to thank the person who gave you the award.

Thank you to Deanna at "Being a Mother Who Knows".

Step 2 - I have to tell you 7 things about myself. I did a few of these a long time ago when I first started blogging, but I think I've changed a bit, so here goes!

1. I am still addicted to Dr. Pepper, but I am down to two 12 oz. cans a day (down from two 32 oz. refills a day). I know I need to get off soda and how bad it is for my health Thank you to all those who remind me of this often (even if I KNOW already).
2. I love, love, love my family! I have the most awesome kids and husband. If you read my blog at all you already know that, but I had to say it again. :-)
3. I have lived in 4 states - Arizona, Texas, California, and Missouri. We moved a lot when I was young. I think I've moved 28 times in 40 years. I'm finally getting tired of moving.
4. I used to be an excellent Roller Blader. I even jumped barrels and things back before I had kids.
5. I've colored my hair since I was 19 and have had grey hair since I was 17. I remember being at Young Women's camp and having leaders point out that I had more grey hair than they did. Nice.
6. I have a need for speed. I used to drive my Grandpa's '72 Ford Pickup as fast as it could go from my parents house to Saguaro Lake. I could make it in 10 minutes...yea...that was smart. Thank goodness I didn't kill myself. (Note to my children: DO NOT DO THIS!)
7. I am a wanna-be web designer...I just am no good at programming! Grr!

Step 3 is to pass this along to blogs I love.

Since "Being a Mother Who Knows" already has one, here are the other blogs that inspire me.

• Old Fashioned Motherhood
• In the TJED Trenches (even though I write for this blog, the other authors are fantastic!)
• Ramblings of a TJED Mom
• The Sharp Family

Curriculum Review: Mega Math

I found this little treasure at the SAC Lending Library, which is a homeschool curriculum library that allows you to check-out curriculum for a year for $1...yeah...$1! Nice if you want what they have there. I found a couple of things that I thought we could use. One is the Mega Math system. I just have to say....HOLY COW! This is well worth having.

Now, I am math challenged. When I told Mike I wanted to homeschool one of the first things he asked me was how in the world was I going to teach math because I have no skills in that area. My answer was, choose good curriculum! We have been using Math-U-See, with success I might add, but I felt that we could use something more.

In 4th grade Marly's teacher taught her the box multiplication method. I could never figure it out even when Marly showed me how it works. When I ran across Mega Math, I realized the box multiplication is taught in this video and workbook set. I realized that I can only do math from memory. I have no ability to actually calculate and since my memory is getting worse with age...I'm in trouble! So, I decided that I really need to practice the mental math exercises he teaches so I can do mental math.

Videos on YouTube
Well, I decided that since almost everything is on YouTube that maybe Mega Math was too. I found Scott Flansburg, the Human Calculator, explaining some of the things he does in Mega Math to a school. Fascinating!

Human Calculator Part 1
Human Calculator Part 2
Human Calculator Part 3

What is interesting about it is that I figured out one of his tricks myself and didn't know anybody else thought of the shapes of numbers that way too.

New "School" Year (I hate that word)

x

Every year previous to this year, I was searching for...something...that would work better than the last year. I've come to the start of the 2010-2011 "school" year and realized I am finally comfortable in our educational plan (or un-plan in some cases). I no longer feel the desire to plan out every little detail or even a "Course of Study" like I used to. I've come upon something better...the individual Compass, the Binder (similar to the TJED Planner) and our family goals.

The Compass
I wrote about this in the past and we are now doing our 3rd Compass (we rewrite our Compass every 6 months). Chris is only on his 2nd Compass. I was trying to do our Compass writing together until Chris pointed out that I am expecting the same things out of him as I am of Marly. I took his advice and we now sit down, mentor and student, one-on-one, to write our Compass. Marly did most of hers before our meeting and she just filled me in on what she wrote (anybody thinking "Self-Directed Scholar" here?).

I was happy to see more depth and thought is being put into the Compass each time we rewrite them. I encouraged them to keep their older ones, making sure the new one is on top. I want them to see their own progression and enjoy the new things that they have learned and to not forget where they have been.

The Binder (Planner)
Oh yes, we still have our binders, but they are taking on a new shape as well. Each student is now customizing their own binder. We added a couple of new things this year and re-organized for finding things better. I'm going to create separate posts on each student's binder that will post in the next few days. I'm trying to document the different things I see as each student progresses through the different levels of Scholar Phase.

Family Goals

I've been adding more books to my "to-read" list. Some I have found only needed a skimming for specific information. One of those books was "A Charlotte Mason Home Companion". I do think some of Charlotte Mason's philosophies fit with Leadership Education. One such philosophy is living an "educational life". I do believe that the TJED version is "life-long learning" and being "self-educating". I believe living an educational life is in direct correlation to our religion. Christ wanted us to learn and grow in the gospel and in our earthly life.

"Got the Job!" and "Big City? Where?"

Got the Job!
Within talking to me about 15 minutes I was offered a job as a substitute teacher for the "big city's" school district. I have to pass the FBI check and all, but hey, we passed all that when we became foster parents so I'm not worried about it.

Thank you to those who pray for our success! It means so much!

Big City? Where?
It is funny how people think Springfield is a big city. They talk about crime rates and things that make me laugh inside (it would be rude to laugh out loud). They have never lived in Arizona where crime rates are triple what they are here. (Hmmm, maybe that's why Arizona wants SB 1070?) It is the largest city in our area, so I can see how it would be big in a way, but we have St. Louis, Kansas City and Oklahoma City within a 3 hour drive...so...?

Our little city is so clean! We decided to make it a game and have been trying to find graffiti or trash. We did see one train car that had one little squiggle of graffiti on it last week. That's it! I see more "graffiti" on people's bodies than anything else.