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April 1, 2005 E-Newsletter
In this issue of The
Old Schoolhouse E-newsletter:
•
Family Time with the Editor
•
Are you one of those weird homeschoolers!
•
Product Review: Genesis Science DIVE CDs
•
Do other kids think your children have “cool”
parents?
•
Even more contests! Check out the one for Saxon & Draw
Write Now! And as always... NO strings attached.
•
Special offer for Homeschool Support Group Leaders
•
The Old Schoolhouse Bulletin Board
Welcome to The Old Schoolhouse E-newsletter!! We pack
into every issue as much practical homeschooling help and godly
encouragement as we possibly can and send it out once a month via
email. As your Enews Editor, I have listened to your recommendations
and I think we have come up with a pretty good end-product here!
If there is anything you’d like to see added or changed, or
if you have a question about homeschooling - just email us and let
us know what we can do for you! Here’s the address: Devotions@thehomeschoolmagazine.com
April showers are definitely here, nevertheless April’s Enews brings many
exciting and encouraging things just for you – take a look at what we have
this month:
•
Our “Family Time” section
continues, giving you a peek into my heart, home and homeschool.
Plus a page from my journal from a few years back to encourage
you in your homeschooling.
•
An incredible article, “You Can’t
Seriously Be Thinking of Homeschooling!” from Jenefer
Igarashi, Senior Editor of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and
homeschooling mother of six. Serious answers for those who think
we are weird.
•
Do you use Saxon products? Wouldn’t you
love to have an in-home tutor? Genesis Science’s DIVE
CD’s are just what you need. This month’s product
review will tell you what we discovered.
•
Would you like your children’s friends
to think you are cool? We have quite an encouraging article
from the author of the highly acclaimed Kingdom Series, and
homeschooling dad, Chuck Black called, “Cool Parents?”
•
Contests! Don’t Miss These! We are giving
away some of the best products on the market! D.I.V.E. CD’s
for Saxon Math – it’s like having a tutor in your
own home! PLUS, we have TEN Draw Write Now books to give away
– your kids will love these!
We are so pleased you are here with us this month!
Family Time
by Deborah Wuehler, E-newsletter Editor,
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
Your Enewsletter Editor here again! And, as I write, newly arrived
baby number seven, “Hope MaryAnne” is calling me from
her bassinet – a precious gift from the Father of “every
good and perfect gift.” With each new baby, I wonder why God
would choose such a foolish mother as me to give such a precious gift.
And I am reminded again that Jesus is my Righteousness, so that when
the Father looks at me, He sees not my foolishness and failures, but
He sees His Son in me and He is pleased - and I am humbled.
It seems like I am constantly nursing this baby – every 2 ½
hours - day and night. I always forget how time consuming and tiring
this nursing can be, but so well worth the sacrifice – in fact,
my baby’s life depends on it! And as I nurse her, I am also
reminded that I am to be desiring the sincere milk of the Word of
God just as a newborn babe. Do I desire to read His Word every 2 ½
hours, day and night? That is as often as my newborn wants to eat!
So, I am making an effort to read the Word whenever possible as I
nurse my baby and it has been so inspiring – in fact, my spiritual
life depends upon it!
Homeschooling has been a little challenging since the new addition
(just three weeks old.) I am thankful that the older three children
are pretty independent in their studies, but the younger ones certainly
still require my attention. Here is a page I found from my old homeschooling
journal that reminded me where to place my focus and I hope it will
bless you as well.
Family Journal
by Deborah Wuehler, E-newsletter
Editor, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools
despise wisdom and discipline. My son, heed the discipline
of your father, and do not forsake the instruction of your
mother; for they are a graceful wreath upon your head, and
a necklace about your neck.” Proverbs 1:7-9
This is one of the first verses we have our children memorize
when they are very young. We want them to remember to heed
our discipline and hold on to our instruction. The first thing
they hear over and over when they are still toddlers is, “Listen
and obey!” On the surface this sounds like good parenting,
and it is, but I believe there is also a much deeper lesson
here. We sometimes put so much emphasis on outward obedience
that we neglect the little inner-man of our children. Their
souls are hungry for the Lord, and to feed their souls the
fear (awe, respect) of the Lord is to begin to teach them
a love for wisdom and discipline.
Does the daily instruction I offer produce a beautiful adornment
upon my children? I would have to confess that a lot of the
time, the answer is, unfortunately, negative. When I am able
to heed the discipline of my Father and cling to His instruction
for me, can I reveal to my children, in all that I teach,
that all knowledge begins with the fear of the Lord. And,
they are receiving most of their knowledge from me, it is
especially important that I know this fear of the Lord, and
this Lord that I fear. The cry of my heart is that He will
teach this teacher, and that I will really learn what true
knowledge is. Basically, if this teacher is learning from
her Father, my children will learn Who their Father is as
well. If I have succeeded in showing them the Father, then
I have accomplished something in teaching.
“Lord, please make this teacher a learner. I want
to know You. I want my children to know You. Reveal Yourself
to us that we may see Your beauty as our adornment.”
Deborah Wuehler is the Devotional and E-Newsletter
editor for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. She lives in
Roseville, CA with her husband Richard and their seven
gifts from heaven. E-mail Deborah at Devotions@thehomeschoolmagazine.com
Deborah Wuehler,
Enewsletter Editor,
The Old Schooolhouse Magazine
Hope MaryAnne Wuehler,
2 weeks old (Daddy set her down in brother's school crate)
By Jenefer Igarashi, Senior Editor, The Old Schoolhouse
Magazine
Have you heard that question yet? When I first decided to homeschool,
and friends, family and acquaintances found out, I was amazed at
how often that question was posed. And in many cases, before I could
even try to formulate an answer, I was smacked with a barrage of
serious cautions, or would get that “one-eyebrow-raised-with-condescending-smile”
look, or have my concerned questioner simply shake their head with
sympathy for my poor, doomed children. It was maddening!
Three hundred years ago, there were two choices: A) Walk seventeen
miles through the snow to the one-room schoolhouse or B) Have your
mother teach you at home. Yes, believe it or not, children all throughout
history were homeschooled. Alas, the poor, misfortunate, odd little
child of the 1700s. How ever did they keep from falling behind?
How possibly could they learn social skills if not from being tossed
into a group of fellow nine-year-olds to teach them? How could they
learn independence without being smothered by a peer group? Where
did they learn the necessary skills, and receive self-esteem lessons
that are found on the playground? Sibling rivalry at home could
never measure up to the greater scale of cruelty, and sometimes,
deadly violence we now have in abundance in some public schools…
so how did the child of the 1700’s learn those crucial life
lessons? They must have all—every one of them—turned
out weird. Right? History seems to adamantly disagree.
For the child of the 1700s, homeschooling was the norm. It was
not some nutty, New-Age experiment just introduced to society. Homeschooling
was how things had always been done—and quite successfully,
too! The strong, brilliant men and women, who were trained as children
at home by their mothers, grew up and built the great nation that
we live in today. Their mothers were moms just like us…willing
to teach. And they knew, back then, that social skills were learned
and practiced in the home. Kindness, patience, tolerance for siblings,
perseverance, and the hard work of daily chores were taught and
learned alongside Mom and Dad, within the family structure.
While many parents are content to hand over the responsibilities
of their children’s education, influence, and (inadvertent)
character and values training to the government for seven hours
a day, I am not. The choice to homeschool our family was not necessarily
easy, but was crucial for us. The fact that there is a whole history
that consistently demonstrates and proves the successful methods
of homeschooling comforts and encourages me. And frankly, the two-hundred-year,
government-run public learning experiment has not impressed me at
all. But ironically, despite the low statistics and depressing national
test scores, not to mention the rampant playground torments, school
shootings and prejudiced curricula filled with values and philosophies
in direct conflict with my own, it is I who get the bewildered looks
from other parents when they learn I am a homeschooling mommy.
On an ending note, I must emphatically add that I do not "condemn"
all public schools or view them as an enemy. Nor would I ever dream
of judging—in any way at all—parents, who, after consideration,
prayer, and/or much thought, choose public, private, charter, or
any other educational system. We all want what is best for our family,
and being vastly different, it would be tremendously egotistical
to believe that our way was the only way. Rather, "Who are
you to judge another man? To his own master he stands or falls.
And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand...Each
one should be fully convinced in his own mind". Read Romans
14.
Continue to research, and my respect to all parents who refuse
to be blindly led or forced into any system based upon peer pressure,
social trends, or with those who simply “fall in-step”
and run the direction that the stampeding masses are charging into.
Our little ones are too precious to let go of without being confident
of the hands, hearts, and minds of whom they will come under. May
God bless you and your efforts, as you search for what is best for
your own dear family.
Jenefer Igarashi
is Senior Editor of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. She, her
husband Geoff, and their 6 children (3 boys, 3 girls) reside
in cozy Pilot Hill, California.
Genesis Science, Inc.
D.I.V.E. (Digital Interactive Video Education) Math and Science CD
Lectures
Dr. David E. Shormann, Ph.D. www.diveintomath.com
Have you ever wanted an in-home tutor for your children who are
using Saxon math curriculum but the cost was totally out of your
budget? Do you ever spend a lot of time trying to figure out a math
problem and then try to explain it, only to have to tell your child
to wait until their father gets home? We have been totally frustrated
in the past, but no longer! These DIVE CD’s were just the
answer for us. The instructor, Dr. David Shormann will take your
child through each chapter by explaining the new concept while going
through a few practice problems on a computer “chalkboard.”
He is not physically shown on the CD, however; all of his computations
are clearly laid out step by step. With his verbal guidance and
chalkboard presentations, your child will be better able to then
proceed with his chapter assignments on his own, or review the CD
again if needed. If they have forgotten a concept, they can always
go back to that lesson and listen to Dr. Shormann explain it again.
My 13 year old son using Saxon Algebra ½ was struggling
to understand the new concepts, and I was no help at all. But after
getting this personal “in-home tutor”, he is doing very
well on his own. My son had this to say, “What I like about
the Algebra ½ CD is that he explains everything very clearly.
One time I got confused, but I just started the lesson over and
was able to pick up what I had missed before. I would recommend
it to anyone using Saxon math.”
This company offers many CD’s which coordinate with Saxon
books including: Math 5/4, 6/5, 7/6, 8/7, Algebra 1/2, Algebra 1,
Algebra 2, Advanced Mathematics, Calculus, Physics, and SAT Math
Prep CD's. DIVE Science includes: ICP (aka physical science or intro
chem/physics), Biology, and Chemistry. You can even choose CD’s
from previous editions if you do not have the most up to date edition
of the curriculum. Check out what is listed on their website at
www.diveintomath.com
• System Requirements: Windows 95 or greater, speakers
(and a printer for DIVE Science). CDs are also available for
MAC computers.
I love the fact that Mr. Shormann is a strong Christian and presents
the gospel on each CD, as well as on the website. He also believes
in a literal six-day creation and teaches his Science CD’s
from that viewpoint. He is very well qualified professionally, having
taught over 6,000 hours and has extensive credentials listed on
the website. He even offers to be available should you or your children
have any questions.
It has been extremely reassuring knowing that this very professional
Dr. is walking my child through each lesson and that that he is
gaining and retaining new math skills. The worry I have had in the
past about math is gone. I now have confidence that my children
are receiving a solid mathematical education.
This has been by far one of the best things that have happened
to our little schoolhouse in regards to math. We can’t wait
to start using the science CD’s as well. The price is well
worth the incredible personal in-home tutoring your child will receive.
A “Must Buy” on any Saxon user’s school supply
list.
Special: This month you could win one of Genesis Science's CD's
in our Contest section!
Reviewed by Deborah Wuehler, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
A few days ago, our oldest daughter of seventeen shared something
with me that stunned me. “All of my friends think that you and
mom are cool parents, Dad.” My hearing is beginning to wane
so I asked her to repeat the absurd statement. Yes, I heard right,
her friends think we are “cool”! Then our eighth grade
son came into the conversation and confirmed Brittney’s statement.
His friends think we are cool too. He added that all of the boys at
the Christian school voted on whose birthday party was the best, and
our son’s party was chosen as number one in spite of the lack
of video games and movies.
“How is this possible?” I wondered. It isn’t
that we have ever given a wisp of concern about being “cool”
parents, but being cool is the absolute last adjective I would attribute
to Andrea and me. We are perhaps the most restrictive, conservative,
protective and involved (some youth call this meddling) parents
in the city. It is our deepest desire to raise children that truly
love the Lord. Along with this conviction comes the energetic, purposeful-parenting
yearnings that propel us all into the peculiar and rewarding life
of homeschooling. Andrea and I have homeschooled our six children
for thirteen years and peculiar is the Biblical term that perfectly
defines our nationally, non-unionized, independent lot. Peculiar
isn’t always fun, in fact it usually is not. One of my sons
commented to me that he doesn’t seem to fit in anywhere…not
with the public school kids, not with the Christian school kids,
and not even with other homeschooled kids. He has friends in each
environment, and so I told him that actually he fits in everywhere.
Homeschooled children are not usually limited by the social boundaries
by which other children must live. It is a Christ-like perspective
that allows a witness to befriend anyone in any environment and
share the love of Jesus.
Being so peculiar as restrictive, conservative, protective, involved
homeschooling parents, I was naturally taken aback after hearing
my children’s comments on being cool. One might think that
the right dynamic personality could overcome all of this peculiarness
(forgive my new word) and win the title of “cool” parents,
but I can assure you that neither Andrea nor I remotely fit into
that category. I am a tall skinny man that doesn’t talk much
and Andrea is quicker than Dr. Phil to correct stupidity and insolence.
Every child in the neighborhood knows that you don’t mess
with Mrs. Black! Be kind to others and she’ll love and adore
you to pieces, but bully any child and the hammer comes down.
Why else shouldn’t we receive the “cool parents”
title? We don’t allow sleep-overs, we only participate in
family Bible camps, we have banned computer and video games from
our home (more on this later!), we don’t allow our youth to
date, athletic activities are for witnessing…not for winning,
we preview every movie, we force our children to take music lessons,
we don’t allow our children to wear jeans in church, etc.,
etc., etc. The list continues on for a very long time, but I think
you get the picture. So how in this world of youth coddling, entertainment,
and self-indulgence could we possibly be cool? The answer lies with
the Lord…He is faithful!
As all homeschooling parents know, it is hard to buck the social
norm, resist peer pressure, often oppose the wishes of parents and
grandparents, and live the life of nonconformity. But if this is
accomplished because the Lord has called you to it and you place
Jesus Christ as the centerpiece of your home, He will pour out his
blessing upon you and your family…if we faint not. The rest
of the world initially sees “weirdos” and “oddballs”
just as the Babylonians saw Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,
but God sees an obedient heart and a faithful walk. Eventually,
the world begins to see the Godly fruit that such a life produces
and cannot deny the substance of real faith which, deep within their
hearts, they desire for themselves.
It never was, nor is, nor ever will be our goal to be “cool”
in the eyes of our children’s friends or anyone else for that
matter. I hope and pray that what they really see isn’t “cool”
parents but parents that love their children deep enough to stand
in the face of social tides and do what is right in the sight of
the Lord. My encouragement to you is to remember that God is faithful,
and he has an amazing way of turning our peculiarity into a yearning
in the hearts of others for more lofty pursuits than that offered
by the world. When you find it necessary to prohibit or restrict
your children from some activity that “everyone else is doing,”
be creative and replace it with something as rewarding or fun and
yet acceptable to you. Andrea has reminded me of this often, and
it has worked wonders in our children. For example, instead of allowing
our son and his friends to watch movies and play video games at
his birthday party, we took them bowling, ate pizza, played baseball,
and played ditch in the dark until 11:00 pm in our yard. And they
all seemed to enjoy the participation of the whole family…from
our six year old to Mom and Dad. It does require extra effort, but
it is well worth every calorie burned. It is also extremely important
that you respect your children and communicate your heart to them
when they are not allowed to partake in an activity or are required
to participate in something that is not pleasant for them. It is
not your job as a parent to convince your children to do the right
thing, but when they understand your heart, you will make it easier
for them to comply and obey even if they disagree.
When the steel of rules and restriction are tempered by the fire
of love, joy, kindness, and creativity, even the most peculiar of
parents can be considered “cool”. Sear this one truth
into your heart…God is faithful, so let us be patient. When
we are obedient and faithful to the Lord in spite of worldly pressure,
ridicule, and persecution, He promises to protect, sustain, and
bless. How do I know this to be true? Because our children who have
the most restrictive, meddling parents in the city have friends
who think we’re “cool”!
Chuck Black is a former F-16 fighter pilot and author of The
Kingdom Series, books written to inspire a zeal for God’s
Word in youth. He and his wife, Andrea, are in their thirteenth
year of homeschooling their six children. Contact chuck at kingdom@perfect-praise.com
or visit www.kingdomseries.com
ENEWSLETTER CONTESTS!!!!!
– We have two exciting contests this month – you can
win either one of these:
Genesis Science DIVE CD’s – Win one of the
highly acclaimed CD’s from Genesis Science, Inc. (see Product
Review of the D.I.V.E. CD’s above.) We have four CD’s
to give away. Their retail value is approximately $50.00 each! They
are:
• Algebra ½
- 3rd Edition for use with Saxon Math • Physics
- 1st Edition for use with Saxon Physics • Physics
Video Lab for use with Saxon Physics • SAT
Prep DIVE Instruction CD - for math prep on SAT’s
Draw Write Now - win one of our ever popular Draw
Write Now art books - we have TEN to give away! We love these books
and so do our children! These books will be given to the first ten
homeschool moms who send in a devotion for the Devotional Door section
of our website.
For either one of these contests, just email us at: Devotions@thehomeschoolmagazine.com
and tell us which contest you are interested in. Hurry, these will
be given away to those who are the first to respond!
FREE!!! I have a stack of special sample Newsletters
from No Greater Joy Ministries (Michael and Debi Pearl) to give
away to anyone who requests some at Devotions@thehomeschoolmagazine.com
This newsletter is a great resource to add to your home and homeschool!
You’ll love it – ask for one today! (Note: If you’d
like a stack of your own to give away, check out their website at
www.nogreaterjoy.org )
Receive 19 FREE Homeschool
Gifts!!
The first 5,000 new subscribers will receive 19 free gifts from
popular homeschool companies with a paid two-year subscription
to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine! And yes, it's true –
even the shipping is paid for, making these gifts a $300 value.
To
learn more, click here!
Sam's
Science Adventures, offer hands-on science in a
one of a kind treasure box. Your treasure box will be filled
with everything you need to begin your adventure as soon
as you open the box! No lesson planning, shopping for supplies
or rushing to the library required! Simply open your treasure
box and let the adventure begin.
Need an affordable boost to your homeschool program?
Homeschool Group Studies offers online classes
in a small group setting!
Subjects include Science, Language Arts, Health, Economics
and more at a very low cost of $10 per class unit! We also
offer an introductory American History Sampler Class at
absolutely no cost! Check us out today!
HEADSUP
(Homeschool Educators on Active Duty, Sending Upward Praises)
is a free monthly e-mail newsletter of general interest, encouragement,
and information for homeschooling Christians and their families.
Provided as a ministry and labor of love, it is available
to anyone who wants it. If you would like to be put on the
subscription list or just to receive a sample copy, contact
editor Wayne S. Walker at wswalker310@juno.com.
The
Bluedorns invite you to join them on the ChristianLogic.com
board for
logic discussion. Bring your questions on specific logic curricula.
This
month they will be interviewing Michael Baker (president of
Critical
Thinking Company), Ron Tagliapietra (author of Better Thinking
and
Reasoning), and others. James Nance and Martin Cothran are
also available
for questions. http://www.christianlogic.com/forums/
Christian Education Awareness Network (CEANet)
Do you think Jesus cares about the education your children receive?
Are your children learning a worldview with which you do not agree?
What does the Bible communicate concerning the responsibility of teaching
young Christian children? To find the answers to these questions and
more, you may want to consider joining the Christian Education Awareness
Network (CEANet). What is CEANet?
The Christian Education Awareness Network (CEANet) is a national/international
E-mail list, which provides members with articles, essays, and other,
related sources which demonstrate a need to restore education as a
parental/Church ministry. CEANet also examines the significance of
the origins debate with regard to the impact of worldviews which stem
from humanist compared to divine revelation. Here is a short list
of some of the areas under examination:
-
Creation vs. Evolution
-
Education (public, private, and homeschool)
-
Separation of School and State
-
Globalization Efforts
-
Government (international, national, state, and
local)
-
Other Issues of Interest to Christians
Membership to CEANet is free. CEANet does not solicit donations. Message
frequency varies from zero to three messages per week.
In addition, CEANet has a website full of related essays, references,
links, and recommended recourses to help shed light and bring more
understanding to this important part of Christian living.
Thank you
for spending time with us here at the Old Schoolhouse this month.
We’ll have more encouraging articles for you next month. If
you have any comments just email us at
Devotions@thehomeschoolmagazine.com and
don’t forget to check out our website and magazine. Until
next month, happy homeschooling from Deborah Wuehler and all the
TOS Staff!
"I
think the E-newsletter is great! I can't wait to read it each time
it comes in. Sometimes I get discouraged to the
point that I wonder
why I homeschool,
and then I get your
e-newsletter in and it reinforces why I so.
Your emails open up resources that I didn't know existed (with
6 kids, I can't browse the bookstores too much). I enjoy the devotionals,
written by other moms going through the same trials I am going thru.
Thank you for keeping up such an encouraging newsletter."
Edward & Tracey Lamb, Galivants Ferry, SC
“I just wanted to say thank you for this month’s
newsletter! I have been feeling very weary and overwhelmed
lately, and your devotional really helped me to change my
focus back to God. Thanks for all of your hard work!”
Sam's
Science Adventures, offer hands-on science in a
one of a kind treasure box. Your treasure box will be filled
with everything you need to begin your adventure as soon
as you open the box! No lesson planning, shopping for supplies
or rushing to the library required! Simply open your treasure
box and let the adventure begin.
