tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46924807518763210082024-03-13T00:13:21.047-07:00The Real Deal: living, learning, lovingProcessing life one thought at a time.
ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-52521886059845555742018-06-02T19:20:00.000-07:002018-06-02T19:20:36.487-07:00Passionately Curious<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'll be the first to admit... I don't know it all. I don't know the names of all the U.S. Presidents in order, comprehend how gravity works, understand communism, or even how to write the most grammarly correct essay. (Actually, grammarly isn't even a word.) But one thing I do know—I am curious.<br />
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I was blessed to have parents who fostered my curiosity. I might have been a distracted student academically (I enjoyed socializing a bit too much), but I was always interested in finding out more about whatever I came across in my everyday life and my parents were always there to help me find some answers to my questions. Then, ten years of homeschooling provided me with the resources and training to push my curiosity along and pass it on to my own children. At least that's what I hope to accomplish when it's all said and done.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXn40hyphenhyphen6ls7wNLLnOm0W6BVuZzJussrpxh1ggWysR6FU1g251ogVS9YRn3FVpjfImSJ8wFn8KJ_BJceZtvi11epcSKZ4YeO_JZh5XZKjZSzcnlpfkoUGk3DbOj6M1-T561IX1HUdKPu4Yh/s1600/images+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXn40hyphenhyphen6ls7wNLLnOm0W6BVuZzJussrpxh1ggWysR6FU1g251ogVS9YRn3FVpjfImSJ8wFn8KJ_BJceZtvi11epcSKZ4YeO_JZh5XZKjZSzcnlpfkoUGk3DbOj6M1-T561IX1HUdKPu4Yh/s1600/images+%25281%2529.jpeg" /></a></div>
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Now, I'm undertaking another adventure as the primary teacher of a group of 6th-8th graders at a local private school. This involves my taking charge of the classroom management, planning, Social Studies, Science, and English Language Arts. It's a huge step (leap) for me. I'm excited and motivated to mentor and guide these students, making sure that what they're learning inside school is applicable outside. I'm planning on doing this by implementing an <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Comprehension-Collaboration-Inquiry-Circles-Action/dp/032501230X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527961180&sr=8-1&keywords=inquiry+circles+in+action">inquiry-based classroom.</a> The students will be exposed to U.S. history and create a timeline as a class in order to visualize our history as it unfolds. They will study geography, ecology, and the structures of life along with crucial learning skills: grammar and writing techniques, note taking, spelling nuances, just to name a few. But, they will do all this by diving deeply into the aspects that interest them personally—the things that they question and want to understand. They will practice researching efficiently, working cooperatively in small groups, conveying their thoughts through writing effectively, and relaying their findings creatively through varied presentations: blogs, videos, speeches, poetry, reviews, advertisements, essays... the possibilities are endless.<br />
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I'm stepping into an already established, highly differentiated, personalized classroom; one full of wonder and deep ideas. What a blessing! Selfishly, I know the growth that I'll experience this upcoming school year may just overtake that of the students. To sum it all up, I've taken these words of Einstein and made them mine.<br />
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Melanie</div>
ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-40413464729802287892017-12-07T08:57:00.000-08:002017-12-11T05:53:41.509-08:00Ecce Diem... Autumn<div style="text-align: center;">
"I have no special talents, I am only passionately curious." <u>Albert Einstein</u> by Walter Isaacson</div>
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If I accomplish anything in parenting, I hope it is that I encourage and help my children develop a strong curiosity about the world outside their own small, tidy little boxes. In our ever-changing, technology-filled world, we have all the information we could ever want right at our fingertips. We don't have to look very far. But what really makes our life journey worthwhile?<br />
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"How many people spend their entire lives striving for something with their nose to the grindstone only to wake up one day to realize they haven't really lived at all. You can never surf the same wave twice; you only get one shot at it. Yesterday is not coming back." <u>The Road to Sparta</u> by Dean Karnazes</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VuRK0Y-RH07L_bgVAFdscljjA3FswxDMrzNzFNSgAVdQrJ084R8P4G4uGHx1ehSu1CBaFewvoNqnAk18aHryva7tBI2XbiEVwlpIi2FZ7p6_bPq6GL1WYbMJFAL6-Txb6Nmd-05rImO3/s1600/IMG_1437.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VuRK0Y-RH07L_bgVAFdscljjA3FswxDMrzNzFNSgAVdQrJ084R8P4G4uGHx1ehSu1CBaFewvoNqnAk18aHryva7tBI2XbiEVwlpIi2FZ7p6_bPq6GL1WYbMJFAL6-Txb6Nmd-05rImO3/s400/IMG_1437.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first phenology wheel—a daily wedge of nature.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmvLz7UGdg-rrDn9b2lMITwWxSg0GiJ81g6K47iLOKJs9M7XeaMG-VL5OOjqxybIaEJLEPMF8Lm1T7YwylUMEQ3cZ4jsUFNN6CGhKFyRmf1z68R89fL1YczfhNPk6uR25V2eyGYxjlyS-/s1600/IMG_1444.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmvLz7UGdg-rrDn9b2lMITwWxSg0GiJ81g6K47iLOKJs9M7XeaMG-VL5OOjqxybIaEJLEPMF8Lm1T7YwylUMEQ3cZ4jsUFNN6CGhKFyRmf1z68R89fL1YczfhNPk6uR25V2eyGYxjlyS-/s400/IMG_1444.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I serve as her guide, but my daughter does her own thing.</td></tr>
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I'm no artist and neither is my daughter, yet we thoroughly enjoy finding something each day that causes us to ponder, wonder, explore, and record. I'm opening up our nature journals to your (hopefully not too) critical eyes because I passionately want to provide some encouragement about embracing nature and studying something of beauty each day; examining something uniquely intriguing that is right there on your path.<br />
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"The question is not what you look at but what you see." Henry David Thoreau</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11xr7SMNxci8qbgZjx_fQ8BEN1I2YuSp1KKV4CRIFpqydScYxOOrRYv-aMW05b2haO53PnkU7DcdSbuMhcG1Ap-yS8WZpYeIriV2K9E1J4-oGj71qyhEuZQ27P3OIUYSisZ2OHb-dat5W/s1600/IMG_0850.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11xr7SMNxci8qbgZjx_fQ8BEN1I2YuSp1KKV4CRIFpqydScYxOOrRYv-aMW05b2haO53PnkU7DcdSbuMhcG1Ap-yS8WZpYeIriV2K9E1J4-oGj71qyhEuZQ27P3OIUYSisZ2OHb-dat5W/s400/IMG_0850.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She enjoys combining and blending colors.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUPYCtYLuzo6NzaO1keRK867GHhwZ82cPiGB9DzS6JfuxdWl1Et-pSevA_cYKCdGhaLxIv4UnAel6OxT79PSSZ5QTNfsdveDUs03ovEfHv3QysymLR-iPb5cgpgIMRg-8hIQIjznVGO0Y/s1600/IMG_E0858.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUPYCtYLuzo6NzaO1keRK867GHhwZ82cPiGB9DzS6JfuxdWl1Et-pSevA_cYKCdGhaLxIv4UnAel6OxT79PSSZ5QTNfsdveDUs03ovEfHv3QysymLR-iPb5cgpgIMRg-8hIQIjznVGO0Y/s400/IMG_E0858.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary's interpretation of dogwood leaves.</td></tr>
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We spend some time each day developing our powers of observation and also our journaling skills. We experiment with different mediums and techniques; always being aware of the gift of individuality; always remembering that we are daily growing and finding our expressive voices.<br />
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"Everyone has a sprout of talent. Developing that sprout into a wonderful ability depends on how it is cultivated." <u>Ability Development from Age Zero</u> by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVemNLKaXPVJCJ0wyUvSEwNHeId7jcDyc4wW6wljO2dYWa0tfs6KvVMF8vFrcZLmnTnwaNt9N7Zwa58zASOUJzRfej0RY6tq7-fVwUnvM5gm7G_D6_NmGyD7gpWzY4cYt0tYSXZ5hEG_i/s1600/fullsizeoutput_3216.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1436" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVemNLKaXPVJCJ0wyUvSEwNHeId7jcDyc4wW6wljO2dYWa0tfs6KvVMF8vFrcZLmnTnwaNt9N7Zwa58zASOUJzRfej0RY6tq7-fVwUnvM5gm7G_D6_NmGyD7gpWzY4cYt0tYSXZ5hEG_i/s400/fullsizeoutput_3216.jpeg" width="357" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Experimenting with word placement.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKENF_uQayGAfR9RvOWOKC7Ny-03YmzEoEhNvIOUczPambo61klSJCXqJ-oFxjFJWzlCRR2iJs8V2J1MG5g4WCq5j-v1Mxxpm9Nx8LQDV2bLHa2dyjCBiKr69RXKI6_7B5yWKEZJfybzkH/s1600/fullsizeoutput_3218.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1274" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKENF_uQayGAfR9RvOWOKC7Ny-03YmzEoEhNvIOUczPambo61klSJCXqJ-oFxjFJWzlCRR2iJs8V2J1MG5g4WCq5j-v1Mxxpm9Nx8LQDV2bLHa2dyjCBiKr69RXKI6_7B5yWKEZJfybzkH/s320/fullsizeoutput_3218.jpeg" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oil pastels</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRE2k_R2CyqzkozcekFcPwyMFU21_28EAQC9p2kJeBTjtl9rk1a5op-9A60-b17C3_kJSF2scYrnA_Cv8hn9GYk49wSUJH3OR2QXCDskPLian4bsYwSRB_EsDo3qLCfGrMG7YHBE1FZ52/s1600/fullsizeoutput_31bc.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRE2k_R2CyqzkozcekFcPwyMFU21_28EAQC9p2kJeBTjtl9rk1a5op-9A60-b17C3_kJSF2scYrnA_Cv8hn9GYk49wSUJH3OR2QXCDskPLian4bsYwSRB_EsDo3qLCfGrMG7YHBE1FZ52/s400/fullsizeoutput_31bc.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We try to capture the mood of the day and change how we look at our specimens. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSJ8uV1wex8WDJpMlTpv3j0rDBEtW6Gb-l7vDq7FmiIdnGrQc8gxhpz4HhwukpuokeO4R_spOH07LlPfBrIKtT3_wyLOlIftr31yH16SUrj_f-1C0lHApb3ANRWiK1UFnfGt4Ol0SShF2/s1600/IMG_4883.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSJ8uV1wex8WDJpMlTpv3j0rDBEtW6Gb-l7vDq7FmiIdnGrQc8gxhpz4HhwukpuokeO4R_spOH07LlPfBrIKtT3_wyLOlIftr31yH16SUrj_f-1C0lHApb3ANRWiK1UFnfGt4Ol0SShF2/s320/IMG_4883.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hammered wildflowers and came up with this.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsIEtAmy8itgbQqn19FsQup-_g51oxgbC3DDA2iRmRM51PYN9CmKsEX8hO04fB_EhiE4BAU1_KJXnzVA2jX397-nUUnkM4y_KPBSggxVrW4-TJVn9tConDMDtGzxhuRGAX8oIwOk5YcPa/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsIEtAmy8itgbQqn19FsQup-_g51oxgbC3DDA2iRmRM51PYN9CmKsEX8hO04fB_EhiE4BAU1_KJXnzVA2jX397-nUUnkM4y_KPBSggxVrW4-TJVn9tConDMDtGzxhuRGAX8oIwOk5YcPa/s320/IMG_0947.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She felt that the leaf was glowing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlX278yxR75Rw81HRA4jbhyphenhyphenpcfQi1420qzepDHntz4HspUp-6uq88qT7GEoUMSBnaa3tehRwQyHau9F02oQEIo8PuEslEHZdVqnmDe5JZBKNxPg8a_CpAFX0yEGj9l25jmGeZDz72TRh7/s1600/IMG_E0944.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlX278yxR75Rw81HRA4jbhyphenhyphenpcfQi1420qzepDHntz4HspUp-6uq88qT7GEoUMSBnaa3tehRwQyHau9F02oQEIo8PuEslEHZdVqnmDe5JZBKNxPg8a_CpAFX0yEGj9l25jmGeZDz72TRh7/s400/IMG_E0944.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding some poetry.</td></tr>
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Nature journaling has opened up my world; more specifically, my appreciation—my daily awe and fascination. It allows me to literally stop and smell the roses. But it has also opened up a path for me to guide my children down, one that they will hopefully continue to travel on throughout their lives.<br />
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"I have to learn the habits of adoration intentionally—to get out of my head and stop to notice the colors in my daughter's eyes or the sound of rain on our back porch." <u>Liturgy of the Ordinary</u> by Tish Harrison Warren</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKE0wBDTTLVHywwYvsRajzANCZdD90p-ER0H2kdDch2mXyorU_GkCg1a8IjpPr5QGEk823BFkRQntx5exTkeVCy0HpgFlN3-6RlQIVh_3nOatVBbOYt4dm11Yyl0iVssd1978ky-grqROk/s1600/IMG_1441.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKE0wBDTTLVHywwYvsRajzANCZdD90p-ER0H2kdDch2mXyorU_GkCg1a8IjpPr5QGEk823BFkRQntx5exTkeVCy0HpgFlN3-6RlQIVh_3nOatVBbOYt4dm11Yyl0iVssd1978ky-grqROk/s400/IMG_1441.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mimicking nature is no small task.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoitLyJqa41DMyq3g1U2VNuTsSwoYc4Gtrn9YaqaBDC-KW1YT8vlS1AEcGr2B_UozLkoSC9LGn0Jr-x4D_vCzHjGtZkkdoQl2p7nBEv7v64Xb3fmZSB-6i0EN9gaJkKW_W1I_CRyz9PVz/s1600/IMG_0824.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoitLyJqa41DMyq3g1U2VNuTsSwoYc4Gtrn9YaqaBDC-KW1YT8vlS1AEcGr2B_UozLkoSC9LGn0Jr-x4D_vCzHjGtZkkdoQl2p7nBEv7v64Xb3fmZSB-6i0EN9gaJkKW_W1I_CRyz9PVz/s400/IMG_0824.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8z46iLza98-26fE-VEvr89JdFLQzyTeQdzt9UVwK7Mwdg7Kv9act9w6Pjxen_pSAM1uhNJnLXLGaBDIpJbdLYl0zsQMRqTEsnSROg6Qjd3GacaYbGhS7Tuuaf4XOvfUe1zfQa6iwR46lU/s1600/IMG_0982.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8z46iLza98-26fE-VEvr89JdFLQzyTeQdzt9UVwK7Mwdg7Kv9act9w6Pjxen_pSAM1uhNJnLXLGaBDIpJbdLYl0zsQMRqTEsnSROg6Qjd3GacaYbGhS7Tuuaf4XOvfUe1zfQa6iwR46lU/s320/IMG_0982.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with the background.</td></tr>
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"Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better." Albert Einstein</div>
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Over the years, I have learned that making an effort to appreciate the natural world each and every day and to marvel at something beautiful makes life's journey much more gratifying and interesting. Journaling has underscored the fact that so much of life—creation—is unknown and possibly even unknowable. Explore the shadows.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2wk2qkMPTg0j0eW4VYpzBzQCTPSQSopElDavaIKFWzSNxLr1PvgxfKqFVeJgys9XcyU_CvtpslOgkbrGP25IvvMn2hCCnL-F2EGcZUvkX01ImeB3O-m_TiEchNBneKE4mkf5WgxXN5wT/s1600/fullsizeoutput_321e.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1moy-j265AysnbiGR1NlGMaQ5UDOzNXTVYX_yJS45kEEw18FAUBaZ1fxkAFLNNDgo_7CmNZoIeCmsVhDhFuiNerzRFmHZlrOoSw-dJR3TtL_6qWe-Cq582zdr7hObwt7km9gYkGAQPix/s1600/fullsizeoutput_3220.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1moy-j265AysnbiGR1NlGMaQ5UDOzNXTVYX_yJS45kEEw18FAUBaZ1fxkAFLNNDgo_7CmNZoIeCmsVhDhFuiNerzRFmHZlrOoSw-dJR3TtL_6qWe-Cq582zdr7hObwt7km9gYkGAQPix/s320/fullsizeoutput_3220.jpeg" width="261" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1311" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2wk2qkMPTg0j0eW4VYpzBzQCTPSQSopElDavaIKFWzSNxLr1PvgxfKqFVeJgys9XcyU_CvtpslOgkbrGP25IvvMn2hCCnL-F2EGcZUvkX01ImeB3O-m_TiEchNBneKE4mkf5WgxXN5wT/s320/fullsizeoutput_321e.jpeg" width="261" /></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">"I can't do anything about the state of the world, but I can put my own life in order.</span></div>
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<u style="text-align: start;">Liturgy of the Ordinary</u></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-EJ_N0xWxjUIHpU_WwgjDTbyqfe20BLP776QdYTczk4orgK3MOANzfk8AtXLPmBzc0AdXNZcWsmuLvFYKsMzwqd_kptzKvJHmVR9Ghv7wT9t1Kj4q7cQivZcysGKRPLtOLQw9hYoiRVf/s1600/fullsizeoutput_3226.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-EJ_N0xWxjUIHpU_WwgjDTbyqfe20BLP776QdYTczk4orgK3MOANzfk8AtXLPmBzc0AdXNZcWsmuLvFYKsMzwqd_kptzKvJHmVR9Ghv7wT9t1Kj4q7cQivZcysGKRPLtOLQw9hYoiRVf/s400/fullsizeoutput_3226.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're working on shadowing.</td></tr>
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My biggest inspiration has come from the book <u>Keeping a Nature Journal</u> by Clare Walker Leslie and Charles E. Roth. "Simply put, nature journaling is the regular recording of observations, perceptions, and feelings about the natural world around you. That is the essence of the process... Don't judge your drawing. You are not an artist yet." Aww... that takes the pressure off and brings me back to remembering the purpose of this habit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ2V9PNDP07M7m30OrrFPApPp1NIGn4gIW2wHhyphenhyphen13Ri-Mk3sIuqAgkz2Htx1E1RVFuBHVqIM2ctM_53rG25Nuy_zLOmHEHqDtsgtTyBvef-0Ywzxphiv4gW0Bh0AHZEbbqIPN1JO1BzAA/s1600/fullsizeoutput_321c.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1292" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ2V9PNDP07M7m30OrrFPApPp1NIGn4gIW2wHhyphenhyphen13Ri-Mk3sIuqAgkz2Htx1E1RVFuBHVqIM2ctM_53rG25Nuy_zLOmHEHqDtsgtTyBvef-0Ywzxphiv4gW0Bh0AHZEbbqIPN1JO1BzAA/s320/fullsizeoutput_321c.jpeg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm finding that I like to tell a story when I journal. It helps me remember.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZ_PVSl4VPj2ZSU9oSa3ztEMHvBKIvyw7ylmFIvlNl0q83eLf_Ks6Kca4KC1TPT67lC7e9D8Ues3-TVbNZZbxvZ5scXXSDp7zVHs3iFUATeNHUBWCeE57HmQGDv_RIwZIyjIzXJxqCERR/s1600/fullsizeoutput_321a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1293" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZ_PVSl4VPj2ZSU9oSa3ztEMHvBKIvyw7ylmFIvlNl0q83eLf_Ks6Kca4KC1TPT67lC7e9D8Ues3-TVbNZZbxvZ5scXXSDp7zVHs3iFUATeNHUBWCeE57HmQGDv_RIwZIyjIzXJxqCERR/s320/fullsizeoutput_321a.jpeg" width="258" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFfaQ5u5azxQaLyEajNWESFA77K1fodX5M78PB5sJ3KTG8tb5kPomkqY7h7h_ciJ8lRCGiW9JZ_MVvxo-BZ80D1lIH0LlcHybEnuTiyy0u61Ex9dRBidR-Y0Q_NVPQCggTXozBuNg04uE/s1600/fullsizeoutput_3222.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1224" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFfaQ5u5azxQaLyEajNWESFA77K1fodX5M78PB5sJ3KTG8tb5kPomkqY7h7h_ciJ8lRCGiW9JZ_MVvxo-BZ80D1lIH0LlcHybEnuTiyy0u61Ex9dRBidR-Y0Q_NVPQCggTXozBuNg04uE/s320/fullsizeoutput_3222.jpeg" width="244" /></a></div>
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This season, my life is full of changes. I have a new, precious granddaughter. I have a struggling adult son. I have a teenage daughter adjusting to her first year in public school. And, as of last week, I no longer have any children homeschooling. Change is good but often unsettling.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtaA0STR-tnsbY4DHY0i3A1BRKbzowYZ3giBpbz9Vwu0z3X6Lr6cf529DEkMpSQgKo22yvixfV2gc-al8WM4l-4teicwIYYAIrxxGV8B5EDlyIiwXqEnfqATRsjPhDsCu4cvB8dh6KexS/s1600/IMG_1236.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtaA0STR-tnsbY4DHY0i3A1BRKbzowYZ3giBpbz9Vwu0z3X6Lr6cf529DEkMpSQgKo22yvixfV2gc-al8WM4l-4teicwIYYAIrxxGV8B5EDlyIiwXqEnfqATRsjPhDsCu4cvB8dh6KexS/s400/IMG_1236.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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"And so you have a life that you are living only now, now and now and now, gone before you can speak of it, and you must be thankful for living day by day, moment by moment in this presence." <u>Hannah Coulter</u> by Wendell Berry<br />
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Ecce diem—Behold the day.<br />
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Melanie<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMQr8Qdznx_mhypX-QexqYF4h5VDtopPQwqUAahR2ojj9XZzzS8oTiosY9U4n8e_mN88JfyPUN_M8zKCH6EdZk62m48Ue7Ve7a94U6yhf_xtF7UjdMpzWByqgfYhMHhgaa89pmOGwL7xY/s1600/IMG_1441.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMQr8Qdznx_mhypX-QexqYF4h5VDtopPQwqUAahR2ojj9XZzzS8oTiosY9U4n8e_mN88JfyPUN_M8zKCH6EdZk62m48Ue7Ve7a94U6yhf_xtF7UjdMpzWByqgfYhMHhgaa89pmOGwL7xY/s1600/IMG_1441.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a>ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-48809146152939236042017-09-08T18:49:00.000-07:002017-09-11T15:47:51.969-07:00Ecce Diem...SummerThe girls are getting older and so am I. We all worked extremely hard during the past school year. They moved up a few notches academically and I mentored six homeschooled 8th graders in all their subjects. Whew! We needed a break. So when June came along, we put away the school books and set out to enjoy whatever came our way.<br />
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Now a-days, our older 14-year-old daughter's enjoyment comes mainly through being with her friends and I understand that. Thankfully, our 11-year-old daughter still loves the outdoors, exploring nature, Monarch butterflies, and being with me. I embrace this daily. These times are fleeting. (I know... I have adult children.)<br />
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Our 2017 summer nature project involved monthly showcasing the flowers in our backyard. In the Spring, we planted some wildflower seeds very randomly and have enjoyed discovering new beauties almost daily.<br />
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I want to share our pressed flowers with you and tell you how we created these pictures. I like to keep things simple and that is what this is.<br />
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Each month, we spent some time picking our favorite blooms right from our own backyard. We tried to identify them and find their scientific names. This is easier said than done and I often snapped a picture of a flower and posted it to the Facebook group <i>Plant Identification</i> for help. In just a few seconds, I had my answer. Amazing. We also looked up the plant names from the wildflower seed bag and matched the flowers with the pictures.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI64THVPeaDE9sa2_ej3ta0LufhwLCXy5hFcWkoVzATAb8p1WkYyFRAGv45CpU4ZG1h2YXgrOrn2PEEWwfeOvBmEq_aUq4DS3yOYNhF97DWcFKskcdi2P20SWnFxLbYM_houYggnOzaZqz/s1600/IMG_0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI64THVPeaDE9sa2_ej3ta0LufhwLCXy5hFcWkoVzATAb8p1WkYyFRAGv45CpU4ZG1h2YXgrOrn2PEEWwfeOvBmEq_aUq4DS3yOYNhF97DWcFKskcdi2P20SWnFxLbYM_houYggnOzaZqz/s640/IMG_0315.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our pressing technique is pretty straight forward — flowers in between two sheets of paper flattened out in the pages of heavy books with a heavy object on top. This works for us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGfRMtf6Lz13F_FZz0XyhyJfRnr3isspiIlKVYIDWjGGwUmRmIv3PqpO8bU5pHZfCIqC-gyO1t5GCcp-lcRNJydW2ZZomLMCZ7KfR4qdrGrFQ8scf8SPf4sXNIxeKikJTJ4ricUdVr0Yy/s1600/IMG_0540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGfRMtf6Lz13F_FZz0XyhyJfRnr3isspiIlKVYIDWjGGwUmRmIv3PqpO8bU5pHZfCIqC-gyO1t5GCcp-lcRNJydW2ZZomLMCZ7KfR4qdrGrFQ8scf8SPf4sXNIxeKikJTJ4ricUdVr0Yy/s400/IMG_0540.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Over the next few days ... weeks, Mary prepares her display surfaces. We cut regular, common watercolor paper purchased at Walmart into our desired sizes. To fit our frame, we cut the paper into pieces roughly 5x3. She then takes her time creating the backgrounds for her pressed flowers. We watched several watercolor wash tutorials on YouTube so that she could learn some techniques. She not only practices those but makes up some of her own. I just let her enjoy. (I get my hands into it too.) These need to dry and then they join the flowers to get pressed flat for a day or two.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeHx4iHnjp3ptSCqSY6I_D5svYfXuouTfGvm8OgjULTVe7glSmu9ov6gAbkTXtKhyphenhyphen19aqcpl23DN0FTuLWqy9JAbjrL8W14cy_NJaDaOhJhZiKT0qpQAu0WURf-2FCvYvxvVLhJjFlpWy/s1600/IMG_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeHx4iHnjp3ptSCqSY6I_D5svYfXuouTfGvm8OgjULTVe7glSmu9ov6gAbkTXtKhyphenhyphen19aqcpl23DN0FTuLWqy9JAbjrL8W14cy_NJaDaOhJhZiKT0qpQAu0WURf-2FCvYvxvVLhJjFlpWy/s400/IMG_0369.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Now for the really fun part. After a couple of weeks, Mary takes a look at her flowers (now all flat and dry). Uh-oh, looks like she pressed more than just a flower this time. 😳</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9scZIQeP_8Yy1ySgEqTM9GRCCF8h4afXicSho5veCLet84bpLruAYH9D0SOxjVrvrpHZ29uN0JOYh4J5AB3nEpr9XtU2IpSm5my9135lgM5-C9V0BGLh8AesXtoPkCqNPe4_5ceccwkIa/s1600/IMG_0546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9scZIQeP_8Yy1ySgEqTM9GRCCF8h4afXicSho5veCLet84bpLruAYH9D0SOxjVrvrpHZ29uN0JOYh4J5AB3nEpr9XtU2IpSm5my9135lgM5-C9V0BGLh8AesXtoPkCqNPe4_5ceccwkIa/s400/IMG_0546.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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She makes some choices and starts gluing them onto the watercolor paper (also flat and dry).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKUz5gpAM0r2o6g9s1oBDQgIKYcPtCDbc_VgY6s_47tmlboE7QlN9Nf1yWfiHtnTd_Rkb0sAB5afEy0JZVV3wZer4SpEctQXarQUCcdRmNGrJ_eLfWcCQccP2dVhQLnph-2uZTdY3A0XU/s1600/IMG_0539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKUz5gpAM0r2o6g9s1oBDQgIKYcPtCDbc_VgY6s_47tmlboE7QlN9Nf1yWfiHtnTd_Rkb0sAB5afEy0JZVV3wZer4SpEctQXarQUCcdRmNGrJ_eLfWcCQccP2dVhQLnph-2uZTdY3A0XU/s320/IMG_0539.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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While she's busy gluing, I have fun practicing some illuminated lettering.<br />
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By paying attention to the sizes and the colors, she places the flowers in the best spots; on the best color of paper in order to highlight each one. Rubber cement works well because it dries fairly quickly and the excess can be rubbed off. A layer of Mod Podge finishes them off. We're hoping that the Mod Podge will preserve their colors a little bit.<br />
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Now it's time to write the names and keep our fingers crossed that we got them all right. We just finished up August and left this step out. She just didn't have it in her. Sometimes it's perfectly okay to do something just for fun and not for its educational value. I often have to remind myself of this.</div>
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This whole thing was inspired by a frame given to Mary from my husband's secretary. It's designed to hold eight photos on two strings by mini clothespins inside a white frame. I took the back off so that the outside sunshine could shine through. I love how they all have looked standing on the windowsill of our living room window. I know that similar frames can be bought online and would actually be pretty easy to make with a frame, some string, and a little bit of hot glue. I think I'll try that sometime.</div>
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I adore all of these but I think that May is my favorite. Perhaps because it was the first one we did or maybe because Spring flowers make me happy. Which do you like the best?</div>
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As we replace the pictures each month, Mary takes the last month's pressings and glues them into her nature notebook. </div>
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It will be fun to look back on these and remember the Summer of 2017. We're still enjoying our summer project from last year!</div>
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One of my main objectives during these all too short years I get to spend with these precious souls is to instill the habit of appreciating each day and finding something beautiful in everything and everyone. The world can use a little bit more of this. So... Ecce diem! Behold the day!</div>
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Melanie</div>
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ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-48919128759253865842017-08-07T13:34:00.000-07:002017-08-07T13:53:49.764-07:00Gearing UpIt's the beginning of August and I actually can feel Autumn in the air. I'm also feeling the urge to get my act together and get organized. Over the years, I've found that I desperately need a plan; a schedule, so this year I'm assembling and recording my various resources in blog form. This will provide me with a convenient spot to refer to, make changes, and update through the year. This should help me remember all the resources that I plan to use. I always print out my blog entries putting them in a notebook. Hopefully, the girls will look back on these days with fond memories.<br />
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This year marks a big change for us. Grace will be attending our public high school—9th grade—and so, sweet Mary will get all my attention during the school day. I have some great plans ahead and am looking forward to an interesting year. Maybe there's something here that will interest you.<br />
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<b>Math</b></div>
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We've been successful with Saxon Math so we will continue on. Mary is finishing up Saxon 6/5 and will proceed to 7/6. We love math games and try to play a few every week. We also enjoy doing some critical thinking/logic activities. This <a href="http://www.criticalthinking.com/building-thinking-skills-level-2.html">Building Thinking Skills book</a> has been with us for a couple of years and this year we'll tackle <a href="http://www.criticalthinking.com/the-basics-of-critical-thinking-book.html">The Basics of Critical Thinking.</a> Since we do these other brain training activities, sometimes we spread the Saxon lesson over two days.<br />
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<b>Grammar</b></div>
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I'm changing it up a little this year by adding Latin into Mary's English Grammar study. I'll be writing weekly lesson plans incorporating numerous resources. Feel free to follow along if this sounds like your cup of tea. Here is my blog site. <a href="https://carpediemlatin.blogspot.com/">Carpe Diem</a><br />
The resources I'm using are the following:</div>
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<a href="https://classicalconversationsbooks.com/collections/essentials/products/es025">Classical Conversation's Essentials of the English Language</a></div>
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<a href="https://classicalconversationsbooks.com/collections/essentials/products/es015">Our Mother Tongue</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/English-Grammar-Students-Latin-Learning/dp/0934034346/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502118920&sr=8-1&keywords=english+grammar+for+students+of+latin">English Grammar for Students of Latin</a></div>
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<a href="https://classicalconversationsbooks.com/collections/challenge-a/products/as044">Henle Latin</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.compassclassroom.com/latin/visual-latin-1">Visual Latin</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.magistrajoneslatin.com/henle-latin-study-guides/henle-fyl-companion-volume-1">Henle First Year Latin Companion</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Greek-and-Latin-Root-Words-Book-1-882185">Greek and Latin Root Words</a></div>
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I know that's a lot of stuff, but I love grammar so much of this study is for me. 😜</div>
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<b>Writing</b></div>
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Since Mary is in our CC community's Essentials class, she will go through Pudewa's IEW curriculum again but I am planning to tweak it a bit. In the past, I've been intrigued with <a href="http://www.bravewriter.com/">Brave Writer</a>. This year I decided it was time to give it a try. We'll work through the <a href="https://store.bravewriter.com/products/the-arrow">Arrow</a> curriculum that I bought last year. I'm excited for Mary to work on her grammar, punctuation, spelling, and writing skills by way of reading worthwhile books. She will also keep a daily journal which will be completely her own. She'll do her <a href="http://www.bravewriter.com/program/brave-writer-lifestyle/friday-freewrite/freewriting-the-key-that-unlocks-the-words/">freewriting</a> here.</div>
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<b>History</b></div>
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I'm excited about this year's history study. We'll focus on American History using CC's history sentence as a general guide. I'm planning to read <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Young-Peoples-History-United-States/dp/B00IPP04BC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502120223&sr=8-1&keywords=a+young+persons+history+of+the+united+states">A Young Person's History of the United States</a> as a read aloud. We'll also work through <a href="http://www.kidsdiscover.com/shop/issues/american-history-themed-set/">Kid's Discover American History.</a> One book that we read three years ago is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Two-Miserable-Presidents-Everything-Schoolbooks/dp/1250075785/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502136019&sr=8-1&keywords=two+miserable+presidents">Two Miserable Presidents</a>. This book was not just informative, but extremely entertaining. It will be on our list again this time around. (He has one about King George that's good too.) As we're doing this, we'll study our own state's history, charting US events along with WV history on a visual timeline. We're going to spend some time traveling to different places in our state as we learn about them. I'm not native to WV; consequently, I didn't learn WV history as a child. </div>
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<b>Science</b></div>
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Science is Mary's thing. This year I have an actual curriculum to guide us and provide hands on experiments to follow. We've already started <a href="https://gravitaspublications.com/product/building-blocks-bundle/">The Building Blocks of Science</a>. So far, so good. It has an interesting student text, well-explained experiments to support the text, and a lab notebook. We also have maintained nature notebooks over the years which we'll continue. We record our observations, identify and press flowers, practice drawing and using watercolors, and copy nature poetry. <a href="https://raisinglittleshoots.com/2015/08/14/exploring-nature-with-children-a-complete-year-long-curriculum/">Exploring Nature with Children</a> has been a helpful resource through the years and my personal favorite is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Nature-Journal-Discover-Seeing/dp/1580174930">Keeping a Nature Journal.</a> Mary is also planning to get involved with our local robotics program. She's looking forward to that.<br />
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<b>Literature</b></div>
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I want to focus on American poets while reading and copying their poetry. Mary will memorize and recite some of these works. Along with the books that she'll be reading from the Brave Writer curriculum, I'll include a few of my own choices. Some of these will be from the Challenge A reading list. I also found a book list at <a href="http://buildyourlibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Grade-6-Sample.pdf">Build Your Library</a> that I'll draw from. She'll make at least one entry in her commonplace notebook each week. <a href="https://www.simplyconvivial.com/2015/teach-kids-commonplace">https://www.simplyconvivial.com/2015/teach-kids-commonplace</a></div>
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<b>Music/Art</b><br />
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I want to make it a priority to find the time for a weekly art project. I think art is so important in brain development. Last time through Cycle 3, I used <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0935607005/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0935607005&linkCode=as2&tag=mamrex-20">Great American Artists for Kids</a> for some inspiration. I'll use this again but I did find another website that has many options. Hmmm... Maybe we'll get started and try one of these projects this week. <a href="http://www.incredibleart.org/lessons/middle/artist.html">Middle school art lessons.</a> In addition to Mary's piano lessons, we're going to research American composers learning about their music as we move through our history lessons. I also think that it will be interesting to discover the different genres of music specific to each time period.<br />
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As I finish writing this, I see that we have a packed year ahead. Of course, some of this will change as we go along, but I feel that I found some great resources to work with. I hope you all have a wonderful and fulfilling year. If you have any questions about these products or are just wondering how we're getting along, feel free to email me at mjohn24489@gmail.com.</div>
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Melanie</div>
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<br />ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-26019809665019644482017-05-18T17:21:00.000-07:002017-05-19T06:13:40.959-07:00Rising to the Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'd like to share some thoughts with you on how I take a genius middle school curriculum—Classical Conversations Challenge A and B—and make it work for a younger student. Who says we can't borrow from the future? I do it all the time! Maybe I can spark some of you to do the same. Most the resources that I'm going to mention can be bought at the <a href="https://classicalconversationsbooks.com/">Classical Conversations bookstore.</a> If you have older students in Challenge, you probably already have these on your shelves and also a couple of guides to refer to.<br />
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We've used <i>Saxon Math</i> from homeschooling Day 1, nine years ago. It has served us well but with my younger daughter, I'm tweaking it a bit. I add in lots of Math games—games I used when I tutored Essentials and also ones I used in my Challenge B class. <i>Quick Flip Arithematic </i>is brimming with math card games of various levels. There's also tons of free games online just waiting to be downloaded. I test them out on my 5th grader before my Challenge B students get their brains on them. She helps me with the fine tuning and enjoys every minute of it. Because of this, she's a whiz with negative numbers (a concept her Saxon book hasn't covered fully yet) and knows her math facts inside and out. Fibonacci numbers are another passion of ours. We keep math up year round having fun with Kahn Academy on days that we only want a little bit of independent, relaxed review.<br />
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My daughter is enrolled in Essentials, but we started learning English Grammar years ago. She was ready and so was I. <i>Our Mother Tongue </i>is a wonderful tool for learning grammar along with diagramming. I love all the history it shares in its sidebars. If you need an extra boost with diagramming, <i>Grammar and Diagramming Sentences</i> is a great resource. It provides more sentences to diagram when the Essentials guide isn't enough. We also spent a year with the <i>IEW Fix-It </i>curriculum. A link to IEW is found in the list at the bottom of CC's home page. By starting young with English Grammar, I not only helped my daughter, I helped myself.<br />
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Latin can also be introduced before the Challenge years. I like to sneak Latin into our English Grammar studies. This upcoming school year (6th grade) I'll get my daughter started with <i>Henle Latin. </i>We'll also watch some of the <i>Visual Latin DVDs</i>. Dwane Thomas is funny and makes sense. CC Connected has some of these videos in the Challenge Tier's Classical Learning Center as well as many other helpful videos to aid in learning Latin. <i>Visual Latin</i> can be bought through Compass Classroom or Roman Roads Media. Both links are on Classical Conversation's home page. Beginning this August, I'll be sharing my weekly plans as we learn Latin through English Grammar. I have my Week 1 plans ready to preview. Check out my link. If you think it looks interesting, please follow along with me in my adventure.<br />
<a href="http://carpediemlatin.blogspot.com/">http://carpediemlatin.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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As far as literature goes, she'll read some of the books available through both Challenge A and B. It won't hurt her to have already read and narrated these before she hits the Challenge years. My personal favorites (and so the ones she will read) are <i>Amos Fortune, Number the Stars, Little Britches, The Hiding Place, </i>and <i>Where the Wild Fern Grows. </i>In fact, these will probably be read-a-loud books.<br />
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We've discovered a couple of other parts of the Challenge curriculum that are user-friendly for younger students. One is the digital logic lessons in the back in <i>Intermediate Logic. </i>This introduction to binary numbers and logic circuits is intriguing and has given us the desire to learn coding—something we're going to tackle this summer. If you have access to this curriculum, check out the last lessons. Unfortunately, the Challenge B students aren't assigned this section during the school year. What a shame. These are worth doing at home with the family.<br />
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And last but certainly not least, all ages can gain a basic knowledge of atoms, the periodic table, and bonding through <i>Discovering Atomos</i>. This is a light Introduction to Chemistry offered in Challenge B. We've thoroughly enjoyed this short study coupled with a basic molecular bonding set. It's a fantastic start into this area of Science.<br />
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Even if your student doesn't fill the age requirements of the various classes offered in CC, you can still take advantage of their rich resources and start some of the studies at home. And if you really want to tap into something wonderful, subscribe to CC Connected's Challenge Tier. Dive into the Classical Learning Center. There's enough great stuff in there to last a lifetime.<br />
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I strive to make learning fun and always take time for the things my daughter loves: cooking, playing the piano, Legos, just "messing" around with her stuffed animals, and making robots. Childhood is such a small part of a lifetime...<br />
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To sum all this up, one of my personal parenting goals is to offer my children/students what they need when they need it. It doesn't hurt to work ahead if that's where the interest lies, especially when the curriculum is right at our fingertips.<br />
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Melanie<br />
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P.S. A variation of this article was originally published in Classical Conversations' <a href="https://www.classicalconversations.com/articles">Writer's Circle</a>. Subscribe and enjoy.<br />
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<br />ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-11716336696051893112017-05-10T08:23:00.000-07:002017-05-15T06:44:42.496-07:00Fear<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wish I could say that we started homeschooling </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">after much time spent in prayer, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">but the truth is...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we were scared.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We somehow managed </span>to<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> see four of our children graduate </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">from public high school. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My heart still aches</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They did not thrive. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Neither</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> did we.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This second time around </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we took a plunge.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Homeschooling— </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and were swept away... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Homeschooling changed us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We became smarter parents. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sounder </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">people. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Stronger</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Christians.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i> <i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i> <i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i> <i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Well, I've been afraid of changin' 'cause I built my life around you, but time makes you bolder; children grow older. I'm getting older too.</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>—Stevie Nicks</b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Once upon a time, I was a public school student.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wish I could say that I was </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">dream child, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">but the truth is...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was a </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">leader, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">student, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">friend, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">follower, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">slacker, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">traitor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">High school exposed me to differences </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and I learned to appreciate them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was there I began to understand that we are all more the same </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">than we are different.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end.</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>—Ernest Hemingway</b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wish I could say that I </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">always listen to God's voice; </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">always follow his path, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">but the truth is...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm a mere atom. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A fragment of God's </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">vast creation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">E</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">lectrically charged</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">bouncing between </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">negative and </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">positive</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">seeking balance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Marriage</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">childbirth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">selfishness</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">divorce</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">death</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">forgiveness</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">His footprints </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">surround me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Always felt...</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">but often </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">invisible.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>There is a time for everything and a season for everything under the heavens.</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>—Ecclesiastes 3:1</b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wish I could say </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">that homeschooling </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">continues to satisfy our needs, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">but the truth is...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our season is changing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our teenage daughter wants more.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoREOlk2WUSglrlkO2mZOyjFGZUdAvAHeWbux2_5A2AR1ncUybC6VPzVI_2fWqeTCxizJreP-dE3AiF43zvI0obbsRIFD8AwEBA_bqOSiYlmEVjvL5T0ip0ZmYmS0xM_Xn5QzvMw6CDdu/s1600/fullsizeoutput_2f5f.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoREOlk2WUSglrlkO2mZOyjFGZUdAvAHeWbux2_5A2AR1ncUybC6VPzVI_2fWqeTCxizJreP-dE3AiF43zvI0obbsRIFD8AwEBA_bqOSiYlmEVjvL5T0ip0ZmYmS0xM_Xn5QzvMw6CDdu/s320/fullsizeoutput_2f5f.jpeg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Academia is enlightening. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">S</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">timulating.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However—</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She wants friends, activities, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a life unique to her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She's ready to learn about her world </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">about relationships</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and figure out </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">how to develop them</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">how to maintain them </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and sometimes... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">how </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to shed them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I remember myself at her age. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All those times</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">—both good and bad— </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I shared with my childhood friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These are factors that have affected </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">my worldview.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>I am what I am.—Popeye</b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wish I could say </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">that I'm the best teacher </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">our girls could have, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">but the truth is...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm no Socrates. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As their teacher, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I study hard and </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">prepare well.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know that struggling </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">makes the learning </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">all the sweeter </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and </span>I <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">so love the learning, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> struggle, the teaching. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yet...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">it's not about me. Unfortunately.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There have been many times </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">that I haven't been able to fully explain or engage my daughter in the subject matter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She wants to know, and we don't always find the answer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We need a bigger village.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>People seldom see the halting and painful steps by which the most insignificant success is achieved.—Anne Sullivan</b></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wish I could say </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">that our daughter is </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">content to stay home, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">but the truth is...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our daughter needs to fly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And here's where the fear creeps in again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Will we lose her heart if we let her go? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Will she succumb to temptations too hard to resist? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Will she be strong enough to keep her faith in God? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's safer to keep her under our direct control </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">than to loosen the reigns.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But when will she stretch her wings?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When will she know who she is unless she experiences some of what she is not?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOGiRnBheTE0TM5PJz9SWvONgm8w79PyBwIvuI_G7eXCm5dRMEDM0mepdfDBAktzW0FJNHwafLfwnYyVpCH90vkY4rnrSb8a24-V2TgC1aZVu7E9Hc6eNkH5_LwiudVIvHO80snKFwopG/s1600/IMG_1500.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's time to let go of fear and grab<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">on to trust.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us.</b></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>—Ralph Waldo Emerson</b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When August 2017 rolls around, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we'll be seeing yet another child off to</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> public high school.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This time we're sending a child who</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> has a </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">healthy home life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">United</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> parents. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> solid educational foundation. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">strong faith. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wish I could have said that </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">when my firstborn </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">was beginning 9th grade </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">some 20 years ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I often wonder... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is there only one path </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">only one way that I'm lead </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">by His footprints? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Do His steps ever</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">shift or veer </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">leaving choices </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">for me to discern </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">each equally </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">pleasing </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to Him?</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>No man should bring children into this world who is unwilling to persevere to the end in their nurture and education.—Plato</b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Her day will be changed. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Varying lifestyles. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOGiRnBheTE0TM5PJz9SWvONgm8w79PyBwIvuI_G7eXCm5dRMEDM0mepdfDBAktzW0FJNHwafLfwnYyVpCH90vkY4rnrSb8a24-V2TgC1aZVu7E9Hc6eNkH5_LwiudVIvHO80snKFwopG/s1600/IMG_1500.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOGiRnBheTE0TM5PJz9SWvONgm8w79PyBwIvuI_G7eXCm5dRMEDM0mepdfDBAktzW0FJNHwafLfwnYyVpCH90vkY4rnrSb8a24-V2TgC1aZVu7E9Hc6eNkH5_LwiudVIvHO80snKFwopG/s320/IMG_1500.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Different values. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Conflicting beliefs. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Are those things to be feared?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We believe they're </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> be embraced. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God created and cares for each of us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He wants us to do the same. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nurturing. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">R</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">especting. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Loving </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">one another. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Even those who are different.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why not begin as a child?</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Appreciate your uniqueness.</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>—Captain Kangaroo</b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our children will only be home with us a few more short years. We want to help them navigate this sometimes puzzling world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To have some space.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To explore what makes them tick.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To partake in trial and error.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To begin to create their own world views singular</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> to their God-given personalities</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">—</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ones of purpose and commitment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We're want to be <a href="http://melaniesjohnson.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-wall.html">the wall</a> they cling to </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">when they need a stronghold </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and the wall they push from </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">when rested and ready to swim again.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.—Anne Frank</b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We have one more child </span>still<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> hanging tightly to her wall. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She's not ready to let go, yet. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When that day comes </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(as we know it will) </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">there will be no fear </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">because </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">through years of ups and downs, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> have finally learned... </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>The only thing to fear is fear itself.—FDR</b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Still—even after all this rambling—</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the feeling in my heart is bittersweet as I'm facing the end of officially homeschooling this child. I really have no idea what will happen over the next few years but... we will follow His lead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Faith never knows where it is being led, but it knows and loves the One who is leading.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>—Oswald Chambers</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Melanie</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">P.S. As my wonderfully wise husband/friend/soulmate often says</span><br />
—<i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">remember that today is not the end of the story.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">😉</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To be continued...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxm875raPAOnurFtWeeelXneUqLx4KvZWsm_rMBYTXgs4-EipnBLLO9LBAOr_oCDk3aj1w7v8vpDrzfsAQtMNgSC0Zj0LuWKdyGOd_XYJVR_x9pT9onnPzB4J46RnW1R3FfZnpZWCWIbF/s1600/7f91fff2da7cfdd400c93a49212b174e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxm875raPAOnurFtWeeelXneUqLx4KvZWsm_rMBYTXgs4-EipnBLLO9LBAOr_oCDk3aj1w7v8vpDrzfsAQtMNgSC0Zj0LuWKdyGOd_XYJVR_x9pT9onnPzB4J46RnW1R3FfZnpZWCWIbF/s1600/7f91fff2da7cfdd400c93a49212b174e.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I share some thoughts about The Wall and other things on my new blog venture <a href="http://melaniesjohnson.blogspot.com/">Threads of my Tapestry.</a> Take a peek.</span></div>
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ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-70617702017648496812017-04-20T09:05:00.000-07:002017-05-04T05:54:59.988-07:00Does it matter?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-QjI9vQerbIVbGRLjht7MRZqXyappQorWes9L-KU8Y-aJ_w0P6BdAtlSg4bFHgxHLVC75MZf1XXwRZbfJ7WR3lVh_zQhcGFPJsgpRYpXtFIV-nJclHuXQ-jM0cX8APpfmOqTswWF2DqF/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-15+at+11.33.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-QjI9vQerbIVbGRLjht7MRZqXyappQorWes9L-KU8Y-aJ_w0P6BdAtlSg4bFHgxHLVC75MZf1XXwRZbfJ7WR3lVh_zQhcGFPJsgpRYpXtFIV-nJclHuXQ-jM0cX8APpfmOqTswWF2DqF/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-15+at+11.33.44+PM.png" width="320" /></a><br />
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<br />
I read this book when it first debuted. I don't remember what I thought or if it had an impact. I do remember that my oldest child had recently died. I suppose that event shadowed my memories.<br />
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So recently, when my now oldest daughter went to the movies to see this new release, I became curious and read it again. Ten years have passed since that first reading—since my daughter's death—and I'm at a different place, in a different time, and am a different person. This little book spoke to me in ways I didn't know I needed, although I knew I needed something.<br />
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<b><i>The Shack</i> by William Paul Young</b><br />
<b><br /></b> <i>Papa again interrupted. "You see, Mackenzie, I don't just want a piece of you and a piece of your life. Even if you were able, which you are not, to give me the biggest piece, that is not what I want. I want all of you; all of every part of you and your day."</i><br />
<i>Jesus now spoke again. "Mack, I don't want to be the first among a list of values; I want to be at the center of everything. When I live in you, then together we can live through everything that happens to you. Rather than at the top of a pyramid, I want to be at the center of a mobile, where everything in your life—your friends, family, occupation, thoughts, activities—is connected to me but moves with the wind, in and out and back and forth, in an incredible dance of being."</i><br />
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<i>"Let me ask you something. Is what I do back home important? Does it matter? I really don't do much other than working and caring for my family and friends—"</i><br />
<i>Sarayu interrupted him. "Mack, if anything matters then everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; with every kindness and service, seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished and nothing will ever be the same again."</i><br />
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Thank you, Lord, for being the wind of my dance and giving my dance a purpose.<br />
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Melanie<br />
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<a href="http://ladydusk.blogspot.com/search/label/Wednesdays%20with%20words">Wednesday with Words</a><br />
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<br />ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-84038190228027565672017-04-10T17:34:00.000-07:002017-05-05T20:04:25.888-07:00From Start to Finish - Challenge B<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At the start of the year<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xVe6S0PrnXxqLWxPMZtll4oJXKwFEJKDFH80QuNYGyEV9j7Jm4XnvC-XsxqZjSzrZ0Qxz5K2gHenrb6c2t0Ns_GSXBR8JEa_9ZWlOannytjbuVXHRXl-5zvir5HSdQZHIaTb_r7lZ0YS/s1600/IMG_1876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xVe6S0PrnXxqLWxPMZtll4oJXKwFEJKDFH80QuNYGyEV9j7Jm4XnvC-XsxqZjSzrZ0Qxz5K2gHenrb6c2t0Ns_GSXBR8JEa_9ZWlOannytjbuVXHRXl-5zvir5HSdQZHIaTb_r7lZ0YS/s320/IMG_1876.JPG" width="320" /></a>they were saddled with fear<br />
viewing me with unjustified dread.<br />
Expectations were made<br />
few rules had been laid.<br />
Curiosity soon to be fed.<br />
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Many challenges came<br />
but who is to blame<br />
if the math laws are hard to apply?<br />
This strand is intense<br />
not the favorite I sense<br />
but painless when given a try.<br />
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Then the ps and the qs...<br />
all the Logic we muse.<br />
Our brains now and then do get sore.<br />
Formal proofs every day<br />
use our brains every way<br />
building strong minds down deep to the core.<br />
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We read books and did write<br />
persuasive works left and right<br />
letting Lost Tools of Writing take lead.<br />
Short stories were read.<br />
They went straight to our head<br />
creativity flowing full speed.<br />
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Latin verbs and the such<br />
sometimes are too much<br />
but the students work hard at this strand.<br />
We're good with declensions.<br />
Did I happen to mention<br />
that terra translates into land?<br />
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Kepler, Newton, and Morse<br />
and there's Einstein, of course.<br />
And others whose work is the base<br />
of things scientific<br />
we think they're terrific<br />
deducing the facts of each case.<br />
<br />
Science Fair came and went.<br />
Every minute well spent.<br />
We wish Francis Bacon had known.<br />
Chemistry now at last<br />
learning which bonds hold fast—<br />
Hydrogen's unhappy alone.<br />
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We debated the news<br />
Was it fake? Who'd accuse?<br />
Creating the tools for Mock Trial.<br />
Yes, we're ready to go<br />
judge and jury and so...<br />
Will CJ or Sam get to smile?<br />
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This finish is the start<br />
of great things, they'll impart<br />
pursuing their paths with no fear.<br />
As parents, you'll nourish<br />
these students who flourish.<br />
I'll treasure my thoughts of this year.<br />
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Melanie<br />
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<br />ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-47036822490592004712017-04-02T17:16:00.000-07:002017-04-05T04:56:23.412-07:00The KeepingWe became busy<br />
acquiring knowledge<br />
layering information<br />
until our minds were<br />
thick<br />
dense<br />
deep<br />
brimming<br />
with boundless concerns<br />
equations<br />
conjugations<br />
propositions.<br />
<br />
Sometime<br />
during our busyness<br />
we stopped.<br />
Unconsciously<br />
we stopped<br />
the keeping.<br />
<br />
The daily examination<br />
noticing<br />
searching<br />
watching<br />
recognizing<br />
recording the wonder<br />
of His sparkling jewel<br />
was set aside<br />
leaving us<br />
hollow<br />
vacant<br />
wanting.<br />
<br />
The human soul<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-njBdOXORTtgHNkzhwpCljTs_CETHZQL6E9mKoEDfw0SNVCxNnDxrxk0qNdoG7PyGBNx9C0uJzrtxZlsO9Zo3qD7qylsLw_RypX0lXdHTkzaEAe4jHaVidx1wsoz7AMdEAgqNa0vWQ9C1/s1600/fullsizeoutput_2fc5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-njBdOXORTtgHNkzhwpCljTs_CETHZQL6E9mKoEDfw0SNVCxNnDxrxk0qNdoG7PyGBNx9C0uJzrtxZlsO9Zo3qD7qylsLw_RypX0lXdHTkzaEAe4jHaVidx1wsoz7AMdEAgqNa0vWQ9C1/s400/fullsizeoutput_2fc5.jpeg" width="300" /></a>is a fathomless vessel<br />
curious<br />
questioning<br />
seeking kinship with<br />
His creation<br />
yearning to keep<br />
impressions<br />
desiring wholeness<br />
with every breath<br />
scent<br />
sound.<br />
<br />
Now—alluring<br />
Spring has arrived<br />
hesitating<br />
teasing<br />
unrolling all her splendor<br />
touching our spirits<br />
with inspiration<br />
in anticipation<br />
of reopening<br />
the keeping.<br />
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Melanieges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-68658393734053938132017-03-08T05:01:00.000-08:002017-03-08T05:12:05.597-08:00 FingerprintsAs my children's teacher and leader of a small group of homeschooled teenagers, my personal goal is to spark curiosity and wonder. I also strive to present solid information by which they will eventually be able to form their own conclusions—their own worldviews. My wish for these precious young people is that they will feel confident and free to explore various ideas with open minds—ideas that may be outside of their comfort zones. We've spent several weeks reading and discussing differing origin stories all of which have some degree of incredibility linked to them. Yet, it's obvious to me that the following ideas and/or facts truly speak to our Creator's unmistakable design of all that is and all that will ever be.<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Intelligent-Design-Everything-ConversantLife-com/dp/0736924426/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488735445&sr=8-1&keywords=understanding+intelligent+des">Understanding Intelligent Design </a>by William A. Dembski and Sean Mc Dowell<br />
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Clearly, a cake is the work of an intelligent designer. Are we to believe that a habitable planet, which is exceedingly more complex than a cake, is not also the result of design? Consider some physical factors that must be set precisely for the earth to be hospitable to life.</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Life must be in the right type of galaxy. </i>Scientists classify galaxies into three types—elliptical, irregular, and spiral. Elliptical galaxies lack the heavy elements needed for life. Irregular galaxies have too many supernova explosions, which endanger life. Only spiral galaxies foster life, and Earth happens to be in one of them.</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Life must be in the right location in the galaxy. </i>We are situated in just the right place in the Milky Way. If we were too close to the center of the galaxy, near the Black Hole, harmful radiation (gamma rays and X-rays) would make life impossible. On the other hand, if we were too far out in the periphery, not enough heavy elements would be available for the construction of Earth-like planets. Earth is located in what scientists call the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">galactic habitable zone.</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Life must have the right type of star. </i>A star must act as an energy source for life. But not just any star will do. The size and age of the sun uniquely enhance the Earth’s habitability. Most stars are too large, too luminous, or too unstable to support life. But our sun is just right.</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Life must have the right relationship to its host star. </i>If the earth were merely 1 percent closer to the sun, then bodies of water would vaporize, destroying the possibility of life. If the earth were merely 2 percent farther from the sun its water would freeze. Earth also has a nearly circular orbit, which ensures a nearly constant distance from the sun, which in turn ensures that seasonal changes are moderate rather than severe. Earth exists in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">circumstellar habitable zone, </i>which is the region around a star where liquid water can exist to support life.</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Life needs surrounding planets for protection. </i>The other planets in our solar system contribute to Earth’s habitability. As a huge gaseous planet more than 300 hundred times our size, Jupiter protects Earth from incoming comets. And Mars, which is at the edge of the asteroid belt, protects Earth from incoming asteroids.</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Life requires the right type of moon. </i>If Earth did not have a moon of the right size and distance, our planet would be uninhabitable. The moon stabilizes the earth's tilt, preventing extreme temperatures and thus creating a stable, life-friendly environment. In short, without our moon, we would not be here.</div>
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<i>Life requires the right type of planet. </i>Planets much smaller or larger than Eath are probably less habitable. Planets must have the right core—as Earth happens to have—to undergo plate tectonics. Plate tectonics make possible the carbon cycle, which is essential for Earth to support life.<br />
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It seems that there are some Christians who tend to shy away from acknowledging the ideas/facts behind various theories and often view science as something to fear—something that threatens a belief in our Father God. It is clear to me that the more I immerse myself in science, the more I admire God's infinite wisdom; am amazed by his creative power; am aware of his omnipresent fingerprints. We truly live on a privileged planet created for us by an awesome God.<br />
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<br />
Melanie</div>
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Linked this week to <a href="http://ladydusk.blogspot.com/search/label/Wednesdays%20with%20words">ladydusk</a>.</div>
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ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-11971077701781637922017-02-10T17:40:00.000-08:002017-02-21T19:29:36.013-08:00How we fared in the Science Fair<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's every parent's nightmare...the dreaded Science Fair. But why? There must be some positive factors that have kept this historic tradition alive. As my daughter and I fine tuned her project, I gradually realized why the Science Fair is relevant and how it raised my daughter's self-confidence thermometer; bringing her a few degrees closer to maturity and independence. It's never too early to learn some life lessons.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNv0UF2tH28vdHu5YtkGmLcg1q7hAxrnb9i420xxfD0sPKJAhif2xmi8-8N84jxBf1zLTDzbdIxKOkopC14xKfGIRQCDdztZUEX3raVYvcmCbyIQjMaJ8mQmYtfvQeajnJq6iSFmOosXFG/s1600/img_31403145237281.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNv0UF2tH28vdHu5YtkGmLcg1q7hAxrnb9i420xxfD0sPKJAhif2xmi8-8N84jxBf1zLTDzbdIxKOkopC14xKfGIRQCDdztZUEX3raVYvcmCbyIQjMaJ8mQmYtfvQeajnJq6iSFmOosXFG/s400/img_31403145237281.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>My daughter learned to plan ahead. </b>Does this come naturally?<b> </b>Well, it certainly doesn't in my neck of the woods. But with some coaxing, along with pointing out the consequences of procrastination, this happened. Thoroughly completing a project−putting in the necessary time and effort within the time allotted—means a job well done. Who doesn't love that? What a fantastic skill to begin perfecting.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>*Regardless of why your daughter procrastinates, your job will be to make sure that she sees the problem as hers, not yours.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>My daughter was able to look deeply into something outside of her everyday curriculum.</b> I hate to admit it, but we're so busy with the essentials: math, Latin, writing, etc., that we usually don't get around to the things we're really interested in. What a shame. This project let her do some exploration outside of her daily box.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>*Your aim should be to help your daughter develop her interests and to minimize the number of doors she closes while you wait for her to mature.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>My daughter followed the Scientific Method.</b> She tackled this method step by step and walked the same path that all great scientists have walked. (Francis Bacon would be proud.) This proved to be both a stress and a stretch. Learning during the grammar stage was a breeze, however moving into the dialectic stage is forcing her to exert much more effort toward her studies. It's time for her to see that hard work sometimes is just as important as intelligence.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>*Indeed, terrific new research of grit shows that the steadfast pursuit of long-term goals contributes to success over and above what can be explained by intelligence alone.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>My daughter had to be exacting. </b>Working with variables and gathering data is an exacting business. Precision is not part of my daughter's repertoire. Let's just say that she made a few mistakes, but hey...that's how we learn.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>*Girls who learn from small failures are more likely to avoid big ones. We don't like to let our teenagers falter, but stepping in to help with the small stuff and never stepping out keeps girls from growing.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>My daughter had to do research and write a paper with a bibliography. </b>It was hard to break this fact to her: growing up = writing research papers. Isn't this just a rite of passage? </span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>*Untangled, separate but completely present, we have a better feel for when we should let our daughters struggle along and when we owe it to them to offer help.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">My daughter had to present her finished project to judges. Gasp...she had to answer their questions. </b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Communication skills are a must and a Science Fair is a perfect spot to practice. After all the time and energy involved, sharing her findings was a pretty natural thing to do.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>*We can admire our daughters' successes as evidence of their terrific growth (not our goodness), and we can see their trials as proof that they are working to master the developmental strands we now know well.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>My daughter will be able to compete in our town's local Middle School Science Fair. </b>She'll have the opportunity to see many other science projects and maybe even get excited about learning something new. I think it's important for her to venture outside the security of our homeschool group and see what's out there in the world.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>*Focus on helping your daughter be <b>her</b> best, not <b>the</b> best.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>And last but not least...we had fun.</b> She's only going to be with me every day for a little while longer and I'm planning to make the most of every minute.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Melanie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Untangled-Guiding-Teenage-Transitions-Adulthood/dp/0553393057/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486641705&sr=8-1&keywords=untangled+guiding+girls+through+the+seven+transitions+into+adulthood"><i><b>*Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through The Seven Transitions Into Adulthood by Lisa Damour, Ph.D.</b></i></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-72985719371077463542017-01-25T16:46:00.000-08:002017-02-13T05:32:31.218-08:00Then and Now<div class="content-list-component text" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #222222; font-family: NotoNashkArabic, ProximaNova-regular, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 730px; min-width: initial; padding: 0px; width: 630px;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduS9D6dUO0Ip1r5Q71FCYQN0lCfV7LnsS0T08tkrj_Z8NARDx9D3p35uhRGM39cml9a_5Zqmp5ILH6N9Tqj7_cJeCm3V41oOPeEK3-uPnkyCvxYqEKZvgidZNn0eQFRvArvsySop5hkqa/s1600/IMG_1303.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduS9D6dUO0Ip1r5Q71FCYQN0lCfV7LnsS0T08tkrj_Z8NARDx9D3p35uhRGM39cml9a_5Zqmp5ILH6N9Tqj7_cJeCm3V41oOPeEK3-uPnkyCvxYqEKZvgidZNn0eQFRvArvsySop5hkqa/s320/IMG_1303.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 1.0625rem;">Today I read an article about becoming a parent at the ripe old age of 50. </span><span style="font-size: 1.0625rem;">It made me smile. In fact, it made me smile so much that I just had to write a follow-up. Here is that author's perspective of becoming a parent at 50 coupled with my take on what it's like 10+ years later.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>10 Worst Things About Being An Old Mom</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.0625rem;">1. Other people.</strong><span style="font-size: 1.0625rem;"> </span><span style="font-size: 1.0625rem;">You will get eyeballs on you. When others ask, “Aw, are you her Grandma?” just smile and sweetly say, ‘No, I’m just her really old mom.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 1.0625rem;"><i>At 60+... Nobody asks anymore, they just assume. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">2. Font sizes.</strong> Your kid’s sick, you’re tired, stressed and can’t find your cheaters to read the dosing directions on baby medication bottles. The font size on most bottles is only legible to toddlers, who cannot read yet. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 60+... Bifocals have taken care of this issue. They are a gift for the aging. Thank you, Ben Franklin.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">3. When your kid’s in their twenties, you’ll be officially old, which is the best incentive to take exemplary care of oneself starting right now.</strong> Red wine and pomegranate gummy bears are superfoods, right?</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 60+... Wine has fiber, right?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">4. Menopause and mothering.</strong> If you think that sounds hard, just remember how hard it (and you) will be on your husband. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 60+... During this uncomfortable time in my life, I had a two-year-old non-sleeping toddler and three rebellious teenage boys. Fortunately, my husband survived.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">5. Your parents will be older too.</strong> They might not babysit as actively or host sleepovers for your kid. But my grandparents seemed ancient when I was little, and they were in their forties... so it’s pretty much a toss up.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 60+... My children have grieved the deaths of three of their grandparents alongside my husband and me. We have all had the privilege of being caretakers to my father during his last few years. At their young ages, this has been an education in love, patience, and sacrifice. Now that's a gift.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">6. Curiosity.</strong> Again with the eyes of other people. Especially if your child is a different race. While educating folks about adoption is awesome, we’d rather not be asked “Why didn’t her real mother want her?” in front of our child. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 60+... People expect me to be a little heard of hearing, so I have an excuse to ignore insensitive, ignorant comments.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">7. You will be old enough to parent many of the other parents you will meet and befriend.</strong> But they are all great people because they were raised in the 1980s and 1990s.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 60+... I love my young mom friends. They help me manage Facebook. Are you aware that it's possible to unfollow "friends" and they never know?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">8. People will tell you, “When I’m your age, I hope I’m just like you.”</strong> Which is a compliment, but it’s also karmic payback for all the times you said that to older, wiser people when you were a young, snot-nosed dope.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 60+... I just smile and think, "If they only knew all the xxx I went through to get here."</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">9. It will be sad to explain to your child why you won’t be able to produce a sibling for them.</strong> Unless you are that unbelievably fierce, professional Old Mom who will just go ahead and do it.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 60+... They have (and always will have) each other and three older siblings. After birthing four children, my husband and I realized our responsibility to stop adding to the world's population and start caring for it. So we followed the <a href="http://msjschole.blogspot.com/2015_06_01_archive.html">tug</a> that lead us China.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">10. Getting old is hard.</strong> Even if you firmly believe age is just a number, consider your fifties to be the ‘Warning Years’. Two glasses of wine take a hell of a lot more recovery time than it did when you were 30.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 60+... I've learned that two glasses of wine is pretty much perfection.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>10 Awesomest Things About Being An Old Mom</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">1. You’ve done all your clubbing/partying/road-tripping.</strong> You’re thrilled for a great reason to stay home.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 60+... I have to force myself not to don my pjs until after dinner.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.0625rem;"><br /></strong> <strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.0625rem;">2. You’re more patient, experienced and empathetic.</strong><span style="font-size: 1.0625rem;"> You already know how to handle crazy bosses, neighbors, and insane and/or drunk family members, so children are relatively easy to deal with.</span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 60+... I know that some things can't be rushed and that most people are just doing the best they can. I've also learned the hard way that the saying "there but for the grace of God goes I" is all too true.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">3.</strong> If you were raised in the 1960s and the 1970s, remember this ― as long as you don’t do what your parents did, <strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">you’re doing an incredible job.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></strong> <span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><i>At 60+... I realize what a difficult job parenting is and that my parents were awesome. Back in the good old days, parents were adults and they let kids be kids. They let us struggle and there's something to be said for that. This parenting technique seems to have gone out of fashion.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">4.</strong> Since you survived being parented before parenting became a verb, as well as survived your twenties, thirties, forties <u style="box-sizing: inherit;">and</u> childbirth or adoption, <strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">you know how not to sweat the small stuff.</strong> Watching your kid freak out over truly small stuff won’t freak you out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 60+... I'm a believer that, as they say, these things too shall pass. And you know what — they really do!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">5. You probably have older nieces and nephews, so you’ve already done tons of pinch-hit parenting.</strong> And your nieces and nephews will love hanging with your kid.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 60+... Not only do our girls have awesome adult cousins who love them to pieces, they have adult brothers with wives and girlfriends who adore them. They even have a niece and nephew of their own.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">6. Hand-me-downs from everyone on Earth who became parents before us.</strong> We have clothes lined up until she is nineteen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 60+... I think that I now dress many little girls in our town with our hand-me-downs.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">7. When you do get to sleep, it will be well-earned,</strong> deep and profoundly deserved.</span><br />
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 1.0625rem;">At 60+... A little afternoon nap</span><span style="font-size: 1.0625rem;"> is nirvana.</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">8. You will feel younger chasing your kid around.</strong> All their physical energy will rub off on you. Until it doesn’t.</span><br />
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 1.0625rem;">At 60+... Sit back and watch; </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">preferably</span><span style="font-size: 1.0625rem;"> with a glass of Chardonnay.</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">9. Showing your child</strong> and a lot of much younger parents the wildly violent, racist and sexist (as compared to today’s PC standards) Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse cartoons of your childhood.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 60+... We got our girls hooked on Leave it to Beaver reruns. Now they are able to spot a real Eddie Haskell when they see one.😍</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">10. Children organize your lives.</strong> What’s truly important becomes infinitely clear. To get to love and be loved by someone who not only needs you but <strong style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-bold, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">requires</strong> you is a privilege that you have earned with all the life you’ve already lived. Extra added bonus? You got lots to teach.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At 60+... I actually believe that I have some gems to pass along. I care so much more about our world and the people that inhabit it with me than I did when I was younger. I can't seem to get enough of new ideas and old teachings. Life really does begin at 60.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i> <i>You can read the original article <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ten-worst-and-best-things-about-being-an-old-mom_us_581fc252e4b044f827a78f90">here.</a></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Melanie</span></div>
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ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-4876675375168371502016-12-19T08:18:00.000-08:002016-12-19T08:18:01.914-08:00Looking Behind - Planning Ahead<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I happened upon John Milton Gregory's book, </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/SEVEN-LAWS-TEACHING-Milton-Gregory-ebook/dp/B005BREVPC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481984849&sr=8-1&keywords=seven+laws+of+teaching" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The Seven Laws of Teaching</a>,<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> </i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I thought that I had discovered a text that others weren't familiar with. But, as I have grown to realize, just because I haven't heard of something before doesn't mean that it isn't well known. This book and it's modern counterpart, </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Excellence-Teaching-Seven-Laws-Contemporary/dp/0801082617/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481984971&sr=8-1&keywords=Excellence+in+teaching+Carl+Shafer" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Excellence in Teaching with the Seven Laws</a><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> </i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">by Carl Shafer, have become invaluable sources of wisdom and encouragement as I tread and often trudge through the jungle of home schooling. I like to keep them handy.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgAhFjr3iwefqblNF_xHqnnRBJh6RkRL19TIddE3jlhtmYu0y0IbivwtbH-FsVY6Piuin2WNNL9AZusP3jXEKQbhN2qZoqeC1-zD0oGZ41xPBWnjUuYFtKl03tKDrqghe8T1-cIIypIZP/s1600/IMG_1336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgAhFjr3iwefqblNF_xHqnnRBJh6RkRL19TIddE3jlhtmYu0y0IbivwtbH-FsVY6Piuin2WNNL9AZusP3jXEKQbhN2qZoqeC1-zD0oGZ41xPBWnjUuYFtKl03tKDrqghe8T1-cIIypIZP/s320/IMG_1336.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Five months ago, as I was preparing to direct my first semester of Classical Conversations' Challenge B, <a href="http://msjschole.blogspot.com/2016/08/where-wed-rather-be.html">I outlined some goals</a> that seemed reasonably achievable for my student/daughter. I combined objectives from the Challenge B Expectations Chart with excerpts from Leigh Bortin's book <a href="http://www.classicalconversationsbooks.com/qubylebo.html">The Question</a>, another insightful read that I keep close by.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We're now halfway through our school year. I feel the need to reflect and reevaluate in order to recharge and rejuvenate for next semester. This time, I'm using John Milton Gregory's <i>Seven Laws of Teaching </i>to illuminate my personal goals as a teacher along with our revamped student goals for 2nd semester.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Grammar (Latin)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>The duty of the teacher is essentially not that of a driver or a taskmaster, but rather that of a counselor and guide. His aim must be to develop secondary passive attention. The best way to do this is to make the stages of advancement gradual, so that while the pupil must put forth effort in grasping each new step in the lesson or in the series of lessons, the completion of each step will also make the effort seem worthwhile. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Grace is an excellent student of Latin and has has gone above and beyond the goals set for 1st semester. The Henle text has worked well for her. I supplemented it with the </span><a href="https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/latin/henle-latin-i-quizzes-tests-units-iiiv/" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Memoria Press</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> quizzes and tests and will continue 2nd semester. </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We'll keep all the same goals and add one more: Participate in the <a href="http://nle.org/">National Latin Exam.</a></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Logic (Math)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>The two chief hindrances to attention are apathy and distraction. The former may be due to a lack of taste for the subject under consideration, or to weariness or some other physical condition. Distraction is the division of the attention among several objects, and is the foe of all learning. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Grace does not love Math. Even though she came close to completing Algebra 1/2 last school year, we agreed to do it over again. She still does not like it the second time around but she does her lessons diligently</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and thoroughly. Attacking her math lesson first thing in the morning, when she isn't distracted or tired, seems to work for her.</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This semester, we'll keep the same goals but concentrate on explaining math problems by way of the Five Common Topics.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Rhetoric (Logic)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Aim to make the pupil an independent investigator - a student of nature and a seeker after truth. Cultivate in him the habit of research. Help him to test his conceptions to see that they reproduce the truth taught, as far as his powers permit. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Logic has been a surprise to both of us. We came into this strand having no idea what to expect and have enjoyed it more than I could have imagined. Grace has met all the goals of 1st semester. </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">An additional goal this semester is to relate the Logic to the other strands... make those connections! She already is well on her way to having the Appendices memorized.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Debate (Current Events)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>We master truth by expressing it, and are glad when we have clearly expressed our thought. But in order to make talking into thinking, there must be independent and original effort, not a mere parrotlike repetition of the words of other people. The pupil himself must do much of the talking.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Reading, analyzing, and discussing current events was a highlight of 1st semester. Grace went from knowing very little and taking no side on world issues to becoming aware of what's going on around her, having an interest, and forming her own opinion. She made both biblical and secular connections. I'm tickled pink about her accomplishments in this strand. Now we start something new with new goals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Mock Trial</b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Spend the amount of time needed to understand the case.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Complete each assignment with minimal help from me.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Be able to explain the case in her own words.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Create outlines and timelines.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Participate as a team player and in class discussions.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Memorize parts - be prepared.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Exposition and Composition (Persuasive Writing)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Knowledge cannot be passed from mind to mind like objects from one receptacle to another, but must in every case be recognized and rethought and relived by the receiving mind. All explanation and exposition are useless except as they serve to excite and direct the pupil in his own thinking. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I look over the goals of 1st semester, I have to admit that Grace fell just a little bit short here. Yes, she read the books and wrote the essays, but they were done without the amount of thought and care that I would have liked. She still needs much assistance and I'm glad that I can do that. But this semester...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Short Stories</b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Learn proper mechanics for writing a short story.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Read all the assigned stories and be prepared to participate in class discussion.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Keep a list of vocabulary words and definitions.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Write a short story (minimum of 5 pages) with little help from me.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Keep a positive attitude. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(Can you tell this will be our challenge?) </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Research (History of Science)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Each new idea mastered becomes a part of the knowledge of the child, a part of his equipment of race experience, and serves as a starting point for fresh advance. It adds its own light to the knowledge preceded it, and throws increased illumination forward for the next discovery.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Grace will tell you flat out that she hates science. T</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">his was by far not her favorite strand but she did meet all the goals. She does like a project (as long as she doesn't have to work on it for very long. The Science Fair project needs to come to a close, the sooner the better.) But moving on to next semester...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Origins and Chemistry</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Read challenging material on both sides of the issue. Keep an open mind.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Learn how to outline a book chapter by chapter.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Keep a list of vocabulary words and definitions.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ask informed questions. Refer to the Five CommonTopics.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Participate in class discussions.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Memorize the first 18 elements in the periodic table.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Are you curious as to what the <i>Seven Laws of Teaching</i> actually are?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1. Know thoroughly and familiarly the lessons you wish to teach - teach from a full mind and a clear understanding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2. Gain and keep the attention and interest of the pupils upon the lesson. Do not try to teach without attention.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3. Use words understood in the same way by the pupils and yourself - language clear and vivid to both.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4. Begin with what is already well known to the pupil upon the subject and with what he himself has experienced - and proceed to the new material by single, easy, and natural steps, letting the known explain the unknown.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5. Stimulate the pupil's own mind to action. Keep his thoughts as much as possible ahead of your expression, placing him in the attitude of a discoverer, an anticipator.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6. Require the student to reproduce in thought the lesson he is learning - thinking it out in its various phrases and applications till he can express it in his own language.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">7. Review, review, review, reproducing the old deepening its impression with a new thought, linking it with added meanings, finding new applications, correcting any false views, and completing the true.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All in all, its been a fantastic semester and I will forever be indebted to Classical Conversations for making our home schooling experience truly memorable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Melanie</span>
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ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-4137814885696207452016-09-26T12:11:00.001-07:002016-10-04T06:16:21.935-07:00Dawn to Dusk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">... And when I wake in the morning, you are still with me. Psalm 139:18</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">...They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow faint. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">..."I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." John 8:12</span>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is God's privilege to conceal things and the king's privilege to discover them. Proverbs 25:8</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short. Proverbs 24:14</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and care for it. Genesis 2:15</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My goal is that they be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have full confidence because they have complete understanding of God's secret plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Colossians 2:2-3</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscJurdNikJsjFuJXghQ0DhcgiVA6uXsPHyjfhpVQP7TwkYkLuATVV2YfCMVF7thas7fQ8SVkMrfVtJa97qJLQeGz0CXr7OHwAqqet6786oQBk-PcAdCZ2xo5ZRAT5sgMvS9kN3wLvxkkR/s1600/IMG_0806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscJurdNikJsjFuJXghQ0DhcgiVA6uXsPHyjfhpVQP7TwkYkLuATVV2YfCMVF7thas7fQ8SVkMrfVtJa97qJLQeGz0CXr7OHwAqqet6786oQBk-PcAdCZ2xo5ZRAT5sgMvS9kN3wLvxkkR/s640/IMG_0806.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged... Proverbs 17:6</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ce9PiwobgYmS_2Zd223fJIUTZAX5ZnSJDkKYuI3S-X5KmzTdoPhDtGZqZ-e8BOER7ZaQ7tD2vOorDbiqyYyF7XQWjQnqDmyQ9yGBnjwCLQOgwhZ89z6akwtLxpR3N1eUh-FQVJEFnBso/s1600/IMG_1487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ce9PiwobgYmS_2Zd223fJIUTZAX5ZnSJDkKYuI3S-X5KmzTdoPhDtGZqZ-e8BOER7ZaQ7tD2vOorDbiqyYyF7XQWjQnqDmyQ9yGBnjwCLQOgwhZ89z6akwtLxpR3N1eUh-FQVJEFnBso/s640/IMG_1487.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step... 1 Corinthians 9:25-26</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmbsWPokAs6uq31SwJDP3aorj52HsTYTaZCVVvLUJKILdL_nk5yiDCiSTOJRXr8-qMZNEQX-lJSjFmIFD8ZZUBznG065zsJ02rbuGU_pnk1nQhr-MrYHav9zgZDEwrSeiuKUeV3CN8BuR/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmbsWPokAs6uq31SwJDP3aorj52HsTYTaZCVVvLUJKILdL_nk5yiDCiSTOJRXr8-qMZNEQX-lJSjFmIFD8ZZUBznG065zsJ02rbuGU_pnk1nQhr-MrYHav9zgZDEwrSeiuKUeV3CN8BuR/s640/IMG_0169.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Through each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. Psalm 42:8</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Melanie</span></div>
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ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-46721541636884885122016-09-13T06:09:00.000-07:002016-10-14T08:44:26.474-07:00In The Room Where it Happens<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qpDoBB7XtZbG8rv2iH_RreZNDevQKty3cdY6GDiKLc-PnjXiQ5ClEb1y8kbgh55pBuvsQQItyWVfMSdsga9AOW38dS0iSz4YgtCv34vpUznS1lLgKk8-4rhnhRgQiCac_6xfIdtWzXGy/s1600/IMG_0618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qpDoBB7XtZbG8rv2iH_RreZNDevQKty3cdY6GDiKLc-PnjXiQ5ClEb1y8kbgh55pBuvsQQItyWVfMSdsga9AOW38dS0iSz4YgtCv34vpUznS1lLgKk8-4rhnhRgQiCac_6xfIdtWzXGy/s400/IMG_0618.jpg" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hi. I'm Pepper. That's me starring in my first selfie. I live with my family of human folks who always keep pretty busy. They do this thing called homeschooling. It must be some sort of obedience school, but it looks way more fun than that. I used to think that human people had to go somewhere in order to get an education. I was wrong. My humans find things to learn about all over our home - basically, inside and out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today, I decided to follow my youngest human around and pay attention to what she does and where she does it. (Being a dog can get rather boring, so I try to keep things interesting.) </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBDj81FI9gKNngtrY1vS9AjcMtcPMeiCFKZLRiSCdEIJ5bLHoDbYQ6r3z2faV0bi85-6rP79BeXQLBMNcBJqG_RWszi-Meqjg8pE6OR0SLfm2lvP11h0GSnz0ajEdmq34tCqVN6qusrmE/s1600/IMG_0643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBDj81FI9gKNngtrY1vS9AjcMtcPMeiCFKZLRiSCdEIJ5bLHoDbYQ6r3z2faV0bi85-6rP79BeXQLBMNcBJqG_RWszi-Meqjg8pE6OR0SLfm2lvP11h0GSnz0ajEdmq34tCqVN6qusrmE/s320/IMG_0643.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She started the day pretty early. My momma human is kind of a kook about getting outside first thing in the morning. I love it too. So many bushes to smell and telephone poles to... Well, she rolled out of bed, slipped on her shoes, and away we went.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOygXyOkNFIiWyiPhzDXuKbC-O7l3nedScrZAj5aFW4MTzjnGtFqoVndnwz7mGNbWnfSuQ0w1447ncthT6w1aZX4b8nan2vBqVMeg2BJudGyRx6Ca5yxETnqrCisC-81xW3CRUatUobqG/s1600/IMG_0201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOygXyOkNFIiWyiPhzDXuKbC-O7l3nedScrZAj5aFW4MTzjnGtFqoVndnwz7mGNbWnfSuQ0w1447ncthT6w1aZX4b8nan2vBqVMeg2BJudGyRx6Ca5yxETnqrCisC-81xW3CRUatUobqG/s320/IMG_0201.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxp4t0jvliXKIAAZbYiyCYeE1q1EiqEDuOE0QRsnsyoggQ2DzQ0_T6C8SNusuVFwiZ5xZ_EYLY8MEiRuWtZt7QFVo9qJqpdp54ZBdAQOp0Pu_0X0igXg126wPNUs9hAIdeMy4Nw1ZaGky/s1600/IMG_0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxp4t0jvliXKIAAZbYiyCYeE1q1EiqEDuOE0QRsnsyoggQ2DzQ0_T6C8SNusuVFwiZ5xZ_EYLY8MEiRuWtZt7QFVo9qJqpdp54ZBdAQOp0Pu_0X0igXg126wPNUs9hAIdeMy4Nw1ZaGky/s320/IMG_0673.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our neighborhood classroom is amazing. Lately we've been finding milkweed full of Monarch caterpillars and gorgeous wildflowers including my momma human's favorite, Queen Anne's Lace. My sister humans take this time to reconnect after a night's rest and before any misunderstandings arise. (That actually does happen now and then.) 😉</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXd-tVIy4hxHX7ZS7NMP6oS-DmNgQDk_hLAMhMlqtMya3xuMGRA7BnKlSzTt4m65JvsqxXXv82z1q71BdnHWp8iTmbMSuFUa_5WoADJXSp8nZ6PMdWeI8jM9X8kyXKxHR-4wrimG0ve_A/s1600/IMG_0658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXd-tVIy4hxHX7ZS7NMP6oS-DmNgQDk_hLAMhMlqtMya3xuMGRA7BnKlSzTt4m65JvsqxXXv82z1q71BdnHWp8iTmbMSuFUa_5WoADJXSp8nZ6PMdWeI8jM9X8kyXKxHR-4wrimG0ve_A/s320/IMG_0658.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When we get home, the back porch becomes the school room. This little human has become quite the expert on Monarch butterflies. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxp4t0jvliXKIAAZbYiyCYeE1q1EiqEDuOE0QRsnsyoggQ2DzQ0_T6C8SNusuVFwiZ5xZ_EYLY8MEiRuWtZt7QFVo9qJqpdp54ZBdAQOp0Pu_0X0igXg126wPNUs9hAIdeMy4Nw1ZaGky/s1600/IMG_0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She even has the big sister human playing with the caterpillars. That's quite a feat for this insect phobic youngster. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrayx_uaDDQPZPwsgrNaE9rtLXEsjhrQWagxv229aYokFtxTklGd20P30Vu-sW4_Io_ZOsbix8b8c2KLcIy0LPlxDQyFnrGm_ZHmSfYgqKtOUOB5IeELQDJrF7IzlI9zJ1P_jAtfaEtkO/s1600/IMG_1486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrayx_uaDDQPZPwsgrNaE9rtLXEsjhrQWagxv229aYokFtxTklGd20P30Vu-sW4_Io_ZOsbix8b8c2KLcIy0LPlxDQyFnrGm_ZHmSfYgqKtOUOB5IeELQDJrF7IzlI9zJ1P_jAtfaEtkO/s640/IMG_1486.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31MxSOymSrlrWyMRQ7R4OGeR5fWhDWcaMmcym4Xs1zKfjfcTIZb9ysBDHJhNkKQrJPIif__2vNLmVIjVts9CjWVqahwpHlRyGlL4Fy1zv4rCJPT-wrySzeR2vkqJRoZ0FxSuv5a0pra8h/s1600/IMG_0579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31MxSOymSrlrWyMRQ7R4OGeR5fWhDWcaMmcym4Xs1zKfjfcTIZb9ysBDHJhNkKQrJPIif__2vNLmVIjVts9CjWVqahwpHlRyGlL4Fy1zv4rCJPT-wrySzeR2vkqJRoZ0FxSuv5a0pra8h/s320/IMG_0579.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finally it's breakfast time. Aww... bacon. I hang around her chair at every meal. She spills and I clean up. What a team. My momma human loves this about me. I even enjoy listening along to her audio books. Right now we're listening to <i>The Enchanted Castle</i> by E. Nesbit. But my favorite is <i>A Girl of the Limberlost</i> by Gene Stratton-Porter. Now there's a beautiful story. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Most day she gets busy right after breakfast. The piano usually gets her day rolling. Unfortunately, this is often when mother nature calls me. Breakfast scraps can do that to me. Sorry about that detour...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've observed that this little humanoid loves to work independently. She started something new to her this year; some type of class outside of our home called Essentials. Charts, charts, and more charts. My paws get tired just watching her.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6FVa4wPNZMY8vW8Ue9aYqX5_NqOvWLE2ADosykDcnqTD1SC6WvSklP-L2bg9z_uVUy3zn01oLn57SUR8qbla6QYKjnAN9nTjEagkaStYpZPWWuye6wqtUqO3zZElu90avjLcBHpsSuil/s1600/IMG_0587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6FVa4wPNZMY8vW8Ue9aYqX5_NqOvWLE2ADosykDcnqTD1SC6WvSklP-L2bg9z_uVUy3zn01oLn57SUR8qbla6QYKjnAN9nTjEagkaStYpZPWWuye6wqtUqO3zZElu90avjLcBHpsSuil/s320/IMG_0587.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She has a great work space that fits her perfectly. I can't see what's on the top of the desk, but I know that she has gobs of shelf space to store all kinds of things. Let's see... there's books, string, posters, pens, watercolors, gum, Star Wars stickers, yarn, piggy bank, origami... a little bit of everything exactly like she likes it; messily organized. I think about this part of the house as "The Room Where it Happens" thanks to countless hours listening to <a href="http://msjschole.blogspot.com/2016/07/lookin-for-mind-at-work_8.html">Hamilton: The Musical</a><i>. </i>My humans are nuts about that music.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxInw03prxLOMvpaewYQ_VV293K1aaxVvREsCaFxX7mMgUDSasFxCjDL3ITBpdT3pTeR2ntzvHvLclm42r1dAGSJwUsMbDIIASyHyc-DrfGvtc_sU8rwXOsu0VYhm8Vk1rm_GNQx4KTo-k/s1600/IMG_0584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxInw03prxLOMvpaewYQ_VV293K1aaxVvREsCaFxX7mMgUDSasFxCjDL3ITBpdT3pTeR2ntzvHvLclm42r1dAGSJwUsMbDIIASyHyc-DrfGvtc_sU8rwXOsu0VYhm8Vk1rm_GNQx4KTo-k/s320/IMG_0584.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes she scoots over to the living room and does a lesson from a self-paced history course. She loves this independence and always has something to teach our momma afterwards.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUU1yTV8TpMp7X0RZoAJ05lVrwHL6omjZ39csYzzR6f-S7HF1KsE7a3_SKAIhqJnuF6NcgLrAOHNOEp1Lu64lhq0ckmNCilzBay1PmncaQDs2Grl9PCj8V7-hgW-hBpIC1P0K9W0qy9BN/s1600/IMG_0601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUU1yTV8TpMp7X0RZoAJ05lVrwHL6omjZ39csYzzR6f-S7HF1KsE7a3_SKAIhqJnuF6NcgLrAOHNOEp1Lu64lhq0ckmNCilzBay1PmncaQDs2Grl9PCj8V7-hgW-hBpIC1P0K9W0qy9BN/s320/IMG_0601.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhdBkkNOF9lQ_6dEr94OWRclq4OzfnIrpEKMFszW7c9RvDxU1yAWAXHe26seYRfZpLNjlsqoPuXfX6oiBNLEE3K1T-RbjnWUCQkS8_SnVaBUgs2wApGe5xsPmVQtP7IZG9lcbPcKm0xO1/s1600/IMG_0599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhdBkkNOF9lQ_6dEr94OWRclq4OzfnIrpEKMFszW7c9RvDxU1yAWAXHe26seYRfZpLNjlsqoPuXfX6oiBNLEE3K1T-RbjnWUCQkS8_SnVaBUgs2wApGe5xsPmVQtP7IZG9lcbPcKm0xO1/s400/IMG_0599.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I make sure to be around when there's a science project going on. Exploding balloons was the theme for this one. Actually, I think she was trying to make a model of the solar system. I'm not too sure how accurate she was, but she had lots of fun. We had balloons scattered on our floors for days.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlqyXR5rJWTUD15KcRzUqTyW1ybNWD2PwTS01QqVjwsdlNYRcHJ3pualcaMbLvSyL12sGxtKBJU13-fHHmgIbHwA6XXb4XQQ24ETZGqOlLTeDGV2p_s-ILvoNSRvCDKc-OIyLHO2067la/s1600/IMG_0610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlqyXR5rJWTUD15KcRzUqTyW1ybNWD2PwTS01QqVjwsdlNYRcHJ3pualcaMbLvSyL12sGxtKBJU13-fHHmgIbHwA6XXb4XQQ24ETZGqOlLTeDGV2p_s-ILvoNSRvCDKc-OIyLHO2067la/s400/IMG_0610.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My tail starts wagging when she bolts outside for what my momma human calls "rope swing therapy". What's the point of staying home if you don't enjoy the benefits of your own backyard? And I'm out there always ready to play. What could be better?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HqUswDuPZMGPU-ZTjNI3ZUEF4kgxLI5Q6CUY_Uevm7Rz-yA0hMqhUaXgjKWlxqbs3MWSyx3EBCe5luyw9a6ueJNi-7E6CsjqUfy0ZkRWeyXgAQjkd7US2-lCd5ged4ZyW3zP1dpWxQeN/s1600/IMG_0664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HqUswDuPZMGPU-ZTjNI3ZUEF4kgxLI5Q6CUY_Uevm7Rz-yA0hMqhUaXgjKWlxqbs3MWSyx3EBCe5luyw9a6ueJNi-7E6CsjqUfy0ZkRWeyXgAQjkd7US2-lCd5ged4ZyW3zP1dpWxQeN/s320/IMG_0664.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I said before, she loves to be left alone to her own studies. That works out well since my momma human also studies all day long (and sometimes well into the night.) I don't get it. At her age, what else could she possibly want to learn?</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9dFKGovv3POQ6adaQ8Wp7uDUw0kBW0l2-l8dGWcuLJ9P2Z5E3TAEiI73YMtemBAaKI5jUEyxA2oQSQxKu6JrggaNUAjjR-j6kmiNzQYH4Yf2CPfZHerMDl2qeojbdtFm7mDTHeEFz_gh/s1600/IMG_0665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9dFKGovv3POQ6adaQ8Wp7uDUw0kBW0l2-l8dGWcuLJ9P2Z5E3TAEiI73YMtemBAaKI5jUEyxA2oQSQxKu6JrggaNUAjjR-j6kmiNzQYH4Yf2CPfZHerMDl2qeojbdtFm7mDTHeEFz_gh/s400/IMG_0665.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tomorrow my humans will be gone all day somewhere called CC. I don't know where or what that is but they are all busy getting ready for it and extremely happy and tired when they get home. (Especially my momma human.) Even though I don't like being left alone all day, I do enjoy watching the little human practice her presentation. She has really come a long way since she started doing this thing several years ago. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjR7LyySZluyToNlcz25cvMPejd0fjUMUb4lb-xIK4HVF7P1Ewrqi7DSuX_reuJfrtVpOvgcimp3ppKy9c_GjEsiQYk9rb-PYfb7tRQV75RHKJoCzHyt8ilr0bKE_a2nTXs3nThk3K7cP/s1600/IMG_0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjR7LyySZluyToNlcz25cvMPejd0fjUMUb4lb-xIK4HVF7P1Ewrqi7DSuX_reuJfrtVpOvgcimp3ppKy9c_GjEsiQYk9rb-PYfb7tRQV75RHKJoCzHyt8ilr0bKE_a2nTXs3nThk3K7cP/s400/IMG_0631.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My favorite time has come at last. PJ's on, lights out, flashlight on = snuggle time. I love my life as a dog. Everyday is another day to look forward to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pepper 🐾</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">P.S. Be careful where you leave your phone.</span></span><br />
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ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-20054145826052279902016-09-10T08:52:00.003-07:002016-09-13T06:42:28.309-07:00About That Basket...<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's Saturday morning and I'm evaluating our past week. It was good, in fact very good. But one thing keeps nagging me and that is... we don't have a Morning Basket (as I sarcastically stated in a previous <a href="http://msjschole.blogspot.com/2016/08/diving-in.html">blogpost.</a>)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But I feel left out. Am I doing our homeschool a disfavor? I often go back and read about one of my <a href="http://www.homegrownlearners.com/home/our-simple-morning-basket">favorite blogger's basket.</a> Sigh... Why can't I get this awesome morning time basket thing together?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, after a couple of cups of coffee I realize that I've been comparing again, a debilitating habit of mine that I hate to admit. The <b>real deal</b> is that we do have a Morning Basket; it's just different. It's unique to us; it's what we need and what we treasure. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXp9iQZ0xeCYPP-xqj0McrTi9SxuruchlyOy14ruInRDEW6I6LlxrqUysuChqGOA5XfUyZk2sWxloF7csCNzR0_dMA1trnHcm-7lrIxGAL1BW7PyfI-lahAefAntPasTvfwH0KCos6Rsc1/s1600/IMG_4307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXp9iQZ0xeCYPP-xqj0McrTi9SxuruchlyOy14ruInRDEW6I6LlxrqUysuChqGOA5XfUyZk2sWxloF7csCNzR0_dMA1trnHcm-7lrIxGAL1BW7PyfI-lahAefAntPasTvfwH0KCos6Rsc1/s640/IMG_4307.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnPBHi7rgvSzlpValAPKDEFcapzOsws9cI9PNuMJuPQyflxzxZJpBP6K284YyJWxx_N2sjE-LkyWVsN-6kxfWzMJgqSzx3nJRFe0OnrugsagS1o5xvCFWbuphyphenhyphenWDHk38_yWUIiF1GwKXR/s1600/IMG_0635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnPBHi7rgvSzlpValAPKDEFcapzOsws9cI9PNuMJuPQyflxzxZJpBP6K284YyJWxx_N2sjE-LkyWVsN-6kxfWzMJgqSzx3nJRFe0OnrugsagS1o5xvCFWbuphyphenhyphenWDHk38_yWUIiF1GwKXR/s320/IMG_0635.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm a morning freak and a running fanatic. I get up around 5:00 a.m., drink a cup of Joe, read a little, chat with hubby, and then head out the door. I'm plugged into either an audiobook (I recently finished Hamilton by Ron Chernow) or a podcast. My favorites are The Thomas Jefferson Hour and Hardcore History.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I get back home at 7:45 and do it again but differently. This time Grace, Mary, and Pepper tag along. By 8:00 we are all up and out, waking up together as we talk about all sorts of things.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg994AlOEuoxUjbpElmM4eLltbJBq4rCtd4cYxaG9WJ8L2qFzAV74Yr5Tdi76o15st7sSzYyLFENSmNCxq-lQ9Rjrx_2OfHGb9c-PMlzm-j4tDNQVv8RPKfYHJMuFIEeGga2XbrAXUCOJQi/s1600/IMG_0648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg994AlOEuoxUjbpElmM4eLltbJBq4rCtd4cYxaG9WJ8L2qFzAV74Yr5Tdi76o15st7sSzYyLFENSmNCxq-lQ9Rjrx_2OfHGb9c-PMlzm-j4tDNQVv8RPKfYHJMuFIEeGga2XbrAXUCOJQi/s640/IMG_0648.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For example, this week we...</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Discussed Kepler's Three Laws of Planetary Motion.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Laughed about how Pepper's tail sticks straight up and looks like an exclamation mark.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Listened to Grace practice her monologs for a theater audition that happened on Friday. (FYI. She aced it.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Learned about St. Augustine as Mary shared the knowledge gained from her Veritas Press self-paced history course.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Listed all the songs from Alexander Hamilton in their correct order. (We're slightly obsessed.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Talked about ways for us to reach out to and prayed for a struggling family that we know.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Took pictures to use for our nature journaling and observed God's amazing creation. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Talked about what Grace heard in Sunday School from her middle school friends about girl fights and how to react to these issues as a child of God.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Discussed the fate of the Lakota Indians concerning the North Dakota Pipeline crisis and how badly white America has historically treated our Native Americans. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pointed out how the use of ambiguous and vague words can lead to verbal disagreements.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Teared up (well I did) as I shared my favorite Bible verse: "And when I wake up, You are still with me." Psalm 139:18</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We need this time to reconnect before our school day begins and I love taking this time to pull together what we're learning and make it relevant to our lives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So our basket may not fit into what would be considered a typical Morning Time routine but it works for us and that's all that matters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the words of Dr. Seuss, "Why fit in when you were born to stand out?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Melanie</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-12258309975387870052016-08-26T02:27:00.000-07:002016-09-15T04:55:00.180-07:00Diving in...<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here we are launching year eight with Classical Conversations. I suppose I should be a pro by now. Yeah... right. Because my habits follow those of most homeschooling moms, I've spent more than the necessary amount of time figuring out the nuts and bolts of teaching our girls this year. In other words, I've been wrestling with the issue of whether I can broaden their minds without losing mine in the process. Hmmm. I think I've probably already crossed over that line. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mentioning the desire to keep as much of my sanity intact as possible compels me to chime in about the Morning Basket trend. This is the attractive habit of sharing inspirational readings, gazing upon lovely art, and discussing inspiring thoughts with each other first thing in the morning. Well, I've finally realized that one of us (I won't name her, but she just turned thirteen this summer) is not especially warm and fuzzy upon wakening, so keeping my basket to myself as we begin the day is the safest and the wisest morning ritual at this house. But I digress.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This morning my ten year old daughter christens her seventh year of CC alongside her small, beloved, group of friends as she begins her maiden voyage in the Masters class. Whoopee! One thing I know for sure is that the Foundations and Challenge programs have provided our homeschool with necessary structure and abundant knowledge. I've tried managing the beast called homeschooling without this guidance and community. Talk about <a href="http://msjschole.blogspot.com/2016/02/coming-up-for-air.html">losing my mind</a>! I quickly returned with my tail between my legs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now that we're at the halfway mark in our educational journey, I can see that obtaining knowledge at the grammar stage is sort of like riding waves aboard a sailboat. Memorizing the facts the first time around makes for a beautiful and eye opening journey with only the occasional rough water. It's not too difficult to stay pretty dry. Yet at some point the water becomes too tempting to resist. That's where we are now. This girl is longing to jump into the sea and swim. She's ready to get soaked to the bone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm a sucker for books and it shows. Our bookshelves are overflowing with every kind of classical curriculum I can get my hot hands on, always trying to find the next best thing. But seriously... enough is enough. T</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">his year I'm forcing myself to employ the resources we already own as I coach my daughter and set some expectations. I have to keep myself coming back to the fact that there's way more information in this world than I could ever expose our children to and that my role is to teach them the skills that they need to navigate this Sea of Knowledge by themselves. But I also know myself. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I need a plan to keep me focused on our goals; to keep us headed toward the horizon.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My plan is to use CC's Cycle 2 </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sea of Knowledge</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> as the diving board for my daughter's plunge into her own dialectical and rhetorical ocean. Navigating these waters will definitely be daunting at times (maybe more often than I'm prepared for), but with the correct equipment, instruction, and guidance it certainly will be possible. I hope.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've compiled a list of the skills that I'm expecting my daughter to practice this semester along with the sources she'll use to accomplish this. The CC memory work serves as a means to perfect her grammar skills while the added curriculum provides the substance necessary to develop her dialectic and rhetoric skills. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Grammar</i></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjCF_E09am2aPgJEoLuIlbj4Y18M95D5UkmWX2HEH92N6Rz-svorxov7g6h6rWoKrfWwqmQUjF1TwGGjHDcLZNBbP1F-vz4lVKwqKWDMhyphenhyphenPJJWbmABHNbtsliTofVto6h2hpjpVRgXyj6/s1600/IMG_4218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjCF_E09am2aPgJEoLuIlbj4Y18M95D5UkmWX2HEH92N6Rz-svorxov7g6h6rWoKrfWwqmQUjF1TwGGjHDcLZNBbP1F-vz4lVKwqKWDMhyphenhyphenPJJWbmABHNbtsliTofVto6h2hpjpVRgXyj6/s320/IMG_4218.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Memorize </b>the Cycle 2 facts (weeks 1-12) of Math, Science, History, History Timeline, Latin, Geography, and English Grammar. <a href="https://www.classicalconversations.com/classical/programs/foundations">Classical Conversations Foundations Program</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Memorize </b>definitions, sentence patterns, parts of speech and their usage for weeks 1-12. <a href="https://www.classicalconversations.com/classical/programs/essentials">Classical Conversations Essentials Program</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Memorize </b>phonograms and spelling rules. <a href="https://www.logicofenglish.com/essentials">Logic of English</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Memorize </b>math terms and algorithms. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Saxon-Math-Home-school-Student/dp/1591413176/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470851101&sr=8-1&keywords=saxon+5+4">Saxon 5/4</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Reproduce </b>the forms of the writing structures introduced in weeks 1-12. <a href="http://iew.com/shop/products/teaching-writing-structure-and-style-second-edition-dvd-seminar-workbook-premium">IEW</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Maintain </b>a <a href="http://www.simplyconvivial.com/2015/teach-kids-commonplace">Commonplace Book</a>.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Dialectic</i></b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Complete </b>several math lessons weekly and <b>engage </b>(with me) in <a href="https://www.classicalconversations.com/article/math-conversation">conversation</a> about math problems and concepts each day.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Play </b>math <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/msjschole/math/">games</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Parse</b> and<b> diagram</b> sentences. LOE/Essentials</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Explore </b>1st declension nouns and<b> </b>1st conjugation verbs. <a href="https://www.livelylatin.com/">Lively Latin</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Create </b>key word outlines. IEW</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Read and narrate </b>living books about the people of Cycle 2's history including various scientists, composers, and artists. <a href="https://www.amblesideonline.org/curriculum.shtml">Ambleside</a>, <a href="http://charlottemasonhomeschooling.com/">Living Books</a>, Local library </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Read, listen to, and narrate </b>stories about the Middle Ages. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Story-World-History-Classical-Renaissance/dp/1933339098/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1470852854&sr=8-2&keywords=the+story+of+the+world">The Story of the World</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Relate </b>historic people and events to each other by placing them on a timeline.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Connect </b>history to world geography by placing locations on a world map.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Study </b>the science of astronomy by way of <b>narration, note taking, </b>and hands-on <b>projects. </b><a href="http://charlottemasonhomeschooling.com/product/lbc-guide-to-astronomy/">Guide to Astronomy</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Listen </b>to the music of great musicians. <a href="http://www.classicsforkids.com/">Classics for Kids</a></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Rhetoric</i></b></span><br />
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<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJKz8vWzuHSoqJl0fE0yeIwLYk0_zKC06kQVto0jkZcGMgTCZYPjbo1nmCbi2653qH0uJeYUJfv4ndkfbl28Q-9GlMu8VLX-k9BGPSuyI1InH7gg3cvw88fWtp_pTlYyn6xaTN1LDaVUy/s1600/IMG_4200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJKz8vWzuHSoqJl0fE0yeIwLYk0_zKC06kQVto0jkZcGMgTCZYPjbo1nmCbi2653qH0uJeYUJfv4ndkfbl28Q-9GlMu8VLX-k9BGPSuyI1InH7gg3cvw88fWtp_pTlYyn6xaTN1LDaVUy/s320/IMG_4200.JPG" width="240" /></a>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Explain </b>several math problems to me each week.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Write </b>a structurally sound paragraph from a key word outline</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Incorporate </b>various stylistic techniques into the writing assignments.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Compose </b>sentences made up of the different sentences structures, patterns, and purposes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Use </b>proper grammar and appropriate parts of speech when speaking and writing.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Exhibit </b>some understanding of planetary motion.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Narrate</b> the major events and historic people of the Middle Ages. </span><a href="https://www.veritaspress.com/selfpaced/history.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Veritas Press</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Participate </b>in class presentations concentrating on public skills.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Create </b>works of art that relate to famous <a href="http://www.artisticpursuits.com/2112bk_k32.html">artists</a>. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Observe </b>nature and keep a nature journal.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I intend to refer to this list often letting it act as her lifejacket and my buoy. Even though I want my daughter to wholeheartedly dive into the water, I certainly will make sure that she doesn't drown. She'll probably need to stick some water wings on here and there but then again so will I! We'll navigate this Sea of Knowledge together one stroke at a time. Somewhere way across that ocean is a beach full of wonderful secrets just waiting for her to unfold. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And where will I be eight years from now? Ahhh... My crystal ball reveals a sweet scene. Through a dreamy fog, I see my husband and myself relaxing in the sun, reading mindless novels while sipping chilled Chardonnay topped off with those cute little umbrellas. We'll hopefully be basking in the warm thoughts of a job well done. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Seize each day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Melanie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://ihomeschoolnetwork.com/curriculum-week-2016/">http://ihomeschoolnetwork.com/curriculum-week-2016/</a></span><br />
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ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-11058473154057026212016-08-01T02:10:00.000-07:002016-09-15T04:56:45.556-07:00Where We'd Rather Be<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year I'm trying to be more intentional with my schooling agenda. I'm looking at our curriculum and streamlining it to cover what we need to accomplish and what we are really going to do. I'm figuring out where we'd rather be. I have a plan.<br />
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First, I did an assessment of my daughter's present skills grouped into the trivium stages of grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric. I find that this breaks it all down for me so that I can focus on skills rather than content; become empowered instead of overwhelmed. I'll revisit this list at the end of 18 weeks and see where she is at that time.** Next, I outlined the skills she'll be working on this semester and the curriculum (content) she will use to achieve those skills. I'll also return to these in four months, reevaluate, and make adjustments.<br />
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I'm planning to totally embrace CC's Challenge B curriculum partly because I'm directing the class but mostly and more importantly because it's an unbelievable program. The material is so engaging and relevant that I only wish I had had the opportunity to be a part of it when I was in 8th grade... many, many years ago. Thankfully, I'm blessed to be a part of Challenge now. Better late than never.<br />
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This is what we're planning to accomplish 1st semester 2016 with Grace (and hopefully, with grace.) I've accentuated the skills she'll work on in order to keep them foremost in my mind. By daily referring to this list, I intend to stay on track as we venture into this territory called Challenge B.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Grammar (Latin) <a href="http://www.classicalconversationsbooks.com/grammar1.html">Henle First Year Latin</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>Grammar </u><br />
<i>* Pay attention to detail.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>Decline</b> and <b>conjugate</b> new words</li>
<li>Make grammar and vocabulary flash cards to <b>memorize.</b></li>
<li><b>Recognize</b> Latin words, roots, and derivatives in all subjects.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>Dialectic</u><br />
<i>* Engage in dialogue by asking questions, defining terms, comparing ideas, and recognizing patterns and rules.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li><b>Parse </b>from Latin to English and English to Latin.</li>
<li><b>Apply</b> Latin structure to Logic and English.</li>
<li><b>Discuss/practice </b>vocabulary and grammar in class utilizing the Five Common Topics.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<u>Rhetoric</u><br />
<i>*Embrace the study of Latin as a means to begin in conversation with all of mankind.</i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li><b>Develop </b>and <b>practice</b> the skills required to learn any language.</li>
<li><b>Participate</b> positively in classroom discussions.</li>
<li>Come to class <b>prepared</b> to <b>discuss</b> and <b>present</b> concepts from homework.</li>
<li>Be able to <b>recognize</b> and <b>express</b> the integration of Latin in the other strands.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Logic (Math) <a href="http://www.classicalconversationsbooks.com/logic1.html">Saxon Algebra 1/2</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>Grammar</u><br />
<i>* Read the alphabet (symbols), memorize the proper vocabulary (facts), and internalize the structural rules (laws and operations).</i></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Continue to <b>memorize</b> math formulas, laws, and facts.</li>
<li>Make flashcards of terms, laws, and formulas to help with<b> memorization.</b></li>
<li><b>Complete</b> a math lesson/test each day.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<u>Dialectic</u><br />
<i>* Ask questions that lead to clarity about how math works and how to use numbers in relationship to one another. What am I being asked to find? What information am I being given? What operations or relationships help me rightly relate the information given?</i></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Improve speed and accuracy while <b>logically applying</b> math laws to basic algorithms. </li>
<li><b>Demonstrate </b>all the math work.</li>
<li><b>Discuss </b>concepts and math problems by way of the Five Common Topics.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<u>Rhetoric</u><br />
<i>* Develop an appreciation for math equations because they balance, because they give us a mystery to talk about, and because it reflects the nature of our Creator.</i></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Manipulate </b>and use the text to teach self.</li>
<li><b>Explain </b>math problems.</li>
<li>Come to class with work <b>completed</b>, ready to <b>discuss </b>and <b>present.</b></li>
<li><b>Recognize</b> and <b>express </b>how math exhibits itself in all subjects.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
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<b>Rhetoric (Logic) <a href="http://www.classicalconversationsbooks.com/rhetoric1.html">Introductory Logic</a></b><br />
<u>Grammar</u><br />
<i>* Memorize precise definitions.</i></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Memorize</b> the vocabulary of Formal Logic.</li>
<li><b>Make</b> flashcards of Logic terms.</li>
<li><b>Memorize </b>syllogism rules and fallacies.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<u>Dialectic</u></div>
<div>
* <i>Sharpen the skills of sound reasoning, of good discernment, of thorough analysis of ideas and thoughts, and of correct argument. </i></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Discuss </b>the skills of clear reasoning and critical thinking working towards understanding.</li>
<li><b>Order</b> information into usable form.</li>
<li><b>Participate</b> in class discussions.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<u>Rhetoric</u></div>
</div>
<div>
<i>* Consider ideas thoughtfully and use those ideas to build greater understanding of the world and their place in it.</i></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Come to class <b>prepared</b> to <b>present</b> concepts.</li>
<li><b>Identify</b> Logic in the other strands (and in life.)</li>
</ul>
<div>
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</div>
<div>
<b>Debate (Current Events) News Articles</b><br />
<u>Grammar</u><br />
* <i>Define terms related to specific events.</i></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Define </b>and recognize bias.</li>
<li><b>Identify</b> reliable news sources.</li>
<li><b>Define </b>various current events topics.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<u>Dialectic</u></div>
<div>
<i>*Exhibit curiosity by asking good questions.</i></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Formulate questions </b>by way of the Five Common Topics: Definition, Comparison, Circumstance, Relationship, and Authority.</li>
<li><b>Organize</b> facts into a persuasive format.</li>
<li><b>Participate</b> in class discussions.</li>
<li><b>Read</b> news articles critically.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<u>Rhetoric</u></div>
</div>
<div>
<i>* Join in the classical conversations of mankind, seek and discover knowledge, and promote freedom and justice.</i></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Discuss </b>controversial issues with passion not emotion.</li>
<li><b>Defend</b> a premise with supporting facts.</li>
<li><b>Present</b> persuasively in class.</li>
<li><b>Connect</b> current events with past historical events both secular and biblical.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
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<b>Exposition and Composition (Literature) <a href="http://www.classicalconversationsbooks.com/exco1.html">The Lost Tools of Writing</a></b><br />
<u>Grammar</u><br />
<i>* Define the parameters of each assignment.</i></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Read</b> each assigned book.</li>
<li><b>Compile</b> a list of unfamiliar words and their definitions.</li>
<li><b>Practice</b> the mechanics for writing an essay. </li>
<li><b>Plot </b>the history and geography from the literature on a timeline.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<u>Dialectic</u></div>
<div>
<i>* Analyze and compare the work of excellent writers through a rich literary environment.</i></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Narrate </b>each assigned reading.</li>
<li><b>Create </b>sentences using the new vocabulary words correctly.</li>
<li><b>Develop</b> thesis statements.</li>
<li><b>Use </b>the Canons of Invention and Arrangement to create outlines.</li>
<li>Actively <b>participate </b>in class discussions.</li>
<li><b>Identify</b> LTOW elements in the essays of peers.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<u>Rhetoric</u></div>
<div>
<i>* Develop speaking, writing, and thinking techniques by exposure to the greatest thoughts expressed with the finest, most apt words.</i></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Write</b> persuasive essays with proper technique and style utilizing the Canon of Elocution.</li>
<li>Be able to <b>discuss </b>cause and effect and antecedent and consequence.</li>
<li><b>Present</b> in class utilizing the Canons of Memoria and Pronuntiatio. </li>
<li><b>Evaluate </b>self and peers by the method of assessing to bless. Point out one thing done well AND what could be done differently the next time to make the presentation better.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Research (History of Science and Science Fair) Independent research</b></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<u>Grammar</u></div>
<div>
<i>* Accumulate definitions which will become the pegs on which richer definitions are hung.</i></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Memorize</b> the Scientific Method.</li>
<li><b>Take notes.</b></li>
<li><b>Plot</b> scientists on the timeline.</li>
<li><b>Place </b>the geography associated with each scientists on the map.</li>
<li><b>Memorize</b> timeline.</li>
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<u>Dialectic</u></div>
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<i>* Take the facts of the natural world and ask questions about those facts, seeking to understand those facts by defining, comparing, and relating them to each other.</i></div>
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<li><b>Organize</b> research into a fused outline.</li>
<li><b>Follow the instructions </b>in the guide to complete each assignment.</li>
<li>Use time well to <b>complete</b> the science fair project. <b>Plan</b> ahead and stay on schedule.</li>
<li><b>Participate </b>in class discussions using the Five Common Topics.</li>
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<u>Rhetoric</u></div>
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<i>* Realize the potential for incorrect conclusions which can lead into further dialogue that continually defines, compares, relates, and considers circumstances and authority either to build further upon that which has already been discovered or transcends and corrects that which has been hypothesized incorrectly.</i></div>
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<li><b>Write</b> a concise five paragraph expository essay.</li>
<li><b>Present </b>in class using appropriate public speaking skills.</li>
<li><b>Reflect</b> on how science builds on past hypotheses and discoveries.</li>
<li><b>Be confident </b>about the the science fair project and <b>be prepared</b> to answers questions.</li>
<li><b>Evaluate</b> self and peers by "assess to bless".</li>
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As I finish this outline, my mind is busy thinking about all the adventures coming our way this semester. Together, my daughter and I are beginning a journey along the road towards where we'd rather be. There may be some rough spots ahead but the ride should be thrilling!</div>
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Melanie<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopheVKGH8wllLt-hPYnnzVDoZkEJLOCT4JnL0L_WSliuYjcDwHyjLDfv-ZCZrPpb9Q3SuXcXszTdUj3V5sn4aSFrWEuKhQ0CWxK-aFoj9Uob8uLOYWHo0LN3r3APLTODGllUAXQOYKt76/s1600/IMG_4188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopheVKGH8wllLt-hPYnnzVDoZkEJLOCT4JnL0L_WSliuYjcDwHyjLDfv-ZCZrPpb9Q3SuXcXszTdUj3V5sn4aSFrWEuKhQ0CWxK-aFoj9Uob8uLOYWHo0LN3r3APLTODGllUAXQOYKt76/s320/IMG_4188.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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** Diane Lockman's Trivium Mastery Map available through her <a href="http://learn.classicalscholar.com/courses/moms-classical-method-homeschool-planning">Mom's Course.</a></div>
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* <a href="http://www.classicalconversationsbooks.com/qubylebo.html">The Question</a><i> </i>by Leigh Bortons. This book is fantastic!<br />
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<a href="http://ihomeschoolnetwork.com/curriculum-week-2016/">http://ihomeschoolnetwork.com/curriculum-week-2016/</a></div>
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<br />ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-17885790734494034302016-07-24T06:15:00.002-07:002016-07-24T18:36:01.524-07:00Counting My Blessings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This morning, I revisited my husband's blog from our 2007 China trip. I'm blown away by the various ways that God creates families. Sometimes parents travel to the other side of the world to bring their children home. Come take a stroll with us down memory lane...<br />
<a href="http://rbjadoption.blogspot.com/">http://rbjadoption.blogspot.com/</a>ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-27034717936768214072016-07-16T20:26:00.000-07:002017-06-13T12:17:38.433-07:00Looking Around Through Nature's LensI love history; any era, any country, any culture, any person. This summer I got a boy crush on <a href="http://msjschole.blogspot.com/2016/07/lookin-for-mind-at-work_8.html">Alexander Hamilton</a>. (Don't worry. I'm not going to write about him again.) But his fantastical story did encourage me to look around and take in some of our local history that happened pretty much right smack dab in our backyard.<br />
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Early in the summer, I excitedly signed my family up to take part in a summer nature exchange. We began collecting, pressing, and drying a sampling of assorted area wildflowers. I'm somewhat obsessive about incorporating as much learning as possible into our daily activities. (We homeschool, remember?) But this time I was in desperate need of some inspiration in order to do something a little bit different; to make this project more interesting; to give it a theme. So we stopped by our local visitor's center, picked up some brochures about our region planning to send them on to our nature exchange pals in Kansas along with some crafty items we created. One of these pamphlets lays out the saga of a little-known battle that took place right here in our little ole' town. Ah-ha! I had found my angle.<br />
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(Before you read any further, my apologies to all you history and nature experts. I'm not in your club. My goal is to engage our children to look around, to be observant, and to be curious about their world. I'm doing the best I can.)<br />
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Lewisburg, West (by God) Virginia. Greenbrier County. Washington Street. Our house is situated right on the battleground of The Battle of Lewisburg which took place for all of one hour on May 23, 1862. Let me tell you a tale of yesterday framed by the natural beauty of today's Greenbrier Valley.<br />
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In 1862 Lewisburg, Virginia was a quiet, sleepy, little town with a population of 800 people, consisting mainly of Southern sympathizers. (I believe the population today is only around 4000.) On May 21, Union officer Colonel George Crook and his 3rd Provisional Ohio Brigade set up camp with the knowledge that rebel troops were going to be moving into Lewisburg. Colonel Crook's claim to fame was that he captured the Apache Chief Geronimo. His battalion, made up of about 1400 troops from Ohio, was encamped on top of a hill to the west of the city.<br />
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<i><b>Today this area is home to our beautiful Greenbrier County Public Library. A well-marked path leads from the library all the way to our new elementary school lined with White Heath Aster, Honey Suckle, White Clover, Fleabane, various grasses, and yummy blackberries all along the way. </b></i><i><b>The Union had a great vantage point.</b></i><br />
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He placed his sentry about three miles to the east to guard the bridge at Caldwell and to watch for the approaching enemy.<br />
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<i><b>The bridge spans our lovely Greenbrier River which is still at a high level due to our horrendous recent flooding. Its banks display American Chestnut trees, Red Maples, Purple Aster, and abundant Queen Anne's Lace. This stately historic home pictured below has been flooded numerous times and now is once again waterlogged. </b></i><br />
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<i><b><br /></b></i> <i><b><br /></b></i> <i><b>One of our favorite activities has always been riding bikes on the Greenbrier River Trail which we enter at this location. I think my favorite tree leaf here belongs to the American Tulip also known as the Tulip Poplar. Today we ventured onto the trail for a little look-see. We didn't get very far before confronted with this jarring abyss.</b></i><br />
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But Crook's guards couldn't compete with the approaching Confederates. In the severely early hours of May 23, the rebels led by Brigadier General Henry Heth seized the bridge, captured the Union sentry, and trudged into Lewisburg. This force, made up of about 2300 Virginians, was confident and sure of victory. They had yet to experience defeat, even boasting how they were going to visit the ladies of Lewisburg once they chased the Yankees out of town. They thought that they were going to stage a surprise attack, but luckily Colonel Crook was alerted. Although this battle was the first for Crook's troops, they were up for the task. They were out-manned and out-armed, yet they were ready to take on the rebel troops.<br />
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One section of the rebel Virginia troops set up camp to the east of town along what is now Dwyer Lane.<br />
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<i><b>We spend lots of time at this spot. It is now home to three baseball fields, one football field, a track, playground, skate park, and trees just waiting to be climbed. This site is full of Pitch Pine, Virginia Pine, Hemlock, and Sycamore trees. Years ago my now adult children loved to hang out in these trees. At that moment in time, I would have never imagined that we'd have two more children scrambling up these branches. </b></i><br />
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More Virginia infantry made their way to the right to hold in a field behind what is now the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. Here they waited for their orders.<br />
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<i><b>WVSOM is one of the leading medical schools in our nation. It's original building housed the Greenbrier Military School from 1812 to 1972. </b></i><i><b>I wonder if any of these White Oak and Black Locust trees had grandparents standing here back then.</b></i><i><b> In 1974, this osteopathic school began with a class of 36 students. Today the school is a thriving part of our community and has an enrollment of approximately 800 students. The clock tower shown below is a focal point of a brand new student union building.</b></i><br />
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Finally, the 8th Virginia Calvary and Artillery (canons) were stationed in another field to the left overlooking the town.<br />
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<i><b>This property is now the lovely backyard of The General Lewis Inn, dating back to 1834. It has 25 rooms and specializes in weddings and special events. (And it's three houses up the street from our house.)</b></i><br />
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At 5:00 a.m. General Heth was ready to give it to those damn yankees. He started the bombardment but misjudged the range of fire. Instead of reaching the Union camp, a canon ball fell short killing one of his own men and hitting the John Wesley Methodist Church.<br />
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<i><b>This lovely historic church is still very active today. I know because it is right behind my house!</b></i><br />
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The Confederates finally figured out the shooting range and began an all out attack. Union troops quickly assembled at the bottom of Foster Street and pushed their way towards the rebels who had so rudely awakened them.<br />
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<i><b>The lawn of Carnegie Hall occupies this location. It is the site of various performances, educational activities, and outdoor concerts. An unbelievably gorgeous Gingko Tree is its centerpiece. We're mesmerized by this tree with its fan-shaped leaves especially in the fall. Amazingly, all the leaves drop over the span of about one day creating a ground cover of glimmering gold.</b></i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our lovely daughter and her sweet friends enjoying an evening on the lawn at an Ivy Terrace concert. Aren't they adorable?</td></tr>
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<i><br /></i> Another group of Cook's men assembled at the Greenbrier County Courthouse. They advanced uphill to meet up with the right side of the Virginian forces. Although inexperienced, the Union soldiers fought like veterans and the rebels began "falling like ten pins in a bowling alley."<br />
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<i><b>Our courthouse has been in constant use since it was built. My lawyer husband is a regular there.</b></i><br />
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<i><br /></i> The 36th and the 44th Ohio troops were charging up the hill on the left and on the right and now the the 2nd (West) Virginia Union Cavalry joined them making its way right up the center of Lewisburg. They were boldly heading up Washington Street straight into the hub of the Confederates.<br />
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<i style="background-color: white;"><b>Washington Street is the heart of our downtown. Actually, it IS our downtown brimming with trendy shops and upscale restaurants. I adore the flowers outside of Del Sol. Our local merchants take pride in creating a delightful street overflowing with curb appeal.</b></i><br />
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When Colonel Crook's men reached the crest of the hill where the General Lewis Inn stands, they moved in and overran the artillery. They then crossed over to a nearby field and opened fire on the Ohio battalion. The rebels ran despite strong efforts from some of their officers to rally the troops.<br />
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<b><i>This field is now a quiet little neighborhood. The homes are modest, but all are landscaped with well cared for lawns and gardens. We walk this neighborhood daily. Hey...that's our neighborhood!</i></b><br />
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At this point, Heth gave up and retreated back across the bridge on which he and his troops passed over when they so confidently marched into Lewisburg. Now they were running. The defeated Confederates burned the bridge upon their exit and fled.<br />
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Heth's casualties were far greater than those of Crook's. 80 of his soldiers were dead, 100 were wounded, and 157 were taken prisoner. The Union fared much better. 13 were killed, 53 were wounded, and 7 were missing. Colonel Crook wouldn't allow the rebel sympathizing citizens of Lewisburg to bury the dead Confederate soldiers or have any burial ceremonies. The bodies were placed in a trench in the churchyard of the Old Stone Church.<br />
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<b><i>This historic church and its graveyard are poplar attractions. In the fall, it is haunted by ghost tours led by guides full of tantalizing tales about its inhabitants. It is framed by huge Hemlock trees, Eastern Red Cedars, and White Spruce.</i></b><br />
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<b><i><br /></i></b> At some time after the war, these Confederate remains were moved to the site of the Union encampment and placed in a cross shaped mound on top of the hill.<br />
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<b><i>95 unidentified Confederate soldiers lie here today under huge Pine, Locust, and Maple trees. It's a lovely, peaceful setting.</i></b><br />
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<b><i><br /></i></b> The wounded from both camps were cared for in several of Lewisburg's public buildings which were used as hospitals. With the battle over, every soldier was kindly nursed no matter where their loyalties lay.<br />
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<b><i>Three of these buildings are the John Wesley Methodist Church (the one the canon ball hit), Old Stone Presbyterian Church (with the dead soldiers beside it), and the old Greenbrier County Library. This building served as our county's library until 2007 when our present beautiful library opened.</i></b><br />
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<b><i><br /></i></b> So, this is the end of the story about an insignificant Civil War battle which took place in a tranquil Southern town that is surrounded by fairly typical natural beauty. Yet, when I take the time to look around, I realize that it's all the little, seemingly simple things that make where we live and what we learn about all extremely significant.<br />
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<b><i>Our home stands in the shade of a giant Sugar Maple only steps away from the very spot of this Union victory. Oh, what stories this old tree could tell...</i></b><br />
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<b><i><br /></i></b>ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-245259565443191062016-07-08T13:57:00.002-07:002016-07-19T05:21:50.230-07:00Lookin' For A Mind at Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three ways I soak it in.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGtnFucYAs_MI9no-b7dD4A6yU3g5U_J1HV0ycODsPcfTgf5BrguGTg46v7vlO0FJ6lDPCgLqgkUHnKRXkI3uIFTTUQ-kf8CjLS0VRQDTAFM_-nz-psgy-2o4j4omGoGi3ognFz7tLIVd/s1600/IMG_4072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGtnFucYAs_MI9no-b7dD4A6yU3g5U_J1HV0ycODsPcfTgf5BrguGTg46v7vlO0FJ6lDPCgLqgkUHnKRXkI3uIFTTUQ-kf8CjLS0VRQDTAFM_-nz-psgy-2o4j4omGoGi3ognFz7tLIVd/s320/IMG_4072.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexander Hamilton</td></tr>
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I'm deep into ** <span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alexander-Hamilton-Ron-Chernow/dp/0143034758/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1467948656&sr=1-1&keywords=alexander+hamilton+by+ron+chernow" style="color: #a64d79;">Alexander Hamilton</a> </span>by Ron Chernow. The fact is, we're a family obsessed. An appropriate summer read to honor July 4th while preparing for the upcoming Presidential election, Chernow's biography overflows with dreams, ambition, intelligence, despair, happiness, and (as its Broadway musical poetically points out) helplessness. It is the ultimate living history book; revealing the nitty-gritty of the characters and events surrounding the Revolutionary War and the birth of our "young, scrappy, and hungry" country.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexander Hamilton</td></tr>
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But what really piqued my interest and enticed me to begin this 700 page history lesson was the soundtrack of * <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wboCdgzLHg" style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Hamilton - An American Musica</span>l</a> by Lin-Manuel Miranda. To say that this is a work of genius would be an understatement. Musically, it's addicting. Lyrically, it's fascinating. After my first listen, I couldn't wait to know more about this crucial time in American history, the people who were part of it, and their connections to Hamilton.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mulligan, Hamilton, LaFayette, and Laurens</td></tr>
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Mulligan/LaFayette - "We fought with him."<br />
Laurens - "Me? I died for him."<br />
Washington - "Me? I trusted him."<br />
Eliza/Angelica/Maria Reynolds - "Me? I loved him."<br />
Burr - "And me? I'm the damn fool that shot him."<br />
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Taking few liberties with the facts, Miranda incorporated a vast amount of information concerning the conception and creation of the United States into about 2 and 1/2 hours of spellbinding enjoyment. I'm totally captivated by the way he skillfully worked the book's narrative into his work of art.<br />
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<i>Hamilton - An American Musical</i> is education at its finest; one that leaves the student begging to return. I've been layering the story behind this musical to my daughters as I read the book. They are curious and intrigued. What more could a homeschooling mom want?<br />
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So now, in the words of Miranda's George Washington, "Ladies and gentlemen, you coulda been anywhere in the world tonight, but you're here with us in New York City. Are you ready for a cabinet meeting???" I'm taking it a step further... "Are you ready for living American history lesson?"<br />
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* (Burr) How does a xxxxxxx, orphan, son of a xxxxx and a Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot in the Caribbean by providence, impoverished, in squalor, grow up to be a hero and a scholar?<br />
<i>** Hamilton probably did not have formal schooling on Nevis - his illegitimate birth may well have barred him from Anglican instruction - but he seems to have had individual instruction.</i><br />
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* (Eliza) When he was ten his father split, full of it, debt-ridden, two years later, see Alex and his mother bed-ridden, half-dead sittin' in their own sick, the scent thick, and Alex got better but his mother went quick.<br />
<i>** Alexander probably never set eyes again on his vagabond father, who stayed in the Caribbean, either lured by the indolent tropic or ground down by poverty... Mother and son must have been joined in a horrid scene of vomiting, flatulence, and defection as they lay side by side in a feverish state in the single upstairs bed. The delirious Alexander was probably writhing inches from his mother when she expired at nine o'clock on the night of February 19.</i><br />
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* (Hamilton) I'm 'a get a scholarship to King's College. I prob'ly shouldn't brag, but dag, I amaze and astonish. The problem is I got a lot of brains but no polish. I gotta holler just to be heard. With every word, I drop knowledge! I'm a diamond in the rough, a shiny piece of coal tryin' to reach my goal. My power of speech: impeachable. Only nineteen but my mind is older.<br />
<i>** After mounting the platform, the slight, boyish speaker started out haltingly, then caught fire in a burst of oratory... He endorsed the Boston Tea Party, deplored the closure of Boston's port, endorsed colonial unity against unfair taxation, and came down foursquare for a boycott of British goods... When his speech ended, the crowd stood transfixed in silence, staring at this spellbinding young orator before it erupted in a sustained ovation. "It is a collegian!" people whispered to one another... From that time on, he was treated as a youthful hero of the cause...</i><br />
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<i>* </i>(Laurens) But we'll never be truly free until those in bondage have the same rights as you and me, you and I. Do or die. Wait till I sally in on a stallion with the first black battalion have another - Shot!<br />
** <i>From the time he joined Washington's family, Laurens unabashedly championed a plan in which slaves would earn their freedom by joining the Continental Army... Laurens offered more than lip service to his scheme, telling his father that he was willing to take his inheritance in the form of a black battalion, freed and equipped to defend South Carolina.</i><br />
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<i>*</i> (Hamilton) Oh, am I talkin' too loud? Sometimes I get over excited, shoot off at the mouth. I never had a group of friends before, I promise that I'll make y'all proud.<br />
** <i>Hamilton and Laurens formed a colorful trio with a young French nobleman who was appointed an honorary major general in the Continental Army on July 31, 1777. The marquis de LaFayette, nineteen, was a stylish, ebullient young aristocrat inflamed by republican ideals and eager to serve the revolutionary cause. "The gay trio to which Hamilton and Laurens belonged was made complete by LaFayette," wrote Hamilton's grandson later. "On the whole, there was something rather suggestive of the three famous heros..."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eliza, Angelica, and Peggy Schuyler</td></tr>
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<i>* </i>(Angelica) Eliza, I'm lookin' for a mind at work... I've been reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine. So men say that I'm intense or I'm insane. You want a revolution? I want a revelation so listen to my declaration: "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal" And when I meet Thomas Jefferson, I'm 'a compel him to include women in the sequel! Work! Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now!<br />
** <i>She</i> <i>was to serve as muse to some of the smartest politicians of her day, including Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, and, most of all, Hamilton. Angelica was one of the few American women of her generation as comfortable in a European drawing room as in a Hudson River parlor, and there was a gossipy irreverence about her that seemed very European. Unlike Eliza, she learned to speak perfect French. Where Eliza bowed reluctantly to the social demands of Hamilton's career, Angelica applauded his ambitions and was always famished for news of his latest political exploits... Angelica never met a famous, intelligent man she didn't enchant, and she soon befriended Benjamin Franklin. She prayed that Hamilton might someday sail to Europe and succeed him as American minister... In the end, Angelica Church spurned Jefferson's coy overtures, and nothing came of the flirtation. The feud between Hamilton and Jefferson forced Church to choose between the two men, and, inevitably, she chose her brother-in-law.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angelica Schuyler Church</td></tr>
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<i>* </i>(Angelica) Handsome, boy does he know it! Peach fuzz, and he can't even grow it! I wanna take him far away from this place, then I turn and see my sister's face and she is...Helpless... But when I fantasize at night it's Alexander's eyes, as I romanticize what might have been if I hadn't sized him up so quickly. At least my dear Eliza's his wife; at least I keep his eyes in my life...<br />
** <i>He was slight and thin shouldered and distinctly Scottish in appearance, with a florid complexion. reddish-brown hair, and sparkling violet-blue eyes... The attraction between Hamilton and Angelica was so potent and obvious that many people assumed they were lovers. At the very least, theirs was a friendship of unusual ardor, and it seems plausible that Hamilton would have proposed to Angelica, not Eliza, if the older sister had been eligible. Angelica was more Hamilton's counterpart than Eliza.</i> (Aha! She was already married.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George Washington</td></tr>
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* (Hamilton) I have never seen the General so despondent. I have taken over writing all his correspondence.<br />
** <i>He had plenty of combat officers, but nobody could match Hamilton's French or his ability to draft subtle, nuanced letters. After almost hourly contact with Washington for four years, Hamilton had become his alter ego, able to capture his tone on paper or in person, and was a casualty of his own success.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George Washington</td></tr>
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* (Hamilton) "Sir, entrust me with a command," and ev'ry day, (Washington) No. (Hamilton) He dismisses me out of hand. Instead of me, he promotes Charles E. Lee. Makes him second-in-command.<br />
** <i>On the other hand, Hamilton believed that he has been asked to sacrifice his military ambitions for too long and that he had waited patiently for four years to make his mark. And he was only asking to risk his life for his country.</i><br />
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<i>* </i>(Washington) Let me tell you what I wish I'd known when I was young and dreamed of glory: you have no control: who lives, who dies, who tells your story. I know that we can win. I know that greatness lies in you. But remember from here on in, history has its eyes on you.<br />
** <i>Despite their often conflicted feelings for each other, Washington remained unwaveringly loyal toward Hamilton, whom he saw as an exceptionally able and intelligent, if sometimes errant; one senses a buried affection toward the younger man that he could seldom manifest openly... All mankind was watching the republican experiment: "The world has its eye upon America. The noble struggle we have made in the cause of liberty has occasioned a kind of revolution in human sentiment." ("Second Letter from Phocion," A. Hamilton, April 1784)</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LaFayette</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LaFayette</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The battle of Yorktown</td></tr>
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<i>* </i>(Company) The battle of Yorktown. 1781. (LaFayette) Monsieur Hamilton. (Hamilton) Monsieur LaFayette. (LaFayette) In command where you belong. (Hamilton) How you say, no sweat. Finally on the field. We've had quite a run. (LaFayette) Immigrants: (Hamilton/LaFayette) We get the job done.<br />
** <i>Alexander Hamilton never needed to worry about leading a tedious, uneventful life. Drama shadowed his footsteps. When his ship caught fire during his three-week voyage to North America, crew members scrambled down ropes to the sea and scooped up seawater in buckets, extinguishing the blaze with some difficulty. The charred vessel managed to sail into Boston Harbor intact, and Hamilton proceeded straight up to New York... Like Hamilton's life, his (LaFayette's) life was shadowed by early sorrow: his father had died when he was two, his mother when he was thirteen, making him an orphan at the same time as Hamilton.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eliza Schuyler</td></tr>
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* (Hamilton) I imagine death so much it feels more like a memory. This is where it gets me: on my feet, the enemy ahead of me. If this is the end of me, at least I have a friend with me, weapon in my hand, a command, and my men with me. Then I remember my Eliza's expecting me...not only that, my Eliza's expecting. We gotta go, gotta get the job done, gotta start a new nation, gotta meet my son!<br />
** <i>Two days before exposing himself to enemy fire, Hamilton wrote to Eliza, now five months pregnant, a lighthearted letter that attempted to assuage he worries. He chided her for not not matching his output of twenty letters in seven weeks and said she could make amends only one way: "You shall engage shortly to present me with a boy. You will ask me if a girl will not answer the purpose. By no means. I fear, with all the mother's charms, she may inherit the caprices of her father and then she will enslave, tantalize and plaque one half (the) sex."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess who?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King George III</td></tr>
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<i>* </i>(King George) What comes next? You've been freed. Do you know how hard it is to lead? You're on your own. Awesome. Wow. Do you have a clue what happens now? Oceans rise. Empires fall. It's much harder when its all your call. All alone, across the sea. When your people say they hate you, don't come running back to me.<br />
** <i>The full truth of Hamilton's motivation for defending loyalists is complex. He thought America's character would be defined by how it treated its vanquished enemies, and he wanted to graduate from bitter wartime grievances to the forgiving posture of peace. Revenge had always frightened him, and class envy and mob violence had long been his bugaboos... The Revolution had unified sharply disparate groups. Without the bonds of wartime comradeship, would the divisive pulls of class, region, and ideology tear the new country apart?</i><br />
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* (Hamilton) Oh Philip, you outshine the morning sun. My son. When you smile, I fall apart. And I thought I was so smart. My father wasn't around.<br />
** <i>In all, Alexander and Eliza produced eight children in a twenty-year span. As a result, Eliza was either pregnant or consumed with child rearing throughout their marriage, which may have encouraged Hamilton's womanizing... The second he got home, he shed his office cares and entered into his children's imaginative world. Son James said, "His gentle nature rendered his house a most joyous one to his children and friends. He accompanied his daughter Angelica when she played and sang at the piano. His intercourse with his children was always affectionate and confiding, which excited in them a corresponding confidence and devotion."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aaron Burr</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aaron Burr</td></tr>
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<i>* </i>(Hamilton) Burr, we studied and we fought and we killed for the notion of a nation we now get to build. For once in your life, take a stand with pride. I don't understand why you stand to the side. <br />
(Burr) I'll keep all my plans close to my chest. I'll wait here and see which way the wind will blow. I'm taking my time, watching the afterbirth of a nation, watching the tension grow.<br />
*** <i>Later on, Hamilton said that in their early relationship they had "always been opposed in politics but always on good terms. We set out in the practice of the law at the same time and took opposite political directions. Burr beckoned me to follow him and I advised him to come with me. We could not agree."... Throughout his career, Hamilton was outspoken to a fault, while Burr was a man of ingrained secrecy. He glorified in his sphinxlike reputation and once described himself thus in the third person: "He is a grave, silent, strange sort of animal, inasmuch that we know not what to make of him."... Hamilton asked rhetorically about Burr, "Is it recommended to have no theory? Can that man be a systematic or able statesman who has none? I believe not."</i><br />
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<i>* </i>(Burr) Why do you assume you're the smartest in the room? Soon that attitude's gonna be your doom! Why do you fight like you're running out of time? Why do you fight like history has its eyes on you...<br />
** <i>With his hyperactive mind, Hamilton was already fleshing out a rough draft of America's future government... However impressive it was that Hamilton could compress three years of legal training into nine months, he juggled several other balls at once... "With other men, law is a trade, with him it was a science"... He forced other lawyers to fight on his turf, starting out with painstaking definition of terms and then reciting a long string of precedents. He brought into court lengthy lists of legal authorities and Latin quotations he wished to cite. His sources were varied, esoteric, and unpredictable.</i><br />
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<i><br /></i>I've only read the first 200 pages of this epic saga, making it necessary for me to stop here at the end of Act I. This entertaining musical doesn't even scratch the surface of Chernow's engrossing book.<br />
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I'm anxious to read about Hamilton and Jefferson's relationship... * (Jefferson) I know that Alexander Hamilton is here and he would rather not have this debate. I'll remind you that he is not Secretary of State. He knows nothing of loyalty, dresses like fake royalty, desperate to rise above his station, everything he does betrays the ideals of our nation...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thomas Jefferson</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thomas Jefferson and Hamilton in a rap debate.</td></tr>
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...the years between 1783 and 1789, the drafting of our Constitution, Hamilton's involvement in the first political sex scandal... * (Hamilton) I wish I could say that was the last time. I said that the last time. It became a pastime. A month into this endeavor I received a letter... (Jefferson/Madison/Burr) Well, he's never gon' be President now. Well, he's never gon' be President now. That's one last thing to worry about. Hey at least he was honest with our money!<br />
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... the infamous duel, and Eliza's numerous accomplishments after her husband's death. * (Eliza) In their eyes I see you, Alexander, I see you every time. And when my time is up, have I done enough? Will they tell my story? Oh, I can't wait to see you again. It's only a matter of time. Will they tell your story? Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?<br />
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My brain is ticking. On the lighter side, I'm chuckling as I envision our Founding Fathers attending this musical. I'm sure that this modern rendition of their historical story would get them hip-hopping all the way down Broadway. But on a more serious note, I'm mulling over this year's upcoming election and wondering what will become of our great nation established by such intelligent and educated people. These individuals all had their weaknesses, but each also possessed not only strong beliefs but forward thinking attitudes. They knew where they came from and put together a melting pot of hardworking immigrants; people our country needed and relied on. When I go to the polls in November, I will definitely be "lookin' for a mind at work!" and reminding myself to look around at how lucky I am to be alive right now. History has its eyes on ALL of us.<br />
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<br />ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-56864490357306881542016-05-16T18:10:00.000-07:002016-05-18T05:41:33.009-07:00Walking the Walk<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>When you walk with someone you embark on a journey together. </b></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.classicalconversationsbooks.com/qubylebo.html"><span style="color: blue;">The Question</span></a><span style="color: #351c75;">:</span> Teaching Your Child the Essentials of Classical Education </i>by Leigh Bortins</div>
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Seven years ago we embarked on a journey. It proved to be one that would lead us beside refreshing streams, rocky paths, breathtaking mountaintops, deep dark valleys, and yes...even a tsunami or two; always changing, always an adventure. We call this journey homeschooling. </div>
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I'm reflecting on this past year because I'm compiling our <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://msjschole.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-taste-of-feast.html"><span style="color: blue;">girls'</span></a> </span>yearly <a href="http://msjschole.blogspot.com/2015/06/getting-rid-of-stumbling-block-or-why-i.html"><span style="color: blue;">portfolios</span></a><span style="color: #e06666;">.</span> This has caused me stop and give our 2015-2016 school year a little more thought. What really was accomplished? What skills are stronger? What ones are lacking? Are our children equipped to move on to more complex tasks and ideas?</div>
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Beginning in mid-August, I will be the lead learner of a group of students ranging from ages 13-15. We will be developing the skills necessary to learn Algebra, Formal Logic, Persuasive Writing, Debate, Latin, and Science. My daughter is one of these students.<br />
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We've had a difficult year. My daughter insisted on enrolling in an online school and leaving our beloved Classical Conversations community. Since I was caring for my 95 year old father, I thought maybe this was an answer to my question: "How am I going to keep up with her studies?" To make a long <span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="http://msjschole.blogspot.com/2016/02/coming-up-for-air.html"><span style="color: blue;">story</span></a><span style="color: #e06666;"> </span></span>short, in February we returned to CC to join her friends in Challenge A.</div>
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But is she ready to move on the Challenge B? She missed all the information covered in the 1st semester. She can't draw the world map from memory. She didn't write all the Lost Tools of Writing papers. She didn't do the biology research.</div>
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Yet I'm looking at what she did do and I see that she may not have all the subject matter internalized, but she does have the skills necessary to move on. What she missed is way less important than what lies ahead.<br />
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<b>The goal of education is to teach children to become adults who can handle complex ideas, in uncertain situations, with confidence.</b></div>
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<i>The Question </i>by Leigh Bortins<br />
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12 year old daughter<br />
ISTJ personality - (Introvert, Sensing, Thinking, Judging)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nurture-Nature-Understand-Childs-Personality/dp/0316845132"><span style="color: blue;">Nurture by Nature</span></a></div>
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<b>Grammar</b><br />
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Memorize Vocabulary and Rules:<br />
Why? <b>... It strengthens the student's brain by straining it a little more each day. The student takes in quality content that informs an educated person. It tickles our senses with delightful and meaningful words. </b><i>The Question </i>- Leigh Bortins<br />
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<li>Memorize math facts, symbols, formulas and laws. - Saxon Algebra 1/2, <a href="https://www.khanacademy.org/math"><span style="color: blue;">Kahn Academy</span></a></li>
<li>Memorize fallacies of logic. - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fallacy-Detective-Thirty-Eight-Recognize-Reasoning/dp/097453157X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463338688&sr=8-1&keywords=the+fallacy+detective"><span style="color: blue;">The Fallacy Detective</span></a></li>
<li>Continue to learn the rules and vocabulary of English Grammar. - <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.veritaspress.com/">Veritas Press</a> </span>English Grammar, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Our-Mother-Tongue-Introductory-English/dp/1591280117/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463338871&sr=8-1&keywords=our+mother+tongue"><span style="color: blue;">Our Mother Tongue</span></a>, Veritas Press Latin Transition, <a href="https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/latin/henle-latin-i/"><span style="color: blue;">Henle Latin</span></a></li>
<li>Memorize Latin declensions, conjugations, and vocabulary. - Veritas Press online Latin Transition, Henle Latin</li>
<li>Memorize the vocabulary of exposition and composition which includes the Three Canons of Classical Composition and the Five Common Topics of Invention. - <a href="https://www.circeinstitute.org/lost-tools-writing"><span style="color: blue;">Lost Tools of Writing</span></a></li>
<li>Read quality literature with unfamiliar vocabulary and make it familiar. These books include Murder on the Orient Express, Born Again, To Kill a Mockingbird, Johnny Tremain, The Light in the Forest, A Door in the Wall, A Gathering of Days, The Bronze Bow, and The Hiding Place.</li>
<li>Memorize the vocabulary of human anatomy. - <a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/Human-Body-Human-Anatomy-for-Kids-an-Inside-Look-at-Body-Organs-Audiobook/B00GO7DRNA?mkwid=DSATitle_dc&pcrid=81800027649&pmt=b&pkw=_cat%3Akids&source_"><span style="color: blue;">Human Anatomy for Kids</span></a></li>
<li>Memorize a timeline of history. - Veritas Press online History Transition</li>
<li>Memorize the countries and capitals of Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania. - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Compact-Atlas-World/dp/0756689848"><span style="color: blue;">Compact Atlas of the World</span></a></li>
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Process new concepts logically:</div>
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How? <b>... by fostering conversation; by utilizing people rather than machines; by tickling our senses with curiosity. </b><i>The Question -</i> Leigh Bortins</div>
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<li>Use memorized math facts, formulas, and laws to manipulate and solve mathematical equations and word problems by asking and answering questions. - Saxon Algebra 1/2</li>
<li>Practice critical thinking techniques. - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mind-Benders-Book-Grades-7-12/dp/1601443056"><span style="color: blue;">Mind Benders</span></a></li>
<li>Use the fallacies memorized to identify faulty logic. - Fallacy Detective</li>
<li>Parse and diagram sentences. Identify proper English in conversation. - Veritas Press, Our Mother Tongue</li>
<li>Parse, diagram, and translate Latin text. - Veritas Press, Henle Latin</li>
<li>Construct a thesis statement. - Lost Tools of Writing</li>
<li>Read and analyze quality literature. - <a href="http://www.classicalconversationsbooks.com/woapspchli2.html"><span style="color: blue;">Words Aptly Spoken Children's Literature</span></a></li>
<li>Practice invention and arrangement in persuasive writing. - Lost Tools of Writing</li>
<li>Diagram the human body and its systems. Write a paragraph about a disorder unique to each system. - The Human Body for Kids</li>
<li>Draw continents and their countries appropriately on a world map grid. - Compact Atlas of the World</li>
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<b>Rhetoric</b></div>
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Clearly explain the grammar and dialectic to others:</div>
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What? <b>... These skills are practiced by leading discussions. They allow group discussions to remain focused. They succeed when applied to a reasoned argument. </b><i>The Question </i>- Leigh Bortins</div>
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<li>Explain math problems to teacher (me) and to peers (Challenge A class). - Challenge A</li>
<li>Listen carefully and critically to conversions at home, with friends, and in the media in order to discern their logic (or lack of).</li>
<li>Write five paragraph expository essays based on literature. - Veritas Press Literature Transition</li>
<li>Write basic persuasive essays arguing a thesis statement. - Lost Tools of Writing</li>
<li>Use public speaking skills to present these papers in front of peers. - Challenge A</li>
<li>Prepare a powerpoint highlighting important events throughout history and the effect they had on our culture. - Veritas Press History Transition.</li>
<li>Take part in various organ dissections. - Challenge A</li>
<li>Contribute to a devotional study of Proverbs. - Challenge classes</li>
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In <i>The Question, </i>Leigh Bortins<i> </i>beautifully states that the purposes of Classical Education are to know <b>whose</b> you are and <b>where </b>you are going. This year I'm learning that in order for my children to realize these purposes, I can't just "talk the talk" but rather I must also "walk the walk" right along beside them. We're ready to stroll, jog, and occasionally run down life's long learning trail, anxious to see where we'll find ourselves this time next year.<br />
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<b>Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. </b>Hebrews 10:24<br />
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Melanie<br />
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ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-12584158827706889122016-04-29T08:38:00.000-07:002016-05-19T10:37:54.635-07:00A Taste of the Feast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I like to think that our MSJ Schole homeschool encompasses a do-it-yourself, academically challenging, comprehensive education. My goal is to provide a classical education with a Charlotte Mason bend to it. One that's thorough yet gentle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm continually trying to figure out exactly what teaching and learning classically, gently (or maybe gently classically) really means. <i><a href="https://classicalacademicpress.com/once-more-what-is-classical-education/">Classical Academic Press</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Well-Trained-Mind-Guide-Classical-Education/dp/0393067084">The Well-Trained Mind</a>, </i>and most recently<i> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trivium-Mastery-Intersection-Authentic-Classical/dp/1432733281">TriviumMastery</a> </i> guide me on my classical quest while <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charlotte-Masons-Original-Homeschooling-Mason/dp/1889209007">Charlotte Mason</a> </i>and<i> </i><a href="https://www.amblesideonline.org/03.shtml" style="font-style: italic;">Ambleside Online</a> encourage a gentle approach and provide wonderful living book lists. They all provide me with much food for thought.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Classical Academic Press </i>elegantly describes classical education as the cultivation of the soul on truth, goodness, and beauty by means of the liberal arts. Christopher Perrin offers a few analogies of classical education. It is like a museum, an art gallery, or (my favorite) a banquet table laid with all different kinds of exquisite pleasures just waiting to be tasted.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The Well-Trained Mind </i>is somewhat more specific.</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is language-intensive; not image-focused. Students use and understand words rather than video images.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is history-intensive. Students are given a comprehensive view of human endeavor from the beginning until now.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It trains the mind to analyze and draw conclusions.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It thrives on self-discipline.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It produces literate, curious, intelligent students who have a wide range of interests and the ability to follow up on them.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Trivium Mastery </i>breaks all this down and gives examples that explain how to actually make all of the above happen. I've discovered that by teaching the trivium I'm guiding our children as they develop the skills necessary to discuss and interpret ideas. The trivium is actually three skills: 1. Reading (Grammar) 2. Thinking (Logic) 3. Speaking and Writing (Rhetoric). These are developed simultaneously throughout life according to the individual's personality and learning style. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thanks to Diane Lockman and <i>Trivium Mastery</i>, I have an outline to lead me in the process of teaching my children the skills necessary to be lifelong learners. In preparing our <a href="http://msjschole.blogspot.com/2016/05/walking-walk.html">daughters'</a> end-of- the-year <a href="http://msjschole.blogspot.com/2015/06/getting-rid-of-stumbling-block-or-why-i.html">portfolios</a>, I've compiled a list of specific skills that they each worked on this year. The following is an outline of the skills my 9 year old tackled (gently) this year and the resources she used to help her achieve them.</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> 9 year old daughter</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> IIFP personality (Introvert, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nurture-Nature-Understand-Childs-Personality/dp/0316845132"><i>Nurture by Nature</i></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>READING SKILLS - Grammar</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">How to read:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlKQlAMlPaPJeNyg_37Y2bEnMWuXwEmn1m0lZfkHkNfFrMv7mU22gXr1EgUZzBL-aABpjjFaMlIb-3xuFgYy5HX4P4-apf2NqKSFTGpgGZ4bHWV5cBR6bUrj7Uirbnpy-QzBonWl2KoH3/s1600/IMG_5064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlKQlAMlPaPJeNyg_37Y2bEnMWuXwEmn1m0lZfkHkNfFrMv7mU22gXr1EgUZzBL-aABpjjFaMlIb-3xuFgYy5HX4P4-apf2NqKSFTGpgGZ4bHWV5cBR6bUrj7Uirbnpy-QzBonWl2KoH3/s320/IMG_5064.JPG" width="240" /></span></a>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Read a-loud favorites: </span>The Wheels on the School, James and the Giant Peach, Black Ships Before Troy, Bambi, The Wanderings of Odysseus, The Back of the North Wind, Archimedes and the Door of Science, From the Mixed Up Files of Basil E. Frankweiler, Understood Betsy (hands down favorite), The Wind in the Willows, Robin Hood, The Magician's Nephew, Gentlemen of Verona, Romeo and Juliet, Cymbeline, Macbeth.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Independent reading favorites: Mary Poppins, The Family Under the Bridge, The Borrowers, Heidi, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, A Triumph For Flavius, Matilda, The Tale of Despereaux, Thimble Summer, Rabbit Hill, The Mysterious Benedict Society, The Trumpet of the Swan.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Favorite books read to me and/or narrated: Our Island Story, Trial and Triumph, Seabird, Burgess Book of Animals, Burgess Book of Birds, Parables of Nature.</span></li>
</ul>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-8I4Em7RrNzQ0GpKmb_c71RYfPKyAsZfs5T88v4MiOG_VWk5FH1hzMXLWjLSxCetBd__KSpsUuUANVTelV2Dn3xBAHRtIIO2_bkvzLDWVY3n_uukdl047rljXE2GPvkO921cvH7___ZJ/s1600/IMG_8543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-8I4Em7RrNzQ0GpKmb_c71RYfPKyAsZfs5T88v4MiOG_VWk5FH1hzMXLWjLSxCetBd__KSpsUuUANVTelV2Dn3xBAHRtIIO2_bkvzLDWVY3n_uukdl047rljXE2GPvkO921cvH7___ZJ/s200/IMG_8543.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIM_GMckXL95xHPuJ5hYUCAxd62ZV-byHTGZguEaLXjHQS9Nni3tu85I_56GZF6n-mbAu_XQzzBDRDrOwVQIQnfRr7gO4o8ZVJcIvKXa0rBj9e6nloTqWtucdNAYeDpibNSJIdKZAHILr/s1600/IMG_5485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIM_GMckXL95xHPuJ5hYUCAxd62ZV-byHTGZguEaLXjHQS9Nni3tu85I_56GZF6n-mbAu_XQzzBDRDrOwVQIQnfRr7gO4o8ZVJcIvKXa0rBj9e6nloTqWtucdNAYeDpibNSJIdKZAHILr/s320/IMG_5485.JPG" width="240" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">How to spell:</span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Find and correct errors in book excerpts that I have edited.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Learn how to spell some of the </span><a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/classicalscholar/free-printables/1000-wordbank.pdf" style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">the most common words in the English language</a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">and the spelling rules associated with them.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Learn spelling rules. (<a href="https://www.logicofenglish.com/essentials">Logic of English</a>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Divide syllables. (Logic of English)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Play spelling games. (Logic of English)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Use the dictionary.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">How to write</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-8I4Em7RrNzQ0GpKmb_c71RYfPKyAsZfs5T88v4MiOG_VWk5FH1hzMXLWjLSxCetBd__KSpsUuUANVTelV2Dn3xBAHRtIIO2_bkvzLDWVY3n_uukdl047rljXE2GPvkO921cvH7___ZJ/s1600/IMG_8543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Refine print and cursive handwriting. (<a href="https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/using-language-well/">Using Language Well</a><i>)</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Copy classic authors - Maintain a <a href="http://www.simplyconvivial.com/2015/teach-kids-commonplace">commonplace book</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Learn to use a computer and to type. (<a href="http://www.veritaspress.com/selfpaced/history.html">on-line history</a>, <a href="https://www.khanacademy.org/math">Kahn Academy math</a>, and end of the lesson <a href="http://www.livelylatin.com/">latin games</a>)</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">How to punctate and capitalize (Logic of English and reading books)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Learn rules of usage</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Add missing marks and capitalize</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Find and correct errors </span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">How to use proper grammar</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIIIIeu58tkT3njig6FUXmyBZe72yJ7dBjQOHs6pdjUQQcmroJ5-yYQjFNCavZILEx9fr_CG9I7qgSqcT53xLy8CQeflHk6OUDaV_Hnofhxskpblam_b0vtLqfGN8mSSl4jOkoGmjS1Qz/s1600/IMG_8544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIIIIeu58tkT3njig6FUXmyBZe72yJ7dBjQOHs6pdjUQQcmroJ5-yYQjFNCavZILEx9fr_CG9I7qgSqcT53xLy8CQeflHk6OUDaV_Hnofhxskpblam_b0vtLqfGN8mSSl4jOkoGmjS1Qz/s1600/IMG_8544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIIIIeu58tkT3njig6FUXmyBZe72yJ7dBjQOHs6pdjUQQcmroJ5-yYQjFNCavZILEx9fr_CG9I7qgSqcT53xLy8CQeflHk6OUDaV_Hnofhxskpblam_b0vtLqfGN8mSSl4jOkoGmjS1Qz/s320/IMG_8544.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Memorize the eight parts of speech (Logic of English and <a href="https://www.classicalconversations.com/">Classical Conversations</a> memory work)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Understand how they are used in sentences. (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shurley-Method-English-Teachers-Manual/dp/1881940187">Shurley Grammar</a>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Diagram sentences. (Classical Conversations and Shurley Grammar)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Begin learning latin noun declensions and verb conjugations. (Classical Conversations and <a href="http://www.livelylatin.com/">Lively Latin</a>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Use proper grammar in everyday speech.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhlFQYUokjlJa1DG4T5_zmK1hsHi_CMc3R2Xx-_XkFFMNXjC7bKyQu_37hni5I48pNfLpaTZIp_Vr3OXRMWys2yX-22MUIrL-ma0Wow2XUT0FEFjaMMIjCSw9UyCNTR9mI7hPXp6U1xaW/s1600/IMG_8551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhlFQYUokjlJa1DG4T5_zmK1hsHi_CMc3R2Xx-_XkFFMNXjC7bKyQu_37hni5I48pNfLpaTZIp_Vr3OXRMWys2yX-22MUIrL-ma0Wow2XUT0FEFjaMMIjCSw9UyCNTR9mI7hPXp6U1xaW/s320/IMG_8551.JPG" width="240" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">THINKING SKILLS - Logic</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">How to arrange data according to systems</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhlFQYUokjlJa1DG4T5_zmK1hsHi_CMc3R2Xx-_XkFFMNXjC7bKyQu_37hni5I48pNfLpaTZIp_Vr3OXRMWys2yX-22MUIrL-ma0Wow2XUT0FEFjaMMIjCSw9UyCNTR9mI7hPXp6U1xaW/s1600/IMG_8551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Classify into categories (Classical Conversations, <a href="http://www.knowledgequestmaps.com/A-Childs-Geography-Explore-His-Earth.html">A Child's Geography</a>, <a href="http://elementalscience.com/collections/earth-science-astronomy-for-the-grammar-stage">Earth Science</a>, <a href="http://gravitaspublications.com/">Real Science 4 Kids</a>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Describe attributes and recognize similarities and differences. (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Burgess-Animal-Children-Childrens-Classics/dp/0486437450">Burgess Book of Animals</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Burgess-Children-Dover-Childrens-Classics/dp/0486428400">Burgess Bird Book</a>, and <i>Bees, Birds, and Bugs: The First Book Library)</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Recall and relate patterns. (<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/386465211753138789/">nature journal</a>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Keep a running timeline of people and dates through history. (<a href="http://www.onlypassionatecuriosity.com/veritas-press-history-of-art-review/">History of Art</a>, Classical Conversations, literature books)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Memorize the countries of Asia, Africa, South America, Europe, and recognize the majority of their capital cities. Be able to locate them on a world map. (CC challenge A geography, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Geography-Songs-Kathy-Troxel/dp/B002CB3KPM">Geography Songs</a>)</span> </li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCm6dDchVj2ItHKhpw-WzoOZEuilf5qWFxzq2WR0gdbysQrzbxQzXW7xNVdB752HGlTzEb3YxPAzKvlGhUlcO20HsKfdYCaTYVeSRIYwR_dCx4KJf6o7MClIQa7b36hyy1SJlTEknThgw/s1600/IMG_6190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCm6dDchVj2ItHKhpw-WzoOZEuilf5qWFxzq2WR0gdbysQrzbxQzXW7xNVdB752HGlTzEb3YxPAzKvlGhUlcO20HsKfdYCaTYVeSRIYwR_dCx4KJf6o7MClIQa7b36hyy1SJlTEknThgw/s320/IMG_6190.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvk3Gi1ZswF76B_-TATnaeLKp6Q_q7UaNURrRsX60KvxBeRDnh9ThKa-qo6QzNt8v0VxnSO3rSOxPDpzrc3-8eO8Q0L-Z3EwryAHznIcW2wvCKpjwCf5zYtSGuzfsNDJnz8RadTu18kLM/s1600/IMG_6896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">How to solve problems (Saxon 5/4, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/msjschole/math-games-and-strategies/">math games</a>, Classical Conversations)</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2APoeWM0XtC-Oq30rhetSMQPf5Dndc-ws_wylIhmXUD2IYFTTey7V7It6mZYTSo90v1Iv0c7PeFgbGsV7lhSlvfWqizoN5y-Z9kX5c6n7SL-6RAQWfqEwqqvNN6OLWNv9tD-EA231-SW/s1600/IMG_6843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2APoeWM0XtC-Oq30rhetSMQPf5Dndc-ws_wylIhmXUD2IYFTTey7V7It6mZYTSo90v1Iv0c7PeFgbGsV7lhSlvfWqizoN5y-Z9kX5c6n7SL-6RAQWfqEwqqvNN6OLWNv9tD-EA231-SW/s320/IMG_6843.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Identify and complete sequences.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Explain the steps of various word problems.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Memorize mathematical operations and formulas.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Answer puzzles and riddles.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Work through high-order <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Building-Thinking-Skills%C2%AE-Level-2/dp/1601441509">thinking activites</a>.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1i31cKwB94oHbAjyXwl0lDIKxVWxUmPHlRUb6P4ESH-YQ5pFBsaKshFSOc68S-9KCEflGTIm1LHd13WibPaEYE2182MtYzp5rKvfZBOiT4BXP1jpqVaKtIiYeeFIKD0oRfncpTLbXgp_/s1600/IMG_6828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">How to use the scientific method (Classical Conversations, A Child's Geography, Real Science 4 Kids, Earth Science)</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwAc6Kjxtqdg6WfAFrwlzU394BB9jM21Pv0buIk3Cf40Usx61ZxX59KJUlDiQkPiFuIEpp81RkQq_WOqdOZqVsi4rrCmi7jCAfe4lsG9scsKL-KW4UQDQzevzqGsQTpUAM1h5PhnAE6DS/s1600/IMG_8553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwAc6Kjxtqdg6WfAFrwlzU394BB9jM21Pv0buIk3Cf40Usx61ZxX59KJUlDiQkPiFuIEpp81RkQq_WOqdOZqVsi4rrCmi7jCAfe4lsG9scsKL-KW4UQDQzevzqGsQTpUAM1h5PhnAE6DS/s320/IMG_8553.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Achieve familiarity with the general laws of science. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Perform and document experiments.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Verbalize steps to observe, predict, and conclude.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">How to analyze literature</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Become familiar with the vocabulary of literary structure. (<a href="http://iew.com/shop/products/teaching-classics-dvd-seminar-workbook">Teaching the Classics</a>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Begin discussing literature by way of a <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/386465211753951107/">story chart.</a></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">How to listen</span></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3jEJDxv0uBTeca4Oe_TeZcPFOJEF3XCktlIgVrJ3ZC8dB9E4S4h5oJwQ2XPmlXW_9QJl3F_Wt0NWI6drploVjILm3l7DwpEaowUtX3pxVQTS252z0GzQzanxKMNGRYgcBbQPLXE_qzFv/s1600/IMG_4686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Listen to audio books. <i>Swallows and Amazons, The Story of the Amulet</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Learn about classical composers while listening to their works. (<a href="http://harmonyfinearts.org/">Harmony Fine Arts</a>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Narrate understanding.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Answer questions.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">SPEAKING SKILLS - Rhetoric</span></b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3jEJDxv0uBTeca4Oe_TeZcPFOJEF3XCktlIgVrJ3ZC8dB9E4S4h5oJwQ2XPmlXW_9QJl3F_Wt0NWI6drploVjILm3l7DwpEaowUtX3pxVQTS252z0GzQzanxKMNGRYgcBbQPLXE_qzFv/s1600/IMG_4686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3jEJDxv0uBTeca4Oe_TeZcPFOJEF3XCktlIgVrJ3ZC8dB9E4S4h5oJwQ2XPmlXW_9QJl3F_Wt0NWI6drploVjILm3l7DwpEaowUtX3pxVQTS252z0GzQzanxKMNGRYgcBbQPLXE_qzFv/s200/IMG_4686.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">How to maintain a conversation (Lifelong goals)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qMzycCKNvws5_jVYNpBO3DL-7cRgUIEPQVZCi-3dCtFJY8TUW8r7R58_pZeEHduJyw22Iy0GG-1fxYWpixtdGXK444mF0BuOihoaDphMuHWwnnJj_47NWrSrEpFOLAxAGehzqvhrl4Oi/s1600/IMG_5173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Look at people when conversing.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Shake hands and repeat names.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Listen attentively.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Answer the telephone and take a message.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Exhibit proper manners.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">How to give a speech and perform for an audience</span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qMzycCKNvws5_jVYNpBO3DL-7cRgUIEPQVZCi-3dCtFJY8TUW8r7R58_pZeEHduJyw22Iy0GG-1fxYWpixtdGXK444mF0BuOihoaDphMuHWwnnJj_47NWrSrEpFOLAxAGehzqvhrl4Oi/s1600/IMG_5173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qMzycCKNvws5_jVYNpBO3DL-7cRgUIEPQVZCi-3dCtFJY8TUW8r7R58_pZeEHduJyw22Iy0GG-1fxYWpixtdGXK444mF0BuOihoaDphMuHWwnnJj_47NWrSrEpFOLAxAGehzqvhrl4Oi/s200/IMG_5173.JPG" width="150" /></a>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Memorize and recite poetry. (She has memorized over a dozen poems and has recited many of them in public)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Maintain eye contact and use appropriate body language. (Classical Conversations presentations)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Play both group and solo music at recitals. (piano and violin)</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As you can see, teaching classically is all about teaching skills rather than teaching subjects. Being tied down to someone else's curriculum lesson plans isn't an issue. What a difference when comparing this method to modern education. Classical education is a never-ending, well planned feast rather than a check list of assembly line cafeteria food. Savor the tastings and enjoy the freedom!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Melanie</span></div>
</div>
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<!--EndFragment--><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-87358426435872611972016-04-08T17:18:00.000-07:002016-09-27T19:52:30.056-07:00A Keeper of Life<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Robert Leslie Smith M.D.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">March 4, 1921 - March 27, 2016</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was a man of intelligence, wit, curiosity, gentleness, integrity, adventure, kindness, generosity, forgiveness, music, and talent.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was also a man of dreams and disappointments; faith and doubts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was a man of God with all its glory, yet he was a man of flesh with all its flaws.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was a keeper of mementos, poetry, and art.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was my father.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I honor his life today by reflecting on a few of his own words and art: his keepings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Rug Rolling</b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When I was a very little boy</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I had a favorite ploy</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I used;</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
To get even with my mother</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For something or other,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Bobby rolled up the rugs.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Not just throw rugs, two feet by four,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But big rugs that went from door to door</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
in the living room.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If the floor was bare</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And there was a chill in the air,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Bobby had rolled up the rugs.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Looking back in contemplation,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It was the reaction to frustration</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
that made me do it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mom wouldn't let me do what I wanted,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I felt I was being taunted,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So Bobby rolled up the rugs.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mom would wait until I cooled off, and then</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Make me roll them back down again</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
just as they were.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's been a lesson for me to this day--</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The futility of reacting in such ways</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As rolling up the rugs.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHPMweSHSFUDpL1_nXSvSDwhHCsAlb4WQNaS-F2xBaKsSG4q8wzFGCLNif23FPlRPNTnBGtW91y8s4EhjWLfGp0vh6hYS0ohGXT6SAPmR8FYbWCU3Xi4YbygPnn3XE1wmmPStwpjUq7ex/s1600/IMG_8120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHPMweSHSFUDpL1_nXSvSDwhHCsAlb4WQNaS-F2xBaKsSG4q8wzFGCLNif23FPlRPNTnBGtW91y8s4EhjWLfGp0vh6hYS0ohGXT6SAPmR8FYbWCU3Xi4YbygPnn3XE1wmmPStwpjUq7ex/s640/IMG_8120.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>The Advantage of Being Married to your High School Sweetheart</b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisO_Ruq-PDU-afgrwGwA03Vv6v40gk_wCwQ-UW-f82CH0r8L_nRR5kuLJjl7vQV2IqsUA4blgIJVpEA1PQHFYejOX08C9Mr1CaWeIzAdZcQWZ4EH0OAMn0J5ydb2CQyIglnHnDdFIdYsEx/s1600/IMG_3317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisO_Ruq-PDU-afgrwGwA03Vv6v40gk_wCwQ-UW-f82CH0r8L_nRR5kuLJjl7vQV2IqsUA4blgIJVpEA1PQHFYejOX08C9Mr1CaWeIzAdZcQWZ4EH0OAMn0J5ydb2CQyIglnHnDdFIdYsEx/s400/IMG_3317.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
I'm so happy that our memories fuse</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And if from the past I lose</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A name or a face</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You can remember who it was</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Or when it was</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And put it in it's proper place.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There must be many things that one forgets</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In fifty years or so</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Never to remember.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What a satisfaction to know</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
That if I've forgotten</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You may have not and</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A memory we might otherwise lose</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Is right there where our memories fuse.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Footprints in the Snow</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My early morning footprints</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrPq29BycBHtqdvKL2dhdmHnOzrKoe6xUnGgXsxGg-yzNHNyZ1qpwPXyii8Ca84dQyGgLnT9YyNRuqcIo8Q45SFPls2tOlbvH9EMiDZnEoWTfaQzDfct6p_z1vt5uUBX7020iQk4vjif7/s1600/IMG_8122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrPq29BycBHtqdvKL2dhdmHnOzrKoe6xUnGgXsxGg-yzNHNyZ1qpwPXyii8Ca84dQyGgLnT9YyNRuqcIo8Q45SFPls2tOlbvH9EMiDZnEoWTfaQzDfct6p_z1vt5uUBX7020iQk4vjif7/s400/IMG_8122.JPG" width="300" /></a>In fresh fallen snow,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Made even more distinct</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
With the sun's daybreak glow</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Casting deep blue shadows</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In the mark of heel and toe,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Remind me of some deeds I have done,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Both bad and good:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Soon after, in the sun,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
They too stood</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
sharply etched for all to see.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The sharp contours of footprints</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Are quick to go</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
With sun, wind, and more snow.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
God's forgiveness of the bad we do</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Is just like that, I know.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As for the good deed, I'm afraid</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It too fades as snowprints fade;</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And the good done by many</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Which we at first acclaim,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Is soon forgotten, just the same.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Bittersweet Passage </b>(written shortly after my daughter, Mackenzie, died)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The filly, mane flowing,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Runs to me in leaping strides,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ie0bPO7q2C22liIrXJPvovUcngFvhKG_dwCSdlznYvo9CeJ9aI2jMqQGndwNjXUJv-eyU0QM3QuvSOyIMqsv2e6e08TpNfvNhHKclyxJ2nfrZqR99wqOYg_yYSqvrGV4L-IrkAhIW4k2/s1600/IMG_8124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ie0bPO7q2C22liIrXJPvovUcngFvhKG_dwCSdlznYvo9CeJ9aI2jMqQGndwNjXUJv-eyU0QM3QuvSOyIMqsv2e6e08TpNfvNhHKclyxJ2nfrZqR99wqOYg_yYSqvrGV4L-IrkAhIW4k2/s400/IMG_8124.JPG" width="300" /></a>Eyes wide.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Is she just playful or</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Has she been spooked?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I step back to avoid the push,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
She stops short and nuzzles my neck.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Not lost, but feeling too much</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Of the holiday crowd around her,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
She was there before I knew it.</div>
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Again she nuzzles.</div>
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This, before another girl</div>
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Painted a flower on her cheek,</div>
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A memento to last.</div>
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Without a backward look</div>
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Or toss of her head,</div>
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She streaks away</div>
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to the fields Elysian,</div>
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Too distant to see through tears.</div>
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<b>Exit/Entrance</b></div>
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Hey, old man</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwZxBkAiOKuMo8N7i92ZouNIjXHTsdI3MvpZi55l7WaQFlv7tLLlqO742QGTQsFgOW8RGDTal7k1D2ORz_3LTZCLupYS27XcEk2F6aUp4-i6tPIKVyHJ5GdX5t_ZnsRtiwqUogO9Dk1Md/s1600/IMG_8128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwZxBkAiOKuMo8N7i92ZouNIjXHTsdI3MvpZi55l7WaQFlv7tLLlqO742QGTQsFgOW8RGDTal7k1D2ORz_3LTZCLupYS27XcEk2F6aUp4-i6tPIKVyHJ5GdX5t_ZnsRtiwqUogO9Dk1Md/s400/IMG_8128.JPG" width="400" /></a>You've done all you can</div>
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Here.</div>
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Why don't you let go?</div>
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Is it fear?</div>
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You never were afraid before</div>
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To open any door</div>
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Not knowing what was on the </div>
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other side.</div>
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It's not fear, but love.</div>
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When one abides</div>
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On Mother Earth</div>
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As long as I,</div>
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He grows to love her</div>
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And those who are here--or were;</div>
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Ah, there's the key--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpBqNV35qvhtM7T1rzorSNWteLrZIeRUW2GDCsEVvh9G_tCIImrqLnH7QFu9HpRoQ2w2lgc0YAkRoAYw_A5s64Pz4eK__p2DE6SQ9dqoyI2GUx0FoYkfbzadH967bmeLb-7G_LqZR1FQ5/s1600/IMG_8126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpBqNV35qvhtM7T1rzorSNWteLrZIeRUW2GDCsEVvh9G_tCIImrqLnH7QFu9HpRoQ2w2lgc0YAkRoAYw_A5s64Pz4eK__p2DE6SQ9dqoyI2GUx0FoYkfbzadH967bmeLb-7G_LqZR1FQ5/s320/IMG_8126.JPG" width="209" /></a>All those I loved</div>
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Who in turn loved me</div>
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Are gone...I should join them;</div>
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Maybe tonight, we'll see.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcYH1EObsTa2J7_eHU-tOwq8jTxm5eA0eNTKb6W_tF1jLcHJDGUzP6h9EOj9R5jukrqmKZI8zBK_HfM75JnNL9fFPuGLUPyMNsolXGK9uMqOuSO2w-HNXq3ibmL3uElbO8NhwpjpEiGMk/s1600/IMG_8125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcYH1EObsTa2J7_eHU-tOwq8jTxm5eA0eNTKb6W_tF1jLcHJDGUzP6h9EOj9R5jukrqmKZI8zBK_HfM75JnNL9fFPuGLUPyMNsolXGK9uMqOuSO2w-HNXq3ibmL3uElbO8NhwpjpEiGMk/s400/IMG_8125.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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He was a man whose living made a difference, and I loved him.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Melanie</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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ges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4692480751876321008.post-2063495905599525302016-02-20T08:13:00.001-08:002017-01-24T19:12:37.508-08:00Coming Up For Air<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimh6I0up8bIC8uiIhSoz7qHjmej1EST5dyd8zGrdLzZjYYu0W_wCqSQacEikwNwtM_RDcB9GHzd1ObK79gOW20wdu6ZYEx0EnavTG8Zl5u4l6K2J0cmb0Cy3pfkREF0k8xKGXXIqklkgIh/s1600/IMG_7330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimh6I0up8bIC8uiIhSoz7qHjmej1EST5dyd8zGrdLzZjYYu0W_wCqSQacEikwNwtM_RDcB9GHzd1ObK79gOW20wdu6ZYEx0EnavTG8Zl5u4l6K2J0cmb0Cy3pfkREF0k8xKGXXIqklkgIh/s200/IMG_7330.JPG" width="163" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We went down the rabbit hole... or so to speak. At some point we got in a hurry to grow up, to rush out of the grammar stage, to chase the white rabbit. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkS3j14ikyaEXj4UcdMFr9iulN1wxupEztUUndm6s-kjkVJ3KI5QfjaroY8mEsCKUCYFVrhX4JKe_0FLn3jTeL4S8QmYL18acaQ726b8xsr6Ys995yQ4lEX6VjL-deR6-MZCQ0iEx93-7n/s1600/IMG_3439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkS3j14ikyaEXj4UcdMFr9iulN1wxupEztUUndm6s-kjkVJ3KI5QfjaroY8mEsCKUCYFVrhX4JKe_0FLn3jTeL4S8QmYL18acaQ726b8xsr6Ys995yQ4lEX6VjL-deR6-MZCQ0iEx93-7n/s200/IMG_3439.JPG" width="141" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkS3j14ikyaEXj4UcdMFr9iulN1wxupEztUUndm6s-kjkVJ3KI5QfjaroY8mEsCKUCYFVrhX4JKe_0FLn3jTeL4S8QmYL18acaQ726b8xsr6Ys995yQ4lEX6VjL-deR6-MZCQ0iEx93-7n/s1600/IMG_3439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And then it happened; we fell. Looking back, the fall shouldn't have come as a surprise.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSiUzH2L-fuFzOH1Q0f8zQf0100cwEfdUoWvYjWSb74X6UfEMxnIAbRFVT-nKtOOBhyphenhyphenzFi22lX3iJb-nw80bH5mDUXsrk9bLORgoqTlV0_idNwLV-Y7rzxo7A8CfRdQ1j1gumXUbK0Tze/s1600/IMG_7177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSiUzH2L-fuFzOH1Q0f8zQf0100cwEfdUoWvYjWSb74X6UfEMxnIAbRFVT-nKtOOBhyphenhyphenzFi22lX3iJb-nw80bH5mDUXsrk9bLORgoqTlV0_idNwLV-Y7rzxo7A8CfRdQ1j1gumXUbK0Tze/s320/IMG_7177.JPG" width="214" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our older daughter is every bit of twelve going on fifteen. These days her focus is all about figuring out who she is and where she fits in. My focus has been trying to provide her with the space to discover these things. In giving her that space, we went down the hole.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last summer, she expressed a strong desire to learn independently (from me), so we decided to enroll in a Classical Christian online school. She spent most of the day, four days a week, in front of the computer involved with live teacher led courses. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She made many "virtual" friends. Now... they all seem like great kids but... they don't come over to our house and hang out. It's not reality. It didn't make sense.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDTyjOD-lPTYxHEL0l0nCfyyjGQzQ8D90-f2W5nOVqjM9aFh1nWobSaTcGFZX1kc65eZZAA0IK3R0Cmn26LRPwzWbNhOHbEUy-n0LCwBZaxvQa1PxPIPTHGH5fPhJdguj3xmmuZzYLGnZ/s1600/IMG_3435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDTyjOD-lPTYxHEL0l0nCfyyjGQzQ8D90-f2W5nOVqjM9aFh1nWobSaTcGFZX1kc65eZZAA0IK3R0Cmn26LRPwzWbNhOHbEUy-n0LCwBZaxvQa1PxPIPTHGH5fPhJdguj3xmmuZzYLGnZ/s320/IMG_3435.JPG" width="265" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In preparing these young students to read classical literature, challenging books are assigned, discussed, and written about. Chuck Colson's book <i>Born Again</i> was a difficult read for me. Therefore, I wasn't surprised when she admitted to only skimming it and not participating in the online class discussions. Reading so far above her personal comprehension level caused her to stop thinking; caused her to shut down.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJIOc7NMxWdPpYpXLFd_jFO4FVwiGTdNjsBoZPNvZDZgXIQ0OEC_eh8FK9f-MB-rN_S5vyiLhdDy71BNL6njetD3_HD1VHIHtEkaX__jTaxuWr1H84T12V97awOIsi09tIZ8Q362oh2zv/s1600/IMG_3442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJIOc7NMxWdPpYpXLFd_jFO4FVwiGTdNjsBoZPNvZDZgXIQ0OEC_eh8FK9f-MB-rN_S5vyiLhdDy71BNL6njetD3_HD1VHIHtEkaX__jTaxuWr1H84T12V97awOIsi09tIZ8Q362oh2zv/s320/IMG_3442.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The speed of her fall accelerated at mid-term exam time. Some of you may be fortunate (HA!) enough to have witnessed what happens when a twelve year old girl suffers from severe anxiety. It's not pretty and actually extremely distressing. Her beautiful smiles surfaced less and less.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhre0ucfarBAH9Vfhb2FzcnB-R4v-QaaLTuY3_nmxyehBSWBBwaaci7HisQN_LcCEHAmz00_OPSmKIe2vi5f2Ljd6plA4qYcPZuWFoIgZkZFkymYAK5ja6a452N0APZwZPdDF3gXN9RWmtD/s1600/IMG_3436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhre0ucfarBAH9Vfhb2FzcnB-R4v-QaaLTuY3_nmxyehBSWBBwaaci7HisQN_LcCEHAmz00_OPSmKIe2vi5f2Ljd6plA4qYcPZuWFoIgZkZFkymYAK5ja6a452N0APZwZPdDF3gXN9RWmtD/s320/IMG_3436.JPG" width="175" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We decided to stop the insanity and return to reality.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7Q_fQqtVCtjoZ4We09qhSx6mXDa1QFIjriD9qaFLIo4_Ggp_Iu_CQmHZU-qN4wiEHF2keacAIGNhpf_3uGKkmoQF3HjXhU0mpaSAkU6FaCEQGddT0xPG20HrmYEnijVm7x9SSp_xVPRV/s1600/IMG_3438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7Q_fQqtVCtjoZ4We09qhSx6mXDa1QFIjriD9qaFLIo4_Ggp_Iu_CQmHZU-qN4wiEHF2keacAIGNhpf_3uGKkmoQF3HjXhU0mpaSAkU6FaCEQGddT0xPG20HrmYEnijVm7x9SSp_xVPRV/s320/IMG_3438.JPG" width="246" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She has returned to her friends and the program that we have been involved with for the past six years. The sweet (most of the time), happy, curious little girl/young woman has returned. The smiles are back!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bf8HdsavRJxL7TO_tj6A-K8R_ijqr1QkuL0iVkEoBFDt5MRQ-kVCwacsjabJ8GQ3CccyO1RZLu7XXBBMxuuHbOPIoT55b74LDBsn_cPpR2XIpJ4M6HGZD32m9gA7KK9G7G8mb3TV2tvK/s1600/IMG_7321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bf8HdsavRJxL7TO_tj6A-K8R_ijqr1QkuL0iVkEoBFDt5MRQ-kVCwacsjabJ8GQ3CccyO1RZLu7XXBBMxuuHbOPIoT55b74LDBsn_cPpR2XIpJ4M6HGZD32m9gA7KK9G7G8mb3TV2tvK/s320/IMG_7321.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Conversations with flesh and blood people are happening. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She's reading wonderful books that spark ideas and foster values.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oL76LUOzgvEGLdOtAqbsRnZfbsJjSPy7P3ZqdDhHhcIvK4Hy9QodNUyCSGKGrRKrLtPMHhzHdIYQ2jSSYDz07H1oq3eeRj7cvGgggXSswLdb-1uNAlPsIiP7Nlea1hw8l2MesvnFQZ9s/s1600/IMG_7199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oL76LUOzgvEGLdOtAqbsRnZfbsJjSPy7P3ZqdDhHhcIvK4Hy9QodNUyCSGKGrRKrLtPMHhzHdIYQ2jSSYDz07H1oq3eeRj7cvGgggXSswLdb-1uNAlPsIiP7Nlea1hw8l2MesvnFQZ9s/s400/IMG_7199.jpg" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By way of <i>The Lost Tools of Writing,</i> she's learning to gather, arrange, and express her thoughts and opinions in a logical manner. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmCZ4HnDzWMKr57JVP_k48fsQJ_eAlG4Zh5R7RMLlTz-Mc4EMirCHcf7jw_rPrzePGKxjPchWwhfb-QFtK1YslMvRdFj28J1f6JEjJi9CaazhPEXVqMwKU8PNsOe3CCfVgAWnZvtJJHaz/s1600/IMG_7215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmCZ4HnDzWMKr57JVP_k48fsQJ_eAlG4Zh5R7RMLlTz-Mc4EMirCHcf7jw_rPrzePGKxjPchWwhfb-QFtK1YslMvRdFj28J1f6JEjJi9CaazhPEXVqMwKU8PNsOe3CCfVgAWnZvtJJHaz/s320/IMG_7215.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She's dissecting organs. Well... she's not, but she is observing her classmates doing it and so may become inspired to give it a try. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlND0-mTc7fenQhemxj9zayb6LLuCS5KbxzEzXObz2aAhGjZ-TDEXOhfBvqtdFTCDSpG6l-bSoVpvQne2NfM8P5xtWpoNGZmZEq2iO4v7MRZ_9RENUPgfGZveIwFiKBJHMUFV100ME5MM8/s1600/IMG_7326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlND0-mTc7fenQhemxj9zayb6LLuCS5KbxzEzXObz2aAhGjZ-TDEXOhfBvqtdFTCDSpG6l-bSoVpvQne2NfM8P5xtWpoNGZmZEq2iO4v7MRZ_9RENUPgfGZveIwFiKBJHMUFV100ME5MM8/s320/IMG_7326.jpg" width="240" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She's explaining her Saxon 1/2 math problems to her peers and having conversations about the different concepts each student is learning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh960Y1VSLahe0chdPacnX0Qi7EiW1atyaWB4wD7NZ3Sc8HvvaQhztbtGsMea-DfDkOW1l9-_K608_fSMTmLeQuOdr_IE9goTw3B_m5VvP6-g3pfvPIfNdCXreJm_V8e8MCNSL9mdDrRypG/s1600/IMG_7310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh960Y1VSLahe0chdPacnX0Qi7EiW1atyaWB4wD7NZ3Sc8HvvaQhztbtGsMea-DfDkOW1l9-_K608_fSMTmLeQuOdr_IE9goTw3B_m5VvP6-g3pfvPIfNdCXreJm_V8e8MCNSL9mdDrRypG/s400/IMG_7310.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The tremendous English Grammar knowledge she has accumulated over the past six years is being applied to her study of Latin. She satisfies her computer desires by using Quizlet to study and review Latin vocabulary, geography facts, biology terms, and catechism questions.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ194ajk8ISvMQEMOKMBLZAHRM3P9meEAOfsiF_I6J6u0_SiK3ezp_DF0FdQcCFT8C8mPOuUCg0Ra5pH3LJuhSc_UMwf8fPnBb2wITkF7btXs0ivHW1nlNA66vVqpDbzrNPEZWOMl6YNwn/s1600/IMG_7300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ194ajk8ISvMQEMOKMBLZAHRM3P9meEAOfsiF_I6J6u0_SiK3ezp_DF0FdQcCFT8C8mPOuUCg0Ra5pH3LJuhSc_UMwf8fPnBb2wITkF7btXs0ivHW1nlNA66vVqpDbzrNPEZWOMl6YNwn/s400/IMG_7300.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We are learning world geography as a family and interacting with each other almost every minute of every day.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzrkQ7mLQSI2cvCAbTG5j0hfy6NHdQ_Fkqh21OeqhwAgeu7N8x7TCe4uaQL9fhtBKanI7WZW19uJ5QA0DO7OFWjkxG_WCIsvHAnOfVPcuBnockBdqgwqxtclq4iG-fPXbiab5GTBkULSf/s1600/IMG_7292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzrkQ7mLQSI2cvCAbTG5j0hfy6NHdQ_Fkqh21OeqhwAgeu7N8x7TCe4uaQL9fhtBKanI7WZW19uJ5QA0DO7OFWjkxG_WCIsvHAnOfVPcuBnockBdqgwqxtclq4iG-fPXbiab5GTBkULSf/s400/IMG_7292.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9Ss9y9koZPIIs9yyO11UlrQs0DPLEMRenxWvGxh86HXLzjlcpWFsMzaTZDOAhbA-MM-_Yq1SD0B_d4zQ7NUFiddE0WCUWvvt0VMAY9VfAVGJyG_2BIUBY9ILtI61_CjqEC_85Wo85C6K/s1600/IMG_7295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9Ss9y9koZPIIs9yyO11UlrQs0DPLEMRenxWvGxh86HXLzjlcpWFsMzaTZDOAhbA-MM-_Yq1SD0B_d4zQ7NUFiddE0WCUWvvt0VMAY9VfAVGJyG_2BIUBY9ILtI61_CjqEC_85Wo85C6K/s400/IMG_7295.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And one of the best parts is that she has an intelligent, enthusiastic, caring mom/</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">friend leading this group of precious young people once a week. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQsEUpv7FypGeGGMUqYlYKr-iLd6kqJn0XpeOiKZE1OdQMSbWY-trzzkWoBtkqPw3iD3Gwt9s_BuuArtofJSByAW-GIcb4GRT3YKRGTaHIt7VO-ewlI22LIgoH-9T6eWzHbTUmhp4Uk-d/s1600/IMG_3445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQsEUpv7FypGeGGMUqYlYKr-iLd6kqJn0XpeOiKZE1OdQMSbWY-trzzkWoBtkqPw3iD3Gwt9s_BuuArtofJSByAW-GIcb4GRT3YKRGTaHIt7VO-ewlI22LIgoH-9T6eWzHbTUmhp4Uk-d/s320/IMG_3445.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I could go on and on...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Do you see all the smiles?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As an older mom, I often remind the younger moms that I'm in contact with to enjoy their children and not to rush the learning process. Why is it that I so often don't follow my own advice?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We've learned many lessons this year; mine being one that I wish I hadn't forgotten. Our children desperately need and want our guidance even when they think that they don't. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uKRu6Izv78PFor23xzlotuSUHytDJiEf65DilgL1cYMZHng3xT7q49U0rffWCQRkIrCucnp7v_issIYcvIIzlxApUQUUu70PvZli8BdccAggiAJBxltXfL8H9DyOs5cgCoKcYYv-z-R_/s1600/IMG_3446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uKRu6Izv78PFor23xzlotuSUHytDJiEf65DilgL1cYMZHng3xT7q49U0rffWCQRkIrCucnp7v_issIYcvIIzlxApUQUUu70PvZli8BdccAggiAJBxltXfL8H9DyOs5cgCoKcYYv-z-R_/s400/IMG_3446.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Let them be young,<br />
Melanieges galaxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151394847659573386noreply@blogger.com0