Reformation Unit Study

I like to plan Unit studies into our school year and our first one this year was on the Reformation! We had loads of fun and learned alot. Here are some things we did:

1. We went on a heretic...er, book hunt at our library and found as many books and videos as we could on the subject.

2.We colored pictures, solved crosswords and wordsearches.

3. We researched and printed up valuable information online.

4. We watched an insightful PBS special that narrated the life of Martin Luther.

5. We had spelling and vocabulary words that included words like indulgences, Protestantism, martyr, recant

6. We learned the Five Sola's of the Reformation, what the Diet of Worms were (my children just loved this) and what a papal bull was.

7. We used timelines to do math.

8. We had a creative writing assignment on what the Reformation was about, what they liked about it and how they would change the world in the spirit of 'Semper Reformanda' which in Latin means 'always reforming' the cry of the Reformers.

9. We chose who we wanted to be for a Reformation celebration we are attending.

10. We created lapbooks. This involved all the cutting, gluing, taping, tracing, handwriting practice, art and creativity that we could muster.

Here are some of our pictures:

This was the cover for most of the lapbooks.

When you open them they had extra pages that could fold out

Coloring map of Europe

The Cry of the Reformers: Hidden inside this square is----Semper Reformanda!

Mini books made about Martin Luther's life

Facts about Katharina Von Bora Luther in a circle that folds open

We pasted 'A Mighty Fortress is Our God' inside this fold out, we sang the song and had it playing while working on these books

Here are the Five Sola's

Look inside for the indulgences

We printed indulgences off the internet and stuck them in this envelope

All of this studying led us to desiring to celebrate this wonderful event in history as a tradition in our home annually as a Reformation Celebration. Click here to read about how we are going to celebrate. We will be spending the rest of our week preparing our costumes for a Reformation Faire, and we have all already handpicked a reformer that we will be dressing up as.

Our next unit study will be in November on Pilgrims and Explorers.

Happy learning!

Spiritual Warfare In Schools

"Many Christian parents are concerned that homeschooling would not allow their children to fulfill the great commission of sharing the gospel with non-believers. They often cite Matthew 5:14-16 about being the light of the world.

Some Christian homeschool parents argue that even though young believers are to reach out to the lost, they are not called to immerse themselves daily in a hostile setting that constantly works to influence them in the ways of the world. They recognize that those with strong Christian upbringings are still vulnerable to the ungodly climate of the schools.

In Proverbs 4:11-15, King Solomon realized the vulnerability of his son, proclaiming his responsibility to train him in godly teachings and keep him from stumbling over the vices of this world.

Just as parents know that children are not prepared for war, many Christians believe that youth are not equipped to fend for themselves in the spiritual warfare taking place within schools.

A nationwide survey conducted by The Barna Group shows that 80 percent of Christian families send their children to public schools where their faith is attacked. Based on the study's findings, it appears that their kids are the ones being "evangelized" by the religion of secular humanism. More than half of their Christian teens believe Jesus actually sinned and only nine percent hold to moral absolutes, while 83 percent of children from committed Christian families attending public schools adopt a Marxist-Socialist worldview, reports the group.

For more statistics on Christians in education, click on The Barna Group.

Consistent with these figures, Christian producer and occult expert Caryl Matrisciana reports that 75 percent of public-schooled American youth brought up in Christian households disown their Christian faith by the first year of college. NHERI finds that this is only true for less than four percent of homeschooled youth.

Most home educators would not trade the blessings that homeschooling brings their families and society for the world."

Read the whole article here.

If adults have a hard time holding their own and staying true to what they believe in the face of adversity...how much harder is it for our children who have not yet had a firm foundation built for them? I think, for the majority, the statistic above is clearly our evidence...

they CAN'T.

My Favorite Homeschool Website

I am pretty picky when it comes to websites that I will visit since I am a mom to 8 and time is of the essence! There is one website that I have found myself drawn to over and over again for the great pictures (I'm a very visual person) and valuable information and that is:

Heart of the Matter Online

It is written by several homeschool moms and full of practical help---that even I find useful as a veteran homeschooler. I am enjoying especially Amy Bayliss, one of the contributing writers--here are a few of her practical articles:

15 Homemade Math Manipulatives

Creative Homeschooling: Mini Offices

Creative Homeschooling: Lapbooking/Notebooking

Are You A 'Real Homeschool' Mom? (all homeschool moms can appreciate the honesty in this article!)


What homeschool website do you visit to find encouragement?





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The Case For Christian Education

I am convinced that Christians desperately need to reevaluate their choices of educating their children. Here are a few reasons why:

This article is a must read--



Five Reasons Not to Send Your Children to Government Schools


I was shocked (but then not really) to see what is going on in some American public schools today:

We Are Going To Rape You -----*do not read this unless you are 18 or older*

Student Suspended For Exposing Classroom Chaos

Teacher Molesting Student

Children Banned from Saying Pledge of Allegiance to Not Offend Muslims

I did a little research on the educators who are in charge of public educating the children and it only got me upset:

Chicago Public Schools Give Their Students 'Birthday Sex' ---*do not read this unless 18 or older*

Govt. Education and the Deliberate Dumbing Down of America


Is homeschooling a viable option?:

Homeschoolers Score 34-39 Percentile Higher Than Norm on Standardized Tests

Homeschoolers Score High on ACT

Homeschoolers Rank in 83 Percentile in All Subjects

Homeschool Socialization Resembles Real World/Combating Being a Light In Schools

Homeschoolers Accepted At Ivy League Schools

Homeschool Hall of Fame (do you recognize these famous people?)

John Wesley on education:

" Let it be remembered, that I do not speak to the wild, giddy, thoughtless world, but to those that fear God. I ask, then, for what end do you send you children to school? “Why, that they may be fit to live in the world.” In which world do you mean, — this or the next? Perhaps you thought of this world only; and had forgot that there is a world to come; yea, and one that will last for ever! Pray take this into your account, and send them to such masters as will keep it always before their eyes. Otherwise, to send them to school (permit me to speak plainly) is little better than sending them to the devil. At all events, then, send your boys, if you have any concern for their souls, not to any of the large public schools, (for they are nurseries of all manner of wickedness,) but private school, kept by some pious man, who endeavours to instruct a small number of children in religion and learning together."

John Wesley actually thought this back then...
I wonder what he would say today?

And as if there weren't enough links here already, I thought I would add this last one in. While I don't agree with everything in this following article, it certainly left some powerfully interesting food for thought:




The Christian Education Manifesto



(Note: Pull up a chair and pour a cup of tea while you skim through these links. You are also welcome to use these posts on homeschooling to link to on your blogs or on Facebook to help others gain a better understanding of Christian homeschooling/education as long as used in a favorable light.)

Choosing A Christian Education

I believe it is vital to give our children a Christian education---not only is it superior to public education in teaching wisdom, character and the Word of God, as commanded in scripture, but it also avoids the godless teaching that is rampantly and unashamedly taught in American schoolrooms today .

I believe you can go through life having attained much knowledge but will not get very far if you have not attained the wisdom that comes from God's Word. Pastor Voddie Baucham has always been a staunch supporter powerfully defending Christian education, as many of you know if you have watched these videos in the past:





Public schools reject God's wisdom. They oppose God's word by teaching Darwinism, humanism, atheism and secularism.

There is not neutral ground.

If we are commanded to teach our children about the Word of God so that they will not forget Him, and we take this command seriously--why do we put our children under teachers who will mentor and disciple them for 14,000 seat hours and teach the exact opposite of God's Word?

Homeschool Organization At It's Finest

Homeschooling moms can get stressed and burnt out by not organizing well. It is vitally important to be organized so that our schools will run efficiently and that learning & teaching can occur at peak performance. If we are organized as we plan our lessons we will be on the right path of success as we travel along the adventurous journey of educating our children.

Here is a system that I have been using for organizing our homeschool that I cannot praise enough:



Angie at Many Little Blessings shares how she makes this system work for her school:

Homeschool Organizing

I have used a binder system in the past that I would carry around with me most of the time and still do that, but now I just pull out the folder for that week in advance and carry it around with me through the house. If I plan several weeks ahead I have a viable place to store it all and I have also made folders for each childs work, seasons, holidays, etc., so that when the time comes it is all there. I, personally, do not plan out the whole year (or every minute detail) but try to stay at least a week or two ahead since we need plenty of flexibility in our home of 10.

I believe homeschooling moms can get discouraged and overwhelmed by not organizing well and this is a huge solution to that problem. This system did not take long to set up and is now proving itself to be invaluable. Angie at By Sun and Candlelight show us another example with more details of what could possibly go on the inside:

The File Crate System



I liked her ideas because she advises to leave the crate out in plain view where you will see and use it. Because I am often at my desk where the files are and I have a regular planning time I don't need to have it out in view...but for those who need more visual reminders I definitely thought it was an excellent idea.

If you click on her label for organization you find will she has all kinds of great ideas for school and running the home. If you are organizationally challenged you definitely will go away inspired.

A well run, planned out school can make the difference from a boring, monotonous school to one that is alive with fun. It just takes a little planning. A game here, a manipulative there, a craft activity that coincides with what they are learning so that learning can overflow and concepts are reinforced.

Remember that *variety is the spice of life* and that holds true in homeschools, too!

Happy planning!

Homeschool Rooms

With a new school year around the corner I thought I would write a few posts to get us focused and encouraged on on homeschooling our little blessings. I have been working on the school room and looking for new ways to set it up differently, to be more functional and beautiful this year so I looked around online and found some inspiration:

Tiany has a wonderful sunfilled, happy space:


I like the peaceful colors here from Sheri's homeroom makeover at Green and Crunchy:


Love the spaciousness of this room here at School on a Hill:


Counting My Pennies had some good organizing ideas--love how the books are all lined up:


This reading nook by Mamamonk for the school looks cozy and she was so creative with this tree mural:


Even Nester has a great space:


How could I forget this writing center from The Write Start:


I thought this picture was probably pretty accurate for many homeschoolers:


If you are creating a special space for your children on whatever kind of a budget--large, small or nonexistent----remember...what matters most is the love that is put in it!

If you need more inspiration, you can click here and view over a 100 different homeschool rooms.

Happy planning!

Homeschool Support Groups in Northwest Indiana

Here is a list of local Christian homeschool support groups to connect with in the area:

HOMEBUILDERS- Merrillville, IN- Steve & June Fuentes- junefuentes@sbcglobal.net- website-
A family integrated group to support and encourage families to become stronger as they study the Word of God together.

CHENI-(Christian Home Educators of Northwest Indiana)- Crown Point, IN Karen Schlawin-jkschlawin@att.net-website

HERITAGE-( Home Educators Reaching Indiana Together As we Guide and Equip)-Merrillville, Crown Point, St. John, IN -April Millard-website

Homeschool Support Group-Kelly McManus-Crown Point-219-228-4535

Other:

Dwayla Lamb-email support contact of local groups, activities, homeschool sales, etc. uffdamom@eathlink.net

Northwest Indiana Homeschool Recycle

SHELL Classes- Darlene Melton

Homeschool Graduation: Shirley Clark

Regional Representatives: Philip and Anita Messner


If you know of a group that you would like to share please leave a comment with the information and I will be happy to add it.

Thank you!

Homeschoolers Score 34-39 Percentile Higher Than Norm on Standardized Tests

The most comprehensive survey of homeschoolers in America in more than a decade found a large gap between students educated at home and those educated in public institutions.

In the nationwide study conducted by Dr. Brian D. Ray of the National Home Education Research Institute, homeschoolers were found to have scored 34-39 percentile points higher than the norm on standardized achievement tests. The homeschool national average ranged from the 84th percentile for language, math, and social studies to the 89th percentile for reading, reported the Home School Legal Defense Association, which commissioned Ray to conduct the survey in 2007.

Read the article here.

Students Threaten "We Are Going to Rape You"

***This article is for adults ONLY, if you are 18 years or younger, please do not read this.***

Seventh-grade boys at Sunnyvale Middle School feared going to first-period PE class. They knew what might await them: Vicious sexual attacks by older eighth-grade students.

Throughout much of last school year, a pack of eighth-graders repeatedly threatened to sexually attack the younger students before and after class.

"They would say, 'I'm going to get you on Monday,' " recalled a 13-year-old seventh-grader, who told The Dallas Morning News that he witnessed the attacks almost daily. " 'We are going to rape you.' "

Read the rest here.

John Wesley on Education

Pastor Voddie Baucham does a eye-opening series called the Continuing Collapse of Education on his Truth In Love blog. Here is a sample:


Recently, I read a sermon by John Wesley entitled, “On Family Religion,” wherein he said some things that resonated with my soul. I am delighted to share them with you here:

13. Let it be remembered, that I do not speak to the wild, giddy, thoughtless world, but to those that fear God. I ask, then, for what end do you send you children to school? “Why, that they may be fit to live in the world.” In which world do you mean, — this or the next? Perhaps you thought of this world only; and had forgot that there is a world to come; yea, and one that will last for ever! Pray take this into your account, and send them to such masters as will keep it always before their eyes. Otherwise, to send them to school (permit me to speak plainly) is little better than sending them to the devil. At all events, then, send your boys, if you have any concern for their souls, not to any of the large public schools, (for they are nurseries of all manner of wickedness,) but private school, kept by some pious man, who endeavours to instruct a small number of children in religion and learning together.

14. “But what shall I do with my girls?” By no means send them to a large boarding-school. In these seminaries too the children teach one another pride, vanity, affectation, intrigue, artifice, and, in short, everything which a Christian woman ought not to learn. Suppose a girl were well inclined, yet what would she do in a crowd of children, not one of whom has any thought of saving her soul in such company? especially as their whole conversation points another way, and turns upon things which one would wish she would never think of. I never yet knew a pious, sensible woman that had been bred at a large boarding-school, who did not aver, one might as well send a young maid to be bred in Drury-Lane.

15. “But where, then, shall I send my girls?” If you cannot breed them up yourself, (as my mother did, who bred up seven daughters to years of maturity,) send them to some mistress that truly fears God; one whose life is a pattern to her scholars, and who has only so many that she can watch over each as one that must give account to God. Forty years ago I did not know such a mistress in England; but you may now find several; you may find such a mistress, and such a school, at Highgate, at Deptford, near Bristol, in Chester, or near Leeds.

16. We may suppose your sons have now been long enough at school, and you are thinking of some business for them. Before you determine anything on this head, see that your eye be single. Is it so? Is it you view to please God herein? It is well if you take him into your account! But surely, if you love or fear God yourself, this will be your first consideration, — “In what business will your son be most likely to love and serve God? In what employment will he have the greatest advantage for laying up treasure in heaven?” I have been shocked above measure in observing how little this is attended to, even by pious parents! Even these consider only how he may get most money; not how he may get most holiness! Even these, upon this glorious motive, send him to a heathen master, and into family where there is not the very form, much less the power of religion! Upon this motive they fix him in a business which will necessarily expose him to such temptations as will leave him not a probability, if a possibility, of serving God. O savage parents! unnatural, diabolical cruelty. — if you believe there is another world.

You Can't Handle The Truth

(Article by Voddie Baucham)

As a homeschool dad, I am used to people accusing me of “sheltering” my children. I hear it all the time (mostly indirectly). “You homeschoolers are doing your children an injustice by keeping them away from ‘real’ science and just giving them one side of the argument.” I love to see the looks on people’s faces when they discover that our children actually read more Darwin than those in Government Indoctrination Centers. That’s right; my children read, Darwin’s book, The Origin of the Species by Means of Natural Selection or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life (gotta love that racist title). Did you read that in school? I know I didn’t.

My children also read The Communist Manifesto, The Humanist Manifesto, and Mein Kampf, among others (again, who read this stuff in government school?). They are well versed in the arguments of the “other side.” In fact, they often find that they know more about Darwinism, socialism and secular humanism than those who claim to be champions of the aforementioned worldviews. Ironically, though, the true ‘sheltering’ of children is happening in the government schools. That’s right. While homeschool families are exposing their children to a broad range of literature and worldview arguments (and outscoring their government educated counterparts on every significant standardized test), it is the government school that suppresses opposition.

Read the rest here.

Govt. Education and The Deliberate Dumbing Down of America

(Article by Pastor Voddie Baucham)

If you think government education is ‘benign’, think again. Our school systems are insidious places. There is no such thing as morally neutral, or theologically neutral education. All education is discipleship, and every educator is a discipler. Moreover, no matter where you live, and no matter how many “Christian” teachers you have in your school, they don’t write or control the curriculum. The people calling the shots are people like Charlotte Iserbyt. Listening to her is like watching a Sci-Fi movie. If you don’t believe what she’s saying, ask a seasoned Christian teacher with a well-grounded biblical worldview.

School Chief Chooses "Birthday Sex' Singer As Role Model

(Article by Steve Fuentes at The Male Domain)

To kick off their "Back to School" campaign this year, Chicago Public Schools CEO, Ron Huberman, (an openly gay man who recently adopted a child with his gay lover), enlisted help from R&B star, and CPS graduate himself, Jeremih. "Great," you might say, "Wrong," I say. (Click for full article.)

Jeremih's biggest hit is a song entitled "Birthday Sex." It's about a young man wanting to give his girl what she "really" wants for her birthday..sex!

C'mon, CPS, c'mon Mayor Daley, you all speak about how our children are the future and how they need to be protected and "well" educated, and then you give them Jeremih as a role model, who's suppose to entice the kids to show at school on Sept. 8th, via Twitter updates. Seriously???

Read the entire article here.

Homeschool Graduate Defends Christian Education

(Article by Jasmine Baucham)

I am, indeed, sick and tired of a culture that grows more and more apathetic towards the gospel every day. And this battle seems to grow harder and harder with every news headline. But it's a battle that we've been commanded to fight (Matthew 28:18-20), a battle we knew would be difficult (Ephesians 6:12); it's a battle we've been given the resources to fight (Ephesians 6:10-20; 2 Timothy 3:16), and it's a battle that will be won (Matthew 16:18).

So where does Christian education fit into this battle? Well, nowhere if our desire to see Christian children given a kind of education that comes from a fear of the sinful world around us, or from a belief that we're better than other Christians because of the choices we're making. But, hopefully, that's not where our desire comes from.

First of all, it should come from God's Word, which speaks directly to the issue of Christians training their children intellectually, spiritually, philosophically, and moraly (see Deut. 6:6,7; Proverbs 1:7; Ephesians 6:4, ect.). The Scripture also has much to say about prtoecting ourselves from immoral influences on those same fronts (Psalm 1; Romans 12:1,2; 2 Corinthians 6:14ff; Colossians 2:8, etc.). Foremost, the decision to offer our children a Christian education should come from the precepts laid forth in God's Word. We are to take every command in God's Word seriously, from ministry to the lost, to ministry to and through our families.

Secondly, as children are being trained at home, taught to walk in the precepts of the Lord, they are becoming more prepared to fight in the cultural battles that their parents face every day. The same way we wouldn't expect a general to send an untrained man to the front lines of battle, we shouldn't expect untrained children to come out of 14,000 hours of anti-Christian indoctrination victorious. Instead of becoming "salt and light," they are more likely to become like their teachers (Luke 6:40). Is God's grace sufficient in every circumstance? Truly, it is, and Christian children can survive their public education experience; with godly, greatly-involved parents, they may, in fact, thrive and grow. However, though God's mercy endures, he has given us clear commands and responsibilities regarding education. My parents didn't homeschool me because they wanted to protect me from ever ministering to the lost and hurting world around me; part of the reason they homeschooled me was so that they could better prepare me to do so, from a solid foundation.

Read the rest here.

The Chrisian Homeschool-The Indispensable Key

Our homeschooling journey began 12 years ago when I had a neighbors daughter who was attending the local elementary school nearby came knocking on my door. "Hi Crystal, come on in." I welcomed her into our tiny little apartment. At the time my only daughter was only 4. Crystal had been coming over frequently and I had been blessed with the chance to share what I was learning in the Bible with her. But today she looked distressed.

"What's wrong?" I asked. Quickly she told me that she did not want to return to school, when asked why she stated the girls in her school had brought a gun. A gun? In elementary school? She did not feel safe. She said the girls did not like her and she was afraid. Tears welled in her eyes. She did NOT want to go back.

Girls with guns? Are you kidding? Remind you this was before all the school shootings like Columbine had taken place and before they began to place machines in schools to check for weapons.

This would be the same school I would be enrolling my only daughter in the following year.....in other words after hearing this---there was NO WAY she would be enrolling.

I had already been teaching her at home since she was two, because I was trying to see if I could really do this 'homeschool' thing that I had been learning about. When I first heard about homeschooling I laughed and quoted the infamous line--"Theres no way I could ever do that!" But after much prayer we felt the Lord leading us to it. Now we have been going steady for 14 years and seven more children later.


I am sharing this story with you because I want you to know how homeschooling has become an indispensable key to our family as we raise our children. What first started out as a safety measure, turned out to be a delightful journey as we soon learned that homeschooling offered many desirable variables such as teaching our children the Word without contradictory teaching, a chance to offer a better education, an opportunity to really get to know our children and for them to bond with their siblings, and platform to shepherd and disciple them with more hours in the day to do so, going at their own pace in subjects whether that be quicker or slower than the average classroom, liberty to teach different subjects, freedom from being enslaved to another's schedule and protecting them from unnecessary negative peer socialization. There's so much more I could add but will save this for another time.

I am sharing this in The Christian Mother Series because I want to share our experience of this wonderful option of giving our children a Christian education. Above all, I think homeschooling provides the priceless advantage of mentoring and discipling your children which is a challenge when your children are gone from you most of the day. Think about it, if you aren't doing this, who is? I think the media have proven time and time again that even teachers and classmates cannot to be entrusted with such a holy responsibility. Pastor Voddie Baucham recently wrote an excellent article making the case for Christian education that is truly a must read entitled Top Five Reasons Why Not To Send Your Children Back to Government Schools to get us all thinking outside the box.


While I am a strong advocate for homeschooling, I would like to add a word of caution. Many times parents look at homeschooling as their savior--thinking it will solve all their problems. Homeschooling is definitely an indispensable key and an invaluable one at that, however, it is only a' bridge' to accomplish the means to an end. See, it is a 'tool' that we use to accomplish the purposes that we want to see fulfilled in our children. We can homeschool and still raise rebellious, God-hating children, I have seen it happen. We can homeschool and give our children a poor education. The difference is in our willingness to train ourselves to apply diligence and wisdom. This is imperative is we desire to be the best mentors and teachers to them.

This post is absolutely NOT about judging those who public school or those who teach in the system, don't assume that for one minute. I am a product of public schooling so I speak from those experiences. This post is about offering an alternative to those who are seeking such. It is about rethinking and educating ourselves about the options that are available. It is about teaching and shepherding our children in whatever Christian environment we find best for them and for our family it happens to be homeschooling.

So, Mothers, let us evaluate the Christian education we are giving our children---whatever means we use-- and pray and ask God for wisdom in the vitally important area so our children will not be lacking. We must share with them our Christian heritage and teach them the Word so that this generation will not forsake Him.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." --James 1:5

(The Christian Mother Series, Part 8)

Student Suspended For Exposing Classroom Chaos

(Arielle Moore says her classmates constantly threw papers, flipped lights, and smoked in the classroom, making it an impossible learning environment)


Girl Suspended for Videotaping Unruly Math Class
Watch Video

Strobe lights and smoke in the air are common in a night club, but in a classroom?

An East Bay high school student says her classmates in math throw paper, smoke marijuana and cause constant disruptions in class but when she used her...

A freshman at Clayton Valley High School in Concord, California says that's just what she had to endure in algebra as her classmates went wild.

"People smoking marijuana in the classroom. They smoke cigarettes." Arielle said. "There was one kid who peed in a bottle and threw it across the room."

Arielle Moore used her cell phone to capture 30 seconds of the bizarre behavior she witnessed in her class so she could show her parents how hard it was to learn in the environment.

When school officials saw the chaotic snippet, they suspended a few students -- including Arielle. They say she wasn't allowed to videotape the classroom.

They eventually cleared Arielle's suspension.

Watch live video footage here.

(Source from San Diego News)

The Case for Christian Education

Voddie Baucham has recently written a post in defense of Christian Education, here is a snippet:

"The headlines speak for themselves. Student-teacher sex scandals, student-student sex, immodesty, foul language, drugs, alcohol, radical homosexual agendas, teachers taking students for abortions, “sexting” leading to suicide, sexually transmitted diseases, brutal beatings, and school shootings (see here). These are just some of the headlines that have become the norm. And that does not include things like cheating, disrespect for authority, impropriety towards the opposite sex, and other moral behaviors children learn regularly and repeatedly in school. Van Til said it better than I ever could:


“Non-Christian education puts the child in a vacuum…. The result is that child dies. Christian education alone really nurtures personality because it alone gives the child air and food…. Modern educational philosophy gruesomely insults our God and our Christ. How, then, do you expect to build anything positively Christian or theistic upon a foundation which is the negation of Christianity and theism?…. No teaching of any sort is possible except in Christian schools.”"

Read the rest here.

The Accusation

"Clearly there is an appropriate kind of sheltering. When those who are opposed to homeschooling accuse me of sheltering my children, my reply is always, 'What are you going to accuse me of next, feeding and clothing them?"

---R.C. Sproul Jr.

14 Days of Homeschooling

To the tune of "Twelve Days of Christmas."

On the first day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can you homeschool legally?"

On the second day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the third day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the fourth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the fifth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "YOU ARE SO STRANGE! What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the sixth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "How long will you homeschool, YOU ARE S0 STRANGE, what about P.E. , do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the seventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the eighth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E. do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the ninth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "They'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E. do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the tenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "What about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the eleventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "I could never do that, what about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the twelfth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can they go to college, I could never do that, what about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the thirteenth day of homeschool I thoughtfully replied: "They Can go to college, yes you can do this, they can have graduation, we don't like the prom, we do it cuz we like it, they are missing nothing, we'll homeschool forever, WE ARE NOT STRANGE!, We give them P.E., and we give them tests, they are socialized, AND WE HOMESCHOOL LEGALLY!

On the fourteenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "How can I get started, why didn't you tell me, where do I buy curriculum, when is the next conference, WILL PEOPLE THINK WE'RE STRANGE? I think we can do this, if you will help us, we'll join a sports team, and we'll homeschool legally."

From A to Z Home's Cool Homeschooling

Teachers Preaching Sermons

"In not mentioning God, my public school teachers preached a thundering sermon every day. By implication, they taught that God is not relevant to most areas of life...with every lesson, in every class period, all day every day for twelve years, I was being taught to think like an atheist in the academic realm. And I didn't even know that I was being indoctrinated."

---Christ Schlect, Scriptural Worldview Thinking

Luthers Warnings

In light of the recent school shootings in Cleveland, Ohio---I was very saddened as I came across this warning from the late Martin Luther during the Reformation:

"I am afraid the that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures and engraving them in the heart of the youth."

Northwest Indiana Christian Home Educator's Conference

Come one and come all to this year's Northwest Indiana Christian Home Educator's Conference! You will definitely be encouraged, inspired and gain a vision for your family and homeschool.

Who: Hosted by The Devine Family of Crown Point, IN

When: October 13th, 2007, 8:30 am-12:30pm

Where: Bethel Church, 10202 Broadway,Crown Point, IN

How: Register by emailing ourhomesuite@sbcglobal.net

Cost: $10 per person or $15 per couple (cash or check will will be taken at the door)

Childcare: Not provided, but children are welcomed to sit with parents

Speakers are as followed:

Herb and Rhonda Devine

Steve and June Fuentes

Dave and Darlene Melton

Daniel Devine

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Topics of Interest:

The Why Behind Homeschooling

Finding Encouragement

Highschool and Beyond

Teaching Methods and Resources

Training Small Children

Teaching and Discipleship

How Homeschooling Changes the Home

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Resources and refreshment will be available for purchase.

Hope to see you there!

Climbing Mt. Homeschooling

Climbing Mt. Homeschooling

Article from The Spunky Homeschool Blog

I was discouraged about the progress of our homeschooling recently. I dumped my tale of woe to my dear husband. (Over a Starbucks of course.) "Nothing seemed to going as planned." I lamented. "How did I ever think I could teach one child how to figure out the area of a circle, while training another to figure out the circular area in the bathroom? " I was having a classic, woe is me, meltdown moment.

My husband, the steady one, just listened attentively. Bless his heart, living with me all these years, he has learned it is better to listen than speak at times like these. Lest my pity party cross over into the dreaded "and it's all your fault" discussion. For which, I will later regret and have to make ammends. Finally exhausted, I paused for a few minutes to catch my breath.

"Do you know what it's like to climb Mount Everest?" he asked.

"No. You know me. If it has anything to do with athletics I'm blissfully clueless."

"Well, that's what you're doing."

"Huh."

"I just read an article on it. When you climb Mount Everest there are times of sheer endurance. Moments that test your stamina and ability to climb one foot higher. As you climb higher the pressure intensifies. You're in one of those times right now. But if you keep going you'll eventually get to the next camp. When you do, you'll look back down the mountain and wonder how you made it. But you made it. Then it's time to sit, rest, and acclimate yourself to the conditions at that level. That's just as important as the climb. You need to get used to the air at that level otherwise your brain can't handle the pressure. Then with a burst of energy you'll tackle the next climb only to be tested even more. The closer you get to the top the more strength it will take. But God has given us the ability to meet the challenges if we endure the hard times and rest as necessary. The challenge for you is not to give up when it's difficult. And not to rest too long that you don't go to the next level. "

That was the most encouraging thing he could say to me. He didn't try to pretend it would be easy. He perfectly described my atttitude and my struggle. He knew I wanted to continue. But the pressure of the moment were causing my mind to go a little crazy with anxiety.

Homeschooling our children is our goal. He was climbing it with me. But his strength gives him the ability to handle the struggles in a much different way. He can't climb the mountain for me. It is something I must learn to do, leaning on him and the Lord for guidance up to the top.

Curious, I decided to google how to climb Mount Everest . Here's a paragraph that I found:

"In life, and sometimes in death, Mount Everest has had a lasting effect on all of those who have challenged its heights. It can vanquish those who disrespect it, and mercilessly test those who honor it. Yet Everest is indifferent to your presence. Climb it and you will receive a lifetime dose of humility and exhilaration."

While no analogy is perfect, I think this might describe homeschooling.

It is a mountain to be climbed. We look at the summit from a distance below and wonder how am I ever going to get there from here. We hear the stories of those who have finished and wonder will we finish as well? Will my children be all that I envision them to be? More importantly, will they become all that God envisions them to be? " Mt. Homeschooling" will have a lasting effect on all those who have challenged its heights. I have been tested in ways I never imagined. Even with all the advanced preparation and research there are always unforseen challenges. . But just like Mount Everest I know that when I persevere and continue the climb to the top I will receive a lifetime dose of humility and exhilaration.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Phillipians 3:13-14

True Confessions of a Public High School Graduate

True Confessions of a Public High School Graduate

So there I was—my very first day in a public school, twelve years old, donning my most fashionable clothing, walking into the gymnasium full of glaring, unfamiliar faces. I was finally in the “real world”. For the previous seven years, I had attended a small Christian school and my soul ached to go to a “real school”. I liked it. But I admit, the first few days shocked me. And they should have. I had heard young people curse before, but not like it was their native language. I had even heard coarse jokes, sexual innuendos, and such; but I had not been aware of a society of children who wallowed in it. To my great detriment, there did come a day when I was no longer shocked. That day would change my life, my character, and my destiny forever.

I attended public high school in the eighties. (I have heard things have gotten even worse.) I boarded a bus around 7:15 a.m. There, as my character was still being molded, I witnessed cruelty, obscenity, and a total disregard for anything moral. When the bus approached Cindy’s house, everyone scurried to share a seat with someone else, even if there were three of four to that seat. There was always an empty seat for Cindy. Cindy was overweight, and poor. Her countenance revealed years of social abandonment and cruel regard. “Don’t sit with me! Sit over there! Oh no, she’s coming over here!” were the typical comments that welcomed Cindy onto the bus every morning.

Two of the “older” kids were usually in the back seat making out. The school bus seats were very high, for safety, (Ha! Save their bodies, destroy their souls!) and so one could do just about anything without being seen by the driver.

At only 8:00 in the morning, I had already witnessed enough wickedness to last a lifetime. Now we were at school. Soon I learned it was really cool to make fun of your teachers and hold a general disdain for any kind of academics. (When the majority of your day is spent with peers, they are naturally the ones for whom you want to “be cool”.) This was a conflict as I had a natural desire to please both peers and teachers. I spent the first few weeks of school crying. The new student has to be “broken in”, so all the girls made fun of me—for anything they could think of. When and if one persevered, this may pass.

Breaks between classes—that is what we looked forward to. You had one of several agendas: If you had a boyfriend/girlfriend, you must flee to him, exchange your fifth love letter of the day, possibly exchange some physical affection, and go back to class starry-eyed. Or if no lover, then you would flock together with your cronies and get the latest gossip. “Fight at 3:30 at the Shell station”…”Kevin and Amy broke up!”…”We made Mrs. Smith cry again today!” These were the gentle things of public school—the “innocence” if you will, of being a teenager—this was “real” life.

Then there were the other conversations exchanged here and there, before school, in the hall, at lunch, at PE, just about anytime. Those things that had shocked me at first. Those things, which having heard them enough times, began to be normal. “So-and-so lost her virginity last night”—she was fourteen. Parties, alcohol, drugs, etc., all very commonplace after awhile. Day after day, year after year, conditioning took place and I was no longer the frog jumping into boiling water.

So, after a year or two, I was one of them. Any reserve I held for sacred things had long dissolved. My Christian upbringing, the principles my parents had tried so diligently to instill had, at the very least, retreated so deeply into the recesses of my character as to appear invisible.

For thirteen years, the effects of this transformation gripped my life. I had once commented to my father, as he tried to make a decision about my going to public school, “You have raised me with a strong foundation…I want to go and share Christ with those kids…I am strong enough”. I was now rebellious, angry, confused, and wallowing in sin.

Today, by the grace and mercy of our Savior, I am a forgiven sinner, seeking after godliness, despite my many failures. So, “it all turned out to be OK in the end, right?” Wrong. The whole point of this article is to emphasize that the consequences of sin cannot be avoided, and they leave an ugly, painful trench in every life—even the life surrendered to God. I admit that my life is on a much smoother course than it could have been, by God’s grace. But did my renewed love for the Lord repair the damage that resulted from years of breaking His law, and being a companion to the wicked? Not a chance. I struggle much, and I know from where my struggle comes. And my heart grieves for the flippancy prevailing among parents this very day, as they turn their children over to Satan’s company to be devoured. I certainly do not blame my parents for my years of rebellion. I do not even blame them for sending me to public school—they didn’t know of an alternative. They did what they thought they had to do.

But now, on the other side of it, I am not ashamed to boldly challenge parents to think about their responsibility for the sanctity of their children. I cannot watch someone driving recklessly toward a cliff and not try my best to stop them! As Christians, we must search the Scriptures for wisdom in raising our children. And we must stop justifying our methods by saying, “Well, it doesn’t say_______anywhere in the Bible!” We must not see how little we can get away with, but rather strive for holiness, pressing toward the mark, seeking to resemble Christ as much as lies in us. I would plead with parents to realize the responsibility of being accountable for the children the Lord has given them. We need to be urgent, determined and devoted to guarding their hearts and minds. Let us commit to raising not mediocre children, bruised and wounded as they enter adulthood, but strong and mighty men and women, a godly generation with a legacy of purity!

(From Hearts For Family blog)