Be a More Inspiring Teacher

October 11, 2010 Jacob Irving

by Sue Otis

Originally published in September of 2006 under the LDS-NHA Quarterly Bulletin

Your task is not just an education. It is a religious education.

As you homeschool, you have the privilege of combining secular and spiritual education within your home. Secular education under the umbrella of the Priesthood will assist your children in coming unto Christ while advancing academically. The Spirit must be present to do this. Your task is not just an education. It is a religious education. It is an education that will allow your child to be academically advanced due to the influence of the Holy Ghost. It is the most exciting and wonderful adventure you can share with your child. What you are teaching is for eternity. You will be building an eternal relationship as you build up your child academically and spiritually. President David O. McKay taught, "After all, the technical learning is secondary, if we keep in mind the ultimate aim of the work. We must never lose sight of that. It is the Spirit which teaches the spirit." (Gospel Ideals, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1953, pg. 219).

The Lord describes effective teaching as teaching that edifies (see Doctrine and Covenants 50:21-22). To edify means to build up spiritually or to bring one closer to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. (Teaching the Gospel, A Handbook, Church Educational System, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, p. 2). All that you will do as you homeschool should work to edify. This will encourage your child to follow Christ with perfect commitment.

The 1st principle of edification tells us that each of us kept our first estate and has a divine nature and individual worth. Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 reminds us that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; while Abraham 3:26 reminds us, "And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever." The worth of your and your child's soul is the reason behind all of God's work on the earth. It is important to remember it as the reason behind what you do as a homeschooling parent. As you strive to emulate your Savior, you will support the worth of your child. Education under the Spirit will edify all involved.

Learning by the Spirit

These times of learning by the Spirit will allow both you and your child to use your moral agency in choosing the right, thus feeling the Spirit's influence. Moral agency is the opportunity to choose between good and evil according to one's desires, and is the 2nd principle of edification. The Lord will let us use this gift of agency even though it may be used to choose incorrectly; that is why the Spirit is so important during these learning times. You must have the Spirit present so that your child will know how to choose. As the Holy Ghost inspires you as a parent and teacher you willincrease your child's opportunity to make correct choices, increasing your ability to bring your child unto Christ. Your child's conditions in this life and his eternal happiness and progress will be impacted by your positive choices.

Remember, you set the example within your home of how our agency should be used. Be inspiring! Be excited as you learn together through the Spirit. Share the blessings that come through your righteous choices. During your learning time be positive, give encouragement, keep your voice gentle and calm, and build on current successes for future success. Help your child remember times when he felt the Spirit during his learning. Ask him to help you to repeat that success. As you encourage him you will help him to accept responsibility for having done a task, to develop a sense of accomplishment, and most importantly to know what the Spirit feels like in his life.

President Hinckley said "…I thought of what a great challenge this is for you to teach in such a way as to not only instruct but, more importantly, to inspire." ("A Challenging Time-A Wonderful Time, An Evening with President Gordon B. Hinckley," February 7, 2003, 1, quoted in "Instruct, But More Importantly, Inspire," by Steven T. Linford, Religious Educator, Vol. 6, No.3, 2005). The outcome of your teaching must be to inspire with spiritual power; thus you will help instill the gospel into the heart and life of your child. As you do this, your child will be edified by the light and truth of the gospel. Thus he will feel an increased desire and motivation to choose the right. Paul V. Johnson, while administrator of Religious Education for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, stated, "I really believe living the gospel is the single most important thing you can do to improve your teaching. It makes it possible to have the Spirit with you in your life as you prepare and teach your lessons and as you interact with your students. There is no substitute for the Spirit." (Paul V. Johnson, CES address to new hires, May 15, 2002 as quoted in "Instruct, But More Importantly, Inspire," by Steven T. Linford, Religious Educator, Vol. 6, No. 3, 2005)

This is an awesome and overwhelming responsibility, but the Lord promises in Doctrine and Covenants 50:22, "Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together." As you purify your motives and desires and come unto Christ, you will be edified to be a parent-teacher who edifies.

Trust is the 3rd principle of edification. One of the great assets you have in being your child's teacher is the relationship of trust that already exists. You can use this relationship to help your child trust in the Lord. Proverbs 3:5 asks us to learn to trust in the Lord with all our heart; and lean not unto our own understanding. As you display attributes of godliness and trust in the Lord, and your child sees you do that, he will learn to also trust the Lord. It will be important that you and your child form a relationship as learners-both learning from the Lord as you study together.

We need to be sure we don't get in the way of our child learning to trust the Lord. Bryce Dunford advises,” The Lord has declared that edification requires more than an inspired teacher. Students must receive `the word of truth…by the Spirit of truth' or else `it is not of God' (D & C 50:19-20). This process requires that children do more than just listen, even to a Spirit-filled instructor! Children must be given opportunities to receive learning by the Spirit of truth and should be taught how to do so. He tells us that truth is more readily learned when it is sought, and that truth is often more appreciated when it is discovered ("Hey, Teacher, You're in the Way" by Bryce Dunford, The Religious Educator, Vol. 6, No.3, 2005, pages 73-78). Be excited as you learn by the Spirit and share your excitement with your child. He will catch this excitement and want to learn by the Spirit and will be motivated to seek learning. Expect to learn from your child every day as they share what he has learned by the Spirit [AO1].

The 4th principle of edification is participation. As your child participates fully in his own learning, he will be rewarded with increased growth and development. Questions can create opportunities for your child to discover, to participate, and to reach greater depths of understanding. Discussions can be tools to inspire our children to inquiry. "The role of a teacher is much like an orchestra conductor who is there to keep order and give general direction and instruction. An orchestra conductor, however, does not produce the music. Your questions are the framework of the music of inspiration. Elder Richard G. Scott has taught, `Participation weaves the gospel into [the students'] very character.' Thus, the teacher's dominance decreases and the students' speaking, sharing and learning increases." (Richard G. Scott, CES satellite training broadcast, August 10, 2003 in Alan R., Maynes, "Creating Questions That Invite Revelation," The Religious Educator, pp. 31-41, Vol. 6, No. 3, 2005)

Live the gospel

Living the gospel requires diligence and commitment; so does participation. Each baby is born with these divine attributes. As your child holds tight to these attributes, he will be involving his heart, might, mind, and strength in all that he does and will be drawn unto Christ. This is the ultimate goal of all education, for then knowledge can truly "rain from heaven." President James E. Faust quoted Paul Harvey after he visited BYU as saying, "Each…young face mirrored a sort of …sublime assurance. These days many young eyes are prematurely old from countless compromises with conscience. But (these young people) have that enviable head start which derives from discipline, dedication, and consecration." (James E. Faust, "The Light in Their Eyes," Ensign, Nov. 2005, p. 20). You are giving your child a head start spiritually and educationally, and it will show in his countenance (see Alma 5).

The 5th principle of edification is the need to keep our eye single to the glory of God (see Doctrine and Covenants 88:67-68). As we sanctify ourselves, our minds achieve that singleness of purpose and direction. Each experience in learning and living the gospel should strengthen our yearnings to accept God, give glory and honor to Him, and to move further away from worldliness, selfishness, and sin. Our Savior showed us this example as He constantly gave glory to His Heavenly Father both in the pre-existence and during his earthly mission. He taught that as we gain in power and ability, so too must we gain in meekness and obedience.

Help your children to gain in meekness and the desire to use their learning for the glory of God and in His service as the Savior taught. Allow them ways to serve using their new knowledge and experience. As they share new knowledge at Family Home Evening, make that experience more of a teaching opportunity than a performance or competition. This is a fine line but a very important one. Allow them ways to visit the sick and the widows to share their new knowledge. Let them serve their younger brothers and sisters. Set that example constantly in your home by teaching and serving with meekness, not with performance or pride.

The 6th principle of edification is that if we are one as a family, we are God's. John 17:17-23 teaches unity. Verse 19 is especially instructive to parents for we too must sanctify ourselves so that our children may see that example and be sanctified through truth. As you are one within your family then you will be one with the Father and His Son. The Savior reminds us, "If ye are not one ye are not mine" (Doctrine and Covenants 38:27). As you live gospel principles you will encourage this unity within your home and open the gates to heaven for your child's learning and coming unto Christ. This is one of the great blessings of homeschooling. As you live these principles you will encourage your children to love the Lord and to try to be like Him.

One of the most important aspects of edification is vision: having an eternal, spiritual perspective. It is the 7th principle. Children have this perspective naturally. We just have to make sure they don't lose it as they grow. A major effect of the influence of the Holy Spirit is increased vision or seeing things more as God does. Between the years of 3-8, before baptism, your child will be watching your interaction with the Holy Ghost. As you share the influence of the Holy Ghost in your life, you will keep this eternal vision alive in your child and prepare him for baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.

We are warned that, "If the principles of edification are violated by either teacher or student, the Spirit will be grieved and religious education, or gospel learning, will be lessened-perhaps even stopped altogether" (Teaching the Gospel-a Handbook, Church Educational System, 1994, p. 3).

Never doubt the power of the influence your example is making on your child. Your excitement for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for learning will be a powerful one for good. As you live these principles of edification, your influence will increase the influence of the Holy Ghost on your child.

Let's review briefly the principles of edification I've discussed.

Your child successfully kept their first estate and has individual worth and divine nature. Your child came to earth with commitment and diligence.
Your child has been given moral agency and the ability to choose good from evil.
Trust develops within members of a family when they acquire attributes of godliness.
Your child will grow as they participate and this growth requires effort, diligence, and commitment.
As your child maintains the Spirit, his vision is increased, and he has a greater desire and determination to become more like God.
If we are not one as a family, we are not God's.
As we are sanctified within our family our "minds will become single to God."

These principles of edification lay the groundwork for all you will do. Review them often to make certain you have not gone astray in your anxiousness to teach. True teaching and learning must be built upon these principles or they will not teach. Each of these principles constantly requires our very best efforts and will be rewarded with the blessings of a loving God.

About the Author

After a senior mission with her husband, Roger, and having been involved in LDS based private education for 20 years, Sue has recently made the switch to homeschooling for her grandchildren. She is the mother of 6 and looks forward to sharing her love of learning and of the gospel with 6 precious grandchildren. Sue is now writing curriculum for homeschoolers based on her years of teaching. She is the author of LINK System of Interpersonal Communication, The Learning Books and Reach for Gospel Phonics and plans many other materials. She is excited to now be involved with LDS homeschooling families.

Back-to-School Breakfasts

October 11, 2010 Sasha Takis

Breakfast is the first challenge of every day in a house full of children. If I’m not on my game, little lips will whisper the question, “What’s for breakfast?” in my ear before I even get out of bed, which is the equivalent of starting a foot race 5 minutes after the starting gun goes off. This year being on top of breakfast—and my entire day—will be even more necessary as my oldest child begins to go off to Seminary every morning. As all of us prepare to embark on a new chapter of our homeschool adventures, I thought I’d share a couple of breakfast recipes that help me meet the challenge of morning.

Bran Muffins (aka 6-Week Muffins)
2 cups All Bran*
2 cups boiling water
Pour water over bran and let it stand.

Cream together:
2 cups sugar
1 heaping cup shortening
4 eggs
1 quart buttermilk
4 cups Bran Buds*

Add the All Bran mixture and then mix in:
5 cups sifted flour
4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Mix well. Fruit may be added if desired.

This keeps in the fridge for 6 weeks in a covered container. Just take out what you want and bake it at any time. Bake at 350 until done.

*Any whole grain cereal can be used here. Grape Nuts work really well and have a great flavor.
**************************************

Icebox English Muffins
1 ½ cups sugar                                   ½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup butter                                       4 teaspoons baking powder
2 eggs, beaten                                  4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt                                 2 cups milk

Cream butter and sugar; add eggs. Combine dry ingredients and add alternately with milk to creamed mixture. Sprinkle with topping and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
½ cup chopped nuts.

This batter will store in the fridge for 3 weeks in a tightly covered container. It is versatile; sometimes I add berries, sometimes flavored baking c hips.

Here’s to a good start on many wonderful days of mothers and children feasting together on food and knowledge around family tables everywhere!

You can leave your thoughts, comments or suggestions here on my feedback page. Thanks!

- Sasha

Be a More Inspiring Teacher

October 11, 2010 Guest Author

by Sue Otis

Originally published in September of 2006 under the LDS-NHA Quarterly Bulletin

Your task is not just an education. It is a religious education.

Learning by the Spirit

Live the gospel

Let's review briefly the principles of edification I've discussed.

Your child successfully kept their first estate and has individual worth and divine nature. Your child came to earth with commitment and diligence.
Your child has been given moral agency and the ability to choose good from evil.
Trust develops within members of a family when they acquire attributes of godliness.
Your child will grow as they participate and this growth requires effort, diligence, and commitment.
As your child maintains the Spirit, his vision is increased, and he has a greater desire and determination to become more like God.
If we are not one as a family, we are not God's.
As we are sanctified within our family our "minds will become single to God."

About the Author

Activities Abound!

August 16, 2010 Guest Author

by Kami Huntzinger

Originally published in September of 2007 under the LDS-NHA Leaders' Post

Homeschoolers are an eclectic bunch with all different kinds of personalities, needs, and time constraints. In addition, homeschoolers lead very busy lives. For this reason, it is important to make our activities be natural and valuable extensions to our homeschool curriculum. As homeschool leaders, the challenge is to balance group activities so that there is something for everyone. Here are different types of activities that will appeal to different families and individuals:

1. Clubs.

There can be a club for just about any interest, skill, or timeframe. You can have book clubs and hiking clubs and girls clubs. There are crafts clubs, cooking clubs, chess clubs, drama clubs, entomology clubs, and sports clubs. There are homeschool Scout Troops and American Girl Clubs. And don't forget writing clubs, archery groups, and leadership clubs. Any kind of interest can lead to the formation of a club.

These are often the most time consuming of homeschool activities because they require a regular commitment. But they can also be very rewarding as your children meet others with similar interests and create lasting friendships.

2. Academic Activities.

These activities can supplement your homeschooling in a very real way. Academic activities such as Science Fairs and International Nights give your children a chance to share what they have been learning. My children work hard on their Science Fair projects, knowing that they will be talking to other people about it and being judged. The simple ribbon given there is a reward that I can't match at home.

Other academic activities, like Geography or Spelling Bees, give your children needed motivation for learning a subject that they might not find so interesting until it is presented as a competitive game.

Some activities might actually steer the direction for what you study at home. Getting together with other people can be a real incentive for learning. Several years ago, someone in our homeschool group organized a Medieval Night. My family really wasn't scheduled to study that for a while, but my children were so interested in it that we chose to get into it right then with the purpose of attending that activity.

Academic activities are a very important component of our homeschooling program. I try to keep abreast of the homeschool and community calendar to determine if there are activities that can help shape our curriculum. In addition, if I know that we are going to be studying something specific, I quite often look around for a group of people with similar interests and organize a group to get together-sometimes just once; other times monthly, quarterly, or weekly-to do activities related to that topic. My children love it and it gives us the motivation to put together larger activities that we might not do on our own.

3. Performing Arts Activities.

Believe it or not, there are some people crazy enough to volunteer to take a group of rowdy kids and turn them into a first-rate choral group! Participating in a homeschool play or musical is a great opportunity for kids to work hard on something fun while making new friends.

It can be fun to have a homeschool music night where everyone brings their instruments and jams together. Younger children can play triangles and bongo drums-it's a bit crazy, but lots of fun. Or you can limit it to a smaller group of more mature musicians for a more sedate, but fun, experience. Or you might organize a homeschool band or orchestra. A Talent Show might give a much-needed venue for performing.

Also look around for people willing to teach homeschool music, dance, or art classes. Often it is great for teachers because they can have students while everyone else is in school. They might even give discounts (it's always worth a try!).

4. Crafts Activities.

There are so many ideas I can't even begin to name them all. You can have a clay play day or a collage party or a bead-stringing workshop. There is origami, mask-making, and homemade paper. You can have candle-making, knitting, or soap- making classes. You can get together and make Christmas gifts or Valentine crafts. And, of course, everyone loves Tie-Dye Day. You can have crafts clubs (for older kids or younger kids or even the moms!). Homeschool scrapbooking groups can be a lot of fun.

"Middle Ages" crafts or "Astronomy" crafts. There are lots of ideas on the Internet and at the library.

5. Sports Activities.

Because homeschoolers aren't in organized P.E. classes, they don't always get the chance to play different sports. It can be fun to have a homeschool sports day in which you alternate the sports they play each time (try kickball, dodgeball, soccer, baseball, basketball, etc.) Or you can have a mom or dad teach a one-day or multi-day class on one particular sport. My children had never played tennis until a mom in our group organized a tennis day. She explained the rules, showed them some drills with the balls, and let them practice. Not the equivalent of professional lessons, but exactly what my kids needed to learn the rudiments of the game. We can't put our kids in every sports league, so these kinds of activities give them a chance to try something new.

In addition, you can ice skate, bowl, canoe, or snowshoe with homeschool groups. Sometimes you can get discounts on any of these activities if you do them during school hours. Our local ice-skating rink gives free one-hour classes to school groups and the homeschoolers qualify. Check out your local resources.

6. Team-building Activities.

Many of the activities already discussed may qualify as a team-building activity, but I made this a separate category because I believe that it deserves attention of its own. These types of activities build lasting relationships that are important to homeschoolers.

A team-building activity may be a one-time event that allows the children to work together as a group to accomplish a purpose-for example, a scavenger hunt or a field day. Or it may be a group that meets together regularly to accomplish some purpose, such as preparing for a Mock Trial or putting on a play. Whatever the activity, it allows for kids to have something to do while they take the time to relax and open up. These types of activities can be very important for building group identity and strengthening friendships
.
7. Field Trips.

Everybody loves to explore new places. Many field trips are just a phone call away. Last year, our homeschool group did a science week. We organized 11 field trips to science-oriented companies in our little valley. Most of these trips were not done through contacts or people we already knew. Instead, we cold-called companies that we knew did something with science and engineering and asked if we could have a tour. All but one or two were more than happy to let us come. If you have an interest in anything, find a place that does it and visit. Many people are happy to share their work with us.

For more standard field trip destinations, large groups often get discounts or special tours. Don't hesitate to ask. Field trips are a great way for homeschoolers to meet others while learning something new.

8. Service.

Service activities help us to look outside of our own lives and see the needs of others. Doing service with a group can make it more fun. And by putting it on the calendar, we make sure that it will be done! (How many times have we thought about a kind service that we could do, only to have it slip through the cracks of our busy lives?) In addition, by allowing our children to spot the opportunities and organize the activity, we are teaching them compassion and leadership skills.

9. Social Activities and Special Events.

These activities have socialization as their primary purpose. Play groups, Park Days, and Ice Cream Socials. Christmas and Valentine Parties, Fall Festivals and Homeschool Dances. They are lots of fun and definitely need to be a part of all homeschool groups. However, as a parent, I want these activities to be special occasions instead of weekly time-fillers.

10. Parent Support.

Finally, we come to the moms and dads! Parents need activities, too. As a mom, I look forward to meeting with and talking to other moms in the same situation as myself. In addition, I love to attend conferences and classes that teach me an array of skills to improve myself. It is nice to socialize with moms during the children's activities, but it is also nice to have an occasional adult activity. Book clubs, Parent Nights, and Conferences all meet those needs.

I haven't even scratched the surface of the variety of activities available to homeschoolers. You are only limited by time and imagination.

About the Author

Kami lives in beautiful Cache Valley, Utah, with her husband and four children. She started homeschooling as a child when she used to make her little brother and sister sit down for lessons. She is an active leader in the Cache Valley Homeschoolers, where she puts on a yearly Science Fair and accompanying activities.

Duty to God...

August 16, 2010 Dana Wood

As I sat in on the Young Men President’s introduction to the new Duty to God program a few weeks ago, I was stuck by two things - how well this program trains the young men to be ready to use the “Preach My Gospel” program when they are missionaries, but also how well the new model for the program will and should be working for us in our home schools.

The greatest changes to the program are the Learn, Act, and Share. The young man is instructed to learn about a topic and then set goals that will help him make what he has studied a part of his life. The goals are personal and can be big or small as the young man chooses. After setting the goals the young man then acts by working to accomplish the goals he has set. Once he has set and accomplished the goals he is asked to share his experiences with his quorum, friends or his parents. This is a form of return and report and, as the manual says, will strengthen his testimony of what he is learning and will strengthen the testimonies of those he shares with. This will help the young man share personal experiences with those he teaches not only on his mission, but throughout his life. The gospel teaching becomes personal, not just academic.

I was struck by how this is the model we need to follow in our homeschools. This is the next step in our search for excellence and a Zion education for our children.

When we use the public school as our measuring stick of how our homeschools should run, it is easy to get overwhelmed and frustrated that we cannot accomplish all that is required in the 12 years allotted to us. There is so much! But when we take the time to break it down to what we really want our children to be when they graduate from our homeschools, for many of us academics is not at the top of the list. At the same time we want our children to ready for college or whatever their life’s mission has in store for them.

How can we use the model of the new Duty to God program to help us? First, we prayerfully consider what our goals are for each of our children for the coming year. What are their weakness and strengthens? What do we think are the most important things to be done in the coming year? What can we do to help them develop their talents and abilities? Do they need help in certain areas either temporally or spiritually? We need to choose only a few- too many and it will be overwhelming and discouraging for both us and our children.

One of the ways that our family does this is with school blessings at the start of the school year. Then I meet with each of my children and we talk about the things Heavenly Father thinks they should focus on and encourage them to find ways to work on those things.

After we have those areas of focus, then we help them set goals that help get them where we want them to be. When our children have input into their goals, then they own them and are more willing to accomplish them.

As they work at achieving their goals we have them report their progress to us, not to brow beat them but to encourage and redirect as necessary. As they study throughout the year we can have them report at FHE, for example, or at the dinner table, the things they have studied that interested them most or gave them the most trouble before they finally conquered it. This will help them see they are actually accomplishing and learning right through the year.

My family has used the return and report idea in several ways. At dinner the kids like to tell their dad the things they did that day for school or something they learned they think is cool. That can lead to some interesting discussions and debates! Another thing we like to do is have a game night where we play a Trivia game with questions from the science or history unit we have just completed. I have had my elementary aged kids give their older siblings a run for their money! We also like to do history nights where we have food from the country or time in history we have studied. Then we have displays or plays or whatever the kids come up with to round out the evening.

One of my kid’s favorites is our monthly talent night. Sometimes this bombs, but more often than not it is a great way for my kids to show off. They can play a song they are learning, showcase art work, recite a poem, tell a joke, or perform a skit- it doesn’t matter. Everyone has to do something, even mom and dad. Sometimes they combine their efforts and can come up with some really fun stuff. Since my kids are musically inclined the evening usually ends with a sing-a-long, building memories and strengthening family ties.

I am always amazed at the development of the new programs in the church. They are moving us step by step toward our Savior and our Heavenly Father. I believe we can do the same things this program teaches with our families and our homeschools as we work to perfect a Zion education.

You can leave your thoughts, comments or suggestions here on my feedback page. Thanks!

- Dana

What I Learned On My Summer Vacation...

July 26, 2010 Guest Author

by LDS Homeschooled Students

We asked homeschooled students of all ages to write short essays explaining what they learned during the summer vacation. These are the responses we received... originally published September 2006

My neighbor Rachel was selling cool-aid to save money to buy a motor scooter. My sister and I decided to help her sell cool-aid. I rode my bike to tell other neighbors about the cool-aid stand. I did get some friends to come buy cool-aid drinks. I was very tired but I learned that I felt very good helping someone instead of getting money for myself.

Hitomi Hilton, age 7 Smithfield, Utah

This summer I learned some pretty important lessons. I learned both spiritual and temporal lessons. The most important lesson is that Heavenly Father does answer our prayers. My family and I were taking thirty-two hour driving trip from Texas to California. Before we left, I said a personal prayer and asked for “a safe and eventful trip” because the drives are always boring. My prayers were answered. We were safe, but it was an eventful trip. After three hours of driving, the air conditioner in the car went out. Temperatures reached 109 degrees. That night, just as my parents had decided that they would drive all night and sleep in a hotel during the day so we would travel in the cooler time periods, we blew a tire. That was another of the eventful parts. The safe part of it was that we were in the right hand lane of the highway when the tire blew and could pull off easily. We had a spare tire. The exit was less than a quarter of a mile away with both a hotel and a tire repair shop. If you have ever traveled in West Texas, you would know that there are stretches of miles with nothing around. This was definitely a blessing. This summer has had its important lessons. Whether spiritual or temporal, they have been life-long lessons. One of the biggest lessons I learned is to be careful of what you pray for because Heavenly Father does hear us.

Ricky Blomquist, age 14 Houston, Texas

I learned about Ancient Egypt and how the people would bury and mummify pharaohs. I learned how to fish and I learned how to swim (except I already knew how to swim because I do swim lessons every summer). I learned that you must have patience even though you don’t want to and that you don’t have to call everything you get mad at stupid. I learned from my aunt that you should play with toys anyway, even if you don’t want to clean up. I had a great summer and I learned a lot.

Ptolemy Takis, Age 10 Nibley, Utah

I love learning about Egypt. I love watching movies about Egypt. I love it very much. I love drawing pictures of Egypt. I like the Scooby Doo movie* because it’s really, really funny. *Scooby Doo in “Where’s My Mummy”

Ptobias Takis, Age 5 Nibley, Utah

We’re doing a unit on ancient Egypt this summer. Egypt is in the desert. A desert gets less than ten inches of rain per year. The desert is the hottest place in the world. The Nile River is the only flowing water in Egypt. Without the Nile the Egyptian civilization would have never existed. I made a model of the Nile River valley. I learned how the ancient Egyptians mummified the pharaohs. We are mummifying a chicken to make our own mummy. We also got to play “Archaeologist.” It has been a great summer learning about Egypt.

Ptolian Takis, Age 8 Nibley, Utah

Problem or Strength?

July 26, 2010 Kari Brimhall

I talked with a frustrated parent the other day, her child had been labeled as a disruption. At her wit's end, she confided that she knew deep down her child was not a failure like the teacher had declared. She had high hopes and aspirations for her child and saw talent and worth where the teacher only saw a talkative restless child.

I pulled out this list that someone gave me long ago (source unknown) to share. It had calmed my fears then, and continues to give insight now.

Is your child's behavior a problem or a strength?
How YOU perceive a behavior may hinder or enhance it's real meaning.

Problem

Strength

quiet

Inner directed

bossy

Good director/leader

clingy

Connected

tattle tail

Justice seeker

stubborn

Focused/committed determined

fussy about food, clothing

Discriminating

talks back

Courageous/honest

too talkative

Relates well to others

Finicky eater

Future gourmet/discriminating

Doodles

Creative

Dawdles

Easy going

Nosey

High curiosity

Non-conformist

Likes attention/independent/
Assertive/persistent

Mouthy

Expressive

Spoiled

Loved

Mean

Power-seeker

Crabby

Speaks out needs

Wants attention

Speaks out needs

Sneaky

Inventive

Compulsive

Efficient

Silly

Fun loving

Goofy

Untamed creativity

Loud

Expressive

Plain

Natural

Shy

Inner directed

Timid

Careful

Dependent

Connected

Domineering

Charismatic

Conceited

Self loving

Fearful

Careful risk taker

Rigid

High sense of order

Guarded

Watchfully observant

Hysterical

High level of emotion

Troublemaker

Bored/sees the activity as irrelevant

Jokester

Highly intelligent/looks at things in new ways

Day dreamer

Optimist/future thinking

We all know a Brianna who was fussy about her clothes and later worked in a clothing store, (besides looking great all the time!) Or, Tom who was always domineering, and now runs his own successful business.

Your stubborn child may use that intense focus to become a successful athlete or the child that is compulsive in her school work now excels in her very detail-orientated accounting job. Often we must see beyond the world's immediate judgment of our child and recognize their strengths to build them into the men and women they were meant to be.

You can leave your thoughts, comments or suggestions here on my feedback page. Thanks!

- Kari

Independence and Appreciation

July 12, 2010 Sasha Takis

It’s the 4th of July today and my family has had no barbecue, no fireworks. We’ve participated in none of the usual Independence Day traditions, yet it’s been the best celebration of independence and America ever, and I am ever so grateful. Today we’re finishing a two-week road trip that has shown us much of America, and I can’t help but reflect on a few particular freedoms that are especially dear to me as a homeshooler.

I am thankful for this beautiful, promised land. In the past 2 weeks we’ve been in 8 states. Katherine Lee Bates penned it well when she wrote “America the Beautiful.” I can’t top that, but I can relate. And so can my children. “Amber waves of grain,” “purple mountain majesties,” and “fruited plains” greeted us throughout our journey, along with lone farm houses and skyscrapers—testaments to both God’s grace and power and man’s toil and industry. I am grateful for the foresight and preservation that keeps National Parks and Monuments unspoiled and accessible; for the passion of historians who restore and protect, that the voices of those who’ve gone before can still be heard by my children and their children. I am thankful that as homeschoolers we can not only study geography and history (and geology, biology, paleontology, etc.), but we can see it, breathe it, live it—every day. The world is our classroom.

I am thankful for the friendly faces of Americans everywhere who enjoy the same freedoms we do. There were families needing to see our car so they could mark off Utah on their License Plate Bingo cards. There were park rangers and missionaries who took large amounts of time with my children and shared their love of learning. There were patriots stirring a love of God and country in my children through song and ceremony and recognition of veterans. We met so many people who enjoy the same sights, sounds, smells, and pastimes we do. There were differences among us, yes, but we had far more in common with all of them than one might suspect. I am glad my children can learn not to judge books—or people—by their covers.

As we spent every second together for the last 2 weeks, I was glad to see that it wasn’t a strain because we always spend time together. Older siblings helped and watched out for younger; everyone knew what would interest another family member; there are many, many things the entire family mutually enjoys. I am so appreciative of each one in my family. How grateful I am that through homeschooling we get to share the best hours, days, and years of our lives voyaging mortality together.

I am eternally grateful for my family’s knowledge of the gospel and for the guidance and safety it provides. As my children encountered lifestyles contrary to our beliefs, we were able to openly discuss modesty, chastity, and the Word of Wisdom and why we live the way we do. When the missionaries we met shared their experiences and enthusiasm, they inspired us and reinforced resolves to serve missions. Standing in holy places throughout America touched our hearts and strengthened our testimonies. In our travels we were able to find and share analogous lessons that demonstrated gospel teachings. I was reminded of a conversation I overheard in a bookstore a few weeks ago, wherein a public school teacher, who was looking for some bargain books, was telling her companion that she couldn’t use any books that taught or promoted values in her classroom because it was against the rules. I was so sad for her students (and her), and so thankful that in all I do in my homeschool I have the freedom to do just that—teach and promote values and correct principles.

It’s been a wonderful adventure. At the close of this article, we’re getting our 4th of July fireworks after all. We are somewhere in the middle of Wyoming, where a little community is having a large and amazing fireworks display, oddly disproportionate to the size of the town, but a fitting finale for our trip. As we pull over to watch, my 5-year-old daughter suggests, “Mommy, let’s sing the flag song. You know—the one from the baseball games.” My thoughts and our journey come to an end. I sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” with my little one, and marvel again at every second of this excursion. My attention begins to turn to the familiar, and yet it’s cliché, it’s true: there’s no place like home. That goes for learning, too. I’m just glad my home is America.

You can leave your thoughts, comments or suggestions here on my feedback page. Thanks!

- Sasha

Oh What Do You Do in the Summertime?

July 12, 2010 Lisa Goff

Here's the season's most frequent question: Do you continue with school through the summer? This question comes from people who obviously don't realize that children really are learning all the time, summer or not! So, yes, I let them put their math books away but other than that summer looks about the same as the rest of the year. Here's a glimpse at some of the things we've been "studying."

In April my older boys and I visited a Macaw rescue facility. We learned about everything from macaw mating habits to the reasons for rainforest destruction. The field trip fit in nicely with what's turned into a year-long study of birds. My nine-year-old studied birds for Science Olympiad, and my twelve-year-old just finished his bird merit badge, all the kids have been pouring over our bird encyclopedia from Costco and we've been closely watching the nest of baby robins hanging over our deck. We’ve also been very busy learning how to raise chickens this spring. You'd never believe how excited the boys were when we spotted a red cardinal in Illinois (my nine-year-old informs me that the cardinal is their state bird).

My oldest son has spent several hours this spring working with his Aunt to paint a mural on the wall of his bedroom. Art is a never ending event around here. Sometimes I think it would be nice to just have one single day where the school table wasn't littered with paper, colored pencils, pipe cleaners, markers, scissors, tape, glue guns, beads (you get the picture) but I don't really have it in me to stifle their creative impulses! When my seven-year-old isn't busy drawing he's usually building something. Here's a picture of one of his creations (it's a boat going under a bridge).

My olderboys are learning to scuba dive this summer.We gave them lessons for their birthdays last year and it's taken us this long to get around to doing them! They won't be doing any open water dives but they are having a great time in the pool and my oldest is already begging to do his open water class.

Cooking has been all the rage this spring. The boys are both becoming rather accomplished chefs. My twelve-year-old has learned to bake a whole list of Gluten Free items (I’m gluten-intolerant so his help is much appreciated!) and my nine-year-old has started inventing recipes for his first cookbook. Tonight he made gluten free, cinnamon/ chocolate/maple bars and they were amazingly good!

When we went camping both the older boys learned how to chop wood. This is not a subject they teach in school but maybe they should. My husband said a couple of college guys came by and asked to use our ax, the only problem was neither of them knew what to do with it!

After all that chopping the boys worked on their fire building skills. Later that night as we watched the fire my twelve-year-old actually ran to get a notebook so he could write down words describing fire. He wanted them so he could write a poem when he got home.

This summer my nine-year-old decided to become a reader. He's been a good reader for a long time but he never really liked to read, then last month he finally caught the literary bug. Now he's tearing through 3-4 books a week. It's hard to be too annoyed that I can't get him to do anything because he always has to "finish his page".

Our other passion this time of year is the garden. My second son is growing 11 different squash plants and my oldest just built a raised bed for his herb garden, he also volunteered several times this spring at a local nursery. My daughter loves to help with anything that involves dirt!

And last but not least we are learning how to play Frisbee golf! I don't think there is a better way to spend a summer evening!

Summer is a wonderful time tostep back from traditional studies and see how much children are learning when we aren’t “doing school”!

You can leave your thoughts, comments or suggestions here on my feedback page. Thanks!

- Lisa

We are Proud to be American

June 28, 2010 Starla Hale

I don't know about you, but every 4th of July I am always surprised and disappointed at, how many people, young and old, do NOT show respect to our beloved colors as Old Glory passes by, not to mention, stand when our national anthem plays. What has happened to us? Didn't their mother's teach them?

More and more each year, I think we take for granted the precious freedoms that we enjoy each and every day. Have we forgotten the courage and sacrifices of the many men and women that so willingly gave their lives so we can enjoy liberty? Are we unaware of how few rights other countries have?

I determined a long time ago as this ‘behavior' was becoming more commonplace, that I wanted to make a difference, to be part of the solution and not the problem. But where to start? Well, "There's no place like home!" Why not? We are each raising future American citizens in our homes. Don't we want them to be the best they can be? Don't we want to raise responsible, law-abiding American citizens? Do they know what it means to be a good citizen? Teach them about our brave God-fearing founding fathers and our inspired Constitution.

First, we became more diligent about standing with our hands over our hearts with one child holding our little classroom flag and leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance as part of our daily devotionals. We also studied the words to the Pledge and what the colors of the flag stood for, as well as how to take care of our flag. [This goes great with some of the scout requirements.] We played lots of great patriotic music to get us in the mood.

When our children started getting a little older we began a tradition of having a block party every 4th of July. We invited people from the ward and our neighborhood - we've had as few as 12 and as many as 60. We worked hard to put it all together, but the good feeling stuck with us long after the last person left. We spent the weeks before cleaning up the yard just right, sending out invitations, making or buying that ‘special new decoration' for our celebration, planning games, and buying fireworks for the evening show. These simple "tasks" taught our children - service, pride in the work they did, creativity as they designed our invitations and after time, our oldest daughter even took over dad's job of designing our yearly patriotic t-shirts that we wore as a family.

As for the food - we had an old-fashioned potluck. Everyone brought something to share, their own choice of meat to cook, and chairs or blankets to sit on. We figured if we ended up with 7 bags of chips then we had chips, but we usually did just fine. As a general rule, we provided an ice chest of canned drinks, a thermos of water, the paper goods, and the grill.

After everyone had eaten and visited, we cleared up the food and began the games. Sometimes I asked for help and sometimes we just did them all. This is where we shared a lot of laughter and learned to really come to love our neighbors and friends. We played all sorts of games from "Do You Love Your Neighbor?" to Charades, and one year we even had a living game of Checkers using people for the tokens. It was a hit!

Finally, the long anticipated moment would arrive - darkness! Time to pull out the glow sticks, and set up the fireworks; but first we would all gather around our flag, and together, recite the Pledge of Allegiance. At about this point many of us would have tears in our eyes and I would know people still love their country.

Oh how everyone, young and old, delighted in the fireworks. Our evenings ended on this quiet and peaceful note as we thrilled at the colors and the beautiful designs bathing the night sky; and together we thanked our Heavenly Father for all we have.

Those of us still at home feel the emptiness on the 4th of July these days as most of the children have grown. We have taken a rest from our yearly tradition. We miss the opportunity to express our patriotism and share our friendship. We have joined in again with the grandchildren, and so the tradition continues.....

Yes, WE ARE PROUD TO BE AMERICAN!

You can leave your thoughts, comments or suggestions here on my feedback page. Thanks!

- Starla

Learning by the Spirit

Live the gospel

by Sue Otis

Learning by the Spirit

Live the gospel

by Kami Huntzinger

by LDS Homeschooled Students

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Learning by the Spirit

Live the gospel

by Sue Otis

Learning by the Spirit

Live the gospel

by Kami Huntzinger

by LDS Homeschooled Students