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The last two weeks I have noticed several intertwined homeschool themes at Hodgepodge. The themes are different because of our multiple ages – from elementary up to high school. But, of course, those themes are complementary and supportive of one another. I’ll share them with you today. Let me know what you think.
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1. I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.
“I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” Nehemiah 6:3
This is a great lesson I learned at the start of the year. My Sunday school ladies and I watched a video sermon from Andy Stanley that I highly recommend: This One Thing. “We all make resolutions. We all break resolutions. But if we’re honest, there is something in each of our lives – a habit, a relationship, a debt – that deserves our attention this year. In this message, Andy recounts the Old Testament story of Nehemiah and draws out a lesson that can be the key to finally accomplishing the one thing we each need to put our minds to this year.”
Not that by focusing on our ‘One Thing’ that we can’t chase a bunny trail of learning. This verse is one that has really captured ME, the homeschool mama. Like Nehemiah, I am doing a great work (homeschool, parenting) and I cannot come down. I’m going to stay up on that wall.
1. My train engineer designed hills and loops with stations at the farm and more! | 2. Practicing painting a sky with Nana and pan pastels (tutorial coming next week!) | 3. Practicing adding the doubles + one facts in Saxon first grade math. | 4. Staggering seven steamies.
2. Practice, Practice and More Practice
Practice handwriting. It takes lots of practice and it is hard. Practice multiplication tables. They aren’t that easy. It take practice. Practice tying shoes. That takes patience and practice. Practice piano many, many times a day. Practice Aladdin for drama troupe. Practice songs, lines. Practice driving. Make those turns, learn how touchy that gas pedal is. Practice. Practice love with each other.
1. Various states of homeschooling multiple ages this morning. The sounds of Aladdin drama troupe practice upstairs, youngest off having a snack, and third grader doing language arts here in the homeschool room. | 2. Someone (creative youngest girl) has been enjoying a wonderful stuffed animal pet shop story! | 3. Third grade Teaching Textbooks – practicing multiplication tables. | 4. Marveling at math manipulatives and youngest girl’s imagination.
1. Good times with my awesome daughter. | 2. Saturday mornings are for pancakes and turkey bacon and a warm fire. | 3. Rise and shine and give God the glory, glory! #sunrise | 4. ‘Soli’ the solar-powered and recycled robot (First grader bought it with Christmas money and his big brother helped put it together. #teamwork)
3. Carpe Diem
Last weekend we watched an Oscar winning, now old, movie,
with our high schoolers. Of course the theme of the movie is Carpe Diem, Latin for “seize the day.” Make something of your life. There’s a part of that theme that is staying with us. Whether it is simply having a fun homemade lunch in the middle of the day. Or taking a walk over to the park. Staying up late and talking with my high schooler. Getting down on the floor with my first grader and admiring his engineering skills. I do want to be a fun mom – and there is always finding a balance.4. Just Write and Just Watch
Write a letter for Daddy to find at supper, a letter to a friend. Write Tapestry of Grace writing assignments, put together a grammar notebook. Write captions for Instagram.
Watch – movie suggestions from Tapestry of Grace (that we can borrow from the library or find on Netflix)!
- and new to us – Economics for Everyone from Compass Classroom.
And if all else fails…
5. Just Read
1. Such a wonderful series of history books by Joy Hakim. We’ve enjoyed them many a time throughout our Tapestry of Grace studies. | 2. Eldest, youngest and Mike Mulligan. | 3. Yes, you can stay up just a bit more. (The Habit of Reading at Bedtime). | 4. “That reading list is longer than my Christmas list!” ~ first grader, about his Alphaphonics practice.
Winter homeschooling can be a time of feeling cooped up, stuck inside. But we’ve decided we will just read. It’s our theme! Just read. There’s so much to learn that way – even if other things have fallen by the wayside that day. We have read. Build a cozy fire and just read. And we have plenty to just read! History and literature with Tapestry of Grace.
Oswald the Bearded Dragon approves of the plan for next homeschool week during our Weekly Homeschool Planning Meeting for Multiple Ages. (that first one is a link to an instagram account by Middle Girl – documenting a bearded dragon’s life at Hodgepodge. 🙂
In Case You Missed It:
- Cardinals in the Snow Chalk Art Tutorial
- Organizing Art Projects with Pinterest – nine boards full of art projects for you!
- Essential Oils on the Go (all my favorite helps!)
My Favorite Homeschool Retreats! (I’m sharing about Real Refreshment Retreat, iHomeschool Studio and Teach Them Diligently – today at The Curriculum Choice.)
Many thanks to these kind hostesses (I’m linking up!):
- Collage Friday – Homegrown Learners
- Finishing Strong – Homeschooling the Middle & High School Years
- Weekly Wrap Up – Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers
Are you finding themes in your homeschool days? What do you think of ours? A bit of a Hodgepodge…
We love your bearded dragon! Okay…it’s time we get a pet.
This very reluctant mama consented to letting Middle Girl purchase one with her birthday money. AFTER she had researched it and presented her plan and all details to each of us parents. She and her brother care completely for the dragon. And I am here to admit, Oswald has sure grown on me. And we have learned SO much about bearded dragons and their care.
Tricia — I just love your one great thing! Yes 🙂 It also makes me think of Lori Lane and how she signs everything “faith and courage” because it takes those two things for us to accomplish our ONE great thing!
You have such a beautiful spirit and outlook on homeschooling. I appreciate your blog more each and every time I visit.
Proud to call you friend. 🙂
Mary – I love Lori’s signature line too! So inspiring and yes, hand in hand with accomplishing a great work! And what a sweet comment from you. You bless ME. Thank you for how you encourage and bless many! Proud to call you friend – back at you 🙂
It is wonderful to see how those themes play out in the various ages that you are teaching.
Phyllis – you are right! and you know every bit as much as I do. Thank you 🙂
I love it! This post gives me a feel of how your homeschooling days go….and I love the pancakes, turkey bacon on Saturdays! It was a delightful read, thanks!