Why America is Free

The best history book I ever used was one I got for free. 

A few years ago HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense Association) offered a gift certificate to their online store with membership renewal.  It was there I found this amazing book with a breathtaking perspective on American History.

Why America is Free is suggested for grades 4-8, but even I learned some new things.  It's impact on our family is second to none as far as history books go.

The book, written by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association,  weaves a fictional tale into the story of our country's birth.  The main character is a boy who lives on a farm, grows up to fight in the revolutionary war, and eventually becomes one of the VA delegates in the ratification of the U.S. constitution.

Because the reader is invested in the life of this boy, the circumstances around him seem more real.  It was hard to put the book down each time I would begin to read it, but we had to, there was just so much to absorb.

Don't think for a minute that because there is this story woven into the book that somehow the book lacks substance as a history text.  If anything, the details given in the 202 page book far surpass other school texts.  What you don't find, is a sanitized dumbed-down bare-bones selection that gives a brief overview of our country's past.

I was conversing with Michael Farris (Chairman of HSLDA and Chancellor at Patrick Henry College) on Facebook in late January, and mentioned how much we enjoyed this book.  Check out his response.

Kristen Brandsema Lowery ‎Michael Farris, I used why America is Free as a history text for my kids a few years ago. It is by far the history book that is the favorite in our home and has had the most impact on how my kids look at history. 

Michael Farris I was on an airplane when I first read that book Kristen. I was visibly crying when I came to the story of George Washington resigning his commission.

Remember this response is coming from someone who has argued cases in front of the U.S. Supreme court. 


I must admit, there were times when I was reading this book aloud to my kids that I became choked up with emotion  to the point where I had to stop and compose myself.  


The content is so meaningful that the information stuck in my kids minds, and has continued to influence how they view their country. 

As far as textbooks go, this one is very fairly priced.  It is available on HSLDA's website for only $15 as of the time of this post.  


It took us about 3 months to go through the book as a family.  My kids were grade 1-8 at the time we went through it and it kept all of their attention.  


Although it is not enough to be considered a high school history course, a high school student would probably still enjoy using the book as part of a larger course.  


If you are looking for a better way to teach the story of our country's foundations, then I suggest you give this book serious consideration.  


It is well worth your time.

A Tale of Two Months

It is the best of (homeschooling) times, it is the worst of (homeschooling) times.  The months of February and March, that is.

With the homeschooling convention I attend (CHAP) coming up on Mother's Day weekend, I am beginning to sort my way through all of the piles of curriculum I could choose for next year. 

 I really like doing that.  It gives me something to look forward to on these bleak late-winter days. 

 The possibilities of all the wonderful things I can teach my children next year astound me.  It's like I can take all the mistakes I've made this year and wipe the slate clean--because next year will go perfectly, right?  

Unused curriculum without dog-ears, doodles, and messy handwriting are a beautiful thing.  I love the anticipation of new things to come.

This is also the worst time of year for me.  I typically finish the school year right around the time I go to convention.  So that means we have about three more months of school to get through.  

That means three more months of working in the books that are dog-eared, filled with doodles, and full of messy handwriting.  That means three more months of dealing with how off track I have gotten from my original plans for the year. 

 And of course there are those bleak late-winter days.  I just want to send my kids outside without them coming in muddy ten minutes later telling me it's too chilly to play.  

So as I wake up each day these months, I remind myself that I am one day closer to spring and completion of yet another school year. I am one day closer to the Homeschool Convention.  Most importantly, I remind myself that I am right where God wants me to be whether I "feel" like doing school today, or not.  

And I press on.

The Awesomest Homeschool Vacation Ever

Imagine a vacation where you and your family come home rested and refreshed--feeling like you have truly come together as a family.




Imagine a place that your kids just might prefer to Disney World (mine do).


Imagine spending a week in an environment where a family of 4-6 kids is just an average size family.

Jr/Sr High Crosswalk Photo Scavenger Hunt

 Imagine a vacation where you don't have to pay for extra rooms because you have more than 2 kids.






Imagine not having to run around to restaurants or make meals in a kitchenette because a spectacular all-you-can-eat buffet is included in the price (again, no cost increase if you have more than 4 family members).


Imagine a vacation you want to return to every year because those who were there with you have become dear friends.


This is my family's yearly vacation, and as I'm starting to dream ahead to those warm summer days, I have just got to share it with you.


Welcome to Sandy Cove.

At Sandy Cove there is a great balance between time together as a family and time where each family member can spend time with others their same age.

Club Cove 10-11 year old class

 In the mornings Club Crib, Club Cove, Crosswalk, and Collide are the places to hang out with your friends doing all kinds of awesome activities, Bible study, and singing if you are in the infant through college age bracket.  


While the kids are together Mom and dad get to hear the weeks plenary speaker.  This coming summer Todd Wilson of Familyman Ministries will be sharing with us during homeschool week (July 1-6).  But if  you can't make it that week or aren't a homeschool family there are four other weeks to choose from.


The afternoons and evenings are filled with amazing activities and workshops for you to pick and choose from.  Club Crib has extended hours so mom and dad can choose to participate in activities without worrying about where the littlest ones are.


Swimming

• Large outdoor swimming pools with lap lane
• kiddie pool
• enclosed sports pool
• hot tub
• dive in movie 
• (and all of this knowing that the swimsuits will be modest)

High Adventure & Marina

• zip line
• big swing
• rock climbing wall
• water skiing
• wave cutter
• inner tube rides
• pontoon boat cruises
• kayaking
• canoeing
• paddle boats

Even more activities

• Craft Cottage (ceramics, model rockets, jewelery, tie dye & more)
• build & launch paper rockets
• moon bounce
• pony rides
• s'mores
• archery

Activities available almost any time of the day

• fitness center 
• basketball*
• sand volleyball*
• softball*
• soccer*
• tennis*
• fishing (licence required)
• mini golf*
• shuffleboard*
• frisbee golf*
• playgrounds
• nature trail
• ping pong*
• billiards*
• fooseball*
• air hockey*
• carpetball

* look for tournaments as well

New this year is a gaga pit and archery tag 

All activities are included in your package price except the parasailing (because it is run by an outside company) and crafts at the craft cottage (which are very reasonably priced).


Something more to smile about?  The Price.


For 5 nights/6 days of the summer vacation you will remember forever (remember this includes food and activities) 


The regular rates are $725 per person or $2900 family max


...it gets even better.


If you mention that Steve & Kristen Lowery referred you, you can get the rate we got when rebooking.  


$ 2100 family max rate


So even if you have 10 kids and need 3 rooms to fit all of you, there are no extra charges.  You only pay $2100.


Call 1-800-234-2683 Mondays-Fridays from 9AM-6PM or Saturdays from 10AM-2PM to book your reservation.


*There are also partial scholarships available based on need/availability


If hotels and buffets aren't you thing, Sandy Cove offers Cabins, and RV and Tent sites for very low low prices.  These accommodations include all the same activities as the regular package and by mentioning that Steve & Kristen Lowery referred you, you will get discounts there as well.


Sandy Cove Ministries is located along the beautiful Chesapeake Bay in the quaint little Town of North East, MD


I hope to spend time with you at Sandy Cove this summer.

Days of Irritability

Face it.  There are days when your kids want nothing to do with each other, and there are days when you really  want nothing to do with them. That's the kind of day we are having at our house today.

Yes, today is Valentines Day, but there are no cherubic little angels to be found at this house.  If they were all independent learners and could stay on task, I would send them to their rooms (actually, that wouldn't work because two of them share a room).  

It's been a constant cacophony of complaints.  Mom, he's humming.  Mom, she's sitting too close to me.  Mom, look.  She's not really doing her work.  And over and over:  Mom, (s)he's annoying me.  They have whined and yelled, grumbled and growled.  And mom is fed up with it.  

I started out the day in a good mood, really I did.  I intended to accomplish much today, both in their schoolwork and around the house.  Instead, I find myself accomplishing little and just wanting to crawl into a closet and hide from them.

Maybe that's the key.  I should send myself to my room.  The thought makes me smile, but I know it would just make them behave worse and then I would have WWIII to deal with. 

So how do you deal with days like this?  I know I'm not dealing with this one too well.  My plan? Why, I'm counting the minutes until they go to bed.

My Nemesis: The Math Book

Okay, so maybe I am being a little dramatic here, but really, math and I just don't get along.  Maybe it's because the math teachers I had were dry.  Maybe it's the fact that I am a creative soul and math is so specific.  Whatever the reason, it is what it is.  Math bores me.

The only way I have found to keep myself sane in teaching math is to switch curricula every couple of years.  The math curricula I have used has all been "name brand" highly rated materials, but after a while it just bores me--And if I am bored with it, how can I teach my children to appreciate it?

Well, this past year I discovered a math curriculum that must have been designed with people like me in mind.  It's called Life of Fred.  Life of Fred uses reading, science, history, humor, and just about every other means possible to teach math by following the life adventures of a a genius little boy named Fred who lives in a very grown up world.

Instead of teaching the math and then explaining how it might be used in everyday experiences, Life of Fred does the opposite.  Fred encounters a situation in the story, and then the math is taught to help him through the situation.  As the publisher describes it, Every bit of math is motivated by a need.


Because the books are fun the kids learn what they need to know without having to do a ton of problems--even in the advanced math levels.  What do you think your child is more apt to remember:  that they need to sweep the hallway floor, or that they are going out for ice cream sundaes after dinner?

My kids always want to peek to see what Fred is going to do next.  And my younger two children are forever looking over their older siblings shoulders because they don't want to be left out of the fun.  We have gone from struggling through one math book a year to the reality of completing more than one this year.

And Mom is still smiling when Math class is over.



If you want more information about this math program, visit http://www.stanleyschmidt.com/FredGauss/index2.html
The website is very basic, but the curricula is exceptional.

Also note:  My recommendation of these materials is completely unsolicited.  I am sharing them with you because I think I have finally found a math curriculum I find exciting--and with my mindset, that is really saying something.

I Don't Spend Enough Time With My Kids

That wasn't the title you expected on a homeschooling blog, was it?  After all homeschooling moms spend the majority of their waking hours with their kids.

I spend hours working with them on school, cooking, cleaning and group activities.  I drive them to classes and appointments.  If someone would do a survey (and I am sure they have) about the hours a parent spends talking with their children, I would probably be in the top 1%. 

I think this is the clock of my nightmares

The problem is that I spend that time teaching, cleaning, cooking, doing computer, reading a book, or lying on my bed exhausted, hoping for a cat-nap.  I don't spend enough time getting to know who they are on the inside.    I focus on their academic and spiritual growth, their behaviors, their responsibilities, and their relationships with others.  I don't ask them often enough what their hopes and dreams are.  I don't spend enough one on one time with each of them.  

I was reminded of this on Friday when Hannah asked me to take her out to buy a dress for her upcoming swing dance.  My husband was home, so I was able to leave the other kids with him.  Hannah and I talked as she checked out dresses.  We laughed as she tried on accessories.  We chit-chatted as she got her eyebrows waxed for the first time.  It was a wonderful evening--and it made me think.

All ready for the dance!

Why don't I do this more often?  I guess in all the busyness of spending time with the kids I forget to spend time with each of the kids.  My excuse is just as lame as the workaholic parent's.  There is no valid excuse.  

So I am recommitting, as of today, to spend time each week building relationship with my kids.  No, I won't be taking them out on a "date with mommy night"--at least not very often.  But I will find that little bit of time away from life's responsibilities, away from the distractions that keep us busy. 

 I will purposefully give them my attention and take the time to talk about the things they want to talk about.  I will  encourage them through smiles and eye contact.  I will make sure all of me is there when we talk.  I won't just give them my leftover time when I am exhausted and drained.  

After all, they are so much more important to me than an extra ten minutes of math, or perfectly dusted furniture.  

So what have you done lately to build relationship with your children?  I'd love to hear your ideas.

Reading Worries

My oldest daughter, Megan, was reading on a college level before she finished elementary school.  She was reading 630 words per minute with nearly perfect comprehension by the time she entered junior high.

Megan, age 10, in 2006

In my mind teaching reading was a breeze.  I couldn't understand it when homeschool moms would tell me of their struggles in getting their kids to read.  My biggest problem was finding appropriate books for a preteen on her reading level.

Then along came daughters two and three.

I wasn't sure Hannah and Amber were ever going to learn how to read.  Reading just wouldn't click in their mind.  I used several quality curricula, and tried plan after plan.  Nothing seemed to help.  I suspect that for Hannah there was a degree of dyslexia going on.  Amber, well she just couldn't seem to apply what I had taught her  the day before...or the hour before.  I felt like I was trying to teach Dory.  

My forth child, Hayden reads about three years above his grade level.  I never really taught him how to read, he just picked it up on his own and could already do everything I would try to teach him.  I suspect he was listening in on the other kids reading lessons from the time he was a toddler.  

So why didn't the lessons work on Hannah and Amber?  

Well, eventually they did begin to work.  Hannah loves to read now.  She still reads about a grade level behind, but she spends much of her free time reading by choice.  Amber's reading skills have just recently begun to bloom.  She still stretches and strains to grasp what she is reading, but...she is reading.  As a forth grader she is on a second grade level, but she is catching up more and more each day.  

I know now that it wasn't what I was doing that was making my child learn to read (or not).  They are each developing according to the plan God has laid out for their lives.  I need to always do my best in teaching them what they should know, especially if they are struggling.  The results though?  Those are in Gods hands.

"For I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" -Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

"...all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." -Psalm 139:16b

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?  Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?" -Luke 12:25-26