Summer is almost half over already! Can you believe it? I sure can’t! Our family has been finishing up our school year slowly but surely, but we’ve taken time to go on nature walks, head to Grandpa’s cabin on the lake, and run through the sprinklers. Camping was hoped for, but I think we’re going to miss it this year. What are some fun summer adventures your family has been up to? Tell us about them!
Goodnight, Mama by Joel Harris
This is a song written by Joel Harris right before his mother Sono Harris died. Be sure to have tissues nearby!
Sono Harris Has Gone to Meet Her Savior
Sono Harris, who we shared with you last week had cancer, has fallen asleep in the arms of Jesus. Read her son Josh’s announcement on his blog. Please keep this wonderful family in your prayers as they mourn the loss of their wife, mother, friend, and sister in Christ.
Link of the Week
This week’s link is Christian Book Distributors. Our forum members use this site frequently for ordering homeschool books, other Christian books, and gifts. They have excellent prices and fair shipping costs. Add them to your bookmarks of favorite online retailers!
Sweden Banned Homeschooling!
“The Kingdom of Sweden took a dramatic turn toward totalitarianism with the adoption of a sweeping new education “reform” package that essentially prohibits home schooling and forces all schools to teach the same government curriculum.
The draconian 1,500-page law — deceptively referred to by the Swedish government as “The new Education Act – for knowledge, choice and security” — was approved by Parliament last week amidst strong criticism and opposition. When it goes into effect next year, the entire educational system will be transformed, and alternative education abolished.”
Read more, and let us know your thoughts!
Gregg and Sono Harris Need Your Help
I received this note on Facebook today, and I would like to pass it along to you in its entirety. It was posted by John and Kristi Collins of The Extreme Group, Inc, on the Facebook page “Homeschooling.” Here is the post:
From: John Collins
Date: Mon, Jun 28, 2010 at 2:19 PM
Subject: Dear Friends of Gregg and Sono Harris and Family
Dear Friends of the Harris Family,
I am sending this message to you with confidence that you will act and pass it along and together we can make a difference!
Over the years as a home educating father, I have been mentored, encouraged, and inspired by Gregg & Sono Harris and their incredibly talented family: Joshua, Joel, Alex, Brett, Sarah, Isaac and James. You are probably familiar with Gregg and Sono’s tireless efforts to encourage and create in-roads for homeschooling over the last three decades, Josh gave young adults a biblical approach to dating by penning I Kissed Dating Good-Bye and most recently God has used Alex and Brett to encourage youth to Do Hard Things.
About a month ago, I was in a hotel room in South Africa when I first heard that Sono was diagnosed with stage IV cancer. I can remember dropping to my knees in my room and crying out to God to have mercy on her.
How has the Harris family dealt with this life-changing event? Although difficult beyond words, they have walked through this with the same grace and courage as they have other challenges; by seeking and trusting in almighty God. You can read Joshua’s latest updates on his blog here. http://www.joshharris.com/
At the end of last week I spoke with Gregg. He shared that God has been very gracious toward Sono in that she has experienced very little pain, however, he also shared that her body is weakening and she speaks of seeing Jesus soon. Although they have not been given any indication as to timing, Gregg said that it could be any time now.
As the devoted husband and Godly family leader that he is, Gregg has stepped down from his speaking engagements and away from his daily business responsibilities to care for his wife. Obviously this has taken a major toll on their household income and the medical bills are mounting. Gregg mentioned to me that he believed some home school organizations were trying to gather donations for the family. According to Gregg “now is better than later,” and I believe the truth is – action needs to happen quite quickly to help save this dear family from more distress.
Each year in his annual “How to End the Year” blog, Doug Phillips, President of Vision Forum Ministries, reminds me to remember those individuals and ministries who have invested in my family’s life. In Luke 17, Jesus teaches us of those ungrateful recipients of blessings who simply went their way without demonstrating gratitude, and Doug’s challenge stems from that concept. “When was the last time I responded to their investment in my life with gratitude, blessings, and even money?”
If the Harris family has been an encouragement or an inspiration to you and your family, would you consider responding to their investment in your life at this time of need?
Cards and notes can be sent to:
Gregg and Sono Harris and family – 6920 SE Hogan Road, Gresham, OR 97080
You can also donate to Noble Institute, marking the donation Friends of Sono Harris Fund. http://www.nobleinstitute.org/
It is my prayer that we, as the body of Christ, would pour out our love and comfort and help ‘bear one anothers burdens’ with the Harris’.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please feel free to forward to others as you feel led.
Grace and peace,
John and Kristi Collins
The Extreme Group, Inc
From “Top 10 Reasons to Educate Your Child at Home”
Contributed by Trishy
Reason 2
You have the opportunity to provide learning truly tailor made to your child.
Do we all wear the same styles of clothes, have the same tastes in music, eat the same favorite foods, or drive the same cars? Of course not! When our children were infants, did they learn to smile on the same day; walk in the same way within the same week; or say the same first word at the same time? Why do we believe that education means mastering and memorizing facts learned in a specific style and on a certain time-table at an unwavering age in life?
Both public and private schools must provide structured learning for the class as a whole to meet standardized criteria. Most of their time is spent in classroom control. They cannot provide individualized learning using techniques and styles that cater your child’s specific set of interest and skills.
Did you know your child has a learning style unique to him or her? Did you know you have a unique learning style and it may be different from your child’s style?
What is a learning style? When you watch your child, do they love to pull things apart to find out how they work? Do they have to touch things to learn about them? Do they bounce around in their seat and have finger and foot movements going on when they are trying to concentrate? This is a learning style most commonly referred to as “kinesthetic.” Other styles include visual and auditory and combinations of all three.
Visual learners have to “see it to get it.” They usually love to look at art and are book people. They may exhibit interest in patterns and spacial organization.
Auditory learners will read aloud or sing while doing other things. When they hear music, they may not be able to focus on tasks that require concentration. The music takes over. They learn by hearing.
There are scores of books on learning styles and tests you can give to find out which one (or combination) your child has. In addition, there are wonderful educational materials and curriculum programs that compliment certain learning styles and behaviors. This is your opportunity to explore an area that involuntary learning institutions (my phrase for “school systems”) cannot. Then, you can cater to their learning style by using materials and ideas they will actually enjoy instead of dread.
This Week’s News
All About Sharron Angle – Did you know Sharron Angle (running for Senate in Nevada) is a former homeschooler? Check out this biography on her.
Homeschoolers Growing in Colorado – There are more homeschoolers in Colorado this year than last, evidently a growing trend there.
Methods & Approaches to Homeschooling
Busy, busy here. I’ve been looking into the different methods of homeschooling, and I have discovered something that maybe people haven’t realized much in the past. There are methods of homeschooling, and then there are approaches to teaching that method. It has confused me somewhat, so I questioned it on our forum. I found some good answers, which of course lead to other questions. So please join our discussion there. And here in the comments, please tell me what approaches seem to stem from which methods, based on your experiences or observations.
School Year-Round, or Not?
Homeschoolers all have their own viewpoints and ways of doing things. The school year is no exception. For our family personally, we school year-round, but have a lighter schedule in the summer (Bible, Math, English, Science). Others take off completely for the summer, just like traditional schools. Some work 3 months on, 3 months off. Or 3 months on, 1 month off. And there are so many other combinations, as many as there are families. So what does your family do? How do you make it work, and if you’ve changed it throughout the years, why did you? Leave a comment and let us know!
