Little Pilgrim's Progress

Teaching-Tip Tuesday

This book is an adaptation of John Bunyan's classic. It is written with children in mind but does not water down the rich lessons contained in the original.

Similar to Bunyan's original allegory, in Little Pilgrim's Progress the main character, Little Christian, learns the truth of his present condition, must pass through the Wicket Gate and lose his burden at the cross. He receives clothes of righteousness and shiny armor. He then embarks on a journey toward the Celestial City, encountering the enemy, temptations, and trials.

As we have read and journeyed with him, we have been encouraged and challenged. I highly recommend this read for every family. Even if you do not homeschool, I would encourage you to read this book as a family. The chapters are very short but jam-packed with truth. You could easily read one chapter at dinner or a couple chapters each Saturday.

We begin each day with a vocabulary lesson (see my post "Teaching Vocabulary" http://homeschooldawn.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-have-employed-teaching-strategy-for.html for details). The first week I included the word "burden." For the first ten chapters, Little Christian carries a terrible burden. To bring this to life, I packed two book bags with encyclopedias and placed them in the dinning room. After our vocab lesson, I instructed them to get the bags and carry them to the classroom (opposite end of the house). When our reading was over, they had to carry the bags back to the spot in the dinning room. We then discussed the weight of our sin and relief that true repentance brings. They had to repeat this activity everyday until Little Christian reaches the cross and loses his burden in Chapter Eleven.

Carrying Their Burdens

Each day we only read one chapter. We then read a related scripture passage. For example, after reading the chapter "Little Christian Comes to the Cross," we read the account of the crucifixion. Other topics we have covered include, laziness, idle talk, temptation, trust, trials, and humility.

Each Friday, we do not read a new chapter but instead map Little Christian's journey. The boys color a picture that represents one story event on a 2"x 2" square of white card stock. I paste their drawings to a large sheet of construction paper, and we draw in a path and add captions.

Our Little Pilgrim's Progress Map

I have carefully selected about 5 vocabulary words per chapter. Comprehension is increased considerably when vocabulary is discussed before reading. I have completed 35 chapters and am willing to share these lists as well as the scripture references for each chapter with any one who is interested. I have also placed this book on my Shelfari for those of you interested in buying a copy. God bless.

New Format

I started this blog thinking that I would only journal our school work. However, as more and more of you visit and comment (or send me e-mails), I am developing a heart for building a community. I long for my blog to be a place where you will be inspired to work as unto the Lord, find encouragement, and most importantly develop edifying online friendships. I pray that as I write and you comment, we will have an "iron sharpening iron" effect on each other.

So, to bring more order and to develop that community, I am going to try a new format. Each day, I will write on these designated topics:

Mathletes Mondays- This is for my team. Visit each week to receive feedback and hints.

Teaching Tip Tuesdays- I come from a long line of teachers and have been in the business myself for over 15 years. I will pull one of my best tricks out of my hat and share it with you. I hope to hear back from you. Do you have a related idea to share? Have you tried my tip? If so, how did it work?

Wisdom Wednesdays- This is a time for encouragement. I will share my reflections and life-lessons as they relate to my growth in Christ.

Thrifty Thursdays- All of us stay-at-home moms have to be resourceful and frugal. Making a one-salary income stretch in our two-income society is a challenge. As the wife of a dedicated teacher, I know first-hand the challenges of living simply and frugally. I will share my best strategies and want to hear yours. May we encourage one another to keep our hearts turned toward home and our eyes turned from the things of the world.

Farewell Fridays- This will be a time for me to reflect on the week. I may post some school work. I may share what not to do... sometimes my ideas blow up in my face! Whatever I choose to share, it will be light-hearted and fun.

For the next two weeks, I am dedicated to posting each day and seeing how this format goes. After that, school will be back in session for us and I may not be able to post every day. But as I perform this blogging "experiment" feel free to question, comment, and share. God bless.

Mathletes Week 4

Everyone did a terrific job last week. Team members BH, DS, AS, CS, and JW found the correct answer and completed the bonus work. Team members AC and MC found an alternate solution to the problem. WOOT!! Way to go team!

Last week's challenge was a multi-step word problem. You will encounter many of these in the Olympiad. Since everyone found the correct answer and since I intend to devote a good portion of our first meeting to these types of problems, I won't post any details here. I will just give the hint to this week's problem and let you guys get to work.

Hint:
Think about last week's bonus work.

Keep up the good work!

The Trail of Tears

BT chose to paint a landscape depicting the Trail of Tears for his art project. First, we discussed the mood of the picture. He decided to use greys, blues, and browns to project the sadness of the event. He used roller brushes to blend the colors of his background.

He allowed his background to dry thoroughly, and we discussed the foreground. He decided that people are too difficult to paint and he might ruin his work if he attempted that. So, he decide to paint a wagon train instead. We discussed perspective, and he attempted to paint the wagons in different sizes to give the painting depth. He decided as a final touch to dot the ground with blue paint... a symbol of the tears shed along the way.

Remember the Alamo

The boys studied the 1830's and 1840's this six weeks. Bruster chose to create a model of the Alamo for his art project. We started with a tri-fold project board with ghost lines. I bought ours at WalMart. We looked at pictures of the Alamo online to decide how to trace the outline of the model onto the board.

Then, I used a razor knife to cut out the model.

Bruster applied a base coat of paint. He used a roller brush to apply a thin coat of light beige. Then, he used larger brushes to wisp in brown, light grey, and white. He then used the roller to smooth in the layers of color. As he painted, we discussed the people and events of the Alamo, a review of his studies.


After the paint dried, he used an ultra-thin brush to paint in details with black paint. Here he is peaking through the door. He was excited to be the Boy in the Alamo, his favorite read this six weeks.

Teaching Vocabulary

I have employed a teaching strategy for vocabulary enhancement this year from which I am getting really good results. This is not a part of any particular curriculum but is a hodge-podge of ideas I have picked up over the years and meshed together.

First, I select a set of vocabulary words for each week. I choose around 20 words in all from our current literature study, science, and social studies.
On Monday, I introduce the words through pictures. This could be done in a variety of ways, but I find public domain pictures online, save them to a file, and create a power point slide show.
The following are pictures used to define comfort, shabby, vexed, and pliable:

The boys and I discuss each picture. I ask a lot of probing questions.
For example, "Why is the woman holding the person in the first picture?"
"Would you want to live in the house in the second picture? Why not?"
"What do you think just happened to Mickey Mouse?"
"Would you enjoy touching the material in the fourth picture? Why or why not?"

Then we state a simple definition in kid language.
We defined comfort as "helping someone feel better."
Shabby was defined as "in need of repairs... many, many repairs."
The boys said that if someone is vexed, he is "so upset he can't stand it!"
Pliable was "easily molded or shaped."
After stating a definition, I play the power point through once more, having the boys read the words as it plays.

On Tuesday, I show the power point pictures one at a time. I create these so that I can reveal the word after the picture is shown. If you have the 2007 version, you do this by custom animating it. If you do not have power point, you can use picture cards, or save the pictures as a file on your computer, like you would family pix. They can be deleted at the end of a unit. As I show each picture I have the boys state the word and define it verbally.

On Wednesday, I have the boys write a meaningful sentence for 5 words. To do this, I first have them create an idea chart for each word. Here is the table I use:

After the chart is complete, each boy composes his own "meaningful sentence" for each word. A meaningful sentence is one in which the vocabulary word could not be replaced by anything other than a synonym and still make sense.

For instance, The house is shabby. is not a meaningful sentence. I could replace shabby with old, beautiful, green, any number of adjectives. However, the sentence The potter added water to the clay on his wheel so it would be soft and pliable for making a beautiful vase. is rich with defining context.
The first year I attempted this, I did most of the writing. As the boys became more and more competent, I handed over more and more of the writing responsibilities.
Also, at first, children tend to write run-ons with this method. The key to success is constant evaluation and feedback. I have an editing session with my boys as soon as they finish writing and discuss improvements that could be made each week.
On Thursday, the boys share their meaningful sentences with each other and offer feedback. We also review all the words using the power point one last time.
On Friday, I give them a quiz. I write the words for the week on the board. For each word, I give a synonym, a definition, or a meaningful sentence, saying "blank" in place of the vocab word. I do this verbally, and they write their answers on notebook paper.
At the end of six weeks, I give a cumulative test. For this, I test them individually. I give them the word, and they give me a synonym for 1 point, a definition for 2, or a meaningful sentence for 3 points. 50 points equals $0.25 in extra allowance.
This system has worked so well, that my boys notice their vocab being used everywhere. They even listen for times that our Pastor uses a word they have learned in his sermons! It does take some effort on Mom's part but is worth the effort if you stick with it.

I've Been Tagged!

A friend of mine "tagged" me to tell 7 random things about myself then ask 7 others to do the same thing, so here it goes:

1. My first job was at Burger King. I have also worked as a camp counselor, a radio DJ, an assistant librarian, a children's director at a church and as a music, a preschool, and a public school teacher. However, my favorite job of all is being a homeschool mom.

2. I am a birdwatcher. I used to think this was an odd hobby, kind of like I used to think homeschooling is a little odd. I started watching birds with my boys as a part of their science study last year and fell in love with it.

3. My dream vacation is a trip to France. However, that is changing as BT is studying Japanese and developing a heart for that nation. We have an opportunity to visit, if we can save the money for the flight, but...

4. I am terrified of flying. This is a pre-existing condition and did not develop on 9-11. My dad traveled weekly with his job when I was in middle school, raking up tons of frequent flyer miles. Consequently, we took many trips by plane, and I always left indentations on the arm rests of my seat from nervously grabbing hold of them.

5. My favorite flowers are sunflowers. They remind me of my Mamaw's garden.

6. My least favorite duty as a mom is cleaning. It is the only duty that I truly do not like. However, I like for my house to be spotless. I'm contemplating a post on this topic.

7. I love to swim. I would stay in the pool all day if I could.

That's seven things about me. Thanks, Christy, I enjoyed this. I will now go tag seven of my friends.

Happy Birthday BT!

Watching you grow has been one of life's greatest joys.

May the Lord bless you,

keep you,

and make you a man after His own heart.

I count it an honor to be called your mother.

I love you dearly.

Happy Birthday!

Mathletes Week 3

Hi Team. Last week's problem was a real challenge. Here is the explanation of one good way to solve it.
1. The problem states that there are 15 houses on Mr. Sullivan's street, so I drew a picture of them2. Pick a starting point. I always like to start at the beginning so I don't get confused, so I'll pick house no. 1. If Mr. Sullivan lives in house 1, then the total I get by adding the house numbers before his = 0. There are no house in front. I cannot add together any house numbers after his and get the answer of 0; therefore, Mr. Sullivan cannot live in house 1.

3. Try house no. 2. I put the rooftop on no. 2 to help me remember that's where I think Mr. Sullivan might live. If I add the house numbers before his, the total = 1. Once again, there is no way to get a total of 1 by adding the houses after no. 2, so Mr. Sullivan cannot live in house no. 2.

4. Now I try house no. 3. The total by adding the house numbers before his is 3. 1+2=3. I cannot get a sum of 3 by adding the houses after his, so he cannot live in house no. 3.

5. I try house no. 4. The total of the house numbers before his is now 6. The sum of the next 2 houses after his is 11 (5+6=11). He does not live in house number 4.

6. I try house no. 5. Once again the sum of the houses before his does not equal the sum of the houses after his.

7. Now I try house no. 6. The sum of the houses before his is 15 (1+2+3+4+5=15). The sum of the next 2 houses after his is 15 (7+8=15). EGAD! I have found the answer. Mr. Sullivan lives in house number six. But wait! The question does not ask for his house number, but for the number of houses on the street. Since I added house numbers 7 and 8 together, I know that the last house on the street is number 8. There are 8 houses on Mr. Sullivan's street.

Now to this week's hint:

1. Find the amount that Ryan paid.

2. If the magazine costs twice as much as the book, it counts as 2 portions of the cost. There are 3 books which make up 3 portions of the cost. Together they make up 5 portions of the cost.

Fall Is Here!

My favorite time of the year has arrived. Fall means so many things to me.

It's a time to celebrate. Both of my children were born in the fall, so it's a time to open presents, to eat cake, and to think back on two of the most special days of my life.

It's a time of beauty. The trees begin to change colors, painting the earth in beautiful tones of red, gold, and orange. God's glory is once again demonstrated through the beauty of his creation.

It's a time of harvest. Pumpkins, squash, apples, corn... It's a time for soups, pies, breads, and preserves. It's a time of abundance and preparation, knowing that it is the Lord who gives us our daily bread.

It's a time to remember. We remember God's goodness to his church on Reformation Day and Thanksgiving Day. What a privilege to celebrate the blessings of serving our mighty God who lovingly cares for us, his people. What a privilege to follow the traditions of our God-honoring forefathers in reflecting on His sovereignty, providence, and provision.

It's a time to cool down. We get to enjoy a break from the heat and humidity, especially here in the deep south. We get to spend more time outdoors, playing, picnicking, and watching the birds migrate. I get to wear my favorite clothes and favorite colors.

It's a time for fun. Soccer season for the boys, the World Series for Michael, festivals, hayrides, bobbing for apples... all make fall a special time for us.

Is fall a special time for you? If so, take a moment to share with us. Leave a comment about why you enjoy the fall and answer the poll in my side bar.