Sunday, April 10, 2011
Our new notebooking strategy...
This semester I've started doing our notebooking a little bit differently. I recently read a blog about a homeschooling mom who used "altered" composition notebooks for her notebooking. I thought maybe using comp books would be great for us. We've tried lapbooking in the past and although, we had a great time doing them, I ended up doing most of the work. Also, my son became frustrated when he didn't have enough room to write on the lapbook piece. Then I tried traditional notebooking with a three ring binder. I had papers EVERYWHERE. We just aren't organized enough to put and KEEP everything in the binder. It seemed like every time we put something in, it mysteriously let things slip out. Anyway, so I was on the search for a new idea and it seemed as if the comp books might work for us. I wanted something that could be as elaborate or simple as necessary, as I have kids at various levels. So when we started REAL Science Odyssey - Life this semester, it seemed like the perfect time to implement it. I also used the same concept for our TX history study. I really got into decorating the cover, and I loved the way it turned out so much, that I plan on decorating all of their notebooks for next year. I put clear packing tape over the cover of them to help with the longevity! The idea is simple, just use the pages like you would a normal spiral notebook (if you have work that needs to be written out), or just glue/tape in any lapbooking or notebooking components that you might have. Our last step in any activity is to put it in our notebooks. With the strength of the binding and the gluing of the pieces, nothing has fallen or gotten ripped out yet. Some notebooking pages, I do trim down so that it will fit, but sometimes I just make the cutting and pasting part of the assignment (which is always good for my son who struggles with his fine motor skills). Hope this gives you an idea about how I've used these in my school. Oh, and I've had lots of questions about how RSO Life is going and it is going fabulously! I do "beef it up" for my oldest. Any topic we cover, I make him read in more depth in his science encyclopedia and pull out more details for his notebook.
Friday, April 8, 2011
The Rush of Angels Wings...
I was late to Bible study yesterday...again. I really do try to be on time, honest, I do. But, there are days when I'm doing good just to get out of the door with all my kids, kids' stuff, my stuff, in a sane manor. The words slipped out almost before I could stop them, "Let's go, let's go, let's go," in one staccato phrase. I was immediately transported back to the EHS football stadium where I heard my dad's familiar, "All the way whatdoya say, all the way," and I realized, yes, I've become my father. Anyone who knew my dad during this time, will know exactly what I'm talking about. You could always hear my dad over everyone else... Anyway, so I was on my way to Bible study. The kids were jabbering in the back, about what, I'm just not sure. We arrived 10 minutes late and assumed our usual parking spot, under the tree need the chapel parking lot. I just feel at home pulling in there, it's like God holds it for us. The kids jumped out and took off, very excited to see their friends for the morning. I entered right as they were saying an opening prayer so I quietly and respectfully put my things down, gathered my Bible and book and headed for an open spot. About half way there, I heard and felt and awesome power followed by the loudest rumble and I heard the ladies exclaim, "The angels are here!" Yes, it is that time of year again, The Blue Angels airshow. You really cannot watch their aerobatics without feeling awe. I so love this time of year as it makes my heart swell with Navy pride, but this year, their coming made me feel more than pride... After Bible study we went to Jody's house for some fellowship and it was just the time that the Angels were practicing their maneuvers. The little kids were enthralled as the jets zoomed back and forth overhead. Aiden would run to the window and exclaim, "WOW!" Their utter amazement really got me thinking about angels in general. I remember from Bible stories that many who witnessed angels were awestruck. Oftentimes, the angel had to say, "Do not be afraid." Those who witnessed them knew that they didn't just pop up everyday and that there must be something special in that moment. I also remember the soldiers that came to arrest Jesus on the night in which He was betrayed and at the very utterance of his name, "I AM," hundreds of soldiers fall to the ground. Now that is power, right? In this day and age it really takes a lot to surprise us. I mean, we've got gadgets that do just about anything. We have every kind of reality drama on TV that you can imagine, singing competitions to paternity test reveals. We are, in fact, desensitized to most things in life. We do have brief moments in life, where we experience the height of amazement, like the birth of a child, but for the most part, we float along not really feeling the exhilaration that can come with really experiencing something amazing. Where is all this going, you ask? I'm almost there...drum roll please... Shouldn't we be awestruck every time we encounter the risen savior? Shouldn't we relish in the beauty and amazing things in which God has surrounded us? The ocean tide, the starry sky, the beautiful spring flowers...All of these things, and many, many more point directly to the awesome power of an eternal Lord. As we approach Easter, we prepare ourselves to be amazed. The resurrection is amazing after all. I think the thing we need to remember this season is to continue to be amazed. My dad has often said, "We are an Easter people." He is so right, but part of being an Easter people is living that amazement that we feel every day of the year, not just on Easter. Surprise yourself with amazement and allow it to fill you just as those "Easter people" before you have done!
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