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IN THIS ISSUE:
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Notes...
-- Off to Ukraine!
Winning Website
-- The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
Helpful Tips
-- Thoughts on Character Training
This Issue's Question
-- Charlotte Mason for Reading
Additional Notes
-- Newsletter Archives
-- Sponsorship Information
-- Reprint Information
-- Subscriber Information
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Notes from Heather & Mary Beth
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Off to Ukraine!
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The time has finally come. Jim and I are traveling to Eastern Ukraine this week to begin the international portion of our adoption plans. Of course, when we began this journey last August, we didn't have a clue what was on the horizon for Ukraine. But God did! And we are trusting that He will complete what was begun in our hearts. If all goes smoothly, we should be bringing our new sons home in late June or early July at the latest. I am staying the entire time, but Jim will be traveling back and forth between home and Ukraine. I feel strongly that I need to stay until I bring the boys home with me, so that is the plan. Also I will be working with orphan care ministries while there and doing other missionary work. I'm very excited to see what God will accomplish in and through me! :-)
If anyone would like to follow along on our adventures, you can request to join our "friends" page here on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/groups/223379314503407/
Also -- thank you to those who have helped meet our financial needs! If you'd like to give (any amount), it is very appreciated. Here is a link for giving and reading our story...
www.youcaring.com/idoni
And thank you in advance for remembering us in your prayers!
-- Heather
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Thoughts on Character Training
Conventional schooling in general pursues academic goals. Even if a
school's mission includes something about "teaching the whole person"
or "preparing for adult life", those schools follow paths which
progress in subject matter and lead to achievement tests and
transcripts. State requirements for credit units are the milestones.
I hope that we homeschoolers have a vision that goes beyond measurable
test scores and credit hours. I hope that we can help our children
follow the example of the young Jesus, who "grew in wisdom and stature
and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:52). The development of the
intellect is fruitless unless our children are able to use their
knowledge and skills within the context of wisdom. That path
progresses in maturity and leads to exemplary character. Milestones
are virtues taking root in the heart.
Character doesn't develop on its own; it requires intentional
cultivation and direction. Check out our "tips" section below for suggestions on resources to help you
influence growth in Godly character in your children!
-- Mary Beth
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Helpful Tips
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Suggestions for Character Training
Nearly all conflicts in life are the result of someone's deficiency in
at least one area of character. Therefore, the person with high
standards will significantly influence the level of contentment and
peace around him.
Character can be evaluated only subjectively; it cannot be measured.
It becomes evident through work ethic, respect toward others, general
attitude, money and time management, and much more. Have your family
formulate its own definition of character and then brainstorm
characteristics of a person who has character. Think of people you
know who exhibit strong morals and discuss what characteristics they
have which make that impression on you.
Know your children well. Know where they are in their spiritual
growth; know their strengths and weaknesses and take steps to help
them mature. Address character issues in a timely fashion. Right
choices and wrong choices both feed on themselves, and choices quickly
become habits.
If you are spending time in Bible study, you are reading the best
character guidelines that can be found anywhere. Doorposts
(www.doorposts.com) has excellent resources for character development
using purely Biblical guidelines. Tedd Tripp, in his book,
Shepherding a Child's Heart offers effective principles for going
beyond the outward behavior and dealing with the issues of the heart
where the seeds of behaviors take root. Age of Opportunity by Paul
Tripp addresses similar issues in regard to children in their teens.
Biographies and other stories can be outstanding character builders and
you use them as examples and discussion starters. "What if. . . "
questions help children to consider how the consequences would have
been different if the character had made different choices. Since the
plots of most stories grow out of conflict, and many times conflict is the
result of a character failure, it's fairly easy to find good character
lessons in most quality literature.
Academics are an important tool, but as we examine the fruit of
educators who seek academics for their own sake, we can quickly
realize that we want much more than that for our children. High
standards of conduct will help them realize greater success in their
marriages, in their careers, and in their ability to cope with the
challenges of life.
-- Mary Beth
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Winning Website
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The Old Schoolhouse DIGITAL Magazine
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine offers a free digital edition every 2 months! Packed with excellent articles, you can read it free at no charge. Here is the latest edition -- and I've turned the page to a great article to start you off! It is called "Don't Just Do Something -- Stand There". :-)
www.thehomeschoolmagazine-digital.com/thehomeschoolmagazine/20140304/#pg35
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Last Issue's Question...
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Whether you use a method similar to the Charlotte Mason method or some
other approach, what are some techniques you have found that have
helped you in teaching reading?
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Our Readers' Answers...
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"I like to use Charlotte Mason techniques when teaching reading. One example would be using the letter tiles from Scrabble and just allowing the child to rearrange the letters to form words. They seem to love this way of learning because it feels more like a game than pointing to each word in a book. Just make sure they know their letters and sounds and eventually, in God's time, their reading will take off!"
-- Cindy
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New Reader Question...
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"Is anyone using Rosetta Stone for foreign language instruction? If so,
do you use the personal edition, or the homeschool edition? Which do
you think is better?" -- Mindy
Please share your thoughts with Mindy! :-)
Simply reply to this email or create a new email message and send to:
hn-answers(at)familyclassroom.net
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Do YOU have a question to ask our readers? We WELCOME your questions!
Please send to: hn-questions(at)familyclassroom.net
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ADDITIONAL NOTES
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